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 5
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
THE COURT HOUSE
Was built in 1840. Demetrius A. Sutton, an experienced architect, drew the plan and specifications, and was paid for his work $10. He and Jesse Morin, with Elijah Moore, were the building committee. The house was built on Lots 10, 11, and 12. Block 25, and 20 feet back from the streets on the south and east. It was 50 feet square, two 12-foot stories, and pointed roof, sur- mounted by a cupola, ball, and spire. There were four offices on the south, 18 by 18 feet, two below and two above. A passage led from the front or south door to the court-room below, and another on the second floor to a large room, long used for preach- ing. The circuit clerk used the lower office in the southeast corner, and the county clerk used the room in the southwest cor- ner. The rooms above were for the probate judge and for juries. The work was sufficiently advanced as to be used for the Novem- ber term, 1841, of the circuit court. The whole house was, at first. covered with tin; but so defective was the work that all the tin was removed, except upon the cupola, and shingles substituted. The following marriages, 1840, are not elsewhere noted: March 19. 1840, Metcalf Smith married Mary Collet.
December 3, 1840, Hosea Norris married Mary Pettigrew.
OFFICERS.
42
1841, JAN.
1841. OFFICERS.
Governor, Lilburn Boggs; State Senator, And'w Johnson; Circuit Judge, D. R. Atchison; County Clerk, J. H. Johnston; County Assessor, W. C. Remington; Circuit Attorney, P. H. Bur- nett; Sheriff, Jones H. Owen; Representative, D. A. Sutton; Circuit Clerk, Jesse Morin; County Treasurer, F. Marshall; Jus- tices County Court, Jas. Kuykendall, D. P. Lewis, and M. M. Hughes.
BUSINESS MEN.
At Platte City: Attorneys-W. B. Almond, A. E. Cannon, S. L. Leonard, W. M. Paxton, Jas. S. Thomas, C. P. Brown.
Physicians-W. M. Macey, F. Marshall, I. W. Gibson.
Merchants, etc .- Adkins & White, Black & Dickson, Bran- ham & McCausland, G. W. Dougherty, M. D. Faylor, Ferguys & Ranson, Hope & Irwin, G. P. Dorriss, Johnston & Lewis, Stephen Johnston. Jas. H. Johnston (post-master), Perry Keith, W. R. Kelly, John D. Murray, W. H. Spratt, J .H. Spratt, Shad. Taylor, G. W. Samuel, Platte City Mills (Martin & Co.), Sherwood & Martin.
At Weston: N. J. Alexander, George Aull, Peter Blanjour, Abel Gilbert, H. N. Hailey, Ben Holladay, Bela M. Hughes, W. A. Newman. W. G. Noble, C. A. & E. W. Perry, G. P. Post, J. M. & E. W. Railey, D. P. Wallingford. W. S. Murphy, C. R. Wentworth. Ben Wood, Jerry Woods.
JANUARY.
Jan. 6-The county court appropriated $3,000 to build a jail on Lots 7 and 8, Block 23, and appointed Jesse Morin commissioner to report a plan, and to let out the contract. The plan adopted was a square. two-story building, with three outer walls of squared. hard timber-the logs of the inner wall being set on end. A door was in the southwest corner, whence a stairway led to the room above, where a trap-door opened to the cell below.
Jan. 21-Since the sales of 16th sections, deeds for land are filed. The first is from Crook to Patton, for part of the N. W. } of See. 16. T. 53. R. 35.
FEBRUARY.
Feb. 4-Joseph Loan and family settle three miles east of Platte City.
MARCH.
The Legislature having formed Platte County into the 12th Judicial Circuit, the governor appoints Gen. D. R. Atchison circuit judge. He therupon removes from Liberty to Platte City, which is his home until the war.
1841, MARCH.
43
FINANCES.
March 22-Judge Atchison holds his first term, in an arbor, constructed for the purpose, back of G. P. Dorriss' store. on Lot 1, Block 29, Platte City.
Chris. P. Brown and Jas. H. Baldwin are enrolled as attorneys.
A large number of citizens are indicted for gambling. They plead guilty, and are fined $5 each. A number of gamblers. prominent among whom was one of the Younger boys, followed the judge on his cireuit, to engage in gambling.
The will of Richard Jacks (1) is probated. It is dated Febru- ary 10, 1841. His widow is Sophia, and his children: 1. Thomas Jacks; 2. John; 3, Elias; 4, Richard; 5. Polly Lewis; 6. Cath. Anders; 7. Elizabeth Anders: 8. Fanny; 9, Nancy Worrell; 10. Reb. Childers; 11, Louisiana Jacks.
MAY. COUNTY FINANCES.
May 1-Township School Fund paid in. 4,108.47 All of which is loaned out at 10 per cent.
Road and Canal Fund .. 810.00
This is fines collected, and is added to the County School Fund and distributed.
Lot Fund-sale of lots .. 16,577.03
Of which there has been paid out . 9,669.58
The collector has paid in taxes collected. 3.169.00
Expenditures, ordinary. 1.868.07 May 6-The county court appoints a committeeman for each township, to solicit subscriptions for a free bridge at Platte City.
James H. Johnson resigns as commissioner of the seat of jus- tice, and S. L. Leonard is appointed to the place, and gives bond for $30,000.
JUNE.
June 21-Ira Norris is appointed to advertise and let out the construction of a free bridge over Platte River at Platte City.
June 22-S. L. Leonard, commissioner. is ordered to sell pub- lily, the first Monday in August, all lots not disposed of.
The county court rents for the July term of the circuit court the room over J. D. Murray's saloon, on Lot 8. Block 25. in Platte City.
JULY.
July 1-Tavern license is granted to J. V. Cockrill on Lot 12. Block 25, Platte City.
July 13-Circuit court held over Murray's saloon by Judge Atchison.
R. R. Rees, John Wilson, Jas. B. Gardenhire. S. B. Campbell. P. L. Hudgens and J. R. Hardin enrolled as attorneys.
JOSIAH HIGGINS.
44
1
1841, AUG.
AUGUST.
Aug. 3-Jacob Hamm, administrator of G. F. List. Bond, $4,000.
County court grants $25 for the support of Henry Fulks-the first pauper granted aid.
John Lewis, having taken the contract to build the jail, is granted $966.
Aug. 28-The Weston Presbyterian Church organized.
SEPTEMBER.
Sept. 5-S. L. Leonard, commissioner, reports the amount of sales of lots since his appointment is $3,635.23.
Sept. 8-Ira Norris, commissioner, reports that he has let out to Thos. W. Mercer, for $8,000, the contract for a lattice bridge over Platte River at Platte City, of one track, 20 feet wide. The contract approved.
Congress grants to the State of Missouri for Internal Im- provements 500,000 acres of public lands.
Sept. 21-Bela M. Hughes enrolled as an attorney.
OCTOBER.
Oct. 10-Jesse Morin, superintendent of public buildings, re- ports the court-house, except plastering, complete. Medlin & Anderson did the stone-work, David Hunt the brick-work, and Sam'l Paul, B. R. Morton, W. D. Bonnell, and Elijah Moore the carpenter-work. The jail was finished in December.
Oct. 25-The circuit court met for the first time in the court- house, yet unplastered.
NOVEMBER.
Nor. 7-Josiah Higgins' will probated; dated March 26, 1841. Ch: 1, Josiah Higgins (ii); 2, Benjamin; 3, Harmon; 4, Jackson; 5, William; 6, Susan Cooper; 7, Jacob; 8, Peggy Ford; 9, John.
Nov. 10-R. B. Mitchell, administrator of Luke Dorland. Bond, $2,000; widow, Martha.
Nov. 16-Smith & Henderson, administrators of John P. Smith. Bond, $25,000. Ch: 1, Wm. V. Smith; 2, Jas. C .; 3, Hiram S .; 4. Gershom; 5, Sarah Ann Chance; 6, Mary Ann; 7, Jane C .; 8, Lucretia; 9, Webster.
Legal advertisements are now printed at Liberty in the Far West, Ben Hays editor, and in the Liberty Herald, J. H. Darling- ton editor. The latter worked on the Reveille and the Landmark. Ile died in November. 1896, in the St. Joseph Lunatic Asylum.
JAMES F. ADAMS, from Tennessee, settled this year at Ridgely, and started the town on his claim. A saddler by trade, he set up a shop, and a small town grew up. It was a gambling and drinking place, and was first called "Hell Town." He m'd Mary Owens, dr. of Nicholas. Ch:
OFFICERS.
45
1842, JAN.
I. MARY E. ADAMS.
II. SARAH M., m'd Rob't Reed, of St. Joseph.
III. LOU M., m'd W. L. De Berry. (See.)
IV. MAGGIE, m'd Dr. J. L. Misener.
V. JULIA M.
VI. JAS. E. ADAMS.
Mr. Jas. F. Adams was the first post-master at Ridgely. His parents were Jas. Adams and Sarah Barnard.
MARRIAGES IN 1841, NOT ELSEWHERE
March 2, 1841, J. H. Spurlock married Martha Spencer. March 12, 1841, Calvin Smith married Aggie Gordon.
February 6. 1841, James Moore married Mary A. Grayson.
1842. OFFICERS.
Governor, Thos. Reynolds; Senator, And. Johnson; Circuit Judge, D. A. Atchison; County Clerk, J. H. Johnston; Treasurer, F. Marshall; County Justices, Jas. Kuykendall, D. P. Lewis, and M. M. Hughes; Representative, D. A. Sutton; Circuit Clerk, Jesse Morin; Sheriff, J. H. Owen; Assessor, W. C. Remington ; Circuit Attorney, P. H. Burnett.
BUSINESS MEN.
At Platte City: Attorneys-W. B. Almond, Jas. H. Baldwin. R. P. Clark, Nat Burrows, J. R. Hardin, W. P. Hall. I. N. Jones, W. C. Jones, S. L. Leonard, Wm. M. Paxton, J. E. Pitt, J. G. Spratt, Jas. S. Thomas, John Wilson.
Physicians-Wm. Baldwin, Delford Benton, J. H. MeFall, N. M. Shrock, W. M. Macey, F. Marshall.
Merchants, etc .- Black & Dickson, I. V. Cockerell, G. P. Dorriss, Ferguys & Ranson, Hope & Irwin, J. H. Johnston (post- master), Stephen Johnston, Johnston & Lewis, Martin & Sher- wood, Martin & Sons, McCausland & Branham, John D. Murray, G. W. Samuel.
At Weston: Attorneys-L. D. Bird. J. N. Burnes, B. M. Hughes, John R. Tylee.
Merchants, etc .- Geo. Aull, Peter Blanjour, Elijah Cody. Abel Gilbert, Ben Holladay. W. G. Noble. C. A. & E. W. Perry, G. P. Post, J. M. & E. W. Railey, D. P. Wallingford. T. F. Warner. C. P. Wentworth. Ben Wood, Jerry Woods.
JANUARY.
Early in 1842, E. Sangston Wilkinson started the Eagle, the first newspaper printed in Platte. March 5, 1842, Allen MeLane took editorial charge of the paper, and made it interesting and influential, as well as strongly Democratic in its polities.
E. S. WILKINSON until 1895 resided on a ranch near Denver, Colo. He was born in Harrisonville, Va .. 1819; died 1896: was
1842, JAN.
46
WESTON INCORPORATED.
married June 21, 1837, in Indiana, to Maria Freeland, b. May 20, 1820; d. 1896; daughter of the late Judge John Freeland. After editing the Shelbyville, Indiana, Statesman two years, he came with the Freeland family to Platte; here he spent nineteen years in editing and publishing the Eagle, the Argus, the Tenth Legion, and other papers, all strongly Democratic. But when the war came on, and dangers threatened on account of his Southern sympathies, he went to Helena, Montana, where he published the Rocky Mountain Gazette, from August 11, 1866, to September 2. 1872. He afterwards published the Bozeman Times for three years. His living children :
I. ALLEN McLANE WILKINSON, b. at Platte City, Novem- ber 13, 1848.
II. RALEIGH T. WILKINSON, b. at Camden Point, August 13. 1853. His ch:
1. Henry C. 2. John W. (a captain in the U. S. Army). 3. Dora.
Mr. E. S. Wilkinson was in Winston's Regiment, and at Pea Ridge, Corinth, etc. He and his wife both died in Cal. in 1896, whither they had gone for their health.
WESTON INCORPORATED.
Jan. 11-The county court incorporated Weston. Geo. Beeler, Abel Gilbert, John Thornburg, T. F. Warner, and Jerry Woods were the trustees.
ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOL TOWNSHIPS.
Jan. 12-The county court, on application, ordered notice to be given for the inhabitants of T. 52, R. 34, to meet at the house of Michael Byrd, to organize for school purposes, the 3d of March. 1842. The State law made each congressional township a corpora- tion, to be divided into districts, for separate schools. The 16th sections were "squatted" upon, and no one dared to bid against the "squatters" for their lands. They therefore got their lands at the minimum price of $1.25 per acre. The principal of the Township School Fund is only $21,000. Had there been a fair sale, the fund would now be $200.000. Allen McLane had independence enough to condemn this fraud, in the Eagle, and when he offered for office, he found his course had lost him votes. Nearly all the townships of the county were organized in 1841 and 1842, and school-houses were built in many districts. They were of round or hewed logs, with a door on one side, and a long hori- zontal window on the other. Below the window a sloping board served for desks. Seats were puncheons or slabs set upon wooden poles, for legs.
FEBRUARY.
Feb. 7-Peter Simmons' will probated-John Bretz executor. Bond. $2.000.
47
1842, FEB.
OFFICIAL SURVEY.
Martha Ambrose, administratrix of Wm. Ambrose. Bond, $1,500.
Matthias Masten, administrator of his son, Joseph Masten.
Feb. 9-Park & Parsons are granted tavern license at Parkville.
Feb. 11-The county clerk is ordered to procure copies of the Official Survey of the lands of Platte County. The field-notes were furnished. The consisted of two thick square volumes, of 1,100 pages each, and are now in the possession of the county sur- veyor. They are invaluable, and I have made and indexed a copy for use in my business of abstractor of titles.
MARCH.
March 28-Judge Atchison held circuit court in the new and unplastered court-house.
Enrolled as attorneys, R. P. Clark, I. N. Jones, and W. P. Hall. APRIL.
April 9-The county court incorporated Platte City, with N. Burrows, W. E. Black, W. P. Dougherty, D. S. Irwin, and Mark McCausland, trustees.
MAY.
May 1-The annual county statement shows:
Receipts. $ 3,503.19
Expenditures. .
2,824.64
Principal of Township School Fund. . 10,876.06
Way 4-Edw'd Clarke, administrator of Abner Bozarth, with his will annexed. He left a widow and two daughters. The widow m'd Col. Lewis Burnes. (See.)
JUNE.
June 3-Elisha Green buys Lot 6, Block 28, in Platte City. Here he erected the hotel known as the Green House. His enter- prise and public spirit gave a new impulse to the improvement of Platte City.
June 20-Allen MeLane announced himself a candidate for the Legislature, but is beaten, on account of his opposing the sacrifice of 16th sections to the "squatters."
JULY.
July 13-Circuit court held by Judge Atchison in the court- house. Bright B. Martin, a son of Zadock, is enrolled as an attorney.
AUGUST. RESULT OF THE ELECTION.
Aug. 1-Senator, Andrew Johnston; Congressman, Jas. M. Hughes; Representatives, Bethel Allen and J. A. White; Sheriff, J. H. Owen; Assessor, W. C. Remington.
1842, AUG.
48
CROPS, ETC.
Aug. 4-The bridge specifications are changed, and $1,500 is added to the price allowed Mercer, the contractor.
Aug. 23-Robert Todd died. (See.)
The plastering of the court-house is finished, and the house complete.
Aug. 28-The Weston Presbyterian Church reorganized, with the following members: 1, Mary Cowles; 2, R. A. Cummins; 3, Amer'a P. Hudson; 4, Anna Nash; 5, Eliz. Neville; 6, Sam'l Morton; 7, Eliz. Norton; 8, R. G. Stephens; 9, P. M. Underhill.
OCTOBER.
Oct. 14-Weston Lodge, No. 53, A. F. & A. M., chartered.
NOVEMBER.
Nov. 8-Jones & Waller, administrators of Lewis M. Waller; and W. B. Wood, of Edwin Wood.
Nov. 10-W. L. Brightwell, R. P. and Harrison Gaines, Joseph Coons, and their families, arrive in Platte, coming overland in wagons. They bought corn at 10 cents per bushel.
Nov. 18-Temperature at zero.
The President locates the land office at Plattsburg.
DECEMBER.
Dec. 13-Under this date, Book 3, page 87, of records of the county court, a statement of the sales of 16th sections is found.
The President's message was nine hours in going from Washington to New York, considered quick time.
Two vagrants sold, publicly, in Platte City.
The removal of the land office from Plattsburg to Platte City advocated.
Allen McLane makes the following entry in his diary: "The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad was opened to Cumberland (171 miles). on the 3d day of November, 1842. This will bring the mail in ten hours to Cumberland, and in thirty-two hours to Wheeling! Who would have dreamed of this ten years ago?"
Dec. 24-A ball at the court-house for warming. The upper story of the court-house has been seated by subscription, for religious services.
John S. Malott's (see) will probated. It is dated March 9, 1842. ITe was a son of Wm. Malott. (See.)
CROPS, MARKETS, ETC.
Abundant crops were raised in 1842, but there was no market for them. New settlers, however, had money to spend, and needed supplies. Corn sold for 10 cents per bushel, and wheat at 50 cents. Freights to St. Louis were from $1 to $2 per 100 pounds, and the tobacco and hemp shipped brought but small returns. All good lands in Platte had claimants, and emigrants pressed further north. Claims upon the best land sold for $3 to $8 per
1842, DEC.
49
IMPROVEMENTS.
acre. Under the law of 1841, the new settlers got a preemption right. With no market, money became scarce.
IMPROVEMENTS.
Farms were rapidly opened, and substantial and comfortable houses erected. Martin & Sons have added an upright saw to their mill; Hall Medlin has constructed a grist- and saw-mill, on Smith's Fork; and Judge M. M. Hughes and Capt. Andrew John- son have each built a good mill on Bee Creek. Huston McFarland has a saw-mill near Weston, and the Perrys are building a large Houring-mill at Weston. The finest oak and walnut timber ever seen is offered for nothing; and $1.25 is the price of the best squared timber. Goods are selling at from 50 per cent to 150 per cent on cost.
NEW-COMERS TO PLATTE CITY.
Howell Jenkins (see), a native of Wales, settled at Platte City in 1842. A stonemason by trade, he built with his own hands the rock mansion on Lots 4 and 5, Block 28, and did all the best stone-work in town for years. From our native rock, he cut out and lettered all the tombstones for our graveyard, for twelve years. The first marble monument erected in the cemetery was at the grave of Dr. N. M. Shrock in 1855.
Robert Davis Johnston (see), a native of Kentucky, came to us, by way of Indiana, and formed a partnership with John Lewis, in a general store, on Lot 6, Block 29. He subsequently formed a partnership with Jas. H. Johnston, in the same line. The adversities of trade and the calamities of war drove him from the mercantile business. His military career is familiar to all.
DRS. SHROCK, McFALL, AND CALLAHAN.
The two first named were brothers-in-law. Dr. McFall died soon after his arrival from Kentucky, and Dr. Shrock formed a partnership with Dr. H. B. Callahan, and they were favorite phys- icians for years .. Dr. Shrock was an enthusiastic Mason, and to him we owe the organization of Platte Lodge, No. 56. He was well informed in the mysteries of Masonry, and with diligence instructed his brethren. Dr. Callahan left us in 1857, and in the war found no rest for his feet. He resided at Leavenworth many years, honored as a physician and revered as a citizen. He died in 1896 and was buried at Platte City.
John Zeek established a tan-yard on Block 17. but found it not profitable, and left us for some better location.
Benj. R. Morton (see) worked on the court-house, and erected a carding machine on Block 28.
William C. Remington (see), a handsome and genial youth. wrote an excellent hand, and found ready employment as deputy clerk, until he arose to the office of circuit clerk.
4-
1
1842, DEC.
50
STATE LAND OFFICE.
William E. Black, after working on the bridge over the Platte, became a merchant, and then a physician. He returned to Virginia.
John Ritner located near Smithville, and, being an excellent millwright, became a partner with Jas. B. Martin in the Platte City Mills.
James Davis, a large, genial, and agreeable gentleman, and an excellent clerk, wrote in the circuit clerk's office, read law, formed a partnership with John W. Forbis, and disappeared very mysteriously; but was heard from again in one of the Northwest- ern States.
Archibald Woods and James M. Estill came from Kentucky with money, bought a large body of land, and built the Union Mills. They became also merchants in Weston. Their business was immense, and their creditors suffered. Estill went to Cali- fornia, took some large contracts. and speculated unsuccessfully.
E. S. Wilkinson removed the Eagle to Weston, but the winter caught him without paper. He went on horseback to Boonville, but got but little paper. The Eagle therefore was issued only as a handbill, until the river opened in the spring.
THE STATE LAND OFFICE.
September 4, 1841, Congress granted the Western States public lands within their borders. Five hundred thousand acres were granted to Missouri. The gift was accepted, and commis- sioners were appointed to select the lands. They were located chiefly in the Platte Purchase. S. L. Leonard and Dr. A. M. Robin- son were commissioners. The Federal law required locations to be in bodies of not less than 320 acres. To induce the settlers to give in their lands to the State, a liberal preemption law was passed, giving time for payment, and sanctioning sales by the settler, after the first payment. These lands appear on the official plat as "Internal Improvement Lands." About one-eighth of the county of Platte was selected as State lands. The land office was located at Savannah.
1843. OFFICERS.
Governor. Thos. Reynolds: Senator. And. Johnson; Con- gressman. J. M. Hughes; Circuit Clerk, Jesse Morin; Treasurer, F. Marshall; Representatives, B. Allen and J. A. White; Circuit Attorney. P. H. Burnett; Circuit Judge. D. R. Atchison; County Clerk. J. H. Johnston; Sheriff, Jones H. Owen: Assessor, W. C. Remington; County Justice, Jas. Kuykendall, D. P. Lewis, and M. M. Hughes.
51
1843, JAN.
BUSINESS MEN.
BUSINESS MEN.
At Platte City: Attorneys-W. B. Almond. Jas. H. Baldwin, N. Burrows, R. P. Clark, J. R. Hardin, I. N. Jones, W. C. Jones. S. L. Leonard, W. P. Hall. Jno. E. Pitt, J. G. Spratt, Jas. S. Thomas, John Wilson.
Physicians-Drs. Wm. Baldwin, Delford Benton, JJolm Clarke. J. H. McFall, F. Marshall. W. M. Macey, N. M. Shrock.
Merchants, etc .- Atkins & White, G. P. Dorriss. Ferguys & Ranson, R. P. Gaines, J. H. Johnston (postmaster), R. D. John- ston, Stephen JJohnston, Perry Keith, MeCausland & Branham. Phil. Lutes. J. D. Murray, G. W. Samuel. Z. Martin & Sons, Hope & Irwin, W. E. Black, E. Green.
At Weston: Attorneys-L. D. Bird. B. M. Hughes, J. R. Tylee.
Physicians -- Bonifant. Bowers, Malin.
Merchants, etc .- P. Blanjour, E. Cody. A. Gilbert. F. G. Cock- rill, Ben Holladay. W. G. Noble, C. A. & E. W. Perry, W. S. Mur phy, G. P. Post. J. M. & E. W. Railey, D. P. Wallingford. T. F. War- ner. C. P. Wentworth, Ben Wood.
JANUARY.
Jan. 2-The Democrats of the county met at the court-house and organized the party.
Jan. 4-A slight earthquake.
Mails come tri-weekly. by hack, from Liberty, arriving at 2 p. m. at Platte City.
Alex. E. Cannon, the first lawyer to locate at Martinsville, is now teaching school. His legal erudition knew no book but the statutes.
Arch'd Woods buys lands in Preston Township.
The State Road from Weston to Plattsburg established. (See Session Acts 1843, p. 345.)
Jan. 9-E. S. Wilkinson still in search of printing paper.
Jan. 15-Subscribers to the Platte River bridge refused to pay. Suit is instituted-hung jury ; but they finally triumph.
Jas. H. Baldwin and Allen MeLane discuss, privately. county finances, and decide they are badly managed.
The Legislature establishes a State Road from Liberty to Weston. Damages are allowed preemptioners.
Jan. 20-The county court secretly applies to the Legislature to make the Platte River bridge a toll bridge, which caused much indignation, when discovered.
Weston is rapidly improving. The Eagle is now known as the Platte Eagle and Weston Commercial Gazette, and is issued occasionally.
The State Land Office is located at Savannah, and in due time A. Jasper is appointed receiver and Nat Burrows register.
52
1843, FEB.
BENTON.
FEBRUARY.
Feb. 23-Weston is incorporated by statute, acquires title to the site, and deeds are made for the lots that have been sold.
The Legislature legalized the irregular sales of 16th sections and Platte City lots.
Feb. 27-Peter H. Burnett spoke at the court-house on the Oregon question, and advocated emigration thither.
The war on Senator Benton has commenced. The Eagle is with Benton.
The Missouri is still closed, and Wilkinson's printing paper is still in abeyance.
MARCH.
It takes twenty days to get news from Washington.
W. L. Brightwell buys smoked hams at 3 cents, and young oxen at $13 per yoke.
March 6-The United States Senate confirms the appoint- ment of J. H. Birch as register and E. M. Samuel as receiver of the Plattsburg land office.
The Democrats meet at the court-house, Achilles Jasper in the chair, and approve Benton's views on hard money. Bela M. Hughes and L. D. Bird, of Weston, and Leander Kerr, chaplain at the Fort, are present.
Many are preparing to emigrate to Oregon.
The population of St. Louis is 28,354.
March 16-The ground is still covered with snow. and very cold-the coldest winter on record.
March 30-Another fall of snow and still cold.
Peter H. Burnett, having resigned, the bar recommends Bela M. Hughes for the place of circuit attorney.
APRIL.
April 1-The Plattsburg land office opens with Birch as register and Samuel as receiver.
Six inches of snow fell.
April 4-Warmer, with rain at intervals.
Jesse Morin is appointed commissioner of the seat of justice in place of S. L. Leonard, resigned.
D. A. Sutton is appointed commissioner of Platte River bridge in place of Ira Norris, resigned.
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.