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 21
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3. James A. Stone. b. April 27, 1836: was a cripple and never married. He was assessor of the county sev- eral terms; but when it became his duty to assess lands by their numbers, his books were rejected, and his office declared vacant.
4. John Stone.
5. Mary A., m'd Feb. 5, 1861, D. F. Brubeck.
6. Edward L. Stone.
7. Cinderella, m'd Feb. 19, 1852, Wm. H. Corbin, b. in Kentucky Sept. 8. 1836. Live in Clay.
8. Agnes.
DR. B. F. MOORE.
232
1857, JAN.
V. FANNIE STONE, m'd McVicker, in Kentucky.
VI. SARAH STONE, b. April 3, 1803; m'd Wm. J. Norris, for many years a wealthy speculator and money-loaner in Platte; removed to Topeka, Kansas, and died there. Ch:
1. Howard Norris.
2. Capt. Chas. B. Norris, a merchant of Platte City and of Weston. He raised a Confederate company, and was one of the first to reach the front. He now lives at Westport, devoting his surplus to science.
3. Martha Victoria Norris, m'd 1st, Feb. 15, 1855, John B. Camp. After his death, she became the second wife of Jeff. J. Park. (See.)
William J. Norris m'd 2d, Jan. 1, 1858, Ange M. Perry.
DR. B. F. MOORE.
Jan. 25-Dr. B. F. Moore locates at Parkville, and there is still his home. He graduated in 1855, at Louisville Medical School. He was born in Fayette County, Ky., Feb. 1, 1830, being a son of Peter Moore, a gallant soldier of the Revolution. He mar- ried in March, 1858, Hettie A. Beauchamp. Ch: 1, Kate Moore, m'd Thos, Ashby; 2, Mary E., m'd George Johnson; 3, William P. Moore.
FEBRUARY.
Feb. 4-The county court appoints Jos. E. Merryman county attorney, and John Swaney assessor, in place of James Stone (i), deceased.
WASHINGTON SCOTT.
Feb. 6-Washington Scott died near Barry. He was born in Bourbon County, Ky., December 18, 1812, the son of William Scott and - Smith. He married April 23, 1835, Ruth Ann Dun- can, born June 25, 1816. They left Kentucky in October, 1837, and settled in Platte, ten miles east of Platte City, where Mr. Scott died. Children :
I. MARY E. SCOTT, b. in Oct., 1836; m'd Alex. Breckenridge (his second wife), b. Dec. 25, 1829. Mr. Breckenridge's first wife was Nannie Winn, dr. of James. He is a worthy citizen of Edgerton, but without children.
II. JOHN W. SCOTT.
III. WASH. WADE SCOTT, b. Oct. 4, 1842; m'd Feb. 1, 1869, Annie Lott. dr. of William H. Ch:
1. Mary Scott. 2. Beatrice. 3. Harry. 4. Lou. 5. Walter Scott.
IV. JAMES R. SCOTT, b. Feb. 25, 1848; m'd Rose Aker. Live in Clay ; 8 children.
1857, FEB.
233
N. FAULCONER.
V. NANNIE SCOTT, b. Sept. 30, 1852; i'd R. W. Beery, son of Noah, b. in 1836. Ch:
1. Albert S. 2. Mollie. 3. Annie. 4. Calhoun.
Feb. 11-The Government sells to the Leavenworth Town Company their site, for $24,000.
Feb. 15-A ladies' supper at Weston clears $250.
Feb. 16-The Parkville and G. R. R. R. Company incorporated.
Feb. 20-The ice in the Missouri is moving.
A Platte Argus of this date is in my hands.
Prof. William Dickey is now in charge of the male academy, or public school, at Platte City.
Feb. 22-The Star of the West, a Good Templars lodge, at Weston, celebrates Washington's birthday with an oration.
Feb. 23-Judge S. P. S. MeCurdy's house, in Weston, burned, and E. Cody's books are consumed.
The population of Leavenworth County, Kansas, is 5,529; of Atchison County, 2,807.
NELSON FAULCONER.
Nelson Faulconer having died near Prairie Point, John R. Keller administered. He married twice. A daughter by his first wife married a Cravens, and died leaving: 1, Rebecca Cravens; 2, Eliza J., who m'd John R. Keller (see); 3, Thomas Cravens; 4, Elisha; 5, Andrew H. Cravens; 6, William; 7, Fan- nie. Wm. K. Faulconer was the only child of the second wife. He will be noticed. (See.)
MARCH.
March 4-Samuel Hardwicke enrolled as an attorney.
Elm Grove United Baptist Church organized.
John B. Linville having died, Rev. H. R. Smith administered. Bond, $1,000. His widow was named Harriet, and they had one child, in Oregon.
March 16-Samuel Akin having died, John P. Akin admin- istered. Pauline was his widow, and their children: 1, Emily; 2, Jas. W. Akin.
The late decision by the United States Supreme Court, of the Dred Scott case, is creating much excitement.
March 18-H. J. Adams elected mayor of Leavenworth. The first Free State mayor elected.
Geo . Helman buys of J. J. Deckelman property in Weston.
March 26-Governor Geary, of Kansas, having resigned, to take effect the 20th, the appointment of Robert J. Walker to the place is approved by the United States Senate.
A map of Platte County, on the scale of a mile to the inch, is published by Waters & Harding.
ETHAN ALLEN.
234
1857, APRIL.
APRIL.
April 4-The Platte City Weekly Atlas is issued by Ethan Allen, at $2 per year. His terms for advertisements are: A square of 12 lines, first time, $1; all subsequent insertions, half price each; administrator's notice, $2; final settlement notice, $2.50; business card, $5; announcement of candidate, $3; obitu- aries, 50 cents per square.
I have full files of the Atlas, and henceforth my data will be more reliable.
ETHAN ALLEN.
Ethan Allen was descended from Gen. Ira Allen, brother of the illustrious Ethan Allen, who demanded the surrender of Ticonderoga "in the name of the great Jehovah and the Conti- nental Congress!" The father of Ethan Allen, Jr., was Anson Hall Allen, born July 7, 1806, and Marena Morehouse was his mother. Ethan was born in New York August 4, 1834; married September 20, 1857, Ann Rachel Musgrove, born March 27, 1838; died February 13, 1895. Mr. Allen's paper, the Atlas, was admir- ably conducted, and the literary talent of a large number of con- tributors puts to shame the party-ridden and sycophantic sheets of to-day. Poetry sparkled in every number, and the young and ambitious made something interesting, besides politics. Mr. Allen lives now at Lexington, Mo., and stands among the foremost in the State editorial fraternity. Ch:
I. MARY ELIZ. ALLEN, b. in Platte City Dec. 28, 1858.
II. VERGILLA ALLEN, b. May 3, 1860.
III. OLIVIA ALLEN, b. Nov. 14, 1863.
IV. FRANCES CORNELIA ALLEN, b. Sept. 1, 1866.
V. ETHAN ALLEN (iii), b. Nov. 4, 1868.
VI. ANNIE ALLEN, b. June 26, 1871.
THE ACADEMY STOCKHOLDERS.
The Academy stockholders having chosen H. B. Todd, W. M. Paxton, and W. A. Fox a building committee, A. W. Henning takes the contract to build the Academy, at $15,000.
Platte City is on a boom-not a house to rent.
H. Clay Cockrell is announced for probate judge.
A. W. Henning advertises for brick- and stone-masons.
The Academy committee calls for one-half the subscriptions. The Academy is to be finished by the first Monday in November, when it is to dedicated and opened.
.J. F. Pitts offers the reward of $100 each, for the capture and return of two runaway slaves.
Sales of real estate: W. J. Norris to C. F. Spencer, 302 acres, including Tracy, at $45 per acre. John Bane to J. W. Christy, 80 acres at $40; and James A. Headley to Gen. Jeff. Wil- liams, 160 acres at $35.
COUNTY FINANCES.
MAY.
May 1-The Tax Books show 2,351 polls; 3,122 slaves, val- nable at $1,704,755. County revenue, $19,540.44. Total assess- ment. $7,500,359.
COUNTY REVENUE.
Total receipts, $13,568; total expenses, $14,762; county levy, 25 cents ; poll, 373 cents. Dram-shop license, $30.
Objects of Expenditure.
Bee Creek bridge.
15.00
Couch bridge .. 124.00
Bear Creek bridge. 117.00
Platte City bridge. 85.00
Rialto bridge .. 9.00
Skinner's bridge.
1,340.00
Unity Church bridge 25.00
Roads. .
544.00
Road damages
800.00
$3,059.00
Assessor (Stone).
165.00
County Attorney (Almond) .
132.00
Circuit Clerk (Remington) .
710.00
County Clerk (Waggener).
588.00
Lewis.
782.00
Sheriff (Spratt). 1,054.00
Treasurer (Freeland) .
401.00
School Commissioner (Cockrell) .
200.00
Judges (Broadhurst, Hays, and Layton).
467.00
4,499.00
Court-house.
410.00
Criminal costs.
221.00
Elections.
307.00
Jail.
550.00
Jurors.
277.00
Poor.
1,881.00
Stationery.
381.00
Loaned Weston.
3.000.00
Wood.
119.00
Sundries.
58.00
Total. . $14,762.00
May 4-Wm. C. Baker is appointed public administrator. Bond, $10,000.
Dr. G. W. Bayless sells out and returns to the position of demonstrator of anatomy in the Louisville Medical School.
May 4-John F. Marshall having died, Jane S. Marshall ad- ministers. Bond, $8,000.
1857, MAY.
235
DAVID COUCH.
236
1857, MAY.
DAVID COUCH.
David Couch having died April 11, 1857, William Couch ad- ministered. Bond, $15,000. David Couch was a worthy farmer, 8 miles east of Platte City. His wife died before him. He left two sons:
I. WILLIAM M. COUCH, b. near Knoxville, Tenn., Dec. 24, 1826; m'd April 1, 1851, Margaret Berry, dr. of Wm. G. She was b. Dec. 29, 1829, and d. March 6, 1880. I knew Mrs. Couch in her maiden beauty and loveliness. She was the belle of the eastern half of Platte County. Mr. Couch went to Colorado, and accumulated a large fortune, which is still the property of his children. He was a man of generous spirit, and much beloved. He died in 1896, a widower, in Kansas City, Mo. His heirs own 1,000 acres of the best Platte lands.
1. Joseph Couch, m'd Nov. 29, 1888, Laura Cox, dr. of J. M. Cox. They live near Linkville.
2. Dora Couch, was well educated and charming. She m'd Oct. 29, 1874, Dr. J. C. Rogers, and died childless.
3. Bertie Couch, m'd in Feb., 1897, Edw. L. Massie.
II. JOSEPH COUCH, d. at Dallas, Texas, in 1859. He m'd Dec.
2, 1847. Margaret C. Smith, who died leaving:
1. William S. Couch. 2. E. D. Couch.
3. Lettie Couch, m'd April 18, 1867, Ben. L. Lampton. Both died, leaving a daughter, Lola L. Lampton.
David Couch served in the War of 1812 as a private in Capt. Chiles' company of Tennessee militia.
May 7-W. M. Paxton, one of the building committee for the Platte City Female Academy, reports expenditures, $2,402.50; col- lections, $1,580.90.
"ARGUS" OF MAY 8, 1837.
May 8-Through the courtesy of J. B. Mundy, I have the Argus of this date (Vol. 13, No. 52), and find :
Thos. F. Stone advertises a negro girl to be sold publicly.
The Platte City Female Academy is to open November 10. 1857.
A. C. Redman and C. G. Huffaker are principals of the Weston High School.
The Weston & Canton R. R. is the subject of consideration of a public meeting at Platte City. Jesse Morin is president, and J. F. Wiseley secretary; Lewis Ramage speaks; resolutions are adopted; Clint. Cockrill, John Doniphan, David Hunt, S. P. S. McCurdy, Dr. J. M. Moore, S. Johnston, G. P. Dorriss, Judge Nor- ton, Dr. A. M. Robinson, C. A. Perry, and Joel C. Rockwell partici- pated in the meeting.
Prices: Corn. 60 cents; bacon, 13 cents; coffee, 15 cents; flour, $4 per sack ; crushed sugar, 18 cents; hides, 14 cents; salt, $3 per sack ; lard, 12 cents; nails, 6 cents.
J. P. GEORGEN.
237
1857, MAY.
King & Davis announce that they will issue, May 30th, the Key City Commercial, Whig weekly paper, at Weston.
The Platte Mutual Insurance Company, J. E. Walker presi- dent, is advertised.
John Doniphan announces a public sale of 40 lots in his addition to Weston.
Peaches and other fruits promising.
Proceedings of the municipal council of Weston, commem- orative of the late J. P. Georgen, signed by Ben Wood as mayor, and H. J. Wolf as secretary, are published.
A circus at Parkville on May 13th, at Platte City on the 15th, and at Weston on the 18th.
S. J. Finch gives notice that the Weston Reporter has been sold to A. W. King.
William Findley, marshal of Weston, gives notice that here- after he will enforce the ordinance against hogs running at large.
May 14-Cartwright & Tufts are selling their stock at New Market, at auction.
The administrators of adjoining counties advertise in the Argus.
May 16-General Harney is in command at the Fort.
May 17-Secretary Stanton is acting governor of Kansas, awaiting the arrival of Governor Walker.
May 18-Circuit Judge E. H. Norton is a candidate for re- election in August.
May 19-The Postmaster-General advertises for proposals to carry a semi-weekly mail to the Pacific.
H. M. Cochran opens a dry goods store at Platte City.
The Argus favors the Weston & Canton Railroad, and the Atlas favors the Platte Country Railroad.
May 24-Governor Walker speaks at Quindaro.
May 25-The first number of the Key City is issued at Weston, by a son of Sam. Owens. It succeeded the Reporter, and soon died.
J. P. GEORGEN.
J. P. Georgen's estate administered by Brill, Hamm & Georgen. Bond, $75,000. He was a large merchant of Weston. His widow, Anna M. Georgen, married October 15, 1868, Frederick Stubenraugh, and died childless. The Georgen children:
I. LEWIS W. GEORGEN, m'd Azubah Skinner. (See.)
II. LIZZIE GEORGEN, d., single Oct. 9, 1872.
III. FRANK H. GEORGEN. IV. JOHN GEORGEN.
GEORGE ECKERT.
George Eckert, a native of Prussia, settles in Platte, and proves an excellent citizen. He was born June 16. 1829; came to America in 1848; married, March 13, 1857. Dorothy Stell, daughter
1857, MAY.
238
HUMPHREY SMITH.
of George, a German. They immediately settled in Platte County, and by industry acquired a large and valuable farm. Mrs. Eckert died in December, 1876, leaving:
I. GEORGE H. ECKERT, b. near Parkville Jan. 21, 1858; m'd March 11, 1880, Eva Renner, dr. of Adam. Ch:
1. Emma Eckert. 2. Lizzie Eckert. The family belong to the German M. E. Church.
II. MARY L. ECKERT, m'd Feb. 27, 1877, Peter W. Klamm, b. in Nov., 1852, son of John. Ch:
1. Geo. P. Klamm. 2. Virginia.
III. AMELIA, m'd April 22, 1880, John P. Klamm.
IV. ELIZ. C. ECKERT. V. WILLIAM. VI. MAGDALEN. VII. JACOB.
HUMPHREY SMITH.
Humphrey Smith died in May, 1857. He was born in New Jersey February 17, 1774. His father was Abraham Smith, who was of German parentage. The family came to New Jersey in 1714. His mother was a Davenport. He married, in 1803, Nancy Walker, who was born in 1783, and died in 1855. On account of his outspoken anti-slavery sentiments, he was called "Yankee" Smith. In 1822 he came west with his family, and settled on the creek in Clay County, Mo., called from him, Smith's Fork of the Platte. Here, at a point where the creek breaks over a ledge of rocks, he built, of round, unhewn white-oak logs, a small mill for corn, run by a flutter wheel. At that time there was no grist- mill in Clay, except Tillery's horse-mill. The stones were cut from "lost rock," and were small. A few years later Mr. Smith cut out a 33-foot pair of stones, from "lost rock," and added bolts. For ten years these mills afforded meal and flour for the county. Mr. Smith, about 1827, laid off a small town, which was called Smithville. His good sense, energy, and independence gave name and reputation to the neighborhood. Ch:
I. DOCTOR SMITH, b. in 1806; d. in 1856.
II. ERASTUS SMITH (i), b. in 1808; d. in 1855.
III. GEO. SMITH, b. in 1811, living ; m'd 1st, in 1834, Miss Brown, d. in Platte in 1839. He m'd 2d, in 1840, Miss Shelton. Live in Kansas.
IV. CALVIN SMITH, b. Dec. 23, 1813, living in Kansas City ; m'd 1st, in 1840, Agnes Jordan, d. in 1884. He was a merchant in Smithville; removed in 1862 to Jefferson County, Kas .. and in 1882 to Kansas City, Mo. He is 6 feet 2 inches tall, handsome and intelligent. He traversed Platte County in the early years of 1822 to 1837, when a tentless wilderness. Children:
1. Erastus (Rat).
2. Henry, a representative in the State Legislature from Kansas City.
MICHAEL BAKER.
239
1857, JUNE.
3. Alice. 4. Sebree. 5. Maric. 6. Ann. 7. James. Calvin m'd 2d, Fannie Burton.
V. MISSOURI SMITH, m'd Henry Owens, both dead.
VI. DAMON, m'd a dr. of Dr. H. D. Oden.
VII. HIRAM, i'd Mary A. Fleming, dr. of Samuel Fleming.
JUNE.
June 1-Frontier Encampment, No. 2, I. O. O. F., chartered.
June 2-W. M. Paxton appointed, by the probate court, public administrator of Platte County. Bond, $20,000.
MICHAEL BAKER.
June 3-Michael Baker having died, Josiah Baker admin- istered. Bond, $12,000. Ch:
I. SUSAN BAKER, I'd John Willis, of Kentucky.
II. ALLEN BAKER.
III. VERLINDA BAKER, lived in Howard County.
IV. EMILY BAKER, m'd Wm. Kirtley.
V. MARTHA BAKER, m'd W. S. Carroll, a lawyer of Weston. and partner of John Doniphan. She died leaving 3 children.
VI. PERMELIA BAKER, b. in 1814; d. at St. Joseph July 25. 1892; m'd Jerry Crabb, d. in Feb., 1877. Ch:
1. Martha V. Crabb, b. Aug. 27, 1845; m'd Jan. 7, 1863. Thos. L. Gabbert. (See.)
2. Priscilla F., m'd a Johnson. 3. Emma R .. m'd a Dale.
4. Robert R. 5. Edward J.
6. Susan A., m'd S. R. Arnold, of St. Joseph.
7. James M. Crabb, m'd Dec. 23, 1885, Anna Montague. VII. MARY BAKER, m'd William Cull, of Clark County, Mo. VIII. NANCY BAKER, m'd Burwell Duncan, of New Market.
IX. JOSIAH BAKER. X. THOMAS BAKER.
XI. W. C. BAKER, of Fayette, Mo.
June 10-L. M. Lawson buys property in Weston.
JOHN WOOD, TEACHER AND POET.
June 13-In the Atlas of this date are two acrostics by John Wood. On account of peculiarities and eccentricities, Mr. Wood never received the honor due him. For twenty years prior to 1876 he taught school at various places in Platte County. He pub- lished a pamphlet of 104 acrostics, to as many names, and sold it at 50 cents. He wrote a long poem, entitled "Columbus," and read it before the Platte City Lodge of Good Templars. He never rode on horseback, nor in a carriage of any sort, but trudged on foot through mud and snow, carrying a small black gripsack. which contained his worldly all. His poetry was correct in mea- sure, rhyme, and diction ; but the ornaments of rhetoric were want- ing. But his speeches were logical and pointed, and were listened
1857, JUNE.
240
FLOURING MILL.
to attentively. He often participated in the discussions at teachers' meetings. No one could tell his generation, nor whence he came nor whither he went. I loved the old man, and tried to cheer him. He often called at my office for rest after his peregrinations. His verses showed thought, but were lacking in melody, sentiment, and sweetness. He was found dead in an orchard in Clay, where he was teaching.
GREENBURY PITCHER died in 1857. His widow was named Elizabeth, and his children: 1, James M. Pitcher; 2, Jane, wife of Simeon Hull; 3, Sarah Ann, wife if Wm. Clarke; 4, Wil- liam; 5, Thomas; 6. Miles; 7, Susan.
June 15-The foundations of Platte City Female Academy have been laid.
June 19-Prof. H. B. Todd closes his school at Camden Point, preparatory to opening at Platte City.
June 22-A terrific hail-storm. Stones fell 3 inches in diameter.
Wm. B. Almond opens a law office in Leavenworth, leaving his family in Platte City.
Crops-Wheat is almost a failure; worth $1.50. Hemp is promising; worth $5. Corn has been injured by the cut-worm; worth 80 cents.
STEAM FLOURING MILL.
Almond, Paxton & Owen erected opposite Platte City a large flouring-mill. They furnished flour to many parts of the West, and had flour depots at Kansas City, Leavenworth, and Atchison. But the war, with short crops of wheat, ruined their trade, and the mill was dismantled. The two upper stories were used to replace the burned water-mill, and the first story, used as a stable, was burned, with many horses.
June 27-The Atlas has the first "Leaves from a Lawyer's Note-book," by Hon. Thomas Herndon.
JULY.
July 4-Picnic at Second Creek; Thos. E. Park manager.
Sunday-schools of Platte City celebrated the day by meeting at the new academy grounds.
John Wilson was orator of the day, and Prof. Todd addressed the schools, which had come in procession from the court-house.
SALE OF SLAVES.
July 6-Sheriff Spratt sold, publicly, the slaves of the estate of Henry Roach. They brought, severally, $1,400, $1,005, $926, $900, and $700.
THE ELECTION.
241
1857, JULY.
July 7-A Democratie mass-meeting at the court-house, Judge Noah Beery chairman, nominated Jesse Morin for State senator, to succeed Dr. A. M. Robinson, resigned, and indorsed R. M. Stewart for governor, to suceed Truston Polk, resigned.
Prof. H. B. Todd sells publicly his academy furniture, at Camden Point.
July 9-Atchison & St. Joe Railroad organized at St. Joseph with S. C. Pomeroy president.
July 14-An enthusiastic meeting at the court-house to pro- mote the Weston & Canton Railroad, G. H. Hale chairman.
July 20-William McAlexander's estate administered by Alex. McAlexander. Bond, $3,000.
Political meeting at the court-house, addressed by Morin and Dougherty, candidates for State senator.
July 23-A railroad meeting at Beauchamp's hotel, in Platte City, to promote the railroad from Leavenworth to Cameron, ad- dressed by Colonels McCauley and Alexander, of Leavenworth.
July 31-Barbecue at Camden Point. Railroads the subject of discussion.
AUGUST.
THE ELECTION.
For Governor-R. M. Stewart, 884; J. S. Rollins, 947.
Senator-Jesse Morin, Democrat, 927; Dougherty, Whig, 777.
Probate Judge-H. C. Cockrill, 1,035; R. P. Clark, 567; H. Hartman, 120.
Aug. 1-Trains for the Utah expedition leave Leavenworth daily. Russell & Waddell are contractors for supplies.
Leavenworth & Cameron Railroad delegates from Leaven. worth meet the people of Platte, W. M. Paxton chairman. Dr. Davis, Col. McCauley, and R. R. Rees, from Leavenworth, and Pitt. Todd, Fox, and Ellington, of Platte, make speeches.
Remington, Johnston & Spratt lay off St. Mary, at the present mouth of Bee Creek; but no lot was ever sold. John Boulware had a store there a short time.
A mob at Leavenworth hang Knighton and Quarles, for the murder of Stephens.
The Ugly Club and the Lazy Fellows are rival societies at Platte City.
Aug. 13-A public meeting at the court-house to promote the Weston & Canton Railroad, Jas. G. Spratt chairman, and Morin, Wilson, Fox, and Pitt speakers.
16-
1857, AUG.
242
WASH. L. BLANTON.
Aug. 16-The directors of the Platte City Male Academy select F. G. Gaylord as principal.
Aug. 19-JAMES HULL died. He was born in Virginia June 5. 1795; came to Platte in 1838, and settled four miles north of Platte City. His wife died before him. His only child, Mary Jane Hull, married Thos. F. Moore. She died leaving: 1, Levi; 2, George; 3, Mary, born in 1872. Mr. Hull left a will.
Aug. 20-Academy Finances-W. M. Paxton shows payments, $8,372.10; collections, $4,481.05; advanced, $3,891.05.
Aug. 27-Beauchamp's Hotel in Platte City is sold to E. W. Clifford, for $10,000.
Newspapers-The Argus, Wiseleys editors, favors the Wes- ton & Canton Railroad. The Atlas desires to connect with the Hannibal & St. Joe Railroad. The Parkville Courier favors the Platte County Railroad.
SEPTEMBER.
WASH. L. BLANTON.
Sept. 2-Wash. L. Blanton died at Platte City. He was born in 1805; married Nancy Brunts. (See.) Mr. Blanton was a kind- hearted, Christian gentleman. He was a shoemaker, and a genial and merry companion. Ch:
I. MARY BLANTON, still living; m'd Aug. 22, 1857, Chris Geyer. (See.) He died, leaving:
1. Lizzie Geyer, m'd 1st, Feb. 18, 1884, Jas. L. Cornelis. They were divorced after the birth of a daughter, and she m'd 2d, June 6, 1894, Jesse M. Calvert. He is a printer employed on the Landmark.
II. SHEBA BLANTON, m'd July 15, 1862, John D. Flannery. Live in Kansas.
Sept. 7-Henry J. Adams, Free State candidate, elected mayor of Leavenworth by 298 votes.
JOSIAH FARLEY.
Josiah Farley having died, R. F. Mason administered. Bond, $5,000. Ch:
I. THADDEUS FARLEY. II. ROBERT. III. SARAH.
IV. JAMES. V. JOSIAH FARLEY, Jr., and others.
Mr. Farley laid off, and sold out, the town of Farley. He enjoyed Masonry. His widow was Nancy, and he had a brother, Nimrod, who died in July, 1848.
Sept. 9-The county court, on application of a public meeting, ordered an election to determine whether the county should sub- scribe $400.000 to the stock of the Weston & Canton Railroad. The election was held October 1st, and resulted: for, 377; against. 1,310.
WILLIAM PITTS.
243
1857, SEPT.
Sept. 12-JOHN M. HAYES having died, W. F. Middleton ad- ministers. Bond, $3,500. His widow was Jane. Ch: 1, Mary C .. b. in 1845; 2, Elizabeth Hayes, b. in 1847; 3. Nat C. Hayes, b. in 1853; 4, Anna, b. in 1854; 5, Susan Hayes, b. in 1855.
Sept. 15-ADAM B. DURNING having died, Jacob Smelser administered. Bond $3,000. He married, March 24, 1844, Ann Bollinger.
Sept. 23-Almond, Paxton & Owen file a plat of their addition to Platte City.
The first indications of the great national panic.
A splendid crop of hemp. Wheat a failure, and corn short.
OCTOBER.
Oct. 1-The Sepoy rebellion in India. The siege of Delhi.
Oct. 5-Marcus J. Parrott, Free Soil candidate, elected a delegate to Congress from Kansas over Ranson, by 4,089 votes.
Oct. 9-F. M. Tufts buys out Willis Cartwright's interest in their New Market store.
Oct. 10-The great financial panic at its height. Missouri bonds sell at 64 cents.
Oct. 20-Simon P. Yocum advertises the Leavenworth steam ferry.
WILLIAM PITTS.
Oct. 21-William Pitts having died, Jacob and James Pitts administered. Bond, $10,000. He lived in the bottoms opposite Leavenworth. Ch:
I. A DAUGHTER, I'd Christian Shultz, and died, leaving:
1. Mary H. Shults. 2. Dallas A. Shults.
3. Margaret Shultz.
II. A DAUGHTER, m'd James Lewis. Ch:
1. Robert C. Lewis.
III. NANCY PITTS, I'd a Riggs. IV. HENRY PITTS.
V. JACOB PITTS, VI. HILARY PITTS.
VII. JAMES PITTS, m'd April 10, 1888, Ange Yocom. IX. SAMUEL PITTS.
Oct. 24-A great fall in stocks. Missouri bonds sell at 59 cents.
Oct. 26-Bank of the State of Missouri suspends. The Legis- lature, being in session, legalizes suspension for one year.
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