History of Cooper County, Missouri, Part 14

Author: Johnson, William Foreman, b. 1861
Publication date: 1919
Publisher: Topeka : Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1464

USA > Missouri > Cooper County > History of Cooper County, Missouri > Part 14

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).

Forty-one representatives met at the designated time in St. Louis at the Mansion House on the corner of Vine and Third streets and con- cluded their labors by signing the constitution that was framed on the 19th day of July. David Barton was the president of the convention. Barton was one of the ablest and most remarkable men that Missouri has ever produced. On the admission of the state into the union, he was unanimously elected to the United States Senate and it was through his influence that Benton, at the same session of the legislature, was elected to the Senate as his associate. He served in the United States Senate

153

HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY

from 1821 to 1831, was afterwards elected to the State Senate while a citizen of Cooper County, and finally ended his brilliant career by depart- ing this life, demented, at the house of William Gibson, one mile from Boonville. His remains are interred in Walnut Grove cemetery at Boon- ville.

It would be going too far afield for us to go farther into the history of the admission of our state into the Union. Suffice it to say that on the 26th day of July, 1821, the territorial Legislature of Missouri in special session adopted a solemn public act declaring assent of the state to the fundamental condition of admission and forthwith transmitted to the president a copy of same. On Aug. 10, 1821, President Monroe proclaimed the admission of Missouri into the Union to be complete and the state took its rank as the 24th of the American Republics.

CHAPTER IX.

FROM 1821 TO 1834.

SIZE OF COOPER COUNTY REDUCED-FIRST COUNTY COURT-FIRST OFFICERS- COUNTY SEAT LOCATED-FIRST COURT HOUSE-FIRST WILL PROVED-JOHN V. SHARP-ELECTIONS-PARTY LINES-FALL OF OLD FRANKLIN.

The territory of Cooper County was considerably decreased in size in Nov., 1820, by the formation of the counties of Saline, Lafayette and Cole.

The first county court held in the county was on the 8th day of Jan., 1821, and its first session was held at the house of Robert P. Clark, on High street, in the city of Boonville. This court then exercised the powers and performed the duties of the present county and probate courts. Here- tofore these duties had been performed by the Circuit Court.

The County Court continued to perform the duties of both County and Probate Court until the year 1827, when by act of the Legislature, the Probate Court was separated from the County Court, and invested with separate powers and prerogatives and was required to perform certain duties, and so continues separate till the present time.

James McNair, the governor of the Territory of Missouri, appointed as the justice of the County Court, James Bruffee, James Miller and Archi- bald Kavanaugh. Robert P. Clark was appointed by the court as its clerk, and William Curtiss as sheriff.

On the 9th day of April, 1821, Robert P. Clark produced his commis- sion from the governor, as clerk of the County Court, "during life or good behavior."

After Missouri entered into the sisterhood of states, and these officers became elected, it would seem that the people confirmed the judg- ment of Governor McNair, for they kept Clark in office during life and determined that his behavior was good.

155

HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY

George Crawford was appointed assessor and Andrew Briscoe col- lector of Cooper county. On the same day the will of Thomas McMahan, deceased, was probated, this being the first will proved before this court. Also constables were appointed for the different townships of the county as follows: Boonville township, John Potter; Lamine township, Bryant T. Nolan; Moniteau township, Martin Jennings; Clear Creek township, James C. Berry.

George C. Harte was appointed commissioner to run a dividing line between Cooper and Cole Counties.

When Messrs. Morgan and Lucas laid out the town of Boonville, they donated fifty acres to the county on condition that the commissioners selected to locate the county seat would locate the same at Boonville. The commissioners, named in the preceding chapter, located the county seat at Boonville, deeming it the best place to hold the courts. A part of the land donated by Morgan and Lucas was sold by the county, and the County Court thereupon commenced the building of a court house, which was located on the land donated to the county. It was adequate for the courts of the period and sufficient for the needs of the officers of the court.

It was a small two-story brick building, very much the style of the one recently torn down by the present generation, although much smaller. It was completed in 1823. It was torn down at the time the second court house was built, and some of the brick were used in the construction of the second court house. It will be remembered that the present court house is the third one erected by Cooper County. The second court house, which was situated on the same spot on which the old one was located, was completed in the year 1840. It was a large and commodious two-story brick building, and was situated on a high piece of ground overlooking the river, from the cupola of which an excellent view could be had of Cooper an'd Howard Counties. The present elegant court of justice occupied prac- tically the same location, being somewhat further west of the site of the second building.

The first will proved in the County Court, which then had jurisdiction in probate matters, was that of Thomas McMahan, Sr. Its quaint phrase- ology, as well as the time it was made, may interest the reader, and we here reproduce it. "In the name of God, Amen, I, Thomas McMahan, Sr., of the Arrow Rock township in Cooper County and State of Missouri, being weak in body, but of sound mind and memory, thanks be given unto God, calling unto mind the mortality of my body, etc., do make and ordain this my last will and testament. That is to say principally and first of

156

HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY

all I give and recommend my soul into the hand of Almighty God, who gave it, and my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in decent Christian burial at the descretion of my friends. And as touching such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life, I give demise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form.

First, I lend to by beloved wife, Diana McMahan, during her natural life, the whole of my estate, real and personal for her own proper use and benefit. Under the care of my executors hereinafter named.

Second. At the death of my wife, I will that all my personal estate be equally divided amongst my four children hereinafter named or their representatives. (That is) I will that all the children of my daughter, Elizabeth McGee, deceased, have one childs part equally divided amongst them. I will that my daughter, Mary McMahan, have one child's part, which I give to her and her children forever. I give to the children of my son, Samuel McMahan, deceased, one child's part of my personal estate to be equally divided amongst them as their property forever. I will that my daughter, Susannah McMahan, shall have a child's or fourth part of my personal estate to her and her heirs forever.

Third. After the death of my said wife I give and bequeath unto my son, Thomas McMahan, my negro man, Samuel, instead of giving him any part of my personal estate, which negro Samuel, I give to him and his heirs forever.

Fourth. After the death of my said wife, I give and bequeath to my son, James McMahan, my negro woman, Edey, instead of giving him any part of my personal property, which negro woman and her increase after the death of my wife, I give to him and his heirs forever; but in case either of the aforesaid negroes, Samuel or Edey, should die or he lost before the death of myself and wife then, and in that case I will that my son, Thomas or James, or both, as the case may be should have an equal child's part of my personal estate with the afore named children that are to share my personal estate, or if my negro woman, Edey, should have any living children in the lifetime of myself or wife aforesaid, I leave it with my said children to divide such increase amongst them as they may think fit and proper, or should the personal estate amount to more by valuation at the time of the division, to each share than the value of one of the said negroes then my will is that after each sharer getting the value of one of said negroes the over plus, if any, be equally divided amongst all my children or their representatives as aforesaid. And lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my two sons, Thomas McMahan and

157

HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY

James McMahan executors of this my last will and testament, requesting and enjoining it on them to faithfully execute every part of this my will and make all such dividend with the other heirs as are herein mentioned.

And I do hereby utterly disallow, revoke, and disannul all and every other former testaments, wills, legacies, bequests and executors by me in any wise before named, willed, or bequeathed, ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament-IN WITNESS whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty-first day of January in the year of our Lord 1821.

P. S .- Should myself or wife, or both, become helpless and dependent on our children, I also will that them that takes care of us should be paid for their trouble out of my personal estate before any division is further made.

THOMAS McMAHAN.

Signed and sealed in the presence of us who in his presence and at his request and in presence of each other have hereunto set our names. Peyton Nowlin, Bryan T. Nowlin, Pewton W. Nowlin."

During the year 1821, John V. Sharp, a soldier who had served in the Revolutionary War, and who was living in Cooper County, became paralyzed and as helpless as a child. He soon, not having any means of his own, became a charge upon the county. The cost of to the County Court was two dollars per day for his board and attention to him, besides bills for medical attention.

After having endeavored in vain to raise sufficient funds to take care of him, the County Court, in the year 1822, petitioned the General As- sembly of this state to defray the expenses of his support, stating in the petition, that the whole revenue of the county was not sufficient for his maintenance. This may sound strange to a person living in a county in which thousands of dollars are levied to defray its expense. But the whole revenue of the county for 1822, as shown by the settlement of the collector, was only $718, and the support of Mr. Sharp, at two dollars per day, cost $730 per year, besides the cost of medical attention, which left the county, at the end of the year 1822, in debt, without counting in any of the other expenses of the county. The petition not having been granted by the General Assembly, the court levied, for his support, during all the years from 1823 to 1828, a special tax of 50 per cent. of the state revenue tax, being an amount equal to the whole of the general county tax ; and in 1828, ten per cent. of the state revenue was levied for the same purpose. He must have died some time during the year 1828, as no further levy for his support appears upon the records of the county, thus

158

HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY

relieving the county of a burdensome tax. If these facts were not matters of record, they would seem too incredible to be believed.

In the heated contest for the presidency, between Clay and Jackson in the year 1824, Cooper County cast her vote for Clay. It was to pay a debt of gratitude to Henry Clay for his great services as a member of Congress in the struggle of the state of Missouri for admission into the Union. The vote of the county for President at this election cannot be found. Only four books of this election are obtainable. They show that Henry Clay had 136 and Andrew Jackson 53 votes according to these four poll books. Of course this was but a small part of the vote cast by the county at that election.

On the eighth day of December, 1825, there was held a special elec- tion for governor, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Frederick Bates. David Todd, the first circuit judge of Cooper County and holding that office at this time, John Miller, Wm. C. Carr and Rufus Easton were the candidates. David Todd received a large majority in Cooper County.

At the election on the first Monday in August, 1826, John Scott and Edward Bates were candidates for Congress. Scott had a majority of 124 in the county.

Michale Dunn, Jordan O'Bryan, James L. Collins and John H. Hutch- ison were candidates for representatives. Michale Dunn and Jordan O'Bryan were elected. W. H. Anderson and David P. Mahan were candi- dates for sheriff. Anderson was elected by 53 majority ; and Hugh Allison was elected coroner.

This was the first election in which party lines were closely drawn, for before that, men had voted for the man whom they considered best qualified; and not because he belonged to any party. The poll books of the presidential election could not be found, but the August election for Representative in Congress and county officers, having the same principles at issue, will show pretty clearly how the presidential election went. Therc were two tickets, viz: Adams and Jackson, and the tickets on which the men were, who were elected is marked opposite their names.

At the election in Nov., 1828, the county voted for Jackson over Adams, by a majority of about 230 votes ; and also in 1832 Jackson was re-elected, and received a large majority in this county.

It should be remembered that up to 1826, Franklin was the mart of commerce and the thriving metropolis of that section of territory formerly known as the central Boonslick country. It had sprung into opulence on the banks of the turbulent Missouri as if a magician had waved his magic

159

HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY

wand over the wilderness. It became the center of a great trade, and here the caravans destined for Santa Fe and the great southwest were equipped and supplied for that trade. Its local trade reached out for many miles in every direction, and settlers of Cooper traded and bartered there. Boonville was then but a hamlet of log cabins of the period plain, unadorned, but comfortable.

In 1826, Franklin had a population variously estimated at from 1,800 to 3,000, a substantial population in part. Some of whom, however, were of the shifting, adventurous, speculating element. It numbered among its residents wealthy, enterprising and cultured men, mostly from Tenn- essee, the Carolinas, Virginia and Kentucky, and some from the eastern states, many of whom rose to prominence, and left their ineffaceable impress upon our state.

In the spring of that year, the Missouri river overflowed its banks. Franklin was built upon shifting sand and because of its low and flat loca- tion, suffered greatly from the high water, and as well from the malaria which followed.

The constant falling in and washing away of the river banks inun- dated the buildings. This occurred to a great extent in 1826, many houses going into the river. Its citizens became satisfied that every future effort to protect the banks from the river would be futile upon their part, and thus believing, many residents and business men left the place, some of them settling in the town of New Franklin, two and a half miles back from the river in Howard County, just in edge of the hills; some in Fayette, then the county seat of Howard; and some came to Boonville, a few of the latter bringing not only their goods, but their houses.

This marked the beginning of the rapid growth of Boonville, and the time when she became the supply center for the Santa Fe trade and of the great southwest territory.

Franklin had been greatly shorn of its influence. The county seat had been moved to Fayette. Much of the business which had been trans- acted by its merchants and tradesmen had been withdrawn and turned into other channels.

James L. Collins, William Harlin, Andrew Adams and others, had located at Boonville and were conducting a successful and extensive trade with the Santa Fe country a trade which had heretofore contributed to the business of Franklin and the wealth of those who were thus engaged.

This year also marked the beginning of a rapid settlement and de- velopment of Cooper County.

CHAPTER X.

FROM 1834 TO 1847.

NATIONAL AND LOCAL POLITICS-VIGOROUS CAMPAIGNS-CLAY AND POLK-"O. K." -INDIAN ALARM-MORMON WAR-FLOOD OF 1844-MEXICAN WAR-COOPER COUNTY COMPANY.

The county gave a small majority to Martin Van Buren, in 1836. The county remained Democratic until 1840, when the Whigs made a clean sweep, electing their full ticket. Reuben A. Ewing, a Whig, was elected State Senator over David Jones, Democrat; and Jno. G. Miller, Jordan O'Bryan and Lawrence C. Stephens, Whigs, over John Miller, B. F. Hickox and Henry Crowther, Democrats, by an average majority of about 75 votes. There was great excitement during this election and politics ran very high. The Whigs held public meetings in regular order on each suc- ceeding Saturday in each township, until the full rounds were made. They had a band of music engaged for the occasion, flags and banners, with mottoes inscribed thereon also with songs appropriate for the occasion, and eloquent speakers, the prominent ones among which were John G. Miller, Jordan O'Bryan, John C. Richardson, Robert C. Harrison and others.

The Democrats, however, made little or no display, condemned the tactics of the Whigs as noisy, boisterous and unseemly ; pronounced the Whigs as deceivers and humbuggers and taunted them with using cain efforts to win votes by exciting the people. The Democrats held their meetings and had frequent public speakings without any display or show. Their candidates for the Legislature were John Miller, Benjamin F. Hickox and Henry Crowther. The campaign was lively, vigorous, stormy and frequently the personal element entered bitterly in the discussion.

The county remained Whig as long as the Whig party remained in

VIEW OF PILOT GROVE, MO.

161

HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY

existence. The last candidate on the Whig ticket was General Scott, who was succeeded by Franklin Pierce.

The campaign of 1844 was lively with more parade and ostentation on the part of the Whigs than was exhibited in 1840 or the years before. For President, Henry Clay, of Kentucky, was the nominee of the Whig party, and James K. Polk, of Tennessee, of the Democratic party.

During this exciting campaign, many songs were written, but none was more popular than the following, which was the effusion of some Boonville poet. It was written for the Boonville Register during the cam- paign of 1843.

Henry Clay and James K. Polk.

"The whigs call Henry Clay a coon, And say he'll be elected soon ; But James K. Polk will got it alone, And make old Henry walk jaw-bone. So get out of the way, old Kentucky, And clear the track for one more lucky.

"The whigs cried out for 'home pertection,' And think to gain old Clay's election. They hold conventions, shout and sing, 'Huzza for Clay!' he is our king. But get out of the way, old Kentucky, etc.

"The whigs of '40 did invent All schemes to elect their president, And were successful, it is true, But now 'humbuggery will not do. So get out of the way, etc.

"Their coon-skins and barrels of cider Have opened the people's eyes some wider ; They cannot now be gulled so soon By this very same old coon. So get out of the way, etc. (11)

162

HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY

"The squatters on the public land Will all unite into one band; . Then will the 'lawless rabble' say, You cannot come it, Henry Clay. So get out of the way, etc.

"The people of this mighty nation Will not submit to coon dictation ;

. So Mr. Clay may rest content, He never can be president. So get out of the way," etc.

Not long ago the following query appeared in the "Evening Post" of Indiana: "People constantly write the letters 'O. K.' to say all right. How did this practice originate?" The Post gave the following answer: "The practice got its start in the days of General Jackson, known to the men of his time as Old Hickory. It was said that General Jackson was not as proficient in spelling as in some other things, and so in the abbre- viating which he practised, 'O. K.' stands for 'all correct' ('Oll Korrect.') This is as near as our data at present allows us to come to the origin of the now wide practice.

Reading this answer, a gentleman who signs his initials J. W. D., addressed the editor of the "Evening Post," the following: "I note what you say about the origin of the practice of using the letters 'O. K.' to signify 'correct' or 'all right.' It seems to be that your informant is wrong. I am quite sure that this practice originated during the Clay and Polk campaign. At that time the writer was a boy, living in Boon- ville, Mo. You all know what a lively campaign the Clay and Polk cam- paign was. Mr. Clay was the idol of the Whigs, and was affectionately called 'Old Kentucky.' Those who favored his election put up their flags on ash poles, at all the cross-roads, country taverns and wood yards on the river, while the Dmocrats put up hickory poles with poke bushes at the top, the Whigs using for a flag a square of whole cloth with the letters 'O. K.' signifying 'Old Kentucky.' The Democrats used a streamer with 'Polk and Dallas,' Oregon and Texas.'

"The town of Boonville boasted two newspapers, one the 'Observer,' a Whig paper, conducted by one Caldwell, a very brilliant young man, the other the 'Boonville Register,' conducted by one Ira Van Nortrick. Toward the close of the campaign the editor of the 'Register' came out

163

HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY

in a very salty editorial, denouncing the ignorance of the Whigs and demanding to know 'What does "O. K." mean anyhow?' Caldwell came back at him with the information that he would find out 'O. K.' meant 'Oll Korrect' in November. The expression took like wildfire; the boys yelled it, chalked it on the fences. Like other slang, it seemed to fill a want, and upon the inauguration of the telegraph, in '46, the adoption of 'O. K.,' I was informed by one of the first operators in the country, Mr. E. F. Barnes, introduced to the business public, as he was one of the parties organizing the system of signals used by the company. Then it passed into general use. Of course Missouri was not the only place where Mr. Clay was called 'Old Kentucky.' A favorite song of the Whigs, both in Missouri and Kentucky, only a line or two of which I can now recall to mind, sung to the tune of 'Old Dan Tucker,' ran about thus:

" 'The balky hoss they call John Tyler, We'll head him soon, or bust a biler!' "Chorus : " 'So get out of the way, you're all unlucky. Clear the track for "Old Kentucky"!'"

An incident of this campaign, illustrative of the attendant excite- ment, and doubtless bitterness engendered among the thoughtless and reckless class, is referred to in an article we take from the "Boonville Observer." It will be noted that the "Observer" in no mincing or apolo- getic words condemns the rowdyism mentioned, though evidently com- mitted by one or more persons of its political persuasion :

"One of the most shameful acts that we have ever known perpe- trated in any community or on any occasion, was committed in this city on last Friday night, at the Whig gathering in the court-house, where a part of the convention had assembled to hear speaking. Some debased wretch during the evening cut the Howard and Lafayette banners which had the portraits of Mr. Clay on them. They were cut about the throat of the picture, and also in other places. If a Democrat used the hand and knife that slit those banners, we do not know that it would be much too severe a punishment upon him to be served likewise. No prudent Democrat can object to the Whig party's emblem or banners. It is the privilege of all parties in this country to have them, and an uplifted voice of indignation should chase the wretch who will molest the banner of his opponent when exercising only the same privilege that our insti-

164

HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY

tutions guaranteed to him. As a Democrat, we sincerely regret that so mean an act could have been committed here on that occasion. The Club here, we understand, has offered a reward of $100 for the detection of the man who committed this foul stain upon our community; and the Democrats will do their utmost also, to detect him. In the political point of view it will do no harm, but good citizens want no man who is capable of such a deed among them."

We will at this time continue no further the political history of Cooper County, but will revert to the year 1836. In that year, wild reports and rumors were circulated that the Indians had broken out, and were attacking the settlers living within the present limits of Pettis County, then part of Cooper and Saline counties, and were slaying men, women and children as they went. The excitement was great, and men began to assemble in that portion of the county to aid in the defense of the homes of their neighbors. The place of rendezvous for those who went from Cooper County was Wooley's Mill, on the Petit Saline Creek. Here they organized and elected their officers. After doing so, they marched to the supposed seat of war, but on their arrival, they found no Indians had been there, and that it had been entirely a false alarm. It was a practical joke. It seems that some men, for their own amusement, dressed themselves as Indians, and went down to a cornfield where some men were at work, and giving the Indian yell, shot off their guns, pointed in the direction of the settlers. They, supposing that the disguised men were hostile Indians, endeavoring to slay them, took to their heels, and spread the alarm, which, like a tale of scandal, traveled from mouth to mouth, and gathered momentum and new versions as it went from lip to lip. It is stated that a wealthy farmer of Cooper County, catching the alarm, buried his bacon to save it from the bloodthirsty savages. Then going to a field in which a large number of his negroes were at work waved his hand and shouted at the top of his voice, "Run, run, the In- dians will be upon you, the Indians will be upon you." The negroes tak- ing the alarm, stood not on the manner of their going, but scattered in every direction as though the frightful savages with tomahawks and hunting knives were close upon their heels.

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.

History of Cooper County, Missouri, Part 14

Author: Johnson, William Foreman, b. 1861 Publication date: 1919 Publisher: Topeka : Historical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1464

Author: Johnson, William Foreman, b. 1861
Publication date: 1919
Publisher: Topeka : Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1464