History of Clay and Platte Counties, Missouri : written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns, and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri; a reliable and detailed history of Clay and Platte Counties --their pioneer record, resources, biographical sketches of prominent citizens., Part 1

Author:
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: St. Louis : National Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1156


USA > Missouri > Platte County > History of Clay and Platte Counties, Missouri : written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns, and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri; a reliable and detailed history of Clay and Platte Counties --their pioneer record, resources, biographical sketches of prominent citizens. > Part 1
USA > Missouri > Clay County > History of Clay and Platte Counties, Missouri : written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns, and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri; a reliable and detailed history of Clay and Platte Counties --their pioneer record, resources, biographical sketches of prominent citizens. > Part 1


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118



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Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2018


https://archive.org/details/historyofclaypla00unse


ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01053 7394


GENEALOGY 977.801 C57H


HISTORY


OF


CLAY AND PLATTE COUNTIES,


MISSOURI,


WRITTEN AND COMPILED


FROM THE MOST AUTHENTIC OFFICIAL AND PRIVATE SOURCES,


INCLUDING A HISTORY OF THEIR


TOWNSHIPS, TOWNS AND VILLAGES,


TOGETHER WITH


A CONDENSED HISTORY OF MISSOURI; 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 & CO., In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.


St. Louis, Mo .: Press of Nixon-Jones Printing Co.


St. Louis, Mo .: Becktold & Co., Book-binders.


1343252


PREFACE.


The deeds of the Anglo-Saxons who first came to the bottom-lands of the territory now embraced within the boundaries of Clay and Platte 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 voyageurs, and pioneers - the statesmen, the warriors, the planters, who have given 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 gold, 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 ought to be questioned save for the best of reasons.


laplas


The numerous biographical sketches of the leading citizens of the two counties constitute a prominent and one of the most valuable features of the book. Here are the personal histories of individuals not to be found elsewhere, and every biography will be sought after


(iii)


00 1-29-66 PIO, 1828


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iv


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 infor- 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.


Having so far as it was possible accomplished the work to which our time and 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.


HISTORY OF MISSOURI.


CHAPTER I.


LOUISIANA PURCHASE.


Brief Historical Sketch


1-7


CHAPTER II.


DESCRIPTIVE AND GEOGRAPHICAL.


Name - Extent - Surface - Rivers -Timber - Climate - Prairies - Soils - Popula- tion by Counties . 7-13


CHAPTER III.


GEOLOGY OF MISSOURI.


Classification of Rocks - Quatenary Formation - Tertiary - Cretacious - Carbonifer- ous - Devonian - Silurian - Azoic - Economic Geology - Coal - Iron - Lead - Copper - Zinc - Building Stone - Marble -Gypsum -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 - Potosi - St. Charles - Portage des Sioux -New Madrid -St. Francois County - Perry - Mississippi - Loutre Island - "Boone's Lick " - Cote Sans Dessein - Howard County - Some First Things -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 - Rufus Easton- Absent Members - Third Assembly - Proceedings - Application for Admission 27-31


(v)


vi


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 Jeff. 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. Ewing'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 " Iron Horse " in Mis- souri - Names of Railroads - Manufactures - Great Bridge at St. Louis 59-65


vii


CONTENTS.


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' 65-73


CHAPTER XII.


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 XIII.


ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR CRITTENDEN.


Nomination and Election of Thomas T. Crittenden - Personal Mention - Marma- duke's Candidacy - Stirring Events - Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad - Death of Jesse James - The Fords - Pardon of the Gamblers . 79-85


HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY, MISSOURI.


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 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 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- The Indian Alarm of 1828 -The Expedition into the Platte Country . 100-118


viii


CONTENTS.


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- Building the First Court House -The First Jail - During the Black Hawk War -Origin of the Platte Purchase - The "Hetherly War " - Clay County in 1836 - 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 . 136-152


CHAPTER V.


FROM 1850 TO THE TROUBLES IN KANSAS.


The California Gold Fever - The Political Canvass of 1850-The Attempted Murde of Mrs. Dinah Allen - 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 Troubles - Clay County's Interest in Kansas Affairs - Sketch of the Situation in Kansas Territory Upon its Organization - The Election in 1854 - Clay Furnishes Her Quota of Voters -The "Sons of the South " -Election in the Spring of 1855-The Parkville 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 1861 - 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 . 168-190


CHAPTER VII.


HISTORY OF THE COUNTY DURING 1861.


The Legislature of 1861 - 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.


ix


CONTENTS.


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 · 190-222


CHAPTER VIII.


DURING THE YEAR 1862.


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 Oll. Shepherd's Band -The Drake Constitution - 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 Incorporation - Liberty in 1846- Churches of Liberty - Secret Societies - Biographical · 279-374


X


CONTENTS.


CHAPTER XIV.


FISHING RIVER TOWNSHIP.


Position and Description - Early History, First Settlers, etc. - Voters at First Elec- tion 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 1881 - Incorporation - The Springs - The Medi- cinal and Healing Properties which They Possess - Churches at Excelsior Springs- G. A. R. Lodge - Prathersville - Location, etc. - Fishing River Baptist Church - Biographical


. 374-420


CHAPTER 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


CHAPTER 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 - Kearney's Churches - Holt - Location of this Village - Church and Lodge Records - Biographical . . 448-498


CHAPTER 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


CHAPTER XVIII.


GALLATIN TOWNSHIP.


Boundary and Physical Features - Villages in this Township -Barry - Harlem - Moscow - Arnold's Station - Minaville - Churches -Biographical . 507-530


xi


CONTENTS.


HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY, MISSOURI.


CHAPTER I.


ABORIGINES.


Pre-Historic Inhabitants - The Indians - Sioux and Algonquins - The Missouris - The Osages, the Sac and Foxes, and the Iowas - Battle of the Little Platte - Pot- tawatomies - Kickapoos -The Issue House - Reminiscences . .


531-588


CHAPTER II.


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 III.


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 Linn - Treaty with the Iowas, Sacs and Fox 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, Iatan - List of Early Settlers 553-567


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


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xii


CONTENTS.


CHAPTER 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 1861 - Population and Property Valuation from 1840 to 1860- State Roads, Bridges, Rail-


roads, Ete. 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. 1


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 1860-61 - Attitude in Platte County -Enlistments for the


xiii


CONTENTS.


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. Burnes', Capts. Downing'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. Woodsmall's Company-Col. Thornton's Recruits - Total Number from this County - Union Enlistments - Capt. Phelp's Company -- Col. Price's Company -The Paw-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 1862 - Skirmishes and Robberies in 1862 -Parkville Skirmish - Goose Neck Fight - Raid of Thieves and Negroes -1863 - 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 1865. -- The Close of the War 654-736


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 - Alvis Homicide - Killing of Dr. Spencer -George Burgess Kills his Cousin -John Jones kills John Bone - Tipton Kills Woodson 736-745


CHAPTER XII.


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 XIII.


POLITICS AND PUBLIC MEN.


First Election, 1838-Succeeding Elections- Votes of the County Since 1856- Public Officials . 760-768


xiv


CONTENTS.


CHAPTER XIV.


SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES AND LITERARY CULTURE.


Public School System of Missouri -Public 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 Turnpike - 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-House Indebtedness -Green Township Strip Bonds - Recapitulation 793-803




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