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 44
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Carroll county subsequently adopted township organization, and in June, 1872, twenty-four supervisors were elected, who formed a county board with James Trotter as presiding judge. The following are the names of the supervisors:
James Trotter, William Haney, William R. Creel, Nelson Gosnel, Wil- liam P. Dulaney, James Brooks, Orion L. Dunkle, Isom Roberts, John Raynor, Thomas S. Steel, Samuel B. Robertson, Silas Vance, Francis F. Audsley, Lloyd Adams, John H. Floyd, Robert Adams, Silas A. Ballard, J. F. Burruss, George Ray, O. S. Russell, Stephen Stafford, William R. Sheehan, William A. Prosser, Daniel Van Trump.
The state legislature, in the winter of 1872-73, amended the township organization act, the result of which was the reduction of the members of the county board of Carroll county, from twenty-four to five. The court has since been constituted as follows:
June, 1873, James Trotter, Daniel H. Carey, William A. Prosser, Josiah Farrington, Samuel B. Robertson; April, 1875, James Trotter, Daniel H. Cary, Josiah Farrington, Samuel B. Robertson, James M. Hill; 1877-78, James Trotter, Hiram Jaqua, Josiah Farrington; 1879-80, William A. Prosser, T. H. Bridges, William Kimble; 1880-81, J. F. Tull, W. S. Ruckel, W. P. McQueen.
386
HISTORY OF: CARROLL COUNTY.
CLERKS OF THE COUNTY COURT.
1833, Joseph Dickson; 1842, Lewis N. Rees; 1848, John M. Howell; 1851, A. C. Blackwell; 1851, Overton J. Kerby; 1860, James F. Tull; 1867, Charles Moeller; 1867, Francis F. Audsley; 1871, Howard T. Combs; 1875, John R. Kerby.
CLERKS OF THE CIRCUIT COURT.
1833, Joseph Dickson; 1842, Lewis N. Rees; 1848, Alexander C. Black- well; 1854, Geo. W. Folger, Jr .; 1856, Thomas S. Holloway; 1857, W: H. Winfrey; 1865, Edward L. Fisher; 1867, George W. Tatham; 1871, James M. Roberts; 1873, W. H. Winfrey; 1875, Isaac R. Brown; 1877, W. S. Shirley ..
SHERIFFS.
1833, John Curl; 1834, Lewis N. Rees; 1836, Thomas Minnis; 1838, James Trotter ; 1842, James M. Goodson; 1844, Jackson Wilcoxson; 1848, Wm. R. Creel; 1852, John W. Clinkscales; 1856, Joseph Winfrey; 1860,, John M. Montgomery; 1863, Samuel Turner; 1865, John L. Hawkins; 1866, James M. Roberts: 1871, Wm. T. Goodson; 1874, John W. Clink- scales; 1874, G. L. Winfrey ;. 1878, John Campbell.
PROBATE JUDGES.
1860-64, James. E. Drake; 1864-78, George Pattison; 1878, C. A. Cunningham.
SURVEYORS.
1833, John Eppler; 1835, Thos. Booth; 1839, Jackson Wilcoxon; 1844, Joseph Smith; 1846, C. W. Lane; 1847, David Plemmons; 1848, O. J. Kerby; 1851, Joel E. Trotter; 1855, Joseph Smith; 1859, J. J. Wall; 1867, T. J. Whiteman; 1868, John S. Sheller; 1872, Stephen Mitchell.
HISTORY FROM 1865 TO 1881.
During the spring, summer, and fall of 1865, after the close of the war, several of the no-fight militia would.go to and from their work with car- · bines thrown across their backs.
During the winter of the same year, armed gangs, sometimes returned rebels and sometimes no-account federal state militia would ride through the town of Carrollton, firing their revolvers indiscriminately right and left, and causing every business house to close. They took excellent good care, however, never to cross each other's path, as neither side had belonged to the fighting part of either army.
In the spring of 1866, Gen. Frank Blair addressed a large audience in the old Baptist church at Carrollton, in the interest of the Johnson party
389
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
and was interrupted frequently by one David. Freeman, a federal militia- man. Blair's eyes flashed fire, and at the instant, Capt. LeClair, who had made a splendid record in the Union army, and who knew Freeman, declared publicly to the audience that Freeman, was a deserter from the Union army, and he stood ready to prove the charge. Before he could read his proof, however; Freeman. slunk from the house and did not return.
In the summer of 1866, the Democrats prepared to raise a Johnson pole on the square, but were threatened, as they alleged, by the radical club of the city, that if the attempt was made there would be bloodshed. The Democrats raised their pole all the same, without blood. During the fall canvass, threats were made that no democrat would be allowed to vote on election day. Everything being in the hands of the radicals, it looked as though the threat might be carried out. The Democrats organized secret societies through the county, called the U. P. G., each member wearing a red cross on their coat, with these letters printed thereon. It had the desired effect, it seems, if such threats were made, and the election passed without trouble.
These years were, and are, known as the years of "excessive loyalty," under which, no teacher, doctor, or any other, could follow his or her vocation without taking the "iron-clad oath." Even the followers of the. meek and lowly Jesus could not call the attention of sinners to the cross, without first subscribing to the following:
I, A. B., do solemnly swear that I am well acquainted with the terms of the third section of the second article of the constitution of the state of Missouri, adopted in the year 1865, and have carefully considered the same; that I have never, directly or indirectly, done any of the acts in said section specified; that I have always been truly and loyally on the side of the United States, against all enemies thereof, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the United States, and will support the constitution and laws thereof as the supreme. law of the land any law or ordinance of any state to the contrary notwithstanding; that I will, to. the best of my ability, protect and defend the Union of the United States, and not allow the same to be broken up and dissolved, or the government thereof to be destroyed or overthrown, under any circumstances, if in my, power to prevent it; that I will support the constitution of the state of Missouri, and that I make this oath without any mental reservation or evasion, and hold it to be binding upon me.
The democrats also claim that very many unscrupulous and irresponsi- ble parties were appointed registrars, and the system adopted was for the exclusive benefit and success of the radical party. In many cases the most frivolous charges were sufficient to exclude a democrat from the polls, while hundreds who had been in the rebel service were allowed to vote the rudical ticket, Col. Van Horn, manipulating everything in the inter- ests of his party and himself. One fact is evident, and every man in the.
390
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
county who paid attention to local political affairs at the time, knows full well, that the names of scores of voters who had never committed an overt act, even in thought against the federal government, were excluded from the ballot, for being democrats, and trumped up charges and imag inary causes assigned for the exclusion of those who opposed, politically, the party in power. Men who had served all through the [rebel service were offered the privilege of registration and the ballot if they would vote the republican ticket, while men who had served all through the federal army were compelled to register before men who had lain out. in the brush to bushwhack union soldiers. Severe as these charges are, they are nevertheless true, and they are written not from a partisan standpoint but from the common standpoint of truth, that hundreds now living in the county can substantiate by their obligations, if the necessity existed to do so.
Under the "Drake" constitution, probably the most infamous paper ever saddled on a people, all the county officers were ousted and the vacancies filled by appointment from among the most extreme and illib- eral of the party that governed by might. Qualification, integrity and honesty was ignored and thrown aside, and pliant tools were placed in charge of the affairs of the county. Whether these charges by the dem- ocrats against their opponents be true or false, those who were and are now living here know.
On the 1st of January, 1866, a big excitement was aroused in Carroll- ton. The evening before a ball was given at the residence of Captain Baker, in the bottom. A large crowd was present, mostly those who had. served in the rebel army. Three ex-federal soldiers, without invitation, went to the ball drunk, no doubt, determined to raise a difficulty. Mrs. Baker treated them like gentlemen, inviting them to supper, which they accepted. After eating their supper, they at once commenced to use the worst kind of abuse against such a gathering, and certain parties in par- ticular who were present, finally firing at one of the parties, but missing his aim. The party returned the fire, the ball taking effect in the body of James McMurtry, from which he died in a few days. Several fed- eral soldiers in Carrollton, when the news reached that place, attempted to raise a crowd to go down and clean out the country. But better coun- cil prevailing they did not go so far, as evidence from the only invited ex-federal soldier, and he a republican in politics, exonerated all from any blame except the three who forced themselves on the hospitality of Mrs. Baker and her guests. The names of the parties who went there unin- vited were James McMurtry, killed; Jacob Orender, and George Arnold. This version is the true one, and is given on the authority of Isaac A. McCombs, of Carrollton, who is the ex-federal soldier who was present at the ball.
391
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
It is probably due to the memory of Jas. McMurtry to say that before. his death he acknowledged the provocation to have come entirely from the party he was with, and that he went there only at the urgent request of the other two. Among the many indicted under the "iron clad " was L. R. Kinsey, of Carrollton. When Judge Jonas Clark, who was judge of the district, at a regular term of the court, called the roll of attorneys, the name of Mr. Kinsey was omitted. Mr. Kinsey asked the judge " if he was allowed to practice before that court." Judge Clark said he knew no reason why he could not practice if he was an attorney and a member of the bar. Judge Clark then asked Mr. Kinsey " if he had taken the test oath," and on being answered in the negative, Clark con- tinued, " I cannot tell you to steal a horse, but I can tell you what I will do with you if you do steal one." Mr. Kinsey did not practice at that court, but had the satisfaction shortly after of knowing that Clark's " test oath " was declared an unconstitutional measure. by the highest judicial authority in the state.
On the 4th of January, 1867, the supreme court of the state decided the test oath unconstitutional, but regardless of this decision Judge Clark exacted the test oath from juror and attorney, and would not let up for months after, claiming that he had not been officially notified of the action of the supreme court.
In the spring of 1866 or '67, Jas. M. Goodson, then representative of this district, requested the writer of this to get up a military company, elect our officers, make out muster rolls, etc., and he would swear us into the state service and have us commissioned in accordance with a military bill that had become a law. . In accordance with the request, the writer in forty-eight hours had enrolled 127 men. Notice being given, the men met and elected Dan. R. Brand, captain, W. S. Shirley, 1st lieutenant, and John Malone, 2d lieutenant, all three of whom had served three years in the federal service. A full set of sergeants and corporals were selected, and on a given day Jas. M. Goodson, from a balcony on the south side of the square, mustered the company into the state service, promising them their commissions as soon as he could have them issued. When the fact became known in Jefferson City that none of the elected officers were in sympathy with the state government politically, the gov- ernor refused to commission the officers. The governor's information was sent from Carrollton parties, some of whom still reside there. The company was disbanded by the captain in a general order, which was copied copiously throughout this and other states, and commented on with much ridicule toward the state officers.
In 1868, under the test oath, the aggregate vote cast for the national and state tickets was: democrat, 811; radical, 971; total, 1,782. The aggregate for congress being 1,779-Shields, 832; Van Horn, 947. The
392
HISTORY OF: CARROLL COUNTY.
amendment to, the constitution, granting negro suffrage, was. defeated by eighty-eight votes, the average majority the republicans, had on their county ticket.
By townships the vote stood on congress:
Wakanda .
Shields, 376
Van Horn.
254
Grand River
121
281
Hurricane.
85
118
Sugar Tree
9.8 .:
74
Morris.
152.
220.
Total
832
947
Van Horn's majority, 115.
The district being composed of Clinton, Clay, Caldwell, Ray, Lafay- ette, Carroll, Saline, Chariton, Platte . and Jackson. The total vote cast in the district on congress, was 15,775, as follows: Shields, 8,379; Van Horn, 7,396; Shields' majority, 983. Shields's majonty availed nothing, as Count Rodman, the renowned mathematician of Missouri, proved con- clusively that two and two did not make four under republican adminis- tration.
In the election of 1866, while the poll books. of all the precincts were filed in the clerk's office, there is nothing to show for whom the votes of the county were cast, except in one precinct ..
The extreme and illiberal policy carried out in the state and counties of Missouri by the republicans caused a portion of that party to take a posi- tive stand against that policy in the election held in 1870, and through this opposition the liberal party sprung into existence, causing a full state and county ticket to be nominated in opposition fo the regular republican ticket. The canvas was an exciting one, and in this section very bitter. When the smoke of battle cleared away, B. Gratz. Brown, liberal, was chosen governor, receiving in this county 1,165 votes, against 832 votes for McClurg, Brown's majority being 333. For congress, Comingo had in this county 1,144 votes, and Smith, republican, 854; Comingo's majority, 290. For Sheriff, W. T. Goodson, liberal, received 1,030 votes, and Moyren, republican, 803; Goodson's majority, 227, showing a gain in the vote of the county of 436 votes over the election of 1868.
In the fall or winter of 1866, while John L. Hawkins was sheriff, the vault used by him in the old county jail, for the care of his papers, and the papers of the county clerk, etc., was entered by excavating under the west wall of the building, and removing the stones from the bottom of the vault. A large sum of money, $7,000, belonging to the county, had been removed a few days before. Several private deposits were lost, Mr. Hawkins himself losing largely. Several rumors were in circulation as regarded the guilty parties, but no definite information could be found to
.
393
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
justify any arrest, and, indeed, no special effort, so, far as we remember, was ever made to bring the guilty parties to justice.
The success of the liberal move in 1870, throughout the state, was the opening wedge to the defeat of the republican party in state and counties. In 1872 a full ticket was nominated in this county.by both democrats and republicans, and the result was the election of the democratic county ticket, except probate judge.
In the fall elections of 1866, Charles Moeller was elected county clerk. He entered on the discharge of his duties on the 1st day of January, 1867. On the 19th of September, 1867, the following was made of record in the office of the county clerk:
It appearing to the court from their own knowledge, and from an examination of the state of the township public school fund and public school funds of the county, that the clerk of this court, Charles Moeller, has converted to his own use a portion of funds exceeding an amount of five hundred dollars, which he received and had in his possession by virtue of his office as clerk aforesaid, and the said Charles Moeller having refused to make a settlement of his accounts with the county treasurer at this term of court, as he was ordered so to do, and it further appearing to the court that the said Charles Moeller has absconded with the said funds in his possession. It is hereby ordered that the said Charles Moeller be sus- pended from his office as clerk aforesaid, until a further investigation of the charges aforesaid can be had by this court, and, also, that charges be preferred against the said Charles Moeller. before the grand jury now in session.
On the strength of the foregoing order Mr. Moeller's functions as clerk ceased on the date of the order, and Francis F. Audsley was appointed to fill the vacancy.
In the spring of 1871, James M. Roberts as collector of the county went to Jefferson City and settled with the Auditor of State, showing an indebt- edness of about $12,000 to the State by said Roberts as Collector. About one month later he left the county seat about midnight in a buggy in com- pany with his brother-in-law, for the depot to take the train for Jefferson City to pay over his indebtedness. He assigned as a reason for going in a buggy, that parties knowing he had the money, would make.it danger- ous for him to go to the railroad in the 'bus, when he would escape their notice by going in a private conveyance. The result that followed showed that his judgment was sadly in fault, for as soon as people commenced stirring around in the morning after his departure, the rumor met them that Capt. Roberts had been waylaid and robbed between the bridge across Wakanda and the depot, and $12,000 taken from him. Much excitement was manifest in the streets, and the robbery was the all absorb- ing topic of conversation, and, at about the heighth of the excitement Capt Roberts made his appearance, a 'few almost. imperceptible scratches about'his head, "to verify the truth of the reputed robbery. 'It is due to
394
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
the good sense of the people, that very few believed the robbery to have been bona-fide, and their judgment proved to be correct, as a few days after the affair, a brother of Roberts confided to friends the true state of the matter, being a put up job by Roberts, and no robbery in fact. The securities of Roberts were sufficient to save the State and county their losses, but unfortunately the legislature of the spring previous had enacted a law extending the time for collectors to make their final settlements, and the Supreme Court decided in a case taken up, that such extension for final settlements by collectors, releases his securities from liability on bond.
The County Court took no action in the premises until the February term, 1873 when the following order was made " Ordered that the Prose- cuting Attorney proceed to institute suit against Jas. M. Roberts (late col- lector) and his securities, in the circuit court of Carroll County, for the amount of county, road, court house, and poor house. taxes, due on lands returned delinquent by him for the year 1870, and for which receipts have been produced by individuals, said suit to be based on information to be obtained in the county clerk's office.
On motion it was ordered that Saml. B. Robertson, William R. Creel and Stephen Stafford, be and they are hereby appointed a committee to meet Jas. M. Roberts (late collector) and ascertain whether an amicable adjustment can be made of all claims due Carroll County from him, as late collector, and that they report their proceedings to this court at their next meeting. On motion Francis F. Audsley was added to the above com- mittee.
Up to the 22d of April, 1873 no report had been made by the committee appointed at the February term, relative to the delinquencies of the late collector Roberts. The next thing appearing on the record is:
JAS. M. ROBERTS - CARROLL COUNTY. vs. acct.
Now on this day comes James M. Roberts, late clerk of the circuit court, and presents his several accounts for fees in the following cases, viz: One for his fees in the case of the State vs. Jay Probasco amounting to nine 90-100 dollars. One for his fees in case of State vs. R. A. Huff, amounting to thirteen 85-100. One for fees in case of State vs. Morgan, Glick & Gittings, amounting to nine 14-100 dollars. One for the fees in case of the State vs. G. W. Johnson amounting to seven 25-100 dollars. One for fees in case of State vs. Andrew Buck, amounting to fourteen 05-100 dollars, and one for his fees in case of State vs. Geo. W. Johnston, amounting to one 85-100 dollars, all of which are allowed by. the court, and ordered that warrants for same be withheld until said Roberts makes a full and final settlement with Carroll County, (as late collector) and pays into the county Treasury, the full amount due by him. as late Sheriff and ,Collector. to the different funds of said county.
No definite conclusions were arrived at as to the exact amount lost by
395
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
the county through Roberts, estimates saying from $5,000 to $15,000, with $12,000 belonging to the state, or an aggregate of between $17,000 to $27,000.
In 1874, the republicans seeing the utter hopelessness of succeeding with a regular ticket, induced a few sore-headed democrats to enter into a combination to defeat the regular democratic county ticket, and a con- vention was called to nominate an independent ticket. The democrats designated it as a "tad-pole" move, and used their best efforts to bring ridicule on the combination. The meeting or convention of the combina- tion met in the court house in Carrollton, and nominated and elected John R. Culbertson, a sore-headed democrat, chairman. A full ticket was nominated, all the best offices given to republicans, and the minor ones to sore-headed democrats. Culbertson, the chairman of the meeting, had been posted by. his democratic friends that the republicans were making a tool of him, and he promised if the predictions of his friends proved true, he would denounce the whole proceeding, which he did, causing the utmost consternation to those who had expected to profit by this defection of sore heads. The meeting broke up in a farce and the "tad-pole" move was a signal failure. The nominees of this tad-pole move were, R. W. Forrest, representative; F. F. Audsley, county clerk; H. H. Sidwell, cir- cuit clerk; M. A. Trotter, recorder ; James M. Faris, treasurer; W. Watts, sheriff; T. J. Whiteman, prosecuting attorney, and L. J. Ingersoll, coro- ner .. A part of the republican party afterwards met and endorsed the tad-pole ticket, while part of the tad-pole vote was cast for John Sheehan, sheriff; T. H. Stone, representative; James E. Drake, recorder, and W. P. Smith, county clerk. Prior to this, the democrats had nominated Gen. James Shields, representative; John R. Kerby, county clerk; James A. Turner, recorder; T. R. Brown, circuit clerk; J. W. Clinkscales, sheriff; L. K. Kinsey, prosecuting attorney, and Dr. P. Austin, coroner, all of whom were elected by majorities ranging from 600 to 1,563 votes, John R. Kerby having the largest majority on the ticket.
In November, 1875, the great debate between those two theological giants, Mr. Graves, Baptist, and Dr. Ditzler, Methodist, took place in Carrollton. It excited the Baptist and Methodist elements throughout this section, but it is questionable as to the amount of good done. On Friday, December 3, at the conclusion of the debate, the friends of Dr. Ditzler gave him a public reception at the Carroll House, the building being brilliantly illuminated. The same evening Mr. Graves preached in the Baptist Church of Carrollton.
In the month of February, 1876, Mr. Alf S. Kierolf shot and killed Issac N. Hawkins, in the Democrat office in Carrollton. Both parties were printers. On the 19th of April, following, Alf S. Kierolf died from.
396
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
paralysis of the heart, superinduced by the excitement of the quarrel with and death of I. N. Hawkins.
The Presidential election of 1876 having been an exciting one all over the country, we deem it of importance for future reference that the vote for Presidential electors, State and county Candidates, be given by town- ships.
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS.
Townships.
Tilden.
Hayes.
Cooper.
Smith.
14
15
Miami
56
33
De Witt
131
163
Rockford
39
31
1
Compton
29
26
Eugene
122
197
Combs
149
79
Ridge.
89
107
Hurricane
74
70
Wakanda
149
154
Carrollton
539
231
1
Van Horn ..
80
108
1
Stokes Mound
48
86
19
Sugar Tree
83
8
Moss Creek
103
48
Trotter
114
.91
2
Leslie
118
69
4
Hill.
46
38
Cherry Valley
88
54
Egypt
144
117
Prairie.
95
54
Fairfield
72
85
Washington
21
114
Total.
.4,203
1,978
28
GOVERNOR.
Townships.
Phelps.
Finklinburg.
Alexander.
Smith
13
15
Miami
56
33
De Witt
129
166
Rockford
40
30
Compton
30
26
Eugene
121
199
Combs
147
80
Ridge
86
110
Hurricane
75
69
Wakanda
149
153
Carrollton.
527
236
· 4
Van Horn.
81
108
Stokes Mound
48
86
'19
Sugar Tree
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