History of Caldwell and Livingston counties, Missouri, written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri; a reliable and detailed history of Caldwell and Livingston counties--their pioneer record, resources, biographical sketches of prominent citizens; general and local statistics of great value; incidents and reminiscences, Part 78

Author: Pease, Ora Merle Hawk, 1890-
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: St. Louis, National Historical Company
Number of Pages: 1260

USA > Missouri > Livingston County > History of Caldwell and Livingston counties, Missouri, written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri; a reliable and detailed history of Caldwell and Livingston counties--their pioneer record, resources, biographical sketches of prominent citizens; general and local statistics of great value; incidents and reminiscences > Part 78
USA > Missouri > Caldwell County > History of Caldwell and Livingston counties, Missouri, written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri; a reliable and detailed history of Caldwell and Livingston counties--their pioneer record, resources, biographical sketches of prominent citizens; general and local statistics of great value; incidents and reminiscences > Part 78

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).

CHAPTER V.

FROM 1850 TO 1861.

The California "Gold Fever "-First Homicide; Killing of Benj. Collins by Joseph Slagle - Politics and Politicians - The " Know Nothings" - Building of the Han- nibal and St. Joseph Railroad - Sketch of the Institution of Slavery - The Political Campaigns of 1860- After the Election of Lincoln-The Case of Rev. J. E. Gardner.

THE CALIFORNIA GOLD FEVER.

The discovery of gold in California greatly excited the people of the West, producing what came to be called the "gold fever." Livingston county caught the infection in a virulent form. In the spring and summer of 1849 there was a comparatively large emigration from the county for the new El Dorado, of whose riches such marvel- ous tales were narrated, - where it was said even the " wave of the river and the spray of the fountains were bright with the glitter of genuine gold."

May 1, 1849, a considerable company from " the forks " left Spring Hill for California. This company was composed of A. B. D. Martin, Gustavus Dryden, John Dryden, W. S. Ligett, Henry Leeper, Stephen Bills, J. T. C. Boyle, W. G. Frith, James Ligett, - Pulliam, Josiah Geo. W., Thomas A., James and J. B. Anderson, Sam'l L. Harris, Giles McGee, William Ballinger and John McGee. At Lone Jack, in Jackson county, the Livingston men united with others from Chariton and formed the California Mining Company, choosing John Gilliam, of Chariton, captain.

At Vermillion creek, Kansas, cholera broke out among the gold seekers, and three of the company died -John McGee, of Livingston, and James Ashby and Stephen Prather, of Chariton. Here the company broke up into two parties, in one of which were the Livings- ton and some from Chariton, who elected Sportsman, of Chariton, captain. This company took the middle route, through the South Pass, and arrived at Steep Hollow, California, September 22.

No serious trouble was experienced by Capt. Sportsman's company until the head of Thousand Springs Valley, Nevada, was reached. Here the Indians stole 17 head of horses and mules from them one

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732

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

night. The men gave pursuit, followed the thieves into the mountains, and succeeded in recovering seven horses and one' mule.

Other Livingston men from "the forks," comprising Thos. B. Brookshier, Danl. B. Cox, Thos. Cox, Wm. Heisler, and a number of men from Daviess, elected F. P. Peniston, of the latter county, captain, and set out April 29, taking the northern route, and arrived at Lawson's ranch, on the upper Sacramento, September 15.

Other Livingston county " 49ers" were John Trammell, James Trammell, and " Buena Vista " Bell, who started from " the forks" and made the trip to the land of gold in wagons drawn by five yoke of cows. With this outfit was one lady, the wife of James Bell. From the southern, western, and other portions of the county went George Wolfskill, Thos. Kirk, John Kirk, J. H. Kirk, Abe Gann, Reuben Wilburn.

In 1850 there was another emigration. Some of those who went this year were L. D. Kirk, Andrew MeCoskrie, P. M. Marlow, Wmn. H. Marlow, J. M. Marlow, J. B. Francis, Lewis M. Best, Dr. Lenox.

The fate of the Livingston county Argonauts was varied. Some were successful, but more were not. Nearly all ultimately returned, but many again went to " the diggings," and of these some finally returned to their old Missouri homes. Henry Leeper was accidentally shot while bear hunting on the Sierra Nevada mountains with Ben. Ashby. The latter fell down and his gun slipped down the mountain side until the hammer struck a projection, when the weapon was discharged, and the contents struck Leeper. Dr. Lenox was killed by L. M. Best, who after a long and expensive trial was acquitted.

THE FIRST HOMICIDE - KILLING OF BENJAMIN COLLINS BY JOSEPH SLAGLE.

The first homicide in Livingston county after its organization did not occur until April 19, 1853, when Joseph Slagle killed his brother- in-law, one Benjamin Collins, the act being afterward decided justifiable.

Slagle, who was the owner of Slagle's mill on Medicine creek, in the northeastern part of the county, had married Elizabeth Crawford, a daughter of Mason Crawford and a half sister of Benjamin Collins, whose mother, being left a widow, had married Mr. Crawford. Collins at this time lived at Quincy, Ill., where he was connected with a " negro show," and led a low, disreputable life generally. He was married, but had separated from his wife, and was regarded as a

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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

malicious, evil-disposed person, of a quarrelsome nature, especially when intoxicated, as was frequently the case.

When Collins heard that his half sister had married Slagle he flew into a great passion, and swore that he was coming "right over to Missouri and kill Slagle." To some parties he swore that his sister should not live with her husband, that he would " part them or die; " and to other parties he swore that he would " kill Slagle on sight," and that he would " have his heart's blood, anyhow," etc. This was in March, 1853, and a month later Collins appeared at Slagle's house late one night, accompanied by Henry Gibson, of Linn county, whom he had hired to convey him to Slagle's mill on horseback.

Slagle greeted his brother-in-law kindly, and did his best to make him welcome. Mrs. Slagle was absent from home to remain over night, but Slagle at once sent for her, and she returned that night. Collins did not respond to the friendliness of his sister's husband, but seemed cold and distant, and when his sister arrived he took her out of doors and told her that she must leave her husband or he would kill him. That night Collins acted very violently and menacingly, and at last Slagle drove him away with a shotgun.

Collins seemed incensed against Slagle because the latter had been twice married before marrying his sister, and Because he was some- what older than she. He stayed in the neighborhood a day or two, uttering threats against Slagle, declaring he had killed his first two wives, and " he shan't live to kill my sister; " and again he said he had come for "revenge," and he meant to have it, "or die right here," etc. Word of Collins' threats were sent to Slagle by Mason Crawford and others, and on one night Slagle, Stephen Crawford and Mr. Jennings guarded Slagle's house. To Stephen Crawford, near Quincy, Ill., a month before, Collins had declared he would have Slagle's "heart's blood."

That night Collins stayed at Mrs. Sapp's, in the neighborhood. His relatives and others seem to have urged him to leave the country and go to California, and to forego his intention to kill his brother-in- law. Accordingly on Tuesday morning, April 19, he left Mrs. Sapp's, and in company with Thomas Gilkison, who was driving a yoke of cattle, started apparently for Chillicothe, carrying a fiddle, an umbrella and a budget of clothing. He was unarmed. The same morning Slagle started from home to hunt for one of his cattle that had strayed away ; he was on horseback, and carried with him his double-barreled gun. He, too, came into the Chillicothe road and soon overtook

734

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

Collins and Gilkison, who were afoot, the latter carrying a gun, What followed the meeting was thus testified to by Mr. Gilkison : -

We had got but a short distance from Mrs. Sapp's house till we seen Mr. Slagle. This man that got killed remarked to me, " Will he shoot?" I told the man that I did not think he would shoot if he met him friendly. When he met Mr. Slagle he spoke and bid him " good morning." Mr. Slagle bid him " good morning." Col- lins asked Mr. Slagle : " How do you come on." Mr. Slagle's reply was : " Ben, my life has been at stake long enough." As he spoke these words he cocked his gun and shot. As he did not kill him the first shot, he shot again ; the last shot killed him dead on the ground.

On the trial it was sworn to, that immediately after the shooting Mr. Slagle gave directions that Collins' body should be taken care of, and he seemed greatly affected, " shedding tears " and declaring " I would not have done it, but I had to. I would as soon have shot my own brother." Slagle also declared that just before he fired Collins had grabbed at Gilkison's gun, as if he intended carrying out his threat. Collins was walking in the rear of Gilkison, and Gilkison did not see this movement.

Slagle at once surrendered himself, underwent a preliminary exam- ination before Squire Myers, was held to answer, and was indicted by the grand jury within a few days ( April term, 1853), but was not tried finally until the October term of the Circuit Court, 1854, when he was acquitted, the jury believing from the evidence, as did a majority of the community, that he had killed Collins from [motives altogether proper and justifiable. The latter had come into this county on Sun- day, April 17, vowing he would part Slagle and his wife or " die right here," and the following Tuesday morning he was killed.

Mr. Slagle yet lives in the county, a respected citizen of Chillicothe.

POLITICS AND POLITICIANS.

From its organization until after the beginning of the Civil War, Livingston county was uniformly Democratic in politics. It is believed that at every Presidential election the Democratic party carried the county, up to 1860, and then there was a decided majority of Democrats, aggregating the two factions. Occasionally the Whigs elected one or more of the county officers, but this was always due to questions of personal popularity, or some local consideration. On the " main question," as it was considered, Livingston county was soundly Democratic, by about 150 majority.

In 1844, and for some years both prior and subsequent thereto, the leading Whigs of the county were Nova Zembla Johnson (elected to

735

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

the Legislature in 1844), John Hudgins, Alexander Dockery, Andrew Ligett, Wm. L. Black, James A. Black, J. W. Boyle, Judge Anselm Rowley, Wm. J. Wallace, Dawson Crews, James Garmon, E. B. Waples, Thomas Warren, Wm. E. Pearl, J. H. B. Manning.

Some of the prominent Democrats were Esq. Francis Preston, who invariably presided at meetings and conventions ; James H. Darlington, W. Y. Slack, James Leeper, Sr., James Leeper, Jr., Jno. L. Leeper, seven or eight of the Martins ; the three Gregorys, Nathan H. Spencer, and J. T. ; Wm. O. Jennings, Thos. R. Bryan, Joseph Cox, Geo. Munro, Dr. John Wolfskill, S. A. Alexander, Reuben Leaton.

During the Know Nothing excitement, in 1855-56, the reign of the Democratic party was seriously menaced by the new organization. In some counties the Know Nothings were largely in the majority. The Democracy of Livingston, however, were early on their guard, and repelled the attempts of the leaders of the new party to make prose- lytes among Democrats. This was accomplished by thoroughly organizing and disciplining the party in time. Early in the year 1856, the year when Know Nothingism was strongest in Missouri, the Dem -. ocrats of this county girded themselves for the Presidential conflict about to open. A large mass meeting was held at Chillicothe in Feb- ruary, pursuant to the following call : -

ATTENTION, DEMOCRATS !

With a view of a permanent organization of the Democratic party for the political contest of 1856, the undersigned Democrats of Liv- ingston county would respectfully call a mass meeting of the Demo- crats and all others favorable to their creed of principles, to assemble at the court-house, in Chillicothe, on the first Monday in February, 1856, to take such steps as may be deemed necessary : -

Larze Anderson,

Henry Firth, J. A. Farrell,

J. L. Myers, Francis Martin,

Alex Austin,

David C. Austin,

Spence H. Gregory, Jr. Richard Martin,

Wm. C. Austin, A. N. Austin, S. H. Austin,

J. H. T. Green, Joshua Gibbons,

John M. Minnick,

Geo. Munro,

John Garr,

H. R. Manning,

Jas. L. Austin,

Richard Garr,

Jas. McAllister, Joseph Miller,

A. J. Austin, James Anderson, Jesse Aufield,

John O. Gish,

Jesse Morris, B. F. Norman,

Amos Bargdoll, Joel Bargdoll, E. Bell, Owen Brigman,

M. R. Gregory, Edward Gudgell, John T. Gudgell, Adam Gano, Jr., Thomas Gano, Nicholas Gano,

W. C. Norman, Elias Norman,

James Nave,

Samuel Odell,

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IIISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

Lewis Bargdoll, Solomon Bargdoll,

Howard Gano,

Evan Odell,

/ Nathan Gano, Isaac Ourly,

N. G. Bliss,

Henry Gano, Jackson Perrin,

James Bean,

Joshua Gano, Win. F. Peery,

Henry Black,

Wm. Blackwell,

John Bryan,

Jordan Graves,

A. J. Bryan,

Westley Grider,

Levan Brookshier,

Greenbury Gibson,

T. B. Brookshier,

Reuben Hawkins,

Jas. M. Robertson,

Leander Brookshier,

Asa H. Holcomb,

Judson Schofield,

Wm. H. Brookshier, John Boucher, .

John Hutchinson,

J. N. Bell,

Wm. Hoge,

James Hicks, Jr.,

John Speck,

James Bradford,

James Hicks, Sr.,

L. D. Sivic,

Wilson Barnett,

Abijah Hicks,

John Saunders,

Abel Cox,

Joseph Haddock,

Wni. Silvey,

J. W. Collins,

Thos. Hutchinson,

Emasus Silvey,

John Caldwell,

David Hawkins,

Temple Smith,

Isam Cox,

Jere Hutchinson,

Danl. G. Saunders,

Andrew Craig, Jr.,

Jesse Hoge,

W. Y. Slack,

D. P. Cochran,

E. M. Claraday, David Cadle,

Wyatt Jennings,

R. M. Stewart,

Joseph Custer,

Thos. Jennings, Jr.,

Morris Shaw,

Joshua Crumpecker, Wm. Cloud,

James Jennings, Allison James, Joseph Jones, Wm. Keith,

Jas. M. Wood,

David Y. Dale,

Wash Keister,

John Wisecarver,

John England,

Rice G. Keister,

John Winnegan,

Hardin D. Ewers,

Christian Keller,

John Walker,

David Eads, Darius Evans,

Joseph B. Kirk,

John Wolfskill,

A. F. Walden,

J. J. Eberly,

Uriah B. Kent, James B. Kerr,

T. W. Warder,

John Fitzmorris,

Wm. S. Knox,

Jos. Wolfskill,

J. B. Freeman,

Daniel Keller,

Noah Wilkinson,

James Francis,

Isam Lisle,

Maj. A. Wallace,

John Frazier,

Asa Lanter,

James Wells.

Wm. G. Firth,

Henry Manning,

The Know Nothings assembled on Washington's birthday, Febru- ary 22, pursuant to the following notice: -

MASS MEETING.

The members of the American Party, and all friends of their prin- ciples, are requested to assemble in Chillicothe on the 22d of February

Alex. Saunders,

. Brannock Curtis,

Pleasant Ingram, John Jacob,

Wm. Sirns,

Wm. O. Jennings,

John Stewart,

Hiram Taylor,

Saml. Thompson,

Clinton Van Brimmer,

David W. Curtis, David Curtis,

E. Herriford,

Robt. M. Steen,

Siford Saxon, Silas Smith,

Thomas R. Bryan,

Spence H. Gregory, Sr.A. E. Poulet, John Graves, J. Y. Porter, John Richards,

James Rosson, Charles Rosson,

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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

next, for the purpose of celebrating the birthday of the Immortal Washington, the Father of American Liberty. Able speakers will be in attendance.

CHILLICOTHE COUNCIL.

THE KNOW NOTIIINGS.

The Native American, or as it was called, the " Know Nothing " party, deserves particular mention in these pages, as at one time it was a political organization very formidable in its character, and largely in the majority in some quarters. It was formed in the United States some time before the year 1840, but did not become strong or very prominent until the dissolution of the Whig party in 1853.

The party was a strong one, as it was a secret political order, whose members were oath-bound, and which had its lodges or " councils," its signs, grips and passwords, and worked secretly to accomplish its openly professed objeets. It was composed chiefly of old Whigs, although there were many ex-Democrats in its ranks. Its great basic principle was that " Americans must rule America ;" in other words, that none but native-born citizens of the United States, and non- Catholic, ought to hold office. After a time the clause in the platform against Catholics was stricken out, except in regard to those who held to the supremacy of the Pope in temporal affairs. It also favored a radical change in the naturalization laws, insisting on a foreigner's twenty years' residence in this country as a prerequisite to citizenship.

The lodges of the Know Nothings were called " councils." In this county, among others, there were councils at Chillicothe, Utica and Spring Hill. It is said that one of the hailing signs of the Know Nothings was " Have you seen Sam?" meaning it is presumed, " Uncle Sam," the mythical personage supposed to represent the government of the United States. The American flag was always present in the council rooms, and the Federal constitution was a part of the constitution of the order.

For many years the Native American party was a prominent and important factor in politics, but the influence and strength of the foreign and Catholic vote of the country were of course always against it, and these and other influences destroyed it in a few years.

THE HANNIBAL AND ST. JOSEPH RAILROAD.

The building of the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad through the county in 1858-59, was an event of much importance (see sketch of the road elsewhere). It gave to the county communication with the

738

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

outside world, brought in hundreds of emigrants, revived and created business enterprises, built up the towns of Chillicothe and Utica, and marked a new era in the progress and general welfare of the people. The new enterprise cost the county but a trifling sum, and was of the greatest advantage. John Graves, of Chillicothe, was the largest sub- scriber, his subscription being $1,000 at the first, and this was after- wards increased.

SLAVERY DAYS.

This volume will be read by many in days to come who can not comprehend that human slavery once existed in Livingston county and Missouri. For the benefit of those, and because it is a legitimate portion of the county's history, it may be proper to describe in these pages the institution of slavery as it existed here and generally throughout Missouri.

In 1860, out of a total population of 7,417, the number of slaves in Livingston county was 705, nearly one-tenth of the entire popula- tion. The proportion of slaves was small compared with some other counties in the State, notably those along the Missouri river in the hemp district. In Chariton the number of slaves was 2,839; total population, 12,562. In Carroll there were 1,068; total population, 9,763. In Grundy there were 285; total population, 7,887. The whole number in this county were held by less than 200 families. The institution was not profitable here.

Slavery in this county was transplanted from Kentucky and Virginia. Certain families owned slaves in those States, and carried them along when they came to the new country. Nearly all that were ever here came with their masters or were natives of the county. Few were ever brought here and sold on speculation. Many were taken out of the county and sold to go into the far South, but there was no profit in bringing them here for sale. Negroes are known to be prolific when surrounded by favorable circumstances, and they increased very rapidly under the workings and practices of the system. Many slave girls Became mothers at fourteen.

The slave owners worked their slaves for profit. Slavery to them was not only social power and supremacy, but it was wealth and a source of wealth. The slaveholder therefore worked his slaves to the best possible advantage for gain. Men and women worked in the fields here, as they did in the cotton fields of Mississippi. They were provided with comfortable cabins, with coarse but comfortable cloth- ing, with a sufficiency of food, and medical attendance was furnished

739

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

them when they were sick. The self-interest of the master prompted this, if his humanity did not. It was rare in this county that a master overworked and underfed his slaves, or treated them with extreme harshness and cruelty.

Slaves were property and rated a part of a man's personal estate, as his horses were. To be sure they were regarded as something more than brood mares and stallions, though their value, in a certain sense was the same - proportionate to their increase. This could not be avoided. The owner of land had a right to its annual profits, the owner of orchards to their annual fruits, and under the law the owner of female slaves was entitled to their children. While in Louisiana and perhaps another State slaves were real estate, in Missouri they were chattels. Though no attention was given to their education, their religious instruction was not neglected, and they were encouraged to hold meetings and to conduct revivals and prayer meetings, and in particular the Pauline precept, " Servants, obey your masters," was constantly cited to them as one of the teachings and commands of the Bible.

The domestic relations of the slaves were regulated more with regard to convenience than what would be considered propriety in these days. Marriages between them were not made matters of record. Quite frequently no ceremony was said at all - the parties simply " took up." Occasionally the husband belonged to one mas- ter, the wife to another. But in most instances the family relation was observed, or at least imitated. Husband and wife occupied one cabin, where they brought up children and lived after the fashion of to-day. The husband and wife not only did not have to provide for themselves, but they were not expected to provide for their children. That was the master's care and duty.

The husband was usually satisfied with one wife -at a time. There was not that laxity of morals concerning the connubial relations here that existed in the far South. There were numbers of mulatto chil- dren, and quadroons and octoroons -as there are to-day - because there were depraved and libidinous men then -as there are now. Sometimes a father owned as slaves his own daughters, whose chil- dren had for fathers their mothers' half-brothers. But these cases were rare. The Northern Abolitionists exaggerated and magnified the existence of evils of this sort. Usually the fathers of mulatto chil- dren were depraved and disreputable white men who were not the owners of slaves.

While there was frequently a harsh master, the instances of down-

740

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

right cruelty to the slaves in this county were rare. There were cruel masters, as there are cruel husbands and fathers, but the rule was that slave-owners were considerate, reasonable and just. Cruelty and inhumanity toward slaves were grave offenses against the law. As early as in April, 1841, Wm. C. Davis, of this county, was indicted for inhumanly treating a slave, and it required the best efforts of his counsel, R. D. Ray (now Supreme Judge) and Amos Reese, to pre- vent his being severely punished.

It was necessary that there should be discipline, but this was en- forced with as few rigors as possible. In every municipal township there were patrols, appointed by the county court, whose duties were to patrol their respective townships a certain number of times per month, and to keep a watch and scrutiny upon the movements of the negroes.

As remarked on another page of this volume, eternal vigilance was the price of slavery. The slaves required continual oversight. There were restive spirits among them with ideas of freedom whose move- ments had to be restrained ; all insubordination had to be repressed ; all loafing and prowling for the purpose of petty larceny had to be broken up and reproved. After the Southampton insurrection and the fearful murders of Nat Turner and his followers, in 1831, " risings " and insurrections were feared wherever there were con- siderable communities of slaves. To prevent as far as possible any trouble among or about the slaves was the office of the patrols. They made their rounds -one of their number being a leader or " captain " - as nearly as possible at unexpected times and suddenly. No slave was allowed off the farm where he belonged or was employed after 9 o'clock at night without a written pass from his master or em- ployer. All offenders of this class were made prisoners and punished.

The first patrols in Livingston county were appointed for Greene township in November, 1844. Asa T. Kirtley was " captain," and the patrols (or " pattarollers," as the record calls them ) were W. E. Rucker, Addison Rucker, John Rockhold, F. Lyday, E. N. Guill and Warren Hudgins. The squad was ordered to patrol at least 36 hours in each month, for twelve months.

The negroes had their seasons of happiness, and on the whole it is perhaps nothing but the truth to say that their average physical con- dition when in slavery was as good as it is to-day. The state of some of them was better. Sentimental considerations must be left to others. They had their dances, their frolics, and their assemblages of various sorts. Corn huskings were made occasions of merriment and divers-

741

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

ion. In 1840 or later there was a custom, when the huge pile of corn was husked, to take up the master and bear him on the shoulders of the huskers at the head of a procession which marched around the premises singing songs improvised at the time, and so called " corn songs."

These " corn songs " were sung while the slaves were at work in the tobacco fields, the hemp fields, the wheat fields, as well as at the husk- ings. They were commonly without rhyme or reason, but were sung with great volume and sometimes with much melody.

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Author: Pease, Ora Merle Hawk, 1890- Publication date: 1886 Publisher: St. Louis, National Historical Company Number of Pages: 1260

Author: Pease, Ora Merle Hawk, 1890-
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: St. Louis, National Historical Company
Number of Pages: 1260