USA > Missouri > Carroll County > History of Carroll County, Missouri : carefully written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of its townships, cities, towns and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri ; the Constitution of the United States, and State of Missouri ; a military record of its volunteers in either army of the Great Civil War ; general and local statistics ; miscellany ; reminiscences, grave, tragic and humorous ; biographical sketches of prominent men and citizens identified with the interests of the country > Part 10
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THE CLIMATE.
For nearly forty years Dr. George Engelmann, of St. Louis, kept sys- tematic records of the meteorology of St. Louis and vicinity; and by compiling similar records kept during long or short periods, by other per- sons in different parts of the state, he has been able to report pretty cor- rectly the dates and weather-facts which go to furnish a comprehensive estimate of the general nature of the climate, at each season of the year, in different parts of the state. The following facts of great practical Interest and value are gathered from the doctor's work:
Our winters, taken in the usual sense, from the first of December to the last of February, have in the city an average temperature of 33.3 degrees, and may be estimated for the surrounding country at 32 degrees; but they vary in different seasons between 25 degrees (winter of 1855-6 and 1872-3) and 40 degrees (winter 1844-5). Our summers (from June 1st to August 31st) have in the city a mean temperature of 76.8 degrees, and are calculated to reach in the country 75 degrees, ranging between the coolest summer, 71.5 degrees mean temperature (1835, 1839 and 1848), and the warmest of 80 degrees mean temperature, (1838, 1850 and especially 1854).
The last frosts in spring occur between March 13th and May 2d, on an average about April 5th, and the earliest autumnal frosts between October 4th and November 26th, on an average about October 27th; the
88
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI.
period between these two. terms extends in different years from 184 to 252 days, on an average 205 days. In the southeast part of the. state these limits of the freezing point will, of course, be much wider apart, and in the northwest they are narrowed down considerably. Our spring opens in March, though in some favored seasons vegetation breaks through its wintry bounds already in the latter part of February, while in a few very late springs it cannot be said to have fairly commenced before the middle of April. * *
* We find the first in bloom is the alder and the hazel; next-not rarely retarded by intervening cold spells- the soft or silver leaf maple; our common white elm blooms a few days after this, between February 24th and April 15th, on an average, March 19th. During the next following days, roses, syringas, gooseberries and many other bushes, and the weeping willows, show their young leaves. About two weeks after, the elm-between March 18th and April 25th, on an average about April 3d-the peach trees open their first blossoms, and are, one week later, in full bloom. Plum and pear trees and sweet cherries blossom about the same time, or a few days later, and then sour cherries and the glory of our rich woods, the red buds, get in bloom. Between March 21st and May 1st,.(mean, April 14th) the early apple trees begin to : bloom, and between March 28th and May 10th, (mean, April 20th) they may be said to be in full bloom.
The maturity and harvest of winter wheat immediately succeeds the catalpa bloom, between June 10th and July 1st, usually about June 20th. The mean summer temperature varies but little throughout the state. In the summer of 1873 the mean temperature in the southeast was found only one-half degree higher than that of the northeast, and the difference between St. Louis and the west was even less. Winter temperatures, however, show a wide range. The mean temperature of the southeast- ern part of the state is 2} to 3 degrees higher than at St. Louis, and 52 degrees higher than in the northeastern angle, and the mean tem- perature of Leavenworth, and the adjacent parts of Missouri, is fully 2 degrees less than that of the region about St. Louis.
In connection with our winter temperature it must be mentioned that the Mississippi at St. Louis freezes over about once in four or five years, partly, no doubt, in consequence of the heavy ice floating down from the north; and it then remains closed for one or two, or even four or six weeks, sometimes passable for the heaviest teams. Our river has been known to close as early as the first week in December, and in other years, to be open as late as the last week in February,while the run- ning ice may impede or interrupt navigation between the end of Novem- ber and the end of February, sometimes as low down as the southeast corner of the state; the river is said, however, never to freeze over below Cape Girardeau. The Missouri river is sometimes closed in the latter
89
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI.
part of November, and has been known to remain firmly bridged over into the first week of March. .
The climate of Missouri is, on the whole, a dry one, with strong evap- oration, and an atmosphere but rarely overloaded with moisture.
Winter, Spring | Summer
Autumn
Whole Yr.
Clear or nearly clear days.
30
33
40
40
143
Partially clear and variable days
39
47
48
39
173
Days when the sun remains obscured.
21
12
4
12
49
Our summer rains mostly descend with great abundance, and in a com- paratively short time, so that the average (13 inches) of summer rain falls in 70 hours, distributed over twenty-four days, while the 7 inches of win- ter rain (and snow) descend in 160 hours and on 22 days. The days on which it rains vary between 68 and 115 in the year. On the average we have 92 days in the year on which it rains. Our rains last from a frac- tion of an hour to a few hours, and very rarely extend through the 24 hours.
Snow is rather scarce in our climate, and rarely continually covers the ground for more than a few days or a week. In some years, it amounted, when melted to 52 inches; in others to only one-half inch; the aver- age is about 23 inches.
The atmospherical pressure (indicated by the stage of the barometer) is with us, in summer, more uniform and regular than on the Atlantic coast, while in winter it fluctuates considerably, and often very rapidly. The average barometrical pressure is highest in January, falls till May, and gradually rises again until January; it is most variable from November to March, and least so from June to August.
HEALTHFULNESS OF THE STATE.
Authentic reports to the Health Board of St. Louis is have shown that the annual sickness rate of the city of St. Louis about seventeen and a half days to each member of the population. Dr. Boardman, of Boston, has ascertained the sickness rate of the city of Boston to be about twenty- four days of annual sickness to each individual. The general correctness of these conclusions are further substantiated by army statistics. Dr. Playfair, of England, after careful inquiry, computed the ratio of one death to twenty-eight cases of sickness in a mixed population.
.The state of Massachusetts has for many years had a state board of Health, by whom sanitary improvements have been diligently and scien tifically prosecuted, under state authority; and the annual death-rate has thereby been somewhat reduced. In 1870 Massachusetts had a popula- tion of 1,457,351 and there were during the same period 25,859 deaths from all causes. A mortality equal to 1.77 per cent of the population. At
90
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI.
the same time Missouri had a population of 1,721,295, and there were during that year 27,982 deaths from all causes. A mortality rate equiva- lent to 1.63 per cent. of the population. It thus appears, if the calculation is made and the relative proportion between the populations and the death rates of the two states maintained, that vital security is greater. in Mis- souri, as compared with Massachusetts, to an extent represented by the annual saving of 2,474 lives. But this is not all. The authorities on vital statistics estimate that two persons are constantly sick for every one that dies; and Dr. Jarvis shows, from the experience of health-assurance companies in this country, that on an average each person loses from 19 to 20 days per year by sickness. Then we have this result: Two persons sick to one death, equal 4,94S, multiplied by 20, gives 98,960 days per year less of sickness in Missouri than in Massachusetts, in proportion to population. Then reckon the amount of care and anxiety and suffering and the loss of time, and cost for nursing and medicines and doctor's bills- and you will begin to get some idea of what these figures really mean, in favor of our state, with its dry, salubrious climate, in comparison with Massachusetts, the only other state for which the figures were at hand to make the comparison.
AGRICULTURE.
The Missouri state board of agriculture was created a body corporate by statute, in 1877, and it was provided that the governor, the state sup- erintendent of schools, the president of the state university and the dean of the state agricultural college, should be ex-officio members of the board. The officers of the secretary and treasurer are required to be at the agricultural college, at Columbia, in Boone county; and the annual meetings are to be held there, on the first Wednesday of November in each year. The presidents or duly authorized delegates of county agricultural societies, are rightful members of the state board, "for delib- eration and consultation as to the wants, prospects and condition of the agricultural interests of the state, to receive the reports of district and county societies, and to fill by elections all vacancies in the board."
The law further provides that, " It shall be the duty of all agricultural and horticultural societies, organized and established in accordance with the laws of this state, to make a full report of their . transactions to the Missouri state board of agriculture, at each annual meeting thereof."
The state board is required " to make an annual report to the general assembly of the state, embracing the proceedings of the board for the past year, and an abstract of the reports and proceedings of the several agricultural and horticultural societies, as well as a general view of the condition of agriculture and horticulture throughout the state, accom- panied by such recommendations, including especially such a system of
91
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI.
.
public instruction upon those subjects as may be deemed interesting and useful." Provision is then made for printing fourteen thousand copies (two thousand in the German language), for distribution to all who will use them.
OUR STAPLE CROPS.
First of all the crops grown in the state, in amount and value, is Indian corn. There is not a county in the state in which it is not successfully and profitably grown. The broad alluvial bottoms along our great rivers yield immense crops of this valuable cereal, and our fertile prairies are but little, if any, behind them in their yield.
Next in importance among the cereals is wheat, which grows and yields well in every part of the state. Except in a few northern counties, spring wheat is but little grown, the main attention being bestowed upon the winter varieties, which are.especially a favorite crop upon the locss and clay loams; and upon the oak uplands of the state. The well known fact that the best flour to stand transportation and exposure in hot and humid climates, is made from wheat grown toward the southern border of the wheat zone, has made Missouri flour a favorite for' shipment to South American markets. Flour made in Missouri, from Missouri wheat, won the Medal of Merit at the World's Exposition, at Vienna, in 1873. The average yield and the certainty of the wheat crop in Missouri, give the state a high rank among the states producing this cereal.
Oats grow and yield well in the state, producing heavy straw, plump and heavy grains; but the crop does not figure very largely in our markets, being mainly grown for home consumption.
Tobacco, of two or three varieties, grows well, and Missouri tobacco enjoys a fine reputation for excellence. The state embraces some of the best tobacco lands in the country. It is a staple in nearly every county in the state, and some of the counties make it a leading crop. Missouri ranks sixth in its production.
Cotton, except in small patches. for home use, is raised only in the southern counties of the state. Stoddard, Scott, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Dunklin, Mississippi and Lawrence, all raise more or less for shipment, and, in some of the counties named, it is an important crop.
Potatoes grow well, and on most of our soils yield large crops. They are of fine quality generally.
Sweet Potatoes grow upon our sandy soils to great size and excellence, and our farmers raise a great abundance for home use, and the city markets are always well supplied.
Sorghum, and other varieties of the Chinese sugar cane, are exten- sively grown, and many thousands of gallons of syrup are annually made for home use. Recent improvements in manufacturing sugar from these
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HISTORY OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI.
syrups bid fair to increase the value and importance of this branch of husbandry.
Broom Corn is extensively grown in Missouri, and the brush being longer and finer than that grown in the eastern states, commands a much better price in market.
Buckwheat, Castor Beans, White Beans, Peas and Hops, are all success- fully grown and made profitable crops.
Garden Vegetables are produced in great profusion and variety, and the more arid regions of western Kansas and New Mexico, and the mining districts of Colorado, afford an ever-increasing market for these and other agricultural products from our state. Watermelons, musk- melons, etc., grow to great perfection, and are shipped in large quantities from some portions of the state to cities farther north.
The U. S. forestry statistics of 1875, give Missouri 21,707,220 acres of land in farms; 20,116,786 acres not in farms; of wood land in farms there were 8,965,229 acres, and the total woodlands in the state was reported as 19,623,619 acres.
There is a curious bit of agricultural history which illustrates the rapid development of the western country, and at the same time shows, by the inevitable logic of events already transpired, the magnificent position of Missouri as the greatest wheat center on the globe. In 1849 the cen- ter of the wheat product of the United States was the meridian of 81 º west of Greenwich, passing north and south through the eastern border counties of Ohio. In 1859 that line had moved westward a little more than two degrees of longitude, and passed through the eastern border counties of Indiana, the city of Fort Wayne being on the line. In 1869 the wheat center had moved not quite two degrees further west, and was that year a few miles west of Chicago and Milwaukee; and. the center of our National corn crop was on the same line at this time. In 1877. this line had moved still further west, and was now represented by a line drawn on a map of the United States from Marquette, on Lake Superior, down through Janesville, Wisconsin, and through Mendota, LaSalle, Vandalia and Cairo, in Illinois. The corn center will not move much if any further west; but the wheat center, by reason of the rapid development of this crop in Minnesota, Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas, is now, in 1881, as far west as St. Louis; and it will not be likely to migrate further than Jeffer- son City at any time in the future, because there is no important wheat- growing territory further west still unoccupied. The new settlements westward must be chiefly by mining and manufacturing peoples, hence, consumers rather than producers of the great cereal crops.
The conclusion of the whole matter, then, is that St. Louis is now, and will for several decades continue to be, practically on the center line of the aggregate product of wheat and corn in the United States, propor-
93
'HISTORY OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI.
tioned from east to west limits of the national domain. And this fact assures Missouri of pre-eminent commercial rank among the grand sister- hood of states.
The following table shows the number of pounds weight which con- stitute a lawful bushel in Missouri, of the different articles named, as established in 1879:
No. lbs.
No. lbs.
Articles.
per bu.
Articles.
per bu.
Wheat.
60
Orchard Grass
14
Corn, shelled .
56
Buckwheat. 52
Corn in ear
70
Onions. 57
Corn Meal. 50
Top Onion Sets 28
Rye.
56
Peas, whole, dry 60
Oats.
32
Split Peas. 60
Barley.
48
Dried Apples 24
Irish Potatoes 60
Dried Peaches 33
Sweet Potatoes
56
Malt. 88
Beans, White
60
Salt
50
Castor Beans. 46
Coal.
Bran.
20
Clover Seed.
60
Cotton Seed.
33
Timothy Seed.
45
Hungarian Seed
48
Common Turnips
42
Hemp Seed.
44
Carrots.
50
Flaxseed. 56
Rutabagas 50
Green Peas, unshelled. 56
Red-top Seed or Herd's Grass 14
Green Beans, unshelled. 56
Osage Orange Seed. 36
Green Apples
48
Sorghum Seed. 42
Green Peaches 48
Kentucky Blue Grass Seed ... 14
Green Pears 48
The standard bushel for coke and charcoal is to contain 2,680 cubic inches; apple barrels, length, 28} inches; chines, { of an inch at ends; diameter of head, 172 inches; inside diameter at the center of the barrel, 20₺ inches.
HORTICULTURE.
The state horticultural society was organized in January, 1859, and has kept up its annual meetings in spite of all difficulties. Each congres- sional district of the state is classed as a separate horticultural district, and is represented in the society by a vice-president, who is expected to keep himself posted on the interests of this industry in his district, and make report (or procure some one to do it), at the annual meeting. . The officers of this society for 1880, were: President, Hon. Norman J. Colman, St. Louis; Vice Presidents: 1st congressional district, H. Michel, St. Louis; 2d, Dr. C. W. Spaulding, Cliff Cave; 3d, J. Rhodes, Bridgeton; 4th, H. D. Wilson, Cape Girardeau; 5th, W. S. Jewett, Crystal City; 6th, M.
80
Peanuts, dry Southern
22
Parsnips.
44
Millet Seed. 50
94
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI.
S. Roundtree, Springfield; 7th, E. Brown, Sedalia; 8th, Z. S. Ragan, Independence; 9th, J. Madinger, St. Joseph; 10th, W. H. Miller, Chili- cothe; 11th, G. Husmann, Columbia; 12th, J. Hawkins, Hannibal; 13th, W. Stark, Louisiana.
APPLES .- All the standard varieties of the temperate zone are raised in their highest perfection in the state of Missouri; but in such a large area of country as our state comprises, and with such a great variety of soils, and other conditions, each different kind has its locality of best suc- cess. It is therefore not possible to indicate what varieties are best for the state; each district will have its favorites. At the national exhibit, in 1878, Missouri showed one hundred and forty plates of apples. . Distin- guished pomologists assert that ten counties in north Missouri can show apples in as great variety and perfection as any ten other states in the Union.
Perhaps no better proof can be given of the general excellence of Missouri fruits than the fact that at the meeting of the American pomo- logical society, in September, 1878, medals were awarded to Missouri for the best displays of apples, pears and wines, and also one for the best general display of fruits. These honors were gained in competition with every state in the union, represented by their choicest fruits, and at an exhibition held at Rochester, New York, which had long been regarded as the very center of the fruit .growing interests of the country. . The fruits exhibited on that occasion were from different parts of the state. St. Joseph, Independence, Morrison, Columbia, Hermann, St. Louis county, Boone county, and other districts were represented, and shared the hon- ors of our great victory.
The varieties that appear to have received most favor at the meeting of our state agricultural society, in 1880, were Ben Davis, Winesap, Jonathan, Dominie, Rawle's Janet, Milam, Northern Spy, Carthouse, Newtown Pippin, Summer Pippin, Red June, Early Harvest, Red Astrachan, Late Summer, Dutchess of Oldenburg, Early Pennock, St. Lawrence, Maiden Blush, Rambo, Grimes' Golden, Limber Twig, Little Romanite.
PEACHES .- The southeastern portion of the state, along the line of the Iron Mountain railroad, and the western portion, where the marly deposits are so rich and extensive, are pre-eminently the peach districts, and in these regions the peach seems almost indigenous, never failing to produce abundant crops; and yet fruit-growers in these districts say that they are never able to supply the demand, Nebraska, Kansas and Colorado taking all from the western region, and St. Louis having to draw upon other states for her supplies. Peaches may be relied upon as a profitable crop in all that part of the state south of the Missouri river, and, indeed, are largely grown much further north, St. Joseph exporting large amounts.
95
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI.
In some localities the trees have occasionally been winter-killed, when not in suitable soil or not sheltered; but, on the whole, Missouri may fairly be set down as a peach-growing state. Mr. R. Lynn, of Rockport, in the northwest part of the state, says he has raised three good paying crops of peaches in seven years, the first crop being the third year from plant- ing; his best crop was in 1878.
PEARS .- Pears do well throughout the state, especially in the region of Clay, Jackson and Cass counties.' The trees attain a great size and age-a diameter of from twelve to fifteen inches is common; and there are trees a short distance south of St. Louis over two hundred years old, and still bearing full crops. The pear, although the most luscious fruit grown in northern latitudes, is also one of the most difficult to raise suc- cessfully-hence it is a matter of reasonable pride and gratification that this fruit has done so well in our state. At the national pomological exhibition, of 1878, there were from this state: From the Missouri Val- ley horticultural society, Kansas City, twenty varieties of pears; from Jacob Rhodes, Bridgeton, nine varieties; from J. Madinger, St. Joseph, six varieties; from W. Stark, Louisiana, two varieties. Some of the finest specimens at the exhibition were grown near St. Louis, on stocks of the white thorn.
GRAPES .- For several years the chief fruit-growing interest of our state seemed to center on the grape-at least, it was more discussed and advo- cated in fashionable circles, than all the other fruits put together. The anti-prohibition sentiment rallied around the grape-growing industry for the manufacture of native wines, as the great panacea for all the ills and horrors of intemperance. But aside from any matter of sentiment in the case, it does seem as though we excel all other states of the Union in the variety and richness of our grapes, both of native and cultivated varieties.
From Prof. Swallow's report on the country along the lines of the southwestern branch of the Missouri Pacific railroad, published in 1859, we learn that seven different native grapes have been found in Missouri. 1. Vitis Labrusca, commonly called "fox grape." The Isabella, Catawba, Schuylkill and Bland's seedling, are cultivated and popular varieties derived from this wild grape. 2. Vitis Aestivalis, or " summer grape." This is found in all parts of the state. 3. Vitis Cordifolia; winter grape, or "frost grape " as it is more commonly called. 4. Vitis Riparia, or "river grape," grows along streams and is quite large. 5. Vitis Vulpina; called also Muscadine. It grows mostly in the south part of the state, and is a large fine fruit. The cultivated grape called Scuppernong is derived from this wild variety. 6. Vitis Bipinnata; found in Cape Girardeau and Pemiscot counties. 7. Vitis Indivisa; found in central and western counties.
96
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI.
GRASSES.
There are few or no grasses that are peculiar to Missouri; and fortu- nately so, for there is no permanent advantage in being adapted to pecu- liar crops any more than in being a peculiar people. The great blessings of life are universal and widespread. It results that all the valuable members of this great and beneficial family of plants are adapted to and capable of being introduced and cultivated in this state. Flint, in his standard work on grasses, says: " Whoever has blue grass has the basis of all agricultural prosperity, and that man, if he have not the finest horses, cattle and sheep, has no one to blame but himself. Others, in other circumstances, may do well. He can hardly avoid doing well if he will try."
Blue grass is indigenous in Missouri. When the timber is removed it springs up spontaneously on the land, and, when the prairie is reclaimed, it soon takes possession and supersedes all other grasses. This famous grass is the foundation on which the mighty stock industry of Kentucky* has been built, and has given a world-renowned reputation to its fine blood horses, cattle and sheep. The combing-wool sheep and the fine mutton breeds have obtained a national reputation for wool and mutton in that state, and their usefulness has but begun. What blue grass has done for Kentucky, it is now doing for Missouri. An acre of this grass is worth an acre of corn.
Recent experience has proved that alfalfa or lucerne, that most fatten- ing of all grasses, grows luxuriantly in this region, yielding each year three or four good crops of hay.
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