USA > Missouri > DeKalb County > History of Andrew and De Kalb counties, Missouri : from earliest time to the present; together with sundry personal, business and professional sketches and family records. besides a condensed history of the state of Missouri, etc > Part 24
USA > Missouri > Andrew County > History of Andrew and De Kalb counties, Missouri : from earliest time to the present; together with sundry personal, business and professional sketches and family records. besides a condensed history of the state of Missouri, etc > Part 24
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It ought to be noticed that the general expectation that the Chicago treaty would be modified has emboldened many squatters to enter upon the lands in question, in hopes of fixing their future residence. I have, therefore, no hesita- tion in giving an opinion as to the expediency of altering the Chicago treaty, 80 as to confine the Pottawattomies north of the little strip now wanted by the State of Missouri.
Having given this opinion, permit me to say that I believe it practicable with little expense or delay, to remove the Indians now on this strip of land, and to extinguish any remaining right in the red men for hunting or other priv- ileges, and this removal and extinguishment I would respectfully recommend before the State jurisdiction is extended to the waters of the Missouri.
Yours most respectfully,
HENRY ELSWORTH.
HON. L. F. LINN, Senator.
At the same time Senator Linn wrote to Maj. John Dough- erty, Indian agent, requesting information concerning the geog- raphy and topography of the country embraced in the territory in question, and within a few days received the following reply:
WASHINGTON, January 26, 1835.
SIR :- Your communication of the 23d inst., containing certain queries touching the strip of land lying between the western boundary line of the State of Missouri and the Missouri River, has been received. I assure you it will afford me great pleasure to furnish the answers called for, and in the order in which you have proposed the questions.
First. The length of the strip of land referred to is on its east line, one hun- dred miles long; the west line, following the meanders of the Missouri River, is
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STATE OF MISSOURI.
about one hundred and fifty miles in length to a point on said river due west from the northwest corner of the State, the average breadth being about fifteen miles.
Second. I feel no hesitation in stating, and without fear of contradiction, that the location of Indians upon this territory would be attended with the most ruinous effects; it would alike be injurious to the Indians and whites. Take, for example, the Ioways, who now reside upon the upper end of this strip. They are a poor, drunken, miserable set of beings, dwindling away to nothing, quar- reling among themselves, killing each other, and in constant broils with their white neighbors. Those evils would be greatly increased were the Indians located all the way down this strip of land between the white settlements and he Missouri River to the mouth of the Kansas River, where it becomes narrow and the white population more dense.
Third. The inconvenience to our citizens would be incalculable if those along the Western line of the State were compelled to transport their produc- ions to the mouth of the Kansas River for shipment. Some of them residing within eight or ten miles of steamboats passing every day would be obliged to haul everything for market over a new country one hundred miles.
Fourth. There is a great deficiency of water power and springs in the counties of Northern Missouri, whilst the strip of land you have reference to abounds with numerous flush running springs and creeks with great falls well calculated for mills or other water works.
Fifth. The country north of the State of Missouri, reaching from the Mis- sissippi to the Missouri River, and extending north between four and five hun- dred miles is well timbered, interspersed with fine rich prairies, and abounds with numerous large bold running streams coming in from the high lands between these two great rivers; in short the whole country is well adapted to agricultural purposes, with a fine climate, and exceedingly healthy.
In reply to your sixth question I deem it sufficient to refer to the answer under the second query. The peace and tranquility of both whites and Indians requires that this long strip of land should be attached to the State of Missouri; and I can not suppose that any gentleman as well acquainted with its locality as I am would entertain a different opinion or dissent from the views herein expressed.
With great respect I have the honor to be
Your obedient servant.
JNO. DOUGHERTY, Indian Agent.
HON. L. F. LINN, Senate U. S.
Pending the forcible removal of settlers from the Platte country by the military in 1835, Senator Linn sent the following letter to Hon. John Forsyth, at that time Secretary of State.
SAINT GENEVIEVE, Mo., August 10, 1835.
SIR :- I take the liberty of enclosing you a copy (perhaps imperfect from having mislaid the original) of a letter dated May 14, to the Secretary of War on a subject of much interest to the people of this State. To this communication no answer has been received. May I tax your kindness by asking that you will read this letter, and give the subject your friendly attention in any way you may deem advisable. I feel that there is a propriety in endeavoring to obtain your assistance, knowing the State you so long represented in Congress with such
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HISTORY OF ANDREW COUNTY.
distinguished credit has been greatly annoyed by an Indian population. I hear an order has come from the War Department to remove the families who have settled on the Indian lands lying between our western boundary and the Missouri River by military force. You know the independent and daring char- acter of our frontier population, and, knowing, you will easily believe that his step is not to be accomplished without violence and much distress, as the fami- lies are two or three hundred in number.
The accompanying diagram will, at a glance, show you what we want, and at the same time the utter uselessness of this portion of country for Indian pur- poses. The long absence of Governor Cass, and multiplicity of business since his return, may have caused him to lose sight of my letter.
His order has caused much sensation in the northern part of this State, and for the present ought to be suspended.
Yours truly, L. F. LINN.
HON. JOHN FORSYTH, Secretary of State.
In the fall of 1835, shortly after the meeting held at the muster drill already referred to, Andrew S. Hughes sent the fol- lowing communication to Senator Linn, in reference to a treaty with the Iowa and Sac Indians at his agency :
IOWAY SUB-AGENCY, September 3, 1835.
SIR :- I have written a hasty scrawl to you. It might be well to publish your letter to show the people what you are doing. I send this to St. Genevieve, not exactly knowing where to find you. I give you the liberty to do just as you may think proper with my letter.
A treaty can be made with the Ioways of my agency, and Sacs, without ex- pense to the Government or any other unnecessary pomp and parade as has heretofore been the case. Col. Dodge could make a treaty with the Indians as a part of his official duty. They are near his post, and I should have no objec- tions to render any assistance that might be asked of me.
Believe me your sincere friend,
To HON. L. F. LINN.
ANDREW S. HUGHES.
The Western boundary line was, by act of Congress, approved June 6, 1836, the same to take effect when the Indian title should be extinguished, and when the State of Missouri should assent to its provisions. Missouri assented by an act of the General Assembly, approved December 16 of the same year. The titles of the Sacs, Foxes and Ioway Indians were extin- guished by treaty signed at Fort Leavenworth, September 17, 1836, and ratified on the 15th of February, 1837. The following is a copy of the treaty :
ARTICLES OF A TREATY
Made and concluded at Fort Leavenworth, on the Missouri River, between William Clark, superintendent of Indian affairs, on the part of the United
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STATE OF MISSOURI.
States, of the one part, and the undersigned chiefs, warriors and counsellors, of the Ioway tribe, and band of Sacs and Foxes ?of the Missouri (residing West of the State of Missouri), in behalf of their respective tribes, of the other part:
ARTICLE I. By the last article of the Treaty of Prairie Du Chien, held the 15th of July, 1830, with the confederate tribes of the Sacs and Foxes. Ioways Omahaws, Missourias, Ottoes and Sioux, the country ceded to the United States by that treaty is to be assigned and allotted under the President of the United States to the tribes living thereon, or to such other tribes as the President may locate thereon, for hunting and other purposes. And whereas it is further represented to us, the chiefs, warriors and counsellors of the Ioways. Sacs and Foxes band aforesaid, to be desirable that the land lying between the State of Missouri and the Missouri River should be attached to and become a part of the said State, and the Indian title thereto should be extinguished, but that, not- withstanding, as these lands compose a part of the country embraced by the pro- visions of said article of the treaty aforesaid, the stipulations thereof will be strictly observed until the assent of the Indians interested is given to the pro- posed measure.
Now we, the chiefs, warriors and counsellors of the Ioways and Missouri bands of Sacs and Foxes, fully understanding the subject, and well satisfied with the local position of the lands in question, that they can never be made available for Indian purposes, and that an attempt to place an Indian popula- tion on them must inevitably lead to collision with the citizens of the United States; and further, believing that the extension of the State line in the direc- tion indicated would have a happy effect by presenting a natural boundary between the whites and the Indians; and willing, moreover, to give the United States a renewed evidence of our attachment and friendship, do hereby, for our- selves and on behalf of our respective tribes (having full power and authority to this effect), for ever cede, relinquish and quit claim to the United States all our right, title and interest of whatever nature in and to the land lying between the State of Missouri and the Missouri River, and do freely and fully exoner- ate the United States from any guaranty, condition or limitation, expressed or implied, under the treaty of Prairie du Chien aforesaid or otherwise, as to the entire and absolute disposition of the said lands; fully authorizing the United States to do with the same whatever shall seem expedient or necessary.
As a proof of the continued friendship and liberality of the United States toward the Ioways and bands of Sacs and Foxes of the Missourias, and as an evidence of the same entertained for the good will manifested by the said tribes to the citizens and Government, as evinced in the preceding cession or relin- quishment of the undersigned, William Clark, agrees on behalf of the United States to pay as a present to the said Ioways and bands of Sacs and Foxes $7,500 in money, the receipt of which they hereby acknowledge.
ART. II. As the said tribes of Ioways and Sacs and Foxes have applied for a small piece of land south of the Missouri for a permanent home, on which they can settle, and request the assistance of the Government of the United States to place them on the land, in a situation at least equal to that they now enjoy on lands ceded by them, therefore, I, William Clark, Superintendent of Indian Affairs, do further agree, in behalf of the United States, to assign to the Ioway tribes and Missouri band of Sacs and Foxes the small strip of land on the south side of the Missouri River lying between the Kickapoo northern boundary line and the Grand Nemeha River, and extending from the Missouri, back and westwardly, with the said Kickapoo line and the Grand Nemeha, mak-
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HISTORY OF ANDREW COUNTY.
ing four hundred sections, to be divided between the said Ioways and Missouri band of Sacs and Foxes, the lower half to the Sacs and Foxes, the upper half to the Ioways.
ART. III. The Ioways and Missouri band of Sacs and Foxes further agree that they will move and settle on the lands assigned them in the above article as soon as arrangements can be made; and the undersigned, William Clark, in behalf of the United States, agrees, that as soon as the above tribes have selected a site for their village and places for their fields, and moved to them, to erect for the Ioways five comfortable houses; to enclose and break up for them two hundred acres of ground; to furnish them with a farmer, black- smith, schoolmaster and interpreter as long as the President of the United States deems proper; to furnish them with such agricultural implements as may be necessary for five years; to furnish them with rations for one year, commencing at the time of their arrival at their new home; to furnish them with one ferry boat; to furnish them with one hundred cows and calves, and five bulls and one hundred stock hogs when they require them; to furnish them with a mill, and assist in removing them to the extent of five hundred dollars.
And to erect for the Sacs and Foxes three comfortable houses; to enclose and break up for them two hundred acres of ground; to furnish them with a farmer, blacksmith, schoolmaster and interpreter as long as the President of the United States shall deem proper; to furnish them with such agricultural imple- ments as may be necessary for five years; to furnish them with rations for one year, commencing at the time of their arrival at their new home; to furnish them with one ferry boat, to furnish them with one hundred cows and calves and five bulls, one hundred stock hogs when they require them; to furnish them with a mill, and to assist in removing them to the extent of four hundred dollars.
ART. IV. This treaty shall be obligatory on the tribes, parties hereto, from and after the date hereof, and on the United States from and and after its ratification by the Government thereof.
Done, signed and sealed at Fort Leavenworth, on the Missouri River, this seventeenth day of September, eighteen hundred and thirty-six, and of the inde- pendence of the United States the sixty-first.
WILLIAM CLARK, Superintendent of Indian Affairs.
IOWAYS.
MOHOSCA [White Cloud],
NE-WAN-THAW-CHU [Hair Shedder],
NAU-CHE-NING [No Heart],
CHA-TAU-THE-NE [Big Bull],
WA-CHE-MO-NE [Orator],
CON-GU [Plumb],
MAN-O-MONE [Pumpkin ],
CHA-TA-THAW [Buffalo Bull],
NE-O-MO-NE [Raining Cloud], MAN-HAWK-KA [Bunch of Arrows], WAU-THAW-CA-BE-CHU [One that Eats Rats],
SACS AND FOXES.
CA-HA-QUA [Red Fox],
PE-SHAW-CA [Bear], NE-BOSH-CA-NA [Wolf],
PE-CAW. MA [Deer],
QUA-CO-OUIS-SI [Wolf],
NE-SAW-AN-QUA [Bear],
AS-KE-PA-KE-KA-As-A [Green Lake], SE-QUIL-I-A [Deer],
CAN-CA-CAR-MACK
WA-PE-SE [Swan],
[Bald Headed Eagle],
NO-CHA-TAW-WA-TA-SA [Star],
PE-A-CHIM-A-CAR-MACK
[Jr. Bald Headed Eagle].
SE-A-SA-Ho [Sturgeon],
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STATE OF MISSOURI.
WITNESSES.
S. W. KEARNY, JR.,
JOHN DOUGHERTY,
H. ROBIDOU, JR., WILLIAM BOWMAN,
A. S. HUGHES,
JEFREY DORION,
GEORGE H. CLARK,
PETER CONSTINE,
WILLIAM DUNCAN,
JOSEPH V. HAMILTON,
JACQUES METTIE, LOUIS M. DAVIDSON.
Out of territory acquired by the above treaty and extension of the western boundary live were subsequently created the fol- lowing counties: Platte, in 1838; Buchanan, 1839; Andrew, 1841; Holt, 1841; Atchison, 1845, and Nodaway, 1845.
PIONEERS.
Until after the treaty of September 17, 1836, made with the Sacs, Foxes and Ioways, the spirit of adventure incident to per- manent settlement was scarcely developed in the minds of the white people contemplating immigration to what is now Andrew County. It is true that, several years prior to the consummation of said treaty, quite a number of people, anticipating the ultimate acquisition of the territory, and lured by the advantages it offered in the way of cheap lands, abundance of game, etc., made tempo- rary settlements in various parts of the country, setting at defiance the laws in so doing. They appear to have been advent- urers rather than pioneers, the spume that crested the tide of advancing civilization, and, having a large region wherein to choose, soon drifted to other localities. When the treaty had been confirmed, however, and the Indian titles to the lands ceded thereby extinguished, even before the survey except for individ- ual reservations had been made, pioneers, moved by a desire to select homes for themselves and families, visited the country and laid claims to eligible sites along the various water courses. Some who thus came, being highly pleased with the country, made permanent settlements, while others not fully satisfied with the prospect passed along still further in search of the " promised land."
Notwithstanding the fact that quite a number of those who contemplated seeking homes in what is now Andrew County, were deterred from so doing by reason of their indisposition to risk the many hardships incident thereto, yet these were the exceptions.
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HISTORY OF ANDREW COUNTY.
As early as the fall of 1836, shortly after the consummation of the treaty referred to, one Joseph Walker, a Kentuckian, anticipating the ultimate prosperity of this part of the "Pur- chase," emigrated from Clay County, and became the pioneer in fact of the settlers of Andrew. He selected a home site in the eastern part of what is now Lincoln Township, and immediately erected a diminutive round pole cabin adapted only to the immediate wants of his family. This being done he began backwoods life in earnest, and within a short time succeeded in clearing and preparing for cultivation quite a respectable area of land. It was soon ascertained that, situated as he was, the only white settler within a radius of twenty miles or more, his house was hardly sufficient to meet the demands of travelers and home hunters who found it convenient to seek shelter beneath his hospitable roof. To these and all other new comers he rendered valuable assistance, and is remembered as one of the popular and energetic pioneers of the Platte country. In addition to his farming interests Mr. Walker subsequently engaged in milling and the manufacture of spirituous liquors; the latter looked upon as an eminently respectable business in the early days when all classes were wont to indulge freely their appetites for strong drink. He remained an honored resident of the county until his death, which occurred a few years ago. The same year in which Mr. Walker came to the county witnessed the arrival of quite a number of pioneers, to name whom in the order of their coming will be impossible. Samuel Crowley, a native of Georgia, but at that time a resident of Clay County, made a tour of Andrew County in the spring of 1837, and selected a home in what is now Jefferson Township, to which he moved his family the fol- lowing fall. He became a prominent citizen, and, at the organi- zation of the county, was chosen a member of the first county court. He had five sons, viz .: James, John, G. W., Samuel and Thomas, all of whom can be appropriately classed among the early settlers, the last three being still residents of the county. Conspicuous among the pioneers of 1837 was Jeremiah Clark, who settled on Lincoln Creek, in what is now Jackson Township, in March of that year, and from there subsequently moved to where his grandson, Henan Clark, lives, a short distance north of
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STATE OF MISSOURI.
Savannah. Mr. Clark differed from the majority of the early settlers of Andrew County in that he was a man of fine intellect- ual attainments, having graduated with high honors from Dartmouth College a number of years before. He was by pro- fession a civil engineer, and was commissioned by President Jackson surveyor of Government lands in Illinois, from which State he moved to Missouri in the year above mentioned. He was employed in a similar capacity after locating in Andrew, and was also the pioneer mill builder in this part of the country. After a long and useful life he died in the county of his adoption in the spring of 1877.
Jeptha and Zephaniah Todd, two brothers, settled in the south- west corner of Jefferson Township in 1837, moving hither from Clay County, which part of the State furnished many of the early settlers of the Platte Purchase. A settlement was made within the present limits of Jackson Township early in 1837 by John Carr, who located the place now owned by Mr. Gillespie on Round Prairie. Mr. Carr came from Ohio, and was accompanied by Upton Rohrer and Hamilton Smith, the former a member of the first county court of Andrew County, and the latter one of the earliest physicians of this part of the country. James Officer came in 1837, and settled in Lincoln Township, where the Widow Middleton now lives. He was a native of Kentucky, and a man of many excellent qualities.
The settlement on what is known as "Hackberry Ridge," in Lincoln, Jackson and Nodaway Townships, dates from late in the thirties, and among the first in that locality was Jesse Cal- vert, a Kentuckian, who made his first improvements about four and a half miles west of Savannah.
Calvin S. Cameron settled west of Savannah in 1837 or 1838, and about the same time Thomas Stanton settled on "Hackberry," on the edge of what is now Jackson Township, locating the place where his son, Hon. John L. Stanton, now lives. Mr. Stanton moved to the new country from Kentucky, and was a man widely and fa- vorably known throughout Andrew County. Jeremiah Stanton, a brother of Thomas, settled in the same neighborhood, as did also an uncle, William Stanton, who improved the place where his son, Thomas, now lives.
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HISTORY OF ANDREW COUNTY.
Fielding Peters settled near the Cameron place in 1838 or 1839, at which time there was living, in the same neighborhood, one Nathan Culp, a brother-in-law of Cameron, who set out the first orchard in Andrew County.
Robert Elliott pre-empted land where Cameron settled, but did little toward improving the land, selling out in a short time, and engaging in the mercantile business with his son-in-law, John W. Samuels; their store, several miles northwest of Savan- nah, having been the first establishment of the kind in Andrew County.
Joseph and Edward Brock settled four miles northwest of Savannah, late in the thirties, the former improving the farm where his widow now lives. They were Kentuckians, and men of standing in the community they assisted in founding. Joseph Brock committed suicide a few years ago by jumping into a well during a fit of temporary insanity.
John D. Bowland settled about six miles west of Savannah in what is now Lincoln Township, and is remembered as one of the early school teachers of the county. He came as early as 1837, and was a citizen of the county until his death, which occurred January 1, 1865.
Frank Wrightsman, as early as 1837, settled about four miles west of Savannah, and among other pioneers of the same locality were David Best, Elijah Martin, Mr. Fulton, Jerry Garner, Neri Garner and James Garner, all of whom became residents as early as 1838 or 1839.
Henry Duff, a native of Breathitt County, Ky., settled in "Hackberry," in the Stanton neighborhood, in an early day, locating the place where his son, Henry C. Duff, now lives.
Prominent among the arrivals of 1839 was John Riggin, who settled, where he still lives, on "Hackberry Ridge," three miles northwest of Savannah. Mr. Riggin is a native of Virginia, but early immigrated to Michigan, from which State he came to Missouri in the above year. After selecting his land Mr. Riggin at once went to work, and the following year had the honor of harvesting the first wheat and timothy crops ever raised in An- drew County. He has lived upon his original purchase continu- ously since 1839, and has seen this part of the country developed
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STATE OF MISSOURI.
from a wilderness state into one of the most highly-improved and enlightened communities in the great West. He is a true type of the old-time gentleman, and is justly entitled to mention as one of Andrew County's most estimable and substantial citizens.
Additional to the foregoing were the following who settled in "Hackberry" in an early day, to wit: Nathan Culp, Lemuel Pendleton, Samuel Pendleton, Daniel Coffman, Joshua Cliser, Jacob Cliser, Ed. Cliser, James Cliser, Abram Hurst, Stephen Hurst, Morgan Hurst, Elijah Hurst, Russell Reynolds, Arch- ibald Stevenson, John Kinney, Sr., John Kinney, Jr., George Kinney, John Kitchen, Benjamin Kitchen, William Kitchen, the Ennis brothers, Eli Cruner, William Reynolds, Hiram Stanley, Benjamin Davidson, Robert Davidson, Wayne Davidson, Gould Davidson, Henry Davidson, Philip Wilson, Sr., Philip Wilson, Jr., James Florence, Henry Sickles, S. Chapman, James Duncan, Walter Duncan, Thomas Duncan, Johnson Duncan, Obadiah Roberts, Arnett Roberts, William Roberts, Joseph Hair, Henry Hair, Jesse Job, David Hall, James Goodlow, Robert Goodlow, Oscar Goodlow, John Mackey, Edmund Gee, Spencer Gee, John Edwards, Richard Edwards, "Doc" Elliott, George Brand, John Brand, Reason Brand, James Lewis, - Lewis, Jos. Ter- hune, all of whom settled in what is now Lincoln and Jackson Townships.
Settlements were made in the vicinity of Savannah at an early date, but it will be impossible to give a complete list of the pioneers, owing to the fact that the names of those who remained but a short time have long since faded from memory. Of the early comers deserving special mention, however, was Gallant Rains, who located where Mr. Sutton now lives, adjoining the town plat of Savannah, as long ago as 1838. Mr. Rains was a native of Knox County, Ky., and a true type of the pioneer backwoodsman of fifty years ago. He became a noted character in the early history of the country, and it was at his house that the first county and circuit courts were held in 1841. Ezekiel Smith settled one-half mile south of Savannah in 1838, and, at the organization of the county, was chosen sheriff, the duties of which office he discharged in an eminently satisfactory manner
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