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HISTORY
-- OF -
DADE COUNTY AND HER PEOPLE
From the date of the Earliest Settlements to the present time
Together with Departments devoted to the Preser- vation of Personal Reminiscences, Biographies of Prominent Persons and Families, Business Growth and Development-a History of the Cities, Towns and Villages of the County, School, Church, Lodge and Club Statistics, with Personal Notes and Observations, Etc., Etc.
FULLY ILLUSTRATED
Greenfield, Missouri
THE PIONEER HISTORICAL COMPANY, R. A. Ludwick, Manager A. J. Young, Editor-in-Chief
November 1, 1917
Dade Co. Mo. Historical Society 207 McPherson Street Greenfield, Missouri 65661
Preface
In presenting to the People of Dade County this vol- ume, The Pioneer Historical Company has no apologies to offer. It has labored long and faithful in procuring the data necessary for this work and is under lasting obliga- tions to the generous contributors for their unselfish de- votion to the cause.
In writing a History of Dade County and Its People, many difficulties have been encountered. More than three generations of people have lived and died in the county since her history first began, many of them leaving no relatives or friends to tell the story of their struggles, at- tainments or achievements. Many events of prime im- portance have passed into the vortex of oblivion, leaving no trace of their happenings and no sponsor for their repetition. Hopes, aspirations and ambitions have per- ished with the body and gone to the grave unheralded and unsung. Yet, out of this vast maelstrom of human events the writers of this history have been able to gather much of importance and have printed it in order that coming generations may know and appreciate the strug- gles which the pioneer has made in the interest of civiliza- tion.
THE PIONEER HISTORICAL COMPANY, R. A. Ludwick, Manager.
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS To the
HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND HER PEOPLE.
Aaron D. States, Original Editor in Chief, (Died Dec. 5th, 1916.)
A. J. Young, Editor in Chief. (Successor to Aaron D. States.)
Special Contributors and Advisory Committee :-
Hon. Phil S. Griffith, Editor of the Vedette.
Hon. Ben M. Neale, Lawyer.
Capt. Lewis Renfro, Retired Business Man.
Hon. W. R. Bowles, Postmaster and Editor of the Dade County Advocate.
Hon. Mason Talbutt, Lawyer. '
Judge Frye, Lockwood Merchant and ex-Judge of County Court.
Hon. Sam McMillen, Postmaster at Lockwood, ex- Representative.
Hon. George Wilson, Banker at Everton.
Hon. Sheridan B. Pyle, Merchant at Dadeville.
Hon. Howard Ragsdale, Lawyer, Ash Grove, ex-Rep- resentative.
Captain Joseph W. Carmack, Retired Farmer, Dade- ville.
Captain R. J. Shipley, Retired Farmer, Greenfield.
Miss Bessie Frieze, School Teacher, Seybert.
Mrs. Aaron D. States, Supervising Historian, Green- field.
E. H. Carender, Supt. Public Schools.
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHER.
W. R. Starr, Greenfield, Mo.
DADE COUNTY Its History and Its People PROLOGUE: By A. J. Young.
0
CHAPTER 1.
Western Gate-Way to the Ozarks :- by A. D. States. Introduction to Dade County History :- by A. D. States. Early Indian History :- by A. D. States. Organization of Dade County. History of Dade County.
CHAPTER 2.
First Land Entries. Early Settlements, by Howard Ragsdale. The Boone Family, by Howard Ragsdale. John Crisp.
CHAPTER 3.
Reminiscences of J. W. Carmack. Greenfield and its people in 1867, by Seymour Hoyt. Uncle Daniel Wentworth Scott :- Early Discovery of Coal in Dade County. Samuel J. Weir, Jr. The Wheeler Family.
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HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
CHAPTER 4.
Military Affairs :-
Civil War Record, by Raleigh J. Shipley.
The Raid of Kinch West, by J. W. Carmack.
The Confederate Veterans of Dade County, by Lewis Renfro.
Greenfield During the Civil War.
Kincheon West.
CHAPTER 5.
The Present Court House.
Appearance of Early Newspapers, by A. D. States.
CHAPTER 6.
Church History : -
Cumberland Presbyterian Pioneers, by W. E. Shaw. The South Greenfield Camp-Ground, by W. E. Shaw. History of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, Mabel Robinson.
William Ramsey Bennington.
Ebeneezer Presbyterian Church, by A. D. States.
Greenfield Christian Church, by A. D. States.
First Presbyterian Church, Lockwood, by J. B. Lind- sey.
The Presbyterian Church at Everton, by W. R. Rus- sell.
First Methodist Church, Lockwood, by A. D. States. Arcola Methodist Church, by A. D. States.
The Cumberland Presbyterian Church, by A. D. States.
The Christian Church at Everton, by W. D. Brown. First Methodist Episcopal Church at Greenfield, A. D. States.
The Church of Christ at Arcola.
CHAPTER 7.
History of German Settlement in Dade County, by Fred Frye.
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HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
The Dade County Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company. Three Mysterious Murders.
CHAPTER 8.
Railroad Matters.
CHAPTER 9.
Greenfield G. A. R. Post. John M. Stemmons Camp, U. C. V. Odd Fellowship in Greenfield.
History of Garrett Lodge No. 359 A. F. and A. M. at Arcola, Mo.
CHAPTER 10
The Telephone in Dade County by A. D. States.
CHAPTER 11.
History of the Ladies' Magazine Club of Greenfield. The Kensington Club of Greenfield, by Mrs. W. B. Mc- Reynolds.
The New Century Club of Greenfield, by Harriet Jopes. The Magazine Club of Lockwood by Mrs. A. C. Duvall. The Merry Makers' Club of Lockwood, by Myrtle Workman.
The Wednesday Afternoon Club of Lockwood by Mrs. Lou Grubert. The All Sew Club of Lockwood by Mrs. W. M. Hoel. The Country Woman's Club of Dade County.
The Home Makers' Club of Greenfield.
CHAPTER 12.
Greenfield, "The Gate City of the Grotto" by A. J. Young. South Greenfield. Lockwood. Everton.
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HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Dadeville. The Town of Corry. Arcola.
CHAPTER 13.
Dade County Bridges by A. D. States.
Dade County Court House.
Dade County Jail. Dade County Poor Farm. County Officers, Members of the County Court. Circuit Court Judges.
County Court Clerks.
Circuit Court Clerks.
Sheriffs of Dade County.
Prosecuting Attorneys of Dade County since 1872. Collectors of the Revenue.
County Treasurers. Recorders of Deeds. Judges of the Probate Court. Surveyors.
CHAPTER 14.
Judicial History by A. D. States.
CHAPTER 15.
General Resources and Statistics of Dade County. Population Statistics. Surplus Shipments. Public School Statistics. Rate of Taxation. Assessed Valuation.
CHAPTER 16.
Purely Pastorial. A Dade County Autumn by A. D. States. From An Old Timer. Of Interest to Stockmen.
DADE COUNTY Its History and Its People PROLOGUE
For a number of years it has been the desire of the leading citizens of Dade County that a history should be written giving to the world an accurate estimate of the lives and the achievements of this municipality from its earliest existence down to the present time, faithfully re- cording the struggles and sacrifices of the pioneers to- gether with their reward. A task of this kind requires diligent research, accurate detail and faithful record.
Early in the year 1916 Hon. Aaron D. States, a prom- inent citizen of the county and a man in every way quali- fied for this great undertaking entered enthusiastically into the field but was stricken by the grim reaper before the harvest was gathered. Much of the material prepared by him was in a ernde form and for a time the enterprize was jeopardized by the untimely death of Mr. States, but his labor was not in vain. After a few months, those having undertaken the financial burden of the enterprise came to me with the material and data gathered by Mr. States and
CI
Photo by Hinchey, Aurora, No. 5.31.19.
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AARON D. STATES.
A. J. YOUNG.
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HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
insisted that I complete the work. It was with reluctance that I did so, and it is only by reason of the very generous efforts of those who have so kindly contributed articles that this work is at all possible.
Much of the history of Dade County slumbers in the tomb of the maker. In many instances only a partial rec- ord was preserved and Father Time has gathered to him- self in the silence of death not only the history but also the historian.
No spirit of self aggrandizement prompts the effort necessary to the collation of this great work. Proper credit will be given to all those who have contributed to its suc- cess.
I realize the fact that of necessity, this history will be incomplete. Many important circumstances will escape the pen of the historian and many events fraught with human interest will be missed. It may be left to the his- torian of the future to write in greater detail of the facts and circumstances which have contributed to make Dade County the peer among the counties of the Ozark region, but it is to be hoped that when he shall pass along this road he will find here and there a footprint in the im- mortal sand which will guide him safely to his journey's end.
In presenting this volume to the people of Dade County it is the cherished wish of the editor that they will find in its pages many precious pearls of great price and memories of days which have long since passed into the valley of yesterday, thereby insuring its welcome into every Dade County home.
November 1, 1917.
A. J. YOUNG, Editor-in-Chief.
Chapter 1 WESTERN GATEWAY TO THE OZARKS. by Aaron D. States.
A beautiful stretch of prairie country extends from the Kansas State line eastward. It remains prairie until it reaches the foot hills of the Ozarks at a point near the center line of Dade County where it merges into uplands that are covered with timber, interspersed by running brooks, fed by living springs. The outlines form a beau- tiful countour of natures arrangement, so much so, that tourists as well as native citizens, find in the picture rare beauty and considerable nature wonderment.
At the point where the level prairie land unites with the upland and the little hills, there is a richness in the scenery. Off to the east and the south as well as north, master hills show their verdant peaks while the rich valleys give evidence of the thrift of the husbandmen. Streams of pure water course these valleys and they are fed by living springs, that are found on both hillside and lowland.
The western gateway has a history that will never be recorded because of the fact in the remote past the pioneer cared but little save for the felling of the forest along the streams, and the breaking of the virgin soil and the build- ing of his cabin. The cabin was always found near some friendly spring. The public highway was then unknown. Neighborhood roads supplied the need of primitive travel and many of this nature of roads are remembered by the elders of the present day-a few of them still exist and to some extent they are used, yet to the public highway, a prominent factor in the up-building of the country much attention is given, the main avenues for public travel. The neighborhood roads began to disappear some twenty years ago taking with them much of the rich pioneer history.
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HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Tradition is faulty at times and, therefore, not alto- gether dependable. The old roadways that wind here and there, are easily traced by the marks in the woodland and on the hillside, that the wheels of the past have made. These old ruts and marks of primal history tell a tale of the days when the fathers used to go many miles to mill or to their post office or the store that used to furnish their needed supplies.
It would indeed be a difficult matter to learn who first discovered the western gateway to the Ozarks. Tradition says a company of men who were exploring the south- eastern part of the Kansas territory in the first of the 30's stole across the line into Missouri territory and traveled as far eastward as the foothills. Another tradition tells us that back in the twenties, there came a few men of a dar- ing spirit out into the wilderness of grasses and trees, among the Indians and all manner of wild animals known to this section and traveled as far westward as the junction of the level upland at a point somewhere near the center of the county and another tradition says some of these men of a more daring nature crossed the line into the wilds of Kansas where there was an abundance of buffalo, deer and other wild game. A search for the names of these men proved futile.
It is evident that this portion of the Ozarks was known to others long before these two supposed companies of men saw this country. One strong evidence of this fact is the old Fort, supposed to have been built by the Span- isli many years before. It seems that these Spanish ex- plorers and hunters of mineral wealth, built this fortifi- cation in order to protect themselves against Indian attack and to also give them a place to smelt their ores. Until recent years ashes and charred coal could be found at the lower end of the enclosure near the spring, that showed clearly that a vast amount of fuel had been used for some purpose. The banks of this enclosure are about extinct, the ashes and charred coals are all gone, nothing of any consequence yet remaining but the old spring-and it will not talk in the language of the historian. Had the
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HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
builders of this old fortification been so thoughtful as to chisel on the stone or brass the year they inhabited this portion of the Ozarks the whole country would extend it's thanks-but alas there is no record. This old fortification is out on Son's Creek about seven miles northwest of Green- field.
There is but little question but what the upper Lime- stone and Son's creek country were the first places of resort for the Indian and also for the first white people. The Indians left traces of their habitation in the way of arrows, stone hammers, arrow points and other Indian chattels, that points clearly that they were the first here and of consequence, were the first to enter the Ozarks from the east and north and pass out through the western gate- way. Many Indian relics were found in the upper Lime- stone and the upper Son's Creek country. In the entire western gateway in Dade County is one of special interest to the nature lover, the Sac river hill, the Limestone and Son's Creek and the fertile valleys form a scene that is truly splendid. This gateway north and south and about the center, was settled about the same year. Settlers were attracted to this section by the mild climate, the richness of the soil and the abundance of water supply. They came from Tennessee, Kentucky and a few from Virginia. This was nearly 83 years ago. Here they found nature gardens at every turn and many of these gardens afforded food stuff for their cabin. Flowers were here in abundance in their richest beauty and they are still here. The fire pink, the wild rose, the primitive verbena, the first trumpet vine and the first violet, found their home near this gateway and they have been standing vigil all these years, welcom- ing the worthy to admission into a country that is becom- ing one of the richest in the middle west. All manner of nut bearing trees grow along the friendly streams, and they gave succor and aid to the early fathers. They were many wild fruits such as wild grapes almost as large and sweet as the concord of today, luscious persimmons and toothsome blackhaws. In those early days it was no trouble to make the product of both field and garden pay.
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HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
There was no drought and there was precious little culti- vation needed because of the richness of the soil and the absence of weeds. It is said weeds were not known for a long time after the first settlements were established. Weed seed was brought to this section by the birds and the pressure of high winds. In this particular there is a vast difference, the weed industry seems to be chief where greatest care is not observed.
Spring and Autumn months especially the months of April, May, June and October, are kin to the valleys of Arno throughout the western gateway. Almost any year the plow can be seen going in the field in the months of December and January and many of the early gardens are made the latter days of January and the first of February. Some years nearly all the spring plowing is done in the winter months. Many years the pasture remains clean and profitable the entire year with the exception when there is a coat of sleet on the ground. Cattle and sheep have been known to feed from the pasture fields the entire winter months; the climate as a rule, is mild and health- ful, the mercury seldom goes below the zero mark and most winters it remains at least to forty degrees above. Some winters the mercury registers as high as 60 to 70 degrees several days at a period. Most years the early spring crops are planted the latter days of February and the first days in March. Sometimes there is a cold wave period that strikes this country in early winter and re- mains until the dawning of spring-this is a rare section.
The mild climate enables the stock man to care for his herd with but little extra expense in winter, over the summer months when pasture is at its best. The dairy- men find this country an ideal place to carry on his voca- tion. This is a real natural dairy country, and the busi- ness has been neglected to a great extent. The never fail- ing water and the abundance of the grasses linked with mild climate and the proximity to market, makes this country an ideal country for such culture. There is not much need of expensive dairy barns or sheds, yet, many who are now engaged in the business find it profitable to
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HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
protect their herds from storm and sleet though these barns are not put into actual use save a very few months in the year. Many herd owners use well covered sheds with openings for the stock. These sheds prove to be good herd protectors and they are practically inexpensive when compared with the results they obtain; they are the best paying improvements that can be made on any dairy or stock farm, for it is a well known fact that chilly days and damp cold seasons are not very conductive to the growth and development of any nature of stock. Some day Dade County will be one of the banner dairy counties in the middle west.
Over in Barton county, north of Lamar there is a point that is called the Ozark divide. At this point a part of the water runs north into the streams that find their outlet in the Osage river and a part flows south into what is known as Muddy, thence into Spring River. This divide is noticeable to the naked eye and many points in Barton and places in Dade County. The first little hillocks of the Ozark range are to be seen in western Barton County and these little hills and rolling prairie are very promi- nent until they reach half way across Dade County, then merge into real hills where the upland and the valleys give protection to the soil tiller, where there are many prosperous, happy homes. There are many of these homes at the western gateway; some of them are really ideal country homes. Throughout the Lockwood and Arcola districts there are many of these homes. There are a number of ideal farms in these districts and the number does not diminish as travel is made eastward through the entire county, to the Green County line.
The early fathers seemed to like the wooded district of Dade County better than they did the prairie district. Here is where they built their first cabins, their first church, their first school house and their first village. This was on account of the water supply and the head of timber to build their cabin and otherwise improve their farms. Forty years ago land in the Lockwood district sold as low as two dollars and fifty cents the acre. It
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HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
was then a wilderness of grass and remained so until the advent of the Memphis Railroad about the first of the 80's. These same tracts could not be bought now for much less than $100 the acre, and many of them would demand a much higher price. The building of the Mem- phis Railroad, up to the time of its building, was the greatest event in the history of the county. Soon after the completion of this railroad the western half of Dade County was a real mecca for the home seeker, resulting in the turning of the wilderness into a veritable garden. Too much credit cannot be given George H. Nettleton and J. E. Lockwood, promoters and builders of this railroad, for the good that has resulted from the building and com- pleton of this splendid highway of steel. It has been the savior of central south Missouri.
Conditions at the western gateway of the Ozarks remain pretty much the same until the Greene County line is reached on the east. The heretofore waste lands are now coming into use, especially the hill lands, which, heretofore, were covered with grasses, thickets and briars. These hill lands are being cleared and the soil is being brought into use in the raising of grasses, thus adding to the material worth of the county in the way of land pro- tection. This section seems to be the home for all the grasses, the clover, blue grass and timothy thrive in almost every section. Blue grass and clover seem to spring simultaneously by the roadside, the newly cleared hillside and in waste places-this is especially true of the clover. This aid of nature assists materially in mak- ing the country the ideal country for dairy herds and the raising of young cattle. Pasturage is abundant from early spring until the extreme dry weather which usually comes the latter days of July and the month of August. Then when the early fall season begins the grasses begin to take on new life and long before frost the fields are covered with the rich crop of splendid feed that often lasts throughout the winter months-especially during the open days of the winter.
Hill lands that sold for $5 the acre a few years ago bring from $25 to $30 the acre and many of the upland
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HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
farms demand as high as $75 the acre. Some of the valley land bring $125 to $140 the acre-it might be well to state not many of the valley land farms are changing ownership because of the fact there is no better land in any country in the way of productiveness or in the raising of diversified crops. The farms that contain part valley and part upland are considered the best. These farms are giving the best record. The pioneers thus believed, for many of them entered land that had a touch of real rustic nature as well as plenty of bottom land which they cul- tivated. This is one great reason Dade County as a whole was slow in converting its hill land into helpmates. It has been lately proven that much of the upland is about as rich as the bottom land along the various streams.
MASON TALBUTT.
Introduction to Dade County History WHY I LIKE MY PART OF THE COUNTRY. by Aaron D. States.
I live neither in the north or the south, the east or the west-my country is Missouri, the center State. I possess a very small portion of Missouri, yet it is my adopted asylum-it is my country. Why do I like it, listen!"
It is south Missouri where the Ozarks play with the gossamere clouds and the mellow sunbeams, that dance over meadow, woodland and tangled wildwood and play hide-go-seek amid labyrinth and dell. Where the purest crystal water flows in classic rivers and streams and from never ceasing nature wells and springs, that give health and life. Where talkative, babling brooklets quench the thirst of the herds, on its mission to the 'father of waters,' passing through bewitching nature gardens, tickling the rootlets of herb and fern, then spreading into a broader and deeper current to gladden the hearts of the husband- men. Where the golden sunlight warms the earth the quickest after the snows and the sleets. Where the earth responds to every honest touch of the soil tiller and as- sures him plenty with some to spare.
Not so very far from thriving cities, near the track- age of the endless steel rail with the master city of the middle west hard by. Near a modern village of schools and churches and where everybody is hailed as brother, and, should I forget to extend the day benediction in pass- ing it would be sufficient cause to create a desire in the af- flicted to learn, "What on earth has happened?" In a country where the countryman and the townsman sit in the same pew, attend the same social functions, whose
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HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
children attend the same school. Where the modern car is found, both in town and country, where the public high- ways are being made ideal and where all modern improve- ments find a people ready to adopt every measure that strengthens industrial worth and broadens the sphere in making life worth while. Where are no strangers and should one come within our gates he is soon a brother. A country where boosters live, live not alone for self but are willing that others shall live. Where mutual interests are considered above par value-a country where the prin- ciples of a common brotherhood are practiced, at least in part.
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