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 52
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At Farley: Fouts, Holt. Bledsoe. Wood. Lodge No. 339, Jas. Wallace. W. M .; Good Templars, M. B. Wood, W. C. T.
At Hampton: J. A. Funk.
At latan: Dr. Larry, Smith (postmaster).
J. ELDRIDGE.
593
1875, JAN.
At New Market: Armstrong, Bryant, Hoffman, Moore, Stock- ton. Lodge No. 274. W. A. Singleton, W. M.
At Ridgely: Chrisman, Creek, Ellington.
At Shirelton: Woolson, Moore.
At Tracy: Clifford, Metzger & Hamm, Ryan.
At Waldron: Holt. Pettillo, Hawkins, Scott (postmaster).
PRICES.
Butter, 20 cents; corn, 70 cents; feathers, 50 cents; eggs, 12 cents; flour, $2.50; hams, 13 cents; hemp, $1.00; wheat, $1.00; wood, $3.00.
JANUARY.
Jan. 1-In the Platte City Sunday-schools the Methodists and Presbyterians agree that the Methodists (Freeze, superintendent). take the morning hour, and the Presbyterians (Paxton, superin- tendent), the afternoon.
New Year's entertainment at the court-house. Perform. ers, Hawley, Meads, and Ruthven.
Land has recovered slightly in price since the panic.
Dr. D. J. Fouts sells to the Sibley Mill Company his diminu- tive steamer, that he has been running on the Platte and Missouri rivers.
The Phoenix Mill at Tracy, with Metzger & Hamm in control, has been doing a large business.
Joseph Tribble rents to S. English, for $900, his one-third in- terest in the Platte City water mill.
The Landmark and the Leavenworth Times are at war.
Jan. 4-Thermometer 10 degrees below zero.
Jan. 8-Mrs. John Eldridge died. John Eldridge was born in Monmouth County, New Jersey, January 1, 1800, and died De- cember 28, 1895. He worked in the ship-yards of New York; in 1817 he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and engaged in building barges. He married Drucilla Maryfield, moved to Peoria, Ill., and bought a farm of 800 acres. In 1838 he sold out and came to Platte, settling near Camden Point. He was at his death the oldest man in Platte County. His daughter, Rebecca, married, first, J. W. Freeland, from whom she was divorced. and then married a Boltinghouse. November 20, 1879, she was sentenced, in Iron County. Mo., to ten years' imprisonment, for the murder of a child she had adopted.
Jan. 8-The county papers publish a long call on Judge E. H. Norton to become a candidate for delegate to the Constitu- tional Convention. He accepts, and at the election set for the 26th inst. is chosen, with D. C. Allen as his associate.
Good ice. The Missouri is closed.
Jan. 10-Part of Doniphan's Addition to Weston is vacated by the county court.
38 .
P. WHITLOCK.
594
1875, JAN.
Jan. 16-Temperature 23 degrees below zero.
Jan. 18-D. C. Allen, candidate for delegate to the Constitu- tional Convention, speaks at Platte City.
Jan. 18-MAJOR JAS. B. WRIGHT died at Weston. He married January 16, 1849, Virginia Dale, who administered, giv- ing bond for $1,000. They lived in Weston; and during the war he was a zealous Union man. He was well educated, and was active in every good cause.
Jan. 19-G. W. Reynolds' house burned in Weston.
PRESTON WHITLOCK
Jan. 24-Preston Whitlock died near Smithville. He came to Platte in 1837, and settled on the edge of the prairie, on the road to Platte City, three miles southwest of Smithville. By sound judgment, honesty, and industry he prospered, and left some 400 acres of choice land to his children. He married Levina Grover, daughter of the celebrated Indian missionary, Joel Gro. ver, who lived for a few years on Todd's Creek. She died Feb- ruary 18, 1889. Ch:
I. MARY E. WHITLOCK, m'd Oct. 5, 1885, J. K. P. Shepard, of Leavenworth.
II. JOHN W. WHITLOCK, lives in Kansas.
III. SUSAN F. WHITLOCK, m'd Richard M. Anders.
IV. HENRY C. WHITLOCK, lives in Leavenworth County, Kan. He filled with distinction the office of superintendent of common schools.
V. SUSANNA WHITLOCK, b. May 25, 1846; d. Sept. 20, 1889; m'd Jan. 14, 1867, Geo. Rader, b. in Virginia May 18, 1830. He lives west of Smithville, in Platte. Ch:
1. Frank, b. Dec. 8, 1867.
2. David Rader, b. Sept. 30, 1869.
3. Anna, b. Feb. 22, 1876.
4. Kate, b. Feb. 28, 1879.
VI. ADELIA WHITLOCK, m'd Sept. 25, 1873, William Taylor. VII. ELIZA A. WHITLOCK, b. in 1854; m'd Dec. 25, 1877, Ben F. Duncan. Ch:
1. Juliana, b. Sept. 4 ,1878.
2. Rose, b. May 2, 1881.
VIII. ROSE WHITLOCK, d .; m'd Jacob Swope (ii); no children. IX. EMILY WHITLOCK, m'd March 16, 1874, Henry E. Penny. She died childless, and he m'd 2d, March 4, 1875, her sister, X. LAURA WHITLOCK, who was b. Feb. 13, 1850, and d. Oct. 22, 1879, leaving :
1. Charles Penny.
XI. CHARLES WHITLOCK, b. March 2. 1859; d. Feb. 5, 1882. XII. GEO. E. WHITLOCK, a railroad officer in the West.
Jan. 25-The Waldron mills are in full operation, and the town is lively.
THE SHORTRIDGES.
595
1875, JAN.
Samuel A. Gilbert is appointed judge of the Weston Court of Common Pleas, in the place of Doniphan, resigned.
Jan. 26-Election of delegates to the Constitutional Conven- tion; E. H. Norton's vote in Platte was 725, and D. C. Allen's 760.
Jan. 29-John Shortridge died, aged 65.
THE SHORTRIDGE FAMILY
Sprang from Chas. Shortridge, who married Kitty Owens, and lived and died in Henry County, Ky. Their children who came West were:
I. JOHN T. SHORTRIDGE, b. Aug. 13, 1811; d. in Platte Jan. 29, 1875. He m'd Nancy Middleton, dr. of Horatio. Ch:
1. Chas. H. Shortridge, b. April 4, 1850; m'd 1st, Feb. 24, 1871, Emma Belle Carson, dr. of Thos. J. (See.) He m'd 2d, Feb. 12, 1882, Luella T. Owens, b. April 6, 1861, dr. of Madison. Ch: [@] Maitland A. Short- ridge, b. March 24, 1883; [b] Fannie M. Shortridge, b. June 1, 1890; [c] Robert A. Shortridge, b. March 27,1893.
II. LEWIS SHORTRIDGE, m'd 1st, Eliza Cox. Ch:
1. Thomas W. Shortridge, m'd Feb. 1, 1866, Elizabeth Mer- chant. Ch: [] Frank Shortridge; [b] Eva.
2. Fannie Shortridge.
3. Chas. G. Shortridge, m'd March 21, 1882, Jessie L. Swa- ney. (See.)
Lewis Shortridge m'd 2d, Annie Thornburg; no children.
III. PRICE SHORTRIDGE, was twice married, and is now a widower, in Buchanan County.
IV. GEORGE SHORTRIDGE, never married.
County warrants sell at 92 cents, and county bonds at 95 cents.
FEBRUARY.
Feb. 1-The Red Cross Mill at Parkville, W. J. Bemis propri- etor, is doing a large business.
THOMAS ALVIS.
Feb. 4-Thomas Alvis died three miles east of Platte City. His widow, Elizabeth, administered. Bond, $500. Ch:
I. ALICE E. ALVIS, m'd April 6, 1856, Peter Runyon.
II. MARTHA E. ALVIS, m'd June 28, 1866, Alfred Vermillion, b. March 21, 1843. Ch:
1. Perry T.
2. Wm. L., b. Aug. 30, 1868; m'd Sept. 1, 1894, Stella A. Hard.
3. John W. 4. Albert Eli. 5. Henry W.
6. Chester A. 7. Martin L. 8. Lizzie. 9. Ella.
1875, FEB.
596
THE USSARYS.
III. FANNIE L. ALVIS, b. Oct. 22, 1848; m'd Nov. 13, 1873, Jas. C. Murphy.
IV. MARY A. ALVIS. V. THOMAS H. ALVIS.
TI. RICHARD, killed July 14, 1864, at Camden Point fight. (See.)
Feb. 6-The presidents of schools boards met at Platte City, and selected the school-books to be used in the county. (See Landmark of February 12, 1875.)
Feb. 8-On petition, the county court submitted the ques- tion of licensing dram-shops to the people, and license car- ried by a small majority.
Feb. 16-Phobe Ussary having died, Jas. B. Thompson admin- istered. Bond, $1,000.
THE USSARY FAMILY.
Captain William Ussary was born in Tennessee, and died in Platte in September, 1846. He married Phobe Snodderly, and came to Platte in 1837, settling near New Market. Phœbe was a daughter of John Snodderly, of Tennessee. Ch:
I. JOHN USSARY, b. Dec. 20, 1821; d. in 1894; m'd 1st, in 1848, Elizabeth Cochran, d. in 1856. He m'd 2d, Lucinda Bledsoe. Mrs. George Vester and Claude Ussary were children of his first wife.
II. ELIZABETH USSARY, m'd Craig Robinson. She died, leaving:
1. Wm. R. Robinson, and other children.
III. JAMES USSARY, dead; m'd a Keal, dead.
IV. LOUISA USSARY, b. Aug. 16, 1828; m'd in 1854, John Cal- vin Sharp, b. May 7, 1826, son of John. Ch:
1. Paulina Ann Sharp, m'd John Cooper.
2. Wm. M. Sharp, m'd Cora, dr. of Richard Bywaters.
3. Quintilla Sharp, m'd John Harrington, son of Thomas. Ch: [@] May Harrington.
V. REBECCA USSARY, m'd De Witt C. Lamar, son of Thos.
VI. HENDERSON USSARY, m'd Sidney Thompson, dr. of Richard.
VII. NANCY USSARY, m'd Jas. Bedwell.
VIII. JANE USSARY, m'd Thompson Maybury.
IX. ZIBA ANNIE USSARY (see), m'd April 18, 1860, Jas. B. Thompson. Ch:
1. Lydia, m'd Dec. 25, 1895, Ronnie Wood.
X. WM. R. USSARY, m'd Mary Lamar, dr. of Henry.
Feb. 17-A large and enthusiastic meeting of Good Templars at Waldron.
Feb. 18-Snow, sleet, and thaw, followed by cold weather. On the 24th, the Missouri was still closed. Much passing between Missouri and Kansas, on the ice.
THE CLAYS.
597
1875, FEB.
WILLIAM CLAY.
Feb. 27-William Clay died. He was a brother of Johnson Clay (see), and born in 1800; m'd in 1825 Sarah Collett, dr. of Abram, and sister of Johnson Clay's wife. He was a Baptist and a man of unimpeachable integrity. Ch:
I. ELIZABETH CLAY, i'd Caswell B. Vaughn.
II. SUSAN (SOPHIA JANE) CLAY, m'd, in 1865, John Bruce, b. Dec. 13, 1842, in Monteau Co., Mo., son of Meredith Bruce, b. in Virginia in 1808, and Mary J. Williamson, b. in 1824. Ch:
1. Richard H. Bruce, b. in 1867; m'd Dec. 25, 1892, Jettie Moore, dr. of Thos. M. (see), of Dearborn.
2. Frank D. Bruce, m'd Sept. 17, 1890, Elizabeth Owens, dr. of John T. (See.)
3. Mary Lela Bruce. 4. Laura.
5. Marshall C., m'd Dec. 31, 1895, Carrie L. Dalrymple. Mr. John Bruce was in the Confederate army, under Gen. Price, at Boonville, Lexington, Wilson Creek, Pea Ridge, etc.
III. JERRY CLAY, m'd July 21, 1867, Mary F. Burruss. Mr. Clay entered the Baptist ministry, and after preaching in northwest Missouri for many years, went, on account of declining health, to California. His cultured mind, genial disposition, and gentle spirit inspire love and confidence. IV. HENRY C. CLAY, m'd March 21, 1860, S. J. Stafford. Ch: 1. James Clay, m'd Willetta Bywaters, dr. of John W. V. JOHN D. CLAY, m'd Fannie Stagner. (See.)
VI. MARY A. CLAY.
VII. REBECCA CLAY, b. Jan. 26, 1845; m'd Nov. 8, 1866, B. F. Shouse, b. in Kentucky July 29, 1843; came in infancy with his father, B. P. Shouse, and settled near New Market. September 15, 1861, he enlisted in McKinnis' company of Winston's Confederate regiment, participated in the battles of Lexington, Pea Ridge, Corinth, Helena, Mansfield, etc. After four years' service, he surrendered at Shrevesport May 9, 1865. On his return, he was elected in November, 1884, a justice of the county court. After the expiration of his term, he went to Oklahoma. Ch:
1. Ida May Shouse, b. Oct. 13, 1867; m'd July 24, 1887. David Risk, son of Sidney. (See.) Ch: [a] Frank Risk; [b] Julian.
2. Edwin Clay Shouse, b. June 8, 1869.
3. Mary, b. June 1, 1872.
4. Frankie P. Shouse, b. May 19, 1874.
5. Ora Lee, b. Jan. 12, 1876.
6. William Arnold Shouse. 7. Ben F. (ii). S. Anna B. VIII. SARAH CLAY, m'd a Landrum.
IX. J. D. W. CLAY, m'd a Swearengen.
X. MARTHA W. CLAY, I'd a Pew.
A. T. LEAVEL.
598
1875, MARCH.
MARCH. ARCHIBALD T. LEAVEL.
March 1-Archibald T. Leavel died near New Market. He was born in Madison County, Ky., November 21, 1822; removed in 1827 to Lincoln County, Ky., and thence in 1852 to the vicinity of New Market. He married Elizabeth J. Logan. He was an in- telligent farmer and excellent citizen. Ch:
I. JAMES T. LEAVEL, m'd June 26, 1873, Bettie M. Cook.
II. JOHN L. LEAVEL, b. in Lincoln Co., Ky., June 1, 1849; m'd Dec. 25, 1872, Nancy Ellen Dean, dr. of J. B. He is a farmer near New Market. Ch:
1. William Leavel. 2. Ara. 3. Dean Leavel.
III. DAVID C. LEAVEL, m'd Dec. 9, 1880, Susan Dean. (See.) IV. LENA R. LEAVEL, m'd April 16, 1882, W. A. Wilson, son of French S. (see), b. June 15, 1848.
V. RICHARD L. LEAVEL.
VI. KATE LEAVEL, m'd in March, 1866, Sidney H. Dean. Ch: 1. Clarence Dean.
2. Elizabeth J., m'd Oct. 10, 1887, John S. Williams. (See.)
VII. ARCH. C. LEAVEL.
A little paper called the Fairplay is issued at Platte City, by Sims, Alred, and Hollingsworth. Only a few numbers appeared.
Milton Hackett having died, his administrator is G. W. Field. Bond, $1,000.
THE HACKETT FAMILY.
Two brothers, sons of Jacob Hackett, came west from Mad- ison County, Ky., and settled on the border of Buchanan County.
I. EMERY HACKETT,
Born in 1808; m'd Louisa Richardson, born in Madison County, Ky., in 1814, daughter of William. Ch:
I. JACOB HACKETT (ii), m'd Elizabeth Loar, b. in 1844; d. March 27, 1896; dr. of Peter Loar, of Buchanan County. Children :
1. Ann Hackett, m'd John Foster; no children.
2. Mollie Hackett, m'd Jos. Deets, of Buchanan County.
3. Julia Hackett, m'd Anthony Bowles.
4. Laura Hackett, m'd a Cox.
II. JAMES HACKETT (i), b. April 25, 1843; m' 1st, Kate Hall, b. in Hardin County, Ky., April 24, 1845; d. April 27, 1882. Children :
1. Lottie Hackett, m'd Geo. Atkinson. 2. John.
3. Jas. R. Hackett.
James (i) m'd 2d, Eliza J. Foster.
THE HACKETTS.
599
1875, MARCH.
III. EMERY HACKETT (ii), m'd Feb. 19, 1871, Mary E. Brown. Children:
1. Martha F. Hackett, m'd Frank Foster, died; m'd 2d, in July, 1896, John F. Meyers.
2. Lora B. Hackett, m'd W. Asbury Wilson, son of Levi.
3. Albert Hackett. 4. Angeline. 5. Grover C.
II. MILTON HACKETT
Married Permelia Richardson, sister of his brother Emery's wife. Children :
I. GRANVILLE HACKETT, went west.
II. CONNOWAY HACKETT, died in the Southern army.
III. ANILDA, m'd a Stapp, and went to Illinois.
Milton was killed in the Southern army, and his widow is dead.
MUNICIPAL TOWNSHIPS.
The county court reduced the townships back to the original number, and to nearly the old boundaries, as follows: 1, Mar- shall; 2, Green; 3, Preston; 4, Weston; 5, Lee; 6, Carroll; 7, Pettis. Fair was subsequently taken from Lee.
WILLIAM G. RALSTON.
William G. Ralston having died, Jas. A. Ralston adminis- tered. Bond, $600. His widow was Kate, who survived, and died April 17, 1878, aged 70. They lived near Edgerton Junction. Children :
I. ELIZABETH RALSTON, m'd May 19, 1842, R. F. Duncan. (See.)
II. JOS. F. RALSTON, m'd March 8, 1860, Rebecca Edwards. Live in Kansas.
III. NARCISSA, m'd Dec. 30, 1860, a Justus.
IV. MARGARET RALSTON, b. in 1839; m'd Const. L. Gustin. Children:
1. William Gustin, b. Jan. 24, 1862. (See.) 2. A. M. Gustin. (See.) 3. Jas. A. (See.)
V. MARY SULTANA RALSTON, m'd J. F. Rupe. Ch: 1. Aggie. 2. Frank Rupe. 3. Hattie. 4. William.
5. Waller. 6. Minnie Rupe. 7. Pearl.
VI. WILLIAM J. RALSTON, b. June 21, 1843; d. Jan. 2, 1892; m'd Mary Jackson, dr. of J. G. She d. March 14, 1875, and he m'd 2d, May 31, 1889, Mary A. Johnson, dr. of G. W., of Union Mills. Children by his first wife:
1. Emir R. Ralston, b. Dec. 25, 1870; m'd Dec. 16, 1892, Millie M. Johnson, of Mississippi. Ch: [@] Lela Mabel Ralston.
2. Allen Ralston, b. Feb. 13, 1872.
1875, MARCH.
600
BONDS.
VII. SAMUEL RALSTON, m'd Feb. 2, 1871, Martha J. Standi- ford (Snell). Ch:
1. Hattie Ralston, m'd Sept. 28, 1892, Chris. Hamilton. 1. Oscar Ralston.
VIII. JAMES A. RALSTON (twin with Samuel), b. in 1854; d. in Feb., 1889.
THE P. & G. R. RAILROAD BONDS.
March 2-One Ririe refused to accept the compromise offered, for bonds held by him, and sued the county. As the bonds had been declared valid by the courts, it was agreed that the suit be dismissed, and the bonds paid in full.
GEO, W. CROBARGER.
March 3-Geo. W. Crobarger died three miles north of Platte City. He married, first, Elizabeth Cooper. Ch:
I. JOHN R. CROBARGER, went to Arkansas.
II. MARY CATHERINE CROBARGER, m'd April 10, 1876, Lewis Magers, of Weston. Ch:
1. George Magers. 2. Maude. 3. Mark. 4. Roberta.
III. GEO. W. CROBARGER (ii), b. May 5, 1843; m'd March 19, 1884, Armilda Anderson, dr. of Vincent. Ch:
1. Minnie. 2. May Crobarger. 3. Katie. IV. ROBERT CROBARGER, b. in 1851.
George W. Crobarger married, second, Elizabeth Horr, née Remington. (See.)
March 12-The Legislature has granted Platte County but one judge of the county court. The Advocate contains a long call of James S. Owens to run for the position. He accepts and is elected.
An early rise of the Missouri submerges many hundred acres of Platte County lands.
WM. H. MASTERSON.
March 29-William H. Masterson died. He was born De- cember 15, 1802, in Virginia; married Eliza McComas, daughter of Elisha McComas, a brother of Moses (i). He settled in Preston Township. Ch:
I. JOSEPH E. MASTERSON, m'd Oct. 2, 1872, Ellen Jones, dr. of Dr. Jones, of Edgerton. Ch:
1. Jas. Masterson. 2. A girl.
II. DAVID F. MASTERSON, i'd Nannie Collins, dr. of John. (See.)
III. ALVIN P. MASTERSON, b. April 16. 1845; m'd Nov. 3, 1864, Margaret Beery.
S. HODGES.
601
1875, APRIL.
APRIL. SAMUEL HODGES
April 1-Samuel Hodges having died. R. T. Hodges admin- istered. Bond, $1,000. He was born in Norfolk County, Va., in 1789; came to Fulton County, Ky., in 1810. In the War of 1812 he served in Capt. Hansbarger's company of minute men. He married in 1822 Nancy Rogers, née Cain, a sister of Robert Cain. (See.) He was tall, strong, and athletic, and his sons are stal- warts-three of them measuring 6 feet 6 inches in height. The family came to Platte in 1851. and settled one mile north of Link- ville. His widow died January 31, 1883. She was born January 21, 1800, in Christian County, Ky. The Hodges are ardent Cumberland Presbyterians. Ch:
I. CHARLES B. HODGES. He entered the ministry of the Cumberland Church, and after preaching many years in Platte, removed to Texas, and is now a zealous missionary of his Church.
II. JAMES J. HODGES. b. Oct. 7, 1825; d. March 9, 1889; m'd Nov. 24, 1853, Melissa Magill, b. in 1825; d. Aug. 29, 1895; dr. of David. They live near Linkville. Their only child: 1. Nannie E., m'd John B. Moore. (See.)
III. COLLINS B. HODGES, b. in Fulton Co., Ky., June 22, 1842; m'd Nov. 29, 1873, Sarah P. Harpole. Ch:
1. Millie V. Hodges, b. March 29, 1876.
2. James S., b. Dec. 6, 1878.
3. Nancy Hodges, b. July 31, 1881.
4. Wilson, b. Aug. 12. 1884. 5. Dewitt T. Hodges. IV. JESSIE HODGES, single.
V. NANCY HODGES, m'd Dec. 10, 1857, D. S. Slaughter, b. April 20, 1820 (his second wife). He m'd 1st, Nancy Clarke. (See.)
VI. LETITIA HODGES, m'd Jan. 6, 1880, Wm. H. MeMunagle, b. in Estill Co., Ky., July 29, 1852, son of Aaron B. ; no children.
VII. RUFUS T. HODGES, m'd Letiza Allison. (See.)
ANDREW HARSHA.
Andrew Harsha having died, William Harsha administered. Bond, $1,000. Lived near Edgerton. Ch:
I. MARGARET MYLES. II. WM. HARSHA.
III. ELIZABETH. IV. SARAH.
V. ANNA HARSHA, m'd Sept. 1, 1874, F. M. Denny, b. March 9, 1852. Ch:
1. Ernest Denny. 2. Lizzie. 3. Dallas. 4. Frank. 5. Fred.
April 6-GEO. W. GOODLANDER having died, Thos Quinn administered. Bond, $1,500. He was a business man, and was sprightly and social, a good auctioneer, and, in 1847, was public
1875, APRIL.
602
ELECTION.
administrator of Platte County. He settled in the Bee Creek bottom, below the bridge on the road from Platte City to Weston. Children: 1, John K. Goodlander; 2, Mary C .; 3, George W .; 4, Robert H .; 5, Eugene.
ELECTION OF COUNTY JUDGE.
James S. Owens was the candidate of the "Soreheads," and Jas. W. Hardesty of the "Ring." The vote was: Owens, 1,865; Hardesty, 1,218.
License of dram-shops carried by a vote: 'For, 1,161; against, 1,110; majority for license, 51.
The vote for school commissioner stood: Jerry Clay, 478; J. C. Sutherland, 181.
Grasshoppers are hatching out, but the cold weather sets them back.
PARK COLLEGE.
April 12-This noble institution was inaugurated to-day. Col. Geo. S. Park gave his stone hotel in Parkville to Rev. John A. McAfee, as long as he would use it for educational purposes. Mr. McAfee was a native Missourian, a graduate of Westminster College, and a man of intelligence, zeal, energy, and enterprise. His devotion and faith were heroic, and his enthusiasm and per- severance were sublime. He was already at the head of a prosperous school at Highland, Kansas, but he resigned his posi- tion, and prevailed on a score of his favorite scholars to follow his forlorn fortunes. Without a day's provisions, without a dol- lar for the future, they trusted to prayer for God's providence and man's liberality. The foundations of Park College were to- day laid, and the 12th of May has since been celebrated as Founder's Day of Park College. Rev. A. B. Sherwood was the active agent of Col. Park in bringing about this glorious consummation.
The Watts-King-Reynolds embroglio is at its height. Watts claimed he had been elected judge of the Weston Court of Common Pleas; W. A. King claimed the council had elected him city at- torney; and J. T. Reynolds made an ineffectual effort, before the circuit court, to disbar King.
Snow.
April 20-The Missouri River is on a rampage; railroads washed away, bottoms overflowed, farms engulfed. The river returned within its banks the 30th. It attained 17 feet above low water.
Croquet is the favorite game. Hawley and Forman are the champions.
The grasshopper is a burden.
The Weston Furniture Factory is in full operation.
COUNTY FINANCES.
MAY. COUNTY FINANCES.
Revenue collected.
$66,575.89
Warrants drawn. .
23,312.18
Interest paid. .
30,539.69
Balance ..
$2,724.02
Levy-State, 45 cents; county, cents; assessment, $4,608,605.
Expenditures in Detail.
Bridge in Weston.
600.00
Poor ..
3,306.00
Court-house.
239.00
Jail.
174.00
Stationery.
1,229.00
County Court (5 justices)
456.00
County Clerk (Park).
3.193.00
Assessors. .
378.00
Prosecuting Attorney (Woodson). .
785.00
Treasurer (Darnall).
1,122.00
Sheriff (Coffey).
949.00
Circuit Clerk (Tufts).
229.00
Printing.
484.00
Criminal costs.
1.478.00
Wood ..
315.00
Sundry purposes.
1,579.94
$16,556.94
Bonds and coupons paid.
6,755.24
$23,312.18
County Debt.
Funding bonds. .
$300.500.00
Interest since January 1.
10.016.66
63 P. & G. R. Railroad bonds. .
6.300.00
Interest on same. .
3.500.00
Warrants outstanding.
7,280.00
Debt in 1875
$327.596.66
Debt in 1874
349,724.84
Reduction . $22,128.18
May 1-The Constitutional Convention meet at Jefferson City. Norton and Allen are our delegates.
Prospects for corn and wheat are excellent, and for fruit, good; but the grasshopper is abroad.
603
1875, MAY.
Superintendent of Schools (Sutherland).
40.00
1875, MAY.
604
DAY OF PRAYER.
The Good Templars of Platte City, Lodge No. 746, have a public installation of officers at the Baptist Church.
The superintendents of Platte City Sunday-schools are: W. V. Slone, of the Baptist school; W. M. Paxton, of the Presbyterian school; Alex Freeze, of the M. E. school; and Elder W. H. Wil- liams, of the Christian school.
May 6-Ascension Day. The Knights of Belt Commandery make an excursion, by way of Farley, to J. E. Ireland's and James Wallace's.
May 9-D. R. Anthony shot at Leavenworth by W. W. Embry, and for a month his life hangs by a thread.
May 11-James F. Pitt removes to St. Joseph, and the bar passes complimentary resolutions.
F. M. Tufts removes to St. Joseph.
May 17-Jas. S. Owens takes his seat as sole judge of the county court.
Governor Hardin, by proclamation, sets apart the third day of June as a day of humiliation, fasting, and prayer for the re- moval of the plague of grasshoppers.
Ed Ruthven starts a temperance saloon in Platte City.
JUNE.
June 1-Farmers are driving their stock to certain parts of Kansas for pasturage.
The Serenes, the Platte City baseball club, are beaten in every contest.
A convention of Good Templars at Second Creek.
Examination at Camden Point.
GRASSHOPPERS-HUMILIATION AND PRAYER.
June 3-In compliance with Gov. Hardin's proclamation, the prople of Platte, generally, met at the churches for prayer to God to avert the evil of grasshoppers. After the services, as the congregations came forth to the open air, they saw the heavens darkened with clouds of the devouring insects going north. No further damage was done. Though the West was visited by the plague of grasshoppers in 1854, 1855, 1861, 1866, 1869, 1874, and 1875, we have had no visitation of the pests since the day of prayer. For twenty years past, we have had no trouble from the devourers.
After the insects departed, men took new heart, corn was replanted, and gardens were renewed. A splendid season fol- lowed. Wheat stood in the fields stripped of every blade, and yet turned out ten to fifteen bushels per acre. The generous frosts kept off until November, and late crops ripened. The early planted corn was too hard and rough for the destroyers, so they
AN INCIDENT.
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1875, JUNE
kept it clean by devouring the weeds and grasses. Pastures were rich and tender, until the late winter opened. Hogs needed no other feed while grasshoppers lasted.
AN INCIDENT-THE SWEDE AND GRASSHOPPERS.
In 1874 a Swede bought, for $1,200, a tract of land four miles east of Platte City, and mortgaged it to me for $400. When the grasshoppers came and cut down his crops, he came to me with a rueful countenance, and insisted on my taking a deed for his land, as he could not pay the debt. I comforted him and assured him all would be right. After a long and doleful conversation, I asked if his neighbors would meet at the church on June the 3d, to pray. He said they would. I gave him a pious lecture, and he promised to attend the meeting, and to pray himself. Two weeks after the meeting, he burst abruptly into my office and ex- claimed: "Yes, the praying did it! I am all right now; my crop of wheat will turn out fifteen bushels, and I never had a better prospect for corn. The praying did it!" The Swede paid half my debt from his crops, that year, and stuck to it that "the pray- ing did it." In a year or two he sold his farm for twice as much as it cost him.
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