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 67

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 67
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 67

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).

That these hired adventurers, largely drawn from the worst ele- ments of the North, are sent here and subsisted by public and private contributions, and that they come breathing vengeance against slave- holders and the friends of slaveholders ; that already the evil influence of their presence is being felt, and that unless some vigorous, efficient means of protection is adopted, no man's fireside will be safe, no property secure ; that their purpose is not only to take possession of

634

HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

Kansas by force with guns in their hands and by fraud at the ballot box, but to render slavery impossible, even on this side of the line, in Missouri, and to carry on constant depredations in the western counties of the State, taking the lives of all who oppose them and destroying and carrying off property.

" That we must protect ourselves, and that we ought to go about it in no half-way, luke-warm 'manner - that the time for dallying has passed, the time for action is come ; that we should neither wait until we see our homes go down in ashes, nor permit our friends and brothers who have gone across the river to make their homes in good faith, to be driven out-that we should protect them in the right to live there and in the right to vote there."

Judge Galloway further said that " if the aid societies expect to capture Kansas by colonizing voters they will be disappointed, for we are nearer the territory than they are, and can send three bona fide settlers there to enter lands and make homes against every emi- grant sent by them."

In conclusion he said that he had no other feeling than that of the highest respect for free State men who came West in good faith to make their homes, and that he would go his full length to assist and encourage them ; but that the people of Platte county would not for a single day tolerate dishonest Abolitionists who came to steal negroes, destroy property and stir up strife and insurrection. He closed by counseling " action and firmness, but moderation and fairness."

Gen. Atchison next spoke and delivered a stirring and able address, and was followed by Hon. Benj. F. Stringfellow, Col. James N. Burnes and others. Resolutions were introduced and passed, setting forth the gravity of the situation and the duties of the hour, and a perma- nent organization, known as the Platte County Self-Defensive Association, was formed. The better to carry out the objects of the association, a standing executive committee was appointed.

The practical purposes of the organization, as we understand from a gentleman of this county who was one of its active members, were substantially as follows : -

1st. That there might be an understanding among, and, when necessary, a concert of action by all the citizens of the county in sym- pathy with the pro-slavery cause who were willing to stand up for their common interest ;

2d. That there might be a system of scrutinizing and reporting the particulars concerning all suspicious looking persons found in the county, whether armed or conveying arms into Kansas, whether seen hanging around negro quarters or holding secret conferences with ne- groes, whether disseminating incendiary Abolition literature, etc., etc.

3d. That any desired number of men, up to the full strength of the 1

635

HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

organization, might be called out under arms when necessary, either to pursue kidnapers of negroes or other offenders, or to go to Kan- sas for the relief of any settlement there favorable to the pro-slavery cause which the free soilers might attempt to break up in force too strong for the settlers to successfully resist.

4th. To assist, when necessary, in protecting the pro-slavery set- tlers in Kansas in the right to vote and to prevent the free soilers from carrying the elections by force or fraud ; and,

5th. As a partial off-set to the colonization scheme of the emigrant aid societies, to render such assistance as they might feel able to af- ford to pro-slavery emigrants desiring to settle or already settled in Kansas, in good faith.

The society had over 500 members, including a large number of the prominent and influential citizens of the county. In a short time it developed into a secret organization with pass-words, grips and badges. For a time the pass-word was "Kan." The badge was a skein of. bleached silky hemp tied in a button hole of the coat.

It continued as an organization, however, only about a year, its membership gradually falling off all the time until finally it disap- peared altogether. As is often the case with secret societies of a po- litical cast, or controlled by political influences, it went to some very unjustifiable extremes. Among other things that it seems a sober second thought would have prevented, a resolution or series of reso- lutions was adopted pledging the members of the association and re- questing the friends of the pro-slavery cause not to patronize in any way merchants or others who dealt with wholesale houses or other establishments not friendly to the cause, or gave any countenance or encouragement whatever to emigrant aid society emigrants.

AN ANTI-SELF-DEFENSIVE PROTEST.

This action called out a strong protest from a large number of the citizens of Weston. A meeting was held at that place September 1, 1854, and resolutions were passed denouncing the course of the Self- Defensive Association.

Mr. G. W. Gist was made chairman of the meeting and Jos. B. Evans, secretary. On motion of W. S. Murphy, J. B. Wright was requested to explain the objects for which they were assembled. Mr. Wright made an animated and telling speech,1 after which G. T. Hulse moved that a committee on resolutions be appointed. Geo. T.

1 We have not been able to find a copy of the newspaper of that date giving the substance of his remarks.

636

HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

Hulse, J. V. Parrott, Benj. Wood, E. Cody, Col. Railey, W. S. Mur- phy and A. B. Hathaway were appointed such committee.

Resolutions were drafted and unanimously adopted " disapproving the Bayliss (Self-Defensive) resolutions and urging merchants and others to trade wherever and with whomsoever they could obtain the best bargains for the interest of buyers and consumers ; declaring in favor of law and order ; expressing strong union sentiments and de- nouncing disunion, maintaining the honor and dignity of labor ; hold- ing that the Douglas bill gave all equal rights in Kansas and Nebraska ; maintaining the right to judge who should be expelled from the community and who should make laws for the town; that suspicion is not guilt and that mob law can be tolerated only when the civil law fails and then not without clear proof of guilt ; charging that the Self-Defensive Association had brought about a state of dis- cord and disputing in the county and had brought the name of the county into bad odor both at home and abroad, and requesting the papers to publish these resolutions."

CITIZENS' MEETING.

WESTON, September 1, 1854.

At a meeting of the citizens of Weston and vicinity, G. W. Gist was called to the chair, and Jos. B. Evans appointed secretary. On motion of W. S. Murphy, Mr. J. B. Wright was called on to explain the object of the meeting. Mr. Wright addressed the meeting in an eloquent and able manner.

On motion of G. T. Hulse, a committee was appointed to draft resolutions expressive of the sentiment of the meeting. The follow- ing persons were elected: Geo. T. Hulse, J. V. Parrot, Ben. Wood, E. Cody, Col. Railey, W. S. Murphy and A. B. Hathaway. Said committee retired, and after a short absence, reported the following resolutions, which were adopted by acclamation : -

WHEREAS, Our rights and privileges, as citizens of Weston, Platte county, Mo., have been disregarded, infringed upon, and grievously violated within the last few weeks, by certain members of the " Platte County Self-Defensive Association ;" and whereas, the domestic quiet to our families, the sacred honor of our sons and daughters, the safety of our property, the security of our living and persons, the " good name" our fathers left us, the " good name" of us all - and the city of our adoption -and each and all disrespected and vilely aspersed, and contemptuously threatened with mob violence; wherefore, it is imperatively demanded, that we, in mass meeting assembled, on this, the first day of September, A. D. 1854, do make prompt, honorable, effective and immediate defense of our rights and privileges as citizens of this glorious Union. - Therefore,

637

HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

Resolved, 1. That we, whose names are hereunto affixed, are order- loving and law abiding citizens.

Resolved, 2. That we are Union men. We love the South much, but we love the Union better. Our motto is -the Union first, the Union second, and the Union forever.

Resolved, 3. That we disapprove the Bayliss resolution as contain- ing nullification, disunion and disorganizing sentiments.

Resolved, 4. That we, as consumers, invite and solicit our mer- chants to purchase their goods wherever it is most advantageous to the buyer and the consumer.

Resolved, 5. That we hold every man as entitled to equal respect and confidence until his conduct proves him unworthy of the same.

Resolved, 6. That we understand the " Douglas bill" as giving all the citizens of this Confederacy equal rights and equal immunities in the Territories of Kansas and Nebraska.

Resolved, 7. That we are believers in the dignity of labor ; it does not necessarily detract from the moral nor intellectual character of man.

Resolved, 8. That we are competent to judge who shall be expelled from our community, and who shall make laws for our corporation.

Resolved, 9. That mere suspicion is not a ground of guilt ; mob- law can only be tolerated when all other law fails and then only on proof of guilt.

Resolved, 10th and lastly, That certain members of the Platte County Self-Defensive Association have proclaimed and advocated and attempted to force measures upon us contrary to the foregoing prin- ciples, which measures we do solemnly disavow and disapprove and utterly disclaim, as being diametrically opposed to common and consti- tutional law, and as having greatly disturbed and well nigh destroyed the order, the peace and the harmony of our families and com- munity,and as being but too well calculated seriously to injure us in our property and character, both at home and abroad. We will thus ever disavow and disclaim.

On motion of Samuel J. Finch, it was

Resolved, That both papers, published in the city of Weston, be requested to publish the foregoing preamble and resolutions, and all papers throughout the State, friendly to law and order, are hereby re- quested to copy the same.

J. B. EVANS,

Secretary.

Sam'l J. Finch, Wm.S.Murphy, Marcell Neale, C.G.Hartguven, Christian Rich, Henry Roney, A.B. Hathaway, John M. White, G. B. Smoot, Fred Magers, Jr, Aquilla Phy, W. H. Bell, Solomon Shell,

B. F. Shell, L. S. Meeker,

J. Weeks, J. Y. Patton, N. S. Rogers, D. V. Cauott, Wm. T. Steele, Levi Loller,

G. W. GIst, Chairman.

M. V. Snell,

John McConell, G. Beaumont, W. H. Elleston, J. C. Abbott, C. F. Hammond, John Cone, John Simmons, R. S. Watkins, J. M. Atkinson, Felix Curran,

W. Serion, James S. Harris, A. J. Lovelady, John. M. Flar,

638

HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

Jas. Osborn, James Morin, Geo. W. Gist, L. Bryam, Geo. Alcock, D. H. Stevens, W. McGay, Henry Smith, Jno. Williams, Nelson Ford,

E. Ohlhousen, Jno. Patton, Pearce Butler,

D. W. Railey, J. M. Fackler,

B. G. Linch,

A. O. Dowde, Christian Beck, W. O. Watts, Jacob W. Corman, A. G. Beller, Geo. W.Hardesty, A. G. Boyd, L. D. Bird,

Wm. Mckinney, Geo. T. Hulse, G. Johnson, P. W. Marntly, Fernando Hulse, Fred Magers, Sr., John Deitz,

Wm. Sharp, H. Tucker,

J. P. Rabbott,

C. Gookung, Henry Rosenberg, Aug'stus Kolster, Frank A. Miller,

I. Hattenbach, Ephraim Gumbert, Chas. Guenther, C. Epperson,

John Williams, Patrick Fleming, S. P. Moss,

Geo. Wuertely, John Benz,

F. Biepinger, H. C. Dunn, Robt. Barnhart, R. Meek, Jr,

A. H. Maxfield, George Wortley,

John. H. Reed, John Reece, N. Diefendorf, James Main,

James Meek

G. D. Stevenson

Elijah Cody,

T. G. Scanlon,

A. D. Kirk,

J. V. Parrott, G. Setuven,

B. Wood,

Wm. Murdock, James Beagle,

Jno. Herrmann, Andreas Noll,

Paul Sohler, Fred'k Benter, Jno. Campbell, Jas. Melhowen, Fred'k Starr, G. Z. Foor,

J. Olmstead,

R. C. Brown,

E. W. Railey,

A. C. Bell,

Ben Hughes,

J. Mayer,

Wm. Finley,

G. W. Dye,

C. R. Moffett,

Thos. Joneloc, Lewis Shouse, T.D.S.Macdonell, Jas. O'Gorman, A. Dessert, G. W. Hood, Otto Clum,

B. F. Strang,

Wm. McThay, M. Saule,

Gastan Stall,

H. Miles Moore,

P. Beaussant, A. Sporleder,

Wm. Scraer,

R. V. Ward,

C. A. Smith,

Thos. Kearney,

A. Van-der-Hoeht.

H. Ferrigan,

G. P. Farr, E. Jenkins, Jno. Silvertooth,

R. S. Merchant, Jacob Snibsonn, W. H. Mockber,

Jas. R. Conyers, B. Waller,

Joseph Finley,

J.D.Abenorcargh, Jno. M. Railey, John Murdock, A. S. Peck, Tyary Beetz,

Peter Blez,

Robert Murdock, John Herbert, Lewis Meyers, Robt. McKowen, A. Milligan,

Jacob Turn, W. S. Darneal, C. Beechler,

Jas. Owenhosser,J. N. Steel, L. Dilan,

H. B. Hodges, W. W. Wilson,

PLATTE COUNTY EMIGRATION.

During the summer and fall of 1854 there was a heavy emigration from this county to Kansas ; probably not less than 500 claims were taken on the other side of the river by Platte countians. The great rush for the rich lands of Kansas, that could be had for a mere trifle, reminded old settlers here of the early settlement of the Platte Pur- chase immediately after it was opened for settlement.

The following among other prominent citizens of the county went over during the period just mentioned : John W. Forman, R. R. Rees, David Lykins, William Barbee, James Whitlock, O. H. Brown, John

Thos. Quinn, J. F. Bruner,

Geo. Sheely,

I. Frank Bird, C. Hundley, Jacob Mettier,

639

HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

H. Stringfellow, William H. Tibbs, Allen Wilkerson, Jarrett Todd, George Quinby, Daniel Tibbs, James Doniphan, William Fox, Am- brose Pemberton, James Adkins, Dr. H. D. Oden, Judge Kuykendall, L. F. Hollingsworth, Robert Tate, Perry Fleshman.

PLATTE CITY MEETING.

All, or substantially all, who went from this county and from Mis- souri and the other Southern States were favorable to the pro-slavery cause, and were naturally very anxious to maintain Southern institu- tions in Kansas. But anti-slavery immigrants were pouring in in a constant stream, and much uneasiness began to be felt lest they should overrun the Territory. They were being sent. in large numbers by organizations of immense wealth in the North for the express purpose of making Kansas a free State. On the other hand no- organized effort was being made in Missouri or the South to counteract them - there were no pro-slavery emigrant aid societies anywhere. The Self- Defensive Association, of this county, though they discussed the subject, failed to take any action in regard to it. All the friends of slavery who went there, went at their own expense, except in rare instances where individuals received slight assistance from private parties.

Believing that the pro-slavery settlers in Kansas must inevitably be out-numbered and overawed unless something were done to counter- act the colonization scheme of the anti-slavery societies of the North, a number of the leading men of the county called a public meeting to be held at Platte City, November 6 ('54), to consider the matter and take such action as should be thought advisable.

The meeting was largely attended, many of those mentioned as be- ing present at the Weston Self-Defense meeting, attending here also. Gen. Atchison was the principal speaker. He explained what the emigrants and societies were doing : -

He said they were sending free soil voters to Kansas by hundreds, all who applied for passage ; that they provided those who wanted to settle with the means to enter land and to subsist themselves and families for a year and that even then they were to assist them fur -. ther if necessary ; that there was no attempt to conceal the fact that they were sent out to vote and make the Territory a free State; that now, just preceding the election of a delegate to Congress, they were flocking in in large numbers, and that doubtless many of them came for no other purpose than to vote and then return.

Gen. Atchison declared that this wholesale system of anti-slavery colonization must be counteracted, that the people of Platte county

640

HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

can assist materially in a counter movement and should do so ; that we have hundreds among us, especially of the young men, who would be glad of the opportunity to go to Kansas and make homes for them- selves if they were properly assisted and encouraged.

Continuing, he said that if a set of fanatics and demagogues a thousand miles off could afford to advance their money and exert every nerve to abolitionize the Territory and exclude the slaveholder, when they have not the least personal interest, " What is your duty, when you reside in one day's journey of the Territory, and when your peace, your quiet and your property depends upon your action ? You can, without an exertion, send 500 of your young men who will vote in favor of your institutions. Should each county in the State of Mis- souri only do its duty, the question will be decided quietly and peace- fully at the ballot box. If we are defeated, then Missouri and the other Southern States will have shown themselves recreant to their interest and will deserve their fate."

The meeting resulted, as popular meetings usually do, in nothing of any practical importance ; no organization for colonization was formed ; no fund to assist emigrants, worthy of mention, raised, small amounts by a number of gentlemen were contributed, but the aggre- gate was not enough to have maintained a colony for a school dis- trict.

Whatever assistance was given after this was given by individuals on their own private accounts, principally in the way of provisions and farm supplies. Even this was contributed by only a small num- ber comparatively, and cash was given even more sparingly. Many were opposed to colonization upon principle, even if the other side did resort to it, and they refused to do anything; others were in favor of directing all their energies and means to looking out for their slave property at home, providing against kidnapers and depredations in their own midst. Beside all this, colonists were by no means abund- ant - those who would consent to accept help.

FIRST ELECTIONS- PRO-SLAVERY V. ANTI-SLAVERY.

Nevertheless, the friends of slavery in Kansas proved themselves to be strong enough to carry the election by a large majority. The vote (November 29, 1854) stood : pro-slavery, 2,258 ; opposition, 575. The total vote was 2,833. According to the Territorial census of that fall the number of votes in the Territory was 2,905, or 73 more than were cast. Mr. Whitfield was elected to Congress and took his seat, with- out question.

During the following winter affairs in this county became somewhat settled, though several times there was considerable excitement caused

641

HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

by the escape or enticement away of slaves. Kansas immigrants sent out by the aid societies came over in large numbers, soliciting help - grain, provisions, etc.,- such supplies as the farmers had to spare, and they were generally not refused. Only those who were believed to be interested more in the negroes than in getting aid were turned off, and they were invariably ordered to leave the county.

Early in the following spring, however, the tide of immigration for Kansas, both pro-slavery and anti-slavery, set in again. Excitement began to increase. The election for members of the Territorial Leg- islature was appointed for the 30th day of March, 1855, and each party put a full ticket in the field. Both sides made strong efforts to carry the election, and the canvas was one of much bitterness. A number of personal encounters occurred, but without serious results. The pro-slavery ticket was again successful. Among the members of the Legislature elected were Hons. A. M. Coffey, David Lykins, William Barbee, John W. Forman and R. R. Rees, of the Council, and Hons. James Whitlock, O. H. Brown, Allen Wilkerson, William H. Tibbs and John H. Stringfellow, all formerly of this county.

In this election the anti-slavery party claimed that there was illegal voting on the pro-slavery side. There was probably illegal voting on both sides. The colonization of voters had been inaugurated, and when that is resorted to it is hardly reasonable to expect perfectly fair elections. €

On account of alleged irregularities a special election was ordered May 22, 1855, at Lawrence, Stenson, Douglass, "110," Council Grove and Leavenworth. This also resulted favorably to the pro- slavery ticket. It is not questioned that at that time the pro-slavery party had an overwhelming majority in the Territory.

THE BAD FEELING PRECEDING THE PARKVILLE "LUMINARY" AFFAIR.

A great deal of bad feeling was engendered by the elections, both in Kansas and on this side of the river. Pro-slavery settlers there felt that each contest was to decide whether or not they were to be forced to give up their homes and be driven out of the country. Those of them who had slaves very well knew that they could not live in the Territory and keep them after the anti-slavery party came into power - they could hardly keep them as it was. Those who had no slaves were not less zealous than their slaveholding friends and neighbors for the pro-slavery cause, and as a rule they would not think of living in the Territory if it was to be handed over to the free soilers.

642

HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

The anti-slavery colonists hated slavery above every thing else -ap- parently to madness. Mr. Garrison, the great apostle, very well expressed their feelings on the subject when he said : " Small-pox is a nuisance ; strychnine is a nuisance ; mad-dogs are a nuisance ; slav- ery is a nuisance ; and slaveholders are a nuisance ; it is our busi- nes, nay, it is our duty, to hate nuisances ; we propose, therefore, with the exception of strychnine, to exterminate this catalogue from beginning to end."1

On this side of the river the people, besides being relatives and friends of the pro-slavery residents of the other side, believed, and probably not without reason, that if slavery were driven out of Kan- sas there would be little security for it here -that at least their ne- groes would be rendered hardly more than valueless. They there- fore felt a deep interest in the elections in the Territory.

These causes combined to raise popular feeling to a fever heat. It seemed to be a black flag struggle on both sides.

DESTRUCTION OF THE PARKVILLE "LUMINARY " OFFICE.

Whilst the excitement was at its height in this county and the people almost or quite beside themselves, popular frenzy directed itself against a free soil newspaper office at Parkville, the Luminary, pub- lished by Mr. George Park, an old and very estimable citizen of the county.2 Mr. Park was opposed to slavery on principle, and being) a man of strong, positive convictions, and thoroughly without fear, he boldly advocated the doctrine of emancipation, and, generally, the views and policies of the anti-slavery party through the columns of his paper.

In times of great excitement men are apt to do and say a great many things - men who at other times are looked upon as the repre- sentatives of soberness and conservatism, moderation and kindness of heart; men of the highest standing, and generally of the best im- pulses - which in ordinary times they would avoid further than they would avoid death.

Mr. Park was a citizen of unquestioned estimation and worth; so were and are the citizens who were concerned in the destruction of his newspaper office - men, many of whom stand as high, and then

1 John Brown and sons, James Montgomery and a great many others afterwards proceeded to carry out this threat. Subsequently, slaveholders were not entirely exter- minated, but slavery was. It amounted to $1,414,010.00 in this county according to the assessment of 1860.

2 Mr. Park has resided in Illinois for many years.

643

HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

stood, in public esteem as any within the borders of the county, the representatives of the character, intelligence and worth of their respect- ive communities.

He believed that slavery was a crime, honestly and conscientiously believed it. They believed, not less honestly and conscientiously, that for one to say and teach that it was a crime in a community where a large number of slaves were held was itself a crime. He warmly sup- ported and encouraged the anti-slavery cause in Kansas, and causti- cally criticised the conduct of the pro-slavery adherents there and here. They thought it bad enough to be menaced with financial ruin and social and industrial revolution from beyond the river, without being reprobated in their own midst.

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.

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