A History of Northeast Missouri, Volume I, Part 57

Author: Williams, Walter, 1864-1935, editor
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago, New York, The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 731

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The high schools of Macon county are quite numerous and all of them are in articulation with the State University and the great private and denominational colleges of the state.

MEDICAL PROFESSION

Like all new counties, and especially lying as Macon county did, the early settlers had more or less sickness-chills and fevers and malaria being the dominant ailments. The enterprising physician followed in the wake of the advancing immigration. To every settlement soon came the physician. As far as tradition goes, the profession was represented by men of sterling worth, who helped to give tone and worth to the com- munity. As a sample may be mentioned Dr. J. B. Winn, who in the early '30s settled in the Morrow neighborhood and rode far and wide wherever fever burned and disease raged. The touch of his hand, like the sound of his voice, was more or less inspiring to the racked patient. He was a strong believer in Christianity and a devoted member of the Methodist church. He stood at the head of every movement for the ad- vancement of morality and religion.

There lives to-day in the county Dr. Josiah Gates, at LaPlata, who is far into the 80's and has ministered to the aches and pains of humanity all over the north half of the county since his early manhood.

It is impossible to name all the worthy individual members of the profession. We trespass to mention an old English doctor who came to Macon county in the early days, bringing with him his diploma from Oxford and Edinburgh and fitting himself with his elegance, learning and gentility into the crudities and rudenesses of frontier life, traveled over the eastern half of the county and was called in almost every con- sultation. The older people remaining to-day, who were children in Barron's time, continue to speak of him with great respect and dwell upon his peculiarities and his efficiency.

Dr. William I. Lowry, son of old Doctor Lowry of Fayette, was a doctor by nature and practiced widely in the southwestern part of the county before and during the war. Doctor Lowry was the father of Professor Thomas J. Lowry, who for years taught in the University of Missouri.

Another physician who was partly contemporaneous with Doctor Lowry in southern Macon county-a surgeon of the Fifth Regiment, Missouri Infantry, C. S. A., was Dr. Benjamin Dysart, who, after the war, settled in Paris, Mo., where he had an extensive practice and died a few years ago.

Dr. T. F. Owen, who came to the country from Kentucky during the building of the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad, got his start fol-

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lowing the camps of the laborers on the railroads, and, later, settling at Callao, practiced extensively and died some years ago.

Dr. J. F. Campbell settled in the southwestern part of the county during the war and built up a large practice when he moved to Callao and practiced extensively up and down the Chariton river. He was a public spirited man and took a deep interest in public affairs and repre- sented the county in the legislature.

Dr. T. F. Jackson, son of Lieutenant-Governor Hancock Jackson, was for years a prominent figure in the medical profession of the county. At the time of the Porter raids through the northeastern portion of Mis- souri, the doctor, by tradition at least, is credited with visits made dur- ing the shades of night to the secret retreats of Porter's sick and wounded.

Macon county has had for years a County Medical Association, which is connected with the state organizations and its members to-day are devoted to their profession and are studying its interests.

BENCH AND BAR

Macon county when organized was attached to the second judicial circuit, of which Judge Thomas Reynolds was the presiding judge. Judge Reynolds became governor 'in the election of 1840, and seems to have been succeeded for a short term by Judge James Birch, and then fol- lowed by James Clark and Judge Leland. These were all gentlemen of fine ability. They were followed by Judge William A. Hall of Ran- dolph county, who was a learned lawyer and a just judge. He had some peculiarities, but was a great thinker and understood his profession. He is said to have been on fine terms with the younger members of the bar.

Judge Hall was succeeded by Judge George H. Burckhartt of Hunts- ville, a great character and native of Randolph county. He was proud of the fact that he had never been outside of the great state of Missouri. '

Then followed Judge John W. Henry, who served from 1872 to No- vember, 1876. He saw justice and was quite prompt to take the right. Quick in his mental and physical action, he reached an opinion and was somewhat firm in it, but was always ready to reverse himself, which he could do with the greatest grace when convinced he was wrong. In 1877 he became judge of the supreme court. In November, 1876, he was succeeded by Judge Andrew Ellison of Adair county, who succeeded to the vacancy and continued on the bench until 1898. He was another of nature's noblemen. Not an over-bookish man, but a man who knew the meaning and purport of what he read and with a somewhat remarkable tenacity of memory as to the principles of the law and their application to the jurisprudence of Missouri, he made a most acceptable judge and could have remained on the bench until his death had he so desired. But he went into private practice, and died a few years thereafter.

In 1899, Judge Nat M. Shelton of Schuyler county succeeded to the bench and has continued ever since. This last fact speaks more for Judge Shelton than could a page of words. Sometimes after his elec- tion the judge moved to Macon, which is now his home. The bar of Macon county has always been one of ability and devotion.

An incident may serve to illustrate pioneer life and jurisprudence : There lived at Bloomington, from the earliest period, one Absalom Lewis, commonly called Uncle Ab. When he was getting along towards his ninetieth birthday the writer was passing his house one day and saw him at the gate in the sunshine of a beautiful fall day. Stopping to

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say "howdy," the old gentleman would not be satisfied unless I stayed for dinner and said I could put up my horse and he would show me where the corn was. While doing so, he told me that he was for eleven years a justice of the peace at Old Bloomington and had had but two cases appealed and that both were affirmed. Then he said that Abner Gilstrap and Wesley Halliburton had a case before him one day "and they were running along all right, when Abner, he sprung a pint, and they argued her up and they argued her down, and I gave the pint to Abner. And then," he said, "they ran along and directly Wesley, he sprung a pint, and they argued her up and they argued her down, and I gave the pint to Wesley. Then they ran on again and directly Abner, he sprung another pint, and they argued her up and they argued her down, and I gave the pint to Wesley, and Abner-he got as mad as hell. I told him if he did not sit down I would adjourn court, take off my coat and go into the yard and whip him. And," he said, "they quieted down and the case went on." It may be mentioned that the squire prided himself on his fighting ability as much as on his legal.

Among the young men who were circuit attorneys and afterwards became distinguished at the bar was John F. Williams. He was circuit attorney in 1858, and represented the state in connection with Attorney- General Gardenhire in the celebrated case of the State against Hayes. The case was quite famous in its day. Colonel Williams became a colonel of militia during the war. After the war he settled in Macon and practiced law in connection with Judge John W. Henry. After Judge Henry's election to the bench, Colonel Williams continued to be a most successful lawyer. He was an advocate and made a most telling speech to a jury, free from cant and always managed to find some point of merit in his case and present it with effect and for all there was in it. Colonel Williams was also a good stump orator.

During Colonel Crittenden's administration, Colonel Williams was superintendent of insurance. He was a friendly man and especially so with the younger members of the bar, and the writer, as well as others, is under many obligations to him.

Space forbids the mention of many good and great men who have practiced at the Macon bar, among whom is the late John H. Overall, an able man and lawyer.

The present bar is of ability. The Honorable Benjamin R. Dysart, who was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1875, is at pres- ent the nestor and dean of the Macon bar. The writer may be permitted to say that Major Dysart is a good pleader, a close thinker and a fine judge of the law, and on a legal point makes a most plausible and convincing argument. For a fine Italian hand in the management of a case, and especially in giving plausibility to its weak points, he is a full match for his old schoolmate, the Honorable A. W. Mullins of Linn county. Mr. Dysart's age and eminence will justify this personal mention of the living while the rest of the bar are left unnamed.

POLITICS AND INTERSTATE WAR

Macon county from the first seems to have been largely Democratic, though there was a large intelligent and influential minority of Whigs who managed to influence in no small degree the civic destiny of the county. Its location put it on the route of the pilgrimages of the great political orators in campaign years, and tradition is rife with the great speeches made by the great men of the day, such as Claiborne F. Jackson, James J. Lindsey, James Clark, Thomas L. Anderson, James S. Rollins, James S. Green, Thomas Hart Benton and many others. Among the

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local politicians Fred Rowland soon pushed to the front and became representative. William S. Fox likewise became an active politician and legislator. Colonel Abner Lee Gilstrap also was a prominent poli- tician and member of the convention of 1865. Wesley H. Halliburton was also quite a prominent man and became a member of the state senate.

The Benton split in the Democratic party created a good deal of excitement in the county, and it is believed the anti-Bentonites domi- nated. The great questions of slavery and states rights had their advo- cates and opponents and at times discussion grew warm, and the Jack- son resolutions of 1849 became quite a subject of animated debate among all parties.

In 1860 the Breckenridge men ran for representative, Dr. James Weatherford of Bloomington-a good man and States Rights Democrat. The Douglas men ran Fred Rowland, a dignified thoughtful Demo- crat with little culture, blessed with good common sense, but a slow speaker. The Bell and Everett party were represented in the race by George Palmer of Macon, a young lawyer with a good gift of speech, quick to catch a point and apt to dodge a thrust. In that campaign his office was to advocate "The Constitution, the Union and the Enforce- ment of the Laws," but he was in fact principally engaged in goring his two opponents. He seemingly aimed to pet Doctor Weatherford and to go after Uncle Fred, because he was himself almost a secessionist and had the idea that his mission was to beat the Douglas men in the county. The issues were discussed with great earnestness, not to say warmth, and union and disunion, secession and coercion came in for heated declamation. The consequence was that Weatherford was elected and Douglas and Bell lost in the conflict in Macon county. The Whig and Democratic issue went out of the discussion and the Whigs, a great per cent. of whom were States Rights men of the strictest sect, were acting with the Breckenridge Democrats. Lincoln received no votes in Macon county it is said.

The legislature of 1860-61 called a state convention to take into consideration the "Federal Relations." The election of delegates to that convention engendered much strife.

There is a little incident that occurred in the early spring of 1861, which seems to have escaped notice in these late years. Macon City was a new railroad town and was enjoying her youthful notoriety. Early in April notice went out that there would be speaking on the political issues of the day by Col. Thomas L. Anderson of Palmyra, Mo., an ex-congressman, and a secessionist flag would be raised. The city made considerable preparation for the event. The crowd came, the train from the east brought Colonel Anderson, and all the political debaters of the surrounding country were present. The flag went up in the afternoon in front of the Harris house, and the crowd cheered, and, as its folds fluttered to the breeze, Colonel Anderson was intro- duced and made one of his telling and captivating speeches. He was followed by Wesley Halliburton in his most bitter and sarcastic vein, in which he dealt out facts that were damning to the East and the Republican party.

Soon after the pole raising at Macon, Bloomington announced a speech from the Honorable James S. Green, then a senator from Mis- souri. His fame and reputation had filled the nation by reason of his demolition of the Squatter Sovereignty doctrine of Douglas. The day came and a large crowd. Green seemed to have been in good condition, and spoke it is believed in his ordinary way, with possibly an increased enthusiasm by reason of the intense excitement that saturated the mind

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and thought of the community. He spoke his words as if they were hot and spit them from him as if to get rid of them. The audience was at rapt attention when a messenger came in and a telegram was passed to the speaker. He perused it and then read it to the crowd. It an- nounced the taking of Camp Jackson by General Lyon. The crowd was still, as if trying to get hold of something, but the response came a little later, as it were, in a deep unconscious groan. Then Green pro- ceeded, and in his way scored the act, denounced the actors and made his audience feel that the day of liberty had passed in Missouri. How- ever, there was a seriousness and comprehension of the situation that sent the audience home deeply impressed with the sterner facts at hand. The theories had become facts and discussion had vanished before reali- ties. This was followed in a day or two by a great meeting in Macon, which was simply a spontaneous running together from all corners of the county of men, anxious to know and learn and see and determine when and what was to be done. It is said that this crowd in Macon was largely armed with old muskets, shot guns and rifles and the temper of the crowd was anything but assuring for peace.

During all the preceding exciting events several organizations of men were exercising in the different neighborhoods, and musters and drills were frequent, but informal and ineffective. Few real organiza- tions existed. Among them were the Silver Greys of Macon City, under Captain Halleck, and the Macon Rangers, under Capt. William D. Marmaduke. These companies had some more or less organization and some systematic drill, especially the Halleck company. The preceding incidents attracted the Federal attention and early in June a couple of regiments under General Hurlbut reached Macon from the East. This created consternation and drove out a good many people. About the same time the proclamation of Governor Jackson, calling for fifty thousand volunteers at Jefferson City, sent quite a number of the Hal- leck and Marmaduke companies on their way, and they joined Gen. John B. Clark, brigadier-general of the third division, at Jefferson City and made a part of the first regiment of that division. This regi- ment played an important part in the battle of Wilson creek on August 10th. There may be others of that company remaining, but the only one recurring to memory now is Maj. B. R. Dysart of Macon, who was severely wounded in the fight and fell in front of where General Lyon was killed.

About August 20th, there rendezvoused at Marshall three companies of Capt. James Scovern, Capt. Theodore Sanders and Capt. Ben Eli Guthrie, all of Macon county. This constituted the Bevier Battalion of the Third Division and operated with that division during the exist- ance of the Missouri State Guard. This, with the contingent of about one thousand men under Col. Ed Price, joined General Price's ad- vance at Nevada and took part in the battle of Dry Wood and there- after marched on to Lexington. There, great numbers of other Macon county people joined the various organizations to which they belonged, and the Bevier Battalion was increased to third regiments by the com- panies of Gross, Griffin and Smith and some three other companies, so that it may be safely said that in Price's army there was at that time in the neighborhood of twelve hundred Macon county people. These followed the fortunes of Price and from time to time additional recruits straggled in.

The Federal army doubtless had as many as two thousand Macon county men during the war in its various commands and militia. Some of them did valiant service, among whom may be mentioned Wm. T. Forbes, C. R. Haverly, John M. London and Ben F. Stone. These were

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all respected citizens. Garrisons were continually maintained at Macon City. Among the commanders at different times were Forbes, Ebber- man, Gilstrap and Williams, who were disposed, as much as may be, to make a hard situation as easy as possible. The tradition among the people afterwards was that General Merrill was quite severe and his memory is not reverenced highly in the county. Col. Odon Guitar commanded for a while and General Fisk also.

There was a Federal prison maintained at Macon in which from time to time many of the old citizens of the county found a temporary abode. On the 25th of September, 1862, ten Confederate prisoners, tried by court-martial, were shot. Among the condemned was a boy who wrote the general the following note, which is preserved in the form in which it was sent :

general for god sake spare my life for i am a boy i was perswaded to do what i have done and forse i will go in service and fight for you and stay with you douring the war i wood been fighting for the union if it had bin for others. J. A. WYSONG.

There is a well authenticated report of a Confederate officer being hung in Macon in the fall of 1864, on the ground of intercepting the United States mails. The name has passed from the records.

The garrisons were not confined to Macon City. It is estimated at one time there were as many as seven thousand soldiers in the county, but this was only for a short time. But garrisons were kept along the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad, and especially at the Chariton bridge. where a block house was built in 1863 for the protection of the bridge. which still remains and is now used for a better purpose, to-wit, a stable.

There was one stirring little campaign in Macon county in '64 when Colonel Poindexter made his raid through the country and took Kirks- ville. In his retreat southward he came into Macon county and crossed to the west of the Chariton, where he met a detachment which was trying to cut off his retreat, and a running fight occurred along the west bluffs of the Chariton, on what is known as Painter's creek, in which there was some maneuvering and a good deal of shooting and maybe one or two deaths. Some of his command were Macon county people.

TOWNS AND VILLAGES

Old Centerville seems to have been the first trading point in the county. It was situated in the southeast corner of the county. near the lines of the three counties-Shelby, Monroe and Randolph, and was in its day the center of considerable influence. Its name for years has been Woodville. It is still a trading post, having a blacksmith shop, store and postoffice.

About ten miles west of old Centerville, in years agone, stood the village of McClainesville, which the necessities of the pioneer life had called into existence and the rich prairies that surrounded it made it a point of much prominence and importance at one time.

Some six miles farther west, in about 1850, sprang up the little ham- let of Floretta. This was located on the main stage road from Huntsville to Bloomington. For many years large quantities of tobacco was bought and shipped.

In 1852 McGee College was located at College Mound, some two miles almost due west of Floretta. There were several stores, blacksmith shop, carpenter shop, boot and shoe shop, mill, tobacco factory and quite a number of other things that went to make a thriving little village around the college and overshadowed Floretta, which gradually de-

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clined. College Mound held its own during the war fairly well, and is still a flourishing town.

About two miles north of the old town of McClainesville the Wabash Railroad established a station, Excello, some time in the '80s. This became quite a village by reason of the mining of coal in the immediate vicinity.

In the early '90s the village of Ardmore, lying about half way be- tween Excello and College Mound, was laid out by the Kansas & Texas Coal Company, who opened their main store there in connection with several mines. It is a mining camp, having the usual luck of such villages.

In Morrow township on the southwest there has existed since the '70s a trading post called Kaseyville, near the Randolph county line, where they have stores and the usual shops.

Some five miles north of Kaseyville is the postoffice of Barryville, which is a store where there is a fair amount of trading.

With the building of the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad, a sta- tion was established in Round Grove township on the east side of the county, which still continues to be a thriving trading point for a large and wealthy community. In the '90s the railroad company changed the name to Anabel.

The Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad placed a station five miles west of Macon and about four miles south of old Bloomington and called it Bevier. This was in 1858. It soon became a hamlet of some importance. In 1865 coal was discovered in great quantities. The original mines have been worked out, other mines have been opened and traffic goes on. Mining camps grew up at mine "61." Keota and other shafts were sunk and a railroad was built some ten or twelve years ago from, Bevier passing by these several shafts and villages, including Ardmore with its surrounding shafts and camps, and running into Randolph county. Bevier, today, is a good strong town of two thousand people, having many nice residences, hotels, business houses, churches and all the general features of an organized community.

In 1858, sometime in the late summer, the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad reached Callao, where its trains stopped for a while until its tracks could span the botton of the Chariton and reach the western bluffs. From that day to this, Callao has grown. It has a population of intelligent, refined and enterprising people and does business for a great country to the north and south, its trade extending into Randolph county.

The next stop in the county for the railroad was New Cambria, in range 17. The town for years has had an active, thriving trade, serving the great territory far into Chariton county to the south and extending even farther to the north, until its northern trade was somewhat clipped . by the building of the Santa Fe Railroad.

In the early '70s coal was discovered along near the western line of the county and a station was located and named Lingo. Shafts were sunk and a large quantity of coal mined and shipped. The village grew around it and continues, notwithstanding the coal has been largely exhausted. The community is largely Bohemian-a cheerful and happy people.

On the line of the old Hannibal and St. Joseph stage road was a postoffice from the earliest times, called Ten Mile postoffice, in township 58, and, the country around being rich, it was not long until it became the nucleus for a village and was pushing ahead with vigor when the railroad came in 1857. It still remained a postoffice, but it was a "star router."

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Some ten miles north and west of Ten Mile postoffice, in the northern part of the county, out on the great prairie in township 59, and near the Salt river, was a little village called Vienna in the olden time, but later dubbed Economy. When the railroad came and, later, the war, its brightness began to tarnish, but, still, by reason of the wealth of the community around it, it is a considerable trade center.

When the Wabash Railroad pushed north from Macon in 1866, it established a station almost west of Vienna and called it Atlanta. From that day on Atlanta was a growing town. It is a good place to live in and will grow as the country developes. It has in this good year of 1912 established a local fair, and its first meeting in September would be a credit to any rural community.

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A History of Northeast Missouri, Volume I, Part 57

Author: Williams, Walter, 1864-1935, editor Publication date: 1913 Publisher: Chicago, New York, The Lewis Publishing Company Number of Pages: 731

Author: Williams, Walter, 1864-1935, editor
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago, New York, The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 731