USA > Missouri > Jasper County > A history of Jasper County, Missouri, and its people, Vol. I > Part 33
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" The appearance of the royal cavaleade was announced by a chorus of steam whistles that made the welkin ring. All was expectation as the procession passed along Main street from the south.
"At Fourth and Main the typical gates of the city had been erected. The canopy was surmounted by hundreds of gas jets for the illumina- tion. The columns were. festooned with everygreens and from either side was extended a banner with 'Welcome' in large characters. Here the mayor awaited the approach of His Majesty and his royal train. After a formal address by the mayor, the triumphal march proceeded through the arch in the following manner. A trumpeter in grotesque costume mounted on a donkey and heralding the approach of Rex Plum- bum in an artistic manner.
"The Kazoo band of eight boys with curious looking instruments.
"The Galena band of nine pieces discoursing excellent music.
"Rex Plumbum in his chariot, the canopy of which towered to an
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altitude of 17 feet. His Majesty was represented as sitting in a gondola upon the blue sea, two white swans furnishing the propelling power with a garniture of evergreens in festoons on each side. Four horses led by four grooms.
"Twenty cavaliers on horseback, who composed the king's body- gnard.
"Fifteen Seleet Knights with drawn swords, green being the uniform.
"Fifteen Red Knights, elad in red with Capt. Fred Sellars in com- mandı
"Fifteen Sons of P. O. S. of America in yellow costume.
"Fifteen Blne Knights of the Golden Eagle order.
"The 'Man in the Moon,' drawn by four horses, with four grooms leading the steeds. The float was a very handsome one, standing four- teen feet high with excellent representations of a spotted leopard on either side of a fiery flying dragon, preceding the chief figure.
"The float called 'Fairie Queen' was remarkably pretty, the center figure being the handsomest lady in the United States, or the world per- haps, whose dignified mien and silver locks gave irresistible charm to her tall commanding appearance, as she stood in her two-wheeled chiar- iot directing the attendants who followed her liege lord, the king. She was attended by five gentlemen of honor in rich costumes and the party enlivened by two huge frogs with golden harps upon which they played. The whole was drawn by four richly caparisoned horses led by four grooms and guided by a coachman with powdered wig, yellow satin knee breeches, blue silk velvet coat, silk stockings and low shoes with silver buckles.
"The 'Good Lnek' float, standing sixteen and a half feet high, con- taining a mammoth horse shoe in the center of which 'Methuselah,' aged nine hundred and sixty-nine years, sat swinging himself. Two horses, two grooms and three attendants, completed the equipage.
"The 'Deer Hunt' had a fine deer with antlers, pursued by two spotted stag hounds, and a sportsman with a rifle at his shoulder. Four horses with grooms leading them completed the picture.
"The 'Shoal Creek Fishing Party' were drawn by four horses, led by grooms and comprised a boat with eight fishermen with rods and lines, who landed fish, turtles and frogs at intervals, and was entitled 'A Fisherman's Luck.' The whole design was ingenious and well executed.
"A cavalcade of men on horseback.
"The fire department noted far and wide for its efficiency and the devotion of its companies marched in six subdivisions with every one of them having a full complement of men, dressed in their attractive uniforms. Four men on horseback led the brigade. Next the hook and ladder cart, then hose cart and Company No. 1 followed by hose cart and Company No. 2 and hose cart and Company No. 4, a running cart and company bringing up the rear.
"Then came the bievele brigade, twelve young men riding on single ones and two others on a double one made so for the occasion, connecting
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two 'Star' bicycles together. All were ornamented and were a fitting close of the procession.
"Among the fifty advertising floats those most worthy of mention were the Joplin White Lead Works and Charles Geltz, the ice man. The latter brought out his old one-horse spring wagon with three wheels and a scraggy mule tied on behind. A stove-pipe protruded through a very delapidated wagon cover, old pants, broom and bucket hoops. The in- scriptions were 'I'm all the way from Arkansas and am very, very dry.' 'Give me a glass of water, so said the Arkansawyer.' 'My bone's dry, and so am I, and so is Arkansas.' 'Arkansas went dry and so did I.'
"The Joplin White Lead Works' float required six horses, a driver and four grooms to conduct it safely through the streets. A regular old Scotch-eye furnace and ore smelted in transit, five workmen handling the spud and poker, and wheelbarrow, etc., were present, just as they may be seen any time at the works which are the only ones of the kind in the United States."
JOPLIN EXPOSITION 1881
The fair of the Joplin Exposition Company from September 28 to October I, 1881, was largely attended and one of the most sueeessful ever given in Joplin. Among the attractions was a chariot raee which created great excitement, and a military tournament participated in by the l'aola Rifles of Paola, Kansas, then the crack organization of the Sunflower state, and the Carthage Light Guards.
The visit of the Paola Rifles at this time was a drawing eard for the exposition, for the reason that at this time it was in the lime-light, on account of an altercation between the company and John P. St. John, then governor of Kansas.
On the occasion of General Grant's visit to Kansas City, many of the state companies of militia attended to participate in the grand military parade given in honor of the great soldier. The Paola Rifles were there as the guests of the Craig Rifles, of Kansas City. Governor St. John became angered at a supposed slight from Mayor Van Horn and ordered the Kansas militia to take no part in the parade. The Paola company felt that as they were there as the guests of the Craig Rifles they should march with them, participated in the parade and were personally com- plimented by General Grant for their prohciency.
At the Kansas State Fair, at Bismark, the Paola company entered in the drill contest and, as they were entering the grounds, the adjutant general, acting on orders from Governor St. John, took their arms from them. The company came to Joplin carrying arms loaned them by another company, and on aceount of this advertisement, attraeted much attention.
The Joplin exposition gave annual exhibits until 1884, at which date the project was abandoned on account of financial difficulties.
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FOURTH OF JULY, 1885
Joplin observed July 4, 1885, with a monster celebration, and prob- ably brought together more people in the city than any other gathering of the 'eighties. In the morning a procession marched through Main street and Broadway. The speaking occurred at Castle Rock at the close of day and a sham battle was fought, the night being given over to fire works, a band concert, etc. We give herewith a discription of the day's celebration.
THE PROCESSION
The procession was formed in the following order :
Joplin Silver Cornet Band. Joplin Rifles. Girard Cornet Band.
Girard Guard.
National Temperance Guards.
Galena Martial Band.
Galena Post, G. A. R.
Carthage Martial Band. Carthage Post, G. A. R. Joplin Post, G. A. R.
Carterville Cornet Band.
Select Knights, A. O. U. W.
Joplin lodges, A. O. U. W. Knights and Ladies of Honor.
Joplin Hose Company No. 1.
Detachment Continental Kids.
The whole formed a brilliant pageant as they filed out Main street. The sidewalks on either side were lined with thousands of eager specta- tors. When the procession reached East Joplin the order was broken and each organization took transportation to Castle Rock Park.
AT THE GROUNDS
The grounds allotted to the celebration were found inadequate to accommodate the immense crowd and the hundreds of vehicles of every conceivable style. An enclosure adjoining was opened to find hitching room for teams and shady nooks for private parties to investigate the contents of picnic baskets. The crowd was simply immense. To quote the piquant expression of a sweet girl picnicker with a fluffy flowing dress, jaunty Langtry hat and saucy eye. "the woods are full of them." The crowd was variously estimated at from 10,000 to 15,000 persons, and the latter number was no doubt much nearer the correct figure.
The Declaration of Independence was read by Judge W. L. Bower of Carthage who ably discharged the time-honored duty to the memory of the young republic.
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The refreshment stands on the ground were rushed with business until the vast assemblage dispersed to the eity in the evening. Even the swings kept up their whirl with a full freight of rural swains and their sweethearts.
The transportation was wholly inadequate to the accommodation of the visitors. The recent heavy rains and hot sun had so warped the temporary wooden rails of the street ear line that the ears persisted in jumping the track with a freqneney that made that mode of travel tedious. The trips could not be accomplished with the requisite fre- queney and a constant stream of pedestrians passed along the track from East Joplin to and from the park impatient with waiting. The buses, haeks, carriages and wagons were erowded as fast as a trip was announeed. When the final stampede for the eity eame "walking was good enough" for hundreds, but they did not accept the alternative without grumbling. During the afternoon many persons visited the seene of young Shellenberger's terrible accident at no great distance from the grand stand. The old mortar and its odd missiles that lay scattered around unused formed quaint objects of interest to the gazers.
THE SHAM BATTLE
About five o'clock Broadway and eminenees on either side of Joplin creek were peopled by a dense multitude of anxious spectators. The mimie battlefield bad for its strategie point the high ground descend- ing northeast from the old Broadway stables. This was occupied by the several posts of the G. A. R. in command of Major Redburn represent- ing the Continental army under General Warren. Colonel Bender with the Galena minute men occupied a position on the right and Colonel Beach, with the Joplin vets and volunteers formed the left wing.
The attacking forces, who were supposed to be the British red coats, occupied the flat near the banks of Joplin ereek. General Clark Cray- croft was the commanding offieer, his staff consisting of Colonel Weldy and Major Stafford. Colonel Howard with his battalion of English in- fantry oeenpied a position on the right, Colonel Williams commanding a battalion of London swells was in the center and on the extreme left was stationed Captain Livingston's battalion of North-of-Ireland lads.
Hostilities began by the attacking party sending out a line of skirm- ishers, who were fired upon by the enemy's pickets and after returning the fire retreated to the main line. The Continentals then sent out skir- mishers and were met by a similar force from the other side. After sharp firing the former fell back followed by the detachment of red coats who were so brave that an orderly was sent out to order them baek. The whole of the attacking force then advanced and after sharp fighting were repulsed with heavy loss. One man fell and lost his gun. The Britishers then ran out of ammunition and hostilities were suspended until the ammunition wagon appeared when the battle was renewed. Charge after charge was made until the red coats were finally routed and so hot, dry and muddy that they were willing to surrender.
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The Carthage Light Guard, who had been to Pittsburg and captured a $150 prize, came this way on their return home and arrived in time to witness the battle.
In the evening Hose Company No. 1 gave an exhibition of the prac- tieal working of our fire department on Main street. The fire pressure was given by the water company and the boys threw water in a way that astonished the visitors. As usual they acquitted themselves ereditably.
A STORY OF SPANISH ADVENTURE
During the month of November, 1880, two Spaniards of noble birth visited Joplin in search of a buried treasure. The two gentlemen were Don Miguel De Soto Despenie and his son Ferdinand.
During their stay in Joplin they moved with great seereey and an air of mystery, which excited the euriosity of the people, and on the eve of their departure the elder gentleman communicated to A. W. Car- son, editor of the Herald, the object of their visit to Southwestern Mis- souri, and we reproduce it here on aeeount of its romance and peculiar interest.
"In the year 1745 an ancestor of mine, seized with the visionary dreams peenliar to that day of the wonderful wealth that lay beyond the Mississippi, organized a company composed of hare-brained adven- turers like himself, to search for the new El Dorado which they were confident existed in the western fields, and which it only required pluek and perseverance to discover. Before embarking at Seville the adven- turers paeked all their jewels, which were of immense valne, in a small iron box. Their object was never to return home, but to establish a new kingdom independent of Spain, which accounts for their taking the jewels with them.
"A few years afterwards my aneestor returned, moody and silent, and the least reference to his voyage would eause him to fly into a towering passion. None of the company but him was ever known to return. He occupied a room in one corner of the old family mansion or rather eastle, and was a hermit until his death, speaking to none ex- cept to make his simplest wants known. Some ten years ago the eastle deseended to me as rightful heir, and the first thing I did was to tear down and rebuild the edifice. In tearing down the walls of the room that had been ocenpied by my aneestor, the masons discovered a gold snuff box imbedded in the structure. It was given to me and upon opening the relie I found a piece of parchment on which was written the following: 'Enter the mouth of the Mississippi; four hundred miles north the mouth of a large stream entering from the west will be passed ; four hundred miles further another large stream will be found entering from the west. Enter this, and four hundred miles will be found on the south bank a large promontory. In entering the stream at the foot of the spur will be seen a large roek, on the top of which is im- bedded an iron ring and staple. Go one hundred miles further, then leave the stream and travel fifteen days north; then inquire for a
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cataract. You will be on the edge of a vast plain and near the only falls in that vast plain. The natives can tell you where it is. Midway between the falls and the first stream north in a direct line you will find a flat rock on which is cut an arrow. Forty paces east, ten south and fifty cast dig. There you will find the iron box and jewels. The for- tune is for the one who tears this wall down and remodels the castle.'
"Not until a year ago was I able to leave my home in search of this treasure. My son and I, as directed, entered the Mississippi and upon ascending four hundred miles passed the mouth of Red river. Four hundred miles further we found and entered the month of the Arkansas, and four hundred miles farther we encountered the Promontory now known as Darnelles rock. Here we disembarked and sure enough found the iron ring and staple spoken of. We embarked on the next steamer and a lindred miles farther landed at the town of Van Buren. From here we started north on foot and in fifteen days' travel we found onr- selves at the town of Neosho. Here we heard of the falls and of course were full of anticipation. From the falls we surveyed a line direct north to Turkey creek, and midway between the two points began the search for the rock. We were employed several days at this, but finally iny son discovered the stone nearly a foot beneath the surface. The accumulated soil was taken off and there, as plain as the day, it was en- graved with the tell-tale arrow. Accordingly we measured forty paees east, ten south and fifty east again. Judge our horror in finding at the exact spot where the box should have been a shallow hole that had been dng years past by some miner. Again and again we measured the dis- tance and each time we came to that embryo lead mine. Some lucky miner had found the box and had sense enough to keep it to himself. I will place every detective in the United States on the watch, and if the fortunate miner is found will pay him more for the jewels than any other person on earth can afford to. They had been in the fam- ily hundreds of years before my ancestor took them away."
Strange as this story may appear, it is true in every particular, un- less the Spanish gentlemen have imposed upon the editor, which is hardly probable.
CHAPTER XXVI
WEBB CITY
BUSINESS IN TIIE 'EIGIITIES-"WEBB CITY TIMES"-CITY POLITICS- AMONG THE LODGES-THIE FIRE DEPARTMENT-DESTRUCTIVE FIRE (1883)-LEAP YEAR PARTIES (1884)-K. P. MASQUERADE BALL-IN HONOR OF MR. AND MRS. W. C. STEWART-WEBB CITY'S SECOND BANK.
We give below a partial list of the business establishments which made up the Webb City commercial activities of the later 'seventies and 'eighties. The list is taken from the Times.
Transient House-Built in 1875. Two-story frame hotel, one hun- dred and fifty hy fifty feet ; seventeen rooms, besides parlor, office and dining room ; kept by Mr. Coyne and wife.
Western Hotel-Built in 1876; kept by Mrs. Pratt.
Pacific Hotel-Burned in 1883; kept by Thos. Flenniken and wife.
J. Van Buskert, groceries-Came from Joplin in 1876 and continued in business through the 'eighties.
C. R. Chinn and Company, drygoods, boots and shoes-Commenced business in 1877 in a seventeen by thirty foot store and with a $3,000 stock. At the close of the 'eighties the store had been several times eu- larged and the stock was valued at $15,000.
Manker, Hewlett and Company, hardware, miners' supplies and groceries-Established in 1877. This was a most successful firm, turn- ing their stock many times during the year.
Hancock & Lowe, china, glassware, furniture and undertaking-In the fall of 1878 James C. Hancock traded a team and wagon for a small stock of second hand goods and from this small beginning began his busi- ness career. In 1879 he took as a partner S. Laur, and the new member of the firm added hardware and later furniture and undertaking sup- plies. By the middle 'eighties the business had grown to such an ex- tent that two large storerooms were required to hold the stock.
Chas. Wright and Brothers, drugs and jewelry-Established in 1879, with a $1,200 stock and this firm continued in business for thirty years, when its senior member retired to enjoy a . well-deserved rest. Will Wright is still in business, now being in the old Webb Bank building.
Dr. L. Green, druggist, moved to Webb City in 1879 from Medoc and established a large and profitable business.
E. E. Spracklin, photographer.
Parker Bros. & Sinclair, meat merchants and packers-Opened busi-
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ness in 1880 and during the later portion of the decade confined them- selves largely to wholesaling, doing an extensive packing business.
Ilendriekson Murray, hardware-Established in 1879.
J. B. Oversheet, coal and wood, and Ward & Laster-transfer busi- ness. were established in 1880.
Parker Chinn & Company, drygoods, boots and shoes-Began busi- ness in 1881, which was managed by W. S. Chinn, later eashier of the Webb City Bank.
Gammon & Henderson and O. P. Sutherland, grocers, Allie Rice, milliner and the Webb City Foundry also entered the business arena in 1881.
1882 saw four more large business houses established-S. Morris & Co., clothing; S. A. Brown & Company, lumber; M. M. MeClelland, confectionery and the Webb City Bank, founded by Jno. C. Webb & Son.
In 1883, the first opera house was built by Lester & Aylor. This play house occupied the second floor of a building at the corner of Allen and Webb streets, now the site of the Middle West building.
In 1884 Dunlap. Collumbia and Bradford Bros., opened their doors. 1885 witnessed a considerable boom and the following firms entered the lists: Lowry & Dunlap, harness; W. F. Spurgeon, groceries; M. Goldstein, clothing: J. E. Magrader, groceries ; Sheffer & Company, gen- eral merchandise; Abraham Hastings, confectionery, and T. J. Harring- ton, six times mayor of Webb City, opened a restaurant and oyster parlor.
1886 Stewart & Mathews, lumber dealers, came into the field, and in 1887 D). Klein (boots and shoes), Empire Clothing Company, Byrd & Reed (milliners), and Wampler Bros., groceries.
In 1888 the Dough Foundry was built by Harry Wonner and during the twenty-three years of its business has baked for Webb City and Car- terville several million loaves of bread.
In 1889 Gray & Burkhead, dealers in miners' supplies, was a firm added to the Webb City list.
THE "WEBB CITY TIMES"
Webb City's first newspaper was established in 1879 by Milholland & Single. The materials for the paper were purchased at Galena, Kansas, and had been used in publishing The Galena Messenger.
In 1880 Mr. Single purchased the entire interest. During the middle 'eighties Jesse Zook, now the mining statistician, was editor of the paper and gained for it an enviable reputation in the field of journalism.
CITY POLITICS DURING THE 'EIGHTIES
At the city election in April, 1880, the following officers were elected : Mayor, T. J. Harrington ; marshal, R. F. Fitzpatrick ; couneilmen-D. II. Mack, John Marlsolf, John Lofter and D. J. Horn. The appointive officers were: Clerk, J. E. MeNair: treasurer, C. H. Murry ; eolleetor, James N. Stephenson ; city attorney, W. M. Robinson.
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City Attorney Robinson, who made his advent into polities at this election, was chosen circuit judge in 1892 and elevated to the supreme beneh of the state in 1894.
During this year several vacancies occurred. John Lofter, council- man from the second ward, resigned and was succeeded by A. J. Sinelair, and the marshal, R. F. Fitzpatrick, also resigned, and S. N. Hardesty was elected to fill out the unexpired term.
City officers for 1881 : Mayor, T. J. Harrington ; marshal, G. B. Mil- holland ; councilmen-John MarIsolf, M. II. Zook, A. I. Sinelair and J. W. McClelland; city elerk, J. E. McNair; treasurer, E. T. Webb, at- torney, S. D. MePherson.
1882: Mayor, James Gammon ; marshal, S. S. Barclay ; councilmen- A. A. HInlett, John Metealf, J. B. Overstreer and John Pratt ; eity clerk, J. E. McNair, treasurer, E. T. Webb, and attorney W. M. Robinson. Mr. Gammon did not serve out the full term, resigning after a few months and Mr. Harrington was again called to the chair.
1883 : Mayor, T. J. Harrington ; marshal, A. J. Sinclair ; city attorney, W. M. Robinson ; councilmen-A. A. Hnlett, John Marlsolf, John Dun- lap and .J. B. Overstreer ; city clerk, J. E. McNair ; treasurer, E. T. Webb.
1884: Mayor, T. J. Harrington ; marshal, W. A. Ashcraft; couneil- men, James Gammon, Ellis Shafer, John Dunlap and J. B. Overstreer. Appointive offices as above.
1885 : Mayor, T. J. Harrington ; marshal, A. J. Sinclair ; councilmen- John Marlsolf, John Dunlap, James Gammon and Ellis Shafer.
1886: Mayor, William Hilburn ; marshal, James A. Kennedy ; coun- cilmen-D. H. Mack, J. Dunlap, James Gammon and Ellis Shafer. Appointive officers as before.
1887 : Mayor. William Hilburn ; marshal. Alex Can ; councilmen- John Martsolf. John Dunlap and D. HI. Mock.
1888: Mayor, Peter MeEntee ; marshal, J. A. Brown ; councilmen- same as in 1887.
Mr. Brown resigned as marshal, after serving three months, and Joseph Moore ("Buckrock" Moore) was elected to fill out the nnexpired term. Mr. Moore was killed just before the elose of his term of office by a man whom he was attempting to arrest.
During Mr. MeEntee's administration the city limits were extended and the city changed from a fourth-class city to one of the third-class, the formal vote on the change being made December 26, 1889. and carrying by 380 majority.
C. E. Matthews served as alderman of the First ward from April. 1888, to April. 1890, and John Stringer as a member of the council from the Second ward during the same period.
In April, 1888. JJoseph Fetlers was elected police judge of Webb City, the office having been filled, prior to that time, by the mayor.
During the 'eighties Webb City had made a steady growth, the eensus of 1890 showing a population a trifle less than four times the official figure in 1880.
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AMONG THE LODGES
Webb City Lodge No. 512, A. F. & A. M., was organized April 5, 1882, with the following charter list : A. A. Hloulett. W. M .; C. R. Chinn, S. W .; John C. Webb, J. W .; J. C. Stewart, S. D .; W. W. Greenlee, J. D .; James Gammon, treasurer; E. T. Webb, secretary; C. C. Coy, tyler, and J. C. Columbia, S. V. Hardesty, Charles Ward, J. W. Aylor, J. K. Eaton, John Dunlap and J. W. Chapman.
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