History of Boone County, Missouri., Part 37

Author:
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: St. Louis, Western Historical Company
Number of Pages: 1220

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NEW COUNTY JAIL.

In August, 1856, the contract for the erection of a new stone jail was let to B. McAlester at{ $11,000, who sub-let the stone work to. Charles Cameron. It is the same jail the county now has, and consists of a prison proper with hall and four cells, together with a two-story frame residence, for the jailer, adjoining the prison. The jail is also. two stories high, walls two feet thick resting on a foundation five feet in thickness and which covers the whole area of the building. Roof also of stone, no wood being used in the construction of the building except a second roof of shingles covering the one of stone.

DAILY MAIL TO JEFFERSON CITY.

On Monday, August 24, 1856, Moore & Walker, mail contractors,. commenced running a daily line of four-horse mail coaches between Columbia and Jefferson City via Ashland and Claysville. This was the first direct mail of any kind ever established between the State- capital and the State University.

384

HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.

BOONE COUNTY TROOPS FOR KANSAS.

The question of the admission of Kansas into the Union, with or without a constitution recognizing slavery, was a subject which greatly excited the people of Missouri and of Boone County. At all periods of our history, a question of great delicacy and fraught with elements of popular upheavals with tendencies to frenzy and passion, the desire to plant the institution of slavery in Kansas assumed, in Boone County, very alarming proportions. And yet the people were divided in regard to it, one part of them maintaining that if Kansas were ad- mitted into the Union as a free State it would jeopardize the institution of slavery in Missouri, and that this fact, together with the efforts then being made by the emigrant aid societies of New England to organize the State with a free constitution, justified contravailing efforts to accomplish its admission on a pro-slavery basis. The other party maintained that the people of Missouri could not legally or rightfully interfere in the matter, and that any effort on their part by participation as voters in the elections of Kansas, or by force of arms to coerce that State into the Union with a pro-slavery constitution, was revolutionary and calculated to foment civil war.

Nevertheless, some of the more active and ultra-slavery prop- agandists met in Columbia, in August, 1856, for the purpose of enlisting and organizing a military company " to aid the pro-slavery party in Kansas Territory in resisting the assaults of the Abolition- ists." S. A. Young was elected Captain ; S. B. Hatton, First Lieu- tenant ; George W. Miller, Second Lieutenant; Irvin H. Field, Ensign, and John J. Howe, Orderly Sergeant. Col. Young resigned the captaincy, and the duties of that position ( we suppose ) devolved, at least temporarily, upon Lieutenant Hatton. At all events, on Wednesday, August 27, the company, consisting of some forty mem- bers, took up the line of march " for the seat of war."

The contending factions in Kansas having precipitated upon that Territory actual hostilities, by a battle at Osawattamie between the pro-slavery forces, under Gen. J. W. Reid, and the Abolitionists under old John Brown, the excitement in Boone County reached fever heat, and on Monday, September 8, a Kansas meeting was held in Columbia -John Slack, president, and J. W. Hickam, secretary - to which Dr. W. H. Lee reported from a committee that the County Court be called upon to appropriate $5,000 for the purpose of arming and equipping one hundred volunteers to go to Kansas, which was

385

HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.

adopted. A committee was appointed to wait upon the court, but the appropriation was never made. Nevertheless, on the next day after the meeting, the citizens contributing about $200 to aid in defraying their expenses, about twenty persons started for Kansas, among them Lewis W. Robinson and Samuel A. Young. Previous to their leaving, however, these persons met and, on motion of L. W. Robinson, it was resolved that they went to Kansas, " not as volunteer soldiers, but as citizens, free to act as our judgment and circumstances may dictate after we shall have arrived in the Territory ; that we will not do anything in violation of the laws of Kansas, the laws and Constitu- tion of the United States, or that is not right."

What was done in Kansas, either by the volunteers or citizens of Boone, cannot now be learned. It is known, however, that peace was in a few days restored, and that by the 20th of September, Gen'l Hatton, Col. Young, Mr. Robinson and most of the Boone company, returned home.

TRIAL, CONVICTION AND EXECUTION OF JOHN CHAPMAN, FOR MURDER.

About ten o'clock, A. M., on Friday, June 29, 1855, John Chap- man, who then resided on the county road, between Hallsville and Centralia, committed one of the most unprovoked and cowardly mur- ders known to the criminal annals of the county. John C. Denham, whom he murdered, lived not far distant. He was a poor and inoffen- sive man, with a wife and children. On the day of his murder he was plowing in his field, unconscious of danger. Chapman, in order to execute his diabolical purpose, had secreted himself with a loaded rifle near the fence. As Denham drove his horse near, and when in twelve paces of him, Chapman fired from ambush, lodging a large ball in Denham's head. He fell lifeless in the fresh made furrow, and the murderer retired to his home.

Very soon after the crime, suspicion rested upon Chapman, and he fled to Ohio, whither he was pursued, but not caught. A year or more afterwards he secretly returned to this county, was discovered, ap- prehended, and lodged in jail. In 1857 he obtained a change of venue to Howard County, and on Friday, April 17, was taken from our county jail in charge of James H. Waugh, deputy sheriff, to Fayette, where he was incarcerated to await his trial. From one cause and another, the trial did not occur until the June term, 1858, of the Howard Circuit Court, W. A. Hall, Judge. The prosecution was conducted with marked ability and power by John F. Williams, Circuit Attorney, and 25

386

HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.

Robert T. Prewitt, of Fayette. The defence, with a zeal and eloquence unsurpassed in criminal trials in the West, by J. S. Rollins and Odon Guitar, of Columbia, Jerre P. Lancaster, of Ralls, and Andrew J. Herndon, of Howard.

The evidence was entirely circumstantial, but so clear and convinc- ing, that notwithstanding the ability and eloquence of his attorneys, the jury rendered a verdict of guilty, and Judge Hall sentenced the prisoner to be hung at Fayette, on Friday, July 16, 1858. On the way to the gallows, he was accompanied by Revs. Noah Flood and Tyson Dines, a relative, and the sheriff, Boyd Mccrary. Upon emerging from the jail, he looked calm, and took his seat in the wagon with com- posure. On the way to the gallows he conversed with his relative, in low, but earnest tones ; arrived there, he bade him good-bye, and mounted the scaffold with a steady step. Upon being asked if he desired to make any remarks, he arose and spoke, in substance, as follows :-

I feel it a duty to say a few last words. I bear no malice towards any human being. I have found it hard to forgive my enemies, but thank God, He has enabled me to do it. My poor voice cannot tell the suffering my enemies have caused me, but all is forgiven. I have a soul to be saved or lost, but thank God I have a hope, a bright hope, that all is well. I never felt it till last night; I then forgave all, and trust that I was forgiven. I came to this State alone, and settled in Boone County; God knows I ought not to have an enemy in Boone. All has been said and done by one or two enemies. Chapman had done this and Chapman had done that, and false reports had been spread abroad, while everything favora- ble had been suppressed. False reports, black as night, persecutions beyond mortal concep- tion, have been heaped upon me. I stand before you and speak in view of judgment; no use, dear friends, to dissemble now. I have been in jail sixteen months, and suffered much, . but God has spoken peace to my soul. My life was threatened by bitter enemies, and they are about to get it, for no cause. Hundreds of you have heard and believed false reports, and you only have the voice of a poor old man against them. I leave these false reports and enemies all behind. I thank God the reports were false, and forgive my enemies. I have a dear little son, who is near to my heart, but I have not been permitted to see him, although I understand he was within four miles of town. I hope my son will be raised up in truth and honesty, and be a useful man, and that I shall hereafter meet him in Heaven, where I trust in God I am going. I was snatched away from my wife and poor little child, and have not been permitted to see them ; this was the work of my enemies, but I forgive them all, and hope to meet them in Heaven. I am a poor old man, about to die on false reports, and this ought to be a warning to all men. Did I think I would ever come to this? I settled among men who have sworn my life away - who snatched me from my wife and poor little son ; they swore to have my life, and they are about to succeed, but only my poor voice says this. This world is a world of wickedness and trouble, and it is about time for God to make a change.

He commenced in a firm, low tone of voice, but when he came to speak of his child, evinced considerable emotion, and continued in a rapid, disconnected manner.

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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.

After he had spoken, Rev. Dines offered a feeling and appropriate prayer, kneeling with the prisoner, who gave frequent audible re- sponses. Mr. Dines then asked him if he had anything further to say, or desired anything said. He replied in the negative, and to further remarks expressed entire confidence in God and resignation to his fate.

Mr. Flood asked if he still declared himself innocent? He responded, "Yes." He also inquired if he felt prepared for his fate ? He'replied he did; that God was all-powerful ; he trusted in Him; had forgiven his enemies, and hoped to meet them all in Heaven.

All having retired from the scaffold, except the sheriff, he announced to the prisoner that the time had arrived and he must execute the law. The prisoner shook hands with him, and desired to meet him in Heaven. After the ropes were adjusted and the cap pulled over his face, he said, "Lord be with me in this last trial," and was launched into eternity.

Throughout the entire scene he evinced no visible agitation, except when he referred to his son. He was either innocent, or one of the most desperately wicked men that ever lived or died. He informed his spiritual advisers that he experienced a change in his feelings the night before his execution - that he then forgave his enemies and felt that God had forgiven him. To them he protested his innocence, first and last, in the most positive and solemn manner.

Chapman was from Ohio-came to this State some five or six years before his death - was about 45 years old, and left a wife and one child.

RICHARD C. BRANHAM LOST IN GALVESTON BAY.

In May, 1857, R. C. Branham, an old citizen, and for many years a prominent merchant in Columbia, and Dr. M. R. Arnold, of Boone County, made a trip to Texas for the purpose of looking at the coun- try - both being passengers on the steamship "Louisiana," Capt. Sheppard. The vessel took fire about 1 o'clock on the morning of May 31, 1857, in Galveston Bay, and when about eight miles from the city. All the passengers were asleep when the fire broke out, but some of them awaking lowered the larboard life-boat and jumped into it, cap- sizing the boat and drowning six or eight persons, among whom was Mr. Branham.

Those who were in another life-boat, among whom was Dr. Arnold. were more fortunate and escaped, and arriving at Galveston about

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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.

sunrise, gave the first intelligence of the catastrophe. Mr. Branham's body was never recovered.

JOE ROBINSON, A NEGRO MAN, EXECUTED FOR THE MURDER OF JAMES T. POINTS.

About 7 o'clock on Saturday morning, September 26, 1857, James T. Points, living about twelve miles north of Columbia, and near Mt. Zion meeting house, was murdered by a negro man, Joe, about eighteen years old, belonging to Mr. Wm. Robinson. Mr. Points had Joe in his employ for the year, and on Friday had sent him to the woods to make rails. Returning that evening, he told Mr. P. he had made a certain number. Next morning (Saturday ) he went to the woods with the negro, and found that he had told him a false- hood as to the number, whereupon Mr. P. expressed his determin- ation to chastise him. Nothing of the kind, however, was attempted at the time, and nothing more said about it. Mr. P. proceeded to assist the negro in splitting a large log at which he was at work. After a time he became fatigued and sat down to rest. While in this position the negro, picking his opportunity, struck Mr. P. on the head with the poll of the axe, knocking him down. In a

short time he gave evidences of returning consciousness, whereupon the murderer gave him a second blow with the axe, killing him out- right. He then placed the body upon Mr. P.'s saddle-horse, and took it a half mile distant into the woods and threw it under some brush to conceal it. After this he returned to his work.

Mr. P. not returning at night, his family became uneasy, and some of the neighbors, suspecting foul play, at once arrested Joe, who next morning confessed the crime and told where he had secreted the body. The murderer was at once committed to the county jail. A special term of the Circuit Court was held on Saturday, August 2, Judge Hall presiding, a grand jury being empanelled, an indictment was found against him for murder in the first degree, and the prisoner was arraigned for trial. Odon Guitar and Lewis W. Robinson were assigned him as counsel, who advised him as to his rights and respon- sibilities under the law. Having no defence to make, he plead guilty to the indictment, and was sentenced to be hung on Friday, Novem- ber 13th ; after which he was remanded to prison to await his execu- tion, which occurred about a mile west of the court house, on the Rocheport road, and between the present residences of Mrs. Cornelius Maupin and Mr. Jacob W. Strawn. Jerry Orear was sheriff.

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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.

DRUNKEN RIOT IN ROCHEPORT - CITIZENS' MEETING.

On Saturday, March 6, 1858, two young men, citizens of Howard County, by the name of Joysen Patton and William Thomas, came to Rocheport early in the day, and as soon as prac- ticable got drunk, and commenced yelling and screaming like devils, and making use of very obscene and indecent language, until about four or five o'clock, when they mounted their horses and. commenced riding up and down the streets in a most furious and defiant manner. One of them, Col. Patton, drew a Colt's revolver, and rode his horse upon the pavement, which was densely crowded. with men and children, and put spurs to him and tried to ride over- every person on the sidewalk, and had his pistol presented at the crowd as he passed, threatening to kill any person who would attempt to arrest him in his lawless career. At this juncture of the game, Officer Thornton made his appearance with a posse of citizens, and called upon the rioters to surrender themselves to the authorities of the town, which request they spurned, and bid defiance to the officer and his assistants, and threatened to kill any man who would dare touch them. The officer, determined on executing the law, rushed. upon the rioters and ordered them to stop, saying that they should: not be punished except by due process of law, at which time Patton wheeled his horse, facing the officer and about one hundred people, and deliberately fired two shots into the crowd, one of which struck J. L. Lewis' coat in the left breast, but did him no injury. Mr. Thorn- ton then drew a revolver and discharged one shot at the rioters without effect, whereupon Patton fired his third shot, the volley passing over the heads of the crowd and striking a family residence. The depre- dators then turned and fled, and several gentlemen with the officer pursued them several miles from town, and would doubtless have ar- rested them, but one of the pursuers was unfortunately kicked by a horse, and was thought to have been seriously injured, but was not ..

These disorderly proceedings aroused the latent indignation and temperance sentiments of the people to such an extent that they met in the town hall on Tuesday, March 9th, when, on motion of Hugh L. Forsythe, Dr. George B. Wilcox was called to the chair, and Frank D. Evans appointed secretary.

On motion of James B. Watson, a committee of five was appointed to wait upon those who were engaged in the liquor traffic at Roche- port, and request them to give up their stock of liquors, to be re-

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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.

turned to St. Louis, and that the committee be empowered, on behalf of the citizens, to purchase said liquors, which motion was unan- imously adopted. On motion, the meeting adjourned to meet at early candle-light.

EVENING SESSION.

The meeting met pursuant to adjournment.

On motion, T. F. Clayton was called to the chair and F. D. Evans appointed secretary.

The chair made a report that the committee to whom was delegated the power to purchase the liquors in the town, had so far performed their duty as to take possession of eight hundred dollars' worth, which. they had purchased from the venders, subject to a reshipment to St. Louis, which report, on motion, was adopted.

On motion of Martin Staley, a committee of three was appointed to draft and report resolutions expressive of the sentiments of the meeting. Whereupon the Chair appointed R. S. Robinson, Dr. A. Patton and Martin Staley.

The committee reported the following preamble and resolutions : -

WHEREAS, In view of the untold miseries which have been inflicted upon the human family by the liquor traffic, and our determination to wage a war of extermination against Gaid traffic in our midst -

Resolved, 1. That we heartily indorse the action of the committee appointed by the meeting of this morning, in taking charge of the liquors in this town.

2. That having purchased all of the stock of liquors now on hand, we are determined that no more liquor shall be landed at this place to be sold in any shape or form whatever. 3. That a committee of sixty-eight be appointed, whose duty it shall be to carry into ef- fect the object of the second resolution.

F. D. EVANS, Sec'y.

T. F. CLAYTON, Ch'n.

Which preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted.

Committee of Vigilance, appointed by the Chair : G. B. Wilcox, E. Hulett, Dr. A. Patton, T. F. Clayton, Jno. Glazier, Thos. Chapman, Thos. Waller, Col. J. Corbett, Jno. A. Evans, J. B. Jones, McWelsh, Ro. G. Lyle, Wm. Gellaspie, Frank Bentley, Dr. Jno. Wilcox, L. Bentley, Peter Ross, H. W. Crow, R. S. Miller, L. Burroughs, W. W. Morgan, J. R. Clayton, Ro. Wood, Jas. Tindall, H. Tumy, Jas. A. Hill, Jno. Funk, J. W. Davis, B. F. Dimmitt, Jno. S. Lewis, A. B. Potts, Jas. B. Watson, Jas. H. Chandler, H. G. Hopper, Gen. Hatton, Geo. Raulins, S. Conrad, Jno. S. Clayton, Jno. Evans, Sr., Jas. Thornton, Geo. Watts, Jno. Smith, Geo. R. Wilson, Jno. R. Adair, Allen Bysfield, Jno. A. Wallace, S. M. Bradley, Geo. W. Freeman, W. Crump, O. T. Stevens, David Bailey, Jos. Burger,

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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.

Martin Staley, Jos. Conrad, W. T. Evans, Jno. W. Roberts, E. In- man, Jno. Q. Orr, Jas. Bradley, Ed. Miller, H. L. Forsythe, J. H. Chambers, W. H. Bailey, J. J. Lampkins, John Shanks, Jas. C. Orr, F. D. Evans.

SOLDIERS OF THE WAR OF 1812.

In November, 1857, the following soldiers of the war of 1812, all of whom were then residents of Boone county, and all of whom, with- out exception, are now dead, petitioned Congress to pass a law grant- ing the soldiers of that war pensions for life. The age and place of nativity of each are given with their names : -

David Todd, born in Kentucky; aged 71 years and 6 months ; health good.

Norborne B. Spottswood, born in Virginia; aged 67 years and 2 months; health indif- ferent.

Hiram Phillips, born in Virginia; aged 66 years and 6 months ; general debility.

John Davenport, born in Virginia; aged 64 years and 6 months; partly deaf; wounded at the battle of River Raisin.

Berkley Estes, born in Virginia; aged 60 years.

John Barnes, born in Kentucky ; aged 64 years and 8 months; partly deaf.

Abraham Davenport, born in Virginia; aged 77 years ; general debility.

Cyrus Lusk, born in Kentucky ; aged 61 years and 3 months ; health good.

James King, born in Kentucky; aged 62 years ; very indifferent health.

Gabriel Parker, born in Maryland; aged 66 years ; health good.

Henry Berry, born in Kentucky; aged 60 years ; health first-rate.

John Green, born in Kentucky; aged 67 years; in feeble health.

James Green, born in Kentucky ; aged 71 years ; weakness.

Isaac Willlams, born in Pennsylvania ; aged 66 years and 7 months ; health not very good,

Thompson Hardin, born in Virginia; aged 72 years ; health indifferent.

William Sims, born in Kentucky; aged 67 years ; health feeble.

Benjamin Brookshire, born in North Carolina; aged 61 years; health feeble. John Weller, born in Virginia; aged 67 years ; health good.

Samuel B. Todd, born in Kentucky ; aged 64} years; health tolerable (wounded in battle).

Hugh Melvin, born in Kentucky; aged 73 years; health feeble.

Lemuel B. Searcy, born in Kentucky; aged 63 years ; health but common.

Allen Coats, born in North Carolina; aged 87 years; very stout, but deaf. (In Dudley's defeat. )

Fleetwood Herndon, born in Virginia; aged 64 years ; health tolerable.

Cornelius Vanausdale, born in Virginia; aged 65 years; health feeble.

John Caruthers, born in Virginia ; aged 64 years ; nearly blind.

John Barclay, born in Kentucky; aged 66 years ; sorely afflicted.

Greenbury Jacobs, born in Virginia ; aged 73 years ; health good.

James Thomas, born in Virginia ; aged 65 years and 5 months; badly afflicted.

Elijah Stephens, born in North Carolina; aged 73 years; health tolerably good.

COUNTY CLERK'S SAFE BLOWN OPEN.

On Tuesday night, July 13, 1858, the iron safe in the county clerk's office in Columbia was blown open with gunpowder, and up- wards of $400 belonging to Judge Woodson, County Clerk, stolen

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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.

therefrom. The thieves broke the fastenings off the shutters of the front window and thus effected an entrance to the office. The heavy iron safe was then rolled from its place near the wall, turned over front upwards and after powder was introduced through the key hole the two doors were blown off their hinges. . The first or outside door was thick and heavy ; yet it was blown against the ceiling of the roof tearing off the plastering on a spot the size of the door. None of the papers were injured or taken. No clue to the thieves was ever discovered.

LARGEST TAX-PAYERS IN 1858 AND 1881.

The following is a list of twenty-two of the largest tax-payers in Boone county for the years 1858 and 1881, respectively. For the list of 1881 we are indebted to the Columbia Herald : -

FOR 1858.

FOR 1881.

1. Eli E. Bass

. $852 95

1. James S. Rollins

$1,234 02

2. James S. Rollins

. 370 19

2. James T. McBain 1,106 67

3. Austin Bradford

· 367 11

3. R. B. Price

841 21

4. George R. Jacobs

· 309 36

4. John C. Conley

· 798 34

5. Moss Prewitt

. 294 19

5. Jefferson Garth

741 04

6. M. G. Singleton

273 52

6. Joel H. Haden

711 88

7. Jefferson Garth

273 16

7. George A. Bradford . .

662 04

8. Fielding Curtis .

· 272 38

8. R. T. Prewitt's estate

615 09

9. F. B. Fullenwider

228 00

9. James Harris' estate

512 28

10. Wm. C. Robinett

. 218 4

10. N. T. Mitchell, Sr.

478 06

11. James M. Gordon

205 08

11. J. K. Rogers

475 45

12. Newman B. Starke

199 70

12. O. Guitar

472 22

13. Capt. Wm. Smith

199 51

13. Silas W. Warren

462 94

14. H. M. Clarkson .

193 89

14. J. H. Waugh

444 05

15. James Harris .

192 93

15. John Machir

438 14

16. John C. Mckinney

. 190 94

16. E. C. More,

412 24

17. Dr. Wm. McClure

180 52

17. John S. Clarkson

411 30

18. William Cochran

185 90

18. Daniel Mayer

403 73

19. John Machir

185 11

19. S. E. Lenoir

381 54

20. Archibald W. Turner

. 160 72

20. W. W. Tucker

. 380 55

21. John W. Rollins

· 159 57

21. J. S. Moss

· 374 91

22. John H. Field

· 149 90

22 B. P. Ritchie

. 267 72

Aggregate taxes of the 22, $5,662 21

Aggregate taxes of the 22, $13,725 42

COLUMBIA LIBRARY ASSOCIATION

On November 29, 1858, a meeting was held in Columbia to organ- ize a library association, of which Warren Woodson acted as presi- dent, and Dr. Fayette Clapp secretary. W. F. Switzler, George C. Swallow and Robert L. Todd were appointed a committee to draft a constitution, which they reported to a subsequent meeting and it was

· 393

HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.

adopted. The association was permanently organized December 20, 1858, by the election of the following officers : -

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History of Boone County, Missouri., Part 37

Author: Publication date: 1882 Publisher: St. Louis, Western Historical Company Number of Pages: 1220

Author:
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: St. Louis, Western Historical Company
Number of Pages: 1220