USA > Missouri > A History of Northeast Missouri, Volume I > Part 88
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"DEMOCRATS DISFRANCHISED"
"More than two years ago the county court divided Buchanan town- ship into two voting precincts; the eastern precinct was called Penn- ville and the western was called Brown. The lines between the precincts were designated by the court and a plat was made in the county clerk's office and sent to the officers therein. Peter Lunsford and his son, J. M., were in the Pennville precinct and voted at the general election in 1900, and at the township election in 1901 at Pennville. This year, without any change made by the county court (and made in the same hand- writing), another plat was made for the use of the Pennville precinct, whereby it was made to appear that the Lunsfords resided in the Brown precinct. They voted as they had formerly done, and where they regu- larly belonged, at Pennville. When it came to counting the votes, the judges got into a wrangle about it, the Republican judges insisting on them being thrown out and the Democratic judges that they be counted, and the matter stood until nearly noon Wednesday, when the Democratic judges yielded and the two votes, that had previously been voted and counted, were thrown out and the returns signed. Thus two Democratic votes were lost and Dormer, Republican, elected circuit clerk by one vote, when had they been counted, as they should have been, Montgomery, Democrat, would have been elected instead of Dormer. The Lunsfords could not vote at Brown because the plat used by those judges showed they resided in the Pennville precinct, and they would not let them vote at Pennville because the plat showed them to reside in the Brown precinct. Both plats were made in the county clerk's office and in the same handwriting. The Democrats were disfranchised and the office of circuit clerk stolen from Ed Montgomery by the manipulation of the county clerk's office and the aid of the Republican judges, but the end is not yet."
When Dormer was notified to vacate the office, he refused and the United States marshal was compelled to send a deputy to Milan to oust him.
CHAPTER XXXIII WARREN COUNTY By E. H. Winter, Warrenton FIRST WHITE SETTLERS
One hundred and ten years have elapsed since the first daring adven- turer set foot on the soil, now known as Warren county, discovered its advantages in soil and climate, the topographical beauties of its surface and its rich hunting ground. At that time the region was the home of the daring and savage Red Man and life to the first settlers was an end- less struggle to protect life and property and rear the children who be- came the parents of a happy and prosperous community.
The first settlement, by the whites, on what is now the soil of Warren county, was made by French trappers at the mouth of Charrette creek, several miles east of the present town of Marthasville. This settlement is said to have been made about the year 1763. These pioneers were sent to this country in the interest of a fur company and all reliable data as to who they were has been lost. The tradition has come down, however, that a famous trapper, Indian Phillips, was one of the first. He is said to have lived until after the war of 1812, and made frequent visits to the settlers of the country up to that time. Others who are said to have belonged to this colony of trappers were men named Chateau and Lozie. These men secured grants from the Spanish government for large tracts of land, now located in St. Charles and Warren counties. The rude log cabins of these daring settlers were erected on the banks of the Missouri river and the treacherous currents of this stream have long since removed all traces of the homes of the first settlers on Warren county soil. At various points along Charrette and Tuque creeks, however, sugar camps were established, and traces of these were found many years later.
The first settlers are said to have disposed of their holdings in the year 1812 and left the county. Flanders Callaway, son-in-law of the renowned Daniel Boone, was the purchaser. Callaway and the famous Kentucky hunter came into the county in 1795 and established a settle- ment several miles west of Marthasville, which was called Callaway Post. This was the first American colony to be established in what is now War- ren county. The fame of Daniel Boone and his fearless and daring methods in coping with the savage Indians, soon attracted other settlers who sought homes in the hills along the Missouri river. Flanders Calla- way died at the post which he established, which, many generations ago, was engulfed by the waters of the Missouri river. With it went the rec- ords of its organization, the names of the brave people, and the stories of their desperate struggles for life and property. There is no doubt that to these French settlers belongs the honor of discovering a com-
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munity which has since become populous, and one of the richest farm- ing communities in the state.
Eight years after Boone and Callaway came to this region, Anthony Wyatt of Kentucky made a horseback trip to the same community. He located several miles north of Marthasville. After several horseback trips to and from his native state, he brought his family to his new home in 1816. This homestead is one of the historical landmarks of the county and has ever since been in the possession of descendants of the family. It is now occupied by John Wyatt.
Settlements in the more central parts of the county were made sev- eral years later. In 1808 Thomas Kennedy, a Virginian, was attracted by the remarkable tales of settlers who had returned from the far west, and he pushed westward to the wilds of Warren county. He settled near the present town of Wright City, where many of his descendants still reside, and they are among the most sturdy citizens of the community. Major Kennedy was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and escaped from his regiment, which, through treachery, had been surrendered to the British. His experiences as a leader made him a valuable man in the little group of daring settlers in planning for their safety and wel- fare. Several years after the settlement was made, Indian troubles arose, and in 1811 it became necessary to erect a fort and stockade so as to provide adequate defense in case of attack. This fort was erected exactly where the residence of Judge Royal J. Kennedy stood for many, many years and where is now the home of Pleasant Kennedy, a descend- ant of the first daring settlers. Other settlers who came to this commu- nity prior to 1810, were Anthony Keller of Pennsylvania, Samuel Gib- son of South Carolina, and Daniel McCoy and David Boyd of Kentucky.
During the year 1810 and several years following, a large number of settlers came. Nathan Cleaver and James Dickson settled on Indian Camp creek, some five miles northeast of Wright City. Henry and David Bryan located on Tuque creek near Marthasville. They were de- scendants of Daniel Boone, and many of their posterity reside, at this time, in various parts of the county. Jonathan Bryan settled at Femme Osage. William Johnson, John Wyatt, Jonathan Davis, Absalom Hayes and William Thurman settled in the Tuque Prairie vicinity. William Logan settled on Tuque creek, and his brothers, Hugh, Alexander and Henry Logan settled near Marthasville. William and Benjamin Han- cock also settled near Marthasville, and Hancock's Bottom is still so named in their honor. William Lamme, whose wife was a daughter of Col. Flanders Callaway, settled in the same community, and their de- scendants lived in the county for many years. Benjamin Cooper and family settled in Hancock's Bottom in 1807, but later moved to South Island near the present site of McKittrick. Mr. Cooper later became one of the organizers of Howard county.
These are among the daring early settlers who took a leading part in developing the community, clearing away the timber, educating their children, building schools and churches and creating such laws and regulations as were required for the safety of the community. Most of these men were rigid and resolute, possessing all the traits of char- acter that constituted the genuine frontiersman. In addition to this they were endowed with practical, good sense. The present population of the county includes many descendants of these pioneer settlers.
The first settlers knew nothing of law or government, save the law of fair and upright conduct. Every man was put upon his honor, and his relations and dealings with his fellowmen were nothing more than a test of genuine manhood. It was their creed to lend a helping hand when required, and to be ever ready in time of sickness or danger.
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THE EARLY HOMES
In those early days the homes of the settlers were crude and almost unfit for human habitation. The first to arrive modeled after the homes of the savage Indian, and erected flimsy and temporary structures. As the settlers at the several forts increased, more permanent buildings took the place of the first primitive huts. Before many years passed, the typical Missouri log cabins could be found in many parts of the county. The open fireplace served as the "kitchen range" for the good housewife. This, at the same time, also warmed and lighted the single room of the home. The furniture was the product of the hand- work of the head of the family, and as a rule was crude and un- wieldy. In later years, saw mills made it possible to build more shapely and comfortable residences, though a few of the log cabins of pioneer days may still be found in various parts of the county.
The tools and implements with which the pioneer cleared off the timber and tilled the soil, were entirely in keeping with the primitive homes. Riding cultivators and plows, the modern reaper, the steam threshing machine with "wind stacker" were beyond the remotest antici- pation of the first farmers who located and developed the many rich farms that now dot the surface of the county. Home-made tools and implements sufficed to till the soil and harvest the golden grain, as well as to separate the wheat from the chaff. And yet it may truthfuliy be said that these pioneers lived on "the fat of the land." A meal pre- pared by the good housewife in one of the open fireplaces, carried with it the assurance of plenty, and a guarantee that no ill effects would fol- low the indulgence of a hearty meal.
Visiting cards, or servants announcing the arrival of a guest, were unknown, and any formality in neighborly visits was a sure sign of unfriendliness. Neighbors, as well as strangers, always found the latch string hanging outside, and it was a token of welcome to the hospitable home. Unhappily and unfortunately these men and women of genuine harmony of ideas, have been forced to abdicate before the infringe- ment of latter-day social culture and the stiff and embarrassing rules of etiquette.
Our first settlers were men and women with all of the virtues and graces, and also the vices and frailties of the people of their class. They were hospitable and generous, as a rule. They did good works, and ren- dered generous deeds. There was industry and laziness, thrift and penury, happiness and misery, good and bad. While the life of the early settler was that of the pioneer of the west generally, it can not well be said that they suffered hardships, since the lack of many of the mod- ern luxuries and conveniences was made up by ample substitutes. There was a scarcity of silks and fine linen, but there was an abundance of linsey and jeans. There were none of the present fancy products of pastry or factory cured meats, but there was plenty of meal in the chest, milk and butter in the cellar or spring house, and home cured meats in the "smoke house." To this was added, almost daily, choice cuts of game.
When the country was first occupied, the wood was full of game of all kinds. Buffaloes were not found in the county when the first settlers arrived, but there was evidence that they had not long left the county. Their bones, "wallows" and trails were still to be found on the prairies. Deer were quite plentiful, however, as late as 1840, and some were killed as late as 1850 and later. In the early days it was not difficult for the set- tler to kill a deer at almost any time he desired-before breakfast, if he liked. Bears were numerous, too, in the hills in the southern part of the county. They were the black species, and many of those killed were
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fine specimens, weighing as much as 400 and 500 pounds. While they occasionally killed a stray hog, yet they were usually not harmful to the settler. "Bear bacon," as the cured meat was called, was to be found in every hunter's larder and was an article of food not to be despised. Many interesting adventures of the early settlers of the county with bears have come down to their posterity.
The hills and timber along the streams were also the home of the panther. The blood of many a settler was sent coursing through his veins as the piercing scream of the prowling panther was borne to his lonely and peaceful cabin. Wolves were a pest, and made it a difficult matter for the settler to raise sheep and pigs on account of the depreda- tions of these marauders.
Up to 1825 the chief occupation of the settlers was hunting and fish- ing, and but little farming was done. Every settler had a "truck patch" and grew a little corn, potatoes and vegetables. On his little farm, corn was the principal crop, and if enough of this was raised to supply the family with pone, Johnny cake and honey, the settler was satisfied. Very
MISSOURI 'POSSUM
little wheat was raised. Cotton was quite successfully raised, and pro- vided some of the wearing fabrics of the settlers. Flax was also among the first crops raised, and was grown chiefly for the bark, of which linen and linsey were made. A flax patch and a flock of sheep were the pride of every family, and the lady who was an expert flax spinner and weaver was the envy of her sex.
The people in those days were, as a class, religious and firm believers in the Bible, though stated preaching services were rare. Their spiritual life was kept up largely by the old traditional Bible reading and fam- ily prayer. The natural surroundings were such as to create feelings of love and veneration for the Creator of all things. However, follow- ing closely upon the first settlers, came the ministers, who labored among their parishioners without money and without price. They received freely and gave freely, and gained their substance as did their neighbors, by toil in the fields and by hunting and fishing. Nearly every minister was as adept in the use of the rifle as any of the laity.
Services, as a rule, were held in the cabin of a neighbor, and the peo- ple generally attended. The men folks always brought their rifles, so as to procure game going to and from the house of worship. The minister was not a graduate of any eastern theological seminary, and knew noth-
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ing about higher criticism. But he was devout and consistent, and pro- claimed the truths of the gospel with a power and simplicity that showed the spirit of the Master was with him. His sermons had elevating and helpful effects upon his auditors.
A pioneer wedding would not compare well, in point of elegance and finery, with a modern wedding. In the early days few people wore "store goods." The wearing apparel consisted of home-spun clothes. The toilet of the bride was not expensive, neither was it extensive, but it was sensible, for it was sufficient and appropriate for the times. Though there were discomforts and disadvantages, yet the marriages were for- tunate and felicitous, and the wedding as joyous as any of modern times. There were rarely or never private weddings. The entire community was invited and attended. It was a grave offense to neglect to send an invitation, and it was an insult to refuse one. On the wedding day there were usually diversions of various kinds, ending at night with a dance. If the event happened in the summer, many of the dancers were bare- footed, though the floor was usually made of large split timbers.
The wedding was always worthy of the name. The champagne and claret were good old Kentucky or Missouri whisky, pure and unadulter- ated as mountain dew. The cake was corn-pone and the meats, the choice cuts of venison or other game.
Such, in a measure, is the history of the early pioneers of the county, and the people of the present generation can look back with interest and admiration to the days which tried the nerves, the muscles, and the indomitable will of the fathers and mothers who had the future of the community in their keeping. Thus the county grew and prospered under the strength of her noble pioneers. They had come into the vast wilderness, penniless, but were rich in faith and powerful in endurance. They made volumes of history, but, unfortunately, made no effort to preserve it. They laid the broad and deep foundation for the com- munity, and on this the superstructure was to be built. Upon this the moral, physical and political future of the country would securely rest.
EARLY ORGANIZATION
Between the years of 1800 and 1825 a great many settlers from the east and south made their homes in Warren county, and it soon became evident that some protection, other than the rustic honesty of the set- tlers was needed. The territorial legislature of Missouri was in session in St. Louis in December, 1818, when the counties of Jefferson, Frank- lin, Wayne, Lincoln, Madison, Pike, Pulaski, Cooper and Montgomery were organized out of what was then St. Charles county. Prior to that time St. Charles county extended from the Missouri river north to the British possessions and from the Mississippi river west to the Pacific ocean. Montgomery county, formed December 14, 1818, included not only the present territory of that county, but also that now included in Warren county. The first seat of justice of Montgomery county was located at Pinckney on the Missouri river, now in Warren county. The land upon which the town was built was first deeded to John Meek by the Spanish government, but it later reverted to the United States govern- ment. In 1818 it was sold to Alexander Mckinney who sold 50 acres to the county commissioners for $500 for the use of the county.
The first public building erected in the first city on what is now War- ren county soil, was a jail which was built in 1820 at a cost of $2,500. The same year Nathaniel Hart and George Edmondson built a large frame house which they rented to the county for a courthouse at $100 a year. Frederick Griswald soon after built a log house which became
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the first store in the town. Andrew Faust built the first hotel in Pinck- ney and on court days his hostelry was a lively place. It was generally conceded that men could go there, get drunk, quarrel and fight, as they regarded the hotel as a public place.
Pinckney was a post town and was located on the north bank of the river, several miles from Marthasville. The site was low, and soon after the county seat was removed to Lewiston, the town disappeared. The spot where it originally stood has fallen into the Missouri river. A postoffice bearing the name was maintained several miles north of there for many years. The office has long since been discontinued, though the community still bears the name "Pinckney."
The names of the first county officials and court are of interest here, as some of them were citizens of the present territory of Warren county, and the court was held on Warren county soil. The first judges of the county court were Isaac Clark, Moses Summers and John Wyatt. Irvine S. Pitman was the first sheriff and John C. Lang the first county and cir- cuit clerk. In 1826 the county seat of Montgomery county was moved from Pinckney to Lewiston, a short distance south of the present town of New Florence.
The county was rapidly developed and immigrants continued to come in. In 1833 a request was made to the legislature to divide the county. Accordingly the legislature passed an act January 5, 1833, organizing Warren county out of Montgomery county. It was named in honor of Gen. Joseph Warren who was killed in the battle of Bunker Hill. The eastern side of the county was taken off; also a large portion of the southeastern part, which, it is said, was done for the benefit of Jonathan Ramsey who desired to live in Warren county and who resided in that part. This corner of Warren county still remains so and forms a portion of Bridgeport township. The boundaries of the new county were regularly surveyed and established, and this brought with it the necessity of a permanent county organization which was at once effected. The following commission was appointed to select a seat of justice: Jacob Groom of. Montgomery county ; Jesse McDaniel of Franklin county ; and Felix Scott of St. Charles county.
The first session of the first court of Warren county, was held on the 20th day of May, 1833, at the home of Mordecai Morgan. Fortunately the records of this first court are still fairly well preserved. Thomas N. Groves, Tilman Cullom and Morgan Bryan were the judges of the court. Mr. Cullom was elected presiding judge and Absalom Hayes was appointed sheriff. Carty Wells was the first clerk of the court and Walter Dillon was appointed his deputy. James Pitzer was appointed county surveyor. Following are some of the proceedings :
Frederick Griswald was granted a license to keep a tavern at Pinck- ney, the license fee being $15. Walter Dillon was granted a similar license to keep a tavern at Hickory Grove, the license fee being $12. The court ordered the county divided into the following townships: Elkhorn in the central and northern part of the county; Pinckney township com- prised the western and southwestern part of the county; Camp Branch comprised all the northwestern part and Charrette all the southeastern part of the county. Later Hickory Grove was set off in the eastern part and Bridgeport in the western part of the county, making six townships, which division is still maintained.
In the first election of the county there were but four polling places, one in each township. In Charrette township the election was held at Marthasville and John McGaw, Jared Erwin and John S. Wyatt served as judges.
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In Elkhorn the judges were: Newton Howell, John Preston, and Wm. Langford, and the polling place was at the home of Grief Stewart.
The election in Camp Branch township was held at the home of Nicholas C. Kablers. Cornelius Howard, John Ferguson and Philip Glover were the judges.
. In Pinckney township the voters came to the home of Tilman Cul- lom. John Wyatt, John B. Carter, and Hugh A. Skinner were the judges.
The following constables were appointed at the first session of the court : Charrette, Lewis L. Wyatt; Elkhorn, Lawrie Williams; Pinckney, Hugh McDaniel.
The court ordered that the temporary seat of justice of the county be at the home of John Wyatt, Sr., and that the regular sessions of the court be held there until other provisions were made.
The following were appointed the first road overseers of the several townships : William Hancock, William Logan, Lawson Thurman, Moses Edwards, Samuel Morris, John Tice and John Butler.
Patrols were appointed for each township for the purpose, chiefly, of protecting slave owners in their property. The patrols kept a con- stant lookout for escaping negroes, and dispersed all gatherings of the colored people. They arrested and prosecuted all strangers found con- versing with slaves. Among the early minutes of the court appears the following: Wm. James filed a complaint setting forth the improper valuation of a negro slave, valued at $300. Upon full examination of the premises, it was ordered that the said James be exempted from tax on the said slave.
The Tilman Cullom who was selected the first president of the county court, was a brother of Shelby M. Cullom, ex-governor, and for many years United States senator of the state of Illinois. He was a Ken- tuckian and reared .a large family. His descendants in Pinckney and Bridgeport townships are numerous, and are among the best people of the county. One, Tilman Cullom of Gore, bears the name of his dis- tinguished ancestor.
Absalom Hayes, the first sheriff, served in that capacity for twelve years. He married a Miss Annie Skinner of near Jonesburg.
FIRST CIRCUIT COURT
The first term of the circuit court of Warren county was also held in May, 1833, just previous to the first session of the county court. The session was also held at the home of Mordecai Morgan by Priestly B. McBride, judge of the second judicial district for the state of Missouri. Following were the grand jurors for this court : Thomas Talbot, foreman ; Grief Stewart, Samuel Dokerty, Benoni McClure, Andrew J. Long, Isaac Kent, Jr., William Cameron, James Miller, Edward Plaisant, Turner Roundtree, Jonathan D. Gordon, Benjamin Hutchinson, Wood- son A. Burton, Thos. Chambers, George Clay, James B. Graves, John B. Shaw, and Jared Erwin. After several days' deliberation, the jury reported to the court that they had no business before them, and they were accordingly discharged.
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