USA > Missouri > A History of Northeast Missouri, Volume I > Part 36
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Judge James C. Gillespy now owns the Nash farm, and the place where Nash is buried. It is situated on Spanish Grant No. 1726, and it is the only Spanish grant in Boone county. The land office records show that this grant contains 810 arpens.
TOLL ROADS
Under the provisions of chapter 64 of the Revised Statutes of Mis- souri, 1865, the people along several roads leading into Columbia, as- sisted by some patriotic men in Columbia, began to organize toll roads, shortly after the Civil war. Geo. C. Pratt, afterwards railroad commis- sioner of Missouri, made the surveys, and superintended most of the work. N. T. Mitchell, Jas. H. Waugh, Robt. L. Todd, John H. Sampson, F. T. Russell, John Hinton and others organized the Columbia and Roche-
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port Turnpike Company, which operated a gravel road between the two towns named till 1912. Then, the east part of the road was sold to the Columbia Special Road District, and the rest of the gravel road was abandoned by the company.
Joel H. Haden, Philip Prather, Monroe Bateman, Eli Mars and others formed the Columbia and Blackfoot Turnpike Company, and constructed a gravel road from Columbia to a point near Hinton. This road is still in operation.
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P. H. Robnett, David Gordon, M. R. Arnold, R. R. Vivion and others formed themselves into the Columbia and Cedar Creek Turnpike Com- pany, and built a gravel road from Columbia to the Callaway line. This company abandoned its franchise in 1903, but the gravel road still re- mains.
John Machir, Boyle Gordon, Michael Fisher, Thos. H. Hickman and others were the charter members of the Columbia and Jefferson City Gravel Road Company, afterwards the Columbia and Ashland Gravel Road Company. This company still operates a gravel road as far south as Ashland, the part from Ashland to Claysville having been aban- doned some years ago.
Long before the construction of any of these toll roads (in 1853), a plank road was built from Columbia to Providence; Providence was then the great shipping point for Boone county. A company composed of Warren Woodson, Jas. S. Rollins, Moss Prewitt, D. B. Cunningham, John Parker and others subscribed the money and built it. The plank road cost thirty thousand dollars, but it proved to be a failure, for it was soon worn out, and was never rebuilt.
Another gravel road, the one from Columbia northeast toward Shaw, or the Twin churches, was built in 1904, partly by private subscription, and partly with money donated by the county. . It has never been a toll road.
The Providence road and the Cedar Creek gravel road are now partly in the Columbia Special Road District; and such parts are kept in good repair by the efficient commissioners of that district.
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STATE ROADS
Prior to the time of our turnpike roads, the legislature of Missouri, on motion of the representative from Boone county, passed an act estab- lishing a state road, leading from the town of Columbia to the town of Williamsburg, in Callaway county, by way of David Gordon's, Thomas Arnold's and Thomas Grant's. It was made the duty of the county court to keep this road open and in good repair.
Two other state roads established in Boone county in February, 1857, by legislative enactment were one from Fayette to Sturgeon, and the other from Providence to the mouth of Cedar creek, opposite Jefferson City. A similar provision was in this act, in regard to the duty of the county court to work the road.
THE CROSS-STATE HIGHWAY
In the summer of 1911, the State Board of Agriculture decided that, in the interests of good roads, it would be well to have a cross-state high- way established. Immediately different routes were suggested, the northern route, the central route and the southern route, and a spirited contest resulted. The Columbia Commercial Club took the lead ; and E. W. Stephens, Walter Williams, J. A. Hudson, S. C. Hunt, T. S. Gordon, Jas. W. Schwabe and N. T. Gentry started out.in automobiles, and vis-
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HISTORY OF NORTHEAST MISSOURI
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REPRESENTATIVE NORTHEAST MISSOURI LANDSCAPES, VIEWS ON FARM OF MISSOURI AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.
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ited every county and every town along the central route, which was practically the line of the Boon's Lick road and the Santa Fe trail. Meetings were held at Marshall, Glasgow, Fayette, Rocheport, Columbia, Millersburg, Stephens Store, Fulton, Williamsburg, Mineola, New Flor- ence, High Hill, Jonesburg, Warrenton and St. Charles; and the peo- ple of those localities were thoroughly aroused.
After driving in automobiles over the proposed routes, and being en- tertained at Columbia and other cities and towns through the country, the State Board of Agriculture held a public meeting in the opera house in Jefferson City on August 2, 1911, at which the governor presided, and arguments were then presented in behalf of the various lines of road. George Robertson, of Mexico, and John F. Morton, of Richmond, spoke in behalf of the northern route; Sam B. Cook, of Jefferson City, and J. H. Bothwell, of Sedalia, spoke in behalf of the southern route; and U. S. Hall, of Glasgow, and Walter Williams, of Columbia, spoke in behalf of the central route. About two hundred of Boone county's road boosters and the Hartsburg brass band accompanied the representatives of the Columbia Commercial Club to this meeting on a special train; and they, in company with similar delegations from Callaway, Montgomery, St. Charles, Howard, Saline and Lafayette counties, all wearing badges, paraded the streets of Jefferson City, carrying banners, marked Boon's Lick road, Santa Fe trail, Nature's road, Historical route, etc., etc. Some sixteen hundred delegates were in attendance, and the meeting resembled a state political convention.
A committee on resolutions, consisting of Frank W. Buffum. from Pike, Newlan Conkling, from Carroll, James W. Gill from Montgomery, John R. Hairston, from Howard, David H. Harris, from Callaway, N. T. Gentry, from Boone, A. H. Bolte, from Franklin, J. W. Hunter, from Moniteau, and M. V. Carroll, from Pettis, recommended the permanent improvement of the roads all over the state, the enactment of laws for the encouragement of road building, and the use of convicts to work on our public highways. The resolutions were unanimously adopted by the con- vention.
So much improvement was made on the roads and so much interest was shown by the people along the central route, that the State Board of Agriculture, at its next meeting, August 17, 1911, unanimously de- cided in favor of the central route as the state highway of Missouri.
Following this decision, a celebration was held in Columbia, at which time R. B. Price, riding a prancing gray horse, represented Governor Alexander McNair, T. C. Scruggs represented Uncle Sam, and Wm. E. Bradford represented Daniel Boone, carrying a rifle and accompanied by his faithful dog. All of the steam whistles in town were sounded, all of the church and school bells were rung, and a long procession paraded up and down Broadway, carrying shovels, picks and axes, followed by J. A. Hudson, seated on a road grader, and driving six three-year-old mules.
Accordingly, October 28, 1911, the state highway, officially termed the "Old Trails Road" was dedicated. The dedication ceremonies were held in the University Auditorium in Columbia, and were attended by Governor Hadley, Mayor F. H. Kreisman of St. Louis, Mayor D. A. Brown of Kansas City, Congressmen Borland, Hamlin and Shackleford, State Highway Engineer Curtis Hill, the State Board of Agriculture and others interested in good roads from all parts of the state. The Colum- bia chapter of the D. A. R. gave a splendid dinner, which was served by them in Lathrop hall; and the occasion was one long to be remembered in Boone county. E. W. Stephens, president of Columbia Commercial Club, was toastmaster.
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COLUMBIA SPECIAL ROAD DISTRICT
During this time, the people of Columbia and the surrounding coun- try formed themselves into a special road district, under the provisions of Article VI of Chapter 102 of Revised Statutes of Missouri 1909, and the name "Columbia Special Road District" was given to the district. J. A. Hudson, S. F. Conley and John L. Dodd were appointed commis- sioners by the county court, and they at once called a special election to vote on a proposition to issue one hundred thousand dollars in bonds, for the purpose of improving the roads within said eight-mile district. An- other contest was then had in Columbia on the subject of good roads; and again the Commercial Club, headed by E. W. Stephens, took an active part. After holding meetings in the Airdome in Columbia, and at the various school houses and churches in the road district, the voters decided in favor of issuing the bonds. The Columbia brass band stood on the courthouse square on the day of election and played patriotic airs, and representatives of the D. A. R. met the voters and pinned on each a badge, bearing the words, "I am for good roads." It is not surprising that the result was about fourteen to one in favor of the bond issue. This election was held on September 8, 1911, and for its unanimity surpassed any election ever held in the city or county.
Similar road districts have since been formed to the east of Columbia, known as the Harg district, and one to the southeast, known as the Deer Park district.
EARLY WARS
Black Hawk Indian War-Much has been written, and still more might be written, about the volunteers from Boone county, in the various wars our country has been unfortunate enough to engage in. Beginning in 1832, with the Black Hawk Indian war, we find Boone county furnish- ing soldiers, and we learn of their marches to Clark and Lewis counties, and over into the state of Iowa. By being at the right place on time, they prevented Black Hawk from coming to Missouri, with his band of Indians.
Seminole Indian War-In 1837, Boone county furnished a large num- ber of soldiers, who, under the leadership of Col. Richard Gentry, Capt. John Ellis and Capt. Thomas D. Grant, marched to Florida and took part in the battle of the Kissemee and Okeechobee. By their successful fight- ing, the Indians were driven from Florida and compelled to go west, where by treaty they had agreed to go. The ladies of Columbia made and presented to this regiment a silk flag, on which was the following :
Gird, gird for the conflict, Our banner wave high, For our country we'll live, For our country we'll die.
The presentation of this flag was in front of Gentry's tavern, which then stood at the northeast corner of Ninth and Broadway, where the J. H. Haden building now stands. This flag is still in existence.
Mormon War-Almost as soon as Boone county's soldiers returned from Florida, which was early in 1838, the Mormon war broke out. Again, Boone county soldiers were found ready and willing to do service for their country, and two regiments were raised for that war. Col. John Ellis, Col. Joel Hern and Maj. Stewart B. Hatton were in command, and did service in Missouri and Illinois; but the Mormon war was soon at an end.
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Mexican War-Strange as it may seem to us today, the young men and boys of Boone county were eager to leave home and join Doniphan, Kearney, Price and others and cross the plains to engage in the Mexi- can war. But strange though it is, many of them did, and they won for themselves honors that are equal to those worn by any of our military heroes. The march across the plains under the leadership of Gen. John Ellis and Capt. John Hinton, through an enemy's country, without sup- plies, and the victories they won were simply marvelous. Then, too, most of them were beardless boys; but General Doniphan said they marched and fought like old regulars. Again, the ladies of Columbia showed their appreciation of Boone county soldiers by presenting to this company a silk flag with the words "Boone Guards" printed on it. On their return, the people of Boone and Howard counties gave a dinner in Rocheport in honor of these heroes.
Kansas War-After many public meetings and a great deal of discus- sion, on the subject of whether Kansas should be a free state or a slave state, troops were raised and marched to "Bleeding Kansas," as it was called, and they engaged in the Kansas war. Lewis Robinson and Samuel A. Young, both of Boone county, were the leaders in this military under- taking. These men accompained the troops from Howard county, and took part in the famous battle of Ossawatomie.
THE CIVIL WAR
Boone County Men-Fortunately few battles of any importance were fought in Boone county during the Civil war, although Boone county fur- nished such leaders on the Union side as Gen. Odon Guitar, Gen. Jos. B. Douglass, Col. Jno. F. Philips, Col. F. T. Russell, Maj. Frank D. Evans, Maj. Lewis P. Miller, Capt. Henry N. Cook, Capt. Samuel A. Garth, Capt. James A. Adams, Capt. Tyre G. Harris, Lieut. Marshall H. Harris and Lieut. Carey H. Gordon; and on the Southern side such leaders as Gen. William Y. Slack, Col. Eli Hodge, Col. J. J. Searcy, Col. Harvey Mckinney, Col. M. G. Singleton, Capt. Jno. H. H. Maxwell, Capt. C. V. Bicknell, Capt. M. G. Corlew, Capt. Wm. F. Roberts, Capt. Jas. H. Lowry and others.
Columbia-A skirmish between the Federal forces under Gen. Lewis Merrill and some Southern soldiers occurred on Broadway in Columbia, but few persons were injured. The Federals were encamped in and around the university, and the Southern men suddenly rode into town, taking the Federals by surprise, and taking possession of Broadway, the courthouse and county jail. In the jail were confined some Southern prisoners, who were released and taken away by the soldiers; and some eighty Federal horses were also captured. Soon the Federals organized themselves, galloped down Ninth street to Broadway, keeping up a con- stant fire, and followed the fleeing Southerners to a point beyond Mores station. General Merrill was very indignant because he thought some citi- zens of Columbia had reported conditions in town to the Southern sol- diers; and he threatened to burn the town, but some Union sympathizers persuaded him that such action would be wrong and would result in no good.
Goslin's Lane-The battle of Goslin's lane occurred near Woodland- ville, in this county, and resulted in a victory for the men in command of Thomas Todd and George Todd, and their capturing a large number of wagons of provisions and supplies from the Federal soldiers. Other bat- tles were known as the battle of Hallsville, the battle of Mt. Zion church, the battle of Perche creek, the battle of Dripping Springs and the battle of Cedar creek.
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Centralia-By far the most serious engagement in Boone county dur- ing the war was the Centralia massacre, which occurred in September, 1864. Bill Anderson, the guerrilla leader, was camped with about three hundred and fifty or four hundred of his men at a point a few miles southeast of Centralia, near the M. G. Singleton farm. There was no rail- road from Centralia to Columbia then, but a stage made one round trip each day, being driven by Joseph Kelley, a son of the former jailer of Boone county, and a brother of Miss Roxy Kelley, of Columbia. Maj. Jas. S. Rollins, Jas. H. Waugh, Jno. M. Samuel, Boyle Gordon, Lafayette Hume, and perhaps others, were passengers in the stage on that day, on their way to attend a political convention at Mexico. Major Rollins was then a member of congress and Mr. Waugh was then sheriff of this county. Anderson's men attacked the stage, and at the point of a pistol required each man to hand over his pocket-book, watch and other valua- bles. The valise which Major Rollins was carrying contained a white shirt with his name written in indelible ink across the lower part of the bosom. As the guerrilla could not read, he was unable to identify Major Rollins; and, as Major Rollins insisted that his name was Johnson and that he was a Methodist preacher and wanted a clean shirt to wear the next Sunday, he was allowed to go and take his shirt with him. Mr. Waugh had a somewhat similar experience, for he had a number of papers in his pocket, which had his name and official character written on them ; but, as he insisted that his name was Smith and that the papers he had were simply copies of his grandfather's will, the guerrilla allowed him to go, and take the tell-tale papers with him.
A barrel of whiskey was discovered on the depot platform, and the guerrillas broke open the head and helped themselves. They were begin- ning to feel the effects of it, when the train on the North Missouri rail- road came in from the east. As soon as the engineer saw the guerrillas in town, he at first tried to run through Centralia without stopping; but the guerrillas fired on the train, threw some ties and pieces of lumber on the track and compelled him to stop. On the train were twenty-four Federal soldiers, who were going home on a furlough, and these were at once taken in charge by the guerrillas, and, under the direction of Bill Anderson, their clothing was taken off, and they were marched to one of the streets of the town. After taking one of their number, who was an officer, to their camp for the purpose of exchange, the remaining sol- diers were shot and killed, while standing in line. The guerrillas, after robbing the mail, baggage and express car and assaulting and robbing many of the passengers and citizens of Centralia, and burning the train and the station, returned to their camp, taking with them some of the whiskey, which they gave to their companions.
Maj. A. V. E. Johnson was at that time in command of the Federal forces at Mexico, and, hearing of the outrage in Centralia, he at once came with some of his men to that town. He was cautioned not to at- tempt to attack Anderson, as Johnson's men were new in service; and he was specially warned that Anderson was past master in the art of strategy. But Johnson, feeling that it was his duty to resent this insult to his country and his flag, marched to the place where Anderson's men were encamped. As he approached the little hill, he discovered Ander- son's men on top of the hill and apparently ready for an attack. An- derson ordered his men to dismount, which they did; and Johnson, being surprised and fearing some trick was about to be played on him, ordered his men to dismount, which they did, sending their horses some feet to the rear. In a moment Anderson's men leaped into their saddles, their horses started down the hill at full speed, and every man began firing at the Federals and at the same time yelling at the top of his voice. Before
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Johnson's men could either mount or take in the situation, they and their horses were in the worst of confusion, and were completely routed, 123 out of 130 of them being killed. Major Johnson fell at the first fire, and no one near him survived. Major Johnson and many of his com- mand are buried in the National Cemetery at Jefferson City, where & suitable monument to their memory was erected.
One of Johnson's soldiers who survived said that he made his escape by running forward and passing between two of Anderson's men, un- observed. He ran on to a meadow and hid behind a haystack, pulling up hay at the bottom and crawling under. He remained there till late that night, when he crawled away, passing over the dead bodies of his comrades and often putting his hands and knees in their blood.
Hearing of the slaughter of Major Johnson's command, Gen. Joseph B. Douglass, then stationed at Columbia, started out in pursuit of Ander- son's men. Coming close enough, two small cannon were used by Gen. Douglass, which had a telling effect on the guerrillas, and caused them to leave Boone county, after sustaining serious loss.
COLUMBIA TIGER COMPANY
After hearing of the great destruction wrought by Bill Anderson and his men in other parts of the county, especially in and near Cen- tralia, the citizens of Columbia, irrespective of their war feelings, joined a company for the protection of Columbia, its schools and churches. This organization had the bold and somewhat vicious name of "Columbia Tiger Company," and the members of this company were the first tigers who ever called Columbia their headquarters. James S. Rollins was elected captain, A. J. Harbinson and John F. Baker, lieutenants, and Lewis M. Switzler, sergeant. A blockhouse, made of logs, was erected at the intersection of Broadway and Eighth streets, suitable portholes made in the four sides and suitable military supplies placed therein. This blockhouse was built just over a well, which had previously been dug at the crossing of those streets, and thus plenty of water could be fur- nished the soldiers. The courthouse and Baptist church were used as sleeping quarters for the soldiers and both buildings were barricaded. and had portholes. They were surrounded by a ditch, which was intended to keep the "Bushwhackers" from setting fire to a load of hay and running it up to the courthouse, and thereby burn the courthouse. Of course, sentinels were on every road leading from Columbia, and a watchman was on top of the courthouse day and night. By reason of the determination of the men composing this company, Bill Anderson and his cohorts never came to Columbia.
CARRIED MONEY TO ST. LOUIS
Thomas B. Gentry, who was a merchant in Columbia and well acquainted with its early history, told the following experience that he had during the Civil war:
"The express companies refused to accept of money for transporta- tion, after one or two robberies, and, as Bill Anderson's men were threatening to come to Columbia, and had visited every other town in the county, the banks were afraid to keep much currency on hand. As I was going to St. Louis to buy goods, my friends at the Exchange National Bank asked me to take twenty thousand dollars to St. Louis for them, and deposit it with a bank in the city. I did so, riding on the stage from Columbia to Centralia, and on the North Missouri Railroad from Cen- tralia to St. Charles, with no protection, except a pistol that I carried.
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The weather was very cold, and it was necessary for me to walk across the Missouri river on the ice, which I did, carrying my valuable package. On the St. Louis county side, I boarded a train, which got me into St. Louis after dark. The first hotel at which I stopped was crowded, and some gamblers made so much noise in an adjoining room that I could not sleep. So I got up and left that hotel and walked around a few blocks to the Laclede, where I registered and took the package of money with me to my room. That night a burglar tried to gain an entrance to my room, over the transom, but I heard him and frightened him away. I do not suppose that he had any idea how much money was in my room, or he probably would not have been so easily frightened. The next morning I went to the bank and gave the package to the proper person, and for once in my life was glad to get rid of money."
EARLY SCHOOLS
Bonne Femme Academy-One of the first schools in central Mis- souri was the Bonne Femme Academy, a school for young men, which was established in 1829; it was situated near what is now known as Bonne Femme church, on the Columbia and Ashland gravel road. Rev. Robert S. Thomas, afterwards professor of English in the university, was one of the early teachers; and the school was so well advertised that young men from other states were in attendance. Prof. George C. Pratt also taught there.' In an advertisement in the Missouri Intelligencer, it was stated that this school was located in a healthy and highly moral neighborhood, and that board could be obtained at reasonable prices in respectable homes.
Columbia College-In 1831, the Columbia College was organized, and Dr. A. W. Rollins, Richard Gentry, Warren Woodson, James W. Moss, John B. Gordon and Judge David Todd were the first trustees; this was also a school for young men. From this school, the State University origi- nated, and it may also be added that the first session of the university was held in the Columbia College, which was a brick building situated just west of Parker Memorial hospital, on South Sixth street, and after- wards known as the residence of Rev. R. F. Babb.
Columbia Female Academy-In 1833, the Columbia Female Academy was started, the first school exclusively for women west of the Mississippi river. The first trustees of this school were Dr. William Jewell, Dr. Will- iam Provines, Stephen R. Bedford, Roger North Todd and Austin A. King; and the first act done by them was to secure Miss Lucy Ann Wales, of Massachusetts, to take charge of said school. Miss Wales proved to be one of the distinguished educators of the state. The first session of that school was held in the old Presbyterian church; but later a brick building was erected and used by the school for many years. This building was afterwards used as a residence, then as the Cottage hotel, still later as the Gordon hotel, and now it is rented to the university and used by the home economics department; it is situated at the southwest corner of Cherry and Tenth streets.
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