USA > Missouri > Cass County > History of Cass County, Missouri > Part 10
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CHAPTER XXII.
TOWNS AND CITIES, CONTINUED.
ARCHIE-CLEVELAND-DREXEL-EAST LYNNE-FREEMAN-PECULIAR-RAYMORE -STRASBURG-WEST LINE.
ARCHIE.
On the construction of what is known as the L. & S. branch of the Missouri Pacific railroad, north and south through the center of the county, in 1880, the town of Archie came into existence. It is located near the center of the south boundary of the county. It draws an exten- sive trade from both Cass and Bates Counties.
The first business house was built in 1880 by Henry T. Carr. From the day of its laying out the town has had a steady growth. It is sur- rounded by a rich agricultural country and is one of the principal rail- road shipping outlets for this country. Today it is quite a busy trading point. Investments in town property are safe and sound. It has passed the day of experiment. The values are fixed and reliable. It contains a safe and reliable bank, a mill, elevator, the center of a good telephone system, extensive granitoid walks, its church edifices are substantial and modern, all well attended by a devout Christian people. It contains a commodious brick high school building, furnishing extensive and con- venient educational facilities for the locality. The push and thrift and able, high, fair and progressive spirit of its business people makes its future quite promising for a business location, residence or investment. Archie is on the map to stay as one of the good towns of the county.
CLEVELAND.
Cleveland is on the western border of the county near the half- way distance north and south of the county. It is located on the Kansas
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City and Southern railroad, and was located on the projection of this railroad. The population of Cleveland is about 400, and it has a high school of a high order of training.
The Cleveland Bank is managed by W. E. Morgan, one of the safe financiers of the county, and is a valuable adjunct to the business of the surrounding country. Quite an extensive business is done at this place both in Cass County and across the line in Kansas.
The ability of its business men is a safe criterion of the town's future prosperity. Already its schools, churches and city government make it a pleasant place for one to have a home, and a sound place to invest. Cleveland is substantially built and the rich agricultural lands around bids an omen of great prosperity and progress.
DREXEL.
In the extreme southwestern part of the county is located Drexel. It was platted on the completion of the Kansas City and Southern rail- road in 1891. The town of Brosley went out of existence and practically moved to the present site of this city.
Drexel is organized as a city of the fourth class and governed as such by its mayor and board of aldermen. The last governmental census gave it a population of 512. It has probably doubled its population since then. Its business houses are principally constructed of brick. There are two substantial banks, well managed and backed by some of the wealthiest men of the county. Drexel has a high school building which would do credit to a city of many times its population. The churches are several, all substantial structures and well attended. Drexel well merits the reputation as a church going and working people. The town is thoroughly abreast of the times, has electric light and telephone sys- tems. The streets have good granitoid walks, along which are handsome homes and well kept lawns. Every branch of business is represented.
The Drexel Star is a well edited, printed and newsy paper, keeping the surrounding country informed as to the going on in town as well as the outside world. The Drexel Mercantile Company is one of the big institutions of the county. Should one be seeking a pleasant home- place, Drexel is such an ideal place in which to rear a family. The sur- roundings are elevating and clean. It has passed the day of doubt, there are investments safe and profitable. Its bank clearings and business
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record is of the highest order. No person has seen all of Cass County, unless they have visited Drexel and seen the push and energy of her people.
EAST LYNNE.
Six miles east of the county seat, on the Missouri, Kansas and Texas and on the Frisco railroads, is located East Lynne. It was founded in 1871 by Noah M. Givan and Daniel K. Hall, at the time of the projec- tion of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas railway. It was named after the old time country play of that name.
The first business house was built by J. W. McSpadden. The first residence by J. C. Bridges. The first church erected was a Baptist church. The first child born was a son to John M. Farmer, now deceased. The first marriage was Harry Hudson to Mary Jasper. Dr. G. W. Farrow was the first physician (he now resides in Kansas City). Rev. A. P. Williams, a Baptist minister, preached the first sermon and Frost Snow opened the first saloon. The first railroad, in its existence bore several names, is now known as the Missouri, Kansas and Texas.
Owing to fires and other drawbacks, East Lynne had a hard time to retain an existence. Today it is on a safe basis. It is surrounded by a fertile country and a substantial citizenship, generally of German origin. It today, contains two well managed banks, carrying large deposits. Equipped with a good common school and church facilities, it is on a sound and firm basis for future prosperity. The two railroads given competition in shipping and gives decided advantages in facilities for transport of products, both in and out of the county. East Lynn has recovered from its discouragements and is pushing forward to suc- cess, which the business men of the town and people of the community so much deserve.
FREEMAN.
Ten miles west of the county seat, on Pony Creek, across the range line, between ranges 32 and 33, in 1871, was founded the hamlet of Freeman. It is practically the successor of Morristown, situate one mile north of Freeman, and dates its ancient history as far back as 1854. When, what is now called the Missouri, Kansas and Texas railroad, was constructed, east and west, through the center of the county, the town of Freeman was born, or more correctly speaking, the town of Morris- town picked up her skirts and moved to the railroad, for the simple
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reason the railroad would not climb the hill to her. This town was also platted by Hall and Givan, with other associates.
Freeman, probably at its birth, had more native Cass Countians than any other new town of the county. People from other parts of the county, for speculative purposes, settled other towns, but not so with Freeman. As a general rule its people lived nearby prior to the opening .
of the town. Freeman in its earlier days had a good trade from the country around. In time other towns sprung up, curtailing her trade, largely. She lived through the time of depression caused in this way, and is now one of the prosperous towns of the county, enjoying an extensive and very profitable trade. Her merchants deal fairly and attract and hold a good trade. She is now on the high tide of prosperity.
Freeman has one bank of $10,000 capital, holding large deposits and doing a business creditable to a bank of many times its capital. This institution is managed by W. H. Lundy, the genial and affable cashier, a safe and reliable man for both bank and customer. The schools, churches and lodges of Freeman are all well supported and attended and considered by her people as a great asset to the town. Such high ideals of necessity make a pleasant place to reside, to do business, trade and invest.
PECULIAR.
The new town of Peculiar is located on the Kansas City, Clinton and Springfield railway, ten miles northwest of the county seat. By the last general census it contained a population of 206, and now has approximately a population of 500. It is a well built and goodly managed town. Situate as it is, in the midst of the finest agricultural country the eye ever beheld, does in fact, and of necessity, do a lucrative business.
The business men of the town have a keen insight to the demands of the people and are eager to meet such. Their people are wideawake and alert to them and their neighbors' welfare. In this union is the secret of the success of all.
There is a substantial bank here in point of capital and is superbly managed. It is profitable to its stockholders and a blessing to the com- munity. A lumber yard meeting the demands and approval of the peo- ple. Practically all lines of business are filled. Peculiar is renowned for her school and church facilities. Her people always aspire to better and higher ideals and are known as a God serving and happy people.
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RAYMORE.
When the good Lord made the earth He seemed to be partial to Raymore, situate near the central north line of the county, by estab- lishing her in the midst of a veritable garden. It is conceded by well informed people that the country contributory to this little town is of the very richest and most fertile. Close to a great market, ready and able to raise anything produced in the agricultural line, equipped with ample business concerns, well managed, what else can be said.
Raymore has a bank, the capital stock of which is not for sale, well managed, safe and sound. Good church edifices, well attended, high class of schools, low taxes and a happy people. Why shouldn't they be? Here are great investments. The purchaser will have to pay well for such. These intelligent people know the value of what they have.
STRASBURG.
Situate on the main line of the Missouri Pacific railroad, about seven miles east of Pleasant Hill, is Strasburg. The last government census gives its population at 350. It has very materially increased in business and population since that time. It has a bank, well managed and in healthy condition, financially. There is a large trade, tributary to the town and the merchants are doing well. A person can get his purchases as cheaply here as any place, and is at home. Home merchants who keep the goods, demand, and should have the trade of the tributary territory. This the Strasburg merchants get, for the reason they are fair in their dealings. The town rejoices in good school and church facilities.
WEST LINE.
This place is equipped with a first class small town bank, backed by ample capital and well managed. The surrounding country gives the town loyal support. The town has had a hard, uphill pull since its start- ing. West Line came into existence with the advent of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas railway, for a time flourished and seemed to loose ground.
Upon the building of the Kansas City and Southern railway, the town was given a new impetus and is now in prospering condition. Here is a fine opening for persons seeking homes and investments, whether in the town or surrounding country.
CHAPTER XXIII.
RISE AND FALL OF TOWNS.
FAITH IN EARLY TOWNS-WESTPORT LANDING-HOG-EYE-LICK-SKILLET- JONESVILLE-MORRISTOWN-BROSLEY-WADESBURG-GRANT-INDEX.
An interesting subject of local history of any country is the rise and disappearance of its early towns. It is difficult to conceive of persons with the most vivid imagination, having faith in some of our early towns. Some of the names are indicative of the belief in their temporary exist- ence. In some instances we have seen cities arise with others, they have disappeared, and no man knows why or when. They remain only in tradition, faint memory or imagination.
In the early forties there existed, as we recall from tradition, three towns, then of quite importance. There was Westport Landing, on the Missouri River, at the mouth of the Kansas River, now Kansas City, one of the greatest commercial centers of the republic. There was Hog-eye, now Nevada, Vernon County, at present a city of no mean importance. Then there was Lick-skillet, located along Grand River, in the southeast- ern part of this county. It has passed out of existence and its exact location cannot now be certainly known. It was most probably a mile east of Dayton. In an early day it was the gathering place of the adven- turer, the trapper and hunter. It was here they could strike the "bridle path" to the outside world. From here the pelts and other articles of trade were taken to market somewhere on the banks of the great Missouri River. We might speculate on the legendary glory which formerly clung about the old town. We can't imagine the blue-eyed damsel being there, yet we can see in our imagination rough men, white as well as red. Rough in exterior, but bearing warm hearts, with worthy honest purposes. These men made it possible for a better class only to occupy, as these pushed further to the westward to open and discover new fields.
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
JONESVILLE.
Another interesting but now extinct town, was Jonesville, located in the western part of the county. This town was located practically where the present school house is, in the southwest corner of the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter of section 17, in township 44 of range 33 in West Dolan Township. Of this town an interesting tradition is given. Near this spot is, or was, a spring. It was to this place on account of its nearness to timber, water and excellent grass, the way- farer made his way. It was to this point came the traveler from the "great river," going south to extreme frontier places, springing up along the Osage and Arkansas River and their tributaries. From the river on the north, over the "High-Blue" country, near the present site of Bel- ton, down the headwaters of the Middle Fork Grand River, crossing Pong Creek, possibly at the present town of West Line, then rising to the ridge to Jonesville.
At that day, the traveler passed south and west into the then unknown. As early maps put it, into the Great American Desert. Some living today recall the early schools, where Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma and Texas were mapped as the American desert. Another tradition comes to us, that a marked road leading from old Fort Sibley, on the Missouri River, entering our county east of the present town of Pleasant Hill, bearing south towards the present town of East Lynne, when a few miles north of the Lynne diverged west and south to round the head- waters of the present Camp Branch, passing where Harrisonville is located, over the northwest corner of Charles R. Hall's lands, just north- east of town. Thence passing the homestead of James Lackey, which then covered the western part of the present town of Harrisonville. The road, still bearing southwest, crossed the west fork of Grand River at a point in early days, but after the date of which we write, called Hans- brough's Ford. Crossing Middle Fork at Dice Ford, thence across a long swampy bottom, mounting the rocky ridge near the old "Simon Cockrell" farm, north and west of the present David W. Duvall farm, thence west to our early metropolis; then to the desert lands.
There is another story to the effect this town was laid out by B. F. Jones, of a later date than that of which we write. That Stephen Flood and B. F. Jones laid out forty acres in town lots and sold them off. The writer is not inclined to believe this story, for the reason both of these
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men, Flood and this man Jones, lived in the vicinity of the extinct town of Jonesville, of quite recent years, within the last half a century. Be that as it may, however, naught remains to mark this once prosperous stopping place. We doubt if there are head stones to mark the resting places of its dead of early date.
MORRISTOWN.
Morristown was located about 1845 by J. C. Morris from Pennsyl- vania. It is located about one mile northwest of the present town of Freeman, on the Missouri, Kansas and Texas railway. As early as 1853, this place contained a general store and did quite a business for the times. Just prior to the outbreak of the Civil War, Morris had built himself a dwelling house and erected a flouring mill. Morristown continued to flourish, after the war, having been rebuilt.
When the railroad was extended east and west, through the county, Freeman was located on the railroad too close for Morristown to flourish, so this town passed out of existence at the late date of 1870.
Morristown is, probably, most renowned for having had the battle of Morristown fought on its streets and near the town. The federal troops were commanded by Col. Johnson from Kansas, and the confed- erates by Col. Will Hugh Irwin.
Col. Irwin was a citizen of the county, having his home on a farm near the present town of Peculiar. His command was composed of about one hundred country boys, poorly armed. The Union forces were several hundred strong. Neither party at that date knew anything about war. Col. Johnson was killed. Both sides retreated. It never was known for certainty whether any other persons were seriously injured. The Union forces, recovered first from their fright, gathered their scattered men, returned, took the Confederate tents and other equipments, destroyed all and returned to Kansas. The Confederates had scattered. Some finally reached the main body of the Confederate army then in the southern part of the State. Morristown is now, no more. Its vacant lots are waste places, luxuriant cornfields and orchards of some husbandmen.
BROSLEY.
Brosley was located near the northeast corner of the northwest quar- ter of section 20, in township 43 of range 33, in Coldwater Township.
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
G. K. Christopher opened a general store soon after the close of the War of the Rebellion. He did a flourishing business. Other stores started up. Several dwellings were built. The prospects were fine for an all round good trade, until the advent of the railroad. This came too near to ben- efit them and yet was too far to help their trade. West Line and Freeman ruined the business of Brosley. So early in the seventies Brosley went off the map and the once promising town site is now a corn field.
WADESBURG.
Wadesburg was founded by and named for Woodson A. Wade, and was located in Sherman Township. The country tributary to the town sustained the town faithfully. Wade became a man of much wealth from his town, and stores and farms about the place. It was located in 1858 upon the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section 12, in township 43 of range 29, and the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 13 in the same township and range. The "Leaky Roof Railway" was built too close, and yet not close enough, so Wadesburg went the way of all inland towns on the appearance of the railroad, so near and yet too far.
GRANT.
The village of Grant was born in 1867. It was located in the same section with Wadesburg in Sherman Township, by H. V. Stall. Lotspeich Brothers had a store on the site prior to the location of the town. These two towns were largely the work of spite-unreasonable rivalry. Several of the strongest business firms of the county did business in Grant. The railroad came, Grant disappeared. All to be now seen is a cemetery and a corn field.
INDEX.
Captain A. S. O'Bannon, in 1857, surveyed and laid out the town of Index on the farm of E. S. Payne in the southeast quarter of the north- west quarter of section 21, in township 44 of range 29, in the municipal township of the same name. Mr. Payne erected a store building and con- ducted a general store for several years. Among the early business men were Rev. D. N. Horne, Alonzo Smith, L. West, Cy Lotspeich, Dr. J. H. VanHoy, and A. S. O'Bannon. O'Bannon taught school there.
The Baptist District Association met with Index Baptist Church in
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
1873. Hugh G. Glenn was clerk of the association and the writer was a delegate to this association. It is quite interesting to reflect and recall the names and faces of the many who attended this meeting. Alas, these men and woman, like the town, have passed the way of all the earth. Few there are who now remember this town, although it has been gone but a few years. On the demise of Index town, some of its houses and all its business moved to the present thriving city of Garden City, in the same township.
CHAPTER XXIV.
PROGRESS AND DEVELOPMENT.
ASPIRATIONS OF THE PIONEER-TRADITION-BOND OF SYMPATHY-COMMUNITY OF INTEREST GOVERNMENT-THE LOG CABIN-HOSPITALITY-FARM MACHINERY-OBJECTIONS TO PRAIRIE-MODERN ADVANTAGES-VALUE OF PRODUCTION-LAND VALUES-OPPORTUNITIES-COMPARATIVE FIGURES.
The development of the county from primeval times has been tor- tuous and marvelous. As time passed the people had their hardships, and with these hardships and privations were mingled the pleasures and ยท
joys incident to the period of the transitions. The dreams, hopes and aspirations of the pioneer is simply and strikingly told in rhyme:
In the heart of the grand old forest, A thousand miles to the west, Where a stream gushed out from hillside,
They halted at last for rest. And the silence of ages listened
To the ax-stroke, loud and clear, Divining a kingly presence, In the tread of the pioneer.
He formed of the prostrate branches A home that was good and strong ; The roof was of reeds from the streamlet, The chimney he built of wood, And there by the winter fireside, While the flame up the chimney roared, He spoke of the good time coming, When plenty should crown his board.
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When the forest should fade like a vision,
And over the hillside and plain
The orchard would spring in its beauty, And the fields of golden grain; And tonight he sits by the fireside, In a mansion quaint and old,
With his children's children 'round him, Having reaped a thousand fold.
Tradition only, tells us of the very earliest stage of this pioneer life. This too, so long neglected, now stands before us uncertain and very much absolutely lost to future generations. In those days people were too busy in securing the necessities for existence, and making history, to care for its preservation for those who should come after them. His- torically speaking, those were the most important, for it was then the foundation of the county's history and after-developed prosperity. These early times were not remarkable for stirring events to impress the coun- try at large. It was a time of self-reliance and brave, persevering toil; of privations cheerfully endured through faith that in time a better time would come.
The experience of one settler was practically the experiences of all others. They were all poor, all faced the like conditions of hardships and all were upon the same footing. The experience of pioneers con- firms the theory that, after all, happiness is pretty evenly divided. Each had his or her privations and hardships, but they also had their joys. Their poverty excluded the burden of pride and vanity. Likewise were these pioneers freed from the anxiety and care that attend the possesssion of wealth. They had but few neighbors and they were scattered and widely apart. Envy and jealousy they did not learn and thereby much strife was avoided. Common interests and sympathy bound each to the other. This was their little world held to themselves. Good feeling pre- vailed and made them stronger. Here they were removed from the rush- ing, contentious and striving world, which assumed for themselves the higher civilization.
These pioneers realized such a community of interest that a commu- nity of feeling necessarily followed. There were no casts, save an aris- tocracy of benevolence. There was no nobility, save the nobility of gen- erosity. Neighbors never waited for a call to help. When distress or trouble was known to exist with one settler, all others, without any for-
-
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
mal invitation to help, went to the rescue of the one so unfortunate. When a settler's cabin was destroyed by flood, or fire, or otherwise, the neighborhood appeared for the purpose of replacing the destroyed prop- erty. All came with as little hesitation and with as much alacrity as though the unfortunate was of the same family, and bound together by ties of blood. One person's interest was every other person's interest. The very nature of things made this spirit imperative. It was a com- mon safety and protection. They were far away from the well estab- lished rule of law, in a new country where civil authority was yet feeble and unable to afford protection and redress grievances. Remember, there were settlers in the county some time before there was an officer of the law within the borders of the county.
The government of the county was upon officers of the law in some adjoining county, to which the county was attached for civil purposes. These officers were not unfrequently seventy-five to one hundred miles away. Each person protected him or herself, and was always ready to go to the rescue of his neighbor. This condition rendered these hardy pioneers a terror to evil doers. Hardened criminals, who would take their chances in courts, and had no fear of jail or imprisonment, had great fear of the indignant pioneer. It was notoriously true the county was extremely unhealthy for the evil minded horse thieves would occa- sionally light here, but invariably found it the healthy thing to do, to move on. This was all accomplished without unnecessary threats or show. The very air they breathed seemed to invite such to move. They were not settlers.
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