USA > Missouri > Linn County > Compendium of history and biography of Linn County, Missouri > Part 18
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purchased his partner's interest, since which time until the present Mr. Ormiston has been alone in the publication of the paper.
In 1889 the plant was moved to the Greer building, where now stands the opera house block and there it remained until the fall of 1893, when it was moved into the new building on the south side of the square, where it has enjoyed the delights of being at home. The build- ing was originally a one-story brick, 21x60 feet. A few years thereafter twenty-one feet were added to the length of the building. The building was planned and erected specially for the News and it is now one of the best country newspaper offices in the state.
The policy of the News has always been to advocate every move- ment calculated to improve the condition of the people socially, morally, intellectually and commercially. In politics the News has been con- sistently Republican at all times, but never bitterly partisan. It concedes the right to every man to believe whatever he pleases; hence its advocacy of Republican policies has never led it to attack the individual who sees things differently. The News stands for education and sobriety and therefore has always advocated temperance. The News stands for Linneus first, because this is its home, and for Linn county and the state of Missouri because Linneus is a part of both.
In October, 1909, the News issued a Twenty-Fifth Anniversary Edition under the management of Mr. Ormiston. This splendid example of newspaper enterprise comprised thirty-two pages, in which there were over 100 columns of handsomely displayed advertisements illustrating the progress of Linn county's merchants and industries of all kinds. There were a great number of engravings and some able articles contributed by special writers.
The Linn County Budget appeared in the local field of journalism in 1895, with A. L. Crosby as editor and proprietor. From an humble beginning, and in spite of well-established competition, it grew steadily and rapidly. Its policy was and has ever been to champion the cause of the people rather than to be the organ of any clique or party. This characteristic won for it such a wide popularity that at the end of ten years its name was changed from the Brookfield Budget to The Linn County Budget, expressing more correctly its relation to the large community.
Within this scope it aims to give the local news and to discuss bothi local and national matters that affect the interests of its readers. Republican in politics, still it refuses to blindly subscribe to the dictates of party leadership when they are inconsistent with the editor's
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understanding of those principles as applied to the people, for and whom they were formulated. On the other hand it is broad enough to acknowledge that there is often much good in the contentions of others who may in general think differently in matters political or religious, or concerning the various minor questions that are constantly coming up in the life of any people.
Prominent among those who have served in an editorial capacity on this publication are W. M. Malone, whose business ability pushed it to the front rank among the country weeklies of this state; Judge A. L. Pratt, who left journalism to devote himself to politics, and who is now serving his second term as probate judge of Linn county ; and A. C. Pettijohn, whose appointment as superintendent of State Hospital for the insane No. 2 at St. Joseph, Missouri, made it necessary for him to sever his relations with the newspaper.
The present editor, H. C. Myers, has been connected with the paper for the past five years. He succeeded Dr. Pettijohn in the editorial chair, April 1, 1910; at which time, also, he acquired a two- thirds interest in the paper, while his present partner, Miss Nellie E. Hannan, purchased the other third. Under this management the paper became a semi-weekly publication, the only paper in its territory issued oftener than once a week.
Mr. Myers is a native of Brookfield, having been born in the house at the northeast corner of North Livingston and West Woods streets July 3, 1867. His father, Col. A. W. Myers, was one of the pioneer residents of that city, a prominent member of the Linn county bar and representative in the state legislature from 1870-72. H. C. Myers received his preliminary education in Brookfield academy, and after- wards graduated from the academic department of the University of Wooster at Wooster, Ohio. As athletic director and assistant teacher of Latin and mathematics in the preparatory department, he was employed in that institution for five years. In 1896 he was elected president of Brookfield college, which position he held until that school was purchased to become the local high school. Afterwards he taught for several years in the public schools of Brookfield as principal of the Hickman school. Mr. Myers was united in marriage with Miss Clara B. Bradshaw, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Bradshaw, of Linn county, in August, 1891. Mr. and Mrs. Myers have four children, Finley B., Harriet L., Helen E. and Katherine B.
Miss Hannan is a native of Linn county. She graduated from the Brookfield high school, and afterwards took up work in a local news-
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paper office, where she became an expert compositor, and rose from an apprentice in the business to be part owner of this publication.
The Brookfield Argus was founded by Charles W. Green in 1882, and the paper has been under Mr. Green's control ever since. From the day he began the publication of the Argus it has been Mr. Green's ambition to issue a model newspaper. During the long period the Argus has been going to the people of Linn county, it has each week reflected the tireless ambition of its editor. So well has the paper championed the cause of Brookfield and Linn county that it has a fixed place as one of the institutions of city and county, and is recognized as a real and growing asset.
When it comes to exploiting any enterprise that promises well for the people's good, not only has the Argus been found most generous in the space placed at the disposal of the movement, but its editor gets out and works for it. It is in recognition of the valuable service so long given the interests of Brookfield that Mr. Green was honored with the presidency of the Commercial Club, a position which adds considerably to the effectiveness of his labor for the town.
The Argus has long been recognized by the printing fraternity as a model newspaper. It is made up on a perfect typographical system, which is apparent at once to the artistic eye, and is pleasing to the general reader. No advertisements are run on the first page, which is reserved exclusively for the more important news and articles of interest.
Each class of matter, news, editorial, society, literary and local, has its own particular place in the paper, and the subscriber always knows which page to look into to find what he wants. The paper is eight pages, seven columns to the page, and every one of the fifty-six columns contains something of interest.
The tone of the Argus reveals the greatest editorial care over every department. It is the family's newspaper, and there is never an issue that cannot be safely placed in the hands of any boy or girl. By this policy of pure reading, the elimination of offensive details in news-stories, and unceasing labor for the uplift of the people the Argus has acquired an immense circulation throughout Linn county, and has held to it. The editor believes in the plan of extending a newspaper strictly on its merits, knowing that is the only true way of making a permanent subscriber.
The Argus was moved into the handsome new Frances building on Main street, September 1, 1910. The rooms occupied were specially
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fitted up for the accommodation of the paper, being well-lighted, with substantial floors and ceiling, tile lobby, furnished with sofas, writing tables and every convenience for patrons as well as the people who get out the paper.
In its handsome new home the Argus has a broader opportunity of serving the people than ever, and as it is dedicated to that mission there is every reason to believe that all the hopes of its enterprising editor for the good of his constituency will be fully realized.
CHAPTER XIV
Human Interest Chapter-A Red-Hot "Hoss" Race-Mr. Alexander's Game Ride-A "Hair Finish"-Famous Statesman-Benton and Linn-Mrs. Linn's Presentiment Saves Husband's Life-Sketch of Benton-His Visit to Linneus-He Answers a Question-"Give the Boys a Chance!"-The Duel With Lucas-Thirty Years in Con- gress-Humor of the Court-A Wise Janitor-Argued With a Juryman-First Execution in Linn County-End of "Tennessee Tom"-A Haunted Locality-The Howell Case-"The Taylor Boys"-(See History of Browning).
The people of the pioneer days were great lovers of sport. They didn't have football and baseball and theaters and things of that character, but they had other features that sent the red blood surging through their veins, and were fully as satisfactory to them as some of the latter day diversions are to the people now on earth. There was cock fighting, archery tournaments, foot races and occasionally a good old-fashioned fist fight. These events would be announced beforehand and they would serve to bring the farmers in for many miles around. But the kingly amusement of the day was a horse race. Some man would get hold of a runner that could beat everything in his neighbor- hood. If a horse were developed that could beat any animal in the county that meant a great deal of fame for its owner. But as certain as night followed day the next county would bring out a good horse, and then there would be fun for the pioneers. In those days, while money was not very plentiful, it was the habit of the people, young and old, to wager all they could afford on the result of the race. As a rule some straight stretch of ground, a quarter or a half mile long, was selected as the course. This would be carefully rolled and sometimes ropes would be put up along the course to keep the crowd from surging out in front of the horses. There would be two judges at each end of the course. If the jockies or riders signalled "go" the judges at the starting point figured on what the distance might be between the horses there and what it was at the end of the course, and this discrepancy at the start was deducted at the end.
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A noted race was pulled off at Linneus in the summer of 1852. Quite a lot of people had settled about Linneus then and the race brought visitors from far and near. One of the horses was a black mare owned by Willis Park. The animal was ridden by Bill Alexander, the famous horseman, who is now about eighty-four years old and is living in Oregon.
The horse matched against the black was a fine sorrel owned and ridden by a Mr. Weldon of Gallatin, Daviess county.
Weldon was a small man, with sharp, earnest features, pretty close to seventy years of age, but full of vitality and as enthusiastic over a horse race as a youngster. Weldon was confident that his horse would win with a fair deal, but was afraid if he trusted it to a jocky that the rider might "throw off" on the race.
Weldon's horse was heavily backed by the men who came from Livingston and Daviess counties. The black horse was the favorite of the people from Linn, Chariton and Macon counties. Well-to-do people bet thousands of dollars on the result, and boys bet half dollars, quarters, horse whips, spurs or anything they had. The course was about 600 yards, laid off and managed in the method described. It happened that the two eager horses and riders secured a "nose to nose" start. Great cheers ascended from the throats of the big crowd. Everybody at the starting end rushed pell-mell along withthe horses, who kept almost squarely abreast until nearly under the wire, when Alexander dropped his reins, leaned forward and gave the black mare the spurs as far as they would go in. The frightened animal made a mighty leap forward, which caused it to beat the sorrel horse by just a half a head as it passed the judges.
A terrific roar went up from the crowd. Hats were thrown in the air and the winners danced for joy. The crowd swarmed around Alexander and his black racer. Many men threw their arms around the horse's neck, and were extravagant in their expressions of delight.
Although it was the greatest race ever run in north Missouri there was no contest over the result. It was admitted that both riders had ridden fairly and showed themselves to be expert managers of race horses. Alexander, by a little strategy, had succeeded in coming in just ahead and the way he did it was regarded as entirely fair. Wel- don also received enthusiastic congratulations because of his plucky ride and was almost as much of a hero that day as Alexander.
Barton, Benton, Linn and Vest were among the United States senators from Missouri about whom the old-timers never tire of telling stories. The campaigns and speeches are the subjects of frequent dis-
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cussion among the older politicians of the state. Here is a story that came down from the early days to Walter Williams, dean of the Mis- souri School of Journalism, and as its subject was Senator Lewis F. Linn, for whom Linn county was named, it will be pertinent to this history. As will be noticed in the biographical sketch of Senator Linn in this volume, he began his career by practicing medicine and was called Dr. Linn. Mr. William's story of Dr. Linn is as follows:
"It may not have been fifty years ago," said a gentleman whose years did not seem to warrant the belief that he was in active life much longer than fifty years ago, "and it may have been longer when Dr. Linn was the colleague of Colonel Benton in the United States Senate. I was reminded by a chance circumstance in which he and Mrs. Lynn played a part. She, like her husband, was a great favorite for many years in Washington society and deservedly so-not more on account of her personal attractions than her intellectual qualities. On the occasion when the incident to which I have referred occurred Senator and Mrs. Linn were to be guests at a formal dinner by the president at the White House. Early in the evening Dr. Linn, feeling somewhat ill, concluded to remain in his lodgings. Mr. Webster called at the moment. He was requested to escort Mrs. Linn and convey to the president his regrets as not being able to be one of his guests. At the proper hour Mrs. Linn, escorted by Mr. Webster, was conveyed in her carriage to the White House. The company had not long been seated at the table when Mrs. Linn remarked to Mr. Webster, by whose side she was seated, that she feared she had not done right in leaving the doctor, and that she felt an inclination, if she could do so without marring the occasion, to return to her hotel. Mr. Webster made some observation designed to dissuade her from departing then, saying that if she felt so disposed she could leave at an earlier hour than the rest of the company.
"So strongly did the impulse grow on her that soon after she made it known to Mr. Webster and so urgent was she that he did as she requested and quietly made known to the president her wishes. Mr. Webster accompanied her to the carriage, and at her request, returned to the table. Her instruction to the driver was to proceed rapidly to her home, and twice on her way she enjoined him to drive faster. Arriving at the spot, without waiting for the groom to open the carriage door, she in the quickest manner opened it herself and sprang to the room where she had left her husband. As she entered she beheld her husband on the bed and the clothing in flames. A mo- ment more would have been too late. Dr. Linn was in a stupor and in
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some manner, which was never perfectly explained, the bedclothes had taken fire. He was ill for a number of days. His life was saved, apparently, through his wife's presentiment, which I think was as remarkable as any on record. Mrs. Linn related the facts to Mr. Web- ster in my presence on his calling the next morning. His observations after Mrs. Linn had finished the narration of her first impulse to leave the president's table, her struggle to repress it, the growth of the pre- sentiment till it overmastered her, the ride homeward, her anxiety for greater haste, her bursting into the room, her husband's danger and rescue-to which Mr. Webster listened with absorbing attention -were characteristics of the man-solemn and impressive beyond my ability to repeat."
In the summer of 1856 Hon. Thomas H. Benton made a campaign tour in northern Missouri, speaking at Bloomington, Macon county, Linneus, in Linn county, and other places. It was the last political campaign of the famous statesman. He was running for governor. Benton's opponents were Trusten Polk, the Democratic candidate, and Robert C. Ewing, the Whig candidate. While Benton found many friends in Linn county, he also run across many who were opposed to him. Polk was elected. Edward Hoyle was the host of Benton during his visit to Linn county.
Walter Williams, dean of the Missouri School of Journalism, says of Benton: "All in all, Benton was the greatest man Missouri has produced."
The following sketch, compiled from interviews with men who have met Benton, and from other sources, will give the generation of today some idea of the man who did so much for the history of Mis- souri :
Thomas Hart Benton died April 10, 1858, at the age of seventy- six. His remains lie in one of the large cemeteries at St. Louis. No Missouri statesman since Benton's time has exerted as great an influence upon the nation. He stood in a class by himself. It was his boast that he was not like other men. Had he lived in Cromwell's time and in his country there would have been a titanic struggle be- tween Benton and the great Puritan for leadership. They were alike in some respects. Each thought himself called by a high destiny to do a great work that no other hand could do. Each was imperious, dominating, irascible when contradicted or opposed. Each thought his personal enemies men who were actuated by evil spirits, opposers of the Lord.
On the occasion when Benton spoke at Linneus there was in some
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parts of Missouri, as have been suggested, bitter antagonism towards him. Everybody liked to hear Benton, but he had arrived at that stage of his career when everybody did not agree with him. There was a marked feeling of hostility against him at Bloomington, the adjoining county seat in Macon county. It is possible the great statesman felt it. But he never feared a hostile crowd. Benton was a fighter in every sense of the word. He was in a rough-and-tumble melee on the streets of Nashville, where knives and pistols were used. When the smoke of combat cleared away it was found that General Jackson had been shot in the shoulder, Jesse Benton had been severely stabbed. Thomas Benton had been stabbed and thrown down a stairway and others, in- cluding the "innocent bystander," carried marks of the deadly en- counter.
Hurt his reputation? Not a bit of it. His successful political career came after that brawl.
"Citizens !" cried Benton to his Bloomington hearers, "you have heard in these latter days some talk about 'anti-Benton !' Well, I have read somewhere of 'anti-Christ!' And Benton is here to tell you that he never entertained a high opinion of the antis!"
At that time some merchant of Bloomington had placed a sign over his place of business, designating it as the "Anti-Benton Store."
There was a pugnacious woodsman in the audience and he wasn't afraid to ask the lion-like statesman a question. He had journeyed a long ways for the purpose. Pushing through the big crowd he made his way right up to the stand where Benton was spouting fire and ashes like a volcano, and pointing a long, skinny forefinger fiercely, cried :
"Colonel Benton !"
The speaker stopped and glared at the interrupter. Before Ben- ton had time to eat him up alive the man went on:
"I understand, sir, that you voted for the Wilmot proviso. Now, my people sent me fifty miles today to ask you if that was so. I want to carry back home with me a straight-out answer, yes or no!"
The crowd became silent. There were others who wanted to hear the answer to that significant question. Benton drew a long breath and roared back :
"You want a straight-out answer, sir, and you shall have it! Benton is not ashamed of anything he ever did in the halls of legisla- tion. Go home, sir, and tell your people that Benton was not in the house the day the vote was taken, but he left a speech to be read before the body, and that speech of Benton's killed it, sir-killed it dead!
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Search the record. Is there anything else you want to know from Benton ?"
Immense cheering greeted this dramatic utterance, and many who had been strongly against the old gladiator came around to his side.
The crowd about the stand was so dense that some boys were unable to get close enough to see. Benton, always alert, noticed this and exclaimed :
"Stand back, you old men, and give the boys a chance! It will be something for them to tell their posterity that they have seen and shaken hands with Benton!"
It was one of those boys in whose interest Benton spoke that day to whom the writer is indebted for the above incidents.
Senator Benton survived his defeat for governor two years. He devoted that time to literary work relating to his experience in the senate and his observations of governmental affairs. North Carolina was his native state. There he was born March 14, 1782. When he was a boy of eight Benton's father died, and a few years later the family removed to Tennessee, near Franklin. In later years a great battle was fought there between the national forces and the Confed- erates, and many Missouri soldiers were in the fray.
It was while living at Franklin that young Benton rebelled against farm life, and began the study of law. While absorbing Blackstone, Benton established himself in a cave on his mother's farm and applied himself so assiduously to his book that he often failed to appear at meal time.
The affair at Nashville, referred to above, ruined Benton's prospects in Tennessee. A few months after it occurred he was appointed a lieutenant colonel in the United States army, and left for service in Canada. The early declaration of peace led to his resignation and return. Two years later he arrived in St. Louis, and ever after called that city his home.
Benton immediately became active in public affairs, and to further his ambitions he founded a newspaper known as The Missouri Inquirer. In this he persistently demanded statehood for Missouri, and, inci- dentally, flayed persons who had won his antagonism, a characteristic that followed him all through life. One particular enemy he stirred up was Charles Lucas, and eventually there were two duels fought by Benton and Lucas on "Bloody Island," a place of many duels. The second encounter resulted in Lucas' death in 1817.
In spite of this tragic affair, Benton's power grew and in 1820 he was elected to the United States senate. Though for nearly a
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year longer he was, as he called it "a soldier without arms," as Missouri was not formally admitted to the Union until August 10, 1821.
With Senator Benton's arrival at the national capital his real career began. He was in an atmosphere that accorded with his ambitions. He began to do things, and was immediately recognized as one of the really great men of the time. For five full terms, or thirty years, he represented Missouri uninterruptedly in the National congress in a way that permitted neither his constituents at home nor the country at large to forget him for one single moment. Young, strong and courageous, and from a new, far Western state, Benton brought to the staid, bewigged old senators of the East the vitalizing atmosphere of a region destined to become the greatest in the nation.
Maj. A. W. Mullins furnished the compiler of this history with this curious incident which occurred in a court of the old Eleventh Judicial Circuit :
"Tom C- was the janitor at the court house in a certain county seat. He was intensely interested in all manner of court proceedings, and never hesitated to ask questions when he wanted to know anything. The expressions of a jury were a favorite study to Tom, and he could tell almost to a certainty by them how a case would go. Tom seemed to feel it as a part of his official duties to keep tab on matters, and the lawyers would ask him all sorts of questions about trials in which they were engaged, and Tom would answer them with the gravity of a United States senator. He was never slack in his real duties of keeping the fire going, the windows washed and the floor swept up, but he seemed to find plenty of time to learn all there was to know about the case.
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