History of Cooper County, Missouri, Part 15

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 15

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).

The Mormon War, in 1838, created considerable excitement in the State and roused to action the citizens of Cooper County. When the Mormons first came to Missouri, they located in Jackson County, and the citizens, liking neither their doctrines nor their customs, forced them to leave. They then settled in Caldwell County. Missouri, but the citizens

165

HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY

in that part of the State, favoring them no more than did the citizens of Jackson County, determined to expel them from the State. They called upon Gov. Lilburn W. Boggs for assistance, and to furnish troops. Governor Boggs called for 7,000 volunteers to assist in driving the Mor- mons from the territory over which he had control.

In response to this call three companies were raised in Cooper Coun- ty. One, called the "Boonville Guards," composed entirely of citizens of Boonville this, under the existing laws of the State, was a standing company, and equipped at the expense of the State government. The second, a volunteer company raised at Boonville, composed of citizens of Boonville and the surrounding neighborhood. Of this company, Jessie J. Turley was captain, Marcus Williams, Jr., first lieutenant, and J. Logan Forsythe, second lieutenant. The third was raised at Palestine, the offi- cers of which are not known. Of the forces raised in Cooper County, Joel E. Woodward was brigadier general, Joseph Megguire, inspector general, and Benjamin E. Ferry, aide-de-camp to Gen. Henry W. Crowther.

These companies marched twice towards the Mormon settlement and the seat of war. The first time they marched as far as Jonesborough, Saline County, where the commanders, supposing from reports which reached them that there were sufficient troops already at the scene of war to conquer the Mormons, ordered them to return. They were shortly afterwards again ordered to the seat of war, and marched to Lexington, where they crossed the Missouri River. They then advanced about two miles into the prairie, and there camped for two days. The Mormon troops having in the meantime surrendered to Gen. John B. Clark, Sr., these companies returned home without having the pleasure of meeting the enemy or having the opportunity of testing their valor. On their arrival at Boonville these troops were disbanded.

The Mormons during this short war were commanded by General Weite, an old British officer, who fought against General Jackson in the battle of New Orleans. The Mormons, after the conclusion of this war, left the State and located at Nauvoo, Illinois, where they remained for several years. Having had a difficulty with the authorities of the State of Illinois, and their prophet and leader, Joseph Smith, having been assassinated, they again "pulled up stakes" and emigrated to the shores of the "Great Salt Lake," where they have ever since remained, believ- ing and feeling that they are a persecuted people.

The prisoners taken and retained in jail as the leaders of the Mor- mons were Joseph Smith, Lyman Weite, Hiram Smith, Sydna Regdon,

166

HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY

Roberts, Higby, and two others. These men were first imprisoned in the jail at Richmond, Ray County, and were afterwards removed to the jail at Liberty, Clay County, where they broke jail, escaped pursuit, and were never tried.

The unprecedented and most disastrous rise in the Missouri, Missis- sippi, and Illinois Rivers occurred in 1844. About the tenth of June, the river at St. Louis commenced to rise rapidly, while intelligence was received of the rising of the Illinois and Missouri Rivers, and by the six- teenth, the curbstones of Front street were under water, and the danger to property and business became quite alarming.

At first it was thought along the Missouri to be merely the usual June rise but the continued expansion of the flood soon convinced the inhabitants of its unprecedented and alarming character. All the bottom lands, or lowlands of the Missouri River overflowed and many farms were ruined, many being as much as 15 feet under water. Houses, barns and fences were swept away, and in many instances human lives were lost. In others, human beings clung to floating dwellings, or immense piles of driftwood, and some of them were rescued by passing boats, and devices improvised especially to save them. The front streets of many of the towns along the river were completely submerged. Between 400 and 500 persons in St. Louis, and vicinity were driven from their homes, and great distress prevailed.

At St. Louis the river reached its greatest height on the 24th of June. It was seven feet seven inches above the city directrix, and in its abatement the water did not reach the city directrix until the 14th day of July.

A farmer who lived in the bottom about a mile south of New Frank- lin by the name of Lloyd, waited during the rise, thinking every day that the river would reach its highest point, and did not leave his cabin, until he was compelled one morning to make a hasty exit through the roof. While getting out some of his household plunder, he spilt some corn meal on the roof of this cabin. The third day after leaving, Lloyd returned, and found to his surprise that the roof of his cabin had been transformed into a menagerie of birds and animals. Among these were a cat, a dog, a coon, a fox, a rat, two chickens, and a turkey. He ob- served that the meal was gone and was greatly surprised to find these animals living together in amity and perfect harmony. A common mis- fortune had created among them a sympathetic feeling. The presence

167

HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY

of the great flood had seemingly overawed and overpowered their antag- onistic natures, and like the lion and the lamb, of prophetic history, they were dwelling together in peace.

Another farmer who resided in the bottoms, lost a very valuable horse. The day he left his cabin, this horse was driven, with other horses, and stock, to the hills for safe keeping. Some days afterwards the horse was missing, and was not found until the waters had receded, when he was discovered, or at least such portions of him as were left, hanging by one of his hind feet in some grape vines fully fifteen feet above the ground, having on the same halter that he wore when he left. The rise of 1844 obtained a greater elevation.

History records three great disastrous floods prior to this one. The great flood of 1785, known as "L'anee des Grandes Eaux,' and the floods of 1811, and 1826; the latter being that which set the seal of fate upon the future prosperity of Franklin, now referred to as Old Franklin.

Again the tocsin of war was sounded, in 1846. In the month of May of that year, the President of the United States called for volunteers to assist in the Mexican War. One company from Cooper County was called upon to join the troops in Mexico.

The alleged cause of the declaration of war by Mexico against the United States in April, 1846, was the annexation of Texas, but the more immediate cause was the occupation by the American army of the dis- puted territory lying between the Nueces and Rio Grande River.

On the 21st day of May, of that year, the "Boonville Observer" issued the following bulletin, or "extra," which we give verbatim :

"Volunteers .- A proper spirit seems to animate the citizens of our country and especially the young men.

The call for one company from the fifth division has been promptly responded to. Forty-three volunteers were raised by General Ferry on Monday in Boonville, and on Tuesday, at Palestine, under the direction of Generals Ferry and Megguire, the number was increased to 61. They then elected their officers, and the following gentlemen were chosen:

Joseph L. Stephens, captain, without opposition, who delivered to the volunteers on that occasion a spirited and handsome address; first lieutenant, Newton Williams; second lieutenant, H. C. Levens; first ser- geant, John D. Stephens; second sergeant, William T. Cole; third ser- geant, Richard Norris ; fourth sergeant, James S. Hughes ; first corporal, Tipton Prior; second corporal, A. B. Cele; third corporal, Wesley Amick ;

168

HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY

fourth corporal, A. G. Baber. The company, thus organized, assembled in Boonville on Wednesday, where they were exercised in military duty by their accomplished and gallant young captain.

The following is a list of the privates: Thomas Bacon, Samuel D. Burnett, Jacob Duvall, Charles Salsman, Ewing E. Woolery, Heli Cook, Joel Coffee, Joel Epperson, Jesse Epperson, Hiram Epperson, John Mc- Dowell, J. R. P. Wilcoxson, T. T. Bowler, William Sullans, Horatio Bruce, William J. Jeffreys, James M. Jeffreys, Hiram Burnam, Edward S. D. Miller, John Whitley, Benjamin P. Ford, Philip Summers, George W. Campbell, Samuel R. Lemons, John R. Johnson, Thompson Seivers, Charles F. Kine, Jesse Nelson, John Colbert, Robert Rhea, Edmond G. Cook, John B. Bruce, James P. Lewis, Benjamin C. Lampton, Oliver G. Ford, U. E. Rubey, W. B. Rubey, W. H. Stephens, John M. Kelly, George Mock, Samuel . Elliott, Alpheus D. Hickerson, Edmond Eubank, Henderson C. Martin, Sprague White, William Woolsey, Martin Allison, Henry Francis, Robert H. Bowles, Justinian McFarland, Nathaniel T. Ford, James H. Jones, James C. Ross, Richard Hulett.

They departed today (Thursday) on the steamer L. F. Linn for St. Louis, where they will be armed and equipped, and immediately trans- ported to the army of occupation on the Rio Grande. Our best wishes attend them. May victory ever perch upon their banners, and may they all return to their friends full of honors, with the proud reflection that they have served their country faithfully.

When the steamer Louis F. Linn, Eaton, captain, Jewell, clerk, ar- rived in Boonville, on her downward trip, the company formed in line on the upper deck and many friends passed along the line, bidding fare- well and shaking each volunteer by the hand. The landing was crowded with people. The boat soon started, with cheers from the multitude, and waving of handkerchiefs by the ladies.

The steamer laid up for the first night at Nashville, which is about fifteen miles below Rocheport. The members of the company were all jolly fellows, and jest and laughter made the time pass pleasantly and quickly. The most of them had never been from home, and longed, with the anxiety of children, to see new countries and to take part in other than every day affairs of their lives.

Lieutenant Levers being on watch the latter part of the night after they had left Boonville, heard a terrible splash in the water, and on inquiring for the cause discovered that one of his men had fallen over- board. The deck-hands rescued him, and soon afterwards one of the

169

HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY

company folowed the example of his comrade, and was rescued by the same men. The lieutenant becoming alarmed for the safety of the men of the company, waked up the captain, informed him of what had hap- pened, and told him that if he did not take measures to prevent it he might have his company considerably diminished before they reached St. Louis, if the men continued to fall overboard as rapidly as they had commenced. The captain was greatly surprised at such unexpected acci- dents, and placed out a strong guard, which prevented any more occur- rences of the kind. The trouble was that some of the men before leaving Boonville had imbibed rather freely of intoxicants, and having never been on board of a boat before, imagined they were on land and walked off without being aware of their changed circumstances.

They arrived at St. Louis without further accident, and were quar- tered at the court-house without any blankets to cover them, or any place except the naked benches on which to sleep. Most of the company expecting to draw their clothing and blankets at Jefferson barracks, had nothing but the shirt and pants which they had worn from home.

Captain Stephen's company was mustered into service by Gen. Robert Campbell. General Taylor, having gained an important victory over the Mexicans, and it being thought that he would be able to conquer his enemies without any further reinforcements, Captain Stephens' company was ordered back, and directed to report to Adjutant General Parsons at Jefferson City, whither they hastened on the same boat, expecting orders from him to join Doniphan's expedition to New Mexico. General Parsons informed the captain that he had no, requisition for Cooper County, but to hold his company in readiness to march when called on. The members of the company were very much disappointed at being thus summarily dismissed to their homes, and felt very indignant at what they considered such shabby treatment; and though the company was ready and willing, during the whole of the war, to go to the field of battle on the shortest notice, it was not called upon. Some of the members of the company were so determined to go that they joined other companies of General Doniphan's command. The company, although gone from home only a short time, had a rough introduction to military life, having been forced to live on "hard tack" on the trip to St. Louis and return, without bedding of any kind, and many of the men without a change of clothes. Mrs. Andrews, an estimable lady of St. Louis, treated the company to as many pies as the men could eat, for which they felt always grateful to her.

But very few of the company had ever seen St. Louis, or any other

170

HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY

city, and it was a pleasing and wonderful sight to these men, who had, during all of their lives, been accustomed only to the quiet scenes of their every-day life. The company, as it passed through the streets, seemed, from the numbers who stopped to gaze at it, to attract as much attention as a fantastic company, on account of the queer costumes, arms and manners. As the company expected to draw its uniforms at the "Great City," and as the men expected to throw their citizen's suits away, they were not particular what they wore when they started from home. Most of them, being dressed in backwoods style, without uni- form or arms, made a rather ludicrous appearance to city folks. But the men cared little for that, and some of the city gents were made to meas- ure their lengths upon the pavement for their uncalled-for remarks in regard to the personal appearance and manners of the strangers.

Some of the men of the company, while in St. Louis, had a row with some merchants on Water street for insulting one of their number. After some little quarreling, the merchants threatened to have them arrested and confined in the calaboose; but they were told if that threat was executed, they would level the calaboose, and if that was not sufficient to show their power, they would level the whole city, and that they had sufficient men to accomplish that undertaking. So, the merchants, be- coming alarmed, did not attempt to have the threat executed, and the difficulty was finally arranged without any serious consequences. On their return up the Missouri River, on the same boat on which they had gone down to St. Louis, a finely dressed "gentleman" unthoughtfully made the .remark that "these soldiers were a. rough set." The officers of Captain Stephens' and Captain Reid's companies demanded that he should be put ashore, and at the next landing he was made to "walk the plank," amidst shouts and cheers from the crowd. They thus gave him an opportunity of traveling on the next boat, where, perhaps, he might meet with pas- sengers more congenial to his nature, and where he would not be forced to associate with those whom he considered beneath him in the social scale.

After this they proceeded without further incident to Boonville, where they were met by crowds of their friends and acquaintances, who. with loud cheers, welcomed them home. Soon after they arrived, the company was disbanded by the captain, with orders to be ready to as- semble and march to the seat of war on very short notice. From that time to the close of the war the members of the company were prepared at all times to march to the front, whenever their services should be

171

HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY

required, but they were never ordered forward to take part in the great struggle which had then been transferred to the enemy's country.

This is the only part the citizens, of Cooper County took in the war of 1846, and though they did not partake directly in the struggle, they showed their readiness to do so, by organizing and keeping in readiness to march a company composed of some of the best citizens.

CHAPTER XI.

CONTINUATION OF 1834-1847 AND UP TO 1861

RISE OF BOONVILLE-ERA OF PROSPERITY-KEMPER SCHOOL FOUNDED-COUNTY SEAT PERMANENTLY LOCATED-EFFORTS TO CHANGE COUNTY SEAT-MILI- TARY COMPANIES-TROUBLE BETWEEN COMPANIES-MAJOR FORSYTHE KILLED-SECOND COURT HOUSE ERECTED-DISCOVERY OF GOLD IN CALI- FORNIA AFFECTS COOPER COUNTY-McCULLOCH'S COMPANY-TEMPERANCE EXCITEMENT-SLAVERY AGITATION-PRO SLAVERY CONVENTION-CONTRO- VERSY IN KANSAS-COOPER COUNTY PRO SLAVERY-ELECTIONS OF 1856-1860.

It is not our intention, nor have we attempted to chronicle the events, that make the history of Cooper County, in absolute chronological order. Frequently historical data are so closely correlated, one with the other that we are forced to pass through a series of years to follow the logical chain of events, and are then compelled to "roll back the scroll of time" to take up another line of equally important facts. The preceding chap- ter deals with the history of Cooper County from 1834 to 1847, yet there are events of that period worthy of historical preservation not recorded therein to which we will now revert.

The period between 1830 to 1847 marks a rapid and increasing tide of immigration to Cooper County. Large wholesale establishments were established at Boonville for the purpose of supplying the great trade. of the southwest as well as to outfit and provision the great caravans bound for the Santa Fe trail. Among those who located here at that time are recalled A. L. and C. D. W. Johnson, who, in addition to their mercantile establishment operated a large grist mill which was perhaps the first flouring mill erected at Boonville; J. Mansker and Company ; N. W. Mack; Thomas M. Campbell; Charles W. Smith; Caleb Jones; Walter and H. B. Benedict, who were engaged in the sale of dry goods and groceries, etc.

173

HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY

Also Allen Porter, the druggist; H. and J. Rhea, tobacconist; H. W. Crowther, the rope-maker, which at that time seemed to be a profitable and necessary vocation; Jeremiah Rice, tanner; W. P. Roper, a saddler; Hook, a gunsmith; David Andrews, a tinner; George W. Caton, a tailor. John Dade and James Patton were among the principal hotelkeepers, yet at this time there were several others whose names we are unable to give. Isaiah Hanna was one of the blacksmiths yet there were several others at that time in Boonville and Cooper County. George C. Hart, John W. Martin and J. Mccutchen are mentioned in the early records among the physicians who were then at Boonville, yet there were a number of other physicians in other sections of the county. The first newspaper in Cooper County was also established during this period, about the year 1834 and was called the "Boonville Herald," reference to which will hereafter be made in the special chapter on newspapers. ·

The foregoing, located at Boonville, as above stated, between the years 1830-1840. From the years 1840-1850 the county enjoyed an era of prosperity that had not been known in its prior history. The census of Boonville in 1840 gave the population as 1,660. Other newspapers were established and a number of educational institutions sprang up in different sections of the county. A number of new hotels were erected among which may be recalled the City Hotel, Peter Pierce, proprietor; The Union Hotel, Lewis Bendele, proprietor; The Virginia Hotel, John Dade, proprietor; and Baley's Mansion House. These were located in Boonville. The latter house was the central office of the stage line running from St. Louis to Independence, Mo. At this time Boon- ville was the most prosperous and flourishing town west of St. Louis and the prosperity and trade of Boonville materially effected and added to the thrift and enterprise of other sections of Cooper County. Business men were attracted and among those who came to Cooper County and settled in Boonville may be mentioned E. F. Gillespie, whole- sale and retail dealer in drugs and medicines; Bremermann and Cuno, forwarding and commission merchants; Dr. William H. Trigg, forward- ing and commission merchant, extracts from whose interesting diary will be found in the preceding chapter; Moseley and Stanley, forward- ing and commission merchants; Hammond and Judd, lumber merchants ; N. Hutchison, wholesale druggist; S. D. Falls, dry goods; Thomas B. Veasey, hardware merchant; Aehle and Kuechelhan, wholesale druggists; Walter and Keill, liquors, dry goods and clothing; Nelson Jones and Com-

174

HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY

pany, dry goods, groceries, etc .; Peters and Hill, forwarding and commis- sion merchants; and Talbot and Lanny, clothing.

In the year 1844, Prof. F. T. Kemper arrived in Boonville and estab- lished here a private school laying broad and wide the foundation for the Kemper Family School which through years of prosperity and to meet changing conditions became the Kemper Military School under the super- intendency of Col. T. A. Johnston. This prosperous military school has just closed the year and celebrated its 75th anniversary with about 500 pupils and a graduating class of 77.

It was during this period, at different times, that great interest was taken by the citizens of Cooper County in changing the county seat. It will be recalled that Boonville was made the county seat and the first court house was completed in 1823. Asa Morgan and Charles Lucas, when they laid out Boonville, agreed to donate 50 acres of land to the county provided that Boonville was made the permanent county seat. Lucas, however, did not live to carry out his agreement. He was killed in a duel with Thomas H. Benton on Sept. 27, 1817, on Bloody Island near St. Louis. However, on Aug. 13, 1819, in compliance with this agree- ment a deed was executed by Asa Morgan and Mary Gilman as the executrix of Charles Lucas, deceased, conveying to the commissioners of Cooper County 50 acres of land bound on the north by the Missouri River, on the west by the west line of Main street, and on the south by Chestnut street, on the east by a line 30 feet west of Eighth street, parallel with Eighth street. This tract of land embraced all of lots num- ber 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, also what was known as , the Court House Square, being that land lying and situated between Main and Fifth streets and Sixth street and High and Court streets, and also the following lots: 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 145, 146, 147, 118, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177 (being the lot upon which the jail is located), 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 236, 237,238, 239, 240, 241, 212,2-13, 244, 245, 246, 249, 250, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, and a strip 60 feet wide off of the west side of lots 8, 63, 78, 129, 144, 183, 198, 247 and 248, all in the city of Boonville, Cooper County, Mo.

The commissioners to locate the permanent county seat were Robert Wallace, Benjamin F. Hickcox, and James Bruffee. The property above donated to the county is at this time the heart of Boonville and its value would run into hundreds of thousands of dollars.

175

HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY

Four distinct efforts were made to change the county seat from Boonville. The first attempt was made in 1832, the second in 1838, the third in 1842 and the fourth in 1844. These attempts to change the county seat resulted in spirited campaigns and aroused some temporary bitterness which is usually the result of county seat removal contests.

The third campaign (in 1842) is of some historical interest and was very bitter. The bitterness arose largely from an unfortunate occur- rence that gave soul and life to the desire to change the county seat from Boonville. It had its origin in the intense excitement existing be- tween the militia and an organization known as the "Fantastic Com- pany," of which we here give an account.

From the organization of the government of the state until the year 1847 there existed a militia law, requiring all able-bodied male citi- zens, between the ages of 18 and 45 years, to organize into companies and to muster on certain days. They had, during the year, at different times, a company, a battalion, and a general muster. A company muster was the drilling of the members of one company; a battalion muster consisted in drilling the companies of one-half of a county ; and a gen- eral muster was a meeting of all the companies of a county.

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 15

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