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I - FIRY
SH
IRY
COMPENDIUM
OF
History and Biography
OF
LINN COUNTY MISSOURI
ILLUSTRATED
A people that take no pride in the noble achievements of remote ances- tors, will never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote generations .- Macaulay.
CHICAGO HENRY TAYLOR & CO. Publishers, Engravers and Book Manufacturers HENRY TAYLOR, Jr. WM. H. BINGHAM
COPYRIGHT 1912 BY HENRY TAYLOR & CO.
0 4
--
9
FOREWORD
EVERY age, every race and every part of every new country inseribes itself with greater or less distinctness on History's dial. Linn county, Missouri, has written and is writing its record on the immortal page; and while this is neither a loud-sounding nor a sentimental inscription, it is one engraved in large and enduring phrase, creditable to the people who have made and are making it, and altogether inter- esting and valuable in the chronicles of our common country.
Tragedy has shown its dark and heavy hand in this story. Poetry has sparkled, heroism has glowed, stern endurance has presented an invulnerable front to hardships and the golden thread of sentiment has run brightly through the woof in its pages. The many-handed arm of industry has been at work among the people here for more than half a century. Rude, rugged labor has poured out its sweat like rain in their behalf. The bounties of nature have been taken at the price she put on them-ingenuity, hard work, a study of conditions and the means to meet their requirements-and a large part of the wealth she had stored up in this region has been developed and put into the proner channels for the service of mankind.
It is the purpose of this volume to preserve, in some measure, the record of what the first settlers did in this region in sowing the seeds of civilization when they came hither from their former homes, and what their followers have done to care for and reap the harvest for which the pioneers prepared the way. The book is made up largely of personal biographies, and there has been no attempt to give undue tone or a spectacular trend to the course of events in it. Essential history insists on writing itself, and will not be anticipated, controlled or turned from its destined way. What the men and women of Linn county have done and are doing for its advancement and development embodies the real essence of the county's growth and progress, and points out, with unmistakable significance, the ends at which the people of the county aim and toward which they are moving.
In their arduous task of preparing this history, its publishers and
promoters have had valuable assistance from Maj. A. W. Mullins, of Linneus; Col. George W. Martin, of Brookfield, and Judge C. H. Bigger, of Marceline, in reviewing the general history of the county, as to which they have made many valuable suggestions. Aid has also been given the publishers in a substantial and appreciated form by Charles W. Green, of Brookfield, in his admirable account of the history of that city since 1882; by Clarence M. Kendrick in his lucid and interesting chapter on Marceline; by Senator E. B. Fields in what he has written about Browning; by Oscar F. Libby in his narrative of the course of events at Laclede ; by George L. Joyce in matter furnished by him and otherwise unattainable about Bucklin; by D. B. Ormiston in his valued chapter on Linneus, and by many other persons who have been very helpful in making up the book. Without their aid the measure of success attained in the effort to present to the public a succinct and continuous story of what has occurred in Linn county from the dawn of civilization on its soil to its present high state of development, influence and importance, would have been impossible. The obligation of the publishers to these gentlemen, and all who have helped in compiling the work is considerable, and is hereby cordially and gratefully acknowledged.
Finally, to the residents of the county, whose patronage has made the book possible, and whose life stories constitute the largest part of its contents, the publishers freely acknowledge their indebtedness with the hope that the volume will be an ample and satisfactory recompense.
PAGE
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I
General Description of Linn County-Climate and Character of Soil-Grain, Grasses and Vegetables-Tobacco Raising-Once an Extensive Industry-How the Crop Was Cared For-Heavy Shipments to Europe-Sudden Drop in the Liverpool Market-Blow to Industry-Demand for Country Produce Comes in Time to Relieve Situation-Growth of Coal Mining in Linn County-Report of Mine Inspector-Tonnage, 86,774; Value of Product, $187,913-General Review of County's Resources-Good Roads.
1
CHAPTER II Senator Lewis F. Linn.
Missouri's Admission as a State-Hazards of the Early Settlers-The Fertile "Locust Creek Country " -- The First Settlement-Indians' Queer Barter for a Slave Girl- A Papoose for a White Boy-Why the Deal Failed-"Jack " Holland, the Founder of Linneus-Trouble With Wolves-The Old Mill at Keytesville-Organization of Linn County-First Mill on Locust Creek-Some of the Pioneers-The First Wedding-Early Ministers and Physicians.
12
CHAPTER III
The Settlers' Markets-Story of a Famous State Highway-Route of the Gold Seekers -Troublous Times in High Water-Thrilling Rescue at a Mill Dam-Freighting to Hannibal-The Brawny Stage Driver-Low Prices for Country Produce-" Wild Cat" Currency-Curious Legal Tender-Origin of the "Bit"-Lax Methods of Banking-A Cattleman's Bible-Deer Hams, 25 Cents Each-The Pioneer's Wife .. 21
CHAPTER IV
The Era of Prosperity-Development of Schools and Churches-Death of Senator Linn-rPresidential Election of 1844-Shadow of the Mexican War-Call for Volunteers-Quick Response from Linn County-Incidents of the Campaign in New Mexico-A Veteran's Interesting Narrative-The Enemy Burned American Soldiers-Grim Retaliation by the United States Forces Under Sterling Price- List of Linn County Veterans in War of 1846-The Rush to the Gold Lands- More Wealth in Missouri than was Found in California.
CHAPTER V
The Great Drought of 1854-Development Between 1840-60-Increase in Tax Levy- Plan to Create Grant County Abandoned-Disastrous Prairie Fires-Census of Leading Towns-Severe Wind and Hail Storm-The "Locust Plague"-Governor Hardin's Proclamation for Prayers-Linn County Overrun by Hordes of Rats- Story of the "Rat Law" by Its Originator-A Humorous Poem by Gene Field- The "Biggest Thing" About the "Rat Law."
32
CHAPTER VI
First Linn County Fair-List of Officers-Articles of Association-A Remarkable Meteor-The Killing of Willie McKinley-Efforts to get Slayer Pardoued- Governor Crittenden's Reply to Petition-A Vigorous Condemnation of Drinking and Pistol Carrying-Organization of Linn County-John Riley, Ransom Price and Levi Blankenship Named as Commissioners to Select County Seat-The Act Designating Boundary Line-Metes and Bounds-The Original County Court- Deed to County Seat.
41
V
26
vi
CONTENTS
PAGE
CHAPTER VII
How Linneus Was Named-First Sale of Town Lots-Original Court House-A Smoky Cabin and a Scrap-" Where's the Fight?"-Jesse Bowyer's Ferry-Sale of Slave Property-"Highland County"-Division of Townships-Appropriation for New Court House-Built Inside Amount Appropriated-First Talk of Railroads-Jail Building to be "Proof Against Breaking Out"-Colonel Robert M. Stewart- Sketch of His Career-His Work for the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad-A
Hot Campaign for Governor
51
CHAPTER VIII
The Nations Wars-The Men of 1812-The Last Reunion in 1871-Presidential Elcetion of 1860-Civil Strife-Linn County's Prompt and Loyal Action-Early Organization and Movements-Capture of Two Confederate Cannon-Recruiting by Confederates of Linn and Sullivan Counties-Attempts to Capture Them by Federal Forces-Why They Failed-The Missouri Guerrilla-Raid on Linneus -- Killing of Judge Jacob Smith-A Woman Spy-Laclede Raided by Bush- whackers-Bounty Jumpers-When the Draft Came-Record of Engagements by Linn County Military Organizations-The Spanish
American War-The Soldiers' Monument at Brookfield.
66
CHAPTER IX
Railroads of Linn County-The First Campaign Inspired by Exorbitant Steamboat Rates-Railroad Convention at Chillicothe in 1847-Linn County's Delegates- First Great Disaster on Hannibal and St. Joe Road-The Bushwhacker-General Grant as a Protector of the Road-W. C. Brown-S. E. Crance-J. W. Mulhern- Tom Beeler, Pioneer Operator-P. H. Honlahan-1. N. Wilber on War-Time Railroading-How the Engines Were Named-The Burlington and Southwestern- John MeCartney-30 Years an Engineer-When Thayer was the Division Town-Bishop Hogan-George H. Davis-The Pony Express-First Officials of the "Joe"-First Run of the "Eli"-Marceline and the Santa Fe-First. Double Track in Missouri-General Notes.
CHAPTER X
The Brunswick, Linneus and Milan Plauk Road-First Publication of Receipts and Expenditures-County Court Decides War Tax Levy Unconstitutional-The Town of Thayer Vacated-Some New Townships-New County Jail-Linn County Agricultural and Mechanical Society-Common Pleas Court-Fight Over County Printing-Awarded to Paper That Paid One Dollar for It-Attempt to Remo; ~ County Seat Defeated.
CHAPTER XI
Assessed Valuation of Linn County in 1881-Some Comparative Statistics-Last Census Bulletin Values Linn County Farm Land at $54.80 per Acre-Thirteen Farms of 1,000 Acres and Over -- Rapid Rise in Missouri Land Values-Linn County's Total Taxable Wealth, $10,217.242.05-Report on Live Stock-Some Important Figures on Missouri-Corn Crop of State Valued at $107,347,000- Wheat Crop, $29,926,000-Tenant Farmers Thrive-General Farming Conditions
134 Satisfactory
CHAPTER XII
Educational-The Civil War Depression-Peace Brings Advancement-Better Pro- visions for Schools-State Normals and Colleges-The Boy and Farm Life- New Methods of Rural Schools-Early Missouri School History-Origin of Public Schools System in 1839-Law as Applied to Schools-Boards and Their Powers-Taxation-Length of Terms-School Funds and Appropriations-First Appropriation for Linn County-School Statistics of the County-Review of Some of the Town and City Schools-County Spelling Match at Laclede-"Jack" Rummell, the Champion Speller-Wins Two Good Suits of Clothes-Ruth Benson, Second
140
99
vii
CONTENTS
PAGE
CHAPTER XIII
The Press of Linn County-In 1875 There Were But Two Papers-In 1912 There Are Eleven-High Character of Publications-H. J. Wigginton on "Journalism"'- Bishop Marvin's Terse Description of a Friend-Faults of Some Newspaper Men -Sketch of Linn County's First Publisher-A Pioneer Editor and Printer- Worked Alongside of "Mark Twain"-Went on a "Frolic" That Lasted Four Years-Original Country Correspondent Lives in Linn County-Reported Sen- sational Murder Case-The Brookfield Gazette-The Linneus Bulletin-The Linn County News-The Linn County Budget-The Brookfield Argus-Marceline
Papers [See History of Marceline].
155
CHAPTER XIV
Human Interest Chapter-A Red-Hot "Hoss" Race-Mr. Alexander's Game Ride- A "Hair Finish" -- Famous Statesmen-Benton and Linn-Mrs. Linn's Presenti- ment Saves Husband's Life-Sketch of Benton-His Visit to Linneus-He Answers a Question-"Give the Boys a Chance!"-The Duel With Lucas- Thirty Years in Congress-Humor of the Court-A Wise Janitor-Argued With a Juryman-First Execution in Linn County-End of "Tennessee Tom"-A Haunted Locality-The Howell Case-The Taylor Case [See History of
172 Browning].
CHAPTER XV
An Official Chapter-The County Representatives-Line of Circuit Judges-Intrepidity of Judge Smith at a Perilous Time-Senatorial and Congressional-Democratic Congressional Committee-Republican Congressional Committee-Democratic County Committee-Republican County Committee-Linn County's Population by Townships-Vote on State Officers-Incorporated Town and Villages-Post- offices-Linn County Newspapers .. .. 182
CHAPTER XVI
Brookfield, By Charles Willis Green-Marceline, By Clarence M. Kendrick-Bucklin, By George L. JJoyce-Linneus, Since 1882, By D. B. Ormiston-Browning, By Senator E. B. Fields-Laelede, By Oscar Libby-Purdin, St. Catharine, Meadville and Other Towns of the County
195
CHAPTER XVII
Locust Creek Drainage System-Enterprise to Reclaim 25,000 Acres-Estimated Rise in Land Values-An Interesting Landmark-The Woodland Mills-Indian Mounds-Descendant of a Noted Warrior-Boy Lost in the Wilderness-Sheltered hy a Deer-A Mother's Joy-The Trail of the 49ers-The Hannibal and St. Joseph Cross-State Highway-Automobile Men and Farmers Working for an Important Improvement-List of Towns on Route-Statement by State Highway Engineer-Importance of Good Roads. . . . . . 249
PORTRAIT INDEX
PAGE A
- Allen, Rev. Calvin
405 >O'Neill, Thomas 566
B
P
*Beckett, W. G .. 619
^Bigger, Clellen G. 534
Bresnehen, Thomas M. 444
Brownlee, Judge William H.
291
R
C
Randolph, Edward M. 753
Robinson, S. Milton. 705
¿ Cullen, Rev. Peter J.
653
D
S
- DeGraw, Dr. Hamilton (deceased)
276
Standly, Zachary T., M. D.
363
-Sturtevant, Eugene 689
> Green, Charles Willis.
482
T
H
'Tooey, James (deceased) .
550
"Tooey, Henry (deceased)
310
Tormey, Rev. Walter.
636
Thudium, John G.
770
J
»Jones, C. H. 460
K
›Van Dyke, Joseph ... 738
W
*West, Harry K. (deceased).
426
> Wheeler, Robert J. (deceased) 384
White, Hon. Benjamin L.
585
>Williams, Edward C.
671
INDEX OF VIEWS
The Withrow Mill on Locust Creek .. 22 "The Soldiers' Monument at Brookfield. 96
`Type of Blockhouse erected along the Hannibal & St. Joseph R. R. 105
* The "Missonri" and The Pony Express. 120
ix
V
-Kathan, R. Spencer
M
601
>Martin, Col. George W
328
>Moore, James A ... 345
>Mullins, Maj. A. W.
257
PAGE
0
-Post, Jerome C. (deceased)
. ..
519
G
> Halliburton, Thomas 502
Hier, James, Sr 721
1
INDEX OF BIOGRAPHY
PAGE
A
Vilor, John C .. 531
Allen, Edmund B. 528
Allen, Rev. Calvin. 405
Anderson, George W. 578
Anderson, John M (deceased) . 416
Adams, George W.
323
Amls, Daniel 788
B
Bailey, George W. 467
Bailey, Henry C .. 664
Baker, Albanes W. 437
Baker, William Jefferson. 359
Balcom, William A.
532
Ballard, Ward L. 632
Bargar, Henry C. 574
Bargar, Hiram K. 312
Barnes, George A. 727
Baskett, Stephen F
696
Beauchamp, Robert J 514
Beckett, W. G .. 619
Beckwith, Charles P 599
Berkholder, Daniel 779
Belshe, James F. (deceased). 608
Bettelheim, Bernard J. G. (deceased)
399
Bigger, Clellen G 534
Bigger, Guy W.
331
Borland, William A
686
610
C'oates, Edward R
Botts, Frederick L. .
581
Botts, Thomas M. 612
Botts, John H 613
Botts, Joseph 624
Bowden, Lorenzo S 397
Bowden, Richard N. 398
Bolling, Beverly D.
732
Bowyer, Thomas B 388
Bowyer, Price 722
Boyles, Dr. J. M. 784
Bradley, Sterling L. 387
Brendahl, Ludwig C. 591
Bresnehen, Thomas M. 444
Brinkley, Alexander
288
Brinkley, William P
349
Brott, Col. E. C.
394
Brown, John H.
354
Brown, Alonzo L.
674
Brown, Henry
474
Browning Savings Bank. 732
Brown, Wells D. (deceased) 702
Brown, John .J. (deceased) .
790
Brownlee, Judge William H. (dee'd) 291
PAGE
Broyles, Obadiah 728
Bruce, Quincy R. 746
Buckley, Cornelius 637
Buckley, David J. 639
Bunch, William M. 450
Burch, James W. 350
Burch, Samuel H. 352
Burdall, Jonathan 520
Burke, Dr. Foster W 423
Burke, Dr. John L 421
Burns, Alpha L. 375
Burns, Thomas P 376
Burns, Charles B. 377
Burris, Charles R.
304
Bushnell, Murray 263
C
Calhoun, James
667
Carlon, William J 373
C'arpeuter, James 505
('ater, Dr. William A.
486
Citizens Bank of Linneus 285
Clarke, Albert C. (deceased). 441
Clarke, Matthew
337
Clark, John Silas. 675
Clements, Carroll L 454
Clements, Charles W. 453
Clements, Richard W. (deceased) . 461
('lements, Joel W.
459
Clinefelter, John G. 594
Clough, Isaac H .. 560
587
Coates, Mark G ...
588
Coffman, Michael A 657
Cotter, Benjamin S
760
Cramer, Oliver
448
Cullen, Rev. Peter J.
653
D
Davis, Robert W. (deceased).
361
DeGraw, Dr. Hamilton (deceased)
276
Deininger, John J. 342
Dodd, Joseph A. 570
Duncan, Joseph T
621
Duncan, John H.
622
Duncan, J. W.
736
E
Early. George W
478
Ehrich, Henry
564
Ellis, Dr. William W
484
xi
Bond, Judge A. B.
299
Coates, Arthur K.
xii
INDEX OF BIOGRAPHY
PAGE
Ellis, J. E. .
490
Englehart, Henry F. 572
Eure, Dr. James B. 512
498
Evans, Dr. John S.
Evans, Thomas D. 282
Evertson, Henry F.
757
1
F
Fain, John R. (deceased) 319
Farmers' Exchange Bank of Browning. 666
Fetty, Hon. Edward G (deceased) 391
Fetty, Marcus B. 393
Fields, Hon. Emmett B.
660
First National Bank of Marceline. 480
Fitch, Frederick L. 287
Fore, Dr. Thomas P 496
Fowler, Dr. Rezin T. 431
Fox, Philip
765
Fox, Thomas 781
Frakes, William R. 536
Fruin, Jeremiah (deceased) . 717
G
Gibson, Samuel L. 266
Glasgow, Thomas B.
641
Glenn, Robert 338
Gooch, Alexander
748
Gooch, Dr. Jenkins
724
Gooch, John T.
739
Gooch, William P
741
Good, Simon
742
Goodwine, James 529
Gould, Frederick W .. 522
Green, Charles (deceased) . 451
Green, Charles Willis. 482
Gress, Frank E.
719
Griffeth, Seth
697
Griffin, Benjamin F. (deceased). 562
H
Haley, Dr. Robert 367
Haley, George A. 648
Halliburton, Thomas 502
Hamilton, James T. 554
Hamilton, James I.
544
Hamilton, Lee E ..
555
Hansen, Hubert (deceased)
549
Hansmann, Theodore A 290
Harter Christian 711
Harter, George E 712
Harter, Moses B. 523
Hartman, Samuel P
369
Hatfield, James D. 314
Hemmings, Joseph 679
Hendricks, Jonathan J. 408
Hess, John A. 683
Hier, James, Sr.
721
Hinton, Clifford R. 755
Holeer, Gregory 340
537
Howell, Lilburn L. 625
Hughes, William G ... 642
Huffaker, James R., M. D. 371
PAGE
„J
James, William
510
Jenkins, Dr. Charles E. 455
Johnson, Harvey S.
687
Jones Bros.
264
Jones, C. H.
460
Jones, John M.
280
Joyce, George L.
295
K
Kathan, R. Spencer 601
Kelley, C. E .. 303
Kendrick, Clarence M. 296
Kerr, John M ... 539
Kinney, Robert K.
634
Kling, Zachariah R
596
Knight, Jonathan
274
L
Lambert, Albert S. 752
Lambert, Thomas S 751
Lambert, Robert B. 357
Lamme, Byron 344
Lancaster, William G.
480
Lander, Judge Harry (deceased). 260
Lawson, J. Campbell. 655
Lewis, Aid R. 715
412
Linhart, Samuel H.
Linn County Bank of Brookfield 446
Littrell, Joseph J. (deceased) 615
Lloyd, George
598
Lockhart, John W. 701
Lomax, Edwin M. 552
Lomax, H. C ..
378
Lomax & Stanley, Bankers 377
Loomis, Adgate L .. 556
Ludden, Thomas M.
433
Luyster, Houston 709
Mc
McAllister, Bradford 418
McCormick, Clayton Henry. 355
McCullum, Perry 734
McCullum, Stephen 749
MeDonnell, Edward Richard. 316
MeGhee, William T .. 726
McGregor, William B. 703
MeKinney, Lorenzo T.
778
Mckinney, Asa (
772
M
Martin, Col. George W 328
Mason, Edgar E. 334
Maxwell, Robert Finley 261
Merchant, Sheldon .J.
604
Miller, Henry
547
Miller, Lawrence 649
Moore, A. C ..
565
Moore, William L
380
Howard, Dr. David F
Libby, Oscar F 763
xiii
INDEX OF BIOGRAPHY
PAGE
Moore, James A .. 345
Moore, Joseph W. 443
Moorman, L. A .. 415
Mullins, Maj. A. W 257
Murrain, Howard T. 691
N
Neal, James A. (deceased). 694
Neece, Jasper G ... 347
Newsom, Cephas (deceased) . 383
0
Ogan, Irvin (deceased). 298
566
O'Neill, Thomas
Oven, Thomas P., M. D. (deceased) . 429
P
Palmer, John P. 617
Parks, William E. 477
Parsons, Sidney O. 745
Patrick, B. J. 508
Patrick, John B. 403
Peery, Dr. Fred. 457
Pendleton, Walter 629
266
People's Bank of Browning.
475
Perrin, John H., M. D.
Perry, Joseph A 308
602
Phillips, James 471
Phillips, John C
Polson, Oscar L. 283
Post, Jerome C. (deceased) 519
Post, Marvin C. 507
Potter, Orsa A. 699
381
Powers, Fred W.
524
Pratt, Oscar H .. 435
Pratt, Hon. Arthur L
469
Prewitt, Henry Clay
271
Purdin, Allen W.
Purdin, John I ...
670
Putman, Dr. Benjamin B. 488
R
Randolph, Edward M. 753
Rankin, B. S ... 558
Ransom, Nathaniel G. 713
Read, Abraham H. (deceased) 541
Richardson, Albert J.
326
Rinehart, Charles E.
662
Robbins, William (deceased) 743
Robinson, S. Milton. 705
Rowland, Louis T 590
S
Savage & Rankin. 558
Schrock, Edgar H. 677
Sayers, Alexander 730
Scott, Dr. John C. (deceased) . 651
Scott, Dr. William B 643
Scott, Dr. Willis E. 516
PAGE
Selleck, Charles L. . 517
Sensenich, John H ... 579
Sensintaffar, William L.
569
Sharp, William 606
269
Shoup, Samnel ..
301
Sidebottom, William W.
526
Sidebottom, Eugene
Sidebottom, James H. (deceased) 628
Smith, Charles E. 787
332
Smith, Ezekiel
762
Smith, Henry
Smith, Robert R. 410
Smither, Richard T 401
464
Spalding, Charles L 785
Spencer, Jacob E .. 494
Standly, Edmund D., M. D
684
Standly, Zachary T., M. D 646
Stauber, Col. Thaddeus J. (deceased). 335
Stepheus, John L .. 776
Stephens, Judge George W. 542
Stockwell, Henry C ...
Stone, Granville H. (deceased) 773
Stone, Albert H .. 775
Sturtevant, Eugene 689
Sturtevant, M. G. 318
Swan, Albert P 631
T
Tayler, E. W ..
424
Taylor, Manly H. 681
Tharp, Evan S. (deceased) 706
The People's Bank of Meadville. 322
Thomas, Benjamin F. (deceased) 278
Thompson, Howard M. 576
Thorne, William P 286
Thudium, George S. 775
Thudium, Daniel 767
Thudium, John G. 770
Tooey, James (deceased) 550
Tooey, James C. 463
Tooey, Henry (deceased) 310
Tormey, Rev. Walter 636
504
Tuite, William J. (deceased)
V
Van Dyke, Joseph.
738
Walby, John B. 758
Walkup, Joseph T. 324
Ware, Marcellus E. 321
Watson, Thomas L. (deceased). 718
Welsh, Alexander A.
559
West, Harry K. (deceased) 426
West, Henry J. 365
668
Whaley, Dr. Roy W.
Wheeler, Robert .J. (deceased) . 384
Wheeler, William N.
492
White, Hon. Benjamin L. 585
Shifflet, James D. 708
Sornberger, Henry 439
Standly, Dr. Catherine. 363
xiv
INDEX OF BIOGRAPHY
PAGE
PAGE
Wilber, Isaac Newton.
500
Wolfe, Willard
273
Williams, Edward C.
671
Wood, John F
306
Wilson, Benjamin S.
768
Wood, J. L.
593
Wilson, Lee A.
692
Woollen, James
546
Wilson, Sheldon L. (deceased) .
783
Withers, Alonzo
659
Z
Wolfe, Frank M.
420
Zurcher, Albert
427
History of Linn County, Missouri
CHAPTER I
General Description of Linn County-Climate and Character of Soil -Grain, Grasses and Vegetables-Tobacco Raising-Once an Extensive Industry-How the Crop Was Cared For-Heavy Ship- ments to Europe-Sudden Drop in the Liverpool Market-Blow to Industry-Demand for Country Produce Comes in Time to Relieve Situation-Growth of Coal Mining in Linn County-Report of Mine Inspector-Tonnage, 86,774; Value of Product, $187,913 -General Review of County's Resources-Good Roads.
Linn county is centrally located in north Missouri, which is under- stood as being north of the Missouri river; and, on an east and west line, is exactly in the center of that part of the state. It has not 648 square miles, but, leaving fractions out, has 611, and contains 392,040 acres of land, of which was assessed in the year 1881, 387,759.5 acres. Linn county, by government survey, has an area of 389,993.58 acres (by C. G. Bigger in 1866). There is at least that amount of arable land that nature has richly endowed with productive force, and of such a variety that all tastes can be suited. The beautiful, undulating prairie, the timberland of the bottoms-all equally rich, and all having their special qualities.
Nearly the entire county is a rolling prairie, growing more rugged in the vicinity of the larger streams, but presenting a vista of beauty in hill and dale. Locust creek enters at Section 11, Township 60, of Range 21, and flows south through Section 33, Township 57, of Range 21. East Yellow creek enters at Section 9, Township 60, of Range 18, and unites with West Yellow creek, which enters at Section 10, Town- ship 60, of Range 19, in Chariton county, Section 33, Township 57, of Range 19. Parson creek rises in Section 25, Township 60, of Range 22, and flows south into Chariton at Section 35, Township, 57, of Range
1
2
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
22. The other streams are: West Parson, Turkey and Little Turkey, Muddy and Little Muddy, Elk, Badger, Van Dusen, East Locust, Wine- gan (a branch of Mussell Fork), with many small tributaries. Along the streams are found the blue and gray limestone, excellent for build- ing purposes; while in the southwestern part of the county, on Stephen's ranch, is a deposit of sandstone equal in quality to the Car- roll county quarry, of a pure cream color, and becoming more solid on exposure. White and burr oak, hickory, walnut, the various elms, syca- more, cherry, hackberry, ash, butternut, horse-chestnut, maple, and many others are found in liberal quantities, providing timber for home use and export. There are many good mines of bituminous coal now being worked in various portions of the county. There is no question that coal underlies a substrata of nearly the entire part of it. An abundance of good brick clay is found in almost every part of the county, and large deposits of potter's clay are found in various localities.
The climate of Missouri is mild and salubrious. It avoids the piercing blasts of Iowa, and the extreme heat of a more southern clime. Its atmosphere is clear, free from the miasmatic influences which are so often found in the more eastern states, and is of that bracing and invigorating character which tends to develop both man and beast. The surface of Linn county is rolling, the drainage is excellent, and with such advantages, the highest type of health exists. Malarial fevers are not prevalent, and her people enjoy life to an advanced age. There- fore, on the score of health, this county will compare favorably with any section of the Union. The county occupies a mean altitude of about 900 feet; hence it is not subject to the piercing wintry blasts experienced on the more elevated plains farther westward. Pulmonary diseases are never begotten here, and are never seen, except in cases where the seed was sown in other climes. No purer, sweeter, fresher air was ever breathed by human lungs than that which fans our prairie slopes.
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