USA > Missouri > Cass County > History of Cass County, Missouri > Part 12
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77
Bank deposits, as well as clearings, showed a larger expansion in 1916 than in any previous year. The increase was almost $100,000,000. Total deposits of national and State banks of Greater Kansas City, accord- ing to the last published statements, were $258,000,000, and aggregate resources $290,000,000. These figures do not include those of the Fed- eral Reserve Bank, which has $35,000,000 in deposits and $41,000,000 in total resources. That institution is a reserve depository for other banks and therefore its figures cannot fairly be added to the total for Kansas City.
CHAPTER XXV.
AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE.
SOIL-DRAINAGE-LAND SPECULATORS-INTERRUPTION BY CIVIL WAR-CORN MOST VALUABLE CROP-OTHER CROPS-MARKET FACILITIES-GRAIN PRO- DUCTION-STATISTICS-GRASS AND FORAGE PLANTS-FRUIT GROWING- FLOWERS.
The soils, physical features and climatic conditions of the county are not excelled. Her agricultural possibilities are of the highest order. Our soils are scientifically designated as the summit silt loam, summit stone clay loam, crawford silt loam, crawford stony clay loam, Oswego silt loam, Bates silt loam, Bates loam, Osage silt loam and Osage clay. These terms, when reduced to our common understanding, mean these several classes of soils are produced from the sun and floods coming in contact with the rocks of these several classes. The erosions of the rocks give the several colors of soils, dark gray, yellowish brown, black and other colors. After all our soil is generally a dark alluvial loam.
When first broken our upland or prairie land contained a large amount of organic matter. This accounts for the large production of first crops. These soils are adapted to the production of corn, wheat, grasses and oats, which crops rank in importance in the order named. It is good especially for growth of grasses and small grain. Tobacco and alfalfa are becoming important crops. Fertilizers are used but little.
The value of drainage has not been ascertained, but it is probable it would prove profitable, especially on flat lands. Where lands are not well drained soils become dead and are wet and soggy and largely lose their quality of production and become sterile. It is quite probable these low flat lands, properly drained, will become our strongest and most pro- ductive soils. Drainage of these swamps and unprofitable lands, largely
154
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
held by speculators, and which are a menace to health and a hindrance to travel and transportation, will redound to the profit and interest of the practical farmer.
The excessive holdings by land speculators is a detriment to the actual cultivation of the soil. Its remedy is a puzzling problem. The wisest differ as to the solution. All recognize its evil effects on the gen- eral prosperity of the community.
In the near future these poorly drained, compact, low humous, sour soils will disappear, reclaiming such lands, making unprofitable land our most productive lands. Soils in our forest areas have a lighter texture and lighter color. Little of this is adapted to cultivation on account of its soggy condition, poor drainage and difficulty of handling. However, it is excellent corn and grass soil, properly drained.
The bottoms are the deposit vegetable matter and erosions from stones for ages. These soils are more fittingly termed alluvial, and occur along our streams and bottom lands adjoining, subject to overflow and need artificial drainage. These heavy soils comprise some of the most productive lands of the county.
The excellence of the soil and the ease with which it is handled puts Cass County in the forefront as a leading agricultural section. The early settlers of the county mainly depended on growing corn and wheat by cultivation and raising stock on the abundant growth of wild grasses. About the beginning of our Civil War, agricultural industries had attained some headway. Besides corn and wheat, some oats, rye, flax, hemp, tobacco and other crops had attracted some attention of our farm- ing class. The War of the Rebellion interrupted the agricultural pro- gress largely by the virtual depopulation of the county. On the close of the war the county was rapidly resettled. Later some hindrances appeared in the way of insects.
Corn had always been the most important crop, both in extent of acreage and in value to the agriculturist. Corn is generally husked and snapped and cribbed for feed to stock or hauling to market. Lately the drift has been to cutting and shocking and storing in silos for feeding purposes. Both white and yellow corn are grown. Wheat ranks next to corn in importance of production. Oats and rye are of economic import- ance. Aside from the value of their grain product it enables the agri- culturist to rest his land by changes of crops. Alfalfa, clover, timothy, as well as tame grasses, do exceedingly well and constitute a valuable
155
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
adjunct to stoc kraising. The growing of tobacco has never been a large success, yet of late years its cultivation appears to promise greater re- muneration. In an early day hemp was a profitable crop. It seems to be of little value today as a money making crop.
Our people are learning more and more how to use our soils and what crops are best adapted to the different soils. In our schools are also taught the uses of the several soils and the manner of distinguishing them. A more intelligent use of agriculture is being put in practice. The putting into use of the modern taught methods of cultivation, the hus- banding of the soil, the best form of putting into market, including the feeding to stock and other varied ways, are not alone studied, but put into practice. Our people are abreast of the most progressive and there is no new method they are not ready to give a trial and adopt all in it that proves good.
With our railroad facilities and nearness to Kansas City, one of the greatest markets of the western world, makes the county of the very greatest importance as an agricultural county. Cass County ranks among the foremost counties of the State. Missouri is credited with producing in one year one-eighth of the corn of the United States and one-tenth of the corn of the world.
Three Missouri counties produced more corn than nineteen other states of the Union, combined. The least productive county in the State produces more corn than four states of the Union. It was estimated by the State Board of Agriculture the State produced in 1904 (not an unusual year) more than three hundred million bushels of corn, more than double that of the eleven principal corn state, valued at more than one hundred million dollars. The corn crop for that year exceeded the com- bined production of thirty other states. For the same year said board estimated the Missouri production of wheat to be more than sixty-two million bushels. The yield was the largest average per acre of winter wheat or spring wheat of any State, double the combined wheat crop of the eleven wheat producing states. Missouri's annual production of corn, wheat, oats, barley, rye and buckwheat exceeds the combined production of Kentucky, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Maine, Ver- mont, Delaware, New Jersey, Georgia, Alabama, Maryland, Louisiana, West Virginia, South Carolina, Florida, Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, Wyoming and Nevada. The western part of the State is the largest produced of these cereals.
*
156
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
We glean from the census, Missouri in 1900 had approximately 285,000 farms, aggregating 35,000,000 acres, or an average of 120 acres to the farm. And that these farms were of the probable value of $850,- 000,000. This was the largest number of farms of any State in the Union, save Texas. The increase of the number, acreage and value of farms in Missouri since then has been rapid and permanent. The pres- ent value of the Missouri farms will easily run up into the billion of dollars. It is also shown that more than two-thirds of these farms were operated by their owners. More people are engaged in agricultural pur- suits in Missouri than in any of the great agricultural states, east or west. A like showing is made in the census as to the State's power of production of Irish and sweet potatoes, melons and grasses. For all this our soils have stood the test for more than half a century and will not wear our nor burn out.
With proper irrigation for our high lands, and drainage for our swamps, what may be expected of our soils? With Kansas City market at our door, with our mild climate, more time to plant, cultivate, harvest and market the varied crops, increasing the efficiency of the workman, giving a longer growing season, we may well ask, what are the possi- bilities of the agriculturist in Cass County.
The time has been when the states of Iowa and Illinois held the ban- ner as cereal and grass producers of these United States. With the rapid settlement of our State in late years, these states must stand aside. These newcomers have brought into cultivation large areas of new lands. The undulating prairies and level and extensive bottoms of western Missouri are more clearly cultivated under our mild climate and longer seasons- longer both for cutlivating and harvesting, or gathering the fruits of labor expended.
We ought not to pass without calling attention to the grasses, clovers and forage plants grown in the county. We produce timothy, blue grass, blue stem, orchard grass, Bermuda grass, red and white clover, alfalfa, alsike, cow peas, sorghum, Kafir corn, millet, Hungarian and milo maize, and grasses of other names, all useful for pasturage and stock feeding. Our advance in farming of late years is simply marvelous.
The small orchards of the county, planted for family use, have snown our soil is eminently adapted to fruit growing. Insects occasionally do much damage. The scientists are learning to overcome this pest. The past has proven apples, peaches, pears and cherries do well. Many of
157
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
these small orchards have proven valuable adjuncts to the farmer. What was intended for home consumption has grown to a valuable article of commerce. Varieties of smaller fruits, strawberries, tomatoes, onions, melons, etc., do well throughout the county and bid fair to become val- uable for marketing. The nearness to a great city gives a good market at our very door for all classes of horticultural crops. This article of commerce seems to be behind in production to many other crops of less marketable value.
The growing of cut flowers has reached important proportions in recent years. The rose, carnation, violet and bulbous plants take the lead in the industry. Sunny days in winter, combined with a mild cli- mate, give us an advantage over more northern places. Cass County has the largest floral garden in the United States, if not in the world.
CHAPTER XXVI.
STOCK RAISING.
EARLY-DAY RANGE - TRANSPORTATION CHANGES - CATTLE - HOGS - SHEEP- HORSES MULES CLIMATIC' ADVANTAGES-AVAILABLE MARKETS-PRIZE WINNERS HIGH GRADES AND PURE BLOODS-A FAMOUS TROTTER.
In early days the county comprised an extensive range of natural grasses. It was quite natural stock raising should early become an im- portant industry. The cattle then raised were largely fattened on the range. There was little market for the corn then raised, and this, too, went into the cattle and hogs. With the advent of railroads the industry of stock raising grew rapidly. The county has always been a large pro- ducer of cattle, horses, mules, hogs and sheep. As the saying goes the thrifty farmer prefers to "put his grain and pasture into stock and drive it to market" in preference to selling grain on an uncertain and radically fluctuating market. The improvement in the quality of all these classes of stock is quite apparent.
Hog raising is carried on in conjunction with cattle raising and the two are money makers on the farm. Sheep in small flocks are found throughout the county, with constantly increasing numbers, quality and profitableness. The raising of horses and mules is another important industry. This is done, not as an industry by itself, but with other classes of farming. Practically every farmer raises a few horses and mules, which brings him ready money each year. Of late the wars of Europe have furnished a lucrative market for horses and mules and even cattle, hogs and sheep.
The blessings of our climate are again shown in the production of live stock. Missouri mules and horses are in demand the world over. Between the severe cold of the North and the extreme heat of the South,
159
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
we escape the blistering suns of the South lowlands and escape the dis- eases common thereto. We also miss the long and expensive feeding of the northern climates. Our summers are never so hot, nor winters so cold that extra feed and expensive shelters are required for protection. The larger part of our cattle are practically without shelter.
For raising live stock there must not only be a favorable climate, a fertile soil and an intelligent people, and we have all of these, but must have available markets and ready transportation. This we have. Cass County live stock has always stood high in the fairs and stock shows and rank among the first of the State, and the State is first in the Union. Missouri's profits from live stock mounts up into the hundreds of thou- sands of dollars annually.
Year by year the intelligent, thrifty farmer of Cass is improving the grade of his stock, and thereby its marketable value. While our horses and cattle are money makers for the raiser, the hog and sheep are also a valuable adjunct to the stock raiser. In the county are found the high breeds of Shorthorn, Hereford, Aberdeen, Angus, Galloway, Jersey, Holstein, Devon and Guernsey, as well as other breeds.
There are among the hogs the Poland China, Duroc Jersey, Berk- shire, Chester Whites, Essex, and other like high grades of breeding.
Among the horses are the American saddle horse, standard bred trotter, Percheron, Belgian, Clydesdale, German coach, French coach, and other stocks highly bred. One of the fastest trotters in the United States was bred and foaled in this county. This was the property of the late James N. Haddock who, when his horse lived out its usefulness and died, built a monument at the horse's grave on the present Miller farm, at one time owned by Mr. Haddock, a few miles west of Harrison- ville.
While our sheep raising hasn't been taken up as readily as in other counties what we raise is of a high grade. We find here the Shropshire, Hampshire, Southdown, Merino, and other varieties bred up as high as found anywhere. We also have the well bred goat. "Billy" is always a favorite where he goes and seeks homely pleasures as he goes.
It was a Missouri horse which won the first prize as a riding horse at the Chicago World's Fair. Other stock, cattle, mules, hogs and sheep from Missouri have been prize winners at all the fairs, far and near. They have the admiration and praise of stock lovers and stock judges at all times. It has been a frequent occurrence for Missouri horses and
160
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
jacks to bring on the market more than $5,000 apiece. They are taken in all directions for breeding purposes. The saddle horse association, in preparing a map of the counties of the State engaged in saddle horse breeding, puts Cass County in the forefront. A good class, good trotters, good breeders, and great draft animals.
The State has won fame for her flocks and herds. Her people are by nature and training lovers of good stock. The county is located ad- mirably for all lines of stock growing. May she continue to take advan- tage of every method to still further improve the stock in all lines. It makes for personal profit and community pride.
MACHINE TORKS.
A. J. SHARP'S FOUNDRY AND MACHINE SHOP. Harrisonville, Mo.
MISSOURI PACIFIC DEPOT. Harrisonville, Mo.
CHAPTER XXVII.
VARIOUS INDUSTRIES.
DAIRYING AND TRUCK GARDENING-APIARY-POULTRY AND EGGS-COAL-FIRE- CLAY-GAS.
TRUCK GARDENING AND DAIRY BUSINESS.
Since Cass County is favorably located with regard to markets, is well supplied with good shipping facilities, and is so admirably adapted to truck gardening and dairying, these industries are becoming quite important. Neither, however, have attained the importance their value as money makers demand in the commercial world. These industries are in their infancy.
It is becoming recognized by the schools of agriculture that these though small industries are of the greatest importance in the making of the home, the home comforts and money makers in the commercial marts.
The future of these industries is exceedingly promising. Wheat and corn will produce a profitable crop per acre, yet the truck garden and dairy will multiply the profits per acre many times, with less labor and risks from pests.
APIARY.
Among the early settlers of Cass County the product of honey bees was quite an article of commerce. It has fallen largely into disuse. Yet quite a number of our people keep bees for their product and find a ready and profitable market. It is stated by bee men that the bee is the pre- cursor of white civilization. John C. Freemont relates in his report on his explorations an incident as follows: "Here (near the western moun-
(II)
162
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
tains) where stillness was absolute, unbroken by any sound, and the solitude complete, we thought ourselves beyond the regions of animated life; but while we were sitting on the rocks a solitary bee came wing- ing his flight from the eastern valley, and lit on the knee of one of the men. We pleased ourselves with the idea that he was the first of his species to cross the mountain and plain, a solitary pioneer to foretell the advance of civilization."
Gregg, a writer on the "Commerce of the Prairies," says: "The honey bee appears to have emigrated exclusively from the east, as its march has been observed westward. The bee, among western pioneers, is the proverbial precursor of the Anglo-American population. In fact, the aborigines of the frontier have generally corroborated this statement, for they used to say that they knew the white man was not far behind when the bees appeared among them."
The wild bee generally sought the forests along the water courses. They were sought eagerly by early settlers, and early became domesti- cated. It was not unusual to find "bee hives" at the farm house. Very much improvement has been made over the wild bees and their fruits, the present use of these little neighbors and their product, while to some extent neglected, is still a source of profit to the owners.
POULTRY AND EGGS.
We haven't access to the census report by counties, but we assume Cass County is above the average of the counties of the State in the production and sale of fowls and eggs. The census gives for Missouri the following statistics :
Produced 1909.
Value.
Marketed.
Value.
Eggs 112,000,000 doz.
$85,000,000
72,000,000 doz.
$12,570,000
Fowls 32,000,000
15,000,000
10,500,000
6,000,000
This shows this business which appears small is no little item of our commerce. If Cass County is an average county, and it is reasonable to believe it is more, then our people sell annually a quarter million dollars worth of poultry and eggs.
With the rapidly increasing modes of transportation to market, who can say the field for this industry now great, with extremely flattering outlook for more wonderful profits. This industry exceeds the mule or
163
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
horse business taken singly. The State in 1900 was third State in the shipping of poultry and eggs. Illinois and Iowa being ahead. Now Mis- souri is first. Climatic conditions again come to our aid in this industry. Our nearness to market is bettering our condition or location. No other product of the farm brings so much cash to the farmer as does his hens and eggs. Cass County is given as among the first seventeen counties in the poultry and egg profiting business.
MINES.
As yet there has been little profitable mining done in the county. In the southeastern part of the county, near the town of Creighton, some coal is being dug with profit. In the western and northwestern part of the county is found gas, used for homes and bids fair to become in the near future a valuable article of commerce. Valuable clay for brick and tiling is found a short distance southwest of Harrisonville. Parties have formed a company, bought tracts of land, and are preparing to turn this clay into useful articles of commerce. A tiling plant is in process of operation here, under the ownership (practically) and management of the Hon. W. S. Dickey. He has made extensive and profitable investments elsewhere in this line, and reports flattering outlooks here. We have reason to think well of the future mineral developments in the county. The State official report on mineral production shows approximately 5,000 tons of coal mined in the county in the year 1914.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISES.
COMMERCE THE MAINSPRING OF SOCIETY-CASS COUNTY AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL ASSOCIATION AMONG THE FIRST-FIRST MILL-LATER MILLS -BLOIS THE FIRST MERCHANT-HENRY F. BAKER, THE PIONEER MER- CHANT OF HARRISONVILLE-MODERN COMMERCE.
Commerce is the life blood of civilization. If those who control and project the commercial affairs are crooked, so will your social and political life be corrupt. If such affairs are directed by persons desir- ing not only their personal profit but the general welfare, then will such projects redown to the general good. It is this high character of the citizenship of the county which have brought profit to themselves and blessings to all in the many enterprises projected among our people. Among the first, if not the first, enterprises, entitled to the such name, was the "Cass County Agricultural and Mechanical Association," located at Pleasant Hill. It was incorporated March 5, 1855 (see acts of 1855, page 216). The first directors were James A. Fisher, John M. Arm- strong, Larkin Madox, Thomas Thomas, John B. Fleming, Thomas F. Freeman, James Hamilton, R. H. Nelson, William Bronaugh, J. C. Chris- topher, L. S. Boyd, James C. Copeland, J. B. Skilman, Thomas W. Hurst and E. McClanahan. They were among the very earliest settlers of the county and men of the highest character. This institution proved to be a most successful enterprise of the day. It is to be regretted that these men have passed away, and we know so little of them.
Other enterprises in different parts of the county, worthy of mention, more on account of the unequalness of the affairs than otherwise. In 1832, among the first settlements of the county, William Savage built the first mill in Cass County on Big Creek, about two miles west of the present site of Pleasant Hill. It was a grist and saw mill combined,
165
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
the burrs were set on the saw frame. At first it only ground corn, which had to be sifted after it was ground. There was only one run of burrs, which as well as the mill irons, were brought from St. Louis. The mill cost about $50. The mill had no gearing, the burrs being located over the wheel, and running with the same velocity as the wheel. People came from far and near, attracted by the reports of the completion of the mill. For days before the mill was ready for work people came with their grists. The Big Creek bottom was filled with people waiting their turn at the mill .. This hardship of camping out and waiting was not luxury but simply a necessity, in order to secure for the families of the waiters the simplest necessaries of life. This mill was moved in 1837 by James Reynolds and Joel Riddle further east.
In 1837 or 1838 some of the farmers erected a horse mill, a grist mill, at a point a few miles west of the present Pleasant Hill. This was run by horse power and was of short life. A short time after this mill was erected Solomon Teague started a horse mill on Camp Branch. Frederick Bouse improved on these ancient structures by building a small water mill on Camp Branch and did a flourishing business in time of high water. As early as 1843 Harrison Davis and William Blackburn built a bill on Sugar Creek in the southeast part of the county. John Houston soon purchased this and moved it further east in the county. In 1843 a Mr. Crenshaw erected and operated a water mill on the middle fork of Grand River. Not long after a Mr. John Fine built a horse mill on a part of what is now the Stark farm west of Freeman.
These little mills were kept busy day and night, the old settlers usually waiting sometimes for days to get their grists ground. Early in 1848 Joseph Flood and E. Peyton built a saw and grist mill on south fork of Grand River in the present West Dolan. Farmer and Gardner, in 1846, built a water mill, grist mill, just below the bridge, now known as Clark's bridge in Everett Township, on the south fork of Grand River. This mill went the way of all the earth in some big freshet of the river. In 1849 Nicholas C. Payne built a water saw and grist mill in Sherman Township on Grand River near what is known as Settles Ford. This was washed away by high waters during the war. James Thornburg built another mill on this old foundation a short time after the close of the war. It too was taken by high water. These are practically the early commercial enterprises of the county. After this such matters as mills grew up in about all the towns of the county and became thriving busi- ness concerns and a blessing to the country.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.