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ENFALOGY COLLECTION
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Mark a. mcal
HISTORY
OF
PETTIS COUNTY
MISSOURI
By MARK A. McGRUDER
-
1
ILLUSTRATED
1919 HISTORICAL PUBLISHING COMPANY Topeka - Indianapolis - Cleveland
To MY MOTHER AMY HARRIS MCGRUDER (Now Deceased) This work is affectionately inscribed
1158884
PREFACE
Men come and go in their appointed time. They are consulted neither of their arrival or their departure. They, each one and all, play out their part on the stage of life; the curtain rings down and they take leave. New generations come forth, in due time, and act their parts, some better and others not so well, perhaps, as those who have gone before them.
Some men are graciously forgotten, while others live beyond their generation, some in memory, some in story, some in song. But, memory fades ; a story is soon told and song is forgotten.
The natural law of the universe which enforces man's departure from the earth, in its own season-seeking neither his advice, welfare or con- venience-and erases him from the pages of memory's book, makes his- tory, at least, desirable if not a necessity.
Realizing the situation, then, as it stands, the writer undertook the History of Pettis County, that events of importance and the deeds and accomplishments of men might be written down.
This work contains errors. Its author does not now and has never belonged to that class of men who are incapable of mistake. An effort, however, has been made to write a true history, stripping it of all unneces- sary verbiage and idle flattery. Events are chronicled in their order and men given due credit for their deeds. When an accomplishment is recorded, there has been no attempt made to magnify or detract from its importance. The fact that the individual who did the thing was, "agreeable", "affable" -"congenial," is of no more importance than that such individual was fat and had one eye.
This book met some opposition. Some was personal, some individual, some organized, some just and some unjust. Such opposition as was just was removed and the rest forgotten in the usual manner.
This effort is divided into two classes, first-the history of events and happenings, and second-biographical .. The assembling of facts recorded here comes from books by former historians and from the memory of men and women, both of which sources were exceptionally fertile, of great value and much appreciated.
This book is a possibility, because of the generous patronage the peo- ple of the county have accorded in purchasing it. This class is much larger than was anticipated at the beginning and is to be the last forgotten.
0 0
-IL Sender-4
The writer very gratefully acknowledges his indebtedness to the fol- lowing ladies and gentlemen for. their contributions: Mrs. John Mont- gomery, Jr., Mrs. Harry E. Carpenter, Mrs. George F. Longan, Mrs. Dr. E. A. Wood, Dr. Richard D. Shannon, Mr. M. V. Carroll, Mrs. Charles C. Evans and Miss Irene Blair.
I desire also to thank the publishers, with whom I have been associated in this work, for the capable and genteel manner in which they have super- vised its success.
Future generations will be the judges of the value of McGruder's His- tory of Pettis County. My present satisfaction is, that I wrote it the best I could.
MARK A. McGRUDER.
Sedalia, Missouri, December 15, 1918.
INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS
Anderson, George
584
Anderson, Mrs. Mary 584
Ash. Mrs. Lizzie 584
Ash Residence
5S5
Ash. Robert
584
Berry. L. T.
640
Blackwater Chapel 112
Bothwell Lodge
192
Broadway Presbyterian Church
224
Chasnoff. Joseph E.
400
Chipman. B. Y.
592
Coats, Mr. and Mrs. J. M.
552
Connor. John
701
County Home
112
Court House
65
Court House Bell
SO
Danforth, I. M.
464
Denny. Residence of R. V.
544
Denny. R. V.
544
Dow. Harvey D.
392
Duke. William
656
Elevator, Green Ridge
144
Elevator, La Monte
144
Fichter, Fred
56S
First House
SO
Gentry, Bettie
448
Gentry, Nicholas H.
440
Gentry, Reuben J.
448
Gibson, Edward B.
609
Gibson. William C.
384
Green. M. O.
368
Gregory, Henry and Wife
632
Hatton, Mary S.
40S
Helman. Residence of E. B.
712
Helman. Jacob D.
616
Hoffman, William
528
Hoffman. Mrs. William
528
Honchen, Charles H.
576
Houchen. Mrs. Charles H.
576
Hurt. T. H. and Family
600
James. Samuel W.
4SS
Jones. Clement
504
Lacey. J. K. and Family
480
Lake Shaw, La Monte
176
Limestone Valley Farm
20S
Log Cabin
65
Longwood M. E. Church South
176
Ludemann, F. L.
496
McConnell, Charles T.
376
McConnell. John W.
376
McFarland, N. C.
456
McFarland, Mrs. N. C.
456
McGruder, Mark .
Frontispiece
MeGruder, Monterville and Wife
736
Masonic Temple
160
Mayfield. William G.
624
Monsees. Louis M.
361
Painter. Mrs. Hannah
6SS
Painter. Nelson
GSS
Railway Station, La Monte
128
Reavis. Daniel H.
696
Sacred Heart Church
272
Schafer. Henry
424
Schenk. Fred H. and Family
GSO
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Schmidt, John F. 72S
Schmidt, Mrs. John F. 728
Scott. Joseph J., Jr. 664
Scott. T. L. 536
Scott, Mrs. T. L.
536
Sedalia Churches 257
Sedalia Public Library 96
Shernaman, William and Family
672
Smith, Residence of Mrs. Gustin
560
Smith, Gustin
560
Sneed, W. S.
472
Spears. George E. 648
St. Patricks Church
240
Stock Scene 160
Tevebaugh. Gilbert H. 592
Threshing Scene 128
Tuck, Mrs. M. P. 512
Tuck. M. P.
512
Whitsel. J. I.
416
Whitsel, Residence of J. I.
416
Y. M. C. A. Building
160
Yost. John A.
720
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTORY
PETTIS COUNTY AS RELATED TO STATE AND NATION-SOURCES OF HISTORY- SPANISH AND FRENCH OCCUPATION-LOUISIANA PURCHASE-NAPOLEON'S FORETHOUGHT-LAWS 65-69
CHAPTER II. STATE OF MISSOURI
"THE CHILD OF THE STORM"-SOURCE OF EARLIEST SETTLERS-MORE AMERI- CANIZED SETTLERS-THE MISSOURIAN-EVENTS OF ITS ADMISSION-PLAN OF ADMITTING FREE AND SLAVE STATES-COMPROMISES-MISSOURI AD- MITTED BY PROCLAMATION-STRIFE OF SETTLERS-FIRST GENERAL AS- SEMBLY-SELECTION OF U. S. SENATORS-BARTON AND BENTON SELECTED -EARLY SETTLEMENTS-EXECUTIVES SINCE 1813. 70-73
CHAPTER III. GEOLOGY AND TOPOGRAPHY
TOPOGRAPHY-GEOLOGY-FORMATIONS - RECENT-PENNSYLVANIA-DEPOSITS- - MISSISSIPPI DEPOSITS-SANDSTONE-COAL-DRESDEN-LAMONTE-DRILL- INGS - CLAY - BUILDING STONE - QUARRIES - SAND AND GRAVEL - WATER 74-84
CHAPTER IV.
SOILS
DISTRIBUTION AND CHARACTER-AREAS OF DIFFERENT SOILS OF THE COUNTY- ANALYSIS-EFFECTS OF EROSION -SOIL MATERIAL - DRAINAGE - PRO- DUCTION 85-95
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER V. THE INDIANS
PRECEDED THE WHITE-OSAGES-TREATY OF FIRE PRAIRIE-TREATY AT ST. LOUIS-BOUNDARIES FIXED BY TREATIES-COST OF LAND PER SQUARE MILE UNDER TREATIES-APPEARANCE-MANNER-CUSTOMS OF OSAGES- INDIANS AND HALFBREEDS IN PETTIS COUNTY-ONE WHO SAW THEM IN EARLY SIXTIES 96-99
CHAPTER VI. THE NAME
WHY CALLED PETTIS-HON. SPENCER PETTIS-POLITICAL TURMOIL-DUEL ON SAND BAR-DEATH OF MR. PETTIS-DEATH OF MR. BIDDLE-COUNTY TAKEN FROM SALINE AND COOPER AND NAMED 100-101
CHAPTER VII. EARLY SETTLERS
WHY THEY CAME-CUSTOMS-HABITS-CHARACTER-PRIVATIONS-HOMES AND MODE OF LIVING-HOSPITALITY-FURNITURE-MILLS-GAME AND FISH- FARMING IMPLEMENTS-WHO THEY WERE 102-106
CHAPTER VIII. ORGANIZATION OF COUNTY
DATE OF ORGANIZATION-POPULATION-CREATING ACT OF LEGISLATURE- BOUNDARIES-SECOND LEGISLATIVE ENACTMENT-HELENA MADE COUN- TY SEAT-GEORGETOWN MADE COUNTY SEAT-SEDALIA COUNTY SEAT- FIRST SCHOOL DISTRICT-EARLY COURT SESSION-COURT HOUSE BUILT- VOTING PRECINCTS IN 1860 107-113
CHAPTER IX. TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION
ORDER OF COUNTY COURT ADOPTING SUCH ORGANIZATION-BOUNDARIES OF TOWNSHIPS-NAMES-JUDICIAL DISTRICT ORGANIZATION IN 1882. 114-120
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER X. CLIMATE
TYPE-SEASONABLE VARIATIONS-TABLE SHOWING TEMPERATURE, PRECIPITA- TION-AVERAGE ANNUAL RAINFALL 121-122
CHAPTER XI. AGRICULTURE
FORM OF-CROPS GROWN-ROTATION-AVERAGE YIELD-SMALL GRAIN-PAS- TURE-MEADOWS-GRASSES-TRUCKING-FRUIT -LIVE STOCK -DAIRYING NOT EXTENSIVE-FERTILIZER NOT GENERALLY USED-DRAINAGE-ACRE- AGE CULTIVATED-1963 FARMS-PER CENT OPERATED BY OWNERS-TOTAL VALUE FARM PROPERTY-LAND VALUES-CHARACTER OF IMPROVEMENTS. -STOCK RAISING-FEEDING-DAIRYING-FARM BUREAU-ESTABLISHMENT- ITS WORK 123-132
CHAPTER XII. STATISTICAL
PAGES
133-136
CHAPTER XIII. BLACKWATER TOWNSHIP
TOWNSHIP HISTORY-BLACKWATER TOWNSHIP-ORGANIZATION-BOUNDARIES 1833, 1844, 1873-ANCIENT MINING-MOUNDS-STREAMS-EARLY SETTLERS- SCHOOLS-CHURCHES-FARMING AND STOCK RAISING 137-141
CHAPTER XIV. BOWLING GREEN TOWNSHIP
NAME-BOUNDARIES-ORGANIZATION - DRAINAGE -EARLY 'SETTLERS - EARLY TEACHERS AND PREACHERS-SCHOOLS-EARLY AND PRESENT DAY CHURCHES
142-145
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XV. CEDAR TOWNSHIP
NAME-ORGANIZATION-PHYSICAL FEATURES-EARLY SETTLERS-FIRST LAND ENTRIES-DRAINAGE-EARLY AND PRESENT DAY CHURCHES-SCHOOLS- STOCK RAISING-WOOD DALE FARM-BOTHWELL LODGE 146-152
CHAPTER XVI. DRESDEN TOWNSHIP
NAME-BOUNDARIES-ORGANIZATION-DRAINAGE-PHYSICAL FEATURES-EARLY SETTLERS-EARLY CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS-PRESENT DAY CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS 153-155
CHAPTER XVII. ELK FORK TOWNSHIP
NAME-BOUNDARIES-LAND-PHYSICAL FEATURES-EARLY SETTLERS-DRAIN- AGE-FIRST BRICK HOUSE-EARLY AND PRESENT DAY CHURCHES- SCHOOLS-FIRST BURIAL AT HICKORY POINT CEMETERY 156-159
CHAPTER XVIII.
FLAT CREEK TOWNSHIP
NAME-PHYSICAL FEATURES-DRAINAGE-EARLY SETTLERS-FIRST MARRIAGE -FIRST SCHOOL-EARLY AND PRESENT DAY CHURCHES-SCHOOLS __ 160-163
CHAPTER XIX. GREEN RIDGE TOWNSHIP
NAME-ORGANIZATION-PHYSICAL FEATURES-DRAINAGE-EARLY SETTLERS- INDUSTRY-PRICE OF LAND-EARLY AND PRESENT DAY CHURCHES- SCHOOLS-FIRST HAPPENINGS 164-168
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XX. HEATH'S CREEK TOWNSHIP
NAME-ORGANIZATION-PHYSICAL FEATURES-INDUSTRIES-EARLY AND PRES- ENT DAY CHURCHES-SCHOOLS-FIRST HAPPENINGS. 169-173
CHAPTER XXI. HOUSTONIA TOWNSHIP
NAME-SKETCH OF COL. HOUSTON-LAND, THEN AND NOW-PHYSICAL FEATURES EARLY SETTLERS-CHURCHES THEN AND NOW-SCHOOLS. 174-176
CHAPTER XXII.
HUGHESVILLE TOWNSHIP
ORGANIZATION-ACREAGE - BOUNDARIES - DRAINAGE - PHYSICAL FEATURES FARMING-NAME-TOWN-EARLY SETTLERS-CHURCHES-SCHOOLS _ 177-180
CHAPTER XXIII. LAKE CREEK TOWNSHIP
NAME-PHYSICAL FEATURES DRAINAGE-EARLY SETTLERS-EARLY AND PRES- ENT DAY CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS. 181-183
CHAPTER XXIV: LAMONTE TOWNSHIP
LOCATION-DRAINAGE-INDUSTRIES-IMPERFECT SURVEYS-EARLY SETTLERS- EDUCATIONAL-EARLY AND PRESENT DAY CHURCHES-CEMETERY __ 184-187
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXV.
LONGWOOD TOWNSHIP
INTRODUCTION-NAME-ORGANIZATION-THE FIRST VOTING PLACE-PIN HOOK MILLS-THE FIRST COURT IN THE COUNTY-PHYSICAL FEATURES- CHURCHES-SCHOOLS-INCIDENTS-MURDER OF MR. MAJORS-COL. FIELDS KILLED-MURDER OF MRS. RAINES-MURDERER BURNED BY A MOB-PRES- ENT DAY SCHOOLS 188-191
CHAPTER XXVI. PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP
NAME-PHYSICAL FEATURES-FARMS-ORGANIZATION-RESOURCES-EARLY SET- TLERS-EARLY AND PRESENT DAY CHURCHES-EDUCATIONAL-FIRST TEMPERANCE ORGANIZATION 192-194
CHAPTER XXVII. WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP
NAME-ORGANIZATION-BOUNDARIES - ACREAGE -DRAINAGE - PHYSICAL FEA TURES - EARLY AND PRESENT DAY CHURCHES - INDUSTRIES -- SCHOOLS 195-197
CHAPTER XXVIII. SMITHTON TOWNSHIP.
LOCATION-RAILWAY FACILITIES-INDUSTRIES-BOUNDARIES-FIRST MARRIAGE -EARLY SCHOOLS-CHURCHES-PRESENT DAY CHURCHES-PRESENT DAY SCHOOLS 198-201
CHAPTER XXIX. SEDALIA IN THE EARLY DAYS
GENERAL SMITH-FOUNDING OF TOWN-NAME-FIRST THINGS AND EVENTS-PA- CIFIC RAILROAD-COUNTY SEAT-CIVIL WAR-IMPROVEMENTS AND INDUS- TRIES-EARLY BUSINESS HOUSES-CHURCHES-SCHOOLS-PUBLIC UTILITIES -BUILDINGS-PROFESSIONAL MEN-OFFICERS-STATISTICS-RAILROAD HIS- TORY 202-228
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXX. SEDALIA OF TODAY
LOCATION-ADVANTAGES-PROGRESS-PUBLIC UTILITIES --- BANKS AND OTHER FI- NANCIAL INSTITUTIONS-COURT HOUSE - LIBRARY - HOSPITALS-NEWS- PAPERS 229-244
CHAPTER XXXI.
NATIONAL GUARD
COMPANY FORMED IN SEDALIA IN 1890-IN THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR-SEC- OND REGIMENT BAND-HOSPITAL CORPS-ROSTER OF COMPANIES D AND I- REORGANIZATION-MEXICAN BORDER-WORLD WAR 245-250
CHAPTER XXXII.
INDUSTRIAL HISTORY
MANUFACTURING-WHOLESALE HOUSES-OTHER COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISES -- HOTELS-POSTOFFICE 251-255
CHAPTER XXXIII.
EDUCATION
LARLY SCHOOLS-FIRST COMMISSIONER-GEORGETOWN ACADEMY-CAMPBELL COLLEGE-FEMALE SEMINARY-FIRST SCHOOLS-BROADWAY BUILDING- FRANKLIN SCHOOL-SEDALIA SEMINARY-SEDALIA UNIVERSITY-BUSINESS COLLEGE -- BOARD OF EDUCATION-SEDALIA HIGH SCHOOL-MANUAL TRAIN- ING SCHOOL-COMMON SCHOOLS-BROADWAY-SUMMIT-PROSPECT-WHIT- TIER - JEFFERSON - HORACE MANN -LINCOLN - WASHINGTON - ENGENE FIELD -- ARLINGTON -- FRANKLIN-GEORGE R. SMITH'S COLLEGE-ST. PAT- RICK'S PAROCHIAL SCHOOL-DANCING ACADEMY-SMITH'SCOLLEGE-CEN- TRAL BUSINESS COLLEGE 256-264
.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXXIV. SEDALIA CHURCHES
DENOMINATIONS REPRESENTED-ORGANIZATION-EARLY AND PRESENT DAY MIN - ISTERS - MEMBERSHIP - EDIFICES - OFFICERS - LOCATION - SUNDAY SCHOOLS 265-277
CHAPTER XXXV.
LODGES
MASONIC BODIES-INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS-REBEKAHS-KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS-ELKS-MOOSE-EAGLES-RED MEN-MACCABEES WOMANS' BENEFIT ASSOCIATION-KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS-WOODMEN OF THE WORLD -WOODMAN CIRCLE-KNIGHTS AND LADIES OF SECURITY-CHAPTER "B" P. E. O .- YOEMEN-UNITED WORKMEN-MYSTIC WORKERS-ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS-KNIGHTS AND LADIES OF FATHER MATTHEW-ROYAL NEIGH- BORS-MODERN WOODMEN OF AMERICA-TRADES UNIONS 278-288
CHAPTER XXXVI. CLUBS AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE-COUNTRY CLUB-CHAUTAUQUA-GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC-UNITED CONFEDERATE VETERANS-UNITED DAUGHTERS OF THE CONFEDERACY-WOMAN'S RELIEF CORPS-DAUGHTERS OF AMERICAN REV- OLUTION-NEHEMGAR-DAUGHTERS OF 1812-MUSICAL CLUB 289-297
CHAPTER XXXVII.
CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES 1
LAMONTE-GEORGETOWN-HUGHESVILLE-GREEN RIDGE-LONGWOOD-BEAMAN -HUSTONIA-DRESDEN-SMITHTON-THEIR SETTLEMENT, GROWTH, OFFI- CIALS, INSTITUTIONS AND INDUSTRIES-OTHER PLACES AND EXTINCT TOWNS 298-308
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXXVIII. ROADS AND HIGHWAYS.
SEDALIA SPECIAL DISTRICT-ORGANIZATION OF SAME-SURFACED ROADS-AVER- AGE COST PER MILE --- OFFICERS 12-MILE DISTRICT-TOTAL MILEAGE-BOND ELECTION IN 1912-REVENUE FOR BUILDING-MAINTENANCE -- REPAIRS- SMITHTON SPECIAL DISTRICT AND OFFICERS-LAMONTE SPECIAL DISTRICT AND OFFICERS-GREEN RIDGE SPECIAL DISTRICT AND OFFICERS -- HOUSTO- NIA AND LONGWOOD DISTRICT AND OFFICERS 309-311
CHAPTER XXXIX. BENCH AND BAR
EARLY DAY PROCEEDURE-FIRST COURT HELD AT ST. HELENA, FIRST COUNTY SEAT -- COUNTY SEAT AT GEORGETOWN FROM 1837 TO 1869-COUNTY COURT- RECORD OF FIRST CIRCUIT COURT --- OTHER TERMS-SEDALIA, THE COUNTY SEAT -- COURT OF COMMON PLEAS --- PROBATE COURT-CRIMINAL COURT -- PRESENT COURT OFFICERS-ATTORNEYS SINCE ORGANIZATION OF COUNTY -- PRESENT ATTORNEYS OF PETTIS COUNTY 312-321
CHAPTER XL. THE MISSOURI STATE FAIR
ACT OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY-SEDALIA SELECTED -- ADVANTAGES OF LOCATION --- FIRST OFFICERS-DISASTROUS FIRE-REBUILT AND IMPROVED-1918 MOST SUCCESSFUL YEAR 322-323
CHAPTER XLI.
PETTIS COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
SEDALIA CHAPTER AMERICAN RED CROSS -- ORGANIZATIONS-BRANCHES --- DE- PARTMENTS-JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE-BELGIAN RELIEF-RE- PORTS OF VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS -- HOME SERVICE SECTION OF CIVILIAN RELIEF-RED CROSS DRIVES-UNITED WAR CAMPAIGN-PETTIS COUNTY'S THIRTY PER CENTUM-COUNCIL OF DEFENSE-NATIONAL WAR SAVINGS RESPONSE TO THE LIBERTY LOANS-FOURTH OVER SUBSCRIBED MORE THAN COMMITTEE 324-334
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XLII. SOLDIERS IN WORLD'S WAR
PAGES
335-355
CHAPTER XLIII. REFLECTIONS IN VERSE
WHEN WARS SHALL END-THE PLAN OF LIFE-IN FLANDERS FIELD. 356 359
CHAPTER XLIV.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
PAGES
361-835
-
PETTIS COUNTY COURT HOUSE.
-
History of Pettis County.
CHAPTER I.
-
INTRODUCTORY
PETTIS COUNTY AS RELATED TO STATE AND NATION-SOURCES OF HISTORY- SPANISH AND FRENCH OCCUPATION-LOUISIANA PURCHASE-NAPOLEON'S FORETHOUGHT-LAWS.
The history of Pettis County, Mis- souri, is of necessity connected with the State and county surrounding us. We will refer in a general way to the ele- ments and conditions of our common country, so far as in the writer's opin- ion, it effects this county. The deeds, habits and customs of those who have lived and served before us will be discussed and preserved in this work. We realize that neither history nor song can recount them all and that the vicissitudes of time have not erased them nor dimmed their glory and for that reason they will not be treated lightly here.
History, whether it be that of a tribe, a nation or a community, is a recount, a record, or a perpetuation of events of previous occurrence. Biography is the history of individuals. To be authentic it should not glare with vain praise nor flattery; at the same time, it should not lightly treat, nor underestimate the importance of events, or of persons responsible for their happening. Biography is not neglected in this work because the people of Pettis County have made it what it is today. They have organized our civilization, moulded our customs, founded our insti-
66
HISTORY OF PETTIS COUNTY
tutions and enacted our laws. All of these we have, and owe them for all. It should be a pleasure to us to know who made these things pos- sible and a source of gratification to future generations, through our efforts, to read of those people who have maintained and upheld them.
History comes either from the pens of writers or from the memory of individuals. Both sources have been neglected in Pettis County. We reflect that there was a time when the vast domain west of the Mississippi was inhabited by wild men and wild beasts. We are even told it was, upon a time, an inland sea. When man came to America, however, there were great possibilities for him in this country of the west, out of which Pettis County was carved. In the early part of the eighteenth century to France and Spain fell this western domain to bring into civilization. France seems to have ceded to Spain, Spain recedes to France, and France in turn cedes to the United States. It isn't the province of this history to elaborate upon these transfers, yet we will refer to them to recall dates so far as they effect the ultimate carving the present bound- aries of this county out of this domain, Louisiana Territory, and State of Missouri.
October 30, 1795 (some have put it 1763), the French Government ceded to Spain what was known as Louisiana. On the first day of Octo- ber, 1800, by the treaty at St. Defonso, Spain retroceded the same terri- tory to France. A very interesting history is of these dates. The great Napoleon was embarrassed by war. Practically all then nationalized Europe had drawn their swords. Napoleon needed money. Jefferson, President of these, then, United States, saw the disadvantage of the west Mississippi being held by another power, opened negotiations with Napo- leon, for Napoleon was France at that time, for the purchase of the Louisiana territory. So far the treaty of Paris, on the 30th day of April, 1803, the commissioners from the French' republic, and the commis- sioners from the United States signed a treaty ceding to the United States for the consideration of fifteen million dollars "the colony or prov- ince of Louisiana." (See Laws of Missouri 1804-1824, volume one (1) page one and following.)
Napoleon realized his losing a great prize in disposing of Louisiana, is shown in his address to his commissioners prior to the ceding of the country, viz .: "I am fully sensible of the value of Louisiana, and it was my wish to repair the error of the French diplomats 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
67
HISTORY OF PETTIS COUNTY
who force me to part with it, than to those to whom I shall yield it. The English have despoiled France of all her northern possessions in America and now they covet those of the South. I am determined that they shall not have the Mississippi. Although Louisiana is but a trifle compared to their vast possessions in other parts of the globe, yet, judging from the vexation they have manifested on seeing it return to the power of France, I am certain that their first object will be to gain possession of it. They will probably commence the war in that quarter. They have twenty vessels in the Gulf of Mexico and our affairs in St. Domingo are daily getting worse since the death of LeClere. The conquest of Louisiana might be easily made, and I have not a moment to lose in getting it out of their reach. I am not sure but that they have already begun an attack upon it. Such a measure would be in accordance with their habits and in their place I should not wait. I am inclined, in order to deprive them of all prospects of ever possessing it, to cede it to the United States. Indeed, I can hardy say that I cede it, for I do not yet possess it; and if I wait but a short time my enemies may leave me nothing but an empty title to grant to the republic I wish to conciliate. I consider the whole colony as lost, and I believe that in the hands of this rising power it will be more useful to the political and even commercial interests of France than if I should attempt to retain it. Let me have both your opinions on the subject."
These ministers or commissioners failed to agree and Napoleon fur- ther said: "The season for deliberation is over. I have determined to renounce Louisiana. I shall give up, not only New Orleans, but the whole colony, without reservation. That I do not undervalue Louisiana I have sufficiently proved, as the object of my first treaty with Spain was to cover it. But though I regret parting with it I am convinced it would be folly to persist in trying to keep it. I commission you therefore to nego- tiate this affair with the envoy of the United States. Do not wait the arrival of Mr. Monroe, but go this very day and confer with Mr. Living- ston. Remember, however, that I need ample funds for carrying on the war, and I do not wish to commence it by levying new taxes. For the last century France and Spain have incurred great expense in the im- provement 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 ter- ritory to the United States, they would be unbounded; but, being obliged
68
HISTORY OF PETTIS COUNTY
to part with it, I shall be moderate in my terms. Still, remember, I must have fifty millions of francs, and I will not consent to take less. I would rather make some desperate effort to preserve this fine country."
Within eighteen days from the speaking of these words Louisiana became a part of the United States. The treaty provided amply for the protection of the rights of settlers and it was a pleasure to the great Bonaparte to congratulate his late subjects upon their new relation. Upon completing the treaty Mr. Livingston, one of the commissioners on behalf of our country, is reputed to have said: "I consider 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." Bonaparte is further quoted as saying : "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 prophetic words have been verified fully. Amos Stoddard took actual possession for the United States of upper Louisiana on March 9, 1804. The authority, of the United States over Missouri dates from this day. The purchase of Louisiana was known to embrace a great empire and secured a heritage to the peo- ple of our country for all time, but its grandeur, its possibilities, its inex- haustible resources and the important relations it would occupy among nations, never entered the brain of the wildest dreamer nor the pro- foundest statesmen. The pioneer, who in early days pitched his tent upon these broad prairies, or penetrated the lonely forests of this country little thought of the mighty tide of physical and intellectual progress so soon to flow in his footsteps, to populate, build up, and enrich this vast domain which he conquered. We will never know the debt we owe these hardy forerunners, who year after year lead civilization further and further across the valleys, plains, hills and mountains of this new purchase.
Do we owe Napoleon, who delivered us Louisiana, a debt of grati- tude? He did not underestimate the value of this territory, geographi- cally located as it was, to us. Was his act one of revenge to give England a maritime rival to humble her pride? This thought seemed uppermost in his mind. We cannot assume that he forsaw the Teutonic struggle for world power and dominion nor that in his dreams he saw his own France and his rival England, in later years, standing together bleeding, broken and torn at the shrine of this Nation, the tomb of Washington at Mt. Vernon, on the banks of the quiet Potomac, there placing wreaths of flowers, and offering silent supplications to their Creator for the preser-
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HISTORY OF PETTIS COUNTY
vation of civilization. Could Napoleon have seen or dreamed this, he must have felt that we had paid France in full for whatever advantage she had given America. We are taught and we know, realize and under- stand that nothing happens in this world by chance. Napoleon did not cede Louisiana by chance. He ceded it to America, this creator and destroyer of empires and kings, regardless of what his dreams might have been, that it might save the civilized world from oppression and America, of which the Louisiana Purchase is a part, did in the year 1918 A. D. make the world safe for Democracy. Pettis County, carved from Louisiana, did her part well.
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