History of Boone County, Missouri., Part 61

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

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The first steamboat that came up the Missouri with a steam whistle attached blew its loudest, most discordant notes at a point opposite the lower part of Cedar township. An old pioneer who heard the fearful noise called out to his wife : " Old woman, hurry up and wash and dress the children - quick ! That was sartinly old Gabriel, tootin' his horn ! Git ready -git ready !"

About ten years ago a small dog, belonging to L. P. Jones, was ac- cidentally shut up in Mt. Pleasant church, where it remained without food or drink for one month, lacking two days. Upon being released, it was fed, and soon after died.

In early days the Cedar township small boys, now old men, bearded and gray, frequently indulged in the sport of rolling rocks from the top of the bluffs down into the river. Sometimes a sharp-pointed rock would strike a tree, and the point would be broken off in the tree. In process of time the fragments would be overgrown, and it is said that there is many a tree along the foot of the bluffs with a stone imbeddedin it.

Remarkable Men. - Mr. Loyd Austin, who resides on section 10, township 47, range 13, is doubtless the oldest living person born in Cedar township. Mr. Austin is sixty-three years of age, having been porn in 1819. Jonathan Nichols (n. e. 14-46-12) is reported as pos- sessing two peculiarities. He is an old bachelor, and is always to be found at home, although a stout, active old man. Living less than two miles from Ashland, he has not been to that town for twelve years, and he never saw a railroad in his life. Mr. Leopard, of Claysville, exhibits wonderful skill as a wood-carver. He is a native of Boone county, and a shoemaker by trade. Quite a number of canes made and carved by him are to be found throughout the county. Rev. Sam- uel Ott, who came to Boone county with his father in 1826, has been

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married four times, and is the father of seventeen children. His last. marriage was in March, 1882. Mr. Ott is sixty-five years of age. As. ndicated, he is a minister of the gospel, and obeys literally the com- mand to " multiply and replenish."

While the representative of the publishers of this volume was at his work of collecting historical facts for the history of this township, he frequently stopped and consulted a township map which he carried with him. In the neighborhood southeast of Ashland he was ob- served to have frequent recourse to his map, and was seen poring over it in divers odd places. A report was current that " the man with the map " was none other than Frank James, the noted bandit, figur- ing and mapping out a predatory campaign ! The same representa- tive sought a second interview with S. W. Warren, to re-obtain some information which had been lost, but, owing to certain pressing busi- ness engagements of Mr. Warren, an interview was wholly impractica- able at the time.

Dr. J. T. Rothwell, now of Ashland, claims to have been the first merchant at Burlington. He occupied the store-room now owned and used by J. W. Taggart.

Suicides. - Among those who deemed life a burden too grievous to be borne, and who have disregarded the canon of the Almighty against self-slaughter, may be mentioned Samuel Walkup, who hung himself near Burlington, in the year 1879, and Mrs. Anna Perkins, wife of Michael Perkins, who threw herself into Bonne Femme creek, a year so after Walkup died, and was drowned. It is alleged that. slanderous reports, circulated by her neighbors against her character, worked upon Mrs. Perkins' feelings and so affected her mind that she became distracted, and, while in this condition, she took her own life.

COUNTRY CHURCHES - NASHVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH.

The historian stands indebted to John M. Edwards, clerk of the Nashville church, for the facts appearing in this outline.

The local name and denomination is the " United Baptist Church of Nashville," and it is situated in section 26, township 47, range 13. More exact dates of this church have been secured than of most any other. It was organized April 22d, 1834, and the first church build- ing was erected in 1845, and was a log edifice, which answered the . congregation for a meeting-house for several years. The charter members of this church were : James Cunningham and Susan, his wife ; John H. and Lydia Baker ; Willis Baker ; Robert and Catherine Bar-

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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.

nett ; Gilpin and Sarah Tuttle ; Stephen and Winna Jackson ; James and Margaret Dunn ; Catherine A. Dunn ( now wife of Israel Winfrey, and the only surviving original member) ; Jacob and Frances Kuy- kendall, and Maria, a negro slave of James Cunningham. In 1871, the present house was built, a frame structure, which cost $1,500. Elder H. Wright preached the first sermon, and the following have served the church as pastors : John Grunhalds, Wm. H. Duvall, S. H. Ford, P. H. Steinberger, John M. Black, George D. Todd, J. M. Robinson, J. T. M. Johnston, J. M. Robinson (again from '63 to '65), W. J. Patrick, J. M. Robinson (again in '67), William Clark, Jas. C. Woody, John M. Willis, Wm. R. Wigginton and John Palmer, the latter being the present pastor in charge. This church has a flourishing membership of about 160 communicants. 'After the organization, and prior to the erection of a church house, the members and pastors met for worship at private houses, the neighbors being always ready and willing, and always felt honored when " meetin' " was held at their house. From such a nucleus has sprung the now prosperous and successful church of Nashville. [See history of defunct village of Nashville. ]

RICHLAND CHAPEL (METHODIST).

The exact date of organization has not been obtained, but it was sometime in the semi-decade of 1845 to 1850, . J. H. Griffin, Rebecca Griffin, Alex. Grindstaff and wife, Thomas Britt, Mary Britt, David Coonrod and wife, James Beel and wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Vandiver, Mrs. Sarah Vandiver and Sam Couts were among the original members. The first church-house used by this congregation was a frame building erected in 1855, near Burlington, at a cost of between $400 and $500. The present building was built in Burlington ( section 2, township 45, range 13), and cost $1,000. It is a framed house, but ample for the requirements of a house of God, seating and sheltering comfortably all who come there to worship. The present membership numbers about 90. Among the worthy names of God-fearing men, who have preached to this congregation and served Richland Church as pastors, are the following : George Rich, A. P. Linn, Rev. Cope, B. F. John- son, William Penn, Joseph Dines, John Bell, William Jordan, Thomp- son Penn, Robert Jordan, Thomas De Moss, William Sartor, D. N. Epperson, J. F. Monroe, L. A. Smith, Robert White, W. T. Elling- ton, C. W. Collett, S. L. Woody, J. F. Shores and H. D. Graves. Many have been the " protracted meetings " held at this church, and

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many " outpourings " of the Divine Spirit have here gladdened the hearts of old veterans in the army of the Lord.

GOSHEN ( BAPTIST ) CHURCH.

This church represents a body of Old School Baptists, and is situate on section 26, township 46, range 13, in the municipal precinct of Cedar. As nearly as has been ascertained, it was organized in about 1830, with Berry Wren and wife, Isaac Wilcoxen and wife, Perry Spencer and wife, Richard Fulkerson and wife, Samuel Wilcoxen and wife, David Ott, Sr., and wife and - Tumblestone and wife as original members. The first church-house was built the same year of its organization, but of what material, or at what cost, has not been ascertained. The present structure was built in 1874-75, and cost about $1,600. Berry Wren served here as preacher in charge till his death. He was succeeded by -- Musteen, and he by Frank Jenkins. Martin Doty, Howard Jackson, and G. M. Thompson followed in turn till the present. This church belongs to the Bonne Femme Associa- tion, and claims a round membership of 110 communicants. The number of her members is good evidence of the fact that this, too, is a prosperous church, and is doubtless bearing the colors of Emanuel valiantly in this mundane struggle for celestial felicity.

BETHEL CHURCH ( MISSIONARY BAPTIST )

Is located on section 1, township 47, range 13, on the road from Columbia to Providence. The organization is now about 27 years old, the date of its organization being May 9th, 1855. The original members were J. T. M. Johnston, Minerva T. Johnston, J. S. Johnston, Pauline Johnston, J. M. Willis, Electa Willis, Eliza K. Johnston, Mary A. Boatright, Wm. Harrington, Elizabeth Harrington, Lycurgus P. Hickam, Cornelia A. Hickam, Thomas Rucker and 14 or 15 others. The present church-house is the one first built and was erected in October, 1857, at a cost of $1,500. Rev. J. M. Robinson was the minister who dedicated the church to the service of God. The names of pastors, that have served the church, are the following: Rev. H. H. Buckner, in 1856 ; J. T. M. Johnston, 1857-8-9-60 ; J. T. Williams, 1862-3 ; J. M. Robinson, 1864-5 ; J. T. M. Johnston, 1866-7-8; Nathan Ayers, 1869-70 ; J. T. M. Johnston, 1871 ; J. S. Dingle, 1872-3 ; E. S. Dulin, 1874 ; W. R. Wigginton, 1875-6 ; G. L. Black, 1877-8 ; J. M. McGuire, 1879- 80-1-2. The ground on which this church stands was donated for

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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.

that purpose by the Rev. J. T. M. Johnston who served the congrega- tion there for so many years. Rev. David Doyle was chosen moder- ator in the constitution on the day on which it was adopted and estab- · lished. Meetings are held every third Saturday and Sunday in each month. At this writing the membership is thirty-six, and the church is in good working condition.

NEW SALEM BAPTIST CHURCH.

A detailed history of this church, containing biographical mention of many of its members and pastors, has already been written by Dr. F. G. Sitton, and published complete in the Ashland Bugle. The history alluded to is much fuller and more complete than can be given space in this volume ; but from the sketch kindly furnished by Dr. Sitton, the historian condenses, and gives the following facts :

" The Baptist church of Jesus Christ, at New Salem, was organized on the 2d Saturday in November, 1828, at the house of Tyre Martin, by a Presbytery composed of Elders Greenlaugh and David Doyle. The members had a joint letter of dismissal from Little Bonne Femme church for that purpose. The following named persons entered into the organization : Shadrach Wren, Mosias Jones, Isaac Bates, Robert Nichols, Jesse Nichols, Foster Sappington, Joseph Green, Tyre Mar- tin, S. B. Sappington, Joseph Peak, Green B. Sappington, Samuel Wilcoxen, Squire Burnam, Foster Martin, Robert Jones, Isaac Wil- coxen, Perry Spencer, Jane Bates, Elizabeth Wren, Isabel Nichols, Elizabeth Peak, Susan Nichols, Elizabeth Sappington, Rachel Martin, Nancy Sappington, Mary Burnam, Rebecca Sappington, Elizabeth Jones, Malinda Nichols, Milly Wilcoxen, Rebecca Wilcoxen, Jane Griggs, Mary Green, Mourning Martin, Elvira Sappington, and Mary Wilcox."

Dr. David Doyle was chosen first pastor in December, 1828, and served the church faithfully many years, assisted, after becoming old and infirm, by Eld. M. M. Modiset. In 1852, Rev. B. B. Black was called to the ministerial labors of this congregation and served one year. He had been preceded by a gentleman of the same name, Rev. John M. Black, who served the church in 1849-50. Other pastors who have served this church were W. H. Burnham, S. H. Ford and Noah Flood.

The first church was finished late in 1830, and was erected on land obtained from Peter Bass, northeast quarter of section 3, township 46, range 12, west. The original edifice was a small brick building,

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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.

and cost $335.29, besides labor and materials donated by the brethren. This was enlarged in 1848 to suit the demands for room occasioned by the growth of the congregation in numbers. It was done by taking down the side walls and making it wider. This answered till 1877, when the present building, a large and elegant frame, was finished at a total cost of $1,860.85, and dedicated by the Rev. Pope Yeaman, D.D. Twenty-two members were granted a joint letter of dismissal in September, 1858, for the purpose of forming the Mount Pleasant church, and in March, 1879, thirty-five were granted the same to form the Ashland church. [See history of those churches]. Prior to the war, New Salem had a number of colored members, who were always unprofitable, and more so after emancipation. In 1866, the church took action on the case under a series of resolutions introduced by George Hubbard, and set them off into a separate congregation called the African church of New Salem.

New Salem church has been called the " mother of preachers," having sent five young preachers into the ministry and ordained three. The aggregate membership is approximately one thousand. The greatest attained at any one time was in 1859, when the church roll showed a membership of 470. Since then there has been a decrease, by death, removal, dismissal and forming new congregations, New Salem being the mother of churches as well as of preachers. With this succinct outline this sketch must be closed, though material is at hand for one much fuller did the nature of this publication permit.

LITTLE BONNE FEMME BAPTIST CHURCH

Is located in the southern part of section 3, township 47, range 12 (Cedar Township), and is one of the oldest churches in the State, hav- ing been organized in December, 1820, before Missouri was a State. A detail of the long and useful existence of this church and all the in- cidents connected with so remarkable an institution can not be given here ; but a more condensed sketch will have to suffice. The original members were David Doyle, Anderson Woods, Elizabeth Woods, James Harris, Mourning Harris, Polly Harris, Elizabeth Kennon, John Maupin, Elias Elston, Matthew Haley, John Tuttle, Lazarus Wilcox, Lucy Wilcox, James Wiseman, Thomas S. and Nancy Tuttle. The first house was, of course, a log building, and was built in 1819, before there was a formal organization of the church. The present structure, is a substantial brick house, and was erected in 1843 at a cost of about two thousand dollars. The names of pastors that have

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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.

served the body of worshippers at Little Bonne Femme are David Doyle, Anderson Woods, Robert S. Thomas, James Suggett, S. H. Ford, Noah Flood, M. Modiset, T. C. Harris, J. M. Robinson, John T. Williams, J. T. M. Johnston, G. L. Black, J. M. McGuire, N. S. Johnston. The present membership is given at 80 souls, though, of course, that number is subject to constant increase or diminution. The church, so far as can be learned, is in fine working order and repre- sents an harmonious brotherhood, all working with an eye single to the glory of the Master.

MOUNT PLEASANT (UNITED BAPTIST ) CHURCH

Was first organized on the first Saturday in June, 1858, by the Rev. P. H. Steamberger, who also became its first pastor. The original members were Mosias Jones, Sr., Mosias Jones, Jr., Joseph Jones, Tyre Jones, Isabelle Slate, Euphamy Sappington, and other members, numbering twenty-three in all. They erected their church, which still serves as a place of meeting, in 1861. It is a frame build- ing and cost about $800 besides labor and material donated by mem- bers. There was never any formal dedication services held, but by mutual consent was devoted, when finished, entirely to the service of the Lord. P. H. Steamberger, James H. Tuttle, J. T. M. Johnston, William Clark, A. H. Wright, G. L. Black, T. B. Nunelly, and J. S. Parmer have served the church as pastors.

BURLINGTON ( BAPTIST) CHURCH

Is located in the town of Burlington, and was organized in 1873, with Thomas Tuttle and wife, James Roddy and wife, Mrs. Sallie Porter, Mrs. G. W. Coonce, and Fayette Shull. It is a frame church, and. cost between $700 and $800. It was dedicated by Rev. J. S. Parmer,. Hampton Wright and William Clark having served it as pastors - the first mentioned being the present preacher in charge. The member- ship was never very large, numbering at this writing not exceeding fifteen. They have services the first Saturday and Sunday of each month.

SOME SCHOOL HOUSES.

Christian School House is situated on the southwest quarter of sec- tion 27, township 46, range 12. The site was donated by David Chris- tian. The first house was of logs, and was built by the citizens about 1846. The present building is a frame, and was built three or four years ago, at a cost of $700.

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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.

Clardy School House is located on the northwest quarter of section 12, township 45, range 12. It is a log building, and was erected in 1869, being built by contributions from the citizens in labor and mate- rial. An average of six months of school is taught ; teacher's wages, $35 per month ; average attendance per diem, 20.

Jones School House was built about twelve years ago by the citi- zens. School is taught half the year, the average daily attendance being about 30.

TOWN OF ASHLAND.

This beautiful little inland city is located in one of the finest agri- cultural sections of Boone county, or even the State of Missouri, for that matter. Its immediate situation is on the line between sections 10 and 15, of township 46, range 12, the forest lying on the north, west and south, the Two-Mile Prairie stretching up to the town limits on the east. The country round is beautifully undulating, and no stranger can visit Ashland without being impressed with the fact that it would be a good place to live. The first house in the town was built by Peter Nichols, on the lot now occupied by the residence of Mr. Christian. D. M. and A. M. Burnam erected the first store-house in January, 1853, on what is now known as " Farmers' Corner.". The Burnams occupied the building on its completion, placing therein a general merchandise stock. In the fall of the same year a business house was built by P. E. and Wm. A. Nichols, on the site where Keen's restaurant now stands. Other houses were soon added, and the place began to take on the appearance of a village. For some years it continued to grow and flourish, the fine farming country adja- cent demanding just such a market as Ashland afforded. It was not till May, 1877, however, that the town was incorporated as a city of the fourth class. The first board of trustees were Eli Penter, J. W. Grannis, W. T. Nichols, John G. Wiseman, A. G. Payne - Wiseman being the chairman. R. C. Bowman had the honor of being the first city marshal. The first sidewalk in the town was built in 1880. A large mill was erected in 1877, with "'five run of stone " and a grind- ing capacity of one hundred barrels per day, the flour being made by patent process. These mills are owned by the Ashland Mill Company, and cost over $20,000. The Farmers' Bank was incorporated and commenced business August 3d, 1881. The directors were Abner Martin, J. W. Johnston, R. E. Sappington, H. T. Wright, Peter Ellis,

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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.

Sr., O. B. Thomas and Eli Penter, the latter being elected president, and Edward L. Dimmitt chosen cashier. The city board at this time presents the following names : Eli Penter, chairman ; T. W. Peck, treasurer ; W. R. Hopper, marshal ; D. L. McBride, B. P. Matthews, T. G. Tuttle, J. T. Rothwell, trustees, and W. J. Warren, city assessor.

At the town election in April, 1882, the citizens voted an appropria- tion of $3,000 for improving the streets.

The school building, a two-story frame edifice, was erected in 1859 by a company incorporated as the Ashland High School Association. It was purchased by the district in 1871, and devoted to public school purposes. They employ two teachers, the principal at this writing being Prof. Buckmaster. The town also has a colored school, with an attendance of about fifty pupils. The town now has a population of about five hundred, as it has grown since the census was taken in 1880.

Ashland has two hotels, a livery, feed and sale stable, and several restaurants, thus securing entertainment and comfort for man and beast. The situation of the town generally, and on the gravel road from Columbia to Claysville specially, gives it a commercial prestige enjoyed by few inland towns of its size. Her shops and stores are therefore thrifty, and her citizens of a hardy class, most of her busi- ness men having come from the agricultural element originally, and possessed of that sturdiness that usually characterizes such a class. Her professional men, numbering two lawyers and several physicians, are as enterprising and successful as her merchants. The various churches and lodges, of which Ashland has several, are historically outlined in the sketches given hereafter. One of the chief enterprises of this enterprising town is the well-known and far-famed

ASHLAND STOCK SALES,

A term used to signify a periodical convocation of live stock dealers at Ashland, to buy and sell and " trade " horses, mules, cattle, etc. These stock sales had their origin and conception in the fertile brains of W. H. Bass and J. W. Johnston, who may properly be said to father the enterprise. In the fall of 1881, a company, called the "Boone County Stock Sales Company," was formed, with W. H. Bass as superintendent and J. W. Johnston, secretary. The other members of the board of directors were O. B. Thomas, George M. Nichols, George Arnold, Peter Ellis, W. H. Thompson, Alex. Brad-

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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.

ford, W. S. Burnett, Thomas L. Bass and W. S. Maupin, with R. S. Martin as treasurer. The first notices of sales were issued for No- vember 5, 1881, and have taken place regularly once a month since that time. The sale lots are located just north of the buildings on the north side of the principal street, and are so systematically ar- ranged as to be a model of convenience in handling stock before and after selling. Mr. W. H. Bass, one of the originators of this scheme, was so kind as to take the historian all through these yards and ex- plain their utility and convenience. Buyers and sellers come from other counties in Central Missouri to attend these sales, and much valuable property of the kind changes hands at every sale. The sell- ing is done principally by auction or outcry, Col. Worley, of Columbia, being the official auctioneer.

ASHLAND BUGLE.

The only paper published in the place is a Democratic weekly, called the Ashland Bugle, edited by James L. Wilcox, who has issued it as a weekly since April 13, 1877. It was originally a monthly, founded by Eli Penter and J. W. Johnston, who began its publica- tion chiefly as an advertising medium, in 1875. [See biography of J. L. Wilcox. ]

ASHLAND RIOT.

One of the historic reminiscences of the usually peaceable town of Ashland is what is known as the " Ashland riot," which occurred there on election day, November the 4th, 1878. About four o'clock P. M., the streets were filled with negroes, many of whom were noisy and turbulent, from having imbibed too freely of bad liquor that al- ways flows too freely on election days. The deputy marshal ordered them to keep quiet, when one of the " nigs " replied with a most insult- ing epithet, which naturally raised the anger of the officer, who, of course, seemed inclined to resent. Both negroes and whites became involved in the quarrel from this, and both sides armed themselves (most of them probably already supplied), in anticipation of trouble. The conflict soon became general, and a negro named Harris is said to have fired the first shot, though the confusion was so great and the excitement so intense that it is not certain as to who burnt the first powder. But it is certainly known that, for a short space of time, the air was filled with flying rocks and whistling bullets ; and, strange as it may seem, no one killed or indeed very seriously hurt, though several casualties of a minor sort occurred. The Ashland

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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.

Bugle, in its next issue, makes mention of the following: Jim Harris (colored) was shot in hip, and also received a scalp wound. Alex. Bass (colored), wounded in breast by pistol shot. Lowson Grey ( colored, and reported to be one of the leaders of the riot ),. shot through the hand and in the back. A stray shot grazed the cheek of a daughter of Dr. R. S. Martin, who was standing in her father's yard, listening to the band when the riot began.

SECRET ORDERS - MASONIC LODGE.

Ashland lodge, No. 156, A. F. and A. M., was instituted May 1st,. 1858, the dispensation bearing date of May 28th, 1859. F. G. Sitton was the first master, and the other charter members were P. J. Ruff- ner, E. M. Bass, J. S. Strode, Wm. H. Harris, John Grant, J. S. Winterbower, D. L. Sitton, R. S. Martin, H. M. Strode, Theo. Brooks and J. B. Patten. The present officers are H. T. Wright, W. M. ; A. P. Nichols, S. W. ; John W. Sterne, J. W. ; E. Penter, treasurer ; W. P. Boqua, secretary ; H. S. Baxter, S. D. ; William. Crane, J. D. The present membership numbers ninety-three and is increased from time to time by acquisitions of new members, the lodge being in a growing condition. They have a neat frame hall that cost- $800, and the affairs of the order are in good shape.

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History of Boone County, Missouri., Part 61

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