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 86

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 86
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 86

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HISTORY OF WESTON COMMANDERY NO. 2.

[We copy from the records of the Grand Lodge of May, 1860.]

Officers -Sir George W. Belt, Rt. E. G. C., eminent com- mander ; Sir Ludwell R. Ringo, E. G. P., generalissimo ; Sir Jere- miah Woods, P. E. C., captain general ; Sir Rev. L. R. Downing, prelate ; Sir James N. Burnes, senior warden ; Sir James A. Ma- theney, junor warden ; Sir Leonidas M. Lawson, warder ; Sir Ben- jamin Wood, treasurer; Sir Edward G. Heriot, E. G. R., recorder ; Sir Edward Norton, standard bearer ; Sir Michael Bowman, sword bearer; Sir Charles Guenther, guard ; Sir Levi Brashears, guard ; Sir Wash T. Woods, guard ; Sir John Trollman, sentinel.

Members in 1860-Sirs T. M. Adams, Elias Barbee, Christian Beck, J. S. Brasfield, J. T. Broadhurst, Bennett Burnam, Geo. W. Berry, Casper Beechler, James D. Barbee, Benj. Bonifant, G. W.

826

HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

Culver, G. J. W .; W. Christison, A. G. Clark, O. H. P. Craig, L. W. Caples, J. J. Clarkson, S. G. Cato, Rev. R. N. Coffey, J. B. Davenport, Abraham Devin, A. J. Dawson, Wm. Davenport, P. D. Elkins, Fred Emory, Abel Gilbert, Francis Gallup, J. M. Guthrie, W. O. Gould, Fred Hawn, S. M. Hayes, G. S. B. ; H. B. Herndon, J. M. Holt, J. M. Hunter, C. C. Huffaker, J. D. Harper, J. W. Hardesty, Wallace Jackson, A. S. Johnston, Samuel Jones, Charles E. Kearney, E. C. McCarty, John Mendenhall, J. E. R. Miller, Frederick Magers, G. W. Mclaughlin, John McConnell, William A. Newman, B. F. Newhouse, Elmer Otis, Alfred Owens, Rev. E. J. Owen, E. F. Pence, W. H. Palmer, J. D. Reynerson, W. C. Reming- ton, H. T. Shlossner, G. S. ; Hugh Swaney, Warren Shaw, J. E. Sickles, L. P. Stiles, Rev. John Stone, Jarrett W. Tood, J. S. Tisdale, J. A. Thompson, J. H. Talbott, Jas. E. Walker, Joel F. Wisely, John Somers Waters, J. B. Wright, A. G. Williams, J. G. Willis, Merritt L. Young - 91 Sir Knights.

This Commandery, now numbering 91 Sir Knights, was organized under a dispensation from the Most Eminent Grand Master of the United States, on the 19th day of March, A. D. 1853. E. James Millar, formerly of Columbian Commandery No. 1, of New York, and Past Grand Junior and Senior Warden of the Grand Command- ery of that State, was the first Eminent Commander.

E. David Lindley, formerly of Greensburg Commandery, Ind., was the first generalissimo, and E. Wellington A. Cunningham, for- merly of Kentucky, was the first captain general. Those three de- voted and cherished Sir Knights opened this Commandery at the time stated, and proceeded regularly with the work.

Of James Millar, who departed this life in Weston, Mo., on the 6th day of February, 1856, it may be truly said that no better man - no more devoted or intelligent Mason - no more courteous and generous- hearted brother, ever crossed the threshold of a lodge room. He was not only a strong and beautiful pillar of the lodge - a stainless min- ister of the sanctuary of the chapter, but he was faithfully and truly a persevering pilgrim, a courageous warrior and an unfeigned peni- tent. To every quality of the conscientious Christian, he added all those that characterize the true gentleman and the good citizen. When he died, the entire community mourned ; the humblest and the proud- est knew they had lost a friend, who was without reproach and with- out guile.

David Lindley traveled a great distance in order to discharge the duty which was necessarily imposed upon him. He is cherished and

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

remembered with affectionate gratitude by all the earlier members of this Commandery, who were witnesses of his devotion to the interests of this beloved order.

Wellington A. Cunningham was a member of St. Joseph Command- ery No. 4. Never can this Commandery fail to do him honor for his many, many efforts to advance its interests and its usefulness.

The charter of this Commandery was obtained on the 19th day of September, A. D. 1853, A. O. 735.

The officers, under the charter, were installed by P. E. Com- mander, Sir Oliver Anderson, who was the duly appointed proxy of the M. E. Sir William B. Hubbard, grand master of the Grand Encampment of the United States, on the 19th of November, A. D. 1853, A. O. 735, as follows : E. Sir James Millar, commander; Sirs Jeremiah Wood, generalissimo ; Wellington A. Cunninghan, captain general ; Rev. J. B. Wright, prelate; D. P. Wallingford, senior war- den ; John S. Waters, junior warden ; Benjamin Wood, treasurer ; Thompson W. Belt, recorder; Abel Gilbert, standard bearer ; Elias Barbee, sword bearer; John C. Bell, warder ; Frederick Hawn, D. J. Thompson, M. L. Young, guards ; William Miller, sentinel.

The present membership is about 41.

Weston Royal Arch Chapter No. 4 .- Was charted October 16, 1847. The names of the charter members were James Miller, H. P. ; Bela M. Hughes, K. ; Jeremiah Wood, S .; R. G. Stevens, C. H. ; B. Holladay, P. S .; John Wilson, R. A. C., pro tem .; G. W. Culver, John Bratz, Lewis Tracy, Henry Basye, C. R. P. Wentworth, Leander Kerr, Saml. S. LaRose, John Rennie, Charles Underhill, D. A. Sutton and G. B. Sanderson. The number of the present mem- bership is 41.

Adelphi Lodge No. 365, A. F. & A. M. - At Edgerton, was granted a dispensation February 16, 1870, and was set to work by Samuel Russell, district deputy grand master, February 28, follow- ing. Among the chartered members were G. L. Cozine, W. M .; Thomas J. Doke, S. W. ; Richard C. Rigg, J. W. ; John T. Stone, treasurer ; Browning Mitchell, secretary, Henry Barnes, S. D .; Louis Noel, J. D., and Sam. G. Smith, tyler. The lodge was constituted under a charter November 12, 1870, by Thomas F. Norris, district deputy grand master, the officers being the same as those just given. At this time the membership numbers 45. In 1869, their first hall was occupied by them, but the one which they at present hold meet- ings in was put up in May, 1879, at a cost of $800.

In 1868 there was a lodge of the A. F. & A. M. chartered at New

828

HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

Market, the charter members being W. P. Moore, Milton Veach, W. A. Singleton, Ed. Edgar, J. B. Baughman, J. L. Johnson and Isaac Dean. An Odd Fellows' lodge was also organized about the same time, but we are unable to learn who the original members were.

Platte City Lodge No. 2382, Knights of Honor. - This lodge was organized February 28, 1881, with 25 members. Its officers were Geo. A. Warner, dictator; Thomas E. Jenkins, vice-dictator ; W. H. Hunt, assistant-dictator; J. C. Hollingsworth, reporter, S. D. Park, financial reporter ; W. J. Overbeck, treasurer ; R. W. Hower- ton, chaplain ; Sol. Davis, guide ; H. S. Yates, G. A. Warner, W. J. Overbeck, trustees, and E. C. Kemper, medical examiner. Each member has a full insurance policy of $2,000 at a cost of $9 per thousand annually. The lodge has lost but one member by death, the beneficiaries receiving the insurance money within 18 days after report of death. The present officers are H. S. Yates, dictator; Jno. C. Cooper, vice-dictator ; A. J. Morgan, assistant-dictator ; W. J. Over- beck, reporter; G. A. Warner, treasurer ; John H. Brady, chaplain ; A. Wheland, guide ; L. H. Link, E. C. Slaughter, trustees ; C. C. Kemper, medical examiner.

Iatan Lodge No. 145, 1. O. O. F. - Was instituted September 4, 1860, by John Doniphan, Esq., with the following as first officers : Harvey N. Hedge, N. G .; W. S. Robinson, V. G .; L. W. Read, sec .; G. W. Hood, treas., and G. Winters. The candidates initiated upon the evening of the organization were J. F. Hansbrough, Geo. H. Gedultig, A. S. Anno, E. P. McDaniel and A. G. Smith. The lodge hall, which was built in 1865, they now own. Owing to removals and other causes, the membership, which at one time reached the number of 50, has been reduced to 12.

Farley Lodge No. 177, I. O. O. F. - Was organized in Novem- ber, 1859, and during the first 20 years of its existence was the strongest lodge in Northwest Missouri. The charter members were Israel Heath, N. G .; James Wallace, V. G. ; L. T. Oliver, secretary ; John H. Carson, John C. Cassabaum, James E. Ireland, and J. M. Holt. The present membership is very small, its decline being occa- sioned, doubtless, to the surroundings. H. M. Burt is the present N. G., T. N. Donnigan is V. G., and C. L. Banning is treasurer.

CHAPTER XVIII. NEWSPAPERS AND JOURNALISTS.

The Eagle and the Argus - The Atlas - The Tenth Legion-The Sentinel -- The Bor- der Times - The Chronicle- Parkville Papers - The Luminary -The Courier-The Independent- Later Platte City Papers-The Reveille - The Landmark-The Demo- crat- The Advocate-The Argus - Edgerton Courier.

THE "EAGLE" AND THE "ARGUS."

In his historical sketches of Platte county Maj. Morin says the first newspaper established in the county was the Platte Eagle, published at Platte City. It was edited by Allen McLane and by E. Sanks- ton Wilkerson. We have a copy of the Eagle before us - The Platte Eagle and Weston Commercial -published at Weston, February 24, 1843. It is one of the later issues of the first volume, showing that the paper was established in 1842. It claims to be the most westerly paper published in the United States and contains official advertisements from St. Joseph and other Western-Missouri points.

At the beginning the Eagle was a twenty-column folio, printed on an inferior quality of paper and nothing extra for mechanical work or appearance. But it was edited with ability and was well managed as a business enterprise. It prospered rapidly and abundantly and 1 became one of the leading and influential public journals of Western Missouri.

Later along the Eagle changed proprietors and editors. It was edited by Gen. David R. Atchison, subsequently United States Sena- tor from this State and President of the United States Senate. He was followed on the editorial tripod by Gen. James W. Denver, after- . wards territorial Governor of Colorado, and for whom Denver City was named. .

In the meantime, the name of the paper had been changed to the Platte Argus, and it had been removed to Platte City. It was pub- lished here for several years and was bought by the Wiseley brothers. By them it was taken back to Weston and was published there until the outbreak of the war.

In 1861, after the outbreak of the war, the Argus became the organ

1 This copy of the paper is now the property of Judge Chiles, of Platte City.

(829)

830

HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

ut the Missouri State Guard, and was issued from the headquarters of the army. The paper was then called the Army Argus, and is remem- bered by every old volunteer under Gov. Jackson or Gen. Price in 1861. It was published from the headquarters of the army until after Gen. Price left the State. 1

The publication of an army newspaper, with " office in the saddle," as Gen. Pope would say, was a novel enterprise, and one that showed not less real enterprise than faith in the success of the cause to which it was devoted. The Argus deserved a better fate than be- fell it. Its publication was suspended after Gen. Price entered Kan- sas, on account of the impracticability, not to say impossibility, of issuing it during the almost constant marches in which the army was engaged.

A copy of the Argus for 1852 is before us, published at Weston. It is a handsomely printed, well edited and liberally supported (judg- ing from its advertising columns ) weekly of thirty-two columns, ap- proximately the size of the Landmark of to-day. It compares very favorably in appearance, make-up and editorial force with the better class of country journals in the State at this time.

Wilkerson was a professional journalist, a thorough newspaper man. He was a practical printer and a writer of experience and more than average ability. The paper greatly prospered under his charge, and attained a wide and enviable influence. He, himself, was a man of some prominence in the county and among journalists in this part of the State. He went to Montana during the war, and probably still resides there. McCall was his partner, and the business manager in the Eagle office.

Allen McLane in his day was one of the leading men of Western Missouri. He was a man of superior education and wide and varied information. In early life he read law and afterwards practiced his profession for a time, in which he was successful. But having a greater taste for literary work than for the profession of the law, he abandoned the law for journalism, and soon became known through- out the State as one of the most vigorous, pungent writers on the weekly press. He was the intimate associate and friend of Hon. David Atchison, Gen. Denver and other leading men of this part of the State. The success of more than one prominent public man was largely due to the influence of his pen and to his unselfish fidelity and zeal as a friend. He was a man of sanguine temperament and great spirit, not to say fiery disposition, but withal was kind-hearted and agreeable, and popular with all who had not incurred his opposition or antipathy.

831

HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

A sketch of Gen. Atchison, and also one of Gen. Denver, appears in a preceding chapter - Bench and Bar.

William Wisely was the principal member of the firm of Wisely Brothers, publishers of the Argus, at Weston, just before the war, and afterwards in the Southern army. He was a practical newspaper man, and a good, sober, matter-of-fact writer. He died at Mobile, Ala., during the war.

Other parties were perhaps connected with the Eagle or the Argus, but their names are not now recalled.

THE ATLAS.

The Atlas newspaper was established at Platte City during the " Fifties." It was also Democratic, and was conducted under its original name for several years. Finally it changed hands. Clark & Bourne became its proprietors. They changed its name to Con- servator, and published it until the spring of 1863, when it was " sup- pressed " by the military. It was charged with being disloyal, and its suppression was demanded by the Sentinel, published at Weston, an ultra loyal sheet at that time. The proprietors of the Conservator were banished South. Bourne himself afterwards returned inside of the Federal lines, but under an assumed name to avoid identity and arrest, and during the war was associated with Jno. W. Oberly in the publication of the Cairo (Ill.) Democrat. He died in St. Louis after the war, having been on the Republican as compositor for some years.

THE TENTH LEGION.

E. S. Wilkerson sold his interest in the Argus some years before the war, and was afterwards absent from the county for several years. Returning in 1861, he established the Tenth Legion newspaper at Platte City. It was destined for a short life. It opposed coercion, denounced the war against the South as a crusade of robbers and plunderers, and fell under the military guillotine. Wilkerson, as we have said, took sanctuary in Montana.

THE SENTINEL.

With the deepening of the Civil combat, the Sentinel, published at Weston, waxed great and mighty in the patriotic cause of loyalty, and smote the enemies of Kansas hip and thigh. It called for the un- conditional subjugation of "sympathizers," the silencing of "disloyal" sentiments, and lauded the achievements of Morgan, Penick and Fitzgerald as the most brilliant performances in the military history

832

HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

of the country. Confiscation of the property of Southern sympathizers was warmly and eloquently advocated, even of "the poor lean horse of the rebel."'

But the county persisted in voting the Conservative 1 ticket, never- theless, and the Conservator, published at Platte City, received the public printing. That being the case, of course the Conservator was denounced by the Sentinel as disloyal, and at the latter's instigation its office was destroyed. The Sentinel office was then moved to Platte City, and it received the public printing. After that it was in a better humor with the world in general, and the majority of the people of Platte City in particular. It became quite Conservative, and remon- strated against the general system of pillage then going on in the county.

This, however, sealed its doom. It, in turn, was denounced as dis- loyal. Another newspaper star had risen in the loyal firmament over Platte county, one of greater magnitude in the luridness of its light than any that had yet, or ever afterwards, appeared. One by one the political followers of the Sentinel turned to worship the new luminary, and left their whilom asteroidal light to shine for its new found friends alone. The Border Times praised the exploits of Jennison and Ford, demanded the confiscation of the property of the majority of the people of the county, and denounced the Sentinel as the organ of the "rebels." It asked the immediate suppression of the latter, with the transfer of the public printing to itself as a natural cor- ollary.

The Sentinel was marked, and in a few days afterwards its office was destroyed. Obituaries appeared in due time and form in the other country papers round about, on the untimely and unfortunate demise of the Sentinel. Brother A. S. Cox's experience as a war editor was brief, but stormy and eventful. The Sentinel was a well printed paper, mostly appearing weekly, and was edited and managed with some ability.

THE BORDER TIMES.

As already noticed, the Border Times came into general notice dur- ing the war. It was published at Weston. The Times was a regular Red Republican paper, but it was consistent and edited with ability. It regarded the " Rebellion," as it affectionately termed the struggle of the South for national independence, and the preservation of the

1 To call one's self a Democrat then in Western Missouri, was good for the loss of four horses, all the forage on one's place and five months in Alton or Rock Island prison. Democrats then were meek and lowly " Conservatives."

HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. 833

$2,400,000,000 worth of slave property - more than the British taxa- tion of the colonies would have amounted to in a century - as the greatest crime ever attempted, and all connected or sympathizing with it as the worst of criminals, deserving to be drawn and quartered ; and it advocated death to " rebels," in arms and out of arms, and the ruin of fortunes and families of all so-called " sympathizers." It was sanguinary, lurid and constantly writhing in the throes of a war frenzy ; but otherwise it was a newsy, sprightly paper, and edited with more than average ability. If the editor, Mr. A. G. Beller, had used more ice in his coffee than he did use, his paper probably would have been a permanent success. As it was, however, it effer- vesced and passed away a few years after the war.

THE CHRONICLE.

In 1871 the Border Times was sold and the paper was discontinued. For a short time the material was used by Mr. John T. Reynolds, and then by Mr. F. H. Brooks, in publishing at Weston a Democratic paper - The Platform. This finally ceased, and the material was sold out of the county. Soon afterward Mr. Harry Howard began and for several years successfully conducted the Weston Commercial, finally selling it to Mr. John B. Mundy. Mr. Mundy reorganized the office, changed the name of the paper to the Chronicle, and went to work with resolution and ability to build up a good paper, which he has succeeded in doing. The Chronicle is a newsy, four-page paper, issued weekly, and is Democratic in politics. Mr. Mundy is a thorough-going business manager, a vigorous, fearless writer, and has succeeded in building up one of the best country journals in West- ern Missouri. The Chronicle is an established success, and has a large and steadily increasing circulation. Its advertising business is large and profitable, better than would be expected ordinarily in a town the size of Weston. Mr. Mundy has from time to time added new material to his office, type, job presses, etc., until now he has one of the most complete and best-appointed newspaper and job offices to be met with outside of a large city. He makes a specialty of fine job work, and in this line successfully competes with Leavenworth, Kansas City and St. Joe.

The Reporter, the Keystone and the Platform were other papers that were publishhd at Weston at different times, but neither of them became a permanent success.

834

HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

PARKVILLE PAPERS - LUMINARY.

The Parkville Luminary was the first newspaper published in the town of Parkville. The first number was issued in July, 1853. It was 36 inches by 12 inches in size and independent in politics. The first editors and publishers were Geo. S. Park and James Cundiff. The last named severed his connection with the paper in 1855.

The Luminary held advanced views on the slavery question for that day, warmly opposing slavery. During the Kansas troubles its in- fluence was given to the free State side of the controversy and against the people of Platte county and of Missouri. It approved the organized efforts of Abolitionists to colonize Kansas in the interest of the free State cause, and sharply criticised the efforts of the pro- slavery advocates here and elsewhere to counteract the movement of the Abolitionists.

This greatly exasperated the great majority of the people of Platte county. At last, during a high fever of excitement, in the spring of 1855, a large gathering of citizens, including some of the most re- spectable and influential men of the county, was held at Parkville to suppress the Luminary. The office of the paper was visited, and, receiving no assurance of a more conservative course by the Luminary, the press, the type, etc., were taken possession of and thrown into the Missouri river. Further particulars of this office are given in the chapter on the Kansas troubles. The publication of the Luminary was not resumed.

PARKVILLE COURIER.

In the year 1857 the second newspaper enterprise, the Parkville Courier, was commenced in the town of Parkville by Messrs. Thomas Stearnes and F. M. McDonald as editors and proprietors. Politically it was Democratic. Mr. Stearnes discontinued his connection with the paper in 1858, after which time the paper was published and edited by Mr. F. M. McDonald until the year 1862, when its publication ceased. The name of the paper was the Parkville Weekly Courier.

Other papers perhaps have been published at Parkville from time to time prior to the establishment of the Independent, but their names are not now recollected.

PARKVILLE INDEPENDENT.

The Independent is now published at Parkville by John Gharky and J. P. Tucker, the first number of it being issued March 28, 1885.

835

HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

It is a nine-column folio paper, 28x44 inches in size, and is the largest paper ever published in Platte county. Its name indicates its charac- ter, politically and otherwise.

Mr. Gharky is a veteran printer, having owned a newspaper outfit and helped to publish a paper with it in the campaign of 1844, at Portsmouth, Ohio. In 1853 he went West and published the Pioneer at West Union, Fayette county, Iowa, until 1864. In 1862 his office was entered secretly at night, his press broken with a sledge hammer and his type scattered in the street, by returned soldiers. He pub- lished the Conservative at Memphis, Scotland county, Mo., from 1866 to 1883.

Mr. Tucker is a practical and skillful newspaper and job printer. Both are writers. of some ability, Mr. Gharky acting as editor-in-chief and Mr. Tucker as local editor, business manager and job workman. The two are well calculated to do so and they are printing a paper that is an honor to themselves and a credit to the town and county.

Typographically it is a model of neatness, and our thanks are due the editors of this paper for many courtesies extended.

LATER PLATTE CITY PAPERS - THE REVEILLE.

The Reveille was established at Platte City by Maj. Thomas W. Park and Mr. W. H. Field in July, 1866, the latter gentleman soon retir- ing. It was a twenty-eight column folio weekly, Democratic in politics.

Maj. Park, now secretary to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Inspection of Missouri, was principally reared in Platte county, but was originally from Kentucky to this county, with his parents.

He made journalism his profession, and being a man of culture and ability, he became a journalist of prominence and influence. He is a careful, chaste writer, and always expresses himself with clear- ness and force.

The three qualifications most necessary for an editor he possesses to more than an ordinary degree - large general information, accurate discriminating judgment, and a terse, spirited style of writing. His paper was always full of pith and force, and was read not as a mat- ter of habit, as many papers are, but because it never failed to con- tain something of interest and value.

Maj. Park, after publishing the Reveille with success for about five years, bought an interest in the Landmark and consolidated the offices of the two papers. The publication of the Reveille was discontinued and the Landmark was enlarged and greatly improved in make-up and worth.

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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