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 4
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3. For Pettis Township: 1. Andrew Campbell; 2. W. A. Fox: 3. Robt. Stone: 4. S. B. Thorp.
1839, JUNE.
31
JUSTICES.
4. For Green Township: 1, Jac. Adamson; 2, Henry Brooks; 3, J. C. Bywaters; 4, J. M. Fulkerson.
5. For Lee Township: 1, Robt. Logan; 2, Robt. Patton; 3, J. H. Spratt; 4, Chas. Wells.
6. For Marshall Township: 1, John B. Bounds; 2, Milton Byram; 3, Thos. Lovelady; 4, John P. Smith.
A constable for each township was also elected, and the busi- ness demanded their whole attention.
The county court appointed Robt. Patton public adminis- trator for Platte County.
JULY.
July 3-Zadock Martin is granted ferry license at the foot of the Falls of Platte.
July 15-Judge King held his first term of the Buchanan Cir- cuit Court at Roubidoux.
July 17-The first deed filed for record in the recorder's office for Platte County. It is from Church to Hughes, for a lot in Weston. Deeds were seldom made, as no title passed. A pre- emption right could not be assigned, but it might be leased. Hence many leases for 99 years are found of record.
This month I arrived in Platte. I landed from a steam- boat, with several companions, at Lexington. We purchased horses, and rode through Lafayette and Jackson counties to Westport-then three houses in the woods. Thence we went to Liberty, crossing at Fort Osage. After passing through Barry and Martinsville, we reached Weston, by way of the lower Bee Creek bridge. Between the bridge and Weston, on what was then the Military Reserve, the ruins of a number of cabins, whence trespassers had been driven by the soldiers, were still smoking.
Judge King held his second term of circuit court at the tavern of M. D. Faylor in Martinsville.
AUGUST.
Aug. 7-The county court appointed for Carroll Township the following patrol: 1, Milton Brown; 2, David Carson; 3. A. B. · Sherwood; and 4, W. H. Spratt.
JOHN DUNCAN.
The county court appoints Hiram Stephenson administrator of John Duncan. His widow is named Elizabeth, and his ch: 1, Williamson Duncan; 2, Adeline; 3, Tilford; 4. Nelson ; 5, Davis; 6, Susan Stephenson; 7, Martha Duncan; 8, Sam'l; 9. Mary.
SEPTEMBER.
Sept. 2-Sol. L. Leonard is appointed county surveyor.
Jones H. Owen gives bond of $5,000 as collector.
Sept. 3-Adam Crook is appointed administrator of William Crook.
1839, SEP.
32
A FREE BLACK.
HENRY DEAL -A FREE BLACK.
Sept. 4-In a habeas corpus case before the county court the following order is of record :
"On motion, the court resumes the examination of the case of Henry Deal. Whereupon, it is considered by the court that said Deal is not a runaway slave, as was alleged, but the said Deal not establishing a right to reside in this State, as the law requires, it is therefore ordered by the court, that he be fined $20; and that he be hired out by the sheriff, as the law directs, for such time as shall be sufficient to raise from the hire the sum aforesaid, together with the costs and expenses of imprisonment. And it is further ordered, that the said Deal shall depart this State, within three days after such time of service expires, allowing one day for every twenty miles he shall necessarily have to travel to get out of the State.
Sept. 7-One hundred dollars is allowed Harrison Linville for assessing the county, one-half to be paid by the State.
OCTOBER.
Oct. 7-Preston Dunlap is appointed administrator of Alex. Houston. Bond, $3,000. Ch: 1, Robert F. Houston; 2, Mary F .; 3. Virginia .A .; 4, William P .; 5, Jas. A.
NOVEMBER.
LOCATION OF THE COUNTY SEAT.
Nor. 10-The county court ordered notices to be served on the commissioners appointed by the Legislature, to meet at the Falls of Platte, and select a site for the county seat of Platte. On the 15th Hadley and Lucas appeared, but Morehead made default. The report made is as follows:
"Martinsville, November 16, 1839.
"To the Hon. Circuit Court of the County of Platte, State of Missouri:
"The undersigned commissioners, appointed by the Legisla- ture of the State of Missouri, on the 31st of December, 1838, to select a seat of justice for the county of Platte, beg leave to report : That in obedience to an order of the tribunal transact- ing county business for such county, they convened at Martins- ville, in said county, on the 15th inst. and entered upon their duties as commissioners aforesaid, and that they have selected a portion of Sections 25 and 36, Township 53, Range 35, near the Falls of Platte River, in said county, as an eligible and suitable site for the seat of justice of said Platte County. For further particulars, etc .. we respectfully refer you to the bond of Zadock Martin. herewith enclosed.
"Samuel Hadley, "Darid O. Lucas.
"Commissioners."
1839, NOV.
33
COURT AT ROUBIDOUX.
I have been unable to find the bond of Zadock Martin, returned with the report. He was desirous of securing the water- power at the Falls of Platte River, and set up a pretended Spanish "float," which he said had been located on all the lands contiguous to the falls. The falls are on the S. W. Į of Sec. 25, T. 53, R. 35. The county was to take so much of this quarter as lay east of Platte River. But this fraction was less than 160 acres, which the Federal law allowed counties to preempt. The bond of Martin was an agreement to convey to the county 24 acres from the N. W. ¿ of Sec. 36. T. 53. R. 35, upon which he held a pre- emption. On this 24 acres, which Martin conveyed, the first addi- tion to Platte City was located.
The question of the propriety of this contract with Martin was by the county court referred to Judge King. In a letter from Judge King now on file, and dated December 3, 1839, the county court is advised to approve the contract. On the 4th of December the court approved the location. and named the county seat Platte City.
COURT AT ROUBIDOUX.
Nor. 25-The third term of circuit court was held by Judge King at Faylor's hotel. His next term was for Buchanan, and this I attended. I went up to Roubidoux the evening before court. His house was perched on the hill-side. It was of logs on a stone basement. I was shown to my bed on a plank frame in the base- ment. and was given two blankets. I spread one blanket on the boards, and covered with the other. It was a cold, blustery night. and I nearly froze. In the morning, before day, I heard Roubi- doux stirring in the room overhead. and I went up the rude lad- der. He asked me in his broken English, French. and Indian how I had passed the night. I told him I had suffered from the cold. "What"" said he, "cold with two blankets?" I explained how I had used the blankets. He replied with contempt: "You haven't got even Indian sense, or you would have wrapped up in them."
The old man had built a roaring fire, and two prairie-chickens and a half-dozen ears of old corn on the cob were boiling in the pot. I made a hearty breakfast on these viands. Before court met. I took a survey of the future site of St. Joseph. I saw but two houses: that where I had spent the night and the store above the mouth of the creek. The Blacksnake Hills were romantic. They seemed to be composed of red crumbling earth. with here and there a tuft of grass. From the sides of the hills. at intervals. broke out oozing springs of pure water. which gathered into a bold stream that coursed the prairie bottom to the river. In the rear of the house. on the hill-side, stood four or five scaffolds. supported by poles. On these scaffolds lay the bones of Roubi- doux's children. His wives were Indians, and he buried his dead in Indian fashion.
3-
1839, DEC.
34
NEWSPAPERS.
Court was held in one room and the elevated porch. The docket was short. The most interesting cases were several in- dictments against Roubidoux for gambling. All the bar except WV. T. Wood, the circuit attorney, entered our names in the margin of the docket as for Roubidoux. We got the old man clear on some quibble, and he was happy. We charged him nothing, but he made all of us pay our tavern bills.
DECEMBER.
Dec. 4-The county court, having approved the location of the county seat, appointed Jesse Morin to enter the land. Sol. L. Leonard, county surveyor, was ordered to lay off the town, and Stephen Johnston was selected as commissioner of the seat of justice.
Dec. 15-S. L. Leonard commenced the survey of Platte City. I helped him in running the first line, on the east side of the town. The ground was covered by a foot of damp snow, and the Platte was hard frozen; and we could cross it conveniently. The work was complete in time for the sale of lots February 3, 1840.
NEWSPAPERS.
No newspaper is published in Platte County. During 1837- 38-39-40 legal advertisements were published, chiefly, in the Far West, issued weekly at Liberty, by Benj. Hays.
1840.
Population of Platte County, 8,913, of which 858 are slaves ; 1 white over 100. Engaged in agriculture, 2,207; in commerce, 56; in manufactures and trades, 195; in professions, 37. Pen- sioners, 3; deaf and dumb, 2; blind, 6; insane, 11. Schools, 27; scholars, 1,048. Population of the State, 383,702; the United States, 17,068.666.
Assessment of Platte County: slaves. $223,620; money and notes, $21,642; other property, $123,814; total, $369,076. Land not taxed.
BUSINESS MEN AT WESTON. 1840.
N. J. Alexander, Thomas Aull. H. Basye, Blaine, Tompkins & Barret, A. M. Belt, A. G. Cunningham, G. V. Dawson, Thos. Ellis, Abel Gilbert. Ben Holladay, A. N. Hailey, Bela M. Hughes, Geo. Keller, A. J. Lucas, Richard Meek, W. S. Murphy, Chas. Neal, W. A. Newman, W. G. Noble, G. P. Post. John Thornburg. Thornton & Burnett, Ben Wood. Jerry Woods, Wells.
AT PLATTE CITY. 1840.
In the spring of 1840 Martinsville moved "bodily" over into Platte City. In addition to those named as citizens of Martins- ville. I recollect: Wm. B. Almond, Jas. Athy, Wm. E. Black. Sam'l Benton. Isaac Burnes, Hamp. Brown, G. W. and W. P. Dougherty. Jas. H. Baldwin, Isaac Farris. J. R. Hardin. W. R.
COURTS.
35
1840, FEB.
Kelly, Col. Lancaster, Dr. W. M. Macey, Jones H. and J. R. Owen, John S. Porter, Geo. Strouse, Sam'l Paul, W. C. Remington, Shad. B. Taylor, John D. Murray, JJacob Baker.
FEBRUARY.
Feb. 3-The first sale of lots in Platte City. Alternate lots were sold, and in June the remainder were offered. Smith Calvert was auctioneer. The lots were sold on the ground, the party go- ing from lot to lot. The weather was favorable. Geo. Me Afee was living where the cemetery now is, and had a preemption on the whole quarter under the law of 1838. No respect was shown to his rights, and he was too poor to assert them. Lot 1, Block 29. where the post-office is now kept, was sold to G. P. Dorriss for $709. This is the highest price paid for a lot. Bidding was spirited, and the sales of February and JJune aggregated $20,000. The law appropriated the proceeds of the lots to the erection of public buildings. Improvements were rapidly constructed, and. in a few months, there were six dry goods stores and about 400 inhabitants. All trades and professions were represented. Car- penters were in demand. The first brick house erected was J. H. Johnston's store, on Lot 9, Block 25. It still stands.
COURTS.
Feb. 23-The February term of circuit court was held in the double log cabin, on Lots 11 and 12, Block 34. This was bought by the county court from Zadock Martin for $100. Until the court- house was complete, this house was used for county courts, and for preaching. I kept my office there until I built one on Lot 10. Block 24 (the present public square). The next circuit court was held in a booth constructed of poles and brush, back of G. P. Dorriss' store. Several terms were afterwards held by Judge Atchison in Murray's store, on Lot 8. Block 25. Preaching was also held at the latter place.
SALE OF 16th SECTIONS.
Applications were made for the sale of the 16th sections which a Federal law gave to the State for school purposes. Township 54. R. 33, and T. 53. R. 35, were the first to file petitions; and the county court made the orders. These sales passed a good title. The squatter generally got his land. Nearly all the school lands were sold in 1840 and 1841.
BANK NOTES.
The banks, with the exception of the Bank of Missouri, sus- pended specie payments in 1837, and gold, silver, and Missouri money were demanded for lots and for 16th sections.
This State was flooded with Kentucky and Ohio money. which was exchanged for gold at a shave of 5 to 20 per cent. Yet it was the currency of the State. Property had three values: 1st, specie: 2d, currency; and 3d, trade or exchange.
1840, FEB.
36
A FREE FERRY.
S. L. Leonard was allowed $50 for his survey and plat of Platte City.
Lots 10, 11, and 12 in Block 25 were set apart for public buildings. Lots 7 and 8, Block 23, were selected for the jail.
The purchasers of lots were authorized to cut and use the timber in the streets.
A road from Platte City to Smithville was ordered to be opened.
A road was ordered from the east end of Main Street to con- nect with the old Military Road a mile from town.
A FREE FERRY.
The county court ordered the bank of Platte River, at the west end of Main Street, cut down, and established a free ferry. Zadock Martin found his occupation gone, at his licensed ferry below the falls, and sued the county for damages. Nothing came of it.
MAY.
May 3-Dr. F. Marshall is appointed treaurer of Platte County in place of Ira Norris, who resigned. Bond, $10,000.
WESTON TOWNSHIP FORMED.
May 4-A petition was presented to the county court for a new township. It states that Weston has 72 voters; and it is signed, among others, by Robert Allen, Isaac Archer, Aquilla Aull, Nick Benner, Henry Basye, Henry Brill, Jas. Burnett, L. B. Church, Jas. Cox, Jos. Cox, W. H. Crawford, A. G. Cunningham, John S. Davis, Sam'l Downey, Dan'l Durbin, Nat Finch, S. C. Fugate, Geo. Goss, Hiram Hailey, Jacob Hamm, Ben Holladay, Ben Leach- man, Jas. Leachman, A. J. Lucas, Geo. J. Lucas, Jas. Lynch, Hus. McFarland, W. S. Murphy, W. A. Newman, W. G. Noble, Wm. Noel, Hosea Norris, Lawrence Page, Elkanah Risk, John Stillwell, Elisha Stone. John Thornburg, M. A. Thornburg, Jesse Vineyard, .J. W. Vineyard, Barnet Wells, H. L. Wilkerson, Ben Wood, Jerry Woods, A. G. Woodward.
The prayer of the petition was granted, and Weston Town- ship was ent out of Marshall and Lee.
CULTURE OF TOBACCO.
Emigrants from Virginia, Kentucky, and central Missouri entered enthusiastically into the culture of tobacco, and realized large returns in quantity, but the article was not of the quality to suit the market. Freights were high, prices low; and in some cases, expenses exceeded returns, and the shipper was brought in debt. For ten or fifteen years the culture of tobacco continued. but finally was given up.
HEMP.
37
1840, JUNE.
HEMP.
From the first settlement of the county, hemp was the staple product. We became wealthy by its culture. No soil on earth, whether timber or prairie, is better adapted to hemp than Platte County. After a few years, the South looked more to Missouri than to Kentucky for a supply of hemp for bagging and rope. Platte, for several years prior to the war, was the banner county of the world. But no machinery ever invented super- seded the hand-break in cleaning it; and that was such arduous labor that the abolition of slavery put an end to the culture of hemp. Negroes were, therefore, in demand, and stout men sold readily for $1,200 to $1,400. But in 1840 there were not 200 negro men in the county. This number had quadrupled before the war came on.
LAND TITLES.
June 22, 1838, the first general preemption law was passed. giving the actual settler the choice of the quarter-section whereon he resided, or that on which his field was situated. June 1, 1840. a second law, of like provisions, was passed. September 4, 1841, a third law was passed, in favor of such as thereafter might settle on public land. But these rights were not assignable; yet the purchaser would take possession, and the law of 1841 gave him. at once, a preemption. The prohibition of selling thereby became a dead letter. The owners of the 16th sections, and of lots in Platte City, could convey fee-simple titles.
COUNTY REVENUE.
The collector's settlement for 1840 shows the county revenue collected was $942.84. The levy was 25 cents on the $100.
JULY.
July 4-The national anniversary was observed for the first time. Sherwood & Martin were erecting a storehouse at what is now the southwest corner of the public square; and from the lum- ber provided we erected a platform, and had a glorious time. I read the Declaration of Independence, and Dr. D. R. Holt delivered an excellent oration. He was then a candidate for the Legislature.
July 27-Robt. C. Ewing and W. M. Paxton were enrolled as attorneys.
July 30-J. H. and L. D. Winston are appointed administra- tors of Gen. Jos. Winston. Bond. $20,000. General Winston had a store at the mouth of the Platte, at the point at which the town of Winston was afterwards laid off. When last seen, he was on the bank of the Missouri. He was supposed to have been drowned.
AUGUST.
At the State election held the 1st Monday in August, 1840. the following officers were chosen:
1840, AUG.
38
D. R. HOLT.
Governor, Thos. Reynolds; Representative, D. R. Holt; Sheriff, Jones H. Owen; Circuit Clerk, Jesse Morin; County Clerk, J. H. Johnston; County Justices, Jas. Kuykendall, Dan'l P. Lewis, and M. M. Hughes.
The vote for President, National:
W. H. Harrison. Whig. 1,274,203
Martin Van Buren, Democratic. 1,128,303
James Birney, Abolition. . 7,609
Harrison received 234 electoral votes; Van Buren received 60 electoral votes.
OCTOBER.
Oct. 5-John Boulware contracts with the county to run a free ferry at the foot of Main Street for twelve months, at $250.
NOVEMBER.
Vor. 6-The county court made an order that Grand Jurors must serve without pay !
Kuykendall and Lewis take their seats as county court jus- ticos. Judge Hughes does not qualify until December.
DECEMBER.
Dec. 7-David R. Holt dies at Jefferson City. He was our county representative, and had been chosen speaker of the House. The Legislature honored him by naming a county for him, and, at the cost of $15,000, erected in the State Cemetery at Jefferson City, where he was buried. a beautiful monument, with the following inscription :
"Sacred to the memory of David Rice Holt, M.D., late representative from Platte County, Missouri, who was born in Green County, Tennessee, the 8th of March, 1803, and died the 17th of December. 1840. Erected by an act of the General Assembly."
THE HOLT LINEAGE.
I. THOMAS PAXTON, b. in Ireland, 1719; d. 1788; m'd Betsy McClung. They came to Pennsylvania, and thence to Rockbridge County. Virginia. Their oldest son.
IT. JOHN PAXTON. m'd Sarah Walker. They were progenitors of many illustrious Presbyterian divines, including the Paxtons. Houstons, Edmondsons. Campbells, Carrs. Cow- ans. Rices, and Holts. A dr. of John and Sarah was
IH. ELIZABETH PAXTON, b. April 15, 1774: m'd October 17. 1794. David Holt. b. Feb. 24. 1764; d. Aug. 2. 1837. Their issue:
1. Lucy W. Holt. b. Oct. 17. 1795.
2. Edird. Holt. b. July 29, 1797.
3. John P. Holt. b. April 17. 1800.
1840, DEC.
39
D. R. HOLT, M.D.
4. Darid R. Holt, b. March 8, - 1803.
5. Sally W. Holt, b. March 10, 1805.
6. Nancy P. Holt, b. March 26, 1807.
7. W. W. Holt, b. April 1, 1810.
8. Mary R. Holt, b. September 18, 1812.
9. Jos. M. Holt, b. Nov. 4, 1814. 10. Elij. P. Holt, b. March 27, 1819.
David Holt was an eminent Presbyterian minister, and his posterity are in the high places of the South; we are concerned only with David R. and Jos. M. Holt, who came to Platte in 1838.
I. DAVID RICE HOLT, M.D.
After graduating at Washington College, Va., he studied theology, and was licensed by his presbytery. In 1828 he went to Virginia, and studied medicine. In 1830 he m'd Isabella White, dr. of Maj. White, of Washington Co., Va. They came to Boone Co., Mo. and he preached a while at Columbia. Removing thence to Saline Co., we find him in Platte in 1838, and elected to the Legislature in 1840, without opposition. His ministerial char- acter, handsome person, and dignified bearing, with the polish of a gentleman and the intelligence of a scholar, pointed him out as one well fitted to become the speaker of the House. . But he died ere he had fully entered on his work. He left two daughters, but I have no trace of them.
II. JOSEPH MILTON HOLT, M.D.
Born in Greene Co., Tenn., he studied medicine, and came to Platte in 1838. He removed in 1841, to Savannah, Mo., and re- turned to Farly, Platte Co., Mo., in 1863. After twenty-one years of practice in our county, he removed, in 1884, to Newark, Mo .. where he died in 1895, honored for his virtues and revered for his holy walk and affectionate demeanor. He married four times:
1st, Rachel, dr. of William and Lucretia Gordon. She was b. July 11, 1822 ; d. Feb. 8, 1851. They were m'd June 8. 1841. Ch:
T. DAVID R. HOLT. b. March 22. 1842: d. June 7. 1883.
IT. W. GORDON HOLT, b. May 9, 1844; m'd Oct. 17. 1871, Jennie Prior. They had one child, Eva Holt, and were divorced. Wm. lives in Cal., and Jennie m'd John G. Carpenter.
III. JOHN PAXTON HOLT, b. Jan. 25. 1851; d. Ang. 31. 1886. They removed to Texas, where he married, and where his widow and children now reside.
Dr. J. M. Holt m'd 2d. Aug. 23. 1852. Mrs. Susan E. Drake. a dr. of Robert Todd. She was b. in Clay Feb. 24, 1828; d. April 12, 1870. I remember her as a most beautiful and accomplished lady. She was the widow of Charles Drake. who d. without ch. Her ch. by Dr. Holt :
IV. ALONZO T. HOLT, M.D .. b. June 10. 1854: i'd 1st. April 20, 1872. Elsie Simpson. She d. leaving an only ch .. May Holt. Alonzo m'd 2d. November 5. 1879. Luey B. Campbell. dr. of Dr. John A. Campbell. of Parkville. Dr. Holt and his
1840, DEC.
40
W. M. PAXTON.
wife are related through the Alexanders and Paxtons. Dr. Holt has practiced at Farly, Waldron, and Parkville. He is a man of superior intelligence, and enjoys universal con- fidence. His ch. by his 2d wife:
1. Susie; 2. Albert; 3. Carlton; 4, Mary.
V. ROBERT TODD HOLT, b. June 12, 1855; m'd Alice Cox, They live in Kansas City. No ch.
VI. EUGENE E. HOLT, b. Sept. 14, 1858; single; lives in Idaho. VII. JAMES MILTON HOLT, b. Nov. 24, 1863; single; lives in Idaho.
VIII. ANNA E. HOLT, b. Sept. 4, 1868; m'd Nov. 4, 1887, Joe L. Freeland, b. July 11, 1863; son of Jas. M. Freeland, and grandson of Judge John Freeland. He was elected cir- cuit clerk in Nov., 1890, and for a second term in 1894. Ch: 1. Eulalia, b. Nov. 8, 1888. 2. Susie, b. Aug 31, 1892.
Dr. J. M. Holt m'd 3d, Nov. 11, 1870, Louisa J. Turner, b. March 28, 1826; d. Oct. 28, 1871, childless. She was a dr. of Elder Thomas Turner. (See.)
Dr. J. M. Holt m'd 4th, Nov. 22, 1874, Georgia E. Porter, b. in Miss. April 29, 1838. Ch:
IX. SAM'L WINN HOLT, b. Sept. 25, 1875.
X. JOSIE ELOISE HOLT, b. Feb. 19, 1877.
LINEAGE OF W. M. PAXTON.
As the Paxtons and the Holts are from the same Scotch- Irish stock, let us commence with
I. JOHN PAXTON, b. in Ireland 1721; came to Rockbridge Co., Va., with his brother, Thomas Paxton, from whom we have derived the Holts. John Paxton m'd in 1742, Martha Blair. Their son,
II. CAPT. JOHN PAXTON, b. in Rockbridge Co., Va., 1743; d. Oct. 3, 1787; m'd Phobe Alexander, dr. of Capt. John Alexander, uncle of Dr. Archibald, of Princeton. Their son,
III. JAMES PAXTON, m'd March 23, 1786, in Rockbridge, Phoebe McClung, dr. of John McClung and Elizabeth Alexander. Their only ch:
IV. JAMES ALEX. PAXTON, b. Sept. 13, 1788; d. in Mason Co., Ky., Oct. 23, 1825; m'd Maria Marshall, b. in Mason Co .. Ky., July 20, 1795; d. in Columbus, O., Feb. 6, 1824. She % was a dr. of Alex. K. Marshall, a Kentucky reporter, and brother of Chief Justice John Marshall. Their son.
V. WILLIAM McCLUNG PAXTON, b. in Mason Co., Ky., March 2, 1819 ; m'd Mary Forman Oct. 1, 1840. Ch:
1. Anna Paxton.
2. Tillie Parton, m'd Alg. S. Tebbs; ch: [] Laura G. Tebbs. m'd Chas. B. Miller. Ch: [1] Bethine. [7] Mary P. Tebbs. 3. Phoebe Paxton.
The vacancy occasioned by the death of Dr. D. R. Holt as representative was filled at a special election by the choice of D. A. Sutton.
1840, DEC.
41
ROADS.
ROADS.
The county court of Clay County never established a road in Platte. The Garrison Road was made by military authority, and had no civil sanction. Up to 1840, roads generally followed the ridges; but now farms are fenced on the lines of the surveys, and there are calls for established roads. For several years the coun- ty records are filled with proceedings to establish roads. The settlers had no well-defined titles, and no damages were allowed. The best ground was chosen, and subsequent changes injured the roads.
CHURCHES.
The earliest and largest churches in the county were those of the Hardshell Baptists. The Methodist Church and the Disci- ples, or Christians, followed. The Cumberland Presbyterians were numerous. The two last named sects had just come into existence, and were full of fire and zeal. Immense camp-meetings were held in the woods, with logs for seats. Sectarian zeal was warm and religious discussions enlivened society. The mode, subject, and design of baptism, the operation of the Spirit, creeds and confessions of faith, education, the anxious seat, call to the ministry, and close and open communion called forth the polemic talent of all classes.
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