USA > Missouri > Boone County > History of Boone County, Missouri. > Part 36
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110
Some three weeks before the shooting Mr. Handy bought a large bowie-knife at a store in town, declaring at the time that he intended to cane Thornton for whipping him, and that if he resisted he would see his heart's blood with that knife. The fact that Handy was armed coming to Thornton's ears, he asked a mutual friend, as a personal favor, to go to Handy and advise him in his (the friend's) own name, not to make an attack on him; that he did not wish any difficulty with him'; but that if Handy did attack him he would certainly kill him. The request was complied with. Handy denied buying the knife for any such purpose, and pledged his honor that he meditated no attack upon Thornton, and desired that he be so informed. All privy to the matter now very reasonably supposed the affair at an end.
But on Monday, December 20, as the students were coming out of Prof. Locke's room (which was on the lower floor) and departing from the University, Mr. Handy preceded Thornton and waited near the hall door, a door with two shutters, one of which, however, was fastened. As Thornton approached this door, being about three feet from it, Handy made an assault upon him with a heavy cane, striking him on the head several times. Thornton, according to some, got out of the door, and according to others was fastened between the students. At all events, Handy was on the inside, with his left hand on the door, pressing it against Thornton, and with his cane in his right attempting to strike him ; Thornton the while pushing against the door to get in. Succeeding, at least partially, the combatants grappled each other, and Thornton instantly shot Handy in the left breast with a pistol, causing almost immediate death. The body being afterwards exam- ined, a loaded pistol and large bowie-knife were found on Mr. Handy's person.
376
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.
Mr. Thornton voluntarily surrendered himself to Justices David Gordon and Henry H. Ready, and was tried and acquitted. James M. Gordon appeared for the defense. No attorney appeared for the prosecution.
COLUMBIA CEMETERY ASSOCIATION.
The old or first cemetery of the town becoming wholly inadequate to the demands upon it, in 1854 the General Assembly chartered an association, with the usual powers of such companies, and the follow- ing directors, who were clothed with authority to perpetuate their number : Jefferson Garth, J. S. Rollins, Moss Prewitt, J. R. Boyce, R. C. Branham, H. H. Ready, and W. F. Switzler. This board or- ganized by the election of the following officers : R. C. Branham, pres- ident ; J. R. Boyce, secretary, and W. F. Switzler, treasurer.
This association is still in existence, and since its organization has purchased two large additions of grounds adjoining the old cemetery, and have expended, over and above the cost of the grounds, every dol- lar received from the sale of lots, in fencing and improving the cem- etery. Among the improvements is the opening and macadamizing of a new avenue from Broadway to the grounds, the old entrance having been on the east, instead of north of them.
The ground was laid off into lots of appropriate size, sixteen by thirty-two feet, and others sixteen feet square, and the first sale oc- curred on Saturday, November 20, 1858.
THE DROUGHT OF 1854.
A drought unprecedented in the history of the county occurred in 1854, no rain of any consequence falling between June 20 and Sep- tember 11. The streams, wells, and springs became dry ; water for stock was almost exhausted and difficult to find, and not more than half a crop of corn was raised. The grass in forests and pastures be- came dry enough to burn, and several disastrous conflagrations acci- dentally occurred in Boone County. Corn advanced to a price hitherto unknown - sixty cents per bushel.
Missouri and Boone County were not alone in this calamity, for the drought prevailed all over the New England and most of the Western States.
SELBY'S NEW HOTEL.
The large two-story frame building near the court-house, and now known as the " Planters' House," was originally built by the late
377
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.
Alexander Douglass, father of Shannon C. Douglass, Esq., and Dr. Wm. H. Douglass, for a residence. Being eligibly located for a hotel, in May, 1855, the late Thomas Selby purchased the property, and in November following occupied it as a hotel, and it has ever since been thus occupied.
MONSTER KANSAS MEETING - PREMONITIONS OF THE COMING STORM:
The discussions in Congress and elsewhere, growing out of the territo- rial organizations of Kansas and Nebraska in 1852-7, excited the liveliest interest throughout the whole country, North and South ; and the peo- ple of Boone County were not uninterested spectators of the passing scenes. Indeed, they were deeply moved and at times greatly excited by the debates in Congress, and by the struggles in the Territory of Kansas over the State constitutions adopted at Lecompton and To- peka - one free and the other slave. Very diverse views were enter- tained in Boone County touching some of the issues involved in the Kansas-Nebraska controversy, which finally found expression in a tan- gible form at a public meeting held at the old fair grounds, east of Columbia, on Saturday, June 2, 1855. The meeting was first organ- ized in the court-house, but that building was wholly inadequate to accommodate the vast multitude present. Hence the adjournment to the Fair Grounds.
At the court house, Odon Guitar called the meeting to order, and on his motion, James McConathy was called to the chair, and Dr. W. H. Lee and John C. Mckinney were appointed secretaries. John H. Field then opened the ball by introducing a series of resolutions, whereupon Col. Young moved that a committee of three Whigs and three Democrats be elected by the meeting, to report resolutions. Several other motions were made in regard to a committee, and con- siderable discussion ensued, during which remarks were made by Maj. Rollins, Col. Young, Maj. Forshey, Mr. Field, Dr. Forshey and perhaps others. On motion of Joseph K. Northcutt, it was ordered that none be allowed to vote in the meeting except residents of the county who are twenty-one years of age. The committee of six on resolutions were finally elected, as follows : Whigs - W. F. Switz- ler, James M. Gordon and Middleton G. Singleton. Democrats - Dr. W. H. Lee, John Slack and Priestly H. McBride, during whose retirement the meeting took a recess.
This committee did not agree, but agreed to make two reports. This fact being announced, a motion was made and carried that the
378
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.
meeting adjourn to the Fair Grounds, where the vast assembly could . be accommodated ; whereupon the great throng, pell-mell, helter- skelter, repaired thither.
Order, such as it was, being restored, Colonel Switzler, on behalf of that portion of the committee he represented, reported the fol- lowing :-
RESOLUTIONS.
Resolved 1. That domestic slavery, as it now exists in many of the States of the Union, is recognized and protected by the Constitution of the United States, and is left by that in- strument to be regulated alone by the municipal policy of the States in which it is or may be established.
2. That the aggressive and fanatical spirit evidenced by the Abolitionists and Freesoilers of the North, wantonly to interfere with the institution both in the States and Territories, is calculated to disturb the friendly feeling which should exist between the people of the sev- eral States, light the torch of servile insurrection and war, and ultimately to dissolve the Union.
3. Non-intervention, therefore, on the part of Congress, with slavery both in States and Territories ; and non-interference by the people of the free States with slavery in the slave States, is not only in accordance with the Constitution, but the dictates of patriotism and sound policy; and that those who would attempt to subvert these principles ought to be re- garded as enemies of the Union, seeking to effect by incendiary agitation the destruction of our domestic peace and the palladium of our liberties.
4. That Abolitionism and Freesoilism are monsters of iniquity, at war with the best inter- ests, and insulting to the sovereignty of the slave States; and that the utterance, publication, or circulation of any statements, arguments or opinions in this State, tending to excite our slaves to insurrection or rebellion, justly subjects the offender, under our law, to imprison- ment in the penitentiary, and to a forfeiture of the right to sit as a juror, to vote at our elec- tions, or to hold office.
5. That the efforts of the Emigrant Aid Society of Massachusetts to Abolitionize the Territory of Kansas, by pouring within its limits and upon our western border, hireling Abolitionists and Freesoilers, going thence with no purpose permanently to settle, but merely to vote at the elections of the Territory and return home, very deeply and justly ex- asperates the people of Missouri; and we hereby pledge ourselves to aid by all honorable
. and legal means to defeat the efforts of those who would thus make a mockery of public law, and disregard our peace.
6. That the Kansas-Nebraska bill, based upon the principle of non-intervention, and guaranteeing to the people of the Territories the power to settle the question of slavery for themselves, meets with our approval; and we regard any man who favors its repeal, or who of choice agitates the subject of slavery in Congress or elsewhere, as an enemy to our insti- tutions, and as forfeiting all claim to our support or confidence.
7. That whilst we do not sanction acts of violence, whether perpetrated by citizens of the North or South, so long as the law affords protection and redress; and whilst we regard Abolitionism, Nullification and Freesoilism alike dangerous to the peace and permanency of this Union, we are ready to pledge "our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor" to pro- tect, at all hazards, by legal and honorable means, the institutions of the South against en- croachment and invasion from without and sedition and treachery from within.
8. That the recent decision of the Supreme Court of Wisconsin, declaring the Fugitive Slave Law unconstitutional and of no binding force within the limits of that State, and the passage of the Personal Liberty Bill, in defiance of the Governor's veto, by the Legislature of Massachusetts, whereby the Fugitive Slave Law is practically nullified within the limits
379
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.
of that Commonwealth, are alarming evidences of fanaticism, nullification and treason, cal- culated to foment discord among the people of the States, and ultimately to dissolve the Union.
9. That the refusal of the Abolitionists and Freesoilers to execute the laws of Congress, constitutionally made; their attempts to remove officers for executing those laws; their acts of nullification and avowal of "higher law" doctrines, are outrages at which the South may and does justly complain, and their continuance is wholly incompatible with the spirit of the Union; and if the Union is to be preserved, it becomes the conservative, law-abiding people of the North to disavow and repudiate these incendiary, ruthless attacks upon the laws of the land and the guarantees of the Constitution.
10. That we regard the Union as the Palladium of our Liberties, and all acts tending to weaken the confidence of the people in its stability, to abate their appreciation of its price- less value and patriotic love for its integrity - all acts designed to exasperate one section of the Union against another, thereby tending to its dissolution, we regard as the basest treason, meriting the execration of every true lover of his country.
11. That if it be true, as it has been repeatedly charged, that Governor Reeder is an enemy to the institutions of the South -that he has sought and is still seeking to Aboli- tionize the Territory of Kansas, and that he gave the Emigrant Aid Society notice of the recent election previous to notifying the people of said Territory, his appointment to the office he holds and the failure of President Pierce to remove him therefrom, meets with our unqualified condemnation.
12. That the charge of Abolitionism and Freesoilism against loyal citizens of Missouri, made without evidence and often against evidence, is not only well calculated to give Aboli- tionism undue respectability, but also to disturb our peace and foment insurrection and insubordination among our slaves, and therefore merits the severest condemnation of all good citizens.
The resolutions being read, Col. Switzler proceeded briefly to refer to their character. He maintained that they were national, conserva- tive, loyal to the South and to the Federal Union -clear and decided in the assertion of the Constitutional rights of the slave States and the duty of the people; justly severe in the condemnation of the heresies of Abolitionism, Freesoilism and Nullification ; in short, that they covered the whole ground, and laid down a platform on which every Missourian, who was true to his State and his country, could stand.
Dr. Lee, with the concurrence of two other members of the com- mittee, reported the following
PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTIONS.
WHEREAS, It is indubitable that God wills the existence and happiness of the whole hu- man family ; that the capacities of the races, respectively, and of the successive generations of those races, are adapted to the several spheres they are designed to fill; that their exist- ence and happiness cannot be secured without the protection of rights, and redress of wrongs; and that this protection and redress cannot be secured in any degree commensu- . rate with our necessities without social organization, which organization must necessarily be adapted to the moral and intellectual condition of those for whom it is intended; therefore,
Resolved, 1. That human government exists in accordance with the will of God (and by the consent of the governed, if they are morally and intellectually qualified for self-govern-
1
380
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.
ment), for the protection of the rights and the redress of the wrongs of its subjects, deriving all its just powers from its necessity for, and its adaptation to, the accomplishment of these purposes.
2. That to resist government in the accomplishment of its lawful objects, and the exer- cise of its just rights, or to subvert its authority when directed to these ends, is highly crim- inal, and destructive of the best interests of society and the human family.
3. That when any government, from whatever cause, is incapable of protecting the rights. and redressing the wrongs of its subjects, it is their inalienable right, both as individuals and as communities, and it is their duty, to take protection and redress into their own hands and to provide all necessary guards for their future security.
4. That in accordance with these principles, all communities, whether savage or civilized, admit the right of necessary self-defence, and the consequent right of abating, by extra- legal means, such nuisances as are intolerable, and cannot be abated by the regular opera- tions of laws.
5. That the fanatical and persevering efforts of Abolitionists, and Abolition societies, to. render our slave property insecure, and to excite the evil passions of those slaves to insub- ordination, has a direet tendency to incite them to a servile war, with all its attendant. horrors; and is such an invasion of our rights that we feel justified in pledging our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor to each other, to the State and to our sister slave States, that we will abate it, to the utmost extent of our ability - peaceably if we can, forcibly if we must.
6. That the repeated invasion of the constitutional rights of the slave States has a direct. tendency to dissolve the Union, and if persisted in, must inevitably lead to this deplorable result, as the only refuge from impending evils of the most appalling and intolerable char- acter; and we therefore pledge ourselves, irrespective of all previous party ties, to abjure all minor issues, and unite as one man in waging a deadly war on Abolitionism, and resist- ing all its vile efforts, whether made by force or fraud, to trample our constitutional rights under its unhallowed feet.
7. That we appeal to the intelligence, patriotism and loyalty of the free States, to arrest the torrent of Abolition fanaticism that is sweeping over them in open violation of our con- stitutional rights, exposing the Union of these States to imminent peril, and if not speedily ar- rested, to certain annihilation.
8. That the whole State is identified in interest and sympathy with the citizens on our western border; and we will co-operate with them in all proper measures to prevent the foul demon of Abolitionism from planting a colony of negro thieves on our frontier, to har- ass our citizens and steal their property, it matters not whether that colony be imported from European poor-houses and prisons, or from the pestilential hot-beds of New England. fanaticism.
1
9. That we regard the emissaries of Abolitionism whether open or disguised, as our vilest. enemies - conspirators against the peace and permanency of our Union, and as such we feel bound to give them no countenance nor encouragement whatever; but on the contrary, as it is our duty in self-defence, we will use all lawful and proper means to expose them to a just. retribution, and a lawful and well-merited infamy.
10. That as we believe the Missouri Compromise to have been at variance with the spirit and objects of the Federal compact, in which are conferred all the powers of the General Government, we most heartily approve of the repeal of that odious measure, and as cordi- ally indorse the Kansas-Nebraska bill, believing its principles to be correct. We, therefore, have seen with feelings of indignation and abhorrence the efforts made by citizens of the free States to deprive slave-holders of the rights which the Kansas bill was designed to restore ; and while we deprecate the necessity, we cannot too highly appreciate the patriotism of those Missourians who so freely gave their time and money for the purpose, in the recent. election in Kansas, of neutralizing said Abolition efforts, and preventing the fraud attempted. by the importation of hireling voters into that Territory.
381
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.
11. That the other counties in the State be requested to hold meetings and express their sentiments on the subject, so that whatever hopes may be entertained by the Abolitionists of reaping any advantage from division among us, may be dispelled - and that the people of this State, irrespective of all party considerations, may present an unbroken front of opposi- tion to the foul designs of the Abolitionists.
12. That we view with indignation the efforts made in Congress as well as in the North- ern States, to repeal or render inoperative the Fugitive Slave Law, and that we will not sub- mit to the repeal.
13. That - delegates be appointed to represent this meeting in the convention to be held in Boonville; and that the chairman make the appointment.
The two sets of resolutions being thus before the assembly, the ball opened anew amid considerable excitement and disorder. Dr. Lee said he had no objections to the first resolutions, but preferred his own as they went a little further. Col. Young moved that both sets be adopted en masse. Maj. Rollins called for a division of the question, remarking that while Col. Switzler's seemed generally acceptable, there were several of Dr. Lee's which were very obnox- ious, and he could not vote for them. Some insisted that the vote be taken on each resolution separately ; others that each set be pre- sented by itself. During the presentation and discussion of these and kindred motions " noise and confusion" bore sway, with much excitement. Deliberation was impossible ; discussion out of the ques- tion. All was turmoil and disorder. Bad blood was stirred, and yet the passing scenes were far more farcical than tragical. Here, there and everywhere, on the ground, on the seats, in the stand, men were talking - calling upon the president, whacking the air by violent gestures, making suggestions, trying to speak-and the president ever and anon made an effort to put questions to the meeting. One gentleman (Maj. Geo. S. Waters), moved that the proceedings be published in none of the papers ! The Major realized his wish. No paper ever will publish, for no stenographer could report, a full account of what was done and said at the Kansas meeting. There were never witnessed more disorder and excitement at a ground swell in a city. An attempt was made to divide the assembly to the right and left, according to their choice between the two sets of resolutions, but this failed.
Finally, at the request of gentlemen on both sides of the question, and with the concurrence of the presiding officer, A. W. Turner (who preferred Dr. Lee's), temporarily occupied the chair and succeeded in restoring comparative order. His was a new voice, and a clear one, and the uproar subsided. He said that there seemed to be no objection to the resolutions of Switzler, and therefore he would put the vote upon
382
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.
them en masse. He did so, and they passed by a large majority. After announcing that they had been adopted, Mr. Turner said that inasmuch as many had strong objections to some of the resolutions of Dr. Lee, he would take the vote of the meeting as to whether they should be voted on separately or en masse. The vote was put, and Mr. Turner announced he could not decide. At this point, uproar and confusion again resumed the mastery. Something was heard, for the first time by the chairman and many others, about an appeal of Dr. Lee from the decision in regard to the vote on Switzler's resolutions. Swelling above the tumult were the loud demands of Sterling Price, Jr., one of the adjunct professors in the University, for a vote on Dr. Lee's appeal ! Maj. Rollins and others denied that an appeal had been taken. Amidst the uproar that prevailed, the vociferous cry of " Mr. President!" was heard from a distant point of the amphitheatre, and a gentleman in that direction was seen apparently seeking to at- tract the attention of the chairman by violent motions with his white beaver. It was President Shannon, of the State University. He op- posed Switzler's resolutions, and denounced the sixth of the series as containing " lurking treason to the South." Maj. Rollins promptly denied the allegation, and demanded that the " treason " be shown, but it was not.
The friends of Dr. Lee's resolution then withdrew from the regular meeting, and at a point outside of the amphitheatre called Col. Young to preside, and passed his resolutions unanimously.
At the conclusion of the regular meeting, Mr. Guitar and Maj. Rol- lins, in response to calls made upon them, addressed the assembly in soul-stirring and eloquent denunciations of Abolitionism, Freesoilisin, and Nullification, exhorting the people to law and order, to unyield- ing defence of their rights, and to adherence to our glorious Union at all hazards and to the last extremity.
"E. K. KLAMPUS VIETUS."
In November, 1854, a Harko (lodge) of this order was organized in Columbia, with about forty members. It claims to have originated with Confucius, the great Chinese philosopher, and was introduced into the United States by the Chinese in California. The following are the officers of Columbia Harko : -
Thos. A. Russell, Most Worthy Grand Gyrescutus ; J. S. Dorsey, Right Worthy Gos-ty- path-e; Wm. H. Provines, Le-ang Ther-ma-path-e-ho; J. M. Bates, Senior Ho-ta-tote; S. A. Garth, Junior Ho-ta-tote; E. T. Withers, Yang-se-to-ag; W. Crow, Din-ar-es-e-ang; C. H. Field, Lin-to-ag; L. E. Wright, Lo-to-ag.
383
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.
THESPIAN HALL, COLUMBIA.
In February, 1856, some of the citizens of Columbia formed an as- sociation for the purpose of cultivating the drama. Dr. Wm. H. Lee, who now resides at Mexico, Mo., was elected president ; Odon Guitar, vice-president ; J. F. Baker, treasurer ; Jas. Thompson (foreman of the Statesman printing office ), secretary ; S. A. Young, stage di- rector, and E. P. Rogers, chairman of the finance committee. The association purchased the old Union Church, and proceeded without delay to fit it up with a stage and seats for a Town and Thespian Hall. On Saturday night, June 28, 1856, the company gave their first entertainment before a crowded house, rendering the popular farces, "Limerick Boy". and "Irish Tutor," and a few evenings after, " Fortune's Frolic." Later in the season the troupe performed the popular comedy, " His Last Legs," and the farce, "Kill or Cure," and won many laurels. Encouraged by the success they had achieved, the company finally assumed the responsibility of presenting such plays as the "Lady of Lyons." Pecuniarily, the enterprise was not a success, and the building, together with the paraphernalia of the stage, were sold to W. F. Switzler, who, owning the adjacent build- ings, tore down the front part of the hall and converted the rear into a kitchen and servants' rooms.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.