History of Boone County, Missouri., Part 96

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

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Springing to the main land McQuitty shouted triumphantly, " Now, Jeff, you gad dim nigger, see what a man can do that is not a coward ! "

" Yes," replied Jeff, shaking his woolly head meditatively, but what would have become of you, massa, if you'd fell off de log?"

ORGANIZATION.

At the first session of the county court, February 18, 1822, Mis- souri township was organized. When the territory was in Howard county, it had comprised a portion of Moniteau township, and Tyre Harris was justice of the peace, and James Harris constable. The Boone county court appointed, (or recommended for appointment, ) John Gray to be justice of the peace, Ichabod C. Hensley constable, and Jesse B. Dale, assessor. It appears that the appointment of these offices did not operate to legislate Tyre Harris out of office, for there is a record of his having performed the functions of a magistrate for some time afterward. The metes and bounds of Missouri town- ship first fixed by the county court, are the same to-day. The order of the court establishing the township reads as follows :

"4th township to be denominated Missouri township: Beginning at the mouth of the Roche Perche creek, thence up the Missouri river to the mouth of the Monitor 1 creek; thence up said creek to where the dividing line between this county and Howard leaves the same ; thence with said dividing line to where it crosses the old St. Charles road ; thence eastwardly with the said road to where it crosses the southeast corner of section 16, in range 14, and township 49; thence east with the sectional line to the western boundary of Columbia town-

1 Properly spelled Moniteau.

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ship; thence south with said boundary to the northern boundary of Cedar township, thence- west with the said township boundary to the Roche Perche creek, thence down said creek to the mouth, the point of beginning."

EARLY MILLS.

Among the earliest improvements in Missouri township should be mentioned the Dixon and Stapleton mills east of the Callaham. The first mill built in that region of country, other than the old-fashioned horse-mills, was the Dixon water-mill, on the Callaham, about three miles above the junction of that stream with the Perche. Robert Scott was the mill-wright who built it. The first proprietor was a man named Dixon. It was both a saw and grist-mill. Soon after it was completed Dixon sold it to Gen. S. B. Hatton, who employed a skillful millwright named Smith to add a number of improvements thereto. It ran night and day, but could not supply the demand for lumber. Most of the lumber used in building the State University was sawed at this mill. Soon after it was started Stapleton, a wealthy young man from Howard county, commenced building a large steam mill about half a mile below the Dixon mill. When completed it was the largest and most complete steam mill in the county. This mill also furnished a large amount of lumber for the State University, but Sta- pleton did not prosper, from some cause or other, and soon sold the property to the Sexton brothers, who conducted the business for sev- eral years, when they sold the mill and 500 acres of land to R. M. & S. B. Hatton. Gen. Hatton sold the machinery to a man named Renfroe, who moved it to Moniteau county. The machinery had formerly done service in the paper-mill at Rockbridge, Boone county.

TRAGEDIES.

There is a tragedy connected with the history of each of those mills. A man was drowned in attempting to cross the Callaham just above Dixon's mill, but the name of the individual and the circum- stances of his death, are shrouded in mystery. The tragedy of Sta- pleton's mill is of a more thrilling nature. Two boys, sons of a Mr. Kingsberry, a wealthy planter of Howard county, had come to spend the Christmas with their sister, Mrs. Stapleton, whose husband was very fond of hunting. He had promised to take the boys on a deer chase, and in their impatience for the hunt they took their brother-in- law's guns and proceeded to load them. While thus engaged, one of the guns was fired, accidentally, the ball piercing the heart of one of the boys, who died without uttering a word.

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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.

IN THE CIVIL WAR.

During the civil war Missouri township bore its full share of the burdens and endured its full measures of the distresses incident to that sanguinary strife. The Southern element predominated in num- bers in the township, but there were many Union men staunch and true. Each side was well represented in the-armies that fought in the field. Among the more notable incidents of the war in the town- ship was the.

KILLING OF SIDNEY DENHAM.

Mr. Denham lived four miles east of Rocheport, on his farm. He was a well-to-do citizen and owned a number of slaves. At the out- break of the war he went to Boonville as a member of the Missouri State Guard, but returned home in a few days and took no further active or open part in the strife. In the fall of 1864 he had collected some guns and ammunition which he had hidden in a vacant house on his premises, and which, it was charged, were intended for use by the bushwhackers. Mr. Denham's negroes informed the Federals on their master, and a squad was sent out from Columbia to arrest him. Mr. Denham was arrested, his premises searched, the guns and ammunition found, and then the party started away. A Mr. Boggs, .who accompanied the Federals as a guide, and who now resides in Terrapin Neck, states that Denham was well mounted, and not long after the party had started, and while near Walnut Grove church, he put spurs to his horse and tried to escape. The Federals gave chase and fired on him and killed him. It was charged that the Federals induced Mr. D. to try to escape in order that they might have an excuse for shooting him. The body was buried in Walnut Grove Cemetery. The Federals who did the shooting are believed to have belonged to the 42d Mo. Infantry, a detachment of which' regiment was stationed at Columbia at the time commanded by Lt. Col. Stauber.

ASSAULT BY DESPERADOES ON A DEPUTY SHERIFF. - ONE OF THE ASSAILANTS KILLED.

About the last of November, 1866, Addison Adams, John Q. Adams, James Adams and Francis Hornsinger, were in Rocheport disturbing the peace and defying the authorities of the town; and ineffectual attempts were made to arrest them by Deputy Constable Charles Myers and Recorder Samuel Scobee. These desperadoes,

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among other things, rode up and down the streets with drawn pistols and finally evacuated the town, firing at dogs and hogs as they left it. They came east on the Columbia road, on their way, it is supposed, to the house of one of the parties, John Q. Adams, who lived about four miles from Rocheport.

. When about two miles from town the Deputy Sheriff, Mr. James C. Gillaspy, who had that day been to Rocheport on official business no way connected with either of these parties, passed them on the road. Having no business with either of them, he simply spoke to them in passing, and when a few steps in advance was ordered by James Adams to halt. Not halting, Adams galloped to his side with a drawn pistol, repeating the order ; whereupon some words passed between them, Mr. Gillaspy requesting Adams to desist and put up his pistol as he knew no cause why he should be thus assailed on the public highway. Instead of desisting, however, although Mr. Gillaspy requested his comrades to interpose and take him away, Adams became more furious, and with his pistol in close proximity to Gillaspy attempted to kill him, but fortunately the pistol missed fire.

Immediately on this deadly assault being made Mr. Gillaspy very properly fired upon his assailant, the ball making a flesh wound in Adams' shoulder. The report of the pistol frightened the horses of both Adams and Gillaspy, and both were thrown to the ground. In falling Gillaspy's pistol was again fired, accidentally, and this was the last charge in it. Finding himself thus surrounded and unarmed, Gillaspy leaving his horse started for the house of Mr. Marion Coch- ran, not far off. About this time three citizens returning from Columbia to their homes in Rocheport, viz : J. H. Thornton, Dr. H. R. C. Cowden and Michael O. Woods, came up ; and Mr. Thornton being the constable of that township commanded the peace and ordered them to surrender their arms, which they refused to do-James Adams swearing vengeance against Gillaspy, and others of the party against Thornton. Mr. Woods passed rapidly on to Cochran's house, whither Gillaspy had gone, to assist Gillaspy ; whereupon Gillaspy, obtaining a navy revolver, and Woods a rifle, started back to where his horse had thrown him. Woods soon ascertained that the rifle was unloaded ; Gillaspy, however, went on. Seeing him coming, Addi- son Adams and Hornsinger remarked to Jas. Adams, who by this time had remounted his horse - "There comes the damn son of a b -h ; go and kill him." James obeyed and rode in a gallop toward

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Gillaspy, pistol in hand, and firing upon him as he approached. Gillaspy heroically stood his ground and returned the fire, several shofs being exchanged. In the melee Adams' horse was killed and he mor- tally wounded - Gillaspy escaping unhurt. Adams died the next morning.

Mr. Gillaspy returned to Columbia that evening and immediately surrendered himself to Sheriff Baker ; and the Circuit Court being in session the grand jury summoned witnesses and after a thorough investigation of the case, fully acquitted Gillaspy and found indict- · ments for assaults with intent to kill against Addison Adams and Francis Hornsinger, and they were immediately arrested by Sheriff Baker and lodged in jail. Neither of these four desperadoes, except Jno. Q. Adams, resided in Boone county ; but had recently come from Southwest Missouri,

RECENT NEGRO RIOT.

About the 1st. of August, 1882, the colored people living in the southwestern part of the county, better known as " Terrapin Neck," had a picnic at Mr. Burch Hunt's springs not far from the river and some eight miles southwest of Columbia. Whisky, it seems, as usual was on hand and got in its devilish work. A negro named Sewood Coch- ran, noted for his desperate deeds, it is said, with his two brothers, George and Warren, came upon the grounds for the purpose of raising a row and began by overturning the table. A general fight ensued in which a negro named Joseph Jackson, one of the managers of the picnic, shot Sewood through the thigh. Jackson received a danger- ous and probably fatal cut in the side, from, it is thought, Warren Cochran. Sewood getting possession of the pistol with which Jackson shot him, in aiming to return fire, shot Alex. Freeman, colored, a by- stander in the neck, inflicting a flesh wound. Constable Newland, of Missouri township, was present and tried to preserve, the peace, but had to shoot Sewood, who resisted, the ball passing through his chin and entering his neck and chest. Newland wheeled · around and arrested George Cochran and took him before Ugenus Boldin, J. P., but there being no one to swear out a warrant he was released. In the melee Warren Cochran was knocked senseless with a plank by Jim White. The scene after the fight was over, looked like a battle- field, the wounded and bleeding negroes lying around in all directions and making the air vocal with their groans.

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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.

COUNTRY CHURCHES - OLD BETHEL, NOW WALNUT GROVE.

The first church organized within the present limits of Boone county, was a Baptist church called Bethel located near the centre of section 16, township 49, range 14.1 This organization was formed June 28, 1817, by five persons, whose names are here given. Fortu- nately the original manuscript of the church covenant is still in existence and a transcript is herewith set out, printed as it was written, with a few unimportant errors in orthography, grammar, and composition, not. to be ridiculed, but to give record to a paper of great importance and remarkable interest. For sixty-five years has this paper been care- fully preserved, and, though yellow and bronzed by age, bids fair to exist for a much longer period. Let its possessors take some means to permanently preserve it. The records of the first church meeting and the names of the original members are also given, as matters of interest. The following is a literal transcript of the first church cov- enant of Old Bethel : -

CHURCH COVANANT.

June the 28 A. D. 1817

We the Baptist Church called Bethel was constituted by Brethren William Tharp and David McClain on the Scriptures of the old and new testaments, believing them to be the infallable word of God and only rule of faith and practice, Believing that salva- tion is of God alone, also that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God the Father three persons in the Godhead, the Father the son and the holy ghost, these three are one We believe in perticular and unconditional Election by grace and baptism by immer- tion, Belevers to be the only subjects and the final perseverance of the Saints.

[Signed]

. ANDERSON WOODS BETSY WOODS DAVID MAQUITTY JOHN TURNER JAMES HARRIS

The first pastor of the congregation was the Rev. William Tharp, of whom it is to be regretted not much can be learned at this late day. Fielding Wilhite was the pastor in 1829. The following is a transcript of the first meeting, together with the membership list : -

Saturday 1817

We the Baptist church of Christ met according to appointment and after prayer to God for his blessing proceeded to business as folows -

1. Brother Edward Turner was chosen moderator

2. A door was opened for the reception of members.

3. Brother Joshua Barton was received by letter.

4. Brother Anderson Woods was chosen as our clerk.

5. On motion agreed to travel for a decon until our next meeting ..

6. On motion agreed to commune two time a year in the the month of May and October

1 Five miles north by east of Rocheport, in the lower part of Perche township. Land now owned by Mr. Huntington.

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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.

7. On motion agred to appoint Brethren David Mcquitty Joshua Barton and Ander- son Woods to form a church deciplin for the inspection of - [last line torn off.]

Persons names who were constituted calling them selves Bethel Church June the 28 A D 1817. David Mcquitty John Turner James Harris Anderson Woods Betsy Woods

Persons names who have joined since the constitution by letter ; Joshua Barton by letter ; Lasarus Wilcox by letter; John Reid and Patsey his wife by letter; Polley Pipes by letter ; Betsey Pipes by letter; Mourning Harris by experience; Lucy Willcox by experience ; Polley Harris by experience ; Mary Mcquitty by letter; William McCarty by letter; James Hicks and Sarah his wife by letter; Jacob Sowder and Libby his wife by letter; Elias Elston and Jamima his wife by letter,

The first church building occupied by the old Bethel congregation was built of logs, sometime in the year 1818, and this was used until the separation, in 1835, after which it was worshipped in by the anti- missionary or Old School Baptists and the Presbyterians for some time. The pulpit, as stated, was supplied by Rev. Wm. Tharp, from the first organization until the year 1820, when the regular pastor, Rev. Thos. Campbell, was installed. He resigned in 1829, and Fielding Wilhite became his successor.

The first cemetery in Boone county was old Bethel burying ground, located near where the church stood, in the southern border of Perche township. The first interment therein was that of a man named Payson, who was buried in 1818. The cemetery contains some 300 graves, but for a long time has not been used, and is now the centre of a pasture.

The congregation worshiped in harmony until in 1835, when occurred the dissension in regard to foreign missions. The anti-missionary Bap- tists withdrew, and the remainder, to the number of about forty, formed the Walnut Grove Baptist church. Among the constitutional mem- bers, as well as can now be remembered, were Fielding Wilhite (after- wards pastor ), William Wilhite and wife, William Pullman and wife, Reuben Elliott and wife, Tyre Harris and wife, Elijah Dale and wife, Geo. W. McQuitty and wife, Zachariah Burnett and wife, Newman T. Mitchell and wife, Isaac Doty and wife, and Henry Dooley.

In 1836 William Wilhite donated one acre of ground for the present cemetery and church site (which has been increased to about three acres ), whereon a stand was erected and where the first services were held, conducted by the pastor, Rev. Fielding Wilhite, and Revs. A. P. Williams and Thos. Fristoe. The first meetings were protracted, sometimes for a period of two weeks. When the weather was inclem- ent the meetings were adjourned to and held in the Presbyterian church at Rocheport.

In 1838 the congregation erected a brick church building, 20 by 50

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feet in area, and of moderate height, plainly but substantially finished and furnished. Here services were held until 1847, when the present church was built. It is a frame, 40 by 60 in area and 18 feet in height, without spire or bell. Within the same inclosure and contiguous to the church is the Walnut Grove cemetery. The first interments therein were those of Mrs. Enoch Taylor, in 1836, and Sampson Wil- hite, Sr., in 1837. Subsequently more than two hundred graves have been added. As no records have ever been kept, many of these graves cannot now be identified. But known or unknown, recognized or un- recognized, the tenants of these silent ahodes, the fathers and mothers, the brothers and sisters of the present generation of the communicants of Walnut Grove sleep well. Whether the sun of summer shines upon them, or the winds of winter blow over them, alike they silently lie, awaiting the Great Day ; and year by year their descendants and posterity are gathered to them to become in their turn waiters in the silent chambers.

The first pastor of Walnut Grove was Rev. Fielding Wilhite, who first began his labors in Old Bethel in 1829, and closed them in Walnut Grove church in 1844. His successors have been : -

From 1849 to 1850 - Morton Mothershead. From 1861 to 1866 - Noah Flood. From 1850 to 1857 - Noah Flood. From 1866 to 1871 - John Murphy.

From 1857 to 1858 - Green Carey. From 1871 to 1872 - Noah Flood.

From 1858 to 1860 - Robt. N. Harris. From 1873 to 1881 -Jno. M. Robinson.

From 1881 to the present - W. Pope Yeaman.

The present officers are the following : Deacons - N. G. Mitchell, Sr., J. H. Sampson, N. G. Mitchell, Jr., and Stephen Elliott. Clerk- J. H. Sampson. Treasurer -J. S. Denham. Present membership,. not reported. The church and cemetery are located about the center of section 29, township 49, range 14.

SUGAR CREEK ( BAPTIST ) CHURCH.

The Sugar Creek congregation of the Baptist church was organized November 2, 1823. The following is an abstract of the records con- taining the report of the constitutional meeting : -

NOVEMBER THE SECOND (Saturday), 1823.

We, the Baptist Church of Christ at Sugar Creek, met at Brother John Berry's, accord- ing to appointment, and being constituted on 25 members by Elders Wm. Tharp and Thomas Campbell, Brother Thos. Campbell chosen moderator, we proceed-1. And agree to be known by the name of Sugar Creek. 2. We agree to hold our church meetings on the sec- ond Saturday and Sunday in each month. 3. A door was open for the reception of members. Received by experience, Sisters Rachel Riddle, Elizabeth Huntsucker, Susannah Bledsoe, and Polly Hawkins.

By order of the church.

LEVI H. JONES, Clerk pro tem.

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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.

The original members of the congregation were : Wm. Barnes, Mark Reavis, Wm. Jones, Sr., Wm. Jones, Jr., Willis Hawkins, Levi H. Jones, John Stemmons, John Berry, John Jones, James Reavis, James Flemming, Thos. Hart, Anthony Crosby, Benj. Dale, Gavin Bledsoe, John Huntsucker, Thos. Huntsucker, and Sisters Lucy Reavis, Eliza- beth Berry, Tabitha Crosby, Polly Flemming, Mildred Hawkins, Anna Jones, Patsy Jones, and Vilette, a woman of color.

The first deacons were selected on the second Saturday in January, 1824, and were Levi H. Jones and Thomas Hart. They were ordained the same day by Elders Thos. Campbell and Elijah Foley. The first pastor called was Elder Campbell, but he refused to accept ; then Elder Foley was called. Saith the record of October 2 (Saturday), 1824 :

* * *

Reference from last meeting relating to this church calling a pastor was con- sidered. 2. This church was unanimous in calling Bro. Elijah Foley, and he accedes to their wishes.

The first church building was of logs, and was put up on the farm of John Henderson, in 1827. It was never completed, however, and was only used during pleasant weather. It was afterwards taken down and removed to the farm of James H. Lowrey, and again removed to the farm of Sherman Harris and used until 1840. In this year a double log building was put up, 24 by 40 feet in size, which was used until the summer of 1882, when the present structure was erected. It is a frame, 36 by 56 in area, and is well furnished. Its cost was about $2,000. It was dedicated June 18, 1882, by Rev. W. Pope Yeaman. It stands on the northeast quarter of section 22, township 48, range 14.

[Information concerning the pastors, present membership, and other matters connected with the history of this church, was promised, but not furnished. ]

The Sugar Creek Cemetery was originally the private burying- ground of Owen W. Boggs, and the first burial was that of his infant daughter, in 1830. The next, soon after, was that of a negro boy, belonging to Mr. Boggs. Subsequently, by consent of Mr. Boggs, the ground was used by the public, and in 1882 it was deeded to the trustees of the Sugar Creek Baptist church, in whose name the title will hereafter rest. The church site was also donated by the heirs of Mr. Boggs, for church purposes.

NEW PROVIDENCE CHURCH.

This church is of the Missionary Baptist denomination, and was

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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.

organized in 1838, the original nrembers being Joel Wilhite and wife, Thomas Allen and wife, Elijah Foley and wife, Fannie Foley, and Arthur Barnett and wife. The first pastor was Fielding Wilhite, and the first officers were Joel Wilhite and Andrew Barnett, deacons, and Thomas Allen, clerk. The meeting at which the church was for- mally consecrated was held in a grove at McGee's spring, near where the church now stands. Services were held at the grove and at the houses of different members until 1845, when they built a meeting house of hewed logs, labor and material being donated by the mem- bers. It was forty-five feet long by thirty feet wide, and seated with common wooden benches. This building answered as a place of worship till 1878, when it was torn down and the present edifice was erected on its site. The new house is a frame, plain but neat, 52x38 feet in length and width, with a good stone foundation underneath. It cost $1,450, and is comfortably, though not expensively, furnished. In front and over the entrance is a wooden awning, which not only ornaments the building, but protects it from the weather. The mem- bership numbers 160, and since its first organization in 1838, there have been 350 conversions. The following is a list of names of the young men, formerly members of this church, who have become preachers : George Oliver, Lewis Conner, Elliott Wilhite, Morton Modisett, James Smalley, D. B. Black, Edwin Walker, and William H. Nichols. The present pastor is Rev. J. M. McGuire. George H. Hutchinson, Thomas H. Caruthers and Joshua Fenton are deacons, and James Bradley, clerk, at the present writing. New Providence Cemetery was set apart for burial purposes in 1845, and the first subject in- terred was Mrs. Eveline Barnes, wife of David Barnes - husband also since deceased. It now contains over 100 graves, and is in the same enclosure with the church.

LOCUST GROVE CHURCH.

This is another of the numerous Southern Methodist churches in the county, the nucleus of which particular congregation were the Hatton and Harriman families. The circuit called " Boone's Lick Circuit " was organized as early as 1816, and Joseph Piggott was the first itinerant preacher (" circuit rider "). The Locust Grove church at Midway was organized early in 1818, but services had been pre- viously held. The first, or constitutional, members were Reuben Hatton and wife, John Harriman, wife and several of the family, Reu- ben M. Hatton, Thomas Finley, Margaret Laughlin, William Doug-

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lass and wife, and - McMullin. Subsequent to the organization the following were received as members : Alexander M. Ellington and wife, Abram Funk, wife and two daughters, Mrs. Jane McGhee, Mrs. Anderson, and Miss Anderson (afterwards wife of Rev. John Bennett.) Services were he'd from the time of the organization up to about 1824 at the residence of Reuben Hatton, and from that time until 1830 at the house of William Douglass. In that year the Old Brick Chapel was erected near the site of the present church at Mid- way. It was a small house, 36 by 26 feet in length and width, and a 12-foot ceiling, plainly built, heated by old-fashioned " fire-places,"

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History of Boone County, Missouri., Part 96

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