USA > Missouri > Jasper County > A history of Jasper County, Missouri, and its people, Vol. I > Part 17
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Rev. Mr. Fry resigned the pastorate in July, 1873, and for the next six months the pulpit was filled by J. H. Harwood, special agent of the Home Missionary Society, and Prof. G. H. Ashley of Drury College. In 1874 E. F. Fales from Andover Seminary was called to fill the pastorate and during his service the membership was greatly increased. An ad- ditional room called the Tabernacle was built and at the annual meeting of 1879 the church-roll showed one hundred members.
TITE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH (SOUTH)
During the spring of 1874 I. F. Gardner and family, of St. Louis, located in Carthage. Mr. Gardner was a member of the South Church having been one of the prominent workers of the Centenary church in that city. On arriving in Carthage he set about to organize a church of Southern Methodists and by his ceaseless labor got together a congrega- tion of thirty-one who called, as their pastor, the Rev. W. Harris of Denver, Colorado. The date of formal organization was October 21, 1877.
Rev. Harris died after a year and a half of work and for a short time Rev. W. S. Woodward and Rev. J. B. Landreth filled the pulpit as sup- ply, when Rev. Geo. H. Williamson was called and took regular charge of the church.
Mr. Williamson was a most zealous worker and a splendid Christian gentleman and soon drew about him a large congregation. The Carthage Patriot, in speaking of him, says: "Mr. Williamson is a man of far more than passing power. His experience is wide, his sympathies true, his emotions deep, his diction pure, his voice cultivated, his Biblical study profound, and his thought clear. His utterance is unusually rapid, but his emmeiation distinct. He speaks not to a class, but takes it for granted that, as Mark Twain says, 'there is a common chord of human nature running through the lives of all men, and that which is beneficial to one will not prove injurious to another.' He recognizes no classes in his work, but considers the whole earthly family as the children of God. Mr.
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Williamson is too broad for a creed and too independent to be a hired man. He looks upon every man as his brother, the philosophy of his Christianity would swing inward the door of eternal felicity to all, and he speaks as one having authority and not as one who in a spirit of donbt- ing begs permission. 1Ie deals not in pyrotechnics of oratory, and labors not even by innuendo to make himself greater than the canse he pleads for or the Master he serves. He is one in life past the mile-stone labelled 'popularity and notoriety.' but his pathetic earnestness and zeal will un- consciously win for him what is sought for by others less gifted, in vain."
GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
On Easter Monday, 1870, the members of the Episcopal church met at the residence of W. S. Tower and organized the parish in due form. The vestry consisted of the following: William S. Judd, senior warden ; Thos. B. Martin, junior warden; Thomas M. Garland, clerk, and Amos II. Caffee, treasurer. Rev. D. Estang JJennings, the missionary who had temporarily served the church, was elected rector. On the 12th of the year the church building which was being erected was used for the first time. although not then completed. During the next decade the follow- ing reverend gentlemen served the church as rectors: Rev. John Serbold, S. Locke and Rev. Robert Wall.
THE SWEDISH CHURCH
The Swedish church was organized in June, 1877, the original mem- bers being John Carlson, Harland Peterson, August Modice, O. B. John- son and Christian Olson. A neat little frame church was built on Mound street costing $1,100. Charles Roos was the first pastor and increased its membership to thirty-five.
C'OLORED CHURCHES
The first colored church to be organized in Carthage was the Second Baptist Colored. An organization was effected during 1873. J. T. Thompson was the leading spirit in the organization. A church build- ing was erected at a cost of $700 and the congregation at the close of the 'seventies numbered thirty-four.
Wesley Chapel M. E. (Colored) was organized in May, 1878, with twenty-five members. A. Colman was its first pastor and so zealously did he labor that $1,000 was raised for a church building.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH (NORTH)
The Methodists opened the year 1870 with the most promising fu- ture. Their new church which had just been dedicated was the best re- ligious edifice in the city. During this year a parsonage was also built. The following pastors served the congregation during the 'seventies :
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1870, Rev. E. P. F. Wells ; 1871-4, Rev. O. M. Stewart ; 1875, Rev. H. R. Miller ; 1876-7, Rev. J. N. Pierce ; 1878-9, Rev. Jesse L. Walker.
In March, 1875, this church entertained the annual conference of the denomination. During the 'seventies the Methodists was in point of numbers the strongest church in the city.
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
In August, 1872, Rev. John W. Pinkerton, after five years' service as pastor of the first Presbyterian church, resigned and accepted a call at Iola, Kansas. During his pastorate, ninety-eight new members had been brought into the church. Rev. Hiram Hill succeeded Rev. Pinkerton as supply until October, 1873, when Rev. T. O. Rice of Des Moines was in- stalled as pastor and remained with the church for two years, when in May, 1875, he was obliged to resign on account of ill health.
Rev. W. S. Knight was invited to the pastorate and accepted, serv- ing for ten years. Ile was greatly interested in education and was a literary power in the city.
THE BAPTIST CHURCH
In 1872 the Baptists sold their church edifice to the county for $8,000 and a new church was then commenced on a lot which had been donated to them by the North Carthage Land Company. The church at this time under the direction of Elder Cruther. In 1877 Rev. J. M. Smith was called to the pastorate and during his administration the church was completed and the society greatly increased in membership. Rev. Smith remained with the church for three years.
THE RED RIBBON MOVEMENT
During the winter of 1877-8 a great temperance wave swept over Carthage and a society, known as the Red Ribbon Club, was organized. The club was so called in honor of Francis Murphy, the great temperance evangelist, who designated his crusades as the Red Ribbon Movement, his followers all wearing a little red ribbon as significant of their zeal for the temperance cause.
Sixteen hundred men joined the Red Ribbon Club at Carthage. The following were the first officers of the club: President, D. A. Morrison ; vice presidents, R. A. Cameron, J. R. Smith and M. II. Clark ; secretary, Jesse Rhodes; financial secretary, A. W. St. John; treasurer, W. H. Smith ; exceutive committee-J. W. Campbell, W. H. Stewart, J. W. Miles, A. E. Gregory and John N. Wilson.
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS
The Knights of Pythias constituted the third great fraternal society to be organized in Jasper county. This fraternity has for its cardinal
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virtue, friendship, and in its initiatory ceremonies teaches the lesson by an exemplification of the beautiful story of Damon and Pythias. Justin H. Rathbone, the founder of the order, conceived the idea of forming this society while a country school teacher during the winter of 1859, and on February 19, 1864, while employed in the war department at Washington, called together a few of his intimate friends and read to them a ritual he had prepared and proposed the organization, hoping, through its medium, to help reunite in the bonds of friendship, the north and the sonth. After the close of the war the order grew rapidly and in 1871 was established in Missouri. Fraternal Lodge No. 14 of Carthage, being organized early in 1872, with W. II. Picher as its chancellor commander.
THE INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOW LODGES
April 26th is the natal day of Odd Fellowship in America, and in 1873 was appropriately celebrated in Carthage by the members of the
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CARTHAGE IN THE EARLY SEVENTIES-REGAN'S HALL
order. Lodges from Neosho. Granby, Newtonia, Pierce City, Sarcoxie. Lamar, Midway (Jasper). Avilla and Joplin participated in the parade and there were more than four hundred Odd Fellows in line. Al Cahn was grand marshal and O. H. Travis of Springfield, orator of the day.
After the parade dinner was served in the Grove by the Carthage ladies to the visiting hosts and the following toasts were proposed and responded to: "Our Order," Peter Myers; "The Day We Celebrated," L. I. Matthews; "The Sisters of Rebecca," R. Thornton : "Friendship, Love and Truth," Al Cahn: "Our Invited Brothers, " R. F. Brooks.
After supper a dance and general good time were enjoyed at Regan's HIall and prizes were voted to the most beautiful woman, the homeliest man and the most popular Odd Fellow. Mrs. T. A. Wakefield was voted the most beautiful woman and Al Cahn captured the booby prize.
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In 1876 Capt. T. B. Tuttle was elected to represent the Southwestern Missouri distriet in the Supreme Lodge of the order.
On December 18, 1871, the Carthage Encampment of the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows was organized, with seven eharter members. During the first deeade the lodge membership was inereased fifty, mak- ing its membership at the close of the 'seventies, fifty-seven.
THE MASONS
Carthage Lodge, No. 197, A. F. & A. M., continued to prosper during the 'seventies and contained upon its rolls some of the most substantial eitizens. The following gentlemen served the lodge as masters during the deeade : Peter Beard, 1870; A. H. Caffee, 1871-2; Lyman J. Burch, 1873; Josiah Lane, 1874; John T. Ruffin, 1875-6; Charles C. Allen, 1877 ; Julius Cahn, 1878; Thomas Buckbee, 1879.
Meridian Sun Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, was organized in 1870 with Lyman Burch as high priest.
THE CARTHAGE LIGHT GUARD
The patriotism of our country is symbolized by the citizen soldiery. It was the colonial volunteers in the French and Indian War who made freedom a possibility and it was the volunteer patriot of the Revolution who made it a reality. It was the American volunteers in the War of 1812 who made the United States Navy the mistress of the seas and de- feated the British veteran who at Waterloo had crushed the greatest military genius of his day, "Napoleon The Great." It was the Missouri volunteers under the gallant Doniphan who in the Mexican war marched eleven hundred miles across the almost uninhabited country of the south- west and gave to the United States a territory whose riehness has added Juster to the nation's greatness. It was the volunteers of both the north and the south who made the campaigns of the Civil war the most bril- liant military achievements of modern times.
As the volunteers in our several wars have reflected the national spirit, so in the state does the organized militia stand for the highest type of citizenship and keeps alive the glorious memories of our military achievements.
The Carthage Light Guard was organized January 3, 1876, and for years typified the flower and chivalry of the eity. The following is a list of the original members, who composed this onee famous military organi- zation : Captain, Benjamin F. Garrison ; first lieutenant, Albert Cahn ; second lieutenant, John A. Hardin ; first sergeant, James Degan; second sergeant, W. K. Caffee; third sergeant, M. Lawrence; fourth sergeant, T. B. Tulle; fifth sergeant, Eber Budlong ; corporals, L. M. Miller, C. H. Murry, W. B. Myers, Jesse Rhodes, W. B. Brobect, Chas. Brown, T. B. Haughawout, E. P. Cassell ; privates, Miles Mix, C. P. Ball, Joseph W. Hall, J. B. LaForce, C. E. Mathews, Julius Mass, W. B. Farewell, R. P. Cassell, M. P. Keem, B. F. Gunneson, T. Wakefield, Warren Woodward,
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HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
Frank Chaffee, John F. Grubb, John N. Wilson, Robert Mitehell, R. C. Friend, Chas. O .. Harrington, Frank Beebe, M. Wilson, C. C. Crippen, W. H. Smith, A. W. Onstott, A. T. Setterley, F. S. Yeager, Edward Mil- lard, Chas. Hubb. A. M. Hurty and James A. Bolen.
Until the 'nineties there was no preseribed umiform for the State Militia and each organization ehose and paid for its own equipment, ex- cept the rifles which were furnished by the state and were of the same pattern as the United States army used.
The Carthage Light Guard uniform was of cadet gray and the eom- pany presented a neat appearance. Capt. Garrison was a good drill master and the company attained a high state of proficieney under his captainey.
On July 6, 1876, a beautiful silk flag was presented to the Light Guard by the citizens of Carthage, A. L. Thomas making the presenta- tion speech. The company gave an annual military ball on the 22nd of February and it was always the social event of the year.
Captain Garrison resigned in 1878 and was succeeded by T. B. Tuttle, who after serving as captain about two years resigned, and W. K. Caffee was chosen his successor. Further members of the company will be made in our chapter on the 'eighties.
THE CARTHAGE PIONEER CLUB
On January 1. 1878, a number of old settlers of Carthage met at the residence of A. M. Drake and formed the Carthage Pioneer Club. The first reunion of this society was held January 5th at the residence of J. T. Ruffins and was a very pleasant affair.
According to the Constitution of the club those who had been resi- dents of Carthage for ten years were eounted as pioneers and therefore included those who came to Carthage prior to January 1, 1868. The following were the members of the club who attended the first reunion : J. D. Kendrick, Elizabeth II. Kendrick, Emma E. Kendrick, Geo. Rader, Wm. Huffer, II. HI. Stewart, A. M. Drake, Sarah M. Drake, Charlie E. Drake, Sherwood A. Drake, Harvey Sec, Chas. Weed, Cordelia Weed. Annie Weed, R. IL. Rose, Doshea Rose. R. H. Rose, Jr., G. A. Rose, Bessie Rose, G. Blakeney, Kate Blakeney, Robert I. Blakeney, Emily F. Blak- eney, John T. Blakeney, John Easton, Caroline Easton, W. Il. Phelps, Lois Phelps, Mand H. Phelps, Florence P. Phelps, M. Pearl Ruffin, Alta Ruffin, A. II. Caffee, Lacie A. Caffee, Wardie J. Caffee. Edna E. Caffee, Isaac N. Lamb. Sarah J. Lamb, Frank II. Lamb. Ettella Lamb, Thos. M. Garland, Alice V. Garland, Geo. E. Garland. Ada F. Garland. Willie W. Garland, Jeremiah Casey, Ellen Casey. Josiah Lane, Mary E. Lane, Leona B. Lane, Emma Lane, Joanna Lane, Jennie A. Lane, Thos. A. Wakefield, Carrie C. Wakefield. Win. E. Wakefield, Charlie Wakefield. Fred Wake- field, G. A. Cassil. Emily Cassil, Lucy H. Cunningham, Birdie Cunning- ham, Esther Y. Hood, Amanda Glass, Sterling Glass. Elvira B. Kend- rick, Electra A. Kendrick, Ellen Stockton. Nannie Stockton, D. J. Bliss, Bettie Bliss and Joshua Bates.
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On the 11th day of December, 1878, in response to a call for a Jasper County Old Settlers Association, the following persons met at the court house for the purpose of organization : Enos Myers, 1868; John Ruffin, 1866; J. B. Buchanan, 1869; I. N. Lamb and wife, 1866; M. H. Clark, 1869; John Grubb, 1869; A. E. Gregory and wife, 1867; T. B. Tuttle, 1869; T. M. Garland, 1866; D. S. Thomas, 1867; D. E. W. Smith, 1869; James Pattison, 1868; John Easton, 1867: John Hampton, 1868; J. W. Hart, 1868; Bennett Hall. 1867; E. O'Keefe, 1867; S. B. Ormsby and wife, 1868; E. W. Harper. 1867; G. P. Hedge, 1866; M. G. McGregor, 1866 ; F. T. Welch, 1869; Mrs. F. T. Welch, 1863; A. M. Drake and wife, 1867 ; George Blakeney and wife. 1867; G. B. MeMerrick and wife, 1868; W. Bendict, 1870; C. Keiser, 1870; Charles Gardner, 1868; E. P. Searle, 1867; Dr. Amos Caffee, 1866; Mrs. Mobley, 1868; Mrs. L. P. Cunning- ham, 1865; Josiah Lane and wife, 1866; T. A. Wakefield and wife, 1866; R. H. Rose, 1866; A. B. Parkell, 1867; Peter Hill, 1867; W. F. Cloud, 1868; J. B. Hodge, 1869: I. W. Driesbach, 1869: E. R. Wheeler, 1867; D. C. Forbes, 1869 : Thomas Buckbee, 1866; John Brownsill, 1869; John Keller, 1868; J. W. Sennet, 1868.
M. C. McGregor was called to the chair and E. P. Searl was chosen temporary secretary. Upon taking the chair Mr. McGregor said it was with feelings of great pleasure and pride that he consented to preside over such a gathering as this, and to meet here so many of the early set- tlers of our beautiful city with whom he had lived from the first of the present growth of the place called back many fond associations of the past when they all used to live in tents upon the grounds now covered by the finest eity in the southwest. He said his understanding of this meet- ing was that it was for the purpose of meeting to perfect an organiza- tion of the old settlers of this town.
D. S. Thomas and E. W. Harper made lengthy speeches, advocating the good of a permanent Old Settlers Association.
Judge Lane then stated that he was one of a committee from an or- ganization formed in January last for the same purpose as this meeting, appointed to confer with this meeting. He went on to state that the pioneer society which he represented was organized on January 1, 1878; that his opinion, and that of the first organization, was that there should be but one sneh society and that all should act in accord in this matter ; the first organization was willing to consolidate with any organization that this meeting might perfect and adopt any suitable name, consti- tution and by-laws. He insisted upon but one such society.
After a lengthy discussion of this matter in which some feeling was shown, it looked as if the meeting would accomplish no good.
R. H. Rose in a happy little speech of conciliatory terms poured oil on the troubled waters, by moving that a committee of five be appointed by the chair to confer with the like committee already appointed by the first organization, to the end that these ten persons might amicably ad- just all differences and place matters in such a light that nothing would hinder the successful and harmonious forming of one genuine perma-
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nent organization of the early settlers. Mr. Rose's motion earried unanimously, and the chair appointed the following as the committee : E. W. Harper, Peter Hill, John Brownsill, Mrs. I. N. Lamb and A. B. Parkell. The committee from the prior organization consisted of Josiah Lane, R. H. Rose, Amos Caffee, M. M. James and W. H. Phelps.
At a meeting of the Pioneer Club held a few days later they unani- imously voted to accept the constitution of the Jasper County Pioneer Club provided that they accept the latter's name, which was done, and the two societies united in an annual reunion January 1, 1879. The meeting was held at Regan's Hall and was presided over by Col. W. H. Cloud who aeted as toastmaster.
Addresses were made by O. H. Pieher, W. H. Phelps and Col. J. M. Richardson.
The constitution was amended so as to admit to membership all who eame to Carthage prior to January 1, 1870, and after electing officers the society adjourned to meet on July 4th, all having had a most ex- cellent time and having done ample justiee to the supper.
The following were elected offteers for the year : John Onstott, presi- dent; J. M. Richardson, first viee president ; George Rader, second vice president ; Mrs. M. P. Ruffin, treasurer; A. E. Gregory, recording secre- tary ; W. F. Cloud, corresponding secretary ; M. M. James, A. H. Caffee, Mrs. Drake, Mrs. Cunningham and Mrs. Lamb, executive committee.
CHAPTER XVII
FOUNDING OF JOPLIN
THE FIRST SETTLERS-BLYTHEVILLE POSTOFFICE-JOHN C. COX-FIRST MINING AT JOPLIN -- MR. COX PLATS JOPLIN-REV. HARRIS JOPLIN -THE FRANKLIN SCHOOL-MOFFET AND SERGEANT-FIRST NEWS- PAPER MENTION-TOWN OF JOPLIN PLATTED-MURPHYSBURG, OR WEST JOPLIN-CLARK CRAYCROFT ARRIVES-FIRST MEAL AT JOPLIN'S HOTEL -MURPHYSBURG MAKES RAPID GROWTHI-JOPLIN-MURPHYSBURG (SPRING OF '72)-JOPLIN AS A MINING CAMP-THIE "REIGN OF TER- ROR"-THE MAN OF THE HOUR-UNION CITY-EARLY LEGISLATION- DISSOLUTION-LONE ELM-EARLY NEWSPAPERS-POSTOFFICE FOR UNION CITY-JOPLIN'S FIRST "FOURTH OF JULY"-THE MINERS' UNION-FIRST ODD FELLOWS' LODGE-FIRST ELECTION-ORGANIZA- TION OF SCHOOLS-SCHOOL OF WEST JOPLIN-EAST JOPLIN LITERARY SOCIETY-FIRST CHURCH-THE M. E. CHURCH SOUTH-ST. PETER'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHI-THE AFRICAN M. E. CHURCH-JOPLIN AND BAXTER STAGE LINE-AMUSEMENT HALLS-RACE TRACK-VALUE OF ZINC DISCOVERED.
The city of Joplin covers an area of seventeen and one half square miles and has grown from half a dozen families (who resided in the ter- ritory now covered by the eity in 1870) to thirty-five thousand inhabi- tants at this writing.
The history of Joplin properly begins with the coming of Moffet & Sergeant, but before we take up the narrative of the events which fol- lowed the digging of the first shaft in the Joplin Creek valley, we will mention a few of the happenings which occurred before the advent of these gentlemen.
THE FIRST SETTLERS
In 1838 John C. Cox settled on Turkey creek and homesteaded a half seetion of land where he began to farm. In 1841 he built a home near the present site of the old Cox homestead which is prominently located in the northeastern portion of the city on a pieturesque eminence, which was ealled by the first settlers Wig Hill. In connection with his farm Mr. Cox also eondneted a general store and built a log store build- ing near his home. It was in this store where the first postoffiec in the western part of the county was kept.
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THE BLYTHEVILLE POSTOFFICE
In 1840 the people who lived in the western portion of the country of the Six Bulls petitioned the government to establish a postoffice at some point on Turkey creek for the accommodation of the settlers living between Spring river and School ereek. The nearest postoffice then was Sarcoxie. After many overtures the postal authorities agreed to establish an office, provided the people would bear the cost of the same, as the business would not pay the expense of its maintenance and the carrier who would have to bring the mail from Sarcoxie.
John C. Cox agreed to serve the people gratis and was, accordingly, on the 17th day of January, 1841, commissioned postmaster of the new office, which was christened Blytheville in honor of Billy Blythe, a wealthy Cherokee Indian who resided on Shoal ereek and who was noted far and wide for his integrity and fair dealing. The government al-
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BLYTHEVILLE POSTOFFICE
lowed the carnings of the office to be applied on the mail carrier's pay and the deficit was made up by the patrons of the office.
The Blytheville postoffice was maintained, excepting during the war, until 1872, when the name was changed to Union City and moved to Murphysburg ( West Joplin).
Until the Civil war mail was brought from Sarcoxie and later from Carthage, once a week, and the arrival of the mail carrier was an event which brought to Blytheville the farmers for miles around. During these three decades Mr. Cox was the central figure around which the business and social interests of the community revolved and we present here a brief sketch of his life.
JOHN C. COX
John C. Cox was born in Burke county, North Carolina, September 6, 1811. His parents were David and Eney Branch Cox. At the age
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of eight years young Cox moved with his parents to Tennessee and grew to manhood on the farm. In 1828 his father was elected sheriff of Jaek- son county, Tennessee, and held the position for six years. During the last three years of his term Mr. Cox, then having reached his majority, served as deputy.
Mr. Cox was married in 1837 to Miss Sarah Mercer and shortly after the marriage emigrated to Missouri, locating in Jasper county and mak- ing the long journey overland in company with a party of Tennesseeans.
When Center Creek township was organized, in 1841, Mr. Cox was appointed one of the two justices of peace and filled the position for many years. In 1850, on discovering the value of the land in the Joplin Creek valley, Mr. Cox entered and perfected the title to a seetion of land and on this the first mining of the original town of Joplin was done. In 1852 Mr. Cox filled the office of county surveyor.
During the war, although a slave holder, Mr. Cox was loyal to the Union and took no part in the conflict. But it was almost impossible to live in Jasper county and be neutral during the war and in 1863, after having been burned out by one of the many raiding parties lie moved to Neosho and remained there until the close of hostilities, when he returned to the old homestead. In 1870 Mr. Cox leased a tract of land to Messrs. Moffet & Sergeant for mining purposes and from the royalties on the lead taken from his ground amassed a considerable for- tune.
MR. COX PLATS JOPLIN
In July, 1871, Mr. Cox platted the original town of Joplin and thus took the first steps toward making the young mining camp a permanent town. In 1875 he was elected one of the judges of the county court and made a high reputation for his honesty and fair dealing.
REV. HARRIS JOPLIN
In 1839 the Rev. Harris Joplin, a Methodist minister, came to Jasper county from Greene county and built a eabin where now stands the Jop- lin Children's Home. There he entered about eighty acres of land lying on either side of the little stream which wends its way from the big Springs down to Joplin creek, which took its name because its head- waters ran through the reverend gentleman's farm (the course of Joplin ereek at its head was changed by the digging of Picher's ditch). The Reverend Joplin organized at his cabin a Methodist church and con- dueted services here on Sundays until 1845, when he returned to Greene county, where he died in 1847, ignorant of the fact that his name and deeds would be perpetuated in the history of the great mining industry of Jasper county.
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