History of Clay and Platte Counties, Missouri : written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns, and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri; a reliable and detailed history of Clay and Platte Counties --their pioneer record, resources, biographical sketches of prominent citizens., Part 40

Author:
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: St. Louis : National Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1156

USA > Missouri > Platte County > History of Clay and Platte Counties, Missouri : written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns, and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri; a reliable and detailed history of Clay and Platte Counties --their pioneer record, resources, biographical sketches of prominent citizens. > Part 40
USA > Missouri > Clay County > History of Clay and Platte Counties, Missouri : written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns, and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri; a reliable and detailed history of Clay and Platte Counties --their pioneer record, resources, biographical sketches of prominent citizens. > Part 40

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).

Rev. Finis Clark, a Baptist, was the first preacher in the country, and held the first services in the settlement along Rush creek, at private houses. Drs. Conley and May, of Liberty, were the first physicians who practiced in the township. There was considerable sickness in the county in 1820-21-22, and many of the pioneers be- came disgusted and disheartened, and soon returned to their former homes.

There was an abundance of game in the country in early days. Many of the hunters along Fishing river frequently went on excur- sions to the prairies, up in what is now Clinton county, to kill elk, which were numerous and easily caught when chased into the timber. The formidable antlers of the bucks hindered their progress through the brush, and it was not difficult to come up with them. Deer were plenty, and at first the principal article of flesh food was venison.

Bears were rather scarce. The hunters soon drove them out. One night " Neil" Gilliam, who then lived south of Liberty, heard a bear among his hogs. Running hastily out, barefoot and in his home- spun underwear, he caught up an ax and assaulted the beast, expecting to either kill it or drive it away. The bear ran and " Neil " ran after it. It was cold weather, but in his excitement Gilliam followed it, so the old settlers say, eight miles, or to Cooley's Lake, where he over-

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

took it and killed it. Mr. Thomas Pevely supplied Gillam with clothing, a pair of shoes, trousers and a coat to return home.

At the first election held in Clay county, in August, 1822, the follow- ing were the voters in Fishing River township, which at that time, however, comprised the entire eastern half of the county, although a majority of the voters lived in what is now Fishing River : - .

Pleasant Adams, Joshua Adams,

Lewis Greene, Bailey O. George,

Alex Newman, James Officer, Thomas Officer,

Howard Averett,

John Hardwicke,

William Averett,

Alex. Hardwicke,

Nehemiah Odle,

Zach Averett,

Lewis Hardwicke,

Matthew Averett,

James E. Hall, Edward V. Hall,

Thomas Peebley,

Shubael Allen,

Samuel Hyatt,

Nathaniel Powell,

John Bartleson,

Robert Hutchins,

Martin Palmer,

John Boyles,

Humphrey Pritt, Edward Pyburne, Jonathan Roberts, Jonas Roberts,

Nicholas Roberts,

James Carroll, John Carroll, John Collier,

Smith Hutchins, William Hutchins, Moses Hutchins, Joseph Hutchins, Samuel Hensley, David Holmes, George Huffaker, James James, John Livingston,

Edward Roberts, John Roberts, Jere Rose,

Jonathan Camron, Elisha Camron, Abram Cotts,

William Livingston,

Page Stanley,

Absalom Cornelius,

John Linville,

Terah Smith,

A. Smith,

William Shelton,

Wilson Spencer,

John Thompson,

Jonathan Denton,

Andrew Means,

John Toplenure, John Trotter,

John Vesser,

Samuel Vesser,

James Williams,

William D. Williams,

Berryman Gwinn,

Isaac McCroskey,

John Wilson,

Isham Grooms,

Robert McCoy,

Peter Writesman,

Robert Gillam,

Jacob McCoy,

Benedict Welden.

Henry Greene,

The judges of this election were Elisha Camron, James Munkers and John Hutchins. The clerks were George Huffaker and James Officer. The votes of William Erastus and James Henry were re- jected.

. CHURCHES.

Erin Church - In the southeast corner of the southwest quarter of

John Cornelius, Benjamin Cornelius, Joseph Crockett, David Crockett, John Chapman,

Patrick Laney, John Lincoln,

William Lenhart,

John Ledgwood, William Martin,

William Davis, Sr.,

William Davis, James Dagley, Jeffrey Fletcher,

Berryman Munkers, William Munkers, Richard Munkers, James Munkers,

Jonathan Reed,

James Buckraye, James Collins, William Collins,

James Page, Robert Page,

James Allen,

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

section 24, in Fishing River township, was organized October 16, 1877, with Joseph Turner, James M. Hill, Simon Hutchings, Marion Harris, Nancy Hutchings, Sarah Thurney, Susan M. Harris, Nancy Lewis, Mary E. Wyatt and Sarah E. Summers as its original mem- bers. The present membership is about 42. The names of the min- isters who have served this church as pastors are Revs. Joseph Prather and Lafayette Munkers. The present frame church was erected in 1878 at a cost of $1,000. A grave-yard is connected with this property, in which 250 interments have been made.

Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. - In 1857. T. N. O'Bryan with four members, Jefferson Turner and wife, Elizabeth Free and Jane Quick, organized the above named church. At first meetings were held in school-house No. 1, and, in fact, until 1883, when a church building was erected in section 23, four and a half miles southeast of Liberty, the cost of which was about $600. Rev. Watson is now pastor of the membership, which numbers about 25.

German M. E. Church, - Located on section 14, four miles south- east of Liberty, was constituted an organization in 1847, by Rev. Henry Hogrefe, with the following original members: William Unger and wife, George Elliott and wife, Peter Elliott, Jacob Weber and wife, Henry Free and wife, Rudolph Irminger and wife, Samuel Weber and wife. In 1870 a church house, 22x32, was erected at an expenditure of $900. After Mr. Hogrefe, who was the first pastor, came the. Revs. Elders Neidermeier, Rouse, William Shreck, Holz- beierlein, Muehlenbrock, William Maye, Prege, Brunly, Brinkmeier, Steinmeier, Bower, Menger, Eichenberger, Korphage, Buchholz, Koenig, and Rev. Kaltenbach, the present incumbent. The present membership of the church is 32. Mr. John Weber is superintendent of the Sabbath school of 20 scholars.

Mount Zion Baptist Church - Was organized in April, 1853, its constituent members being John G. Price, William B. Hoges, James T. Withers, William H. Price, James Munkers, Thomas Holdes, Daniel H. Sans, Thomas Y. Gill, George H. McNealy, Elizabeth L. McNealy, Louisana Hogen, Sarah E. Withers, Amanda Mosby, Agnes Munkers, Susan G. Withers, Margaret S. Gaur, America Price, Julia Gill and Martha Withers. The present membership is 29. Those who have served as pastors are Elders William H. Price, Henry Hill, William T. Brown and James Duvall. The present brick church building was erected in 1853, at a cost of about $1,500. This was the first brick church built in the county outside of Liberty. It is located on the northeast corner of the southeast quarter of section 30,

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

township 52, range 30. James P. Withers and William Price are the only male members living that were members at the constitution, and Amanda Mosby and Mrs. T. P. Withers were the only female mem- bers.

Mount Pleasant Church -Was organized September 18, 1830. The original members were Joseph P. Moore, William B. Slaughter, Andrew B. Baldwin, Abram (a servant of J. P. Moore ), Jonah Moore, Elizabeth Slaughter, Jane Welton, Mary Storz, Jane Posey, Mary Baldwin, Lucy (a servant of James P. Moore), and Catherine (a servant of William B. Slaughter). The present membership is about 25. Elder Newton is the present pastor. The present frame church was built in 1879, its cost being about $1,500. It is located on the southeast corner of the northwest quarter of section 15.

Woodland Christian Church - Was organized in about 1870 or 1872. Some of the first members were James M. Bohart, Richard P. Funk, Solomon Welton, J. W. Bradley and A. J. Roberts. The present membership is about 100. The names of the ministers who have served this church are Elders Josiah Waller, Baird Waller, Wm. Stephens, John Perkins, J. Trader, and Revs. Williamson and Akers. The church building is a frame, and was erected in 1872, its cost being about $2,000. It is located on the east half of the northwest quarter of section 29, in township 52, range 30. Near this church is a cemetery.

Zoar German M. E. Church. - This church was organized in 1845 by Rev. Heinrich Nuelsen. The original members were Rudolph Ir- minger, Susanna Irminger, John Irminger, Heinrich Irminger, Eliza- beth Irminger, Anna Irminger, Samuel Weber, Henry Weber, Jacob Weber, Maria Weber and Margaret Frey. The pastors that have served this church have been the same as those of Bethel German M. E. Church, both churches being under the same charge. The church building is a frame, and was erected in 1873 at a cost of $700. The present membership is 33. The Sabbath-school superintendent is John Weber.

MISSOURI CITY.

The origin of the town of Missouri City was the establishment, at the mouth of Rose's branch, about 1834, of what was called Will- iams' Landing. The founder, Shrewsbury Williams, built a large house in which he lived, kept tavern and sold a few goods for some years. He also owned and operated a ferry across the Missouri. When travelers got off the steamboats at his landing Mr. Williams en-

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

tertained them, and though his house was not regularly equipped as a hotel, it was considered and termed a " tavern."

In the year 1840 Eli Casey brought a stock of goods to Williams' Landing and opened a small store, with Linneus B. Sublette, now of Missouri City, and Dr. Frank Cooley as his clerks. Old Wiley Hern- don came about the same time and kept a small store. In 1846 there were about a dozen houses at the mouth of the branch, including James Riggs' hotel, and the place was called Richfield. Some time afterwards Bell, of Brunswick, put up a large tobacco factory and warehouse at Richfield, placing them in charge of L. B. Sublette and Scales as his clerks. Hundreds of tons of tobacco were purchased and shipped from this point.

In about 1844 the shipping current of the Missouri began the for- mation of a bar in front of old Richfield, interfering and preventing the landing of steamboats, and a joint stock company, composed of Graham L. Hughes, John Shouse, John Keller and others laid out a town just below, but mainly on the top of the high bluff overlooking the Missouri, which they called St. Bernard, probably after the famous Alpine mountain, which they fancied it resembled. The company erected a large two-story hotel on the top of the bluff, which may have been likened to St. Bernard's famous Hospice, only there were no dogs to hunt for travelers, and no hooded monks to care for them. Afterwards John S. Houston sold goods in this house, and was the first postmaster. The post-office was called St. Bernard.

Just below and adjoining St. Bernard was a tract of land which had been entered in the name of Abram Fry, who sold it to Stothard, who sold it to Wm. L. Smith, who sold it to John G. Price and G. W. Withers, who laid out another town, which they called Richfield.1 Then Thos. Williams, a son of Shrewsbury Williams, bought a tract of land of his father just east of Richfield, and laid out a village which he called Atchison, in honor of Hon. D. R. Atchison. Thos. Williams sold a portion of his land to R. G. Gilmer, who laid out Gilmer's addition.

Mr. Gilmer established the first store east of the hill. Pres. N. Edwards, B. W. Nowlin and - Lomax were other early merchants in Richfield. Thos. Y. Gill built the first hotel, which was afterwards kept by Mrs. Elizabeth Hardwicke. March 14, 1859, the three towns of St. Bernard, Richfield and Atchison were incorporated by the Leg- islature as one and called Missouri City.

Richfield had been incorporated by the county court November 5,

1 This may be considered New Richfield, as the hamlet which stood at the mouth of Rose's branch is remembered as Old Richfield.

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

1855, the first board of trustees being composed of Wm. Owens, L. W. Burris, R. G. Gilmer, J. S. Story and Daniel Gano.

From 1850 to 1861 Richfield was probably the largest hemp mar- ket above Lexington. Withal it was an important shipping point, and annually thousands of tons of freight, produce and merchandise were taken on and discharged by the steamboats, one or more of which, during the boating season, daily landed at the wharf. Some- times produce came from as far north as the Iowa line, and goods were landed here for merchants doing business in Gentry, DeKalb and Andrew counties. Robert G. Gilmer and John D. Holt were in partnership in the business of general merchandising, and their transactions amounted to many tens of thousands of dollars an- nually. There were two mammoth warehouses for the reception of hemp, tobacco and other produce and the storage of freight, which were generally well filled.

The Civil War prostrated Missouri City, closed many of its stores, shut up its warehouses, carried off many of its citizens, and at times it was at the mercy of predatory bushwhackers and jayhawkers, who did not hesitate to take advantage of its defenseless condition and " raid " it.

When Fernando Scott's bushwhackers (among whom was Frank James ) killed Capt. Sessions and Lieut. Grafenstein, in May, 1863 (See Chapter IX.), they charged into town. Coming upon the wounded Federal of the Twenty-fifth Missouri who had been taken into Mrs. Hardwick's hotel, they fired at him as he lay upon a lounge, and put several revolver balls into his body. Mrs. Hard- wick interposed her own person between the wounded soldier and his would-be murderers, and strove hard to save him, but the bush- whackers thrust her aside and kept up their brutal work until they believed they had " finished " their victim, who feigned death, and though riddled with bullets, eventually recovered. Some time after- ward this soldier accompanied his command on an expedition up the Missouri, the troops being conveyed on a steamboat. When the boat reached Missouri City it landed, and numbers of the soldiers ran ashore to " clean out the town " as they declared. The soldier was one of the first to jump ashore, and running to Mrs. Hardwick's hotel he asserted that not a thing about the premises should be mo- lested. "These people were kind to me once," he said, "and I remember them." His efforts in behalf of the benefactress were of avail ; she was not disturbed, and the soldier was instrumental in repressing the general disorderly conduct of his comrades.

382

HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

In the fall of 1854, at the time of the Price raid, a Confederate soldier, named Stallings, who had come up from Arkansas with the invading army, made his way to his home in this county in the bot- toms, below Missouri City, on a brief furlough. While at home he was made a prisoner by a scouting party of Clinton county militia, under Capt. McMichael. He was guarded in Missouri City that night, and the next morning the militia started with him for Liberty, but a little west of Missouri City he was taken off a short distance from the road and shot. It is said that the shooting was done either by Capt. McMichael himself, or in his presence and by his express or- ders. Stallings was not a bushwhacker but a regular Confederate soldier, and his murder was certainly inexcusable.

Since the war, and especially since the building of the Wabash Railroad, in 1868, Missouri City has improved in extent at least. Two or three additions have been laid out and partly occupied. Lying under a high steep bluff, on a narrow bottom, continually becoming narrower by the encroachments of the river, the situation of the town is not favorable. The one long street passing through on which nearly all the business houses are situated presents a busy aspect at times, however.

Upon the the first establishment of Richfield a Union church was built, in which all denominations had the privilege of worshiping. This was torn down. The M. E. Church South and Christian Churches were built before the war. During the war the Federal troups sta- tioned here were quartered in the Christian Church.

Old Wiley Herndon, mentioned as one of the first storekeepers in Richfield, was murdered some time before the war, and it is believed that his body was robbed of a considerable sum of money. The body was found tied and gagged, and the fatal wound had been delivered in the temple with some sharp instrument. Herndon was an old bach- elor, and lived alone in his grocery. A young man named Book, an engineer in John G. Price's rope factory, who slept in his engine room, was arrested on a charge of the murder, but acquitted on pre- liminary examination.

Another tragedy that occurred in Missouri City was the killing, in November, 1866, of two men named Titus, by one G. S. Elgin. After the killing Elgin fled to the residence of his father-in-law, near Weston. Here he was overtaken by John C. Titus, Noah Titus and John Bivens, relatives of the men he had killed at Missouri City, taken out and murdered. All the parties to the latter killing were indicted in Platte county, and for safe-keeping were placed in the Liberty

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

jail, from which they escaped in the spring of 1867, by blowing open the jail door.

CHURCHES.

Missouri City M. E. Church South - Was organized in 1854 with the following as original members: O. P. Gash and wife ; Joseph A. Huffaker, wife and one sister; Mr. and Mrs. Crasford, and Mr. Bratten and wife, and some five or six others whose names can not now be recalled. Rev. M. R. Jones, who organized this church, was the first preacher in charge Next came Rev. Rich, followed success- ively by Revs. L. M. Lewis, Mayhew, McEwing, W. A. Tarwater, Samuel Huffaker, Wilson, Wilburn Rush, Joseph Devlin, E. F. Bone, Babcock, W. C. Campbell, F. Shores, L. F. Linn, W. B. Johnson, W. E. Dockery and last J. F. Frazer. The number of the present membership is about 80. The frame church building in which ser- vices are held, was constructed at a cost of about $2,000, in the sum- mer of 1857. In 1882-83 it was remodeled at an additional expense of about $1,500. The Sabbath-school has been flourishing since 1867, at which time Joseph A. Huffaker was superintendent. E. P. Donovan now holds that position. The average attendance is about 60.

Missouri City Christian Church. - This church, as its name indi- cates, is located at Missouri City, where on Main street there was built in about 1859, at an expense of some $2,500, a good brick edi- fice, in which the present membership of about 150 persons worship. As organized in about the year 1856, the members were E. D. Bell and wife, T. C. Reed and wife, Nancy Reed and two daughters, Richard Funk and wife, B. F. Melon and wife, George W. Bell and wife, Merritt Fisher and wife and Milton Hull. Rev. Richard Morton, who was prominent in this formation, was the first pastor, and he was suc- ceeded by Revs. F. R. Palmer, J. W. Waller, Preston Akers, Bayard Waller, Henry Davis, Jacob Hugley, Revs. Perkins and Carter, the present pastor in charge. E. M. Grubbs is superintendent of the Sunday-school, which has an average attendance of about 70.

ANGRONA LODGE NO. 193, A. F. & A. M.

The dispensation of this lodge was issued in March, 1858, under which it worked until May 28, 1859, when a charter was issued. The first members and officers were A. L. Chapman, master ; Jno. W. Collins, senior warden ; Newton Fields, junior warden ; T. Everett, secretary ; S. Elgin, treasurer ; R. H. Moore, senior deacon ; Wm. Adams, junior deacon ; T. Y. Gill, stewart and tyler ; J. M. Allcorn, John A. Prather, Joshua Vaughn, S. Charlston, J. Johnson, John Linn, J. M. Donovan, Victor W. Tooley, D. E. Yarbrough.

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

EXCELSIOR SPRINGS.

The site of Excelsior Springs was first improved and redeemed from its primeval condition by an old Mormon immigrant some 40 years ago. In time the little narrow valley along the east fork of Fishing river, on which the town stands, became a wheat field. For many years the people of the vicinity had known that a mineral spring ran out from the north bank of the creek, but they had never believed that it possessed remarkable curative powers. They called the water " copperas water." This spring is the one now called Excelsior Spring.

According to an historical and descriptive pamphlet issued by the town company in 1882, Excelsior Spring was discovered in June, 1880, and found by the merest accident to possess medicinal properties. Harvesters engaged in cutting wheat where the town now stands found a stream of clear cold water issuing from the bank of Fishing river, and remarked that there was a mineral taste to it. A negro standing by, who was badly afflicted with scrofula, heard the ensuing discussion on the healing qualities of mineral springs, and resolved to try the water of this one on himself.

A few weeks' use of the water effected a complete cure, to the great astonishment of all who knew the circumstances of his case.

Other persons in the neighborhood, afflicted with various ailments, were also induced by a vague hope to try the water, and it was found to be equally efficacious in rheumatism, liver complaints, diseases of the kidneys and bladder, dyspepsia and piles.

The fame of the spring was noised abroad, until the attention of J. V. B. Flack, D. D., a prominent minister of Missouri City, was called to the matter. He listened to the various statements of cures effected, examined the spring, and became sufficiently interested to have an analysis of the water made by Wright & Merrill, of St. Louis.

Chemistry showed that the mineral properties of the water were those to which science has always attributed the greatest curative power. The evidence was strong enough to convince the most skep- tical. In the meantime the tidings had spread from farm to village, and from village to city, until, before the close of the season, hundreds of invalids were encamped among the neighboring groves and quar- tered with the hospitable farmers

Dr. Flack advised the owner of the land, Mr. A. W. Wyman, to lay out a town and sell such of his property as would be needed for the accommodation of health seekers ; and finally, becoming part proprietor, he undertook the management of the new enterprise.

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

The town was surveyed about September 1, 1880, by County Surveyor Thomas B. Rogers.

The first building of any kind in the place was a small confectionery, a " peanut stand," conducted by James Pierson. The second build- ing was Flynn's grocery store. The first general store building was put up by Dr. Flack in the winter of 1880 and 1881, and the store was opened in February of the latter year with a $2,000 stock. The build- ing is still standing, on the northwest corner of Broadway and Main street. The second store was M. G. Froman's, on the west side of Main street. The first hardware store was owned by Stapp & Snapp, and conducted by the junior partner, J. W. Snapp.

The first hotel was the " Cottage Home," built by Mr. Riggs, on the west side of Broadway and Main, in the fall of 1880. The " Excelsior House " was completed in the spring of 1881 by Joe Wert and A. W. Wyman. Mr. Wert was the first landlord.

The first school was taught in the spring of 1881 by Mrs. Robert Caldwell and Miss Susie Hyatt in a shed-room owned by Mr. Prather. Some time in the fall of 1880 Dr. Flack preached the first sermon and conducted the first religious services in a grove near town. Near the same time (fall of.1880) there was a large political meeting in the grove, in the creek bottom, which was conducted under the auspices of the Democrats. It was during the famous Allen-Crisp contest, and Col. Crisp, Judge Dunn and Dr. Flack were among the speakers. The post-office was established in March, 1881, and was at first and for about two years thereafter called Viginti, instead of Excelsior Springs. The first postmaster was J. B. Holton ; the second, D. O. McCray.

In the spring of 1881 a boom was begun in Excelsior Springs, and kept up during the summer. Indeed, the town was built nearly to its present proportions within a year after it started. In the spring of 1882 a Union Church was built, the first in the place. Here all de- nominations united in religious services under the Christian Union organization, with Rev. J. V. B. Flack, D. D., as pastor. The organ- ization now has a membership of 180, A Sabbath-school in connec- tion -Dr. G. W. Fraker superintendent - has about 100 scholars. The Baptist church was partially built in the fall of 1884. It is not yet entirely completed. The opera-house was built in the spring of 1882.

The first child born in Excelsior Springs was Rolla Holt, a son of Mr. and Mrs. P. G. Holt. The first death was that of a traveling man in the spring of 1881. He was an invalid, and came to the

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

springs for temporary relief, - and obtained relief from all earthly ills. The first physician was Dr. S. T. Bassett, of Richmond, for- merly of St. Louis, and who now resides in Richmond.

In the spring of 1881 the hack running between Vibbard, on the Wabash Railroad, and Excelsior Springs was robbed three miles east of Excelsior by a band of brigands, suppose to be connected with the James boys' gang. Less than $50 in money and a few watches, etc., were taken from the few passengers. The incident was widely re- ported in the public press and served to advertise the springs, and so in the end was of more advantage to the town than detriment.

February 7, 1881, Excelsior Springs was incorporated by the county court as a village, the site comprising all of the northeast quarter of the southwest quarter of section 1, township 52, range 30 - 40 acres in all. The first trustees were William Riggs, J. D. Graham, W. C. Corum, L. P. Garrett and W. B. Smith. Kugler's addition com- prises the northwest quarter of the southeast quarter, and Farris, Dunn & Isley's part of the southeast quarter of the southwest quar- ter of the same section.

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Author: Publication date: 1885 Publisher: St. Louis : National Historical Co. Number of Pages: 1156

Author:
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: St. Louis : National Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1156