USA > Missouri > Vernon County > History of Vernon County, Missouri : past and present, including an account of the cities, towns and villages of the county Vol. I > Part 1
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M. L.
Gc 977.801 V59j v.1 1151552
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01094 9383
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2018
https://archive.org/details/historyofvernonc01john
1563
NEW COURT HOUSE.
HISTORY OF
VERNON COUNTY MISSOURI
PAST AND PRESENT
Including an Account of the Cities, Towns and Villages of the County
1
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF J. B. JOHNSON
VOL. I
ILLUSTRATED
1911 C. F. COOPER & CO. CHICAGO
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1151552
PREFACE
The story of Vernon county is one of surpassing interest. Involving, as it does, many of the most stirring and even tragic events and epochs in the history of the great commonwealth of which it is a part, its recital must of necessity awaken wide- spread attention. Beginning at a period long anterior to the first coming of the white settler into a wilderness region, the endeavor has been to construct a continuous narrative of some of the chief events that have wrought in its development and progress from crude conditions that prevailed in primeval times to the marvels of achievement that everywhere signalize the pres- ent day. The history of the county is inseparably linked with that of the Indians who originally inhabited the soil, much of which exists as traditions that have come down from one genera- tion to another. The records of the early explorers of the region, and of the Indian traders, who were early on the scene, are fruitful sources of valuable information. The advent of the first settlers and the coming of the first missionaries and teachers, and the story of their heart-breaking trials and privations and struggles ; the opening of farms, the establishment of homes and the springing up of struggling towns; the bitter strife growing out of the question of slavery and its extension into the western territories, and the lawlessness that marked the years of border troubles preceding the Civil War; the scourge of guerrilla war- fare, and the devastation of populous communities, the desola- tion of homes, the destruction of thrifty cities and villages and towns and the utter laying waste of the county by the pitiless ravages of war; the return of peace, and the gradual restoration of order from the existing chaos; the reorganization of local government, and the rebuilding of cities and towns and homes during the period of reconstruction, and the succeeding years of material growth, with all the accompanying benefits of pros- perity and modern progress; all these enter into the history and make it of more than local interest.
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PREFACE
In the biographies presented, great care has been taken to insure accuracy. As far as possible, the facts have been procured at first hands, and the sketches have been submitted for verifi- cation and correction, thus making them practically autobio- graphical.
The task of compiling and constructing the history, while it has consumed much time and involved a vast amount of pains- taking and patient labor and research, has been a pleasant one, and the work is submitted in the hope that those who peruse its pages will enjoy its reading equally with those who have wrought in its preparation.
In the preparation of the work valuable help has been cheer- fully given, and many attentions shown by citizens of the county and others, all of whom are entitled to due recognition. Espe- cially would we express our appreciation for assistance rendered and courtesies extended by Harvey W. Isbell, Frank P. Ander- son, Judge C. Correll, Jacob Faith, W. G. Foster, J. P. Stephenson, J. W. Storms, Mrs. H. H. Bowman, C. W. Keck, Mrs. J. Sam Brown, L. H. McDaniel, Major C. G. Syms, Dr. H. C. Jarvis, Lee Kibler, H. G. Storrs, M. A. Pinkerton, Harry Van Swearingen and Mrs. A. C. Silvers. And we wish also to express our indebt- edness to the "Nevada Ledger," the "Metz Times," "Brown's History," the "Missouri Red Book" and "The Richards Prog- ress," for information furnished.
THE AUTHOR.
EDITOR'S NOTE
All the biographical sketches published in this history were submitted to their respective subjects, or to the subscribers from whom the facts were primarily obtained, for their approval or cor- rection before going to press, and a reasonable time was allowed in each case for the return of the typewritten copies. Most of them were returned to us within the time allotted, or before the work was printed, after being corrected or revised; and these may there- fore be regarded as reasonably accurate.
A few, however, were not returned to us, and, as we have no means of knowing whether they contain errors or not, we can not vouch for their accuracy. In justice to our readers, and to render this work more valuable for reference purposes, we have indicated these uncorrected sketches by a small asterisk (*), placed immediately after the name of the subject.
C. F. COOPER & CO.
CONTENTS
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CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION 17
A General Synopsis. Some Unfinished Tales Submitted to the Reader.
CHAPTER II. HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 25
Mr. Jefferson Buys a Farm. An Account of the Negotiation. The Great Corsicans Prophecy. The American Occupancy and Territorial Organization.
CHAPTER III. DESCRIPTIVE AND GEOGRAPHICAL. 32 The Indian Name of Missouri and its meaning. Boundary of the State. The Soil, Forests, Climate and Streams.
CHAPTER IV. GEOLOGY OF MISSOURI. 35
Building Stone of all kinds, Coal, Iron, Silver, Lead, Copper, Zinc, Marble, Fire Clay, Mineral Paints, etc.
CHAPTER V. TITLE AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS 43
Abstract of Title. First Colonies. The Founding of St. Louis. Some Prominent Pioneers. Some First Happenings in Missouri.
CHAPTER VI. TERRITORIAL ORGANIZATION . 49
Organized as a Territory July 4, 1812. Admitted as a State August 10, 1821. Territorial Courts. Executive and Judicial Affairs. First General Assembly December 7, 1812. History of Territorial Legislatures. Action of the Territorial Legislature of 1818-19.
CHAPTER VII. APPLICATION OF MISSOURI FOR ADMISSION INTO THE UNION
54
Agitation of the Slavery Question. The Missouri Compromise. Congressional Bickerings. The State Convention of June, 1820. The Clay Resolution, and Its Final Adoption February 28, 1821. First Governor and Other State Officers.
CHAPTER VIII. EARLY MILITARY RECORD. 61
The Black Hawk War of 1832. Mormon Difficulties. The Semi- nole War in Florida. Mexican War.
CHAPTER IX. CIVIL WAR IN MISSOURI. 67
Lincoln's Call for 75,000 Men. Governor Jackson Dissents April 22, 1861. Governor Jackson Convenes the State Legislature, May 22, 1861. Legislature meets and Enacts Many War Measures. Controversy Between Generals Frost and Lyon. Chronology of Civil War. Battles in Missouri. General Order No. 10. General Order No. 18. General Ewing Issued Order No. 11. Other Engagements in Missouri.
CHAPTER X. MISSOURI WEALTH Reign of Prosperity. Raw Materials. Manufactured Products. Monument to Missouri. Prolific Crops. Summary of Farm Crops. Yield and Value for 1909. Annual Corn Crop. Missouri
79
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CONTENTS
Live Stock. Sheep and Wool. The Poultry Queen. Cotton in Missouri. Cotton Mills Needed. Cotton Seed Oil. Missouri Iron Ore. Missouri Coal. Petroleum Production. Mineral Springs. Leaf Tobacco. Missouri Silver. Sand and Gravel. Strawberries. Blackberries. Nurseries. Roots and Herbs. Watermelons. Mis- souri Cement. Missouri Cobalt. Pearl Button Industry. Corn Cob Pipe Industry. Sunflower Seed. Pop Corn. Missouri's Educational System. Missouri Roads. CHAPTER XI. A TRIBUTE TO MISSOURI.
121
An Empire Within Herself. The Unlimited Natural Resources. A Prophesy of the Future. Political, Religious and Educational Institutions. Our Common Schools. The Basic Structure of a Free Government.
CHAPTER XII. CORRECTION AND ADDITIONS TO BROWN'S HISTORY .. The Battle of Carthage. The Burning of Nevada. Some Sur- vivors. The Building of the M. K. & T. Railroad. A Race for a Great Prize. The Pleading of Old Salt Barrel. The Nevada and Minden Road. The Controversy with Jay Gould. Principle vs. Money. Retrospection and Adieu. A Benediction.
128
CHAPTER XIII. VERNON COUNTY HISTORY.
Boundary Lines and Area. Ancient Relics. Early Explorers. Exploring Company of the West. Pike and Wilkerson. Massacre of Captain Villazur. The Massacre of Fort Orleans. Fort Corondolet. Remains of Chauteau's Fort.
CHAPTER XIV. LEWIS AND CLARK'S EXPEDITION OF 1804-06. Their meeting with the Osage Indians. Camp Independence. The Osage's a Model Race. Indian Battle. Treaties with the Osage's. Indian Settlements. Treaty of 1825. A Conflict with the Indians. Lawless Militia. Old White Hair.
158
Union Mission. Harmony Mission. A Perilous Expedition. Arrival at Collens Ford. Pioneer Missionaries. Close of the Mission. Biographical.
CHAPTER XVI. THE FIRST SETTLERS Some Early Settlers. A Sturdy People. Haletown. The Favor- ite Location. The Gadflies. Squatters' Rights, Prevailed Until 1850 in Most Cases. Lack of Markets. The American Fur Company. Early Traders. The First Post Office. First Religious Services. A Superior Class of People.
177
CHAPTER XVII. ESTABLISHING OF FORT SCOTT. A Military Post in 1842. Commanders of the Post. The Bugg and Wilson Store. Navigating the Osage River. Floods of 1844. The Big Sleet of 1848. Forth of July at Balltown. Judge Wilson's Great Speech. The Period of 1850-1860. The Drouths of 1854 and 1860. A Tragedy.
187
CHAPTER XVIII. COUNTY ORGANIZATION
204
Harmony Mission County Seat Till 1842 of Bates and Vernon Counties. The First Sheriff. Papinville Succeeds Harmony Mis- sion. In 1851, County Division Agitated. Population in 1852. Vernon Made a Separate County in 1855. Circuit Court. County Court. First County Buildings. First Presidential Election in 1856. The Denton. Hardwick Feud.
149
CHAPTER XV. THE FIRST MISSION.
173
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CONTENTS
CHAPTER XIX. THE BORDER TROUBLES.
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The Slave Population. A Conflict of Interests. An Exciting Election. The Full Vote was Polled, Which Called for An Investigation. Some Contested Elections. A Reign of Lawless- ness and Some of the Leaders. Some Personal Experiences. Some Noted Raids.
CHAPTER XX. THE SOUTHWEST EXPEDITION
240
Montgomery Scares the Judge. Vernon County Citizens Petition the Governor. General Harney Comes to Fort Scott with U. S. Troops. General Frost Comes to Vernon County with State Troops. General Frost's Report to the Governor. Kansas Reso- lutions. Colonel Snyder's Letter. The Vernon County Mounted Riflemen. Lieutenant Barlow's Letter.
CHAPTER XXI. BEGINNING OF THE CIVIL WAR. The Election of 1860. President Lincoln's Call for Troops. Growth of Secession. Wild and Sensational Rumors. Arming for the Conflict. General Lyon Opposes Governor Jackson's Army. The Vernon County Batallion. Colonel Boughan's Re- port. Battle of Wilson's Creek. Movement Against Fort Scott. Battle of the Drywood. The Burning of Ball's Mill. Sacking of Humboldt, Kansas. The Burning and Sacking of Osceola. The Jackson Legislature Secedes. Governor Jackson Deposed. General Price's Army Moves Into Arkansas. Colonel Hunter Removes the County Records.
260
CHAPTER XXII. THE WAR CONTINUES (1862-3) The Fight at the Riggs House. Death of Captain Gatewood. The Montevallo Fight. Report of Colonel Moss. Some Hot Skir- mishes. Missouri Bushwhackers vs. Kansas Red Legs. Vernon County's Sad Plight. The Burning of Nevada. Fighting Be- tween the Bushwhackers and the Cedar County Militia. Perma- nent Occupation of the County by U. S. Troops. Abram Red- field Elected to the Legislature.
283
CHAPTER XXIII. CLOSING YEARS OF THE WAR (1864-1865) 300 Taylor's Raid. Price's Invasion in 1864. Battle of the Big Blue. Battle of Mine Creek. A Disastrous Undertaking.
CHAPTER XXIV. AFTER THE WAR RECONSTRUCTION (1865-75) . 310
The End of the War in Vernon County. A Scene of Desolation. Sad Home Coming of the ex-Soldiers. The New Start. Courage and Perseverance Win. The Enemies of War Become Partners in Building Up and Restoring the County. First Term of Court After the War. Poverty Hinders the Return of Prosperity. First General Election. The Drake Constitution Overthrown in 1867. List of Candidates. Nevada City Times. Texas Fever. The Marmaton League. The Murder of General Bailey. Election of 1868. Scarcity of Money. Building the Court House. The Laclede and Fort Scott Railroad. The M. K. & T. Railroad Built. The First Locomotive in Nevada October 26, 1870. Election of 1872. The Grange Movement. The Grasshoppers.
CHAPTER XXV. GENERAL PROSPERITY 326
Election Incidents. Retrospection. The Nevada and Minden Railway. The Gould Strike. State Asylum No. 3. Elections of 1880-84 and '86. County Elections. Some Noted Criminals.
CHAPTER XXVI. REMINISCENCES 338
Osage Indians. Their Villages, Customs and Traditions. Their
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CONTENTS
Removal to Kansas in 1826. Trading Posts. Indian Traders. Accounts of Some of the Earliest Settlers. A Pioneer Wedding. Arcadia. Experiences of a Pioneer. School Teaching in Log- Cabin Days. Peace and Plenty. How Big Is Missouri. Straw- berry Culture in Vernon County. Recounting of Personal Experi- ences in Fruit-growing. Improved Varieties and Methods of Cultivation. Fruit Growing in Vernon County. Surplus Products of Vernon County in 1909.
CHAPTER XXVII. FIRE CLAY AND ASPHALTUM IN VERNON COUNTY. Some Positive Statements. Fire Clay Analysis. Clay Products Gaining. Astonishing Value of Clay Products. Vernon County 's Wonderful Deposits of Asphaltum. Analysis. Comparisons of Vernon County Products with Those of Other Countries. An Ever Increasing Market.
366
CHAPTER XXVIII. GAS AND OIL IN VERNON COUNTY. 372 An Inviting Field. A Geographical Test. Former and Recent Discoveries. Test Wells and Their Logs. Indisputable Evidence.
CHAPTER XXIX. BENCH AND BAR OF VERNON COUNTY.
377
An Acknowledgment. The Circuit Court Bench. Some Judicial Anecdotes. Circuit Court Changes. Biographical. The County Court Bench. Past and Present. The J. P. Judgment for Plaintiff Court. Descriptive. The Bar of Vernon County. A Composite Analysis. Early Practice. The First Enrollment. Later Enrollments. Some Items of Interest to the Bar. Roster of Vernon County Bar 1911.
CHAPTER XXX. VERNON COUNTY COURT HOUSES.
393
A Pioneer Helps to Build Four Vernon County Court Houses. The First Court House, 1857, Burned in May, 1863. Rebuilt 1868. Long and Finally Successful Agitation for a New Court House Built in 1907. A Model Building. A Monument to the Enterprising Citizens of Vernon County. County Court. County Clerk. Building Committee. Contractors.
A Tribute to a Worthy and Now Departed Citizen.
CHAPTER XXXI. EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS OF VERNON COUNTY .... Rural Schools. History of the Office of County Commissioners. General Review of Different Officials and Their Acts. Terms of Offices. County Superintendents. County Institutes. History of Work Done. Personal of Conductors. Vernon One of the Leading Counties in Educational Work. List of Institutes. County Associations and Summer Schools. County Boards of Education. List of Summer Schools. County Supervision. A Hard Won Fight. Editor's Note. General Classification of Work Being Done in the County. The Future. Nevada Public Schools. History of Early Schools and School Buildings. Ward Schools. Different Principals. Colored School. Nevada High School. Modern in Construction and Methods of Teaching. Personal of Officers Past and Present. Cottey College. High Aims of the Founder. Growth Spiritual and Material. Buildings and Grounds. The President and Her Work.
401
CHAPTER XXXII. HISTORICAL SKETCH OF NEVADA.
Naming the New Town. The Beginning in 1856. First Business. Houses and Other Events. Nevada in the War. Unanimous for Secession. Events of the War. Burning of the Town. Recon- struction. Business Directory of 1857. Prosperity. Town In- corporated March 3, 1869. The Stage Line. The New Railroad
437
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CONTENTS
Comes to Town. Incorporations. Various Stages of Existence. General Description of the Town and Surrounding Country. Nevada Has. State Hospital No. 3. Lake Springs Park.
CHAPTER XXXIII. CHURCHES 457
The Centenary M. E. Church South. First M. E. Church. Prairie Dell M. E. Church South. Early Days of the Baptist Church. First Baptist Church. Pine Street Baptist Church. East Nevada Baptist Church. Christian Science Church. Catho- lic Church. Church of the Latter Day Saints. Christian Church. Seventh Day Adventists. United Brethren Church. Presbyterian Church. Cumberland Presbyterian Church. All Saints Episcopal Church. Church Directory. St. Francis Orphans Home.
CHAPTER XXXIV. NEVADA BANKS 478
Thornton National Bank. First National Bank. Bank of Nevada. Farm and Home Savings & Loan Association.
CHAPTER XXXV. NEVADA LIBRARY ASSOCIATION 483
General History. Incorporation. Personal of Presiding Officials. Standing Committees. A Cause of Pardonable Pride.
CHAPTER XXXVI. THE PRESS 487
The Weekly Post. The Evening Post. The Southwest Mail. The Daily Mail. The Herald. The Industrial Review. The County Press. Schell City News. Walker Herald. Sheldon Enterprise. Richard's Progress. Metz Times. The Bronaugh Journal.
490
CHAPTER XXXVII. LODGES, CLUBS, SOCIETIES AND UNIONS. Masonic. Osage Lodge 303. Argyle Lodge 451. Royal Arch Chapter 56. Knights Templar. Odd Fellows. Nevada Lodge 194. Vernon Lodge 490. Knights of Pythias. Tryumph Lodge No. 16. Modern Woodmen of America. Camps and Officers of Vernon County, 1911. Date of Woodmen Camps and Charter Officers. Elk Lodge 564. General Joseph Bailey G. A. R. Post No. 26. Women's Relief Corps No. 15. United Daughters of the Confederacy. Nevada Rebekahs No. 410. Order of Eastern Star. Pythian Sisters 112. Knights and Ladies of Security. Owl's Nest. Railway Conductors. Brotherhood of Locomotive Engi- neers. Railway Trainmen. Sulphur City Aux. R. T. B. of L. F. : T. Aux. B. of L. F. & T. Royal Neighbors of America. Woodmen of the World. Woodmen Circle. Modern Brotherhood of America. Vernon County Medical Society.
CHAPTER XXXVIII. MILITARY AFFAIRS
504
The Harding Robinson Rifles, 1886. Roster of Officers Co. G, 5th Regiment N. G. Missouri. During the Spanish American War. The State Rifle Range. The Armory.
CHAPTER XXXIX. TOWNS AND TOWNSHIPS
509
Bacon Township. Position and General Description. Seliell City. Early History. Incorporation. Fire of 1885. Schell City in 1911. Business Firms. Public School. Churches Schell City- M. E. Baptist, Presbyterian, Cumberland Presbyterian, M. E. South, Christian. Secret Orders-Masonic, Odd Fellows, United Workmen, M. W. A., G. A. R., Fair Haven Springs, Harwood. Business Interests. Harwood Village School. Teachers for 1911.
Badger Township .- Physical Characteristics. First Settlers. Esquire Smith's Dilemma. War Incidents. Named in Honor of Dr. Badger. First Churches and Schools. Greene Springs. Churches-Presbyterian, Christian, West Fork Christian, Marvin Chapel.
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CONTENTS
Blue Mound Township .- Natural Features. The Mounds. Items of Interest. Coal, Building Stone, Sulphur Springs. Indian History. Fort Carondolet. First Actual White Settlers. Some Sketches of Them. Schools. In War Times. Churches- Presbyterian, Baptist, Christian, Berea, M. E. South, Belvoir, Kitterman.
Center Township .-- Central Location. General Description. First Settlements. Chronology of Persons and Events.
Clear Creek Township .- Geographical and Geological. Clear Creek Settled First in 1837. Back Woods Hospitality. The Old Voting Place. The Old Blakely Graveyard. The Village of Dedrick. Mt. Vernon M. E. Church. Oak Grove Baptist. Veve Branch Latter Day Saints.
Coal Township .- Location, First Settlements. Rich Coal Deposits. Old Trading Post. Village of Eve. Churches-Bethel M. E., Christian.
Deerfield Township .- Natural Advantages. Rich in Soil. Tim- ber and Mineral Wealth. Some Prominent Old Settlers. Tragedies of War Times. To the Memory of Squire Redfield. Village of Deerfield. Prewitt or Ellis.
Dover Township .- General Description. Soil and Streams. Minerals. Rich in Oil Springs, Grease Rock and Other Hidden Stores of Wealth. Home of Many of the Pioneers. Tragedies of the Civil War. Bellamy. Dover Cemetery. Churches-War- wick Baptist, Olive Branch Baptist, Dunnagans Grove Christian.
Drywood Township .- Boundary and General Appearance. Some Settlers from 1840 to 1850. Many Became Prominent. First Post Office. Shanghai. Some Tales of the War. Permanent Settlement. Avola. Sheldon. Descriptive and Reminiscent. Sheldon Business Houses. Sheldon Enterprise. Churches -- M. E. South, Baptist, Union Baptist, Avola Baptist, Avola M. E. South, Milo United Presbyterian, Milo M. E., Milo Baptist, Avola Christian, Sheldon High School. Sheldon Lodges-Masons, Odd Fellows. Milo. Milo Business Interests. Milo Chronicle. Dale Saddlery Works. Milo Schools and Teachers.
Harrison Township .- One of the Largest and Richest in the State. Fuel Cheap and Plenty. First Settled in 1838. Some Old and Prominent Settlers. Twelve Foot Prairie Grass. First School and Church. Thrilling War Experiences. Some Noted Characters of War Times. Summary of Present Conditions.
Henry Township .- A Fertile Prairie Magnificently Improved. Oil, Gas and Coal. Pioneer Days. Fails Store. War Incidents. Stotesbury. Hoover.
Lake Township .- Descriptive. A Diversified Landscape. Fine Timber. A Sportsman's Ideal. Ellis Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Metz Township .- A Highly Improved and Prosperous Township. Streams. First American Settlements. Account of Some Families First Here. First School and Other Interests. Metz-Naming the Town. Metz Times. Town Officials. Township Officers. As- sessed Valuation. A Poultry Center. Some Early History. What Metz Has. Churches-The M. E. Christian, Baptist, Osage Val- ley Baptist, Rinehart Christian. Fraternal-Odd Fellows, Modern Woodmen, Modern Brotherhood, Royal Neighbors, Rebekahs, G. A. R. Our Neighbor Towns-Horton, Arthur, Rinehart, Fairview, Bethel Baptist Church.
Montevallo Township .- Rugged and Historical. The Pioneers. The Provisions of Nature. One of the Original Townships. In the Civil War. Many Tragedies. Old Montevallo. The New Town. Zodiac. Lodges-Masons, Odd Fellows. Early Churches-
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Liberty Baptist, M. E. South, Arbor Grove M. E. South. Monte- vallo Schools. Reminiscences.
Moundville Township .- One of the Garden Spots of Missouri. Rich on Both Sides. Corn and Coal. Early Settlers. A Noted Character. The Civil War. Organization. Moundville-Business Interests. Cooper College. Bronaugh. Laid Out in 1886. Schools, Churches and Business Houses. Bronaugh Journal. Societies- I. O. O. F., A. F. & A. M., M. W. A., K. & L. of S., Eastern Star, Rebekahs, Royal Neighbors, Bronaugh Christian Church, Moundville Christian Church.
Osage Township .- A Rich and Diversified Landscape. Vast Deposits of Coal. An Historic Spot. Many Items of Historical Interest. Ball's Mill. First Churches. Little Osage-Balltown. The Founder. Early Merchants. First Masonic Lodge in the County. In War Times. Burning of the Mill and Bridge. Chris- tian Influence. Carbon Center. Marion. Panama. Arthur. Richland Township .- Appropriately Named. Oil, Asphaltum and Coal. Early Settlements. Some Account of the Settlers. Hunting Tales. In War Times. Richards. Clean and Thrifty. A Town in the Hay. Good Roads. Rinehart Hotel. Public Schools. Hotel Richards. Richards Progress. The Methodist and Presbyterian Churches.
Virgil Township .- Contains Much of Historical Interest. Timber. Streams. Early History. Prominent Pioneer Settlers. Tragedies. Anecdotes of Pioneer Times. During the War. Churches-Mt. Hebron Baptist, Sulphur Springs Baptist. Virgil City. Preshaw.
Walker Township .- A Prairie Region. Some of the Best Farms. Underlaid with Coal. First Actual Settler. Later Arrivals. Coming of the Railroad. Town of Walker. The Walker Herald. General Review of Business in Walker. Churches- L. D. S. Church, Christian Church.
Washington Township .- Historical. Undulating and Fruitful. Marmaton River. Good Quarries. Coal. The First Farmer Came in 1837. Some Notable Settlers. The First School. Asylum No. 3.
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
VOL. I.
PAGE
Benton School.
134
Blair School.
206
Building, The First County
378
Church, All Saints'
460
Church, Centenary M. E.
24
Church, Christian
476
Church, Cumberland Presbyterian
112
Church, First M. E.
254
Church, First M. E. Parsonage
278
Church, First Presbyterian
178
Church, St. Mary's Catholic
332
City Views.
230
Court House, 1867-8.
398
Court House, The New
Frontispiece
Falor, Charles, Residence
68
Farm and Loan Building.
156
Harrison, Mitchell. 504
418
Old High School 494
Street Scene, Nevada 440
Vernon County Farm Scene
46
Vernon County Feed Lot 90
Vernon County Landscape 302
New High School.
History of Vernon County
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTORY.
By J. B. JOHNSON.
In the following history of Vernon county the aim has been to give to the people a complete, reliable and interesting account of the early settlement, growth, and development of the county, and as stated in the prospectus embracing such local incidents and personal remniscences (that have their own peculiar charm) and which would give to the work a distinctive local coloring and by thus embalming them in ink preserve them for future genera- tions. Not the least interesting part of the work is the detailed account of the early settlers, those hardy men and women who pioneered in this country and fought and won the first battle of civilization in this region and in which struggles the very highest qualities of mind and heart were brought into play and tested - the decision of a Napoleon - the resourcefulness of a Beaureguard - the courage of a Jackson - the patience and determination of a Grant - and the manhood and moral qualities of a Washington and a Lee. In the very nature of things not all great men and women can become famous and renowned, so that it often happens that in obscure and humble life we find char- acters in both men and women that would not suffer in compari- son with the most distinguished men and illustrious women in the world. Jesus himself would undoubtedly be jostled by the unperceiving crowd until some cataclysm would bring him to the front and display his wonderful gifts and powers - and so it is with these old pioneers - we now look back and can see and
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