USA > Missouri > Caldwell County > History of Clinton and Caldwell Counties, Missouri > Part 2
USA > Missouri > Clinton County > History of Clinton and Caldwell Counties, Missouri > Part 2
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Stucker, Mr. and Mrs. Abram
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Stuckey, Samuel L.
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Thomson, Frederick M.
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Thomson, Mrs. Frederick
M.
and
Family
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Van Olinda, J. D. and Wife.
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Van Olinda, J. Willie and Wife
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Williams, Thomas J. and Family
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Wilhoit, William M.
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Young, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J
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CARRIE POLK JOHNSTON
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PART I. History of Clinton County
CHAPTER I.
ABORGINES OF NORTHWEST MISSOURI.
INDIAN TRIBES WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI-EASTERN TRIBES-WARFARE AMONG INDIAN TRIBES-THE MISSOURIS-THE OSAGES, SACS, FOXES AND IOWAS- AMONG THE WHITES-POTTAWATTOMIES-KICKAPOOS-REMINISCENT OF INDIANS.
The Sioux or Dakotas, who includes the Missouris, the Otoes, the Kansas, the Iowas, the Osages, the Winnebagoes and many others, were settled west of the Mississippi to the Rocky Mountains and beyond, and north of the Arkansas into British America, and even beyond and west of the Pecos River.
The tribes of the Algonquins occupied and held all of New England and the northern states east of the Mississippi, and all of Canada, extend- ing their possessions north to and east of the Great Salt Lake. Among the hundreds of tribes included in this family were the Sacs and Foxes, the Pottawotomies, the Shawnees and the Kickapoos.
Between the tribes bordering on the Mississippi of the two great nationalities, respectively, referred to above, tradition tells us that almost constant warfare was waged. This we know was the case for years after the French and Spanish came.
True, tribes of the same family often went to war against each other, and sometimes one side or the other would call in the half of a tribe of another family, as was the case at the battle of the Little Platte. But
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this, probably, was rarely resorted to. Among the Indianas, for genera- tions before the white man came, the Mississippi was the dividing line between the two great peoples of the North and West.
The Missouris .- To this fact, probably, it was largely due that the Missouris, a powerful tribe who owned and occupied the Missouri River country for miles on either side, and up to the Iowa line and far beyond it was due to this, perhaps, their border situation and consequent inter- minable wars in which they were compelled to engage, that they were gradually exhausted and ruined, and finally hardly less than exterminated. This great tribe, distributed throughout all this region of country, and that gave their name to the mighty river, the Missouris, who stood up a powerful nation when the Indians were heroic and great, with the war- like Sacs and Foxes on the one hand and the fearless Osages on the other -they the original proprietors according to our earliest knowledge of the soil which we are proud to call our own, had already virtually passed away when first we came, and other tribes had succeeded to their titles and their homes.
In 1764, according to Col. Boquet, the Missouris numbered 3,000 fighting men and were considered one of the principal tribes on this side of the Mississippi. But in 1833 they had been nearly or quite broken up as a tribe, and had been consolidated with the Otes. Their principal village was on the Missouri just below the mouth of the Grand.
The Osages, the Sacs and Foxes, and the Iowas .- The ruin of the Missouris left their territory a fruitful source of contention among the Osages, the Sacs and Foxes, and the Iowas.
The Sacs and Foxes were one of the most powerful tribes (for they were practically one tribe) of the Northwest. They were originally located in the Lake Michigan country, but afterwards they extended their claims to the Missouri.
The Iowas were another important tribe, situated on the upper Mis- souri in Iowa. They very naturally claimed the upper part of the Mis- souris country, which included what is now Platte Purchase, or all between Clay County's west line from the Iowa line down and to the Missouri River on the west.
Among the Whites .- The government, when it came to deal with the Indians in this locality, recognized the title of the Sacs and Foxes and of the Iowas to the country, and treated them accordingly. A part
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of the latter tribe continued to occupy a portion of the Platte below the Iowa line until about the time of the "Purchase", in 1837. Some 200 or more of the Sacs and Foxes were also here, and continued here until they disposed of their interest in their country to the United States at the same time the Iowas disposed of theirs. After the "Purchase" they were removed to their reservations with the others of their tribe across in Kansas.
Pottawotomies .- A band of several hundred Pottawotomies were also here for a time-kept here by the government, for about 18 months in 1837-38. While here they were located on what is now called the Potta- wotomie Prairie, about 15 miles north of Platte City, and on the bottom and bluffs opposite Ft. Leavenworth. In 1838 another band of this tribe passed through from their former homes in Illinois. All of the Potta- wotomies were removed to reservations provided for them on the Kansas River.
Kickapoos .- A band of Kickapoos were the only other Indians known to have ever resided in what is now Platte County, and they were there only temporarily. They were sent there by the government in 1837, and remained there but a few months, pending arrangements for their settle- ment on a reservation west of the Missouri. The Kickapoos were sta- tioned at the falls of the Platte, now the site of Platte City.
They were a band of Shawnees, and came originally from the Wabash Country. Their progenitors, however, the Shawnees, were originally found .
in Ohio, where the whites first crossed the Alleghanies. There was an Issue House for supplying Indians with produce in that country now Platte County, and a post-trader station at Smithville in Clay County, 1837.
Reminiscent of the Indians .- According to information gathered from Mr. Alfred Owens, an old resident in 1885 of Platte County, now at rest with his fathers, the Indians for the most part were generally peacably disposed toward the whites except Iowas. "Whitecloud" was their chief, who died in old age. His son, Frank, succeeded him, and married a daughter of Joseph Robidoux, a French half-breed and the first settler of the city of St. Joseph, Mo., 1826. Robidoux's mother was an Iowa Indian.
The chief settlement of the Iowas was about three and one-half miles north of Agency Ford, in Buchanan County. The principal village of the Sacs and Foxes was at Old Sparta, in Buchanan County. Metellacup, a noted brave of this tribe, was a thoroughly honest man, and the chief of
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the tribe, Sourkut, was a man of fine presence and strong natural intelli- gence, was high-minded and had the respect and confidence of both the Indians and the whites." When Mr. Owens was a mere boy his father removed to the Indian agency at Smithville, near the border of the state, and there he had excellent opportunity to observe and study the character and habits of the Indians.
Dr. Marion Todd, another old citizen of Platte County, in 1885 is quoted as saying, "Wonbunsee" was the war chief of the Pottawotomies, and Caldwell, a French half-breed, their council chief. Wonbunsee's wife was a white woman, Sally Slocum. Caldwell, whose father had been a British officer, was always a bitter enemy at heart to the United States. He had also served in the British army. He was present at the battle of the Thames, where Tecumseh was killed. During the Florida war he strongly sympathized with the Seminoles, and it was only the impossi- bility of his reaching them that prevented him from joining them. He was about 60 years of age (in 1837) and was a man of fine physique, and well educated. The Pottawotomies were here only a short time, and came from Illinois."
The short story of the Aborigines as given here is taken from an old history of Clay and Platte, and is given that the reader may more clearly understand and fully appreciate the peoples and conditions that governed the settlers in this and other border counties of Missouri. And these untoward conditions, and to say the least uncooperative tribes, made it quite necessary to the settlers' welfare that a more convenient and less dangerous access to the Missouri River be arranged.
CHAPTER II.
LOCATION AND ENVIRONMENT.
CLINTON COUNTY TAKEN FROM CLAY-NAMED IN HONOR OF DEWITT CLINTON- INDIAN RESERVATION ON THE WEST-NO RIVER FRONTAGE-LACK OF RIVER TRANSPORTATION IN THE EARLY DAYS-REMOVAL OF INDIANS TO THE WEST-ORIGIN OF THE NAME MISSOURI-THE MISSOURI RIVER-STATE- HOOD-PLATTE PURCHASE AND CLINTON COUNTY-TREATY WITH THE INDIANS.
Clinton County was carved out of this long border strip of Missouri, called Clay County in 1833, the forty-third county organized, but now leading in certain live stock interests, and ranking high in all agricultural productions.
Settlers of Clay County had pushed over into this part, finding it a beautiful and productive country, and some very good trails were opened up from Liberty, Camden, Fort Leavenworth, and other points on the river.
When the county was set apart and organized it was given the name of Clinton, for DeWitt Clinton, who had been Governor of New York. He had been dead four years, but his name was held fit to be immortalized in this way. And what better tribute, what more lasting monument, than the name attached to one of God's fairest spots. Fair by nature, and by cultivation, and peopled by a class worthy of habitation in such a splendid domain, each year adding step by step in the onward march of culture and prosperity, until a place is held little dreamed of by the namesake of a century ago. Clay now, in 1833, reduced to what is now her limitations, had for her neighbor a part of the Indian land known now as Platte County. It was very desirable land for farming and many whites had gone over and taken up their abode. Fort Leavenworth had been estab- lished in 1827, and added the advantage of another trading post.
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Clinton County touched Platte and had what is now Buchanan County on her west. Joseph Robideaux had established St. Joseph, a little trading post, in 1827, another point on the river of advantage.
Above Buchanan County were Andrew, Holt, Nodaway and Atchison Counties, all held by the Indians above mentioned, from Iowa line to the far southwest corner of Clay County and out to the Missouri River.
To say the very least, it was fraught with greatest inconvenience, if not danger, for white men to cross this section, as was necessary to reach the river, from Clinton County, though only a good day's drive from points indicated on the river front. Our land was rich and beautiful, but inland. To us the river did not come, with its subtle suggestions of the wild majestic mountains of the West, and the romance of the Indian maidens and their lovers along the purling waters of the infant stream. The touch and personnel of the wonderful Lewis and Clark expedition in 1804 must be upon other shores. And the dreams of the far downstream, with its ever widening yellow waters lapping the feet of an advancing civilization, were not for us.
Though tucked near the elbow of this great artery of travel and commerce, we were denied the river front, with the excitement attending incoming boats, with their word from points downstream, from St. Louis with two ferry landings as far back as 1817, and her people two-thirds French, and New Orleans bright with splashes from Paris and Madrid. Ours were not the picturesque river men with the lore of their calling, nor were we to feel our imaginations burning with high inquisitiveness over the incoming boat. What friend, what immigrant, what treasure, what message? were not often on the lips or minds of the Clintonian. Nor his the burden of the reloading of products, nor his to part with those returning East. Liberty, Randolph, Fort Leavenworth and St. Joseph were to feel and know these pleasures and these pangs, and if Clinton County got the experience of river life, it must be a tale twice told, or after a dreary day of travel by pioneer methods.
And however romantic and exciting the event at the front, 40 or 50 miles, or even 30 miles, travel by horseback or with the monotonous cluck of a wagon would dim the clearest impressions of the one most willing to bring home a story new and entertaining, with his load of river town commodities. Clinton County and her neighbors were working and think- ing, and increasing in numbers, and there still flowed the river beyond the
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Indian lands. And more and more they felt the inconvenience, the handi- cap to their own progress.
The treaty between Missouri and the Indians settling the latter upon the six counties mentioned had been made in Chicago, but not yet ratified, so a correspondence was taken up by which it was hoped to change this wilderness, this home of the red man, and wild beasts of the forest, into homes and farm lands for the needs of the energetic settler, with its highways reaching advantageously the little marts along the 140 miles of river front, and Clinton County was to profit by the change.
Missouri was made a territory of the second grade June 4, 1812. It was divided into five counties, St. Charles, St. Louis, Ste. Genevieve, Cape Girardeau, and New Madrid. Her population was between 12,000 and 14,000.
It has been the teaching for all these years that Missouri means "Big Muddy" or "Muddy Water," but the Kansas City Star of the summer of 1922 gives the following, which may be well worthy a place on this page: "The 'Colyumist' in the Independence Examiner has gone digging into the back files of the Boonville Democrat and from a paper published in 1897 has discovered that the name Missouri does not mean 'Muddy Water,' as is popularly supposed, but 'Wooden Canoe.' It seems the river was first named Pe-kit-a-noui, an Indian word meaning muddy water, by Mar- quette, but in 1712 the name was changed to Missouri because a tribe of Indians of that name lived at the river's mouth. The word Missouri be- longs to the Illinois dialect of the Algonquin -Indian language. The tribe known by that name were 'the people who use wooden canoes' to the Indians .- Kansas City Star."
The Missouri River has ever been fickle and uncertain in the minute details of its often insiduous windings, has held mainly to a southeasterly course along the western border of what is now Missouri. This great river of 3,000 miles in length, coming on with majestic sweep of yellow waters through a valley of one-half million and more square miles of the greatest and richest cultivated region in the world, descends 7,000 feet in her course from Montana to St. Charles, bisects Missouri, the center state in point of location and admission, holding one-third of her domain in a great crotch with the Mississippi, as this great stream crosses the last state of its wanderings.
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HISTORY OF CLINTON AND CALDWELL COUNTIES
Missouri was proclaimed a state Aug. 10, 1821, by President Monroe, and had 17 counties. In January, 1822, Clay County was organized and extended from the middle of the channel of the Missouri River north to the Iowa line, then quite indistinct owing to the wild condition of the country. This made Clay County the whole border land on the west for Missouri.
Platte Purchase and Clinton County .- In January, 1835, the Hon. L. F. Linn, then a United States senator from the State of Missouri, took up correspondence with authorities concerning this little strip of land, 100 miles on its east line, 150 miles on the west, following the meanderings of the river, and 15 miles average breadth. It was fully set forth by the Indian agent, Maj. John Dougherty, that it was not suitable as an Indian reservation, but was necessary additional land for Missouri with the fine natural boundary line of the Missouri River. The several tribes agreed to the idea and were willing to take a like portion of land west of the river.
From the full text of the treaty it is found that the United States, through the hands of William Clark, superintendent of Indian affairs, paid the Indians $7,500 in money at the signing at Fort Leavenworth. And the United States promised to furnish the Iowas and Sac and Foxes five comfortable houses, break for them 200 acres of ground, furnish them with a farmer, a blacksmith, schoolmaster, and interpreter, agricultural implements for five years, rations for one year, one ferry boat, 100 cows and calves, five bulls, 100 stock hogs, when they required them, to furnish a mill, and $500 on moving expenses.
This record gives it as finished Sept. 17, 1836, signed by William Clark, 27 Indians and 12 witnesses, at Fort Leavenworth. This done and Platte County folk returned to await organization of that county, which had a phenomenal rush. Clinton County folk were free to go across the newly acquired land and to help to make St. Joseph the substantial city it is today, and scatter from Weston, once the far west market and shipping station of the United States, many of her honors and glories to other settlements springing up along the river.
CHAPTER III.
NATURAL RESOURCES.
RESOURCES AS THE PIONEER FOUND THEM-OPPORTUNITIES-COAL-BRICK- CLAY-STONE-OIL.
The natural resources of an undeveloped country include not only what the first settlers saw, but also whatever they found-whatever proved to their benefit or assistance in their struggle with the wilderness, the location of groves for shelter, the quality and use of timber, for fuel, building and implements, the abundant native grasses for grazing and forage, such game as was native to the country, the fish of its streams and the natural sources of good water, the stone for foundation work, the temperature, the rain fall and the quality of the soil. For none of these things did the pioneers bring with them. ( Clinton County was rich in grass land for pasture and hay stack. The early settler could have his wood lot at one hand and his cow lot at the other. As to game, if the earliest comers had the greater loneliness and the more privations, they also had more venison, more turkeys, grouse and pheasants, and possibly more time for fishing. They also found a well watered country, rivers, creeks, and springs, enough for all, distributed over the entire county. They found stone for all necessary uses. They found a growing climate, a sufficient rainfall and a responsive soil. Live stock throve and crops were abundant. Food for man and beast became plentiful.
Thus it will be seen that Clinton County, in common with all North- west Missouri, was rich in resources quickly available to the early set- tler, while the potential resources native to the county, were beyond any power of estimation possible to the first residents. What could they know of timothy, of red clover, of blue grass, of high class stock, of creamery and poultry shipments ? To those natural resources which aided the set- tlers in their plans for permanent occupation, should be added some that tended to relieve pioneer life from monotony and to impart to it a sporting
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HISTORY OF CLINTON AND CALDWELL COUNTIES
flavor, as the locating of her, trees, the gathering of wild fruits and nuts, and the hunting and trapping of fur bearing animals. Though this phase of life has little to do with permanent civilization, it was probably very interesting and profitable, since it seems a trustworthy conclusion that the region was early relieved of any inroads from Indian hunters.
The early settlers beheld a rich soil, an open country, ready for sub- jection, and promising both speedy and enduring rewards to the labor and intelligence of civilized man. To the pioneers of vision it probably ap- peared a land of promise, a place of splendid possibilities, an empire of opportunities, where one could work in hope, and where dreams might come true. With all its natural resources it was still a wilderness, pro- ducing nothing for the comfort and progress of humanity.
Coal .- There have from time to time been a few spasms at boring for coal over near Cameron and other places, but the results have not justified the hopes of the most enthusiastic.
Clay .- Clay is found along the streams that makes very fine brick. Some of the older houses are built of native burned brick. The dwelling of Mrs. Robert Scearce was originally built for R. W. Hockaday, and at the same time his business house, two-story, occupied now by John O'Brien, implements, etc., were built of native clay made and burned near the Sante Fe trestles in 1878 or 1879.
Stone .- Very good building stone is found along the streams, and lately Porter & Adams are crushing a limestone just north of the Court House, making a fertilizer, which is considered of much value to certain soils. And perhaps 25 years ago a soft pumice-like stone was ground into a polishing powder and sold under the name of "Trimbleite" for the M. J. Trimble, the promoter. It was ground at what is now Davis' Mill, Platts- burg.
Oil .- Ambitions in oil, too, have been thwarted several times, as drills were made near Lilly. But what matter? We have as good a farm country as the face of the earth can show, and why puncture it with oil wells, scar its face for coal, spoil its otherwise beautiful landscape with derricks. We have not reached the heights yet attainable in the develop- ment of the resources within sight, which energy, ambition and education might bring to us, and the attaining of which will not only make Clinton County the more able to enjoy what she has, but to acquire that which she has not been able to call a natural blessing and resource.
CHAPTER IV.
Organization of County and Townships.
ACT OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY-SEAT OF JUSTICE- REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS- APPOINTMENT OF FIRST OFFICERS-COURT PROCEEDINGS-SALE OF LOTS- ORGANIZATION OF ORIGINAL TOWNSHIPS-SHOAL TOWNSHIP-PLATTE-LA- FAYETTE-LATHROP-CONCORD-ATCHISON-JACKSON-CLINTON-HARDIN.
Clinton County was organized by act of the General Assembly of Missouri in 1833 and its boundary defined as follows: "The portion of territory heretofore attached to the County of Clay, in the State of Mis- souri, lying within the following boundaries, to-wit: Commencing at the northwest corner of the County of Clay, running thence with the boundary line of the state north, to the middle of township fifty-seven; thence with the middle of said township east, to the boundary line of said tract, so attached to Clay County; thence with the said boundary south, to the Clay County line; and thence with the said line to the beginning, be, and the same is hereby declared to be a separate and distinct county, to be known and called by the name of Clinton, in honor of DeWitt Clinton, of New York."
David R. Atchison, John Long and Howard Everett were appointed commissioners for the purpose of selecting the seat of justice for said County of Clinton; and the said commissioners were vested with all the powers granted to commissioners, under the law entitled, an act for the organizing of counties hereafter established, approved Jan. 14, 1825. The act took effect Jan. 2, 1833.
On Jan. 15, 1833, John P. Smith, Archibald Elliott and Stephen Jones were appointed and commissioned justices of the County Court for the county. The following is the report of commissioners: "To the Honorable Judge of the Clinton Circuit Court: The undersigned commissioners ap- pointed by the Legislature of the State of Missouri to select and designate
-
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HISTORY OF CLINTON AND CALDWELL COUNTIES
a place for the location of the seat of justice for the County of Clinton, do report to your honor, that they have selected the following described tract of land as a suitable place for the location of said seat of justice, to-wit: The east half of the northwest quarter of Section 24, of Township 55, Range 32, containing 80 acres. Also a tract of land beginning at a stake at the southeast corner of the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 24, Township 55, Range 32, running thence west to a stake 12 poles ; thence north to a stake 80 poles; thence east to a stake 12 poles; thence south to the beginning, containing six acres, more or less. For title papers, your honor is referred to papers marked 1, 2, and 3.
David R. Atchison, John Long, Howard Everett.
One of these commissioners, Gen. David R. Atchison, afterwards stated that it was the intention of the commissioners to locate the county seat on the 80 acres of land lying just east of the present site of Platts- burg, and upon a more elevated spot of ground. This fact being made known, a man named Walker hastened to Lexington to the land office and entered the 80-acre tract, believing by so doing that a chance was opened for a speculation. This act upon the part of Walker caused the commissioners to locate the county seat where it now is.
On the second Monday of March, 1833, the first County Court met in the County of Clinton, at the house of Laban Garrett, and there organized and set in motion the machinery necessary to its civil government.
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