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 32
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109
Ah! here, you say, was snatched away A mother sorely needed : Her children's cries, you think, will rise, And tears will fall unheeded: But winds are mild that fan the child Bereft of loving mother; And orphans find the world as kind To them as any other.
IV. MRS. BAKER, died leaving only:
1. Henry M. Baker, of Kansas.
V. JACKSON J. MAYO, went west, and died. He m'd Rebecca McComas. Ch:
1. Theresa Mayo, m'd Ant. Palmer.
2. Susan Mayo, m'd Oct. 15, 1857, James Price Haydon, of Jackson County, Mo.
3. Sophronia Mayo, m'd March 1, 1860, E. P. Lutes. She died, leaving: [@] Rebecca; [1] Lizzie; both m'd Holloways.
4. Henry J. Mayo (ii).
5. Monroe Mayo, whose son, James Mayo, m'd Aug. 2. 1889, Addie Young.
VI. EMELINE MAYO, m'd W. H. Davis. Ch:
1. Sarah M. Davis, m'd Charles Riley, and died. Ch: [@] Julia Riley, m'd W. McMillan; [b] Maud Riley; [c] Anna Riley.
2. Cornelius Daris. 3. Julianna Daris.
4. Henry B. Daris.
Moses Langley robbed by a gang of prowling thieves
The Missouri River is hard frozen, and loaded wagons cross in safety. Trespassers from Leavenworth cross into Platte, and take wood with impunity-the owners being afraid to interfere.
Jan. 25-John Oliver was accidentally shot and seriously wounded by Neely Lutes.
1864, JAN.
358
PARK'S SUIT.
Jan. 28-A. F. Cox, of the Weston Sentinel, buys of Reming- ton & Cockrell the press and type of the Atlas and removes to Platte City, where the Sentinel is issued. In the next number of the Atlas, Harry Hutchinson delivers his valeditcory.
Jan. 31-Governor Gamble dies, and is succeeded by lieutenant-governor W. P. Hall.
FEBRUARY.
G. S. PARK'S SUIT FOR DESTROYING HIS PRESS.
Feb. 2-The following notice, served on Jos. E. Merryman, will explain a matter of history :
"Joseph E. Merryman: In the Geo. S. Park matter, we wish to know if you hold yourself responsible to us for Mr. Shepard's and Mr. Swaney's parts of the compromise money which we have paid. If so, we think your note, or some written acknowledgment, with interest, is due us, after deducting our part of your fee. If not, then we expect you to proceed, forthwith, to collect the same, in- cluding their part of your fee, and, by no means, to allow the approaching term of court to pass without action.
(Signed) "Jesse Miller. "W. J. Miller. "Joseph Walker."
Feb. 6-The Missouri River ice breaks up.
THE GORDONS.
Feb. 10-Lucretia Gordon having died, And. Tribble admin- isters. Bond, $800. She was the widow of William Gordon. (See.) They lived two miles west of Platte City. Ch:
I. ELIZA A. GORDON, m'd Oct. 8, 1840, John Alexander. Ch: 1. Dudley F. Alexander, lived west of Platte City. He m'd Oct. 26, 1869, Mary Alice Russell. He d. in April, 1887, and his widow died 18 months later. Ch: [@] Perry Alexander; [b] Golden Alexander; [c] Mary.
2. John Alexander (ii), d. in Oct., 1880; m'd Dec. 10, 1876, Jennie Stewart (see), dr. of Thomas. She was b. in 1853. After her first husband's death, she m'd 2d, in 1885, William King, and went to Kansas.
II. CYNTHIA A. GORDON, m'd Shelby Daniel. (See.)
III. LUCRETIA GORDON, m'd 1st, April 4, 1844, Frank B. Mar- tin. (See.) They went to Oregon, where Mr. Martin died, and she m'd 2d, J. W. Cowls, president of the Bank of McMinnville. She is dead.
IV. MARY JANE GORDON, m'd a Wills.
V. RACHEL GORDON, m'd Dr. Jos. M. Holt. (See.)
VI. RANDALL M. GORDON. His personal property was confis- cated early in the war, and he removed to Kentucky.
1864, FEB.
359
"BORDER TIMES."
VII. SILAS GORDON, was the notorious guerrilla who brought upon us so much trouble in the war. His acts of daring made him a terror to Federal soldiers, and every scheme to capture him failed. He now lives in Texas.
The steamer Magers is making regular trips between Kansas City and Weston, laden chiefly with railroad iron.
Abundant rain.
THE "BORDER TIMES."
Feb. 13-The first number appears at $1.50. It is edited by a committee of Union men, and published by Harry Howard. It advocates union, liberty, and equality, opposes secession and rebellion, sustains the war for the Union, and approves of the emancipation of slaves. A. G. Beller is the active and responsible editor, and, by his courage and independence in sustaining the cause of freedom, displayed marked ability. While Mr. Beller conscientiously believed in the negro's equality with the white man under the law, he recognized their disparity in society; while he insisted upon the prosecution of the war for the Union, he deprecated extreme measures and condemned inhumanity.
WESTON HIGH SCHOOL.
Judge MeCurdy having been compelled to take this property at $12,000, for debt, now offers it at $3,500.
Feb. 18-Judge H. J. Wolf returns from Jefferson City to Weston, to hold a term of the court of common pleas.
Feb. 20-Big fire in Leavenworth.
Feb. 23-The Legislature calls a Constitutional Convention.
Feb. 29-A large public sale of W. T. Darnall's personal property by his administrator.
MARCH.
March 1-Heretofore our data has been collected from many sources; but now I have full files of the Border Times, and many numbers of the Sentinel, but the latter in a few months is burned out.
March 3-A. F. Cox issues the first number of the Platte County Sentinel at Platte City. It contains 63 sheriff sales.
March 4-William C. Wells leaves New Market, and makes his permanent home at Platte City.
March 7-A military order is issued, requiring every member of an ecclesiastical convention, or any one participating in such a convention, to take a prescribed oath of allegiance. Some min- isters declared that they could not, in conscience, take such an oath, and in many places much trouble followed.
1864, MARCH.
360
CALHOUN THORNTON.
Alexander McAlexander having died, F. M. McAlexander administered. Bond, $1,600.
March 8-The county court (Layton) refuses to issue the re. maining bonds subscribed to the Parkville & G. R. Railroad Company.
March 21-General Guitar and Colonels Williams and Jacob- son, of General Rosecrans' staff, pass through Platte City.
The store of F. M. Tufts and F. L. Miller having been robbed, as was charged, by bushwhackers, the loss was taxed on the disloyal farmers residing near New Market, and J. L. Dodson, J. B. Dean, G. W. Anderson, I. T. Lewis, and Rufus Maget were required to pay the damage.
CALHOUN THORNTON.
March 22-It is becoming daily more evident that emissaries from the South are recruiting in Platte County, and that the "Pawpaws" are disloyal. Small bands of bushwhackers mani- fest themselves at one place to-day and at another to-morrow. They operate where they are known, and some offense against Union men compromises them, so that they have to enlist in the Southern army for safety. The "Pawpaws" generally fell into the snare, and when danger threatened, they had to go south. Thornton was the active spirit in tempting the youth of our county.
JOHN AND SAMUEL WINSTON.
Early in March Capt. Lewis A. Ford, commanding at Park- ville, sent a squad of soldiers into the Winston neighborhood, and Capt. Samuel Winston was arrested. He was an officer of the Southern army, and was placed under a $25,000 bond for his good conduct. Inquiry and search were made, without avail, for his brother, Col. John H. Winston, and it was given out that he was not in the county; but in truth Col. Winston was at home, under orders from Gen. S. Price, to recruit a regiment from north- western Missouri. His policy was to foment discontent in the militia, and to get them to manifest disloyalty, so that they would have to find safety by going South. Col. Winston, fearing arrest and the summary justice dealt out to spies, dressed in the uniform of a Confederate colonel.
On the 22d of March a squad of United States troops passed through Platte City, going east, and in an hour returned with Col. Winston as their prisoner. They had found him at his home, in his uniform. covered by a bed. He was confined in military prisons until the close of the war. His brother Samuel shared his fate. They were in constant apprehension of death, until the return of peace.
COUNTY FINANCES.
361
1864, APRIL.
APRIL.
April 1-A. G. Beller elected mayor of Weston, James McDowell mayor of Leavenworth, and Col. Penick mayor of St. Joseph.
April 2-D. P. Lewis, county clerk, advertises for bids to re- build the court-house and the jail.
W. S. Forman, appointed to enlist colored troops, announces that they are allowed $300 bounty.
April 7-Presbytery of the Cumberland Church meets at Iatan.
April 8-General C. B. Fisk removes his headquarters from Macon to St. Joseph.
April 14-Bushwhackers attempted to make a raid upon Parkville, but Capt. Luthy held them at bay.
Leavenworth wagons still cross and take back wood; but Si. Gordon appears, and takes from John Jordan his wagon and team. There was no more stealing.
April 16-The business part of Plattsburg is burned. Loss, $100,000.
J. B. V. MeCall having died, Clint. Tillery administers. Bond, $3,000.
REMOVAL OF THE COUNTY SEAT TO WESTON.
April 23-A writer in the Border Times advocates the re- moval, and Beller, the editor, comes out strongly in favor of it. The time is propitious: the court-house and jail have been burned, Platte City is in ashes, and, from disloyalty, is almost deserted. This is the beginning of a long controversy.
MAY. COUNTY FINANCES.
May 1-Tax Books 1864: Land, $2,358,585; money, etc., $508,259; personal property, $385,088; town lots, $275,395; total, $3,527,327.
State tax assessed, $13,630; military tax, $11,740; county tax, $19,979; total, $45,349.
Levy, State, 32 cents; county, 48 cents.
The annual exhibit for 1864 is not now of file, nor of record.
Judge S. P. S. MeCurdy is appointed a territorial judge for Utah, and goes west.
May 10-Maj. J. W. Hardesty started with a train of 42 wagons, laden with merchandise, valued at $200,000, expecting to arrive in California by July 15th. The average cost of his horses and mules was $250.
1864, MAY.
362
BUSHWHACKERS.
Ben. Holliday is figuring largely in various enterprises, by which he acquires great wealth.
Slavery is not entirely extinct. It dies slowly.
The Sentinel has three pages of sheriff sales.
Robert H. Drennon having died, his widow, Eddie, admin- isters. Bond, $4,000. Ch:
I. MARY E. DRENNON, went to Texas, and married there James Munn. Ch:
1. William Munn, lives in Topeka.
II. JOHN DRENNON, went to Texas, and married there. III. MARGARET C. DRENNON, m'd John A. Liggon, of Kansas. IV. SARAH F. DRENNON, m'd James W. Williams. (See.) V. ALEX. M. DRENNON, single.
VI. FLORENCE DRENNON, m'd Feb. 25, 1886, Samuel Hudson, of Clay.
VII. ELLA P. DRENNON, m'd S. W. Witt; 10 children.
VIII. ROBERT E. DRENNON, m'd June 11, 1889, Ettie Witt. Children :
1. Charles.
May 20-Coal in working quantities and qualities discovered on John Harris' farm.
May 25-The State Radical Convention nominated-for governor, Thos. Fletcher; for lieutenant-governor, Geo. Smith; and for secretary of State, Francis Rodman.
May 27-Thomas Hale's store at Camden Point robbed.
The Border Times, A. G. Beller editor, gives alarm that Con- federates are among us, stating, that Union men have been shot from the brush; that Judge Heren, on account of the distracted state of the county, had adjourned the May term of court; that the Sentinel is not to be trusted; and warns A. F. Cox to be careful and notice the disloyalty of the "Pawpaws." Beller proceeds to raise a company of 90 men for the protection of Weston.
A company of soldiers from abroad surprised a party of Con- federates at the house of Maj. James Bradley, three miles north of Platte City, and killed Geo. Fielding, John Thomas, and Isaac Shafer.
JUNE.
June 1-Bushwhackers attack Capt. Snyder's company, near Arnoldsville, and kill several men. They then attack New Mar- ket, and the soldiers surrender and deliver up their arms. N. P. Ogden's store is looted. Capt. W. T Woods' company left Weston for New Market, but accomplished nothing
June 6-The estates of J. H. McHolland and A. J. Moore are ordered into the charge of W. M. Paxton, public administrator.
Lemuel Hudson's house is burned by an incendiary.
WM. JACK.
363
1864, JUNE.
CAPT. WILLIAM JACK.
June 8-Capt. William Jack died at Platte City. He was born March 19, 1778, in Tennessee; married, in 1801, Esther Harris, born September 5, 1780, and died in 1863. They were living in Kentucky when agitated by the great revival out of which the Cumberland Presbyterian Church grew, and he became one of the founders of that denomination. They came west about 1820, and settled at Lexington Landing, where Capt. Jack kept a ferry for many years. In 1837 the family removed to Platte, and. after a few years, settled at Platte City. They were a father and mother in Israel, and enjoyed the esteem and veneration of all men. I knew him only in his hoary age, when his whole soul was absorbed in holy contemplations. I procured for him a large- print Testament, and every pleasant day, with the sacred volume under his arm, he would totter to the Presbyterian church, and. at a south window, spend an hour in reading, contemplation, and prayer. Ch:
I. PATSEY JACK, b. April 19, 1802; m'd July 4, 1821, Joseph Erwin.
II. L. CULBERSON (CUB) JACK, b. in Tennessee May 10, 1805: d. in Platte City March 30, 1861; m'd Oct. 2, 1828, Stacy Owen (see), dr. of Wilson. She d. Feb. 3. 1896. Mr. Jack was a genial, hospitable, and agreeable gentleman. His mirth and good humor made him a pleasant companion. He was one of the few I have met who could be merry with- out hurting anybody's feelings. He had charge of the water-mills at Platte City in 1850-3. Ch:
1. Amelia Jack, a handsome and accomplished lady, was b. April 8, 1831; d. in California Dec. 5, 1892; m'd March 8, 1853, Addison Burge. b. Feb. 20, 1824. killed in the street of Platte City Feb. 2, 1872, by a dagger driven to his heart by Dr. F. M. Johnson, who claimed that Burge had offered some indignity to his wife. Mr. Burge was a man of superior intelligence. He kept a drug store in Platte City many years; was elected a representative in November. 1868, over Manoah Miles, from the eastern district of Platte County, by a vote of 302 to 278; but he had much trouble to get his seat in the Radical Legislature.
2. Flora A. Jack. b. April 8, 1831; m'd 1st, Oct. 30. 1850. Judge James B. Martin (see). She m'd 2d, July 23. 1867, Geo. R. Hines, a banker of Leavenworth. She was a lovely woman, and much admired for personal and mental charms Mr. Hines is an intelligent gentleman, but failed in banking. Ch: [@] George R. Hines, Jr.
3. Lavenia Jack (Vene), b. March 16, 1833; m'd June 7. 1864 (second wife). Eardley O. Sayle, b. Feb. 24, 1832, son of Dr. C. W. Sayle and Lucinda M. Adams. Mr.
1864, JUNE.
364
THE JACKS.
Sayle m'd 1st, May 4, 1854, Catherine Brown, who died, leaving: [] Lavenia Sayle, b. April 15, 1855; m'd Jan. 5, 1882, Thomas Hudson, of St. Joseph. Mr. Sayle studied law and was admitted to the bar March 14, 1860, but practiced only a few years; was cashier of the St. Joseph National Bank, and is now cashier of the Grant City Bank, Worth County, Mo. He is brilliant in conversation, reliable in business, and one of the best bankers of the day; but his gen- erous and indulgent nature does not allow him to accumulate a fortune. By his second wife he has . [b] Flora Ella Sayle, who was b. April 8, 1866, and m'd Oct. 10, 1889, John F. Robertson.
4. Sarah (Dump) Jack (twin with Lavenia), was b. March 16, 1833; d. April 28, 1871, from the effects of an operation for tumor; m'd Jan. 9, 1866 (third wife), Geo. W. Belt (see), b. in Fleming Co., Ky., came to Weston about 1844; m'd 1st, July 9, 1848, Mary E. Colman. (See.) His third wife, Mrs. Frances Loan (née Ferrel), widow of James Loan, he married Jan- uary 21, 1872; and his fourth wife, Louisa H. North- rup, he married in Kansas City January 16, 1889. Mr. Belt looks like a patriarch, with a commanding person, long, flowing beard, benign countenance, and pleasant address. He delights in Masonry, and the Platte City commandery was named for him. He was engaged in the mercantile business first with Murphy, and then with Colman, at Weston. He was mayor of the city in 1861-2. In March, 1862, he was appointed circuit clerk, in the place of Remington, ousted. In November, 1864, he was elected to the same office, over D. W. Moore, by a vote of 1,029 against 301. In 1866 he was elected county treas- urer, over C. M. Boyd, by a vote of 798 to 630. In November, 1868, he was chosen sheriff, over G. W. Hood, by a vote of 808 to 491; and in November, 1870, he was reelected sheriff by 1,394 votes, against 764 for T. F. Warner, and 510 for F. M. McCormick. Sub- sequently, he removed to St. Joseph, and held several city offices. Thence he went to Kansas City, and is now a citizen of Texas. Children by Sarah Jack: [@] Lavenia Belt. b. Nov. 25, 1866; [b] Sarah, b. March 9, 1868; [@] Frank, b. Nov. 16. 1870.
5. Moseby N. (Hir) Jack, b. Dec. 5. 1835. He has not mar- ried. but supported his mother while she lived and his unmarried sister, in Kansas. He is a man of in- telligence and unblemished reputation.
6. Martha E. (Tint) Jack, b. Aug. 19, 1841, is handsome and accomplished. Teaching has been her employ-
THE JACKS.
365
1864, JUNE.
ment, and she is regarded as a proficient in her department.
III. ALFRED JACK, b. Oct. 15, 1807, in Tennessee; d. in Platte Oct. 12, 1883; i'd May 13, 1830, Emeline Stapp, b. Dec. 28, 1812, dr. of Judge John Stapp, of Lafayette Co., Mo. Mr. Jack was a man of sterling integrity, and was an industri- ous farmer. Like the other members of the family, he was a zealous Cumberland Presbyterian. Mrs. Jack is yet a hale and genial old lady. Ch:
1. Leonidas W. Jack, b. Jan. 8, 1836; m'd Oct. 26, 1875. Mary R. Ward. Ch: [@] Alfred Ward Jack, b. July 29, 1876; [b] Archie M. Jack, b. May 10, 1878; [c] Wm. Lee Jack, b. Aug. 29, 1884.
2. John W. Jack, b. in Platte April 10, 1838; m'd July 20. 1876, Lucy M. Parrish, dr. of Isaac O. Parrish. Mr. Jack is an intelligent and enterprising farmer, near Camden Point, and rears and deals in cattle and hogs. Ch: [@] Olie A. Jack, b. Oct. 23, 1878; [b] John M., b. Aug. 9, 1880.
3. Moseby M. Jack, b. Aug. 10, 1842; m'd Ida May Phillips. Ch: [@] Emma Jack, b. July 19, 1880; [b] Robert Jack, b. June 16, 1882; [c] Mary Jack, b. March 17, 1884.
4. Mary B. Jack, b. Nov. 25, 1844; m'd Dec. 3, 1867, R. C. Brock. He died April 21, 1879. Ch: ["] Emma Lee Brock, b. Aug. 6, 1869; [b] Esther Brock, b. Aug. 30, 1871; [€] Alf. O. Brock, b. May 21, 1876.
5. Alf. C. Jack, b. March 15, 1847; m'd Sallie Shafer. Ch: [@] Lee Jack; [b] Fred Jack; [c] William Jack; [d] Laura; [€] Archie Jack; [f] Thurman.
6. Archie R. Jack, b. May 29, 1855; m'd May 13, 1886. Emma Cockrill, b. Feb. 25, 1864, dr. of E. C. Ch: [@] Lucian M. Jack, b. March 23, 1887; [b] Archie C., b. Nov. 28, 1888; [€] Gordon Lee Jack, b. Nor. 29,1890.
IV. EVELINE JACK. b. Jan. 4. 1810. in Tennessee ; d. in Oregon. Dec: 14, 1869; m'd April 1, 1831. M. N. Owen. (See.)
V. LAVENIA JACK, b. Feb. 6, 1812; d. Aug. 12, 1849; m'd Jan. . 16. 1834, Benj. F. Pearson.
VI. BETHENIA JACK, b. March 12, 1814; m'd W. B. Almond. (See.)
VII. WILLIAM A. JACK. b. Aug. 1. 1816. He lives in Pleasant Hill, Mo.
VIII. SAMUEL AD. JACK, b. Oct. 2. 1816; d. at Platte City June 16. 1854 ; m'd 1st. Sept. 19, 1848, Elvira Johnson, dr. of Capt. Andrew. From her he was divorced. He then m'd. April 12, 1853, Mollie Redman, dr. of Elder William. No chil- dren by either wife. His widow m'd Co. P. Reeves and lives in California. Mr. Jack was lame from white swell-
1864, JUNE.
366
"PAWPAWS" DISLOYAL.
ing, but was an admirable gentleman. He had a passion for music, as had all the Jack family.
June 10-Bushwhackers make a raid on Ridgely, and their leader, Overton, is killed. Fielding is wounded, and, after mak- ing a confession, is shot. On the Federal side, Moses Barnes is killed, and Lieut. Cummins and private John Goodwin are wounded. Fielding is said to have shown a list of Union men to be killed, and he said that Calhoun Thornton had three hundred recruits ready to go south as soon as the Union men were killed. Capt. Fitzgerald is now of the 16th Kansas.
June 12-Bushwhackers make a bloodless raid upon Farley.
June 17-The Border Times condemns severely the Sentinel for assuring the people that all is safe and quiet, when bush- whackers are manifesting themselves by frequent outrages.
June 19-Bushwhackers robbed Elkanah Risk, John Scott, and Madison Dale.
Rev. G. L. Moad made a Sunday-school address, at the Pres- byterian church in Platte City, a procession of children marched through the town, and a contribution of $30 was taken up.
Bushwhackers have a camp three miles north of Platte City. Maj. Clark sends Capt. Johnston after them, but they received notice of his coming and fled.
Rain badly needed.
June 20-Gen. C. B. Fisk visits Weston to inquire into the situation. He speaks from the balcony of the hotel, and is fol- lowed by A. G. Beller and J. B. Wright.
The body of a young man named Bailey is found in Lewis Cal- vert's pasture, and his death is charged on bushwhackers.
June 22-Jas. H. Tinsley, while riding on the road, is attacked and robbed by bushwhackers. He has been a Conservative, but now turns Radical.
June 23-A. F. Cox, editor of the Sentinel, returns after an absence of two weeks, and announces a change in the situation. He admits the county is overrun by bushwhackers, and, with a sick heart, warns the "Pawpaws" of the effect of their disloyalty.
Capt. Johnston captures two deserters, Thompson and Rags- dale, and sends them under escort to Weston, but they are rescued at Bee Creek by bushwhackers.
Prof. A. B. Jones announces that he will leave Platte City Female Academy. He gathers a large audience, and, in a set speech, heaps opprobrium upon them for not giving his school proper support.
The Border Times condemns Maj. J. M. Clark's military gov- ernment of the county, but commends the spirit of his proclama- tion calling on the people to rally to the rescue.
The telegraph now connects Weston with St. Joseph.
JULY 10, 1864.
367
1864, JULY.
JULY.
July 1-Australian Circus at Weston.
Bushwhackers are in camp four miles from Weston.
July 4-The mail robbed by bushwhackers between Weston and Camden Point.
July 6-Sixty bushwhackers enter Parkville, and others are near.
There are two companies of Home Guards at Weston, under Captains Gilbert and Shelsky, but the alarm is so great that Gen. Curtis sends three companies from the Fort, for their protection.
. July 7-William Schaback's house, six miles from Weston, is burned, and he is wounded by a shot in the arm.
Good rains, which were badly needed.
JULY 10, 1864, AT PLATTE CITY.
July 10-Thornton at length makes an open demonstration. At 8 a. m. it was announced that Coon Thornton and 400 bush- whackers were two miles east of Platte City, and would soon en- ter. The stores were closed and all was still. The "Pawpaws" were gone, and Capt. Johnston lounged on the street, with no man to do him reverence. "I shall stand at my post," he said, "though two-thirds of my men have deserted. They have gone over to the enemy, and the other third, through fear, have fled. I have noth- ing to do but to report." He remained in town while Thornton was here, and when he left, he went with Maj. Clark to Weston, to report. Both were put in the guard-house.
THORNTON ENTERS.
At 10 o'clock Thornton and his mounted "Four Hundred" slowly entered Platte City. No opposition was made. Only one Confederate flag was waved, and scarcely any one fled. The cit- izens, generally, remained at home.
LAWSON HOLMES' STORE LOOTED.
In the afternoon I went over on Main Street. About 2 o'clock the men broke open Lawson Holmes' dry goods store in the Swaney building, situated where Wells' banking house now stands. A crowd of men, and some women, entered, and bore off armfuls of goods. Many men appeared in completely new suits. My office was in the building. I saw load after load of goods carried off. Two stout strangers with axes attacked the money safe. One, with great muscular power, struck the crack at one side of the door and the other struck in the same crack-and in two minutes the safe was bursted. They were disappointed, as only books were found.
CAMDEN POINT.
368
1864. JULY.
HOW THE MEN BEHAVED.
They were orderly, and seemed perfectly at home. They killed several beeves, and notified the citizens to go and get what they wanted. The soldiers seemed to regard all the citizens as friends. Among them, were Taylor and Threlkeld and their guerrillas. On the morrow all was quiet. One of the foreign companies went to the southern border of Buchanan to visit
REV. CHARLES MORRIS
with the punishment threatened in case he continued to preach in Platte County. They surrounded Morris' house, and demanded his surrender. Morris had armed himself, and had called to his aid two of his friends, and they determined to resist. But the house was set on fire, and as the inmates came from the flames they were riddled with bullets. Morris was a Northern Methodist preacher, and had been ordered by the Platte County Defensive Association to desist from preaching under the penalty of death. But Morris did not heed the threat, and his death was the consequence. The sequel was the death of Dr. Jos. Walker on the 28th day of August, following.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.