USA > Missouri > Encyclopedia of the history of Missouri, a compendium of history and biography for ready reference, Vol. II > Part 6
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October 31
20:
Columbia.
April 13
October 14
183
Kansas City.
. April 8
October 16
190
Springfield.
. April 16
October 13
180
Cairo, 111 ..
March 29
October 25
209
The average annual precipitation for each division, and for the State, is as follows: Northwestern plateau, 36.33 inches; north- eastern plain, 38.41 inches : southwestern low-
lands, 39.24 inches; Ozark plateau, 43-73 inches; southeastern lowlands, 46.36 inches, and for the State, 40.81 inches. The wettest months are May and June, the average pre- cipitation for the State for those months being 5.23 and 4.95 inches, respectively, and the driest are February and October, with an average for the State of 2.33 and 2.36 inches, respectively. The following table shows the average precipitation for each division by sea- sons :
Division.
Spring. Summer. Autumn. Winter.
Northwestern plateau.
10.74
13.62
7.32
4.65
Northeastern plain ..
11.58
11.87
8.45
6.51
Southwestern lowlauds.
12.44
12.59
7.79
6.42
Ozark plateau.
14.00
12.75
8.89
8.09
Southeastern lowlands
14.53
11.36
9.90
10.57
State.
12.65
12.44
8.47
7.25
Of the eleven years from 1888 to 1898, inclusive, the wettest was 1898, with an aver- age for the State of 53.67 inches, and the driest was 1894, with an average of 33.18 inches. Rainfalls of from 2 to 3 inches in twenty-four consecutive hours occur in some portion of the State during nearly every month of the year, but falls of more than 4 inches in twenty-four hours are com- paratively rare.
From November to March, inclusive, the precipitation is usually general in character, but during the summer months the greater part occurs in the form of local showers.
The average seasonal snowfall ranges from about 10 inches in the southeastern, to about 25 inches in the northwestern portion of the State.
The prevailing winds are southerly, al- though during the winter season northwest- erly winds prevail a considerable part of the time. The average hourly wind velocity ranges from five to ten miles during the sum- mer, and from eight to twelve miles during the winter months.
The average cloudiness ranges from 35 to 50 per cent during the summer and autumn, and from 50 to 55 per cent during the winter and spring. The average number of rainy days (days on which .01 of an inch or more of precipitation falls) is 9 in January and February, 10 in March, II in April, 13 in May, II in June, 9 in July, 8 in August and September, 7 in October, and 8 in November and December.
The mean annual relative humidity is 72 per cent.
A. E. HACKETT.
29
CLINKSCALES-CLINTON.
Clinkscales, James R., banker, was born May 25, 1851, in Carroll County, Mis- souri, and died at Excelsior Springs, Mis- souri, October 24, 1893. His remains now rest in Oak Hill Cemetery at Carrollton, Mis- souri. His parents were John W. and Joanna P. (Thomas) Clinkscales, the first named of whom came of a Virginia family, and the last named of a Kentucky family. His father was only a child when he came to Carroll County, Missouri, and his family were among the first settlers in that county. James R. Clink- scales obtained his early education in a private school at Carrollton and completed his academic studies in the University of the State of Missouri at Columbia. For two years after leaving college he lived at Golden, Colorado, having gone there for the benefit of his health. While there he was engaged in mercantile pursuits. At the end of this period of two years, he returned to Carroll- ton, Missouri, and embarked in the general merchandising business there, which he con- tinued until about the year 1889. The First National Bank of Carrollton was then or- ganized through his efforts, and he became its president, a position which he continued to fill until his death. By nature a public- spirited and enterprising man, he was long recognized as one of the most useful citizens of Carrollton. Having in view the building up of the town as a trade center, he was espe- cially active in promoting the building of railroads through this portion of the State, and in bringing about the establishment of manufactories of various kinds in the chief town of Carroll County. It was through his efforts largely that the Dain Manufacturing Company, which engaged in the manufacture of mowers and all kinds of agricultural im- plements, was induced to begin business at Carrollton, and he was a director and treas- urer of this corporation up to the time of his death. · He had also been a stockholder in a planing mill and other manufacturing con- cerns, and scarcely any enterprise was sug- gested or promoted during his active bus- iness career at Carrollton which he did not aid and assist with his means and influence. He was the kind of man looked to by his neighbors and townsmen to lead in all move- ments having for their object the advance- ment of the material interests of the place, and his high character and unquestioned probity commanded the confidence of the
public for any enterprise with which he was identified. In politics he was a Democrat, and he was a member of the Christian Church. When the new church of that de- nomination was erected in Carrollton, he was- a member of the building committee, and be- sides handling all the building funds, gave- his personal and daily supervision to the work of erecting the edifice. Deeply interested: in all the work of the church, and holding the office of deacon, he contributed in every way possible to the extension of its usefulness. He affiliated with fraternal societies as a member of the Masonic Order, in which he had attained the degree of Knight Templar. October 3, 1878, Mr. Clinkscales married Miss Annie F. McBaine, of Columbia, Mis- souri. Mrs. Clinkscales has been, and is still, very prominently identified with educational and philanthropic work and various move- ments for promoting culture and intelligence- among women. She is now State secretary of the Missouri Federation of Women's Clubs and has taken an active part in. formu- lating and pushing forward educational and literary work among the women of Carroll- ton. She is a director, and has been presi- dent, of the Carrollton Magazine Club, and is a member of the Chautauqua Circle of that city. She was graduated from Christian Col- lege, of Columbia, Missouri, in 1876.
Clinton .- The county seat of Henry County; on the Kansas City, Fort Scott & Memphis, the Missouri, Kansas & Texas, and the Kansas City, Osceola & Southern Railways, eighty-five miles southeast of Kan- sas City, and 230 miles west of St. Louis. The business center is substantially built, and the residence districts are laid out in broad streets and avenues, upon which stand beau- tiful homes of various types of modern archi- tecture, surrounded with spacious and well adorned grounds. Water is provided by the Home Water Works, incorporated in 1886. For two years the supply was drawn from Grand River. In 1888 a six-inch well was sunk to a depth of 840 feet, and in 1894 a second well was sunk, eight inches in diam -. eter, and 550 feet deep. The aggregate· capacity is 600,000 gallons per diem. The water is slightly sulphurized. Other large water sources are the artesian wells of the Clinton Ice Plant, 800 feet deep, and eight inches in diameter ; and the free-flowing un-
30
CLINTON.
utilized well, 900 feet deep and eight inches in diameter, owned by Britts and Dorman. The Holly system affords pressure for fire pur- poses, and the city maintains a fire depart- ment at an annual cost of $960 for men in charge, paying additional men when called into service. The city expends $4,000 per annum for water for public uses, and $3,700 per annum for electric lighting, furnished by the Clinton Gas & Electric Light Company. The bonded indebtedness is $18,000 on sewer and building account. The city hall is a two- story brick building, erected in 1891 at a cost of $6,000; it contains a council chamber, police court room, calaboose, and rooms for the fire equipment. The courthouse is a beautiful edifice of Warrensburg stone, com- pleted in 1893, and costing $50,000. The walls are rough, with smoothly dressed fac- ings of same material as the body of the building.
Church edifices are spacious, and in most instances are of modern and handsome de- sign; these are of the Baptist, Catholic, Christian, German Evangelical, Methodist Episcopal, Methodist Episcopal, South ; Pres- byterian, Cumberland Presbyterian and Prot- estant Episcopal denominations. Churches are also maintained by the colored Baptists and Methodists.
The public schools were organized soon after the Civil War, with Rev. L. C. Marvin, Dr. G. Y. Salmon and Judge J. G. Dorman as directors. The first superintendent was Aaron T. Bush, and he was assisted by Mrs. Richard Wooderson, Miss Irene Rogers (Mrs. B. G. Boone) and Miss Almira Parks (Mrs. A. M. Fulkerson). The first school building was a four-room, two-story frame structure, located about half a block west from southwest corner of the square. The Franklin school, of six rooms, was built in 1870 at the northwest corner of Franklin and Third Streets, and the frame school building was moved to North Clinton and named "Lincoln School." This was occupied by the colored school until 1894, when it was de- stroyed by fire, and a four-room, two-story brick structure took its place. In 1881 six rooms were added to the west side of the Franklin building, and an east wing, consist- ing of six rooms, was built in 1885. Eight years later a six-room brick edifice was erected at the corner of Franklin Street and Orchard Avenue for the benefit of the children
in the western part of the town. This school was named "Jefferson Park." The crowded condition of the rooms necessitated still an- other schoolhouse, and in 1897 Washington School, on the corner of Ohio and Sixth Streets, was built. Although there are eight rooms in that building at the present time (1900), only seven have been used. About four miles southeast from Clinton is Reid School, which, although it is in many respects but a rural school, yet is in the Clinton dis- trict and under the supervision of the city school. There have been fourteen `superin- tendents since the war: Aaron T. Bush, 1865-6; Joel Townsend, 1866-7; J. A. De La Vergue, 1867-8; Mrs. Maggie Salisbury, 1868-9; G. L. Wells, 1869-70; L. M. Johnson, 1870-3; F. Rowe, 1873-4; J. N. Cook, 1874-6; E. W. Stowell, 1876-8; C. J. Harris, 1878-9; E. P. Lamkin, 1879-81; C. B. Reynolds, 1881-97; G. M. Holiday, 1897-9; F. B. Owen, 1899. Since 1875 there have been 258 grad- uates from the high school. In 1897 the course was lengthened from three to four years, two courses-Latin scientific and Eng- lish scientific-were offered, and the high school was placed on the list of approved schools of the State University. The prepar- atory work is divided into eight grades-four years primary and four years grammar. Upon the completion of the work in the grammar school, certificates of admission into the high school are given. The school board is strictly non-partisan, each of the two leading political parties making one nom- ination each year. The growth of the schools may be shown by the following: Teachers employed in 1886, 18; 1891, 22; 1893, 27; 1895, 30; 1897, 32; 1898, 36; 1900, 37. Value of buildings and grounds, 1886, $40,000; 1891, $51,000; 1893, $65,000; 1897, $79,000. It is said that Judge J. G. Dorman, one of the prominent citizens of Clinton to-day, at one time knew the name of every child in the district, and that he was one of two who took the enumeration in an hour's time. The report of the State superintendent for 1899 shows the following: Total enumeration, 2,131; total enrollment, 1,617; number of days school is maintained, 180; number of pupils that may be seated, 1,861 ; volumes in library, 1,125; value of library, $1,000; as- sessed value of taxable property, $1,452,680; levy for school purposes, $1 on $100.
Fraternal societies include a Masonic
31
CLINTON.
lodge, a chapter, a commandery and a chapter of the Eastern Star; two lodges and an encampment of Odd Fellows, and lodges of the Knights of Pythias, United Workmen, Modern Woodmen, Woodmen of the World, the Maccabees, the Ancient Order of Aegis, the Home Roofers, and the True Samari- tan; the latter order has its principal office here. In 1895 was organized Company F, Second Regiment Infantry, National Guard of Missouri, under command of Captain John W. White; it served with its regiment during the Spanish-American War under Captain A. C. Landon, and under him resumed its place in the State military establishment after be- ing mustered out of the service of the United States. The newspapers are the "Democrat," daily and weekly, Democratic, founded in 1868 by Joshua Ladue, and now conducted by Charles H. Whitaker & Son; the "Tribune," weekly, Democratic, founded in 1895 by Hutchinson, Stark & McBride, and purchased in 1897 by the present propri- etors, E. R. and W. P. Lingle; the "Eye," weekly, Democratic, founded in 1885 by its present proprietor, T. O. Smith; and the "Republican," the only Republican newspaper in the county, conducted by Harry H. and T. E. Mitchell; it is successor to the "Clinton Advocate," founded in 1845 by W. H. Law- rence, and purchased in 1891 by Harry H. Mitchell, who changed its name.
The oldest banking house is that of Salmon & Salmon, one of the pioneer financial insti- tutions of southwest Missouri. It was founded December 1, 1866, by George Y. and Harvey W. Salmon, and De Witt C. Stone ; Stone retired in 1873, the Salmons buying his interest, and yet continuing in manage- ment. The capital is $50,000, the deposits are $600,000, and the loans are $500,000. The Citizens' Bank of Clinton was founded in 1872, as the First National Bank of Clin- ton; in 1894 it surrendered its charter, and became a private bank under its present title ; March 20, 1900, its capital was $25,000, its deposits were $115,000, and its loans were $90,000. The Brinkerhoff-Faris Trust and Savings Company, capital $150,000, was es- tablished in 1867, and incorporated in 1887.
The industries comprise two large steam roller process flour mills, a custom mill, a foundry and machine shop, an ice factory, and two pottery works, one operated by steam. Large shipments are made of live
stock, grain, flax seed, broom corn, flour, pottery ware, coal, leather and cigars. One and one-half miles southwest of Clinton, at the terminus of a horse-car line, are the beautiful grounds of the Artesian Park, con- taining a spacious lake, with hotel of three stories, basement and attic, equipped with all modern conveniences, including dancing hall, billiard rooms and bowling alley, a pavilion, and boat and bath houses. The artesian well on the grounds discharges a palatable water, possessing known medicinal qualities, con- taining the chlorides of potassium, sodium, magnesium and calcium, the carbonates of magnesium and calcium, sulphate of calcium, and sulhydric gas. The park is a favorite resort, and attracts visitors from considerable distances. Adjacent to this property, and owned by the same company, are the fair grounds of eighty acres, which afford annual exhibits of farm and garden products, and are the scene of spirited contests in the speed ring. One and one-half miles east of Clinton is Englewood Cemetery, owned by the city, upon rolling and well shaded grounds, con- taining many artistic productions from the chisel of the sculptor.
Clinton was made the county seat of Rives County (see "Henry County") in November, 1836, and the first sale of lots took place in February following. The first building erected on the site was a weather-boarded log house, built by Thomas B. and Benjamin F. Wallace, who opened a store, removing to it a stock of goods from their old location a mile northward. Others who soon put up buildings were John M. Reid, Asaph W. Bates and John Nave, the latter named open- ing the first tavern. In 1837, when the popu- lation of the town did not exceed fifty, the building of the courthouse was begun, and a postoffice was established. The office was known as "Rives Court House," and retained this name for some time; Benjamin F. Wal- lace was the first postmaster, and was suc- ceeded by Frank Fields about 1841. In the latter year came Dr. Hobb, the first physi- cian, and Preston Wise opened a dramshop. In 1843-4 the United States land office had been removed from Lexington, and Daniel Ashby was receiver, and John L. Yantis was register. Gold and silver were required in payment for public lands, and large quan- tities of specie were conveyed by wagon to St. Louis, guarded by armed men. One
32
CLINTON ACADEMY-CLINTON COUNTY.
Turner was keeping a school in a frame building on what is now Franklin Street, near the public square ; among his pupils were Dr. J. H. Britts, afterward a man of prominence ; Mrs. B. L. Owen and her sister, Mrs. Garth, and others. The population was then not much more than 100.
Religious meetings were held in the court- house. The first preachers were itinerants, among whom are remembered Frank Mitchell, a Methodist; Reece, a Cumberland Presbyterian ; Longan, a Christian, and Mar- vin, a Universalist. The first church build- ing was of frame, built in 1858, on the south side of the public square, on Main Street, by William Schroeder, a Methodist preacher ; the building was occupied by preachers of various denominations, as they made their visits. In 1858 the first newspaper appeared, the "Clinton Journal," Isaac E. Olney, pub- lisher. It suspended publication in 1861. The town suffered no material damage dur- ing the Civil War, but industry and develop- ment were paralyzed. Progress was slow for some years after the restoration of peace. The first church building erected after the war, and next after the Schroeder church, was that of the Cumberland Presbyterians. It was a two-story brick structure; the lower floor was used for religious purposes ; the upper story was used as a Masonic lodge room, and was occupied by the resuscitated Tebo Lodge No. 68, chartered in 1844, and suspended during the Civil War. Numerous churches organized in 1866, and began the erection of houses of worship. Among these was the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, the fruit of a revival held by Hugh R. Smith and J. H. Houx; the latter named had been invited to Clinton after his arrest under the provisions of the Drake Constitution test oath, while conducting a revival at the Bear Creek camp ground, in the south part of the county. In 1866 Salmon & Salmon opened a bank, and G. Sellers began the publication of the "Advocate" newspaper. Its first issue claimed for the town a population of 250. August 26, 1870, the first railway, the Tebo & Neosho, reached the town, and that dates the beginning of the substantial development and prosperity of the place. Clinton was in- corporated February 6, 1858; it became a city of the fourth class April 2, 1878, and a city of the third class February 24, 1886. Population in 1900, 5,061.
Clinton Academy .- An educational in- stitution formerly conducted at Clinton, and founded by W. H. Stahl. In 1881 Emilius P. Lamkin became associated with Mr. Stahl, and soon afterward assumed complete con- trol. The school was first conducted in rooms over a store building on the south side of the square, but afterward was moved to a one-story frame building on North Sec- ond Street. The lack of suitable buildings. was always an obstacle in the way of a large attendance. The enrollment averaged about 125 each year. The work done was not sur- passed by any school of its class, and the- courses offered were exceptionally advanced. The school was chartered in 1885, and degrees were conferred upon the completion of the classical, scientific, English or commercial courses. From 1882 to 1896 there were sev- enty-one graduates, many of whom are rising into prominence in their chosen life work. In 1891 the secret society of Phi Lambda Epsilon was founded by four of the students in the academy. The death of the principal, Professor Lamkin, in the middle of the term of 1893-4, was an irreparable loss to the school. For the remainder of that session the associate principal, William M. Godwin,, and Charles F. and Uel W. Lamkin, con- ducted the work. The following year Rev. J. S. Worley and W. H. Forsythe were joint principals, and during 1895-6 Rev. J. L. Dar- sie was at the head of the institution. At the close of 1895-6 the doors of the academy were permanently closed.
Clinton County .- A county in the northwestern part of the State, bounded on the north by DeKalb; east by Caldwell; south by Clay, and west by Buchanan and Platte Counties ; area 420 square miles, or 269,000 acres. It was named after De Witt Clinton, the distinguished Governor and statesman of New York. Its latitude is about that of Philadelphia. The surface is mainly undulating prairie, well drained, with little swamp, and with little land that can not be tilled. The soil is rich, black loam, easily cultivated and exceedingly productive. The largest stream in the county is Smith's Fork of Platte River. The others are Shoal Creek, Castile Creek, Horse Fork, Clear Creek, Dear Creek, Robert's Branch, all unfailing streams, which afford a good supply of run- ning water. Ever flowing springs abound,.
33
CLINTON COUNTY.
and in digging wells good water is found at a depth of twenty-two feet. Every water- course is marked by a line of timber, with occasional isolated groves, and although it is a prairie county, nearly a fourth of the area is timber-red, white and black oak, aslı, maple, cottonwood, elm, wild cherry and crab apple. The soil is light, porous, and capable of holding and absorbing moisture. Good building stone is plentiful, the limestone be- ing of a superior quality and used in the con- struction of buildings. The mineral springs of the county enjoy a high reputation.
The first settlers in the territory now Clin- ton County were William Castile, who lived on the creek which bears his name, and Hiram Smith, a hunter, whose cabin stood about the center of what is now Jackson Township. This was in 1826, and shortly afterward James McKowan, from Clay County, and Armstrong Mcclintock and Samuel Biggerstaff, from Kentucky, located on Castile Creek. In 1828 Mrs. Nellie Coff- man, from Kentucky, settled near the present site of Hainesville, and Josialı Cogdell, Drew Cogdell, George Denny and Collet Haynes located in the same neighborhood shortly after. John Stone made a settlement near the present site of Cameron, and Isaac D. Baldwin, James Shaw, John Ritchie, Samuel McKorkle and Edward Smith came into the same neighborhood before 1830. Two years later John Livingston made a settlement about a mile northeast of where Plattsburg now stands, and in 1833 he put up a pole cabin on the present site of Plattsburg. The earliest settlements were made nearest to Clay County, which was already comfortably settled, and because the Indians were not yet gone from the northern part of the county. The pioneers had no trouble in supplying their rude tables with wholesome food, for the groves and prairies alike abounded in game. Deer were to be seen in herds, even when not looking for them, and wild turkeys and prairie chickens were plentiful, while the streams were alive with wild ducks, geese and swan and fish. The bears had not en- tirely left the country, and were occasionally encountered. Hunting and trapping were profitable vocations, and the experienced trapper could easily manage to gather a yearly pack of furs and pelts, whichı, taken to the nearest town, brought him in exchange all the necessaries of his simple life, and some
money besides. Wolves were abundant, and wolf scalps were first-class currency, always received for taxes. Bee trees were frequent in the timber along Smith's Fork, Castile Creek and Shoal Creek, and when located and cut down yielded a supply of wild honey for the settler's table. The act of the State Leg- islature creating Clinton County was passed January 2, 1833, and it named David R. Atchison, afterward United States Senator; John Long and Howard Everett commission- ers to select the seat of justice. On the 15th of January Governor Dunklin appointed John P. Smith, Archibald Elliott and Stephen Jones judges of the county court. On the second Monday in March following, the county judges met at the house of Laban Garrett, and organized the first county court by choosing John P. Smith for presiding jus- tice, and Richard R. Rees for clerk, and recognizing Thompson Smith, appointed by the governor, as sheriff. Elijah Fry was ap- pointed assessor. On the 8th of April fol- lowing the court met at the house of John Biggerstaff and appointed Washington Huf- faker, collector ; Levi Shalcher, surveyor, and John Biggerstaff, treasurer. The commis- sioners appointed to locate the seat of justice reported that they had selected the east half of the northwest quarter of Section 24, of Township 55, Range 32. The report was ap- proved, and the name of the town to be laid off was Concord. In the following January, 1834, the name was changed to Springfield, and in 1835 it was again changed to Platts- burg, after Plattsburg in Clinton County,
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