,0. ^^■^/^i/--^,' „0 '\" y ,0^ 0' 4 o. x'^ -r. 0' „r ^V- ■-P'3 ^v^. ,0 ,0 %^ ,-V .x^'" -o V ^0^ :', ■' .0- ,v -*;, ^0 -^' ..^^ -^^-o^ o > .■i^-. /\^:?-fe,-\/'%,'-w^-' /•"\"--s«?-v'' j^b v-^. -^_ c" "oV o .u -7-. < _ — ^^^^<- ' .^'^^>. nV'''>^ .<.^"^^. -.¥ >^.N '^^■v-, ^ "oV." HISTORY OF CLAY AND PLATTE COUNTIES, MISSOURI, WRITTEN AND COMPILED FROM THE IMOST AUTHENTIC OFFICIAL AND PRIVATE SOURCES, INCLUDING A HISTORY OF THEIR TOWNSHIPS, TOWNS AND VILLAGES, TOGETHER WITH A CONDENSED HISTORY OF MISSOUKI ; A RELIABLE AND DETAILED HISTORY OF CLAY AND PLATTE COUNTIES - THEIR PIONEER RECORD, RESOURCES, BIOGRAPH- ICAL SKETCHES OF PROMINENT CITIZENS; GENERAL AND LOCAL STATISTICS OF GREAT VALUE; INCIDENTS AND REMINISCENCES. ST. LOUIS: NATIONAL HISTORICAL COMPANY. 1885. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1SS5, by O. P. WILLIAMS A CO., In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. St. Louis, Mo. : Press of Nixon- Jones Printing Co. St. Louis, Mo. : Becktold qf Co., Book-Under PREFACE. The deeds of the Anglo-Saxous who first came to the bottom lauds of the territory now embraced within the boundaries of Clay and Pi.atte counties, when the county was re-peopled and Virgin, and made for themselves homes and habitations, can not be Too' well remembered, and their history can not be too often told. The achieve- ments of those who came next after the first chasseurs voyarjeurs, and pioneers — the statesmen, the warriors, the planters, who have o-jven to the country, not only its notoriety, its fame and its glory, but its material prosperity as well — these ought never to be forgotton Their personal histories, what they have wrought — the schools they established, the churches they built, the towns and cities they built, the battles they fought, ought to be known and remembered. These things this history purports to record, imperfectly of course but after a form much better than none. If now in this year, 1885 ' the private diary for two years of a member of the Plymouth Puri- tan colony is valued at more than 300 ounces of fine ^old, as it is perhaps this volume may be appreciated in time if it is not by the present generation. This history is what the people of the counties of Clay and Platte have made it. But for their co-operation it never would or could have been written. It is they who dictated what should be printed in It, by furnishing chiefly the data, facts and details which it sets forth True, all previously published histories and other volumes containing anything of interest pertaining to the history of these counties have been drawn upon, and so have all written records, but everything, has been made to receive the corroboration of living witnesses, when at all practicable. No historical statement made herein ou<^ht to be questioned save for the bpst of reasons. '^ The numerous biographical sketches of the leading citizens of the * two counties constitute a prominent and one of the most vaUiable features of the book. Here are the personal histories of individuals not to be found elsewhere, and every biography will be sought after (ii?) PREFACE. and read with deep interest by hundreds. These sketches have been carefully written, and in most instances revised by the subjects them- selves, and an overlooked typographical imperfection will account for every error found therein. No pains have been spared to make, the volume what was promised. In truth, its publication has been long delayed in order that it might be as nearly as possible in all respects a valuable, complete and accur- ate history. On examination it will be found to contain much more than was promised — perhaps much more than was expected. The obligations of the historians, as well as of the publishers, to, the people°of the two counties for assistance rendered, and for mfor- mation furnished, are so numerous and so great that no attempt will be made to discharge them ; their acknowledgment must suffice. The early settlers, the county and municipal officials, editors of news- papers, secretaries and custodians of the records of societies and institutions, and hundreds of private citizens have given assistance and information. To mention each one by name would be a great task indeed. i ^ i • i Havincx so far as it was possible accomplished the work to which our time°ind labor have been given during the past nine months, and in the hope that a cordial welcome and generous approval may be accorded this volume, the same is respectfully submitted. THE PUBLISHERS. CONTENTS, HISTOEY OF MISSOURI. Brief Historical Sketch CHAPTER I. LOUISIANA PURCHASE. CHAPTER n. DESCRIPTIVE AND GEOGRAPHICAL. Name — Extent — Surface — Rivers — Timber — Climate — Prairie.s — Soils — Popula- tion by Counties 7-13 CHAPTER III. GEOLOGY OF MISSOURI. Classification of RocIjs — Quatenar}' Formation — Tertiary — Cretacious — Carbonifer- ous — Devouiau — Silurian — Azoic — Economic Geology — Coal — Iron — Lead — Copper — Zinc — Building Stone — Marble — Gypsuqj — Lime — Clays — Paints — Springs — Water Power 13-21 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 Settle- ment— Ste. Genevieve and New Bourbon — St. Louis — When Incorporated — Potosl — St. Charles — Portage des Sioux — New Madrid —St. Francois County — Perry — Mississippi — Loutre Island- "Boone's Lick" — Cote Sans Dessein — Howard County — Some First Tilings — Counties —When Organized . 21-27 CHAPTER V. TERRITORIAL ORGANIZATION. Organization 1812 — Council — House of Representatives — William Clark First Terri- torial Governor — Edward Hempstead First Delegate — Spanish Grants — First General Assembly — Proceedings — Second Assembly — Proceedings — Population of Territory — Vote of Territory — Ruf us Easton — Absent Members — Third Assembly — Proceedings — Application for Admission .... 27-31 (V) CONTENTS. 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 31-37 CHAPTER VII. MISSOURI AS A STATE. First Election for Governor and other State Officers — Senators and Representatives to General Assembly — Sheriffs 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 . . . 37-43 CHAPTER VIII. CIVIL WAR IN MISSOURI. Fort Sumpter Fired Upon — Call for 75,000 Men — Gov. Jackson Refuses to Furnish a Man — U. S. Arsenal at Liberty, Mo., Seized — -Proclamation of Gov. Jackson — General Order No. 7 — Legislature Convenes — Camp Jackson Organized — Ster- ling Price Appointed Major-General — Frost's Letter to Lyon — Lyon's Letter to Frost — Surrender of Camp Jackson — Proclamation of Gen. Harney — Conference between Price and Harney — Harney Superseded by Lyon — Second Conference — Gov. Jackson Burns 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 Command — Proclamation of Lieut. -Gov. Reynolds — Proclamation of Jeff . Thompson and Gov. Jackson — Death of Gen. Lyon — Succeeded by Sturgis — Proclamation of McCul- loch and Gamble — Martial Law Declared — Second Proclamation of JefE. Thomp- son — President Modifies Fremon't 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 No. 18 — Similar Order by Halleck — Boone County Standard Confiscated — Execution of Prisoners at Macon and Palmyra — Gen. Evring's Order No. 11 — Gen. Rosecrans Takes Command — Massacre at Centralia — Death of Bill Ander- son — Gen. Dodge Succeeds Gen. Rosecrans — List of Battles . . 43-53 CHAPTER IX. EARLY MILITARY RECORD. Black Hawk War — Mormon Difficulties — Florida War — Mexican War . 53-59 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 — First Neigh of the " IronHorse" in Mis- souri — Names of Railroads — Manufactures — Great Bridge at St. Louis 69-65 CONTENTS. Vll CHAPTER XI. EDUCATION. Public School System — Public School System of Missouri — Lincoln Institute — Offi- cers of Public School System — Certificates of Teachers — University of Missouri — Schools — Colleges — Institutions of Learning — Location — Libraries — News- papers and Periodicals — No. of School Children — Amount Expended — Value of Grounds and Buildings — "The Press" 05-73 CHAPTER XH. RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS. Baptist Church — Its History — Congregational — When Founded — Its History — Christian Church — Its History — Cumberland Presbyterian Church— Its His- tory—Methodist Episcopal Church — Its History — Presbyterian Church — Its History — Protestant Episcopal Church — Its History — United Presbyterian Church — Its History — Unitarian Church — Its History — Roman Catholic Church — Its History 73-79 CHAPTER Xni. ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR CRITTENDEN. Nomination and Election of Thomas T. Crittenden — Personal Mention — M-arma- duke's Candidacy — Stirring Events — Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad — Death of Jesse James — The Fords — Pardon of the Gamblers .... 79-85 HISTOEY OF CLAY COUNTY, MISSOUKI. CHAPTER I. EARLY HISTORY TO THE ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY. The Indians — The French and Spanish — First Exploration and Settlement by Amer- icans — The First American Settlers in Clay — An Indian Fight — Organization of Clay County 87-100 CHAPTER II. HISTORY OF THE COUNTY FROM 1S22 TO 1830. General Historical Sljetch from 1822 to 1830 — First County Courts — First Circuit Courts — Three Indian Horse Thieves — First Murder Case — Execution of the Murderess — The County in 1822 as Described by Dr. Beck^Martin Palmer, the " Ring-Tailed Painter " — Miscellaneous Items — Liberty Township — Roads and Ferries — Important County Court Proceedings in 1826 — Miscellaneous — Valua- tion of Property in 1829 — Tlie Indian Alarm of 1828 — The Expedition into the Platte Country 100-118 CHAPTER III. HISTORY OF THE COUNTY FROM 1830 TO 1840. General Sketch of the County from 1830 to 1840 — Early Days in Clay County — The Deep Snow of 1830 — Buildiug the First Court House — The First Jail — During the Black Hawlj War — Origin of the Platte Purchase — The "Hetherly War" — Clay County inl836 — The Mormon War 118-136 CHAPTER IV. HISTORY OF THE COUNTY FROM 1840 TO 1850. The Political Canvass of 1840 and 1844 — Elections of 1846 — The Great Flood of 1844 — Miscellaneous — Negro Killing — Tom Haggerty's Case — Clay County in the Mexican War — List of Capt. Moss's Company, and Sketch of its Services — The Political Canvass of 1848 — The Jackson Resolutions — Benton's Appeal — His Meeting at Liberty 13G-152 CHAPTER V. FROM 1850 TO THE TROUBLES IN ICANSAS. The California Gold Fever — The Political Canvass of 1850 — The Attempted Murde of Mrs. Dinah AUen — Lynching of Her Would-be Assassins — The Cholera — Elec- tions of 1852, 1854, 1856 and 1858 — The Know Nothings — Tragedies — The Great Smithville Melee and Mob in 1854 — Murder of Wm. O. Russell, Esq., by "Pete" Lightburne — Lynching of "Pete." 152-168 CHAPTER VI. DURING THE KANSAS TROUBLES UP TO 1861. The Kansas Trotibles — Clay County's Interest in Kansas Affairs — Sketch of the Situation in Kansas Texfitory Upon its Organization — The Election in 1854 — Clay Furnishes Her Quota of Voters — The "Sons of the South" — Election in the Spring of 1855 — Tlie Parkvilie Mob Indorsed — The " Wakarusa War" — Seizure of the Liberty Arsenal by the Clay County Volunteers — Maj. Leonard's Report — The Arms Returned Minus What Were Retained — County Seat Fight in Kansas — Emigrants to Kansas Turned Back — End of the Fight — The Free Soilers Win — Explanation of the Course of Clay County. Ui) to ISGl — Census — Miscellan- eous — The Present Court-House — The Kansas City and Cameron Railroad — The Presidential and Gubernatorial Campaigns of 1860 — After the Election — Trouble Brewing 168-100 CHAPTER VII. HISTORY OF THE COUNTY DURING 1861. The Legislature of 18G1 — Election of Delegates to the State Convention — The Work of the Convention — After Fort Sumpter — Capture of the Liberty Arsenal — Maj. Grant's Reports — After the Arsenal's Seizure — Preparing for War in Earnest — Organization of Military Companies — Gen. Doniphan Declines a Military Appoint- ment — Departure of the Secession Companies for the War — The First Federal Troops — Events of the Summer and Early Fall of 1861 -Proclamation of Gen. CONTENTS. IX Stein — Rallying to His Standard — The Battle of Blue Mills — The Killed and Wounded — Reports of the Leaders — Col. Saunders, Hon. D.R.Atchison, Col. Scott — List of Killed and Wounded in the Third Iowa — War Incidents of the Fall and Winter of 1861— The Neosho Secession Ordinance .... 100-222 CHAPTER VIII. DURING THE YEAR 1802. The " Gamble Oath"— It is Taken by a Majority of the County Officials- Miscel- laneous — Parker's Raid on Liberty — The Reign of Penick — Organization of the Enrolled Militia — Miscellaneous Military Matters —Nov. Election, 1862 224-234 CHAPTER IX. DURING THE YEAR 1863. Miscellaneous War Items of the Early Spring — The Raid on Missouri City and Killing of Capt. Sessions — Other War Incidents — After the Lawrence Raid — Threatened Invasion from Kansas Prevented — The "Paw Paw Militia," and Certain Military Incidents in This County During 1862 and 1863 — Interesting Testimony of Col. J. H. Moss — November Election — Sons of Malta — Military Murders. . 234-246 CHAPTER X. DURING THE YEAR 1864. Jayhawker raid on Missouri City — The Federal Draft — Bushwhacker's Raid — Fletch Taylors' First Raid, and Murder of Bond and Daily — He Kills the Bigelows — His Letter to Capt. Garth — His Skirmish on Fishing River with Capt. Kemper — Mis- cellaneous War Items — Ford's and Jennison's Visit which They were not Invited to Repeat — Bill Anderson — Other War Incidents — Census — Presidential Elec- tion 246-256 CHAPTER XI. SOME LEADING INCIDENTS FROM 1865 TO 1885. Miscellaneous Military Incidents in 1865 — The Last of the Bushwhackers — Surren- der of Oil. Shepherd's Band — The Drake Coustitution — Robbing of the Clay County Savings Bank — Political Canvasses — The Railroads of Clay County — Hanging of Sam Walker — Census Statistics — The James Brothers. . 256-271 CHAPTER XII. MISCELLANEOUS. Clay County Schools — County Teachers' Institute — William Jewell College, etc. 271-279 CHAPTER XIII. LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. Position and Description — Early Settlers — Liberty Landing — Country Churches — City of Liberty — First lacorporatiou — Liberty in 1846 — Churches of Liberty — Secret Societies — Biographical 279-374 CHAPTEE XIV. FISHING RIVER TOWNSHIP. Position aud Description — Early History, First Settlers, etc. — Voters at First Elec- tion in Township — Country Churches — Missouri City — Its ler and Subsequent Career — Known formerly as Richfield — Murder d \ „.ndon — Killing of two men named Titus by G. S. Elgin — Churches and Lodges in Missouri City — History of Excelsior Springs — When Surveyed and Started — Buildings Erected — Its Prosperity during 1881 — Incorporation — The Springs — The Medi- cinal and HealingProperties which They Possess — Churches at Excelsior Springs — G. A. R. Lodge — Prathersville — Location, etc. — Fishing River Baptist Church — Biographical '. 374-420 CHAPTEE XV. PLATTE TOWNSHIP. Position and Description — Early Settlements — Organization — First Justices — First Post-office — Tragedies of the Civil War — Churches in the County — Town of Smithville — " Yankee " Smith and his Eccentric Characteristics — His Death and the Epitaph on his Tombstone — Incorporation — Churches at Smithville — Odd Fellows' Lodge — Gosneyville — Churches — Biographical . . . 420-448 CHAPTEE XVI. KEARNEY TOWNSHIP. Boundaries, General Surface, etc. — Early Settlements — Tragedies of the Civil War — County Churches — Town of Kearney — Centreville — Location of Kearney and for Whom Named — Incorporation — Ke- ey's Churches — Holt — Location of this Village — Church and Lodge Records — graphical .... 448-498 CHAPTEE XVII. WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. Location and Physical Features — Hamlets of Greenville and Claysville — Early His- tory — Organization — Mount Vernon Missionary Baptist Church — Biograph- ical 498-507 CHAPTEE XVIII. GALLATIN TOWNSHIP. Boundary and Physical Features — Villages in this Township — Barry — Harlem — Moscow — Arnold's Station — Minaville — Churches — Biographical . 507-530 CONTENTS. HISTOKY OF PLATTE COUNTY, MISSOURI. CHAPTER I. ABORIGINES. Pi-e-Historic luhibitaats — The ludiaus — Sioux and Algouquius — The Missouris — The Osages, the Sac and Foxes,' and the lowas — Battle of the Little Platte — Pot- tawatomles — Kickapoos — The Issue House — Reminiscences. . . 531-588 CHAPTER n. EXPLORATIONS AND PIONEERS. French and Spanish — First American Visitors — Steamboat Expedition — Rialto — First White Settlement — The Natural Advantages of Platte County becoming Rec- ognized — Second Creek Settlers — Expelled in 1836 — Other Pioneers — The Lib- erty— Ft. Leavenworth Trail 538-545 CHAPTER ni. THE PLATTE PURCHASE — INDIAN TITLE EXTINGUISHED — 1835-1836. Preliminary Steps — The Platte Country Correspondence in Reference Thereto — Meeting at Liberty, Mo. — Its Object — Memorial — Efforts of Benton and Llnu — Treaty with the lowas, Sacs a;' 'ox Indians 545-553 CHAPTER IV. EARLIER PERMANENT SETTLEMENTS AND IMPROVEMENTS— 1837-1840. The Rush of Immigrants — Causes, Etc. — Appearance and Condition of the Country — The Work of the Early Settlers — Their Diversions — House-Raisings — The Class of People — Early Private Surveys — The Pre-emption Law — Pioneer Mills — Early Towns — Rialto, Platte City, Newmarket, Weston, Ridgely, Parkville, Farley, Barry, latan — List of Early Settlers 553-5G7 CHAPTER V. ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY, EARLY OFFICIALS, COURTS, PROCEED- INGS AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS — 1837-1840. Platte a Part of Clay — Officials of the Annexed Territory — Election of 1838 — Platte County Organized — Act of Organization — The New County^First County Court — Municipal Townships Established — Regular and Adjourned Terms — County Boundary Report — First Term of the Circuit Court — First Grand Jury — First Attorneys — First Instruments Recorded — Early Marriages . . . 567-583 CHAPTEE VI. MATERIAL PROGRESS OF TWENTY YEARS — 1841-1860. Government Surveys — Work and Improvements — Land Entries — Hard Times Among the Settlers — Great Flood of 1844, Followed by Much Sickness — Hemp Growing — Other Leading Products — Emigration to Oregon — Effect of the Mexican War upon the People — California Gold Excitement — Argonauts ' from Platte County — Salt Lake and Indian Trade — The Four Years Preceding the Kansas Troubles, and Drawbacks During that Period — Drought of 1854 — Four Years Preceding 1801 — Population and Property Valuation from 1840 to 1860 — State Roads, Bridges, Rail- roads, Etc 583-606 CHAPTER VII. EARLY MILITIA ORGANIZATIONS — THE MORMON WAR. Two Regiments — Officers — Drills — Martial Spirit — Social Features — The Mormon War — Militia Called Out and War Begun — Platte County Battalion of "Gen- tiles" — Surrender of the Mormons — Return of the Troops . . . 606-611 CHAPTER VIII. THE MEXICAN WAR. Army of the West — Platte and Cole Infantry Battalion — Departure of the Expedi- tion — Arrival of Kearney in Santa Fe — Col. Sterling Price — Capt. Morin's Platte County Company — Names of Members — The Ortiz Insurrection — Murder of Gov. Bent and Others — Battle of La Canada — Ambuscade at El Embudo — Storming and Capture of Fort Pueblo de Taos — Other Battles — Massacre and Subsequent Battle at Moro — Engagement at Cienega — The Return Home — Capt. Denver's Company — Names of Volunteers From This County — Society of Veterans of the Mexican War 611-626 CHAPTER IX. THE KANSAS TROUBLES. Slavery Under the Constitution — Anti-Slavery Agitation — Beginning of the Fight in Congress — "The Wilmot Proviso " — The California Bill — Slavery in Kansas Ter- ritory — Settling Kansas — Anti-Slavery Colonization — Anti-Slavery Emigrant Aid Societies — Excitement in Western Missouri — Insecurity of Slave Property — Fear of Insurrection — The Platte County Self-Defensive Association — Anti-Self-Defen- sive Protest — Citizens' Meeting — Platte County Emigration — Platte City Meet- ing — First Elections — Feeling Preceding the Parkville Luminary Affair — Destruc- tion of the Office — Anti-Slavery Ministers Expelled — Outrage Upon Wm. Phillips — Anti-Slavery Rebellion — Wakarusa War — Taking of Lawrence — Rout of Brown at Ossawatomie — Robbery of Hickory Point — "Heroine of the Kansas War" — Close of the Troubles 626-654 CHAPTER X. THE CIVIL WAR. Causes of the War — Secession Efforts to Compromise — Beginning of Hostilities — Affairs in Missouri in 1860-Gl — Attitude in Platte County — Enlistments for the CONTENTS. Xlll Southern Army — Wallace Jackson's Company — Campaigns and Battles — Capt. Stewart's and Capt. Thompson's Companies — "The Extra Battalion" — Col. Winston's Regiment — Capts. Mitchell's, Rogers', and Kuykendall's Companies — Companies of Capts. Spratt, Crisman, Miller and Morton — Formation of Winston's Regiment — Campaigns and Battles — Second Re-organization — Other Companies — Col. Barnes', Capts. Dowuing's and Robertson's Companies — Col. Childs' Convoy of Volunteers — Companies of Capts. Lanter and McGee — Of Capt. Carr — Gates' Regiment and Hughes' Battalion — Services — Casualties — Last of the Southern Companies — Capt. Wood.small's Company — Col. Thornton's Recruits — Total Number from this County — Union Enlistments — Capt. Phelp's Company — Col. Price's Company — The Pavr-paw Militia — The Sixteenth Kansas — Capt. Fitzger- ald's Regiment— Occupation of the County by the Federals — Fight, Etc. — Maj. Joseph's Campaign — The Bee Creek Fight — Capture of Col. Moonlight and Maj. Ralph — Maj. Huff comes to Weston — Gordon's Departure South — Morgan's Ad- vent — Clough's Raid of Robbers — Wisconsin and Ohio Troops — Other Troops in 18C2 — Skirmishes and Robberies in 1862 — Parkville Skirmish — Goose Neck Fight — Raid of Thieves and Negroes — 1803 — A Reign of Terror — Robbing an old Colored Man — Raid on Stump Cockrill — Murder of Toney Tinsley — Kansas Red Legs — Hangings and Robberies — Destruction of the Sentinel Office — Paw-paw Militia Excitement — Threatened Trouble at Platte City — Other Events in 1863 — Events of 1864 — Thornton's Recruiting Expedition — Raid of the Bashi-bazouks — Other Tragedies — Fights and Robberies — Capture of Parkville — Fight at Ridge- ly — Murder of Geo. Fielding— Killing of Phineas Wood, Throckmorton and Andy Smith — Slash Valley and Buena Vista Fights — Murder of Dr. Joseph Walker — Exodus to Montana and the West — Affairs in 1805. — The Close of the War 654-73(; CHAPTER XI. HOMICIDES, TRIALS, ETC. Murder of Hall L. Wilkerson — An Election Row — Affray in Platte County — Killing of Wm. Callahan — Ducote Killed by White • — G. S. Elgin Assassinated — Nathaniel Daniels Killed by Houston — Capt. Dan Jenkins Assassinated — Killing of Burge by Johnson — Thomas Morgan Killed by Israel Health and Benj. Fulcher- — .\lvis Homicide — Killing of Dr. Spencer — George Burgess Kills his Cousin — John Jones kills John Bone — Tipton Kills Woodson 73G-745 CHAPTER Xn. BENCH AND BAR. Introduction — Prominent Members of the Bar Originally from Missouri — Circuit Court — Prominent Attorneys — Personal Sketches — Members of the Bar of Platte County, Mo. — County Court Judges — Probate Court — Court of Common Pleas, Weston 745-760 CHAPTER Xin. POLITICS AND PUBLIC MEN. First Election, 1838 — Succeeding Elections — Votes of the County Since I85G — Public Officials 760-768 XIV CONTENTS. CHAPTEE XIV. SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES AND LITEBAEY CULTURE. Public School System of Missouri — Pablic Schools in Platte County — County Com- missioner's Report for Year ending June 30, 1884 — Private Schools and Colleges — Camden Point Female Academy — Historical Sketch — The Institution at Present — Female Orphan School — Conditions of Admission — Male Academy at Camden Point — Platte City Male College — Pleasant Ridge Academy — Platte City Female College — Weston High School — Mental Culture and Literature . . 768-782 CHAPTER XV. MATERIAL PROGRESS SINCE THE WAR — 1865-1885. Assessed Valuation in 1865 — Platte County Fair Association — Its Officers — Bridges — Weston and Platte City Turnpilse — Valuation and Tax for 1885 — Description of Platte county 782-793 CHAPTER XVI. RAILROADS AND BONDED DEBT. Early Railroads — Kansas City, St. Joseph and Council Bluffs Railroad — Southern Branch Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad — Atchison Branch Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad — Parkville and Grand River Railroad — Indebted- ness of the County — Parkville and Grand River Railroad Company — Platte County Railroad Company — Weston Railroad Bonds — Court-Hou«e Indebtedness — Green Township Strip Bonds — Recapitulation 793-803 CHAPTER XVII. CHURCHES AND LODGES. Churches in Carroll Township — In Fair Township — In Green Township — In Lee Township — In Marshall Township — In May Township — In Pettis Township — In Preston Township — In Waldron Township — In Weston Township — Lodges in the County— A. F. &. A. M. — I. O. O. F. — Legion of Honor, Etc. . . 803-829 CHAPTER XVHI. NEWSPAPERS AND JOURNALISTS. The Hagle a,TiA the Argus — The Atlas — The Tenth Legion — The Sentinel--The Bor- der Times — The Chronicle — Parkville Papers — The Luminary — The Courier — The Independent — Later Platte City Papers — The Reveille — The Landmark — The Demo- crat — The Advocate — The Argus — Edgerton Coumr .... 829-838 CHAPTER XIX. PETTIS TOWNSHIP. Boundary and Physical Features — Population — Early Settlers, and Names of Those First Associated with the Township — Present Condition — Hampton — Location Etc. — Parkville, the Principal City in the Township — Reminiscences — First Mer- chants, Etc. — History of the Town — Its Outlook Now — Business in the Place — Biographical 838-872 CHAPTER XX. MAY TOWNSHIP. Boundary — Physical Features — Early Settlers — Barry — Pioneer Preachers and Church Members — Linkville — Principal Business Houses of the Place — Its Con- ■ dition as a Business Center — Bioscraphical 872-885 CHAPTER XXI. WALDRON TOWNSHIP. Formation, Boundary, etc. — Physical Features — Early Settlers — Waldrou — Where Located — By Whom Laid Out — Present Business — Biographical. . S85-S94 CHAPTER XXH. PRESTON TOWNSHIP. Boundary — Physical Features — Early Settlers — Ridgely — Early Merchants in the Town — Business Outlook — Edgerton — One of the Most Important Towns in the County — Present Business Interests — Early Churches — Union Mills and Dis- tillery — Biographical 894-910 CHAPTER XXHI. CARROLL TOWNSHIP. Location, Area and Boundary — Physical Features — Early Settlers — Who They Were and Where From — Platte City — Its Situsition — Known as the Falls of Platte River — Originally called Martinsville, after Zadoc Martin — A Sketch of Him — First Court Held in Tavern of Mike Faylor' — First Sale of Lots After Town Was Laid Out — Charter Obtained — Sketches of a few Pioneers — Early Build- ings — Churches, Etc. — Schools Established — Chronological Aunals from 1862 to 1878 — Postmasters of Platte City — Other Items — Public Schools — Business of the City — Exchange Bank of Wells & Co. — Biographical . . . 910-977 CHAPTER XXIV. LEE TOWNSHIP. Territory and Boundary — Water Courses — Pioneers in the Township — Farley — Population, Etc. — East Leavenworth, also called City Point — Biographical 977-990 CHAPTER XXV. FAIR TOWNSHIP. Territory and Boundary — Physical Features — Early Settlers — Tracy — By Whom Surveyed — For Whom Named — Early Merchants — Present Business in the Town — Beverly — Settle Station— Biographical 990-1011 XVI CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXVI. GREEN TOWNSHIP. Boundary and Area — Nature of the Soil — Its Adaptability for Agricultural Pur- poses — Timber — Stock-raising Industry — Early Settlers — New Market — When and by Whom Laid Out — Originally Called Jacksonville — Buena Vista — Camden Point — Location, Etc. — Atchison Junction — Dearborn — Sketch of Singleton Woods — Biographical 1011-1037 CHAPTER XXVII. WESTON TOWNSHIP. Boundary — Peculiarities of the Soil — Location of the Most Highly Improved Lands — Early Settlers — City of Weston — Situation — When Platted — First Female in the Place — Early Business Men — Her Foreign Trade — Hemp Growing — Present Outlook — Commercial and Industrial Interests — Apple Shipments — Weston's Great Men — Pony Express and Overland Mail — Lodges — Miscel- laneous 1037-1086 CHAPTER XXVIII. MARSHALL TOWNSHIP. Boundary — Stock and Fruit Interests — Pioneers — latan — Present Business Men — Sugar Lake and Bean's Lake — Biographical 1086-1121 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. CHAPTER I. LOUISIANA PURCHASE. BRIEF HISTORICAL SKETCH. The purchase in 1803 of the vast territory west of the Mississippi River, by the United States, extending through Oregon to the Pacific coast and south to the Dominions of Mexico, constitutes the most im- portant 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, 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, aflbrd him a fine field whence he could the more efiectively 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 undertaking, however, his hopes were blasted, and so great was his disappointment that he apparently became indiiferent to the advantages to be secured to France from his purchase of Louisiana, Iq 1803 he sent out Laussat as prefect of the colony, who gave the (1) 2 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. people of Louisiana the first intimation they had that they had once more become the subjects of France. This was the occasion of great rejoicing among the inhabitants, who were Frenchmen in their origin, habits, manners, and customs. Mr. Jefferson, then President of the United States, on being in- formed 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 West- ern States, and give her also control oi the Gulf of Mexico, so neces- sary 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 puichase 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 conjunction with Mr. Livingston. Ever equal to all emergencies, and prompt in the cabinet, as well as in the field. Na- poleon 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 sum- moned two of his Ministers, and addressed them 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 1763. 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 pos- sessions 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 compared to their vast possessions in other parts of the globe, yet, judging from the vexation they have mani- fested on seeing it return to the power of France, I auj •--•fcuin that HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 3 tHeir first object will be to gain possession of it. They will proba- bly 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 out of their reach. I am not sure but that they have already begun an at- tack 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 con- ciliate. 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 re- nounce Louisiana. I shall give up not only New Orleans, but the whole colony, without reservation. That I do not undervalue Louis- iana, 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 commis- sion 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 com- mence 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 ii, I shall be moderate in my terms. Still, remember, I must have fifty millions of francs, and I will not consent to take less. 4 HISTOET OF MISSOURI. I would rather make some desperate effort to preserve this fine country." That day the negotiations commenced. Mr. Monroe reached Paris on the 12th of April, 1803, 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 the 30th of April, the treaty was signed, and on the 21st of October, of the same year. Con- gress ratified the treaty. The United States were to pay $11,250,000, and her citizens were to be compensated for some illegal captures, 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 ot 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 Euro- pean government as they will when they become independent. But while they enjoy the privileges of liberty let tTiem 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 purchased by the Uuitud Status, no chauge had been made by HISTORY OF MISSOURI. T the French authorities in the jarisprudence 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 Missouri dates from this day. From that moment the interests of the people of the Mississippi Valley became identified. They were troubled no more with uncer- tainties in regard to free navigation. The great river, along whose banks they had planted their towns and villages, now afforded them a safe and easy outlet to the markets of the world. Under the pro- tecting segis 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 scenery and wealth of minerals, they had every incentive to push on their enterprises and build up the land wherein their lot had been cast. In the purchase of Louisiana, it was known that a great empire had been secured as a heritage to the people of our country, for all time to come, but 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 labyrinths of its lonely forests, little thought .that a mighty tide of physical and intellectual strength, would so rapidly O HISTORY OF MISSOURI. flow on in his footsteps, to populate, build up and enrich the domain which he had conquered. Year after year, civilization has advanced further and further, until at length the mountains, the hills and the valleys, and even the rocks and the caverns, resound with the noise and din of busy millioua. " I beheld the westward inarches Of the unknown crowded nations. All the land was full of people, Restless, struggling, toiling, stri%-ing, 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 portion of the old province, north of " Hope Encampment," on the Lower Mississippi, 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 latitude 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. William H. Har- rison, then governor of Indiana. In this he was assisted by Judges Griffin, Vanderburg and Davis, who established in St. Louis what were called Courts of Common Pleas. The District of Louisiana was regu- larly organized into the Territory of Louisiana by Congress, March 3, 1805, and President Jefferson appointed Gen. James Wilkinson, Gov- ernor, and Frederick Bates, Secretary. The Legislature of the ter- ritory was formed by Governor Wilkinson and Judges R. J. Meigs and John B. C. Lucas. In 1807, Governor Wilkinson was succeeded by Captain Meriwether Lewis, who had become famous by reason of his having made the expedition up the Missouri 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, 1810, 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. HISTORY or MISSODKI. 7 Howard, and remained in office until the admission of the State into the Union, in 1821. 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 terri- tory from Apple Creek to the Meramec 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 dis- tricts at that time, was 8,670, including slaves. The population of the district of Louisiana, when ceded to the United States was 10.120. CHAPTER n. DESCRIPTIVE AND GEOGRAPHICAL. Kame — Extent — Surface — Elvers — Timber — Climate — Prairies — Soils — Popala> tion by Counties. 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 sep- arated 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 Ter- ritory, and 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 cor- ner along the Iowa line, to its intersection with the Des Moines 8 HISTORY OF MISSOURI, River, is about 210 miles ; its width on its soiitbiern boundary is aboufc 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 comer to its southeast corner, and from the northeast corner to the southwest comer, it ia 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. 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 out- skirts of the Ozark Mountains. Beyond the Osage River, at some distance, commences a vast ex- panse of prairie laud which stretches away towards the Rocky Moun- tains. The ridges forming the Ozark chain extend in a northeast and southwest direction, separating the waters that flow northeast into the Missouri from those that flow southeast into the Mississippi River. No State in the Union enjoys better facilities for navigation than Missouri. By means of the Mississippi River, which stretches along her entire eastern boundary, she can hold commercial intercourse with the most northern territory and State in the Union ; with the whole valley of the Ohio ; with many of the Atlantic States, aud 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 shag'j;y forests and by palace walls, To hide its terror in a sea of gloom ; The castled Rliine, whose vine-crowned waters flow. The fount of fable and the source of song; The rushing Rhone, in whose cerulean depths The loving sljy seems wedded with the wave; The yellow Tiber, chok'd with Roman spoils. HISTORY OF MISSOURI. • 9 A dying miser shrinking 'neath his gold ; The Seine, where fashion glasses the fairest forms; The Thames that bears the riches of the world ; Gather their waters in one ocean mass, Our Mississippi rolling proudly on, Wonld 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 jjroducts which will come in the course of time, by its multitude of tributaries. The Missouri River coasts the northwest line 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 Mis- souri River receives a number of triljutaries within the limits of the State, the principal of which are the Nodaway, Platte, Grand and Chariton from the north, and the Blue, Siiiabar, Lamine, Osage and Gasconade from the south. The principal tributaries of the Missis- sijjpi within the State, are the Salt River, north, and the Meramec 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 175 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 Lelianon, nor more precious in their utility were the almug- trees of Ophir, than the native forests of Missouri. The river bottoms are covered with a luxuriant growth of oak, ash, elm, hickory, cotton- wood, linn, white and black walnut, and in 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 sub- iect 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, 10 HISTORY OF MISSOUKI. except during the month of February, which has many days of pleas- ant sunshine. Prairies. — Missouri is a prairie State, especially that pori;ion 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 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, exhibit a grace- fully waving surface, swelling and sinking with an easy slope, and a full, rounded outline, equally avoiding the unmeaning horizontal sur- face and the interruption of abrupt or angular elevations. These prairies often embrace extensive tracts of land, and in one or two instances 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 capa- bilities, but the most fertile portions of the State are the river bot- toms, which are a rich alluvium, 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 j'ellow pine. The marshy lands in the southeastern part of the State will, by a ■ystem of drainage, be one of the most fertile districts in the State. HISTOET or MISSOtJBI. POPULATION BT COXJNTIES IN 1870, 1876, AND 1880. 11 Conntiei. Adair . Andrew Atchison . Audrain Barry . Barton Bates . Benton Bollinger . Boone Buchanan . Butler CaldweU . Callaway . Camden Cape Girardeau Carroll Carter Cass . . , Cedar . Chariton Christian . Clark . Clay . Clinton Cole . Cooper Crawford . Dade . Dallaa Dariess DeKalb Dent . Douglas . Dunklin Franklin . Gasconade . Gentry Greene Grundy Harrison . Henry Hickory Holt . Howard Howell Iron . Jackson Jasper Jefferson , Johnson Knox . , Laclede Lafayette . , Lawrence . Lewis . Lincoln Linn . , Livingston . 1870. 11,449 15,137 8,440 12,307 10,373 6,087 15,9C0 11,322 8,162 20,765 35,109 4,298 11,390 19,202 6,108 17,558 17,440 1,440 19,299 9,471 19,136 6,707 13,667 16,564 14,063 10,292 20,692 7,982 8,683 8,383 14,410 9,858 6,357 3,915 6,982 30,098 10,093 11,607 21,549 10,567 14,635 17,401 6,452 11,652 17,233 4,218 6,278 65,041 14,928 15,380 24,648 10,974 9,380 22,624 13,067 15,114 15,960 15,906 16,730 1876. 13,774 14,992 10,925 15,157 11,146 6,900 17,484 11,027 8,884 81,923 38,165 4,363 12,200 25,257 7,027 17,891 21,498 1,549 18,069 9,897 23,294 7,936 14,549 15,320 13,698 14,122 21,356 9,391 11,089 8,073 16,557 11,159 7,401 6,461 6,255 26,924 11,160 12,673 24,693 13,071 18,530 18,465 5,870 13,245 17,816 6,756 6,623 64,045 29,384 16,186 23,646 12,678 9,845 22,204 13,054 16,360 16,858 18,110 18,074 1880. 16,190 16,318 14,505 19,739 14,434 10,332 25,382 12,398 11,132 25,424 49,824 6,011 13,654 23,670 7,269 20,998 23,300 2,168 22,431 10,747 25,224 9,633 15,631 15,579 16,073 15,519 21,623 10,763 12,557 9,272 19,174 13,343 10,647 7,753 9,604 26,536 11,153 17,188 28,817 15,201 20,318 23,914 7,388 15,510 18,423 8,814 8,183 82,328 32,021 18,736 28,177 13,047 11,524 25,761 17,585 15,925 17,443 20,016 20,203 12 HISTOBT OP MISSOOBI. POPULATION BY COmniES — Continued. OoanUea. 1876. 1876. 1880. McDonald 6,226 6,072 7,816 Macon 23,230 25,028 26,223 Madison 5,849 8,750 8,866 Maries 6,916 6,481 7,304 Marion 23,780 22,704 24,837 Mercer 11,557 13,393 14,674 Miller 6,616 8,529 9,807 Mississippi 4,982 7,498 9,270 Moniteau 13,375 13,084 14,349 Monroe 17,U9 17,751 19,075 Montgomery ........ 10,405 14,418 16,250 Morgan 8,434 9,529 10,134 New Madrid 6,357 6,673 7,694 Newton , 12,821 16,875 18,948 Nodaway 14,751 23,196 29,560 3,287 4,469 5,791 Osage 10,793 11,200 11,824 3,363 4,579 6,618 Pemiscot 2,059 2,573 4,299 9,877 11,189 11,895 Pettis 18,706 23,167 27,285 10,506 9,919 12,565 Pilie 23,076 22,828 26,716 17,352 15,948 17,372 Polk . 14,445 13,467 15,745 4,714 6,157 7,250 Putnam 11,217 12,641 13,556 10,510 9,997 11,838 Randolph 15,908 19,173 22,761 18,700 18,394 20,196 Reynolds 8,756 4,716 5,723 3,175 8,913 6,377 St. Charles 21,304 21,821 23,060 6,742 11,242 14,126 St. Francois 9,742 11,621 13,822 8,384 9,409 10,309 St. Louis" 851,189 . . . 31,888 21,672 27,087 29,913 Schuyler 8,820 9,831 10,470 10,670 12,030 12,507 Scott ■. , 7,317 7,312 8,587 2,339 3,236 8,441 Shelby 10,119 13,243 14,024 8,535 10,888 13,433 Stone 3,253 3,544 4,405 11,907 14,039 16,569 Taney 4,407 6,124 6,605 9,618 10,287 12,207 Vernon 11,247 14,413 19,370 9,673 10,321 10,806 Wasbington , , 11,719 13,100 12,895 6,0G8 7,006 9,097 Webster 10,434 10,684 12,175 5,004 7,164 8,208 Wright 6,684 6,124 9,733 . . . 850,522 1,721,295 1,547,030 2,168,804 > 8t. Louis City and Count; aeparated In 1877. Population (or 1876 not given HISTORY OF MI8S0UKI. 13 Males Females Native Foreign White Colored ' 1,126,424 1,041,380 1,957,564 211,210 2,023,568 145,236 CHAPTER ni. GEOLOGY OF MISSOURI. Classification of Rocks —Quatenary Formation — Tertiary — Cretaceons — Carbonifer- ous — Devonian — Silurian — Azoic — Economic Geology — Coal — Iron — Lead — Copper— Zinc — Building Stone — Marble — Gypsum — Lime — 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. 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, vegeta- ble mould, bog, iron ore, marls, etc. The Alluvium deposits, cover an area, within the limits of Mis- souri, of more than four millions acres of land, which are not sur- passed for fertility by any region of country on the globe. The Bluff Prairie formation is confined to the low lands, which are washed by the two great rivers which course our eastern and western boundaries, and while it is only about half as extensive as the Allu- vial, 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 capping all the Bluffs of the Missouri from Fort Union to its mouth, and those of the Mississippi from Dubuque ' Including 92 Chinese, 2 half Chinese, and 96 Indiana and half-breeds. 14 HISTORY OP MISSOUEI. 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 IVIissis- sippi 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 Mound, 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 northwestern 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 locali- ties in northern Missouri, this formation assumes a pure white, pipe- clay color." The Tertiary formation is made up of clays, shales, iron ores, sand- stone, and sands, scattered along the bluff's, and edges of the bottoms, reaching from Commei'ce, Scott County, to Stoddard, and south to the Chalk Bluffs in Arkansas. The Cretaceous formation lies beneath the Tertiary, and is com- posed of variegated sandstone, bluish-brown sandy slate, whitish- brown impure sandstone, fine white clay mingled with spotted flint, purple, red and blue clays, 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 vai'ieties of coal found in the State are the common bituminous and cannel coals, and they exist in quantities inexhaustible. The fact that these coal-measures are full of fossils, which are always confined HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 15 to the coal measures, enables the geologist to point them out, and the coal beds contained in them. The rocks of the Lower Carboniferous lormation are varied in color, and are quarried in many different parts of the State, being exten- sively utilized for building and other purposes. Among the Lower Cai'l)oniferou3 rocks is found the Upper Archi- medes Limestone, 200 feet ; Ferruginous Sandstone, 195 feet ; Mid- dle Archimedes, 50 feet; St. Louis Limestone, 250 feet; Oolitic Limestone, 25 feet; Lower Archimedes Limestone, 350 feet; and Encrinital Limestone, 500 feet. These limestones generally contain fossils. The Ferruginous limestone is soft when quarried, but becomes hard and durable 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 Carboniferous 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, Ealls, Pike, Callaway, Saline and Ste. Genevieve counties. The Chemung Group has three formations, Chouteau limestone, 85 feet ; Vermicular sandstone and shales, 75 feet ; Lithographic lime- stone, 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 pur- poses but makes an excellent 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-tex- tured limestone. Its color varies from light drab to buff and blue. It is called "pot metal," because under the hammer it gives a sharp, riufnng sound. It has but few fossils. 16 HISTORT OF MISSOURI. 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 pre- sents such variable and widely different lithological characters as the Onondaga. The Oriskany sandstone is a light, gi'ay limestone. Of the Upper Silurian series there are the following formations : Lower Helderberg, 350 feet ; Niagara Group, 200 feet ; Cape Girar- deau limestone, 60 feet. The Lower Helderberg is made up of buff, gray, and reddish cherty, and argillaceous 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 fractui'cs in layers from two to six inches in thickness, with argilla- ceous partings. These strata contain a great many fossils. The Lower Silurian has the following ten formations, to wit : Hud- son River Group, 220 feet ; Trenton limestone, 360 feet ; Black River and Bird's Eye limestone, 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 limestone, 350 feet. Hudson River Group : — There are three formations which Prof. Swallow refers to in this group. These formations are found in the bluff above and below Louisiana ; on the Grassy a few miles north- west of Louisiana, and in Ralls, Pike, Cape Girardeau and Ste. Gene- vieve Counties. Trenton limestone : The upper part of this formation is made up of thick beds of hard, compact, bluish gray and drab limestone, varie- gated with irregular cavities, filled with greenish materials. The beds are exposed between Hannibal and New London, north of Salt River, near Glencoo, St. Louis County, and are seventy-five feet thick. Black River and Bird's Eye limestone the same color as the Trenton limestone. HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 17 The first Magnesian limestone cap the picturesque oluffs of the Osage in Benton and neighboring counties. The Saccharojdal sandstone has a wide range in the State. In a bluff about two miles from Warsaw, is a very striking change of thick- ness 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 Franklin Counties. The third Magnesian limestone is exposed in the high and picturesque bluffs of the Niangua, in the neighborhood of Bryce's 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 provision 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 carboniferous 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. A large portion of the State, has been ascer- tained 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, Mont- gomery, 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 18 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. City, has systematic mining, opened up hundreds of mines in different localities. The area of our coal beds, on the line of the southwestern boundary of the State alone, embraces more than 26,000 square miles of 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 pos- session of her developed and undeveloped coal mines, jVIissouri has.a motive power, which in its influences for good, in the civilization of man, is more potent than the gold of California. Iron. — Prominent among the minerals, which increase the power and prosperity of a nation, is iron. Of this ore, Missouri has an inex- haustible quantity, and like her coal fields, it has been developed in many portions of the State, and of the best and purest quality. It is found in great abundance in the counties of Cooper, St. Clair, Greene, 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 Moun- tain, which is two hundred feet high, and covers an ai"ea of five hun- dred acres, and produces a metal, which is shown by analysis, to con- tain from 65 to 69 per cent of metallic iron. The ore of Shepherd Mountain contains from 64 to 67 per cent of metallic iron. The ore of Pilot Knob 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 gi'ay. The red (ires are found in twenty-one 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, embrac- ing about one hundred counties, and have been ascertained to exist in these in large quantities. Lead. — Long before any permanent settlements were made in Mis- souri 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 8f them are being successfully worked. These deposits of lead cover an area, so fur as developed, of more than seven thousand square miles. Mines have been opened HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 19 in Jefferson, Washington, St. Francois, Madison, Wayne, Carter, Rey- nolds, Crawford, Ste. Genevieve, Perry, Colo, Cape Girardeau, Cam- den, 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 years, and some of these have been successfully worked and are now yielding good results. Deposits of copper have been discovered in Dent, Crawford, Ben- ton, 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. & 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 build- ing material. There are many marble beds in the State, some of which furnish very beautiful 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 3rd Magnesian limestone, on the Niangua. It is fine-grained, crystalline, silico-magnesian limestone, light-drab, slightly tinged with peach blos- som, and clouded by deep flesh-colored shades. In ornamental archi- tecture 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 line of the Kansas Pacific Railroad, on Kan- sas River, and on Gypsum Creek. It exists also in severar other localities accessible by both rail and boat. All of the limestone formations in the State, from the coal measures to fourth Magnesian, have more or less strata of very nearly pure car- bonate of pure lime. Clays and Paints. — Clays are found in nearly all parts of the State suitable for making bricks. Potters' clay and tire-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. Yel- low and red ochres are found in considerable quantities on the Missouri 20 HISTORY OF MISSOUKI. 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 Sweei Springs on the Black- water, 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 Meramec, Gasconade, Bourbeuse, Osage, Niangua, Spring, White, Sugar, and other streams. Besides these, there are hundreds of springs sufficiently large to drive mills and factories, and the day is not far distant when these crystal fountains will be utilized, and a thousand saws will buzz to their dashing music. HISTOET OF MISSOtTEI. 21 CHAPTER lY. TITLE AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. Title to Missouri Lands — Eight of Discovery — Title of France and Spain — Cession to the United States — Territorial Changes — Treaties with Indians — First Settle- ment — Ste. Genevieve and New Bourbon — St. Louis — When Incorporated — Potosl — St. Charles — Portage des Sioux — New Madrid — St. Francois County — Perry — Mississippi — Loutre Island — "Boone's Licit" — Cote Sans Dessein — Howard County — Some First Things — Counties — When Organized. The title to the soil of Missouri was, of course, 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, therefore, 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 1763. Prior to the year 1763, the entire continent of North America was divided between France, England, Spain and Russia. France held all that portion that now constitutes our national domain west of the Mississippi Eiver, except Texas, and the territory which we have obtained from Mexico and Russia. The vast region, while under the jurisdiction 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 con- tinent, and Spain came into the jiossession of the territory west of the Mississippi River, while Great Britain retained Canada and the regions northward, having obtained that territory by conquest, in the war with France. For thirty-seven years the territory 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 1, 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 by citizens of the United States against France, which amounted 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 22 HTSTORT OF MISSOURI. Missouri, "but the financial needs of Napoleon afforded our Govern- ment 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 26, 1804, authorized the division of the " Louis- iana 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 " Indian Territory." By virtue of an act of Congress, approved March 3, 1805, the "District of Louisiana" was organized as the "Territory of Louis- iana," 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 4, 1812. In 1819, a portion of this territory was organized as " Arkan- sas Territory," and on August 10, 1821, the State of Missouri was admitted, being a part of the former " Territory 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, Nodaway 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 : — 1. To France, with other territory. 2. In 1763, with other territory, it was ceded to Spain. 3. October 1, 1800, it was ceded, with other territory from Spain, back to France. 4. April 30, 1803, it was ceded, with other territory, by France to the United States. 5. October 31, 1803, a temporary government was authorized by Congress for the newly acquired territory. 6. October 1, 1804, it was included in the " District of Louisiana " and placed under the territorial government of Indiana. 7. July 4, 1805, it was included as a part of the " Territory of Louisiana," then organized with a separate territorial government. HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 23 8. June 4, 1812, it was embraced in what was then made the " Ter- ritory of Missouri." 9. August 10, 1821, it was admitted into the Union as a State. 10. In 1836, the "Platte Purchase" was made, adding more ter- ritory to the State. The cession by France, April 30, 1803, vested the title in the United States, 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 embraced 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 the settlements 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 Liguest, on the 15th of February, 1764. He was a native of France, and was one of the members of the company of Laclede Liguest, Antonio Maxant & Co., to whom a royal charter had been granted, confirming the privilege of an exclusive trade with the Indians of Missouri as far north as St. Peter's River. While 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 lai-gely in_ creased 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 ninth day of November, 1809, by the Court of Com- mon Pleas of the district of St. Louis ; the town trustees being Auguste Chouteau, Edward Hempstead, Jean F. Cabanne, Wm. C Carr and William 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 having the ad- 24 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. yantages of water transportation unsurpassed, but surrounded 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 tributaries, and, with its railroad 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 1795, received by grant from the Spanish government a league of land, now known as the "Austin Sur- vey." The grant was made on condition that Mr. Austin would es- tablish 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 Northern Missouri was made near St. Charles, in St. Charles County, in 1769. The name given to it, and which it retained till 1784, was Les Petites Cotes, signifying. Little Hills. The town site was located by Blanchette, a Frenchman, surnamed 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 Missis- sippi, just below the mouth ot the Illinois River, and at about the eame time a Kickapoo village 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 Del- aware Indians. The place now known as Big River Mills, St. Fran- cois 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 pres- ent town of Farmington, by the Rev. William Murphy, a Baptist min- ister from East Tennessee. In 1796, settlements were made in Perry county by emigrants from Kentucky and Pennsylvania ; the latter lo- cating 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, Illinois, was settled August 6, 1800, by John Johnson, by virtue of a land-grant HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 25 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 Hermann, in the Missouri Kiver, was settled by a few American families in 1807. This little company of pioneers suf- fered 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 M. 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 Dessein, now called Bakersville, on the Missouri Eiver, 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 1812, at this place many hard-fought battles occurred between the whites and Indians, wherein woman's fortitude and courage greatly assisted in the defence of the settle- ment. In 1810, a colony of Kentuckians numbering one hundred and fifty families immigrated to Howai'd county, and settled on the Missouri River in Cooper's Bottom near the present town of Franklin, and opposite Arrow Rock. 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, whoso navigation aflbrded 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 improve- ments 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 appli- ances of a higher civilization are profusely strewn over the smiling surface of the State. 26 HISTOEY OF MISSOURI. ' Culture's hand Has scattered verdure o'er the land; And smiles and fragrance rule serenOi Where barren wild usurped the scene. 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-master. The first Protestant church erected at Ste. 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 Reid ; landed at St. Louis 1817. The first board of trustees for public schools appointed in 1817, 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 May, 1819 ; Capt. Nelson, mas- ter. 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, 1649. HIbTOEY OF MISSOUEI. 27 CHAPTER V. TERRITORIAL ORGANIZATION. Organization 1812— Council — House of Representatives — William Clark first Terri- torial Governor— Edward Hempstead first Delegate — Spanish Grants — First General Assembly — Proceedings — Second Assembly — Proceedings — Population of Territory — Vote of Territory — Euf us Easton — Absent Members — Third Assem- bly — Proceedings — Application for Admission. Congress organized Missouri as a Territory, July 4, 1812, witli a Governor and General Assembly. The Governor, Legislative Coun- cil, and House of Representatives exercised the Legislative power of the Territory, the Governor's vetoing power being absolute. .he Legislative Council was composed of nine members, whose ten- ure of office lasted five years. Eighteen citizens were nominated by the House of Representatives to the President of the United States, from whom he selected, with the approval of the Senate, nine Coun- cillors, 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 mem- ber for every five hundred white males. The first House of Repre- sentatives 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, whose term of office continued four years, hav- ing original and appellate jurisdiction in civil and criminal cases. The Territory could send one delegate to Congress. Governor Clark issued a proclamation, October 1st, 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 Represen- tatives. 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 Matthew Lyon were candidates in November for delegates to Congress. 28 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. Edward Hempstead was elected, being the first Territorial Dele- gate to Congress from Missouri. He sei"ved one term, declining a second, and was instrumental in having Congress to pass the act of June 13, 1812, which he introduced, confirming 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 session in 1803. Under the act of June 4, 1812, the first General Assembly held its session in the house of Joseph Robidoux, in St. Louis, 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. Can*, and Richard Clark. Ste. Genevieve. — George Bullet, Richard S. Thomas, and Isaac McGready. Cape Girardeau. — George F. Bollinger, and Spencer Byrd. New Madrid. — John Shraderand 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 per- sons from whom the President of the United States, 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 Frederick 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 Legis- lature. 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. Consequently but little is known in refer- ence to the workings of the first Territorial Legislature in Missouri. HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 29 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 meas- ures ; 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 Pleas ; incorporating the Bank of St. Louis ; and organizing a part of Ste. Genevieve county into the county of Washington. The next session of the Legislature convened in St. Louis, Decem- ber 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 McCready, from the county of Washington. 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 Gazette. At this session of the Legislature many wise and useful laws were passed, having reference to the temporal as well as the moral and spiritual welfare of the jjeople. Laws were enacted for the suppres- sion of vice and immoi'ality on the Sabbath day ; for the improve- ment of public roads and highways ; creating the offices of auditor, treasurer and county surveyor ; regulating the fiscal afiiiirs of the Territory and fixing the boundary lines of New Madi'id, Cape Girar- deau, Washington and St. Charles counties. The Legislature ad- journed on the 19th of January, 1814, 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 in- habitants, and the new county of Arkansas the least — the latter hav- ing 827, and the former 3,149. The candidates for delegate to Congress were Rufus Easton, Samuel Hammond, 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 aggi'e- gated 2,599, of which number Mr. Easton received 965, IVIr. Ham- 80 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. moud 746, Mr. McNair 853, and Mr. Riddick (who had withdrawn previously to the election) 35. Mr. Easton was elected. The census of 1814 showing a large increase in the population cf the Territory, an appointment 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 Representatives. 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 Neeley, 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 1815 the Territorial Legisla- ture again began its session. Only a partial report of its proceedings 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. (For precise bounda- ries, see Chapter I. of the History of Boone County.) The next session of the Territorial Legislatui'e commenced its ses- sion in December, 1816. During the sitting of this Legislature many important acts were passed. It was then that the " Bank of Mis- souri " was chartered and went into operation. In the fall of 1817 the "Bank of St. Louis" and the "Bank of Missouri" were issuing bills. An act was passed chartering lottery companies, chartering the academy at Potosi, and incorporating a board of trustees for superintending the schools in the town of St. Louis. Laws were also passed to encourage the " killing of wolves, panthers and wild-cats." The Territorial Legislature met agaiu in December, 1818, and, among other things, organized the counties of Pike, Cooper, Jeffer- son, Franklin, Wayne, Lincoln, Madison, Montgomery, and three counties in the Southern part of Arkansas. 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 HISTORY OF MISSOUKI. 31 been established, its commerce had grown into importance, its agri- cultural and mineral resources were being developed, 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 Legis- lature of 1818-19 accordingly made application to Congress for the passage of an act authorizing the people of Missouri to organize a State goverameut. CHAPTEK 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. With the application of the Territorial Legislature of Missouri for her admission 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 discus- sions, but everywhere throughout the length and breadth of the Re- public 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 crisis our country seemed destined to pass. ThequestioH as to the admission of Missouri was to be the beginning of this crisis, which distracted the public counsels of the nation for more than forty years afterward. Missouri asked to be admitted into the great family of States. " Lower Louisiana," her twin sister Territory, had knocked at the door of the Union eight years previously, and was admitted as stipu- lated 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 " Mis- souri Compromise," of 1820, takes rank among the most prominent 32 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. measures that had up to that day engaged the attention of our National Legislature, we shall enter somewhat into its details, being connected as they are with the annals of the State. February 15th, 1819. — After the House had resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole on the bill to authorize the admission of Mis- souri 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 fui'ther introduction of slavery or involun- tary servitude be prohibited, except for the punishment of crime, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, and that all chil- dren 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 nearly thi-ee A^ears, finally culminating in the Missoui'i Compromise. All j^hases of the slavery question were pre- sented, not in its moral and social aspects, but as a great constitu- tional 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 Terri- tory of Missouri, was not permitted to vote, but as such delegate he had the privilege of participating in the debates which followed. On the 16th 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, thereb}' defeating the proviso. The House declined 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 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 83 was most unfortunate for the country. The people having already been wrought up to fever heat over the agitation 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. The body indicated by its vote upon the " Missouri Ques- tion," 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 December, 1819. The memorial of the Legisla- tive Council and House of Representatives 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 (except- ing such part thereof as is) included within the limits of the State, contemplated by this act, slavery and involuntary servitude, other- wise 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 reclaimed and conveyed to the person claiming his or her labor or services as aforesaid." The Senate adopted this amendment, which formed the basis of the «♦ Missouri Compromise," modified afterward by striking out the words, " excepting only such part (hei-eof." The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 24 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 34 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 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 fif- teen organized counties. By act of Congress the people of said State were authorized to hold an election on the first Monday, and two suc- ceeding 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 ■\Vm..G. Pettis, Secretaiy. There were forty-one members of this convention, men of ability and statesmanship, as the admirable constitution which they framed amply testifies. Their names and the counties repre- sented by them are as follows : — Cape Girardeau. — Stephen Bjrd, James Evans, Richard S. Thomas, Alexander Buckner and Joseph McFerron. Cooper. — Eobert P. Clark, Robert \Yallace, Wm. Lillard. Franklin. — John G. Heath. Howard. — Nicholas S. Burkhart, Dull" Green, John Ray, Jonathan S. Findley, Benj. H. Reeves. Jefferson. — Daniel Hammond. Lincoln. — Malcom Henry. Montgomery. — Jonathan Ramsey, James Talbott. Madison. — Nathaniel Cook. ITew Madrid. — Robert S. Dawson, Christopher G. Houts. Pike. — Stephen Cleaver. St. 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. Sullivan, Pierre Chouteau, Jr., Bernard Prattc, Thomas F. Riddick. Washington. — John Rice Jones, Samuel Perry, John Ilutchings. WaT/ne. — Elijah Bettis. On the 13th of November, 1820, Congress met again, and on the sixth of the same month Mr. Scott, the delegate from Missouri, pre- sented to the House the Constitution as framed by the convention. HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 35 The same was referred to a select committee, 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 of the committee to whom was referred the Constitution of Missouri was accompanied by a preamble and resolutions, offered by Mr. Lowndes, of South Carolina. 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, who, on the 2yth 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 fol- lows : — «' 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 tlie United States, which declares that the citizens of each State shall be entitled to all the privileges 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 agreed 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 the Senate, but was again rejected in the House. Then it was that that great statesman 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 engraver 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. 36 HISTORY OP MISSOURI. 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 pf the Constitution submitted on the part of said State to Congress, 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 enjoy- ment 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 an- nounce 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 10th, 1821, President Monroe announced by proclamation the admission of Missouri into the Union to be complete. J HISTORY OF MISSOUBI. 87 CHAPTER YII. MISSOURI AS A STATE. First Election for Governor and other State Officers — Senators and Representatives to General Assembly — Sheriffs and Coroners — U. S. Senators — Representatives In Cojgress — Supreme Court Judges — Counties Organized — Capital Moved to St. Charles — Official Record of Territorial and State Officers. Bj 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 28th of August for the election of a Governor and other State officers, Senators and Representatives to the General Assembly, Sheriffs and Coroners, United States Senators and Repre- sentatives 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 provi- sions of the constitution, the election was held, and the General As- sembly convened. William Clark (who had been Governor of the Territory) and Alexander McNair were the candidates for Governor. McNair re- ceived 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, Nutlianiel 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 Sep- tember, 1820, and organized by electing James Caldwell, of Ste. Genevieve, speaker, and John McArthur clerk; William H. Ashley, Lieutenant-Governor, President of the Senate ; Silas Bent, President, p7'0 tem. 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 Treasurer; Edward Bates, Attorney-General, and William Christie, Auditor of Public Accounts. 38 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. David Barton and Thomas H. Bentou 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, Perry, Ralls, Ray and Saline were organized. We should liiie to give in details the meetings and proceedings of the different Legislatures which followed ; the elections for Govern- ors and other State officers ; the elections for Congressmen and United States Senators, but for want of space we can only present in a con- densed form the official record of the Territorial and State officers. BTICIAL RECORD — TERRITORIAL OFFICERS. Oovemors. Frederick Bates, Secretary and William Clark . . Acting-Oovernor .... 1812-13 OFFICERS OF STATE QOVERNMENT. 1813-20 Oovemors. Alexander McN air 1820-24 Frederick Bates 1824-25 Abraham J. Williams, vice Bates 1825 John Miller, vice Bates . . . 182G-28 John Miller 1828-32 Daniel Dunklin, (1832-36) re- Bigned; appointed Surveyor General of the U. S. Lilburn W. Boggs, vice Dunklin . . 1836 Lilburn W. Bogga 1836-40 Thomas Reynolds (died 1844), . 1840-14 M. M. Marmaduke vice Key- nolds — John C. Edwards . 1844-48 Austin A King . ... 1848-62 Sterling Price 1852-56 Trusten Polk (resigned) . . . 1856-67 Hancock Jackson, vice Polk . 1857 Bobert M. Stewart, vice Polk . 1867-60 C. F. Jackson (1860), office va- cated by ordinance; Hamil- ton I?. Gamble, vice Jackson ; Gov. Gamble died 1864. Willard P. Hall, vice Gamble . 1864 Thomas C. Fletcher .... 1864-68 Joseph W. McClurg .... 1868-70 B. Gratz Brown 1870-72 Silas Woodson 1872-74 Charles H. Hardin 1874-76 John S. Phelps 1876-80 Thomas T. Crittsnden (now Governor) 1880 Lieittenani-Oovemora. William H. Ashley .... 1820-24 Benjamin H. 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 Kice 1848-52 Wilson Brown 1852-65 Hancock Jackson 1855-56 Thomas C. Reynolds .... 18G0-*1 Willard P. Hall 1861-64 George Smith 1864-68 Edwin O. Stanard . . . 1868-70 Joseph J. Gravelly 1870-72 Charles P. Johnson .... 1872-74 Norman J. Coleman .... 1874-76 Henry 0. Brockmeyer . . . 1876-80 Robert A. Campbell (present incumbent) 1880 Secretaries of State. Joshua Barton 1820-21 William G. Pettis 1821-24 Hamilton B. Gamble .... 1824-26 Spencer Pettis 1826-28 P. Hi McBride 1829-30 John C. Edwards (term expired 1835, reappointed 1837, re- signed 1837) 1830-37 Peter G. Glover 1837-39 James L. Minor 1839-45 HISTORY OP MISSOURI. 89 OFFICERS OF F. H. Martin Ephraim B. Ewing . . .. John M. Richardson .... Bpiijiimin F. Massey (re-electi-d 1860, for four years) .... Moidecai Oliver Francis Rodman (re-elected 1808 for two years) Eu^jene P. Weigel, (re-elected 1872, for two years) .... Michael K. McGrath (present incumbent) State Treasurers. STATE GoyERNMENT — Continued, 1845-49 1849-62 1852-66 1856-60 1861-64 Peter Didier Nathaniel Sinionds . . . . James Earickson John Walker Abraham McClellan . . . . Peter G. Glover A. W. Morrison George C. Bingham . . . . William Bishop William Q. Dallmeyer . . . Samuel Hays Harvey W. Salmon . . . . Joseph W. Mercer Elijah Gates Phillip E. Chappell (present in- cumbent) A tiomey- Qenera Is. Edward Bates. ...... Riifus Easton Robt. W. Wells William B. Napton . . . . 8. M. Bay B. F. Stringfellow William A. Robards . . . . James B. Gardenhire . . . . Ephraim W. Ewing . . . . James P. Knott Aikman Welch Thomas T. Crittenden . . . Robert P. Wingato Horace P. Johnson A. J. Baker Henry Clay Ewing John A. Ilockaday Jackson L. Smith D. H. Mclntire (present in- cumbent) 1820-21 1821-28 1829-33 18:!3-.38 183S-13 1843-51 1851-60 1862-64 1864-68 1868-70 1872 1872-74 1874-76 1876-80 1880 1820-21 1821-26 1826-36 1836-39 1839-45 1845-49 1849-51 1851-56 1836-59 1859-61 1861-(;4 1864 1864-68 18(i8-70 1870-72 1872-74 1874-76 1876-80 1880 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. JlcDermon 1845-43 George W. Miller 1848-49 Wilson Brown 1849-52 William H. Buffington . . . 1852-60 William S. Moseley .... 1860-64 Alonzo Thompson 1864-68 Daniel M. Draper 1868-72 George B. Clark 1872-74 Thomas Holladay 187-80 John Walker (present incum- bent) 1880 Judges of Supreme Court. Matthias McGirk 18l'2-41 John D. Cooke 1822-23 John R. Jones 1822-24 Rufus Pettibone 1823-25 Geo. Tompkins 1824-45 Robert Wash 1826-37 John C. Edwards 1837-39 Wm. Scott, (appointed 1841 till meeting of General Assem- bly in place of McGirk, re- signed; reappointed . . . 1843 P. H. McBride 1845 Wm. B. Napton 1849-52 John P. Ryland 1849-51 John H. Birch 1849-61 Wm. Scott, .John P. Ryland, and Hamilton R. Gamble (elected by the people, for six years) 1851 Gamble (resigned) 1854 Abiel Leonard elected to fill va- cancy of Gamble. Wm. B. Napton (vacated by failure to file oath). Wm. Scott and John C. Rich- ardson (resigned, elected Au- gust, for six years) .... 1857 E. B. Ewing, (to fill Richard- son's resignation) .... 1859 Barton Bates (appointed) . . 1862 W. V. N. Bay (appointed) . . 1862 40 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. OFFICERS OF STATB QOTBRNMENT — Continued, John D. S. Dn-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. Lovelace (appoint- ed) 1865 Nathaniel Holmes (appointed) 1865 Thomas J. C. Fagg (appointed) 1866 James Baker (appointed) , . 1868 David Wagner (elected) . . . 1808-70 Philemon Bliss 1868-70 Warren Currier 1868-71 Washington Adams (appointed to fill Currier's place, who re- signed) 1871 Ephraim B. Ewing (elected) . 1872 Thomas A. Sherwood (elected) 1872 W. B. Napton (appointed in place of Ewing, deceased) . 1873 Edward A. Lewis (appointed, in place of Adams, resigned) 1874 Warwick Hough (elected) . . 1874 William B. Napton (elected) . 1874-80 John W. Henry 1876-86 Robert D. Ray succeeded Wni. B. Napton in 1880 Elijah H. Norton (appointed in 1876), elected 1878 T. A. Sherwood (re-elected) 1882 United States Senators. T. H. Benton 1820-50 D. Barton 1820-30 Alex. Buckner 1830-33 L. F.Linn 1833-13 D. R. Atchison 1843-55 H. S. Geyer 1851-57 James S. Green 1857-61 T. Polk 1857-63 Waldo P. Johnson 1861 Robert Wilson 1861 B. Gratz Brown (for unexpired term of Johnson) .... 1863 J.B.Henderson 1863-69 Charles D. Drake 1867-70 Curl Schurz 1869-75 D. F. Jewett (in place of Drake, resigned) 1870 F. P. Blair 1871-77 L. V. Bogy 1873 James Sliields (elected for unex- pired term of Bogy) . . . 1879 D. H. Armstrong appointed for unexpired term of Bogy. F. M. Cockrell (re-elected 1881) 1876-81 George G. Vest 1879 Representatives to Congress. John Scott Ed. Bates . . Spencer Pettis William H. Ashley John Bull . . Albert G. Harrison . John Miller . John Jameson fre-elected 1846 for two years) John C. Edwards James M. Hughes James H. Relfe . James B. Bowlin Gustavus M. Bower Sterling Price William McDaniel . Leonard H. Sims John S. Phelps . James S. Green (re-elected 1856, resigned) WillardP. Hall. William V. N. Bay John F. Darby . Gilchrist Porter. John G. Miller . Alfred W. Lamb Thomas H. Benton . Mordecai Oliver James J. Lindley Samuel Caruthers Thomas P. Akers (to fill unex- pired term of J. G. Miller, deceased) . Francis P. Blair, Jr. (re-elected 1800, resigned) Thomas L. Anderson James Craig . Samuel H. Woodson John B. Clark, Sr. J. Richard Barrett . John W. Noel . James S. Rollins Elijah H. Norton John W. Reid . William A. Hall Thomas L. Price (in place of Reid, expelled) 1862 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 55 Leaving Jackson county, they crossed the Missouri and located ia Clay, Carroll, 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, converts had constantly flocked to their standard, and " Far West," and other Mormon settlements, rapidly prospered. In 1837 they commenced the erection ot 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. De Witt 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 Gentiles 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 citizens was appointed to notify Col. Hia- kle (one of the Mormon leaders at De Witt), what they intended to , do. Col. Hinkle upon being notified by this committee became indig- nant, and threatened extermination to ail who should attempt to molest him or the Saints. In anticipation of trouble, and believing that the Gentiles would attempt to force them from De Witt, Mormon recruits flocked to the town from every direction, and pitched their tents in and around the town in great numbers. The Gentiles, nothing daunted, planned an attack upon this en- campment, 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 Saline, Ray and otlier counties came to their assist- ance, and increased their number to five liundred men. Congreve Jackson was chosen Brigadier- General ; Ebenezer Price, 56 HISTOKT OF MISSOUKl. Colonel ; Singleton Vaughan, Lieutenant-Colonel, and Sarshel 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 adjust the difficul- ties 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 be- longing 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 Carroll county, the citizens would purchase at first cost their lots in De Witt 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 proposi- tion. In accordance therewith, the Mormons without further delay, loaded up their 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 snffei-ed much and in many ways — the result of 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 Major- General David R. Atchison to call the militia of his division to enforce the laws. He called out a part of the first brigade of the Missouri State Militia, under command of Gen. A. W. Doniphan, who pro- ceeded to the seat of war. Gen. John B. Clark, of Howard county, was placed in command of the militia. The Mormon forces numbered about 1,000 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 Gen. 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 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 57 families, leave the State, Indictments were found against a number of these leaders, inchxling Joe Smith, who, while being taken to Boone county for trial, made his escape, and was afterwuvd, iu 1844, killed at Carthage, Illinois, with his brother Hirum. FLORIDA WAR. In September, 1S37, 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 conunon 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 companies of the second regiment were raised and attached to the first. Two of these companies were composed of Delaware and Osage Indians. October 6, 1837, Col. Gentry's regiment left Columbia for the seat of war, stop|)ing cm the way at Jefferson barracks, where they were mustered into service. Arriving at Jackson barracks. New Orleans, they were from thence transported in brigs across the Gulf to Tampa Bay, Florida. Gen- eral Zachary Taylor, who then commanded in Florida, ordered Col. Gentry to march to Okee-cho-bee 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, leav- ing 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 St.ates, on the Sth 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 tires 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 mouth of May, 184(3, Governor Edwards, of Missouri, 48 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. called for volunteers to join the "Army of the West," an expedition to Sante Fe — under command of General Stephen W. Kearney. Fort Leavenworth was the appointed rendezvous for the volunteers. By the 18th of June, the full complement of companies to compose the first regiment had arrived from Jackson, Lafayette, Clay, Sa- line, Franklin, Cole, Howard and Callaway counties. Of this regi- ment, A. W. Doniphan was made Colonel ; C. F. Ruff, Lieutenant- Colonel, and Wm. 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 extrti battalion, and one extra battalion of Mormon in- fantry to reinforce the "Army of the West." Mr. Price was made Colonel, and D. D. Mitchell Lieutenant-Colonel. In August, 184:7, Governor Edwards made another requisition for one thousand 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, com- manded by Captain Wm. T. Lafland. Conspicuous among the en- gagements in which the Missouri volunteers participated in Mexico were the battles of Bnicito, Sacramento, Canada, El Embudo, Taos and Santa Cruz de Rosales. The forces from Missouri were mustered out in 1848, and will ever be remembered in the history of the Mexi- oaa war, for "A thonsand glorious actions that might claim Triumphant laurels and immortal lame. HISTORY OF MISSOUKI. 59 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 — First Neigh of the " Iron Horse " in Mis- souri — Names of Railroads — Manufactures — Great Bridge at St. Louis. Agriculture is the greatest among all the arts of man, as it is the first in supplying his necessities. It favors and strengthens popula- tion ; it creates and maintains manufactures ; gives employment to navigation and furnishes materials to commerce. 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 couducive 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. Have held the scale of empire, rulod 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 absorbs the most excessive rains, and retains moisture with great tenacity. This being the case, it is not so easily afl"ected by drouth. The prairies are covered with sweet, luxuriant grass, equally good for grazing and hay ; grass not sur- passed by the Kentucky blue grass — the best of clover and timothy in srrowinn; and fattening cattle. This jjrass is now as full of life-wiv- ing nutriment as it was when cropped by the buffalo, the elk, the an- telope, and the deer, and costs the herdsman nothing. 60 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. No State or territory has a more complete and rapid system of nat- ural 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 prai- ries, 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 resources. We present here a table showiug the product of each principal crop In Missouri for 1878: — Indian Corn 93,062,000 bushel*. Wheat 20,196,000 Eje 732,000 Oats 19,584,000 Buckwheat 46,400 Potatoes 5,415,000 Tobacco 23,023,000 poundg. Hay 1,620,000 tons. There were 3,552,000 acres in corn; wheat, 1,83(5,000; rye, 48,800; oats, 640,000; buckwheat, 2,900; potatoes, 72,200; to- bacco, 29,900; hay, 850,000. Value of each crop: corn, $24,196,- 224; wheat, $13,531,320; rye, $300,120; oats, $3,325,120; buck- wheat, $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 fol- lowing table shows the number of horses, mules, and milch cows in the different States for 1879 : — HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 61 states. Horees. Moles. MUch Cows. M:iine 81,700 57,100 77,400 131,000 16,200 53,«00 898,900 114,500 614,600 19,900 108,1100 208,700 144,200 59,r,00 119,200 22,400 112,800 97,200 79,300 618,000 180,500 323,700 122,200 386,900 772,700 833,800 688,800 1,100,000 384,400 247,300 770,700 627,300 275,000 157,200 273,000 109,700 260,000 11,800 14,400 24,900 4,000 11,300 80,600 74,000 51,.500 97,200 11,900 111,700 100,000 80,700 180,200 89,300 99,700 2,400 117,800 26,700 4,:;00 61,200 138,000 8,700 7,000 43,400 191,900 50,000 13,600 26,700 8,500 26,700 196,100 98,100 217,800 160,700 22.000 116,500 New York 1,446,200 162,200 ,^28.400 23,200 100,600 236,200 232,300 131,300 27.3,100 Florida 70,000 215,200 188,000 110,900 Texas 544,600 187,700 245,700 130,500 267,200 714,100 416,900 439,200 702,400 477,300 278,900 676,200 516,200 821,900 127,600 495,600 112,400 423,600 It will be seen from the above table, that Missouri is the fifth State iu the number of horses ; Jifth in number of milch cows, and the leading State in number of mules, having 11,700 more than Texas, which produces the next largest number. Of oxen and other cattle, Missouri produced iu 1879, 1,632,000, which was more than any other State produced excepting Texas, which had 4,800,00. In 1879 Mis- souri raised 2,817,600 hogs, which was more than any other State produced, excepting Iowa. The number of slieep was 1,296,400. The number of hogs packed in 1879, by the different States, is as follows : — States. No. States. No. Ohio 932,878 622,321 3,214,896 669,763 Missouri 965,889 Wiscunsin 472,108 212,412 Iowa, 62 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. ATKRAOK Wl lOHT PER BEAD FOB EACH STATE. States. Pounds. States. Ponnds, Ohio 210.47 193.80 225.71 211.98 211 32 Indiana 220.81 Illinois 210.11 Iowa 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 inex- haustible, but everywhere convenient. The ranges of 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, Lawrence and Mississippi. Sweet potatoes are produced in abundance and are not only sure but profitable. Broom corn, sorghum, castor beans, white beans, peas, hops, thrive well, and all kinds of garden vegetables, are produced in great abun- dance 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 blackberry. The grape has not been produced with that success that was at first anticipated, yet the yield of wine for the year 1879, was nearly half a million gallons. Grapes do well in Kansas, and we see no reason why they should not bo as surely 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 time, within the broad domain of Missouri. His coming presaged the dawn of a brighter and grander era in the history of the HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 68 State. Her fertile prairies, and more prolific vaflcys would soon be of easy access to the oiiconiing tide of immigration, and the ores and minerals of her hills and mountains would be developed, and utilized in her manufacturing and industrial enterprises. Additional facilities would be opened to the marts of trade and commerce ; transportation from the interior of the State would be se- cured ; a fresh impetus would be given to the growth of her towns and cities, and new hopes and inspirations would be imparted to all her people. Since 1852, the initial period of railroad building in Missouri, be- tween four and five thousand miles of track have been laid ; addi- tional roads are now being constructed, and many others in contem- plation. The State is already well supplied with railroads which thread her surface in all directions, bringing her remotest districts into close connection with St. Louis, that great center of western railroads and inland commerce. These roads have a capital stock ag- gregating more than one hundred millions of dollars, and a funded debt of about the same amount. The lines of roads which are operated in the State are the follow- ing:— Missouri Pacific — chartered May 10th, 1850; The St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Railroad, which is a consolidation of the Arkan- sas Branch ; The Cairo, Arkansas & Texas Railroad ; The Cairo & Fulton Railroad; The Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railway; St. Louis & San Francisco Railway ; The Chicago, Alton & St. Louis Railroad ; The Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad ; The Missouri, Kan- sas & Texas Railroad ; The Kansas City, St. Josepli & Council Bluffs Railroad ; The Keokuk & Kansas City Railway Company ; The St. Louis, Salem & Little Rock Railroad Company ; The Missouri & Western ; The St. Louis, Keokuk & Northwestern Railroad ; The St. Louis, Hannibal & Keokuk Railroad ; The Missouri, Iowa & Nebraska Railway ; The Qiiincy, Missouri & Pacific Railroad ; Tlie Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway ; The Burlington & Southwestern Railroad. MANUFACTURES. The natural resources of Missouri especially fit her for a great man- ufacturing 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 gigantic forests ; rich in her marble, etone and granite quarries ; rich in her mines of iron, coal, lead and 64 HISTOKY OF MISSOURI. 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-wa3's. Missouri contains over fourteen thousand manufacturing establish- ments, 1,965 of which are using steam and give employment to 80,000 hands. The capital 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, Buchanan, St. Charles, Marion, Franklin, Greene, Lafay- ette, Platte, Cape Girardeau, and Boone. Three-fourths, however, of the manufacturing is done in St. Louis, which is now about the second manufacturing city in 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 many other smaller industries iu propor- tion. REAT 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 separate railroad tracks, roadways, and foot paths. In durability, architectural beauty 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 Cajsar upon the Rhine ; and Trajan upon the Danube, famous in ancient history, were built for military purposes, that over them might pass invading armies with their munitions of war, to de- stroy 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 crowd- HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 65 ing legions of men, armed not with tlie weapons of war, \nt with the implements of peace and industry ; men who are skilled in all the arts of asjriculture, 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. CHAPTER XI. EDUCATION. Public School System — Public School System of Missouri — Lincoln Institute — Offi- cers of Public School System — Certifl(?ates of Teachers — University of Missouri — Schools — Colleges — Institutions of Learning — Location — Libraries — Newspa- pers and Periodicals — No. of School Children — Amount expended — Value ol Grounds and Buildings — " The Press." The first constitution of Missouri provided that "one school or more shall be established in each township, as soon as practicable and neces- sary, where the poor shall be taught gratis." It will be seen that even at that early day (1820) the framersof 'the constitution 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 fea- tures, was not perfected until 1839, during the administration of Gov- ernor 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 patronize private institutions of learning. In upholding and maintaining public schools the opponents of the system felt that they were not only comi)romis- ing their own standing among their more wealthy neighbors, but that they were, to some extent, bringing opprobrium upon tlieir children. Entertaining such prejudices, they naturally thought that the training received at public schools could not be otherwise than defective ; hence many years of probation passed before the popular mind was prepared 66 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. to appreciate the benefits and blessings which spring from these insti- tutions. Every year only adds to their popularity, and commends them the more earnestly to the fostering care of our State and National Legis- latures, and to the esteem and favor of all classes of our people. We can hardly conceive of two grander or more potent promoters of civilization than the free school and free press. They would indeed seem to constitute all that was necessary to the attainment of the hap- piness and intellectual growth of the Kepublic, and all that was neces- sary 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 skill, 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 liberal and comprehensive machinery of instruction than Missouri. Her school laws, since 1839, have under- gone many changes, and always for the better, keeping pace with the most enlightened and advanced theories of "the most experienced edu- cators in the land. But not until 1875, when the new constitution was adopted, did her present admirable system of public instruction go into effect. Pi'ovisions 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 legislatures, or the whims of political parties. The Lin- coln Institute, located at Jefferson City, for the education of col- ored teachers, receives an annual ajjpropriation from the General Assembly. For the support of the public schools, in addition to the annual income derived from the public school fund, which is set apart by law, not less than twenty-five per 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 Commission- 68 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. ers, County Clerk and Treasurer, Board of Directors, City and Town School Board, and Teacher. The State Board of Education is composed of the State Superintendent, the Governor, Secretary of State, and the Attorney-General, the executive officer of this Board being the State Su- perintendent, who is chosen by the people every four years. His duties are numerous. He renders decisions concerning the local application of school law ; keeps a record of the school funds and annually distributes the same to the counties ; supervises the work of county school officers j delivers lectures ; visits .schools ; distributes educational information ; grants certificates of higher qualifications, and makes an annual report to the General Assembly of the condition of the schools. The County Commissioners are also elected by the people for two years. Their work is to examine teachers, to distribute blanks, and make reports. County clerks receive estimates from the local direct- ors 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 gathered 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 counties 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 annu- ally, on the second Saturday in September, and hold their office for three years. One director is elected to serve for three years in each school dis- trict, at the annual meeting. These directors may levy a tax not exceeding forty cents on the one hundred dollars' valuation, pro- vided such annual rates for school purposes may be increased in dis- tricts formed of cities and towns, to an amount not exceeding one dollar on the hundred dollars' valuation, and in other districts to an amount not to exceed sixty-five cents on the one hundred dollars' val- uation, on the condition that a majority of the voters who are tax-pay- ers, voting at an election held to decide the question, vote for said increase. For the purpose of erecting public buildings in school dis- tricts, the rates of taxation thus limited 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 HISTOnY OF MISSOURI. 69 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 children and youth in the district between the ages of five and twenty-one ; records all business proceedings of the district, and reports to the annual meeting, to the County Clerk and County Commissioners. Teachers must hold a certificate from the State Superintendent or County Commissioner of the county where they teach. State certifi- cates are granted upon personal written examination 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 susceptible of two grades, ditfering both as to length of time and attain- ments. Those issued for one year may represent two grades, marked by qualification alone. The township school fund arises from a grant of land by the General Government, consisting of section sixteen in each congressional township. The annual income of the townsliip fund is ap- propriated 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 dis- trict. The greatest limit of taxation for the current expenses is one per cent ; the tax permitted for school house building cannot exceed the same amount. Among the institutions of learning and ranking, perhaps, the first in importance, 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 land (4(5,080 acres) for the sup- port of "A Seminary of Learning." The lands secured for this pur- pose are among the best and most valuable in the State. These lands were put into the market in 1832 and brought $75,000, which amount was invested in the stock of the old bank of the State of Mis- souri, where it remained and increased by accumulation to the sum of $100,000. In 1S39, by an act of the General Assembly, five commis- 70 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. sioners were appointed to select a site for the State University, the site to contain at least fifty acres of land in a compact form, within two miles of the county seat of Cole, Cooper, Howard, Boone, Calla- way or Saline. Bids were let among the counties named, and tho county of Boone having subscribed the sum of $117,921, some $18,000 more than any other county, the State University was located iu 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. The donations to the institutions connected therewith amount to nearly $400,000. This University with its different departments, is open 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 ; Agricultural and Mechanical College ; the School of Mines and Metallurgy ; the College of Law ; the Medical College ; and the Department of 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 institutions of the State, as reported by the Commissioner of Education in 1875: — TTNIVIRSITrES AlTD COI-I.TtOK9. ChriEtian 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 CoUege Greenwood. Hannibal College Hannibal- Woodland College Independence. Thayer College Kidder. La Grange College La Grane;e. William Jewell College Liberty. Baptist College Louisiana. St. Joseph College -St. Joseph. College of Christian Brothers , St Louis. St. Louia University St Louis. Washington University St Louis. Drury College Springfield. Central Wesleyan College Warrenton. FOB 8UPBR10R DTSTRUOTIOK OF WOMIN. Bt Joseph Female Seminary St Joseph. Christian College -Columbia. HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 71 Stephens College. Columbia. Howard College _Fayetta. Independence Female College Independence. Central Female College Lexington. Clay Seminary Liberty. Ingleside Female College Palmyra. Lindenwood 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 Rensselaer Academy Rensselaer. Shelby High School Shelbyville. Stewartsville Male and Female Seminary Stewarlsville. SCHOOLS OF SCIENCE. Missouri Agricultural and Mechanical College (University of Missouri) Columbia. Schools of Mines and Metallurgy (University of Missouri) RoUa. Polytechnic Institute (Washington University) St Loui*. SCHOOLS 07 THEOLOQT. 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. 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 v 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 Pharmacy St Louis. 7S BISTORT OF MISSOURI. LAKOEST FUBLIO LtBRARIES. Bt, Vincent's College _ Southeast Missouri State NormBl School , University of Missouri Athenian Society Union Literary Society Law College .'. Westminster College Lewis College Mercantile Library Library Association Fruitland Normal Institute State Library Fetterman's Circulating Library Law Library ." Whittemore's Circulating Library North Missouri State Normal School "William Jewell College Bt Paul's College Missouri School of Jlines and Metallurgy St. Charles Catholic Library , Carl Frielliiig's Library....". Law Library .". Public School Library Walworth & Colt's Circulating Library Academy of Science Academy of Visitation „ College of the Christian Brothers , Deutsche Institute German Evangelical Lutheran, Concordia College.. Law Library Association Missouri Medical Collef;e Mrs. Cuthbert's Seminary (Young Ladies) Odtl Fellow's Library _ Public School Library St Louis Medical College St Louis Mercantile Library St. Louis Seminary St Louis Turn Vcrein , St Louis University 6t Louis University Society Libraries Ursuline Academy Wasliington Uinversity Bt Lkiuis Law School Young Men's Sodality Library Association Public School Library Drury College Location. Cape Girardeau. Cape Girardeiiu. Columbia Columbia Columbia Columbia Fulton Glasgow Hannibal Independence.... Jackson Jefferson City... Kansas City Kansas City Kansas City Kirksville Liberty Palmyra Kolhi St Charles St Joseph St Joseph St Joseph St Joseph St Louis St Louis St Louis St Louis St Louis St Louis St Louis St Louis St Loui^ St Louis St Louis St Louis St Louis St Louis St Louis._ St Louis St Louis St Louis St Louis St Louis Sedalia Sedalia Springfield Volumes. 6,500 1,225 10,000 1,200 1,200 l,ono 6,0110 8,000 2,21'.) 1.100 1,000 13,000 1,300 8,000 1,000 1.050 4,000 2,000 1,478 1.716 6,000 2,000 2,500 1,500 2,744 4.000 22,000 1,000 4,800 8,000 1,000 1,600 4.000 40,0'.i7 1,100 45,000 2,000 2,000 17.000 8,000 2.000 4,500 8,000 1,327 1,600 1.015 2,000 IN 1880. Newspapers and Periodicals 481 CHAKITIES. State Asylum for Deaf and Dumb St Bridget's Institution for Deaf and Dumb Institution for the Education of the Blind State Asylum for Insane State Asylum for the Insane Fulton. .&t Louis. ..St Louis. Fulton. .St Louis. HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 75 NORMAL SCHOOLS. Normal Institute Bolivar. Boutheast 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. Missouri State Normal School Warrensburg. IN 1880. 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 NUUBKR OF TEACHERS. Male teachers 6.'-o9; average monthly pay $36.36 Female teachers 5,000; average monthly pay 28.09 The fact that Missouri supports and miiintains four hundred and seventj-one newspapers and periodicals, shows th'it her inhabitants are not only a reading and reflecting people, but that they appreciate " The Press," and its wonderful influence 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 Prtsa. CHAPTER XII. RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS. Baptl.st Church — Its History — Congregational — When Founded — Its History — Christian Church — Its History — Cumberland Presbyterian Church — Its History — Methodist Episcopal Church — Its History — Presbyterian Church — Its History — Protestant Episcopal Church — Its History — United Presbyterian Church — lu History — Unitarian Church — Its History — Roman Catholic Church — Its History. The first representatives of religious thought and training, who penetrated the Missouri and Mississippi Valleys, were Pere Marquette, La Salic, and others of Catholic persuasion, who performed mis.sionary 74 HISTORT OF MISSOURI. labor among the Indians. A century afterward came the Protestants. At that earlj 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 anti-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 association of Missouri Baptists was formed, which was composed of seven churches, all of which were located in the southeastern part of the State. In 1817 a second association of churches was formed, called the Missouri Association, the name being afterwards changed to St. Louis Association. In 1834 a general con- vention of all the churches of this deuomiuation, 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 education, foreign missions and the circulation of religious literature. The Baptist Church has under its control a number of schools and colleges, the most important of which is William Jewell College, located at Liberty, Clay county. As shown by the annual report for 1875, there were in Missouri, at that date, sixty-one associations, one thousand four hundred churches, eight hundred and twenty-four min- isters 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 Congregational Home Missionary Society during: HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 75 that year, and in November, 1814, they preached the first regular Protestant sermons in St. Louis. Rev. Samuel Giddings, sent out under the auspices of the Connecticut Congregational Missionary Society, organized the first Protestant church in the city, consisting of ten 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 Chui'ches of Missouri was formed in 1865, which was changed in 1868, to General Association. In 1866, Hannibal, Kidder, and St. Louis District Associations were formed, and following these were the Kan- sas 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 Cal- laway, 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. Besides a number of private institutions, this denomination has three State Institutions, 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, " Tlie Chris- tian," which is a weekly publication and well patronized. The mem- bership of this church now numbers nearly one hundred thousand in the State and is lucre ising 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 1820, the first Presbytery of this denomination west of the Mississippi, was organized in Pike County. This Pres- bytery included all the territory of Missouri, western Illinois and Arkansas and numbered only four ministers, two of whom resided at 76 HISTORY OF MISSOUK that time in Missouri. There are now in the State, twelve Presby- teries, three Synods, nearly three hundred ministers and over twenty thousand membevs. The Board of Missions is located at St. Louis. They have a number of High Schools and two monthly papers pub- lished 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 Missis- sippi 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 cii'cuits and members constantly increased, until 1812, wlien what was called the Western Conference was divided into the Ohio and Tennessee Confer- ences, Missouri falling into the Tennessee Conference. In 1816, there was another division when the Missouri Annual Conference was formed. In 1810, there were four traveling preachers and in 1820, fif- teen travelling preachers, with over 2,000 members. In 1836, the terri- tory of the Missouri Conference was again divided wiien the Missouri Conference included 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 by the organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. lu 1850, the membership 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 denomina- tion has under its control several schools and colleges and two weekly newspapers. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. The Presbyterian Church dates the beginning of its missionary efl'orts in the State as far back as 1814, l)ut the first Presbyterian Church was not organized until 1816 at Beilevue settlement, eight miles from St. Louis. The next churches were formed in 1816 and 1817 at Bonhomme, Pike County. The First Presbyterian Church was organized in St. Louis in 1817, by Rev. Salmon Gidding. The HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 77 first Presbytery was organized in 1817 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 1819 and completed in 1826. In 1820 a mission was formed among the Osage Indians. lu 1831, tiie Presbytery was divided iuto three: Missouri, St. Louis, and St. Charles. These were erected with a Synod comprising eighteen ministers and twenty-tliree churches. The church was divided in 1838, throughout the United States. In 1860 the rolls of the Old and New School Syuod together showed 109 miuisters and 146 churches. Li 1866 the Old School Synod was di- vided on political questions springing out of the war — a part form- ing the Old School, or Independent SjMiod of Missouri, who are con- nected with the General Assembly South. In 1870, the Old and New School Presbj'terians united, since which time this Synod has steadily 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 con- trol one or two institutions of learning and one or two newspapers. That part of the original 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 num- bered 80 ministers, 140 churches and 9,000 members. It has under its control several male and female institutions of a high order. The St. Louis Preshyterian, a weekly paper, is the recognized organ of the Syuod. 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 Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society, visited the city, who reported the condition of things so favorably that Kev. 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 clergymen of this denomination in Missouri, who had organized congregations in Boonville', 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 being the Rev. Cicero S. Hawks. Through the efforts of Bishop Kemper, Kemper College waa founded near St. Louis, but was afterward given up on account of 78 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. pecuniary troubles. In 1847, the Clark Mission began and in 1849 the Orphans' Home, a charitable institution, was founded. In 1865, St. Luke's Hospital was established. In 1875, there were in the city of St. Louis, twelve parishes and missions and twelve clergymen. This denomnation has several schools and colleges, and one newspaper. UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. This denomination is made up of the members of the Associate and Associate Reformed churches of the Northern States, which two bodies united in 1858, taking the name of the 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 iu numbers, and had, in 1875, ten ministers and five huudred members. UNITARIAN CHURCH. This churcn was formed in 1834, by the 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. Genevieve, in 1760, and in St. Louis in 1766. In 1770, Father Menrin 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 semi- nary were opened iu Perry County about this period, for the education of the young, being the first college west of the Mississippi 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 charitable 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, Archbishop. In Kansas City there were five parish churches, a hospital, a con- vent and several parish schools. In 1868 the northwestern portion of the State was erected into a separate diocese, with its seat at St. Joseph, HISTORY OF MISSOORI. 7S and Eight-Reverend John J. Hogan appointed Bishop. There were, in 1875, in the city of St. Louis, 34 churches, 27 schools, 5 hospitals, 3 colleges, 7 oi'phan asylums and 3 female protectorates. 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, out- side 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 1875, 21 priests, 29 churches, 24 stations, 1 college, 1 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. InstrucLion preparatory to ministerial work is given in connection with collegiate study, or in special theological courses, at: Central College (M. E. South) ..... Central Wesleyan College (M. E. Church) . Christian University (Christian) Concordia College Seminary fEvangelical Lutheran) . Lewis College (M. E. Church) .... St. Vincent College (Roman Catholic) Vardeman School of Theology (Baptist) The last is connected with William Jewell College. Fayette. . Warrenton. Canton. . St. Louis. Glasgow. Cape Girardeau. . Liberty. CHAPTER Xm. ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR CRITTENDEN. Nomination and election of Tliomas T. Crittenden — Personal Mention — Marmadnke's candidacy — Stirring events — Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad — Death of Jesse James — The Fords — Pardon of the Gamblers. It is the purpose in this chapter to outline the more important events of Governor Crittenden's unfinished administration, stating briefly the facts in the case, leaving comment and criticism entirely to the reader, the historian having no judgment to express or prejudice to vent. Thomas T. Crittenden, of Johnson county, received the Demo- cratic nomination for Governor of Missouri at the conveulion at Jeffer- 80 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. son City, July 22cl, 1880. Democratic nomination for a State office in Missouri is always equivalent to election, and the entire State ticket was duly elected in November. Crittenden's competitors before the convention were Gen. John S. Marmaduke, of St. Louis, and John A. Hockaday, of Callaway county. Before the assembling of the convention many persons who favored Marmaduke, both personally and politically, thought the nomination of an ex-Confoderate might prejudice the prospects of the National Democracy, and therefore, as a matter of policy, supported Crittenden. His name, and the fame of his family in Kentucky — Thomas T. being a scion of the Crittendens of that State, caused the Democracy of Missouri to expect great things from their new Governor. This, together with the important events which followed his inauguration, caused some people to overrate him, while it prejudiced others against him. The measures advocated by the Governor in his inaugural address were such as, perhaps, the entire Democracy could endorse, especially that of refunding, at a low interest, all that part of the State debt that can be so refunded ; the adojition of measures to relieve the Supreme Court docket ; a compromise of the indebtedness of some of the counties, and his views concerning repudiation, which he con- temned. HANNIBAL & ST. JOE RAILROAD CONTROVERSY. By a series of legislative acts, beginning with the act approved February 22, 1851, and ending with that of March 26, 1881, the State of Missouri aided with great liberality in the construction of a system of railroads in this State. Among the enterprises thus largely assisted was tlie Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad, for the construction of which the bonds of the State, to the amount of $3,000,000, bearing interest at 6 per cent per annum, payable semi-annually, were issued. One half of this amount was issued under the act of 1851, and the remainder under the act of 1855. The bonds issued under the former act were to run twenty years, and those under the latter act were to run thirty years. Some of the bonds have since been funded and renewed. Coupons for the interest of the entire $3,000,000 were executed and made payable in New York. These acts contain numerous provisions intended to secure the State against loss and to require the railroad company to pay the interest and principal at maturity. It was made the duty of the railroad company to save and keep the State from all loss on account of said bonds and coupons. The Treasurer of the State was HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 81 to be exonerated from any advance of money to meet either principal or interest. Tiie State contracted with the railroad company for com- plete indemnity. She was required to assign her statutory mortgage lien only upon payment into the treasury of a sum of money equal to all indebtedness due or owing by said company to the State by reason of having issued her bonds and loaned them to the company. In June, 1881, the raih-oad, tlirough its attorney, Geo. W. Easley, Esq., paid to Phil. E. Chappell, State Treasurer, the sum of $3,000,- 000, and asked for a receipt in full of all dues of the road to the State. The Treasurer refused to give such a receipt, but instead gave a receipt for the sum ♦' on account." The debt was not yet due, but the authorities of the road sought to discharge their obligation pre- maturely, in order to save interest and other expenses. The railroad company then demanded its bonds of the State, which demand the State refused. The company then demanded that the $3,000,000 be paid back, and this demand was also refused. The railroad company then brought suit in the United States Courl for an equitable adjustment of the matters in controversy. The $3, 000,000 had been deposited by the State in one of the banks, and was drawing interest only at the rate of one-fourth of one per cent. Ik was demanded that this sum should be so invested that a larger rate of interest might be obtained, which sum of interest should be allowed to the company as a credit in case any sum should be found due from it to the State. Justice Miller, of the United States Supreme Court, who heard the case upon preliminary injunction in the spring of 1882, decided that the unpaid and unmatured coupons constituted a liability of the State and a debt owing, though not due, and until these were provided for the State was not bound to assign her lien upon the road. Another question which was mooted, but not decided, was this : That, if any, what account is the State to render for the use of the $3,000,000 paid into the treasury by the complainants on the 20th of June? Can she hold that large sum of money, refusing to make any account of it, and still insist upon full payment by the railroad company of all outstanding coupons? Upon this subject Mr. Justice Miller, in the course of his opinion, said : " I am of the opinion that the State, having accepted or got this money into her possession, is under a moral obligation (and I do not pretend to commit anybody as to how far its legal obligation goes) to so use that money as, so far as possible, to protect the parties who have paid it agi'inst the loss of the interest which it might accumulate, 82 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. and which would go to extinguish the interest on the State's obliga- tions." March 2G, 1881, the Legislature, in response to a special message of Gov. Crittenden, dated February 25, 1881, in which ho informed the Legislature of the purpose of the Hannibal and St. Joseph com- pany to discharge the full amount of what it claims is its present indebtedness as to the State, and advised that provision be made for the " profitable disposal" of the sum when paid, passed an act, the second section of which provided. •' Sec. 2. Whenever there is sufBcient money in the sinking fund to redeem or purchase one or more of the bonds of the State of Missouri, such sum is hereby appropriated for such purpose, and the Fund Commissioners shall immediately call in for payment a like amount of the option bonds of the State, known as the " 5-20 bonds," provided, that if there are no option bonds which can be called in for payment, they may invest such money in the purchase of any of tho bonds of the State, or bonds of the United States, the Hannibal and St. Joseph railroad bonds excepted." On the 1st of January, 1882, the regular semi-annual payment of interest on the railroad bonds became due, but the road refused to pay, claiming that it had already discharged the principal, and of course was not liable for the interest. Thereupon, according to the provisions of the aiding act of 1855, Gov. Crittenden advertised the road for sale in default of the payment of interest. The company then brought suit before U. S. Circuit Judge MeCrary at Keokuk, Iowa, to enjoin the State from selling the road, and for such other and further relief as the court might see fit and proper to grant. Autnist 8, 1882, Judge McCrary delivered his opinion and judgment, as follows : *' First. That the payment by complainants into the treasury of tho State of the sum of $3,000,000 on the 26th of June, 1881, did not satisfy the claim of the State in full, nor entitle complainants to an assignment of the State's statutory mortgage. '^Second. That the State was bound to invest tho i)rincipal sum of $3,000,000 so paid by the complainants without unnecessary delay in the securities named in the act of March 26, 1881, or some of them, and so as to save to the State as large a sum as possible, which sum so saved would have constituted as between tlie State and complainants a credit pro tanto upon the unmatured coupons now in controversy. HISTORY or MISSOURI. 83 "Tliird. That the rights and equity of the parties are to be deter- mined upon the foregoing principles, and the State must stand charged with what would have been realized if the act of March, 1881, had been complied with. It only remains to consider what the rights of the parties are upon the principles here stated. ♦' In order to save the State from loss on account of the default of the railroad company, a further sum must be paid. In order to deter- mine what that further sum is an accounting must be had. The ques- tion to be settled by the accounting is, how much would the State have lost if the provisions of the act of March, 1881, had been complied with? • • • • I think a perfectly fair basis of settle- ment would be to hold the State liable for whatever could have been saved by the prompt execution of said act by taking up such 5-20 option bonds of the State as were subject to call when the money was paid to the State, and investing the remainder of the fund in the bonds of the United States at the market rates. *' Upon this basis a calculation can be made and the exact sum still to be paid by the complainant in order to fully indemnify and protect the State can be ascertained. For the purpose of stating an account upon this basis and of determining the sum to be paid by the com- plainants to the State, the cause will be referred to John K. Cravens, one of the masters of this court. In determining the time when the investment should have been made under the act of March, 1881, the master will allow a reasonable period for the time of the receipt of the said sum of $3,000,000 by the Treasurer of the State — that is to say, such time as would have been required for that purjjose had the offi- cers charged with the duty of making said investment used reason- able diligence in its discharge. " The Hannibal and St. Joseph railroad is advertised for sale for the amount of the instalment of interest due January 1, 1882, which instalment amounts to less than the sum which the company must pay in order to discharge its liabilities to the State upon the theory of this opinion. The order will, therefore, be that an injunction be granted to enjoin the sale of the road upon the payment of the said instal- ment of interest due January 1, 1882, and if such payment is made the master will take it into account in making the computation above mentioned." KILLING OF JESSE JAMES. The occurrence during the present Governor's administration which did most to place his name in everybody's mouth, and even to herald 84 HISTORY OF MISSOUKI. it abroad, causing the European press to teem with leaders announcing the fact to the continental world, was the " removal" of the famous Missouri brigand, Jesse W. James. The career of the James boys, and the banditti of whom they were the acknowledged leaders, is too well-known and too fully set forth in woiks of a more sensational character, to deserve further detail in these pages ; and the " removal " of Jesse will be dealt with only in its relation to the Governor. It had been long conceded that neither of the Jameses would ever be taken alive. That experiment had been frequently and vaiuij' tried, to the sorrow of good citizens of this and other States. It seems to have been one of the purposes of Gov. Crittenden to break up this band at any cost, by cutting off its leaders. Soon after the Winston train robber^', on July 15, 1881, the railroads combined in empower- ing the Governor, by placing the money at his disposal, to offer heavy rewards for the capture of the two James brothers. This was ac- cordingly done by proclamation, and, naturally, many persons were on the lookout to secure the large rewards. Gov. Crittenden worked quietly, but determinedly, after offering the rewards, and by some means learned of the availability of the two Ford boys, young men from Ray county, who had been tutored as juvenile robbers by the skillful Jesse. An understanding was had, when the Fords declared they could find Jesse — that they were to "turn him in." Robert Ford and brother seem to have been thoroughly in the confidence of James, who then (startling as it was to the entire State) resided in the city of St. Joseph, with his wife and two children I The Fords went there, and when the robber's back was turned, Robert shot him dead in the bade of the head/ The Fords told their story to the authorities of the city, who at once arrested them on a charge of mur- der, and they, when arraigned, plead guilty to the charge. Promptly, however, came a full, free and unconditional pardon from Gov. Crit- tenden, and the Fords were released. In regard to the Governor's course in ridding the State of this notorious outlaw, people were divided in sentiment, some placing him in the category with the Ford boys and bitterly condemning his action, while others — the majority of law-abiding people, indeed, — though deprecating the harsh meas- ures which James' course had rendered necessary, still upheld th Governor for the part he i)layed. As it was, the '« Terror of Mis- souri " was effectually and finally " removed," and people were glad that he was dead, Robert Ford, the pupil of the dead Jesse, had HI8TOET OF MISSOURI. 85 been selected, and of all was the most fit tool to use in the extermina- tion of his preceptor in crime. The killing of James would never have made Crittenden many ene- mies among the better class of citizens of this State ; but, when it came to his PARDON OF THE GAMBLERS. The case was different. Under the new law making gaminghouse- keeping a felony, several St. Louis gamblers, with Robert C. Pate at their head, were convicted and sentenced to prison. The Governor, much to the surprise of the more rigid moral element of the State, soon granted the gamblers a pardon. This was followed by other pardons to similar offenders, which began to render the Governor quite unpopular which one element of citizens, and to call forth from some of them the most bitter denunciations. The worst feature of the case, perhaps, is the lack of explanation, or the setting forth of sufficient reasons, as is customary in issuing pardons. This, at least, is the bur- den of complaint with the faction that opposes him. However, it must be borne in mind that his term of office, at this writing, is but half expired, and that a full record can not, therefore, be given. Like all mere men. Gov. Crittenden has his good and his bad, is liked by some and disliked by others. The purpose of history is to set forth the facts and leave others to sit in judgment; this the historian has tried faithfully to do, leaving all comments to those who may see fit to make them. HISTORY GLAY COUNTY, MO. CHAPTER I. EARLY HISTORY TO THE ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY, The Indians — The French and Spanish — First Exploration and Settlement by Amer- icans—The First American Settlers in Clay — An Indian Fight — Organization of Clay County. THE INDIANS. Prior to about the close of the eighteenth century the country now comprised within the boundaries of CUiy county was in undi.sputed possession of the Missouri tribe of Indians, who fished and trapped in its streams, hunted over its surface, and sang their songs and danced their dances with none to molest them or make them afraiil. From about 1680 for a hundred years the Missouris held the north side of the river (to which they guve their name) from a point opposite the mouth of the Gasconade, on the east, out into what is now the State of Kansas. Northward their territory extended to the Des Moines river or until checked by the fierce Dakotas. Occasionally the Mis- souris crossed the river and went on the war path against the Osages, their long time enemies, whom they had first driven out of this coun- try, and again they would go far north against the tribes along the Upper Des Moines or Upper Missouri. They were warlike and aggres- sive, although they appeared to greatly enjoy a quiet life, and their forays seem to have been partly for the sake of glory, and partly for recreation, not particularly for conquest. The niimQ. Missoicri is an old one. Father Marquette, in 1680, called the tribe of Indians in this quarter, " We-Missouret," which (87) 88 HISTOKY OF CLAY COUNTY. Thivenet, his reviser, changed to On-Missoiu-i.^ The name means mxulihj, or, as is said dirty, and douhtless the hitter was given to the particular tribe of Indians as indicating their habits and uniform per- sonal condition ; though why the term was limited to any particular tribe can not be conjectured. It would seem that a chai'acteristic so generally prevalent among the aborigines of America ought not to have been especially attributed to the tribe that immediately preceded the Anglo-Saxons who first settled Clay county. But some writers say that the Missouri tribe of Indians took their name from the river, which was called muddy, and that the river was named first. To the mind of the writer the testimony is against this theory. Father Marquette called the stream Pekitanoui awA the tril)e We-Missouret, and the name Pekitanoui prevailed among Europeans until Marest's time, in 1712. The Recollects, the early French monks, called the stream the river of the Osages.^ Certain Indian tribes called it a name signifying mud water ; other Indians termed it Nee- Shuga, or smoky water.^ But all tribes and every one acquainted with them called the Indians the Missouris, or as it was almost uni- versally pronounced, Mis-soo-rees (not " Mizzoorys"). The best testimony is that the French first called the stream the Missouri, or as stated by Charlevoix, i^a Riviere des Missouris — the River of the Missouris. Evidently the stream was named from the tribe, and not the tribe from the stream. Uptmthe appearance of the French in this quarter of the West they almost immediately became on good terms with the Missouris. These friendly relations were never disturbed. THE FRENCH AND SPANIARDS. Stoddard's Annals of Louisiana, now a rare but very valuable work, says that the old French colony of Louisiana suffered much from the war which broke out between France and Spain in 1719. Although the contest was chiefly confined to the posts on the Gulf of Mexico, the upper settlements severely felt its injurious etlects. Their com- merce was interrupted, and the immense expenditures which were necessary to carry on the war impoverished both the company and the colony. The war, however, was not long carried on in a systeniatic manner, but as the two nations had always been comi)etitors for the 1 Sliea's Mississippi Valley, p. 2G8. 2 Sliea, p. 38. ^ Wctmore's Gazetteer, p. 33. HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 89 Iiuliaii trailc, aiui as continual di.s)iutos arose concerninu- the rights of territory, they ko})! up a predatory war for several years. In 1720 the Spaniards ibrnicd a design of destroying the nation of the Missonris, situated on the Missouri river, and of forming a settle- ment in their country. The ohject of this was to divert the current of Indian tiade, and to confine tiie settlements of the French to the borders of the Mississippi. The Spaniards believed, that in order to put their colony in safety, it was necessary they should entirely destroy the Missonris, who were the warm and constant friends of the French ; but, concluding that it would be impossible to subdue them with their own force alone, they resolved to enter into an alli- ance with the Osages, a people who were the neighbors of the Mis- sonris, and, at the same time, their most mortal enemies. With these intentions they formed a caravan at Santa Fe, consisting of men, women, and soldiers ; having a priest for chaplain, and an engineer captain for their chief conductor, with the horses antl cattle necessary for a [)ermanent settlement. The caravan set out in 1720; but beiug unacquainted with the country, and not having proper guitles, they mistook their wa}'. They wandered about for some time in the wilderness, and at length arrived at the Missonris, whom they supposed to be Osages.^ Under this impression, the conductor of the caravan, with his interpreter, im- mediately held a council with the chiefs. He explained to them the object of his visit, telling them that he had come to form an alliance with their tribe, in order to destroy their common enemies, the Min- souris! The great chief of the Missonris, concealing his thoughts upon this expedition, evinced the greatest joy. He showed the Spaniards every possible attention and promised to act in concert with them. For this purpose; lie iiiviti'd them to rest a few days, after their tiresome journey, till lie had assembled his warriors and held a council with the old men, to which the Spaniards acceded. The boldness of the Spaniards, in thus penetrating into a country of which they had no previous knowledge, made the French sensible of their danger and warned them to provide against further encroach- ment. They suspected the intentions of the S[)aniards, and determineil to prevent, if possible, their being put into execution. Accordingly, in the summer of 1721 a considerable force was dispatched from ' This assortion rests upon the aulliority of several respectable writers, Du Prat/, and Cliarlevoix among them. Maj. Stoddard, however, in liis Historical Sketches of Louisiana, states that the Spaniards marched in pursuit of the I'awnec, and not the Osage villages. For the truth of this he refers to the records of Santa Fe. 90 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. the French posts on Mobile Bay, under M. de Bourgmont, who as- cended the Missouri and took possession of an ishind in the river, about five miles below the mouth of Grand river. On this island a considerable fort was erected which was called Fort Orleans. A sergeant among the French soldiers, named Dubois, became enamored of a woman of the Missouri tribe of Indians, a large body of whom encamped on the north bank of the river, opposite the fort, and married her. He was afterwards placed in command of the fort. M. de Bourgmont found the different tribes on and adjacent to the Missouri engaged in a sanguinary warfare, which not only diminished their number but interfered greatly with trade, and rendered all inter- course with them extremely hazardous. Hence it became an object to the French to bring about a general peace. And so in the spring of 1724 Bourgmont ascended the Missouri to the mouth of the " Cansez," or where Kansas City now is, and then went some leagues to the northwest among several Indian tribes. He was accompanied by a few French soldiers and a large party of friendly Indians. His object in visiting the different tribes was to invite their chiefs and head men to a grand peace council, to be held in the early summer. All the tribes received the peacemaker kindly, even joyfully, and promised to send delegates to the council. Bourgmont and his party spent some weeks in this n()l)le endeavor. July 3, 1724, the council came off. It was held on the Missouri at the " Cansez," then the site of the chief town of the Kansas tribe of Indians, afterward Fort Osage, now Sibley, Jackson county. All the tril)es for hundreds of miles to the west, northwest and southwest sent emi)assadors, and the pi'oceedings were full of interest. Bourgmont made a great speech, and the delegates of the several tribes smoked the pipe of peace, and entered into a treaty of amity and good will between themselves, promising to be always faithful and friendly and to learn war no more. M. de Bourgmont was of course the leading spirit of the council. By his urgent invitation a number of the chiefs and principal men of many of the trii)es accompanied him on a visit to France, where they were highly entertained, and their attachment to the French was I'ully confirmed. Sergeant Dubois and his wife ac- companied this excursion party to and from Paris and Versailles, and it was on his return that the sergeant was placed in command of Fort Orleans. But in the fall of 1725 Fort Orleans was attacked and totally de- stro3-ed, and all of its inmates massacred. The town of the Missouris, HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 91 opposite the fort, was attacked tlie same time, ami 200 or more men and women killed, and tlie remainder, only a score or less, driven to the other side of the river, and down upon the Little Osage. Though it has never been proved to a certainty who did this bloody work, it is reasonably certiun that its authors were those " tierce Huns of the north, the Sacs and Foxes, who swept down from the Des Moines river upon the unsuspecting Missouris and tiieir allies, the French, and annihilated them. Doubtless M. de Bourgmoat and his party, while on their way to invite the Indians to the place of council, in the spring of 1724, were the first whites to visit the soil of what is now Clay county. They made no settlements hero, it is true, but they may be said to have dis- covered the country. Crossing and recrossing the river, they landed upon its southern borders, and when returning passed through it. After the massacre of the French at Fort Orleans, until the found- ing of St. Louis, in 17(54, there were no Caucasians in this quarter of Missouri. The red Indians held undisputed sway so far as the whites were concerned. But in this year the great province of Louisiana passed from the control and assumed ownership of the French into the hands of the Spaniards. What is now Missouri was then Upper Louisiana, whose capital was St. Louis, and whose first Governor was Don Pedro Pieruas. The Spanish Governors (Piernas, from 1764 to 1775 ; Francisco Cruzat, from 1775 to 1778 ; Ferdinando Leyba, from 1778 to 1780 ; Cruzat again from 1780 to 1788 ; Manuel Perez, from 1788 to 1793, and Zenon Trudean, from 1793 to 1800)'made no es- pecial ett'orts to extend the settlenients until Governor Trudeau came. He encouraged immigration, gave to the fur trade a new impetus and rewarded all projectors of new enterprises according to their own efforts and the merits of their schemes. The fur traders pushed tar out into hitherto unexplored regions, and adventurers were frequently setting forth to accomplish enterprises of value and moment. Doubt- less some of these traders and trappers visited Clay county in the prosecution of their business. The days of the Spanish possession were the golden ones in the history of the Upper Mississippi. There was little else but peace and plenty — "And health and quiot aud loviug words." The rulers (except Leyba, who did not last long) were easy, good natured and well disposed ; their subjects loyal, obedient, industrious and well behaved. French, English, American and Spanish, though 92 IIISTOUY OF CLAY COUNTY. tliey were bj- birth, tliey were eiicli nil Spanish in their devotion to Spain and the banner of Castile. Not a man among them but who would have been glad to give his goods and his life Por el Rey. The dreamy, sensuous life in the wilderness, amid the glorious forests, by the sweet, clear springs and brooks, and on the flowery prairies, was peculiarly suited to the dreamy, sensuous Dons. The little work done by the colonists in their fields was so easily accomplished and so abundant in its results that it was but pastime to do it. FIRST EXPLORATIONS AND SETTLEMENTS RY AMERICANS. In 1803 jNIissouri Territory underwent an iin[)ortant change. The Indian summer of Spanish possession and occupancy had been suc- ceeded ])y the stormy winter of French domination, and. now there followed the balmy and bustling spring and summer of American rule. From about 1805 to 1812 French voyageurs and American trappers •traveled up and down the Missouri Valley, sometimes paddling their way on the river in canoes, sometimes tramping overland. Many of these passed through our county, of course, l)ut none of us can tell how or when. A few actual settlers came up some distance from St. Louis during this period. The next representatives of the Caucasian race to visit the borders of Clay county, of whom we have definite knowledge, were the inem- l)ers of Lewis and Clark's expedition, sent out by President Jefferson in 1804. Very soon after the acquisition of the Louisiana Territory Mr. Jefferson projected an expedition to explore the newly acipiired district from the mouth of the Missouri to its source, and thence across to the Pacific ocean. The President's private secretary, Capt. Merriwether Lewis, then but thirty-one years of age, was given com- mand of the expedition, with Capt. William Clark, of the regular urmy, as second in command. The company consisted of nine 3'oung Kentuckians, fourteen soldiers, two Canadian voyageurs, a hunter, and Capt. Clark's negro servant. In May, 1804, this expedition passed up the Missouri, along the borders of Chi}', but from their published journal it does not appear that any particular examination of the country was made. Two years afterward, or in September. 1806, Lewis and Clark passed down the river again, reaching St. Louis and terminating the expedition on the 23d of the month. From accounts received hy Jlr. D. C. Allen from earl}^ settlers and others, that gentleman felt warranted in stating in Campbell's Gazet- teer that, without much doubt, the first white settlement within the l)orders of Clay county was made by a few French families at Ran- HISTOKV OF CLAY C:OUNTY. 93 (lolph BliiH", oil the ^Missouri, throe miles northeast of Kansas City, about the year 1800. Tiie iicnds of tiieso families were trap])ers, acting prohatily under the direction of Pierre Chouteau, Sr., of St. Louis. They left scarcely a trace of their occupancy, however, and the compiler has been unable to learn anything definite or explicit about them. The county was visited in 1808 by Maj. Dougherty, long afterward a resident of the county, where he died December 28, 18G0. At the time of his first visit Maj. Dougherty was l)ut 17 years of age, and was on his way to the Rocky Mountains in the employ of the Ameri- can Fur Company. Other representatives of the fur company passed through here at intervals on their way to and from the waters of the Upper Missouri, but their stay was only temjiorary. Some time prior to the War of 1812, one Delaney Bowlin, who had settled a locality hi Montgomery county known as the Big Spring, and had given his name to a considerable elevation of land in the neighborhood which is known to this day as Bowlin's Knob, left Loutre Island, with four or five companions, two of whom were John Davis anopulated that it was determined to create out of them a new county to be called Clay, in honor of the then brilliant orator and coming statesman of Kentucky, Henry Clay. January 2, 1822, the Legisla- ture passed the following act forming the new county: — Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Missouri, as follotvs : 1. A new county shall be estal)lished as follows: Begimiing in the middle of the main channel of the Missouri river, south of the range line passing between range twenty-nine and thirty west of the fifth principal meridian, thence north and with said range line, pursuing the course thereof, when continued to the northern boundary line of this State ; thence west with the northern boundary line to the north- west range of this State ; thence south with said boundary line due south to tlie Missouri river, and to the middle of the main chainiel thoreof ; thence down the middle of the main channel thereof to the place of b(!ginning, which shall be called the county of Clay. 2. John Ilutchins, Henry Estes, Enos Vaughn, Wyatt Atkins and John Poor, be, and are hereby appointed commissioners, with jiower lo fix u|)on the most suitable place in said county wherecni to erect a court-house and jail ; and the place whereon they, or a majority of them shall agree, shall be the permanent seat of justice for the said county of Clay. ' Since the above was written the statements are corroborated by one or two old settlers. IIISTOUY OF CLAY COUNTY. 99 3. The power and duties of the said commissioners within the county of Clay shall be the same as the powers and duties assigned by an act entitled " An act defining the limits of Howard county, and laying off new counties within the limits of said county as hereto- fore defined," to the commissioners appointed to point out and fix upon the most suitable place in the county of Ray whereon to erect a court-house and jail for the said county of Kay. 4. The said commissioners, or a majority of them, be and are hereby empowered to receive as a donation, or to purchase the land by them selected, and to lay off the same into lots or squares, and to expose them to public sale under the same restrictions as were imposed by the before recited act, on the commissioners of Itiiy county, and the powers and duties of the judge of the circuit court shall be the same in the said county of Clay, as in the said county of Ray. 5. The courts to be holden in the county of Clay, shall be holden at the house of John Owens, until said commissioners shall choose and fix on a temporary seat of justice for said county ; and after the said commissioners have selected a temporary seat of justice in said county, the courts to be holden for said county shall be holden at the tempo- rary seat of justice until a house for holding courts and a jail is pro- vided at the permanent seat of justice for said county of Clay. 6. All executions to be issued after the taking effect of this act, from the circuit court of the county of Ray, sliall be directed to the proper officers of the county of Clay, if the person against whom they may issue reside within the said county of Clay; and such exe- cutions shall be executed and returned by him in the same manner as if issued by the clerk of the county of Clay ; and all accounts of executors, administrators and guardians now penriing in the county of Ray, if such executors, administrators or guardians reside in the county of Clay, shall at the request of such executors, administra- tors or guardians, be certified by the clerk of the said county of Ray, with the proceedings had thereon, to the clerk's office in the county of Clay, and shall stand ready for trial or settlement as if they had commenced therein ; and all justices of the peace and constables now residing in the said limits of said county of Clay shall continue to execute all the duties of their offices, as justices and constables, in the county of Clay ; and it shall be the duty of the county court for said county of Clay, at the fir.st term of said court, to appoint a collector for said county, who shall immediately enter upon the duties of his office ; and the taxes for the said county of Clay shall be collected and accounted for by the collector of said county in the same manner as is now required of the collector of Kay county. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after the pas- sage thereof. Approved, January 2, 1822. CHAPTER 11. HISTORY OF. THE COUNTY FROM 1822 TO 1830. General Historical Sketch from 1822 to 1830 — First County Courts — First Circuit Courts — Three Indian Horse Thieves — First Murder Case — Execution of tlie Murderess — The County in 1822 as Described by Dr. Beck — Martin Palmer, the "Ring-Tailed Painter" — Miscellaneous Items — Liberty Township — Roads and Ferries — Important County Court Proceedings in 182(i ^Miscellaneous — Valua- tion of Property in 1829 — The Indian Alarm of 1828— The Expedition into the Platte Country. Upon the organization of Chw county, in January, 1822, the popu- lation was about 1,200. The area of the county at that time was very much larger than at present, but the population was abiiost entirely confined to the territory embraced within the present limits. The numlier of voters was 240. Liberty was laid out and made the county seat in the summer of 1822, and the same year a dozen houses — nearly all log cabins — were built. Six small stores were in the county this year, two of which were Essex & Hough's and Robert Hood's. These Avere at Liberty. A few Indian tradei's were at the mouth of the Kansas and across the river at Fort Osage. Other merchants in Clay county from 1822 to 1830 were William Samuels & Co., Ely & Curtis, Hickman & Lamme (afterward Hick- man, Lamme & Ilingo), Joshua Fallen, F. P. Chouteau, James Auil, James M. Hughes; & Co., and Moore, Samuels & Croysdale. Some of the grocers^ were James Aull, Hiram Rich, Gershom Compton and Laban Garrett. Noah Richards had a licensed dram-shop in 1828. All these were in Liberty. Merchants' licenses were $15 ; grocers', $5 and $10. From the records of the county court — indisputal)le evidence — it appears that among other industries Lewis- Scott had a tanyard in 1825 ; Ely & Curtis operated a distillery in 182(5 ; and John Baxter had a saddle and harness shop in Liberty in 1827. Mills followed the first settlers. Smith's sketch in the Atlas says the first horse-mill was built near Lil)erty in 1821, l)y Samuel Tilfoni 1 At that date a "grocer" sold more wliisky tlian coffee and sugar, and a "gro- cery" was understood to be a place where ardent spirits were retailed. (100) HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 101 " and ground only corn." Probably there was nothing else to grind. The buhrstones of this mil! were made of " lost rocks," as are some- times called the granite boulders scattered over the county, relics of the glacial period. Four other mills were in existence certainly as early as 1826 — Manchester's mill, on Shoal creek; William and Joel Estes' mill, on Fishing river; Smith's mill, on Smith's fork, and Hixon's mill. David D. Moore had a mill on Big Shoal creek, in the south- western part of the county, in 1830. A serious obstacle to the settlement of Clay county was the diffi- culty of crossing the Missouri, then more so than now a turbid, troublesome stream, with its shifting currents and channels, its treach- erous bars and shoals, and, when at a high stage, its almost irresistible tides. Trifles and insignificant circumstances often directed a settler's location, and many a man located on the south side of the Missouri l)ecause of the difficulty of crossing to the north side. The first ferries whose owners lived in this county were Joseph Boggs', established in 1825 ; Richard Linville's the same year; John Thornton's in 1826, ;ind Frost's about the year 1828. Linville, in 1826, disposed of his ferry to an old Frenchman named Calisse Montargee, commonly called "Calisse" (pronounced Cahece). He ran it until in 1830, when he sold it to Beuj. Hancock. Old Calisse was an eccentric character. He was one of the first settlers in the county, coming here soon after the War of 1812, first as a trapper and voyugeur. He had a landing on the river, kuowu as Calisse's landing, on fractional section 18—50-32, or a mile south of the present site of Moscow. He ran his ferry from tliis landing. Aaron Overton had a ferry over the Missouri, at the mouth of Rose's branch, in May, 1830. It and all the other ferries were pro- pelled bv oars, or sweeps, and it was a good half day's work to take the boat over to the south side and bring back an emigrant wagon. Schools were established early. Smith's sketch states that a few steps south of the Baptist Church, in Liberty, was built a log school- house as early as 1821, the first in the county, and that the first school was taught there by Judge Sibron G. Sliced. There may be and probably is a mistake in the statement that this house was built as early as 1821, but ther-e was certainly a school-house in Liberty in 1823. In 1825 there was a good school-house near Benjamin Samp- son's in the southwestern portion of the county (elections were held in it), but the name of the first teacher can not here and now be driven. 102 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. There was also a church, or as the records call it " a meeting- house," near Mr. Sampson's, in 1825. Upon the first settlement of the county Government land was $2 per acre, and the nearest land office was at Old Franklin, in Howard county. In about 1825 the price of land was reduced to $1.25 per acre, and the land office was removed not long afterward to Lexing- ton.^ A number of the farms in this county were taken as " New Madrid claims." The term " New Madrid claim " may thus be explained to thoae who do not understand it : After the great earthquake at and in the vicinity of New Madrid, in December, 1811, Congress passed an act for the relief of the settlers who had been injured by that great con- vulsion of nature, giving each of them certain favors and privileges in regard to re-entering or locating laud in other parts of the State. In some instances this relief amounted to an absolute grant of land. The act was passed February 17, 1815, and was entitled," An act for the relief of the inhabitants of the late (?) county of New Madrid, in Mis- souri Territory, who suffered by earthquakes." In 1827 a United States militar}' post was established on the site of the present Fort Leavenworth, an incident of importance to this county, since it furnished a market for horses, mules and supplies, and also gave employment to a number of our citizens, contractors and others. In a letter to the compiler. Gen. E. C. Drum, Adjutant- General of the United States, says: "It appears from the records of this office that Cantonment Leavenworth, on the site of the present Fort Leavenworth, was first established by Cos. B, D, E and H, Third Infantry, under' Col. Henry Leavenworth (who was its first commandant, and for whom it was named), about April 1, 1827." In the summer of 1826 came the first " big rise " in the Missouri. The bottom lands were overflowed and the settlers thereon were forced- to remove to higher ground. Though there was some inconvenience and even damage and distress at first, the flood proved a blessing in disguise to the county in general. Many of the pioneers were afraid of the highlands, and especially of the prairies, but now they preferred them to the bottoms, which, as they could see, were liable annually to be submerged l)v tiie mighty, tawny waters of the Missouri, bringing destruction and devastation and leaving malaria and pestilence. So now, the uplands of the county were tested and found to be good, and thus the whole county began to settle up. 1 The Atlas sketch says this was in 1822, but there was uo Lexington in 1822. HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 103 Upon the first settlement of the country many of the pioneers shared the expressed opinion of Dr. Beck, given on another page, and held that the prairies were and always would he practically valueless ; but there were others who knew good soil when they saw it, and did not hesitate to say tiiat the Clay county prairies were fertile and would produce well. There was a serious obstacle in the way of their cul- tivation, however. At that day there were no plows strong enough to tear up the thick, tough sod. The plows then in vogue were light att'airs, with small iron (chiefly cast-iron) points, and wooden mold- boards. These were wholly insufficient for prairie breaking. After a time stronger plows were introduced, the prairie sod was trodden and became less substantial, and prairie farms became very popular. FIRST .SESSIONS OF THE COUNTY COURT. February 11, 1822, the first county court of Clay county convened at the house of John Owens, which stood on what is now lot 18(3, on the iKU'thwest corner of Water and Mill streets, in the city of Liberty. There were present the county justices, John Thornton, Elisha Cam- ron^ and James Gilmor, who exhibited their commissions, signed by Gov. Alexander McNair, and took their seats. (Thornton and Cam- rou had previously been justices of the county court of Ray county). William L. Smith was appointed county clerk, with Col. Shubael Allen and John Shields as secretaries. Smith had been clerk of Ray county. The court first proceeded to the appointment of certain other officers of the county for the year 1822, viz. : William Hall, assessor ; Jesse Gilliam, collector; Samuel Tilford, John Hutchings, Howard Averatt,^ Richard Linville and Benjamin Sampson, commissioners " to preserve from waste the school lands lying in this county." All of these, except William Hall, were present in court and took the bath of office. John Harris was sheriff; he had lieen sherifl' of Ray county. It is said that the court room was Mr. Owens' sitting room, vacated by the family for the occasion. Old Zadock Martin was present, and seemed to hold the entire proceedings in contempt, and so the first order of the court was the imposition of a fine of $1 on Mr. Martin for his said contempt. Whereupon Zadock awoke to a realization of 1 Judge Camron died in this county June 2, 1853, aged sixty-nine. As he wrote it himself his name was spelled as here printed, but latterly it is spelled with an c. The city of Cameron was named for him. ■ Afterward and now spelled Everett. 2 104 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. the fact that this really was a court, with power to protect its dignity and punish affronts thereupon, and so he made apology, and the fine was subsequently remitted. Martin was afterward a county judge himself, and he it was who is said to have been the first American actual settler in Platte county, whither he removed in 1827, and established a ferry on Platte river, at the crossing of the military road from Liberty to Fort Leavenworth. On the second day of the term the newly appointed assessor, Wm. Hall, appeared and took the oath of office. The court determined to establish a precedent for economy in the administration of the county government and made the following order: — Ordered, That the sum of one dollar only per day be charged by the justices of this court for their services ; and it is further ordered that the same economy be observed by all persons who shall have claims against the county. Money was scarce that day, and the judges wisely determined that the county ought to live within its income. Mr. Owens was allowed $2 for the use of his house as a court room during the two days' ses- sion, and then the court adjourned. The court made no order dividing the county into municipal town- ships — at least none is to be found. It seemed to accept the division which had previously been made by the Ray county court — of two townships. Fishing River and Gallatin. The line between these town- ships ran north and south, dividing the county neai'ly into halves. A special session was held at Owens' March 9, 1822, at which Judges Thornton and Gilmor were present. Jesse Gilliam gave bond as collector, and Wm. Hall was appointed assessor in Gallatin town- ship, and Pleasant Adams assessor of the State taxes for J'ishing River. At the regular May term, 1822, all the justices were present, and John Thornton was made presiding judge. George Halfacre and James Williams were nominated to the Governor as suitable persons to be commissioned as justices of the peace for Fishing River town- ship. Preparations were made for holding the August election in the two townships, as follows : — In Fishing river, the house of James Munker was designated as the voting place, and Thos. Officer, Howard Averatt and Bailey George were appointed judges of the election. In Gallatin township, the house of John Owens, in Liberty, was named as the voting place, and the judges of election were James McClelland, John Evans and John McKissick. HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 105 The first roads established hy tlio Clav coiuitv court were oixlered surveyed or reviewed at this term. Those already in use had heca make by the Ray court. The first road establisiied ijy our court wa.s one from Liberty to the intersection of a road leading to Blutfton, on the Missouri river, which was then the county seat of Ray county. This road was directed to be surveyed " from the county line, where the road leading from Bluffton strikes said line ; from thence by Col. [Martin] Palmer's, taking the dividing ridge between Fish- ing river and the Missouri ; thence with the said ridge to the line ranges 30 and 31, and from thence to the county seat by the nearest between and most })racticable route." The commissioners were Joseph Hutchings, Jacob McKoy, Thos. Estes, Elisha Hall and Elijah Smith. Other roads were established as follows: A road leading from the north end of Main street, in Lil)erty, " the nearest and best way to the prairie in the direction of Magill's." Commissioners, John Owens, Eppa Tillery, Ezekiel Hutt'man and John Hall. A road "leading from the court house [John Owens'] in Liberty, the nearest and best way to Andrew Russell's, from thence to the [State] boundary line." Commissioners, Mitchell Poage, South Malott, Aaron Roberts and Andrew Russell. The settlers had already begun to push out as fur as possible, or was safe, and settlements were being made on the western frontiers, and roads were needed for communi- cation with the outer world. At this term David Manchester was appointed county surveyor, and Joshua Adams assessor for Fishing River township. Mr. Adams was selected to assist Mr. Hall, the county assessor, who, owing to the size of the county at that time, could attend to his duties in but one township, Gallatin, in time for the June levy. Some idea of the character of the county at this time can be gained from the report of Jesse Gilliam, the county collector, who stated tr> the court that he had issued six retail licenses (at $5 each), thus shoAving that there were six retail stores in the coimty in the spring of 1822. These, of course, were not comparable with the establishments of to-day, but their stocks were limited to the necessaries of pioneer life at that day. Some of the merchants in the county this year were Essex & Hough and Robert Hood. FIRST CIRCUIT COURT. March 4, 1822, the first circuit court of Clay county was held at the house of John Owens — in Liberty — David Todd, judge; Wm. L. 106 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. Smith, clerk; Hamilton R. Gamble, circuit attorney/ and John Har- ris, sheriff'. The court was in session two days, and had for grand jurors: Richard Linville, foreman; Zachariah McGree, Benj. Samp- son, Robert Y. Fowler, Zachariah Averett, Howard Averett, John Ritchie, James JMuidver, John Evans, Thomas Estes, Andrew Robert- son, Richard Hill, David Magill, Walker McClelland, Robert Poage, Samuel Tilford, David Gregg, Wm. Allen, Elisha Hall and James Williams. There was no trial jury until the July term, in the case of "The State fs. Jonathan Caniron." Indictment for alTray. The jurors were : Abijah Means, Richard Chane3s Abraham Creek, John Bartleson, James Gladdin, Francis T. Slaughter, Enos Vaughn, Andrew Copelin, John C'arrell, Matthew Averett, Eppa Tillery and Samuel Magill. Verdict, "Not guilty." There was no fixed place for holding court, it being sometimes held under the arbor of a tree, until 1832, when the first court house was built. The first attorney admitted to practice before our circuit court was Dabuey Carr, at the first term. Judge David Todd was born in Fayette county, Ky., in 1790. He came to Missouri at an early day and located at Old Franklin, How- ard county. He was well known and long remembered as an able and upright judge and a pure man. Judge Todd died at Columbia, Boone county, in 1859. Hamilton R. Gamble was born in Winchester county, Va., November 29, 1798; came to St. Louis in 1818, and in 1819 to Old Franklin ; was appointed prosecuting attorney in 1822 ; Secretary of State in 1824, and Supreme Court Judge in 1851. In 1861, when Claib. Jackson was deposed, he was made Provisional Governor. He died in 1864. THREE INDIAN HORSE THIEVES. In the month of May, 1823, a roving band of Iowa Indians passed through this county on their way down to the Grand river country. Three of these Indians stole three horses from Ezekiel Huffman and other citizens of this county, and carried them oft' to the encampment on Grand river, above where Brunswick now stands. The chiefs of the tribe gave information to the authorities, and on an affidavit of John P. Gates, the Hon. David Todd, then judge of the first judicial circuit, issued a warrant directed to the sheriff of Chari- ton county, where the Indians then were, directing him to arrest the 1 At this term Mr. Gamble was not present. Hon. Abiel Loonard, then deputy cir- cuit attorney for tlic first circuit in the counties of Clay, Ray, Lillard, Saline and Cole attended. HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 107 throe culprits, whose names wore FERKIES IN 1825. Li May a road was laid out from Liljerty to Thornton's ferry, on the Missouri, " at or near the Blue Inink." Another from Liberty to the Missouri river, " at the boat landing at the town of Gallatin." Another from Liberty " to the mouth of the Kansas river." In September Joseph Boggs was licensed to keep a ferry across the Missouri river, " from the bank near where Wyatt Adkins lives." He was allowed to charge the following rates : " For a loaded wagon and team, $2 ; empty wagon and team, $1.50 ; loaded cart and team, $1 ; for a dearborn and horses, or gig and horses, 62^ cents; man and horse, 37i cents; single person, 18| cents; horses, each, 18| cents; sheep, hogs, and cattle, 3 cents each." In November Richard Lin- ville was licensed to keep a ferry on the Missouri, from a point in section 18, township 50, range 32, " where Louis Barthelette now lives," a mile south of the present site of Moscow. Judge Linville was allowed to charge the same rates as Boggs. MISCELLANEOUS. In the spring of 1825 Philip Logan and Wm. Murray engaged in an affray, or fisticuff, one day, in Liberty, and were arrested and con- victed before Esq. Seron G. Sneed, who sentenced them to pay a fine and costs. Not having any money they were sent to Lillard county jail. When they had served " in gaol " a sufficient time to liquidate the fine they were released upon making oath that they were unable 114 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. to pay the costs and the county court ordered their release. Thomas Young, another convicted and imprisoned fighter, asked for his release, l)ut the court said he should remain in confinement " the time pre- scribed by the verdict of the jury." Logan and Murray were arrested the same summer charged with arson. Elections in 1825 were held: In Gallatiu township, at Beuj. Samp- son's ; judges, Zadock Martin, Sr., Harmon Davis and Benj. Sampson. In Liberty, at the town ; judges, John Evans, George Lincoln and John Bartleson. In Fishing River, at James Munker's ; judges, Wm-. Miller, Thos. Officer and Jeremiah Rose. New merchants this year were Joshua Fallen and F. P. Chouteau, the latter a well known trader. This year, 1825, the county court records mention "a meeting house, near Benj. Sampson's," in the southwest part of the county. COURT PROCEEDINGS IN 182G. In February, township 51, range 31, including Liberty and the country east and south for five or six miles, was incorporated as the first school township in the county under the act of the Legislature of 1825. At the same session the court provided for a seal of the following design: '■'■Device — A plough and rake, with the sun immediately over the plough, the rays of which point in every direction." The words : " Seal of Clay county, Missouri," were to be " on the outer margin and circle." In May the first steps were taken to l)uild a court house ; Wm. Averett was allowed $30 per year for the support of his insane son ; and Abraham Lincoln (uncle of the "martyr President"), Reuben Tillery and Abraham Creek were appointed reviewers of a road from Liberty to Estes' mill, on Fishing river. Elections were held this year in Gallatin township, "at the school house near Mr. Sampson's, in said township;" judges, Wm. Todd, Benj. Sampson and Hermon Davis. In Fishing River, at James Mun- ker's ; judges, Peter Writesman, William Miller and Travis Finley. In Liberty, at the court house ; judges, James E. Hale, John Evans and Samuel Tilford. This year Reuben Tillery, the county assessor, was twenty days in assessing the count}'. MISCELLANEOUS. Patrolers were appointed in 1827 as follows : In Fishing River township, Roland Starks, captain ; Smith Story and Littleberry Sub- HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 115 lette. In Gallatin, Hiram Fiigate, captain; Robert Cain, John Gumm, Daniel Hughes, John S. Mallott. In Liberty, Thos. Estes, captain ; David Lincoln, Lewis Scott, Robert Johnson. Their duties required them to patrol at last 24 hours in every month. The Legislature of 1827 repealed the law providing that the justices of the peace should be ex-officio county judges, and in June, pursuant to this act, the county court of Clay assembled, being composed of Elisha Camron, Samuel Tillery and Joel Turnham, all of whom pre- sented commissions signed by Gov. John INIiller, appointing them county judges for a term of four years. The first deeds of emancipation were issued in 1828. In February Henry Estes emancipated " Tom, a man of color," and John Evans set free " Sylvia, a woman of color." In May Joseph Collett, who was himself a " man of color," but free, purchased and emancipated "Hannah," a slave woman, and her two children, " America " and " Eliza." It is quite certain that the woman was or became Collet's wife. In 1836 Collet and his wife were granted license to remain in the State as long as they should be of good behavior. No other cases of emancipation arc recorded until 1834, when John Robidoux, the founder of the city of St. Joseph, gave freedom to one Jeflrey Dorney. The i-eceipts of the county from all sources during the year 1829 were $1,231.39 ; the expenditui'es were $9()0.2G. Wm. L. Smith, county clerk, resigned in January, 1831, and Wm. T. Wood (afterwards the distinguished lawyer and jurist of Lexing- ton) was appointed in his stead. David R. Atchison and Andrew S. Hughes were licensed to practice before the county court at this time. VALUATION OF PROPERTY IN 1829. Perhaps a definite idea of the value of personal property in Clay county in early days may be obtained from the appraisement of Ar- chibald Holtzclaw's estate, in 1829, and the prices at which the pro- perty was sold. Mr. Holtzclaw's estate was very large and valuable, and his property was divided among his children at the following values : — Jincy, a crippled slave girl, 30 3'ears old .... $100 Anthony, Jincy's child, 1 year old ..... 100 Susan, a slave, 14 years old ....... 300 Henry, a slave, 13 years old ....... 336 Isaac, a slave, 25 years old ....... 450 George, a slave, 13 years old . . . , . .316 116 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. Other personal property had the following sworn values : A horse and side-saddle, $40 ; cow and calf, $7.50 ; sow and five pigs, $1.50 ; sheep, each, $1 ; a flax wheel, $3 ; a cotton wheel, $3 ; flag-bottomed chairs, 50 cents each ; Bible and hymn-book, $1.50 ; skillet, $1.25 ; a good horse, $25. THE INDIAN ALARM OF 1828. In the summer of 1828 there was another Indian ahirni in this county. Some white men up in what is now Clinton county had sold some whisky to a band of Iowa Indians. The latter became uproar- iously drunk, and in the absence of a town, began to paint the prairies red. Of course, an alarm spread that the Indians were on the war- path, and were about to descend on the settlements in Clay. Capt. Wm. Stephenson, of near Liberty, at the head of 63 armed and mounted men set out at once for the scene of the reported troubles, intending, if the Indians were really advancing, to meet them at least half way. The men furnished their own horses, rifles, provisions and equipments. Some of the members of this company were Anthony Harsell, Alex. B. Duncan, Thos. Vanghan, Wm. Campbell and " Pelig " Ellington. The company was organized at Liberty, and rendezvoused the first night out at John Owens', three miles north of Sinithville. Fi'om thence it went up on Big Platte — being accompanied by Gen. Andrew S. Hughes — then north of where Plattsburg now stands, and over on to Crooked river ; from here it went as far back as the waters of Grand river, and then turned back and returned home, after an ab- sence of 14 days. Not an Indian was seen. The men were afterwards declared to be entitled to 40 acres of land each for their services. About the same time Capt. Leonard Searcy, the well known tavern- keeper of Liberty, took out a company for the protection of the can- tonment and garrison at Fort Leavenworth. This company, like Stephenson's, accomplished nothing but the fatigue of its members and their loss of time. On its return it encountered a band of 15 peaceable, friendly Iowa Indians and brought them to Liberty, where they were released. An incident that occurreil during the stay of these Indians in Lib- erty is remembered by some of the old pioneers, as it was one in- stance wherein an Indian " phiyed ofi'" on a white man, Mr. Gill E. Martin, a young son of old Zadock Martin, being the victim. The In- dians were excessively fond of sugar, and were known to consume inordinate quantities when they could get it. HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 117 Young Martin accosted a strapping "buck," and told him that if he would eat three pounds of sugar he would buy it for him. With extravagant demonstrations of joy and delight, the Indian accepted the proposition, and Martin bought the sugar. The savage set to work with great gusto and ate handful after handful. Martin and some companions stood watching him, eagerly awaiting the time when the limit of his appetite should be reached, and he should become first satiated and then sickened. But when the Indian had eated a pound or so, he coolly wrapped up the remainder and thrusting it under his blanket and prepared to take his leave. "Hold on !" exclaimed Martin, " you agreed to eat all of the sugar — stand to your bargain, sir!" With something of a shrewd look the " untutored savage " rejoined : " Ugh ! All right — me eat him all — maybe some to-day — maybe some to-morrow — maybe some one odder day — Injun no lie — me eat him all — good-bv ! " CHAPTEE III. HISTORY OF THE COUNTY FROM 1830 TO 1840. General Sketch of the County from 1830 to 18-10 — Early Days in Clay County — The Deep Snow of 1830 — Building the First Court House — The First Jail — During the Black Hawk War — Origin of the Platte Purchase — The "Hetherly War " — Cliy County in 1836 — The Mormon War. GENERAL SKETCH OF THE COUNTY FROM 1830 TO 1840. In about 1830 steamboats began to make regular trips from St. Louis up the Missouri as high as Liberty Lauding, and occasion- ally a boat laden with government freight ascended as high as Ft. Leavenworth, or even up to Council Bluffs. Landings were estab- lished at divers available points on the river in this county. Col. Shubael Allen established a landing on his plantation in about 1830. He had a licensed warehouse and near by Wm. Yates had a ferry in the spring of 1831. In the fall of 1831 Col. Allen obtained the ferry, and operated it from his warehouse. One informed on the subject thus writes of Allen's Lauding in the Missouri volume of the U. S. Biographical Dictionary, p. 313: — From 1829 until Col. Allen's death (1841), Allen's Landing was the main point of exit and entrance of nearly all the l)usinoss and travel of Northwest Missouri, in its communication with the outer M'orld by 'the river, and hence there were visible at that point a degree of activity and a multitude of conuiiercial transactions utterly unknown in these days of the degeneracy of the river traffic in iMissouri. It was also for many 3'ears the starting point of a large number of the employ s of the American Fur Company in their expeditious to the plains and mountains of the great Northwest. The scene presented annually on the assemblage of these empioA^es — embracing, as it did, swarthy French voyageuvs ; tall, half-breed Indians, straight as arrows, and dressed iu wild garbs ; the display of arms of all kinds, the tents scattered over the lawn, the picketed animals, the many-colored gar- ments — this scene was unique, semi-barbarous, but animated and highly picturesque. Liberty Landing, in the boating season, was a point of some activity. Joel Turnham built a tobacco warehouse here in the winter of 1830- 31, and had it licensed in February of the latter year; James Rob- erts was inspector. A great deal of freight was shii)ped from St. (118) HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 119 Louis to this landing, and a great many passengers were landed here from the boats — emigrants and prospectors. In November, 1831, Aaron Overton had a ferry at Overton's Cross- ing. Shrewsbury Williams operated one in 1832, and Samuel Gragg estal)Iished one in the spring of 1833. Col. Allen's ferry was suc- ceeded l)y Fielding McCcjy's. Some of the grocers in the city in 1S34 were S. & A. S. Ringo, Shnl)ael Allen, Charles Carthrae, Abraham Croysdale, George WuUis, J. & R. Aull, and Arthur, Turnham & Stephens. The Big Siioal meeting-liouse was built in 1835, and is mentioned in the county records of 183(3. The first public l)ridge, that is, built by authority of the county, was erected across Fishing river, at the crossing of the State road, in the spring of 1836. Reuben Long, Solomon Fry and Littleberry Sublette were the commissioners. Soon after, another bridge was built by the county across a small branch near Uriel Cave's, on the Big Lick road ; init as it cost but $37 it could not have been a very elaijorate or important structure. To be sure, there were other bridges prior to these, but they were built by private subscriptions. As the county was now pretty well settled, and roads were nearly as numerous as now, it became necessary to systematize the matter of establishing new roads and keeping them in repair. In February, 183(3, the county court divided the county into 42 road districts, and appointed overseers. The nearness of Fort Leavenworth to the county and the desire for military life, induced some of our young men to visit the barracks and enlist in the regular army. They imagined, from what they could see from the service, that the life of a soldier was one of smart uniforms, dress parades, and an easy time generally, with $8 a month and "board, clothes, and doctor's bills." Some of them who en- listed soon grew disgusted and desperate at the drudging, menial life they were compelled to lead, and deserted. Others sought to back gracefully out. In March, 1836, our county court took upon itself the responsibility of ordering one Charles D. Stout discharged forthwith from the U. S. service ! Whether or not the military authorities obeyed the order can not here be stated. Daniel Ferrill volunteered in Capt. Sconce's Ray county company, in 1837, and served in the P^'lorida War. It is believed that two or three more Clay county men enlisted with Ferrill. The population of the county in 1830 was 5,338 ; in 183(3, it was 8,533. 3 120 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. The following were the post-offices and their respective postmasters in the county in 1836 : Liberty, John Hendly ; Barry, P. Flemmino; ; Elm Grove, James Duncan ; Platte, W. Turner. The vote for President in this county in 1832 can not here be given, but in 1836 it stood : For Van Buren, Democrat, 347 ; for Harrison and Hugh M. White, Whigs, 282. "An old resident " writing in the Tribune, in 1859, thus mentions the first Sunday-school in the county : — In contrast with the present public opinion of the county, I will re- late the history of the first Sunday-school established in Lil)crty. At the request of an aged minister of the gospel, I had purchased some Sunday-school books in Philadelphia, and when they arrived a school was opened in the court-house, and I consented to be one of the teachers. The news spread over the county that such an institution was established, and that I had taken part in it. Several of my friends advised me to quit — that it was calculated to " unite church and State," and that I would lose my custom if I persisted. I did quit, and the school soon broke up, the old minister not being able lO procure help to carry it on. Intercourse with Fort Leavenworth was frequent and quite intimate. Many parties, balls, and merry-makings in Liberty were participated in by Gen. Bennett Riley, Lieutenants Nate, Cady, Cooke, Walters, Wicklitle, and others. Liberty was noted for its dancing parties, which were frequently attended by e.xcursionists from Lexington, Richmond, Independence and Leavenworth. In 1834, Gen. A. S. Hughes brought to Liberty the old Indian chief, White Cloud, and his daughter, Sally. They attended a party at Leonard Searcy's tavern, and the next morning Miss Sally purchased a new leghorn bonnet, trimmed with flaming red ribbon. Her father bought for himself a fur hat, with the crown 15 inches high, but with a narrow brim. The father and his daughter paraded the streets in their now clothes, prouti of tiieir new acquisitions, and the observed of all observers. EAULY DAYS IN CLAY COUNTY. A writer in the Liberty Tribune of December 19, 1846, under the head of " Clay County 17 Years Ago," thus narrates certain incidents in the early history of this county. AVho this writer was can not here be stated, as he signed himself " Old Settler," and his name can not now be identified : — In the month of December, 1829, I saw for the first time the county of Clay and the town of Liberty. I remember it well. I entered the HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 121 county by the way of Meek's (then Jack's) ferry, and I had not rid- den more than a mile or two before I saw an opossum, and I got off my horse and killed it. What changes have taken place since that day ! The whole Platte country was then inhabited by the Iowa, Sac and Fox Indians ; there were only one or two families in what are now Clinton, DeKalb, Gen- try, Caldwell, Daviess and Harrison counties. Clay county was the ultima tlmle of Western emigration, and Liberty was regarded as the very paradise of Western towns. Compared to the neighl)oring towns it was so, for Richmond, Lexington and Independence scarcely de- served the name of towns, and Plattsburg was not then in existence. In these davs Liberty was a thriving town. It was the iieadquarters of the Upper Missouri, and Liberty Landing was the head of naviga- tion, except that occasionally steamboats would go up to Fort Leaven- worth. There was no warehouse then at our landing. The arrival of ■A boat was announced by the firing of a cannon four or five miles below, and by the time it reached Col. Allen's all the merchants would be there, as well as half the town and neighborhood. Freight was high but money was plenty, and everybody thought that there was no such a place as Clay county. The thought of ever being in want of a mar- ket for the surplus i)roductions of the county never once entered into any of our minds. The change is wonderful in this and the surrounding country since 1829. The Indians have left the Platte country, and now there are at least three counties in it that contain as heavy a population as Clay, viz. : Buchanan, Platte and Andrew. In 1830 an election for Senator, Representative and sherifi" took place. I attended a muster at Judge Elisha Cameron's and heard the candidates speak. Jacksonism at that time was in its zenith, and rode over everything else. A candidate had but little else to say besides de- claring himself " a Jackson man." That was enough to defeat the best men who were opposed to Jackson. I recollect the speech of the famous " Neal " G [Cornelius Gilliam] at the muster above spoken of. He was a candidate for sheriff and of course was elected. He mounted a big elm log and said : — ^^ Fellotv-citizpns — I am a Jackson man up to the hub. I have killed more wolves and broke down more nettles than any man in Clay county. I am a candidate for sheriff, and I want your votes." He then dismounted, and a " Hurrah for Neil " was given by the crowd. In 1832 the Jackson spell was somewhat broken, as the Clay men succeeded in electing the lamented Woodson J. Moss to the Leg- islature, along with Col. Thornton. The Whigs have been in the ascendancy ever since. THE DEEP SNOW OF 1830-31. October 29, 1830, the memorable " deep snow " commenced fall- ing, covering the ground to a depth of 20 inches on the level, and drifting in many places twelve feet deep. A week or so afterwards 122 HISTORY or CLAY COUNTY. another snow fell of about the same depth, and actually covering the ground, without drifting, to a depth of two feet in most places. January '6, 1831, another snow fell, which added to that already on the ground made a depth of nearly three feet. The situation may be imagined. Travel was almost impossible. The few roads were blocked, and no one pretended to go abroad except on horseback. In a short time there came a thaw, then a freeze, the latter forming a crust through which the deer would break, while wolves and dogs passed over in safety. Large numbers of deer and turkey perished, and could be cauglit with but little difficulty. The snow lasted till the first of March following, when it went off with a warm rain, and there were great floods resultant. The season of 1831 was unfavorable for the settlers of this county. Corn was the chief staple then raised — the principal de- pendence of the people — and the corn crop of that year was a failure. Much of it was planted late, and the season turned out backward and cool and the summer was full of east winds. At last, in August there came a frost, " a killing frost," and nipped the corn so severely that it did not ripen. The grains were so imperfectly developed that but few of them would germinate and the next spring seed corn was very scare and very dear. Certain vegetables were also injured by the frost, and to many the situation was actually distressing. BUILDING THE FIRST COURT-HOUSE. Up to 1828 there was no attempt made to build a court-house for the county. There was no money in the treasury to build a suit- able one, nor could a sufficient amount be raised by taxation, within a reasonable time, on the property then in the county. In May, 1826, Enos Vaughan was allowed $4.50 " as commissioner of the court- house and jail," but it does not appear what services he per- formed. Temporary houses in which the courts were held were rented of John Owens and John Thornton up to 1828, and afterwards of Stephen A. St. Cyr, J. T. V. Thompson and others. In May, 1838, AVm. L. Smith, who as county commissioner had superseded Wm. Powe, Henry Estes and Wyatt Adkins, was authorized to contract for 100,000 bricks, and also for digging the foundation in the center of the public square, " 44 feet 4 inches square from out to out." A large portion of the expense of building the house was borne by the citizens. In May, 1829, when Commissioner Wm. L. Smith re- signed, he had expended $672.11, of which sum $415.11 had been HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 123 subscribed by the people. Joel Tunihaiii succeeded Smith, and let the contract for laying the brick and for the greater portion of the wood work. The architect of the building was Judge George Burnet. The work dragged along until in May, 1831, when Richard C. Stephens was appointed commissioner, and it was under his super- vision that the work was finally completed. Although some of the lower rooms were occupied in 1831, it was not until the spring of 1833 that the entire building, {jlastering, furnishing, etc., was finished. Joseph Bright did the carpenter work for $691.50 ; the lathing and plastering were done by John Dyke, Hezekiah Riley and Robert Bur- den. The tables were made by George C. Hall. The court-house was of brick, two stories high. The first story was 14 feet and the second nine feet " in the clear." It was well lighted and had four doors or entrances on the ground floor, one at each cardinal compass point. As it was erected before the days of heating stoves the rooms were warmed by fire places, at least for many years. In 1836 lightning rods were placed u])on it. This building was burned down in 1857, standing about 25 years, and was replaced by the present handsome, commodious and valuable structure. In May, 1836, the public square was enclosed by post and square- rail fence, the rails being set in the posts " diamond position." There were four gates in the center of the four sides opposite each door of the court-house, and two stone steps led up to each gate. THE FIRST JAIL. For about ten years after its organization Clay county had no jail, or gaol, as it was commonly called. Prisoners were sent to the Lil- lard or Jackson county jail for safe keeping. In April, 1833, ' our county court let a contract to Solomon Fry for the building of the substantial stone structure still standing in Liberty. Elisha Camron was commissioner. The building was completed and ordered paid for the following December, and it is said that it cost less than $600. DURING THE BLACK HAWK WAR. Details of the Black Hawk War, which broke out in Wisconsin in the spring of 1832, between the whites and the Sacs, Foxes and Win- nebago Indians, belong to other histories. It is only with the part ' By a misprint tlie slvetch in tlie County Atlas says 1823. 124 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. of that war with which Chiy county was concerned that these pages have to deal. The news that the war had broken out reached here in due season. Various circumstances contributed to form a belief on the part of many prominent men well versed in the characteristics of the savages that a general Indian uprising from the Lakes to Mexico was imminent. In this part of Missouri many of the people were acquainted with the Sacs and Foxes and knew that they were formidable enemies if they once vfeut on the war path. Knowledge of the events taking place iii Wisconsin and Illinois coming to the people of this county, there was considerable alarm and apprehension. Some of the more adventurous of the early settlers who had pushed out on the frontiers into where is now Clinton county, retired in good order to this county, fearing that the Indians would swoop down upon them from Iowa unawares and leave none to tell the tale. Fearing for the northern frontier and the settlements in this and other portions of the State, Gov. John Miller early adopted precau- tionary measures. About the 10th of May, 1832, he ordered the generals commanding the Missouri militia to warn the members of their commands " to keep in readiness a horse, with the necessary equipments, a rifle in good order, with an ample supply of ammuni- tion," etc. On the 25th of May, 1832, he ordered Maj.-Gen. Richard Gentry, of Columbia, to raise, without delay, one thousand volun- teers for the defense of the frontiers of the State, to be in readiness to start at ;i moment's warning. Accoi'dingly, on the 29th of May, 1832, orders were issued by Gen. Gentry to Brig. -Gens. Benjamin Means, commanding the seventh, Jonathan Eiggs, eisjhth, and Jesse T. Wood, ninth brigade, third division, to raise the required quota, the first named 400, and each of the last 300 men. Two conqjanies of militia belonging to Gentry's division — a com- pany from Pike county, commanded by Capt. Mudd, and a company from Ralls county, under Capt. Richard Matson, were sent to the northeastern border of the State about the 1st of July. Accordingly, Capt. Matson's company set out for the northern part of the State, and after some days of scouting and marching reached a point eight miles from the Chariton river, in what is now Schuyler county, and began the erection of a fort, which, in honor of the cap- tain of their company, the Ralls county men named Fort ]Matson. This fort commanded what was then known as the Chariton river trail, which led from Iowa down to the settlements near Kirksville. Three vears before — that is to say, in 1829 — a party of Iowa Indians had HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 125 made a raid on these settlements and killed a number of men and two women. It was believed that should the Indians come into the State one line of invasion would be over the Chariton trail, and in that event Fort Matson was designed as the first formidable obstacle they would encounter. The Pike county company marched to the extreme northeastern part of the State, and built a fort ton miles from the mouth of the Des Moines river, within the present limits of Clark county ; this fort, in honor of their county, Ca[)t. Mudd's men called Fort Pike. The two companies were keptpre£ty busy for some weeks scouting, picket- ing and fort building, but not fighting, for they saw no hostile Indians. These companies were afterward relieved by Capt. Jamison's and Hickman's companies of Callaway and Boone respectively, as narrated on page 53 of this volume, which see for a summary of the events that took place in the northeastern portion of the State.' Coining now to the [nirt taken in the Black Hawk War by Clay county, it may be stated that two companies, commanded by Capts. Geo. AVallis and Smith Crawford, took the field in August. Craw- ford's com[)any was from the northern and northeastern portions of the county ; Wallis' was from Liberty and the adjacent neighbor- hoods. Each company numbered about (30 men, who were all mounted, and every man furnished his own horse, arms, ammunition, and rations. The battalion was under command of Col. Shubael Allen, who marched it northeast into the Grand river country, scouting that region thoroughly. From Grand river the battalion went westward to the boundary lino, down which they marched to near Smithville, and came back by way of that village to Liberty, which they reached after an absence of 32 days. Not a hostile Indian, or, indeed, no Indians of any sort, were encountered on the entire march, which was void of interesting adventure or incident worth mention. Mr. Anthony Harsell is now the only survivor of the Black Hawk AVar expedition from Clay county, known to the compiler, and from him much of the information contained in this article has been obtained. ORIGIN OF THE PLATTE PURCHASE. The accomplishment, in 183(5, of what is known as the "Platte Pur- chase," deserves especial mention in a history of Clay county, because ^ Note. — By an omission, too late to be corrected, no mention is made on pages 53-54 of the only real important services performed by Missouri militia during the Black Hawk War — those performed by Capts. Matson's and Mudd's companies — and so they are inserted in the history of Clay county. 126 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. it was in this county that the idea of the acquisition of that purchase originated, and where the plans for the same were fully matured. Moreover it was Clay county men who carried out these plans. As Col. Switzler, in his History of Missouri says, many intelligent citizens of Missouri have often propounded the inquiry, without having it answered, — When, where, and by whom was the suggestion first made that Missouri, a State already among the largest in territorial area in the Union, should extend her boundary so as to embrace what is now known as the " Platte Purchase? " The idea originated in the summer of 1835, at a regimental militia muster at Weekley Dale's farm, three miles north of the town of Liberty, in Clay county. After the morning parade and during recess for dinner, the citizens present were organized into a mass meeting, which was addressed, among others, by Gen. Andrew S. Hughes, who came to Clay from Montgomery county, Kentucky, in 1828, and who soon afterwards was appointed Indian agent by President John Quincy Adams. Gen. Hughes was a lawyer by profession, a gentleman of acknowledged ability, and in wit and sarcasm almost the equal of John Randolph.^ At this meeting, and in this public address, he proposed the acquisi- tion of the Platte country ; and the measure met with such emphatic approval that the meeting proceeded at once, by the appointment of a committee, to organize an eflbrt to accomplish it. The committee was composed of the fcllowing distinguished citizens : William T. Wood, afterwards judge of the Lexington circuit ; David R. Atchison, ex- United States Senator ; A. W. Doniphan, too well known to be men- tioned more fully ; Peter H. Burnett, afterwards Governor, and one of the supreme judges of California, and Edward M. Samuel, after- wards president of the Commercial Bank in St. Louis, and who died there in September, 1869, — all of them, at the time of the appoint- ment of this committee, residents of Clay county. An able memorial to Congress was subsequently drafted by Judge Wood, embracing the facts and considerations in behalf of the mea- sure, which all the committee signed, and it was forwarded to our Senators and Representatives at Washington. Pursuant to the prayer of this memorial, in 1836, a bill was intro- duced into Congress by Senator Benton, and ardently supported by his colleague. Senator Linn, namely, an act to extend the then exist- ing boundary of the State so as to include the triangle between the cx- 1 General Andrew S. Hughes died while attending court at Plattsburg, Missouri, December 14, 1843, aged 54 years. HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 127 isting line and the Missouri river, then a part of the Indian Territory, now comprising the counties of Atchison, Andrew, Buchanan, Holt, Nodaway and Platte, and known as the "Platte Purchase." The difficulties encountered were threefold: 1. To make still larger a State which was already one of the lai-gest in the Union. 2. To make a treaty with the Sac and Fox tribes of Indians whereby they were to be removed from lands which had but recently been assigned to them in perpetuity. 3. To alter the Missouri Compromise line in relation to slave territory and thereby convert free into slave soil. Notwith- standing these difficulties, the two first mentioned serious, and the last formidaldc, the act was passed and the treaties negotiated, and in 1837, the Indians removed west of the Missouri river, thus adding to our State a large body of the richest land in the world. THE " HETHERLY WAR." In the summer of 1836 occurred in Northern Missouri certain inci- dents known in the aggregate as the " Hetherly War." With these incidents it is proper to deal in this volume, since two companies of volunteers from Clay county took part in the war, and at the time the entire population was greatly excited ami at times apprehensive. From the official records of Carroll county, from the statements of living witnesses, and from other sources of information, it is learned that in the spring of this year a baud of desperrdoes, robbers and thieves lived in that part of Carroll county known as the Upper Grand river country, and now included in Mercer and Grundy counties. This band had for its principal members a family named Hetherly, from Kentucky, composed of the following persons : Geo. Hetherly, Sr., the father; Jenny Hetherly, the mother; John Hetherly, Alfred Hetherly, George Hetherly, Jr., and James Hetherly, the sons, and Ann Hetherly, the daughter. The Hetherlys lived far out on the frontier, and their cabin was a rendezvous for hard characters of ail sorts. The antecedents of the family were bad. Old George Hetherly was regarded as a thief in Kentucky, and Mrs. Hetherly was a sister to the notorious Kentucky murderers and freebooters. Big and Little Harpe. The women of the family were prostitutes, and the men were believed to be villians of the hardest sort. One of Mrs. Hetherly's children was a mulatto, whose father was a coal black negro, that accompanied the family from Kentucky to Missouri. Bad as they were, however, the Hetherlys wore perhaps not as black as they were painted, and many crimes were attributed to them of which, in all probability, they were innocent. 128 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. Living with the Hetherl^'s as boarders, visitors or employes, were three or four young men whose reputations were none of the best, and who had doubtless drifted westward from the older States as they fled from the oflicei's of the law from crimes committed. Old Mrs. Hetherly is said to have been the leading spirit of the gang, prompting and planning many a dark deed, and often assisting in its execution. Tales were told of the sudden and utter disappear- ance of many a laud hunter and explorer, who visited the Upper Grand river country and was last seen in the neighborhood of the Hetherly house. These stories may or may not have been true, but all the same they were told, and gradually gained credence. Early in the month of June, 1836, a hunting party of the Iowa In- dians from southern Iowa came down on the east fork of Grand river on a hunting expedition. As soon as the Hetherlys heard of the proximity of the Indians they resolved to visit their camp, steal what horses they could, and carry them down to the river counties and sell them. Taking with them James Dunbar, Alfred Hawkins, and a man named Taylor, tlie four Hetherlys visited the scene of the lowas' hunting operations and began to steal the ponies and horses which had been turned out to graze. Fortune favored them and they managed to secure quite a lot of ponies, and escaped with tliem to the forks of Grand river. Here they were overtaken by a pursuing party of the lowas, who demanded a return of their property. The demand not being either refused or instantly complied with, the Indians opened fire on the thieves. The first volley killed Thomas. Other shots being fired, the Hetherly gang retreated, leaving the ponies in the hands of their rightful owners. Upon the defeat of their scheme the Hetherlys returned home, and began consulting among themselves as to the best course to pursue under the circumstances. Being much alarmed lest the Indians should give information of the affair to the whites and have the true story l)elieved, it was resolved to anticipate a visit to the whites on the river, and go first themselves and tell a tale of their own. Dunbar had for some time sliown symptoms of treachery to the party, or rather of a desire to break away from his evil associations. Soon after he was murdered and his body found. In a day or two the Hetherlys made their appearance in the settle- ments raising an alarm that the Indians were in the country murdering and robbing, and claimed that they had killed Dunbar and other white men in the Upper Grand river country. The news was at first be- lieved, and there was great excitement throughout the country. A HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 129 part of the story — that the Indians were in the country — was known to be true, and the rest was readily believed. Carriers were sent to Ray, Clay and Clinton, and the people were thoroughly aroused. Gen. B. M. Thompson, of Ray, commanding the militia forces in the district, ordered out several companies, and at the head of a regi- ment from Ray,^ and Carroll moved rapidly to the scene of the re- ported troubles. The whole country north of Carroll county was thoroughly scoured. An advance scouting party penetrated the sec- tion of country where the Indians were, visited tiieir camp and found them quiet and perfectly peaceable, and wondering at the cause of the visit of so many white men in arms. Two companies from Clay were ordered out by Gen. Thompson. These were commanded by Capts.Wallis and Crawford, the same who had led the Clay militia in the Black Hawk War. Campbell's Gazet- teer states that one of these companies was the "Liberty Blues," com- manded by David R. Atchison, but W. A. Breckenridge, who belonged to Wallis' company, assures the writer that the " Blues " were not out.'' The battalion, numbering about 150 men, was again commanded by Col. Shubael Allen. There accompanied the militi^ some volunteers, among whom were A. W. Doniphan and O. P. Moss. Obedient to orders Col. Allen marched his battalion almost due north, nearly along the then western boundary of the State to a point in what is now DeKalb county, and then turned east to the reported scene of the troubles. This was done to discover whether or not there was a movement of the savages from that quarter or to flank the supposed hostile band reported to be advancing down Grand river. The first night on the march after leaving the county, Col. Allen's battalion encamped at Joel Burnam's, in the southwest corner of Clin- ton county, near where Union Mills or Edgerton now stands. Here 30 or 40 Indians, Sacs and lowas, were encountered on a hunting ex- pedition, all friendly. Col. Allen held a council with them — it is not clear why. During the delil)erations he stated to the savages that they would do well not to go on the war-path against the whites, whose soldiers, he assured them, " outnumbered the blades of grass on all these prairies ! " Arriving at Grand river the Ijattalion crossed and encamped one Sunday on its banks. No trouble of any sort was encountered. ' The two compauies from Ray were commanded by Capts. Matthew P. Long and Wm. Pollard. - Gen. Atchison himself, in a letter to the writer, corroborates this statement. 130 HISTOUY OF CLAY COUNTY. After thorough examination and investigation of the situation and the circumstances, Gen. Thompson became perfectly satisfied that the Indians were not and had not been hostile — wei'e innocent of the olfenses alleged against them, but, on the contrary, had been preyed upon by the Hetherly gang in the manner heretofore described. After consultation the officers returned the men to their homes and disbanded them, and the great scare was over. The Clay count}' men mai'ched to Liberty, via where Haynesville and Kearney now are. The depredations and crimes alleged against the Indians were now' traced directly to the Hetherlys. A warrant for their arrest was is- sued, and July 17, Sheriff Lewis N. Rees, of Carroll county (yet living), with a strong posse, apprehended them, and their preliminary examination came off before 'Squire Jesse Newlin, who then lived at Knavetown, now Spring Hill, Livingston county. The examination attracted great attention and lasted several days. The result was that the accused were found to be the murderers, either as principals or accessories, of James Dunbar. There was strong talk of lynching them, but on the 27th of July they were given into the custody of the sheriff of Ray county for safe keeping, until the October term of the circuit court. Old man Hetherly, his wife, and their daughter, Ann, were released on bail. October 27, 1836, in obedience to a writ of habeas corpus, issued by Judge John F. Ryland, in vacation, the sheriff of Ray county brought into the circuit court, at Carrollton, the old man, George Hetherly, his wife, Jenny Hetherly, their sons, George, Jr., John, Alfred and James Hetherly, and Alfred Hawkins, all charged with the murder of James Dunbar. The accused were returned to the custody of the sheriff. The grand jury found bills of indictment against the Hetherlys, and a separate indictment against Alfred Hawkins. Austin A. King took his seat on the bench, as judge of the circuit, in the room of Judge Ryland, at this term. Thos. C. Birch was circuit attorney, but hav- ing been of counsel for the accused in the preliminary examination, was discharged from the duties imposed upon him by the law in this case, and Amos Rees was appointed by the court special prose- cutor. On Tuesday, March 7, 1837, John Hetherly was acquitted. There being no sufficient jail in Carroll county, the Hetherlys were sent to the Lafayette county jail, and Hawkins to the jail of Chariton county, for safe keeping. Bills to the amount of $530 were allowed certain partiesfor guarding the prisoners. HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 131 It being apparent to the prosecutor that no conviction could be had of the Hetherlys, nor of Hawkins, unless some of his fellow-criminals would testify against him, at the July term, 1837, before Judge King, a nolle pros, was entered against the Hetherlys, and they were dis- charged. Whereupon Hawkins was placed on trial, and the Hetherlys testified against him. He was ably, and vigorously defended by his counsel, wlio induced some of the jury to i)Glieve that the Hetherlys themselves were the guilty parties, and the result was, that the jury disagreed, and were discharged. At the November term 1837, Hawkins was again tried, at Carroll- ton, and this time convicted of murder in the first degree, and sen- tenced to death. The sentence was afterwards commuted to twenty years in the penitentiary, whither he was taken, but, after serving about two years of his time, he died, and thus terminated " the Hethei-ly War." What eventually became of the Hetherly family is not known. CLAY COUNTY IN 1836. The following description of Clay county in 1836 is from Wetmore's Gazetteer of Missouri, published in 1837 : — This county, on the left bank of the Missouri river, is bounded on the south by it and west l)y the old State line, which is now changed by the addition of the territory recently acquired by Missouri. When the State was admitted into the Union, there was not a house in Clay county.^ It is now one of the best settled tracts of country in Mis- souri or elsewhere. The liigli cultivation of the numerous and large farms, the substantial buildings, and the tasteful arrangements about the domiciles of the old settlers, would lead the visitor to suppose, if he were governed by appearance, that he was in the heart of the best settlements of one of the older States. The pioneers who explored this region of country found the land so rich and the face of the country so attractive, that swarms of good citizens of Kentucky and elsewhere poured in, and the county was speedily settled and densely populated. Great wealth was carried to the country, and more has been acquired by the enterprise and indus- try of the inhabitants. They have not failed to avail themselves of the advantages jiresented in the frontier market, which they enjoy in common with their neighbors of Jackson county. This market the settlers of Clay at first enjoyed exclusively, having been cultivators before any settlements were made in Jackson. The people of Clay have not complained of having too much prairie ; and it is probable a larger proportion would have been ad- 1 This is an error so palpable that it is a matter of wonUerment how Wetmore made it. In 1821 there were a number of houses in this county. — Compiler. 132 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. vantageous. They have, however, the fashion of making prairie, where there is any deficiency, with the Knous' or Collins axes. The timber of Clay is good, and the county abundantly supplied with a variety of oak, black walnut and black ash. The bee hunters (a peo- ple rather less industrious than the insects which they destroy) have made sad havoc with the timber of Missouri. [?] They go ahead of the settler, and find honey in the to})s of the tallest trees in the forests. These are necessarily felled to obtain the honey ; and thus some of the best timber on the public lands is destroyed. Where the bee hunter is followed up by the tanner, much additional waste is committed on the public domain. But, after all these depredations, enough generally remains for all the purposes of the farmer ; and heavy log-rollings are common occurrences. Fields of corn filled with bare and leafless trees are found in various parts of the count}', and are among the surplus possessions of the farmers of Clay, as well as their countrymen of other counties. The inhabitants of Clay are at i)resent dependent upon the East fork of the Platte and Fishing river and some smaller mill-streams for their water power. But when the great mill sites on the main branch of Little Platte shall he improved, the western part of the county will be happily situated for milling facilities. These sites are in the territory recently acquired by the State. Limestone and sand- stone abound in Clay, and the " lost stone" is used for milling pur- poses in oi'dinary or country work milling. There are eleven grist mills that are run with water power in Clay, which are not suflicient for grinding bread stufls for all the inhabitants of the county, and horse-mills are therefore still in use. There is likewise a steam mill a few miles from Liberty, on the iMissouri river. THE MORMON WAR." In 1832 the Mormons, under their Prophet, Joe Smith, came into Jackson, where the previous year large tracts of land had been en- tered and purchased for their benefit, and began to occupy and possess the land, with the intention, as they said, of remaining for " all time." But their years in that land were few and full of trouble. They were in constant collision with their Gentile neighbors, who frecjucntly tied them up and whip[)cd them with cowhides and hickory switches, derided their religion, boycotted them where they did not openly persecute them, and at last engaged in a deadly encounter with them, tarred and feathered their bishop, threw their printing press into the river, and finally drove them from their homes and out of the county. ' The Knous axes were made by Nathau Knous & Sons, of Fayette, Howard county. - See pages 54-57. HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 133 Affrighted and terror-stricken, many of tiie Mormons took refuge in Clay. Every vacant cabin in the south half of the county was occu- pied by the fugitives. Many of them among the men obtained em- ployment with the farmers ; some of the women engaged as domestics, and others taught school. A few heads of families were able to and did purchase land and homes, but the majority rented. The Clay county citizens received them kindly, ministered to their wants and rendered them so many favors that to this day, away out in Salt Luke, the old Mormons hold in grateful remembrance the residents of the county of 1834-3().' The Jackson county people were indignant at the reception given the Mormons by the citizens of Clay, and stigmatized some of our people as "Jack Mormons," a term yet used. On one occasion a delegation of eleven Jackson county citizens, led by Maj. Sam. Owens and James Campbell, came over to Liberty to hold a council with the Gentile citizens and Mormons of Clay in regard to the lands from which the Mormons had been driven. The title to these lands was in the hands of the Mormons, but the Gentiles wished to extinguish it by purchase, if it could be obtained at their — the Gentiles' — price. Accordingly they offered the Mormons an insignificant sum for their lands and farms, many of which were already in possession of certain citizens of Jackson, but this offer was refused. The Clay county people generally indorsed the refusal. Returning home that night, in great ill humor with their neighbors on this side of the river, the delegation of Jackson met with a sad misfortune. As they were crossing the river at Ducker's ferry, when about, tlie middle of the river the boat sank and five of them were 1 An old citizen of Iiidepeudence has recently published in the Kau.sas City Journal an interesting article ou the Mormon troubles in Jackson county. One paragraph of this article is as follows: — True history, however, must record the fact that the deluded followers of the so- called prophet, Joseph Smith, in their first effort to organize and establish a religious socialistic community in Jackson county, Mo., were unjustly and outrageously mal- treated by the original settlers, that is seen in the tragic and pitiful scenes which oc- curred during the last part of their sojourn in this, their promised inheritance, their Zion, and New Jerusalem. With scarcely one exception, the settlers were aggressors so fur as overt acts of hostility were concerned. During the last year of their stay the continued persecutions to which they were subjected excited the sympathy of many outside of the county, especially of the people of Clay county, who gave them an asylum and assistance for a year or two after their expulsion. Indeed, material aid and arms were furnished them by citizens of Clay before their expulsion; a wagon with a quantity of guns was stopped near the south part of Kansas City and seized by parties on the watch. 134 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. drowued. Three of the unfortunate men were Ihe Job, James Camp- bell, and Everett. The casuality increased the indignation al- ready felt against the people of Clay. By the year 1838, all, or nearly all, of the Mormons had left Clay county and joined the Mormon settlement, at or near Far West or at other points in Caldwell and Daviess counties, and in October of that year the " Mormon War" broke out. Among the troops dispatched to Far West during that month were some companies of militia from (ylay, belonging to Gen. Donii)han's lirigade of Maj.-Gen. D. R. At- chison's division. Two of these companies were commanded by Capts. Prior and O. P. Moss. Of Capt. Prior's company Peter Holtzclaw was first lieutenant. He, with 25 men from the northern part of the county, became sepa- rated from the main command and did not leave with it. The detach- ment marched across into Ray county and fell in with the Jackson county regiment which had refused to march through Clay, owing to the animosity existing, and had crossed the river at Lexington. All the Clay county men were present in line confronting the breast- works when the Mormon camp at Far West was surrounded, and wit- nessed all the proceedings. They saw the white flag pass back and forth from the Mormons, and saw the robber, Capt. Bogard, of the Missou- rians, fire on it ; saw the cannoneers stand with lighted matches beside their pieces, having sent word to Gen. Doniphan that they were ready to fire : saw suddenly a white flag go up ; saw the Mormon battalion march out with " Gen." G. W. Hinkle, brave as a lion, at its head, and form a hollow square and ground arms, and then saw Hinkle ride up to Doniphan, unbuckle his sword and detach his pistols from their holsters and pass them over to his captor, who quietly remarked, " Give them to my adjutant." Then they saw Hinkle dash the tears from his face, and ride back to his soldiers. The Mormons agreed fully to Doniphan's conditions — that they should deliver up their arms, surrender their prominent leaders for trial, and the remainder of them, with their families, leave the State. As hostages, Joe Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Lyman Wight, G. W. Hin- kle, and other prominent Mormons, delivered themselves np to be held for the faithful performance of the hard conditions.' 1 Col. Lewis Wood, of this count}', vvlio was present, states to the compiler tliat at a council of tlie leading militia officers held the night following the surrender, it was voted by nearly three to one to put these leaders to death, and their lives were only saved by the intervention of Gen. Doniphan, who not only urged his authority as brig- adier, but declared he would defend the prisoners with his own life. HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 135 The Mormon leaders were taken before a court of inquiry at Rich- mond, Judge Austin A. King presiding. He remanded them to Daviess county, to await the action of the grand jury on a charge of treason against the State, and murder. The Daviess county jail being poor and insecure, the prisoners were brought to Liberty and confined in the old stone jail (still standing) for some time. Many citizens of the county remember to have seen Joe Smith when he was a prisoner in the old Liberty jail. In due time indictments for various offenses, treason, murder, resisting legal process, etc., were found against Joe Smith and his brother, Hiram Smith, Sidney Rigdon, G. W. Hiukle, Caleb Baldwin, Parley P. Pratt, Luraan Gibbs, Maurice Phelps, King Follett, Wm. Osburn, Arthur Morrison, Elias Higbee and others. Sidney Rigdon was released on a writ of habeas corjms. The others requested a change c)f venue, and Judge King sent their cases to Boone county for trial. On the way from Liberty to Columbia Joe Smith escaped ; it is generally believed that the guard was bribed. Parley Pratt escaped from the Columbia jail. The others were either tried and acquitted, or the cases against them were dismissed. The entire pro- ceedings in the cases were disgraceful in the extreme. There never was a handful of evidence that the accused were guilty of the crimes with which they were chai'ged. Those that were tried were defended by Gen. Doniphan and James S. Rollins. 4 CHAPTEE IV. HISTORY OF THE COUNTY FROM 1840 TO 1850. The Political Canvass of 1840 and 1844 — Elections of 1S4G — The Great Flood of 18-44 — Miscellaneous — Negro Killing — Tom Haggerty's Case — Clay Countyin the Mexican War — List of Capt. Moss's Company, and Sketch of its Services — The Political Canvass of 1848 — The Jackson Resolutions — Benton's Appeal — His Meeting at Liberty. THE POLITICAL CANVASS OF 1840 AND 1844. The Presidential campaign of 1840 was one of the most exciting in the history of the country. It marked the advent of the Whig party into power under Harrison and Tyler, and the Democrats, under Van Buren and Johnson, were overwhelmingly defeated. Even iu Mis- soui'i, where the Whigs were iu a minority, they were extremely active and held numerous monster meetings, at which their best speakers orated, and where they paraded log cabins, barrels of hard cider, live raccoons, and other emblems of their political heraldry. One meeting at Rocheport, Boone county, lasted three days. Gen. Doniphan was one of the speakers. In Clay the Democrats were led by Gen. D. R. Atchison, Col. John Thornton and Capt. Geo. Wallis. The Whigs were marshalled by Gen. A. W. Doniphan, Maj. John Dougherty and William T. Wood. Notwithstanding that there is a recollection that in this canvass the Whigs carried the county, the records show they did not, the vote standing: Van Buren, 649; Harrison, 457; Democratic majority, 192. But in 1844 the Whigs swept the polls by a good majority for Henry Clay and Frelinghuysen over Polk and Diillas hy the follow- ing vote: Clay, 765 ; Polk, 552. The canvass had been full of in- terest, and the old Keutuckians i*allied largely to the " favorite son " of their native State. The political hosts were under the same leader- ship as in 1840. ELECTIONS OF 1846. At the August election, 1846, Congressmen were first elected from Missouri by districts. Hitherto they had been chosen b}' a general ticket voted on by all the voters in the State. As now, Missouri was strongly Democratic, and the result had nniformlj' been the choosing (136) HI8TORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 137 of ii " 8()lid " Democratic delegation. The Whigs were growing in mimbcrs, however, and as there was a tendency to bringing out Inde- pendent Democratic candidates, thus dividing the Democratic vote, the chances that Whigs might thereafter be chosen caused the major- ity in the LegisUiture to adopt the district plan, care being taken that each district be surely and safely Democratic. The district in which Clay was situated (the Fourth) was composed of the counties of Adair, Linn, Grundy, Livingston, Carroll, Ray, Caldwell, Clay, Platte, Daviess, Clinton, Buchanan, Andrew, Holt, De Kalb, Harrison, Nodaway, Putnam, Gentry, Atchison, Mercer and Sullivan, all of Northwest and a jjortion of Northeast Missouri. Hon. Willard P. Hall, then a private in Capt. Moss' Clay county company, of Doniphan's regiment, and in service, was the regular Democratic nominee (nominated at Gallatin), and opposed to him was Hon. James H. Birch, of Platte, who announced himself as an Li- dependent Democratic candidate. The Whigs, largely in the minor- ity, brought out no candidate, and a strong effort was made to prac- tically unite them in the support of Birch. The latter stumped the district, denouncing his opponent as having enlisted not wholly out of patriotic impulses, but as a stroke of demagoguery, to excite sym- pathy and win admiration. But Hall, who was already a noted lawyer and politician, marched along with his company toward Santa Fe, and wrote his reply to Birch and sent it back to his district, where it was printed and circu- lated and proved a most effective cami)aign document. When the election came otT Hall was elected by nearly 3,000 majority.' Many Whigs voted for him. He and Birch had, however, in the early spring canvassed a portion of the disti'ict together, to secure the Dem- ocratic nomination. The vote at the election in this county stood: — Constitution of 1845 — For, 809 ; against, 211. Congress — Hall, regular Democrat, 564; Birch, Independent, 463. Legislature — Coleman Younger, Whig, 498 ; Henry Owens, Democrat, 575. Two members were chosen, and there was no opposition to Younger and Owens. Sheriff"— Samuel Hadley, Democrat, 083: H. M. Riley, Whig, 468. In the summer Hon. Sterling Price resigned his seat in Congress to become the colonel of a Missouri regiment in the Mexican War, and ' Though Hall was duly informed of his election he did not at once return home, bu with four others of the Clay company volunteered to accompany Gen. Kearney from Santa Fe to California, and was commissioncda lieutenant in Capt. Iludsou's company. 138 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. in November a special State election was held to fill the vacancy. The candidates were Hon. Wm. M. McDaniel, of Marion county ("Billy the Buster " ), and Hon. Wm. :M. Kiiicaid, of Platte county, the former a Democrat, the latter a Whig. Hon. J. T. V. Thompson, of Clay, was an Independent candidate, but was voted for in but a few counties. McDaniel was elected by about 500 over Kincaid, although the vote was small, and some 30 counties in the State did not hold an election. In this county the vote stood: Kincaid, 421; Thompson, 184; McDaniel, 30. THE GREAT FLOOD OF 1844. The extraordinary high water of 1844 will long be commemorated in the history of the Missouri valley. The river was higher in that year than in any other now known, exceeding the great overflow of 1826. The " June rise " of that year was extraordinary, and it was reinforced by the unprecedented flood in the Kansas river. Judge Eansom, of Kansas City, an old settler, says that the rise in the Kansas was caused by heavy rains along the Republican and Smoky Hill forks, and other tributaries of the river in Kansas. The depth of fall of the Kansas at Kansas City, where it empties into the Mis- souri, is much greater than that of the Missouri at that point. Dis- charging great volumes of water day and night, the Kansas cut square across the" Big Muddy and broke in huge breakers on the banks on the opposite side^ and at last over into the Clay county bottoms, doing great damage. The weather was very peculiar ; it rained a veritable ^' forty days and forty nights." Every evening, out of a clear sky, just as the sun went down, there arose a dark, ominous looking cloud in the northwest. Flashes of lightning and the heaviest thunder followed, and about ten o'clock the rain would begin to fall in tor- rents. The bridges were ueariy all washed away. The next day the sun would rise clear and beautiful, and not a cloud would fleck the sky as a reminder of the disturbed elements of the night. In Clay county the days on which the flood was the highest were June 14, 15 and 16. The river was over its banks everywhere, and all the low bottom lands were submerged everywhere. The crops of that season were well advanced, and promised a glor- ious harvest ; vast flelds of wheat, oats, rye and corn were sul)merged, and the waters receded to leave them a desolate waste. Great sufler- ing necessarily followed. The corn in the bottoms was especi.iUy luxuriant, and many persons were dependent upon the successful cultivation of that staple for a living. When it was destroyed their only resource for the necessities of life was the charity of the people. HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 139 MISCELLANEOUS. Ill the summer of 1846 the prices of produce were as follows : Hemp, $2.50 per cwt. ; wheat, 45 and 50 cents per bushel ; flour, $2 and $2.50 per barrel ; hams, 4 cents per pound ; " hog round," 3^ cents. Shipping rates to St. Louis from Liberty Lauding were, for hemp, $6 and $7 per ton ; wheat and corn, 16| cents per bushel ; bacon, $2 per hhd. ^ About April 1 the steamer Wakendah struck a rock at the mouth of Fishing river and sank to the bottom. The boat and cargo were a total loss. A few days later the Tobacco Plant was snagged near Richfield and sank, but was soon after raised, brought down to Liberty Landing and repaired. On May (3, 1846, a hurricane passed over the central part of the county, from southwest to northeast. Three miles south of Liberty it blew down a double log house belonging to a Mr. Simuis and pros- trated trees, fences, etc. December 26, 1846, the first railroad meeting in aid of the Hannibal & St. Joseph railroad was held at Liberty. E. M. Samuel was chair- man. A general meeting was called to meet at Fayette, March 8, 1847, " to consider the propriety of building a railroad from Hannibal to some point on the Missouri river," and the following named dele- gates were appointed from Clay county : Thomas W. DcCourcey, A. H. F. Payne, Walter S. Watkins, E. M. Samuel, Graham L. Hughes and Col. Henry L. Routt. In the winter of 1847, when the old Masonic College was to be removed from Marion county, a strong effort was made to have it located at Liberty. The people worked hard for it. Even the ladies turned out, held meetings, made speeches themselves, and subscribed handsomely. The college was located at Lexington, how- ever. In the winter and early spring of 1848 a temperance wave struck Liberty and rolled from thence over the entire county, bearing along many, but unfortunately not washing away all the whisky. A lodge of the Sons of Temperance was organized at Liberty March 13, with Col. H. L. Routt as H. P. ; Benj. Hayes, W. A. ; H. M. Jones, R. S. ; J. W. Ringo, F. S., and Isaac Palmer, treasurer. The lodge numbered 65 members, some of whom were among the most promi- nent citizens of Liberty. A large temperance celebration was held under the direction of the lodge in May. 140 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. It was some time in the first few years of tiie decade beginning with 1840 that the ninrder of Chavez, a wealtliy Spanish-Mexican, occurred. Chavez was a merchant and trader of Santa Fe, who had a branch house at Independence. At the time of his murder he was on his way from New Mexico to Missouri, and had several thousand dollars in his possession, chiefly in Spanish doubloons. A party in Liberty was organized to go out on the Santa Fe trail, along which Chavez was known to be coming, and intercept him and his party and murder and i%b thorn. This was done at a point neav the crossing of the Arkansas river. Chavez was murdered and his money, or a large portion of it, was found secreted in one of the axles of a wagon. Developments led to the arrest of several parties in Liberty and their trial in the United States court at St. Louis. John McDauiel, a young clerk of Liberty, was convicted and hung. Further par- ticulars are not well enough remembered to be stated with exactness. NEGRO KILLING. In August, 1848, two negro slaves had an affray at Liberty Land- ing, which resulted in the death of one of them. The particulars are thus briefly given in the current number of the Tribune: — On Saturday evening last a dispute arose between two negro men, at Liberty, the property of Robert Thompson and John D. Ewing, which resulted in the death of the negro belonging to Mr. T. On Monday morning the negro man of Mr. Ewing was tried before Justice Tillcry and committed for further trial. How the case was disposed of is tiuis stated in the same paper in October : — The black man of Mr. J. D. Ewing, of this county, charged with nmrder of Mr. Robert Thompson's black man, had his trial on Mon- day last and was sentenced to receive 39 lashes and transported out of the State. iiaggkrty's case. In the summer of 1848 one Thomas Haggerty was arrested and imprisoned in the Liberty jail on a charge of horse-stealing. He sent for Col. Alex. W. Doniphan to defend him. It is related that Col. Doniphan said to the prisoner: "It is very hard to clear a horse thief. It is far easier to acquit him of murder. There is more of bias and prejudice against men who steal horses than against men who take human life." HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 141 Though this was not meant for ;i hint that he should commit mur- der, Haggerty acted upon it as such, and the same night fell upon an- other inmate of the jail, a negro, and wantonly murdered him, out- right, in cold blood, and without any sort of provocation whatever. The negro was named "Tom" Lincoln, and was temporarily placed in the jail for safe keeping, preparatory to being sent South and sold to the cotton planters. Haggerty was indicted for murder, but in March, 1849, escaped from jail, went to California, and was never recaptured: He wrote one letter to Col. Doniphan, however, and de- tailed the manner of his escape. CLAY COUNTY IN THE MEXICAN WAR. The annexation of Texas was the alleged cause of the declaration of war by Mexico against the United States in April, 1846, but the more immediate cause was the occupation by the American army of the disputed territory lying between the rivers Nueces and Rio Grande. May 1^5, 1846, a counter-declaration by the American Con- gress was made, that " a state of war exist between the United States and Mexico." President Polk called on Gov. Edwards of this State for a regi- ment of volunteers to join Gen. Kearney's " Army of the West." There was a hearty response from all quarters of Missouri, and, as in all other wars through which the country has passed. Clay county bore her full part. May 30, 1846, a war meeting was held at Liberty. J. T. V. Thompson was chairman. Speeches were made, it was resolved to I'aise a company for the war, and a number of volunteers put down their names at once. As the company was to be mounted and a-num- ber of volunteers had no horses and were unable to buy them, a com- mittee, composed of J. M. Hughes, M. M. Samuels, Alvin Lightburn and J. T. V. Thompson, were appointed to raise means to mount such volunteers as were unable to mount themselves. As reported in the Tribune there was a generous and hearty sub- scription. James M. Hughes gave $100 in cash. A. Lightburn, W. H. Wymer, S. McGauhey, J. C. Christy, Garlichs & Hale each gave $20; Clark & Wilson, $25, and other parties smaller sums. Col. J. T. V. Thompson gave four horses, E. M. Samuel, two, and A. Light- burn, John R. Keller, Robt. Walker, Joseph Courtney, Garrard Long, Samuel Hadley, E. D. Murray, R. Neally and Robt. Atkins each sub- scribed one horse. A company was soon raised. Volunteers poured in not only from 142 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. all parts of this county, but from other counties. More men offered themselves than could be accepted. By the 6th of June the roll was full and the company left for Ft. Leavenworth, the place of rendez- vous. They arrived the same evening, were mustered into service the next day, and immediately went into camp. Upon the organization of the regiment, the following was the mus- ter roll of the Clay county company, which became COMPANY 0, 1st MISSOURI MOUNTED VOLUNTEERS. O. P. Moss, Captain. L. B. Sublette, First Lieutenant. James H. Moss, Second Lieutenant. Thomas Odgen, Third Lieutenant. Thomas McCarty, First Sergeant. James Long, Second Sergeant. Wm. Wallis, Third Sergeant. A. K. McClintocli, Fourth Sergeant. George H. Wallis, 1st Corporal. Carroll Scaggs, Second Corporal. John S. Groom, Third Corporal. Martin Cloud, Fourth Corporal. PRIVATES. Abraham Estes, Bugler. Henry B. Ammons. John Brisco. Wra. Beal. Park Ben thai. Wash Bell. James T. Barnes, Blks'ith. James Burns. Sherrod Burton. James Cooper. Smith Cumins. Wash Crowley. Ed. Crabster. John G. Christy. James Chorn. Rufus Cox. Allen Cox. Wm. Campbell. Hiram Chaney. N. Paley Carpenter. Hudson Clajlon. Wash W. Drew. Harvey Darneal. Matt. Duncan. Wm. Duncan. Theo. Duncan. Eiley Everett. Henry Ellis. Harvy W. English. Spencer Faubion. Matt. Franklin. Riley Franklin. John M. Findley. Thos. Fielding. Robert Fleming, Geo. Fleming. Wm. C. Gunler. Hiram Green. Carroll Hughes. John T. Hughes. Willard P. Hall. Doc. Hall. James Hall. John D. Holt. Chas. Human. Bailor Jacobs. Newton Jacobs. And. Job. John Leard. Wm.T. Leard. James Lamar. Matt. Letchworth. Richardson Long (Suthey) . Dick Long. McNeice. Wesley Martin. Eli Murray. Dewilton Mosby. James McGee. John J. Moore. Abraham Miller. Benj. W. Marsh. Albert McQuidely. Richard A. Neeley. John Nash. John Neal. Edward Owens. Jesse Price. Wm. Pence. Josiah Pence. Peter C. Pixlee. Ben. Pendleton. Pendegrass. Martin Ringo. Alonzo Rudd. Robt. Sherer. John Shouse. John Story. James Sites. Cunningham Scott. James Saunders. Thos. Stephenson. Obadiad Sullivan. Addison Smith. Shelton Samuels. Jos. Sanderson. Wm. P. Snowden. Riley Stoutt. Joshua Tillery. Henry Tillery". Thompson. And. Tracy. Thos. Waller. Wm. Wells. James Wills. Hardin Warren. John Warren. Gideon Wood. James York. John York. Jack Laidlow. (Col'd.) Capt. Serv't. For some time it had been understood that one of Clay county's honored and most honorable citizens, Gen. Alex. W. Doniphan, would in all probability be the colonel of the regiment making up at Leaven- worth. He was pushed forward for the position by the people of Clay of all parties and shades of opinion, and nothing was left undone by HISTORY OF CLAT COUNTY. 143 them to attain for him this distinction. The colonel of the regiment was to be designated by election, every member having a vote. All the electioneering therefore had to be among the volunteers. One specimen of how this was done may here be given. Capt. John W. Reid's company, of Saline county, marched through to Leavenworth, via Liberty. When they reached Liberty the citizens received them and took excellent care of them. In a journal of M. B. Edwards, a member of the company, published a year or two since, ^ and detailing the experiences of his company, appears the following: — Sunday, June 7, Liberty, Clay county, was reached. Here the company was well entertained, given suppers, beds, and breakfast at the hotels, excellent pasture and forage for the horses, and shown every attention. But although it may be wrong to impugn the good actions of the people of Lil)erty, I was rather disposed to attribute their conduct more to policy tlian to patriotism, for Hon. A. W. Doniphan, a prominent and popular citizen of the place, has declared himself a candidate for colonel of the regiment to which we are to be attached ! The election of field officers came off at Leavenworth, July 19 ; Gen. Doniphan was elected colonel, C. F. Ruff, lieutenant-colonel, and Wni. Gilpin, major. Doniphan and Ruff were both of Clay county; Gilpin was from Jackson. Col. Ruff resigned September 17, following his election, and was appointed captain in the regular army. He was a rigid disciplinarian, too strict for the volunteers, and on that account very unpopular with them. Col. Congreve Jackson, of Howard county, succeeded Ruff as lieutenant-colonel. At the time of his election as commander of the First Missouri Col. Doniphan was 38 years of age. He had, however, commanded it bri- gade of militia during the Mormon War, and unlike many another " colonel," had before " set a squadron in the field," and knew gun- powder from black sand. He, too, was a Whig, but his Democratic soldiers voted for him, and Gov. Edwards and President Polk gladly commissioned him. It was a singular fact, moreover, that while the Whigs, as a party, opposed the Mexican War, perhaps a majority of the Americans who fought in it were Whigs. It came to be called a Democratic war, and a AVhig fight. Gens. Scott and Taylor were prominent Whigs, as were other general officers. Of the 114 men which at fii'st composed the Clay county company, 90 were Whigs and oniv 24 were Democrats. 1 History of Saline county, p. 240. 144 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. June 23, a delegation of citizens of the county, a large number of whom were ladies, went up from Libert^', on the steamer Missouri Mail, to Forth Leavenworth and presented the Clay county company with a beautiful flag. Mrs. Hannah O. Cunningham, wife of Prof. Oliver Cunningham, made the presentation address, and Capt. O. P. Moss responded. The flag was of silk, made by the ladies them- selves, and bore the motto : " 77 tion. The AVhigs were greatly delighted. Gen. Taylor was given the HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 147 sobriquet of "Rough and Ready," or " Old Zach," and a campaign of fuss and fustian was inaugurated, similar to that of 1840. The fight on the part of the Whigs, or Taylor and Fillmore men, was spirited and vigorous. They were determined not to lose the battle this year through inaction on their part. A verse of one of their cam- paign songs ran : — Jimmy Polk we thought a joke in eighteen forty-four, When he was made the nominee 'way down at Baltimore. But we'll look out what we're about before it is too late, And we'll have no such cruel tricks played off in 'forty-eight. In this district Col. Doniphan was at first elected by the Whigs as "their candidate for election, but he declined, and William A. Witcher, also of Clay, was selected in his stead. Several meetings were held in the county this year, and at the November election, though there was a reduced vote, the Whigs easily carried the county, the follow- ing being the vote of the townships : — Toionships. Taylor. Cass. Gallatiu 46 43 Liberty 413 224 Fishing River 36 65 Washington 52 4G Platte 79 40 Total 626 418 At this election Mordecai Oliver, of Ray, was elected circuit attor- ney over Chas. J. Hughes, of Caldwell. On the 9th of December the Whigs had a grand celebration at Lib- erty over the election of Gen. Taylor. A large meeting was presided over by Madison Miller, and Col. Doniphan, Mr. Witcher and Col. Pitt made speeches. CENSUS OF 1848. By the census of 1848 the county's population aggregated 9,426, as follows : — Total white population 6,882 Total slave population 2,530 Total free negroes 14 Total 9,426 The population of Liberty was 728. 148 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. THE JACKSON RESOLUTIONS. Early in the year 1849 there began a series of discussions in the Missouri Legislature concerning the slavery question, or, rather, the power of Congress over slavery in the Territories. On the 15th of Jan- uary Hon. C. F. Jackson, Senator from Howard, afterward Governor of the State, introduced into the Legislature a series of resolutions, as follows : — Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of Missouri: That the Federal constitution was the result of a compromise between the conflicting interests of the States which formed it, and in no part of that instrument is to be found any delegation of power to Congress to legislate on the subject of slavery, excepting some special provisions, having in view the prospective abolition of the African slave trade, made for securing the recovery of fugitive slaves ; any attemjjt there- fore on the part of Congiess to legislate on tlie subject, so as to aft'ect the institution of slavery in the States, in the District of Columl)ia, or in the Territories, is, to say the least, a violation of the j)rinciples upon which that instrument was founded. 2. That the Territories, acquired by the blood and treasure of the whole nation, ougiit to be governed for the common lieneflt of the people of all the States, and any organization of the territorial govern- ments excluding the citizens of any part of the Union from removing to such Territories with their property, would be an exercise of power by Congress inconsistent with the spirit upon which our Federal com- pact was based, insulting to the sovereignty and dignity of the States thus afl'ected, calculated to alienate one portion of the Union from the other, and tending ultimately to disunion. 3. Tliat this General Assembly regard the conduct of the Northern States on the subject of slavery as releasing the slave-holding States from all further adherence to the basis of compromise, fixed on bv the act of Congress of March (i, 1820, even if such act ever did impose any obligation upon the slave-holding States, and authorizes them to insist upon their rights under the constitution ; but for the sake of harmony and for the preservation of our Federal Union, they will still sanction the application of the principles of the Missouri Compromise to the recent territorial acquisitions, if by such concession future ag- gressions upon the equal rights of the States may be arrested and the spirit of anti-slavery fanaticism be extinguished. 4. The right to prohibit slavery in any Territory belongs exclusively to the people thereof, and can only be exercised i)y them in forming their constitution for a State government, or in their sovereign capacity as an independent State. 5. That in the event of the passage of any act of Congress conflict- ing with the principles herein expressed, Missouri will be found in hearty co-operation with the slave-holding States, in such measures as HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 149 may be deemed necessary for our mutual protection against the en- croachments of Northern fanaticism. 6. That our Senators in Congress he instructed and our Represent- atives be requested to act in conformity to these resolutions. The foregoing resolutions were known as the " Jackson Resolu- tions," from the name of their mover, but their real author was Hon. W. B. Napton, of Saline county, latterly a Judge of the Supreme Court, who admitted tiie fiict to the writer. Space is given to an ac- count of the Jackson resolutions in this volume from the fact that at the time they engaged a large share of the attention of the leading politicians and prominent men of the county. The Representative of the county voted against them, and the sentiments of but few of his constituents were in their favor. There were many who thought their passage untimely, unwise, and that they foreboded eventually a dis- solution of the Union. Many yet regard them as the beginning of the Civil War. Col. Thomas H. Benton, Missouri's distinguished Senator, was especially opposed to the resolutions. He thought (and correctly, too,) that they were aimed at him, and designed to deprive him of his seat in the United States Senate, which he had held for nearly thirty consecutive years. The last section commanded him to act in accordance with the resolutions, the spirit of wiiich he had often vig- orously opposed. In the House, Hon. Wm. T. Swetnam, the Representative from Clay, voted against every one of the resolutions, but they were adopted by a vote of 53 to 27 in the Lower House, and 24 to 6 in the Senate. Hon. Lewis Burns, of Platte, then the Senator from this district, voted for the resolutions. Col. Benton appealed from the action of the Legislature to the people of Missouri,^ and canvassed the State against the Jackson reso- lutions. ■ SENATOR BENTON'S AITEAL. To the People of Missouri: The General Assembly of our State at its last session adopted certain resolutions on the subject of slavery, and gave me instructions to obey them. From this command I appeal to the people of Missouri — the whole body of the people; and if they confirm the instructions I shall give them an opportunity to find a Senator to carry their vpill into effect, as I can not do anything to dissolve this Union, or to array one-half of it against the other. I do not admit the dissolution of the Union to be a remedy, to be prescribed by statesmen, for diseases of the body politic, any more than I admit death and suicide to be a remedy, to be prescribed by physicians for the natural body. Cure, and not kill, is the only remedy which my mind can contemplate in either case. 150 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. lu the prosecution of his appeal he visited Clay county, and on Monday, July 1(3, addressed a meeting in a grove half a mile from Liberty, having reached the town the previous Saturday. He in- tended speaking in the court-house, but the anti-Benton Democrats had gotten up a counter demonstration and procured the attendance of Col. James H. Birch, who was to reply to whatever Benton might say, ai\d the latter declared he would not countenance " Jim Birch " in any manner whatever — would not speak iu the same room where he had spoken, or was to speak. Col. J. T. V. Thompson, Howard Everett, F. Givinner, and other anti-Benton men got up a meeting in the forenoon, and so Benton spoke in the afternoon at 2 o'clock. There were present to hear Benton's speech an audience of at least 1,000 persons, many of whom, however, were Whigs. Stimulated by the opposition he had met elsewhere, and goaded by the hostility of his enemies here. Col. Benton made a caustic but powerful etlbrt. Rising b}' degrees to something of majestic denunciation he churacter- I think it probable, from what I observe, that tliere are many citizens — good friends to the harmony and stability of this Union — who do not see the Missouri in- structions and their prototype, the Calhoun address, iu the same light in which I see it, and in the light which it is seen by others who best understand it. For the infor- mation of such citizens, and to let them see the next step in this movement, and where it is intended to end, I hereby subjoin a copy of the Accomac resolutions, lately adopted by a county in Virginia, and fully indorsed by the Richmond Enquirer as the voice of the South. I do not produce these resolutions for the purpose of arraigning them; on the contrary, I see something in them to admire, as being bold and open, and to the true interpretation and legitimate sequence of the Calhoun movement. I consider the Calhoun address and its offspring, the Missouri instructions, as funda- mentally wrong; but to those whotiiink them right, the Accomac resolutions are also right, and should be immediately imitated by similar resolutions in Missouri. I pro- duce them to enable the people of Missouri to see what it is to which their Legislature would commit the State, and what it is they have instructed me to do. I appeal from these instructions to the people of Missouri — the whole body of the people — and in due time will give ray reasons for so doing. It is a question above party, and goes to the whole people. In that point of view the Accomac resolutions present it, and present it truly; and I shall do the same. I shall abide the decision of the people, and nothing else. Respectfully, St. Louis, Jlay 9, 1849. Thom.is H. Bextox. Note. — The Accomac resolutions referred to by Col. Benton were a series of reso- lutions adopted at a public meeting at Accomac C. II., Virginia, March 20, 1849. Their author and mover was Henry A. Wise. The resolutions hinted strongly at secession or revolution in resistance to the " encroachment by the Federal government, and by the people of the North on the institution of slavery iu the States, Territories and dis- tricts of the United States." Such expressions as "the time for action has arrived," " no time should be lost iu preparing for the impending crisis," were common in these resolutions. — Compiler. HISTOKY OF CLAY COlf^TY". \. 151 ized the aiiti-Bentou men as "nullifiers " and " incipient secession- ists," ' who would, if unsubdued, yet drag Missouri into civil war. Adverting to the principal part of his speech he maintained that the spirit of nullification and treason lurked in the Jackson resolutions, especially in the fifth ; that they were a mere copy of the Calhoun resolutions, otl'ered in the United States Senate, Februafy 19, 1847, and denounced by him (Benton) at the time as fire-brands, and in- tended for disunion and electioneering purposes. He said he could see no difl'erence between them-, except as to the time contemplated for dissolving the Union, as^'^he claimed that Mr. Calhoun's tended directly, and the Jacksor/i'esolutions ultimately, to that point. Col. Benton further argued llhat the Jackson resolutions were in conflict with the Missouri Compromise of 1820, and with the resolutions passed' by tiie Missouri Legislature, February 15, 1847, wherein it was dc- fhired that " the peace, permanency and welfare of our national union depended upon a strict adherence to the letter and sj^irit " of that compromise, and which instructed the Missouri Senators and Representatives to vote in accordance with its provisions. In conclu- sion. Col. Benton warned his hearers that the Jackson resolutions were intended to mislead them into aiding the scheme of ultimately disrupting the national union, and entreated them to remain aloof from them. After the conclusion of Benton's speech in the grove, the anti-Ben- ton men reassembled in the court-house and Col. Birch addressed them in reply to " Old Bullion." At the close of Birch's speech, resolutions condemning Col. Benton for his refusal to obey the in- structions of the Legislature, and denunciatory of his course generally, were adopted. But Col. H. L. Routt, Dr. W. A. Morton, F. C. Hughes, \Vm. D. Hubble, J. M. Litchworth, J. M. Keller, and other friends of the old Senator published a card in the I'ribune, alleEfing that these resolutions were adopted by a " packed " audience, late in the evening, after nearly everybody had gone home. A few days after the Benton meeting Gen. David R. Atchison, then Col. Benton's colleague in the Senate, spoke in Liberty in opposition to Benton and Bentonism, declaring that he (Atchison) was ready at all times to either obey the instructions of the Legislature of Missouri or resign and come home and allow some one else to be sent to the Senate who would obey. 1 According to the Tribtine's report. C H A P T E E y . FROM 1850 TO THE TROUBLES IN KANSAS. The California Gold Fever — The Political Canvass of 1850 — The Attempted Murder of Mrs. Dinah Allen — Lynching of Her Would-be Assassins — The Cholera — Elec- tions of 1852, 1854, 185G and 1858 — The Know Nothings — Tragedies — The Great Smithville Melee and Mob in 1854 — Murder of Wm. O. Russell, Esq., by "Pete" Lightburne — Lynching of " Pete." THE CALIFORNIA GOLD FEVER. The Ciilifoiniia gold fever, which broke out early iu the year 1849, greatly excited the people of the West, and Clay county was one of the first communities to take the infection. In the earl}' spring of this year many of our people prepared to set out for the new Eldorado, of whose abundant and easily acquired riches such marvelous tales were told — where, it was said, even the wave of the river and the spi'ay of the fountain were bright with the glitter of drops of virgin gold. On the 1st of May three wagons and eight men set out from Clay county, undeterred by the long distance to the Pactolian land, and not afraid of the terrible contagion, the cholera, which had broken out at diflerent points in Missouri, and raged among the gold seekers from Independence to Fort Kearney, claiming each day its victims and dotting the route with their graves. These eight Clay county Argonauts were Maj. Lane, Jasper M. Hixson, Dr. Henry B. Hix- .son, J. H. Hixson, Daniel Mosley, Paley Carpenter, Thos. Conington and James York. Among the other Clay county " '49ers," who went at difilerent periods during the spring and summer, were W. W. Estes, "Big Tom '' Estes, Albert Davis, Taylor Dougherty, John Minter, John W. Collins, Wm. Pixler, John Waller, Jas. Withers, Anderson Chanslor, Wm. Davenport, Perry Keith, Henry Amnions, Edward Crabster, and two or three of the Longs. In 1850 there was a larger emigration. Tiie stories of bad luck that came back were unheeded ; the stories of fortunate finds and lucky strikes were greedily listened to, and the desire for sudden wealth tempted many to the perilous journeys and sore hardships undergone in that period by those who crossed the plains. Of those (152) HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 153 who set out ill the spring of 1850 was a Uifge party among whose members was Rev. Robert James, the fother then of two little prat- tling boys, who afterwards became the noted bandits, Frank and Jesse. En route Mr. James wrote one letter to the Liberty Tribune, which is still preserved in the files of that paper. Not long after his arrival in California, Rev. James died. Mr. Jasper Hixson was a regular correspondent of the Tribune, and, while the burden of his letters was the advice to friends and neighbors to let well enough alone and stay at home, yet the " one chance in a thousand " was quite sufficient to induce many to try their luck. Some of these made great sacrifices in order to obtain the necessary " outfit," and afterward had good cause to regret that they did so. Others fared much worse. For after divers hardships and privations, perils among Indians and false brethren, suflerings from hunger and thirst, and from heat and cold, the exhaustion of long and arduous travel, and the ravages of diseases, many of the Clay county gold seekers died in a strange land and never saw their homes again. ^ Only comparatively a few bettered their condition. Yet the emigra- tion continued until about 1855. THE POLITICAL CANVASS OF 1850. Never since the admission of Missouri into the Union has there been a more exciting political canvass than that of 1850. It was an exciting period in the history of the United States that year. The question of the admission of California into the Union with a constitu- tion prohibiting slavery ; the compromise or " omnibus bill" under discussion in the U. S. Senate ; the passage of a fugitive slave bill by Congress, and of " personal lil)erty " l)ills by certain Northern States, calculated to interfere with the operation of the fugitive slave 1 The following are the names of those of the Clay county emigrants who died in California during the year 1850: — Abel King, at Weber, in January ; Randolph King, atllangtown, in February; Daniel Moseby, at Sacramento, in June; Ben. Keyser, at Hangtown, in July; Benj. Clark, at Sacramento, in August; Rev. Robert James, Thos. Pence, Albright, and Maxwell, at Rough and Ready, in August; John Brock, killed at Hangtown, in August; McCrory, at Weber, in Novei\»ber; Jas. A. Walker, at Weber, in Octoljer; Jas. EUet, at Weber, in November; Benj. Carpenter, at Hangtown, in October;iWm. Mor- ton, at Greenwood, in November; Geo. W. Wallis and Samuel M. Grant, at Nevada, in November; John H. Moseby, near Sacramento, of cholera; John McCrory, at Weber, in August; Henry Gill, at Johnston's Ranch, in September; Anderson Estes, at Ne- vada, in August; Geo. Estes, at Hangtown, in August; Wm. Homer, Samuel McKneiss, Sanford Bell, Geo. W. Huffaker, Washington Huffaker, two EUises, and three Graggs, at various times and places, 154 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. law — these and other questions caused great agitation throughout the country. In the early part of the year 184!), South Carolina — always a State "touchy" in the extreme, proposing nothing and never satisfied with anything — wanted to secede from the Union, and invited the other Soutliern States to go with her. A convention of the Southern States was called to meet at Nashville, Tenn., in June, 1850, to consider the situation and to take action " to preserve the rights and protect the interests of the South " — whatever that may have meant. The passage of the "Jackson resolutions" by the Missouri Legislature, in 1849, in some sense committed the State to sympathy and co-ope- ration with the Nashville convention, but no delegates were authorita- tively sent. The Democratic party of the State was divided into two factions — the Benton Democrats, or the " hards," who indorsed Col. Benton's course and views, and favored his re-election to the U. S. Senate for the sixth term of six years, and the anti-Benton Democrats, or " softs," who opposed him, and were bent ou defeating him in his contest for re-election. The Whigs — "the wily Whigs" — consti- tuted the third party, and, taking advantage of the bitter and uncom- promising warfare between the Democratic factions, made shrewd and careful preparations to capture the senatorial, certain legis- lative, and other prizes for themselves — and in the end they were successful. It is a mistake to suppose tliat political canvasses were conducted thirty years ago with more of courtesy, more of gentleness, more of mild words, than they are to-day. The crimination and recrimination were as common with party papers as they have ever been or are likely to be. The Benton men charged the anti-Bentous with being " disun- ionists," " nuUitiors," " aiders and abettors of treason and traitorous schemes," and bestowed upon them a choice lot of epithets calculated to bring them into the contempt of all classes of patriotic i)eoi)le. They extolled their leader, Mr. Benton, "to the skies," and denounced all his opposers, from his colleague in the Senate, David K. Atchison, to the humblest voter in the ranks. The anti-Benton men were as severe on their opponents. They denounced Col. Benton as a " boss " — at least that would have been the term employed in these days — ■ of whose imperious, domineering conduct and bullying spirit they had become thoroughly tired, and with whose record on the subject of slavery the\' had become thor- oughly disgusted. The Benton men were called "lick-spittles," HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 155 " Benton's slaves," " iVce-soiler^," and even " abolitionists," and to call a man an abolitionist at that day in Missouri was to bestow upon iiim the sum of opprobious epithets. The Benton men, for the most part, denied that they were disunionists under all the existing circum- stances, and professed unreserved loyalty to " the government estab- lished by Washington and Jefferson." The Whigs kept aloof from the Democratic quarrel, occasionally patting each side on tiie back when they could do so without being observed by the other side, and all the time remaining in an attitude as if the}' stood with tiieir arms folded and saying very meekly of their own party : " Behold how great an institution is Whiggery ! See those unfortunate Democrats ; how angry they are ! We Whigs never quan-el, for Whigism means peace on earth and good will to men." THK UNION MEETING OF 1>S.5(). Early in the spring the following call for a public meeting was pub- lished in the Liberty Tribune: — The friends of the Union of these States, without regard to party, will hold a public meeting on the first Monday in May, 18.50, to con- gratulate Messrs. Clay, Webster, Cass, and other friends of the Union in Congress, for the n()l)le stand they have taken against the spirit of secession and disunion. Let there be a full turn-out. The meeting was quite numerously attended, and both Democrats and Whigs participated in the delil)erati()ns. Addresses were made by Col. Doniphan and others. A committee on resolutions was ap- pointed, consisting of Col. J. T. V. Thompson, Howard Everett, Dr. W. A. Morton, Winfrey E. Price, Benj. Rieketts, Wm. Thomasson, Sr., Dr. F. Garlichs and E. M. Samuel. Whigs, Bentons and anti- Bentous were represented on this committee. However widely the members of the meeting may have differed at the time on minor polit- ical questions, they were each and all unconditionally for the Union — there was but one party on that issue. The Secessionists of South Carolina and other States had no sympathizers here then ; neither hail the fanatical abolitionists of the North. The committee reported the following resolutions, which were unanimously adopted by the meeting: — Whereas, A crisis has ari-ived in the history of these United States of North America, and chmds of fearful omen are rolling along the political skies, threatening not only the peace and harmony of the people, but even the destruction of the glorious Union under which 156 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. we have so long been sheltered from the storms which have wrecked other Republics ; Whereas, We believe that this state of things has been chiefly produced by the ultraism of party spirit, and that want of charity amongst political parties which fails to regard men to be as honest in political as they are in social, moral, pecuniary and religious duties, we are further of opinion that this unhappy state of things has been greatly accelerated by the courting propensities of both the W^hig and Democratic parties towards a dirt}', wicked, unprincipled party called Abolitionists, who, instead of being courted by either party, should have been, from the first, denounced as dishonest by both. We believe that, in this country, there never will be but two honest parties, and they are the AVhig and Democratic ; and we regard it as the solemn duty of both to treat all who leave their connection, (in order to the formation of new parties, whether called Abolition- ists, Native Americans, Anti-Masons, Free Soilers, Secessionists, Dis- unionists, or what not) as too contemptible to woo or win. There is no other way to break up the new parties that we can conceive of, and we are decidedly of opinion that, in order to be courted, many of the factious parties with which our country has been afliicted have been organized. We hope the day is at hand when the Whig and Democratic par- ties, each for itself, will repudiate all other aid except that of reason and honesty. We are rejoiced, however, to find that now, as hereto- fore in our history, when we have fallen upon times that " try men's souls," we have the men, in both the Whig and Democratic parties, who can be trusted. We, therefore, the people of Clay county, in the State of Missouri, now assembled together, as W^higs and Democrats, do Resolve, That our thanks are especially due, and are hereby ten- dered to Henry Clay, of Kentucky ; Daniel Webster, of Massachusetts ; Lewis Cass, of Michigan ; Daniel S. Dickinson, of New York, and John Bell, of Tennessee, for the noble and patriotic stand they have taken in defense of the Union, and the noble spirit of compromise which they have evinced in the settlement of the agitating question of slavery. Resolved, That we regard non-interference in reference to slavery in the Territories and elsewhere as the safe course for both North and South, believing as we do that an All-wise Controlling Providence can, and .will, regulate the whole matter so as to promote His own glory and the best interests of both whites and blacks. Resolved, That we are in favor of the Union under any and nil circumstances, yet we regard the Wilmot proviso and all kindred measures with the most perfect abhorrence. Resolved, That we are in favor of the early admission of California as a free and sovereign State of the Union. Resolved, That we regard the calling of the Nashville convention as ))remature, believing that so long as Congress discharges its duty there is no danger to the Slave States. W^e will send no delegates to it. HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 157 Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting he published in the Liberty Tribune, and that the papers in Wasiiington City and St. Louis be requested to copy them, and that the secretary enclose copies to Mr. Chiy, Mr. Webster, Mr. Cass, Mr. Dickinson, and Mr. Bell. The result of the August election in this county in 1850 was as follows : — Congress — Charles E. Bowman, Whig, 584; Willard P. Hall, anti- Benton Democrat, 445 ; J. B. Gardenhire, Benton Democrat, 54. Legislature — Thos. T. Swetnani, Whig, 615; Ryland Shackelford, Whig, 639. Sheriff— O. P. Moss, Whig, 438 ; Samuel Hadley, Democrat, 656. There was no opposition to Messrs. Swetnam and Shackelford, both Whigs. The Democrats concentrated all their efforts on the election of Samuel Hadley as sheriff, and it was feared that should they nomi- nate candidates for the Legislature, it would draw party lines, and as the county was strongly Whig, would endanger his chances. At that time Clay county was entitled to two representatives in the Leg- islature. At the ensuing session of the Legislature (January, 1851,) there was intense interest over the election of the United States Senator. Col. Benton was, of course, a candidate for re-election, but as the Dem- ocrats were divided on the question of his indorsement, the Whigs held the balance of power and by the adroit management of their leadei'S succeeded at last, by the help of the anti-Benton Democrats, in choosing the Senator themselves — Hon. Henry S. Geyer, of St. Louis, who was chosen on the fortieth ballot, the vote stand- ing, Geyer, 80; Benton, 55; B. F. Stringfellow, 18, and 4 scat- tering. THE ATTEMPT TO MURDER MRS. DINAH ALLEN LYNCHING OF THE ASSASSINS. In the early morning of April 1, 1850, an attempt was made to murder Mrs. Dinah A. Allen, widow of Col. Shubael Allen, at her residence, in Liberty. The family had retired for the night, and the doors were all secured. About three o'clock in the morning Mrs. Allen was aroused from her sleep by a painful stinging sensation on the cheek, and rising from her bed stepped into the room of her sons and awakened them, telling them she was bleeding to death. She had been struck across the face with some sharp instrument, apparently 1")8 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. either a knife or an axo, and the wonnd was at first believed to be mortal,' but did not prove so. Mrs. Allen was a lady without a known eneni}' and was held in uni- versal esteem. No conjecture could be ventured for the motive prompting the deed. The citizens generally made persistent eftbrts to discover the perpetrators, and at last they were found out. A slave woman, named Anice, belonging to Mrs. Allen was sus- picioned and thrown into jail. In a few days she confessed her guilt and implicated as her partner in the crime a white man, a citizen of Liberty, named McClintock. The confession reduced to writing and published in the Tribune of May 17, 1850, was as follows: — Four days before the commission of the act McClintock told me that there was a good deal of money in the house of my mistress, and that I ought to kill her ; that he would assist me ; that we would get the money, and with that we would go to California, and that I would be his wife and be free. On Sunday night, the night of the commis- sion of the crime, he came to the kitchen where 1 was sleeping, waked me up and we proceeded to the house. McClintock hoisted the win- dow and got in the house, and pulled me through the window after him. He approached the bed, found my mistress asleep, and said to me, " She lays right." I took the ax, which belonged to McClintock, and made the lick. McClintock had the ax in his hand when I took hold. My mistress made a noise and we both ran out of the house; he went to his own house, a few hundred yards oft', and I went back to the kitchen and laid down on the bed. Upon hearing this statement from Anice, the slave women, her partner, McClintock, was secured and placed in jail. There was in- tense excitement. A few weeks before, but subsequent to the attempt on Mrs. Allen's life, an attempt had been made by a negro servant woman to iK)ison the family of Wade Moseby, of this county. Pre- vious attacks had been made by slaves on their masters. An example was called for to remedy if possible this condition of affairs. Thursday, May 9, a considerable number of the citizens of the county met at the court-house to take action in the premises. The meeting had among its members some of the best men of the county, and the proceedings (though of course wholly illegal) were quiet and or- derly. That morning Anice had sent for the Kev. Moses E. Lard to come to the jail, and to him she repeated her confession. She was brought before the meeting, as was McClintock, and in the presence of the entire assemblage she reiterated what she had twice previously Liberty Tribune. HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 159 i^tiitcd ill reference to the crime, uiul told McClintock fairly to his face that he was the sole instigator and planner of the crime, and the cause of her participation therein. McClintock stoutly and indignantly denied any sort of participation or complicity in the outrage, and de- nounced the negress as a liar, unmitigated and shameless. Under the law of Missouri at that time a slave was not allowed to testify in court against a white person, and as there was no other evi- dence of McClintock's guilt save what could be furnished by Aiiicc, tiiere was no prospect of his legal conviction and i)unishment. Even though ills accoinplice, the bondwoman, should offer to turn State's evidence, slu; would not be allowed to do so. The theory was that a slave was irresponsii)le, and could not be trusted to swear to the truth, where the life or liberty of a wiiitc person was involved. But, curiously enough, while the oath of Anice would not have been received in court against McClintock, her unsworn statements were readily accepted, and there was but little expressed doubt of his guilt. The question as to what should be done in reference to Anice's case was argued by several able and respectalde citizens. A motion was made that she should be hung, and this motion carried unanimously. 1'here were persons in the house opposed to hanging her, but the}' did not vote. Then there were cries of ^^ Hang them both." '■^ Hang McClintock, too! " It was agreed, therefore, to hang them both on tiic same tree, nem. con. The meeting was composed f)f all classes of citizens, farmers, me- chanics, nicrciiants, lawyers, physicians and others. Its proceedings were generally indorsed by the best classes of citizens, though they were admitted to have been irregular and illegal, and no attempt was made to interfere with them. The hanging came off half a mile north or northwest of the public square, on the then Plattsburg road. McClintock denied to the last that he was guilty, init the negro woman asserted that her confession was true. THK chom;ua. The overflow of the Missouri river in the spring of 1851 did con- siderable damage to farms in the bottom lands, and the subsidence of the flood was followed by a few cases of cholera in the count}'. An- derson Edwards and another citizen and three slaves died in Liberty in July. The contagion was severe that year at Independence, Wes- ton and elsewhere. In the latter part of May and the first part of June, 18.54, cholera liroke out in Richfield, and seven persons died in one day. It was 160 HISTORY- OF CLAY COUNTY. thought the disease was fostered by a rotting pile of potatoes near the viHage. At least eleven died during the period of the disease — Dent. Violett and his wife and two children, Wm. M. Barrett, Vin- cent S. Crawford, Mrs. Rogers, Mrs. Canach, Mrs. Brown, a daughter of Thos. C. Rood, and a daughter of James Reed. ELECTIONS OF 1852. Col. A. \V. Doniphan, of Clay county, was nominated for Governor by the Whigs of Missouri in 1852, but declined owing to ill healt]i, and James Winston, of Benton count}' (who had been nominated for Lieutenant-Governor), was selected in his stead, with Andrew King, of St. Charles, for second place. Sterling Price was the Democratic candidate. The vote in this county at the August election resulted : — Governor — Winston, 732; Price, 401. Congress — Mordecai Oliver, Whig, 840; -las. H. Birch, Dem., 311 ; Austin A. King, Dem., 73. Legislature — O. P. Moss and Nathaniel Vincent, both Whigs, elected without opposition. Sherirt" — Samuel Hadley, Democrat defeated J. D. Skaggs, by some 300 majority, but the latter contested, and the next fall Judge Dunn decided that Hadley had not received a constitutional majority . As there were two Democratic candidates for Congress, Mordecai Oliver, the Whig, *' running between " them, was elected, the vote in the district standing: Oliver, 7,598 ; Birch, 4,399 ; King, 4,107. At the November election the Whig electoral ticket carried the county by a reduced majority. Gen. Wintield Scott and Wm. A. Graham were the Whig candidates for President and Vice-President, against Franklin Pierce and Wm. R. King, Democrats. The vote in Clay county stood: Scott and Graham, t)2l) ; Pierce and King, 40(5. 1854. Mordecai Oliver was re-elected to Congress this year over Leon- ard, Lowe and John E. Pitt. 1856. Governor — R. C. Ewing, Know Nothing, 775 ; Trusten Polk, Dem- ocrat, 831. Thos. H. Benton, Independent, none. Congress — James H. Moss, K. N., 802; James Craig, D., 824; Joel Turnham, Dem., 808. Representative — Robert G. Gilmer, K. N., 799. Sheriff— Trigg T. Allen, K. N., 800; Samuel Hadley, Dem., 830. James H. Moss, the Whig, or " American " candidate for Congress, was a resident of Liberty. He was defeated in the district by Gen. James Craig, of St. Joseph, by 2,500 votes. HISTORY or (LAY COUNTY. I'll At tlic Presidential election the Know Nothings eiirried the county for Fillmore and Donelson, tlui vote standing, Fillmore, 75*) ; Bu- chanan, liTf). January 12, 1857, Gov. 'J'rusten Polk was elected U. S. Senator, to succeed Senator Geyer. A new Governor was to he chosen. The anti-Benton.s, or regular Democrats, nominated Hon. Robert M. Stewart, of Buchanan county. The " Americans " brought out Hon. James S. Rollins, of Boone county, who was indorsed and supported by a majority of the Benton Democrats. Col. Benton had written a letter from Washington to his friends in Missouri, urging them to vote for Rollins. The vote in the county was : For Rollins, 643 ; Stewart, 585. In the State as canvassed, it stood : Stewart, 47,;»75 ; Rollins, 47,641 ; Stewart's majority, 334. The Rollins men declared that their candidate was fairly elected, but was cheated in the count ()y "doctoring " the returns from certain counties in the southwest part of the State, hut the truth of this declaration was never fully established. 1858. Congress — James H. Adams, Whig and American, 993; .lames Craig, Dem., 82(». State Senator— J. H. Layton, W. and A., 929; J. T. V. Thomp- son, Dem., 837. Legislature — John Dougherty, W. and A., 877; B. L. Lampton, Dem., 895. Sheriff— R. A. Neely, Whig, 939 ; Samuel Hadley, Dem., 882. Craig was elected to Congress and Thompson to the State Senate. Tin; KNOW NOTHINGS. The Native American, or as it was called, the "Know Nothing" party deserves particular mention in these pages, as at one time it was a political organization very formidable in its character, and largely in the majority in this county. It was formed in the United States some time before the year 1840, but did not become strong or very prominent until the dissolution of the Whig party, in 1853. The l)arty was a strange one, as it was a secret political order, whose members were oath-bound, and which had its lodges or " coun- cils," its signs, grips, and pass-words, and worked secretly to accom- plish its openly professed objects. It was composed chiefly of old Whigs, although there were many ex-Democrats in its ranks. Its great basic principle was that " Americans must rule America ; " in Ifi2 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. other words, tluit none but native-born citizens ot" the United States, and non-Catholics ' ought to hold office. It also favored a radical change in the naturalization laws, insisting on a foreigner's twenty years' residence in this country as a prerequisite to citizenship. The following resolutions constituted the first platform of the American party in Missouri : — 2. A full recognition of the rights of the several States, as expressed and reserved in the Constitution, and a careful avoidance by the gen- eral government of all interference with their rights by legislative or executive action. 3. Obedience to the Constitution of these United States as the su- preme law of the land, sacredly obligatory in all its parts and mem- bers — a strict construction thereof, and steadfast resistance to the spirit of innovation of its principles — avowing that in all doubtful or disputed i)oints, it may only l)e legally ascertained and expounded i)y the judicial powers of the United States. 4. That no person should be selected for political station, whether native or foreign prince, potentate or power, or who refuses to recog- nize the Federal or State constitutions (each within its sphere) as paramount to all other laws or rules of political action. 5. Americans must rule America ; and to this end native born citi- zens should be selected for all State and Federal offices in preference to naturalized citizens. 6. A change in the laws of naturalization, making a continual resi- dence of twenty-one years an indispensable requisite for citizenship, and excluding all paupers and persons convicted of crime, from laud- ing on our shores ; but no interference with the vestcti rights of for- eigners. 7. Persons that arc born of American parents, residing temporariiv abroad, are entitled to all the rights of native born citizens. 8. An enforcement of the principle that no State or Territory can admit otlicrs than native born citizens to the rights of suffrage, or of holding political office, unless such persons have been naturalized ac- cording to the laws of the United States. y. That Congress possessed no power under the Constitution to legislate upon the subject of slavery in the States where it does or may exist, or to exclude any State from admission into the Union, be- cause its constitution does or does not recognize the institution of slavery as a part of its social system and expressly pretermitting any expression of ojnnion upon the power of Congress to establish or ])rohil)it slavery in any territory ; it is the sense of this meeting that tlie territories of the United States and that any inflence by Congress with slavery as it exists in the District of Columbia, would be a viola- * After a time tlie clause in the platform agaiust Catliolics was striclceuout, except in regard to those wlio held to the supremacy of the Pope in temporal affairs. HISTUKY OF CLAY COUNTY. Id;} tion of the spirit uiid intention of the compact by which the State of Maryhmd ceded the District to the United States, and a breach of the national fuitli. 10. That wc will al)i(le hy and maintain tiie existing laws on the siil)ject of shivery as a final and conclusive settlement of the subject on spirit, and in substance, believing this course to be the best guar- antee of future peace and IVateriial amity. The organization of tin; Know Nothing [)arty was begun in Clay county in the fall of 1><55. On the 1st of January, 185(3, a meeting of the party was held at the court-house in Liberty. Hon. James H. Moss addressed a large audience in e.Kplanation of the principles of the new organization. Dr. W. A. Morton was chairman. A commit- tee comijosed of Thos. McCarty, Simpson McGaugherty, T. R. Dale, Nathaniel Vincent and J. B. Talbott, refjorted a series of resolutions indorsing the National and State platforms, ' and adding the follow- ing:— That the Union of these States is the paramount object of pati'iotic desire. That we re-afBrm and most cordially and unchangeably in- dorse the declaration of the lamented hero, sage, and statesman, Andrew Jackson, that, " T/ie Union lanst and Khali he preserved.'' That, with equal ardor and aftection, we re-afErni and indorse the answer of that great national statesman and patriot, Henry Clav, who, when asked when he would be ready for a dissolution of this Union, said, " Never! never! n>'i:er!" The lodges of the Know Nolhinirs were called "councils." In this county, among others, there were councils at Liberty, Richfield, Smithvillo, Gilead, and in Washington township. In March, 18.5fi, Liberty Council endorsed the nominations of Fillmore and Donelson, and the other councils subsequc^ntly took similar action. It is said that one of the hailing signs of the Know Nothings was " Have you seen Sam? "meaning, it is presumed, " Uncle Sam," tiic mythical personage supposed to represent the Govermiient of the United States. The American flag was always i)resent in the council rooms, and the Federal constitution was a part of the constitution of thp order. For some years the native American party was a prominciit and important factor in politics, but the influence and strength of the foreign and Catholic vote of the country were of course always against it ; the Republican and Democratic platforms condemned its ' Oil tlie Kansas question the National platform declared that " none but those who have aflj-nd residence in the Territory," ought to vote. 104 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. principles, and so it grew smaller by degrees until 1861. Then the Civil War came on and broke it up. And came near breaking up the country as well. TRAGEDIES. In an affray between two brothers-in-law named Farr and Wool- bridge, at Barry, about the 1st of September, 18.54, Farr killed Wool- bridge, giving him five pistol shots and several knife wounds. February 4, 1858, Solomon Binswanger was stabbed and killed in a drunken quarrel at Missouri City. Dr. Geo. C. Tuley, Geo. H. Wall is and Geo. W. Withers were arrested and indicted for murder in the second degree. The case against Withers was dismissed. In May, 1858, Tuley was tried at Liberty, convicted of manslaughter in the third degree, and sentenced to three months' imprisonment in the county jail and to pay a fine of $100. In April, 1859, Wallis was tried, l)ut the jury disagreed, and he was allowed to plead guilty of manslaughter and received the same sentence as Dr. Tuley, but in October ibllowing he was pardoned by Gov. Stewart. September 7, 1858, J. A. S. Major shot and killed Samuel R. Trabue, at Centerviile. There was great excitement and indignation in the community over the tragedy. A public meeting condemned it, and extolled the character of Mr. Trabue as that of a " most worthy, tem- perate, mild, peaceful and order-loving citizen." Richard Moore stabbed and killed Pat Cusick in a drinking house in Liberty, in June, 1859. THE SMITHVILLE TUADEGY OF 1854. Monday, August 7, 1854, a terrible melee occurred in Smithville, this county, which resulted in the death of two citizens of the place, John W. Douglass and S. J. Ross, and the lynching of three men ac- cused of their murder, Samuel Shackelford, Wm. Siiackelford and John W. Callaway. The following statement of the affair was fur- nished by the suruiving (?) citizens of Smithville and pul)lished in the Liberty Tribune: — There had been a gang of thieves and outlaws quartered in this vicinity, which fact had been established by a court of inquiry, ac- cording to the laws of the country. These thieves and incendiaries were notified to leave Clay and adjoining counties by more than 100 respectable citizens of this vicinity. Their answers were that they would not leave, and that 50 armed men could not make them leave. Thus the matter passed on until Monday, August 7, the day of the election, when they sent word that they intended to clean out the HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 165 town, commencing on those who had used the most exertions in pro- secuting them with tlie Uxw, even telling their friends where they wished to l)e buried if they fell in the conflict. They tiien armed themselves with two revolvers each and bowie- knives and dirks. Thus equipi)ed, they made their appearance in town. Their leader, Samuel yiiackeU'ord, commencing a conversa- tion, in an insulting manner, with John W. Douglass, and alluded to Wni. Ross, both res[)ectable citizens of this community. Mr. Ross replied in a calm manner, but was dared to the onset by Samuel Shackelford, and at that moment a person, a relation of Shackel- ford's, passed i)etween them for a moment. Shackelford drew a re- volver, the i)ersoi! passed on, and Shackelford shot Win. Ross twice, wounding him severely, perhaps mortally. Shackelford then turned and shot Mr. Douglass twice, and then shot at M. Iinhoff twice. Douglass then returned the fire on Shackelford twice, wounding him, and then Douglass drew a bowie-knife, he being the only citizen on the ground who was armed. Wm. Shackelford seized Douglass and got his knife and pistol, and then commenced the work of destruction on Douglass, inflicting several wounds, of which Douglass fell dead. He then shot twice or three times at M. Imhoff", but without effect. Persons then interfered to stop the efl'usion of blood. Saml. Shack- elford stabbed every person whom he suspected as his enemy, inflict- ing a mortal wound on S. J. Ross, and also cutting and stabbing Ira Witt, who was a stranger, and only engaged for peace, as also 3'oung Ross. John W. Callaway ran in and shot at M. Imhort' and missed him, as did Samuel Shackelford. Callaway then shot Wm. Slater, wounding him slightly in the leg. By this time the fight became general. Stones and clubs were in order. 'J'he Shackelfords and Callaway retreated, and in doing so attempted to kill others whom they considered their enemies. Samuel Shackelford's pistol, which he drew with the intention of shooting Mr. Payne, missed fire, and he then threw the pistol at him. They then entered a drug store and locked themselves uj) for defense ; but owing to Samuel Shackelford being wounded, and the people threaten- ing to fire the house, they surrendered to the populace. The people were frenzied. Ropes were called for, guns and pistols procured, and all hands calling for immediate vengeance on the mur- derers. Thus it passed on, until the people were alarmed in all di- rections, and notified of the circumstances. They came from Platte county. Ridgeley was a precinct, and it being a public day the people flocked in gangs to the place. The cry was " Lynch them I hang the thieves and murderers!" Two or three hundred persons were present. Wm. Shackelford was then hung. John W. Callaway was next hung. He stated, before his death, that Samuel Shackelford was to blame for all the trouble ; that Sam. Shackelford had induced him into stealing horses; that Sam. Shackelford stole the mule that he was arrested for, and he took it and sold it in St. Joseph ; that they had concluded not to kill the people of Smithville and vicinity [and would not have made the at- 166 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. tempt] hut for the over-persuasion of that he woukl stand up to them and see them through. The same was atfirmcd by Mrs. Shackelford, although they had agreed among themselves to go into the massacre before came. Sam. Shackelford was hung next, all to the same limb. The peace officers made speeches against mob law, and used every exertion for the civil authority to have its proper course, but all to no eflect. Order was confounded ; confusion reigned. Men paraded the streets like dragoons in military service. The whole of this resulted from an efibrt on the part of the citizens to l)ring these thieves to justice according to law, for the commission of crime, their guilt Of which they acknowledged. The people are satisfied with what they have done, so far as civil authority is concerned. Many Citizens. P. S. — There had been an attempt made to assassinate Douglass at the dead hour of night, supposed to have been by these murderers, and he was threatened by them, which was the reason why he was armed. Callaway, at the time of his lynching, was under $1,000 bond to answer a charge of stealing a mule from Calvin Smith, in the fall of 1852. The Shackelfords and Callaway were hung on a sugar tree, near the bridge across Smith's fork ; the tree is still standing. The mother of the Shackelfords, and the wives of Callaway and one of the Shack- elfords were present and witnessed the execution. They wailed, moaned, screamed, entreated, cursed and prayed by turns, striking the lynchers with their hands and with sticks, and striving frantically with all their might to rescue them. At the time he was hung, Sam. Shackelford's skull was crushed in, the wound having been inflicted some time previously, but he was " game " to the last. MURDER OF WJI. O. RUSSELL BY " PETE " LIOIITBURNE LYNCHING OF " PETE." On the night of February 12, 1855, Mr. Wm. O. Russell, a citizen of the county, living three miles southeast of Liberty, was mortally wounded by a negro slave named "Peter," the property of'Maj. A. Lightburne. The circumstances, as best remembered, arc that Mr. Russell owned Pete's wife, and for some ofiense she had given, had whipped her severely. This she told her husband and he vowed revenge. On the night and question " Pete " called at Mr. Russell's, after the latter had retired, and calling him up said he had been sent for a bill of lumber. Russell admitted the negro and asked him if he had brought a bill. The latter answered " yes." Mr. Russell stooped over to stir up his smoldering fire, when suddenly the negro drew a HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 1G7 short but heav}' coni-kiiife, which he had concealed in his bosom, and assaulted Mr. Russell so savagely and with such effect that he died two weeks later from his wounds. "Pete" was arrested and imprisoned in jail. A mob of excited men gathered and were about to hang him, but his owner, Maj. Light- burne, spoke to them in such an earnest, remonstrating manner, that the design was abandoned at the time. March 5, the crowd reassem- bled, determined to lynch the criminal. Rev. Moses E. Lard and others addressed them, and urged them to allow the wretch to be pun- ished according to law, but they dragged him from his cell and hung him to a tree in the court-house yard, before the sound of the speak- ers' voices had hardly died away. 6 CHAPTEK VI. DURING THE KANSAS TROUBLES UP TO 1861. The Kansas Troubles — Clay County's Interest in Kansas Affairs — Sketcii of the Situation in Kansas Territory Upon its Organization — Tlie Election in 1854 — Clay Furnislies Her Quota of Voters— Tiie "Sons of the South" — Election in the' Spring of 1855 — The Parliville Mob Indorsed — The " Wakarusa War " — Seizure of the Liberty Arsenal by the Clay County Volunteers — Maj. Leonard's Report — The Arms Returned Minus What Were Retained — County Seat Fight in Kansas — Emigrants to Kansas Turned Back — End of the Fight — The Free Soilers Win — Explanation of the Course of Clay County. Up to 1S61 — Census — Miscellan- eous — The Present Court-House — The Kansas City and Cameron Railroad — The Presidential and Gubernatorial Campaigns of 1860 — After the Election — Trouble Brewing. DURING THE TROUBLES IN KANSAS. From the first to the last of the troubles in the Territory of Kansas, the result of an attempt at a decision of the question whether or not slavery should exist in the State upon its admission into the Union, the people of Clay county took a conspicuous part therein upon the pro-slavery side. The proximity of that Territory to this county, its likeness of soil and climate, made it a desirable objective point of emi- gration for people here when they should become tired of their homes, and those who had slaves wished of course to take them along. Then there was a strong desire to have Kansas made a slave State among slaveholders everywhere ; and the politicians of the South had made this desire the measure of the devotion of Southern men to " South- ern rights." Much was expected from Missouri generally, and a great deal from Clay and other border counties. In the summer of 1853, when the Kansas-Neljraska bill was under discussion, the border counties of Missouri prejjared for the contlict — for the conflict of ballots, and the conflict of bullets if necessary. A military company was organized in Liberty in July, with A. J. Cal- houn as captain, John Dunn, N. S. Prentiss, Lewis Bennett, lieuten- ants, and R. Fisher, orderly sergeant. There was not much attempt at concealing the fact that the services of this company were to be called into requisition if necessary in the settlement of the political questions in Kansas. By the provisions of the Kansas-Nel)raska bill, which repealed the Missouri Compromise of 1820, slaveholders might or might not be per- (168) HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. IfiO mitted in Kansas, as tlie people thereof should decide. " The true intent and meaning of the act " was declared to be " not to legislate slavery into any State or Territory, or exclude it therefrom," hut to leave the people thereof free to form and regulate their domestic in- stitutions in their own way, subject only to the Constitution of the United States." Under tiiis declaration the pro-slavery men claimed they had a right to settle in the Territory with their slaves; but this was denied by the anti-slavery men or Free Soilers, who claimed that "the normal condition of the public territories was freedom." The full history of the Kansas troubles belongs to other volumes ; but it will l)e necessary to refer to certain incidents in that history in order to understand clearly the part taken by Clay county. Under the first Territorial government an election for delegate to Congress was ordered to be held November 29, 1854. The candidates were : Whitfield, Pro-Slavery, and Flenniken, Free Soil. Andrew H. Reeder, of Pennsylvania, had been appointed Territorial Governor by President Pierce, and arrived in Octoi)er. It was decided that all the voters on the border of Missouri who could possibly do so should go over to Kansas and vote ! The law regarding the eligibility of voters was diflerently construed ; the Free State men claimed that only hojia fide settlers could vote, and the Pro-Slavery men that any man was entitled to vote if he had been in the Territory " an hour." The people along the Missouri border from Andrew county to Jasper, and as far east in the State as Randolph, Callaway, and Cole, organized and prepared to set out for Kansas to cast their votes. Numerous meetings were held in this quarter. Senator David R. Atchison and others stumped the counties of Buchanan, Clay, Platte, and Jackson. A few days before the election Atchison spoke in Liberty. He had previously addressed the people of Platte county at Platte City, and said to them : " When you reside in one day's journey of the Territory you can, without exertion, send .500 of your young men who will vote in favor of your institutions." This he repeated to the people of Clay in his speech at Liberty. There was the most intense excitement throughout the country, and it was tiiought that the interests of Missouri, and especially the inter- ests of slavery, demanded the most radical efforts to prevent the Abolitionists from winning the first battle in the conflict over Kansas. Whatever the means employed, it was believed that the ends would justify them. Scores of citizens of this county, well armed and furn- ished with provisions and money by those who " could not go," went over into the Territory, voted " early and often," and returned home 170 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. within a few days ! Hundreds of other Missoiirians did the same, and Whitfield was elected 1)}' a iarse niajority ' All through the winter of 1854-55 nothing much was talked of in the county but the Kansas question. A regular organization of the Pro- Slaver}' men — a secret order called the " Blue Lodge," the " Social Band," the "Friends' Society," or the " Sons of the South," being known by difl'erent names — had been organized in Missouri and other Slave States, and "camps" were established in Clay county. The object was the preservation, perpetuation, and extension of the " peculiar institution," and the order had its hailing signs, grips, and passwords, and was near of kin and auxiliary to the " Knights of the Golden Circle." It took a leading part in the Kansas question. March 30, 1855, an election was held in Kansas to choose members of the Territorial Legislature, or Council. Extraordinary eSbrts were made by both parties to carry this election. The Free Soilers had come in in considerable numbers the previous year, under the aus- pices of the " Emigrant Aid Societies " of the North, and fears were felt among the Pro-Slavery men that by some chance a majority of Free State men might be chosen to the Council, and a Constitution forbidding slavery chosen by that body. All Western Missouri was on the stir. The following notice was printed on handbills and circu- lated through this county, and published in the Liberty Tribune: — Friends of the South! — The first election of members of the Terri- torial Legislature in. Kansas comes ofi" Friday next, the 30th inst. Friends of the South, the crisis has arrived, and now is the time for you to determine whether or not that rich and fertile Territory shall be governed by the miserable hirelings sent thither from the dens of Abolitionism in the East to rob you of your rights and your property. We must act! We^nust act! A meeting will be held at Liberty on Thursda\-, the 29th inst., to take such measures as may be considered proper under the circumstances. Let every friend of the South and her institutions attend. A large and enthusiastic meeting was held at the court-house pur- suant to the call, and numbers of our best citizens eni'olled themselves into companies, and set out at once for Kansas. Those who could not lic meeting at Liberty, November 28, declared in favor of a sus pension of specie payments on the part of the banks, especially of the State bank and its branches at Lexington, Paris and Liberty. As time passed, the spirit of alarm diffused itself more and more among the people. At a public meeting at Liberty, December 24, Col. H. L. Routt and Hon. J. T. V. Thompson were the speakers. They bade their hearers to prepare for action, for there was no proph- esying then what they might be called . upon to do. Thirty men enrolled themselves as " minute men," and elected H. L. Routt, cap- tain ; L. L. Talbott, John C. Dunn and G. W. Morris, lieutenants, and A. Gillespie, orderly sergeant. There was considerable comment on this action, many deeming it untimely, others unwise, but there were many who approved it. The close of the year 1860 found the county in a highly prosperous condition. Crops had been fairly abundant, money was reasonably plenty, the country was finely improved and teemed with wealth, good schools and churches were plenty, enterprises were opening on every hand, a new railroad had been begun and was certain of completion, and altogether it would have seemed that the temporal future of our people was of the highest promise. But a fell spirit of distrust and malevolence toward that vast section of our common country called the North had found lodgment in the minds of many. Prophecies of evil were continually shouted in the ears of the unwary. Memories of injuries suffered at the hands of the anti-slavery ites were revived, and every Northern gale and every Southern breeze fanned into flame the fires of sectional hate which had for a time been smoldering. The clear sky was overcast with clouds, and they were dark and lowering. CHAPTEE YII. HISTORY OF THE COUNTY DURING 1861. The Legislature of IStU — Election of Delegates to the State Convention — The Work of the Convention — After Fort Sumpter — Capture of the Liberty Arsenal — Maj. Grant's Reports — After the Arsenal's Seizure — Preparing for War in Earnest — Organization of Military Companies — Gen. Doniphan Declines a Military Appoint- ment — Departure of the Secession Companies for the War — The First Federal Troops — Events of the Summer and Early Fall of 1861 — Proclamation of Gen. Stein — Rallying to His Standard — The Battle of Blue Mills — The Killed and Wounded — Reports of the Leaders — Col. Saunders, Hon. D. R. .\tchison, Col. Scott — List of Killed and Wounded inf the Third Iowa— War Incidents of the Fall and Winter of 1861 — The Neosho Secession Ordinance. THE LEGISLATURE OF 1861. On the last day of December, 1861, the Twenty-first General As- sembly met at Jefferson City. The retiring Governor, Eobt. M. Stewart, delivered a ver}'^ conservative message, taking the middle ground between secession antl abolition, and pleading strenuously for peace and moderation. He declared, among other propositions, that the people of INIissouri " ought not to be frightened from their pro- priety by the past unfriendly legislation of the North, or dragooned into secession by the restrictive legislation of the extreme South." He concluded with a thrilling appeal for the maintenance of the Union, depicting the inevitable result of secession, revolution and war. Many of Gov. Stewart's predictions were afterwards fulfilled with startling and fearful exactness. The inaugural of the new Governor, Claiborne Fox Jackson, in- dorsed the doctrine enunciated in his famous resolutions of 1849 — that the interests and destiny of the slaveholding States were the same; that the State was in favor of remaining in the Union so long as there was any hope of maintaining the guarantees of the constitu- tion, but that in the event of a failure to reconcile the differences which then threatened the disruption of the Union, it would be the duty of Missouri "to stand by the South ; " and that he was opposed to the doctrine of coercion in any event. Gov. Jackson concluded by recommending tiie immediate call of a State convention, in order that " the will of the people may be ascertained and effectuated." lu accordance with the Governor's recommendation, the Legisla- (190) HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 191 tiire, on Januuiy 17, passed a hill calling a convention, to be composed of three times as many members as in the aggregate each senatorial district was entitled to State Senators — that is, three delegates from each senatorial district in the State — and appointing February 18 as the day on which they were to l)e elected, and February 28 the day on which the convention should assemble. Hon. J. T. V. Thompson and Hon. Luke W. Burris, respectively the State Senator from this district and Representative from this county, voted for the convention bill. The tenth section of this bill contained the following important provision : — No act, ordinance or resolution of said convention shall he deemed to he valid to change or dissolve the political relations of this State to the government of the United States, or any other State, until a majority of the qualified voters of this State, voting upon the ques- tion, shall ratify the same. Mr. Thompson voted especially for this section, which was intro- duced in the Senate by Hon. Charles H. Hardin, then the Senator from the Boone and Callaway district, and afterward Governor of Missouri in 1874-76. Thus the secession of the State was made an impossibility without the consent of a majority of the voters, al- though Hardin's amendment was adopted by the close vote of 17 to 15. After a much disturbed and very turbulent session the Legisla- ture adjourned March 28. ELECTION OF DELEGATES TO THE STATE CONVENTION. The Thirteenth Senatorial District was composed of the counties of Clay and Platte. On the 28th of January the Unconditional Union men of Clay met in convention at Liberty, with Dr. W. A. Morton chairman. Resolutions favoring the Crittenden compromise and opposing coercion were unanimously adopted and Col. A. W. Doniphan and James H. Moss, of Clay, and Elijah H. Norton, of Platte, nomi- nated for delegates to the State convention. February 1 a "Southern Rights" meeting was held at Liberty. John R. Killer presided. Col. H. L. Routt spoke and was replied to by James H. Moss. Resolutions looking to secession in certain con- tingencies were introduced, and though the chairman declared them adopted, it was the general expression that they had been rejected by the meeting, a majority of whose member's were Union men who, under the leadership of Mr. Moss, had come in and " captured " it. Delegates from Clay and Platte met at Barry February 7, and regu- 192 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. lai'ly nominated, though not without dissent, Messrs. Doniphan, Moss and Norton. Certain " Southern Rights" candidates were announced independently. On election day, February 18, there was much interest manifested in this county. At Missouri City even the ladies were interested. They assembled in a public meeting, indorsed the Crittenden com- promise, declared for the Union and then, carrying the old flag, with 34 stars and 13 stripes, mai'ched in procession to the polls and urged and entreated the voters to cast their ballots for the Union candidates, Doniphan, Moss and Norton, and assist in preventing civil war with all its enormities and horrors. Never before had the ladies of Clay county abandoned their domestic duties to engage even indirectly in politics, and their action on this occasion indicates what must have Ijeen the prevalent feeling among our people. The election in this district resulted in an overwhelming majority for the Union candidates, as follows : — Candidates . A. W. Doniphan, Union . . . • , James H. Moss " . . . , Elijah H. Norton " .... J. F. Farbis, Secession .... Kemp M. Woods " .... The selection of Doniphan, Moss and Norton by a vote of nearly ten to one againt the Secession candidates, clearly and unmistakably shows that a large majority of the people of Clay and Platte were for the Union in the winter of 1861 — at least were opposed to secession at that time. But it is just as true, although not shown by official records, that they were strenuously opposed to coercion. There must be no war. It was folly and unwise for the Cotton States to secede, but there must be no attempt on the part of the General Government to l)ring them back into the Union by force of arms. In such an event, many openly declared, " we will stand by our Southern brethren . ' ' THE WORK OF THE CONVENTION. The convention assembled at Jefferson City, February 28, 18(51. Sterling Price, of Chariton county, afterward the distinguished Con- fedei'ate general, was chosen president. On the second day it ad- journed to meet at St. Louis, where it re-convened March 4, contin- ued in session until the 22d, when it adjourned to meet on the third Monday in December, subject, however, to a call of a majority of a Clay. Platte. . 1,578 2,275 . 1,468 1,928 . 1,480 1,891 166 503 66 134 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 193 committee of seven. Betbi'e adjourning, a series of resolutions was adopted, two of whicli wei'e of superior importance, and here proper to be noted : 1. Containing the explicit declaration that there was no adequate cause to impel Missouri to dissolve her connection with the Federal union. 2. Taking unmistakable ground against the employ- ment of military force by the Federal government to coerce the seced- ing States, or the employment of military force by the seceding States, to assail the government of the United States. Mr. John F. Redd, of Marion, and Mr. Harrison Hough, of Missis- sippi, presented a minority rejjort, declaring the Abolitionists of the North responsible for the then condition of aflairs and favoring the holding of a convention by the non-seceding Slave States at Nashville, Tennessee, for the adoption of a plan of settlement of the existing difficulties on the basis of the Crittenden compromise. The resolutions from the committee on Federal Relations being under consideration, Mr. Moss, of Chiy, moved to amend the fifth of the majority (Gaml)le) series by adding the following: — And further. Believing that the fate of Missouri depends upon a peaceable atljustment of our present difficulties, she will never count- enance or aid a seceding State in making war on the General Govern- ment, nor will she furnish men or money for the purpose of aiding tlie General Government in any attempt to coerce a seceding State. The Moss amendment was under discussion in the convention for several days, during which period several si>eeches were made upon it by the ablest and most prominent members. Mr. Moss himself de- ilivered an able argument in its favor, at the same time avowing him- self an unconditional Union man, opposed to fanatical Abolitionists and coercionists alike ; declaring that he verily believed a majority of the people of the seceded States were really Union men, but that a " reign of terror" existed among them, stifling their voices and awing them into submission.' Following was the conclusion of his speech: — In conclusion, I only desire to state that I hail from a county where Lincoln did not get a vote, and where the Secessionists got only less than two hundred. My constituents are Union men, and they indorse my position, and they believe that all Missouri has is staked on the die — that she must have a peaceable settlement. They do not want to go out of the Union, but they ask that their honor shall be safe in your hands. We occupy the middle ground, and we can extend to both sections a friendly hand, and say we want peace, and our salva- tion depends upon it. ' See Journal of Proceedings of State Convention, first session, 18G1, p. 76. For the entire speech, p. 68 to 75. 194 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. On the fourteenth day of the convention Mr. Moss' amendment was voted down by the following vote : — Ayes — Eli E. Bass, of Boone ; Geo. Y. Bast, of Montgomery ; R. A. Brown, of Cass; J. R. Chenault, of Jasper; Samuel C. Collier, of Madison ; A. Comingo, of Jackson ; R. W. Crawford, of Law- rence ; R. W. Donnell, of Buchanan ; Geo. W. Dunn, of Ray ; R. B. Frayser, of St. Charles ; Joseph Flood, of Callaway ; N. F. Givens, of Clark: H. M. Gorin,-of Scotland; A. S. Harbin, of Barry; R. A. Hatcher, of New Madrid ; V. B. Hill, of Pulaski ; W. J. Howell, of Monroe ; Prince L. Hudgins, of Andrew ; J. Proctor Knott, of Cole ; J. T. Matson, of Ralls; J. H. Moss, of Clav ; E. H. Norton, of Platte ; R. D. Ray, of Carroll ; J. T. Redd, of Marion ; S. L. Sawyer, of Lafayette ; E. K. Sayre, of Lewis ; J. K. Sheeley, of Jackson ; J. G. Waller, of Warren; N. AV. Watkins, Cape Girardeau; Warren Woodson, of Boone — 30. J^oeg — J. S. Allen, of Harrison ; Orson Bartlett, of Stoddard ; J. H. Birch, of Clinton; Joseph Bogy, of St. Genevieve; S. M. Breck- inridge, of St. Louis ; J. O. Broadhead, of St. Louis ; H. E. Bridge, of St. Louis; Isidor Bush, of St. Louis; Robert Calhoun, of Calla- way ; M. P. Cayce, of St. Francois ; Wm. Douglass, of Cooper ; Charles Drake, of Moniteau ; John D. Foster, of Adair ; H. R. Gamble, of St. Louis ; T. T. Gantt, of St. Louis ; J. J. Gravelly, of Cedar; Willard P. Hall, of Buchanan; Wra. A. Hall, of Randolph: John B. Henderson, of Pike ; Littleberry Heudrick, of Greene ; Henry Hitchcock, of St. Louis ; Robert Holmes, of St. Louis ; John Holt, of Dent ; Harrison Hough, of Mississippi ; John How, of St. Louis ; J. M. Irwin, of Shelby ; Z. Isbell, of Osage ; Wm. Jackson, of Put- nam ; R. W. Jamison, of Webster; J. W. Johnson, of Polk; C. G. Kidd, of Henry ; W. T. Leeper, of Waj-ne ; M. L. L. Linton, of St. Louis ; John F. Long, of St. Louis ; Vincent Marmaduke, of Saline ; A. C. Marvin, of Henry; J. W. McClurg, of Camden; J. R. McCormack, of Perry; Nelson McDowell, of Dade; James Mo- Ferran, of Daviess ; Ferd. Myer, of St. Louis : W. L. Morrow, of Dallas; J. C. Noell, of Bollinger; Sample Orr, of Greene; John F. Phillips, of Pettis ; Wm. G. Pomeroy, of Crawford ; C. G. Rankin, of Jefferson ; M. H. Ritchey, of Newton ; Fred. RoAvland, of Mann ; Thos. Scott, of Miller ; Thos. Shackelford, of Howard ; J. H. Shackel- ford, of St. Louis; Jacob Smith, of Linn ; Sol. Smith, of St. Louis; J. T. Tindall, of Grundy ; W. W. Turner, of Laclede ; A. M. Wool- folk, of Livingston; Uriel Wright, of St. Louis; Ellzey Van Bus- kirk, of Holt; G. W. Zimmerman, of Lincoln, and the President, Sterling Price, of Chariton — 6L Absent — A. W. Doniphan, of Clay; C. D. Eitzen, of Gasconade; A. W. Maupin, of Franklin ; J. P. Ross, of Morgan ; Robt. M. Stewart, of Buchanan ; Aiknian Welch, of Johnson; Robt. Wilson, of Buchanan . Sick — Philip Pipkin, of Iron. HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 195 The convention juljourned March 22, to meet the third Monday in the following December, but was called together October 10, 18(51. Messrs. Moss and Doniphan attended subsequent sessions, and voted with the other conservative members against the test oaths. Doni- phan voted for the emancipation ordinance, adopted July 1, 18(53, providing for the abolition of slavery in the State July 4, 1870. This ordinance was adopted by a vote of 51 to 30, but its provisions were rendered of no force l)y the adoption of the thirteenth amendment. AFTER FORT SUMPTER. The firing on Fort Sumpter by the Confederates, April 12, 1861 ; the proclamation of President Lincoln calling for 75,000 volunteers ; Gov. Jackson's indignant refusal to respond to the requisition on Mis- souri ; the excitement throughout the South ; the uprising in the North, these are incidents in the history of the country, the particulars of which need not be set forth in these pages. The reception of the news of the firing on Sumpter caused the most intense excitement in Clay county. Cheers for South Carolina and Gen. Beauregard rang out, and secession Hags fluttered in the breezes at Liberty and Smithville. When Lincoln's proclamation was heard of, a great storm of indignation swept over the county, bearing down all but the staunchest Union men. Many who had opposed secession up till now, changed their views suddenly, denounced the administra- tion, and avowed themselves " on the side of the South." The " snb- missionists," as the unconditional Union men were termed, were few and undemonstrative; the Secessionists were numerous and noisy. CAPTURE OF THE LIBERTY ARSENAL. The Missouri border was ablaze. In Clay county a long meditated act — an act forming an incident of a grand scheme — was accom- plished, highly important in its results to the Secession cause. This was the capture of what was generally known as the Liberty arsenal, although it was really four miles from Liberty, and was called by the U. S. authorities the Missouri Depot. It is altogether probable — theugh the evidence can not be had, owing to the reluctance of cer- tain parties to give it in such clear terms as is desirable — that a plan had been organized by leading Secessionists of the State, Gov. Jack- son among the number, to seize not only Liberty arsenal, but the St. Louis arsenal, and even Ft. Leavenworth. There is evidence, and the statement has been published, that while these captures or seizures were not to be made by the authority of 196 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. Gov. Jackson, yet they received his personal sanction and approval, and that of other prominent gentlemen of Secession proclivities in the State, as M. Jeli" Thompson, John W. Reid, James S. Rains, S. H. Woodson and certain St. Louisans. Col. Peckham, of St. Louis, states that Col. Marmaduke (now Governor) was sent to Ft. Leaven- worth and that the sum of $25,000, of which $5,000 was drawn from the bank at Arrow Rock, was placed at his disposal for the purpose of bribing Maj. Haguer, the officer in command, to surrender the post when called upon by an invading force from Missouri.^ A letter written by the compiler of this volume to Gov. Marmaduke, and ask- ing for an affirmation or denial of this statement of Peckham's, re- ceived no answer. Saturday morning, April 20, as Maj. Nathaniel Grant, in charge of the arsenal, was at breakfast, a negro boy entered hastily and handed him a note. The note was not signed, but was written by a Union man, then living near the lauding and read substantially as follows: — A company of men from across the river camped in the bottom last night. I understand that another company is at or near Liberty, and that the destination of both is the arsenal. Look out. If you want to make a speech, get it ready. A few minutes later about 200 armed and mounted Secessionists rode up to the arsenal gate, forced admission and demanded of Grant the surrender of the post and its contents. There was but little need of this demand, since the post was already in their possession. No thought of resistance was entertained at any time, for the force at the arsenal consisted of Maj. Grant and two employes. Armorer Giros and Wm. L. Madden. Had the note of warning come earlier it would have made no diflerence in this respect. Grant contented him- self by protesting vigorously against the seizure, and this was allowed him with great good humor, and amid laughter and raillery. The force that captured and seized the arsenal was about 200 Seces- sionists, composed of one company ft'om Jackson county commanded by Capt. McMurray, of Independence, and a strong company from Liberty and Clay county under Col. Henry L. Routt, the whole under command of Col. Routt. The Jackson county company had crossed the river the previous evening. No authority was presented by Routt implicating Gov.^Jackson or any other officials, but he significantly stated that he knew what he was about. Asked if he didn't fear that the Governor would order the arms returned, he replied, '■^ Never!'' ' Lyon and Missouri, p. 112 HISTORY OF (LAY COUNTY. 1H7 The Secessionists held possession of the arsenal for a weeic, until all the stores and munitions hatl been removed. The Jackson county men took away some cannon, muskets, etc., with them and sent i)ack for more. Lieut. J. W. Gillespie was guarding the stores that had not been removed and refused to give any portion of them up. Where- upon a fight over the spoils was imminent, and only prevented by a concession on the part of Lieut. Gillespie, who gave the delegation from Cracker's Neck half of what they demanded. The property taken consisted of three six-pounder brass cannon, each weighing 882 pounds, mounted on field carriages ; 12 six-pounder iron guns, unmounted ; one three-pounder iron gun ; five caissons, two battery wagons, two forges, besides all the ordinary artillery equipments and accompaniments, and several hundred rounds of artillery ammuni- tion, chiefly solid shot and canister ; l,180percussion muskets, complete ; 243 percussion rifles, 121 rifle carbines, 923 percussion pistols, 419 cav- alry sabers, 39 artillery swords, 20 cavalry and artillery musketoons, 1,000 pounds cannon powder, 9,900 pounds of musket powder, 1,800 of rifle powder, about 400,000 cartridges, besides accoutcrments and equij)- nients for all small arms in great number, and in excess of the arms taken. By far the greatest portion of the arms and munitions were taken possession of and hauled in wagons, provided for the purpose, to Liberty. Here they were distributed to the " minute men " of Clay and surrounding counties. Col. Routt's ice-house was converted into an armory, and here the military companies repaired from time to time and received their guns and other munitions of war, which in time did eflective service against the Government to which they be- longed. The powder in barrels amounted to thousands of pounds,' was hidden away in difl'erent portions of the country — in haystacks, hollow logs, and elsewhere, and long after much of it gave its custo- dians uo end of uneasiness, anxiety and trouble, for fear of its dis- covery by the Federal soldiery. The day following Maj. Grant sent this report of the capture of the arsenal to the chief of ordnance at Washington : — Missouri Depot, Sunday, April 21, 1801. Sir — I embi'ace the first opportunity to inform you that the depot was taken yesterday, about 10 o'clock, by a body of armed men from this and the adjacent counties. While I am writing the depot yard 1 In February, I8G2, ten of these barrels were returned by D. S. Miller, who found them hidden in his straw stacl:. 198 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. and grounds ai-e filled with men, who are i-apidly moving the ordnance and ordnance stores from the post. Having no means of resistance, my protest against the forcible and unlawful seizure of the public property was of no avail, and I was informed that all the military stores would be taken. I send this to Saint Louis by boat to be mailed, and so soon as it can be done a detailed report of all the facts, so far as they can be ascertained, will be forwarded. Very respect- fully, I am, sir, your obedient servant. N.\THANiEi. Grant, In charge of Depot. CoL. H. K. Craig, Chief of Ordnance, Washington City. The following dispatch was sent from East St. Louis to the Secre- tary of War : — East St. Louis, III., April 21, 18(31. Hon. Simon Cameron, Secretary of War: Liberty Arsenal, in Missouri, was taken possession of by Secession- ists yesterday, and 1,500 arms and a few cannons distributed to citi- zens of Clay county. The Missouri river is blockaded at Independence. All quiet here at present. Benjamin Farrar. Two days later Maj. Grant made the following detailed report of the seizure : — detailed report of maj. grant. Missouri Depot, April 27th, 18G1. Col. H. K. Craig, Chief of Ordnance, Washington, D. C . : Sir — On the 21st inst. I informed you — by letter sent to St. Louis by boat to be mailed — that this depot had been seized by armed men from this and adjoining counties, and that the arms, ammunition, etc., were being rapidly removed. The only reason assigned for this act was that the property was considered essential to the safety of the frontier ; and they assumed that the State would eventually become responsible for it to the General Government, and they to the State. Having no force to repel them, nor to prevent the removal of the stores, I was compelled to submit. The post was evacuated by the insurgents to-day, and during the period of their possession they removed all the cannon, gun carriages, caissons, battery wagons, forges, arms, accountermeiits, implements, ammunition and part of the tools, etc., from the depot. The post was occupied by a force varying from 100 to 200 men during the first three days, and was then left under a guard of about 20 men to re- move the balance of the stores. The Union feeling had been so strong in Missouri, and particularly in this county, that I had no apprehension that the post would be dis- HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 199 turbed ; but it appears that the late telegraphic dispatches from other States produced much excitement among the people, and meetings have been held and Secession flags raised in almost every town during the past week — this state of things being inaugurated by the seizure of the depot. I understand, however, that this feeling is by no means universal, and that a majority of the citizens here disapprove the seizure of the public property ; but this feeling of disapproval, being simply nega- tive in its character, is powerless to prevent the violent measures advocated by those holding extreme political views, and the Conserva- tives, or Union men, who have done their utmost to preserve the peace and the Union, begin to despair, and are of the opinion that the State is fast drifting into the current of secession. The exact condition of the property at the depot can not be accur- ately reported until I can make an inventory of the stores not taken, and this will I)e done with as little delay as possible. The forcilile seizure of the public projjcrty in my charge leaves me at a loss how to proceed in the absence of special instructions. I learn that the property has been distributed through several of the border counties. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obt. servt., Nathl. Grant, In charge of Depot. AFTER THE ARSENAL's SEIZURE. News of the capture of the arsenal was telegraphed to the outer world the same day, and created considerable sensation throughout the country, North, South, East, and West. It was the first overt act of citizens of Missouri against the Federal government. Lincoln heard of it and telegraphed to Leavenworth for an explanation. Harney heard of it at St. Louis and refused to believe it, but Lyon and Sweeney at the St. Louis Arsenal doubled their guards, planted two cannon at the gate, and sat up all night to watch the movements of a large crowd of Secessionists at the Berthold mansion, who were dispersed at a late hour by Mayor Daniel Taylor. Among those who believed in secession tlie tidings were received with great joy and exultation. Clay count}^ was cheered heartily ; the act itself was applauded, and Routt and his men were the heroes of the hour. There can be no question that the capture or seizure was of inestimable advantage to the Secession cause, and so far was a success. In this county it decided, or helped to decide, the course of hundreds of men in twenty-four hours ! Monday following the seizure a large and enthusiastic Secession meeting was held at the court-house. Circuit court was in session, Judge Dunn on the bench. Eloquent and impassioned speeches were 200 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. delivered by S. H. Woodson, Aaron H. Conrow, J. H. Adams, John T. Hughes, Dr. Maughas, G. S. Withers, J. C. C. Thornton, J. E. Pitt *ind J. W. Gillespie, of Clay, Jackson, Ray, Platte, and Buchanan counties. A fine Secession flasr was raised amid the firing of the captured cannon and the cheers of the multitude, men and women. Resolutions were adopted condemning President Lincoln for the call for troops, and indorsing Gov. Jackson for his " noble reply ; " declaring that the State Convention did not represent the will of the people when it said that Missouri would remain in the Union, even if the Crittenden compromise was refused ; favoring a new convention, and resolving — That in the event there should be a new convention ordered, we pledge ourselves to support no man for delegate for said convention who will not aver himself a Southern Rights man, and that we will use all honorable means for the immediate secession of Missouri. The stream of secession had swollen from insignificance to a mighty and almost resistless torrent, and was bearing down upon its current hundreds who had aforetime declared that, in the language of Henry Clay, the time could "7iever, never,'" come for secession and disunion. Two months before the vote was ten to one against secession; now, if an expression could be had the vote would be largely in its favor. So much had old gray-haired Edmond RutEn done for Clay county when he pulled the lanyard that sent the first shot against Sumpter. But many of the conservative Union men were not demoralized or dismayed, by what had occurred elsewhere, and what had occurred in their midst. The next day after the Secession meeting they assem- bled at the court-house and held a meeting of their own. Dr. W. A. Morton was chairman. Col. Doniphan and James H. Moss addressed the audience in speeches full of fervor and feeling, pleading still for the Union, and crying peace, " when there was no^cace." Doni- phan said he could not take part in the war. He would not fight against the flag under which he fought and conquered in the war with Mexico, and he would not draw his sword against his neigh- bors, his kinsmen, and his friends in the South. The sentiment of the meeting was alike opposed to secession and coercion. The proceedings of this meeting were niarkcd with befitting gravity and deliberation. Resolutions were passed declaring that "secession is a remedy for no evil," approving Jackson's reply to Lincoln, and asserting that " the true policy of Missouri at jiresent is to main- HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 201 tain an independent position within tlie Union, holding her soil and institntions ai^ainst invasion or liostile interference from any quarter." PREPARING FOR WAR IN EARNEST ORGANIZATION OF MILITARY COMPANIES. And now in the season of spring, when the winter was over and gone, and the time of tlie singing of birds and the blooming of flowers had come, there was the note of preparation for bloody and deadly conflict heard in our county of Clay, and the fancy of the young men did not turn to thoughts of love. There was mustering and there was forming and tlie setting of squadrons in the field. Military companies were organized everywhere throughout the county. In Liberty the first company w;is organized. This, as distinctly announced, was for " home protection," and was called the " Lilterty Home Guards." The members were to defend the town against everything hostile, but to assail nothing. It was composed largely of Union men. Capt. O. P. Moss, an unconditional Union man, and the veteran commander of the Clay county company in the Mexican War was elected captain ; James H. Moss, Wm. G. Garth, and John Dunn, lieutenants, and Larkin Bradford, orderly sergeant. The Liberty Home Guards numbered 107 men, and the company was organized April 24. But other companies were organized whose objects were not so pa- cific. A company at Liberty called the "Mounted Eangers," was formed contemporaneously with the Home Guards. Its members were " Southern Rights" men. H. L. Routt, like Moss, a Mexican War veteran, was captain, and L. S. Tall)ott, George W. Morris and J. W. Gillespie, the lieutenants. The men were well armed with the arsenal arms. A cavalry company at Smithville was composed of 120 men, well mounted and armed. Theodore Duncan was captain, P. M. Savery, Wm. Davenport, J. E. Brooks, lieutenants, and J. W. Duncan, or- derly sergeant. In Gallatin township an infantry company of 80 men was ofBceretl by G. W. Crowley, captain, Amos Stout and R. H. Stout, lieutenants, and John Neal, orderly sergeant. May 1, the " Washington Guards," 43 men, were organized at Greenville. L. i\L Lewis, captain ; G. W. Mothcrshead, M. D. Scruggs, Richard Lattbon, lieutenants; John A. Perry, orderly. 202 HISTORY or CLAY COUNTY. At Gilead, on the 11th of May, a company for " home defeuse" was organized at a public meeting, of which Anthony Harseli was chair- man. The officers were O. H. Harris, captain ; W. W. Smith and Samuel Henderson, lieutenants, and Tapp Soper, oi-derly. Some of these companies were afterwards broken up, and reorgan- ized ; others changed their officers, but nearly all of the members did more or less service for the Confederate cause, at one period or an- other, during the war. About the 1st of May, Col. M. Jeff. Thompson, of St. Joseph, military inspector for this district under Gov. Jackson, came to Lib- erty, clad in full military uniform, with sword, sash, epaulets, etc., to look after the compau}^ organizations in this quarter. He made a speech at the court-house in which he said that in capturing the Lib- erty arsenal the Clay county men, though meaning well, had " acted the fool," as they had prevented the capture of the larger and more important arsenal at St. Louis ! News of the seizure here, he said, had been telegraphed to St. Louis in time to put Gen. Lyon on his guard. Upon the news of the capture of Camp Jackson the Missouri Legis- lature hastily ^jassed the famous" military bill" and adjourned. Gov. Jackson ordered several companies of the Missouri State Guard to assemble at the capital for its defeuse, and on the 20th of May, Capt. Koutt's company of " Mounted Rangers " and Capt. Theo. Duncan's Smithville cavalry company left the county, pursuant to orders, for Jeft'ersou City. Before leaving Libert}^ Capt. Eoutt's company was presented with a beautiful Missouri flag l)y a number of ladies. Miss Minnie Withers making the presentation. Notwithstanding what had already occurred, and the fact that preparations for war were still making everywhere, mau}^ yet strove for peace. Numbers of citizens protested against the enrollment of companies openly and boldly, and Capt. O. P. Moss declared that Col. Routt had no more right to capture the Liberty arsenal, with its government arms and munitions, than John Brown had to seize the arsenal at Harper's Ferr}^ The Tribune still opposed secession and war, and denounced the " military bill " in unstinted terms. GEN. DONIPHAN DECLINES A MILITARY APPOINTMENT. Under the provisions of the " militaiy bill " the State of Missouri was divided into militaty districts. Clay county was in the fifth dis- trict, composed of the counties of Atchison, Nodaway, Holt, Andrew, Buchanan, Platte and Cla}'. Gov. Jackson tendered the appointment HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 203 of brigadier-general of this district to Col. A. W. Doniphan, of Clay, but he refused it, saying that he did not desire the honors of a briga- dier at that time, as he had held that rank at the age of 29, and besides he had learned that Gens. Harney and Price had made a " treaty " by the terms of which peace was to be secured to the State anyhow.^ Governor Jackson then appointed Gen. A. E. Stein, an ex-lieutenant of the regular army, to the command. DEPARTURE OF THE SECESSION COMPANIES FOR THE WAR. Pursuant to the Harney-Price agreement Gov. Jackson ordered the companies of the State Guards to return to their respective counties from Jefferson. But May 31st Gen. Nathaniel Lyon succeeded G'en. Harney in command of the U. S. forces at St. Louis, and on the 11th of June, in an interview with Gen. Price and Gov. Jackson, he kicked over the agreement, and gave the Governor and his general two hours to leave St. Louis. Jackson and Price left for Jefferson City on a special train, burned the Osage river bridge behind them and cut the telegraph wires, and the next day the Governor issued a proclamation calling into the field 50,000 State militia " for the purpose of repell- ing invasion and for the protection of the lives, liberty and property of the citizens of this State." The Clay county companies had returned to their homes within a few days after their departure, but on the receipt of Jackson's re-call, Routt's, Duncan's and Mothershead's companies sprang into their sad- dles, and on the 13th departed for Independence, all well armed and well mounted, to assist the State Guards in driving out the Federal forces which had come to Kansas City under Capts. Sturgis and Prince. The same day occurred the skirmish at Rock Spring, in Jackson county, between the Missourians under Col. Halloway and the Federals under Lieut. D. S. Stanle}', and in which Halloway was killed. Sunday evening, "June 16, while in camp on the Blue, Capt. Theo. Duncan was shot by a member of another Secession company, who some aver was a half-insane man. A few days later the Smithville company returned home, owing to the wounding of their captain, ami to a misunderstanding and disagreement. Capt. Duncan died from his wound June 27, and was biu"ied at Liberty, the first victim of tlu; Civil AVar from Clay county. He had served in Moss' company in ' See " Proceedings of the Rebel Legislature," published by authority of tlie Twen- ty-Third General Assembly. 204 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. the Mexican War, and was not only a brave soldier, but a worthy citizen. Tlje man who shot Duncan was killed the next day by some of the Clay county men. A short time after the skirmish at Rock Spring the State Guards, Secession forces, were ordered to Lexington to perfect their organiza- tion. Lexington was in Gen. J. S. Rains' district, but hither many companies repaired from the north side of the river. In Clay Capt. Thos. McCarty organized a company of infantry, with A. J. Calhoun, J. C. Vertrees and R. P. Evans as lieutenants, and J. C. Dumi orderly. This company started for Lexington June 17, and on its arrival went into camp. Li a few days four other Clay county com- panies were at Lexington — Capt. Talhott's, Capt. Holt's, Capt. Mothershead's and Capt. Crowley's. Capt. Talbott succeeded H. L. Routt to the command of the " Mounted Rangers," Routt having been promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel. THE FIRST FEDERAL TROOPS. On the morning of June 19th Clay county was first invaded by the Federal troops. A company of regulars, commanded b}^ Capt. W. E. Prince, came over from Kansas City to Liberty, taking the people somewhat bj' surprise and creating no little consternation. About 20 of the State Guards were in town, mainly at the hotels, and were speedily made prisoners, and their arms and horses taken from them. They were released by taking an oath not to serve against the United States during the war, and mainly upon the solicitations of Capt. O. P. Moss, known to be a sound Union man, Capt. Prince gave them back their horses and private arms. Tlie Federals remained in town only a few hours. After cutting down the Secession flag which for some weeks had been floating undis- turbed, cheering for the Union, and " chaffing " the Secession people, they returned unmolested to Kansas City. A da_v or two previously Capt. Prince had sent over a spy, who on his return had fully apprised him of the situation. Some of the Secessionists believed that certain Unionists had been in communication with the Federals, and were responsible for their visit, and serious threats were made against the supposed informers. The paroled prisoners paid no regard to their paroles, but taking the same arms and horses which had been restored to them entered the Southern army within a few days. The next Federal soldiers that visited this quarter did not get off so easily and with equal success. Some time about the 12th of July Col. Stifel's regiment of St. Louis Germans (Fifth United States Re- HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 205 serve Corps), which had been at Lfyin<;1<)ii for some days, came up the Missouri on the steamer White Chiud to destro}' the ferry-boats on the river and prevent the crossing of the State Guards from the north side to the south. At Blue Mills landing they were fired on from the Jackson county side by some State Guards in ambush, and had one man killed and twelve men wounded.^ The fen-y-boat was burned, as were a warehouse and store-room at the landing. At Missouri City the German Federals seized a number of fire-arms and carried them oft". A few days later the same force came up the river on the way to Leavenworth to procure a company for the reinforcement of the Federal garrison then being formed at Lexington. A number of young men of this county repaired to the bottom, and when the boat came up opened fire on it with their rifles and shot-guns. No serious damage was done, but the Federals returned the fire and the Seces- sion boys ran away. EVENTS OF THE SUMMER AND EARLY FALL OF 1861. From the middle of July until the first part of September, 1861, the peace of the county was scarcely disturbed, save by the exciting news from Southwest Missouri, whither the State Guards had retreated after the fight at Boonville, and whither they had been followed t)y the Federal forces under Lyons and Sturgis. July 5 Capt. McCarty's company took part in the battle of Car- thage, and lost one man, Albert Withers, killed, and a number wounded. At Wilson's Creek, August 10, the following men from Clay county, under Gen. Price, were killed : Sergts. A. W. Marshall, John W. Woods and Amos Stout ; Privates David Morris, John Grant and Richard Gates. The wounded were : Geo. Hollingsworth, mortally ; Capt. Thos. McCarty, seriously, and Lieut. T. K. Gash, James Miller, J. B. Winn, C. S. Stark, Richard Talbott, Wm. Hymer and L. B. Thompson, more or less severely. The Clay county troops were attached to Col. C. C. Thornton's " extra battalion." Some time after the battle of Wilson's Creek many of McCarthy's company returned home, and their stories of that desperate conflict were listened to with great eagerness and interest by their friends and neighbors. Recruiting for Price's army was greatly stimulated by the tidings of the Federal defeats at Carthage and Wilson's Creek, and many hastened to enlist before the war should be over ! The Federals 1 Adjutant-Geueral's Report for 1SG5, p. 79. 206 HISTORY or CLAY COUNTY. at Kansas City and Leavenworth were quiet and kept well at home, and hundreds of men passed to and from Gen. Price with nothing to molest them or make them afraid. About this time there was one Federal officer found who did not enfoi'ce the doctrine of the old maxim that in time of war the law is silent. In August it was learned that Henry Harrison, the abscond- ing railroad contractor, was a soldier in the Federal army at Leaven- worth. Harrison had escaped from the Liberty jail by knocking down his keeper and running away. Jailer Ford, himself a Secessionisj;, went to Ft. Leavenworth and demanded the fugitive, who thought, doubtless, that his enlistment would prevent his return to the well- known "rebel" county of Clay. But Capt. Prince, the commander of the post, gave him up without a word of objection or remonstrance, and even sent a strong guard with him to the river to prevent the pos- sibility of his rescue or escape. The jailer reached Liberty with his prisoner in safety. Near the 1st of September Col. Boaz Rol)erts and Majs. Tiiorntou and Morris came up from Price's army, and brought word that the Southern troops needed clothing and other supplies. An open, pub- lic meeting was held at the court-house to take measures for their re- lief. The contributions were considerable. Committees were appointed for each township to secure additional aid, and especially to furnish cloth to the jKitriotic Southern ladies, who gladly agreed to make it up into clothing for " the boys " in th^ tented field. In the latter part of August and during the. first week in September several Union men either left the county^ through fear or were driven out by armed Secessionists. In Liberty Capt. O. P. Moss, James H. Moss, E. M. Samuel and Judge James Jones were forced to flee under the penalty of being " put out of the way," and they made their way up to the Union settlement of Mirabile, Caldwell county, where they were safe for a time. There must have been a serious state of aSairs for the Unioifmen, when men of such undoubted personal courage as the Mosses could be induced to leave by threats and hostile mes- sages. PROCLAMATION OF GKN. STEIN RALLYING TO HIS STANDARD. In the latter part of August Gen. Stein,' the commander under Gov. Jackson of this military district, issued a proclamation to the people in order to stimulate them to enlistment in the Southern ser- 1 Gen. Stein was killed at llie battle of Trairie Grove, Ark., December 6, 1862. HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 207 vice. Hitherto Gen. Stein's division had existed chiefly on paper. It contained but few men. The Chiy county Secession troops were chiefly attached to Gen. Slack's division, and Stein was especially de- sirous of recruiting his command to something like respectable pro- portions. For some time it had been merely a laughing stock. Following is a copy of the proclamation referred to : — To the Peoph of the Fifth District. I, as your Brigadier-General, call on you to arouse and come to the rescue of your State. Your State has been invaded by a Northern army, your rights have been trampled on, the privacy of your firesides have {sic) been disregarded. Will you tamely submit to the dictates of a tyrant? JSfo! every man exclaims. Then come and meet the in- vader, transfer the war from 3'our own homes, meet them in other parts of the State, and never stop until the last foe has " bit the dust," or been driven from your State. Organize into companies of from 50 to 100. Come, and I will lead you to victory. Bring your shot-guns and rifles ; they have been tried on the plains of Carthage and Springfield, and they did good work. Come, and do not wait for the army to get to your homes before you come out. A. E. Stein, August 25, 1861. Brigadier-General. Stein's proclamation, albeit not seemingly a very spirited, thrilling or even well-worded document, was not altogether without effect. Soon after its appearance, or by the 10th of September, a considerable force of Secession troop rendezvoused at Lexington, under Col. H. L. Routt, of this county, encamping in the fair grounds in front of the Federals under Mulligan. In Clay L. B. Dougherty commanded a company, of which Lina Roberts, James A. Gillespie and L. A. Robertson were lieutenants. Two other companies raised in this county about the same time were Capt. John S. Gi'oom's and Capt. P. C. Pixlee's. All three of these companies repaired to Lexington to await the coming of Gen. Price's army, then known to be on its way up from Springfield. The following Clay county companies participated in the siege of Lexington and assisted in the capture of 2,800 Federals under Col. Mul- ligan, who surrendered September 20. Clay county men were present during the siege, which lasted eight days, and took a hand as mem- bers of other commands, but the regularly organized companies from this county were those of Capt. G. W. Mothershead, Gideon Thomp- son, L. B. Dougherty, Johh S. Groom and P. C. Pixlee. Out of perhaps 400 men engaged. Clay county had but two or three wounded at Lexinston. 208 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. THE BATTLE OF BLUE MILLS. Preliminary to an account of the battle of Blue Mills — if it he projoer to call that insignificant collision of hostile forces, unimportant in character and indecisive in results, a battle — it is proper to detail the situation preceding and the circumstances which led to it. When Gen. Price's army had reached the Osage river, on its way northward to Lexington, whei'e the Federals were under Mulligan, the general dispatched swift messengers ahead with orders to the State Guards and other Secession forces in Northeast and Northwest Mis- souri to meet him at Lexington. Gen. Thomas A. Harris and Col. Martin E. Green responded with a force of 2,500 or 3,000, crossing the Missouri at Glasgow, after a brief but rather creditable campaign against the Federals under Pope and Hurlbut and the then Col. U. S. Grant. In Northwest Missouri — in the counties of Gentry, Andrew, Nod- away, Holt, Buchanan and DeKalb — hundreds of men had organized for service in the Southern cause, but found it difficult and dangerous to get to the army of Gen. Price, where they must be in order to be effective ; for the Federals in this quarter, though not numerous, were vigilant and active and in addition to their being stationed in the prin- cipal towns they were keeping all the principal fords and crossings of the Missouri. But at last, about the 15th of September, these forces under their own leaders, having received the orders of Gen. Price, succeeded in uniting near St. Joseph, and set out at once for Lex- ington. All told the Northwest Missourians numbered about 3,500 men, as follows: From the fifth military district (Gen. Stein's), thei'e were five regiments of infantry, under Col. J. P. Saunders, and one regi- imeut of cavalry, under Col. Wilfley ; from the fourth district (Gen. Slack's), there were five regiments of infantry, under Col. Jefl'. Patton and one battalion of cavalry, under Col. Childs.^ There was also Capt. E. V. Kelly's battery of three guns. The total number is and was variously estimated. The Liberty Tribune, of September 20, 1861, said of the command : — About 4,000 State troops passed through the cit}' on Mondaj' last, on their way to Lexington. Most of them were mounted and tlie baggage train numl)ered over sixty wagons. They had three caniuni — two six-pounders and one nine-pounder. 1 See D. R. Atchison's report. HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 209 Col. Saunders, in his report, mentions but 1,500, aside from Col. Boyd's and some other commands. From the best evidence now to be had it is quite probable that the number did not exceed 3,500. On the evening of September 15th Geu. Price sent forward from Lexington Hon. D. R. Atchison, to hasten forward the recruits for whose arrival he was waiting to begin active operations against Mulli- gan and his cooped-up Federals. Atchison reached Liberty the next day, and met the troops and pushed them forward to Blue Mills Land- ing, where a considerable portion of them, including the artillery (Kelly's battery), crossed the same night. The remainder were wait- ing their turns. At this time the Federals had forces at Cameron and at the Hanni- bal and St. Joe railroad bridge across Platte river. Those at Platte river were the Sixteenth Illinois infantry. Col. R. F. Smith, and some companies of the Thirty-ninth Ohio, Col. Groesbeck. At Cameron there were the Third Iowa infantry, Lieut. Col. John Scott, and four companies of Missouri Home Guards ; of the latter, one company, 35 strong, was from Adair county, under command of Capt. Cupp ; one — merely a squad — from Macon, under Capt. Winters ; two from Caldwell county, one under Capt. E. D. Johnson and the other under Capt. M. L. James. All the troops at Cameron were infantry, except Capt. James' homo guard company, which was mounted. Learning of the movement of the Northwest Missourians towards Gen. Price's army, Gen. Pope, then in command of the Federal troops in North Missouri, determined to intercept them. Accordingly, pur- suant to his orders, Col. Smith set out from Platte river bridge and Col. Scott from Cameron, with instructions to unite at Liberty the day before the Secession troops should reach that point. Col. Scott moved more rapidly and more continuously than Col. Smith, and reached Liberty early on the morning of the 17th, " the day after the fair," as the Secessionists had passed through the day before, and half of them were already across the river and safely on the way to Gen. Price at Lexington. Col. Scott was using the Caldwell county Home Guards, under com- mand of Capt. Moses L. James, as an advance guard, they being mounted. At about 8 o'clock an encounter occurred between a de- tachment of this company, numbering 40 men, under the command of Lieut. James Call, of the Third Iowa, and the rear guard of the Secession forces, commanded by Col. Childs, and consisting of his battalion of cavalry, 300 men. This encounter took place about three miles south of Liberty, on the road to Blue Mills, or Owens' Landing, 210 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. and resulted ia the complete discomfiture of the Caklwell Home Guards, four of whom were killed outright and one wounded. The remainder retreated in some confusion, but all, or nearly all, ultimately joined Col. Scott at Liberty. Scott was in something of a quandary. He feared to attack the Missouriaus (who, as everybody informed him, largely outnumbered his forces) unless Smith would join him, and Smith was " long, long on the way." The lowan sent some of his mounted men out to meet. Smith and hurry him forward. He also sent out other scouts to dis- cover, if possible, the situation at the river. Some of these exchanffed shots with the enemy, but could learn nothing except that they were crossing as rapidly as possible and seemed more eager to get to Gen. Price than to fight. Col. Scott thought if they were attacked they would stop to fight, and that he could hold them until Smith came up. Accordingly he concluded to attack them. About 11 o'clock some of the fugitives from the skirmish with the Secession rear guard reached town and reported to Col. Scott, who now resolved to move his command down to the scene and if possible prevent the further crossing of the Missouriaus. He determined not to wait for Smith, but dispatched another messenger to him informing him of the situation. Accordingly, with some 500 men of the Third Iowa, the Adair county Home Guards, the Caldwell county company, and 15 volun- teer artillerists in charge of a six-pounder brass cannon — in all about 600 men — Col. Scott moved toward Blue Mills Landing. Reaching the pickets of the State Guards, the Federals were fired on and halted. The State Guards fell back, and after some little time spent in recon- noitering, Col. Scott concluded they had retreated, and again ordered the advance. Col. Saunders, in command of the State Guards, had full knowl- edge of the movements of the Federals, and was well prepared to re- ceive them. The ground was well calculated for an amljush, each side of the narrow road being thickly wooded and filled with vines and rank shrul)bery, forming an almost impenetrable jungle, and well adapted for concealing a considerable armed force. Some years be- fore a cyclone had uprooted a number of trees, which now formed admiraljle vantage points for the riflemen, and on the west side of the road ran a then dry slough with a considerable eml)ankment, forming a good strong breastwork. Into this thicket Col. Jefl". Patton's regi- ment of Northwest Missouriaus was placed, on both sides of the road. Supporting them were other battalions and companies, and from the HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 211 best iiiformatiou now to be obtained, the State Guards and the Fed- erals were about equal in numbers — 600 on each side; the State Guards may have numbered 700. As the Federals were marching gaily along, " eager for a fight," as they said, suddenly a galling fire was opened upon them from both sides of the road. A fierce little fight was begun and kept up for nearly an hour. But the advantage was with the Missourians from the start until the close, and the Federals were at last driven from the field, and retreated into Liberty in something like disorder and more of haste. Their artillery was of little service to them. The \)\ece, as stated, was manned by German volunteers, under a sergeant, whose name is best i*emembered as Waldeschmidt, and the surprise was so perfect that only a few rounds could l)e fired,' and they were not effective. The alleged artillerists abandoned the gun, and it would have been captured had not a few plucky lowans rallied to it and drawn it away. The Federals returned the Hre, but they declared they " saw noth- ing to shoot at," and so those of their shots which took effect were chance ones. Some of them were driven back into ]\Ir. Beauchamp's wheat field, and here it is said they saw their enemies. A wagon imi)rovised into a caisson and loaded with ammunition was left on the field. The fight took place about four miles east of south of Liberty, or between the wooden bridge across the town branch, a little below the arsenal, and Mr. Beauchamp's, though extending a little beyond (n. e. Visec. 33, tp. 51, range 31). The locality is a mile below where now (1885) the Wabash railroad crosses the comity road to the ferry landing. A few, and only a few. Clay county men took part in the Blue Mills fight, against the Federals, of course. These had joined Col. Saunders' forces as they passed through. Returning to Liberty Col. Scott found that Col. Smith had come up with about 2,500 troops, and was in camp about the square in Col. Lighlburne's orchard. Everything was now safe on the Federal side, and equally safe on the Secession side. Col. Saunders had not seen proper to follow up his victory, as it would seem he could have done — and if so should have done — and was content to get across the river without further molestation. Col. SauQders says the piece was fired sis times, but Col. Scott says it was dis- charged but twice. 212 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. The Federals visited the field that night, and succeeded in remov- ing nearly all of thgir wonnded. The next day all were brought back and taken to ths William Jewell College building, which was con- verted into a hospital. The Federal surgeons had their hands full for a day or two, and were assisted by Dr. "\Y. A. Morton and perhaps another local sui-geon. The Federal dead were buried in the college grounds, a little north of the buildings, aud there yet all or nearly all of theui still lie, "Under the sod and the dew, waiting the judgment day." September 20 two companies of Home Guards from Kansas Citj'-, imder Capts. Hyde and Thomas, came down to Liberty Lauding on the steamer Majors, and mai'ching thence to Liberty, removed all the wounded able to be transported to Kansas City, where they were cared for till they I'ecovered. These companies also took away with them some blasting powder and a few tools that the Secessionists had left the previous April at the seizure. But there were no arms left for them to take. THE KILLED AND WOUNDED. According to the best information obtainable, discarding all wild and sensational repoi'ts made without grounds and never authenticated, the Federal loss in the Blue Mills fight amounted to 14 killed outright on the field — 7 in the Third Iowa, 1 of the German artillerists, and 4 of the Caldwell county Home Guards, aud 2 of the Adair county Home Guards. In the Third Iowa there were mortally wounded : David H. Dill, Co. E, died September 28; Michael Wierna, Co. H, died November 19 ; Larian T. Washburn, Co. I, died next day, Sep- tember 18. This information is obtained from official records, muster rolls, etc., yet on file in the offices of the adjutant-generals of Iowa and Missouri, and agrees with the memory of Dr. W. A. Morton, who was at the Federal hospital. The Federal wounded amounted to about to about 80 — 74 in the Third Iowa, 3 of the Caldwell Home Guards, and 3 or 4 of the German artillerists and Adair Home Guards. The loss of the Missourians was 3 killed dead on the field — James W. Gillespie, of Patton's regiment; Dr. John Ross, of Wiltiey's regiment; and William Pope, unattached — and it is believed that 2 more died of their wouuds within a week. The wounded numbered 17 or 18. Of course other publications, biased in favor of one side or the HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 213 other, have phiced the number of killed and wounded much larger. Immediately after the engagement each side grossly exaggerated the loss of the other — the wish fathering the thought in this particular — and each side, too, vastly over-estimated the forces of the other. The statements of the leading officers were seized upon by their respective partisans, and lost nothing in volume by their currency and circulation, until finally it came to be believed in certain quartei'S that 100 or more Federals were killed and three times as many wounded, and in certain other quarters that four score " rebels " had bitten the dust and a proportionate number wounded. Happily official records, complete and perfectly authenticated, with no motive noio for prevaricating or concealing the truth, do not leave anything to be guessed. In the light of these, and in the face of other testimony corroborative, and with no design of disparaging the veracity of either Col. Scott or Col. Saunders, it is l)ut the plain simple truth that when one said, " the loss of the enemy (the Mis- sourians) * * * from accounts deemed reliable, is not less than 160," and " his total force about 4,400," and the other said, "the enemy (the Federals) admitted a loss of 150 to 200 killed, wounded and missing," and that " 42 were left dead on the field," — both were mistaken. REPORTS OF THE LEADERS. The official records of Col. Scott, commanding the Federals, Col. Saunders, commanding the Missouri State Guards, or Secession forces, and Gen. D. E. Atchison, a volunteer ^JW tern., serving under the orders of Gen. Price, are herewith given as necesgar}' portions of an account of the engagement at Blue Mills. report of col. saunders. Regimental Headquarters, 1 Lexington, September 21, 1861. ^ Brig.-Gex. a. E. Stein — I have the honor to submit to you the following report of an engagement on the 17th at Blue Mills ferry, between the State forces under my command, and a body of some 1,100 Federal troops. From the hour of leaving St. Joseph until I reached the river at Blue Mills, reports of the enemy hanging on our rear were hourly received. But upon the night of the 16th relialjle information reached us of the enemy's presence in considerable force (estimated variously at from 1,.500 to 3,000) upon the Centerville road, some 12 miles distant. My command, consisting of my own regiment of infantry, embrac- ing 11 companies, numbering about 400 men ; Col. Jefl'. Patton's regi- ment of infantry of aljout the same number; Lieut. -Col. AVilflev's 214 HISTOKT OF CLAY COUNTY. regiment of cavalry of an equal number; Col. Child's battalion of some 300 men reaclaed the Missouri river at about four o'clock on the 16th, but could not commence crossing until 2 o'clock a. m. on the 17th, the boats being occupied by Major Boj'd's troops, who reached the ferry in advance of me. My orders being imperative to push on, I permitted no delay in crossing, with such facilities as were at my command. When about one-fourth of my train, consisting of about 100 wagons, were crossed about 8 o'clock a. m. my pickets were driven in. I had posted Col. Child's some four miles back upon the road with his battalion, and when his men were driven in, he took prompt steps to hold the enemy in check until I should be prepared to receive them. The ready and judicious disposition of this officer in the morning, as well as his gallantr}^ later in the day, deserves the highest com- mendation, and is especiall}' brought to your attention. After some sparring between pickets, Col. Childs succeeded in kill- ing four and severely wounding one man, who was left upon the road and was afterwards given up to his friends. After reconnoitering I concluded the enem}' had retired and marched my men — who had been formed in order of battle — back to the river and proceeded with the work of crossing, when, at 3 o'clock, about one-half had crossed, reducing my eliective force which could be ralli'ed, to about 600, our pickets were again driven in. I ordered Cols. Patton and Childs forward with such forces as could be hastil}' formed, and directed Lieut. -Col. Cundift'to go forward with the remainder of my regiment while I should rally and bring up all the available forces not yet over the river. The enemy opened on us with grape from a brass six-pounder, which my men silenced at the sixth round, killing all their artillery men (except one, who was slightlv wounded and taken prisoner) and their horses, f he men from the rear now commenced reaching the scene of action, and adding their cheers to those in front, the enera}' commenced flying, leaving their caisson on the ground containing 123 shell and a large lot of canister, grape and round shot. My men ran them some three miles, and only desisted when quite exhausted. The officers and men under my commtind behaved most gallantly, and de- serve especial notice for their bravery, and coolness during the action. If I had had artillery, I doubt not I should have taken the piece opened upon us, with all the enemy's baggage. M}' loss was 1 killed and 17 wounded, as follows: OfCapt. Fisher's company, W. P. McGee, dangerously wounded; P. Smith Roberts, slightly wounded. Of Capt. Sidlivan's company, J. B. Still, slightly wounded. Of Capt. T. Owens' company, Wm. Willis, seriously wounded. Of Capt. Edmonson's company, Wm. L. Carson, dangerously wounded ; James White, slightly wounded. Of Capt. Petram's company, Conrad Sharp, seriously wounded. Of Capt. Finne3''s company, James York and Wheeler South, both sliiihtlv wounded. HISTORY OF CLAT COUNTY. 215 Of Col. Patton's regiment, James W. Gillespie, killed ; Robert Austin, Geo. A. Bell, J. T. Thornton, slightly wounded. Of Col. Wilfley's regiment. Dr. John Ross, killed ; B. Allen, Chas. Thorp and Thos. Spencer, seriously wounded ; James A. Burnham, slightl}' wounded. The enemy admitted a loss of 150 to 200 killed, wounded and miss- ing; 42 were left dead on the field. We got the prisoners, who are still in my hands. Several gentlemen not in any company or of- ficial capacity deserve especial mention for gallantry and activity ; among those were G. W. Van Lear, of St. Joseph, and Win. Pope, of Buchanan county ; the latter fell mortally wounded in the very front of my advancing column. Respectfully, etc., J. P. Saunders, Col. Missouri Stiite Guards. HON. D. R. Atchison's report. Lexington, Mo., September 21, 1867. Sir — In pursuance of your orders I left this place on the evening of the 15th inst. and proceeded forthwith to Liberty, C\ay county. Mo., where I met the State Guard on the march from the Northwest — live regiments of infantry, under the command of Col. Saunders, and one regiment of cavalry, under the command of Col. Willley, from the fifth district ; five regiments of infantry, under command of Col. Jetf. Patton, and one battalion of cavalry, under Col. Childs, from the fourth district. I delivered your orders to the above connnands to hasten to this point (Lexington) with as much dis[)atch as possible. They marched forthwith, and arrived at the Missouri river about four o'clock in the evening, when Col. Boyd's artillery and battalion and baggage were crossed over to the south, where the colonel took his position, Capt. Kelly planting his artillery so as to completely com- mand the river. The crossing continued all night without interrup- tion, every officer and man using his best exertions. We received news during the night that the enemy would be in the town of Liberty, about six miles distant from Blue Mills ferry, at an early hour the ensuing morning. We were crossing in three small flats, and much time was necessary to move the large train of some hundred wagons. Col. Childs with his command had taken post for the night about two miles from Liberty on the road to the ferry. Here he engaged the enemy's advance or pickets in the morning, killing four and wound- ing one, with no loss on our side. The enemy fled and we heard no more of them until 3 or 4 o'clock, when their approach was announced in large force, supposed to be al)out 000 men, with one piece of artil- ery (a 6-pounder). The men of our command immediately formed. Col. Jefl". Patton leading the advance, to meet the enemy. After pro- ceeding about three miles from the river they met the advance guard of the enemy and the flght commenced. But the Federal troops al most immediately fled, our men pursuing rapidly, shooting them down until they annihilated the rear of their army, taking one cais- 9 216 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. >on, killing about 60, and wounding it is said, about 70. The Federal 1 roops attempted two or three times to make a stand, but ran after trui^sactio:. of business was required to consist of 17 Senators and 67 I?or''esei.l.itiYe-. Be that as it may, the secession ordinance and the net of innexatif r to the Southern Confederacy were approved by the Confederate C'^ngress at Richmond, recognized by that portion of the |) '^iiie of Mis. ouri who were in favor " of cutting loose from the old UiAion," and Gen. Price fired a salute in honor thereof. And so those Mijsuurians, then and afterwards in arms against the Federal flag, became entitled to the name of Confederates, and will so be denom- inated in future pages of this history, instead of being called " State ■iuards," "Secessionists," "Southern troops," etc., as they have hitherto been spoken of. On Sunday, December 8, about 2,000 Federal troops, under com- mind of Gen. Ben. M. Prentiss, appeared in Liberty and remained until the following Tuesday. During their stay quite a number of citizens of Confederate proclivities were arrested and forced to take an oath of loyalty to the Federal Government. Among these was Robert. H. Miller, editor of the Tribune, who was required to agree not to publish any more " secesh " articles in his paper. When he left Gen. Prentiss carried off with him Dr. Patton, Judge Vertrees, Deputy Sheriff J. J. Moore, Constable J. H. Ford, and 9 others. CHAPTiER VIII. DURING THE YEAR 1862. The " Gambk: Oalli " — It In Taken by a Majority of the County OfflclalH — Mlscel- laticouH — I'arker'M Italil on I^lberty — The Kcign of Pcnick — Organization of the Enrolled Mllltla — MlHcellancous Military Matters — November Election, 1802. TJIK " OAMISLi: OATH." Aftorthe reorganization of tiio Missouri State Govcrnmont by ordi- nance of tlie State Convention — witii Hamilton K. Gamble as Pro- visional Governor, Willard P. Hall as Lieut. -Governor, Mordecai Oliver as Secretary of State, etc., — it was required that all county ofBcers (and many others) should take an oath of allegiance, not only to the United States, but to the Provisional Government. In this county some of the oflicials refused to take this oath, but whether this refusal was upon the grounds that the Gaml)le government was illegal or that they considered Missouri, under the Neosho ordinance of Secession, one of the Confederate States, can not here b(! stated. For a time, owing to the disturbed comJition of affairs incident to military occupation, pul)lic business was practically suspended. IJiit at last, after due deliberation, and upon a consideration of all tlie circumstances, it was concluded that it was best to accept the sil nation and to recognize the authority of the Federal and State Governments. Some of the officers took the oath willingly, others with a mental rescirvation. In January, 18(J2, the county court assembled at LibiMly. All tint oilic(!rs had been reappointed, and had taken the Gamble oatli. TIks jiisLices were Thomas M.Chovis, Alvah Maret and Isaac Wood ; clerk, Kphraim D. Murray. Public business was transacted as usual. Jn March the court assembled, and con- sidering the cases of many of the justiiies of the peace of tlie county who had resigned rather than take the oath, reappointed nearly all of them, and the most of them afterward served. In the circuit court Judge George W. Dunn had refused to take the oath, and rovisional government of Missouri. That the course I took in the Legislature of Missouri since these troubles commenced (though dictated by honest motives at the time), was injurious to the State and to the Union, I freely admit, and I will hereafter, as a private citizen, do all I can to repair the injury and ruin resulting therefrom. I can, as you know, do much in my county and my old senatorial district, to restore peace, lo3'alt}' and good feel- ing among the people. I will use my influence to restore law and order, and will oppose, discountenance, and, if need be, assist in de- stroying all bands of men who aim to trample law and order under their feet. The State has already sulfered enough, and I will, with you, and all other law-abiding men, urge the people to return to their allegiance to the United States Government, and to sustain our present Provisional Government, as the only means for peace and prosperity. 1 am fully convinced that this is the duty of all good men. Respectfully, J. T. V. Thompson. Soon after his arrival at Liberty, Col. Penick began a system of general arrest and apprehension of those of our citizens who had iden- tified themselves with the rebellion. These were for the most part taken at their homes and brought to Liberty, where the oath of loy- alty was administered to them, and then upon giving an approved l)ond for the observance of their oath they were released and allowed to depart in peace, even if in mortification. The first victims were B. W. Nowlin and S. D. Nowlin, who were released upon giving bonds of $5,000 each. Among those brought up in May was Franklin James, afterwards the notorious bandit, who took the oath and gave a $1,000 bond for the faithful observance of its terms. * Many citizens came forward voluntarily and took the oath, and in HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 227 time so many had subscribed to the sworn and solemn pledges of faithful allegiance to the Federal government that it would seem Clay county was as loyal as any county in " bleeding Kansas." Our peo- ple had stvoi-ii to their loyalty, while the Kansans only protested theirs. The oath required to be taken was printed on a blank duly filled out and signed by the party sworn, and was as follows : — The undersigned solemnly swears that he will bear true faith and allegiance to the Government of the United States of America and support the Constitution thereof as the supreme law of the land ; that he will never take up arms against said Government, or those who may be acting under its authority ; that he will never, by word, act, or deed, knowingly give aid or comfort, or in any manner encourage armed opposition to the Government of the United States, but that, on the contiary, he will do all in his power as a citizen to prevent such opposition, and to discourage the same wherever it is being made. He makes this oath freely and voluntarily, with no mental reservations or restrictions whatever, honestly intending, at all times hereafter to keep the same, in spirit as well as in letter, and to conduct himself as a peaceable, law-abiding citizen of the United States. This I do sol- emnly swear, so help me God. (Signature.) April 27, another large public meeting was held at Liberty ; many of Penick's men were present. Ex-Gov. King spoke and was followed by Col. Thompson, who graphically and humorously described his disastrous experience in following the fortunes of the Confederacy, and the result, and then seriously addressing his audience he declared that it was folly to think of contending longer against the mighty armies and vast resources of the Federal government : that the Con- federate government would ultimately perish from the earth ; that there might be required three or four years more of war to demon- strate this, but the end would surely come, and the Confederacy fall, and if the war lasted two years more slavery would fall with it, while if tlie wai- ceased then (" now ") slavery would be preserved. Col. Thompson declared himself emphatically for peace, and altogether f)pposed to bushwhacking, and finally said he would live honorably up to the terms of his release and to every syllable of the oath he had taken. Some time in the latter part of the winter Col. H. M. Routt, who had returned from the Confederate army, tilled of the war, was ar- rested at his home in Liberty and -taken to St. Louis on a charge of treason, in leading the force that captured the Liberty arsenal. Ex- pressing a willingness to take the oath of loj'alty, and fully acknowl- 228 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. edging the " error of his past ways," upon the influence of certain prominent UnVon men, he was granted a full and free pardon by President Lincoln, and soon returned home. He, too, like Col. Thompson, declared the war of secession had been and would con- tinue to be a failure, and that its further continuance would be a gross wrong if not a crime. Thus the two men who were the most prominent among the first Secessionists of Clay county, each a stalwart among the stalwarts; were the first to abandon the cause to its fate and to cry for peace. Col. Routt was the first prominent officer from the county to enter the Southern service, and was the first to leave it. Col. Thompson was among the first to proclaim the doctrine and policy of secession, and was the first to declaim against it. It is not untrue to say that they were consistent in both courses. Believing secession to be politic and right in April, 1861, it was proper they should advocate it and support it. Believing in April, 1862, that secession was wrong and impolitic, it was proper they should denounce it. But Thompson and Routt made but few proselytes among the Clay county Confederates in arms. They not only refused to desert their new colors, but cursed them for " getting them into the scrape," and then getting out of the scrape themselves in the easiest but most dis- creditable way. Now it is perhaps only the truth to say that it was Col. Penick's dictation and counsel — and it may have been his orders — that brought about these meetings and the speeches and acts of Thompson and Routt. He advised the people to a course of submission, and granted favors to those who obeyed him for a time. But after a brief season he lost nearly all of the advantages he had gained on account of the lawless conduct of his men. People learned to hate the Union cause because they somehow considered "Penick's thieves" its exponents. ORGANIZATION OF THE ENROLLED MISSOURI MILITIA. On the 22d of July, 1862, whan Cols. Jo. Porter and J. A. Poiu- dexter were leading large forces of newly I'ecruited Confederates through North and Northeast Missouri, and Cols. John T. Hughes, John T. Cofl^ee, Vard Cockerell, Joe Shelby and other Confederate (ifficers were slashing about through Jackson, Johnson, Lafayette and Saline counties, and the Feder^il forces in the State-seemed pow- erless to interfere with them — Gov. Gamble issued an order for the organization " of the entire militia of the State into companies, regi- HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 229 ments and brigades," for the purpose of " putting down all such ma- rauders, and defending the peaceable citizens of the Suite." This order of Gov. Gamble's had a most wonderful effect in creat- inir soldiers. It threw into partially active and irregular service on the Federal side many thousands of men, and it drove into the Con- federate army nearly 10,000 other men who had from the first vowed that if they were forced to take up arms they would enlist under the banner of the stars and bars. In Clay county the conservative Union men, chiefly under the lead- ership of Col. J. H. Moss, decided to obey the order at once, and organize the militia of this county under the auspices of the Conser- vative Union party, to protect the county against all " marauders," whether guerrillas and bushwhackers from Missouri or jayhawkers and red-legs from Kansas. In the latter part of July three companies of enrolled militia were organized at Liberty. The first companj- had for officers, Anthony Harsell,^ captain ; T. N. O'Bryant andR. W. Flemming, lieutenants ; second company, J. H. Moss, captain ; Wm. A. McCarty, C. J. White, lieutenants ; third company, W. G. Garth, captain ; Arch. Lincoln, J. S. Thomason, lieutenants. A fourth company, organized for the defense of Liberty, and composed of " exempts," had O. P. Moss for captain, and A. J. Calhoun and Wm. T. Reynolds for lieu- teilants. The companies averaged 80 men each. The companies of enrolled militia in Clay and Platte were organized in September into a regiment denominated the Forty-eighth Regi- ment of Enrolled Missouri Militia. Of the field officers of this regi- ment the following were from Clay county : James H. Moss, colonel; C. J. White, adjutant; W. T. Reynolds, quartermaster; W. A. Morton, surgeon. The following were the Clay county com- panies in the Forty-eighth. Company D — Captain, Anthony Harsel ; first lieutenant, T. N. O'Bryant, resigned January 8, 1863, succeeded by Benj. Jaggers, second lieutenant, R. W. Flemming. Company E — Captains, J. H. Moss, promoted to colonel; Wm. A. McCarty, resigned February 11, 1863; A. W. Tracey. First lieutenants, W. A. McCarty, promoted to captain ; W. S. Garvey, resigned December 7, 1862 ; A. W. Tracey, promoted to captain February 14, 1863 ; John W. Younger. Second lieutenants, C. J. 1 The night after Capt. Harsell eatered the service, the Confederates burned his house, with nearly all its contents. 230 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. White, promoted to adjutant ; James D. Baxter, resigned April 17, 1863 ; John Collier. Company F — Captain, Wm. G. Garth. First lieutenants, Archi- bald Lincoln, resiirned November 11, 1862; John S. Thomason. Second lieutenants, John S. Thomason, promoted to first lieutenant: Thomas J. Bowman. Company H — Captains, John E. Green, promoted to major Sep- tember 29, 1862 ; Solomon G. Bigelow. First lieutenants, Sol. G.- Bigelow, promoted to captain; J. S. McCord. Second lieutenants, J. S. McCord, promoted to first lieutenant October 18, 1862 ; Taylor Hulin. Company K — Captain, Darius Sessions, killed by the bushwhackers at Missouri City, May 19, 1863. First lieutenants, Ben. R. Everts, resigned January 2, 1863 ; Wm. T. Davis. Second lieutenant, De Wilton Mosely. In consequence of the extraordinary reduction in numbers of this regiment by I'emovals from the State, payment of commutation tax in lieu of military sei'vice, volunteering in the United States' service, etc., this regiment was disbanded November 1, 1863, and the com- missions of officers, with the exception of Col. Moss, were revoked. Col. Moss was retained in commission, and instructed to reorganize the effective militia of Clay, Platte and Clinton counties. He was afterward made colonel of the Eighty-second Enrolled Missouri, one of the regiments of the "Paw-Paw" militia, fully mentioned elsewhere in this volume. MISCELLANEOUS. For a time Maj. JI. L. James, of Catherwood's regiment, was in command at Liberty. He it was who had commanded the Caldwell countv Home Guards in the Blue Mills fight. Drunkenness became so common among the soldiers, and was of such aggravated form that the major issued strict orders in Ma}', that no more spirituous liquors were to be sold to his men, and the severest penalties were threatened against all offenders. One incident i-egarding the estimation in which slavery was held in certain Federal sections ought to be mentioned, as a fact for one reason, as a curiosity for another. In the month of May, of this^'ear 1862, four runaway Missouri slaves, the property of Mrs. Sarah Davis, were arrested near Topeka, Kan., and returned to their owner mainly by the assistance of the Federal military authorities. They were l)rought to Liberty and put in the county jail for safe keeping, taken in HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 231 charo;e bv the sheriff, and so on, all the same as before the war. But the rule was, even before as well as during the war, that when a slave escaped from Missouri to Kansas he was practically as free as if he had his deed of emancipation in his pocket. During the first pai't of the month of August a number of stirring military incidents occurred in the adjoining counties. At Independ- ence August 11, and at Lone Jack five days later, occurred two im- portant and memorable conflicts between the Federals and Confederates, in both of which the Federals were defeated, though after stubborn fighting. For the numbers engaged the battle of Lone Jack was one of the hardest ever fought in Missouri, or perhaps any- where, during the Civil War. Perhaps 200 Clay county men took part in these engagements. Capt. Grooms, Col. Gideon Thompson and Col. Boaz Roberts were there at the head of considerable commands. At ludependeuce Col. John T. Hughes, who had formerly been a prominent citizen of Clay, the author of " Doniphan's Expedition to Mexico," aud who has been frequently referred to in preceding pages of this volume, was killed. Among the Confederate killed at Lone Jack was Wash Thompson. Other Clay men were killed and a number wounded. At this time Confedei-ate raiders were on both sides of the river. Down in Carroll county Maj. John L. Mirick had 500 men, too strong for a force of Penick's men under Maj. Biggers, sent against them, and the first week in August Penick himself went down with the re- mainder of his regiment, leaving Capt. Harsel with some newly enrolled militia in command. There was considerable uneasiness lest Liljerty should l)e taken, but the strong Confederate bands in Jack- son county could not cross the river, and the danger passed. After the Lone Jack fight Lexington was seriously menaced by the Confederates. From Liberty Penick and his command and the en- rolled militia companies under Capts. Moss, Harsell and Garth went down to reinforce the Federal garrison. Capt. O. P. Moss was the only ofiicer in command at Liberty, or even in Clay county, for a few days. Wheu Penick returned he remained i)ut a day or two, and then, with his entire regiment, he left for Jackson county, leaving the enrolled militia to take care of Clay. Thursday, August 14, Col. Penick, with 50 men, went from Liberty into Platte, to break up a baud of alleged bushwhackers, though per- haps they were really Confederate recruits that had formed in the southeastern part of that county, three miles southwest of Barry. Nearing the camp Penick made inquiries concerning it of two citizens 10 232 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. there living, but they declared that it was not within three miles. A few hundred yards fui'ther, the bushwhackers were encountered, in ambush, ready and waiting. At the first fire two Federals were killed outright, one mortally wounded and two others seriously hurt. The Federals were thrown into confusion, but rallied, and then both par- ties retreated. Penick took out the two citizens, who he claimed had betrayed him, shot them and burned the house and barn. August 23, a band of Kansas jayhawkers and red-legs made a raid on the southwest portion of Clay. Word was br.ought to Liberty and Capt. H. B. Johnson, of Penick's regiment, in command, sent 30 enrolled militia, under Lieuts. Flemming and Thomason, after them. The raiders were found in the bottom between Liberty and Kansas City. The militia fired on them, attacking them as savagely as if they had been Confederate bushwhackers, wounded a number, took four prisoners and recovered 25 negroes and 30 horses, which the ras- cals had stolen from our citizens and were carrying off to Kansas. During the day a company of militia from Kansas City came over and co-operated with Flemming and Thomason in breaking up and driv- ing out the marauders. It was now demonstrated that the enrolled militia of Clay, so long as commanded by Col. Moss and led by Lieuts. Thomason and Flemming, might be depended on to fight thieves and robbers, whether they were clad in Federal blue or wore " hodden gray" and butternut. September 24 two Confederate oflScers, Col. Boaz Roberts and a partisan leader named Scott, while in Barry, captured Deputy Sheriff Wm. E. Rhea, who was out in the country collecting taxes. They took from him the tax-books, about 25 writs of execution, robbed him of his horse, pistol, $40 in money and then released him. NOVEMBER ELECTION 1862. Notwithstanding the presence of hundreds of soldiers in this county in the year 1862, and the thousand and one shocks to the law and or- der incident to "war's alarms," courts were held and other proceed- ings gone through with according to the forms of law, and the vote at the election of this year, while not very large and full, was fair and free, and the election itself was conducted without intimidation or any overawing on the part of the soldiery. So far as this county was concerned, the bayonet protected, and did not attempt to control the ballot box. The only political issue involved was the question of emancipation, and there were few emancipationists in this count}'. No one could HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 233 vote unless he had first taken the Gamble oath, and so all the voters were — or at least presumed to be — "loyal." The following was the vote in this county : — - Congress — J. H. Birch, 582 ; Austin A. King, 159 ; E. M. Samuel, 179. (Birch and King were anti-Emancipationists; Samuel was not committed.) State Senator — John Doniphan, of Platte, 844; no opposition. Representative — L. W. Burris, 828; no opposition. Sheriff— Wm. W. Smith, 469 ; F. R. Long, 430. Assessor — Greenup Byrd, Jr., 449; James Burns, 399. County Judge — Alvah Maret ; no opposition. County Treasurer — B. F. Tillery ; no opposition. CHAPTER IX. DURING THE YEAR 1863. Miscellaneous War Items of the Early Spring — The Raid on Missouri City and Killing of Capt. Sessions — Other War Incidents — After the Lawrence Raid — Threatened Invasion from Kansas Prevented — The "Paw Paw Militia," and Certain Military Incidents in This County During 1862 and 1863 — Interesting Testimony of Col. J. H. Moss — November Election — Sons of Malta — Military Murders. Early in the spring of this year, before the leaves of the trees put out, or even the buds began to swell, the Confederate guerrilla bauds in this part of Missouri were on the move. The first band in Clay county was led by Joe Hart, of Buchanan county, who had deserted the Confederate army to come back to Missouri and " bushwhack." About March 1, Capts. Garth and Tracy, of the enrolled militia, cap- tured one of Hart's men and five jayhawkers near Missouri City. The bushwhacker was sent to St. Joe ; the jayhawkers to Kansas City. Hart and half a dozen of his band ranged through the country in the neighborhood of Centerville (Kearney) claiming to be in search of a militiaman named Harris, whom they wanted to kill, but at the same time they were robbing citizens. From one man they took $60 in money and two horses ; from everybody, arms. April 29, Capt. Tracy and half a dozen militia were fired on, after dark, at a point 12 miles east of north of Liberty, by Hart's band. The bushwhackers retreated after the first fire, and Tracy captured two of their mules. In adjoining counties, before spring had fairly arrived, the guerrillas and bushwhackers were at work. Coleman Younger, Dave Poole, Fernando Scott, and some others of Quantrell's band captured the steamer New Sam Gaty, at Sibley's landing, March 27, killing three of Penick's men after they had surrendered, rol)l)ing all the passen- gers, carrj'ing off 20 negroes, and throwing into the river 100 sacks of flour and a dozen wagonS. THE RAID ON MISSOURI CITY. I On the 19th of May occurred a guerrilla raid on Missouri City made by a band of 12 guerrillas, led bj^ Fernando Scott, who crossed the river at Sibley, and rendezvoused for the raid at the house of Moses (234) HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 235 McCoy, ill Fishing River township. It is said that Frank James, Fietch. Taylor and Joe Hart were members of Scott's band. The following account of the raid was given in the current number of the Liberty Tribune, and is pronounced fairly accurate : — One of the residents of Missouri City came in and reported either to Capt. Darius Sessions of the enrolled militia, or Lieut. Graven- stein, of the Twenty-fifty Missouri Volunteers, that he noticed two or three suspicious characters lurking about a short distance below that place. The captain and lieutenant with not more than three or four men — all we supjiose they could muster at the time for duty — went out on a scout, and had not proceeded far before they were fired upon from the brush by a body of men at least three or four times their number. Finding their little force inadequate, they were com- pelled to beat a hasty retreat in a somewhat northerly direction. They were, however, hotly pursued by the bushwhackers. Capt. Sessions was shot dead, several bullets, it is said, entering his body. Lieut. Gravenstein, finding his pursuers fast gaining on him, and escape about hopeless, turned and offered to surrender but was killed on the spot without mercy. A private of the Twenty-fifth Missouri who was wounded in the arm, found by a citizen, and brought into Missouri City, was cruelly fired upon by several of these outlaws as they came rushing into town — neither his helpless condition nor the humane attentions of those around him dressing his wound, could save him. He was still alive when last heard from but his recovery is deemed hopeless. The ruffians broke into James Reed's store, forced open his safe, took therefrom some $170 or $180 in gold, destroyed all his valuable papers and other property. They also plnndei'ed and did considerable damage to Mr. B. \V. Nowlin's store, and after charging about for some time in a threatening manner, departed to the woods below the city. These men, those of them who came into the city, were under the leadership of Scott, a saddler who lived in Lil)erty some years ago, but for the past four or five years has resided in Jackson county. He is a native of Ohio. George Todd it is also said was at hand with another squad. Their pickets were seen early Wednesday morning on the bluf¥ above the lower part of Missouri City. The number of guerrillas altogether was sixteen, although at first they were supposed to number a much larger force. Capt. Garth, with what forces he could hastily gather up, immedi- ately went in pursuit, but did not succeed in capturing any of them. In the absence of the militia the citizens of Liberty turned out en masxe to defend the town, and it was done with a willingness and a "vim" that plainly indicated that the bushwhackers had but few if any sympathizers in Liberty. The bushwhackers were all from Jackson and other counties but three — Vandivere, Easton and James — all of whom were of Clay. Vandivere boasted in the streets of Missouri City that he killed 236 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. Capt. Sessions because he reported on him and wouldn't let him, stay at home. The rascals, when firing on the wounded man in town, declared that when any of their men were captured they were killed, and that they intended to do the same — that they neither asked nor gave quarter. Mr. Benjamin Soper, residing some eight or ten miles north of Liberty, reported to headquarters on Thursday that fourteen of the above squad took possession of his farm, stationing out pickets, and notifying him and family that they were prisoners, and not to leav§ the place. That the}' remained all one da}', and on leaving took one of his Iiest horses, and warned him it would not be good for any of the family to be caught from home that night. The body of Capt. Sessions was buried at Liberty with the honors of war. The remains of Lieut. Gravenstein were sent to his family at St. Joseph. This was the same Darius Sessions who, during the troubles in Kansas, was accused of Abolitionism, and came near being lynched in the streets of Liberty. He was saved by the in- tervention of prominent Pro-Slavery men, who vouched for his soundness, and a public meeting denounced the lawless proceedings against him. (See preceding pages of this volume.) OTHER WAR INCIDENTS. Along in the summer, after the raid on Missouri City — or Rich- field, as that part of the town was then called — the county was badly infested with bushwhackei's, who roamed about in every town- ship, stealing, robbing, and sometimes murdering. Of an exploit of three of these partisans the Ti-ibune, in August, contained the following : — Three 8ouUiern Gentlemen in Search of Their ^'■Rights." — On the morning of the Gth of August, Franklin James, with two others of the same stripe, stopped David Mitchell on his road to Lexing- ton, about six miles west of Lil)crty, and took from iiim $1.25, his pocket knife, and a ])ass he had from the Provost Marshal to cross the ))lains. This was one of the " rights" these men are fighting for. James sent his compliments to Maj. Green, and said he would like to see him. Owing to the disturbed condition of affairs it was impossible to collect the public revenue in the usual way, and in July the county court made the following order : — Clay County Court, July 8, 1863. Whkreas, it is painfully apparent, and for many months past has existed in our county, which renders it unsafe and almost impossible HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 237 tor the collector and his deputies to collect in the usual manner and within the time prescribed !)}' law, the State and county revenue, and the taxes assessed for military purposes, without calling on the militia to escort and protect them from the roving bands of thieves and marauders which infect our county; and that were said officers to essay, alone and unprotected, to visit tax-payers at their place of residence in the county, a standing temptation too powerful for these bad men to resist, would be given to waylay and rob said officers ; and whereas, said collector is under heavy bonds to the State and county for the prompt collection and payment of said taxes — by far the greater part of which remains uncollected ; and, whereas, the court desires to see the civil law and authority upheld and respected without the aid and assistance of the military forces in our midst, and to witness the speedy restoration of tranquility, good order, and all the safeguards of society: — It is therefore ordered by the court that the tax-payers of Clay county who have not yet paid their taxes be notitied and enjoined to repair as soon as practicable to the office of Col. F. R. Long, at the court-house, in the city of Liberty, and pay their taxes to said collec- tor or his deputies ; and, unless they promptly respond to this order, the court will be compelled, as an act of justice to the State, the county, the brave militia faithfully serving the cause of law and loyalty, and said collector, either to call into requisition the services of said militia to enable said officers to collect said taxes, or to order said defaulting tax-payers to be returned as delinquents. And be it further ordered that this order be published in the Liberty Tribune, as many weeks as may be necessary to give full publicity thereto, and also by printed hand-bills posted in the most prominent places for observation in the county. ( A true copy . Attest ) . Ephraim D. Murray, Clerk. By Thomas D. Murray, D. C. On August 27, Capt. W. W. Garth, with a small squad of militia, came upon R. S. Osborn's bushwhackers near Chrisman's school- house and exchanged shots with them. The bushwhackers retreated without loss. A night or so afterward they robbed A. J. Calhoun of $30 in cash and a valuable horse, James Johnson of a horse, J. T. Field, J. Lewis, Richard Morton, Samuel Jones and others of horses, money, clothing, etc., and from Mrs. Richard Price they carried off au old negro man, whom they inhumanly murdered in acorn field near by. Sunday night, September 6, Maj. John R. Green, of the provisional militia, in command at Liberty, sent a squad of men on a scout out on the Missouri City road. The militia hid themselves, and soon three bushwhackers came along the road and were themselves bush- whacked, the militia firing on them and killing one of their number, 238 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. Park Donovan. He had on his person several articles belonging to citizens of the county, among which was a powder flask he had taken from Elder R. C. Morton. AFTER THE LAWRENCE RAID. After the raid on Lawrence, Kas., by Quantreirsmen,a large pub- lic meeting was held at Liberty, T. C. Gordon presiding, to take the sense of the meeting on the affair. Resolutions were passed con- demning the raid as " infamous and cruel in the exti'eme, rivaling the bloodiest deeds of the red men of the forest or the carnivals of Oceanica," and expressing the hope that the "last fiend engaged in this heartrending outrage will be overtaken with swift destruction." The meeting was attended by all parties, including many ex-Confed- erates. When Swing's " Order No. 11 " came out, requesting the citizens of Jackson and other counties to either I'epair to some desig- nated military post or else leave their respective counties, Maj. Green, in command of Clay county, issued the following order: — Headquarters, Liberty, Mo., Sept. 9th, 1863. Special Order.] All persons who are leaving Gen. Ewing's district in compliance with his order (No. 11) are hereby prohi))ited from stopping in this county to reside. All those failing to comply with this order will be escorted beyond the lines of this county. John R. Green, Major Commanding Post. By RoBT. W. Flemming, Act. Post Adjt. There was the greatest alarm and anxiety felt in this county and Platte for some time after the sacking of Lawrence. A number of Clay county men belonged to Quantrell's force, and the Kansas militia were threatening to invade Missouri and take dreadful retali- ation for what the guerrillas had done. Gen. Thos. J. Ewing has declared that he issued " Order 11 " to prevent lawless bodies of Kansas troops from visiting the Missouri border and slaughtering indiscriminately the people and burning up the country, as they were threatening to do. However this may be, it is certain that Gen. Ewing notified Gen. Guitar, then in command of the district of North- west Missouri, and also the Federal officers at Liberty to be on the lookout for Kansas raiders. August 27, he sent the following tele- gram to Gen. Guitar, who was then at Macon City : — \_By Telegraph from Kansas Vity.'] I am advised that an expedition is being fitted at Leavenworth HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 23!> or a raid into Missouri ; it is uncertain wliether they intend to cross the river or attempt the lower border. I have notified com- manding officers at Liberty, and directed my provost marshal at Leavenworth to keep the commanding ofiicers at Weston advised. My troops at Fort Leavenworth can not be certainly relied on in the present state of feeling. I have doubts whether any expedition of consequence will really set out, as I have orders that it will be re- sisted ; but you had as well be ready. Thomas J. Ewing, Brigadier-General. Gen. Guitar returned the following answer : — Macon, Mo., August 27, 1863. To Brigadier- General Eiuing, Kansas City, Mo. — I have this moment received your dispatch of this date, for which I am under obligations. I deeply sympathize with the unfortunate people of Lawrence, and with yourself, in the responsible aud embarrassing position you occupy. By all means let speedy vengeance be visited upon the guilty ; but, in the name of heaven and humanity, let us protect the innocent and inoffending. I need no assurance that it will be done as far as you are able. I shall be upon the alert, and I admonish the people of Kansas not to cross the Missouri river for the purpose of marauding and destruction ; they will certainly be met if they do. I trust so dire a calamity will be averted. I am ready, if need be, to march every soldier in my command from North Mis- souri to the relief of Kansas, and to the Gulf if necessary. As I denounced and fought against the invasion of Kansas in 1856, as an outrage, so must I resist any invasion of Missouri for any illegal pur- poses. If they come to aid in maintaining the authority and laws of our glorious Government, 1 shall welcome them with fraternal hands. O. Guitar, Brigadier-General Commanding. The same day Guitar sent the following to Col. Williams at St. Joseph : — Macon, August 27, 1863. To Col. John F. Williams, /St. Joseph, Mo. — I have this moment received a dispatch from Gen. Ewing, advising me he believed an expedition was being fitted out at Leavenworth, to make a raid across the river into Missouri — such a movement must be promptly met and resisted. You had better, perhaps, send Maj. Garth down opposite Leavenworth with "Co. B," to keep a watch upon their movements. You will notify Capt. Garth at Liberty, to move with his company to Wyandotte. You will also notify your troops above St. Joseph, near the river, to be on the alert, and take such steps as will ' checkmate any movement in that direction. If men cross into Mis- souri to repeat the outrages which Quantrell and his murderers have 240 • HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. just consummated in Kansas, no matter under what pretext, I want them met with " bloody hands." Keep me promptly advised of every hostile indication or movement. O. Guitar, Brigadier-General Commanding. It was about this time that Gen. Guitar wrote his celebrated " hell- and-the-irou-works " letter to his brother-in-law, Maj. Reeves Leon-, ai'd. This letter was dated at Macon, September 9, and was severe onthe Abolition Federal officers, and declared that runaway negroes were not to be received in Fedei'al camps. The letter closed with this par- agraph : — I write in haste, as I expect to go to St. Louis this evening to look after the Kansas invasion ; so you see, I am placed between hell and the iron-works, but thank God I am a free man, amenable to no power save the laws of my country and my God, and under no constraint, except to do right as I see it. Keep the Rebs. and Rads. straight. If our Kansas friends come over I will endeavor to give them such a i-e- ception as becomes a brave and hospitable people. the " PAW-PAW " MILITIA AND CERTAIN MILITARY INCIDENTS IN 1862-63. In the fall of 1863 Col. J. H. Moss received orders from Gen. Schofield, at St. Louis, to reorganize the militia of Clay and Platte counties. This he at once proceeded to do by organizing what came to be known as the Eighty-second Regiment of Enrolled Missouri Militia. This regiment and the Eighty-first, Col. John Scott, consti- tuted what was derisively called the "Paw-Paw" militia brigade. Many members of the regiment had been in the rebel or Confederate service, and it was said that some of them had the previous summer laid out in the paw-paw thickets of the Missouri bottoms to keep out of the way of the Federals, and when frost came lived mainly on the paw-paws I From these alleged circumstances the two regiments were called "Paw-Paws " or the " Paw-Paw Militia." The Radicals greatly disliked the Paw-Paws and wished to have them mustered out of service. The Legislature in January, 1864, ap- pointed a committee to investigate them, and this committee sum- moned before it several prominent Union men of this county to testify as to the character of the militia and to the general condition of affairs in Clay then and previously. Extracts from the sworn testimony of some of these persons l)eforc the committee might be inserted here, but the testimony of Col. Jas. H. Moss, given below, contains the mnin HISTORY OF CLAT COUNTY. 241 fticts in the testimony of all these men, so that is deemed imnecessaiy to enter into any repetition : — TESTIMONY OF COL. JAS. H. MOSS. Qties. by Mr. Davis. What was your reason for organizing the cit- izen militia, commonly stj'led the " Paw-paws? " Had you a com- mission for it? Ans. I had an order to that effect, being in command of a sub-district, as colonel of the Forty-eighth E. M. M. Q. What was the situation of the country at that time? A. The border was overrun with outlaws of all sorts ; busluvhackers, South- ern recrniting officers, thieves and robbers, without any regard to politics. In addition to local troubles of that sort, great excitement prevailed in the State of Kansas on account of the raid on Lawrence, and an invasion of the State was threatened by Gen. Lane. Gen. Ewing had telegraphed to Gen. Guitar, commanding district of North Missouri, that armed organizations were formed in Kansas for the pur- pose of invading North Missouri, and e.xpressed a doubt whether he would be able to control them, on account of the excitement prevail- ing in consequence of the Lawrence raid. I found the militia in service in a very demoralized and insubordinate condition. I found one portion of the county of Clay occupied by bushwhackers, Southern recruiting officers and robbers, and the other side hy outlaws from the State of Kansas. I found, when I took command, that an order had been given by the district commander for one company to take position on the west side of the county, towards Kansas. The comi)any which had been ordered to do this was in such a demoralized condition, that the officer in command gave it as his excuse for not complying with the order ; the men had declared to unite with the outlaws of Kansas, in case of emergency. I found that the citizens, loyal and disloyal, were disarmed, and all the citizens were at the mercy of these outlaws, rebels as well as loyal men. I found it would be impossible to I'elieve the country from these troubles, without call- ing on all the citizens to participate in the work, and co-o]iera.te with the military. The companies of militia then on duty in the county, were, with the exception of one company, strangers to the people and to the localities, wholly inefficient so far as rebel bush- whackers and outlaws were concerned, and were unwilling to make warfare on robbers and outlaws from Kansas. For the purpose of defeating any attempted invasion from Kansas, such as was threatened by Gen. Lane and predicted by Gen. Ewing, and for the purpose of ridding the county of the l)ushwhackers, thieves and outlaws, I called together the entire male po[)ulation of the county, and proposed to have companies organized in different parts of the county to hold themselves in readiness to answer any call for the defense of the county which I might make on them. I then proceeded at once to re-organize the E. M. M. of the county ; I organized two companies of the E. M. M. under the command of loyal officers, and armed them. I did not arm the companies of citi- 242 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. zens, having had no occasion to call on them for repelling an invasion. In ten clays from the time of the organization, there were no outlaws left in the county. We caught a good many and turned them over to the civil authorities. On several occasions I made details from the companies of citizens, and placed them under the command of my officers, of the regularly enrolled companies of the E. ]\I. M. Of these captured outlaws there are men claiming to lielong to all political parties, hut about four-fifths of them are Southern bush- whackers, thieves and outlaws. In addition to these captures, I have' banished from the State a number of citizens that had connection with these outrages and outlaws. A further reason for reorganizing these companies of enrolled mil- itia, now called "Paw-paws," was, that my old regiment, the Forty- eighth, was virtually broken up ; some of the companies reduced down to 25 or 30 men, and some without officers. I enrolled three companies of E. M. M., and put two of them into service. The citizens were not organized by me direct ; they formed their organizations in the different neighborhoods by my direction, and under my authority, so as to be read}' when I should have occasion to call on them. The whole object of calling on the citizens en masse was to prevent an armed invasion from Kansas, and co-operate with the companies in active service in ridding the county of rebel bush- whackers and outlaws. One of the most desperate outlaws in Mis- souri was caught by us and is now in jail. Q. Did your men, the " Paw-paws," interfere with runaway slaves? A. Never. Orders were given to all the military in the State to have no connection with slaves, and this has been complied with. Q. Has your force interfered with the enrollment of slaves? A. They have not ; but, on the contrary, I recommended the enrolling officer, Lieut. Holmes, to Col. Broadhead, and have furnished him all the assistance in my power, in the way of protection and transporta- tion, purchased supplies and furnished him money out of my own purse to aid in recruiting. On one occasion there was a controversy between a recruited negro (belonging to a man by the name of Keller) and a citizen by the name of Cravens. Mr. C. owns a negro boy of about 14 years of age, who had been induced to go up to the recruiting office by the negro al- ready recruited. Cravens meeting this recruiting negro in the street, asked him why he was attempting to get that boy of his to enlist. The negro replied and denied that he had made the attempt ; Cravens replied : I saw you take him up into the recruiting office. The negro said: He ( Cravens) was a liar. Cravens knocked him down ; consid- erable excitement was occasioned, and the affair was immediately reported to my headquarters. I went down to the locality and or- dered the recruited negroes to be taken to their quarters, and gave instructions that there should be no acts of violence committed upon the recruits, and any such cases should be reported* to me imme- diately. HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 243 The recruiting officer (Holmes) became alarmed, and without ap- plying to me, ordered some of my soldiers to guard his door. I un- derstand the men refused ; they were not subject to his orders, and had none from me. Some such language, it was repoi'ted, had been used by them. I saw the recruiting officer myself, and told him there should be no obstacles in his way ; and there has been no difficulty since. I believe he recruited some fifty negroes in one day, and sent them to the railroad. Q. What were the antecedents of Holmes? A. He was a Seces- sionist at the outset, said to have acted as Quartermaster to Thomp- son ; but he has been an enthusiastic Union man for some years, and calls himself a Radical now. Q. Do you know W. E. Rhea? A. I know him well. Q. What were his antecedents? A. He is a Union man and has been for two years — and a Radical Union man now; there is no question as to his loyalty now ; he started out on the wrong side, was in a rebel company just before Price's retreat from Lexington ; we got him out of the company, and he has been an exemplary Union man ever since. Q. Do you know Robert Fleming? A. Yes. He is a Union man, a Radical Union man, he calls himself. He has been a Union man for over two years. He was for a short time in a company of " State Guards," under Claib. F. Jackson. Q. Do you know Capt. Garth? A. Yes. He started out a rebel, but is now a good Union man, and has performed his duties in the militia veiy efficiently. Q. Who is Capt. Prixley? A. He was an officer in Price's army; I do not recollect when he came home. When I called on the citizens for assistance he offered his company of citizens to me, which I re- fused to accept, not wishing to have a man from Price's army com- manding a company. The company has been disbanded and has never been in service. Q. Has your force never interfered with runaway slaves? A. Two men from Jackson county had kidnaped a fugitive negro and brought him over to Clay county ; one of my officers, Capt. Thomason, re- ceived a line from Gen. Ewing stating the facts, whereupon my men arrested the kidnapers and the negro, and returned them to Kansas City. Q. Whiit is the character of the men in the Paw-paw companies as to loyalty? A. I will state that they are now, and during the entire term of their service have been, loyal ; some, in the early part of the rebellion, were disloyal, and connected themselves with the rebel ser- vice. The men all willingly and cheerfully took the oath of allegiance. I made them take an additional oath, to war upon Southern recruit- ing officers and bushwhackers ; they took the oath cheerfully and have conducted themselves in a manner which satisfied me of their sincerity. They have not only hunted bushwhackers and Southern rebels who were in arms, but they have reported acts of disloj'alty and disloyal language of citizens, who (the citizens) have been pun- 244 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. ished by me in consequence thereof. I refer to the men I have in service and belong to my regiment. Q. What proportion of the men in the two companies of Clay connty have been in the rebel service? A. Each companj' has 85 men ; my impression is that from 15 to 20 in each company are of that class. Q. Have any brigands or armed bands from Kansas invaded the Missouri border for plunder? A. Yes. There has been a system o£ plundering going on since the war commenced ; outlaws from Kansas and Missouri have carried on a partnership work of plundering, mur- dering, arson, robbery, etc., which has ended in the desolation of the border counties, on the south side of the river, down to Arkansas, and the loss of life and property on the north side of the river. That system was in full operation when I took command in Septem- ber last. The counties of Clay and Platte were being daily and nightly ravaged by armed men, white and black ; some of them in the garb of Federal soldiers. On one occasion after I took command, a squad of my men caught some of Gen. Ewiug's soldiers at night, committing depredations in my county, who were sent to the General's headquarters. Many other outrages and robberies were committed by soldiers ; one of the most extensive was by men under Capt. Ryan, of the Fourth M. S. M., on their way from Buchanan county; they stole horses, money and jewelry, from men and women they met on the road. Q. Have murders and robberies been committed by the enrolled militia previous to their disbanding? A. Not in my county; the companies I found in service in Platte and Clay, when I took com- mand, were favoring the system of plundering practiced by the Kan- sas outlaws, and refused to fight them. They openly refused to fight these outlaws, who came with impunity into these counties, night and day. NOVEMBER ELECTION 1863. At the general election in Missouri in November, 1863, but two tickets were voted for, both " Union," of course. One ticket, headed by Barton Bates, W. V. N. Bay and John D. S. Dryden, for Judges of the Supreme Court, was called the Conservative ticket, and was voted for generally by the Democrats ; the other, headed by H. H. A. Clover, Arnold Krekel and David Wagner, was denominated the Radical Republican or Charcoal ticket. This election is remarkable for being the first in Missouri at which, under a general law, the voting was by ballot and not vive voce. The vote in Clay county was more than twelve to one in favor of the Conservative candidates, as follows : — Conservatives — Bates, 1,328; Bay, 1,324; Dryden, 1,323. Radicals — Clover, 92; Krekel, 92; Wagner, 87. HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 245 For circuit judge, Geo. W. Dunn, Conservative, received 1,220 votes, and D. P. Whitmer, Radical, 148. " SONS OF MALTA." In the fall of 1863 the extraordinary order of " Sons of Malta," or as it was here called, " Knights of Palermo," had an organization or "council" in Liberty, with many members. This alleged " or- der " was a most stupendous and at the same time a most ludicrous and laughable humbug. It pretended to have a ritual, signs, grips, etc., similar to Freemasonry, but really was no order at all. The in- itiation was all there was of it. The poor candidates, unsuspicious and confiding, were always blindfolded and tied and then put through a series of practical jokes — tossed in a blanket, deluged with dirty water, made to assume a variety of ridiculous postures, etc., and finally were fearfully and ponderously armored, panoplied and equip- ped, led in front of a mirror and the bandages on their eyes removed. MURDERS COMMITTED. Up to the 1st of January, 1864, there had been eighteen citizens of the county murdered by the military forces of both sides. Four Union men had been killed by the bushwhackers, and the Federals had killed fourteen men of Confederate proclivities. Of the latter Penick's men killed six, enrolled and provisional militia six, and the Twenty-fifth Missouri Infantry two. CHAPTER X. DURING THE YEAR 1864. Jayhawker raid on Missouri City — Tiie Federal Draft — Busliwhacker's Raid — Fletch Taylors' First Raid, and Murder of Bond and Daily — He Kills the Bigelows — His Letter to Capt. Garth — His Skirmish on Fishing River with Capt. Kemper — Mis- cellaneous War Items — Ford's and Jennison's Visit which They were not Invited to Repeat — Bill Anderson — Other War Incidents — Census — Presidential Elec- tion. On the night of the 20th of Jiinunry, 18G4, a company of 40 thieves led by a man calling himself "Maj. Sanders," of Jennison's regi- ment of Kansas jayhawkers, crossed the river from Jackson county and captured Missouri City, then held by a small force of enrolled militia, under Capt. Geo. S. Story, of this county. Capt. Story was made prisoner and guarded, though in attempting an escape he was shot at. The robbers then plundered B. W. Nowlin's store of $2,000 worth of goods and fled. In February the Federal draft caused no little disquietude in the county. Public meetiugs were held to encourage voluntary enlist- ments in the U. S. service, and the county court offered a bounty of $200 for each recruit so enlisting from this county. Under calls from the President previous to December 19, 1864, the full quota of men required from Clay had been 398, and the number furnished 407, making a surplus of 9. Under the call of December 19, 1864, the qut)ta was fixed at 98, and 47 were furnished, leaving a deficiency of 51. Up to February 20, 1865, the county had paid in bounties the sum of $9,000. BUSHWHACKER RAIDS. In the early summer of 1864 bands of bushwhackers and guerrillas invaded Clay county and began operations. Many Clay county men Ijelonged to them, and they found numerous friends and sympathizers here who aided and abetted them when it was possible to do so with reasonable safety. The war had been in progress so long, and had been waged with such bitterness on the border of Missouri, that people had come to possess the most intense hatred and animosity on the sub- ject. Many Confederate sympathizers favored anything tliat would (246) HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 247 injure the Fetleral Ciiuse, and as the bushwhackers chiiined to be fighting that cause exclusively, and did really fight the military repre- sentatives occasionally, it was deemed proper to aid them by at least feeding them, sheltering them, giving them information, etc. On the other hand some of the Unionists deemed it possible and laudable to kill " rebels " at all times and under all circumstances, and aided all bodies of troops that were pro-United States and anti-Confederate. About the 1st of June four bushwhackers — said to have been Chas. F. Taylor, Arch. Clements, Peyton Long and James Bissett — drew the first blood in Clay county. Long and Bissett had their homes here. Chas. F. Taylor (or " Fletch " Taylor, as he is commonly called) was from Lidependence, and Clements, the cruelest, most desperate guerrilla of the war, was from Johnson county. Fletch. Taylor was the leader. June 5 these four, all dressed in Federal uni- form, came to the house of Bradley Y. Bond, a quiet, reputal)le citi- zen of this county, called him out and shot him. Mr. Bond had been in the Federal service in 1862, but was taken prisoner at Lone Jack, paroled, and had been at home subsequently. The next day the same men, with one or two recruits, went to the house of Alvis Dailey, called him out of the field where he was at work, marched him before thein, and as he was crossing a pair of bars shot him dead. Mr. Dailey was about 23 years of age, and had been a member of Capt. Garth's company of militia. The bushwhackers went to the house and said to the family that they had killed Dailey, and the one who claimed that he did the shooting said he had done it because Dailey belonged to the squad that killed Park Donovan, another bushwhacker, in the night fight the year before. Now began that series of frightful scenes that occurred in Clay county in the summer and fall of 1864 when murders and killings were numerous, and robberies, plunderings and thefts were of such frequent occurrences as not to be mentioned, except as matters of course and of small consequence. Men were slain before the eyes of their wives and children, or else shot down without mercy by the roadside and their bodies left to fester and corrupt in the sun. Property was taken and destroyed on every hand, business of all kinds was prostrated, values were unsettled, everything was disturbed. Many people left the county, or had left, for the gold mines of jNIontana and Idaho ; others went to Iowa and Nebraska for safet}', others fled they knew not whither. Vcu'iiy, those who had clamored so loudly for war in the beginning, and would be satisfied at naught else, should iiave listened to the lu- ll 248 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. junction of good old Chaucer who, 500 years before, had said of war (or " werre ") in his quaint old Saxon : — Ther is ful many a man that crieth " werre ! werre ! " that wot ful litel what werre amounteth. Werre, at his beginning, hath so greet an entre and so large, that every wight may entre whan him liketh and lightly finde werre : but what ende schal falle thereof it is not lightl}' to know. For sothly whan that werre is oones bygonne, ther is ful many a child unbore of his mooder that schal sterve 3'ong, by- cause thilke werre, or elles live in sorwe and die in wrecchidnes; and therefore, er that eny werre be Ijygonne, men mosti have gret coun- seil and gret deliberacioun. The bushwhackers swarmed through the county, crossing back and forth from Jackson when they pleased, and roaming where they listed. A negro, belonging to Abijah Withers, was shot by them in cold blood near Beauchamp's farm, south of Liberty. He was returning from town where he had sold a load of wood, and was shot, as al- leged, " for fun." Stables were robbed everywhere. In certain neighborhoods, the farmers slept in their barns and horse lots, thoroughl}- armed, and carefully guarding their horses. Money and other valuables were hid- den away. Quite often the bushwhackers robbed Southern men as readily as " Feds.," one man's money being considered as good as another's. June 15, George Shepherd and six other Jackson county bush- whackers rode into Missouri City, Ijut did no damage. Other bands bore were not harmless. During the last week in June Fletch. Taylor's band, numbering now it is said 40 or 50 men, killed two men, Simeon G. Bigelow and John Bigelow, brothers and Union men, living in the northeastern part of the county. The Bigelows were Union men, and had come originally from one of the Northern States. Two years before the}' had be- longed to Col. Moss' regiment of militia. The next day Bishop Bailey, another Union man, and a citizen of Sniithville, was killed b}' Taylor's band, while on the road from Sniithville to Liberty and four or five miles from home. A day or two before the killing of these the Federals had killed a Mr. Smith, of Fishing Itiver township, and left his body lying in the road, some miles north of Liberty. David Coifman, a bushwhacker, had been killed in the southern part of Clinton. He and a comrade named Davis came to Jeff. Pryor's and demanded horses and money. A few hours afterward he was overtaken in a lane near a Mr. Smith's, HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 249 on the road between Ha3nie.sville and Phittsburg, and killed l)y asquad led by a son of Mr. Pryor. Davis jumped his horse over a fence and escaped, but Coffnian's horse, which belonged to Ambrose Stone, €ould not make the jump. A short time after the killing of the brothers Bigelow and Bailey, Fletch. Taylor sent the following letter to Capt. Kemper, in Lib- erty : — To Capt. Kemper, Commanding Post at Liberty : Sir — In accordance with promises I made to Mr. Gosnoy, one of the peace committee, in relation to leaving Clay county, if the Radi- cals would also leave (which, I believe, was the understanding), I got my men together and proceeded toward Clinton county, and had got there when I heard about CotTnian being killed. I immediately re- turned to avenge his death, and I did l)y killing the two Bigelows. I then started for Platte with some of my men, intending to stay out of these counties according to promises ; but hearing of one of my men being killed, I have come again to avenge his death — and I ivill do it. You now know why I returned, and I am going to stay here until the Radicals all leave this county ; and furthermore, I am going to tight all soldiers sent after me if they fall in my way. Sir, if you wish the peace of Clay county, you will use all your influence in keeping the Radicals out of here. And furthermore, I have found out that there has been citizens interrupted, imprisoned and driven from their homes, which is calculated to ruin this county more than any thing else ; for if the citizens are to be sufferers by you, I will make the Union party Slitter as much, if not more — for by your interrujition of them it re- cruits my company — whereas, if you and I would let them alone, we could fight one another, and we will be fighting men who have put themselves out for that purpose, and not fight the unsusi)ected citi- zen who is not in arms and deserving the fate which you wish to bring on hivTi and his family. Now, sir; in conclusion, I will let you understaud what I am going to do : I want peace, if it can be gained by honorable terms — and you can give it to the citizens or not. In the first place, if the Federals leave this county, I will leave also ; but if they stay, I will be about, and if you don't interrupt the citizens, I will be equally as kind. I will carry war on as you carry it on. You can't drive me out of this county. I will await your actions. You can make peace or war — I will leave it to your choice. If I find that you are warring on the citizens, so l)e it; I loill retaliate — if you fight me alone, I will return the compliment. Your actions shall be my answer, or answer as you want. I remain, sir, yours, CiiAs. F. Taylor, Captain Commanding the Country. To Capt. Kemper. Commandino' the Town. 250 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. The Bigelow brothers were killed only after a desperate resistance. Cornered in their house they refused to surrender and fouj^ht to the last as best they could. When their guns were empty they seized pieces of furniture and struck at their assailants until shot down. It is said that in this tiglit Jesse James, then a newly recruited member of Taylor's company, had his finger shot off. SKIRMISH ON riSHING RIVER. On Saturday, July 2, 18(J4, Capt. B. W. Kemper, of Co. C, Ninth M. S. M., who had been in command of the post at Liberty for some weeks, set out into the country after the bushwhackers. He struck straight for the Fishing river country, a locality rough, broken into hills, hollows and defiles by the river and its numerous little branches, and withal wooded and timbered — a favoril^ place for the " knights of the brush." At first Kemper had a considerable detachment, but this he divided into three or four squads, the more eft'ectually to scour the countr}'. Sunday night a shower fell, and Monday morning a trail showing that a considerable number of bushwhackers had passed was struck by Kemper's party of about thirty men, and they followed it hard and fast. A short distance below the ford over Fishing river, where the road leading from Liberty to the old Laidlaw farm crossed, a high, over- hanging bank caused by a sharp curve in the stream overlooked and commanded tke crossing. Upon and behind this bank at)()ut twenty- five guerrillas, under Fletch. Taylor, were in ambush awaiting their enemies. Unconscious of immediate danger the Federals rode into the ford and halted to allow the horses to drink. Immediately the l)ushwhackers from their place of concealment opened at almost point blank range a withering fire on the soldiers, who, surprised and ter- rorized no doubt, wheeled about in disorder and fled. Two Federals were killed. Sergt. J. W. Kirby was killed instantly, and Private James Colston died in an hour. Capt. Kemper himself was severely wounded in the leg; Corporal John R. Kuberson was severely, and Private Colston slightly wounded. The bodies of the two killed were buried at Liberty the next day. The bushwhack- ers did not lose a man. MISCELLANEOUS WAR ITEMS. On the 28th of June Capt. John S. Thomason had reorganized his company of militia, which with Garth's and Younger's, and Capt. HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 251 Kemper's Ninth M. S. M., composed the only Federal troops in the county. Cupt. Story's company had been disbanded in March. Gen. Roscrans issued order No. 107, allowing the people in districts where the bushwhackers were numerous to organize companies for protec- tion and defense. Amass meeting was held at Liberty, July 11, and tittended by all parties, for even many of Confederate proclivities were opposed to bushwhacking. It was determined to keep cue or two companies of militia composed of citizens of the county constantly in service. July 20, another very large mass meeting composed of 1,500 citi- zens from all parts of the county was held in Liberty, and the follow- ing resolution was one of many otiiers adopted : — Fourth. That guerrillas — whatever the name they assume — and bushwhackers are the I'avenous monsters of society, and their speedy and utter extermination siiould be souglit l)y all brave and honorable men — and that all who knowingly and willingly sympathize with, hari)or, conceal, assist and feed them should be uniformly and rigidly held accountable and punished in accordance with the laws of war among civilized nations ; and we hereby distinctly, respectfully and emphatically protest against the action of the assistant provost mar- shals and others in authority in turning loose upon this and other communities men whose [)revious outrages and disloyal conduct called for a proi)er and salutary measure of punishment, many of whom have gone to the ])rush and are now fighting against the government and against their [leaccable and loyal neighbors. July 12, four or five of Catherwood's disbanded men, or men on furlough, had an encounter with about the same number of Capt. Thomason's company of militia in Centerville (now Kearney). Thom- ason's men were in a house when Catherwood's came up and fired on them. The Clay county men ran out and returned the fire, Cather- wood's galloped off; Thomason's men followed them and killed one and wounded another. Before Kemper's company left, Lieut. C. H. Gordon, its second lieutenant (now prosecuting attorney of Boone county), had a skirmish on Clear creek with two small companies of bushwhackers, Peyton Long's and Nin. Litton's. One of the hitter's scjuad, James Justus, was killed. July 15, 1864, Col. J. H. Ford, of the Second Colorado cavalry, was sent into this county at the head of a body of 300 Federal troops, consisting of detachments of the Second Colorado, Ninth Missouri State militia, and Jennison's Sixteenth Kansas. Ford marched straight for Liberty and encamped. His troops, or at least the Colo- 252 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. rado men and the Kansas, turned themselves loose upon the citizens and committed the wildest excesses. The Kansas men were especially bad. They stole whatever they could, and openly plundered hen- coops, pig-pens and smoke-houses, and abused the citizens with the foulest language. In Liberty many of them robbed the merchants of considerable amounts of goods. The next day Ford issued the follow- ing order in regard to all this robbing and stealing : — Headquaktees, Ford's Brigade, Liberty, July 16, 1864. General Orders.] The colonel commanding desires to remind the officers and soldiers of his command that stealing, robbing and pillaging from the citizens of these counties must not be allowed. You are soldiers engaged in upholding the laws of your country, and protecting the lives and property of loyal citizens, and your conduct should be such as to in- spire the belief that your object in visiting this country is not to destroy but to save. Battalion and company commanders will see that all such breaches of discipline are promptly and strictly pun- ished. By order of James H. Ford, EobertS. Eoe, Colonel Commanding. Lieut, and A. A. A. G. Fortunately the Coloradoans and Kansans did not remain long in the county. They left in three days, to everybody's joy. Between them and the bushwhackers it was six of one and half a dozen of the other. On the 10th of August a Mr. Columbus Whitlock, who lived in the northern part of the county, and was considered a harmless, inoffen- sive Union man, was murdered by the bushwhackers. He was on his way to Smithville for a physician to attend his sick mother, when the bushwhackers caught him at Bill Hall's, took him with them to a point on Wilkinson's creek, within a mile of Smithville, and there shot him to death and stripped the body of a portion of the clothing. Three days before Mr. Whitlock had married a Miss Angeline Cox, of Platte county. He was buried at Mrs. Rollins'. About the 10th of August the noted guerrilla Bill Anderson came into the county from a successful raid as far east as Shelbina, Shelby county. He had but a dozen men left, however, out of twenty-five, although not all had been killed. Instantly four or five little bush- whacking bands ran out of their coverts and joined the noted leader, who soon had a company of sixty-five men. At Mr. Creek's, in the eastern pai"t of the county, a reorganization was effected, and Ander- son given command. About the 11th of August this company started eastward towards HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 253 Ray and Carroll to fonn a junction with some Confederate recruits under Col. J. C. C. Thornton (" Coon " Thornton) and a force of bushwhackers under George Todd and John Thrail. The lirst day out a squad of militia from a company stationed at Fredericksburg, Ray county, was struck at Mr. Ford's, two miles east of Prathcrs- ville, and chased to their quarters. Capt. Patton Colly, of Ray, who commanded the company of mili- tia referred to (Co. E, Fifty-first E. M. M.), set out at once at the head of not more than thirty men. Anderson, after the first en- counter, moved eastward until he struck the county line, when he moved down the road along the line a little over a mile on the farm of Mrs. Summers and went into ambush, leaving a rear guard behind to give him warning if the Federals should follow him, as he expected they would. Within an hour or two Colly came up and at once proceeded to de- liver battle. He attacked the rear guard and drove it, and Anderson then came forward and decided the fight very shortly. The Federals were routed and driven off in a hurry. Anderson himself killed Capt. Colly,' shooting him out of his saddle with a dragoon revolver. Two other members of Coll3'^'s company, named George Odell and Piiilip Sigel, were killed in the fight. A short time before the fight came off Anderson's men had cap- tured two members of Colly's company, Smith Hutchings and John Hutchings, who lived in the southeastern part of the county, and were returning to their companj' from a visit to their homes when captured. When the firing began Anderson killed these two at once, without mercy, and it is said that after the fight their bodies were mutilated. In response to repeated calls for reinforcements. Gen. Fisk, in command of this district, sent Col. E. C. Catherwood with several companies of troops into this county. Catherwood's old regiment, the Sixth M. S. M., had been partly disbanded, and he had entered the U. S. service and was recruiting a regiment which was known as the Thirteenth Missouri Cavalry. Catherwood relieved Capt Kemper, who left the county with his company August 9, for Parkville. Cath- erwood arrived at Liberty August 3, and encamped in Steven's pas- ture. Learning of the fight and death of Capt. Colly, Capt. Catherwood led a strong force after the guerrillas, too late to accomplish anything. 1 According to the testimony of Niiiian Letton, now City Marshal of Liljerty, who was present as a member of Anderson's company, and says he saw the shoe fired. 254 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. He followed into Ray county and turned back. Here the pursuit had been taken up by Capt. Clayton TiflUn with a company of militia, and he was joined by Capt. Calvert's company, and the two, on the 14th, fought a severe skirmish with Anderson on the Wakenda, in Carroll, losing ten men killed, while Anderson lost but one killed. In the first week of September, and up to the 15th, a considerable force of guerrillas under Todd and Thrailkill operated in portions of Clay, Platte, Clinton, Caldwell and Ray counties, before starting for' Boone and Howard. About the 15th the}' passed through the eastern portion of Clay, and Garth's and Younger's companies of home militia and some of Catherwood's men were sent after them. After Bill Anderson was killed, October 27, 1864, many of his com- pany deserted and some made their way into Clay, where forming into small squads, they continued to disturb the quiet of the country. Sunday, November 13, a band of bushwhackers tired on some mil- itia who were in the door-yard of Lieut. Smith, in the northern part of the county. Lieut. Smith and his little son were severely wounded. The militia returned the fire and the bushwhackers left. Eight days later — or, to be exact, on the night of the 21st — a band of them went to the arsenal, south of Liberty, and forced Maj. Grant to give them his uniform. The next morning, Lieut. Rhea, with a detach- ment of Catherwood's regiment, surprised five of the band in a house in the bottom, five miles below the arsenal. The bushwhackers I'e- treated with one of their number wounded and leaving three saddles. One Fedei'al was mortally wounded, dying the next day. During the Price raid, in the latter part of OctoI)er, and while the battles of Independence, Little Blue, and Westport were in progress, the excitement and alarm in this county were intense. Many of Con- federate sympathies hoped that Gen. Price would defeat the Federals and cross the river and wrest the county from the Federals. The militia of the county were on the qui vive constantly, watching the fords or crossings, and guarding the towns. In Liberty the "curb- stone brigade," an improvised company of militia, was called out on two occasions when the alarm was given that the raiders were coming. But Gen. Price was defeated at Westport and on the Little Blue ;ind turned southward, and soon after his entire command was disas- trounly defeated, Gens. Martnaduke and Cabell and 1,500 men taken prisoners, and then his retreat became a straggling disordered rout into Texas, his train destroyed, his men starving, and his army saved from annihilation onh' l)y the hard fighting of Gen. Jo. Shcli)y'8 di- vision at Newtonia. Then the hearts of our people of Confederate HISTORY OF CLAV COUNTY. 255 sympathies sank low and only the most sanguine among them had hopes of the triumph of their cause ever afterward. CENSUS OF 1864. A census taken in December, 1864, showed the total white popula- tion of the county to be 9,421, of which 4,671 were males and 4,740 females, showing a preponderance of females at that time owing to the absence of so many men in the war or in Montana and Idaho. The total number of slaves was 1,756, of whom 1,013 were females; free colored, 58. Total population, 11,235. THE POLITICAL CANVASS OF 1864. Amid all the turmoil of war, the political canvass of 1864 went on about as usual. Gen. George B. McClellan and Hon. George H. Pendleton were the national candidates of the Democratic party, and Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson, the nominees of the Repub- licans. For Lieutenant-Governor on the Democrat ticket, with Gen. Thos. L. Price for Governor, was Hon. Luke W. Burris, of Clay. This fact gave the canvass something of interest to our people. Bur- ris had been a Whig, but was now a cordial supporter of the Demo- crat party and policy, for Whigism was no more. A short time before the election, during the Price invasion, when the Confederates had advanced as far as Lexington, Mr. Burris and Gen. Tom Price addressed a large audience composed very largely of soldiei-s and militia, whose presence and whose half-uttered thi'eats to suppress the meeting did not prevent the speakers from uttering their sentiments — "Copperhead" sentiments although they were called. The result in this county of the November election was as follows, the Democrats carrying the county by a large majority : — President — McClellan, 777; Lincoln, 206. Congress — E. H. Norton (Deni.), 635; R. T. Van Horn (Rep.), 157; Austin A. King(Dem.), 111. Governor— Thomas L. Price, 786 ; Thos. C. Fletcher (Rep.), 195. • Convention — Against, 766 ; for 169. Representative — Thomas C. Gordon (Dem.), 747; J. M. Jones (Rep.), 140. Sheriff— F. R. Long, 232; Darius Gittings, 488; S. S. Clack, 134. Assessor — T. R. Dale, no opposition. C H A P T E K XI. SOME LEADING INCIDENTS FROM 1865 TO 1885. Miscellaneous Military Incidents in 1865 — Tlie Last of the Busliwliackers — Surren- der of on. Shepherd's Band — The Drake Constitution — Robbing of the Clay County Savings Bank — Political Canvasses — The Eailroads of Clay County — Hanging of Sam Walker — Census Statistics — The James Brothers. In January, 1865, a band of bushwhackers from Jackson county kept the county in a constant state of disquietude by their predatoiy operations against the people. This band was led by " Wild Bill," a desperado who aped the character of Andersou in some respects and imitated the practices of Jennison in others. About the 1st of January, " Bill " and his baud robbed a Mr. Stone of what pleased them, shot at him and abused him and his wife, then went to A. Withers', in the bottom, and took a horse and some clothing. From here they visited other houses in the neighbor- hood robbing and plundering, finally retiring to their lair in the Sni hills over in Jackson. Three weeks afterwards they robbed the mail three miles below Richfield. A company of militia went out from Liberty after them, skirmished with them and drove them back into Jackson. A battalion of the Third Missouri State Militia, under Maj. Angus Bartlett, was stationed in the county during the winter months. In April, under the militia law, a company of militia was organized in the county with John W. Younger as captain, and Ben. Cooper and David Smith as lieutenants. In February, the following families in this county were served with notices of banishment from the county for " treason and notoriously disloyal practices," said the order; John Ecton's, Dr. Reuben Sam- uels', Mrs. J. H. Ford's, Wesley Martin's, Mrs. Rupe's and Kemp M.. Wood's. The sentence of banishment against Mrs. Winfrey E. Price was revoked by Maj. Bartlett. On the 29th of March, Wm. T. Reynolds, a prominent merchant of Liberty, and well known as a Union man, having served in the militia under Col. Moss, was shot in his store by a Federal soldier, and died from the wound April 20. March 30 a skirmish occurred in the northern part of the county (256) HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 257 between Oil. Shepherd's band of a dozen bushwhackers and a com- pany of citizens organized as militia. Shepherd's baud was routed at the residence of Mrs. Fox and pursued some distance. Two of the bushwhackers were killed — Alexander Dever and his brother Arthur. The militia lost none. The Devers were both buried in one grave. The news of the surrender of Gen. Lee and his army to Gen. Grant at Appomattox caused the hearts of the Southern sympathizers of this county to sink heavy within their bosoms. It was now evident that a bad investment had been make when stock was taken in the Confed- eracy, for it was clearly apparent that defeat, utter, complete and overwhelming, would soon overtake the cause of those who followed the stars and bars. The Confederate people of the county became resigned to the inevitable, and waited patiently for the end. The news of the assassination of President Lincoln was received in Clay county with general regret. In Liberty the stores were closed, the town generally draped in mourning, and a large public meeting held to give expression to the prevailing sentiment of sorrow. A com- mittee composed of A. J. Calhoun, F. Givinner, S. H. Hardwickand John Broadhurst reported a series of resolutions deploring the death of the President as a " great national calamity," condemning the act itself, and declaring that " under any circumstances we are devoted to the flag of our country." THE LAST OF THE BUSHWHACKERS. Sunday, May 28, the remnants of Oil. Shepherd's band of bush- whackers, which had been operating in various portions of the county for some time, came in and surrendered to Lieut. Benj. Cooper, of Capt. Younger's company of militia. The band numbered but five, as follows: Oil. Shepherd, captain; " Ling" Letton, James Corum, Alfred Corum and Milton Dryden. Previous to the surrender the following correspondence passed between Shepherd and the militia officers : — May 25, 1865. Capt. Younger, Sir: — I understand that peace is made. Myself and my little band, wishing to quit fighting and obey the laws of the country, 1 will send you these few lines to show you the terms that we are willing to surrender on : we must keep our side arms — for you know we have personal enemies that would kill us at the first oppor- tunity. We have three revolvers that we captured from your men, whicli, if they belong to your company, we are willing to give up if you require it. I also have horses in my outfit that belongs to citi- zens of this county, that we are willing to return to their proper own- 258 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. ers,for we did not take them for our profit — we took them to save our lives. I have a horse that I rode from Texas, that there is no use in a man talking about me giving up. When my men surrender, they expect to leave the State. Now, Capt. Younger, these words I write in earnest ; there will be uo use in talking about myself and band coming to Liberty if you don't allow us our side arms, and give us an honorable parole. We are willing to blot out the past and begin anew. If I come to Liberty, will let you know distinctly that I and my men intend to behave our-' selves, and not throw out any insinuations nor insults to soldiers nor citizens, nor we don't intend to take any from them. Understand me, we blot all out and begin anew. Now, sir, Capt. Younger, if you wish peace and prosperity in this county, you will accept these prop- ositions. Drop me a few lines in answer to this. Yours, respectfully, Oliver Shepherd, Captain. To Capt. John Younger. Headquarters, Post of Richfield, Richfield, Mo., May 25, 1865 Mr. Shepherd — Sir: I have just received a letter from you in which you state you are desirous of surrendering your forces. Sir, in reply to your proposition, I will say that the terms upon which you are willing to surrender can not be accepted by me. You wish to retain your arms — this you cannot be permitted to do under any circumstances. If I accept your surrender it must be upon the same terms that others of your "profession" are being accepted; upon which is a return of all arms and other property which may have been taken by you during your operations, and stU arms which you may have had before, or which you may now have in your possession. With this, sir, I will close. Yours, etc., B. F. Cooper, First-Lieutenant, Capt. Younger's Company, commanding Post. Liberty, May 26, 1865. Oliver Shepherd, James Corutn, Alfred Oorum, James Dever and others — Understanding from Tilman Bush that you have expressed a desire to surrender to the military authorities here, if such terms as you wish were granted yon, I have but to say that your surrender must be unconditional. You will be required to give up A'our horses, arms and military equipment of every description, and upon doing so you will be guaranteed militar}' protection, but you are not to suppose that you will be shielded from the civil law if it should be enforced against you for any ofl'enses you have committed. I have no power nor disposition to assure you of such immunity, and it would mani- festly be wrong to do so. David Smith, Lieutenant Commanding. The bushwhackers surrendered their horses and arms, notwith- standing Shepherd's assertion that there was " no use in talking " in HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 259 regard to surrendering the latter. It is said, liowever, that some of the men hid two or more revolvers each before coming to town. Lieut. Cooper was faithful to his word, and protected his prisoners from some of the county militia who threatened to kill them. All of the bushwhackers left the county, for a time at least. Oil. 'Shepherd was killed by a vigilance committee in Jackson county, in 1868. " Ning " or " Ling " Letton is the present city marshal of Liberty, a reputable citizen, a worthy and faithful official, and since his surrender universally respected. Under the "ousting ordinance" of the Drake constitution Gov. Fletcher, in May, removed the then county officers and appointed in their places James Love, circuit clerk, i)/ce A. J. Calhoun, removed; county clerk, William Brining, vice E. D. Murray, removed ; sheriff, James M. Jones, vice Darius Gittings, removed ; comity court justices, Joseph T. Field, John Chrisman, and Milliner Haynes, vice Alvah Maret, Isaac Wood and James M. Jones. VOTE ON THE DRAKE CONSTITUTION, JUNE 6, 1865. Townships. For. Against. Liberty 31 528 Fishiag River 25 102 Washington 1 121 Platte 33 26 Gallatin . . 113 Total 90 890 Majority against the constitution, 800. ROBBERY OF THE CLAY COUNTY SAVINGS BANK. On Tuesday, February 13, 1866, the bank of the Clay County Sav- ings Association, at Liberty, was robbed of about $60,000 by a band of brigands, presumably from Jackson county, although it has since l)een ascertained that some of the members resided in Clay. At the same time, and incident to the robbery, a young man named George Wymore, a student on his way to a school, was without any sort of l)rovocation whatever, inhumanly and mercilessly shot down by the robbers and instantly killed. The following account of the afl'air was given by the Tribune of February 16, 1866: — Our usually quiet city was startled last Tuesday by one of the most cold-blooded murders and heavy rol)l)eries on record. It appears that in the afternoon some ten or twelve persons rode into town, and two ot tlicni went into the Cla}^ County Savings Bank, and asked the clerk (Mr. Wm. Bird) to change a ten dollar bill, and as he started to do so, they drew their revolvers on him and his father, Mr. Greenup 260 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. Bird, the cashier, and made them stand quiet while they pi'oceeded to rob the bank. After having obtained what they supposed was all, they put the clerk and cashier in tiie vault, and no doubt thought they had locked the door, and went out with their stolen treasure, mounted their horses and were joined by the balance of their gang and com- menced shooting. Mr. S. H. Holmes had two shots fired at him, and young Geo. Wymore, aged about 19 years (son of Wm. H. Wymore), one of the most peaceable and promising young men in the county, was shot and killed while standing on the opposite side of the street at the corner of the old Green house. The killing was a deliberate murder without any provocation whatever, for neither young Mr. Wy- more, nor any of the citizens of town, previous to the shooting, knew anything of what had taken place. Indeed, so quiet had the matter been managed, if the robbers had succeeded in loclving the bank vault on the clerk and cashier, and had retired quietly, it would likelj' have been some time before the robbei'y would have been discovered. The town was soon all excitement, and as many as could prscure arms and horses went in pursuit, but up to this writing nothing is known of the result. Our citizens exhibited a commendable willing- ness to do all they could to assist in the capture of the robbers and their booty. Thus has our city and people been grossh^ outraged by a band of thieves and murderers, and that, too, when the people thought they were in possession of permanent peace ; and a worthy young man murdered, one of our most successful and abl}' managed monied insti- tutions, and many private individuals, have been heavy losers. We hope to God, the villians may be overhauled, and brought to the end of a rope. Indeed, we can not believe they will escape. The murderers and robbers are believed l)y many citizens, and the officers of the bank, to be a gang of old bushwiiacking desperadoes who stay mostly in Jackson county. But it makes no difference who they are, or what they claim to be, they should be swung up in the most summary manner. Bobbing and nmrdering must l)e stopped, and if it I'equires severe medicine to do it, so be it. Desperate cases require desperate remedies ; and we believe our people are in a humor to make short work of such characters in the future. The people of Clay county want peace and safety and they are going to have it. The robbers obtained about $60,000 in gold, currency and 7 :30 U. S. bonds ; — about $45,000 of the amount was in 7 :30's. The Clay County Savings Association issued hand-bills, which were sent throughout the county, and of which the following is a copv : — §5,000 Reward. The Clay Countv Savings Association, at Libertv, Mo., was robbed on the LStiiinst., of SIXTY THOUSAND DOLLARS, by a band of bushwhackers, who reside chiellv in Clay county, and have their ren- dezvous on or near the Missouri river, above Sibley, in. Jackson county. HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 261 The sum of FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS will be paid by the As- sociation for the recovery of the stolen money or in that porportiou for the sum recovered. Every citizen, who values his life or property, will be expected to give his aid in capturing the thieves, as they are thoroughly organized and will no doubt continue to depredate on life and property, as they did here yesterday. Done by order of the Board of Directors. James Love, Pres't. February 14, ISGt!. A heavy snow fell within a few hours after the robbery, covering up the tracks of the robbers completely, and rendering it impossible to follow their trail far. It was learned positively, however, that they crossed the river into Jackson county and scattered themselves through the " Cracker's Neck " region and amid the almost impenetrable fast- ness of the Sni hills. It was almost wholly a matter of conjecture who they were ; onfe man who met them declared he knew some of them, but afterward he refused to swear to his statement. This was in all probability really the heaviest bank robbing that occurred during the " reign of the robbers," in Missouri, Iowa and Kentucky, from 1866 to 1881. Despite assertions in sensational publications to the contrary, it is quite certain that no other hank was ever roblied by the Missouri bandits of so large a sum as even $50,000. The robbery caused the temporary suspension of the savings bank, l)ut the officers finally settled with their creditors by paying 60 cents on the dollar, a settlement that was satisfactory to all. In August, 1866, one J. C. Couch, of Gentry county, was exam- ined before a magistrate under a suspicion that he was one of the rob- bers, but he was discharged. A fellow named Joab Perry, who was lying in Independence jail on another charge, was taken out by the Clay county officials and brought across the river for examination, but escaped from custody and was never afterward arrested. POLITICAL. At the Presidential election, 1868, the vote in Clay county stood : Seymour, Democrat, 313; Grant, Eepublican, 291. For Governor — John S. Phelps, Democrat, 320 ; Joseph William McClurg, Republican, 284. For Congress — Gen. James H. Shields, Democrat, 319 ; R. T. Van Horn, Republican, 286. In 1870, wiien the question of i-e-enfranchising the ex-Confederate sympathizers was before the people, and the candidates for Governor were B. Gratz Brown, Liiieral Republican, T. W. McClurg, Radical Republican, the total number of registered voters in the county was 955. 262 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. The vote stood : Brown, 625; McClurg, 245. For the enfranchising amendments to the constitntion, 838; against, 17. In 1872 the vote was: For President — Greeley, Democratic and Liberal Republican candidate, 2,207 ; Grant, Eepublican, 528 ; Charles O'Conor, "straight" Democrat, 27. For Governor — Silas Wood- son, Democrat, 2,472 ; John B. Henderson, Republican, 527. For Congress — A. S. Comings, Democrat, 2,477; D. S. Twitchell, Republican, 524. In 1876 the vote for President was : For Tilden, Democrat, 2,848 ; Hayes, Republican, 509 ; Cooper, Greenback, 57. In 1880 the vote was : For President — Hancock, Democrat, 2,969 ; Garfield, Republican, 589 ; Weaver, Greenbacker, 193. For Gov- ernor — Crittenden, Democi-at, 2,979; D. P. Dyer, Republican, 586 ; Brown, Greenbacker, 196. For Congress — D. C. Allen, Democrat, 1,650 ; John T. Crisp, Democrat, 1,377 ; R. T. Van Horn, Republican, 547; Clark, Greenbacker, 179. In 1884 the vote stood: For President — Cleveland, Democrat, 3,179 ; Blaine, Republican, and Butler, Greenbacker, fusion electors, 919 ;sti-aight Blaine, 22 ; St. John, Prohibitionist, 58. For Governor — Mai-maduke, Democrat, 3,093; Ford, Fusion, 903; Brooks, Prohi- bitionist, 136; Guitar, straight Republican, 9. For Congress — Dockery, Democrat, 3,217; Harwood, Republican, 803; Jourdan, Greenbacker 108. RAILROADS. The branch of the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad through this county was completed in the latter part of the fall of 1867 and first part of 1868. It was completed to Liberty about October 15, 1867. William J. Quealy, of Hannibal, was the chief contractor. This road was chartered before the war, and was originally called the Kansas City, Galveston and Lake Superior. Afterward the name was changed to the Kansas City and Cameron. It was merged into the Hannibal and St. Joseph February 14, 1870, and is still a part of the same. The first regular train over the bridge across the Missouri at Kansas City passed July 4, 1869. The " old reliable " Hannibal and St. Joe has been of incalculable value to Clay county. Besides giving our people an outlet to the markets of the world, at all times and seasons, it created in this county five new towns and villages, and caused the development of many tracts of unimproved land, and added largely to the value of much land already in cultivation. The Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific — then called the St. Louis, HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 263 Kansas City and Northern — was completed through the county in the fall of 1868. The Chicago, Rock Islahd and Pacific began running its trains over the track of the Hannibal and St. Joseph, from Cameron to Kansas City, in the summer of 1871. ^ It is not allowed to take on or dis- charge passengers or freight in this county, or even between Cameron and Kansas Cit}^ THE GRASSHOPPER YEAR. The 3'ear 1875 will long be remembered in Clay county as the " grasshopper year." In May vast swarms of grasshoppers, or Rocky Mountain locusts, made their appearance in this quarter of Missouri and devastated entire regions of country of vegetation, and of almost every green thing. In Clay they were, indeed, a burden. They made their appearance in such numbers that in many places the ground and entire surface of the earth was completely covered with them. Entire fields of wheat, and young corn, and meadows were devoured in a few hours. Gardens disappeared as though a fire had passed over them. Fortunately the pests departed from the county in a few weeks. Corn was replanted, and in the fall very good crops were raised. HANGING OF SAM WALKER. October 14, 1873, a negro named Samuel AValker shot and killed his wife, Katie, who at the time was employed as a domestic in a family at Liberty. Walker claimed that his wife was unfaithful to him. He came to Liberty from Platte county. One night he waylaid, shot and badly wounded a negro whom he suspected of visiting his wife, and a few nights thereafter shot the woman herself as she stepped out of doors for a bucket of water. Walker was apprehended the same night in the chimney of a negro cabin down in the river bottom. He was indicted and arraigned in November following, and his trial continued to March, 1874, when he was tried and convicted, and sentenced to be hung May 15, two months later, a short shrift, certainly. On his trial he was defended by Col. Rucker. The evidence was conclusive against the prisoner, and he even confessed his guilt. The execution came off at the appointed time, on what is called the show grounds, west of the railroad depot, in Liberty. A large crowd of both sexes, races, and all ages was present. The details occupied fully four hours. The condemned man had been visited the day before 12 264 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. by two Catholic Sisters of Charity, and then professed the Catholic religion, but on the scaffold he seemed to have gone back on Catholic- ism and to have become a good Protestant. He prayed, sung, exhorted, talked and bade farewell to all who would come up and shake hands with him, and the scene was by no means an attractive one. Sherift' Patton, the one-armed" ex-Confederate soldier, had charge of the hanging. THE FLOOD OF 1881. In the spring of 1881 the Missouri river was higher than it had been since 1844. The bottoms were overflowed and much damage resulted. Harlem was all under water, and many buildings were destroyed. Some old settlers declared that the river was even higher in 1881 than it was in 1844. Certainly the damage was greater, for there was more to destroy. The ensuing season was drouthy, and crops were a partial failure. The next fall corn rose to $1 a bushel. CENSUS AND OTHER STATISTICS OF 1880. The total population of the county in 1880, according to the official census, was 15,572, of which 8,132 were males and 7,440 were females. The whites numbered 14,059; the colored people, 1,513. By town- ships the population was as follows : — Townships. Population. Kishiug River, iucluding Jlissouri City 2,885 Gallatin 2,772 Kearney, including Holt and Kearney 2,667 Liberty, including Liberty Town 3,7U Platte, including Smithville 2,352 Washington 1,212 Total 15,572 The population of the incorporated towns and villages was as fol- lows : — Liberty, l,47fi ; Missouri City, 581 ; Kearney, 465 ; Smithville, 231 ; Holt, 162. The native born population was 15,127, of which number of per- sons 10,586 were born in Clay county, 2,053 in Kentucky ; 333 in Tennessee; 253 in Ohio; 244 in Indiana, 240 in Illinois, and the re- mainder in other States. The number of foreigners was 445, of whom there was born in Ireland, 166 ; in the German Empire, 117 ; in En- gland and Wales, 53 ; British America, 35 ; Sweden and Norway, 16 ; Scotland, 14 ; France, 8. HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 265 The number of voters in the county was 4,018. The number of farms in 1880 was 2,015, and the number of acres of improved land, 184,455. The total value of the farms, including fences and buildings, was $4,860,571, the value of stock on the farms June 1st, was $1,250,961. The estimated value of farm products in 1879 was $879,411, consisting in part of 2,204,376 bushels of corn, 257,887 bushels of wheat, and 134,311 bushels of oats. The number of head of horses owned in the county in 1880 was 6,832; mules, 2,086; cattle, 19,743; sheep, 18,402; hogs, 53,516. In manufactures the total value invested was $129,125; the value of products, $378,915. The number of operatives employed was 142 males and 11 females ; amount of wages paid, $32,513. RACE POPULATION IN 1860, 1870 AND 1880. I860. 1870. 1880. Whites 9,525 13,718 14,059 Colored 3,4!)8 1,846 1,513 Totals 13,023 15,504 15,572 THE JAMES BROTHERS. No attempt will be made in this history to give a detailed history of the noted bandit brothers known familiarly, not only throughout the United States, but in Europe, as the James' boys. It is only from the fact that they were natives of the county and for a time resided here that they are mentioned at all. Other publications profess to nar- rate their exploits and their career correctly, but whether they do so or not is no affair of the publisher hereof, and perhaps of but little conse- quence to any one. What is set down here may be relied on as accurate, however, and is given with the partial knowledge of its truth on the part of a largo majority of the readers. Alexander Franklin James was born in this county, January 10, 1843. Jesse Woodson James was born in the house where his mother now lives, in Kearney township, September 5, 1847. ^ Both boys were raised on their mother's farm, in this county, to their early man- hood, except for a time during and immediately subsequent to the Civil War. What little education they possessed was obtained at the common county schools of their neighborhood. Neither of .them ever attended any other sort of school. In 1850 their father, Rev. Robert James, as mentioned elsewhere, ^ Both dates are taken from the record in their mother's family Bible, and were set down by their father. 266 HISTORY or clav county. went to California and there died soon after his arrival. He was a Baptist minister, a man of good education, and tiiiiversally respected. In 1851, the widow James — whose maiden name was Zerelda Cole — was again married to a Mr. Simms, also of this county, a widower, with children. At the time of her second marriage she was 26 years of age, and her husband was 52. The union proved un- happy, and in less than a year was terminated by a separation. Tl;e lady alleges that the chief trouble arose from the fact that her three little children, Frank, Jesse and Susie, whom she had always humored andindulged, gave their old step-father no end of annoyance. He in- sisted that she should send them away, and to this she once agreed, but her near relatives informed her that if she did so they would never more recognize her, and so she separated from Mr. Simms, who, she yet alleges, always treated her with kindness, and for whose memory she still has great respect. He died not long after the separation, and sometime afterwards Mi's. Simms was married to Dr. Reuben Samuel, her present husband. In the fall of 1861, when 18 years of age, Frank James volunteered in the Confederate service, Ijecoming a member of Capt. Minter's company, Hughes' regiment, Stein's division. He was present at the capture of Lexington, and marched with Price's army into Southwest Missouri. At Springfield he was taken with measles, and on the re- treat of Pi'ice's army before Gen. Curtis, in February, 1862, he was left behind in the hospital. The Federals, Avhen they captured Spring- field, took him prisoner, paroled him, and he returned home to his mother's farm in Kearney township. He was arrested by Col.Penick in the following early summer and released on a $2,000 bond. He returned to his home and went to work. From time to time Frank James was accused of having aided and abetted the Confederate cause, in violation of his parole. The accu- sations may or may not be true, but in the early spring of 1863 he was again arrested, taken to Liberty and cast into jail. From here he contrived to make his escape, and soon afterwards, while a fugitive he determined " to go to the brush," as the phrase then was, and ac- cordingly joined a small band of bushwhackers, under the leadership of Fernando Scott. This was in May, 1863, and a few days later he took part in the raid on Missouin City, when Capt. Sessions and Lieut. Grafenstein were killed. Thereafter he was a bushwhacker until the close of the War, winding up his career with Quantrell in Kentucky. During his career as a guerrilla Frank James participated in three or four skirmishes with the Federals in this county. HISTOKY OF CLAY COUNTY. 267 III May, 1863, soon after Frank James had gone to the l)rnsh,a de- tachment of Capt. J. W. Turney's company of Clinton county militia,' under Lieut. H. C. Culver, accompanied by Lieut. J. W. Younger, with a few Clay county militia, visited the Samuels homestead in search of James and his companions. Failing to find them, they sought by thi-eats and violence to force the members of the family to give them certain information they desired. Dr. Samuel was taken out and hung by the neck until nearly exhausted, and the boy Jesse, then not quite 16 years old, who was plowing in the fieJd, was whipped very severely. A few weeks later, Dr. and Mrs. Samuel were arrested by the Fed- erals and taken to St. Joseph, accused of " feeding and harboring liushwhackers." This was the charge preferred against Mrs. Samuel ; but no charge whatever was ever filed against Dr. Samuel. Miss Susie James was not arrested. Mrs. Samuel had her two small children with "her at the St. Joseph prison, and three months later another child was born. She was released by Col. Chester Harding after two weeks' imprisonment and sent home on taking tiie oath. Dr. Samuel was released about the same time. While Dr. and Mrs. Samuel was absent in St. Joe their household was in charge of Mrs. West, a sister of Mrs. Samuel. Jesse James remained at home during the year 1863, and with the assistance of a negro man raised a considerable crop of tobacco. The next summer, in June, 1864, a year after he had been cruelly whipfjed by the militia, he too " went to the brush," joining Flotoh. Taylor's band of bushwhackers, of which his brother Frank was a member. He was present when the Bigelow brothers were killed, and took part in the capture of Platte City, where he and other liushwhackers had their anibrotype pictures taken. The original picture of Jesse James is yet in possession of his family, but copies have recently been made and sold throughout the country. While with Bill Anderson's com- pany on the way to Howard county, in August, 1864, Jesse was badly wounded by an old German Unionist named Heisinger, who lived in the southern part of Ray county, at Heisinger's Lake. Three or four bushwhackers went to Heisinger's., got something to eat and were looking about the premises when the old man fired upon tlieiii from a sorghum patch, put a bullet through Jesse James' right lung, and routed the party. This practically ended his career as a bushwhacker. ^ Co. F, Fourth Provisional Regiment. 268 HISTOKY OF CLAY COUNTY. His companions hid him away and one Nat. Tigue nursed him for a considerable time.^ It was a long time until Jesse was able to be in the saddle again. In February, 1865, in the rear of Lexington, when coming in with some others to surrender, he was fired on by a detachment of Federals belonging to the Second Wisconsin Cavalry, and again shot through the right lung. From this wound he did not recover for many months. He was nursed first by his comrades, then by his aunt, Mrs. Wesf, in Kansas City, and at last taken by his sister. Miss Susie, to Rulo, Nebraska, where the Samuel family had been banished the previous summer by order of the Federal military commanders in this quarter. At Rulo, Dr. Samuel was making a precarious living in the practice of his profession — medicine — and hei'e the young guerrilla lay until in August, 1865, when the family I'eturned to their Clay county farm. Jesse united with the Baptist Church sometime in 1868. When, as is alleged, the James brothers entered upon their life of brigandage and robbery, their associates were those of the old guer- rilla days, and it is but true to say that this life succeeded to or was born of the old bushwhacking career. Not every old Confederate liushwhacker became a l)andit, for many of the most desperate of Quantrell's, Todd's and Anderson's men became quiet, reputable cit- izens, but at the first every bandit in Western Missouri was an cx- guerrilla. After the Gallatin bank robbery the civil authorities of this county began the chase after the now noted brothers and kept it up for years, or until Jesse was killed in April, 1882, and Frank surrendered. The pursuit was considered by each Clay county sheriff as a part of his regular duties :ind transmitted the same as the books and papers of his office to his successor. Lack of space forbids an enumeration of the many adventures of the officers of this county in their efforts to capture the James boys and their partners. One fact must be borne in mind. Every sheriff worked faithfully and bravely to discharge his duties. The heroic and desperate fight near the Samuel residence-' between the intrepid Capt. John S. Thomason an4 his brave young son, Oscar, and the ' While serving with the bushwhackers Franic was Ivnown as " Bucl;," and Jesse was called " Dingus " by their companions. While in a camp one day, shortly after he went out, Jesse was practicing with a revolver and accidentally shot oS the end of one of his lingers. Shaking his wounded hand, and dancing about with the pain, he cried out, " O, ding it! ding it! How it hurts! " - Decembet 14, ISCO. HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 269 two l)i-others, when the Captain's horse was killed ; the night tight made by Capt. John S. Grooms ; the many expeditions by night and day, in season and ont of season, by Thomason, Grooms, Patton and Timberlake,can not here be detailed, interesting as the incidents thereof may be. Connected with the career of the bandit brothers, may be briefly mentioned the attempt of Pinkerton's detectives to eflect their cap- ture — an attempt blunderingly and brutally made and ignominiously ailing, resulting in the killing of little Archie Peyton Samuel,' the tearing oft' of Mrs. Samuel's right arm, the wounding of other mem- fbers of the family, and the complete discomfiture of the attacking party of detectives. Whether or not, either or both of the James boys and another member of the l)and participated in this melee, and whether or not one of the detectives was killed, can not here be stated. The murder of Daniel Askew, the nearest neighbor of Dr. Samuel, which occurred a few weeks after Pinkerton's raid, has always been attributed to one or both of the James brothers, though the charge is stoutly denied by their friends. Askew was called out one night and shot dead on his doorstep. A detective named J. W. Whicher, who, as he himself avowed, came to this county to plan in some way the capture of the brothers, was taken across the Missouri river into Jackson county and killed by somebodij., in Jackson county, March 10, 1874. That any considerable portion of the people of the county ever gave aid or comfort or countenance to the bandits who infested Missouri, whether the James boys, or who ever they were, is so preposterously untrue that there is no real necessity for its denial. Not one person in one hundred of the people of the county knew either of the James boys i)y sight, and but few more had ever seen them. After they en- tered upon their career of brigandage their visits to the county were so unfrequent and unseasonable and so brief that only the very fewest saw them, and it was not long ere those who once knew them inti- mately would not have known them had they met them face to face in open day ; for from smooth-faced boys they were growing to bearded men, and no change is more complete than that from adoles- cence to manhood. Moreover, it is most absurd, and most unjust, too, that any consid- erable number such as live in the county of Clay should be supposed to have any sympathy with villainy and villains of any sort. The ' Named by Jesse James for Archie Clements and Peyton Long, two desperate and notorious guerrillas during tiie war. 270 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. county is and has now been for years full of school-houses and churches and abounding with Christian men and women who fear God and keep His commandments, and keep themselves aloof from evil associations. Morality and love of the right are the rule among our people ; immor- ality and viciousness the exception. At any time within the past fifteen years five hundred men could have been raised in an hour to capture the James boys. Dozens of the best citizens of all classes have frequently volunteered to acconv pany the officers in their search for the l)andits, and have lain night after night in the woods and watched roads and bridges, and done everything in their power to vindicate and uphold the law. Even when Jesse James was shot at St. Joseph a public meeting at Liberty applauded the fact and indorsed the manner of his taking ofi". That the James boys had a few confederates in Clay county is barely possible. Who they were, however, can now never be known. It is probable that if they existed at all they were few in number, and their services and the character of their connection unimportant and uncon- spicuous. CHAPTER XII. MISCELLANEOUS. Clay County Schools — County Teacbers' Institute — William Jewell College, etc. The first schools taught in the county were made up by subscrip- tion and taught during the summer or autumn. The school-houses were generally hastily improvised without much attention being paid to comfort or convenience. Sometimes a winter school was provided if a house could be found comfortable enough. In township 52, range 30, — in the southeastern portion of the county — the people first thoroughly organized for school purposes. In February, 1836, the township was organized into two school dis- tricts, with Fishing river the dividing line between them. The south- ern district was called Franklin, and the trustees were James Dagley, George Withers and Sam Crowley. The northern district was called Jefferson: trustees, Winfrey E. Price, Michael Welton, Joel. P. Moore. In the spring Jefferson was divided into two districts, and the western or northwestern was called Clark, in honor of Jesse Clark. In April, 1836, township 52, i-ange 31, lying northeast of the town of Liberty, was divided into four school districts, Clay, Washington, White and Bell. Schools were established soon after in all these dis- tricts, and already there were good schools at Liberty. From the earliest period of its official existence Clay county has always taken a leading part in school matters among the best counties of the State. The sixteenth sections in every congressional township in Missouri were from the first set aside for public school purposes, to be sold to the best advantage and the proceeds thereof properly applied, upon petition of two-thirds of the inhabitants of said congressional town- ship. The Clay county court, in February, 1831, appointed Ware S. May to select the sixteenth sections in this county. Samuel Tillery was appointed commissioner, and he made sales from time to time up to the spring of 1834. Under the act of February 9, 1839, public schools were instituted, and were aided from the interest of the township fund arising from the sales before mentioned. In 1842, the State l)egan the distribution of a small fund. These schools were rather meager in their results (271) 272 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. until the act of February, 1853, set apai-t twenty-five per cent of the State revenue for the support of common schools. This act also created the office of county school commissioner, and Col. A. W. Doniphan was appointed to the office in November, 1853, which he filled until August 8, 1854, when he resigned, having been elected county representative. George Hughes was then appointed to fill the vacancy, and has held the office up to this writing (February, 1885,) with complete satisfaction to all. The first annual report to the State Superintendent, by County Commissioner Hughes, was made November 4, 1854. The whole number of white cliildren over 5 and under 20 years of age in the organized school township for that year was 2,426, and in the unor- ganized territory the children of school age were estimated to be about 500. The number of public schools was 32, and the number of teachers employed was 34. The average number of children attend- ing public school was 1,264. The average salary paid teachers was $29 per month, and the length of school term was about five months and a fourth. According to the report for 1884, the number of children in the county, between 6 and 20 years of age, was 4,708 whites and 420 colored. The total number attending public schools was 3,530 white children and 227 colored. The average number of days' attendance by each child was 80. The number of teachers employed during the year, 42 males and 53 females. The average monthly salary paid males was $47.82, and females $34.16. The whole number of white schools in operation during the year was 63, and for colored children there were eight. The total number of pupils that might be seated in the school rooms of the county was 4,125. The number of school houses was 61, of which 55 were frame, and six were brick. The total value of school property was $44,770.00. The average rate per $100 levied for school purposes was 49 cents. The whole amount received from public funds was $8,340.31, and the whole amount realized from ta.xation was $19,044.68. The amount paid teachers during the year was $20,445.45. The cost for tuition of each scholar was seven and a half cents. The average length of school term in each district was 1 24 '/2 days. County leachevs' Institute. — The County Teachers' Institute was first organized in 1854, and held its first annual session at Mt. Gilead Church, August 29, 1855 (James Love was president and L. R. Slone secretary). This is believed to be the first county teachers' institute ever held in the State. It continued to hold annual, and, sometimes HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 273 semi-annual sessions, until the public schools were suspended, in 1861. When the public schools were again organized after the close of the Civil War, the county institute was also reorganized, and held annual sessions until monthly institutes and county normal institutes supplied its place in the educational work of the county. WILLIAM JEWELL COLLEGE. ^ The founding of this institution is the result of a necessity for higher education which was felt by the Baptists of Missouri at an early day in the history of the State. This feeling was manifested as far back as the year 1833. The Baptists in the State, even at that date, appreciated the supreme importance of establishing a college of the first order, wherein their youths, under denominational influences, might receive the benefits of education beyond an academic course. TheirGeneral Association, on the 25th day of August, 1843, appointed Uriah Sebree, Wade M. Jackson, Roland Hughes, Fielding Wilhoite, David Perkins, Eli Bass, Jordan O'Brien, R. E. McDaniel, Wm. Carson, G. M. Bower, Jason Harrison, James W. Waddell and I. T. Hinton, trustees, to receive the oft'er of Dr. William Jewell of $10,000 toward the endowment of a college to be under the direction of the Baptist denomination, fix the same within 15 miles of the Missouri river, not east of Jefferson City, nor west of Glasgow, and "to do all other acts usual and necessary to organize and carry on a litei'ary institution." On the 26th day of August, 1844, the General Associ- ation declined the ofl:er of $10,000 made by Dr. Jewell, for the reason that in the opinion of that body it was not possible, under the circum- stances of the Baptist denomination in Missouri at that time, to raise the sum required by him, as the condition of his donation ; and so the persons named as trustees — in effect the committee on college organization — were discharged. The General Association met in August, 1847, at Walnut Grove, Boone county. The attendance of delegates was large and embraced quite a number of leading gentle- men of the Baptist denomination in, the State. The movement in favor of the founding of a college was plainly taking a more definite shape and becoming more energetic. The General Association, with- 1 Much of the iuforraation iu this article has been derived from a slvetch written by HoQ. D. C. Allea and published in the History of the Baptists of Missouri. In many Instances Mr. Allen's exact language is used. 274 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. out dissent, as it appears, on the 26th day of August, 1847, adopted the following resolution, offered by Eev. S. W. Lynd, viz. : — Resolved, That a committee of five persons be appointed as a pro- visional committee on education, whose duty it shall be to originate an institution of learning, for the Baptist denomination in this State, provided the same can be accomplished upon a plan b}' which its en- dowment and perpetuity may be secured. Roland Hughes, William Carson, Wade M. Jackson, R. E. McDaniel and David Perkins were appointed the committee contem- plated by the resolution. The committee appointed in 1847 reported to the General Associ- ation on the 2()th day of August, 1848. The report of the commit- tee in substance was : That for the purpose of erecting and endowing a college in the State, they had secured subscriptions to the amount of $16,936 and that they believed, from the success which had at- tended their limited exertions, that a vigorous prosecution of the en- terprise would finirlly end in success. On the recommendation of the committee the General Association passed the following resolution, viz. : — Rexolved, That so soon as the provisional committee may think it advisable to make a location, they be instructed to make such loca- tion according to the condition expressed in the subscription which the agents have been authorized to circulate. At the same time the General Association appointed the gentlemen of the last preceding committee a committee also to make applica- tion to the General Assembly of the State for a charter for the col- lege, and to appoint a board of trustees. Through the agency of this committee, the Fifteenth General Assembly of the State granted a charter for a college (which was approved by the Governor on the 27th day of February, 1849), in accordance with the wishes of the Baptists of Missouri. (Session Acts, 1849, page 232). The title of the act granting the charter is : " An act to charter a college in the State of Missouri." The i)reamble of the act begins as follows: — " Whereas, The United Baptists in Missouri and their friends are desirous of endowing and building up a college in the State," etc. The trustees named in the charter are as follows : Tyree C. Harris, Isaac Lionberger, Jordan O'Brien, W. C. Ligon, Robert S. Thomas, A. W. Doniphan, T. N. Thompson, W. D. Hubbell, Robert James, HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 275 Samuel T. Glover, T. L. Anderson, R. F. Richmond, S". D. South, T. E. Hatcher, John Ellis, Wm. Carson, David Perkins, W. M. Jackson, Roland Hughes, William Jewell, W. M. McPherson, R. E. McDaniel, John Robinson, M. F. Price, E. M. Samuel and R. R. Craig. It was about March 1, 1848, when the first definite and practical action was taken to secure the location of the college at Liberty. On that date a meeting was held at Libeity and committees were appointed for each township to solicit subscriptions to the endowment. J. T. V. Thompson, E. M. Samuel and Madison Miller were at the head of the movement. During the following summer the county was thoroughly canvassed and nothing left undone to secure for Clay county the loca- tion of the much desired institution. This work was continued for a year thereafter, or until the summer of 1849. The provisional committee appointed by the Baptist General As- sociation, August 26, 1848, called a meeting of the donors to the endow- ment, to be held at Boonville, August 21, 1849, for the purpose of determining the name of the college and fixing its location. The donors met pursuant to the call. The number of shares — each share being valued at $48 — represented was 883. The subscriptions, in addition, were $7,000 by the citizens of Clay county, for the erection of buildings only. The Clay county donors were represented in the meeting by Col. A. W. Doniphan and Hon. J. T. V. Thompson, who, with E. M. Samuel, had been appointed at a meeting held in Liberty, August 3. Four towns in the State contested for the location — Liberty, Fulton, Palmyra and Boonville. Col. Doniphan presented the claims of Liberty. When it came to the vote on the location the contest was animated and eager. The subscription of Clay was larger than that of any other county, but did not constitute a majority of the votes, each share being entitled to a vote. Finalh', the location at Liberty, Clay county, was made by the votes of Howard county being cast solidly for it. The final vote stood : For Liberty, 528 ; for Palmyra 194 ; for Boonville, 107 ; for Fulton, 44. Immediately after the fixing of the location. Rev. Wm. C. Ligon moved that the college be named William Jewell College, in honor of Dr. W^m. Jewell, a prominent, well known and universally respected citizen of Boone county. Col. Doniphan seconded the mo- tion, and it was adopted unanimously. Dr. Jewell was present in the meeting, and arose and returned his thanks for the honor. In con- clusion he said he had long had his will written remembering this institution, and he now desired the secretary to write his obligation 276 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. for $10,000 worth of land — 3,951 acres situated in Mercer, Grundy and Sullivan counties — which he desired to donate to the college. The conveyance was immediately completed. Subsequently, Dr. Jewell, in his will and by sums of money voluntarily expended out of his own pocket to contractors for theerection of the college edifice, gave the corporation not less than $6,000.^ The certificate of location and naming of the college was filed in the recoi-der's office of Clay County, August 25, 1849, and thereupon the name of the corporation became that which it still retains — "The Trustees of William Jewell College." The site of the college was donated by Hon. J. T. V. Thompson, who, though not a church member, was all his life a friend and liberal patron of the institution. At first the corporation was liberal and almost non-sectarian in the organization of its faculty. From Sep- tember, 1853, to June, 1861, one of the professors was uniformly a member of some other church denomination than the Baptist. This liberality was of decided advantage to the institution, in one respect at least. The first meeting of the board of trustees was held November 12, 1849. The members at that time were Dr. Wm. Jewell, of Boone county; Roland Hughes, Wade M. Jackson, David Perkins, of Howard; M. R. Price, of Lafayette; W. C. Ligon, of Carroll; A. W. Doniphan, Edward M. Samuel, J. T. V. Thompson, R. R. Ci'aig and Rev. Robt. James,^ of Clay. Roland Hughes was elected first president of the board and Rev. Wm. C. Ligon, secretary. The board at this meeting decided to open a department of instruction — a preparatory school in the basement of the Baptist Church, in Lib- erty, the first session or term to begin January 1, 1850. The school opened at the time specified. Rev. E. S. Dulin princi- pal, with Rev. Thos. F. Lockett as assistant. The course of study 1 Dr. William Jewell was born in Loudoun county, Va., January 1, 1789, anil re- moved to Gallatin county, Ky., in 1800. He received a good education and took the degree of M. D., in Transylvania University. In 1820, he came to Missouri, and in 1822 located at Columbia. Accumulating something of a private fortune, he became a liberal patron of various laudable enterprises, and was well known as much for his general l)>2nevolence as for his public spirit. He gave $1,800 to secure the location of the Slate University at Columbia. He served two or three times in the Legi.ila- ture as a representative from Boone county. In 1822, ho united with the Baptist Church, and was a consistent member of that denomination until his death, which occurrecl at Liberty, August 7, 1853, of illness caused by over-exertion in a personal supervision of the work of erecting the building which bears his name. His noblest monument is William Jewell College. - Fathei- of the bandits, Frank and Jesse. HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. , 277 adopted was tidmirable and thorough. The faculty for the year 1850-51 consisted of Rev. E. S. Dulin, Rev. Thos. F. Lockett and Rev. Wm. M. Hunsaker, the latter being the principal of the pre- paratory department. Rev. E. S. Dulin, Rev. Terry Bradley, and James G. Smith constituted the faculty for the year 1851-52. Mr. Bradley was professor of mathematics and Mr. Smith principal of the preparatory department. Rev. Dulin terminated his connection withj the college in June, 1852. During the year 1852-53 the departments of instruction were simply under the patronage of the trustees, who permitted Rev. Terry Bradley and Geo. S. Withers to maintain a school in the rooms rented by the trustees, and take all the fees for tuition. February 11, 1850, the trustees elected Dr. Jewell commissioner to superintend the erection of the college building. May 13 follow- ing, the board ordered contractts let for the erection, and work was begun on the foundations the ensuing fall. By August 7, 1852, the date of Dr. Jewell's death, the foundations were completed and the superstructure had been built to the height of twenty feet. Dr. Jewell supervised the work with the utmost vigilance and care. By the 1st of August, 1853, the building was complete except the flooring and plastering of the rooms of the south wing and what was then the lower chapel; these were completed about 1858. The building was occupied partially in the summer of 1853. The architect of the college edifice was J. O. Sawyer, of Cincinnati, Ohio ; the superintendent, B. McAlester, of Columbia ; the brick- makers, Hunter & Alford, Lexington ; the stonework was done by R. Ainsworth, of Jefferson City; the plastering by John Burbank, of Weston ; the painting by A. H. Maxtield . In the summer of 1853, the first faculty was elected with Rev. Robt. S.Thomas, of Columbia, as president; Terry Bradley, professor of Latin and Greek ; James Love, professor of mathematics and natural sciences ; Leonidas M. Lawson, tutor. The composition of the fac- ulty for 1854-55 was the same as the previous year, with the addition of Wm. P. Lamb, who was principal of the preparatory department. The first graduation in the college occurred on the third Friday in June, 1855. The graduating class consisted of five members. From June, 1855, until September, 1857, instruction in all the departments was suspended for want of funds. By September, 1857, the financial condition of the institution had improved to an extent that warranted the reopening of the college, which was done. The faculty for the year 1857-58 was composed of Rev. William Thomp- 278 , HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. son, LL. D., president, elected Miiy, 19, 1857 ; M. W. Eobiasou, adjunct professor of ancient languages and literature; Jno. B. Bradley, professor of natural philosophy and astronomy ; W. C. Garnett, principal of the academic department, and Grandison L. Black, assistant tutor. August 12, 1861, the Civil War having broken out, and the country being in a highly disturljed condition, all departments of instruction were closed, and the college remained practically in a state of sus- pension for seven years, though irregular instruction was given at intei'vening periods during the war. After the battle of Blue Mills the college building was used for some days as a hospital for the reception and care of the Federal wounded. In August, 1862, the building and grounds were occupied by the Federal troops for some weeks, and some slight intrenchments constructed. No serious dam- age was done to the property by these occupations. June 24, 1867, Rev. Thompson Ranibaut, LL. D., was chosen to the presidency of the college, and for a year thereafter he and the trustees were engaged in reorganization, and September, 28, 1868, the college reopened with the following faculty : Rev. Thos. Ram- baut, president ; R. B. Seinple, professor of Latin, French, and Italian ; A. F. Fleet, professor of Greek and German ; John F. Lan- neau, professor of mathematics; James R. Eaton, professor of natural sciences and theology. Dr. Rambaut resigned in January, 1874, since which time the duties of president have practically been performed by Rev. W. R. Roth- well, D. D., who came to the college in June, 1872, as professor of Biblical literature. The present faculty consists of Dr. W. R. Roth- well, professor of moral philosophy and theology ; R. B. Scrapie, professor of Latin and German ; James G. Clark, professor of mathematics and French ; J. R. Eaton, professor of natural science ; R. P. Ryder, principal of the preparatory department ; A. J. Emer- son, professor of English literature and historj'. Ely Hall, named in honor of Lewis B. Ely, was built in 1880. The total wealth of the college is about $150,000. CHAPTER Xni. LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. Position and Description — Early Settlers — Liberty Landing — Country Churches — City of Liberty — First Incorporation — Liberty in 1846 — Churches of Liberty — Secret Societies — Biographical. POSITION AND DESCRIPTION. Liberty is the south-central municipal township of Clay county and its present boundaries are as follows : Beginning at the northeast corner, at the northeast corner of section 1.5, township 52, range 31 ; thence south to the Missouri river ; thence up the river to the mouth of Big Shoal creek ; thence up and along Big Shoal creek, on the eastern bank, to the southwest corner of section 22, township 51, range 32 ; thence due north to the northwest corner of section 3, town- ship 52, range 31 ; thence east to the northeast corner of section 1, same township and range ; thence south one mile to the southeast corner of said section 1 ; thence east one mile to the northeast corner of section 7-52-31 ; thence south one mile to the southeast corner of said section 7 ; thence east three miles to the beginning. Although the country is naturally l)roken and hilly throughout the greater part of the township, some of the best farms in Missouri are here to be found. Without the least exaggeration some of the manor lands in Liberty are equal in_ point of development and improvement to many of the best estates in the famed blue grass region of Ken- tucky, or the much lauded farms of Central Ohio. To be sure many of the Liberty township farms have been cultivated for sixty years, but their ))ossessors have not been slothful or unenterprising. WATER SUPPLY. The tributaries of Fishing river, Rush creek. Big Shoal and all of Little Shoal creek, furnish abundant water supply and adapt the town- ship to stock raising, and this natural advantage is thoroughly well improved upon. The bottom lands along the Missouri are of course of the highest fertility, but difficult and hazardous of improvement, owing to the liability of overflow. Among the many reputable farmers of this township may be men- tioned J. W. Park, Esq., who resides near Liberty. 13 (279) 280 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. EARLY SETTLERS. As to the first settlers in what is now Liberty township, it is proba- ble that they were Richard Hill, Robert Gilmore, James Gilmore, Samuel Gilmore and Elijah Smith, who settled on Rush creek, in the southeastern part of the township, in 1820. The two first-named Gil- mores, Hill and Smith came first in the spring and built cabins and put out small crops, leaving their families down in the Petite Osag'e bottom (commonly called Tete Saw) in Saline county. In the fall of the year they I'eturned with their families. Richard Hill settled on section 9, nearly two miles east of Liberty; the others were lower down the creek. All of these families were re- lated.' Samuel Gilmore was the father of Robert and James, and the flxthef-in-law of Hill and Smith. Mrs. Mary Poteet, a widow ladv, who was the sister of Elijah Smith, and the mother-in-law of James and Robert Gilmore, came with the party and made her home with her brother. She raised Mary Crawford, an orphan, who became the wife of Cornelius Gilliam, and was the first white woman married iu Clay county. (See Fishing River township.)^ Other settlers came in quite numerously and located in the south- ern portion of the township in 1821, and in 1822, when the county was organized and Liberty laid out and made the county seat, there were still other additions made to the settlements in what is now the Libert}' municipal township — then about equally divided between Gallatin and Fishing River, the two original townships of the county. Anthony Harsell says that in 1821 there was but one house north of Liberty — that of James Hiatt, who lived a little more than a mile from town, due north (section 31-52-31), now known as the Baker farm. LIBERTY LANDING. Liberty Landing, on the Missouri, three and a half miles south of the city of Liberty, was established many years ago. The site was for many years a place of importance. All merchandise for Liberty and other interior towns north was put off the steamboats here for many years. From 1858 to 1862 a large hemp factory, owned and operated by Arthur, Burris & Co., was conducted at this point. The 1 Three weeks after the Gilmores came to their new homes permanently, David Mc- Elwee settled in Fishin;^ River township, and from his daughter, Mrs. Margaret How- deshell, the information concerning the early settlement of the township has been ob- tained. HISTOKY OF CLAY COUNTY. 281 machinery in this establisliment cost about $30,000, and the firm handled thousands of tons of hemp. The business was broken up bv the war and the machinery sold to McGrewBros., of Lexington. At present there is a railroad station on the Wabash road at the Land- ing. COUNTRY CHURCHES. Little Shoal Creek, Old School Baptist. — This church has the dis- tinction of being the first church organization in Clay county. It was constituted May 28, 1823, by the well known pioneer minister, Elder William Thorp. The constituent members were : William Monroe, A. Monroe, Enos Vaughn, Patsy Vaughn, A. Groom, Daniel Stout, Ailsey Hall, Patsey Stout, Elisha Hall, Elizabeth Monroe, Sally Stephens and Jane Groom. The first church building was a log house, erected in the year 1824. In 1881-82 the congregation built a good substantial brick house, costing about $2,300. The first pastor was Elder William Thorp, who served the church for 28 years. After him came Elder D. Baiubridge for six years ; Eider Henry Hill, three years ; Polder James Duval, 21 years ; Elder Lucius Wright, two years. Elder James Bradley is the present pastor. Since the organization of the church it has received 317 members in all, but tiie most of them have backslid, leaving the membership of the church at the present time only 34. Providence Missionary Baptist Church. — April 29, 1848, at the house of Peyton T. Townsend, this church was organized by Revs. Robert James and Franklin Graves, P. N. Edwards being the first clerk. The organization commenced with a membership of 44 persons, but has increased until at present writing there are 190. The first church building was erected in 1850, and was destroyed by fire in February, 1880, but was rebuilt the same year at a cost of $2,000. The pastors have l)een Revs. Rol^ert James, John Major, I. T. Williams, A. N. Bird, W. A. Curd, G. L. Black and A. J. Emer- son. The church is a brick building, and is situated in Liberty town- ship, on the southeast quarter of section 15. The Sabbath-school has 25 scholars, the superintendent l)eing J. P. Marr. THE CITY OF LIBERTY. Upon the organization of Clay county, in January, 1822, the land on which the city of Liberty now stands was owned by John Owens and Charles McGee. Owens had built a house on what is now the norLli- west corner of Water and Mill streets some time the previous year, and kept a sort of tavern, or house of entertainment. His house was 262 HISTORY OF clay county. :i rather large aud roomy affair, and, as elsewhere stated, was used to hold the first courts iu, aud for other public purposes. McGee and Owens donated 25 acres to the county for county-seat pur- poses, which donation was accepted, and soon after the town was laid out. The legislative act creating the county appointed John Hutchins, Henry Estes, Enos Vaiighan, Wyatt Aclkins and John Poage commis- sioners to select a " permanent seat of government " for the county, and provided that, until such selection, courts should be held at the house of John Owens. William Powe was afterward appointed on the commission. In their report to the circuit court July 1, 1882, as a reason for their selection, the commissioners say : "That, in pursuance of the object of their appointment, they assembled together on the 20th of March last, to examine the different donations offered the count}', aud continued in session three da3's examining the sites for a town ; that after mature delil)eration and minute investigation the tract of land owned by John Owens and Charles McGee was thought best adapted for the object for which it was designed, as being more central for the population, surrounded with good and perujanent springs, lying sufficiently elevated to drain off all superfluous waters, in a healthy and populous part of the county, and entirely beyond the influence of lakes, ponds, or stagnant waters of any kind; they, there- fore, unanimously agreed to accept of the proposition of Mr. Owens and Mr. McGee of a donation of 25 acres each for the use of the county." As soon as the town was laid out, which was in the early summer of 1822, improvements began to be made. The first sale of lots was on the 4th of July, and at that time nearly all of those fronting 9U the public square were disposed of. But up to about 182(5 there were not more than a dozen houses iu the place, aud these, with perhaps one exception, were log cabins. Early hotel-keepers were Leonard Searcy, who had a licensed tavern in the fall of 1826, and continued in the business for six or seven years ; Laban Garrett, who opened a licensed tavern in Decem- ber, 1827, and John Chauncey, who began iu about 1832. These hotels, or " taverns," as they were universally called, were simple art'airs, but were comfortable enough, furnished plenty of good, whole- some food, and were adequate to the demands of that day. Probably the first store in Lii)erty was kept by Wm. L. Smith, the county clerk, who brought up a few goods with him from Bluffton in 1822, and sold them in his dwellinii-house. HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 283 FIRST INCORPORATION. Liberty was first incorporated as a town t)y the county court May 4, 1829, on the petition of " more than two-thirds of the citizens," under the name and style of "The Inhabitants of the Town of Lib- erty." Tiie following were declared to be the metes and bounds : — Boginniii*^ at the southeast corner of the nortiieust quarter of sec- tion 7, in the line of the New Madrid claim ; thence due west along said Madiid line to the southwest corner of said quarter section ; thence due north along the line of said quarter section to the northwest cor- ner thereof; thence due east along said quarter section line to the northeast corner thereof ; tliencc due north along the. line dividing sections 7 and 8, to tlie beginning corner at the mouth of the lane be- tweeen Andrew Hixon, Sr., and said town tract. This incorporation really included 160 acres of land, l>eing the northeast quarter of section 7, township 51, range 31. The first board of trustees was composei] of Lewis Scott, John 11. Peters, Eli Casey, Samuel Ringo and John Baxter. Describing Liberty in 1829, the year of its first incorporation, a writer in the Tribune in 184(j, says : — The public square in Liberty then had two houses on the south side, one on the west, two on the north, and two or three on the east. Hixon's, Wilson's, Bird's and Curtis' addition to the town were then in old Mr. Hixon's corn field. There was one tavern (the same now [1840] occupied hy Judge Ilendley) kept by Leonard Searcy. Par- ties and balls were frequent, and often times attended by ladies and gentlemen from Fort Leavenworth, Richmond, Lexington and Inde- pendence. Preaching was unconmion — at least I never heard much of it. There was no cliurch in town, but I think the Baptists had two or three in the country ; perhaps at Big Shoal, Little Slioal and Rush Creek. There was but little use for doctors at that time, as the chills and fever were unknown, except in the Missouri bottoms, where but few persons had then settled. I recollect thiit the fii-st case of chills and fever that occurred in the ui)lands excited great alarm and astonish- ment. It occurred, I think, in Platte townshi)). Lil)erty was always healthy. Not a death took place for several years .after I came to it, except one or two persons who came to it laboring imder consumj)- tion. Once a physician. Dr. Conway, was sent for to see a sick man at the Council Bluffs. It was regarded as a most hazardous under- taking, being in the winter season, and the doctor received a fee of about $2.50. There was no other physician nearer at that time; now there are perhaps a hundred, and a trip to Council Bluffs is as little regarded as it formerly was to the falls of the Platte. These changes 284 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. would surprise an individual who had j^one to sleep for the period of 17 years, l)ut in those who had witnessed them they excited but little. Tiie first settlers of Liberty were as clever, as sociable, and as good people as ever walked the earth. Many of tbem have gone to " that bourne from whence no traveler ever returns," andmany of them are now still living. * * * There was a kind of brotherhood existing among the people of Liberty and Clay county when I first came among them ; nothing like envy or jealously existed. They are perhaps more united yet than any other people in the State. This arose from the fact that tiie first settlers were almost entirely from Kentucky, and either knew each other, or else each other's friends before they came here. Wetmore, in his Gazeteer of 1837, thus speaks of the place : — Litierty, one of the well watered tracts of land with which Clay county abounds, was selected for th« seat of justice, and is al)out four miles from the river. This location was made with a view to health, and the jieople are not disappointed. The springs at Liberty are a fair sample of the advantages enjoyed in this respect in various por- tions of the county, where the milk and butter part of good living are made perfect in well built spring-houses. There is but one objection that can be made to this town as a desirable place of abode, and that is contained in a single sentence once uttered by a matron who was emigrating thither — " It is so far oif." But when emigrants shall begin to i)ass through Liberty, on their way to the Mandan villages, and to the forks of Missouri, tRat objection will vanish, and Liberty will be an interior, fashionable city, like that where the enthusiastic visions of a Kentuckian now rest — Lexington, the Athens of Ken- tucky. There are 14 stores and groceries in Liberty. The court-house is a large, well finished brick building. The newspaper published at Libert3s with the very ai)propriate name of Far West, is a well con- ducted journal. LIBERTY IN 184G. A contribution to the Tribune, in December, 1846, in an article hitherto quoted from, describes Liberty as it was at that date : — Liberty now contains 3 taverns, a printing office, 3 blacksmiths, 8 stores, 3 groceries, 2 drug stores, 1 hatter's shop, 1 tinner's shop, 4 tailors, 3 saddlers, 3 shoemakers, 1 carriagemaker, 2 wagonmakers, 1 tanyard, 1 bagging and rope factor3^ 5 physicians, G lawyers, 3 cabinetmakers, 2 milliners, 1 oil mill, 1 carding factory, a Methodist Church, a Reformer's Church, with neat lirick buildings, and a Catho- lic Church under way; also a Baptist Church of stone ; one school, kept by a Mr. Harrel, and a male and female school, under the su- perintendence of Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham. Our schools are equal HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 285 to those of any town in the State in the ability of the teachers. Good houses to teach in are all that are lacking. The Missionary Baptists are making efforts to erect a church, and I doubt not will be successful. Eff'orts are also making to erect a large college, and judg- ing from what has already been accomplished in the way of procuring subscriptions, it will go up on a scale commensurate with the wants of the surrounding country. If there is a healthy spot in Missouri, it is in Liberty. It is finely watered, society is good, and in point of morals it is equal to any other place, and rapidly improving in that respect. There is stone enough in the streets to pave the whole town, and then enough left to macadamize the road to the Landing. These things will l)e done in due time. We have a " Union " Sunday-school, numbering 80 schol- ars, and quite a respectable library attached to it. The day will come, if good colleges are erected speedily, when Liberty will be to West- ern Missouri what Lexington is to Kentucky — the focus of intelli- gence and literature. When once improved as it should and will be, no place will be more handsome. Two or three good coopers and a chair-maker would do well to settle in Liberty. The want of such mechanics is seriously felt by merchants' families and farmers. March 28, 18fil, the Legislature ve-incorporated the town as " the City of Liberty," describing its site as " all that district of country contained within one mile square, of which the court-house in Clay county is the center, the sides of said square being respectively paral- lel to the corresponding sides of said court-house." The city is still governed under this charter and certain amendments. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Liberty was a flourishing town, with numerous well filled stores, a good woolen mill, rope-walks, hemp factories, etc., and was well known throughout the country. Its schools gave it something of favorable notoriety, as well as its commercial advantages. A branch of the Farmers' Bank of Lexington had been located here. The Liberty Insurance Company, with E. M. Samuel, Michael Arthur and Gen. Doniphan as its leading spirits, existed for some years after 1850. The Civil War left the town much the worse for its experience, but during the four years of strife and demoralization business was kept up and the ordinary municipal aff'airs received proper attention. The building of the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad was an epoch of im- portance, giving an outlet by rail to the marts of the world and swift comnmnication by mail and express with important commercial centers. Yet it is maintained by manv that in another sense the building of 286 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. the railroad injured Liberty more than it benefited it, as it gave facili- ties for going away from the town to trade, and caused sundry small towns to be built, thus diverting business away from the county seat, and affecting its material prosperity considerably. CHURCHES. Christian Church. — The origin of the Christian Church of Liberty was two small organizations formed in 1837. One of these organiza- tions was called the " Church of God," and was composed of the following persons: Thos. T. Swetnam, Caroline Swetnam, Mason and Maria Summers, Howard, James, Anderson and PoU}^ Everett, Johnny and Sally W. Reid, Martitia Young, James and Nancy Hedges, Walter Huffaker, Wm. F. Grisby, Thos. M. Chevis, Frank McCarty, John Thompson, Sally Thompson, A. H. F. and Mary Payne, Nancy Turner, and others, 35 in all. The first officers of this organization were chosen on December 24, 1837, and were as follows: Bishops, T. T. Swetnam and Mason Summers ; Deacons, John Thompson, Thos. M. Chevis and James Hodges. The names of the members of the other organization have not been obtained. In May, 1839, these two organizations united and formed the Christian Church of Liberty. August 13, 1837, according to the minutes of the " Church of God," the " Church selected Liberty for the purpose of building a meeting-house, and chose the following persons to act as trustees : Thos. M. Chevis, Jonathan Reed, Joseph Reed and James Hedges." This building, the first church, is a brick and still stands at the foot of College hill, in the northeastern part of the town, having been remodeled, and used as a dwelling. It was completed about 1839. The present church building, also a fine brick, was completed in the fall of 1851, jat a cost of about $4,000. In 1884 it was improved, the changes costing nearly $5,000, or more than the original cost. The pastors of this church have been Revs. A. H. F. Payne, who served from the organization up to 1850 ; Moses E. Lard, W. J. Pettigrew, A. B. Jones, Josiah Waller, R. C. Morton, Wm. H. Blanks, F. R. Palmer, A. B. Jones and J. A. Deai'born. Alexander Campbell visited the church at Lib- erty and preached in the years 1845, 1852 and 1859. The present membership is about 200. LiherUj M. E. Church South — Was organized about the year 1840. Some of the first members were P. B. Grant, J. B. Talbott, W. W. Dougherty and James Smithey. About 1842 a brick church building was erected, and in 1857 a frame building was constructed, which cost about $1,800. It was dedicated in 1859 by Rev. R. A. HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 287 Young. Some of the pastors have been L. M. Lewis, Z. Roberts, W. G. Caples, W. A. Tarwater, H. G. McEwen, J. P. Nolan, G. W. Rich, Jno. Begole, E. M. Marvin, J. W. Johnsey, W. E. Dockery and J. S. Frazier. The present membership numbers about 50. Second Baptist Church. — Nothing more lias been learned of the history of this church than that it was organized l)y the eminent divine. Rev. A. P. Williams, D. D., May 19, 1^843, with thirteen members, who had been dismissed from Rush Creek and Mt. Pleasant Churches — Old School — because of their views in regard to missions, etc. The Old School already had an organization at Liberty called the First Baptist Church of Liberty, and for this reason Rev. Williams called his church the Second. Elder Williams was first pastor, and in eight years increased the membership from 13 to 194. Eder B. G. Tutt, a most popular and efficient minister, is the present pastor. The church building, a fine structure, the best house of worship in the city, was completed in 1884. St. James Roman Catholic Church. — In the year 1847 this church was organized, the following being some of the original members : G. L. Hughes, Cyrus Curtis, Philip Clark, Patrick Hughes, Maj. Leonard Mahoney, Thomas Morrison, Philip Fraher, James Fraher, Michael Fraher, HughMcGowan, Owen Shearin, Patrick Barry, Joseph Mor- ton and James Burns. The church building is a brick, and was erected in 1847 at a cost of $2,500. It was consecrated by Archbishop Ken- rick, of St. Louis, in 1848. The pastors who had served this church have been Revs. Bernard Donnelly, P. A. Ward, Jas. Murphy, Mat- thew Dillon, John J. Cafl:rey, Daniel Healy, Dennis Kennedy, Z. Led- with, W. Lambert, James Foley, Wm. F. Drohan, Fintan Mindwiller, Peter McMahan, Thomas Hanley, Michael Milay, Dennis J. Kiley, Joseph Beil and Peter J. Cullen, the present pastor. The present membership, including the small missions through the county, is about 214. Attached to the church are a pastoral residence and school- house, both being two story brick buildings. The school building is at present rented to a company who use it for a non-denominational select school, known as Hawthorne Institute. Liberty Lodge, No. 31, A. F. & A. M. — At Liberty, has been in existence for 45 years. The dispensation was issued June 26, 1840, on petition of A. Lightburne, E. M. Spence, Josiah C. Parker, Lewis Scott, John M. McLain, Thos. M. Bacon, Henry Coleman and Henry C. Melone. The first master, under the dispensation, was Josiah C. 288 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. Parker, who was installed July 18, 1840, b}' three past masters, Thos. C. Case, Henry C. Melone and E. M. Spence, and resigned August 29th following because of certain " unmasonic conduct." A. Light- burue was made senior warden August 15, 1840. The charter was not issued until October 9, 1840, the first principal officers being Josiah C. Parker, master, and A. Lightburneand H. C. Melone, wardens. The officers under the dispensation were Josiah C. Parker, master; A. Lightburne and H. C. Melone, wardens; Thos. M. Bacon, secretary; Henry Coleman, treasurer ; Andrew McLain and Edward M. Spence, deacons ; and John Gordon, tyler. The lodge meets in a hall built in 1875, at a cost of about $2,000. The present membership is 67. Liberty Chapter, JVo. 3, R. A. M. — Was first organized under a dispensation, issued April 18, 1842 ; the charter was not issued until September 13, 1844. Some of the first members were : Alviu Light- burne, Frederick Gorlich and J. M. Hughes. The chapter meets in the Masonic Hall. There are at present 26 members. Knights Temjilar. — Liberty Comniandery, No. 6, K. T., was in- stituted by Geo. "W. Belt, R. E. P. Gr. Com. of Mo., under a dis- pensation issued October 16, 1865, to Samuel Hardwicke, Rev. Ed. G. Owen, John S. Brasfield,. Dan Carpenter, AV. G. Noble, S. H. Mas- terson, L. W. Eingo, G. L. Moad and Thomas Beaumont. Of the first officers Samuel Hardwicke was commander, Ed. G. Owen, gen- eralissimo, and John S. Brasfield, captain-general. (These were ap- pointed by the State grand commander.) Under the charter, which bears date May 21, 1866, the first officers were: Samuel Hardwicke, commander; E. G. Owen, generalissimo; J. E. Brasfield, captain- geuenj ; A. Lightburne and W. W. Dougherty, wardens ; Dan Car- penter, prelate; Peter B. Grant, recorder; W. A. Hall, standard bearer; D. C. Allen, sword bearer ; W. W. Dougherty, warder. The present number of members is 15. ODD FELLOWS. The charter members of Liberty Lodge No. 49, L O. O. F., were Madison Miller, who was also one of the first members of Baltimore Lodge, No. 1, the first lodge in the United States, Larkin Bradford, T. K. Bradley, Geo. W. Morris, T. Leonard, O. C. Stewart, Wm. Lamborn and J. W. Wetzel. The charter bears date March 5, 1851. The first officers were : Madison Miller, noble grand ; Geo. W. Morris, vice-grand; T. K. Bradley, secretary; John Neal, permanent secre- tary ; Larkin Bradford, treasurer. The present officers are L. W. Newman, noble grand ; Canliy Wilmot, vice-grand ; Charles Patrick, HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 289 secretary; W. H. Corbin, treasurer; B. B. Corbin, permanent secre- tary. L. W. Burris, of this lodge, is district deputy grand master. Tlae membership is about 30. The lodge is in good financial condition, having some thousands of dollars loaned at interest. It is in the best condition, for the number of members, of any lodge in the State. The lodge hall is a brick, and was bought in 1878-79. Its furniture and all appointments are first class. Glaij Encampment, No. 12 — Was instituted in 1853, but is not now in workin;; order. BIOGRAPHICAL I DARWIN J. ADKINS (President of the Oommercial Savings Bank, Liberty). In au}' worthy history of Clay county the name that heads this sketch will always be given an enviable place among the leading citi- zens of the county and its self-made, wealthy Ijusiness men. Mr. Adkins started out for himself when a youth only al)out 15 years of age and without a dollar, but before he had attained his majority he had succeeded in accumulating over $2,000 solely by his own work and good management. A history of his career in later years has been but a continuation of tiiat of his youth and has been proportion- allv even more successful. He is now one of the two principal owners of the Commercial Savings Bank, one of tlie soundest and most relia- ble banking institutions in the western part of the State, and is also a large real estate owner and leading stock raiser of the county, own- inga number of fine farms, from which he annually sells thousands of dollars' worth of stock. He also has a large amount of other valuable property and, in a word, is one of the prominent tax payers of the county. Such is the successful career of a man who cast himself out into the world on his own resoun-cs when but a mere boy and with- out a penny, a career that would reflect credit upon anyone man. Mr. Adkins was born in Scott county, Ky., October 9, 1821, and was a son of Judge Robert Adkins and wife, /lee Miss Mary Snell, the Judge formerly of Virginia, but Mrs. Adkins a Kentuckian by nativity. The Judge's mother was a Miss Mille, and her parents were co-pioneers with Daniel Boone fn Kentucky, having come out from Virginia in company with him on his first trip to the then wilds of the former State. In 1825, Judge Adkins came to Missouri with his family and located in Howard county, but returned to Kentucky soon afterwards. Ten j'ears from their first trip, however, they came back to this State 290 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. and settled in Clay county. Here the Judge bought several hundred acres of fine land, three miles north of Liberty, where he improved a large farm and lived until his death. He died of cholera in July, 1851. He became one of the well known and influential citizens of the county, and such was his high standing and popularity that al- though an uncompromising Democrat in a strong AVhig county, as Clay county then was, he was repeatedly elected to the ofiice of county judge, defeating each time the most popular Whig tliey could put up , against him. He reared a large family of children, five sons and six daughters living to reach years of maturity and to become the heads of families themselves. Nine are still living, four brothers in Kansas City, three in this county and two sisters who are in Kansas City — Mrs. C. J. White and Mrs. Eliza Hall. Darwin J. Adkins was the eldest of the brothers and remained at home on the farm until he was 15 years of age, when, having secured something of an ordinary edu- cation, and having a taste for business life, he left the farm and came to Libert}', where he obtained a clerkship in a store. He clerked for about three years and not only obtained a good knowledge of the busi- ness, but also saved up a little means from his salary. He then went on a farm and also engaged in trading in stock. These interests he has ever since carried on. For some years he was engaged in the Southern trade in horses and mules, driving his stock to Shreveport, La., Alexandria, Miss., and other points. This was while he was yet quite a young man and he made some two or three thousand dollars before he was 21 years of age. In 1842, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Pence, a daughter of Edward A. Pence, formerly of Ken- tucky. He then gave up the Southern trade, and settled down on a farm, but continued in the local stock trading business. Later along he removed to Platte county, but after four years returned to this county, and bought the old Adkins family homestead, where he fol- lowed farming and handling stock until 1863. Subsequently he bought other [)laces and resided at Liberty and on different farms until the time he settled permanently where he now resides. In 1856 he was largely instrumental in establishing the Farmers' Bank at Liberty, becoming one of its directors. This was finall}' succeeded by'the Commercial Savings Bank in 1867. Since 1870 he has been president of this bank and he and Mr. Robertson own more than four- fifths of its capital stock. It has a stock of $50,000, all paid up, and the bank is in a most prosperous condition, paying annually a good dividend on the stock represented. Last year Mr. Adkins sold over $9,000 worth of stock off of his several farms. Mr. Adkins' first wife having died in April, 1852, he was married to Mrs. Mary A. Fut- sle, a daughter of Andrew Robertson, formerly of Tennessee. Her mother was a native of iNlorth Carolina. Mrs. Adkins' parents removed to Clay county way back in 1818, and she was born here in September, 1822. Mr. Adkins and his present wife have four children, namely : Magdaline, wife of Robert G. Robinson; Edward V., Robert I., and Emma, deceased wife of Michael A. Groom. By his former wife Mr. Adkins has two children : Ruth, wife of L. W. Pence, and Darwin J. HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 291 N. Mi-s. A. is a member of the M. E. Cburch South, and Mr. Adkiu.s a prominent member of the Masonic Order. LEONIDAS ADKINS (Proprietor of the Liberty Livery, Feed and Sales Stables, Liberty) . Mr. Adkins is a representative of the old and respected family whose name he bears, mention of which has already been made in the sketch of his brother, D. J. Adkins, on a previous page. Leonidas Adkins was born on the old family homestead, near Lil)erty, April 6, 1838. He was reared on the fai'm and received a good practical edu- cation as he grew up, studying the higher branches at William Jewell College. Afterwards he engaged as a clerk at Liberty, and continued at that about five years. For the 24 years following, up to 1883, Mr. Adkins followed farming and stock raising in this county, and was satisfactorily successful. Early in 1884 he bought the stables and stock where he is now engaged in business. The building he has con- siderably enlarged, and has much improved the business, so that he now has one of the best establishments of the kind in the county. In 1858 Mr. Atkinson was mai'ried to Miss Martha J., a daughter of Hon. John R. Keller, of this county, whose sketch is elsewhere given. Mrs. A. is a graduate of the Liberty Female Seminary. They have five children : Rol)ert, who is a partner with his father in business ; Lila, James P., William, John C. and Churchill. Mrs. A. is a mem- ber of the Christian Church. EDWARD V. (yclept " calhoun") ADKINS (Farmer and Stoclc-rai.ser, Post-ofBce, Liberty). Mr. Adkins is well recognized as one of the neatest and most enter- prising young farmers of the county. He is a man of thorough collegiate and university education, and is qualified for almost any business where intelligence, culture and energy are required, but has adopted farming and handling stock as his calling entirely from choice, preferring a free and open and independent life of a farmer to that of all others. In his farming operations ho has brought his education and good taste to bear the same as he would have done in any other pursuit. He has a good place, large enough for his present purposes, and keeps it in the best of condition. His home and household and all its surroundings are in keeping with the general appearance of his farm, the credit for which is principally due to his refined and excellent wife, who is even more particular than her husband to have everything in presentable order. Mr. Adkins was born in this county May 19, 1845, and was a son of Downing O. Adkins, a well known and highly respected citizen of the county, who came here from Kentucky as early as 1832. Mr. Adkins, Jr., was reared on his father's form (his father being a successful stock dealer as well as a prominent farmer), and given the best of educational advantages as he grew up. From the com- mon schools he went to William Jewell College and then to Mount Gilead 292 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. College, thence to Sidney College, Iowa, and from there to the State University of Missouri, where he completed his general education. Afterwards ho took a commercial course at a business college in Lafayette, Ind., where he was honorably graduated. Returning from Indiana he at once engaged in farming in this county, which he has ever since followed. His farm contains 228 acres. November 8, 1882, he was married to Miss Susie H. Williams, a daughter of John Williams, of Shawnee Mission, Kas., but formerly from Marshall, Mich. She was an invalid at the time of her marriage, and survived her wedding day only a week more than a month. Her remains were buried in the cemetery near where Mr. Adkins now resides. She was a lady of singular sweetness and gentleness of disposition, and of a presence and bearing tliat won all hearts. But Death loves the shining mark, and in the morning of her life his cold and pulseless finger pointed her out for the grave — she was no more. While loved ones here have sustained a sad bereavement by her loss, heaven has been made brighter by her sweet, gentle spirit. Mr. Adkins was married to his present wife September 15, 1883. She was a Miss Emma E. Pence, a daughter of Capt. W. H. Pence, and a lady worthy in every way to occupy the place she does in the affection of her devoted hus- band. Mr. Adkins has not neglected the information to be had from travel, but has visited in different parts of the country no less tlian 17 States. After all the country he has seen he is satisfied there is no place like Clay county for a home. " There is no place like home." HON. DeWITT C. ALLEN (Liberty) . DeWitt C Allen was born Novcm1)er 11, 1835, in Clay county, Missouri, and with the exception of a few brief intervals has passed his life in that county. His family is of English- Welsii extraction, and has been settled in America more than a century and a half, and his parents wore persons of education and refinement. His father Col. Shui)ael Allen, was a native of Orange county, New York, whence he emigrated to Kentucky in 1816, and thence to Missouri in 1817, and finally settled in Clay county in 1820. His mother. Miss Dinah Ayres Trigg, was a daughter of Gen. Stephen Trigg, of Bedford county, Virginia, who emigrated to Kentucky near tiie close of the last century, and thence to Howard county, Missouri, in 1818. She was born in Estill county, Kentucky. When Mr. Allen was five years old his father died, and he passed entirely under the influence and training of his mother — a woman of excellent judgment, fine; literar}' taste, cheerful disposition, the most delicate sentiments of honor and integrity, and in every way fitted for the discharge of the duties devolved upon her. In tempera- ment he is more like his father, but his character was molded by his mother. To her encouragement and advice he attributes mainly his achievements in life. By mental constitution he was a student and lover of books, and HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 293 his taste foi- study was streiigtlieiied by example. His iiistoricai and iniscellaiieous reading began at eleven years of age, and has been pur- sued with system and regularity. Before the completion of his thir- teenth year, among other works, he had read all of Scott's novels. In 1850, having previously received the benefit of excellent private schools, held, however, at irregular intervals, he entered William Jewell College, and was there graduated in 1855 with the first hon- ors in the classics and helles lettres. His grade in mathematics was somewhat lower. His taste originally at college was for the mathe- matics, but as his acquaintance with the classics increased his fondness for mathematics became less strong. Having completed his col- legiate course he accepted the position of principal of the preparatory department of the Masonic College at Lexington, Missouri, which he filled for a year to the entire satisfaction of the curators and patrons of that institution. He accounts the reminiscences of his stay at Lex- ington as among the most agreeable in his life. Society there was at the height of its brilliance and charm. The people, as ever, were hospitable and courteous, and he bears with him only memories of kindness and encouragement received from them. His previous life had been one of study and seclusion, and his experiences of society and the world were slight. Of the many persons there to whom he feels indebted for kind offices, he especially remembei's his friends, Charles R. Morehead, Sr. (now deceased), and Mrs. William H. Rus- sell. During the year succeeding his connectif)n with the Masonic College he devoted himself to those historical and special studies (suggested to him by his friend. Col. Alexander W. Doniphan) which are considered by legal gentlemen as a proper introduction to the comprehensive study of the law, which he had chosen while at college as the profession of his life. From the summer of 1858 to May, 1860, he pursued his legal studies in the office of the late Rich- ard R. Rees, Esq., in Leavenworth, Kansas. Occasionally dining that period he assisted Mr. Rees in the trial of cases in order to acquire familiarity with the procedure in the courts. He recognizes his obligations to the advice and suggestions of Mr. Kees as being very great, particularly in the specialities of pleading, conveyancing and the drafting of orders, judgments and decrees. In May, 18(!0, he returned to his home in Liberty, Missouri, and began the practice of law. Since thenJie has devoted himself cyclusively to the work of his profession. In November, 1860, he was elected circuit attorney of the Fifth Judicial Circuit of Missouri, composed of the counties of Clay, Clinton, Caldwell, Ray and Carroll. He discharged the duties of that office with fidelity and promptness until December 17, 1861, when, under the operation of an ordinance of the convention of that year, prescribing an oath testing the loyalty of officers, it became va- cant in consequence of his refusal to take the oath. He was married May 18, 1864, to Miss Emily E. Settle, of Ray county, Missouri, daughter of Hiram P. Settle, Esq., of that county. She was born \\< Culpeper county, Virginia. They have three children. Durinir the years 1866-67 he was general attorney of the Kansas 294 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. City and Cameron Railroad Company — now known as the Kansas City branch of the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad — and in that posi- tion labored assiduously with others to secure its early completion. He was elected, without opposition, in Januai-y, 1875, to represent — in connection with Hon. E. H. Norton — the Third Senatorial District of Missouri, composed of the counties of Clay, Clinton and Platte, in the constitutional convention, called to meet May 5, 1875, and as- sisted in the framing of the present organic law of the State. In that body, composed of many of the ablest and most learned men in the State, he bore himself with ability and won the respect and confidence of its members. At its organization he was appointed a meml)er of the committees on education and the legislative department, and was esteemed in them as an intelligent and indefatigable worker. Mr. Allen has attained a high and honorable position at the bar. He deals with the law as a science, and sees the logical connection of its pi-inciples. He surveys the fields of legal lore with the clear, calm vision of a jurist. He is devoted to our system of jurisprudence be- cause it contains the crystallized thoughts of the best minds of all ages and countries. He is noted for the power of his faculty for analysis, the quickness of his perception of the most remote analogies, the fineness and delicacy of liis distinctions, and the rapidity of his detection of inconsistencies in argument. In forensic conflicts he brings into requisition the best materials of law and fact. His posi- tions are always clear, logical and concise. His voice, though not strong, is distinct and penetrating, and his rhetoric faultless. When the occasion demands it, he ascends by easy gradations from the smooth, graceful and conversational style, suited to the courts, to a higher plane of oratory. His manner is earnest, and his ideas form in quick, unbroken succession. But his great power as a speaker ia in the elevation of his sentiments, and his rich and sparkling thoughts. Ringing tones, electric fire and aptly chosen words merely form their drapery. He is a cultured, scholarly man. His style, both in speak- ing and writing, is peculiarly his own. He is an independent thinker and derives his information, when practicable, from original sources. He is systematic and exact in all things, and counts as worthless all knowledge that is not accurate. During the vacation of the courts he does not remain idle, but continues in his office engaged in work or investigation. He deals with his clients with the utmost candor. And one of his distinguishing characteristics is fidelity to his friends. He possesses a high sense of honor, and is bold and unyielding in defense of right. Mr. Allen devotes his periods of leisure to literary reading — his- torical, philosophical, critical and poetical — but never allows it to infringe upon his professional study or work. He fully recognizes the truth so often urged by the sages of the law, that, of all men, the leading and thought of a lawyer sliould be the most extended. Sys- tematic and careful study in the higher works of literature — historical, philosophical, critical and i)oetical — gives freshness, breadth and com- prehensive grasp to the mind, variety and richness of thought, and a HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 295 clearer perception of the motives of men and tiie principles of things, indeed of the very spirit of laws. Nature has given us both reason and fancy, and they were meant for use. Hence, he argues that the mind should both reason and blooin. Besides, a cultured fancy, guided by severe taste, is a source of invention in argument. He occasionally writes, but only as a matter of amusement or for the gratification of friends. His style of writing is clear, logical, chaste and impassioned. His thoughts are expressed with force and sententiousness. His fancy is delicate and subtle, and usually pervades his writings. Mr. Allen is a charming conversationalist. His wide range of read- ing, habits of analysis and observation, intuitive knowledge of the motives of men and women, his fine fancy, ra[)id play of thought, and quick apprehension, comliine with his genial good humor and in- nate charity to make him a brilliant and most agreeable member of society, and to render his triumphs in the salon equal to those at the bar. He is, as the result both of thought and observation, a staunch and enthusiastic friend of popular education, and is keenly alive to the advantages to be derived from an increase of faoilities for uni- versity and scientific training for the 3'oung. During 10 years, or more, prior to the summer of 1881, he was one of the trustees of William Jewell College, and earnestly co-operated with his asso- ciates in the promotion of the interests of that institution. Probably to no one in the State is it more indebted for its present high state of efficiency. Mr. Allen is not a member of any church, but he entertains a high respect for religion, and he conceives that reverence for it among the l^eople is the life and soul of healthful, well ordered society. He is highly public spirited, and ready at all times to aid and encourage those movements which tend to increase the material happiness and j)romote the culture of his community. His highest conception of the due execution of a inan's life work is the faithful performance of duty. In politics he is a firm, consistent Jefiersonian Democrat. JOHN M. ALLEN, M. D. (Physician .and Surgeon, Liijerty). ' Dr. Allen was a son of the late Col. Shubael Allen, for many years a prominent and influential citizen of Clay county, but originally from Orange count}', N. Y. Co\. Allen is elsewhere referred to in this volume. Dr. Allen was born in Clay county, July 23, 1833. He was reared in this county, and educated at the common schools and in William Jewell College. At that institution he took a course of two years, immediately preceding 1852, and entered the college at its first opening, in Januaiy, 1850. His taste in study inclined to mathe- matics, and, aftei- that, to history, natural philosophj' and astronomy. Young Allen became a proficient mathematician, and he advanced in Latin as far as the Sophomore class. Early in 1852 he began the study of medicine under the tutorage of Dr. Joseph iM. Wood, now of Kansas Citv, but then a resident phvsician of Liberty. In due 14 296 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. time young Allen matriculated at the St. Louis Medical College, and he continued a student there until he was graduated with credit in the class of '54. He was a severe and unremitting student while at med- ical college, as he had previously been when taking his general college course ; and the thoroughness he showed in his studies, and the proo-ress made by him, attracted the favorable attention of his pre- ceptors. Immediately after his graduation at St. Louis he was solicited by Dr. Pope, the dean of the St. Louis Medical College, to apply for the position of physician to the St. Louis City Hospital, art evidence of the high estimate Dr. Pope placed upon his attainments and ability as a physician. Dr. Allen, however, declined to make the application, preferring to enter at once upon the general practice of medicine. Returning home from St. Louis after his graduation, Dr. Allen located at Claysville, in the northeastern part of this county, and began the practice of his profession. When he arrived there he had but $6 in the world, and was $400 in debt. Stopping with Capt. William Cummons, a man whose largeness of heart was only equaled by his great purity of character and his almost religious veneration for North Carolina, his native State, young Dr. Allen frankly told him his financial condition, and that his assets consisted of a limited wardrobe, "Russell's Modern Europe," the Lord's Prayer and a small medical lil)rary. Capt. Cummons, who was evidently touched by reference to the Lord's Prayer, in the generosity of his great good nature, readily and graciously assured young Allen that he would gladly board him on trust, and would supply him with such reason- able sums of money as he might need. For this noble and generous act of kindness, and for the courtesy and consideration which was ever afterwards shown him in the family of Capt. Cummons as long as he remained with them, Dr. Allen cherishes a profound and lasting feeling of gratitude. The kindness of other friends, including that of those good men, Edward M. Samuel and Col. A. W . Doniphan, he liolds in like remembrance. Declining, however, all loans, he i"e- inaincd at Claysville for ai)out seven years, and built up an excellent practice, becoming one of the leading physicians of the northeastern part of the county. When Mr. Lincoln fulminated his first proclamation against the South in l8(;i, Dr. Allen was temporarii}^ absent from Claysville at- tending a post-graduate course of lectures at the St. Louis JNIedical College, in order to review his college course in medicine and surgery, and to acquaint himself with all the later and newer principles and theories of i)ructiccdevel()i)ed since his graduation in lout nine years, at the expiration of which time he retired from merchandising and settled on a farm he owned just outside the suburbs of Liberty. Mr. Beauchamp was actively engaged in farming on his place near Liberty for a period of over thirty years, or until 1880 ; and for nearly twenty years of that time he was extensively occupied in dealing in stock, trading, buying, selling, etc. However, for iive years follow- ing 1865, he resided in town and carried on a clothing store, besides running his farm and stock-dealing. Three years ago he sold the farm and is still remaining in town, where he established a grocery store, which he has ever since been conducting. He has a full stock of groceries, provisions, queens' and glassware, etc., etc. Mr. Beauchamp has been married twice. His first wife was a Miss Ann T. Lincoln, a daughter of George and Julia Ann (Gatewood) Lincoln, early settlers of this county from Kentucky. Her grand- father, Thomas Lincoln, originally of Rockingham county, Virginia, was a brother to .\l)raham Lincoln, the grandfither of President Lincoln. Mr. Beauchamp'sfirst wife died in 1853, leaving two sons, Robbinson P. and John S., botii of whom are now themselves the heads of families and residents of Nebraska. To his second wife Mr. Beauchamp was married in 1862. She was a Miss Sidney N. Owens, a daughter of Margaret M. and Samuel Owens, of Mason county, Kentucky. Five children are the fruits of this union : Lee, who clerks for his father in the store and is a iiraduate of the Liberty high school ; Maggie, Marietta, Fanny ana daughter of Joseph T. Field, deceased. She was born and reared in this county, and educated at the Liberty Female College and the Kansas City High School. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have two children, Lutie and John F. Mr. C. has a good farm of 347 acres, which is well improved, and besides this there are 320 acres of tine Missouri river bottom land, partly improved. Mr. Clark is and has been for some years engaged in feeding and raising stock. He handles about 100 head of cattle annually. He has been quite suc- cessful as a stock man. JUDSON COCKRELL (Dealer iu Groceiies, Liberty) . John W. Cockrell, the father of the subject of this sketch and Hon. Francis M. Cockrell, United States Senator from Missouri, were the sons of the two brothers in the family of Cockrells of Virginia. Senator Cockrell's father, however, left the Old Dominion at an earlier day than that of the removal of John W. Cockrell's family to Missouri. John W. Cockrell was born in Virginia January 20, 1797, and was married there to Miss Elizabeth Mitchell, daughter of George G. Mitchell, who was born in Scotland. He received a classical educa- tion, lived and died in Staunton, Augusta county, Virginia, and was distinguished for scholarship, as hardly having his equal in education. Though dead he yet lives. They came to Clay county in 1846. He was a brickmaker, and built many of the first brick houses in this part of the country. He died here in about 1859. Judson Cockrell was in infancy when the family came to Missouri. He was born in Virginia, Septeml)er 14, 1845. Reared in Clay county, he was educated at Will- iam Jewell College, and following the example of his fether, he became a brick mason, and also learned brickmakiiig. He followed these continuously up to the time of engaging in the grocery business dur- ing the present year. He was fairly successful at his trades and accumulated some property. Mr. Cockrell has built a large number of houses at Liberty and in this vicinity, and is regarded as a thorough mechanic and upright, reliai)le builder. He engaged in his present business last spring, and is receiving a good ti'ade, doing quite as well as he expected. He has a good stock of goods in the grocery line, and being an energetic, economical l)nsiuess man, he can hardly fail ot success. In September, 1863, he was married to Miss Martha .1. 310 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. Mereness, :i daughter of the kte A. M. Mereness. Mr. aud Mrs. C. had two children, Jolin J., now a young man twenty years of age, and a clerk in his father's store in Liberty, Missouri ; and one deceased. Mrs. Cockrell died in 1868, and Mr. C. has not since remarried. His mother keeps house for him, his father being also deceased, as stated above. OVID H. CORBIN (Of O. H. Corljiu & Co., Owuers and Proprietors of the Liberty Flouring and Woolen- MlUs). Mr. Corbin is a native of Virginia, born in Stafford county, October 9, 1820. His father was Benjamin S. Corbin, and his mother's maiden name was Sarah Preston. The father was a carpenter by trade and followed that for a number of years. He then engaged in the milling business for some years before his retirement from active work. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. In 1849 he removed to Missouri with his family and located at Liberty, where he died in i860. His wife died here in 1863. Ovid H., the subject of this sketch, was reared in Stafford county and came to this State in com- pany with his parents in 1849. Under his father he learned the flouring mill business and also the millwright's trade. In fact, he was almost a natural mechanic. About the time he was of age he began working at the wagonmaker's trade, continuing that in connec- tion with carpentering and millwrighting. In a few years, however, he turned his attention to farming, which he followed until he came to Missouriwith his parents. Here he engaged in wagon and carriage making, and bought an established business in that line, which he con- tinued until 1856, having in the meantime purchased the interest of his partner, with whom he had previously been in business. In 1856 he, with two others, bought the Liberty flouring mills, and four years later they added a plant of woolen machinery. Ever since that time they have been engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods and also running their flouring mill. They make all kinds of cashmeres, jeans, biaTikets, yarns, etc., etc. In their flouring mill they have three run of i)uhrs and are also prepared to grind corn, buckwheat, and other grains for breadstufls. November 10, 1841, Mr. Corbin was married in Spottsylvania county, Virginia, where he had removed three years before, to Miss Sarah A., a daughter of Jesse Petty, af that county. Mr. and Mrs. Corbin have ten children, Mary F., William H., James M. (the two eldest sons being their father's partners in business), Beverly B., Benjamin F., George W. (he being the only one married), Laura E., Herbert T., Adelaide J. and Hattie B. The children have all received each a good education, either at William Jewell College or the Female Seminary. Mr. Corbin, now in his si.\ty-tifth year, has retired from active work at the mill and turned the management of it largely over to his sons, William H. and James M. He himself, however, is still quite active aud well preserved. Whilst in appear- ance he is somewhat venerable looking, on account of his long, white HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 311 silken whiskers and white hair, yet he is still erect of form, rather quick in his nioveoicnts, considering his age, and, all in all, seems much younger than he really is. He is one of the pleasant, agreeable old gentlemen whom one is always pleased to meet. CAPT. ARCHIBALD C. COURTNEY (Proprietor of the Arthur House, Liberty) . The Courtney family, so far as this country is concerned, was originally from Pennsylvania. Capt. Courtney's father, John Court- ney, served in the American army during the Revolution. He was a farmer by occupation, and became a man of well-to-do circumstances. Mr. Courtney, the elder, was twice married, and after the death of his first wife was married to Misii Lucinda Martin ; they were both of Pennsylvania, and each wife bore five children. Capt. Archibald C. Courtney was the third child l)y the last marriage, and was born in Garrard county, Kentucky, to which his father had previously removed. May 1, 1815. At the time of his father's death in 1830, he was about fifteen years of age, Init he afterwards remained with the family until his marriage, working industriously, though at lim- ited wages. Subsequently he engaged in stock trading and made several trips to Alabama and Georgia in that l)usiness, being quite successful. In 1840 Capt. Courtney came to Missouri on horseback and located on a farm of 200 acres near Kearney, where he subse- quently followed farming for twenty years, and was very successful. He owned at one time about (JOO acres of fine land. His reverses, however, commenced upou the outbreak of the war. Affairs were in an unsettled and dangerous condition but, despite his eflbrts, he was unable to retaiu a neutral position. Consequently, in 1803, as a matter of policy, he identified himself with the Home Guards, and became cajjtain of a company, which duty he performed for a while. His company was never out of the county. As a matter of fact his compau}' did much valuable service to the law-abiding classes of both sides by assisting to keep out those who were more bent on plunder and committing other depredations, than in serving the cause which they pretended to adhere to. During the war he removed his familv to Liberty and all his movable property that had not been stolen, and with the horses he had left established a livery stable. His two sous having without his knowledge taken sides in the war, went as their sympathies directed, with the South, and made gallant soldiers under Price until the close of the struggle. Capt. Courtney continued in the livery i)usiness for a time after the war and then bought out a general store, which he carried on for about two years. This he also subsequently sold, but bought into another business house and ran that for a short time. He ran the Arthur House for about ten years and in 1879 rented it to another party. Since then he has lived in retirement, except for about a year, during which he was engaged in the hardware business. Capt. Courtney has served as justice of the peace and in some other local offices. His life up to the beginning of 15 312 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. the war was veiy successful and he became comfortal)!}' situated, and he still has a modest competency, and can pass through the evening of life without the fear of destitution. Capt. Courtney is highly respected in this county and bears a name untarnished by a reproach. January 20, 1842, he was married to Miss Elizabeth A. Estes, a daughter of Henry Estes, one of the jiioneer settlers of Missouri, referred to elsewhoi-e in this work. Mrs. Courtney was born in Clay county, Missouri, and was only in her fifteenth year when she was^ married. She has been a most excellent helpmate to him and in the early days of his career hei'self helped in the laborious duties of farm life. Her energetic habits of tliat time have not left her in later years. Mr. and Mrs. Courtney have had twelve children, four dying when young. Those living are William J., an attorney at Kearney ; Henry E., Jane, wife of John Merritt ; Robert S., of Kansas City; Alexander M., a stock raiser of Colorado ; Levinia, wife of Henry Sinitii, a member of the State Legislature, from Kansas City; James A. and Archibald C, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. C. are members of the Presbyterian Church, and Mr. C. has been a deacon in the church for half a century. ELI R. CRAFTON (Mauufacturer of Spring Wagons, Carriages, etc., Liberty). Mr. Crafton is a native of Illinois, born in Adams county, August 29, 1843. His father was John Crafton, from Kentucky, and his mother's maiden name Margaret Becket, who was born and reared in Indiana. They were married in the latter State and removed to Adams county, Illinois, about 1838. Tiic}^ resided there nearly thirt}^ years and then settled in Linn county, Missouri. He was reared in Adams county, Illinois, and early in the second year of the rebellion enlisted in the One Hundred and Nineteenth Illinois Infantry, in uiiich he served until the close of the war. He was in Banks' Red River Expedition under the command of A. J. Smith, and participated in the engagements at Alexandria, La., Sabine Cross Roads, Yellow Bayou, La., Tupelo and Nashville. Tenn., the siege and capture of Mo- bile and the fight at Montgomery, Ala., besides many others of less importance. He is naturally very proud of the services he ren- dered, and regards them as the greatest honor of his life. After the war Mr. Crafton returned to Adams county. III., and began an apprenticeship at the carriage and wagon-maker's trade. After com- pleting that he continued to work at his trade, working later along at Quincy, 111., St. Louis, Mo., St. Paul, Minn., and coming to Liberty in tiie summer of 18()9. Here he continued at his trade as a journey workman until March, 1880, when he set up for himself, and has been in the cari'iage and spring wagon making business ever since. He has been satisfactorily successful and has established a good busi- ness, having employed now some four or five hands in his shop. August 3, 1870, he was married at Utica, Mo., to Miss Laura S. Sprinkle, a daughter of S. H. Sprinkle, formerly of Huntington, Ind. HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 313 They have live children : Olive, Etta, Bessie, Ealph, and Law- rence. Both parents are members of the Episcopal Church. GEORGE E. DAMON (Manager of the National Flouring Mill, Liberty). Mr. Damon is a native of Ohio, born in Lake count}', August 2, 1847. His father was George Damon, a native of Massachusetts. His mother, whose maiden name was Mary Tyler, was a native of the same State. They were married in Massaciuisetts, and removed to Ohio in 1834, settling in Lake county, where they were of the pi- oneer settlers of the county. They resided in that county for nearly twenty years and then remf)ved to Dane county. Wis. Before the removal of the family to Wisconsin the father was a wagon and car- riage manufacturer. Afterwards he followed farming until his death, which occurred in April, 1861. George F. was horn in Lake county, O., August 2, 1847. He completed his majority in Wisconsin, wliere lie received a common-school education. At the age of twenty, how- ever, he began learning the miller's trade, at which he worked in Wisconsin until the fall of 1867, when he came to Missouri. Here he tirst worked at Westport and tlien at Kansas City. In 1878, being a thorough pratical miller by this time, he bought an interest in the mill at Moscow and ran that mill for three years. Mr. Damon came to Liberty in 1881, where he l)ought an interest in the National Flour- ing Mill, which is owned by :i joint stock companj^ known as the Clay County Milling Company, of which he is manager. These mills have the roller process of making flour and turn out as good flour as is to be seen in the country. They have a capacity of 100 barrels every twenty-four hours and do l)oth a custom and merchant milling business. The building is a three story l)rick. September 3, 1873, Mr. Damon was married to Miss Lizzie E. Stanton, a daughter of Samuel Stanton, of Kansas City. Tiiey have two children, William E. and Edna. WILLIAM H. H. DAVIS (Retired Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Liberty)- Mr. Davis, an old and respected citizen of this county, was one of the early settlers of the county. He came to Clay county in 1836. Mr. Davis was directly from Saline county to this county, but was from Arkansas to Missouri. His parents, Samuel B. and Elizabeth Davis, went to Arkansas from Kentucdiy when he was in childhood, away back in 1821, and settled in Hempstead county. William H. H. Davis, who was born in Logan county, Kentucky, June 3, 1816, was reared in Arkansas, and came to Missouri wiien a young man. He became a farmer and stock-raiser in Clay county, and in the fall of 1839 was married to Miss America W. Estes, a sisfer to W. W. Estes. He afterwards continued farming and stock-raising and in 1850 went to California, but soon afterward returned. In 1859, however, he removed to Te.\as and made his homo in that State until after the ;n-l lUSTOKY OF CI.AY COVNTY. I'loso ol' tlio Civil W:ir, lotnruiini- in ,1iiiu", 18i;i!. Aftor tliat tiiiioMr. Oavis was activolv oii>;;agod with his ranniiiiX aiul stiu'k-raisiiii:; intorosts iiiilil liis rotiiviiuMit from ai'tivo lal>or sonio roars ago. His lit'o as an agrioulturist has hoon oiio of suoooss. Ilo acoimuihitoil an ample proporty tor oKl aj^o, anil now has a tino stock farm of (>00 acros, whirh is woU stofUodanilwoll improved. Since his retirement, his son, William P., has liad control of the farm, and is carrying it on with marked energy and success. In November, 1880, Mr. Davis had tho misfortnue to lose his good wife, the true and bravo and generous- ' heart ed, ilevoted woman who had been the partner of his joys and sor- rows for over forty years, and with whose life his own being had become so thoroughly united that it seenuHi to him worse than death itself to lose her. Rut in that sad hour when the parting came tliere was one consolation, one hope that sustained him and made him brave to bear the heavy l)ereavement — the consolation anil hope that the separation could not be long, and that in a few years their lives would again bo united in a happier union, even, than they had known on this side the grave. Three children were the fruits of their long and happy mar- ried life: Thomas II., ,lames J. (deceased), and William P. William P. Davis was born on the farm where ho now resides, August 12, 1849, and learned the practical details of farming and stock raising as ho grew up. In 187(> he was nuuried to Miss Annie Brastield, a daughter of William E. l>rastield, whose sketch precedes thi^. They have two children, ,1. W. Lesler ami Nellie. Mr. Davis, .Ir., like his father-in-law, Mr. Krasticld, makes a specialty of raising tine saddle and harness stallions and tine jacks. He has a representative of one of the best breeds of horses in this country. Tho stock originated in Virginia, and was named for a family in tho Old Commonwealth, noted for their tine appearance, chivalric tpialities, and all that sort of things, and the men for being remarkably " fast " — the Claibornes. They were one of the best families of Virginia, and knew that fact quite as well, if not better, than any one else. Mr. Davis' horse is nanud " Pat Claiborne," and any one can see at a glance that he is a regular, genuine, high-stepping, high-headed "pinked" Claiborne. Ho is one of tho finest horses in the country, a horse of which his owner may well be proud. AV. P. Davis makes a specialty of short- horn cattle, having his farm well stocked with some of the best blood, as well as good individuals. Ho has young stock for sale. The farm is situated three miles northeast of Liberty, on tho Han- nibal and St. Joe Kailroad. JOHN A. DENNY i^Ketireil .Mercliant, Liberty'). Mr. Denny, now retired from active business, is one of the oldest business men o( Clay county, and one of its most highly respected citizens. He began merchandising at Liberty in 18.'>2, having previ- ously clerked at this place for several years, and continued in mer- chandising with little or no interruption until his retirenient, one yiar IlIHTOUV OK f'l.AV <:<)[JS'rY. ill 5 n'^o. IJ'i WiiM very HUC(;<;««fiil in IniHiiKissM, f;oii8i<](;riii;r tli<; |)opiil!ili')ti aii\' the Democrats to fill a vacancy from this county in the Legislature, but on account of sickness was prevented from accepting the honor. In 1878, however, he was again nominated for the Legis- lature, and was elected by a large majority, defeating several of the most popular men of the county who were candidates. In the jjractical work of legislation he took an active and prominent part at Jefferson City. He introduced the bill to establish the State Board of Health, and also introduced and pushed forward to successful enactment the bill authorizing l)enevolent insurance companies in this State, principally in the interest of the Masonic order, of which he is a leading member. Dr. Dougherty was member of the committee ou accounts in the House, and also of the committee on charities and benevolence, and on scientific and benevolent institutions. He nuxde an enviable record in the Legislature, one that reflected credit on his high character and usefulness as a legislator. By his second wife Dr. D. has been blessed with a family of five children: Ella, the wife of John D. Share, of Wellington, Kas., a prominent dry goods merchant ; Mattie, wile of William H. Martin, a successful lawyer of Bedford, Ind. ; John, a partner with Mr. Share, at Wellington, Kas.; William W., Jr., in mercantile business at St. Louis; Charles L., who is noiv studying medicine under his father; and Minnie, who died in 1872, at the age of six years. The Doctor and wife are members of the M. E. Church South. Dr. Dougherty is a prominent member of the Kansas City District Medical Society, of which he was among the originators, and helped to organize, and afterwards was its president. LEWLS B. DOUGHERTY (^Cashier of the Commercial Savings Bank, Liberty). On the second expedition of Lewis and Clark to the Rocky Moun- tains in about 1799, Maj. John Dougherty, the father of the subject of this sketch, first came West from Kentucky. He was then only a youth some 17 years of age, but made one of the most resolute pioneers in the expedition. Traveling extensively over the West, he was finally located at Ft. Leavenworth, Kas., as Indian agent, where, having married in the meantime, at St. Louis, Mo., his son, Lewis B., was born Decenil)er 7, 1828, and is l)elieved to have been the first white child born in Kansas. In 1830 Maj. Dougherty removed to St. Louis, of which city Mrs. Dougherty was a native. Her maiden name was Mary Hertzog. Maj. Dougherty removed to Council Bluffs from St. Louis in about 1833, where he was stationed for some time as Indian agent. He was afterwards stationed at Ft. Leavenworth, and after some years resided again in St. Louis. Returning to Leavenworth later along he was thereuntil 1837, in charge of the Indian agency. About this time he removed to Liberty and made his permanent home here. He became a leading and influential citizen of this county, and repre- sented it in the Legislature, a colleague with Gen. Doniphan and William Wood. He opened a large farm, some six or seven miles from Liberty, on which he resided until his death. Maj. Dougherty 318 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. died in January, 1761, well known throughout Cla}' county, and, indeed, over a laro^e region of country surrounding he was as highly esteemed by all as he was well known. No man in the county stood higher in the opinions of the public and his neighbors. He was a man of high character, courage and generosity, and withal a man of great kindness of heart. Energetic, frugal in his manner of living, but never par- simonious, and a man of good business ability, he accumulated a com- fortable property, which he left intact to his children at his death. Moreover, he had been generous in providing them with the best ' means for mental culture and otherwise fitting them for the activities of life within his power. A t3'pical, good citizen, one whose industry and enterprise were not less valuable to the community than to him- self and an exemplaiy man in his own family, his memory is revered by his children and all who knew him as that of one whose example is worthy of all imitation. Lewis B. Dougherty, the subject of this sketch, was reared on his father's farm near Liberty. He was edu- cated at the State University in Columbia, from which he graduated in 1847. The same j'ear of his graduation Mr. Dougherty went to Ft. Kearney, in Nebraska Territory, where he engaged in the suttling busi- ness, which he followed with success at that place four 3'ears. From there he went to Ft. Laramie, in Wyoming, about 1852, continuing in the same business at the latter place some four or five years. He was absent from Clay county in all about 10 years, and after his i-eturn in 1857 he settled on a farm, where he continued to reside, occupied principally with agricultural pursuits, some 12 or 15 years. When the Commercial Savings Bank of Liberty was organized, in he became a stockholder. About six years afterwards, in 1871, he was elected cashier of the bank, a position he has continued ever since to hold. The bank has a capital stock of $50,000. This is well known as one of the most substantial and reliable banks on the western border of the State, and for the enviaV)le reputation it has made, a large shai'e of credit is due to the good management of Mr. Dougherty. He is also still interested in farming, and has a val- uable farm in the county, as well as a good farm in Vernon county, and one in Douglas county. In 1874 Mi-. Dougherty was elected trea- smer of the county and discharged the duties of that responsible office with efficiency and fidelity and to the general satisfaction of the pub- lic. December 7, 1858, he was married to Miss Anna Care}', a daugh- ter of Daniel Carey, one of the pioneer settlers and substantial citizens of Platte county, but now deceased. Mi's. Dougherty was educated at Liberty and at the Camden Female College. Mr. and Mrs. D. have two children : Flora, now the wife of C. C. Courtney, of Kansas City, and John L. One besides is deceased, Mary, who died in 1880, at the age of eight years. Mr. and Mrs. D. are members of the Presby- terian Church, and Mr. Dougherty is a prominent member of the Masonic order, belonging to the Lodge, Chapter and Commander}'. Mr. D. had two brothers and a sister who lived to reach mature years, l)nt one of his brothers was killed at the battle of Franklin, Tenn., a member of the Tliird Missouri Confederate infantry, in the compan}' of HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 319 the subject of this sketch. His other brother, O'F. Dougherty, is a resident of tiiis pUice, and his sister is the wife of Gen. C. F Ruff, of Phihidelphia. O'FALLON DOUGHERTY (Farmer, Stock-raiser and Stock-dealer, Liberty) . Mr. Dougherty was a son of MaJ. John Dougherty and is a brother to L. B. Dougherty, whose sketch precedes this. In the former sketch an outline of the family history has been given. Mr. Dough- erty was born in St. Louis June 5, 1832, but as the family subse- quently removed to this county, he was principally reared here. His education was acquired at William Jewell College, where he took a thorough course of four years and subse(iuently graduated. After the close of his college ccjurse he returned to the farm and engaged iu farming with his father with whom he continued until the latter's death. Mr. Dougherty inherited the old family homestead and stills owns it. He has a fine place of 1,1(32 acres, all improved except about 200 acres of timber. He has been extensively engaged in farming and raising stock for many years, to which his place is well adapted. His improvements on the farm are of an excellent class, a large com- fortable, tastily built residence, good barns and other buildings, and good fences. November 30, 1865, Mr. Dougherty was married to Miss Sarah, a daughter of James and Eliza Nutter, early settlers of this county. Mrs. Dougherty was educated at the Liberty Female Seminary. They have two children : Katie and Mary Hertzog. In the spring of 1881 Mr. Dougherty removed to Liberty in order to edu- cate his daughters. He is now just completing a handsome, spacious two-story brick residence in town, where he will make his permanent home. Mr. and Mrs. D. are members of the Baptist Church and he is a member of the Chapter and Commandery in the Masonic order. Mr. Doughei'ty's father, Maj. Dougherty, was at one time engaged in this county in the unusual pursuit of raising butt'alo. He begun with one cow and in a few years his stock of buffalo had increased until during one summer he had 23 head of calves. He was a great ad- mirer of Henry Clay and sheared some wool from oueof his best buf- falo which his wife carded, -siHin and knit into a pair of mittens and a pair of socks. The Major sent them to the great Whig chief and states- man of that day, Henry Clay, from whom he received a most compli- mentary acknowledgment. After the death of Mr. Clay they were contributed by his heirs to the cabinet of reliques of public men at Washington, and they are now on exhibition in a glass case, with a card giving their history, in the Patent Office, in the Literior Depart- ment building. JAMES R. EATON, A. B., A. M., Ph. D. (Professor of Natunil Sciences, William Jewell College, Liberty, Missouri). Dr. Eaton is a native of New York He was born at Hamilton, Mad- ison county, that State, December 11, 1834. He was a son of Rev. 320 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. Dr. Georo'e W. Eaton, one of the most accomplished scholars and eminent educators of New York. His whole life was devoted to the cause of education. The following concerning him and his services is reproduced from the report of the Commissioner of Education of the United States for the year 1872 : — Dr. James E. Eaton received his general education at the Madison University of NewYork. He graduated in 1856 and received the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Immediate)}' following his graduation from the Mad- ison University he entered the Hamilton Theological Seminary of the. Baptist Church, in which he continued as a student for a period of two vears, graduating in 1858 with the degree of Master of Arts. Well recommended for ripe scholarship and for the natural charac- teristics necessary to a successful and useful career as an educator, Prof. Eaton, after his graduation at Madison, was tendered, in 1859, the chair of Adjunct-Professor of Mathematics and Natural Sciences in the Union University of Murfreeshoro, Tenn., which he accepted. He tilled that position and discharged the duties which it imposed with ahilit}' and eminent satisfaction to all concerned for two years. He was then oflered and he accepted the professorship of Ancient Lan- guages in Bethel College of Rnssellville, Ky. The events of the war, however, soon unsettled affairs in Kentucky so much that he re- signed his position at Bethel College and left the State. Prof. Eaton now went to New York, and soon afterwards received the appointment of superintendent of the advertising department and of the foreign mail delivery in the post-office of the city of New York. He continued at the head of that department in the New York city post-office until the close of the war. Prof.Eaton found official life in the civil service of the government by no means as congenial as the profession of teaching, and in 1866 he accepted the chair of Natural Sciences in the Universitj' of Louisville, Ky. He contiiuied there for three years and until he came to Liberty, Mo., in 1869, to enter upon the duties of Professor of Natural Sciences and Natural Theology in William Jewell College, a position to which he had been called by the boardof regents of this institution. He has occupied this position in William Jewell College from that time to the present, continuously, a iicriod of 16 years. In the meantime, in 1876, his Alma Mater, Mailison University of New York, honored him and herself by conferring ui)on him tiie degree of Doctor of Philosophy. The promise early given of a successful and useful career for Dr. Eaton as an edu- cator has already lieen fulfilled to an eminent degree. With him teaching is a labor of love, the source of his greatest pleasure outside of his family and his church; and he has devoted his life, all his ener- gies, to it with that zeal and disinterestedness, and that singleness of purpose — the mental and mora! elevation and improvement of those committed to his charge — which stamp him a man of great nobility of character, and one fitted for the delicate and rosjiousible duties of an educator, not less by the native qualities of his head and heart than by his superior attainments as a scholar. The Doctor is justly re- garded as one of the leadinsr educators of the State. For ten vears HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 321 he was president of the Education Board of William Jewell College, and until he resigned the position. His resignation was accepted with gi'eat reluctance. Dr. Eaton is also active and prominent in the church and his ser- vices have been of great value to his denomination at Liberty and to the cause of religion. Though a scientist of profound learning and great abiHty and a devoted Ijeliever in the great principles establislied by scientific research, unlike many of greater pretentions but of unquestionably less depth of thought and thoroughness of investiga- tion, he has never found anything to shake his faith in the Word of God, the doctrine of faith in Christ as contained in the Holy Scriptures. On the contrary, he has ever found science an unerring witness for religion, the faithful handmaid of religious truth. Dr. Eaton devotes much of his leisure from his regular duties to general reading, and in the course of his studies of a general charac- ter he has collected an unusually large and valuable library, probably the best general library in this i)art of the State, outside of a largo city. He has nearly twelve hundred volumes, all works of solid merit, and most of them standard authors on the subjects which they respect- ively treat. On the 6th of June, 1872, Dr. Eaton was married at Liberty, Mo., to Miss Mattie E. Lewright. She is a lady of superior education and in- telligence. She is a native of Missouri, born in Franklin county, and was educated by a private tutor, a gentleman who was a graduate of the ancient and famous University of Edinburgh, Scotland. She is a daughter of Wm. P. Lewright, formerly of Virginia. The Doctor and Mrs. Eaton have one child living, Hubert L., a prom- ising son aged about four years. Two others are deceased, both sons, Harold W. and Lewright B. Dr. Eaton has an interesting and valuable collection of geological specimens, many of which he gathered himself in the West and else- where in the United States. He also has an interesting cabinet of curios of various kinds, collected from ditl'ereut parts of the world, and one of the finest collections of ancient and rare coins in the United States. His collection of coins, in fact, is said to be the best, though not the largest, one outside of Europe. It was exhibited at the Louis- ville Exposition in 1884 and one of the i)apers of that city made the following notice of it : — " Among the uew features at the Exposition will be the rare collection of coins belonKing to Dr. J. R. Eaton, of William .Jewell College. He has been 30 years mak- ing this collection, and it is probably the best and most complete one this side of the British Museum. All the coins mentioned in the Scriptures are here, from the gold darlc, contributed to build Solomon's temple, to the mite, such as the poor widow cast into the treasury. Here al.^o are the old Greek coins from the didrachma of .Egina, which must have been coined before the year 8()'.» B. C, to the quarter obohts, the smallest coin ever circulated. The sacred ubolus which was placed in the mouth of each corpse to pay the dead mail's ferriage across the river Styx. The coins of Alex- ander the Great and his successors. The collection embraces all the varieties of Roman coins. There is the original ^Is.of bronze and weighing one pound, the largest coin in existence. It was recently exhumed at Naples and is a better specimen than the one in the British Museum. Besides these there are moderncoins of all nations now in use." 322 HISTORY or clay county. WILLIAM W. ESTES (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-offlce, Liberty) . Whutever may be said of the productive quality of mucli of the farm- ing hiiid of Virginia, no one who knows anything about Virginians will question the fact that they know a good piece of land when they see it. In all the emigrations from different States to the West, Vir- ginians have generally gotten the best of their fellow-emigrants from- other States iu the choice of good lands. Away back in the territorial days of Missouri, the more intelligent class of people in Virginia have made themselves familiar with the general character of the lands in this part of the country ; especially well informed were those who ex- pected to emigrate West. Among these was the father of the subject of the present sketch, together with a large number of other Vir- ginians. Before coming to this State he had visited Kentucky when quite a young man, but returning to Virginia he was married and shortly afterwards, in company with quite a colony, came out to Mis- souri and settled in Salinecounty. That wasas early as 1819. About two years afterwards he and a number of his fellow-emigrants came up tlie river, and crossing over, settled on the fertile lands of Clay county. This was one of the early settlements made in the county. Thomas Estes became a well-to-do farmer of this county and respected Ijy all who knew him. He died here in 1854. His wife died in 1866. Their homestead was about a u.-'.e and a half northeast of Liberty. He left a large landed property at his death and a number of slaves. It should have been remarked before this, however, that after his first wife's death he was married again. By each wife he left a family of children. Of the first family only one is now living, and also one of the last marriage. William W. Estes was born in Saline county, March 7, 1821, but was reared on the family homestead in Clay county. In 1849 he, with a company composed of twelve young men of Clay county and twelve from Howard county, went to California overland, being about three months on the road. He spent two years in Cali- fornia engaged in mining. Returning in the fall of 1851, he came by way of Panama and New Orleans, and on reaching home settled down permanently to farming and stock-raising, which he has ever since followed. June 1, 1852, he was married to Miss Catherine Lincoln, a daughter of David Lincoln, one of the pioneer settlers of the county. She lived to l)rightcn his home for nearly thirty years, but was at last taken away by death, Septeml)er 25, 1881. She" was a good and true and faithful wife and was esteemed by her neighbors and acquaintances only less than she was loved in her own family. Hut one child was reared to mature years. She is still living, Elizalielh D., the wife of James Bevins, who resides on the Estes' homestead and assists in the management of the farm. Mr. and Mrs. Bevins have two children, Katie C. and Plum, and have lost two, all of whom died in infancy. The farm contains 230 acres and is one of the choice farms of the HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 323 vicinity. Messrs. Estes and Bevins are justl}' esteemed as among the l)est citizens of the community. ROBERT C. EWING (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-ofBce, Liberty). Mr. Ewing is a representative of a family, whose name he bears, that has given to several of the Western States, including Missouri, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois, some of their leading citizens. He was a son of J. B. Ewing, who came to this county from Ken- tucky in an early day, and who was a nephew of Rev. Finis Ewing, one of the noted preachers of his day, a man of finished education, fine presence, a magniiicent oi'ator and of profound piety. J. R. Ewing came to Clay county a young man in 1821. His parents had previously settled in Lafayette county, this State, at a very early day. He was married here to Miss Ruth IMoore, a daughter of James Moore, formerly of North Carolina. After his marriage he settled on a farm adjoining the one where his son now resides. Robert C, the subject of this sketch, was born on that place, October 23, 1833. On the 5th of January, 1859, he was married to Miss Sarah Downing, a daughter of Charles Downing, formerly of Kentucky. After his marriage Mr. Ewing continued farming, which he had previously engaged in, for himself and i)y industry and good manage- ment he has become comfortably situated. Mr. and Mrs. Ewing have three children, Charles R., John D. and Robert C. One is deceased, Nettie. She died in the fall of 1881, being at the time the wife of Lilburn Arnold. Mrs. E. is a member of the Baptist Church. JUDGE JOSEPH THORNBURG FIELD (deceased) (Vicinity of Liberty). He whose name heads this sketch was for many years, and until his death, regarded as one of the prominent repi-esentati,ve citizens of Clay county. He was long a leading farmer and held many positions of public trust, as well as being prominently identified with business affairs and in every relation of life acquitted himself with great credit. He was born in Madison county, Va., December 10, 1798, and was the eldest of a family of nine children. In 1800 the family removed to Kentucky and settled in Bourbon county, where he grew to manhood, and resided until approaching middle age of life. In 1838 he went to Boone county, that State, where he made his home for several 3'ears and became a prominent citizen of that county. He was elected sheriff while there and discharged the duties of that ofSce with marked elEcieucy and popularity. From Boone county, Ky., he emigrated to Missouri, and made a permanent settlement in Clay county. Here he was married in 1845 to Miss Mary A. Thompson, of Caldwell county, but formerly of Kentucky. She survived her marriage, how- ever, only a short time, and left him one child, Sarah E., now the wife of John Chancellor. To his second wife Judge Field was mar- 324 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. ried in the spring of 1848. She was a Miss Margaret Wymore, daughter of Samuel Wj'raore, of this count}', an earlj^ settler from Kentucky. Meantime he had bought land and improved a farm and by his industr_y and good management was steadily coming to the front as a prominent farmer and stock-raiser. Later along he was honored with different official positions in the county and among others was twice elected a member of the county court and served one term as county treasurer. As a county judge he is said to have been one of the most efficient ever honored with that position in Clay county,' and in various other positions he held he acquitted himself with not less credit and popularity. He also became interested in banking and was director of the Liberty branch of the Farmers' Bank of Missouri. During the latter years of the career of the liank he served as its president, and under his management it obtained a wide and enviable rei)utation. By his economy and industry and admirable good judg- ment, he was enabled to acquire a comfortable fortune. He died at his homestead in this county March 19, 1881, at the ripe old age of 82. Judge Field was a valuable, good citizen, and as a friend, generous and faithful. As a husband and father, he was all that loved ones could have wished him to be, a good and true man in every relation of life and one whose memory is kindly cherished by those who knew him. In business affairs he was remarkably methodical and systema- tic and punctual and precise in all his transactions. His second wife died only a short time after her marriage, and he was subsequently married to Miss Amanda J., daugiiter of Leonard Brastield, who came to this county from Kentucky in 1818. Four children were the fruits of his last marriage: Mary J., wife of William Clark; Ada, wife of Hon. James M. Bohart, of Clinton count}' ; Joseph E. and Daniel B. Tiie latter has charge of the old family homestead and is a young man of liberal educa,tion and of marked enterprise and personal worth. JAMES D. FORD (Mayor of Liberty and Deputy County Collector). Prominent among the young men of Clay county who, by their own merits, are steadily and surely coming to the front in public and busi- ness affairs, is the subject of the present sketch. Mr. Ford, who is a young man of industry and sterling character, received more than an average general education at Lii)erty High School and at William Jewell College. Sul)sequently he followed farming for two vears and then, in 1877, engaged in the grocery business at Liberty. Three }'ears later he sold his interest in the grocery trade and became a le farms, and managed them with marked energy and enter- prise. Though burned out twice while engaged in the manufacture of hemp, lie never allowed himself to become discouraged, but went to work with redoubled energy to make up for losses, which be soon succeeded in doing. During the Mormon War he was a major of Missouri volunteers under Col. Doniphan, and was major of militia under the old militia laws of the State. He was mayor of Liberty, and from time to time has been prominently identified with enter- prises for the improvement of the place and the advancement of the interests of the community. He was one of the leading spirits in securing the location of William Jewell College at this place and in founding that institution. As early as 1847 he went to work on the enterprise and spent the principal part of three years at work to se(!ure the establishment of the institution and building it up, to the neglect of his own l)usiness. He made a thorough canvass of the people of the county for subscriptions, and by his and other citizens' efforts secured $24,767, which he turned over to the college committee. (Al)out 1872 the subscription by town and county amounted to near $40,000). At the time of the committee for location, Hon. E. M. Sam- uel, Judge J. T. V. Thompson and Gen. A. W. Doniphan's departure from Libert}' Landing, Maj. Lightburne arrived, handed subscription l)apers and said : " Gentlemen, you go to get the college ; if the amount is not sufficient on your arrival at Boonvillo, add $3,000 or $5,000 more — secure the college." The proffered aid was not needed. For lliis noble institution, a credit to the State and an honor to the com- munity in which it is located, people are inider no greater obligations to any one than to Maj. Lightburne. His zeal and public spirit for 346 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. the college ai'e entitled to udditioiial credit from the fact that he was not interested in it so far as his own family are concerned, for he has never been blessed with children of his own. In numerous other enterprises looking to the educational, moral and social improvement of the communitj', as well as in those of a material character, he has been hardl}' less public-spirited and liberal of his time and means than in his efforts in behalf of the college. He has also been an active and prominent worker in the Masonic Order, and has held the offices of High Priest and Eminent Commander. He has also represented his ' lodge in the Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter. In whatever he has interested himself he has worked with zeal, energy and ability, and has made it a success. As earl}' as 1837 he took an active part in founding the Female Seminary at this place, and putting it on a success- ful basi^, contributing liberally to itsfund. On theSdof May, 1846, Maj. Lightburne was married to Miss Ellen J. Sutton, a daugliter of Capt. William Sutton, of Scott county, Ky. She and Maj. Lightburne were children together, and were reared on adjoining farms. They played together in childhood, and in the morning of life formed that attachment for each other which has continued unbroken through the lapse of years, and has bound their lives together in a union which only death can sever. Their married life has been one of singular congeniality and happiness, and from the beginning each has seemed to study and labor to make the other happy. Mrs. Lightburne, though now advanced in years, is a lady of marked grace and dignity, and makes a most favorable impression ujion all by her manifest superiorit}' of intelligence, her amiability of disposition, and her gentle, motherly bearing. Maj. Lightburne is a man whose name stands a synonym for honorable and useful citizenship, and for purity and ui)rightness of character. For some years past he has been retired from business activities ; and in the Indian summer of a well spent life is enjoying the comforts and pleasures which his industry lias brought him and his good name and large circle of friends afford. He has a handsome residence property, a spacious and stately brick in the suburbs of town, provided with every comfort and convenience, where he is living in ease and retirement, esteemed and venerated for the nobility of his nature and the good that he has done. He and his good wife have reared several orphan children, for whom they have made ample provision, and by whom they are esteemed and loved as the best of parents. Certainly two lives, crowned as these have been and jewelled with so many noble deeds, arc worthy to l)e commemorated in any just history of the county. Consistent mem- bers of the Cliristian Church for many years, and having lived lives in keeping with the teachings of the Father of all, the}' may now look l)ack without i-egret, and forward to the final end with hope and jov. JAMES T. MARSH, M. D. (Physician and Surgeon, Liberty). Dr. Marsh's father, James Marsh, came to Clay county with Iiis family, from Kentucky, in 1827. Hero he became a large landholder HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 347 and Iciuliiiii; faniiei-. He died here in 1840, leaving five children, four of whom are living, the Doctor, an older brother and two sisters. Dr. Marsh was born on the family homestead in this count}' Feliruary 18, 1833. In early youth he attended the common schools and after- wards took a course of two years at William Jewell College. He then entered Westminster College, in whicli he continued two j'ears, grad- uating in 1857, witli the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Imniediatcdy following his graduation he began the stud}' of medicine. In due time young Marsh matriculated at the St. Louis Medical College, and subsequently took a course of two terms there, graduating in the class of '60. After his graduation Dr. Marsh located at Weston, in Platte county, liut a year later removed to Clinton county, where he practiced until the spring of 18()3. Dr. Marsh then came to Liberty, and has been in the active practice of his profession at this place ever since. Dr. Marsh is a member of the County District Medical So- ciety and of the State and the National Medical Association. In the spring of 1860 Dr. Marsh was married to Miss lioxanna Brashear, a daughter of the late Cyrus Brashear, one of the pioneer settlers of Clay county. Dr. and Mrs. Marsh have four children, Carlton, Laura, Nellie and Morton. Mrs. Marsh is a lady of culture and refinement. She is a graduate of the Baptist Female College, at Liberty, and has long been a diligent and discriminating reader of the better class of literature. Dr. and Mrs. M. are members of the Presbyterian Church, and the Doctor is a memlier of the I. O. O. F. JOSEPH F. MEFFERT, M. D. (■physician and Surgeon, Liberty, Missouri). It is no empty compliment, but the statement of a plain fact neces- sary to be written in any truthful biography of the suliject of the pres- ent sketch, that Dr. Meffert, liy his unusual energy, ability and ambition, has rapidly pushed himself forward in his profession, in point both of education and practice, until now, although a young man only little past the age of 27, he occupies an enviable position among the leading ]jhysicians of the State. Graduating with honor at William Jewell College in the class of 1878, he at once thereafter began the study of medicine under Dr. Records of this place, having a decided preference, and a more than ordinary aptitude, as the result is showing, for that profession. Making extraordinary vapid progress in his studies, he shortly miitriculated in the Medical Department of the University of Louisville, Ky., and tiicre by hard study he succeeded in graduating in June, 187!). Without stopping he entered the Kentucky School of Medicine where he graduated the following fall. From there he entered upon a course in the Hospital Depart- ment of Central University, of Kentucky, which he succeeded in com- pleting the following spring. At that time the position of Hospital Surgeon and City Physician was vacant, which was to be filled l)y appointment, and the appointee to be selected by a competitive ex- amination as to his qualifications and medical attainments. Dr. 348 HISTORY or clay county. Meffert and a number of other physicians applied for the place, as it was quite a lucrative and prominent position in the profession. Upon competitive examination Dr. Meffert was selected as having shown the best qualifications among all those competing for the place. He desired the position not alone for its prominence in the profession and the salary, but also because the large and varied experience he would obtain there in a few years would be worth more to him than the practice of half a lifetime. He held the position for two years, until from overwork he was completely broken down and compelled to resign for rest and recuperation. However, he did not remain idle, but at once entered a medical institution at Buffalo, N. Y., where he spent several months, and afterwards occupied several months visiting the different hospitals of New York City and making a stud}' of special cases. While there he received the appointment of physician to the State Lunatic Asylum of Arkansas, at Little Kock, which, however, he declined, for the reason among others that his presence was required at home, in Liberty, at that time to take charge of his father's business. On returning home at this place he shortly entered actively upon the practice of his profession and has continued in it ever since. He has a very large practice, having special cases, in tact, from other States, and, as has been said, occupies a position among the leading physicians of the State. He is administrator of his father's estate, and superintends the management of the proiierty of the family. Dr. Meffert was a son of Frederick and Mary (Hub- bach) Meffert, both formerly of Germany, but from Louisville, Ky., to Liberty. His father was largely engaged in the wholesale boot and shoe business in this State, first at Missouri Cit}-, Mo., then at Leavenworth, Kan., and finally he removed to Liberty in 1866, wiiere he carried on a boot and shoe house for a number of years. He was a leading member of the Masonic Order and held a number of prominent positions in that order. During the last seven years of his life he was engaged in the drug business at Liberty. He died here August 20, 1884. "' JOHN MESSICK (Liberty, Missouri). Considering that Mr. Messick is still comparatively a 3'^oung man, and that he began for himself with little or no moans to start on, his career has been a more than ordinarily successful one. At the age of 43, he is now one of the substantial property holders at Liberty. His means he has accumulated by successful business enterprise. He was born in Jessamine county, Ky., November 10, 1841. His father, John Messick, Sr., has resided in Indiana since 1861. Mr. Messick, Jr., received a good general education in the common schools and academy of Nicholasville, his native place, and at the age of 23 came out further West to Alton, Illinois, where he became clerk in a hard- ware store. After two years spent at Alton he had succeeded by economy in saving some monej' from his salary, and he returned to HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 34!> Kentucky, where be was married, February 15, 1870, to Miss Mar- garet Sherley, a daughter of Elijah Sherley, of Jessamine county. Directly after his marriage Mr. Messick came to Missouri and located at Liberty, where he bought an interest in a hardware store already established. Five years later he bought the entire business and con- ducted it with unbroken and excellent success until February of last yenv, when he closed out to good advantage. He is now completing a large brick building in which to engage in the manufacture of car- riages, and to carry on blacksmithing, repairing, etc. He also has a number of valuable properties at Liberty, and already is in comfort- able circumstances. He is a mau of thorough-going energy, a good business manager, and doubtless will continue his heretofore success- ful career. Mr. Messick has been married twice. His first wife died in February of the year following their marriage. In August, 1873, he returned to Kentucky and was married to Miss Nannie S. Speares, a daughter of Lee Speares, deceased, late of Fayette county, that State. By his last marriage there are four children : John, Jr., Charles, George and Miranda. Mr. Messick's mother was a Miss Jennie Hawkins, of Kentucky, but originally of Virginia. She died in 1848. His father is now married to his third wife and resides in Indiana. THOMAS F. MESSICK (Real Estate Dealer and Hardware Merchant, Liberty) . Mr. Messick has been a citizen of Chiy county and resident of Lib- erty for only about ten years, but such has been his enterprise and success as a business man, that for some years he has held a worthy place among the leading and useful citizens of Liberty in business and general affairs. He began life for himself when a youth as clerk in a mercantile house, and afterwards continued in that em[)loymeut for a period of about nine years, learning all the details of the busi- ness thoroughly. Not only that. But those habits of constant and close attention to business were formed and that knowledge of the fact was obtained that for one to succeed he must economize in every pos- sible direction, which, together with good judgment, strict integrity and untiring industry, enabled him subsequently, when he came to engage in business on his own account, to make success an assured fact and to achieve it much sooner than would otherwise have been possible. Mr. Messick was partly reared in Indiana and came to Liberty in 1874. By this time, although he was a young man only about tweuty-fi.ve years of age, he had succeeded in accumulating some means, which, on coming here, he invested in a hardware store. He, therefore, became a partner with his brother, John Messick, and the firm of Messick & Bro. continued successfully in the iuirdware bus- iness until last spring, when Thomas F., the subject of this sketch, sold his interest in the store. They carried a very full line of shelf and heavy hardware and also a large stock of farm machinery, wagons, etc., and did a good business. Aside from this, Mr. Messick was most of the time dealing in real estate, Ijoth town i)roperty and farms. At 350 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. Liberty, he built some seven or eight residence properties, several of them very handsome places, and four of them he still owns. His homestead property at this place is one of the neatest and handsomest at Liberty, a picture of good taste, convenience and comfort. He also owns two good farms in the vicinity. In handling real estate, exchano'ing, bu3'ing, selling, etc., he has had even better success than in merchandising. Mr. Messick is now giving his entire time and atten- tion to real estate. December 22, 1870, he was married to Miss Lennie Harrison, a daughter of M. C. Harrison, deceased, of Mont- , gomery county, Luliana. Mr. and Mrs. M. have four children, Harry, Emma, Mattie and Thomas. He and wife are members of the Christian Church, and Mr. M. is a prominent member of the Masonic order. He is also identified with the temperance cause and is an ardent believer in the doctrine of prohibition. He thinks that if it is right to sell whisky, sell it like hardware, dry goods, etc., are sold ; take awa}' all restrictions. If wrong, stop it. Mr. Messick has been a member of the town council at Liberty. He was born in Jessamine county, Kentucky, September 22, 1849. His parents, John and Margaret Messick, removed to Indiana when he was about thirteen years of age, settling in Montgomery county, where he was reared. He was by his father's second marriage and was the only child of that union. After his mother's death his father was again married. By each of his father's first and last marriages there was a numerous fam- ily of children. EGBERT HUGH MILLER (Liberty). Robert Hugh Miller was born in Richmond, Va., November 27, 182(i. His parents were John E. and Mary A. (Rogers) Miller. His father's family was of Scotch extraction. About the year 1832, his parents immigrated to Barren county, Ky., and, after residing there nearly six years, removed to Missouri and settled in Monroe county. Soon after he was sent to Columl)ia, Mo., to learn the printing busi- ness, and there entered tiie office of the CoJumhia Patriot, published by F. A. Hamilton, W. T. B. Sanford, Thomas Miller and James S. Rollins, all of whom ;u-e now dead except the latter. Before the expira- tion of his apprenticeship, the Patriot ceased to exist, and entering the office of the Missouri Statesman, also published in Columbia, he remained there some months. In April, 1846, in connection with the late John B. Williams, of the Fulton Tfler/rap/i,he established the Liberty Trihunp,\n Liberty, Clay county. Mo., whither he immediately removed and there he has ever since made his home. The connection l)etween himself and Mr. Williams in the publication of the Tribune was terminated within a year after the first issue, and he became and has since remained the .«ole proprietor of that papei-. The Tribune, in its history, has had no suspension, and but one failure of issue, which occurred in Sep- tember, 1861. HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 351 He w:is married June 28, 1848, to Miss Eniia F. Peters, daughter of the hite John R. Peters, of Clay count}', Mo. She died December 3, 1867, leaving four children. May 3, 1871, Mr. Miller married Miss Lulu Wilson, daughter of the late Hon. John Wilson, of Platte county. Mo. His educational advantages were such as could be obtained in his youth in the common schools of the country, and this he supplemented by research and observation. From his earliest acquaintance with politics to the dissolution of the Whig party, he was an enthusiastic member of it. Since then he has l)een a member of the Democratic party and earnestl}' co-operates in the advocacy of its principles. He was reared and educated under the intluences of the Old School Pres- byterian Church, and though not a communicant of any church, he retains a great respect and reverence for that grand and venerable body of Christians. He has ever been an earnest advocate of all public enterprises in- augurated in Clay county — its railroads, schools, colleges, agricul- tural society, etc. — indeed, of all measures and conceptions whose purpose and tendency were to increase the wealth and social and moral well being of the people among whom he has so long lived. Mr. Miller's characteristics are untiring industry, great tenacity of purpose, close adherence to approveil forms, customs and usages, conscientious attachment to truth and right, and steady, unflinching devotion to friends. JOHN J. MOORE (Farmer and ex-Couuty Collector, Postroffice, Liberty) . Mr. Moore was born in Orange county, N. C, March 2, 1882. His father. Col. James Moore, was one of the prominent citizens of that county, and was colonel of militia and the founder of Mooresville, of which he was for many years postmaster. The mother, who was a Miss Margaret Robertson, was a lady of marked intelligence and of one of the best families in that part of the country. John J. Moore grew up in Orange county and remained at home until 184(3, when he came to Missouri and made his home in Clay county. Here he shortly en- listed for the Mexican War under Col. Doniphan, and was out until the close of the war. He then returned to Clay county and followed farming for a few years, at the expiration of which time he engaged in the livery business at Liberty. For several years preceding 1861 he served as deputy sheriff of the county, and then enlisted in the Confederate service under Gen. Price. The tirst two years of the war he served east of the Mississippi, and the rest of the time in the Trans-Mississippi department. He was a member of the Foi'ty-third Missouri infantry, and was with his regiment in all the engagements in which it took part. Returning after the war, he resumed the livery business and continued it with success up to 1872, when he was elected county collector. Two years later he was re-elected, and he was again re-elected in 1876, serving until March, 1879. Since the close of his last term Mr. Moore has been residing on the farm, which he owns, 352 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. near Liberty, containing about 200 acres. In the summer of 1852 he was married to Miss Eliza, a daughter of John Lee, formerly of North Carolina. His wife was reaied in the same neighborhood as himself, but just across the line in Caswell county. They have two children: William E., in the dry goods business at Liberty, and Ruth, the wife of John W. Norton, Esq., an attorney at Kansas City, a son of Judge Norton of the Supreme Court. Mrs. Moore is a member of the M. E. Church South, and Mr. Moore is a member of the I. O. O. F. ELISHA A. MOORE (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Liberty) . During the war Mr. Moore was in the Union service, and did his full share of duty toward preserving the Uuiou, which both Southern- ers and the loyal people of the North are now glad, or profess to be, is an established fact. He was born in Andrew county. Mo., April 8, 1845, but was partly reared in Chiy county, this State, where his parents, William and Lucinda Moore, removed when Elisha A. was in infancy. His father was a native of South Caro- lina, and was a carpenter by trade. He came to Missouri when a young man. Mr. Jloore's mother was a daughter of Judge Elisha Cameron, of Clay county. In 1850 the father, William Moore, went on a trip to California, and died there about a year afterwards. When Elisha A. was about eight years of age his mother came back to Clay county, and here he grew to manhood. lu June, 1863, he enlisted in Co. B, Sixth Missouri cavalry. State militia, under Col. E. C. Catherwood. He served until the close of the war, and was honorably mustered out at St. Louis in 1865. He then came back to Clay county, but soon afterwards engaged in freighting across the plains, and followed that for several years, becoming wagon- master of a train. Returjiing in 1868, he now made Clay county his home for a>)out a 3'ear. In June, 1869, he was married to Miss Mary C. Williams, of Jackson count}', a daughter of Samuel S. Williams, formerly of Fleming county, Ky., but now deceased. After his marriage Mr. Moore followed farming in Jacksou county for, about six years, and bought a farm there. But selling out at the expiration of that time he came back to this county and settled on his present place, which he had previously bought. He has a good place of 135 acres, well improved, including a fine orchard of 300 bearing trees. Mr. Moore is president of the district school board, and has been a school director nearh' ever since he came back to the county. Mrs. Moore is a member ot'the M. E. Church. They have four children: Mary Ellen, Arthur W., Walter H., and Charles C. JAMES W. MOSBY fFarmer and Stock-raiser, Post-ofBce Liberty) . The Mosby family is originally of Virginia, and Gen. Mosby, of Confederate fame, is one of its prominent re[)resentatives. The sub- HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 35?> ject of the present sketch, however, conies of a Kentucky branch of the family. He was a son of Wade Mosby, a native of Woodford county, Kentucky. The father removed to Chiy county, Missouri, as early as 1824. He was a farmer by occupation and died here in 1857. The mother, who was a Miss Rebecca Shouse before her marriage, died in 1865. James W. Mosby was born October 1, 1836, and was reared in this county. He was brought up a farmer, and in 1860 was married to Miss Sue Riley, a daughter of Alfred M. Riley, an eai-ly settler of Clay county. The result of this union has been one child, Charles, who is now a j'outh, twenty-four years of age. Mr. and Mrs. M.'are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Mosby has a good farm of 320 acres, a half mile from Robinson's Station, on the H. & St. Jo. Railroad, and is comfortal)ly situated. He breeds and deals in short horn cattle and feeds cattle and hogs for the wholesale market; in fact, he is quite a stock dealer, and is satisfactorily successful. He has always taken quite an interest in schools and does much to keep up a high standard of efficiency in the schools of his vicinity. CHARLES MOSBY (Farmer and Fiue Stock-raiser, Post-office, Liberty). Mr. Mosby is a son of James W'. Mosby and was born on his father's homestead in this county in October, 1861. He was reared on a farm and in 1881, at the age of twenty, or, rather in his twenty-first year, he was married to Miss Jennie Grooms, a daughter of Capt. John S. Grooms, an old and prominent citizen of this county. Mr. and Mrs. M. have two children, James F. and John G. Mr. Mosby was reared a fiirmer and stock-raiser and has continued in the calling to which he was brought up. He has a handsome farm of 300 acres, situated two miles and a half north of Liberty, which is substantially and comfortably improved. He makes a specialty of raising fine Polland-Angus cattle and has a handsome herd of that breed of stock. On several of his stock he has been awarded premiums at different fairs. At the head of his herd he has a fine bull, Byron, imported from Seotlan(^. Mr. Mosby also fattens a number of Ijeef cattle and quite a number of hogs each winter for the wholesale markets. He is a farmer of enterprise and a man of good education. He was educated at William Jewell College, and afterwards took a course at Jackson- ville Business College. Mr. M. is one of the prominent young farmers of the county. He has excellent youngstock for sale at all times. WILLL\M H. NEWLEE (Dealer in Drugs, Medicines, Paints, Oils, Etc., Etc., Liberty). Mr. Newlee was born in Claitiorne county, Teim., at Cumber- land Gap, December 22, 1853. His father, C. A. Newlee, was from Virginia, and made his home in Tennessee when a young man. He- was there married to Miss Mary C. Huff, and in 1857 they removed to Missouri and located at Liberty. He was a merchant tailor by 354 HISTORY OF CLAY COLXTY. trade and followed that here for a number of j-ears. AYilliam H. was reared at Libertj'^ and educated at William Jewell College. At the age of nineteen he commenced learning the drug business under Mr. Huo'hes at this place and continued under him for six j^ears. In 1878 he became a member of the firm of Bradley & Newlee, dealers iu druo^s, and five years later he bought out Air. Bradley and has ever since continued the business alone. He carries a complete stock of drugs, medicines and all other goods of kindred lines and his trade is steadil}' growing. March 16, 1880, Mr. Newlee was married to Miss Clara Miller, a daughter of David S. Miller, deceased, one of theearh' settlers of this county. Mrs. Newlee was educated at the Clay Sem- inary. They have two children : Arthur Martin, and Charles Embree. Mrs. Newlee is a member of the Presbyterian Church. LANCE W. NEWMAN (Attorney at Law and Prosecuting Attorney, Liberty). Mr. Newman is a young law3^er who is steadih^ and surely making his way to the front in his profession, and as a prominent and useful citizen. A man of thorough collegiate education, a close student of and well versed in the law, he at the same time has, to a more than ordinary degree, the natural attributes essential to a successful career at the bar and in public life. Favored with a strong, vigorous con- stitution, full of life and spirit, he is also a man of studious habits, and closely and diligently applies himself to whatever he has in hand. Gifted with an active, well balanced mind, and of sober, mature judg- ment on all questions coming under his consideration, smooth and graceful in his address, a pleasing and forcible speaker, a man of a high sense of honor, unquestioneil integrity and singular fairness and liberality, of a mind just and liberal, and generous of heart and character, he is very naturally highly esteemed l)y all who know him, and of much personal popularit}'. Air. Newman, like the repre- sentatives of most of the early families in this section of the State, descends from old Virginia ancestry. His fiither, Peyton Newman, was a native of the Old Dominion, but was reared in Kentucky, whither his parents removed when he was a mere bo}'. He grew up ill Boyd county, that State, but when a young man came to Missouri and located in Platte county, near the present town of Edgertou, where he bought land and improved a farm. That was as early as 1838, and he was one of the pioneer settlers of that county. There, a few years afterwards, he was married to Miss Susan, a daughter of Lance Woodward, an early settler of that county from Kentuck}', but originally from Stafford county, Va. He (Mr. Woodward) is still living on his farm in Platte county, and is now in his eighty-ninth year. His daughter, Mrs. Newman, was principally reared iu Madison count}', Ky., where she resided before coming to Missouri. Mr. New- man, Sr., is a successful farmer and stock-raiser of Platte county. Lance W. Newman, the subject of this sketch, was reared on his father's farm in Platte county, and in early youth attended the common HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 365 schools of the vicinity. Afterward he matriculated at William Jewell College, and continuetl a student here until he was honorably graduated in the class of 1880. After his graduation young Newman was appointed clerk of the probate court of Clay county, and while dis- cliai'ging the duties of that position he studied law under the tutorage of Maj. Samuel Hardwicke, whose sketch appears elsewhere. Two vears later, after a thorough course of preparatory study, he was admitted to the bar, in 1882. About this time he was appointed jus- tice of the peace, and he held this position until he resigned it to accept his present ofSce, that of prosecuting attorney, to which he was elected in the fall of 1884. Meantime, in 1883, he had been elected city attorney of Liberty, and he discharged the duties of that office for one term. In the fall of 1884, as indicated above, he was a candidate for prosecuting attorney. He made the race in a free-for-all contest, and had two opponents, Messrs. James VV. Fraher and James L. Sheetz, both highly pf)pnlarand thoroughly capable young lawyers. The race was warmly but honorabl}^ and good-naturedly contested. Mr. Newman was successful by 103 plurality. Mr. N. entered upon his duties as prosecuting attorney in January, 1885. He will, unquestional)ly, make an able and successful, but, we believe, a just and not illiberal public prosecutor, one who will show good judgment and heart enough not to make his office an engine of inhumanity and injustice. Seeing to it that the laws are faithfully enforced, when their enforcement is necessary or can be made to accomplish any substantial good, he will doubtless, nevertheless, show mere}' that is due and proper : " Foi- earthly power (loth show likest to God's, When mercy seasons justice." Mr. Newman is not a married man ; but if the whisperings of the wind can be relied upon, he is already suppliant at the feet of the fair mistress of the heart, for mercy unto himself; and doubtless he who can win the suffrages of his fellow-citizens can win the heart and hand of one more tender and sympathetic than even the most sensitive of the sterner sex. DARWIN J. NUTTER (Farmer ami Stock-raiser, Liberty) . Mr. Nutter was reared in this county, and received a more than average general education as he grew up. He had the benefit of two years' course at the Georgetown Collcg(>, of Kentucky. At the out- break of the war, or rather in the fall of 18(51, he enlisted in the Con- federate service, under Gen. Stein, and was out about eight months. While encamped in Arkansas the malaria of its swamps fastened upon him and thoroughly shattered his health. On that account he received an honorable discharge Thence returning home, where he remained a short time, he went W^est to Coloi^ido, both to eradicate the mala- ria from his system and to avoid the militia, who were as little to be 356 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. endured as the malaria. Mr. Nutter was out there nearly four j'ears engaged in the stock business, but returned in 1865, and resumed forming in this county, to which he had been brought up. He has followed that occupation ever since and has made it a satisfactory success. He has a good farm of nearly 400 acres, five miles west of Liberty, and has his place well improved and well stocked. He moved into town several years ago for the purpose of educating his children, but still carries on his farm himself. He is now town counselor and on every hand is accounted one of the worthy, substantial citizens of' the place. September 1!), 1873, he was married to Miss Lucy Cor- bin, a daughter of the late Dr. Corbin, of Nicholas countv, Ky., who died there in 1853, just as he was preparing to remove to this State with his family. Mr. and Mrs. N. have four children : Theophilus, Warda, Gertie and Allie. Mr. Nutter, himself, was born in this county, November 5, 1841. He was a son of James and Elizabeth M. ( Adkins) Nutter, both from Kentucky, his father from Scott county. Thev came here in about 1838, and the father, a successful farmer, died in 1846. JAMES D. OLDHAM (Retired Farmer, Post-Offlce, Liberty). Mr. Oldham, now in his seventy-fourth _vear, has been a resident of Clay county for many years, and is well known as one of the worthy and respected citizens of the county. By a lifetime of honest industry he has situated himself comfortably in life and has ample provision for old age. He has a good farm of 200 acres well stocked and fairly improved and his home is provided with every necessary sober comfort to be desired. He was born in Shelby county, Ky., January 2^, 1811, and was reared in his native county. His fatlier, James T. Oldham, came from Virginia, when a youth, with his parents and grew up in Scott county. At about the age of twenty 3'ears, he located in Shelljy county, where he was married to Miss Maggie R. Davis, in 1808. She was born and reared in Scott county, and her father's family was said to be the first family that settled iu that county. Mr. Oldliam, senior, died in 1824 in middle age. His wife survived until 1876. There were seven children in the fam- ily, all of whom lived to reach mature years. James D. Oldham, the subject of this sketch, after he grew up, was married in Scott county, Kentucky, November 14, 1836, to Miss Annie Neil!, daughter of Rodman and Mary Ncill. Thirteen years afterwards Mr. O. removed to Lawrence county, Lidiana, with his family, where he resided for iwent}' years. He then came to Clay county, and has made his home liere ever since. Farming and raising stock have been his regular pursuit, and in this he has been fairly successful. In 1877 Mr. Old- ham had the misfortune to lose his good wife. Slie had borne him fifteen children, ten of whom are living: William, Baxter, John, Mary, August, Callie, Nevin, Nathaniel, Lee O. and Henry. James, Rodham, George, Nathan and Wari-en are deceased. Mrs. O. was HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 357 an earnest member of the Prcsl)yteriau Cliiiicli, and Mr. Oldham has himself long been a member of that denomhiation, and takes a com- mendable interest in the welfare of the church and the cause of religion. CYEUS PARK (Farmer and Stock-dealer, Post-office, Liberty). Mr. Park was born in Madison county, Ky., September 7, 1838, and was reared in his native county. His education was com- pleted at the high school, sustained by private subscription and lo- cated on his father's farm. Young Park took a thorough course in the English branches, mathematics, and also obtained a good knowledge of Latin. He remained on the family homestead with his father engaged in farming and handling stock for some eight or ten years after he reached his majority. But on January 2, 1868, he was mar- ried to Miss Mary E. Cobb, a daughter of Jesse Cobb, of Estill county, Ky., and the same year he removed to Missouri. Mrs. Park was born November 4, 1843, and was educated in Lincoln county, Ky., and at Madison Female Institute, Richmond, Ky. Mr. and Mrs. Park are both members of the Christian Church. On coming to Missouri, Mr. Park located in Clay county and followed farming, being also all the time engaged in trading in stock. He now owns a neat homestead just inside the town limits of Liberty, and near the college building. He boughf this place in 1880, in order to be near the college, so as to educate his children. Mr. and Mrs. Park have had two children, Jessie E. and Marcus Tavlor ; the latter died Jtmuary 11, 1884, in his fourteenth year. He was a singularly bright and promising boy and greatl}' loved by all who knew him. The following notice of his death is taken from the Liljerty Tribune. IN MEMORY OF MARCUS TAYLOR PARK, Aged 13 years, 4 months and 15 days. Thus early hi life has passed away one who bid fair to live out the allotted time of man. But alas! "the grim monster Death " claims as his victims the young and tender boy as well as the feeble old man. So on the morning of January Uth, 1884, while the stars were paling their beautiful light before the great king of day, Taylor's spirit tooks its flight to the golden shores that lie beyond the dark valley of death. His voice no more to be heard on earth, will join the heavenly choir to sing the chorus of the song so sweetly sung to his memory — " God's children gathering home." But Oh! how hard it was to give him up. Although for twenty long and weary weeks lie was the victim of disease and suffering, yet he never murmured or com- plained, always submissive to the wishes of fond and loving parents, who so faith- fully aud tenderly watched over him to the last. During his sickness he would often say: " Pa I'm so anxious to get well. I want to live to be a good and useful man." And liavint; known him from the day of his birth, I feel confident in saying that had his young life been spared, he would have been a noble Christian man — God's grandest work. But such could not be ; for while deeply enshrined in the hearts of parents, friends, teachers and schoolmates, God in his faultless wisdom thought best to take his pure spirit to a better world, while kind friends laid to rest his little body beneath the beauti- ful flowers that decorated his casket, there to wait till the resurrection morn, when Taylor, in apura and spotless robe, will welcome his loved ones to the " Sweet by-and- by." - A Friend. 358 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. RICHARD L. RAYxMOND (Farmer aud Fine Stock Raiser; Post-office, Liberty). Mr. Raymond was about 14 years of age when his parents removed to this county from NichoUis county, Ky. His father, Hon. John M. Raymond, was a pi-ominent citizen of that county, and had served in the Leo'islature of the State. Mr. R.'s mother was a Miss Sarah Griffith, from Harrison county, Ky. Her father had also served in ' the Legislature several terms, and was a member of the Senate when he died, and the family was one of the prominent influential families of the county. On coming to Clay county Mr. Raj'mond, Sr., set- tled about eight miles from Liberty, where he was successfully en- nfaf^ed in farming and stock raising until his death, which occurred in 1863. R. L. Raymond, the subject of this sketch, was born in Nicholas county, Ky., October 27, 1842. He was reared on a farm (after the age of 14) near Liberty, Mo. After arriving at his ma- jority he followed clerking in a store for awhile and then formed a partnership with Judge Gordon and H. A. Bland, in connection with whom he sold goods for about five years. Subsequently he sold his interest in the mercantile business and resumed forming and raising stock, to which he had been brought up. For years Air. Raymond has made a specialty of fine stock. His farm contains about 300 acres of choice land, and is well improved. The class of stock in which he is principally interested is fine short horn cattle, and he has a large herd of these, some 90, one of the largest and finest in the county. Besides, Mr. Raymond is interested with John Garth and James C. Leary in a ranch in New Mexico, where they own jointly about 1,000 head of cattle. Mr. R. is at present secretary of the Clay County Fine Stock Association. In 1881 he removed to Liberty, where he now resides. Mr. R. has a handsome residence property at this place, and is otherwise comfortably and pleasantly situated. December 1, 1868, he was married to INIiss Mattie R. Wilson, a daughter of Thomas J. Wilson, deceased, late of Kansas City, but a native of Maryland, and one of the earliest settlers in Kansas City. Mr. and Mis. Raymond have three children : Katie, Irene and Mattie R. He and wife are members of the Christian Church. CAPT. ALLEN G. REED (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Liberty). Capt. Reed, like perhaps a majorit}' of the old residents of Clay county, is a Kentuckian i)y nativity. He was born Mav 26, 1812, in Clark county. Capt. Reed was a son of Capt. Joseph Reed, and a grandson of Samuel Reed, of South Carolina, who serveii under Wash- ington throughout the War for Independence. Sanniel Reed's wife was a sister of Col. Hampton, father of G«n. Wade Hampton, of colo- nial and revolutionary times, and who served with distinction in the War of 1812; he was for years a distinguished member of Congress, HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 359 holding, iilso, other ofEcial positions of distinction, and being at one time tiie owner ot" over 3,000 shives, besides being one of the largest plantation proprietors in the South. Gen. Wade Hampton, now of the United States Senate, and Capt. Reed are therefore second cous- ins, being the grandsons of brother and sister. Capt. Reed's father commanded a company in the War of 1812. His parents had emi- grated to Kentucky in an early day from South Carolina. In 1810 Capt. Joseph Reed was married in Clark county, Ky., to Miss Cathe- rine F. Griggsby. Over 20 years afterwards he removed with his family to Missouri, and settled in Clay county, buying land near Lib- erty, where he improved a farm and resided until his death. He died here in 1844. The mother died in 1850. Capt. Allen G. Reed, the subject of this sketch, was reared in Clark county, Ky., and at the age of 21, in 1833, preceded his father's family to Missouri. He came direct to Clay county, the family following during the next year. After farming for about a year in this county, he engaged as a clerk in a store at Lilierty and two years later bought an interest in the store. In 1838 he bought a farm some six miles northwest of Lil)erty, retiring from the mercantile i)usiness, and followed farming for about eight years. He then engaged in partnership with Maj. John Dough- 3rty, of Clay, in freighting west to Santa Fe and other points, and con- tinued in the freighting business until 1846, becoming very successful and one of tiie largest freighters west. At one time he was running as many as 140 teams. Besides this he was engaged in merchandising during the last two years of his freighting experience. After quitting the West he bought out his partner's interest in the store at Liberty, and carried on the store at that place until 1858. Although actively engaged in merchandising at Liberty during this time, he had consid- erable outside business, and during a part of the time was again largely interested in freighting. In 1858 Cajit. Reed failed in business, his liabilities being" $10,000 and his assets $40,000. Thus he paid every dollar of indeljtedness and subsequently went to Denver, Col., where he engaged in the stock business. He built the first brick house erected at Denver. While extensively engaged in the stock business, he was also largely engaged in railway contracting, furnish- ing ties to the Union Pacific Railroad, having his headquarters in that business at Laramie City, W. T. At one time he had as high as 400 men in his employ as railway contractor. But while his business was quite profitable, he was called upon to boar a misfortune which moi'e than offset all the mere material success this life can afford. His eld- est son Robert Reed was his paymaster, and after drawing the money at the express ofiice at Laramie City to pay the hands with, he was mur- dered in cold blood in the streets of the place and in open daylight by several desperate characters for the purpose of robbery. It is a trite saying that one's misfortunes never come singly. So it proved with Capt. Reed. About the same time, having over3, 500 head of sheep in a moiuitain ravine, a sudden heavy rain came on, or water-spout l)roke al)ove the head of the ravine, and the water was thus suddenly raised to the depth of from five to twelve feet, and his entire flock of sheep 18 3gQ HISTORY OF CLAY COTJNTY. T 1 „,i ThU took the last dollar he had but were swept away and drowned Thi. ^f'^^ ^.^^^^ ^, , y,-^^ ^alue he was out of debt. Out ^If ^^ J!^^; f f^^^j^^, of ^ respectable for- pUvce of 250 acres On the farm he has ^^^^^^^^ J,^, ,% said by competent ^l^^""^. the St te It has not been developed the water ot any springs f ^ ^\;^^^^^^^^^^ ..^t used as a resort, as and advertised, however, and is t' e ^^e ^^ wonderful doubtless it otherwise ^'°"^^\^?; .-^'f „„e' tia^ class of men whom energy and fne business ^^ ^^ -^'^j;^. ^Id had some money left even " bad luck ^'Ui t keep co i^^j,,,,,„a invested very wisely her from her father s e.tate, which he n ^^^Un■■,.do she was and to advantage in cattle. Upon the i^.u ^ ^_ ^3^^ enabled to pay a second time torthe aim he eme.^ two children at her death : Irene now he mte o^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^^ . and Kobert whowas -urdern^ t ^--e^C^'^^^ „,arriageonly a was married to Mi.sPt- McCarty's company undei Col. John T Hughes. Capt. Riley was in nearly all the en- gagements fought m this State in the early part of the war. At t e batle ot Carthage he received a flesh wound, which, however, was no serious. He was also slightly wounded at the battle of Oak HiH After that engagement, early in 1862, being then in Texas, he became ShS 't. •'''''^'- '^- '''■ S«"-rnc's company, under Col. J W bheight. This regiment was shortly ordered to Galveston an.l later along was consobdated with Col. Cook's regiment of heavy art I e ry u which Capt. Riley served until the close'of the war. For mer o^ nous conduct and gallantry he arose from the ranks as a private to the commission of captain in command of Co. A. At the' retiki een actively and successfully engaged in the stock l)usiuess. In 1883 he was appointed De^juty U. S. Marshal for the Western Dis- trict of Missouri, a position which he still holds. He is now inter- ested in a livery stable and has one of the largest establishments of this kind in Missouri — a stable which would be a credit to any city of larger size. November 25, 1874, Mr. T. was married at Liberty to Miss Katie, daughther of Grafton Thomason, deceased, one of the pioneers of Clay county. She was born at Liberty, l)ut received her education in Platte. Mr. Timberlake is a meml)er of Liberty Lodge No. 43, I. O. O. F. His wife is connected with the Christian Church. JACOB A. TRUMBO (Farmer, Post-office, Liberty). Mr. Trumbo, if called upon, could doubtless furnish valuable infor- mation in regard to the facts of the controversy recently going in 370 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. the papers as to the disposition made of the treasure of the Confed- erate Government after the evacuation of Richmond. He was one of Mr. Davis' guard. He was also for a time on the bodj'-guard of Gen. Breckinridge. As a matter of fact he was one of the guard that secreted the gold of the treasury after the collapse of the Confederate Government, but never knew what became of this golden treasure. The notes from which this sketch is written barely refer to the facts here stated, so that no other particulars can be given. But he is most probably in possession of most valuable information in regard to this - jioint on which historians widely differ. Mr. Trumljo, in the early part of his services in the Confederate armjs was under Gen. John S. Williams, the veteran commander who fought with such distinction at Cerre Gordo, in the Mexican War, that he was ever afterwards called Cerre Gordo Williams, as Scipio was called Scipio Africanus, for his distinguished exploits in Africa during the Punic Wars. Mr. Trumbo came to Missouri in 1877, and has been a resident of this county ever since, engaged in farming. He has a good place of 250 acres in the vicinity of Liberty. His farm, unfortunately, was in the course taken by the memorable cyclone of the 13th of May, 1883. Although he and family escaped without the loss of life, or the killing of any stock, his buildings were literally scattered to the four winds of the earth. Fragments of his barns and other buildings were carried a mile or a mile and a half away. Since then he has rebuilt and repaired what could be repaired, and now has his farm in good condition again. He was born in Bath county, Ky., October 24, 1845, and was reared in that county. His parents were Adam A. and Hannah Trumbo, both of early and respected Kentucky families. Mr. Trumbo was married December 23d, 1869, in Bath county Ky., to Miss Mary E. Bradshaw. She survived until March 23, 1883, leaving him four children at her death: Adam A., Sallie A., James F. and Maggie L. To his present wife Mr. Trumbo was married August 11, 1884. She was a Miss Fannie Jacobs, a daughter of Henr}' Jacobs, of Franklin county, Ky. Mrs. Trumbo, his present wife, is a member of the Christian Church. His first wife was a member of the M. E. Church. WILLIAM W. WILLMOTT (Dealer in Lumber, Doors, Sash, Lime, Etc., Etc., Liberty). The Willmott famil}' is an old and prominent one, both in this coun- try and in England. Representatives of different branches of the family have risen to positions of distinction in both countries. X^'^^''^ are different orthographies of the name, according to whether the I and l or both are double or single in the spelling. John Eardley Wilmot was chief justice of the Court of Common Pleas of England during the first half of the present century; and his son of the same name at- tained to great eminence as a chancery lawyer. They were from Derby, England, where the original stock of the family was located. Judge David Wilmot, of Pennsylvania, a United States Senator from that State, was a distinguished representative of the family in this HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 371 country. He was the author of tlie famous Wihiiot " Proviso," that was an exciting subject of discussion throughout the whole coun- try during the shivery agitation. Branches of the family in this country settled both in Pennsylvania and Virginia. Col. Robert Will- niott, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a gallant officer under Washington in the War for Independence. He subse- quently removed to Kentucky and became a prominent citizen of that State. He was a leading member of the tirst constitutional conven- tion of Kentucky, and served with marked ability for a number of years in the State Legislature. His son, John F. Willmott, the father of the sul)ject of this sketch, became a wealthy planter of Bourbon county, Ky. He married a Miss Harriet Skillman, formerly of Virginia, and reared a large famil}' of children. Amongthese William W., the sub- ject of this sketch, was the thii'd child, and was born October 14, 1829. He was reared on his fatiier's farm in that county, and in young manhood, March 2, 1858, was married to Miss Mary J. Breck- inridge, a daughter of Perry Breckinridge, who was a cousin to one of the most brilliant men this country ever produced, Hon. John C. Breckinridge. Mr. Willmott, the subject of this sketch, removed to ^Missouri in 1872 and engaged in the manufacturing business at St. Louis. Three years later he removed to Baton Rouge, La., where he engaged in cotton planting. After an experince there of four years he came to Plattsburg, Mo., in the winter of 1879, and the following spring located at Liberty, where he l)ought a lumber yard already estal)lished at this place, which, in partnership with his son, W. Canby Willmott, he has ever since conducted. They have a large stock of lumber and other building materials, and are doing an excellent busi- ness. Mr. Willmott and wife are members of the Christian Church, as is also their son, W. Canby, the only child they ever reared. GEORGE W. WYMORE (Farmer and Stock-dealer, Post-office, Liberty). Mr. Wymore's parents, Samuel and Eliza (Downing) Wymore, came to Liberty from Fayette county, Ky., in 1843. George W. was then a lad about 14 years of age, having been born January 14, 1829. His father was for many years in the meat market business at Liberty, and dealing in cattle, hogs, etc., to some extent. George W. was brought up to this business, and became a thorough judge of stock. When ho reached his majority he, too, engaged in the meat market business, which he followed for several years. He then established a livery stalile, afterwards known as the Thompson House stables, which he built and stocked. He was in the livery business for about 20 years, and during all this time made a specialty in dealing in horses and mules, in which he had good success. Mr. Wymore is accounted one of the best judges of this class of stock in the county. He takes a special pride in handling horses and mules, and can get up a saddle or harness animal in better shape and in less time than perhaps any other man in the county. Mr. Wymore also has a neat farm two and 372 HISTORY or clay county. a half miles south of Liberty, a place of over 200 acres. December (j, 1848, be was married to Miss Sarah Francis, a daughter of Walker J. Turner, formerly from Kentucky. They have 11 children: John H., Lila, wife of John Donaldson ; Cliarles W., Andrew P., Mamie, wife of Adrean Arnold : Walter, now in New Mexico; Oscar, Bettie, Thomas McC, " Colonel Doniphan," and Matlie P. Mrs. Wymore is a meml)er of the Christian Church. JOHN H. WYMORE (Es-To\vn Councilman, and Proprietor of Wymore's Meat Marliet, Libert}')- Mr. Wymore is a son of George W. Wymore, whose sketch pi'e- cedes this, and is engaged in the same business in which his father was engaged for a number of years, and that his grandfather began at Liberty over 40 years ago — the meat market business. Mr. Wy- more, Jr., the subject of this sketch, is a very energetic young man, and understands his business thoroughly. He commenced for himself several years ago, and has been quite successful. Probably no young man in the county is a better judge of beef cattle and other fatted stock than he. He makes his own purchases and does his own butch- ering, or has it done under his immediate direction, so that he is not only enai)led to carry on his business with a thorough understand- ing of its details, but to judge correctly of the character and quality ot his meat sold at his market. Knowing that a good name in busi- ness is of more value than even capital itself, he is very careful to pre- serve the reputation of his market and sufl'ers no meat to go out under a false recommendation. This is one of the main secrets of his suc- cess. November 13, 1851, he was born at Liberty. His education was received at the common schools, the Liberty High School and William Jewell College. October 10, 1876, he was married to Miss Ida M. Pratt, a daughter of M. E. Pratt, formerly of Kentucky. They have four children : George, Frank, Garthum and Mabel. MARTIN WYMORE (Dealer in Groceries, Queens ware, Glassware, Etc., Liberty). A historical outline has already been given elsewhere in this volume in a biographical sketch of one of the other I'eprcsentatives of this family. One of tiie pioneer families of Clay county, its meml)ers have alwtiys occupied an enviable position here among the respected and worthy citizens of tiie county. Nor is the subject of the present sketch an exception to this rule. A man of energy and unquestioned personal worth, he is esteemed by all as one of the I'epresentativc business men of Liljcrt}'. Mr. Wymore is a son of Samuel S. W3'- more already referred to. He was born at Lexington, in Fayette count}', Ky., December 22, 1838. His father being engaged in pork packing and i)iitchering, in connection with farming and stock raising, young Wymore was lirought up to these occupations. In 1858 he engaged in the butcher business, and kept a meat market at Liberty HISTORY OF CLAY COUMTY. 373 Oil his own account, and afterwards continued the business for over 20 3'ears. Mr. Wyniore was quite successful and accumulated a substan- tial nucleus of means. In 1879 he retired from the meat market busi- ness and butchering and established a grocery store at Liberty. His success in this has also been satisfactory. He has one of the leading houses in this lino in this county, and does an annual business of about $35,000. In the spring of 1860 he was married to Miss Isabella, daughter of James Bratton (deceased), late of this county. Mrs. Wymore was educated at the high school of Missouri City. They have 10 children, six of whom are living: Gertrude, Jennie, Maggie, Bennie, Ernest and Annie. Martin and James died in infancy ; Lela and Mary both died the present year (1884), Lela in August and Mary in September, the former at the age of 18, and the younger at the age of 15. Mr. and Mrs. Wymore are members of the Christian Church. PETER YOUNG (■Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-offlce, Liberty). Mr. Young is one of the substantial citizens in a property point of view as well as otherwise, of Clay county, and is unqualifiedly a self- made man. Every dollar he is worth he has made by his own hard work, frugality and good business sense. He was born in Belgium, though of French parentage, October 30, 1838. His father, John Young and mother, whose maiden name was Catharine Kolar, were i>oth natives of the Gaulic Land of Vines, but went to Belgium early in life, where they were married. From the latter country they emi- grated to the United States in 1849, and settled in Wisconsin, where they made their permanent home. The father died there (Ozouka county) in 1871. Peter grew up in that county and went thence to southwestern Illinois, opposite St. Louis, where he made his hoiue for some 25 years. There he was largely engaged in vegetable farm- ing and hauled thousands of loads of produce into the Mound City. Commencing for himself when a boy as a day laborer, he finally ac- cumulated a comfortable property. In Deceml)er, 1882, he removed to Claj' count}' and bought the farm where he now resides, an excel- lent place of 200 acres, a mile and a half from Liberty. He also had 50 acres in another tract near by, and a farm in Jefferson county of 160 acres. January 27, 1866, he was married in Madison county, 111., to Miss Annie, a daughter of Christian Smith, of Montgomery county, that State, but formerly of Darmstadt, Germany. They have eisrht children : Lizzie, John, Peter, Annie, Mar, Dora, William and Clara. CHAPTER Xiy. FISHING RIVER TOWNSHIP. Position and Description — Early History, First Settlers, etc. — Voters at First Elec tiou in Township — Country Churches — Missouri City — Its Origin, Founder and Subsequent Career — Known formerly as Richfield — Murder of Wiley Herndon — Killing of two men named Titus by G. S. Elgin — Churches and Lodges in Missouri City — History of Excelsior Springs— When Surveyed and Started — Buildings Erected — Its Prosperity during 18S1 — Incorporation — The Springs — The Medi- cinal and HealingProperties which They Possess — Churches at Excelsior Springs — G. A. R. Lodge — Prathersville — Location, etc. — Fishing River Baptist Church — Biographical. POSITION AND DESCRIPTION. Comprising the entire southeastern portion of Ch^y, Fishing River township is one of the most important municipal townships in the county. There are within its boundaries about 72 square miles, em- bracing one entire congressional township (52-30) and fractional parts of three others. Its legal boundary line begins on the county line ber tween Ray and Clay, at the northest corner of section 1-52-30, and runs thence south to the Missouri river ; thence up the river to the section line dividing sections 2 and 3, in township 50-31 ; thence due north to the northwest corner of section 14-52-31 ; thence east two miles, to the range line between ranges 30 and 31; thence north two miles to the township line between townships 52 and 53 ; thence ^-st along the township line to the beginning. The entire townsiiip, except the bottom lands, is rolling and bi'okeu. Along the Missouri river the alluvial lands comprise, in the extreme southeastern and southwestern parts of the township, a considerable extent of country. Near Missouri City the bluffs come up to the river and leave scant room between it and their base for the track of the Wabash Railroad. For miles up the river these blufl's, which are of the character known as mural, pi'esent their huge battlements against the encroachments of the river, protecting the country and presenting a picturesque and imposing appearance. The nothern portion of the township is rolling and generally ele- vated. Many sections are rocky and the soil sterile and unimproved. Some of the bottom lands along Fishing river below Prathersville are as vet unreclaimed, beiMi; verv low and even swampy. Doubtless the (374) HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 375 cutting away of the heavy timbers with which they are covered would d> much towards their redemption. The western portion of the town- ship contains some splendid farms in a most advanced state of im- provement and cultivation. Fishing river, from which the township takes its name, and its l)ranehes drain the northern portion of the township ; Rush creek the southwestern, and Cooley's Lake, a nearly semi-circular body of water, nearly three miles in length, is in the southeastern. The latter is famous as a resort for hunters and fishers, and though abounding in fish at all seasons, and in all kinds of water-fowl in the spring and fall, there have l)een times within the memory of many when it went dry. EARLY HISTORY. Fishiiig River was one of the first permanently settled townships in Clay county. In the fall of 1820, David McElwee and his good wife, Maryl came with their family from Warren county, Tenn., to section 34-52-30, about a mile north of the head of Cooley's Lake. Patrick Laney, an Irishman by birth, but a Tennesseeau by adoption, and his wife Jane, came with McElwee and settled half a mile northwest of the latter. Mrs. Margaret Howdeshell, a daughter of McElwee, who came with her father to Missouri, and yet lives, with a memory of early days unimpaired, states that when her father came to his settle- ment the ijearest settlers to him were the Gilmores, Smith and Hill, on Rush creek, mentioned in the sketch of Liberty township. In the winter of 1820-21, Thos. Officer settled one mile east of McElwee. Mr. Officer and James and Alexander Woolard located north of Fishing river, but in a year or two moved back to Kentucky. David and Wm. Lisles, brothers and unmarried, came with the Wool- iirds, lived with them, and left the country with them. In the spring of 1821, Elisha and John Camron came to section 31-52-30, three miles north or northeast of where Missouri City now stands. John Camron was a widower, and his death, which occurred in the summer of 1821, is believed to have been the first that ever occurred in the county, of which an American settler was the subject. The body was buried on Judge Elisha Camron's farm. Also, in the spring of 1821, two men named Spicer and Vickery settled on section 23-52-30', two miles or more southeast of Prathers- ville. Wm. and Thos. Slaughter settled in the forks of Fishing river nor tar from Mt. Pleasant Church, in the spring of 1822. Ebenezer Price and Napoleon Price settled in the vicinity of Prathersville about 19 376 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. the same time. Sum Oliver, wlio settled on section 26, was another early settler who came in 1821, but didn't like the country and re- turned to Kentucky in a year or two. In the tall of 1821, after the fight with the Indians at David Mc- Elwee's, narrated elsewhere (see chapter I), the settlers in the coun- try put up block houses into which they could I'etreat and " fort up," on the approach ofjdanger. One of these " forts " or block houses stood on Elisha Camron's land; another was at the Gilmores', on- Rush creek, near Liberty ; and another was at old Martin Palmer's, on section 1—51-30, half a mile from Cooley's Lake, and just under the bluff, on the Camden road. Happily there was never any occasion for the use or occupation of these places of refuge. The first wedding in Clay county occurred in the spring of 1821, under a sugar tree, a quarter of a mile east of Palmer's fort. The contracting parties were Cornelius Gilliam and Mary Crawford, and it is said that old Col. Martin Palmer, the " Ring-tailed Painter," performed the ceremony. Mary Crawford was an orphan, who was reared by Mrs. Mary Poteet, a sister of Elijah Smith, who lived on Rush creek. " Neil" Gilliam was afterwards sherift' of this county. State Senator, etc., and a gallant officer in the Florida War. Rev. Finis Clark, a Baptist, was the first pi'eacher in the country, and held the first services in the settlement along Rush creek, at private houses. Drs. Conley and May, of Liberty, were the first physicians who practiced in the township. There was considerable sickness in the county in 1820-21-22, and many of the pioneers be- came disgusted and disheartened, and soon returned to their former homes. There was an abundance of game in the country in early days. Many of the hunters along Fishing river frequently went on excur- sions to the pi'airies, up in what is now Clinton county, to kill elk, which were numerous and easily caught when chased into the timber. The formidable antlers of the bucks hindered their progress through the brush, and it was not difficult to come up with them. Deer were plenty, and at^first^the principal article of flesh food was venison. Bears were rather scarce. The hunters soon drove them out. One night " Neil" Gilliam, who then lived south of Liberty, heard a i)ear among his hogs. Running hastily out, barefoot and in his home- spun underwear, he caught up an ax and assaulted the beast, expecting to either kill it or drive it away. The bear ran and " Neil " ran after it. It was cold weather, but in his excitement Gilliam followed it, so the old settlers say, eigltt miles, or to Cooley's Lake, where he over- HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 377 took it and killed it. Mr. Thomas Pevely supplied Gilhim with clothing, a pair of shoes, trousers and a coat to return home. At the first election held in Clay county, in August, 1822, the follow- ing were the voters in Fishing River township, which at that time, however, comprised the entire eastern half of the county, although a majority of the voters lived iu what is now Fishing River : — Pleasant Adams, Joshua Adams, Howard Averett, William Averett, Zach Averett, Matthew Averett, James Allen, Shuhael Allen, John Bartleson, John Boyles, James Buckraye, James Collins, William Collins, Jiimes Carroll, John Carroll, John Collier, Jonathan Camron, Elisha Camron, Ahram Cotts, Absalom Cornelius, John Cornelius, Benjamin Cornelius, Joseph Crockett, David Crockett, John Chapman, Jonathan Denton, William Davis, Sr., William Davis, James Dagley, Jeffrey Fletcher, Berryman Gwinn, Isham Grooms, Robert Gillam, Henry Greene, The judges of this election were Elisha Camron, James Munkers and John Hutchins. The clerks were Geoi'ge Huffaker and James Officer. The votes of William Erastus and James Henry were re- jected. CHURCHES. Erin Church — In the southeast corner of the southwest quarter of Lewis Greene, Bailey O. George, John Hardwicke, Alex. Hardwicke, Lewis Hardwicke, James E. Hall, Edward V.Hall, Samuel Hyatt, Robert Hutchins, Smith Hutchins, William Hutchins, Moses Hutchins, Joseph Hutchins, Samuel Hensley, David Holmes, George Huffaker, James James, John Livingston, William Livingston, John Linville, Patrick Laney, John Lincoln, William Lenhart, John Ledgwood, William Martin, Andrew Means, Berryman Mnnkers, William Munkers, Richard Munkers, James Munkers, Isaac McCroskey, Robert McCoy, Jacob McCoy, Alex Newman, James Officer, Thomas Officer, Nehemiah Odle, James Page, Robert Page, Thomas Peebley, Nathaniel Powell, Martin Palmer, Humphrey Pritt, Edward Pyburne, Jonathan Roberts, Jonas Roberts, Nicholas Roberts, Edward Roberts, John Roberts, Jere Rose, Jonathan Reed, Page Stanley, Terah Smith, A. Smith, William Shelton, Wilson Spencer, John Thompson, John Toplenure, John Trotter, .John Vesser, Samuel Vesser, James Williams, William D. Williams, John Wilson, Peter Writesman, Benedict Welden. 378 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. section 24, in Fishing River townslaip, was organized October 16, 1877, with Joseph Turner, James M. Hill, Simon Hatchings, Marion Harris, Nancj Hutchings, Sarah Thurney, Susan M. Harris, Nancy Lewis, Mary E. Wyatt and Sarah E. Summers as its original mem- t)ers. The present membership is about 42. The names of the min- isters who have served this church as pastors are Revs. Joseph Prather and Lafayette Munkers. The present frame church was erected in 1878 at a cost of $1,000. A grave-yard is connected with' this property, in which 250 interments have been made. Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. — In 1857 T. N. O'Bryan with four members, Jefferson Turner and wife, Elizabeth Free and Jane Quick, organized the above named church. At first meetings were held in school-house No. 1, and, in fact, until 1883, when a church building was erected in section 23, four and a half miles southeast of Liberty, the cost of which was about $(500. Rev. "Watson is now pastor of the membership, which numbers about 25. ' German M. E. Church, — Located on section 14, four miles south- east of Liberty, was constituted an organization in 1847, by Rev. Henry Hogrefe, with the following original members: William linger and wife, George Elliott and wife, Peter Elliott, Jacob Weber and wife, Henry Free and wife, Rudolph Irminger and wife, Samuel Weber and wife. In 1870 a church house, 22x32, was erected at an expenditure of $900. After Mr. Hogrefe, who was the first pastor, came the Revs. Eldei-s Neidermeier, Rouse, William Shreck, Holz- beierlein, Muehlenbrock, William Maj-e, Prege, Brunly, Brinkmeier, Steinmeier, Bower, Menger, Eichenberger, Korphagc, Buchholz, Koenig, and Rev. Kaltenbach, the present incumbent. The present membership of the church is 32. Mr. John Weber is superintendent of the Sabbath school of 20 scholars. Mount Zion Baptist Church — Was organized in April, 1853, its constituent members being John G. Price, William B. Hoges, James T. Withers, William H. Price, James Munkers, Thomas Holdes, Daniel H. Sans, Thomas Y. Gill, George H. McNealy, Elizabeth L. McNealy, Louisana Hogen, Sarah E. Withers, Amanda Mosby, Agnes Munkers, Susan G. Withers, Margaret S. Gaur, America Price, Julia Gill and Martha Withers. Tiie present membership is 29. Those who have served as pastors are Elders William H. Price, Henry Hill, William T. Brown and James Duvall. The present brick church building was erected in 1853, at a cost of about $1,500. This was the first brick church l)uilt in the county outside of Liberty. It is located on the northeast corner of the southeast quarter of section 30, HISTORY or CLAY COUNTY. 379 township 52, range 30. Jtunos P. Withers ami William Price are the only male members living that were members at the constitution, and Amanda Mosby and Mrs. T. P. Withers were the only female mem- bers . Mount Pleasant Church — Was organized September 18, 1830. The original members were Joseph P. Moore, William B. Slaughter, Andrew B. Baldwin, Abram (a servant of J. P. Moore), Jonah Moore, Elizabeth Slaughter, Jane Welton, Mary Storz, Jane Posey, Mary Baldwin, Lucy (a servant of James P. Moore), and Catherine (a servant of William B. Slaughter). Thg present membership is about 25. Elder Newton is the present pastor. The present frame church was built in 1879, its cost being about $1,500. It is located on the southeast corner of the northwest quarter of section 15. Woodland Christian Church — Was organized in about 1870 or 1872. Some of the first members were James M. Bohart, Richard P. Funk, Solomon Welton, J. W. Bradley and A. J. Roberts. The present membership is about 100. The names of the ministers who have served this church are Eiders Josiah Waller, Baird Waller, Wni. Stephens, John Perkins, J. Trader, an. D. and their two daughters are members of the M. E. Church South. Mr. D. is a member of the I. O. O. F. JOSEPH E. FIELD (Farmer, Post-office, Liberty). Joseph E. is a nephew to Thomas Field, whose sketch appears in this volume and a son of Joseph T. Field, who came to this county from Virginia in 1838. Joseph Field, Sr., became a prominent farmer of the county and served two terms as a judge of the county court. He was also quite successful in stock-raising. Judge Field's wife was a Miss Amanda Braslield liefore her marriage. Her parents were natives of Virginia. Judge Field died here in 1881. His wife, Joseph E.'s mother, is still living. Joseph E., the fourth of their family of five children, was born in this county May, 6, 1855. His education when he was a youtii was concluded at William Jewell College. Having been reared on a farm he very naturally chose an agricultural life as his favorite and permanent calling. Mr. Field has continued at the occupation of farming and also been engaged in raising and dealing in stock for some years. Although still quite a young man, he is rapidly coming to the front as one of the successful farmers of Fishing River township. He has a handsome farm, more than ordinarily well im- proved. His residence alone was erected at a cost of $6,000. His other improvements correspond with his dwelling. June 30, 1881, he was married to Miss Annie M. Griffith, a daughter of James A. and Mary Griffitli. Mrs. F. is a meml)er of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. and Mrs. F. have two children. May L. and Amanda J. H. C. FISH (General Manager of the Relief Springs and Land Company, and of tlie firm of Fish & Henry, Owners and Proprietors of the Excelsior House, Excelsior Springs). Mr. Fish, one of the prominent and leadina: citizens of Excelsior Springs, is a representative of the old and well known Fish family of 394 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. New York, of which Hon. Hainiltou Fish is a distinguished member. The Fish family came originally from Kent, England, and one of its early and prominent representatives there was Simon Fish, Esq., a distinguished lawyer, who died in about 1531. He is remembered in history not only as a great lawyer, but for having written a satirical play on Cardinal Wolsey, on account of which he was banished from the country for a time. While absent he wrote another satirical work known as the Supplication of the Beggars on the Catholic clergy. Mr. Fish, the subject of this sketch, was a son of Capt. Sam- ' uel C. Fish, of New York, a somewhat noted sea captain in his day, and who died in 1840, then only at the middle age of life. Capt. Fish was married at Baltimore to Miss Mary A. Williams, who sur- vived him nearly 40 years. She died in Ohio at the age of 75, in 1882. H. C. Fish, the subject of this sketch, was born in Beverly, Ohio, and was the youngest of eight children in the family, four of whom are living. He was reared at Beverly and educated at the col- lege in that place. At the age of 20 he began to learn the plasterer's trade which he acquired and followed for four years. The next four years he was in the milling business, in connection with steamboating, which latter he followed altogether for a period of about seven years. In 1868 Mr. Fish came to Kansas City and was appointed to the position of general western freight agent for the North Missouri Rail- road. In 1872 he engaged in the omnibus transfer business at Kansas City, carrying on that business in connection with the Coates' House, of which he was proprietor for some two years. At about the expiration of this time Mr. Fish was appointed general eastern traveling freight agent for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Rail- road, and went East in the discharge of the duties of that position. Finally, he became largely interested at Excelsior Springs, buying, in connection with others, the Springs and large amounts of contig- uous lands. Thereupon the Relief Springs and Land Company was organized, of which he became the general manager. He and Mr. John W. Henry, formerly of Cincinnati, Ohio, took charge of the Excelsior House, which the}' have ever since been conducting. Mr. Fish has very naturall}' taken an active and public-spirited interest in the growth and prosi)erity of the Springs, and has been a very useful and lil)eral-minded citizen in promoting all movements bene- ficial to the phuie. The Relief S|)rings and Laud Company own about (500 acres of fine land contiguous to the Springs and have made an addition to the place of 250 handsome lots, properly intersected with streets, alleys, etc. In 1856 Mr. Fish was married to Miss Annie E. Sales, a daughter of Joel Sales, formerly of Rhode Island. Mr. and Mrs. Fish have two children, Frank C. and Charles W. Frank is a cashier in the office of a large cattle commission house at Kansas City, and Charles W. is assistant ticket agent there at the Union depot. An only daughter, Cora Etta, is deceased. She died at the age of 16. She was a gentle and queenly-hearted girl, a favorite among all her associates, and hardly less than idolized in her own family. Life to her seemed fraught with a future of much haj)piness, for her dis- HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 395 position was one to make kind and true friends wherever she went, and her presence was always a pleasure to those around her. Though still quite young, she was possessed of rare graces of forna and features, and, above all, was favored with a bright and cheerful mind, one in which the light of cheerfulness seemed never to fade. A dutiful daughter, devotedly attached to her parents and brothers, she was at the same time a pleasant and true friend as a playmate, and as a student at school was ever faithful in her studies, bright and quick to learu and obedient to her teachers. Cora Fish is remembered by all who knew her as a rare good girl, one who seemed too dear to her acquaintances to lose. Her death has left a void in the hearts of her loved ones that can never be filled on this side the grave. EEV. J. V. B. FLACK, D. D. (Excelsior Springs). Rev. Dr. Flack- was born and reared in the State of Ohio. His father's name was John V. Flack, and lived to a ripe old age. His mother's maiden name was Mary Maddox, and died in early life, leaving the son to be cared for by an uncle and aunt. J. V. B. Flack was educated at Holmes University, and at the age of 21 began his life-work — that of preaching the Gospel. He was very successful and soon took front rank as a pulpit orator and a revivalist. He trav- eled and labored extensively, and over 8,000 persons were converted under his ministrations in 1884. He was made a Doctor of Divinity by Rutherford College, of North Carolina, one of the best colleges in the South. He has been the editor of a religious paper for many years, being elected by his church people at General Conference. He was for eight years the presiding ofBcer of the General Confei-ence. He also edits an independent paper called The /Sentinel of Truth, at Excelsior Springs, Mo. Dr. Flack married at 26 years of age, on the 28th of July, 1867, Miss Marrieta Smith, the daughter of Judge Samuel Smith, of Illinois, then becoming his wife. As the fruits of their marriage seven children, five boys and two girls, have been born to them, five of whom are living. Dr. F. is the original founder of Excelsior Springs, and brought that very popular watering place and health resort before the public until now it is a young and growing city of the fourth class. Through his efforts the Christian Union Chapel was built at Excelsior Springs, and a free pulpit provided for all Christians. He has been a very active and energetic business man for many years, and a pronounced advocate of the temperance work in the different States. He is in continual demand as a preacher and lecturer. He has dedicated 2.3 church houses and united some 200 in matrimony. Has preached 300 burials. He is the author of several works on the Unity of the Church, and a compiler of a Union Hymn Book. Politically, he has always been a Democrat. He is known largely throughout the States, and evangelizes throughout several States from year to year. In short. Dr. Flack has been one of the most active men of his times, and is now, at the age of forty-five, in the prime of his life and usefulness. 39G HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. HENRY C. FOLEY (Farmer, Post-office, Liberty) . Elijah Foley, the graiidFather of Henry C, was an early settler of Kentucky from Virginia, and Richard Foley, Henry C.'s father, and the son of Elijah Foley, was born in the Blue Grass State, and reared there. When in young manhood he was married to Miss Mary Funk, , fornierl\' of Maryland, and afterwards continued to reside in Kentucky until 1852. While a resident of Fayette county, that State, Henry C. Foley, the subject of this sketch, was born October 25, 1833. When he was al)out 19 years of age the family removed to Missouri, and he accompanied them. They settled on a farm in Clay county, where the father died in 1856. The same year of his father's death, Henry C. returned to Kentucky, and in a few years was married there, in 1859, to Miss Rebecca Brock, a daughter of Winlieid Brock, de- ceased. After his marriage he resided in that county until 1865, and then returned to Missouri, and bought a farm three miles north of Liberty, where he has ever since made his home. February 22, 1878, he had the misfortune to lose his wife. She left him six children at her deatii : Foster R., Florence, Mary, Dandy J., Keller and Eliza. Mr. F. is a member of the Christian Ciiurch. His farm contains 286 acres, and he has other valuable laud in the county. His place is well improved. WILLIAM E. FOWLER (Attorney at L iw, an I of Fowler & Tlioinson, Laud, Loan, Peusion, Patent, Fire and Life Insurance Agents, Excelsior Springs). Mr. Fowler, a young man now in his twenty-fourth year, located at Excelsior Springs, from Ohio, iu the spring of 1883. Like many of the better citizens of this place, he was drawn here by tiie reputation of the waters of the S[)riugs. For some years previous to coming to E.Kcelsior Springs he had been hard at work in the acquisition of his general and professional education. Amliitious to fit himself thor- oughly for an active and useful life and to begin his career at the earliest day possible, he had unquestionably overworked himself and drawn too heavily on his physical strength and energies. The result was that although he succeeded in pre|)aring himself for his profession at an earlier age than is common with young attorneys, at the very time he expected and wished to begin active work at the bar he found himself physically exhausted and his health shattered. This illustrates one of the most striking dift'erences between the systems and policies of Euro()eaii and American institutions of learning. In Europe phys.i- cal health and development are as studiously considered and provided for as the culture of the mind. But in this country, particularly iu the West, such is the hurry and push of life and the anxiety of students to get into atlairs, that little or no attention is paid to the physical man, and his general health is sacrificed to the exigencies of rai)id advancement through his college course. Mr. Fowler went to HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. o!)7 school at Beverly, Ohio, the place of his nativity, and then from school he entered a law school at Baltimore, Md., one of the best in- stitutions of the kind in the country, reading law in the office of Hon. F. P. Stevens, a well known Baltimore attorney. He prraduated at Baltimore in the year 1882. From there he at once returned to Ohio and entered n[)on the practice of his profession at Beverly. But soon finding that his physical energies were exhausted, he was compelled to make a change of residence for his health. Excelsior Springs was highly recommended to him and he accordingly came to this {)lace. Here he received marked henetit from the use of the waters of the Springs and by auxiliary treatment, and soon decided to make this place his permanent home. He therefore entered upon the practice of his profession here, and thus far he has been greatly encouraged by the favor with which he has been received, both personally and as an attorney. In the agency business he and Mr. Thomson are doing well, and have reason to be greatly pleased with their success. Mr. Fowler was born at Beverly, Washington county, Ohio, May 19, 18<51, and was the fiith of seven children of Joseph and Mary Fowler, his father, !i grandson of Capt. John Fowler, of Revolntiontiry fame. Capt. Fowler participated in the liattle of Lexington, where he was severely wounded, and was with Washington on that eventful night when the American army crossed the Delaware. Mr. Fowler's father, Joseph Fowler, referred to above, is one of the old and highly respected citizens of Washington county, a merchant of long experi- ence, and he is one of the best insurance agents in the Eastern States. CHARLES FUNK (Farmer ami Stock-raiser, Post-offlce, Liberty). Mr. Funk was Iiorn in Clay county, July 14, 18.54. His father was Richard Funk, now deceased, formerly of Jessamine county, Kv., and his mother was a Miss Sarah J. Bell before her marriage, a daughter of Fielding Bell, from Mason county, Ky., who came to this county in 1836. Charles Funk grew up on his father's farm in this county, and received a common school education. January 13, 187(5, he was married to Miss Mary Richardson, a daughter of Samuel H. Richard- son, deceased, formerly of Madison county, Ky. Mr. and Mrs. Funk have three children : Pattie, Richard H. and Charles Ralph. Mr. Funk has a good farm and is comfortably situated. Neither he nor his father ever held an official position, nor sought or desired one. Both are domestic home men, industrious, energetic farmers, and well respected citizens, or rather the father was in his lifetime, and Mr. Funk, Jr., still is. GEORGE WASHINGTON GEORGE (Farmer, Post-offlce, Missouri City). " Grandfather" Joseph Groom, of the vicinity of Liberty, is said to be the oldest living resident of the county, being now well advanced 398 HISTORY or clay county. in his eighty-ninth year. But Mr. George, the subject of this sketch, though many years " Grandfather " Groom's junior, has been a resi- dent of the county longer than Mr. Groom. " Grandfather " Groom came here in 1824, then a young man 28 years of age. Mr. George was brought here by his parents when he was in childhood, in 1819. He has, therefore, been a resident of the county for 66 years. When Mr. G.'s parents settled in this county there were not half a dozen white families in the present limits of the county, and not as many in all the territory west of the Chariton, on this side of the Missouri, as- now reside in Liberty township. His parents, Baley O. and Jemima (Withers) George, came from Kentucliy, though his father was originally from Virginia. On settling in this county they located about six miles east of the present site of Liberty, where the father entered land and improved a farm. He became a prominent man of the county, and served in different positions of public trust. He was a judge of the first election ever held in the county. At the age of 70 years he died here, in 18(55. His wife died in 1863. Eight sons and live daughtei's of their family were reared to years of maturity, and four of them, including two of the daughters, are still living. George W^. was the second of their children, and was born in Madison county, Ky., April 15, 1815. He was principally reared, however, in Clay county, this State, and his educational advantages were limited to those of the schools of that period. As is well known, there are different periods of advancement in the progress of civilization. In this Western country the first was the period of the hunters and fur traders ; then came the pioneer settlers with their families, known as the log-cabin, stock-chimney period; after that was the period of the hewed log-house and stone chimney, with now and then a plank floor, instead of broad-ax dressed puncheons ; later along sawmills and brickyards were established, and neat frame and comfortal)le brick residences were l)uilt ; and then came railroads, agricultural machin- ery, handsome architecture and all the comforts and graces of advanced social, business and industrial life. So, in the matter of education, different epochs are as distinctly marked : First, was the round log school-room without a floor, with a fireplace occupying one entire end of the building, and with no light exce|)t such as came through the unclosed entrance of a wooden-hinged, clapboard door. Those were the days of goose-quill pens, the "Testament" and the " Life of Marion" for readers, and teachers who invariably pronounced fatigue " fatigcw," and bigamy " bigmary ; " afterward came punch- eon floors, a log sawed out of one end of the l)uilding to admit light, a long sycamore plank to write on, teachers who taught tliattlie world was not flat, and other comforts and conveniences of a rather advanced civilization. But finally came frame and brick school-houses, and at last patent cast-mounted seats and desks, and the inevitable, ubiqui- tous and thoroughly intolerable, spectacled, gingery, effervescing "professor." Alas! the infliction he puts upon the public more than offsets all the benefits of modern educational facilities. Mr. George was reared and educated before the era of puncheon floor school- HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 399 houses ; but, nevertheless, by close appliciitiou ;uid a good deal of study at home he succeeded in obtaining a sufficient knowledge of books for all practical purposes in that early day. After he grew up he was married in this county to Miss Elizabeth F. Neeley, a sister to Eichard A. and William L. Neeley, whose sketches appear in this volume. Mr. George continued farming after his marriage, to which he had been brought up, and in 1847 settled on the place where he now resides. For three years before he resided in Buchanan county. Returning then to Clay, this has ever since been his permanent home. He has been fairly successful and is comfortably situated. He owns about 350 acres of land, and his farm is well improved. He and his good wife reared five children : William (now of Rich Hill), Fannie, Richard W., Thomas N. and Clement B. One, Susan, died in early maidenhood. JUDSON M. GRUBBS (Of J. M. Gfubbs & Co., Dealers in Groceries, Qaeeusware, Glassware, etc., Missouri City). Mr. Grubbs was about ten years of age when his parents, Hardin and Elizabeth (Lively) Grubbs, removed from Spottsylvania county, Va., to Clay county,' Mo., in 1856. The father was a mechanic by trade and worked at carpentering, cabinetmaking and wagonmaking as occasion rendered most available or profitable. He died here August 5, 18(55. He was twice married and it should have been re- marked that his second wife, the mother of (he subject of this sketch, died before the family left Virginia. The father was also a farmer by occupation and had a comfortable homestead in Virginia. Judson M., born in Spottsylvania county, Va., January 1, 1846, was principally reared, however, in Clay county. Mo. Brought up on the farm, he remained at home until he was 20 years of age and then engaged as clerk in a general store, which he followed for some eight years. After this he began the grocery business on his own account at Noi'- borne, in Carroll county. He sold goods there for about two years and then returned to Jdissouri City, whereupon he and his Ijrother, E. M. Grubbs, formed their present partnership, and engaged in the grocery business at this place. Their experience here has been satis- factory and they have built up a large trade and established one of the leading grocery houses of the southern part of the county. They have an annual business of about $20,000. November 9, 1876, Mr. Grubbs was married to Miss Bettie L. Aker, daughter of Preston Aker, of Ray county. They have three children: Roy E., Ralph H. and Ethel M. Mr. and Mrs. G. are members of the Christian Church, and Mr. G. holds the office of deacon. MOSES C. HUTCHINGS (Farmer, Post-office, Missouri City). Mr. Hutchings, although comparatively a young man, has neverthe- less, by his energy and industry, established for himself the name of 400 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. being one of the thoroughgoing farmers of Fishing River township. He is a worthy son of the county by nativity, born on his father's homestead in Fishing River township December 17, 1841. His father being a farmer by occupation, Moses was brought up to that calling, and during the war he served faithfully in the Home Guards under Capt. D. P. Whitmer for a term of nine months. He then enlisted in the State militia and served under Capt. Colley six months. Through the remainder of the war he served under Capt. M. T. Real. On the 22d of October, 1874, Mr. Hutchings was married to Miss Maggie A.- Koehler. Four children are the fruits of their happy married life : Mury J., Elijah, Benjamin and Ange E. Mr. Hutchings has a good farm of 78V2 acres. His parents were Moses and Matilda Hutchings, his father a native of Tennessee, but his mother originally of Indiana. They came to this county in an early daj'. CHARLES W. JACOBS. M. D. (Physician and Surgeon, Excelsior Springs). Dr. Jacobs, who is the city physican of Excelsior Springs and the regular attending physician to the Excelsior Bath House and at the two leading hotels at the place, is a physician of thorough training and superior attainments. After a thorough course of general read- ing he took a course of four terms at the Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati and graduated with high honor in the class of 1880. He then located at Richmond, in Ra}' county, where he was born and reared, for the general practice of medicine in connection with his brother. Dr. Jacobs (Charles W.) was having a more than ordi- narily successful experience at Richmond when his health failed, the following year after he located there, caused primarily by hard study while prejjaring for his profession and directlv by severe cold con- tracted from the exposures of an active country practice. His lungs became critically affected, and in the hope of receiving benefit from travel and the purity of mountain air he went to Colorado. Dr. Jacobs received marked benefit by his visit to Colorado and returned much imjjroved. Resuming his practice at Richmond, the hard work and exposures incident to a large practice soon brouglit back his lung trouble, and he was compelled to quit the regular country practice again. He then came to Excelsior Springs, and has obtained much good from the use of the water and baths at this place in connection with his own treatment. He has become thoroughly convinced from his own experience that many who believe themselves to be seriously if not hopelessly afflicted with lung trouble could be materially bone- fitted, if not entirely cured, by the use of the waters of Excelsior Springs, under proper medical directions and treatment. Having made a special study of the medicinal properties of the water here and of the classes of affections it is best adapted to remedy, he is pecu- liarly well qualified for the responsible position he holds, that of con- sulting physician for the Springs. His success here in the treatment of lung diseases and other afflictions of a persistent, diflicult charac- HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 401 ter has in many cases been remarkable. A ntimbei- of cures have been eflected which were hardly even hoped for by the patients themselves, so long had they hoped against hope without a ray of realization. Dr. Jacobs is a man of culture and a gentleman of dignified, refined manners. A man of fine feeling and of the warm- est sympathy for the suffering, he brings to bear in his practice not only professional skill and ability, but, what is often more valuable, that manifest solicitude or welfare of his patients, which is always a balm to the sick. He is justly very popular as a physician and citizen. Dr. Jacobs is a worthy representative of one of tiie old and highly respected fauiilies of Claj' county. His father, Maj. Cia^yton Jacolis, was for years one of the leading merchants of Richmond, and was abundantly successful. He is now retired on an ample competence. Maj. Jacobs held various official positions in Clay county, including those of collector of the revenue, sheriff, assessor, etc. He was from Liucoln county, Ky., and served in the M4, to Miss Minerva, a daughter of Daniel and Sarah Thatcher, of Platte county. They have four children: James AV., Eleanor, John S. and Morton. Three are de- ceased, all dying in childhood. Mr. and Mrs. B. are members of the Christian Church. Mr. B. is connected with the A. F. and A. M., is a Chapter member, and also a Knight Templar. He also belongs to the L O. O. F. 432 HISTOKY OF CLAY COUNTY. WILEY R. BRASFIELD (Dealer in Drugs, Medicines, Etc., Smithville). Mr. Brasfield is a younger brother to John C. Brasfield, whose sketch precedes this, and was born in Liberty township, this county, in 1848. As he grew up he had the advantage of a course in the Kan- sas City High School in addition to the usual course in the coraiuou, schools. After concluding his high school course, in 1869, he en- gaged in farming in Platte county, the occupation to which he had been brought up, and he continued fanning in that county with suc- cess for about ten years. In 1879, however, he came to Smithville and engaged in thejdrug business, which he has followed ever since. His store, now in the sixth year of its career, has long since passed the doubtful or experimental period of its career and has become es- tablished as one of the solid and fixed business houses of the place. He has a trade that he can always safely rely upon, it matters not what other houses come and go, a trade that is almost as secure for an income of a certain sum per annum as a Government pension. Be- sides this he has new customers coming to him all the time, so that his trade has a steady and sul)stantial growth and increase. He un- derstands his business thoroughly, treats everybody fairly and sells at reasonable prices. Hence it is nonsense to suspect that he is not bound to succeed. In 1872 he was married to Miss Alwilda, a daughter of John L. DeBei-ry, of Platte county. However, Mr. Bras- field's first wife died about four years ago, leaving him two children : James E. and Lula K., besides losing two in infancy. The mother was an earnest member of the Baptist Church. To his present wife Mr. Brasfield was married in 1882. She was a Miss Florence Hord, a daughter of Elias Hord, a farmer and stock-raiser of this county. She is a member of the Christian Church, as is also Mr. Brasfield. Ho is furthermore a member of the A. F. and A. M. M. BYRD (Of Byrd & Co., Dealers in General Merchandise, Smithville). Mr. Byrd was born in the valley of the Shenandoah, in Shenandoah county, Va., in 1828, and was the second child in a family of nine children of William and Mary S. (Shafer) Byrd, both of old Virginia families. The father was a millwright by trade, and removed to Missouri with his family in 1832. He first located in Clay county, but six years afterwards settled in Platte county, where he followed farm- ing in connection with his trade for many years. He finally gave his entire attention to farming. He was also justice of the peace for a number of years. Mr. Byrd, senior, survived to the advanced age of 89, dying in 1882. His wife lived to be 7(j years of age, preceding him to the grave by one year. He left a good farm in Platte county, which has fallen to his children. Young Bird, the subject of this sketch, was reared in that county, and at the age of 17 went to work HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 433 at the carpenter's trade, which he followed for over ten years, in con- nection, however, most of the time, with farming. In 1856 he engaged in the drug business at Smithville, and aljout three years later in the dry goods and grocery line. In 1862 he quit merchandising and bought a mill, which he ran for about three years, and then went to Idaho. Returning from the West in 1879, where he had been engaged in raising stock and carpentering to some extent, as well as in hotel keeping at Boyce City, he shortly afterwards resumed merchandising at Smithville in a general store line, which he has ever since followed. In 1852 he was married to Miss Phoebe Silvey, a daughter of James H. and Lucy Silvey, formerly of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs B. have reared but one child, a son, Alfred O., who is his father's partner in business. He was married in 1882 to Miss Alma, a daughter of Dr. J. L. Hezner, of Smithville. They have a little daughter, Sallie G. GILES C. CLARDY (Of Clardy, Owen & Co., Dealers in Hardware, Agricultural Implements, Etc., Smith- ville). Mr. Clardy is an uncle to Hon. Martin Linn Clardy, member of Congress from the Farmingtou district, in this State, and was born at Bowling Green, in Warren county, Ky., June 10, 1813. The family was originally from Virginia, and his father, Norman S. Clardy, came from that State to Kentucky in about 1800. Mr. C.'s mother was also from Virginia, a Miss Rachel Johnson before her marriage. They came to Missouri in about 1836, and, after a short residence in Carroll county, settled in Platte county, where they made their permanent home. The father lived to reach the age of nearly 100 years, having been born in 1778 and dying in 1876. The mother lived to be 85 years of age. Both died in Ste. Genevieve county, where the father's brother, J. B. Clardy, the father of Hon. M. L. Clardy, settled in a very early day. Giles C. Clardy, the subject of this sketch, was reared in Kentucky, and became a successful and popular school teacher. He came to Missouri in 1837, and afterwards taught some years in Clinton and Platte counties. In 1840, however, he engaged in farming in Platte county and followed it for nearly 30 years. But selling out in that county in 1868, he subsequently resided for awhile in Clay and then Bates counties, and in 1874 came back to Clay county and engaged in his present line of business at Smithville. His son, Giles W. Clardy, is one of his partners in business. Mr. Clardy, the subject of this sketch, was married in 1835 to Miss Araminta Adams, a daughter of James and Sarah A. (Bernard) Adams, formerly of Tennessee. Mr. and Mrs. Clardy have three living children: Garland C, Martha A., wife of E. B. Thatcher, and Giles W. Four others are deceased, two in infancy and two in later years. Mr. C. is a member of the Primitive Baptist Church, and also of the A. F. and A. M. His father, referred to above, Norman S. Clardy, was, in his day, one of the leading farmers and slaveholders of Platte county. In his lifetime he amassed a com- fortable fortune. 434 HISTORY or clay county. ALEXANDER B. CRAWFORD (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Smitlwille). Mr. Crawford, like many of the staunch citizens of Clay county is a native of Kentucky, having been born in March, 1824, in Nicholas county. He was reared on a farm there, receiving instruction in the common schools, being trained also in that school of hardships au(J adventures which gave its pupils great strength of character and greater fortitude, and made them more courageous and better fitted for the hard struggles of life than does tiie atmosphere in our college walls. His parents, Alexander B. and Charlotte (Riggs) Crawford, were originally from ^laryland, but were reared and married in Ken- tucky, which continued to be their home until their death. The ^ father, a brave and patriotic citizen of that State (then territory), upon the call for volunteers to defend the young colonies in their efforts for independence, bravely enlisted as a soldier and served during the War of 1812. The sterling characteristics which prompted him to enlist in that struggle remained with him during life, and ever afterwards characterized his years of lal)or. He died in April, 1876, his wife having preceded him in September, 1866. They had both been members of the M. E. Church. Alexander B. Crawford, the subject of this sketch, adhered to the calling which he had followed in early life, and for a time was also occupied in driving stock, continuing it until he came to Clay county, Mo., in 1859. Having a desire to enter into mercantile life, he embarked in the drug business in Smithville in 1861, following it for three years. In 1864 he took up his location at Bainbridge, Clinton county, and for two years operated quite success- fulh' a saw and grist mill at that place. On April 1, 1867, returning to Smithville, he opened a store of genei'al merchandise. This he carried on until 1870. At that time his desire to re-engage in farm- ing caused him to dispose of his mercantile interests, and he has since been occupied with agricultural pursuits. He has a large farm, embracing nearly 400 acres of improved and cultivated land, admi- rably adapted for farming purposes. Mr. Crawford was married on April 4, 1871, to Miss Mary E. Barnard, in Clay county. She was a daughter of Landa Barnard, of this county, but died in 1872. She was a member of the M. E. Church South. Mr. Crawford is a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F. Ho takes a deep interest in all questions of public welfare and advancement, whether local. State or National. STEPHEN C. DUNCAN (Farmer and Breeder and Shipper of Tliorouirlibred Short Horn Cattle, Post-offlce, Smithville). Mr. Duncan has a large stock farm of 1,263 acres, nearl3'all in blue grass, and one of the finest stock farms in Platte township. He makes a specialty of raising and handling thoroughbred short horn cattle, producing no grain whatever except for feeding purposes on the farm. HISTORY OF CLAY CODNTY. 435 A clear-headed, practical business man, he docs everything of a pecu- niary nature from a common sense, business point, believing that it pays best to feed what grain and grass he may raise to stock, putting them on the market in the shape of cattle, hogs, sheep and other farm animals. Mr. Duncan has led a very active life, and one not devoid of substantial results. He was seven years of age when his parents came to this county in 1840, having been born in Henry county, Ky., December 15, 1833. He was the son of Stephen and Lucy (Brown- ing) Duncan, both natives of Bourbon county, Ky., the former of whom was born October 17, 1797. After their marriage, in the county of their birth, they removed to Saline county. Mo., in 1838, and to Clay county in 1840, thence settling in Clinton county. Mo. There the father died April 6, 1877, but his wife had departed this life in Saline county in 1838. He was a farmer by occupation, and he be- longed to the A. F. and A. M. Both were members of the Christian Church. Stephen C. Duncan, the sixth of seven children, was reared in this county, and here received an ordinary common-school educa- tion. He accompanied his father on his various moves above men- tioned, and in April, 1855, in partnership with him, engaged in the purchase of short horn cattle in Clinton count}', being one of the pioneers in that branch of industry. He continued to be thus occu- ])icd with his father until 18(i3, and has followed it alone since that time, buying, feeding and shipping cattle during that period. After leaving Clinton county he returned to this county, locating on the farm which he now occupies, mentioned above. His herd of short horns number 170 head — as fine animals as are to be found within the limits of this or any other county. These facts show that Mv. Duncan has been quite successful as a farmer and stock-raiser. He has been twice married. March 5, 18(53, Miss Mary E. Davenport became his wife. She died September 10. 1869, having been a member of the Christian Church. He was married a second time November 10, 1870, in Clin- ton county, Mo., to Miss Maria Winn, a daughter of James and Ma- linda Winn, nee Hntsell, originally of Bourbon county, Ky., who came to Clay county in 1825. Mrs. Duncan was born and reared in Clinton county, and was educated at Camden Point High School in Platte county. They have three children : Lucy, the eldest, a most attractive young lady just blooming into young womanhood ; Mattie and Mabel. Mr. Duncan has Ijeen a member of the Christian Church since 1854, and is one of its present elders. His wife is connected with the same church, and he is a member in high standing of the A. F. and A. M. Politicall}' he is a Democrat. He is popularly known, but none the less respected, as " Dull'" Duncan. JONATHAN A. FUNK (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-offlce, Barry;. Mr. Funk is well known as one of the prominent farmers of Platte township. His farm contains 690 acres and it is largely devoted to stock-raising, being well improved for that purpose. Much of it is 436 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. devoted to pasturage, though enough is reserved for grain for all necessary purposes. Mr. Funk came to Clay county in 1857 from Cass county, this State, but was originally from Kentucky. He was horn in Jessamine county, Ky., February 12, 1830, and was a son of John and Nancy (Rice) Funk, his father originally from Mai-yland, but his mother born and reai-ed in Jessamine county, Ky. The father died in that county March 3, 1861, at the age of 65. She died in 1866 at tlie age of 66. They had a family of nine children, six of whom are living. Jonathan A. Funk was reared in Jessamine county< Ky., and early learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed there for about six years. He then turned his attention to farming and stock-raising, and in 1852 came to Missouri, locating in Howard county. Three years later he removed to Cass county, and finally to this county in 1858. August 31, 1858, he was married to Miss Sallie Jartin, a daughter of Andrew and Jane Jai-tin, formerly of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Funk have had seven children, five of them now living: Mattie M., Harry C, Pinkie R., Lutie M. and John A. Two are deceased, Arthur and an infant. Mr. and Mrs. Funk are members of the Presbyterian Church. SAMUEL G. T. GREENFIELD (Farmer, Post-office, Smithville) . Mr. Greenfield has a comfortable homestead near Smithville, and is one of the energetic farmers of Platte township. He was iiorn in Todd county, Ky., October 4, 1822, and came to Clay county. Mo., at the age of 20, in 1842. He was married the first time to Miss Mary Brooks, daughter of Abijah and Harriet Brooks, of Clay counts. Mo., on the 5th day of April, 1845. Subsequently he married here February 15, 1851, Miss Nancy Motherhead, a daughter of Nathaniel and Lucinda Motherhead, formerly of Kentucky. Mr. Greenfield has followed farming as his permanent calling, and is a thorough, practical farmer. He was a son of Samuel and Mary (Thompson) Greenfield, his father a native of Kentucky, but his mother originally from North Carolina. His father, a blacksmith by trade, died in Kentucky, Octo- ber 4, 1823. He had served in the War of 1812. The mother sur- vived until 1867, and was a life long member of the Methodist Church. Thei'e were five children in the family, three of whom are living. MOSES KING (Farmer aud Stock-raiser, Post-office, Liberty). When the war broke out in 1861 Mr. King was a youth in his eigh- teenth year. He was reared in this State and came of Southern pa- rentage. Very naturally, therefore, in the enthusiasm of youth, he entered the Southern army. For three years he served in the ranks with unfaltering courage and fidelity. A part of the time he was un- der Gen. Marmaduke, and was under the command of the present Governor of the State at the battle of Helena, Ark., in 1863. The HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 437 rest of the time he was under Gen. Joe Shelby, the irrepressible cavalry leader of Missouri, the gallant cavalier of the war, who made it a rule to ride rough shod over everything in his front with his com- mand, infantry, artillery, or what not. After the war Mr. King came home and engaged in farming. He has a good place of about 140 (rented) acres, eight miles northwest of Liberty, and is also engaged in raising and trading in stock. In 1873 he was married to Miss E. A. Divine, a daughter of Matthew Divine, originally of Ireland. She, however, was born in New York, where her parents resided a number of years. Mr. and Mrs. King have two children : Edna M. and Ed- ward L. Mrs. King is a member of the Catholic Church. He was born in Chariton county, Mo., October 20, 1843, and was a son of Morgan King, of Missouri. AL WORTHY F. LEACH (Farmer, Stock-raiser and Breeder of Clydesdale Horses, Post-office, Kearney). Among the most prominent men in Platte township, one of its worthy, well informed and highly respected citizens and a man well and favorably known, is Mr. A. F. Leach, the subject of this sketch. On his parental side he is of Irish descent, his father. Cotton M. Leach, having been born in New Hampshire September 14, 1780, of Irish parentage. He married Miss Fannie Hayes, a native of Concord, Mass., who was born October 27, 1785. She was related to Cotton Mather, the renowned American metaphysician, and was a niece of Judge Joseph Story, ajusth^ celebrated writer on the United States Constitution ; her ancestors came over in the Maj'flower and she was related distantly to Hon. Wilbur F. Story, late edit.er of the M. E. Church, but there l)eing no organization of that denonination there he became aCongregation- aUst, as his wife had also been. He was also a member of the A. F. and A. M. Alworthy F. Leach, the sixth in the family of nine chil- di-en, six sons and three daughters, was born in Twinsburg, Portage county, O., June 23, 1818. He was reared there, the limited education which he received at the common schools being supplemented l)y instruction from his mother. At the age of 15 years he commenced to learn the carpentci-'s and joiner's trade, which he followed until liis marriage. After that event he took up the study of medicine in Adams county. 111., but never engaged in the practice. He also studied law, and in 1850 was admitted to the Quincy bar, several years 438 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. thereafter being passed in the practice of his profession. On the 13th of July, 1840, Mr. Leach was married in Adams county. 111., whither he had removed in 1838, to Miss Rebecca Enlow, a daughter of Thomas and Sarah (McCrorey) Enlow, originally from Penns>dvania, but of Irish ancestry. Mrs. Leach was t)orn, brought up and received her education in Washington county, Pa. They have five children: Frances has been twice married, first to Joel James, who died, and then to James Brooks, a farmer in Pike county ; Albert married Miss , Belle McAtee, and is a prominent agriculturist in Adams county. 111. ; Walter married Miss Alice Hamlin; Byron married Miss Lina Fields, and both he and his brother Walter are occupied in farming in this county ; Almira is the wife of Dr. William H. Leach of Knappy City, Cal. He is a prominent ph3'sician there and is a graduate of both the Cincinnati and Philadelphia Medical Schools. In 1874, Mr. Leach became a citizen of Clay county. Mo. He and sons now have a farm here of 450 acres, all under fence and in a high state of cultivation, upon which he is engaged in the stock business quite extensively, principally in the raising and breeding of Clydesdale horses. His farm is one of the finest for stock purposes in this township and he is one of the most progressive farmers in the vicinity. J. A. MITCHELL (Dealer ia Furniture, Undertaker's Goods, Hardware, Etc., Smithville). Mr. Mitchell was a youth of about 16 years of age when his parents came to this county and settled on a farm, which his father bought near Smithville. He remained on the farm with them until he was about 24 years old, when, in 1879, he came to town and opened a restuarant and also ran a butcher shop. In addition to these he, in a short time, carried on teaming between Smithville and Kansas City. Disposing of his other interests, in 1881 he bought a furniture and undertaker's establishment at Smithville, and has been conducting these lines of business ever since. In the spring of 1884 he added a stock of shelf and heavy hardware, and altogether is doing a good business. In 1878 he was married to Miss Annie, a daughter of Stephen and Amelia Duncan, of Clay county. They have one child, Edmond, and have lost one, who died in infancy. Mr. Mitchell's parents are Merrimon B. and Annie M. Mitchell, from Woodford county, Ky. His father has a good farm of 250 acres near Smith- ville. WM. H. PATTERSON (Proprietor of the Eagle Flouring, Grist and Saw Mills, Smithville, Mo.). Mr. Patterson is not only a thorough miller, but one of the best millwrights in the western [lart of the State, if experience and employ- ment in construction of first-class mills counts for anything. The ground and mill site upon which the Eagle mills now stand, he bought from Capt. Kemp M. Woods, in 18(57, going in debt for the same. Building the mills soon afterwards, he took special pains to use HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 439 iiothitii; i)ut the very best of material and leaving no part ot'hi.-i work half finished. Mr. Patterson has recently added to his mills all the latest and most improved machinery, includinir every modern improve- ment — recommended by the millinp: fraternity. The I'esult is that his mills are unsurpassed either in Clay or Platte county. They have a capacity of 60 bids, of flour and 10,000 feet lumber per diem. His flour Royal Eagle and Silver Drop has an enviable reputa- tion, and is generall}^ preferred to all other brands wherever intro- duced. It may not be generally known, but it is a fact neverthe- less, that there is a vast difference in the quality of sawing done by different mills, even among those where the saw runs true, making lumi)er of accurate angles, dimensions and surfaces. Lumber from the same class of timber, or from same stock for that matter, sawed at different mills differs widely in market value. From (me the surface may be rough, so that it costs twice as much to have it planned as it would the same class of lumber with a smoother surface from another saw. All good saw-mill men uiulerstand this, and those who take a pride in their business or care for their reputation see to it that this saw is kept perfectly sharp and in good order, and that it runs at the proper speed — and is regularly fed by the stock carriage so that a smooth surface is left on the board. Mr. Patterson takes a special pride in this feature of the lumber produced at his mills, and hence among lumbermen and carpenters it has obtained a wide and enviable reputation. Mr. Patterson was born on Barnhart's Island, St. Law- rence count}'. New York, in 1838, and was the second of six children of W. H. and Minerva Patterson {nee Barnhart) who were both born and reared in the State of New York. W. H. Patterson, Sr., who was of French descent, moved to Canada, and was an extensive grain and lumber dealer there at the time of his death. At the age of 18 years the subject of the present sketch came West to grow up with the country, first stopping at Chicago and working there for a little over one year, and then coming on to AYestern Missouri to the home of his uncle, Robert Barnhart, then a merchant ot Weston, Platte county. Mo. Afterwards he procured employment with Wilson & Estes, engine builders, at Leavenworth City, now known as the Great Western Manufacturing Company, and remained in their employ some three or four years, learning the millwright trade. In 181)2 he went to St. Louis, Mo., and worked at his trade building mills and putting up machinery in the employ of A. K. Halteman & Co. About two years after he returned to his former home in Platte county. Mo., and in 1864 at Weston, Mo., he enlisted in Capt. Wash Wood's Company, Eighty-seventh regiment M. S. M., and served until ai)out the close of the war, receiving an honorable discharge. He then took up his occupation of millwrighting, following thesame until 1867, when he came to Smithville, Mo., and has ever since, for the last eighteen years, been engaged in the milling business. Mr. Patterson was married in 1872 to Johana Martin, a daughter of Wesley Martin, an ex-soldier of the Mexican War and a resident of this county, now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Patterson have two children, Robert Lee and 23 440 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. Minerva. Two are deceased, Charlie and Mattie. He and wife are l)oth memVjers of the Christian Church. Mr. Patterson is indeed one of the relial)le and substantial men of the county. He is highly respected among his numerous friends, and we may safely say hasn't a known enemy. S. A. RILEY, M. D. (Physician aud Surgeon, and of Gentry & Riley, Druggists, Smithville). Dr. Riley has been a resident of Smitiiville less than a 3'ear, but' being a young physician of thoi-ough education and a gentleman of good address and irreproachable character, he has made a very favor- able impression on tiie community, and has every prospect of a suc- cessful and highly creditable career here Ijoth in his profession and as a citizen in business aud private life. He is a native Missourian, born in DeKalb county, May 2, 18(50. When he was a lad, about four years of age, his parents removed to Jackson county, where 3'oung Riley was reared on his father's farm near Independence. After taking a course in the primary and preparatory schools he entered Woodland College at Independence, and from there, in due time, matriculated at the State University. After concluding his university course he began the study of medicine under Dr. J. C. Rodgers, of Kansas City, and in the fall of 1880 entered the St. Louis Medical College. Di-. Riley took a regular course of two terms at St. Louis, and graduated in medicine with marked credit in the class of '83. He then at once located in Cass count}^ and engaged in the practice of his profession, but not liking the location and having friends at Smithville, he was induced to remove to this place. Already he is receiving much encouragement in his practice, not only by the number, but particularly by the class of patrons who call upon him for medical attention. It is believed that he will shortly be in posses- sion of a very satisfactory and increasing practice. He is also a part- ner with Mr. Gentry in the drug business. Mr. Gentry is a young man of good business qualifications, full of energy and thoroughly reliable, and has every requisite for a popular and successful druggist. These young gentlemen are both full of life aud vim, and have started out in the world to accomplish something worthy of themselves as citizens of intelligence and character. Their drug house commands a good cus- tom, and has already been placed upon aprofital)le footing. They keep good and pure drugs which they dispense at roasonal)le and fair prices, so that they could hardly fail of being a popular house in the drug line. Dr. Riley's father, J. G. Riley, is one of the substantial citi- zens of Jackson county. He also has a stock ranch in Colorado, and is a man of high standing and much business enterprise. The Doc- tor's mother, who was a Miss Elizal)eth Buckingham, died September 14, 1884. JOHN J. RICE, M. D. (Physician and Surgeon, Gosneyville, Mo.). In the medical profession in this county are to be found a number of i)hysicians — men who have risen to success and local prominence HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 441 in their profession, and solely by their own indiistrj' and perseverance as students and practitioners ; and taking the secret of their success as a criterion by wiiich to judge the future of tiie younger members of the profession, it is not difficult to i)oint out those who are to occupy the places of these old and prominent physicians when they have passed off the stage of action. Prominent among this class of young men in Clay county is, without question, the sulyect of the l)resent sketch. Dr. John J. Rice is a son of Richard C. Rice, a na- tiv.e of Woodford county, Ky., and now a leading agriculturist and stock man, residing in Lil)erty. His mother was formerl}' Lucinda Ferguson, of Marion county, Ky., where the}' were married. John J. Rice was the second of eight children, and passed his early life in attending to farm duties. His educational opportunities wore above the average, he having received a classical course at Harmonia Col- lege, Perryville, Ky. After leaving this institution he engaged in the occupation of school teaching, which he continued for two years at Sorghotown, Daviess county, Ky. Having decided to make the practice of medicine his calling for life, he pursued a regular prepara- tory course of study for that purpose, under Dr. T. E. Lamping, of Owcnboro, Ky. He took several courses of lectures in the Cincin- nati College of Medicine and Surgery, and graduated from that institution on the 4th of March, 1881. The same 3'ear he came to Gosncyville, Clay county. Mo., and began the ()ractice of hjs chosen calling at this place, where he has nuide gratifying progress in his profession as a practitioner. Studious and progressive in his ideas, and faithful and attentive to his practice, he is rapidly winning the confidence of the community in his skill and ability as a physician. He is a memiier of the Clay County Medical Society, also of the County Board of Health. On the 24th of May, 1882, Dr. Rice was married to Miss Emma Rollins, a daughter of John K. and Ella Rol- lins, of this county. She was born and reared here, her education being received at the Stewartsville Female Seminary, Stewartsville, Mo. They have one child, DeWitt T., born Fei>ruary 4, 1884. Dr. Rice's church [)reference is the Missionary Baptist. He is a member of the A. F. and A. M. His wife belongs to the M. E. Church South. His father, as should have been mentioned before, was a soldier in the Mexican War. He came to Clay county in 1872. He and his wife are now members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and Mr. Rice is also connected with the A. F. and A. M. ANDREW B. ROSS (Fanner and Proprietor of Ross' Mill, Post-otBce, Paradise) . Every old citizen in this section of the county very well remembers Mr. Ross' father, William Ross, for he lived in the county for nearly 35 years, and was one of its worthy, good citizens. His wife, Nancy Ross, was a Miss Hawkins before her marriage, and a native of Ten- nessee. They came to Clay county. Mo., in 1841. William Ross for a time was a substantial farmer, but in al)out two years after his 442 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. settlement here built a water-mill on the site of the present structure which was subsequently burned. In 1856 he built a saw and grist mill, which he continued to operate until his death, October 22, 1875. This mill is the one now conducted hy his son, the subject of this sketch. It is a two-story building, fitted with two runs of buhrs, and has a capacity of 15 barrels of flour per day, sawing also 3,000 feet of lumber. Andrew B. Ross, like many of the better citizens of this county, is aKentuckian by birth, having l)ecn liorn in Madison county, April 28, 1839, being the fourth in a family of nine children. He accompanied his parents to Clay county. Mo., while in infancy, and has here continued to make his home. While growing up he very naturally followed his father's example and early became interested in the milling business, devoting much time to that occupation. He has always followed it, and having had such excellent opportunities to learn the trade in Missouri, in subsequent years he has risen to consid- erable prominence in the milling circles, where he is esteemed not less as a business man than as a private citizen. During the war Mr. Ross served in the army of the Potomac for four years, enlisting first under Gen. Bee, who was killed at the battle of Bull Run, and afterward under Gens. Whiting and Archer, respectively. About two years after the close of the war, on August 11, 1867, he was united in marriage with Miss Martha A. Gentry, a daughter of David and Louisa Gentry. She was born, reared and educated in this county, but died March 24, 1883, leaving five children : Nannie L., Mary E., John W., Andrew B., and Laura B., the second daughter, who died November 14, 1873. ]\Irs. Ross was a member of the M. E. Church South, as her husband now is. He is also connected with the I. O. O. F. Mr. Ross, in connection with his milling interest, carries on farm- ing to some extent, having 40 acres of land under fence and in culti- vation. His mother died here November 29, 1871. WILLIAM H. SHANNON (Fanner and Stock-raiser, Post-offlce, Smithville). The father of Lewis S. Shannon, who was also the grandfather of the subject of the present sketch, was one of the pioneer settlers in the State of Kentucky, having lived there in a period when settlers were very few, the country being populated nuiinly by the original and perhaps rightful owners of the then wilderness — the aborigines. Game was [)lenty, and, in fact, the early days in that country were only examples of the pioneer days in this vicinity in sul)sequent years. Lewis S. Shannon was a native of Woodford county, Ky., and married Elizabeth Ellison, of Henderson county, this State. To them were born ten children, the eldest of whom was William H. Shannon, who was. born in Frankfort, Ky., July 28, 1821. After the marriage of his parents, they came to Missouri in 1857, locating in Clinton county, where they lived until their death, the father having been occupied with agricultural pursuits. He died in 1859 and his wife in 1866. Both were consistent and prominent members of the Mission- HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 443 :iry Baptist Church. William H. was reared in the State of his birth, but his educational opportunities were necessarily limited, the primi- tive schools being much inferior to those of the present day. How- ever, by self-application, he secured a sufficient knowledge of business for the ordinary affairs of life, and also learned the carpenter's trade. In 1840 he took up his residence at Richmond, in Ray county. Two years afterwards, Octol)er 11, 1842, he was married, Miss Amanda White becoming his wife. One child was born to them, which died in infancy. Mrs. Shannon also died in Se[)tember, 1847. She had been a member of the Christian Church. After this Mr. S. returned to Kentucky, where he remained 10 years, and while there he was justice of the peace in his township. He was also married, January 22, 1852, in Anderson county, to Miss Mary C. Thompson, a daughter of Antiiony Tiiompson, of Woodford count}', Ky. Her birthplace was in Ohio county, Ky., but she was reared and educated in Franklin <;ounty, Ky. They have had five cjiildren : Thompson J. married Miss Bettie Willis, and is a carpenter in Smithville, Mo. ; William E. married Miss Mary J. Youtsey, and is engaged in farming in this county ; Laura May and Oliver E. are still at home. James H. died at the age of eight years. In 1857 Mr. Shannon returned to Missouri and settled in Clay county on the farm where he is now living. This embraces 110 acres either in cultivation or blue grass pasture. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church, in which he has been an elder for 20 years. He is also connected with the A. F. and A. M. They are among the most highly esteemed residents of the township. JOHN SWARTZ (Dealer in and Manufacturer of Boots, Shoes, Etc., and Lehrer iter Veutschcn Sclmle, Smithville). Mr. Swartz is a Teuto-Frenchman by descent and nativity and was born in Abberbach, France, January 9, 1838. His father was Casper Swartz, also a native of France and mayor of Aliberbach, in the parish of Seltz. The mother was a Miss Mary Mustar of Alsace. In their family were ten children, seven of whom are living. John Swartz, the sul>ject of this sketch, was the second in their family and was reared at Al)berbach up to the age of 18 years, when became to Amer- ica, landing at New Orleans. He had previously served two years of an apprenticeship at the blacksmith's trade. In the summer of 1855 he went to Keokuk, Iowa, and began at the shoe maker's trade. Thence he went to Hannibal, and later along to Palmyra, where he worked a time, then at Macon City, then Glasgow, then Kansas City and finally to Clay county, stoj^ping a while at Barry, and locating permanently at Smithville in 1859. Early in the war he enlisted in the State Guard under Gov. Jackson's first call and was .out about si.K months. At the fight of Lexington the captain of his company was killed and after that the men were scattered, some entering other com])anies and others returning home. After Mr. Swartz's return he remained at Smithville for a short time and then went to Leavenworth where he 444 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. resumed his occupiition. In ;iljout three weeks, however, he returned home again and was shortly taken prisoner. After this he enlisted in the regular United States service, becoming a member of the Oiiio infantry, in which he served until the close of the war. After the war he came back to Smithville and resumed his trade, that of making boots and shoes, and also soon brought on a stock of goods in that line. He has been in the business at this place ever since. He has an excellent reputation as a workman and commands a liberal patron-; age. He also has a good trade for his business as a boot and shoe dealer. In 1861 Mr. Swartz was married to Miss Susan Reeves, for- merly of Kentucky. They have one child, John R. During the war, on account of some differences which it is not necessary to discuss here, a separation took place between Mr. Swartz and his first wife and a divorce was the result. Each have remarried, ]\Ir. Swartz' s present wife having been a Miss Mary Johnson, with whom his married life has been one of great satisfaction and [ileasnre. She was a daughter of William Johnson, from Tennessee to this county, in about 1857. There are three children by this union : Lewis, Pauline and French. John R., his eldest son by his first wife, is now engaged in the grocery and confectionery business at Smithville. He is also an Odd Fellow and conductor of his lodge. His mother is now the wife of A. D. Simpson, of Buchanan county. Mr. Swartz and his present wife are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Swartz is also treasurer of the Odd Fellows Order at this place. Mr. Swartz has a good Ger- man education, and in 1884 established a German school at this place which he still carries on. His school has proved a success and is liberally patronized by the people of the community, particularlj'^ by those of German nativity or descent. ELEVEN L. THATCHER (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Smithville). Eleven Thatcher, Sr., was one of the early settlers of Clay county. He came here from Kentucky and became a well-to-do farmer and highly resi)ected citizen. His death occurred some 10 or 12 years ago. By all old residents of the count}' he is well rememliercd as a man of large heart, strong intelligence, courage anchindustry, and as one of the best of neighbors and friends. His good wife preceded him to the grave some five or six years. She was a Miss Sabina Hornback, of Kentucky, before her marriage. They reared a family of five children, most of whom are living, and are among tiie better class of citizens of their respective communities. Eleven L. Thatcher, their fifth son, was born on the family homestead in this county, Noveml)er 24, 1840. He was reared to the occupation of farming and stock-raising, and acquired a good common school education as he grew up. At the age of 27, on the Kith of December, 18(57, he was married to Miss Rosa D. Wood, a daughter of Col. Lewis J. Wood, formerly of Kentucky. Already Mr. Thatcher, Jr., had en- gaged in farming on his own account, and in this he afterwards con- HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 445 tinned. He is now eomfortahly situated. His fai'm contains 480 acres, and lie is quite extensively engaged in dealing in stock. He is also largely interested in breeding and raising fine stock. His thor- oughbred short horns are all of registered stock, and he also has a herd of high grade cattle. His hogs are of fine breeds, and the Clydesdale horses are his favorite stock in the equine line. He has several representatives of the pure Clydesdale breed. Mr. Thatcher is one of the most enterprising and progressive fanners and stock- raisers of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Thatcher have two children : Lewis J. and James W. He and wife are members of the Christian Church, and he is a member of the A. F. and A. M. WILLIAM P. THATCHER (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-offlce, Sniithville). Mr. Thatcher is a worthy representative of that old and highly respected family of Clay county whose name he bears. Reference to his father has already been made in the sketch of E. L. Thatcher. William P. was born in this county in 1834. On reaching young man- hood he started out for himself with little or nothing to begin on. But he had been reared to hard work and to regular, economical habits, and being a young man of good intelligence, fair common-school edu- cation, and with an honest purpose to rise in the world only by in- dustry, he went to work without hesitation or discouragement, and in a short time had the satisfaction of seeing the legitimate fruits of honest toil accumulating around him. But in a few years the war came on. That was a great backset to him, as it was to most honest men in this ])art of the country. He went into the Southern army and took part in numerous engagements, including those at Lexington, Pea Ridge and Blue Ridge. At the latter fight he was fired on by a whole platoon of Federal soldiers, Init either he was protected by the shield of the Lord, or the soldiers did bad shooting ; anyhow, he came out unharmed. Resuming farming, he did the best he could under the circumstances, and after affairs became settled went at it again in dead earnest. Since then he has had a very successful e.xperience. He now owns a fine farm of 440 acres, well improved, including an excellent class of buildings, and he is quite largely engaged in breed- ing and raising fine stock, and in fattening and y his brother- in-law, Sam Trabue. The second store was owned and run by John AVade, of Ohio. These stores were established in the spring of 1857. John Gilboe had the third store. A school-house was built in about 1858 by W. R. Cave. Upon the outbreak of the Civil War Centerville contained about 20 families, but when it closed there were only two or three. During the war onh' two houses were destroyed, however, and these were l)urned by the Federals — Ford's and Jennison's men. They were owned by John Corum and John Gilboe, but at the time they were burned Dr. Cravens lived in Corum's house, and W. R. Cave had a small grocery in Gilboe's building. The Federals claim that they did the burning in retalliation for the killing of Mr. Bond by the bush- whackers. The murder of John Julius, an old man and a reputable citizen, by Lysander Talbott, shortly after the war, was the only tragedy of note that ever occurred in Centerville. The killing was wholly unprovoked. Talbott was on the *' war path " and "wanted to kill somebody." He was arrested, indicted, took a change of veime to Clinton county, escaped from jail, went to Texas, and was himself killed in a row. April 12, 1869, Alfred Pyle shot and killed Charles Smith, in a difficulty in Kearney, but Esquire Corbin acquitted Pyle on the ground that he had acted in self-defense, and he was never after- wards indicted. The town of Kearney was laid out upon the building of the Han- nibal and St. Joe Railroad in the spring of 1867, by John Lawrence. The first house was built by George H. Plitt, and is still standing on the southwest corner of Washington Avenue and Railroad street, fronting the depot on the east. It is now used as a hotel — the Oklahoma House. Plitt occupied it as a store room, but afterwards 452 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. conducted a hotel. The building was erected before the railroad depot. Piitt was proprietor of a lumber yard, and the leading spirit of the place for some time. Perhaps James Hightower had the second store. The town was named by John Lawrence for Fort Kearney, Neb., and not for a certain worthy citizen of the community. It is under- stood that Lawrence was at one time a resident of Fort Kearney be- fore he came to Clay county. Soon after its establishment the village began to be peopled very rapidly. Stores and shops of all kinds were built, and in a little time Kearney and Centerville were practi- cali}' united. Kearney was incorporated "as a town or village " by the county court, April 5, 1869. The first board of trustees was composed of George H. Plitt, Peter Rhinehart, R. B. Elliott, D. T. Dunkiu and George Harris. As the location of the town is very attractive, and as the buildings are all comparatively new, the town itself presents a handsome appearance. Washington avenue, the principal street, is well lined with stores and shops, and the business done is consider- able. The present school-house was built a dozen years ago, and the Clipper newspaper, a five-column sheet, was established by Thos. H. Frame, in July, 1883. The first church was the Missionary Baptist, which was at first called Mount Olive. It is worthy of note that John S. Majors, Esq., took an active and prominent part in tiie build- ing of this church, contributing to it from first to last $1,000. It is a fine brick structure and still standing. CHURCHES AT KEARNEY. Kearney Christian Church. — On the 25th of August, 1868, Lucy E. Coryell, Elizabeth Petterfield, Eliza Netherton, Hannah Pollock, Al)raham Netherton, Shelton Brown and wife, William H. Hawkins, D. T. Duncan, John S. Groom, James Reed and wife, Alfred Arnold and wife, George S. Harris, William Hall, G. D. Hall, Mrs. A. Rod- gers, R. H. Burden and wife, Emily Ci'aven, Nancy E. Pile, J. S. Sirpan, Elizabeth Rodgers, Aiida Harris and Robert Morris formed tliemselves into an organization now known as the above church. This original membership has been added to from time to time until it now numbers 100. Among those who have filled the pulpit here are Pres- ton Akers, J. D. Wilmot, Joseph Davis, T. J. Williamson, Rev. Martz, Preston Akers a second time, James W. Waller, J. W. Per- kins, B. C. Stephens and William S. Trader. The church building, which they occupy is a frame structure, built for about $2,000, in 1869. M. W. Sullivan is superintendent of the Sabbatli-school of 40 jjupils. HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 453 BajUisl Church. — No report bus been received, tbougb promised, from this or<(aiiiz!ition, originally called Mt. Olive, and briefly men- tioned elsewhere. THE TOWN OF HOLT. The village of Holt, situated on the Clinton county line, on the northeastern half of section 35, townsiiip 54, range 31, has been in existence only since the completion of the Cameron branch of the H. and St. Joe Railroad. It was formerly the site of a heavy body of timber in a little bottom on a branch of Clear creek. The land was owned by Jerry A. Holt, an old North Carolinian, whose residence is just across in Clinton county, and who came to Missouri in about 1835. There are many other families of North Carolinians in this re- gion. Holt was laid out in the fall of 1867, and named for Uncle Jerry Holt, the owner of the land. Timothy R. Dale was the surveyor. The first house was built on lot 5, in East Holt, by J. C. Dever, and the building was occupied by Mr. Dever first as a store. It was burned down in 1873. Soon after Mr. Dever built a hotel called the Dever House which still stands on lot 10 in West Holt. The second store was built by Samuel Garrison on lot 11 in East Holt. In the spring of 1869 Capt. Joab Laml) built the third store on lot 8 in Holt East. The second house in Holt West was built by Richard Fitzger- ald, in the spring of 1869. The railroad depot was built in the spring of 1868; but previous to its construction the section house was used as a freight depot. The first station agent was Hiram Towne, and his brother, D. W. C. Towne, succeeded him. The public school building was erected in the summer of 1873. The mill was completed in the spring of 1883, by A. P. Cutler, S. L. Cutler, J. K. Morgan and J. F. Lampson, who composed the firm of Cutler, Morgan & Co. The first church, the M. E. South, was completed in the spring of 1883. In 1868 the post-office was established. Capt. Joab Lamb secured the office, and was the first postmaster, but in a short time he was superseded by D. W. C. Towne. Prior to its establishment Haynes- ville, Clinton county, was the nearest post-oflice. The first practic- ing physician in the place was Dr. J. M. Brown, of whose abilities many of the old citizens speak disparagingly, but yet it is admitted that he had fair success. Holt was incorporated February 4, 1878. Tiie first board of trustees was composed of Boston L. McGee, A. P. Cutler, Adam Eby, J. C. Dever, Wm. H. Mclntyre. Upon the organization of the board A. 454 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. P. Cutler was made chairman; Boston L. McGee, clerk; D. W. C. Towne, ti'easurer, and Wm. M. Troxler, collector and marshal. The Baptist Church was completed in Fel)ruary, 1885, and is an imposing, capacious structure, neatly furnished and equipped. The present population of the village is about 250. In 1880 it was 162. The average attendance at the public school is 54. CHURCHES AT HOLT. M. E. Church South — Located at Holt, in Kearney township, was' organized in 1837 at Pleasant Grove, but was afterwards moved to Haynesville, and from there to the present place. The membership now is about 91. The pastors who have served this church are Revs. B. C. Owens, T. H. Swearingen and J. T. Winstead. This is a fx'ame church and was built in 1883 at a cost of about $1,650. There are 50 scholars in the Sabbath-school and its superintendent is Wm. Laken. Christian Union Church — Located at Holt, in Kearney township, was organized in November, 1879. Its constituent members were B. L. McGee, Adam Ebly and wife, W. O. Greason, Jerry Holt and wife, G. M. Isley and wife, William Holt and wife, William Albright and wife, M. M. Albright and wife, and many others. The present membership numbers about 85. G. W. Mitchell is the present pas- tor and he was the organizer of the church. There are 50 scholars in the Sunday-school, which is superintended by B. L. McGee. Holt Baptist Church. — Among the more recent acquisitions to the ecclesiastical element of Clay county is the Baptist Church at Holt, which was organized in 1884. The same year a frame house of wor- ship was erected which cost $1,700. Among the first members were W. P. Garrett and daughter Bettie, John L. Clark and wife, B3'ron Allnut, L. P. Garrett, Joseph Downing, Mrs. Emsley Whitsell, A. S. Garrett and wife. The membership now numbers 60 persons. Prof. A. J. Emerson organized the churcii and Rev. M. P. Hunt is the present pastor. HOLT LODGE NO. 49, A. F. & A. M. Was first organized at Haynesville, May 19, 1854, but was removed to Holt in 1877, where it still is. Some of the first officers were Henry B. Hamilton, worshipful master; John R. Ling, senior war- den, David W. Reynolds, junior warden. David L. Willhoit is the present worshipful master. The hall was erected the same year of the removal of the lodge to Holt, and cost about $600. The number of membership is 52. The lodge is without incumbrance, has money at interest and is in a flourishing condition generally. HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 455 BIOGRAPHICAL. PKESLEY D. ANDERSON (Of Anderson & Bros., Dealers in Groceries, Etc., Kearney). Ml'. Anderson is a nutive of Kentuckv, horn in Woodford county, April 14, 1835. His fiitiier w:is Spencer Anderson, and liis mother's umiden name, Catherine Hicks. Both were of early Kentucky fam- ilies. Mrs. Anderson inhei'ited her father's homestead in Kentucky, where she made her home after marriage, and where all her children were l)orn. But in 1852 they came to Missouri and located in Clay county, purchasing a farm near Kearney the following year. They resided there until the breaking out of the war, and the fother became a prosperous farmer. He was also a contractor and builder, and a very capable carpenter by trade. He completed William Jewell College, which had previousl}' been put under contract, but had not been com- pleted. Before coming to this State he had erected a large number of important buildings, public and otherwise. He died in this county January 8, 1881. His wife preceded him to the grave in 1872. Of their family of children only tive are now living, namely : Mary E., wife of Thonuis M. Gasney, president of the Kearney bank ; Dr. Joseph Anderson, of Colorado; Rachel A., wife of William D. Wright, of Denver, Colorado ; R. S. Anderson and the subject of this sketch, partners in business. Presley D. Anderson was reared on the farm near Kearney and educated priuci|)ally at select schools in Kentucky and Missouri. He also attended William Jewell College, at Liberty. In 18fil Mr. Anderson was married to Miss Helen M. Almy, a daughter of Hiram and Rebecca Alniy, formerly of New York, but who came to St. Louis in an early day and to Lil)erty in 1852. In 1860 Mr. Almy removed to Saline county and engaged in farming and in trading in stock. He died at Palmyra in 18(35. His wife is still living and making her home with the sulyect of this sketch. In the first of the war Mr. Anderson served a short time in the Southern army, but was compelled to retire from the army on account of ill health. In 18()2 he went to Kentucky, but returned to Clay county in 18(;4. He was in the battle at Lexington. After the war he en- gaged in farming and stock raising, but in 1872 came to Kearney and for two years kej)t a hotel. He then followed bridge building, and in 1883 engaged in his present business at Kearney. Mr. and Mrs. A. have had seven children : Fannie, wife of Samuel A. Pence ; Katie, Allie, David, Ella Eva, Willie and Ida. The last two died in child- hood. Mr. Anderson is a pi-ominent member of the Masonic Order, and he and wife are members of the Baptist Church. 24 456 HISTORY OF "CLAT COUNTT. ROBERT S. ANDERSON (Of Aadersou Bros., Dealers in Groceries, Etc., Kearney). Mr Aiuler.soii is a brother to Presley D. Anderson, whose sketch precedes this, in which somethinjy of a historj' of the family has been given. Robert S. was born in Woodford county, Ky., April 25, 1842, and was the second in the family of children. He was reared on the farm and educated principally at private schools and at William Jewell College. In 1868, iiaving come to Missouri with the family when a mere boy, as stated in his brother's sketch, he engaged in the saw mill business, which he followed for eight years. He then became clerk in a general store and continued clerking until 1882, when he purchased a stock of goods at Holt, in Clay countjs and began mer- chandising on his own account. Mr. Anderson continued at Holt until the spring of 1883, when he sold out on account of the ill health of his family at that place. He then went to Colorado for their health and remained until the winter of 1883-84, when he became a partner with his l)rother in his present liusiness. In 1880 he was married to Miss Emma J. Clause, daughter of George and Elizabeth Clause, of this county ; but formerly of Mason county, K}'. They came to Mis- souri in about 1864 and settled in Platte county, but afterwards came to Clay county in about 1858. Mr. Clause di'ed here in 1868. He left his widow with seven children, two of whom have since died. Mrs. Anderson died October 1, 1883. She was an earnest and con- sistent member of the Baptist Church. Mr. A. also lost a child, who died in infanc}'. iNIr. Anderson is a member of the Baptist Church. He has a good fai-m of about 100 acres near Kearnev. He is a member of Kearney Lodge No. 311, A. F. and A. M., at Kearney. HENRY D. ANDERSON (Fanner and Fine Stock Raiser, Post-offlce, Kearney). Mr. Anderson was born in Clay county in 1847, and was the second of six children, five of whom are now living, of Joseph D. and Mary (Young) Andcirson, both parents natives of Kentucky. The Ander- sons, however, were originally from New Jersey and the. Youngs from Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson's parents on either side have long been deceased. Mrs. Anderson's parents died over 30 years ago, but since their decease there has not been a death in the famih', and there !ire now living nine children and 42 grandchildren. On the 10th of June, 1884, a family reunion was held, at which all the children were present, together with sons-in-law and daughters-in-law, and it was a most enjoyal)le affair. To the outsiders present it was quite an in- teresting sight, somewhat different from the illustration of the Logan family presented in PikIc a few months ago, but even more pleas- ant to 1o6k upon. Henry D. Anderson was reared on his father's firm in this county, the family having settled here in 1834. Mr. Anderson, Sr., died in 1858, and the mother now makes her home .with HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 457 her children :uid rents the okl fiimily liotnestcad. Henry D. in young manhood attended the conmiercial school of Buffalo, N. Y., and also the Toronto (Canada) Business College. In 1874, having returned to Clav county, he was married to Miss Bettie Gosney, a daughter to Thomas M. and Susan Gosney, of this county, from Kentucky. In tile meantime Mr. Anderson had engaged in farming and stock rais- ing, which he has ever since followed. He makes a specialty of stock, and has on hand a handsome herd of fine, thoroughbred short horn cattle; his farm is set in blue grass, and is one of the choice stock farms of the vicinity and contains 212 acres, and is well improved. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are members of the Christian Church. They have one child, Thomas J., but three others have died in infancy. W. H. ARNOLD (Owner and Propi'ietor of the Kearney Elevator). Mr. Arnold's father, Fauntleroy Arnold, was one of the first settlers of what is now Kearney township, in Clay county. He was from Ken- tucky, born in Woodford county, in 1807, and came here when he was in his twenty-first year, in 1828. His father, Lewis Arnold, was a native of Virginia, but early settled in Kentucky, and served from that State in the Northwestern campaign under Gen. Harrison. Fauntleroy Arnold served in the Mormon War under Cai)t. Shackleford. Sliortly after coming out to Clay county he entered and pre-empted 280 acres of land, all of which but forty acres arc still in possession of the family. He died here in 1857, after being an invalid for some years, resulting from exposures undergone while in, and going to and coming from, California during the gold excitement. He was a mem- l)er of the Primitive Baptist Church. His widow is still living. She was a daughter of Mr. Carter, of Lexington, Ky., and was liorn in 1812. She resides on the family homestead near Kearney with two of her children. She is also a member of the Primitive Baptist Church, and has been for many years. W. H. Arnold was born near Kearney on the 25th of July, 1832, and was reared on a farm. At the age of 22, in 1854, he went to Leavenworth, Kan., and thence to Harrison county. Mo., two years later. In 1871 he returned to Clay county and followed farming here, where he has a good farm of 160 acres, for eight years. In 1879 he removed from his farm to Liberty, for the purpose of educating his children. After sending them to school there for two years he returned to the farm and in 1883 came to Kearney and built the elevator, which he now owns and con- ducts. His elevator has a capacity of 10,000 bushels and the past year he handled 35,000 bushels of grain. It is the only elevator at Kearney and has proved an entirely successful enterprise. Mr. Arnold has served as deputy assessor of the county and in other positions of put)lic trust. In 1856 he was marrieil to Miss Mary Jane Brawner, daughter of David O. and Sarah (Uttinger) Brawner, who came from Jc^ssainine county, Ky., in 1835. Mr. and Mrs. Arnold have live children ; Charles F. D., a graduate of William Jewell College, now 458 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. a Baptist minister; F. G., a hardware merchant at Holt; John T., a fanner hv occupation; Willie J., wife of S. B. Wilhoit, and James M., a oraduate of the St. Joe Comniercial College, and now clerk and book-keeper for the elevator. WILLIAM B. ARNOLD ^Farmer, Post-oflBce, Kearney). In about 1825 Mr. Arnold's parents, Lewis and Arabella Arnold, came to Missouri from Garrard county, Kv., and made their home in the then wilderness of Clay county. Here the father improved a farm. At an early date he went to the Rocky mountains for his health and died while absent. He left five children, four of whom are now living : John, William, Henry, and Lucy, the wife of William Grooms. Mary F., the wife of Henry Shaver, died some 3'ears ago. The mother subsequently married Rev. William AVarren, formerly of Kentucky, and of the Primitive Baptist Church. Five children are the fruits of her last union, all living except the youngest. William B. Arnold, the subject of this sketch, was born in this county in April, 1833, and was reared with farming experience. In 1856 he was married to Elizabeth Collins, and then located on a farm as a house- holder in the township of Kearnej'. He has ever since been engaged in farminii: and also handles some stock. His farm is mainly a grass aiul stock farm. Mrs. Arnold was a daughter of S. N. and Jane (Tilford) Collins, originally of Virginia, but came to this county by way of Kentucky. Her (Mrs. Collins') father was a pioneer of this county, and made the first clearing on the site of the present town of Liberty, away back when the Indians circulated the superstitious and ridiculous story that the Missouri river rose out of the earth in the distant West, where the sun sinks to rest behind the shadows of the mountains. Mr. and Mrs. Arnold had five children, two of whom are living : Alice, wife of Herman Davis, and Claude. Three are deceased, having closed their infant eyes in the sleep of death before looking on to understand the wrong and sin of the world. In 1872 Mr. Arnold was married to Miss Cleopatra Ann Hurt, daughter of Joel and Sallie Hurt, formerl}' of Virginia. Her father is now deceased. By the last union there have been two children, both of whom arc deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Arnold are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. FRANKLIN G. ARNOLD (Post-office, Holt) . Franklin Grimes Arnold was born in Harrison county, Mo., on the 24th of February, 1859. His father, W. H. Arnold, was the son of Fauntlcroy Arnold, origina'lly from Kentucky, but who came to this State ami here made his [)ermanent home. W. H. Arnold, who was a native of Missouri, was married in Clay county to Mary Jane Browner, a Kentuckian by birth, though she had been reared in this State. Her parents were Mr. and Mrs. David O. Biowner. The HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 459 parents of the subject of this sketch were denied the benefits of even a coaunon scliool education such as could now be obtained. The father, a i'armer by occupation, was very successful as such, industri- ous, energetic and possessed of good characteristics. He is still living (as is also his worthy wife) and takes a deej) interest in the current atl'airs of the day. Politically he is a Democrat, and has a high regard for religion. He has been active in the Grange movement, and has also served as justice of the peace. After having lived in Clay county for 13 years he made his home in Harrison county some ten years, then returning to Clay county in March, 1872. To them were boru Hve children : C. L. F. Arnold, Franklin J., J. T., W. J. and J. M., all of whoui have reached mature years and three of whom are mar- ried. Two are in the mercantile business, one is a farmer, one a min- ister and one daughter is the wife of S. B. Wilhoit, a farmer. Frauklia J. was brought up in the county of his l)irth to the life of a farmer, not being very well favored with educational advantages. For three years he has been occupied in the hardware business, but has recently disposed of his interests in this branch of business, desiring to resume agricultural pursuits in the coming spring. The present position in pecuniary affairs to which he has achieved, has been acquired only through his own efforts, as no assistance was given him with which to start in life. Like his pai'ents, he has divided his life I)etweeu Harrison and Clay counties — 13 years in the former and 15 in the latter. He is now connected with the Masonic fraternity. November 14, 1883, Mr. Arnold was married at Holt to Miss M;iry Jane Holt, a most estimable lady. She was born in Clinton county, Mo. Mr. A. is one of the highly esteemed residents of this community. BENJAMIN A. ATCHISON (Farmer and Fine Stock Raiser, Post-office, Kearuey). Mr. Atchison is engaged in the same pursuit which his father, William Atchison, made a life occupation. His father was a very successful farmer, and was one of the first men of Clay county who introduced the breeding and raising of tine stock. He became a large landholder, and at one time owned over 1,500 acres of choice lands in the county. Mr. Atchison, Sr., was twice married. His first wife was a Miss Catherine Baker. She left him six children at her death : David R., James B., William, Lewis C, Catherine and Mary. His second wife, who is still living, and the mother of the sui)ject of this sketch, with whom she makes her home, was a Miss Sarah Robertson. There were two children by this marriage: James F., the other one besides Benjamin A., died in March, 1.S82. The father died in 1871. He was a brother of Hon. David R. Atchison, ex-United States Sena- tor from this State, and for whom Atchison county. Mo., was nameeen closely and usefully identified with the history otthe county throughout all this time. He was born in Madison county, Ky., January 17, 1805, and was the eldest in his parents' family of 12 children. They were pioneer settlers of that county. When in his seventeenth year his father sent him to Missouri to enter land for the family, and begin the improvements of a farm. He came here horseback in 1821, and after leaving the settlements in the eastern part -of this State he found the country so sparsely populated that several days he rode from dawn until nightfall on the main route of travel without passing even a soli- tary house. Mr. Bevins came to what is now Gallatin township, in Clay county, and entered a tract of 160 acres in the timlier. That winter he cleared eight acres, and the following spring put in a small crop, building, in tlie meantime, a comfortable log cabin. He also entered an additional 160 acres, and in the summer of 1822 his pa- rents, Truman and Annie Bevins, with their family of children, came out from KentucW. He continued with the family two years longer, and then went out for himself to work with a whip saw, the day of circular saws not yet having dawned in this part of the country. He sawed lumber for several years, and furnished the lumber for the first business house ever erected at Liberty. In a short time he also took up the carpenter trade, and followed contracting and build- ing for several years. He built the old arsenal building at Liberty away back in 182-. In 1830 Mr. Bevins was married to Miss Hulda C, a daughter of James Riley, who came out from Fa3'ette county, Ky., in 1828. In the meantime he had entered and bought consider- able land, and soon turned his attention to farming and stock-raising, at which he was very successful. He raised and handled all kinds of farm stock — horses, mules, cattle, hogs, sheep, etc., — and is still interested in farming and stock-raising. From time to time Mr. Bevins continued to add to his landed estate, until it aggregated over 5,000 acres, all choice land, S|)eciall3' selected by him. He and his good wife, however, have reared a large family of children, and in providing for them they have been veiy lii)cral. Mr. Bevins has divided his lands among his children until he now has only about 1,000 acres left. Of these 807 acres arc in the family homestead. As these facts show Mr. Bevins has been abundantly successful in the affairs of life, and has an ample competency. Although now past 80 3'cars of age, one would hardly take him to be more than 65, iind he still takes an active interest in the coniluct of his farm. He is making a specialty of sheep, and has a fine stock of 300 head. Mr. and Mrs. Bevins have reared a family of nine children, namely: Harriet, the wife of John S. Martin, deceased ; Mary A., the wife of Hon. E. C. Cook, ex-representative of Clinton county ; Oliver P., HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 4t)l David R., who was killed in the Southern army, at the battle of Franklin, Tenn. ; Thomas T., of Clinton connty ; James, Alice, wife of Cass Atchison, nepliew of Gen. Atchison, and Riley E. Three others died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. B. are memi)ers of the Christian Church. The family of Mr. B.'s parents were David M., Walker W., Tyra T., Malinda, Minerva, Mary Ann, Martha, Maro;aret and America. Malinda married a Mr. Hudson ; Minerva married a Mr. Merryman ; Mary Ann married a Air. Karey ; Martha married a Mr. Cain ; America married a Mr. Reed, and Margaret married a Mr. Ad- kins. All except Tyra are living. GEORGE E. BISHOP (Butcher and Dealer in Country Produce, Kearney) . Mr. Bishop is a native of England, born in Kent county March 24, 1838. He was the eldest in a family of ten children of Edward and Eliza (Ditton) Bishop, both of old English families. His father died there in 1871 in his si.Kty-first year, but his mother is still living, a resident of England. Nine of their family of children are also still living. Mr. Bishop, the subject of this sketch, is tiie only one in this country. He was reared in Kent county and brought up to the occu- pation of raising sheep, which his father followed. He received an ordinary school education, and at the age of 27 years l)egan keeping a l)ublio inn, or tavern as we use to call them in tliis country, now de- nominated hotel, as it sounds more fastidiqus and Frenchy. He followed that business for five 3'ears, or until he came to the United States in 1871. In this country he at once loc-ated at Kearney, and for a time was engaged as a laborer, doing also, however, some- thing in the line of trading in stock. In 1878 he opened a butcher shoi), which he has since carried on with success. For some years he has furthermore been engaged in handling country produce, buying all kinds of I'arm products commonlv classed as produce, including l)utter and eggs, hides, etc., and sliipping them to the wholesale markets. In 1869 Mr. Bishop was married to Miss Martha A. Frampton, a daughter of James and Elizabeth Frampton, of England. Mr. and Mrs. Bishop have five children: Ellen M., Bertha E., Fredie F., Edmond and All)ert J. They have lost two, Katie, aged six years and ten months, and Emma, ten months old. Mr. and Mrs. Bishop ^ are members of the Episcopalian Church. Mr. Bishop has a fine city residence ; also a small place of 30 acres, and makes a specialty of raising fine hogs and brown Leghorn chickens. His purpose is to give his entire attention to Durock Jersey-red hogs and brown Leg- horn chickens. CHARLTON B. BURGESS (Farmer and Breeder of Short Horn Cattle, Post-ofBce, Kearney). Among the younger agriculturists of the county who have become prominent in their calling, through their own etforts, is C. B. Bur- gess, comparatively a young man, now but thirty-six 3'ears of age. 462 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. He was brought to Clay County, Mo., ])y his parents, while still in infancy, and grew up in this vicinity, attending, in common with sons of other farmers (for his father was a farmer) the common schools. He was favored, however, with more of an education than could there ))e obtained, attending for some time the Mount Gilead High School, where he received an excellent course of instruction. He had been born in Mason county, Ky., March 8, 1849. His father, Joseph V. Burgess, and his mother. Charity (Morris) Burgess, were Kentuck- ians by birth, and were reared and married in that State. They came to Clay county in 1850, and before the father died, November 24, 1858. The mother is yet living. They were both members of the Christian Church, as the mother still is. Charlton was the youngest of the three children in the family. On the 10th of November, 1874, Miss Margaret Anderson, daughter of Joseph D. and Mary Anderson (whose maiden name was Young), of Clay county, became his wife. She was also a native of this countv, and was educated at Mount Gilead High School. They have two children, Nora and Mary A. Mr. Burgess owns a farm of 210 acres, well improved, and in a good state of cultivation. He makes a specialty of the stock business, and particularly of short horns, and at this time has upon his place about 50 head of thorough l)red short horn cattle. His wife is a member of the Christian Church. JAMES COSTELLO (Of Bunies & Costello, Dealers iu Lumber, Etc., Kearuey). Nearly 35 years ago Michael Costello came to Missouri from Ireland, settling at Lilierty, in Clay county, where he married Cath- arine Keatley. They made that pla saddle and driving horses as well as other fine stock. But what- ever name she has made for herself in this direction is ver^' largely due to former Kentuckians, who, on coming and settling here, brought their taste for, and skill in, raising and training tine horses and other stock with them. This State has every advantage for the purpose, ecjual if not superior to the advantages of Kentucky ; and if our farm- ers would more generally turn their attention to this branch of industry, they would doubtless soon make the State a rival of the Blue Grass Commonwealth, a consummation devoutly to be wished by every Missourian who feels any pride in the fame of his State. See- ing, however, that our people do not take the interest in this pursuit they should, we ought to feel oidy tlie more grateful to the few among us who do, the worth}', true sons of Kentucky, who, having made homes iu this State, are ambitious to make her fame equal to that of their mother commonwealth. Prominent among Missourians from Kentucky who have virtually devoted their whole lives to the tine-stock interests of this State, par- ticularly to breeding and training fine horses, is the subject of the present, sketch, a fine horse raiser, who has done his full share toward placing Missouri in the front raidv of fine-stock States. Nor has any- one, even in Kentucky, more reason to feel proud of the record he has made in his branch of industry than Mr. Eastin. He has pro- duced stock whose fame has circled the earth. One of his horses, the celebrated "White Stocking" breed, raised and trained by him in this county, he sold to Dr. "Wallace, of New York City, for $10,000 in spot cash. Other horses which have attained a wide reputation have been bred and brought up by him; among fine-horse men in this State he stands second to none, either in point of success, good judg- ment in passing upon the qualities of a horse or skill in training him. Mr. Eastin has a fine-stock farm of 400 acres near Kearney, one of tlie finest places in the county, devoted exclusively to this purpose. His place is run almost entirelv in blue grass, divided up into con- venient pastures and arranged with rare good judgment for handling stock. Its l)arus and other outbuildings are of a superior class, and in addition he has a handsome, tastily built and imposing two-story brick dwelling, containing ten rooms, a ver}' picture of a home for a successful farmer and stock-raiser. However, he owns good prop- erty in Kearney, including his residence, as well as other dwellings, business houses, etc., and makes his home here as ji matter of con- venience in posting himself daily in regard to the markets and iu communication with stock men .at other points by mail and telegraph. He rides out to his fine-stock farm nearly every day to see his stock and attend to the i)lace. As has been said, Mr. Eastin is a Kentuckian by nativity, born in Madison county, November 22, 1820. Reared in Kentucky, he was married in that State in 1846 to Miss Kezia Bishop, a daughter of John Bishop, a fine stock raiser of Marsity in Boston, Mass., and is a graduate of Central Wesleyan College. Jacolt married Miss Susan Frick. He and wife aie nowl)oth deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Hartel and all'of their childi'cn are members of the German ^L E. Church. WILLLIM H. HAWKINS (Proprietor of Hawkins' Boot and Slice Sliop, Kearney). Mr. Hawkins has long been engaged in the occupation whit-h he, nf)W follows. His father, Capt. John C. Hawkins, was in the same busi- ness l)efore him. However, in later years his father was also a farmer, and William H. was ]iartly reared on a farm. He received a common school education. Having gone to Texas, in the meantime, in 18(i2, he entei'ed the Confederate army, becoming a meml)er of Co. F, Eighth Texas regiment, under Col. ()verton. He did not serve, however, throughout the war, i)ut after being in Col. Overton's regi- ment, returned to Milan county, Texas, where he had previously resided. In ISUC) ]\Ir. Hawkins came back to Clay county. Mo., and resumed shoemaking, which he had previously followed in Texas. He has followed shoemaking also continuously ever since. However, in 1861), he made another tri]> to Texas and was absent aliout a year eniraged in farminic. Mr. Hawkins has a 3. His wife, who was a Miss Sarah Shackleford before her marriage, died in 18G4. They reared a family of seven children, all of whom are living and are themselves the heads of families. John T. was born on the farm in this county in 1850. On growing up he became a farmer and fol- lowed farming and stock-raising until 1S79, when he engaged in busi- ness at Holt with the Rev. Mr. Mitchell. Mr. Hnfl'aker has served as mayor of Holt and in the town council. In 1880 he was married to Miss Laura Holt, a daughter of Col. John B. Holt, the founder of the town of Holt, and one of tlie leading wealthy citizens of the county. He was a gallant soldier in the ^lexican War, and served in the Confederate army through the Civil War, rising by his ability and intrei>idity as an olEcer to the command of a company which became noted for its valor on many a hard fought field. He is now living a quiet, retired life at Holt, in the possession of a competence, but best of all of an honored name and clear conscience. Mr. Huffaker, the subject of this sketch, is a leading and prominent Mason, and a worth}' and exemplary member of the Christian Church. 476 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. JOHN N. HUNTER (Postmaster, Holt). Mr. Hutiter is a native of Nebraska, a fact whicii can perhaps be truthfully asserted of no other citizen of Missouri, at least of none not younger than he and probably a few others in the whole country, Nebraska included. His father, R. M. Hunter, was one of the pioneers of Nebraska, going there away back in the " Fifties," before - the scream of the locomotive was heard on the plains, or the l)utfalo and Indian had been pushed on against the apron of the Cordilleras. He was born in Nemaha county, Neb., in 1859. His mother's maiden name was Miss Hollenbeck, a native of Illinois. His father was originally from Ohio, and was a saddle and harnessmaker, a trade that was very profitable in Nebraska in an early day, when one could exchange a good saddle for nearly enough buffalo robes to wall in and cover an ordinary sized house. There was also a good demand for saddles and harness among the white pioneers and emigrants bound for the golden shore, washed by the Pacific sea. However, on account of the severity of the climate in that early day when all the country was open and the biting frost came flying across the country with the speed of the wind, apparently guided only by the portentous sun dogs that seemed to absorb the warmth from the cheerless star of day, the family left Nebraska and came further south, to Missouri, where the elements and animal life were not so much at war with each other as they are in the young Stale of the plains. After re- siding in Atchison county for awhile, they settled in Clay county, near Holt. In 187!) they removed to Kansas, where they now reside. Mr. Hunter, Jr., was partly" reared in the vicinity of Holt, and has made this iii.s home continuously from the time the family first came here. In 1883 he was appointed deputj' postmaster of Holt, and a short time afterwards was himself made postmaster. He has held tiie office ever since. He also carries a stock of ])ooks and stationery- in connection with his duties as postmaster. In 1876 Mr. Hunter was married to Miss Elizabeth Ditto, a daughter of J. P. Ditto, of Clay county. Mr. and Mrs. H. have two children, John J. and Leonard W. They have lost one in infancy, Ida May. Mr. and Mr. H. are members of the Christian Union Church. Mr. Hunter's father also followed farming and handling stock, in which he is still engaged to some extent. GEORGE M. ISLEY (Of Morgan & Isley, Millers, Holt). Mr. Isley has been in active business life for over thirty years, and is a man, who by experience, energy and business qualifications, is justly entitled to be classed among the better class of business men of the county. He is a North Carolinian by nativity, born in Ala- mance oountv, June 27, 1832. He was the eldest in a family of IIlSTOUy OF CLAY COUNTY. 477 children of Austin ;uid Polly Isley, both of early North Carolina families. On his father's side the family is of German descent, but has been settled in this country for generations. The father is still living and is a retired stock-i'aiser, having been quite successful in life. The mother died only about tour years ago. Mr. Islej', Jr., or the subject of this sketch, was reared in his native county, and at the age of 21 engaged in merchandising at Giljsonville, that county. He continued in business as a merchant for about five years, at the expiration of which he was appointed postmaster at Gibsonville and also station agent on the railroad. Mr. Isley had charge of these offices for some seventeen years. He then removed to Raleigh, where he bought and took charge of a large distillery. Two years later, however, he sold out at Raleigh and removed to Missouri, locating in the vicinity of Holt. Here he also established a distillery and carried on a farm, which he purchased on coining to this county. He still owns the farm, and is engaged in farming, in addition to his milling business. Ho bought a half interest in the flouring and grist mill at this place, becoming a member of the firm of Morgan & Isley in 1875. He has ever since been engaged in milling. In 1855 Mr. Isley was married to a Miss ShoS'ner, a daughter of Daniel and Barbara Shofl'ner, of Alamance county, N. C. Her par- ents are both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Isley have had seven children, all living and residents of Holt. Thomas and Augustus are engaged in the livery business at this place and are young men of energy and enterprise. Mr. and Mrs. Isley are members of the Christian Union Church. Mr. I. is a member of the Masonic order and is one of the Democrats who has been voting the straight ticket (except while North Carolina was out of the Union) ever since 1851), without seeing a Democratic President inaugurated. That interesting event he was fortunate enough to enjoy on the 4th of March last. WILLIAM H. LaRUE, (Of Stowers & LaRue, Driigjiists, Holt). Mr. LaRue was a teacher by profession, having come from Indiana to this State, and after coming here taught some three years in Clay count}' before engaging in the drug business. However, ho had had experience in handling drugs and in pharmacy anil had a good knowl- edge of the business before he became a member, of the firm with which he is now connected. The firm of Stowers & LaRue have a neat drug store, keeping constantly in stock a full assortment of fresh and pure drugs. They also carry other lines of goods usually found in a first-class drug store. Being both good business men and upright and obliging in their dealings, they have of course succeeded in at- tracting a good trade. Mr. LaRue was born in Greene county, Ind., April 18, 18G0. His parents were Jesse and Nancy (Dugger) LaRue, his father being a carpenter and contractor by occu|)ation. The family on either side was from Tennessee and Virginia, respectively. The mother died in 1883, but the father is still livins'. William H. 478 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. was reared in Indiana and educated at the coninion and Normal Schools and tlie State University. Prior to entering the Normal School, how- ever ( at which he graduated ), he had taught school and after concluding his educational course he resumed teaching, coming West to Missouri for that purpose. He came to Holt, Clay county, Mo., iu March, 1881. The following year after coming to Missouri Mr. LaRue was married to Miss Lura L. Harris, a daughter of William Harris, of Clay county. They have one child, a daughter, Jessie, Mr. and Mrs. L. are members of the M. E. Church South. He is a member of the' Masonic fraternity. WILLIAM B. LEACH (Dealer in Hardware, Tinware, Cutlery, Farm Implements, Wagons, Buggies, Etc. Kearney) . Mr. Leach engaged in his present business in 1880, as a successor in the business to George S[)ears. Mr. Spears had previously' carried it on for some 3'ears,but in the spring of 1880 committed suicide in his store by shooting himself. Mr. Leach afterwards bought the stock and continued the business. He has materially enlarged and im- proved the stock of goods and added much to the patronage of the house. It is now one of the leading houses of this class in the northeastern part of the county. j\Ir. Leach was born in Scott county, K}'., July 23, 1840. When he was a lad about seven years of age his parents removed to Missouri and settled in Platte county, where young Leach grew to manhood. In 18(57 the family removed to Clay couutj', where they still reside. In the meantime William B. had grown up and gone out into the world for himself. In 1861 he enlisted in the army, but after a term of service of less than a year, returned to Platte county, and the same year went to New Mexico. He came back, however, in 1862, but in June of that year went to Montana Territory, and was engaged in trading in stock for the following six or seven years. He was also in Utah, Idaho and British America. He went to the noted Koot- ney mines on a prospecting tour. In 1869 he returned to Mis- souri, and as his father's family had removed to Clay county, he stopped at Kearney. Here he engaged in farming and handling stock to some extent, which he continued until 1880, when he bought out the Spears stock of goods as stated above. While handling stock in the West Mr. Leach wi:s also engaged in farming. In 187(5 he was married to Miss Cassie McGinnis, daughter of James McGinnis, of Kearney, i)ut formerly of Kentuck}'. They have one cliild, a little son. Mrs. L. is a memi)er of the Christian Church and he is a mem- ber of Lodge No. 311, A. F. and A. M., at Kearney. L. W. LEAVELL (Farmer, Fine Stock Raiser and Stock-dealer, Post-office, Kearney, Mo.). Clay county has long had the reputation of being one of the best stock-raising counties in the State. Not only do the farmers here HISTOUY OF CLAY COUNTY. 479 give their principal attention to stock-raising, for which the county is remarkably well ailaj)ted, but tliey are generally a class of men of enterprise and information, who take pride in securing the best stock for l)reeding purposes to l)0 had. This practice has had a beneficial result in two ways : it has not only been profitable to the farmers themselves, but has given the county an enviable name as a fine stock county. Prominent among the farmers who have done their full share toward advancing the stock interests of Clay county is the subject of the i)resent sketch, Mr. Leavell, who came here in 18.54. He was a well-to-do fine stock raiser of Kentucky, and after coming here bought about 1,700 aci'es of fine land. Having some forty odd or fifty ne- groes, he improved a large farm, and engaged in farming and stock- raising quite extensively. His negro property was soon afterwards taken from him by operation of the war, but he has, nevertheless, had a prosperous career in other respects. For years he has been recognized as one of the leading farmers and stock-raisers of the county. He is a man of high character and superior intelligence and information, and occupies a prominent position in the community. He was born in Todd county, Ky., December 12, 1821, and was reared to a farm life, receiving a common-school education as he grew up. In 1838 he was married to Miss Harriet D. Winn, a daughter of George Winn, of Christian county, Ky., a prominent and wealthy citizen of that county. Eight children have been the fruits of their union, namely, Frances, now the wife of Rev. G. W. Rogers, of Dallas, Texas ; Sarah, the wife of Samuel C. Greenfield, of this county; Georgia A., the wife of Dr. Silas Denham, of Clay county. Mo.; Daniel W., now a resident of Kansas; Eugenia S., wife of William Rust, also a resident of Kansas ; Leonidas, W. Llewellyn, Lane and Robert Ernest Lee. Tlu-ee others are deceased, who, however, lived to mature years. Lycurgus L., their eldest son, who died in California; Harriet L., who died whilst the wife of John J. Eastin, and Montgomery D. Mr. and Mrs. Leavell are members of the Baptist Church, and Mr. L. is a Royal Arch Mason. Mr. Leavell's farm contains 860 acres. The l)alance of his land is divided up among his cliildren. He has a handsome homestead, in- cluding a commodious and tastily built residence, and substantial, neat appearing barns and other outbuildings. He is very comfortably situated in life. ALBERT LINCOLN (Retired Farmer, Post-offlce, Kearney). Only the few who have given the subject any thought and investi- gation have any idea of the imj^ortant part Virginia has taken in the history of the country, and of the vast influence she still exerts, per- haps now not so much directly as indirectly. Leaving out of the account what she has done directly and is still doing, her indirect in- fluence in affairs is not even approached in importance by that of any other Commonwealth in the Union. She not onl}' gave to the country its great Northwest Territory, out of which have been formed some 480 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. of the most populous, prosperous and progressive States of the Union, hut hirgely gave the sturdy pioneers and brave settlers who founded these States and made them what they are. Besides this she peopled Kentucky, presenting the territory and the population of the Blue Grass State to the Union as a proud and free and generous gift. All Southern Ohio was mainly settled by her sons, or the sons of her eld- est and fairest daughter, Kentucky, as were also most of Indiana and Illinois, and a large percentage of the other Northern States, and of the Pactolian Commonwealth of the Pacific coast, California. So, - the younger States of the South were largely peopled from the Old Dominion, including Missouri and Arkansas. Likewise there is Texas, settled almost exclusively by Virginians, Kentuckians, Missourians and West Tennesseeans, settlers who sprang originally, almost with- out an exception, from Virginia families. Any comprehensive genesis of the population of the West and Southwest would show that, more then 75 per cent of the people are of Virginia descent. But it is not in this respect alone that the Old Dominion holds a distinguished and pre-eminent position in the history of the couutr}'. Take the names of the great men that shed the i)rightest lustre on our career as a na- tion, and they are in a large majority of cases the names of Virginians, either by nativity or descent. Hardly less is this true of the present, than of the past. At the beginning, the " Father of our Country " was a son of the Old Mother Commonwealth. So, also, with most of the other early characters of prominence and distinction. Nor has there been an important epoch in the history of the country since that time in which the name of a Virginian has not stood out above and brighter than all others. In the great crisis of the Civil War the brightest names that illuminated that dark period were either of or from the Old Dominion. This was true on both sides. To the North and the Nation, Virginia gave Abraham Lincoln, a mati who, on the Union side, was nearer than all others after the pattern of Washington, a brave, pure, true, great man. On the side of the South we had Lee and Stonewall Jackson, names that any country might well be proud to boast. Now and at all times Virginians have occu- pied the first places in the history and in the hearts of their countrymen. Jackson, the " Iron President," Harrison, the " Hero of Tippecanoe," of Indiana, the great Clay, and hundreds of others traced their lineage back to Vii'ginia. And it is a re- markable circumstance that the Washingtons, Lincolns and Lees were all orginally settled in Northern Virginia. From there branches of these families s[)read out into other parts of the State and into other States. But in the [)resent sketch wo have only to do with the Lin- coln family — Ali)ert Lincoln, whose biography is here given, being one of the descendants of that family. The Lincolns came to this country from Euglaud in early colonial times and settled, in the first place, in Northeastern Virginia. — Lincoln, ot that section of the Old Dominion, was the great-grandfather of President Lincoln and the grandfather of .\braham Lincoln (the father of the subject of this sketch), who became one of the pioneer settlers of Western-Central HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 481 Missouri. Judge James E. Lincoln, oF Liberty, is also a descendant of the same family. His father, George Lincohi, was a son of Thos. Lincoln, of Fayette county, Ky., but originally from Rockingham county, Ya. Thomas Lincoln was a brother of Abraham Lincoln, the grandfather of President Lincoln. Judge Lincoln's father and Albert Lincoln's father were brothers. George Lincoln was one of the pioneer settlers of Clay county. He and Albert Lincoln's father, Abraham Lincoln, who were brothers, were both blacksmiths by trade, and both from Kentucky to this State. Abraham Lincoln, however, came to Missouri at an earlier da}' than the removal of George Lin- coln. He, the former, settled in Saline count}', or what is now Saline, before the county was formed, and in early territorial times. Subsequently he removed to Clay county, in about 1823 ; and later still (but yet at an early day), he settled on the Platte Purchase, where he located a claim ; but while temporarily absent his place on the Platte Purchase was taken possession of or "jumped," as they termed it then, by another party, who hadn't even a color of right to it. Still, Mr. Lincoln being a quiet, upright man, preferred to lose his claim rather than engage in a lawsuit, or have any personal trouble with the claimant. He therefore decided to make his permanent home in Clay county, and afterwards resided here for many years, until his death, engaged at his trade and in farming. He was a man of sterling worth, stiict integrity and strong, natural good sense — characteristics everywhere of the Lincoln family. His wife came of an old and re- spected family of Kentucky, but originally of Virginia. Her Chris- tain name was Agnes Feming. They had a family of five children, 11 of whom lived to reach mature years and to become the heads of families themselves. Only three are now living. AUtert Lincoln, whose name stands at the head of this sketch, was born in Saline county, April 18, 1819, but as his parents subsequently removed to Cla- county, he was partly reared in this county. He learned the bl„jksmith's trade under his father, as he grew up, and afterwai'ds f llowed it for some years. In 1844 Mr. Lincoln was married to Miss Armilda Soper, a daughter of Benjamin Soper, formerly of Kentucky. In about 18.50 Mr. L. engaged in fiirmiug, and soon afterwards quit blacksmithing altogether and turned his entire attention to farming and stock-raising. Ever since that time he has made agricultural life his sole pursuit. A man of industry and good intelligence, he has always lived comfortably and has never been embarrassed by the re- wu-ses that often overtake men of more venturesome disposition. His greatest desire has been not to accumulate large means, but to live an ">.i|n-ight, quiet, unobtrusive and respectable life, and to rear his family f children in comfort and creditably ; but above all to rear them :: ith the ideas of personal honesty thoroughly instilled into their minds, and with the conviction that only by honest industry should success be sought or hoped for. In all this he may be truthf"ully said to have been successful to the utmost of his desires. No man has traveled down the pathway of life to the shades of old age with a name more spotless than his. Albert Lincoln stands as high in the 482 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. esteem of all who know hiiu for integrity and personal worth as any man whose citizenship ever did honor to the country. Mr. Lincoln has a comfortable farm of 160 acres, and is now living in retirement from the severe activities of life. Nevertheless, he is a man of indus- try and perseverance and still assists, when necessary, at farm work. Though closely approaching the allotted age of three-score and ten, he is well preserved and is unusually active, considering his years. He and his good wife have reared a family of four children, one of whom is now deceased. The living are: John W., Newton H. and' Benjamin F. Archibald died in young manhood in 1860. Mr. and Mrs. L. arc members of the Christian Church. LARZ A. LOGAN (Farmer and Stock-raiser and County Assessor, Post-office, Kearney). Among the officials of Clay county L. A. Logan, the subject of the present sketch, is deserving of more than a passing notice. Though only having been elected to his present office in 1882, sufficient time has elapsed to judge of his ability for the position to whicii he was chosen, and doubtless the people of this county will show their ap- preciation of his services by electing him to discharge the duties of this office for another term when it becomes necessary to do so. He is a Kentuckian by birth, having been born Juue 17, 1832, in Shelby county. After leaving there in 1857, he came to Missouri, but sub- sequently went to Colorado and Montana where he remaiaded until 1866, then returning to Platte count}'. Mo. In 1872 he took up his home in Clay county and here, on the 18tii of January, of that year, he was married to a daughter of one of the old pioneers of Clay county. Miss Jennie E. Duncan, whose father was Alexander Dun- can. They have been blessed with four children, one of whom, how- ever, is deceased, Mary Ann. Those living are Gwathmey P., Matt. D. and A3'tchmonde. When Mr. Logan came to this county he settled on 80 acres of land, but in 1879 moved to the place on which he now lives. 'Here, in addition to his agricultural pursuits, he is occupied to some extent in the stock business, more esjiecially in the breeding of short horn cattle. His landed estate embraces some 300 ;icres. He and his wife are members of the Mount Gilead Christian Church. JOHN S. MAJOR (Fanner, Fine Stock-Raiser and Casliier of the Ivearney Bank, Kearney). Mr. Major, in addition to his duties as cashier of the Savings Bank, is interested on his farm near this place in breeding and raising fine stock of different kinds. His interest in stock includes horses, cattle and hogs, and he deals to a considerable extent in all of these. He makes a specialty of Pure Bates and Bates Topped short horns cattle, of which he has some unusually fine re|)reseiit:itives. His other stock also are generally of superior grades and his experience with fine stock HISTORY OF CLAV COUNTY. 483 mid ill the stock business, ceiieraily, has been one of success and en- tire satisfaction. Mr. Major became identified with the Kearney Bank on its fix'st organization. Indeed, he was one of its original .stockholders and was instrumental in organizing the bank. It was organized in 1882, with a paid-up stock of $10,000, and has since had an entirely prosperous career. It has ever since paid an annual divi- dend of 25 per cent. It is cue of the well-conducted, substantial bank- ing institutions of the county, and is the onlj^bank at this place. Mr. Major is a native of Clay county, born in this township February 22, 18.52. His father was Dr. Herman S. Major, a leading and success- ful physician of this part of the county, originally from Kentucky, but now deceased. Dr. Major was also extensively engaged in farm- ing and stock-raising and was prosperous. He gi'aduated at the Louis- ville Mefjical College in 1850, and came to this county the following 3'ear. The same year of his graduation he was married to Miss Mary L. Swearingen, of an old and highly respected Kentucky family. The Doctor died here in 18G9. His widow, Mrs. Major, is still living and i-esiding on the old family homestead near Kearne}'. They had a family of nine children : Charles S., a farmer of Clinton county ; Will- iam W., now in the bank at Kearney ; Mary R., a twin sister to Will- iam W., and the wife of R. E. Bevins : Slaughter G., a farmer of this county, with whom his mother resides on the old homestead ; Susan Y., a twin sister to Slaughter G. ; Sallie B., Reuben H., Hermonetta, now deceased, and John S. John S. was reai'ed in this county and educated at Kentucky Military Institute, near Frankfort, Ky., and at William Jewell College, of Liberty. In 187(5 he was married to Miss Jennie Anderson, a daughter of Joseph and Mary Anderson, who came to this county from Clark county, Ky., in 1843. The father died here in 1859. Mr. and Mrs. Major have one child and have lost one. SLAUGHTER G. M.UOR (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Kearney). Mr. Major was born in this county in July, 1860, and was the fifth in the family of children of Herman and Mary Major, reference to whom is made in the sketch of John S. Major, another son of theirs, which precedes this. Slaughter G. was reared on the farm and re- ceived his primary education in the common schools. In 1878, at the age of 18, he entered William Jewell College, in which he took a course of three years, graduating in the class of '81. Besides taking a general English and classical course, he graduated in German and French. After his graduation he returned to the farm where he was reared, and resumed farming and stock-raising, to which he was brought up. He has continued occupied with these industries ever since that time. He and his brother, Reuben, and their sister, Sarah B., remain at home with their mother, their father having previously died. Mr. Major is at the head of the afl'airs of the farm and is showing nuirked good judgment and enterprise in its management. The place contains 240 acres and is well improved. He has about 484 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 75 head of good cattle on the phice aside from a small herd of short horns and other stock, and he feeds annually for the markets about 40 head of beef cattle and a larger number of hogs. The younger brother, Reuben, is now completing his course at college. ZENAS F. MILBOURN (Proprietor of the Kearney Livery, Feed aad Sales Stables, Kearney). Mr. Milbourn has a first-class establishment in the livery line, in-, eluding a capacious and neatly built stable and a full stock of riding and driving horses and buggies, carriages, drummers' wagons, etc. He has been in this line of business some years and has had a suc- cessful experience as a liver^'man. His stables have an established reputation and a patronage which is steadily increasing in extent and profit. Mr. Milbourn is a native of Maryland, born July 4, 1848. His fatlier was Zenas F. Mill)ourn, Sr., formerly of Virginia, and his mother's maiden name was Adeline C. Marcellus. She was i)orn and reared in Marj'land. Mr. Milbourn Sr., went from Loudoun county, Va., to Maryland, where he was married, in Baltimore, to Miss Mar- cellus, a young lad}' of French descent. After some 3'ears' residence in Maryland he returned to Virginia. During the war he served in Co. A, Eighth Virginia regiment, and was wounded at Ball's Bluff, October 21, 1861, by which he was disabled for the service, and thereafter returned home. He is still living in Virginia but his wife died in 1856. Of their family of children three are living. Zenas F. Milbourn was reared in Virginia and in 1861 entered the Southern army. He was a member of Mosby's command and was out until the close of the war. Just before the lireaking out of the war he had begun to learn the shoemaker's trade, and after the war he finished his apprenticeship at Baltimore. In 1868 Mr. Milbourn, Jr., removed to Ohio, where he followed his trade a year and then came to Mis- souri, working at difierent points until 1870, when he came to Clay county. Here he worked at his trade until 1878, and then engaged in the livery business at Kearney in partnership with Z. M. Tapp. Five years later he sold his interest in the stable aud built the one he now occupies, where he has ever since been engaged in the business. June 23, 1871, he was married to Miss Mary L. Peper, a daughter of William Peper, of Mason county, K}'. Mr. and Mrs. Milbourn have one child, Zenas F., Jr. They lost one child in infancy. Mr. Mil- bourn has a good farm of 180 acres, where he is engaged in raising fine short horn cattle. Mr. and Mrs. M. are members of the Christian Church. REV. GEORGE W. MITCHELL (Christian Union Minister, Holt). Rev. Mr. Mitchell's father's family was one of the early families to settle at Independence, in Jackson county. They remained there, however, only a short time, removing thence to Lafayette county, where they resided for a ()eriod of about 25 years. The father, HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 485 Benjamin F. Mitchell, was a fanner and carpenter, and removed from Kentucky to this State. After farming some years in Lafa3'ette county, he made his residence at Lexington. But in 1866 he re- moved to Haynesvillc, in Clinton county, where lie resided until his death, which occurred at the age of 70, in 1877. The mother, the wife of Mr. Mitchell, Sr., preceded her husband to the grave in 1860. She was a Miss Margaret Franklin before her marriage. At her death there were five children, including the subject of this sketch, who was about 17 years of age. He was born in Lafa3-ette county in 1842. As his parents shortly removed to Lexington, he had the advantages afforded by the schools of that place, and received a good general English education. However, at the age of 18 he went to work at the blacksmith's trade, which he afterwards followed for some six or seven years. In 1866 he engaged in general merch;indising at Haynes- villc, remaining in business there for about 13 years. Mr. Mitchell then removed to Holt, and became a menxber of the firm of Mitchell & Huffaker, general merchants, with which he has ever since been connected. He has long been a meuiber of the Christian Union Cinirch, and in 1875 he felt that it was his duty to prepare himself for the ministry and exert whatever power and influence in the pulpit he might have for the highest and best interest of humanity, the salva- tion of souls. He accordingly studied the Scriptures thoroughly, and informed himself in general theology, particulai'ly the theology and polity of his own church, and in 1876 he was licensed to preach. Two years later, Mr. Mitchell was regularly ordained a preacher of the Gospel. Ever since becoming a licentiate of the church he has been an active i)reacher, and has done much good for the cause of religion and of the church. In 1864, Mr. ^Mitchell was married to Miss Josephine Harris, a daughter of Solomon Harris, a farmer of the vicinity of Excelsior Springs. Mr. M. and his good wife are blessed with a family of ten children. Mr. Mitchell has a good farm of 120 acres on the Clay and Clinton county line. Ho is a member of the A. F. and A. M., including the Royal Arch Chapter, and is a member of the school board at Holt. At a series of revival meetings, held by Jlr. Mitchell in 1883, and extending over a period of 47 days, 35 at Haynesville, and 12 at Holt, no less than 160 converts were made. A. NETHERTON f Manufacturer of anil Dealer in Saddles, Harness, Etc., Kearney). Mr. Netherton was born in Jefferson county, Ky., Octoi)er 18, 1830, .-tnd was the youngest in a family of five children of John and Betsey (Wells) Netherton, both of Maryland. They came to Kentucky in an early da}', and the father is still a resident of that State, in Bullitt county. The mother died in 1884. Mr. Netherton's grandfather was a physician by profession and served in the War of 1812. They leared a family of five children : Eliza, wife of William Hall, now de- ceased, his witlow being a resident of Louisville, Ky. ; William, a farmer of Kentucky ; Richard, a farmer of Callawav county. Mo. ; 486 HISTORV OF CLAY COUNTY. Jiimes, a fiiriner of Kentucky, and the subject of this sketch. Mr. Netherton attended the common schools until he was about 16 yeai-s of age and then began to learn, the saddle and harness-maker's trade. In 1856 he came to Missouri and first located at Parkville, then in Platte City, and in 1858 at Plattsburg. He reniainded at the latter place until 1861, when he went into the Confederate Army under Col. John T. Hughes, becoming a member of Co. K, Hughes' regiment and Gen. Platte's division. He was in the engagements at Carthage, Wilson's Creek, Dry ^Yood and Lexington, and in the early l)art of 18(52 went to Clinton, where he engaged in farming near that place, but times became so critical there that he came to Haynesville, in Clinton county, where he worked at his trade until 1864. He then went to Indiana, and was married there in March, 1865, to Miss Eliza HoUingsworth, a daughter of Elias Hollingsworth, a farmer of Marion county, Ind. In 1867 Mr. Netherton removed to Centreville, Mo., now Kearney, and has made this his home ever since. He has a good trade ill the saddle and harness business, and keeps an excellent assortment of goods on hand. Mrs. Netherton\is a lady of great energy and ex- cellent business qualifications, but no less refined, and of agreeable, winning manners. While her husband attends to his saddle and har- tiessmaking business she, with commendal)le industry', keeps a neat hotel at Kearney, which has a good patronage and is doing well. It is the only hotel in the place. But although without competition she keeps it with as much determination to excel as if there were any number of competing houses in the place. A. L. NORFLEET, M. D. (Physician and Surgeon, Kearney) . Dr. Norfleet is a young physician who has been to more than ordi- nary labor and expense in the acquisition of his professional education, having started out with the determination to qualify himself thoroughly for his calling. He was principally reared in Lafayette county, this State, and at the age of 20 began the study of medicine under Dr. J. B. Wood, of Waverly. Subsequently he took regular courses at the St. Louis Medical College, and graduated with marked credit in the class of '81. He afterwards practiced medicine in Lafayette county until early in 1882, when lie located at Kearney. Here he has ever since resided and practiced his profession, except most of the year 1883, when absent attending medical lectures, either at New York or Philadelphia. He attended medical college at both of those cities for the purpose, as stated al)ove, of acquainting himself with the most ad- viuiced learning in his profession in the Eastern States. Returning thence to Kearney, he resumed his practice here, and has already suc- ceeded in taking a leading position among the most prominent physi- cians of the count}'. Hois highly esteemed at Kearney, personally as well as professionally. On the 18th of January, 1858, Dr. Nor- ilcet was born in Miller county, Mo. He was the eighth in a family often children of Larkin and Frances (Gaw) Norfleet, who came to HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 487 Missouri from Kentucky in about 1854, and located in Miller county. In 18G5 they removed to Johnson county, and four years later to Lafaj'ette county, where they now reside. Dr. Xoi-fleet is a_well known and much esteemed minister of the M. E. Church South. CAPT. WILLIAM H. PENCE (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Kearney) . Among the old and highly respected citizens of Clay county whose lives form the woof and warp of the history of the county, is the sub- ject of the present sketch. Capt. Pence, now a man in his sixtieth year, has been a resident of the county almost continuously from childhood. His parents, Adam and Annie (Snell) Pence, came to this county from Kentucky as early as 1825. They located three miles west of Liljerty, where the father entered land and improved a farm. He subsequent!}' returned to Kentucky with his family and re- mained a short time, after which he l)ought land near Kearney and settled here permanently. He became a successful farmer and a large land-owner, and is still living at the advanced age of 81. His good wife, 80 years of age, is also living. Seven of their famil}' of eleven children are now themselves the heads of families, and all but two, Josiah and Doniphan, residents of this State. The latter reside in Kentucky, and Doniphan has been sheriff of Nelson county for ai)out seven years. In an early day, the father followed the distilling business for somej^ears, but farming was his permanent occupation. Capt. Pence was born in Scott county, Ky., in 1825. Reared, how- ever, in Clay county. Mo., he entered the army, under Doniphan, for the Mexican War, and participated in the exiiedition to Santa Fe, El Paso, Chihuahua, and on down to Monterev, where a junction was formed with Gens. Taylor and Wood. After the war, Capt. Pence came home b\' New Orleans with the other Missouri volunteers. lu 1849 he went to California, and was successfully engaged in trading for several years, l)ut met with a reverse that more than offset all the profits of the business. He was a regular trader, engaged principally in supplying different mining districts wnth goods from Sacramento or San Francisco by pack-mule transportation, something after the fashion of the merchants in the Land of the Pyramids, only they use camels to transport their goods, and call their trains "caravans." On one of these expeditions to a mining district in the northern part of Cali- fornia, Capt. Pence had a train of about 20 i)ack mules, loaded with goods, and when away up in the mountains a heavy snow storm came on, the snow finally becoming so dee[t that travel was impossible. Being thus snow-bound, the snow continued to fall until it became al)ont fifteen feet deep. There was no hope of it passing off before starvation would overtake the train. Still Capt. P. and his assistants resolutely fought against fate until their packmules were all either starved or frozen to death. Seeing a like fate staring them in the face, themselves, they improvised each a set of snow shoes, and, abandoning everything, made their wav on foot to the nearest settle- 26 488 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. ment, after indescribable suffering from cold and liunger. Capt. Pence's loss was about $7,000. After that he was, of course, com- pelled to quit the busiui^ss as a trader, but still having a little means left he engaged in a small way in stock trading in the Sacramento Valley, where he owned a ranch and some stock. But in 1852 he sold out in California and returned to Clay county. Here, the following year, he was married to Miss Dinitia Estes, a daughter of Henry and Lucinda (Cronin) Estes, who came here from Virginia in about 1820. Mr. Estes was one of the party who laid off the town of Liberty! Capt. Pence, after his marriage, resided on a farm in Platte county that he owned for about a year, and then returned to Clay county, where he has ever since made his home. He has a good farm of 300 acres, all well improved, and raises considerable stock, including some thoroughln-ed short horn cattle. He also deals in stock to some ex- tent. In 1861 Capt. Pence entered the Southern army under Gen. Price, becoming captain of Co. C, of Col. Thompson's regiment, where he served a term of about six months. Subsequently he returned home, and for a time was a member of a company of paw-paw militia, organized in the county, to prevent the Kansas jayhawkers from rob- bing and plundering the people. In 1871 Capt. Pence had the mis- fortune to lose his first wife. To his present wife he was married in 1880. She was a Miss America Smith, a daughter of Hon. J. M. Smith, an attorney of Buchanan county, but who was murdered by the Home Guard on his return home from St. Joseph in 1864. Capt. Pence has held the oiEce of road overseer for the past 29 j'ears, and is a Mason of long and honorable standing. He has been treas- urer of the lodge at Kearney for the past eight years. Eight of his family of children are living, and one deceased, the latter having been Lucinda, the wife of Edward Miller. The Captain and wife are mem- bers of the Christian Chui'ch. A. W. PIPES CFarmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Kearney). The fifth in a family of ten children, Mr. Pipes was born in Mercer county, Kentucky, February 19, 1828. His father was Nathaniel Pipes, and his mother's maiden name, Margaret Harmon. Both his grandf.ithers, John Pipes and John Harmon, were soldiers in the Revolutionary War under Washington. The Pipes were of English descent and settled in North Carolina. The Harmons were of German extraction and settled in Pennsylvania. Mr. Pipes was reared in Mercer county, Kentucky, and continued to reside there after he grew up until LS55, when he came to Missouri to locate a land claim. In the meantime he had taught school in Kentucky for several years, and afterwards also followed merchandising at Mitchellsburg, l)cing also postmaster at that place. After locating and securing some valuable lands in Missouri and Kansas, he returned to Kentucky and engaged in dealing in hogs and corn quite extensively, in which he had good success. In 1856 he was married to Miss Rachel Brand, a dauirhtcr HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 480 of James A. eitig satisfied with the country, he soon afterwards returned to Missouri and bought the farm where he now resides, in Clay county. He has a good farm and deals in cattle and hogs, and mules and horses. Mr. and Mrs. Pipes have seven children : Alouzo L., Laura K., wife of James W. England, James N. (Nat), Obie S., Mary L., Lizzie M. and Iniogene. Two others died in infancy. Botli parents are members of the Christian Churcii,and Mr. P. is a member of the A. F. and A. M. ABNER J. PORTER (Farmer, Post-olRci:', Keariie}). Mr. Porter commenced life for himself as a brick-mason while yet a youth, and after learning tiiat trade worked at it a number of vears. Finally, however, after the Civil War he turned his attention to farm- ing and has been principally engaged in farming and stock-raising ever since. He is a native of Virginia, born in Orange county in 1827. He was the second in a family of ten children of Samuel S. and Marj' A. (Becker) Porter, both of old Virginia families. They came to Missouri in 1843 when Abner J. was about sixteen years of age. They settled in Clay county, and here the father became a prosperous farmer. He owned at one time aljout 600 acres of land. Mr. Porter, Sr., died in 1875, at the age of 80 years. His wife died in 1864, at the age of 61. Both were meml)ers of the Baptist Church. Seven of their family of children are still living. Al)ner J. Porter began learning the brick trade in 1848, and worked at it until he enlisted in the State Guard in 1861. In the meantime, in 1849, he was married to Miss Susan Dykes, a daughter of John and Susan Dykes, formerly of Kentucky, and who came to Clay county in 1827. Of this union were born nine children: George, John W., Benjamin D., Abner J., Emerson, Shearly S., Mary S., wife of L. B. Keas, and Alice and Nettie, the last two deceased. The mother of these died in 187.3. She was a member of the Christian Church. To his present wife Mr. Porter was married in 1880. She was a Miss Sarah J. Lafore, daugh- ter of William Lafore. She is also a member of the Christian Church, as is likewise Mr. Portfer himself. Mr. Porter owns about 550 acres of land in two places. His home place contains 395 acres and is well improved. Mr. Porter is a prominent farmer and stock-raiser, and is one of the highly respected citizens of the northern part of the county. LEWIS O. RILEY (Farmer and Fine Stock Raiser, Post-office, Kearney). Mr. Riley's father, Alfred M. Rilc}', who died in this county about three years ago, was one of the old and well respected citizens of the 490 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. (bounty. He came here from Kentucky in 1830, and was a farmer by occupation. He also taught school for many years, and took a warm interest in the cause of education and in church matters. He was an elder in the Mt. Gilead Church for about 40 years. Elder Riley was twice married. His first wife, who was a Miss Lucy J. Tapp (the mother of the subject of this sketch), died in 1849, leaving eight children, five of whom ai"e living. His second wife was a Miss Ann Morris. Of this union four children of the six are living. Lewis O. Riley, the subject of the present sketch, was born on the farm near - Kearney in 1839. In 1861 he entered the Southern army under Gen. Price, and was in the infantrj' service for al)out six months. About this time he was married to Miss Isaljelle Smith, a daughter of George and Mary (Harris) Smith, of Clay county. After his mar- riage Mr. Riley settled down to farming on a tract of 200 acres of land given him by his father. He has ever since been actively en- gaged in the duties connected with his farm. For a number of years he has made something of a specialty of stock, particularly fine short horn cattle, of which he has a handsome herd. Mr. R.'s farm now contains 326 acres, and is one of the most comfortable homesteads to be found in this part of the country. Mr. Riley is a member of the Clay County Short Horn Association, and is in every sense an enter- prising, go-ahead agriculturist. Mr. and Mrs. Riley have seven ciiildren : Mar}', Annie, Gertrude, Arthur, George A., William S. and Charles A. They have lost four, including Horace, who died, at the age of twenty years, last spring. The others, Lucy, Lizzie and Lewis, died in childhood. J. D. SAUNDERS (Dealer ia Furniture and Undertaker's Goods, Kearney). Mr. Saunders came out to Missouri in 1882 from Virginia, where he had been engaged in the furniture and undertaking business, and set- tled in Kearney. A 3'oung man of limited education but of business qualifications, he was employed by Mr. James T. Riley, of Liberty, this county, to manage and carry on his branch store in that line in the town of Kearney. He carries a full line of furniture and all kinds of undertaker's goods required at this market. j\Ir. Saunders has a good run of custom, especially in the furniture line. In the under- taker's line his trade is all that could be expected, considering the health and longevity of the peo[)le in and around Kearney. He was born in Franklin county, Va., Ai)ril 19, 18.52, and was the eldest of nine children of John Q. and Nancy S. (Webster) Saunders, his fa- ther of an old Virginia family but his mother of Pennsylvania descent. The family came to Missouri in 1880 and settled in Callaway county, near Mexico, where the}' now reside. The father eritered the South- ern army in 1862 and served throughout the war without receiving a wound, notwithstanding he participated in the battles of Gettysburg, Vicksburg, Seven Pines, Petersburg and others. Mr. Saunders, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the common schools, and at HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 491 Greenville and Tusculum College, East TeinicssGe, in the latter of which he spent two years. He commenced life for himself at the car- penter's trade, which he followed until 1867, or for a period of about ten years. He then engaged in the furniture and undertaking Ijusi- ness, which he followed until 1882 at Rocky Mount, Va. Thence he came to Missouri, as stated above. In 1878 Mr. Saunders, Jr., was married to Miss Ellen Hurt, a daughter of Joel L. and Sallie Hurt, of Bedford county, Va. Mrs. Sauuders' father died in 1878. Her mother is still living, a resident of that county. Mr. and Mrs. Saunders have two children, William D. and Lawrence Cleveland. Mrs. S. is a member of the M. E. Church. WILLIAM SEYMOUR (With Bradley & Co., Dealers in Hardware, Agricultural Implements, Etc., Kearney;. Mr. Seymour is of English-Scotch parentage, and was born in Jef- ferson county, N. Y., July 8, 1842. His father, Calvin Seymour, a native of England, was a wealthy farmer and prominent citizen of Jefferson county. The mother was a Miss Almyra McKnight before her marriage, originally from Scotland. Each came to the United States at an early age, and after they grew up were married in New York. The father "died in 1859, at the age of 70 years ; the mother in 1860, at the age of 60 years. Both were members of the Presby- terian Church. The father was also a jjrominent ofBcer in the Masonic Order. He was a member of the Old Line Whig party, and a great admirer of that prince of statesmen, "Harry of the West." William Seymour was reared in Jefferson county and concluded his education at Watertown Academy, where he spent four years, graduating in the class of '59. He then commenced an apprenticeship at the tinner's trade, in which he continued until the war broke out. Early in 1861 he enlisted in Co. A, Ninety-fourth New York infantry, and was at once ordered South. He served throughout the war. He took part in the first battle of Bull Run, where he was wounded. In 1863 he was transferred to the Twentieth New York cavalry, and at the close of the war was orderly sergeant of his comp:iny. Mr. Seymour took part in a number of the principal battles of the war, including the second battle at Manassas, the battle at Cedar Creek, and the one at Alda. He was also present at the surrender of Lee at Appomattox. After the close of the war he returned to New York, and in 1873 came West as far as Frankfort, Ky., where he worked at his trade. Afterwards he went to Dayton, Ohio, where he had charge of a tin- ware and stove house, and in 1877 he went to Ft. Smith, Ark., where he was also engaged in the tinware and stove business. Three years afterwards he came to Missouri, locating at Smithville, and in 1884 he came to Kearney, where he engaged in his present business with Mr. Bradley. Their business has already been described in Mr. Bradley's sketch, which appears on a preceding page. In 1873 iSIr. Seymour was married to Miss Fannie Partridge, a daughter of Charles Partridge, formerly of England. Mr. and Mrs. S. have five children : 492 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. Reuben, Peal, Fannie, Charles and Maiy. Mrs. S. is a member of the Episcopal Church. P. TAPP SOPER CFarmer, Post-otBce, Kearney) . Mr. Soper was the eighth in a famiiv of thirteen children of Benj- amin and Nancy (Tapp) Soper, the father a native of Maryland, but the mother born and reared in Kentucky. They were married in Kentnck}' and came to Missouri in 1830, settling in Clay county, where the father followed farming and carpentering, liaving been brought up to the first occupation and being a natural mechanic. He lived a worthy and respected life in this county and died in 1877, at the age of 81. He had served as justice of the peace for about tweutj^-five years and had always taken a warm interest in public scliools, being for many 3'ears an active and useful member of the district school board. 'Squire Soper was of German descent, though the family had long been settled in this country. His wife died in 1879, at the age of 78. Both were members of the Primitive Baptist Ciiurch. Their children were Almedia, Louisiana, Martha E., Ann M., Almilda, John L., Fannie E., James \V., P. Tapp, Emeline, Nannie N., Benjamin F. and Alfred B. Five of the al)ove are deceased, Almedia, Ann M., John L., James W. and Nannie N. John L. was murdered by an assassin from ambush at the age of 50 j^ears. He was out in his barn- yard feeding stock at nightfall and was shot down in cold lilood. The mystery of his murder was never unraveled, although the greatest efforts were made to ferret out the crime, both by the unfortunate man's relatives and the public authorities. This, at least, has proved one exception to the often-quoted couplet of Dryden : — " Murder may pass unpunished for a time, But tardy justice will o'ertake the crime." Tiie difficulty that rendered investigation little less than hopeless was that Mr. Soi)er was not known to have a personal eneni}'. Some years l)efore he had been quite dissipated, but had fully reformed and long prior to the time of his death had worthily established the repu- tation of being one of the most stead}^ quiet and exemphuy citizens of the community. He was a man of marked intelligence and great energy and was rapidly coming to the front as one of the representative men of the eouuty. The mystery of his murder will probably never be made clear to those who knew him in life, and to whom his sad and untimely taking-olf was a great bereavement, until the light of the Judgment Day, which is to reveal all things, shall come ; then the fate of the murderer will be sadder and far more pitiable in proportion, as the tortures of tiie lost exceed the ills of this life, than that which overlook Mr. Soper on the fatal night of his death. P. Tapp Soper, the subject of this sketch, was born in this county, July 11, 1835. He was reared on his father's farm, and afterwards continued farming as his regular occupation, enirajjinsj also in raisins; and handling stock. HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 493 Mr. Soper is now coiiifortahh' situated on a good farm of over 100 acres. In Deceniher, 18()1, he enlisted in the Southern service at Lex- ington, Mo., becoming a member of an infantry regiment in the Mis- souri State Guard. Six months hiter, after the expiration of his term of State Guard service, he enlisted in the regular Confederate army and continued in the army until the close of the war, being paroled at Shreve[)ort, La., June IG, 1805. After his first six months' term he was under Gen. Shell)\', and during his entire service participated in no less than forty-two euiragements, and had two horses killed under him, but never himself received a wound. In how many instances, alas ! was the reverse of his experience true. How often it was the case that one horse bore different riders, even on one field of battle, Mhere the brave rcinsmen, one after another, fell, whilst the gallant war-horse which bore them passed through the battle unhai-med ! After the war Mr. Soper returned home and resumed farming. In 186(i he was married to Miss Georgic Cook, a daughter of James and Lucy Cook, formerly of Kentucky. Her father died in 1841, and her mother afterwards became tlie wife of Col. Moses Hul)bard, who also is now deceased. The mother made her home with Mrs. Soper until her death, which occurred in 1878. Mr. and Mi\s. S. have seven children, James M., Mary L., Nannie S., Fannie M., Alexander C, Dollie and Lida M. Thej' have lost four in infanc}'. Both parents are members of the Christian Church. JOHN V. STROETER (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-offlce, Kearney). Mr. Stroeter is one of those thrifty, intelligent German-American citizens, almost invariably law-abiding and useful to the community where they live, who came over to this country when young men, without means and for the purpose of establishing themselves com- fortably in life by honest industry and attending strictly to their own business. This is his record here exactly. He was born in Prussia in 1835, and was one of a large family of chihireu. After receiving a partial education in his native countrjs he came to the United States in his seventeenth year and made his home in Wisconsin. There, for several years, he worked on a farm during the cropping seasons as a laborer at six dollars a mouth, with board, washing and mending in- cluded, and during the winters he worked for his board, nights and mornings and of Saturdays, and attended school during the balance of each week. His parents, Emanuel and Maria (Kajstner) Stroeter, came over in 1854 with their family, and soon afterwards he went to live svith them. But in 18(50 he started out for himself as a farmer, and five years later he removed to Madison county, 111. Mean- time, in 1860, he was married to Miss Elizal)eth Mueller, a daughter of Conrad and Anna Mueller from Hesse-Darmstadt. Mr. Stroeter continued to reside in Illinois until 1S82, when he came to Clay county and bought the farm where he now resides, one of the hand- somest farms in this part of the county. It contains 214 acres and 494 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. is well impi'oved, including a fine brick residence, one of the best barns in the county and other betterments to correspond. Mr. and Mrs. Stroeter have seven children: Edward, Araelie (wife of George Mueller), Ida, Henry, George, Emma and William. Mr. and Mrs. S. are members of the Evangelical Church. T. G. TEANEY (Farmer, Post-office, Kearney). October 1, 1825, was the date of Mr. Teaney's advent into this life, and the place of his birth was in Montgomery county, Va. His parents wore Samuel Teaney and Johannah (Dobbins) Teaney, who were both born and reared in the Old Dominion, and were married there in 1821. The father was a wagon maker l)y trade, and by de- scent of German stock. In 1837 they sUirted to Missouri, but stopped two years on the way in Tennessee and six years in Kentucky, finally locating in Henry county, this State, in 1843. There the father died the following September, and the mother in the fall of the next year. The father had been a soldier in the Mexican war. They left a family of eight children, six of whom are living. T. G. Teaney started out for himself before reaching his majorit}' and came to Platte county, where he worked as a farm hand for aliout two 3'ears. He was then married in 1847 to Miss Nancy, a daughter of Samuel and Phojbe Ann Wiley, formerly of Madison county, Kentucky. After his mar- riage Mr. Teaney located on a farm in Buchanan county, where he continued six years. He then removed to the vicinity of Weston, in Platte county. For fourteen years Mr. Teaney resided near Weston. From there he came to Clay county in 18(i7. Mr. Teaney has a good farm in this county of 130 acres. His first wife died here in 1873. She had borne him ten children, all of whom are living, namely : Samuel T., Jason O., Phoebe A., wife of Abraham Shaver; Annette, wife of Marshall Baker, John A., Margaret, James M., Mary F., Charles D. and AVilliam H. In 1879 Mr^Teaney was married to his pi'esent wife, whose maiden name was Elizal)eth Cave, a daughter of Urial and Susan Cave. She had been married to D. T. Duncan, who died in 1873. Both her parents are also deceased. She had five children by her first marriage : Lizzie, wife of Dr. W. L. Porterfield ; Sarah, wife of Charles I\liddaugh ; Rose, wife of Madison Eaton, Susie and Urial, the latter of whom died three years ago, in his twen- ty-seventh 3'ear. Mr. and Mrs. Teane}' are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. T. served in the Mexican War. THOMAS WAGY (Farmer, Stock-raiser and Feeder, Post-office, Kearney). Mr. Wagy became a citizen of Clay county. Mo., in 1869, when he removed here from Adams county. 111., which had been bis home for many years. He has since lived in this county and has become thor- oughly identified with its interests, ever lending his aid and influence HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 495 ill promoting its prosperity and advancement. A warm friend of the pulilic school system, he has ably and staunchly advocated and sup- ported such measures as would tend to the betterment and promulga- tion of school facilities in this State, and especially in the community in which he lives. His parents were Henry W. Wagy, a farmer by occupation and Virginian by birth, and Eleanor (Stone) Wagy, originally of Oliio. They were married in the latter State, and in 1830, leaving there, settled in Adams county, 111., which continued to be their home during life. The father died June 4, 1.S79, and his widow January 13, 1881. There were eiglit cliildren iiitiie parental fam- ily, of whom Thomas was the third. He was born in Licking county, Ohio, Feliriuiry 22, 1830, and was very young when taken to Adams county. 111., where he spent his 3'outh and early manhood, receiving such education as could be obtained from the limited common schools. Farming occupied his time and attention (and in which he was very successful) until his marriage October 24, 1850, in Pike county. 111., when Miss Martha Decker became his wife. Siie was a daughter of Moses and Midinda Decker, nee Boren, of Pike county, where she herself was born, reared and educated. The fruits of this union were six children : Jasi)er, Ellen, wife of John G. Hassel, a farmer in this county; Mary, wife of E. J. Shouldis ; Park, married Miss Minnie Rol)inson and is proprietor of a livery and feed stable at Law- son, Eay county. Mo. ; Nevada and Albert Jasper, those unmarried l)eing still at home with their parents. His present homestead con- tains 200 acres of improved land, upon which is a neat residence, be- sides other substantial buildings, and here he is actively engaged in agricultural pursuits. He is a member of the A. F. and A. M. Mrs. Wagy is a member of the M. E. Church. PLEASANT WILHOIT (OfWilhoit Bros. & Giinvtt, Dealers in Genoral Merchandise, Kearney). Mr. Wilhoit began merchandising in April, 1882, at Holt, and has continued in that line of business ever since. The present firm have been quite successful at merchandising, considering the time in which they have been engaged in it, and their house now takes rank among the leading establishments in their line at Kcarne^'. Their customers include many of the best and most substantial citizens of the vicinity, and their trade is almost altogether for cash. They have quite a large custom, and are doing an excellent business. All the members of the firm are gentlemen of recognized standing for business integrity and enterprise, and they have the entire confidence of the public. Prior to engaging in merchandising Mr. Wilhoit taught school for a number of years and then followed farming. He was educated at Plattsburg and in Greenville, at which places, together, he attended school after taking the usual common-school course, for about three years. He followed teaching continuously for about eight years, except for one year, during which he was in the Southern array. In 18()4 he was un- der Capt. Cundiff, of Shanks' brigade, and served until the close of 496 HISTORY or clay county. the war. In 1869 Mr. Wilhoit located on a farm -in Clay county, which he owned, and was afterwards engaged in farming for about thirteen years, or until he began merchandising. Mr. Wilhoit was born in this county, November 6, 1835, and was a son of Andrew Wilhoit, referred to in a sketch of David Wilhoit, which follows this. Pleasant Wilhoit was reared on the farm and was brought up to active industry in farm-work, learning fully all the details of agri- cultural life. He attended the neighborhood schools, and at the age of 20 began his high school course. In 1873 he was married to Miss M. E. Snody, an adopted daughter of Uncle Dick Clark, her fathei having died when she was infancy. " Uncle " Dick Clark was an uncle of her mother's. Mr. and Mrs. Wilhoit have three children : Luther Elmer, Walton Hugh and Minnie Emma. Two are deceased: Leila and Maude S. Both parents are members of the M. E. Church, Mr. W. having been a member ever since he was 16 years of age ; he now holds the ofSce of deacon in the church. He is also a member of the Masonic Order. DAVID L. WILHOIT (Of Wilhoit & Bro., Geaeral Merchants, Holt). Back during the latter part of the last century, three brothers by the name of Wilhoit came to this country from Germany and settled in North Carolina. From those, it is believed, all in this country of that name have sprung. Mr. Wilhoit's grandfather, James Wilhoit, married and removed to Tennessee, where he reared a large family of children. Of his children, Andrew Wilhoit, the father of Mr. W., was born in the latter State in 1812. He grew up and removed to Missouri, where he met and was married to Miss Jane Gentry. They settled in Clay county, and here the father, a farmer by occupation, died in about 1859. Mrs. Wilhoit survived until 1877. Both were members of the M. E. Church, and the father was a class leader and deacon in the church. They had a family of 13 children, including the subject of the present sketch. David L. Wilhoit was born in Clay county in 1841, and was reared to a farm life. In early man- hood he engaged in farminsj for himself, and in a few years in raising stock. Mr. Wilhoit continued on the farm until 1883, when he and his brother, Preston, formed a partnership, and established a general store at Holt. Their venture i)roved a success, and they are doing a good business. Mr. W. still owns his farm, which he has rented out. In 1864 he was married to Miss Eliza Yates, daughter of William Yates, of Clay county. They have two children, Cordelia B. and Ocie. WILLIAM WRIGHT (Farmer and Fine Stock Raiser, Post-offlce, Kearney) . Mr. Wright is a native of Ireland, and came to this country when a young man about 19 years of age, in 1863. He was born in the county Antrim, in May, 1844, and was an only child of AVilliani and Elizabeth (Hill) Wright. The father is still living, and a resident of HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 497 that county. Young Wriglit's youth, up to the age of 14, was prin- cipally spent at school. He was then employed to attend fine stock, and as a gardener in his native county, being soon afterwards made foreman on the place. Working in these employments for some five years, he learned them thoroughly, and became a skillful and well qualified handler of fine stock, becoming also an e.xcellent judge of stock. After coming to the United States he continued work as a fine stock man, obtaining employment in New Jersey. Five years later he came as far West as Kentucky, where he worked at the same busi- ness, and in 1883 he removed to Missouri, and bought the Emersou Green place, in Chiy county, a fine farm of 200 acres. Here he is engaged in general farming and in raising and handling stock. lu 1869 Mr. Wright was married to Miss Jane Gilbci-th, daughter of Joseph and Mary Gilberth, who came from Ireland in 1869. Mrs. Wright was born in the county Derry, Ireland, in March, 1846. Mr. and Mrs. Wright have six children : Mary E., William H., Joseph, John, Henry and Edward. He and wife are members of the Presby- terian Church. ARTHUR YATES (Farmer and Stock-dealer, Post-ofBce, Holtj . Mr Yates, although hardly vet more than entered upon the middle of life, has already established himself as one of the leading agricul- turists and stock men of the northern part of the county. His farm contains 180 acres, which is well improved and well stocked, and besides this he has four other farms, altogether aggregating over 860 acres. His farms are all well fenced and otherwise substantially im- proved, and are run principally in grass for stock purposes, tdthough he also raises enough grain and other produce for general farm uses. Now, only in his forty-third year, he started out for himself when a young man without any means, and has accumulated all he possesses by his own industry, energy and good management. Mr. Yates is also an extensive dealer in stock and buys and ships to the wholesale markets on a large scale. In this he has been very successful, and is reputed one of the best stock men in his part of the county. Mr. Yates was born on his father's farm in Kearney township, April 16, 1842, and was the sixth in a family of eight children of William L. and Elizabeth (Gow) Yates, from Mason county, Ky. They came here in 1831, and the father died September 24, 1869, at the age of sixty-six years. Mrs. Yates died in 1844. Both were members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Yates, Sr., was subsequently married twice, his second wife surviving her marriage only a short time, and leaving one daughter, Nannie. His third wife is still living. She was a Miss Rebecca Watkins. Mr. Yates, Jr., the subject of this sketch, was reared on the farm and on the 27th of November, 1862, was mar- ried to Miss Agnes Shackelford, daughter of James and Mary Schack- elford, formerly of Kentucky. Her father is deceased, but her mother is still living. Mr. Yates and wife have six children: Shelby, William, Arthur, Roy, Mabel and Jesse. Two others are deceased : Archie and Ruby. Mr. and Mrs. Y. are members of the Christian Church. CHAPTER XA'II. WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. Location and Physical Features — Hamlets of Greenville and Claysville — Early His- tory — Orgauizatiou — Mount Vernon Missionary Baptist Church — Biographical. LOCATION AND PIITSCAL FEATURES. Washington township tonus the northeastern portion of Clay county, and is composed of all of congressional township 53 and the lower tier of sections of township 54, in range 30. Much of the terri- tor3' is very broken, rough, and rocky and worthless for agricultural purposes. Many small streams, all of which ultimately run into Fish- ing river and its forks, head in the township. In many places pictur- esque bluffs are found along these streams, and the scencr\' is beautiful to look upon, but hardh* appreciated by those owning the land. The township contains but two small hamlets, Greenville and Claj'S- ville. The St. Joe branch of the Wabash Railroad runs through the northeastern corner of the township, a distance of about two miles, and Lawson, in Kay county, is the nearest station and general ship- ping point. Kearnc}^ and Holt, on the Hannibal road, give the peo- ple something of competition in the matter of railroad facilities. GreenviUe (Claytonville P. O.) is located in the southern part of the township, on Williams creek, 16 miles northeast of Liberty and about six east of Kearney. It contains a school-house, two churches (ilethodist and Christian), and about 75 inhabitants. It is one of the oldest villages in the county. ClaysviUe (Prospect Hill P. O.) is about two niiles northeast of Greenville, within half a mile of the Riy county line, and four miles south of Lawson, the nearest railroad station. It contains perhaps 50 inhabitants, or less. . EARLY HISTORY. As early as 1824 Travis Finley settled on section 2t> in this township, two miles southeast of Greenville. Archibald Mcllvaine, Stephen Bax- ter and othei-s were also early settlers. Ryland Shackelford located northwest of Greenville soon after Finley came, and Mr. Shackelford often declared that when he made his location, and for a year after- wards, there was not a white settler between him and the North Pole. (498) III.STOItV OF (;i>AV (JOtLNTY. 499 At, the Miiy Loiii oCtlio county court,, IH.'iO, Wii.-sliingloii vvjib created iirt ii municipal township out of Platte iuitl Fi.sliing rivor. The boun- diirioH were orif^inally the same, practically, as at present, the two western tiers of sections being takfsn off in 1H72 when Kearney was formed. 'I'ho boundaries as ordiwed by the county court when the township was organized were as follows : — Heginning at the point oti the county line between Ray and Clay counties where the; line between townships 52 and 53 strikes the same, thence due west along said townshij) lin(! for eight miles to the section cornfsr (m said township line between sections 34 and 35, in range 31 ; thence due north along said Hectif)n line between sections 34 and 35, ir) range 31, to the northern bonntlary line of the county. Sintrularly enough the court f)niitted to describe the northern and eastern boundaries f)f this township. They will be understood, how- ever, to have been the northern l)onn(lary of the State, and tlie liijc between Ray and (Jlay extended to tiiat boundary. It was certified to the Secretary of State that there were at least 95 taxable inhabitants in the township upon its creation. John P. Smith and Harlow Hinkston were the first justi(;es of the |)eace, John Wright the first constable, and Stephen Haxtci-, Archibald Mcllvain, and Richard Clark the first ehjction judg(!s. Tin; first election was held at the house of Steplien Baxter. MOUNT VKKNON MISSIONAItY IlAl'TIST CHURCH, local (m1 on s(!ction 15, township 53, I'aiige 30, was organized in 1857 by Rev. William Barrett. Tlu; nam(!S of the original members were Waltus L. Watkins, Mary N. Watkins, Kate Watkins, Spencer Anderson, Kitty Anderson, Mary Anderson, Rev. William C. Barrett, Jackson Garrett, L. B. Garrett, Samuel Hollingsworth, T. W. Bar- rett, Louisa Barrett, Olivia Barrett and Nancy K. Barrett. The pre- sent membership is 'i4. The names of those who have served as pas- tors are Revs. William Barrett, who filled the pulpit for thre» years, Thomas Montgomery, Asa N. Bird, J. W. Luke, G. L. Black and J. J. Fetts, who is the present pastor. This l)rick edifice was erected in 1871 at a cost of $5,000, more than one-iialf of wiiicii was contributed by Waltus L. Watkins. 500 HISTORY OF CLAY CODNTY. BIOGEAPHICAL CHESTER BETHEL (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Lawson). Notwithstiinding the great hurnih and Imbbiib raised in this State over the James boys and Clay county as an awful robl)er-infested region by a few unscrupulous journals for political efl'ect, and more interested in partisan success and capturing the offices than in the welfare and good name of the State, intelligent Northern men, both Republicans and Democrats, are constantly pouring into Missouri and making their homes upon its rich and favored lands. Clay county is no exception in this resj^ect to the other counties of the State. Large numbers of Northern men have settled in this county since the war, and within the last four, six and twelve years. Among the many others that might be referred to is the subject of the j)resent sketch. Mr. Bethel came to this county in the winter of 1871—72, and is one of the substantial farmers of the county. He has a finely improved place situated near Lawson. Besides farming in a general way, he is also engaged in i-aising stock. He was born in Jersey county. 111., June 17, 1847, and was a son of Bluford Bethel and wife, 7iee Nancy Sevmour, the father originally from Tennessee, but reared in Illinois, and the mother born and reared in that State. His father was a sub- stantial farmer of Macoupin county, and died there in August, 1875. His mother died July 28, 1858. She was a member of the Mission- ary Baptist Church. The father was a member of the A. F. and A. M. Mr. Bethel was reared in Jersey county, and was the fourth in his parents' family of eight children, five of whom are living. He was educated in Macoupin county, and after coming to Missouri in 1871, was married to Miss Emma Witt, Deceml)er 4, 1874, a daughter of Pryor and Eliza J. (Tunnel) Witt, of Greene county, 111. Mr. and Mrs. Bethel have two children : Nancy Alice and Mary Effie. Mr. B. belongs to the Order of the A. F. and A. M. ROBERT A. FORD (Farmer and Fine Stock Raiser, Post-office, Lawson). Mr. Ford is one of the self-made men of Clay county. When he was in infancy, his father died, leaving his mother with a large family of children, and no means to speak of to go upon. The children, after they had struggled along through their earlier 3'ears, and come up old enough to work, had not only to look out for theuTseives, but to assist toward providing for the family. But the mother was a true and n()l)le woman, and kept her family together during her life- time. She died in 1857, when the subject of this sketch was about HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 501 17 years of age. There were nine other children, and nine of the ten are still living. When the family came to Clay county, in 1851, Mr. F. was a lad about eleven years of age. He was here in 1861, when the war broke out, and entered the Confederate army or State Guard, under Gen. Price. After serving out his term of enlistment for six months, he returned tf) the county, and in 1863 went to Colo- rado. Three years later he came back, and has been a resident of the county ever since. He learned the occupation of farming as he grew up, and handling stock, and has made these his permanent pursuits. Starting out without anything but his industry, energy and intelli- gence, he has, nevertheless, become one of the substantial farmers and successful fine stock raisers of the county. He has a herd of 60 head of high grade cattle, and nine head of regular registered short horns. His farm is nearly all in blue grass, and is finely improved, his handsome brick residence alone costing $17,000. His place con- tains 220 acres of as fine land as there is in the county. Mr. Ford was born in Fauquier county, Virginia, March 13, 1840. His parents, Austin and Jane (Allison) Ford, were lioth i)orn and reared in that county, and after their marriage came to Missouri, in 1840, locating in Clark county, where the father died the following year. He had i)een a soldier in the War of 1812, and was a farmer by occupation. The mother, with her family of children, removed to Clay county in 1851, where she died in 1857, as stated above. October 6^ 1867, Mr. Ford, the subject of this sketch, was married Jto Miss Mary E. Story, a daughter of Thomas and Lucy A. (Baldwin) Story, of this county. Mr. and Mrs. F. have seven childi'en living, Oscar N., John T., Jesse J., Ella T., Walter N., Maggie L. and Robert A. Three others. Flora Belle, James T. and Arthur F., died at tender ages. The oldest, Oscar N., an exceptionally l)right youth, 14 3'ears of age, is al- ready an unusually accomplished penman. His work in general pen- manship, card writing, etc., equals that of manv professional penmen. RUFUS M. MAJORS (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-oftice, Lawson). Rufus M. Majors was born in Clay county, September 7, 1841. His father was Elisha Majors, formerly of Burke county. North Car- olina, and his mother's maiden name Catherine Huffaker, of Wayne county, Ky. Mr. Majors' grandfather, John Majors, a native of Maryland, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Mr. Majoi's' pa- rents were married in Wayne county, Ky., and remained there until 1837, when he removed with his family to Clay county. Mo. He made his home in this county until his death, which occurred October 24, 1878. He was a successful farmer and worthy citizen of the county. His wife died here April 27, 1876. But three of their family of eight children are living, Michael, a farmer of Vernon county, and Eliza- beth, the wife of B F. Elston, a farmer of Clinton county, being the other two, i)esides the subject of this sketch. Rufus Marion Majors was the seventh in the familv of children, and was reared on the firm 502 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. in this county. He received a district school education, and ou the 22d of August, 1880, was married to Miss Sarah M. Wilhoit, a daughter of Thomas and Mourning (Benton) Wilhoit, of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Majors are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. M. has a good farm of 270 acres, all under fence andin an excel- lent state of improvement. JUDGE ROBERT W. MIMMS (Farmer, Post-office, Holt) . The Mimms family is one of pioueer ancestry in the history of the countrj', and one not altogether without note. One of the repre- sentatives of the famil}' rendered distinguished services in the Rev- olution in the South Atlantic States, and a remembrancer of his careei* stands to this day in the shape of the ruins of Old Ft. Mimms in Georgia. Another member of the family was a gallant officer in the Northwestei'u campaign under Gen. Harrison, and Ft. Mimms, iu ^liohigau, was named in honor of his services. The family is be- lieved to have come to this country at about the tiiue of the first settlement of Jamestown or with some of the colonial immigrants to Virginia soon afterwards. From Virginia branches of the family dispersed themselves throughout most of the Southern and Western States. Judge Mimms conies of the Kentucky branch of the family. He was born in Logan county, K}'., March 20, 1830, and was a sou of John W. Mimms, whose father was one of the pioneer settlers of that State. The Judge's mother was a Miss ilary James before her marriage, originally of Goochland county, Va. The Judge's parents continued to reside iu Kentucky until 185G, when they came to Mis- souri and his father established Mimms' Hotel, at Kansas City, well known in the days of the l)order troubles as the stopping place of .thousands who passed that way going to or coming from " Bleeding Kansas." Mimms' hotel building, if it could talk, would be aide to tell many a stirring and thrilling incident of those trying and terrible times. There, under the same roof, the Red-leg and the Border- ruffian, tiie Jawhawker and the Slave-driver, the emigrant sent out by the New England Aid Society, with nothing but his black carpet-sack, his Bible and his rifle, to colonize Kansas, and the adventurous, rest- less, fearless Down-Souther, with his long hair, piercing eyes, navy revolvers and douljle-barrol shotgun, who came out to see that Kansas was uot permitted to fail into the hands of " the sniveling, negro- loving Yankee." as he always termed his New England brother, met :nid lefreshed themselves at the same board. Not unfrequently hot words of scorn and hatred were hissed at each other across the table, liut Mr. Mimms was a man of peace and without fear, and under his loof the hospitality of his house was made the protection of every guest, from wheresoever he came. North, South, East or West. The truth of history, however, compels the statement that many insulting words quietly spoken between partisans of the opposing factions who sto[)ped at Mimms' Hotel were afterwards avenged by the rifle or HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 503 shotgiui, or tlie pi^^tol or dirk, on the stakcless and lonely (jrairios of Kansas. Such were the unhappy times of that unhappy day. But through it all " Uncle John Minims," as he was known far and wide, though a Southern man and a brave and fearless one, maintained an attitude as landlord of strict impartiality, and won the respcict and atlection of all who ever pulled his welcome latch-string. He was au ordained minister of the Missionary Ba[)tist Church, and died at his home, iu April, 18(J9, profoundly mourned hy a wide circle of friends and ac(inaintances. His wife died eight years afterwards. Judge Miinms, who was the eldest iu a family of twelve children, was reared in Kentucky, and came to Missouri in 1847. He iirst resided in Cass county, l)ut came to Clay county the following year. In 1850 he went to California and spent eight years in that State, mining, etc., with varying success. Returning home' in 1858, he subsequently went to Colorado, in 1861, and was elected treasurer and collector in Park county in 18(i2. In 18(i3 he went to Montana, locating at Helena. He re[)resonted Helena in the Teri'itorial Legislature two terms, and was the author of the Sunday and High Liciense laws of the Territory. He was soon elected judge of the jjolice court of that city, a position he held for two years. In that day at Helena, not only a good knowledge of the law was reipiired of a criminal judge, but a full measure of personal courage. A judge who was suspected of having anything like fear about him would have been made the laughing stock of the place and every mining camp in the vicinity, and his court would have fallen into the most helpless and puerile contempt. His weapon of defense was the weapon of moral suasion and good will toward all men. Consctjuently, he kept the peace and adminis- teretl justice with even scall^s and without fear. As a judge and as a citizen he became one of the most wid(!ly known and [jopular men in the Territory. But in 1868 Judge Miinnis, in whose heart some of the softer sentiments had begun to steal like the rays of the morning sun at early dawn, returned to Clay county, and in a little while after- wards was made the happy husband of one whom to him was fairer than the evening air chid in the beauty of a thousand stars, and much dearer than all the rest of the constellations, with the sun, moon and Mother Terra thrown in. The Judge's wife was a Miss Martha A. Thoniason, to whom he was m;irried September 8, 1870, a daughter of Robert and Sarah (Lindsey) Thoniason. Her father was a soldier in the War of 1812, under Col. R. N. Johnson, of Kentucky. The Judge and Mrs. Minims have three children: John R. L., Mary Lizzie and Lucy Ethel. Ruth died at a tender age. The Judge and wife are members of the Missionarv Baptist Chnreli. The Judge is an energetic farmer of Washington township, and owns a neat and comfort- al)li! homestead. JOHN W. SHOUSE (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 2'J, Post-olfice, Kearney). Mr. Sliouse has had an extensive military career, in that he not only served gallantly for three years as a Confederate soldier in the War of 27 504 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 1861 under Gen. Price, but also for a time was under Gen. A. W. Doniphan in the war with Mexico. He came ordinarily from Ken- tucky, his parents, John and Sarah (Slaughter) Shouse, having also been born in that State, where they were subsequently married. In 1827, leaving the State of their ijirth, they came to Missouri and located in Clay county, where they made their home until their death; the father died in August, 1863, and the mother in 1875. John W. Shouse, the fourth in a family of six children, was born in Franklin county, Ky., April 12, 1825, and was in infancy when his parents re-» moved to Clay county. He was reared here to agricultural pursuits and received such educational advantages as the school opportunities of that early day afforded. One of the earliest settlers in the county, he has remained here ever since and his career as a tiller of the soil and private citizen has been not less creditable than his career as a soldier. His farm of 160 acres is one of the neatest places in Wash- ington township, is all under fence and has upon it good improvements. When the Civil War broke out Mr. S., imbued with patriotic enthu- siasm, organized a company for the Confederate army, of which he was made captain, which position he held until his health failing he was compelled to resign, and soon thereafter returned home. On the 1st of June, 1848, Capt. Shouse was married in Clay county to Miss Elizabeth Writsman, a daughter of Peter and Polly Writsman, nee Officer. Mrs. S. was born, reared and educated in this county. To tiiein have been born ten children, as follows : Thomas R., a farmer of this county, who married Miss Flora Lynn ; James O., who mar- ried the first time Miss Bettie Dagley ; she died October 27, 1879, and he then married Martha Whorton ; he is also engaged in farming ; Florence R., wife of William I. Price; Lola A., now Mrs. James Mo!)erly of Clinton county, Mo. ; Mary C, wife of William M. Riley ; and Jolin N., Frances M., Sarali E., Richard and Edna, who are still at home with their parents. WALTUS L. WATKINS (deceased) (Lawson Vicinity). On the 24th of January, 1884, died at his residence, in this count}', near Lawson, Waltus Locket Watkins, the subject of the j)resent sketch. The life of Mr. Watkins, as is well known to every one ac- quainted with the affairs of Clay count}', was long and prominently identified with the best interests of the county. The record of his career presents his life pre-eminently in two aspects, — one as an active and useful citizen in the business and industrial aff"airs of the county, and the other as a man of the most generous and philanthro- pic impulses, laboring at all times, when an opportunity was presented, for the spiritual, moral and educational good of the community of which he was a nuMuber. Nor were his services unimportant in either respect. As a citizen of enterprise, he stood among the first in the countv ; and in works for the social welfare of the community, he was second to none in private life. Mr. Watkins descended from a sterl- HISTOKY OF CLAY COUNTY. 505 ing race of men, with whom matters of principle were supreme to everything else ; who would stand by what they l)elieved to he right though the world were against them and fidelity brought them ruin — the brave-hearted, honest, faithful Protestants of Catholic France, the French Huguenots. His first ancestor in this country, on his mother's side. Gen. Bartholomew Dupu}', was a distinguished representative of that fearless and true sect of Frenchmen. He had been a gallant ofBcer in the French army, but on account of his Protestant faith aud his refusal to forswear it, he was driven from the army and from France. Coming thence to this country in about 1700, he located in Virginia, where ho became a prominent citizen and successful man of affairs, leaving at his death, a large family of ciiildren. To one of Gen. Dui)uy's descendants. Miss Jane Minter, Mr. Watkins' father, Benjamin Watkins, was married, in Virginia. Of this union came the subject of the present sketch, and twelve other children. After their marriage they removed to Kentnckv and settled in Woodford county, whei-e Waltus L. Watkins was born on the 30th of Octolier, 180*5. Reared in Kentucky, he remained there until he was about 25 years of age and then came to Missouri, in 1831, and settled in Liberty, Clay county. In the meantime he had learned the ma- chinist's trade in the East, and had also worked in cotton and woolen industries. It is a fact worthy of note, in passing, that he worked on the first railway locomotive ever built in the United States. After coming to Clay county he built the first cotton and woolen mill ever estal)lished in the county, and also introduced the first circular saw ever brought to the county. These were in connection with a grist mill, and his was one of the pioneer grist mills of this part of the countrj'. It was patronized by people from a distance of seventy- five miles. In 1839 he moved to the land on which the family now reside, on which he improved a fine farm, erecting a iiandsome brick dwelling and making all of his other impi'ovements of a superior class. He added to his lands from time to time by additional purchases and entry till they aggregated 5,000 acres, from which he sold several fine farms. On retiring from business he sold to his successoi's, John Watkins & Bros., 3,600 acres of fine lands, his milling property and live stock. The woolen, flouring and grist mills, now conducted by his sons, John Watkins & Bros., consisting of John H., A. Judson and Joe B. Watkins, he erected in 18(;0,"at a cost of $30,000, the largest establishment of the kind in the State, outside of the large cities. The mills have a cai)acity of three sets of cards, 1,080 spindles, 25 looms and two sets of buhrs. He was also an extensive farmer and stock-raiser, and dealt largely in stock. All these various lines of business his sons keep up. The " Watkins Mills " manufacture on an extensive scale cassimeres, flannels, jeans, blankets, yarns, etc. John Watkins & Bros, also have a fine herd of 500 head of thorough- bred and high grade short horn cattle, from which they annually sell some of the l)est representatives of that breed to be met with in the C(uintry. Mr. Watkins, their father, was for many years an earnest member of the ilt. Vernon Missionary Baptist Church, and one of its 506 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. most liberal supporters as well as a generous contributor to other churches, and the cause of education. Toward the erection of his own church Iniilding he contributed $1,200 in cash and spent the majority ot" two years working for the building and the completion of the church. He also built a comfortable and commodious brick school house near his farm, which was long used as a public school building. For the erection of other school houses and churches he contributed, from time to time, thousands of dollars. For a long time he was one of the trvistees of William Jewell College, and con- tributed largely to that institution. Mr. Watkins was for many years un earnest advocate of temperance, and even in the time of the Wash- ington Temperance Society, when home-made whisky was more common than wild honey, he was a member of that society, and ever after held his pledge of temperance sacred and inviolate. He had a high sense of honor. His duties to society, morality, religion and his fiuancial obligations were his supreme law. On the 4th of March, 1834, Mr. Watkins was married to Miss Mary Ann Holloway, of Jessamine county, Ky., a daughter of Spencer and Catherine (Reed) Holloway. Mrs. Watkins is still living, residing on the old family homestead with her children. Eight of her family of eleven children are living, namely: George S., John H., Martha A., Mary E., Waltus J., Jr., Caroline E., A. Judson and Joe Barry. John H., Alfred and Catherine J. are deceased, the first being the eldest of the family, and for him his brother John H., living, was named. Mrs. Watkins and several of her family are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. » CHAPTEE XVIII. GALLATIN TOWNSHIP. Boundary aad Physical Features — Villages in this Township — Barry — Harlem — Moscow — ^Arnold's Station — Minaville — Churches — Biographical. BOUNDARY AND PHYSICAL FEATURES. Galliitin township compri.ses the southwestern portion of Clay county, and is hounded on the. east by Liberty township and the Mis- souri river, on the south by the river, on the west by Platte county, and on the north by Platte township. It contains some excellent lands and fine farms, but there is also a great deal of rough and un- productive tracts in the township. Big Shoal creek and its branches drain the greater portion of the township. Gallatin was one of the original townships of Clay county, com- prising in 1822 the western half of the county. Settlements were made along Big Shoal in 1822. David Manchester's mill was a noted point in 1825. It is alleged that a few French families lived on Ran- dolph] Blutt's in 1800.' In the neighborhood of Barry settlements were made about 1830, and there was a post-office at Barry in 1836, with P. Flemming as postmaster. Gallatin township boasts of the enterprising and public spirit of its citizens, and is noted for its fine horses, cattle and live stock gener- ally. The horse shows at Barry in their season are occasions of note and are attended by farmers from all parts of the country. The villages of Gallatin township are five in number, viz : Barry, Harlem, Moscow, Arnold (or Blue Eagle), and Minaville, or North Missouri Junction. Barry was establisheth of September, 1858, he was married to Miss Marv F. Wallcn, a dauirhter of Isaac and Americv, 518 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. WiiUen, both of early and respected families in Kentuck}'. The 'Squire and wife have three children: America B., Amelia J. and Georgia. Both parents are members of the Christian Church. He was elected to his present office, that of judicial magistrate, bailiwick ofGallatin, in 1882. He has made an efficient and upright magistrate and has administered justice to all whose causes have been heard in his court with an even, impartial hand. 'Squire D. was born in Clark county, Ky., February 14, 1837. His faliier, a farmer by occupa- tion, died in Nicholas county, that State, in 1883. His mother, who^ was a Miss Rebecca Scohee Ijofore her marriage, is still living. It is a remarkable fact that all their ten cliildren are also still living. WASHINGTON W. DREW CFarmer, Post-olHce, Barry) . Mr. Drew was born in Todd county. Ivy., July 1, 1826. He was reared in his native county up to the age of 17 when his parents re- moved to Clay county, Mo. Here he grew to manhood and at the age of 20 enlisted for the Me.x'ican War under Col. Doniphan. Young Drew was with Doniphan throughout his campaign across the plains tlirough New Mexico and down beyond the further shore of the Rio Grande, to Old Mexico. After a service of something over a year he was honorably discharged and came home to Clay county, where he remained for about three years. Bnti in 1850 he joined the general exodus of adventurous Argonauts from this part of the country' to the Pacific coast and made the journey across the plains and through tiie devious canons of the Rocky Mountains. Mr. Drew did not rush i)ack like a great many who hardly waited as long as a calf would from its mother before starting home again. He resolntl>ly braved the perils and hardships of a miner's life in the wilderness for years and worked like a Trojan, as the seasons came and went, delving deep down into the bowels of the earth and beneath the rock-ril)bed moun- tains of the Pacific slope for the treasures hid there for centuries be- fore the ark reached a haven on the heights of Mount Ararat. He re- mained in California for about 15 years, principally engaged in min- ing, and then returned to his old home in Clay county. While there he passed the period of life when men usually take unto themselves a wife, and having safely escaped through the channel of matrimony up to middle age, he has ever since succeeded in continuing in a state of single blessedness. Mr. Drew is a farmer i)y occupation and has been engaged in farming ever since his return to Clay county. He lias a well improved farm of about 200 ac-res. Mr. D. is a man well respected in the comnmnity, an energetic, good farmer and a worthy citizen . LEWIS ELLIOTT (Farmer, Post-office, Barry) . Mr. Elliott still resides in the county of his birth ami where he was reared and received his education. The latter was obtained princi- HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY. 519 p.iUy ill the district schools of the neighborhood in which he was l)rought up. He was reared to a i'ariii lite, and thus acquired that taste for agricultural pursuits which subsequently influenced him to nialie farming his permanent calling. Among all the occujjations he prefers the free and independent and manly pursuit of a farmer. He has a good home of 160 acres, which is well stocked and substantially improve. Musser, whose maiden name was Donaldson, daughter of James and Patsey Donaldson, formerly of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Ht)rner have lost two children in infancy and have none living. Mrs. H. is a member of the Presbyterian Church. He is a Jlethodist Epis- copalian. Mr. Horner has a good farm and is pleasantly and com- fortably situated at his home. He made his own start in life, having commenced a poor man, and all he possesses he has accumulated by honest industry and economy. He is one of the well respected citi- zens of Gallatin towushi[). JAMES HUGHES (Farmer, Post-office, Blue Eagle). Mr. Hughes' father, Patrick Hughes, was a native of Ireland and a molder of cast iron by trade. He came over to America in early manhood and located first in Rhode Island. He was married in that State to Miss Sarah McGarth, also formerly of Ireland, and three children were born to them, two of whom are living, one being the subject of this sketch. James Hughes was born in Rhode Island, March 10, 1837, and when in infancy was i)rought out by his parents to Missouri, whi> removed to Clay county, this State, in 1837. The mother died here in 184<>. James was reared in this county and brought up to the occupation of a t'armer. During the war he served for al)out eight months in the State militia. Mr. Hughes has a neat farm of 80 acres. He has never married, and is therefore living a life of single blessedness, a staid old bachelor, upon whom the smiles and wiles of all the maids have thus tar made little or no eflect. SAMUEL N. JACKSON (Dealer iu Drugs aud Groceries, Arnold Station). A Kentuckian by nativity, Mr. Jackson was born in Monroe county, November 8, 1845. His father was James A. Jackson, a blacksmith bv occupation, and who removed to Missouri with his family in 1852, settling at Independence. A year later he removed to Harrisonville, HI8TOKY OF CLAY COUNTY. 52<5 Cass county, and in 1864 to Clay county, but seven years later to Texas, where he died January 23, 1883, aged 67 years. He was juti- tice of the peace in Cass county for some years and postmaster at Austin. Mr. Jackson's mother (Samuel N.'s) was a Sliss Mary S. Slaughter, formerly of Virginia. There were six children in the family, five of whom are living, including the subject of this sketch. The mother died December 24, 1882, aged 58. Samu"! N. received a common school education as lie grew up and engaged in his present business at Arnold Station in 1877. His business experience has been satisfactorily successful, and he has a good trade. December 31, 1868, he was married to Miss Missouri A. Foster, a daughter of John A. Fo.^ter, of Clay county. They have four children : Carrie Wesley, Lena May, Samuel N. and James A. His wife is a member of the Christian Church. JACOB B. JOHN.SON (Farmer and Stock-Rai.'^er, an'i of Johnson & .Moore, Saw-millers, Post-office, Barry;. Mr. Johnson came to Missouri from Kentucky in 1863 and located in Clay county, near Barry, where he shortly bought a farm and engaged in farming and stock-raising. He continued that exclusively up to 1883, when he formed a partnership with Mr. John Moore in the saw mill, which they now run. Since then he has been carrying on his farm and assisting in the running of the saw mill. Mr. Johnson was born in Montgomery cf)unty, Ky., July 24, 1845, and was a son of Philip and Mary (Combes) Johnson. His mother died when he was about 13 years of age, and after that he went to live with hi.s uncle, Thomas Johnson, of that county. His father was subsequently married twice, and removed to Fannin county, Tex., where he died in 1878, after a residence there of over twenty years. Jacob B. John- son grew up in Montgomery county, Ky., and remained with his uncle until 1861, when he enlisted in the .Southern service under Gen. Marshall. Subserjuently he was transferred to Gen. Morgan's com- mand and followed that doughty raider and gallant cavalry leader un- til the close of the war, or until a short time before the close. The last order received by Mr. J.'s command was a general order of sur- render from Gen. Lee, in May, 1865. He then returned home to Montgomery county, Ky., and went to work. April 16, 1868, he wa.s married to Miss Jennie Cooley, daughter of Jabez and Rebecca Cooley. From Kentucky Mr. Johnson came to Missouri in 1868, as stated above. He and wife have six children : Charles C, Losa L., James H., John T., Mary B. and Harry. Both parents are members of the Christian Church. Mr. J.'s farm contains 200 acres. -MARTIN A. KL\G (Farmer, Post-Office, Liberty) . When the war broke out in 1861, or, rather, some months after- wards, in the fall of th accomplish it. The committee was composed of William T. Wood, now judge of the Lexington circuit ; David R. Atchison, ex-United States Senator; A. W. Doniphan, a distinguished lawyer and hero of the Mexican War ; Peter H. Burnett, afterward one of the Supreme Judges of California, and Edward M. Samuel, afterward President of the Commercial Bank in St. Louis — all of them at that time residents of Clay county. Subsequently an able memorial to Congress was drafted by Judge Wood, embracing the facts and considerations in be- half of the measure, which, after being signed by the committee, was forwarded to the Senators and Representatives at Washington from Missouri. Following the prayer of this memorial, in 1836, a bill was intro- duced in Congress by Thomas H. Benton, and zealously supported by his colleague. Senator Linn, whicli provided for the extension of the then existing boundary of the State, so as to include the triangle be- tween the existing line and the Missouri river, then a part of the Indian Territory, now comprising the counties of Atchison, Andrew, Buchanan, Holt, Nodaway and Platte. The difficulties to encounter were three fold : 1. To make still larggr a State which was already one of the largest in the Union. 2. To remove Indians from a posses- sion which had just been assigned to them in perpetuity. 3. To alter the Missouri Compromise line in relation to slave territory, and thereby convert free soil into slave soil. Notwithstanding these difficulties, the two first mentioned serious and the last formidable, the act was })asscd and the treaties negotiated, and in 1837 the Indians removed west of the Missouri river, thus adding to the State a large body of the richest land in the world. During the fall of 1835, after the meeting held at the regimental muster above referred to. Gen. Andrew S. Hughes wrote to Hon. L. F. Linn in reference to a treaty with the loways and Sacs of his agency. His letter is as follows : — lowAY Sub-Agenxy, September 3, 1835. Sir: I have written a hasty scrawl to you. It might be well to l)ulilish your letter to show to the people what you were doina:. I send this to Ste. Genevieve, not exactly knowing where to find you. I give you liberty to do just as you may think proper with my letter. All letters addressed to me, I wisli directed to the "Elm Grove Post-office, Clay County, Missouri." This is most convenient tome. When I hear from you I will write again. I desire to see you before you go on East. A treaty can l)e made with the lowa^'s of my agency and Sacs, with- out expense to the Government, or any other unnecessary pomp and 550 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. parade, as has heretofore been the case. Colonel Dodge could make treaty with the Indians as a part of his official duty. They ai-e near his post, and I should have no objections to render any assistance that might be asked of me. Believe me, your sincere friend, And. S. Hughes. To Hon. Lewis F. Linn. THE TREATY. The treaty which was negotiated with the Sac and Fox Indians, whereby Missouri extended her western boundary line, is as follows : Articles of a treaty made and concluded at Fort Leavenworth, on the Missouri river, between William Clark, Superintendent of Indian Affairs, on the part of the United States, of the one part, and the undersigned chiefs, warriors and counselors of the loway tribe, and the band of Sacs and Foxes of the Missouri (residing west of the State of Missouri) in l)elialf of their respective tribes, of the other part. Article 1. By the first article of the treaty of Prairie du Chien, held the 15th of July, 1830, with the confederated tribes of the Sacs and Foxes, loways, Omahaws, Missouris, Ottoes and Sioux, the country ceded to the United States by that treaty is to be " assigned and allotted, under the President of the United States, to the tribes living thereon, or to such other tribes as the President may locate thereon for hunting and other purposes." And whereas, it is further represented to us, the chiefs, warriors and counselors of the loways and Sacs and Fox band aforesaid, to be desiral)Ie that the lands lying between the State of Missouri and the Missouri river should be at- tached to and become !i part of the said State, and the Indian title thereto should be extinguished ; but that, notwithstanding, as these lands compose a part of tiiecountiy embraced 1)}' the provision of said first article of the treaty aforesaid, the stipulations thereof will be sti-ictly observed, until the assent of the Indians interested is given to the proposed measure. Now we, the chiefs, warriors and counselors of the loways and Mis- souri band of Sacs and Foxes, fulh' understanding the subject, and well satisfied from the local position of the lands in question that the}"^ can never be made availai)le for Indian purjioses, and that an at- tempt to place an Indian population on them must inevitably lead to collision with the citizens of the United States, and further believing that tiie extension of tlie State line in the direction indicated would have a happy effect, by presenting a natural l)oundary between the whites and the Indians ; -and willing, moreover, to give the United States a renewed evidence of our attadiment and friendship, do here- by, for ourselves and on behalf of our respective tribes (having full power and authority to this effect), forever cede, relinquish and quit claim to the United States, all our right, title and interest, of whatever nature, in and to the land Iving between the State of Mis- HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 551 souri !iik1 the Missouri river, and do freely and fully exonerate the United States from any guarantee, condition or limitation, expressed or implied, under the treaty of Prairie du Chieu aforesaid or other- wise, as to tlie entire and ai)solute disposition of the said lands ; fully authorizing the United States to do with the same whatever shall seem expedient ov necessary. As a proof of the continued friendship and liberality of the United States towards the lowaj^s and hand of Sacs and Foxes of the Mis- souris, and as an evidence of the same entertained for the good will manifested by said tribes to the citizens and Government of the United States, as evinced in the preceding cession or relinquishment, the undersigned, AVilliam Clark, agiees on behalf of the United States, to pay as a present to the said loways and band of Sacs and Foxes, $7,500 in nione3% the receipt of which they hereby acknowl- edge. Article 2. As the said tribes of loways and Sacs and Foxes have applied for a small piece of land south of the Missouri for a permanent home, on which they can settle, and request the assistance of the Gov- ernment of the United States to jilace them on the land, in a situation at least equal to that they now enjoy on the lands ceded by them ; therefore, I, William Clark, Superintendent of the Indian Affairs, do further agree on behalf of the United States, to assign to the loway tribes and Missouri band of Sacs and Foxes, the small strip of land on the south side of the Missouri river, lying l)etween the Kickapoo northern boundary line and the Grand Nemaha river, and expending from the Missoui'i back and westwardly with the said Kickapoo line and the Grand Nemaha, making four hundred sections, to be divided between the said loways and Missouri band of Sacs and Foxes, the lower half to l)e the Sacs and Foxes, and the up})er half to the loways. Article 3. The loways and Missouri band of Sacs and Foxes fur- ther agree that they will move and settle on the lands assigned them in the above article as soon as arrangements can be made, and the undersigned William Clark, in behalf of the United States, agrees that, as soon as the above tribes have selected a site for their villages, and places for their fields, and moved to them, to erect for the loways five comfortable houses ; to enclose and break up for them 200 acres of ground; to furnish them with a farmer, blacksmith, schoolmaster and interpreter, as long as the President of the United States deems proper; to furnish them with such agricultural implements as may be necessary, for five years ; to furnish them with rations for one year, commencing at the time of their arrival at their new home; to furnish them with one ferryboat; to furnish them with 100 cows and calves, and five bulls, and 100 stock hogs, when they require them ; to furnish them with a mill, and assist in removing them to the extent of $500. And to erect for the Sacs and Foxes three comfortable houses ; to enclose and lireak up for them 200 acres of land; to furnish them with a farmer, blacksmith, schoolmaster and interpreter, as long as the President of the United States shall deem proper ; to furnish them with 30 552 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. such agricultural implements as may be necessary, for five years ; to fur- nisli them with rations for one year, commencing at the time of their ar- rival at their new home ; to furnish them with one ferryboat ; to furnish them with 100 cows and calves, and five bulls ; 100 stock hogs, when they require them ; to furnish them with a mill, and to assist in removing them to the extent of $400. Article 4. This treaty shall be obligatory on the tribes, parties hereto, from and after the date hereof, and on the United States, from and after its ratification by the Government thei-eof. Done, and signed and sealed at Fort Leavenworth, on the Missouri, this 17th day of September, 1836, and of the Independence of the United States the sixty-first. William Clark, Superintendent of Indian Affairs. Mo-Hos-CA (or White Cloud), Nau-che-ning (or No Heart), Wa-che-mo-ne (or the Orator), Ne-o-mo-ne (or Raining Cloud), Man-o-mo-ne (or Pumpkin), CoN-GU (or Plumb), Wau-thaw-ca-be-ciiu (one that eats rats). Ne-wan-thaw-chu (Hair Shed- der), Man-haw-ka (Bunch of Arrows), Cha-tau-the-ne (Big Bull), Cha-tea-thau (Buflalo Bull, Cha-ta-ha-ra-wa-ke (Foreign Bull). SACS AND FOXES. Ca-ha-qda (Red Fox), Pe-shaw-ca (Bear), Pe-cau-ma (Deer), Ne-bosh-ca-na (Wolf), Ne-squi-in-a (Deer), Ne-8AAV-au-qua ( Bear ) , QuA-co-ousr-si (Wolf), SuQuiL-LA (Deer), As-ke-pa-ke-ka-as-a (Green Lake), Wa-pa-se (Swan), No-cha-tau-wa-ta-sa (Star), Can-ca-car-mack (Rock Bass), Sea-sa-ho (Sturgeon), Pe-a-chim-a-car-mack (Bald Headed Eagle), Pe-a-chim-a-car-mack, Jr., (Bald Headed Eagle). S. W. Kearny, Jno. Dougherty, A. S. Hughes, Geo. R. H. Clark, William Duncan, Jos. V. Hamilton, witnesses. H. RoBiDoux, Jr., William Bowman, Jeffry Dorion, Peter Constine, Jacques Mette, Louis M. Davidson. CHAPTER IV. EAELIER PERMANENT SETTLEMENTS AND IMPROVEMENTS — 1837-1840. The Rush of Immigrauts — Causes, Etc. — Appearance and Condition of the Country — The Work of the Early Settlers — Their Diversions — House-Kaisiugs — Tlie Class of People — Early Private Surveys — The Pre-emption_Law — Pioneer Mills — Early Tovens — Rialto, Platte City, Newmarket, Weston, Eidgely, Farley, Barry, latan — List of Early Settlers. THE RUSH OF IMMIGRANTS. In the entire history of the settlement of Missouri there has never been anything compared to the rapidity with wiiich Platte county was settled immediately following the ratification in February, 1837, of the treaty known as the Platte Purchase.' When the previous year closed there were perhaps not a dozen white men in the territory now included in this county, for the few who had previously come in had either moved out or been expelled by the authorities. But before the close of the year there was a settler in nearly every available quarter section of land in the county, and on some there were two or more. Each settler was almost invariably the head of a family, so that each one represented an average of about five persons. At that time the entire State had at the rate of only about four and a half inhabi- tants to the square mile, whereas tliis county had more than 20, or within less than a third of as many per square mile as there are in the State to-day. Various causes contributed to bring about this remarkable result. Among the chief of these was unquestional)ly'the great fertility of the soil. It is well known to those qualified to judge and who have given the subject any attention that Platte county is situated in the finest agricultural section of the State.' Nor is this county surpassed, if in- 1 Platte was settled ranch faster even than Buclianau, or any of the counties of the Platte Purchase. - Prof. G. C. Broadhead, the State geolof;ist of Missouri, gives the following as the boundary of the best fanning lands in the State : " The lands west of a line entering the State in the northwest part of Vernon county, and passing thence north and east through the western parts of Bates, thence eastwardly through the southern part of Cass, thence northeasterly to the central part of Johnson, northeasterly again to the southeastern part of Lafayette, thence through the southern portion of Saline, thence (553) 554 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. deed it is equaled, by any of the others in this fertile region. Statis- tics have repeatedly shown that it exceeds all of them in fertility. Hemp lands are generally conceded to be the best lands we have for arming purposes. At one time Platte county produced more hemp than any other equal area of country on the globe. It was by fiir the largest hemp producing county in the United States.^ Another cause that contributed to the rapid settlement of the county was its situation on the western border of the State, and on the river. Thus it had all the advantages for trade with the Indians throughout the almost illimitable territory beyond and with New Mexico and Salt Lake, and as a base of supplies for the troops and the Indian agencies of the West. Many of the new comers here grew rich or well-to-do in this trade in a few years. Again, the county had been an Indian reserve for along time — ever since the commencement of American settlements on the Missouri, in fact ; and already population had pushed up to its very border, and had long been impatient to enter. Lands off of the rivers were not considered of much value for want of transportation facilities ; and nearly all the choice river lands already open had been taken. Clay had become one of the most populous counties in the State, and, as population pushed on West, and not being able to cross the "dead line" of the Indian reserve, immigration was very naturally deflected northward up into Clinton and even into DeKalb counties, although off of the river. But to the farmers up there it seemed a great hardship to have to haul all their market products, and drive their stock down to Clay county to reach the river for shipment, 75 or 100 miles, when, but for the Indian reserve, they could take them directly across to the river, not less than one-third the distance by the other route ; or what was immeasurably better, and what they really wanted to do, move across into the river lands themselves. It is, therefore, not surprising that when, in February, 1837, the news came to the settlers along the border of the reserve that the Pur- ciiase had been appi'oved by all concerned, and duly ratified, and that the gates were open wide for all to enter who chose — it is not sur- prising that the news of this was received with the most unbounded manifestations of delight. Bonfires were lighted, speeches made and westwardly to the vicinity of Salisbury, in Chariton county, tlience a little west of nortli to the northern boundary of the State in Mercer county. — Geological Surveys of Missouri, 1873-74, pp. 40-1-2. 1 United States Census of 1860. , HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 555 general jubilees held. For the time, at least, it seemed that the year of jubilee had conie sure enough.' Even within a day or two after the receipt of the news immigrants began to move into the new country by hundreds. They came both from east of the west line of the reserve and in along the river front; but most of them were from Clay county. Great rivalry was shown among them, each trying to get in before the others, in order to locate on the best lands. But in this respect those from Clay county had decidedly the advantage. Many of the Clay immigrants had lived near the Purchase for years, and not a few had already selected sites on which to settle. Within two years from the time the reserve was declared open, prob- ably not less than 4,500 immigrants settled within the present limits of Platte county ; this large number, notwithstanding no survey had been made, and no other means provided, until 1838, of securing them in the possession of, or right to their lands. Indeed, the assessment list for personal property, made in the spring of 1839 — the names in which are given at the close of this chapter as a matter of interest to their families and descendants — indicates that there were even more here then than the number at which we have placed thera. APPEARANCE AND CONDITION OF THE COUNTRY. The first settlers after the purchase found the country a verital)le wild, although civilization had been on its eastern border for years. The woods (and four-fiTths of the county were timbered lands, were ' Mr. Arnold Chance, an old and respected citizen of the county, says that he, with others, was at Barry when the uews came. Peter Burnett, then a lawyer of Liberty, but afterwards Governor of California, brought the news from Liberty. " The first intimation we had of it," says Mr. Chance, " was the appearance of Peter Burnett galloping into town from Liberty, swinging his hat and yelling like a wild Indian. We barely let him stop to tell us what was the matter when we all repaired to the ' gro- cery ' and knocked a spigot out without taking time to count the cost. Merrily the flowing bowl (only it was a gourd) went round. I tell you, if ever there was a happy crowd in the world, ours was one. Just then, as it so happened, a good honest- hearted old minister of the Gospel hove in sight, trotting leisurely down the road on a one-eyed clay-bank mare, and under an ancient and clerical-looking stove- pipe hat, one that his grandfather had worn on the mountain circuit of East Tennessee, in 1788. In a minute or two more he was in reach of us, and then — poor lad! Our good brother never wore that hat again. (We were young then, and bad boys.) In our hilariousness we took him and brought him into the grocery and set him across a barrel. • * * He was a good-natured old soul, and was as glad of the news as we were, — and, to tell the truth, he rather seemed to enjoy the gourd. Preachers were not as ' finicy' then as they are now, any way. * * * More than one hat went up, like the Hebrew children, on that occasion, I tell you." 556 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. covered with nettles and wild pea vines, and quaint looking paraquets, in their green and yellow plumage, flitted about the boughs of trees everywhere. By day and by night the melancholy bark of the wolf, joined at night by the lonely hoot of the owl, afforded only an addi- tional proof, if any were necessary, that this was, indeed, a primitive wilderness. Deer, turkeys, game of all kinds, abounded, including a few bears ; ' and it had been near civilized man sufficiently long for the busy bee, too, to have improved his shining hours. It was not an uncommon thing for a good bee hunter to find from five to ten bee trees in a single day.- Squirrels had also begun to ari'ive, and there was mast for stock in abundance, and to spare. Hogs fatted themselves, and stock of all kinds were generally in good condition when winter began ; snakes,' particularly the timber rattlesnake and the silent, deadly copperhead, were numerous, and «< varments " * frequented every barnyard. THE CHANGE WORK AND EXPERIENCES OF THE EARLIEST SETTLERS. But after the gates were opened to settlers the condition and appear- ance of the country were soon changed. Houses were built, forests cleared away, fields opened, roads established, church buildings erected, towns located, mills constructed, and all the busy machinery of civilized life put in motion.^ The deer, the Indian, the wolf — each before a decade had passed, disappeared to be seen no more. The work of the early settlei'S was of course hard, and their com- forts, according to what we would perhaps regard as comforts, were few. But those hardy, courageous frontiersmen were doubtless as well satisfied with life as we are, and possibly much happier ; certainly so, if the pleasure with which the few of them who are still left to be with us, dwell upon the scenes and experiences of their early years be taken as evidence of the fact. 1 Joseph Todd, already referred to, is said to have liilled as many as eight bears. ' Arnold Chance. ' Some remarkable snake stories are told by the descendants of the early settlers from whom, they allege, they received them ; but we can not repeat them here, not that they would not do to read or are not perhaps true, but that it is sometimes better for one's reputation for veracity not to tell even the whole truth when it is so remarkable as to be unreasonable, and there is no necessity for telling it : ttim silentium sapientia est. ♦Though tabooed as vulgar, it is a better expression than "small predatory wild animals." *The first houses were almost without exception built of logs. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 557 THEIR DIVERSIONS. But they were not without some sources of genuine sport. Here were their opportunities for hunting — the country full of game of the finest kinds; and then the " alectoniverous" but sly and watchful fox was here, too. Many a fine chase these old pioneers of the county had when they were young. With hunting, fishing, bee-coursing, fox- chasing, attending the elections and Fourth-of-July celebrations, going to church on Sundays (at a neighl)or's house or in a groTe) and to house-raisings on " week days," visiting each other, and sometimes some of the younger ones, without the fear of the Lord properly before their eyes, attending dances and even horse-races over at the nearest town or store — with all these diversions to occupy their leisure, life was by no means a monotonous routine of hard work and rest or recreation. HOUSE-RAISINGS. Then their house-raisings were a source of almost as much pleasure and pasttime as of neighborly kindness and help. On occasions of that kind they met — neighbors for miles around — and were not long in putting up a fellow-neighbor's house. Then followed a big dinner, an abundance of good, toothsome substantial, and, if the whole truth must be told, sometimes a little " dthrop o'th'cradthur" to help along digestion and stimulate a generous flow of soul ; then they talked over their' experiences since they last met, discussed their farm affairs, parried jokes with each other and spun " yarns" almost without limit. Many a laugh waked the echos at some capital story of a hunting expedition and angling experience or sometiiing of the kind. It is not those who live in the greatest ease and luxury that enjoy life the best or are the happiest. HOSPITALITY OF THEIR HOMES. Tiien, too, there was the hospitality of tlieir homes — a source of the greatest pleasure. Friends visited each other much more then than tliey do now — lived less apparently for self, and were less lost to others, less absorbed with the pursuit of the almighty dollar, regard- less of anything else. It was a common thing for neighbors and entire families to visit each other, spending the day in social, pleasant con- versation and always enjoying an excellent, alnindant meal prepared especially for the occasion. To be inhospitable, or what was called "mean," was to be considered little less than a criminal. At every 558 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. man's door, to use a trite but expressive figure, it was expected that the latch string was alwajs on the outside, so that all who chose could enter and welcome. And even for entertaining strangers, traveling through the country, no one thought any more of chai'ging them than he thought of robbing them. Such was the old time hospitality of near half a century ago.^ No more generous, great-hearted people lived in those days — kind, friendly and neighborly — than the early settlers of Platte county. THE CLASS OF PEOPLE THEY WERE. Moreover, as a class, they were a people of intelligence and sterl- ing character, thoroughly honest and honoral)le, and distinctively brave and unselfish. Many of them were the descendants and repre- sentatives of some of the oldest and best families of Kentucky and Virginia, and the other Southern States ; and not a few were men of education and information. Conservative, substantial and of sober worth, the early settlers of this county founded a community that has ever compared with credit in intelligence and character with those of the best counties in the State. EARLY PRIVATE 80RVEYS THE PRE-EMPTION LAW. Among the early settlers here, before the Government surveys were made, it was a sort of common law that each was to have the right to 160 acres when he settled, and that no subsequent claim should be permitted to interfere with a farmer once duly located. In this way conflicts of claims and consequent ill-feeling were almost entirely pre- vented. Some, however, anxious to know where their lines would run when the regular survey should be made, secured private survey- ors to run them. In cases of this kind established points on the Clay county line were taken as a base, and the true lines were determined with reasonable accuracy. The principal surveyors who did the work, if indeed not the only ones, were Maj. James Brasfield and Judge Solomon Leonard, both thorough practical surveyors. They did it, however, not as a nnitter of business or profit, but simply for the accommodation of their neighbors. Nothing was ever charged or ac- 1 Says Colton: A not fully advauced state of society, equally removed from the ex- tremes of barbarity and of retluement, seems to be that particular meridian under which all the reciprocities and gratuities of hospitality do most readily flourish and abound. For it so happens that the ease, the luxury and the abundance of the highest state of civilization are as productive of selfishness as the difficulties, the privations and the sterilities of the lowest. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 559 ceptecl bv them for their services. This fact also remiuds us that those were early days. But in 1838 the pre-emption law enabled set- tlers to make regular pre-emptions on their claims, and the following year Government surve3's were begun. The land oiBce, however, at which they were permitted to make their proofs and complete their entries, was not established until 1844. It was located at Plattsburg, in Clinton county. Prior to that but little controversy occurred among claimants. PIONEER MILLS. The white pioneer, wherever he penetrates, soon sees to it that mills are provided for making breadstuffs and manufacturing lumber. Zadoc Martin built the first mill in the county in 1836-37. It was at the falls of the Platte, and was a water mill. When first built it was provided with only buhrs for grinding corn, but buhrs for flour were put in soon afterwards. Numerous anecdotes are told of Martin and his mill, but recitals of them belong more properly to town and personal history. The next grist mill, after Martin's, was Hughes' mill, built in about 1839. It was on Bee creek, some five miles north of Platte City, and was also a water mill. Judge Hughes, the builder and owner, was from Virginia, and was afterwards judge of the county court and a worthy citizen of the county. Then in about 1840, some three miles below Ft. Leavenworth, in the river bottom, Sutton's mill was built. It was an old-fashioned horse mill. About the same time the Parkville mill was put up, and at once secured a large patronage from the settlers throughout the south- eastern part of the county. After this came John Britz's mill, a water power mill, built on the Platte, near the Buchanan county line. The last of the earlier grain mills erected in the county was the Estell mill, sixteen miles northeast of Platte City, though this one hardly comes within the period of time allotted to the present chapter. It was built early in the " Forties," and was one ofthe leading mills, if indeed not the most important one in Western Missouri in that early day. With all these, and Smith's mill at the mouth of Second creek, just over the line in Clay county, the early settlers were not illy provided with milling facilities. The first saw mill in the county was put up by Nelson P. Owens. It was at Weston, and was also the first steam mill in the county. It 560 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. was built as early as 1838. Other saw mills (circular saw) followed this one, but not for several years, and one of the difficulties the early settlers had to contend against was the scarcity of lumber. However, one or two of the grain mills mentioned above were fitted up with sash-saws. But these were by no means adequate to the needs of the country.^ EARLY TOWNS. For a time the nearest trading points for the early settlers, except at a few small stores, were Liberty and Leavenworth, which had eveu then grown to considerable importance, especially Liberty. But in a few years respectable towns were built in the county; and Weston, particularly, grew with wonderful rapidity. The following were the earlier towns of the county : ^ Rialto. — Formerly situated on the Missouri river just below Wes- ton, Rialto was once known as Penseno's Landing and is believed to have been the site of the first white settlempnt on the Missouri above the old French fort, Ft. New Orleans. It was not platted as a town until 1840 when Henry Underhole had it regularly divided into town lots and registered. Weston soon eclipsed it, however, and it failed to reach even a neighborhood importance as a trading point. There is no post-office there now and there has been none for years. Platte City. — Formerly known as Martinsville, Platte City was first settled in 1828, or rather at that time Zadoc Martin became the first white settler on the site of Martinsville, now a part of Platte City. Before even Martinsville had a name the site of the place was known as the Platte Falls and Martin was licensed to keep the ferry on the river at this point, by the authorities at Ft. Leavenworth or Liberty. By the Legislature Platte Falls was named in the act providing for the organization of the county as " the temporary seat of justice of Platte county/' and afterwards it was selected as the permanent county seat. Platte City was platted and registered by the county authorities in 1839, and was at that time given its present name. At first it had a rai)id growth, but later along its progress was and has continued more gradual and at the same time more substan- tial. Neio Market. — This place is situated in section 11, township 54, and range 35, about nine miles nearly due north of Platte City and in the northwestern part of Green township. It was one of the first 1 For more complete sketches of these towns and the mills of the county, see the different township chaptert, further along. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 561 towns established iu the county and was formerly known as Jackson- ville. John Adamson settled on the site of the place in 1830 and sub- divided it into town lots about the same time. On account of there being another place in the State by the name of Jacksonville, its name was changed to New Market by which it was registered in 1839. Weston. — The business metropolis of the county, Weston was also at one time the commercial metropolis of all Western Missouri and West to the Rocky mountains. The land on which it stands was first selected for a town site in the tall of 1837 by Joseph Moore, an ex- soldier from Ft. Leavenworth. The first house erected was Ijy Sashel Fugett. It is situated on the Misso\iri river in the contiguous corners of sections 11, 12, 13 and 14, of township 53, range 36, in AVeston township. The plat of the town was registered and recorded in 1839. Ridgdy. — The first settlers on the site of the present town of Eidgely were Christopher Black, Preston Akers, Samuel Phillips and Theoderick Fitzgerald. They filed the plat of the town in 1839, and it soon became a center of business in the mercantile line for the sur- rounding country. It is still a prosperous village. It is situated in the contiguous corners of sections 29, 30, 31 and 32, of township 54, range 33, in the municipal township of Preston, about 12 miles north east of Platte City. ParhviUe. — The site of this place was pre-empted by David and Stephen English in 1837. Afterwards they sold to Geo. S. Park, who founded the town of Parkville and became one of the most pub- lic-spirited citizens of the county. Farley. — This place, located in the southeastern part of the county, was settled as early as 1838. Joseph Farley pre-empted and entered the land, which included the present site of the town, and afterwards Farley was laid off as a town and platted. It has never attained to any importance, however, as a trade center, its principal business being confined to the neighborhood surrounding it. It is located on the line between sections 28 and 29, in township 52, range 35. It is in the municipal townsiiip of Lee, about a mile northeast of the Kansas City, St. Joe and Council Bluffs Railway, and a little more than iialf a mile west of the Platte river. Barry. — Situated on the line between Platte and Clay counties, Barry, as soon as this county was opened for settlement, became vir- tually a Platte county town, and, in fact, the same year houses were built on this side of the county line. It was settled long prior to the Platte Purchase, and, as we have noted on a former page, was a 562 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. trading post for the whites and Indians on either side of the line respectively. It is one of the oldest towns in this part of the State* latan. — John Dougherty located the town of latan about the time of the first white settlements in the county. J. O. Abbott and others settled there and in that vicinity soon afterwards, in 1837. latan is still a local trading point for the extreme northwestern part of the county. John Dougherty, the founder of the place, was a man of a romantic career. He left home at the age of 15 and made his home among the Indians, with whom he lived for many years. Strange as it may ap- pear, he became a man of fair education, and served for a long time as Indian agent for the Government. He was always popular with the Indians, who looked upon him as their real friend, which he un- questionably was. The artist, Catlin, made an oil portrait of Maj. Dougherty to accompany the former's fine gallery of oil paintings (300 life-size portraits) of noted and representative Indians. LIST OF EARLY SETTLERS. The following is a copy of the assessment roll of personal property already referred to : — James A. Anthony, Cromwell Ashby, Samuel Ausbin, David Allen, Solomon Allen, Isaac Allen, Jeremiah Atkins, Samuel Adamson, Thos. Adams, Levi Adamson, Joseph Alfry, Thomas Attei'bury, James Atterbury, Larken Adamson, R. Allen, Allen Ashley, Reuben Arnold, Thomas M. Aull, Isaac Archer, Jesse R. Allen, Robert Anderson, Samuel Allen, Thomas Allen, Jacob Anderson, William Anderson, Joel Albright, William B. Allnian, Starling Ashworth, David D. Ashvvorth, Bethel Allen, Moses Allen, James Arter, Joseph Atkins, David Anderson, James Anderson, John Artman, .lolin Allen, Will- iam Asher, Williamson Atteri)urv, Jacob Adamson, George AV. Anderson, W. B. Aldman, Manasseh Beth, James Bird, Bane Baldon, William Bane, Milton Brown, John Bryant, D. G. Beauchamp, Isaac Blanton, Martin Baldwin, M. Bryam, Henry Bradley, John B. Bounds, Joseph Baker, Henry Butts, William Bell, Edward Bedford, Martin T. Berry, Jackson Butts, Henry F. Burk, Joseph Britian, Lewis W. Bell, William Baley, Caleb Baley, Philip Bolwar, Wesley Baker, C^yrus Barnes, Sidno}' Brooks, Perry Bales, Sampson Butler, Lossen Baker, David Bell, Thomas Beagle, James Beagle, William Beagle, Henry Brail, Green H. Barnes, R. P. Beauchamp, Randal Baber, David Biown, John Baber, Ishani Baber, David Bruton, Sr., John Belieur, Micajah Belieur, J. Barnes, Heiu'y Boilston, John Burge, Nathaniel Boydston, Thos. Boydston, John Bywaters, J. Blak- ley, James Brown, HughBrown, Nancy Baits, Jackson Baits, Antlrow Baker, John R. Buchanan, John Brown, Calvin Brown, Harrison HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 563 Brown, G. W. Buniett, James Brooks, Gotham Brown, John Bigham, James W. Bigham, Elisha Barnes, Wm. Best, D. Best, M. Barnes, FeUxG. Bush, Eliam Brown, Abner Bayarth, J. Bane, C. Bennett, D. Bohuul, Benj. Boland, Ezekial Bhmton, H. Barker, William D. Bullard, W. Bennett, L. Burnes, E. Barker, J. Barker, Wm. Bennett, Micajah Brown, John Brink, Martin Butt', Carr Baley, Michael Bird, Samuel Brown, John E. Brown, Jordan Baber, AVilliam Bird, Andrew Brown, Stephen Bedwell, Richard Bickerstaff, Thomas Blakenship, William Banta, Sylvester Blakenship, James Butler, William Butler, Isaac Burnes, Abram Burton, James Brasfield, Willis Bledsoe, James H. Berry, Moses Boydston, Addison Bruton, L. F. Brown, William Brown, Sr., AVilliam Brown, Jr., Archibald Brown, Sarchel C. Bawn, Adam Brown, Gray B. Brown, B. C. Brown, Stephen Beauchamp, Squire Babcock, Joel Blanton, John Bowlwar, William Borden, David Borden, Adam Christison, Andrew Campbell, Daniel Clarey, Daniel Carey, Berry Garwood, James Canter, James Colemau, Gabriel Clark, Eli Casey, John B. Collier, Beaufort Carpenter, Matthias Cline, Abra- haui Cline, Joseph Cox, William Chance, L. B. Church, Allen Crook, John P. Kincaid, Archibald Campbell, Jacob Cox, James Cox, Will- iam Cox, William Clay, Abraham Collett, Johnson Clay, Beery Creek, George W. Cannon, Joseph T. Cannon, W. M. Carter, Lacy Carter, AVilev Cooper, Henry Cooper, Eobert Cain, David Carson, Joseph W. Cox, Rev. James, W. Cox, Waketield Cox, Washington Camp- bell, Willis Cartwright, Jas. Cartwright, Isaac Cartwright, Sam. Can- non, Jonathan Carpenter, Jas. Collins, Alex. Cannon,:Patrick Cooper, Jno. Cooper, Robt. Cooper, Jno. H. Downing, Elias Davis, William- son Donalson, Truman Day, Thos. Dye, FlemmondsDrummons, Bart- lett Dean, Abner Dean, Francis Dean, Ed. P. Duncan, Fred. Dean, Wm. A. Dunn, L. L. Draper, Daurbin Donell, Jas. Dyer, Jno. Dyer, Williamson Duncan, Davis Duncan, Thos. Duncan, Xury Duncan, Jas. Dcrland, Wade Davis, Madison Draicc, Jackson Draice, Jno. S. Davis, John Deacon, G. P. Dorriss, William Dutl, Washington Dyer, Joseph Davis, James M. Davis, James Dougherty, James Duncan, John Dun- igan, George Dylo, Preston Dunlap, Allen Davis, Benjamin Davis, Lott Drummons, Robert Davis, Archibald Elliott, Thomas Edwards, Elisha J. Edwards, Isaac M. C. Ellis, Thomas F. Ellis, John Elliott, Thomas J. Easbonn, Benj;imin F. English, Robert T. Evans, Thomas 11. Evans, John H. Evans, John Eldridge, John Eaton, Joseph Elder, Doctor Ellis, William Ellington, Isaac Eads, Jesse Eads, Solomon Kads, Moses Eads, Charles Early, W. M. English, James Flannery, Sr., William Fox, John F. Fry, James Fulkerson, Mathias Frickle, Jacob Foreman, George Funderlmrk, Washington Funder- burk, George W. Ford, Levi Fowler, Elisha Francis, George Fergu- son, Nceley Frame, Sashel Fugett, John M. Foris, Ezekiel Fugett, John W. Faris, William Fulton, James Fox, William A. Fox, Samuel Finlc3% Allen Furgerson, Andrew Foster, Beniamin Fields, Levi Fields, Thomas Fields, Hiram Ferrel, Thomas Farmer, Ansom Far- mer, M. D. Faylor, Ambrose Foster, Absalom Fickle,. John Fleming, David Fleming, Samuel Ford, William M. Fox, Jesse Fleming, James 564 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUXTT. Flannery, Jr., Abner Fickle, Jesse Gibson, James Gibson, William •Gibson, Alve}' Graves, Philip E. Gill, Jesse Gillum, Riley Gregg, Jacob Guycr, John Greene, John Gillam, Robert P. GilUun, David Gladden, Harmon Glasscock, John K. Gvle, A. Gordon, lasac W. Gibson, Stephen Gibbs, Daniel Grober, Elisha Green, Jack- son Gann, Caswell R. Gra}', David Gregg, James H. Grib- ble, Benjamin Green, George W. Gason, Charles Gray, James Gray, Silas Glenn, Gregg Jefferson, James Gregg, Henry Gunn, David Giiun, Thornton Gunn, John Grooms, James' Griffith, Rebecca Gunn, Andrew Henson, William M. Hayes, John Hendricks, John Henderson, Daniel Hunsaker, Isaac Hunsaker, Joseph Hunsaker, Atison Hill, Gideon Harson, John Hognight, John Herron, Robert Haston, William B. Henson, B. ^I. Hughes, Oruni Hulett, Jefferson Harris, Charles Huusi'erford, Anna Hungerford, Ben. Holland, Thomas L. Holland, Roliert W. Holland, Nathaniel Holland, Derman Henderson, John Henderson, W. B. Hungerford, Thomas Harrison, James S. Holeman, Joseph Henderson, Giles Hen- derson, Miles Harrington, James Hull, Lyvcster Hunt, William HuU- nian, Jacob Hayes, S. C. Hayes, D. R. Hayes, David R. Holt, James Hall, Alfred W'. Hughes, David Hunt, Enoch Howard, James Halford, John Harris, John Howard, Elisha Hartley, Solomon Hater, Thomas Henderson', John Higgins, Jonathan Hiucher, Archibald Hill, George Hunter, Adam Hornback, James Hamlin, Henry Hamlin, Peter Hen- dricks, David Hamilton, Mathias M. Hughes, Samuel Hoy, Philomen Higgins, Jacob Higgins, Josiah Higgins, Jackson Higgins, Jacob Hoover, Josiah Harris, William Hardey, James Henshaw, Henry Her, Richard Her, William Endicott, Richard B. Endicott, Jacob Her, Will- iam Ish, William Jack, Sr., William Jack, Jr., Stephen Johnston, Alfred Jack, David Johnston, Jelierson Jones, Lewis Johnson, Benj. Johnston, Edward Johnson, Boremore Johnson. David James, Stejihcn Jones Thomas E. Jordan, James Jackson, Henry Jones, Barbara Johnson Henry James, James C. Jordan, John S. Jordan, L. C. Jack, John E. Jackson, William S. Jones, F. B. Jones, John H. Johnson, David Jackson, Wallis Jackson, James Jackson, Jr. James Johnson, Lewis Jones, Uptiam Jenkins, Moses Jennings, Broking JeflVri, Leander Jones, William Kavinaugh, Benj. Kuykendall, M. W. Kyle, William Kincaid, Johnson Kimse}', Harvey Kincaid, James Kincaid, John F. Kimsey, James Kimsey, Thomas A. Key, James C. Kejs James Kave, Benjamin Kimsey, Daniel King, Miles Kenton, George P. Kave, John Kimsey, Alois Kimsey, Will- iam Little, Caleb P. Lowns, John Lewis, William Lovelady, James Lovelady, Sr., Thomas Lovelady, L. L. Leonard, Levi Law- ler, James Lynch, Isaac Lynch, Isaac F. Lewis, Richard Linville, Adam J. Lucas, Moses Lovelady, Robert F. Logan, Marcus Lips- comb, James Lindsay, William Lewis, Sr., Bryan IamvIs, John Lewis, Abraham Linville, Jackson W. Lee, John Larker, ^\'illiam Lockhart Jesse Lively, John Long, Willis Long, 'J'homas Langley, Isaac Lebo, John Lewis, Jesse Lewis, Sloan Lewis, Isaac Lewis, .John Liggett, Joseph Lynch, John Lynch, John Linville, Granville Linville, Har- y HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 565 risoii Linvillc, Simon AY. Lcvendy, Joseph Mooiieybam, Irviii Moonoyham, William Moouoyliiim, James Mohley, John S. Malott, Patton Miir[)hey, Charles Miilliiis, Anthony Mahan, Jesse McCall, Jonatiiau Mosiire, Nimrod MeCracken, Isaac Moody, Greenfield Matthews, Jesse Moore, Thomas Marchael, Lewis Medlin, Anderson McFall, Matthias Maston, Felix G. Mulligan, L. W. McManus, Jon- athan Mitchell, John Morin, Charles Mucey, David McColliim, George McAfee, John Marsh, John McCarty, W. 8. May, Jesse Morin, Silas May, George Martin, Isaac Miller, William McBride, Jacob McKis- sick, John Martin, Robert McCracken, Henry Matheney, David McGee, James Miller, Jacob Millihaii, \Villiam ^loore, Samuel McGown, Anson McCracken, John McConl, Albert W. Mason, William Mc- Guire, William Malotte, Abraham Miller, Joseph Martin, Den Med- dlin, Thomas McClair, George McClair, James McClair, William McClair, Samuel T. Masou, Richard McMahon, James C. McMahon, Samuel McAdow, George B. McAdow, Robert B. Mitchell, William Manian, John McClair, Woodson Manian, George Mai'tin, John Mil- ler, James C. Means, Wesley McCollom, Jackson McCollom, David S. McWilliams, Jesse Moras, David M. William, Houston McFarland, Joseph Moore, Wm. S. Murphy, John F. McWhitcr, A. J. Markwell, J. M. Marchael, Elisha Morgan, Sandy II. Moreland, Alexander Mc- Donald, Daniel Moreland, John H. Meador, John McClarey, Thomas Malott, Nathaniel Mann, Hugh McCallerty, Samuel McCafferty, Ed- waril McFerson, Nicholas McFerson, Benjamin Moncus, William Mar- tin, Franklin Martin, Harden Martin, Zadoc Martin, Joseph Martin, William McCray, Bright Martin, Frederick Marshall, J. D. Mulligan, Jesse Masse, William Masse, Joshua Noland, Hosea Norris, Gal)riel Nilson, William Nave, Daniel Night. Abner Norris, James Nichles, C. C. Nichles, Isaac Norman, Thomas H. Noble, Nicholas Noland, Obed Noland, John Noland, William Newman, Joel Noland, Jonathan Owen, Aaron Owen, Timothy O'Keot', E. C. Owen, N. P. Owen, John R. Owens, M.N. Owen, J. H. Owen, William O'Vanion, Isham Owen, Henry D. Oden, John Packwood, \\'illiam Packwood, W. Pear- son, John Pearson, William Praiter, David Poor, William Portice, Wm. Peters, Ervin Parrott, Jas. Pennington, Henderson Pinkston, Hai;- rison Pinkston, Hezekiah Porter, Enoch Patrick, John Pace, Thomas M. Page, Levi Pilkinton, Robert Patton, Daniel K. Parker, James Parker, L. M. Pittman, Reuben Pigg, Berry Pitcher, Hiram Pitcher, Henry F. Powers, William Pearson, Robert Pearson, Jacob Pitts, Foniley Price, Samuel Philips, Wilson Potter, Bentley Potter, Amos Riley, Benj. Robertson, R. M. Robertson, Thomas Ring, Henry Ren- ick, Riley Ramsey, Daniel Reed, John Ramsey, Abraham Risk, Rob- ert Renick, George W. Renick, Mahlon Renick, J. C. Roberson, John Ronth, Jeremiah Rose, James Riitledge, David Rutledge, John P. Rogers, Charles Robertson, James B. Riggs, William Roberson, James Roup, William Roup, Robert Ross, Garrison Reed, John Rummons, Alexander Russell, Samuel Ross, John Roup, David Roup, Russell Rogers, Sidney Ray, John Rogers, James M. Rogers, Anderson Rog- ers, F. M. Randolph, William Rolston, Elijah Shepherd, William 566 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. Slawu, Benj. Stanton, Bluford Stanton, Jonathan Smith, Jonathan Scaggs, Joseph Shannon, William Sharp, Nicholas Sharp, Alfred Sanders, George W. Smith, William Shafer, Isaac Stobaugh, James Smith, Johir Stilhvell, John Seerr>, John M. Savage, Jonathan Shaw, Peter Salor, Joseph Still, William M. Sutton, George Stallcup, James Sanders, John C. Statt, Isaac Stoats, Samuel Suruey, Wavmau St. Clair, Eli Shepherd, Metcalf Smith, William St. John, Job St. John, Zephaniah St. John, John Smith, Abner Smith, Jeremiah Stanford, John Sipes, Jeremiah Spratt, James Spratt,- George Southard, Reuben Shackleford, Henry Sharp, Dan- iel Sharp, George Sharp, John P. Smith, Mrs. Nancy Smith, Doctor Smith, James Simpson, Richard Smith, William Simp- son, Robert Stone, Thomas K. Simpson, William G. Smith, D. A. Sutton, James Simpson, Jonatlian Shepard, James R. Shepard, Bird Speerlock, Lewis Scott, Benjamin Smith, Joseph Swanson, Jacob Swops, James B. Smith, Gishum Springer, George Springer, P. B. Solomon, Samuel Stitt, Absalom Smith, Josiah Thorp, William Tate, Joseph Todd, Jr., Nathan Thorn, John B. Terry, Isaac Thomas, David Thomas, Joseph Thomas, AVilliam Turnhill, S. B. Taylor, John Thornburg, Silas Tribblc, Joseph Todd, Sr., Reuben B. Tilley, John Tincher, Daniel Thomas, John Trapp, John M. Tate, Robert Todd, William Todd, " Sr." J. Todd, Andrew Tribble, W. Todd, Jr., Thomas Turner, Andrew Thompson, John Timberlick, Thomas Taw- son, John W. Taylor, Boston Temple, James Thorpe, Terry Trapp, Mrs. Lydia Tebbs, Squire B. Thorp, Albert Tipton, John Tipton, Jonathan Todd, Dudley Tribble, William Usry, Henry Underbill, Wesley Vaughn, Barrel Vaughn, John W. Vineyard, Jesse VineA'ard, Joseph Vilatt, David Vauijlin, Benjamin Vanmeter, Thomas M. Ward, Charles Wills, W. J.~ Wainwright, Edward Wilcox, Ellis Will- iams, J. W. B. Winn, James White, James Wood, Stephen Wills, James Wilson, Dalin Williams, David Woody, R. P. Wood, AVilliam Walker, James Wills, Martin Warren, William Warren, Elijah Whit- ton, J. B. Wilson, James Walters, N. C. Wilson, Harvey White, William Wilson, Nathaniel AYice, Joseph Williams, Joseph B. WoUs, Dudle}' AVells, Richard AValker, Andrew Welch, Zachariah Warner, ^iram Waller, Hall L. Wilkerson, Samuel Walker, Jeremiah Wil- son, John H. Winston, Joseph Winston, Jacob Yount, Washington Yates, John Young, Solomon Yates, Jesse Yocum, William Young, Rufus Young, John E. Young, Benjamin Yocum, Joshua Yates, Leroy Yates, Abel Yates, Thompson H. Yates, William Yates. CHAPTEE V. OEGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY, EARLY OFFICIALS, COURTS, PROCEEDINGS AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS— 1837-1840 Platte a Part of Clay — Officials of the Annexed Territory — Election of 1838 — Platte County Orgauized — Act of Organization — ^The New County — First County Court — Municipal Townships Established — Regular and Adjourned Terms — County Boundary Report — First Term of the Circuit Court — First Grand Jury — First Attorneys — First Instruments Recorded — Early Marriages. PLATTE A PART OF CLAY. By act of the Missouri Legislature, approved December. 16, 1836, it was provided that in case the General Government approved and ratified the treaty, commonly called the Platte Purchase, entered into September 17, 1836, by and between the United States and the Sac and Fox tribes of Indians, all the territory described in said treaty and ceded by said Indians to the United States, lying south of an ex- tension of the northern bound;iry line of Clay county due west to the Mississippi river, should be attached to said Clay county for all civil and militar}' purposes, and become an integral part of the same.' This treaty was formally ratified by the General Government Febru- ary 17, 1837; and thereupon the lower part of said territory, as above descrilicd, at once by operation of law became a part of Clay county. OFFICIALS OF THE ANNEXED TERRITORY. After the annexation of what is now Platte county (or most of it)^ to Clay, the county court of that county, as soon as population had accumulated in the new territory sufficiently to require it, proceeded to appoint justices of the peace and constables for the new portion of the county, the following mimed persons I'eceiving the appoint- ments : Michael Byrd, Matthias Maston, Peter S. Benton, Jno. B. Col- lier, Jas. H. Hord, Hugh McCafferty, Robt. Patton, Peter Crockett, 1 By the same act all the balance of the Purchase was attached to Clinton county. 2 When Platte county was surveyed and its boundary lines established in 1839 by Matthew M. Hughes, appointed by the Government for that purpose, he found that to include not less than the constitutional minimum area of a territory in the county it was necessary to place tlie northern boundary line about five miles [north of the former exten.slon line of Clay county. 31 ^567) 568 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. Charles Wells (Carroll Tp.), Juo. B. Bownds (Marshall Tp.), Robt. Stone (Pettis Tp.), Jas. Flaniiery (Carroll Tp.), H. Brooks (Green Tp.),I. W. Gibson (Carroll Tp.), William Banta (Preston Tp.), 'Squire B. Thorp (Pettis Tp.), Henry D. Oden (Preston Tp.), Ar- chibald Hill (Preston Tp.), Jno. Stokes (Pettis Tp.), James Feath- erston (Preston Tp.), Jacob Smelser (Pettis Tp.), Jno. B.Rogers (Green Tp.), William A. Fox (Carroll Tp.), and Daniel Clary (Car- roll Tp.). These were the first resident civil officers who ever exercised author- ity and jurisdiction in the country now comprising Platte county — the pioneers of civilized government on the soil of this county, so to speak. They continued in office, to grace the ermine and wield the baton of the law, until the organization of the county and the election of their successors, when those who were not retained by the vote of the peo- ple stepped down and out. This is the state of man ; To-day he puts forth The tender leaves of hope ; to-morrow blossoms, And bears his blushing honors thick upon him; The third day comes a killing frost; And, when he thinks, good easy man, full surely His greatness is ripening, — nips his root. And then he falls. ELECTION OF 1838. The rapid settlement of the country after the extinguishment of the Indian title, particularly of the lower part of the Purchase, soon rendered the organization of one or more counties along the Platte a necessity. At the general State election of 1838 this new territory for the first time had a voice in the decision of public questions, and on the question of pre-eminent importance to the people of the Purchase — the organization of county governments — the voters were a unit. The candidates for the Legislature on the Democratic ticket were elected, namely, James T. V. Thompson and Cornelius Gilman for the Senate, and David R. Atchison,' James M. Hughes and Jesse Morin for the House, all pledged to support a measure for the organization of one or more counties in the Platte Purchase. Col. Morin was a resident of what is now Platte county at the time, and Gen. Atchison located here — at Platte City — soon afterwards. 'For whom Atchison, Kansas, was named. Afterwards United States Senator and Vice-President; still living, ripe in honors and in years, and a resident of Plattsburg, in Clinton county, Mo. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 569 PLATTE COUNTY ORGANIZED. The Legislatiu-e convened November 19, 1838, and promptly a bill was bronght forward — as soon as the two houses were oi-ganized and ready for work — for the formation of the present counties of Platte and Buchanan. With such vigilance and ability was the pas- sage of the measure attended to that within six weeks from the first day of the session it had become a law, receiving the Governor's signature December 31, 1838. ACT OF ORGANIZATION. Following is the substance of the act, so far as its provisions relate to Platte county in any important particular: — 1. Boundaries. — On the east by the Clay county line, on the south- west bv the Missouri river, and on the north l)y a straight line to be surve3'ed from the Clay county line to the Missouri river, far enough up to include an area in the triangle thus forming the county equal to exactly 400 square miles. 2. Survey. — The Governor authorized and required to appoint without d&lay a competent surveyor to run and establish the boundary lilies of the county according to the requirements of the act. 3. S^irveyor. — To begin work within 30 days, and when it is com- pleted to report to the Governor and to the county court. 4. County Court and Sheriff. — The Governor authorized and re- quired to ai)i)oint three suitable persons, residents of the county, as justices of the county court; and another person of like qualifications as sheriff. 5. Terms of County Court. — Regular terms of the county court to be held on the first Mondays of Feliruary, May, August and Decem- ber ; but the first term not to be held until the second Monday in March next. 6. County Clerk and Assessor. — The connt\' court to appoint a county clerk and county assessor at the first (March) term. 7. Judicial and Senatorial Districts. — The boundaries of the first judicial and twelfth senatorial districts extended so as to include this county. 8. Circuit Clerk. — Judge of tiie circuit court to appoint circuit clerk and to hold regular terms of court on tirst Mondays in April, August and December. 9. Tenure of Appointees. — All count}' officers appointed to hold until the next general election. 10. County Seat. — The Platte Falls was made the temporary seat of justice for the county, and Samuel Hadloy, of Cla}^ Samuel D. Lucas, of Jackson, and John H. Morehead, of Ray counties, ai)pointed as commissioners to select a site for the permanent county seat. 570 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 11. One Representative. — The county was allotted one member of the House of Representatives of the State Legislature. THE NEW COUNTY. On the territory and people of Platte county, as Platte county, the sun rose for the first time on the 1st of January, 1839. The county had now been established, and only the work of getting the machinery of county government, provided by the Legislature, in order and to running remained to be done. Gov. Boggs promptly complied with the requirements of the act of organization, so far as concerned the duties which it devolved upon him, and three justices of the county court, a sheriff and a special surve3'or to locate and establish the county boundaries were appointed. Messrs. John B. Collier, Michael Byrd and Hugh McCafferty were appointed the members of the county court, Jones H. Owens was appointed the sheriff, and Matthew M. Hughes to survey and estab- lish the county boundaries. In due time, after receiving notice of their appointments, all qualified as required by law. FIRST COUNTY COURT FIRST TERM. Under the law the first term of the county court was begun at the Falls of the Platte (now Platte City) on the 11th of March, 1839. The term lasted for three days, and was held in one of the rooms of John B. Fayler's tavern, rented for the purpose, a one and a half story double-hewed log house, in the part of Platte City then included in the old town of Martinsville. The house, at that time, by all odds, the most considerable building of the eight or ten here, had but two complete rooms and a hall between, besides the kitchen in the rear and two half story rooms above. Nevertheless it was made to serve the double purpose of a hotel and court-house. By the records of the court we find that by the close of the 8th of May following, Mr. Faylcr had received the sum of $15.50, in two payments of $6 and $9.50 each, for the use of his room by the court, or had drawn war- rants for those amounts. This was not a mean rental, we may go on to say, considering the assessments made upon licenses. The first license granted was to Jonathan and Nicholas Owen, to keep a grocery, on which the State levy was $5. The county court assessed them $1. However, immediately after assembling, all the judges and the sheriff being present, the court proceeded to organize by the election of Judge Collier as presiding justice, and the appointment of Hall L. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 571 Wilkerson as clerk. Some miuor business was transacted and Harri- son Liuville was appointed county assessor. At the same time Ira M. Norris was appointed treasurer. MUNICIPAL TOWNSHIPS ESTABLISHED. The county was apportioned by the county coui-t into sixtownships, as follows : — ' Preston — Beginning in the middle of the main channel of Platte river opposite the mouth of Smith's fork, thence up the middle of said channel to the count}' line, thence east along the same to the northeast corner of the county, thence south along the east line of Platte county to the middle of the main channel of Smith's fork, thence down and following the course of said channel in the middle thereof to the point of beginning. C«?'ro/Z— Beginning in the middle of the main channel of Platte river opposite the mouth of Smith's fork, thence down along the mid- dle of said channel to a point opposite the mouth of Prairie creek, thence up said creek to a point where the same is crossed by the me- ridian which passes through the middle of John M. Bryant's black- smith shop, thence due east to the Garrison road, thence along and following the course of said road to the line separating Clay and Platte counties, thence north along said line to the middle of the main chan- nel of Smith's fork, thence down said channel to tiie point of be- ginning. Pettis. — Beginning in the middle of the main channel of Platte river opposite Prairie creek, thence down the same to the middle of the main channel of the Missouri river, thence down and following the course of said channel last aforesaid to the southeast corner of Platte county, thence north along the line of said county to the Garrison road, thence along said road to the place where the same is inter- sected by a line running east from a point in Prairie creek, crossed by the meridian which passes through the middle of John M. Byrant's blacksmith's shop, thence east along said line to said point in Prairie creek, thence down the corner to the point of beginning. Lee} — Beginning in the main channel of Platte river at Anderson's ferry, thence down said channel in the middle thereof to the middle of the main channel of the Missouri river, thence up the same to a point where the line which separated the attached ]5arts of Clay and Clinton counties (when the Platte country was attached to those counties for civil and military purposes) terminated, thence east along said line to Bee creek, thence down Bee creek to the ford, where the road running • All the six townships substantially as the six of the same names now are (Pres- ton exactly) except Pettis and Lee. The latter included all of its present territory, all of the present township of May and all of Waldron east of the Platte. Lee in- cluded all of its present territory, all of Weston and substantially all of Fair. 572 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. from Moore's antl Thompson's mills to Anderson's ferry crosses the same, thence along said road to the point of beginning.' Green. — Beginning at the middle of the main channel of Platte river at Anderson's ferry, thence np and following the course of said channel to the county line, thence west with said line to the road run- ning from Penuick's store by Linville's store to Weston, thence down said road to the line which separated the attached part of Clay and Clinton counties (when the Platte countr}' was attached to these coun- ties for civil and military purposes), thence east along said line to Bee creek, thence down the same to the ford where the I'oad running from Moore's and Thompson's mills to Anderson's ferry crosses the same, thence along said road to the point of beginning. MarsliaU. — Beginning at a point on the road which runs fi'om Pennick's store by Linville's store to Weston, where said road is crossed by the county line, thence down said road to the line which separated the attached parts of Clay and Clinton counties (when the Platte country was attached to said counties for civil and military pur- poses), thence west along said line to the middle of the main channel of the Missouri river, thence up and following the course of said chan- nel to the northwest corner of Phitte county, thence east along the line of said county to the point of beginning. OTHER PROCEEDINGS AT THE FIRST TERM. Peter Crockett, of Preston ; Matthias Maston, of Carroll ; James Heard, of Pettis ; Robert Patton, of Lee; William M. Kincaid, of Green ; and Samuel S. Mason, of Marshall townships, were appointed "distributing justices to lay off" their respective townships into convenient road districts. Francis Dean, Robert Patton and Isaac Ai'cher were appointed com- missioners to view and lay out a county road from Platte Falls (Platte City) to New Market. John Pace, William Arsary and Jacob Adamson were appointed to lay out a road from New Market to Weston. Isaac McEUis was granted a license to keep a ferry across the Mis- souri river between the Platte county side and Kickapoo village, on the opposite side, and the rates of toll were fixed. Letters of administration were granted to Jeremiah Spratt on the ' Weston tovvnship was established May 16, 1840, of territory taken from Lee, as follows : — Beginniufi in the middle of the main channel of the Missouri river opposite the mouth of Bee creek, thence north to the mouth of said creek, thence up and following the course of said creek to the point where the line separating the attached parts of Clay and Clinton counties (when the Platte country was attached to these counties for civil and military purposes) crossed the same, thence due west to the middle of the main channel of the Missouri river, thence down the same to the point of beginning. This was substantially as it now is. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 573 estate of John Hensley, aud Bethel Allen was appointed guardian of the persons and estates of Telitha and Polly Allen, minor children of Samson Allen, deceased. Edward Wilcox was appointed constable of Carroll township, and after granting several merchants' and grocers' (dramshop-keepers') licenses court adjourned for the term on the 13th of March, 1839, to meet again April 1st following. ADJOURNED APRIL AND REGULAR MAY TERMS. The " adjourned " April term lasted but one day and no business of general interest was transacted. Its work was confined principally to probate business, granting merchants', grocers' and ferrymen's li- censes, appointing a commission or two of viewers to lay out roads and receiving a few reports of minor importance. But at the regular May term the work of setting the entire machin- ery of county government in motion, so far as tliat duty devolved upon the county court, was well nigh completed. County Boundavi/ Report. — The special commissioner, Matthew M. Hughes, appointed by the Governor to survey and establish the county boundaries, made his report to the court, which was received and approved and entered of record. As before remarked, it located the northern boundary of the county a small fraction more than five miles north of the old line which separated the attached parts of Clay and Chariton counties,^ under the act of the Legislature, approved December 16, 1835.' This report established the bound- aries as they now are and have been ever since. Road Overseers and Roads. — At the same term of court the allot- ting justices to apportion the county into road districts, appointed at the first (March) term, made their report which was received and ap- proved.' It divided the county into 31 road districts, for each of which an overseer was appointed by the court, as follows : — Lee township — Road district No. 1, Paton Murphy; No. 2, Bcnj. Smith. Preston township — Road district No. 1, Henry Netherton ; No. 2, Axiom Farmer; No. 3, David Hunt ; No. 4, Chesley Burnett. Car- roll township — Road district No. 1, Jno. Linch ; No. 2, Daniel Con- roy. Of the Garrison road on the line of Carroll and Pettis — Road ' Therefore nearly all of the northern line of Congressional townships in this county wasfor a time apart of Clinton county. - But which did not go into effect until December IG, 183G — ante p. 6. ' Jno. B. Collins in the meantime had been substituted on the commission in place of Harry Kincaid, who refused to serve 574 HISTORY OF PLATTE GOUNTT. district No. 1, Adiun C. Wood ; No. 2, Jacob Higgins ; No. 3, Fantley P.Rice. Pettis (new road) — Road district No. 1, H. T. Barker ; No. 2, James Coleman ; No. 3, Wakefield Cox ; No. 4, Geo. B. Mc- Adow. Marshall township — Road district No. 1, Lewis Burnes ; No. 2, Jno. Todd ; No. 3, Andrew Tribble; No. 4, Jno. Boulware ; No. 5, Jackson Bates; No. 6, Robt. Cooper; No. 7, Wra. Massey ; No. 8, Jacob Cox; No. 9, James Means. Green township — Road district. No. 1, Jno. Fry ; No. 2, Jno. Forbes ; No. 3, London Barker ; No. 4, Madison Drace ; No. 5, Lewis Bell; No. 6, I. T. Lewis; No. 7, I. Huntsaker; No. 8, Harvey Kincaid ; No. 9, Wesley Barker; No. 10, Isaac Grasscock. A number of roads were ordered to bo " laid out " and several road reports were received and approved. In a short time good wagon roads were established in every direction throughout the county and ferries were licensed at the various crossings of non-fordable streams. Early in the " Forties " there were probably not less than fifty roads open in tlie county, besides several State roads. Township Justices — Under the law at that time ( 1839), each town- ship was entitled to four justices of the peace. By the organization of the new county of Platte, the terms of the justices who held under Clay county commissions expired by operation of law. It was there- fore necessary to provide for the election of their successors. For this purpose a special election was ordered by the county court at its May term, to be held on the fourth Saturda}'^ in June. John P. Smith, Jas. Cox and Solomon Leonard ^ were appointed judges of election in Marshall township; Jas. B. Wells, Demetrius A.Sutton and Jno. Hendricks were appointed for Lee township ; Matthias Cline, Francis Dean and Harry Kincaid for Green township ; James Butler, Sr., Pa- ton Murphy and AVilliam Masterson for Preston ; John Young, David Hunt and Wm. Bowlin for Pettis, and Joseph Higgins, Wm. Brown and David King for Carroll township. Here we may be permitted to digress slightly to give the names of the successful candidates : In Preston township the}' were Peter Crockett, Archibald Hill, Wm. Bauta and H. D.Odin; Carroll — Matthias Maston, Daniel Clary, Isaac W^ Gibson and James Flannery ; Pettis — S. B. Thorp, Andrew Campbell, William Fox and Robert Stone ;Lee — Jeremiah H. Spratt, Robert Patton, Charles Wells and Thomas E. Jordan; Marshall — Milton Byrum, Thos. J. Lovelady, Jno. R. Bounds and John P. 1 Afterwards circuit judge and later still a judge of the Supreme Court; see Cliap- ter on Carroll Township. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 575 Smith; and in Green — Henry Brooks, John C. Bywaters, Jackson Adamson and J. M. Fulkerson.' PKOCEEUING8 OF OTHER EARLY TERMS. County Seat Established. — November 15, 1839, a minute was made of record that the members of the commission appointed by the Governor to select a permanent seat of jnstice for Platte county bo notified that the court was ready to receive their report. They had selected the site on the east'side of the Platte river adjoiningthe falls — the southwest quarter of section 24, and the west half of section 36, in township 35, and range 53 — as the permanent seat of justice for the county, and on the 3d of December, their report, as already confirmed by Judge King, of the circuit court, was i-eceived and approved by the county court. Samuel D. Lucas and Samuel Hadley, of the commission, made the report, and the new county seat was referred to at the Platte Falls. The next day Stephen Johnson was appointed commissioner of the seat of justice, and ordered to lay out the site of the place (or at least a i)art of it) into lots of convenient size, and locate the necessary streets and alleys, causing a plat thereof to be made and to be filed and recorded in the recorder's office, as the law required. He was also directed (February 3, 1880), to sell every alternate lot ofthe place, ex- cepting lots 10, 11 and 12 of block 25, which were reserved for public buildings, and to report the result to the county court. His bond was fixed at $20,000. Judge Leonard was the assistant of the com- mission in the work of laying out and platting the town. February 3, 1840, it was given its present name, Platte City, by the county court. Several public sales of lots were held, and the last one was advertised in the St. Louis Argus and the Liberty Far West. Twenty thousand dollars were realized. (Jourt-house and Jail. — At the May term of the county coui't, in 1840, D. A. Sutton, Jesse Morin and Elijah Moore were appointed commissioners to prepare a plan and make a contract, or contracts, for the construction of a court-house, on the lots above mentioned as excepted for public buildings. The plan submitted at the same time by D. A. Sutton was approved — the one upon which the court- house was built — and he was awarded the contract for its construc- tion. It was when completed a square, substantial brick structure, two stories high, with an inclined quadrilateral roof surmounted by a ' In 1840, when Westen township was formed, Jas. C. Means and Geo. H. Keller were elected Its first justices. 576 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. cupola — a tastily constructed, " well appearing and substantial pub- lic building." ^ At the next January term $3,000 were appropriated by the county court for the construction of a jail on lots 7 and 8 of block 23, and a substantial log structure, with iron-barred windows and sheet-iron- lined cells, was built. It probably did well enough for those days, but now it would be simply a pleasant pastime for the average " crook " to pass quietly and gracefully out without consulting either court or jailor. Jesse Morin who was appointed the first circuit clerk of the county, while he was a member of the Legislature, was also ajjpointed superin- tendent of public buildings by the county court, and served in the latter ofBee as well as in that of circuit clerk for a number of years. FIRST TERM OF THE CIRCUIT COURT. It would have been apparent to even a stranger at the Platte Falls on the morning of Monday, the 25th of March, 1839, that some event of more than ordinary importance was at hand. A small frontier village of ten or a dozen houses nestled down among the hills in the midst of a great forest, and without a street — for none had been established then — and barely with a single road leading to a fort on the east and to another across the Missouri river, it nevertheless presented a busy and animated scene ; and although everything seemed to be in confusion, each settler was busy putting things in order for the coming event. Zadoc Martin was here. He had been at worii for a week or more arranging about his house and putting things in shape to make it a hospitable village hostelry, a welcome travelers' rest. It was a new business to him, and he was not sure that he would like it ; but cir- cumstances had changed now, and he must adjust himself to the new order of things. For years as ferryman for the Government at the Falls, away back in the days of the forts and tlie Indian reserve, he had been the grand provincial sheikh of all this region of country, with none to dispute his authority. His word was law, and he needed no one to tell him what his prerogatives were or how to use them. But now the government had yielded its control over the Platte coun- try to the State, and the Indians were all gone or were leaving, whilst settlers were pouring in by thousands. Poor old friend Martin saw that the days of his rule were numbered — that they were even already ' It was burned down during the war. See chapter on Carroll township. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNT V. .^7 7 passed .'iwuy, and now he must become one among many citizens, all equal before the law, and do as others did. Thus it happened that on the morning referred to he was found just completing arrangements about his house — a hewed log house of two rooms and with a kitclien in the rear — to make it a village tavern. And John Fayler was here, too — a good-natured, generous soul, energetic and industrious, but not thrifty ; poor when he came but with plenty to eat and wear, and poor but not hungry or out of humor when he left. He of course had a tavern, too; he was too agreeable an host, and too generous not to have one. His wife put their house in order, and he had seen to it that ample provisions were on hand for the table. There tlien were others here, the storekeepers and the like, and the village was not without its " groceries " — bad villagers. Ample sup- plies in this line had been laid in also. All was in readiness for the coming event. The morning of the 25th was at hand. The smoke from the chim- neys of all the village houses curled gracefully above the forest and floated off in the distance. The murmur of the waters of the Platte, as they coursed on to the Missouri, was borne gently on the breeze. By and by settlers began to arrive from all the country round about, some horseback and not a few afoot. Soon horses were hitched to almost every tree and crowds began to gather at the stores and groceries. Now and then a stranger, generally on horseback, but once in awhile afoot, put in an appearance; and with each new arrival of these the inquiry went quickly around, " Who is he? " Finally, a man of marked jDresence was seen approaching, coming up the road on horseback, and at a brisk trot. A minute or two later and he had hitched his horse and was among the crowd shaking hands warmly with most of the strangers and a few of the villagers and other settlers whom he knew. "Who is he?" was asked by many with almost a single voice. He was Judge Austin A. King, judge of the circuit court of this judicial cii'cuit, and afterwards Governor of the State, and he had come to the village of the Falls of the Platte to hold the first term of circuit court ever held in Platte county. It was for this event, the holding of the first term of court of general jurisdiction in the county, that all these preparations had been made, and to take part in, or witness, for which these settlers and stivingers had come. The residents of the county were here as witnesses, jurors (grand or petit), litigants or spectators. The strangers who came were almost without exception attorneys, and some of them had come 578 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. many miles over difficult roads and across swollen streams, before the days of railroads, and even on foot. Those were the days of pioneer, dauntless lawyers, as well as of fearless, hardy frontiersmen. A prominent citizen^ of the county has given an interesting sketch of the early experiences of the bar in this part of the State. •' In those early days," he says, " the lawyers followed the judge, - afoot or on horseback, according to their circumstances, on his circuit around through the district ; or, sometimes, on their long and weary journeys from county to county, through a sparsely settled country, they rode in tic — that is, the one who had been riding for awhile would dismount and let his pedestrian companion ride, whilst he, the previous rider, would walk along beside and relate or listen to amus- ing anecdotes that raised such peals of laughter as to wake the echoes of silent forests and drive away hunger and the tedium of travel. " But they rarely, if ever, suffered from hunger. When ready to start from one county to that of another, they managed to store away in their saddlebags or coat pockets enough good honest corn-bread and strength-giving spare-ribs or fried bacon to last them until the next county town was reached ; and many a merry picnic those jour- neying hemi-peripatetic attorneys had with their luncheons spread upon a log or friendly stone by the wayside. " It was often amusing to see them arriving at the county seat. At the spring terms of court the infantr}' line would usually reach town with their shoes and pants and other wearing apparel sorely bespat- tered with mud, and sometimes they would even be dripping wet to a point above their knees, caused, doubtless, by misplaced confidence in trusting well but not wisely to the thickness and strength of the ice for a bridge across some ill-starred, treacherous stream. " But, after all, they were a good-natured, humorous 'guild,' and as soon as one brave footman was safely arrived and dry, he was ready to laugh heartily at the others who came trudging in. Fre- quently the greeting was heard from those already in, to their more tardy and, perhaps, less fortunate brothers: 'How is walking?' ' How did your phial hold out ?' ' Where is vour bedding? ' and the like." But to return to the scene of the first circuit court of the county : — Judge King and the lawyers who came found the little village and the officials ready to receive them. It was a red-letter day for tlie ' Judge W. H. Roney. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 5 7 'J Falls, and all were disposed to do due honor to the occasion. Zadoc Martin's hotel of two rooms, and John Fayler's, which contained four besides the kitchen, were thrown open for guests. The Judge and the attorneys were comfortably provided for. COURT OPENED. The room in Fayler's tavern in which the county court had held its first term was secured by the sheriff', Mr. Owen, for the circuit court ; and promptly at 10 o'clock a. m. Judge King took his seat (a hickory Ijark split-bottomed chair in one corner of the room), and directed the sheriff to open court. Court was called, and the Hon. Jesse Morin came forward and was sworn in as circuit clerk, having been appointed to that office by Judge King. Thereupon the names of the grand jurors summoned for the term were called, and they came for- ward and were qualified by being sworn and charged as the law di- rected. FIRST GRAND JURY. The following is a list of names of the first grand jury of the county : Jesse Lewis, foreman ; Joshua Yates, James Beagle, Will- iam McLain, Peyton Murphy, ^ Robert Cain, Isaac Norman, Patrick Cooper, John McCarty, Daniel Dearborn, Solomon Tetherow, John Brown, James Flannery, Joseph Todd, Sr., Henry Matheny, Samuel A. Brown, James Brown, John S. Malott, Isaac Blanton and Isaac Glascock. WORK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT — INDICTMENTS . Court continued in session but three days, but during that time dis- patched a large amount of business. On the first day the grand jury returned sixteen indictments, nearly all for gaming and none of any general interest. Reporting that they were through with their busi- ness, they were therefore discharged by the court. Wm. T. Wood, now Judge of the Jackson (county) circuit court, was at the time circuit attorney for the circuit and appeared for the State as prosecutor in the cases reported by the grand jury. All or nearly all of the defendants, however, pleaded guilty and were each assessed a small fine and costs. Gaming at that time was hardly considered as much of an offense against morals as it came to be in later years. It was quite a com- iiKin pastime then and often those who stood high in public esteem were addicted to it. Hence the number of indictments of this class found on the day of court and the apparent leniency with which the defendants were treated. ' rteferrcd to elsewhere as Paton Miirpliy. 580 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. CIVIL CASES. There were 11 civil cases on the docket at the^ first term, under the following titles : Harve}' Kiucaid v. John Pearson — appeal for debt ; Anna Gunn v. John Guun — divorce for drunkenness ; John S. Malott V. William Sloan — certiorari; McGuuegle & Way v. Furgerson & Mullekin — assumpsit; George Frazier t;. Joseph Mullekin — petition, in debt; Thomas M. Page v. John C. Staats — attachment for debt; Felix G. Mullikin v. John D. Mullikin — attachment for debt; Suy- dam, Sage & Co. ■;;. John C. Staats — attachment for debt; John Smith V. Asher & Davidson — appeal for debt ; N. & J. T. White v. John C Statts — petition in debt. Most of these were disposed of at that term, and in the Gunn di- vorce case, Mrs.' Gunn was granted a divorce on the ground pleaded in her petition, the drunkenness of her husband. He was proved to be entirely worthless as well as dissipated, and Judge King set an ex- cellent example of the humanity of the law bj' relieving a worthy woman of a worthless husband. FIRST ATTORNEYS. The members of the bar who appeared and enrolled at the first term of court were the following: David R. Atchison, Amos Eees, Alexander W. Doniphan, Russell Hicks, John A. Goi'don, Peter H. Burnett, James S. Thomas, A. E. Cannon, William D. Almond, Theo- dore D. Wheaton, William T. Wood and the venerable Gen. Andrew S. Hughes, most all of whom have passed from this earth. Nearly all of these were then, or afterwards came to be, prominent at the bar and in public life. New county and new countiy, as Platte county then was, there has probably not been such an array of legal talent assembled at any one term of circuit court in this part of the State for many a year as met at the Platte Falls on the occasion of o[)ening the first term of circuit court in this county in March, 1839.' recorder's OFFICE. Under the law the circuit clerk of the county was (and is yet) ex officio recorder of deeds, and other instruments of writing required to be recorded, and hence the duties of that oflicc also devolved upon the ever busy, energetic, polyarchial Col. Morin, then circuit clerk.' I For sketches of the lives of tlie leading lawyers of the county, see chapter ou Bench and Bar further along. = During the year 1839 Col. Morin held the offlces of member of the Legislature, cir- cuit clerk, recorder of deeds and superintendent of pnblic buildings. HISTOKY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 581 FIRST INSTRUMENTS RECORDED. Bill of Sale for a Slave. — The records iii tlie recorder's ofSceshow that the first instrument of writing recorded therein was a bill of sale for a slave, from Felix G. Mullikin to Zadoc Martin, the money con- sideration being $200, and the slave, a negro man, Willis, aged about thirty-three years. It was dated May 11, 1839, and was filed for record two days afterwards. Deed for Real Estate. — The first deed for the conveyance of real estate executed in this county, at least so far as the records show, was made on the 2d of March, 1839. It conveyed oue-eighth of lots number 382 and 383 in the town of Weston, with covenants of warranty, from Soya B. Church to Bela M. Hughes, the consideration being $12.50. It was witnessed by John T. Gregory and acknowledged before Charles Wells, justice of the peace in Lee township. Chattel Mortgage. — Poor Mike Fayler, always liked and good natured, and always poor, needed a little extra cash, probably to fix up at his tavern with, and of course had to borrow it. Times were hard then in the new settlement, and money scarce, and it mattered nothing how much one was known in the community, or how manj' friends he had, good security and a high rate of interest were the only terms upon which he could hope to oi)taiu a loan. Anyhow, friend- ships and good opinions, and all that, are well enough in their way, as a sort of every-day, polite hypocrisy, — necessary, perhaps to the social state — but when one is out of monev, and needs a little, he finds how very like the substance of a dream the}' are — gone, upon the slightest test. Mr. Fayler had not yet obtained title to his hotel property, and therefore a loan on that was not considered good. His only other property were his household effects, and a couple of milk cows. On them he was compelled to give a chattel mortgage to secure a loan of $80. The mortgagee was Alexander Graham. He was given a lion in six feather Ijeds six blankets, six bed spreads, 12 sheets and two cows and their calves, as the record shows. This was the first chattel mortgage recorded in the county, dated December 27, 1838. Afterwards, we are glad to say on account of so good a man as Mr. Fayler, the debt and interest were paid, and the mortgage entered " satisfied." Certificate of Marriage. — Very naturally and vei-y properly, one of the first instruments recorded in this then new and promising country was a certificate of marriage, a paper cexlitying to one of a class of 582 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. events the very mention of which makes us all feel young again — our eyes brighten and sparkle and our dry, cold lips feel warm and moist. " Here love his golden shaft employs; here lights His constant lamp, and moves his purple wings, Reigns here and revels." According to the record the certificate went on to say after the caption, that " John A. Ewell and Eliza Haunshelt were united in the, bonds of matrimony, in Platte county, on the 31st of May, 1839, by James Lovelady, a minister of the Gospel, authorized by law to solemnize marriages," or words to that effect. Thus, by this formal yet happy act of the minister, these two lives, all in the glow of youth, ^ and love and hope, were made as one — joined in a union of hearts and interests and happiness, to accompany each other down the long journey of the coming years. "Each for each coming and each self unheard, Bringing life's discord into perfect tune." But the first marriage in the county, according to the records, or rather in the territory now included within its borders — for the county was not then organized — was that of George W. Smith and Sallie Gentry, which occurred March 27, 1838, and was solemnized by George B. Collier,justiceof the peace, commissioned by the county court of Clay county. This part of the country at that early day was of course a wilderness ; but love and marriage are not confined to old and advanced communities — wherever youth and maid, aye, men and women of any ages go, there will the tenderest of all the passions abide and the reunion of hearts and hands occur. So in the midst of the great forests of the Platte country young Smith was made the happy husband of a loving, trusting bride. " To the nuptial bower He led her, blushing like the morn all Heaven And happy constellations, in that hour. Seem to shed their selectcst influence." 1 Aged 18 and 17 years respectively. CHAPTEE VI. MATERIAL PROGRESS OF TWENTY YEARS i.— 1841-1860. Goverament Surveys — Work and Improvements — Laud Entries — Hard Times Among the Settlers^ Great Flood of ISli, Followed by Much Sickness — Hemp Growing — Other Leading Products — Emigration to Oregon — Effect of the Mexican War upon the People — California Gold Excitement — Argonauts from Platte County — Salt Lake and Indian Trade — The Four Years Preceding the Kansas Troubles, and Drawbacks During that Period — Drought of 1S31 — Four Years Preoediug 1801 — Population and Property Valuation from 1810 to 1800 — State Roads, Bridges, Rail. roads, Etc. Unlike the novel, histor}' does not close amid the ringing of marri- age bells and the joyful congratulations of friends. Its province extends further and requires a recital of all the more noteworthy events in the progress of the community with which it assumes to deal. Proceeding, therefore, from the close of the last chapter — which shows that the first and most important institution of society was inaugurated here during the period considered, as well as the institu- tion of county government, we now enter upon an era fraught with great changes in both the condition of the people and the face of the country, an era marked by hard work, sober, homely economy, sterling energy and enterprise, and, nowithstanding some severe draw- backs, with wonderful progress in the development of the resources of the county and the advancement of every important interest of the people, individually and as a communit}'. The Government surveys, commenced in 1839, were finished in 1840, and before the beginning of the following year all who were here had laid their pre-emption claims, and with positive knowledge of what they were to get and what to expect in regard to tiieir titles. This greatly encouraged immigration and made all feel safe to go for- ward with their work and improvements. AVORK AND IMPROVEMENTS. Throughout the winter of 1841-42 the ring of the woodman's ax was hetird in every direction, new houses shot up as if by magic and ' Education, church affairs, newspapers, societies, politics, courts, war matters, etc., etc.,' are cousidered under separate chiipters, further along. 32 '^ (583) 584 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. at night, whenever oue would look, the sk}' was bright with the reflected light of burning logs and brush on the clearings of the settlers. The towns were not less full of life and energy than the country around them. Lots were laid off and were sold readily, commanding good prices ; houses both for business and for dwellings were built, stoi'es, shops and other business establishments opened, and an air of thrift and enterprise pervaded all classes. It was a new country, a remarkably fertile and promising one, and all seemed anxious to avail themselves of every advantage it afforded. GOOD CROPS TOBACCO GROWING. The soil, the seasons and the industry of the husbandman united to bring full abundant crops. The yield of the land was unprecedented even in the experience of those from the most favored regions of Ken- tucky. Every one who succeeded in getting a field opened and planted in time for the cropping season raised an ample supply of the ordi- nary products for at least home use. But there was one difficulty against which they had to contend and that proved to be a very serious one. The people were generally poor — some of them very poor — and there was little here to do to bring in ready money. Especially was this the case with the farming class. With rare exceptions they had brought with them barely enough to bear their ordinary expenses until a crop could be raised, and pos- sibly to enter their lands with when the proper time should come. Gen- erally settling in the timber, the work of opening farms large enough to produce sufficient crops so as to have an overplus for the markets was necessarily slow — the work not of a single season but of years. Besides, there was no demand for anything grown in this part of the country except tobacco. The country had not been settled long enough to develop any appreciable stock interests. Tobacco raising, therefore, became the chief reliance of the farm- ing community as a source of cash income. But it never proved a marked success here and never attained to much popularity or im- portance. The soil was too rich and loamy to produce a superior quality of tobacco, and as a rule it was grown only as a matter of ne- cessity. In 1840 the yield of the county was about 200 hogsheads, valued at about $100 per hogshead. In 1841 it rose to some 250 hogsheads and sold at substantially the same price per hojjshead as that at which the crop of the previous year was sold. The next year there was a fur- ther increase of production. But in 1843 the amount was much less HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 585 than the protluct of either of the other years since 1840. This was caused by a nunil)er of farmers snbstitnting hemp growing ou their farms in phice of tobacco raising. But at best the growth of tobacco never afforded the people any- thing like a satisfactory income. Little money, therefore, was brought into the county, and as they had to have wearing apparel, groceries, etc., they were compelled to pay out much of the small means they had brought with them.' LAND ENTRIES. HARD TIMES AMONG THE SETTLERS. The spring of 1843 brought with it the necessity to the settlers of proving their rights to their pre-emption claims and making entries of their lands. The land office had just been established at Platts- burg, in Clinton county." To enter the land pre-empted in this county required no less than $340,000 in gold, no small amount of money to be raised from a frontier county of a few thousand inliabi- tants. To raise this Uu-ge sum produced the greatest stringency in money matters, the hardest times, in fact, ever known in the county. The people were already poor ; they came to the county poor, and were now poorer than when they came. They had, almost without excep- tion, spent the last dollar they could raise to defray their ordinary living expenses and in making improvements on the lands. How now to pay for their lands was a mystery. Money was the cry in every direction; money, money. All wanted money, and there was little or none to be had. Hundreds in' every part of the county were in the greatest distress through fear that they would be compelled to lose their places, their houses, their all — upon which they had spent years of hard work, and for which they had endured the most trying hardships and privations — by not being able 1 luforraatiou in regard to the early tobacco interests of the county furnished by Mr. T. F. Warner. The leading tobacco dealers were T. F. Warner and Thornburg & Lucas, at Weston, and Fielding Burnes at Parkville. ^ The following is taken from the FhUte Eagle and Weston Commercial Gazette (ex- tra) of February 23, 1813: — OPENING OF THE LAND OFFICE. We are all waiting anxiously for some definite information as to the opening of the Land Ollice. The law creating the Platte District takes effect on the first of March. It is thought that the nominations are now before the Senate. The earliest informa- tion of au authentic character which reaches us upon the subject shall be laid befor(> our readers. The office was opened in April. Ed. M. Samuel was receiver, and James H. Birch, register. 586 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. to get the small ainounts of means necessary to make their entries. Wherever a dollar coiilJ be had and securit}' could be given it was borrowed, with hardly a question asked as to what rate of interest would be charged. Many sold their stock at a sacrifice, and not a few disposed of a part of their household eflects whenever a purchaser could be found, and even the necessaries of life. " In all my life," sa^'s Mr. W. M. Paxtou, who was here at the time, "I have never seen so poor a people as these were." Nevertheless, they kept heart, worked hard, and the seasons were favorable. Denying themselves of everything they could live without, they devoted ever}' cent the}' could get to making payments on their lands. Many used the proceeds from the sale of their tobacco crops in this way. Some were enabled to make the necessary pay- ments by the sale of their hemp crops in 1843. Others, as has been remarked, sold off their stock in order to save their homes. A few men also came into the county with money to loan, and this, with what was here iu the hands of a few others who could spare it, was borrowed to make entries with. Thus, at last, what seemed impossii)le in the spring of 1843 was nearly accomplished by the beginning of the following year — the people of Platte county, poor as they were, had, with few exceptions, completed their entries and paid for their lands. To be sure a few lost their places, many were in debt, and as a rule all were without means to go upon. But the worst of the crisis had been passed, and successfully passed by most of them. Now, only hard work, self-denial and good seasons were necessary to bring about a brighter and more prosperous state of affairs than that from which the people were just emerging, and these, or at least the first two of the three, were assured, whilst the other was hardly less than certain. THE GREAT FLOOD OF 1844 MUCH SICKNESS. In the spring of 1844, farmers entered upon the work of the crop- ping season with renewed hope and energy. A greatly increased acre- age of all the leading products except tobacco was planted, and hemp was substituted in place of tobacco. But an event now occurred which subjected the people of all classes to the grossest apprehensions — the great flood of 1844. This occur- red in the month of June. All the water courses reached unprece- dented heights. The water fall here was greater than it had ever been before and further up the Missouri and its aliluents, including the HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 587 Pl;ittc, it was even greater than hei"e. Besides this, vast volumes of water from the melting snow on the mountains were precipitated into the Missouri, and it became a inighty surging sea of mad waters. Its shores and all the low bottoms were overflowed, and in places it was from three to seven miles wide, navigable for steamboats of the heaviest draught over the entire width. Farms were submerged and houses, barns and fences were swept away. Crops in all the bottoms were of course lost. The damage was disastrous to many farmers. The water rose several feet higher in the Missouri than it has ever been known to be at any time previous or since. The Platte, and all the other streams in this county, were but repe- titions of the Missouri, only on smaller scales. Steamboats ran up to Platte City, and could have gone further l)iit for the obstruction offered by the dam at this place. All the site of the present town of Tracy was under water, and the current of the river swept by, a per- fect torrent, roaring and surging so that it could be heard for nearly a mile away. The damage done in the county -was very large, but was principally confined to those whose farms were in the bottoms. Much sickness followed the flood, principally malarial and typhoid fevers, which proved unusually severe and difficult to control, and in many cases resulted fatally. The fall of 1844 was by far the sickliest season ever known in the county. There was also considerable sick- ness the following year, due no doubt to the miasma still thrown ofi" by decaying matter in the former overflowed districts. HEMP-OUOWING PROSPEROUS TIMES. Upon the whole, however, the year 1844 was another one of good crops. The increased acreage and the abundant yield in the up-lands more than made up for the losses in the bottoms caused by the flood. An abundance of corn and other general products were raised ; more, in fact, than was needed for home use.' But the most profitable crop that year was hem[). This was des- tined to become the leading staple product of the county and to prove a great blessing to the people. Its culture was introduced in the very nick ol' time, when they were in the midst of the hard times, brought on by having to pay out every dollar they could raise, either by their own means or by borrowing, for payment upon their lands. They were poor, often denied the necessaries of life, and were generally in debt. Verily, their situation was by no means a desirable one. 1 Wheat raising had not yet become general. 588 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. But within the next seven years after the culture of herap was intro- duced a marked change in their circumstances had occurred. The people were now out of debt. Lands had increased in value three, five, and often tenfold. The population of the county had about doubled. Its taxable wealth had nearly trebled. The acreage of lands under cultivation was more than three times as great as it had been before.^ The business centers of the county where hemp was marketed had grown to be thriving, important towns. Weston had- become the leading business point west of St. Louis. Throughout the whole period mentioned a perfect stream of money poured into the county. In 1848 the receipts from hemp alone were not less than $200,000. Platte county became the second county in the State in both wealth and population.^ As has been remarked heretofore, hemp growing was introduced into this county in 1843.' During that year some Kentuckians from Mason and other hemp growing counties who had settled here began to grow hemp. They were satisfied, from the character of the soil and other physical conditions, that it would prove a success. Several of them planted quite large crops. As the result proved, they were not mistaken. Indeed, their most sanguine expectations were surpassed. The soil of Platte county proved better adapted to the growth of hemp than even the most favorable soil of Kentucky. Their first crops aggregated over 100 tons of a superior quality of hemp fiber. This was marketed at $60 per ton. The average yield was about 1,000 pounds per acre. The success of this experiment attracted the attention of farmers all over the county. The next year tobacco raising was nearly or quite abandoned in favor of the more profitable crop, hemp. A large acreage was planted, and the yield was again large. The price also advanced. The crop of 1844 brought $80,000 into the county. In 1847 the crop amounted to 1,500 tons; and sold for $150,000. The following year 2,000 tons were raised, which brought about $200,000. From this, until after the war (except for a time during the war) there %vas a general, though not consecutive increase of the annual ' See tables further along in this chapter. 2 It is not claimed that the prosperity and rapid advance of the county were due alone to hemp culture. Other causes, referred to further along, contributed very materially to this result. But hemp culture was one of the principal, if not the lead- ing, cause. ' There were probably several small experimental crops grown before, but none, so far as known, worthy of special mention. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 589 amounts raised, and of the prices paid. In 18(32 the price raised to $220 per ton. The following in regard to the hemp interest of Platte county is taken from the work of Mr. Pai'ker : ^ " The return for hemp in this county in 1850, as shown by the census, was 4,355 tons. In 1859 3,000 tons were shipped from Weston alone. About 20,000 bales or 5,000 tons are (18(57) annually i-aised and exported from this county." Hemp continued to l)e a leading product of the country until about 1870, after which its production fell off rapidly until 1875 when it had nearly or quite ceased. The difBculty of the almost impossibility of getting labor capable and xoiUing to harvest it, and care for it after- wards, brought about this result. Before the war and since, as long as hemp was raised here, it was mostly worked by negroes. But after a while even the negroes refused to work with it. While it was generally raised in this county it was a source of great profit to the county, as the above facts show — a genei-ous fountain of prosperity, particularly to the farming and business classes. Hundreds of farmers amassed comfortable fortunes by its culture, and not a few business men found the hemp trade a most profitable pursuit. The principal townships in which it was raised were Green, Weston and Marshall, though it was raised to considerable extent all over the county. May township probably came next to Marshall in the amounts annually produced. The leading points of shipment were Weston, Parkville and latan, and the principal houses engaged in the trade were those of T. F. Warner, E. Cody, Perrys & Young, A. Baker and McDonald Bros., at Weston ; R. G. Stephens and Fielding Burnes, at Parkville ; M. J. Alexander, at latan, and a dealer opposite Leavenworth, who also did a large business, but whose name is not now recollected. T. F. Warner also had a large branch house at St. Joseph. OTHER LEADING PRODUCTS. But not alone in the production of hemp did Platte county take a leading position as an agricultural county. The lands of this county are peculiarly and remarkably well adapted to the production of most the cereal products and of the grasses. As early as 1847 the farmers of the county began to give a large share of their attention to wheat raising, and in a few years wheat also became a leading product, second in importance only to hemp. The yield per acre was generally 1 Missouri As It Is in 18C7, pp. 367, 358. 590 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. very l:irge, and in 1850 the average was about 7,500. The product of that year, according to the census returns, was 129,067 bushels, a remarkable crop for those times — equaled liy that of no other county in the State. Wheat has continued to be a leading article of produc- tion. Corn was also and still is one of the staple products of the county. In 1850 the crop amounted to 1,814,287 bushels, which was more than the crop of any of the other counties except Buchanan. Other products — oats, the grasses rhizas and all the standard crops grown in this part of the country were raised in abundance ; and the county became noted for its fine fruits, particularly apples. STOCK-RAISING EMIGRATION TO OREGON. With the doom of prosperous times following the general production of hemp by the farmers of the county they also began to raise stock. Though prior to the outbreak of the Mexican War there was but little to encourage them in this, there were soon large numbers of stock in the county ; in fact, a heavy surplus. Prices were so low, except for mules (and even for these they were insignificant, compared to what they are now), that little or nothing could be made by shipping^to distant markets, and therefore stock accumulated rapidly. True, there was some demand for freight cattle and beef and pork at Ft. Leavenworth for the military there and further West : and in this respect the people of this county were much more fortunately situated than those of neighboring counties on the east. But the demand at Ft. Leavenworth at that time was by no means sufficient to I'equire all the surplus raised here, or to make stock-raising a profitable industry. As early as 1839 there was considerable emigration from different parts of the country to the new territory of Oregon,' and in 1845 and 1846 a great many went from Missouri. Oregon was given an enviable ' There had previously been considerable emigration from this county to Oregon, as early as 1843, as appears from the following, copied from the Platte Eagle and Weston Commercial Gazette (Extra) of February 25, 1843. / "WESTWARD HO I Numbers of our citizens are preparing to take up their march for Oregon this spring. The people are getting tired of the terrapin policy of our rulers, and are going to make a home for themselves on the shores of the distant Paciflc. Could a few of the prudent members of the American Senate be induced to make a trip out here and take a peep at the material which asks a grant of land, they might probably acquire sufficient nerve to dare seize on their own territory, instead of prating about the rights of England. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 591 name by those who had visited it, and both the soil and climate were thought by many to be all that could be desired. Catching the gen- eral contagion of westward immigration then almost universal in the Middle and Western States, early in 1846 a number of citizens of this county emigrated to the then farthest Northwest territory of the Union, probably exceeding a hundred. A considerable percentage of them returned, however, within a few years afterwards, satisfied that it is not a wise man's errand to leave Platte county in search of a better country. TIMES GREATLY IMPROVED BY THE MEXICAN WAR. The same spring of the Oregon immigration the Mexican War broke out, and soon afterwards Fort Leavenworth was made the fitting-out headquarters of the " Army of the West." ' There the troops were to center for the purpose of organization — drilling, forming into companies, getting supplies of provisions (beef, pork, etc.), of cavalry and other horses, freight stock (principally oxen), and every- thing needed for their expedition to Santa Fe and Mexico. It need not be said that this was a most fortunate circumstance for the people of Platte county. Kansas was still ah Indian country, and, of course, unsettled. This county, therefore, became the unques- tioned and almost sole commissariat of the army. There were no railroads then, and no Kansas Cities, no St. Josephs, Atchisons or even Leavenworths (as a town or city ) to draw the trade of the military away from here or divide the profits of supplying the army among themselves. From here most of the horses for the troops, most of the freight cattle, of the beef, the pork, the corn, and a larse part of the wheat went ; and prices were soon such, in comparison with what they had l)een, as to make farmers and all concerned feel as if life was worth living. This could hardly have occurred at a more fortunate, opportune time for the farmers of Platte county. A little earlier they would not have had the stock and grain to dispose of; a little later, they had the California expeditions, in large part, to supply, so that they did not need the trade of the army so much as when they received it. But now, all their granaries were full to overflowing, there was an abun- dance of cattle and horses in the county, and the woods were fairly alive with ho2S. ' For an account of the part citizens of Platte county took in tlie Mexican War, see cliap. VIII., p. 6U-C22. 592 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. The demand of the army for supplies quickened and stimulated every industrial and business interest of the county. Money, already not scai'ce, now became plentiful. Farmers were encouraged to go to work with renewed energy and resolution, more lands were cleared, and farms were enlarged. Good houses and barns were built. Larger areas of grain were sowed and planted, and stock-raising received new life. Stock commanded good prices, and were in great demand. Business in the towns also improved. Weston became almost a bee-" hive of busy, thriving merchants and tradesmen. It was virtually the supply depot of the army. Platte City, too, shared in the general prosperity, as well as Parkville and the other business points in the county. " Indeed, " to quote the language of an old and prominent citizen, " those were prosperous, busy times in Platte county. " TIMES DURING THE EXPEDITIONS TO THE GOLD FIELDS OF CALIFORNIA. In less than three years from the time the last body of troops departed from Ft. Leavenworth for the Mexican War the California gold excitement had burst upon the countr}', and Platte county was again the scene of busy preparations for expeditions across the plains. Being at that time on the western border of civilization, many from other counties than this one an Facts furnished by Col. Fielding Burnes and Bradley Cox. 2 Smith claimed to have received bis book, the " Book of Mormon," which con- tains the peculiar doctrines of his sect, through a revelation from Heaven. His " re- velation " authoriziag the revolting practice of polygamy was not received (?) until 1843. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 609 authority. Numerous depredations wei'e committed by their adhe- rents, and to all offenders they afforded full protection. To this condition of affairs the attention of the Governor was called, and the demand became universal for the expulsion of the Mormons from the State. THE MILITIA CALLED OUT WAR BEGINS. In 1838 Gov. Boggs issued a proclamation commanding Maj.-Gen. D. R. Atchison to call out the militia of his division for the purpose of putting down the insurgents and enforcing the laws. He called out a portion of the First Brigade of the Missouri State militia, un- der Gen. Doniphan. The militia were placed under command of Gen. John B. Block, Sr., and proceeded at once to the scene of war. The Mormons were under command of "Destroying-Angel" George Washington Hinkle, seconded by that gifted military genius " High Saint-of-the-Danite-Band-of-Brothers-of-Gideon " David Patten, other- wise " Capt. Fearnot," as he delighted to call himself. Two engagements followed, one at Crooked river and the other at Haughn's Mill, in both of which the sinners, as contradistinguished from the " Saints," were victorious. In the first battle " High-Saint- of-the-Danite-Band-of-Brothers-of-Gideon " David Patten, otherwise " Capt. Fearnot," was killed. In the second eighteen Mormons were killed, and one of the militia. An engagement or two had previously taken place between the citi- zens and Mormons, in which Joseph Smith's powers as a prophet proved singularly inefficient in military service. After the battle at Haughn's Mill the Mormons fell back to Far West to make a last stand against the " Gentiles," as they called the militia. Meanwhile much excitement was caused throughout the State, and volunteers enlisted and companies were organized in different counties. PLATTE COUNTY BATTALION OF "GENTILES." In September, 1838, orders came for the Platte county militia to furnish a battalion for service against the Mormons. Accordingly, Maj. Bowler, or Col. Bowler as he was called, was directed to form three companies for the militia and proceed with all possible speed to the scene of war. His force consisted of 258 men, besides officers, and was made up principally from the two regiments previously mentioned. They marched to the vicinity of Far West early in October, where they joined the forces of Col. Doniphan. 610 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. SURRENDER OF THE MORMONS — RETURN OF THE TROOPS. The militia now moved upon the Mormons, fortified at Far West, for the capture of the place. But "Prophet" Smith, after the de- feat of his forces already referred to, and seeing that he would be protracting a hopeless struggle by offering further resistance, surren- dered on the terms offered by Gen. Doniphan — that he and the other leaders should be tried by the courts for their insurrection and depre- dations, and that all the others should leave the State. The Platte countians returned home a few days afterwards. Smith and half a dozen others were indicted for treason, murder, robbery and other crimes. But he himself afterwards made his escape from the jail where he was confined. He went to Illinois, where he was also indicted and lodged in jail, and there he was mobbed and killed by a party of incensed citizens. He was on trial for treason at the time. C H A P T E E VIII. THE MEXICAN WAR. Army of the West — Platte and Cole Infantry Battalion — Departure of the Expedi- tion — Arrival of Kearney in Santa Fe — Col. Sterling Price — Capt. Morin's Platte County Company — Names of Members — The Ortiz Insurrection — Murder of Gov. Bent and Others — Battle of La Canada — Ambuscade at El Embudo — Storming and Capture of Fort Pueblo de Taos — Other Battles — Massacre and Subsequent Battle at Moro — Engagement at Cienega — The Return Home — Capt. Denver's Company — Names of Volunteers From This County — Society of Veterans of the Mexican War. Ill 1821 Mexico, including Texas, declared herself independent of Spain, and in a few years afterwards a republic, with a constitution fashioned after that of the United States, was established. A liberal immigration policy was adopted and a heavy tide of emigration poured into Texas. After a succession of revolutions, Santa Anna became President of Mexico, and in 1835 he abolished the liberal constitution of the country. The Texans refused to submit and he attempted to subdue them. A series of bloody engagements followed, in nearly all of which the Texans were successful, and in April, 1836, Santa Anna was taken prisoner. Soon afterwards, to ol)taiu his release, and see- ing that further eflbrts to subdue the Texans would be fruitless, he acknowledged the independence of Texas and ordered the remainder of the Mexican army in the field to evacuate the country. But Mexico refused to recognize the acknowledgment of Santa Anna, and still claimed Texas as a part of that country. Making no further efforts, however, to subdue it, affairs between the two countries remained in a state of armed peace until the outbreak of the Mexican War. In the meantime, Texas had framed a constitution and set up an indeiDeudent republic, and in a short time she applied for admission into the Union. On account of the slavery question, it being con- ceded that Texas would continue slavery if admitted, the free soil element, in and out of Congress, strongly opposed her admission, and it was not accomplished until after the Democratic success in the election of Polk in 1844. ' 1 Inaugurated March 4, 1845. (611) 612 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. At the time of the admission, Texas had been au independent repub- lic for nine years, and had been recognized as such by several European powers. Still, Mexico claimed sovereignty over her and notified the Government at Washington that she would regard the admission of Texas into the Union as a declaration of war on the part of the United States. Furthermore, Mexico held that the territory between the Nueces and Rio Grande, claimed by Texas, had never belonged to the latter, and was in no sense a part of it. Immediately after the admission of Texas Gen. Taylor was ordered into the new State to protect it against invasion. The war then began.' The Government at Washington determined upon a comprehensive plan of operations. One squadron of the navy was ordered to join the fleet already on the Pacific, in an attack upon the Mexican ports of California; and another to operate in the Gulf of Mexico. An Army of the West was ordered to assemble at Ft. Leavenworth under Gen. Kearney and invade Mexico, proceeding thence still further west and co-operate with the Pacific fleet. Gen. Wool was to collect at San Antonio another force, which was to constitute the Army of the Cen- ter, and to invade Mexico from that quarter. Heavy reinforcements were sent to the army under Gen. Taylor, known as the Army of Occupation. ARMY OF THE WEST. Of the four armies named, we have to do in the present history mainly with the Army of the West, of which both the companies formed in this county, and all the volunteers except a part of Capt. Denver's company and a few others, became members. The receipt of the news in this State in May, 184(3, that actual war had begun, created great excitement and even greater enthusiasm. As Missouri was a pro-slavery State and strongly Democratic, the war was popular here from the beginning. Large public meetings were held which warmly indorsed the administration at Washington, and passed resolutions pledging a full quota of men. Immediately Gov. Edwards called for volunteers to join the Army of the West at Ft. Leavenworth, and within ten days companies were on the march from every part of the State. 1 Gen. Taylor took possession of Matamoras March 28, 1846, and Mexico declared war in April following. May 12th the U. S. Congress ordered the enlistment of 50,000 volunteers and voted $10,000 to carry on the war. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 613 PLATTE AND COLE INFANTRY BATTALION. A large public meeting was held at Weston, in this county, which was addressed l)y enthusiastic speakei's and a company was at once organized. Wm .S. Murphy was elected captain, Vincent Vaulkenberg, first lieutenant and Aquilla B. Aull, orderly sergeant.' The company was mustered into the service as Co. A, First Battalion, Missouri infantry. By the 18th of June, 1846, companies had arrived from the counties of Jackson, Lafayette, Clay, Saline, Franklin, Cole, Howard and Callaway, lettered A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H, and commanded respectively by Capts. Waldo, Walton, Moss, Reid, Stephenson, Jackson and Rogers. These composed the First Missouri mounted volunteers, numbering 856, of which Col. Doniphan was elected colonel. Gen. Kearney (then a colonel, who ranked Col. Doniphan) was in command of the whole force, the balance of which, under his immed- iate command, consisted of the first battalion of Missouri infantry com- posed of Capt. Murphy's Platte county company and Capt. Augney's company from Cole county, numbering 145 men ; tlie Laclede Rangers of St. Louis, 107 strong, under Capt. Hudson, who were attached to the First Dragoons, 300 strong; and a battalion of light artillery, consisting of two St. Louis companies under Capts. Weightman and Fischer, numbering 250 men, with Maj. Clark as field oflicer ; Kear- ney's separate force numbered 856 men. Gen. Kearney and Col. Doniphan, with a total force of 1,658 men and sixteen pieces of artillery — twelve six-pounders and four twelve- jiouud howitzers — started on their western expedition on the 26th of ' The roll of the company as far as we have been able to gather the names con- tained the following: Captain, Wm. S. Murphy (superseded by Jonas S.Woods); First Lieutenant, Vincent Vaulkenberg (killed at Canada and succeeded by Gib- bons) ; Second Lieutenant, Franklin Finch ;0rderly Sergeant, Aquilla B. Aull; Sergeant, Martin Hardin; Second Sergeant, Jno. Harbst. Drummer, Sam Easburn; Privates, Martin Brooks (transferred to Capt. Morin's company), Beueger, Hugh Camp- bell, Campbell, Wm. Clark, John Carter, John Curry, Lot Drummond, Wm. Drummond, Sam'l. Doyl, John DoyI, Dougherty, JohnFox, Bluford Fuuderback, Wm. Griffith, John Graham (killed at Canada), Thos. Galloway, Robt. Grooms, Jno. Grooms (died at Santa Fe), Gladden Green, Gibbons, John (Jack) Harris, Haddock, Benj. Hartwell, Ezra Hubbell, Rolla Isaacs, Amos Isaacs, Richard Jenkins, Ezekiel Larrison, Larry, John Morgan, Samuel Morgan, Newton McFarlaiid, McCormick, Jno. McGuire, Jas. McCowan, Elijah Pierce, Pierce, Jos. Por- ter, Raraey, Geo. W.Riley, Jas. B. Riley, Samuel Richardson, Israel Swan, Wm. Skaggs, Slierer, Leroy Snodderly, Wm. Sharp, Jacob Sharp, Jonathan Sliort, Jas. Serat, John Thurman (from Buchanan Co.), John Ussary, Robert Waldron, Newton Wilcojc, John Wiley, Edward Wiley, Ward Wooteu, John Wells (from Buchanan Co.), Henry West (from Buchanan Co.). 614 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. June, 1846. Their first objective point was Santa Fe, tlieu the Mexi- can capital of New Mexico, which they intended to capture. After a tiresome trip across the plains and down through the canons of New Mexico, lasting nearly two months, they reached Santa Fe on the 18th of August and took possession of that place, encountering no resistance. However, during the latter part of their journey they were repeatedly threatened with attacks from the Mexicans, and at Sunte Fe Gov. Amijo and Gen. Salezar collected a large army tp defend the place. But on the approach of the Americans the Mexican Governor and his forces fled precipitately. The trip to Sante Fe was attended with many hardships, but every- thing was borne with the courage and fortitude expected of true and patriotic soldiers. Gen. Kearney set up a civil government at Santa Fe, and on the 25th of September departed for the Pacific coast to co-operate with the naval fleet and reduce California, leaving Doniphan and his regi- ment to hold New Mexico. Capt. Murphy's Platte county company, however, and others of the volunteers under Gen. Kearney, together with the artillery battalion, were left at Santa Fe. Before Gen. Kearney left. Col. Doniphan had obtained an order from him authorizing the latter to invade Chihuahua and forma junc- tion with the Army of the Center, under Gen. Wool, then in Mexico. But previous to proceeding on this expedition. Col. Doniphan was ordered out against the Navajo Indians, several hundred miles from Santa Fe, who had been committing numerous depredations in West- ern New Mexico, and had refused to come in and make submission to the Americans. This service he performed with energy and success. He now i-endezvoused at Valverde to organize his forces for the expe- dition to Chihuahua; and by the 19th of December his troops, 800 strong, were all on the march, but in diff'erent sections, to El Paso, in that State, being accompanied also by a caravan of merchants with goods for the Chihuahua trade. COL. STERLING PRICE CAPT. MORIN'S PLATTE COUNTY COMPANY. In the meantime Hon. Sterling Price, afterwards of Missouri Con- federate fame, but then a member of Congress from this State, con- ceived the idea of organizing a regiment and marching across the plains and beyond the Cordilleras for the conquest of California. It was thought, and very reasonably, that Kearney and Doniphan would hardly be able to more than conquer and hold New Mexico. He therefore resigned his scat in Congress early in the summer of 1846, HISTORY OF PLATTK COUNTY. 615 and having obtained autiiority to enlist a regiment of volunteers, at once returned home to recruit a regiment. Fort Leavenworth was appointed the place of rendezvous. By the 1st of August companies had arrived from Boone, Benton, Carroll, Chariton, Linn, Livingston, Monroe, Randolph, Ste. Genevieve and St. Louis counties, commanded by Capts. McMillan, Holloway, Williams, Halley, Barbee, Slack, Giddings H. Jackson, Horine and Dent, which organized as the Second regiment ; and on the 10th of August, just fifteen years ago to a day prior to his great victory at Wilson's Creek, in this State, at the beginning of the Civil War, Hon. Sterling Price was elected colonel of the regiment, D. D. Mitchell was elected lieutenant-colonel and Capt. Edmundson was chosen major. Companies also arrived from Marion, Polk, Platte and Ray counties, under Capts. Smith, Robinson, Morin ^ and Hendley. These four companies were organized as a separate l)attalion and under the com- mand of Col. Price, but with Lieut. -Col. Willock second in command, instead of Lieut. -Col. D. D. Mitciiell, who was lieutenant-colonel of tlie Second regiment proper. The fourteen companies uuml)ered al)out 1,200 men, and besides these Col. Price had a considerable number of heavy pieces of artillery, together with the necessary force of artillerymen, commanded by officers of tlie regular army, and a large train of baggage wagons. Thus organized and equipped. Col. Price started west across the ' Capt. Morin's companj', of Platte county, was organized at Platte City, but was composed of volunteers from all over the county. The following is a roll of the com- pany, as far as we have been able to obtain the names : — List of rank and tile of Co.C, separate mounted battalion, Missouri volunteers, in Mexican War, 1846: — Jesse Morin, captain; Isaac W. Gibson, first lieutenant; John Larkin, second lieu- tenant ; John H. Owens, second lieutenant; Merrit Arnold, Cromwell Ashby, Joseph Allison, Henry Anderson, Isaac N. Brooks, Martin Brooks, John C. Brady, orderly sergeant; James Crooks, Anchises G. Brown, Simon Brown, Hiram Brown, Wm. R. Bane, Virgil P. Brooks, Brighton F. Brooks, William Brown, F. W. Beck, Joseph Couch, Aurelius Cox, Robert P. Clark, major; James Cox, John C. Courtney, William Curry, H. C. or A. C. Crais, James C. Chapman, James Duncan, William Endicott, James Edgar, Congreve J. Fugate, Samuel Gann, Henry Gregg, — Gi'egg, Joseph F. Hunt, John Huntington, Nathaniel Holland, Lewis Huitt, Wm. Hemingway, — Harri- son, Strother Hay, George Hopkins, Elias B. Jacks, George Kay, John Kissinger, Wm. S. Karr, John ICegin, William Kelley, Byram Lewis, Hayden Lewis, William Lewis, Sloan Lewis, David Layson, — Malott, Isom McAfee, John McAfee, Wra. S. Mason, John McFarland, George Mellon, Charles Morris, Enos Norman, L. D. Nash, Jones H. Owen, John Riley Owen, Benj. Owen, Lee Owen, S. H. Offut, Dabnev Perkins, Thos. Purden, J. Peery, H. C. Perrin, .^.lexander Russel, Alfred Riley, Wra. C. Rem- ington, Samuel Richardson, William S. Rogers, Andrew Rideuhonr, Wm. Richie, Thos. Scanlon, Wm. H. Story, James G. Spratt, Wm. B. Sutton, ■lolin R. Spencer, Emanuel Smith, J. C. Staley, VPra. Stewart, Bracken P. Sloan, Samuel Still, Romulus Trimble, Cliristopher Thorp, Joseph Thorp, Wm. Tolson, John Todd, Robert Tate, Elijah Vaden, Janes Williams, John A. Wright, .John Wallis, ,Tason Watkins, Milton Williams, John Wtiite, Calvin Wilkinson, Thomas Wallace, Jesse Woodland, A. S. Wilkinson, A. B. Westerileld, Elijah Young, William Yocum, — Morris, Elijah Burton. 34 616 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. plains. He aiTived at Santa Fe on the 28th of September following, after an arduous and more than ordinarily expeditious trip for so long a journey by an army. On his arrival there, he found that Gen. Kearney, who was first in command in the Army of the West, had already started to California and had left orders for Col. Doniphan to move on Chihuahua, Col. Price had resigned his seat in Congress and made great per- sonal and business sacrifices in order that he might make an oppor- tunity to perform some service of signal value to his country. But now circumstances seemed to be against him : Gen. Kearney had anticipated him on the California expedition, and Col. Doniphan was already making preparation to invade Chihuahua. There seemed to be no other field of operations in the West worthy of a soldier's ambi- tion. Like Alexander of old, he was literally left to weep for a world to conquer. But to make his situation still less satisfactory, his orders from Gen. Kearney were to remain at and hold Santa Fe, and preserve order in New Mexico, or, in other words, to do garrison duty, a service almost unbearable even to regular soldiers, and doul)ly disagreeable to brave, spirited volunteers who enlisted for a fight, not for sleepy, inactive fort life. There he was, with the finest army in the West, more than 1,200 of as brave men as ever kept step to martial music, and all well armed, and yet, apparently, with nothing to do. Nevertheless he was too good a soldier to complain. But, all unexpected to him and to every one, an event shortly occurred which gave him and his gallant men an opportunity to render valuable service to their country — service of the highest importance to the successful prosecution of the war. THE ORTIZ INSURRECTION. A conspiracy was formed by a number of the leading Mexicans of New Mexico for the overthrow of the American government at Santa Fe and the re-establishment of Mexican authority. Col. Price had distributed his men into a number of bodies of from 50 to 200 strong or more, and located them at different points, some nearly 100 miles from the capitol. The object was to graze their stock vvhere the grass was good, grass and forage of all kinds being scarce in the vicinity of Santa Fe. He, nevertheless, kept a strong force at the city. The intention of the conspirators was to make a general and simul- taneous revolt in all parts of the Territory, and to fall upon the HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 617 soldiers unawares and wipe them off tiie face of the earth. Midnight on the 19th and 20th of December, 1846, was the time fixed for their wholesale massacre. But fortunately their purpose was revealed to Col. Price by a Spanish mulatto girl, who revolted at the idea of so great a crime. This for a time frustrated their designs, but did not entirely discourage them. The spirit of insurrection still obtained, and in a short time manifested itself in a number of most diabolical and inhuman out- rages. MURDER OF GOVERNOR BENT AND OTHERS. On the 19tli of January, 1847, Gov. Bent and his retinue, consisting of the tive principal oificers of the Territorial Government, were sur- prised and captured while sojourning at Arroyo Hondo, and brutally murdered ; the same day four Americans, or adherents of the Ameri- can Government, were murdered at Mora, and two more on the Colorado. BATTLE OF LA CANADA GALLANTRY OF THE FIRST PLATTE COUNTY COMPANY. The insurgents now speedily assembled, about 2,000 strong, at La Canada, on the Taos road, some 20 miles west of north of Santa Fe, with a view of making a descent on the capital. They were under Gens. Ortiz, Lafaya, Chevezand Montoya. Col. Price, leaving Lieut. -Col. Willock at Santa Fe with a strong garrison, including the principal part of Capt. Morin's Platte county company, took about 350 men and several pieces of artillery and moved on the enemy. The Mexicans were posted on the hills com- manding the road from l)oth sides. At about 2 p. ni. a brisk lire from the artillery, under Lieuts. Dyer (of the regular army) and Harsenstiver, was opened upon them. But as the Mexicans were greatly scattered the cannonading did but little damage. At the same time the artillery, being within gunshot distance of the enemy, were exposed to a galling fire. Col. Price, seeing this and that the artillery were not having the desired effect, ordered Capt. Augney with his battalion to charge the hill where the main body of the enemy were stationed, which was done in a most gallant and successful manner. The charge was well sup- ported by Capt. St. Vrain of the Citizens' company ' and Lieut. ^ A company organized at Santa Fe. 618 IIISTOUY OF PLATTE COUNTY. White oF the Canoll eouuty CDiupauy. The enemy was completely routed. The Ameiic:in loss was two killed and seven wounded. The Mex- icans admitted a loss of thirty-six killed and forty-five prisoners. This was on the evenuig of the 24th of January, 1847. The enemy re- treated toward Taos. The first Platte count}^ company, Co. A, First Missouri battalion, or the principal part of it, was a part of Col. Price's forces at this battle, as it was throughout the remainder of his conipaign against the insurgents. The first liattalion, as we have noticed elsewhere, was composed of Capt. Murphy's Platte county company and Capt. Augney's company, from Cole count}'. Capt. Murphy, after his ar- rival at Santa Fe, engaged in business there and resigned his command. Jonas S. AVood, a member of the company from Weston, in this county, was elected to succeed Capt. Murphy.' But as Capt. Augney was the ranking captain of the two, he of course had command of the battalion, notwithstanding Capt. Wood had the larger number of men. To the gallantry of Capt. Wood's compau}' belongs, in large part, tiie credit of the victory at La Canada. The first battalion, under Capt. Augney, consisting of less than 200 men, had the charge, and were the first to dislodge the enemy. The brave Platte and Cole oountians, although at great disadvantage both as to numbers and the field, never for an instant faltered in the execution of the order of their commander — to " take the hill and hold it." They had a livelj' ascent to make, from the base to the summit of the hill ; while they were climbing up and firing a* they went, the Mexicans at the top, who outnumbered them beyond comparison, seemed to have them almost at their mercy. *' The charge at La Canada, " Col. Price was ot'ten heard to say. " was one of the most gallant achievements in the Mexican War." Here Lieut. Van Vaulkenberg and private John Graham, of Capt. Wood's Platte county company, were killed ; two as brave men as ever otfered up their lives on the altar of their country. Both were well known and respected citizens of this county. The news of their deaths cast a gloom over the entire community. But there was one consolation left, that they fell in the front rank whilst making one of the most brilliant and successful charsres of the Mexican War.^ ' Mr. .\rnold Chance, a member of Capt. Barbee's corapauy, from Linn county, but ttieu and now a resident of Platte county, was with Col. Price in this campaign, and was in the charge at La Canada, as well as in the other ensasements that followed. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 619 THE AMBUSCADE AT EL EMRUDO. On the retreat of the Mexicans to their stronghold, Taos, they formed an ambuscade at El Eml)udo, where Col. Price came upon them on the 29th. They had concealed themselves in the brush on each side of a narrow defile, through which the Americans had to pass. But the spies of Col. Price, sent forward in anticipation of something of the kind, discovered them there and fired upon them. Shortly Capt. Burgwin, who had just joined the command with his company of dragoons, came up, together with Capt. St. Vrain's and Lieut. White's companies, and continued the attack. They promptly charged the Mexicans and com[)letely routed them. The fight proper lasted !il)()ut thirty minutes, hut the pursuit was kept up for more than two hours. A number of Platte countians took part in this engagement,^ though Capt. Wood's company, as such, was not present, being with the main l)ody of troops who had not yet come up. STORMING AND CAPTURE OF FORT PUEBLO DE TAOS. After their rout at E\ Embudo, the Mexicans made no other halt until they reached their fort at Pueblo de Taos, a distance of about 50 miles from the scene of their attempted ambuscade. There they had strong fortifications, and made every preparation for a piotracted siege. An adobe, or cement wall, about ten or twelve feet high, and four or five feet thick, provided with port-holes, surrounded a plot of some four or five acres. In the center of this was a fortress or citadel, also made of adobe, and five or six floors high. The first story was about 50 X 60 feet in dimensions, and after this the walls all around rose by steps inward at each floor about six feet wide, thus making the top story but a small room or cupola. There was no door in the lower wall, ingress and egress having to be made through the doors of the next story, which were reached by step-ladders.- The steps or ter- races of the walls were intended to shelter those defending the build- ing from the shots of attacking i)artics beneath. Each floor, above the first, contained port holes to shoot through, and from the cupola a rope ladder could be drop[)ed to the first floor. Tlu; lower room was used for store rooms, autl there was a spring o'' unfailing water inside ^ Arnold Chance and others. - There was a small secret entrance underground, which was intended for us times of sieassion they did what they themselves, when not lost to reason, would not be slow or moderate in condemning — they took the law in their own hands and threw his newspaper office material into the Missouri river. Regarding his paper as a fire-brand in their midst, a public meeting was hastily called to consider what should be done. It was decided to suppress it, destroy it ; and resolutions were adopted to that effect. A committee ^ was appointed to see that the purpose expressed in the resolutions was accomplished, and on the 15th of April, 1855, by a[)pointment of the committee, a large body of citizens, more than a hundred, met at Parkville to assist or encourage the destruction of the office. The publication was not renewed. ANTI-SLAVERY MINISTERS EXPELLED. During the Civil War newspapers were suppressed and ministers interdicted from preaching everywhere in Missouri, for having sympathy with the South. A few years before, they were, in a few instances, proscribed in parts of Western Missouri by individuals for antagonizing Southern institutions. What power beneath the skies can control the passions of men in times of popular commotion ? Until humanity shall grow wiser and better than it has ever been, ex- cesses from time to time will reappear. About the same time the Lumiiiarij office was destroyed, two or ' The committee was composed of Johu Winston, Hugh Sweeney, Jesse Miller, Lycurgus Sheparol, (Mr. Shepard was not iu Parlcville the day the oflJce was destroyed), Yard Coclierill, W. J. Miller and Dr. Joseph Walker. Suit was brought against several of them afterw.ards, and the case was carried into one of the upper counties, and continued over until the war was well under way. It was then compromised by the payment from defendants of .$2,500. It was not considered a favorable time to defend against actions brought for the destruction of anti-slavery newspapers. 644 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. three ministers wiio were charged with backing Abolition doctrines and counseling with the negroes were notified to leave the count}'. They left shortly after receiving the notification. The names of the only two whom, so far as we have been able to learn, were expelled, were Revs. Christian Morris and Allen. They were ministers in the M. E. Church. Rev. Morris' pastorate was near Hillsljoro, in this county, about eight miles from Leavenworth. THE OUTRAGE UPON WILLIAM PHILLIPS. The shameless outrage upon William Phillips, of Leavenworth, was no less an outrage upon this county. He was brought over to Weston on the 17th-of May, 1855, by parties from Kansas, and most scandalously treated. The following account of the affair has been furnished us by a gentleman residing in Leavenworth: — Mr. Phillips was a resident of Leavenworth, a lawyer by profession, aud a violent anti-slavery man. He took an active part in politics, and was aggressive, not to say abusive, in his denunciations of slavery and slaveholders. After the spring election he contested the validity of the election of the members of tlie Legislature from Leavenworth and succeeded in having the result set aside and a new election ordered. The friends of those whose election he had thus attacked and invalidated, claimed that he made a false affidavit and misrepre- sented the facts. The difiiculty assumed a personal cast. He was ordered to leave the country', and, refusing to do so, was seized and taken over to Platte county at or near Weston, where he was tarred and feathered, and one side of his head shaved. He was then rode on a rail and sold at auction, a negro acting as auctioneer, after which he was released. The perpetrators of the dastardly outrage came on this side of the river to avoid the law in Kansas, and then returned beyond the juris- diction of our courts. They came heavily armed, and set the whole community at defiance. No responsible resident of the county approved the act, but, on the contrary, was everywhere condemned and denounced. The citizens of Weston, especially, were loud in their protest, and at once took steps to protect their community from an}' similar or other outrage. ANTI-SLAVERY REBELLION. In Kansas, after the spring elections of 1855, all the machinery of the territorial government was regular!}' aud lawfully set up and put in motion. Gov. Reedcr, of Pennsylvania, had been appointed to the HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. ■ 645 office of Governor of the Territoi-y by the President, and a Secretary, Supreme Court Marshal and other officers had also been appointed, and had entered upon the duties of their respective offices. The Legislature had met and provided a code of laws, and county officers were everywhere peacefully engaged in the discharge of their duties. Their authority was resisted nowhere, and it was hoped that an era of law and order would ensue. But politicians out of office are the most restless of men. The leaders of the anti-slavery movement, who had proudly hoped to become men of prominence and position in the officiate of the Ter- ritory, were dissatisfied with the result of the elections, and set about to overthrow the government and install themselves in power. Pre- liminary to the accomplishment of this a convention was called to meet at Lawrence on the 14th of August, 1855, which, on the day appointed, was largely attended by the leading free soil men of the Territory. It continued in session two days, and adopted resolutions, caliin"- a con- vention to meet at Topeka on the 19th of September, 1855, for the purpose of drafting a State constitution, and urging anti-slavery settlers to elect delegates to the convention. James H. Lane and John Brown, Jr., were leading spirits in the movement. Lane also caused a similar convention to be held at Big Springs, when violent and revolutionary resolutions were passed. At Topeka, on the 19th and 20th of September, they went through the form of drafting and submitting a so-called State constitution. After that they refused to take any further part in the regular, law- fully authorized elections in the Territory, and sj'stematically set ou foot a movement to disregard and resist the lawful authorities. Holding an election for the adoption of their constitution, at which no body voted but themselves, thej^ of course, declared it adopted. Thereupon they proceeded to " elect " a Legislature, State officei's and all, including even a " Governor." It was always supposed, and is yet, that the President appoints the Governors and State officers of the Territories. Nevertheless, they set up a full and complete "government," in all its parts, in opposition to the Governor appointed by the President, the Supreme Court also appointed by him, and the Legislature and county officers elected under autliority of the laws of the United States. They attempted to nullify the laws of the Territory and the United States, and refused to pay their ta.xes, obey the writs of the courts, and openly inaugurated a rebellion of the most pronounced 646 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. character. A militia force was enrolled and armed, numbering 800 men, with John Brown and his sons conspicuous in the force. TROUBLE BEGINS — WAKARUSA WAR. In November (1855) Sheriff Jones, of Douglas county, was pro- ceeding on his way to court with a free State prisoner, for whom he had a writ, when he was set upon by a mob of free soilers, heavily armed, and his jirisoner taken from him. Bronson, the prisoner, was tendered an ovation when he entered Lawrence, where he delivered a fiery speech against slaveholders and the territorial government. The free soilers resolved to rally around him and defy the authorities. They assembled in full force at that place, all underarms and provided with artillery. Gov. Shannon called out the militia. In answer to his call a large number of men went from this county and offered their services. Among the first to go was a squad under Capt. L. F. Hollingsworth, though he was not elected captain until the town of Delaware was reached, on the opposite side of the river. Bluford Thompson, of Clay county, was made first lieutenant. Among those remembered as being along were John W. Jones, a lieutenant ; J. W. Miller, Joseph Settle, Dr. Joseph Walker, Johnson Hughes, Archibald Hughes, Daniel Stewart, Robert Tate, George Quinby and Samuel Ralls. Two considerable squads also went from Weston, one commanded by Capt. Wm. Martin, numbering probably 50 or 75 men. Others went over about the same time, altogether nearl}' 300. One company was commanded by Daniel Cary ; W. H. Spratt was first lieutenant. This company numbered 125 men. A battery, consist- ing of two small guns, was taken along. These had been drawn from the State prior to the Kansas troubles, bj^ a company in this county, organized under the old militia laws. Gen. Atchison, Capt. Wallace and G. Sprague accompanied the force. The latter was adjutant. Capt. Hollingsworth yielded the command of his company to Capt. Wallace, who was an experienced ofiiccr. Gen. Atchison had general control of the command. There was no regular organization, however, no drills or anything of the kind. It was simply a spontaneous uprising of volunteers to go over to Kansas, and see to it that Lane and Brown's forces at Law- rence should not overrun the territory, set the laws at defiance, and rob and murder or drive out the pro-slavery settlers. They proceeded to near the mouth of the Wakariisa, about six miles HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 647 east of Lawrence, where they encamped, and where a large force soon collected. Gov. Shannon also had a considerable force at Lecomp- ton just west of Lawrence. The place was therefore virtually belea- guered. Tlie Governor's combined force, including the Missourians, numliered about 1,500, but lai'gely composed of Kansas territorial militia. Lane and Brown's forces occupied Lawrence ; Dr. C. Robin- son was chief commander. The militia were now ready to move on the place, but before doing so a conference was called. Fortunately this resulted in at least a temporary adjustment of the difBcultios. The free soilers were to let the law take its course, and both sides agreed to disband their forces. The militia were disbanded and the ^Missourians returned home. The only other events that occurred during the so-called VVakarusa War were the capture of S. C. Pomeroy by Capt. Wallace and a squad of his men, including Robt. Tate, Joseph Settle and Joiin W. Jones, of this county, and the killing of Thos. W. Barbee, a free soiier. He and two othei's were met under arms near Lawrence, by a squad of militia, and on being ordered to surrender, they refused to do so. They were fired upon and Barbee was killed. Thus closed the Wa- karusa War. HOSTILITIES RE-OPENED THE TAKING OF LAWRENCE. The free soilers persisted in going through the form of carrying on a so-called territorial government, in defiance of the regular, territorial and the National authorities. Numerous depredations were committed and a great many indictments found by the grand juries. Under the charge of Judge Lecompte, presiding justice of the Supreme Court, appointed and constituted by the President, a number, then leaders, were indicted for treason and warrants issued for their arrest, includ- ing " Governor " Robinson. John Brown and his followers were in open revolt and in arms. President Pierce sent a message to Congress, January 24, 185(1, strongly indorsing the regular territorial government at Lecompton, and declaring that those connected with the so-called Topeka govern- ment were in open rebellion against the properly constituted author- ities. Soon afterwards he issued a proclamation commanding all persons engaged in unlawful coniliinations against the regular govern- ment of Kansas to disperse and retire peaceably to their homes. On the 19th of April, 185(3, Sherifi' Jones attempted to arrest S. N. Woods at Lawrence, and was openly resisted by an armed mob. The next day he renewed his efforts to apprehend the offender and eom- 36 648 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. manded the bj'standers (free soilers) to assist him. They refused. On the 23d he returned with a force of U. S. troops and took into custody several prisoners for whom he had writs. That night an at- tempt was made to assassinate him and he was seriously wounded. Soon afterwax-ds the militia was called out to assist in enforcing the law. Citizens of Platte county again volunteered for the main- tenance of law and order in the territory. Several hundred went, all under the command of Maj. Jesse Morin. Among them was -a company under Capt. John Wallace. His company, after they arrived then enlisted in the regular Kansas militia and remained in Kansas nearly or quite a year. This was thought to be necessary to assist in protecting the people against the depredations — murders, arsons and almost every crime in the catalogue — of the Browns, Montgomery?, Mountjoys and other freebooters and desperadoes. In May, 1856, the volunteers proceeded from this count}' to Wa- karusa and thence to Lecompton. Uniting with the regular Kansas militia and with other volunteers from Missouri, they were then or- dered to move on Lawrence. Within a short distance of the place the troops were halted and Sheriif Jones, Deputy U. S. Marshal Fain, Capt. Wallace and several others went forward to see whether or not resistance would be again made to the execution of the process of the courts. No armed force was to be seen anywhere ; they had fled the place. The sheriff had a number of writs, but the parties against whom they were issued could not be found. The grand jury had condemned the stone hotel building in Lawrence as a refuge and fortress for armed outlaws, and the court had ordered its destruction. A couple of newspapers published there were also con- demned as seditious publications, advising assassination and other crimes. They were also ordered to be destroyed. The property was removed from the hotel and the United States Deputy Marshal ordered the cannons to be opened upon it. It was soon in ruins. The newspaper offices were in the building and were destroyed at the same time. It now being believed that no further resistance of any importance would be met with by the officers of the hiw, the Missourians, except Capt. Wallace and his compan}', and a few others, again returned to their homes. The respectable element of the free State colonists now yielded obedience to the law and resumed their usual occupations ; but the outlaw clement went on the road and engaged in all kinds of crimes and depredations. John Brown and forty men went to the residence HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 649 of an old man liy the name of Doyle, on the night of the 24th of May, ami, pretending that he was sent to have the old gentleman and his two sons appear before an investigating committee, fell upon them in their own yard and brutally murdered all three of them. From this time on murders, robberies and outrages of all kinds were kept up until after Brown was driven out of the Territory. THE ROUT OF BROWN AT OSAWATOMIE. Soon affairs in Kansas again assumed such a phase that both the Kansas territorial militia and the regular troops were kept constantly employed in pursuit of armed bands of marauders and thieves. The country was in a state of anarchy. Once more the citizens of this county were called upon to cross the line. Acting Gov. Woodson issued a proclamation calling on all law abiding people to assist in restoring law and order. Volunteers went over from this county in strong force — about 400 of them. Gen. Atchison was at the head of the force, though Col. Jno. W. Reid was the active military commander. They camped on Bull creek, about twenty or twenty-five miles from Osawatomie, the home and headquarters of the notorious John Brown, and there they were joined by other forces. The principal officers of the combined forces were Gen. Jno. W. Reid, B. F. Stringfellow, L. A. Maclean, J. W. Whitfield, Geo. W. Clarke, Wm. A. Heiskell, N. P. Richardson. F. J. Marshall and H. T. Titus. While encamped at Bull creek, on the 28th of August, Gen. Reed called for volunteers from the command to make a forced march upon Osawatomie for the capture of John Brown and his party. More men offered themselves than were needed. Gen. Reid selected about 50 from the entire number, most of whom were from this county, in- cluding Capt. Wallace, Capt. J. W. Miller, Granville Adkins and others. Starting after dark, they reached Osawatomie about sunrise, and as they came in sight of the town they were fired upon by one of Brown's pickets, who proved to l)e a son of his. Frederick Brown, after firing upon Reid's advance, fled toward Osawatomie at full speed, but was hotly pursued and was overtaken by several of the pursuing party. Rev. Martin White shot him dead from his horse. Brown and his party had taken a sou of Rev. White's from his home a short time before and, in cold blood, had murdered him. An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth had now been taken. The pursuing party dashed up into the town and began firing into 650 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. Brown's men indiscriminately. The latter, having heard the shooting on the approach of the militia, attempted to form and withstand the attack, but without success. After the first fire they fled precipitately and rushed into the timber on the Marais Du Cygne river, without order and every one for himself. Reid's men were among them when they reached the river, shooting right and left and every where, and it seemed that none of them would escape. But thoroughly panicked, and without stopping either to fight or surrender, Browrt and his whole company jumped into the river and swam across to the opposite side. Several were shot on this side and several while in the stream. Some of them were taken prisoners and were afterwards turned over to the authorities of Kansas, except one, an inhuman butcher known as " Dutch Charley," who attempted to escape and was shot. Brown reported that he had but 41 men, but several of the attack- ing party, whose judgment as former soldiers and whose word as citizens may be relied upon, say that he had at least 120.^ It was not a great while after this that he went to Virginia. ATTACK UPON AND ROBBERY OF HICKORY POINT. About this time, or soon afterwards, a scouting party from Law- rence, under one Harvey, was engaged in a series of robberies and outrages in the vicinity of Hickory Grove, in Jefferson county. They robbed Judge Kujdvendall, formerly of this county ; 'Squire Perry Fleshraan, also from Platte county (from whom they stole a horse), and a number of others. They now moved on Hickory Grove to sack that place. Col. Sam. A. Lowe was the leading citizen of the place, and kept a hotel there. 'Squire Fleshman sent him word that the niauraders intended to make a descent on the town, and he hastily collected about eighteen men and prepared to make a defense. Among Lowe's men were John Huntington, William Gardiner, William Mayatt, and several others who had settled there from Platte county. They all took shelter in a heavily-built log blacksmith shop. The marauders were more than a hundred strong, and had a six- pound cannon. They opened on the shop with both cannon and small arms. Lowe's men replied by a spirited fire. The fight was kept up from about 10 a. m. until night. In the afternoon a squad of militia came up, about eighteen in num- ber. After their arrival a triangular fight was carried on ; but they ' Facts furnished by Mr. Granville Adkins and several others. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. (351 were not strong enough to drive the marauders otF. In this squad were several from this county, iuchiding First Lieut. Randolph, Second Lieut. Richard Bennett and William Rader, now of Platte City. Twice attempts were made to burn the shop by running wagon loads of hay, set on fire, against it. Both attempts tailed. Lowe's men lay flat on the dirt floor, and continued to load and shoot in that position. During a momentary cessation of the firing William Mayatt, formerly of the vicinity of Iatan,.in this county, stepped to the door to see what was being done on the outside. He was instantly shot, and fell mor- tally wounded. He died the next day. During the night the marauders raised the siege and moved off to- ward Leavenworth. They were captured the next day by a command of U. S. dragoons, and were afterwards indicted and tried for murder, robbery and other crimes All the "chinking" was knoclced out of the log shop by the can- non, and several logs were knocked in. One ball knocked the horn of the anvil off, and by another the stoek of the gun of one of the defending parties was shattered to pieces. " THE HEROINE OF THE KANSAS WAR." During the progress of the fight at Hickory Grove, and late in the afternoon, an incident occurred which illustrated, in a thrilling and noble manner, the heroism and self-sacrificing devotion of wife and womankind. Mr. Huntington, one of the defenders of the fort, re- sided a short distance out of town. All day his wife had watched with blanched cheeks and treraoring heart the terrible bombardment going on. At each report of the cannon she felt that her own life would go out, of despair ; and when the attempts were made to burn the building all hope seemed to be lost. At last she determined to go to her husband — take her own life in her hands and go to him, or perish in the attempt ; go and be with him, and care for him if he were wounded and dying, or if he were still unhurt, but doomed to die in the fort, to stay by his side and die with him. What the bravest of the brave would not have dared to undertake, she was resolved to do — run the gauntlet of a galling fire and join the defenders of the fort. Accordingly, saddling a horse and providing herself with water an d other refreshments for her husband and friends, she mounted into the saddle and made a desperate dash for the fort. The men on the inside and their friends on the outside sent up a wild cheer, that fairly shook the earth ; and the marauders — even they ceased to fire and joined in loud huzzas. 652 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. CLOSE OF THE TROUBLES. This was one of the closing events of the Kansas troubles, so far as Platte county's connection with them is concerned. The marau- ders, opposite to this county, generally were either put down or driven from the country. A number of them were sent to the peniten- tiary, for differing terms of service. In the meantime Gens. Atchison and Reid had gone into encamp- ment at Franklin, near Lawrence, where a force of about 2,700 men were collected, including a large force of Kansas territorial militia. They were visited by Gov. Geary, who had succeeded Gov. Shannon in office, and were warmly thanked for the service they had rendered the territory in the work of restoring law and order. He assured them that from that time forward he was satisfied he could maintain order with the forces of the regular United States troops and of the Kansas territorial militia whom he could call out at his command. The following preamble and resolutes speak for themselves : — " Whereas, Under the proclamation of acting Governor Woodson we have I'eached the town of Franklin, three miles from Lawrence, on our way to the latter place in search of an organized band of mur- derei'sand robbers said to be under the command of Lane — who have plundered and butchered large numbers of our fellow-citizens — with the intention of overpowering and driving that band from the territory ; aud, " Whereas, We have met and conferred with Gov. Geary, who arrived into the territory since we were called into the field, and who has given us satisfactory assurances of his intention and power to execute the laws of the territory and called on us to dissolve our pre- sent organization and to leave the preservation of the peace of the territory to his hands ; and, " Whereas, Gov. Geary has assured us of his intention to muster into service a portion of the militia of the territory for the purpose of giving the strongest guaranty of protection of its citizens ; therefore, "Resolved, 1. That relying upon the assurances of Gov. Geary, and the spirit of order-loving and law-abiding citizens, we cordially con- form to his wishes by dissolving our organization, and that we will disperse to our homes as speedily as the circumstances in which we are placed will admit. "2. That the Governor be requested to recognize and place in the field a battalion (part mounted and part infantry) of Kansas militia and distrilnite them over the territory in such a manner as will best protect the settlers in their homes, persons and property. " 3. That in view of the condition of things in Southern Kansas, we respectfully recomraen Davis' History of Missouri, p. 153. - Tliose were classed as Union men at that time, and they cast a large majority of the Union votes, who, although they sympathized with the South and thought her complaints well grounded aud just, were opposed to seccession on the ground that a compromise could be effected, by which both the rights of the Southern States and tlie Union could be preserved. Gen. Price was a Union man of this class. Howard and Clay counties were also Union counties. 660 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. These ordinances of the convention were enforced by Federal bay- onets and by a militia enlisted under its authority. Meanwhile, before these extreme measures were proposed in the convention, and while its members were passing resolutions by prac- tically unanimous votes, decUiring that they were devotedly attached to slavery and would defend the State against coercion and secession, and asking the Federal Government to withdraw its forces from the South, Fort Sumpter was fired upon and the conflict opened. Gov. Jackson called an extra session of the Legislature, and military bills were brought forward to put the State in proper condition for defense against its occupation by Federal troops. As soon as hostilities opened and it became apparent that the people of Missouri would be compelled to take one side or the other, a rapid change in public sentiment set in favorable to the South ; not that they loved the Union less, but that thej' loved the people and institutions of the South more — their own kindred and their own institutions. The capture of Camp Jackson on the 10th of May by Capt. Lyon, the victory of the Missourians at Wilson's Creek in August, and the emancipation, martial law proclamation of Gen. Fremont, tended to increase and complete this revolution in popular sentiment. Counties that gave large Union majorities in February would uow have voted in three cases out of five overwhelm- ingly for secession. In less than one hour after the news of the cap- ture of Camp Jackson was received by the Legislature, the military bills were passed and signed by the Governor. He \vas authorized to borrow $500,000 from the banks for military purposes and issue bonds for $1,000,000 more. Every able bodied male inhabitant of the State above the age of 18 and under 45 was made subject to military duty. The Governor called for 50,000 volunteers to form a State Guard. After the capture of Camp Jackson, Gen. L3'on moved on the State capital, which he occupied on the 15th of May. In the meantime, the Legislature had adjourned to meet at Neosho, where it afterwards assembled — but without a quorum of both Houses — and went through the form of passing resolutions of secession and electing Senators to the Confederate Congress. That proved to be the last Legislature in the State favorable to the Southern cause. It was succeeded by a " loyal " Legislature, elected by the voters of the State — or those of them not in the Southern service or prevented from voting for sympathizing with the South — ctdled !>}' authorit}' of the convention referred to in a former page. Before the close of the first year of the war the forces of the Federal Government and the Union State militia had practi- HISTORY or PLATTE COUNTY. 661 cally overrun and taken possession of the State. A large percentage of those of the people of Southern proclivities who remained at home now became loyal, some of them actually so, and the others construc- tively ; aud to protect their homes and themselves a great many en- tered the Union militia. Missouri became, apparently, a Union, loyal State. ATTITUDE OF PLATTE COUNTY IN 1861. Like those of Clay and Howard counties, the people of Platte county, under the impression that a compromise could be effected and both the institutions of the Southern States and the Union saved, voted, by a decided majority, for the Union candidates in February, 1861 ; and like those, after the war opened, they sympathized with the Southern cause by even a more decided majority. Whilst there were a few original Union men in the county, that is, those who were for the Union in any circumstances — unconditional Union men — lit- tle or nothing was heard from them during the first year of the war. At that time the current of popular feeling seemed to be altogether favorable to the South, and all the recruiting for militia service ^ was for the State (Southern) Guard. Later along, however, another change occurred, this time favorable to the Union cause. The State fell into the hands of the Union forces and Federal troops came in and took possession of the county. After this enlistments for the South- ern army were extremely difEcult and dangerous, and even if volun- teers succeeded in reaching the South in safety, a service of the greatest hardships and privations faced them — trials more severe than the ragged, half-starved continentals of the Revolution underwent. On the other side the most flattering inducements were held out. Bounties, flashy uniforms, plumes, brass cross-swords, yellow tassels, and everything ; fire arms and accoutrements, sword bayonets, navy pistols, and all that ; and an abundance of good rations, regularly three times a day, and pay that in most instances is going on yet ; back pay, forward pay, side pay, and top and bottom pay ; pay of all sorts and kinds, classified by names too numerous and technical to mention or remember. These considerations influenced a few, as like considerations influ- enced many during the War of the Revolution. Then, again, there 1 lu ISOl there were 2,975 slaves iu the couuly, valued at $1,2G'J,061 ; iu 1862 there ■were 2,318, valued at !j:!19,770, a falling off in numbers of 057, and a depreciation in value of $979,291. In other words, a man who was worth §10,000 iu slaves in '01 was worth only about 31,000 in 18(!2, Bell and Everett and Douglas Union slaveholders now began to realize what the war really meaut. f)62 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. is always a class in eveiy community loyal to any government they live under, and their loyalty changes with the changes in the govern- meut of the country. This class also became loyal, of course, as it would have done with equal alacrity if the Czar of Russia had taken possession of the counti'y instead of the Federal authorities. Altogether, a considerable Union sentiment began to manifest itself in the county during the year 1862, and after a while it came to form a respectable minority of the people, in numbers. It was represented- principally by the Germans of the county, who were Union because they were opposed to slavery and for other reasons, and by the less, well-to-do class of Americans. There were a few of the latter, how- ever, who were substantial property holders. Many of them became so during the war. On one side, even for those who desired to stay at home and take no part in the war, were dangers, annoyances, insults and wrongs of almost every description, and perhaps the ruin of their fortunes and families, and death. On the other were comparative security for both life and property, and perhaps great profit by judicious deals or other- wise. The wonder is that under such circumstances a greater number did not become loyal than really did become so. II. ENLISTMENTS FOE THE SOUTHERN ARMY. The stirring events in the spring of 1861 throughout the country, and the aggressive course of the Federal authorities in Missouri, pro- duced intense excitement in this county. Many of those who stood up for the Union whilst there was hope for a compromise now came out squarely for the South and became active and prominent in en- couraging enlistments for the Southern army. Public meetings were held at Platte City and other points. Southern flags were raised and speeches were made by leading citizens. Wallace Jackso7i's Company/. — The first company formed in this county for the Southern service was that of Capt. Wallace Jackson, made up principally of volunteers residing in the vicinity of Camden Point. Indeed, it was enlisted as early as October or November, in 1860, being organized under the general militia laws of the State — and not without a dream of the service it might be called upon to HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 663 perform. Its members drew uo arms or supplies, however, until after they were sworn into the State service in the spring of 1861, subse- quent to the outbreak of the war. The principal officers of Capt. Jackson's company were : Wallace Jackson, captain; Wm. Kuykendall, first lieutenant ; James Spann, second lieutenant ; Joseph St. John, third lieutenant, and E. McD. Coffey, company surgeon. It was a cavalry company and regular drills were had from time to time through winter and summer until it was ordered to rendezvous at St. Joseph, in the spring of 1861. • About the middle of May, or immediately following the capture of Camp Jackson at St. Louis, Capt. Jackson was directed to report at once to St. Joseph with his men, where a body of Southern volunteers was being collected under Cols. M. Jeff Thompson and C. C. Thorn- ton. Capt. Jackson's company was sworn into the State service at that place by Col. Thompson on the 16th of May, 1861, by authority of Gov. Jackson, under his call for 50,000 volunteers, to be known as the Missouri State Guard. About this time, or soon afterwards, Lexington was named by the Governor as the place of rendezvous for volunteers in this part of the State, and accordingly Capt. Jackson's company was directed to re- port for duty at that point. On their way to Lexington the members of the company were permitted to stop for a time at their homes in Platte county, but in due time they reached Lexington and reported to Gen. Rains as directed. They were placed in the First cavalry of the Fifth division Missouri State Guard, the organization of the divis- ion being completed on the 21st of June. Capt. Wallace's company was lettered B. The regiment was commanded l)y Col. Theodore Duncan, of the vicinity of Smithville, just across iu Clay County. The other prin- cipal officers of the regiment were lieutenant-colonel, Chas. P. Hyde ; major, M. P. Savery ; surgeon, E. McD. Coffey, of Platte county, and assistant surgeon, Sidney Cunningham. Col. Duncan had organized a company near Smithville, of which he was made captain, and about one-third of his company was comi)osed of volunteers from across in Platte county, near that place. His com- pany ol)tained arms from tlie arsenal at Liberty, and were well armed and equipped. After going to Lexington he was elected colonel of the First cavalry, as stated above, but died soon afterwards from a wound re- ceived by accident in the vicinity of Independence. Lieut. -Col. Hyde succeeded to the command of the regiment. 37 664 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. Campaigns and Battles — Jackson's Men. — The First cavalry nndev Col. Hvde, incliulins their names have been obtained, were Jeft". Moore, first lieutenant; E. J. Link, second lieutenant; Toney Tins- ley, third lieutenant, and Amos Spicer, orderly sergeant. The names of the privates now remembered are Henry Cade, Mort. Spicer, Wallace Rule, Wiley Johnson, Henry Johnson, Thomas Grimes, James Berrj-, Benjamin Tinsley, John Schwartz and Peddrich. Capt. KuykendaU's Company. — Soon after Capts. Mitchell and Rogers began the formation of their companies, Capt. Ku}kondall - ' Uuder Gen. Price before the formation of Winston's regiment, aud wounded at the battle of Wilson's Croeli. ' Capt. Kuykendall was a son of Judge Kuykendall, one of the early settlers and prominent citizens of the county. HISTOKY OF i'LATTE COUNTY. 607 also corameiiced enlisting vohmteers for tlic Southern service. He Liniself liai.l volunteered in the State service early iu the spring, and, after taking part in the battles of Carthage and Springfield (or Wil- son's Creek), had obtained a commission to organize a company. At once returning home for that purpose, he soon had a sufficient number of men to form a complete company. C. C. Capen ^ was elected first lieutenant ; J. C. Todd, second lieutenant, and Richard Stan- ton, third lieutenant. Edward Turner became orderly sergeant, ilark Todd, second sergeant, and R. Morgan, corporal. The names of but few of the privates have been obtained, viz. : — O. Morgan, Joseph Tiernan, William Todd, Pat. Dorsan, William F. McCullugh, (]has. D. Pugh, Solon Coots, Bud Link, George Welib, Edward Brennan, Gilbert McCafferty, Marion Daniels, William Sharp, James Sharp, William Miller, James Jack, Samuel Lecompt, Wm. Coram, Wm. Allen. During the month of August and the early part of .Se[)tember the three compaiii(!s named rendezvoused at Second Creek Church engaged in drilling, recruiting, and so forth, and from there they removed to the grade of the Parkville and Grand River Railw.ay, near the homestead of Thomas Park. Subsequently they removed to the place then belonging to Kemp Woods, in Cla}' county, and a little later to what has since been known as Camp Cain, in Platte county. (Jiipl. C'li-lhW and McKinnis' Coinpaaleit. — In the meantime. Judge Childs had been organizing a company at Platte City, and about the latter part of August or the first of September he estab- lished a camp near the Cain farm, about six miles east of Platte City. Of this company, M. C. Park was first lieutenant ; W. C. Hatton, second lieutenant ; Thos.W. Park, third lieutenant, and Thos. Turner, orderly scrgc-ant. The names of the following parties have been obtained: J. M. Littlejohn (afterwards regimental wagon-master), Jas. Frost, "Stump" (E. C.) Cockrill, Chas. Crockett Potter, Sam Park, Weed Chely, Frank Todd, Riifus Todd, Chas. Wilson, Dr. John Wilson, Geo. Ely, Thos. Park (No. 2), Ross and Jas. Frost. Cotemporaneous with the formation of Capt. Childs' c(>m[)anv. ' C. C. Capeii .and James Murphy were both officers iu the United States service at Ft. Leavenworth, the first an orderly sergeant and the other a first lieutenant. Both were Southern men, and when the war broke out they resigned tlieir positions and came across into Platte county and volunteered in the Southern service. Lieut. Murphy became major of Col. Winston's regiment. He was a man of great bravery, and a line drill officer. Both went into the Confederate service east of the Missis- sippi after their time in the State Guard expired. 668 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. Capt. Will. C. McKiiinis, previously President of the Camden Point College, formed :i compuuy in the vicinity of that place. He also rendezvoused at Camp Cain. His under officers were John B. Clark, first lieutenant, R. H. Bywatcrs, second lieutenant; Benj. Minor, third lieutenant ; and Frank Forbius, orderly sergeant. Capts. Mitchell, Rogers and Kuykendall, joined Capt. Childs and McKinnis at Camp Cain, and of the five companies a battalion was formed. They were sworn into the State Guard service of Maj. Thos. Shields, a son of Gen. James Shields. Maj. Shields was a cau-^ didate for major of the battalion, but was defeated for that position by John H. Winston, a prominent citizen of the county and after- wai'ds a colonel in the Southern service. Col. Winston is now living in retirement on his farm in this county. Capt. SpraWs Company. — Judge James Spratt had also collected a number of volunteers for the cavalry service, in all neai'ly or quite equal to the number of an average company. Pe joined Maj. AVin- ston at Camp Cain, and was attached to the battalion. On the 11th of September Maj. Winston was ordered to join Gen. Price at Lexington with his battalion. He started the following morning for that place reaching there in time to take part in the siege and battle at Lexington, which resulted in the surrender of Col. Mulligan, the Federal commandant of the post, on the 20th of the month. Capt. Crisman's Company. — About the time Major Winston was on his way to Lexington, Capt. Crisman, of Ridgely, who had formed a company in the vicinity of that place, was also proceeding to Lexington to join Gen. Price. He had temporarily attached himself to the command of Col. Sanders who went South by way of Blue Mills Landing, in Clay county. Whilst there they had a skirmish with a body of Federals who attemptd to cut them off from Lexing- ton, an account of which appears in the Clay county divison of this work. Capt. Crisnian's officers were Geo. Mock, first lieutenant ; Wm. Thatcher, second lieutenant; A. M. L Hanley, third lieutenant, and John Byrd, orderly sergeant. He reached Lexington just after the surrender of Mulligan. The following were some of his privates: Richard Pack, Eleven Godsey, Peyton Newman, Sam Moore, Nich- olas Ford, — Rollins, Dick Larimore, Wm. Carum, George Duncan, Matt. Duncan, Henry Thorp, Theodore Dodd, Joe St. John, Robert Douglas, Jeff. Mayo, Sam Harris, John Harris, Matt. Woodard, Wm. Eads, E. S. Goddard, John Byrd, William Newman, Louis Throckmorton, William Throckmorton," James Duncan, Geo. Mack, HISTOKY OF PLATTE COUNTY. (369 Wm. Thatcher, Eleven Thatcher, Henry Metcalf, A. M. I. Hanley, Saui. Moore, John Trimljle, Ben. Guin, Geo. Roberts, Crane Roberts, Henry Wagle, George Craig, Nick Ford, Saiu Rollins, Will- iam Delterry, Thomas Deberiy, Peyton Newman and R. W. Pack. Capts. Miller's and Morton's Companies. — The companies of Capts. J. W. Miller and Henry Morton were organized in the fall of '61 and on reaching Gen. Price, south of the Missouri, were attached to Maj. Winston's command, or, rather, became part of his regiment, it havhig been formed in the meantime. Capt. Miller's first lieutenant was Stephen Cooper ; second lieutenant, John Barnes ; third lieuten- ant, James Baker ; orderly sergeant, Judson Miller. The names of only the following privates are now before us : John Gregg, Prior Pemberton, Scott Yates. Company I. — W. J. Miller, captain ; Stephen Cooper, first lieu- tenant; John Barnes, second lieutenant; James Baker, third lieuten- ant ; Judson Miller, orderly sergeant ; John Stone, Faulkner Kenady, Salem Ford, Prim Rollings, Robert Hilly, W. A. Fox, James Esk- ridge, Turn Moore, Thomas Moore, Dan Boyd, Otho Ofl'utt, John Shepard, Clay Owens, George Ely, Wm. Oliver, David Clarke, H. S. Yates, John Eskridge, Stephen Pemberton, Prior Peml)erton, John Dikes, Joseph Settle, Luther Hay, James Beeding, Joseph Coons, Wm. Coons, Irvin Timberland, Dempsy Cummings, Jos. P. Massy, Sam Winston, Johnson Hughes, Stephen Baker, Barton Lewis, Wm. Osburn, Mat. Moore, Gus. Parker, Alfred Offut, and others. Ca})t. Miller's company was enlisted principally in the vicinity of Hampton, where he then resided. He now resides at Platte City. Capt. Morton had a coziipany of about 73 men, whom he had col- lected from different parts of the county, but principally in the south- east part, near where he himself resided. Many of them were young men. A considerable percentage of his company continued in the Southern service until the close of the war. His under officers were Elias Markwell, first lieutenant ; David Richardson, second lieutenant ; Allan Johnson, third lieutenant, and John Mothersett, orderly ser- geant. Willis' and Powell's Co7npa7iies. — Cajjt. Willis' subordinate officers were : first lieutenant, " Shang" Masterson ; second lieutenant, P. E. Chesnut; third lieutenant, Bluford Thompson. The company rendez- voused at Second Creek Church in the fall of 1861, until they were ready to start South the latter part of December. Capt. Powell joined the regiment with his company after the battle of Lexington. He was an acquaintance and personal friend of CoL 670 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. Winston, and very naturally preferred to be under the latter in the service. His company was formed in the vicinity of Toas in the northwestern portion of the county.^ Formation of Winston'' s Regiment. — At the general reorganization after the battle of Lexington, in September, 1861, Winston's regi- ment was formed, consisting of ten companies and 840 men.'- Judge Spratt's company was consolidated with that of Capt. Rogers, under the command of the latter, and Judge Spratt was made adju- tant of the division, but he continued in the position only a few days.- On account of serious illness in his family he was compelled to return home and, subsequently, circumstances prevented him from i-ejoining his command.' The following were the officers of the regiment and its position in the organization of the army: John H. Winston, colonel; W. P. Childs, lieutenant-colonel; James Murphy, major; John W. Ross, adjutant; Thomas E. Park, drum-major; George Adams, quarter- master, and James Littlejohn, baggage-master. Maj. Flowers suc- ceeded Maj. Ross as adjutant later along in the service; and M. C. Park, Capt. Childs' first lieutenant, became captain of the former's company, after Capt. Childs was elected lieutenant-colonel of the reg- iment. The regiment became the Second infantry. Fifth division Missouri State Guard, under Gen. Early Steen. C.VMPAIGNS AND BATTLES. After the organization the State troops, including Col. Winston's regiment, fell back to the southwestern part of the State, but in a short time moved up again northwest to Sac river, near its confluence with the Osage. In December they again fell back stopping for a time at Springfield, where the battle of the 10th of August had been fought. In February they removed to Cane creek, Arkansas, to form a junc- tion with Gen. McCoIlough, so as to be able to make a stand against Gen. Curtis, who had been pushing them warmly with a greatly sup- perior force. On the way down there was almost constant fighting. 1 By several officers he is not remembered at all, but Col. Winston is positive he had a company in the regiment. Some of them say that Capt. Carr should be included in place of Capt. Powell, but Capt. C.'s second lieutenant, and afterwards captain of the company, James Synuaraon, says that Carr was not in Winston's regiment at all, and Lieut. -Col. Childs says the same thing. 2 Capts. Miller's, Morton's, Powell's and Willis' companies were not incorporated into the regiment until after the Lexington flght. ' His wife died soon after he returned home, leaving him with a family of small children. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 671 At Sugar creek, a considerable engagement occurred and in a few days afterwards another one of less importance at Cane creek. In each of these the Platte county volunteers bore an honorable part. Early in March the forces of Price and McCollough under Van Dorn moved up and met Curtis at Pea Ridge where the battle known by that name was fought. Gen. Steen was not present with his command at the battle of Pea Ridge and the command of the division fell upon one of his senior col- onels. The division was on Gen. Clark's left, who was receiving a heavy and destructive fire from the enemy. Col. Winston seeing this suggested to the senior colonel that they advance and flank the enemy so as to relieve Gen. Clark. But the latter refused to order an ad- vance. Finally, Gen. Clark's situation became so critical and his ranks were being thinned so rapidly that Col. Winston took the responsi- bility to order an advance himself, which was responded to with a shout in a double-quick-forward by his men. The enemy was driven from his position and Gen. Clark's forces were thus extricated. Then Winston's regiment captured a battery, and Wagonmaster Littlejohn took it ofi" of the field in triumph. On more than one occasion Col. Winston proved himself a gallant and sagacious officer. In one of the engagements during the siege of Corinth be was personally and publicly complimented by Gen. Price for the bravery and good judgment he displayed at an important and critical juncture.^ Second Reorganization. — After the battle of Pea Ridge another reorganization was made necessary by the fact that the six months' terms of most of the volunteers in the State Guard had by this time expired. Most of them enlisted in the Confederate service. Col. Winston's men re-enlisted in sufiicient numbers to form, five compa- nies. Re-enlistments from the Extra Battalion and from other sources completed the regiment. The new regiment formed became the First Missouri Rifles, in- fantry, C. S. A. Col. Winston was continued as colonel, and Maj. Calhoun C. Thornton became lieutenant-colonel. Maj. Thornton, in former engagements, had shown himself to be an officer of unflinch- ing bravery. From Pea Ridge the Southern forces fell back to Little Rock, and thence to Memphis, Tenn. There Gen. Parsons had command of the ' This informatiou was not obtained from Col. Winston himself. He is too brave and modest a man to speak of his own merits. 672 HISTOEY OF PLATTE COUNTY. Second Missouri Brigade, of which the' First Missouri Rifles Wiis a part. The regiment continued under him until the close of the war, and took part in many of the hardest battles of that long and unequal struggle. For a time during Halleck's siege of Corinth Col. Winston had charge of the division, Gen. Parsons being engaged at Memphis iu making arrangements for the pay of his troops, which was long past due. It was while in charge of the division during an engagement at that time that Col. Winston was so generously and justly compli- mented by Gen. Price. Early iu 1863 Col. Winston, at Gen. Price's special request, came up. into Missouri on a recruiting tour. But while stopping at home, iu this county, he was surprised by a party of Federals and captured. He was kept in prison until several months after the close of the war.^ In the meantime his regiment was commanded, until the war closed, first by Gen. Steen, who was killed at Prairie Grove after taking com- mand, and then by Col. Moore, and others. Only the merest frag- ment of its original force, however, survived the war. On every bat- tle field where its flag floated, many of the brave volunteers frcm Platte county yielded up their lives in defense of their Southern homes and kindred, and to the imperishable honor and glory of Southern patriotism and the Southern arms. ' The purpose and circumstances of his mission were these : Lieut. -Col. C. C. Thornton and several other Confederate officers of influence and prominence in, Mis- souri, had been sent up here to sound what was known as the Pawpaw militia as to their disposition toward the Southern cause. These gentlemen reported to Gen. Price that they bad held numerous conferences with officers and men iu the militia and that arrangements had been completed by which 2,700 of the Pawpaws were to come over, with arms and equipments, to the Southern cause at tlie first favorable opportunity; and that if no opportunity more favorable occurred sooner, they would revolt anyhow when the effort should be made to disarm them, it then being generally understood that such an effort would be made — which the militia were to use as a pre- text for their revolt. These reports were shown to Col. Winston iDy Gen. Price, and the former was instructed to come up into Missouri and talie charge of and direct the movement. It was believed that that force of men, well armed and properly officered, could nialie its way safely to tlie Southern array if properly relieved on the way. Col. Winston came up safely from the South and found that the reports of Lieut. -Col. Thornton and others were substantially correct. lie held numerous conferences with betli the officers and men of different militia organizations, and became satisfied that the Pawpaw force was only a little less than unauimous for the Southern cause. He was in the midst of his negotiations and plans with them when he was captured. This and other untoward circumstances prevented the carrying out the plans agreed upon. The above facts were given to the writer by Coi. Winston, in the presence of another gentleman, and with the assurance that he had never before revealed them to any living man. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 673 OTHER COMPANIES. Duriiio; the summer and latter part of ISUl some ten or twelve com- panies were organized in this county for the Southern service, not in- cluding those of Winston's battalion nor the ones previously formed. The principal companies that left during this time were those of Field- ing Burnes, Dr. E.(jbertson, William Downing, Joseph McGee, Davis Lantern, Silas M. Gordon, Joseph Carr and the last four companies of Winston's State Guard regiment, namely : Capts. Lanter's, Mar- tins, Willis' and Miller's. Col. Bii7-nes' Comjjan//. — Early in 1861 Col. Fielding Burnes, now of Platte City, but then of the vicinity of Hampton, enlisted a company of volunteers for the Southern service, about seventy men. T. W. Davis was his first lieutenant. They started to the Southern army al)out the time that the fight at Blue Mills occurred, and went by way of Liberty. But Col. Burnes returned home before reaching that place, and afterwards took no further part in the war. His company, however, went on, under the command of Lieut. Davis, who became captain of the company. In explanation of his return. Col. Burnes says that he was met on the way South by his I)rother, Col. James N. Burnes, with whom and Col. John Doniphan he had had an understanding that the latter two were to raise a regiment for the Southern service, of which Col. James N. Burnes was to be colonel, and Col. John Donii)luin lieutenant-colonel, whilst he, Col. Fielding Burnes, was to command a company in the regiment; but that when he met his brother. Col. James N. Burnes, the latter told him that he had looked the field over carefully and had come to the conclusion that the South was bound to fail, and that the best thing he. Col. Fielding Burnes, could do would be to return home and become loyal and continue so until the close of the war. Col. Fielding Burnes did as he was advised to do. According to Col. Price, of Weston, Col. James N. Burnes afterwards made a speech to a Kansas Union League club at Fort Leavenworth, which Col. Jenni- son, who was present, disapproved in strong terms because of its bit- terness against the South and the e.xtreme views it gave expression to on the negro question. Col. Burnes afterwards publicly embraced Col. Jennison at Platte City, in the presence of Mr. Larkin Fleshman and a great many others, and declared that he " loved him better than all the world besides." Caj^t. Downing' s Company. — The company of Capt. Downing was formed in the neighborhood of Now Market, where he resided. He 674 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. was a farmer by occupation and a man of character and information — one of the influential citizens of that part of the county. In common with the great mass of the people of the county he sympathized with the South at the beginning of the war, and being a man of public spirit and courage he very naturally entered upon the work of enlist- ing volunteers for the Southern service. His company was formed early in August and was mustered into the Southern service as a part ot Cornell's regiment, of which Col. Gates was lieutenant-colonel. Some of his men afterwards entered in the regular Confederate ser- vice and continued in the army throughout the war. Capt. Robertson's Company. — Capt. Robertson's company was formed in the vicinity of latan and below there, near Weston. He himself was a physician by profession and was successfully engaged in the practice of medicine when the war broke out. He was also in- terested in farming. But being a Southern man, and with the courage to defend his principles, he put every private interest aside in order to serve the State. His company was enlisted in the summer of 1861 and accompanied Col. Sanders (with whom Capt. Crisman went) to Lexington. Capt. Robertson was with Sanderson at the time of the Blue Mills fight. Many of his men also became tried and true veter- ans in the Southern cause, and not a few made the highest and noblest sacrifice brave men can make for their country — the sacrifice of their lives. COL. CHILDS' CONVOY OF VOLUNTEERS. The last considerable body of volunteers to leave the county, and, in fact, the largest one, were the six companies led out by Col. Childs in December, 1861. Most of these remained out throughout the war and distinguished themselves in tlie Southern service by their valor, fortitude and devotion, amongst a soldiery whose heroism and endurance are without a parallel in all history. By the fall of 1861 the State was so generally in the hands of the Union forces that it was difficult for volunteers in bodies of any impor- tance to make their way South to join the army. A strong escort, was generally necessary, to prevent them from being intercepted and captured. It was to prepare the companies which had been forming in Platte county for a month or more, to start South under escort, that Col. Childs was sent up from the army by Gen. Price in December. He was to organize them and see to it that they were armed and equipped as thoroughly and efficiently as circumstances would allow, and then to notify Gen. Price where to send the escort. The six companies were those of Capts. Davis Lanter, H. CUiy HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 675 McGee, Silas M. Gordon, Joseph Carr, and the companies of Capts. Willis and W. J. Miller already mentioned. Col. Childs swore them into the State service, and had them ready to stai't South in the early part of December. They were met south of the Missouri by an escort under Col. Clarkson of 600 men from Gen. Price, and the whole force reached the army of the latter whilst it was encamped on Sac river. The names of the officers of Capts. Morton's and Miller's com- panies have already been given. Capts. Lan(.e7-'s and McGee's Companies. — Capt. Lanter's com- pany was composed of volunteers, principally from Lee, Pettis, and Carroll townships. He also had some from Holt county and several from other neighboring counties. His company was formed in November and had for its five principal officers, Davis Lanter, cap- tain ; Garrett Gregg, first lieutenant; Guyun, second lieutenant; Acton, third lieutenant and Andrew Justice, orderly sergeant. Capt. Lanter is still living, and resides on his farm near Farlej'. The company of Capt. McGee was formed in the vicinity of Cam- den Point. The lieutenants of the company were McPike, Holland and ^ . Capt. McGee is said to have per- mitted himself to be captured early in the war. Lieut. McPike then succeeded to the command of the company. He was killed at Corinth, and after that Lieut. Hollfind had command until the close of the war. Capt. Gordon's Company. — Before organizing his company for the Confederate service Capt. Gordon operated iu this and several other counties for about six months at the head of a squad of men as an independent scout. But few of the men afterwards comprising his company in tlie regular service were under or connected with him whilst he was operating as a scout. The following is a copy of the roll of his company in the Confed- erate service as it was found when they were captured at the fall of Vicksburg : — Muster roll of Capt. Silas M. Gordon, ninth company in the cav- alry regiment (first brigade) of Missouri volunteers, commanded liy Col. Elijah Gates, called into the service of the Confederate States, of the provisional army, under the provisions of the Act of Congress, passed February 28, 1861, by Gov. C. F. Jackson, from the Ifith day of January, 1862 (date of this muster), for the term of 12 months, unless sooner discharged. S. M. Gordon, Jas. W. Barclay, J. N. Archer, Jarrett Todd, Men- ard \V. Bell, Albert H. Todd, Jas. B. Redman, Henry Sutton, Benj. 676 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. S. Powell, Eubin Cassil, Peyton Long, Thos. B. Todd, Robt. A. Locke, John Anderson, Isaac Archer, Stephen Baker, Thos. Barnes, Wni. Barbee, Juo. Blauton, F. KInned, Sidney Lanter, E. "W. Mit- chell, Moses B. Munier, T. L. Moore, Alex. Morgan, Juo. W. Olivis, Elias Barbee, Wm. Palmer, Geo. Reed, Harvey Rector, Edward Red- man, Jno. Rowley, Chas. H. Steele, Augustus Spratt, Benj. Talbott, Jno. W. Taylor, Jno. W. Todd, Jas. B. Todd, Wm. H. Todd, Edward Bowman, Jno. N. Jas, Thos. Jenkins, John P. Tribble, W. P. Taylor, Elijah Whitton, H. B. Williams, John Yates, E. McD. Cofley, W. D. Taylor, F. Kennedy, Stephen Baker, Thos. Barnes, W. L. Todd, Daniel R. Shoemaker, Calvin Blaukenship, Jno. Bradley, Thos. E. Burton, Wm. Callahan, Frank Carsley, Alex. Carson, Martin B. Car- ter, Thos. E. Coale, Joshua Copeland, Benj. S. Cooper, Silas Eliiston, Thaddeus Farley, B. L. G. Frazier, Jos. G. Gardner, Willard Had- ley, Jos. Halpaine, Met. Haitman, Del. Harris, Mathias Hudson, W. F. Stark, R. W. Mitchell, T. L. Moore, H. L. Todd, Frank Cleed, W. F. Stark. Jas. W. Bai'clay was first lieutenant of the company and J. N. Ai'cher was second lieutenant and Mark Todd, third lieutenant. Capt. Gordon was commissioned a recruiting officer by the Confederate authorities and was afterwards engaged in that service until the close of the war. Lieut. Barclay became "captain of the company, a man of great bravery and an officer of coolness in action, discretion and judg- ment. He was killed at Vicksburg and after the exchange of the company Lieut. Archer became captain, which position he held until the close of the war. He was in every way worthy to head the gal- lant Co. I, of Gates' regiment. Capt. Ccirr's Company. — This company was organized in the fall of 1861, and was a party to the first fight worthy a name in this county. It was this company that the gaUant Capt. Synnamon, mentioned in a former page, commanded during a considerable part of the war. Capt. Carr was promoted to the rank of major and Lieut. Clark was killed at the battle of Baker's Creek, Miss. After that Capt. Synnamon had command of the company until it was annihi- lated by the ravages of the twenty-odd principal engagements in which it took part. This company was the color company of the reg- iment for three years. But one man of the entire company escaped unscathed and but seven survived the battles of the war, the hospitals, and the wounds received and diseases contracted in the service. These seven bear no less than nineteen scars from wounds received in honorable warfare. \ HISTORY or PLATTE COUNTY. 677 When the company went into the battle of Franklin, Tenn., but nineteen of its members were living. Ten of the nineteen were killed outright in that battle, and five of the remaining seven were wounded. Capt. Synnanion was wounded eight times during his four years' service. Once he was carried off and thrown in a pit to be covered up as dead; and at Franklin, Tenn., he was shot through the body, the ball entering within an inch of his navel and passing out within au inch of his spine. Again he was left as dead and lay in that condition for thirty-six hours. He is now the assessor of Platte county, and one of the most energetic and highly esteemed citizens of the county. At Franklin, Tenn., his company had been so reduced by previous losses in battle that it had been consolidated with other companies, throwing the command to a senior captain. Gen. Cockerill, knowing that Capt. Synnanion was already covered with scars, and probably designing to shield him, detailed him to take charge of the baggage wagons. But Capt. Synnamon, for the first time in his life, protested against an order, and urged that he might be permitted to go into the battle, with a musket on his shoulder, and side by side with his men, saying that if they were to be swept away, as all believed they would be, he wanted to be with them. He and all knew it was to be the last and most desperate battle of the war and none entertained a hope for victory. During the war different meml)ors of the company were breveted from time to time for conspicuous gallantry, among them Matthew J. Moore, Frank Owens and Frank Murdock. The following are the seven survivors : Capt. Jas. Synnamon (grimlyuicknamed inthe armythe " Ball Catcher Captain "), wounded eight times ;B. F. Murdock, wouixled four times ; J. B. Sloan wounded three times; D. H. Calvert, wounded once; T. B. Cooper, wounded twice ; J. Alvin Herndon, wounded twice, and G. W. Olfutt, one of the bravest f)f the brave, wounded nf)t at all. gates' REGIMENT AND HUGHES' BATTALION SERVICES. After the six companies convoyed out by Col. Cliilds had reached Springfield, Mo., under Gen. Price, a reorganization was effected and Capts. Lanter's, McGee's and Gordon's companies entered the legular Southern service under Col. Gates. His regiment was known as the First cavalry and was in the Second Missouri brigade, Confed- 678 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTT. erate States army. The officers of Col. Gates' regiment^ were: Elijah Gates, colonel; Richard Childs, lieutenant-colonel ; R. R. Law- ther, major; Chas. W. PiiUins, adjutant, and E. McD. Cofley, sur- geon. The companies from this county were lettered : Lauter's company C, McGee's company E and Gordon's (Holland's) corapauy I. Capt. Carr's (or Clark's and Synnamon's) company became one of three companies (Clay's, Kerr's and E. Price's being the others) forming Hughes' battalion. Later along these was consolidated into the Sixth infantry under Col. Eugene Irwin, of the First Missouri brigade. Confederate States army. Gen. Martin Green, commanding. At Vicksburg, both Gen. Green and Col. Irwin were killed and after that the First and Second brigade consolidated under Gen. Cockerill, thus throwing the four companies last mentioned, Lanter's, Holland's (McGee's), Barclay's or Archers' (Gordon's), and Synnamon's (Carr's or Clark's^ in one command. From this time on their history is the same as the history of Cockerill's Ijrigade, with which every citi- zen of Missouri who feels any pride in the valor of her soldiers and the fiiir fame of the State is, or ought to be, familiar. Its record may be epitomized into a few words : With an original force of 7,000, by the time it reached Franklin, Tenn., it numbered but 600 men, and in that battle 419 of these were killed or wounded.^ CASUALTIES. The record of one of the Platte county companies we have men- tioned last gives a fair idea of the records of all four of them, and that the young men of the future in this county may be able to see what war really means and what material their fathers were made of, we give below the record of Capt. Sj^nnamon's company. It should be stated, however, that this was prepared simply from memory and it does not assume to give the numl>er of times each one was wounded nor all the casualties suffered, by any means. The compiler of this was often wounded and for weeks was not awai'e of what was going on in the company : — Co. G, Sixth Missouri infantry, First Missouri brigade, organized Oc- ber, 1861, at Platte Cit}', Platte county Mo: Capt. Joseph Carr, wounded, Bee Creek, Mo., promoted major; Capt. Biddle Clark, wounded and died at Baker's Creek, Miss. ; Capt. James Synnamon, wounded Oak Hill, Corinth, Port Gibson, Vicksburg, Franklin ; 1 Col. Gates had previously been lieutenant-colonel of Col. Cornell's regiment. - Figure.s furnished by Mr. B. F. Murdock. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 679 Lieut. Jolin Slone, wounded Corinth, Miss. ; Lieut. William Hols- claw, killed at Corinth, Mis.s. ; Lieut. William Clay, wounded Port Gibson, killed at Vicksburoj, iMiss. ; Sergt. B. Frank Murdock, wounded, Franklin, Tenn. ; Sergt Frank Owen, wounded, Kenesaw Mountain, Ga., killed, Franklin, Tenn ; Sergt. Ed. Scott, wounded, New Market, Va., died since war; Sergt. James Francis, wounded, Corinth, lost foot at Vickshurg, Miss. ; Sergt. Barnett Herudou, wounded, Corinth, killed, New Hope Church ; Corp. Lou. Craddock, killed. Heights of Altoona, Ga. ; Corp. Dave Stanton, wounded Port Gibson, Miss. ; Corp. William Harrington, killed, P(jrt Gil)son, Miss. ; Corp. Marion Bonnell, wounded. Baker's Creek, Miss. ; Privates— Will- iam Buford, discharged on surgeon's certificate ; William Bivens, tiled at liosi)ital ; John Crowbarger, wounded. Port Gilisou, Miss. ; Oscar Cooper, killed, Vicksburg, Miss.; Lin. Cuuniug, ; Tom Cooper, wounded, Vicksburg, Miss. ; Dallas Calvert, killed, Milliken's Bend ; Holt. Calvert, wounded. Baker's Creek, Miss. ; Will- iam Gladden, died of dropsy; Turner Geter, killed Vicks- burg, Miss.; William Enil)ree, died at hospital; William Harris, wounded, Vicksburg, Miss. ; James Houlsclaw, wounded, Elkhorn; Ark., promoted colonel ; Ben Houlsclaw, killed, Vicksburg, Miss. ; John Holsclaw, killed, Vicksl)urg, Miss. ; Henry Herudou, died of C()nsumi)tioii : James S. Heriidon, wounded, Corinth, Miss, ; J. A. Herndou, wounded at Franklin ; Sam Jones, died of consump- tion ; John Kenedy, wounded at Kenesaw Mountain, died in Federal prison ; Tom Muloy, died from wounds in Georgia ; Matt. J. Moore, wounded at Port Gibson and Heights of Altoona, Ga. ; Newton Mas- sey, killed at Corinth, Miss. ; James Marsh, died in Federal [irison ; Lee McClane, wounded at Port Gibson, killed at Vicksburg, Miss. ; Tom McGiiton, killed at Franklin, Tenn. ; Polk McCreary, wounded at Elkhorn and Corinth; Wni. McCutcheon, wounded at Port Gibson ; John McDaniels, died in liospital ; Willis McKinuey, wounded at Baker's Creek, Miss. ; John McKinney, wounded at Vicksburg, Miss. ; Sam Nowers, wounded at Port Gibson, Miss., died since the war; George Offutt, Port (libson ; Fred. Otto, wounded at Port Gibson and Vicksburg, Miss. ; John Oldham, Corinth ; Lee Oldham, died at hospital ; Dock Philips, died at Jackson, Miss. ; Thomas Parks, wounded at Elkhorn, Mo. ; Ham. Prichard, killed at Franklin, Tenn. ; Dee Proctor, Port Gil)son, killed at Franklin, Tenn. ; Wm. Roberts, discharged on surgeon's certificate ; George Riley, Steve Ring, wounded in Arkansas ; Tom Robnck, wounded at Baker's Creek, killed at Franklin, Tenn. ; Queene — , Ike Shiply, killed at Lookout Mountain, Tenn. ; Gem-ge Spears ; Bluford Stanton, died at Demo[)olis, Ala. ; Wm. Silvey, wounded at Elkhorn ; Ed. Tunnell, wounded at Vicks- l)urg ; Wm. Wing, died in Springfield, Mo. ; Hcniy Whitman, killed at Corinth ; Wm. Welch, wounded at Grand Gulf, Miss. The following arc the battles in which the members of Company I (Synuamon's), of Gates' i-egiment, took part: Camp Hane, Carthage, Oak Hills, Drywood, Lexington, Bee 38 680 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. Creek — all the foregoing in 1861 ; and Elkhorn, Ark. ; Cross Hollow, Ark. ; siege of Corinth, Miss. ; Farmington, Miss. ; Iiika, Miss. ; Corinth, Miss. ; these five preceding were in 1862 ; Grand Gulf, Miss. ; Port Gibson, Miss. ; Baker's Creek, Miss. ; Black River Bridge, Miss. ; siege of Vicksburg, Miss. ; Lookout Mountain, Tenn. ; New Hope Cliurch, Ga. ; the seven foregoing were in 1863 ; Atlanta, Ga. ; Heights of Altoona, Ga. ; Franklin, Tenn. ; Kenesaw Mountain, Ga. ; Blakely, Ala. LAST OF THE SOUTHERN COMPANIES. Up to the beginning of 1862 more than twenty companies had left the county for the Southern service, probably aggregating according to the lowest reasonable estimate not less than 1,500 men. Besides these there had been a large number of enlistments by individuals in companies formed in adjoining counties, and not a few who went directly to the Southern army without enlisting until they reached it. Merritt Young led out quite a squad from the vicinity of Weston in the fall of 1861, and other squads went out from time to time, which were afterwards consolidated into various companies. By the opening of spring in 1862, the country was so generally in the hands of the Union forces that it was hardly less than impossible for Southern volunteers to organize All enlistments after that, with but rare exceptions, were by individuals or in very small squads, and even then it was a question of life or death, with the chances in favor of the latter, whether one could get out at all to join the Southern army. If recruits for the South were found slipping through the country on their way to enlist, they were denounced as "bushwhack- ers," and in many instances were shot, although guilty of nothing more than otlier volunteers who left their homes to enlist for mili- tary service. The only companies to leave after the beginning of 1862, or the only bodies of volunteers after that worthy of mention as companies or squads, were those of Capt. Henry Woodsmall and those under Col. C. C. Thornton. All of these had to fight and dodge and run their way out, and not without losses by death, capture, and intercep- tion. Captain WoodsmaU's Company. — Capt. Woodsmall started out in the Southern service early in the war, and in the spring of 1862 ob- tained a commission to recruit a company. Most of his volunteers were from the vicinity of Parkville, and he succeeded in collecting enough to form the basis of a company. While encamped near Park- ville engaged in recruiting and drilling, in concealment as he supposed. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 681 he was attacked hy a detacliment of Penick's men, sent over from Lil)erty, and a spirited skirmish followed. They defended themselves with success and with slight loss, and soon thereafter were on their way South. They became a part of Shelby's force, and most of them continued in the service until the close of the war. Col. Thorntoiis Recruits. — Col. C. C. Thornton came in from Price's army early in the spring of 18G4 with a commission to recruit for the Southern service. He operated in and through Platte, Clay, Clinton, Buchanan, and neighboring counties, but principally in Platte county. Col. Thornton collected probably 150 boys and \'oung men, nearly all of them of this county, and after perambulating around over the county settled down at Camden Point, under the very shadow of Ft. Leavenworth " to hold the country." He held it, but no part of it very long at a time after Jennison's Kansas regiment and Ford's Colorado regiment came in sight. He, finally, ran at' the first fire, and but for the bravery and soldierly manhood of Maj. Thrailkill and a few other old soldiers, who happened to be present, all of Thorn- ton's volunteers, most of them college boys from 15 to 19 years of age, would have been butchered in cold blood. Thrailkill, Lieut. Hardin, and five or six others, stood their ground a few minutes at the risk of their own lives, thus momentarily checking the Federals so that the young men could escape. An account of this affair will be given furthey along. Probably 100 volunteers from this county reached the Southern army of those encouraged to enlist by Col. Thornton. These were the last attempts at organized enlistments in the county for the Southern service. Thenceforward the only recruits received from here by the South were those of individuals exclusively, those who, taking their life in their hands, depended upon working their way through the Union lines as best they could. Several hundred are said to have been received into the Southern service from Platte count}' in this way. TOTAL NUMBER FlIOM THIS COUNTY. According to the estimates of those best qualified to judge — Cols. Winston, Childs, Thompson and Capt. Synnamon, Miller, Lanter and a number of other ex-Confederate officers of this county — there were be- tween 1,800 and 2,000 volunteers furnished to the Southern army from Platte county from the beginning until the close of the war, not count- ing re-enlistments. Many of them, however, served only a short time — probably not more than one-third of them became permanent Confederate soldiers. Some of those who returned, not a few of iJ62 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. them in fact, enlisted in what was called the Paw-paw (Union) militia, gotten up more to protect themselves and their families and property from Kansas Jay hawkers than for any other purpose. This, in part, explains how it was that the county furnished so many volunteers to both sides durinof the war. III. UNION ENLISTMENTS. CAPT. PHELPS ' COMPANY. The first enlistments iu the county for Union service were in the early part of 1862. Capt. Burton H. Phelps, of the vicinity of Ridgely, recruited a part of a company iu the northwest part of the county, receiving also volunters from across in Clay county. With 50 or 60 men he proceeded to St. Joseph, where his company was completed. It became Co. A, of the Fourth cavahy, Mis- souri State militia, they being organized at St. Joseph. This was in February, 1862. Of the company. Burton H. Phelps was captain, Jno. T. Carr, first lieutenant; Benj. P. Holland, second lieutenant; Sanders McComas, commissary sergeant ; Hiram D. Smith, first duty sergeant ; Wm. Morgan, second duty sergeant ; and Benj. Fitzgerald, third duty ser- geant. Only the names of the following privates from this county have been obtained : Oliver Clark, Benj. Stitha, Chas. Avery, Geo. McMil- lan, Wm. McMillan and Leve Green. Capt. Phelps resigned in June, 1862, and was succeeded by R. T. Cunningham. The latter died at Mt. Vernon in October of the same year and A. R. Couklin became captain. He was from Warrensburg, this State, and served until the close of the war. Second Lieutenant Holland resigned in June, 1862, and was suc- ceeded by Ephraim Davis, of Sedalia. The history of the Fourth cavalry includes that of Co. A, and we therefore sketch the history of the regiment. The Fourth Regi- ment of cavalry was organized with eight companies, April 28, 1862. Two more companies were added to the organization June 7, 1862, and two more Februarj' 22, 1863. At its organization Geo. H. Hall, brother to Gov. Willard P. Hall, was commissioned as HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 683 colonel, William M. Albin as lieutenant-colonel, George W. Kelly as senior major, Douglas Dale as junior major, and Lieuts. Joseph K. Robinson and David Bonham, Jr., as battalion adjutants. In September, 1862, Lieuts. Robinson and Bonham were mustered out of service in obedience to law and Lieut. Jose))h K. Robinson was mustered in as regimental adjutant. In March, 1863, Lieut. -Col. William M. Albin was mustered out of service, and Lieut. -Col. Wal- ter King was mustered in as lieutenant-colonel ; also Lieut. Joseph K. Robinson, regimental adjutant, was promoted to major, and Lieut. William C. Defever was appointed regimental adjutant. Dr. D. v. Whitney was surgeon from the time of organization, and Dr. James H. Shoot, assistant surgeon. In Ma}', 1862, the diffei'ent companies composing the Fourth Cav- alry, Missouri State militia, were ordered to assemble at Kansas City, Mo., to receive the equipments and transportation necessary to equip the regiment for the field, and when equipped, the regiment marched to Southwest Missouri, and was reported for duty to Brig. -Gen. E. B. Brown. About the 8th of August, 1862, the regiment marched from Springfield, Mo., in pursuit of Coffee and his band of raiders. On the morning of the 12th of August, 1862, the regiment, under command of Maj. Kelly, together with a section of the battery of Co. F, First artillery, Missouri volunteers, under Lieut. Mattie, encountered Coffee, near Stockton, and defeated him, killing 13 of his men and capturing thirty-six prisoners. Maj. Dale was wounded severely in the right wrist, which was the only casualty. Maj. Kelly pursued Coffee over twenty miles, being joined by Maj. Montgomery, Sixth cavalry, Missouri volunteers, while pursuing the enemy. By order of Maj. Montgomery the whole command moved to Greenfield, and in a day or two afterwards the regiment, with other troops under the general command of Col. Clark Wright, Sixth cav- alry, Missouri volunteers, marched from Greenfield after Coffee and others by whom Coffee had in the meantime been joined, and pur- sued Coffee out of the State. The regiment returned to Mt. Vernon, Missouri, about the first of September, 1862, having been out on the march constantly since the 8th of August, 1862, till that time, and on but five days' rations of hard bread and salt, without transportation or change of clothes. On the 30th of September, 1862, the regiment, with others com- posing Gen. Brown's brigade, marched under Col. Hall's command to Newtonia, and succeeded in covering the retreat of Gen. Solo- mon from his ill-conceived attack or demonstration against the Con- 684 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. federate forces at that point. On the 3d of October, 1862, being then a part of Gen. Totten's division of the Army of the Fron- tier, it marched with the army till November 10, 1862, having been the advance of that army into Arkansas, and the rear of that army upon its withdrawal. On the 8th of January, 1863, the reg- iment was at the battle of Springfield and went with Col. Cloud in the pui'suit of the Confederate forces in their retreat therefrom. The regiment was active in bringing Shelby's raiders to a battle, and in the pursuit it was at the battle of Marshall, Mo. The' regiment was in so many skirmishes and battles that it is difficult to narrate them. It went into Huntsville, Arkansas, and had a skirmish with a superior force of the enemy, driving them from the town. It was first to enter Fayetteville in October, 1862, having skirmished for five miles before entering the town with the enemy, and in almost numberless other cases. It was never surprised, and surprised the enemy, atone place on Horse creek, in Dade county. Mo., killing eight and capturing one hundred horses and camp and garrison equipage. During the year 1864 the regiment was in Central Missouri, and was engaged in scouting, policing, escoi-ting and guarding the line of the Pacific Railroad, under command, until September 1st, of Col. Geo. H.Hall. From September 1st, Col. Hall having been mustered out to accept promotion as i)rigadier general, the regiment was under the command of Maj. Geo. W. Kelly. The different companies were sta- tioned in January as follows : Cos. A and B at California, Mo. ; C and E at Lamine Bridge ; D, H, I and M at Jefferson Citj' ; L at Linn creek; F at Syracuse; G at Boonville, and K at Tipton, Mo., with regimental headquarters at Lamine Bridge, Tipton and Jefferson City, Mo. During the months of February, March, April and May, tiie regimental headquarters were at Jefferson City, Mo. Six companies of the regiment formed a column for patrol duty under the command of Maj. George W. Kelly, and were constantly moving through the region comprising the first sub-district of Central Missouri, rendering it entirely free from the depredations or presence of guerrillas. June 3d, regimental headquarters were removed' from Jefferson City to Sedalia, Mo. ; thence July 30th to Warrensburg, Mo. ; August 25th to Tabo, Lafayette county. Mo., and during the month of September to points as follows : From Tabo to Georgetown, thence to Boonville, thence to Otterville, thence to Tipton, thence to Sedalia, thence via Tipton to Russellville, Mo. In June, July, August and September the regiment was constantly on the march, scouting the country HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 685 extending from the northern Ijoundary of Lafayette county to the mouth of the Osage, and was during tiiis time in frequent fights and skirmishes with guerrillas. In the latter part of September the regi- ment was concentrated at Sedalia, Mo., and, in connection with other troops under General Brown, moved to the defense of Jefferson City, against Gen. Price, arriving at Jefferson City, Octol)er 1st. From this date to the 7th the regiment was engaged on outpost and patrol duty along the Osage river and Moreau creek. Octoljer 7th, it was withdrawn to Jefferson City ; October 8th, moved out in connection with other cavalry under Gen. Sanborn in pursuit of the enemy ; found and skirmished with him at Moreau ; October 9th, pursued, overtook and engaged him at California, Mo., in which engagement three of the regiment were wounded. From this date until October 19th, the regiment moved and remained in the vicinity of the enemy in Cooper and Pettis counties, and participated in several slight skir- mishes, in one of which, near Boonville, one man was lost — missing. From October 19th, forming part of the first brigade, cavalry divi- sion, the regiment took part in the pursuit of Price, and was in the battle of Independence, Octoljer 22, of Big Blue, October 23, and of Osage, October 25, 1864 ; its losses in these engagements amounted to eight killed, forty-four wounded and one missing. The prin- cipal loss was at Big Blue ; in this engagement Capt. W. D. Blair was killed while gallantly leading his men ; Lieut. Dale was mortally wounded, and Capt. Van Sickle, Lieuts. Hamilton and Bryson severely. lu the fight at Osage the regiment captured two pieces of artillery, and one battle flag, together with many prisoners. From Osage the regiment moved via Fort Scott to Lamar, and returned thence via Fort Scott, Germantown and Warrensburg to Sedalia, Mo., arriving at Sedalia November 4th. November 12th, agreeably to Special Order No. 283, Headquarters Department of the Missouri, 1864, Cos. K and L were broken up, and the enlisted men distributed throughout the remainder of the regiment, leaving but ten companies in the organization. During the year 1865, until mustered out, the regiment was en- gaged in general scouting, escort and guard duty, and rendered ex- cellent service. It was mustered out in June, 1864. COL. price's company. December 15, 1861, the Eighteenth Missouri infantry. United States volunteers, commanded by Col. Morgan, came to this county 686 HISTOKT OF PLATTE COUNTY. and went into quaiters at Weston, doing post duty there until March, 1862. Whilst the regiment was at Weston, James A. Price, a citizen of Weston, organized a company of volunteers in this county for the Union service. The company became Co. K, of the Eighteenth Missouri, under Col. Morgan. Capt. Price was afterwards, June 19, 1862, promoted to the rank of major of the regiment, in wliich posi- tion he served until he resigned, July 7, 1862. His regiment was badly cut to pieces at the battle of Shiloh and a large part of the men captured. He, himself, was badly wounded, and it was on ac- - count of disability resulting from his wound that he resigned. The officers of Co. K, of the Eighteenth Missouri, were as follows ; Captain (first one), James A. Price; succeeded by William M. Edgar after the former's promotion ; Capt. Edgar was also promoted, and he was succeeded by D. A. Cudworth ; after Capt. Cudworth was mustered out, his term expiring in March, 1865, Abijah M. Everest be- came captain. William H. Minter was first lieutenant from September 7, 1863, to December 4, when he became captain of Co. F, same regiment. William M. Edgar ranked as first lieutenant from June 3, 1863, to March 1, 1864, when he was succeeded by Michael Collery. Lieut. Collery resigned April 3, 1865, and Charles Manda became fir^t lieutenant. He was honorably mustered out July 18, 1865. O. B. Douglas was second lieutenant until after his desertion, after the battle of Shiloh. William M. Edgar was then second lieutenant from December 4, 1862, until June 3, 1863. James R. Wilson next became second lieutenant. He was also promoted, and James M . Smith succeeded him. While the regiment was at Weston, Col. Morgan was succeeded by Col. Madison Miller. He resigned March 16, 1864, and Lieut. -Col. Charles S. Sheldon became colonel of the regiment. The regiment was ordered South in the spring of 1862. The first important battle in which it took part was the battle of Shiloh. It was in the thickest of the fight and sustained itself with distinguished gallantry until it was cut to pieces. More than a third of Maj. Price's old Platte county company was either killed or wounded. The whole regiment, and particularly the brave Platte countians, fought with a courage worthy of their gallant State and of the ever victorious flag that floated above them. After the battle of Shiloh the regiment returned to St. Louis to re- cruit its depleted ranks and to reorganize. In a month or two more it was again on its way South. It joined the Union forces in Tennessee, and was in numberless skirmishes and several battles prior to the be- HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 687 ginning of " Sliernian's March to tlie Sea." It then accompanied that famous and invincible chieftain of the Union arms on his victor- ious campaign through the heart of the Confederacy. When Athanta fell, the last sea port of the South was closed, and the Confederacy had received its death blow. ' COL. price's REGIMENT. In the meantime, Maj. Price, after his resignation from the Eighteenth Missouri, near Shiloh, had returned hoBie to Weston, and after re- covering somewhat from his wounds, decided to raise a regiment. He had lost none of his ardor for the Union cause, and was determined that as long as he could raise an arm it should be uplifted for the old flag, and the authority and integrity of the nation. Platte county was strongly Southern in feeling, and although the county was nominally under the control of the Union forces, it was almost constantly infested with returned Confederates and independ- ent Southern scouts, who improved every opportunity to harass Union troops passing through or stationed here, falling upon small detachments unawares, and attempting to cut them to pieces. As all the volunteers then in the field were already fully occupied with the work of closing in upon the enemies of the Government elsewhere, an order was issued in July, 1862, for the enrollment and organiza- tion of an additional force of State militia. This was intended for home service strictly, that is, for service inside the State. It was ex- pected with this force to rid the country of the armed bands of Southern raiders and scouts then infesting it, and to restore peace and the reign of law and order. Under the authority of the Governor's call, Maj. Price at once commenced the enlistment of volunteers for the formation of a regi- ment. The necessary companies were soon raised and organized, and a regiment was formed which numbered, rank and file, about 800 men. Maj. Price was made colonel of the regiment; Hon. Jno. Doniphan, lieutenant-colonel; Hon. Jno. M. Clark, major; Hon. H. J. Wolf, adjutant, and Benj. Bonifant, surgeon. The principal officers of the companies of this county forming the regiment were as follows : — Rtgimental Officers — James A. Price, colonel; John Doniphan, lieutenant-colonel; John M. Clark, major; Henry J. Wolf, adjutant ; L. W. Ringo, quartermaster ; Benjamin Bonifant, surgeon ; James F. Bruner, army surgeon. Company A — Wash. T. Woods, captain ; 688 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTV. Thomas H. Talbott, first lieutenant ; James O. White, first lieutenant ; John Sliindlar, second lieutenant. Company B — James M. Noland, captain; Hiram Malott, first lieutenant; George W. Noland, second lieutenant. Company C — Wni. J. Fitzgerald, captain; Henry H. Snyder, first lieutenant ; John Sheerer, sec(md lieutenant. Company D — John M. Clark, captain; Charles G. Peacock, captain; Thomas E. Mills, first lieutenant ; Thomas J. Wilson, second lieutenant. Company E — John H. Burts, captain; William F. Baker, first lieutenant ; Alex. Maltshergfr, second lieutenant. Company F— M. P. Moore, captain ; Wm. T. Carrington, captain ; John R.Norton, first lieutenant; William Cox, second lieutenant. Company G — Charles Guenther, captain ; Philip Doppler, first lieutenant; Mathias Schindler, second 'lieutenant. Company H — Samuel J. jNIilier, captain ; Henry J. Wolf, first lieutenant ; John L. R. Ringo, first lieutenant; S. Veneman, second lieutenant; John F. Kenny, second lieutenant. In consequence of an extraordinary reduction in numbers from various causes, such as removals from the State, enlistments in the United States service, and payments of commutation tax in lieu of military service, this regiment was disbanded and the commissions of all the offices vacated by General Orders No. 30, Noveml)er 1, 1863. Col. James H. Moss, commanding First Sub-District, Seventh Military District Enrolled Missouri Militia, completed the reorganization of the effective militia of Platte county, as instructed to do by said general order, and the regiments was known as the Eighty-second En- rolled Missouri Militia, command by Col. Moss. The Thirty-ninth Missouri (Enrolled Missouri militia) continued in the service for about a year. Two companies of the regiment were not dissolved until January, 1863. It was active and vigilant in its eft'orts to maintain the authority of the Union armies in this county and to crush out at the very inception every demonstration of hostility on the part of the Southern element. A number of spirited skirmishes occurred in the county, some of them hotly contested and bloody, and quite a number of prisoners were taken by the militia. The authority of the Government and the Union armies was strictly enforced, and a great many private citizens wiio were suspected or known to be guilty of disloyalty were apprehended and made to take the oath required at that time. Col. Price was a Union man and a soldier, an unconditional Union man, and terribly in earnest in his desire to see what he believed to be a causeless and unholy rebellion crushed out. His neighbors and HISTORY OF TLATTE COUNTY. 689 friends, Southern sympathizers, though they might he, he esteemed as much as others and always sought to shield and protect them when he could, without trenching- upon his duty to the cause he had sworn to uphold, a cause as dear to him as ever Colonial independence was to a soldier of '76. "Whenever loyalty to the Union and personal friendship came in contact, the latter, for the moment, was put aside. In many instances, it is true, he favoi'ed his Southern friends, but never when it seemed to be treason to do so. To give aid and comfort to those in arms against the Government was held to be positive and flagrant disloyalty, and was punishable by the laws of war. Sometimes he had the painful duty to perform of seeing to it that the ^ offenses of his neighbors and friends in this respect were not permitted to go unpunished. For this he has Ijeen bitterly blamed by some. But whilst it was perhaps but natu- ral for them to give food and shelter — to harbor aud protect, as far as possible — their kindred in arms against the Government, he would have been doing less than his duty as an officer and soldier had he permitted this to be done without making an elTort to prevent it. War is bad at best. But war in which neighbors and friends are on op- posite sides is the worst of all. THE PAW-PAW MILITIA. After the Thirty-ninth, under Col. Price, was mustered out, there were no other Union forces here except those merely passing through or stopping only temporarily, until the organization of what was known as the Paw-paw Militia — Eighty-first and Eighty-second regi- ments of the Enrolled Missouri State Militia. These were organized in the fall of 1863. The following were the principal officers of the regiment and the companies forming it : — Eiglity-first Regiment E. M. M. — Officers. — John Scott, colonel ; Elias Parrott, lieutenant-colonel; Jno. M. Bassett, major; P. K. O'Donnell, major ; Chas. West, captain, adjutant. ComjMuyA. — Geo. J. Lucas, captain ; Wm. Howard, captain ; D. L. Irving, first lieutenant ; Jno. Eaton, first lieutenant; T. L. Crumpacker, second lieutenant. Company B — T.J. Stratton, captain ; W. L.Hyatt, first lieuten- ant ; T. J. Bracken, second lieutenant. Company G — Jacob B. Cox, captain ; Cornelius Day, first lieutenant ; Robert B. Thomas, second lieutenant. CompaAiy D — Milton M. Claggett, captain ; Jacob T. Child, first lieutenant ; T. C. Roberts, second lieutenant. Company E — Harrison W. Davis, captaiu ; James Dye, first lieutenant ; 690 HISTORr OF PLATTE COUNTY. Joseph H. Dicken, second lieutenant. Company F'^ — John A. Dole- man, captain ; Eohert S. Gunn, first lieutenant; Henry T. Gore, sec- ond lieutenaut. Com/payiy G — Anthony Grable, captain ; Daniel A. Meadows, first lieutenant ; John T. Ferrill, second lieutenant. Com- pany H — John N. Smith, captain; William A. Cornelius, first lieu- tenant; Thomas L. Blakely, second lieutenant. Company I — Mil- ler Woodson, captain ; Uriah Griffith, first lieutenant; Jacob Schultz, second lieutenaut. Company K- — James H. Davis, captain ; William S. Tyler, first lieutenant ; Allen H. Dunlap, first lieutenant ; H. B'. Gross, second lieutenant ; C. R. Thompson, second lieutenant. Com- pany L — Jas. !Noland, captain ; B. F. Catlett, first lieutenant ; D. C. Hart, second lieutenant. Company M — Milton R. Singleton, captain ; John L. Stanton, first lieutenant; Isaac Hayes, second lieutenant. Eighty- Second Regiment, E. M. M. — Officers: James H. Moss, colonel ; Nathaniel Grant, colonel ; John Doniphan, lieutenant-colonel ; John M. Clark, major ; C. S. White, adjutant. Company A — R. D. Johnston, captain ; Wm. Chesiiut, first lieutenant ; E. O. Sayle, second lieutenant. Company B — Isaac Simpson, captain ; Wm. M. Stokes, first lieutenant ; H. C. Hatfield, second lieutenant. Company C — L. A. Ford, captain ; J. H. Nash, first lieutenant ; Cyrus Caprou, second lieutenant. Company D — W. T. Woods, captain ; John W. Martin, first lieutenant; Samuel A. Woods, second lieutenant. Company E — Thomas J. Wilson, captain; John S. Mallott, first lieutenant ; M. D. Riley, second lieutenant. Company F — R. H. Bywaters, cap- tain ; William H. Elliot, first lieutenant ; James M. Hall, second lieu- tenant. Company G — Aaron P. Osborn, captain; William Down- ing, first lieutenant ; William A. Williams, second lieutenant. Com- pany H — Charles B. Hodges, captain ; Elijah W. Cooley, first lieu- tenant; John W. Dixon, second lieutenant. Company I — John S. Thomason, captain ; Nathaniel Grant, first lieutenant; James D. Bax- ter, second lieutenant. Company K — George S. Story, captain; John W. Collins, first lieutenant ; L. W. Tiegardner, second lieuten- ant. Company L — Robert P. Clark, captain; A.V.Smith, first lieutenant ; Thomas W. Park, second lieutenant. Company M — Preston Simpson, captain; A. R. Baker, first lieutenant; Samuel R. Brown, second lieutenant. 1 Formerly Company F, Twenty-flfth Regiment. Attached to this regiment by General Orders No. 32. Transferred to Eighty-third Regiment, Co. B, by Special Orders, No. 178, 1864. 2 Formerly Co. K, Twenty-flfth Regiment. Attached to this regiment by General Orders No. 32. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 691 Of the foregoing regiineuts Cos. G, H, I and M, of the Eighty- first, and Cos. A, 'B, C, D, E, F, G, L and M, of the Eighty- second were composed principally of volunteers from this county. In the two regiments, according to the statement of Mr. Wolf, member of the Legislature during the war, there were volunteers from Platte county sufficient to have formed seven complete companies. These regiments were afterwards consolidated, as we were informed by Col. John Doniphan, and those not previously mustered out were honora- bly discharged, March 12, 1865. They were organized for home protection and were composed of some of the best citizens of the county, without regard to political affiliations or distinctions ; and a great many of both rank and tile were those who had previously been in the Southern army. When there were no regular Union soldiers here — Federal forces with some regard for their reputation for common honesty and with a desire to protect law-abiding citizens from thieves and open and noto- rious robbers and plunderers — the people were subject to constant raids from what were termed " red-legs " from Kansas, who stole and cai-ried off all kinds of movable property, and sometimes burned houses and committed other depredations. It was mainly to protect the people against raids of this kind that the Paw-paw militia regiments of Platte county were organized. They did valuable service as a local police and gave protection to all classes of citizens who were at home obeying the laws and quietly engaged in their usual avocations. They served without pay and without the expectation or hope of it — simply to protect the lives and property of the peaceable, law-abiding classes of the community. But among the extremely lo3'al classes, or the Radical Union men as they were called, there was a strong prejudice against the Paw-paws. It was charged that a great many of them were ex-rebels, with the " ex " hanging on only by a thread, and that most of the others were, to say the least. Southern sympathizers. Finally, this prejudice be- came so bitter that when the Radical element in the Union party ob- tained control of the State Government, a movement was set on foot to have the Paw-paws disarmed and disbanded. This of course created great dissatisfaction. The militia were serving without pay and were molesting no law-abiding citizen. On the contrary they were affording protection to all and maintaining the public peace. Many l)elieved that they were to be disarmed simply that tiiey might be robl)cd and plundered again with impunity. The greatest outcry against the Paw-paws came from across the river in Kan- 692 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. sas, which was of itself extremely significant. Some of the militia declared they would not give up their arms, believing that there was no honest or patriotic motive in disarming them, and that rather than submit to this they would resist to the bitter end and even go over to the Southern army with their guns in their hands. As a matter of fact a few of them afterwards did join the Southern army, but only a very few. The difficulty was at last adjusted without serious trouble, and the militia quietly and peaceably disbanded and resumed their places at home. THE SIXTEENTH KANSAS. At the time of the disbandment of the Thirty-ninth Missouri State militia in Platte county, and the organization of the two Paw-paw militia regiments, the State government in this State was in the hands of the Conservative Union party; that is, that party as contradis- tinguished from the Eadicals. Gov. Gamble had been made Governor by the old State Convention called by Gov. Jackson to take the State out of the Union, and Lieut. -Gov. Hill, who succeeded Gov. Gamble as Governor, after the latter's death, was a Conservative, but a strictly loyal Union man. But as a matter of fact the State adminis- tration did not keep abreast of the more extreme element in the Union party. The extreme Union men soon began to feel that they were not being fairly treated by the Conservative Union party ; that both in political and military affairs they did not receive the attention and consideration their loyalty and services for the Union demanded. Many of them refused to have anything to do with the Paw-paw organization, the loyalty of which they did not believe to be very clearly distinguish- able from that of Gov. Jackson's militia, then under Gen. Price; and, to make their feeling still more bitter, officers of Paw-paw patriotism were often promoted to positions of prominence and responsibility, whilst others whose devotion to the cause was not questioned were silently ignored. This was the case with Col. Price, of this county. He would have nothing to do with the Paw-paws. On the contrary he went to work to organize a regiment of men whose loyalty could not be called to question. He raised several companies and had every reason to be- lieve that he was to be made colonel of the regiment, the Twelfth Missouri. But another was preferred by the State administration. Determined not to remain idle, he took the major part of his volunteers over to Kansas and with them entered the Sixteenth Kansas United States volunteers. Three Platte county companies accompanied him, HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 693 tlidse of Capts. Philip Doppler, \V. J. Fitzgerald and Charles Guoii- tlier. A number of others also went and became members of different companies in that regiment. Probably as many as 450 men from this county entered the Sixteenth Kansas under Col. Price. J. P. Etuickson and W. Bj Holgard, both of Platte county, became respect- ive!}' surgeon and quartermaster of the regiuient. The Sixteenth Kansas was commanded by Col. Werter R. Davis, Lieut. -Colonel Samuel Walker and Maj. James A. Price. It subse- quently took part in the tights at Camden Point (Co. F, Capt. A. J. Miller), Lexington, Little Blue, Lulependence, Big Blue, Little Osage, Newtonia and Powder river. But in the fall of 18(34 it became evident that there was to be a change of administration in Missouri and that tlie Conservative State government was to be succeeded by the Radicals. Col. Price and many of his men, therefore, resigned or secured honorable discharges from the Sixteenth Kansas, and returned home to Platte county. In the meantime the Paw-paw militia, or most of them, had i>een disbanded and the rest were soon afterwards mustered out. COL. Fitzgerald's regiment. After the disbandment of the Paw-paws and the return of many of the volunteers from Kansas and from other commands in the Union service, prominent Union soldiers in this county began the formation of a Platte county regiment of militia. Twelve companies (several of them were only parts of companies) were organized, and of these the Sixteenth Missouri militia regiment was formed in May, 18()5. The following became officers of the regiment and companies, respectively: Wm. J. Fitzgerald, colonel; Charles Guenther, lieu- tenant colonel ; A. G. Beller ; major ; Philip Doppler, lieutenant-adju- tant ; Manoah Miles, lieutenant-quartermaster; Albert Bowlby, sur- geon. Company A — Wm. Magers, captain; Wm. H. Roney, first lieutenant; Henry Mays, second lieutenant; (Jompany B — James A. Price, captain ; Charles S. Warner, first lieutenant ; Daniel C. Linn, second lieutenant. Company C — B. F. Dougherty, captain; Jesse Brashear, first lieutenant ; J. D. H. Coleman, second lieutenant. Company D — Francis M. Tufts, captain ; John Rohan, first lieuten- ant ; James K. Lamar, second lieutenant. Company E — Robert C. Brdck, captain; Achilles Perrin, first lieutenant ; R. W. Bywaters, second lieutenant. Company F — Wm. Cockrill, captain ; P. Mc- Comas, first lieutenant ; Philip W. Stice, second lieutenant. Com- pany G — Wm. Chestnut, ca})tain ; John R. Swain, first lieutenant; 694 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. D. O. Darnell, second lieutenant. Company H — S. R. Brown, cap- tain ; A. E. Hughes, first lieutenant ; J. F. McAlexander, second lieutenant. Company 1 — Nathan Spatcher, captain ; B. F. Cox, first lieutenant ; Felix Cox, second lieutenant. Company K — James T. Riley, captain ; Geo. W. Noland, first lieutenant; R. J. Huffman, second lieutenant. Company L — Thomas J. Wilson, captain ; E. V. Randolph, first lieutenant ; Geo. W. Rennolds, second lieutenant. Platoon M — John Y. Patton. This regiment was organized more than two months after Gen*. Lee surrendered at Appomattox, and of course it was called upon to perform no service. It was mustered out soon after its organization. From the list of companies and regiments given on the foregoing pages in this chapter, it would appear at the first glance that there were a great many more volunteers from Platte county in the armies of the two sides in the late war than it would be reasonable to accredit the county with, considering that its population in 1860 was 18,500. The vote of the county the same year on the different oflices was from 2,500 to 3,000, or about one vote to every six and a half in- habitants. It being on the border, nearly every one in the county capable of bearing arms was in the service on one side or the other. Some were in only a short time — a month or two, or even a week or two — but many served continuously throughout the whole war. Altogether there were probably not less thau 3,000 persons of this county who served for a greater or less time in one army or the other. There were, of course, more enlistments thau that, but some volunteers en- listed as often as two or three times, and in both armies. First, the country was strongly Southern in sentiment, the South received all the early volunteers for the war. Then, after the Union forces took possession of the county, many who had been in the Southern army, but afterwards wanted to remain at home, enlisted in the Union home militia. In this way the apparently unreasonable number of Union volunteers is accounted for. IV. OCCUPATION OF THE COUNTY BY FEDERALS FIGHTS, ETC. As has been remarked on a former page of this chapter, Platte county, being strongly Southern in sentiment at the beginning of the HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 695 w:ir, was the scene of almost constant enlistments for the Southern service from the time Gov. Jackson first called for volunteers until the close of that year. The county was in the undisturbed possession an(l control of its Southern citizens and soldiery until the fall of 1861. FIRST FEDERALS IN THE COUNTY. On the afternoon of the 17th of September, 1861, Federal troops for the first time appeared in Platte county. They were about 800 strong, and were under the command of a Col. Smith, from Illinois (Sixteenth Illinois regiment), which State his command was also from. Col. Smith was on his way to Lexington for the relief of Col. Mulli- gan, who was already being invested by Gen. Price. Capt. Silas M. Gordon, who was then organizing a company of Southern volunteers, learning of Col. Smith's approach, determined not to let him pass through the county unchallenged. Although Capt. Gordon had no time to collect his men, he resolved to salute the enemy with a shot anyhow. Accordingly, just as the advance guard of the Federals were a]:)proaching Platte City from the west, Capt. Gordon rode out to meet them, and passing a short distance beyond the bridge he fired upon them at long range, killing oue of their number, their guide, a doctor from St. Joseph. The guide was struck sqtuire in the forehead, and was, of course, killed instantly. Col. Smith, supposing from this demonstration that his passage through Platte City would be seriously contested, and not knowing what Southern force was in reserve, hurried his men off and formed for a fight. His cannon were brought forward and directed against the town. Several shots were fired, but no great damage was done. In the meantime Capt. Carr, a coadjutor of Capt. Gordon, en- deavored to organize the citizens to defend the place, but the force of Col. Smith was too great to admit of successful resistance by the few men then to be collected. The citizens generally and their families fled from the town, and in a little while Col. Smith's forces mai"ched in without encountering any further op[)osition. They camped in the place that night, and aside from sacking stores and private houses and carrying ofi' considerable quantities of goods and other personal prop- erty, but little damage was done. MAJOR KELLEY'S VISIT. Soon after tlie departure of Col. Smith from Platte City, Capt. Gordon, who was quite active in this county in the early part of the war, went up into Chariton county with a squad of volunteers, all 39 696 HisTORr OF platte county. young men, and made prisoners of Col. James H. Birch and other Union men of prominence, taking them down to Gen. Price. In- censed by this, Col. Birch's sou, John Birch, obtained a detachment of Union troops, under Major Kelley, and made a descent upon Platte City with the avowed object of capturing Gordon. But the latter had not returned from his expedition South. Kelley's force remained here a day or two and then returned to Plattsburg. MAJ. Joseph's campaign — the bee creek fight. The next Union expedition into Platte county was in November. The fame of Gordon had now gone abroad, and it became a matter of emulation among Union liattalion and regimental commanders to cap- ture him. Maj. Joseph, then stationed at St. Joseph, thought he could accomplish that much desired object. Accordingly, he took a detail of about 500 men and two or three pieces of artillery and moved suddenly upon Platte City. He had heard from some one, a few miles from town, that Gordon was here. Quickly surrounding the place he permitted no one to pass out with- out apprehending and examining him. But none of them proved to be Gordon or any of his men. Gordon was here — in the town at the time — nevertheless. But he secreted himself under the Baptist Church until nightfall and then made his escape. The next day. so far from capturing Gordon, it became a close ques- tion whether Joseph was or was not to be captured. Gordon went to work collecting his men. He sent word to Capts. Carr and Stewart, who were also organizing Southern companies in the county, to col- lect their men. Runners were sent all over the county. The inten- tion was to invest Joseph at Platte City, and as soon as they could collect a sufficient force to capture him, men, baggage, cannon and all. They were considered a rich prize — eminently worthy the ambition of volunteers. Joseph was encamped on vacant lots above the site of the present court-house. The morning following the even- ing of his arrival he sent scouting parties out on the different roads to feel of the country and for foraging purposes. These were all furiously attacked and driven in at a break neck speed — every one for himself and the rebels for them all. One Union trooper, in his wild flight from the rebels, cleared the college stiles at a single bound of ills horse, but he was thrown heavily against the ground, and his teeth knocked out by the fall. Stove. Cooper, a young man of the vicinity, was after him, yelling and shooting like a Comanche. But he could not jump the stiles, and hence the panicked fugtive escaped. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. (i97 Afterwards, four picket.s at the Paxtoii mill were attacketl ami run in and two of them were killed. One of the killed, Davids, was a Urother to Capt. Davids, who was in Platte City later along with Maj. Dnimhiller. Maj. Joseph gave it out that he expected to remain in Platte City for some days, doubtless in order to throw Gordon and Carr and Stewart otf their guard. The sec:)nd morning after his arrival he made ready to move down and occupy the court-house as he pre- tended. But instead of stopping at the court-house he ke})t straight on through Platte City, crossing on the i)ridge and continuing on the Weston road. (rordon and others had not yet collected a sufEcient force to sur- rountl the town and hold him. In fact they were not aware of his departure until he was out of town. Even then only Capt. Carr learned of it in time to attempt to intercept him. Sending word to Capts. Gordon and Stewart to join him immedia- tely at the Bee creek bridge, a few miles west of Platte City on the Weston road, Capt. Carr started for that point with all possilile speed and reached there barely in time to put his men in position for the fight. He formed them to the right of the creek facing east and about 100 yards from the bridge along a field fence. His force consisted of about 50 men. In a few minutes Joseph's advance guard approached. They were tired ui)on by Carr's men. The advanced guard returned hastily back to the main body, and Josef^h formed his men at Tatraan's house. The fight now began, Joseph opened his artillery, and both sides opened with their small arms. The noise of the artillery and the crash of the balls in the fence corners had a very unsettling effect upon the nerves of some of the raw recruits of the Southerners. Nearly half of them lied precipitately. But the others stood their ground like old soldiers and fought like furies. The Federals also took advantage of the feiuse corners, and the battle became a regular Indian fight. It lasted, from beginning to end, more than an hour, and was only concluded even then \)y the ammunition of the Southerners becoming exhausted. On that account they were compelled to fall back ;uid let the Federals pass. Maj. Joseph re|)orted that his loss was only 2 killed and b wounded. Some of his men, however, afterwards admitted that they lost 4 killed and that 7 were wounded. The casualties on the Soutliern side were 2 wounded — Capt. Carr and Joseph Bywaters. The latter after- wards died from the efl'ects of his wound. ii\)6 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. The companies of Capts. Gordon and Stewart failed to reach the bridge in time to take part in the fight, though Capt. Gordon, him- self, who happened at the time to be separated from his men and to be near at hand endeavoring to collect recruits, fell in with Carr and fought with desperate bravery until it was over. CAPTURE OF COL. MOONLIGHT AND MAJ. RALPH. Soon after the Bee Creek fight Capt. Gordon moved down to the vicinity of latan, and during the latter part of November stopped a train on the Kansas City, St. Joseph and Council Blufi's Railroad, mak- ing prisoners of Col. Moonlight and Maj. Ralph, of Kansas, who were then in the Union service, and others. They were turned over to the Southern authorities and were afterwards exchanged. MAJ. HUFF COMES TO WESTON. Capt. Gordon's exploits had now so incensed the Union authorities at Leavenworth and other garrisons in the vicinity of Platte county that they were determined to drive him out of the country. He fre- quently visited Weston, and they threatened to burn the place if he was permitted to go there again. Within a week or ten days after Moonlight and Ralph were captured Maj. Hufl" came over from Leav- enworth with about 400 men, threatening that if he was fired upon in the county or interfered with in any way, he would leave the town iti ashes. He had planted artillery on the opposite side of the river to shell the town in case he met with any demonstrations of resistance on this side. CAPT. GORDON GOES SOUTH. Finally several prominent citizens of the county were sent for by Gen. Hunter at Leavenworth, and were informed that unless Gordon left the county he would burn every house within its borders. This course of disposing of the presence of an enemy was perhaps justified as a war measure, but to have executed the threat would have been neither brave nor just to the unoffending propert}^ holders of the county. Capt. Gordon left the county, not through fear, but to save the property of the people. COL. morgan's ADVENT. The lion had now left his lair. The wolves and jackals could come and go at pleasure, with no one to do them hurt or make them afraid. And they came. Col. Morgan came with a regiment, but not until Gordon liad left. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 699 He stayed until he was dishonorably dismissed from the service, for the cowardly murders and felonious arsons he committed. He came to the county early in December. Westou became his headquarters. Tlie Burning of Platte City. — One of the first moves he made was to visit Platte City. He came here on the 16th of December, 1861, with a strong force. That night he burnt the town. What he burnt it for no one knows, except from pure villainy. He had met with no opposition in the county. Everybody had treated him and his men hospitably and kindly. They started the fire at the dead hour of midnight, at a time whea people would be glad and fortunate if they escaped with their lives, to say nothing of homes and property. First, the flames bursting above Mr. Cochran's store, which had probably already been robbed, aroused the town. This was in block 29, just now the present drug store of Tully Ellifrit. The wind was from the southeast. Spreading rapidly, the fire soon enveloped all the row of buildings from Cochran's to the corner. Firebrands flew across to the court- house and set it on fire. Morgan now appeared on the streets and pretended that he did not want to burn the court-house, but only the other buildings. Knowing that he could not save it, he made great demonstrations toward doing so, but really he did nothing. It too went down in ashes ; and when the sun rose the next morning his kindly beneficent rays fell upon the ruin that an adventurer and scoundrel in shoulder straps had wrought. One of the best poilions of the business part of Platte City had been destroyed ; and the court-house, the public building of the county, that hard working, honest men and tax-payers, Union men as well as so-called " rebels," men of all parties, had paid for, was burnt. This served greatly to enthuse the people for the Union cause ! Tlie Murder of Triplett and Close. — But to the crime of arson murder was to be added. Some of Morgan's men went out to the residence of Wm. Kuj'kendall, near Platte City, where they captured two Southern volunteers who were in the county on furlough. They were regularly enlisted soldiers in the State Guard and had their cer- tificates of furlough with them. They had been guilty of no crime, and were charged with nothing save fighting as honoral)lo soldiers un- der the call of the Governor of their State. Both of them were of old and respected families. Black Triplett was a son of Capt. Wm. Triplett, one of the pioneer settlers of the county ; and Gabriel Close was a young man originally from Ohio, and of an eqn.ally good family. 700 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. Morgan, after the harniug of Platte City, started on his retnrn to Weston, taiiing these young men with hi in. Arrived at Bee creek bridge, he ordered them out to be shot, without trial, court-martial, or pretense of authority of any kind. Young Triplett, brave, cool and heroic, faced his murderers and was shot, aud instantly killed. But Close, hoping against hope that he might escape *to avenge the death of his heroic young friend and companion, just as the order was given to " fire ! " dodged the discharge and fled. He ran a desperate race, borne, as it almost seemed, upon tlic wings of the wind and was' fairly making his escape when a single leap sealed his doom. Rush- ing headlong into the timber, noting not where he was going, only that he was going, and at his greatest speed, he leaped into a quag- mire in the creek bottom and sank so deep that in trying to extricate himself he floundered and struggled until his murderers were upon him. They attacked him, defenseless, helpless in the mud, and bayoneted him to death. What a sight for even soldiers to witness — murdering an unarmed, helpless man floundering in the mud ! That was true soldiery, gallantry aud heroism ! No wonder Platte City was burned and the whole county sacked and plundered. The only wonder is that all the wells in the county were not poisoned. Neither the decent, self-respecting Union men of the country nor the Union authorities of the State sustained Morgan or made ex- cuses for these high-handed, villainous outrages. On the contrar}-, he was required to step down and out from the command of his regi- ment, and was succeeded by Col. Miller. The following characterization of Col. Morgan is taken from a speech delivered by Hon. H. J. Wolf, of this county, in the State House of Representatives, NovemI)er 30, 1863: " Yes, sir; he (Morgan) is the man that was dishonorably dismissed from the service of the United States. This is the man who is brought up to testify that my constitu- ents, friends and neighbors who own this ferry, ^ are not loyal." #»*« * * * *# " I want to make it a part of the history of the country that Col. Morgan disgraced the eagle that the Government of the United States put upon his shoulders, and the stripes of the uniform that he wore. I desire to state that the Representative from Platte county requires a different man from this Col. Morgan as a witness against the loyalty of any man. 1 Ttie ferry at Rialto, agaiust the loyalty of the owners of which Morgan had given evidence. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTV. 701 " Why, sir, if he were to swear against Jeff. Davis, himself, I would not believe him. He disgraced the service of the United States, and his pistol and sword and side arms were taken from him. He was taken to headquarters and decapitated in a v/ay that a great many others should be." Mr. Wilson, of Platte: " I want to ask my colleague (Mr. Wolf) whether he was not adjutant of the regiment after Morgan was dis- missed ? ' ' Mr. Wolf: " Yes, sir, I was; and I never disgraced my shoulder- straps. I was willing to tight for my country. I am willing to stand up for the glorious institutions of the people whom I represent and believe to be loyal ; and when insinuations are cast against their loyalty I want better witnesses than Col. Morgan. "i/e buriied Platte City, sir! He murdered men in Platte county — • infamously and cold-bloodedly murdered them,, sir, witJiout trial or investigalion of any sort, and xoitlioiit a shadoio of authority." CLOUGH's raid OF ROBBERS WISCONSIN AND OHIO TROOPS. During the winter of 1861-62 one E. N. O. Clough came over to this county from Kansas with a boely of men and made a thrifty raid through the eastern part of the county. They returned to bleed- ing Kansas richly laden with plunder " pressed " from " rebels," and of course everybody who had anything they wanted was a " rebel." It now began to look as if the people were to be given over, bound hand and foot, to be robbed and plundered with impunity. But in their distress a number of leading Union citizens of the county ap- pealed to the Governor, to secure, if possible, the stationing of a force or forces of soldiers in the county, who had some character to cai'e for, and some regard for common honesty. The presence of the Third Wisconsin and the Second Ohio was secui-ed, the former at Weston and the latter at Platte City. These were honorable, self-respecting men, and while they were in the county peace and quietude prevailed. The people and soldiers were on the best of terras, and their final departure was sincerely regretted. The Third Wisconsin left during the latter part of February, but the Second Ohio remained until after spring had opened. OTHER TROOPS IN 1862. The year 181)2 was not an eventful one in the war history of the county, compared with other years during the Civil War. After the appearance of the Wisconsin and Ohio troops comparative 702 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. peace prevailed. To be sure, other troops succeeded these, who were more bent on mischief and making war on non-combatants than in doing effective service against the armed forces of the Confederacy and overrunning the South where danger and death were to be faced. Then, also, Southern soldiers, residents of the county, wei-e occa- sionally returning home on furloughs or after having served out their terms of enlistment ; and a few recruiting ofBcers came in now and then. Sevei-al squads of recruits for the South were collected, as we have noted elsewhere, and between them and the Union' militia or- soldiery one or two skirmishes occurred. All of these circumstances occurring, one after another, of course kept the public mind in a state of unrest, but affairs were still not in a desperate condition, compared with what was to follow during the next and the second succeeding years. The Wisconsin and Ohio troops were succeeded respectively by Col. Charles E. Solomon of the Fifth Missouri infantry, U. S. volun- teers, and Maj. Wm. Drumhiller, of the Fifth cavalry, Missouri State militia. Provost marshals was appointed and citizens in every part of the country were arrested and required to take the oath of loj'alty and give bonds. These oaths or affidavits were triumphs of ingenuity and imfamy. The subscriber was compelled to swear that he had and would have no sympathy in the remotest degree even for those of his own family who might be identified with the Southern cause, and that under no circumstances would he give aid and comfort to them, or help them in any way, directly or indirectly, sick, starving and dy- ing though they might be ; and that he took said oath willingly and gladly, without mental reservation or evasion, and with an ardent and zealous desire to perform the obligations it imposed : in other words, that he could not live happy nor die happy without first taking the oath. Of course the people took the oath voluntarily — they could either take it and give bond to observe it faithfully or be sent off from their homes and families to die and rot in some loathsome prison. They were required to swear that they would do what the laws of God declare the}' should not do — turn the sick and penniless and suffer- ing from their door without a crumb or kind words even for poor chari- ty's sake, though the unfortunate were their own flesh and blood. With what sacredness they regarded these oaths, with what fidelity they observed them, can be imagined. But many a citizen was sent off to prison and robbed and plundered, and not a few were mur- dered because they failed to observe them strictly. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 703 These thoi'oughly American patriot soldiers from Hesse-Darmstadt, the lineal descendants of those of the same nationality mentioned in the histories of our Revolution, tarried in Platte county only long enough to teach Americans the great and true principle of American liberty, and then moved on to other fields of usefulness in their work of political evangelization. SKIRMISHES AND ROBBERIES IN 1862. The only other occurrences in 1862, worthy of mention, besides the enlistment of the Thirty-ninth Missouri State militia and of a few volunteers for the Southern service, which have already been men- tioned, were the skirmishes near Parkville and at Goose Neck, and a raid into the county of thieves and runaway negroes from Kansas. The Parkville Skirmish. — In the summer of 1862 Capt. Henry Woodsmall enlisted a company of volunteers for the Southern service and was encamped about four miles east of Parkville, where he was engaged in drilling his men and preparing them for service in the Southern army. His presence was reported to Col. Penick, then with a regiment at Liberty. Col. Penick at once moved rapidly into the county and surprised Capt. Woodsmall, routing him and killing two of his men, James Robinson, a citizen of Parkville, and another man also of the vicinity of that place. Woodsmall, however, made his escape with the balance of his men. He continued in the South until the close of the war. Tlie Goose Neck Fight. — During the fall of 1862 several com- panies or squads of Southern recruits under Capts. James Sutton, Rucker, and others and were rendezvousing at what is called Goose Neck, the principal creek of the Platte river above Platte City, and of course the fact soon became known to the Union forces in the county. Maj. Herren, then of Weston, came out with the regiment sta- tioned there to surround and capture the Southerners. The latter were encamped under the bluff of the river, with the river bottom below them and a ridge above gradually rising from the embankment. This ridge was covered with a thick growth of trees and underbrush. The attacking party approached from the ridge and came upon the enemy before they, tiiemselves, were aware of it. Both, therefore, were surprised. Both stood their ground for a few minutes to ex- change shots and then fled. Some of the Southerners ran at the first fire, thinking that they were surrounded. But most of them held their ground until several rounds were fired. 704 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. Finally, both sides fell back, each not knowing that the other was retreating, and as there were fewer Southerners than there were of the Union force, their number of fighting men of course gave out first. At last the Union force, seeing that the Southerners had beaten them getting away from the fight, I'eturued to the scene of battle and took possession of the field. The casualties were one Southerner, Elijah Ninemeyers, wounded (shot in the thigh), and four Union men killed, including David Soni- mers and Watt Brady, both of Weston. Several of the Union men were wounded. Ninemeyers layout in the brush until he was able to travel and was attended professionally by Dr. Johnson, now of Kan- sas City. Raid of Thieves and Negroes. — At night, during the fall of 1862, a negro was caught by Mr. Andrew Gutherie, residing about three miles northwest of Weston, in the act of stealing a horse from his farm. The negro was walking off with the horse, and on refusing to halt when commanded to do so by Mr. Gutherie, the latter fired upon him and shot him, but unfortunately not fatally. The negro escaped, but without the horse. The following night about 150 negroes and white thieves came over from Leavenworth and stole five head of horses from Mr. Gutherie, including a wagon and team. They also plundered the people as they came and went, taking horses, wagons and teams, and loading the wagons with plunder of every description. Stopping at James Schultz's, they took three fine brood mares and four mules from him ; and other farmers along their route suflered in like proportion. But while they were doing this Mr. A. E. Murdock, residing in the neighborhood, hastened to Weston for a detachment of soldiers. The troops were promptly furnished, and the thieves were overtaken at Kickapoo ferry, where they were fired upon and four of their number killed. Three horses and a Government mule — all the darkies ex- pected to get a Government mule and 40 acres of " Secess " land as soon as the war was over — wei-e recovered. 1863 A KEIGN OF TERROR. Morgan had beenofBcially decapitated, dismissed from the service and disgraced for his high-handed crimes and depredations in this count}', and he had left the country. But the influence of his evil example lingered. His methods and practices were observed with pleasure by some whose moral natures and conceptions of life were of a piece with his, and as soon as an opportunity was oflered them they gladly im- HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 705 proved it to copy his example, only exceeding it in villainy and brutal scoundrelism as their natures were baser and more criminal than his. Morgan's character would have made a white mark on that of some of his disciples in this county at a later period. People were robbed and plundered right and left, all classes — Southern sympathizers worst ; but if they were not convenient, then Union men were fallen upon, and occasionally a free negro, who had worked and saved to buy his freedom, and then worked and saved to provide a subsistence for himself in his old age, was filched of the little he had. Men were shot down in cold blood, houses were burned, and citizens of the highest character and guilty of no crime were cowhided through the public streets. "Loyal" newspapers were threatened and destroyed for even remonstrating in a friendly and conciliatory tone and a reign of robbery, arson, murder, rapine and plunder prevailed. No one when he retired at night had any assurance that he would live to see the dawn of the next morning, and even less that his house would not be destroyed. We can not hope to give anything like a catalogue of the crimes and depredations committed. Only a few are mentioned. Robbing an Old Colored Man. — Among the numerous robberies committed in the early winter of 1863, was that of an old colored man residing in the upper part of the county, not a great distance from Ridgely. He had worked and saved his money and bought his free- dom before the war. Aftei-wards he had worked and saved up a little means. It came to the ears of certain parties in the county, who were a disgrace to the Union service they were in, that the old man had some money about his house. They went there on the night of the 4th of Fel)ruary and demanded his money or his life. He gave of the little cash he had, $80, a small fortune to him. We learn from Sheriff Pack that the robbers were some of Capt. Phelps' company. The reputation of some of them could not very well be pleaded in mi- tigation of the charge. Others. — We take the following list of roblieries and depredations duringthis period, from the Platte County Sentinel, a strictly " loyal" sheet : — On Thursday night the l)arn of Capt. Wells, near Weston, was set on fire and entirely destroyed. The barn was one of the largest and finest in the county. George W. Robinson had his dwelling house, negro quarters and smoke-house burned, and a yoke of oxen stolen. Monday night Mr. Hunt had stolen from him six horses, an ox team and a large quantity of meat. 706 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. Tuesday night William H. McFarland had a fine mare taken. The same night Mrs. James Rees was robbed of three horses, one yoke of oxen and a wagon. The same night Joseph Pines lost a pair of horses, a wagon and a pair of harness. The same night Mr. Cole had some property stolen from him, what amount we did not learn. The same night Mr. H. Lloyd was robbed of a fine mare. The premises of two citizens by the name of Hughes, one resid- ing near Parkville and the other near Platte City, were raided and a, large amount of property carried off from each. A number of other robberies occurred, but we could not learn the particulars. Such is life in Platte county ! Who envies us? The above is from a single issue of the Sentinel, picked up at ran- dom. We have been able to find but four or five copies of the papers published in the county prior to 1864, and the few we have for 1863 are filled with accounts of roberies, murders and depredations. Raid on Stump Cockrill. — In the Sentinel of the 30th of July is the following: During a late hour on Thursday night of last week a band of white men and negroes from Kansas called on Mr. E. C. Cockrill of this county. Among them were negroes formerly owned by Mr. Cockrill. They compelled him to hitch up a team to a wagon, which they loaded with plunder of all kinds, carrying oft' wagon, team, plunder, the remainder of his negroes and all. One old darky who was helpless from age and decrepitude was left. On Friday night some of the gang returned and again raided Mr. Cockrill. They took horses, mules, wagons, oxen and a whole train of plunder. The Murder of loney Tinsley. — On the 18th of September, 1863, Toney Tinsley, a young man born and reared in the northeast part of the county, and a son of one of the old and substantial citizens of that vicinity, was taken prisoner by Capt. Fitzgerald and was hanged as a common felon. He was left hanging from 3 o'clock in the afternoon until 9 o'clock the next morning, when his body was discovered and was taken down by neighbors and carried to the home of his aged and grief-stricken parents. Tinsley was at the time under the supposed protection of an express l)ledge from the very authorities which Fitzgerald professed to be serving. It was, therefore, worse than murder. It was a murder and a shameless disregard of the obligation of a superior officer in the Union service. Young Tinsley had been in Price's army. Went out at the first of HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 707 the war, and was third lieutenant under Capt. Rogers. By his bravery and personal worth he had risen to the command of his company. Subsequently he returned home ou furlough, and while here he was taken prisoner. After lying in prison for a time, he was released on oath not to take up arms again, and also gave bond. From the time of his release until Fitzgerald murdered him he had lived in the strictest observance of his oath and bond. He had not violated either in any way, and had not attempted to. But unarmed and defenseless, guilty of no crime, and under the protection of his oath and bond, he was taken out and murdered — not shot as a brave man would execute a spy, and as even the laws of war require when the death penalty is decreed by a competent court-martial, but hanged as a cruel, base-hearted coward would mur- der a personal enemy against whom he had a greater spite than even the life of his victim could satisfy. This was still worse from the fact that young Tinsley had been re- leased from prison for a consideration. Whilst he was confined at Weston it was intimated to his father and friends by several who had influence with the authorities, ^ that for several hundred dollars he would be released. The old gentleman and his neighbors raised the money and paid it over, and the young man was set at liberty, but only to be murdered a few days afterwards. About this time, as well as before and afterwards, as we are in- formed by Col. Price, of Weston, the practice of having men arrested who were able to pay blackmail for their release, either from their own means or by the aid of friends, was a regular industry. Often a false ciiarge would be trumped up, and a party who was able to pay for his release would be arrested. Then after he had paid the blackmail, the same parties who manufactured the evidence against him would bring forward testimony to clear him of the charge. Scoundrels of this class had the decent people of the county completely in their power. At the same time most of them were drawing pay and rations from the Government, and had drawn uniforms, arms and bounties. Doubt- less, since the war, they have also drawn l)ack and other kinds of pay, and are now drawing pensions. It is due to Col. Price to say, and it stands out greatly to his honor, that as soon as he discovered the lilackmailing practice going ou he summarily put a stop to it, even at the sacritice of his own popularity with some, who, to punish him for his decency and sense of honor. ' The uames of these infamous characters have escaped us, otherwise we would have given them above. But they are well kuovvu to the people of the county. 708 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. weut to the extent of trumping up charges against him, which, of course, failed for want of proof or truth. Kansas Red-legs — Hangings and Robberies. — From the issue of the Sentinel of October 1, 1863, we taiie the following: — On Friday night last a gang of five men visited the house of an old man by the name of Raff living near Farley. They took him from his house and hanged him until he was dead. Ratf was a Ger- man, a widower, who had two of his children living with him. The assassins then went to the house of Tipp Green, living near ' by, took him from beside his wife, marched him to the place where they had hung Raff and hanged him. Both men were left hanging until Saturday. On Saturday, the same gang went to the house of Mr. Titter and swung him up, to make him reveal whether ho had any projjerty concealed. They took him down, however, before life was extinct, robl)ed him of some of his goods and a horse. They then went to the house of Mr. Shepherd, who was not at home, fortunately ; they told his wife they would have hung him if he had been at home. In the meantime, a squad of Col. Moss' men had started after them. They came upon them just as they were in the act of hanging an old man, eighty years of age. His wife of about the same age^ had secreted herself, l)ut the old man was too feeble to make his escape. They were fii'ed upon and one of their number wounded. They succeeded, however, in getting off, i)ut fled so precipitately that they left ten head of stolen horses and a lot of store goods, among the latter of which was a l)urial suit, which Mr. Timberlake had kept in his house for a number of years. There were no mar- ble yards on their route, or doubtless each of them would have stolen himself a tombstone. They escaped into Kansas, where they reported that they had been driven out of Platte county because they were good, honest Union men, "truly lial," as it were. They were unquestionably 103'al. They gave the most undoubted proof of that fact. Thus affairs had gone on from bad to worse, until the organization of the Paw-paw militia, with Col. Moss at its head, for home protec- tion. The county was robbed and plundered by thieves from Kansas and by thieves at home — generally re[)resentatives of the lowest, worst class of society in the county. Everything that was stolen was of course taken to Kansas, for that was tlie great retreat, and in this way the people across the border were made to appear worse than they reallv were. Some of the worst scoundrels who plundered the county and murdered its citizens resided here, and became loyal for the HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 709 oppoi'tunit}' loyalty gave them to plunder and gratify their malice against their better-to-do and more respectal)le neighbors. Destruction of the " Sentinel^' Office. — It was, of course, danger- ous for any one to say anything against the depredations and high- handed outrages of these scoundrels — even for decent Radicals to criticise them. They were loyal, and that covered all the moral scrofulas which humanity is heir to ; whilst to be even suspected of Southern respectability and decency blasted a man's chai'acter for- ever in the estimation of these fragrant " loyalists."- If one criticised them in the least he was at once denounced for disloyalty and his life and property considered fairly forfeited to the glorious cause of the Union, as represented by them. The editor of the Sentinel fell undei- their disfavor for remonstrating with them in a brotherly tone and manner, and his office was raided and a large part of its material destroyed. The Sentinel had been an extreme Radical organ up to the time that stealing became general ai;d without order or system, and had been instrumental in having the Conservator newspaper at Platte City suppressed the spring before, for not being loyal and hating rebels enough. During the war it was generally a race between rival county news- papers which could be the most loyal, and the one whose stomach proved the weaker and fell behind even for the width of a hair was generally suppressed with promptitude and dispatch. So in the spring of 1863 the Conservator went as far as it could go for loyalt3''s sake, but the Sentinel went a little further and won. But in the fall of 1803 the Border Times outshone the poor Sentinel in loyalty, and the latter was kicked and cuffed about and finall}' drooped and with- ered and died. But, as we have said, the cause of tlio destruction of the Sentinel office was that its editor gently remonstrated with some of the loyal- ists against unorganized, indiscriminate stealing. The following is a specimen remonstrance it published, for which it fell under the ban : — Remember This. — Every dollar's worth of property held by rebels is properly the property of the Government ; and when legally con- fiscated will go to relieve loyal citizens [save the mark !] of so much of the tax necessary to meet the expenses which the rebellion has liruught on the country. Therefore every dollar's worth of property sl()len from rebels is that much indirectly stolen from loyal citizens. Consequently, it becomes the interest, as it is the duty of every tax- payer, to do all that in his power lies to discountenance and put a stop to thieving of every kind. The more especially so, as the tine, fat horse of the loyal man is no more sacred in the eyes of the marauders 710 HISTOUY OF PLATTE COUNTY. than the poor, lean horse of the rebel and sympathizer.' — Sentinel, September 24, 1863. In other words: "Now, boys, don't be in a hurry; it isn't fair. Wait until there is a regular, fair divide all around, and then take your share like upright, good, honest, loyal men." If tiuit isn't an argument addressed to a constituency of thieves, who are assumed to be devoid of the single principle necessary among organized thieves — the honor among thieves — then the English lan- guage is a failure as a means of expressing thought, feeling and action. Affairs assumed the shape we have outlined above under the military administration of Col. Herren, who was at the head of a force of Mis- souri militia and was stationed at Weston. To still the voice of criticism and hush the whisper of censure, though to do so is to com- pel truth to be silent, we say nothing of Col. Herre4i's official career in this county. The greater and deeper the wrong endured the nobler and more generous is the charity that forgives if it does not forget it. Judge Herren had some bad men under him, and bad men of this county took advantage of his personal friendship and of his own antipathy against the South and anything Southern to casta stain upon his name. Too much, perhaps, he himself was driven into excesses by the souU less, merciless passions of the hour, and the too lax state of the moral code at the time ; but he suffered a rebuke severe enough for one with even a measurable- sense of honor to bear. His conduct was disap- proved by his own side and by his superiors, and his force was sum- marily disbanded. Other companies belonging in the county, but which had been identified with him, were also disbanded. Forces more in sympathy with the peaceable, law-abiding citizens of the county were required — those who would be sul)ject to no sus- picion of conspiring with thieves and plunderers or giving them in- formation or assistance. A general raid from Kansas was expected ; a raid of rapine, arson and murder, from which, it was believed, that not one stone would be left upon another, not one home to sentinel the desolation to be made. Lawrence had been raided in retaliation for Osceola, and now it was believed that Platte county and all the Missouri border were to be desolated in retaliation for Lawrence. The follow- ing from a county paper voiced the fear and feeling at the time: — Threatened Raid into Platte County. — We hear of projected raids upon Platte county. No good can come of this; but great harm. ' The rebel's aad sympathizer's horse was always poor, bliud and lame, for he onildn't keep auy other kind for fifteen minutes. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 711 greut wrong, terrible suffering, the innocent desolated, the unoffend- ing ruined, perhaps murdered and probably driven to be outlaws in a spirit of retaliation. It is true that Lawrence has been desolated, laid waste, swept a? with the besom of destruction ; for this let ven- geance sweep with the arm of extermination against the perpetrators and their aiders and abettors. But who is responsible? Not Platte county. She has not in the leastwise contributed to Quantrell's fiendish crusade. If she had par- ticipated in this horrible affair, then she should suffer her due share of retribution. She has not, but on the contrary, as soon as she learned of the massacre, she contril)uted to the relief fund. Shall the innocent suffer for the guilty? The Missouri border counties, south of the Kaw, have lurnished the "sinews" to the whole expedition. They, and they alone, should be held accountable. There is where the swift bolt of destruc- tion should fall — and even there, in God's name, let discrimination be made between the innocent and the guilty. The storm-cloud that now hangs with such black and threatening fury over this ill-fated border must be guided with a wise and an iron hand, or it will burst ui)on us, involving all in common ruin. These are not idle words, but they are solemn words, " spoken in truth and soberness." We are drifting between Scylla and Charyb- dis ! Who has the foresight and the will to save us? Something had to be done. A force that could be relied upon for home protection was necessary. By authority of the laws of the State and the proclamation of the Governor the Paw-paw militia was organized. This was in September, 1863. PAW-PAW MILITIA EXCITEMENT. Col. James H. INIoss, a prominent Union man of Liberty, and who had seen service in the army, was placed in charge of the sub-military district composed of Clay, Clinton and Platte counties. Some who had been in the Southern army, but had returned, became members of the Paw-paw organization in order to be able to protect their homes. A large number who sympathized with the South enlisted. When Col. Moss came to Platte City to swear in Capt. Johnson's company, a public meeting was held, of which we have the following account : — Meeting Friday. — Col. Moss has been appointed to the command of a sub-district in this military district, composing Clinton, Clay and Platte counties. Last Friday, in accordance with notice given a day or two before, he was at Platte City for the purpose of organizing into comi)anies and arming such men as were willing to bear arms in defense of their homes and property and of the National and State Governments. 40 712 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. The town was crowded at a very early hour in the day, not less than 800 men being present. Capt. R. D. Johnson reported to Col. Moss that he had raised a full company of men who desired to be sworn in and armed for home defense. About 11 o'clock the men were formed in double file in front of the Virginia Hotel, and the roll being called, Col. Moss proceeded to swear them into the service. Before that was done, however, he told them the Government ofthe State had determined to arm all loyal men who desired to defend themselves against the thieves and robbers who infest the country ; that this was a temporary organization for home defense, until the- militia could be organized ; that each man served at his own expense ; and closed by saj'iug ver}' earnestly : " Now, my fellow-citizens, before I administer this oath I desire to say to you that if there is, in these ranks, a single man who is not determined hence forth to be an active affirmative Union man, and a friend ofthe Government, I want him to step aside — we want him not." All having consented to be sworn, Col. Moss administered the usual oath to support the Gov- ernment of the United States and of the State of Missouri and to obey the legal orders of officers placed over them. The officers were then appointed, and the company was armed with United States muskets, which Col. Moss had brought with him from Cla}-. In compliance with the request of many citizens. Col. Moss ad- dressed the people in the Baptist Church, which was crowded to the utmost capacity, many being unable to get admittance. His speech was eloquent, manly and convincing, full of devotion to his country and love for the Union. He said he well remembered the scenes which had been enacted since last he spoke in Platte Cit}', and knew that many whom he saw before, had not been with him. That he had ever been a Union man while they had not been; but that no hard feelings rankled in his heart against those who, having gone astray, now wished to return to their allegiance ; that he wel- comed all such as brothers, who had erred and repented ; that the destiny of Missouri was fixed, that she would never desert the Gov- ernment our fathers established, and that the present causeless rebel- lion was sure to l)e suppressed. He said it was both the interest and the duty of the people of Missouri to render a prompt and cheerful support to the Government, both State and National, and aid by men and money to prosecute the war until the last armed rebel submitted to the authority of the Government, as the surest road to peace. He also paid a feeling tribute to the patriotism of Gov. Gamble. He then read his orders placing him in command of this sub-district, and also the order of Gov. Gamble ( which we pul)Iish in another column), and announced that it would be executed. He said tiiat his mission was to restore peace, and he would do that l)y a vigorous war against all who refused to submit to the law. That no peaccal)le, law-abiding man should be irijured in person or property, if he could prevent it, but that all alike should be free to speak and vote their sentiments. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 713 The speech had a fine effect, and the people departed for their homes earnestly hoping that a better day had dawned upon them. Threatened Trouble at Platte City. — But on account of the fact that the old Thirty-ninth Platte county regiment of militia under Col. Price had only recently been disbanded, and other militia organ- izations in the county had been removed or mustered out of the service, much bad feeling existed on the part of many of the mem- bers of these forces. They felt that a grievous slight had been put upon them, if, indeed, a cutting rebuke had not been administered, by being disposed of in that way, and their feelings, already greatly incensed, were still more inflamed by the mustering into service in their stead of some whom they had regarded as Southern sympa- thizers and returned rebels. This feeling of antipathy went so far as to influence some of the members of the old military organizations almost up to the point of refusing to submit to being disbanded, and threats were made that the Paw-jiaws should not be armed nor permitted to organize. The Paw-paws, especially Capt. Johnston's company, were denounced as a rebel organization, and the Governor was accused oFbeing in secret sympathy if not concert of action with the Southerners. Counsel, encouragement and assistance from Kansas were sought by the mal- contents, and they received sympathy and advioe from that source. But in the meantime a number of the leading, property holding citizens of the county, fearing that forces from Kansas would come over and devastate the country, or that they might l)e induced to come over and attempt to disarm the Paw-paws, which would have resulted in a collision and bloodshed and ruin, sought to conciliate and flatter some of the leading and most influential men across the border, and to win their friendship and influence over to the side of law and order in this county. Accordingly, a very public and complimentary invitation was gotten up on this side — with what sincerity we shall not undertake to say — requesting Col. D. R. Anthony and others (and they would have requested Jennison and John Brown if they had been there and it would have done any good to do so) to come over and address the people of Platte county, largely slave holders, in favor of immediately taking the negroes away from them, for there were still a few that had not yet run ofi" or been stolen. Col. Anthony courteously I'eplied that he would come. But as the time approached for his coming the people I)egan to get a little nerv- 714 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTT. ous. They were not exactly sure as to what he would do when he got here, and that it might not turn out as the invitation of the fly to the spider did. Their anxiety was intensified by the fact that the dis- affected militiamen of .the county had been in frequent consultation with him and that it had been given out that he was to bring a large force with him. But they had invited him here and it was now too late to bow them- selves out of it. They must nerve themselves up to the point of facing the responsibility before them — of piloting themselves and their constituents out of it by their tact, discretion and address. When the time came for the meeting, Col. Moss, as cool and brave as a lion, and who had had and would have nothing to do with An- thony nor his meeting, had his men ready for bloody work, in case it should be required. Some of the disaffected ex-militianien, on the other hand, wanted the Paw-paws disarmed at all regards, and were hopeful that Anthony would inaugurate the work of disarming them when he arrived. He was reported to be approaching and already near to town. Affairs looked critical. A few minutes more would decide what was to be the issue of Anthony's visit. All wore a serious expression and Moss' men looked sober and determined. Anthony's force came in sight. Now was the time for the citizens who had invited him to show their tact, good judgment, and diplomacy. They were equal to the occasion. They wanted to avoid a collision and save life and property, and they did it. They dashed gladly ( ?) forward on their horses and met Anthony before he entered the borders of the town. They welcomed him with ever}"^ expression of joy and hospitality. Never was a care-worn, battle-scarred soldier of the Cross, a patri- archal, white-haired circuit rider, more warmly welcomed to a revival than was Brother Anthony welcomed to Platte City. His men came in singing "Old John Brown," and of course the committee of citi- zens were not so impolite as not to join them in that soul-inspiring song. They, too, sang — sang as they never sang before — with voices of almost angelic seraphimic sweetness, beauty and modulation, although several of them had been present in the raid on John Brown, at Osawatomie, and had shot at him while he was swimming the Maries des Cygne river. After this Col. Anthony could not be made to believe that the peo- ple of Platte county were not the greatest and best of the greatly and truly loyal. The pleadings, remonstrances and all the representations HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 715 ot" the dis.satistietl, disorganized and disarmed ex-niilitiamen were in vain. He was the steadfast friend of his newly discovered h)yal friends in Phitte. The people had no further fears of organized I'aids from Kansas. All that they now had to look after were their own thieves at home. The following is a report of the meeting from a Kansiis standpoint, taken from the Leavenworth Bulletin: — THE MEETING ON SATURDAY. A few days since we published a letter of invitation, signed by forty-two well known citizens of Platte, inviting Mayor Anthony, Gen. Delabay and jNIr. Parrot to address an immediate emancipation meeting, to be held at Platte City, on the 2i)th (Saturday). The in- vitation was accepted. Since then rumors of difBculties and threats against those who should attend were rife. The radical Union men of Weston informed Mayor Anthony that the call was a blind to cover the intended disarm- ing of the radical loyalists, and the arming of the rebel sympathizers and cojiperheads. On Friday information was received that Col. James H. Moss, of Liberty, had, under cover of authority from Gov. Gaml)le, to take command of the enrolled militia of Clay and Platte, proceeded to Platte City and organized and armed a large company of men, who were under bonds, and who were violently pro-slavery. Under these circumstances it was advisable to take a small escort. Mayor Anthony, Mr. Marsh, Judge McCahan, the Messrs. Palmer, Mr. Hinton and some twenty more citizens, left here on Saturday to fill the engagement. A couple of miles from town they wjere met by a messenger from Col. Price with the following missive : — Platte City Mo., Sept. 2C, 18G3. To Col. Anthony and Others : Dear Sirs — I am iu Phitte City, according to promise; find James H. Moss here with 180 butternuts. You must seud at least 150 good men here forthwith. We may have trouble before night. Don't fail to attend to this immediately. In haste, J. A. Price. As we came in sight of Platte City it was evident that great excite- ment prevailed. One company was drawn uj) under arms at one end of the street, and the other was forming. Judge Paxtou met us with representations of the excitement prevailing, and urged that every exei'tion be made to keep the peace. The delegation passed in singing John Brown, and as they passed the Weston and Parkville militia they were received with loud cheers. In passing the company of Col. Moss a few faint shouts were given for the "Union of the States," which were heartily responded to by rousing cheers for " Freedom." Stopping in front of the hotel, three cheers were given for " The loyal men of Missouri ;" and three more for " Immediate Emancipa- tion." 716 HISTORT OF PLATTE COUNTY. Prior to organizing it was deemed advisable to invite Moss and his men to attend. So Anthony sent the following note. Norton is a lieutenant in the Moss troopers: — Sbpt. 26, 1863. Judge Norton: — Will you invite Col. Moss and his men to attend the meeting at the Reformers' Church this afternoon. I think that an exchange of opinion would tend to promote harmony and good feeling between Kansas and Missouri. Respectfully, D. R. Anthony. REPLY. Hon'. D. R. .A.mthomv: — \ note addressed to Judge Norton by yourself, inviting myself and men to attend your meeting, has just been handed to me. I am much obliged to you for your polite invitation and I would cheerfully comply with your request, but I think it advisable not to let my men mix with the crowd for fear some imprudent man should bring on a difficulty. No obstacle in the way of establishing good feeling between the citizens of Kansas and Missouri will be thrown In the way by me, but on the contrary, I shall labor for that end. Yours, etc., James H. Moss. The meeting was organized by the election of Col. J. A. Price, of Weston, President, and Judge Paxton, of Platte, as Secretary. Col. Price, in taking the chair, spoke earnestly in relation to the collision that had oc- curred. He denounced Moss' movements as a usurpation; declared It was calculated to strengthen bushwhacking and rebellion. Col. Price said that as colonel of the en- rolled he knew that there were but four men whose loyalty was not impeached. All others were suspected persons, enrolled as rebels and sympathizers. To arm such men was a crime at any time — worse when a Union man did not dare to poke his head out after dark. If these men would be killed it was their own fault. He was far from desiring a collision — he hoped in God's name it would be averted. But the Union men of Platte, who had .always been true; who, like himself, had fought the battles of the Union, would not always submit to the imposition of defending them- selves against United States arras, being put in the arms of their enemies. If Moss' copperhead militia got hurt in the operation, he for one would never protect them — never so help him God I [Loud cheers] . Col. Price continued for some time, icorning the men and movements under Moss. The Rev. Mr. Heath, having opened the meeting with prayer, it was declared fully organized. The meeing was addressed by Judge McCahan, Col. Anthony and R. J. Hinton, Esq., of Leavenworth, and J. N. Burnes, of Weston. The committee on resolutions reported ; and resolutions in favor of a new convention and immediate emancipation were passed, and denounced the action of Col. Moss in the strongest terms, declaring their determination to resist, if the proper authorities failed to disarm the rebel sympathizers he had organized. From the Leavenworth Conservative, we take the following in regard to Col. Burnes' speech : The speech of Col. Burnes was truly electrifying. Al- luding briefly and forcibly, but most handsomely, to the errors of the past, he claimed the privilege of being permit- ted to profit by experience and take part in the great struggle for human liberty, even at this late day. [He and others soon HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 717 engaged in dealiug in contraband cotton and made a small fortune.] He said that anti-Quantrell resolutions were played out. That resolutions denouncing the devil would be just as appropriate. That such patriotism, such Unionism, was too cheap to amount to anything and that the people of Platte, owing allegiance to the Government of the United States, had no right to claim its protection [that is, against murder, rol>l)ery, arson and all the crimes known to the catalogue] unless that allegiance was such as the heart- service of the freeman and not the lip-service of the slave. That alle- giance and protection went hand in hand and he who denied the former had no right to claim the latter. He said that the corner- stone of the rebel government was negro slavery. That if the little stone in Missouri was instantly removed the rebel structure now crumbling before the mighty blows of our armies must the sooner fall. That slavery is a protection and shield to bushwhackers in the State, and the earnest Union men of Kansas, who had so long and so patientlv demanded its extinction, would tolerate it in Missouri uo longer. That it was the root of our troubles [as the traveler's pocket-book is the root of his troubles with the thief] and unless removed we could have no peace. That with its removal a spirit of fraternity and good-neighborhood would at once spring up between Kansas and Missouri and we would all shake hands in a glorious march to prosperity and peace. His speech was remarkably well received and enthusiastically cheered. The ball rolls on. Under the heavy blows of the Radicals slavery in Missouri will speedily cease and then and not till then will we have peace. ^ The Paw-paws did valuable service for the county and freed it of thieves and plunderers. Comparative peace prevailed under their sur- veillance until the summer of the following year, when Col. Calhoun C. Thornton and others came into the county recruiting for the South- ern service, which of course brought al)out collisions and gave the Kansas troops and others who were no friends to the people of Platte county a pretext to come in and inaugurate a second reign of terror. On account of the Paw-paws being composed to some extent of men who had served in or sympathized with the South, the Radicals made every effoi-t to bring discredit upon them. The Governor, as we have said, was strongly criticised, and a resolution for an investigation of his conduct in connection with the Paw-paws was offered in the State House of Representatives. On the consideration of that reso- ' About this time, accorcline; to the statement of Col. Price, of Weston, Col. Burues, fearing that his change of heart misht still be looked at a little cross-eyed by the .luthorities, took a likely colored girl belonging to a Platte county farmer and put- ting her in his buggy, carried her safely to the border, so that she could escape safely into Kansas. For all this he certainly deserves a pension and back pay. 718 HISTORY or PLATTE COUNTY. lutioii, the following is the speech delivered by Mr. Wilson, of Platte : — I voted for that resolution, and I did it because I want an oppor- tunity for an investigation. I know something about the Paw-paw militia, and I am proud to acknowledge here in my seat that I am one of them. I belong to Co. A, of seven companies raised in Platte county. Col. Moss was first authorized to raise these troops, and who are they? I will tell you, Mr. Speaker. They are citizen sol- diers, raised by order of Gov. Gamble under the laws of the State, calling upon the militia to keep the peace of the country and enforce the laws. I have full confidence in the Governor's action on this oc- casion, and I have full confidence in Col. Moss. The Governor could not have made a better selection in the State. Sir, there was a great necessity for this step. Up through our portion of the country, including Platte county, which I in part rep- resent, a reign of terror prevailed, caused by the demoralization of the old militia. Houses were burned, men shot down in cold blood, and others cowhided through the streets — some of our very best citi- zens — by these enrolled militia, until men were afraid to walk the streets. The Red-legs almost depopulated our county, committing rob- beries and milrders nigiit after night. It was, indeed, a reign of terror. Col. Pike had command at the time. He was relieved by Col. Moss. They disobeyed Col. Pike's orders, sir, and he was unable to control them. He had not sufficient force to execute his orders, and a reign of terror existed, brought about b}^ the Radical press of the State. The Radical press demoralized the old militia, and it was the duty of the Governor, an obligation imposed upon him by the Con- stitution which he had sworn to support, taeall upon the citizen mili- tia under the laws of the State and enforce the law and prevent honest people from being plundered and murdered. The first day that a company of these militia was organized in Platte county they detailed a scout at night and routed a band of ten Red-legs and higliway robbers. They caught them in the act of hang- ing an old man because he refused to give them his money. They routed them and cajjtured their horses and saved the old man's life. Now, sir, I am glad an opportunity is presented to investigate this matter — investigate it thoroughly throughout this whole State, and you will find a necessity existed for this new organization.' ' This raid near Farley has beeu referred to ou a former page. A Leavenworth paper thus refers to the loyal cut-throats and thieres : " Another party of Union refu- gaes arrived here yesterday from Platte county, Mo. Affairs there are assuming a serious aspect. Every Union man receives warning to leave." Col. Moss, of Clay county, whose antecedents are not such as to satisfy the de- mand* of the conditional Union men, with authority from Gov. Gamble to command the enrolled of Platte, Clay and Clinton counties, has, instead of calling the enrolled militia of Platte county iut» service, called out the enrolled rebels, and is now organ- izing companies of men in every township. — Conservative: HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 719 OTHER EVENTS IN 1863. The principal events in this county during the year 1863, other than those ah'eady referred to, may be briefly summarized. Early in the year Col. Price issued a military order from his head- quarters at Weston, as colonel of the Thirty-ninth Enrolled Missouri militia, mounted infantry, to the elfect that husbands and fathers, or male members of families, would be held accountable and punished for any slights or contemptuous conduct of women and children toward the militia or Union authorities, and that the ladies themselves would be punished by the military for any such offenses. On account of the reign of terror that obtained here during the early part and summer of 1863, a great many of the better citizens of the county left for other localities, taking with them their families and all the movable property they could that had not previously been " pressed " from them. Most of the emigrants crossed the plains and went to Colorado and California. An ordinance of emancipation was adopted by the State convention called })y Gov. Jackson in 1860 to take the State out of the Union. It formed a written compact with Lyon and the Federal authorities and throttled the State government, constituting itself Governor, legislator and everything else, and continued in session until it had disfranchised a large majority of the people who voted it into existence and delivered them over, tied hand and foot, to the very persons it was elected to protect the people and the State against. The ordinance of emancipation was to go into efi'cct in 1870. But the negroes and their immediate radical emancipation friends, here and in Kansas, could not think of waiting seven weeks for eman- cipation, much less seven years. The darkies began to flock across the I'iver into Kansas like blackbirds, organized into droves and guided by some of the ofBcers and privates under Col. Herren, at Weston. Enrolling oflicei's were appointed to register all the male population in Platte county of proper ages and physical qualifications for military duty, in anticipation of a draft. The enrollment showed between 1,500 and 1,600 present. About this time, also, or a little before, came the notice of the amount of taxes due from the county to meet its share of the liabil- ity of the State on the Union military bonds, issued to pay the enrolled Missouri militia the same that was wholly or in principal part dis- 720 HISTORY OF PLATTK COUNTT. banded, partly for the reasons already stated and for others. The amount due from this county for 1863 was $30,051.38, no small sum for the people to pay, for such a purpose, especially when they had been stripped and robbed of nearly every thmg they had to pay it with. A commutation tax of $30.00 was charged against every person qualified for military duty who failed to go into the service, and one per cent upon his taxable property. Besides a full tax of $2.00 was collecti- ble from each individual unable to pay a poll-tax and one-fifth of one per cent was charged against his property, all for military purposes alone. The tax payer had his other taxes and burdens to bear in ad- dition . EVENTS OF 1864. The year 1864 was the darkest period in the history of Platte county. Misfortunes came so thick and fast upon the people that they lost all hope and sat down, with the resignation of fatalists, to await their doom. No one knew whether he would be mui-dered within an hour, a day or a month, and none seemed to care. Death appeared to be inevitable to all, and the question of the particular time it was to come gave them but little concern. Nevertheless, the year opened not unfavorably. The Paw-paw militia had cleared the county of thieves and cut-throats, and the early winter and spring seemed to promise a period of comparative peace and quiet, considering that it was a time of war. But before the spring was over the prospect had began to darken. The Confederate armies in the South were sorely in need of recruits. Unless they could get them the South could not sustain herself through another year. It was a question of reinforcements or ruin. The Southern forces from Missouri had every reason to believe that they could supply their thinned ranks with volunteers if they could come up into the State to conduct them out. They resolved to try. It was arranged for recruiting officers to come up in advance, and that as soon as any considerable progress was made in recruiting, large relief forces were to be sent in to conduct the recruits safely out of the State . Thornton's recruiting expedition. Accordingly, officers in the recruiting service were sent into the different parts of the State. Lieut. -Col. C. C. Thornton was sent to Clay and Platte and surrounding counties on this side of the river. This was an unfortunate selection, both for the Southern service and for this part of the country. Whatever may have been Col. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 721 Thornton's military record prior to his advent into Platte in 1864, here it was subseqnently not a good or creditable one. He showed that he lacked good judgment, candor and courage, three qualities in- dispensable to success on a mission so delicate and responsible as his was into Platte county. The result was that he accomplished nothing for the Southern service and indirectly caused the death of fifteen or twenty persons, and the inauguration of a worse reign of terror than had ever been known in the county. He found many of the young men of the county ready and anxious to enlist, and swore them into the Confederate service. They were told that Gen. Price would come on after a while, and that if the people rallied to the Southern standard as they should do, he would be able to hold the country. Collecting a hundred or more volunteers, Col. Thornton himself felt emboldened to assert that he could hold Platte county until the arrival of Gen. Price. That was a great mistake ; but many believed it to be true and enlisted with that expectation. Col. Thornton boldly took possession of Platte City. The militia here oflered no resistance. They were not strong enough to oppose him even if they had desired to do so. Nevertheless, Capt. Johnston tried in good faith to rally his men to prevent Thornton from taking the place. All but a very few answered that they were organized to put down thieves, incendiaries and murderers, and as long as Thorn- ton and his men committed no otfense they were not disposed to inter- fere and bring on trouble and bloodshed. After spending two or three days in Platte City, Col. Thornton moved his men up to Camden Point and went into camp. He continued there without concealment, although with only a handful of men, un- til he was attacked by a greatly superior force, 15 or 20 to one, and routed, with the loss of several killed and the complete breaking up and disorganization of his force. RAID OF THE BASHI-BAZOUKS. Thornton was camped in a pasture in the northern suburbs of Cam- den Point, now a part of the Robt. Hardesty farm. He had only about forty men with him, nearly all boys and young men, raw recruits in the service. Others belonging to his force were in differ- ent parts of the county in squads and alone. He had been frequently warned of the danger of his situation — that he was within a few hours' ride of Ft. Leavenworth and was not only imperilling the lives of his own men by removing there, but also 722 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. the lives and property of the citizens of the community. He would listen at nothing and persisted in asserting that he could " hold the country." The very morning preceding the afternoon that he was attacked he was told that a reconuoitering party of Federals had been seen near the place. He paid no attention to the report, tjut collect- ing his men around him made a flambeauant speech to reassure them. Capt. Fletcher Taylor, an officer whose courage and good sense no one doubted, and who was present with a company at Camden Point in the morning, told Thornton that the place would be attacked before njght and that for his part he intended to take his men away. Suit- ing his actions to his words he left and thus avoided a disaster. Camden Point " Fight." — Thornton's presence at Cainden Point and in the county, had, of course, been reported to the authorities at Ft. Leavenworth, and steps were taken to capture him or drive him out of the country. A force of the best fighters and worst men in the service on the other side of the river was directed to make a raid into Phitte county. They were the principal parts of two regiments, the Fifteenth Kansas under Col. Jennison, of fragrant memory, and a Colorado regiment under Col. Ford, the only one in the service whose reputation exceeded that of Jennison's men for mur- ders and arsons committed, and horses, household goods and ladies' wearing apparel stolen. A. J. Miller's companj' and Fitzgerald's men of the Sixteenth Kansas were along to complete the worst body of cut-throats and freebooters that ever tortured a victim or looted a community — the scum and outlaws of society as a rule, the Bashi- Bazonks of the Western border. On the 13th of July, 1864, having reached Weston, they moved rapidly, but without much ado, on Camden Point, about twelve miles distant, and on reaching the latter place dashed upon it 700 or 1,000 strong, driving in Thornton's pickets as they went, and taking him and his men completely by surprise. The Confederates were of course not prepared for an attack, and they had no force sufficient to i-esist it even if they had expected it. Their horses were not saddled, their arms were scattered through the camp, and few of them had theirguns and pistols loaded. Thornton himself fled precipitately as soon us the Federals came iu sight, notwithstanding his flambeauant speech only a few hours before, leaving his men to be butchered as sheep in a shamble, for all that he did or attempted to do. Major Thrailkill, however, an old Confed- erate veteran who had just escaped from Rock Island prison, and two or three other old Confederate soldiers, happened to be present, in- lIISTOltY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 723 cliuling Ciipt. Joe M:icy and Lieut. Hardin, and they rallied the men who had their arms and horses in readiness and formed across the lane, thus checking the Federal charge until the others could saddle up and get an equal chance for escape. If the Federals had surrounded the Southern camp or even stationed a force in each road leading out from Camden Point — for all the roads were in lanes — they would have exterminated the whole Southern force. As it was two of the Southerners were killed outi'ight — Lieut. Hardin and Richard Alvis. Eol)t. McCormack was wounded and concealed himself in a chister of undergrowth in a fence corner. But his wound was so severe that he unfortunately made his whereabouts known by an involuntary cry of pain. At once several Federals climbed up on the fence over him and shot him to death. Andrew Smith, Peter Clements and Jesse Wytes were taken prisoners and were shot — murdered without even the form of a court-martial. All of them were regular Confederate soldiers — that is, they had been sworn into the Southern service by Col. Thornton, who was regularly authorized to recruit and swear in Confederate volunteers, by a commission from Gen. Price. The Federal loss is not probably known, but is said to have been four killed and eleven wounded. Their dead were taken back to Kansas. After the war the Confederate Association of Platte County, Dr. E. McD. Coffey, president, took up a collection and with the proceeds erected a handsome marble monument in the cemetery at Camden Point to the memory of those killed on the Southern side. On one side of the monument is the following inscription : " Almavine Hardin, July 13, 18r)4; Richard Alvis, July 13, 1864." On the other: " Robert McCormack, July 13, 1864 ; " on the third side : " Andrew Smith, Peter Clements, Jesse Wytes ; " and on the fourth : " Erected to the Memory of Confederate Soldiei's by their Friends. " Burning of Camden Point and Platte City and Murders and Bobberies. — After the murder of the prisoners above referred to, Jen- nison and Ford proceeded to burn Camden Point. They destroyed about twenty houses, including Skinner's, Humphrey's and Mrs. Morton's dwellings, Rohan's store-house, Estes' tin-shop, Williams' and Carson's dwelling houses, a blacksmith shop, Hale's store-house, warehouse and a hemp house, Park's dwelling. Dr. Thomas' dwelling west of town and a number of others belonging to parties whose names arc not now remembered. The same day a squad of thi-ee men, while passing the residence of 724 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. Mr. Geo. M. McCuer, one of the oldest and most highly esteemed citizens in the county, a man who had taken no part whatever in the war, shot him down in his own door. Riding up to the house, they called him to the door and asked him if he had seen any rebels pass- ing there. He assured them he had not seen any. They then fired upon him. He fell back, mortally wounded, and died the next morning. Another squad passing the residence of Mr. Jack, another old citi- zen of the county, the father of Mr. A. K. Jack, present cashier of the Exchange Bank at Platte City, and treasurer of the county, found him at his front-yard stiles and without any ceremony or excuse began shooting at him. Their purpose evidently was to scare him so that he would run and then shoot him as a flying rebel. But he refused to run and told them if they meant to kill he would as soon die where he was as at any other place. They cursed him and abused him and passed on. Ford and Jennison, after burning Camden Point, went to Platte City, and burnt that place or the principal part of it left uhburnt by their illustrious predecessor in incendiarism and villainy, Col. Mor- gan. Concerning their performance there, we take the following from Mr. W. M. Paxton's Historical Sketch of the county : " About three o'clock that evening(the 14th) Swaney's block of buildings, which stood on the corner now occupied by the Farmer's Saving Association, was burned. The following morning the troops started for Liberty, and left a party to burn the town. The following houses were destroyed : The Methodist Church, the Presbyterian Church and Masonic Hall, the Male Academy and the dwelling houses of Levi Likens, Wm. C. Remington, H. C. Cockrill, Howard Connelly, Mary A. Marsh, the Gaines Hotel, the shop of Philip Lutes, besides the row of buildings upon the present public square, and that facing the same on the south. These edifices composed the best part of the town, and some of the houses destroyed were the best in town." The Christian Church at Platte City and the one at Platte City were spared by the special order of Col. Jennison. He ordered that they should not be burnt, giving as a reason that his wife was a mem- ber of the Christian denomination. But he was so bad a man that even she, his own wife, had to part company with him. She left him after the war for keeping a house of ill-fame at Fort Leavenworth, ostensibly a restaurant or eating house, with a doggery and gambling (live annex. Another shining light of the loyal patriots set to rule over and murder and plunder decent people ! HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 725 From Platte City this delectable band of scoundrels started to Liberty on a drunken saturnalian expedition of crime and villainy. Jennison's men went by way of Parkville and Barry, and Ford's di- rectly by Barry. Jennisou himself accompanied Ford's command, and the men, while on their Parkville detour, were under one Thompson, famed for his murders of unarmed citizens, and as a terror to women and children. On his way to Parkville Thompson killed three law-abiding reput- able citizens of the county, shot them down in cold blood on the pub- lic road. John Rogers and Masterson lived near Parkville, and were returning home from town that day when they were met and shot down by Thompson's men. Neither of them had ever been identified with the South in any way, and both were peaceable unof- fending citizens. They were each between 50 and 60 years of age, and both were men of families. Masterson was a one-legged man, and had been constable of the township for a nunil)er of years. He was popular with all classes and was elected by both political parties. Rogers was a quiet, plain-going farmer, fairly well-to-do, and without a known enemy in the world. A few miles further along Thompsoi; met another farmer, David Greeg, who had been to mill at Parkville that day, and was returning home with his grists in an ox wagon. He was ordered to get out of his wagon and was shot by the side of the road and left there a corpse. His ox team stood there, hitched to the wagon, until neighbors found him and his team that afternoon. He was a white-haired old man, verging on 70 years of age, and had nothing whatever to do with the war. Ford's men under Ford and Jennisou were hardly outdone by Thompson. On their way through the county they took a boy by the name of James Redman, a son of Hickman Retlman, residing near Barry and shot him. He was at home when taken prisoner and they marched him only a short distance from his father's house. His mother heard the reports of the pistols when he was murdered, and rushing out where he was, reached him just in time for him to die with his head in her lap. He had scarcely ever seen a Southern soldier, much less been in the Southern service. Further along on their way, beyond Barry, they murdered a Mr. Hall and Abram Estis, two farmers in nowise connected with either army. Thus Ford's and Jennison's men went on through the country, murdering and plundering. On his way to Parkville, Thompson 726 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. burned the residence of Mrs. Hughes, widow of Judge Hughes, for no other reason, so far as is known, than that it was the best house in sight — a handsome brick residence. Both detachments, Ford's and Thompson's, stole every thing they could carry away on their routes. They took wagons and teams and then took the plunder to load them. Horses, wagons, harness, sad- dles, household goods, wearing apparel, meats, provisions of all kinds — everything that a foraging party of thieves would be expected to, lay their hands on was taken and carried away. When the two com- mands left the county they had over 100 head of horses with them, and a regular caravan of plunder. Judge Chives, near Barry, alone lost seven head of horses in this way, and they loaded 450 pounds of bacon into a wagon from Bradley Cox's smoke-house and carried it off to'relieve the grasshopper sufferers in Kansas. Others along their route suffered in like manner. The whole county drew a long, deep sigh of relief when they were known to be out of it. OTHER TRAGEDIES, FIGHTS AND ROBBERIES. Though the Kansas and Colorado raiders killed twelve men in the county, six of whom were in nowise connected with either army, and burned Platte City and Camden Point, besides robbing and plunder- ing far and wide as they went, their raid was by no means all that occurred in the county during the year 1864 to unsettle affairs and render it a scene of disorder and of the worst crimes of the Civil War. Massacre at Mrs. Bradley's. — About the time of the Camden Point affair, or soon afterwards, five young men who had volunteei'ed as re- cruits for the Southern service, but had not yet made their way South, were surprised and surrounded at the residence of Mrs. Bradley, a widow lady residing about two and a half miles from Platte City. They were Wm. Stone, John Thomas and Young Hines, Morehead and Marshfield,^ and were there getting a meal. The Federals were about fifty in number. They gave the South- erners no opportunity to surrender, but began firing upon them and killed Hines and Morehead in the house. Thomas, Marshfield and Stone attempted to escape and were killed in the orchard near the house. Stone was severely wounded, but succeeded in eluding his pursuers. Bleeding and almost dying, he secreted himself behind a log in a cluster of underbrush, still holding his pistols, which he had reloaded, with the intention of selling his life as dearly as. possible if Maj. Edwards' book. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 727 he was discovered. Presently be saw a squad of Federals approach- ing and he nerved himself up for the death duel he felt sure was to- follow. But then a great firing was heard in the direction of Mrs. Bradley's. Stone's pursuers, unconscious of his presence so near them, rushed back in the direction of the firing, and thus his life was saved. But bis escape was purchased at the cost of the life of a young man by the name of Fielding. The latter, brother to George Fielding, who was killed in the Ridgely fight, was near Mrs. Bradley's when her house was attacked. Divining the true cause of the firing he heard when the attack was made, he dashed forward bravely to the relief of his friends, and rushed upon the Federals like a fury, shooting as he came. A squad of them turned upon him and a sharp, quick pistol rencontre oc- curred. Young Fielding was riddled with bullets and died a martyr to his fidelity to his friends. Maj. Edwards in his Ijook says that sev- eral Federals were killed. Taylor's Capture of ParkviUe. — During the summer of 18(54 oc- curred the fight at Parkville. Capt. Noland held that place with a company of militia between 70 and 100 strong. They used and liad fortified the old stone building on the river belonging to Mr. Geo. Park, as a fort. Suddenly and unexpectedly Capt. Fletcher Taylor, with a force of about 40 men, appeared before it and demanded their surrender. Some of the militia fled at the first approach of the Con- federates, but Capt. Noland, with the main body of his force, held the building and refused to surrender. A spirited firing was begun, but Taylor rushed upon the house, manned a battering ram and burstcd down one of its doors. His men then poured into it, and the militia took refuge upstairs. Below, at the foot of the stairway, Taylor com- manded Noland to surrendei', saying that he would immediately set fire to the building if his order was not obeyed. Noland, seeing that further resistance could avail nothing, capitulated. He and his men were paroled as prisoners of war, and Taylor moved on northward. Fir/ht at Ridgely — Murder of Geo. Fielding. — Not far from the time of Taylor's descent upon Parkville occurred the fight at Ridgely. A company, or detachment of militia, was stationed there under Capt. Poe, from Plattsburg, in Clinton county. While they were there a squad of Confederate recruits, under a Capt. Hoverson, or Huverton, were endeavoring to make their way South. In order the better to pass through the Federal lines unsuspected they had provided them- selves with Union uniforms. Coming on to pass through Ridgely they unexpectedly found Poe's command there. 41 728 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTT. At a glance the}' took iu the situation and determined to make the best of it. It was now too late to retreat. To attempt it would reveal their identity and cause them to be pursued by all the Federals in the country. They therefore resolved to carry out the deception and pass through as Union troops, or, if discovered, to Jight. Ac- cordingly, they rode boldly up and gave the Federals a friendly salute. The latter formed in the street to receive them iu military fashion, i)ut demanded to know what command they were. Just then one of the militiamen recognized one of the Confedei'ates, and cried out, *' Bushwhackers ! " With this the firing commenced on both sides. Mr. Stone who was present as a looker on and witnessed the whole tight (a son of John Stone, an old citizen, residing near Ridge- ly), says that the Confederates' horses, being raw to military service, took fright at the firing and could not be controlled. They scattered in every direction, and their riders in endeavoring to manage them were compelled to take both hands, so that they could do little er no shooting after the first volley. The few, however, who could hold their horses to the fight, stood their ground bravely and fought with des- peration. Capt. Hoversou, a Southern recruiting officer, was shot dead in the street. Capt. Robert McMillan, of Smithville, in Clay count}', killed him. Geo. Fielding, also on the Southern side, a brother to Thos. Fielding, who was killed at Mrs. Bradley's, was mortally wounded — shot through the neck aud shoulder — but temporarih' escaped. Several other Confederates were wounded, but not seriousU'. All but Hoversou and Fielding escaped. One militiaman, according to our informant, Mr. Stone, was killed dead, and several were wounded. Young Fielding, as he was escaping on his hoi-se, aud fatally wounded, met a Miss Berry in the road on her way to town. She was not aware that the fight had occurred and innocently told when she reached town that she had met a man on the way bleeding pro- fusely and apparently ver}' sick. A squad of Federals at once started after him. He, however, rode off into the roads aud eluded them. He then turned his horse loose and dragged himself as far as he could go — until he fainted. Recov- ering consciousness again, his suffering was so intense that Richard Marsh, who happened to be chopping wood near by, heard him groan- ing and went to him. He asked Marsh to let him lay his head in his lap, but Marsh told him it would be death to both of them if they were caught there toijether. Marsh cut some brush to shade him HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 729 and then fled, leaving the poor wounded man to die alone, and with- out even a cup of water. It would have been better for him, and much better for the cowardly assassins who afterwards murdered him, if he had died in the woods and alone. A squad of Federals found him there — Capt. Fitzgerald (his name always appears in the war history of Platte county when a mur- der is to be committed or a house burned, but never when any hon- est, manly fighting is to bo done), Benj. Smithers, Cal. Mattox and others. They took him back to Ridgely. There his wound was examined by a physician and it was pronounced fatal — that he must die within twenty-four or thirty-six hours at the extreme limit. But his assassins, already steeped in crime, could not wait for him to die of his wound. A drum-head court-martial was organized under Capt. Fitzgerald, and young Fielding was sentenced (?) to be shot, wounded, helpless and dying though he already was. But whilst he was lying flat of his back, almost motionless from loss of blood, a soldier (?) by the name of Baldwin stole the boots off his feet, jerked them off as easily as he would rifle the pockets of a passer-by on the public way. They were fine cavalry boots and the scoundrel was afraid that if he waited till their owner was dead some one else would get them. This, however, was not considered fair and it was agreed that if Baldwin would shoot Fielding, under the sentence of Capt. Fitzgerald, he, Baldwin, might have the boots. He performed that service and was given the boots. The Fielding brotliers resided in Buchanan county, and were the sons of one of the most reputable farmers and highly esteemed citi- zens of that county. Capt. Fitzgerald was not ia the fight at Ridgely, according to tiie .statement of our informant, Mr. Stone. He was there when it began, in a saloon, drinking with two other boon companions, but both of them fled. The two companions met Mr. Stone (Sr.) in his field some distance from Ridgely, and they told him of the fight, that the bushwhackers were killing everybody and that they and Fitzgerald had escaped. Fitzgerald returned to Ridgeljs however, and headed the murder hunt for young Fielding. KilHnr/ of Phineas Wood and Young Throckmorton. — Of the murder in the fall of 1864 near the residence of Mrs. Skinner, wlio then lived in the northern part of the county, of two Confed- erate soldiers, at the time on furlough from Price's army, the follow- ing account has been received by the writer in the form of a letter 730 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. from Mr. W. A. M. Vaughan, of Kansas City, under date of May 1, 1885: — Office of Vaughan & Co., ^ Grain Commission Merchants, I Room 21, Mekchants' Exchange. (^ Kansas City, Mo., May 1, 1885. J W. W. Gatewood, Esq., 8t. Louis, Mo.: Dear Sir — Your letter of the 24th ult., addressed to Mrs. Skinr ner, Camden Point, Mo., has been forwarded to her daughter, Mar- garet P., now my wife, for reply. Mrs. Vaughan was a girl at home with her mother during the war, and is as conversant with the facts I'elative to the death of the parties as any one not connected with the murderers. Mrs. Skinner is dead, also two other members of her family then residing with her. The facts concerning this tragedy, as my wife states them to me, are substantially as follows : — At the beginning of the Civil War, Phineas Woods, then a boy, witli many others of his age, joined the forces under Gen. Sterling Price at Lexington, Mo., and remained in the army under him until the time of his death. During the month of November, 1864, whilst on Price's last campaign in this State, and when the army had reached this county, at Independence, Phineas Woods, young Throgmorton and others obtained furloughs from their respective otiScers audcommandei's and permission to cross the Missouri river and go into Platte county to visit home and relatives. Knowing the country was full of lawless militia, they took every precaution to avoid a collision, seeking only to visit their friends and homes, designing to molest no one, and to return quietly to their commands before they left the country. Young Woods, with his friend Throgmorton,' arrived at his grand- mother's, Mrs. S. After a hearty greeting they were warned of their danger ; but they expressed entire confidence in the virtue of their furloughs and passes, as against any violence, even if captured. Taking a hearty lunch with them they left to join their commands. When one mile from the home just left, and while seated near the roadside eating their lunch, they were surprised by a company of Federal tuilitia, commanded by one Pace, said to be a Methodist preacher, to whom they surrendered and delivered their papers, etc. That afternoon Mrs S.'s family was notified by the soldiers that " two men had been killed down in the i)asture." There being no men on the place, the females went in search and found the two boys dead, shot in their backs. They were removed and buried with diffi- culty, as men were afraid to be known as giving this much comfort even to the dead of the South. The murderers had robbed the dead of their valuables and part of their clothing, and boastingly told how they had accomplished their murderous work, saying that whilst the officer in command (and it has been always understood, that his name was Pace, and a Methodist preacher) was pretending to be reading ' Doubtless the same as Throckmorton. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 731 their papers, he gave the signal to shoot tliein, and thus were they murdered. Young Throgmorton's first name is forgotten. They were the only two killed at this time. We have given tlie exact facts as far as known. The conversations of the soldiers, or murderers, is given as received from parties at the time to whom repeated. Very truly yours, W. A. M. Vaughan. /Slash Valley and Buena Vista Flights. — Daring the exciting and troublous times in Platte county in 1864, occurred the affairs at Slash Valley and Buena Vista, in the upper part of the county. Capt. Fitzgerald took a body of men out into the vicinity of Jas. A. Rupe's " to clear out that rebel neighborhood," as he expressed it, and instead of finding, as usual, old men to abuse and intimidate and women to terrify, he found young men with guns in their hands, and with some knowledge of the use of fire-arms. They attacked him and he fled precipitately back into Ridgely, with the loss of three killed and several wounded, he himself and Thomas Able being of the latter. Those killed were Jefferson Ingram, Lewis Moore and Stan- ford.i The Southerners were commanded by Capt. James A. Rupe. They suffered no loss. The fight at Buena Vista amounted to nothing worthy of special men- tion. A company of White-String militia from Gallatin, Daviess county, about 100 strong, were down in this county foraging princi- pally for " fine fat rebel horses," as the Sentinel at Weston described them the fall before. The militia ran into a squad of about thirty 3'ouug men, who were getting ready to go to the Southern army ; shots were exchanged, but no one hurt, except a militiaman who had a part of his ear shot oft'. The Southerners fled. Several other small aflairs occurred in the county, including one about four miles north of Platte City, between Maj. Stockton, at the head of a detachment of militia, and a squad of Fletcher Tay- lor's men, but none of them were of any importance. The killing of individuals and robbing and plundering went on with little or no abatement until the winter of 1864. Killing of Kirhpatrich, Coots and Others. — A couple of young men by the names of Kirkpatrick and Eugene Berry, in the eastern part of the county, were taken prisoners at Mrs. Greenwood's by Fitzgerald's men and marched over to Second Creek Church. There they were told that they were to be shot and to step out and pray. Stoue (son of Joha Stone) and others informants. 732 HISTOKY OF PLATTE COUNTY. Both attempted to flee and Berry made his escape, under a perfect hailstorm of bullets, succeeding in getting into the brush in safety. But Kirkpatrick, less fortunate than his companion, was shot several times and fell dead about a hundred yards from where he had started to run. Young Coots (Solon Coots), a boy about sixteen years old and a son of one of the old and respected citizens of the county, was surrounded in a barn about five miles west of Platte City, in company with, another neighbor boy about the same age, and both of them were killed. They had concluded to go to the Southern army and had started out with that intention. Stopping in the barn for the night in order to conceal themselves, their presence was discovered and with the result stated Up in the noi'theast part of the county a teacher who was teaching the Horn school was taken out liy the militia or by some of Fitzger- ald's men and murdered. No one ever knew why he was killed except his murderers, for he had no connection with the army and was esteemed by all, both as a teacher and a man. It will be remembered that Taylor, when he captured Parkville, took a (large number of Union prisoners. His treatment of them was in striking contrast to the treatment prisoners of the other side and citizens received. Yet under Taylor at that time were the James boys, 01. Shepperd, the Youngers and many of those whose names were used as a terror by mothers to hush their infants to sleep. They were desperate, bad men unquestionably, but it was not they that in- augurated a war upon unarmed citizens in Platte county, or shot down prisoners in cold blood. It required worse men than they to carry on that species of warfare in this county. No Union citizen and but one Union soldier was shot as a prisoner in the county during the war, so far as we have been able to learn, and it is not known by whom he was killed, nor in fact that he was a prisoner at the time.^ Killing of Thomas Bailey. — Young Bailey was a member of the Sixteenth Kansas, under Capt. Fitzgerald, and during the troublous times in this county in 1864 came home on a furlough. He was killed not far from home, in the upper part of the county, on his way there from Kansas. So far as known he was personally without reproach, and notwithstanding Southern men were beinir shot down all over the ' Since writing the above we have learned that Isaac Burli, a member of the Six- teenth Kansas was killed at Parkville in the summer of 1864, when the Confederates took the place, but not as a prisoner. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 733 county as prisoners and otherwise, his killini]^, if it was done while he was a prisoner, or offering no resistance, was wholly unjustifiable and a cowardly murder, by whomsoever committed. Murder of Dr. Joseph Walker. — One of the last murders of citi- zens in this county during the war, and one of the most unfortunate and universally regretted, was that of Dr. Joseph Walker. During the Kansas troubles there was a Northern Methodist preacher in the county by the name of Charles Morris. He was outspoken in his advocacy of the freedom of the negroes, and otherwise rendered himself very disagreeable and odious to his neighbors. He was, there- fore, ordered to leave the counti-y. Dr. Walker was one of the com- mittee appointed to notify him to quit the country. Subsequently, Rev. Morris moved up into Buchanan county, where the outbreak of the war found him. There he had succeeded in mak- ing himself thoroughly disliked, not less for his personal qualities than the violence of his political view.s and conduct. During the war he of course became active and aggressive against his Southern neighbors, and connecting himself with the militia, caused much trouble in the community by inciting the military to acts of vio- lence and all manner of excesses against those who differed from him. Such, indeed, was his conduct that he had no friends except among his own class, and many who agreed with him in politics had little regard for him personally or otherwise. He had become the special object of dislike to the generality of those around him. During the summer of 18(34 his house was surrounded by a squad of Confederates, and he was found at home. He had just come in from the militia headquarters, not far distant. His surrender was de- manded. Brave and desperate as he was violent in disposition and politics, he answered the demand by firing on his beleaguerers. They then fired in the house and a desultory firing from and upon the house was kept up for some time. Kepeatedly he was told to surrender, and he should be treated as a prisoner of war and not harmed, but that if he still refused they would burn the house. He persisted in refusing to give up and defied his assailants to do their worst. At last the house was fired, but he remained inside shooting all the time until he was driven out by the fire and smoke. He then came to the door and shot at the beleaguerers just as he attempted to step outside, but at that moment he himself was shot and fell in his own door. They pulled him out to prevent his body from being cremated.' ' These facts were stated to the Informant of the writer by Mrs. Morris within an hour or two after her hubsaud's death. 734 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. It was to avenge his death that Dr. Walker was killed, although Dr. Walker had no more to do withit, and knew nothing more about it, than the most innocent man and complete stranger in the State. Young Morris, a son of Eev. Morris, collected a baud of desperate men and brought them down into Platte county to murder the mem- bers of the committee who had ordered their father away from this county nearly ten years before. They visited the houses of different members of the committee but found none of them at home. Finally, they met Dr. Walker in the rqad and, without a word of warning, fired upon him and shot him to death. He lived long enough after he was found to whisper the name of John Morris as the leader of his murderers. He was killed the 28th of August, 1864. He was a man of fine literary and medical education, and came West to Ft. Leavenworth as a surgeon in the army. Subsequently he married a daughter of Judge M. M. Hughes, of this county, and settled on a fiirm six miles southeast of Platte City, which he hand- somely and tastefully imjDroved. During the early part of the war he resided in Chicago, but, becoming tired of an idle and costly life there, returned home in 1864. He was killed soon afterwards. Dr. Walker was an accomplished physician and refined, polished gentleman. Eminently successful in his profession, and progressive and public-spirited as a citizen, he was a man of great value to the community, and not less popular among all classes for the sterling qualities of his mind and character than he was useful to those around him. His death was profoundly regretted by the public, regardless of diflferences in regard to the war, and the manner of his taking off was universally condemned and denounced. Exodus to Montana and the West. — On account of the terrible state of afiiiirs prevailing in this county during the summer and fall of 1864, many citizens left the county for safety and went West, principally to Montana. Some, however, went North and a few East. Altogether a heavy emigration left the county. Not a few made per- manent homes at their places of exile. AFFAIKS IN 1865 THE CLOSE OF THE WAR. During the winter of 1864-65 and until the close of the war the " Peace of Warsaw " prevailed in Platte county. The people were completely overawed and sul)dued. They were afraid to call their souls their own, if they were told it would be considered disloyal to say so. Little was raised in the county that year, and comparatively noth- HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 735 ing was mai'keted. Barely to live was more than most of the people dared to expect or hope. Taxes of all kinds increased, and there was no money in the country to pay them with. At the fall term of the circuit court and at the spring term thousands of acres of land were sold for taxes and for debts of different kinds. It really began to look as if the hopes of some of the extreme loyalists of the county or Radicals were going to be realized — that all the property in the county was to be confiscated, not as they expected, to be sure, but by virtue of inconceivable taxation and forced sales. But at last the war closed, and the people soon began to take heart again. By the beginning of the fall of 1865 many who had left the county began to return, and all went to work again to retrieve their losses caused bv the war. CHAPTEE XI. HOMICIDES, TRIALS, ETC. Murder of Hall L. Wilkerson — An Election Row — Affray in Platte County — Killing' of Wm. Callahan — Ducote killed by White — G. S. Elgin Assassinated — Nathaniel Daniels killed by Houston — Capt. Dan. Jenkins Assassinated — Killing of Surge by Johnson — Thomas Morgan killed by Israel Health and Benj. Fulcher — Alvis Homicide — Killing of Dr. Spencer — George Burgess Kills his Cousin — John Jones kills John Bone — ■ Tipton kills Woodson. In common with other communities Platte county has been the scene of a number of homicides and jiersonal difEculties. Among a people of spirit and courage, quick to take offense when an insult is offered and fearless in resenting it, this is always the case. But especially is it true of people of new countries and of all communities after the close of a Civil War, where its effects were so unfortunate as they were here. A brave people are always geuerous and great-hearted, as ready to forgive a wrong after it is done as to resent the commission of it. This chai-acteristic of the people of Platte county, together with the fact that there have always been some of the ablest lawyers here in the State, men justly famed for their eloquence, learning and ability, to defend the accused, accounts for the other fact that there have been but few convictions for capital offenses in the county. It has so hap- pened that in most instances of homicides committed in the county, the parties committing them did the killing under such circumstances as to raise a reasonable doubt of the act being murder or felony, as defined by the law, or that the accused was beyond all question the guilty party, and these grounds of defense have reasonably been pleaded with ability by attorneys for the defendants. MURDER OF HALL L. WILKERSON. One of the earlier and more noted homicides committed in this county was the killing of Hon. Hall L. Wilkerson by John Flush and four others. This was in about 1851, and the murder occurred on Mr. Wilkerson's farm, about three miles southeast of Weston, on the Weston and Platte City turnpike road. Flush lived on an adjoining farm east of Wilkerson, now occupied by John Williams. (736) HISTOKY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 737 On a certain Saturday night Flush was seen taking down the parti- tion fence between his phice and Wilkerson's and turning his stock in Wiikerson's field. This fact came out in the testimony afterwards. Tiie next morning Wilkerson drove the stock off his field and confined them in his barn-yard. He sent word to Flush that he (Flush) could have them on payment for the damage they had done. The stock consisted of three or four yokes of cattle. Two or three of the teams of cattle belonged to a third party. On Monday morning Flush, with his two sons and two others, came over to Wilkerson's to see about the stock. Ho brought a note from the owner of some of the stock to Mr. W"., asking that his, the owner's, stock be turned over to Flush, and that he, the owner, would pay Mr. W. for all damage his stock had done. Mr. W. turned out the third party's stock to Flush, but refused to let Flush have his until their share of the damage was paid also. Flush then said to Mr. W. : "By G-dt, I haf hall dose catties or I kildt you ! " With that, lie and his two sons and the other two parties attacked Wilkerson with stones and sticks, and clubs, and beat him to death. Three of the murderers were afterwards tried for their crime and convicted of one of the degrees of homicide. They were sent to the l)eMitentiary for long terms of service. The other one was also tried, but being a boy under the felony age, escaped punishment on that plea. Mr. Wilkerson was from Tennessee, and came here in 1838 witii his family. He was a man of education and prepossessing address. Gov. Boggs appointed him the first county clerk of the county. Sub- sequently he served in the army during the Mexican War, and rose to the rank of major of a battalion. He also afterwards represented tlie county in the State Legislature and held other positions of trust and prominence. Maj. Wilkerson was a man of fine social qualities and generous im- l)nlses, and was greatly esteemed throughout the county. No one in all the county was more beloved and popular among his friends and acquaintances than he. AN ELECTION ROW. At the August election in 1860, a general fight took place in the streets of Platte City in which Martin McE nary, a blacksmith, and John Copeland took part. After the fight McEnary went to his shop ; shortly after Copeland with a number of his friends followed, and at- 738 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. tempted to break through the door of his shop, when McEiiary stepped out, and with a musliet shot the top of Copeland's head entirely off. In the excitement McEnary ran away and has never been captured. AFFRAY IN PLATTE CITY. In the fall of 1865, a serious difficulty occurred in Platto City, re- sulting in three deaths and the shooting of several others. The diffi- culty grew out of the bad feeling engendered by the war. After the restoration of peace the soldiers on both sides returned to their homes in Platte county. Among the better class of ex-sol- diers there was really but little or no bitd feeling, but among the camp followers and worst elements the case was different. The returned ex-Confedei'ates were largely in the majority, and a few irrepressible characters on the other side, who by no means represented the feel- ing of the honest Union soldiers of the county, declared that the ex- rebels should not be permitted to live in the county. On Saturdays th^y had a habit of coming to Platte City and getting beastly drunk in order to make themselves more overbearing than they otherwise would have been, and to get the courage to outrage the citizens of the place and others who happened to be in town. This was continued for months and people were shamefully abused in the streets and in their own door-yards and houses. Ill-bred scoun- drels, who did more stealin gthan fighting during the war, rode into the doors of business belonging to those wliom they wanted to drive away from the county, in order to bring on a difficulty that would give them an excuse for shooting the occupants. This was kept up until the patience of the people was exhausted and they could endure it no longer. Finally, in September, 1865, the city marshal, H. T. Callahan, with a posse of some of the best citizens of the place, attempted to arrest one of the more offensive of the law-breakers who was firing his pistol in the public streets, and setting the authorities of the place at defiance. This brought on the difficulty. When the posse at- tempted to arrest the offender they were fired upon by the whole gang of ruffians, and a general fight ensued which was kept up for fifteen or twenty minutes. In the melee Wm. Callahan, one of the best citi- zens of the place, and who was not connected with the difficulty at all, was shot and instantly killed by the outlaws. Two of the parties who had helped to bring on the difficulty were killed and several of HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 739 tliem severely wouiided. This unfortunate atFair, or rather fortunate but for the lives lost, was the means of restoring peace and quiet in the community. The laws were afterwards well respected. DUCOTE KILLED BY WHITE. In the year 1865, in Platte City, Joel White shot and killed Rich- ard Ducote. Both parties to the difficulty were born and raised in Platte county. It appears that White and Ducote had made a bet over something, and that White had won about $20 from Ducote. On the next day White was playing billiards, and Ducote stepping into the hall, demanded of White a return of the money he had won from him. White refused when Ducote immediately commenced shooting at him. White dodged under the billiard tal)le and kept run- ning around it with Ducote following and keeping up his fire until White, seeing that he was bound to be overtaken by Ducote, turned and fired on Ducote killing him instantly. The justice failed to bind White over to answer for the killing. G. S. ELGIN ASSASSINATED. In November, 1866, on the farm of William Tatman, on the road leading from Platte City to Weston, G. S. Elgin was shot to death by the Titus brothers from Clay county. Mo. Elgin also lived in Missouri City, Clay county, and was marshal of the city. He with some one or more of his deputies a short time before he was killed had attempted to arrest some of the Titus brothers for an ofiense, when a fight ensued, and two of the Titus brothers wei'e killed. The authorities did not molest Elgin for the killing, as it was done in his official capacity, while they were resisting him, but the Tituses, swear- ing vengeance, Elgin concluded to visit his father-in-law, William Tatman, in Platte, until the matter might quiet down. The Titus brothers procured a warrant for Elgin's arrest, and com- ing to Platte City had the same indorsed by a justice of the peace. They then went there, and were discovered about daylight at the barn of Tatman. This fact being reported to Elgin, and he supposing they had come to murder him, at the earnest solicitation of wife and relatives attempted to escape through an orchard that lay back of the house. Titus, perceiving his movements, immediately followed and shot him to pieces in the presence of his weeping friends. Titus came before the justice who had indorsed the writ, and he not know- ing anything in regard to the killing in Clay, released them or failed to bind them over, on the grounds that Elgin was resisting arrest. 740 HISTOKY OF PLATTE COUNTY. The Tituses were afterwards indicted for murder, but having fled the county, have never been captured and brought to trial. Elgin was related to the best families of Platte, and his children who have since grown up are universally beloved by all who know them. NATHANIEL DANIELS KILLED BY RICHARD HOUSTON. About the year 1867, in Platte City, Nathaniel Daniels was shot and killed by Eichard Houston. It seems that the cause of the diiBculty was that Daniels had been talking pretty severely about Houston, and upon the same coming to the ears of Houston, he called on Daniels for an explanation. At this Daniels, who was much the superior of Hous- ton in physical strength, knocked him down, and was kicking and otherwise using him up badly, when Houston drew his revolver while lying on his back and shot Daniels, killing him instantly. Houston was acquitted for the offense without trouble. CAPT. DAN. JENKINS ASSASSINATED BY A NEGRO. About the year 1867 Capt. Daniel Jenkins was assassinated by a negro at the Green Hotel, in Platte City. From the evidence adduced on the trial it seems that Jenkins was running the hotel and that the negro was working for him. Jenkins, for some cause, the evening be- fore he was assassinated, had given the negro a slight reprimand. It was Jenkins' custom to arise about daybreak and awake the hands around the hotel. The negro was stationed behind the corner of the hotel next where the help were sleeping. As Jenkins passed, the negro stepped out without saying a word and shot, killing him instantly. The negro was a few days afterward captured in Wyandotte, Kansas, and brought back for trial. Jenkins being of one of the oldest and w«althiest families in the county, and the murder being so cold-blooded, it was with the great- est difficulty that the people were restrained from lynching the assas- sin. But the better counsel having prevailed, the negro was taken to Plattsburg on a change of venue by his counsel, tried, sentenced and hanged. Before he was executed he made and published a confession of the crime in full. THE KILLING OF BURGE BY JOHNSON. This unfortunate affair occurred in the summer of 1873. Both parties were well respected citizens of Platte City. Addison Burge, the deceased, was a successful druggist, and was engaged in the drug l)usiuess at the time. F. M. Johnson was a prominent physician. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 741 The difficulty grew out of a differeuce between the parties over the use of a spring belonging to Mr. Burge. On account of some feeling between the parties, Burge had notified Johnson to stop using water at his (Barge's) spring. Dr. Johnson probably failed to inform his wife of the notice he had I'eceived from Burge, and Mrs. Johnson took a horse of hers to the spring to water him. Mrs. Johnson afterwards reported to her husband that Mr. Burge had met her at the spring and insultingly told her to stop using the water, using coarse, profane language at the time, such as no lady should hear. The same day Dr. Johnson called on Mr. Burge at the latter's drug store to demand an apology. Hot words ensued, and the evidence at the preliminary examination which followed after the killing showed that Burge attempted to assault Johnson. The latter defended himself with a knife and stabbed Burge to the heart, killing him instantly. At the preliminary examination a few days afterwards the court, consisting of Justices Beery, Perrine and Kuykendall, after a full in- vestigation of the case, decided that the homicide was committed in self-defense. THOMAS MORGAN KILLED BY ISRAEL HEALTH AND BENJ. FULCHER. This occurred in the spring of 1879. All the parties were citizens of Lee township. Morgan was a young married man and a farmer. He was full of life and spirit, and had the reputation of being a very dangerous man when mad. He had had some small difficulty in the community a short time before the killing occurred, and a warrant had been sworn out for his arrest. The warrant was issued by Israel Health, justice of the peace, and placed in the hands of Constable Fulcher for execution. Justice Health volunteered to accompany Fulcher in making the arrest. They went to Morgan's house, arriv- ing there just liefore dinner. Morgan invited them to stay for dinner, and Mrs. Morgan busied herself preparing it. There was already bad feeling between Health and Morgan, though there had been no open rupture. While Mrs. Morgan was preparing dinner Health remarked to Morgan that he, Morgan, " had a devil of a pretty wife." Morgan believing that this was intended as an insult took it as such, and in a heat of passion and indignation he raised a chair to strike Health. Fulcher came to Health's assistance, and in the difficulty Morgan was shot and killed by Fulcher. Both Health and Fulcher were acquitted of responsibility for the killing on the 742 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. gro'uud, we understand, that Morgan was said to have been resisting the officers of the law at the time the killing occurred. This, to say the least, looks a little bad. ALVIS HOMICIDE. In the fall of 1880 George Chance shot Thomas Alvis in Baker's billiard hall, in Platte City. It being election day, a large number of people were in town, waiting for returns, and otherwise enjoying- themselves till late in the evening. Chance and Alvis had some words over a game of billiards; and while talking Alvis thi-ew a rock and struck Chance on the head, knocking him around and stunning him severely. So soon as Chance could recover he pulled his pistol and fired, the ball striking Alvis in the eye and ranging around next the skull to his right ear. Alvis lived in great anguish for about thirty days and died from the wound. Chance waived examination and was never indicted for the killing. Both of the unfortunate young men were born and raised in the county and of good families. KILLING OF DR. SPENCER. Dr. Spencer was a dentist at Platte City at the time of his homi- cide and for some time before. Mrs. Stallard, wife of Wiley Stal- lard, a young farmer residing in the county, came in to have a tooth extracted. When she returned home she reported to her husband that Dr. Spencer had attempted to violate her while she was in his office. This of course greatly outraged and mortified Stallard. He seemed, however, to take it coolly, had but little to say and wore a look of determination and desperate fixedness of purpose. A day or two afterwards he rode into Platte City. Hitching his hoi'se, he walked hurriedly down Main street and came upon Dr. Spen- cer sitting in front of one of the stores on the street. Without say- ing a word he drew a pistol and began firing at Spencer. The first ball fired took effect and inflicted a mortal wound upon its unfortunate victim. Spencer, however, fled from before his infuriated assailant and rushed through the store followed by Stallard, firing as he pur- sued. Spencer fell dead in the store. The trial of Stallard followed at the next term of court. Mrs. Stallard testified to the attempted criminal assault. Her evidence was accepted as conclusive of the fact and her husband was acquitted. If she testified to the truth, and there was no evidence to the con- trary and nothing concerning her to cause her word to be doubted. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 743 the jury did riirht. To have punished her husband, under the circum- stances, would have been a crime second in enormity only to the outrage attempted upon his wife. There are some things that the law is inadequate to puuish and in such cases it is cowardly and contemptible to appeal to the law. Chief among these are offenses against the sanctity of female virtue, tiie innocent and pure. God nerves and speeds the arm of the avenger of his family's honor. Both parties were highly esteemed and well connected. Stallard was a son of Randall Stallard, in the northern part of the county. Dr. Spencer also came of highly respected parents. He left a most estimable family, loved and respected by all who know them. GEORGE BURGESS KILLS HIS COUSIN. In the winter of 1879 George Burgess shot and killed Caples Bur- gess at Camden Point, under the following circumstances : The old and the young had met at the Female Orphan School of Camden Point to enjoy a literary treat by the young ladies of the school, just prior to the holidays. After the entertainment a few of the young men lingered in the town awhile before attempting to start home. Just as all were starting to their horses some one called out: "George, is tiiat you?" when Caples said: " Don't call me George." At this George responded : " That is a good name," when Caples turned around, and George seeing something shining in his hand fired his pistol twice. Caples ran about twenty paces and fell dead. No pistol was ever found about Caples. George was tried and found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to the penitentiary for five years. The prosecution and defense were well represented in the trial ; the case going to the Supreme Court and being reversed, necessitated a second trial, which resulted in the same verdict. The two young men were the sons of brothers, and had inherited the dislike for each other from their fathers, who were of the first families of Kentucky; both of which seemed to have a world of friends. JOHN JONES KILLS JOHN BONE. In the year 1880 John Jones shot and killed John Bone al)out two miles south of Platte City. Jones had married Bone's sister a short time before, to which Bone had seriously objected. Jones was living on the home farm of his wife's father and mother, who were also liv- ing. Bone resided on a farm near by. It seems that Jones had been 42 744 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. abused several times by Bone prior to the time of the killing. On the day of the killing Jones was plowing near the pasture, when Bone rode in and attempted to turn his cattle out of a field to water. Jones went toward him and forbid him turning the cattle in, saying there was no moi'e water than his own stock needed. Bone thinking hard of the man who would order him away from the home of his child- hood, rode towards Jones, calling him to task for his peremptory orders, dismounted from his horse and threatened to blacksnake Jones ' with his whip if he did not keep his lip out of his business. At this instant, for it seems all was said and done iu a very short time, Jones fired, when Bone ran, Jones again firing, at which Bone dropped dead. Jones was captured the same night, tried at the next term of the court and acquitted. Both parties to this afl'air stood well in the com- munity; and it was universally regretted. TIPTON KILLS WOODSON. In the year 1883 Thos. Tipton shot and killed John Woodson at Camden Point. Woodson was deputy sheriff of the county and had occasion for arresting Tipton and several others for some trivial oflense a short time before the killing. After the parties had been tried Tipton had used some rough remarks about Woodson, which had come to his ears. In a few days after Woodson and several others were sitting in a store at Camden Point, when Tipton walked in. He passed the compliments of the evening to some one present and started out, when Woodson got up, drew his pistol, and said : " Tipton, I got your message and am ready for you." At this Tipton made a lunge for him, grabl)ed the pistol, when a scuffle ensued for a few seconds. Both being pow- erful men, the bystanders stood in awe, when Tipton drew his pistol, fired and all was over. Woodson only lived a few hours after. There never has been such a trial in the county before. The State was rep- resented by the very best of legal talent, backed by the powerful in- fluence of Woodson's relatives and friends throughout the State, who left nothing undone to convict Tipton. On the other hand Tipton was DO less represented, and his friends and relatives, who are of the best families in this State and Kentucky, did all in their power to vin- dicate his action in the matter. After a three days' trial Tipton was acquitted. The alfair was universally regretted, and has cast a gloom over two of the leading families that can only be obliterated by time. CHAPTEK XII. BENCH AND BAR. Introduction — Promiuent Members of the Bar Originally from Missouri — Circuit Court — Prominent Attorneys — Personal Sketches — Members of the Bar of Platte Couuty, Mo. — County Court Judges — Probate Court — Court of Common Pleas, Weston. Without question, affairs of government effect more vitally the wel- fare and the progress of society than any other public interest. A people unwisely and badly governed can at best hope for little advancement or improvement in their condition, whilst those whose laws are wise and just, and whose civil administration is pure and honorable, invariably stand among the first in prosperity and intelli- gence and in every desirable feature of civilization. Government, then, or the system of laws and their administration, which control the affaii's of the people, are of the first importance. This has been so recognized among all nations, even among those only approach- ing civilization, and the legislator and the judicial magistrate, or the law-giver and the judge, have always been honored as among the first personages of the State in dignity and importance. Nor is it a fact less beyond dispute that the profession of law, in itself a profession of the highest character and usefulness, has ever been the great school in which the wisest and best legislators and judges have received their training. Who can point to a law of any importance or value in the history of any country, not drawn by the hand of a lawyer, either a regular licentiate of the profession, or one skilled in legal science by long study and investigation ? In all times the great law-givers and magistrates have almost invariably ranked among the greatest lawyers of their day, and, on the other hand, there can scarcely be mentioned a great lawyer who has not left the impress of his genius upon the legislation and the judicial affairs of his time. Whatever improvement, therefore, that has been made in civil government, whatever advancement in defining and protecting the rights of man in a state of civil society, whatever progress in civ- ilization indeed — for good government is the handmaid of civiliza- tion — is very largely due to the legal profession. Draco, who gave to the Athenians their first great code of laws, (745) 746 ■ HISTORT OF PLATTE COUNTY. was the greatest lawyer of his day ; Solon, nearly two hundred years later, and a man of unrivaled wisdom and purity of character, was the second great lawyer at Athens ; and he, too, left a code of laws that have made his name immortal. And what schoolboy is not familiar with the name of that other great Athenian lawyer, states- man and orator, Demosthenes? These and hundreds of others, only less eminent and distinguished, were given to Greece by the pro- fession of the law. And in Rome, under both the Republic and the Empire, the legal profession gave to that mighty city the laws which governed the world — laws whose influence is yet felt by the great nations of the earth, more than a thousand years since the fall of Rome herself. The Pandects and the Code of Justinian stand out everlasting monuments to the wisdom and far-sighted statesmanship of the great lawyers of that Imperial City. To-day they are the bases of the jurisprudence of all the Latin nations, and many of their wisest and best provisions have been engrafted into the systems of the laws of other countries. So, every people have produced their great lawyers and magis- trates, men whose names are illustrious in their country's history. The Germans point with pride to their great advocates and jurists of to-day and of the past ; and France and Spain and Italy and all the nations boast the names of men in the legal profession which were not born to die. What would English jurisprudence have been with- out the Bacons, the Burleighs, the Hardwiclies, the Blackstones, the Cokes, the Currans, the Erskines and the Mansfields of that country — what would English ideas of liberty, and, indeed, American hopes and aspirations have been without them? In our own country the brightest names that adorn our national history are those of the great luminaries of the legal profession — the Websters, the Choates, the Marshals, the Taneys, tlie Wirts, the O'Conors and hundreds of others. Nor is the history of Missouri barren of great names at the bar and on the bench. Uriel Wright was a lawyer whose learning and ability-, and whose genius and eloquence would not have paled by comparison with those of any member of the bar in this country, or elsewhere. Then there was Edward Bates, originally of St. Charles county, and Mathias McGirk ; and also Rufus Easton, and Henry S. Geyer; and James B. Gardcnhirc and Blennerhasset ; Field and Rol)crt Stewart, and Gamble and a host of others — all men of the first order of ability and learning, and lawyers who have left names which will grow brighter and more illustrious as they are handed down from generation to generation. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 747 CIKCUIT COUKT. Of the Hi'st circiiil court in Platte county we have already spoken. Austin A. King was the judge, Jesse Morin the clerk and Jones H. Owen the sherifl". In 1840 the Legislature made a change in several of the judicial circuits of the State, including the one to which Platte county had been attached. This count}' was placed in the Twentieth Circuit. David R. Atchison was appointed judge by the Governor. He con- tinued to discharge the duties of the office until October, 1843, when he was appointed to the office of United States Senator, by Gov. Reynolds, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Dr. Lewis F. Linn. Henderson Young succeeded Gen. Atchison as judge, and he held that office until the first of May, 1845, when he resigned. Gen. Solo- mon L. Leonard was appointed to fill out Judge Young's unexpired term. He continued in office until June, 1851. In the meantime the Legislature having changed the mode of se- lecting the members of the State Judiciary from an appointive to an elective one, at the fall election of 1850 Hon. Wm. B. Almond was elected circuit judge. He resigned in 1852 and Judge E. H. Norton became his successor. Judge Norton continued in office until 1860. Being a candidate for Congress he also resigned, and was elected and took his seat. Hon. Silas Woodson succeeded Judge Norton, and he was succeeded by Judge Wm. Herren. After the latter had held a few terms of court the circuit was changed so that Platte county came under the jurisdiction of Judge Walter King in a circuit composed of Platte, Clay, Clinton, and Ray counties. During the turbulence of the times caused by the war, Judge King was impeached by a violently partisan Legislature (the majority of whom were elected by about one-third of the voters of the State), for the reason that he could not conscientiously uphold some of the ex- treme measures adopted at that time. His retirement illustrated with singular aptness and force the truth of the distitch of Addison : — "When vice prevails and impious men bear sway, Tlie post of iionor is the private station." Public life is like sweet milk — when it begins to spoil the whey comes to the top. The men who rose to the surface in this State during the war — excepting always the brave, self-respecting, faithful, conservative citizens, who stood up like soldiers and heroes to fight 748 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. back the social and political wolves of the time — were, as a rule, persons who had rarely or never been heard of before in public affairs and who have never been heard of since, notwithstanding many of them obtained the shoddy respectability which suddenly acquired wealth bestows. Judge King was succeeded by Philander Lucas. But by-and-by affairs assumed a more favorable aspect. Judge Geo. W. Dunn, one of the able jurists and upright men of the State, was elected to the office of judge. Such have been the ability and purity of his judicial career and such his character as a man and citizen, that he has been continued in the office by the free voice of the people from that time to this. PROMINENT ATTORNEYS PERSONAL SKETCHES. To Judge W. M. Paxtou, of Platte City, the Nestor of the legal pro- fession in this county, and a man whose learning and culture and un- tiring industry are only equaled by his kindness of heart and public spirit, we are indebted for the following tersely written and short sketches of members of the legal profession practicing in this county during one or more of the years since the time of the organization of the circuit court : — Wm. T. Wood— Enrolled March 25, 1839; resided in Liberty. Never a citizen of Platte; still lives in Lexington, Mo; was cir- cuit judge for many years. David R. Atchison — Enrolled March 25, 1839. Resided in Liberty to about 1848 ; removed to Platte City and continued a citizen of Platte; was elected Senator from Missouri, and served two terms President pro tern of the Senate ; represented Clay county several terms in the House of Representatives ; was the first judge of this court after the I'eorganization about 1840. Before the war, re- moved to Clinton county, where he now resides, enjoying olium coin dignitale. Alexander W. Doniphan — Enrolled March 25, 1839. Resided in Liberty until his removal to St. Louis in 1862, and Richmond, Mo., in 1868, where he now lives ; an orator, jurist, statesman and soldier; was in the State House of Representatives terms, 1836, 1840 and 1852, from Clay ; never I'esided in Platte ; attained his title as General of militia during the Mormon war ; as Brigadier-General of volunteers he led a l)rigadc in the Mexican War from Fort Leavenworth to Santa Fe, N. M., and thence by El Paso and Chihuahua to the Gulf. This famous expedition entitles him to the title of the American Xeno- HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 749 phon. Shortly after this, his children all died, and he retired to private life. But at the beginning of the war his patriotic zeal caused him to accept the office of delegate to the Peace Convention of 1861, also Slave Convention 1861. He still lives at Richmond, Mo., to give his patriarchal counsel to his beloved people. Amos Rees — Enrolled March 2.5, 1839. Lived in Ray county; was one of the original founders of Camden, in that county ; re- moved to Platte City about 1848 ; was an active and zealous Metho- dist and a whole-souled Christian ; went to Kansas about 1855. Laid off an addition to Leavenworth ; practiced law until age and blindness required him to retire. He still dwells in darkness and seclusion in that city, supported by his sons. Petee H. Burnett— Enrolled March 25, 1839. A native of Ten- nessee ; came at an early age to Clay county, Mo., and settled near Barry ; engaged in the mercantile business at Barry ; failed ; studied law ; was the first circuit attorney of the Platte circuit ; lived a short time in Platte City ; about 1844 led a company of emigrants to the then new Territory of Oregon ; went to California on the first news of the discovery of gold ; became the first Territorial Governor ; acquired a fortune ; paid off his old debts ; became a Catholic ; published a volume giving his reasons for so doing ; published his life and adventures ; is now a citizen of San Francisco, and is en- gaged in banking, and studying the evidences of Christianity with a view to another volume. Andrew S. Hughes — Entered March 25, 1839. A native of Ken- tucky ; came at an early day ; more remarkable for his genial humor and anecdote than for his legal abilities ; was highly esteemed as a friend and companion. James S. Thomas — Entered March 25, 1839. Came a youth to Martinsville, in 1838; was a young man of intelligence and mod- erate education ; practiced here until about 1845 ; commanded the steamboat Haidee, owned in Platte City ; went to California in 1849 ; through the patronage of Gov. Burnett, got an appointment as a justice or alcalde ; made money; returned and settled in St. Louis, where he died. Alex. E. Cannon — Entered March 25, 1839. A rough back- woodsman ; a loud and persistent talker ; very little education ; never read law, but picked up all he knew ; a genial nature and warm friend. William B. Almond — Entered March 25, 1839. A native of Virginia; a graduate of William and Mary College; came to Lex- 750 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. ingtou, Mo., and was a clerk for Aull & Co. ; about 1836 visited the Rocky mountains on business for the fur trader, Sublett, of St. Louis ; married about 1838 and came to Platte, settling near the Blichanan line ; was a man of literary taste and ability as well as of judicial accumen ; a desultory reader, a fluent talker and a brilliant orator ; went to California in 1849 ; was appointed United States Circuit Judge ; returned home ; was judge of the Platte circuit ; went to Kansas ; died at Leavenworth in 1860 ; buried at Platte City. Solomon L. Leonard — Entered July 22, 1839. A native of Tennessee; settled three miles east of Platte City in 1839; a man of sound judgment, strong prejudices and modei'ate education ; honest and conscientious according to his convictions ; was circuit at- torney and afterwards judge of the Platte circuit ; went to Buchanan, and was drowned in Texas in 1860. William M. Paxton — Entered March 24, 1840. A native of Ken- tucky ; educated at Center College, Ky. ; came to Martinsville in 1839 ; married in 1840 and went on a farm ; in 1860 resumed practice in partnership with Joseph E. Merryman; dissolved the partnership in 1874 ; has become hard of hearing, and devotes his attention chiefly to the examination of titles of real estate ; broad views, strong and generous friendship, and devoted Christian character. C. P. Brown — Entered March 22, 1841. Came to the county in 1837 ; studied law and settled in PUitte City in 1841 ; remained a year or two and went West ; now lives at Dixon, Cal. James H. Baldwin — Entered March 22, 1841. A native of Ken- tucky ; educated at Center College, Kentucky ; an early companion and fellow-student of Mr. Paxton ; they studied law and practiced together, both in Kentucky and Missouri ; was a brilliant orator and a profound lawyer ; was fast rising to eminence when he died ; he married in Clay county, and his last years were spent there. Richard R. Rees — Entered July 13, 1841. Started life in Inde- pendence, Mo. ; came to Platte City about 1853 ; spent several years there and went to Leavenworth, Kan., where he died; he was an enthusiastic Mason ; indeed, his whole life was a gushing stream of cordiality, zeal and earnestness in everything hc took hold of; he was always on the side of truth and progress. John Wilson — Enrolled July 13, 1841. Born in Kentucky; came from Howard county in 1841 ; represented Platte county sev- eral terms in the State Legislature; was county attornev ; a man of legal mind and fine judgment; a staunch Whig and a zealous HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 751 politician; when excited was an orator; liis voice was loud and his manner commanding; he was liither of Hon. R. P. C. Wilson. Prince L. Hudgens — Enrolled July 13, 1841. Lived in Savan- nah, Mo., and afterwards in St. Louis ; was a preacher as well as a lawyer; possessed great persuasive powers in private conversation as well as at the bar or in the pulpit; died in St. Louis. John R. Hardin — Enrolled July 21, 1841. Came a youth from Kentucky and spent several years in Platte City ; in 1849 went to Oregon and was killed by Indians. Isaac N. Jones — Entered March 28, 1842. Spent several years in Platte City without succeeding; was county attorney for a time; died in California. Lorenzo D. Bird — Enrolled March 28, 1842. Lived in Weston ; a good lawyer; accumulated considerable property; died before the war ; on account of unsuccessful speculations it was supposed his estate would prove insolvent ; but all debts were paid and a large sum was received by his heirs ; graduated at Harvard ; accomplished scholar; settled at Atchison, Kan ; was a free soiler. WiLLAED P. Hall — Enrolled March 28, 1842. Born at Harper's Ferry ; when a youth he came to Platte City and started life ; suc- ceeded ; was elected Lieutenant-Governor and during a year or two in the war was acting Governor ; removed to St. Joseph ; became one of the most distinguished lawyers of the State ; died a few years ago. R. P. Clark — Enrolled March 29, 1842. Brother-in-law of Hon. John Wilson ; came to Platte with him ; a fine lawyer ; an excel- lent advocate and with less timidity and more perseverance would have been a success ; ho is still ))racticing law in Wyandotte, Kan- sas. John R. Ttlee — Enrolled July 13, 1842. Lived in Weston ; a man of ability ; died young. B. F. Loan — Enrolled October 9, 1843. Came to Platte with his parents in 1838 ; taught school ; studied law ; went to St. Joseph ; was brigadier-general during the war ; a strong Union man ; was elected to Congress three terms. E. H. Norton — Enrolled April 15, 1845. A graduate of Center College, Ky. ; was quite a youth when he came to Platte ; was a member of Congress during the early years of the war; judge of the Platte circuit for a number of years ; at the end of his term he resumed practice ; was then elected Supreme Judge, which office he still holds ; Judge Norton is the favored son of Platte county. 752 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. and no man possesses more the coufidence and esteem of the people ; a sound and able jurist. Solomon P. McCurdy — Enrolled April 15, 1845. Came with Judge Norton from Kentucky ; they were partners for a few years ; McCurdy removed to Weston, and thence West, where he at one time was a United States Judge; living now in Salt Lake. Wm. B. Smith — Enrolled October 7, 1846. Came from Richmond, Ky ; practiced law five or six years and returned to Richmond,, where he now resides. John Doniphan — Enrolled March 5, 1849. A nephew of Gen. A. W. Doniphan : born and reared in Bracken county, Ky. ; resided in Weston for many years, now living in St. Joseph. Represented Platte county in the Legislature ; opposed secession, and was a Union man in the war. A scholar, statesman and jurist ; a deep thinker, and polished gentleman ; a brilliant orator and a successful advocate. He stands among the foremost lawyers of the State. Thomas Herndon — Enrolled September 5, 1849. Reared in Madi- son county, Ky. ; lived in Platte City, where he died in 1876. Opposed secession, and advocated conciliation during the war. Kind-hearted, generous, hospitable, hilarious and genial ; droll, witty and humorous — he was the life of the circle in which he moved. Wm. C. Baker — Enrolled March 3, 1852. A graduate of Center College, Ky. ; lived in Platte City ; wrote in the clerk's offices ; an en- cellent lawyer ; a pure, high-minded and honorable citizen ; a polished gentleman, a diligent student, a great reader and a pleasant com- panion. For several years he has been confined to his room by chronic rheumatism. H. C. CocKRiLL — Enrolled December 6, 1853. A native Missou- rian ; a youth of brilliant talents, handsome person, social habits and an ambitious spirit, he started life in Platte City ; edited paper for several years; was probate judge, and was fast rising to distinction when the war broke out, and he removed to Howard county. He still lives, but has not fulfilled the expectations of his friends. Col. James N. Burnes — Enrolled September 6, 1853. Came when a child with his father to Platte county, and was reared in Buena Vista; a graduate of Yale College ; a polished scholar, a profound jurist, an able statesman, an active and zealous politician ; a success- ful banker, and one of the most prominent and honored men in the State. He resided in Weston ; was a judge of the common pleas court of that city ; at first a wild Secessionist, and then a zealous Union man ; a brilliant and impassioned orator and accomplished gentleman. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 753 He is now banking in St. Joseph, and has proved himself one of the ablest financiers of the country. He now represents the Platte district in Congress. William McNeill Clough — Enrolled March 21, 1854. Came with his parents to Parkville ; was an energetic and successful business man ; speculated freely in all kinds of pi'operty ; an' excellent account- ant ; a shrewd manipulator, and an excellent lawyer. He removed during the war to Leavenworth ; did an immense practice, and died insolvent, in 1883, of a chronic disease. Henry J. Wolff — Enrolled September 8, 1854. Piesided in Weston ; was for a time a partner of Col. J. N. Burnes ; judge of the Weston court of common pleas ; a talented lawyer, a finished scholar, a good practitioner and an amiable gentleman. J. E. Meeryman — Enrolled July 26, 1856. Born and reared in Estill county, Ky. ; a partner of James G. Spratt, and afterwards of W. M. Paxton ; removed to St. Louis in 1878 ; is one of the pro- foundest lawyers and the most successful practitioners in the State ; a chaste orator, a successful advocate and an agreeable gentleman. L. M. Lawson — Enrolled November 17, 1856. A brilliant and highly educated youth he came to Platte City, removed to Weston, thence to St. Joseph, and is now a citizen of New York. His literary acquirements, natural talents and brilliant oratory gave him reputa- tion at home and abroad. K. P. C. Wilson — Enrolled March 4, 1859. -A graduate of Cen- ter College, Ky., started his professional life in Texas; settled for several years in Leavenworth ; was a member of the Kansas Legisla- ture as a Democrat ; came to Platte City just before the war ; opposed secession ; elected to the Legislature, and chosen Speaker of that body ; proved himself an admirable presiding officer ; twice chosen State Senator; an able statesman, a profound jurist, a successful ad- vocate, an active politician and a fiery, finished orator ; a perfect gentleman, but under excitement impressive and always fearless ; in face of opposition a Hercules and a Sleulam. W. H. Eoney — Enrolled November 13, 1866. Lived in Weston ; was successively marshal, clerk and judge of the Weston court of common pleas ; is now clerk of the Platte circuit court. There is no more polite, accommodating and urbane officer, or more genial com- panion in the State ; much loved and trusted ; not now practicing law, but when he offers his services, will find ready clients who know and will trust him for his experience and familiarity with forms and records, 754 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. as well as for his thorough acquauitaiice with tlielaw and the practice in Missouri. James W. Coburn — Enrolled November 14, 1866. Born and reared in Mason county, Ky. ; of finished education and superior liter- ary attainments ; formed by nature for tlie law ; profound judgment and industrious habits; bold, self-reliant and independent ; has been twice elected prosecuting attorney for the county, and his friends are hoping for his advancement to the highest positions in the State. Wm. C. Wells — Enrolled December 4, 1871. Born in Ken- tucky ; came as a child with his parents to Parkville ; engaged in the mercantile business in New Marlvet ; removed to Platte City ; per- formed the duties of sheriff and collector; is now engaged in banking. Mr. Wells does not do much practice, owing to the extensive and confining financial business in which he is engaged, having three banks under his charge. He twice represented the county in the Legisla- ture, and is now public administrator. There is no better accountant nor more prudent financier in the State. James F. Pitt — Enrolled April 11, 1874. Was a native of Platte county ; a diligent, laborious student ; taleuted, self-reliant and trustworthy ; he is now one of the rising young men of St. Joseph. J. F. Merryman — Enrolled April 11, 1874. Reared in Platte City ; well educated and thoroughly grounded by his learned father, J. E. Merryman, in the principles of the legal science ; he settled in St. Louis ; was sent thence to the Legislature, and is now a hard work- ing and thorough going young lawyer, whose future advancement is confidently predicted. John L. Carmack — Enrolled April 17, 1878. A resident of Platte City, and a iiartuer of N. B. Anderson ; well educated and endowed by nature with the qualities necessary to success ; he served two years as prosecuting attorney ; is now mayor of the city ; active, persevering and reliable, he must rise to distinction. The following are members of the Bar of Platte county. Mo., with the date of their enrollment : — Wm. T. Wood, March 25, 1839. David R. Atchison, March 25, 1839. Bela M. Hughes, not enrolled. Amos Rces, March 25, 1839. A. W. Doniphan, March 25, 1839. Russell Hicks, March 25, 1839. John A. Gordon, March 25, 1839. Peter H. Burnett, March 25, 1839. Andrew S. Hughes, March 25, 1839. James A. Thomas, March 25, 1839. HI.sTOItY OF PLATTE COUNTT. 755 A. E. Cannon, jNIarch 25, 1830. W. B. Almond. March 25, 1839. Theodore D. Wheaten, March 25, 1839. Solomon L. Leonard, July 22, 1839. Benjamin Havs, Novenii)er 25, 1840. W. M. Paxton, March 24, 1840. Jame.^ Foster, March 24, 1840. Geo. W. Dunn, March 25, 1840. Philip L. Edwards, July 27, 1840. Kobert C. Ewinff, July 27, 1840. William M. Kincaid, julv 27, 1840. C. P. Brown, March 22, '1841. James Baldwin, March 22, 1841. Frederick Grecnoush, Julv 13, 1841. Richard R. Rees, July 13,' 1841. John Wilson, Julv 1.3, 1841. Prince L. Hudgens, July 13, 1841. James B. Gardeuhire, July 13, 1841. Samuel R. Campbell, Julv 13, 1841. John R. Hardin, Julv 21,' 1841. Isaac N. Jones, March 28, 1842. L. D. Bird, March 28, 1842. W. P. Hall, July 29, 1842. R. P. Clark, March 29, 1842. J. Hall, July 13, 1842. B. R. Martin, Julv 13, 1842. John R. Tvlee, July 13, 1842 E. M. Rvland, October 26, 1841. Joshua W. Redman, July 20, 1843. B. F. Loan, October 9,"l843. Gus. A. Everts, October 11, 1843. R. T. Barrett, October 19, 1844. Charles F. Ruff, October 14, 1844. Colin Bland, October 8, 1845. Georize R. Gibson, April 18, 1845. J. M. Jaco!)s, April 15, 1845. E. H. Norton, April 15, 1845. S. P. McCurdy, April 15, 1845. W. Turner, April 15, 1845. H. M. Vories, April 15, 1845. C. C. Tebbs, April 23, 1845. William Smith, October 7, 184(5. Levi T. Carr, October 16, 1846. James H. Baldwin, October 16, 1846. James Davis, March 2, 1847. Jacob B. Hovey, September 8, 1847. James A. Owen, September 9, 1847. Silas H. Woodson, March 4, 1847. John Doniphan, March 5, 1849. 756 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTT. Thomas Herndou, September 5, 1849. Broadhiirst Thompson, September 5, 1849. Shubael Allen, September 21, 1849. Henry Tutt, September 21, 1849. N. B. Giddings, March 3, 1852. H. Miles Moore, March 3, 1852. William C. Baker, March 3, 1852. William Chrisman, December 9, 1852. Henry Slack, March 7, 1853. E. S. Wilkinson, March 7, 1853. W. C. Toole, March 7, 1853. James H. Connelly, March 18, 1853. William H. Miller, September 6, 1853. James Winston, September 6, 1853. Benjamin F. Stringfellow, December 5, 1853. Austin A. King, December 6, 1853. H. C. CockriU, December 6, 1853. Henry C. Hayden, September G, 1853. James N. Burnes, September 6, 1853. Calvin F. Barnes, September 6, 1853. Robert W. McDaniel, September 6, 1853. James Doniphan, March G, 1854. W. M. Clough, March 21, 1854. W. O. Watts, September 6, 1854. H. J. Wolf, September 8, 1854. George W. McLane, November 27, 1854. E. N. Clough, March 6, 1855. GordenRuby, March 5, 1855. J. W. Russell, March, 22, 1855. W. T. Withers, March 7, 1855. W. S. Carroll, July 3, 1855. A. H. Vories, July 2, 1855. John Wilson, of St. Joe, July 7, 1855. H. B. Branch, March 10, 185G. J. E. Merryman, July 21, 1856. L. M. Lawson, November 17, 185G. Samuel Hardwicke, March 4, 1857. Thomas C. Booth, November IC), 1857. Lykins, November 16, 1857. Benjamin Franklin, November 24, 1857. Saunders W. Johnston, November 18, 1857. B. L. Henry, July 24, 1857. John R. Bo'yd, February 24, 1858. Henry Ensworth, February 25, 1858. JohnD. Hudson, February 25, 1858. John W. Ross, September 1, 1858. Lewis Burnes, September 12, 1859. Thomas B.King, September 5, 1859. William Moore, August 30, 1859. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 757 Thomas Thoroughmau, August 30, 1859, R. P. C. Wilson, March 4, 1859. Burton H. Phelps, June 9, 18(iO. E. O. Sale, March 14, 1860. Moses H. Burton, November 28, 1860. E. G. Heriott, November 29, 1860. Charles B. Wilson, December 10, 1860. S. D. Fulton, December 11, 1860. Joseph P. Grubb, May 26, 1862. James M. Carpenter, May 26, 1862. C. M. Boyd, August 5, 1862. W. P. Ga'mble, August 5, 1862. S. S. Ludlum, August 5, 1862. James M. Murray, August 6, 1862. J. C. Greenawalt, December 9, 1864. James Durbin, December 13, 1864. Henry Shutts, September 4, 1865. J. C. Hemingray, September 6, 1865. A. G. Beller"^ September 9, 1865. J. D. Hines, November 14, 1865. John W. Myers, March 5, 1866. Hiram Griswold, March 13, 1866. W. H. Roney, November 13, 1866. J. W. Coburn, November 14, 1866. Melville Smith, November 16 1866. H. M. Aller, November 19, 1866. J. W. Jenkins, November 23, 1866. Skinner Rush, November 14, 1866. Joseph E. Shaw, November 15, 1866. Geo. M. Smith, November 15, 1866. A. M. Sawyer, November 23, 1866. Norton B. Anderson, November 11, 1867. Louis Georgens, November 12, 1867. H. K. White, November 12, 1867. B. F. Cates, November 20, 1867. T. W. Park, December 16, 1867. H. A. B. Anderson, April 7, 1868. Jas. L. McCluer, April 12, 1869. T. V. Bryant, April 15, 1869. Henry N. Ess, April 6, 1869. Larkin Fleshman, April 14, 1869. W. B. Watts, April 5, 1869. Wm. Forman, October 4, 1869. Jeff. Chandler, October 4, 1869. Sam. C. Woodson, October 4, 1869. Byrou Sherry, December 6, 1869. H. T. Green, December 10, 1869. L. T. Oliver, December 13, 1870. Thos. J. Porter, April 3, 1871. 758 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. W. C. Wells, December 4, 1871. William Carpenter, October 6, 1872. Stephen A. Peery, October 15, 1872. J. H. Shanklin, October 15, 1872. J. L. Farris, October 17, 1872. W. J. Stone, October 21, 1872. W. T. Hughes, October 23, 1872. J. W. Tavlor, November 24, 1873. J. F. Pitt, April 11, 1874. J. F. Merryman, April 11, 1874. M. A. Low, April 13, 1874. H. H. Hodges, April 14, 1874. B. J. Woodson, October 17, 1874. J. T. Eeynokls, April 9, 1875. W. P. Chiles, October 14, 1875. P. T. Gallagher, October l(i, 1875. D. D. Bnrn'es, October 15, 1875. Archaiuus Woodson, Septeml)er 18, 1877. J. L. Carmack, April 17, 1878. Charles Hayden, September 27, 1878. O. D. Guthrie, March 26, 1879. H. F. Simrall, March 21, 1879. J. M. Sandusky, March 21, 1879. T. M. Humphrey, July 10, 1879. H. W. Ide, September 25, 1879. J. F. Thomas, October 1, 1879. T. F. C. James, March 20, 1880. Vinton Pike, March 24, 1880. James F. Thomas, March 24, 1880. T. P. Fenlon, September 22, 1880. John A. Hale, September 22, 1880. John W. Norton, September 30, 1880. W. S. Herndon, April 4, 1881. John W. Coots, September 24, 1881. Robert T. Holt, September 24, 1881. James T. Clayton, March 20, 1882. E. S. Gosnev, September 19, 1882. Geo. F. BalUngall, March 21, 1883. H. C. Ellis, March 28, 1883. Jarret W. Todd, March 28, 1883. W. A. Bannister, March 31, 1883. J. H. Chinn, March 31, 1883. S. B. Green, March 19, 1884. H. C. Timmouds, September 16, 1884. J. T. Craig, March 23, 1885. COUNTY COURT JUDGES. The first judges of the county court, as we have stated, were Judo'es Byrd McCaflFerty and Collier. Their successors have been HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 75!l Daniel P. Lewis, James Kuykcndali, Matthew M. Hughes, H. B. Mayo, Jno. Freelaiid, James H. Laytoii, James B. Martin, Thompson Ward, Wra. D. Baruett, Edward P. Duncan, Peter Rogers, Lewis Wood, Jno. Broadhurst, Preston Duulap, Samuel M. Hays, Noah Beety, A. G. Brown, Jacob Hamm, Benjamin R. Martin, Thomas H. Talbott, Henry M. Allen, John S. Brastield, Wm. E. Cunningham, George W. Noland, Jos. E. Ireland, Jas. S. Owen. PROBATE COURT. Up to March, 1849, by act of the Legislature of 1848-49, a probate court was established. The following have been the judges: James Kuykendall, Jas. G. Spratt, Robert P. Clark, H. Clay Cockrill and Samuel A. Gilbert. Judge Wm. P. Chiles is the present judge. He has served several consecutive terms. COURT OF COMMON PLEAS AT WESTON. In 18 — a court of common pleas was established at Weston. It had concurrent jurisdiction with the circuit court in civil cases. By an act of the Legislature the act authorizing this court was abolished. The judges in the order named were as follows : L. D. Bird, Sol. P. S. McCurdy (former law partner of Judge E. H. Norton), James Doniphan, H. J. Wolf, James N. Burnes, John Doniphan, Samuel A. Gilbert and Henry W. Roney. Judge Roney is now the circuit clerk. 43 CHAPTER XIII. POLITICS AND PUBLIC MEN. First Electioa, 1833 — Sacceedin? Elections — Votes of the County Since 1856—^ Public Officials. From the time of its organization to the present Platte county has exercised an influence of marlced weight in the public affairs of the State. Not a few of the leading men of Missouri have been citizens of this county. From David R. Atchison and John Wilson, in the early history of the county, to E. W. Norton and E. P. C. Wilson of to-day, representative men of Platte county have occupied enviable positions among the foremost of the State. Besides the four already mentioned, the names of Solomon L. Leonard, William B. Almond, Peter H. Burnett, James W. Denver, Willard P. Hall, Bela M. Hughes, Benjamin F. Stringfellow, Benjamin F. Loan, E. H. Norton, John Doniphan, James M. Burnes and L. M. Lawson are recalled. Sketches of all of these are given in the preceding chapter — the Bench and Bar. From the beginning the county has been uniformly Democratic, generally by very large majorities. FIRST ELECTION 1838. The first election worthy of mention iield in the territory now included in Platte county was in 1838, the general election for State and county officers. It was then a part of Clay county, or was at- tached to that county, by act of the Legislature, for civil and military purposes. Clay county proper was strongly Whig at that time, but it was confidently l>elieved that a large majority of the settlers in the new country attached to Ciaj'' would be for the Democrats. Much interest, therefore, was felt in the result and strenuous efforts to carry the election as a whole were made by both sides. The contest was one of much warmth and e-xcitement. The chief interest taken in the election was directed to the race for the Legislature — the Senate and the House. For this senatorial dis- trict — Clav, Clinton and the Platte Purchase^ — the Democratic candi- ' Possibly other counties also. (760) HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 761 dates were James T. V. Thompson, of Clay, and Cornelius Gilman, of the territory attached to Clinton county. David R. Atchison, James M. Hughes and Jesse Morin were the Democratic candidates for the House from Clay county, the latter of the annexed territory to Clay.^ On the Whig side but two of the candidates are remembered. Judge W. T. Wood, lately judge of the Lafayette circuit, but at that time a citizen of Clay county, and David D. Moore, of the annexed ter- ritory. The Whiijs carried everything with a rush across the line in Clay and east of the Purchase, but when the new settlements on this side wore reached a Democratic bulwark was encountered, upon which they could hardly make an impression. They had received nearly every vote before they reached the line that they were destined to receive. Here the people proved to be Democratic with almost unparalleled unanimity, and the result of the election depended not on the relative strength of parties here but upon the number of voters in the new territory. The majority with which the Whigs came across the line was soon overcome — and the Democrats of the Platte were still voting. At last the polls were closed with the setting of the sun, and the day had been won by the Democrats by an overwhelming majority. All five of the Democratic candidates for the Legislature ( Senate and House) were elected and their general county ticket was successful. This was a great surprise to the Whigs of Clay and hardly less a sur- prise to the Democrats, but as gratifying to the latter as it was dis- appointing and mortifying to the former. Coming thus at a time when the field seemed lost, and winning so decisive a victory, the Democrats of Platte were given the name of " The Tenth Legion of Democracy," after that puny legion of old that came on a losing field and wrenched victory from the very jaws of defeat. Gen. Atchison made some of the greatest speeches of his life dur- ing this campaign, and by his ability and eloquence attracted atten- tion throughout the State. The foundation of his subsequent success and prominence in public life was laid : the people of the State were introduced to the David of Democracy who was to slay the political Goliah of the State — Benton, a man with less real Democracy than any one else could have maintained himself in public life with for half the period he flourished among a people so thoroughly Democratic as those of Missouri were at that time. Geu. AtcUison moved ta Platte couuty soou afterwards 762 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. SUCCEEDING ELECTIONS. By the time the next general election occurred — the election of 1840 — I'hvte county had been organized. This was a Presidential year, the year when " Tippecanoe and Tyler, too " (not " Me Too," of New Y'oik), swept the country. It was a great AVhig revival and hard cider flowed freely in every log cabin of the Whigs, and every- where on the hustings. In Platte county a full corps of county officers, excepting a few officials who held over under the law, were to be elected. The county being conceJedly so largely Democratic, the election here was a very quiet one. The Whigs made a very poor showing of strength. Maj. Wm. H. Spratt says that of 1,500 and more votes cast, but 25 were Whig votes, and that his was one of the 25.' The following county officers were elected : James R. Holt, rep- resentative ; Jones H.Owen, sheriff; Jesse Moriu, circuit clerk; James H. Johnson, county clerk; Frederick Marshall, treasurer; W. C. Remington, assessor, and James Kuykendall,- Daniel P. Lewis and Matthew M. Hughes, county court justices. The most noted man brought to the front by this election was Dr. David R. Holt, elected to the State House of Representatives. He was a man of collegiate education and varied attainments. After graduating at Washington College he took a course in theology and was ordainet- a Presbyterian minister. Subsequently he studied med- icine and became a regular practitioner of medicine. He was a man of fine natural ability and of a most amiable character. Both in the pulpit and as a physician he took rank among the foremost in this pai-t of the State. Dr. Holt came to Platte county from Boone county in 1837. He was originally from Tennessee, but came to Missouri from Virginia. Following his election to the Legislature he was a prominent candi- date for Speaker of the House. He died, soon after taking his seat. Holt county, this State, was named for him, in honor of his memory. His loss was profoundly deplored. Hon. D. A. Sutton was elected to fill out Dr. Holt's unexpired term. Gen. David R. Atchison was appointed judge of the Platte circuit by the Governor. He served until 1843, when he resigned and was • Up to 1856 there are no records in the county clerk's office of votes cast. 2 Brother to Col. KuykenJall, one of the hero patriots of the Republic of Texas. — Youakim^s History of Texas. HISTOUY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 7()3 succeeded l)y Henderson Young. Gen. Atchison had been appointed United States Senator from this State. The elections from 1840 to 185(5 created no unusual excitement. However, the Whigs gradually increased in numbers and influence and several times candidates of their party, men of special personal popularity, were successful. The growth of the Whig party in this county was largely due to the ability and leadership of a few promi- nent citizens who were members of that party. Chief among them were Hon. John Wilson and Hon. John Doniphan. The former was the recognized leader of the party and one of the foremost Whigs in the State. Hon. John Wilson was a man of commanding ability and strict integrity. He squared his life according to what he be- lieved to be right and he was politically as honest and true as he was in ])rivate life. Of positive character, outspoken and manly, there was nothing of the time-server, the trimmer or political weather-cock in his nature. With him fidelity to the Whig party was felt to be one of the highest of moral obligations, and whenever its intei'ests were Jit stake there was no service for it too great for him to undertake, no sacrifice too great to make. It is little less than inspiring to read the ringing declarations of this gallant old leader of the Whig party in Platte county proclaiming, long after his party as a State and Na- tional organization was dead and buried, that he would still hold its banner aloft and fight its battles, though he stood single-handed and alone in the conflict. When he came to this county from Howard county, in 1841, there was practically no Whig party here. But by his exertions, elo- quence and good management he succeeded in building up a strong party, and in 1856, in a total vote in the county of nearly 2,500, he came within about 200 of carrying it. The vote stood: Buchanan, 1,263; Filmore, 1,040. In 1860 the vote on Governor was: C. F. Jackson, 1,056; Sample Orr, 1,005; Hancock Jackson, 338. Col. Wilson had able lieutenants around him as a political leader. John Doniphan was young and brilliant, full of enthusiasm, and a natural orator. Politically and personally he was devotedly attached to his always faithful and fearless leader. Then there was Judge W. M. Paxton, a man whose indorsement of any party or individual was and is a certificate of character that goes without question wherever he is known. He was a zealous Whig through defeat after defeat of his party, as he would have i>een modest and magnanimous if every defeat had been a victory. Like Wilson and Doniphan he was a 764 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. Whig, not as a means of obtaining prominence and position, but be- cause he believed the Whig party to be right. Besides these there were others not less active and useful in the Whig party. Hon. L. M. Lawson, now of the banking firm of Don- nell, Lawsoii & Co., New York City, was a tower of sti-ength to the Whig party. He was one of the finest speakers in Western Missouri. Opposed to these and others whom space forbids us to mention were Gen. Atchison, Gen. Denver, Col. Stringfellow, Col. Sutton, - Hon. Bela M. Hughes, Col. James N. Burnes, Col. Morin and several more on the Democratic side. Col. Atchison was the recognized leader and Col. Morin was regarded as an organizer of superior ability. Of the elections between 1840 aud 1856, the most exciting one by far was the election of 1844. The Whigs adopted the " passive pol- icy," or refused to make nominations, hoping thereby to divide the Democrats, which they succeeded in doing. Two Democratic tickets were run. One called the " Hards " (regulars) and the other the " Softs " (the irregulars or independents j. The Whigs quietly sup- ported the latter and the " Softs" succeeded. Bela M. Hughes and Achilles Jasper were elected to the Legislature. Hughes was a son of Gen. Andrew S. Hughes, of Clay county, and a nephew of Gov. Metcalf of Kentucky. He afterwards went West and attained eminence at the bar. In public affairs his reputation became national. Probably, doubtless, the best speaker on the Democratic side was Col. Burnes. He is now the I'epresentative of this district in Congress, and is always a psychological study. A volume could be written of him, all of it interesting, and none of it displeasing, notwithstanding the many inconsistencies of life and of everything else it would neces- sarily present. He is always pleasant, agreeable, cordial, overflowing with courtesy, consideration, and warm, personal solicitude for those around him. In his presence one feels, every one near him feels, that he has no such friend on earth as Col. Burnes. In conversation, manners and conduct he is fascinating and ca])tivating. To dislike such a man, it matters not what he may do out of your sight, or to think that everything he does is for self, is impossible. He may regard those around him as creatures to bo played upon as instruments, to be used by an able and ambitious man for his own advancement, but if he uses them he does it so kindly and pleasantly, and with such touching and eloquent protestations of fidelity and love — devotion true and unfaltering — and always not for himself but for their welfare and HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 7G5 happiness, that they feel it a pleasure to be deceived and imposed upon — it is like the spell of a delightful di-eam. Col. Buvnes is in Congress now, and one of the leading men of the nation. If the South had succeeded, and established her independence, witli Missouri included, be would now be the representative of this district in the Confederate Congress, and would vote for such pensions to the Confederate soldiers, and for appropriations for sucli monu- ments, as wei'e never heard of befoi'e. It would be touching and overcoming to read his wonderful eulogies on Lee and Stonewall Jackson, delivered in the Confederate Congress. But if, on the other hand, all the Southern men of Missouri and all the Democrats had been exterminated and their lands and prop- erty given over to the truly loyal ; if Missouri and this district were as thoroughly Republican as they are Democratic, he would still be the representative of the district in Congress. There is no such thing as keeping such a man down. He lives for the time in which he lives and for the people among whom he lives, let them be Gi'eeks, Mohammedans, Missourians or Hottentots — it is all one to him. He is for the people and for whatever they want — Democracy or Radi- calism, the Dred Scott Decision or the underground railroad, the grape- vine or tlie Marseillaise of John Brown ; he has been for each in turn in the past when the exigencies of the times seemed to demand it, and it need not be proved that he will prove unequal to any future emergency. Col. Burnes looks on differences in politics with the same broad philosophy and libei'ality that he regards difierences of religion with ; he thinks they are matters of education and prejudice more than any thing else, and that a man has not advanced far in Darwin's series of de- velopment who can not look upon them all and with philosophic indiffer- ence and smile, adjust himself and his interests to any political faith or religious creed that may be uppermost in the bailiwick where he resides. VOTES OF THE COUNTY SINCE 1856. In 1860 the leading candidate for office in this county was Judge Norton, who ran for Congress and was elected. The vote in Platte county stood, Norton, 1,788; John Scott, 812. Judge Norton received the Douglas and Breckinridge vote. L. M. Lawson and J. P. Dorriss were elected to the Legislature, the former a Whig or Bell and Everett candidate, and the latter a Doug- las Democrat. Their election was accomplished by a combination of the friends of both. Lawson received 1,960, G. P. Dorriss, 988, Mil- ler, 620, and Dr. Coffey, 637. 766 HISTORY OF PLATTE COIINTY. The election being the one just preceding the war was character- ized by great excitement, and a full vote was polled. At the Constitutional Convention election of Februar}^ 1861, the county voted largely for a compromise for the pi-eservation of the Union. This election is cited further in the chapter ou the Civil War. In 18(>2 James H. Birch, for Congress, received 877 votes, and Austin A. King 583, the vote showing a falling off about 1,000, on account of the war ; John Douiphan, for the State Senate, received' 1,157 votes, no opposition. For the House, John Wilson received 881 ; Col. Wolf, 1,002 ; W. S. Briggs, 611 ; A. G. Brown, 434. Wilson and Wolf were " Conservatives," as were also Birch and Doniphan. The others were Radicals. In 1863 the county went for the Conservative ticket for Supreme Court judges by an overwhelming majority, the vote standing: Bar- ton Bates and his associates on the Conservative ticket, 1,329. Arnold Krekel and the other Radical candidates, 412. In 1864 McCiellan carried the county by a vote nearlj' double that of Lincoln's vote, namely: McCiellan 882; Lincoln 488, in the lat- ter of which was the vote of Phelps' company of militia at Sedalia, in the Fourth Missouri State militia. For Governor, Thomas Price received 960, Thomas Fletcher, 507. For Representative, Wil- son received 908; Brown, 444. In 1866 John H. Williams, Democrat, for Congress, received 781, and Jas. H. Birch, 653. In the meantime, the war had closed, and a large percentage of the Democratic vote of the county had been dis- franchised. But little more than half of the full vote of the count}' was cast, on account of disfranchisement. In 1868 the same state of affairs existed, and only about 1,300 votes were cast, of which Phelps, Democrat, for Governor, received 790, and McClurg, Republican, 543 ; Grant, Republican, for Presi- dent, received 792 ; Se\'mour, Democrat, for the same office, received 756. In 1870 tiie voters of the county generall}' were permitted to vote. The result stood Brown, Liberal (or Democrat), 2,160; McClurg, Radical (or Republican), 493. This was the election at which the repeal of the disfranchising clause of the so-called Constitution of the State was voted upon. But si.x votes in the county were cast for con- tinued disfranchisement. In 1872 Greeley received 2,148 ; Grant, 936, and O'Conor, 264. In 1874 Hardin, for Governor, received 2,127, and Gentry, 727. Two years later (1876) Tilden received 2,648 ; Hayes, 864. HISTORY or PLATTE COUNTY. 7(37 In 1878 the Democnitic vote was 2,680 ; the Republican vote, 758. Ill 1880 Hancock received 2,()!)3 ; Garfield, 945. lu 1882, 2,385 votes were cast for the Democratic ticket, and 854 by the Republican. The vote of 1884 was substantially the same as that of 1880. PUBLIC OFFICIALS. Following is a list of the pu})lic officials having to do with Platte county : — Judges — Austin King, David R. Atchison, Henderson Young, Sol- omon L. Leonard,' W. B. Almond, E. H. Norton,- Silas Woodson, William Herren, Walter King, P. Lucas, Geo. W. Dunn, present in- cumlient. Prosecuting AUorneys — W. T. Wood, Jas. Craig, James M. Bas- sett, Thos. Thoroughman, Joseph P. Grubb, Isaac P. Parker, ' E. F. Esteb, John G. Woods, S. C. Woodson, J. L. Carmack, JohnE. Pitt, J. W. Coburn. Sheriffs — Jones H.Owen, James Kuykendall, M. N. Owen, L. Shepard, W. H. Spratt, W. K. Bryant, G. W. Hood, W. T. Woods, N. P. Ogden, George W. Belt, E. McD. Coffey, W. H. Hunt, W. J. Overbeck, R. W. Pack. Circuit Clerks — Jesse Morin, Ira Norris, W. C. Remington, Geo. AV. Belt, F. M. Tufts, R. L. Waller, W. H. Roney. Probate Court — Up to March, 1849, the county court had pro- bate jurisdiction, when, by act of the Legislature, the system was changed and a probate court established. James Kuykendall was first judge ; James G. Spratt, second ; Robert P. Clark, third ; H. Clay Cockrill, fourth; Samuel A. Gili)ert, fifth; William P. Chiles, sixth and present judge. Representatives in the Senate — Capt. Andrew Johnson, Col. Lewis Burnes, Dr. A.M. Robinson, Jesse Morin, John Doniphan, George S. Park, John R. Keller, R. P. C. Wilson. Representatives in the Lower House — Dr. David R. Holt, Col. D. A. Sutton, Bela M. Hughes, Achilles Jasper, Bethel Allen, John A. White, Thompson Ward, James B. Martin, Hall L. Wilkerson, Dr. A. M. Robinson, D. D. Burnes, E. P. Duncan, C. A. Perry, L. M. Law- son, Geo. P. Dorris, John E. Pitt, Dr. McGuire, Henry Brooks, John W. Forbes, John Wilson, John Doniphan, H. J. Wolf, R. D. John- son, Adison Burge, Thos. Quinn, Wm. H. Ballard, R. P. C. Wilson, James Adkins, Wm. C. Wells. ' Circuit Judge in Buchanan. - Now U. S. District Judge, Federal District of Arkansas. ' Now U. S. District Judge in West District, Arlsansas. CHAPTER XIV. SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES AND LITERARY CULTURE. Public School System of Missouri — Public Schools ia Platte County — County Com- missioner's Report for Year ending June 30, 1884 — Private Schools and Colleges — Camden Point Female Academy — Historical Sketch — The Institution at Present — Female Orphan School — Conditions of Admission — Male Academy at Camden Point — Platte City Male College — Pleasant Ridge Academy — Platte City Female College — Weston High School — Mental Culture and Literature. That Missouri has l>eeii grossly misrepresented as to her attitude towai'd public education, does not admit of question by those who are informed of the facts of her history. It is represented upon one hand that she is indifferent, and upon another, that she is hostile to this great vital interest. Yet nothing is hazarded by the statement that notwithstanding her grievous failures to accomplish what ought to be done, and what no good citizen can cease to desire or labor for, she stands among the foremost, if she is not the first of the States, in her devotion to the cause of popular education and the provisions made for its mainteuance. The Constitutions of 1820, 1865 and 1875 all make this subject one of first importance, and guard the public school funds with zealous care, while the Constitution of no State contains more liberal provis- ions for popular education than the Constitution of Missouri, adopted in 1875. Not a sentiment inimical to the cause can be found in any of her statute books for the sixty-four years of her existence. No political party has been in the ascendancy in all her history which has arrayed itself against free schools, and her Governors, from 1824 to the pres- ent time, have been earnest advocates of a broad and liberal system of education. In 1839 she established a general school law and sys- tem, and in 1853 she dedicated one-fourth of her revenue annually to the maintenance of free schools. Her people have taxed themselves as freely as the people of any State, and much more liberally than the people of a majority of the States. In the amount of her available and productive permanent public school funds she surpasses every State in the Union, with the single (768) HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 769 exception of Indiana ; and if those funds had been managed as the Constitution and laws require, it is demonstrable that to-day she would have the largest in the Union. The State of Indiana levies a tax for school purposes of 16 cents on the hundred dollars of taxable values, and does not permit a local tax exceeding 25 cents on that amount.^ The State of Missouri levies a tax of 5 cents, and permits a local tax of 40 cents, without a vote of the people, or 65 cents in the coun- try districts and $1.00 in cities and towns, by a majority vote of the tax-payers voting. For the year ending last April, only two counties in the State reported a less rate of local taxation than the maximum allowed in Indiana, only one the amount of that maximum, and the average rate of all the counties reported was about 39 cents, or 14 cents more than the possible rate of that State. Missouri has more school houses to the population than Massachu- setts. The amount she exjiends annually for public education is nearly double the rate on the amount of her assessed valuation that the amount expended by the latter State is on her valuation; while our public school funds exceed those of Massachusetts $5,405,127.09. PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN PLATTE COUNTY. The first immigrants of Platte county were sturdy pioneers. They brought with them the ax and the primitive plough. The forest had to be felled and the prairies broken. The settlers were a hardy race, and the luxuries and refinements of society were almost unknown. Their cabins had to be made conifoi-table before school-houses could be built. The boys had heavy work to do upon the farm, and the girls found no time nor opportunity to enjoy society. There were no means of mental culture, and even the rudiments of knowledge were but little sought. There was scarcely a school house in the county prior to 1844. Religious meetings were held chiefly in groves. A rude platform was constructed for the preacher and logs were dragged together for seats. After the lands were entered in 1843 and 1844, hundreds sold out and removed to newer countries, and those who re- mained had to erect comfortable buildings and open their farms. But in 1845-46 school-houses of logs covered with clapboards arose in all parts of Platte county, and the youths of the land were instructed in ' From an article in the Cyclopedia of Education, written by Hon. J. H. Smart, State Supt. 770 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. the rudiments of an education. The towns were the first to build school-houses. In Weston, Parkville and Platte City small houses were erected. Before the close of 1846 the I'eports of directors showed that there were twenty-seven school districts organized, in all of which schools were kept for from three to ten months. The average terms were nearly six months of the year. The reports of the directors also showed that, as a rule, a good class of teachers were employed, and - that the progress of the pupils was satisfactory. The text-books used were Webster's Spelling Book ; McGuffey's First, Second, Third and Fourth Readers ; Pike's Arithmetics; Smith's Grammar, and Geographies. The salaries of teachers were low, some not exceeding $13 per month. The organization of school districts, which commenced in 1843, though but little progress was made for two or three years after- wards, was continued, as population increased, until in 1854 there was hardly a neighborhood without one, where there were enough children to form a school. As the building of school-houses in the county followed the build- ing of houses for the people to live in, so with the progress and pros- perity of each community within the borders of the county the cause of education has steadily advanced. The class of school-houses has greatly improved, and the grade of teachers and of the studies taught is much higher than in former years. Population considei'ed, no county in the State has a better class of public schools than this one has. The following report of the count}' commissioner of schools for the year 1884 shows the condition the schools were in at that time: — COUNTY COMMISSIOXER'S REPOKT FOR YEAK ENDING JUNE 30, 188-1. Male. Female. Total. Number of white persons in the count}' under 6 and over 20 years old 3,026 3,450 5,416 Number of colored persons in tlie county under 6 and over 20 years old 251 233 490 Number of white persons attending; the schools during cur- rent year 2,600 2,800 5,400 Number of colored persons attending the schools during cur- rent year 70 80 150 Total number of days' attendance by all pupils . . 228,660 Average number of days' attendance by each pupil. . 41 1-5 Total number of days schools have been taught! ^"'"™®'" ^^'^"^ ' ' ^'*^°^ \ winter term . . . 8,000 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 771 Average munljer of pupils atteuding each day i \ female Number of teachers employed during the year-! I female Average salaries per mouth i ™''' "^ .... \ female .... Number of pupils that may be seated iu various schools Number of white schools in operation. Number of colored schools in operation .\verage cost per day of tuition Value of school property iu county .... Assessed valuation of property in county . Average rate per $100 levied for school purposes Amount on hand at beginning of school year Amount received for tuition fees Amounts received from public funds, State, county and township Amount realized from taxation 51 39 50 30 ^57 00 39 00 o,G90 7+ 3 S .053 36,100 00 4,280,595 00 40 8 4,^03 07 (not stated) C,332 30 22,536 44 $ 33,731 81 Amount paid for teachers' wages in the county .... Amount paid for fuel for schools in county Amount paid for repairs or rent during year .... Amount paid for apparatus and incidental expenses . .Imount paid for erection of school-houses or purchase of sites Amount paid in defraying past indebtedness .... Amount paid as salaries for district clerks Amount of unexpeneyoiid the expectations of its most sanguine friends. Under a provision oi the charter it was necessary to raise and invest a certain sum, or the enterprise was to be abandoned and the amounts donated to be refunded ; but the report of the treasurer showed that the sura had been fully raised, and duly invested, and that there could be no longer any doubt as to the " Female Orphan School, of the Christian Church, of Missouri," being a success, for the practical work of the school wiis such as to convince those who, at the first, were doubtful as to the propriety of such an institution in our State. At this meeting the officers we:'e, in tiie main, re-elected for another year, Miles Harrington taking the place of John M. Railey in the board of directors. At that time the board of incorporators were James W. Steele, Joseph J. W3'att, Thomas M. Allen, John M. Railey, A3tcinnond L. Perrin, Miles Harrington, Joseph E. Merryman, William C. Wells, Alexander Proctor, Allen B. Jones, Thomas Beaumont, James J. Hitt, William F. Perrin, John C. Harris, Andrew Trible, Archie T. Lcavel. The board of officers were James W. Steele, president ; William F. Perrin, Archie T. Leave!, Miles Harrington, directors ; Avtchmond L. Perrin, treasurer, and William C. Wells, secretary. Tfie Institution at Present. — The present board of incorporators are James W. Steele, Weston ; W. A. Gardner, Oregon ; John M. Railey, Weston; Aytchmond L. Perrin, and Miles Harrington, Cam- den Point ; A. R. Masterson, Ridgely ; William W. Wells, Platte City ; George Dawson, Plattsburg ; John Owens, New Market; John HISTORY OF I'LATTE COUNTY. 775 Balliiiger, Gi'llatin ; Alexander Proctor, Iiidcpendcnce ; John W. Mouiitjoy, Pu-is; Thomas P. Haley, St. Louis ; William F. Perriu, Camden Point ; John C. Harris, Woston ; E. O. Waller, Platte City ; (i. W. Lonjijan, Plattsburg; M. G. Roseberry, Maryville ; J. R. Es- till, New Franklin; James Randall, Holden ; Asa L. Smith, Camden Point ; Stephen C. Woodson, Platte City; Alexander Breckinridge, Grayson ; A. B. Jones, Liberty; R. T. Miller, Sedalia ; T. R. Maupin, Camden Ijint. The oxeci'tive board of officers is as follows: president, Aytchmond L. Perrii; ; directors, A. P. Masterson, Joim Owens, James W. Steele i'.nd T. R. Maupin ; secretary, Asa L. Smith, Platte City, Mo. ; treas- urer, John M. Railey, Weston, Mo. The fitulty for 1884-85 consists of Wiley Mountjoy, president, Mor-il a- I Mental Philosoph}' and Logic ; Miss L. Florence Berry, Rhet- oric and Literature ; Miss Lutie C. Palmer, Mathematics. Prepara- tory an 1 Physical Science — Miss Temple Perrin, Painting and Drawing Miss Grace D. Matthews, Vocal and Listrumental Music. Domesl J Economy — Wiley Mountjoy, Mrs. Wiley Mountjoy and Mrs. U. E. Henderson. SITUATION AND SURKOUNDINGS. The college is situated on a beautiful, elevated site, half a mile from the Camden PoiutDepot, and 16 miles from Leavenworth, Kas. From the observatory a scene of varied and surpassing beauty presents it- self, embracing a large area of the finest countr}' in the West. The grounds are large and beautifully ornamented with shade trees. The institution is surrounded by a refined ami cultivated society for which Platte county has long been famed. CONDITIONS OF ADMISSION. Four classes of young ladies are admitted into the school. First Class — Destitute orphans, who have no relatives or friends to aid them. Second Class — Orphans destitute of means, who have relatives, churches or l)euevolent societies to aid them, and are willing to sus- tain them at school. Third Class — Orphans who have some means, but not enough to ipiiort them. Fourth Class — Young ladies who have parents that desire to assist in our benevolent work. Precedence is given to the first class, and as many of them are re- 44 776 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTy. ceived as the uet income derived from day pupils, and the proceeds of the endowment, will justify. Out of the other three classes —giving precedence to the second over the third, and third over the fourth — the school will be filled to its capacity. Every application for the admission of a beneficiary should be presented in the form of a writ- ten petition, and should be made to comply with the following rules : — First. No beneficiary will be admitted who is under 14 years of age. Second. No young lady will be admitted as a beneficiary unless some respectable physician shall certify, in writing, to the soundness of her constitution and her freedom from hereditary disease. Tliird. No young lady will be admitted as a beneficiary unless some responsible person, °chui-ch or corporation shall enter into written obli- '^'"' '^' PJ='tte County in' 1802-53,^ the Parkville and Ridgely in 1854-55, the Weston and Clinton County the same year, the Weston and Randolph the same year the Parkville and Grand River in 1856-57, the Platte City and DesMomesin 1859-60, the Weston and St. Joseph the same year The charters of several ,,f these were afterwards merged into the charters ot others, and two of the roads were ultimately built. KANSAS CITY, ST. JOSEPH & COUNCIL BLUFFS RAILROAD. This railroad, now one of the most important lines in the State i. the outgrowth of several consolidations. February 24, 1853, the Legislature of Missouri granted a chart.., ior a road to extend from St. Joseph to Kansas City. This, under (793) 794 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. the name and style of the Phitte County Railroad, was organized in 1857, by William Osborne, Davis Carpenter, M. Jeff. Thompson and others. Under the auspices of this company, a line was surveyed from St. Joseph southward through DeKalb, in Buchanan county, Platte City and Parkville, in Platte count\', to Kansas City. The Legislature of 1856-57 granted aid to this road in the sum of $700,000. A subsequent act provided that none of the bonds of this ' road should be available till the year 1859. The charter also author- ized the extension of the road to the northern boundary of the State, under which provision it was completed to Savannah in 1860, and graded to Forest City. December 11, 1855, the Atchison and St. Joseph Railroad was in- corporated. The articles of association provided that Benj. String- fellow, John H. Stringfellow, Peter T. Abell, John Doniphan, Stephen Johnson, Elijah H. Norton, Harvey Collier, Robert W. Don- nell, Reuben Middleton, Bela M. Hughes, James H. Lucas, John Simon, or auy five of them, constitute the first board of directors. In the summer of 1858, Gen. Benjamin Stringfellow, Dr. J. H. Stringfellow, Peter T. Abell, Harvey Collier, Reuben Middleton, John Doniphan and Robert W. Donnell met in St. Joseph, in the Metho- dist Church, which then stood on the northeast corner of Third and Felix streets, the present (1881) site of the National Bank of St. Joseph, and there organized the company. At this meeting, Sam- uel C. Pomeroy, of Atchison, was elected a director and president of the company. Charles West, of St. Joseph, was also at this meeting elected a director. Stock was taken by the parties present, and, in a short time after, the city of Atchison subscribed $100,000; Abell and Stringfellow, $10,000; John Doniphan, $1,600, and Samuel C. Pomeroy, $10,000. Other parties contributed li])erally, swelling tiie aggregate of subscri[)- tions over and above the city stock to about $60,000. Contracts for grading were immediately let along the entire line of the road, and work commenced at Winthrop, opposite Atchison. By July 1, 1859, this grading was completed between St. Joseph and Winthrop, a distance of 20 miles. In March, 1859, the Weston and Atchison Railroad Company was incorporated under the general laws of the State. The officers of this corporation were John Doniphan, president ; James N. Burnes, vice-president ; Fielding H. Lewis, secretary, and Daniel D. Burnes, treasurer. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 795 Private subscriptions were fortiiwith made to the road to the amount of $44,000, and the city of Weston issued her bonds to the amount of $50,000 in aid of the building of the same. Ground was broke at Weston in the presence of a vast concourse of people, April 27, 1859. The occasion was one of singular re- joicing, and grand civic and military display, in which the cities of Atchison and Leavenworth, as well as other neighboring towns, also largely participated. .July 15, 1859, the Weston and Atchison and Atchison and St. Joseph Companies, finding that their means would be inadequate to accomplish more than the work of grading the road, for the purpose of an early completion of the same made a contract with the Platte County road, by wl^ich they transferred to that corporation the road- bed, franchises and right of way from St. Joseph to Weston, which company was enabled on the work so done, during the year 1859, to draw most of the State aid, and in January, 1860, the road was com- pleted and in operation from St. Joseph to Atchison. In December, of the same year, the road was finished to Litan, and by April 4, 1861, trains were running through to Weston. In 1863, the name of this road was changed, the style " Platte Country" being substituted for the original, " Platte County." In 1864, the road was seized by Gov. Hall for non-payment of in- terest on State bonds. Immediately the Weston and Atchison and the Atchison and St. Joseph Railroad Companies commenced suits for their road-bed, on the ground that the original contract was illegal. The Legislature of 1867 released this road to the Weston and Atchi- son and Atchison and St. Joseph Railroads, on condition of a re-organi- zation of the same under the name and style of the Missouri Valley Railroad Company, and a completion of the road from Savannah, through Alaryville, to the northern boundary of the State. Under this act, the road was completed to Hopkins in 1869. The road from Council Bluffs to Hamburg, Iowa, fifty-two miles in length, was built by Willis, Phelps & Co., and completed in 1867. It was styled the Council Bluffs and St. Joseph Railroad. Hon. James F. Joy and his friends then came to the front, and built the road from St. Joseph to Hamburg, 79 miles long, opening it for the traffic of 1868. This road was called the St. Joseph and Council Blufis Rail- road. . Next in order came the consolidation of the St. Joseph and Coun- cil Bluffs and the Council Bluffs and St. Joseph roads, in 1868, under 796 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. the corporation uuuie of St. Joseph and Council Bluffs Railroad Com- jiany. In 1870, the Missouri Valley Railroad and St. Joseph and Council Bluffs Railroad were consolidated, bringing the entire line from Kansas City to Council Bluffs under one management. Out of this union was born the present (1881) Kansas City, St. Joseph and Council Bluffs Railroad. J. F. Barnard is the present general mana- ger. THE SOUTHWEST BRANCH OF THE CHICAGO, ROCK ISLAND AND PACIFIC RAILROAD. This road grew out of the old enterprise for building the Platte City and Ft. Des Moines Railway, which was chartered in 1859-60, as we have stated. Among the leading men in the old enterprise were Judge James G. Spratt, Judge H. M. Allen, of Leavenworth ; Hon. Thos. Ewing, also then of Kansas, but now of Ohio, and Col. Durbin. Private citizens in the county and all along the line subscriiied quite liberally for the building of the road, and the survey of the route was made by Col. Durbin. But the war came on soon after- wards and nothing further was done with it until some years after the war had closed. But with the renewal of railroad buikling following the return of peace, attention began to be directed to this enterprise as one of evi- dent public utility and, if properly managed, profit. It was taken hold of and built, and after passing through different hands became the property of German capitalists wlio still own it. It is leased to the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Company for a period of ninety- nine years. The right of way for the road was obtained for the company before the original building of it by Col. James N. Burnes, formerly of this county but now of St. Joseph, and the member of Congress from this district. Maj. Ogden was the contractor for l)uii(ling it and it was comi)leted in about 1870. Under what was known as the strip township law. Green township, through the county court, subscribed $50,000 for building the road, or, rather, it was claimed that the township subscribed that amount, but the bonds issued were afterwards held to be invalid by the U. S. Supreme Court, and the debt or alleged debt was thus wiped out. HISTORY OF I'LATTE COUNTY. 797 THE ATCHISON BRANCH OF THE CHICAGO, ROCK ISLAND AND PACIFIC RAILROAD. This I'oiid was built between Atchison Junction, in this county, iinci Atchison, Kansas, as a "feeder" to the main line by way of the Southwest l)ranch. It is a road of local importance, and was built nearly altogether or quite without public aid. The Atchison branch gives the people of the n orthwest part of the county an outlet to Atchison, Kansas, and puts them in connection with railroads en- tering there, thus affording them competing lines in ev^ery direction. It is operated by the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacitic. THE PARKVILLE AND GRAND RIVER RAILROAD. The Parkville and Grand Eiver Railroad, as already stated, was <;hartered in 1856-57. Its original terminal points were to be Park- ville in the southwest, and a poiut on the State line in the northeast part of the State, running there by way of Plattsburg in the general direction of Chicago, with that city as a final termination. The county court voted aid to the road amounting to $100,000, and $75,000 of that amount were issued prior to the war. The building of the road was thereupon commenced, and the line was graded to Plattsburg ready for the ties. But its funds became exhausted, and the war came on so that nothing further could be done at that time. After the war the enterprise was revived, and it was hoped that the road would be completed. Judge Allen, the sole judge ot the county court at that time, issued the remaining $25,000 of the original sub- scription of $100,000. But little or nothing was done to build the road. W. K. Faulconer, of Kansas City, now owns the right of way and the grade. From the foregoing it is seen that there are three lines of railroad in operation in the county, and one which is not yet completed, but which will unquestionably be built sooner or later. The county is well supplied with railroad facilities in all directions, andjbesides it has its fine river transportation right at its doors. With Kansas City, Leavenworth, Atchison and St. Joseph close at hand, and with its superior transportation facilities, both by water and rail- way, it is favored above most of the counties in the State. These, with the fertility of its soil and the excellence of its seasons, make it a locality of great desirability to farmers and to all classes. INDEBTEDNESS OF THE COUNTY. ParhviUe and Grand River Railroad Company. — The first indebt- edness of the county, worthy of mention, was that to the Parkville and 798 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. Grand River Railroad Company. It was contracted in 18130. The county, through the county court, couisisting of Judges Broadhurst, Dunlap and Hayes, subscribed $100,000 iu aid of the building of the road. The subscription was made on the condition that the bonds were not to be issued until the eastern route of the road lying in the county was graded. The grade was made and the bonds were issued. Noth- ing more has ever been done towards making or completing the road. There was strong opposition against the issue of the bonds. Not less than two-thirds of the people opposed the issue, and Judge Hayes protested against it. J. E. Merryman, county attorney at that time, and a prominent lawyer, led the opposition to the issue. But Judges Broadhurst and Dunlap, constituting a majority of the court, issued them nevertheless. Both, we understand, resided on the line of the proposed road. A part of the $100,000 subscribed was not issued ( $25,000) until June, 1866, when the court consisted of one judge, Judge Allen. The validity of these bonds was afterwai'ds contested in the coui'ts, but were finally held to be binding on the county. They were funded with accrued interest in 1869 at seventy-five cents on the dol- lar into 20-year bonds, with interest at the rate of 10 per cent per annum, semi-annual payments. This measure was forced upon the county court by not having the money to pay them, and in order to^ raise it on the bonds this court had to submit to a rate of interest and manner of payment that would break any private individual in the world. The court refunded the debt in 1880 at six per cent annual payments. Platte County Bailroad Company. — The next subscription was the Platte County Railroad Company. This was for $50,000. The Platte County Company was subsequently known by dift'erent names including Weston and Atchison, Weston, Atchison and St. Joseph, Missouri Valley, etc., etc. It is now a part of the Kansas City, St. Joseph and Council Bluffs Railroad. The $50,000 worth of stock in the above company, paid for by the county with its bonds, was afterwards, in August, 1870, sold for $2,850, which amount was applied as part payment on the bonds of $50,000 with which the stock had been paid for. Thus the county virtually lost its stock and still owed over $40,000 of the debt. But wiien the stock was sold it was considered little better than worthless. Now, however, it is quoted at nearly par, we understand. Union Bounty Warrants. — During the time of the threatened draft HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 799 in the county in 1864-65, the county court, in order to fill out the quota of volunteers required ot the county, offered a bounty of $300 in warrants to each person qualified for military duty who would come forward and volunteer, to the credit of the county, up until its quota was furnished. The law authorized this, and public sentiment sus- tained the court in giving the bounty. The great majority of the people would have voted any endurable tax on themselves in prefer- ence to going into the Union army. Warrants to the amount of $25,000 were issued on this account. Weston Railroad Bonds. — Weston subscribed, or some of its officers attempted to subscribe, to the Platte County Railroad Company to the amount of $50,000, for which bonds were issued upon the municipality. They were afterwards held not to be binding upon the place. Court-Hoiise Indebfedness. — In 1866 the court-house and jail were built at a cost of $88,500. The court-house yard was improved and enclosed, and other things done — largely " the other things " — which run the cost up to about $120,000. This sum, with some outstanding warrants and other liabilities, made a debt of $146,210.44. Grveen Tow>isliip Strip Bonds. — After the war an enterprise was set on foot to build a road through this county and through the State in a northeast direction, with Chicago as its ultimate termination. It was called the Chicago and Southwestern Railroad. The work of con- structing it in this county was carried forward to the extent of making the road-bed through Preston township. But the company expected aid from that township, and when the election was over, at which they expected to have $50,000 voted to them, but which resulted in a refusal to extend them any aid at all, the}' were greatly disappointed. Many of the voters were opposed to issuing bonds under an}' circumstances, and not a few voted against the proposition, thinking that they would get the road anyhow, for the reason that it was already graded and could not be changed ; and hence, to vote the bonds would simply be paying for something that they could get without paying for it. Seeing how this election resulted, some of the leading men of Green township began to coquet with the railroad company to get the latter to change the location of the road into their township. They promised that they would guaranty a vote for $50,000 aid if the com- pany would make the change. The company, in no good humor with Preston township anyway, agreed to it. The vote was taken and a majoi'ity of those voting favored the issue of the bonds. But the 800 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. trouble was that there were scarcely more than a baker's dozen who voted. There were also informalities and irregularities iu the pro- ceedings which finally had the effect to invalidate the bonds. But, in the meantime, the county court was called upon to issue the bonds. Some doubt arose about the right of the court to issue them, and Judge Norton was employed by James N. Burnes, on behalf of the company, to secure the issue of the bonds. The court issued them. Afterwards the county court, Hon. James S. Owens, sole judge, contested their validity, and employed Judge E. H. Norton and Gov. Willard P. Hall to resist them. For a fee of $5,000 paid by the county on the order of Judge Owens, they defended the township, in which Judge Owens resided, in the fight against the bondholders, and finally in the Supreme Court of the United States, won the case. The bonds were held to be invalid. Recapitulatioii. — Thus the debt of the county in round numbers was : — Parkville and Grand River Railroad Company $100,000 00 Platte County Railroad Company 50,000 00 Court-house, etc 146,200 00 Union bounty .... 25,000 00 $321,200 00 By the year 18G9 the Platte County Railroad, the Court-house, and the Uhion Bounty indebtedness, with accrued interest, amounted to . . $200,314 92 By the same time the Parkville and Grand River Railroad debt, with in- terest, amounted to ... • 132,050 65 Total §338,365 57 Both .soon afterwards were funded into 10 per cent 20-year bonds, as follows : — The first (1st series), after the principal had been reduced, some at . . $203,000 00 The second (2d series), on compromise pending litigation . . . 109,000 Total $312,000 00 These bonds continued to draw interest at ten per cent, semi-annual payments, until 1880, when they were again funded, in order to get a lower rate of interest and annual payments, by which time the prin- cipal of each had l)een apprecially reduced so that the funding resulted as follows : — 1st series $194,300 00 2d series 94,000 00 Total . . . . • $288,300 00 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 801 Whilst the above bonds were runniag a bitter fight was made by the people of the couaty, and very justly, against the injustice of paying 10 per cent interest, semi-annual payments; or, in other words, double compound interest, when there was but another county in the State paying so exhorbitant and unreasonable a rate, and when no individual or corporation would think of paying it for a moment. The eflect of the fight was to greatly depreciate the bonds, running them down as low as 84c on the $1, and the bondholders soon be- came anxious to have the bonds funded at a reasonable rate of interest, and with annual payments, so as to stop the fight and render their bonds of par value in the markets. The debt is being steadily reduced. CHAPTER Xyil. CHURCHES AND LODGES. Churches in Carroll Towuship — In Fair Township — In Green Township — In Lee Township — In Marshall Township — In May Township — In Pettis Township — In Preston Township — In Waldron Township — In Weston Township — Lodges in the County — A. F. &. A. M. — I. 0. O. F. — Legion of Honor, Etc. CHURCHES. As this couuty was largely settled withiu a year from the period when it was first opened to immigration, most of the denominations in Missouri at that time were represented among the early settlers. Those numerically the largest, however, were the Primitive and Mis- sionary Baptists, the Christians and the Methodists. As has been I'emarked elsewhere in this volume, the new comers had to clear away the forests and make homes for themselves before they could build churches and school-houses. But as soon as they had provided cabins to live in they turned their attention to the work of erecting houses of worship and school buildings. At first the churches were put up by members of difl'erent denominations, and were used as union meeting houses. But here and there, where a de- nomination was strong in numbers, a church building was erected for their own use exclusively. This was the case with the Primitive Baptists, in several localities. There were also several other ex- clusively denominational church buildings erected. The earlier meeting houses were made of logs, hewed and put up in a neat style, and were comfortable and spacious for those times. The Primitive Baptists invariably built theirs with an alcove or recess in the further end wall, for the pulpit, like that made for a bay win- dow. The buildings were large, substantial structures, and some of them are standing to this day, in apparent contempt of the gnawing tooth of time. As the country settled up and improved and the people became more prosperous and exacting in their architectural tastes, the style and cost of church buildings gradually improved, until just preceding the war Platte county could and can now boast of some of the best country church buildings in this part of the State. But having no large cities, of course there are no uncommonly expensive church (802) HISTOKY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 803 buildings in the county. Wealth and display go hand in hand in matters of religion as in everything else. Among the early preachers of the county the writer has been able to obtain the names of only a few. Of course the name of old Brother Cox has not escaped us. He was the friend of Brother Arnold Chance, and came into Barry to hear the news of the ratification of the treaty known as the Platte Purchase. Brother James Cox came here with the first settlers in 1837. Then there was Rev. Mr. Thorp, a man of earnest piety and an effective speaker. His greatest happiness was in the service of God and humanity as a Christian minister. He was a member of the Primitive Baptist Church. Another early minister was Rev. Jonathan Adkins, also a Primitive Baptist. He was a faithful servant of the Master and did a good work among his pioneer neighbt)rs and friends in the early settlement of Platte county. Rev. Wm. Redman came here in 1837. He was a representative of the M. E. Church South and was a man of general culture, far above the average in those times. He was presiding elder for a number of years. Rev. Joseph Devlin, of the M. E. Church South, whose name still lives fresh in the memory of the people for the noble Christian work he did among them, came here at an early day and continued in the ministry in this county for many years. The Revs. Heath, of the M. E. Church ; Lewis, of the Christian Church ; Dr. Holt, of the Presbyterian, and Rev. Allen all came prior to 1840. There were, of course, many others, but we can not hope to name them. On the following pages we give more minute facts in regard to the churches of the county their position, etc. The following in regard to the general history and material con- dition of the Methodist denomination in Platte county may prove of sufficient interest to our readers to justify us in inserting the facts in this place : In the county are parts of four circuits and an entire one ; the churches are thus divided — on Weston circuit there are two churches, valued at $6,000, and a parsonage valued at $800 ; its mem- bership numbers 140. Parkville circuit has one church building with 80 members. Platte City circuit has four churches, valued at $5,000 and parsonage $1,000, and a membership of 167. Edgerton circuit has two churches worth about $5,000, and a membership of 155. Dearborn circuit has one church valued at $2,000 and parsonage worth $800, with a membership of perhaps 70 persons. A new church has been organized at Ridgely, with a membership of 30. This church building is valued at $1,500. Some of these churches were organized by Rev. M. R. Jones, that at Farley about thirty-five years ago, and 804 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. that at Edgcrtou, iu December, 184-. Rev. Thomas Hui'st organized several and Rev. Joseph Devlin some others. Ptirkville circuit is in charge of Rev. William Barnett, who is now over 80 years of age and is still an active Christian worker. He also has a j'oung assistant with him. Rev. T. A. Rucker is in charge of Platte City and Wes- ton, J. T. AVinstead is in charge of Ridgely, H. S. Leeper, of Dear- born, and G. Tanquary of Edgerton circuits. Carroll Township. — BajJtist Church of Platte City. — The follow- ing is a brief sketch of the history of this church as taken from the church record book. A meeting of a number of persons, members of the Baptist denom- ination, was held in Platte City, on Friday, the 20th day of December, 1850, for the purpose of constituting a church in said city. The meeting was organized by calling Bro. Joshua Boyd to the chair, and Elder A. P. Williams was chosen secretary. After mature deliberation, it was determined to constitute a church and to meet on the third Saturday in January, 1851, for that purpose. Resolved, To invite Elders Franklin Graves, of New Hope, Clay County, W. H. Thomas, D.D., of Camden Point, and Elder A. P. Williams, of Pleasant Ridge, to attend and to assist in the constitution. Adjourned. J. Boyd, Moderator. A. P. Williams, Clerk. SECOND MEETING. In January, 1851, the congregation which met on December 20, 1850, again met on the 3d Saturday, pursuant to adjournment, the following delegates from other churches being present, viz. : Elder W. H. Thomas, D.D., Elder A. P. Williams, Brothers T. Herndon, James Stockton, T. D. Herndon and Jno. W. Vinyard. A sermon by Brother Thomas on " The Church," was preached at 11 o'clock a. m., after which the meeting was called to order. Brother Thomas was chosen Moderator, and Brother A. P. Williams Clerk. The Church Covenant, as prepared by Brother Williams, was then read, and on motion adopted. (See Record Book 1, pp. 9-10.) The Articles of Faith (see Book 1, pp. 4-8) were read and adopted. On proper motion the church was then and there organized. The Constitution was then performed in the following order: 1st. Prayer by the Moderator; 2d. Charge by the Clerk ; 3d. Hand of Fel- lowship given by the Council. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 805 The church then transacted the following business : — 1st. Agreed that this church should be styled the Platte City Bap- tist Church. 2d. Rules of Decorum, prepared by Elder A. P. Williams, read and adopted. (See Rules, page 13, Book 1.) 3d. Called Elder W. H. Thomas to the pastorate ; call accepted. 4th. Agreed to hold church meetings on the 2d Saturday in each month. Adjourned. W. H. Thomas, Moderator. A. P. Williams, Clerk. Tiie following is a correct list of the constituent members of the Platte City Church :— Joshua Boyd, Nancy Boyd, James Stone, Mary Boyd, William Boyd, Minerva Stewart, James M. Pollard, Elizabeth Pollard, Brax- ton Pollard, Sarah J. Norris, Ed. Y. Perkins, Mary Ann Stone, Smith Aluutt, Sarah Stone, Nancy Prewitt, Elizabeth Prewitt and Nancy Blanton. Total, li). The pastors of this church have been Eld. W. H. Thomas, D. D., who served as pastor once a month from January, 18.51, to Novem- ber, 1855. During his pastorate the church grew in numbers and prospered greatly. ■ During the year 1854 the present church house was built, and a debt incurred that troubled the brethren until March, 28, 1867, when Deacon John H. Wilhite raised by subscription the sum of $1,390, and paid oli'the del)t ; the citizens, without respect to denom- ination, subscribing liberally. Eld. Josiah Leak became pastor in January, 1856, and served until the following December. Eld. Ed- ward I. Owen, D. D., at that time President of William Jewell Col- lege, at Liberty, became pastor for half his time in Janu- ary, 1857, and served very acceptably until May, 1858, when he went to Europe. Retuniing, he took the care of the church in the month of October, 1858, and continued until October, 1859. Wm. H. Thomas, D. D., supplied the church from October, 1859, until May, 1860. No regular services were held from the last date until September, I860, when Eld. S. H. Olmstead was called and served the church until August, 1861. Dr. E. L Owen again supplied the church from September, 1861, until January 26, 1862. No regu- lar services were held from the last date until February, 1863, when Eld. Wm. Thompson, L. L. D., President of William Jewell College, was called and met with the church as pastor a few times as the 806 HISTORY OF FLATTE COUNTY. Civil War was raging to such an extent that religous meetings were nearly impossible. There appears to have been no reguhir services from September, 1865, to May, 1866, when Eld. Jerre Clay was chosen pastor and served faithfully until November, 1868. Eld. J. J. Felts was called and served as pastor from November, 1868, until December, 1869. No regular services are recorded from the latter date until May, 1871, when Eld. J. W. Brown was called and served the church until November, 1875, two Sundays in each month. There was no pastor from the latter date until August, 1876, when Eld. W. A. Crouch took the care of the church for two Sundays in the month, and continued until July, 1878. No pastor was had from the latter date until April, 1879, when Eld. G. W. Everett, was called and served until February, 1881. No pastor from this until November, 1884, when Eld. Robt. H. Jones was called, for half his time, and served until March 18, 1885, when he resigned. The church has no pastor now, but is supplied with preaching once a month. It has a flourishing Sunday-scliool and good prayer meetings and hopes soon to have another pastor. This church has at this time 100 members on the roll. It has passed through many tribulations, and at times had great reason to rejoice, on account of the refreshings from On High. During the Civil War she suffered greatly. The membership scat- tered, and many went back into sinful waj's. On the night of December 16, 1861, one Col. Morgan, a Union officer, marched his men into town and burned the court-house, the M. E. Church South and the Presbyterian Church, many business and private houses. The town was again visited by Col. Ford, of the Second Colorado, with the notorious Jennison, of Kansas, and burned by them, leaving but few houses for business or dwellings. The Bap- tist and Christian Churches, for some reason unknown to the writer, at least, both escaped the conflagration. From the 3'ear 1861 until 1867 the circuit court was held in the Baptist Church, at a rent of $100 annually. The Presbyterian and Methodist brethren also occupied it for their services. The deacons of this church have been Thos. Henderson, Joshua Boyd, John H. White, Chas. Rice. The present deacons are John Elliott, P. S. Coats and Dr. B. F. Records ; Clerks— A. P. Williams, Braxton Pollard, J. M. Pollard, L. N. Rees, H. B. Callahan, J. H. Wilhite, W. V. Sloan, C. B. Hawley, Jas. L. Miller and Dr. B. F. Records. M. E. Church South al Platte City — Now comprising a member- HISTOKY OF PLATTE COUNTY. gQj sb,p Of 63, worship ia a brick cluu-ch structure built about the veu- lb68, at a cost of $3,000. At tife dafp nf if. ^ • .• • ' 1842, Philin NutP W T Ri . ^'^%"-'^'' '^f 'ts oi-gauizatjon, about c*^, ruu.p ^ute, W. L. Bhuitou, Joseph Loan, Dr. E W Bmwn Sa.Buel Potter, William A. Fox-, ThouL Flan ery, Zll'^^' George Ivay aud An,os Reese con.prised the orig ual n mb^' 1^ ' ' Their first house of worship, built in ISis ,vo , '"emDei^liip. There -irp -SO „i i • V ^' '^^•- ^ni'i'sd m 1864. ■ineie aie 50 scholars lu the Sabbath-school, Jud-^e W R P 'leuig superintendent. " ^ ' ^- ^""^^^^ PLATTE CITY M. E. CHURCH. [By \V. M. Pnxtoa.J Platte county was attached to Clay, and for several vo;r- H 1,.. spiing ot 1843 the upper story of the <^nin-f -•. lauie v>u,y. J-Uis was tornied about IS-li -v rt year or two 'i lof ATr, ^ ki i' lo 'cu aoouc i5i4. After a church b^ t :^?;^ ''"SZ r '7-^^-^^' -^J ^ neat tra.ne ^ About 1840 Eev. wi R^Lit:: i'::;^^]^: 'T\- , ^ed the first preachers I remember were Baxter and G W T Caples and Marvin preached here about IS^T V u , '■ in 1858 M,. B ic 1 'loouc ib^i. Rev. Bu-d was here HI 1009. Mr. Bradford was here abonf is^v w ir i om^^nd D.HU was here twic:-;:^^^^ :;'i -^^"^ ''' ''' 1 A. N E;Hou:Sd wit^' Th ';'"^ f'- ^'"^^' '^-'^'^^^ ^^— : bers The fn , , '''"'■"'' ""^ ""'"'^^^--^ '-I'^^ut 70 mem- i' ms' A N i ","" r '""^ ^'" '"^^"'-^ ■• ^- L- Black, J. T W " ted i'nfsofrV" ,''■,''• ''''''''■ ^''^ ^'^-•^'^ bui.diu:/' i elected m ISoy and is a br.ck structure. It costabout $3,500 The e .s a flounshmg Sunday-school connected with it, of which TF Af ll IS superintendent ^'^ ''■ ^- ^^'"^''' nitedbyHon. D. R. Atchison, formerly of Platte City and ex-United States Senator. This building is a frame, was built i ISTT co.t ,3,000. The organization of this body was affected in Lsdj! 808 HISTORT OF PLATTE COUNTY. through the efforts of Father Ludwig. Some of the first members were "Michael Bronfield, John Carroll, Patrick Doyle, Thomas O'Rouke, Anthony Eobillard aud James McKeron. Those who have been at the head of this church are Father Ludwig, P. Phillips, A. Laegneil, J. Cybold, A. J. Abel, Frank Ziswyler, — O'Reilley, J. Ahern Haiiley, — Porti, P. A. CuUen and Careful. Hickory Grove Union Church — Located iu section 19, township 52, range 34, was built in 1861, at an original cost of $900, through the efforts mainly of the Christian and jNIethodist denominations, though other religious bodies have alwaj^s been free to worship there. Among the first preachers were Rev. McCormack, of the Christian Church ; Revs. B. Waller Bosimer and Stephens. Those of the Metho- dist faith have been Rev. Austin, D. F. Bone, Benjamin Hyder, Swearingtou, Tanquary, aud several others. The latter denomination have kept up preaching quite regularly since the organization, but the Christians have not continued their services for about two years. Among the original members of the former church were John Bane aud wife, William A. Fox and wife, James Fox and wife, John Fox and wife, George Fox and wife, W. P.' Brightwell, Thomas K. Esk- ridge and others. Of the Christian Church, among the organizers were Joseph Coons and M'ife, James Lewis, Sr., and wife; Benj. Ferrel and wife, Isaac Hon and wife, A. Hon and wife and a number of others. The Methodists now have about 23 members, Rev. Mr. Rucker being the pastor in charge. Fair Township. — Unity Old School Baptist Church — Located five miles northwest of Platte City, was organized in 1840, with the fol- lowing as its original members : Thomas Turner, Daniel King, Mathias Mastin, William Yates, David R. Bell, William Wait, James Beagle and Robert Shaw. The present membership numbers 21. The pas- tors who have filled the pulpit of this church are Revs. Simpson, P. J. Burruss and R. M. Thomas. Tlie present log church building was erected in 1848. Elder Thomas is moderator, Ed. C. Smith, clerk, and William Mitter, deacon. Green Toa\'nship. — Pleasant Grove Missionary Bajitist Church — Located one-half mile north of Camden Point, was organized October 12, 1844. Its original members were Elijah Pumplirey, Olive Puni- phrey, Mary Ann Pumphrey, Jonas W. Pumphrey, Bird S. Pumphre}', Lucy Jane Pumphrey, Benjamin Elliott, Bird Wilson, Lucy Wilson, Matthew B. Wilson, Sarah L. Wilson, Wilmoth Lasswell, John C. Bvwaters and Sarah Jasper. The present menil)ershii) numbers 160. Those who have been pastors of this church are William Laneer, HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 809 J. D. Wilson, A. P. Williams, W. H. Thomas, J. Clay, F. Menefee, W. A. Crouch and G. W. Everett, of whom W. H. Thomas and J. Clay have served the church for more than half the time since its organization. The present frame church building was erected in 1867 at a cost of $3,500. The first house of worship built was a brick edifice, its cost being now unknown. The Sunday-school, which numbers 60 scholars, superintended by J. W. Bywaters, was organ- izdd in about 1868, and has been continued since that time. Bear Creek Missionary Baptist CJmrch. — The members of this organization have but recently completed a nevv house of worship, located three miles west of New Market, at an expenditure of $700. As near as can be ascertained their first edifice, a frame building, was built up sometime aboutthe year 1844, costing $1,500. The formation of the church occurred April 24, 1839, the names of Nicholas Wilson, Frances E. Wilson, Elizabeth J. Huntsucker, Charlotte M. Huntsucker, James M. Fulkerson, Mary Fulkerson and Wm. Clay appearing on the church roll as among the constituent members. This number has since been increased, until it now reaches about 44. W. A. Bowen superin- tends the Sabbath-school of 40 pupils. Following the first pastor of the church, James Daniels, those who have ministered to the spiritual needs of the congregation, are Isaiah Williams, Jeremiah Clay, B. F. Rice, George W. Everette, F. W. Hairchen and William Stone. New Market Chvistian Uhiirch — Was organized about the 1st of May, 1860. Among the original members there were Mr. and Mrs. C. T. Leave!, G. W. Field, W. B. Swain and wife, I. T. Lewis and wife, John B. Dean and wife, Mrs. Warren Harris, Mrs. Thomas Allen, W. C. Wells, Isaac Dean and wife, F. M. Tufts and wife, John Carter, A. Hanks and wife, Conway Hacket, John King, George Wood and wife, and about forty others. The first meeting of the church was held by T. F. Campbell for eight or ten days, and as such inter- est was manifested J. J. Wyatt was sent for and the meeting was con- tinued and an organization was eflected. The present pastor, Samuel Lowe, presides over a membership of 143. Their frame church building, costing $2,500, was built in 1861. Jerome Bryant is super- intendent of the Sunday-school, numbering 35 scholars. Davis (Jhapel M. E. Church South — Is located in section 3, town- ship 54, range 34, and was organized in October, 1860, by Rev. Thomas Hurst. The original members were Ishmael Davis and wife, R. T. Davis, Thomas Butts, B. F. Boydston, Mary J. Boydston, Elizabeth Holland and possibly one or two others. This number has been in- creased from time to time until it now numbers 144. The names of 810 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. the pastors who have served are Thomas Hurst, J. C. C. Davis, William Penny, William Barnett, William CoUett, John A. Beagle, James A. Hyder, D. F. Bone, M. R. Jones. If there were any others we were unable to obtain their names. In 1870 they erected a church building at a cost of about $2,400. The Sabbath-school, of some 45 scholar, is superintended by B. F. Boydston. A cemetery in connec- tion with the chui'ch embraces two acres of land. German Evangelical Chxirch, or the Lutheran Church — Is located in district 42, township 51, range 35, and was organized in the year 1872. The first pastor was C. H. Jantzon, followed by M. Johaning, F. Dittmer and Otto Fr. Voigt. The present membership is 25, though at the oi'ganization there were about 20 members, viz. : Friedr. Oberdick, Fr. Meyer, Ernst Ellrecht, John Riskcr, Heinr. Pellman, Fr. Bente, William Bente, John Wieman, Fred. Roebkcr, Christ Stratemeyer, Fred. Nieman, Fr. Ode, H. Schermbeck, John Jordan, William Roebke, W. Wiehe, H. Ode, August Winter, William Thies, and H. Oberdick. In 1872 a frame church building was erected, costing $1,000. Connected with the church is a flourishing Sabbath- school of 25 scholars, superintended by Otto Fr. Voigt. M. E. Chiircfi at Farley. — Among those who belonged to the orig- inal class from which this church was formed (by M. R. Jones) were R. F. Mason, Charlie Starnes, B. A. Trent and others, and they are the ones who were instrumental in building the present brick church at this place in 1850 ; its cost is supposed to be about $1,200. The meml)ership now numbers some 30 persons, though in its better days it has had as many as 100 communicants in good standing. Bros. Hurst, Starr, J. Devlin, L. Rush, R. A. Austin, W. E. Dockery, D. . F. Bone, D. R. Shackelford, Swearingen, Howerton and others have at different times occupied this pulpit. Marshall Township — Sugar Creek Missionary Baptist Church — Was organized in 1860 by Rev. Huntley. Among the constituent mem- bers were Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Woolson, Mr. Hayslettand wife, James Hancock and Mrs. Womack. They have no house of worship, but meet in a school-house. The number of the present members is 40. The following ministers have served the congregation as pastors : Revs. Huntley, Lewis, Luke, Williams, Waddell and Rice, the pres- ent pastor. Ml. Bethel Cumberland Presbyterian Chxirch — In the autumn of 1851 Fancy Bottom Cumberland Presbyterian Church was set off from Bee Creek, the mother church, by act of Platte Presbytery. Among the original members were G. W. Dyer, Mrs. Elizabeth Daw- HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 811 son, Margaret Cook, Luoiiitles Graves, William Graves aud Serena Oweus. lu 1859 the place of meeting was changed to latan, and May 4, 1883, the present church edifice was dedicated by Rev. F. M. Miller. It is a frame building costing $1,640, and although the title is in the above church, it is open to other Christians denomina- tions when not used by them, and other denominations were liberal contributors to the building fund. The following have served the church as pastors: llevs. H. R. Smith, Charles B. Hodges, G. L. Moad, O. D. Allen, A. W. Guthrie, L. Munkins, M. b! Irvine, J. H. Norman, F. M. Miller and the present pastor, F. M. Powers. Services are held once each month. The following have served the church in the capacity of ruling elders : G. W. Dyer, Philip Siler, Elias Siler, Isaac W. Carson, Sidney Risk. Salem CJtristian Vhurcli — Was organized December 31, 1873. Its constituent members were James Lovelady, Nancy Lovelady, James Cox, Polly Cox, James White, Jane Lovelady, Margaret Catlett, Thomas Lovelady, Polly Lovelady, John B. Bonus, Elizabeth Bouns, James Lovelady, Jr., Elizabeth Lovelady, James B. Riggs, Nancy Riggs, Jackson Butts, Jane Butts, Elizabeth Allen, Hosia Norris, Mahala King, Rachel Ashue, and 15 others who are now numbered with the dead. The present membership is 180. Revs. James Love- lady, James White, O. C. Steele, W. C. Rogers, J. T.Riley and J. C. Howell have at different times tilled the pulpit of this church, the last named being its present pastor. In 1841 a house of worship was built at a cost of $1,000, and in 1868 a new frame church building was erected, costing about $3,000. A flourishing Sal)bath-school of 90 pupils is superintended by W. W. Hillix. Some of the most dis- tinguished ministers of this denomination have at different times preached from this pulpit, among whom a few are below given : Ale.x. Campbell, Walter Scott, D. S. Burnett, T. M. Allen, Dr. J. W. Cox, W. J. Pettygrew, James Shannon, D. P. Henderson and J. J. Wyatt. The congregation meets every Lord's day, and have done so from its organization to the present date, with the exception of six or eight times. Over 800 names are recorded on the church register who were once members of the congregation, but many of these have passed away and others moved to different parts of our Western States and Territories. W. W. Hillix, John McAdow and J. W. Steele are the present elders. Alva Nower, James A. Allen and J. W. McAdow are the present deacons. May Township. — Barry Cumberland Presbyterian Church — Was organized June 3, 182G, at Weeden's Camp Ground, in 812 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.' Clay county, Mo., and at its organization was called " Lebanon Congregation of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church." Twenty- seven persons comprised the original membership : Henry J. Weeden, Jonathan English, Jeremiah Burns, Benjamin Gragg, Har- man Davis, Easter Davis, Jane English (afterwards McKissick), Jane Burns, Polly English, Eebecca English, David P. Magill, David Magill, Eda Weeden, William Malott, Thomas Adams, Jno.'. McKissick, Patsy McKissick, Polly Adkins, Nancy Frost, Matilda Linvill, Cicero Brown, Elizabeth Brown, Nancy Whitson, Anna Harris, Edna Fox and Sarah Magill. Six others were added on the 4th of June, 1826. About 1846 the church was moved from Weeden's Camp Ground (now Sugar-tree Grove), in Clay county, to Second Creek, and the name changed to "Second Creek," where it built a fourth interest in a commodious brick church, and held several camp-meetings there. In 1859 it was moved to Barry, and in No- vember dedicated its present house of worship. This is a frame structui'e, and was constructed at a cost of $1,885. The number of the present membership is 115. From 1826 to 1846, 105 were added to the church ; two afterwards became ministers — Harinan Hard- wick, who died, and Benj. Musick, now of California. From 1846 to 1859, 68 were added ; from 1869 to April, 1885, 220 more joined, making the total additions 393. Rev. James Forman is now in charge of this church. Before him, from the date of its organization, the pastors in order have been Revs. Robert D. Morrow, D. D., and Henry Renneck ; from April, 1830 to 1859 no record of the ministers can be found ; since 1859, those who have served are Rev. G. L. Moad, D. D. ; O. D. Allen, R. D. Miller, Walter Schenck, W. O. H. Perr3% John G. Fackler (O. S.), and Harvey Norman. All the original elders are dead ; all the elders at the dedication in 1859 are dead. Since 1859 the word and ordinances have been reg- ularly administered except about one and one-fourth years. Its min- isters have been regularly paid and contributions to missions, educa- tion and publications have been liberal. Its work has been steadily, aggressively and effectually pushed forward in the interests of the Divine Master. Its motto has been work enough and room enough for all denominations. It has recently closed a 30 days' meeting in which was great denominational har- mony and Christian fellowshii) of the broadest and most affectionate character. The Sunday-school under its supervision was organized 25 years ago under its present superintendent, Dan Carpenter, continuing, except HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 813 in winters, for 17 years, and tor eight years has been" evergreen." About (300 names have been on its roll, 171 of whom have been added to the chnrch. One has become an earnest minister. Thi-ee are efficient superintendents of other schools. It now numbers 45 scholars. Besides furnishing its own literature it has provided itself and the church two organs and contributed liberally to the great work of missions. Pettis Township — Parkville Baptist Cliurcli — Was first organized at Barry about the 3'ear 1842, and was known as the County Line Church for several 3'ears. In November, 1852, it was removed to Parkville. Among the members from Barry church who became identified with the new organization were Thomas S. Pratt and wife, John Minter and wife, Nancy Rogers, Mrs. Conway and Martha Wilson. Here they were joined by Lewis A. Ford and wife. Younger Ford, Nancy Holmes, Emery Ricks, T. C. S. Ashby and wife, Susan Summers and George A. Wood and wife. Of this number there are but two in the church at this time, some having died and others moved away. Their house of worship was completed in 1860 or 18G1 ; it is valued at $2,000. Previous to the war, and from the year 1852, the pulpit had been occupied by E. S. Dulin, T. T. Williams, Robert Thomas (who was also the first president of William Jewell College), William Thompson, J. Clay, and Spencer Olmstead. After the rebellion the ministers in charge were A. N. Bird, James Rowen, John W. Brown, Rev. Streeter, C. F. D. Arnold, and the present pastor, A. N. Bird. The member- ship at this time is rather weak numerically, numbering but 19 persons. Parkville M. E. Church South. — This church dates its organiza- tion to 1849, when the following named persons were constituted a church body through the efforts of Rev. John W. Ellis : Penton Ewell, B. F. and Cornelia A. Love, Dr. J. J. Boyle, Rebecca Goodyear, J. B.Wilson, Nancy Wilson, Mary Forbian, Jane E. Scott, Mary A. Parker, John E. Cougleton, Elinira Coughleton, Rev. Oliver H. McEwen, David Cassell, M. B. Hopewell and wife, Theodore W. Da- vis and wife, Adeline Sharp, and John Harr. Quite a number of ])astoi\s have occuj)ied the pul[)it at different times, some of whom are Revs. John A. Tutt, Baxter, Mayhew, Caples, Hatten, Bradford, Dev- lin, Rush, Perkins, Penn, Tarwater, Shackelford, Hurst, McEwen, Adkison, Huifaker, Blakey, Campbell, Linn, Lewis, Hedgepeth, Bab- cock, Keithley, Beavers, Jones, Baruett, Broadhurst, and others. In 1850 a brick church edifice, in which services are now held, was constructed at a cost of about $2,000. Here the congregation, now 814 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. numbering 62 persons, worship. J. B. Flaiinery is superintendent of the Sabbat h-school, which has an average attendance of about GO. ParkvUle Presbyterian Church. — One of the most flourishing churches of this county is the Presbyteriau Church at Parkville, now under the control of the Lexiugtou Presbytery. April 27, 1845, Rev. E. Wright, of Westou, perfected this organization, the members at that time being R. R. Stephens, M. A. Stephens, R. A. Parsons, Geo, S. Park, H. Paiuick and Mary Painick. Rev. George S. Woodard was the first regular pastor, having come here in March, 1849, though from that time to the election to the pastorate (in October, 1852) of the Parkville church he preached in other places. A .stone building in which services are held was erected iu 1852 and dedicated the same year, aud with its furuiture is now valued at $2,600. From 1861 until 1867, or during the crisis of the Civil War troubles, there is no record extant. Subsequent ministers in charge, however, were Revs. John Moore, E. B. Sherwood, John A. McAfee, Robert Watt, E. M. Palmer, and the pastor uow in the pulpit, Rev. E. P. Foster. The present membership is 200. A flourishing Sabbath-school of 250 scholars, iu connection with this church, is superintended by J. T. McRuer. Elm GroveUnited Baptist Church — Located in section 32, township 51, range 34, was orga:iized in about 1857, one mile west of where the present building is located. The organizer was Rev.G. L. Black, with the following as its original members: Edward and Hannah Clark, Liiniire Tudor, Joseph and Jane Clark, W. J. Miller and wife, D. M. Clark, Jerry Jolmson, Mrs. Kinise\'. The present church building was constructed in 1860, at a cost of about $3,300. The pastors of this church have been Revs. G. L. Black, G. Wright, Lete, Isaiah Williams, A. N. Bird, Brown aud Foster. Revs. Black and Bird having been twice pastors. Tlie present membership is about 100. The Sabbath-school has been disbanded ; its superintend- ent was J. E. Miller, Sample's Chapel, M. E. South — Located on section 21, township 51, range 34, worship in a structure which was built as a Union Church for all denominations, but the Methodists are about the only ones holding services in it. It is a log building, erected in 1874, pre- vious to which time class meetings had been held at various private houses for a number of years. An organization proper was efl"ected in 1872 through the united efforts of Revs. William H. Bassett and Samuel Huff"nian, the latter presiding elder. There were some 22 mem- bers whose names were placed upon the church roll as constituent HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 815 nieinhers, nearly all of whom are now prominent and well respected citizens of the county. Those ministers who have preached from this pulpit at different intervals are Revs. Esmond, Rosell, Shook, Powell, Warner, Hayes, Hate, Norris and Chivington. A Sabbath-school is supported during the summer months. N'ori'is Chapel, M. E. Church. — This chapel is located northeast of Parkvilic, Pettis township, and was organized about the year 1873. The names of some of the original members were Mrs. G. W. Rob- erts, Florence Roberts, Martha M. Stillwagon, Frank Stenipkamp, Josiah Stillwagon, John A. Stillwagon and wife, Mrs. John Patter, James Stillwagon, Elizabeth J. Cross, and others whose names we do not know. Other information concerning the history of this branch we are unable to furnish. Bethel M.E. Church South — In 1850 Rev. John W. Ellis and others, whose names we give below, formed themselves into an organi- zation wiiich has since existed under the present church name. The members at that time were Richard Babcock, and wife, Sarilda; John and Winfred Flannery, Mr. and Mrs. John Hatfield, Mrs. W. H. Kimsey, John Keys and wife, Lucinda Babcock, Josephine Elkin and Susannah Kimsey. The membership has since been increased to 20. Following the Rev. Thomas Hatton, other ministers who have preached to this congregation have been Joseph Devlin al)out six years ; Thomas Hurst, the same length of time ; R. N. T. HoUiday, William Bradford, W. E. Dockery, Lilbnrn Rush, Rev. Austin, Thomas King, D. F. Bone, Charles Babcock, William Keithley, R. F. Beavers, William Barnett, G. Tan(iuary and William Bnrnett, who is the pres- ent efficient incumbent. RusJi Creek Christian ChnrcJt. — Tiie edifice of this denomination is located in section 4, township 51, range 34, and cost about $1,500. The organizing memliers were composed of about .38 persons, but space will not hei'e permit us to mention them all. Many of them are now residents of this township or county, and worthy representatives of others are now occupying the places of their deceased parents. The organization was effected June 19, 1853, through the instrument- ality of Rev. John Calerman, who served the church subsequently as pastor for some seven years. T. W. Waller filled the pulpit for many years and is now the present pastor. Since the war J. L. Cartwright, J. W. Waller and Rev. Romley have also pi'eached. The member- ship now includes about 75 communicants. The elders of the church are John J. Ford, J. L. Level and Blackburn Fox; the deacons are 816 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. John Bnindenburg, Biirkett Deariug, James Lj'ucli and Jared Flem- ing. J. F. Alexandei' is clerk. S(. Mar if s Catholic Church. — lu 1881 this church was formed and a frame house of worship built, the cost of the structure being about $1,000. Among the original members were H. F. Deister, Albert Deister, William Deister, Christopher Shrader, George Ecken- rod, George Kuote, Michael Lynch, John Foley, Mrs. Kennedy, Mrs-. O'Conner, Luke Cribens, G. Rinecher and their families. The loca- cation of the church is on section 21, township 51, range 33. Father James Beall and Baker have been in charge of this congregation, the membership of which is now about 60. St. Peter's German Evangelical Church. — There are now about 22 families represented in the membership of this church, though at the organization in 1844 the original members were Adam Renner, Henry Burixter, Henr}' Hartman, Fred Hartman, Valentine Filger, Henry Groh, Peter Groh, Daniel Groh, P. Klamm, S. Klamm, together with the wives of all of these. Their church services are held in a frame house of worship built in 1877, and costing some $800. Revs. Hickman, Switzler File, Miller, Klimbe, Schrader, Dennenberg and Tophler have at different times filled the pulpit. The following extract was taken from an article published some time ago, and which we here reproduce, because it contains many items of interest to our readers : — There were two church organizations in Parkville in the ^^ear 1851, the Methodists and Presbyterians. Each had a few names enrolled on their books. Among the leaders in the Methodist Church were Arad Goodyear, James Wilson, T. W. Davis and Jacob Smelser. The Presbyterians had George S. Park, John H. Bueneman, Roderick Stevens and others. Mr. James B. AVilson was a Tennesseean by birtli, and came to Mis- souri in 1840. He was a member of the M. E. Church South, and if a man can say certainl}- that such and such a man was a Ciiristian, any man's evidence, after an acquaintance of 25 j'ears, is that he was a Christian. His education was limited to the elements of English. He was a i)oor man wiio labored with iiis hands for his daily bread. He was a faithful member of the church to which he lielonged, but liberal enough to worship with other denominations of Christians, and seemed to enjoy the preaching of the Gospel and the good soul-stir- ring meetings early had in Parkville. He was a man who gave liberally of ills means for the support of the ministry, helped all charitable objects cheerfull}', and was ready at all times to labor for the upbuild- ing of the Master's cause. It was a real pleasure to hear " Uncle Jimmy," as everybody called him, lead in prayer. Having the con- fidence of almost all who knew him, and being so earnest and eloquent HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTV. 817 in his adrlress to the Throne of Grace, it would have been a cold and callous heart, indeed, if it had remained untouched by the old man's imploring appeals for mercy and blessings. There seemed to be no studied efforts in his prayers, no particular set phrases. The words came from a heart warmed with love to God and to all men. He seemed to forget self and endeavor to induce the Divine Mind to I'emember sinners as creatures of his handiwork. Mr. Wilson died in 1878, an aged man. Mrs. Nancy Wilson, the wife of Mr. Wilson, was also a meml)er of the Methodist Church. She died in 1876 or 1877. In 1852 the Methodists built their house of worship, which is a wooden structure on East and Fifth Streets. It was built by sub- scription and cost al)out $2,000. In the same year the Presby- terians commenced the erection of a stone church on the east side of White Aloe l)ranch, which cost about $2,500. This building was not completed for a year or more after the walls and roof were built. In 1852 the Baptist Church at Parkville was organized. There was at that time a small organization of Baptists known as the County Line Baptist Church, who thought best to hold their meetings in the town of Parkville instead of at the usual place, Barry, in both Clay and Platte counties, so on the second Saturday of November, 1852, they met at the house of the writer and re-organized, changing the name of the church from County Line to Parkville Baptist Church. The names of the members enrolled were Thos. S. Pratt, Diauah Pratt, John Minter, M. A. Minter, Nancy Rogers, Mrs. Conway, Martha Wilson, Louis A. Ford, Martha Ford, Younger Ford, Nancy Holmes, Emily Rix, T. C. S. Ashby, M. A. Ashby, Susan Summers, George A. Wood and Agnes Wood. After using the old school-house for a short time, they secured the use of the Methodist Church for services once in each month, and continued to use it for perhaps a couple of years. On one occasion of meeting some instrumental music was introduced in the shape of a b;iss viol, which seemed to so shock the piety of the Methodist breth- ren that they sent the Baptists a carefully written notice to vacate said Church ; however, they succeeded in getting the Presbyterian Church which they used until 1860, when they built the brick church on Main and Third streets. Other denominations have had organizations in the town. At one time the M. E. Church, known generally as the Northern Methodist, had quite a membership. The Catholic element of the town, at one time pretty strong, thought of building on a piece of ground on West street, and commenced a foundation for a house, but from some cause they did not proceed with the work, and as there has been a Catholic Church built in the vicinity recently, it will l)e some time before they will succeed in building in Parkville. Of members that were in the organization of the Baptist Church, in Parkville, only two remain in the Church. Of the seventeen mem- bers who organized the Church, seven are living, ten dead. The whole number on the church book is 122 ; of these nearly one-half arc 818 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. dead ; many of them have heen dismissed b}' letter and some excluded, leaving an actual membership of sixteen.. Preston Township. — Mount Zion ^lissionary Baptist Church — Located in Edgerton, was organized March 6, 1844, with William Newman, Elizabeth Newman, Isaac Moody, Rebecca Moody, Elizabeth Moody, William T. Moody, Francis Newman, James White, William Matterson and Jane Smith as its original members. The number of present membership is about 100. Revs. Peter Swain, Mathis Cline, Jonas Wilson, J. D. Brooks, I. T. Williams, Jeremiah Clay, Thomas Cook and others have served this church as pastors. The present frame church building was moved to Edgerton in 1884, and was built at a cost of $2,600. There is a flourishing Sabbath-school connected with this church, numbering 40 pupils, George Leeper and A. Lug- gett being its superintendents. In the church-yard is a cemetery, which is kept in good order. Edgerton Christian Church — Was organized December 25, 1883, its constituent members being Alex. Breckinridge, Elder G. T. Big- gerstaff, John S. Willingford, John Lamptou and Andrew Cook, dea- cons ; Andrew Hayden, Henry Mays, Archibald Holtzclaw, William Hellyer, Dr. A. R. Cantwell, Moses P. Tate, Ely Young, William Mays, Mary E. Breckinridge, Maggie Biggerstatf, Hattie B. Walling- ford, N. E. Tate, Mollie and Nannie Beeiy. The present member- ship numbers 63. J. W. Tate was the organizer of this church, and has since continued to fill its pnlpit. The present frame building was constructed in 1884, at a cost of $200. Edgerton Methodist Church — Is one of the more recently organ- ized churches in Platte county, its formation having occurred iu December, 1883. The same year a frame house of worship was built, for $2,300, and was dedicated on the fifth Sunday in November, by Rev. Dr. W. G. Miller, of St. Joseph. Among the constituent mem- bers were James N. Boydston, Elizabeth Boydston, James N. Jones, Mary Jane Shaver, Alice Shaver, William H. Lewis, M. D., and others. The first pastor was the Rev. Middleton R. Jones, and he is now the present incumbent, though Grafton Tanquary has also filled the pulpit. A union Sabbath-school of 75 scholars is held there, superintended by James N. Boydston. The trustees of the church are James N. Jones, William H. Lewis, M. D., James C. Ketchuni, James N. Boydston and others. The present membership is about forty. Ridgely CJiristian Churclt — Was organized June 16, 1867. Among its first members were Thomas Waller, David Youtsej^ James HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 81!' C. Youtsey, George W. Beery, John G. Beery, Peter Youtsey, A. G. Swjiney, William S. Pullins, John C. Murphy, Perry H. Collins, Henry Snell, "William L. Carrington, J. W. Funk, N. Beery, A. P. Masterson, M. A. Masterson, E. Shackelford, H. Snell, C. Beery, S. Shackelford, A. Pullins, S. McLaughlin, J. Funk, S. A. Waller. To this membership, from time to time, there have preached T. J. Williamson, P. K. Dibble, B. G. Waller, J. F. Davis, L. J. Carte- right, W. C. Rogers, F. W. Allen, A. F. Smith, Rev. Mr. Graves, H. C. McKeever and J. W. Perkins. There are about 100 communicants in the church. The building in which they worship was purchased in 1867, for $425, but they are rebuilding an edifice at an expenditure of about $2,000. Fifty sciiolars attend the Sabbath-school, the super- intendent of which is A. P. Masterson. Ridgely j\1 . E. Chxivdi South . — Of those persons comprising the original membership of this church, the names of })ut three persons are remembered — the Ellingtons, Graysons, and Mays. The for- mation was effected in 1845 and the same year a church building was constructed, though it was re-built in 1884, and is valued at $1,400. The congregation now numbers about 30 members, and since the organization the voices of Rev. Tutt, Thomas Hurst, J. Devlin, J. C. C. Davis, J. S. Gibbons, Dr. C. W. Watts, T. M. Swearington, J. A. Hayder and T. R. Hedgepeth have been listened to as they preached from the Word of God. Waldron Township — Moore' a Chapel M. E. Church, — At the pres- ent time the membership of this church is about 20, and the pastor in charge is Rev. Mr. C. Shiviugtou. As originally constituted in 1850 this body was simply a class and held their services at private houses. Among the organizing members wei'e Washington Smith, William Moore and John Johnson and their wives, Cynthia Jane and Susan Jane Wilson, and Dr. Ellis and wife. In 1875 the church was located on the site which it now occupies and about $700 e.xpended ill its erection and completion. Among the pastors who have at dif- ferent times preached from this pulpit are Revs. Witton, Caughlin, .\ilen. Stocking, Devlin, Bassett, Ismond, Hays, Rosell, Warner, Powell, Pate and Norris. Waldron Union Church. — This church edifice was built origin- ally for the use of all Christian denominations, but was subsequently deeded to the M. E. Church South. It was built in 187(5 and cost about $900. In it the Presbyterian and Methodist denominations hold service occasionally, but there is no regularly constituted organ- ization. Among the first members were Dr. Ellis and wife, Georire 820 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. Wheeler and wife, Mrs. G. W. Gray and others. A number of min- isters have officiated as pastors to this little band, A. T. Lewis, Rev. Hedgepeth, Charles Babcock, R. F. Beavers, William Keithley, M. R. Jones, G. Tanquary and William Barnett, the present incumbent. Weston Township. — M. E. Church South of Weston. — This or- ganization is now one of the strongest churches in the county, though numerically it has but 52 members. It was organized in an early day in the county's history — April 7, 1838. The names of the original members are as follows: J. C. Berryman, P. E. pro teni. ; T. B. Ruble, P. C. ;C. C. Nichols, Wm. Adkinson, Henry Barker, Francis Newman, Joel Albright, Ben Holland, William Clay, Jesse Green, Philip E. Gill, Thomas Farmer, Thomas Edwards, H. Hopeland, William Toole, William Bailey, Thomas Kenion. The pastors have been as follows : M. B. Chapman, P. E. ; T. M. Rucker, P. C ; trus- tees are B. F. Bonifant, John G. Nevvliouse, W. B. Cook and E. Siler ; the stewards ai-e James McCurdy, A. R. Murdock, E. B. Rod- gers, James McConnell and AV. B. Cook. The brick house of wor- ship was constructed in 1868 at a cost of $1,800. John G. Newhouse superintends the Sabbath-school, numbering 45 pupils. Christian Church of Weston. — This church is located at the cor- ner of AYashington and Spring streets, the edifice in which services are held having been built of brick in 1883, and, together with the lot, is valued at about $5,000. An organization of the church was effected in 1853, at which time the members were Daniel M. Railey and wife, Mr. and Mrs. James White, James Helvey and wife, M. V. Snell and wife, Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Railey, and Mrs. J. H. Reed, Mrs. Elizabeth Young, Mrs. Lucinda Harris, Mrs. S. A. Turner, Mrs. Po- cahontas Parrott, Miss Eliza J. Railey, Miss Anuabell Railey, Mrs. A. Devin, Mrs. S. Kimdrow and Mrs. Wilhite ; eight of the above named persons are still living. The present membership is 43. At different times the pulpit of this church has been supplied by O. C. Steele, Dr. J. W. Cox and J. C. Howell, of Missouri, and meetings have been held by Moses E. Lard, D. S. Burnett, T. M. Allen and J. R. Frame. Regular preaching has occurred under the ministra- tions of A. B. Jones, Thomas Campbell, J. A. Meng, P. K. Dibble, J. W. Waller, J. T. Riley and J. C. Howell, of Kentucky, who is the present incumbent. The latter is also superintendent of the Sabbath- school, numbering (JO pupils. Seven of the pastors above named are now deceased. German Methodist Episcopal Church of Westori — Was organized in tlieyoar 1847, by Rev. Nithermyer, pastor, and James Moore and HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 821 Mr. HiirtiiKiu, trustees. Rev. Mr. Kiile was presiding elder. The churcli edifice was built in 1847 on Thomas Street, in Weston, and in 1867 it was sold to the board of education of this city. After the old church was sold there was a new one built on Washington Street in 1868. Rev. John Brenner was pastor and Rev. Myer, presiding elder ; Fred Olendorph, George Coleman, Gr. M. Doppler, H. Huvendlial were trustees. The membership at this time is 20. A Sunday-school is held every Sunday. The presiding elders of this church have been Revs. Kule, Cackmau, Houseman, Darner, Fisely, Myer and Fiegen- baum. The pastors have been Revs. Nithermyer, Rouse, Zinnerman, Shreck, Hulsebyline, Makely, Fisely, Dryer, Snearling, Arnesbarge, Brenner, Croferage, Young, Sauntimier, Ikenburge, Keller, Hoffman, Miller, Myer and Fiegenbaum. United Baptist Church of Weston. — This church was organized Jill}' 16, 1853, its original members being Thomas Herndon, Merinda Herndon, Fred Kaufman, Mariah Belt, Margaret Newman, Elijah S. Wilhite, Mary Herndon, Eliza Wilhite, Caroline A. Turner, Fanny Doniphan, Eliza J. Mitchell, and R. W. McDaniel. The present membership numbers 30. Tiiose who have served as pastors are William H. Thomas, A. P. Williams, Edward I. Owens, T. W. Bar- rett, William Barrett, J. W. Luke, J. W. Brown, Jeremiah Clay, A. J. Emmerson and J. W. Neff. The brick church building was erected in about 1867, at a cost of $6,500. There are about 50 pupils in the Sabbath-school, which is superintended b}' E. R. Kennedy. On ac- count of the removal of a number of the members of this church from the city, its membership has been greatly reduced. Pleasant Ridge United Baptist Churcli. — Located three miles northeast of Weston, now has a membei-shij) of 104. Its organization dates back to 1844, at which time the members were William A. and Lucy Catherine Guthrie, Thomas. W. and Martha Mitchell, Edward, Reliecca, Frazicr, Maiy, Simon and Thomas B. Herndon. During that year a brick church was erected at a cost of nearly $2,000. Revs. A. P. Williams, William Price, W. H. Thomas, Dunn, I. K. Williams, J. J. Phelps, J. Clay, J. W. Luke, E. H. Foster, G. L. Black and G. W. Everette have at different intervals occupied the pulpit of the church as pastor. L. W. Overbeck is superintendent of the Sabbath-school of about 50 scholars. Weston Presbyterian Church. — August 28, 1842, Samuel Norton, Roderick G. Stevens, Robert A. Cummins, Elizabeth Norton, P. M. Underbill, America P. Hudson, Caroline R. Case, Elizabeth Neville, Mary Cowles and Anna Nash formed themselves into an organization 822 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. which has since constituted the Presbyterian Church of Weston. At different times Revs. E. A. Carson, Edmuud Wright, Frederick Star, William M. Kain, E. B. Sherwood, G. W. Goodell, Clarke, Pierce and Penhaligan have preached to the congregation. Their house of worship is a brick structure, erected in 1844, and costing between $5,000 and $6,000. A Sabbath-school of 40 scholars is superintended by William Ohlhausen. Colored Baptist Church of Weston — Was organized in 1865, one of the original members being Dinah Robinson; the names of the others we could not obtain. The sum of $650 was expended in the erection of a frame church building, which was completed in 1867. The membership numbers 55, and the pastors have been Rev. Sam. Browning, E. S. Even, G. Rol)erts, Thomas Twine, W. H. Brown, J. H. Homely, A. Delmo and B. J. Guthrie. Connected with the church is a flourishing Sabbath-school of 75 pupils. The church is entirely free from debt, and is otherwise in a flourishing condition. African M. E. Church — Located northeast of the city of AYeston now embraces within its membership about 45 persons. In 1866 Rev. David King, Jerry Ruuker, Anna Rucker, Elizal)etli Wilson, Martha Peck, Martha Anderson, Georgie k. Wood, Mill. Taylor, John Goose, Annie Kelley, James Willson, James Thomas and others formed themselves into an organization which has since constituted this church. They worship in a commodious frame building erected in 1880 at a cost of $500, the present pastor being Rev. Jesse Mills. There are 35 scholars in the Sabbatii-school, the superintendent of which is Benjamin Hamilton. 8t. John's Protestant Episcopal Church of Weston. — The history of this parish has been kindly furnished us by one of the members of the church, though, on account of an impossibility to obtain the rec- ords of its early history, tiie facts are not detailed as minutely as they otherwise might be. The Rev. John McNamara, as far as is known, was the first clergy- n)an (excepting the bishop) upon the ground. He was a missionary sent out by the Domestic Board of Missions to Weston and St. Joseph. He commenced his duties here about 1851, and left about 1853 or 1854. He was succeeded by the Rev. Wni. N. Irish, who was also sent by the Domestic Board to Weston and St. Joseph. Mr. Irish soon gave up Weston and confined himself to St. Joseph, leaving this parish vacant. When F. R. Holeman came to the parish, under the auspices of HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 823 the Domestic Board, he found no record or papers of any kind, no chui-ch building nor room* prepared for worship, and but eleven com- municants. All the property owned by the parish was a lot on the coiner of Washington and Market streets, which was not considered suitable for a church building. This had been bought by the Rev. Mr. McNamara for $500. The church sustained many losses by removal and the financial con- dition of the city. In September, 1857, a lot containing an acre and a half of ground, being one-half of a block, was purchased for the parsonage, which was completed by the first of December, 1857. This was bought with money collected by the rector in the East and South, together with some help from the parishioners, for $300. In September, 1857, a lot was also bought for a church. The cor- ner stone was laid the next spring. In July the church was finished and, August 24, 1859, was consecrated to the service of Almighty God. The rectorship of the parish was I'esigned by F. R. Holeman Sep- tember 1, 1860, Messrs. John Brown, George Robbins and James A. Price being the vestry. At this time the parsonage and grounds were entirely paid for. The lot l)ought during the rectorship of the Rev. John McNamara was still in [)ossession of the church and free from del)t. The lot upon which the church was built was paid for. The church building cost about $4,000. At the time of his resignation there was a dei)t on the same of $2,261, also a debt to Mr. Warner of $180.00, which was assumed by Mr. Holeman. The number of communicants reported about this time were 12. The Sunday-school teachers in town and country were 14, with the number of scholars 160. Rev. F. R. Holeman, after resigning the rectorship, left the city and took with him the records of the i)arish, which were afterwards found and returned, as explained by entry made therein, viz. : — (Entry made by Rev. John Portmess.) TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN. On the 2Gth of November, 1863, the Right Rev. C. S. Hawks, D. D., Bishop of the Diocese, visited St. John's Parish, Weston, accom- panied by the Rev. H. R. Miller, rector of Christ Church, St. Joseph, and baptized Miss Sue Wallingford, age 17 years; • * • Carrie Ramage, infant daughter of Lewis and Caroline Ramage. At the same 47 824 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. visit there were confirmed John Portiuess, age S3 years ; Mr. H. H. Hedges, age 25 years ; Miss Sue VYallingford, Miss Sarah Brown, 19 years, and Miss Grace Wilkinson, aged 16 years. This record is made by Rev. John Portmess, afterwards rector of St. Mary's Church, Fayette, Mo., who found this record book in the ves- try room of Christ Church, Boonville, July 21, 1865. Rev. A. Batte was the first I'cctor to succeed Rev. F. R. Holeman, He came about August, 1866, and resigned about August, 1871. In the interval between the resignation^ of Rev. Mr. Holeraan and tlie coming of Rev. A. Batte, services were held frequently in the after- noon by the post chaplain at Leavenworth, and also by visiting c.lergymen, including several visits by Rector Rev. Thomas H. Vail, Bishop of Kansas, who confirmed twenty-four persons. After the resignation of Rev. A. Batte the church for some time was without regular service. July 6, 1873, Rev. Thomas Betts com- menced I'egular service, and continued until September 25, 1873, at which time, having resigned, he preached his valedictory sermon. Again the church was left without vegidar service. On December 19, 1875, the funeral service of Mrs. Russella E. Price, wife of Col. James A. Price, was held by the Rev. Mr. Woart, chaplain of Fort Leavenworth. February 14, 1876, Rev. James E. Martin, of Kansas City, Mo., had commenced to hold service once in each mouth. On August 16, 1876, he held his last service. October 13, 1878, Rev. T. R. Valliant commenced to hold regular service, which he continued up to the time he removed to Platte City, Mo. He then gave service twice each month for a while, since which they have had no service. Since the organization of the parish up to March, 1885, baptisms have been administered by Bishop Hawks, Bishop Vail, Bishop Rob- ertson and various clergymen, to 162 persons. Confirmation by Bishops Hawks, Vail and Robertson, to 66 persons. Marriages, by various clerg3'men, 41. Burials, 37. The list of communicants has been reduced to about eight or ten. A good Sunday-school of about 55 scholars and eight teachers is in running order. The officers of the school are, James A. Price, superintendent and J. P. Reichard,*sec- retarj' and treasurer. LODGES. Platte City Lodge, iVo. 504, A. F. (6 A. M. — Was organized in October, 1881, with the following as its original members: N. B. Anderson, George A. Warner, A. J. Colman, Jno. Morin, J. L. Moore, Thomas E. Jenkins, B. Kiefer, Jno. L. Carmack, J. Beery, Jas. F. Flannery, J. A. Baldwin, E. McD. Coffey, T. F. Warner, O. Hum- HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 825 phrey, J. S. Brasfield, T. W. Park, Jas. H. Chimi, D. George, C. Ham, F. G. Gaylord, H. Meads, W. P. Brightwell, W. H. Hunt. The present membership is 65. The names of those who have been Past Masters are N. B. Anderson, Jas. Brastield and T. W. Park. The building in which the lodge meets is a brick structure. Fidelity Lodge JSTo. 399, A. F. & A. i»/.— Of Farley, Platte county, Mo., was organized in 1870. The charter members were Dr. Holt, Dr. Tisdall, W. M. ; Geo. Cline, Israel Heath, T. S. Chesher, Zenith Carpenter and Albert Cutchenthall. The present membership numbers 36. Luther Harrington fills the office of Master. The lodge is in a good condition, financially, and has several hundred dollars in the treasuiy. Compass Lodge N'o. 120, A. F. <& A. M. — Located at Park- ville, was organized on May 10, 1850, the charter members being R. G. Stevens, V. M. ; Thomas W. Davis, S. W. ; W. P. Burney, J. W., and others. The charter was issued at Boonville, Mo., and bears the signatures of the following officers : John P. Ryland, G. M. ; Benj. N. Grover, D. G. M. ; Robert A. Raphael, S. G. W., and Sam. F. Currie, J. G. W. ; C. D. W. Johnson, G. S. The number of the present membership is 42. WestonLodge, No. 53, A. F. (& A. il/. of Weston — The charter of this lodge was issued October 14, 1842, the charter memliers being Dandrige Holladay, W. M. : A. M. Belt, S. W. ; Benj. Holladay, J. W. ; L. D. Bird, Samuel Hudson, Jeremiah Woods, Thompson Belt, Heni'v Colman and Jas. Miller. The present membership is 64. The Masonic building is valued at $5,000. HISTORY OF WESTON COMMANDERY NO. 2. [We copy from the records of the Grand Lodge of May, I860.] Officers — S>\r George W. Belt, Rt. E. G. C, eminent com- mander ; Sir Ludwell R. Ringo, E. G. P., generalissimo ; Sir Jere- miah Woods, P. E. C, captain general; Sir Rev. L. R. Downing, prelate ; Sir James N. Bnrnes, senior warden ; Sir James A. Ma- theney, junor warden ; Sir Leonidas M. Lawson, warder ; Sir Ben- jamin Wood, treasurer; Sir Edward G. Heriot, E. G. R., recorder; Sir Edward Norton, standard bearer ; Sir Michael Bowman, sword l)earer: Sir Charles Guenther, guard ; Sir Levi Brashears, guard ; Sir AVash T. Woods, guard; Sir John Trollman, sentinel. Members in 1860 — Sirs T. M. Adams, Elias Barbee, Christi'in Beck, J. S. Brasfield, J. T. Broadburst, Bennett Burnam, Geo. W. Berry, Casper Beechler, James D. Barbee, Benj. Bonifant, G. W. 826 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. Culver, G. J. W. ; W. Christisoii, A. G. Clark, O. H. P. Craig, L. W. Caples, J. J. Clarkson, S. G. Cato, Eev. R. N. Cofeey, J. B. Davenport, Abraham Deviu, A. J. Dawson, Wm. Davenport, P. D. Elkius, Fred Emory, Abel Gilbert, Francis Gallup, J. M. Guthrie, W. O. Gould, Fred Hawn, S. M. Hayes, G. S. B. ; H. B. Herudon, J. M. Holt, J. M. Hunter, C. C. Huffaker, J. D. Harper, J. W. Hardesty, Wallace Jackson, A. S. Johnston, Samuel Jones, Charles' E. Kearney, E. C. McCarty, John Mendenhall, J. E. R. Miller, Frederick Magers, G. W. McLaughlin, John McConnell, William A. Newman, B. F. Newhouse, Elmer Otis, Alfred Owens, Rev. E. J. Owen, E. F. Pence, W. H. Palmer, J. D. Reynerson, W. C. Reming- ton, H. T. Shlossner, G. S. ; Hugh Swaney, Warren Shaw, J. E. Sickles, L. P. Stiles, Rev. John Stone, Jarrett W. Tood, J. S. Tisdale, J. A. Thompson, J. H. Talbott, Jas. E. Walker, Joel F. Wisely, John Somers Waters, J. B. Wright, A. G. Williams, J. G. Willis, Merritt L. Young — 91 Sir Knights. This Commandery, now numl^ering 91 Sir Knights, was organized under a dispensation from the Most Eminent Grand Master of the United States, on the 19th day of March, A. D. 1853. E. James Millar, formerly of Columbian Commandery No. 1, of New York, and Past Grand Junior and Senior Warden of the Grand Command- ery of that State, was the first Eminent Commander. E. David Lindlcy, formerly of Greensburg Commandery, Ind., was the first generalissimo, and E. Wellington A. Cunningham, for- merly of Kentucky, was the first captain general. Those three de- voted and cherished Sir Knights opened this Commandery at the time stated, and proceeded regularly with the work. Of James Millar, who departed this life in Weston, Mo., on the (5th day of February, 1856, it may be truly said that no better man — no more devoted or intelligent Mason — no more courteous and generous- hearted brother, ever crossed the threshold of a lodge room. He was not only a strong and beautiful pillar of the lodge — a stainless min- ister of the sanctuarj'^ of the chapter, but he was faithfully and truly a persevering pilgrim, a courageous warrior and an unfeigned peni- tent. To ever}' quality of the conscientious Christian, he added all those that characterize the true gentleman and the good citizen. When he died, the entire communit}' mourned ; the humblest and the proud- est knew they had lost a friend, who was without reproach and with- out guile. David Liiidley traveled a great distance in order to discharge the duty which was necessarily imposed upon him. He is cherished and HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 827 rciiiembered with affectionate gratitude by all the earlier members of this Commandery, who were witnesses of his devotion to the interests of this beloved order. Wellington A. Cunningham was a member of St. Joseph Command- ery No. 4. Never can this Commandery fail to do him honor for his many, many efforts to advance its interests and its usefulness. The charier of this Commandery was obtained on the 19th day of September, A.. D. 1853, A. O. 735. The officers, under the charter, were installed by P. E. Com- mander, Sir Oliver Anderson, who was the duly appointed proxy of the M. E. Sir William B. Hubbard, grand master of the Grand Encampment of the United States, on the 19th of November, A. D. 1853, A. O. 735, as follows: E. Sir James Millar, commander; Sirs Jeremiah Wood, generalissimo ; Wellington A. Cunninghan, captain general ; Rev. J. B. Wright, prelate; D. P. Wallingford, senior war- den ; John S. Waters, junior warden; Benjamin Wood, treasurer; Thora]Dson W. Belt, recorder; Abel Gill)ert, standard beai'er ; Elias Barbee, sword bearer; John C. Bell, warder; Frederick Hawn, D. J. Thompson, M. L. Young, guards; William Miller, sentinel. The present membership is about 41. Weston Royal Arch Chapter No. 4. — Was charted October 16, 1847. The names of the charter members were James Miller, H. P. ; BehiM. Hughes, K. ; Jeremiah Wood, S. ; R. G. Stevens, C. H. ; B. Holladay, P. S. ; John Wilson, R. A. C, pro tern.; G. W. Culver, John Bratz, Lewis Tracy, Henry Basye, C. R. P. Wentworth, Leander Kerr, Saml. S. LaRose, John Rennie, Charles Underbill, D. A. Sutton and G. B. Sanderson. The number of the present mem- bership is 41. Adelphi Lodge JSTo. 365, A. F. & A. 31. — At Edgerton, was granted a dispensation February 16, 1870, and was set to work by Samuel Russell, district deputy grand master, February 28, follow- ing. Among the chartered members were G. L. Cozine, W. M. ; Thomas J. Doke, S. W. ; Richard C. Rigg, J. W. ; John T. Stone, treasurer; Browning Mitchell, secretary, Henry Barnes, S. D. ; Louis Noel, J. D., and Sam. G. Smith, tyler. The lodge was constituted under a charter November 12, 1870, liy Thomas F. Norris, district deputy grand master, the officers being the same as those just given. At this time the membership numbers 45. In 1869, their first hall was occupied by them, but the one which they at present hold meet- ings in was put up in May, 1879, at a cost of $800. In 1868 there was a lodire of the A. F. & A. M. chartered at New 828 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. Market, the charter members behig W. P. Moore, MilLon Veach, W. A. Siugletou, Ed. Edgar, J. B. Baughmun, J. L. Johnson and Isaac Dean. An Odd Fellows' lodge was also organized about the same time, but we are unable to learn who the original members were. Platte City Lodge No. 2382, Knights of Honor. — This lodge was organized February 28, 1881, with 25 members. Its officers were Geo. A.Warner, dictator; Thomas E. Jenkins, vice-dictator; W. H. Hunt, assistant-dictator; J. C. HoUingsworth, reporter, S. D. Park, financial reporter; W. J. Overbeck, treasurer; R. W. Hower- ton, chaplain ; Sol. Davis, guide ; H. S. Yates, G. A. Warner, W. J. Overbeck, trustees, and E. C. Kemper, medical examiner. Each member has a full insurance policj' of $2,000 at a cost of $9 per thousand annually. The lodge has lost but one member by death, the beneticiaries receiving the insurance money within 18 days after report of death. The present officers are H. S. Yates, dictator; Jno. C. Cooper, vice-dictator ; A. J. Morgan, assistant-dictator ; W. J. Over- beck, reporter; G. A. Warner, treasurer; John H. Brady, chaplain; A. Wheland, guide; L. H. Link, E. C. Slaughter, trustees; C. C Kemper, medical examiner. lutan Lodge No. 145, 1. O. 0. F. — Was instituted September 4, 18(30, by John Doniphan, Esq., with the following as first officers: Harvey 'n. Hedge, N. G. ; W. S. Robinson, V. G. ; L. W. Read, sec; G. W. Hood, treas., and G. Winters. Tlie candidates initiated upon the evening of the organization were J. F. Hansbrough, Geo. H. Gedultig, A. S. Anno, E. P. McDaniel and A. G. Smith. The lodge hall, which was built in 1865, they now own. Owing to removals and other causes, the membership, which at one time reached the number of 50, has been reduced to 12. Farley Lodge No. 177, I. 0. O. F. — Was organized in Novem- ber, 1859, and during the first 20 years of its existence was the strongest lodge in Northwest Missouri. The charter members were Israel Heath, N. G. ; James Wallace, V. G. ; L. T. Oliver, secretary ; John H. Carson, John C. Cassabaum, James E. Ireland, and J. IVI. Holt. The present membership is very small, its decline being occa- sioned, doubtless, to the surroundings. H. M. Burt is the present N. G., T. N. Donnigan is V. G., and C. L. Banninij is treasurer. CHAPTER XVIII. NEWSPAPERS AND JOURNALISTS. The Eagle and the Arffus — The Atlas — The Tenth Legion — The Sentinel --The Bor- der Times — The Chronicle — Parkville Papers — The Luminary — The Courier — The Independent — Later Platte City Papers — The Reveille — The Landmark — The Demo- crat — The Advocate — The Argus — Edgerton Courier. THE " KAGLE " AND THE "ARGUS." In his historical sketches of Platte county M:ij. Morin says the first newspaper estal^lished in the county was the Platte Eagle, published at Platte City. It was edited by Allen McLane and by E. Sanks- ton Wilkerson. We have a copy of the ^or.^te before us — The Platte Eagle and Weston Commercial — published at Weston, February 24,1843. It is one of the later issues of the first volume, showing that the paper was established in 1842. It claims to be the most westerly paper published in the United States and contains official advertisements from St. Joseph and other Western-Missouri points. At the l)eginning the Eagle was a twenty-column folio, printed on an inferior qutdity of paper and nothing extra for mechanical work or api)earance. But it was edited with al)ility and was well managed as a l)usiness enterprise. It prospered rapidly and abundantly and * became one of the leading and influential i)ublic journals of Western Missouri. Later along the Eagle changed proprietors and editors. It was edited by Gen. David R. Atchison, subsequently United States Sena- tor from this State and President of the United States Senate. He was followed on the editorial tripod by Gen. James W. Denver, after- wards territorial Governor of Colorado, and for whom Denver Citv was named. In the meantime, the name of the paper had been changed to the Platte Argus, and it had been removed to Platte City. It vyas pub- lished here for several years and was bought by the Wiseley brothers. By them it was taken back to Weston and was published there until the outbreak of the war. In 1861, after the outbreak of the war, the Argus became the organ 1 This copy of the paper is now the property of Judge Chiles, of Platte City. (829) 830 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. ut the Missouri State Guard, aad was issued from the headquarters of the army. The paper was then called the Army Argus, and is remem- bered by every old volunteer under Gov. Jackson or Gen. Price in 1861. It was published from the headquarters of the army until after Gen. Price left the State. The publication of an army newspaper, with " office in the saddle," as Gen. Pope would say, was a novel enterprise, and one that' showed not less real enterprise than faith in the success of the cause to which it was devoted. The Argus deserved a better fate than be- fell it. Its publication was suspended after Gen. Price entered Kan- sas, on account of the impracticability, not to say impossil)ility, of issuing it during the almost constant marches in which the army was engaged. A copy of the Argus for 1852 is before us, published at Weston. It is a handsomely printed, well edited and liberally supported (judg- ing from its advertising columns) weekly of thirty-two columns, ap- proximately the size of the Landmark of to-day. It compares very favorably in appearance, make-up and editorial force with the better class of country journals in the State at this time. Wilkerson was a professional journalist, a thorough newspaperman. He was a practical printer and a writer of experience and more than average ability. The paper greatly prospered under his charge, and attained a wide and enviable influence. He, himself, was a man of some prominence in the county and among journalists in this part of the State. He went to Montana during the war, and probably still resides there. McCall was his partner, and the business manager in the Eagle office. Allen McLane in his day was one of the leading men of Western Missouri. He was a man of superior education and wide and varied information. In early life he read law and afterwards practiced his profes.siou for a time, in which he was successful. But having a greater taste for literary work than for the profession of the law, he abandoned the law for journalism, and soon became known through- out the State as one of the most vigorous, pungent writers on the weekly press. He was the intimate associate and friend of Hon. David Atchison, Gen. Denver and other leading men of this part of the State. The success of more than one prominent public man was largely due to the influence of his pen and to his unselfish fidelity and zeal as a friend. He was a man of sanguine temperament and great spirit, not to say fiery disposition, but withal was kind-hearted and agreeable, and popular with all who had not incurred his opposition or antipathy. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 831 A sketch of Gen. Atchison, and also one of Gen. Denver, appears in a preceding chapter — Bench and Bar. William Wisely was the principal member of the firm of Wisely Brothers, publisiiers of the Argus, at Weston, just before the war, and afterwards in the Southern army. He was a practical newspaper man, and a good, sober, matter-of-fact writer. He died at Mobile, Ala., daring the war. Other parties were perhaps connected with the EagJe ov the Argus, but their names are not now recalled. THE ATLAS. The Atlas newspaper was established at Platte City during the "Fifties." It was also Democratic, and was conducted under its original name for several years. Finally it changed hands. Clark & Bourne became its proprietors. They changed its name to Con- servator, and published it until the spring of 1863, when it was "sup- pressed" by the military. It was charged with being disloyal, and its suppression was demanded by the Sentinel, published at Weston, an ultra loyal sheet at that time. The proprietors of the Conservator were banished South. Bourne himself afterwards returned inside of the Federal lines, but under an assumed name to avoid identity and arrest, and during the war was associated with Jno. W. Oberly in the pul)lication of the Cairo (111.) Democrat. He died in St. Louis after the war, having been on the Republican as compositor for some years. THE TENTH LEGION. E. S. Wilkerson sold his interest in the Argus some years before the war, and was afterwards absent from the county for several years. Returning in 1861, he established the Tenth Legion newspaper at Platte City. It was destined for a short life. It opposed coercion, denounced the war against the South as a crusade of robbers and plunderers, and fell under the military guillotine. Wilkerson, as we have said, took sanctuary in Montana. THE SENTINEL. With the deepening of the Civil combat, the Sentinel, published at Weston, waxed great and mighty in the patriotic cause of loyalty, and smote the enemies of Kansas hip and thigh. It called for the un- conditional subjugation of "sympathizers," the silencing of "disloyal" sentiments, and lauded the achievements of Morgan, Pcnick and Fitzgerald as the most brilliant performances in the military history 832 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. of the country. Confiscation of the property of Southern sympathizers was warmly and eloquently advocated, even of "the poor lean horse of the rebel . ' ' But the county persisted in voting the Conservative ^ ticket, never- theless, and the Conservator, published at Platte City, received the public printing. That being the case, of course the Conservator was denounced by the Sentinel as disloyal, and at the latter's instigation its office was destroyed. The Sentinel office was then moved to Platte City, and it received the public printing. After that it was in a better humor with the world in general, and the majority of the people of Platte City in particular. It became quite Conservative, and remon- strated against the general system of pillage then going on in the county. This, however, sealed its doom. It, in turn, was denounced as dis- loyal. Another newspaper star had risen in the loyal firmament over Platte county, one of greater maguitude iu the luridness of its light than any that had yet, or ever afterwards, appeared. One by one the political followers of the Sentinel turned to worship the new luminary, and left their whilom asteroidal light to shine for its new found friends alone. The Border limes praised the exploits of Jennison and Ford, demanded the confiscation of the property of the majority of the people of the county, and denounced the Sentinel as the organ of the " rebels.". It asked the immediate suppression of the latter, with the ti-ansfer of the public printing to itself as a natural cor- ollary. The Sentinel was marked, and in a few days afterwards its office was destroyed. Obituaries appeared in due time and form in the other country papers round about, on the untimely and unfortunate demise of the Sentinel. Brother A. S. Cox's experience as a war editor was brief, but stormy and eventful. The Sentinel was a well printed paper, mostly appearing weekly, and was edited and managed with some ability. THE BORDER TIMES. As already noticed, theBorder Times came into general notice dur- ing the war. It was published at Weston. The Times wsls a regular Ked Republican paper, but it was consistent and edited with ability- It regarded the "Kebellion," as it aftectionately termed the struggle of the South for national independence, and the preservation of the ' To call one's self a Democrat then in Western Missouri, was good for the loss of four horses, all the forage on one's place and Ave months iu Alton or Rock Island prison. Democrats then were meek and lowly " Conservatives." HIgTORY OF PLATTE COUNTV. 833 $2,400,000,000 worth of slave property — more than the British taxa- tion of the colonies would have amounted to in a century — as the greatest crime ever attempted, and all connected or sympathizing with it as the worst of criminals, deserving to be drawn and quartered ; and it advocated death to " rebels," in arms and out of arms, and the ruin of fortunes and families of all so-called " sympathizers." It was sanguinary, lurid and constantly writhing in the throes of a war frenzy ; but otherwise it was a newsy, sprightly paper, and edited M'ith more than average ability. If the editor, Mr. A. G. Beller, had used more ice in his coffee than he did use, his paper probably would have been a permanent success. As it was, however, it effer- vesced and passed away a few years after the war. THE CHKONICLE. In 1871 the Border Times was sold and the paper was discontinued. For a short time the material was used l)y Mr. John T. Reynolds, and then by Mr. F. H. Brooks, in publishing at Weston a Democratic paper — The Platform. This finally ceased, and the material was sold out of the county. Soon afterward Mr. Harry Howard began and for several years successfully conducted the Weston Commercial, finally selling it to Mr. John B. Mundy. Mr. Mundy reorganized the office, changed the name of the paper to the Ghronicle, and went to work with resolution and ability to build up a good paper, which he has succeeded in doing. The Chronicle is a newsy, four-page paper, issued weekly, and is Democratic in politics. Mr. Mundy is a thorough-going business manager, a vigorous, fearless writer, and has succeeded in building up one of the best country journals in West- ern Missouri. The Chronicle is an established success, and has a large and steadily increasing circulation. Its advertising l)usiness is large and profitable, better than would i)e expected ordinarily in a town the size of Weston. Mr. Mundy has from time to time added new material to his office, tyi)e, job presses, etc., until now he has one of the most complete and best-appointed newspaper and job offices to be met with outside of a large city. He makes a specialty of fine job work, and in this line successfully competes with Leavenworth, Kansas City and St. Joe. The Reporter, the Keystone and the Platform were other papers that were publishhd at Weston at different times, but neither of them became a permanent success. 834 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUN'^r. PARKVILLE PAPERS LUMINARY. The Piirkville Luminary was the first newspaper published iu the town of Parkville. The first number was issued iu July, 1853. It was 36 inches by 12 inches iu size and independent in politics. The first editors and publishers were Geo. S. Park and James Cundiff. The last named severed his connection with the paper in 1855. The Liuminary held advanced views on the slavery question for that day, warmly opposing slaverv. During the Kansas troubles its in- fluence was given to the free State side of the controversy and against the people of Platte county and of Missouri. It approved the organized efforts of Abolitionists to colonize Kansas in the iuterest of the free State cause, and sharply criticised the efforts of the pro- slavery advocates here and elsewhere to counteract the movement of the Abolitionists. This greatly exasperated the great majority of the people of Platte county. At last, during a high fever of excitement, in the spring of 1855, a large gathering of citizens, including some of the most re- spectable and influential men of the countjs was held at Parkville to suppress the iy!n?j«?i«ry. The office of the paper was visited, and, receiving no assurance of a more conservative course by the Luminary , the press, the type, etc., were taken possession of and thrown into the Missouri river. Further particulars of this office are given in the chapter on the Kansas troubles. The publication of the Luminary was not resumed. PARKVILLE COURIER. In the year 1857 the second newspaper enterprise, the Parkville Courier, was commenced in thetowu of Parkville by Messrs. Thomas Stearnes and F. M. McDonald as editors and proprietors. Politically it was Democratic. Mr. Stearnes discontinued his connection with the paper in 1858, after which time the paper was published and edited by Mr. F. M. McDonald until the year 1862, when its publication ceased. The name of the paper was the Parkville Weekly Courier. Other papers perhaps have been published at Parkville from time to time prior to the establishment of the Independent, but their names are not now recollected. PARKVILLE INDEPENDENT. The Independent is now published at Parkville by John Gharky and J. P. Tucker, the first number of it being issued March 28, 1885. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 835 It is a nine-column folio paper, 28x44 inches in size, and is the largest paper ever published in Platte county. Its name indicates its charac- ter, politically and otherwise. Mr. Gharky is a veteran printer, having owned a newspaper outfit and helped to publish a paper with it in the campaign of 1844, at Portsmouth, Ohio. In 1853 he went West and published the Pioneer at West Union, Fayette county, Iowa, until 1864. In 1862 his office was entered secretly at niglit, his press broken with a sledge hammer aiid his type scattered in the street, by returned soldiers. He pub- lished the Conservative at Memphis, Scotland county. Mo., from 1866 to 1883. Mr. Tucker is a practical and skillful newspaper and job printer. Both are writers of some ability, Mr. Gharky acting as editor-in-chief and Mr. Tucker as local editor, business manager and job workman. The two are well calculated to do so and they are printing a paper that is an honor to themselves and a credit to the town and county. Typographically it is a model of neatness, and our thanks are due the editors of this paper for many courtesies extended. LATER PLATTE CITY PAPERS THE REVEILLE. The Reveille WAS, established at Platte City by Maj. Thomas W. Park and Mr. W. H. Field in Jul}', 18()6, the latter gentleman soon retir- ing. It was a twenty-eight column folio weekly. Democratic in politics. Maj. Park, now secretary to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Inspection of Missouri, was principally reared in Platte county, but was originally from Kentucky to this county, with his parents. He made journalism his profession, and being a man of culture and ability, he became a journalist of prominence and influence. He is a careful, chaste writer, and always expresses himself with clear- ness and force. The three qualifications most necessary for an editor he possesses to more than an ordinary degree — hirge general information, accurate discriminating judgment, and a terse, spirited style of writing. His paper was always full of pith and force, and was read not as a mat- ter of habit, as many papers are, but because it never failed to con- tain something of interest and value. Maj. Park, after publishing the Reveille with success for about five years, bought an interest in the Landmark undi consolidated the offices of the two papers. The publication of the Reveille was discontinued and the Landmark was enlarged and greatly improved in make-up and worth. 836 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. THE LANDMAKK. The Landmark was established on the 9th day of June, 1865, at Westou, by Messrs. Howard & Adams, and was mainly edited by Judge Samuel A. Gilbert. It was and is Democratic in politics and conducted with vigor and success. After its consolidation with the lieveille it was published as a thirty-six column paper at Platte City under the editorial management of Park & McCluer, who were its proprietors. This arrangement lasted about one year, when Maj. McCluer retired and was succeeded by Norton B. Anderson, Esq. Mr. Anderson removing from the State,' Mr. Park became sole editor and proprietor. A few years afterwards Col. C. J. Nesbitt was ad- mitted into partnership. He was in turn succeeded i)y Maj. J. L. ^IcCluer, a former partner. This arrangement continued two j'ears, when Maj. Park, in March, 1881, sold his interet to Maj. McCluer and Eev. T. R. Valliant. Mr. Valliant is now its editor and proprietor. After the consolidation, the Landmark began to assume con- siderable State prominence. The ability and force with which it was edited won it a leading position among country journals and made its influence felt in public atfairs. It has continued ever since in the trout ranks of the country journals of the State. Mr. Valliant is a gentleman of tine scholarly attainments and a writer of studied elegance. He preserves a high moral tone in his paper and strives to make the influence of the Landmark elevating and ennobling. It is devoted to the home and family not less than to the interests of business life and to public alfairs. Politically, the Landmark continues Democratic, unwavering and unflinching, believing that the highest and best hope of the country lies in the continued success of the Democratic party ; and it is always for truth and morality, honesty and purity, in public and private life. Mr. Valliant is also pastor of the Episcopal Church at Platte City. He is a man of eminent piety and a minister of learning and elo- quence. There is probably no l)etter course of training to tit one for a worthj"^ and successful discharge of the duties of a Democratic editor than a course in theology ; and certainly there is nothing, aside from religious faith and zeal and a thorough knowledge of the Scrip- tures — which, by the way, are implied from the fact that one is a Democratic editor — so helpful and encouraging to a minister as the consciousness- of editorial work on a Democratic paper, well aud faithfully performed, especially in Missouri. Though not inseparable, HISTORY OF PLAITE COUNTY. 8^7 tlie two callings go so well together that their union .seems necessary and natural. The Landmark is a weekly newspaper, and has a large circulation. Its editorial and local matter is well written, its clippings are selected with care and good judgment, and all its matter is well arranged. The Landmark is one of the leading papers of the county, and as an advertising medium is without a superior among its country cotem- poraries. THE DEMOCRAT. The Democrat was established in Platte City, in the year 1873. Its proprietor was Lycurgus Shepard, Esq. The publication of the Democrat was continued for several years. Politically it was Demo- cratic, as nearly all the papers ever published in the county were. THE ADVOCATE. The Advocate succeeded the Democrat. It was established and iniblislied by a Mr. Kline first, then by T. C. Thurston, and last by I. M. Cockrill. About 1880 it was consolidated with the Landruark. THE AKGUS. This pajjer, which was named for the old Platte ArguK, and also for the Argun published at St. Louis in the early days of Missouri, is a new paper established at Platte City. It is a twenty-eight column paper, and is Democratic in politics. 'T\\q Argus is a sprightl}', newsy weekly paper, and is steadih' growing in popularity and influence. Its proprietors are young men, full of life aner 21, 1875, Mr. Shepard was married to Miss Sarah F. Ashby, daughter of S. B. Ashby, of this county, formerly of Kentucky. They have seven children : Anna, Celsus, Matthew, Eiisa, Orin,'Paul and Nellie. Mr. S. belongs to the Ma- sonic fraternity, liolding meml)ership in the Blue Lodge, Cha[)ter and Commandery (Knights Templar) at Platte City. His farm of 320 acres is a superior one, and is conducted in an excellent manner, — in full keeping with a neat, well educated and enterprising owner, as Mr. S. is. i HISTORY OF PLATTE COUKTY. 867 SAMUEL B. STUCKEY (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 36, Post-office, WaUlrou). Mr. Stuckey had just passed his twenty-first year when he became possessed of a determination to leave the parental homestead in Old Virginia and come on further West. This he was finally prevailed upon to do, and accordingly in the spring of 1868 he moved to Mis- souri, locating at once in Platte county. Here he resumed the oc- cupation to which he had been reared, and which he has ever followed, namely, that of farming, and in which he has not been un- successful. He had not been here very long before he was married, Miss Lou Settle, daughter of John J. Settle, foruierly from Virginia, and who had settled in Platte countv in 1855, I)ec()ming his wife on March 23, 1871. Tliough herself a "Virginian by birth, Mr. S. was brought up and educated in this county. A year after this Mr. Stuckey purchased a farm, a portion of which constitutes his present place. His estate embraces 300 acres, all under fence, and divided as usual into pasture, timber, etc. A good residence adorns the home place, and other buildings 'are in keeping with the general appear- ance of the farm. The land is peculiarly well adapted to the grow- ing of wheat, which he has made a specialty, and his average j'ield annually will reach about 2,000 bushels. Their interesting famii}' numbers six children : Jennie V., Ada, John, Rose E., Jesse and George. Mr. Stuckey is descended from an old Virginian family, his parents and grandparents having been born in that State. The father, Jacob A. Stuckey, of Berkeley county, married there Miss Eva Ferrel, daughter of Benjamin Ferrel, originally from Pennsylvania. The family still live in the State of tiieir birth. Samuel B. Stuckey was born in Berkeley county (now in West Virginia), November 28, 1846, and therefore is nearing his fortieth year. He and his wnfe are members of the Christian Church. JOHN E. THRELKELD (Merchant, Parkville, Mo.). In the early days of the county, no man was more thoroughly con- versant with the geography of the then thinly populated portion of this State than George W. Threlkeld, the father of John E., who was originally from Kentucky. He came to Missouri a j'oung man, locat- ing eiglit miles north f)f Columliia, in Boone count}', where he married Miss Eveline W., daughter of George Sexton, the earliest stage con- tractor of the State, he having controlled the Missouri and Illinois stage business for a number of years. Mrs. Threlkeld was native to Boone county. In 1848 the family moved to Kansas City, when there were but three houses in the place, and there the father started the hotel and livery business, erecting the first hotel in the town. In 1851 he started overland to California, but was sick on both the trip going and coming, sul)sequently dying at St. Louis in 1851, aged 38 868 HISTORY OF PLATTE COONTY. years. He was an active, energetic business man, and could his life l)ut have been spared he would have doubtless attained to more than an ordinary degree of prominence. John E. grew to manhood in Kansas City, receiving a good education at the High School and col- leges there. After this he ran his father's business during the latter's al)sence in California, and also clerked in a mercantile establishment, besides learning the printer's trade. In 1857 ho went on a Salt Lake expedition across the plains, and in 1858 took a fur company to a point 140 miles this side of Ft. Laramie, on North Platte, where a post was built. Several yeai's were subsequently passed in making trips to Mexico and Denver. The year 18(55 was spent in Salt Lake City. In the fall of that year he returned home, then at Kansas City. Soon, however, he became interested in mercantile pursuits in Clay county, also buying stock for butchering purposes for Kansas City parties. In 1867 Mr. Threlkeld took up his permanent location at Parkville, embarking in the grocery business. Since then he has had several partners, the present firm, Bueneman& Threlkeld, having been formed in 1875. The establishment embraces two stores, one devoted to gro- ceries, and under the management of Mr. Bueneman, and the other, a clothing store, under the charge of Mr. T. ' They are enjoying a most excellent trade as they fully deserve. Mr. Threlkeld was married October 24, 1867, to Sliss Josie Bueneman, daughter of J. H. Buene- man, the postmaster of Parkville, and whose name appears in connection with his sketch elsewhere. They have two children, Theo- dore R. and Eva May. Two are deceased, George dying when 5 years old and Pearl at the age of 5 years. Mr. T. is a member of the M. E. Church, and his wife is connected with the Presbyterian de- nomination. He belongs to the Blue Lodge of the A. F. and A. M., and is also agent for the Masonic Mutual Benefit Society of Missouri. COL. JOHN H. WINSTON (Farmer aud Stock-raiser, Section 27) . The record of the family of which the subject of the present sketch is a woilhy and respected representative, leads us back to the Revo- lutionary days of the Republic. He is descended from a noble, chivalrous and gallant patriot who had settled in North Carolina from Virginia previous to the Revolutionary War — Col. Joseph Winston. He was a colonel in the struggle for Independence and was one of tin-ee survivors of the battle of King's Mountain, for whom the Legis- lature of the State of North Carolina ordered three swords to be made which were suitably engraved — living mementoes of th;it fierce and terrible struggle. Col. Jose[)h Winston was the father of Gen. Joseph W. Winston, a native of Stokes county, N. C. He married Miss Letitia Hughes of that State, but in 1839 moved to Missouri and located in Pettis township, in Platte county, where he resided until his death in 1840. H(>, too, was a fearless soldier ;ind in the War of 1812 commanded a North Carolina regiment. He was afterwards major-general of the State militia, and also served with distinction HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 8(19 aiul honor as representative of his county in the State Legislature. His father before hira had held a like position in his county, and also served two terms in Congress. To Gen. Joseph W. Winston and wife were born four sons, of whom John H. Winston is the eldest. Joseph went to California in 1849 and was elected probate judge, which posi- tion he held until his death in 1864 ; he left one daughter. Matthew H. died in this county in 1884. Capt. Samuel L. Winston served in the Missouri State Guard and C. S. A. under his brother, Jno. W., from 1861 to 1864 ; he also left two sons and two daughters. The youth and early manhood of John H. were passed in his native county, where he had common school advantages, and in 1837 he became a citizen of Missouri, taking up his location in Platte county, where he settled on a farm. Here, on the 4th of December, 1839, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Tebbs, a daughter of William H. Tebl)s, deceased. W. H. Tebbs, born and raised in the ancient town of Dum- fries, Prince William county, Va.,was married in 1809 to Miss Lydia Kennedy, of Sandy Point, Md. They raised their family in Prince William county, Va., on a large landed estate. Mrs. Winston, after having received a refined education in Prince William county, and en- joyed high social privileges, removed to St. Louis, Mo., where her father dying, she emigrated with her widowed mother to what was then the Platte Purchase, where she met John H., son of Gen. Joseph W . Winston, a man of wealth and distinction, to whom she was mar- ried December 4, 1839. After this event Mr. Winston bought a farm and located where he now lives. Soon after his settlement here, or in about 1840, he was made major of the State militia. In 1861, under Gov. Jackson's call for troops to suppress Northern invasion; he enlisted in the State militia and was elected major, but after the fight at Lexington he was promoted to colonel of the Secontl Regiment, Fifth Division, M. S. G. Col. Winston was transferred, after tiie battle of Pea Ridge, to the Fifth Div., M. S.G., and consolidated into theFirst Mo. ritle regiment. He participated in the tights at Lexington, Pea Ridge, Corinth, Prairie Grove, and a number of lesser engagements and was once sent out on special duty, Ijut was captured with Price's command while at home. After being held a prisoner for twenty months at different places, he was released from confinment at the close of the war and then returned home, since which time he has lieen farming and stock- raising. During his service in the war Col. Winston carried the sword which had been presented his grandfather for services during the Revolutionary War, and which is spoken of above. In 1872-73-74 Col. Winston, having lieen selected as the most capable candidate to represent his county in the Legislature, was elected to that position by majorities highly complimentary to his ability and personal quali- fications, and served with credit to himself and honor to his consti- tuents. In his farming operations he is achieving good success, and now has 400 acres of land, his home place being improved with all the conveniences necessarv and essential to a proper conduct of a model fai-ni. His family of five children are Harry C., a graduate t)f 870 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. William Jewell College, the Columbia Law School, and the Law School at Washington City, now practicing in Kansas City ; George F., also educated at William Jewell College, and a graduate of the St. Louis Law School ; also practicing in Kansas City ; Lydia, wife of M. E. Clark, banker, in Leavenworth; Cora, now Mrs. Wm. H. Woodson, of Independence ; both of these young ladies are graduates of Clay Seminary ; Julia L., died at the age of 18, after having com- pleted a collegiate course, and Algernon Sidney, who, after having attended William Jewell College, returned to the old homestead, whei-ehe is a successful stock-raiser and agriculturist. Mrs. Winston is a woman of more than ordinary force of character and deserving of special credit for the manner in which she has personallj- taken an in- terest in the bringing up of her children. COL. RICHAED P. WOOD (Grocer, Parkville). Col. Wood, one of the well known and honored citizens of this vi- cinity and a man who came to the county in the eaidy days of its ex- istence, is a member of the distinguished family whose name he bears, representatives of which have risen to more than ordinary prominence in the history of this State and others throughout the land. He is a brother of Dr. Joseph M. Wood, of Kansas City, of Judge W. T. Wood, of Lexington, Mo., and also of Lewis J. Wood, of Smith- ville, Clay county. As might already have been inferred, he is a Kentuckian by birth, born in Mercer county, December 28, 1813. His father, William Wood, a native of Virginia, went to Kentucky when a young man, and there married Miss Sarah Thomas, of the same State as himself. In 1833 the famil}' .removed to Missouri and settled in Clay county, near Liberty, where Mr. Wood bought land ; and subsequently he died there in about 1834, his wife following him two weeks after. Our subject arrived at his majority while in Clay count}', having also received such schooling as could then be obtained in the primitive log school-houses of the period. Li 1838, in Lib- erty, he was married to Miss Angeline Wallace, daughter of one of the first settlers from Tennessee to this county, and one of the most prominent citizens of the locality. In 1838 Mr. Wood engaged iu the drug business at Liberty, and in 1838 moved into Platte county before the lines had been surveyed, buying a claim near Platte City. Afterward he entered the land, one-half section, remaining in Platte county till 1849. He now sold out and made an overland trip to Cal- ifornia, spending four mouths on the way ; but after twelve months of work in the mines, returned by Panama and New Orleans. He soon purchased a farm near Liberty, which he subsequently disposed of, in 18f)7, when Parkville became his home. Before the war Mr. Wood had a number of slaves. In 1867 he embarked in the dry goods Inisiness at this point, and after about five years of successful business management started the drug store, which was succeeded by a grocery store some eight years later. This the Colonel has since continued to HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 871 conduct, and his great personal popularity has proven a source of liberal patronage among those whom he has so long known. Col. and Mrs. Wood have been blessed with three sons and three daughters, all of whom, save one young lady at home, are married. One son, John Wood, died in 1870, aged about 30 years; he was unmarried. Mrs. W. is a member of the M. E. Church. Her husband belongs to Parkville Masonic Lodge. Col. Wood is recognized as one of the sub- stantial men of this place. 50 CHAPTERXX. MAY TOAVNSHIP. Boundary — Physical Features — Early Settlers — Barry — Pioneer Preachers and Church Members — Linkville — Principal Business Houses of the Place — Its Con- dition as a Business Center — Biographical. BOUNDARY. May towaship was formed from Carroll and Pettis and includes nine sections of the southwest of township 53, range 33, nine sections of the northwest of township 51, range 33, four sections of the north- east of township 51, range 34 and six sections of the southeast of town- ship 52, range 34, and contains 28 square miles. The township was named for Dr. May, a native of Kentucky, who came to Platte county and settled in what is now May township, at the head of Todd's creek. PHYSICAL FEATURES. This township, like Platte county generally, was originally a tim- bered district, a small portion being prairie. The general surface is uneven and in some places the soil is thin and a small portion even rocky. Some very fine farms have been cleared in the township and it numbers among its settlers some of the representative agriculturists of Platte county. Fresh water springs are found indifferent sections and it is well watered by Todd's creek. Second creek and other small streams having their source in this county. EARLY SETTLERS. The first settlers in the township, like the early settlers of other townships, have mostly past away. Among these were Wm. Brown, Townsend Brown, James Brown, Wm. Hoy, Samuel Hoy, Dowell Durbin, Alien Chance, Adam C. Woods, William Woods, Wm. Fox, Wm. Fox (No. 2), John Andrews, William Berry, James Berry, Wm. Lewis, Dowd English, J. B. Cox, Bradley Cox, Wilson Williams, Gen. Rodgers, Wm. Wilson, Washington Drew, Peter Rodgers, Wm. Conway, R. C. Brown, L. Allen, J. W. Drew, Sashell Brown, John Broadhurst, J. C. Dyster. The population of the township in 1880 was 899. (872) HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 873 Barry is in the southeastern part of the township ; is situated on the line dividing Phitte and Clay counties, and is partly in both. The first building in the place was erected by Glenn Burnett, the brother of Peter Burnett, in 1834. It was a one story log building used tor store purposes. VVe have made mention of this place in connection with the history of Chiy county, a portion of its limits being within tiiat county. In 1837 there were about six houses there. PIONEER PREACHERS AND CHURCH MEMBERS. James Cox, a native of Kentucky, was the first minister ; he belonged to the Christian Church known as Reformers. The Primitive Baptists built a log church four miles west of Barry in 1840. Peter Simpson was the first preacher of this denomination. He was noted for his manner of dress, which was usually a blue coat with brass buttons. The Browns and Hoys were among the prominent members of the Baptist Church, while James and William Berry, Allen Chance, Hiram Waller and Gen. Rodgers were pillars in the Christian Church. Richard Cain is thought to have taught the first school in about 1841 or 1842. LINKVILLE is situated on the north line of the township, and was laid out in 1871 l)y Levi Link and John Harrell, partners in the first store. In 1873 they sold out to Henry Nichols. Nichols sold out in 187fi to Thomas Slaughter. About one year after Jesse and Thomas Slaughter became partners, and built a new store room, and Crigler & Nunnelly put a stock of drugs in Slaughter's old building. Nunnelly afterward sold his interest to Dr. Adkins, and Crigler & Adkins sold out to J. O. Johnson & Co. The principal business houses are J. O. Johnson & Co., general store; Slaughter & Elgin, general store; W. Thornhill, saloon. Mr. Slaughter is the present postmaster. The town is nicely situated, at the edge of the prairie, on the cross roads lietween Platte City and Liberty and Smithville and Parkville, making a regular thoroughfare, and the surrounding country being thickly settled, as a natural consequence there is a great deal of travel through here and the business of the town is prosperous. H74 IltHTOUY . 'I'licrc! liii w.'iH Hiil)Mrir|n(MiMy iniirfic(|, (it't(>r icucliin;.; iniinliood, to Minn An;^rlin() Arnold, oC KcTntni'ky hii'lli. in IH.'M Ilii- ranilly Ixu^iinio ri^Hi\' l'\irdH men- tion of whom in HO froipiontJy nnulo in thin work, jind -iw a lirotlier of .lohn .1. ami ilcHiah I'. i''ord, the nketf^hoH of wIioho liven precede and folhiw tliin. 'riioi'oforo it in unneccHHary to repeat the fiimily hinlory, which liaa hoon ho clearly net forth in other pagoH of thin volume. A native of thiH county, I'leiiHantT. I''ord Iuih pannod hinontir'o lifi> within the limilH of tho comity and in woll known an a Hiioci'HHfiil iMriiMMinid worthy aj^ricultiiriHt. I'^armin;^ Iimm liecn hin only m chiimI iun, mid Mliironv o •i.Ai'ri'; coiiNTv. m: iliiiiii;.' Iiii ymiiiL'iir iliiyn Im icn^ivoil Uii^ i inliini'iiri nl' an n(|iir;i.l iciii >vliiili ha 1 liddii (lnvrl()|)i'.(l liy iiil)Mii(|ii(tiil. ii.|i|ili<'al,i(iii. Il(i waM a |iar- liri|iaiil ill Mm vviir M mIioi'I liitm, n\)i\ iii I HIM wiim LiiIumi iii'liKiimr ami lulil luiii iiiiiiilli^ llii'ii liniiii.«; inviliiil. Ill' fi'l iirridil Iiuiiki in Aii;.';iihI, I Hl'i.'i, ami i<'riiaiii<'i| willi iijit |mi'i'iil a mil 11 Miiiir dual li, iiiliir wliii'.li Ik', Imiiil'IiI^ IJik iiil.ninitl, of Mm jinil'a ill Mm iiiij IkiIiicmIiiikI . Ajirii '.) , IH/;;, Mv. h'uni vviia unuTitnl h> iVIiaa Nitiii'.v M. .IoIimmoii, nldnsl, ilaiiLdilcr III |)avi(i ainl Maty A . .Idliiiiiiiii, I'lU'iimrly IVmiii KoiiI iiid< y< Mini ■• of Mm (laih' ii'lllnri of llii ; cuiiiil.y, vvliiin' MJin wii,s liuin ami irainil. 'I'll llinili lllivn Immi vivi'li llil'ni' I'Jiillll'IMI : May, .liillll .1. ami (inirn'r. Mr. ami Mrn. I''i)icl ai c ini'inliniM dl' liir ( 'liriil Ian ( 'liinrji. Ilii liiiii l<;i) aciii < of laml.all iiiiiii'i' li'iiri^aml in cull ival inn . Mi. !•'. ill liiiw ill lii'i rmlii'lli \'nar, liavin;' ln'cn Ikmii .iaiinary J'J, iHll'i. .lOSIAII r. I'()KI> (Kiiniiri' lual Sloi-K nilfuT, S.Tllna 11, l'..:,l, (.lllcr, rniiivlllc i . In ;'lam'iii}j; Uai'U nvi'f I lio narly null lorn l,(i MiMnonii, ami in ri'viow- III" lli<< MnM.liaiiiuiil in ii| in;j lur lliiiMn \vlii> iiiiL';lil. noinii iil'lor Mm way for civili/ii- I inn. A II inn;.'; IIiiimh wiiii liinlv a |iriiiiiini'iil jiiu'l in I ITih priniil ivit iniikin^' 111' Mill Sliiln'a iiiiiliiry wan llm rninily ol' wliirli Mr. I^'uril i^ n wnrliiy rci|irniioiilal iv(t. Ilia I'lilln'r, Sainiml l''iiri|, iiail Imm Imrn in MailiMun I'lMinly, Ivy., ami llmrr win iinlnmil in liiiii llm niilnri' and Mlnrlin^ rliliriirlnrinl ira 111' llir i| lll'dy |mii|iin ul' Mild. Slldi'. When i'i)ni|mril,- livi'h' a \cinn" man Im I'aiim li> MinMituri iinil lonili'd in Howard I'limil.y, wimin Im wiia MiiliHni|imnlly iiiiUTiod In Mi^M MMr;.:;iiro|. Ili;.^ ff,'u\i>, M diiii;.dili'i id' .liiaiaii lli|y;ginn, iii'ifj;inidly iVuin 'runiKiMMno. .She Wiia Itiiiii whilr Mil' lamily wi'i'i' I'M riiuti' iVinii llmi Slide In Ilnvvard iniiiilv. In IHi'lM MiK Mi'iiinr l''nrd and Ilia I'limily I'oninvi'd iVnin Mow aril rniinh' In I'iiil Ic, mi'I I linf, imar wlmri' .Inaiiih nnw lives, 'I'lmrr Ml l'"i.id |pir i'in|il.t'd linid and iniprnvi'd Mm riii'in npnn wliirii he dh'd Mai.h II, 1H,S-|. IliM wilr'a doalh nrnirr.'d in Ortoi.er, IS7'/, In llmni had liei'ii Imrn n lamily nl' h\\ miiiim iind lliroi' daii>.;lili'i's, nl' vvlmm I hero iini nnw livinv, I'niir anni^ (id! in I'iidle ennnly ) iiiid the daii^-dilerM, whn have niiu'rii'd and are I'l'Midiii^'; elae\?here. .In>.''• I he reliirned by way nl' I'linama lUid New ( )r lean 1 and Inr ii M'lir rnllnwilif,-; waa in ill lieallh, In [Hlf2 he Inealed III liali' . 1 mini \ , iieiir Mie Slide line, I'lU'llliMl'' lUld nUMilltf sinek niilil l''*iil, wlnn. in Aiiv.nat nl' Mini year, he eume aj^iiin In I'lalle. lli. ISOllled npnn lii > pn- a'lil iinine 'lead in ISl'iS, and nnw ha-, in hi. Iinine 876 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. place 115 acres, upon which are necessary and convenient improve- ments. A prominent feature of the place is a good bearing orcluird. Of course Mr. Ford is a married man, ]\Iiss Minerva Estes having be- come his wife July 4, 1855. Her birthplace was in Clay county, and her father was John Estes, a Keatuckian by birth. Their family numbers eight children: Margaret, wife of A. G. Gall:)reath, of Platte county; INIary, John V., Elizabeth, Sarah, Dorcas, Samuel and Dee. Mr. and Mrs. Ford have long been members of the Christian Church', Mr. F. since 19 years of age. He also belongs to the Parkville Masonic Lodge. While in Bates count}' he was honored by the people with the position of magistrate. Mr. Ford, as should have been stated before, is now in his fifty-ninth year, liaving been born in Howard county. Mo., September 25, 1826. JACOB E. FUNK (Farmer aud Stock-raijier, Section 9, Post-office, Barry). Mr. Funk is a native of Kentucky, born in Jessamine count}^ December 31, 1833. His father was John Funk, formerly of Penn- sylvania, l)ut who grew to manhood in Jessamine county, Ky., and was there married to Miss Nancy Rice, a daughter of Jacob Rice. Mr. F. was a successful farmer of that county during his lifetime, and died there March 3, 1861. Jacob R. was brought up in the county of his birth, and was the third from the youngest in a family of six sons, five of whom grew to maturity ; and there are four sons aud two daughters still living. One brother, J. A., is in Clay county. The subject of this sketch came West to Clay county in 1855, and commenced working at his trade of carpentering, and also freighting across the Plains to Salt Lake City, to which place he made two trips, and also took one trip to Mexico. In 1862 he located on a farm on the Clay and Platte county line, and engaged in farming there until 1879, when he bought and removed to his present farm, just west of the town of Barry. He still owns both farms. His home-place contains 160 acres, ail fenced and in cultivation, 90 acres of which are devoted to plow-land, and a young waluut grove of 1,000 trees covers al)()ut 60 acres. He also has two good orchards, and his place is otiicrwiso*imi)roved. His other farm, of 320 acres, is situated five miles north of Barry, all of which is fenced, and over 250 acres of which are in cultivation and grass and some timber, besides a suuxU orchard. There is one good residence on this j)lace, a good barn, smoke house and other out-buildings. During the war he was quite successfully occupied in dealing in and shipping cattle to Chicago. December 24, 1861, Mr. Funk was married to Miss Anna Gartin, a native of Platte county, and a lad\' of more than ordiuaiy intelligence. She received an excellent education at Clay Seminar}', under the instruction ol' Prof. Love. Her father, Andrew Gartin, came origi- nally from Kentuek}' ; he was one of the early settlers of Clay county. Mr. and Mrs. Funk have been blessed with seven children : Miss Mamie, a young lady of pleasant address, and who has received the HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTi'. 877 iidvantages of a good education ; Gillie G., Laura, Sallie E., Virginia Lowe, EmniaD. and Edgar E. Mr. and Mrs. Funk are prominent members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. TFIOMAS A. GREGG (Farmer and Stock-raiser and Merchant, Section 2, Post-office, Parliville.) The agriculturists of this county are well represented in the bio- graphical department of the present volume, but perhaps no more worthily than by the subject of this sketch, who has passed his entire life in this part of Missouri. His father, David Gregg, a native of Tennessee, was married to Miss Nancy Adams, after which, at a very early day in the history of Missouri, he came to this State, and was a participant in the Indian tights arouner, 1850, and was the son of Daniel S. Slaughter and Nancy, ?ie'e Clarke, both originally from Kentucky; the former came from Mercer county, th.at State, and was born April 30, 1820. He followed the occupation of farming as his calling in life and became quite successful in that branch of industry. The youth of Thomas J. was passed in this vicinity and his education was here acquired, after which he commenced the avocation of teaching, in 1872. After one j^ear's ex[)orience in the school-room he began trad- ing in stock, and continued it until 187.5, when he engaged as clerk in a mercantile establishment at this place. Subsequently he bought the interest of his employer and embarked in business on his own ac- count, in partnership with his l)rother, Jesse, in 1878. Mr. Slaugh. ter sold out some time later to his brother, and for a while thereafter devoted his attention to the real estate business. Since the first of January, 1884, he has been a member of the mercantile firm of Slaughter & Elgin. They have made a gratifying success in their line in this part of the county, a large share of their extensive patronage being due, doubtless, to Mr. Slaughter's popularity as a man and his knowledge of the people with whom he has to deal. The custom of the house is steadily on the increase. Mr. S. is a married man. Miss Belle Valandingham, of this county, having become his wife on Oc- tober 7, 1879. The com[)lement of their family circle consists of three children. Mat. S., born August 13, 1880; Clarke T., born July 29, 1882, and Grace, born Deceinber 7, 1884. Mr. Slaughter has no small influence among his tViends in this locality, and he takes a warm interest in the advancement of the place. Politicall}^ he is a Demo- crat. He belongs to the Masonic Order; his wife is a member of the Christian Church. COL. GIDEON W. THOMPSON (Farmer and Breeder of Thoroughbred Short Horn Cattle). Not without justice. Col. Thompson is conceded to hold an enviable position among the prominent and successful men of Platte county. He served his county and State in a most acceptable manner during the wai', but has rendered it even more valuable service as an indus- trious farmer and law-abiding, useful citizen. He came to this county soon after reaching his majority, and had established himself in the business oF trading in stock at the outbreaking of the war, his operations extending both South and West. His belief and determination to do what he thought right prompted him to enlist under Gov. Jackson's call in June, and he was elected captain of a company at Barry. The »»2 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. following spring he entered the Third Missouri infantry, of Stein's division, ;ind upon its organization he was first elected major. Six months later, by the unanimous voice of his regiment, he became colonel, serving with that regiment until it was disbanded, in the spring of 1862. He now went into the regular Confederate service as colonel of the Third Missouri cavalry, Shelby's brigade and Marma- duke's division, in which he served until about the close of the war. He led his regiment with courage and ability, and saw much hard and dangerous service, but never flinched from performing his duty, as he saw it. Some of the engagements in which he particijiatod were those of Lexington, Pea Ridge, S[n-ingfield, Helena, Little Rock, and many others which space will not permit us to mention. At the battle of Indeiiendence he received a severe wound, from the effects of which he was disal)led for three months. After leaving the service he was disbanded in Texas, his surrender occurring at Shreveport. Return- ing to Platte county, where he arrived June 14, 1865, after an absence of four years, he resumed farming and the raising of and deal- ing in stock, which he has since continued and with snljstantial results. His farm contains 300 acres, situated in both Clay and Platte counties, the county line running through his place, all fenced, and about 100 acres of which are in timber and blue grass pasture. His buildings are models of neatness. Col. Thompson owes his nativity to Todd county, Ky., where he was born February 28, 1823. His father, Robert Thom[)son, originally of North Carolina, was reared in Ken- tucky, and was married in Todd county to Miss Eveline Roberts, of that county, and daughter of Joseph Roberts. In 1825 the family became settlers in Cooper county. Mo., locating some eighteen miles south of Boonville, where Mr. Thompson entered land and lived until 183(i. Moving then to Clay county, he made it his home until his death, which occurred near Liberty in 1857. Gideon W. was brought up in Clay county, spending his youthful days on the home farm and receiving the usual course of instruction in the common schools. About the time he arrived at the age of twenty-one he became a resi- dent of Platte county, which he has since made his permanent home. March 4, 1849, Col. Thompson was married in Boone county, Ky., to Miss Nancy Hansford, who was born and reared and educated there, and whose father was AVilliam Hansford, Escj. To them have been born five children : Martha, wife of George Sutton, of Jefferson county, Kan. ; Robert E., Elizabeth, wife of E. A. Chance, of Platte county ; James, of Jefferson county, Kan. ; and Gideon, of Georgetown, C(j1. Mrs. Thompson is a member of the Christian Church. The Colonel belongs to the Masonic Order at Barry. WINFIELD THORNHILL (■Linkville). Mr. Thornhill is the fortunate owner of 140 acres of land in May townshi)), a tract which is well improved and in good cultivation. He has been a resident of Platte county for some years, having come here i HISTOUY OV I'LATTl': COUNTY. 883 fVoin liis iKitive State, Viririiiia. Ho was horn in Ciilpoper county, of tlio Old Dominion, on January 2.'), 1824. His [larcnts were Blueford and Lucy TJKnnliill (whose maiden name was Hawkins), both also Virii'inians \>y l)ii-tli, and during; tlu; lifetime of the father ho was en- •raiied in farn)ini;, with ([uite substantial results. Their family con- sisted of 10 cliiitlren, of whom there are seven now iiving, as follows : Almeda, wife of Alfred Hudson ; Wintiold, Hamilton, in Howard county. Mo. ; Sarah A., now Mrs. P. M. Finks, of RappsUiamiock (bounty, Va. ; Jame.s H., in Sumner county, Texas; George, lives in Darke county, Ohio ; Caroline, married Elliott Finks, hut he died in 18C3 in Madison county, Va., where his widow now lives. The senior Mr. Thornhill and wife were hoth menihcrs of the Baptist Church. The subject of this sketch was brought up in the county of his birth, and there received such an education as could at that lime ho acquired in the common schools. Upon coming to Missouri he soon located in this county, and has since made his home within its boundaries. August 19, 1847, ho was married to Miss Eliza .1. Brown, daughter of John Blown, a native of Culpeper county, Va. They have boon blessed with a family of 12 children : MaryL., wife ol" William Porter, now living in Clinton county, Mo. ; All)ert C, Luc^y E., Martha, Eliza Jane, at home ; Nanc^y B., John B., in Colorado ; Emma, Claiborne tiackson. Flora B., Annie, and the youngest, James, at home with his parents. Mr. Thornhill has been a successful farmer during lit\', and now is somewhat retired from active duties around tlu^farm, the; care of which is given to the sons of Mr. T., who are men of intelligence and groat popularity throughout the vicinity of LinkvilK\ Mrs. Thornhill is a member of the Baptist Church. Her husband is a Democrat. WILLIAM C. WHITE (P.uMiiLT ami SU)ck-raisui- ami Pi'i>|)i-ii'li)r of I'rairic Viow Farm, Section 1, Post-olllce, Pai-kvillo). Tlu're are i)ut lew, if any, farms in May township that present a handsomer picture of advanced agriiadlure than the one I'oforred to \u the present sketch. Prairie View Farm, devoted mainly to stock- raising contains 175 acres, and though not as large iu extent, perhaps, as others in this vicinity, it is improved in such a manner, and has such natural advantages that it seems to be without an equal in this p;irt of the county. About lialf of the place is d(!votod to blue grass pasture, admirably adapted to the raising of thorough-bred sliort liorn cattle, of which Mr. White is making a specialty. He has a herd of 15 registered animals — short horns of the best grades — and gives much attention to breeding and dealing iu fine cattle and horses. His comf(U'lable ri'sidcnci^ is situated on a slight elevation, and his barn is one of the l)est in Platte county. Mr. White was horn in Clay county. Mo., Seplember 21, 1835, and was the son of G. Iv. WhitjO, who was horn and i)rought uj) in Estill county, K}'., whore he nfarried Miss Mary Ann Campbell, daughter of William Campbell, of Madison 884 HISTORY or platte county. county, the same State. G. K. White came to Missouri in the fall of 1834, and was a pioneer in Clay county, in the southern part of which he purchased a claim (near the present site of Kansas City) and im- proved a farm. He died at the residence of his son, William C, April 6, 1881. The subject of this sketch was brought to Platte county in 1843, and was reared on the home farm. He spent some time in the primary schools, and was then sent to the Seminary at Camden Point, where he received a good education. In 1859 he took a trip to Texas, but the same season returned to Platte county, where, on the 18th of August, of that year, he was married to Miss Addie Hazelrigg, whose father, James G. Hazelrigg, was of Montgomery county, Ky. ; she was also born and brought up there. After his mar- riage Mr. White located on a farm, near Parkville, continuing there- on several years. In 1877 he removed on his present homestead. To Mr. and Mrs. W. have been born one son which died in infancy. They have living with them two sons of a deceased sister. White McGee, aged 16, and now at Parkville College, and Theodore McGee, 13 years old, who has developed nmch musical talent, and is an apt performer on the violin. Miss Anna AVhite, a sister of Mr. W. and a young lady of excellent education and rare accomplishments, has found a pleasant home in the family of her brother for several years. She is also an accomplished musician. Mr. White, wife and sister are members of the Christian Church. The former belongs to the Masonic Lodge at Barry, and is also connected with the Commandery at Platte City. CHAPTEE XXI. WALDRON TOWNSHIP. Formation, Boundary, etc. — Physical Features — Early Settlers — Waldron — Where Located — By Whom Laid Out — Present Business — Biographical. FORMATION, BOUNDARY, ETC. Wiildron township was taken from Pettis and the greater portion of it is included in the Congressional township 51, range 35. It is bounded on the north and east by Pettis township, and on the south and west by the Missouri river. It is the smallest township in the county both in area and population. The census of 1880 gave the number of inhabitants at 840. PHYSICAL FEATURES. The surface is divided into three portions, viz. : The level bot- tom land in the south ; a timbered and rough country along the bluft's, and the rolling land in the north portion. Here are to be found some of the substantial farmers of the southern portion of the county. EARLY SETTLERS. The early settlers of Waldron township were, many of them, early settlers of Pettis, and the history of this, township is so clo.sely con- nected with that of Pettis, from which it was taken, that it will not be repeated at this place. For its history the reader is referred to that of Pettis township. Among the early settlers were Abram Zo- brisky, Geo. S. Park, Richard Bal>cock, W. Moore, B. Martin, A. Bowman, A. G. Brown, Doctor Ellis and John Diinnigan. Waldron, a town in the south-central portion of the township, is located on the Kansas City, St. Joseph and Council Bluffs Railroad, 17 miles northwest from Kansas City, and was laid out by the Waldron Brothers, ft-om whom the town takes its name. They manifested con- siderable enterprise by erecting a steam flour and saw mill and estab- lishing stores. The town contains a population of about about 100 to 150. F. M. McCormick's distilleiy is located here and it is noted (885) 886 HISTORT OF PLATTE COUNTY. for the quality of its manufacture of haud-made sour mash whisky. There are three general stores, one drug store, one lumber yard and one mill. BIOGRAPHICAL. CHARLES BABCOCK (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 12, Post-office, Waldron). Mr. Babcock is a native of Coshocton county, Ohio, born June 22, 1822, and was the son of Zebina and Lucinda (Dustimer) Babcock, the former originally from Vermont and the latter a Virginian by l)irth. They were married in Coshocton county, Ohio, to which Mr. B. had gone when a j'oung man. Subsequently the family moved to Clinton county, Ind., which was their home for 10 years, and thence to Platte county. Mo., in 1838, where the father entered land and improved a farm. Here he resided the most of his life until his death, which occurred in June, 1854. Of their family of children, live sons and one daughter grew to maturity. Charles came to tliis county with his parents at the age of 15 years, here growing to manhood. He was married November 6, 1843, to Miss Paulina Moore, daughter of John Moore, one of the pioneers from Estill county, Ky. Mrs. B. was born in Jackson county, but was reared in Platte, her marriage occurring when she was in her sixteenth year. Some time after this Mr. Babcock located in the Platte bottoms, near where Waldron is now situated, settling on his present farm in August, 1854. Here he has since resided, a period now of over 30 years. His place embraces 100 acres, upon which are good buildings and other improvements of a necessary order, and he is meeting with good success in the manage- ment of the farm. Mr. and Mrs. Bal)Cock have been blessed with nine children, viz. : Francis M., married and on the farm ; Samuel Z., married and living in Leavenworth county, K;is. ; George, married ; Sarah J., wife of William Newton Morrow, of Kansas; William A., married and in the county; Charles W., married; Mary A., now Mrs. Matt. Wills, of Kansas; Andrew J., a young man, and Henry Thomas. Mr. Babcock and his estimable wife are members of the M. E. Church. DOCTOR ELLIS (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 13, Post-offlce, Waldron). Prominent among the old and time-honored citizens of Platte county, whose names deserve to be handed down to future generations as worthy of more than a passing memory, is Doctor Ellis, the subject of the present sketch. For nearly half a centuiy he has been a resi- niSTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 887 dent of tho comity, iiml hii>^ coiitiMbuted very materially to the advancoinont ot" its ajTricultiii-al and pul)lie interests. His father, Benjamin Ellis, a native of North Carolina, married there Miss Sarah Copeland, of the same State, and in an early day the family settled in Smith county, Tenn. In 1813 they came from there to Montgom- eiy county, Mo., and were amonuj the first five families to locate in this vi(Mnity. This was indeed in tiie primitive days of the history of Mis- souri, and to Mr. Ellis many, many changes are visihli; wliicli havt hccn wrought almost before his ver^' e3'es. Benj. Ellis finally took up his location in Texas county, Mo., where he died in his ninety- seventh year, in about 1848. In his family of (children were eight sons and five daughters who reached years of maturity, but only Doc- tor and a brother, now in California, are now living. The former was l)oru in Smith county, Tenn., May 4, 1810, and was brought by his parents to Montgomery county, this State, when but three years old. There his youth and early manhood were spent, and there, too, he married August 20, 1834, Miss Josephine Timberlake, daughter of Broaddns and Susan Timberlake, among the earliest settlers from Ken- tucky ; she was born in Madison county and came to Missouri when 13 years of age. After his marriage Mr. Ellis remained in Mont- gomery county only one year, then residing in Lafayette county for two years. In the s[)ring of 1837 he came to Platte county and fhe spring following moved upon the farm which now constitutes his present homestead. He entered the original tract and has added to it from time to time until it nowcontains 236 acres, all under fence. On the farm are eight living si)riugs which never freeze, and in addi- tion are 2,000 apple trees, besides small fruits. Mr. Ellis was a par- tici|)aut in the INIexican War, being a teamster. He and his wife have been blessed by Heaven with 10 children, viz. : Susannah, who died whilst the wife of S. C. Morrow; Sallic Ann, wife of Perry C. Cavaner ; Sophia, wife of Jackson Brink; Josephine, wife of D. A. McKinzie ; Robert, married in DeKalb county ; B. F., of this county ; William, in Wyandotte county, Kan. ; John W., in Platte; Mary J., now Mi-s. James Waldron, of Fort Smith, Ark. One child is de- ceased, Senior D., who died when three years old. Mr. and Mrs. Ellis are members of the M. E. Church South. Thev are well re- spected residents of this county. GEORGE G. ENGELHARDT (Farmer aud Stock-raiser, Section 1, Post-office, WaUhou). Among the younger of the prominent agriculturists of Waldron Idwnship, we know of none more worthy of success than the one whose name heads this sketch. Not 3'et 32 years of age, he is the possessor of a comfortable farm of 200 acres situated eight miles south of Platte City, most of which is in cultivation. The improvements in the shape of buildings, etc., are of a good class. Having been brought up in Kentucky and Indiana, it is not surprising, yet none the less crc(lit;ible to him, that he has obtained such a start. He was 51 888 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. born ill Switzei'lantl county, Ind., September 6, 1853, iintl is of Ger- man ancestry, his parents, Henry D. and Mary (Deal) Engelhardt, having come originally from Bavaria, Germany, in 1847. They first located in Dearborn county, Ind., then in Switzerland county, also in Ohio county, and subsequently went to Kentucky, living for four years in Trimble county. In 1873 they came to Platte county, accompanied by their son George, and still reside here. George Engelhardt received a good education in the different phiCes where he made his home, and this has been of great advantage to him in carrying on his farm, for an education is as necessary in farming as in almost any other occupation. He is an unmarried man. He belongs to the Christian Church. AUGUST E. ENGELHARDT, M. D. (Physician and Surgeon, Waldron, Mo.). Dr. Engelhardt, one of the more recent acquisitions to tiie ranks of the medical fraternity in this county, has been engaged in prac- ticing at Waldron only since November of 1884. Sufficient time has elapsed, nevertheless, to judge of his ability and thoroughness in the practice, and he is rapidly taking a prominent place among the rising young physicians of this portion of Missouri. Born in Ohio county, Ind., August 28, 1856, he is of German extraction, his parents, Henry D. and Anna Mary Engelhardt, nee Deal, having been natives of Bavaria. Leaving their native .countrjs they emigrated to the United States in 1847 and located in Ohio county, Ind., going thence, in 1868, to Trimlile county, Ky. After remaining there five years, they came to Missouri in 1873 and took up their residence in Platte county, which they now make their home. August arrived at ma- turity in Platte county, and has received the benefits of an excellent education. In addition to the usual coui'se of instruction he took a complete course at Lecompton, Kan., where he graduated in 187S. This was supplemented with a commercial course at Leavenworth, after which he commenced teaching in Platte county, and also tanglit one term in Kansas. Desiring to qualif}' himself for the practice of medicine, he began its study under a well known physician of this county, Dr. Ferrel, taking his first course of lectures, in 1882, at the Physio-Modical Institute of Cincinnati. In 1883 he continued this study at Cincinnati under Drs. W. W. and W. H. Cook, completing the course in March, 1884. He now returned to Platte county and located at Farley, where he commenced practicing, which lie contin- ued for al)out seven months. Since that time he has made his home in Waldron, where, as intimated above, he is meeting with good suc- cess. He is well read in his profession, is a subscril)er to the leading medical journals of the da}' and keeps thoroughly posted as to the progress and development of the science of medicine. He is a mem- ber of the Christian Church. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 889 JACOB HARRINGTON (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 12, Post-office, Waldrou). Mr. Harriiigton, a man over whom 40 years have passed, is native to Missouri, liaviug been i)orn in Buchanan county; the date of his birth was February 20, 1839. Elisha Harrington, his father, originally from Tennessee, came to this State with his parents in about 1815, among the first settlers in Howard county ; he was reared there and while still a young man came to Clay county and married Miss Louisi- ana Martin, a Kentuckian Ijy birth, and a daughter of Isaac Martin. For two years succeeding this event Mr. Harrington and family resided in Buchanan county, and in 1837 the father entered land in Platte county, improving a farm about seven miles south of Platte City. To this original tract he added from time to time as able, and became one of the successful and largest property holders in the county, having at the time of his death the rise of 1,100 acres. Prosperous in the ordinary affairs of business life, he accumulated a comfortable fortune, owning a number of slaves prior to his death, which occurred in Fel)ruary, 1853, at the age of 50 years. He had been twice married, and i)y the first marriage had three sons and seven daughters ; by the second union there were four children, only two of whom are living. Jacob was the only sou by the first wife who grew to maturity, and only two of his sisters are now alive. Passing his boyhood days in this county upon the home farm, he de- cided to go West and accordingly in 1857 took a trip to Wyoming, remaining one season. After his return he was married March 25, 1858, to Miss Martha Pearce, a daughter of Robert Pearcc, and sister to W. A. Pearce, whose biography will be found on a subsequent page of this volume. Mrs. Harrington's birthplace is in Clay count}', though the greater part of her life has been passed within the limits of Platte. In the spring of 1871 Mr. H. bought raw land which now constitutes his (jresent farm. This contains 120 acres improved in a good manner, upon which is a new and comfortable residence, and an orchard of 300 trees. In addition to this he owns 73 acres in the I'latte river bottoms. Mr. and Mrs. Harrington have a family of nine children : Francis L., married and at Waldron ; Sterling Price, a student in medicine ; E. Walter, Wheeler and Laura Lee, at home ; William W. is attending the Deaf and Dumb Asylum at Fulton : Marcilla, Robert M. and Susan E. Mr. Harrington, wife and son, Sterling, are members of the Christian Church. Himself and eldest two sons are connected with the Masonic Order at Farley. GEORGE W. MOORE (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 2, Post-office, Waldron). It is not very often that there comes under our personal observation the case of a man living on one farm all his life, or after 35 j-ears of improvement seeing the same place undergoing cultivation and pro- 890 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. duciug as well as when first sowed or broken. But this man per- haps is an exception to the ordinary chiss, for he was born on his present farm May 14, 1849, his father beino' ^yilliam Moore, a native of Estill county, Ky. The latter accompanied his parents to Missouri when a mere lad, John Moore, his father, being one of the pioneers of Jackson county, and afterwards of Platte county. Upon reaching manhood William Moore married, July 4, 1839, Miss Elizabeth Wil- son, daughter of Isaac Wilson, a pioneer from Kentucky, Mrs. M. ' having been born in that State. The family soon located in the neigh- borhood of where the subject of this sketch now resides (in 1844), and there the father died Fel)ruar3' 28, 1880. On this farm George W. remained during his youth, acquiring sucli an education as he could receive from the common schools when not occupied with farm duties. On the 11th of December, 1870, Mr. Moore was married to Miss Viranda J. Carpenter, a daughter of Zenith Carpenter, originally from Tennessee, in which State she was born, though reared in Platte county. They have six children: William L., Edward H., Anna B. and Lizzie B., twins; Maud V. and G. Arthur. Mr. Moore is the owner of nearly 300 acres of land, including the homestead, over 200 of which are in cultivation. His orchard contains about 200 trees of select fruits. Mr. Moore is the only son of his father's family of children, one sister, Susan E., being the wife of Benj. F. Ellis, of this county, mentioned elsewhere. JOHN T. Mccormick (Of the firm of McCormick & Simpson, Merchants, at Waldron, Mo.). The general merchandising business of the firm just mentioned was formed by them in 1879, and has since lieen conducted with uniform good success and profit. Messrs. McCormick & Simpson carry a stock of about $5,000, and do an annual business of nearly $20,000, all on a cash basis — figures that themselves speak enougii for the business ability and popularity of the proprietors of the house. Mr. McCormick, on his mother's side, is originally of Scotch ances- try, branches of the famil}' having come to this country away back in its early history, from Scotland. His father, J. R. McCormick, a native of Culpeper county, Va., married Miss Angeline H. Corbin, of the same county, a daughter of Micham Corbin. The grandpar- ents on both sides were gallant participants in the War of 1812. J. R. McCormick was one of the commissioners of the county where he so long resided, for many years. He was the owner of a small plan- tation, was a more than ordinarily successful business man, and at his death in 18(38 left a comf()rtal)le estate to his family. Before the war he owned a number of slaves. John T. McCormick, coming of such a family, enjoyed excellent opportunities in youth for applying himself to whatever occupation he might choose. His education was acquired at private schools which he was attending when the mutter- ings of war first swept over the country. At the age of 15, in the summer of 1862, he enlisted in Co. D, Fourth Virgiuia cavalry, and HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 891 served until the close of that long and terrible conflict. He partici- pated in the engagements on the retreat of the army from the Penin- sula for about ten days, the Seven Day's fight around Richmond, Brandy Station, Second Manassas, Gettysburg, and, in fact, all the principal encounters with the army of Northern Virginia. He sur- rendered with the regiment at Appomattox, soon thereafter returning to his home. Subsequently, having a desire to prosecute his studies at school, which had been so interrupted by the war, he was a student at a select school some three months. In the winter of 1865 he went to Washington City and worked for a time at the newspaper business, remaining there until March, 1866. Coming West, he located in Platte county. Mo., and for two years was engaged in teaching. After farming and dealing in wheat in Camden Point a short time he came to Waldron in the spring of 1879, and his career from that time to the present has been noted above. The stock which is carried here embraces dry goods, groceries, clothing, hardware, etc., a complete line of general merchandise. They occupy and own a store Imilding containing two rooms, 20.\60 feet in dimensions. Mr. McCormick has been twice married ; first, to Miss Mary V. Stallard, daughter of Ran- dolph Stallard, in September, 1868. She died in February, 1882, leaving four children: Lula J., Elbert R., James R. and William T. His second marriage occurred in St. Joseph, January 24, 1884, when Miss Jennie Miller became his wife. Her father, John Miller, now of California, was formerly from Illinois, in which State she was born, though reared and educated in St. Joseph. Mrs. McCormick is a member of the M. E. Church ; her husband is a Mason. Mr. McC. will soon be 38 vears old, having been born in Culpeper countv, Va., August 1, 1847". WESTON A. PEARCE (F.armer and Stock-raiser, Section 12, Post-office, Waldrou). Mr. Pearce is a descendant of one of the bravest soldiers who par- ticipated in the War of 1812, his father, Robert Pearce, having enlisted in that conflict, througli wliich he served with distinguished gallantry. He came to Howard county. Mo., in the fall of 1819, and for a long time worked at his trade of wheelwright in Clay county. In 1847 he took up his location in Platte count}', l)ought a farm and improved it, and resided here until his death, in 1882 — one of the oldest and most highly respected citizens of the county. He was originally from Greene county, Tenn. (born May 25, 1795), and after growin": to man- hood there, was married to Miss Mary Campl)ell, of the same State, and who is also deceased. Weston A. Pearce was l)oru at an early day in the history of Clay county, February 19, 1828, and accompanied his parents to this county upon their removal here. So many years of continual residence in this immediate part of the State has tended to place him among the best known residents of Clay and Platte coun- ties, and his life history is immediately interwoven with the history of these two counties. His marriage occurred here July 5, 1854, when Miss Frances M. Baldwin, daughter of Martin Baldwin, formerly 892 HISTOKY OF PLATTE COUKTY. of Ray county, Mo., and one of the early settlers here, became his wife. Her father was born January 3, 1814, and her mother, in Marion county, Ky., April 26, 1814. After this event Mr. P. pur- chased the laud and settled on the place which has since continued to be his home. One hundred acres are embraced within the farm, which is situated about one mile from Waldron, and nearly all of this is in cultivation. A good orchard is on the place, and necessary out- buildings. Mr. and Mrs. Pearce have reared a worthy family of' children, nine in number, namely: Clarissa, wife of John Kampheif- uer, of this county ; Florence, now Mrs. William Babcock, also in this county; Mary, John F., Martin, Cleora, George, Henry and Thomas. Mr. Pearce has a large and appreciative circle of friends in this vicinity, who hold him in the highest esteem. HENRY SEARCY (Farmer aad Stook-raiser, Sectiou 1, Post-offlce, Waldron). The father of the subject of this sketch, Christopher Searcy, was a native of Kentucky, and after reaching manhood was married to Miss Ellen Spencer, of the same State. Sul)sequentlv, or in the year 1839, he came to Platte county, Mo., l)ut later went to Texas. Of their familj' of children born to them, Henry, our subject, was born after the family had located in this county, on the 22d of March, 1841, and in this vicinity his youth was spent, the duties of the home farm occupying his attention for a long time. One year was passed in Leavenworth county, Kan. About the 3'ear 1866 he settled in the Platte bottoms, where he gave his time and labor to tilling the soil, and in the spring of 1869 he took up his residence on the place which has since been his home. This, under his careful management, has been improved in an excellent manner, and is in good cultivation. It embraces 130 acres, and in its conduct Mr. Searcy has met with the success which his industry deserves. He was married in Platte county Deceml)er '28, 186.5, to Miss Elizabeth L. Babcock, daughter of Richard Btibcook, of this county, but for- merly from Ohio. . Mrs. S. is well known in this vicinity, having spent her entire life here. Their family consists of two children, William R. and Lena E. They liave reared two others, C. Frank Foster, who has been with Mr. Searcy since he was 12 years old, and now is of age ; and Eli Babcock, .5 years old. Mrs. Searcy is a mem- ber of the M. E. Church South. Her husband formerly belonged to a lodge of the Ancient Order of Odd Fellows, at Farley, which is now discontinued. JOHN W. STUCKEY CFarraor and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Waldonl. Mr. Stuckey is a native of Virginia, i)orn and reared in Berkeley countv, now West Virginia, the date of his birth being September 17, 1848." His parents, Jacob A. and Effic (Ferrill) Stuckey, Ixith Vir- ginians by birth, now reside in Berkeley county. John W. was HISTOIIY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 893 afforded the usual advatages of attending tlie common schools, from which he received an ordinary education, and in 1869 he went to Oiiio, stop|)ingfor at)ont five months in Licking county. Coming westward to Missouri in Octol)er, of the same year, he located in Platte county and was engaged in working on a farm by the month for something over a year. He and his brother then rented a farm in the northern part of the county and in company with S. R. Stuckey cultivated land for two years. February (5, 1873, Mr. S. was married in this county to Miss Anna M. Funk, daughter of Abraham Funk, a merchant of Hampton, but now of Franklin county, Kan. Though born in Pennsylvania, she was principally reared in Leavenworth, Kan. After his marriage, Mr. Stuckey farmed on I'entcd land for a few years and subsequently l)oughta place north of Platte City, which he afterwards sold, purchasing his present homestead in October, 1883. He has 217 acres well improved and nearly all in grass, and expects to make the stock business a prominent feature of his business. An almost new residence adorns his place, and upon it is also a young orchard of al)out 500 trees, all select varieties of fruit and of different kinds. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Stuckey numliers three children: EfEe F., Sallie B. and Mollie. Two are deceased, Maggie M., died at the age of seven years, and Lucy, died when five years old. GEORGE WHEELER (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 30, Post-offlce, Waldron). One of the neatest farms in Waldron township is that owned by Mr. Wheeler, containing some 200 acres and situated al)out two miles east of Waldron, in the Platte river liottoms. Nearly 140 acres are in cul- tivation, and upon it is a good residence and other necessary buildings, together witii a young orchard. Having come from Kentucky origin- ally, he has advanced ideas as to how a farm should be conducted, and endeavors to coml)iue the practical with the theoretical in its manage- ment. Born in Jefferson county^ Ky., March 14, 1823, he was the son of Ignatius and Jennie (James) Wheeler, also Kentuckians by birth, their deaths occurring in Jefferson county, that State, the former in 1883 and the latter in 1882. George remained in the county of his birth until grown, being married there in 1847 to Miss Nancy G. Woodsmall, a daughter of John Woodsniall. She was born on the farm adjoining her husband's. Li the spring of the year 1855 Mr. Wheeler came to Missouri and located in Platte county, at Parkville, where he operated a saw and flouring mill for 17 years, or up to about 1872. Then he came upon the farm spoken of above, where he has since remained. Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler have reared a worthy family of children : Henry, married, and in Carroll county ; Roxanna, wife of B. J. Colman, in Jefl'erson county, Kan. ; Metitia J., wife of Gus. Threlkeld, of Jackson county, Mo., and John L., a graduate of Central College, and now pursuing the study of law at Kansas City. One son, George, died when 10 years old. Mr. Wheeler and wife are members of the M. E. Church South at Waldron. CHAPTER XXn. PRESTON TOWNSHIP. Boundary — Physical Features — Early Settlers — Ridgely — Early Merchants in the Town — Business Outlook — Edgerton — One of the Most Important Towns in the County — Present Business Interests — Early Churches — Union Mills and Dis- tillery — Biographical. BOUNDARY AND PHYSICAL FEATURES. There has been do changes in Preston township since its organiza- tion. It is bounded on the north b}' Buchanan county, on the east by Clay county, on the south by Carroll township, and on the west by Green township, from which it is separated by the Platte river. Preston township is rather broken ; it is well watered by the Platte river, Smith's Fork, Dick's grove and Owl creek. The highlands are well adapted to wheat growing, and the bottom land to corn. All the arable lauds in the township are settled. EARLY SETTLERS. Among the early settlers of the township were Thornton Guinn, — Cook, Dr. Gregory, John A. Berry, Christopher Black, Noah Berry, Eev. Thomas Hurst, Valentine Bernard, Archibald Hill, Pey- ton Murphy, James Green, Messrs. Masterson, Sexton, Morgan, Hin- ton. Hunter and others. From EdwardV' Atlas of Platte county, we take the following : Ridgely was laid out by Christopher Black, Preston Akers, Samuel Phillips and Theodorick Fitzgerald, but prior to the establishment of Ridgeley, a town about one-half mile north of the present location was started by Jeremiah Farmer, which was by some called " Hell Town." The name killed it, and Ridgely supplied its place. An interloper by the name of Brown kept a grocery at the former place in 1844. He joined an expedition to rob the Santa Fe traders coming into Independence to buy goods. They met a train on the Arkansas river, and killed a wealthy Mexican named Jarvis, for which Brown and John McDaniel were hanged in St. Louis in 1845. Ridgely is in the midst of an intelligent and thrifty population, and does (894) HISTORY OF PLATTE CODNTT. 895 considerable business, the principal business houses being C. F. Chris- man and Homer Denman. Dr. John Robinson is the physician of the town ; his father was one of the oldest medical practitioners of the county. Drs. Sims, Phillips and Oden have each plied the vocation of the healing art in this part of the county, while in the northern portion, at or near Edgerton, were Drs. Gregory and Dunlap and Jones, the latter still living. C. F. Chrisman is postmaster. The present population of the place is about 50. Edgerton is its shipping point. EDGERTON. This town owes its l)irth and growth to the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad, and, with the exception of Platte City and Weston, is probably the most important town in the county. Although com- paratively a new town, it is situated in the vicinity of a fine, rich country, in a high state of cultivation, as well as in the midst of an enter- prising and intelligent population. A. fine mercantile business is done here, and large quantities of produce and stock are shipped for the Eastern markets. The business interest is represented by 1 bank, 1 newspaper, (i general stores, 2 drug stores, 3 grocery stores, 1 confectioner, 2 boot and shoe stores, 1 millinery establishment, 1 hardware store, 1 furniture store, 1 harness and saddlery shop, 2 grain dealers, 1 lum- ber yard, 2 blacksmith shops and 1 hotel. EARLY CHURCHES. The Primitive Baptists were the pioneer denomination to organize a religious society, and they built a log building near Edgerton early ill the "Follies." Rev. William Trapp, who was a farmer, was the first preacher of the denomination. The Methodists formed a class soon after, and the Missionarj' Baptists and Christians each subsequently effected an organization. The Missionary Baptists built the second house of worship and called it Mt. Zion. The Methodists built in about 1847 at Ridgely. The Primitive Baptists at first outnumbei-ed either of the other denominations. At the present time the Mission- ary Baptists and Christian communicants number about the same, and next the Methodists, the Primitive Baptists having the smallest num- ber. In the early history of the county pi-ivate schools were taught near Edgerton about three months in the year, and also one at Ridgely at an early period. 896 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTT. UNION MILLS AND DISTILLERY. The Union Mills and Distillery, located about one and one-half miles northwest of Edgerton, are owned by G. W. Johnson. These are good mills and the product of the mill and distillery are of supe- rior quality. BIOGRAPHICAL. ROBERT BARER (Farmer, Section 12, Post-office, Ridi^ely). Mr. Baber, for many years a farmer in comfortable circumstances in Preston township, and a man with an extensive acquaintance among the people of this county, was born in Pulaski county, Ky., on the 22d of August, 1825, and was the son of John Baber, a Kentuukian by birth, whose father, Robert Baber, was originally from Virginia. During the journey of the hitter with his family from that State to Kentucky, John, his son, was born. After reaching manhood he was married to Miss Delila Davis, of the same State as himself. During the War of 1812 he was a gallant soldier in defense of this country against the invasion of foreign troops, and was an active participant in the engagement at New Orleans. In the fall of 1841 the family removed to Missouri, taking up their location in Platte county, where they lived for eight years. In 1849 they went to Texas, but the fall of the next year found them once again residents of Platte. Here, or on the place which our subject now occupies, Robert's father died, in 1872, aged 72 years, having been born in 1800. His widow is still living, at the age of 81. Robert Baber accompanied the family on their removal to this State, and also to Texas, I'eturning with them and settling whei'e he now lives in 1850, as above mentioned. Feb- ruary 28, 1856, he was married in this county to Miss Emma R. Kiuisly, whose parents were Thomas and Martha (Morris) Kimsly. Mr. K. caine to Missouri from Tennessee when a young man, and his wife from Kentucky. Mrs. Bal)er was born in Howard county, Mo. They have a family of seven boys and four girls : John T. , married and a resident of this county; Landon D. and Thomas J., twins; James M., married and in this county ; Andrew J., George W., married and in the county ; David P., Martha J., Delila Ann, Lucy E. and Mari- etta. Mr. and Mrs. Baber are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. B. has a farm of 238 acres, all fenced, al)out 100 acres of which are in cultivation. His orchard is a good one and in tine bearing condition. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 897 CAPT. CHARLES F. CHRISMAN (Dealer in General Mercliaiulise, aad Farmer aud Stock-raiser, Post-offlce, Ridgely). Capt. Clirisman has I)eeii engaged in merchandisiug at Ridgely for nearly thirty years coiitianously, witli an exception of a short time during the Civil War. He came to this county a young man long ago, and without a dollar. But liy his industry and close attention to business, his fair dealing and economy, he has accumulated a cora- fortaljle property. Capt. Chrisman has long been one of the leading merchants of the county. Besides his l)usiness interests he is also prominently interested in farming and stock raising, and has two val- uable farms in tlie count3^ One of his places contains 160 acres, and the other 227 acres, both being well improved. He was born in Union county, Indiana, in 1S.30, and when he was 14 years of age went with his parents, who removed to Bath county, Ky. He completed his adolescence in Kentucky and received an excellent common school education, being a youth of a liright, quick mind and anxious to quality himself l)y study for business life. However, on the outbreak of the Mexican War, in 1846, he enlisted for the service in the distant republic beyond the Rio Grande, and was in the regiment of which John C. Breckinridge was major, and Thomas T. Crittenden, a son of John J., was lieutenant-colonel. All the world is familiar with the gallant death of young Crittenden. After the war young Chris- man returned home and engaged in teaching school, which he followed until a 3'ear or two after he came to Missouri. But by the year 1856 he had accumulated a nucleus of means to begin merchandising with, it being the aml)ition of his life to become a successful merchant. He accordingly opened a stock of goods at Ridgely and carried on business with excellent success up to the outbreak of the Civil War. He then promptly volunteered in the State Guard (Southern service), and was elected captain of Co. G, of the Second Missouri, Fifth division. This service was enlisted for six months, but he was out about seven months. During that time he was in the l)attles of Blue Mills, Pea Ridge and some others of less importance. Returning home after this, Capt. Chrisman resumed charge of his store and filled the office of postmaster, so that the office might not be taken away for the want of some one to perform its duties. But in a short time the condition of aftairs became so critical that he was compelled to leave the country, and, accordingly, like the Arabs of old, he quietly boxed up his goods, folded his tent, and silently departed. He went to Montana and did not return until after the close of the war. But coming back in 1865, Capt. Chrisman resumed Imsiness at Ridgely, becoming a member of the firm of Chris- man & Conway. Four years later he bought out Mr. Conway and has ever since continued the business alone. In 1852 Capt. Chrisman was married to Miss Hannah, a daughter of Isaac Crouch, of Bath county, Ky. They have three children, Horace, Charles and John. Mrs. 898 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. Chrisiuau was taken away by death June 30, 1884. She was an excellent woman, a devoted wife and mother, a kind and hospitable neighbor, and a true-hearted Christian lady. Capt. Chrisman is one of the leading men of Preston township. Upright and honorable in every sense of the word, he is at the same time a genial, popular man and e.xercises a marked influence for good in the community where he resides. He is a son of John and Elizabeth Chrisman, the father a native of Maryland, but the mother originally of Vir- ginia. They settled in Indiana in an early day and sulisequently in Bath county, Ky., where they resided until their deaths. The father was a man of high character, and one whose word for what- ever he gave it was considered as good as any man's bond. He was given a good start in life l)y his father but lost it in the cotton trade between New Orleans and Norfolk, by the sinking of a large cargo of cotton. Subsequently he went to work with courage and resolution — not returning home like the prodigal son — and made another start by his own industry and ability. He had , too much self-respect to ask anything further from his parents, and would not have partaken of the fatted calf if it had been offered at a feast under his father's roof in honor of his return. He went his own way in the world, and, according to the best accounts, did better in the long run than the prodigal son, who went whining back to receive the sympathy of his father and the sneers of his brother. CAPT. WILLIAM COCKRILL (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 1, Post-offlce, Ridgely). On the 15th of May, 1831, in Grayson count3s Ky., there was born to James and Lucinda (Sirls) Cockrill a son, whom we now take as the subject of this sketch — a man who has risen to a well merited prominence among the citizens of this county, and one respected by all for his sterling worth. James Cockiill was a Virginian by birth, l)ut his wife was originally from Kentucky. In 1856 the family re- moved to Missouri and located in Platte county, where Mr. C. bought land and improved a farm. He was occupied with agricultural pur- suits only a short time after his removal to this vicinity, death putting an end to what was the promise of an unusually successful career. He died in August, 1858. During his early years William Cockrill was denied the privileges of receiving much of an education outside of what could be obtained by self-application. But, of determined purpose and will for securing something of a knowledge of books, he applied himself closely, and, as proven in later years, to advan- tage. His occupation in his younger days was teaming and hauling from Louisville to Nashville for a number of years. In November, 1855, he was married in his native county to Miss Martha Jane Bratchc, an old schoolmate, and a daughter of John A. Bratche, originally from North Carolina. Mrs. C. was born, reared and educated in Kentucky. During the late war Capt. Cockrill served in the State militia, and, just previous to the close of the conflict, was commis- HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 809 sioned captain. The Captain is the owner of .310 acres of fenced land, upon which is a comparatively new residence, barns, etc. To his present position he has risen entirely by his own efforts, having from the very first nothing to rely upon but his own energy and will. He is not personally occupied to any great extent in agricultural pursuits, his land being rented, while he loans his money. Capt. and Mrs. Cockrill have no children of their own, but have an adopted nephew, William Cockrill, whose mother is dead ; he is five years old. THOMAS J. DOKE (Of Doke & Sons, Dealers iu Druses, Groceries and Hardware, and Grain Sliippers, Edgertou). The parents of Mr. Doke were John L. and Nancy (Yeager) Doke, originally from the vicinity of Danville, Ky. The family came to this State in 1854, and settled a farm near New London, in Ralls county, where the parents made their home some fourteen or fifteen years. The father became a leading farmer of that county, besides being largel}' engaged in the mule trade, shipping to Southern markets. He was also a prominent slaveholder of Ralls comity. At the outbreak of the war, Mr. Doke, Sr., had large amounts of money due him in the South for mules he had sold on time, as was then the custom in the Southern mule trade. These debts he of course failed to collect on account of the war, the loss of which greatly embarrassed him at home. But, added to these misfortunes, came the loss of his negi'oes by the emancipation proclamation and repeated robberies by preda- tory bands of soldiery, leaving him little or nothing except his farm and other real estate, which were rendered valueless for a time by the war, notwithstanding he had unavoidable liabilities to meet. All iu all, he was ))ractically broken ui), and in his old age, although his life had been one of industry and success, he was left with but little to go upon. This seemed a strange ending to the affairs of one who had won and deserved success, anil who has ever been a steadfast believer in the goodness and wisdom of Providence. But the ways of Provi- dence are past finding out, and at last all may possibly prove for the best, though at the present writing the dubiousness of such a result looks several sizes larger than a man's hand. In any circumstances, however, we all know that Allah is good! In 1875 Mr. Doke, Sr., removed to Lafayette county, and four years later he and his good wife went to make their home with one of their children in Bates county. Thomas J. Doke, the subject of this sketch, was born near Danville, Ky., November 12, 1832. November 22, 1853, he was mar- ried to Miss Martha H., daughter of Henry and Mary Bruce. The following spring Mr. Doke removed to Missouri and settled in Ralls county. Twelve years later he removed to Platte county, and located near the present site of Edgertou. In 1877 he engaged in merchandis- ing here and has been in the trade continuously ever since. His sons, John H. and Will J., are now his partners, and they have one of the leading business establishments of Edgertou. They carry full country i'OO ^ HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. stocks of groceries and hiirtlware luul have an excellent cnstom. They are also largely engaged in the grain trade, and arc tlio leading grain shippers from this point. Mr. and Mrs. Doko have had nine children, four of whom iire living : John II., William .)., Fielding Y. and Mollie B. Smith. Mr. and Mrs. Dokc are worth}' and exemplary members of the Baptist Church, and Mr. Dokc is a member of the Masonic Order. He is also a member of the town council, and has always taken a worthy and public-spirited interest in the welfare and prosperity of Edgerton; being from the beginning one of the leading, enterprising men of the place. REV. THOMAS HURST (Retired Minister of the M. E. Church South, Post-offlce, Ridgely, Platte County, Mo.). Rev. Mr. Hurst is a native of Ohio, born near Chillicothe, in Ross county, November 11, 1805. He was a son of Levi and Sophia (Badley) Hurst, formerly of Baltimore, Md. Rev. Mr. Hurst's l)aternal grandfather was James Hurst, who came over to Baltimore from Isle of Wight, Eng., about the middle of the last century. The maternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch was William Badley, of an early colonial family at Baltimore. In about 1800 Rev. Mr. Hurst's parents removed from Baltimore to Chillicothe, O., or to the locality which afterwards became the site of Chillicothe. The father and mother and three children made the entire journey in a cart drawn by one horse, Iiringing with them such household uten- sils as were indispensable for cooking, bedding and personal wear. Locating on the site of Chillicothe, they resided there for two or three years, and the father, who was one of the pioneers of the place, built the first brick house erected there. Subsequently, he bought a farm in the vicinity and engaged in farming. He became very successfid, and lived to the advanced age of 90 years. He left a comfortable property — enough to give all his children a sul)stantial start in life. His wife died the following ye:ir after his demise, in 18(3l. She was 90 years of age. They had 10 children (eight sons and two daughters). Rev. Tiiomas Hurst, who was the seventh in their family of children, was reared near Chillicothe, and received only such a common school education as was obtainable at that early day. On the 27th of May, 1X27, he was married to Miss Catherine L. Street, a daughter of Bazzel and Hannah Street, both of pioneer families in Ohio. She survived \\vv marriage, however, only a few years, leaving at her death two children, George W. antl Sarah A., who are still living. To his second wif(! Mr. Hurst was married August?, 1834. She was a Miss Sarah Prichard. In IS.OS, Mr. Hurst immigrated to Missouri, and settled in Platte county. For 10 years before this he had been regularly engaged in the ministry of the M. E. Church, liut all the time was more or less actively interested in farm- ing and stock-raising. .He was licensed to preach in Frankfort, O., by Rev. James M. Triml)le, in 1840. Seven years later he was regularly ordained a deacon of the M. E. Church, Bishoi) Edwin O. James offi- ciating. In 1854, Rev. Mr. Hurst was made an ekler in the M. lll.STtUn' OF ri>ATTF, COUNTY. !U)1 E. Church South, by liisliop II. II. KaviiiiMiigli. A zoidous aiicl uso- Ciil mini.sler before he c;iiiio to Missouri, subsequeiiUy, for 15 years, ho was ii ro<;uhir circuit rider iu thi.s State. But in 1808, on account of his iour Newnum is a grandson of the subject of this sketch, aiul all (he family are meml)ers of tlu> Baptist Church at Edgerton, Mr. Newman himself Ix'ing a deacon in tlu^ church. He is a meml)cr of the A. F. ami A. M. ■ GFOlKiF RADKR (l''{ii'iiR'i' iuul Stock-raisor). Mr. Radcr, a loading land owner and one of the successful agricml- turists of the county, was born in liockingham county, of tlie Old Douiiiiiou, March 18, 1830, his parents also being natives of that State. His father, ,Iohu Radei', a successful farmer, moved from Rockingham to Rockbridge, four mih>s from Lexington, and tliore remainiul until his death, leaving a landed estate of 472 acres. His sou, George, received a common school education in youth, and when leu 3'ears of age began to learn the (carpenter's trade, to which ho applied himself afterwards for some time. In 1854 ho emigi-attnl to Missouri, and in 18511 took up his chosen calling again. (Sioing to Colorado he remained there until 18()5, occupied the wdiile in freight- ing and mining. Returning now to Platte county, he commenced farming, and has since eont imied it with no ordinary- degree of success. He is much interested in the stock business, and makes a specialty of gr.ided cattle, hogs, etc., his annual sliii)monts anKUinting to a neat sum. On March IH, 18t!7, Mr. Rader was married to Miss Joanna \\'hitlock, who was born in this county. Her father, Preston 52 904 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. Whitlock, was a Kentuckian by birth, as was also her mother, whose maitlen name was Lavinia Grover. At the time of the death of the former he owned 400 acres of hmd in Platte county ; he died in 1875, being a member of the Presbyterian Church. In his political prefer- ences he was a Democrat. Mrs. Rader was one of twelve children. Her family were early settlers here, having settled in the county in 1836. Mr. and Mrs. Rader have four children, viz. : Frank, born Decem- ber 8, 1867 ; David, born September 30, 1869 ; Ann, born February 22, 1876, and Kate, born Feln-uary 28, 1879. Mrs. Rader is a mem- ber of the Christian Church. Mr. Rader is a Democrat politically. He is a man of wide and varied information, and well posted on the general topics of the day, the knowledge he has obtained being the result of deep and careful study. ALEXANDER M. ROBINSON, M. D. (Retired Physician and Surgeon, Ridgely.) The following sketch of the life of Dr. Robinson is reproduced from the United States Biographical Dictionary (Missouri volume), published in 1878:— Alexander M. Robinson was born in Greenville District, S. C. November 17, 1802. His parents, John Monteith and Sarah (McClan- ahan) Robinson were natives of Virginia. His paternal grandfather was born in New Haven, Eng., and bis maternal grandfather was from Scotland. About the year 1790 Alexander's parents immigrated to South Carolina, where he, the seventh of a family of twelve chil- dren, was born. In 1810 his father removed to Bourbon county, Ky., where he received his education under the care of Thomas A. Marshall, afterward Judge of the Supreme Court of Kentucky. After leaving school he studied medicine, and in 1825—26 attended. lectures at Lexington, Ky., and practiced his profession for upward of half a century with distinguished success. In 1826 he removed to Missouri, settling first in Howard count}', and in a few years afterward removing to Boone county, from which he was elected in 1834 to the State Senate, serving a term of four years, at the expiration of whicii he served a term as one of the sec- retaries of the Senate. In 1842 he removed to Clay county, where he remained a year, still engaged in the practice of his profession. In 1843 he removed to Platte county, settling on a farm which he hail entered. In 1848 he represented the county in the State Legislature, and during the term was Speaker of the House of Representatives. Few men in the history of the State exercised more power over this body. At the close of the session his portrait was painted by George Bingham at the expense of the members and hung in Representative Hall, where it nmy still be seen. In 1852 he was the Senator from the district which then included Platte, Clinton and Clay counties, and was re-elected in 1856, the district being then composed of Clay and Clinton. Before the expiration of the last term he resigned in consequence of moving his residence from Platte to Lewis county. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 905 In 1857 he was appointed hy President Buchanan one of the Superin- tendents of Indian atlairs. The dnties of this office he discharged with marked ability durinn; the four years of Buciianan's administra- tion, and six months of Lincoln's, when he resigned and returned to Clay county, where he resumed the practice of medicine a few months. Then he settled at Ridgely, Platte county, engaging in his profession, and returned to his farm in Clinton county, where he now lives at the advanced age of 75 years, in full possession of his faculties and uni- versally respected by all who know him. Dr. Roliinson was married in 1822, in Bonrlion county, Ky., to Miss Louisa Baysie, slaughter of E. Ba3'sie. Two children were born to them, one of whom, a son, survives and is now a practicing physician of Texas. In 1833 Dr. Robinson married Miss Catherine Ann Hughes, daughter of William Hughes, a farmer of Boone county, ilo. They have had six children, of whom three sons and a daughter are living. In religion Dr. Robinson has always been a free thinker. Politi- cally he is a Democrat. In 1825 he was made a Master Mason in Blue Spring Lodge, Fayette county, Ky. He afterwards received the Mark Master's de- gree in the Chapter, but moved to IMissouri and failed to advance to the superior degree in this body. In person he is six feet and one inch in height, and weighs about one hundred and sixty-five pounds. His address is polished and his general bearing dignified. J. M. ROBINSON, M. D. (Physician and Surgeon, Ridgely). Dr. J. M. Robinson is a son of Dr. Alexander M. Robinson and Catharine Ann (Hughes) Robinson, whose sketch (J. M.'s) precedes this, he being one of the leading pu'jlic men of the State in years gone by and a physician of Slate reputition. Dr. Robinson, Jr., was born in Platte county, February 14, 1847, and as he grew up received an advanced general education. He attended select schools in the vicinity of his father's homestead in Platte county, and also attended school at St. Louis for three years. After this he went to college at St. Joseph, Mo., for three years. In the meantime he had given considerable attention in a general way to the study of medicine, for which profession he was educated. But quitting school he began teaching at the same time, and used his means thus obtained to take his first course of lectures, aided l)y his father. He entered assidu- ously upon a regular course of study for the medical profession under his father, who was untiring in his eft"orts to give him as thorough a knowledge of that science as was possible outside of a college. But in 186(5 he matriculated at the St. Louis Medical College, where he took a regular course of two terms, graduating in the class of '69, when he was just 21 years old. After quitting medical college Dr. Robinson, Jr., returned home to Platte county and was received into partnership in the practice with his father. They practiced together with advantage to both for about three years. Since then Dr. Robin- 906 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. son, Jr., has been engaged in the practice alone, and never changed his location. In his profession he has been not less successful than his distinguished father. Dr. Robinson, Jr., has acquired a wide and enviable reputation as a physician, and for years he has been recog- nized as l)eing at the head of his profession in this county. Eminently successful in the treatment of cases and in l)ui]ding up a large prac- tice, he has been hardly less so in a material point of view. Dr. Rob- inson, Jr., has accumulated a comfortable independence. November 10, 1869, he was married to Miss Sarah A. Handley, a daughter of Dr. William C. Handley, an old and prominent physician of this county, from Kentucky. Dr. and Mrs. R. have five children, Lela L., William M., and Johnnie A., an infant. Two others died in in- fancy. In politics Dr. Robinson is a Jetfersonian Democrat and in religion — well, in fact, he has no religion to speak of; or, rather, he is what may be called a Rationalist, with a strong leaning toward Agnosticism. But, nevertheless, he is a fine physician and a most excellent, exemplary and highly esteemed citizen. Besides he is a brother-in-law to the church, which is certainly good as far as it goes. Mrs. Robinson is a worthy and devout member of the M. E. Church South, and a most amiable, excellent lady. In person he is about five feet, ten inches high and weighs 128 pounds. DRS. ABRAHAM and WILLIAM SHAFER (Physicians and Surgeons, Edgerton). The Drs. Shafer, brothers, partners in the practice of medicine at Edgerton, are justly recognized as among the leading successful physi- cians of this part of the county. Both are gentlemen of superior general education, and are regular graduates of medicine, each having taken a complete course at . medical college and graduated with marked honor. Dr. Abraham Shafer is the senior of the two in the practice, having commenced in 1873, ever since which he has been actively occupied with the duties of his profession. He was l)orn in this county in the year 1849, and was reared on his father's farm. His early youth was spent in the common schools, and later along he studied the higher branches at the Platte City Academy and the State University. In 1870 Dr. Shafer, Sr., began the study of medicine under Dr. J. M. Allen, of Liberty, and in due time entered the Medical College of Kansas City, which he attended for one term. From there he matri- culated at ihe St. Louis Medical College, and continued a student in that institution for one term, or uutil the spring of 1873. Dr. Shafer, Sr., then located at Arnold Station, in Clay county, where he engaged in the practice of his profession, and afterwards continued there for nearly ten years. During that time, in 1875-70, he attended another term at the St. Louis Medical College, and graduated the following spring, or in 187(5. In 1882 Dr. Shafer, Sr., came to Edgerton and formed the present partnership with his brother, who, in the meantime, had become a physician. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 907 Dr. Shafer, Jr., was bora in this county in the year 1852. Like his brother, he received a i^ood general education. Aftorvvards he taught school for a time, and in 1872 began the study of medicine under Dr. Allen. He attended lectures at the Missouri Medical Col- lege, of St. Louis, during the terms of 1874-75 and 1875-76, graduat- ing with distinction in the class of 1876. He then began the practice at Breckinridge, but within a year afterwards removed to Edgerton. Subsequently the partnership with his brother was formed, as stated above. Since then they have been in the active practice together and virtually have the control of the territory contiguous to Edgerton. They are both men of high standing in the community, and being physicians of approved skill and ability, they are of course successful in their profession. The Drs. Shafer are sons of Nicholas Shafer and wife, old and respected residents of this county. The fither was a native of Virginia, but the mother was born and reared in Ohio. The father was an ener- getic farmer, and one of the substantial, highly esteemed citizens of Platte county. JOSEPH SKAGGS (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Smithville). Mr. Skaggs, a successful and energetic farmer within the limits of Preston township, was born November 30, 1834, in Indiana, his pa- rents being Michael and Rutha (Paul) Skaggs, both Virginians by birth. The father was born in 1801, and died October 25, 1851 ; he followed agricultural pursuits as his calling in life. His wife died in Jackson county, Mo., in 1858. Joseph was one of a family of seven children. He accompanied his parents to Platte county when they came here and was brought up in this vicinity, his education being such as could be obtained in the common schools. He had no means with which to start in life for himself, but by industry and hard work, to- gether with a resistless perseverance, he has become comfortably sit- uated in life. He owns a good farm of 121 acres and has it well stocked. Li 1856 Mi\ Skaggs was married. Miss Harriet E. Ellis becoming his wife. She was born in Kentucky in 1837. They have six children living: Mary A., l)orn in June, 1857, and married to George Byrd in 1881 ; William T., married Ida Powell in 1882 ; Adda Miller, born in June, 1861, now the wife of Jacob McFall, of Clay couutv ; Joseph E., born Novetnl)er 11, 1866 ; Lucv G., l)orn Novem- ber 15, 1870, and Thurzaeller, l)orn March 17, 1874. Mr. Skaggs' mother i)elonged to the Reformed Cinircli, as he liimself tloes. His wife is connected with the Christian denomination. Politically he is a Democrat. WILLIAM SMITH (Farmer, and Gontractor and Builder, Post-office, Rixljiely). The subject of this sketch was born in Butler county. Pa., March 31, 1831, and was a son of James and Barbara (Hooks) Smith, who were married May 4, 1804. William Smith was the tirst in their family of seven children. The father was a stone mason by trade, 908 HISTORY or PLATTE COUNTY. and an industrious and useful citizen. He took an active interest in scliool matters, and did much to maintain good educational advantages in ttie vicinity where he resided. William Smith, the subject of this sketch, received a good common school education, and on the 18th of Decemi)er, 1S5B, was married to Miss Nannie, a daughter of Daniel and Lizzie (Fox) Pugh. In the meantime he iiad learned the carpen- ter's trade, and continued to work at his trade and carry on building as a contractor in Pennsylvania until his removal to Missouri in 1874. Since he emigrated to this State, Mr. Smith has kept up his trade and has l)ecc)me one of the prominent contractors and builders of this part of Platte county. At Ridgel}' he built the M. E. Church South and also the Christian Church. Besides these he has erected a number of other valuable buildings in this vicinity. Mr. Smith also has a vahuil)le farm of 100 acres adjacent to Ridgely, well stocked and well im- proved. He is a man of industrj' and energy, and is well respected by his acquaintances. ELDER JOHN W. TATE (Pastor of the Christian Church, Edgeiton). Rev. Mr. Tate was born in Harrison county. Ky., March 30, 1837, and was reared in Missouri. In 1857 he was married to Miss Nancy E., a daughter of Andrew and Mary Brown, formerly of Tennessee. In the meantime Mr. Tate was brought to Missouri by his father, who located in Jackson first and afterward removed to Clinton county. After his marriage he settled in Nodaway county and followed teach- ing and farming for about three years, during which time he prepared himself for the ministry, and for the succeeding 14 j'ears he was principally engaged with the duties of the ministry of the Christian Church in Nodaway, Holt, Atchison and Andrew counties. In 1874 he went to Virginia, where he attended Bethany College, taking a regular course of four years and graduating with the degree ofB. L., under the i)i-esidency of Rev. Dr. W. K. Pendleton. While he was attending college, however, he was also occupied with the active work of the ministry, and was very successful in hi*> work, adding to the church during that time more than 200 persons. After his gradua- tion Rev. Mr. Tate returned to Missouri and took charge of the Christian Church at Mound City, in Holt county, but a yeiiv later was called to the jiastorate of some churches of his denomination in Atchi- son county, Mo., where he rem.ainod about 18 months. While there he was also interested in farming. At the end of that time he sold his farm and afterwards taught school, organizing, in company with Prof. D. A. Quick, what was known as the Rock Port College and Noruuil School. In 1880 Mr. Tate took charge of the pastorate of the Christian Church at Gower, in Clinton county, and was also inter- ested in farming in the vicinity of Gower. He preached there and at the neighboring churches until early in 1883, and then came to Edgertou. Since he has been here he has had charge of the Christian Church at this place, and has also been acting pastor of the churches at Smith- ville, Camden Point and Gower. Beside discharging these duties he is carrying on farming quite extensively, and has control of the Breck- HISTOltV OF PLATTE COUNTV. 909 eiiridiTo or Walnut Grove Iknii of 320 acres near Edgertou. The place is well improved and well stocked, and Mr. Tate is making a specialty of breeding and raising fine short iiorn cattle for sale. He is also raising quite extensively the Poland-China breed of hogs. Mr. Tate was a son of Jose})li and Kauhel (Foster) Tate, both of old and respected Kentucky families. He is the only child living by their marriage, his mother having died when he was in the first year of his age, and an older sister having since died. After his mother's death the father removed to Lone Jack, Mo., and settled in Jackson countv ; afterwards removed to Clinton county and settled near the little town of Haynesville, where he lived until his death. He died October 11, 18()7. For many years Mr. Tate, Sr., had been a worthy and exomi)lary member of the Christian Church. JOHN W. THOMAS (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-offlco, Ridgely). The sul)ject of this sketch was born in Pike county, 111., January 4, 1835, being the son of Samuel F. Thomas, a native of Alabama, who, after remaining there until grown to manhood, removed to Missouri. In 1834 he went to Illinois and thence to California, locating in Los Angeles, where he now makes his home. During his residence in Illinois he was township assessor in Pike county, serving in an accept- able manner for several years. His wife, to whom he was niarried in 1830, was formerly Miss Elizabeth Wells, of Kentucky, born in 1807. She died in 1874, and of the family of children which she left, six are now living: George W., in Los Angeles, Cal. ; Selina, the wife of Woodson Wilkinson, and now a resident of California; Mary Jane, living in the same State; Samuel C, married to Elizabeth Turner, and a citizen of Pike county, 111. ; Sarah M., now Mrs. Robert Gil- kerson, of Illinois. John W. Thomas was brought up to the occupa- tion of farming, and has made it his chosen calling during life. He came to this county in 1869, and has continued to reside here since that time, one of the respected citizens of the vicinity. He owns KiO acres of land, improved and stocked with cattle, hogs, etc. Mr. Thomas was married'to Miss Mary J. Freeman, originally from Car- roll county, Temi., where she was born March 20, 1834. Her family moved to Pike county. 111., in 1844, where she remained until her marriage August 19, 1856. Her parents were Jordan L. and Sarah (Shipman) Freeman, the former a Kentuckian by birth, and the lat- ter from Tennessee, who were married in 1829. To them were born three boys and five girls : W. C, living at Louisiana, Mo. ; Jolin, in Pike county, 111. ; Isaac F., in Wisconsin; Elizabeth, in Illinois, as is also Sarah, who makes her home in Marion county ; ilartha S. and Eliza E. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have i)een blessed with two children, Mary Margaret, born October 25, 1860, and married in March, 1878, to Thomas Kennedy ; they now live in Platte county, and Isaac Free- man, born in March, 1863. In his political preferences Mr. T. is a Democrat . Ho is a member of the Masonic Order, and belongs to the Baptist Church. His parents were members of the M. E. Church, while Mrs. Thomas' parents are connectedwith the Old School Baptists. CHAPTEK XXIII. CARROLL TOWNSHIP. Location, Area and Boundary — Physical Features — Early Settlers — Who They Were and Where From — Platte City — Its Situation — Known as the Falls of Platte River — Originally called Martinsville, after Zadoc Martin — A Sketch of Him — First Court Held in Tavern of Mike Faylor^ — First Sale of Lots After Tovrn Was Laid Out — Charter Obtained — Sketches of a few Pioneers — Early Build- ings — Churches, Etc. — Schools Established — Chronological Annals from 1862 to 1878 — Postmasters of Platte City — Other Items — Public Schools — Business of the City — Exchange Bank of Wells & Co. — Biographical. LOCATION, AREA AND BOUNDARY. Carroll township is the central municipal division of the county, and contains the county seat. Its area is laro^er than that of any other township in the county, excepting Green, and embraces 62 square miles. It is bounded on the north by Fair and Preston Town- ships, on the east by Clay county, on the south by May and Pettis townships, and on the west by Lee and Fair, from which it is sepa- rated by the Platte river. PHYSICAL FEATURES. Besides the stream mentioned (Platte river), there are a number of smaller water courses which water the township in many different localities. The land away from the river is generally high and rolling, and the larger part was originally covered with a dense forest, the greater portion of which has been cut to make room for the well cultivated farms which are now seen in every portion of the township. The township is well adapted to agricultural purposes, the soil, both bot- tom and upland, being excellent in quality and highly productive ; the chief cereal products are corn and wheat. EARLY SETTLERS. The early settlers of Carroll township were getierally from Ken- tucky, and, in fact, that grand old State has contributed more to the settlement of this entire region than any other two States combined. ' Has already been spoken of as Fayler. (910) HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 911 Her sons and her daughters have been in the front rank of civiliza- tion. Wherever they located, lived and died, there may be foiuid even to this day among the present generation many of the traits of char- acter which they possessed. Of course it is not expected that we will or can give the names of all the early settlers of Carroll township or any other township in the county. This would at the present time be almost impossible, as almost a half century has intervened since the pioneers began to make settlements, and no record has been kept or preserved save the record of the personal tax list of 1839, which doubtless gave the names of the greater portion at that time, the complete list of wiiich will be found in this work. AYe should be glad to record the names of all the men who braved the dangers and difficulty of pioneer times and present a brief sketch of their lives, together with a few of their prominent characteristics, but time and space would preclude us from us entering into details which would doubtless prove to be of much interest to the reader, and consequently we must content ourselves with the names of a few : Jesse Moriu, Mr. Compton, Michael Faylor, Lycurgus Shepard, Axiom Farmer, Thos. Woods,^ Thos. Flannery, Wm. M. Spratt, Ar- nold Chance, Turner Moore, Edward Brown, Col. John H. Winston, George P. Dorris, David Carson, Wm. Brindle, Beuj. Morton, J. H. and Stephen Johnson, and Messrs. White, Adkins, Dyke, Riley, Dr. Marshall, Dr. McFall, Dr. Shrock and others. The present population (or according to the census of 1880) of the township, including Platte City — which is 670 — is 2,782. PLATTE CITY. The following has been kindly furnished us by Wm. M. Paxton, Esq. Platte City is situated at the falls of Platte river. The falls, as Nature formed them, were beautiful. The bed of the river was au immense flat rock forming a perfectly level floor, extending from one side to the other. This rock is about two feet thick, and is supported by a thick bed of soapstone. Originally, the waters, were, perhaps, precipitated at the lower extremity of the rock in a cascade of eight or ten feet. But by the wearing away of the soapstone, some two hun- dred feet of the stone were gradually let down, until from the top to the bottom there was an inclined plane over which an unbroken sheet ' still living, quite active and bright of memory and conversation, and celebrated his centennial birthday at his home, near Platte City, several years ago. 912 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. of water smoothly descended. At an ordinary stage of the river the water on this inclined phme was only a few inches deep. It was the only ford on the lower Platte, and when Fort Leavenworth was located in 1828, the officers and soldiers used it on their way to and from Liberty, in Clay county. Bat at times the water was too high, and the soldiers had to swim the river. The following year, 1829, a mili- tary road was cut out from Fort Leavenworth to Barry, in Clay county, passing by the falls, and Zadoc Martin, a farmer of Clay county, was stationed on the east bank of Platte river to keep a government ferry. Up to that time the men of Fort Leavenworth had used an old Macanac boat for crossing the Missouri, but in 1829 the ferry at the foi't, as well as that at the falls was placed in charge of Zadoc Martin. He was a stout, muscular man, and com- manded all about him with despotic power. His family, besides several negro men, consisted of his five sons. Green, Hardin D., Will- iam, Gill E. and James B. Martin, and three daughters, Millie, Jane and Josephine. His house was of lynn logs, and stood near the pre- sent residence of Ambrose Hewlett. He cleared out a field where the Catholic and A. M. E. Churches now stand ; and another where the City of Tracy is now built. He also had some thirty or forty acres in what is called the sand prairie, opposite the fort. He took a con- tract in 1830 to furnish beef for the garrison. His cattle were pur- chased in Clay county. The work at Fort Leavenworth required the employment of great numbers of laborers, carpenters and masons, and Mr. Martin did a large business at his two ferries. The boats for the ferries were made of hewed gunwales, and boards sawed by hand. Until 1837, Mr. Martin lived a laborious life in a vast solitude. There were no Indians settled in the county, aud the nearest white was at Fort Leavenworth. In 1835, Robert Cain got liberty to settle at Todd's Creek, and Joseph Todd three miles west of the falls. In 1836 many from Clay county made claim, but were driven off i)y the soldiers, and their cabins in some cases were burned. The lands were the hunting grounds of the Sacs and Fox tribe of Indians. The nearest settlement of these Indians was at St. Joseph. Their right was extinguished by a contract made with them by Gen. Hughes. The land was then thrown open for settlement. Vast numbers of pioneers liastened to the new and fertile grounds. Much controversy prevailed. The pre-emption law of 1838 did much to quiet titles. The succeeding laws of 1840 and 1841 quieted controversy. Martin wanted to hold the whole country. He stalked around like a giant. He always carried a huge staff, and was not slow to use it. The falls HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 913 were regarded as the most valuable property in the county. A dam was built, mill stones were hewed out from the lost roclv, so abundant in the Slate, and a flouring mill was erected. The business done was immense. Mr. Martin was in his glory ; he had the people as com- pletely under his heel as Pharaoh had in the days of Joseph. They had to come to him for bread. There was no other mill nearer than Smithville. His next step was to lay out the town of Martinsville. The original road from Barry passed through what is now Judge Norton's field, and passing by the African M. E. Church struck the river below the falls. He sold out permits, and failed to put the contracts in writing. Had he done so it would have forfeited his pre-emption. He claimed possession of the spring, and no enemy dare raise water from it. We can name but a few of the early inhabitants. Michael D. Faylor built a hotel of two rooms; Morin & Compton had a store. Some- what later Hope & Irwin built a saddler's shop, and George P. Dorris, Warren Samuel and S. & J. H. Johnston opened general stores. Dr. F. Marshall built a shop. Still later Alexander E. Cannon and W. M. Paxton opened lawyers' offices. Dr. J. W. Gibson and John D. Murray had cabins. In 1839 McCausland & Branham brought on merchandise. As yet Platte county had been attached to Clay for military and civil purposes, but on the 25th of March, 1839, the first court was held by Judge A. A. King, at the old log tavern of M. D. Faylor, in Martinsville, as mentioned elsewhere. Mr. Martin did not want his lands taken from him, but just over the hollow, on the present site of Platte City, there was a poor old man named George McAfee, who had a pre-emption on the (piarter upon which the falls were situated. The poor man's (lamb) land was therefore selected, and a trade made whereby the county was to enter so much of the southeast quarter of section 25, township 53, range 35, as lay east of Platte river, and that portion of it that embraced the falls was to be exchanged for 19 acres in the northwest quarter of section 36, upon which Martinsville was situated. This trade was afterwards literally carried out. Mr. McAfee never secured a cent for his property. His widow died a year ago at an advanced age, after having been in poverty. The land was entered according to law for the county. At the January term, 1840, of the county court, all necessary orders were made for the survey and sale of town lots. Stephen Johnston was appointed commissioner of the seat of justice ; the sur- veying was done by S. L. Leonard, and the first sale made of alter- 914 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. nate lots the 3d of February, 1840. Lots on Main street brought from $200 to $700 each. The highest price was paid by G. P. Dorris for lot 1, block 39, now owned by Baker & Zarn. The town site was heavily timbered, but in a few weeks scarcely a tree was left stand- ing. It is believed, at this day, there is no tree of the native forest left standing in the town. In 1840, Mr. Martin had attached an upright saw to his mill, and was turning out a large amount of lumber. Carpenters and masons came from all quarters. The shanties were removed over from Mar- tinsville. Nearly all of the houses were of wood ; but James H. John- ston built the first brick house in the county, on lot 9, block 28, now occupied by Hewlett. Hope & Irwin built the frame on the east half of lot 8 ; David Hunt built on the west half of 8, and Stephen John- ston built the house, now owned by Clemings, on lot 7 — all in block 25. These four are the only houses now standing which were built on Main street in 1840. There were several sales of lots in 1840. The receipts amounted to about $20,000. With this sum it was determined to build a court- house and jail. At the May term, 1840, Jesse Morin, D. A. Sutton^ and Elijah Moore were appointed commissioners for this purpose. Lots 10, 11 and 12, block 25, were selected for the court-house, and lots 7 and 8, block 23, for the jail. A handsome plan and specifica- tions were prepared by D. A. Sutton, who was a fine architect and excellent draughtsman. The picture of the old court-house, drawn by Mr. Sutton, may be found in the county clerk's office, well preserved. The county court about the same time established a free ferry across Platte river, at the foot of Main street. This incensed Mr. Martin, as it broke up his business in that line, and he talked of suing the county. Courts were held in a double log cabin, in the southwestern part of town, during the year 1840. In 1841, the spring term was held in a booth on G. P. Dorris' lot No. 1, block 31, and the fall term in Hope & Irwin's shop, on lot 8, block 25. Subsequent sessions were held in the court-house. A new circuit, embracing the five counties of the Platte Purchase, was formed, and Gen. D. K. Atchison was appointed judge. John Lewis took the contract for the log jail. The court-house was let out to David Hunt, Elijah Moore and other con- tractors. Hitherto preaching had been doiie in the open air or in private houses. But the court set aside the upper hall of the court- house for religious worship. It was supplied with seats by subscrip- tion. It was often used as a public hall. In 1845 a charter was obtained from the Legislature for Platte City, HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 915 and an enterprising set of trustees was appointed. Main street was graded and sidewalks laid. About the same time, or a little earlier, a lattice bridge was constructed by the county court and declai-ed free for all passengers. It originally spanned from one abutment to the other, but it commenced swaying up stream and the middle pier was added. When the Mexican War broke out J. W. Denver was a dep- ' uty in the clerk's ofHce under his uncle, Ira Norris. He had mani- fested no warlike spirit until he hoard the clash of arms. He became excited and went to work with ardor to raise a company for service in the war. Such was his enthusiasm, eloquence and intrepidity that a company was soon led by him to the seat of war. The quiet, un- assuming boy became the heroic Gen. Denver. Still later many of our citizens volunteered to follow the renowned Gen. A. W. Doni- phan in his celebrated mai-ch to Santa Fe and the gulf. Zadoc Mar- tin and all of his family, except James, had by this time become dis- gusted with civilized life and had shaken off the dust of their feet and emigrated to Oregon. Elisha Green came to Platte county a!)out 1838 and settled in the Missouri bottom above Farley, and opened a large farm. About 1845 he came to Platte City and became one of its most enterprising citizens. He erected the Green Hotel and the fine residence opposite ; entered into every scheme of public improvement, and labored for the advancement of the town until his death in 1855. Dr. Frederick Marshall came to Martinsville in 1838, and by his professional skill accumulated a moderate fortune. He built a fine brick residence on the hill overlooking the town, laid off the Marshall Cemiitery, and lent a helping hand to every laudable enterprise. He died in 1861 and. only heard the reveille of war. Howell Jenkins, a native of Wales, came to Platte City about 1845. He was a stonemason, and all the early tombs in our cemetery were the work of his hands. He built the fine and spacious stone buildinjr on lot 5, block 28, and the corner store occupied by Mrs. Beaumont. He subscribed liberally to every public enterprise. William C. Remington was a genial and kind-hearted gentleman. He was well educated and rose by his merits. He was elected asses- sor of the county and subsequently chosen circuit clerk. He built a fine brick house on lot 9, block 30, which was burned by Federal soldiers in 1864. He died young and much lamented. James B. Martin owned the water mills. He rebuilt the dam and mills, and constructed a spacious mansion on the hill between the 916 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. African ^I. E. Chin'cli uiid Al)riun Ilcvvett's. His goiiial coiiii);in- ionship and festive disposition hrouglit iiini to an early dcatii. Tiie first fruit of tlio enterprise of tiio citizens was, perhaps, the Methodist Church, situated on lot 3, block 33. This was a frame 25x 30 feet. It was built about 1847 by general subscription, and used h}' all denominations. It was l)urned by Federal troo[)s in 18(54. The Presbyterian Church and Masonic lodge was built about 1853. There is now before us the original subscrii)tion upon which the house was built. The lower story was to belong one-half to the OKI School and the other half to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The u[)per story was the property of the Masonic Lodge. Lot 6, block 31, valued at $200, was given by S. A. Jack and M. N. Owen. J. B. Martin, L. C. Jack and William Jack each subscribed $50. H. B. Wallace and Alfred Jack each $30. E. H. Norton, $25 ; William Christian, $20; John Ferrier, Amos Roes and P. Lutes, $10; J. R. Daniel, R. M. Johnston, W. D. Bonncll, R. L. Waller, G. Mais, W. S. Almond, J. H. Stringfellow, L. F. HoUingsworth, P. R. Wag- gouner, J. A. Headley, R. D. Johnston, John Banc and B. Pollard, $5 each. These sums were for the Cuml)eriand Church. The Old School Church raised no subscription, but Elisha Green and D. R. Atchison gave each $50; and Wm. B. Almond and W. M. Paxton guaranteed the remainder of $1,000. This house was burned by Federal soldiers in 1864. In 1855 the Christian and Baptist churches were built; the first on lot I, block 32, and the other on lot 10, l)lock 29. We do not know the subscribers. These houses were not burned with the others in 1864. The other churches were built after the war. About the year 1854 the enterprise of Elisha Green set on foot a project of building a Male Academy on lots 11 and 12, block 30. The leading citizens res[)onded liberally to Mr. Green's call, and three thousand dollars were raised. Among other subscribers were Dr. F. Marshall, Judge Norton, Dr. Wm. Baldwin, W. M. Paxton, II. B. Callahan, James Adkins, II. J. Froeland, H. Jenkins, Pliilij) Lutes, Amos Rees, W. B. Almond, J. B. Martin, Capt. A. Johnson and John Ferrier. A handsome and commodious brick house was built and a school opened. A year later Prof. F. G. (xaylord commenced his educational labors in Platte City. The Male Academy was burned l)y Ford and Jennison's men in 1864. In 1857 Prof. H. B. Todd, having determined to leave Camden Point, undertook to erect, by subscription, a large frame college on the hill south of town. The people of both the city and county took mSTOUY OV I'LATTIC COUNTY. 917 Iiold of tlic. enl>;r[)rise with oiitliiisiasiii. Seven (liousaud dollars were soon raised. Tlie house was erected and iillod with young ladies. For throe years Prof. 'I'odd and iiis scliool were ohjoets of great in- Icrest. All he denian. Morin, to apprehend a desperado name born June 15, 1838, in Carroll county. Miss. They have had six children: Mary T., Olmstead, Jennie, Katie, Smith and William. Mrs. Adams was a daughter of Abraham Hardy, a Virginian by birtli, and Mary A. Baker, also from that State. They moved to Mississippi in 1836 and came to Missouri in 1845, where Mr. H. died in 1854. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 923 He belonged to the Presbyterian Cluircli. Mr. Adams is a member of tlie Kniglits Templar, of the Masonic Order, and in politics is a Democrat. He and wife are connected with the Christian Church. ROBEET D. ASHER (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-offlce, Smithville). The subject of this sketch is a man well known to the people of this p(jrtion of Missouri, for his whole life has been passed within the Ijoundaries of this and Clay counties. He was born in the latter county September 14, 1831, and in early youth worked upon the home farm. His father, William Asher, a Virginian by birth, was born in Culpeper county, October 17, 1771, and in 1815 moved to MadisoQ county, Ky., where he followed the cooperage business. Coming to Clay county, Mo., in 1828, he remained there until 183(5, when Platte county became his homo. At the time of his deatli, in 1845, he was farming. His wife, Lucinda Clayton, to whom he was married in 1813, was born in Spottsylvania county, Va., in 1772. The father was a gallant soldier in the War of 1812, and in his farming operations met with average success. His wife was a member of the Christian Church. Robert D. Asher was one of three children, the others being Eliza, who died in infancy, and William C, born December 16, 1816. He went to California in 1849, and engaged in the hotel business. Robert D. grew to manliood here, and on Januarj' IS, 1857, was mar- ried to Miss Mary E. Russell, a native of Henry county, Ky., born April 15, 1836. He was a uaeraber of the Christian Church. Mrs. Asher's parents are connected with the M. E. Church. She died June 25, 1881, leaving si.x children living and four deceased. Those living are: William C., in Clay county ; James R., in Platte; John R., in Clay ; Nan P., born November 7, 1868 ; Anna V., born Aprif 20, 1872, and Thomas J., born May 15, 1875. Mr. Asher's second marriage occurred December 15, 1882, to Lydia A. Hinton, of this couuty, born May 15, 1848. They have two children, Willie and Louis E. Mrs. Asher's father, John Hinton, originally from Fleming county, Ky., moved to Platte county. Mo., in 1844. Siiortly l)efore leaving his native place he had been married to Miss Eliza Cox, of that locality. The former was in the Mexican War, and also in the late civil strife on the side of the Union. Mr. Asher is a memlier of the Christian Church. He commenced in life for himself in 1859, and since that time has been actively and successfully engaged in tilling the soil. He owns 120 acres of land, well improved and stocked, and is in a comfortable condition, notwithstanding he has met with reverses. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church. Mrs. Asher's parents are connected with the M. E. Cliurch. JAMES ANDREW BALDWIN, M. D. (■physician and Surgeon, Platte Cityl. Dr. Baldwin's father. Dr. William Baldwin, was one of the early and prominent phj-sicians of Platte couuty. He now makes his 924 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. home at St. Paul, Minn., where he is living in comfortable retirement. Dr. William Baldwin was a native of Masnn county, Ky., born at the town of Washington, March 4, 1813. His general education was received at the University of Ohio. Subsequently he studied medi- cine and attended both the Medical College of Ohio and the University of Pennsylvania (Medical Department) at Philadelphia, from which latter he graduated with honor. Dr. Baldwin, pere, then located at We- tumpka, Ala., but three years later, removed to Martinsville, Platte count}', and afterwards practiced medicine in this county for nearly thirty years, becoming one of the leading physicians of the county. He went to St. Paul in 1868. In 1845 he was married in Platte county to Miss Ann L. Johnson, a daughter of Capt. Andrew John- son, of the regular U. S. army. Dr. James A. Baldwin, born of this union in Platte county, April 12, 1847, was reared in this county. Ill early youth he attended the common schools and then took a course at Gaylord's Academy, in Platte City. At the age of 18, Dr. Baldwin began the i-egular study of medicine under his father and continued to study under him for three years. He then matriculated at the University of Louisville (Medical Department) at Louisville, Ky., where he took a regular course of two terms and graduated with credit in the class of 1869. Dr. Baldwin, our subject, then located at Minneapolis, Minn., where he practiced for a short time, removing thence to Spring Hill, Johnson count}', Kan. At the latter place he built up a large practice, and continued there for aljout seven years. But in 1878 he returned to Phitte county, and located at Platte City, where he has ever since been engaged in the practice of his profession. He has l)uilt up a good practice and is assuming a leading place in the medical profession of this part of the State. For several years he was secretary of the Johnson and Miama CoHnty Medical Societies, of Kansas, and a member of the State Medical Society of that State. He is now a member of the Platte County Medical Society, and is Commissioner of health for Platte City, an office he has held for the last four years. In the fall of 1878 Dr. Baldwin was married to Mis- Minnie R., a daughter of Dr. E. C. Redman, an early and promineni physician of Platte county. Mrs. Baldwin is a graduate of Gaylord'.- Academy at Platte City. The Dr. and Mrs. B. have two chihlren : Florence Dixie and William Redman. The Doctor is a meml)er of the Old School Presl>yterian Cluirch, and his wife is a member of the Christian Denomination. The Doctor is also a prominent Mason and a leading meml)er of the Masonic Order — also Nebraska Lodse, No. 12, I. 0.0. F. WALTER R. BLEDSOE (Of the Ann of Meyer & Bledsoe, Merchants, flaraptou, Mo.). Mr. Bledsoe, a young business man of thorough-going enterprise, estalilished his present business at this place in the summer of 1881. His father. Dr. Wills Bledsoe, a native of Boyle county, Ky., at- tended medical lectures at Danville and graduated with honor in his profession there, after which, while still comparatively a young man, HISTORY OF PLATTE COUXTY. 925 he came to Missouri ami located at Franklin, in Howard connty, where he practiced his chosen calling, and also tanned to some extent. He was married at Fayette to Miss Nannie Burckhartt, daughter of Nicholas S. Burckhartt, also one of the pioneer settlers from Kentucky. In the spring of 1861 Dr. Bledsoe entered the Confederate army, and as surgeon served under Price and Shelby until the close of the war. Removing to the city of St. Louis, he was employed by Gen. Rose- ci"aus as a member of the secret service order in the service of the United States. In 1869 he removed to Farley, in Platte county, and was engaged in foUowiug his chosen occupation until his death, which occurred October 1, 1876. At this time he had also been interested in the drug business, and Walter R. was engaged in the drug store with his father until the latter died. Walter R. Bledsoe had been born in Jackson county, Mo., ou the 15th of September, 18(50. His youth was passed in Howard and Platte counties, but his education was received mostly Ijy self-culture. Now, however, of somewhat advanced education and already with a neat start in life, for all he has and has accomplished he is very lai'gely, if not mainly, indebted to his own resolution, spirit and industry. He continued to be occupied in the drug business for al^out three years, or until 1879, when, dis- posing of his drug interests, he engaged in clerking in a general store with H. G. S. Meyer, his present partner in business. Subsequently he purchased an interest in the firm on the 13th of June, 1881, as stated above. Mr. Bledsoe then took charge of the store at Hamp- ton, and has continued it from that time. The firm carry a full stock in the general merchandise line, occupy their own excellent new build- ing, are men of energ}' and enterprise, and with the aid of their per- sonal popularity can not fail of retaining their present excelleut patrouiige. Mr. B. was appointed postmaster in 1881, which position he still holds. September 25, 1881, he was married at Farley, to Miss Angle Moss, a native of Platte county, a daughter of Mr. H. H. Moss. She is a member of the M. E. Church. The mother of Walter R. Bledsoe now iinds a pleasant and comfortable home in the family of her son, and also with her daughter, Mrs. W. H. Waldron, residing at Waldron, Platte county. Mo. Mrs. Nannie Bledsoe, mother of W. R. Bledsoe, is a member of the Christian Church. JUDGE JOHN STRODE BRASFIELD (Retired Farmer, Post-office, Platte City). Like many and perhaps most of the citizens of Platte county who are representatives of early families here, Judge Brasfield descends from Virginia ancestry. His father was Maj. James Brasfield, a gal- hint officer in the American army during the War of 1812, rising by his own merits and bravery to the raidc of major. He lost an eye in the service, and on account of this subsequently er of that denomination. Politicalh' he is a life-long Democrat, and believes strictly in unswerving party organi- zation. ■ BENJAMIN F. CHINN (Fiiniier and Stock-raiser, Section 23, Post-office, Platte City). Mr. Chinn, one of the native born residents of the county, and an agriculturist of no small prominence among the younger farmers of the townshi[), was born on the lOth of Octo!)er, 1851, in this county, his parents being Lewis B. and Mary Ann (Hughes) Chinn, both Kcntuckians by birth. They were brought up in the State of their birth, and after marriage removed to Missouri, in about 1840, settling in Platte county. Shortly after, Mr. C. bought the land and improved the farm which his widow now occupies, and where he died in March, 934 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 1867. He had beeu engaged quite extensively in stock-raising and trading, and not without success. In the family there were nine children, seven sons and two daughters, who grew to maturity ; five of the sons are now residents of this county. Benjamin F. grew to manhood in the neighborhood of where he resides, receiving a good education in the excellent common schools of the vicinity and at Platte City. March 12, 1879, he was married here to Miss Anna E., daughter of Isaac D. McEown, and wife Catherine, nee Ballard, formerly, from Kentucky. Like her husband, Mrs. Chinn was l)orn and reared in Platte. To them have been born three children : Bettie B., Lonella and Cora E. Mr. C. has 248 acres of land, 140 of which are fenced and well improved. He is rapidly taking a front rank among the leading farmers of the county. JOHN R. CLEMENTS (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 36, Post-office, Platte City.) The war record of Mr. Clements during the late civil strife was one of more than ordinary gallantry, and one which can be viewed by future generations with a spirit of pride when considering the patriot- ism which prompted this noble soldier to offer his services in defense of his country, and his subsequent braver}' on the field of action. In the fall of 18(51, Mr. C. entered the Eighteenth Missouri infantry under Col. Morgan, and afterwards was under two other commanders, serving for three years. He participated in the battle of Shiloh, where he was taken prisoner; first held in confinement at Vicksburg, he was later taken to Mobile and Macon City, at the' latter place obtaining a parole. In the spring of 18(53, he was exchanged, and soon re-entered the service, being occupied with guard duty near Corinth one summer. He was at the engagement of Resaca, and with Sherman on his march to the sea, or at least as far as Savannah, Ga., where he received an honorable discharge. He then returned to his home in this county, in January, 1865. Mr. Clements was now about 31 j'ears of age, having been born June 9, 1834, in Montgomer}'^ county, Ky., the son of Jonathan and Nancy (Williams) Clements, also Kentuckians by birth. Jonathan's father was one of the pioneer settlers of Kentnck}' from Virginia. In the fall of 1834 this family took up their location in Estill county, where the father was drowned in 1850. In 1855 the remaining members of the famil}' removed to Missouri, settling in Platte county. Mrs. C. bouglit land in the vicinity of Linkville, and John R., as the eldest son, had charge of its management. March 9, 1860, he was married in this county to Miss Eliza Jane Moore, who was born in Montgomery cf)unty, K}'., though having come to Mis- souri when 12 years old. Her parents were James B. and Barthena Moore, nee Molicrly, originally from Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Clements have nine children : James J., Benjamin M., WilLiam T., AValter, Madison, Simeon, Andy F., (Claude and Carrie J. In March, 1877, Mr. C. came upon his present farm, which contains 240 acres of excellent land; 200 acres are in cultivation, and everything sur- I HISTORY or PLATTE COUNTY. 935 roiindiui!; the place iudicates the proprietor of a model larm as its owner. Anew dwelling is a prominent feature of the improvements. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Clements belongs to the Platte City Masonic Lodge. It should have been mentioned above in the name of the children, that one child, an infant ten months old, is deceased. GEORGE FRANKLIN CLEMINGS (Blacksmith, Platte City). Mr. Clemings, one of the energetic, hard-working and highly re- spected citizens of Platte City — a man who, by his own industry and good management, has accumulated a comibrtable competence in life, and wiio has the good opinion of all who know him — is a Virginian by nativity, born in Loudoun county, March 4, 1830. When he was about 12 years of age, his parents, Alfred Clemings and wife, nee Matilda Payne, removed to Ohio and settled in Licking county, where the father, who was a blacksmith by calling, followed his trade for a number of years. Subsequently they settled in Muskingum county. There the father died in 187(3. "The mother died in 1850'. George F. Clemings, the subject of this sketch, completed his youth in Ohio, and, as he grew up, learned the blacksmith's trade under his father. When al)out 21 years of age he came to Missouri and located at St. Charles, but the following year, in 1851, he came up to Platte City and started a blacksmith shop at this place, which he carried on with suc- cess for about three years. He then removed to Jefferson county, Kan., and ran a shop there for several years. But returning to Platte City, he continued his trade in this place until 186-4, when, on account of the war troubles, he went to Nel>raska City. After the war, in 1866, he returned to Platte City, and has been here carrying on his shop ever since. A thorough mechanic, and an upright, honorable man, he has always had a good patronage, and has been quite success- ful. Mr. Clemings has l)een married twice. His first wife, nee Miss Charlotte, a daughter of John Kerkendall, died December 12, 1874, leaving him three children, namely: Jennie, wife of Joseph Kirtz ; Frank L. and Tillie A., the latter now attending school at Camden Point. Two others died in childhood. To his present wife Mr. Clemings was married December 18, 1875. She was a widow lady at the time of her marriage to Mr. C. — Mrs. Kate Kalahan, her maiden name being Chesnut, a daughter of Judge William Chesnut, of this county, one of the leading men of the county. They have one child, Henry Smith Clemings. During the war Mr. Clemings served about nine months in the Southern service, participating in the battles of Pea Ridge, Lexington, and some other engagements of less impor- tance. Mr. Clemings is a man of pleasant address, much general iuformatioti, and justly influential among his neighbors and acquaint- ances. 54 936 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. THOMAS G. COCKRILL. (Farmer and Breeder and Dealer in Thorough-bred Short Horn Cattle, Section 10). Mr. Cockrill has been engaged in the stock business since 1881, and the prominent traits and qualities which characterized his career while occupied in other fields of labor have followed him in his present calling. He is a son of Clinton Cockrill, a well known and highly respected citizen of this county, whose sketch appears elsewhere in the present volume, and when this fact is stated, a great deal is said for his character as a citizen and his success as a business man. Born on the old family homestead in this county, October 3, 1849, he was reared on the farm, and when he came up not only had good common school advantages, but the benefit of an excellent course at Daugh- ters' College, under Prof. Gay lord, of Platte City. After completing his studies at college he took up the study of law, intending to pros- ecute that calling as his profession in life. He was a student in the office of Merrymau & Paxton, well known attorneys of Platte City, and in 1868, after a thorough and exhaustive examination, was ad- mitted to the bar. Afterwards he practiced for one year. An oppor- tunity being ofl'ered to embark in the lianking business, Mr. C. became a member of the banking firm of Merrymau, Paxton & Cockrill — a stock company — of which Mr. Cockrill was cashier. His long residence in the county peculiarly fitted him for the successful discharge of his duties in this position. After about three years, Messrs. Merrymau and Paxton disposed of their interests and the bank was carried on under the firm name of Cockrill & Co. about three years more, being succeeded by Wells & Co.,- the present proprietors. During this time Mr. C. continued to hold the office of cashier. In October, 1874, he purchased a farm, moving on it the same fall, and in 1881, as above stated, commeneed the stock business. He makes a specialty of handling short horn cattle and has an excellent herd of 35 thor- oughbreds, at the head of which is a fine two year old, R. T. Murray, weighing 1,500 pounds, and recorded in the American Herd Book as No. 57,1)76. He has succeeded in doing much to promote the stock interests of this county and is deserving of much credit for the prom- inence with which the matter of dealing in thoroughbred cattle has been brought before the people. His place embraces 480 acres, well improved, and his buildings, nearly all new, are well adapted to the purposes for which they are devoted. Mr. Cockrill was married in this county, November 22, 1871, to Miss Bettie Chesnut, daughter of Judge William Chesnut, of Platte City. Mrs. C. was born and reared in this county, and was a graduate of Christian College, Columl)ia, Mo. They have six children : William C, Ida E., Mary June, David G., Grundy and Lucy May. Mrs. Cockrill is a member of the Christian Church. He belongs to Platte City Lodge, of the I. O. O. F. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 937 DR. E. McDowell coffey. Dr. Coffey was born in Hustoiiville, Lincoln county, Ky., on ttie 2i)tli day of January, 1829. His fatlier, Richard N. Coffey, was bora in Virginia and served as a soldier in Col. Shelby's famous Kentucky regiment in the War of 1812. Osborn and Mary Coffey, his })aternal grandparents, were also natives of Virginia, of Irish and Scotch de- scent. The former was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and witnessed the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. Joseph and Margaret McCormick, the maternal graudparents, were natives of Pennsylvania and of Quaker descent ; they removed to Kentucky at a very early day and shared the privations and dangers incident to a frontier life. The subject of this sketch made choice of the practice of medicine as a profession, and read with his father as preceptor. He attended lectures at the Transylvania University at Lexington, Ky., and was graduated in 18-52. He came to Platte county. Mo., March 1, 1854, and on the 29th day of June of the same year he mar- ried Miss Bettie James, and located at Camden Point, this county, where he remained until the l(5th of May, 1861 (having in the mean- time lost wife and child), when he was sworn into the State service at St. Joseph, Mo., as a private in Capt. Wallace Jackson's cavalry com- pany, organized at Camden Point; was in the battles of Carthage, Mo., July 5, 1861 ; Wilson's Creek, August 10; Drywood, Septem- ber, and Lexington, Septemljer 14 to 20 of same year, as surgeon of Lieut. -Col. Hyde's regiment of cavalry. Appointed surgeon of Col. Carneal's I'egiment, U[)on the reorganization of State troops at Lex- ington, after the surrender of Col. Mulligan, Septemlter, 1861, in tliis capacity he acted until January 12, 1862, when he was ap- pointed surgeon of Col. Gates' regiment. First brigade, Missouri vol- unteers, in the Confederate service, at Springfield, Mo. Was in the l)attle of Pea Ridge, or Eikhorn, and remained upon the field about a month attending to sick and wounded, and hundreds of soldiers who were left disabled upon that bloody field, especially those from Mis- souri, Arkansas, Texas and Louisiana, have douljtless remembered with gratitude the efforts made by Dr. Coffey to relieve their suffer- ings, he having, with great difficulty, and even risk of life, obtained permission, as the follo\ving circular shows, to visit the Confederate army, eighty miles distant, to take supplies so much needed for the wounded ; then he rejoined his coiiimand at Memphis, Tenn. : — circular. Headquarters, Trans-Mississippi District, 1 Van Buren, March 17. 1862. / Dr. E. McD. Coffey, Surgeou First cavalry, First brigade, Missouri voluuteers, anil Rev. G. W.Rodgers, Cliaplaia Second regiment infantry, First Missouri, are liere prisoners of war, on parole, for the purpose of procuring clothing for our wounded, now in the vicinity of Eikhorn. Commanders of brigades, regiments, etc., will have immediate steps taken for placing such clothing as can be sent for their wounded, at the office of the Provost Marshal, subject to the order of the above uamed gentle- men, liy order of MAJ.-pEN. EARL VAN DORN. d'abnby H. Maury, A. A. G. 938 HISTORY OF PLATTE COXJNTY. He was in the battle of Corinth, 7th and 8th of October, 1862, and had charge of a large number of wounded and sick for some time after in the hospital at Canton, Miss. Appointed chief surgeon of Maj.-Gen. Bowen's division, C. S. A., in December, 1862, at Grenada, Miss., he held this position until that gallant command was almost decimated by its terrible losses during the siege of Vicksburg. Was in the battle of Grand Gulf, 29th of April ; Port Gibson in Ma}', and of Baker's Creek, or Champion's Hill, 16th of May, 1863. Also in siege of Vicksburg from the 18th of May until the 3d of Jul}', 1863. In the battles of Lookout Mountain and of Missionary Ridge, November, 1863. Surgeon of garrisons at Forts Powell and Gaines, Mobile Bay, in February and March, 1864. Appointed president of Medical Examining Board at Gadson, Ala., April, 1864, and acted in that capacity until pai-oled on the 16th of May, 1865, exactly four years from the time he was sworn into the service at St. Joseph. After his return, in 186.5, he resumed the practice of medicine at Cam- den Point. He married Miss Helen Barnes May 1, 1866. November, 1872, he was elected sheriff, and removed to Platte City in December of that year. In November, 1874, he was re-elected. After the ex- piration of his second term he resumed the practice of medicine. Dr. Coffey has been a member of the Christian Church nearly twenty-five years, and a member of the Masonic Order since January, 1854, hav- ing been initiated at Harrodsburg, Ky. JOHN COLLINS (Farmer ami Stock-raiser, Post-offlce, Platte City). Mr. Collins' father, Zenas Collins, was one of the early settlers of Plattecounty,andMr.C., himself, was one among the first to make his home in this county. Zenas Collins was a native of Maryland, l)orn in 1797, but when about six years of age was brought out to Ohio by his parents, who settled in Fairfield county. There he grew up and was married to Miss Catherine Sites, formerly of Botetourt county, Va. After his marriage he removed to Richland county, Ohio, and resided there until 1836, when he again moved, locating in Franklin county, that State. But in 1842 he came to Missouri and locatied in Platte county, where he entered and improved a farm. He lived, however, only three years afterwards, dying September 28, 1845. His wife survived him until 1862. The place he improved is now owned i)y his grandson, Marion P., who bought it some years ago, having made the money to purchase it with by his own efforts Joini Collins, the subject of this sketch, was born near New Lancaster, Fairfield county, Ohio, Deceral)cr 20, 1819. He was i-eared in Oliio, and brought up to hard work on the farm. However, he attended school and had tlie l)enefit of an academic course. November 25, 1841, he was married to Miss Jemima Brown, a daughter of Pitts and Nancy (Driver) Brown, formerly of Maryland. The following year he and his young wife came to Missouri and settled in Platte county, locatiuir about four miles east of Platte Citv. Here he entered land HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 939 aud improved a t'anu. Mr. Collins has been successfully engaged in farming ever since. In 1858 he removed into the town of Platte City, in order to educate his children. He owns land near town, a good place of 270 acres, which he is conducting as a general grain and stock farm. He now resides on this place, a comfortalde home- stead of 270 acres, including a large two-story residence and other buildings to correspond. Mr. and Mrs. Collins have eight living children: Marion P., heretofore referred to; Nannie, wife of D. F. Masterson ; Elmyra, wife of A. J. Coleman ; Mary E., wife of Will- iam M. Lewis, of Kansas City; George V., a resident of Southern Kansas; Hattie B., wife of S. J. Park; Jesse L. and H. Clay, the last two on the farm with their father. Mr. and Mrs. Collins are members of the Christian Church. Mr. C. is a man of strict tem- perance habits, neither using any intoxicating stimulants or tobacco. THOMAS B. DUNCAN (Fartner, Stock-raiser and Dealer, Section 10, Post-office, Platte City). To the intelligent observer of the prominent and growing interests of this county, the stock industry can hardly fail of attracting atten- tion ; for to such a magnitude has it grown that many rely upon it at this time for their sole support. Since his youth Mr. Duncan has been actively and continuously engaged in this branch of business, and not without material success. During the past year he and his part- ner, Mr. Sanders McComas, shipped from Platte City one hundred and ten car loads of hogs and cattle, representing a value of nearly $150,- 000. Five miles southeast of Platte City is located the farm of Mr. Duncan — a good place of 120 ao-res, well improved. Though a native of Clay county. Mo., l)orn June 19, 18(50, he has resiiled in Platte the most of his life. His father, James F. Duncan, a Kentuckian by birth, born in Barren county, January 26, 1816, came to Missouri when a 3'oung man and settled in Clay county in 1832. He was mar- ried in Andrew county, near Savannah, to Miss Sarah Tracy, daughter of Sebert and Anna (Scott) Tracy, both from Garrett county, Ky. ; Mrs. Duncan also having l)een born in that State but reared in Andrew county. After their marriage they continued to reside in Clay county until 1866, then settling in Platte county, where Mr. Duncan bought land and improved the farm on which the subject of this sketch now resides, and where he died January 6, 1878. He had served as a gallant soldier in the Mexican War, and also had made two overland trips to California. After spending about two years in the mines he returned by the Isthmus and New Orleans. He was a Master Mason and a consistent menil)er of the Christian Church for nearly thirty years. To Mr. and Mrs. Duncan had been born three sons and four daughters, of whom Thomas B. was the youngest son, one younger sister being married. Thomas grew to manhood at home, receiving, besides a good common school education, the benefits of a course at Prof. Gaylord's school. On the 22d of January, 1885, Mr. Duncan was married in Clay county to Miss Bettie Ecton, daughter of Thomas 940 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. B. Ecton, deceased, originally from Kentucky, and one of the early settlers of Clay county, Mo. ; his death occurrmg January 29, 1881. Mrs. Duncan was born, reared and educated in Clay county. She and iier mother are members of the Christian Church. GEORGE H. ECIvERT (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 10, Post-office, Platte City). As one might suppose, after seeing the subject of this sketch and his excellent farm, the manner in which it is conducted, and the care and pains taken with every minor detail of its management, Mr. Eckert is a native Missourian, having been born within the limits of Platte county, near Parkville, January 21, 1858. His father was George Eckert, originally from Prussia, who came to the United States while a young man, meeting and afterwards marrying in New York State Miss Dorothy Stell, like himself a native of Prussia. In about 1857 he came westward, and settled in Platte county. Mo., where he has since continued to make his home. Young George received the benefits of a good education when not occupied with his farm duties in early life, his time being passed without any material change from the occupation which he had so naturally come to follow, until his marriage. March 11, 1880, Miss Eva Renner, daughter of Adam Renner (formerly from Prussia, but now deceased), became his wife. She was born and brought up in this county. To them have been born two children : Emma and Lizzie. For three years after this event Mr. E. farmed with his father, but at that time, or in February, 1883, purchased the place on which he now lives. This embraces 162 acres of land all fenced and in a fair state of cultivation, upon which are buildings in full keeping with the requirements of a char- acteristic farm. Mr. Eckert and wife are members of the German M. E. Church. AXIOM FARMER (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 27.) Mr. Farmer has resided in Platte county for a period now of over fifty years, and during this time he has been quietly and actively pur- suing the tilling of the soil as his chosen occupation in life. The result of this industry is seen in the comfortable farm and its appoint- ments, which are the property of Mr. Farmer. His landed estate embraces 160 acres improved in a neat manner, and one of the prom- inent features of the place is an orchard of 600 select fruit trees. Mr. Farmer was born in Edgecombe county, N. C, February 10, 1809, the son of Dew and Sarah (Dondnah) Farmer, both also natives of that State. In about 1815 the family removed to Middle Tennessee and located in Robinson county, where the father died. Young Axiom remained in that vicinity until reaching his nineteenth year, when, in the fall of 1829, he came to Missouri, stopping in Callaway county, some two years. In 1831 he took up his location in Pike county, and there, on February 12, 1835, he was married to Miss Sarah Ana HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 941 Estes, daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Estes. Mr. F. was a Keii- tuckiau by birth, but was brought up in Pike county, Mo. In the fall of 1836 Mr. Farmer became a resident of Clay county, hut not being exactly satisfied with iiis condition there, removed to Platte in. the fall of 1837, pre-empting the land which he now occupies and en- tering it during the administration of James K. Polk. It contained a quarter section. On the 24th of August, 1873, Mr. Farmer was de- prived of his wife by death. Of their family of children, four sons and five daughters grew to maturity : LucretiaJ., wife of Noah Beery, Jr., of Platte City ; George W., of this county, as is also John T. ; Harrison G., of Cass county, Mo. ; Sarah A., now Mrs. Lewis Hern- don, of Cass county, are now living. Those deceased are: Savannah, M-ife of William Grooms, died in May, 1882, leaving two children ; Hannah L., wife of W. W. Davis, died in May 1874 : "Armilda, died October 25, 1865, aged 29 years ; Robert H., died September 25, 1864, at the age of 22, and one died in infancy. John T. Farmer was married in this county August 5, 1874, to Miss Ermina, daughter of Moses and Malinda Hon. Mrs. F. is a native of Powell county, Ky., where she was reared. They have two children: Price and Grover Cleveland. Axiom Farmer and son, John, are members of the Baptist Church, while Mrs. J. T. Farmer is connected with the Christian Church. JAMES F. FLANNERY (Of Mason and Flannery, Dealers in Groceries, Etc., Etc., Platte City). Mr Flannery is a native of Platte county, born January 13, 1849. His father was Thomas Flannery, from Lee county, Virginia, who came to Missouri in 1838 and settled in this county. He still resides here. Mr. Flannery's mother was a Miss Fannie Bruntz before her marriage, also originally from Virginia. James F. was reared in Platte county and was educated at Prof. Gaylord's Academy. While yet a youth he began as a clerk in a store at Platte City and continued clerking for about thirteen years, or from the age of 17 up to 1879. In the meantime, in the fall of 1878, he was elected treasurer of Platte county, and was re-elected in 1880. Mr. Flannery formed his present partnei'ship with Mr. Mason in 1883. Of their business and the successful experience they have had, mention is made in the sketch of Mr. Mason. Mr. Flannery has been married twice. On the 9th of Februar}', 1870, he was married to Miss Mary L. Mason, a sister to his pi-esent partner. She died October 24, 1877, leaving two children, Dora M. and Lillie F. To his present wife Mr. Flan- nery was married April 17, 1879. She was a Miss Issie D. Million, a daughter of John Million, formerly of Madison county, Ky. But Mrs. Flannery was left an orphan in early childhood and was reared by her micle, Mr. Anderson Jenkins, in Jackson county. She was educated at Camden Point. Mrs. F. is a member of the Christian Chnrch. Mr. Flannery is a prominent Mason and Odd Fellow. He is a young man of good education, energetic and well qualified for business and a man of unquestioned integrity, as his election to the 942 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. office of county treasurer conclusively shows. No young man in the county stands higher in general esteem than he. FREDERICK GRAHAM GAYLORD (President of Daughters' College, Platte City). From the United States Biographical Dictionary (Missouri volume), published in 1878, we are permitted to reproduce the following sketch of Prof. Gaylord's life :— Frederick Graham Gaylord, the second of a family of five children, was born in Oneida county, N. Y., January 24, 1820. His father, Thomas Ga^dord, a Quaker in religious belief, was a farmer by occu- pation. His mother's maiden name was Caroline Loomis. Both families are of English origin. His grandfather, Thomas Gaylord, was a soldier under Washington, and was present on the occasion of his defeat on Long Island. His maternal grandfather, Roswell Loomis, was also a soldier of the Revolution, and served in the patriot army. He was educated at Clinton, in Oneida county, N. Y. Always of a studious and investigating character of mind, he, early in life, reaped the advantages of sound literary and scientific training, acquir- ing by his own exei'tions much of the knowledge which rendered him, in after life, distinguished in several States, and especially in Mis- .souri, as an educator of youth. Before completing his studies he from time to time engaged in teaching, to secure the means necessarv for his future advancement, and thus developed a faculty and a taste which jirompted him to make the profession of teaching the business of his life. In 1842 he went to Augusta county, Va., where for the period of a year he taught a private school near Staunton. He then moved to Burkittsville, Frederick county, Md., where he remained in charge of a high school till the summer of 1849, when he returned to the State of New York with the view of visiting California, and on April 15, 1850, sailed from New York city in the steamer Empire City to Chagres, crossed the Isthmus, and sailed to San Francisco in the French barque Gustave, arriving in June, 1850. He immediately went to the South- ern mines, where he worked on the banks of the Mokalume river, being moderately successful. He was present at San Francisco at the celebration of the admission of the State into the Union, in October, 1850. In the spring of 1851 he returned via Panama, and arrived in New York on the steamer Prometheus, the first built of the Vanderbilt line. He then visited Ohio with a view of going to Kentucky, and stopping in Cliampaign county taught school there till F'el)ruary, 1852, when he went to Irvine, Estill county, Ky., and took charge of a seminary, opening his first session April 4, 1852. He remained in charge of this institution until the summer of 1857. In the meantime, Noven'ber 10, 1855, he was married to Mrs. Mary Park, widow of Elihu Park, and proprietress of the Park Hotel in Irvine. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 943 In the fall of 1857 he moved with his family, composed of his wife and two step-sons, Thomas and Clay Park, to Phitte City, Mo., hav- ing been invited to take charge of the male academy in that town. Ho bronglit with him several slaves. November 2, 1857, he opened his first session of that institution, which continued to flourish under his able management till tiie 1)reak- ing out the War of the Rebellion, when, in consequence of his sym- pathy with the Confederate cause, he was forced to leave the State, and on going to Kansas he located in Atchison, where he remained till the close of the war, in the following year, wlien, at the earnest solicitation of those who had long appreciated his distinguished ability as a teacher, he returned to Phitte City, and assumed charge of the institution, then known as Platte City Female Academy, but now as Daughters' College, over wliich he has ever since presided, and where he now (1877) continues to maintain his well earned reputation. [At the present time (1885) he still holds this position.] Though raised by Quaker parents, he never identified himself with that " people." In the fall of 1858 he united with the Christian Church in Platte City, of which he has ever since been an active mem- ber, and of which he is now an elder. In early life he was a Whig in politics, but since 1856 has uniformly acted with the Democratic party. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in Kentucky. He joined the Masonic fraternity in Missouri, was initi- ated, passed and raised in 18G7 in Zerubbabel Lodge No. 191, in which he, at different times, held otEcial positions. He was, one year. High Priest of Melody Royal Arch Chapter, aud is also a mem- ber of Alpha Council of Royal and Select Masters. He was created a Knigiit Templar in Saint Bernai'd Commandery, in Platte City, soon after his exaltation in the Ciiapter. Prof. Gaylord is justly regarded as the pioneer in the cause of classi- cal education iu Nortliwest Missouri, and his success in elevating the standard of literary and scientific culture in tliat country is an ac- knowledge fact. Many of his students have achieved distinction in after life, as professional men, and filled with credit public positions of honor and trust. In person he is six feet two inches high, of powerful frame, and weighs 210 pounds. His social qualities are excellent, and his benev- olence and hospitality proverbial facts, which some in difl'erent States, educated by his lii)erality, are proud to attest. JOHN L. GOSNEY (Post-office, Linkville). Mr. Gosney, one of the oldest and most highly respected residents of Carroll township, is now in the sixty-ninth year of his age, having been born April 2U, 1816. His birthplace was Clark county, Ky., while his father, Richard Gosney, was originally from Loudoun county, Va. He was born in 1777, and after attaining manhood was 944 HISTORY or platte county. manned to Miss Jane Lcckey, of Clark county, Va. The younger days of the subject of this memoir were passed without any material change from the ordinary routine of farm labors to which he had been brought up, though his education was not such as the common schools of this day afford. About the year 1856, or soon after his second marriage, he started West, and upon reaching Clay county remained there three years. Going on to Denver, Col., that continued to be his home for two years. During the war Mr. Gosney served in- the army under Col. Shivington for 100 days, participating in the massacre since known as the Shivington massacre, at Sand Creek, Kan. Returning to Platte county in 1865, Mr. Gosney resumed his farming operations in which he has been quite successful. In 1843 he was married to Miss Harriet A. Lyon, a native of Shelby county, Ky., born in 1822. She died in 1849, leaving two children. In 1855 his second marriage occurred. Miss Rhoda Harper becoming his wife. She was from Fayette county, Ky., but died March 15, 1883, leaving six children : George H., boru August 31, 1858 ; Bet- tie, born November 14, 1859, and wife of John Young, of this county ; Richard, born June 9, 1861 ; Susan R., born December 4,1863 ; Hub- bard K., born December 5, 1869, and Robert H., born Decembers, 1871. Mr. Gosney's first wife belonged to the Episcopal Church, and his second wife was connected with the Christian denomination. She was most active in all benevolent and charitable movements, and warmly devoted to the cause of Christianity. Her loss was a severe one to her affectionate husband and loving family. Mr. Gosney is the owner of 100 aci'es of land. Politically he is a Democrat. THOMAS C. HAMMOND, M. D. (Physician and Farmer, Section 22, Post-offlce, Platte City). In presenting in this work brief biographical sketches of the {)ro- niinent citizens of Platte county, among these, in the medical profes- sion, is very properly given a short sketch of the life of Dr. Ham- mond, and of his identification with the county, both as a physician and surgeon and farmer. His father, T. C. Hammond, a prominent military man, and as brave a soldier as ever enlisted in any army, was a native of Maryland, where he grew to manhood. He was edu- cated at West Point Military Academy and was a first lieutenant in the I'egnlar army, subsequently being killed in the Mexican War at the battle of San Pasqual, soon after the birth of his son. Quite a romance and one of much interest to those so deeply concerned in it was his marriage, clandestinely, the marriage ceremony being per- formed on horseback at Pilot Knob, near Ft. Leavenworth, Kan. After this Lieut. Hammond was stationed at Leavenworth, but in 1846 met his death, as above mentioned. The maiden name of his wife was Miss Mary Hughes, of North Carolina, though she was reared in this county, and sometime after the death of her Imsband she became the wife of Dr. Rixey, l)y whom she had one child, Richard Hughes Rixey. Young Hammond was brought up by his step-father, HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 945 who did a good part by him in his early training. He received an e.xcellent education, having attended school at Camden Point, Leb- banon, and Lancaster, Pa., prosecuting such branches of study as he rightly believed to be of the most practical benefit to him in later years. Early displaying the genius for the science of medicine and having a fixed resolution to ultimately devote himself to the medical profession, he studied under Dr. Rixey, and after two years of study at the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, he was graduated in 1869. After this he located on his farm, and since that time has been occupied in conducting it in addition to practicing his profession. He owns 480 acres of land, nearly all in cultivation, though it was almost a wilderness when he located' on it. The improvements upon it are the result of his own energy and industry. Two hundred acres of this tract wei'e entered by his grandfather Hughes, and a deed has never been made of that part of the farm, it being entailed. Dr. Hammond is now in his thirty-ninth year, having been born at Bee Creek Mills, May 22, 1846. February 14, 1869, he was married in Philadelphia to Miss Ella Upham, daughter of Abijah and Frances Upham, of that city, where Mrs. H. was born and reared and edu- cated. They have six children : Samuel R., Richard H., A. E., Mary, Lilian and an infant daughter. They have lost two children, one three years old and the other in infancy. Mrs. Hammond is a mem- ber of the Missionary Baptist Church. Dr. Hammond's name is well known in Carroll township, and throughout the surrounding country as that of a conscientious and successful physician and highly es- teemed citizen. CAPT. R. N. HARRINGTON CPlatte City) . Comparison of ages :imoug those to those to the " manor born " dis- closes Capt. R. N. Harrington, of Platte City, the " first born " in the county after it was thrown open for settlement, the event occurring at a " pre-emption cabin " on the premises now belonging to E. J. Mil- ler, Esq., on the 24th of July, 1837. His life has been spen there with the exception of short intervals. He attended the schools of the neighborhood, and the academy at Camden Point, completing his education at Sugar Tree Grove Academy, in Clay county. Mo. He studied and practiced law from 1857 to 1861 with good success. His excellent qualifications secured for him the offices of city attorney of Platte City and school commissioner of the count}'^ within this period. Starting out loyal to the old flag, and failing to realize the promises of the government in waging a war for the integrity of the Union, upon Gen. Fremont freeing tiie negroes in Missouri upon one stroke of his pen, he joined his Southern brethren in their noble cause of self-defense, rising to the captaincy of a company and commanding it at the hard struggle of Pea Ridge with skill and daring. His health failing from the hardships of climate and military life, he returned, leaving a brother and step-brother as a sacrifice of the family's con- 946 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. tributiou, William Harrington being killed at Port Gibson and Capt. J. B. Clark at Baker's Creek, in May, 1862. In 1864 he was married to Miss Laura, a daughter of Capt. Andrew Johnson. Mr. H. was for a time engaged in the milling business, but owing to inexperience in this avocation the result was very unsatisfactory, and he lost a fine property. When disaster came they did not shelter themselves under the " rights " of the wife, but let all go for the satisfaction of creditors. The last twci years he has lived at the county seat that his two sons might have better school facilities, and he engages in literary pursuits. JAMES ■ HODGES (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Secton 12, Post-offlce, Platte City). Mr. Hodges was a young man 26 years of age when he came to Missouri with his parents, in 1851, having grown to manhood in Ful- ton county, Ky., where he was born on the 7th of October, 1825. His father, Samuel Hodges, a Virginian by birth, went to Kentucky in an early day, where he married Nancy Ro1)erts of that State. He was^i characteristic pioneer settler of that then territory, and served with distinguished bravery and valor in the War of 1812. In the spring of 1851 he moved his family to Missouri and located in Platte county, where he bought land and improved a farm and resided upon it until his death in 1875. His wife died in January, 1883. James Hodges, a worthy son of this family, remained on the home place un- til his marriage, when, Noveml)er 24, 1853, Miss Melissa Magill, a daughter of David Magill, originally from Tennessee, and one of the early settlers of Clay county, became his wife. Mrs. Hodges was born in Clay county, but was reared in Platte. After his marriage Mr. Hodges bought land and located on the farm, which he has since occupied, about eight miles southeast of Platte City. Here he has 200 acres partly cultivated and the balance in pasture and timbered land, and upon his home farm is a good residence and other necessary buildings. He has one child, Nannie E., wife of John B. Moore, who is on the place with his father-in-law. Mr. and Mrs. Hodges are members of the Presbyterian Church. He was formerly a Mason, but is now too aged to attend lodge. He is, in truth, one of the highly respected and honored citizens of this county. COLLINS B. HODGES (Farmer, Post-offlce, Linkville). Mr. Hodges' farm, containing 175 acres, while not as large as many within the limits of Platte county, is well improved, and in a manner which indicates the successful agriculturist. He has ever been most thorough in all his farming operations, and these, combined with en- ergy ami perseverance, have placed him in a prominent position among the tillers of the soil here. Mr. H. was born of the marriage of Sam- uel and Nancy (Cane) Hodges, which occurred in 1820, his parents HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 947 both being natives of Norfolk county, Va. There were nine children in the family besides Collins: Charles B., Jessie, James J., Katie, Arena, Nancy, Letitia, Rnfiis T. and Finis E. Samuel Hodges was a participant in the War of 1812, and at his death, which occurred in 1S75, had reached a good old age, having been born in 1798. His widow died in 1882. Politically he was a Democrat, and he and his wife were both members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Collins B. Hodges was born in Fulton county. Ivy., June 22, 1842. He made that State his home until 1851, when he came to Platte county. Mo., purchasing the farm which he now occupies, and where he commenced farming and stf)ck-raising. He remained on the home farm until the death of his father, Init in the meantime, in 1873, had married, in OI)ion county, Tenn., Sarah P. Harpole, daughter of Wil- son P. and Millie B. Harpole, nee Fowler, the former born May 4, 1822, and the latter in 1831. Mrs. H. was the eldest of six chiUlren, the others being Andrew J., Finis E., John A., Emma E. and Maggie L. To Mr. and jNIrs. Hodges have been born a family of four chil- dren, viz. : Millie V., born March 29, 1876 ; James S., born December 6, 1878 ; Nancy, born July 31, 1871, and Wilson, an interesting little fellow, the date of whose birth is August 12, 1884. Mr. Hodges is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and he and his wife belong to the Cumberland Church, as do also the parents of his wife. He is well respected in the community where he has so long made his home. STEPHEN JOHNSTON (Of Johnstoa Brothers, Dualers in Dry Goods, Etc., Platte City). Mr. Johnston may be said to have been reared to the business in which he is now engaged. His father before him, Stephen Johnston, Sr., was an old and successful merchant of Platte City, one of the first to engage in business here, and he continued merchandising at this place until about the close of the late war, when his mercantile career was closed on account of failing health. He died soon after- wards, in the fall of 1865. He was strictly a business man and allowed nothing to divert him from his business affairs, neither politics nor any of the other interests which often draw men off from their regular pursuits. He was twice married. His first wife was a Miss Malinda D. Clark, a daughter of the late Judge Clark, of Boonville. His second wife, whose maiden name was George Anna Boyd, was a daughter of Judge J. R. Boyd, of Tennessee. By his first wife there were three children. Four children were the fruits of his second marriage. Stephen Johnston, the subject of the present sketch, was the youngest child in the first family, and was born in this county, near Platte City, June 6, 1851. Reared in Platte City, he was prin- cipally educated at Prof. Gavlord's Seminary. Coming up an assist- ant in his father's store, he learned the business of merchandising thoroughly, and on the 25th of July, 1878, was married to Miss Ida M. Clay, daughter of Thomas H. Clay, of Platte county. After his marriage I\Ir. Johnston located at Edgerton and engaged in merchan- 948 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. dising on his own account. He continued there until the spring of 1884, when he sold out and bought an interest in the present store with his brother Charles, a son of their father by his second marriage. The INIessrs. Johnston Brothers carry a large stock of dry goods and other goods of kindred lines usually found in a first-class country dry goods store, and are doing an excellent business. Mr. Johnston is a member of the Odd Fellows' Order, and he and brother are members of the Christian Church. On the 31st of November, 1881,- he had the misfortune to lose his excellent and devoted wife. She left him two children at her death, Mittie M. and Thomas H. C. JAMES H. JONES (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Platte City) . James H. Jones was born in Montgomery county, Ky., January 26, 1837. His father, David Jones, was numbered among the early settlers of Bath county, Ky., from Virginia. David Jones was born and reared in Kentucky and made iiis permanent home in Montgom- ery county, where he resided until his death in 18(51. He was a farmer by occupation and was fairly successful. His wife was a Miss Mary Jamison before her marriage. James H. Jones was reared in Mont- gomery county, and in 1861 enlisted in the Southern service under Col. Duke, of Morgan's command. He was with Morgan in all the latter's raids, including the one in Ohio and Indiana. He was in a number of deadly engagements. After coming from Oliio, he was taken prisoner in Bath county, Ky., and held a prisoner in Louisville for 16 months, being afterwards conlineti at Camp Cliase for four months, or until the close of the war. Returning tlien to Kentucky, he made his home there until the fall of 1869, when he removed to Missouri with his family au'l settled where lie now resides, five miles southeast of Platte City. Mr. Jones has a fine place of 560 acres, all under fence and either in cultivation or pasturage. This includes a fine tract of 200 acres of blue grass pasture. October 9, 1860, Mr. Jones was married to Miss Fannie Reagan, of Montgomery county, Ky., a daughter of William Reagan, formerly of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Jones have had but one child, a son, William Z., who is now grown and married, and is engaged in farming with his father on his homestead. His wife's maiden name was Miss Fannie Oldham. She was a daughter of F. M. Oldham, of this county, and before her mar- riage was a successfid and popular teacher in Platte count}'. FRED KRAUSE (Proprietor of the Platte City Meat Marliet, Farmer and Stock-feeder.; Mr. K. is a native of Germany, born in the town of Langensalza, March 22, 1837, in the empire of Prussia. He was the fourth son of Gottlieb and Augusta Krause, of that town, where he received a com- mon school education. His father, being a veteran of the war be- tween France and Russia, under Napoleon Bonaparte, was one of the HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 949 few survivors who escaped from Moscow. Returning to Germany after the war, he married the mother of Mr. Krause, Augusta Hesse (born March 18, 1800), in Langensalza, in 1822, they raising a large family of five hoys and three girls. The father of the family came to America in 1839 to seek a new home for his family. He located in St. Charles countjs Mo. In 1847 he sold out to go back to Ger- many after his family by the way of Baltimore. He was robbed of his trunk and contents and left penniless, was taken sick and died in Baltimore in 1849. The mother of Mr. Krause, a woman of great industry and perseverance, then sold out her possessions in Germany and emigrated with the rest of her family to America, and located in Baltimore in the fall of 1852. Mr. Krause, after serving his appren- ticeship at the butcher business, came West in 1855 and worked in St. Louis until 1857. Then he went to New Orleans on the steamer Planet as a deck hand. Finding the climate too warm he went north again and stopped at Memphis, Tenn., where he obtained a situation as butcher with the firm ot'Duvall, Alger & Co., to supply the steam- boats with meat that carried the cotton from that place to New Orleans. In the spring of 18(50, while the political heavens in the South were beginning to become warm, Mr. Krause, by the advice of some rela- tives living in Leavenworth, Kan., came west to that phice with the intention of starting into business ; but as the outlook at that time wiis very gloomy in Leavenworth, he crossed the Missouri river and settled in Platte City and started a meat market. In the winter of 1861-62, under the preaching of Moses E. Lard, he joined the Chris- tian Church and has been a constant member of that church since. May 10, 1863, he was married to Elizat)eth Christy, daughter of James M. Christy, a prominent farmer near Platte City. His wife died in August, 1864, from that dreadful disease, flux, which at that time claimed a great many victims in this neighborhood. Septeml)er 26, 1866, he was married again to Miss Nannie A. Duncan, daughter of George B. Duncan, of Clinton county. Mo. In the spring of 1873 he re- ceived a commission from Gov. Silas Woodson, of the State of Missouri, as one of the Commissioners to the World's Exposition, then held at Vienna, in Austria. He left his home May 10, 1873, and was absent for about four months. Upon returning he resumed his usual occu- pation. Mr. Krause has a family of seven children, six girls and one boy, who are all well provided for : he has, by his industry, con- stancy, sobriety and energy, secured for himself and family a nice home in the city and a good farm of 250 acres of the choicest land in Platte county, well improved, three miles east of Platte City, and an income which, by good management, will keep him above want. DAVID J. LINK (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 24,T()Wuslup 52, Rauge 34, Post-offlce, Linlsville). In 1850 Mr. Link was drawn into that tide of Western emigrants bound for the gold fields of California, and, in company with John C. Berry, Israel Cook, M. Spicer and others, was 110 days on the road. 950 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. After spending about twelve months in the mines in seeking for the deep hidden treasures of the earth he returned by the Nicaraugua route on the steamship that went that way, going around of course by New York city. Returning to this county he settled on the place which he had occupied before going to California, and now lives in the house which he built in 1847. He has added to his original structure until his residence is one of the neatest and most substan- tial in the township, his farm, which embraces 160 acres, having- upon it the necessary outbuildings. Besides this he has 110 acres in two other places. Mr. Link was actively and successfully en- gaged in farming until the outbreak of the war, when he enlisted under Jackson's call in 1861, and subsequently became a member of a regular Confederate regiment, serving until the close of the war. Part of the time he was in both the infantry and cavalry, during the latter part of the war being occupied on detached duty in the quartermaster's department. He participated in many engage- ments, hotly and bitterly contested, among which were those of Lex- ington, Sugar Creek and Little Rock. After the close of the war he returned to his home. Mr. Link was originally from Bourbon county, Ky., born February 28, 1827. He was a son of Israel Link, of the same county, whose father, a Virginian by birth, had settled in Ken- tucky in 1800, among the primitive days of the State. Israel Link, who was born March 4, 1803, married Miss Elizabeth C. Hufford, of Scott county, K}'. In 1840 the family removed to Missouri, locating at first in Clay county, but in about two years set- tled in Platte county, on the present site of Linkville, where he en- tered land and improved a farm, residing here until his death, February 25, 1879. David J. was 13 years old when his parents came to this State, but was reared here and received a good common school education. In 1850, as above stated, he went to California. Before this, however, November 23, 1847, he was married to Miss Matilda E. Lampton, daughter of Benjamin L. Lampton, formerly from Clark county, Ky. She died here August 4, 1876, leaving four children : Elizabeth, wife of George Jameson, of California; Benjamin, mar- ried, and in this county ; Lottie E., wife of .lolin Hartley, of Platte county, and Eli Lampton, 19 years of age. December 14, 1884, Mr. Link was married near Parkville to Mrs. Emma Richardson, formerly the wife of Dr. Alonzo M. Richardson, and daughter of Jesse Sum- mers. She was born and reared in Fleming county, Ky., and had one daughter by her former marriage: Elizabeth, wife of Willartl Baldwin. He and his wife are meml)ers of the Christian Church. Mr. Link belongs to the Masonic fraternity, being a member of Loilge, No. 504, A. F.7xnd A. M., at Platte City, Mo. JAMES M. LITTLEJOHN (Farmer, Contractor autl Builder, Section 1, Post-ofBce, Platte City). Mr. Littlejohn, a veteran of two wars, and not without prominence in the community in which he resides, was born in Masou county, HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 951 Ky., July 19, 1830. His father, Daniel Littlejohii, a Virginian by birth, was the son of Aaron Littiejohn, of the same State, who, while serving in the War of 1812, received a wound from the effects of which he died at Alexandria, Va. Daniel, when a child, accompanied his mother to Springville, Ky., and was married in that vicinity to Miss Cynthia Thon:pson, of that State, l)ut of Scotch descent. The senior Littiejohn was a tanner by trade, and after working at that business for many j'ears, moved to Southern Illinois and settled on a farm. His widow still resides in that State, in Pulaski county. James M. grew to manhood in Mason county, where he had the ad- vantages of the common schools in which to acquire an education, and at the age of fourteen he apprenticed himself to learn the contractf)r's and builder's trade, working in that manner for three years. In 1847 he enlisted under Capt. Leonidas Metcalf, in Co. E, Third Ken- tucky Volunteer infantry, for the Mexican War, and as a brave soldier participated in the siege of Pueblo. He was in the service for one year, and when the treaty was made and peace declared he was at the City of Mexico. Returning home, Mr. Littiejohn was engaged in carpentering until the winter of 1850, when he came to Missouri, and for three years followed his trade at St. Joseph. In 1853 he commenced his chosen calling at Camden Point, this county, which he followed until the breaking out of the Civil War. In 18(31 he became a member of Capt. VV. B. Chiles' company of Col . John Winston's regiment, and was soon placed in the quartermaster's department, receiving his discharge upon the disorganization of Jack- son's men. Entering the regular Confederate service, he was now appointed recruiting officer by Col. John T. Hughes, and shortly after was taken prisoner in Southern Missouri, being paroled in a few da3's. He now came home, but in 1863 liecame engaged in freighting across the plains to Colorado, Salt Lake and New Mexico. After the close of the war Mr. Littlejf)hn returned to Platte county, and has since been occupied in contracting and building in connection with farming. .'Vbout 1870 he moved upon his present farm, a good place of 145 acres, well improved. March 4, 185(!, he was married to ^Nliss Bettie J. PuUins, daughter of William Pullins, formerly from Madison county, K}'. Mrs. L., born there, was partly educated at Richmond, and is a lady of superior intellectual worth. She is related to three [irominent families of Kentucky — the Walkei's, Watts and Turners — and is a cousin of Col. Elijah Gates, of Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Littiejohn have four children : Dora, James M., Cynthia A. and Liz- zie W. Mr. L. is an Ancient Odd Fellow. His wife is a member of the Christian Church. STEPHEN McCOMAS (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 26, Post-oflJce, Platte City) . Mr. McComas, a man of no small acquaintance and of deserved influence in the material a-flairs of the vicinity in which ho makes his home, is a brother to Sanders McComas, mention of whom is made 55 952 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. elsewhere, aiul was born January 4, 1835, in Cabell county, W. Va., a son of Burke and Nancy (Heath) McComas, both also Virginians by birth. In December, 1840, the family having decided to come on westward, located in Missouri, taking up their permanent residence in Platte county, and upon the place where they now reside, in 1848. Burke McComas first settled in the Platte and Missouri river bottoms, but losing a great deal of property by the flood of 1844, he moved to Preston township, two and a half miles southwest of Ridgely. He- is now 74 years of age, a well preserved, hearty old gentleman, who bids fair to see many more j'ears. His worthy wife died in July, 1871. Like most of the youths at that time, Stephen McComas passed his younger days in tending the home farm, and receiving tlie rudiments of an elementary education. Subsequently, on March 20, 1855, when in his twenty-first year, he was married to Miss Virginia Bird, daughter of William and Mary Bird, nee Shafer, her parents having been among the early settlers of this county. She was born in Clay county, though brought up in Platte. In 1857 Mr. McComas went to Kansas and while there pre-empted land in Jackson county, where he made his home for 18 months, then selling out and returning home. In 1860 he fell a victim to that most natural disease — gold fever — and went to Pike's Peak, but one season satisfied him of his desire to accumulate property in that manner. From 1874 for three years he resided in Leavenworth, Kan., and in 1877 once more came back to the county in which his j'outh and earl}' manhood had been spent. He owns 160 acres of laud, well improved with all necessary appurtenances. One of the interests to which he has devoted much attention is that pertaining to machinery, for in addition to carrying on his usual farming operations he conducts a thrashing machine, and has done so for nearly 20 years. Besides this he runs most suc- cessfully a saw mill with a portable engine, cutting on an average about 300,000 feet of lumber annually. His thrashing will amount to from 25,000 to 30,000 bushels of grain each season. Mr. and Mrs. Mc- Comas have reared seven children : William, married, and in this county ; Katie, wife of T. B. Flannery, also of this county ; Jefferson D., married ; Melvina, now Mrs. Charles Chinn ; Thomas J., mar- ried ; John B. and James at home. The oldest child, Mary F., died in 1874, while the wife of William Daugherty ; Emily died in her eleventh year, and Charlie died when 11 months old. SANDERS W. McCOMAS (Farmer and Stock-raiser and Dealer, Section 24, Post-offlce, Platte City). As mentioned in the sketch of Stephen McComas, which precedes this, there came to Missouri about the year 1840, Burke McComas and his wife Nancy, »e'e Heath, both origiuall}^ from Cabell county, Va. Thg former has been a farmer by occupation during his life, and though somewhat retired at the present tiuie, he takes much interest in agricultural affairs. Sanders W. McComas was one of tlie family of children born of the marriage of Burke McComas and Nancy Heath ; HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 953 his birth occurred on the 2(1 of Jamuiry, 1841, and he is a native of Platte county. Having grown up within its boundaries, he has very naturally become prominently and closely identified with its material progress. In youtli he was denied the privileges of more than a limited education, but by self application and close examination of the means afforded, as well as by great reading in later years, it is but the truth to say that he has become one of the foremost men in educational matters in the State. He is well posted on the current events of the day also. In December, 1861, Mr. INIcComas enlisted under Col. Hall in the cavalry service of the Missouri State militia, and was mus- tered out at St. Louis, February 14, 1865, as second sergeant. He participated in the fight at Newton, Mo., and in several skirmishes, among others those at Jefferson City and Springfield, besides pur- suing Price and Joe Shelby on tlieir raids through the State. Upon returning home he was married in Howard county, February 18, 1868, to Miss Lucy Heath, daughter of Judge Wm. R. Heath, of Howard county, where Mrs. McComas was born and reared. Previous to this, however, Mr. McComas had purchased a farm to which he now re- moved, the one which he now occupies. This contains a quarter sec- tion of excellent land, and upon it are good improvements, residence, barns, etc. For some time he has been interested in buying and shipping stock, his shipments amounting to about 100 car loads annu- ally. In his political preferences he is Republican, though his broth- ers are all followers of the Democratic party. To himself and wife have been given four children : Luella, William R., Lizzie and Dol- lie. Mr. and Mrs. McComas are Methodist in their church tendencies. The former is an Ancient Odd Fellow. WILLIAM H. McMONIGLE (Farmer aud Riisier aud Dealer iu Stock, Post-offlce, Liukville). Mr. McMonigle's father, Aaron B. McMonigle, came to Platte county in 1853, and soon l)ecame a successful and well to do farmer and stock-raiser of this locality, being respected l)y all who knew him. He remained here until 1877, when he moved to Jackson county. Mo., and three years later to Stone count}', where he now makes his home. He was born in Estill county, Ky., in 1833, and in 1849 was married to Sarah J. Allison, also a Kentuckian l>y birth, born in 1834. They remained there until coming to this county, as mentioned above. To them were born six children: Milton A., born August 29, 1850, and now engaged in farming and the cattle business in Stone county ; Joseph F., born May 20, 1861, and also occupied in raising cattle in Stone countv ; James M., born December 18, 1867, at home with his father; Edgar A., born February 14, 1869 ; Ollie B., born July 29, 1871, and William H., the subject of this sketch, who was born in Estill county, Ky., July 29, 1852. He came to this county with his parents on their removal here, and has since made his home within its boundaries, a period now of over 30 years. During this time he has l)een interested in agricultural pursuits, and also to some extent ia 954 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. cattle. His landed estate embraces 240 acres, well improved and under cultivation, and upon it are good graded stock, more particularly cattle. January 6, 1880, Mr. McMonigle was married to Miss Letitia Hodges, originally from Kentucky. She accompanied her parents to Platte county in 1851, and has since lived here. Mr. McM. belongs to the Christian Church, and his wife to the Presbyterian denomina- tion. In politics he is a stanch Democrat. GEORGE AIASON (Of Mason & Flannery, Dealers in Groceries, Etc., Platte City). Among the old and respected families of Platte county is the one whose name is borne by the subject of the i)resent sketch. Mr. Ma- son's father, Roi)ert F. Mason, came to this county from Kentucky in an early day. He was a merchant by occupation, and for many years was engaged in business at Platte City. He still resides in this county. His wife was a Miss Dorcas Stigers, who was born and reared in Ohio. She is also still living. George Mason, the subject of this sketch, was born in Platte county August 31, 1847. Principally reared at Platte City, he received a good, practical education at Prof. Gaylord's acad- emy, and his father being a merchant by occupation, he also learned merchandising as he grew up. In 1877 Mr. Mason, Jr., engaged in business at Platte City on his own account, and two years later the present partnership was formed. Messrs. Mason & Flannery have a large stock of provisions, groceries, glassware, queens ware, etc., etc., and do an annual business of about $30,000. Of Mr. Flannery men- tion has been made in a former sketch. Mr. Mason, it is hardly necessary to remark here, so well is he generally known in the county, is a man of superior business qualifications and sterling character. He has every apparent promise of a successful future. CAPT. W. JACKSON MILLER (Retired Agriculturist and Merchant, Platte City). For nearly thirty-five 3'ears, or sinc(5 1851, with the exception of a short time during the war, Mr. Miller has been a resident of Platte county. He has been one of the active, energetic men of the county, one of that class of its citizens'who have l^een mainly instrumental in building it up and making it what it is to-day — one of the prosperous and leading counties of the State. By his industry and enterprise he had succeeded ])efore the war in amassing a comfortable property. But the vicissitudes and mistbrtunes of the war brought heavy losses upon him, so that when it closed he had, practically, to begin life anew. The same qualities, however, that made him successful prior to the war have borne similar fruits since, and for a second time in lite he has succeeded in placing himself in comfortable circumstances. He is now retired on an ample competence to spend the remainder of his days in ease and contentment. But, unfortunately, just as his out- look for the Indian summer of life seemed most pleasant and gratify- HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 955 ino;, a heavy misfortune fell upon him. the heaviest oue is ever called upon to bear. His siood wife, the partner of his joys and sorrows for nearly half a century, was called away by death. She had been by his side from the time when they were both young and bright and happy with the prospects of the future, thrcnigh all the sunshine and the shadows that fell across their pathway until the twilight of old age began to approach, and through all these long years she proved her- self to be one of the truest and most devoted of women, a gentle and loving wife and a tender, self-sacrificing mother. Her whole happiness in this world seemed to be centered in her family and friends, and ap- parently their comfort and pleasure were the objects of her undivided solicitude. No kinder and truer wife and mother and friend ever fell to sleep in death than when Lucy M. Miller died, Novemlier 22, 1884. Though gone to return no more, the memory of her gentle, true life still lingers among those who knew her and loved her like tiie halo of a sweet dream. Capt. Miller is a Virginian by nativity, born Novembor 18, 1818. His father was a Virginian by Iiirth, hut his father, John Miller, was originally from Penns3dvania. His mother, who was a Miss Jane Jackson before her marriage, was born and reared in the Old Do- minion. They made their permanent home in Virginia, where each lived to reach a ripe old age. Capt. Miller was reared in Rappahan- nock, and on the 7th of May, 1840, was married to Miss Lucy M. Miller, whose death has ali-eady been mentioned — a daughter of Jesse Miller. Mr. Miller, reared on a farm, made farming his regular occu- l^ation for many years. In 1851 he removed to Missouri, and located in Platte county. Here he engaged in farming near Platte City, where he bought land and also followed raising and dealing in stock. On the outbreak of the war, early in 1861, he enlisted in Col. Win- ston's regiment of the Southern service, becoming captain of a com- pany. He served until after the expiration of his term of service, and during that time participated in the battle of Pea Ridge and several of less importance. Subsequently Capt. Miller went to Ne- braska City and engaged in the wholesale grocery trade, which he followed until the close of the war. After the war he returned to Platte county and resumed farming and handling stock. In 1872 he established a stock ranch in Colorado, which he carried on with excel- lent success until 1880, when he sold out at a handsome profit. He is now silent partner in the firm of Blakeley & Co., of Platte City, one of the leading dry goods houses in the place. Capt. Miller lost about $20,000 by the war, but much of this he has made good by profitable industry and enterprise since. Capt. Miller and his good wife were Ijlessed with a family of nine children: Jane H., wife of Thomas R. Darnell ; Jessie A., who died at the age of 14 ; John E., Mortimer M., William E., Fannie W., wife of Jesse Blakele\' ; Gideon T., Jesse B. and Joseph J. Capt. Miller is a member of the Baptist Church. He has been a member of the Masonic Order for man}^ years, and is a prominent man in that Order. He came out to Mis- souri on a prospecting tour as early as 1839, and was here when the 956 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. site of Kansas City was a wilderness, and there were few settlers in all this region of country. He made the trip to this State by wagon, before the day of railroads, and was fifty-three days on the road. J. EDGAR MILLER (Farmer and Breeder and Dealer of Hereford Cattle, Post-offlce, Platte City). The stock business in this county has come to be one of the most prominent industries within its limits, and to those who introduced it here much ci'edit is due for the interest which they manifested in striving to promote what in later years has become a prominent feature of agricultural life. Greater credit, however, sliould be given those who have tried to make a specialty of fine stock raising, and with the latter class Mr. Miller is deserving a prominent place. He embarked in this business in December, 1882, with one fine male animal, until he now has a herd of 25 excellent Hereford cattle, at the head of which is a fine two-year-old, the Duke of Marlow, registered in the American Herd Book as number 6500, bred by T. L. Miller, of Beecher, 111. In addition to this he has a number of young cattle, three-fourths blooded stock. Mr. Miller was born in Rappahannock county, Va., February 3, 1847. His father was Capt. W. J. Miller, an extended account of whose life is given elsewhere in this volume. Young Miller was brought up as a farmer boy and received a good education, principally at Nebraska City. In 1872 he went West to Colorado, and was engaged in ranching there and in New Mexico and the Indian Territory until 1882. He achieved more than ordinary success in the stock business, but at the time above mentioned disposed of his interests and retired, buying the old homestead of his father, a place of 200 acres of land in grass and cultivation ; 60 acres in addi- tion are devoted to timber. The necessary improvements which char- acterize the farmer of energy and progressive ideas might be found upon his place. Mr. Miller was married in Danville, Ky., Deceml)er 7, 1882, to Miss Susie E. Clarke, a daughter of Joseph and Jane T. (Clark) Clarke. She was born in Platte county, Mo., but went to Kentucky in 1865, and remained there until her marriage. Mr. M. i-esides on section 20 of this township. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church at Elm Grove. WILLIAM E. MILLER (Of Bnrruss & Miller's Livery Stable, Platte City) . Mr. Miller was born in Platte county. May 19, 1852. His parents, W. J. and Lucy Miller, were natives of Virginia, and came to Platte county in 1851 and settled eight miles south of Platte City, wiiere his father still lives, his mother having died November 22, 1884. William E. was reared on his father's farm and followed it as an avocation until 1874, when he went to Colorado and for several years was en- gaged in the cattle business, and in which he was very successful. In 1883 he formed a partnership with Mr. Bnrruss in his present business. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 957 The firm are doing a good business in the liveiy line, and their stables are both popular with the local and traveling public ^Ir. Miller was married February 4, 1885, to Miss Dulcie George, a daughter of E. E. and V. A. George, of Virginia. WILLIAM T. NELSON (Of Thora.as & Nelson, Editors aad Proprietors of the Argxis, Platte City). INIr. Nelson was about 13 years of age when he began at the print- er's trade, in 1870. That was at Maryville, in Nodaway county, at which place he was born, October 22, 1857. He entered the office of the Maryville HejntbUcan, in which he continued for a short time, and acquired his trade in the Nodaway Democrat, office. Subsequently he attended the INIaryville high school for about two years, and then i-esumed his trade. In 1878 young Mr. Nelson went to Leavenworth and obtained a situation as compositor in the Times office. After two years spent there, he came to Platte City and went to worli in the office of the Landmark. A few months later he was einploved as foreman of the Advocate, which afterwards became consolidated with the Landmarh. Mr. Nelson continued with the Landmark until he became connected with the Arf/iis, in the spring of 1884. The following fall he bought an interest in the paper, and has been associated with Mr. Thomas in its publication ever since. The suc- cess they have had in the publication and building up of the Argus has already been spoken of in the sketch of Mr. Thomas, which appears elsewhere. April 18, 1882, Mr. Nelson was married to Miss Carrie W. Beery, a daughter of Jeremiah Beery, of Platte City. They have one child. Alpha Foristine, born May 8, 1883. Mr. Nel- son's parents are Henry H. and Mary C. (Stiff) Nelson, both origi- nally from Virginia. They removed to Missouri in the spring of 1856 and settled in Nodaway county. Tiie father was marshal of Maryville and constable of Polk township for a number of years. The mother died in the spring of 1879. William T., the subject of this sketch, was the youngest of three children, and was educated at the Maryville high school. MRS. SARAH A. NUNNELLY (Post-office, Linkville). The father and mother of Mrs. Nunnelly, Robert and Catharine Scarce, were Virginians by birth, and the former, during his life, was engaged in the occujiation of farming. After becoming a citizen of Kentucky he remained there until his death, at that time owning 200 acres of land. He and his wife were both connected with the Chris- tian Church. One of the children l)orn of this union was Sarah A. Scarce, on April 28, 1818, and her birthplace was in the State of Kentucky. Her paternal grandparents were James and Henrietta Scarce. Sarah A. made her home in the State of her birth until her marriage there September 13, 1840, to Mr. Washington Nunnelly, 958 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. who was boni January 3, 1810. Two weeks after this event this happy cou|)le started for a location further west, and upon coming into Missouri concluded to settle in Cla\' county, near Liberty. There they remained eight years, after which time Mr. N. purchased land in Platte county, and moved here. He at once devoted himself actively and energetically to farming, and soon became prominently identified with the agricultural interests of this vicinity, owning a farm of 360 acres, a choice homestead. This was his permanent al)iding place' until he was called away by death, on the 3d of March, 1S82. He was a most exemplary man in the walks of every-daj^ life, and was no •less warmly attached to his family and home surroundings, and his death was a severe blow to those whom he left. He was a member of the Christian Church, as was also his widow. They were blessed with a family of six children: Robert S., was born January 8, 1846, and married Miss Amanda Brown, of this county ; Albert K., born November 16, 1848, was married to Miss Nora Link, and now lives in Clay county; William D., was born April 12, 1851, and married Miss Margaret Graham, of this county ; John B., was born Novem- ber 30, 1855, and is engaged in the mercantile business here ; James L., who was born September 18, 1858, took for his wife Miss Ellen Fleming, of Platte county; the youngest son, Craig A., born July 2(), 1861, is managing the home farm. He is a young man of excel- lent ability for the successful conduct of this place, and the care and labor which he has expended in his work are seen in the attractive a[)pearance presented in a look over the farm. WILLIAM J. OVERBECK, M. D. (Physician and Surgeon, Platte City). To every old settler of Platte county Dr. Overbeck's father, Dr. Henry A. Overbeck, was well known. He came to this county from Clay count}', where he had settled from Baltimore, Md., in 1837, and practiced medicine here in connection with farming and stock raising until his death, which occurred in the spring of 1866. During this time, however, he spent two years in California immediatel}' following 1849, and subsequently about five years in Jackson county. Ore., pre- ceding 1857, where he practiced medicine. He had a large practice in Platte county, and was a thoroughU' captible physician and highly respected citizen. Dr. Overbeck, pere, was originally from Bremen. Germany, where he was born in 1803, coming thence to the United States in 1822, and locating at Baltimore. Previously he had received a good German education, anil afterwards he studied medicine and attended medical college at Baltimore. In 1827 he was married to Miss Amelia C. Walz, daughter of Benjamin G. Walz, formerly of Baltimore, Md. Dr. Overbeck, jyere, came to Missouri, as stated above, in 1837, and located in Clay county, but seven years later set- tled in Platte county. His good wife, now in her seventy-seventh year, still survives him, and is remarkably active and with memory as good as ever. Ten of tiieir children grew to mature years, six of HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 959 whom are living, three sons and three danghters. Dr. William J. Overbeck was born in this county May 27, 1846. His education was I'eceived at Pleasant Ridge College, one of the prominent schools of that day. Subsequently Dr. Overbeck, fits, studied medicine under his father, and in 18(58 matriculated at the Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati, where he graduated two years later. He then began the practice of medicine in Platte county, and has continued it ever since, except while serving the people in an official capacity. In 1880 he was elected sherift' of the county, and two years later was re- elected. Having served out in that office the full limit allowed by law, he retired in 1884 and resumed his practice, which he is now actively engaged in. October 3, 1872, he was married to Miss Mary E. Starks, daughter of Price Starks, deceased, late of Kentucky. He was an early settler of Scotland county, Mo., however, where Mrs. Overbeck was partly reared. She was educated at Prof. Ga3dord's academy at Camden Point. Dr. and Mrs. Overbeck have four children : An- drew Price, John Theodore, Harry Foster and James Starks. Dr. Overbeck is a member of the Baptist Church, and Mrs. Overbeck, of the Christian denomination. He is also a prominent Odd Fellow and a member of the Knights of Honor. RICHARD W. PACK (Sheriff of Platte Couuty, Platte City.) Mr. Pack, proved to be one of the most popular men in the county, is a native of this county, born September 24, 1842. His father was Arvilla Pack, formerly of Scott county, Ky., and his mother, whose maiden name was Sarah Price, was from Harrison county, that State. The family came to Missouri in 1837 and settled in Platte county, where the father improved a farm and engaged in farming, which he followed until his death, in 1854. The mother survived until 1883. There were si.x children who grew to mature years, three of whom were sons. Only one of the daughters is now living, Susan M., widow of Lawson Rodgers, oi' Buchanan county. The two brothers are William Pack, of Gardner, Kan., and Henry M., ofEdgerton. Richard W. Pack was 19 years of age when he enlisted in the State Guard in 1861, becoming a member of Capt. Chrisman's company, Col. Winston's regiment. He took part in the l)attle of Pea Ridge, and a number of skirmishes, and after serving out his term in the State Guard, he started with a train from Des Arc to Red River, Tex., but on the way he was taken sick with swamp malaria, and came very near dying. He was sick for about two months, and after recovering returned to Missouri and stopped at St. Joe for a time. He then drove a freight team on the plains until the close of the war. After that Mr. Pack located on a farm, near Barry, in Clay county, but in 1872 crossed back into Platte. Three 3'ear3 later he came to Parkville and engaged in the butcher ijusiness. Shortly he was elected constable, in which office he served for four vears. He also leased a hotel which he carried on, and 960 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. bought a stock of groceries, continuing at the same time with all these branches the butcher business. As if to see how much he could do, like a circus ball pitcher keeping 16 balls in the air all at the same time, he was made deputy sheriff, and with all these offices, duties and businesses he was kept pretty busy, but not too much so to prevent him from forming acquaintances over the county and mak- ing friends as thick as blackberries. In 1882 he bought an interest in the Standard Flouring Mills, owned by a joint stock company, and he was thereupon elected ireueral manager of the business. Two years later his friends became so numerous and influential that they ran hira for the nomination for sherifi', and gave him 57 more votes. than all the other three candidates put together received. He was elected to the office by 1,800 majority when they stopped counting, which was about 350 more than Cleveland received. By the way, Cleveland was once a sheriff^. Now here is a co-instance, nous verrons. January 5, 1870, Mr. Pack was married to Miss Susan B. Dale, a daughter of Thomas Dale, deceased, of Clay county. They have five children : Orvilla, Byron, Annie, Harry and William. Mrs. P. is a member of the M. E. Chuch. Religiously Mr. Pack is foot loose and fancy free, but with a strong leaning to the faith of his wife. SIMPSON AND ELIHU PARK (Farmers and Stock-raisers, Post-offlce, Platte City). The history of the Park family of Platte county forms no unneces- sary part with the history of the county. One of the early and influ- ential families of the county, its difterent families have from time to time been prominently and usefully identified with the varied interests of the county, and with its growth and development, its progress and prosperity. But in the present sketch only an outline of the branch of the family represented by its members whose names are given above can with propriety be presented. Mr. Simpson Park, the father of Elihu, is a descendant of the original North Carolina stock of the old and respected family wliose name he bears. His father, John Park, was a native of North Carolina, in whi(;h the original founder of the family settled long prior to the War of Independence. He was born in Rowan county, that State, but whilst he was yet in boyhood was brought out to Kentucky by his parents, who were pio- neer settlers in the dark and bloody ground, afterwards known as the Blue Grass State. They located in what afterwards liecame Estill county, where John Park grew up and became a man of means and consideration in the county. He was a leading farmer and served as sheritt" and in other official positions. He was magistrate of the county for over twenty years, and was one of its most highly esteemed citi- zens. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Peeler, was born and reared in Estill county. They made that their permanent home, and died on the place where they first settled early in their married life. Simpson Park was born on the famil}' homestead in Estill count}', April 25, 1813. Reared in that county, he received an ordinary com- HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 961 mou school education as he grew up, und on tlie 23d of May, 1837, he was married to Miss Kehecca J. White, a daughter of Joel White, formerly of Virginia. After his marriage, Mr. Park continued farm- ing in his native county, to which occupation he had been brought up for several years, and then, in 1841, removed to Texas. But not satisfied with that then new country, the following year he came to Missouri and located in Platte county. Here he entered land and improved a farm. Being a man of industry and intelligence, econom- ical and of good business habits, he steadily prospered as a farmer, and as the years came and went succeeded in placing himself in com- fortable circumstances. Mr. Park increased his lauded possessions from time to time until he became the owner of about- 1,500 acres of real estate, which he still holds. His homestead, which is three miles southeast of Platte City, alone contains 300 acres, and is excel- lently improved, being one of the large and choice farms of the county. All he is worth he has accumulated by his own industry and enterprise. Mr. Park lost his first wife in 1855. She left him thi-ee children, John W., Elihu and Amanda, wife of Dr. McDonald. His second wife was a widow lady, Mrs. Julia Malone. She is also deceased. There was one child by this marriage, Lj'dia, now the wife of Garret Chesnut. His last wife was Miss Mattie Peters before her marriage. She died in 1875, leaving no children. Elihu Park was born on the farm near Platte City, April 21, 1849, and was given a high school education. November 7, 1871, he was married to Miss Laura Reagan, formerly of Mt. Sterling, Ky. Mrs. Park was educated at North Middletown, in Bourbon county, Ky. After his marriage Mr. Park settled on the farm where he now resides, which adjoins his father's, where he has a handsome place of 400 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Park have one child. He and wife are members of the Christian Church, and he is a member of the Masonic fraternity. WILLIAM McCLUNG PAXTON (Attorney, Platte City). William McClung Paxton, born in Washington, Mason county, Ky., March 2, 1819; married in Washington, Ky., October 1, 1840, Mary Forman, daughter of Ezekiel Formaii, born September 25, 1819. Both are living at Platte City, Mo. Mr. Paxton, when four years old, removed with his parents to Columbus, Ohio. Here his mother died, in 1824. A year later his father married Miss Mary K. Marshall, a cousin of his former wife. Shortly after this second marriage, the father died, and left William an orphan of six years, under the care of a stepmother. The young widow was a woman of remarkable talents and virtues, and, with un- tiring zeal, undertook to rear and educate her four step-children. Though she did not possess the tender love of a mother, she had the self- sacrificing zeal and resolution of a martyr. She yet lives in Maysville, Ky., in her eighty-ninth year. After teaching her step-children a few years at home, the widow sent them to various schools. William was 962 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUXTY. sent to AiigustaCollege, 1829-30; toDr. J. A. McCluno:, iiearMaysville, Ky., 1831-32 ; to the Catholic school known as The Athenajuin, at Cincinnati, 1833-34, and finally to Center College, Danville, Ky., 1835-38. He then entered on the study of the law, with McClung & Taylor, at Washington, Ky., and in 1839 was licensed; in 1840 was married, and practiced law in Platte couiit}^ Mo. But, being sup- plied with money, he was tempted to invest in prairie lands, eight miles east of Platte City, and to remove upon and improve a large farm. Here he remained for nine years. In 1850 he removed to Platte City and, with Dr. H. B. Callahan, engaged in the mercantile business until 1853. They then purchased the Platte City Water Mills, and ran them until the war broke out. Mr. Paxton then pos- sessed property worth $25,000; but he found he had been too free in indorsing for friends, who had left for the South, and that these debts exceeded the value of his property. Nothing daunted, he de- termined to sell out, pay all his security debts, and start anew. In partnership with J. E. Merryman, he resumed the practice of law, and succeeded beyond his hope. At the end of the war he found himself out of debt, and a small competency in hand. At the beginning of the war Mr. Paxton was much opposed to se- cession, and continued to sustain the Union until his voice was drowned in the clash of arms. Being too old for military service he devoted himself to his profession and held his peace. He had only Southern blood in his veins and his sympath}' was with his kindred ; but he was fully convinced from the start that theirs was a lost cause. Mr. Paxton continued to prosecute the practice of law until 1875, when he became too deaf to continue it. Of industrious habits and restless with having nothing to do, he devoted his leisure hours to writing poetry. In 1881 his fugitive pieces were published in a vol- ume of 135 pages, entitled, "A Century Hence, and Other Poems, by W. M. Paxton." Six hundred copies were printed, and all given to his friends. Not a volume would Ire sell. He continued to write, and pul)lish in the county papers, other pieces ; and at this time has enough to make a volume of four hundred i)ages. These he pro- poses to collect and publish another volume, as soon as he has time to do so. In 1884 Mr. Paxton found he had gathered materials, by corre- spondence, sufficient to form a memorial of his mother's family — the Marshalls, and he determined to . Lucy Marshall, born in Fauquier county, Va., 1763, died 1795=John Ambler. 7. Chas. Marshall (twin), born 1767, died 1805 = Lucy Pickett, born 1767, died 1825. 8. William Marshall (twin), born 1767, died 1815 = Alice Adams. 9. Judith Marshall, born 1778 = Geo. Brooke. 10. Alex. K. Marshal], the Kentucky reporter, born in Fauquier county, Va., 1770, died in Mason county, Ky., 1824 = 1794, Mary McDowell, born 1772, died 1823. (c) Maria Marshall, born in Mason county, Ky., 1795, died in Columbus, O., 1824 = 1811, James A. Paxton. (d) William M. Paxton = Mary Forman. (6.) 11. Dr. Louis Marshall, president Transylvania, born in Fauquier county, Va., 1772, died in Woodford county, Ky., 1866=1800, Agatha Smith. 12. Susan Marshall, born 1774, died in Maysville, Ky., 1858 = Judge Wm. McCluuir, born 1755, died, 1811. 13. Charlotte Marshall, born 1777," died 1817 = 1794, Dr. Basil Duke, born in Maryland, 1775, died in Washington, Ky., 1828. 14. Jane Marshall, born 1779, died 1866= 1799, Geo. K. Taylor. 15. Nancy 964 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. Marshall, horn in Fauquier county, Va., 1781, died in Louisville, Ky.= Col. Joe Daviess, the hero of Tippecanoe. Mr. William M. Paxtou was a Whig in early life, and afterwards a Democrat. He has been for many years an elder in the Presbyterian Church and a superintendent of a continuous Sunday-school for 35 years. Mr. Paxton's life has been one of unceasing activity, directed by a generous ambition to make himself useful to those around him, an'd to do as much good and as little harm iu the world as possible, according to the talents given him. And looking back over his long and useful life, it must be admitted that his has been a career to which as little blame attaches, and in which there is as much to chal- lenge the esteem and good opinions of his fellow-men, as seldom falls to the lot of one to make. A man of the most generous and unself- ish impulses, in whose nature warm and noble humanity prevails over, perhaps, any other characteristic, as upright in thought and deed as the purest and best, his whole life has been an unbroken chain of duty faithfully and well performed, and of kind and gener- ous acts untiringly done. Through this whole section of country Ms I name stands as a synonym for honesty and integrity, for noble and generous humanity, and for all the purer and better qualities of head and heart. In very looks he is a man to be trusted and rev- erenced, for his heart seems to be open to all who approach him, and to know William M. Paxtou is to know a good, true, noble and downright honest man. JUDGE WILLIAM H. RONEY (Clerk of the Circuit Court, Platte City, Mo.). Though a Kentuckian by birth, Judge Roney was reared in Platte county from the age of 15 years, and this has continued to be his home from that time. His paternal grandfather was a brave participant in the campaign against the Indians under "Mad Anthony" Wayne. His son, Charles Roney, the father of the subject of this sketch, was a Kentuckian by birth and was married to Miss Mary Ann Potts, a daughter of Samuel Potts, of Perry ville, Boyle county, Ky., and one of the early settlers in that State Mrs. Roney was also born there. The father died when William H. was a ohiUl, but he continued to remain in the county of his birth, enjoying only limited advantages for an education afforded at the common schools of the period. How- ever, he had to rely mainly on his own exertions and self application for an education. But having a natural thirst for knowledge, he im- proved his leisure by private study and succeeded in making excellent progress iu the course of a common English instruction. As he grew up he became engaged iu learning the carpenter's trade, and upon coming to Platte county. Mo., in 1851, at which time he located at Weston, he resumed work at his chosen calling. He now iiegan to cast about for some pursuit in life congenial to his tastes and almost HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 9(35 instinctively turned to the law, beginning regularly its study in 18G0. He was now elected a marshal of the common jjleas court at Weston, also continuing to prosecute his legal studies while holding the office. His qualifications for the position of judge of tiiat court caused him to be selected as a proper person to fill the vacancy in that office by the county court, by which he was first appointed, and afterwards he was elected by the people, serving in all nearly four years. He was chosen as deputy county clerk under Thomas W. Park and after serv- ing as such for four years he became deputy circuit clerk, holding this position also for a like period. In 1882 he was elected clerk, and has since continued to be this popular and efficient incumbent of that office. It requires no gift of prophecy to predict for him a long and successful career in the posi- tion. Judge Roney is a man of family, having been married at Weston, April 7, 1859, to Miss Louisa W. Woods, whose father, Jeremiah Woods, one of the earliest settlers at Weston, from Ohio, was magistrate at that place for many years. Mrs. Roney was born in Clermont county, Ohio, September 26, 1837. She died December 17, 1884, leaving two children living, Ella, the wife of David Cox, of this county, and Charles H., a bright boy of nine years. The oldest daughter, Carrie, died when two years old. Mrs. Ronoy was a faith- ful member of the M. E. Church South, with which denomination the Judge is also connected. He is a man of njore than ordinary ability, genial, dignified and sociable, one with whom it is a pleasure and profit to meet. JUDGE JACKSON C. SUMMERS (Farmer and Stock-raiser, and Judge of the Circuit Court, Post-office, Platte City) . Judge Summers, an early settler of this county, is a descendant of an honored old Revolutionary soldier, and one of the pioneers of Kentucky, his grandfather Summers having been a Virgin- ian by nativity, who enlisted under Washington in that colony. Soon after the Revolutionary War he removed to Kentucky and set- tled in what afterwards became Jessamine county, where he lived to a ripe old age and died honored and esteemed by all who knew him. Carter Summers' son (the Judge's father) was born and principall}' reared in Jessamine county, and was married to Miss Martha Mills, of Fleming county, that State, in which he afterwards made his per- manent home. He became a successful farmer of that county and died there at the age of sixty years. Judge Jackson C. Summers was born in Fleming county January 15, 1827, and was reared to manhood in his native county. June 19, 1850, he was married to Miss Margaret, a daughter of John Green, formerly of Jessamine county ; and the same year of his marriage Judge Summers removed to Missouri and settled in Platte county, on the land where he now resides. Since then, nearly thirty-five years ago, he has been con- tinuously and actively engaged in fitrming, and by industry and thorough-going business enterprise has succeeded in accumulating 966 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. a comfortable property. He has an excellent homestead, well im- proved, and is in comparatively independent circumstances. Judge Summers has become a prominent citizen of the county, respected and esteemed by all for his sterling integrity, sober, sound judgment, broad intelligence and liberal progressive ideas. As a neighbor and friend no one in the county is more valued by those around him or stands better in general esteem. He has held different official posi- tions, including the office of magistrate for a number of years, and twice he has been elected to the county bench by majorities highly complimentary to him personally. He is now serving his second term. April 11, 1881, the Judge had the misfortune to lose his good wife. She had borne him four children, two of whom are living. The two deceased were Emma, the wife of John A. Baldwin, and Lillian, who died at the age of nineteen. The Judge is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, as was also his good wife. OLIVER H. SWANEY (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 26, Post-office, Platte City) . The father of the subject of this sketch, Hugh Swaney, was a Keu- tuckian by birth, but when quite young accompanied his parents to Ohio and afterwards to Indiana, where he grew to manhood, subse- quently man-ying Miss Maria E. Scott, a native of Kentucky, but reared in Indiana. In 1842 the famil}' removed to Missouri, and in the spring of 1843 located in Platte county, purchasing a claim on a portion of which Oliver H. now resides. The senior Swaney was a man pos- sessed of a great amount of energy and of a determined will, and before his death had become one of the well-to-do and influential citizens of this county. His landed estate embraced about a section of land, on which he had a number of slaves before the war. He was extensively and successfully occupied in the stock industry in addition to his farm- ing interests. His death occurred August 26, 1872, and his loss was keenly felt. He was a member of the Christian Church, and had mem- bership also in the Masonic Lodge, at Platte City, extending to the high- est pinnacle of the Grand Encampment. The youth and early manhood of Oliver H. were passed on the home place, but in the summer of 1860, at the time of the Pike's Peak excitement, he joined the caravan of gold seekers bound for that locality, remaining there during the sum- mer. He returned to his home the next fail, his experience having proven to his entire satisfaction that gold can be obtained in other ways than by digging for it. In 1861 he enlisted under Gov. Jackson's call, and served until the troops were disl)anded, having taken part in the battle at Lexington. Taking his father's negroes Mr. Swaney now went to Kentucky and remained two years, the family in the meantime having gone to Ray county. Mo. Returning again to Platte county, in 1864, he resumed farming and also commenced the tine stock business, which has developed into no small or unimportant industry. His fine herd of seventeen thoroughbred short horn cattle are represented at the head by a dark red, 2200-pound aninnd. Win- HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 967 field Hancock. Mr. Swaney's farm contains 205 acres of land, with good improvements and a yonng bearino; orchard. On the 25th of December, 186(5, he was married to Miss R. A. E., daughter of Roltt. Walker, formerly of North Carolina, but who settled in Ray county. Mo., at an early day, where Mrs. Swaney was born and reared. Tiiey had six children : Perry, Mary E., John T., Lewis M., Oliver H., Jr., and Addison G. Mr. and Mrs. Swaney are members of the Christian Churcii, and the former is connected with the Masonic fraternity, in which he is a R. A. M. CAPT. JAMES SYNNAMON (Post-office, Platte City). The history of few men in the county is replete with more remin- iscences, or furnish a more thrilling and exciting account of dangers and trials encountered and hardships undergone, than that of Capt. Synnamon. In the spring of 1861 he responded to the call of Gov. Jackson for troops, and remained with them until the formation of Gen. Price's Confederate division at Springfield. He then joined Capt. Joseph Carr's company at Platte City, of which he was elected first lieutenant, and going to Lexington was attached to Col. John T. Hughes' battiilion ; this was afterwards merged into the Sixth Missouri, Col. Eugene Irvine commanding. The latter was a grandson of Henry Clay. At Vicksburg he was promoted to captain, and during the siege this regiment was blown up, and he with others was buried, but escaped unhurt, although several times during the conflict he had marvelous escapes. He was slightly hurt on several occasions by flying missils and fragments of shells. After being paroled at Vicksburg he was ordered to duty as provost niarshid in Alal)ama for a short time. As a minute detail of tlie numerous cugagoments in which he and his company participated would fill a volume, of course it cannot be written fully here. He was struck in the right temple and shoulder at the liattle of Oak Hill, permanently injuring the sight of his right eye, and was also wounded in the charge on Corinth, in wliich desper- ate battle six bullets perforated his Ijody and uniform. His regiment was here almost annihilated, only thirty responding to roll call after the battle. Again, at Port Gilson, he was left on the field for dead, but being only stunned, he, of course, regained consciousness, and hunting up his compiuiy, fought the battle to the end. He was in all the succeeding battles of that campaign, which culminated at Vicks- burg. At the battle of Black River Bridge, he and a part of his company not reaching the river before the briiiges were fired, were compelled to swim across to escape capture. He also participated in the en- gagements incident to Hood's Tennessee campaign, and in the terrible charge of Franklin was again left on the Federal works for dead. All the company here engaged were either killed or wounded but two. The position of the command was in front of the cotton gin house, noted in that battle. The survivors were there picked up by the 56 968 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTT. enemy and placed with 290 of the worst wounded Confederate officers ill College Hill hospital, Nashville, in retaliation for prisoners placed under fire at Fort Sumter. After three months of indescriba- ble suffering, 180, all that were left of the original number, were sent to Fort Delaware, where, within forty miles of where he was born, Capt. S. remained till the close of war, weighing onl}'' seventy-two pounds when discharged. Their company was afterwards captured at Blakely, Mol^ile Bay, and sent to Ship Island till the close of war, guarded by colored troops. During its term of service there were but six men that were not killed or severely wounded. As men- tioned elsewhere, they participated in some thirty actions and marched and fought in nearly every Confederate State. To be a comrade of such men and share with them such suff'ering and priva- tions as they endured, the horrors of which we are unable to find language sufficiently strong to convey its fearful ness, is a sufficient eulogy of the character of the man and soldier that Capt. Synnamon is. After returning from Fort Delaware to Missouri he began freight- ing to Denver, and the following year resumed his occupation of carpentering. In the fall of 1877 he was appointed to the position of assessor, and in the fall of 1884 was elected to that position by a large majority. March 2, 1877, he was married to Miss Jane Cooper, daughter of John Cooper, of Tennessee, one of the pioneers of Platte, in which county Mrs. S. was born and reared. They have five children. The Captain was born in Philadelphia in 1836. His parents, James and Margaret McNamara, also of Philadelphia, were of French and Scotch-Irish extraction. The father was a contractor and builder and resided in Philadelphia till his death. James worked as an apprentice for four years, becoming thoroughly qualified at his business. In April, 1857, he came to Platte and worked at carpen- tering in various parts of the county until entering the army as above noted. His career since that is too well known to necessitate repeti- tion. JUDGE THOMAS H. TALBOT. CFarmer and Stock-raiser and Es-Presidiiig Judge of the County Court, Platte City). The Talbot family, originally from England, settled first in this country in Maryland, prior to the Revolution, whore a number of its members became prominent in the affairs of that State. Talbot county, Md., took its name from Judge Talljot, a distinguished rep- resentative of this famil}' in an early day. Judge Thomas H. Talbot, however, came of a Virginia branch of the family. His grandfather early settled in the Old Dominion from Maryland, and the Judge's father was a native of Virginia. Thomas T. Talbot, his father, wa~ married to Miss Jane Bell in Kentucky, whither he had gone when a lad. He made Kentucky his homo until 1830, and then removed to Missouri, locating in St. Charles county ; later along, how- ever, he settled at St. Louis, where he resided until his death. Thomas H. Talbot was born in Greenup county, Ky., June 30, 1818. When he was twelve years of age he became an apprentice to the car- HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 9(39 penter'?! trade umlor his brother, with whom ho worked for ahout seven years. During this time he went to school for about twelve months altogether, but succeeded in obtaining a suiEcient icnowledge of books for all ordinary practical purposes. In 1837 Mr. Talbot, the subject of this sketch, came to Missouri and located at Liberty, where he followed contracting and building until 1843. He then came to Platte county and bought laud in the vicinity of Weston, where be improved a farm and resided for nearl}^ forty years, or until 1881. The last four years Judge Talbot has resided on his farm two miles north of Platte City, where he has an excellent place and is comforta- bly situated. Judge Tall)ot has been married twice. In February, 1843, he was married to Miss Eleanora Pence, a daughter of E. H. Pence of Clay county, but formerly of Scott county, Ky, She sur- vived her marri:ige, however, only a few years. To his present wife Judge Talbot was married July 16, 1860, in Lincoln county, this State. She was a Miss Bethany Pruett, a daughter of V. A. >ruett of that county, but formerly of Scott county, Ky. By his first wife there was one child, Eleanora, now the wife of Leander Wells, of Platte county, and said to be the first white child born in the county. By the second wife there arc five children : Carrie, Sudie, Birdie, Allen V. and Thomas H., Jr. Judge Talbot was elected a member of the count}' court as early as 1868, and served four 3'ears. He was then re-elected and during all this time of service he was presiding judge of the county court. He made a thoroughly efBcient and upright judge, and always had the entire confidence of the pulilic. The judge is a prominent Mason and has held a number of important positions in the lodge. His wife is a member of the Christian Church. JOHN M. THATCHER (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Sraithville). For sixty years this respected citizen of Carroll township has been a resident continuously of this or Clay counties. He came here at a very early day in its history, and has been a personal witness to its progress and an active worker in its development from that time to the present. His father who, on account of being the eleventh child in the family, was given the name of Eleven Thatcher, was born in Bourbon county, Ky., as was also his wife, whose maiden name was Sabina Horuback. In that county our subject first saw the light, the date of his birth being August 29, 1822. In 1825 the family came to Clay county. Mo., and located near Smithville, where he purchased 80 acres of land. To this original tract he added, from time to time, as he became able, until it increased to 1,040 acres, worth no incon- sideralile sum. He was a large slave owner before the war, and, in fact, was one of the most substantial citizens of the county at his death, February 14, 1871. During the days of the Whig party, ho was a follower of its principles, then became numViered with the Know Nothings, and finally was found in the ranks of the Democracy. He and his wife were members of the Baptist Church. John ]M. Thatcher 970 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. grew up on the home farm, receiving the benefits of a good schooling. He remained at home until his marriage, on the 22d of December, 1854, to Miss Martha J. Duncan, of Clay county. In March of the succeeding year, he moved into Platte county and commenced farming for himself, which has since occupied his attention. To him and his wife have been given live children : Joseph DJ, born September 9, 1856, and married Miss Tannic Hall, a daughter of Wm. Hall, of Clay county, and now in the jewelry business at Hale City, Mo. ; Eleven, born March 31, 1857, died August 14, 1884; he was also in the jewelry business and was a member of the Christian Church ; Si- bina, born April 27, 1860, and married to Edgar Spratt, of this county ; she and her husband both died in 1882. He on August 11 and ills wife August 8; Bettie G., born November 1, 1862, and the wife of Leroy Garton, now residing at Cameron, Mo. ; and the young- est son, John W., born November 18, 1864. Mrs. Thatcher's father, Joseph Duncan, a native of Bourbon county, Ky., was a farmer by occupation, and married Miss Mary Brooks, of Clark county, same State. They had a family of twelve children, seven of whom are liv- ing: Betsey, Judy Ann, Thomas D., Abijah, Joseph, Nancy and Martha. Mr. Hodges had quite a little start from his father's estate when commencing for himself; l)ut to this have been made large ad- ditions. He deals in stock to some extent. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian Church. In his political preferences he is Democratic. NON. THOMAS (Of Thomas & Nelson, Editors aud Proprietors of the Argus, Platte City). Mr. Thomas is a practical printer by trade, having served a regular apprenticeship at the case and worked as a compositor for several years. He is a son of Prof. Ennis C. Thomas, for a number of years president of the Plattsburg College, in Clinton county, this State, and an educator of long experience and established re|)utalion. Prof. Thomas is now in connection with his sons, Mack and Edward, con- ducting the Plattsburg Regisler-Lever, of which they are proprietors, and have been since 1872, until April 1884, when the Register and Lever, published by J. M. McMichael, were consolidated, and the R.-L. is now owned by Thomas & Thomas Bros. He is editor of the paper. Non. Thomas, the subject of this sketch, was born in DeKalb county, March 1, 1858, and was partly reared in that county. But while he was growing up, his father l)cing a professional teacher, and being called to different points to leach, young Thomas si)ent his youth in the different counties of the Platte Purchase, in which his father resided from time to time. He of course had good school advan- tages and received constant instruction from his father, in and out of school. When the latter took charge of the Plattsburg College, young Thomas entered that institution as a student. But at the age of 16, he quit college to learn the printer's trade, working in the office of the Registf^r, in which paper his father had an interest. He worked in the office of the Register for about ten years and finally acquired an HISTOUY OF PLATTK COUNTY. 971 interest in the p.'iper. Under the niunagenicnt of his father, the /iV'/- ister became one of the leading eonntrj journals of the State, and a valuable piece of i)r()i)erty, and in the spring of 1884 the Register and Lever were consolidated, and is now one of the best journals in the State. In the spring of 1884 young Mr. Thomas severed his con- nection with the Itegister-Lever and came to Platte City, where he established the Argus. He was without a partner when he first came to this place and continued to conduct the Argus alone until Soptoni- l)er, 1884, when William 'P. Nelson, mentioned in a former sketch, bought an interest in the paper and becanui associatcul with him in its l)ublication. Mr. Nelson is also a practical i)rinter ; both he and Mr. Thomas are young men of good business qualifications, excellent edu- cation and tmexce})tionable habits, and are well fitted to build up a successful and influential country journal. By their industry, close attention to business, al)ility and zeal for the public interests, tiicy have been al)le to place their paper on a solid basis as a business enter- prise. It is already well established and is rapidly coming to the front as one of the leading journals, if not tiie loading one, of the county. SIMEON D. TINDER (FaniiL-i- luiil Stack-i-iiisci', Section I'J, Township 51, I^isl-ottice, Platte City). A Kentuckian by l)irth, Mr. Tinder was born in Shelby county, Novcml)er 9, 18;^2, his parents having also been prominent and well respected citizens of that State. His father, Capt. Jeremiah Tinder, was born in Wootlford coimty, but was married in Shelby count}', to Catherine Radford, a native of Kentucky. In 1835 the family removed to Indiana, locating in Hendricks county, where Capt. Tin- der died, December 15, 1875. The youth and early manhood of Simeon D. was passed in that county, where, in common with other boys of the neigiil)orhood, he received a good ordinary common school education. In the fall of 1854, having previously formed a desire to remove West, he carried this wish into effect, moving to Platte county. Mo., and locating one and a half miles west of Platte City, where he removed on a farm and resided until 1870, then taking up his location on his present farm, six and a half miles from Platte City. This embraces 1(50 acres, nearly all in cultivation, upon which is a neat residence, barn, outbuildings, good orciiard, etc. Previously to coming to this county, Mr. Tinder had been married, Septcniber 13, 1854, when Miss Sarah Frances Rice became his wife. She was a daughter of {^liarles Rice, of Shelby county, Ky., and she was born and reared in the same county. To them have been l)orn four children : Mildred Ann, wife of D. II. Cole, of this county ; Mary E., now Mrs. Jesse M. Jones, of Platte; Katie and Amiie. Mr. and Mrs. Tinder are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. He is one of the active farmtn-s of this townshi]), and is having good success in tin; niiuiasiemeut of his farm. 972 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUXTT. REV. THOMAS R. VALLIANT (Editor of the Landmark, and Minister of the Protestant Episcopal Church, Platte City). Rev. Mr. Valliant bought the Landmark in Februaiy, four years ago, and has ever since had control of the paper, conducting it both as business manager and editor. The Landmark is one of the old and well established country journals of the State, and has ever exerted a potent influence in public affairs and the general interests of Platte county — never more so than in late years whilst under the di- rection of its present proprietor. It is one of the valuable pieces of country newspaper propertj^ in this section of the State, and is safelj' established on a sound business basis. It has a large patronage, both from subscribers and advertisers, and as a journal commands the re- spect and confidence of the entire reading public among whom it cir- culates. Rev. Mr. Valliant is a gentleman of culture and large general in- formation ; a terse, vigorous writer, and of indefatigable industry ; scrupulously conscientious in all he says and does, and ambitious as a journalist to perform his full duty to the public, doing as much of good for the community as lay within his power, and the least possi- ble harm. Though he gives with accuracy all the latest news in each issue of his paper, he is careful to permit nothing to enter the homes of his neighbors and friends through the Landmark that might pos- sibly prove hurtful or offensive to the most sensitive or refined. In a word, the Landmark is a journal of dignity, purity and thorough re- liability. These are the qualities which he esteems to be of the first importance in a successful, wortiij' newspaper. Rev. Mr. Valliant is also a minister of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and has been engaged in the ministrj'- of that denomination continually since 1878. He was then ordained a deacon in the churcli, having previouslj' prepared himself for that office, and shortly there- after was called to the parish of St. John's Church at Weston, where he was located for something more than two years, doing also, during the time, valuable missionary work. After his purchase of the Landmark he came to Platte City, but still has charge of his former l)arish at Weston. He also has charge of the Protestant Episcopal Church at Platte City, and preaches here regularly every month. Marylaml is the State of Mr. Valliant's nativity, and he is a de- scendant of one of the pioneer colonial families ofth.it State. The founder of the family in Maryland, Jean Valliant, a Huguenot, came over to this country from England near the beginning of the seven- teenth century. He received large grants of land from Lord Balti- more by letters patent bearing the royal seal. Rev. Mr. Valliant's fatlier, Rigby Valliant, came into possession of three of these patents, having inherited a part of the lands oi'iginally granted to the family, and having bought out the interests of some of the other heirs. The whereabouts of the patents now, however, are not known, they HISTORY OF PLATTE COrXTT. 973 having become lost or mislaid during the last illness of Rev. Mr. Val- liant's mother. Rev. Mr. Valliant was born at St. Michael's, Talbot county, Md., April 12, 1835. His mother was a Miss Xancy Stevens before her mar- riage, also of an early colonial family of that State. The parents resided at Baltimore for a time, where the father was engaged in mer- chandising. Later along they lived further down the bay on the eastern shore of Maryland, where the father continued in the mer- cantile business until a few ^-ears before his death, which last years were spent in retirement on one of his farms. He died in 1860. His wife had preceded him in 1858. Rev. Mr. Valliant was reared in Maryland to the age of 18, and as he grew up learned the mercantile business in the store of his father. His school advantages were only those of the general average of youths in that part of the country. But he succeeded, nevertheless, in ob- taining a good general education, principally by self-culture. At the age of 18 he came West and stopped at St. Louis, where he obtained a clerkship in a store. He continued there about two years and then traveled through Missouri and Tennessee for some twelve months. In 1856 Mr. Valliant came to Foil Leavenworth, and followed clerking there for about three years. From Leavenworth he went to Atchison and was engaged as clerk in a store at that place until the spring of 1861. A short time before the outbreak of the war ilr. Valliant, divining the unhappy denouement which was then rapidly and surely approach- ing, returned to Maryland in order to be at his old home and among the friends and acquaintances endeared to him by a lifetime of associa- tion when the terrible catastrophe should break upon the country. Promptly after the tiring upon Ft. Sumpter he enlisted in the South- ern army, becoming a member of the First Maryland infantry. Throughout the war he continued faithfully in the service of the South, and only laid down his arms when released from his oath of allegiance to the Confederate cause by the surrender of Lee and Johnson and all the Southern forces. For the last two years of the war he was as- signed to dutj' in quartermaster's department, under Maj. McCIuer, and was charged with the payment of troops in Louisiana, ilississippi and Alabama. During the war he was engaged in a number of des- perate engagements, including the great battles of Manassas and Cold Harbor. In 1865, after the close of the war, Mr. Valliant came West again, and for a time located at Fort Laramie. The same year, however, he returned to Weston, and from that time up to his ordination by the church, he was engaged in mercantile pursuits, as clerk, manager or proprietor. October 8. 1867, he was married to Miss Maggie T. Darst, daughter of John Darst, a representative of the old St. Charles county pioneer family of that name. She was left an orphan, however, by the death of her parents, and was reared in the family of a relative, B. W. Perry, of Platte countv. 974 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Valliant have five children, Sadie L., Laura M., Augusta S., Edwin D. and Thomas R. Their second child, Mary S., died in infancy. Rev. Mr. Valliant is a prominent member of the Masonic Order, and Prelate of Belt Commandery, of Platte City. JUDGE RICHARD L. WALLER (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 34, Post-ofBce, Platte City). In the fall of 1838 there came to the State of Missouri Mr. Hiram Waller, the father of Judge Waller, and a man who from that time until his death bore a conspicuous part in the material progress and development of the vicinity where he made his home. The first winter after coming to the State he stopped in Clay county, but in the spring located in Platte, where he bought a pre-emption of land, entering the tract in the eastern part of the county, near Barry. He resided there a number of years, but subsequently disposed of it and purchased property five miles east of Platte City, on wliich he resided until his death, December 9, 1862. He took a prominent interest in church matters, was a member and an elder in the Christian Church for many years, and besides his religious interests devoted some attention to politics, though he was not an aspirant for political honor or advance- ment. Hiram Waller was a Virginian by birth, and in that State he was brought up and there married, Miss Eliza Gaines becoming his wife. She was the daughter of Richard H. Gaines, also of Virginia, and is still living, active in mind and l)ody, at the advanced age of 74 years. Richard L. Waller was born in Fauquier county, Va., and was one of a family of four sons and two daughters who grew to manhood and womanhood. As the eldest child in the family, much of the work of the home farm fell upon him, consequently his early school training was quite limited, and he had the benefits only of the primitive schools of that early day. Possessed, however, of clear, quick intelligence, combined with a worthy purpose to accomplish something for himself by his own energy and self-application to study during such leisure as he had, he succeeded in obtaining a good knowledge of books. He has always been a great reader, and his desires in this direction of earlier years have not forsaken him. At the age of twenty he engaged with Mr. Stephen Johnston, at Platte City, as clerk in a store, and continued in his employ for several years ; and in the year 1855 he engaged in a general merchandise busi- ness in Platte City with Mr. James E. Frost. When the civil war coninienced he joined Capt. Chiles' Company, Missouri State Guard, as a private, and was in the battles at Lexington, Springfield and many others, and on the resignation of the quartermaster he was appointed quartermaster of the regiment. And when the State Guard was transferred to the Confederate service he joined a company in Col. Elhart's battalion of Gen. Shelby's brigade and was elected lieutenant, and served until the end of the war, surrendering to the Federal forces at Shreveport, La. It is no empty compliment HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 975 to Judge Wallei- to say that he is one of the best informed men on current topics of the day, and particuhirly upon county affairs. In 1872, such was the consideration with which he had come to be re- garded that he was elected county collector, and in 1874, circuit clerk. At the expiration of his term he was re-elected and served eight years. In the spring of 1884 he was appointed county judge, which appoint- ment was made more satisfactory by his election to the position in the November following. The duties of this office he is now discharg- ing with marked fidelity and efficiency. The judge owns the old family homestead, containing 320 acres of land, upon which are im- pi-ovements of a high order. He is unmarried, but living with him are his mother and unmarried sister, and a widowed sister, late the wife of Joel W. Moore, who died in the spring of 1864. Mrs. Moore has a daughter, Josie, who also finds a welcome home here. Judge Waller, his mother and younger sister are members of the Platte City Christian Church. FOUNTAIN L. WALLER (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 28, Post-office, Platte City). Mr. Waller, a native born citizen of the county, is now comfortably situated in life, having a landed estate of 320 acres, one of the choice farms of the county. This is mostly in cultivation, the balance being devoted to timber, pasturage, etc. This place he improved himself, and upon it are to be seen a good house, barns, and all necessary out- buildings. The parents of the subject of this sketch were Hiram and Eliza Waller, the former a brother of Mr. R. L. Waller, a sketch of whose life is found in this volume. Fountain L. was born on the 7th of October, 1839, and as he grew up devoted himself to helping with the duties of the home place, receiving also a good education. A por- tion of this was acquired at the Daughters' College at Platte City, which he attended a number of terms. In 1861, under Gov. Jack- son's call for troops to defend the State from Northern invasion, he enlisted in the Home Guard, and after the disbandment of the State troops returned home, having participated in the battles of Lexington and Pea Ridge, besides others. Resuming farming in this county, he continued it uninterruptedly until his marriage, October 11, 1875, to Miss Minnie Johnson, a daughter of Stephen Johnson, an early settler of Platte county. Mrs. Waller was born and i-eared in this county, but was spared to her husband for only a few short years, dying Jan- uary 30, 1883. Her loss was a severe blow to her husband, for a more devoted wife and mother never lived. She was a consistent member of the Christian Church, and died in the full faith of a l)lessed immortality. She left three children: George Hiram, Laverda, El- bert Sterling, who died in infancy, and Madaline. Some nine years ago Mr. Waller took a girl to bring up, who has since developed into a most attractive young lady, Miss Mattie Boydstou. He is connected with the Christian Church. 976 HISTOUY OF PLATTE COUNTY. HON. THEODORE F. WARNER (Clerk of the County Court, Platte City). From the earlier days of this section of the State Mr. Waruer has been identified with the history of Western Missouri, and especially with that of Platte county. Over 40 years ago he began at Weston, this county, as a merchant, and some ten years later became a part-, uer with the well known Ben. Holladay, whose name has become a national souvenir in the annals of overland trans-continental freighting and mail contracting before the head-light of the locomo- tive had lighted up the way for the march of civilization across the solitudes of the plains and through the deep, lonely canons of the Cordilleras on to the golden coast of California, washed by the white- capped waters of the Pacific sea. Mr. Warner was a partner with Col. Holladay in the freighting business for several years. He then sold his interest to his partner and returned to Weston, where he re- sumed merchandising. In 1859 he commenced in the produce busi- ness at that place and also began the manufacture of hemp, which he followed for nearly 20 years, or until al)out six years ago. In the meantime, in 18(58, Mr. Warner was elected to represent Platte county in the Legislature, where he served for two sessions. Prior to that, however, although still continuing the manufacture of hemp, he became interested in banking at Weston, and was a stockholder in the Platte Savings Institution, of which he was made cashier. In 1878 Mr. Warner was elected clerk of the county court, and four years later he was re-elected. Mr. Warner has now held the office of county clerk /or six years, and is still the incumbent of that office. On the 19th of June, 1842, he was married at Weston to Miss Emily H. Underbill, daughter of Charles Underbill, one of the pioneer settlers of Platte county, who came from Canandaigua, Ontario county, N. Y., where Mrs. Warner was partly reared. 'Sir. and Mrs. Warner have four children: Angle S., wife of M. N. Blakemore, of Ft. Smith, Ark. ; Charles S., teller in the Mechanics' Bank at St. Louis; Hattie M., wife of George L. Andrews, of Decatur, 111., and connected with the Wabash Railway at that place, and George A., deputy county clerk of Platte county*. December 4, 1879, Mr. Warner had the misfortune to lose his devoted wife. She had long been a member of the Episcopal Church, and died in the consolation of the promise and hope of the blessed Redeemer. Mr. Warner is a prominent member of the Masonic Order. He was born in Greenup county, Ky., April 10, 1818, and was a son of Col. Wynkoop Warner and wife, Hc'e Miss Minerva S. Boone, a granddaughter of the great pioneer of that name. The father was originally from Maryland, and removed to Callaway county. Mo., from Kentucky, in 1819. During the War of 1812 he had command of a regiment under Gen. Harrison, and after his removal to Callaway county served as sheriff of that county for three consecutive terms. In 1828 he was appointed Indian agent for the Upper Mississippi HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTT. 977 District by President Adams, and was located at Galena, 111., for some years. Afterwards he located at Independence, in Jackson county, but in 1834 returned to Callaway county, making his home a^ Portland, where he died in 1837. His wife survived until 1850, when she died in Weston, at the home of her son, the subject of this sketch. Mr. Warner, our suliject, was given an excellent general education as he grew up, both attending the high school and college, the latter principally at St. Charles. While the family resided at Independence he was engaged as clerk in a general store, and there learned mer- chandising, which he afterwards engaged in on his own account at Weston, as stated above. JAMES WREN (Liukville, Mo.)- James Wren was born September 9, 1844, in Mt. Sterling, Mont- gomery county, Ky. He was the son of Hugh B. and Susan Wren ; his father born in Virginia and his mother in Kentucky. They had three children: William E., born October 7, 1840, and now living with his mother on his farm, consisting of 320 acres, near Platte City ; Edward, horn October 10, 1842, and married to Miss Mary Daniels, of Kentucky, in 1868. He was a successful farmer in Platte county, but died in 1873. He was a member of the Christian Cliurch. James Wren came to this county when quite young. He inherited a fine farm, consisting of 280 acres, from his parents, and since then has followed farming. January 7, 1880, he was married to Miss Helen C. Adkins, a native of Platte county, born August 14, 1860. Her father, Hon. James Adkins, of Missouri, was born in Owen county, Ky., Decem- ber 7, 18.30, and was married to Miss Collistia P. Remington, of Dan- ville, 111., June 29, 1851, she having been born June 29, 1830. Hon. James Adkins died while in the Legislature, February 6, 1885. He was serving his third term in tlie Missouri Legislature. Mrs. Wren was one of a family of seven children. She and her husband have been blessed with two children : Eula Clifton, born December 25, 1880, and James Adkins, l)orn May 5, 1882. Mr. Wren belongs to the Masonic Order. His wife is a member of the Christian Church. He is a staunch Democrat, and well versed on the political issues of the day. CHAPTER XXIY. LEE TOWNSHIP. Territary and Boundary — Water Courses — Pioneers in tlie Townsliip — Farley — Population, Etc. — East Leaven wortb, also called City Point — Biographical. TERKITORT AND BOUNDARY WATER COURSES. Lee township originally included in its present territory ail of Wes- ton and substantially all of Fair. It is bounded on the north by Fair township, on the east by Carroll and Pettis townships, from which it is separated by the Platte river, on the south by Waldron township and the Missouri river, and on the west by the Missouri river. Owing to the strong Democratic proclivities of its inhabitants, it was "named after Gen. Robert E. Lee. This township, like the greater part of many townships of the county, was at one time covered with timber, a large portion of which has been cleared and put in cultivation. Most of the cultivated land of the township can not be surpassed in fertility. The Missouri river washes the entire western and most of the southern boundary, and the Platte the entire eastern boundary of the townshiji. PIONEERS IN THE TOWNSHIP. Among those who settled in this township at an early day were Joseph Farley, Levi- Staggers, D. M. Sutton, Elisha Grreen, Lewis Burnes, J. W. Todd, And^rew Trimble, S. W. Tudor, James Wallace, Davis Eanter, R. F. Mason, B. McComas, Elijah Harrington, Mrs. Simon Yocum and others. A large number of Germans have intermixed with the original worthy and industrious population, and are making the country very productive, and are contributing largely to sustain the reputation of this section of the county as one of the most productive in the State. FARLEY. In 1838 Josiah Farley pre-empted the land which includes the present site of Farley, and afterwards laid out the town, and although it never assumed a town of large proportions, the census of 1880 gives the number of inhabitants 120. The town is situated on sections 28 and 2y, township 52, range 39. (978) HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 979 The surrounding country is good, and one of the best general stock of goods in the county is at this place. The school building is far above the average, and a good school is sustained. For history of churches and lodges see another part of this work. EAST LEAVENWORTH. East Leavenworth, or City Point, is on the Kansas City, St. Josepli and Council Bluffs Kailroad, twenty-four miles northwest of Kansas City. C. L. Banning is the principal business man of the town, and also the postmaster. BIOGRAPHICAL GEORGE ALBRIGHT (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 22, Post-ofHce, Farley) . One of the industrious farmers and well respected citizens of foreign birth in Lee township must be set down as the subject of this sketch, George Albright. Mr. Alljright, a son of Henry and Mary (Bozman) Albright, was born in Hanover, Germany, in May, 1816. His parents were both also natives of that country, where their deaths occurred. The father was a stonemason by trade. George passed his youth in the place of his birth, attended the common schools until 14 years of age, and when 18 years old he commenced learning the stonemason's trade with his father, at which he worked for six years. Then he em- barked in farming operations. Desirous of settling himself in this country, he emigrated to the United States in 18.50, locating in Ohio county, Ind., where he made his home for several years, then going to Cincinnati. Two years later he returned to Indiana, locating this time in Dearlioru county. In 18U(5 he came to Missouri and settled in Platte county, moving upon his present farm in 1883. This embraces 188 acres, nearly all of which is in cultivation and comfortably im- proved. In the year 1858 Mr. Albright was married in Ohio county, Ind., to Miss Elizabeth Clausing, daughter of Adam Clausing, a native of Hanover. They have four children : Charles, Fred, George and Lizzie. Mr. and Mrs. Albright are members of the Lutheran Church. COLE L. BANNING (Merciiant and Farmer, Residence, East Leavenworth). One of the prominent and l)est known residents in Lee township is C. L. Banning, who has been engaged in business at this place since 1872. At that time he became manager of the mercantile establish- 980 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. meiit of a Mr. Wise, who subsequently disposed of a pai't of liis stock to Mr. B., and in 1874 the latter became interested in business on his own account, which he has continued since that time. He also has been occupied in buying and dealing in grain and stock. He car- ries a general stock of merchandise and enjoys a liberal share of the patronage in and around East Leavenworth. Mr. Banning is a native of Delaware, and was born in New Castle county, March 6, 1835, the son of John A. and Elizabeth (Cole) Banning, the former of Maryland, ' and the latter originally from Philadelphia, Pa. The senior Banning was a man of good general education and of popularity and influence whei'ever he made his home. He was a graduate of Princeton College, N. J. During the War of 1812 he served in the Maryland militia. His death occurred in New Castle county, Del. Cole L. was taken to Phila- delphia when 12 years of age, and began his career in life as a clerk. In May, 1851, he became possessed of a desire to move further West, and accordingly came to Missouri, locating near Weston, where he engaged in farming. In the spring of 1857 he resumed his farming operations in Johnson county, Kan., but in 1860, he returned again to Platte county. In 1866, he moved to the neighborhood of where he now resides, coming then to East Leavenworth in 1872, as above stated. In 1874 he was appointed postmaster of this place, a position which he still holds. For several years he has been a justice of the peace. Mr. Banning has been twice married ; first, August 23, 1855, to Mrs. Hulda Ann Stewart, daughter of Solomon Fulk. She died in 1873, leaving three children, Nicholas, Alice, wife of Charles Farris, of Leavenworth county, and Mamie. Mr. B. was again married in this county, April 12, 1877, to Miss Helen M. Oliver, daughter of L. T. Oliver, an early settler here, and a well known teacher in the county. Mrs. B. was born in Platte county. By this marriage there are three children ; Jessie, Harry I. and Katie. Mr. Banning is a member of the Masonic Order, and has filled a number of chairs ia the I. O. O. F., with which he is connected. KINSEY B. CECIL (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 8, Post-office, Beverly Station). Mr. Cecil is very popularly classed among the thrifty, substantial citizens of this township. His life furnishes a striking example of what can be accomplished where a determined will is added to in- dustry and perseverance. He commenced for himself without any means whatever, and now just in the prime of life he has become pos- sessed of a desirable competency. In his home place he has 120 acres, 30 of which are devoted to timber, and his improvements consist of a new two-story house, with necessary outbuildings. Besides this he owns three other farms containing, respectively, 220, 260 and SO acres, also under cultivation ; these [jlaees are all in tlie immediate vicinity. iSIr. Cecil has been located in Platte county since 1859, thougii he first came to Missouri in 1846. He was then but 16 years of age, and after stopping some six months in St. Louis he went to Iowa and en- HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 981 tered the employ of the Government at Fort Dodge, as wagonmaster. From there he went to FortRidgely, thence to Fort Leavenworth, and subsequently tn Fort Riley, remaining an employe of the Government for 13 yeai's. During this time his duties took him westward as far as Salt Lake and Denver. In 1859 he returned to this State and l)e- came identified with the interests of Platte county, as noted above. Here he was married in June, LSfil, to Miss Sarah Ann Henderson, daughter of Thomas Henderson, one of the pioneers from Tennessee. She died in July, 1878, leaving five children: Thomas C, Lilburne, Samuel M., Belfe and Elhert. In February, 1880 Mr. C. was married at Plattslnirg, Miss Ruth Ellington becoming his wife. She was born and reared at Ridgely, in Platte county, and was a daughter of P. W. Ellington, then a merchant of Plattsbui'g, but now living with Mr. Cecil. There is one son by this marriage, Otis. Mr. Cecil was born in Russell county, Va., October 4, 1830. His father, Thomas J. Cecil, and his mother, formerly Nancy Thompson, were both Virginians by birth, and in the spring of 1832 moved to Kentucky, settling in Pike county. Mr. Cecil M'as once colonel of militia, and during his lifetime was a prom- inent and influential man in the community where he made his home. He represented his district in the State Legislature for one term. Kin- sey B. Cecil spent his youth on the home farm until coming West. His life since that time has already been spoken of. He has been constable of this township for a short time and he is connected with t!ie Masonic Order at Weston. His wife is a member of the Christian Chui'ch. HERMAN C. FANKHANEL (Proprietor of Blacksmith and Wason Repair Sliop, Farley). When about 14 y^ars of age, or after leaving school, Mr. Fankhanel commenced an apprenticeship, which lasted four years, at his present trade, his instructor being his father, a blacksmith by occupation, and who still lives in Saxony. Herman remained with him until he was 21 years old, and then for some time traveled through the German Slates, working at diS'erent cities and towns. He arrived in the United States in 1871, landing at New York in July, and subsequently came on to Leavenworth, where he worked for a few months. Then he located at Farley, and has l)een carrying on business for himself here for twelve years and has met with more than ordinary success. He is a capable workman, thoroughly understands his business, and has won for himself a patronage which he well deserves. Mr. Fank- hanel was born in Saxony November 28, 1843, and was a son of Herman Fankhanel, of that country, who has been twice married. Shortly after reaching his thirty-fifth year Herman C. Fankhanel was married to Miss Mary Renz, a daughter of Zaccheus Renz, January 13, 1879. She was born in Weston, Platte county. To them have been born two sons, Herman Z. and Adolph A. Mr. and Mrs. Fankhanel are prominently identified with tlie German Lutheran Church. They arc well known in this communitv. 982 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTV. ORLANDO HUMPHREY (Fanner and Stock-raiser, Section 10, Post-offlce, Platte City) . Mr. Humphrey is among the oldest residents of Platte county, having come here over 40 years ago, and his home has been in the county from that time to this. He has been an energetic and respected farmer and citizen of the county since 1844, barring the absence of a short trip to Mexico, and now has a good farm of 400 acres, which is mostly improved. A good residence, necessary outbuildings and an orchard adorn the place. December 7, 1848, Mr. Humphrey was married in this county to Miss Julia Ann Morgan, daughter of Elijah Morgan, formerly of Harrison county, Ind., and who came to Platte county in 1837. Mrs. Humphrey was reared here, but her birthplace was at New Albany, Ind. The next year after his marriage, Mr. Humphrey moved upon the farm which he has since occupied. He and his wife have had four children : Elizabeth, wife of A. L. Star- lard, of Pottawatomie county, Kan. ; S. W., in Atchison county, Kan. ; Eliza, a young lady at home and a proficient music teacher ; and James Harvey, who is now a student at Columbia University, which he has been attending for three years. Mr. Humphrey's father, Theron Humphrey, a native of Connecticut, married Miss Harris Miner, of the same State, after which the family removed to Ohio, settling there in an early day. The father was a gallant soldier in the War of 1812, in which he displayed considerable personal Ijravery. In 1850 the family came to Missouri and located in Platte county, where both died the same year, their deaths occurring at Weston within two weeks of each other. Orlando, the subject of this sketch, was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, September 27, 1824, remaining on the home farm and discharging such duties as came within his power to the age of twenty years. In the fall of 1844, he settled in Platte county, Mo. In 184(5 he obtained a position as teamster in the quar- master's department and went with the troops to Mexico ; however, he also did his duty as a soldier. He returned to this county in 1847, and has since devoted his entire energies to the material advancement and promotion of the agricultural interests of this community. He is a prominent member of the Masonic Order at Platte City. CAPT. DAVIS LANTER (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section IG, Post-offlce, East Leavenworth) . Were we attempt to write a military history or sketch of the lives of those in Platte county who were ever engaged in military warfare, none could bo brought forth more prominently than he whose life history is briefly outlined in the present narrative, for in this county there are but few wlio are the survivors of two wars — both the Mexi- can and the Civil — and ho is one of the oldest of the heroes who fought, bled and risked death for the preservation of the Union, and of whom Missouri may well feel proud. Capt. Lanter's parents were HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 983 Thomas and Spicy (Davis) Lanter, both Virginians by liirth, who came to Missouri in a very early day, in 1820, locating in Howard county, at Old Franklin. For a number of years the father worked at his ti-ade of house carpentering in that locality, and in 1824 he removed to Clay county, which he made his home initil February, 18-42. At this date he came to Platte county, settled in Lee township, and pre- empted the land adjoining the farm of his son. In 1863 he went to Jackson county, Kan., and there continued to live until his death, which occurred near Circleville in September, 1880. In the War of 1812 he had borne a worthy part under Col. Dick Johnson. Davis, the subject of this sketch, was born in Clay county. Mo., at Farbian Chapel, December 5, 1824. He came from there to this county when his parents moved here, and has passed his entire life within the boundaries of these two counties, barring a few short absences. In 1844 he left home and went to Fort Leavenworth as teamster in the quartermaster's department. In 1845 lie accompanied Gen. Kearney to South Pass, and in 1846 he drove Col. Doniphan's team to Santa Fe, during the Mexican War. Returning in 1847, he remained until tiie following year, when he again went to Mexico as a teamster, this time under Price. He reached Leavenworth in 1848, and in 1849 accompanied the troops to Cash Valley, north of Salt Lake, where he wintered. From February 1, 1849, to 1851 he was in the employ of the Government as wagon- master, and for a year had also been Government expressman. He now left the Government employ, i)eing at the time in California; during this time he had been over a great scope of country, extending from the British Possessions through to Mexico. Mr. Lanter now returned by Panama and New Orleans to his old home, though he stopped for about six days on the island of Cuba, at Havana. Sep- tember 23, 1852, he married Miss Elizabeth Bowring, daughter of Peter and Cynthia Bowring, she having been a native of Lafayette county, Mo. After this, until '61, Mr. L. farmed the most of the time. However, in 1859, he mtide a trip to Santa Fe, and in 1860 and 1861 made two trips, in the capacity of wagonmastcr, for a freightins party to Denver. When the war cloud which had so long hovered over this portion of the country burst in all its fury in 1861, our subject joined Price's arm}' at the Sac river, in St. Clair count}', and in December a company was organized, of which Mr. Lanter was made captain. This was known as Co. C, First Missouri cavalry. Col. Gates com- njanding. Among the numerous battles in which he participated, tliose of especial note were Pea Ridge, Farmington, luka, Corinth, Port Gibson, Champion's Hill, and nearly all the fights of Sherman's march to the sea, including the three days' battle of Kenesaw Moun- tain and the engagement at Atlanta, and the last, April 9, 1865, at Blakeley, on Mobile Bay, where the captain was taken prisoner. He was taken to Ship Island, but was paroled at Jackson on the 12th of the following May. Surely this is a record of which any one might feel proud, and one that reflects only credit upon Capt. Lanter. Re- turning home, he immediatelv resumed his farmins; operations, which 57 984 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. have since received his attention. His home place contains 220 acres, fairly improved, in addition to which he owns 69 acres of Phitte bot- tom land and a farm on the opposite side of the river, of 154 acres, upon which his son lives. The home place was purchased before the regular sales of the land in the county. The captain has two children: Mary C, wife of Burt Mays, on the farm with Capt. L., and AYilliam P., married and the head of a family. Mrs. Lanter is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. He is connected with the Masonio_ Order at Farley. HERMAN G. S. MEYER (Merchant at Farley, and of the firms of Meyer & Bledsoe, Hampton, Mo., and Johnson & Meyer, Linkville, Mo.). Without doubt, one of the most enterprising and best known men in Platte county, in a mercantile point of view, at least, is Mr. Meyer, now actively interested in business at the places above mentioned, and who has been prominently and successfully engaged in his present calling in this vicinity for about ten years. Of German descent and birth, he has inherited those sterling qualities of industry and great perseverance in evei'y duty of life which have made almost famous the inhabitants of that country. His parents were John and Cather- ine (Espenhorst) Meyer, both natives of Hanover, the former of whom was occupied in farming during his lite ; he is now deceased, but his wife is still a resident of that vicinity. Herman, one of the sons born of this marriage, was born in Hanover November 20, 1838, and up to his fifteenth year remained there, attending the excel- lent common schools, in which he received more than an ordinary education. In 1854 he accompanied an uncle, Edwin Meyer, to the United States, and first settled in New Albany, Ind. In 1855, crossing the Ohio river, he went to the vicinity of Louisville, Ky., and there became interested in farming ^tand the dairy business, continuing it until 18(37. He now made a trip to his old home, but returned to Kentucky the same year, making that State his home for about seven yeai's, or until 1874, when he took up his location in Platte county in 1875. Settling at Farley, he embarked in the mercantile business, and in 1881, in partnership with Mr. Bledsoe, he opened a branch house at Hampton, mention of which has already been made in tiie sketch of Mr. Bledsoe, found elsewhere in this work. In 1882 the firm of Johnson & Meyer, at Linkville, was established. It is unnecessary to mention anything about the business which is done l)y these houses, for that is an item well known by all who have any knowledge of the stores and their proprietors. Good stocks are carried in eacii, and the buildings occupied by the firms at Farlo}' and Hampton are owned by them. Mr. Meyer was married in Kentucky in Juno, 1860, to Miss Mary Summers, who was reared in Louisville. They have two chikiren : Lizzie, wife of Frank Weihe, of Farley, and John R. Meyer, now of St. Joseph, Mo., with Schuster, Hingston & Co. Mrs. Meyer having died, Mr. INIeyer was married in this count}' in April, 1876, to Miss Lizzie Ellemann, a native of Hanover, Ger- HISTORY OF VLATTE COUNTY. 985 many. There are four children by this marriacre : Herman, William Anna and Katie. In 187G Mr. Meyer was ajipointed postmaster at Parley. In 1877 he joined the Masonic Order, and has for several years filled the office of treasnrer of the lodge at this place. He and wife are members of the Lutheran Church. HENRY H. MOSS (Farmer, Stock-raiser aud Breeder, Residence, Farley, Mo.). Among the many families who came to Missouri from Kentucky in a comparatively early day was the one of which the subject of the present sketcli is a worthy representative. His parents were Joseph and Fanny (Pritchard) Moss, both Kentuckians by birth, who, after the bn-th of their son Henry, December 30, 1836, in Knox countv, Ivy., decided to come to Missouri, which they did in 1838, locatinci^ first m Daviess county, where they were numbered with the [lioneer settlers. Some 18 months later, or in the fall of 1840, they moved to Mercer county, this State, where Mr. Moss still resides " He has married again, his first wife having died. Mr. Moss has followed larmmg from boyhood, to which he was brought up, and by industry, a frugal manner of living and good manay a large circle of friends and ac- quaintances. Mr. Whiteley has become quite an adept in the stock business and makes a specialty of raising Poland-China hogs. He takes great interest in importing stock from Ohio, Illinois and Indiana, and has stock from the latter State recorded in the Central Poland- China Record of Indiana. He owns 110 acres of land, known as the Todd farm, one of the finest fruit farms in the county, included in which are to be found varieties of the Japanese persimmons, spice woods, etc. W. A. WILLHOITE (Farmer, Section 2, Post-office, Weston). lor about two years Mr. Willhoite has been residing upon his present place, having purchased it in 1883. Here he has a good farm of 160 acres, which he is cultivating in an excellent manner. Of German and Scotch ancestry, he was l)orn in Oldham county, Ky., September 5, 1843, and in 1855 accompanied his father to Platte county. Mo., 1010 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. where he has since been actively and successfully engaged in follow- ing the occupation to which he was lirought up. We should except, however, the period during which he served in the war. Septemlier 3, 1861, he enlisted in Co. B, Weston's regiment of the State Guard, and in 1862 entei-ed the regular Confederate service, becoming a member of Col. Stein's regiment. He served faithfully and with dis- tinction in the battles of Pea Ridge, Jenkin's Fein-y, Pleasant Hill, and others, being nmstered out at Shreveport. In 1865 he returned home and resumed his farming operations. On the 31st of March, 1875, Mr. Willhoite was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Lamar, a native of this county, whose ancestors were originally from Tennes- see. It should have been stated before that the ancestors of Mr. Willhoite were early settlers in Vii'ginia, and especially were they pioneers in Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Willhoite have two children : Fredda and Elmer T. G. A. WOODBRIDGE (Station Agent of the K. C, St. Jo. & C. B. and the C, R. I. & P. Railroads, at Beverly Station) . In the work of sketching the lives of the citizens of Platte county there is of course much similarity in the facts given, but occasionally one is met with whose life varies not a little from those of the gener- ality of men ai'ound him. Here is a case of that kind. Mr. Wood- bridge's father was a native of Massachusetts, and was possessed of rare intellectual endowments. He was a graduate of Yale College. George's mother, whose maiden name was Jane McConnell, was born in Ohio, though her parents were of Scotch ancestry. The birth of G. A. occurred January 18, 1856, at Crown Point, Ind., at which place he continued to reside until he was about 20 years of age. Going to Joliet, 111., he was in the employ of J. E. Shaw, Esq., in the brick business, also giving his attention to other matters. In January, 1879, he entered the employ of the railroad company at Weston as night (telegraph) operator, remaining here for aliout one year. He was then stationed at diflerent points as operator until ac- cepting the agency of the office at Sugar Lake, from whence in about a year ill health compelled him to leave. After operating at various places until May, 1882, he was given his present position, which he has since continued to fill with great satisfaction to the company and to the people of this place. Courteous and affal)le in his demeanor, and of an obliging disposition, his popularity should not be wondered at. Mr. Woodbridge was married June 28, 1883, to Miss Lizzie Ellinger, a most estimable 3'oung lady and an accomplished musician. She is a native of Missouri, being born and raised in Weston. Her birth occurred April 17, 1857. i^^g^izai CHAPTER XXVI. GREEN TOWNSHIP. Boundary aud Area^Nature of the Soil — Its Adaptability for Agricultural Pur poses — Timber — Stock-raising Industry — Early Settlers — New Market — When and by Whom Laid Out — Originally Called Jacksonville — Buena Vista — Camden Point — Location, Etc. — Atchison Junction — Dearborn — Sketch of Singleton Woods — Biographical. Green township is bounded on tlie north by Buchanan county, on the east by Preston township, on the south by Fair township, and on the west by Weston and Marshall townships. It is one of the largest municipal townships of the county, and is ten miles from east to west and seven and a quarter miles from north to south. The soil of this township ranks with the best in the county, and is remarkable for its uniformity and its adaptibility to agricultural and grazing purposes. There is very little waste land in the whole township, aud scarcely an acre can be found that is not valuable for growing grain or grass. The soil is principally a loam of great fertility, and sufSciently undul- ating to avert disaster to the crops in extremely wet seasons, and yet sufficiently retentive of moisture to preserve them from total failure in extreme droughts. The natural arrangements aiforded the early settlors ample scope for selecting their lands with a proper division of timber and prairie, and this has resulted in the establishment of some of the best organized farms for mixed husbandry in the county. The timber is principally white oak, black oak, elm, hickory and walnut. The township is well watered by the Platte river (which flows from north to south on its east boundary). Bee creek and other smaller streams, and untailing, living water is of easy access in well distributed localities throughout the entire township. So well is this township adapted to general, mi.xed and varied farming, that the entire territory is fenced, and either under the plow, in blue grass pasture or meadow. In population this township ranks second of the 10 townships, the census of 1880 giving it 2,425. Its inhal)itants are engaged almost exclusively in farming and stock-raising. Within the past few years great attention has been given to thoroughbred stock, both short horn aud Hereford cattle, and the interest taken in this industry, and tlie (1011) 1012 HISTORY or PLATTE COUNTY. well improved condition of the farms, indicate their general pros- perity. EARLY SETTLERS. Among the early settlers of Green township were Isaac Dean, Edward Ohlhausen, Warren Harris, Richard Waters, John Jack, the Duncan family, Henry Brooks, Neal Burgess, Wm. Kincaid, Jas. Burnes & sons. Lance Woodward, John Eldridge, Willis Cartwright, Archibald- Perrin, John C. Bywaters, Henry James, Wm. Fincher, Robert Mitchell, Joshua Tofflemeyer, the Holland famil}', and others. NEW MARKET. The second town in the county was Jacksonville, laid off by Jacob Adam son, who came to Platte from Ray county. Being a Tennee- seean and a devoted admirer of Gen. Jackson, he insisted that Jack- sonville must be the name of his town, but when a post-office was about to be established it was found that some other admirer of the hero of the Hermitage had his Jacksonville, and Adamson was com- pelled, very reluctantly, to change the name of his town, and he called it New Market, a name it has ever since borne. It is situated on Bee creek, 12 miles north of Platte City, and 10 miles northeast of Weston, and three miles south of the line dividing the counties of Platte and Buchanan. It is in the midst of a country unsurpassed in fertility of soil. The community is moral and intelligent, and the churches of all the religious denominations are well attended and liberally supported, and schools of a good class are maintained. Her population is about ISO. The business of the town has been injured, to some extent, by the laying off of the town of Dearborn, two miles northeast, on the Atchi- son Branch of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad. BUENA VISTA. In 1841 James Burnes founded the town of Buena Vista, a short distance north of Camden Point. A post-office was established and D. D. Burnes made postmaster. Several stores, a blacksmith shop, etc., were in operation, and the town prospered for eight or ten years, and then wont down, the business of the town removing to Camden Point. CAMDEN POINT. Camden Point, seven miles northeast of Platte City, and ten miles from Weston, was constituted a town by William Kincaid about the HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 1013 year 1848. The original intention of the founder was to make the place one for educational purposes, and to which end he and other prominent citizens directed their energies. Their efforts were suc- cessful, and in the summer of 1851 they erected a most excellent building at a cost of about $75,000. A full history of the school is given in another part of this work. Camden Point is located in the midst of an unsurpassed population morally, socially, religiously, and in all the qualities constituting a o;ood society. It is a place of considerable business, and is situated one-half mile from the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad, from which point a large shipping business is done. Her churches are good and her public schools libcrallj' sustained. ATCHISON JUNCTION. In the eastern central part of the township is Atchison Junction. It has one store, depot, etc. DEARBORN. Dearborn, five miles from Atchison Junction, and two miles northeast of New Market, on the Atchison branch of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad, is quite a shipping point, and contains two or three general stores, lumber yard, blacksmith shop, post-ofiice and depot building. Its population is about 50. We copy from the St. Joseph Gazette the following in reference to an eccentric character of Green township : — THE ANCHORET OF SINGLETON WOODS. A short distance south of New Market, Platte county, Mo., and near the spot where the old log school-house stood in which the Hon. James N. Burues attended school when a hoy, there lives an old man who has a history of more than ordinary interest. This man is none other than Thomas Cannon, or " Uncle Tommy," as the people in that locality have called him for the past thirty-five or forty years. Yes, he lives, and that is almost as much as can be said, for it is by the merest thread that life now hangs to his poor feeble bod}', which has passed through eighty-eight troubled years. Uncle Tommy lives entirely alone, and for the last few years has sel- dom been seen away from his hermitage. He was born almost a cen- tury ago on the Isle of Man, an island in the Irish Sea on the coast of England, and lived there until a man of middle age, when he deter- mined to come to America, accom[)anied by a nephew who he per- suaded to accompany' him, and whose mother opposed it. On his arrival in this country he resided for a short time in Cleveland, 1 014 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. O., in company with his young nephew, to whom he became very closely attached ; in fact he speaks of him now with as much fond- ness as a mother would of her babe, but Uncle Tommy was destined to have trouble, for the young lad became sick and died, leaving him a friendless wanderer in a strange land. Uncle Tommy then wrote his sister of the death of her boy, also informing her of his intention of going farther West. She desired him to return home, but he could never face his sister after persuading her only boy to leave her, though he did it with good intentions. He has never heard from her since, and she thinks him dead long ago. Early in life, like most young men. Uncle Tommy had his little love affair, which changed his life entirely. He fell in love with a beautiful, blue-eyed, light haired girl, whose winning manner and lovely dispositon made such an impression upon him that he never recovered from its elfects. They were engaged, and everything looked bright and cheerful for the future. But alas ! it was not to be. Just a few days before the wedding was to take place his affianced was taken seriously ill, and on the morning of the day set for the wedding death robbed Uncle Tommy of his fondest hope in life, and he never smiled again. After burying his nephew in Cleveland he came to Platte count}' and worked at his trade, that of a stone mason, until tlie commence- ment of the Civil War when, as old as he was, he got his tool sack, put in his tools, and started South, and under pretense of hunting work he reached the Southern army unmolested, and fought for the Confederate cause until the close of the war, when he returned to Platte county. For the first few years after his return he worked at his trade, and built in the neighborhood six or seven miles of stone wall, without assistance from any one. As has been said before, he lives alone, and if he only lived on an island and had a cat and parrot he would make a first-rate Robinson Crusoe. His house is built of stone and is about (5x10 feet inside, with a fireplace in one end, and little smoked windows about eighteen inches square, in the north and south sides. The furniture consists of one chair and a stool, one cot and three cracker boxes ; he also has an iron pot, a couple of tin pans and a tin cup. His diet consists of tea and crackers only; he has not tasted pure water for years. He has always been a great reader, and in his more prosperous days sub- scribed to half a dozen or more weekly newspapers, including the Gazette, all of which poverty has compelled him to discontinue. He now reads only his Bible, and days come and go and bring forth no change. The nearest neighbor supplies him with wood, and occasionally breaks the silence of his desolate home, which is surrounded by a high, thick hedge, by giving him a call. Once this winter he found Uncle Tommy just in time to prolong his life for a time. He had been lying on his back for ten days suffering with rheumatism, and could barely manage to reach his tea and crackers. It would prob- ' HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 1015 al)ly have been better for the old man if he had not been discovered, for it will only be a repetition of the same snfferings when he will leave this world of which he has seen so little pleasure. May the sufferings of the good old hermit be as slight as possible the remainder of his days, is the ardent wish of the writer, who, until ten days ago, had not seen him for fifteen years, and in all probability will never see him again. BIOGRAPHICAL. HON. JAMES W. ANDERSON (Farmer aud Stock-raiser, Section 4, Post-office, Camdeu Point) . In any worthy history of Platte county the name that heads this sketch must always be given a place as that of one of the prominent, representative citizens of the county. Mr. Anderson was a son of Capt. Peyton Anderson, a native of Virginia, who, in the earlv days of that State, was a muster captain. His wife was Miss Sarah S. Jones, originally of the same State as himself. Capt. Anderson lived to be about 70 years of age, dying in Virginia in 1854. He had be- come a well known and highly respected citizen of the vicinity in which he made his home. Of the union here mentioned, James W. Anderson was born, in Rappahannock county, of the Old Dominion, May 28, 1827. He reached manhood at his birthplace, after which he remained in Virginia about two years, then removing to Missouri and settling first in Lafayette county in 1850. The following tall he came to Platte county and has c(mtinued to make his home within its boundaries since that time. He was then located at New Market, and having, while in his native State, followed the occupation of teaching, he very naturally resumed it upon settling here. The reputation which he gained as an instructor at that time has not forsaken him in later years. Mr. Anderson was married in the county February 2, 1854, to Miss Lucy E. Bywaters, daughter of John C. Bywaters, formerly from Virginia, and one of the early settlers of Platte county. Mi's. A. was born in Callaway count}', removing here at the age of two years. After his marriage Mr. Anderson engaged in the pursuit of farming, to which he had been brought up, also teaching during the winter months for a number of years, or until about 1876. Years ago he became well known as one of the public-spirited citizens of this part of the county, and in 1880, when it became iiecessar}' to elect a man to represent the county in the State Legislature, he was very fitly chosen to fill the position, which he did, proving himself a sound, conservative and faithful representative of the people. A man of strong natural ability and good sober judijinent, he was well qualified 59 1016 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. to pass upon all proposed measures of legislation affecting the welfare and prosperity of the State. He served in the Thirty-ffrst General Assembly in both the regular and extra sessions. Mr. Anderson owns a farm of 256 acres, all fenced and in good improvement, a strilcing feature of which is a new and commodious two-story resi- dence, and other necessary outbuildings. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have two sons. Temple P. and Joseph M., both young men, at home. Mi's. A. is a member of the Baptist Church. JACOB N. BLACKBURN (Telegraph Operator and Station Agent, C. R. I. & P. R. R., Camden Point). Mr. Blackburn is a Virginian, and is of the same family from which the Kentucky Blackburus sprang. He was born in Grayson county, of the old Dominion, June 13, 1846. His parents were Laraliuth Black- burn and Nancy (Hanks) Blackburn, both natives of North Carolina. But each was of Virginia descent. The father died when young Blackburn was quite young. There were eight children in the family, seven of whoin were sons. Left an orphan by the death of his father, and the widowed mother having a lai'ge family of children, young Blackburn began to do for himself at the age of twelve years, and without help from others, or education. He was, therefore, a self- made and self-educated man. Though only in his sixteenth year when the war broke out, he promptly enlisted in the Confederate army. Napoleon always said that boys make the best soldiers. Experience in all wars proves the correctness of his opinion. They are enthusi- astic, fearless and always ready to obey orders. These are the quali- ties that go to make a valuable, dashing soldiery. Though a mere boy, young Blackburn followed the flag of the Confederacy with unfaltering devotion, and through hardships and dangers and wounds and imprisonments that would have chilled the enthusiasm of any but the most resolute and patriotic. He was a member of the Fourth Vir- ginia infantry and served throughout the war, taking part in nearly all the great battles of Virginia and contiguous sections of the country. He was wounded no less than thirteen times, and nine ditferent bullet scars are still plainly visible on his body, one distinctly on his fore- head. That, alone, would have made him an accepted and honored member of the Old Guard under the first Napoleon. A soldier could bear no prouder decoration than the scar from a wound in the forehead received in open battle. In May, 1864, he was taken prisoner and held from that time, at Point Lookout, Md., until the close of the war. Young Blackburn then came West and spent two years in Min- nesota and Dakota. Returning to Virginia in 1867, he was married there November 6, of the following year, to Miss Thurma, a daughter of Stephen Ward, of Grayson county. He then came West and made his home at Burlinganie, Kan. Two years later he came to Platte City. Here he worked at anything he could get to do for a time, and after a while learned telegraphy. In 1881 he was appointed agent at Camden Point, and he still holds the position. He makes an efficient HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 1017 agent and is popular with both tiie officials of the company and the general public. Mr. and Mrs. Blackburn have six children: Ellen, Frank, Orville, Homer, Burton and Katie. His two eldest sons, though the oldest is only about fourteen years of age, are good tele- graph operators themselves, and are of much assistance to their father. Mr. Blackburn is a member of the A. F. and A. M. at Cam- den Point. BENJAMIN F. BOYDSTON (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-offlce, Edgerton). Mr. Boj'dstou is a worthy representative of one of the early and respected families in this part of the State. His parents, Henry and Mary Boydston, came to Western Missouri as earl}^ as 18.36. The following year they settled on the Platte Purchase, pre-empting land in what is now Platte county. The father improved a large farm and became one of the substantial men of his vicinity. He held the office of justice of the peace and some other local positions, and he and his wife were leading and active members of the M. E. Church. Their house was the stopping place of itinerant ministers of that de- nomination and of other churches, and there they always found a hearty welcome and every comfort and good cheer the country afforded. Mr. Boydston, Sr., and wife, when the division of the church came about, took sides with the Southern branch of it, and their home was used as a meeting house for a long time until their church building was put up. Mr. Boydston, Sr., went to California in 1851, but never returned, dying while absent on the Pacific coast, July 19, 1852, and there he was buried. His good wife survived until March 6, 1866, her death occurring on the same day as the demise of Alexander Campbell, the founder of the Reform or Christian Church. Benjamin F. Boydston was born in this county and was reared on the farm. He was the fifth in a family of children. After he grew up he was married, in 1867, to Miss Martha A. Borden, a daughter of John and Mary Borden, of Jackson county, but formerly of Tennessee. After his marriage Mr. Bo3'dston, the subject of this sketch, con- tinued farming, to which he had been brought up, and has been quite successful. He is one of the well-to-do farmers of this vicinity. On his farm, which contains 320 acres, he has a good, comfortable resi- dence, erected at a cost of $8,000, and other improvements to corre- spond. On his place there are two miles of good stone fencing, supposed to be as durable as the "Rock of Ages." He is engaged in general fanning and stock-raising, growing large quantities of grain and considerai)le numbers of hogs, cattle and other stock. He also has 264 acres of good Platte river bottom land. Mr. and Mrs. Boydston have had seven children : Mary L. (deceased at childhood), Marvin C, Wightman M., Vincil, Vandiver, Cora E., James E., Thomas H., Benjamin F. and Martha E. They are also rearinij- .i nephew and niece, Sammie Tilford and Nannie Stone. Mr. and Mr.-. Boydston are meml)ers of the .\I. E. Church South. Mr. B. is a member of the I. O. O. F. He has served as justice of the peace and director of the public schools, still holding the latter office. 1018 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. GIDEON L. BROWN (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Wallace). If it is true that young men whose fethers have risen to enviable prominence in public affairs iu life inherit strong paternal character- istics, then surely Mr. Brown would unconsciously and without eflbrt attain to many high positions in any community in which he might live. His father, Hon.. T. J. Brown, is now presiding judge of Bu- chanan county, and a man well respected and highly honored in that vicinity. Admitting that Gideon L. is possessed of some of the better qualities of his father, we can truthfully say that his present position iu life has been reached through his own energy, perseverance and self-determination. Judge Brown came originally from Tennessee, and was one of the first to enter the Platte Purchase at its pioneer set- tlement. Going from here to Buchanan county, he went thence to Nodaway county, where he served on the bencli for several 3^ears. Subsequently, however, he returned to St. Joseph, where he has been honored with numerous local and other places of importance and trust. The subject of this sketch was born in Buchanan county, Jul}^ 26, 1842, his education, however, having been acquired in Nodawa}' county. He was engaged in farming with his father until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted in August, 1861, iu Co. B, Second Missouri cavalry (Shank's regiment). He participated in the battles of Blue Mills, Lexington, Pea Ridge, Prairie Grove and in all the battles of Shelby's brigade, finally surrendering at Shreveport, La. Returning home in July, 1865, he at once entered actively upon his former occupation of farming, following it in Buchanan county until 1867, when he became a citizen of Platte county. In 1872 he bought his present homestead, which consists of 160 acres, a place well improved with superior buildings and other necessary fixtures upon it. He has another place of 104 acres in this vicinity. March 8, 1866, Mr. Brown married Miss Amanda Ma\'et, who died May 10, 1879, leaving three children, Emma L., Henry and Nannie. His second wife was formerly Miss Laura Squires, to whom he was married December 6, 1879. This union has proved a most happy one. J. S. BROWN, M. D. (Physician and Surgeon, New Market). Dr. Brown has had only about four years' experience in the prac- tice of medicine, Iiut is a man of thorough general and professional education, and Since his removal to New Market, iu 1884, has followed the practice at that place with uninterrupted energy and perseverance, and with more than ordinary success for a young man, especially as a physician at the bed-side of the sick, if not in the accumulation of propert}'. The confidence of the people which he enjoys to such an extent, is well deserved, and, we know, sincerely appreciated. Dr. Brown is of Irish and German descent, representa- HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 1019 tives of the family having settled in Noi-th Carolina and Tennessee in an early day. However, he is a native of Mississippi, where he was born March 7, 1858. He eai"ly made such progress in his prepara- tory studies that he was qualified to enter college, and besides being favored with -opportunities for olitaining an education in the vicinity of his birthplace, he was a student in Columbia, Tenn. His pur- pose had long lieen to devote himself to the luedical profession, and upon coming of age he diligently engaged in its study. In 1881 he graduated with distinction at the Missouri Medical College, which he had attended for sometime previousl}', and during the spring of the same year he commenced to practice in Charleston, Miss. In 1884, as mentioned above. Dr. Brown became permanently located at this place. On the 15th of April, 1883, he was united in marriage with !\lis3 Livie Lea Bailey, also a native of Mississippi, and a lady of great strength of character and rare qualities of head and heart. The Doc- tor and Mrs. Brown have one son, John Maughs Sampson. CAPT. SIMEON HAYDEN BRYANT (Druggist, New Market) . The first record of the Bryant family, as far back as we can learn, appears in the birth of John Bryant, who was born in 17(30, in Vir- ginia, although it is known that the family primarily was from England. It is recorded of John Bryant that at the age of 12 years he served in the Revolutionary War, after wiiich, being a civil engi- neer by profession, he was engaged in surveying the State of Kentucky. It is also said that he and Daniel Boone were the two first white men who stood on the banks of the Kentucky river. In 1786 Mr. Bryant married Miss Owsley, a sister of Gov. Owsley, of Kentucky, and they were amongst the first settlers of that State. Their family consisted of 17 children. John Bi-yant died in 1833, and his widow in 1848, at which latter date there were 220 direct descendants living. Jona- than Owsley, the father of Smieon and the eleventh child in his parents' family, was brought up in Kentucky, his wife being Miss Martlia Kissinger, a sister of Hendley Kissinger, who donated liber- ally towards the building of the Female Orphan School of Camden Point. Their family consisted of 12 children, of whona Simeon H. was the youngest. He was l)orn February 27, 1839, in the Blue Grass State, there receiving a good education. Coming to Platte county in 1857, he engaged in agricultural pursuits, and also devoted two years to the blacksmithing business, continuing it until the outl)reak of the war. Then following his own convictions as to what he I)elieved to be right, he enlisted in the Confederate service, under Capt. Gib- son. He was in the battles of Wilson's Creek, Lexington, Pea Ridge and in a skirmish near Elkhorn Tavern, in 1863, was taken prisoner and confined in the military prison in St. Louis, from which he suc- ceeded in making his escape some six months later. Going to Louisville, Ky., he soon entered into the mercantile bu->i- ness at Cralj Orchard with his brother, but in about three years dis- 1020 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. posed of his interest in the establishment to Chris. Leavel. Now enterinjjinto the drug trade, he followed that until 1876, at which time he settled at New Market and opened a dru"; store in connection with a stock of fancy (groceries. Capt. Br3'ant has considerable real estate in this county, and since his settlement here has become. prominently identified with the progress and development of this county. He has served as postmaster of New Market for three years. In this connec- tion, perhaps, it would be well to state that his title of captain was given him on account of his having commanded a company of militia in Kentuck}', in 1868. Capt. Bryant has been twice married; first, Maj' 16, 1865, to Miss Susan W. Myers, also of Kentucky, and b}' this union there were five children : Eugene, Estella, Simeon, John and George. One son, Willie is deceased. On the 16th of Ma}', 1874, Mrs. B.'s clothing accidently caught fire and before assistance could reach her she was fatally burned, her death occurring June 23, 1875. Septeml)er 17, 1875, Capt. Br^yant was again married, his second wife having formerly been ]\Iiss Zerelda C. Bryant, a descend- ant of the same branch of the family from whence the Captain came. Ther.e are five children living of this union: Sallie, Jessie, Susie, Charlie and MoUie. The}' have lost one son, Handley. Capt. Bryant formerly belonged to the Crab Orchard Masonic Lodge of Kentucky, from which he dimitted. He also has his final card from the Odd Fellows' Order from the same place. COENELIUS M. BURGESS (deceased) (Vicinity of Dearborn) . Mr. Burgess died at his homestead in this county April 2, 1859. He was one of the old and respected citizens of the county, and for many years had been a prominent farmer and stock-raiser. Mr. Bur- gess was a man of high character and of many qualities of mind and heart that endeared him to those who had the good fortune of his acquaintance and friendship. He was a man of sterling intelligence and good general education and information. In early life he was engaged in mercantile pursuits, but even l)efore reaching middle age he turned his attention entirely to agriculture, for which he had a decided and controlling taste. A man of good habits and excellent business qualifications, he of course became successful as an agricul- turist. He became a large landholder in this county and in Kansas, and left a large estate at his death for distril)ution among his children. In every relation of life he was a man whose good qualities shone forth with more than ordinary brightness. Asa citizen he was law-abiding and true to every duty ; as a neighbor and friend he was one whose good opinion was prized by those who knew him above that of most men ; and as a luisl)and and fatiier his memory is cherished with the most sincere and tender solicitude. He is remembered by all as a true and good man, whose citizenship was an honor to the county and whose life was a benefit to all around him. Mr. Burgess was born in Lawrence couuty, Ky., June 4, 1809. His parents were John and HISTOKV OF PLATTE COUNTY. 1021 Jane (Shannon) Biirixess, and his paternal grandfather was Edward Burgess. At an early day his father moved with his family from Virginia to Kentucky, and the son, the subject of this sketch, was born and reared in Lawrence county, of that State. At the age of twenty-one he en- gaged in business in Kentucky, and in 1832 was married to Miss Vienna Spencer, daughter of .lames and Sarah L. (Martin) Spencer. Six years later he removed with his family to Buchanan county, Mo., but in 1843 settled in Platte county. Here he engaged in farming and stock-raising, improvinir his own farm and commencing on small means. But l)y industry and good management he steadily pros- pered, and became amply successful as an agriculturist. At the time of his death he was a member of the Methodist Church, and had been for one year before. His wife still survives him, a motherly hearted, good woman, gi'eatly beloved in her own family and esteemed by all around her. They had a family of eight children: Sarah K., wife of Floyd Shannon; Nancy J., widow of Samuel Nower, deceased; Julia D., Lou Ella V., George W., Cornelius M. (deceased), John J. and Flo3'd S. Tiieir son Cornelius M. was murdered in Texas, May 20, 1883. He was a lawyer of great promise and had been district judge iieforc he was 2d years old. THOMAS J. CARSON (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 5, Post-otfice, Camdeu Point). Mr. Carson has been residing on his present place since 1867, though his acquaintance with the county dates from a much earlier period. His father, James Carson, married Martha Keller, and they were both Kentuckians by birth. In the spring of 1839 the family removed to Missouri, locating in Platte county the following spring. Here the father entered land and improved a farm, which he subse- quently sold, in 1852, then returning to Clay county. There he died May 6, 1873, in the seventy-eighth year of his age. He had been a prominent man in public affairs of the county, having filled with dis- tinction several official positions, among others that of county asses- sor of Platte. Thomas J. was ])orn before the family's removal to this State, February 19, 1832. His youth was passed on the home farm and in the acquirement of a common school education, and in the spring of 1850 he accompanied his uncle, Jeff. Keller, and others across the plains to California. He spent about a year in tiie mines, but becoming ill returned by Panama and New Orleans, ascending the river to St. Louis. April 28, 1853, he was married to Miss Amanda Jeter, daughter of Hiram Jeter, one of the early settlers from Ken- tucky, she having been born in Fayette county, of that State, though brought up in this county. After his marriage, Mr. Carson farmed one year in Clay county and since that time has been a citizen of this vicinity, though having rented land some time after his removal here. Dui'ing the war he was ameml)erof the Paw-paw militia for home pro- tection. He has improved the place which he now occupies, by his 1022 HISTORY OF TLATTE COUNTY. own efforts, and has a neat farm of 80 acres, all fenced and with good appurtenances. In 1874 Mr. C. was township collector, and he has also served as deputy sheriff for a number of years. In addition to this he has held other positions of trust and honor. Besides his farming operations he has achieved considerable prominence as an auctioneer, his services in this direction being often called for in both Clay and Platte counties. Mr. and Mrs. Carson have a family of seven chil- dren : Emma Belle, wife of C. H. Shortridge, of this county, but who died in August, 1873; James H., Charles E., Luther L., Maggie T., Maud, William W. and Thomas J., Jr. Mr. C. and wife' are members of the Christian Church at Camden Point, in which he is deacon. THOMAS J. DAVIS CFarmer and Stock-raiser, Post-ofSce, Weston) . The name that heads this sketch is borne by a man well and favor- ably known in this county, and particularly in Green township. His father, John H. Davis, moved with his family from Indiana in 1837, and settled in Platte count}'. Mo., at a time when the improvements in this vicinity were of a very primitive nature, and when obstacles had to be overcome which at this day would seem almost insurmount- able. His wife ^as formerly Margaret P. Denny, to whom he was married before leaving Indiana. Of the 10 children born to them nine are now living, and of these Thomas J., the subject of this sketch, was the sixth. He is now in his thirty-seventh year, having been born in this county April 19, 1849. His entire life has been passed within the vicinity of his present home, except for a period of about three years, during which time he was at Denison, Tex., whither he went in 1876, and during this period he was employed in the machine shops of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad. Since returning Mr. Davis has given almost his entire attention to agricultural pursuits, in which he has gained by no means an undeserved reputation for ability and efficiency as a manager. His farm embraces 230 acres of good land devoted to the raising of grain and stock, and besides farming in a general way he is much interested in the raising of a high grade of cattle. Mr. Davis is a married man, the maiden name of his wife having been Miss Rachel Doyle. Siie was a native of Illinois, l)ut her ancestors came originally from Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. D. have three children : Walter S., Arthur D. and Barton D. G. B. GABBERT (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, New Market) . Among those with whom Mr. Galibert is acquainted he is familiarly, but none the less respectfully, known as "Benton" Gabbert, and on account of his long residence within Platte county, having been brought iiere when two 3'cars old, his knowledge of this community, and particularly of the people with whom he has so long made his home, is extensi*ve and varied. His father was William Gabljcrt, who HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 1023 ■ came to this county in 1844, being among the pioneers here. Ben- ton's birthplace was in the State of Indiana, and December 3, 1843, was the date of his entrance into this world. Brought to this county when very young (as has been said before), he grew up here and has since been satisfied to make his home in the vicinity of where his early life was spent. After completing his adolescence, he was favored with an opportunity for pursuing a course at Pleasant Ridge College, of which he did not fail to avail himself. Here he displayed that earnestness and thoroughness in the prosecution of his studies which have characterized his career as a business man and agricultur- ist in hiter years. Leaving school with the satisfaction of having received a good educational training, he at once entoi'ed upon tlie life in which he has lieen so successfid, that of farming. His present place consists of 350 acres of choice land well adapted for the pur- poses to wiiich it is devoted, that of raising stock, grass, grain, etc. He has excellent water facilities — an important consideration to the successful conduct of a stock farm, and his general improvements are worthy of more than passing notice. Particularly in his attention to the raising of the Hereford breed of cattle is he being especially favored, and he has representatives of the families of Dauphin XVIII., Ladylove, Sir Charles, Spartan, Prince Edward and Protection. Mr. Gabbert has been entirely successful in all his business enterprises, and ill general affairs is regarded as a man of superior judgment and business qualifications. In the discharge of his various duties he is quick and accurate and he is (liked hardly less for his pleasant, agree- able manners than he is esteemed for his ability as a business man. Personally, he is quite sociable, though there is nothing light or frivolous in his character. March 21, 1865, Mr. G. married Miss Alice Layton, daughter of Judge James H. Layton, of this county, whose death occurred in February, 18()7. Four children have been born to them, Eva, now at the Daughters' College, of Platte City ; William H., Smith and Lewis Cass. MILES HARRINGTON (Retired Farmer, Section 5, Post-office, Settle Station). One of the most prominent of the older citizens of Green township, and a man who has Ijeen actively interested with the progress and de- velopment of Platte county for nearly half a century, is Mr. Harring- ton, the subject of this sketch, now having reached the allotted age of three score and ten years. He was born ou the 9th of October, 1815, in the State of Tennessee, a State which has furnished many of Mis- souri's best citizens. His father, William Harrington, a native of North Carolina, married Miss Hannah Lowell, of the same State. When our subject was a child the family moved to Kentucky and thence to Illinois, coming to Missouri about 1820. They first settled in Howard county, but in 1827 wont to Chainton county, from there to Clay county, and subsequently to Daviess. They afterwards lo- cated in both Buchanan and Clay counties respectively, and finally. 1024 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. ill or near the year 1851, Mr. Harrington, Sr., toolc a trip to Cali- fornia, which he inade his home for some two years. He continued to live with his children after this until his death, which occurred in Platte county in 1868. Young Miles was with the family during the various moves above mentioned, but in the fall of 1836 he pre-empted land here, and in the fall of 1837 moved from Daviess county, though he did not locate permanently in Platte until 1839. His original tract comprised 100 acres, to which he afterwards added b}- purchase until his estate contained about a section. He has sold, however, all but some 400 acres, a tract of excellent land, upon which are all neces- sary iniprovements. He has been an active and thorough farmer, and now in the quiet evening of life is spared to enjo}' the fruits of a life of honest toil and industry. Mr. Harrington has been four times married. First, in Clay county, in 1836, to Miss Levisa Fowler, and by this union there were two children. His second wife was Mrs. Sarah Clark, whose maiden name was Cole, and to them was born one daughter. His third marriage was to Mrs. SophronaBrown, a daugh- ter of Mr. Gaines. Mrs. H. was boru in Kentucky . On Deceml)er 12, 1867, Mr. H. married for his present wife Miss Cinderella Peyton, whose father was Benjamin Peyton, of Eappahannock county, Va. She was reared and educated in Virginia. Mr. Harrington's children are as follows: R. N., of Platte county; William, who was killed in the army ; Elizabelh, wife of Richard By water, of this county ; Thomas, of Platte; Flora, now Mrs. Ben. Pixley, of Clay county; Jefferson D. Harrington, who married March 8, 1882, Miss Gertie Powell, daugh- ter of James M. Powell ; and the youngest, Nannie Harrington, a young lady at home. Mr. and Mrs. Harrington are memliers of the Christian Church. E. B. KIRTLEY (Post-office, Camden Poiut"). The Kirtley family have been settled in this countr}' since prior to the Revolutionary War. The family is of English origin, but what time its original founder came here is not detinitciy known. Certain it is, however, that the first settlement was made in Virginia. The founder of the family had four sons born to him — William, Frank, Elijah and Sinclair — and after his death his widow married Capt. Ben. Roberts, whose record and career in tlie Revolutionary War is such a well known matter of history that it is unnecessary for us to enter into any detail of his military life, save that he was sent to Kentucky to establish forts and defenses for the early settlers of that territor}'. The subject of this sketch is a descendant of William Kirtley who, after removing to Kentucky, died there. The father, boru in Virginia, spent his life in the former State, occupied with farming, and during the War of 1812 was a captain under Gen. William H. Harrison. His wife. Miss Anna Kyle, was born in Mar\'- land, a cousin of Daniel Boone. Some time after their marriage the family removed to Ohio, where she died. E. B. Kirtley was born iu Kentucky, April 10, 1809, but was raised in Ohio, where he received HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 1025 a liberiil education. After followino; blackstnithing for fifteen years he engaged in farming. In 1828 he returned to Kentucky, which was his home. until 1854. Going to Buchanan county, Mo., he remained there for some years. During the war, in common with many others, he suttered severe h)ss and injury by the depredations of the unprin- cipled men of both sides, but from this he has entirely I'ecovered. While in Buchanan county he dealt largelj- in fine stock and did more to improve the cattle in that county than any other man. In 1864 he made a trip to Montana, but in 1866 he came to Platte county. Mo., and l)egan merchandising atCatnden Point. After four years of mer- cantile experience he purchased his present farm of 160 acres of choice land, upon which he has built a comfortable house, and where he is now spending the evening of his life in comparative ease and retirement, resting in the assurance of having passed an active and not altogether useless life, and with the respect of all who know him. He is very courteous in his demeanor and a hospitable man. July 20, 1831, Mr. Kirtley married Miss Jane Montgomery, daughter of Adam Mont- gomery. She was spared to him until her death, April 10, 1875 ; she loft a family of five children living: Anna, wife of Dr. Watson, John E., F., J., and Philip. Mr. K. has been a member of the Baptist Church for fifty years. T. J. LAMAR (Farmer, Post-office, New Market). Among the better class of citizens of East Tennessee who came out to Platte county in an early d;iy of the county's history was the family of Henry Lamar, who settled here in 1843. He j)urchased and im- proved laud near the present site of New Market, where he success- fully followed farming for many years. His wife was formerly Eliza Kennedy, and by their union they raised a family of five children. T. J. Lamar, the subject of this sketch, was Ijorn the same year of his parents' settlement in this county, October 27, 1843. Brought up in tiiis county to the life of a farmer, he engaged in that occupation for himself upon i-eaching an age when it became necessary, for him to start out in life for himself, and to the original tract which he pur- chased he has added from time to time uutil he now owns 240 acres, tiie improvements of which are on a par with any to be found in a large region of country. He is very attentive to the conduct of his place, and is constantly being rewarded in a material way for the time si)ent in his industrious farming and good management. Mr. Lamar married Miss Mary J. Doyle, of this county. Heaven has blessed this marriage with six children : Henry A., James W., Daniel C, Mary E., T. J. and F. E. JAMES G. AND THOMAS J. LEWIS (Farmers, Post-office, New Market). These young agriculturists are worthy sons of Isaac T. Lewis, a man who, from the first, was intimatel}^ and uninterruptedly connected 1026 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. and associated with the growth and development of Platte county. He had come here t'rora Jackson county, Mo., in 1837, and remained until 1849, when, drawn into the caravan which moved westward to the gold fields of the far off Eldorado, he went to California, but re- turned in 1851. In 1850 he was married to Miss Mary J. White, and in this county they reared their family of children. The father is now a resident of Andrew county, Mo., whither he went in 1882, and where he now has a pleasant and comfortable home. He is distantly I'elated to the world renowned pioneer and hunter, Daniel Boone. The sons, James G. and Thomas J., now own jointly 180 acres ot good land, lying adjacent to the town of New Market, which they are cultivating in a manner which can not fail to be of substantial results to them. Thomas J. Lewis has been twice married, his first wife, Fannie Lewis, a native of this county, to whom he was married Feb- ruary 24, 1880, having died November 14, 1883. On the 22d of April, 1885, Miss Agnes Belle Douglas became his second wife. James G. Lewis is also married, the maiden name of his wife having been Miss Hattie Lee Owen, a daughter of John T. Owen, whose biography is found elsewhere in this work. Their marriage was con- summated February 24, 1882. Mr. and Mrs. L. have one daughter, Eula Belle. WILLIAM A. LOWE (General Merchant, New Market). William A. Lowe was born m Indiana August 26, 1843, and his life from that time to the present is one which has been passed in a manner worthy of commendation, and one in which he may feel a pardonable amount of pride when looking back over his past career. When he was an infant he was brought by his parents to this county, they settling at Weston in the year 1844. The father, Eld. S. J. Lowe, after locating permanently at Weston, was engaged in brick making for a time and also in merchandising, besides filling his regu- lar appointments as a minister. In 1851 he went to Hannibal, and was there occupied very extensively in slaugiitering hogs and cattle, in addition to which he iiad a large interest in a mercantile house in that cit\', and also at Palmyra. Unfortunatel}^ however, these nu- merous investments did not result satisfactorily in a financial point of view, and Mr. Lowe suifered almost a ruinous loss, from which he failed to recover. But in 1854 he came to New Market, and having learned by l)itter experience the utter uselessness of accumulating riches on this earth, he constantly studied how he could best serve his fellow-creatures and make his life most useful. Until his death, August 1, 18G1, he devoted his entire time to preaching the gospel. Williani A. Lowe early became acquainted with the struggles and hardships of this world. Owing to the misfortunes which befell his lather, the care of the family to a considerable extent fell upon him, and at the early age of 14 he contributed quite largely to their main- tenance. The principal part of his life has been passed in the busi- ness which he now so successfully follows. He has a good store at HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 1027 this place, keeps it well stocked, and is enjoying the patronage which his iiiir dealing and close attention to business tiioronghly merit. De- cember 26, 1860, Mr. Lowe was married to Miss Sarah A. Dodson, a Kentuckian by birth. The names of their seven children now living are Caroline J., William D., John S., Joie A., Pratt A., Sadie M. and Jubal Early S. They have lost one daughter, Linnie Elizabeth. Mr. Lowe is a worthy member of Unity O. S. Baptist Church. WILEY MOUNTJOY, A. B. (^Master of the Female Orphan School of the Christian Church, Camden Point). Prof. Mountjoy is a native of Kentucky, born in Anderson county, May 8, 1854. His father was LeRoy J. Mountjoy, a son of Wm. Mountjoy, originally of Virginia; and his mother was a Miss Louisiana Cardwell, daughter of John R. Cardwell, of Kentucky, who was a son of John Cardwell, from Virginia. Prof Mountjoy's father was l)rought out to Kentucky from Virginia by his parents when he was a mere boy. They settled in Anderson county, that State. There LeRoy J. Mountjoy grew to manhood and was married. He resided in Kentucky after his marriage until 186G, when he removed to Illinois with his family and located on a farm in Logan county. He died in that county three years afterwards. He was a farmer and stock-raiser by occupation and was fairly successful, accumulating a comfortable though not a large property. In Kentucky, before the Civil War, he was engaged in the stock trade with Southern dealers, buying and shipping quite extensively mules, horses, etc. Prof. Mountjoy was a lad about 12 years of age when the family removed to Illinois. After his father's death, being then some 15 years of age, he and his mother and several of the children of the family came to Missouri and made their home near Nevada City, in this State. Already he had taken a common school course, and now he began to prepare himself for col- lege. After taking an intermediate course in the preparatory schools he entered the Christian College at Canton, where he studied until he was graduated in 1880. In the meantime, however, he had taught school from time to time while obtaining his own education ; and while a student at Canton he taught in the Christian College at that place. After his graduation Prof. Mountjoy went to Montana, where he en- gaged in teaching; and having been ordained a minister of the Chris- tian Church, he also served in that office. Previously he had taken a Bible course of study at Canton. Prof. Mountjoy taught in Montana for about two years, and while there was connected with the Montana Collegiate Institute. Returning to Missouri in the fall of 1882, the following summer he was called to take charge of the institution over which he now presides. Prof. Mountjoy is a man of thorough educa- tion, conscientious in his work as a teacher, and ardently devoted to the profession of an educator. A man of energy and industry, and more than ordinarily gifted with those qualities which go to make a successful teacher, his career here at the head of tlie Christian Female Orphan School has been one of marked credit to himself, great bene- 1028 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. fit to the institution, and the worlc for wliich it was founded, and of singular gratification to his friends and to all who have the best inter- ests of the school at heart. Elsewhere is given a historj' of this noble institution, founded by Christian and philanthropic men for the care and education of those whose condition appeals most forcibly to every sympathetic heart — orphans left alone in the world and friend- less but for the kindness and generosity of othei's ; and helpless to prepare themselves for intelligent and useful lives, but for this and similar institutions. The school is now in a prosperous condition and is doing a vast amount of good in the field of education it occupies. On the 27th of July, 1882, Prof. Mountjoy was married at Deer Lodge, M. T., to Miss Ella Irvine, daughter of E. H. Irvine, for- merly of Platte county. INIrs. Mountjoy was born in this county, but was reared and educated in Montana. She is a graduate of the Mon- tana Collegiate Institute, and is a lady of superior culture and refine- ment. Since her husband took charge of the Christian Orphan School, at. Camden Point, she has been matron of the institute, and still discharges the duties of that position. Mrs. Mountjoy is a member of the Christian Church in which her husband is a minister. She has charge of several classes at the Orphan School. JEROME MULLENDORE (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Dearborn) . The Mullendores are of German descent, but have long been set- tled in this country. On coming to America, originally, they located in Virginia, of which Jacob MuUeudore, the father of the subject of this sketch, was a native. He removed "West and married a Miss Wortze. Stopping for some 3'ears in Ohio, the family finally settled in Indiana. Jerome MuUeudore was born in the latter State, and was one in a family of ten children, nine of whom lived to reach mature years. The county of his nativity in Indiana was Shelby, and there his father, who was a tanner by trade, died in 1867. The mother, a native of Ohio, and daughter of Daniel Wortze, originally of Penn- sylvania, died in 1876. Both were members of the Lutheran Churcii. Jerome MuUeudore, the date of whose birth was December 16, 1832, was brought up at the tanner's trade, and, after reaching his majority, was in partnership with his brother in that lousiness. In 1855, how- ever, he came further West, locating at Leavenworth, Kan. But later along Mr. MuUeudore settled in Platte county, and has been a resident of this county ever since. Here he has become one of the substantial farmers of the county. His homestead contains 335 acres, and is well improved. Besides this he has another farm of 160 acres, a few miles north of his homestead. He is a large producer of wheat and corn, and also grows considerable stock, principally cattle and hogs, of each of which he fattens and markets a considerable number every }'ear. Mr. MuUendore's farm is located about eight miles north of Platte City. In 1857 he was married to Miss Sarah Maj', a daughter of Samuel and Nancy May, the father a native of Kentucky, IIISTOKY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 1029 l)iit the mother originally of North Ciirolina. Six children are the fruits of their union : George D., a teacher by profession ; Lewis B., May A., Albert S., Samuel C. and William D. Mr. and Mrs. Mul- lendore are members of the Presbyterian Church. JOHN T. OWENS (County Tax Collector, Post-offlce, Platte City). Mr. Owens, though a native of Henry county, Ky., born September 19, 1835, was principally reared in Platte county, Mo., his parents, John S. and Harriet B. (Moore) Owens, having removed to this county from Kentucky, when he was yet in boyhood. They came here in 1845 and settled on a farm where John T. now resides. They made tliis place their permanent home and the father died here in 1852, the mother dying about nine years afterwards. Five of their family of children grew to mature years, four of whom are still living, includ- ing one daughter. John T. was the eldest of the sons and was reared on the farm, receiving as he grew up a good common school educa- tion. His schooling, however, was confined to the winter months, for in the summer he always assisted to make the crops. Farming very naturally became his regular occupation, and continuing on the old family homestead with success as a farmer, he was after awhile able to buy out tiie interests of the other heirs, so that he became sole owner of the place. His place contains over 250 acres and is situated about seven miles north of Platte City, It is one of the choice farms of the vicinity and is well improved. February 26, 18()1, Mr. Owens was married to Miss Minerva A. Dean, daughter of John B. Dean, formerly of Kentucky. Mrs. Owens, however, was educated at Cam- den Point and at St. Jose[)b. Mr. and Mrs. O. have six children : Harriet L., wife of Jas. G. Lewis ; Sidney M., now at Columbia Col- lege ; Andrew B., Lizzie, Lydia E. and Frankie. Mr. and Mrs. O. are members of the Christian Church. In 1873, Mr. Owens was elected township assessor and, illustrating the great fundamental prin- ciple of civil service reform that " 3'e have been faithful over a few things and I will therefore make you ruler over many," he was there- after, having given thorough satisfaction as a township assessor, elected to the office of county assessor. In this office he also showed marked fidelity and a degree of ability superior to the requirements of the position, so that he was elected to the responsible office of county tax collector in 1882. In 1884 he was re-elected to the latter office and is now serving his second term. He is giving quite as good satisfaction in this position as he did in the offices of township as- sessor and county assessor. Mr. Owens is one of the directors of Camden Point College and has been for the last five years. AYTCHMONDE L. PERRIN (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Camden Point) . Mr. Perrin was born in Lincoln county, Ky., April 8, 1811, and was a son of Achilles and Jane (Smith) Perrin, both originally of 1030 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUKTY. Culpeper county, Va. They removed to Kentucky in an early daj-, and made their home in Lincohi county. There the father, who was an energetic, successful farmer, served as magistrate for a number of yeari's, and afterwards as sheriff of the county. But in 1843 the fam- ih^ came to Missouri, and settled in Platte count}', where the parents lived until their deaths. The father was for many years an elder in the Christian Church. Aytchmonde L. Perrin, the subject of this sketch, gi'ew up in Lincoln county, Ky., and at the age of 21 came to Missouri, and located at Palmyra. There, some six years later, he was married to Miss Julia S. Morton, a daughter of Samuel Morton. At Palmyra Mr. Perrin was engaged in merchandising, in which he continued at that place until his removal to Platte county, in 1843. In this county he has been principally engaged in farming and stock- raising, though in 1867-68 he was cashier of the Weston Savings Bank. Mr. Perrin's farm is located about eight miles north of Platte City, and is one of the choice farms of the vicinity. He makes a specialty of raising and fattening cattle and hogs for the wholesale markets, in which he is quite successful, and also formerly raised large quantities of hemp. In a word, Mr. P. is one of the enterpris- ing, progressive farmers of his part of the county. He is a man who takes a public-spirited interest in the cause of education, and is especially generous in assisting those whose circum- stances are not such as to enable them to secure the advantages which others, whose means are more liberal, can command. An instance of his interest in this direction is .the active part he took in establishing the Orphan's School at Camden Point. Mr. Perrin is one of the orig- inal founders of the school, and has ever been one of its most liberal and useful supporters. He was the first treasurer of the board of management, and since then has been president of the board. Mr. Perrin is comfortablj' and pleasantly situated at home. His farm is handsomely improved, including a large brick residence and other buildings to correspond. Mr. Perrin has been married twice. His lirst wife died in 1849, and two years later he was married to Mrs. Jane Shy, widow of the late Jesse Shy, and daughter of William Shanks, of Lincoln county, Ky. By his first marriage there were live children, four of whom lived to reach 3'ears of maturity, namely: Susan F., now the wife of Thomas E. Campbell, of St. Joseph ; Achilles, also of St. Joseph ; Morton, of Jackson county, and Julia J., the wife of H. C. Childs, of Jackson county. There are fpur children by the last marriage: Mary M., wife of S. C. Woodson, of St. Joseph, Mo. A. L., Jr., with his father on the farm ; Jessie S., Nannie and John, also still at home. Mr. Perrin and family are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Perrin has been an Elder of Camden Point Church from its organization to the present time. JOHN B. REYNOLDS, M. D. (Physician and Surgeon, Camden Point). The career of Dr. Reynolds as a physician and surgeon thus far has been one of gratifying and more than ordinary success. A young HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 1031 luiin full of life and energy and of superior general education when he l)egun the study of medicine, and having a decided preference for that calling above all others, as well as a marked natural aptitude for it, he prepared himself for his profession with zeal and thoroughness. Dr. Reynolds begun the study of medicine under Dr. Charles R. Woodson, of Buchanan county, one of the leading physicians of North- west Missouri, and after taking a due course of study under him, entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons of St. Joseph (now the St. Joseph Medical Hospital) in the falV of 1880. The following fall he matriculated at the Missouri Medical College, and continued as a student of medicine and surgery there until his graduation in the class of 1882. After his graduation Dr. Reynolds came immediately to Camden Point, and made his permanent location here for the prac- tice of his profession. His evident aljility and qualifications as a phy- sician, together with his high character and genial, popular address, so favorably i-ecommendecf him to all with whom he came in contact, that in a short time he found himself in possession of an excellent practice. Dr. Reynolds' practice at Camden Point and vicinity has grown with unusual rapidity, and now, not only in points of skill and ability, but of extent and value of practice also, he is justl}' recog- nized as one of the leading, successful physicians of this county. Dr. Reynolds is standing ph3'sician to the Female Orphan's School of tlie Christian Churcli at Camden Point. Ho was reared in Buchanan county, this State, and is a son of James J. Rejmolds, one of the leading agriculturists and wealthy citizens of that county. His father has a large model stock farm and is extensively engaged in raising and dealing in fine short horn cattle. Dr. Reynolds was born while his parents were residents of Kansas, near Iowa Point, in that State, in 1858. The family had removed there from Buchanan county, and his father was a member of the Lecompton Constitutional Convention of Kansas. The family returned to Buchanan county, however, in 1858, where the parents still reside. While a resident of Kansas the father was extensively engaged in driving stock to California for several _years, and was quite successful. He is now well advanced in years, l)ut is still one of the leading active farmers and stockmen of Bu- chanan county. HON. BENJAMIN F. SHOUSE (.Judije of the Western District of Phitte County, and Farmer, Post-offlce, New .Vlarkef) . The Shouse family, or at least the branch of it of which the subject of this sketch is a representative, has long been settled in this country and for- generations was resident of Kentucky. Judge Shouse's father, B. P. Shouse, was a native of Kentucky, but in 1844 came to Platte county. Mo. He had previously been married, the maiden name of his wife being Miss Margaret Farra. Benjamin F. Shouse was born in Woodford county, Ky., July 29, 1843, but being brought here when only an infant, his youth was therefore principall}'^ spent in this county. Of course everybody practically in this State at that 60 1032 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. time followed farming, and to this almost universal occupation young Shouse was brought up. His opportunities to acquire an education were those afforded by the district and private schools in the vicinity of his father's home, in addition to which, by self-application, he be- came possessed of more than an ordinary intellectual knowledge. He early began farming for himself and continued it until the breaking out of the war, when, on the 15th of September, 1861, he enlisted in McGinnis' company of Winston's regiment, in the Confederate army, and participated in the battles of Lexington, Pea Ridge, Corinth, luka, Second Corinth, Helena, Mansfield, La., Pleasant Hill, Jenkins' Ferry and Monticello. After this service of four years of severe and continued fighting, he surrendered at Shreveport, La., May 9, 1865. He was also a member of Piudall's battalion of sharpshooters. Par- sou's brigade, Missouri troops, for some time. Returning home at that time, he resumed his farming operations, in which he has since been satisfactorily successful. Having led a life of untarnished integ- rity and being a man of many popular, social and neighborly qualities, Mr. Shouse has naturally won the esteem and confidence of those around him. In November, 1884, he was elected judge of the West- ern district of Platte county, a position entirely unsought for, but a mark of honor and esteem of his acquaintances which shows the posi- tion which he occupies among tiiose in whose midst he lives. Thus far he has discharged his oflicial duties in a satisfactory manner. Judge S. was married. November 8, 1866, to Miss Rebecca Clay, a native of this county. Seven children have blessed this union : Ida May, now at LaGrauge College ; Edwin Clay, Mary, Frankie, Ora Lee, William Arnold and Benjamin F. EDWARD C. SMITH (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 35, Post-office, Weston). Edward Smith, the father of the subject of this sketch, and a man well known from the earliest settlement of the county, but none the less highly respected, came here from North Carolina in 1837, at which time he commenced to break the soil preparatory to opening a farm. Of an intellectual turn of mind, he was early persuaded to open a school here, which he did, continuing the occupation of teach- ing for many years. He served in various positions of a local nature, and was justice of the peace most of the time until his death. He had married in this county, in 1839, Miss Lucinda McLain, whose parents were formerly from Kentucky. Ed. C. Smith, the second child now living of his parents' family, is one of the native born citizens of this county, the date of his birth having been February 6, 1848. His entire life has been passed within this vicinity, save for a period of three years, during which time he made his home in Kansas ; but not being satisfied with his location there, he bought his present home in 1878. A life well spent, and especially among those who have been acquainted with him from the time of his birth, has only tended to give him the reputation of l)eing one of the progressive and well re- HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 1033 spected residents of Greeu township, and he has many friends who will always rejoice with him at his prosperity. His place contains IfiO acres of choice land, the improvements of which are of a good order. March 13, 1870, Miss Amelia Davis, daughter of John S. and Mai'garet (Deney) Davis, became his wife. Her parents were also numbered with the pioneers of this county, they having come here in 1830. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have three children : Edward D., Howard B. and Lena. Mr. Smith and wife are members of the Baptist Church. JOHN H. STYNE (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Soction 5, Post-offlce, Camden Point). Mr. Styne is a well known resident of Green township, having resided here since 18i33, a period of over a score of years. During this time he has gained a warm and permanent place in the estimation of the people, and richly merits the opinion held by others of him. Mr. Styne, a Virginian by birth, was born in Bottetourt county March 28, 1826, consequently is now in his si.xtieth year. His pa- rents were William and Sarah (Dolman) Styne, also natives of Vir- ginia ; the father of the former served in the War of 1812 with distinguished gallantry. William Styne died in the State of his birth during the late war. Young John was brought up in Bottetourt county, receiving a common school education, and when comparatively a young man came to Missouri in 1857, locating in Platte county, just east of Platte City. Here he was married in April, 1862, to Miss Ann Elizabeth Settle, daughter of John J. Settle, formerly from Vir- ginia (Culpeper county), but now deceased. In 1863 Mr. Styne located on his present farm, known as the old Roup place (entered by Mr. Roup), and has placed all the improvements on the farm which it now contains. The estate eml)races 240 acres, all in a body, de- voted to pasturage, timber, etc. His residence is a substantial one, and the other improvements are excellent. Mr. and Mrs. Styne have a family of five daughters : Jennie, wife of Thomas L. T. Jones, of Clay county; Sallie A., a very attractive young lady; Maggie A., Katie L. and Namiie J. Mr. Styne is a member of the Masonic Order at Camden Point. R. B. THOMAS (Farmer and Stocl^-raiser, Post-office, New Market). Mr. Thomas is a progressive, prosperous farmer, who settled in this county in 1881. He is from the State of Kentucky, and reveals in his methods of farming and in the appearance of his place many characteristics of the farmers of that State, of whom he is a worthy representative. He has a place of 160 acres, where he is occupied in mixed farming and raising grain and stock, and which is an excellently arranged, neat and convenient farm. Mr. Thomas was born in Ken- tucky July 11, 1817. His ancestors settled in Virginia in a very early day, but the father of the subject of this sketch subsequently went to 1034 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. Kentiick}'. Young Thomas was educated in the schools of his native State. Reai-ed on a farm, he naturally acquired that taste for agri- cultural life which finally decided him to make farming his permanent occupation. In 1845 he moved to Buchanan county, Mo., and made his home there for some 36 years, or until the time when he took up his residence within the limits of Platte county and upon the farm which he now makes his home. This has already been spoken of. Mr. Thomas is a married man, his wife having been of German and Welsh extraction, though herself a Kentuckian by birth. Her maiden name was Mar}' A. Ewalt and their marriage occurred in September, 1838. Mr. and Mrs. T. have I'eared a family of nine children, having lost three. Those living are: Robert H., Catherine S., wife of La- fayette Spencer; Moses, Samuel, Noah, Mary A., Benjamin F., Eva A. and Edward L. The three deceased are Jane, Sarah E. and John W., who was killed during the late Civil War. Although having been in the county only a comparatively shoit time, Mr. Thomas has gained a name which is a synonym for honor and integrity wherever it is known. THOMAS MERITT THOMPSON (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, New Market). Mr. Thompson, left an orphan in boyhood by the death of both parents, and without means or family influence to advance him in life, is now one of the foremost farmers and highly respected residents of Green township, and to his present enviable position, he has risen, as may be readily inferred from what has already been said, by the sheer strength of his own character — his indomitable energ}', industr}' and perseverance, and his sterling integrity and strong convictions of right and fair dealing. When he was four years old his father died, and five years later, when he was nine years of age, his mother also de- parted this life. Now dependent upon his own resources, he at once determined to rise to success and to acquire an honorable reputa- tion. In boyhood he was denied all opportunities for obtaining an education, but at the age of 20, after having accumulated sufficient means to bear his own expenses, he entered a school. On account of his unacquaintance with the English branches, and not being able to enter a class of ages somewhere near his own, he stopped school. Not discouraged, however, but determined to acquire something of a knowledge of liooks, he closely applied himself, and by studiousness and close attention to his studies has become possessed of sufficient knowledge for all the practical affairs of business life. In 1847 he enlisted in the Mexican War under Col. Gilpin, and was mustered out at Independence in 1848. Going to Texas, for aliout a year he dealt in horses, after which, for two years, he remained in the mountains. He now returned home, but the next year started for California, and on account of sickness contracted while en route he was left at Fort Laramie. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 1035 Upon his return to Buchanan county Mr. Thompson was engaged in farming for 10 years, and in 1863 went to Leavenworth county, Kan., where he continued tlie same occupation for three years. In 1867 he came to this county, and in 1882 removed to the farm which he now occupies, a place consisting of 315 acres of as choice hind as is to be found in this community. The improvements are of a superior order, and besides a good orchard on the place is a fish pond which covers several acres, and which is supplied with an abundance of fish. Mr. T. was married July 15, 1857, to Miss Lucretia J. Adkison, a native of Virginia. She died January 27, 1872. Mr. T.'s second wife was Rhoda Harris, originally from Manchester, England, to whom he was married April 21, 1875. Mr. Thompson has afamily of five children : Algernon, Rebecca, Rose Hannah, Ira Mark, and Lola Pearl. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are members of the Christian Church. The former is a strong advocate of the public school system of the present day. Mr. Thompson is now in his fifty-fifth year, having been born in Kno.Kville, Tenn., March 15, 1831. WILLIAM W. WILLIAMS (deceased) (Vicinity of New Marliet). The name that heads this sketch was born by a man who was identi- fied with the interests of Platte county for nearly 50 years. Honest and worthy in every particular, his life was one of great industry, spent in striving, as a good man, to bring up his family in a creditable way, and to leave a record of his career which would cause no l>]ush of shame to mantle the face of those near and dear to him at the men- tion of his name. The Williams family are remembered as having been early settlers in Kentucky, and from there William W. Williams came to Platte county, Mo., in 1837, among the very first pioneers, entering land just north of New Market. This he at once set about to improve, which he did, and upon which he made his home until his death, which occurred April 19, 1884. His marriage took place De- cember 2, 1847, when Miss Louisa Asher became his wife. She was the daughter of Singleton Asher, a native of Kentucky, who emigrated to this county in the spring of 1838. She is a woman worthy to have held the place she occupied by the side of her husband during their happy married life. Their family consisted of seven children : Esther A., wife of W. B. Baughman, living at the homestead; Martha J., wife of T. J. Bashford, of Dearborn • Mary F., Edith M., Lydia, wife of J. L. Johnson, of Buchanan county; John S., and Julia, wife of S. S. Cox. W. B. Baughman, the son-in-law of Mrs. Williams, was born in Kentucky and came to this county in 1846. In 1850 he went to Cali- fornia, where for seven years he was engaged in mining, but upon returning in 1857 he embarked in merchandising at De Kalb, Mo. In 1863 he took a trip to Kentucky spending one year, also passing a like period in Montana, whither he went in 1864. He also was for some time in Idaho. Since 1865 he has been occupied in farming in 1036 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. this county. His marriage to Miss Williams was celebrated in the spring of 1867. John S. Williams, a young man now at home and who is conducting the farm, was brought up and received his education in this vicinity, and now owns a tract of 160 acres of as desirable laud as one might wish for. Though still a young man, he bids fair to become one of the most substantial agriculturists of the county. He now raises grain, stock, etc. .JOHN M. WILLIAMS (Fai-mer aud Stock-raiser, Post-office, New Market). Mr. Williams is a son of John W. and Julia (Burgess) Williams, who took up their location in Platte county. Mo., in 1837, where John M. was born April 29, 1848. Mr. John W. Williams was a citizen of much value to the community in which he lived in an early day. His home was frequently a stopping place for those who subsequently moved to the county, for, one of the most hospitable of men, and ap- preciating the disadvantages under which new comers labored until they could establish themselves at least a temporary home, his door was always thrown open to them and he gladly favored them in every way he could. John M. Williams, the youngest son in his parents' family of three boys, was brought up to learn the minor details of farming, an occupation to which he has ever devoted his best energies. His education was a common school one, sufficient, however, for all practical purposes. Mr. Williams owns a farm of 160 acres, land well adapted to the use for which it is cultivated. His character as a farmer is readily seen in the appearance of his place, which bears the mark of an energetic and thorough proprietor. His house is beauti- fully surrounded by well kept and tastily arranged evergreens. Mr. Williams has been twice married ; first, June 27, 1869, to Miss Linie Finney, of this State, who subsequentlj' died. His second marriage was on the 3d of July, 1879, when Miss Alice B. Campbell became his bride. By this union there is one son, Floyd S. CHAPTER XXVII. \VESTON TOWNSHIP. Boundary — Peculiarities of the Soil — Location of the Most Highly Improved Lands — Early Settlers — City of Weston — Situation —When Platted — First Female in the Place — Early Business Men — Her Foreign Trade — Hemp Growing — Present Outlook — Commercial and Industrial Interests — Apple Shipments — Weston's Great Men— Pony Express and Overland Mail — Lodges — Miscel- laneous. Weston township lies along the Missouri river. It is bounded on the north by Marshall, on the east by Green and Fair townships, on the south by Fair township and the Missouri river, and on the west by the river just mentioned. A portion of this township, along its northwestern border, consists of what is known as " fancy bottom," tlic soil of which is of unknown depth and unexampled richness. Level almost as a floor, its fertility is amazing, and to the agricultural eye there is no finer sight than that of these fancy bottoms teeming with golden grain ready for the sickle, or with verdant rows of plumy corn, giving promise of the abundance that is to crown the harvest. Further back from the river and running parallel with the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific Railway, diagonally across the township, is a line of picturesque bluffs that give to the landscape a romantic beauty equal to most of the much vaunted scenery along the Genesee valley. Back of these bluffs we come to the main body of the land in the town- ship, and they are not only rich in soil and timber and admirably adapted for agricultural purposes, but their gentle undulation makes the scene one of ideal rural beauty, greatly similar to the farming dis- tricts of England. The rise and f\ill of the slopes and vales are not suflicient to make the surface broken and hilly, marred by ravines and cliffs, but they ai-e of incalculable benefit in giving a perfect drainage, thus insuring the healthfulnessof the inhabitants by prevent- ing the formation of swamps and bogs and the accumulation of malaria. Probably the most highly improved lands and the noblest home- steads are to be found in the northern and eastern parts of the town- ship, but everywhere the land is fertile, intelligently cultivated and bears evidence of the wisdom of those who have acquired homes here. (1037) 1038 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. The farmei's are, with but rare exceptions, men of education and ability, blessed with an abundance of this world's goods, and, fully posted upon the topics and issues of the day, they have secured to their descendants educational facilities second to none in the State, or for that matter in the United States, and their public schools are a credit to the communities in which they are located. While they are practical men, yet theory is not altogether neglected, and books and newspapers are abundant about their homes. No means of informa- tion are neglected, and take them as a body, they form an ideal yeo- manry. EARLY SETTLERS. Amongst the early settlers of the township we find the names of such men as John B. Wells, still alive, hale and hearty, at the ripe old age of 85 years ; Daniel Durbin, Theodore F. Warner, Henry Brill, Judge Ham, Nicholas Banner, John Light, A. D. Bl3'the, Ben Holladay, John B. Evans, W. G. Noble, A. Nower, John S. Woods ; and many others figure in this list of the pioneers of Weston town- ship. All were men of enterprise and of that courageous metal of which the first settlers of a country are composed. Most of them have long since passed away, but a few remain, " time honored fathers of a former age," the connecting links between our day and the pioneer age that is ftist vanishing. THE CITY OF AVESTON. The town, or rather the city of Weston — for Weston once had her metropolitan era when her streets were thronged with every known species of vehicle devoted to commerce, and when at her wharves lay steamers, barges, keel and flatboats to convey to the East and to Europe her accumulated products — is beautifully sit- uated on the east bank of the Missouri river, which laves her very feet. The town site was pre-empted by a soldier in a cavalry company at Fort Leavenworth, named Joseph Moore, in 1837. He sold out to a company who entered the land. A man named Ferguson was the surveyor. A plat of the town was made by Thomas Jordan and he and Mr. J. B. Wells gave the first streets their names. Mrs. J. B. Wells was the first white woman to place foot on the streets of Weston. Thornburg and Lucas built the first store house in the place. Among those who were prominent at an early day among its busi- ness men were T. F. Warner, E. Cady, Perrys & Young, A. Baker, HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 1039 McDonald Brothers and others. The merchants of Weston were men of hirge views, and, with the nerve, liberality and means to carry out their designs, extended the trade of the town in all directions, but principally toward the West, tapping all the vast stretch of country lying between them and the Rocky mountains, and even bursting through those granite barriers and invading the empire of the Latter Day Saints. HER FOREIGN TRADE. Over the arid plains that lay between Weston and the old Spanish city of Santa Fe, the former sent her caravans to dare the ire of the banded savages roaming along the Arkansas river, in order that they might share in the golden profits of the New Mexican trade. In the lodges of the Kickapoos, Shawnees, Delawares and Pawnees, as well as in those of their more remote brothers, the Sioux, Mandan, Arick- arees and Blackfeet, might be found bales of goods bearing the brands of these Weston merchants. But Salt Lake was, to use a Westernism, Weston's " best holt." First of all the Western cities to freight large quantities of goods to the Mormon capital, the profits realized were something fabulous, and those whose daring and enterprise so richly deserved it reaped a golden harvest from their saintly customers. The army officers and the privates stationed at Fort Leavenworth contributed their mites, and for a time, to paraphrase a Catholic maxim, " all ways seemed to lead to Weston." HEMP GROWING. Coming from hemp growing States to this city, that, like Tadmor of old, lay in a wilderness, a large number of her farmers continued to grow that product, the consumption of which, at that time, was enor- mous, and this added to her prosperit}'. Hemp was a commodity that commanded at all times a high price, and was to the West what cotton was to the South later on — king. All dealers must handle it, all other freights must wait for it, and in the market it took prece- dence of all else, its sale being ready, its payments cash. But, alas for the little city ! The Latin poet sang of the fallen walls and crumbling towers of the once proud Troy: " Troj'a full, " and at last the day of doom came to Weston in the building of the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad, which diverted her trade and gave its quietus to a place that else might to-day be a grander city than Kansas City or St. Joseph. One by one her customers deserted her, charmed by the railroad sirens with the song of cheap freights, and 1040 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTT. the glory departed from Ichabod. The overland trade migrated farther up the river to Kansas City, St. Joe, Omaha and Nebraska City, and left to Weston only the county trade. THE PRESENT OUTLOOK. Her present merchants, however, do not discredit her commercial ti'aditions, and in their tact, enterprise and business capacity they have shown themselves worthy successors of the men who opened up the overland trade and pioneered the way for the Pacific Railroads to and beyond the continental backbone, as Westerners call the Rocky mountains. Their stocks are large and well selected, evincing taste and judgment, and no town in Missouri of its size can boast of such stocks of goods, in every line, as can this little city. COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL INTERESTS. Her commercial emporiums consist of three dry goods stores, five devoted to staple and fancy groceries, two drug stores, two hardware and agricultural implement establishments, three boot and shoe stores, one jewelry bazar, one tobacconist's shop, two confectioneries, two book and stationei'y stores, one bank, one lumberyard, two saddlery and harness stores, three blacksmith shops, one wagonmakiug shop, one cabinetmaker and undertaker, one cooper shop and two flouring mills. The Western Milling Company has lately rebuilt a magnificent mill, fitted throughout with the latest improved machinery, and which has a capacity of 100 barrels daily. There is one large cooper shop, employing a considerable number of hands, and running to its full capacity. The distillery of David Holladay, a brother of Ben Holla- day, of Overland fame — a man who made an imprint upon his time second to that of no man of his day — is situated within a mile of the city, and it is justly celebrated for its product, a genuine, hand-made sour mash Bourbon whisky, which is absolutely free from all adulter- ation. Mr. Holladay claims for his distillation an absolute equality with that of the finest Kentucky goods, his grain being of equal or superior quality, and his spring water precisely similar in its constit- uents to that used by the Kentucky distillers. APPLE SHIPMENTS. In addition to other products, the township is noted for its magnif- icent orchards, from which are shipped yearly the finest apples grown in the West. The magnitude of this industr}' is immense, the ship- HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 1041 pers having gained a continental reputation for the quality of their fruit. This reputation has been honestly gained, every barrel of fruit being carefully packed, and none but the choicest apples, picked by hand, being used. North, South, East and West they go in car-load lots, bringing in every market the highest prices, and known every- where as " extra select." Amongst the shippers of apples W. R. Keller and C. Thorp are the largest, though there are others who handle in the season many hundreds of barrels. Weston's great men. When the Platte Purchase was thrown open to settlement, such reports of its richness and advantages had gone abroad that in a very few months there was not a vacant quarter section of land to be had in the county. Like the Israelites upon the borders of the longed for Canaan, there were numbers of adventurous men waiting for the opportunity to locate, and Weston township was filled to overflowing. Amongst those who, at one time or another, have been residents here, were Gen. Andrew Hughes and his son. Gen. Beta M. Hughes, -i Gen. Frank P. Blair, Gen. B. F. Stringfellow, Judge J. N. Burnes, Col. j John Doniphan, C. A. Perry, Judge S. P. McCurdy, L. M. Lawson — i now a banker in the city of New York — Ben Holladay, and others. Here was a collection of notables, the like of which could be met with in no other town of its size in America or Europe. Here were soldiers, jurists, financiers and adventurers whose fame is world wide, their names household words wherever the English language is spoken. Here originated the idea of overland freight- ing, and from this point was outfitted the first grand train that pushed the commerce of Missouri into and through the dreary wastes that lay between the river and the mountains, and invaded the solitude of the location chosen by Brigham Young for his de- luded followers. PONY express and OVERLAND MAIL. Here, too, Ben. Holladay conceived his daring schemes, and here he found the capital to put them in operation. It was his enter- prise in this direction that suggested and laid the foundation for the " Pony Express," a scheme that has found historians in prose and rhyme, an enterprise that joined the Pacific slope in close re- lations with its sister States and Territories, and that made prac- ticable the building of the Pacific Railways. In this little city was conceived the idea of putting in operation the great overland mail 1042 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. line of coaches that, leaving the Missouri river, dashed on, day and night, through sunshine and storiu, summer and winter, until they reached the golden shores of California. Its relays of teams were sufficient to furnish the cavalry of an imperial army with horses. And such horses as these were ! Groomed and cared for by an army of hostlers, and handled by the most reckless but also the most skillful drivers the world ever saw, through the sandy desert and across the granite-ribbed mountains they kept up their tireless pace, and from station to station made their schedule time of ten miles an' hour. It was a heroic enterprise, originated by a heroic mind and carried out by men whose bravery and devotion to duty made them, despite their humble positions, true heroes. The gallant Argonauts that followed the fortunes of Jason in his search for the Golden Fleece were not more hardy nor more daring than the men that manned the stations and the coaches of Ben. HoUaday's overland mail line. MISCELLANEOUS. The churches of almost every denomination are mentioned else- where, and will not be referred to in this connection. We have inserted the notice of the I. O. O. F. Order at Weston in this place, as the matter could not be obtained in time to insert in connection with the other secret orders of the county. (See Chapter XVI). In examining the charter of Phoenix Lodge No. 30, I. O. O. F., we found it impossible to obtain the names of the charter members, as the present charter does not contain them. Where the names should be inserted in the charter is noted that " this charter is issued in lieu of a charter issued Mai-ch 2, 1848 ; hence names of charter mem- bers can not be inserted, the original having been destroyed by fire." The present charter (duplicate) was issued August 1, 1855. The present membership is 30. The property of the Lodge is valued at about $1,500. The charter of Frontier Encampment No. 2, I. O. O. F., is found to be the same as that of the Lodge, except it does not give date of the original charter. The date of the present charter (duplicate) was issued June 1, 1857. The charter members can not be given. The present membership in good standing is 12. Funds on hand amount to about $1,000, while the personal property is valued at about $150. The German Benevolent Society, a local organization has a good membership and the Knights of Honor have a lodge numbering lt3. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 1043 Though the schools of Weston have l)een mentioned in general elsewhere, it may prove of interest to know that the repoi't for 1885, of the public school district of Weston, gives the enumeration of white and colored male pupils of school age iu the district at 208 ; female, 194. The enrollment of white pupils was 283, of whom 143 were male and 140 female ; of colored, male 45, female 35. This makes the total number of white and colored pupils 363. BIOGRAPHICAL JOSEPH ANDERSON (Mauager of the Exchange Hotel, Weston). Born in Fleming county, Ky., May 10, 1845, Mr. Anderson was the son of Johnse Anderson, who was born in Kentucky, and a farmer by occupation. He died in 1845. His mother, whose maiden name was Mary A. Redman, subsequently married John Fugate. He died in California, and Mrs. Fugate afterwards became the wife of Thomas G. Turner. The latter departed this life iu 1881. Mrs. Turner died in 1870. Joseph Anderson accompanied his mother on her move to Platte county. Mo., iu 1849, and here he was brought up to the life of an agriculturist, which he followed until the outbreak of the war. His military career in that struggle is one worthy of mention, but one upon which we can only touch briefly. Enlisting in the Fed- eral army in the Eighteenth Missouri infantry, he served iu a great nuiiiy battles, among which were those of Shiloh, Tenn. ; Corinth, luka. Miss. ; Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek and Atlanta, Ga. At the latter engagement, July 22, 1864, he lost a limb and was sent to the hospital, where he remained until he was honor- ably mustered out of the service in 1865. Mr. Anderson now returned home and gave his attention to various occupations for some time ; holding also the oflices of constable, township clerk and justice of the peace. March 24, 1864, he was married to Miss Nancy Turner, origi- nally from Hart county, Ky., and a daughter of Thomas G. Turner. This union has been blessed with eight children : Joseph, Sarah A., Ada L., Charles T., Nancy I., Ella M., Jesse H. and Elizabeth Eli. Three are deceased. Mr. Anderson is now conducting the Exchange Hotel at this place for Mrs. Margaret Galibert, a half sister of his wife, who is also a daughter of Thomas G. Turner by a previous mar- riage to that of Mr. Anderson's mother. She was born and reared in Platte county, and on the 13th of April, 1882, married Eli Gabbert, a native of Indiana, born iu 1815. He died November 28, 1882. In 1044 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. the conduct of this hostlery Mr. Anderson, who is also assisted by Mrs. Gabbert, is meeting with good success ; the result of which is due perhaps to his constant and earnest endeavors to attend to every detail connected with the proper management of a hotel. He is deserving of the patronage which he is receiving. ELIAS BAEBEE (deceased) (Late a Farmer on Section 8, Weston Township). Among all the horrors of the late Civil War, there was nothing which caused so much suffering among those closely united by the ties of family affection as to see husbands and fathers separating from those at home to enter upon a field of action from which they might never return. Many, we know, were buried where they fell, while others came back only to die in a short time from the effects of what they had undergone while gallantly fighting. Mr. Barbee was one of this latter class. Of Southern birth and antecedents, he entered the Confederate army in 1862, and was captured at the battle of Pea Ridge. Soon after he was taken sick, and though his wife succeeded in transferring him from Alton to his home, he died two days after reaching here, leaving his worthy companion alone in the midst of a cruel war with five children dependent upon her for support. Her love for these fatherless ones prompted her to persevere, and from that time to this her success in the management of her f;irm has been of noteworthy remark. The place embraces 80 acres, and the man- agement falls especially upon her son, Graham G., who is deserving of special mention in this connection. Mr. Barbee's father was a general in the Revolutionary War. He was born in Kentucky August 29, 1841, was married to Miss Sarepta J. Graham, of Kentucky, whose mother was formerly Cassandra Stone, of North Carolina. Mrs. B. was born January 17, 1811, and was brought up in her native State. They lived in Kentucky until 1847, then coming to Missouri and locating in Platte county on a farm which she has since occupied. The names of the children are Nancy Owen, wife of J. J. Gabbei-t ; Robert J., Elias E., Laura, wife of David Darnell, and Graham G. The latter, together with his mother, is a member of the Baptist Church. A. G. BELLER (Residence, Weston). That early advantages may be made to contribute materially to one's advancement in life, to the giving of one's career a higher di- rection than it might otherwise take, can not for a moment be ques- tioned ; but that such is always the case, no one of general intelligence or reasonable observation would think of claiming. Indeed, judging by the lives of successful men, some have gone so far as to claim that the best school for a youth of brave spirit and ambitious mind is the school of adversity. Though A. G. Beller has reached no eminent station in the affairs of State, he has, nevertheless, accomplished much HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 1045 more than thousands of others have, and has achieved a degree of success which no worthy sketch of his life should fail to mention to his credit. In youth he had practically no advantages whatever to prepare himself for what he felt would be his position in life. At night he often spent his leisure in endeavoring to master the mys- teries of an ordinary, common school education, and by his industry, perseverance and natural gifts of mind has steadily made his way up until many, who had first preceded him by years, are now far in the rear. Mr. Beller was l)orn in Baden, Germany, in 1834, and was the son of Anton and May E. (jNIiienzer) Beller, both natives of the same place. When he was a child about 8 years old the family emigrated to the United States and some three years later, or in 1841, located in Buchanan county. Mo. The father was a farmer by occupation, a calling to which he gave his attention until his death, in 1846. The mother still makes her home with her son, A. G. She is now 80 years of age. After his father's death young Beller commenced to learn the blacksmith's trade, and after mastering it continued it as his chosen calling until the breaking out of the war. He now became a candi- date for official public honor and owing to his peculiar fitness for the position was elected mayor of Weston, a position which he held one term. He also served as a member of the town council. Subse- quently he was complimented by Gov. Fletcher by being appointed proljate judge, and the same characteristics which had attended him in other positions followed him here. After one year he became for eight years the publisher of the Border Times, a newspaper which was remarked for the fairness and ability with which it was conducted. He was postmaster for two years, 18(59-70. In 1871, disposing of his newspaper property, he entered the mail service and l)ecame a postal clerk, and he now is occupying a like position in the railroad service on the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad. Mr. Beller was married Deceml^er 3, 1851, to Miss Melville Commins, who was born in Buchanan county. Mo. She was the refined and accomplished daughter of E. G. Commins. This union, one of especial harmony and affection, has been blessed with thi-ee children: Vincent A., a resident of Chicago ; Emma, now Mrs. Rodgers, of Marshall, Texas, and Angle, a young lady at home. BENJAMIN BONIFANT, M. D. (Physician and Surgeon, Weston, Mo.). Dr. Bonifant, one of the most thoroughly educated and experi- enced practitioners in his profession in Northwest Missouri, is a native of Maryland, born in Montgomery county February 15, 1821. His father, John Bonifant, was also a native of Maryland and a ]irominent agriculturist. The maiden name of his mother was Mary Tucker. She was born in Washington, D. C. The first 18 years of young Bonifant's life were spent on his father's farm and in attend- ing school. Having made choice of the practice of medicine as a life 1046 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. calling, he placed himself under the cure of Dr. Benjamin J. Perry, an eminent physician, as preceptor. Following his course of reading, he matriculated in the Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia, and was graduated in 1849. In 1850 he came to Missouri and settled in Weston, and almost from the beginning commanded a good prac- tice, which has steadily increased, until he is recognized as one of the leading physicians in this part of the country. A marked character- istic of Dr. Bonifaut is that there is no pretense about him. Whatever he does, he does in earnest, in a plain, common-sense manner, going directly to the point in view. So when he read medicine, he read it' not because custom and forms required him to proceed through a reg- uhir course of reading, but in order to learn and to qualify himself for the intelligent and successful practice of his chosen profession. He served during the late war as surgeon of the Thirty-ninth Enrolled Missouri militia, and also the Fourth Missouri State militia. After leaving the army he resumed his practice in Weston. The Doc- tor is still a close student and keeps thoroughly posted in all the advances made in the science of his profession. He was married October 29, 1855, to Miss Matilda J. Leachman, a native of Kentucky, but reared in Platte county. They have two children : Ada, now Mrs. Shenkner, and Mary, at home. The Doctor is a Knight Templar in the Masonic Order. W. A. F. N. BOWEN (Post-office, Weston). Mr. Bowen was born on the 13th of October, 1839, in Fairfield county, Virginia. His ancestors were of English origin. His grand- father, John Bowen, Sr., was at the siege of Yorktown, and aided in the capture of Cornwallis. He married Miss Rachel Drake, who wasa lineal descendant of Sir Francis, one of the admirals who aided in conquering the Invincible Armada, in the days of Queen Elizabeth, and circum- navigator of the globe. From this union sprung John Bowen, Jr., Maj. F. D. Bowen, William Bowen and Newton Bowen. John Bowen, Jr., in the year 1836, married Miss Jeanette J. Newman. They were the parents of five children, viz.: J. Bowen, W. A. Boweu, Rachel Rowen, Lovel N. Bowen and P. O. Bowen. These children were blest with pious parents, both being consistent members of the Baptist Church. The father of the subject of this sketch died Julv 5, 1862, after which the widow received a pension from the Government, her hus- band having been a soldier in the War of 1812. She died July 12, 1879, in the full faith of a blessed immortality beyond the grave. Three of her five children had preceded her, John Bowen, Rachel and Lovel Bowen. W. A. Bowen acquired an excellent education, under the auspices of his father, uncle. Profs. Yarnly, Carroll, Ratlington and F. G. Gaylord, of Daughters' College. He has attained con- siderable celebrity as a mathematician and composer in the fields of literature. His profession is that of teacher, and he stands at the HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 1047 head of liis profewsion. Tlif Civil War broke out just as he was enter- ing the threshold of niaiihood, and he and his brother Lovel, true to their colors, espoused the cause of the Soutli, and no braver soldiers ever fought on the field of battle than they. Lovel Bowen was killed in the baUle of Pea Kidge, March 7,1862. W. A. Bowen survived the war, and married Miss Nettie May, one among the loveliest maid- ens of Platte county, September 19, 1868. Mrs. Mary May, her niDlher, was a lady of many admirable qualities, who died April 27, I'S.SO, in the sixty-eighth year of her ago, having been a consistent Presbyterian for more than forty years. From this marriage have sprung Francis L., Lenore and Willie Florence Bowen. Francis Lovel, the first born, died in infancy. W. A. F. N. Bowen is a member of the Baptist Church, Ijelougs also to the noble institutions of Odd Fellowshii) and Masonry, having ai)ly represented his district in the Grand Lodge of the former for several terms. He has served three terms as school commissioner of Platte county. He has many warm friends, because he fearlessly performed his dut}', and he is looked ui)on as a worthy and excellent citizen. He has done much good for the cause of education. During one term of his official career he visited every school district in the county, and distributed a volume of the school law to each. This was no easy task, because during his visitation it rained many days in succession, and the roads were almost impassable. For this he received not one cent of compensation, for it is not one of the enumerated duties of the school commissioner, and no appropriation was made for such extra work. He did it to advance the educational interests of the county, and old Platte stands to-day at the head of the column, through the instrumentality of this nol)le educator. The Burruss district, where he has been engaged as instructor forsometime, is pre-eminently a community (jf deep thinkers, and intelligence is a marked feature of her people. JOHN H. BRILL (Farmer, Section 2, Po^^t-office, Weston). Mr. Brill was born in Fox Plain, N. Y., January 30, 1838. His father's name was Henry Brill, and the maiden name of his mother was Dora Hovendahl. The family were among the pioneers of Platte county. Mr. Brill settled in St. Louis in 1836, but the following year came to Platte county, and he pre-empted the land on which the i)ublic school of Weston now stands. He built the first blacksmith shop in tliis part of the county. During his life he made several trips to St. Louis on foot, walking tliis distance in about five days. John H. Brill was born in this county January 30, 1838. He was reared a farmer and has followed it as his chosen occui)ation. His farm includes 80 acres of choice land, well improved. He was married March 20, 1862, to Miss Caroline Dorth, a native ol' Germany. They have two children: Jessie D. and William. 61 1048 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. GEORGE BRILL (Farmer, Post-office, Weston). In the earliest days of the settlement of this county, Henry Brill, the father of the subject of this sketch, settled here and erected the first blacksmith shop in the county. " Here smoked his forge ; he bared his sinewy arms, And early stroked his sounding: anvil warm; Around his shop the steely sparks flew, As out of steel he shaped the bending shoe." His was an establishment well patronized in that pioneer day, and his name is well remembered by the oldest living residents of this vicinity. The wife of Henry Brill was formerly Dora Hovendahl, and they came here in 1837. George Brill, a worthy representative of his father's family, was born in Platte county. Mo., May 27, 1842. He is of German extraction and that is enough to carry the assurance that he is one of the solid men of Weston township. Thrift is the leading characteristic of the German people, and those of German descent, and when they have good soil and favorable seasons, as they do in this country, they almost invariably become well-to-do. Mr. Brill is certainly a proof of the truth of this statement. He has made farming his life study, and has been very successful, now own- ing a farm of 100 acres adjoining the town of Weston. On the 10th of March, 1870, Mr. Brill was married to Miss Catherine Carson, and to them have been born five children, four of whom are living : John, Mary, Louis and Lena. George is deceased. WILLIAM B. CALVERT (Farmer, Post-office, Weston) . Mr; Calvert is a young and highly respected farmer of this county. The Calverts were early settlers of Kentucky from Virginia. The parents of William B. were from Scott county, Ky., and came to Platte county in 1838. His mother's maiden name was Martha Hern- don, a daughter of Dr. Herndon, of Kentucky. She is still living and finds a pleasant home with her son, John Calvert. William B. was I'cared in this county to the business of farming and stock-raising. He owns a half interest in the Calvert place of 237 acres of choice land, and has the management of 187 acres where he now lives. Mr. Cal- vert was married October 24, 1883, to Miss Nora Gabbort. They have one son, Lewis Cass. Mrs. Calvert's father, William Gabbert, a retired farmer and capitalist, was born in Lincoln county, Ky., Oc- tober 8, 1817. His father, James Gabbert, and his motlier, whose maiden name was Polly S. Sullivan, were natives of Virginia, but in 1820 they moved to Indiana, where William was reared to manhood on a farm. In 1844 he came to Missouri and settled in Platte county and purchased a farm, and t^) this lie added Irom time to time until HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 104!t he became one of the largo property owners of the county. At present he owns 522 acres. He made it a cardinal principle of his life to owe no man anything, and in purchasing goods, if he had not the money to pay, went without. He was married December 27, 1838, to Miss Frances Hamner, a native of Kentucky. They have a family of five children living: James J., George B., Michael H., prominent farmers in Platte county ; Ira T., a prominent physician of Caldwell, Sumner count}', Kan., and Nora. ISAAC P. CART WRIGHT (Residence, Weston). Mr. Cartwright is now interested in mining operations in the State of Colorado, where he spends a good deal of his time. In 1874 he l)ecame prominently interested in the welfare of Weston. At that time he engaged in the banking business, oi)ening the Weston Savings Bank, which he continued to conduct for some time. Owing to a straitened financial condition which unfortunately overtook him, he was compelled to close the doors of the b:iuk, after which, as stated above, he went to Colorado. It is V)ut justice to Mr. Cartwright to say that while the closing of the bank was deplored and its loss keenl}'- felt, not a word of reproach was ever laid upon Mr. Cartwright as being the cause of its failure. A native born citizen of the county, he has always retained and enjoyed the respect of those among whom lie has made his home. Born March 7, 1838, he was the son of Willis Cartwright, a native of North Carolina, who, during his life, was ac- tively interested in merchandising. The mother of Mr. Cartwright, whose maiden name was Nancy Pinkston, came originally from near Knoxville, Tenn. In 1836 the family took up their location in Ray county. Mo., l)Ut in 1837 found a home within the Platte Purchase. The father departed this life in 1877, but the mother survived until the 7th of January, 1882. Young Isaac enjoyed good educational ad- vantages in youth, and upon coming up received a mercantile experi- ence, which proved of great benefit to him in later years. He followed merchandising up to 18(31 and then went to Colorado, where until 18(;G he was occupied in various pursuits. Returning to Platte City, he was made dejnity circuit clerk and served very acceptably for four years. He also filled the position of cashier in the Farmers' Savings Associ- ation for the same length oF time, after which he came to Weston. Mr. Cartwright was married November 25, 1862, to Miss Anna E. Hamilton, daughter of Charles Hamilton. She was born in Scott county, Ky., but came to Missouri with her parents in an early day. Mr. and Mrs. Cartwright have five children living: Laura Inez, Charles W., Robert E., Meade G. and Frank O. One child, ;ui in- fant named Alva Ben., is deceased. Mr. Cartwright is a Knight Templar in the Masonic Order. 1050 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. JAMES W. COBURN (Attorney at Law, Weston). The history of this country is replete with illustrations of the possibilities of true manhood and merit under our institutions. The 3'oung man of to-day of character and courage and brains becomes the man of prominence of to-morrow, and afterwards the distinguished citizen. So it has ever been, so it now is, and so, at least as long as free and prominent institutions prevail, will it ever be. Here and there and in every section of this State may be seen young men whose characters and attainments and whose careers, hardly more than yet begun, point with a certainty, impossible to doubt, that tiiey are destined for the highest services in their respective depart- ments of life, if they are but willing to accept those positions to which they might be elected. Prominent among the comparatively j'oung men of this State whose career thus far has been an eminent one, is the subject of the present sketch, James W. Coburn. He was born in Mason county, Ky., and was the sou of Dr. JohilA. Coburn. The maiden name of his mother was Elizabeth M. Wood. Both his parents were Kentuckians by birth. The father was a prominent physician in his da}', and is remembered as being one of the leading members of the medical fraternitj' of the vicinitj^ in which he lived. His grand- father, James W. Coburn, was the first Federal judge in what was then known as the Territory of Orleans, holding his courts at St. Louis and New Orleans. James W. was reared at his birthplace, and wa> unusually well favored in his efforts to secure a liberal education, the assistance which his father cave him being greatly increased bj' his own studious habits and personal desire and ambition to receive a thorough collegiate training. His first entrance upon the career of professional life was in the circuit clerk's office in Maysville, Ky., where he performed most of the duties falling to the lot of that official. Here it was that he formed a taste for the legal profession, and with courage and determination, added to patieuce and perse- vei-ance, he improved his leisure time in preparing himself for admission to Harvard Law School. He was admitted to the bar in 18(36, and it was only on account of his age that he was not admitted to the year before, no one doubting his qualifications and eminent fitness to take such a step. In 18(U) he came to Missouri and entered into partnership with John Doniphan, a lawyer of wide repute in the Platte Purchase, a relation which existed until Mr. Doniphan's removal to St. Joseph. Since then he has been engaged in practicing alone. He is a close student and a safe counselor, and personally he possesses those qualities which go far to win the respect and confidence of men. Plain and unassuming, his honesty is apparent to all, whilst his manners are agre()al)le, and his couversatiou, rtever too voluble, is always pleasant. Personal popularity comes almost unavoidably to such men. Mr. Coburn's library is perhaps one of the best in Platte county. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 1051 the voliiuies therein treating not only of legal and professional matter but being devoted to scientific and philosophical topics, etc. Mr. C. is at present serving his third term as prosecuting attorney, and it is entirely unnecessary to make any remarks upon the compli- ment which has thus been shown him by the people of his county, and those among whom he makes his home in thus repeatedly calling him to discharge the duties of by no means an unimportant office. He is a Knight Templar in the Masonic Order and belongs to the Encampment of the I. O. O. F. A. H. COX (Retired Farmer, Westou) . Mr. Cox is a venerable man whoso faculties of mind and vigor of body are still remarkably well preserved, and who, by industry and good management in the active years of a well spent life, has ac- cumulated a comfortable competency on which to rely in old age. He came originally, like many of the best men all over the West, from Virginia, the grand old mother of good citizens, as well as of the noblest and best Presidents who have ever occupied the Executive chair of the Republic. Mr. Cox was born in Cumberland county, April 3, 1S04. In 1809, when he was but 5 years of age, his father removed to Ken- tucky. Brought up in an agricultural community, as was to be expected, he became a farmer, and this calling has been his occupa- tion through life. In 1847 he emigrated to Platte county and pur- chased a farm and at once took a position as one of the leading agriculturists of the county and one of its prominent citizens. The same year of his removal here ( 1817 ) he married Miss Phoebe Larri- more, a native of Madison county, Ky. She died in 1849, leaving one son, William E., now in business in New York City. In 1852 Mr. Cox was again married to Mrs. Angeline Jones, of Buchanan county, Mo. She is a native of North Carolina and has two children by a former marriage, one daughter, who is the wife of Charles W. Campbell, for j'ears a prominent business man of St. Joseph, but now a resident of Florida ; and William Jones, a farmer in Buchanan county. In 1880 Mr. Cox disposed of his farming lands and removed to Weston. He is a man of many positive traits of character and unswerving in his convictions of duty and right. Caring nothing for the vanities of the world, he has striven to acquit himself faithfully and sincerely in every duty of life. MRS. MELISSA COX (Post-office, Weston) . Mrs. Cox (whose maiden name was Wilson), the relict of Jacob Cox, Esq., was born in West Virginia, and when quite a small child was brought by her parents to Missouri, their settlement being made in Platte county. Six days after reaching there the mother died, l)iit the father survived until February 17, 1883, when he, too, departed 1052 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. this life. After growing to womanhood here Miss Melissa was mar- ried September 18, 1856, to Jacol) Cox, a Kentuckian by birth, and ■who died February 13, 1869. Their family had consisted of four children, three of whom are now living: Oliver y., Spead S. and Kate, wife of Ben. Siler, of this county. One son, Jaoob Presley, is deceased. At his death Mr. C. left a homestead which is now being cultivated Iiy the two sons, Oliver S. and Spead S. These young men, having been reared on a farm, have very naturally chosen that calling in their early manhood and by industrj^ and good management have steadily prospered, until they are now numbered among the prominent agriculturists of this part of the county. Oliver S. received the principal part of his education in this county. Spead S. has also obtained a good school instruction. In the conduct of the home farm, which contains 128 acres, tliey are careful, painstaking and practical managers, and to their theory of how a farm should be cultivated, they bring 3'ears of experience and cousequentl}' must, of necessity, succeed. The improvements on the place are of a good class. GEORGE CRUTCHFIELD (Post-offlce, Weston). Without advantages or opportnnities as favorable as those of the generality of men, in fact, from circumstances far less favorable than those of most others, Mr. C. has risen to a position of creditable prominence and influence in the agricultural affairs of this county. He was one of a family of eight children left orphans by the death of their parents, and with little or no means to help them along in life. He and his elder brother, John A., with commendable zeal, much force of character and determined purposes, performed the obliga- tions so sadl}' thrust upon them in a manner highly commendatory to them, and reared the younger children in such a way that the}' have not onl}' become an honor to themselves, but all are well respected members of society. The farm of 60 acres left them by the father has, through the perseverance, econonw and indomitable energy of the two older brothers, increased to IGO acres, the improvements of which are of an excellent class. Looking back over the career of these brothers it must be manifest to the most casual observer that no men of mean ability or little force of character could achieve what they have accomplished. George Crutchfield was born in the State of Kentucky, August 28, 1833, accompanjnng his parents to this county in 1848. They were Elijah and Maria (Harris) Crutchfield, also of Kentucky nativity, and the latter was a sister of John Harris, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Some six j'ears after their settlement here they fell victims to the cholera, dying in 1854, within twenty-four hours of each other ; they were buried in the same grave. George was the second in the faniih' of eight children. In March, 1862, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Pope, whose father, A. Pope, came to this county from Kentucky in an early day. Their family consists of four children living: John M., Jessie, Richard and Ann M. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 1053 John A. Crutchfield, who was born Jul_y 24, 1831, was united in man-iage, April 12, 1865, with Miss Medora A. Jackson, who died April 12, 1872, leaving a family of three children : Ada, Ola and Elijah. Mr. C. cultivates 1(')0 acres of good land. H. C. CUNNINGHAM (Farmer, Sectiou 17, Post-office, Westou). To be successful, in the true sense of the term, in stock-raising, one very important feature not to be overlooked is the presence of water on the farm for the purposes of watering stock. Mr. Cunning- ham is unusuall}^ fortunate in this respect, for upon his place are 11 springs of pure living water, so distributed through the farm as to entirely water it. His tract embraces 300 acres and is known to be one of the best adapted for stock purposes throughout Platte county. This business has received great encouragement from Mr. C, for he has done nmch to promote its advancement and development. It is not to be wondered at that he has achieved such success when we take into consideration that he came originally from Kentucky. Of Welsh origin, the Cunninghams first became settled in Virginia, in this coun- try, in an early day, and afterwards located in Kentucky. The parents of H. C. were W. E. and Sarah (Owens) Cunningham, who came from Kentucky to this couutj' in 1851, and they are now residents of Clinton county, this State. The subject of this sketch was born Jan- uary 20, 1848, in Kentucky, but since accompanying his father here in 1851, has continued to make this county his home, where his edu- cation was acquired. September 18, 1877, Mr. C. was married to Miss Katie Viuyard, whose pleasing and courteous manners are only less attractive than her true intellectual worth. Her parents were among the first settlers of the county, having come here from Ken- tucky and settled on land before it was surveyed. JOHN A. DURIvES (■Nurseryman and Horticulturist, Sections, Post-office, Westou). The characteristic thrift of the German-American citizens is but iu few instances more forcibly illustrated than in that of the subject of the present sketch. His parents were both natives of Germany and while in that country his father was successfully engaged as a farmer and vine grower. In 1843 he emigrated to the United States and landed at New Orleans, going thence up the river to St. Louis, from which place he came on out to Weston, where he lived until his death, March 17, 1872. He left two children, Elizabeth, now Mrs. Guen- ther, and John A. His widow survived him until the autumn of 1876. Her maiden name was Elizabeth Gall. John A. Durkes was born June 10, 1837, in the old Fatherland, and accompanied his parents to this country upon their removal here. He was reared in Platte county, and in 1854 commenced working in his father's nursery. He was then but 16 years of age, but from that time to the present he 1054 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. has assiduously devoted himself to the occupation which he now fol- lows. No one has studied more closely to meet the demands of this section in varieties of fruits best adapted to the soil, climate and loca- tion of orchards than he ; and no one enjoys a better reputation for sterling integrity and true worth. He keeps thoroughly posted in all matters of a literary nature pertaining to horticultural affairs, and expresses himself clearly on all topics relating to his business when called upon to do so. His landed estate embraces 325 acres, 50 acres of which are choice bottom land, and 75 acres are devoted to orchard. Mr. Dui'kes is a prominent member and active, earnest supporter of the Missouri Valley Horticultural Association, the Missouri State Horticultural Association and the American Horticultural Society. December 20, 1866, he was married to Miss Grace Wilkinson, who was born in Wicklow, Ireland. They have seven children : JohnE., June A., Mary G., Maud I., William A., Thomas, and an infant. MORRIS ELLINGER (Store-keeper and Gauger, Weston) . Mr. EUinger commenced his experience in life as a clerk in a mer- cantile establishment at Frankfort-on-the-Main, where he remained until he emigrated to the United States in 1850. After spending about two years in New York City he came to Weston in 1852 and was in a saloon for four years, after which he became interested in the business for himself, continuing in it until 1868. He now opened a hotel, and in connection ran a billiard room, giving his time to this calling up to 1870. He then received the appointment of a gauger, a position which he has eince held, and his duties consisted in acting as gauger in all the distilleries in this portion of Missouri. He was first stationed at Union Mills as Government storekeeper and gauger and for four years later was at Baiubridgo, Clinton county. After a term of six months he returned to Union Mills, and from there went to Weston, where he remained one and a half years, he being assigned to Waldron. His duties do not call him beyond this place now. Mr. Ellinger was a son of M. L. and Judith Ellinger, both natives of Hohenzoller, Hechingen, Germany, where also their deaths occurred. Ho, himself, was born there January 9, 1830. His youth and early manhood were passed in that community, and he received a good education in his native language, which has been of material benefit to him in later years, the results of which have never been forgotten or lost. His career from this time on has been noted. In 1854 Mr. Ellinger was married in Platte City to Miss Margaret Whitton, daugh- ter oif Red. Whitton. She was born and reared in Tennessee. To them have been born four children : Lizzie, wife of George A. Wood- bridge, of this county; Charles M., also of this county; James, of Denver, Col. ; and John, of Weston. Mr. E. is a recognized leader in educational affairs in this section of the county. He has done much for the upbuilding of schools, and as secretary of the Weston board of education for about four years, was largely instrumeutal in HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 1055 the erection of the school building at Weston. For one term he served as city collector, assessor, and also as councilman, discharsfing the duties of each of these positions with singular care and fidelity. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. at Weston, and also of the Encampment, in both of which he has fillled numerous chairs. He has also been a member of the Weston Benevolent Society for 31 years. JOSEPH B. EVANS (Post-office, Weston'). It would hardly be possible to write a history of any county in Mis- souri and Kentucky or Virginia without mentioning on its pages the Evans family ; for it is one of the most widely distributed families in the country, and its representatives wherever they reside are generally people of more or less consideration or prominence. Tiie gens oi the family of which we are now speaking took its rise, so far as the United States are concerned, in Virginia, and from that State the present branch of the family originally came. The genealogy of the family might be traced back to Wales. The mother of Joseph B. Evans was Polly, daughter of Capt. Joseph C. Belt, who served in the War of 1812. The father of Mr. E. was a man of excellent business capacity and prominent in mercantile life. Bo_th parents died in Kentucky. Joseph B. was born in Kentucky, November 23, 1827. He remained in the county of his birth until 14 years of age, when he came to Missouri and in 1841 located in Platte county, which has since been his home. His career since his residence here has been an honorable and worthy one, and his life, well and usefully spent, has l)een rewarded with an abundance of this world's goods. His homestead is situated about one mile from Weston, on the AVeston and Platte City turnpike, and is known by the name of " Jersey Park." This beautiful place covers a tract of 63 acres of superior laud, all sown in blue grass. An orchard covering 12 acres is numbered among the improvements upon it. Mr. Evans has given more than the usual attention to the raising of Jersey cattle, and he now has about 20 head of the Queen of Barnett and Koyalist families. Mr. Evans, dur- ing his lifetime, has Ijeen extensively occupied in mercantile pursuits, insurance, etc., and has frequently been called upon to serve his fel- low-citizens in various official capacities. Among them might be mentioned the positions of township trustee, marshal of the Weston court of common pleas and minor offices ; he is now magistrate. All his public duties he has discharged with singular care and fidelity. September 17, 1850, Mr. Evans was married to Miss Susan Davis, a Kentuckiau by birth, also of Welsh descent. They have had three children, only one of whom is now living, George W. He is a traveling salesman, and makes his home with his father, his wife, having been Miss Regiuia Brooks, of St. Louis. They have two chil- dren : Georo;e DeForest and jNIabel O. 1056 \ HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. GEOEGE GABBERT (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 33, Post-office, Weston) . In the sketch of Mr. James I. Gabbcrt (a brother of the subject of this sketch) we have shown that he is a representative of German an- cestry, members of this family having been among the earliest set- tlers of the colony of Virginia. George Gabbert, the grandfother of Mr. G., and for whom he was named, served under Gen. Shelby in the Revolutionary War, and was in the battle of King's Mountain, , North Carolina. Upon the close of that memorable struggle for inde- jjcndence he took up his location in Virginia, where his son, James Gubbert, was born. Subsequently he (George) took his familj' to Kentucky. James Gabbert, 14 years of age upon his removal to that State, grew to manhood there, and subsequently married Polly Sulli- van. Among other children born tb them in Kentucky was George, whose birth occurred in Lincoln county, December 26, 1814. When six years of age he accompanied his father to Indiana, where he reached his majority. Of something of an adventurous spirit, became to Platte county in 1839, and bought his present homestead, which he at once commenced to improve. This was not an easy task, but he was not a man to be discouraged by obstacles of such a nature. His career since that time has proven that he was fully able to become a pioneer in this new country, and to open the way for civilization. His present farm embraces 380 acres, an aljundant supply of water and other natural advantages, rendering it a good farm for stock purposes, in which he is engaged to some extent. Mr. G. hass filled several official positions of a local nature, such as township, chool and county offices, and was once nominated as arepresentativeto the Gen- eral Assembly, at a time when a nomination was equivalent to an election. But feeling it his duty, as well as a privilege, to devote his time and attention to the education of his children and the conduct of his farm, he was compelled to decline the proffered distinction. Mr. Gabbert was married January 8, 1836, to Miss Sarah Cox, a native of Indiana. Her parents were natives of Virginia, and removed to Indiana in an early day. They have a family of nine children liv- ing : James, George M., Thomas I., Jane, wife of L. Wilkerson ; Priscilla, wife of S. A. Hull, ; and xMarion N., wife of J. M. Tread- way, all of this county ; Ella, wife of James Crutchfield, of Texas ; William T. and Paul B. Mr. G. is a man who enjoys to an unlimited extent the respect of his neighbors and no one deserves it more than he. THOMPSON A. GILBERT (Agent of the Kansas City, St. Josepli and Council Bluffs Railroad at Weston) . Mr. Gilbert is one of the most popular and efficient station agents on the line of this railroad, and is justly entitled to the respect and esteem of the people of Weston. It was about 1870 when he began his railroad experience, and for the past 15 3'ears he has been in the HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 1057 employ of the Kansas City, St. Joseph and Council Bluffs Railroad. In this coanectiou it luigiit be stated that never has the compuny had reason to regret the choice they made in selecting him for this position. Mr. Gilbert is the son of Abel and Hannah Gilbert, nee Pasko, and was born in Weston, Platte county, Mo., July 26, 1851. His father was born in Canada West, and his mother came originally from Dutchess count}^ N. Y. Thompson was principally reared here, his education being obtained in the sciioois of Platte county and in St. Louis. In 1865, filled with the spirit of adventure, he went to Utah and remained there until 1868, following in the meantime va- rious pursuits. In that year he returned to Weston, and for a while thereafter was interested in merchandising, after which he be- came occupied in the business which has since received his attention. Mr. Gilbert has taken great interest in the local affairs of Weston, and for two terms served as a member of the city council. He has been prominently identified with the Masonic'Order, being connected with the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery, and has also been a member of the Knights of Honor for some time. His marriage to Miss Ella Story, a native of Clay countjs Mo., occurred November 2, 1875. This union has been blessed with two children : Leta and Walter. CHRISTOPHER C. GRAVES (Farmer, Sectioo 35,Post-olHce, Westou). Mr. Graves, a most successful farmer of this township and a man who, in accumulating a good property by his own industry aiid intelli- gence, has done much for the material development of the county, is a worthy son, liy nativity, of Jackson county, Tenn., where ho was born October 11, 1840. His father, James L. Graves, who was born in the same county in 1803, after growing up as a farmer, was married to Miss Sarah Hollaman, a nativ^o of Wilson county, Tenn. In 1844 tiie family removed to Platte county, Mo., settling at latan on the first day of May. The father at once identified himself with the material interests of this county and became one of its well-to-do citi- zens, living here until his death in 1874. The mother died in July, 1S84. Christopher C. was occupied in farming at the outbreak of the war, a calling to which he had been reared from early youth. Of Southern birth and antecedents, his sympathies were very naturally with the Confederate cause, and following the dictates of his con- s('ience as to what he thought was the right course to pursue, he enlisted in the Second regiment of Shelby's brigade and was wounded at the battle of Springfield, where he was taken prisoner. Soon after exchanged, he subsequently served under Cockrill in the Third and Fifth regiments and participated in the siege of Vicksburg, and the battles of Baker's Creek and Kenesaw Mountain, being wounded no less than three times. At the time of Lee's surrender he had charge of some mules in the interest of the Confederate Government on the Brazos river, in Texas. Upon taking the oath of allegiance at Bas- trop, La., he returned home and resumed his fanning operations. 1058 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. He owns 190 acres of good land Well improved and at the present time is erecting a commodious, handsome and convenient dwelling which, when completed, will be one of tlie best in the township. Mr. Graves' wife is of Virginia parentage but was herself born in Platte county. She was a Miss Nannie Slier at the time of her marriage, in 1868. They have five children : Tula, Delia P., Lora Lee, Forrest and Arly. Mr. and Mrs. Graves' religious preferences are with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. CAPT. CHARLES GUENTHER (Deputy Revenue Collector, Storekeeper and Ganger, Weston). Capt. Guenther has been a resident of Weston since about the year 1850, and his career since that time has been one of ceaseless activity and untiring energy. This perseverance and close attention to busi- ness have not been without their substantial rewards. Since 1869 he has been in the employ of the Government in his present position, the duties of which he has discharged with singular care and fidelity and to the satisfaction of all parties interested. He owns a landed estate of about 200 acres in this county — an excellent tract of land. Capt. Guenther was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, December 8, 1829. His father, John Guenther, and his mother, Catherine Wetzel before her marriage, were both born in the same place and lived there until their death. The subject of this sketch came to the United States in May, 1846, and remained for a time in New York, working at the occupation of a barber. From New York he went to New Orleans, where he stopped ten months, after which he came up the river to St. Louis. Thence he went to Independence, intending to take a trip to Oregon, but owing to injuries received by a kick of a mule soon after they had started, he was compelled to al)andon tiie project and return to Weston, where he continued his chosen [)rofes- sion until 1858. He now became engaged in agricultural and horti- cultural pursuits. During the late war he was commissioned captain of a company in the enrolled militia, and afterwards entered the Six- teenth Kansas ctivalry. On being mustered out of the service, he returned to Weston and I'esunied farming. Now in the prime of life, Capt. Guenther is comfortably situated, and judging from the success which has attended his past life, he need have nothing to fear as to his material prospects in the future, and when the shadows of old age shall have commenced to hover around him. He and his wife have a family of three children, Catherine, John and Charles G. Mrs. Guenther was formerly Miss Elizabeth Durkes, also of German nativity, and their marriage occurred in Weston, Mo., in 1852. E. W. HARDESTY (Farmer and Raiser of Hish Grade Stock, Section 32, Post-Omce, Weston). Mr. Hardesty, though still a young man, not yet having reached his thirty-fifth year, is old in the experience which is given by a life spent HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTV. 1059 ill hard, earnest and persevei-iug endeavor to secure a substantial footing in agricultural affairs. He was born in Platte county, Mo., December 25, 1850, and is a son of J. W. and Emily T. (Wilhite) Hardesty, who came to this county from Kentucky in an early day. In 1863, or when about 13 years old, he accompanied the family on their trip overland to California, at which time they took across the plains over 100 mules, and were also engaged in freighting, etc. On their return trii) they came by way of New York. Young Hardesty was more than ordinarily favored with opportunities to secure an education, and in addition to the primary course of instruction which he i-eceived, he attended school at Pleasant Ridge, Weston, and Jacksonville, 111., supplementing this with a course at the St. Louis University. Thus well qualified for the duties of life, ho at once prepared himself for the long-cherished intention of engaging in agricultural pursuits in con- nection with the stock business His fine farm of 215 acres is most excellently adapted to the raising of grain and stock, though the latter receives the most of his attention. He is much interested in the development of high graded cattle, and also has a choice flock of sheep, which he finds is a pajnng investment. May 10, 1878, Mr. Hardesty was married to Miss Martha B. English, who was also born in this county. Her father was a Kentuckian l)y birth and her mother originally of Missouri. They were married in Platte county when quite young, where they lived until about 15 years ago, then moving to Wyandotte, Kan. There the mother now resides, the father having died a few vears ago. Mr. and Mrs. Hardesty have a family of three children : Eva May, Willard Ancil and James Carlton. J. H. HARDESTY. (Farmer aud Stock-raiser). The subject of this sketch is the third son of J. W. Hardesty and wife, whose maiden name was Wilhite, mention of whom has been made in the sketch of E. W. Hardesty, which appears on a previous page of this volume. At that place is given a brief outline of the movements of the family and their trip to California, etc., so it is un- necessarv to repeat here what can he referred to in that connection. Mr. Hardesty's father is a warm advocate and stanch supporter of the educational system of the day, aud ever has be(;n, believing it just as essential that a person who adopts the occupation of tilling the soil should have as thorough a school training as one who intends to enter mercantile life, and in this he is certainly correct. Young Hardesty, like his brother before referred to, had excellent school advantages, which he did not fail to improve. After leaving the common schools in Platte county, he took a two years' course at Jacksonville, 111. Subsequently he attended Spalding's Commercial College, at Kansas City, from which institution he graduated with honor. Mr. Hardestj' has devoted his entire life to farming and besides has carried on the stock business to some extent. He raises horses, mules, hogs and a superior grade of cattle, much of his land also being devoted to the 1060 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. growing of grain. The reputation which he has obtained among the citizens of this county, is the best testimonial of his ability and suc- cess, in a material point of view, in his calling. His farm, of 240 acres is one of the best in this portion of the county, and on account of the presence of six unfailing pure water springs it is rendered an excel- lent stock farm. The improvements are of a superior class. Mr. Hardesty's wife was formerly Miss Bertie Kailey, daughter of E. W. Eailey, whose sketch is to be found elsewhere in this history, their marriage having occurred February 17, 1881. Two children have been born to them : Egbert and Shortridge. Mr. Hardesty was born in this county September 5, 1853, and is therefore in his thirty- second year. LOUIS HEILEMANN (Harness and Saddle-maker, Post-office, Weston). Mr. Heilemann was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, August 26, 1838, and is the son of Christopher Heilemann, the maiden name of his mother being Mena Seiber. Louis received a good, practical edu- cation in youth, and then became an appentice to the harness-making business, in Stuttgart, at which he has since worked. After attaining his majority, he was employed as foreman for Halffsadler Miller, a prominent manufacturer at that time, and remained thus employed for three years. In 1866 he emigrated to the United States, to St. Joseph, Mo., and worked there until May, 1867, and then went to St. Louis, but in the fall of the same year he came to Weston and entered the employ of Henry Brill, and afterwards l)ecame his part- ner for two years, when Mr. Brill sold out, and a brother of Mr. Brill became associated with him and remained until recently, when Mr. Heilemann purchased his partner's interest. He makes a specialty of both fine and heavy harness as well as saddles, all hand-made and his own manufacture, and carries a full line of goods adapted to the busi- ness. His motto has been to sell as low as consistent with good work, and his reliability as a good workman and honorable dealer has never been questioned. Mr. H. has been twice married, first on October 22, 1869, to Miss Fredricka Hess, a native of Stuttgart. Mrs. H. died August 30, 1875, leaving two children : Alfred and Hodwick. His second marriage occurred April 9, 1876, to Mary Wholhueter. WILLIAiNI W. HILLIX (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 31, Post-office, Westou). Mr. Hillix is proprietor of " Locust Hill " farm, one of the hand- somest homesteads in Weston township. The place contains 260 acres, and is a plat of land of more than ordinary natural beauty. His improvements arc of a character to correspond with the natural appearance of his land. His fences are substantial and in excellent rcipair. His residence is one of the best modern structures tiiere is in the county, a most desirable pro[)erty, and the other buildings are constructed with an eye to utility and durability. When wc HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 1061 consider that Mr. Hillix's success is to be :ittril)uted to his own endeav- ors, that he had no pecuniary aid in starting out in life tor himself, then it is that we can better realize the credit which is due him for the enviable position to which he has attained among the progressive, enterprising and successful class of agriculturists. The Hillix family, a% far back as we are able to trace, sprung originally in Ireland, descendants of which settled in Kentucky in an early day, where the subject of this sketch was born October 9, 1830. While growing up it was his good fortune to enjoy an ordinary education, sufficient for all practical purposes. In 1853, leaving the State of his birth, he came out to Buchanan county, Mo. Remaining there for about two years, he then went to Kansas, which was his home for a period of six years, after which he returned to Buchanan county. In 1867 he bought his present property. Mr. Hillix is a worthy and popular member of Salem Christian Church. He was married February 14, 1856, to Miss Ellen R. Whittington, who was born in North Carolina, and a daughter of Allen A. and Louisa (Smith) Whittington, the former of North Carolina l>ut the latter a native of Tennessee. Six children have been born of this marriage : William, Allen A., Charles H., Frank, Minnie and All)ert. RICHARD JACQUEMIN (Of Jacqueniin & Sheukner, Dealers in Dry Goods, Clothiug, Hats, Caps and Millinery Goods, Weston). Mr. Jacquemin is one of the leading business men of Platte county. He is a native of Germany and was born February 22, 1848. His father, N. Jacquemin, and his mother, whose maiden name was Miss A. Zimmer, emigrated to the United States in 1854, and settled in Platte county, where they made their home for five years and then removed to Kansas, living there for nine years. Richard was reared on a farm, and in 1867 commenced his mercantile experience as a clerk, and in 1869 engaged in business on his own account with Mr. F. W. Ham as partner. This relation continued until 1873, when Mr. R. O. Shenkner purchased Mr. Ham's interest, since which time the business has been conducted under the present firm name, and no firm in Platte county enjoys a more enviable reputation. They are both active and energetic men, giving their personal attention to business, and by honest industry in the management of their business, coupled with sterling integrity, they have succeeded in building up a large trade which has been attended with satisfactory results. Their stock is large and complete in all dei)artments, anil while large and containing a more varied assortment than is usually found in towns of this size, will compare favoral)ly with those of much larger cities. Mr. Jacque- min was married October 1, 1877, to Miss Pocahontas Railey, a daugh- ter of J. D. Railey, an early settler of Platte county. 1U62 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. WILLIAM R. KELLER (Dealer in Groceries, Provisions and Qiieensware, Weston). Mr. Keller, who is one of the important factors iu the business growth and prosperity of Weston, is justly entitled to more than a passing notice in this volume. Since his identification with this city as a business man no one has been more active and enterprising and no one has done more iu his line to increase and extend the trade and influence of the place. Keeping always on hand one of the largest ' stocks kept iu towns of much larger population, and goods of the best class, and by dealing fairly with his customers, and treating every one courteously and politely, he naturally draws to his house a large trade. The name of Mr. Keller's father, WiUiaiu M. Keller, is fa- miliar to the old residents of Platte county. He was originally from Kentucky, where he was reared to manhood and followed the avoca- tion of a farmer. After attaining liis majority he removed to In- diana and there married Miss Mary Roi^ards. After the consummation of the Platte Purchase in 1837 he at once removed to this county ' and entered the laud adjoining the city of Weston, including the land on which the residence of Dr. Bonifant is located. He followed agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred on the 13th day of January, 1852, in the full triumph of the Christian faith. He was a man of many sterling traits of character, and he was closely iden- tified with the interests of the county, ilr. Wm. Keller was also an ardent, zealous and influential member of the Methodist Church South. He was a stanch High Mason, and very enthusiastic iu the cause of Masonry. He left besides his widow (who died April 5, 18(59), five children: Martha A., now Mrs. Branscom, of Kansas; John R. (deceased), William R., Edward R., of Kansas, and Miranda A., now Mrs. Robbins, of Kansas. William R. Keller, the second and third child, was born and reared in Platte county, April 5, 1842, and was reared with a mercantile experience, four years of which time were spent in Leavenworth, Kan. Ill 1863 he, in connection with George Ellis, t)pened a house at Weston, under the firm name of^ Keller & Ellis, and continued iu l)usiness for one year, when Mr. Ellis sold out and Mr. Keller's brother became associated with him, but owing to impaired health he was compelled to abandon this calling and Mr. A. T. Kyle became Mr. Keller's partner, under the firm name of Kyle & Keller. This firm did a large business and after existing for several years vvas dissolved by Mr. Kyle's retiring, and the firm of Keller & Co. was formed, with J. S. Hamm as partner. Mr. Keller finally purchased his partner's interest and ha's since conducted the business alone. In addition to Ills grocery and provision business he is a large packer and shipper of apples and his business iu this direction is increasing each year, not Duly in quantity l)ut for the quality and reputation of his brand. His shipments are made principally to Colorado and Minnesota. He was ni uried January 5, 1865, to Miss Ellen N. Maxfield, a native of St. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 1063 Louis. They have a fiimily of four children: Willie A., Charles A., Elma and Edgar. J. L. KENNEY (Farmer, Post-office, Weston). When it hecomes necessary for a man upon reaching years of maturity to select some occupation which he may follow in the suljse- quent years of his life, it is but natural for him to choose that calling to which he has been brought up, and with which, of course, he is best acquainted. So it was with Mr. Kenney, for having been reared to agricultural pursuits, he has made it his life work. Though com- parativel}' a young man, by industry, economy and good management he has become possessed of a comfortable estate. His father was a native of Kentucky, his ancestors having come from Virginia orig- inally. His mother, formerly Polly A. Glass, was also a Kentuckian by birth. In 185(5, they immigrated to Missouri and located in Platte county, but the year following tiiey went to Daviess county. In 1864 they returned to Platte county. J. L. Kenney was born in Scott county, Ky., August 21, 1853. He accompanied his parents on their various moves from that State, and since settling here has been actively and successfully tilling the soil. March 18, 1875, he was married to iNIiss Emma F. Overbeck, who was born in Oregon. They have four children: James E., Henry L., Lena G. and Andrew Lee. Mr. and Mrs. Kenney are prominent members of the Missionary Baptist Church, of which the former is clerk. He now bids fair to become one of our most sul)stantial citizens. JOHN F. KENNEY (Blacksmitb, Etc., Post-otllce, Weston). It is a very noticeable fact that in the majority of cases the business to which his father devotes his attention will be the calling which his son will adopt upon arriving at an age when it becomes necessary for him to enter into active business life. This fact is borne out in one instance, at least, in the life of Mr. Kenney, who has followed the oc- cupation which his father formerly carried on. He accompanied his parents to Weston in 185(i, learned the blacksmith's trade here under Iiis^ father and continued it until 1864, when he went to Nevada. After remaining there about two years he returned to this county and has since been interested in blacksmithing at Weston. Not only has lie closely attended to his own work, but he has found time to identify himself with the material interests and prosperity of Weston, and in return his fellow-citizens have shown their appreciation of his efforts by electing him at different times mayor and a member of the council of the town. Politically, an ardent Democrat, he has served as chairman of the Democi-atic county central committee. Personally, he is a friend of all. He is a member of the Masonic Order, belono^- ing to the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery. During the war he served as second lieutenant in the State service for about nine 62 1064 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. months. Mr. Keiuie}' is a native of Kentucky, having been born in Warsaw, Gallatin county, October 30, 1841. His parents were Will- iam N. and Jane (White) Kenney, also originally from Kentucky, who came to Missouri in 1856. Their family numbered five cliildren : Helen, John F., T. M. S., Eliza and Alice. Mr. K. was married June 1(5, 1863, to Miss Laura H. Cordary, who was born iii Weston. They have two children, Charles Chase and Nellie H. Mr. Kenney is a musician of considerable merit, and for many years was the leader of the Weston cornet band, which acquired such a wide reputation. ALFRED laRIO^ATRICK (Farmer and Insurance Agent, Section 31, Post-office, Weston"). Mr. Kirkpatrick is a sou of Samuel Kirkpatrick, a native of South Carolina, and a farmer by occupation ; his mother's maiden name was Jane Steele, originally from Ireland. The latter died in 1848, in Scott county. Mo., whither the family had moved in 1844. The father departed this life in 1852. Born in Jackson county, Tenn., January 24, 1817, Alfred Kirkpatrick grew to manhood there and in November, 1841, came to Platte county. Mo., and commenced farming, the occupation to which he had been reared. This he has since followed, more or less, and during the last 15 3'ears he did a suc- cessful fishing business. In connection with his son he owns 300 acres of land in this community. For 12 or 14 years he has con- ducted a profitable insurance business, and at first represented the American Insurance Company, of Chicago, as long as it continued in existence. Since that period he has represented the Home, of New York ; Marine, of St. Louis, and the Continental Insurance Company, of New York, and a more eflicient, honest, or honorable representa- tive can not be found anywhere. In his intercourse with his patrons he not only impresses them with his fairness aud honorable dealing, but has proven this in the interest he has taken in the adjustment of their losses when they have occurred. Mr. Kirkpatrick has also served for several years as justice of the peace. August 10, 1839, he was married to Miss Mahala P. Bland, originally from Monroe county, K}'. Their famil}' now numbers seven children living: William Henry, Minitia E., now Mrs. W. F. Butler; Mary E., now Mrs. Stephens; Lue, wife of R. Kirkpatrick; Minnie, wife of J. M. Anderson, and John De Wilton. One son, James W., enlisted in Shelby's brigade during the late war, and when Price made his last raid through Missouri he came home on a visit. While attempting to rejoin his command he was brutally shot in Platte county ; and in addition to this bitter sorrow, which seemed to almost overwhelm the family, was added the refusal of a request made by his mother of the military authorities in command of this post, to be allowed to bring the dead body of her first-born to Weston, that it might have Chris- tian burial. J HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY, 1065 GIBHART KURTZ (Westou). Mr. K'irt.z's father, Joseph Kurtz, is ;i native of Wurtemhurg, Germany, and was born in 1813. He learned the cooper's trade in youth, and lias followed it as his life avocation. He married Miss Victoria Noll, and in 1847 they emigrated to the United States, and in 1848 came to Platte county. Their family consists of four sons, all residents of this county : Giljhart, Ciiarles B., Andrew and Joseph M. Gibhart, the eldest son, was born in Wurtemhurg in 1844. He was ])rincipally reared in Platte county. During the late war he en- listed in the Federal array in the Eighteenth Missouri volunteer infantry. After serving three years he re-enlisted as a volunteer. He was in a number of the hardest fought battles of the war, among them the battle of Shiloh, luka, Corinth, and in all of the leading battles in the Georgia campaign, Resaca, Big Shanty, Kenesaw Moun- tain, battle of July 22d and the siege of Atlanta. At the latter place he lost his right arm. After being honorably discharged he returned home, and for several years was engaged in the i)0()k and stationery business. Mr. Kurtz is plain and unassuming in his manner and of a retiring disposition, well informed on general subjects, and as a citizen stands high in the estimation of all who enjoy his acquaintance. HENRY W. MAGERS (Dealer in Hardware, Stoves, Tinware, Agricultural Implements, Lime, Cement and Hair, Weston, Mo.). Mr. Magers is one of those industrious, intelligent ineu who have had the energy and enterprise to succeed in life und establish them- selves comfortably, it matters not what tiieir early opportunities may have been. He was l)orn in Germany August 7, 1838. His parents, Heinrich D. Magers anil Louisa Kuidnian, were both natives of the same place, and in 1840 the family emigrated to the United States and set- tled in St. Louis county. The father was a cabinetmaker by occupa- tion. In 1844 he came to Platte county and worked at his trade until his death, which occurred in 1851. Three of his children are still liv- ing: Henry W., Thomas C. and Louisa, now Mrs. Mundy. Henry W. was reared with a mercantile experience, and in October, 1865, engaged in his present business. He carries a large stock in his line, which is a ])romineut business, characteristic of its leading merchants. It is not saying too much to mention the fact that in the hardware business Mr. Magers is one of the best posted men in the county. Since the establishment of his store he has had marked success, doing a large business, and his custom is steadily increasing, and the char- acter of the goods he keeps is so well known that they need no recom- mendation except their own use. Mr. Magers has not only been [irominent as one of the business men of Westou, but has served six years and a half as mayor, ami in educational matters he has taken a 1066 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. deej) interest, having served thirteen years as a member of the school board. He was re-elected for three j'ears in April, 1885. THOMAS C. MAGERS (Weston) . Thomas C. Magers is a brother of Henry W. Magers, of the pre- ceding sketch, and was born in St. Louis county, Mo., September 9, 1841, and he is a son of D. Magers and Louisa Kuhlman, natives of Germany, who emigrated to the United States in 1840. The father died in 1851 and the mother in 1884. Thomas C. was reared and educated in Platte county, and for many years was engaged in mer- cantile pursuits. During the late war he was a member of the Slate militia, and he has served the city as a member of its council. For several years past he has been in the employ of the Government as storekeeper and ganger, and has made a faithful and efficient officer. He is a man of tine business qualifications and popular with all who know him. September 14, 1865, he was married to Miss A. E. Mundy, who was born in the Delaware nation, now included in the State of Kansas. They have one sou, Roy V. They have lost three children : Eva, Beulah and Walter. S. M. MILLER (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Weston) . This reliable, trustworthy and good man was born in Kentucky on the 29th of August, 1827. Those of the earliest settlers of the county well remember his father, Samuel Miller, who came to this county in 1839 from Kentucky, for he was a man of marked characteristics and much influence in an- early day, and was held in high estimation by the people of this community. He pre-empted the land now owned by Mr. James Pence, mention of which is made on a subsequent page of this book. S. M. Miller, the son, has always lived in Platte county, and following the example of his father, has l)een occupied in ftirm- iug and stock-raising. His educational advantages in youth were such as the common schools of the neighborhood afforded, but in them he acquired a sufficient knowledge of l)ooks for all the practical pur- poses of ordinary farm and business life. His farm embraces 160 acres of choice land fairly improved. Mr. Miller has been twice mar- ried ; the first time. May 24, 1855, to Miss Elizabeth Furnish, who died March 27, 1869. She had borne him six children, as follows : Jonathan, Annie, William, John Waller, Elizabeth ami Samuel M. His second wife was formerl}' Miss Orlena Cooper, of this county, and their marriage was consummated January 10, 1871. Three children were given them : Luther, Isabella and George. Her parents were primarily from Tennessee and were early settlers of this portion of Missouri. Mr. Miller is one of the most honored citizens of Platte county, and shows great liberality and zeal and falls l)ehind no one in steps taken to advance the best interests of the community at large. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 1067 JACOB A. MILLEK (Baker and Confectioner, Weston). Jacob A. Miller was born in AVeston, Platte county, July 18, 1862. His father's name was Jacob Miller, and the maiden name of his mother was Caroline Beck. The former died in 1865. Jacob A. was reared on a farm and educated in the schools of the county. He com- menced to loarnthe baker's trade in 1879, and in July, 1884, engaged in business on his own account, and by dealing in the best materials, and the standard quality of the goods he manufactures, he has secured a satisfactory and constantly increasing trade. M. W. MITCHELL (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section A5, Post-office, Weston). Another one of those successful men and excellent citizens of whom this county contains so many is Mr. Mitchell, a native of the State of Kentucky. The place of his birth was Woodford county, and the date December 12, 1811 ; consequently he is now in his seventy-fourth year, but notwithstanding his age he is remarkably well preserved and still active in mind and body, and takes a great interest in the atfairs of the county in which he has made his home foi- over 40 years. Mr. Mitchell's father was George K. Mitchell, and his mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Watts, both being Virginians by birth. In later life they came to this State and made their home with the subject of this sketch (who had settled here in 1845) until their death. Having been brought up to learn thoroughly the occupation of farming, young Mitchell continued that calling when it became necessary for him to start out in life for himself. In 1838, leaving Kentucky, he removed to Boone county, Mo., but in 1839 located in Jackson county. In 1844 he purchased land in Platte county, settling perma- nently upon it the year following. By numerous additions to his original tract, Mr. M. now has in his possession over 500 acres of fine land and he is fixed so as to live, in the language of Shakespeare, '• as free and independent as the winds that blow." Mr. Mitchell's wife was formerly Miss INIary M. Guthrie, originally from Kentucky, to whom he was married February 8, 1838. Three children have been l)orn of this marriage : Thomas, Oscar B. and William W. Thomas Mitchell, the eldest son and upon whom the conduct of the farm principally rests, is a worthy son of his father. He has always lived in Platte county, and indeed, on the farm which he now occupies, having been born here in 1848. His early training and his education were similar to the early advantages possessed by most of the youths in this vicinity at that day. Upon reaching manhood he was married to Miss Jennie McKinnin, also of Kentucky birth. They have five children living: John M., Thomas F., Hugh Clifton, Maud E. and Harry Foster. One daughter, Jennie May, is deceased. 1068 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. O. B. MITCHELL (Farmer aucl Stock-raiser, Section 7, Post-office, Weston). It is the youug fai-mers aud stock-raisers of this county who deserve special mention in matters pertainini^ to the county's agricultural affairs, for they are destined sooner or later to take the place of those older than themselves who have for so many years been actively and successfully engaged in tilling the soil here. Mr. Mitchell's father, M. W. Mitchell, was an early settler in Platte county from Ken- tucky, and in this county the sublect of this sketch was born October 11, 1855. He was brought up and educated here and has continued his farming operations with unabated vigor and enterprise. His place consists of 210 acres, well improved and upon which are good build- ings. October 11, 1877, Mr. Mitchell was united in marriage with Miss Emma, daughter of Nicholas Benner, one of the pioneers of this county, and a lady of rare personal attractions of mind and heart. The fruits of this union are two interesting children, Ida Ruth aud Charlie D. Mr. Mitchell is connected with the Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church. JOHN B. MUNDY (Editor of tlie Weston Chronicle) . Mr. Mundy was born in what is now the State of Kansas, Septem- ber 2, 1851. His father, Isaac Mundy, was a native of North Caro- lina, and was a blacksmith by trade, and was for a long time in the employ of the Government as blacksmith for the Delaware In- dians, in Kansas Territory. He was accidentally shot while hunting in 1858. The mother, whose maiden name was Lucy Hiues, and who was a native of Virginia, is still living, a resident of Platte county. There are seven children in the family : IMollie, now Mrs. L. W. Ringo ; Richard, Annie, now Mrs. T. C. Magers ; Virginia, John B., James, and Mattie, now Mrs. Hamm. Mrs. Mundy, with her family, came to this county in 1859, and John B. was principally reared here aud learned the printer's trade. He afterwards worked in St. Louis and various leading cities, and then for six years was in the mercantile business. In 1883 he purchased the Weston Chron- icle, and in the management of this paper he has proven himself to be a man of good judgment in directing its editorial policy. Mr. Mund}' has been carefid to give no worthy man just cause of com- plaint for anything pul)lished of a personal nature, his view of the province of the editor being that there is enough to write about without entering into personalities of an obscene character. Under this policy the Chronicle has become well establishetl as one of the representative country journals of Missouri. Mr. Mundy has held the offices of constable aud marshal of the court of common pleas at Weston, and he has served on the school board. He was married December 11, 1877, at Kansas City, Mo., to Miss Amelia Overbeck, a native of Jacksonville, Ore. Thev have two children: Madge aud Coburu. HISTOUy OF PLATTE COUNTY. 1069 ALEXANDER R. MURDOCK (Deputy Sheriff of tlie Comity and Farmer, Section 4, Post-office, Weston). Mr. Murdock's life has been one of great activity and industry, not unspiced witli some thrilling local adventures, and, withal, substan- tially successful in a material point of view. He came originally from Ireland, where he was born May 22, 1839. His parents, William and Catherine Murdock, nee Witson, emigrated to the United States from the county of their nativity in 1849, and settled in Platte county, Mo., in a section known as " Fancy Bottom," where they raised a family of 11 children. Alexander R. was the next to the youngest in this family of children. His youth was spent in this county upon his father's farm, occupied with assisting in the work about the place and in attending the excellent schools kept in the neighborhood from time to time. Since his residence here he has been closely identified with the material interests and prosperity of the county, and no man in this, community has been more sincerely earnest in the development and progress of all matters which might prove a benefit to it, than he. Especially have the agricultural affairs found in him a warm friend, for he has always followed farming, and the result of his industry is seen in the excellent farm of 320 acres which he owns in "Fancy Bottom." For a long time Mr. Murdock has been serving as deputy sheriff of this county. As a private citizen and in the public walks of life Mr. M. has gained and now enjoys the esteem of all who know him. His wife, to whom he was married March 10, 1859, was for- merly Miss T. C. Stultz, who was born in Buchanan county. Mo. Mr. and Mrs. Murdock have four children: James W., Anna M., wife of Ed. White, Robert W. and Charles A. They have lost two: Lee Jackson and Florence Jessie May. ROBERT MURDOCK (Farmer and Stocli-raiser, Section 18, Post-otfice, Weston). Mr. Murdock is originally of Irish birth, his parents, Robert and Margaret (Duncan) Murdock, having been natives of Ireland. In 1851 they carried out an idea long entertained of emigrating to America. That year they settled in Philadelphia, Pa., and in 1852 they came to Platte county. Mo., where Mr. Murdock was engaged, with no inconsiderable degree of success, in farming. About two 3^ears after his location here, on December 1, 1855, his son, Robert, Jr., was born. He was reared on the farm to that free and independent life which has ever been considered so conducive to the development of true sterling manhood. His education was also acquired here. Mr. Murdock now owns a farm of 200 acres, within one mile of Weston, on the Weston and Platte City turnpike, which is most excellently adapted for stock-raising purposes, and of which he is making some- thing of a specialty. December 1, 1881, Mr. INInrdock was married. Miss Emma M. Cook, daughter of George and Mary E. Cook, nee 1070 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. Stultz, becoming his wife. She was born in this county. They have been blessed with two children: Cora Emeline and William D. JOHN G. NEWHOUSE (Dealer in Hardware, Stoves, Tinware and Agricultural Implements). Benjamin F. Newhouse, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born near La Porte, Ind., in 1818, January 22d, and after spending some years in Indiana and Illinois he came to Missouri and settled in Clinton county. His early life was spent on a farm, but he after- wai'ds worked for some years at the wagonmaking business, and also followed merchandising. He married Miss Elizabeth T. Gadberry, a native of Kentucky, July 4, 1842. John G. was born in Clinton county April 11, 1844, and came with his parents to Platte county in 1848, and in 1850 to Weston. In 1864 he became impressed with the importance of a young man having a regular occupation, and he apprenticed himself to the tanner's trade and worked during his apprenticeship in Leavenworth. In 1869 he engaged in business in Rushville, Buchanan county ; but after remaining there one year a favorable opportunity opened in Weston, and in 1870, in company with his father, he engaged in his present business. His career has been one of marked success, and illustrates what can be accomplished by industry, economy and close attention to business when coupled with sterling integrity. Mr. Newhouse was married March 4, 1868, to Miss Lavenia E. Kenny, a native of Kentucky. They have two children : Lula and William L. His father died June 1, 1878, and his mother departed this life May 22, 1852. A. J. NEWTON (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 5, Post-office, Weston). This entei'prising farmer and stock-raiser of Weston township is of English extraction, and was born in Baltimore, Md., June 21, 1832. He was reared there until 15 years of age, when he accompanied his mother overland to Michigan, remaining in that State until 1853. Coming on Westward, he now located at St. Joe, Mo., and was there engaged in railroading on the Hannibal and St. Joe Railroad, from which place he went to Atchison. From that time until the fall of 1860 he was occupied in superintending the grading in the construc- tion of a road running from that place. Since the year mentioned he has given his attention principally to farming. His homestead in this county now contains 57 acres of fine land, in addition to which he is the possessor of 45 acres of timber. Of course Mr. Newton is a married man. Miss Eveline Quinn having become his wife November 24, 1859. She was a native of this count}'. Their family consists of four children: Cora F., Jesse L., Ella D, and Jennie P. One son is deceased. Mr. Newton is an Episcopalian. His wife is a member of the Christian Church, and his two oldest daughters of the Reform Church. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 1071 WILSON G. NOBLE (Grain Dealer, Weston) . No worthy history of Plutte county could be written which does not accord to the name that heads this sketch a conspicuous and honorable place. Over 47 years ago Wilson G. Noble came to Weston, a young man of humble means and a stranger, one who had made his little by his own exertions and worth. He is a native Missourian, and was borne in Boone county. His father, Thomas Noble, was a farmer and moved from Boone county to Randolph, and thence to Monroe county, where the subject of this sketch was reared. His life until 15 years of age was spent on the farm with his father. He then learned the harness and saddlers' trade in Paris, and followed this business in Monroe county until 1838, when he came to Weston and opened a shop on his own account. He was then young, and the future of Weston was written all over with bright letters. His courage was un- faltering, and ills hope as radiant as the earliest morn. He went to work with all his energies to succeed. His business steadily grew in importance, and his trade continued to extend itself out over the sur- rounding county, which continued until the outbreak of the war. He tlien sold out, and afterwards engaged in the grocery business, which he conducted for eight years, the latter part of which time he also bought and shipped grain. He then sold his grocery business and has since devoted his whole attention to the grain trade, and in this busi- ness he has proven himself a good friend to the farmer from the fact that his grain is bought in special orders from permanent customers and he has given the farmers better prices than they could realize in the Kansas City or Chicago markets. In his intercourse with his customers he has pursued a straightforward business course, and has secui'ed for himself an enviable reputation for fair dealing. He was married in 1848 to Miss Elizabeth J. Alderson, a native of Kentucky, and after a happy married life of 13 years, on the 13th of August, 1861, Mr. Noble was subjected to the severest trial one can undergo ia this life, the loss of his loving and devoted wife. She was borne to the grave amid the sorrow of all who knew her, for she was known as a lady of exceptional worth and much beloved by neighbors and ac- quaintances. She left three children: William A., now a practicing physician in Kansas ; Charles, and Lizzie, wife of James Cox. Charles, the second son and mayor of Weston, was born February 23, 1852, and has been reared in this county with a mercantile experience. In 1879 he married Miss Julia Pettijohn, of Chicago, 111. They have one daughter. Birdie. MATHIAS NOLL (Wagon Manufacturer, Weston). Among the substantial and reliable business men of Platte county, no one is more deserving of special notice than the subject of this sketch. He was born in Germany, February 9, 1827, and was reared 1072 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. there, receiving a good primary education. He was early apprenticed to the wagonniaking business, and after attaining his majority emi- grated to the United States in 1849. Subsequently, after working in St. Louis, Chicago and other cities, he became infected with the California fever, and accordingly turned his face toward the setting sun, but reaching Weston, which was then in its zenith, he accepted a situation as journeyman at his trade. About five years later he opened a shop for himself, and in his management the sturdy German quali- fications, industry and economy, coupled with sterling integrity, secured for him an enviable reputation and satisfactory success in his business. He found a wife in the person of Mrs. Grace Kurtz, formerly Miss Noll, who was also born in Germany. They have three children : Victoria, now Mrs. E. Brill ; Mathias, a druggist of Atchi- son, Kan., and Mary. WILLIAM OHLHAUSEN (Weston Milling Company). Edward Ohlhausen, the father of William, was born in Virginia, of German ancestry. He learned the tinner's trade and gradually turned his attention to the occupation of a machinist. The maiden name of his mother was Anna M. Ellis, who died in 1876. William, the third child and second son, was born in Platte county, Septemlier 12, 1841. He was here reared and learned the tinner's trade. He then en- gaged in steamboating on the Missouri river as an engineer and fol- lowed this business for 12 years. He then abandoned the river and had charge of the engine at the mill and subsequently purchased an interest. The mills, now known as the Weston Milling Company's mills, have recently been re-built, and supplied with a full and com- plete plant of the latest and best machinery, including the patent rol- ler process, and have a capacity of 100 barrels per day, with sufBcient room to increase the capacity to 200 barrels per day. Mr. Ohlhausen is one of the representative, enterprising, public-spirited citizens and does his full share for the growth and prosperity of the city. In 18(i2 he was married to Miss Harriet Johnson, a native of England. They have three children : Charlie, John and Willie. They have lost one child. JOHN C. PAKR, M. D. (Dealer in Drugs, Paints, Oils, and Druggist's Sundries, Weston, Mo.). Dr. Parr's parents, Andrew and Elizabeth (Merhardt) Parr, were natives of Germany, and in tiiis country their sou, John C, was born, September 18, 1831. In 1837 the family emigrated to the United States, and settled in Cincinnati, Ohio, where the subject of this sketch was reared and reiieived tlie l)enefits of a good common school education. In 1851 his father died, and his mother died in 1852. He early began to learn the drug busiuess and followed it in Cincinnati until the outbreak of the war. During his leisure hours in the drug store, and at night after his day's duties were over, he, HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 1073 by close application to reading of medical works, prepared himself to matriculate in the Ohio Medical College, from which he was gradu ated in 1859, but finding his legitimate liusiness more congenial to his taste, he gave but little attention to his professional calling, and devoted all of his time to his present occupation. After the out- break of the war he removed to Covington, Ky. Besides having graduated as a ]ihysician, he also graduated at the Cincinnati College of Pharmacy. Dr. Parr is a man of singular unpretentiousness, but as little as he says about himself it is a fact, nevertheless, that he is one of the most capable men in his line of business in the western part of the State. He came here in 1869 and bought out a Mr. Oli- phant, who had conducted a successful drug business. Dr. Parr's sterling qualities as a man, not less than his thorough knowledge of pharmacy and close attention to business, have had the result to make him one of the leading druggists of Platte county. He is a member of the American Pharmaceutical Association and of the Missouri Pharmeceutical Association. He keeps an unusually fine stock of goods, always fresh and well selected, and being a man of excellent taste, his store is without question one of the neatest in this section of the country. March 22, 1868, he married Miss Eliza- beth Kunselman, who was born in Germany, but reared in Ken- tucky. JAMES PENCE (Farmer, Sectiou 6, Post-office, Weston) . Born in Scott county, Ky., September 20, 1838, Mr. Pence was a son of Joseph Pence and Sallie (Chism) Pence, both Kentuckians by birth. In an early day his grandparents had removed from Pennsyl- vania to Kentucky, of which they were very early settlers. The mother of James died there, and sometime afterwards, in 1849, he accompanied his father to Missouri, the senior Pence at that time set- tling in Platte county. The common schools found in the son a close and industrious pupil, and upon emerging from the school-room he had l)ecome possessed of an education which has been of much bene- fit to him in later years. When not occupied with his studies in youth his time was passed on the home farm. In January, 1864, Mr. Pence was married to Miss Susan M. Parrott, originally from Virginia. This union has been blessed with four children: Ella E., Emma R. Joseph H. and Etta M. Mr. P. has a tract of land num- bering 160 acres, the improvements of which are of an excellent class. He devotes much time to the raising of grain and stock, is well re- spected for his energy and industry, and takes a public-spirited inter- est in all local affairs. COL. JAMES A. PRICE (Dentist, Weston). Nathaniel Price, the father of James A. Price, was a native of Vir- ginia, as was his mother, whose maiden name was Nancv Lee. The 1074 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. purity of character and modest worth of a Lee is i-ecogaized wherever American history is read. The grandmother on the paternal side was an Early. James A. Price was born in Bedford county, Va., Septem- ber 7, 1829. His father was a farmer by occupation, and in 1841 removed to Lafayette county, Mo. Here he became prominently identified with the interests of the county and held the office of county judge for many years. James A. spent his youth on his father's farm and attending school, and was educated in the schools of Lexington and Pleasant Hill, Mo. He subsequently entered upon a regular course of study for the dental profession, and at the same time was occupied with the practical work of the laboratory as well as in assist- ing at the patient's chair. His preceptor was that distinguised dentist of the State, Dr. H. E. Peoples, of Lexington, Mo., and he also attended the Baltimore Dental College. In 1851 he commeuced the active practice of his calling and was requested by his preceptor to go to Fort Leavenworth and fill the appointments made by him for offi- cers at this post. Dr. Price remained at the fort at Leavenworth during the winter, and then came to Weston and opened an office. On February 5, 1852, he was married to Miss Rosella Warner, a sister of T. F. Warner, Esq., of this county. She was boru at Inde- pendence, Mo. In April of the same year Col. Price crossed the plains to California and settled at Shasta, wh^'-e he remained until a loss by fire induced him to go to Sonoma, and he then entered the employ of Gen. Vallejo, with whom he remained two years. Owing to the illness of a sister of Mrs. Price's she was compelled to return to Platte county, and some mouths after her departure Dr. Price made a visit to Weston, intending to return to California, but the continued illness of his sister-in-law prevented his carrying out his plans. For a year or two he assisted Mr. AVarner in his business, at the same time doing professional work for a few friends at Weston. He was then elected clerk of the court of common pleas, and held the office at the outbreak of the war. He enlisted in the eigh- teenth Missouri infantry in December, 1862, and was commissioned captain. At Shiloh he was wounded in the ear, which has perma- nently injured his hearing. He was promoted to major for meritori- ous conduct and commanded the regiment after the first battle of Corinth. He went into the service weighing 212 pounds and when mustered out, on account of sickness, weighed but 112 pounds. After his return home he began organizing and recruiting for the Thirty- ninth Missouri militia, and had his commission revoked by the Governor for opposition to the Paw-paw militia. He obtained from the Secretary of War permission to raise the Twelfth Missouri cavalry and equip the same, but owing to jealous feeling on the part of State officers, he transferred his recruits to the Sixteenth Kansas and went into camp at Fort Leavenworth. After the close of the war the Doctor resumed the practice of his profession. He held the office of United States Assessor for one and a half years, and storekeeper for a time. In February, 1876, he was appointed postmaster by Presi- dent U. S. Grant, and he has held this position since that time. HISTORY or PLATTE COUNTY. 1075 December 16, 1875, Col. Price met with the great misfortune of his life in the death of his wife, she leaving five children : Nathaniel E., Mary B., Minerva Warner, Nannie Corinth and Benj. Bonifout. Col. Price was again married May 26, 1880, to Miss Mattie Gibson, of Weston, Mo. In his profession Col. Price has achieved marked suc- cess and is recognized as one of the most prominent dentists in Northwest Missouri. JOHN M. AND EGBERT W. RAILEY (Of the Firm of Railey & Bro., Bankers, Weston) . In preparing a sketch of the lives of the Railey Brothers, the writer meets with facts which are greatly to tiieir credit. Men of long and recognized prominence, and for years closely identified with the history of this county, they have become so intimately interwoven with its material development and progress that, to mention their history, a sketch of'the county's history must of necessity be given. Mr. John M. Railey is a native Virginian, Ijorn November 29, 1821, and Egbert W. Railey was also born in Albemarle county, Va., June 6, 1830. Their father, Daniel Railey, of the same State, was married to Miss Jane Watson, and in 1840 they came to Platte county, Mo. The father had been brought up with a mercantile experience, and upon locating here very naturally chose that business as the calling to which he should devote his attention. John M. Railey, brought up to a thorough knowledge of a mercantile life, became interested in this business first as clerk ; and in 1849, he entered into a part- nership with a Mr. Post, under the firm name of Post & Railey. In 1861 he was made cashier of the Mechanics' Bank, and continued to hold this position, the duties of which he discharged with rare abil- ity and fidelity, until 1865. Then, in company with his brother, Egbert W. Railey, the present bank estaldishment, with which they are connected, was established. This is well known as one of the soundest and most reliable banks in this county ; and the high char- acter of the Messrs. Railey and their well known personal honor and integrity have contributed very largely to give the bank the enviable reputation it enjoys. It should have been stated before that of a family of eight children of their father's family, four were sons and four daughters. John M. Railey was united in marriage October 6, 1842, to Miss Elizabeth Steel, who was born in Richmond, Ky. To this union have been born six children: Sadie, wife of W. H. Cockrill; Hampton P., John W., O. D., Pocahontas, wife of R. S. Jacquemin, and Eva. Mr. Egbert W. Railey married Miss Mary E. McAdow, a daughter of Dr. Samuel and Julia (Bean) McAdow, the former a Kentuckian Ijy birth, and a physician by profession. He came here in 1837 and had a successful practice. In 1850 he went to California, and, while on his return, died at Panama. Mr. and Mrs. Railey have three children: Bertie, now Mrs. Hardesty ; Dixie, now Mrs. Mays, of Texas, and Daniel. 1076 HISTOKT OF PLATTE COUNTY. HENRY EAINEY (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 3, Post-office, Weston). Although a native of Kentucky, in which State he was principally reared, Mr. Eainey has become well known in Platte county, having resided here since he was eighteen years old, or about thirty 3'ears. He was born on the 16th of December, 1837, and upon coming here in 1855 he at once engaged in farming, the occupation which he had pre- viously followed, and in which he has since been occupied. His farm is in the Missouri river bottom and embraces a tract of 120 acres well adapted for general farm purposes, including the raising of stock. In politics Mr. Rainey is a Democrat. In religion he and his wife are esteemed and worthy members of the church. In August, 1862, Mr. Rainey was married to Miss Frances Linn, whose parents were origi- nally from Indiana, though her birthplace was in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Rainey have a worthy family of eight children : Rachel E., Lura, William, Henry, Robert A., John W., Jennie, May E. and Thomas O. One son, Daniel, is deceased. Besides their own family of children, Mr. Rainey is kindly caring for and raising two boys, George and Benjamin H. Fowler. JOB ROBBINS (Weston) . Mr. Robbins has been a resident of Platte county since 1847. His father, Levi Robbins, was a native of Virginia, and the maiden name of his mother was Sallie Mayers, also a Virginian. Job, their son, was born in Vii-ginia December 3, 1831, and came with his parents to this county November 16, 1847. He was reared on a farm and fol- lowed it as an occupation until the late war. He then engaged in his present business as a retail dealer in wines, liquors and cigars. He was married November 16, 1859, to Miss Catherine Kissinger. She was born in Virginia. They have a family of six children : Job, Aaron, George, Ida, John and Walter. Mr. R. is a member of the Knights of Honor. VINCENS RUF. (Weston). Since 1853 Mr. Ruf has been one of the landmarks of Weston. His father, George Ruf, was a native of Baden, Germany, as was his mother, whose maiden name was Barbary Stoeckle. George Ruf was a liquor dealer by calling. Both parents died in Germany. Vincens was born in Baden October 17, 1822, and lived in his native country until 1853, being brought up to learn the nailsmith business. In 1853 he emigrated to America and landed at New Orleans, and thence to Weston. He followed different avocations until he engaged in his present business, in 1858. He has been very successful in business, HISTOKY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 1077 and has a large trade, and prides himself on his quiet, orderly house ; and his standing in society illustrates forcibly the truth that — " Honor and shame from no condition rise, Act well your part there all the honor lies." Mr. Euf married Miss Eilenorah Seile, a native of Germany. They have two children : Pauline and Eilenorah. A. SCHNEIDER (Of the Firm of Schneider & Schindler, Dealers in Groceries, Provisions, Etc., Weston). Mr. Schneider is one of the active and live business men of Weston. He was born in Switzerland in 1842, and was the son of Htirtman and Christine (Miller) Schneider, both natives of that country. After remaining there until 1849 they emigrated to the United States, and almost immediately wended their way to what was then the western border of civilization. Locating at Weston, they here reared their son. When growing up he availed himself of the opportunities offered to learn the shoemaker's trade, and from 18.56 to 1866 followed that as his chosen occupation. After that time he embarked in the grocery business, a calling to which he has since devoted his entire attention. In 1868 his present partnership with Mr. Schindler was formed, a relation which has since existed to the mutual benefit of each. By enterprise, close attention to business and fair dealing, this house has risen to the position of one of the most prominent business establishments in the county. They carry a large stock, embracing everything to be found in a first-class house in their line. Since the commencement of his business career, which has been both honorable and successful, Mr. Schneider has contributed his full share in sus- taining the reputation of Weston as a business center,' and he is known as a man of fine intelligence, wide general information and superior business qualifications. He was married in 1872 to Mrs. Alice F. Nolley, a Virginian b}' birth. They have one child, Augu.st V. Mrs. Schneider has one child by a former marriage. RUDOLPH O. SHENKNER (Of the firm of Jacquemin & Shenkner, Dealers in Dry Goods, Clothing and Millinery Goods, Weston). Mr. Shenkner is a native of Switzerland, and was born November 16, 1851. His father, Henry, and his mother, Anna, were both na- tives of the same place. The family emigrated to the United States in 1856 and settled in Weston. The father was a machinist by trade and Uved here until his death, which occurred in 1857, leaving one son, the subject of this sketch. Rudolph learned the printer's trade in youth, and after working at this business for some time he com- menced his mercantile experience as a clerk. In 1873 he became a partner with Mr. Jacquemin, under the firm name of Jacquemin & 1078 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. Shenkner, dealers iu dry goods, clothing, hats, cap? and millinery- goods. Mr. Shenkner is one of the most snccessful of the young business men of Platte county. He is a man of fair education, ample business experience, safe judgment as a merchant and full of enter- prise, such a man as would go to the front in the business aftairs of any place or community. The firm of which he is a member carries an exceptionally large and well selected stock of goods, one, in fact, in which may be found every article in their lines. Their custom is more than an ordinaril}^ good one, and by fair dealing and accommodating dispositions they have proved themselves eminently worthy of it. In the past they have dealt hirgely in hemp and wool, also in walnut lumber, and have shipped out larger quantities of the latter than any one in the county. In connection with their present business they are extensively interested in the Weston Milling Company, which has recently completed a new roller mill, furnished with all improved machinery, with a capacity of 100 barrels per day. Mr. Shenkner was married in 1878 to Miss Ada Bonifant, a daughter of Dr. Boni- fant, of Weston. She was born in Platte county. They have three children : Anna Joyce, Matilda Susan and Benjamin Bonifant. Mr. Shenkner is a member of the city council and takes an active interest in educational matters. LOUIS C. STABLER (Farmer, Sections 18, 19, and 20, Post-office, Weston). Mr. Stabler, who has every promise of a long and successful career in agricultural pursuits in this county, has only been located hei"e since 1883. At that date he abandoned the occupation of railroading, in which he had been engaged for so many years, and purchased his present farm, conceded by all to be among the representative places of the county.. It embraces 411 acres and has upon it excellent improvements, most of which have been made since he became its owner. He was born in Maryland, January 30, 1842, and was of English origin, his grandfather having come from that country to the United States away back before the Revolutionary War. The family has been located in Maryland since aliout the year 1770. Edward Stabler, the father of Louis C, a native of that State, lived there until 89 years of age, occupying the same house in which he was born. His wife was formerly Anna R. Gilpin, also of Maryland. There they reared their family of ten children, all of whom are now living, and of whom the subject of this sketch was the eighth child. He was taught the rudiments of farming from the time that he became of an age suitable for receiving such instruction, and continued it until 1863. Being desirous of entering military life, he enlisted in the Baltimore Home Guards, under Capt. Pope, and remaineil in the service during the balance of the war, principally occupied with guard duty in the vicinity of Baltimore and along the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. He was discharged at the close of the war in 1865, and in the fall of that year he came to St. Louis. His e.vpeiience in railroading during the two HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 1079 jjrevious years led him to enter the employ of a railroad corporation, and for upwards of 18 years he acted as freii^ht and passons^er con- ductor, most of the time on the Missouri Pacific Railroad, until 1883. Though a citizen of this county only a short time, he has become well and favorably known and is meeting with good success in the manage- ment of his place. Mr. Stabler was married September 27, 1882, to Miss EfSe L. Wright, of Lexington, Mo., her ancestors having been Kentuckians liy birth. They have one son, Gilpin Louis, born No- vember 2.5, 1884. Mrs. S.'s mother is now living with them, and here she finds a pleasant home. J. W. STEELE (Farmer aud Stock-raiser, SectioQ 31, Post-ofBce, Westou). In every biographical history of Platte county worthy of such a title the name that heads this sketch must ever occupy a prominent place on its pages. A resident of this county since 1847, he has proven himself to be a man of talents and energies of a high order, and with such energy and resolution he has risen to more than ordinary dis- tinction among his fellow-men. He has always taken an intelligent interest in public affairs, ever casting his ballot and infiuence for what he conceives to be the best interests of the community, the county and the whole country. Always zealous in the cause of education, he has taken a leading part in the estal)lishTnent of schools throughout the county, the welfare and prosperity of which he has viewed with earn- est solicitude. For upwards of 30 years he has been a member of the school board, and has also held other positions of minor importance, the duties of which he has invariably discharged to the entire satis- faction of his constituents and with great personal credit. Active in agricultural matters, he has been president of the Agricultural Asso- ciation of Platte county for many years. Mr. Steele was horn near Lexington, Ky., March 23, 1820. His father. Rev. Brice Steele, came originally from Ireland, and upon settling in Kentucky in an early day became occupied in agricultural affairs. He was also a minister of the gospel, of the Baptist belief, and preached during the greater portion of his lifetime. His death occurred near Lexington. He led a life useful and just, and one that was made valuable at the same time to the community in which he lived. His wife, formerly Elizabeth Thornsburg, a native of Virginia, and a lady of singular ex- cellence of character and amiability, became his wife. She was a worthy helpmate to her honored husband and survived him some years. Brought up in the State of liis birth, where he also obtained his education, J. W. Steele subsequently became engnged in mercan- tile pursuits in Richmond, in 1837, where he remained with good suc- cess until 1845. Going thence to Lexington, he continued liis opera- tions there until 1847, when he disposed of his business and came to Platte county. Mo., here eral)arking in agricultural aflairs. This he has since followed. He owned a farm of 210 acres in Marshall town- ship, but upon selling it purchased his present homestead, which 63 1080 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUXTY. consists of 47 acres of choice laud, beautifully improved and embel- lished with rare flowers, trees, etc. jNIr. Steele's wife was formerly Miss Sallie Hart, to whom he was married March 1, 184(5. She was a daughter of Col. Jack Hart, one of tire most influential citizens of Fayette countjs l\.y., and is a lady of sociability and great personal worth and attraction. They have seven children living: William, John, Clay, O. C, Lee, Alice, wife of J. W. McAdow, of this county, and Bertie. Mr. Steele is a member of the executive board of the Orphan School, mention of which appears in another part of this work. He and his wife are influential members of the Christian Church at Salem, of which Mr. Steele has been an elder for over 20 years. JOHN W. STULTZ (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 4, Post-office, Weston). Mr. Stultz is one of the native bora residents of this county, and were we to omit a brief outline, at least, of his life, we would leave out the sketch of one who, though young in years, has borne a con- spicuous part in the promotion of the agricultural inte^-ests of the county in recent years. His father, James Stultz, who came origi- nally from North Carolina, went to Illinois when quite young, and was there married. Miss Marv Ann Wells becoming his wife. She is a sister to John B. Wells, whose biograph}' is given elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Stultz came to this county in 1837, and here the former continued to make his home, one of the respected and highly honored citizens of the township, until his death in 1878. His widow is now making lier home with her son, the subject of this sketch. John W. Stultz is now in his twenty-eighth year, his birth having occurred August 2(5, 1857. He was reared on a farm here, re- ceiving a good common school education, and early started out in life for himself. His residence in this county has been characterized by untiring industry, and has not been without substantial results. He has made himself an excellent home, and has one of the best farms of its size in the township, numbering 150 acres of choice bottom land. Octol)er 16, 1880, Mr. Stultz was united in marriage with Miss Ada Bnckner, who was born "\n Hanorer, Germany. One daughter of this union is living, Mary ; their only son, James B., who was born September 30, 1881, having died August 20, 1882. Mr. Stultz is a clear-iicaded, energetic young man, of steady habits and frugal, and, appreciating the duties and responsibilities of life, is striving to dis- charge them in a useful and worthy manner. JUDGE DAVID J. THORP (Section 3G, Post-office Weston). If, as is self-evident, this work would be incomplete without sketches of the more public-spirited of the successful farmers and substantial, well-to-do citizens of Platte county, then the biograjihy of the subject of this sketch justly finds a place in this volume. David J. Thorp is HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 1081 u native Missoiirian, liaving been horn at Loxington, February 14, 1820. He was the sun of James Thorp, a Virginian liy birtii, who moved to Kentucky in an early day and to Missouri in 1812, wiien there was scarcely any habitation in the then territory. His wile, the mother of David J., was also born in Virginia, and was quite young when taken to Kentuciiy. The father died in 1836 at Lexington. His widow survived until 1852, when she de[)arted this life in Platte county. David J., on l)eing i-eared to nianiiood, went to Buciuinau county in 1838, but subsequently moved to this county in 1850, re- suming his occupation of farming, which he has followed all his life. His career has been more than an ordinary one, and his energy and enterprise have not been without substantial results. For six years Mr. Thorp held the office of county judge, and in discharging the duties of that office he displayed such ability and keen insigiit into the manner of how it should be filled as to make for himself a repu- tation which will never desert him. May 26, 1846, Judge Thorp was married. Miss Sarah E. Linville becoming his wife. She was born in Lafayette county. One son has been born of this marriage, Corio- laiius. CORIOLANUS THORP (Farmer and Fine Stock-raiser, and Fruit Packer, Section 30, Post-offlce, Weston). Among the younger citizens of Platte county who, by their industry and enterprise, give promise of future prominence and usefulness in the material affairs of the county, is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He is a son of Judge D. J. Thorp, an outline of whose life appears above, and is a worthy representative of his distinguished and respected father. Born August 4, 1848, in this county, he has been reared and educated here, and both by inheritance and the influ- ence which surrounded his early life, has become imbued with those sterling virtues that make men respected and esteemed wherever in- tegrity, courage and honest industry are valued. Mr. Thorp for twelve years has been actively engaged in packing fruit for Denver and other Northern markets, and the enviaijle re[)utati()n which he has achieved for the quality of his fruit and his manner of packing might be a source of pardonable pride to him. For six years his attention has been devoted to raising fine short horn cattle, and his herd of forty thoroughbreds are all recorded, or eligible of record, and are un- surpassed by any in the western portion of Missouri. The father and son live together, and their farms are well improved. Mr. Coriolanus Thoi'p is now secretary of the Platte County Short Horn Breeders' Association, Thorougldy devoted to his chosen calling and a pro- gressive man in every particular, he avails himself of every oppor- tunity for information, and few men are better posted on all matters of public and local interest than he. His wife, formerly Miss Maud Lovelady, a daughter of A. J. and Juda (Newby) Lovelady, he married March 6, 1873. Their family consists of four children, William, D. J., Egbert and Thomas M. 1082 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. J. J. THROCIQMORTON (Farmer, Fine Stock-raiser and Dealer, Section 8, Post-offlce, Weston). In preparing a biographical conspectus of Platte county to accom- pany the general history of the count}', it would be an omission to be regretted, both by the publishers and by the public, not to include a sketch of the life of the worthy citizen whose name stands at the head of this brief statement of facts. He is a representative of two fami- lies which have long been prominently and influentially identified with the history of Virginia and Kentucky, and, indeed, other States ; and representatives are to be found in almost every State of the Union. Gov. Throckmorton, of Texas, came from this same family. Orig- inally of English origin, some members of the family settled in Virginia in the days of the colonies. Mr. T.'s father, also J. J. Throckmorton, was a Kentuckian by birth, of which State his ances- toi's were pioneers. On his mother's side Mr. Throckmorton descended from the Dudleys, she having been a sister of the celebrated Dr. Dudley, of Lexington, Ky. The mother of the subject of this sketch was Lucy HoUaday, a sister of Ben. HoUaday. In 1853 Mr.. T. lost his father, by death, in Kentucky, and the following year, accompanied by his mother, he came to this county, where she died in 1859. Since that time he has continued to live here, and it is but just to say that no man has been more prominently identified with the county's interests in its material progress and developments than he. His farm, which contains 287 acres, is conceded to be the best farm in Platte county, the improvements upon it, which are of an excellent character, rendering it a most valuable place. But it is in the raising of fine stock to which Mr. T. devotes most of his time, raising principally short horn Durhams, etc. He has rep- resentatives of the families of White Rose, lantha, Amelia, Caroline, Miss Mott and others, and it goes without saying that he has done as much as any man in the county for the advancement of the stock business. In 1861 Mr. Throckmorton enlisted in Capt. Mitchell's company of the State service, and participated in the battles of Lex- ington, besides others. After the conflict was over he resumed his farming operations, but like many others he had seriously felt tiie effects of war troubles, having lost all he possessed. It is unneces- sary, to remark that he has fully regained his former substantial posi- tion. On the 21st of January, 1858, Mr. T. was married to Miss Elizabeth C. Bowen, a native of Kentucky, whose ancestors were also among the first families of that State. Her mother was the daughter of Andrew Hughes and a sister of Andy Hughes, who set- tled at Far West in an early day, being there during the Mormon troubles. Mr. and Mrs. Throckmorton have eight children living: Charlie B., Addie T., J. J., Harry, David T., Elizabeth C, N. P. Og- den and Leota. One daughter, Jennie, died October 15, 1867. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 1083 H. C. TURNER (Farmer aud Stock-raiser, Post-office, Weston). It is a fact noticeable to all that as a county becomes peopled with a thrifty, intelligent class of citizens from Eastern States, the primitive schools of early pioneer days are supplemented by others of a more modern nature, and those which l)ecome noted for their thoroughness and efficiency in different departments. But a point not to be for- gotten is that there are always some who take more of an interest in the development of educational matters in the county than others, and Mr. Turner is a representative of this class. He has been pro- minently identified with the development and progress of education in this county, and for a long time was clerk of the school board. Born in Kentucky, November 3, 1831, he was a son of William aud Margaret (McAdow) Turner, the former of Virginia and the latter a Kentuckian by l)irth. The father emigrated to this county in 1840, and lived here until death. When quite young H. C. entered the quartermaster's department in the Mexican War, but returned the year after. In 1849 he went to California, aud for 20 years was a resident of that State. Ten years of this time were spent in the mines. Freighting also received his attention for a like period. He was quite successful during this time, but ui)on returning to Platte county in 1869, he soon commenced selling goods at Leavenworth, Kan., for three years, and thence at Settle Station, which he continued for two years. In 1879 he moved upon his present farm and has since given his attention to agricultural pursuits. Mr. Turner is a married man, his wife's maitlen name having been Miss JSIissouri T. Brown, to whom he was married February 24, 1870. She was born in this county. They have three children : James, Nellie aud William. Mr. T. is connected with the Masonic Order, beluga member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery. GEORGE WEISSER (Baker anil Coufectioner, Post-office, Weston). Mr. Weisser is a native of Switzerland, and was born in Canton Schaffhausen, on the Rhine, January 25, 1838. His parents, John and Mary Weisser, were both natives of Switzei'land, and the father was a butcher by occui)ation. In 1847, when George was six years old, his parents emigrated to the United States and stopped at Independence, where he left his family while he weut and selected a location and a home in which to settle, but while at Brunswick, Chariton county, he was taken with fever and died in 1848, leaving a widow aud two children, both sons. George learned the baker aud con- fectionery business, which he has since followed with satisfactory suc- cess. He remained in Jackson county until 18(>3, and went to Leavenworth, Kan., aud after working at his trade there one year he came to Westou, where he has since been identified with the busi- 1084 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. ness interests of the town. He purchased the interest of his employer in 1872. He carries a complete stock in his line and enjoys an en- viable reputation for the quality of material used as well as the products of his manufacture. He has been married three times. His present wife before her marwage was Miss Frances Green, a native of Weston. She was born in 1848. They have by this union one daughter, Mary Albertina. Mr. W. has three children by a former marriage : John, James and Elvira. Mrs. W. was a daughter of Frank and Johanna Green, natives of Hanover, Germany. JOHN B. WELLS (Retired Farmer, Weston). Mr. Wells, a venerable old farmer, whose faculties of mind and vigor of body are still remarkably well preserved, and who, by in- dustry and economy, has accumulated a comfortable competency on which to rely in old age, came originally, like many of the best men all over the West, from Kentucky, and was born in Montgomery county, November 16, 1800. His grandfather, John Wells, was a native of Virginia, but removed to Kentucky at an early day. Here Hasten Wells, the father of John B., was born and reared on a farm. The subject of this sketch lived in his native State until 1832, and there married Miss Tabitha C. Davis, on the 12th of April, of that year. She was a daughter of Benjamin Davis, a son of John Davis, a native of Wales, who came to America during the Revolutionary War. In the fall of 1833 John B. Wells and wife emigrated to Mis- souri and settled in Marion county, near Palmyra, and in December, 1836, he came to what is now Platte county, and selected his claim and returned for his family. On the 9th of January, of the follow- ing year, he came to his present homestead, and he is, without a doubt, the oldest living pioneer resident of the county, if not of the entire Platte Purchase. Mr. Wells at first pre-empted 160 acres, and to this he has added from time to time until his landed estate now in- cludes 600 acres. Mrs. Wells was the first white woman to tread the streets of Weston, and to her belongs the honor, jointly with a Mr. Jordan, of naming many of the first streets of Weston. After war was declared against Mexico, Mr. Wells established what was long known as Rialto Ferry, and some idea of the business done may be formed when it is stated his toll some days amounted to $500. This ferry proved a profitable investment until the building of the bridge at Leavenworth. After its completion Capt. Wells sold his boat and abandoned the ferry. During the war he suffered greatly, and his large barn, with farm implements and two years' crops of wheat, was burned. His home was protected and saved by the courage of Mrs. Wells, who made up her mind to defend it until the last, and her de- termination frustrated ever}^ attempt to destroy it. Mr. and Mrs. Wells have had a family of seven children: Leander E., John D., Littleton M., Laura, now Mrs. Mills; Henrietta, now Mrs. Clark; George, Frances, Luther J., and Mittie, who married J. C. Frazier, and died in August, 1881, leaving two children, Veruie and Regenie. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 1085 WILLIAM. W WILKERSON (Farmer, Section 20, Past-office, Westou). One of the most prominent men and a man of great influence in the early days of tlie county's history was Mr. Wilkerson's father, Hon. Hall L. Wilkerson, who came to this county from Tennessee in 1838. He pre-empted the laud which his son now owns and for many years was intimately connected with the material growtKand develop- ment of the community in which he made his home. Of great intel- lectual ability, of much personal worth and highly respected as a citizen and neighbor, he was frequently called upon to fill many im- portant positions of public trust. He was the first clerk of the county and subsequently represented with distinction his constituents in the Legislature. He was one of the first to tender his service as a soldier in the Mexican War and his bravery and gallantry won for him the title of major. His public life and private record were alike untarnished. Although a peaceable, law-abiding citizen, he was brutally murdered October 20, 1851, by a gang of roughs led by one John Flush, who, for the commission of his crime, was sent to the penitentiary, where he died. Two of Flush's sons were also sentenced to imprisonment for 24 years, one of whom was drowned while on his way to receive his punishment. Hall Wilkerson was a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity. Wm. W., the son, was born Jan- uary 6, 1843, at the homestead which he now occupies and here was aflbrded excellent opportunities for receiving an education. Septem- ber 8, 1878, he was married to Miss Sarah E., daughter of M. M. Patton, Esq., who came to Platte county about the year 1870. The family of Mr. and Mrs. W. consists of three children: Rosie L., Mary J. and Bertie. CHAPTER XXVIII. MARSHALL TOWNSHIP. Boundary — Fertility of Soil — Fine Stock Interest — Fruit Growing — Pioneers — Society — latan — Early Business — Present Business Men — Sugar Lake and Bean's Lake — Their Prospective Future — Biographical. Marshall township, in the northwest portion of the county, is bounded on the north by Buchanan county, on the east by Green township, on the south by Weston township and the Missouri river, and on the west by the Missouri river. PHYSICAL FEATURES. Portions of the township are quite hilly; much of the high land, however, is luidulated. The soil is good and highly productive, the bottom laud on the Missouri river is of superior quality, and produces bountiful crops. There are perhaps more of the pioneer settlers, or of their descendants, living in Mai'shall township than in any other township of the county, and in this township is found some of her most pros- perous farmers. The raising of thoroughbred stock in cattle, hogs and horses is attracting more than ordinary attention. Among the leaders in this direction may be mentioned Messrs. Alderson, Thorp, Cook, Risk, Stone and Siler, besides many others. In hogs, Mr. D. F. Risk is without a peer in the county, and in thoroughl)red short horns Mr. J. C. Alderson's herd numbers 100 females, besides calves. Fruit growing is absorbing the attention of many, and proving a profit- able industry. The oi'chards recently planted, belonging to Messrs. Rees & Downey, are the largest in Northwest Missouri. EARLY SETTLERS. Among the earl}' pioneers of the township were John Bigham, A. J. Lovehidy, James Lovelady, George Martin, John McAdow, Samuel McAdow, Simeon Collier, N. J. Alexander, Wm. Prather, Andrew Henson, Elkannah Risk, Abraham Risk, Thomas Dye, Levi Lollar, G. W. Dyer, J. W. Steele, J. C. Harris, Matthew Kyle, Nathan Newby, Alfred Soward, A. G. Smith, M. Dale, Alfred Allen, Lewis (1086) HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 1087 Shouse, VV. Ralston, Jesse Page, J. O. Abbott, Andrew Thompson, Thomas D. Cook, John D. Aldersoii, — Byrani and others. The society of the township is an ideal one, for here we find the large-hearted liberality, the open hospitality and the true manliness of the dweller in the county, mingled with the suavity, the cultui'e and the metropolitan manner of those whose lives are spent in cities. Good books, classical music, vocal and instrumental, fine pictures and other works of art adorn the houses of the farmers as well as those of the inhabitants of the towns. The State University and the Female Colleges of this and other States receive a very considerable patronage from this township, and, in consequence, the percentage of cultured and refined men and women residing here equals that of almost anv other similar section in the United States. latan is situated on the Kansas City, St. Joseph and Council Bluffs Railroad, six miles aljove Weston, and was selected as a town site by Maj. John Dougherty. At one time it promised to be one of the most important places on the Missouri River, and was a large shipping point. The business of the town in general merchandise and grocer- ies is done by A. G. Smith and J. A. Gittinger ; the druggist is Dr. H. P. Grover. SUGAR LAKE. Sugar Lake is also located on the Kansas City, St. Joseph and Council Blufls Railroad. It is a new place, in themidst of a rich county and excellent population. The place takes its name from the lake near which it is located. It promises to be a place of consider- able importance as a fishing and pleasure resort. Sugar Lake, like Beans' Lake, with which it is connected, is a beautiful clear body of water, well stocked with fish, and the surroundings are such that it would seem almost impossible to prevent it in the near future of being a popular summer resort. We take the following from the St. Joseph Gazette: — As to Sugar lake, it is the opinion of the Gazette that it is the love- liest lake in the West, similar in many respects to Bean's and Lake Contrary. It has a crowning glory that man or money can never make — the bluff covered with forest trees and rock descending to the water's edge — which will make it at some future time the resort of the West. In the near future the bluff will l)e crowned with summer hotels and cottages, and lovely drives and walks will descend in grace- ful curves to the lake, upon whose bosom sail and row boats filled 1088 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. with meriy parties will make the valley ring with song and laughter and merry peal. Children are now living at Sugar Lake who will live to see land sell there for a thousand dollars an acre. It will soon be demonstrated that better fishing can be had at Bean's and Sugar Lake then can be had at Spirit Lake, Big Stone, Minnetonkaor AVhite Bear. Perhaps after a long while Messrs. Anderson, Dunford and Connor may realize these facts now so apparent to all but them. We are also very fortunate in having these lovely lakes situated upon the Kansas City, St. Joseph and Council Bluffs, whose able and liberal manager, J. F. Barnard, will assist in making them the great fishing resort of the West. Twelve hundred car loads of ice were shipped from this station during the past winter, giving employment to one hundred and fifty men for several weeks. The business of the place is done by B. F. Moore, a popular merchant, who carries a good general stock, and he also buys grain and produce. BIOGRAPHICAL J. O. ABBOTT (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 29, Post-ofHce, latan). Mr. Abbott, on starting out in life for himself, naturally adopted farming as his regular occupation, and this he has followed with unin- terrupted energy and success ; indeed so prosperous has been his career that he is now one of the most substantial citizens in the community in which he lives. Upon coming to Platte county in 1842 he purchased a farm, to which he has added from time to time, until he now owns 570 acres of land, a place which is in good cultivation and well improved ; in fact, the improvements are exceptionally fine, everything about the home being conveniently arranged for the various necessary farm purposes. The reputation which Mr. Abbott enjoys for sterling worth and true uprightness of character is well deserved. He is no political enthusiast, but at the request and sincere desire of his many friends he has filled the office of justice of the peace for several years, the duties of which he has discharged satisfactorily to all. Mr. Abbott was married to Miss A. Brady, March 21, 1842. She was born in Spencer county, Ind. They have had a family of nine children, five of whom are living, viz. : Allen H., Annie, wife of J. A. Gittinger; Hiram B., Charles Edwin and William P. Mr. Abbott came origin- ally from Montgomery county, Ky., where he was born December 11, 1810. His father, Joseph Abbott, and his grandfather, of the same name, were natives of New Jersey. The mother of J. O. Abbott was HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 1089 formerly Miss Ehoda Masterton, aKentuckian by birth. Leaving his birthplace Mr. A. went to Ohio, but after ten years returned to Ken- tucky, where be lived seven 3'ears. In 1842, as before stated, he lo- cated in Platte county. Mo. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. Charles Edwin Abbott, the si.xth son and eighth child in his parents' family, was born at his father's homestead, in this county, October 28, 1858, here being brought up. In addition to the excellent com- mon school education which he received in this vicinity, he completed a course of instruction at that well known and far-famed institution of learning, Lombard University, of Gaiesburg, 111. December .3, 1879, Miss E. White, who was born in Stark county. 111., became his wife. They have two children, Inez V. and Gertrude L. Mr. Abbott is now engaged in selling agricultural implements, and in this business is meeting with good success. N. J. ALEXANDER (Deceased^ . Among the pioneers of Platte county was N. J. Alexander, a native of Milledgeville, Ga., and a cabinetmaker by trade. He came here in 1837 and worked for a short time at his trade and then engaged in mer- chandising. During the palmy days of hemp growing he was a large buyer and shipper of hem]) at latan, and one of its prominent mer- chants. He also sold goods at Union Mills and Owen's Mill, and he was recognized as one of the active and live merchants of Platte county. After the war he settled on his farm in section 17. Mr. Alexander married Miss Lucy Vaughan, of Clay county. On the 8th day of December, 1881, Mr. Alexander died, leaving, besides his widow, who still resides on the homestead, six children: Samuel, who is now living in Montana; George W., Theodore, now a resident of Gentry county. Mo. ; Lucy, now Mrs. Roper, of Rich Hill, Mo. ; William and Charles. George W., the second son, and manager of the farm, spent his early life in the county and then for several years was engaged in the stock business and other pursuits in Colorado and Texas, but after the death of his father, at the solicitation of his mother he returned to Platte county and took charge of the farm, which contains 153 acres of productive land well improved. JAMES A. ALLEN (Farmer, Section 1, Post-office, Weston). Mr. Allen was born March 9, 1835, in Scott county, Ky., his parents, Alfred and Amney (Thomas) Allen, being natives of the same State. In 1842 the family came out to Missouri and lived on a farm. The mother died in 1861, and the father survived until 1869. Mr. Allen, the subject of this sketch, was reared a farmer, and farm- ing has continued to be his occupation. He was married March 7, 1861, to Miss Cynthia Allison, a native of Kentucky. There were seven children by this union : Lee, William, Emmet, Homer, Eva, 1090 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. Odis aad Laura S. Mr. Allen's father left only one child besides himself at his death: William. He and wife are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Allen has a neatly improved farm of 294 acres, and he is a man of industry and energy, and is well esteemed by all who know him. Plain and unassuming in his relation to his neighbors and those with whom he comes in contact, he is nevertheless quite successful in the management of his farm, and the improvements upon his place indicate the character of a farmer he is. JAMES C. ALDERSON (Farmer and Raiser of Thorough-bred Short Horn Cattle, Section 9, Post-office, latan) . Mr. Alderson is one of the leading farmers and stock-raisers of the count}'. He was horn in Simpson county, Ky., May 17, 1833, and was the son of John D. Alderson, also of Sumner county, Tenn., who was a farmer and stock-trader by calling. His mother, whose maiden name was Nancy Couther, was born in Rockingham county, N. C, but was brought by her parents to Kentucky, where they made their settlement. In the removal she rode the entire distance on horse- back. In 1842 John D. Alderson removed with his family to Platte county. Mo., arriving here November 8. On the 10th of November, two days afterwards, he purchased what is now known as the Shouse farm, and afterward he bought the claim of James Lovelady — the farm now owned by Wesley B. Cook. Mr. Alderson devoted con- siderable attention to the raising of horses, and was prominent in all matters pertaining to the development of the county. He died in August, 1855, leaving three children: James C, Elizabeth, who mar- ried W. G. Nol)le, since deceased, and Eliza (now deceased), who became Mrs. J. H. Trundle. James C. was reared on his father's farm, and has followed agricultural pursuits as his chosen avocation, together with the stock business. He has been much interested in the raising of short horn cattle, and his herd numbers at the present time 100 females, besides calves. Strains of all the leading short horn families are represented in this hei"d. He has been unable to supply the demand for his stock, which has been sought for at his door and has gone largely into this and surrounding counties, while the State of Kansas has been a patron to a considerable extent. Though Mr. Alderson at one time owned 1,700 acres of land he has reduced his acreage by selling, and now owns 643 acres of choice land well im- proved. His dwelling is very commodious and pleasantly situated, and at this time he is erecting two large barns, one 54x64 and the other 36x72. Mr. Alderson was married November 21, 1865, to Miss Mattie Stone, a most estimable lady, a native of Paris, Bourbon county, Ky. To them have been born the following children: Annie, May, Lillic, Manson, Herbert, Bessie and J. C. They lost one in infancy. Mr. Alderson is a thorough-going practical man and is highly esteemed by all who know him. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 1091 FRANCIS M. ANDREWS (Farmer, Post-office, Sugar Lake). Mr. Andrews is a native Missourian, his father, Elias Martin Andrews, having emiizrated from Kentucky at an early day and settled in Howard county, Mo. His mother, nee Elizabeth Jacks, was also l)orn in Kentucky. They removed to Platte county in 1841 and lived here until their death. The father died in February, 18(56, leaving seven children : Richard I., Francis M., Jasper and Mary F., now Mrs. Hurst ; Gardner J. (deceased), Elias M., James and Elizabeth, now Mrs. McQueen. Francis M. was born in Howard county, De- cember 17, 1831, and came with his parents to Platte county in 1841, and has become a prominent and successful farmer. He owns 1391/2 acres of as fertile hind as there is in tiie State, and no farmer can boast of better crops continuously than Mr. Andrews. He has been twice married, first, in 1850, to Miss Mary Jones, of Platte county, who died in 1863, leaving one child, Elizabeth, now deceased. His second marriage occurred in 18(56 to Cinderella Jackson, a native of Iowa. Mr. A. is a meml)er of the Christian Church, of the A. F. and A. M. and the Protection Association. JOSIAH M. BAILEY (Farmer, Post-office, Sugar Lake). Mr. Bailey was born in Monroe county, Ky., October 5, 1839. His father, John P. Bailey, was born in Edgefield District, S. C, but re- moved when a boy to Monroe county, Ky., where he was reared to manhood. He married Miss Parthenia Bailey, a native of Kentucky. In 1850 he came to Platte county. Mo., and took rank as one of the successful farmers in the section of the county in which he resided. He followed the occupation of farming until his death. Josiah M. came with his father's family to Missouri and has followed farming all his life. He owns 84 acres of choice land. He was married De- cember 28, 1869, to Miss Georgiana Varble, a native of Buchanan county, Mo. They have a family of six children: Olive, Gladiator, Gertrude, Thomas J., Robert E. and Albert W. They have lost one son, George M. JACOB BENNER f Farmer, Section 27, Post-offlce, Weston). If industry, hard work and ceaseless activity, united with a strong and determined perseverance, can accomplish anything in this world, then Mr. Benner is bound to succeed ; for in him are to be found all the characteristics mentioned, and indeed, he is deserving of more than ordinary credit for his career thus far in life. He was born in Weston, November 28, 1846, and was the son of Nicholas and Mar- tha Benner, both originall}' from Germany. The father instilled into his son the partiality which he had ever had for farming and this 1092 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. occupation Jacob has always followed. He owns 160 acres of good land well cultivated and improved. In March, 1870, he was mar- ried to one of the native born daughters of the county, Miss Annie Bland, and to them four children have been born : Johnnie, Louie, Allie and Willie. Mr. and Mrs. Benner are members of the Baptist Church. A. D. BLYTHE CFarmer and Stock-raiser, Section 6, Post-office, Sugar Lake). For about 40 years Mr. Blythe has been a resident of Platte county, and during this time he has occupied an enviable position among its better class of citizens, and has made favorable and lasting im- pressions upon those around him, Ijoth as a business man, as an agri- culturist, and in the private walks of life. His parents were Samuel and Jemima Blythe, nee Lay, both Kentuckians by birth, but in the early days of the history of Missouri the}^ removed to Howard county, within the borders of which they made their home until their death. Young Blythe was born in Fayette count}', Ky., May 10, 1815, and was brought by the family to this State upon their removal from Ken- tucky. Quite young when they located in Howard county, he com- pleted his adolescence here and received a good general education in the schools of his neighborhood. In 1844 the reputation of the Platte Purchase as a prominent agricultural district, and the importance of Weston as a business point, attracted him to this locality, and here he found a desirable location and renewed his farming operations, not, however, without substantial results. In keeping with the progress of the county, he, too, prospered, for those years ofthever}' noonday of his life were not spent in idleness. On the 5th of November, 1846, Mr. Blythe was married to Mrs. Margaret Byram, whose maiden name was Watkins, originally from Kentucky, and who came to this county in 1840. She is a lady of strong character and of refined taste, as well as of an amiable disposition — such a lady as is calcu- lated to be esteemed wherever she lives. Their family consists of two children, Mary, now Mrs. Goodwin, of Memphis, Tenn., and Samuel J., who was born on the home farm in this county, January 6, 1854. He was brought up and educated here and in 1879 was married to Miss Jessie Force, whose father, Daniel Force, is one of the old and respected residents of St. Joseph, Mo. She is descended from a cultured and hospitable foniily and is a lady of many estimable qualities. They have two children : A. D., Jr., and Mary. The landed estate of Mr. Blythe comprises aiiout 600 acres and his home- stead has upon it excellent buildings and other improvements of a superior class. Dignified in his bearing and a man of great sociability, Mr. Blythe is a friend who is respected by all who are fiivored with his acquaintance. JAMES F. BROWN (Farmer, Section 5, Post-offlce, Wallace). Mr. Brown's whole life has been spent thus far in Platte county, where, as we will readily admit, he has attained to a position among HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 1093 the agriculturists of tl^e township which might well be envied by those older in years and experience. Born here December 4, 1853, he was a sou of James L. aud Rebecca (Weaver) Brown, who became early settlers of this county, having pre-empted a claim three miles north of Platte City, which long continued to be their home. Many interesting incidents of their pioneer experience are well worth a place in this history, which we regret we have not the space here to relate. James F. Brown is now actively and successfully engaged in the occu- pation to which he was brought up, that of farming, and years of ex- perience have only tended to give him advanced ideas as to the proper method of conducting a farm, in addition to the natural tastes which he has had for this pursuit. His estate embraces a well improved tract of 2(55 acres. A go-ahead, energetic young farmer, he has by his own industry acquired a fine property, and made for himself a comfortable home. October 4, 1874, Mr. Brown was married to Miss Eoenia Buford, who was born June 5, 1855, in Kansas, though brought up in this county. One son has been Ijoru to this marriage, Oria Franklin, born August 6, 1875, and a daughter, Onie Myrtle, the second child, was born February 5, 1883. SIMEON COLLIER (Deceased). Mr. Collier was a sou of James and Nancy (Ballou) Collier, the father a native of Virginia, and the mother originally of French ex- traction. He was born in Kentucky August 20, 1804, where he resided principally until his removal to Missouri in 1844. At this time he took up his location in Platte county, settling on a farm of 160 acres in Marshall township (in section 7), which he improved, and upon which he lived a worthy and industrious life. He was highly i-e- spectcd bj- his neighbors, both as a citizen and in the private walks of life, and he was a respected member of the Christian Church at New Market. Mr. Collier's death occurred April 25, 1885, at the advanced age of over 80 years. Mr. Collier was a resident of Platte county for 40 years, and was a witness to and an active, useful participant in the building up of the county from a wilderness to one of the most pros- perous and enlightened communities of this State. September 11, 1827, he married Miss Elizabeth Berkshire, of Kentucky nativity, who died March 2, 1871. There are six children now living of this mar- riage : Nanc}' Jane, wife of A. A. Downing, of this county ; Robert S., Thornton S., Asenath, who married James A. Gault ; Hannil)al and Amelia. Mr. Gault, the son-in-law of Mr. Collier, was one of the most intellectual and intelligent men of the community up to the time of his death, in 18(54. A Kentuckian by birth, he was born March 27, 1835, and was raised and educated there, the principal part of his schooling having been obtained at Maysville, Ky. Decid- ing to devote himself to the practice of law, he commenced its study, but finding it unsuited to his tastes, he embai-ked in agricultural pur- suits. He came to this county in 1856, and about two years after- 1094 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. wards was married to Miss Collier, a lady of rare personal worth and many estimable characteristics. Mr. Gault fell while gallantly fight- ing during the late Civil War. Besides his wife he left one daughter to mourn his loss, Mary Elizabeth. HAMILTON COOK (Farmer aucl Stock-raiser, Section IG, Post-office, latan). No man is better or more favorably known in Platte county than the subject of this sketch. He was born in Berkeley county, W. Va., September 1, 1835. His father, Thomas D., was born in Virginia and was a farmer by occupation. His mother, whose maiden name was Susan Light, was also a native of the same State. They emi- grated to Missouri and settled' in Platte county on a farm in 1841. A marked characteristic of Thomas D. Cook was his sterling integrity and high sense of honor. He was for years connected with the Meth- odist Church, of which he was an earnest and consistent member. A man of sti'ong conviettons and of a firm mind, when once his opinion was formed it required strong evidence to change it. Himself honor- able in all his dealings, he endeavored to look upon others as possessed of like qualities, and his word was as good as his bond. He died March 21, 1880, leaving two children : Hamilton and Wesley B., the latter a prominent agriculturist and stockman of this county. Mr. Cook's widow did not long survive her husband, her death occurring some five weeks after his. The public schools of this county found in Hamilton Cook a steady attendant and warm supporter, his time not given to his studies being devoted to performing duties on the home farm. Since commencing his farming operations he has become in comfortable circumstances, and is making a typical farm of his place. This embraces 380 acres, and he is improving it in a thorough manner and with an eye to taste only less than to durability, convenience and comfort. His purpose is to make it a homestead worthy of the county and equal to his own ideas of what a well managed farm ought to be. In its conduct is manifested the good, sound judgment and practical ex- perience of the successful farmer. Personally, Mr. Cook is one of the best men in the county. Hospitable and entertaining at his home, he is an excellent conversationalist and interesting speaker. He is an active worker in the temperance movement, and for four years has served the cause as State lecturer of the I. O. G. T. Few men have the voice, ability and personal magnetism, coupled with an intelligent comprehension of his subject, to hold an audience and to impress the importance of the cause on the minds of his hearers, that Mr. Cook possesses. He has spoken in nearly all the counties of the State, and his services are most earnestly sought for where they are best known. November 30, 1854, he was married to Miss Rachel Anno, a Ken- tuckian by birth. They have three children : Alfred T., Emma, now Mrs. Ferrel, and MoUie. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 1095 J. w. cox (Farmer aud Stock-raiser, Post-offloe, VVestou). Mr. C.'s father, W. G. Cox, and also his mother, who was formerly Miss S. A. Stone, came originally from Kentucky, where they had lived until 1856. At that time they became located in Platte county. Mo., and here Mr. C. continued the occupation which he had so suc- cessfully and industriously followed in Kentucky — that of farming, stock-raising and dealing. A wealthy and energetic citizen of this county, he owned 1,600 acres of land in one body at the time of his death, which occurred in August, 1877. He left, Itesides his wife, six children, of whom the sul)ject of this sketch, J. W. Cox, was the second son. Brought up in this county, he enjoyed excellent educa- tional advantages, and in addition to a course in William Jewell College, extending over a period of three years, he was a student for two years in the State University, at Columbia. Upon returning from school, in 1881, he at once took charge of the home farm, which he has since conducted in an excellent manner and with great credit. He devotes much time to the raising of and dealing in fine stock, and to more thoroughly qualify himself for the stock business he has become a meml)er of the Sliorthorn Breeder's Association of Platte county. Mr. Cox was married September 3, 1884, to Miss Lizzie, daughter of Wills Noble, of Weston, Mo. Mrs. Cox was first edu- cated at the Convent of St. Joseph, Mo., where she took a somewhat advanced young ladies' course. Afterwards she attended Clay Seminary, from which she subsequently graduated. She is a lady of superior culture and refinement, of singuhirly prepossessing presence, and always interesting and entertaining. MADISON DALE (Farmer aud Stock-raiser, Section 2G, Post-office, Westou) . Li inserting short liiographical sketches of the lives of the old and prominent residents of Platte county it would bean inexcusable omis- sion not to give a prominent place to an outline, at least, of the career of Madison Dale. A resident of this county for 42 3'ears, and a man whose energy, perseverance and industiy have contributed to make him one of the well known, highly respected and substantial agriculturists of the county, he well deserves the success which has attended his career and the good opinions of those with whom he is acquainted. His farm of 240 acres bears upon it indications of a thorough owner, and Mr. Dale gives some attention to graded stock. He is now nearly 70 years of age, having been born January 21, 1817, in Woodford county, Ky. His parents were both Virginians by birth — LeRoy and Jemima Dale, nee Gill, but in an early day they went to Kentucky, where they afterwards reared their son. Brought lip as a fiirmer, on coming to this county, in 1843, Madison Dale re- sumed that industry, which he has ever since continued, and as 64 1096 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. intimated above, not without substantial results. The place which he first occupied iu Platte county has continued to be his home. Mr. Dale's wife's maiden name was Miss Eliza A. Gray, also originally from the same county as her husband. Their marriage occured April 20, 1843. Three children are now living of this union: Josephine, Milton L. and John U. Four others are deceased: Elizabeth J., Alvin L., Ellen M. and Newton. Mr. D. is no political aspirant though his preferences ai"e with the Democratic party. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church. Both are upright, con- scientious citizens and in no family in Platte county is there more harmony and affection than in this one. JAMES DYE (Farmer and Breeder of Fine Stock, Section 27, Post-office, Weston) . Mr. Dye has an excellent farm where he resides of 240 acres of choice land, finely improved, and for many years he has traded in stock to a considerable extent. More than ordinary attention has been paid to the raising of fine horses, and on his farm was bred the cele- brated pacer, " Richball," with a record of 2.12^/2, and little " Willie," a half brother of "Richball," with a record of 2.23V2. On account of his thorough knowledge of agricultural affairs, as a whole and in every particular, he was made president of the agricultural associa- tion of this county, a position he was eminently qualified to fill. Mr. Dye's farm deserves special mention, for it is one of the best in this vicinity. His buildings are of a good class, and he has attained to an enviable and well merited reputation as a stock man. His tastes, as will be inferred from the foregoing, are characteristic of only a Kentuckian, and such Mr. Dye is, for he was born in jNIason county, of that State, February 15, 1834. His father, John Dye, a farmer by occupation, removed from Pennsylvania, his native State, when a young man, to Kentucky, and there subsequently married Miss Par- thenia Gow, who was born and raised in the Blue Grass State. In 1851 the family came to Platte county, Mo., and here the father died in 1875. They had had a family of eight children : Margaret, wife of H. M. Griffith; Jane, wife of H. J. Pyle; Ann, wife of James Griflith ; James, Elizabeth, wife of Thomas B. Lovelady ; William, and Martha, wife of J. Newl)y. James was 15 years old when he came to Missouri, but his time since then has been spent in the vicinity of Platte county, occupied in his present business, except for a time during the war, when he served as first lieutenant iu Co. E, Eighty-first Missouri State Guards, in Scott's regiment. Mr. Dye was married October 9, 1856, to Miss Lucy J. Guthrie, who died Sep- tember 2, 1882, leaving four children: Florence, Fannie, Eva and Maggie. Mr. Dye's second marriage occurred December 18, 1884, when Miss Elizabeth Hamilton, of Oregon, became his wife. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 1097 WILLIAM FELLOWS (Farmer, Section U, Post-office, Weston). Mr. Fellows is a good illustration of what sterling principle, economy and industry, when intelligently applied, can accomplish — characteristics which go hand in hand with success in every depart- ment of life. In 1860 he came to this county with scarcely any means, hut investing this to good advantage he is now in possession of an excellent landed estate, embracing some 300 acres. The improve- ments upon this farm are deserving of special mention, for they are neat and sul)stantial, and of a superior order. Mr. Fellows, on ac- count of having been brought up to the practical details of farm life, has always followed that as his occupation. His native county was Putnam, in the State of Indiana, where he was born August 19, 1838. His father was William Fellows, originally from New York, and the maiden name of his wife was Charlotte Howe. Mr. Fellowscontinued to make his home at his birthplace until 18(30, when became to Platte county, Mo., and here he has since resided, one of the substantial and well respected residents of the community. His wife is one of the faii'est daughters of the Blue Grass State. Before her marriage she was a Miss Sarah Scott. This union has been blessed with four children : Lennox, John, David and Bee. Mr. and Mrs. Fellows are worthy members of the Christian Church. JAMES I. GABBERT (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 18, Post-ofllce, Weston). Mr. Gabbert is descended from families originally of German and Irish extraction — the Gabberts and Sullivans. Eepresentatives of each have settled in numerous States of the Union, and wherever they have lived have proven themselves worthy citizens and hard working and generally successful persons. There are numerous substantial and iniluential farmers and stockmen by the name of Gabbert in Platte county, upon whom never a word of reproach or suspicion has ever fallen . The subject of this sketch was born in Bartholomew county, Ind., Jan- uary 30, 1833, and was there brought up and educated. In 1850hecame with his parents, James and Polly (Sullivan) Gabbert, to this county, the father settling where James now lives and improving a farm of 380 acres, which has fallen into the son's possession. Young James was the ninth child and the youngest son in the family of children, and was born and reared at his birthplace. Since his residence here he has given his attention to the stock business, in addition to his farming interests, and now upon his excellent stock farm is occupied in breeding high graded Durham cattle and a superior line of sheep and hogs. Though aspiring to no public place and not a candidate for political preferment, he has nevertheless been entrusted with sev- eral offices within the gift of the people, in all of which he has dis- charged his duties with credit to himself and honor to his constituents. 1098 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. Ill 1859 he was deputy sheriff of the county, serving uutil 1861, when he went upon the plains and freighted for the Government, principally from Leavenworth to Fort Union, Mexico, Fort Wise and other points iu the territory. He resumed his farming operations in 1864. June 27, 1854, Mr. Gabbert was married, Miss Susan A., daughter of Henry and Kittie (Butler) Kitchen, natives of Virginia, becoming his wife. She was born in St. Louis, Mo. Their one daughter, Laura B., is the wife of \Yalter K. Stone, of Jefl'ersou county, Kan. Mr. G.'s grandfather, on his mother's side, was a brave soldier of the War of the Revolution, losing his life in that struggle in defending his adopted country. His paternal ancestors were early settlers in Virginia. H. P. GROVER, M. D. OPhysician and Surgeon, Post-office, latan). Dr. Grover, a successful physician of thorough qualifications, and now iu the enjoyment of a large and inci'easiug practice, was the sou of John S. and Polly (Cobli) Grover, who were natives of the State of New York. Young Grover was born iu Steuben county, N. Y., March 24, 1841, and up to the age of seven years spent his youth iu that vicinit}'. His parents then removed to DeKalb county. III., and he accompanied them to that vicinity, there growing up and becoming thoroughly familiarized with the duties of farm life. For a long time he was a student in the schools of that countjs after which, having made choice of the profession of medicine as the occupation to which he should devote himself in aft er life, he went to Ottawa, 111., and placed himself under the preceptorship of Dr. O. H. jNIann, now of Evanston, 111., and a physician of superior qualifications and long ex- perience. After a thorough preliminar\' preparation he attended lec- tures at Rush Medical College, in Chicago, from which he graduated iu the class of 1863. He also took a course at Hahnemann Medical College of the same city. Now well qualified to commence the active duties of his professional career. Dr. Grover located at Somouauk, III. In 1866 he received an appointment as surgeon in the U. S. Navy. After leaving the Government service he settled in Kansas, and closely devoted himself to the practice of medicine until 1881, when he came to latan. He is recognized as a safe and successful physician and applies himself to the practice with more than ordinary zeal and pride, being even more attached to it as a science than as an industrial calliug. In 1863 Dr. Grover was married. Miss Melinda E. Park, a native of Ohio, becoming his wife. This union has beeu blessed with four children : Alfred, Oscar, Willie and Adeline. J. C. HARRIS (Farmer, Section 24, Post-office, Westou). Mr. Harris is a native of Kentucky, bora in Estill county, March 1, 1807. His father, John Harris, and mother nee Fannie Hall, were both originally from Virginia. Mr. Harris, after being brought up HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 1099 in Kentucky on a farm, came to Jackson county, Mo., in 1838, and the folio wing year removed to Platte county and settled where he now lives, his place embracing a good farm of 245 acres. He held the ofSce of justice of the peace for four years and then refused to serve longer. Mr. Harris was married the Hrst time, November 11, 1830, to Miss Sallie Floyd, a native of Madison county, Ky., who died August 25, 1879, leaving a large family of children, as follows : Clifton (de- ceased), Clinton (deceased), Nannie (deceased), Jennie, now Mrs. S. Routh, of Kansas ; Aaron, who resides at home ; Jefferson, living in Platte county; John (deceased), Mahion (deceased), Ann, now Mrs. Mann, of Holt ccnmty ; ('ampi)eil, of this county ; Mattie (deceased). Belle, at home ; Benton, who marrieil Miss Nannie Nower ; Nora and Robert. His second mariage took place June fi, 1880, Mrs. Kate Bashford becoming his wife. She was born in Fayette county, Ky., six miles from Lexington, Mrs. Harris' maiden name was Steele. She has two children by her former marriage. Mr. H. and his wife ai'e members of the Christian Church. Mr. Harris is a good and up- right citizen and is highly respected by all who know him. He deserves special mention for the excellent manner in which he is con- ducting his farm, and is worthy of the success which is attending his eflorts. JOHN M. HERNDON (Owner aud Proprietor of Saw-mill and Thrashing Machine, Section 27, Post-oUice, Weston) . Brought u\y as a machinist, and thoroughly imi)ued with all the practical bearings of machinery, Mr. Herndon is well qualified to fol- low the occupation to which he has so long given his attention. But a little past 40 ye;irs of age, he has had a wide and varied career in life and has reached the position which might well be envied by many older in years and experience. During the summer months he oper- ates a thrashing machine, which has a capacity for thrashing 1,800 bushels daily, and the average work reaches 700 bushels per day. The machine which he uses is one manufactured by Garr, Scott & Co., Richmond, Ind., and he also has a good saw mill, which was built by the same firm. The capacity of this mill is 5,000 feet per diem and will average 3,000. Were it necessary for us to say something of Mr. Herndon's ability and reputation as a business man, we could not do better than to mention that his time is constantly occupied in at- tending to these callings and in filling the numerous orders which are continually coming in upon him. He takes contracts for furnishing bills of lumber, and cuts, saws aud delivers it when required, making a specialty of walnut lnml)er. Mr. Herndon was born in Estill county, Ky., April 30, 1845, and was brought up there as a farmer, mill man, etc. His subsequent career it is of course unnecessary to repeat. In 1875, Noveml)er 3, he was married to Miss M. A. Card- well, who was born in Buchanan county. Mo., but came to Platte county in 1871. They have five children: Elijah A., David S., Ed- win P., Lena and James S. 1100 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTy. JAMES H. HULL (Deceased). Mr. Hull was one of the best known citizens in Platte county at the time of his death, having reached the age of 59 j'ears. Like many of the early settlers of Platte county, men who became prominent and influential in their respective callings, he was a Kentuckian tjy birth, having been born June 15, 1813. Naturally he was an excellent me- chanic, but preferred to follow farming as his principal occupation. Coming to Missouri in 1844, he took uji his location in Platte county in 1845, purchasing the farm, which now constitutes the old family homestead, in 184(i. This contains 1(50 acres of farm land, well im- proved and in cultivation. Mr. Hull was married February 27, 1838, to Miss Clarinda Chandler, a native of Kentuclcy, and to them were born five children. Of these, however, only two are now living: Samuel A. and Walter S. Mrs. Hull's death occurred July 8, 1851. His second marriage took place November 28, 1852, when Miss Emily J. Wilson, daughter of Azriah Wilson, became his wife. Mr. Wilson was a Virginian 1)}' birth, and served in the War of 1812. He came to this county in 184(5, and died in DeKalb county February 17, 1883, at the advanced age of 90 years. He was a man highly respected b}' all who know him. By his second marriage Mr. Hull had five children: Charles V., Emma A., James H., Egbert R. and Edgar W. The widow is still conducting the home farm, and is a woman of industry energy. She is a good manager and, as a good agri- culturist, is well respected by all who are favored with her ac- quaintance. In the conduct of the place she is displaying unusual good judgment and sagacity. Her husband's death was widely mourned by a large circle of friends. WALTER S. HULL (Farmer aatl Stock-raiser, Section 17, Post-office, New Market). In the biographical sketch which immediately precedes this, a sketch of the life of James H. Hull is given, the father of the subject of the present narrative, Walter S. Hull. In that biography is mentioned his standing as a man and fellow-citizen among those with whom he mingled and his reputation for honesty and influence in tiie com- munity in which he lived. W. S. Hull was brought u[) in Platte county, receiving his primary education here, but this lie supi)lemented with an attendance at Pleasant Ridge College. Having adopted the calling of Cincinnatus as his chosen occupation in life, he has ever been thorough and sincere in tilling the soil, and owing to his con- tinued hard labor and honest endeavors, he has reached a well-merited degree of success. His farm consists of 1(50 acres of choice land, upon which are fair improvements, and on his place he raises cattle, sheep, horses, hogs, etc. Lately he has given considerable attention to veterinary surgery. Mr. Hull's parents were James H. and Clar- HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 1101 inda (Chandler) Hull, and with them ho came to this county in 1846, having been born in Mason county, Ivy. His wife was formerly Miss Susan A. Lowe, of this county, to whom he was married, Decenil)er 27, 1807. Their family contains eight children living: Emma D., James W., Clarinda J., Walter S., Jr., Mary A., AUiert C, Shelton J. tund Lee Cleveland. One son, Owen V., died in November, 1880. THADDEUS C. JONES (Farmer and Raiser of Norman Horses, Soctioa 13, Post-office, Westou). Mr. Jones now has upon his place one of the neatest, most com- fortable and substantial residences in this section of the country, a building which he planned himself and which was erected at a cost of $2,000. A farmer by education and early training, he has been a tiller of the soil all his life, and since locating on his present place of 160 acres he has devoted all his energies to its iniproveinont. His endeavors in this particular have not been without their substantial reward. The father of Mr. Jones, James D. Jones, came to Platte county, Mo., in March, 1860, but died a few weeks after his arrival here, at the age of 51 years, leaving a family of nine children. He came originally from Owen count}', Ky., and during his life was occu- pied in farming. His wife, who was born in Owen county, Ky., was formerly Miss Sarah Wood. She is still living and is well preserved in years. Thaddeus C, the third son and fourth child in his parents' family, was born August 6, 1840, in Owen count}^ K3^, growing up, as has been intimated, upon a farm and receiving a common district school education. Since his settlement in this county he has given no little attention to the raising of fine stock, and has thirteen head of good mules and eighteen head of Norman horses, an industry which he is finding profitable and interesting. December 31, 1869, Mr. J. married Miss Amanda J. Scott, of this county, and a daughtei- of John C. Scott, formerly of Kentucky. They have four children : Robert E., Sarah J., James D. and John C. WILLIAM KYLE (Farmer ami Stock-raiser, Section 17, Post-ollice, latau). Matthew Kyle, the father of the subject of this sketch, was an early settler from Kentucky to Platte county, where he farmed until his death which occurred September 18, 1856. He had come here iu 1831t, and during the remaining years of his life was very active in his affairs as a farmer, finding this a not unjjrofitable method of gain- ing a livelihood. His native place was in Mercer county, Ky.. but his wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Burris, was a Virginian by birth, though jjrought up in the Blue Grass State. Four children are now living of this union, those besides William being Andrew T., James and George W. The mother of these died April 16, 1880, at the advanced age of 77 years. Mrs. Kyle's grandfather was for 65 years, an humljle, sincere and truly pious minister of the Methodist 1102 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. denomination, and never would he accept or receive one cent in pay- ment of his services as a preacher of the Gospel, a fact in quite prominent contrast to the customs of the present age. He also served during the Revolutionary War, but for his services in this struggle declined to be remunerated. William Kyle spent his youth in this county upon a farm, having been born here. To his early course of instruction, which he had received in the schools of the county, he added some months' attendance at Pleasant Ridge Academy, an institution which he left well qualified to enter upon the duties of every day life. His habits of studiousness have not forsaken him in subsequent years, and he is still a constant reader of standard books and is well informed on all matters of public and local importance, as well as being acquainted with the leading authors of the day. Mr. Kyle was married February 13, 1873, to Miss Me- liuda Kluson, a native of Kentucky and a daughter of William Kluson, of this county. They have seven children: William H., Mary E., Thomas W., Charles, Nellie, Eugene and an infant. Mr. K. is a member of the A. F. and A. M. In connection with his brother, G. W. Kyle, he owns 257 acres of laud. George W. Kyle, brother to William Kyle, was born December 16, 1847, and grew up as a farmer boy. In 1871 Miss Mary Hord, of Kentucky, became his wife, but she died August 3, 1881, leaving three chiklreu : Irwin, Alfred and Addie. His second marriage oc- curred October 8, 1883, to Sallie Dougherty, who was born in this State. By this union there is one child : William. JAMES W. LAYTON (Farmer, Section 15, Post-office, Weston). Mr. L. is a son of James H. Layton, who was born in Mason county, Ky., July 13, 1813. He grew to manhood in his native State, on a farm, and in August, 1836, married Miss Mary Smithers, of the same place as himself. In 1843 the family came to Platte county. Mo., and here he lived until his death, Fol)ruary 16, 1867, following the peaceful and not especially eventful life of a farmer. He held during his career here the office of county judge four years, and also justice of the peace, serving in a manner above reproach and with great credit and honor to himself and the people generally. He left eight children : Mollie, now ]Mrs. Kirkpatrick ; David, Alice, now Mrs. Gabbert ; Perry S., Elizabeth (deceased), Amna, now Mrs. Newby ; Elvira, now Mrs. Steel, and James W., who was born August 27, 1857. The latter was reared on the family homestead, where he now lives, and which contains 160 acres of land. His entire time and attention during life has been occupied in looking after the manage- ment of this place, and his efficiency and the manner in which he has discharged his obligations are very apparent in the excellent appear- ance which it presents. Mr. Layton was married January 22, 1880, to Miss Lydia Benner, whose father was one of the oldest residents of this county. Mr. and Mrs. L. have three children: Estel, Clau was married to Miss Eliza Coleman, a native of Hamilton county, Ohio. She died January 29, 1879, leaving the following children : Mary E., now Mrs. Brown; Jeptha, J. Will, James A., Nancy, M. Dunlap (deceased), Jasper, Winfield S. and Ollie, now Mrs. P. Lol- lar. December 11, 1879, Mrs. Nancy Thompson, whose maiden name was Coleman, became his wife. She was a sister to his first wife and the widow of Andrew Thompson, to whom she was married December 26, 1833, in the State of Indiana. Mr. Thompson, originally of Loudoun county, Va., was born in 1806, and lived in his native State imtil attaining his majority. Then he removed tolndiana, and in 1837 settled in Platte county on section 5 of this township, where he owned 160 acres of land. He followed his chosen occupation here until his death, which occurred February 8, 1879. Mrs. Martin's birthplace was in Hamilton count}', O. ,Mr. M.'is now living in comparative retirement, and reaping the rewards of a life well spent in useful and ceaseless activity. JOHN W. MARTIN (Farmer, Section 2, Post-office, DeKalb). Mr. Martin, now in the prime of life, and having started out in the world for himself on reaching his sixteenth year, is numbered among the substantial agriculturists of this count}', and has just cause to be satisfied with his past career. George Martin, his father, was born in Kentucky, but moved to Alabama and thence to Tennessee, coming from there to Cooper county. Mo., and subsequently to Platte county in 1837. Therefore it can be said with truth that he was a pioneer settler of the county. After making one crop of corn he returned for his family, whom he soon brought here. The mother of John W., whose maiden name was Bates, but who was Mrs. Margaret Bowman at the time of her marriage to Mr. Martin, was a Virginian by birth. The father died in 1852, but the mother survived until 1874, when she, too, departed this life. There were eight children in their family, of whom John W. was the seventh, and he was also the fourth son. Born July 31, 1836, in Cooper county. Mo., he was very young when brought to this county, but from that time to this his history has been intimately interwoven with that of Platte. In 1853 he went to Cali- fornia and was absent for two years, but in 1855 he returned from there and has continuously and energetically given his attention to farming and the stock business. His place embraces 460 acres devoted 1108 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. to stock and ojraiu purposes. Mr. Martin is a married man, Miss Sarah Lamar having become his wife May 29, 1856. She was born in Tennessee. This union has l)een blessed with six children: Charles A., Robert L., George D., Nellie J., Myrtle L. and Joseph Lamar. THOMAS C. MONSON (^Teacher and County School Commissioner, Post-office, Weston). Mr. Mouson is a native Missourian, born near Independence, Jack- son county, April 23, 1850. His father, Hugh T. Monson, was born in Nicholas county, Ky., and his mother, ?iee Emeline E. Alley, was a native of Indiana, though having been reared in Missouri. In the early days of the Santa Fe trade the father was a prominent freighter, and had a varied experience with the Indians on the plains. He is still living, and a resident of Sullivan county, Mo. Thomas C, the sub- ject of this sketch, was principally brought up in Harrison county, and his education was received in his native State and in Kansas, this afterwards being supplemented with a course at the Denver High School of Colorado. At the early age of 17 he began to teach, and two years later he came to Platte county, where he has since followed his chosen avocation, and it is not saying too much to assert that there is not a more popular or successful teacher in Platte county. In April, 1885, he was elected county school commissioner by a large majority, a position he will no doubt fill with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of the people of the county. May 6, 1877, Mr. Mouson was married to Miss Rosetta Folsom, who was born in Platte county and educated at Camden Point. Mrs. Mouson was a daughter of Frederick W. Folsom, now a resident of Oregon and a granddaughter of J. C. Harris, of this county, mention of whom is frequently made within those pages. This union was a singularly aifectionate and happy one, and was full of promise, but on the 12th of Fel)ruary, 1884, Mrs. M. was taken away by death, leaving one son, Hugh Freddie. A lady of unusually prepossessing presence, her manners were extremely winning, and she was always most cordial . and sincere at heart. In conversation, cultured and refined, but by no means affected, she was always interesting and entertaining, and all in all she was a person of the most amiable disposition, and i)ossesscd of great fortitude and resignation. Thomas C. Monson has already reached a station in life which no worthy sketch of his life should fail to mention to his credit. In fact, hardly has he more than attained that period when his greatest activity and usefulness may be expected to be exercised. BENJAMIN F. MOORE (Dealer in General Merchandise, Sugar Lake). Mr. Moore was born in Parke county, Ind., March 18, 1847, and is the son of Jesse and Mary (Storey) Moore. His father was a Pres- byterian clergyman, who was licensed to the ministry at Mt. Gilead, Ky., in 1820, aud for ten years preached in his native State. He then HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 1109 changed his residence to Indiana, where he lived for ten years. In November, 1847, he came to the Platte Pnrchase and settled just north of the Platte county line, in Buchanan county. He died sud- denly December 4, 1847, after a very short illness and a residence here of about five weeks. His life, frona his birth until his death, was one without a tarnish. After he had decided to devote his life to the ministry, no preacher was more zealous and active in the sacred cause, and few, if any, were more successful in bringing souls to Christ. He left at his death, besides his widow, nine children, of whom eight are now living: Samuel B., James E., Preston R., Kate, now Mrs. J. C. Crooii ; Harriet, now Mrs. Risk ; William E., now a practicing physician at Easton, Buchanan county ; Thomas M. and Benjamin F. Mrs. Moore was again married in 1850 to John Smith, a native of England. Benjamin F. spent his early life on a farm in Buchanan county and resided there until 16 years of age, and then commenced his mercantile experience, which he has since continued. In 1875 he was associated with his brother and after selling goods in ditferent places, he, in 1883, came to his present location. He car- ries a full stock of goods in his line and is doing a satisfactory busi- ness. He also buys grain and produce and holds the position of postmaster. He owns, with his brother-in-law, 200 acres of choice bottom land. He was married January 19, 1877, to Miss Augusta A. Dickson, a native of Platte county. They have three children : Lena D., Inez C. and Benjamin F. Jr. Mr. M. is a member of the I. O. O. F. GEORGE D. MULLENDORE (Teacher, Post-office, Weston). Mr. M. was born in Leavenworth county, Kan., December 26, 1800. His father was born in Johnson county, Ind., and lived there until he attained his majority. In youth he learned the tanner's trade of his brother, Lewis MuUendore, and also worked at the harness making business. In 1855, moving to Kansas, he settled on a farm and made a contract with the Government for supplying the post at Leavenworth with hay. This venture proved a source of considerable profit. In 1867 he came to Platte county and purchased a farm, and he is recognized as a leader in the business of tilling the soil. He mar- ried Miss Kate May in 1857. She was born in Buchanan county. They have a family of six children. George D. ]\Iullendore is one of the best educated young men in tiiis county, having in addition to a primary course attended school at Platte City, also at the Stewarts- ville College, in which latter institution he thoroughly qualified himself for the calling of a teacher, an occupation which has been a source of great benefit to him, both as a satisfaction and pecuniarily. Since commencing to teach in this vicinity he has proved himself to be a capable and efficient instructor, in proof of which we would cite the fact of his having taught one of the best district schools in the county for three terms. This redounds more to his credit than any compli- mentary words which we might write. 1110 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. N. P. NELSON (Farmer, Fruit-grower aud Stock-raiser, Post-offlce, Wallace). The present work bears abundant evidence of the fact that in every township in these two counties ma}' be named men who would honor any community with their citizenship. On almost every page is to be found the name of some citizen whose character and intelligence justly entitle him to prominence in the industrial affairs of the county. Among others in this township is N. P. Nelson, who was born in Nor- way, February 27, 1828. His parents were Peter and Carrie Nelson, who emigrated to America, and arrived at St. Joseph, Mo., in 1847, with a family of six children, two sons and four daughters, of whom N. P. was the third child and oldest son. His brother, George Nelson, is now a farmer in Buchanan count3\ Peter Nelson, while a resident of Norwaj^ was a farmer and also a ship and boat builder by occupa- tion (the latter of which his eldest son also learned), and owned two farms, one in Hombersund, a regular ship harbor, which has room for three to four hundred ships. The coast of Norway is particularly noted for having the most and best natural harbors in the world. The second farm was situated near two fine lakes, surrounded by fine timber, mostly of oak and pine. He was owner of a ship, and went abroad to foreign countries as owner, but not as captain. He was opposed to his two sons following the sea, which they were both verv anxious to do and become sea captains. He left Norway in August, 1846, and landed in New Orleans the 9th of February, 1847, ancffrom there to St. Joseph. Previous to the war Mr. Nelson, Sr., was successfully aud quite largely engaged in raising hemp, but on account of the depredations committed during that period, he, in com- mon with others, suffered severe loss of property. He lived to the ripe old age of nearly 90 years. Young Nelson was thoroughly taught all the minor details of farm life, a calling to which he has devoted the most of his enei-gies. In 1849, during the early gold excitement of California, N. P. Nelson, in his twentj^-first year, left St. Joseph, in May, with ox- team, spent five months on the plains, arrived at Shasta City, com- menced miniug and was successful. Ceased mining, and, in company with six others, went to getting out lumber and rafts to Sacramento, and lost the whole on the river. He made a large skiff, started from Salt creek, 20 miles above Redding's, and went to Sacramento, and was one of the first white men that went through in a boat from the mountains. He was partly successful afterwards in mining, but failed in making a fortune. In 1853 he returned to Missouri and resumed work upon the farm, in Buchanan county, until 1858, when he pur- chased his present farm, of 160 acres, in Platte county, upon which he settled. Sixtj' acres of this tract are devoted to the raising of fruit, the varieties appearing in the orchard consisting of apples, pears, cherries, peaches, etc. Mr. Nelson is a successful raiser of apples, aud annually has from 3,000 to 5,000 bushels. His farm is a HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 1111 fine one, and is carried on with that intelligence, push and enterprise characteristic of the people of his native country. He owns 800 acres of land in Kansas, where he raises stock and grain, feeding about 200 head of cattle, which he ships to the markets ; and in addition to this, he is the owner of 550 acres situated within four miles of St. Joseph, and also SO acres lying one and a half miles south- west of where he now resides. Mr. N. was married in April, 1858, to Miss Enger Tomenia Hoverson, also originally from Norway, her parents having come from that country in company with the Nelsons. Mr. Hoverson was a man of good, moral and natural ability, and before coming here was a farmer, and also engaged in the lumber business. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Nelson consists of two sons and seven daughters : Katie S., wife of Harry Cox, of Kansas ; Cora Alice, and Paulina A. ; Leonora J., a teacher at the Young Ladies' Institute, at St. Joseph ; Clara May, also a teacher; George A., Laura C, Nina Pearle and Lee Roy Price. Mr. N. has a limited education, and claims that nothing but hard labor has stared him in the face since 12 years of age, but he has been amply rewai'ded for the same. He is a " Stonewall " in principle, is the same to-day as before the war — believes in the white supremacy of the Government — down on monopolists — a particular friend of the poor — belongs to the " boomers" of Oklahoma, his number is 509 — also a member of the Lutheran Church of East Norway, Kan. MERRITT L. NEWBY (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Weston). Mr. Newby is still a young man, but iu his ftirming operations and all other branches of business in which he has been interested, he has met with unusual success, a result due, doubtless, to his superior judgment and good management. In this connection we deem it projier to give a short outline of the life of his father, Nathan Newby, a Kontuckian by birth, who emigrated to Missouri and settled in Platte county in an early day of its history. He married a Miss Potts, who died, leaving four children : Juda, wife of A. J. Lovelady ; Cynthia, Eliza, wife of W. Pryer, and Mitchell. Mr. Newby subse- quently married Mrs. Nancy Lovelady, whose maiden name was Bounds, and this union was blessed with four sons: J. Henry, of De- Kalb ; Jeremiah, Alfred D. and Merritt L. The latter was born January 22, 1848, in this county, and having spent his entire life within its borders, he has an extensive acfjuaintance, among which he is recHignized as a capable, efficient and progressive young farmer and one deserving of his good success. He owns 200 acres of land, a place well improved and iu good cultivation. Deeply interested in educational matters, he has served as school director for a number of terms. Mr. Newby has given quite a good deal of attention to the raising of Poland-China hogs, which he finds a source of much profit. He is very successful in the raising of wheat, his yield per bushel eriging more than the ordinary yield in this viciuit}'. Mr. 65 1112 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. Newby's wife was formerly Miss Sarah A. Laytoii, daughter of James H. and Sarah (Sniither) Layton, of Kentucky nativity. The names of their five children are Ida G., Lulu J., Henry, Jessie and Sarah. WILLIAM KEES (Of the Firm of Rees & Dowuey, Farmers ami Fruit Growers, Post-office, Sugiir Lake), The ancestors of Mr. Rees were of Welsh origin, and emigrated to Virginia at au early day. The parents of Mr. Rees, Thomas and Mary (Hyatt) Rees, were natives of Virginia, and were among the pioneer settlers of Ohio. In this State William was born January 15, 1837. He was reared on a farm and followed it until the outbreak of the war. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. F, of the Seventh Ohio cavalry. He enlisted as a private and was promoted to be commissary sergeant. He was in many haixl-fought l)attles and several skirmishes, among the more important ones being the battles of Knoxvillo, Blue Spring, Bean Station, Franklin and Nashville. He was mustered out at Nashville in 1865, after which he returned to his home in Ohio and resumed farming. In 1867 he came to Platte county, Mo., and pur- chased, in connection with his partner, John M. Downey, their present farm, which contains 880 acres of choice land, 120 acres of wuich are set out in apple trees. Mr. Rees owns, beside the partner- ship property', 320 acres, on which is an orchard of 20 acres. Mr. Rees is recognized as one of the leading agriculturists, and one of the most pi'ominent and intiueutial citizens in tiie northwestern part of the county, and has made himself one of the substantial farmers, occupy- ing as he does a positior. in life to which not ever}' one attains who starts out in the world with advantages to make a successful career. He was married March 12, 1868, to Miss Amanda Page, a native of this couuty, and a daughter of Jesse and Emily (Plumer) Page, early settlers of this county, from Kentucky. They have six children : Mary Alice, Ida ^lay, Thomas Alfred, Emma, Jesse L. and Bertha Rees. SIDNEY RISK (Farmer, Stock-raiser, Breetler, ami Shipper, Post-office, Westou). Should it be necessary for us to determine upon the best farm to be found in Marshall township, it would indeed be a laborious task, taking it all in all, to find one l)etter adapted for all farm i)ur|)(jses than the one containing 720 acres owned by Mr. Sidney Risk. The improvements upon it are of a good class, and his time and attention are given personally to his stock interests. His stock of horses, the Pharaohs, are among the finest saddle and road horses in the county, and he also keeps a superior drove of mules. His Polan"-China hogs are surpassed by none in this vicinity, they having tak''" ' e pre- miums at the State Fair, in St. Louis, in the fall of 188^' -r 150 competitors. Besides this Mr. Risk has about 80 head of H..''jrough- bred, hiixh graded short horn cattle. He is a native born citizen HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 1113 of this county, his birth occurring September 18, 1838. His parents were Abram ami Mehndii (Davenport) Risk, both Ken- tuckians by nativity, and who emigrated here in 1837. Sidney was amongst the first, if not tlie first white child born within the present limits of Platte county. lie was brought up and educated here, hav- ing from early youth been taught the rudiments of a farmer's life. Mr. Risk has been twice married ; first, October 10, 1862, to Miss Valaria Thorp, of this county, who died in 1871, leaving five cbildren : Adella, David, Dora, James S. and William M. His second mar- riage occurred July 25, 1872, when Mrs. Harriet Gaunt, originally of Kentucky, became his wife. D. F. RISK (Farmer and Breeder of Thoroughbred Stock, Section 27, Post-office, Weston). Mr. Risk, one of the leading and progressive farmers and breeders of Poland-China hogs and thoroughbred and high grade short horn cattle, is one of the representative men of the county. His father, Abraham Risk, and his mother, Malinda, came from Kentucky to Platte county in 1837. The former was a farmer by occupation. TTo died of cholera in 18.^4 ; the mother died in 1883. The name- )t their children are as follows : Sidne}', Jessie, Paul, D. F., ^Miitrva, now iurs. Moore, and Mollie J., wife of D. Layton. D. F. wts born in this county February 14, 1848. He married Miss Calii'j J. Smith, December 25, 18()(). She is a daughter of A. G. Smith of this county. Five children have been the fruit of this marriage: Etta M., Ida G., Benjamin Bonifant Jesse and Leta Myrtle. Mr. Risk bought the first thoroughbred male short horn into this section of the county, and for years he has also maile a specialty of raising Poland-China hogs. At the fairs at St. Joseph, Kansas City and the State fair of Kansas, in 1884, he took twenty-six premiums, ten at the first named place, eleven at Kansas City and five at the Kiuisas State Fair. In 1883 he sold 130 head of stock for breeding purposes at prices ranging from $20 to $50 i)er ca])ita. At the head of his Poland-China stock is the "Choice of Butler County," an animal that attracts universal attention where- ever shown, the sire of which is valued at $400 ; however, so confident is Mr. Risk of his animal's superiority, that he would not exchange this for the sire. The farm which he occupies embraces 240 acres, a most excellent stock farm, and his barns and outbuildings are well adapted to the care of his stock. A fine barn on the place is 60x60 feet in dimensions, and beside the basement and main floor it has a capacity for 100 tons of hay. He is a leading and influential member of the Platte County Short Horn Breeders' Association and has done much for this association in an individual capacity. Mr. R. is a sub- scriber to the leading stock periodicals of the day and keeps thor- oughly posted on all matters i)ertaining to his adopted calling. It is worthy of mention in this connection that some who severely criticised Mr. Risk's experiment of paying high prices for fine stock, have subse- quently been numbered among his larg>3st customers. 1114 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. SAMUEL RISK (Farmer and Stockman, Section 27, Post-office, Weston). The family of this country of which the subject of the present sketch is an honored representative was native originally to Kentucky, and from that State branches of the family have settled in various other portions of the country. But wherever they are found they almost invariably occupy enviable positions in their respective locali- ties. It is therefore oulv as should be expected, that 'Sir. Samuel Risk is prominent among the agriculturists of this vicinity. Born on the old family homestead in Platte county. Mo., January 12, 1841, he was the son of Elkannah and Delilah Risk, nee Sewell, both Keu- tuckians by birth. They are both still living and are numbered among the very first settlers of this countj'. A native born citizen of Platte county Samuel Risk has passed his entire life within its • borders, and his career as a farmer in later years is too well known by those among whom he makes his home to necessitate any words of praise or commendation from us. Suffice it to say he has attained to a well merited success in his chosen avocation. The stock business has received a prominent share of his attention. A worthy* feature of the improvements upon his farm, and one that should be mentioned, is his excellent barn, (30x56 feet in dimensions with a self- supporting roof. For one year during the war Mr. R. served in the militia under Jackson's call. October 24, 1865, Miss Mary Benner became his wife. She had been born in this county in 1844. They have had a family of three children : William E., B. F., and Emma May. WILLIAM P. AND T. D. ROSE (Farmers, Post-office, Sugar Lake) . The men whose names head this sketch are sons of James E. Rose, a Virginian by birth, who was principally reared in Kentucky. He mar- ried Miss ivitty Robinson, ahso a native of the Old Dominion. In 1855 they came to Platte county. Mo., and here the mother died in 18(58, and the father in 1871. William P. was born in Fleming county, Ky., May 26, 1830, and for 25 years was a resident of the Blue Grass State. He was reared on a farm and jointly with his brother owns 240 acres of land. He was married in 1854 to Miss Mary F. Horton, a native of Kentuckj'. They have a family of eight children living: Robert, who married Miss Hattie Kidwell, residing in the county ; Sterling, Martha and Mary, twins ; Lula, Kittie, Thomas and William. T. D. was born in Fleming county, Ky., in 1832, and has been closely associated with his brother in his farming operations and in whose family he finds a pleasant and comfortable home. Both brothers are members of the Order of the I. O. O. F., and they enjoy in a high degree the confidence and esteem of all who know them — the highest reward that can come of a useful and up- riirht life. HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. ^^ j GEORGE RUSSELL (Farmer, Section 10, Post-office, latan). fr R -i worthy son, by nativity and life-long residence, of Mis- • • ?a son ot John iuLu, who was born in Germany. He was ;^- by occupation, and came to this county m an early day S he^-e whi^ie Geor,e was cjui.e young. H. wt|e -s fcn.neHy • Althea Tilton, a native of Mason county, Ky. At his Uearn, ae ^Te des hi^ widow, three children. Georges youth was, of ;.se s ent a hard wod. upon the farm, and he has smce followed bt'isi e s His industry and the result of his toil is seen in the da™ of lt?0 acres which he owns. Born in Platte county on y 10 1853, he is now recognized as an industrious, ^traightfo - .^lm;tn, and is succeeding bcTyond his most --S-- .^^^P- ^ ^. ; was married to Miss Martha Scott, November 16, 1882. bhe was m' n Ka . , and is a daughter of John J. Scott, who was a uative Be vvei county. Pa. He" came to Kansas at an e=u-ly day, and . w a :;iSi Atchison county, tl.at State Mi.^R^ell ^ nix^h- maiden ..ame was Margaret Jordan, .v'^o t^^'" ^Thrfam on •nul l\trs Russell have one son: Earl LeRoy. ihe laim ou -.- ;'"at, R resides is one of the first settled in this com- Sy'amlte'^S Se'highest points, as regards location, in the unty. G. W. SEEVER (Farmer, Section 3, Post-office, DeKalb). Durincr his lifetime Mr. Seever has been interested in various occu- r ;i. .11 of which, owing .; ^^^^ ^^rCh^mm t^^S i Ivm been not unsuccesstul. in loot ui. «ciiu \i\„,. i '1 carDentcr tor tne ^ame icii^i-n "' _ ^ „_., , vus a native ot Kent.akj - J'> "^ p,^^,^^ ,„,„t ,„, i.ere the Mary Davis .1" If/ %™J,, .^.vived until 1883, and died on S„-.r. M«di»' Mom-oe »n.l Kra„ci, Mnrio,,. One »„, Ambrose, d.e.l 1116 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. iu 1876. August 16, 1849, Mr. Soever was nuuried to Miss Frances J. Gray, who was born in Fleming county, Ky., as her husband alf was. Of the children born of this union four are now living: Ma, E., wife of Allen Merritt, of Kansas ; Martha E., wife of George M Adow ; George, who married Miss Dyer; Dora, wife of A. B. Folq Three are deceased : Lotta J., John W. M. and James B. M. ALBERT P. SHOUSE (Farmer uml Stock-raiser, Seclioa 24, Post-oflice, Weston). Lewis Shouse, the father of Albert, and who is now deceased, w:k well known in this section of the county as one of its most worth/ citizens. Prominent and influential in its agricultural affairs, his lid was one of more than ordinary activity, and without reproach. Originally from AYoodford county, Ky., he was married l)ere to Miss Eliza Dawson, also a native of that State, and in the fall oF 184.'> they removed to Missouri, settling in Platte county on the place now occupied by tiie subject of this sketch. The senior Shouse followed farming actively and industriously until his death, December loth, 1875. There were eight chiklreu born of that marriage, as follows : James, William, George, Maggie, now Mrs. L. Graves ; Albert, Alice, now Mrs. Chas. Evans; Lucy and Fannie, the latter two at home. The widow of Mr. Shouse is still living, and, although a lady well advanced in years, she is remarkably well preserved and unusually active and of remarkable vigor. Albert Shouse, ho whose name heads this biograi)hy, was born in Platte county, October 1, 1854, and was brought up on a farm here, obtaining such an education as could 1)6 acquired in the common schools. Ma}' 14, 1884, he was united in marriage to Miss Ellen B. Moore, a native of Buchanan county. They have one child, named J. T. Mr. Shouse is now re- siding on the old famil}' homestead of 240 acres, whore he is meeting with good success in the conduct of the )ilace. CHARLES M. SILER (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 8, Post-office, latan) . Philii) Siler, the father of the subject of this sketch, came to Platte county. Mo., in 1846. He was a farmer by occupation, and followed that calling after his settlement here up to the time of his death. He was a native of Berkeley county, W. Va., as was also his wife, who, before her marriage, was Elizabeth Robinson. They were both brought up in the State of their birth. Philip Siler died March 2, 1879, his wife's death having occurred February 5, of the same year. They left a family of four children : Jane R., now Mrs. L W. Carson ; John W., Nannie E., now Mrs. C. C. Graves, and Charles M. Mr. Siler, Sr., during his lifetime was an earnest and consistent member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, of which he wa.s also a stanch supporter; liberal in his contributions to it, ho was ever ready at all tia;.''s to aid by his money and personal efforts in the advancement of HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 1117 every cause which would tend to the moral elevation and benefit of the community. A man of correct and precise business habits, he was honest and faithful in every particular. Charles M. Siler was l)orn on his father's homestead January 12, 18.58, and though now in his twenty-eighth year, he is already recognized as one of the progressive young citizens of this township. He was reared to a farm life, and has made this occupation his adopted calling. His place contains 160 acres of well improved land, and in addition to farming in a general way he is giving considerable; attention to the raising of graded stock. Mr. Siler is a married man, his wife having formei-jy licen Miss Jennie Carson, daughter of John and Mary Carson. Their marriage took place in 1878, and to them one daughter has been born, Alma May, and also one son, LamontC, who died in April, 188.0. A. G. SMITH I i;ir:ii(;r in General Mercliandi-ie, latun;. Mr. Smith is one of the live, energetic business men of the county, and one who has been closely identified with its growth and prosperity from an early day. He is a native of Nelson county, Va., and was born June 17, 1820. His father, James E. Smith, was born in the .same State, as was also his mother, formerly Mary E. Burke. They emigrated to this State in 1841, and settled in " Fancy Bottom," Platte county, near latan. The senior Smith was a millwright by trade, and A. G. learned that business under the careful training and guidance of his father, and he lias continued at the milling business more or less since that time. In 1843 or 1844 he built what was knoMm as Smith's Mill, in Fancy Bottom, which was afterwards burned. He then erected a mill at latan, and operated it for some time, but this finally went down, and then he constructed the present mill, known as Smith's Mill. Mr. S. commenced selling goods in June, 18f)l, and it is saying no more than is well known that no merchant in Platte county enjoys more fully the confidence of the entire community. He has sei-ved the Kansas City, St. Joseph and Council Bluffs Railroad as their agent for 14 years, and has been an exftress agent for a still longer time. In 1861 he was appointed postmaster, and has held the office since that date. He owns some .'>00 acres of farming land in the county, all well adapted for agricultural purposes, ilr. Smith was married March 10, 1861, to Miss Sarah Hill, of Virginia. She died April 1.5,1864, leaving two children: Caroline J., now Mrs. D. F. Risk, and James A., with his father in business. Mr. Smith's second marriage occurred October 20, 1864, when Mrs. Malissa Dixon became his wife. Her maiden name was Ellis, and she was a native of Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. S. have one daughter, Sarah L. Mrs. Smith's first husband was Henry C. Dixon, a Kentuckian by birth. At his death he left, besides his widow, two children : Augusta, wife of B. F. Moore, and Henry C, now of Omaha, Neb. Mr. Smith is a member of tht I. O. O. F. 1118 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. ALFRED SOWARD (Farmer, Section 28, Post-office, Weston). Mr. Soward, who for over 45 years has been a resident of Phitte county, was born in Mason county, Ky., April 22, 1810. His youth was passed in his native State occupied in the duties of farm labor, and in 1839 he came to where he now resides, entering the land at that time. With his son-in-law, James H^ard, he now owns 410 acres, property well adapted to the purposes for which it is used — grain and stock-growing, etc. Mr. S. married Rachel Brewer, who came originally from Mason county, Ky., and by their marriage one daughter has been born, Addie, who l)ecame the wife of James Hoard. She died April 12, 1881, leaving four children, three sons and one daughter, Alfred FI., Anderson, Harry B. and Hortense. James Hoard, who married Miss Addie Soward, is a Kentuck- ian by birth, and a son of Anderson Hoard who emigrated from that State to Platte county, and settled at latan. He was a blacksmith by trade and conducted a large business for many years. His mother's maiden name was Ann Dougherty. She died in 1882 ; her husband's death occurred in 1844. There are five children living of this union : James, Charles, Nannie, now Mrs. Davis ; Hattie, now Mrs. Dunbar ; and Maggie, now Mrs. Smith. Mr. Soward possesses the characteristics of industry, frugality and perseverance and has succeeded in life only hy upright methods ; this, however, has enabled him to become thrifty and substantial. ELDER O. C. STEELE (Deceased). Elder O. C. Steele was born near Lexington, Ky., on the fifth day of February, 1801 ; was the oldest son of Elder Brice and Elizabeth Steele. At the age of 15 O. C. Steele left the farm upon which lie was born and M-ent to Lexington to learn the trade ot silversmitb. After serving out his time he married Miss Sarah Hill, of Lexington, Ky., and moved to Richmond, Madison county, Ky., and opened up a jewelry store, at which business he continued till the fall of 1835, when he commenced selling dry goods and groceries, at which busi- ness he remained till the year 1840. In 1841 he moved to Platte county and settled upon a farm of 553 acres, now owned by J. C. Alderson, Esq. This farm is thought to be one of the best in the county. Mr. Steele was a good farmer and kept abreast of the times. At the age of 30 years he joined the Baptist Church, of which his father, Brice Steele, was a minister, after which he commenced preaeli- ing, and continued with that denomination till the great split, as it is called, took place in the Bai)tist Church — Steele taking sides with Barton VV. Stone and Thomas and Alexander Campbell, in which faith he earnestly worked all through Kentucky, and when he moved to Platte county h"e cast his lot, with a little congregation of Christians HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 1119 at Salem, and in 1840 became pastor of that congregation, for whom he preached till the day of iiis death, which tooii place April 25, 1873. Thus passed away, in good old age, one of tiie truest and purest men of the Kefonruition — one of the hol(]est and most self-denying pioneers of tiie Christian Church. He had given his best days to his Master's work, and regretted it not in life nor in death. To the Church at Salem he had delivered more than 800 discourses. In Platte county he had immersed more than 1,200 persons, and he had married at various tiines and places more than 700 cou[)les. LEWIS N. STEPHENS (Farmer, Section 23, I'o.st-ollice, Weston). Lewis N, Stephens, the; subject of this sketch, was born in Platte county, Mo., July 24, 1849, and was a son of W. L. Stephens, a man who was known by most of the early settlers of Platte county, and who came here in the year 1839. His mother was formerly Miss Lucinda Hawkins. It is but natural to sap[)ose that a person Whose early training was that of a farmer boy should follow agricultural pursuits as his chosen calling in life in subsequent years, and so it has been with Mr. Stephens, and he now has a place of 98 acres, which, by industry, good management and economy, he was enabled to i)ur- chase some years ago. Here he is meeting with good success. July 5, 1871, he was married to Miss .Mary Kirkpatrick. A family of six children has blessed this union: William Alfred, Cora Elgie, D. Emmett, James Harvey, Lucy May, and an infant unnamed. THOMAS F. STONE (Farmer and Fine Stock-dealer, Post-office, Weston). In endeavoring to trace the genealogy of the Stone family we find that the family came originally from Wales, and the first mention of them in this country was when a representative of the family settled in Maryland. This was in a very early period of the history of that colony, and since tliat date otlier members have become scattered throughout every State in the Union. Seldom do we hear the name of Stone spoken without something is said in a complimentary man- ner of him who bears it. The grandfather of Thomas F. Stone was born in Virginia, though his jiarents were from Maryland. There his son, Elijah Stone, who afterwards became the father of the subject of this sketch, was born, being the oldest in a family of 12 children. He accompanied the father to Kentucky while yet a lad and u])on arrivijig at maturity he was married. Miss Eliza W. Foster becoming his wife. She was of English extraction, members of the family hav- ing early become identified with the material development and history of Maryland . Thomas F. Stone was born January, 1, 1821, in Kentucky, and in less than one year thereafter was deprived of his father by death. Kindly adopted by his grandfather, with whom he found a most pleas- 1120 HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. aiit home, he remained with him until the latter's death, in 1844 During this time he had grown up on a farm and from the time he was old enough to liandle a plow, has been occupied in tilling the soil In 1847 he came to Phitte county, Mo., soon purchasing the pllice whicli he still owns, land well and naturallly adapted to the raisin- of stock Ihe improvements upon the farm are especially deserving of men- tion for besides his comfortable residence he has necessaiy and com- modious structures for the care and preservation of his stock This industry he has devoted many years to, and is now meeting with o-ood success in the raising of fine short horns. His herd of 60 head comprise some of the best families known, there being representatives of the iLni- hes ot Youn- Mary, Beauties, White Rose, Fashion, Rubies and Guinn His thorough acquaintance with short horns, as well as his peculiar fit- ness for the position, caused him to be made vice president of the Short Horn Breeders Association of Platte County. Mr. Stone was mar- ried May 31, 1847, to Mary Ann Flanagan, who was born in Eno-hind She IS of Iris^i and English descent, I)ut was taken to Kentucky'wheu an infant. They have seven children living, Elijah F., an attorney of St. Louis; Walter K., of Jefl^erson county, Kan.; AVillie H of Denver, Col ; David Terrence, of Colorado ; Thomas F., Robert Lee at home, and Kate, now attending the Convent of the Sacred Heart at bt. Louis. HARVEY WELDIN (Farmer, Section 23, Post-onice, latan). 8 ^oQ-^^^^'l^-" '•' *'' "''^''''' ^^ Pennsylvania, and he was born August «,^l»db. His parents were of English-Scotch descent, and his fath- er s name was Levi A Weldin. The maiden name of his mother was Llizabeth Butler. The family moved to Illinois in 1840 and here Harvey was reared on a farm. In 1852 he came to Platte county, and from 1856 until 1862 he was principally engaged in fvei^rhfm^ across the plains. He then resumed farming anil owns 200 acres of choice bottom land of remarkable fertility. His dwelling is located on the shore of Bean's Lake. His attention in farming operations is devoted between grain, stock and fruit. He is one of the respected and substantia farmers of this section of the county, and commands the respect and confidence of his neighbors and acquaintances He Avas married OctoI,er 15, 1865, to Miss Deborah Dougherty, a native of this county. They have a family of four children : Harriet Cath- erine, George F., Sammic M., and William. ALFRED B. WOOLSTON (Farmer, Post-offlce, Sugar Lake) . Mr. Woolston is a prominent farmer in the western portion of Mar- shall township, and one of its highly respected citizens, and he is one of that class ot clear-headed, thorough-going men who succeed in life in whatever department of its activities they exert themselves. Mr Woolston has in years past had difficulties to contend with, and ^T-VTV 1121 HISTORY OF PLATTE COLNTY. encouuteved his shave of f^^^^-;^:^^,^^1:^''S^X'^ succeeded in establ shmg 1^7^f,.^;j;*^,';:''^ith those around him, upright character and kuid "ei|W 'jj^^al.n^ ^ ^^1, ^.j^^ kno^Y him. i^lrawingtohimselt theeonfide.Y^eande^^^^ ^,^^. ^^^^^.^^^ ^^ November 28, 1858, he came *" Pl'^"^" ."^^^^^^^^^ ,,,,ees.. In 1870 he he followed the fishing l'"«>"««^^^ 'o^' fo^six years, since which opened a mercanti e 1^«"^^.^"^, ^^rmin He owns 71 acres of very time he has given h.s «ttent o to fa ™ ^,^ ^^hjeh there productive hmd with good '^""f^^e imp ^^.^^ g^^^.^^l^ j_ s a choice orchard. He was maiued June 14, lo , ^^^^^ ^j^.^_ Yocum, a native of Ohio, born Ap"l 3, 1837^ ihey^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^_ dren: Annette M., who was born Ju^^^^^^^ ^ A., uary 8, 1863; John E., born Sep cmbe 24, ^J ' j^.^^ ^y. and born March 7, 1867. They have 1" ^^^^^^^^'^i^/church, and Mr. W. fVunily are members ot the M.ss^omuy B.;pt..t^^Cl. ^^ ,^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^ is connected with the A. t . and A. m- . . ^^^^^ ^rs a was Robert Woolston, a native of New Jersey, ^ ^y_^ ,j.^^ prominent merchant of V!"centown Bm m^^^ ^^. ^^^^-^^ Laiden name of his '""^her wasj^n^ette^^ ^^^.^.^^^ ancestry. Both were reared -%^;l\2eX IS^O . He was reared was born in Vineentown N J-f ^,f ^^J^^'i^^ ^ame to Iowa, where he with a mercantde expenence, ^^d » 18. ^.^^^^^^^ ^^^ Nebraska, and lived for one year, and th^^ ™=^^ ^.^ his attention to making and clerked for two yeai-s. ^^^^'^^ veiy successful. He accompanied selling claims, in ^;1^'<^.\, ^^^.^^ Jt^f and was gone for one year. Government troops to bait L,ake v^ity, o '^.■..^(-(.^■♦vP*'"^ ^Jlff^- INDEX History Of Clay County, Missouri 1885 Acliim.'-, Araminta - 433 Adams, J.H. - 200 Adams, James and Sarah A. - i:i3 Adams, Jomes F. - 428 Adams, Jas. H. - 273 Adams, Joshua - 377 Adams, Mattic - 423 Adams, Pleasant - 104, 377 Adams, Thos. - 509 Adams, Wm. - 383 Adkins, "Calhoun" - 291 Adkins, D.J. - 173, 177, 330 Adkins, Darwin - 289 Adler, Djivie - 306 Adkins, Downing O. - 291 Adkins, r<:dward - 291 Adking, Klizaheth - 512 Adkins, Emma - 226 Adkins, Leonidas - 291 Adkins, Lueinda - 300 Adkins, Robert - 289 Adkins, Wyatt - 113, 122, 282 Adkinson, James - 342 Adler, Rettie - 306 Agrieultural Society, Clay County - 182 Aimmerman, Jos. - 450 Ainsworth, R. - 277 Aker, Rettie - 399 Aker, Preston - 399, 426, 427, 509 Akers, Preston - 383, 426, 452 Akers, Rev. - 379 Albright, M.M. - 454 Albright, Daniel - 464 Albright, Eliza - 464 Albright, Wm. - 4 54 Alexander, W. L. - 217 Alleorn, Andrew - 389 AUcorn, J.M. - 383 Alleorn, James -389. 393 Alleorn, Sarah - 393 Allen, R. - 215 Allen, D.C. -92, 97, 187, 222, 288 Allen, Dewitt C. - 292 Allen, Dinah A. - 157 Allen, James - 377 Allen, Dr. John -295, 510 Allen's Landing - 118 Allen, Mary - 511 Allen, Nimrod D. - 511 Allen, O.D. - .509 Allen, Shuball - 94, 103, 107, 118, 125, 129, 292, 295, 377 Allen, Wm. - 106 Allison, Jane - 501 Allnut, Ryron - 454 Almy, Helen - 455 Almy, Hiram and Rebecca - 455 American Fu.- Co. - 118 Ammons, Henry - 152 Anderson - 224 Anderson, Amos - 427 Anderson, Rill, - 252, 254, 267 Anderson, Henry - 427, 456, 468 Anderson, John - 427. 483 Anderson, Jo;-, and Mary - 456, 462, 483 Anderson, Kitty - 499 Anderson, Margaret - ■162 Anderson, Mary - 468, 499 Anderson, Presley - 455 Anderson, Robert S. - 456 Anderson, Spencer - 455, 499 Anderson, Spencer and Catherine - 468 Anderson, T.L. - 275 Arbokl, Arabella - 450 Archer, Martha - 405 Archer, Samuel -412 Arnold, Alfred - 452' Arnold, Alvira - 450 Arnold, Franklin O. -458 Arnold, H.W. - 158 Arnold, Harriet - 450 Arnold, J.R. - 463 Arnold, Lewis and Arabella -458 Arnold, Mollie E. - 512 Arnold, Nettie - 163 Arnold, Thos. - 512 Arnold, Wm. - 458 Arhold, W.H. - 157 Arthur, Michael - 177, 285 Arthur, Turnham & Stephens - 119 Ashby, Dtiniel - 107 Askew, Daniel - 269 Atchison, Renj. A. - 459 Atehi.'on, D.R. - 136, 209, 213, 215, 380 Atchison, David R. -115, 126, 129, 156, 1.54, 169, 187 Atchison, Wm. - 459 Atkins, John - 150 Atkins, Jonathan - 404 Atkins, Robt - 141 Atkins, Wyatt - 98 Auhaha - 94 Aull, J. & R. - 119 Aull, Jas. - 100 Austin, Robt - 215 Austin, Wm. - 173 Averatt, Howard- 103, 106, 112, 377 Averett, Matthew - 106, 377 Averott, Wm. - 111, 377 Averett, Zachariah - 94, 106, 377 Babcock, Rev. - 383 Bacon, Thos. - 287, 288 Bailey, Bishop - 248, 422 Bailey, Geo. - 104 Bailey, O. George - 377 Raily, Christopher - 426 Bairibridge, D. - 281 Bainbridge, Darius - 423 B:iker, Catherine - 459 Baker, Josiah - 527 Baldwin, Andrew - 298, 379 Raldwin, Caleb - 135 Baldwin, George - 298 Baldwin, Lucy A. -501 Baldwin, Mary - 379 Rallard, J.R. - 390 Rallard, Thomas - 390 Barbour, .jphn T. - .511 Rarbout, Wrn. H. - 5li Rarger, Annie - 388 Barnard, Landa - 434 Barnard, Mary - 434 Barnes, Richards. -512 Barnhart, Robert - 439 Barnhart, Minerva - 439 Barrett, Louisa - 499 Barrett, Nancy K. - 499 Barrett, Olivia - 4 99 Barrett, T.W. - 499 Barrett,/ Wm. - 499 Barrett, Wm. M. - 160 Barlett, Angus - 256 Barthelette, Louis - 113 Barry, Patrick - 287 Bartleson, Andrew - 94 Bartleson, John - 94, 106, 114, 377 Barton, A. - 426 Baslev, Charissa - 426 Bass, Eli - 273 Basset, S.T. - 386 Bassett, ST. - 388 Baster, John - 283 Baster, Stephen - 498, 499 Bates, Barton - 244 Bauer, C. - 450 Bauman, Maria - 473 Baxter, Jas. D. - 230 Baxter, John - 100 Bay, W.V.N. - 244 Beal, Wm. - 509 Beall, Wm. N.R. - 175 Beauchamp, John - 298 Beauchamp, Robbison - 298 Beaumont, Thomas - 288 Becker, Mary - 489 Becket, Margaret - 312 Beecher, Henry Ward - 181 Beierlein, Andreas - 450 Beierlein, An. H. - 450 Beil, Jsseph - 287 Begole, John - 298 Bell, Catherine - 392 Bell, E.D. - 383 Bell, Fielding - 397 Bell, George - 383 Bell, Geo. A. - 215 Bell, John M. - 107 Bell, Sanford - 153 Bell, Sarah - 397 Bellow, John - 511 Bellow, Wm. M. - 511 Belt, George - 288 Bennett, Lewis - 168 Benson, E.A. - 386 Benson, W.C. - 388 Benton, Mourning - 502 Benton, Thos. H. - 149 Bernard, John - 428 Bernard, Sarach - 428 Bernard, Sarah - 433 Berry, John - 328 Berry, John A. - 201 Berry, Katharine - 328 gerthold Mansion - 199 est Humphrey - 95 Bethel, Bluford - 500 Bethel, Chester - 500 Bevins, David - 107, 460 Bevins, James - 322 Bevins, R.E. - 482 Bevins, T.T. - 470 Bevins, Truman and Annie - 460 Bickery - 375 Big Shoal - 94 Bigelow Brothers - 267 Bigelow, John - 248 Bigelow, Simeon G. - 248 Bigelow, Solomon G. - 230 Biggers, Major - 231 Binswanger, Solomon - 164 Birch, Jas. H. - 137, 146 Birch, Thos. C. - 130 Bird, A.N. - 281 Bird, Asa - 389, 499 Bird, Benton - 427 Bird, Greenup - 260 Bird, William - 259 Bishop, Edw. and Eliza - 461 Bishop, George - 461 Bishop, John - 465 Bishop, Kezia - 465 Bissett, James - 247 Bivens, John - 382 Bivens. Missouri - 360 Black, G.L. - 281, 499 Black, Grandison - 278 Black Hawk War - 123 Blackstone, Lavena - 423 Blackwood, Gideon - 4 88 Blackwood, William - 429 Blake - 428 Bland, H.A. - 358 Bland, James - 333 Bland, Rebecca - 333 Blank, Wm. H. - 286 Blevins. Barbara - 522 Blink, Catherine - 489 Blue Lodge - 170 Blue Mills - 208 Blue Mills Landing - 205 Blue Mills Wounded - 218 Bluffton - 95 Bogan, James - 219 Bogard, Captain - 134 Boggess, Dennis - 429 Boggess, French - 328 Boggesss, James - 429 Bogess, Price - 328 Boggs, Jos - 101, 113 Bogie, D.K. - 342 Bohart, James - 324. 379 Bond, Mr. - 451 Bond, Bradley Y. - 247 Bone, E.F. - 383 Boone, Austin - 388 Boone, Melissa - 430 Boregard, Alpheus - 430 Boregard, John - 430 Boren, Malinda - 495 Bourgmont, M. de - 90, 91 Bouton, S.W. - 184 Bower, G.M. - 273 Bowl in, Delaney - 93 Bowls, S.D. - 308 Bowman, Thos. J. - 230 Boyd, Colonel - 209 Bovles, John - 377 Bradford,, Larkin 201, 288 Bradhurst, Jacob - 511 Bradhurst, Mary D. -511 Bradley, J.W. - 379 Bradley, James - 281 Bradley, John - 278 Bradley, Samuel - 446 Bradley, T.K. - 288 Bradley, Terry - 277 Bradshaw, Mary - 370 Bradley, John 278 Brand, Jas. and Catherine - 489 Brand, Rachel - 488 Brasfield, Amanda - 3 93 Brasfield, Annie - 314 Brasfield, Eliza - 414 Brasfield, J.C. - 426 Brasfield, Jas. - 424 Brasfield, John - 288, 431, 432 Brasfield, Laura - 409 Brasfield, Leonard - 301, 324, 414 Brasfield, Thos. and Elizabeth - 431 Brasfield, Wiley - 432 Brasfield, Wm. -300, 314 Brashear, Cyrus - 347 Brashear, Roxanna - 347 Bratten - 383 Bratton, Isabella - 3 73 Bratton, James - 373 Brawner, David and Sarah - 457 Brawner, Mary J. - 457 Breckinridge, Lynn and Eleanor - 431 Breckenridge, W.A. - 129, 371 Breckinridge, Mary J. - 371 Breckinridge, Eleanor - 426 Breden, Alice - 330 Bridge, First - 1 19 Bright, Jos. - 123 Brining, Wm. - 259 Brinkmeier, Elder - 378 Brinkmeier, H. - 450 Broadhurst, John - 257, 513 Brock, John - 153 Brock, Rebecca - 396 Brock, Wirfield - 306 Bromson, Samuel - 511 Bronaugh, David T. - 514 Bronaugh, John - 514 Brooks, A.D. - 182 Brooks, Abijah - 423 Brooks, Abijah and Harriet - 436 Brooks, J.E. - 201 Brooks, .James - 438 Brooks, Louisa - 409 Brooks, M.B. - 343 Brooks, Mary - 436 Brost, John J. - 509 Brost, Mary - 509 Brown, A.S". - 336 Brown, David - 182 Brown, Elizabeth - 520 Brown, H.D, - 412 Brown, Hugh - 95, 509 Brown, J.M. - 453 Brown, John - 180, 184, 202 Brown, Jos. - 95 Brown, Shelton - 452 Brown, Wm. - 378 Browner, David - 458 Browner, Mary J. - 458 Browning, Lucy - 435 Bruene, Henry - 450 Brummett - 96 Brunly, Elder - 378 Buchanan, Rachel - 426 Buchholtz, J.W. - 450 Buckingham, Elizabeth - 440 Buckgraye, James - 377 BurlMnk, John - 277 Burden, Robt - 123 Burdenk, R.H. - 4.52 Burgess, Anna - 466 Burgess, Charlton B. - 461 Burgess, Jos. - 462 Burkhead, S. - 333 Burnam, Joel - 129 Burnet, George - 123 Burnett, Geo. - 112 Burnett, Peter H. - 126 Burnette, Amanda - 525 Burnham, C.N. - 388 Burnham, Jas. A. - 215 Burns, James - 233, 287 Bums, Jane - 509 Burns, Jeremiah - 509 Burns, Lewis - 149 Burris - 280 Burris, David - 302 Burris, L.W. - 177, 186, 225, 233, 289, 381 Burris, Luke W. - 191, 255, 301 Buster, Chas. W. - 514 Buster, Jas. J. - 514 Buxton, Wm. - 390 Byrd, Greenup - 233 Byrd, M - 432 Byrd, Wm. and Mary - 432 Cain, Robert - 115 Caffrey, John J. - 287 Caldwell Home Guards - 530 Caldwell, Mrs. Robert - 385 Calhoun, A.J. - 168, 204, 206, 222, 229, 237, 257. Calhoun, Alexander - 303 Calhoun, Samuel -305 Calhoun, Thos. - 395 Call, James - 209 Callaway, John W. - 164 Callaway, Peter - 428 Callerman, Bass - 509 Callerman, John - 509 Calvert, Captain - 2.54 Cameron - 183 Campbell, Albert - 388 Campbell, Alexander - 286 Campbell, Elizabeth - 520 Camron, Elisha - 377 Campbell, James - 133, 134 Campbell, Louisa - 330 Campbell, Nancy - 466 Campbell, Samuel W. - 520 Campbell, Thos. - 94 Campbell, Wm. - 94, 116, 383, 515 Camron, Elisha - 95, 103, 115, 123, 352, 376, 377, Camron, Jonathan - 106, 377 Capitol Mills - 520 Capp, Captain - 219 Capps, John - 182 Caples, W.G. - 287 Carey, Anna - 218 Carey, Daniel - 318 Carpenter, Amos - 515 Carpenter, Benj. 153 Carpenter, Dan - 509, 515 Carpenter, Paley - 152 Carpenter, Wm. - 516 Carr, Dabney - 106 Carrell, John - 106 Carroll, James - 377 Carroll, John - 377 Carroll, Nancy - 403 Carter, Mr. - 457 Carter, Rev. - 383 Carter, Richard - 391 Carter, S.H. - 389 Carthage, Battle of - 205 Carthrae, Chas. - 119 Carson, Wm. - 273, 274 Casey, Eli - 283, 380 Case, Thos. - 288 Catherwood, Colonel - 224 Catheroood, E.C. -223, 253 Cates, Richard - 205 Cave, Elizabeth - 494 Cave, Urial and Susan - 494 Cave, Uriel - 451 Celvinger - 388 Cerry, Jas. & Catherine - 509 Cever, J.C. - 453 Chancellor, Elizabeth - 413 Chancellor, James - 413 Chancellor, John - 323 Chandler, Mary - 530 Chancy, Nathan - 107 Chancy, Richard - 106 Chaney, Sallie - 472 Chanslor, Anderson - 152 Chapman, A.L. - 383 Chapman, John - 377 Chauncey, John - 282 Chevis, Thos. - 222, 286 Childs, Colonel - 208 Charlston, S. - 383 Chisis, Annie - 509 Chisis, Thos. - 509 Chorn, James - 144 Chouteau, F. P. - 100, 114 Chouteau, Pierre - 93 Christy, J.C. - 141 Chrisman, John - 259 306 Chrisman, Joseph - 306 Christa, Ellen - 423 Christa, Wm. - 423 Churchill, Samuel - 187 Childs, Kit - 224 Clack, S.S. - 255 Clardy, G.C. - 423 Clardy, G.W. - 426 Clardy, Giles - 433 Clardy, J.B. - 433 Clardy, Wm. - 426 Clark, Benj. - 153 Clark, Uncle Dick - 496 Clark, Edw. - 449 Clark, Finis - 376 Clark, Giles - 423 Clark, Hannah - 516 Clark, James G. - 307 Clark, James H. - 307 Clark, Jesse - 271 Clark, John - 208, 454 Clark, Philip - 287 Clark, Richard - 499 Clark, Samuel - 516 Clark & Wilson - 141 Clark, Wm. - 92, 308, 324, 450 Clary, Norman - 433 Clause, Emma - 456 Clause, Geo. and Elizabeth - 456 Clay, H.B. - 423 Clay, Henry - 98 Clay, S.G. -509 Clay Co. Savings Assn. - 259 Clements, Arch - 247, 269 Clemson, James - 93 Clevenger, B.B. - 386 Clevinger, Jasper - 416 Clipper Newspaper - 452 Cloud, Martin - 142 Clover, H.H.A. - 244 Cobb, Jesse - 357 Cobb, Mary - 357 Cockrell, Francis M. - 309 Cockrell, Judson - 309 Cockerel!, Yard - 228 Coffee, John T. - 228 Coffman, David - 248 Cole, Zerelda - 266 Coleman, Henry - 287, 288 CoUett, Jos. - 115 Collier, John - 230, 377 Collins, Amelia - 226 Collins, Elizabeth - 458 Coolier, James -328, 377 Collins, Jesse - 336 Coolins, Jno. W. - 152, 383 Collins, S.N. and Jane - 458 Collins, Wm. - 377 Colly, Patton - 253 Colly, Colston, Jas. - 250 Com'bs, J. - 388 Combes, Mary - 523 Compton, Gershom - 100 Confederates - 221 Conger, Lou M. - 529 Conington, Thos. - 152 Conlcy, Di-. - 376 Conn, John and Elizabeth Conn, Mary - 470 Conway, Dr. - 283 Conrow, Aaron H. - 200 Cook, E.C. - 460 Cook, Georgia - 493 Cook, James and Lucy - 193 Cooley, Frank - 380 Cooley, Jennie - 523 Cooper, Ben - 256, 257, 512 Cooper, Mary - 512 Copelin, Andrew - 106 Corbin, B.B. - 289 Corbin, Benjamin - 310 Corbin, Dr. - 356 Corbin, Lucy - 356 Corbin, Ovid - 310 Corbin, W.H. - 289 Corneulius, Absalom - 377 Cornelius, Benj. - 377 Cornelius, John - 377 Corum, Alfred - 257 Corum, Bersheba - 422 Corum, Eleanor - 423 Corum, James - 257 Corum, Nancy - 429 Corum, W.C. - 386 Corum, Wm. - 422 Costello, James - 462 "Cottage Home"- 385 Cotton, Caltha - 362 Cotts, Abram - 377 Couch, J.C. - 261 Courtney, ArchilbaUi - 311 Courtney, A.C. - 173 Courtney, John - 31 1 Courtney, Jos. - 141 Courtney, Joscphus - 403 Co.x, Angeline - 252 Coryell, Lucy - 452 Crabster, Edward - 152 Cracker's Neck - 197 Crafton, Eli - 312 Craig, Benj. - 509 Craig, H.K. - 198 Craig, R.R. - 275, 276 Crasford - 383 Craven, Emily - 4 52 Cravens, C.L. - 386 Cravens, Dr. - 451 Crawford, A.B. - 427 Crawford, Alex B. - 434 Crawford, Captain - 129 Crawford, Mary - 96, 280, 476 Crawford, Nathan - 463 Crawford, Smith - 125, 463 Crawford, Vincent S. - 160 Creek, Abraham - 106, 107, 114, Critchfield, Elliott - 218 Croach, W.A. - 388 Crockett, David - 377 Crockett, Jos. - 377 Cronin, Lucinda - 488 Grouse, CM. - 510 Crow, Mattie - 423 Crow, Sarah - 423 Crowley, Captain - 204 Crowley, G.W. - 201 Crowley, Lide - 388 Crowley, Sam - 271 Croysdale, Abraham - 119 Crump & Thompsom - 183 Cruzat, Francisco - 91 Cullen, Peter - 287 Culver, H.C. - 267 Culver, Dr. Henry - 303 Cummons, Wm. - 296 Cunningham, - 284 Cunningham, Hannah O. - 144 Cunningham, Oliver H. - 144, 183 Curd, Mundy - 467 Curd, W.A. - 281 Curtis, Cyrus - 287 Cusick, Pat - 164 Cutler, A. P. - 453, 454 Cutler, S.L. - 4 53 Dagley - 271 Dagley, Bettie - 504 Dagley, Ellen - 413 Daelev. James - 377 Dailev, Alvis - 247 Dale,' Mary - 146 Dale, R f.R. - 163, 255 Dale, Timothy - 449, 453 Dale, Weekley - 126, 449, 450 Dallis, George - 449 Damon, George - 313 Darby, Lon - 510 Darby, Mary A. - 529 Daugherty, S.P. - 528 Davenport, Mary E. - 435 Davenport, Wm. - 152, 201 Davidson, Martha - 404 Davis, Albert - 152, 408 Davis, Easter - 509 Davis, Edther - 509 Davis, Harmon - 114 Davis, Henry - 383 Davis, Herman - 458, 509 Davis, Hermon -' 114 Davis, John - 93 Davis, Jos. - 452 Davis, Lucy - 408 Davis, Maggie - 356 Davis, Samuel and Eliz-a - 313 Davis, Sarah - 230 Davis, W.H.H. - 408 Davis, Wm. Sr. -S77 Davis, William H.H. - 313 Davis, Wm. T. - 230 DeBerrv, Alwilda - 432 De Berry, J.D. - 426 De Berry, J.D. and Mary - 426 421 DeBerry, John - 432 DeCourcey, Thos. W. - 139 Dean, Henry Clay -187 Dean, John - 94 Dearborn, J. A. - 286 Decier, Moses and Malinda - 495 Decker, Martha - 4 95 Denham, Silas - 479 Denny, George - 314 Denny, John - 314, 365 Denny, Ualtic - 365 Denton, ''onathan - 377 Dever, Alexander - 257 Dever, Arthur - 257 Devlin, Joseph - 383 Dibble, M. - 177 Dickerson, Elizabeth - 423 Dickey, J.C. - 386 Dicky, Sarah - 469 Diester, Christopher - 527 Dill, David H. - 212 Dillingham, Henry - 342 Dillingham, Elizabeth - 342 Dillon, Matthew - 287 Dillon, Wm. - 388 Diner, H. - 450 Ditto, Abraham - 464 Ditton, Eliza - 461 Ditto, Eliz. - 476 Ditto, J. P. - 476 Ditto, Jos. - 464 Ditto, Wm. - 464 Divine, Matthew - 437 Divine, E.A. - 437 Dobbins, Johanna - 4 94 Dockery, W.E. -287, 383 Dodge, Wm. O. - 219 Doniphan, A.W. - 126, 129, 134, 136, 160. 177. 182. 191. 192. 194, 195, 200, 20 , 225, 274, 275, 276 Doniphan, Alex. - 140, 293, 296, 345 Doniphan, Alex. W, - 142 Doniphan, John - 233 Donovan, Elza - 392 Doniphan, Gen. - 285 Donnelly, Bernard - 287 Donovan, E.P. - 383 Donovan, J.M. - 383 Donovan. James - 392 Donovan, Park - 240, 247 Dolley, Samuel - 509, 517 Dougherty, Hannah - 316 Dougherty, John - 136, 172, 173, 317, 319 Douffhertv. L.B. -207. 220 Dougherty, Lewis B. - 397 Dougherty, Major - 93 Dougherty, O'Fallon - 219 Dougherty, Robert - 316 Dougherty, Taylor - 152 Dougherty, W.W. -286, 288 Dougherty, Wm. and Ellen - 316 Dougherty, Wm. W. -315 Dluglas, Geo. and Jane - 427 Douglass, John W. - 164 Downing, Chas. - 323 Downing, Eliza - 371 Downing, Joseph -454 Downing, Sarah - 323 Drnoer, Benj. - 177 Drew, Washington W. - 518 Drohan, Wm . F. - 287 Drum, R.C. - 102 Drumhiller, Captain - 224 Dr7den, John D.S. - 244 Dryden, Milton - 257 Dryer, H. - 450 Duane, D.J. - 218 DuBois - 90 Ducker's Ferry - 133 Dudley, James W. - 412 Dudley, Katie - 412 Duggen Nancy - 477 Dulin, E.S. - 276, 277 Dunbar, James - 130 Dunbar, James - 128 Duncah, Alex - 116, 426, 482 Duncah, Annie - 438 Duncan, D.T. - 452, 494 Duncan, David - 451 Duncan, Helen - 426 Duncan, J. W. - 201 Duncan, Jas. - 120, 421 Duncan, Jennie - 482 Duncan, Mary - 325 Duncan, Stephen and Amelia - 438 Duncan, Stephen C. - 434 Duncan, Theo. - 201, 202, 203 Duncan, Wm. - 146, 421 Dundee Company - 519 Dunkerson, Cincinnati - 511 Dunkin, D.T. - 452 Dunn, Geo. W. - 222, 245 Dunn. J.C. - 204 Dunn. John - 168, 201 Dunn, John C. - 188 Dunn, John H. - 386 Dunn, Judge - 199 Dunsworth, Mrs. Jackson - 530 Dupuy, Bartholomew - 505 Duval, James - 281 Duvall, James - 378 Dyke, John - 123 Dj'kes, John - 450, 489 E^kes, John and Susan - 489 Earickson, Peregrine - 107 Early, Whitfield - 219 Easham, Elizabeth - 341 Eastin, James - 464 Eastin, John - 479 Eastin, R.J. and Nancy -466 Easton, Bushwakker - 235 Eaton, James R. -278, 319 Eaton, Madison - 494 Eby, Adam - 453 Ecton. Elizabeth - 426 Ecton, John - 256, 328, 422 Edwards, John - 4 50 Edwards, P.N. - 281 Edwards, Pres. N. -380 Eichenberger, J.J. - 450 Elby, Adam - 454 Elgin, G.S. - 382 Elgin, S. - 383 Ellet, Jas. - 153 Ellington, "Pelig" - 116 Elliott, A. IS.. - rA'l Elliott, Arthur - 519 Elliott, Edward - 519 Elliott, Geo. - 378 Elliott, Hattie G. - 519 Elliott, James - 341, 519 Elliott, Lewis - 518 Elliott, Margaret - 519 Elliott, Peter - 378 Elliott, R.B. - 452 Elliott, Zachary - 519 Ellis, A.C. - 187 Ellis (Died in California Gold Rush) -153 Ellis, Sidney L- - 525 Ellison, Elizabeth - 442 Elmore, Rush - 175 Elston, B.F. - 501 Ely & Curtis - 100, 111 Ellis, John - 275 Ely, Lewis B. - 27S El'zea, G.W. - 510 Emerson, A.J. - 281, 454 Endicot, Margaret - 519 Endicott, Catherine - 509 Endieott, W.M. - 427 England, J.C. - 466 England, J.W. - 4S9 England, James and Nancv - 4(;r) English, Chas. - 108 English, John - 509 English, Jonathan - 509 English, Polly - 509 Enlow, Rebeeca - 438 Enlow, Thomas and Sarah - 438 Enterprise-Richtield - 173 Eorphage, H. - 450 Erastus, Wm. - 3 77 Essex & Hough - 100, 105 Esles, America - 313 Estes, Anderson - 153 E=tcs, Dinita - 4 88 Estes, Eliz. - 312 Estes, F.O. - 427 Estes, Geo. - 153 Estes, Henry - 94, 9.S, 115, 122, 173, 282, 312 Estes, Henry and Lueinda - 150, Estes, Joel and Rachel - 450 Estes, Mill - 111 Estes, Peter - 94 Estes, Sarah - 201 Estes, Thos. -94, 105, 106, 11: 152, 322 Estes, W.W. - 152, 313 Estes, Wm. & Joel Mill - 101 Estes, Wm. and Lainda - 301 Estes, Wm. W. - 322 E\ans, Amanda - 515 Evans, James C. - 519, 520 Evans, John - 104, 106, 114, 115, Evanf, R.P. - 204 Evans, Richard - 329 Evans, Wm. - 515 Evans, Wm. B. - 519 Everett - 286 Everett, T. - 383 Everts, Ben R. - 230 Ewing, Finis - 323 Ewing, J.B. - 323 Ewing, John D. - 140 Ewing, Robert C. - 323 Ewing, Thos. J. - 240 Falconer, Eliza U. - 342 Falconer, Nelson - 342 Far West Newspaper - 284 Farbis, J. F. - 191 Farr and Woolbridge - 164 Farrar, Benj. - 198 Faubion, Melinda D. - 513 Faubion, Jacob - 513 Faucett, Martha - 419 Feigat, Louis - 450 Ferguson, Lueinda - 441 Ferguson, Wm. - 389 Ferries - 101 Ferrill, Daniel - 119 Dcrrill, David - 449 Fetts, J.J. - 499 Field, J.T. - 237 Field, Jas. T. - 259 Field, Joseph - 308, 393 Field, Joseph Thoi-nburg - 323 Field, Mary - 309 Field, Thos. - 393 Fields, Lina - 428 Fields, ^ewton - 383 Fields. Susan - 446 Fillery, E. - 4 50 Finley, John M. - 146 Finley, Travis - 98, 114, 498 Fish," B.C. -386, 393 Fish, Hamilton - 394 Fish, Samuel - 394 Fisher, Merritt - 383 Fisher, R. - 168 Fitch, John and Sarah - 469 Fitch, Maggie - 469 Fitzgerald, Richard - 453 Fitzgerald, Theodoric - 426 Flack, J.V.B. - 384, 385, 386, 395 Flack, M.S. - 388 Fleet; A.F. -278 Fleming, R.W. - 182 Fleming, Samuel - 428 Fleming, Dolly - 528 Flemming, Lt. -232 Fleming, P. - 120, 507 Flemming, R.W. - 229 Flemming, Robt. - 243 Flemming, Robt. W. - 240 Fletchei\ Jeffrey -377 Foley. Elijah - 396 Foley, Henry C. - 396 Foley, James - 287 Follett, King - 135 Ford, Austin - 501 Ford, J.H. - 221, 251 Ford, Mrs. J.H. - 256 Ford, Jailer - 206 Ford, James D. - 324 Ford, Jnmes H. - 325 Ford, Robert A. - 500 Force, A.T. - 173 Forre, Asa T. - 172 Foree, Jos. - 464 Force, Martha - 464 Foreighner, Adam - 4 70 Fort Leavenworth - 102 Foster, Eleanor - 509 Foster, John - 509 Foster, John A. - 523 Foster. Missouri A. - 523 Foster, Susan - 509 Fowler, Chas. - 4 50. Fowler; John - 397 Fowler, Joseph and Mary - 397 Fowler, Robt. Y. - 106 Fowler, William - 396 Frafenstein, Lieut. -381 Fraher, James - 287, 325, 355 Fraher, Michael - 287 Fraher, Philip - 287, 325 Fraher, Thomas - 325, 326 Frame, Thos. - 452 Frampton, James and Elizabeth - 4( Frampton, Martha - 461 Francis, Pearle - 327 Francis, Sarah - 372 Francis, Wm. J. - 327 Franker, G.W. - 385 Frazer, J. F. - 383 Frazer, Mary Ann - 325 Frazer, Thos. - 325 Frazier, J.S. - 287 Frazier, John - 316 Frazier, Mary - 316 Free, Elizabeth - 378 Free Soil - 171 Frey, Margaret - 379 Frick, John H. - 471 Frick, Nicholas - 450 Fritzlen, Cynthia - 365 Froman, M.G. - 385 Frost, Elijah - 111 Frost's Ferry - 101 Frost, Thos. - III Fry, Abram - 380 Fry, Margaret - 416 Fry, Solomon - 95, 119, 123 Fugate, Hiram - 115 Funk, Chas. - 397 Funk, J.R. - 510 Funk, John and Nancy - 436 Funk, Jonathan - 435 Funk, Mary - 396 Funk, Richard -379, 397 Futsle, Mary - 290 Gamble, Hamilton R. -106, 220, 228 Gano, Daniel - 381 Gardner, Eenl. - 521 Gardner, Frank - 520 Gardner, John - 520 Gardner, Vernon - 521 Garlichs & Hale - 141 Garlichs, F. - 155 Garner, J.C. - 186 Garnett, W. C. - 278 Garret, Wm. P. and Angeline -467 Garrett, A.S. - 454 Garrett, Ambrose - 467 Garrett, Berryman - 388 Garrett, Jackson- 499 Garrett, L.B. - 499 Garrett, L.P. -386, 388, 454 Garrett, L.W. - 386 Garrett, Laban - 100, 111, 252 Garrett, W. P. - 454 Garrison, Flavel - 305 Garth's Militia - 250 Garth, Captain - 234, 235, 524 Garth, W.G. - 229 Garth, W.W. - 237 Garth, Wm. G. - 201, 230, 328 Garvey, W.S. - 229 Gash, O.P. - 383 Gash, Dellie C. - 521 Gash, Henry Hill - 521 Gash, Jos. D. - 516, 521 Gash, M. Lee - 521 Gash, Pauline - 516 Gash, T.K. - 205 1 Gashwiler, Susan - 366 Gasney, Thos. -331, 455 Gates, John P. - 106 Gatewood, Julia - 299 Gaur, Margaret - 378 Gaw, Frances - 486 Geib, Christopher - 329 Geib, John - 329 Gentry, David and Lousa - 44' Gentry, Druggist - 440 Gentry, Jane - 4 96 Gentry, Martha - 442 Gentry, Richard - 124 George, Alwilda - 390 George, Bailey - 104 *^T9T' ^''''"•^' ""'' "Jemima Withers- George, George Washington - 397 George, Wm. - 390 Germans, St. Louis - 204 Gibbons. Dinah - 509 Gibbons, Thos. - 509 Gibbs, Luman - 135 Gilberth, Jane - 497 Gilberth, Jos. and Mar>' - 497 Gill, David P. - 509 Gill, E.G. - 400 Gill, Henry - 153 Gill, Julia"- 378 Gill, T.Y. - 383 Gill, Thos. Y. - 380 Gillam. Robert 377 Gillespie, A. - 188 Gillespie, George - 330 Gillespie, J. W. - 201 Gillespie, James - 329 Gillespie, Jas. A. - 207 Gillespie, Jas. W. -212, 215 Gilliam, Cornelius - 94, 121 280 376 Gilliam, Jesse - 103. 104, 105, 111 Gilliam, Letitia - 367 Gilmer, R.G. - 380, 381 Gilmer, Robert - 381 Gilmore, James - 103, 111 Gilmore, - 376 Gilmore, James- 95, 280 Gilmore, Robert - 95, 280, 289 Gilpin, Wm. - 143 Gittings, Darius - 255. 259 Giros, Armorer - 196 Givinner, F. - 257 Gladdin, Jas. - 106 Glasscock, Sampson - 388 Glover, Samuel - 275 Golmer, R.J. - 413 Goodson, John - 423 Goodwin, Joseph -331 Goodwin, Wm. - 331 Gordon, B.T. - 423 Gordon, C.H. - 251 Gordon, John - 288 -9- Gordon, Judge - 358 Gordon, T.C. - 177, 225, 240 Gordon, Thos. - 332 Gordon, Thomas C. - 255 Gordon, Wm. F. - 331 Gorlich, Frederick - 288 Gosney, Bettie - 4 57 Gosney, Fielding - 468 Gosney, John - 427 Gosney, Richard - 467 Gosney, Sutan - 468 Gofney, T.M. - 450 Gosney, Thos. - 457, 467 Gosney, Thos. M. - 173 Gosneyville - 427, Gow, Elizabeth - 4 97 Grafenstein, U. - 266 Gragg, Samuel - 119 Gragg (Killed in California Gold Rush) - 153 Graham, F.IW. - 427 Graham, J.D. - 386 Grant, John - 205 Grant, Nathaniel - 196, 198 Grant, P.B. - 286 Grant, Peter - 288 Grant, Samuel M. - 153 Gravenstein, U. - 235, 236 Graves, Franklin - 281 Graves, T.H. - 389 Gray, James - 107 Greason, Gideon - 469 Greason, W.O. - 4 54 Greason, Wm. O. - 468 Green, Duff - 109 Green, James S. - 187, Green, John R. - ■>?.<:., 237 Green, Major - 236 Green, Martin E. - 208 Greene, Henry - 377 Greene, Lewis - 377 Greenfield, Samuel G.T. - 436, 479 Gregg, David - 106 Gregg, Hannon - 336 Gregg, Josiah - 336 Greggy, Margaret - 336 Gregory, Jane - 307 Griffith", Annie - 393 Griffith, James - 393 Grigssby, Catherine - 359 Grigsby, Charlotte - 332 Grimes, Joel - 423 Grimes, John - 426 Grimes, Lizzie - 423 Grimes, Louis - 423 Grimes, Lucinda - 426 Grimes, Ruth - 423 Grimes, Sallie - 423 Grimshaw, Owen - 224 Grisby, Wm. - 286 Groom, A. - 281 Groom, Amos and Sallie - 472 Groom, Jacob - 93 Groom, Jane - 281 Groom, John - 452 Groom, John S. - 142, 207, 334 Groom, Joseph - 334, 336, 397 Groom, Mary J. - 472 Groom, Michael - 226 Groomer, Elizabeth - 450 Grooms, Captain - 231 Grooms, Isham - 377 Grooms, James - 306, 353 Grooms, John - 353 Grooms, Jos. - 95 Gromes, Pheoba - 402 Grooms, Wm. - 428 Groesbeck, John - 219 Grubbs, E.M. - 383 Grubbs, Hardin and Elizabeth - 399 Grubbs, Judson - 3 99 Guernsey, Otis - 426 Guitar, O. - 240 Gumm, John - 1 15 Gwinn, Berryman - 377 Hadley, Catherine - 334 Hadley, Samuel - 141, 146, 334 Haggerty, Thos. - 140 Hagner Bribe - 196 Hale, Jas. E. - 114 Halfacre, Geo. - 104 Halferty, J.D. - 386 Hall, Ailsey - 281 Hall, Anna - 338 Hall, Bill - 252 Hall, Edw. V. - 377 Hall, Elisha - 105, 106, 281 Hall, Eliza - 290, 430 Hall, G.D. - 4 52 Hall, James E. - 377 Hall, John - 105, 338 Hall, Sarah - 405 Hall, W.A. - 288 Hall, Willard P. - 137, 144, 222 Hall, Wm. - 103, 104, 452, 485 Halloway, Colonel - 203 Ham, Ann - 509 Hamilton, David - 107 Hamilton, Henry - 454 Hamilton, Robert - 428 Hamlin, Alive - 438 Hamoton, Wade - 358 Hancock, Benj. - 101 Hancock, James - 177 Hand, G.R. - 509 Hand, S.R. - 423 Hanley, Thos. - 276 Hannibal & St. Louis - 183, 262 Hardin, Chas. - 221 Hardin, Chas. H. - 191 Harding, Chester - 267 Hardwick, Mrs. - 381 Hardwick, S.H. - 257, Hardwick, Samuel - 187 Hardwicke, Ale.N - 377 Hardwicke, Eliz. - 380 Hardwicke, John - 107, 377 Hardwicke, Lewis - 377 Hardwicke, Philip - 336 Hardwicke. Sam - 288, 336, 355 Harlem - 508 Harmon, Jacob - 470 Harmon, .John - 389, 470, 488 Harmon, John T. - 469 Harmon, Margaret - 488 Harmon, Reese and Nancy - 470 Harpe, Big & Little - 127 Harper, John D. - 343 Harper, Thos. - 342 Harrel, Mr. - 284 Harrington, Susan - 407 Harrington, Thos. - 407 Harris, Alida - 452 Harris, George - 452 Harris, John - 95, 103, 106 Harris, O. - 388 Harris, Josephine - 485 Harris, Lura - 478 Harris, Marion - 378 Harris, Mary - 490 Harris, O.G. - 450 Harris, O.H. - 202 Harris, Solomon - 485 Harris, Susan - 378 Harris, Thos. A. - 208 Harris, Tyree - 274 Harris, Wm. - 478 Harrison, Henry - 206 Harrison, Lennie - 350 Harrison, Jason - 273 Harrison, M.C. - 350 Harsell, A. - 186 Harsell, Anthony - 116, 125, 202, 229, 280, 299, 448 Harsel, Captain - 231 Hart, Joe - 234, 235 Hartet, Abraham and Anna - 471 Hartel, Frederick - 450, 470 Hartel, Peter - 450 HaskiU. Mrf . S.J. - 325 Hassel, John G. - 495 Hatcher, T.E. - 274 Hawkins, Alfred - 128, 130 Hawkins, B. F. - 182 Hawkins, John C. - 471 Hawkins, Nancy - 441 Hawkins, Wm."- 452, 471 Haves, Benj. - 139 Hayes, Fannie - 437 Havnes, Milliner - 225, 259 Hays, G.H. - 427 Healy, Daniel - 287 Hedges, James - 286 Hedges, P. - 388 Hedges, James and Nancy - 450 Hehner, Peter - 450 Heinz, Christina - 474 Heisinger, Mr. - 267 Heisinger, Unionist - 267 Henderson, Geo. - 472 Henderson, Samuel - 202 Hendley, Judge - 283 Hendlv, John - 120 Henry, James - 377 Henscly, Sam - 377 Henslcy, Benjamin - 94 Herald of Freedom - 424 Herbert, Johannah - 325 Herndon, Eliza - 426 Herndon, Emeline - 426 Herndon, S.P. - 426 Herndon, Wiley - 380, 382 Hessel, Conrad - 450, 473 Heseel, Jacob - 473 Hessel, Jacob - 450 Hetherly, Ann - 127 Hetherly, George - 127 Hetherly, Jenny - 127 Hetherly, Thomas - 127, 128 Hetherly War - 127 Hezner, Alma - 433 Hezner, Dr. J.L. - 433 Hiatt, James - 280 Hickman & Lamme - 100, 111 Higgason, A.E. - 509 Hicks, Catherine - 455, 468 Higbee, Elias - 135 Hightower, James - 452 Hill, Elizabeth - 496 Hill, Henry -281, 378, 418, 450 Hill, James - 378 Hill, Richard - 94, 106, 280 Hinkle, G.W. - 134, 135 Hinkston, Harlow - 499 Hinton, I.T. - 273 Hixon's Mill - 101 Hixon, Mr. - 283 Hixon, Thos. - 95 Hixson, Henry B. - 152 Hixson, J. H._- 152 Hixson, Jasper - 153 Hixson, Jasper M. - 152 Hobbs, Albert - 218 Hodge, Annie - 363 Hodge, Di-. John - 363 Hoff, Barbara - 471 Hogen, Louisana - 278 Hodges, Judge - 474 Hodges, W.V. - 406 Hoges, Wm. - 378 Hodges, John - 474 Hodges, Mary - 406 Hogrefe, H. - 450 Hogrefe, Henry - 378 Hogrefe, Heinrich - 450 Holdes, Thos. - 378 Hollenbeck, Miss - 476 Hollingsworth, Elias - 486 HoUingswoth, Eliza - 486 Hollingsworth, Geo. - 205 Hollingsworth, Samuel - 499 HoUoway, Mary Ann - 506 HoUowav. Silencer - 506 Holmes, David - 377 Holmes, S.H. - 2G0 Holt, Jerry - 454 Holt, John - 381 Holt, Captain - 204 Holt, Jerry - 453 Holt, John B. - 475 Holt, Mrs. - 388 Holt, P.G. - 385, 386, 388 Holt, Phil - 386 Holt, Rolla - 385 Holt, Wm. - 454 Holton, J.B. - 385 Holzbeirlein, Elder - 378 Holtzclaw, Archibald - 115, 427 Holtzclaw, Franklin - 427 Holtz.claw, Peter - i:!4, 427 Homer, Wm. - 153 Hood, Robert - 100, 105, 111 Hope, Thos. - 386 Horner, David - 522 Horner, Joseph - 522 Hough, Harrison - 193 Houser, Christian - 107 Houston, John - 380 HowdesheU, Margaret - 90, 97, 280, 375 llubliMch, Mary - 348 lluhh.ird, James - 325 Huhhard, Moses - 493 Huhhard, R.G. - 224 lluliheli, W.D. - 274 Hublile, Wm. D. - 151 Huddleston, Susan - 30(; Hudson, Belle - 341 Hudson, J.M. - 341 Hudtison, Nancy - ■i34 Huey, James - 388 Huff, Mary - 353 Huffal'^'^:^v^.- ^ .^rrr;^' .tV' . « '°^ -'>iS^V Deacidilied using the Bookkeeper process. AUb egg h I \ ' PRESERVATION fHCHNOLOGlES LP |U I ^ 111 Thomson Park Drive i^S^'-: o V ^0' rO- A^^ ,0 r ...., "-> .0^ _ V'^-;,^' "b V •■^ '-Sij^ii^^' ^^^v c^\^::^:; A^ . <-.