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 25
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December 5, 1821, Captain Johnson married, in Scott County, Ky., Jemima Suggett, born August 22, 1805; died in Platte City in 1852. She was, when I knew her, large and fleshy. Her heart overflowed with tenderness, and her generous nature spoke in charity. In 1837 Capt. Johnson was stationed at St. Louis, as an Indian agent. In 1838 he visited Platte, and selected the quarter-section of land on Pleasant Ridge afterwards owned by Jos. Nower. In 1840 he united with the Old-school Baptist Church, and donated to Unity (Flint-lock) Baptist Church the ground upon which the church still stands.
1859, MAY.
279
THE JOHNSONS.
In Kentucky, Capt. Johnson represented Scott County one term in the State Legislature. In Missouri, he was elected, in 1844, to the State Senate. His chivalrous temperament, his gen- erous soul, his patriotism, and his eloquence, secured to him con- fidence and love, and made him a great favorite with the people. He came, about 1850, to Platte City, and spent a few years within a stone's throw of my home. Our relations were intimate and confidential-I attended to his legal business and administered on his estate. His noble nature and generous heart endeared him to me. Ch:
I. ELIZAA JANE JOHNSON, b. in Scott Co., Ky., April 14, 1822; d. in Platte Oct. 1, 1862; m'd Christopher A. Skill- man, b. Sept. 6, 1813, in Loudoun Co., Va .; d. in Kansas City Aug. 14, 1886; buried at Platte City. Isaac Skillman, father of Chris. A., removed in 1814 to Bourbon Co., Ky .. and in 1839 the son came to Platte. He settled five miles north of Platte City, and opened a large farm. He m'd 2d, April 3, 1873, Miss Bettie Brown, and in 1883. divided his large estate among his children, retaining a share for himself and wife, and removed to Kansas City, where by judicious investments he secured a comfortable fortune. Mr. Skillman was a handsome and urbane gentle- man, an experienced farmer, and a successful stock-raiser. Children by his first wife:
1. Tienna E. Skillman, b. May 17, 1842; m'd Sept. 13. 1860. John B. Slone, brother of the surveyor, Wm. V. Slone. They have reared a family in the West.
2. Elrira J. Skillman, b. Jan. 4, 1844; m'd Nov. 28, 1866. W. C. Wilhite. (See.) They live in Huntsville. Mo .; 4 children.
3. Anna (Tissie) Skillman, b. Sept. 30. 1848. She received a superior education at Camden Point and at Platte City. She m'd 1st. Feb. 23, 1870, John J. Raymond, who d. Feb. 17. 1881. Ch: [{} John S. Raymond, b. in 1871; m'd in Sept., 1896, Carrie B. Wringer, [b] Belle, b. April 5, 1873; m'd Dec. 5, 1895, S. M. Griffith; [c] Lida Raymond, b. in 1877; [d] Henry. b. in 1880. They settled near Barry. After the death of Mr. Raymond, his widow m'd May 3, 1887. Jas. H. Calvert. They live near Linkville, and have children: [€] Claudine; [f] Dallas Calvert.
4. John I. Skillman. (See.)
5. Henry C. Skillman, b. June 4, 1852; m'd Alice A. Con- way, of Liberty, Mo. Mr. Skillman, in 1881, estab- lished a general store, at Settle's Station, but on Jan. 26, 1895, was burned out. He was postmaster at that station. By judicious management, he built up a large and lucrative business. Ch: [@] John C. Skillman. The store was rebuilt.
1859, MAY.
280
THE JOHNSONS.
By his second wife, who still lives in Kansas City, Mr. Skillman had one charming daughter:
6. Mary E. Skillman, b. Jan. 10, 1874; lives with her mother, in Kansas City.
II. ANNIE L. JOHNSON, b. July 23, 1828; d. Nov. 29, 1852; m'd April 6, 1845, Dr. William Baldwin, b. in Washington, Ky., March 4, 1813; d. in St. Paul, Minn., Jan. 19, 1886. He was a son of James Baldwin and Sarah Harris, dr. of Edward Harris, first postmaster of Washington, Ky., appointed by President Washington. Dr. Baldwin m'd 2d, Miss Harriet Gage, of New Jersey, who still lives at St. Paul. Dr. Bald- win was a brother of the distinguished lawyer, Jas. H. Baldwin. (See.) After graduating at the University of Ohio, and taking his degree of medicine from the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Baldwin practiced three years at Wetumka, Ala. He then removed to Platte City, Mo. In November, 1868, he removed to St. Paul, where a sister, Mrs. Webb, had long resided. Dr. Baldwin was eminent in his profession, and received a second degree from the Ohio Medical College, at Cincinnati. His diligent reading and accuracy of information brought him reputation as a scholar; and his skill in medicine brought him patients and fortune. Social and genial in his disposition, his conversa- tion was interesting and instructive. He was a student all his life, and laid by a vast fund of accurate information in history, philosophy, and science. A son of Dr. Baldwin's second wife died when four years old. By his first wife he had:
1. James Andrew Baldwin, b. in Platte City April 12, 1846; m'd Oct. 1, 1878, Minnie Redman, b. Dec. 8, 1856, dr. of the late Dr. E. C. Redman. (See.) He graduated at the Medical Department of the Louisville Uni- versity. He resembles his father personally, intel- lectually, morally, and socially. He stands at the head of his profession, and enjoys a lucrative practice. An elder in the Presbyterian Church, he is active in moral and religious work. His wife is a lovely wo- man, and his children are intelligent, modest, and well-behaved. Ch: [] Florence D. Baldwin, b. Dec. 26, 1879; [b] William R. Baldwin, b. May 28. 1883.
III. ELVIRA M. JOHNSON. b. Feb. 8. 1830: m'd 1st, Samuel A. Jack (see), b. Oct. 7, 1818. He died childless, and she m'd 2d. Sept. 21. 1854, James H. Connelly, a lawyer and a forci- ble speaker. They made their home in Platte County until 1870, when they removed to Kansas City. He engaged in buying, improving, and selling real estate, and prospered until he was stricken with palsy. The family removed to Warrensburg and keep a hotel. Mr. Connelly died Feb. 11. 1897. Their children:
THE JOHNSONS.
281
1859, MAY.
1. Andrew J. (Bud) Connelly, is a man of intelligence, and a chaste speaker. As a Democratic politician and orator, he is well known.
2. Anna Connelly, was a lovely girl, but a shadow rests upon her reason.
IV. SIMEON T. B. JOHNSON, b. July 23, 1832; m'd 1st, Feb. 14. 1856, Elizabeth MeCart. Ch:
1. Belle Johnson. 2. Lucy. 3. Fannie.
Mr. Johnson married again, and, as an auctioneer, has made a living in Kansas City, Platte City, and elsewhere. V. RICHARD MENTOR JOHNSON (ii), b. July 31, 1836; m'd Nov. 27. 1856, Sallie A. Calvert, b. Nov. 22, 1837; d. Nov. 22, 1892. Diek is a generous soul-pure, true, kind, and unselfish; and he has troops of friends. He was well- educated and had large experience as a merchant. With his brother, George, he engaged in merchandizing in Platte City. When George died, Richard retired to his farm on Bee Creek. This he sold, and removed to Belton, Mo., where he has twice been appointed postmaster. Ch:
1. Jemima Johnson, b. in 1857; m'd a Yocom; 3 children.
2. Katharine B. Johnson, b. in 1859; m'd a Harelson; 3 children.
3. Benj. H. Johnson, b. in 1861; m'd Dec. 21, 1892, Minnie Anes.
4. Lyda E. Johnson, b. in 1864; m'd a Calvert ; 3 children.
5. Cassandra, b. in 1870. 6. Richard M. (iii), b. in 1872. VI. GEO. W. JOHNSON, b. Feb. 10, 1838; d. Sept. 18, 1866; m'd April 29, 1861, Katharine Calvert. They had:
1. George W. Johnson (ii), b. Aug. 5, 1866 ; single.
Mrs. Kate Johnson m'd 2d, John Bales. They live in Belton.
VII. LAURA E. JOHNSON, b. March 10, 1846; m'd Jan. 28, 1864. Richard N. Harrington, b. in Platte July 24, 1837. Laura was a beautiful girl, and is now a handsome and matronly lady. Mr. Harrington was a son of Miles Harrington. (See.) He practiced law in Platte City for some years, and then retired to his wife's Bee Creek farm and engaged in mill- ing. April 8, 1873, he sold the mill and farm to Isaac C. Packer, and removed to Kansas City, where he engaged in several pursuits, unsuccessfully. In October, 1888, he came to Platte City, and erected a pleasant dwelling. This was sold, and at Dearborn he started the Democrat, which he published until his death. He was appointed postmaster at Dearborn in November, 1893, and his son succeeded him. Mr. Harrington was a superior rhetorician, but lacked in logic. He was a fine writer of sketches, and delighted in display; but surrendered all other principles to his Demo- cratie polities. In society he was an urbane gentleman. and a generous and true friend. He died Nov. 22. 1896. Ch
1859, MAY.
282
GEO. W. MURPHY.
1. Connelly Harrington, b. Dec. 14, 1864; m'd April 28, 1892, Minnie Kemper, b. Feb. 9, 1864. Mr. Harring- ton received a finished education under the tuition of the late celebrated educator, Prof. F. G. Gaylord, and himself engaged in teaching. After several years' experience, he studied law, removed west, and practiced in Idaho. In 1887 he returned, and was admitted to our bar in August, 1888. In April, 1890, he purchased the Plattsburg Jeffersonian, which he made one of the leading Democratic papers of the State. In October, 1894, he sold out and went west.
2. William P. Harrington, is a chaste and forcible writer, and a large and handsome man. He helped his father on the Dearborn Democrat, and succeeded him as postmaster.
May 30-Thomas Simpson's estate administered by W. H. Bell. Bond, $1,500.
JUNE. GEO. W. MURPHY.
June 1-George W. Murphy having died May 1, 1859, his widow, Jane W., administered. Bond, $6,000. Ch:
I. JOHN C. MURPHY, m'd Feb. 18, 1862. Lucy F. Jackson. Live in Osage Co., Kansas.
II. MARY E. MURPHY, dead.
III. JAS. C. MURPHY, b. Feb. 26, 1842; m'd Nov. 13, 1873, Fan- nie Alvis; died Dec. 5, 1886. Ch:
1. Oscar. 2. Charles. 3. Edward.
IV. GEO. W. (ii), in Texas; m'd Dec. 26, 1877. Fannie Owens. V. LEAH MURPHY. m'd Geo. Endicott; 5 children.
VI. NANCY J., d. in 1873; m'd March 4, 1866, Morgan Cockrael. Children :
1. Eugene Cockrael.
THOMAS TUDER.
June 10-Thomas Tuder having died, his widow, Elizabeth, administered. Bond, $16,000. Thomas Tuder married in Madi- son County, Ky., Elizabeth Titus, who died in 1870. They re- moved to Howard County, Mo., and thence came to Platte, about 1840. settling four miles southeast of Platte City. Mr. Tuder was an intelligent Christian gentleman, and highly esteemed for probity and honor. Ch:
I. ELIZABETH TUDER, b. in Howard Oct. 6, 1835; m'd in Platte Nov. 22. 1850. Dabney Perkins, b. March 4, 1822, in Boone Co., Mo., son of Jessie Perkins, of Virginia, and Fannie Turner, of Madison Co .. Ky. He was a grandson of Michael Perkins, of Virginia. Mr. Perkins came in 1844. He served eighteen months in Capt. Pres. Simpson's com- pany of Enrolled Missouri Militia. Ch:
1859, JUNE.
283
P. & G. R. RAILROAD.
1. Jesse T. Perkins, b. Oct. 27. 1855; i'd his cousin, Eliza Perkins. Ch: [{] Sarah; [b] Maud.
2. John F. Perkins, b. Sept. 9. 1857.
3. Joel T., b. March 23, 1859; i'd May Linendall.
4. Squire T. Perkins, b. June 23, 1860; m'd Hala Brewer.
5. Arsela F. Perkins, b. June 10, 1862; m'd Homer Linendall.
6. Lissie M. Perkins, b. May 2, 1864; m'd Daniel Lewis. Ch: [4] Fannie M. Lewis; [b] Ella; [] Eugene; [d] Bettie.
7. Charles Perkins, b. in Feb., 1869; dead.
S. Paul, b. in 1872; dead.
9. Cynthia, b. Feb. 9, 1872; m'd Oct. 15, 1890, Larkin E. Tinder. (See.)
10. Albert. b. in 1876. 11. Ernest.
II. SQUIRE W. TUDER. (See.)
III. SARAH ANN TUDER, m'd Dr. Kimsey. He was, about 1849, killed by his wife's father. Thomas Tuder, and her only son died. She now lives, childless, in Platte City. IV. JOSEPH B. TUDER.
June 25-The Platte County Agricultural and Mechanical Association buy ground at Tracy.
THE PARKVILLE & G. R. RAILROAD CO ..
Having been organized, let out to Matton, Messer & Co., the con- tract to do the grading of their road from Parkville to Cameron. A large portion of the work was done, and in January. 1861, the contractors failed. The county court took $200.000 stock in the company, and issued $125,000 in 10 per cent bonds. Afterwards the other $75,000 was issued by Judge Aller. These sums, with compound interest, when funded, constituted three-fourths of our county debt. Many farmers on the route of the road subscribed from $100 to $500, which they were afterwards compelled to pay.
AUGUST.
Aug. 1-At a special election, Jas. S. Owens was chosen surveyor. The election at Weston resulted as follows: For judge of court of common pleas-James Doniphan, 383; HI. J. Wolf, 254. For clerk-Jas. A. Price. 264; D. C. Dale, 118; R. W. Lasley, 159.
THE SONS OF MALTA.
This year will be remembered as the era of the Sons of Malta. At Platte City all the leading men were members of the order. Lodges were formed everywhere. The initiations and orgies called out crowds. The candidate was subjected to a severe ex- amination, and a false and ludicrous interpretation was placed on
GOLDEN ERA.
284
1859, AUG.
his answers. He was blindfolded, dressed as a harlequin, placed in ludicrous attitudes, of which he was unconscious, and made, by implication, to confess a thousand delinquencies and crimes, all of which he was told were "recorded" in the proceedings. Judge Norton was Holy Commander, R. N. Harrington secretary, and Wm. E. Oliver personated Death, lying in a coffin, with flour rubbed upon his face to produce pallor, and pokeberry stains to indicate blood. While all others were convulsed with laughter, the candidate was sternly reproved for levity. When brought to light, before a large looking-glass, the candidate was told to "see himself as others see him"; the shouts of merriment were unre- strained, while the candidate divested himself of his burlesque costume. The candidate was sure to attend the next meeting, to laugh at what he had lately unwittingly passed through, while blindfolded. The order of the Sons of Malta soon exhausted its material, and ran out.
THE GOLDEN ERA
Of Platte County was the year 1859. Large crops of hemp sold at round prices. Negro traders paid fabulous prices for slaves. Money was never more abundant. Western explorations had opened new avenues for enterprise. Mules, oxen, and wagons were in demand for the West. The trade upon the plains demanded provisions and supplies. California emigrants had returned. with full pockets; and the growing cities of western Missouri and eastern Kansas offered ready markets for stock and provisions.
Society had improved. Prof. Todd's female school, with open parlors, had daily receptions. Prof. Gaylord's male academy inspired the youth to higher attainments. Camden Point had both male and female academies, and Prof. Vineyard, at Pleasant Ridge, prided himself upon the thorough education he imparted. Examinations and exhibitions gathered vast crowds, and picnics occurred weekly. The assessment of the year, $7,798.613.00 was the largest in our history. Lands were "rising rapidly."
Aug. 2-Wm. McGinnis is allowed $400 for making a 20-foot pavement of stone in front of the clerks' offices.
Aug. 20-Geo. P. Dorriss advertises "cash for negroes to take south." He builds a dungeon on his farm to confine them.
An Atlas of this date is extant, published by W. H. Gist and N. D. Short, at Platte City, $2, No. 22, Vol. 3.
Aug. 24-St. John's Episcopal Church, at Weston, is consecrated.
Aug. 29-Railroad meeting at the court-house, addressed by J. T. V. Thompson.
Thomas Thoroughman enrolled as an attorney.
JOEL GARGES.
285
1859, SEPT.
SEPTEMBER.
Sept. 5-The county court orders an election to determine whether the county shall take $150,000 of stock in the Platte County Railroad from Kansas City to St. Joseph. The second Monday in November is set for the election.
John H. Wilhite, president of the Weston and Platte City Turnpike Company, reports 2 miles of the road complete, and the county court grants him a warrant for $150.
T. B. King enrolled as an attorney.
Sept. 9-Elizabeth Trewitt, of Marshall Township, having died, G. W. Hood administers. Bond, $2,000.
Sept. 12-Lewis Burnes enrolled as an attorney.
Prof. Gaylord re-opens his Platte City Male Academy, with increased attendance.
OCTOBER.
Oct. 1-A party of Thos. Herndon's friends ask him to allow them to print, in pamphlet form, his poems. He gives consent, and the Atlas office sends forth the booklet of 16 pages, which is sold at 50 cents. The merits of Mr. Herndon's poems are the heroic violations of etymology, syntax, and prosody. It did one's heart good to hear him grandiloquently recite his verses, and satisfac- torily show the drolleries and excellencies that no one else could discover.
Oct. 4-Henry Myers having died. Teter Myers administered. Bond, $14,000.
Oct. 11-The Second County Fair near Tracy commenced. High and well-constructed seats, well covered, extended half way around the circle, capable of seating 7,000 people. Parallel with the highest seat, a five-foot promenade, the full length of the seats, was constructed. Twenty-five dollars paid for a share, admitted one and his family to the grounds forever. The attendance of 1859 was perhaps the largest in the history of the fair. No drinking nor gambling was permitted, and the fair was a glorious reunion of a prosperous and happy people.
JOEL GARGES.
Oct. 18-Joel Garges having died, E. W. Brink administered. Bond, $2,500. Mr. Garges married Elizabeth Zachary, aunt of W. D. Zachary. They lived north of Parkville. Ch:
I. NATHAN GARGES, i'd in 1843. Margaret E. Cooper. b. Feb. 7, 1821 ; d. March 26. 1892. Their daughter,
1. Elisa J. Garges, m'd Henry H. Gray.
II. JAMES GARGES, b. May 1, 1822; m'd Jan. 31. 1854. Miriam Noland. Ch:
1859, NOV.
286
J. W. THOMAS.
1. Daniel Garges. 2. William. 3. Nathan (ii).
4. Arena, m'd Nov. 8, 1883, W. T. Noland.
III. CYNTHIA E. GARGES, m'd Dec. 30, 1852, William Brink, d. in Oct., 1893. They lived in Oklahoma.
IV. MARTHA M. GARGES, b. June 28, 1827; m'd Sept. 27, 1847, Elijah W. Brink, b. May 5, 1823; d. Nov. 19, 1895. Ch:
1. Joel Brink. 2. Charles H. 3. John W.
4. Martha, m'd J. Noland.
5. James N., m'd Mahala E. Hopkins.
V. ZILPAH GARGES. d. Oct. 13, 1872; m'd John Noland, b. in Jessamine Co., Ky., Feb. 22, 1817; d. March 13, 1892. Came to Lafayette Co., Mo., in 1831, and thence to Platte in 1837. Children:
1. Matthias F. Noland, b. Aug. 18, 1844; m'd Jan. 10. 1864. Eliza Gray, b. July 11, 1842, dr. of Henry. Ch: [@] Zilpah Alice Noland, m'd Feb. 25, 1886, Henry S. Galbraith. Ch: [1] Arthur Galbraith; [2] Lottie; [3] Lena. [1] John Nic. Noland, b. Oct. 9, 1869; m'd Jan. 18. 1893, Minerva Fickle; [€] Cora Ellen No- land. b. Feb. 18, 1872; m'd Oct. 2, 1890, John W. Timberlake. b. Feb. 5. 1868. Ch: [1] Roy, b. Aug. 15. 1892. [d] Walter Noland.
2. James H. Noland, b. in 1852; d. Jan. 7. 1895; m'd Oct. 15. 1876. Sidney Jane Dunagan, b. June 6, 1856, dr. of James.
NOVEMBER.
Nov. 1-Farley Lodge, No. 177, Odd Fellows. instituted, with Israel Heath, N. G.
The Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Barry, organized in 1826. entered their new house in 1859. They still continue a zealous and efficient congregation.
Nor. 22-Dr. Oscar F. Bowers, of Weston, having died. Dr. Ben Bonifant administered. Bond. $5,000. Dr. Bowers was a partner of Dr. Bonifant, and left him all his property.
JOHN W. THOMAS.
Vor. 23-John W. Thomas having died. Pres. Simpson admin- istered. Bond, $2,000. Ch:
I. R. M. THOMAS, is a venerable Baptist preacher, and as an evangelist traverses all parts of northwest Missouri.
II. JAMES P. THOMAS.
III. SARAH, m'd John W. Smith, b. in Lexington, Ky., May 26, 1827. Came to Platte in 1859. and settled five miles south of Platte City. He is an excellent citizen and a zealous Odd Fellow ; and he served in Capt. P. Simpson's company of Enrolled Missouri Militia. Ch:
OFFICERS.
287
1859, DEC.
1. Mary E. Smith, m'd R. G. Crawford.
2. Sarah C. Smith, i'd W. P. Lanter, son of Davis.
DECEMBER.
Dec. 1-Abe Lincoln spoke at St. Joseph.
Dec. 2-We have had pleasant weather until to-day, but the mercury this morning was 31º below zero.
Dec. 3-The Missouri River is frozen over.
Dec. 9-John H. Wilhite, president, reports 23 miles more of the Weston and Platte City Turnpike complete, and the county court grants him $200.
1860.
OFFICERS.
Governor, R. M. Stewart; Representatives, S. McGuire and J. E. Pitt; Congressman, James Craig; Circuit Judge, E. H. Nor- ton; Senator, J. T. V. Thompson; Circuit Attorney, J. M. Bassett; Probate Judge, H. C. Cockrell; Circuit Clerk, W. C. Remington; County Justices, J. F. Broadhurst, Pres. Dunlap, and S. M. Hays; County Clerk, D. P. Lewis; Treasurer, H. J. Freeland; County Attorney, J. E. Merryman; Surveyor, J. S. Owens; Sheriff. W. K. Bryant; Public Administrator, W. M. Paxton; Coroner, B. S. Richards.
CENSUS OF 1860.
Population.
Missouri . .
1,182,012
Platte County, white. 14,981
Platte County, slaves.
3,313
Platte County, free colored.
56 18,350
Platte County, native born .
16,678
Platte County, foreign
1.672
18,350
Platte City (242 colored).
875
Weston (188 colored).
1.810
Clay .
13.023
Clinton.
7,848
Liberty
1,288
14,975
St. Joseph. Plattsburg.
692
Leavenworth, Kansas ..
14.849
Atchison, Kansas.
5.232
Kansas City. Mo
4,418
1860, JAN.
288
BUSINESS MEN.
Population of Platte County for a series of years: 1840, 8.913; 1850. 16.845; 1860, 18,350; 1870, 17,352; 1880, 17,366; 1890, 16,248.
Assessment of Platte for 1860: 3,069 slaves, $1,414,010; money. $911,203; personalty, $689,622; real estate, $4,339,054; total, $7,253,929.
BUSINESS MEN.
At Platte City: Attorneys-Baker, Clark, Harrington, Hern- don, Merryman, Pitt, Ross, Smith, Spratt, Tebbs, Wilson.
Physicians-Baldwin, Brown, Eastman, Guthrie, Hale, Hol- lingsworth, Marshall, Moore, Redman, Wallace.
Merchants, etc .- Addis (photographer), Almond, Paxton & Owen (mills), Bryant, Waller & Co., Burge & Hogue, Cochran, Doty. Ferrier, Fleshman, Freeland (postmaster), Fox, Gaylord, Gordon & Todd, Hettish, Jenkins, Johnston, Johnson & Withers, Knopf, Krause, Murray, Oswald, Richards, Swaney & Christison, Throckmorton, Todd, Wilkinson, Woolfolk, Young, Zarn.
Lodges-No. 56, S. M. Hays, W. M.
Preachers-G. L. Moad, W. H. Thomas.
Newspapers-Atlas, H. C. Cockrell and W. C. Remington, proprietors, and Gist and Short, editors.
At Weston: Attorneys-Branch, Bird, Burnes, Carroll, Doni- phan, Heriot, King, Lawson, McCurdy & Gilbert, Wolf.
Physicians-Beaumont, Bonifant, Bowlby, Earickson, Hen- son. Griswold, Humes, Phillips, Shortridge.
Merchants, etc .- Basve, Beechler, Bell, Branham & Norris, Briggs. Collier & Rockwell, Colman & Belt, Conwell & Spencer, Deitz. Doppler, Dye, Ellefrit, Gerner & Frank, Fulton, Goltstein, Harper, Halyard, Johnson, Kaufman, Klingstein, Knudson, Lasley & Algair, Mettier, Miller, Mitchell, Noble, Perrys & Young, Rhoring, Raileys, Sachs, Shannon, Sloan & Nower, Shaw & New- house. Snell, Trollman. Turner, Walker, Weber, Wood.
Mayor-G. W. Belt.
Court of Common Pleas-Doniphan, judge; Price, clerk; Hood, marshal.
Lodges-No. 53. B. F. Newhouse, W. M .; Chapter No. 4, Belt, II. P .: Com. No. 2, Burnes, E. C .; Odd Fellows. Lawson, N. G.
Weston Riffe Company-Beechler, captain.
Newspapers-Argus, Wiseleys editors; Mail, W. H. Bisbee editor.
Preachers-Carney (Christian). Coffey (Baptist). Wright (Presbyterian).
Union College-Kendall. principal.
At Parkrille: Arnold. Ashby. Beeding. Campbell, Clough. Dale & Roberts. Davis, MeComas, McDonald. Miller, Ringo, Stod- dart. Summers, Woodsmall.
Newspapers-Courier. Mc Donald editor.
At Camden Point: Coffey. Flack. Forbis, Hale (postmaster). Thomas. Withers.
W. B. ALMOND).
289
1860, JAN.
At Farley: Falkner, Johnson, Mason, Meads, Patton, Heath. At New Market: Armstrong, Bishop, Cartwright, Ogden, Tufts, Wells.
At Ridgely: De Atley & Co., Ellington, Gustin, Sayle, Scott. JANUARY.
Jan. 2-E. H. Norton nominated at St. Joseph, over J. N. Burnes, for Congress, by the Democratic Convention.
W. F. Perrin, president of the Weston and Plattsburg Turn- pike Company, reports 5} miles of the road complete.
Jan. 4-E. N. O. Clough, agent, reports that he had sub- scribed for the county $200,000 for stock in the Parkville & G. R. Railroad.
The subscription to the Platte County Railroad is reduced from $150,000 to $120,000.
The county court subscribes $30,000 to the Weston & A. Railroad Company, and James G. Spratt is appointed agent to enter the same on the company's books.
The Platte County & Ft. Des Moines Railroad incorporated by the Legislature. The name was subsequently changed to the Leavenworth & Ft. Des Moines Railroad, and, still later, to the Chicago & S. W. Railway. After the road was finished, it became a part of the Chicago, R. I. & P. Railroad system.
A financial panic is brewing, in view of the expected war be- tween the States. Gold is hoarded, bank bills are discounted, silver is going out of circulation.
FEBRUARY.
Feb. 9-The county court increases the subscription to the W. & A. Railroad Company to $50,000, and S. P. S. MeCurdy is appointed to enter the subscription on the company's books.
A. J. Morrow having died, J. H. Nash administered. Bond, $15,000.
MARCH.
March 3-The New Market Christian Church organized.
JUDGE WM. B. ALMOND.
March 4-Judge Wm. B. Almond died at Leavenworth and was buried at Platte City. He was born in Prince Edward's County, Va., October 25, 1808; graduated at Hampden-Sidney College in 1829; emigrated to Missouri, settled at Lexington, en- tered the store of Robert Aull as a clerk, visited the Rocky Moun- tains with William Sublette, in the employ of the Fur Company of St. Louis, and studied law with Judge Ryland. February 28, 1837, he married Bethenia Jack, the lovely and accomplished daughter of Capt. William Jack, who as early as 1821 kept the
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