USA > Missouri > Pettis County > The History of Pettis County, Missouri, including an authentic history of Sedalia, other towns and townships, together with biographical sketches > Part 1
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1.
IVQ (Pettis Co)
History
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2008 with funding from Microsoft Corporation
http://www.archive.org/details/historyofpettisc00demu
THE HISTORY
OF
Pettis County, Missouri,
INCLUDING AN AUTHENTIC HISTORY
OF
SEDALIA,
OTHER TOWNS and TOWNSHIPS,
TOGETHER WITH
CUTS OF ELEGANT RESIDENCES; PORTRAITS OF PROMINENT CITIZENS; BIOGRAPH- ICAL SKETCHES OF MANY ENTERPRISING FARMERS, MERCIIANTS, MECHANICS, PROFESSIONAL AND BUSINESS MEN; A MAP OF THE COUNTY; A CON- DENSED HISTORY OF THE STATE; THE STATE CONSTITUTION; AN ABSTRACT OF THE MOST IMPORTANT LAWS; THE NATURAL HIS- TORY OF PETTIS COUNTY; ITS ORGANIZATION; ITS POLIT- ICAL AND RELIGIOUS HISTORY; THE COURTS AND BAR; AGRICULTURE, HORTICULTURE AND STOCK-RAIS- ING; WAR RECORD; TOWNSHIP HISTORIES; CHURCHES; SCHOOLS; RAILROADS AND BUSINESS ENTERPRISES; MISCEL- LANEOUS MATTERS, ETC., ETC.
ILLUSTRATED.
1882.
PUBLIC LIBRARY 5459 Astor, Lenox and Tiden Foundations. 1896
PREFACE.
After nearly a year from the beginning of the enterprise, with much labor and expense, the History of Pettis County is now ready for the public. Embracing the early and more recent history of one of the most popu- lous and wealthy counties of Missouri, it is not be expected that a work of this magnitude could be compiled and issued without the expenditure of much time, labor and money. Most of the material com- prising this volume was never before collected in any form; no pains or outlay having been spared to make it worthy of so noble a County and State, and it will ssuredly be a welcome guest in the intelligent families of Pettis County, and although its value is material and immediate yet posterity will more highly prize this book and rely upon it as the basis of all subsequent history.
The task of the historians has been performed conscientiously, free from partiality and prejudice, and with a view of recording such facts as will be most valuable. To a great extent the history is what the people have been pleased to make it. If the people had furnished less informa- tion, there would have been less in the book, and if the information had been of a different character, its pages would also have reflected that fact. The style of composition has aimed at purity and precision, rather than periods and highly wrought figures. In some cases the same fact may appear more than once, and if a difference in detail is observed, it should be remembered as bearing the authority of the one who furnished it.
The mechanical work shows skill and finish, comparing favorably with the best in this and other States. The map, electrotype views, lithograph and steel portraits, together with the typography, have all received that artistic touch which renders the work highly satisfactory to the pub- lisners, and no doubt will meet the hearty approval of all patrons who are capable of judging.
The volume has greatly exceeded the limits originally intended. In the prospectus it was promised that the book should contain from 700 to 900 pages, but it has been found impossible to comprise the mate- rial in less than 1,120 pages. The history of Sedalia has been written and prepared complete in itself, expressly for this volume, chiefly from the able pen of Mr. I. Mac D. Demuth, who has long lived amid the scenes he describes, and to whom, with two other prominent, well-informed citizens, the proof-sheets were all submitted for corrections.
The history of the different townships has been collected and compiled
4
PREFACE.
with great care and accuracy by those specially adapted to that laborious task, and although it is not assumed to be in all cases absolutely free from errors, it can be relied upon as substantially correct in facts, names and dates.
The biographical department is an important feature, and remarkably free from errors, when taking into consideration the numberless mistakes and incorrect statements often given by the subject of the sketch. Until comparatively of recent date only persons of national or world-wide renown were thought worthy a biographical notice, while the humblest walks furnish not a name for the pages of enduring history. These sketches will be of value not only to the family and friends but also to the community at large.
Many difficulties were encountered in the early part of the undertaking. Not the least was the prejudice of the people against book and map enterprises of every description, partly occasioned by the fault of people themselves, and partly by the swarms of canvassers, seeking to inveigle the citizens into some worthless project, and take away their money without rendering any equivalent or fulfilling their promises. Thus it was some stood aloof, remained inaccessible, not lending their aid and encour- agement. The cost in time and money has been much greater than those unaccustomed to such work are apt at first to realize, but the publishers, perceiving the growing favor with which county histories are received all over the country, confidently expect to meet with the anticipated 1 - amount of sales.
Among the many worthy advocates of progress and enterprises in Pettis County, the publishers desire to express their grateful acklowledg- ments to F. A. Sampson, Esq., for the chapter on Natural History and correcting the proof-sheets of Sedalia history; to I. Mac D. Demuth for much ot Sedalia's history; to Rev. Dr. John Montgomery for the his- tory of the Presbyterian Church; to Rev. John Letts for the history of the Baptist Church; to Rev. A. H. Stevens for the history of the Cum- berland Presbyterian Church; to Elder J. H. Duncan for the history of the Christian Church; to Rev. J. B. Fuller, Rev. G. A. Beattie, Rev. H. R. Miller, Rev. R. A. Johns and others for church history; Mr. C. A. Leach for the chapter on Courts and Bar, also the chapter on Pettis County Live Stock; to Col. A. D. Jaynes, Col. Thomas F. Houston, Maj. William Gentry, R. W. Gentry, Dr. J. W. Trader, O. A. Crandall, the custodians of the county records, to the editors of the several newspa- pers and to many others, by whose liberal support and material aid the work has been carried foward to a successful completion, to all and singu- lar much credit is due, and many thanks are tendered by
THE PUBLISHERS. F. A. NORTH, Manager.
CONTENTS.
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI.
PAGE
PAGE
Historical and Political- 9
Geology and Minerals.
66
Prehistoric Missouri 10
Geological Chart. 67
The White Race in Missouri. 15
Mineral Resources 72
Missouri as a State. . 25
Earth, Clays, Ochre, etc.
Summary of Events and Dates. 25
Geography of Missouri ..
Counties and population 26
Rivers and Water Courses 81
Census Report, 1880. 27
Notable Springs. 82
State Finances. 29
Presidential Vote, 1820 to 1880. 30
Wild Game. 85
Governors From 1820 to 1880. 31
Climate ..
87
United States Senators. 31
Healthfulness of the State.
89
Members of Congress. 32
Agriculture
90
Public School System. 34
Staple Crops
91
Protectional Laws .. 40
Horticulture.
93
Homestead Exemption. 40
Exemption of Personal Property . 42
Rights of Married Women. 43
Taxation
43
First Steamboats in Missouri. 101
The Barge System 103
Railroads in Missouri 104
Federal Affairs in the State. 46
Missouri's Distinguished Men-
Daniel Boone. . 47
Thomas H. Benton 47
James B. Eads. 48
Carl Schurz ..
49
Prof. Charles V. Riley. 49
Missouri in the Civil War
50
Names of the States of the Union and their significance .. 202
HISTORY OF PETTIS COUNTY.
CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION AND NAME .- Object of the Work ; Task of the Historian ; By Whom Collected and Compiled; Criticisms; The Name; Hon. Spencer Pettis. 205, 210 CHAPTER II. EARLY SETTLEMENTS AND PIONEERS .- Habits and Characteristics of the Pioneers; Pin Hook; Flat Creek; Georgetown ; Names of Early Settlers .... .. 210, 921 CHAPTER III. NATURAL HISTORY .- Geological Formations; Paleontology ; Conchol- ogy; Botany, etc., with partial lists of distribution of Species. 221, 240
CHAPTER IV. ORGANIZATION .- County Organizations in general; Act incorporating Pettis County ; Names of Commissioners locating the County Seat; Organization of Townships. 240, 254
CHAPTER V. POLITICAL HISTORY .- Whigs and Democrats; Parties in 1860; Test Oath of 1865; Incidents of the War; Official Election Returns; Official Directory. . . 254, 267 CHAPTER VI. FINANCES .- First Records; Exhibit of County Revenue; Treasurer's Report for 1850; Railroad Bonds; Assessment of 1881 and 1882. .267, 275
CHAPTER VII. THE COURTS AND BAR .- Origin and Authority of Law; Seat of Justice of Pettis County; Early Courts; List of Judges; Roll of Attorneys from organiza- tion to the present time; Personal mention .275, 298
CHAPTER VIII. RELIGIOUS HISTORY .- Baptists of Pettis County; Presbyterians; The M. E. Church South; The Christian Church; The Cumberland Presbyterian Church 298, 319
CHAPTER IX. EDUCATIONAL, HISTORY .- Early Schools; Georgetown Schools; Com- missioners and Superintendents; Teachers' Institutes. 319, 331 CHAPTER X. THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. .331, 342
The Grasshopper Plagne. 96
Navigation and Commerce .. 99
The Lewis and Clark Expedition. 100
Public Debt Limitation
44
Comparative Tax Rate .. 45
Manufacturing in Missouri. 107 Principal Cities in Missouri .. 108 Constitution of the United States. 113
Constitution of Missouri .. 124
Abstract of State Laws and Forms .. 166 Practical Rules for Every Day Use. . . 196
Soils and their Products. 83
6
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XI. AGRICULTURE . .342, 350
CHAPTER XII. HORTICULTURE .350, 355
CHAPTER XIII. PETTIS COUNTY LIVE STOCK .- History of Stock Raising in Pettis
County ; Men engaged in Stock Raising; Natural Advantages of Pettis County, 355, 369 CHAPTER XIV. RAILROAD HISTORY. .369, 375 CHAPTER XV. MARTIAL HISTORY .- Roster of Officers and Soldiers, enlisted in the .375, 390 Civil War, and many other important facts connected therewith.
CHAPTER XVI. NEWSPAPERS OF PETTIS COUNTY 390, 396
HISTORY OF CITIES, TOWNS AND TOWNSHIPS.
HISTORY OF SEDALIA, 399-757.
CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION, AND FOUNDATION OF THE CITY. 399, 405
CHAPTER II. FROM 1860 TO 1865 405, 434
CHAPTER III. CAPTURE OF SEDALIA BY THE CONFEDERATES. .434, 458
CHAPTER IV. SEDALIA AFTER THE WAR.
458, 496 CHAPTER V. THE CITY GOVERNMENT. 496, 504
CHAPTER VI. PUBLIC ENTERPRISES. .504, 511
CHAPTER VII. COMMERCIAL AND BUSINESS INTERESTS .511. 540
CHAPTER VIII. CHURCHES .540, 572
CHAPTER IX. EDUCATIONAL 572, 592
CHAPTER X. SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT ... .592, 602
CHAPTER XI. THE PRESENT AND THE FUTURE. .602, 604
HISTORY OF TOWNSHIPS.
CHAPTER XII. HOUSTONIA TOWNSHIP .757, 801
CHAPTER XIII. BLACKWATER TOWNSHIP. 801, 835
CHAPTER XIV. LONGWOOD TOWNSHIP .. 835, 856
CHAPTER XV. HEATH'S CREEK TOWNSHIP. 856, 880
CHAPTER XVI. LAMONTE TOWNSHIP. 880, 907
CHAPTER XVII. DRESDEN TOWNSHIP.
907, 925
CHAPTER XVIII. CEDAR TOWNSHIP.
925, 946
CHAPTER XIX. BOWLING GREEN TOWNSHIP
946, 963
CHAPTER XX. ELK FORK TOWNSHIP
963, 984
(CHAPTER XXI. PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP 984, 1001
CHAPTER XXII. SMITHTON TOWNSHIP. 1001, 1036
CHAPTER XXIII. GREEN RIDGE TOWNSHIP 1036, 1063
CHAPTER XXIV. WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP 1063, 1078
CHAPTER XXV. FLAT CREEK TOWNSHIP .. 1078, 1097
CHAPTER XXVI. LAKE CREEK TOWNSHIP. 1097, 1108
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Map of Pettis County -7
Post-Office, Kansas City 204
Baking Johnny Cake. 215
School of Mines and Metallurgy 235
Residence of John Montgomery, Jr. 581
State University 325
United States Coat of Arms 341
State Agricultural College.
347
Printing Press.
396
Missouri Coat of Arms.
398
J. M. Offield's Block
423
J. M. Clute's Business House. 431
Jay Gould Hotel. 431
Residence of J. R. Barrett. 447
Residence of S. T. Lupe .. 459
Residence of Cyrus Newkirk. 475
Residence of Thos. B. Price. 491
J. W. Truxel's Music House. 495
Residence of Wm. Gentry ... 507
W. J. Bagby's Grocery Store. 523
D. I. Holcomb's China Store. 533
Baptist Church, East Sedalia. 561
Residence of R. W. Gentry 575
Story's Block.
579
Sedalia Business College .. 588
Bazoo Printing House. 590
Democrat Office .. 591
Portrait-Thos. H. Benton 604
Kruse & Frederick's Block .. opposite 604 H. W. Wood's Block. .opposite 604
First Baptist Church.
.opposite 605
Residence of J. D. Crawford. 635
Residence of J. N. Dalby 639
Residence of J. C. Thompson 743
Residence of J. C. Higgins. 819
Residence of J. G. Senior. 826
Residence of Samuel Shanks. 828
Residence of J. L. Cartwright.
867
Residence of Joshua Gentry
909
SALINE COUNTY
1
:
Block water
Heath's Creek
LONG WOOD
fork of Black water-
HOUSTONIZ
HEATH'S CREEK
BLACKWATER
LONG WOOD -+
SOUTH
HOUSTONIA
HUGH&VILLE.
Proposed Secakig and Marshall K.R.
Muddy Creek
BOWLING GREEN
Missour
Pacific RIR
DRESDEN
BEAMAN
:Hi+
LAMONTE
LAMONTE
DRESDEN
GEORGE TOWN
Creek
SED
ALIA
Missouri Puc
ELK
FORK
AI
RIE
SEDALIA.
SMITHTON
Flat
Creek
GREEN FIDGE
Flat Creek
FLAT CREEK
LAKE
CREEK
GREEN
RIDGE
WASHINGTON
++++/ sedalia and war
Lake Cracks
MORGAN COUNTY
BENTON COUNTY
BENTON COUNTY
MAP OF PETTIS COUNTY, MISSOURI.
'COOPER COUNTY.
M. K. and T. R.R
SMITHTON
Kansas & Texas R.R.
Missouri
Gremita
History of the State of Missouri.
PART I .- HISTORICAL AND POLITICAL.
INTRODUCTORY.
When a book is written, it is presumed that the writer had some object in view and some end to achieve by his labor in collecting the material and writing the book; and it is right that he should put himself on good terms with his readers at the outset by making a brief, but frank and honest statement of his object, plan and purpose in the book which he offers to public patronage. The writer of this History of Missouri has aimed to embody in a brief space the greatest amount of solid and reliable information about things which directly hinge and center upon or within the territory of this State-this international commonwealth, which holds by right divine the royal prerogative of a destiny imperial and grand, if she can acquire or develop human brain and muscle adequate to utilize wisely, honorably and energetically her magnificent natural resources, both of commercial position and of agricultural and mineral wealth. The writer's desire and effort has been to present nothing which would not be read with deep interest by every intelligent citizen of Missouri at the present time; and also stand as a permanent body of information, at once useful and reliable for future reference. Discussion of theories, problems or doubtful matters has been avoided; solid facts have been diligently sought after; and the narrative has been made to embody as many facts and events as possible without falling into the dry-bones method of mere statistical tables. In fact, the limit of space allotted him has compelled the writer to condense, epitomize, shorten up-and therefore continually to repress his desire to embellish the narrative with the graces of rhetoric and the glow of an exuberant and fervid enthusiasm. This, however, secures to the reader more facts within the same space.
In preparing this work more than a hundred volumes have been con- sulted, to collate incidents and authenticate dates and facts, besides much matter gathered from original sources and not before embraced in any
1
12
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI.
represented a captive bound with thongs. Both figures showed the peculiar contour of head and features which marks the mound-builder race.
In December, 1868, some laborers engaged in grading Sixth street, in East St. Louis, dug up a nest of unused flint hoes or shovels, and another deposit of shells with string-holes worked in them, and another deposit of boulders of flint and greenstone, ready to make more tools or weapons from. These deposits were on high ground, and about half-way between two ancient mounds.
In 1876 or 1877 some ancient mounds were discovered on the banks of the Missouri river near Kansas City. They were in groups of three and five together, at different points for five miles up and down the river. Some were built entirely of earth, and some had a rude stone chamber or vault inside, but covered with earth so that all looked alike outside. They were of an irregular oval shape, from four to six feet high, and had heavy growths of timber on top. Mr. W. H. R. Lykins, of Kansas City, noticed a burr-oak tree five feet in diameter, growing on top of one of them, and the decayed stump of a black walnut of about the same size, on another. In describing the exploration of some of these mounds Mr. Lykins gives some points that will be of interest to every one. He says:
" We did not notice any very marked peculiarity as to these bones except their great size and thickness, and the great prominence of the supraciliary ridges. The teeth were worn down to a smooth and even surface. The next one we opened was a stone mound. On clearing off the top of this we came upon a stone wall inclosing an area about eight feet square, with a narrow opening for a doorway or entrance on the south side. The wall of this inclosure was about two feet thick; the inside was as smooth and compactly built and the corners as correctly squared as if constructed by a practical workman. No mortar had been used. At a depth of about two feet from the top of the wall we found a layer of five skeletons lying with their feet toward the south." *
None of the other walls examined were so skilfully laid as this one. The bones were crumbly, and only a few fragments were preserved by coating them well with varnish as quickly as possible after they were exposed to the air. One stone enclosure was found full of ashes, char- coal and burnt human bones, and the stones and earth of which the mound was composed all showed the effects of fire. Hence it is pre- sumed that this was either a cremation furnace or else an altar for human sacrifices-most probably the latter. Some fragments of pottery were found in the vicinity.
L. C. Beck in 1823+ reported some remains in the territory now con- stituting Crawford county, Missouri, which he thought showed that there
* Smithsonian Report, 1877, p. 252.
+ Gazetteer of Illinois and Missouri, published by L. C. Beck, in 1822-23.
13
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI.
was in old time a town there, with streets, squares, and houses built with stone foundations and mud walls. He also mentions the ruins of an ancient stone building described to him by Gen. Ashley, as situated on a high cliff on the west side of the Gasconade river. And another one said to be in Pike county, is thus described: " It presents the dilapidated remains of a building constructed of rough, unhewn stones, fifty-six feet long and twenty-two broad, embracing several divisions and chambers. The walls are from two to five feet high. Eighty rods eastward of this structure is found a smaller one of similar construction. The narrow apartments are said to be arched with stone, one course overlapping the other, after the manner of the edifices of Central America."
I. Dille, Esq., of Newark, Ohio, reported that he had examined some of these pre-historic town ruins, in the vicinity of Mine-la-Motte and Fredericktown, in Madison county, Missouri. He speaks of them as groups of small tumuli, and says: "I have concluded they are the remains of mud houses. They are always arranged in straight lines, with broad streets intervening between them, crossing each other at right angles. The distance apart varies in different groups, but it is always uniform in the same group. * I have counted upwards of two hundred of these mounds in a single group. Arrow heads of jasper and agate, and axes of sienite and porphyry have been found in their vicinity." *
Mounds or other pre-historic structures have been found on Spencer's creek in Ralls county; on Cedar creek in Boone county; on Crow's Fork and other places in Callaway county; near Berger Station in Franklin county; near Miami in Saline county; on Blackwater river in John- son county; on Salt river in Pike county: on Prairie Fork in Mont- gomery county; near New Madrid; and in many other parts of the State.
The class of ancient ruins, partly built of stone, said to exist in Clay, Crawford, Pike and Gasconade counties, Missouri, are not found further north, but are frequent enough further south, and are supposed to indicate a transitional period in the development of architectural knowledge and skill, from the grotesque earth-mounds of Wisconsin to the well-finished adobe structures of New Mexico, and the grander stone ruins of Yucatan. But, no matter what theory we adopt with regard to these pre-historic relics, the present citizens of Missouri can rest assured that a different race of human beings lived and flourished all over this region of country, hundreds-yes, thousands of years ago, and that they were markedly different in their modes of life from our modern Indians.
* Many large and costly works have been published by scientists, devoted to the general subject of Pre-Historic Man; but of cheap and popular works for the general reader, the best are Foster's "Pre-Historic Races of the United States"; and Baldwin's "Ancient America".
14
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI.
And there are at least two discoveries known which show that these people were here before the extinction of the mastodon, or great American elephant. In the "Transactions of the St. Louis Academy of Sciences," 1857, Dr. Kock reports that in the year 1839 he dug up in Gasconade county [as that county then was] the bones of a mastodon, near the Bourbeuse river. The skeleton of this gigantic creature was buried in such a position as to show that it had got its hind legs down in a bog so deeply that it could not climb out, although its fore feet were on dry ground. The natives had attacked it with their flint arrows and spears, most of which were found in a broken condition; but they had finally managed to build a big fire so close to its head as to burn it to death, the head-bones and tusks being found all burnt to coals. The account of this discovery was first printed in the Philadelphia Presbyterian, Jan. 12, 1839, and copied into the " American Journal of Science " the same year. The authenticity of the incident has been disputed, on the assumed ground that man did not exist as long ago as when the mastodon roamed over these pre-historic plains; but science now has indisputable evidence that nian existed even in the Tertiary age of the geological scale, (see note to chart in chapter on Geology ) long before the glacial epoch; hence that objection has no force at present.
Dr. Koch further reports that about a year after unearthing the Gas- conade county monster, he again found in the bottom land of the Pom- me-de-Terre river, in Benton county, a nearly complete skeleton of the great extinct beast called Missourium, with arrow-heads under it in such a way as to show beyond question that they were made and used while the animal was alive. This skeleton is now in the British Museum. *
Human footprints have been found in the rocks at De Soto in Jefferson county, also in Gasconade county, and at St. Louis. H. R. Schoolcraft, in his book of travels in the Mississippi river country in 1821, said of these footprints: "The impressions in the stone are, to all appearance, those of a man standing in an erect posture, with the left foot a little advanced, and the heels drawn in. The distance between the heels, by accurate measurement, is 62 inches and between the extremities of the toes 133 inches. The length of these tracks is 104 inches; across the toes 43 inches as spread out, and but 22 at the heel."
Our eminent U. S. Senator, Thomas H. Benton, wrote a letter April 29th, 1822, in which he says: "The prints of the human feet which you mention, I have seen hundreds of times. They were on the uncovered limestone rock in front of the town of St. Louis. The prints were seen when the country was first settled, and had the same appearance then as now. No tradition can tell anything about them. They look as old as the rock. They have the same fine polish which the attrition of the
* See Foster's "Pre-Historic Races of the United States," pp. 62-3-4-5-6.
15
.
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI.
sand and water has made upon the rest of the rock which is exposed to their action. I have examined them often with great attention. They are not handsome, but exquisitely natural, both in the form and position. * * A block 6 or 8 feet long and 3 or 4 feet wide, containing the prints, was cut out by Mr. John Jones, in St. Louis, and sold to Mr. Rappe, of New Harmony, Indiana."*
Prof. G. C. Broadhead, and some other writers, think these were not natural impression of human feet, but sculptures made by hand. This theory requires a belief that the pre-historic men of Missouri had tools with which they could cut the most delicate lines in hard rocks; and that they studied the human form in its finest details of muscular action and attitude, and had the art of sculpturing these things so as to look " exqui- sitely natural," as Col. Benton expresses it-thus rivalling, if not excelling * the most famous sculptors of ancient Greece; all of which is wholly incon- sistent with the known facts. And besides this, there is no better geolog- ical reason for doubting their genuineness as natural footprints, than there is in the case of the famous bird and reptile tracks in the sandstones of Connecticut, or those found by Prof. Mudge in Kansas, in 1873. There is no valid reason, either of an æsthetic, historical, or scientific nature, for pronouncing them anything but just what they show themselves to be - fossil footprints of a man who stood in the mud barefooted; and in course of time that mud became solid stone, preserving his footprints just as he left their exact impression in the plastic material.
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