USA > Missouri > Nodaway County > The history of Nodaway county, Missouri, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., biographical sketches of its citizens > Part 1
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Glass 1 774 Book NTH6
THE
HISTORY
OF
NODAWAY COUNTY,
MISSOURI,
CONTAINING
A HISTORY OF THE COUNTY, ITS CITIES, TOWNS, ETC.,
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF ITS CITIZENS, NODAWAY COUNTY IN THE LATE WAR, GENERAL AND LOCAL STATISTICS, PORTRAITS OF EARLY SETTLERS AND PROMINENT MEN, HISTORY OF MISSOURI, MAP OF NODAWAY COUNTY, ETC., ETC.
ILLUSTRATED.
el con of ot
ST. JOSEPH, MO .: TIONAL HISTORICAL. COMPANY, 1882.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1882, by O. P. WILLIAMS & CO., in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C.
9. 1520
4
...
ST. JOSEPH, MO .: ST. JOSEPH STEAM PRINTING COMPANY, Printers, Binders, Etc.
1882.
PREFACE. i
What wonderful changes a few years have wrought in Northwest Missouri ! Less than forty-five years ago not a single white man dwelt within the present limits of Nodaway County. Its soil had, doubtless, occasionally been pressed by the feet of the reckless hunter and daring adventurer, but its beautiful rolling prairies, its charming timber-fringed streams and enchanting groves, were the homes of the antelope, the elk, the buffalo and the red man. How all has been changed by the hand of progress ! To-day the busy hum of industry everywhere resounds, and the voice of culture and refinement echo where once was heard the howl of the wild beast and the war-whoop of the Indian. These have been years fraught with important events to the sons and daughters from the old firesides of Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee, Ohio and Indi- ana, and from the more distant homes beyond the Atlantic. The energy and bravery of these hardy pioneers, and their descendants, have made Nodaway County what it is. Their labors have made the wilderness "to bud and blossom as the rose," and, to preserve the story of this won- derful change, and to hand it down to posterity as a link in the history of the great state of which Nodaway County forms an integral part, has been the object of this book.
While the publishers do not arrogate to themselves a degree of accuracy beyond criticism, they hope to have attained a large measure of exactness in the compilation and arrangement of the almost innu- merable incidents which are here treated. These incidents have been gleaned from the memory and notes of the old settlers, and although an error may seemingly occur, here and there, the reader must not hastily conclude that the history is in fault, but rather test his opinion with that of others familiar with the facts. Among those whom we would espe-
İv
PREFACE.
cially mention as having greatly assisted us in the preparation of this history are : John Edwards and W. W. Ramsay, Esq.'s. To the pen of the former we are indebted for the article entitled " Assassination of Nicholas Leehmer," and to the latter we are indebted for the article on " Political History." Also, to Hon. Lafe Dawson, the press, county officials, and others.
It only remains for us to tender the people of Nodaway County in general our thanks for the many courtesies extended to us and our representatives during the preparation of these annals ; without their friendly aid this history would have been left beneath the debris of time, unwritten and unpreserved.
THE PUBLISHERS.
CONTENTS
HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
Page.
CHAPTER I.
LOUISIANA PURCHASE- Brief Historical Sketch. 9
CHAPTER II.
DESCRIPTIVE AND GEOGRAPHICAL- Name- Extent- Surface- Rivers- Timber- Climate-Prairies -Soils- Population by Counties . 14
CHAPTER III.
GEOLOGY OF MISSOURI-
Classification of Rocks-Quarternary Formation - Tertiary- Cretaceous- Carboniferous - Devonian- Silurian -Azoic-Economic Geology - Coal -Iron-Lead-Copper-Zinc -- Build- ing Stone-Marble-Gypsum-Lime Paints-Springs-Water Power . . 20
CHAPTER IV.
TITLE AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS- Title to Missouri Lands-Right of Discovery-Title of France and Spain -Cession to the United States-Ter- ritorial Changes-Treaties with In- dians-First Settlement-Ste. Gene- vieve and New Bourbon-St. Louis- When Incorporated - Potosi - St. Charles-Portage Des Sioux - New Madrid-St. Francois County-Perry - Mississippi - Loutre Island - "Boone's Lick"-Cote Sans Dessein -Howard County -- Some First Things -Counties-When Organized . . . 26
CHAPTER V.
TERRITORIAL ORGANIZATION-
Organization 1812-Council-House of Representatives-Wm. Clark First Territorial Governor-Edward Hemp- stead First Delegate-Spanish Grants -First General Assembly-Proceed- ings-Second Assembly- Proceedings -Population of Territory-Vote of Territory - Rufus Easton - Absent Members-Third Assembly- Proceed- ings-Application for Admission . . 32
CHAPTER VI.
Page.
MISSOURI ADMITTED INTO THE UNION- Application of Missouri to be Admit- ted Into the Union-Agitation of the Slavery Question-"Missouri Compro- mise" -- Constitutional Convention of 1820 -Constitution Presented to Con- gress-Further Resistance to Admis- sion-Mr. Clay and his Committee Make Report-Second Compromise - Missouri Admitted . 35
·
CHAPTER VII.
MISSOURI AS A STATE-
First Election for Governor and Other State Officers-Senators and Repre- sentatives to General Assembly-Sher - iffs and Coroners-United States Sena- tors-Representatives in Congress-Su- preme Court Judges -- Counties Organ- ized-Capital Moved to St. Charles- Official Record of Territorial and State Officers
40
CHAPTER VIII.
EARLY MILITARY RECORD- Black Hawk War-Mormon Difficul- ties-Florida War-Mexican War .. 46
CHAPTER IX.
CIVIL WAR IN MISSOURI-
Fort Sumpter Fired Upon-Call for 75,000 Men-Gov. Jackson Refuses to Furnish a Man-U.S. Arsenal at Lib- erty Seized-Proclamation of Gov. Jackson-General Order No. 7-Leg- islature Convenes - Camp Jackson Organized-Sterling Price Appointed Major General - Frost's Letter to Lyon-Lyon's Letter to Frost-Sur- render of Camp Jackson-Proclama- tion of Gen. Harney - Conference Between Price and Harney-Harney Superceded by Lyon-Second Confer- ence-Governor Jackson Burns the Bridges Behind Him-Proclamation of Gov. Jackson-Gen. Blair Takes Possession of Jefferson City-Procla- mation of Lyon-Lyon at Springfield
vi
CONTENTS.
Page
Page.
-State Offices Declared Vacant- Gen. Fremont Assumes Command- Proclamation of Lieut. Gov. Rey- nolds-Proclamation of Jeff. Thomp- son and Gov. Jackson-Death of Gen. Lyon-Succeeded by Sturgis- Procla- mation of Mccullough and Gamble -Martial Law Declared - Second Proclamation of Jeff. Thompson- President Modifies Fremont's Order- Fremont Relieved by Hunter-Proc- lamation of Price- Hunter's Order of Assessment - Hunter Declares Martial Law - Order Relating to Newspapers-Halleck Succeeds Hun- ter-Halleck's Order SI-Similar Or- der by Halleck - Boone County Standard Confiscated -- Execution of Prisoners at Macon and Palmyra -- Gen. Ewing's Order No. II -- Gen. Rosecrans Takes Command -- Massa- cre at Centralia -- Death of Bill An- derson -- Gen. Dodge Succeeds Gen. Rosecrans -- List of Battles . . . . 51
CHAPTER X.
AGRICULTURE AND MATERIAL WEALTH- Missouri as an Agricultural State- The Different Crops - Live Stock -- IIorses and Mules -- Milch Cows -- Oxen and Other Cattle- Sheep -- Hogs -Comparisons-Missouri Adapted to Live Stock - Cotton -- Broom Corn and Other Products-Fruits-Berries
- Grapes-Railroads-First Neigh of the "Iron Horse " in Missouri- Names of Railroads-Manufactures- Great Bridge ac St. Louis . 60
CHAPTER XI.
EDUCATION-
Public School System-Public School System of Missouri-Lincoln Insti- tute-Officers of Public School Sys- tem-Certificates of Teachers-Uni- versity of Missouri - Schools -- Col- leges -- Institutions of Learning -- Lo- cation -- Libraries -- Newspapers and Periodicals - Number of School Children -- Amount Expended -- Value of Grounds and Buildings-" The Press " 66
CHAPTER XII.
RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS-
Baptist Church -- Its History -- Congre- gational -- When Founded -- Its His- tory -- Christian Church -- Its History -- Cumberland Presbyterian Church- Its History - Methodist Episcopal Church -- Its History -- Presbyterian Church -- Its History -- Protestant Episcopal Church - Its History- United Presbyterian Church -- Its History- Unitarian Church-Its His- tory-Roman Catholic Church-Its History . 73
HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY.
CHAPTER I.
FREFATORY- Plan and Scope of this Work . . 79
CHAPTER II.
PLATTE PURCHASE-
The Platte Country -- Correspondence in Reference Thereto -- Meeting at Liberty, Missouri-Its Object --- Me- morial -- Efforts of Benton and Linn -- Treaty with the Ioways, Sacs and Fox Indians . . 86
CHAPTER III.
PHYSICAL FEATURES- Boundary -- Location -- Surface -- Streams -- Timber-IIealth and Cli- mate -- Rainfall -- Prairie . 94
CHAPTER IV. GEOLOGY OF NODAWAY COUNTY-
IOI
CHAPTER V.
FIRST SETTLEMENTS- Importance of First Beginnings When and where Commenced . . . CHAPTER VI.
113
PIONEER LIFE- The Pioneers' Peculiarities -- Conven- iences and Inconveniences -- The Ilis-
torical Log Cabin -- Agricultural Im- plements -- Household Furniture -- Pioneer Corn-bread -- Hand Mills and Hominy Blocks -- Going to Mill -- Trading Points -- Bee-Trees -- Shoot- ing Matches and Quiltings . 119
CIIAPTER VII.
NODAWAY COUNTY ORGANIZED- Legislative Enactments-First County Court-Proceedings of the First Court -- First Records -- Deeds and Mortga- ges -- First Circuit Court -- First Cases -Early Marriages -- Number of Mar- riages for 1845-Number of Mar- riages for 18So . I30
CHAPTER VIII.
COUNTY AND TOWNSHIP SYSTEM- GOVERNMENT SURVEYS-ORGANI- ZATION OF TOWNSHIPS- 142
CHAPTER IX.
ATCHISON TOWNSHIP- Its Boundary -- Physical Features -- Early Settlers-Clearmont -- Business Directory -- Churches -- Secret Orders 150
vii
CONTENTS.
Page.
CHAPTER X.
GRANT TOWNSHIP -
Its Boundary -- Physical Features -- Its Early Settlers -- Barnard -- Official and Business Directory - Churches -- Se- cret Orders -- Prairie Park . . . 159
CHAPTER XI.
GREEN TOWNSHIP --
Its Boundary --- Physical Features --- Early Settlers --- Quitman - - Churches --- Secret Orders --- Business Directory ..- Fairview . 166
CHAPTER XII.
HOPKINS TOWNSHIP-
Its Boundary-Physical Features- Early Settlers-Hopkins-Schools- Churches- Secret Orders-Hopkins Town Company-Cornet Band . . . 174 CHAPTER XIII.
HUGHES TOWNSHIP-
Its Boundary -- Physical Features- Early Settlers-Churches-Patrons of Husbandry-Graham-Business Di- rectory- Secret Orders. . . 191
CHAPTER XIV.
INDEPENDENCE TOWNSHIP-
Boundaries of Independence Town- ship-Physical Features-Early Set- tlers-Pioneer Corn Mill - Early Trap- pers-Indian Pow-wow-Gaynor City 209 CHAPTER XV.
JACKSON TOWNSHIP-
Boundaries of Jackson Township- Orders of Court Establishing the Township-Physical Features-The First Settlers-An Honored Pioneer -Sweet Home-Sketch of Buildings Erected-School-First Marriage- Business Directory . 217
CHAPTER XVI.
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP- Its Boundary-Physical Features- Early Settlers-The Reading Colony .. Conception-Churches-Business Di - rectory-New Conception-Business Directory 224
CHAPTER XVII.
LINCOLN TOWNSHIP- Its Boundary-Physical Features- Early Settlers-Dawson-Schools- Business Directory-Churches-Elmo -Business Directory . . 232
CHAPTER XVIII. .
MONROE TOWNSHIP- Its Boundary-Physical Features- Early Settlers-Skidmore-Business Directory-Churches 243
CHAPTER XIX.
NODAWAY TOWNSHIP- Its Boundary-Physical Features- Early Settlers-Ohio Settlement-
Page. Burlington Junction-Official and Bus- iness Directory - Churches - Secret Orders-Roseberry . 249
CHAPTER XX.
POLK TOWNSHIP-
Organization and Boundary-Physical Features-Early Settlers-Town of Wilcox-Business Directory-Platt- ing of Maryville-Additions-Mary- ville-First Settlers-Pioneer Business Men-Private Schools-Academies- Public Schools-Maryville Business College-Secret Orders- Benevolent Societies - Churches - Banks and Bankers-Newspapers-Fire Depart- ment-Cemeteries Town Officers- Maryville as it is-Business Directory - Postmasters . . 259
CHAPTER XXI.
UNION TOWNSHIP- Its Boundary-Physical Features- Early Settlers-Pickering-Churches -Secret Orders 309
CHAPTER XXII.
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP- Its Boundary-Physical Features- Early Settlers-Carterville-Guilford -Schools-Churches-Secret Orders -Business Directory .. 315
CHAPTER XXIII.
WHITE CLOUD TOWNSHIP- Its Boundary-Physical Features- Farly Settlers and Settlements - Bridgewater-Arkoe-Business Di- rectory 322
CHAPTER XXIV.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS- The Old Log Court House-Second and Present Court Houses-Jails- County Poor Farm . 329
CHAPTER XXV.
CALIFORNIA GOLD EXCITEMENT- Flattering Accounts-Names of Men Who went from Nodaway County- California Enterprise Company-Ad- dress of Colonel Black-Letters- California Emigrant Song-Cholera -Number of Emigrants . .
. 339
CHAPTER XXVI.
CHRONICLES OF THE WEST-
347
CHAPTER XXVII.
BENCH AND BAR- William B. Almond-James M. Dews Samuel D. McEnery-Henry L. War- ren-Matthew G. Roseberry-Henry M. Vories- James B. Gardenhire-
viii
CONTENTS.
Page.
Willard P. Hall-Solomon L. Leon- ard-Silas Woodson-J. M. Bassett- Benj. F. Loan-Berryman K. Davis - John Edwards-W. W. Ramsay- Lafayette Dawson-Cyrus A. Antho. ny-Jeff. Chandler-Henry S. Kel- ley-I. V. McMillan-S. R. Beech .. 360 CHAPTER XXVIII.
CRIMES-TRIALS-
Trial of Solomon McAlpin -- Tansey Tragedy -- The Assassination of Nich- olas Leehmer-A Remarkable Case of Infanticide -- The Hogan Homicide and Otto Sharp Trial-The Talbott Boys 430
CHAPTER XXIX.
Centennial Address, by Dr. H. E. Robinson -- Old Settlers to whom Pri-
zes were presented at Burlington Junction, 1880 -- Presentation of Pri- zes at Fair of 1881-Hon. Lafe Daw- son's Address . 430
CHAPTER XXX.
AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS-
Grain -- Stock-Fruit and Grapes --
Nodaway County Agricultural and Mechanical Society -- When Organized -- Its officers and Directors -- Last Fair-Premium List. . . . 443
CHAPTER XXXI.
RAILROADS- The Kansas City, Saint Joseph & Council Bluffs Railroad-The Wa- bash, Saint Louis & Pacific Railroad. 464 CHAPTER XXXII.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS, EARLY CHURCHES AND MINISTERS-
471
CHAPTER XXXIII. FINANCIAL AND POLITICAL HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY-
482
CHAPTER XXXIV.
TORNADOES- A Destructive Tornado --- The Hop- kins Tornado -- Laws Governing their Movements 502
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Page.
Page.
LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. .
517
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP. . 905
ATCHISON TOWNSHIP .
561
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP 914
HOPKINS TOWNSHIP. .
586
GRANT TOWNSHIP . 925
INDEPENDENCE TOWNSHIP.
643
HUGHES TOWNSHIP.
945
UNION TOWNSHIP. .
661
WHITE CLOUD TOWNSHIP
985
NODAWAY TOWNSHIP. 686
MONROE TOWNSHIP . 1005
POLK TOWNSHIP AND CITY OF MARYVILLE 717
MAITLAND . .
1030
GREEN TOWNSHIP. . 863
JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
887
ADDENDUM-CITY OF MARYVILLE .
1033
LITHOGRAPHIC PORTRAITS.
AMOS GRAHAM . 272
M. B. W. HARMAN . 672
NODAWAY COUNTY COURT HOUSE 3.36
JOSEPH JACKSON. 785
JOHN EDWARDS . .
380
RUFUS SMITH 826
EDWARD S. STEPHENSON
573
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HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
CHAPTER I.
LOUISIANA PURCHASE.
BRIEF HISTORICAL SKETCH.
The purchase of the vast territory west of the Mississippi River, by the United States, extending through Oregon to the Pacific coast and south to the dominions of Mexico, constitutes the most important event that ever occurred in the history of the nation.
It gave to our republic additional room for that expansion and stu- pendous growth, to which it has since attained, in all that makes it strong and enduring, and forms the seat of an empire, from which will radiate an influence for good unequaled in the annals of time. In 1763, one hundred and eighteen years ago, the immense region of country, known at that time as Louisiana, was ceded to Spain by France. By a secret article, in the treaty of St. Ildefonso, concluded in 1800, Spain ceded it back to France. Napoleon, at that time, coveted the island of St. Domingo, not only because of the value of its products, but more especially because its location in the Gulf of Mexico would, in a military point of view, afford him a fine field, whence he could the more effec- tively guard his newly acquired possessions. Hence he desired this cession by Spain should be kept a profound secret until he succeeded in reducing St. Domingo to submission. In this undertaking, however, his hopes were blasted, and so great was his disappointment that he apparently became indifferent to the advantages to be derived to France from his purchase of Louisiana.
In 1803 he sent out Laussat as prefect of the colony, who gave the people of Louisiana the first intimation that they had had, that they had once more become the subjects of France. This was the occasion of great rejoicing among the inhabitants, who were Frenchmen in their origin, habits, manners and customs.
1
IO
HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
Mr. Jefferson, then President of the United States, on being in- formed of the retrocession, immediately dispatched instructions to Robert Livingston. the American Minister at Paris, to make known to Napoleon that the occupancy of New Orleans, by his government, would not only endanger the friendly relations existing between the two nations, but, perhaps, oblige the United States to make common cause with England, his bitterest and most dreaded enemy, as the possession of the city by France would give her command of the Mississippi, which was the only outlet for the produce of the Western States, and give her also control of the Gulf of Mexico, so necessary to the protection of American commerce. Mr. Jefferson was so fully impressed with the idea that the occupancy of New Orleans, by France, would bring about a conflict of interests between the two nations, which would finally cul- minate in an open rupture, that he urged Mr. Livingston, to not only insist upon the free navigation of the Mississippi, but to negotiate for the purchase of the city and the surrounding country.
The question of this negotiation was of so grave a character to the United States that the President appointed Mr. Monroe, with full power, to act in conjunction with Mr. Livingston. Ever equal to all emergen- cies, and prompt in the cabinet, as well as in the field, Napoleon came to the conclusion that, as he could not well defend his occupancy of New Orleans, he would dispose of it, on the best terms possible. Before, however, taking final action in the matter, he summoned two of his min- isters, and addressed them as follows :
"I am fully sensible of the value of Louisiana, and it was my wish to repair the error of the French diplomatists 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 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 LeClerc. The conquest of Lou- isiana 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 prospect of ever possessing it, to cede it to the United States. Indeed, I can hardly say that I cede it, for I do not yet
II
HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
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 com- mercial interests of France than if I should attempt to retain it. Let me have both your opinions on the subject."
One of his ministers approved of the contemplated cession, but the other opposed it. The matter was long and earnestly discussed by them, before the conference was ended. The next day Napoleon sent for the minister who had agreed with him, and said to him: "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 reserva- tion. That I do not undervalue Louisiana, I have sufficiently proved, as the object of my first treaty with Spain was to recover it. But though I regret parting with it, I am convinced it would be folly to persist in try- ing to keep it. I commission you, therefore, to negotiate this affair with the envoys of the United States. Do not wait the arrival of Mr. Monroe, but go this very day and confer with Mr. Livingston. 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 improvement 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 terri- tory to the United States, they would be unbounded ; but, being obliged 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." .
That day the negotiations commenced. Mr. Monroe reached Paris on the 12th of April, and the two representatives of the United States, after holding a private interview, announced that they were ready to treat for the entire territory. On the 30th of April, 1803, eighteen days afterward, the treaty was signed, and on the 21st of October, of the same year, Congress ratified the treaty. The United States were to pay $11,250,000, and her citizens to be compensated for some illegal captures to the amount of $3,750,000, making in the aggregate the sum of $15,000,000, while it was agreed that the vessels and merchandise of France and Spain should be admitted into all the ports of Louisiana free of duty for twelve years. Bonaparte stipulated in favor of Louisiana, that it should be, as soon as possible, incorporated into the Union, and that its inhabitants should enjoy the same rights, privileges and immuni- ties as other citizens of the United States, and the clause giving to them
12
HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
these benefits, was drawn up by Bonaparte, who presented it to the plenipotentiaries with these words: "Make it known to the people of Louisiana, that we regret to part with them ; that we have stipulated for all the advantages they could desire ; and that France, in giving them up, has insured to them the greatest of all. They could never have pros- pered under any European government as they will when they become independent. But while they enjoy the privileges of liberty let them remember that they are French, and preserve for their mother country that affection which a common origin inspires."
Complete satisfaction was given to both parties in the terms of the treaty. Mr. Livingston said: "I consider that 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," and Bonaparte expressed a similar sentiment when he said : "By this cession of terri- tory 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 were prophetic words, for within a few years afterward the British met with a signal defeat, on the plains of the very territory of which the great Corsican had been speaking.
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