USA > Missouri > Platte County > Annals of Platte County, Missouri, from its exploration down to June 1, 1897; with genealogies of its noted families, and sketches of its pioneers and distinguished people > Part 16
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I. ELIZABETH, wife of Lewis Hanum.
II. MISSOURI A., wife of Jos. Edwards.
III. ANN, wife of Jos. Allen.
IV. FLORA A. RITNER.
Mrs. Sarah Ritner afterwards m'd Sebastian Ritner.
Nov. 10-Jas. A. Headley is appointed commissioner of com. mon schools.
Nov. 18-Geo. A. Wood having died at Parkville, J. C. Sum- mers administered.
1853, DEC.
174
THE BREENS.
JAMES BREEN.
James Breen settles at Weston in 1853. He was born in Ireland in 1830. His father, Edward Breen, came with his family to Mason Co., Ky., where he died, aged 99. Edward married Mary Mulkey. Their son, James Breen, married Mary Collins. Ch:
I. EDWARD BREEN (ii), who was postmaster at Weston dur- ing Cleveland's first administration. He m'd Mary Butler, and now lives in St. Joseph.
II. CHARLES P. BREEN, b. June 29, 1858; m'd May 30, 1878, Mary Noll, dr. of Mat. He has been for nine years super- intendent of the construction of college building at Park. ville. He superintended the erection of the Mackay build- ing. Children:
1. Edward. 2. Emmet. 3. Howard.
III. MARGARET BREEN.
IV. JAMES.
V. HONORA.
VI. THOMAS.
VII. MARY.
VIII. JOHN.
IX. ANNIE BREEN.
DECEMBER.
Dec. 5-B. F. Stringfellow enrolled as a member of the bar. Der. 8-John Daniels, after an exciting trial, is acquitted of murder.
H. C. Cockrell. J. N. Burnes, and C. F. Burnes enrolled as attorneys.
The Landmark of Nov. 20. 1885, refers to a number of the Industrial Luminary of this date, jublished at Parkville, by Park & Cundiff. six columns, folio.
1854.
OFFICERS.
Governor, S. Price; Circuit Judge. E. H. Norton; State Sen- ator, A. M. Robinson; Circuit Clerk, W. C. Remington; Repre- sentatives. Brooks, Forbis, and Martin: Probate Judge. Jas. G. Spratt; County Justices, Clark. Duncan, and Layton; County Clerk. P. R. Waggoner; Sheriff, L. Shepard; Treasurer, W. Chris- tison: Circuit Attorney, Jas. Craig; County Attorney. W. B. Almond: Coroner. A. L. Perrin; Surveyor, H. N. Jenks; School Commissioner. J. A. Headley: Public Administrator. Jac. Swope.
BUSINESS MEN.
175
1854, JAN.
BUSINESS MEN.
At Platte City: Attorneys-Almond, Baldwin, Clark, Con nelly, Cockrell, Headley, Herndon, Hollingsworth, Pitt. Rees, Sayle, Stringfellow, Wilson, H. M. Moore.
Physicians-Baldwin, Brown, Callahan, Hollingsworth, Mar. shall, Redman, Stringfellow, Wallace.
Merchants, etc .- Ferrier, Fleshman, Fox & Brooks, Johnston & Son, S. Johnston, Keith (postmaster), Green, Gaines, Marshall & Burge, L. Rees, Richards, Swaney & Christison, S. A. Jack, Neudorf.
At Weston: Attorneys-Bird, J. N. & C. F. Burnes, Diefen- dorf. Jas. Doniphan, JJohn Doniphan, MeCurdy. Wolf. Tylee. Ramage.
Physicians-Bonifant. Bowers, Ridley.
Merchants, etc .- Basye & Brown, Belt & Murphy, Blanjour, Briggs, Cody, Davin. Dopler, Evans, Ferguys, Frank, Guenther, Keller & Kyle, Lingley, McCown, Meyers, Harper, Noble, Parrott. Perrys & Young, Railey & Bro .. Warner, Wilhite. Newman, Met- tier (postmaster), Deity, Doss, Mitchell, Wallingford.
Weston Court of Common Pleas -- MeCurdy. judge: Diefen- dorf, clerk ; and Wallingford, marshal.
Mayor-J. Woods.
Hotels-McClure, McHolland.
At Parkrille: Attorneys-W. M. & E. N. O. Clough. McDon- ald, Miller.
Merchants, etc .- Arnold, Aspling & Stephens. Bueneman. Burnes, Burney, Davis, Ford & Ashby, Kuykendall, Park, Ringo. Hord, Summers, Woodward, Dale, Richardson, Woodsmall.
At New Market: Armstrong. Bishop, Cartwright. Roberts, Allen, Walling & Browning, Ussary.
At Farley: Stiles, Zabrisky & Falkner.
At Ridgely: Black. Clark, Chinn. Ellington, Phillips, Sayle (postmaster), Smither.
THE SEASON, CROPS, ETC.
This was the famine year. Crops were short in Missouri, but nearly a failure in Kansas. H. D. Oden and others came over to solicit supplies for the starving people of Kansas; and liberal con- tributions were made. But the year is more memorable as the beginning of the border warfare, that ended in the civil war he- tween the North and South.
JANUARY.
Jan. 1-Dram-shops are freely licensed for $20 county tax. and $10 State tax.
L. C. Jack buys of W. B. Almond the S. 3 of Block 40 in Platte City, and removes into town.
1854, JAN.
176
H. B. TODD.
Jan. 21-David Bowman's estate administered on by Jacob Meyer.
FEBRUARY.
Feb. 1-Louis Neudorf's house burned on Lot 8, Block 26, in Platte City. The thermometer stood 30° below zero, and the fire seemed to cast off no heat. We saved the log house adjoining, by piling snow on the roof. In the intense cold, the snow melted only at the eaves of the house.
Feb. 21-Samuel Tincher's estate administered on by Levi Long. Bond, $3,000.
Feb. 23-Ben Fry purchases of Jesse Morin 320 acres in Secs. 4 and 9, T. 54, R. 35, for $9,039.
HEMP, THE SEASON.
Feb. 25-In an old letter of this date, from Platte City, I find the following passage: "Our dry winter has caused the farmers to be very backward in breaking hemp. But, this week, we have had several good rains, and hemp is pretty well rotted. The lint is remarkably heavy, and the article is superior. The crop will be larger than last year. It is selling for $5.75 to $6.25."
MARCH.
March 6-James Doniphan is enrolled as an attorney.
March 16-The Baptists buy of John Boulware Lot 10, Block 29. Platte City, and this season erect a church, 40x60, of brick.
TODD AND SKINNER.
.A bitter feud arises between two parties in the Christian Church at Camden Point. Phinehas Skinner leads one party, and Prof. H. B. Todd, principal of the Female Academy, the other. The whole community is excited, and takes sides. Todd is charged. by many responsible parties, with "lying." He sues for slander. and Skinner sues for debt. After two years of wrangling, the matter is settled, to the satisfaction of no one. The school suffers. Todd resigns, comes to Platte City, raises a large subscription, and in 1857 builds the Platte City Female Academy.
March 21 -- Wm. McNeil Clough enrolled as an attorney.
APRIL.
April 7-W. H. Bryan died at Ringold. He was a partner of Phinehas Skinner in the mercantile business, and was highly esteemed. His children have all left the county.
J. H. JOHNSTON.
177
1854, MAY.
EMIGRANT AID SOCIETY.
The Legislature of Massachusetts chartered a company by this name, which was never organized. But February 25, 1855, The New England Emigrant Aid Society was chartered, and went into operation, with Eli Thayer as president. They were active in promoting the settlement of Kansas with Free Soil men.
MAY.
May 1-If any financial exhibit was made this year, it cannot be found. It is not of record.
ASSESSMENT OF 1854.
Slaves, $1,323,300; money and notes, $592.550; other prop- erty. $449,976; lands and lots, $3,278,550; total, $5.644,376.
May 6-The Delaware tribe of Indians cede to the United States the larger part of their lands in Kansas.
May 18-The Kickapoos cede their lands in Kansas to the United States.
JAMES H. JOHNSTON.
May 23-James H. Johnston dies at his new house, a mile southeast of Platte City. He was born in Ohio May 27, 1813. He received his mercantile training in Cincinnati, came West early in 1838, and with Stephen Johnston, who was not related to him, opened the second store in Martinsville, held the office of post- master at Martinsville and Platte City until 1850, when he sold his store to Paxton & Callahan and retired to his farm, where he had just completed a spacious brick dweling. He married in 1840, Martha Henderson (see), a younger sister of Mrs. Geo. P. Dorriss. She survived him, and married September 17, 1860, Hon. A. W. Morrison, State treasurer, and is again a widow. Capt. R. D. Johnston, another partner, vet not related, administered on his estate, giving bond for $40,000. Ch:
I. ANNA B. JOHNSTON, i'd Feb. 17, 1860, Hon. Ben. J. Franklin, now governor of Arizona. He was a native of Mason Co., Ky .; educated at Bethany; admitted to our bar in 1857. After a short residence at Platte City, he located at Leavenworth. He was outspoken for the South. In 1860 he removed to Kansas City, entered the Confederate army as a private, was promoted to captain, and served throughout the war. He was elected to Congress from our district, which then included Kansas City, in 1874, and was reëlected in 1876. He is a man of independence, intelli- gence, and moral and personal courage, and took a high station in Congress. In March. 1896, he was appointed governor of Arizona.
1
1854, MAY.
178
KANSAS.
II. REBECCA JOHNSTON, m'd Wm. Ford, and is now a widow. Children :
1. Annie Ford. 2. Willie.
III. GEO. D. JOHNSTON, was killed in an affray in central Mis- souri; never married.
Mr. J. H. Johnston and I were intimate friends, and in a poem I dedicated to his memory I write:
He was a merchant trained from early youth; Good name and wealth were honestly acquired.
He rose by promptness, energy, and truth,
And, having gained a competence, retired. But prowling death stalked forth at radiant noon,
And rudely foiled his plans of ease and splendor ---
As biting frosts will sometimes come in June,
To nip the buds and flowers, when young and tender.
May 30-The Kansas-Nebraska bill approved by the Presi- dent. It submitted the question of slavery to the people of each Territory, and so far violated the Missouri Compromise. No effort was made to introduce slavery into Nebraska; but Kansas bordered on Missouri, and it was thought it could be easily colo- nized by Pro-slavery men. The Free Soil party were conscious that it would cost much labor and money to secure Kansas to freedom. The Northern people, therefore, entered heroically into the work, and, though often cast down, in the end succeeded.
JUNE.
June 10-A meeting of Pro-slavery "squatters," three miles west of Fort Leavenworth, declare Kansas slave territory, and refuse protection to Abolitionists.
LEAVENWORTH'S BIRTHDAY.
June 13-The Leavenworth Company formed at Weston. G. W. Gist was chosen president, H. Miles Moore secretary, and J. B. Evans treasurer. Amos Rees, L. D. Bird, and Maj. A. E. Ogden were members. Thirty-four signed the constitution. The only living members are H. Miles Moore, J. C. Gist, A. T. Kyle, Jos. Murphy, and J. B Evans. The first sale of lots was in October. 1854. The ground was surveyed by J. C. Gist, G. W. Gist, and Sam'l Fernandes.
ELIJAH CRUTCHFIELD.
June 24-Elijah Crutchfield and his wife both died to-day, of cholera. Mr. Crutchfield was a native of Clark Co., Ky. He mar- ried Maria Harris, daughter of John, in Estill Co., Ky., and came to Platte in 1847. They settled six miles east of Weston. Ch:
1854, JUNE.
179
THE CRUTCHFIELDS.
I. JOHN A. CRUTCHFIELD, b. in Clark Co., Ky., July 24, 1831; i'd Dora Jackson, dr. of James, a brother of Wallace. Ch: 1. Adie Crutchfield. 2. Ollic.
II. GEORGE CRUTCHFIELD, b. Aug. 28, 1833, in Clark Co., Ky .; I'd March 1, 1862, Eliz. Pope, dr. of Almanzer. He is a prosperous farmer, residing near Woodruff, and possesses good hard sense and the highest integrity. He served a term as county court justice, and was faithful and true to his trust. Ch:
1. John M. Crutchfield, b. in 1864. 2. Jessie.
3. S. Richard.
4. Anna M. Crutchfield, m'd June 23, 1888, Cor. C. Mont- gomery. Ch: [@] Mary.
III. ANN CRUTCHFIELD, dead; m'd Dec. 2, 1855, Phil. Gerner. Children :
1. Geo. Gerner, m'd Ann Lankford: They live in Weston.
2. Fannie, m'd Linville Alexander. 5 ch.
3. Seagle, m'd Maggie Treadway. 4. Sheridan.
5. Sherman, dead. 6. Ellen. 7. Katie Gerner.
IV. PHŒBE CRUTCHFIELD, m'd Wm. Davis, son of John S. 1. John M. Daris, m'd a Pope. Live in Kansas.
2. Leb. Daris, m'd a Hunsucker, in Kansas. 3. Charles.
4. Fannie, m'd a House and went to Oklahoma Territory.
5. William, m'd a Pope, and went to Kansas.
V. HENRY CRUTCHFIELD, m'd Sallie Donnelly. Live in Kansas.
VI. DANIEL CRUTCHFIELD, m'd Jan. 22, 1871, Mollie A. Ful- ton, dr. of Hugh. No children.
VII. RUTHI CRUTCHFIELD, m'd Feb. 29, 1865, Jas. Lindsay. (See.)
VIII. JAMES CRUTCHFIELD, m'd Oct. 10, 1873, Ella Gabbert, dr. of George.
June 30-The United States Senate confirms the appointment of Andrew Reeder, as governor of Kansas.
This season some half-dozen persons died of cholera, in Platte City. I can name only Jos. R. Daniel and William Beckum.
WILLIAM BECKUM.
William Beckum married a Bush and came to Platte City about 1847. Ch:
I. ELIZA BECKUM, I'd 1st, Jas. G. Hodge, who died, leaving: 1. Marcella Hodge, d. March 26, 1896; m'd March 28, 1854, Geo. P. Young. (See.)
2. Sarah A. Hodge, m'd June 4, 1865, W. S. Allingham. Ch: [@] Harry Allingham; [b] Eddie.
3. Lee Hodge, m'd Leney Recht. Ch: [@] Alcesta Recht,
THE BECKUMS.
180
1854, JULY.
m'd March 31, 1885, Wm. F. Wilmes; [b] Linda B. Recht, m'd Nov. 13, 1889, W. B. Shackelford.
Mrs. Hodge m'd 2d, Wm. M. Cannon. Ch:
4. Mollie B. Cannon, m'd July 30, 1871, Wm. Brown. She is living in Leavenworth with a second husband.
5. Edmonia Cannon, m'd 1st, Chas. M. Boyd, who was killed Aug. 13, 1865. She m'd 2d, Griffin; and m'd 3d, Wood.
Mrs. Cannon m'd 3d, Jan. 25, 1865, Andrew Tolly, who died childless. Her children are all daughters and lovely women.
II. SARAH A. BECKUM, m'd June 23, 1842, Geo. Quimby. She died in 1854, leaving:
1. Alice Quimby, m'd a Trenwitch, and, after his death, m'd a Bevins. They live in St. Louis.
2. Cleora Quimby, m'd 1st, about 1860, John Bourne, a man of marked intelligence. He edited several pa- pers in Platte and elsewhere. After his death, she m'd McGreggor. She died in St. Louis.
Mr. Quimby went to Kansas, and raised another family. III. JOHN BECKUM, m'd Ch:
1. Susan Beckum, b. Nov. 15, 1843; m'd W. T. Rader. (See.)
2. Georgiana, b. Feb. 13, 1845; m'd March 5, 1861, H. Scott Yates, b. Dec. 26, 1834, son of Chas. Yates and Emily McManus. Mr. Yates was a Confederate State guard for six months; a member of Capt. W. J. Miller's Co. I., Winston's regiment of infantry. He is a Knight Templar, and a highly respected citizen. He came to Platte in 1857. Ch: [@] Ella Yates, b. in 1862; m'd Jan. 19, 1881, John Wilson; [b] John, b. Jan. 20, 1864; m'd in 1884, Martha A. Timberlake; 3 children; [c] Ada Yates; [{] Susan, m'd in 1889, Bolivar Rule (ii) (see); 1 child; [e] William; [f] Ed- ward; [9] Eliza; [h] Grace; [ ] Thomas H .; [i] Flo- ra Yates.
3. Alabas Beckum, m'd a Sanders.
4. Elisa Beckum, m'd a Sanders.
IV. CHARLES BECKUM, lived in Kentucky.
V. SUSAN BECKUM, lived in Kentucky.
VI. IRENA BECKUM, lived in Indiana.
JULY.
July 1-At this time it was a common story that the South- erners kept a cow at every ferry on the Missouri River, and every stranger that applied for passage was asked to name the animal. If he answered, "A keow," he was turned back. But the Free- State ferrymen showed a bear, and if the stranger called it "a bar,"
THE GUTHRIES.
181
1854, JULY.
they refused to cross him. The joke is as old as the shibboleth of Jephthah.
July 8-William Roach having died, Mary Roach adminis- tered. Bond, $20,000.
WILLIAM GUTHRIE.
William Guthrie having died, Cox & Burruss administered. Bond, $45,000. He married Mary Yates. Ch:
I. MARY GUTHRIE, m'd Mad. W. Mitchell. (See.)
II. NANCY GUTHRIE, m'd Jos. Kelly. Ch:
1. Jane Kelly, m'd - Calvert.
2. William Kelly, lives in St. Joseph.
3. Linnie Kelly, m'd - Cary. 4. Minnie. 5. Johm.
IIII. LINNA GUTHRIE, m'd Elder Phil. Burruss. (See.)
IV. MARTHA A. GUTHRIE, m'd Oct. 18, 1853, John S. Mitchell, of St. Joseph.
V. LUCY, m'd Dec. 9, 1856, Jas. Dye. (See.)
VI. ELIZABETH GUTHRIE, b. Oct. 10, 1844; m'd May 12, 1858, David T. Polk (i). He was elected surveyor of Platte in 1884, and reëlected in 1886. Mrs. Polk is a handsome and accomplished lady. Ch:
1. Mary Polk, b. Nov. 30, 1859; m'd Sept. 22, 1880. Canby Hawkins, b. April 10, 1858. Ch: [@] Vera Hawkins, b. Aug. 27, 1881; [b] Lydia, b. March 9, 1883.
2. Darid T. Polk (ii).
VII. JOHN M. GUTHRIE. b. July 26, 1830, in Henry Co., Ky .; d. in Platte, Aug. 26, 1889 ; m'd Elvira Pence, dr. of Edward.
ZABINA BABCOCK.
July 10-Zabina Babcock having died, Richard Babcock ad- ministered. Bond, $1,600. He married, in Ohio, Lucinda Dus- tamer ; came to Platte in 1838, and settled at the "Narrows," where he formed a partnership with Phinehas Skinner, and kept a store. I knew him as a large and venerable old gentleman. His wife survived until 1874. Ch:
I. RICHARD BABCOCK, b. July 11, 1818; m'd 1st. Nov. 3, 1840, Ann Zabrisky, who d. childless. He m'd 2d, Oct. 18, 1841, Serilda Moore. dr. of John. They live near Waldron. Mr. Babcock possesses sound judgment and business qualifica- tions. He is a pillar of the Methodist Church, and an honorable and useful citizen. Ch:
1. Taylor Babcock, b. July 11, 1849; m'd 1st. Minnie Glenner, dr. of Edward. Ch: [@] Waller E. Bab- cock, b. July 8, 1878; [b] Nellie Babcock, b. in Nov., 1881. Minnie d. June 1, 1889; and Taylor m'd 2d. July 23. 1890, Lula Tinder. b. in 1870. Ch: [c] Gil- bert Babcock. b. Oct. 1. 1891.
1854, JULY.
182
THE BABCOCKS.
2. John W. Babcock, m'd Oct. 17, 1877, Mary Porter (see), b. April 2, 1852.
3. Middleton Babcock, b. March 16, 1853; m'd Jan. 7, 1875, Flora Naylor, dr. of Wesley, b. Jan. 12, 1858. Ch: [@] Joe; [b] Stella; [c] Lillie.
4. Grant Babcock,, m'd May 27, 1886, Gladys Brink. Ch: [a] Dean.
5. Chas. Babcock (ii), m'd Kate Hardwicke.
6. Elizabeth L., b. Feb. 23, 1845; m'd Dec. 28, 1865, Hender- son Searcy, son of Christopher, b. in Platte March 22, 1841. Ch: [@] Wm. R. Searcy, b. Oct. 27, 1866; m'd Feb. 25, 1890, Jennie Johnson. Ch: [1] Claude W .; [2] Guy M. [b] Lena Searcy, m'd Feb. 22, 1887, Jas. J. Clements, b. Feb. 22, 1860; 3 children. [c] Ethel Searcy.
7. Margaret Babcock, m'd 1st, Aug. 15, 1865, John Heath, son of Stephen. Ch: [{] Mary. Margaret m'd 2d, J. H. Butler. Ch: [b] Edward Butler, m'd Cora Riley, dr. of Jas. T. Ch: [1] Lillian; [2] Flora; [3] Chas. Butler.
8. Victoria Babcock, m'd Richard Moore, son of Luke and grandson of John. Ch: [@] Minnie, m'd Jas. Con- ner; [b] Maud; [c] Bessie.
9. Susan Babcock, m'd in 1878, Wm. Dillard Mills, b. May 16, 1855. Ch: [@] Herman Z. Mills; [b] Claude R. II. RUTH BABCOCK, went to Texas.
III. CHARLES BABCOCK (i), b. in Ohio June 22, 1822; m'd Nov. 6, 1843, Pauline Moore, b. in 1827, dr. of John. She still lives, but her husband committed suicide June 14, 1889, by cutting his throat. He was a worthy farmer. Ch:
1. Frank M. Babcock, m'd April 14, 1869, Mary Crosky. Ch: [@] Eva Babcock, b. Nov. 27, 1870; m'd Dec. 23, 1890, John R. Dunagan, b. Sept. 28, 1860. Ch: [1] Roscoe, b. Oct. 13, 1891; [2] Ed. L., b. Jan. 15, 1894. [b] Annie Babcock; [c] R. Newton Babcock; [d] Ella; [e] Nora; [f] Harrison; [9] Dora Babcock.
2. Samuel Babcock, m'd 1st, Oct. 4,1869, Wilmouth Arnold. Ch: [@] William Babcock. Samuel m'd 2d, Nov. 1, 1874, Mary E. Naylor. Ch: [] Eddie and 5 others. Live in Kansas.
3. Geo. W. Babcock, b. May 8, 1851 ; m'd Feb. 8, 1867, Ellen Williams. Ch: [@] Clarence; [b] Clidia; [c] Doxie; [d] Geo .; [€] Raymond.
4. Sarah J. Babcock, m'd Sept. 3, 1874, Wm. N. Morrow, son of Samuel. Live in Colorado.
5. Wm. A. Babcock, m'd April 28. 1880, Florence Pierce, dr. of Weston. Ch: [@] Sallie; [b] George; [c] Wil- liam; [d] Cora; [e] Vernie; [f] Mattie M .; [9] Sa- die Babcock.
THE RISKS.
183
1854, JULY.
6. Chas. W. Babcock, i'd Aug. 1, 1881, Mary E. Naylor, dr. of Abner. Ch: [{] Della; [0] Birdie; [r] Galen.
7. Mary Babcock, m'd Mat Wills, of Kansas.
8. And. J. Babcock, b. Sept. 8, 1865; m'd Sept. 15, 1889. Bettie Carpenter, b. May 24, 1868, dr. of Zenith. Ch: [@] Ernest.
9. Henry T. Babcock, m'd Nov. 6, 1893, Ida E. Grove.
IV. ALFRED BABCOCK, d. in June, 1864; m'd 1st, a Wood. Ch:
1. William Babcock, m'd Mary Kemphefner. Ch: [{] Eli. Alfred m'd 2d, Luvana Nash, sister of Cov .; no children.
V. JACK BABCOCK, m'd March 18, 1858, Sallie Heath, dr. of James. Ch:
1. Jas. Babcock, m'd Jan. 4. 1880, Luvella Naylor, dr. of Paul. 4 children. Live in Leavenworth.
VI. SAMUEL, went to California, and died ; single.
ABRAM RISK.
July 10-Abram Risk's estate administered on by his son, Jesse Risk. He died of cholera. In Kentucky, he married Malinda Davenport, and came to Platte in 1837, settling north of Weston. Mrs. Risk died July 7, 1883. Ch:
I. SIDNEY C. RISK, b. Sept. 18, 1838; d. in Nov., 1886; m'd Oct. 10, 1862, Valaria Thorp, who d. in 1871. Ch:
1. Adella Risk, m'd M. C. Ferrel.
2. David Risk, m'd July 24, 1887, Ida May Shouse, b. Oct. 13, 1867. Ch: [{] Frank Risk; [b] Julian.
3. Dora Risk, m'd R. F. Ferrel.
4. James Risk, m'd Aug. 20, 1868, Nannie Gabbert, dr. of Michael H.
5. William Risk, d. Nov. 9, 1891.
Sidney C. m'd 2d, Harriet N. Guant.
II. JAS. JESSE RISK, was shot, fatally, in his yard, Oct. 7, 1863, by an unknown assassin.
III. PAUL RISK, d. May, 5, 1872; m'd Feb. 18, 1864, Phœbe J. Palmer. Ch:
1. Phoche J. Risk.
2. Abm. Risk, m'd July 10, 1888, Mary A. Rees, dr. of Wm. IV. D. FRANKLIN RISK, b. Feb. 14, 1848; m'd Dec. 25, 1866, Caro. Smith, dr. of A. G. Smith and Sarah Hill. He is an enter- prising farmer and stock-raiser, living north of Weston.
1. Ella M. Risk, m'd April 13, 1892, A. H. Hord, dr. of Anderson.
2. Ida G. Risk. 3. Benj. B. 4. Jesse.
5. Lela Myrtle Risk.
V. MINERVA RISK, m'd April 10, 1891, John Moore; dead.
VI. MOLLIE J. RISK, m'd Dec. 31, 1863, David B. Layton, b. Feb. 2,1841. Ch:
1854, JULY.
184
THE GARDINERS.
1. Perry Layton (ii). 2. Malinda.
3. Darid, m'd Aug. 10, 1891, Clara Decker.
4. Lurinda (Lulie). 5. Minerva. 6. James. 7. Noah. 8. Ben Layton.
Mr Layton is a son of the late Judge Jas. H. Layton, and a cordial and intelligent gentleman.
JOHN I. GARDINER.
July 11-John I. Gardiner having died, his widow, Nancy J., administered. Bond, $20,000. They settled, about 1847, at Sec- ond Creek Church. He was a highly respected gentleman, and his wife was handsome and intelligent. Ch:
I. ANNA ANASTASIA GARDINER, m'd Feb. 21, 1860, And. Cook. No children.
II. LETITIA A. GARDINER, d. June 9, 1878, aged 28.
July 27-Leonard Cannon having died near Farley, R. F. Mason administered. Bond, $2,600.
The Argus offers $200 reward for the apprehension of Eli Thayer, president of the New England Emigrant Aid Society.
The Atchison Town Company formed, with P. T. Abell, presi- dent; J. H. Stringfellow, secretary; and J. N. Burnes, treasurer.
PLATTE COUNTY SELF-DEFENSIVE ASSOCIATION.
July 29-A meeting was held to-day, in pursuance of a call signed, among others, by W. B. Almond, D. R. Atchison, J. N. Burnes, Dr. G. W. Bayless, Jas. Adkins, P. T. Abell, Dan'l Cary, J. V. Cockrill, Geo. Galloway, Jesse Morin, W. J. Miller, W. H. Spratt, B. F. Stringfellow, J. H. Stringfellow, Jarret Todd, Jno. M. Wallace, J. W. Vineyard. Geo. Galloway was made president, and J. H. Stringfellow secretary. After resolving that all settlers sent to Kansas by aid societies must be turned back, they formed a society, to be known as the Platte County Self-Defensive Associa- tion, to hold public meetings, and urge the settlement of Kansas by Pro-slavery men ,and to guard elections against the frauds of Abolitionists. Under the patronage of this institution, Atchison, Bayless, Stringfellow, and others made frequent public addresses.
THE KANSAS LEAGUE.
The Kansas League was a subsidiary institution, to carry into effect the decrees of the Platte County Self-Defensive Association. It was composed, chiefly, of the same persons, bound to secrecy by an oath, and holding meetings in the dark, wherever and whenever called out. Through the agency of this institution, newspapers were suppressed and Northern Methodists silenced.
THE ELECTION.
185
1854, AUG.
AUGUST. THE ELECTION.
Aug. 1-The vote for Congressman was: Mor. Oliver (Whig), 6,129 ; S. L. Leonard, 4,998; Lowe, 2,787. W. H. Spratt (Whig) was chosen sheriff; A. M. Robinson senator; and D. D. Burnes, John Doniphan, and G. P. Dorriss representatives.
THE SMITHVILLE TRAGEDY.
Aug. 7-This day occurred the terrible affray in Smithville, in which John W. Douglas and S. J. Ross were killed, and Samuel Shackelford, Wm. Shackelford, and John W. Calloway were lynched. Samuel Shackelford was the leader of a gang of lawless men who met at Smithville, and, being armed, brought on an affray. He killed the two men named, but his skull was broken by a club; and, with his two companions, he was hung to the limb of a sugar-tree, across the creek from Smithville.
PARDEE BUTLER.
Aug. 16-Pardee Butler was an outspoken Free State man of Atchison, Kansas, and was seized by Pro-slavery men, and placed on two logs, and set adrift in the Missouri River. A flag fastened to the raft proclaimed his principles. I met Mr. Butler years later, and heard from his lips the story of his voyage. He had upon his person $125, which he asked might be deposited with a merchant at Atchison; but he was commanded to take his money with him. His orders were not to take down the flag; but, when out of sight, he tore it down, and, with it as a paddle, reached the Kansas shore. Two years later, at Atchison, he was treated to a coat of tar. He was a Baptist elder. He died in Kansas, a few years ago.
THE DROUTH.
This was the famine year for Kansas. The winter had been remarkably dry, yet early corn sprouted and produced more than a half crop; but not one grain in five planted in May came up. In Kansas it was worse. Southern men were helped by their Mis- souri friends, and the Free State men were supplied by contribu- tions from the North. Corn sold for from $1 to $1.50 per bushel. and wheat brought the same. Later in the fall, grasshoppers made their first visit to Kansas, and in places hatched out in the spring.
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