USA > Missouri > Bates County > History of Bates County, Missouri > Part 20
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"'Our people are a jealous people, and when they find the seed of oppression sown and cultivated by the government under which they live, they feel it their duty to resist it by electing such men to office
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as will respect their rights. When a majority of the people become oppressive and totally disregard the rights and privileges of the minor- ity it becomes the duty of such minority to withdraw. resist or secede . from the majority. Whenever a majority pass such laws as will give themselves privileges and immunities they deny to the minority, their acts become oppressive and cannot be tolerated by an honorable minor- ity. Thus it was with the thirteen colonies at the commencement of the Revolution, when the government of Great Britain excluded the colonies from privileges which they retained to themselves. The colo- nies, after seeking redress in every legal and constitutional manner known to an honorable and free people without obtaining satisfaction, at last seceded from the government under which they had lived for so many years by passing that great and glorious ordinance, the Declara- tion of Independence, for which they were called 'rebels' by the loyal subjects of Great Britain in America as well as in England. The first effort of the King, from whose government they had seceded, was to send out 17,000 men to coerce them, the secession rebels, into subjection. Failing in his first attempt to awe them into subjection, he sent mes- sengers among the savages of the West and raised them against the colonies to wage a bloody and indiscriminate war against the rebels without distinction of age, sex or condition.
"'How very similar are the present disturbances in this country at this time. A party has taken possession of the government with princi- ples, as avowed by themselves, at war with the spirit and letter of the constitution, claiming to themselves privileges which they declare shall not be extended to the people of the South. They have set forth in their platform of principles that the South shall not enjoy any of the territory now belonging to the United States; that property of a cer- tain kind, if escaping from its owner and getting into a Northern state, shall not be returned, etc., etc. .
"'Hence, the South, seeing by the course of the leaders of the North- ern states, a repetition of the old principles practiced by the govern- ment of Great Britain towards the colonies, and having, like the colonies, petitioned through their representatives in Congress, through the public press, and otherwise, for their constitutional rights, without receiving anything but 'insult added to injury,' and finding that they must sub- mit to degradation, insult and injury, or withdraw their connection from a people with whom they could not remain on terms of equality, they (nine of the Southern states) have withdrawn their connection from
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the government, wherein they could not obtain any assurance of redress for their grievances. Now that they have withdrawn, we see Abraham Lincoln, like old King George III, calling out an army of 75,000 men in the first place, but fearing that not enough, it is reported that he now wants 200,000 to coerce and whip into subjection those states which have yet some of the blood of '76, and enough of the spirit of their fathers to throw off the yoke of oppression, let it come from what source it may. Not satisfied with all the help that can be obtained from the loyal states, we now hear threats that the negroes of the South are to be raised against their masters and mistresses, and it is calculated by the party in power in Washington, that by the help of the African race in the South that short work will be made and the disaffected states will be compelled to abandon their idea of inde- pendence, humble themselves at Abraham's feet, overwhelmed by degra- dation and disgrace, acknowledge their slaves their equals, abolition thieves their superiors, and accept peace on whatever terms it may be dictated them. So old King George thought our fathers would do; but O! how sadly was he deceived and we venture to predict that old tyrant, Lincoln, will be as badly deceived.' "
After reading that spiel, with every line loaded with treason, it is not wonderful that Union soldiers "destroyed the press and type" of the "Banner" office, if, as a matter of fact, any Union soldiers were in that vicinity. It is a fair statement of the attitude and feeling which existed at that time in many parts of the country. And it will be recalled that at the time of this publication it was little more than a month after Fort Sumpter had been fired on, and on that date only nine Southern states had gone out-two more went out afterward; and such fellows as the editor of the "Banner" did everything they could to take loyal old Missouri out.
In the same issue of the "Banner" the historian says: "In speaking of a visit to Butler the editor says. 'We paid a visit to Butler. our neigh- boring town, last week. Our good friends of Butler are up to the true spirit of Missourians, for we see that the flag of the Confederate states waves proudly from a pole one hundred feet in height. in the. public square in front of the court house. Long may it wave! "
That sounds funny to this generation. It seems incredible that fifty-seven years after that disloyal editorial was published and that alien flag flung to the breeze, both in defiance of the law and the con- stitution, there could exist the spirit of unity and loyalty in which we
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rejoice today. It argues that a large per cent. of the people may at any time go wrong, and it requires wisdom and patriotism at all times to keep the Good Ship of State sailing gloriously along upon unruffled seas.
The first paper published in Bates county after the Civil War was established by D. K. Abell, who was editor and proprietor, "The Bates County Record," and its first issue was on July 9, 1866. In November, 1867 Abell sold the plant to Col. O. D. Austin, who continued to own and edit it until his death in March, 1915, or about forty-eight years. W. O. Atkeson purchased the plant from Mrs. Florence M. Austin, the widow of Col. Austin, April 12. 1915, and has continued its publication to this date. On December 27, 1916, the plant was destroyed by fire; but while many valuable things went up in smoke, the bound volumes, greatly injured, were all saved except two years. After the fire, Atkeson donated the mutilated and damaged files to the State Historical Society, which promised to restore and rebind them as far as it is possible. Thus one of the oldest publications in southwest Missouri has been preserved to history intact, except for the years 1886-87. The "Record" has always been a faithful and consistent Republican paper, and it has come to be historic in the annals of newspaperdom in Missouri.
"The Bates County Democrat" was established September 16. 1869. by a company of Democrats in Butler and was edited by Feeley and Rosser. On July 28, 1871, it passed by purchase into the hands of Wade and Scudder, with N. A. Wade as editor. January 27. 1882, Scudder sold his interest to N. A. Wade who continued to own and edit it until his death. In June, 1904, it was purchased by Jas. A. DeArmond, who edited it until the fall of 1909, when he sold to Charles H. Burgess. In 1915, Harry Henry became the owner, with Sam W. Davis editor, and both the "Bates County Democrat" and the "Daily Democrat have continued to this time under their management. The Daily Democrat" was established in 1876. Both papers are Demo- cratic in politics.
"The Butler Weekly Times," an eight-column folio, was started as the "Bates County Times" by D. G. Newsome and a printer named Law- horn in 1878. Lawhorn withdrew after a few months and Newsome continued its publication until April 21, 1879, when Charles T. McFar- land purchased an interest and the firm of Newsome and McFarland continued as owners and publishers until January 1, 1880, at which time Charles T. McFarland purchased the interest of Newsome and
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became sole proprietor. In July, 1882, Charles T. McFarland retired on account of failing health, leaving the paper under the management of Capt. J. D. Allen. Mr. McFarland soon afterward died and in July, 1884, the "Butler Weekly Times" and the "Archie Herald" were purchased by J. D. Allen Company and later Captain Allen became the sole owner of the "Times," which he continued to own and edit till April. 1910, when he was elected clerk of the Missouri Supreme Court by the judges thereof, and moved to Jefferson City, where he now resides. The "Times" plant was then leased to his son, R. D. Allen, who has edited and published it to the present time. The "Times" has always been Democratic in politics.
The "Republican" was born May 4, 1882, at Butler, the child of about eighty Republican stockholders. It was incorporated by J. M. Mays, A. B. Cline, E. Hand, F. R. Weaver, and J. M. Patty. John Brand was the editor, and was succeeded by Edgar R. Beach, when Brand died, June 17, 1882. This plant had a precarious career and was finally sold for debt and purchased by William E. Walton, and afterwards sold and removed from the county.
"The Adrian Advertiser" was established at Adrian, September 9, 1882, by E. T. Kirkpatrick, editor and proprietor, and it was Demo- cratic in politics. Kirkpatrick continued with the paper until 1887. when it was sold to M. H. Sly, who ran it until 1889, and he sold it to a company with M. O. Smith as editor. After a few months Hutchison and McBride succeeded to the management, and in 1890 the company sold to J. E. Dowell, who has continued its publication to the present time, having associated with him in recent years, his son, John, now in the service of his country. Just when the name was changed from the "Advertiser" to the "Adrian Journal" we do not know, but the "Journal" has always been an independent paper although its editor and proprietor is a Republican.
"The Register" was started in 1887, by W. H. Gibbons and con- tinted only about one year.
The first number of the "Rich Hill Gazette" was issued August 5. 1880 by George P. Huckeby and Frank Eldridge. It was continued about a year as a Republican paper, when Eldridge and Dell Cobb became owners; then Cobb bought out Eldridge and sold an interest to E. T. Kirkpatrick. These parties sold to W. H. Sperry and R. B. Parrack in August, 1882, and W. O. Atkeson became the editor until after the election in November, 1882, and the weekly was called the
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"National Gazette" which advocated the Greenback policy, but the "Daily Gazette" was run as a local paper only. A man by the name of Parker succeeded to the editorship for a time, and the paper was discontinued some time in 1883 or 1884.
Dell Cobb afterward started the "Daily Herald" which was contin- ued a year or two and discontinued. As we recall it, this plant finally got into the hands of the Warren Brothers-Fred and Ben, and was used in printing a Socialist paper called the "Coming Nation," which was later consolidated with the "Appeal to Reason" of Girard, Kansas, the boys going to that paper with their plant ; Ben as foreman and Fred as editor of the "Appeal to Reason."
"The Western Enterprise" made its appearance in Rich Hill Sep- tember 16, 1881, with F. J. Wiseman and G. M. Magill as editors and proprietors. Later Magill sold to Wiseman who continued the paper until he sold the plant to G. M. Devers, and he continued it until his recent death, since which time it has been continued by his widow, with Leon Mathews editor and manager. It is Democratic in politics.
"The Rich Hill Mining Review" was established by Col. Thomas Irish, formerly of Norborne, Missouri, and its first appearance was October 29, 1880. "The Daily Review" was started later, and both papers have continued to the present time. Irish sold out to his partner, C. R. Walters and he continued both papers until his death, July 7, 1914, when the plant was operated for several months under the direction of George Templeton. administrator of the estate of C. R. Walters, and then sold to E. E. Bean, the present editor and proprietor.
"Amoret Leader" was established in January, 1913, by the Pattees and was sold in December. 1915, to Charles W. Ellis, who is the present proprietor, and it has been published since the fall of 1916 by Howard A. Ellis, lessee.
"Amsterdam Enterprise" was established by Dick Howard in De- cember, 1902, who retired in 1910, sold to Everet McNutt, who sold to Homer J. Thomas in 1912. Within the next year it was owned by several parties, and in 1915 the Pattees bought the list and put in a new plant, which was destroyed by fire February 3, 1917. A new steel garage 12 × 1912 was reequipped. Later, a new Dicky tile build- ing 25 x 50 feet was built specially for a print shop. At present Frank E. Pattee enlisted for service in the Ordnance department and the office is continued by Elmer Apgar as lessee.
(15)
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"The Border Telephone" was founded March 8, 1889, by John P. Trussell, who sold the plant to S. Moore & Son, November 1, 1889. Lewis W. Moore, the son of the firm, has conducted its publication alone up to January 1, 1917, when he associated with his brother, C. E. Moore, in the business.
In the winter of 1881, Dr. W. A. Williams started Hume's first newspaper, "The Hume News," which continued until the fall of 1884, when Thomas B. Harper began the "Hume Star," which lasted until the fall of 1888.
During the political campaign of 1888, Routzong Brothers started a Democratic organ, known as the "Hume Chronicle." It only survived the campaign.
The "Hume Globe" was launched in the spring of 1894, by the Palmer Brothers, John and Edward. This publication lasted a little over a year.
In 1901 Warren H. Clifford started the "Hume Sun," which has continued only a few weeks.
The following newspapers have been published at Rockville: "The Globe" by W. W. Graves and Charles Boyson ; "The Star" by Carpenter & Schaumloffel; "The Gimlet" by F. H. Lowry; "Reflex" by Sanford Hardy; "Leader" by Miss Florence Duley; "Booster" by E. M. Bozard.
"The Rockville News," published by C. A. Cummins, was estab- lished February 1, 1918.
CHAPTER XIV.
FINANCE AND BANKING.
A STORY OF SUCCESS-C. B. DUNBAUGH & COMPANY-BATES COUNTY BANK- BATES COUNTY SAVINGS BANK-BUTLER NATIONAL BANK-F. J. TYGARD AND W. F. TYGARD-RAILROADS AND BUILDING OF TOWNS-BANKS AND TRUST COMPANIES-LOAN CENTER-THE MISSOURI STATE BANK-THE WAL- TON TRUST COMPANY-THE FARMERS & MANUFACTURERS BANK-ADRIAN BANKING COMPANY-THE FARMERS BANK-THE FARMERS BANK OF BATES COUNTY-BANK OF ROCKVILLE-BANK OF AMSTERDAM-BANK OF AMORET -THE COMMERCIAL BANK OF HUME-THE COMMERCIAL STATE BANK- STATE BANK OF . HUME- FARMERS BANK OF ROCKVILLE.
The financial history of Bates county is interesting. It is really a thrilling story of successes, blotted by only three tragic failures. It is usually thought that the progress and prosperity of the banking institu- tions of the country, or of a county, are certain indices of the growth, progress and prosperity of the commercial pursuits and industrial crea- tive forces of the adjacent sections; that successful banks mean suc- cessful clientele. At first view this seems to be true; but whether true or not, the thoughtless herd accept it, and for the purpose of this story the presumption is permitted to stand without argument or denial.
Just fifty years ago the first banking institution was organized and opened for business in Bates county. It was the C. B. Dunbaugh & Co.'s private bank and was established in Butler in 1868. After a brief and checkered career it closed its doors in 1870. There are people still living who remember its sad ending. Money was lost, but no bloodshed resulted from its failure.
The next banking institution was organized in Butler in 1870, with Lewis Cheney as president and F. J. Tygard as cashier, and it was called the Bates County Bank. Three years later it changed into the Bates County National Bank.
The third bank was the Bates County Savings Bank, organized, also, in 1870, with E. P. Henry as president, William Page vice-presi- dent, and Joseph E. Wilson as cashier. This bank was purchased and absorbed by the Bates County National in 1873. There were no more
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banks organized anywhere in the county until 1881; so that the Bates County National had the whole field to itself for nearly eleven years. Then the Butler National Bank was organized in August, 1881, with Booker Powell as president, Thomas W. Childs as vice-president, and William E. Walton as cashier. Some years later it became the Mis- souri State Bank as we have it today. It ought to be stated here that some time in the nineties, the Bates County National reverted to the Bates County Bank under the state law but later once more became a National bank, and continued as such until its unexpected and tragic failure in September of 1906. F. J. Tygard had been its president for many years. Soon after the failure he was indicted in the Federal court, tried, convicted and sentenced to the Federal prison at Leaven- worth, where he served most of the term, was pardoned, returned to Butler, a broken old man, for a short time, and was admitted later to the Memorial Home in St. Louis where he was supported by the Grand Lodge and where he died soon afterward: his body was returned to Butler and laid to rest beside his wife who had preceded him some time before the bank failure. The failure of this bank carried down the Rich Hill Bank of which W. F. Tygard, a brother of F. J. Tygard, was president and he removed to Oklahoma and soon afterward died a sudden and mysterious death-some of his friends hinting at suicide ; however that may be we know not, and state it merely as "talk."
With the coming of the railroads to the county and the establish- ment of villages and towns and the city of Rich Hill, banks-all of them state banks, with one exception, the First National of Adrian- multiplied rapidly until today there are fifteen banks in the county, and one more in process of organization. In addition to the banks proper there are two large and prosperous trust companies with banking powers.
For a county like Bates, almost wholly devoted to farming and stock growing, this is a remarkable showing. Indeed, Butler has come to be the loan center of a wide territory of the best farming and stock growing country west of the Mississippi, our trust companies cover- ing all southwestern and northern Missouri, eastern Kansas and a large part of Oklahoma.
It is impossible to enter into details touching all of our banking institutions; but in order to show their growth, progress and prosper- ous condition, the following statements which are made by the banking officers of the county, are submitted. The figures are well worth study-
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ing and they tell their own story. It is truly a marvelous showing for a county of about 25,000 people, mostly engaged in agriculture. or mixed farming, without large manufacturing industries, or mining operations on a large scale. We give them in the order, as nearly as may be, of their organization :
The Missouri State Bank, Butler, Missouri, was opened for busi- ness December 20, 1880. The promoters of this bank were C. H. Dutcher, William E. Walton, Luther Shobe, John Deerwester, Dr. T. C. Boulware, A. H. Humphrey, all of whom formed the first board of directors of the bank. The total capitalization of the bank upon its organization was $35,000, fully paid in. The first officers of the bank were: Luther Shobe. president; C. H. Dutcher, vice-president ; Will- iam E. Walton, cashier. The present capitalization of the Missouri State Bank is $50,000. The surplus and undivided profits are $38,000. The present officers are: J. B. Walton, president; John Deerwester, vice-president ; Jesse E. Smith, cashier.
The Walton Trust Company of Butler, Bates county, Missouri, commenced business August 19, 1896, with a capital of $55.000. Will- iam E. Walton, president ; T. J. Wright, vice-president ; Frank Allen, secretary. Directors: C. H. Dutcher, William E. Walton, T. J. Wright, H. H. Pigott, J. Everingham, J. R. Jenkins, John Deerwester, WV. W. Trigg, T. C. Boulware, Booker Powell, C. R. Radford, F. M. Voris. In 1918 the capital stock is $250.000 and surplus and undivided profits $185,000. Officers: J. B. Walton, president ; G. M. Hargett, first vice-president ; Frank Allen, second vice-president: W. J. Nix, secretary ; Freeman Walton, treasurer. Directors: J. B. Walton, Williani E. Walton, Frank Allen, J. W. Choate, John Deerwester, C. H. Dutcher, G. M. Hargett. Paul Levy, C. A. McComb.
The Farmers and Manufacturers Bank of Rich Hill was opened for business September 21, 1882. Capital stock paid in, $25,000. First officers: J. C. Ferguson, president ; J. J. Francisco, vice-president ; E. F. Swinney, cashier; and W. W. Ferguson, assistant cashier. Present officers: W. W. Ferguson, president ; John D. Moore, vice-president ; J. W. Jamison, cashier. Present directors: W. W. Ferguson, John D. Moore. J. W. Jamison, George Templeton and E. N. Hurst. Jan- uary 1, 1918, the capital stock paid in was $25,000: surplus, $25.000; undivided profits, $32,127.88; deposits, $404.885.58. E. F. Swinney, the first cashier of this bank, is now president of the First National Bank of Kansas City. W. W. Ferguson, E. F. Swinney and Geo. Templeton
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are the only original organizers that are living. W. W. Ferguson has been in the banking business longer than any one in the county except William E. Walton.
The Adrian Banking Company of Adrian, Missouri was organized in 1883 with a capital stock of ten thousand dollars and the following officers : H. Moudy, president ; J. Scudder, cashier ; and John Murphy, H. Moudy, A. J. Satterlee, J. Scudder, H. F. Wilhite, H. L. Fair, J. N. Bricker, and F. J. Taggard, stockholders, seven of whom were directors. Of the eight original stockholders, three are now living, namely : H. Moudy, H. L. Fair, and H. F. Wilhite. Mr. Moudy and Mr. Fair reside at Adrian and Mr. Wilhite is a resident of Lordsburg, Los Angeles county, California. This financial institution was first started in 1882 as a private bank and did not organize as the Adrian Banking Company until one year later. June 2, 1885 the capital stock was increased from ten thousand dollars to fifteen thousand dollars and since that time there has been a further increase to twenty-five thousand dollars, which in itself speaks well for the efficient manage- ment of the bank. The present officers of the Adrian Banking Com- pany are, as follow: M. V. Owen, president; D. F. Andes, vice-presi- dent ; D. B. Reist, cashier ; and W. W. Ricketts, assistant cashier ; and M. V. Owen, D. F. Andes, J. M. Reeder. G. L. Argenbright, and D. B. Reist, directors. This bank is one of the strong, sound financial institutions of Bates county, of which all are proud, and its remarkable success from the very beginning is undoubtedly due to its wise manage- ment by gentlemen of superior business ability, whose integrity, as well as financial standing, is far above question. The following is a statement of this bank February 28, 1918: Resources, loans, $279,- 205.62; bonds, $6,209.04: real estate, $6,000; furniture and fixtures. $2,500; cash and due from banks, $156,063.66; total, $450,293.68: lia- bilities, capital. $25,000; surplus, $25,000; undivided profits, $2,462.12; deposits, $397.831.56; total, $450,293.68.
The Farmers Bank of Foster, Missouri, was organized on Febru- ary 3, 1887, Charter No. 363, and is one of the oldest established finan- cial institutions in the county. This bank was organized by William E. Walton, president emeritus of the Walton Trust Company, of But- ler, Missouri. W. M. Campbell was the first president: R. M. Ewing, vice-president ; J. Everingham, now deceased, Dr. T. C. Boulware. J. P. Edwards, and L. W. Jones, now- deceased, directors. F. M. Allen served as assistant cashier under William E. Walton for the first year. Judge
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THE INN, BUTLER, MISSOURI.
MAERS
FARMERS BANK BUILDING, BUTLER, MISSOURI.
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John H. Sullens was the next cashier, followed by W. A. Ephland, who was succeeded by W. S. James, who served until J. D. Doolittle took charge of the bank in 1911. Prior to becoming cashier of the bank, Mr. Doolittle served as president, succeeding W. M. Campbell in 1909. The capital stock of the Farmers Bank is $15,000; surplus fund is $6,000; undivided profits, $2,518.69; with total resources of $102,500 at this writing, January, 1918. The present officers are as follow : H. A. Rhoades, president ; J. G. Doolittle, cashier ; H. A. Rhoades, J. G. Doo- little, H. G. Davis, E. E. Laughlin, Bertha E. Doolittle, directors.
The Farmers Bank of Bates County, according to its name, was promoted by farmers, D. N. Thompson being the principal promoter and the principal owner of the stock at the time the bank was organized. He had associated with him J. K. Rosier, Dr. J. Everingham, J. J. McKee and others. The bank opened for business in 1889 with the following board of directors: D. N. Thompson, J. K. Rosier, J. Ever- ingham, John Steele, T. W. Silvers, J. J. McKee, Dan McConnell, Charles Sprague and E. D. Ripp. This management continued until 1906, when the controlling interest of the bank passed into the hands of Duvall Brothers, of Butler, Missouri, when W. F. Duvall in January, 1906, was elected cashier. W. F. Duvall remained cashier until the following year, when he was elected president and Homer Duvall was elected cashier, who have continued in these respective offices down to the present time.
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