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 38
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Nov. 2-The Border Times has G. S. Park's circular in relation to the senatorial race.
Nov. 5-Rev. G. L. Moad removes to Leavenworth, having accepted a call from the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of that place.
Nov. 6-Maj. Morris and a company of United States soldiers are at Platte City, to keep order during the election. No disturb- ance, but the presence of the soldiers incensed the Conservatives.
THE ELECTION.
Congressman-J. H. Birch, 764; R. T. Van Horn, 652.
Senator-D. D. Burnes, 888; Geo. S. Park, 600.
Representative-Eastern District, John Wilson, 376; T. Quinn, 377; Western District, Durbin, 5; Wolf, 436; Beller, 245. Circuit Clerk-F. M. Tufts, 736; R. D. Johnston, 700.
County Clerk-D. P. Lewis, 763; D. W. Moore, 666.
Sheriff-N. P. Ogden, 798; L. Shepard, 632.
Treasurer-G. W. Belt, 798; C. M. Boyd, 630.
Assessor-J. A. Stone, 681; F. Luthy, 653.
Public Administrator-J. B. Cox, 769; W. S. Kimsey, 651.
Coroner-E. D. Cord, 764; D. Fleming, 656.
Supervisor of Registration-Isaac Dean, 782; M. Miles, 639. Superintendent of Common Schools-S. A. Himrod, 779; J. W. Mason, 646.
County Justice-N. Beery, 606; Paul Jordan, 608; Jacob Hamm, 605.
Surveyor-J. S. Owens, 769; Bradley, 641.
For Removal of County Seat, 568; against, 702.
Nov. 12-Judge Walter King held circuit court at the Baptist church.
W. H. Roney enrolled as an attorney.
Nov. 13-James W. Coburn enrolled as an attoney. Here is the first public appearance of a young man of intellect and culture, destined to stand high in private life as well as in the forum and on the platform. He still lives to add to his laurels, and to rise to position and fame. He has never married, but, in his office and spacious library, spends his days and nights in un- ravelling the intricate web of truth, right, and justice. His parents were Dr. John A. Coburn and Elizabeth M. Wood. The latter is a first cousin of my wife. The Coburns were men of judicial acumen and untarnished honor. James Wilson Coburn was born in Mason County, Ky. He setteled at Weston, and en gaged in the practice of law, with his relative, Col. John Doni- phan. Upon the removal of the latter to St. Joseph, he continued the practice alone. One of Mr. Coburn's first works was an abstract of Platte County titles, a book of labor, patience, and
1866, NOV.
426
G. S. ELGIN.
value. This was complete in January, 1879. In November, 1880, he was elected prosecuting attorney, over Wm. Forman, by a vote of 1,315 to 1,219; and two years later he was reëlected, without opposition; and in 1884 he was elected again, without opposition, for a third term. He now devotes himself assiduously to the practice of law, not only in Platte, but in the highest Federal and State forums. His name will be frequently mentioned as we progress with these annals.
The railroad from Weston, in the direction of Kansas City, is finished to East Leavenworth.
Nov. 19-H. M. Aller is enrolled as an attorney.
Weston is improving. I. H. Masterson and Adam Durkes are erecting fine brick dwellings. Ringo is putting up a stone dwelling; and a call for a wool factory is heard.
G. S. ELGIN KILLED.
Nov. 20-Elgin, a nephew of William Tatman, was a deputy sheriff in Clay County. There were five of the Titus brothers, and Elgin shot and killed two of them, while resisting his official authority. Apprehending danger, Elgin fled to the house of his uncle, William Tatman, on the road from Platte City to Weston. The three surviving Titus brothers, with one John Biven, sur- rounded Tatman's house by night. They had a warrant for the arrest of Elgin. In the morning Elgin came forth from the house, and was shot by Bevin.
AN EPISODE IN COUNTY COURT.
Nov. 26-There was no law in force for the election of a new county court, but votes were cast for Noah Beery, Paul Jordan, and Jacob Hamm. They were commissioned by the governor. The three came, in the early part of the day, before Judge Aller had appeared at the court-room, and were sworn in by County Clerk D. W. Moore. They did some business and adjourned. The next day Judge Aller took his seat. But D. W. Moore held the keys of the vault, where the records were stored, and refused to deliver them. The vault was broken open, Moore was sus- pended, and D. P. Lewis, the newly elected clerk, was sworn in. Judge Aller continued to discharge the duties of the court, and D. P. Lewis was his clerk. We hear no more of D. W. Moore.
JUDGE W. A. KING.
Judge King decided that all indictments for treason before him were void, under the terms of the surrender, and the procla- mations of peace and amnesty. He therefore dismissed them. For this he was impeached and deposed.
COL. J. DURBIN.
427
1866, DEC.
DECEMBER.
COL. JAMES DURBIN.
Dec. 6-Col. James Durbin dies at Weston. He came in 1864. from Ohio, where, it was said, he left a family. He possessed ambition and energy-was an earnest and impressive speaker, but lacked ballast. Always under excitement, he was visionary and unsuccessful. He had been in the State but two years, and had held the offices of surveyor and of supervisor of registration. He was a candidate for representative at the late election, and re- ceived only 5 votes. The Weston court adjourned for his funeral. and the bar passed resolutions in his honor.
REVIVALS.
Dec. 10-Within a radius of twenty-five miles, 802 persons had united with the various churches within the last six months.
Services at Platte City, in the Christian church, resulted in 70 additions.
Dec. 17-Thomas Jenkins succeeds W. A. White as landlord of the Green House at Platte City.
Dec. 25-Pat Doyle's new brick house on Lot 1, Block 29. Platte City, is complete.
Dec. 29-A festival at Platte City for Southern relief.
The court-house is complete.
Kansas City's population, 11,000; St. Joseph's, 18,000; Leaven- worth's, 22,000.
1867.
OFFICERS.
Governor, T. C. Fletcher; Congressman, R. T. Van Horn; State Senator, Geo. S. Park; Circuit Judge, Walter B. King; Cir- cuit Attorney, E. F. Esteb; Assessor, J. A. Stone; Treasurer, G. W. Belt; Coroner, E. D. Cord; Superintendent of Schools, S. A. Himrod; Representatives, Thomas Quinn and H. J. Wolf; Cir- cuit Clerk, F. M. Tufts; Probate Judge, S. A. Gilbert; County Justice, H. M. Aller; County Clerk. D. P. Lewis; Sheriff, N. P. Ogden; Surveyor, Jas. Durbin; Public Administrator, W. M. Paxton (J. B. Cox did not qualify).
Platte County Agricultural and Mechanical Association- W. K. Faulconer president, Belt secretary, Burge treasurer.
PRICES.
428
1867, JAN.
PRICES.
Apples, $1; brown domestic, 22 cents; eggs, 25 cents; coffee, 30 cents; flour, $7; corn, 50 cents; calico, 20 cents; ham, 20 cents; hemp, $180; potatoes, $1; salt, $5; sugar, 20 cents; wheat, $2; whisky, $5.
BUSINESS MEN.
At Platte City: Attorneys-H. A. B. Anderson, N. B. Ander- son, Baker, Boyd, Campbell, Connelly, Fleshman, Greenawalt, Herndon, Hollingsworth, Merryman, Norton, Paxton, Robertson, Shaw, J. Wilson, R. P. C. Wilson.
Physicians-Baldwin, Guthrie, Johnson, McDonald, Red- man, Smith.
Merchants, etc .- Burge, E. C. Cockrill & Co., Colman, Haw- ley, Hunt, Jenkins (postmaster) & Son, D. Jenkins, Kenney, Leavel, Likins, Mason & Swain, Mattox & Oliver, Recht, Rice, Perry & Co., Smith & Co., Wilkinson, Young, Zarn.
Lodge-Neb. 12, W. C. Hatton, N. G.
Farmers Savings Association-A. Tribble cashier.
At Weston: Attorneys-Beller, Burnes, Carpenter, Carroll, Coburn, Doniphan, Fulton, Georgen, Gilbert, Hitt, King, Law- son, Scott, Watts, Wolf.
Physicians-Allison, Beaumont, Bonifant, Bowlby, Gras- muck, Hale, Peters, Price, Shortridge.
Merchants, etc .- Allen, Anderson, Barnhart, Bell, Blanjour, Briggs, Brill, Brown, Carpenter, Calvert, Cockrill, Blackmore & McCluer, Deckelman, Deitz, Doppler, Egstadt, Ellefrit, Evans, Gerner & Frank, Gedultig, Halyard, Hardesty, Hood, Hughes & Co., Ilkenhans, Johnson, Kaufman, Keller, Kenney, Kurtz, Magers, Mathews, Mettier, Moore, Nagle & Roney, Newhouse, Noble, Oli- phant, Perry, Raileys, Rohring, Schindler, Synder, Steubenraugh, Termier, Trollman, Warner, Winzer & How, Wood, Woods & Story.
Weston Court of Common Pleas-Wolf, judge; Yocom, clerk; Hedges, marshal.
Newspapers-Border Times, Beller editor; Landmark, Gil- bert editor.
High School-Ringo and Vance.
Banks-Platte Savings Institution, Warner cashier; Railey & Bro.
Lodges-Weston Lodge, No. 53, B. F. Newhouse, W. M .; Star of the West, Good Templars, A. G. Beller, W. C. T.
Preachers-J. W. Waller (Chris.), T. W. Barnett (Bap.), Robt. Austin (M. E.), E. B. Sherwood (Pres.), A. Batte (Epis.), Arnsberger (Ger. M. E.).
At Parkville: Carmody. Davis, Earl, Kahm, Bueneman (postmaster), Luthy, Dale, Mitchell, Dr. Moore, Park, Pack, Jor- dan, Summers.
Camden Point: Coffey, Hale (postmaster), Dibble (academy), Jack. Pullins & Kirtley.
LYCEUM.
429
1866, JAN.
At Farley: Dr. Holt, Meads (postmaster), Simpson.
At latan: Smith (postmaster), Dr. Larry.
At New Market: Armstrong, Allen, Cartwright, Singleton.
At Ridgely: Chrisman, Gustin, Ellington, Robinson, Hill (postmaster).
JANUARY.
Jan. 1-I have files of the Border Times and Reveille in full, and of the Landmark about half the numbers of the year 1867.
LYCEUM AT PLATTE CITY.
The young people of Platte City have formed a lyceum with Ad. Burge as president, and hold weekly meetings at the Baptist church for debate. They have raised money, and have purchased a library, which is kept in the closet of the probate office, with Ben Gilbert as librarian.
Mr. Oldham runs a daily hack for passengers between Platte City and Leavenworth, fare $1.
The only mail to Platte City is a tri-weekly from Weston.
Hitherto revenue stamps have been required on deeds, 50 cents on every $500 of consideration; process for suit, 50 cents; bank check, 2 cents; contract, 5 cents; and affidavit, 25 cents. The latter is now removed.
BANK AT PLATTE CITY ROBBED.
Jan. 3-Burglars, by night, entered the vault and broke open the small iron safe, taking $1,414. They attempted to break open the large burglar-proof safe, but failed; yet ruined the lock. It could not afterwards be opened here, and was sent to St. Louis, where a new Yale combination lock was put on it. Depositors were promptly paid, and the institution grew in favor.
FEBRUARY.
Feb. 1-Many persons are taking advantage of the new Bank- rupt Law.
Cockrill, Blackmore & McCluer, of Weston, establish a branch store at Platte City.
H. J. Wolf resigns as judge of the Weston Court of Common Pleas, and Jas. N. Burnes is appointed in his place.
James Adkins bought of E. C. Cockrill the Hays farm, two miles north of Platte City, consisting of 179 acres, at $5.400.
The real estate of J. V. Cockrell, deceased, sold for partition. brought the average price of $28 per acre.
CONTESTED ELECTIONS.
The cases of C. M. Boyd rs. G. W. Belt (treasurer), of M. Miles rs. Isaac Dean (supervisor of registration), of D. W. Moore rs. D. P. Lewis (county clerk), and of F. Luthy rs. J. A. Stone (assessor). were heard by the circuit court and dismissed.
J. H. LAYTON.
430
1867, FEB.
JUDGE JAS. H. LAYTON.
Feb. 7-Judge Jas. H. Layton died at his home above Weston. Steele & Smither administered, giving bond for $40,000. Judge Layton was born in Mason County, Ky., July 13, 1813; married in August, 1836, Sarah Smither. They came to Platte in 1844, and settled in Marshall Township. He was elected in August, 1856, a judge of the county court. When, in 1860, the county court was reduced to one judge, he was appointed to the office. In November, 1864, he was elected to the same office. He was ousted by the Vacating Ordinance, and H. M. Aller succeeded him. His stern integrity, with the nerve and resolution to do his duty, peculiarly fitted him for the responsible office he held in the troublous time of war. His courage, justice, and honor are the chief treasures he left to his posterity. Ch:
I. MARY LAYTON, b. in 1839; m'd W. W. Rhinehart. Ch:
1. Sallie Rhinehart, m'd Jan. 28, 1890, Charles A. Ohl- hausen.
2. Clarence Rhinehart. 3. Nellie.
Mrs. Rhinehart m'd 2d. a McKirk.
II. DAVID B. LAYTON, b. Feb. 2. 1841; m'd Dec. 31. 1863, Mary J. Risk. (See.)
III. ALICE LAYTON, m'd Benton Gabbert. (See.)
IV. PERRY S. LAYTON, b. Feb. 14, 1846; m'd 1st, Dec. 21, 1870, Sallie Lovelady, b. in 1852; d. May 13,1875, leaving children :
1. May Layton, m'd April 5, 1896, W. N. Stagner.
2. Sallie. 3. Myrtle. 4. Ada.
Perry S. m'd 2d. Jan. 9, 1876, Nannie Lovelady, sister of his first wife. They live in Kansas.
V. SARAH ANN LAYTON, m'd Merrit L. Newby, b. Jan. 22, 1848. Mr. Newby is a farmer of Marshall Township. Ch:
1. Ida G. Newby. 2. Lula J. 3. Jessie. 4. Sarah.
5. Henry.
VI. ELVIRA LAYTON, m'd J. W. Steele (ii), and was divorced. She then m'd Edgar W. Hull. Ch:
1. Ermie. 2. Ira Coburn.
VII. JAMES W. LAYTON, 6. Aug. 27, 1857; m'd Jan. 22, 1880. Lydia Benner. (See.) Mr. Layton was, in November. 1894, elected a county court justice, and is now in office. VIII. ELIZABETH LAYTON. m'd J. W. Noland.
Feb. 11-Heavy rains. The ice in the Missouri River is moving.
The State Legislature repeals the law for a county court of one judge for Platte, and authorizes the governor to appoint three.
Cars are running from Weston to East Leavenworth, on the Platte Country Railroad, and the remainder of the road is nearly complete.
Elders Bird, Clay, and Williams hold a protracted meeting in the Baptist church, at Pleasant Ridge, and receive 27 members.
1867, FEB.
431
NEW COUNTY COURT.
Feb. 14-St. Valentine's Day profaned by a dance and carousal, at the new court-house, called a dedication.
Feb. 18-Geo. S. Park is granted the seat in the State Senate to which D. D. Burnes was elected.
MARCH.
March 1-Of files for March I have the Landmark and Rereille full, and two numbers of the Border Times.
The county court appoints L. E. Bradley surveyor, in the place of Jas. Durbin, deceased. It seems J. S. Owens, who was elected in November, 1866, did not qualify.
Prof. Goodale retires, and Ringo & Vance take Weston High School.
Abner Whiteley is buying much land in the Missouri River bottom, opposite Leavenworth.
A lodge of Good Templars organized in Platte City.
THE NEW COUNTY COURT.
March 5-Noah Beery, A. G. Brown, and Jacob Hamm, hold- ing commissions from the governor, as county justices, take the Constitutional oath, and form a new court. Judge Aller does not demur.
A postoffice is established at Hampton, with Robt. Wilhite postmaster.
March 9-N. E. Wilkinson has finished his two story frame, on Lot 2, Block 30, Platte City, and moves into it, with his family and his stock of tinware.
James R. Burckhartt and W. H. Hunt enter into the grocery business in the new Doyle building, on Lot 1, Block 29, Platte City. Burckhartt buys the house at $6,000.
A moot court is formed at Platte City with W. M. Paxton judge. The bar consists of N. B. Anderson, Campbell, Cates, Con- nelly, Fleshman, Robertson, and Shaw.
March 13-W. M. Paxton, as agent for the county, sells the rock of the foundation of the old court-house, publicly.
Daniel D. Burnes died. (See.)
JOHN SWANEY.
March 14-John Swaney died at Platte City. He was a younger brother of Hugh Swaney (see), and was born in Indiana July 4, 1814. He married there a Miss Falken, who died, leaving one child :
I. NANCY SWANEY. She m'd John Keller, and d. childless.
Mr. Swaney m'd 2d, Sept. 19, 1844, Delilah Wills, dr. of Geo. She was born May 10, 1826, and died October 29, 1869. Mr. Swaney was a sprightly, enterprising, and social gentleman-a
1867, MARCH.
432
JOHN ZARN.
Mason and a zealous Christian. He was a constable, assessor, and deputy sheriff. With Wilburn Christison, he engaged in the mercantile business, at Platte City, just before the war, and built the Swaney block, on Lot 6, Block 30, of Platte City. He erected also the Zarn dwelling. But the advent of the war found him in debt, and he failed. Children by his second wife:
II. LAURA SWANEY, m'd Chester Hurlbut. (See.)
III. JOHN SWANEY (ii), m'd Sept. 6, 1871, Luella Middleton, b. Sept. 6, 1854, dr. of Wm. T. Ch: 1. John W. Swaney. 2. Robt. Hugh.
IV. HUGH SWANEY (ii), m'd Alice Singleton, dr. of W. T.
In a poem I dedicated to the memory of John Swaney (i) is the following stanza:
Active, bold, and self-reliant, Full of energy and zeal, And to sanguine hope compliant, He was crushed by Fortune's wheel. Body worn and spirit broken, Soon the grave received his clay ;
But no charge was ever spoken, And his memory 's pure to day.
Hon. Walter King, judge of the circuit court, is impeached by the House of Representatives for disloyalty. He received news of the charges while holding court in Ray County, and im- mediately adjourned.
Jenkins & Son sell their drug store in Platte City to Dr. G. W. Smith, and Smith becomes postmaster.
Jas. Adkins sells to John Zarn Lots 7 and 8, Block 30, Platte City, with the brick house thereon, for $1,661.
Let us here notice
JOHN ZARN.
He was born in Prussia May 29, 1832, and served an apprentice- ship to a shoemaker. He is tall and soldierlike, and served in the German army for some years. He came to the United States in 1856, and settled at Platte City in 1858. He has been in the shoe trade at Platte City ever since. We have no better citizen than John Zarn. He has prospered in business and is wealthy. He purchased, in 1885, the Bane farm of 350 acres, at $11.05 per acre. He married January 17, 1867, Kate V. Jacquemin, born December 14, 1843. He belongs to the Lutheran Church, and his wife is a Catholic. Ch:
I. RICHARD C. ZARN. b. Nov. 1, 1867. now a merchant of Burlington Junction, Mo.
II. CLARA C. ZARN, b. Sept. 30, 1869. She is regarded as one of the best musicians in the country, and her services as a teacher are in demand.
III. CHARLES B. ZARN, b. July 11, 1871; m'd Nov. 12, 1896, Lizzie Davis, dr. of W. H.
ELECTIONS.
433
1867, APRIL.
IV. GEORGE G. ZARN, b. April 4, 1873.
V. MINNIE ZARN, b. Dec. 27, 1877 ; d. Jan. 20, 1897. I append one stanza from a poem I devoted to her memory:
As chaste as the snow on the mountain,
In grace she surpassed the gazelle;
Her thoughts were as pure as the fountain, And guile from her lips never fell.
Her spirit was Purity's bower; Her person was moulded by Grace;
Her soul was a half-open flower,
Where Innocence veiled a sweet face.
Revival at Platte City under the preaching of Austin and Leftwich. Sixty additions to the Methodist Episcopal Church.
WAR TAXES.
The income tax is 5 per cent on all sums over $1,000. In- heritances are taxed, and professions licensed. Legal instru- ments are stamped.
APRIL. MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.
April 1-J. A. Halderman is elected mayor of Leavenworth, and T. F. Warner mayor of Weston. Beery, Belt, Guthrie, Hern- don. Merryman, Tufts, and Wells are elected trustees of Platte City.
E. S. FRAZIER.
E. S. Frazier having died, his widow, Elizabeth, administers. Bond, $2.000. Ch:
I. CHRIS. C. FRAZIER. II. DANIEL. III. JOHN.
IV. TODA FRAZIER. V. GEORGIA ANN. VI. NANCY.
VII. SARAH, m'd Wm. Hatton.
VIII. IVA JANE FRAZIER, m'd W. H. Fuller.
Grasshoppers hatching.
April 5-The new county court orders the treasurer not to pay any warrant issued by Judge Aller; but this order was con- sidered as null, for all were paid.
April 20-A. J. Colman opens a tin and stove shop in Platte City.
T. C. Batterly advertises a wool-carding factory in Platte City.
An earthquake felt in Platte City and as far east as Lexing- ton, Missouri.
April 25-The Platte County & Ft. Des Moines Railroad, now known as the C. & S. W. Railway, has purchased the right of way through nearly every farm on the route. Jas. N. Burnes and N. P. Ogden had a contract to buy the route and construct the road.
28-
867, APRIL.
434
COUNTY FINANCES.
April 29-An unsuccessful attempt to assassinate Capt. W. J. Fitzgerald.
MAY.
COUNTY FINANCES. Expenditures.
Court-house warrants. $ 120.00
· Other warrants. .
39,749.22
Borrowed of School Funds. 4,741.62
Warrants for railroad bonds
45,521.35
$210,012.19
Collected during the year .
42,678.22
$167,333.97
Add outstanding warrants.
13,500.00
WV. & A. Railroad bonds. . $ 43,500.00
Interest. . 4,580.00 48,080.00
P. & G. R. Railroad bonds. 100,000.00
Interest. .
29,930.00
129,930.00
Interest on School Funds bonds. 474.16
County debt. . $359,318.13
Coupons paid, $10,530. Lands, 264,435 acres, assessed at $4,339,284; but this valuation was reduced by the State board of equalization.
Tax Books: Lands and lots, $4,361,368; other property, $2,054,716; insurance companies, $5,881; making, $6,421,965.
Total taxes assessed, $86,464.
Valuation of Stock: Horses, 5,858; each, $40; mules and asses, 1,587; each, $62; cattle, 11,036; each, $19; sheep, 16,206; each, $2; hogs, 40,339; each, $4.67.
Expenditures in Detail.
Bridges on turnpike. 496.00
Skinner's bridge .. 50.00
Platte City bridge. . 429.00
Prairie Creek bridge.
709.00
Bridge on Weston & St. Joseph road. .
100.00
Bridge on Kansas City and Barry road. 500.00
Other roads and bridges
2,187.00
Poor ..
4,354.00
Old County Court. 980.00
New County Court. . 305.00
County Clerk (Moore). 3,931.00
County Clerk (Lewis) . .
324.00
Assessor (Stone) .
1,397.00
County Attorney (Wilson). 600.00
Sheriff (Ogden). .
2.556.00
Circuit Clerk (Belt and Tufts).
1.725.00
1867, MAY.
435
HIGH WATER.
Treasurer (R. M. Johnston).
$1,600.00
Stationery.
804.00
Printing.
615.00
Court-house.
1,258.00
Jail.
30.00
Wood.
173.00
Weston Court of Common Pleas.
293.00
Criminal costs. .
2,750.00
Registration.
1,004.00
Court-house Commissioner (Murphy) . 10,000.00
579.22
Sundry purposes.
Total. . $39,749.22
County levy, $1.18.
Taxable property of Platte City, $247,500. Taxes collected, $117.00.
HIGH WATER.
The Missouri is now falling. . The rivers were, the middle of April, higher than at any time since 1858. The high-water years have been as follows: 1826, 1844, 1858, 1867, 1881, 1892. The aver- age is fourteen years. It is an Indian tradition that the Missouri rises to a great height, on an average, every fourteen years. Next to 1844 was the rise of 1858. The next highest water was in 1881; and 1867 comes next. In 1892 the rise came largely from the Platte, and the damage was done chiefly below its mouth.
CHARLES B. ALMOND'S DEATH.
May 5-The ten-year-old son of Judge Wm. B. Almond, de- ceased, was riding one horse and leading another past Dr. W. Baldwin's house, in Platte City, when his wrist was caught in the rope, and the horse dashed off, dragging the boy over a long ledge of rocks, killing him instantly. It is remarkable that precisely twelve months earlier, at the same hour, day, and month, at the same spot, and in the same manner, a son of Noah W. Beery, of the same age, lost his life. Mr. Beery and Mrs. Almond were living on adjoining lots, and Dr. Baldwin witnessed both tragedies.
Platte City improving; John R. Swain, J. H. Connelly, G. R. Carnahan, J. D. Murray, and Mayo & Stone are building good houses.
GRASSHOPPERS.
Grasshoppers are hatched out and half-grown. They are devouring every tender herb. Early corn was undisturbed, when young and tender vegetation was at hand. Not a particle of dog- fennel escaped. An onion was a precious morsel. I had a good patch of early onions. They ate all of them, and burrowed in the ground for the roots. For a week their breaths perfumed the atmosphere. A hundred would fight over a chew of tobacco.
1867, MAY.
436
GRADING.
They roosted at night on the side of a house, a wall, or a tree. They moved by brigades. Here, the army goes north; there, it goes south. Hogs grew fat upon them, and chickens could not be eaten with a relish-they tasted of grasshoppers. Various schemes were ineffectually tried to destroy them. Fire and water were of no avail. All efforts were as vain as to try to stop the tides by baling out the sea with a bucket. Trees were stripped of leaves; young and tender bluegrass pastures were left as bare as the public road. My wife thought she would let her cow have the grass of the yard, and had it cut off close to the ground; but it came up fresh and tender, and the grasshoppers dug it out by the roots. We had to sow the yard again with bluegrass seed. The hackberry woods were as bare of leaves as in winter. Early corn did well; but all planted in May was devoured. Such as was planted in June, after the devourers left, was called grass. hopper corn. It was light and loose on the cob. Seed corn, the next spring, was brought from Iowa.
MAIN STREET OF PLATTE CITY GRADED.
The new board of trustees of Platte City exhibited energy. Main Street was graded, by taking five feet of dirt from in front of the new court-house and putting it on the lower part of the street. It cost 28 cents per cubic yard. The property-owners on Main Street were required, by ordinance, to macadamize to the middle of the street. This duty was cheerfully complied with. The work was done by Mr. Quinless.
May 10-The court-house and jail are reported complete, by commissioner Jos. Murphy, and the contractor, J. A. McGonagle, paid off.
May 15-The Senate finds the charges against Judge W. A. King are true, and he is degraded from office by a party vote of 23 to 8.
May 23-Richmond, Mo., is visited by outlaws, and mayor, jailer, and deputy sheriff are killed. The bank is robbed.
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