USA > Missouri > Cass County > History of Cass County, Missouri > Part 15
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Politically, Captain Hall was a Democrat, religiously he was a faith- ful Baptist. Whenever his church needed money the Captain was ready and cheerfully furnished more than his share. He was not constituted to be active in such affairs, but he was ever ready to show his love for his Master and his Master's cause by liberal contributions to the church as well as all other deserving needy causes.
Captain Hall was married to Miss Lou J. Hawley on March 17, 1867. Captain Hall passed to his reward on the 18th day of February, 1905, and left surviving him his widow, Lou J. Hall and children, Mrs. Iza Elder, Charles R. Hall, Delmar K. Hall, Sabrina Runnenburger (now deceased), and May H. Deacon.
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James S. Wooldridge was born in Monroe County, Tennessee, April 9, 1829. He was a lawyer of the old style. Attended school in his native state. When about 27 years of age he removed to Missouri, locating in Johnson County. We find him in Harrisonville, this county, in 1858, studying law in the office of Judge Elias P. West. In 1859 he was ad- mitted to the bar and followed the practice of his profession with suc- cess until his death on the 28th day of January, 1913. Mr. Wooldridge served in the Southern Army during the war of the Rebellion, returning to his adopted State at the close of the war. For a time he followed farming for the reason that southern soldiers were prohibited from fol- lowing professions, but after a short time resumed the practice of the law at Harrisonville. For several years he was a partner of H. Clay Daniel. On the creation of the office of prosecuting attorney he was elected to that office and served in that capacity during 1873 and 1874. Wooldridge was not considered a brilliant lawyer, however, he was con- sidered safe and reliable.
He was twice married, first in 1862 to Sallie J. Moffett, who died August 27, 1875. Of this union five children were born. None of them survived him. In May, 1876, he married Miss Sallie F. Horn, who sur- vives him. To this union two children were born and both are now living. Of James S. Wooldridge it can be truthfully said he served his county and age well and was a useful citizen.
Robert Tarlton Railey was born in the State of Louisiana, Jan- uary 19, 1850. His father removed to this county in about 1855, where Robert was reared to manhood. During this period, however, his father moved to several different states always returning to Cass County. Young Railey was educated in the common schools of this county, the Christian Brothers' School at St. Louis and the State University of Mis- souri at Columbia.
Railey studied law in the office of his brother-in-law, R. O. Boggess, and was admitted to the bar in 1873. In 1874 he became a law partner of James Armstrong. This was soon terminated. In 1874 he and Judge Charles W. Sloan entered into a law partnership. This continued until 1878 when Railey and his brother-in-law, R. O. Boggess, formed a part- nership which ended in 1881. Afterwards he practiced law as partner of James T. Burney under the style of Railey & Burney. Railey served for several years as attorney for several of the largest railroads of the State. In about 1910 he took charge of the Missouri Pacific Railroad business for the State and removed to St. Louis.
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In 1915 he became a commissioner of the Supreme Court of Missouri and is occupying that office to this day. Railey was always an able, aggres- sive lawyer, leader of the bar of the county in his later years here and at all times acknowledged to be one of the foremost lawyers of west- ern Missouri. Since his election to the Supreme Bench his opinions have proved to be strong and ably written. It is said of him he turns off more business than any judge or commissioner of the court. He was always a hard worker, industrious and studious.
Mr. Railey is a Mason of high rank and a Methodist in his religious beliefs. He was married in 1874 to Martha S. Beattie, a daughter of Dr. Thomas Beattie, of Harrisonville. Only one child was born to this union, Thomas T. Railey, who is now in the practice of the law in St. Louis.
William J. Terrell, one of our early lawyers, was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, in 1834. He came to Harrisonville, September, 1865. Mr. Terrell was a Republican in politics. His convictions were strong and partisanship bitter. He descended from distinguished ancestry of the old patriotic days of revolutionary times. He was educated in the schools of his native State and finished in the law at Michigan University. He taught school in his earlier days as an aid to get through school. He was admitted to the bar at Detroit, Michigan, in 1865 by the Supreme Court of that State.
Soon after his admission to the bar he landed in Harrisonville, and as long as he lived among us he was a strong personality in the shaping of our civilization in this county. He was a fighter at the bar and was, after a hard struggle against opposition, a decided success. He was much loved by his political friends and bitterly hated by the opposition. He did not always make a good impression with the people, but the writer personally knows he was deserving of much more credit as a citizen than he ever received. He was foremost in his efforts to better the school sys- tem. He served as Superintendent of Public Schools of the county in 1866. He was elected and served as County Attorney in 1867-1868 and 1872. He was a member of the Methodist Church and he and his wife were for years the stay and support of this church. He was a Mason and ranked high in that order at one time officiating as grand commander of Knights Templar of Missouri. He held high office in quite a number of benevolent and fraternal orders of the State. His life tended to the uplift of humanity.
On December 26, 1864, he married Julia A. Quigley. They never
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had any children of their own. However they adopted and raised sev- eral children. By untiring attention to business, strict integrity and economy, Terrell has demonstrated the truth that he who wins must work, and he who works will win. In the eighteen eighties Mr. Terrell and his wife moved to Ohio, thence to other points in the East, finally landing in the State of New Jersey. In this last State he departed this life, about a year ago, leaving his now aged wife surviving him.
John L. Morrison, a lawyer of the pioneer days, a man of no little ability, unique in character, blunt in words and withal a big-hearted old bachelor, resided in the days of his practice at Pleasant Hill, Missouri. Little is known of him at this date. It is a shame, too, so little is pre- served of the life of this man. He meant much to Pleasant Hill and country in his time. At the time of his active practice his face was familiar about the county seat. He would fill his pockets with his client's papers and business and come by stage, or horseback, or buggy, to the county seat, attend to the cares of his clients and wend his way home- ward. He was a hard worker. He never received credit commensurate with his real worth. He did much work, charged little for his services and as usual, died poor, with but little care from those for whom he had done much.
Andrew A. Whitsitt was born in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, February 1, 1856. He was educated in the common schools of his native State and Indiana, and at the DePauw University at Greencastle, Indiana. Prior to 1880 he removed to Missouri with his father and grew to manhood on a farm near Peculiar town.
He was admitted to the bar July, 1881. He was elected and served as Prosecuting Attorney for the county from 1893 to 1897. He was elected and served as judge of the Seventeenth Judicial District from 1911 to 1917. He was one of the most laborious working lawyers and judges in Missouri. Few of his decisions were ever reversed by the higher courts. He was married in 1888 to Miss Mary Tatum. To this union two children were born, both of whom are living. Judge Whitsitt is now, on his retirement from the bench, in the practice of his profes- sion at Harrisonville.
Other lawyers have come, served and gone, and some yet remain. About all much might be said to interest the future lawyers and laymen of our county, but space forbids to further proceed here. It is for the future historian to tell the story of the present lawyers' and judges'
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successes, honors and failures. When we have passed the present gen- eration of lawyers ask that the truth only be told.
The Circuit Judges who have presided over the judicial districts in which Cass County was a part are: John F. Ryland, 1835 to 1849; Hen- derson Young, 1849 to 1854; William T. Wood, 1854 to 1856; Russell 1863; Chan P. Townsley, David MeGoughey, Foster P. Wright, Noah M. Hicks, 1856 to 1859; Robert G. Smart, 1859 to 1860; John A. S. Tutt, Givan, Chas. W. Sloan, W. W. Wood, William L. Jarrott, Nicholas M. Bradley, Andrew A. Whitsitt and Ewing Cockrell.
CHAPTER XXXII.
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THE PRESS.
FIRST NEWSPAPER IN MISSOURI-CHARACTER AND INFLUENCE-FIRST NEWS- PAPER IN CASS COUNTY-HARRISONVILLE PAPERS-PLEASANT HILL-BEL- TON-DREXEL-GARDEN CITY-BILL NYE'S PHILOSOPHY.
The first newspaper published west of the Missouri River was the Missouri Gazette, established in St. Louis in 1808. The following year the name was changed to Louisiana Gazette and in 1812 to Mis- souri Gazette and Public Advertising and this is the Missouri Republic of today. The paper in its editorials says, "This paper is not intended and shall be the hand-made party; the paper is offered to all fair and candid discussion, but personality and indecency will not be tolerated. Whatever has a tendency to preserve, strengthen and perpetuate the Union, and aid the prosperity and respectability of our own State in particular, will always find admittance in this paper." A good motto to put to the front. We further read in this paper, "Pork and flour will be received as pay for subscriptions."
The country newspaper is the framer of society. What your local paper is, your citizenship will largely be. Every town had its early paper and when it failed to represent the will of its constituency, soon went the way of all the earth. When it stood for the best of human aspirations its patrons followed it to a fault. Bill Nye deals roughly with country papers, yet tells some real truths. A country paper without its cross-roads correspondent would be much out of place. While the gen- eral public is little interested whether or not Johnnie Jones came to town on a particular day, yet such correspondents occasionally writes relative to some seemingly insignificant matter, yet in times tells of a passing
(13)
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historical event. Had we access now to the files of all the county papers, from the first issue to today, we would learn by suggestion many hap- penings, now long forgotten.
The first newspaper published in Cass County was the Cass County Gazette, in 1854, established by Nathan Millington. R. O. Boggess, a lawyer, soon after purchased this, and changed the name to the Western Democrat, and changed its politics from Whig to Democrat. In about 1857 Thomas Fogle purchased this paper and continued to run it until destroyed during the War of the Rebellion. The next paper projected at Harrisonville was the Harrisonville Democrat, in 1865, edited by D. K. Abeel. In 1869 Noah M. Givan published the Democratic Herald. About the same time the Cass News was established by J. A. Wayland. In 1880, Wayland sold the Cass News to J. W. Hawthorne and O. F. Thum. Prior to this, in 1870, the Courier was established by J. E. Payne, and the Times established by J. F. Kirkpatrick and W. R. Chap- lin. These last two papers were consolidated in 1879, and called the Times-Courier. In 1882 C. W. Steele and C. C. Dawson purchased the Times-Courier and it became consolidated with the Democrat.
In 1877 Lewis B. Payne and J. K. Morris started the Vindicator, which after varied changes, became the People's Journal, in 1882. In 1882 a paper called the Cass County Republican was established and lasted a few months, when it disappeared. In 1867 the Harrisonville Democrat, started by Abeel, was purchased by S. T. Harris, who con- tinued to run this paper until 1872, when he sold it to Porter J. Coston. This plant was destroyed soon afterward and was never reopened for publication. About this time, S. T. Harris purchased the News and ran it for many years, selling it to J. W. Brocaw, and he in turn to Chas. L. Harris. The Cass News, passing many hands, is still edited in Harrison- ville. The Cass County Leader was established in 1903 by Hal C. Daniel and Harry Hawkins. It, too, has had many proprietors and is now owned and edited by A. L. Webber. The present Cass County Democrat is the legitimate descendant of the Democratic Herald and is a Demo- cratic paper. The Cass County Leader is a Democratic paper. The Cass News is a Republican paper.
The first newspaper projected in Pleasant Hill, Missouri, was the Western Beacon, founded by Dr. Logan McReynolds in 1858. It was Whig in politics, and continued for one year. The first paper in Pleasant Hill after the War of the Rebellion was the Union, founded in 1866 by
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Sterns and Allen and was Democratic in politics. This last named paper became the Pleasant Hill Review, run by A. G. Blakely. Several papers were started in Pleasant Hill and disappeared. At present the Register and Times are edited there and are both valuable adjuncts to the city on the north.
Probably the first paper established in Belton was the Belton Herald, which changed its name to the Belton Leader, and is run now under that name and under the editorialship of D. C. Idol. It is an interesting, readable paper, and of much value to any community.
The Drexel Star is edited and published in Drexel, a town of no mean importance, located in the extreme southwest corner of Cass County.
The Garden City Views is edited and published at Garden City, a thriving business town located in the south central part of the county.
The newspaper business is a laborious and too often unappreciated labor. An editor so often spends his money and life to the uplift of a community only to pass to the great beyond unappreciated by those whose condition he labored to better. Bill Nye gives a lecture on "Journalism" which, while not all true, is not all solely humorous. He says in sub- stance "That Journalism is necessary to the progress and education of our country. The editor should discern between a vile contemporary and a good adversary. He says his intention was to practice law, but as his only client died suddenly, thus taking the bread out of his mouth so roughly, he turned to other fields. While in a state of mind, not deter- mined whether to become a stage robber or a lecturer on phrenology, he entered a western town with thirty-five cents concealed about his person. He got a job on an evening paper. The paper went to press before dark, so he always had the evenings to himself. The paper was a stock com- pany, supposedly because it was published in the loft of a livery stable. To reach the press room you could climb a ladder, or twist the tail of an iron gray mule, thereby taking the elevator. He got the Washington, D. C., telegraphic news on the evening train so as to get them set for the press of the last sheet. If the train was late, he made up from his own mind what the train failed to bring. He could look over what Congress had done at the same time the previous year and tell fairly well what they had done that day. So the country editor is often com- pelled to fill in what his patrons demand.
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CHAPTER XXXIII.
MEDICAL PROFESSION.
LITTLE KNOWN OF PIONEER DOCTORS-SOME EARLY-DAY PHYSICIANS-LATER PHYSICIANS.
It is to be regretted so little is known of the early physicians of the county. The medical profession seems to have taken the least pride in preserving the history of those who served in other days. Today it would be quite interesting for gray-haired grandchild of the sires of other days to read of the old family physician, of whom their ancestors used to talk. What kind of men were they? What were their influences in shaping their county's history? It is too late to secure this information. These men of olden time, whose lives, as is the ordi- nary physician, were sacrificed, indeed, for humanity. These men who have long ago gone to their reward, bearing faithfully to the end the profoundest secrets of the family. Yet their successors have preserved no record of their hardships, privations and joys. But little can be said of any of them, save their names and places of residence, and these only by faint and uncertain memory of some old neighbor. No other profes- sion or occupation has so neglected their personal history. As we find no personal history of these doubtless noble characters, save their names, these we will give as far as we can, hoping another will undertake the task of rescuing from total oblivion the same, at least, of the life work of these men.
Dr.Guilford D. Hansbrough lived at and practiced his profession in Harrisonville in 1850. Dr. Isaac M. Abraham came to Harrisonville, October, 1865, and practiced his profession at this place until his death. Dr. George S. Akin practiced his profession in Harrisonville from 1865 to the date of his death. Dr. Thomas Beattie settled near East Lynne,
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in the county, in 1858, and practiced his profession in the county until about 1895, when he retired from active work. Dr. Jacob F. Brookhart came to Cass County in 1852 and followed the active practice until his death. Dr. James M. Suggette came to Cass County in 1854 and prac- ticed medicine at and near Harrisonville until the early part of the War of the Rebellion, when he moved to Illinois, where he died. Dr. M. H. L. Schooley came to Austin in 1867 and there practiced his profession until his death. Dr. William T. Schooley, in 1872, practiced medicine with his father, M. H. L. Schooley, at Austin, until his father's death, when he removed to Harrisonville. Dr. J. M. Thornton, at one time-we are unable to learn when-practiced medicine at Harrisonville. Dr. G. L. Love, in 1871, located near Belton and practiced his profession at this place for several years. Dr. A. J. Sands practiced medicine at Belton in 1872. Dr. R. M. Slaughter practiced his profession in Belton about 1875. Dr. A. W. Schenck and Drs. Spruill and Clark were early physi- cians of Belton vicinity. Dr. Logan M. McReynolds, one of the very earliest physicians of whom the writer can learn, located at and prac- ticed his profession in Pleasant Hill from 1844 until 1849, when he went to California to engage in mining. Upon his return to Missouri, in 1880, his health failed him and he retired from active practice. Dr. W. H. H. Cundiff, one of the early historic characters of the county, came to Cass County in 1854, where he practiced his profession until his death. He was associated part of the time with Dr. James A. Shuttleworth and afterward with Dr. W. T. Lamkin. Dr. William L. Lamkin, in May, 1849, commenced the practice of his profession at Pleasant Hill, and so continued until a short time before his death. Dr. James A. Shuttle- worth came to Pleasant Hill in 1868 from Kentucky. He practiced his profession in this county from 1868 until 1880, when he retired from active labor. He was a success, financially and otherwise. He was a most affable gentleman.
Dr. A. H. Shively, probably one of the best educated physicians of the early professionals in the county in his day, located in Pleasant Hill in 1869, coming from Kentucky. He was devoted to his profession. He had little to do with anything save his practice of medicine.
Dr. James L. Warden first located at Austin and about 1879 he removed to Pleasant Hill and practiced his profession with Dr. A. H. Shively.
Dr. Caleb Winfrey was in the active practice of medicine at Pleas-
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ant Hill early in the eighteen seventies. He removed to Kansas City thereafter and gradually quit his profession.
Dr. James W. Smith grew to manhood near Pleasant Hill, studied medicine, afterward taking a course with an uncle in Kentucky, and after this attending a medical school at Louisville, Kentucky. After his graduation in 1879 he began his profession at Pleasant Hill, where he became prominent in his profession. He left for a California home about six or seven years ago.
Dr. David O. Ravenscraft grew to manhood in Polk Township in Cass County and practiced medicine at Strasburg from 1881 and enjoyed a lucrative practice. He was a sociable, kind hearted and lovable man and was universally liked.
Dr. Robert W. Collins, a prince of gentlemen, no eulogy could be too good for him, was another Kentuckian who came to Missouri to practice medicine and made one of our most useful Christian gentlemen. In 1861 he began the practice of his profession. This was soon interrupted by the outbreak of the War of the Rebellion. After the close of the war he returned and practiced his profession at Pleasant Hill and Strasburg until about eight years ago when he retired. He died, perhaps, a couple of years ago.
Dr. F. T. Buckner, another faithful physician, arrived at Pleasant Hill in 1865, and continued in the practice; in 1881 was connected with his drug store.
Dr. H. A. Sastle practiced the medical profession in the 80's at Raymore, Missouri. Dr. L. F. Gray, a native of Ohio, located at Ray- more in 1869 and, in his day, was considered one of the leading doctors of the county. He died at Raymore quite a number of years ago.
Dr. M. F. Kyger settled in Sherman Township at the close of the war and practiced his profession with much success, financially and otherwise. He opened a drug store which did him no good. Dr. Richard A. Conover, a native of Illinois, located at "Old Peculiar" in 1868 and continued to practice his profession there until his death, which occurred about twenty years ago.
Dr. George W. Farrow practiced medicine at East Lynne, Missouri, from 1868 until about six years ago, when he removed to Kansas City, Missouri. He is still in the active practice of his profession in Kansas City.
Dr. Harold Jerard, born in Jackson County, Missouri, reared in Cass
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County, is now in the active practice of the medical profession at Pleas- ant Hill. He studied his profession with Dr. Thomas Beattie of Har- risonville and attended the medical department of the Missouri Univer- sity. In June, 1875, he began practice at West Union, returned to Har- risonville, and for many years he practiced with great success at East Lynne.
Dr. G. E. Elley came from Scott County, Kentucky. He was in the active practice of his profession at West Line as early as 1880. Dr. Joe D. Cook practiced medicine at Austin, Missouri, from 1880. Dr. H. W. Tuttle located in Archie in 1882 and for a time enjoyed a good practice. Dr. J. M. Wilhite practiced medicine in Dayton in 1879. Dr. J. M. Chap- man was a faithful physician of an early day, coming to Dayton, Cass County, in 1872. He will be kindly remembered by the few remaining old settlers in that part of the county. He was a man of many trials. He sacrificed much and died poor.
Dr. Alfred B. Sloan settled at Harrisonville prior to the war. He was a son of the Rev. Sloan of the Presbyterian Church. The doctor, after a successful practice, removed to Kansas City during the war. Dr. John W. Colburn was reared near Pleasant Hill, Missouri. His medical services had mostly been at Freeman, Missouri. He was a firm, reliable, public spirited man and an able doctor. Dr. Philip C. Horney was a native of North Carolina, came to Cass County in 1853 and from 1867 resided on his farm near Daugherty and practiced his profession until his death. He was always active in matters for the betterment of his county. He was president of the Mutual Protective Fire Insurance Com- pany of Cass County to his death.
Dr. H. Clay January was a native of the county and practiced medi- cine at Freeman about 1875. He was a son of Joseph H. January, an old settler at Harrisonville, and a brother of George W. January, who now resides at Freeman. Dr. B. A. Bathurst attended patients near Lone Tree for many years. Dr. H. B. Tout, a faithful physician, lived and followed his profession at Archie until his death a few years ago. Dr. J. F. Bennett was a practitioner at Drexel from and after the laying out of that town. Dr. Henry D. Palmer settled near Harrisonville about 1852 and at the breaking out of the war moved to West Point and then to Clay County where he died several years ago. Dr. C. A. Seaton, after the war, became a partner of Dr. J. F. Brookhart at Harrisonville. Dr. Brookhart had studied medicine under Dr. Seaton's father in other days.
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Dr. Coleman MeReynolds came to Harrisonville from Tennessee in about 1844, and was an active practitioner until 1850, when he went to California and died. Dr. Amos Palmer came to Harrisonville prior to 1850 and moved to Texas prior to the war, where he died. Drs. E. G. Goforth and John Hamilton were early physicians located at Freeman. We can but mention the names of Drs. I. W. and Charles E. Ammerman, brothers, who were once in active practice in the county; so with Drs. B. F. Berry, T. A. Grant and J. W. Mount. The later day professionals we hope to cover under other heads. S. A. Kauffman and R. D. Raney each at Garden City.
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