Encyclopedia of the history of Missouri, a compendium of history and biography for ready reference, Vol. I, Part 92

Author: Conard, Howard Louis, ed. 1n
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: New York, Louisville [etc.] The Southern history company, Haldeman, Conard & co., proprietors
Number of Pages: 856

USA > Missouri > Encyclopedia of the history of Missouri, a compendium of history and biography for ready reference, Vol. I > Part 92

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female, $14,514.17: total, $19.534.17. The Carthage School Library had a very modest beginning. In the winter of 1872-3 a num- . ber of the pupils in the public schools gave two or three public entertainments to raise money to buy books needed in their school work and their general reading. The pro- ceeds, invested in books, with contributions from various sources, enabled them to pur- chase about 150 valuable books. Donations of books were received, one particularly val- uable donation coming from the United States Commissioner of Education-a set of the Reports of the Smithsonian Institute, complete to date with the exception of one volume then out of print. From time to time additions were made to the library, until, about 1887 or 1888, the managers of the Carthage Library Association transferred to the board of education their entire library and furniture upon condition that it should remain accessible to the public, under con- ditions favorable to both parties. The ar- rangement has proven very satisfactory to all. The number of books has steadily in- creased, until now it numbers 5.216; num- ber of pamphlets, 860; periodicals, paid for and donated, and received regularly, 9. That there is a steadily growing apprecia- tion of the library is shown by comparison of the circulation of books for the past three years. In 1896-7 there were issued 5,702 volumes ; 1897-8 were issued 16,115 volumes ; 1898-9 were issued 23,655 volumes. To the energetic working of the numerous literary clubs in the city, the librarian attributes much of the increase in circulation. In the schools the science of physics is taught, experiment- ally illustrated by an apparatus costing $600, supplemented by materials and implements from the shops, the kitchen and the grocery. About fifty representative experiments in this subject are made by each student, under the supervision of the teacher. The chemical laboratory is equipped with apparatus worth $400. In this study the work is largely ex- perimental. Five recitations and three hours laboratory work per week are required of the students. From eighty to one hundred experiments are made by each pupil, of which a complete record is written at the time by each member of the class. On account of its recent systematic introduction into the schools of this class, we quote from the re- port of the Carthage Public Schools a por-

tion of what is said therein concerning the study of biology:

" .This is a study of living things, their ori- gin, development, structure, habits, relations to their environments and their wellbeing. It is the aim in this course to make the work as valuable to the pupil whose school days end with the high school, as to the one who intends to pursue some special scientific in- vestigation in a higher institution. The study is disciplinary in that it trains to accurate and discriminating observation, accompanied with the ability to make comparisons of the things observed. The pupil learns to make original investigations from which he gains a self-reliance in forming judgments. The ability to generalize and classify the knowl- edge thus gained follows. That pupils may gain these powers through the study of sub- jects in which they have been interested from childhood is greatly to their advantage. They cultivate their love of nature, quicken their perception of the beauties and harmonies sur- rounding them, and thus render their lives better and happier.

" The equipment consists of a well lighted northeast room, fitted up with sinks, gas fixtures, cabinets and tables. The working apparatus includes six compound micro- scopes, dissecting microscopes, dissecting tools and trays, glassware and various re- agents and preserving materials. Five peri- ods per week, of forty-five minutes each, are given to this subject during the first two years of the high-school course, the first year being devoted to animals and the second to plants.

" Three or four of these periods are given to dissection and examination of fresh or pre- served specimens. One or two periods are given to recitation and reviews. A note book is kept by each pupil, in which he records his observations and makes drawings of the ob- jects studied. Instruction is given in the care of the microscope, and pupils, by much practice, become skilled in its use. Frequent excursions to fields, woods, bluffs and streams are an important part of the study.'

"The high school is the first of the three high schools in Jasper County approved by the State University. Its graduates enter the freshman class of that institution without examination or condition. This school, with its five courses of study, namely. College Pre-

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paratory, Scientific, English, Commercial, with Manual Training, and Elective, owes its high character largely to the excellent work done in the lower grades. While according to the teachers in the high school and to the superintendent the highest praise for the faithful discharge of their most agreeable duties, we can not close this sketch with- out paying an equal tribute to those founda- tion-builders whose faithful work, amid less pleasing surroundings, have made possible the success of the high school."

There are in Carthage sixteen religious societies, representing the Adventist, Bap- tist, Catholic, Christian, Congregational, Episcopalian, Holiness. Methodist Episcopal, Methodist Episcopal, South; Presbyterian, North: Presbyterian, South, and Cumber- land Presbyterian denominations, and in- cluding colored Baptists and colored Metho- dists. All the buildings are spacious and substantial, and some are of beautiful archi- tecture and handsomely furnished. In but few instances is the history of these bodies traceable to ante-bellum days, the majority being of more recent organization. Prior to 1868 there was no church edifice in Carthage, worshiping congregations meet- ing in the courthouse or other rooms. A Baptist society existed on the ground in 1845. For many years it was without a resident minister, and met in cabins, and afterward in the courthouse. The war dispersed its people, and its records were destroyed. Mrs. Amanda McElhannan was the only member remaining when the church was re-estab- lished in 1867, with the Rev. Caleb Blood as pastor. In 1872 the church sold its build- ing to the county, and built upon a lot do- nated by the Carthage Land Company. Methodist cireuit riders held services prior to 1851, when J. K. Akerman was preacher in charge. In 1866 a Sunday school was formed, and met in the brick jail. In 1868 the station was created, with D. H. Budlong as pastor, and that year was built the first church edifice in the place, the brick building yet standing at Fourth and Howard Streets. In 1866 the Christian Church was organized, meeting in the old jail, with John Hubbard as the first elder. In 1882 its permanency was assured, under the pastorate of Elder N. M. Ragland, and the next year a beautiful church edifice was erected.

The Methodist Church, South, had a

circuit organization until 1861, when it dis- appeared. In 1871 the church was re-estab- lished, with Rev. W. Harris as pastor. In 1881, under the pastorate of the Rev. B. Mar- . geson, a fine building was erected, and ded- icated by the Rev. John Vincil, D. D., of St. Louis.

The First Presbyterian Church was or- ganized August 4, 1867, and the Rev. John W. Pinkerton became pastor. In 1870 a spacious building was erected. Several re- vivals have marked the history of the church. Out of it grew the Westminster Presbyterian Church, in 1888.

Grace Episcopal Church had its beginning in 1869, when Bishop Robertson instituted a Ladies' Church Aid Society. A parish was organized in 1870, the Rev. Jennings, mis- sionary-in-charge, and the same year a chapel was built. In 1890 a beautiful stone structure was erected, at a cost of $6,000.

In 1870 the Congregational Church was organized, with twelve members. The first pastor was the Rev. H. B. Fry, who do- nated a year's salary to the building fund, and labored with his own hands on the edi- fice. A chapel was occupied in 1872, and completed two years later. In 1881 it was destroyed by fire, with no insurance. A new building was erected, at a cost of $7.575, and dedicated April 4, 1883.

The Young Men's Christian Association provides library, reading room and bath room accommodations. An operahouse, with a seating capacity of 800, is used for general amusement purposes.

The Commercial Club is composed of the leading professional and business men of the city, and has for years been a potent factor in advancing commercial interests and in aid- ing public enterprises.

Various fraternal bodies are liberally sus- tained by large and influential memberships. These include a lodge, chapter, commandery, and chapter of the Eastern Star, in Masonry; a lodge, encampment, and lodge of the Daughters of Rebekah, in Odd Fellowship : the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Modern Wood- men of America, the Woodmen of the World, the United Workmen, the Degree of Honor, the Improved Order of Red Men, the Royal Arcanum, the Ancient Order of Pyramids, the Royal Neighbors of America, the Select Knights, the Grand Army of the Republic,

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and the Woman's Relief Corps connected with the latter body. There are numerous women's clubs, distinguished for the ability of their membership and the wide scope of their purposes. These are the Janthe Chau- tauqua, the Vincent Chautauqua, the Leon H. Vincent Chautauqua, the Local Chautauqua, the Tuesday Evening Reading, the Century, the E. H. Century, the Shakespeare, the Junior Shakespeare, the Stratford Shakes- peare, the Alpha. the Wednesday, the Bache- lor Girls, the Monday Reading, the Long- fellow, the Fin de Siecle, the Egyptian, the Woman's Press, the Friday Afternoon. the Up-to-Date, the Clio, the N. N., and the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. The local press is characterized by excellent abil- ity, and advocates the interests of the city and county with intelligence and vigor. The oldest journal is the "Press," evening and weekly, founded in 1872, by Joshua .1. Bo- denhamer; in 1876 it was the only paper in Missouri to support Peter Cooper for the presidency, and Jasper gave him a larger vote (520) than any other county in Missouri ; it is now in other hands, and Republican in politics. Other papers are the "Democrat," daily and weekly, Democratic; the "Labor Tribune," weekly, Populist; the "Silver Re- view," daily and weekly, free silver ; and the "Graphic," Sunday, literary and society. The transactions of the postoffice attest the high intelligence of the people, and the business development of the city. The postal revenues for 1899 were $17.712.33. an increase of $2.379.11 over 1898, and the money order transactions amounted in round figures to $150,000. Seven people are employed in the office, and six persons are engaged in city delivery. One carrier is engaged in rural delivery, the service having been established August 15. 1899. In December of that year the route covered twenty-seven miles ; five hundred and fifty people were supplied, and 4.365 pieces of mail were handled. Two additional routes will be established as soon as the next annual appropriation is available. An appropriation of $100,000 for a post-office building has been asked from Congress, and Congressman Benton has assurance that the work will be provided for, in the bill of 1900. The financial institutions are founded upon ample capital, and carry large lines of de- posits and loans. The Bank of Carthage was organized in 1868, with a capital stock of

$20,000. The statement for 1899 shows a capital of $100,000; surplus. $4.700 ; deposits, $342.471.50, and loans, $246,408.63. The First National Bank of Carthage grew out of a bank of the same name, organized in 1872, which in 1878 surrendered its charter, and became the Traders' Bank, and was suc- ceeded by the present First National Bank. December 2, 1899, the capital was $100,000; circulation, $31,500; deposits, $287,897.30; loans, $190,352.80. The Carthage National Bank is successor to the business of the Farmers' and Drovers' Bank, which was organized in 1875. At the close of 1899 the capital was $100,000; surplus, $13,500; cir- culation, $22,000; deposits, $218,540; loans, $158,507.85. The Central National Bank, organized in 1800, had, at the close of 1809. $100,000 capital : surplus, $to,ooo; circula- tion, $67,500 ; deposits, $600,000; loans, $410,- 000. Two building and loan associations carry large lists of investors and borrowers. The manufacturing interests include import- ant products derived from material taken out of the ground in the immediate vicinity. The Carthage limestone, also called Carthage marble, is known throughout the country as unapproachable in quality. It is beautifully white, without a trace of discoloration, takes a very high polish, and is susceptible of deli- cate carving. It is used for solid building purposes, as in the beautiful courthouses at Carthage and Jefferson City, and the public library at Kansas City; for columns, lathe turned, with hand carved capitals: and for counters and wainscoting, being sawn in slabs twelve feet long by four feet six inches wide, and but a quarter-inch in thickness. All these mechanical operations are per- formed in the local quarries and shops. The product is shipped to every State in the cen- tral and upper Mississippi Valley, to Texas, and to Nebraska. Five firms are engaged in this industry, operating with an aggregate capital of $175,000, and employing 125 to 150 operatives, exclusive of teamsters and ordi- nary laborers. Two companies are engaged in lime manufacture ; their product is the purest known, being ninety-eight per cent carbonate of lime. Two firms are large man- ufacturers of water filters, made from tripoli shipped in from Newton County. There are several productive zinc and lead mines in the immediate vicinity. About one mile east of the city a three-foot vein of first-class

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merchantable soft coal has been recently opened. A steam-power brick yard and a pottery works supply a large range of ter- ritory with their products. Other manufac- tories are, two foundries and machine works, a stove foundry, a galvanized iron works, a combined planing mill, sash and door fac- tory, three carriage and wagon factories, a woolen mill, the most extensive west of the Mississippi River ; a furniture factory, a bed spring factory, employing fifty men ; a potato chip factory, a canning factory, two cigar fac- tories, and an ice factory. There are two wholesale fruit and produce houses with branches in outlying towns, two wholesale grocery houses, a wholesale clothing house, and a wholesale hardware house. There are two public parks within the city limits. City Park, southwest of the square, is a tract of ground 420 by 580 feet, artistically laid out by a landscape gardener; in the center is a handsome fountain. Carter's Park, on the east side, comprises about seven acres; it bears a fine growth of forest and planted trees, and through it flows a small stream, fed by Carter's spring ; the property was pre- sented to the city by Dr. Jolin A. Carter. Thacker's Park of ten acres, a private tract adjoining the city on the southwest, is utilized for large public gatherings. A pleasant place of resort is Lakeside Park, forty acres in extent, owned by the South West Missouri Electric Railway Company, and reached by its cars at a distance of seven miles. There are two cemeteries adjacent to the city; Park cemetery on the west includes a burying plot for soldiers, presented to the Grand Army Post by Timothy Regan ; upon it foundation has been laid for a soldiers' monument, to be erected at an early day. Rose Hill ceme- tery lies to the east of the city. A market fair association occupies leased grounds in the suburbs ; annual exhibits occur, with large displays of farm products, and the speed ring attracts the attention of fine horse breed- ers and fanciers from great distances.

Carthage was platted in 1842 by Abel Landers and George Barker, commissioners appointed by the county court, and the plat was recorded June 30th of that year. The land was not then subject to entry, and it was not conveyed to the county until Deceni- ber 23, 1846. through George Hornback as its agent. Discrepancies in the survey re- sulted in irregular lines at the intersection

of Grand and Howard Avenues, and on Fourth Street. The county court named the site Carthage, after the famous metropolis of pre-Christian days. The tract comprised three hundred and twenty acres, out of which were set apart the present public square, streets, and numerous lots, the latter of which were sold from time to time, those on the square at $10.55 to $44 each, on one-year credit. At the time of platting, the site was covered with trees, underbrush and prairie grass. The only building was the cabin of Henry Piercy. Dr. Gabe Johnson built the first residence after the county seat was established, and George Hornback the first business house ; the latter named became the first postmaster, in 1843. About the same time, two brothers named Pennington en- gaged in business. They were succeeded by E. Fisher & Son, and they by Lewis H. Scruggs, who afterward owned the land known as North Carthage. Immediately before the war, the population of the town was about 500. The courthouse was in the center of the square, with Shirley's tavern on the north side, and Norris C. Hood's resi- dence and two or three stores on the west side. James and John B. Dale had a store on the east side. William M. Chenault's home and Jesse L. Craven's store were on the block cornering with the southeast corner of the square. The first newspaper was printed in 1857, by James Kelly, and was called the "Carthage Pioneer." It passed into the hands of C. C. Dawson, who changed its name to the "Southwest Star." In 1861 the material was taken into McDonald County, where it was used in printing "shin- plaster" money. It was afterward captured by the Unionists. The battle of Carthage (which see) was the beginning of a reign of terror. In October, 1863, the courthouse was burned, alleged to have been the act of AAnderson's Confederate Company. At vari- ous times other buildings were destroyed, until the town was a complete ruin and the population was dispersed, few of the former residents returning when peace was restored. Those who came back were Norris C. Hood, the widow of A. McCoy. M. M. James, George E. James, William G. Bulgin and Mrs. Amanda Glass, with their families. John Onstott, one of the early settlers, re- mained in the place or vicinity during the greater part of the war, and suffered great

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loss of property and personal indignities at the hands of both Federals and Confeder- ates. He is honored throughout the county for his sterling integrity. To knowledge im- parted by him is due the recovery of the county records, which had been taken away with the retreat of General Price's army. . At the outbreak of the war. Archibald McCoy, a leading lawyer and an outspoken U'nion man, was county treasurer. In fear for his life, he went to Barton County, where he was assassinated. He had previously confided the county moneys to John Onstott for safe- keeping, $1,050 in gold and $200 in paper. Onstott gave the paper money to his wife, who carried it upon her person until she was robbed of it by Colonel Ritchey's In- dians. Onstott buried the gold, and upon the reorganization of the county, exhumed it, and restored it to the treasury. He re- lated to the county court the loss of the $200 in paper money, and was hekl as liable for the amount, whereupon he sold his only team of horses and made payment. With the re- turn of the few former residents came Dr. .. H. Caffee, a former physician in the county, who had served as surgeon in the Union Army, and who began a drug business in association with Captain J. W. Young. The first new settler was George Rader, who came in August, 1805, before the return of any of the former residents. He brought a wagonload of goods, which he opened in one of the half-dozen inferior buildings then re- maining. He was appointed first postmaster after the war, and served from April, 1866, until March, 1879. and was afterward elected mayor. In March, 1866, the population of the town did not exceed fifty. In December of that year, the publication of the "Carthage Weekly Banner." a Republican newspaper. was begun by Thomas M. Garland ; it after- ward passed into the hands of A. F. Lewis, the veteran editor, who published it success- fully for many years. The "Patriot." Demo- cratic, was founded in 1870. In 1867-8 earnest effort in religion and education be- gan. March 12, 1868, the town was incor- porated by the county court, with David S. Thomas, Thomas E. Gray. Norris C. Hood, David H. Budlong and Robert .1. Cameron as trustees. This was the first municipal organization of which trace is found. The population was about Soo. Now began the real work of development. Substantial

bridges were built across the streams in all directions, and trade was drawn from long distances. In 18zt a large mill was built. and a $30,000 school building was erected. In the same year, L. P. Cunningham and E. HI. Brown, both residents of Carthage. organized the Memphis. Carthage & North- western Railroad Company, and secured the issue of construction bonds from the town- ships interested, with the result of obtaining a road from Pierce City to Carthage, and beyond to Brownsville, Kansas, which was opened in 1872. This is now a part of the St. Louis & San Francisco Railway main line. Mr. Brown was also instrumental in buikling the Lexington & Southern branch of the Missouri Pacific Railway from Pleas- ant Hill to Carthage. In 1868 was opened the first bank, the Bank of Carthage, of which G. A. Cassil was president, and E. W. Harper was cashier. In 1870 the woolen mills were built. The gasworks were com- pleted in 18-8, and the waterworks in 1882, the latter being a strictly local enterprise. The same year was opened the Harrington House, the first modern hotel. In 1873 the population had increased to 5,000, and March 15th of that year Carthage was created a city by a special incorporative act of the General Assembly. The first officers were Peter Ilill, mayor ; D. S. Thomas, J. W. Young. IL. C. Ilenny and T. B. Tuttle, councilmen : M. M. James, clerk, and W. W. Thornburg. marshal. D. A. Harrison was afterward appointed first city attorney. March 6. 1890. the special charter was surrendered, and organization was effected as a city of the third class under the general law. In that year its population was 7.981. The popula- tion in 1900 was 0.416.

Carthage, Battle of .- To the time of its occurrence, this was the most important battle in the West. In June. 1861. under the plans of General Lyon, Colonel Franz Sigel marched from Neosho to intercept hostile forces making their way into Arkansas, where General Ben McCullough was assem- bling a large Confederate force. Colonel Sigel's force comprised nine companies of his own regiment, the Third Missouri In- fantry, seven companies of Colonel Salomon's Fifth Missouri Infantry, and two four-gun batteries, in all about 1.100 men. He reached Carthage about 5 o'clock in the evening of

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July 4th, and bivouacked east of the city, near the spring. At this moment, Generals Rains and Parsons, with not less than 5,000 men and seven pieces of artillery, and accon- panied by Governor Jackson, were on Coon Creek, twelve miles north. That night, Sam- uel B. LaForce, a resident, and a devoted Unionist, held a conference with Colonel Sigel, and was his guide during the subsequent events. Ile broke camp early next morn- ing, and passing through the city, marched north until 9 o'clock, when his advance met the approaching enemy, and a slight skirmish occurred near the house of Vincent Gray, five miles northwest of Carthage. Pushing forward, Sigel formed his line of battle on the high ground beyond Dry Fork, posting his artillery near the Pugh house, with the enemy in his immediate front. By 10 o'clock the artillery and musketry fire was vigorous on both sides. Sigel's flanks were jeopard- ized by the enemy's cavalry, an arm in which he was wholly deficient, and he withdrew to the south of Dry Fork, where he repulsed a determined attack. At Buck Branch he again made a stand, with similar result, and con- tinned an orderly retreat. As his rear guard passed through Carthage, the enemy, who had entered the town from three directions, made another effort, and several men were killed and wounded in the streets. Colonel Sigel retired from the city along the mill road east, closely pursued, and about dusk was finally engaged for thirty minutes three miles southeast of the town, near the Thornton place. Colonel Sigel marched via Sarcoxie to Springfield, and Generals Rains and Par- sons continued their way southward. The Union loss was thirteen killed and thirty-one wounded. The enemy's loss was seven killed and sixty-three wounded, with an additional unreported loss of ten killed and wounded in the Third Division.

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Encyclopedia of the history of Missouri, a compendium of history and biography for ready reference, Vol. I, Part 92

Author: Conard, Howard Louis, ed. 1n Publication date: 1901 Publisher: New York, Louisville [etc.] The Southern history company, Haldeman, Conard & co., proprietors Number of Pages: 856

Author: Conard, Howard Louis, ed. 1n
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: New York, Louisville [etc.] The Southern history company, Haldeman, Conard & co., proprietors
Number of Pages: 856