USA > Missouri > Centennial history of Missouri (the center state) one hundred years in the Union, 1820-1921, Volume I > Part 11
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77
MISSOURI GEOGRAPHY
The Farthest West.
Liberty was the frontier metropolis for several years. It was the farthest west town of the United States just previous to the Platte Purchase in 1836. Immigrants came from Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia and Maryland, with a sprinkling of New Yorkers. They made Liberty a notable community. They began to spread over Clay county as early as 1819. The first settlers had a few difficulties with the Indians. David McElwee cut off the hand of an Indian who tried to break into his house. In the southeastern part of Clay county, near the Missouri river seven Indians were killed. The settlers built four block houses and put up a stiff fight. The Indians ceased to be troublesome. For years they came in numbers to Liberty and mingled with the white people.
The first county seat of Jefferson was Herculaneum on the Mississippi river, the shipping point for lead. A removal was made to Hillsboro which was originally called Monticello. As Lewis county had chosen the name of Monti- cello, that of Jefferson's home in Virginia, for its county seat, the Jefferson county people gave their county seat the name of Hillsboro.
The first county seat of Lafayette was Mount Vernon. The removal was made to Lexington.
The county seat of Lincoln is Troy which was originally called Woods.
Rutledge was the first county seat of McDonald. Pineville succeeded it. The original name of Pineville was Maryville.
Far West was the first county seat of Caldwell but was abandoned as the result of the Mormon war. Kingston became the county seat, named for Gov- ernor Austin A. King of Ray county.
Camden county had three county seats, Oregon, Erie and Linn Creek.
The first county seat of Atchison was Linden, which obtained its name from the large grove of linden trees. Later the county seat was moved to Rockport which obtained its name from the rocky character of Tarkio creek where it is located.
The county seat of Andrew county was at first named Union and then re- named Savannah.
The first name of Platte City, county seat of Platte county was "The Falls of Platte."
Fulton was the first county seat of Ray county, but at a very early date Rich- mond was chosen.
The men who started Rolla in Phelps county disagreed on the name. One of them, E. W. Bishop, preferred Phelps Center. George Coppedge was from North Carolina and wanted the name to be Raleigh. After some discussion Bishop gave way on condition that Coppedge permit the spelling to be Rolla.
Moving Days of County Seats.
The moving or renaming of county seats made life interesting for Missourians during several decades. In the early days when counties were being organized the larger settlements were on the rivers. Railroads changed the map of Mis- souri and had no little influence upon moving. days for county seats. Political considerations prompted changes in the names of many county seats.
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI
For example the county seat of Cedar was originally named Lancaster. When John C. Fremont became one of the most popular men in the country as "The Pathfinder" the county seat of Cedar was changed to Fremont. When ten years later Fremont accepted the nomination of the Republicans for President the legislature changed the name to Stockton. This was in honor of Commodore Richard Stockton who had at one time arrested Fremont.
Columbia became the county seat of Boone because the locality was better watered than that at Smithton originally chosen when the county was organized in 1820. Smithton obtained its name from General Thomas A. Smith.
The county seat of Franklin was Newport but it was moved to Union. "
Albany, the county seat of Gentry, was first known as Athens.
Bethany, the county seat of Harrison was called Dallas but for only a few months.
The county seat of Holt, Oregon, was first called Finley.
The first county seat of Schuyler was Tippecanoe which was succeeded by Lancaster.
Sand Hill was the name of Scotland's county seat, but the name was changed to Memphis.
Gallatin named for Albert Gallatin, secretary of the treasury and a warm friend of Missouri in the territorial days, became the county seat of Daviess upon the removal from Pattonsburg. -
Douglas moved its county seat several times from Ava to Vera Cruz and back. Macon's county seat has had three names, the Box Ankle, Bloomington and Macon.
The county seat of Madison was moved from St. Michael to Fredericktown.
When the county seat of Maries was named Dr. V. G. Latham presiding judge of the county court had a little daughter, Vie Anna. Her name was chosen for the county seat but upon the map it is printed thus,-Vienna.
Boonsborough was the first name of California, the county seat of Moniteau.
Arrow Rock Traditions.
Saline county has had four county seats ;- Jefferson, Jonesboro, Arrow Rock and Marshall. In the vicinity of Arrow Rock is a cliff which is supposed to have suggested the name. One of the traditions is that the pioneers called it "Airy Rock" and that the name was changed by later comers to Arrow Rock. Elliot Coues, who edited the Journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, held that Arrow Rock derived its name from the visits of Indians who went there to make arrow heads from the rock. But Gerard Fowke, the archaeologist, who spent some time in explorations along the Missouri, said :
"No one now living at Arrow Rock ever heard of the origin of the name as stated by Coues and by others before him. Only one tradition exists to account for it. A number of young warriors assembled on a sandbar opposite the cliff to test their power with the bow by ascertaining who could send an arrow farthest out into the stream, the victor to wed the chief's daughter. One of them shot clear across the river, his arrow lodging in a crevice high above the water; and so the cliff was known thenceforward as 'the arrow rock.' No citizen of the place has ever heard of any other explanation of the term."
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MISSOURI GEOGRAPHY
Thomas Claiborne Rainey, who wrote "Along the Old Trail," a series of pio- neer sketches of Arrow Rock and vicinity, which was given permanent form by the Marshall chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, believed that Arrow Rock got the name from the manufacture of arrow heads by the Indians. He said :
"There is not anywhere up the river and near to it any other considerable outcropping of flint. It is probable that the upper plains Indians depended on that locality for their arrows. Not only local facts but historical records show that they were made there extensively, and that the name of the town originates from that fact. 'Pierre Fleche' in English is Arrow Rock. So far as I have ever heard, no one now knows how these arrow heads were fashioned so perfectly out of a hard and brittle stone, liable to break in any direction. They were brought into perfect form without the aid of any metallic tool. I am told that even by the use of the finest steel implements no one can now reproduce a perfect flint arrow head.
"The earliest authentic account of Arrow Rock discloses that it was an Indian town inhabited by the makers of flint arrow heads. Existing evidence shows that such work was performed there in a more extensive way than I have ever known elsewhere. A resident of the vicinity told me that he had seen remains of flint spawls in quantity which would have amounted to bushels, and this on a different hillside to where I found them years ago. Doubtless, cultivation of the land and the action of drift by rainfall and travel have obliterated most of these ancient remains. The pioneers were not so much concerned in preserving Indian antiquities as in protecting themselves from flying · missiles hurled from their bows."
Originally the county seat of Buchanan was Sparta, a central location. This was chosen in 1840 but in 1846 the county seat was removed to St. Joseph.
Steelville Famous People.
Steelville, the capital of Crawford county, is eighty-five years old. In a little brick building on one side of the public square went forth students of law who became a governor of Oklahoma, A. J. Seay ; a judge of the supreme court of California, J. R. Webb, and two who remained in Missouri to become members of Congress, Samuel Byrnes of Potosi and C. W. Hamlin of Springfield. On the other side of the street, in a yellow brick house, George Hearst, who became United States senator from California courted Phoebe Epperson, father and mother of William Randolph Hearst, the founder and editor of more newspapers than any other man in the history of American journalism.
The first white settler in Carroll county left a reputation for courage. He was a mighty wrestler and sprinter. He built a cabin and trapped for a living. That was before 1820 when John Standly and William Turner arrived with their families from North Carolina. The county seat, Carrollton, helps to perpetuate the memory of that signer of the Declaration of Independence who wrote . "Charles Carroll of Carrollton" that King George's men might have no doubt about his identity.
The name of Gayoso was taken for the county seat of Pemiscot county. Gayoso was a Spanish official in colonial days. The county seat was moved to Carruthersville.
In the history of Pettis there have been three county seats, St. Helena, George- town and Sedalia.
Vol. I -- 6
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI
For Putnam, Putnamville was selected for the first county seat, the name honoring John Israel Putnam. Later the county seat was moved to Winchester and thence to Harmony, which was given the name of Unionville.
John Keyte laid out the townsite of Keytesville in 1832. Some time after- wards the county seat was moved to Keytesville from Old Chariton on the Mis- souri River. The county seat of Clinton was changed twice in name but not in locality. It was first Concord, then Springfield and now is Plattsburg. The last name was chosen because Plattsburg was the home of Governor George De Witt Clinton of New York, in whose honor the county was named.
Montgomery's first county seat was on the Missouri river and was named Pinckney. It was moved to Lewiston, later to Boonville and finally to Mont- gomery City.
In Morgan county Versailles, recalling the French capital, succeeded Mill- ville.
Cass County's Courthouse Architecture.
The courthouse of Cass county served three generations. Architecturally it was good for a century. But the county outgrew the accommodations which were ample in 1837. Like other Missouri pioneers the county judges of Cass insisted on substantial results. They drew their own specifications which included walls two feet thick :
"One room 18 foot square, the other room 14 foot by 18, with one paticion ran, to be made of good timber, well hued down to 6 in. thick and to face one foot across the center of each logg. Wall to be compleatly raised I story and half high. Corners to Be sawed down a good plank or puncheon Floor in each room well laid so that it will not rock nor shake nor rattle. A good chimney in each end compleatly Run out with Stick and good lime Mortar well put in and the fier places well and compleate fixed with Stoan or Brick so as to secure the safety of fier. The roof put on with good 3 foot boards, well shaved lapt and nailed on ends well weatherboarded up-the wall well filled in the cracks with good lime mortar well put in. I outside door in each room. Also I entry door completely faced and cased with good materials. Shutters to be hung with good Hinges latches etc with good locks and kees To each door; allso I window in each room containing of 12 lights each well faced and cased-and fild with the largest caind of glass-each to have a good outside shutter wtih good boalts and bars to each window. Each room to have a plank or clapboard loft closely laid and all the work done on said building to be done in a good and workmanlike manner and out of good materials."
Days of the Town Site Booms.
About 1820, according to an early writer on Missouri, "Towns were laid out all over the country and lots were purchased by every one on credit ; the town maker received no money for his lots, but he received notes of hand which he . considered to be as good as cash ; and he lived and embarked in other ventures as if they had been cash in truth."
Near the center of Benton county a town called Osage was established about 1837. The founders showed their faith by settling there with their families. They ventured the prediction that "the population of this place will reach several thousand in five years, and ever after be second to St. Louis only." Osage depended upon the navigation of the Osage river. Among the inducements held
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MISSOURI GEOGRAPHY
out to encourage newcomers was the promise to "establish a seminary of learn- ing, to be conducted by one of the best scholars, a graduate of an eastern college, that can be procured. Female teachers from Massachusetts will be likewise employed at the Osage Seminary." At that time the great diagonal road from Palmyra in Northeast Missouri to Springfield in Southwest Missouri and thence to Red river crossed the Osage at the place selected for the new city. The crossing was known as Bledsoe's Ferry and by that name became historic. The site of Osage was on the tableland overlooking Bledsoe's. It was a beautiful location. The promoters told of the wonderful natural resources. They built a hotel and planned warehouses, expecting to take care of the trade of a large section of Missouri. Had transportation been limited to water their great expec- tations would in some degree have been realized. As it was, Osage vanished.
In 1820 the point of land where the Osage river joins the Missouri was selected for a townsite. According to a Gazetteer published in 1834, "lots to the amount of $20,000 or $30,000 were sold. But the move was a premature one and no improvement was made there. The best corner lots are still encumbered with the native crab-tree, and the principal streets are thickly shaded with hazel. The only business there is carried on by a single concern. This is the commission and forwarding house of Rackoon, Possum & Co. The operation of this house, or the broken surface of the country, may have given the reproach- ful name of Varmint county to Cole, which it never deserved."
Old Chariton.
In an address by Charles J. Cabell at an old settlers' reunion on the fair- grounds at Keytesville in 1877, this was told of one of the earliest and most promising communities which has since disappeared :
"The town of Chariton was then a rival of St. Louis, and was nearly, if not quite, as large. This opinion was so strong that many persons flocked to Chariton, believing it would become the largest city in the territory. Uncle Billy Cabeen exchanged lots in St. Louis for lots in Chariton, foot for foot. He improved the lots in Chariton, lived many years on them, and died on them, respected by a large circle of friends and by all who knew him. Chariton occupied a level of ground half a mile north and south, lying between large hills on the east and Chariton river on the west-or something less than half a mile in width. In some portions of the town the houses were very close together, and were built of brick. It was supposed to contain several thousand inhabitants. If Yankee Doodle was to pass through the place now he could not see the houses for the town-the reverse of which was the case with him on a former occasion. The town of Chariton could boast of as good society as any city in America, having men of great literary attainments, of skill in their professions, and of great social endowments, repre- senting almost all the noted institutions of learning in this country; even Edinburgh, Scotland, was represented."
In old Chariton, during those palmy days, lived James Semple who operated a tannery, afterwards moved to Illinois and became a United States senator; Dr. Ben Edwards, a brother of Governor Ninian Edwards of Illinois; Joseph J. Monroe, brother of President Monroe; two of the Sublettes who became historic figures in the fur trade; the Burlesons who went to Texas, where Ned Burle- son became vice-president of the Texas Republic.
When Chariton county was organized Edward B. Cabell was made clerk
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI
of the county court, clerk of the circuit court, county treasurer, notary public and postmaster. He was of an old Virginia family. His son, Charles J. Cabel! said: "I am satisfied that for several years he could carry the majority of the papers of both courts in his hat. The first deed book was made by my mother, by sewing quires of foolscap together. Pardon me for saying that to him more than to any other man that ever lived in Chariton are its citizens indebted for perfection of the titles of their lands. For we occupy the central part of the military land district, and nine-tenths of our lands are military. For years he gave advice to all who called on him for his opinions, never charging one . dollar for it."
Beginnings of County Government.
St. Clair county was organized with a county seat location fight. Osceola won by less than a score of votes. Jesse Applegate, who led the opposition in favor of Wyatt Grove, and who was the richest man in that part of Missouri, was accused of importing thirty voters, the law at that time requiring only thirty days residence to make a vote legal. But Applegate in his turn claimed that the Osceola people had brought forty men from Sedalia to work on the new court- house and had voted them to get the majority. Applegate was so disgusted with the result that he moved to Oregon.
At the first session of the county court the justices were in much doubt as to what would be fair compensation for their services. William Gash, father of eight children, who was allowing the use of his house for the sessions of the court, asked if $1 per day would be too much. 'Hugh Barnett, Sr., agreed that this would not be an exorbitant salary. Judge Joseph Montgomery made an impassioned speech. He had drawn three dollars a day, as a member of the legislature in his native state and had been in the Missouri state senate. He dwelt upon the importance of the services the justices were performing in build- ing up the government of a new county and declared that $2 per day was little enough. And $2 per day it was made.
This court of St. Clair county, at a later date, was the scene of a procedure without parallel in county court practice in Missouri. What occurred is told in an early history of St. Clair county: Joseph Montgomery, the presiding justice, was troubled, as he aged, with an uncontrollable desire to sleep. If business dragged while the court was in session he would drop off in a nap. One day while the judge was sleeping, Bullock, the clerk, arose and in a solemn manner said, "I move that this court adjourn for the reason that the clerk is incapaci- tated for doing business." Bullock had a drink or two but was able to make himself understood. The two judges who were awake voted him down. Bul- lock, leaning against the table, said, "I move that this court adjourn for the reason that the sheriff and the clerk are both incapacitated for doing business." The two judges voted him down. Bullock hesitated a little and then said, "I move this court adjourn for the reason that the presiding justice is asleep and that the court, the sheriff and the clerk are drunk." The crowd roared and the court adjourned.
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MISSOURI GEOGRAPHY
A Sheriff's First Duty.
When Judge James Clark was sitting shortly after the organization of Linn county, he had to adjourn court at Holland's cabin because the chimney was too small for the fireplace and became choked. As the judge walked out of the cabin the sheriff who was new to his office came up and told him there was a fight in progress between two farmers. He wanted to know what was his duty in the premises. "Your duty," said the judge excitedly. "It is your duty to show me where the fight is. I want to see it."
Early settlers formed habits of economy which sometimes went too far. Notably this was true in the matter of writing paper. They used backs of envelopes, half sheets of foolscap, flyleafs out of books, almost any old thing in the shape of paper. The county court of Henry, in an early day, was prompted to adopt an order in the interest of the preservation of records to meet this custom of the pioneers :
"It is ordered that all papers presented to this court hereafter must be on not less than a half sheet of foolscap paper, and that the court will not act on any paper less in size than the above, notes, receipts and vouchers of set- tlement of estates excepted."
When David Barton went up the Missouri to organize Howard county he held court at Hannah Cole's Fort, where Boonville is now. Stephen Cole was justice of the peace. He did something in court which caused Judge Barton to impose a fine for contempt. Cole protested but paid the fine of one dollar. Court adjourned for dinner. After dinner Cole organized his court at a con- venient log in front of the fort. Barton came out from dinner and leaned against a tree observing what Cole was doing. He had a pipe in his mouth. Cole looked at him sternly and said, "Judge Barton, I fine you one dollar for contempt of my court for smoking in its presence." Judge Barton pulled out a dollar, paid it to the clerk and went on to open his own court.
The Salt River Tigers.
Audrain county came into existence, geographically, some time after other Central Missouri counties had been organized. James Rollins, according to ' former Attorney General D. H. McIntire, was accustomed to refer to Audrain as "Little Sis." A popular name for the early residents of Audrain was "Salt River Tigers." Before Audrain was organized, some of the residents of the territory concluded that they would exercise the right of suffrage if they had to go abroad. They organized a company along Salt river, with Jack Willing- ham as leader, and marched to a polling place in Boone county. They told the judges they had come to vote. The judges tried to turn them off by denying that they had any right to vote. The Salt river men said they were going to vote, right or no right. The end of the wrangle was that the judges were com- pelled to hear the men announce their votes and to record them. As Willing- ham and his party rode away, a Boone county election judge looking after the cavalcade said disgustedly, "Ain't those men tigers?"
General McIntire said that at one of the first sessions of court in Audrain the grand jury retired to a convenient brush. The jury had been charged to investigate a complaint against a lawyer. This lawyer found his way into the
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI
primitive grand jury room, made a speech, told a story, and treated the jurors. In a short time the grand inquest returned to court, reported that the case had been considered and that the jurors found it "too small a matter to kick up any fuss about."
To the Old Settlers' Association of Audrain county, W. D. H. Hunter told some recollections of his coming to Mexico :
"It was in the early morning, just before the dawn of day, when we reached the town. I could see in the dim twilight, here and there, in the midst of the hazel brush, the rudely constructed homes of the early inhabitants-a dozen families embraced them all. It may seem strange to those who know but little about the early days of this county why I chose to enter Mexico before the dawn of day. To those pioneers here, it is hardly necessary to say that it was to avoid the green-head flies, which at that time infested the prairies. I have seen, at that early day, white or gray horses come into town with blood trickling apparently from every pore, bitten by green-heads. They were the terror of stock during the day, and night was the only time that horses could travel with comfort. In many cases most of the plowing and other work on the farm was done at night. When the old courthouse stood, it used to be the refuge for the sheep, cattle and horses that were driven from the prairies after sun-up by the flies and many of you will be able to call to mind Old Man Bonner's jennets that were generally the first to reach the courthouse door, and in those days were the most familiar objects within the courthouse square.
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