USA > Missouri > Jasper County > A history of Jasper County, Missouri, and its people > Part 5
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Jasper county was not at this session of the legislature raised to the full dignity of a county, but was for civil and military purposes attached to Newton county which was at once fully organized.
In 1840 John Wilson was elected to represent Newton county. Among the first bills introduced by him was one to complete the or- ganization of Jasper county by designating proper officials and courts to put the machinery of county government in operation. This bill passed the legislature January 29, 1841, and the county was fully or- ganized as a civil division March 8th which will be more fully treated in succeeding pages.
THE COUNTY NAMED
That the pioneer Missourians were patriots is shown by the names of the municipalities and other civil divisions given by the early set- tlers. Many of the historic incidents dear to the hearts of every Ameri- can and the names of the heroes who made freedom a reality are daily kept in mind by the names of the counties of the state. Among the Revolutionary patriots we find the names of Washington, Franklin, Schuyler, Marion, Putnam, Greene, Jasper and others.
The story of Sergeant Jasper and his gallantry at Fort Moultrie is one of the incidents of the Revolution which lends a charm to the re- cital of that splendid fight for freedom. At the close of the day and after several hours of fierce cannonading, the staff from which floated the old pine tree flag was severed by a ball and the colors fell on the outside of the fort. Sergeant Jasper sprang over the ramparts and amidst a veritable hail-storm of bullets from the British fusileers se- cured the flag and. fastening it to a cannon rammer, placed it securely on the ramparts. again and with a shout of triumph regained the breast-
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works while the cheers of his comrades proclaimed him the hero of the day.
THE FIRST SETTLERS
The first permanent settler in Jasper county was Thackery Vivion who came from Kentucky in 1831 and located near the Sarcoxie Spring, a romantic spot where the Indian Chief Sarcoxie had during the later days of the Indian period made his headquarters and which no doubt was the gathering point of the "noble red men of the forest" from the Country of the Six Bulls and where perhaps the warriors in council decided the fate of many a luckless traveler who fell into their hands. The word Sarcoxie in the Indian vernacular means "the Rising Sun." And it is significant that the sun of a new civilization which rose with the coming of Thackery Vivion should have made its first appearance at the tepee of a chief who was the last of his race.
And although the Indian supremacy faded away with the coming of the white man a new sun rose to shine for them; a sun of education, civilization and progress which made many of them in the sister state of Oklahoma, citizens and, in some cases, officeholders and statesmen,
Thackery Vivion built his log house near the spring at the foot of the hill just east of the Sarcoxie depot. He soon had a nice farm in cultivation. He built a small water power log mill on the present site of the Victor Mills. He also built a saw-mill. He took an active part in the political life of the county, being a member of the first grand jury assembled at the organization of the county and in many other ways took a part in public enterprises. In 1838 he moved from Sar- coxie to the western part of the county and entered the land where the famous Lehigh mines were afterward opened. He left the county in 1844 on an exploring expedition into the lands of the south and died while on this trip. His descendants still live in the county, honored and respected citizens, who, like the founder of the family, are shrewd business men and women.
A few months after Thackery Vivion came to the county John M. Fullerton, also a native of Tennessee, came to the Sarcoxie Spring and settled near Mr. Vivion. Mr. Fullerton lived on a farm near Sarcoxie for eighteen years, dying in 1850.
Samuel Powers, another Tennesseean, came to the neighborhood in 1832. Jackson Mills and A. Hodge both from Kentucky, also came to the settlement in 1832.
During 1833 a dozen families joined the colony and gave it an air of permanency.
Among the settlers who came in 1833 were the following-E. W Beasley. Joseph and Samuel Melugen, Dr. Abner Wilson, J. P. Boyd, Ephraim Beasley, Hiram Handford, E. Jenkins, Thomas Boxley, Tyron Gibson, William Gibson; Abraham Onstott, the father of "honest John Onstott." who won this title during the Civil war by his acts relating to
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the county treasurer's office; and J. N. U. Sealey. Mr. Sealey still re- sides in the county and is the oldest living settler.
Jenkins creek is named for Ephraim Jenkins who settled at the head of that beautiful little stream. Tyron Gibson made his home on the . present site of the High Hill schoolhouse. The Onstotts settled in Jackson township on Center creek.
1834 saw a considerable growth; among the new comers were Will- iam Tingle of Maryland and Ben F. Massey from Kentucky, both of whom exerted an influence in a business way which gave the new settle- ment importance as a trading center.
Messrs. Massey and Tingle opened a general store at Sarcoxie which catered to the trade for miles around. They bought the Vivion log mill and greatly enlarged its grinding facilities. The old mill was used up to 1872 when the Victor mills were erected on the old mill site. Mr. Tingle built the first lead furnace in the county. He was a busy, active man up to the time of his death.
CAVE SPRINGS
In the early settlement of the county, Cave Springs, east of Sar- coxie, was the great camping point, and sometimes as many as twenty families would be camped there while the head of the family went in search of a good location for the new home.
A FEW OF THE "FIRSTS"
The first marriage celebrated in the county was that of Moses Pow- ers and Miss Boyd which occurred in 1834.
The first child born in the county was John Powers, a son of Sam- uel Powers.
The first minister was Andrew Buckhanon, a member of the Chris- tian denomination. The first church to be organized, however, was the Freedom Baptist church in Union township. A more extended mention of this church will be found elsewhere.
The first lawyer was John R. Chenault. Mr. Chenault became cir- cuit judge in 1857. During the agitation which preceded ithe Civil war he was an advocate of the cause of the south. He was a member of the convention called to consider the relations of the state with the Federal Government. During the war he espoused the cause of the Confederacy.
The first store was kept by Dr. Abner Wilson and the first post- office was opened at Sarcoxie in 1833. Mail was brought at long inter- vals from Little Pliny on the Gasconade, one hundred and fifty miles away. ! It is hard for us who are accustomed to the railroad, the elec- tric cars and automobile to comprehend what a journey of one hundred and fifty miles across the country in those days meant. Then, with only a trail for a road, no bridges, and streams sometimes impassable
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except to swim, with only the patient oxen or the faithful horse, a trip to the county seat and return was a week or ten days' journey.
Up to this time Sarcoxie was called Centerville, being then at almost the geographical center of old Barry county ..
When the application was made for the establishment of the post- office it was found that there was another town in Missouri called Cen- terville, and that it would be necessary to select another name.
The old spring was known as the Sarcoxie spring, and the old Chief Sarcoxie had lived there before the days of the white man's supremacy ; so it was thought to be an appropriate name for the new town, which was accordingly christened Sarcoxie.
PIONEER LIFE
There is something romantic about the life of the pioneer.
Here noble deeds and unobtrusive acts of bravery are counted the standard by which men are measured.
Here, as a matter of necessity, neighbors are friends and the com- radeship which comes of having braved dangers together is warmed into a bond of sympathy which makes friendship akin to love.
Here, too, nature is seen in all of its grandeur. The broad prairie with its wealth of fragrant flowers and sweet scented grasses; the hun- dreds of little friends in feather and fur; the forest with its monarch oak and its stately pine; the pure air and the clear waters, all lend a charm and a beauty that compensate for the lack of the comforts of the old home and give an individuality to the life of the new settler, which cul- tivates a love of freedom and at the same time makes him more loving and tender because of the kindness of his friends.
Until the 'forties not a single house in Jasper county had been built more than two miles from the timber; this was very natural, as there was no lumber with which to build; the houses were built of logs and as a matter of convenience were erected near the timber.
Ordinarily the log house of the 'thirties and 'forties consisted of two large apartments with a large fireplace in each room. The fire- place was an immense affair and before the advent of stoves was used for both heating and cooking purposes. Every woman was a good cook and the corn bread was the delicacy which every housewife prided her- self on being able to make; so good that it would tempt even the gods.
In the home was found the loom where a very good quality of but- ternut jeans was woven, and this was the cloth of quality.
Every man and most of the women were expert shots, and in the first season before the crop was raised almost the entire family sub- sistence consisted of the wild game which was abundant and con- veniently brought itself to the door. During the 'thirties there were no schools or churches. What little learning was had was by private instruction, and the Gospel was preached at intervals, either in the home of some good man or at an occasional camp-meeting.
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The Indians, during the 'thirties, were plentiful but were for the most part friendly, and made war on nothing except the smoke-house and the corn-crib. -
LOG RAISING
As a matter of necessity . the people of the pioneer period were sociable, and it was customary among the old timers to help the new- comer build his home. These occasions were called "log raisings," and at these the neighbors assembled at the place where the house was to be built and helped cut the trees and hew the logs that were to go in the structure. When they were put in form they helped raise the logs in place. Up to as late as the 'fifties these gatherings were popu- lar, and many a man felt kindlier to his neighbor for these demonstra- tions of good will.
THE SPANISH CARAVAN
The following little story is one of the traditional incidents which has been handed down to us from the pioneers and although unauthen- ticated by any written evidence is still interesting because it illustrates, in a way, the dangers that were encountered by the explorers who first invaded the hunting grounds of the Indians.
During the rule of Delassus, the last of the Spanish governors for the Louisiana Territory, a party of fortune hunters was organized at St. Louis for the purpose of making a trip to Mexico hoping to secure some of the wealth of the Montezumas.
The caravan left St. Louis in great pomp and made its way to Mex- ico, passing through the Country of the Six Bulls en route.
The expedition was successful and a goodly sum of the Mexican gold was secured, after which the party started on its return trip. Arriv- ing in the southwest country in the early spring, they stopped for a while to rest and refresh themselves by one of the picturesque springs near the present site of Sarcoxie and believed by many to be the beau- tiful spring on the farm of Stephen Hood in Sarcoxie township.
While here the explorers were attacked by a large band of Indians and almost exterminated, only a few escaping with their lives. This stop in the Country of the Six Bulls was one of many such rests, it being necessary at times to halt and secure food and repair the equip- ments. It was the custom on these stops to secrete the treasure and it is believed by many that it was buried or safely hidden in one of the numerous ledges overhanging the Big spring. The few who made their escape, after weeks of perilous journey on foot, made their way back to St. Louis and there told the story of the awful massacre. In 1837 a party came from St. Louis to hunt for the gold but none was ever found and Mr. Hood, who owns the farm, never gave credence to the story, believing that the Indians took all of value that was left in the camp.
The Spring on the Hood farm is one of the most romantic and pic-
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turesque spots in the county and its location could easily be described; it is an ideal place for a camping party-the cool water from the spring running out from the hillside forming the headwaters of one of the numerous spring-fed streams that flow into Center creek; the great trees making a veritable canopy of green overhead and the steep embankment rising on the south and west making a cool and quiet re- treat; while the wide plateau sloping away to the southwest makes an excellent place for the sentinel to guard against the approach of an enemy from that direction.
EARLY METHOD OF FILING LAND
The first settlers who came to the county could not perfect title to their lands on which they settled because the land had not been sur- veyed by the government, nor offered for sale to the public. In 1836 a partial survey of the county was made which included the land as far west as range 30, about three miles east of Carthage; thereupon quite a bit of land was entered in the eastern portion of the county and in due time the title perfected.
The survey was completed in 1844 and it was at this date that the settlers began in great numbers to make the proper filings to secure title to their lands.
The government land office was at Springfield and to go there and back required from a week to ten days, depending on the weather, the streams to be crossed, and the condition of the roads which were then hardly more than trails.
In order to save expense and time the people in a neighborhood would join together and select one of their number to make the trip and file on all of the lands selected. On his return he would execute the proper release or deed to the rightful owner who would pay to the government the appraised price of the land and perfect the title. The patent from the government would be issued to the party who did the filing and subsequently to the party who paid the money. The price paid for the land at the time of the first entries ranged from twenty- five cents to one dollar twenty-five cents an acre according to the loca- tion and worth, the appraisements being fixed by an officer appointed by the land department for that purpose.
GAME AND WILD ANIMALS
Up until the later 'fifties southwest Missouri was the hunters' para- dise. There was an abundance of wild game such as deer, turkey and wild geese. and these furnished half the living for the first settlers. There also were many wild animals not so desirable and often the sturdy pioneers were obliged to leave their work to fight some wild beast which was terrifying the neighborhood. Wolves came in packs and killed the sheep and other small domestic animals. Wild cats and panthers came lurking around at night and so in every home the trusty rifle always
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of. 0064 THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
To all to whom these presents shall come, Greeting :
Whereas Bennett Wellman, of Dany County, Majsour -- ha d deposited in the GENERAL LAND OFFICE of the United States, a Certificate of the Steglater of the Band Office at Springfield ...... y
according # appears that full payment has been made by the call Cennet Wellman --
to the provisions of the act of Congress of the 24th of April, 18:30, entiled " In des mating further provision for the sake of the Public Inda," for the North Micol quarter of the South West quarter of Section kin, in Township seventy seven, of Range twenty right- West , in the District of Sanas subject to sale at Springfield, Masouri , containing forty Deres .
acegrating to the oficial plat of the atreey of the said Lands returned to the General Lead Ofice by the Surveyof General, which seid tract has been purchased by the said Bennett Wellman
NOW KNOW YE, That the UNITEDSTATES OF AMERICA, in consideration of the premises, and in conforury with the several acts of Congress, in such case made and provided, HAVE GIVEN AND GRANTED, andby these prevents DO GIVE LYD BLANT wate the said Dennett Wellman .-
and to his hair, the cold truet ; glove described : TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the same, sogother with all the rights, privileges, tamwaiting, and appartengono of whatserver natura therevale belonging, unto the said Uje:23ett Welman and to his hair and assigns forever.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, Iameste. Poli
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, have caused these letters to be made PATENT, and the BRAL of the GENERAL LAND OFFICE to be horouate ofred. GIVEN wider my hand at the CITY OF WASHINGTON, du 'fizet in the year of our Lord one thousand eight lapared and ' re (1 d'elle and of the INDEPENDENCE OF THE FRITES STATES the Sep ., Di !! !! Hamed Ko Jock"
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LAND PATENT ISSUED TO BENNETT WELLMAN IN 1845
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HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY .
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HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
was loaded and ready for use. Everybody old enough to carry a mus- ket was taught to shoot and learned to brave danger.
The following little story, told the writer by A. W. Onstott, illustrates the common cause which all the neighborhood made against these ene- mies of mankind which made life a burden to new comers.
One morning, during the early 'fifties, John Onstott saddled his horse intending to go to Carthage on some business and, taking his little son Abe up with him, started on his journey. After traveling a few miles he noticed his neighbor, John Dale, chasing a wolf across the prairie and, perceiving that his friend's horse was nearly winded from a long run, put spurs to his horse and took out after the animal. His steed was a most sensible one and after a few miles of racing with the wolf overtook it, and jumping on it with his fore feet, knocked it to the ground. Quickly dismounting Mr. Onstott unfastened the stirrup from the saddle one of the old iron stirrups so much used in that day -and with one or two well directed blows killed the wolf.
Sometimes hunting parties would be formed to search for panthers or other carnivorous beasts which ventured too near to civilization. Nearly all of the wild animals were exterminated before the war.
Among the popular amusements for the pioneer hunter were the shooting matches, the prizes for which being usually either a steer, a good fat hog or a sheep. When the animal contended for was as small as a hog or sheep a number of matches were arranged. When the prize was a steer or a heifer the plan of the match was as follows: A number of the best shots would enter for the contest, each one paying so much, depending on the value of the game, for his right to enter. Usually each contestant had five shots in which to display his skill.
Every man brought with him to the shoot a board from which all marks were erased save the "bull's eye" or mark and these were placed at a certain distance, fifty, one hundred or two hundred yards away, according as the rules for the day were made, and served as targets. After the shots were fired the judges inspected the targets and decided which of the shooters had won the honors.
At a match for a steer there were five winners, the four best shots having the choice of one of the four quarters of the beast and the fifth man taking as his part the hide and tallow.
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CHAPTER II
CIVIL AND POLITICAL
THE ORIGINAL JASPER COUNTY-FIRST TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATIONS- COMMISSION TO LOCATE COUNTY SEAT-COURT HOUSE BUILT-FIRST CARTHAGE HOUSES-EARLY PROVISION FOR GOOD ROADS-NO SNAP TO HOLD OFFICE-FIRST SESSION OF THE CIRCUIT COURT -- CONSPIRACY OR RIOT CASE-A NEW COURT HOUSE BUILT-EARLY POLITICAL HIS- TORY-COUNTY OFFICERS, 1841-61.
The bill authorizing the organization of the county passed January 29, 1841, contained the following general provision: "All that terri- tory included within the following described limits, to-wit: Beginning at the southwest corner of section one, in township twenty-seven, of range twenty-nine; thence running parallel with the line dividing townships twenty-seven and twenty-eight, westwardly to the western boundary of the state; thence north on the line of the state to the line dividing townships thirty-three and thirty-four; thence east on said line to the northwest corner of section one, in township thirty-three of range twenty-nine; thence south to the place of beginning, is hereby created a separate and distinct county, to be called and known by the name of Jasper county."
THE ORIGINAL JASPER COUNTY
It will be noted that the original limits of the county contained all the territory now in Barton county but did not extend as far south as the present southern limits, the base line dividing townships twenty- seven and twenty-eight being the southern limit.
The territory which includes the greater part of Joplin, Duenweg, Scotland and Sarcoxie was not in the original Jasper county.
In 1845 three miles was added to Jasper county on the south, and in 1855 Barton county was taken from its northern sections.
Pursuant to the provision of the above bill the Hon. S. M. Cooley, Jeremiah Cravens and Samuel B. Bright, who had been appointed mem- bers of the county court, and John P. Osborne, who had been appointed sheriff, met at the residence of George Hornback on Spring river, took the oath of office and entered upon their duties.
Elwood B. James was appointed county clerk and the bonds of the sheriff and clerk were approved. The court then adjourned to meet March 8, 1841.
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At the meeting of the county court on March 8th, the following of- ficers were appointed : Assessor, John Haskins; public administrator, Chas. Robinson; treasurer, George Hornback and county surveyor, John Chenault.
Justice Samuel M. Cooley was chosen as president of the court and by virtue of that office became the first probate judge.
FIRST TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATIONS
At the meeting of the county court on March 8th the county was divided into three townships: North Fork township, which included all of the territory north of the North and Dry forks of Spring river ; Spring River township, the east half of the county south of the Dry fork and Center Creek township, which included the western half of the county south of the North fork. Officers for the townships were also appointed. On March 14th North Fork township was divided, the western half being designated as Newton township. On November 3rd of the same year Marion township was organized and included in its territory the east half of Center Creek township and the west half of Spring River. No further changes were made in the township limits until August, 1847, when a portion of the North Fork and Spring River townships was stricken off and Jasper township organized. Marion township was divided into a north and south township, the southern township being called Robinson. On March 29, 1848, the name of Rob- inson was changed to Jackson. In 1854 McDonald township was carved out of the northeast portion of Spring River township and the northern part of the county (now Barton county) was organized as Barton town- ship. It remained thus until after the war, except that township (Bar- ton county) was stricken off of the northern part of Jasper county.
COMMISSION TO LOCATE COUNTY SEAT
John Plummer, George Barker and Abel Landers, all of the county of Newton, were appointed commissioners to select the permanent seat of justice for the county. The bill provided that the said commissioners should make their location as near the center of the inhabitable part of the county as practicable, without a survey, due regard being had to the situation. Abel Landers and George Barker qualified as com- missioners to select the permanent seat of justice and after making a most thorough canvass of the situation chose the site where now stands beautiful Carthage, for the future county seat. Mr. Landers was paid twenty dollars and Mr. Barker fifteen dollars for their services as com- missioners.
At a meeting of the county court held March 28, 1842. the county seat was formally named Carthage.
James Nichols, the surveyor who made the first temporary plat of the county seat, was paid ten dollars for his work.
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