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 9

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 9
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 9

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In Kansas City there were five parish churches, a hospital, a con- vent and several parish schools. In 1868 the northwestern portion of the State was erected into a separate diocese, with its seat at St.Joseph,

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

and Right-Reverend John J. Hogan appointed Bishop. There were, in 1875, in the city of St. Louis, 34 churches, 27 schools, 5 hospitals, 3 colleges, 7 orphan asylums and 3 female protectorates. There were also 105 priests, 7 male and 13 female orders, and 20 conferences of St. Vincent de Paul, numbering 1,100 members. In the diocese, out- side of St. Louis, there is a college, a male protectorate, 9 convents, about 120 priests, 150 churches and 30 stations. In the diocese of St. Joseph there were, in 1875, 21 priests, 29 .churches, 24 stations, 1 college, 1 monastery, 5 convents and 14 parish schools :

Number of Sunday Schools in 1878 2,067

Number of Teachers in 1878

18,010

Number of Pupils in 1878

139,578

THEOLOGICAL SCHOOLS.

Instruction preparatory to ministerial work is given in connection with collegiate study, or in special theological courses, at :

Central College (M. E. South) Fayette.

Central Wesleyan College (M. E. Church) . . Warrenton.

Christian University (Christian) Canton.

Concordia College Seminary (Evangelical Lutheran) .

· St. Louis.

Lewis College (M. E. Church) Glasgow.

St. Vincent College (Roman Catholic) · Cape Girardeau. . Liberty.

Vardeman School of Theology (Baptist)

The last is connected with William Jewell College.

CHAPTER XIII.

ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR CRITTENDEN.

Nomination and election of Thomas T. Crittenden-Personal Mention-Marmaduke's candidacy - Stirring events - Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad - Death of Jesse James - The Fords -Pardon of the Gamblers.

It is the purpose in this chapter to outline the more important events of Governor Crittenden's unfinished administration, stating briefly the facts in the case, leaving comment and criticism entirely to the reader, the historian having no judgment to express or prejudice to vent.

Thomas T. Crittenden, of Johnson county, received the Demo- cratic nomination for Governor of Missouri at the convention at Jeffer-

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

son City, July 22d, 1880. Democratic nomination for a State office in Missouri is always equivalent to election, and the entire State ticket was duly elected in November. Crittenden's competitors before the convention were Gen. John S. Marmaduke, of St. Louis, and John A. Hockaday, of Callaway county. Before the assembling of the convention many persons who favored Marmaduke, both personally and politically, thought the nomination of an ex-Confederate might prejudice the prospects of the National Democracy, and therefore, as a matter of policy, supported Crittenden.

His name, and the fame of his family in Kentucky - Thomas T. being a scion of the Crittendens of that State, caused the Democracy of Missouri to expect great things from their new Governor. This, together with the important events which followed his inauguration, caused some people to overrate him, while it prejudiced others against him. The measures advocated by the Governor in his inaugural address were such as, perhaps, the entire Democracy could endorse, especially that of refunding, at a low interest, all that part of the State debt that can be so refunded ; the adoption of measures to relieve the Supreme Court docket; a compromise of the indebtedness of some of the counties, and his views concerning repudiation, which he con- temned.

HANNIBAL & ST. JOE RAILROAD CONTROVERSY.

By a series of legislative acts, beginning with the act approved February 22, 1851, and ending with that of March 26, 1881, the State of Missouri aided with great liberality in the construction of a system of railroads in this State.

Among the enterprises thus largely assisted was the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad, for the construction of which the bonds of the State, to the amount of $3,000,000, bearing interest at 6 per cent per annum, payable semi-annually, were issued. One half of this amount was issued under the act of 1851, and the remainder under the act of 1855. The bonds issued under the former act were to run twenty years, and those under the latter act were to run thirty years. Some of the bonds have since been funded and renewed. Coupons for the interest of the entire $3,000,000 were executed and made payable in New York. These acts contain numerous provisions intended to secure the State against loss and to require the railroad company to pay the interest and principal at maturity. It was made the duty of the railroad company to save and keep the State from all loss on account of said bonds and coupons. The Treasurer of the State was

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

to be exonerated from any advance of money to meet either principal or interest. The State contracted with the railroad company for com- plete indemnity. She was required to assign her statutory mortgage lien only upon payment into the treasury of a sum of money equal to all indebtedness due or owing by said company to the State by reason of having issued her bonds and loaned them to the company.

In June, 1881, the railroad, through its attorney, Geo. W. Easley, Esq., paid to Phil. E. Chappell, State Treasurer, the sum of $3,000,- 000, and asked for a receipt in full of all dues of the road to the State. The Treasurer refused to give such a receipt, but instead gave a receipt for the sum " on account." The debt was not yet due, but the authorities of the road sought to discharge their obligation pre- maturely, in order to save interest and other expenses. The railroad company then demanded its bonds of the State, which demand the State refused. The company then demanded that the $3,000,000 be paid back, and this demand was also refused.

The railroad company then brought suit in the United States Court for an equitable adjustment of the matters in controversy. The $3, 000,000 had been deposited by the State in one of the banks, and was drawing interest only at the rate of one-fourth of one per cent. It was demanded that this sum should be so invested that a larger rate of interest might be obtained, which sum of interest should be allowed to the company as a credit in case any sum should be found due from it to the State. Justice Miller, of the United States Supreme Court, who heard the case upon preliminary injunction in the spring of 1882, decided that the unpaid and unmatured coupons constituted a liability of the State and a debt owing, though not due, and until these were provided for the State was not bound to assign her lien upon the road.

Another question which was mooted, but not decided, was this : That, if any, what account is the State to render for the use of the $3,000,000 paid into the treasury by the complainants on the 20th of June? Can she hold that large sum of money, refusing to make any account of it, and still insist upon full payment by the railroad company of all outstanding coupons ?

Upon this subject Mr. Justice Miller, in the course of his opinion, said : " I am of the opinion that the State, having accepted or got this money into her possession, is under a moral obligation (and I do not pretend to commit anybody as to how far its legal obligation goes) to so use that money as, so far as possible, to protect the parties who have paid it against the loss of the interest which it might accumulate,

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

and which would go to extinguish the interest on the State's obliga- tions."

March 26, 1881, the Legislature, in response to a special message of Gov. Crittenden, dated February 25, 1881, in which he informed the Legislature of the purpose of the Hannibal and St. Joseph com- pany to discharge the full amount of what it claims is its present indebtedness as to the State, and advised that provision be made for the " profitable disposal" of the sum when paid, passed an act, the second section of which provided.

" SEC. 2. Whenever there is sufficient money in the sinkiug fund to redeem or purchase one or more of the bonds of the State of Missouri, such sum is hereby appropriated for such purpose, and the Fund Commissioners shall immediately call in for payment a like amount of the option bonds of the State, known as the "5-20 bonds," provided, that if there are no option bonds which can be called in for payment, they may invest such money in the purchase of any of the bonds of the State, or bonds of the United States, the Hannibal and St. Joseph railroad bonds excepted."

On the 1st of January, 1882, the regular semi-annual payment of interest on the railroad bonds became due, but the road refused to pay, claiming that it had already discharged the principal, and of course was not liable for the interest. Thereupon, according to the provisions of the aiding act of 1855, Gov. Crittenden advertised the road for sale in default of the payment of interest. The company then brought suit before U. S. Circuit Judge Mccrary at Keokuk, Iowa, to enjoin the State from selling the road, and for such other and further relief as the court might see fit and proper to grant. August 8, 1882, Judge Mccrary delivered his opinion and judgment, as follows :

"First. That the payment by complainants into the treasury of the State of the sum of $3,000,000 on the 26th of June, 1881, did not satisfy the claim of the State in full, nor entitle complainants to an assignment of the State's statutory mortgage.

"Second. That the State was bound to invest the principal sum. of $3,000,000 so paid by the complainants without unnecessary delay in the securities named in the act of March 26, 1881, or some of them, and so as to save to the State as large a sum as possible, which sum so saved would have constituted as between the State and complainants a credit pro tanto upon the unmatured coupons now in controversy.

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

"Third. That the rights and equity of the parties are to be deter- mined upon the foregoing principles, and the State must stand charged with what would have been realized if the act of March, 1881, had been complied with. It only remains to consider what the rights of the parties are upon the principles here stated.

" In order to save the State from loss on account of the default of the railroad company, a further sum must be paid. In order to deter- mine what that further sum is an accounting must be had. The ques- tion to be settled by the accounting is, how much would the State have lost if the provisions of the act of March, 1881, had been complied with ? I think a perfectly fair basis of settle- ment would be to hold the State liable for whatever could have been saved by the prompt execution of said act by taking up such 5-20 option bonds of the State as were subject to call when the money was paid to the State, and investing the remainder of the fund in the bonds of the United States at the market rates.

" Upon this basis a calculation can be made and the exact sum still to be paid by the complainant in order to fully indemnify and protect the State can be ascertained. For the purpose of stating an account upon this basis and of determining the sum to be paid by the com- plainants to the State, the cause will be referred to John K. Cravens, one of the masters of this court. In determining the time when the investment should have been made under the act of March, 1881, the master will allow a reasonable period for the time of the receipt of the said sum of $3,000,000 by the Treasurer of the State - that is to say, such time as would have been required for that purpose had the offi- cers charged with the duty of making said investment used reason- able diligence in its discharge.

" The Hannibal and St. Joseph railroad is advertised for sale for the amount of the instalment of interest due January 1, 1882, which instalment amounts to less than the sum which the company must pay in order to discharge its liabilities to the State upon the theory of this opinion. The order will, therefore, be that an injunction be granted to enjoin the sale of the road upon the payment of the said instal- ment of interest due January 1, 1882, and if such payment is made the master will take it into account in making the computation above mentioned."

KILLING OF JESSE JAMES.

The occurrence during the present Governor's administration which did most to place his name in everybody's mouth, and even to herald

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

it abroad, causing the European press to teem with leaders announcing the fact to the continental world, was the " removal" of the famous Missouri brigand, Jesse W. James. The career of the James boys, and the banditti of whom they were the acknowledged leaders, is too well-known and too fully set forth in works of a more sensational character, to deserve further detail in these pages ; and the " removal " of Jesse will be dealt with only in its relation to the Governor.

It had been long conceded that neither of the Jameses would ever be taken alive. That experiment had been frequently and vainly tried, to the sorrow of good citizens of this and other States. It seems to have been one of the purposes of Gov. Crittenden to break up this band at any cost, by cutting off its leaders. Soon after the Winston train robbery, on July 15, 1881, the railroads combined in empower- ing the Governor, by placing the money at his disposal, to offer heavy rewards for the capture of the two James brothers. This was ac- cordingly done by proclamation, and, naturally, many persons were on the lookout to secure the large rewards. Gov. Crittenden worked quietly, but determinedly, after offering the rewards, and by some means learned of the availability of the two Ford boys, young men from Ray county, who had been tutored as juvenile robbers by the skillful Jesse. An understanding was had, when the Fords declared they could find Jesse - that they were to " turn him in." Robert Ford and brother seem to have been thoroughly in the confidence of James, who then (startling as it was to the entire State) resided in the city of St. Joseph, with his wife and two children ! The Fords went there, and when the robber's back was turned, Robert shot him dead in the back of the head! The Fords told their story to the authorities of the city, who at once arrested them on a charge of mur- der, and they, when arraigned, plead guilty to the charge. Promptly, however, came a full, free and unconditional pardon from Gov. Crit- tenden, and the Fords were released. In regard to the Governor's course in ridding the State of this notorious outlaw, people were divided in sentiment, some placing him in the category with the Ford boys and bitterly condemning his action, while others -the majority of law-abiding people, indeed, -though deprecating the harsh meas- ures which James' course had rendered necessary, still upheld th Governor for the part he played. As it was, the " Terror of Mis- souri " was effectually and finally " removed," and people were glad that he was dead. Robert Ford, the pupil of the dead Jesse, had

---

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

been selected, and of all was the most fit tool to use in the extermina- tion of his preceptor in crime.

The killing of James would never have made Crittenden many ene- mies among the better class of citizens of this State; but, when it came to his

PARDON OF THE GAMBLERS.

The case was different. Under the new law making gaminghouse- keeping a felony, several St. Louis gamblers, with Robert C. Pate at their head, were convicted and sentenced to prison. The Governor, much to the surprise of the more rigid moral element of the State, soon granted the gamblers a pardon. This was followed by other pardons to similar offenders, which began to render the Governor quite unpopular which one element of citizens, and to call forth from some of them the most bitter denunciations. The worst feature of the case, perhaps, is the lack of explanation, or the setting forth of sufficient reasons, as is customary in issuing pardons, This, at least, is the bur- den of complaint with the faction that opposes him. However, it must be borne in mind that his term of office, at this writing, is but half expired, and that a full record can not, therefore, be given. Like all mere men, Gov. Crittenden has his good and his bad, is liked by some and disliked by others. The purpose of history is to set forth the facts and leave others to sit in judgment ; this the historian has tried faithfully to do, leaving all comments to those who may see fit to make them.

HISTORY

CLAY COUNTY, MO.

CHAPTER I.

EARLY HISTORY TO THE ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY.

The Indians -The French and Spanish - First Exploration and Settlement by Amer- icans -The First American Settlers in Clay - An Indian Fight - Organization of Clay County.

THE INDIANS.

Prior to about the close of the eighteenth century the country now comprised within the boundaries of Clay county was in fundisputed possession of the Missouri tribe of Indians, who fished and trapped in its streams, hunted over its surface, and sang their songs and danced their dances with none to molest them or make them afraid. From about 1680 for a hundred years the Missouris held the north side of the river (to which they gave their name) from a point opposite the mouth of the Gasconade, on the east, out into what is now the State of Kansas. Northward their territory extended to the Des Moines river or until checked by the fierce Dakotas. Occasionally the Mis- souris crossed the river and went on the war path against the Osages, their long time enemies, whom they had first driven out of this coun- try, and again they would go far north against the tribes along the Upper Des Moines or Upper Missouri. They were warlike and aggres- sive, although they appeared to greatly enjoy a quiet life, and their forays seem to have been partly for the sake of glory, and partly for recreation, not particularly for conquest.

The name Missouri is an old one. Father Marquette, in 1680, called the tribe of Indians in this quarter, " We-Missouret," which

(87)

HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

Thivenet, his reviser, changed to On-Missouri.1 The name means muddy, or, as is said dirty, and doubtless the latter was given to the particular tribe of Indians as indicating their habits and uniform per- sonal condition ; though why the term was limited to any particular tribe can not be conjectured. It would seem that a characteristic so generally prevalent among the aborigines of America ought not to have been especially attributed to the tribe that immediately preceded the Anglo-Saxons who first settled Clay county.

But some writers say that the Missouri tribe of Indians took their name from the river, which was called muddy, and that the river was named first. To the mind of the writer the testimony is against this theory. Father Marquette called the stream Pekitanoui and the tribe We-Missouret, and the name Pekitanoui prevailed among Europeans until Marest's time, in 1712. The Recollects, the early French monks, called the stream the river of the Osages.2 Certain Indian tribes called it a name signifying mad water; other Indians termed it Nee- Shuga, or smoky water.3 But all tribes and every one acquainted with them called the Indians the Missouris, or as it was almost uni- versally pronounced, Mis-soo-rees (not " Mizzoorys"). The best testimony is that the French first called the stream the Missouri, or as stated by Charlevoix, La Riviere des Missouris- the River of the Missouris. Evidently the stream was named from the tribe, and not the tribe from the stream.

Upon the appearance of the French in this quarter of the West they almost immediately became on good terms with the Missouris. These . friendly relations were never disturbed.

THE FRENCH AND SPANIARDS.

Stoddard's Annals of Louisiana, now a rare but very valuable work, says that the old French colony of Louisiana suffered much from the war which broke out between France and Spain in 1719. Although the contest was chiefly confined to the posts on the Gulf of Mexico, the upper settlements severely felt its injurious effects. Their com- merce was interrupted, and the immense expenditures which were necessary to carry on the war impoverished both the company and the colony. The war, however, was not long carried on in a systematic manner, but as the two nations had always been competitors for the

1 Shea's Mississippi Valley, p. 268.

2 Shea, p. 38.

3 Wetmore's Gazetteer, p. 33.

HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

Indian trade, and as continual disputes arose concerning the rights of territory, they kept up a predatory war for several years.

In 1720 the Spaniards formed a design of destroying the nation of the Missouris, situated on the Missouri river, and of forming a settle- ment in their country. The object of this was to divert the current of Indian trade, and to confine the settlements of the French to the borders of the Mississippi. The Spaniards believed, that in order to put their colony in safety, it was necessary they should entirely destroy the Missouris, who were the warm and constant friends of the French ; but, concluding that it would be impossible to subdue them with their own force alone, they resolved to enter into an alli- ance with the Osages, a people who were the neighbors of the Mis- souris, and, at the same time, their most mortal enemies. With these intentions they formed a caravan at Santa Fe, consisting of men, women, and soldiers ; having a priest for chaplain, and an engineer captain for their chief conductor, with the horses and cattle necessary for a permanent settlement.

The caravan set out in 1720; but being unacquainted with the country, and not having proper guides, they mistook their way. They wandered about for some time in the wilderness, and at length arrived at the Missouris, whom they supposed to be Osages.1 Under this impression, the conductor of the caravan, with his interpreter, im- mediately held a council with the chiefs. He explained to them the object of his visit, telling them that he had come to form an alliance with their tribe, in order to destroy their common enemies, the Mis- souris! The great chief of the Missouris, concealing his thoughts upon this expedition, evinced the greatest joy. He showed the Spaniards every possible attention and promised to act in concert with them. For this purpose he invited them to rest a few days, after their tiresome journey, till he had assembled his warriors and held a council with the old men, to which the Spaniards acceded.

The boldness of the Spaniards, in thus penetrating into a country of which they had no previous knowledge, made the French sensible of their danger and warned them to provide against further encroach- ment. They suspected the intentions of the Spaniards, and determined to prevent, if possible, their being put into execution .. Accordingly, in the summer of 1721 a considerable force was dispatched from

1 This assertion rests upon the authority of several respectable writers, Du Pratz and Charlevoix among them. Maj. Stoddard, however, in his Historical Sketches of Louisiana, states that the Spaniards marched in pursuit of the Pawnee, and not the Osage villages. For the truth of this he refers to the records of Santa Fe.

HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

the French posts on Mobile Bay, under M. de Bourgmont, who as- cended the Missouri and took possession of an island in the river, about five miles below the mouth of Grand river. On this island a considerable fort was erected which was called Fort Orleans.

A sergeant among the French soldiers, named Dubois, became enamored of a woman of the Missouri tribe of Indians, a large. body of whom encamped on the north bank of the river, opposite the fort, and married her. He was afterwards placed in command of the fort.

M. de Bourgmont found the different tribes on and adjacent to the Missouri engaged in a sanguinary warfare, which not only diminished their number but interfered greatly with trade, and rendered all inter- course with them extremely hazardous. Hence it became an object to the French to bring about a general peace. And so in the spring of 1724 Bourgmont ascended the Missouri to the mouth of the " Cansez," or where Kansas City now is, and then went some leagues to the northwest among several Indian tribes. He was accompanied by a few French soldiers and a large party of friendly Indians. His object in visiting the different tribes was to invite their chiefs and head men to a grand peace council, to be held in the early summer. All the tribes received the peacemaker kindly, even joyfully, and promised to send delegates to the council. Bourgmont and his party spent some weeks in this noble endeavor.

July 3, 1724, the council came off. It was held on the Missouri at the " Cansez," then the site of the chief town of the Kansas tribe of Indians, afterward Fort Osage, now Sibley, Jackson county. All the tribes for hundreds of miles to the west, northwest and southwest sent embassadors, and the proceedings were full of interest. Bourgmont made a great speech, and the delegates of the several tribes smoked the pipe of peace, and entered into a treaty of amity and good will between themselves, promising to be always faithful and friendly and to learn war no more. M. de Bourgmont was of course the leading spirit of the council. By his urgent invitation a number of the chiefs and principal men of many of the tribes accompanied him on a visit to France, where they were highly entertained, and their attachment to the French was fully confirmed. Sergeant Dubois and his wife ac- companied this excursion party to and from Paris and Versailles, and it was on his return that the sergeant was placed in command of Fort Orleans.

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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