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 48
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
Carriage and Wagon Manufactory .- The firm of Meier & Stribich was established in 1872, by J. M. Meier, senior member of the firm, and is locate on East Benton street, one block from the public square. They occupy a two story brick building, 20x60 feet, and employ ten hands in the different departments of their work. They haveinvested in buildings $1,800, machinery $450, raw materials $2,000, and incidentals, $600, or a total of $4,800. They produced in the last year about $8,000 worth of work, and the market value of raw material on hand amounts to about $2,500. Their work is of a character to recommend itself to the people, and build up a large trade, and will compare favorably with the best eastern made carriages, wagon, buggies, etc.
DEWITT TOWNSHIP.
De Witt township embraces thirty-one full and five fractional sections. The character of the land is rolling, except on the river bottom lands, which are low and subject to overflow, but rich and susceptible to the highest cultivation. The bluff portion of the township is heavily timbered, with oak, principally, but various other kinds of wood are abundant.
Grand River cuts sections one, two, and twelve on the extreme north- east corner of the township, and the Missouri makes inroads in sections twenty-four, twenty-five, and twenty-six, or the southwestern corner of the township. Big Creek is the only stream plowing through the interior of the township. Martin Palmer, the first settler, was a transient one only, and located about 1817. The earlier permanent settlers were the Eppler's Eli Guthrie, -- Smith, and a family named Jones. In 1831 Berry W. Jones, from Alabama, located. About the same time, or probably the year previous to the arrival of Berry Jones, came George Mckinney, from Alabama. The Maris family came in 1830. James Hensley, Pas- chal and Joseph Early, from Kentucky, came here about 1833. Eli Guth- rie, who founded the town of DeWitt, was drowned in the. Missouri. Guthrie, Smith, and Barnes got into a light skiff and threw a rope to McMahon and Harris, the ferrymen, who had been thrown from the ferry-boat by the clogged ice, and who had taken hold of a snag in the river, the skiff became unmanagable and capsized, and Barnes alone reached the shore, Guthrie, Smith, McMahon, and Harris all going to the bottom. About 1830, a Mr. Smith had a son drowned in Yellow Creek. The circumstances of this boy's death are not now remembered, but it caused great sorrow in this sparsely settled community, and all the neigh- bors around for miles attended his funeral.
Numerous mounds are found in De Witt]township, mostly near the town of De Witt, whether the work of the Indians or a race antedating the red
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
men, is a question yet undetermined. The township has kept pace with other portions of the county in improvement population and wealth.
. In the earlier days of this township, Saturday was law day, and every- body went to De Witt either as participants in litigation as principal or wit- ness, or as spectators simply. Law day was a day of recreation and fun, and it was enjoyed and relished to the fullest extent.
It is related of John R. Kerby Esq., a Justice of the Peace for the Town- ship, and grandfather of the present county clerk, that at a case on trial before him, the parties interested got into a quarrel and finally came to blows. The friends of the parties took sides and came to blows, also the lawyers finally got mixed up in the melee, and like the others, came to blows, giving and receiving as each got the advantage. The Justice commanded the peace, but there was no peace, the fight became general, knock-downs was the order of the day; and excitement ran high. The Justice taking advantage of the confusion, hurriedly gathered up his books, leaped out of the window, and turning to the crowd shouted out, "fight and be d -- d, this court is adjourned till nine o'clock to-morrow morn- ing."
The next morning the trial went on without interruption, and justice was dispensed according to law and the evidence.
On section 7, is a graveyard containing two acres donated by Barnard Hanaban, and was first used in 1866.
On section 11, on the Betts farm is a family graveyard. It contains only about a dozen bodies, one of them being the body of Judge Thos. Plemmons, who was murdered by a negro, an account of which is given elsewhere.
On section 20, one acre was given by George Mckinney, in 1860. It was used first in 1840 as a neighborhood graveyard, the first body being that of Mrs. Elsea Thomas.
The only murder by soldiers during the war from De Witt Township · that we have particulars about, was that of Thos. Crispin, who was killed the day before Anderson himself was killed. Anderson took Crispin as a guide he alleged, and when about two miles west of the Crispin farm, on the 22d of October, 1864, they cut his throat.
On section 16, on the farm of Joseph Wilkinson there is a quarry of grit sandstone of a very durable quality. It is in layers of about one foot in thickness, about three feet in width, and six feet long. A seam of sandy substance that marks the seperate layers. This quarry has been opened four years for building purposes, and has proven capable of stand- ing the weather admirably.
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
CHURCHES.
Mount Carmel M. E. Church, South,-was organized in 1837, but the roll of original members being lost, the names cannot be given. Their church building was put up in the fall of 1880, and is a neat frame, cost- ing about $1,000; no dedication of the building has yet taken place. For several years service was held in' private houses, afterward until the church was erected, they met for worship in a school house. Their pres- ent house is located on section 15, and have a membership of 36.
Pleasant Park M. E. Church, South,-organized 1837, with John Hol- lister and wife, B. D. Kenduck and wife, E. P. Crispin and wife, Geo. McKinney and wife, H. Thomas and wife, L. Latham and wife, W. Beall and wife, and others. Their present building, a fine frame, was erected in 1860, and cost $1,800; and was dedicated in 1861, by Rev. W. G. Caples, of Brunswick. The pastors who have officiated are: Rev's. John Hatcher, Jas. Reed, J. Y. Porter, B. H. Spencer, Daniel Penny, W. T. Ellington, R. R. Dunlap, H. G. McEwen, D. Cooper, Wm. Penn, Wm. Perkins, B. F. Johnson, Jos. Devlin, G. T. Shores, H. Leeper, W. M. Sut- ton, M. G. Gregory and H. H. Craig. Present membership 80. George Mckinney gave one acre of ground for the church, and an additional acre for a burial place.
Wesleyan M .. E. Church .- Organized 1866, with E. P. Crispin and wife, Boswell Shelton and wife, John Hollister, wife and daughter, Mrs. Estella, W. P. Jones and wife, Andrew Eller, Mrs. Crain and others. Their first and present church building was erected in 1877, and is located on section 17, range 53, township 21, and cost $1,727. It was dedicated on the 9th of September, 1877, by Rev. H. C. Dayhoft. The parties who have officiated are Rev's. I). Euiard, Roselle, Bassett, Ely, and the pres- ent pastor, Rev. King. Eugene Ellerworth donated one acre of land for the church. Present membership 40.
The following named persons have served as Justices of the Peace for De Witt Township since the organization of the county: 1833, Jonathan Eppler; 1839, John Daugherty; 1841, John Towthan; 1844, John Daugh- erty; 1848, John Daugherty; 1849, John S. Bowels, Wm. Hickson; 1850, A. A. Batterton; 1851, Joseph Smith; 1852, A. Taggart, Joseph Smith; 1855, Joseph Smith; 1856, John R. Kerby; 1860, D. H. Hammons; 1860, Joseph Smith; 1862, John R. Kerby; 1865, W. S. Ruckel; 1866, P. G. Millison; 1868, Jno. A. Frazier, Josiah Weeks; 1869, Jno. E. Wallace; 1870, W. S. Ruckel; 1872, Jno. A. Frazier, W. S. Ruckel; 1873, W. S. Ruckel, J. A. Frazier; 1874, Jno. D. Griffith; 1875, Jno. D. Griffith, W. S. Ruckel; 1877, W. S. Ruckel; 1878, N. W. Chain, W. S. Ruckel; 1881, Gayton Gowing, J. D. Griffith.
In the winter of 1830, John Mulligan brought a lot of goods to DeWitt
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
to trade with the Indians, receiving in return for his goods, beeswax, honey, pelts and furs. After selling out, he shipped by boat about one hundred barrels of honey and an immense lot of beeswax, pelts, furs, etc. He was from New York, to which he shipped his goods, never returning to De Witt.
The following year, Richard B. Hanancamp, Barney Koons, and Simon Peter Humrickhouse, brought a stock of goods. They also traded with the Indians for honey, furs, beeswax, etc., and shipped their stock of pelts, furs, honey and beeswax, to some of the eastern cities.
The first carding machine was put up by Wiley Dum of Ohio. It was a horse tread-mill, and he did a good business, carding for Saline and adjoining counties.
Where the depot now stands in DeWitt, about 1830, Wilkinson Gentry cut down a bee-tree and took about twenty gallons of honey from it. So common was it that men could find a dozen bee trees in a single day.
Big Creek originally was "Bee Creek," from the large number of bee trees found on its banks, and Lick Creek derives it name from a deer lick near the mouth of the creek. Quite a large salt spring in years gone by, bubbled up at this point.
On the north-east quarter of section 17 are three mounds, two small and one large one, and also a sandstone quarry. In this quarry, as we are informed by Mr. B. W. Jones, before it was disturbed, there was a sandstone about six feet by ten, one side a trifle higher than the other, and two holes or basins about 14 inches in diameter and 18 inches apart, with a trench one and a half inches deep. running from each basin. Mr. Jones found two stone axes and several pieces of crockery ware as large as one's hand. These were picked up on the brink of the high bluff north of De Witt. They had the appearance of age and were found near the mounds. Large oak timber grows on the mounds, but it is evident that they are artificial and of ancient origin. Mr. Jones is about 70 years of age, having been a resident of Alabama before it was a state, and came to Carroll county in 1831, being the seventh family in the township. He took part in the Mormon war, being in the militia. During the late rebell- ión his house was ransacked eight times. Eight men visited the house one night when Mr. Jones, who was sleeping in the barn, arose and shot six times into the party, killing one and wounding six others. Mr. Jones is a large farmer, owning about five hundred acres, and raises stock. His mother, Margaret Jones, is still living, and is the oldest lady in the township, and is nearly 90.
Few of the old settlers survive. Jonathan and Thomas Mckinney and their sister, Mrs. Martha Miles, B. W. Jones and mother, with possibly one or two others, are all that are left of the first pioneers. Among those
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
of a more recent date are F. B. Wrockloff, on section 22. His attention is to graves and wine, making about 25 barrels of wine every season.
David Gladwill, on section 11, has a cheese factory, making about thirty pound': daily from sixteen cows. He started about three years ago on a small scale, and is gradually increasing his facilities, and at no distant day, nothi'ig happening to prevent, he will make his business of vast impor- tance in that neighborhood.
Joseph Wilkinson, on section 35, is an extensive feeder. He has some thoroughbred stock. Jonathan Mckinney is also a heavy feeder. He usually turns in the market from one hundred to one hundred and fifty head of cattle every season.
TOWN OF DE WITT.
Eli Guthrie has the honor of first having laid out a town called " Elder- port " on the spot where the town of De Witt is now built. The exact year of his arrival and settlement is lost. Guthrie disposed of his interest in the town to Henry Root, who as early as 1837 began the sale of lots. Hinkle and Murdoch, Mormon leaders, purchased heavily, and through their instrumentality induced a large Mormon influx, a full account of which will be found in the general history of the county. The town was laid out in the south-west quarter of section 24, and embraces 47 full blocks, of six lots each, and seven fractional blocks with twenty-two lots in the aggregate.
As early as October, 1829, John Jones located where the town is built, Jonathan Eppler having the only residence in the place. Eppler started a landing on the Missouri river for keel boats, the landing bearing his name for several years after. John Mulligan located in 1831; his mother and himself built a house, and opened a stock of goods, the first there.
The first child born was in 1830, and named Miles, to Jonathan and Alsea Eppler. George Smith, who was drowned in Yellow Creek, was probably the first death, the next being Ebenezer Harvey.
Thomas McMahan, of Saline county, and Evaline Eppler, in 1829, were married, at the home of Jonathan Eppler. Eppler was a tanner and had a yard near the landing.
Indians of the Sac tribe often visited the neighborhood but never did any damage. On one occasion, settlers from Big creek and other por- tions of the county, flocked to the Eppler locality for protection, but the alarm proved unfounded.
Supplies were obtained from Chariton and Booneville. Chills and fever
0
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
was the great enemy of the early settlers, and so bad was it that Jona- than Eppler took up the practice of medicine.
A widow Smith had a horse mill here, and her son-in-law, William Hill, attended to it.
For several years the improvements were few and far apart, a.id of little value. In 1851 the town site was bought by a company called the " De Witt Town Company," and control placed for the sale of lots, in three trustees, named Windsor, Wood and Fields. On assuming control of affairs, the name of the town was changed from De Witt to " Windsor City, " after the name of one of its trustees. The company not meeting with the success they anticipated, or from some cause, financial or other- wise, it passed out of their control in a short time, and in the following year the town was re-incorporated under its first name. Its situation 3 on a high bluff overlooking the Missouri river on the east, while to the. south extends the range of bluffs. On the north and west are valuable well improved farming lands.
It is a fine shipping point, drawing largely by ferry from Saline county, while its general trade is good. Being on the line of the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific railroad as well as on the Missouri river, gives the place peculiar advantages for trade not enjoyed by any other town in the county. It is under regular town government with mayor and full set of officers.
" BONANZA " SPRINGS.
These springs, a recent discovery, near the town of De Witt, promise, in the not distant future, to rival some of the most noted of the country. Nature, in her lavish outlays for mankind's benefit, has thrown open many doors, and among the number the healing or curative power of her waters is not the least, the "Bonanza " promising from the analysis already made to be of peculiar advantage to those suffering from disease. The springs are located on the farm of Hiram Jaqua, Esq., in the suburbs of De Witt. They are one mile from the depot of the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific railroad company, and the same distance from the steamboat landing on the Missouri river, and but a few hundred yards from the state road leading from Carrollton to De Witt.
As analyzed by Wright & Merrill, of St. Louis, the component chemical elements show: Carbolic acid, carbonate of lime, carbonate of magnesia, carbonate of iron, chloride of sodium, chloride of potasium, sil- icia, organic matter. It is a well established proposition in medicine that water possessing the above elements, its impregnation being distinct and marked, is beneficial to many of the ills that flesh is heir to. Although not formally thrown open to the public, the efficacy of its waters have been tested in many cases, and the most perfect satisfaction given the
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HISTORY. OF CARROLL COUNTY.
patients. A company is forming to develop and improve them, several physicians and capitalists being interested in the enterprise. Possessing as it does all the chemical elements of the "Eureka, " of Arkansas, it has the advantage of easy and short access from every part of the country. The high and dry location of the town, its freedom from miasmatic influ- ences, the beautiful panorama of the sweeping bend of the Missouri river where it leaves the base of the towering bluffs of the turbid Wakanda, all, all, combine to make it one of the most pleasant and beautiful resorts on the continent.
DEWITT BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
General Merchandise .- Mason Wise, Rucker Bros. & Miller.
Drugs .- Wallace & Liggett, Knappenberger Bros.
Groceries .-- Guilett & Estle, W. D. Weltner, L. B. Boyer.
Books and Notions :- W. S. Ruckel.
Tobacco .- Guillett & Barrett.
Undertaking .- A. Chain. Hardware .- J. D. Griffith.
Harness .- J. B. Catterton.
Lumber .- D. N. Burruss & Co.
Millinery .- Mrs. Minnie Balch.
Restaurant .- J. S. Higgins.
Hotels .- Valley House, J. E. Armitage, proprietor; Ballard House, W. H. Ballard, proprietor.
Livery .- Gordon & Thomas.
Dentist .- Dr. N. A. Spencer.
Confectionary .- T. A. Watson.
SOCIETIES.
De Witt Lodge, No. 39, A: F. & A. M .- De Witt lodge was instituted under dispensation, dated the 11th of December, 1877, by W. S. Stock- well, D. D. G. M. Their charter dates from the 17th of October, 1878.' J. B. Hamner, C. C. Harvey, A. D. Richards, N. Brown, C. P. Shind- helm, J. R George, H. Batts, E. Cunningham, John Doyles, A. B. Med- len, C. C. Guiltett and S. Thinlo, were the charter members. First officers: J. B. Hamner, W. M .; A. D. Richards, S. W .; C. C. Harvey, J. W .; E. Cunningham, treasurer, and J. R. George, secretary. Present officers: A. D. Richards, W. M .; A. T. Kendrick, S. W .; E. Cunningham, J. W .; J. W. Miller, treasurer, and H. Jaqua, secretary. They have a neatlodge room in a brick block, that cost about $1,000, the Odd Fellows having a half interest in the same. The present membership is about 30.
De Witt Lodge, No. 338, I. O. O. F .-- Instituted under dispensation, dated the 23d of August, 1875, and charter, dated May 19, 1876, by A. A.
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
Wheeler, D. D. G. M., with A. D. Richards, A. J. Shockley, John R. Kerby, R. W. Gunter, W. M. Allen and J. S. Brann. Its first officers were: A. D. Richards, N. G .; A. J. Shockley, V. G .; J. W. Miller, treasurer, and C. W. Weltner, secretary. Present officers: W. S. Ruckel, N. G .; E. S. Miles, V. G .; R. Cunningham, treasurer, and H. Jaqua, secretary. They occupy a neat lodge room in a brick block, in connec- tion with the Masons, that cost them $1,000. Present membership, 28.
CHURCHES.
The Christian Church of DeWitt was organized about 1870, with G. B. Glendening and wife, E. J. Mitchell, Bide Wilson, Wm. M. Kendrick P. P. Guilett, N. Logan and wife, J. H. Kendrick, S. E. Kendrick, Jesse Work and John Glendening as original members. Their church is a frame building, neatly and tastefully finished, and cost about $1100. The pulpit was first occupied by Elder A. K. Owens, followed by Elders Peeler, Love and Dale. Officers: P. P. Guillet and Jos. Weltner, elders, and J. H. Kendrick and James Ligget, deacons. Present membership, thirty-five.
The Baptist Church was organized on the 28th day of December, 1846, with Sarah Skelly, Harriet Mckinney, H. and G. T. Lewis, M. A. V. Plemmons, Sarah Dunham, Parthenia Lewis, Thomas Plemmons, Nancy Plemmons, F. T. Lewis and W. S. Smith as original members. In 1876 the church erected a fine frame house of worship, which, when completed, will cost about $1400. The pastors in charge have been Revs. Kemp Scott, W: C. Ligon, Thomas Graves and G. W. Hatcher. Present mem- bership, 55.
M. E. Church, South .- Was organized in April, 1875, with John P., Ann and Maggie Minnis and Sallie C. Catterton. They erected a large frame house of worship, in 1876, at a cost of $1500, which was dedicated Sep- tember of the same year by Rev. J. P. Nolan. Revs. M. G. Gregory, J. L. Meffert, W. M. Sutton and H. H. Craig have labored at its altar. Present membership, 35.
MANUFACTORIES.
The DeWitt Flouring Mills, Jacob Phleeger, proprietor, is located in the town of DeWitt. The building is frame, 26x36 feet, and three stories high, the engine-room being 16x36 feet, and has a run of two sets of burs. In buildings and ground a capital of $2700 is invested; in machinery, $3310, and in raw materials about $500, a total of $6500. The amount of profit on products for the past year was; about $2000. . Three hands are engaged in the mills. The capacity of the mills is 20 barrels of flour and 125 bushels of corn per day. Mr. Phleeger, in 1856, built a small mill in the east part of town. Afterward, in 1868, he built on the present
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
site at a cost of $6000, this last mill being destroyed by fire in 1869, with no insurance. Through pluck and energy, Mr. Phleeger rebuilt his pres- ent mill, and has established a splendid trade in his own and surrounding towns, his brands of flour being superior.
LESLIE TOWNSHIP.
The township of Leslie contains thirty-six full sections of six hundred and forty acres each. A large portion of the township is rough and broken, with plenty of good timber. It contains a part of what was at one time called Morris township, after Jas. Morris, an old settler, and pro- prietor of what in an early day was known as the "Buckskin Farm." The proverbial hospitality of Jas. Morris was well known, and many a traveler left the better beaten paths to partake of the substantials always found at his table. Leslie derives its name from Gen. Leslie Combs, of Kentucky. It was adopted at the suggestion of his son, Col. H. J. Combs, who was county clerk at the time townships were named.
After Jas. Morris, in 1832 came Jas. Runion, a son-in-law of Morris. He was from Clay county, Kentucky, and located on section 7 with Mor- ris, Henry Phillips, Tom and John Bigley.
The first marriage consummated in this part of Leslie township was by Samuel Snowdon, J. P., of Ray county, at the residence of James Morris, the parties being Frank Bryan and Sarah, daughter of Jas. Morris. .
The first births were Claiborne and Lucretia, son and daughter of James and Mary Runion, the son in 1835 and the daughter in 1837.
Wm. Morris, brother of James, was the first death, in 1842, and was buried in the grave-yard on section 7.
The first regular physician was Dr. Geo. W. Folger, from Howard county, Missouri, and who had located on or near where Carrollton now stands, where his history in detail will be found in the sketch of Car- rollton.
The first religious service was held at the residence of John Smith, on section 17, the denominational service being Campbellite or Christian, and conducted by Eld. John Chircley.
The first school taught by James Mapham in an old house on section 8. It was a three months term at two dollars per capita, and contained fif- teen pupils. The old house was put up in 1835, and cost about $100, Jas. Runion being the builder.
Mrs. Lydia Morris did the first weaving.
Obediah Cook came in 1835 and located on section 9, now the prem- ises of A. J. Street. John A. Miller was from Indiana, and came prior to 1840, locating on section 10. Caleb Shirley came in 1839 and located on
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
section 16; John W. Street from Ohio in 1837 and first located in Lafay- 'ette county, and in 1840 came to Carroll, and is settled on section 4.
In 1839, on section 16, Josiah Goodson led to the altar Miss Malinda -, being the first two souls in the neighborhood united in the holy bonds of wedlock. Rebecca, wife of Isaac Wooden, has the honor of hav- ing given birth to the first male child, in 1841, named James; and John M. and Mariah Street, on the 23d of April, added to their family a daughter named Julia.
Revs .. Hancock and Woods, Cumberland Presbyterian, the former from Kentucky and the latter from Tennessee, held the first religious service in the neighborhood. The first school was taught on section 8, and numbered about fifteen scholars, taught by James Mopham, and the school house was located on the same section, being built by Jas. Run- ion, and cost $10.
Every good wife in those days was educated in the domestic labors ot home. They did their own house-work, weaving, etc., and doubtless were as happy, if not happier, than are those of the present.
Later, and on up to the war, Leslie settled up slowly, but the class of people that located were hardy, honest settlers, capable of making a home in the wilderness and making it bloom like a garden.
The prominent object of interest is Bogart's Mound. Whether of natural or artificial build is not known, from the fact that no examination has ever been made. It is possible that could a sufficient examination be made, and researches put on foot, something might be unearthed from the bowels of Bogart's Mound, that would throw light on a settlement prior to the white, and possibly ante-dating the red races. This huge pile, covering an area of over 640 acres, and rising to a height of 450 feet above the sur- rounding prairie, is the highest point in Carroll county, and from its summit a magnificent panorama unrolls itself to the eye. Within the natural vision no less than seven counties expand their fertile fields and timbered waters. On the east, Chariton; Livingston to the north; to the west Ray, of which Carroll county was formerly a part, while to the south and across the ." Big Muddy", the rich and fertile acres,of Lafayette and Saline unfold their beauties.
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