USA > Missouri > A History of Northeast Missouri, Volume I > Part 81
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One of the earlier settlements of the county was Edinburg, which is not far from the south line of the county. This once thriving place has likewise been supplanted by towns that have sprung up along the lines of railroad and grown to larger proportions. In the year 1836 Holliday & Eskridge started a store at Edinburg. In July of that year Mt. Pleas- ant township was organized by dividing Benton township so as to cut off a strip of ten miles width to the west. At the presidential election held in 1840, 150 votes were cast in Mt. Pleasant township alone, which was but a small portion of the former township of Benton. It is thus seen that the thinly settled district of five years before was fast filling up with people.
In these early days, Indians were quite numerous in and around Edinburg and the store there was the rendezvous for the wily red man. The husky natives came frequently for the purpose of hunting, racing and other sports. "On one occasion," says George T. Collins, "a com- pany of 'bucks and squaws' imbibed too freely and became boisterous. Passing to the southwest between Tobin creek and the Fabius, they began to create some uneasiness on the part of the white settlers who
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thought it best to watch their movements. Accordingly they kept three watchers in a position where they would be unobserved. The band went into camp near Middle Fabius. In their drunken revelry one of their number bound another with a cord. When the latter was released he was so enraged that he seized his rifle and shot down the other. Immedi- ately all the guns in the camp were fired-it is said-as a precaution against further bloodshed."
By an act of the general assembly, passed and approved in the year 1843, a commission was created for the purpose of locating a permanent seat of justice for the county of Scotland. This commission was com- posed of Obediah Dickerson, John Lear and Matthew Givens. They held a meeting at Sand Hill, which was then the county seat, and during their deliberations, were offered several different tracts of land, notable of which was a tract near the Thomas H. Smith farm, southeast of Memphis, that was then offered by John C. Collins, and the Rev. Mr. Smith, Thomas Smith's father. But the commissioners did not think it was a suitable site for a town, and finally decided on the place where Memphis now stands, as being less than a mile northwest of the geo- graphical center of the county and of easy access to all of the people. Samuel Cecil donated a tract containing fifty acres of ground, the commissioners securing title thereto by a deed that was subsequently executed by Samuel Cecil and his wife. This instrument was signed on the 19th day of September, 1843. It was approved by the circuit court at its next session. George Woods was by the county court ap- pointed as a commissioner to lay off the land into blocks and lots and to locate a public square near the center of the tract, to be preserved for the permanent seat of justice. J. F. Forman was employed to make the survey and mark off the lots. This preliminary work having been ac- complished, a sale of the lots was ordered: From the sale of lots the county realized something more than four thousand dollars, and this money was expended in the erection of public buildings to be used for county offices and as places to hold court.
There have been three court houses built in Memphis. The first build- ing used for that purpose was erected near the northeast corner of the public square. In 1856 the first courthouse in the center of the square was erected at a cost of $10,000. Levi J. Wagner was appointed by the county court as superintendent of construction.
The first county jail and jailer's residence was built in 1850. This. like the court house, was a brick building and answered the purposes for which it was intended many years. Subsequently two wings were added to the court house, and were built fire proof, for use as vaults for the safe keeping of the public records.
Early in the year 1907, the court house that had stood the tests of time for a half century and answered the purpose of a seat of justice, showed signs of decay and as the walls were badly cracked, an expert was employed to make an examination and pass upon its safety. R. H. Phillips, a civil engineer of St. Louis, came and looked over the building and in his report, which was supplemented by the reports of others, declared the building unsafe. Thereupon the court was petitioned by taxpayers to order an election for the purpose of voting bonds for the building of a new court house. Prior to this time, however, the offices. together with the records, were removed to a building on the east side of the square, known as the Bence building and all the county business was transacted there. The election was held, and the vote of the people of the county gave the required two-thirds and many votes to spare. The bonds were registered and sold and the contract was awarded to the Falls City Construction Company, of Louisville, Kentucky, at the price of fifty thousand dollars.
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The building, which was completed late in the year 1908, is a large stone veneered structure, having ample room, and vaults of fire proof construction, that it is believed will answer the purposes intended for a long number of years.
The county court at the time the old court house was condemned was composed of John H. Barker, William R. Matlick and George Struble. At the time the bonds were voted and the building erected the county court was composed of Judge Walter S. Hickerson, William R. Matlick and J. S. Crawford.
CITY OF MEMPHIS
Memphis, the county seat of Scotland county, in point of popu- lation, is the metropolis. The population of Memphis, according to the census of 1910, was 1,984. It is known, however, to have two or three hundred more than that in 1912, as this is written. This fact is ascer- tained because there are no houses of any consequence that are vacant. When the census enumerator was around there were about a hundred va- cant houses in the city. Since the town was originally laid out there have been fourteen additions to the town, now city, of Memphis. This was necessary in order to accommodate the growing population. The first house built within the present limits of the city of Memphis was erected in 1835 (before the town was platted) by Burton Tompkins. This was a log house and stood near the present site of the K.& W. depot. The first hotel was built by Harry Baker, deceased. This was near the southeast corner of the square. Another hotel was soon built just west of Townsend's wagon factory, by Andrew Lovell. This was a frame structure. The public square in the earliest days of the town's existence was surrounded mainly by frame or log buildings. Subsequently and after the town got a new charter and was classed as a city, the council passed an ordinance forbidding the erection of buildings out of combus- tible materials, at or near the public square. This ordinance has been so long in force that now there only two frame buildings on the square.
Memphis has two fine school buildings. One of these, a grammar school in the north ward, was erected in 1900 at a cost of five thousand dollars. The other is the high school, a handsome structure of fire proof construction. that was built in the year 1910, at a cost of twenty thousand dollars. This building is a monument to the progressive spirit of the people of the city of Memphis. Parents feel secure when their children are so comfortably and safely housed. It may be added here that the high school of Memphis has been built up to a school of the first class. The curriculum has been approved by the State University, and the Memphis high school articulates with the University. The last time the examiner from the state institution visited Memphis the school was advanced to seventeen units. Under this arrangement students who grad- nate here in the full course can enter the freshman class in the State University without further examinations. The faculty of the high school now is as follows: superintendent, Professor A. O. Moore; history, Miss Essie McQuoid; English, Miss Cox; Latin and German, Miss Ella Shaw ; principal of the high school, Lloyd King.
The grade teachers for the coming term are the following: At the South school, Misses Mc Williams, Mudd, Critz, Bumbarger, and Jackson. North school-F. G. Mason, principal; Mrs. Reckard, Misses Gutman and Knight.
The business houses of Memphis are all well kept. There are many fine plate glass fronts and attractive windows. Some of the large stores here have fine displays of merchandise and they would be a credit to many a city of five to ten thousand population. Memphis draws Vol. 1-39
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trade from a large territory on the north, south, east and west, and her business men, in the main, are quite prosperous. The churches repre- sented here are the Presbyterian, Methodist, Episcopal, M. E. South, Baptist and Christian. The churches all maintain strong organizations, have Sunday schools, and all have pastors, except the Baptist church, whose minister recently resigned to accept similar work elsewhere. The resident pastors now are Rev. C. H. Morton, of the First Presbyterian church; Rev. H. G. Waggoner, of the Christian church; Rev. C. V. Lan- ius, of the M. E. Church South; and Rev. George Sturgis, of the Metho- dist Episcopal church.
Since the organization of the town, there have been various news- paper enterprises launched. The Memphis Conservative was a paper established in 1866 by John Gharkey. The Reveille was established September 9, 1865 by Lem Shields and G. A. Henry, two Federal sol- diers who had lately returned from the Civil war. The editors of the Reveille at successive stages of its history were : S. R. Peters, John A. McGrindley, Cy W. Jamison, James Gillespie, and present proprietors, W. W. and H. G. Gillespie, sons of the late James Gillespie. The Re- veille has steadfastly advocated the principles of the Republican party since its beginning. It is a weekly publication and a six column quarto.
The Memphis Democrat was established in the autumn of 1873 by Samuel Dysert. This paper has been under the guidance of the follow- ing persons since that time : James Donnelly, McDowell & Burch, Felix Lane, J. C. Kirby, Eugene P. Moore, S. A. Allen, Colonel M. A. Bates, Dr. J. C. Gristy, and the present editors and proprietors, Roberts & Bumbarger.
The National was established June 1, 1882, by C. W. Sevier, but did not long continue publication. At various times other newspapers, the Standard, by Colonel Bates; the Daily Chronicle, by J. W. Bence, and other minor publications, have been published in Memphis.
A business directory of the city of Memphis at the present time is as follows : Citizens Bank, G. E. Leslie, president; A. B. Hirsh, ladies' clothing; Ben Morris, hardware and implements; E. F. Bertram, dry goods; Barnes Building (under construction) ; Miller Mercantile Com- pany, dry goods, clothing and millinery; Clarkson Brothers, groceries; J. E. Mount, hardware; M. L. Jackson Estate, general department store; J. H. Mulch, furniture and undertaking; Simon Saddlery Company, harness and saddles; D. R. Brown, drugs and notions; Bertram & Bal- low, groceries; A. E. McQuoid, groceries; W. B. McLane, jewelry ; Taylor Brothers, restaurant; Davis & Hockett, meat market; Jeffries Brothers, barbers; D. W. Payne, furniture and undertaking ; J. E. John- son, photographer; E. Walsh, tailor; W. I. Humbert, meat market; Farmers Exchange Bank, John R. Hudson, cashier; W. P. Briggs & Son, garage, implements, and grain elevator; Otis Goodenough, photog- rapher ; W. C. Chew, house furnishings and musical instruments; Thomas J. Baird, restaurant; Courtney Brothers, barbers; Thomas Naggs, bak- ery ; George Bratz, shoemaker; Frank Harkness, shoe store; Isaac Royer, shoemaker; Memphis Hotel, Wm. Newman, proprietor; Hotel Barber Shop; Dr. Givens, drugs; Hanzel & Garrett, meat market; A. G. Craig, flour and feed; Ed. Driscoll, pool hall; Williams Brothers, restaurant ; Oyler & Son, groceries; W. C. Clement, hardware; C. A. Gerhold, har- ness and saddles; Scotland County National Bank, R. M. Barnes, cashier; Cone & Davidson, barbers; A. Ammerman, grocery; Zumsteg Brothers, drugs; G. D. Dawson, druggist; Memphis Clothing Company, clothing and gents furnishings; T. H. Wiegner, lumber ; A. P. Patterson, dry goods; The New Store; Memphis Democrat; Memphis Reveille; John Holley, real estate; J. J. Townsend & Son, wagons and buggies;
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John Klotzer, harness; Memphis Telephone Exchange, Dr. J. J. Risk, proprietor ; Douglas & Prather, blacksmiths and wagon makers; Martin Humphrey, monuments, etc .; Merritt's Mill; Myers, Moore & Company, manufacturers of brick and tile; C. H. Byrne, news stand; MeHenry Brothers, livery ; J. A. Cassingham, livery, dray and coal; Mrs. Minnie E. Bence, music school; W. W. Eckman, lumber; T. C. Tulley, jeweler; T. H. Warwick, plumber; W. O. Tucker, barber; Memphis Produce Company, Steeples & Adams, proprietors; John Scott & Sons, building contractors; Clark & Davis, livery; D. C. Morgan, coal; Mrs. H. E. Dougherty, hotel; Drs. J. E. and E. E. Parrish, A. E. Platter, P. M. Baker, Frank Givens, W. E. H. Bondurant, W. E. Alexander, G. F. Foster, J. D. Skidmore, all M. D's .; Drs. J. A. Grow, Benson and Mabie, Osteopaths; Dentists-L. E. Hudson, N. A. Thompson & Son, J. A. Curtis, Simpson Grow, L. C. Pitkin; Real estate-Witty & McCandless; Shacklett & Combs; J. H. Watkins; Insurance-C. F. Sanders, W. L. Scott, H. H. Jones, F. C. Reddish; Attorneys Judge E. R. McKee, J. M. Jayne, Pettingill & Luther, J. H. Watkins, H. V. Smoot, J. M. Doran-W. L. Scott, H. H. Jones, Judge Elias Scofield, Major R. D. Cramer, J. W. Bence, H. A. Miller, R. W. Campbell, W. B. Scott, A. H. Pitkin.
Some of the business men of Memphis in its early history were: H. Gorin, Paxton & Hudson, Charles Mety, William G. Downing, Dud- ley Webber and John Crook. Several manufacturing enterprises have been carried on in the town at various periods, such as the making of furniture, flour and cigars. One of the late manufacturing enterprises that in its day did a large export business was Rees Brothers' Handle Factory. This factory furnished employment for a good many men and boys, but the scarcity of timber made it necessary for this enterprise to close its doors.
Memphis has a large brick and tile factory that furnishes employ- ment for a good many men. This is conducted by Myers, Moore & Company, and employs twenty-five men through the brick making season.
There is now (July, 1912) under consideration the establishment of a button factory, which it is claimed by the promoters will furnish employment for about one hundred men. The money to be raised by the business men of the town to insure the starting of this factory is about all subscribed, and it is believed the factory is an assured fact.
The city of Memphis at this time has the following officers: Mayor, Dr. E. Brainerd; city clerk, Earl McDaniel; marshal and street com- missioner, Sam Dauma; night watchman, Milt Palmer; aldermen, J. C. Woodsmall, A. Ammerman, L. E. Courtney and J. L. Houtz; city at- torney, J. M. Doran.
GORIN
Gorin is second in size among the towns of Scotland county. Gorin was started in 1886 and 1887, about the time the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad was completed. The place has grown to be an im- portant commercial center, located as it is, on one of the most gigantic and best equipped railroad systems in America, which within the past five years has completed the double tracking of the entire distance be- tween Chicago and Kansas City. Gorin has had a healthy growth-not a mushroom boom-but the kind of growth that is substantial and will last. The population by the census of 1910, of Gorin and South Gorin combined was 830, which is more than double what it was ten years before. Within the borders of this enterprising town are a number of important enterprises.
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A few years ago the Prairie Oil and Gas Company, a portion of the Standard Oil corporation, put in a pipe line along the right- of-way of the Santa Fe Railroad and established one of its pumping sta- tions at Gorin. This is a big concern and furnishes employment to a number of men.
In the year 1907, the Gorin school district voted bonds to build a new and commodious school house, the contract price of which was $7,500. The district employs four teachers for the grades and high school, having adopted a two years' course in the latter.
Gorin has four churches, namely: The Christian, Methodist Epis- copal Church South, Baptist and Cumberland Presbyterian. The citi- zens are a live and progressive people and they look well to their religious and educational interests.
The business directory of the town is as follows: Shibley Brothers, general store; Williams & Estell, druggists; J. A. Guiles, harness and saddles; Irwin & Company, hardware; Steve Harker, meat market; W. P. Piles, postmaster, restaurant; Henry Beckman, groceries; Charles Kiefer, meat market; Southern Hotel; Guiles & Ewing, Hotel Savoy : Harry Ratherford, implements and buggies; Gorin Savings Bank, Henry Weber, cashier; Greeno & Ewing, bakery and restaurant; Lafe Trotter, restaurant, pool room; Piles & Company, barbers; Citizens Bank, Roy Myers, cashier ; Gorin Argus, a weekly newspaper edited by Roy Sharts & Son; Fred Gerth, furniture and undertaking; Abe Gardner, hardware: Piper & Kraus, drugs; A. D. Way, clothing; Powers & Kraus, grocery ; Mrs. Maud Hays, millinery; A. W. Richardson, racket store; Walter Smith, livery ; Thomas Brothers, automobiles; Haff & Sons, blacksmiths; etc.
One of the earliest mayors Gorin ever had was W. L. C. Ratherford. a pioneer of the town, who located there a short time after the Santa Fe was built. He established a wagon and buggy factory and after conducting a shop there several years, put in a stock of buggies and farming implements. Associated with him in business were his two sons, Harry and William. Since the death of his father, Harry has been . conducting the business at the old stand. The present mayor is J. A. Guiles. Stephen Harker is the city marshal.
RUTLEDGE
Next in size and importance among the towns of Scotland county is Rutledge. This place, like Gorin, was brought into existence by the loca- tion of the Santa Fe Railroad. Soon after the town was laid out Edwin L. Hilbert established a newspaper which under the name of the Record he continued to publish for a number of years. He sold the plant, which has since that time had a checkered career. It was owned and conducted at one time by Lyman Westcott. Another publisher was Mr. Bounds. now deceased. After the death of Mr. Bounds the paper was for a time suspended, but resumed publication about a year ago under the man- agement of E. T. Barnes, who is still engaged in the publication of the paper.
A. E. McQuoid, now a grocery merchant of Memphis, was one of the first men to conduct a general store at Rutledge. The present business directory of Rutledge is as follows: Albert Green, hotel; Neely Mercan- tile Company, general store; Mrs. George Parcells, general store: J. R. Comley, furniture; Walter Wingerter, hardware; Lou Rose, hardware: W. P. Rule, drugs; Petty & Petty, drugs; Tom Bone, blacksmith : Mart Smith, machinist : W. J. Taylor. lumberman : Gale Myers, pool hall and
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restaurant ; Frank Smith, grain dealer; Gunnel, Bertran & Buford, real estate ; Bank of Rutledge, D. J. Buford, cashier.
In religious matters Rutledge stands well among the towns of the county, these denominations being represented : Christian, Methodist Episcopal Church South, Baptist, and Holiness. The people of the town are believers in education and have put their belief into practice by building up their school to a high standard for a town no larger than Rutledge. Some months ago the citizens of this community voted bonds to the amount of $7,500 for the erection of a brick schoolhouse, containing ample room and equipment for the needs of the district for many years to come. The corner stone of this neat structure was laid by the Masonic fraternity, June 12, 1912, when members of that order from all over the county attended and participated in the ceremonies.
The population of Rutledge according to the census of 1910 was 418, a gain of 126 over the census of 1900. It has grown to be quite an im- portant trading point, and is surrounded by a rich farming community.
GRANGER
Granger is a clean little town on the Burlington Railroad twelve miles east of Memphis. Its population in 1910 was not given in the census report, but there must be from 150 to 200 people living there. The town was incorporated June 3d, 1912, when an application to the county court signed by nearly all the residents of the place was filed. At the same time the court made Granger a voting precinct. Previously the voters of that community had to go to Arbela to cast their votes, that place being in Thomson township also. Granger stands on a high prairie, in the center of a vast area of fertile farming land. Heretofore the government of the town was along the lines of the ordinary village. All power was vested in the county and township organization. Since the town was incorporated-June, 1912-there have been five trustees of the place, and the chairman of the board of trustees is by virtue of his office, mayor of the town. The first trustees of the town were: J. A. Graham, Dr. J. L. Statler, J. L. Witt, Richard Lewis, and Z. N. Kennett. The first chairman the board had was Richard Lewis. The business directory of Granger is the following: J. A. Graham, general store; R. C. McEldowney, general store; Farwell & Adams, hardware; U. S. G. Foster, general store; Granger Exchange Bank, J. L. Witt, cashier ; Richard Lewis, groceries; Arthur Steeples, meat market; R. L. Fair- brother, druggist; barber shop; Harve Cline, restaurant; Pryor House, hotel; Captain Hyatt, hotel; Friend Allen, blacksmith; Harry Franklin, livery ; Dr. J. L. Statler, physician and surgeon. Granger, by reason of its location and natural advantages, bids fair to become a very im- portant business center and to show up much larger by the census of 1920 than it is now.
ARBELA
Arbela is located on the Keokuk & Western branch of the Burling- ton Railroad nine miles east of Memphis, and also in Thomson township. The original survey of this town, then called North Perryville, was made March 24, 1858, by Thomas Russell. Afterward, the town of Arbela, lying south of and including the southern part of North Perryville, was surveyed and laid out, but when and by whom the record does not state. The original town was at one time called "Burnt Church." The town, as now constituted contains the following business enterprises: C. H. Overhulser, general store; A. W. Tucker, general merchandise ; Hamilton, postmaster and hardware; Dr. A. L. Davis, physician and surgeon, and
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drugs; A. J. Robinson, lumber and grain; Nere, blacksmith. The churches of the town are three in number-the Methodist, Christian and Baptist. Arbela has a very good school and employs two teachers. Arbela's population is 131.
CRAWFORD
On the Burlington Railroad the village of Crawford is also situated, being about six miles west of Memphis, the county seat. Crawford has two general stores, one church and a schoolhouse.
Other villages of the county that are not on any railroad are: Bible Grove, in the southwest part of the county; Energy, in the western part of the county; Killwinning and Hitt, in the northwest part; Azen and Brock, in the north part; Lawn Ridge, near the center; Etna, in the southeast. Since the advent of the rural delivery of mail these villages have all disposed of their postoffices and their inhabitants receive mail at their doors.
THE BONDED DEBT
The history of the bonded debt of Scotland county is much like that of many other communities, in that the indebtedness is closely identified with the building of the railroads of the county. There was one rail- road only partly built, however, for which the county was never held responsible for the bonds. This is due to the fact that a proviso was wisely inserted, making the result of an election null and void unless the road should be completed and running trains before said bonds could be issued. This came about in the year 1860, when a petition largely signed by resident tax payers of the county, was presented to the county court praying that an election be ordered for the purpose of ascertain- ing whether the citizens of the county were in favor of taking $100.000 stock in the proposed Mississippi & Missouri River Airline Railroad, which was then in course of construction from Canton, Missouri, in a northwesterly direction. The election was accordingly ordered (Justice Thomson dissenting), to be held September 17, 1860. The result was that the election carried, but it was conditioned as aforesaid, stipulating that construction should proceed to a point six miles northwest of Memphis. Henry M. Gorin was appointed by the county court as the agent of the county. The company at the back of the project having failed within the stipulated time to complete the railroad as stipulated. Mr. Gorin recommended that the county's interest in it be revoked, which was done in August, 1868.
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