USA > Missouri > Cooper County > History of Cooper County, Missouri > Part 18
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The part of Captain Park's company which had been besieged in the house, finding that Anderson had drawn off his men, mounted horses, came back to Old Franklin in the night, and crossed the river in safety, although several men were missing. This part of the company knew nothing of Captain Parks until the next day, when he made his appearance. They then recrossed the river, and having recovered the bodies of their companions who had ben killed, buried them in one grave at the city ceme- tery, in the southwest part of Boonville.
In the winter of 1862 and 1863, Colonel Pope was the commander of several companies of home militia, with headquarters at the fair grounds at Boonville. They disbanded in 1863, and Colonel D. W. Wear formed a battalion and was commander of the post at Boonville. The battalion did considerable scouting, the details of which are not sufficiently known to be given.
Lieutenant-Colonel Reavis, while under Colonel Pope, learning that some Confederate recruiting forces had crossed the river, making their way in a southern direction, immediately started in pursuit and overtook them while in camp in the brush, near Thomas Tucker's house, about two miles east of Bunceton in Cooper county. He fired upon them, killing two men and wounding one. The recruits then separated and made their way out of the country by different routes. The names of the Confederates who were killed were Joshua Lampton and Jones, from Boone County. They were buried at the "Vine" or Concord church. The wounded man,
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after recovering, was paroled by Colonel Pope, and returned to his home in Boone County.
Shelby's Raid .- General Joseph Shelby, of the Confederate army, made a raid into Cooper County during the month of Oct., 1863. He passed through Otterville on the night of the 9th of said month, and burned the Pacific railroad bridge near that town. On the night of the 10th, he camped near Bell Air, in a pasture belonging to Mr. Nathaniel Leonard, and on the next day he marched to Boonville. His movements becoming known in Boonville the night before, a meeting of the citizens was called by Mayor McDeramon. After some delay, the conclusion was reached that the only alternative was to surrender the city to General Shelby. Citizens were sent out to meet him, who returned without being able to gain any information as to his whereabouts, and they conveyed the impression that he would not pay his compliments to the city during this expedition.
Therefore, his arrival at Boonville on the 11th day of October, was quite a surprise to the citizens. Several of the citizens had crossed the river into Howard County the night before, having concluded that dis- cretion was the better part of valor, that their presence in Boonville would accomplish no good, and that there would be more safety in making them- selves scarce. J. L. Stevens, R. F. O'Brien, A. H. C. Koontz, Alex Frost, D. C. Koontz, Leonard Ware and D. S. Koontz were in this party.
Just as General Shelby marched into Boonville from the south, Major Leonard, with about 250 Federal troops, appeared on the north side of the river and commenced crossing his men. The first boat load had almost reached the Boonville shore, when some one called to those in the boat that the town was full of Confederates, and that they had better retreat. The pilots immediately turned the boat around and made for the Howard shore. At this time some of Shelby's men appeared and commenced firing upon the boat with muskets. But the boat, having gotten out of reach of this fire, the Confederates brought up some artillery and opened fire on the boat, two shots striking it before it reached the shore. As soon as Major Leonard landed his forces, the artillery was turned upon them, and they were soon forced to retire beyond the reach of the shells.
At the same time, Colonel Crittenden, with about one hundred men, was seen steaming up the river in a boat, but on learning the situation of affairs at Boonville, he droped down the river and landed a short dis- tance below, in Howard county.
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General Shelby remained in Boonville the balance of the afternoon of that day, and encamped for the night west of the city on the George- town road. He came here to obtain supplies, such as clothing and pro- visions, which they found in great abundance, and which they took, wherever found. M. J. Wertheimer and Messrs. Lamy & McFadden were the greatest sufferers, each losing about $4,000 in clothing. The Con- federate troops did not molest any person during their stay ; not a single man was killed or wounded, and they were very polite and gentlemanly to every person.
While the Confederates were in Boonville, the Federals, under Gen- eral Brown, were close behind them, and on the 11th day of October, were within eight miles of Boonville, on the Bell Air road. On that day Gen- eral Brown moved a portion of his troops west to the junction of the Sulphur Springs and the Boonville and Georgetown roads, which is about seven miles southwest of Boonville. But during the night he marched his command back again to the Bell Air road, and camped near Billings- ville. The next morning after General Shelby had left, the Federals passed through Boonville in pursuit, their advance just behind the Con- federate rear guard. Two of General Shelby's men who had stopped at Mr. Labbo's house, about one and one-half miles west of Boonville to get their breakfast, were killed by some Federal scouts as they appeared at the front door, in order to make their escape.
A running fight was kept up at intervals, all along the route from Boonville to Marshall. The fight became pretty spirited between the Sul- phur Springs and Dug Ford; and at Dug Ford two Federals were killed and fell from their horses into the water. During the long running fight there was quite a number killed on each side, but the number is not known.
At Marshall, a battle took place, in which a number were killed and wounded on each side. But General Shelby succeeded in escaping from his ursuers with the loss of only a small portion of the stores which he had obtained at Boonville.
This raid, of course produced great excitement, and in the heat of passion, considerable censure was heaped upon the commanding officer, whether justly or unjustly, is left to the reader to determine. General Shelby succeeded in getting back to the lines without any great loss, but whether his entire anticipations in regard to obtaining supplies and rein- forcements were fully realized, is not known. Major Leonard and Colonel Crittenden crossed their commands over the river to Boonville about ten o'clock on the morning of the 12th, and after stopping for dinner, they
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started in the direction of Marshall. Boonville, then was once more clear of troops, and the citizens had time to gather together provisions to feed the next lot of hungry soldiers who happened to land whether Federals or Confederates. Thus ended the famous "Shelby's Raid," as far as Cooper county was concerned.
Price's Raid Into Cooper County .- The Federal troops in the fall of 1864, having all abandoned Boonville, three companies of home guards were organized for the protection of the city against what were known as the bushwhackers. Two of these companies were composed of men belonging to both parties, who had joined these companies with the understanding that they would only be required to protect the city against bushwhackers and plunderers, and would not be compelled, against their wills, to fight against the regular southern troops.
Although there were frequent alarms, the bushwhackers never attacked Boonville, but often during the war made raids through the county, in which many citizens were killed. They always took anything they wished, no matter in whose hands it was found. There were also bands of robbers moving continually through the county, who cared noth- ing for either party, and who robbed and killed without discrimination or regard to party. During the year 1864, many good citizens, belonging to each side, were shot down, first by one party and then by another, and many citizens abandoned their homes, seeking places of more security. The details of these murders and robberies are too disgraceful and sicken- ing to enumerate in this brief history.
On the 11th day of October, 1864, scouts brought information that a large hostile force was approaching Boonville. These three companies, being under the impression that these were Andersons bushwhackers, immediately erected a strong barricade across Fifth street, at Thespian hall, in Boonville. They were strengthened in the belief that these were bushwhackers from the fact that they had received a dispatch that after- noon from Mexico, Missouri, stating that General Price had been repulsed at Jefferson City, and was retreating by way of Tipton.
So these companies of home guards, expecting no quarter from Ander- son's men, prepared to sell their lives as dearly as they could, thinking anyway, that it would be certain death to fall into the hands of Bill Ander- son. Soon afterwards Shelby's command entered the town with a dash, killing a German scout near Mrs. Muir's residence, about one mile east of Boonville. The home guard fired one round at the advance guard of Shelby's command as they advanced along Vine street near the Baptist
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church, but their fire injured no one.
Learning that this was but the advance guard of General Price's large army, and that resistance would be useless, the home guards surrendered as prisoners of war. These prisoners were quartered at the court house and closely guarded, but the commissioned officers were paroled. General Shelby, with his command, entered about sundown on the above mentioned day. General Price and his staff made their headquarters at the City Hotel, on Morgan street. On Tuesday, the 13th day of October, the prison- ers were marched in front of the city hall, ranged in line, and General Price made them a speech and gave orders for their parole, on the condi- tion that if they were ever found with arms against the south they would be shot.
Price had about 20,000 men, many of them late Missouri recruits, without arms. Some of his command were well armed and drilled, but the greater part were very poorly armed. Their general conduct toward the citizens during their stay in Boonville was good.
On the night of the 13th, while Captain Shoemaker, who was on parole, was going from Capt. John Porter's house to his residence, on the corner of Central avenue and Sixth streets, he was captured by some men who were afterwards discovered to be Anderson's men, taken to the fair grounds, killed and his body thrown into the river. Two men, named Neef and Boller, were killed near their homes about four miles west of Boon- ville also a negro man who was concealed in a corn-shock on the farm of J. M. Nelson, situated two miles west of Boonville. These were all the persons killed in this part of the county, who were not slain in battle, whose names are now recollected.
Thousands of volunteers in Missouri flocked to the standard of Gen- eral Price, believing that he would be able to hold the state. The rear guard of General Price's army and the advance guard of General San- born's command, skirmished, at intervals, from Jefferson City to Boon- ville. General Sanborn's command consisted of about 4,000 mounted men. The infantry command under Gen. A. J. Smith, was also in pursuit, but never came within fighting distance of the Confederates.
There was considerable skirmishing and some hard fighting south and southeast of Boonville, during Price's three day's sojourn at that place, in which a number were killed and wounded on both sides. The Arkansas militia, under the command of General Fagan, who were left to protect
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the rear of General Price's army, were the greatest sufferers among the Confederates.
A dash was made upon General Price's outposts by a few companies of Federals, who came so near Boonville that the firing could be heard and the smoke of the battle seen from the city. General Price's artillery was brought into requisition and soon compelled the Federals to retire. The greater part of Price's regulars was then called out, and a general charge having been made all along the line, the Federal army fell back on the road leading from Jefferson City to Georgetown, via Bell Air and following that road, camped about four miles west of Bell Air, near the farm of A. J. Read.
Price's army left Boonville during the night of Oct. 14th, having remained three days. His army took all the horses in the northern part, and the Federal troops all in the southern part of the county. Both parties foraged upon the people of the county for the support of their respective armies, and left the county pretty destitute, especially of horses, hardly a good one being left. This was virtually the end of the war as far as Cooper county was concerned, no more battles being fought in it between organized armies.
Tompkin's Inn was known in the early days as a hostelry of some importance. The stage coach that used to run between Boonville and Jefferson City in the very early days, during the Civil War times, made a stop at Tompkin's Inn.
This inn was situated just below Prairie Home and was known as the Albert G. Tompkins Inn, and was located on the site of the residence of W. F. Carpenter. Here were not only the stage coach horses changed, but the hungry travelers were fed from the substantial fare of the times, and frequently were bedded for the night.
During the Civil War, a squad of Federal troops came from Boonville, and lodged at this inn one night. Captain Boswell, who lived at the time on the Henry Kuhn farm, west of Prairie Home, in command of a squad of Confederates made an attack upon these Federal troops, and in the fight Captain Boswell was wounded. A few days thereafter, he died from the effects of the wound. The Union troops had guards out, one of them being Felix Imhoff, who after faithfully patrolling his beat, until relieved, lay down on the ground, weary, and went to sleep. So sound and peaceful were his slumbers, during these war times, especially on this particular
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occasion, that the fight above referred to was all over before he came from slumberland. He was aroused from his sleep by one of the nien, and told of the fight. The story goes that he was intensely indignant because he had been thus neglected, and it was several years before he was restored to good humor. It seemed to be a matter of deep regret to him that he had missed the fun.
Captain Boswell was buried in the Pisgah cemetery and Albert G. and Tompkins, who was the proprietor of the inn, is buried about 150 yards south of the Carpenter residence.
CHAPTER XIII.
INCIDENTS OF THE WAR.
JOSEPH SIFERS KILLED-RELIGIOUS SERVICES INTERRUPTED-PETER MITZEL AND OTHO ZELLER MURDERED-JOHN DIEHL, NICHOLAS AND THOMAS COOPER KILLED-MURDER OF ELLIS AND GRAVES-KILLING OF WILLIAM MAYO BY BILL ANDERSON-THOMAS BROWNFIELD'S EXPERIENCE-McDEAR- MON AND A SOLDIER KILLED-OTHER DEPREDATIONS AND MURDERS BY BUSHWHACKERS-KROHN AND BASS KILLED-ANDERSON'S MEN AND HOME GUARDS CLASH-JOHN BALLINGER KILLED-TRAGEDIES IN CLARKS FORK AND PRAIRIE HOME TOWNSHIPS.
The following narration of the incidents and killing during the Civil war, of the citizens of our county, by lawless bands, upon either side, is doubtless correct in the main, yet in view of the considerable lapse of time since the occurrence of these events, the fallibility of the human memory, and many other circumstances which would have their effect, it would not be strange should error exist in some of the more minute details.
Considering in the order of time in which it occurred, we mention first the killing of Joseph Sifers, two miles north of Pilot Grove, which took place about the beginning of the war. He was a Union man, whose house was surrounded at night by unknown men, who demanded of him his fire- arms. Purporting to have them hidden upon the outside of his dwelling, he went out intending to discover who they were, when. doubtless, under the belief that his life was in danger, he ran, endeavoring to reach a corn- field adjacent, but in the attempt was shot down by a sentinel of the party. It was never known who perpetrated this outrage.
In the summer of 1864, during a revival meeting in the Southern Methodist Episcopal church at Pilot Grove, Captain Todd, one day during the hour of service, surrounded the building with a company of about sixty savage looking bushwhackers, who rudely entered the sacred house, stopped
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the services, and uncermoniously ejected the worshipers. After refresh- ing themselves with the eatables prepared for the occasion, and selecting such horses as they desired, from the many secured to the trees near by, they departed, taking with them two citizens, Peter Mitzel and Otho Zeller as hostages, as they called them, whose safety would depend on the good conduct of the citizens, in not pursuing, intercepting or informing on them, there being at that time, state militia stationed at various places around.
These two unfortunate men were that night barbarously butchered some miles east of Pilot Grove, near Lone Elm Prairie, and their bodies found a day or two later. Zeller had belonged to the state militia, which fact, to those who knew the character of the guerrillas, accounts for the reason of his being killed. Mitzell was loyal, though a very quiet and inoffensive man he had a short time previous, met a squad of guerrilas, and mistaking them for militia, had doubtless, indiscreetly expressed his sentiments, for which offense, in a time when men were killed for opinion's sake, he paid the forfeit with his life.
The same party of bushwhackers, returning a day or two later, passed through the German settlement three miles west of here, and killed two citizens, John Diehl and Vollmer, who, it seems, unfortunately fell into the same error as Mitzell, of mistaking them for Federal troops, as a number of them were dressed in blue.
A Mr. Nichols was killed near Bell Air, in this county, during the same summer of 1864. This act was committed by a band of Hall's state militia. Mr. Nichols was a Kentuckian, a conservative Union man, and very quiet and peaceable. The provocation of this crime, if any, was never known.
Thomas Cooper, of this vicinity, was arrested in the fall of 1864, in James Thompson's store, in Boonville, by militia, taken to a secluded spot, near the fair grounds, and brutally murdered and his body mutilated. Cooper was a southern man, and known to his neighbors as quiet, tolerant and inoffensive.
In 1861, a number of horses were taken from Mr. Richard P. Ellis, by Mulligan's men. Mr. Ellis was then living in Cooper County, on land entered by him in 1839, in Lebanon township, near Syracuse. Some time after the horses were stolen, a soldier in citizen's garb was seen to possess one of the animals, and upon it being recovered from him by Mr. Ellis, he reported to certain soldiers at Syracuse, and a squad made their appear- ance and committed some depredations in the neighborhood. The family
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of Mr. Ellis were not at home, but Mr. Ellis, deeming it unsafe to be around, started to Lexington, and placed himself under the protection of General Price's army at that place. His deepest sympathies were with the south, but he did not enter the army, as age and other matters pre- vented him. He had a son, however, who was in the Confederate army. This was in October, 1861. Matters assuming a more peaceful stage, made it safe for him to return; which he did in 1862. Upon the order calling upon all citizens to apear at the various military headquarters to enroll, he went with his neighbors to the Lamine bridge to obey. Having enrolled, he was returning with his nephew, Mr. Graves, his son, and a Mr. Veulesman, when about a quarter of a mile from the bridge, they were met by a squad of soldiers who ordered them into the woods ahead of them. They did not like either the appearance or the manner of these men, and feeling well satisfied that it was their intention to shoot them, Mr. Ellis objected. When, after some parley, the squad fired into them, killing instantly Mr. Ellis and Mr. Graves, and severely wounding Mr. Ellis' son. Mr. Veulesman escaped unhurt. Thus died Richard P. Ellis, shot down without a cause and without a moment's warning. His untimely death struck sorrow to the hearts of his many friends. He was very popular and great sympathy was felt for his grief-stricken family.
Mr. Edward H. Harris, of Pilot Grove, Missouri, has given the writer the facts relative to the killing of William Mayo. It will be seen from the account to follow that Mr. Harris had a very good reason to remember the details of this incident, though nearly eighty-eight years of age, Mr. Harris' mind is strong and active, and his memory especially good.
It was in the spring of 1864. There was no town or village of Pilot Grove at that time, yet the post-office had been given the name Pilot Grove. Samuel Roe served Uncle Sam as postmaster, and received and distributed the mail at his log residence on his farm, in what is now Pilot Grove. William Mayo was a polished gentleman, a man of considerable means, who came from Kentucky, and located within a few miles of Pilot Grove. On a beautiful spring morning, he passed by Mr. Harris' house about a mile from Samuel Roe's residence, and together he and Mr. Harris started for the mail at Samuel Roe's. They were horseback. Mr. Mayo told Mr. Harris that a few days before, a man had come to his house and demanded a horse from him, which he refused to give. Mayo seemed to think little of the incident at the time. Mr. Harris said that he thought at the time it might be some of Bill Anderson's men, and that trouble might arise therefrom. Arriving at the postoffice, they joined other
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neighbors, who had gathered upon that bright day sitting on the front porch, awaiting the arrival of the mail, and discussing the events of the day, as neighbors then did when gathered together on such occasions.
Presently some one called attention to about twenty men on horse- back, beyond where the M. K. & T. depot is now located. At this time where the depot is now located was but a pond, or small lake. Mr. Harris remarked that they did not appear to be Union soldiers. Union soldiers, however, were not far from the neighborhood.
Presently the horsemen rode up, and then it was discovered that they were Bill Anderson and his men. Those sitting upon the porch were ordered out and lined up. Anderson then called upon them for their valuables. Mr. Harris says that he remembers distinctly that a boy about fifteen or sixteen years of age passed down the line to relieve them of their possessions. When he came to him, Mr. Harris said to him, "Son, don't take that money, I had to work for it." The boy imme- diately responded, taking his pocket-book, "Well, you can work and get some more." Mr. Harris said then, "Do not take my papers." The boy then returned the papers, and at the same time handed him a dollar, saying, "This will give you a start." William Mayo wore at that time upon his person, a gold watch and chain. This he objected to giving up, when Bill Anderson fired at him with his pistol, or rather fired at his feet, evidently not intending to hit him. At this, Mayo turned, and im- mediately fled, running behind Roe's house, where he was joined by Thomas Brownfield, who had been hiding, and had not lined up with the others.
Bill. Anderson and another man on horseback pursued then, and when Anderson got to the rear of the house, he asked an old negro woman which direction they went, and she, waving her hand, said, "That way." Anderson, then on horseback, started in pursuit of Mayo, who was going in the direction of what is now known as Robert Maddox's farm, evidently attempting ot reach a thicket of plum trees. Brownfield. however, veered off to the right, and went towards Mr. Harris' farm, seek- ing some brush, and low shrubbery to hide in.
When Mayo had reached the point about where, or a little beyond Otto Kistenmacher's present residence, he turned his head, at which time Anderson, in close proximity fired at him, and shot him in the middle of the forehead, killing him instantly. The other man in pursuit of Brownfield was not so successful. After having emptied his revolver at Brownfield's fleeing figure, Brownfield immediately turned, and with
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cool courage, pointed his pistol at the trooper, which caused him to nalt. Brownfield did not shoot, knowing full well that the other men would search the country, and wreak their vengeance upon him. Instead, he fled for his life, and in the meantime, the man who was pursuing hin, reloaded his revolver, and started in pursuit. When Brownfield was climbing over a fence into Mr. Harris's farm, the pursuing horseman shot at him several times, and finally wounded him in the hand. Brown- field, however, succeeded in reaching the brush, and in its friendly shel- ter, concealed himself.
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