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 33
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Meantime the canvass had proceeded with unusual vigor in Carroll county. A few, and only a few republicans were know to be in the county, but they received no serious consideration. The important issues of the presidential canvass were almost lost sight of (strange.to say) in the contest for representative to the state legislature.
F
286
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
Mr. James A. Pritchard, an old whig, had been elected to the legisla- ture, notwithstanding the county was largely democratic. His personal popularity and his acknowledged ability made him the dread of demo- cratic aspirants for seats in the lower house. In this year he was the nominee of the Bell-Everett party. The democrats nominated Wm. M. Eads, a young lawyer, recently from Kentucky, who had hung out his "Shingle" in Carrollton. By agreement of the two parties joint discus- sions were had throughout the county. The two candidates spoke 37 times, at as many different places in the county, and the meetings were all well attended. Partisan friends of the contestants accompanied them from place to place, and applauded their tamest utterances and encour- aged their every effort. Both branches of the democratic party supported Mr. Eads and he was elected.
Mr. Samuel Winfrey, of Grand River township, was the Breckenridge candidate for representative at this election, and received 50 votes. The official vote of the county on representative was as follows:
Townships.
Sugar Tree Bottom, Miles' Point Dist ..
Eads. 100
74
Sugar Tree Bottom, Hill's Landing Dist.
35
50
Grand River, Adkins Sc. House Dist.
41
46
23
Grand River, De Witt Dist.
85
116
5
Hurricane
93
86
2
Morris, Nance's Dist.
94
63
3
Morris, Smith's Mill Dist.
78
84
2
Wakanda, Carrollton Dist.
255
146
15
Wakanda, Beatty's Dist.
71
22
-
Total.
852
687
50
During the civil war it so chanced that Mr. Pritchard, who, in 1860, was a pronounced and decided union man, became a colonel in the con- federate army, (and a gallant officer,) and Mr. Eads, the choice of the demo- crats, became a captain in the federal or union army. And yet there was nothing inconsistent in the conduct of either of the gentlemen.
At the August election of 1860, the following was the vote of Carroll county for governor according to the records, happily still on file in the office of County Clerk Kirby and, as elsewhere stated, rescued from oblivion and destruction by him:
Townships CF Jackson Sample Orr Hancock Jackson
Sugar Tree Bottom, Hills' Landing district .
87 68
Sugar Tree Bottom, Miles' Point dis- trict 110
65
Wakonda, Carrolton'district 272
127
Wakonda, Beatty's district 70
19
Hurricane .. 107
76
Grand River, De Wit district 93
105
Pritchard. Winfrey.
1
287
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
Townships. C. F. Jackson. Sample Orr. Hancock Jackson. 3
Grand River, Western district
67
35
Morris, Nance's district. . 96 53
Morris, Smith's Mill district. 87 68
-
Total
989 616
3
Itis generally believed by those who claim to possess any knowledge of the matter that Hancock Jackson polled a considerable vote in the county, but according to the records, the best evidence, his vote was very insig- nificant.
The vote for president in Carroll county in 1860 was as follows:
Township.
Douglas. .. Bell. Breckenridge. Lincoln.
Wakinda, Carrollton district.
377 . 192
Wakinda, Beatty's district.
19
3
113 9
Sugar Tree Bottom, Hill's Landing dis- trict .
9
26
13
Sugar Tree Bottom, Miles' Point district
97
78
27
Morris, Smith's Mill district.
43
58
37
Morris Nance's district.
27
34
35
Grand River, Western district
31
26
14
Grand River, De Witt District
76
85
14
3
Hurricane.
73
50
14
Total.
752
552
276
3
It will be noticed that Douglas' plurality was exactly 200, but that he did not have a majority over all the other candidates. It will further be noticed that Lincoln received the votes of three men, from De Witt dis- trict, Grand River township. The names of these three men may with propriety here be given. They were Jonas Miller, E. L. Fisher, and A. D. Livingston, Jr. Livingston served in the union army during the war; Fisher was a member of the state militia; Miller was an old settler of De. Witt township, and an old man-too old to perform military duty of any sort. Since republicanism has become more popular in Carroll county than it was in 1860 there have arisen divers claimants to the distinction of having been among those " original " republicans who voted for Lincoln in 1860, but the records show that they are frauds. The mode of voting in this state in 1860 was viva voce, and every man's vote was recorded opposite his name. The Carroll county records of the election of 1860 disclose only the names of Miller, Fisher and Livingston as those who voted the republican ticket.
The news of the election of Lincoln and Hamlin was received by the people of Carroll county with considerable dissatisfaction; but, aside from the utterances of some ultra pro-slavery men, there were general expres- sions of a willingness to accept and abide by the result-at least to watch and wait. A large number of citizens avowed themselves unconditional union men from the first, and these were men who had voted for Bell, and
288
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
men who had voted for Douglas, and even men who had voted for Breck- enridge. Upon the secession of South Carolina and other southern states, however, many changed their view. Indeed there was nothing certain about the sentiments of men in those days, but one thing-they were lia- ble to change ! Secessionists one week became union men the next, and vice versa. There was withal a universal hope that civil war might be averted.
A majority of the people of the county, it is safe to say, believed that the interests of Missouri were identical with those of the other slavehold- ing states, but they were in favor of waiting for the development of the policy of the new administration before taking any steps leading to the withdrawal of the state from the federal union. " Let us wait and see what Lincoln will do," was the sentiment and expression of a large num- ber. And they waited. And thus the fall and the month of December, 1860, passed away.
CARROLL COUNTY IN 1861-THE FIRST. YEAR OF THE WAR.
THE LEGISLATURE OF 1861.
On the last day of December, 1860, the 21st general assembly of Mis- souri met at Jefferson City. The retiring Governor, "Bob" M. Stewart, delivered a very conservative message, taking the middle ground between secession and abolitionism, and pleading strenuously for peace and moder- ation. He declared among other things that the people of Missouri "ought not to be frightened from their propriety by the past unfriendly legislation of the north, or dragooned into secession by the restrictive leg- islation of the extreme south." He concluded with a thrilling appeal for the maintenance of the Union, depicting the inevitable result of secession, revolution and war. Many of Governor Stewart's predictions were after- ward fulfilled with startling and fearful exactness.
The inaugural of the new Governor, Claiborne Fox Jackson, endorsed the doctrine of his famous resolutions of 1849-that the interests and des- tiny of the slave-holding states were the same; that the state was in favor of remaining in the Union so long as there was any hope of maintaining the guarantees of the constitution; but that in the event of a failure to reconcile the differences which then threatened the disruption of the Union, it would be the duty of the state "to stand by the south," and that he was utterly opposed to the doctrine of coercion in any event. Gov. Jackson concluded by recommending the immediate call of a state con- vention, in order that "the will of the people may be ascertained and ef- fectuated."
289
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
In accordance with the governor's recommendation the legislature, on January 17, passed a bill calling a convention of three times as many members as each senatorial district was entitled to state senators, and ap- pointing February 18 as the day on which they were to be elected, and February 28 the day on which the convention should assemble. Hon. Benjamin Brown,* of Ray county, state senator from this district, and Hon. Wm. M. Eads, the county's representative, both voted for the bill, the 10th section of which contained the following important provison:
No act, ordinance or resolution of said convention shall be deemed to be valid to change or dissolve the political relations of this state to the gov- ernment of the United States, or any other state, until a majority of the qualified voters of this state, voting upon the question, shall ratify the same.
The author of this section was Charles. H. Hardin, then a senator from the Boone and Callaway district, and Governor of Missouri in 1874-6. For it Messrs. Brown and Eads voted. Thus the secession of the state was made an impossibility without the consent of the majority of the voters.
After a much-disturbed and very turbulent session, the legislature ad- journed March 28.
ELECTION OF DELEGATES TO THE STATE CONVENTION.
Pursuant to the act of the legislature the election for delegates to the state convention was held Monday, February 18, 1861. The candidates from the tenth senatorial district, in which Carroll county was then located, were Robt. D. Ray, of Carroll; George W. Dunn, and Ex .- Gov. Austin A. King, of Ray; James H. Birch, and Rev. A. H. Payne, of Clinton. The district was then composed of the counties of Carroll, Caldwell, Clin- ton, and Ray. Meetings were held in every county seat and addressed by the candidates, all of whom, with the possible exception of Mr. Payne, avowed themselves in favor of the union and opposed to secession.
The election in this county resulted as follows:
Precincts.
Dunn.
Ray. Birch. King. Payne.
Carrollton
480
500
134
217
216
Adkins' School House.
56
56
11
8
34
De Witt.
127
125
82
23
24
Hurricane.
96
91
66
25
11
Nance's.
94
111
82
56
3
Smith's Mill
95
106
87
33
4
Beaty's .
33
34
5
28
2
Hill's Landing
52
52
2
50
Miles' Point.
161
130
67
62
66
Total
1194
1205
534
454
410
*Colonel in the Missouri state guard; killed at Oak Hill, or Wilson's Creek, Aug. 10 1861.
290
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
The result in the district was the election, by a large majority, of Messrs. Dunn, Ray, and Birch-all pronounced union men-thus indicat- ing the sentiment of the people at that time to be opposed to secession.
THE WORK OF THE CONVENTION.
The convention assembled at Jefferson City, February 28, 1861. Ster- ling Price, of Chariton county, afterward the distinguished confederate general, was chosen president. On the second day it adjourned to meet in St. Louis, where it re-convened March 4, continued in session until the 22d, when it adjourned to meet on the third Monday in December, sub- ject, however, to a call of a majority of a committee of seven. Before adjourning, a series of resolutions were adopted, two of which were of superior importance, and here proper to be noted-1. Containing the explicit declaration that there was no adequate cause to impel Missouri to dissolve her connection with the federal union. 2. Taking unmistakable ground against the employment of military force by the federal govern- ment to coerce the seceding states, or the employment of military force by the seceding states to assail the government of the United States.
It is believe that in these two resolutions the convention reflected the sentiment of a very large majority of the people of the state at that time. Judge Ray, the member of the convention from this county, upon his return home, was warmly commended by the people and press for his course.
THE WINTER OF 1861.
During the months of January, February, and March, 1861, there was great interest manifested in public affairs by the people of the county. A few meetings were held, but no important proceedings were had. The prospect of war was freely discussed, and many prepared for it. A few openly sympathized with the seceded states, but the majority preferred to take no decided steps to aid either side. Many declared that Missouri had done nothing to bring on war, and should do nothing to help it along should one break out. "We are neither secessionists or abolitionists," said they, " and we are neither fanatics or fire-eaters."
If any fighting was done, it was argued, there must be none of it in Mis- souri, and it was proposed to organize military companies to keep out (of this county, at least,) the forces of both sides. Yet the sentiment of the people was not all one way. Indeed, as there were all kinds of men, so there were all sorts of opinion. The Carrollton Democrat, then the only newspaper in the county, had two editors, and, singularly enough, they were divided in sentiment. Mr. James O'Gorman was an uncomprising union man; Mr. A. J. Clark was strenuous in his advocacy of "Southern Rights," and bitter in his denunciation of "Abe Lincoln" and "the North." In the same paper would be found an article denouncing the "South Car-
291
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
olina traitors" and another lauding "the chivalrous sons of the palmetto state!"
The legislature having adjourned on the 28th of March, Mr. Eads, the county's representative, returned home in a few days thereafter, and the Democrat newspaper said that his course had been "entirely satisfactory to his constituents, and reflects much credit to himself."
AFTER THE FIRING. ON SUMPTER.
On the 12th of April, 1861, the confederate forces opened fire on Fort Sumpter, in Charleston harbor, and the next day the fort surrendered. President Lincoln, on the 15th, issued a proclamation calling for "the militia of the several states of the union, to the aggregate number of 75,000, to suppress combinations in South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas, too powerful to be suppressed by the ordinary course of judicial proceedings;" "to maintain the honor, the integrity and existence of our national union, and to repossess the forts, places and property which have been seized from the union."
Missouri was called upon by Secretary of War Cameron for four regi- ments of the 75,000. Gov. Jackson's reply was as follows:
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT OF MISSOURI, - JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., Aprl 17, 1861.
To the Hon. Simon Cameron, Washington, D. C .:
SIR: Your dispatch of the 15th inst., making a call on Missouri for four
regiments of men for immediate service, has been received.
£
There can
be, I apprehend, no doubt but these men are intended to form a part of the president's army to make war upon the people of the seceded states. Your requisition, in my judgment, is illegal, unconstitutional and revolu- tionary; in its objects inhuman and diabolical, and cannot be complied with. Not one man will Missouri furnish to carry on such an unholy cru- sade.
C. F. JACKSON, Governor of Missouri.
The announcement that war had actually begun, while not wholly unexpected, created great excitement in Carroll county. Nothing else seemed to engross public attention but the prospect of civil war. The general sentiment seemed to be in favor of letting the "wayward sisters depart in peace," and against coercion. Many prominent men were pro- nounced and decided opponents of federal coercion, who, as time passed, became practical federal coercionists themselves.
THE APRIL MEETING AT CARROLLTON.
On the 20th of April a large public meeting was held at the court house at Carrollton. From the Carrollton Democrat of April 27 it is learned that the meeting was called by the citizens " for the purpose of taking into consideration the present state of the country, and expressing their views
292
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
thereupon. Maj. Chas. Sterne presided over the meeting, and Mr. Ethan Allen* was the secretary. A committee of eight was appointed by the chairman to draft resolutions expressive of the sense of the meeting, which committee was composed of the following gentlemen: Dudley Thomas, John Guilette, R. H. Coats, Dr. B. Bond, Hiram Wilcoxen, John B. Hale, Amos Grow and Peter Huff.
The meeting was addressed by Messrs. R. D. Ray, L. K. Kinsy, W. M. Eads, John B. Hale and Wellington, all of whom, says the published report, "took decided ground against the war policy of President Lin- coln, and declared their sympathy with and determination to stand by the southern states as expressed by the resolutions reported from the commit- tee." These resolutions were as follows:
Resolved .- That we endorse the reply of Gov. Jackson to the requisi- tion of President Lincoln for four regiments from Missouri to make war upon the seceded States.
That, in our opinion, said call of the President is "illegal, unconstitu- tional and revolutionary," and ought to be resisted by all the slave States now in the Union.
That those States should not only refuse to furnish any men for any such unholy war, but that they should not permit any army raised in the free States or elsewhere to pass their territory, with the design of invad- ing any of the States now in opposition to the general Government.
That these States should at once put themselves in condition to make good their position and abide by all its consequences, reserving to them- selves the right to act in the future as the exigencies may require, or their honor and safety may demand.
That, impressed with the conviction that the war of the President is wickedly designed to be a war of the sections, and that the fate of South- ern institutions and Southern independence is involved in the issue, we pledge ourselves to abide by the section to which we belong and to share its future destiny.
That, under this impression, we would recommend the re-assembling of our State Convention, with instructions to act in the premises, in such manner as the interest and honor of the State may demand and, if neces- sary, they will link our destinies with our sister States of the South. And we further recommend the govornor to re-assemble the Legislature, if necessary, to take such action as the crisis may demand, by arming the State, or otherwise.
That we recommend to the people of Carroll County the immediate organization of two or more companies for any emergency that may arise.
The resolutions were unanimously adopted. The meeting then ad- journed to meet the first Monday in May.
There were exciting times in this part of the State at that time. On the same day of the Carrollton meeting a large secession meeting was held at Boonville, addressed by George G. Vest,t the flag of the Confederate
* At present editor of the Lexington (Mo.) Intelligencer.
t Now United States Senator.
293
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
States was raised " with fifteen stars," and strong resolutions were adopted. The secession flag was raised at Kansas City and St. Joseph, and the U. S. Arsenal at Liberty was captured by a company of about 100 men, and nearly 1,000 stand of arms, ten pieces of cannon and a large amount of powder* taken.
RE-ASSEMBLING OF THE LEGISLATURE.
On the 22d of April, Gov. Jackson re-convened the Legislature, which assembled af Jefferson City on the 2d of May. At this session several "war measures" were adopted, the chief of which was the " Military Bill," providing for the organization and maintenence of the military forces of the State, celled by the Bill the " Missouri State Guard." This bill was passed within about fifteen minutes after the reception of the news of the capture of Camp Jackson by the Federal forces under Captain Lyon, (afterward Brigadier-General). For it, Representative Eads, of Carroll, voted under protest, explaining his vote at the time.
SECESSION MEETING IN SUGAR TREE BOTTOM.'
On the 27th of April a meeting of the citizens of Sugar Tree Bottom township was held at Moss Creek church "to consider the situation." Col. W. W. Austin presided and the secretary was Calvin Thompson, Esq. From the secretary's report it appears that a committee on resolutions was appointed, consisting of R. H. Coats, H. Trotter, Col. M. McCorkle, John B. Floyd, E. W. Turner, . R. B. Hudson, John Hall, Col. T. G. Dobbins, Dr. R. H. Corrin, and J. L. Deatherage. This committee reported a long series of resolutions, favoring the immediate taking of measures " with a view of severing all political connection with the usurp- ing government at Washington:" desiring " an early call of the conven- tion of the state, and that we hereby recommend an immediate resump- tion on the part of the 'state of the powers delegated to the general government," resolving " that we will not, if in our power to prevent it, suffer any hostile army to pass through our state to coerce our southern brethren," etc., etc.
A company of " Home Guards," which, as the report states, " had been formed for home protection," paraded, and while the committee on reso- lutions were consulting, Miss Sallie Trundle, on behalf of the ladies of the district, came forward and presented " a large and beautifully wrought southern flag," to the organization, "making," says the report, "a charm- ing and patriotic address, that made every true southern heart swell with pride and emotion." Says the report further:
In behalf of the guards, Dr. The. Dobbins responded in a manly and dignified effort, assuring the fair one that southern chivalry still lived, and that beautiful banner should never be trailed in the dust while a true pat-
* Carrollton Democrat, Apr. 27, 1861.
294
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
riot lived in the south. At the close of Dr. D.'s remarks, the young and talented Mr. L. K. Kinsey, of Carrollton, being loudly called for, took the stand and made a short and exceedingly eloquent speech in defense of southern rights and southern honor, calling down the house in frequent bursts of applause.
It is believed that the Sugar Tree Bottom company was the first com- pany raised in Carroll county, in opposition to the federal authority.
THE MAY MEETING AT CARROLLTON.
An adjourned meeting of the people of the county was held at the court house in Carrollton, May 6, 1861. Maj. Chas. Sterne, chairman of the former committee, presided, and John. Guillett was secretary.
Hon. James A. Pritchard and Col. Stephen Stafford addressed the meeting. By a unanimous vote resolutions were adopted as follows:
Resolved, That we hold it to be the duty of our county court to tender as a loan to the state of Missouri the sum of $10,000 to be appropriated to the arming of military companies, in this county, and that the court should, for the purpose of furnishing that sum, use all money at her com- mand; and if she cannot raise said amount immediately, she should issue bonds to facilitate her, and that an application be made to the legislature to legalize the act.
Resolved, That the court shall appoint a commissioner to confer with the state authorities, in regard to the procurement of arms, and, if it should appear after a conference, that there will be a likelihood of much delay, the said commissioner be empowered to contract with other parties for arms, and use said $10,000 in paying for them: The commissioner shall be allowed his expenses only in discharging the duties imposed upon him, and said commissioner shall make his report to the county court.
*
* *
* *
Resolved, That we view with scorn and disdain the marshaling and arming of northern troops, and the act of sending them to our borders will be regarded as insulting to a free people; and while President Lin- coln continues thus to menace us, we will entertain no proposition for a peaceful settlement of existing difficulties.
Resolved, That under no circumstances will we permit or allow the armed bands of Abraham Lincoln to enter, quarter in, or pass through our state under the pretense of enforcing the laws; and that we will not look on with indifference while northern troops are being congregated on southern soil.
Resolved, That, in view of the facts above stated, it is the duty of the legislature of the state of Missouri, to adopt such measures as will at once place her on a war basis, that she may, at all times, be ready to assume either a defensive or an offensive attitude, as circumstances may warrant or justify. *
'*
* *
Resolved, That our representative in the legislature be instructed to
295
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
carry out the principles embodied in the resolutions adopted at this meet- ing .*
Mr. Hiram Wilcoxson was appointed a committee to wait upon the county court and inform the members thereof of the action of this meeting. He returned and reported that the court had said that all should be done as asked for, as far as they had, the power.
The meeting then adjourned.
On the same day steps were taken for the organization of a military company pursuant to the following order:
OFFICE OF THE DIVISION INSPECTOR,
3D MILITARY DISTRICT OF MO., MACON CITY, MAY 2, 1861. - General Order No. I :
The citizens of Carroll county who have associated themselves together for the purpose of organizing a military company to be named " The Car- roll Mounted Guard," will meet at the court house, in the town of Car- rollton, at or about the hour of 10 o'clock, A. M., on Tuesday, the 14th day of May, A. D. 1861, and then and there proceed to the election of the offi- cers of said company, and for the purpose of being mustered into the state service.
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