USA > Missouri > Cooper County > History of Cooper County, Missouri > Part 29
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October 25, 1875, the proprietors of the "Boonville Advertiser" com- menced the publication of a daily edition of the same, under the name of the "Boonville Daily Advertiser". The "Daily Advertiser" was discontinued March 7, 1879. Mr. Ravenel took charge of the "Advertiser" in March, 1878, as manager and local editor, and on March 7, 1879, leased the paper, and was until 1884 manager and editor. He was succeeded by Walter Wil- liams, now the dean of the College of Journalism at the State University. He in turn by Messrs. Stahl with James R. Allen, editor. Succeeding Mr. Allen as editor was Lucien Wright. Later the paper was purchased by the veteran editor Capt. C. J. Walden, who is now the manager and editor of the same.
The "Boonville Eagle", a weekly paper, was established in Sept. 1865, by Milo Blair. Sept. 28, 1875, he took Charles H. Allen into partnership with him. In politics it was republican.
The "Wachter Am Missouri", a paper published in the German language was established in 1867, by L. Joachimi. It was purchased in 1874 by F. W. Ludwig, who changed its name to the "Central Missourier". Haller was the proprietor until 1907. It suspended publication Dec. 26th, of that year. In politics it was republican.
The "Boonville News" was started October 1, 1880, by A. B. Thornton, who was afterwards killed. The paper was continued for a short time by
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his wife, Mrs. M. O. Thornton, and her daughters. It was politically, a. greenback paper.
George W. Ferrell started the "Boonville Weekly Topic", Aug. 18, 1877, and after running it about eight months, F. M. Caldwell became owner. Caldwell published the paper alone till Feb. 8, 1880, when A. B. Thornton purchased an interest. September 18, 1880, Col. H. A. Hutchison bought Thornton's interest, the paper was edited by Hutchison, and pub- lished by Caldwell & Hutchison, Caldwell as business manager. It was democratic in politics. Capt. S. W. Ravenel and William McCarty then became the owners of "The Topic" until the same was purchased by Col. William Switzler, who changed the name to the "Missouri Democrat". Switzler in turn was succeeded in the ownership of the "Democrat" by W. D. Jones, who, after running it two or three years sold it to Gordon Kapp. The Democrat was then changed to a daily and as such prospered for a year or so. The last two or three months it was edited and con- ducted by N. H. Johnson and Simpson after which Gordon Kapp, who was the owner, disposed of the property. Some time during the 80's the "Boonville Tri-weekly Star" made its appearance under the management of Bert Plant, with whom was associated at different times a number of writers and editors. The paper was of a sensational character and its columns were open to various writers. It flourished for a while and died of mental exhaustion.
The "Western Christian Union" was started a number of years ago by the Rev. E. W. Pfaffenberger, which throughout the years has been a pleasing, interesting and beneficial journal ..
The "Pilot Grove Bee" was established in 1882, the first number being issued the first week in September, by James Barton. It was a seven- column folio, and democratic in politics. This plant was purchased by J. J. Dickinson, afterwards major of the 6th Missouri regiment in the Span- ish-American War and now a prominent newspaper man in New York City, and the name was changed to the "Pilot Grove Record". He was succeeded in ownership of the paper by Traughber and he in turn by D. L. Roe and Charles Houx, D. L. Roe eventually becoming the owner. D. L. Roe after- wards sold the paper to W. F. Johnson, who after conducting it about two years disposed of it to W. R. Annan. This paper sometime during the years was changed to the "Pilot Grove Record", its present name, and through successive changes came into the possession of G. B. Harland, who is now the owner and editor.
In this history of the newspapers of Cooper County, we should not omit from the list the "Shave Tail Courier", which deserves honorable men-
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tion, because it was much esteemed by the old settlers of that day.
At an early day, Napoleon Beatty, quite an original character, lived 18 miles west of Boonville, in Cooper County, on what was called Shave Tail Creek. In that vicinity a store was located, the predominating articles of trade being tobacco and whiskey, the latter the matutinal drink of the old pioneer. Beatty was noted for his bonhommie, and was not only the recognized fiddler of the neighborhood where he resided, but was intensely fond of and well posted in all the rural games and sports of that day. Dur- ing his early manhood he was
"In wrestling nimble, in running swift; In shooting steady, in swimming strong. Well made to strike, to leap, to throw or lift, And all the sports that shepherds are among."
His fiddle was his inseparable companion, and when spending an even- ing with friends, he had the happy faculty of discoursing to them the most delightful music, always accompanying his instrument with a unique and improvised song, which was replete with wise and startling hits and felicit- ous inuendoes, touching the vulnerability of some one or more of his entranced and rustic auditors.
Beatty was the sole editor and proprietor of the "Shave Tail Courier", which appeared, at regular intervals, in manuscript form. The happenings, the sayings and the doings of the neighborhood were faithfully gathered and garnered by this original chronicler, who read aloud his paper to his admirers, in his own inimitable style. If there occurred a dance in the locality, a record of it was made in the "Courier". If a quilting party or a shooting match came off, the particulars were given in the "Courier". If a wedding took place, the event was mentioned in a recherche manner in the "Courier". The bride was the special theme for highest eulogium, and the wedded pair elicited the warmest wishes for their future happiness, in fact, the "Courier", like the good mirror, reflected not only the redoubt- able editor's views of matters and things, but reflected as well, on popular subjects, the will of the people.
The "Blackwater News" was established in Blackwater, Mo., in the seventies by Thomas Horn, who was a forceful and vigorous writer. It was conducted by him until the time of his death and is now successfully managed by his widow, Mrs. Horn.
The "Otterville Mail" of Otterville was established over twenty years ago and is now successfully and ably conducted by G. P. Garland.
The Boonville Publishing Company was organized in 1884 for the pub-
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lication of the "Central Missouri Republican". The first issue of this paper appeared July 1, 1884. Some of the prime movers and stockholders in the enterprise were Eugene Haller, Prof. A. H. Sauter, Martin Haller, and Col. C. C. Bell. Others were interested also but we have not the names at hand. This journal continued under various editorial management until about 1904 when Mitchell and Mitchell became the owners, who after con- ducting the paper a year or so, sold it to John M. Grimes, who in turn sold it to Meadow. In a short time, however, Mitchell again became the pro- prietor and conducted the paper until his death. Ferguson and Harte then purchased the same from the widow of Mr. Mitchell on the first day of February, 1915. Ferguson retired from any connection in August of that year and Mr. Houston Harte is now the proprietor and editor of the same. It is an up-to-date, newsy, and bright paper.
The present Bunceton "Weekly Eagle" was established in Bunceton in 1888 by the late J. Monroe Norris under the name of the "Bunceton Enter- prise". In a short time Mr. Norris sold the paper to Asa W. Pizer and Dr. J. B. Norman, who in turn sold it in 1889 or 1890 to W. E. Gold, who changed the name to the "Bunceton Weekly Eagle". After publishing the paper a short time Gold sold to J. L. (Fritz) Johnson, who in turn sold to C. L. Cully, who upon his appointment to the postmastership in Bunceton, sold to L. O. Nelson, in June, 1893.
Soon after acquiring the "Eagle" Mr. Nelson took into partnership with him his brother, W. L. Nelson, and the firm name became L. O. and W. L. Nelson and remained such until Aug., 1915, when L. O. Nelson re- linquished the active management of the paper to become postmaster at Bunceton. Edgar C. Nelson, who had been connected with the "Eagle" in a reportorial capacity for several years, became the active publisher and the firm name became Nelson Bros.
The "Eagle" is the most widely read newspaper in Cooper County and is known all over Missouri as a county farm and stock weekly. For many years special attention has been given to county farm and stock news and the "Eagle" has had a wonderful success along that line. It is never less than eight pages, all home print, and during the busy season in the spring it often carries from 12 to 16 pages.
In politics the "Eagle" has always been Democratic. It is one of the few weeklies in Missouri that is strictly cash in advance as regards sub- scriptions, and its readers seem to appreciate this policy.
CHAPTER XX.
BANKING AND CURRENCY.
EARLY CONDITIONS-FIRST BANKS-DR. TRIGG ESTABLISHES FIRST BANK IN BOONVILLE-BRANCH OF BANK OF ST. LOUIS ESTABLISHED-CENTRAL NA- TIONAL BANK-COOPER COUNTY BANKS-BOONVILLE NATIONAL BANK- FARMERS' TRUST COMPANY-COMMERCIAL BANK OF BOONVILLE-BANK OF BUNCETON-COOPER COUNTY BANK OF BUNCETON-FARMERS' STOCK BANK OF BLACKWATER-BANK OF BLACKWATER-PILOT GROVE BANK-BANK OF WOOLRIDGE-BANK OF PLEASANT GREEN-FARMERS' AND MERCHANTS' BANK OF OTTERVILLE.
Cooper County entered early in the history of the state in the banking business. It is true that banking in Missouri is just a little more than one hundred years old, yet the first banks were mere efforts and proved abortive. The first bank in the state was established in St. Louis in 1816, about fifty years after the place had been founded. This bank had been chartered in 1813, and called the Bank of St. Louis, and in 1817, the Bank of Missouri was chartered. Neither of these banks, however, lasted very long. The Bank of St. Louis failed in 1819, and the Bank of Missouri went in the same way in 1822.
. In 1819, there was a country-wide panic, caused by the riotous of reckless speculation all over the country, particularly in the newer parts. There was a great mania for buying and selling property, especially land, in the Boonslick country. It was not until 1821, that Missouri had another bank. This was a branch of the United States bank, and was established in St. Louis. It in turn had several branches throughout the state, but this bank was forced to wind up its business in 1836, by reason of President Jackson's veto of the bill to renew the charter of the United States bank. At this time, St. Louis had a population of about six thousand people, and
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there was a crying need for a bank, and in fact, a number of banks through- out the state.
In 1837 the Legislature authorized the opening of a state bank. The Bank of the State of Missouri was for ten years the only bank of sort in the state, but in 1847, the Boatsmen's Saving Institution was established in St. Louis. This bank still exists under the name of Boatsmen's Bank. This year also marked the banking business in Cooper County.
In 1847, the first bank in Boonville, Mo., was established by Dr. William H. Trigg, and was located on the northeast corner of Main and Morgan streets. James Quarles was cashier. Dr. Trigg continued a general bank- ing business, in his own name, until 1858. He then formed a banking association, under the name of William H. Trigg & Co., composed of some of the leading capitalists and ablest financiers of central Missouri. After a prosperous career this association was compelled to wind up its extensive and rapidly increasing business on account of the troubles into which the country was thrown by the unfortunate war between the two sections. The cashier of the Trigg & Co. bank was John Ainslee, and in the latter period of the bank liquidation, John T. Pigott and William M. Johnson were the cashiers.
The next banking enterprise in Cooper County was the opening at Boonville of a branch of the Bank of St. Louis in the year 1856. With this enterprise were connected William E. Burr, Joseph L. Stephens, James M. Nelson, C. W. and J. Sombart, William Harley, John R. French and others. In 1865 the Central National Bank was established in which enterprise were associated some of the leading financiers of Boonville and Cooper County. During the life of Joseph L. Stephens until his death in 1881 this was one of the leading financial institutions of central Missouri and con- tinued so to be for a number of years thereafter. After the death of Joseph L. Stephens, the bank was largely under the control and manage- ment of W. Speed and Lon V. Stephens and for a number of years was a strong and flourishing financial institution. Oct. 28, 1916, it was forced to close its doors by the comptroller of currency and went into liquidation. There was no run upon the bank and every depositor received his money. The supposed cause of the closing of the bank was a series of bad loans running back through a number of years. There is pending at this time a suit by some of the stockholders against certain officers of the bank, the result of which is not yet determined. The closing of this supposed strong financial institution was a surprise and shock not only to the community but to central Missouri. Its management had been generous and those
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connected with the bank had been liberal and leaders in every enterprise in the community.
There are at this time in Cooper County 15 banks and one Trust Com- pany, all safe and sound financially and conducted in a thorough and con- servative manner. We have written to each of these banks for a brief history of the same and if perchance it does not appear in this chapter it is no fault of the editor, but because some officer of the bank has either neglected to send the data or has been indifferent to the opportunity afforded. The following are the names of the banks of the county: Boon- ville National Bank, Boonville, Mo .; Commercial Bank, Boonville, Mo .; Bank of Bunceton, Bunceton, Mo .; Cooper Co. Bank, Bunceton, Mo .; Bank of Pleasant Green, Pleasant Green, Mo .; Prairie Home Bank, Prairie Home, Mo .; Bank of Woolridge, Woolridge, Mo .; Clifton City Bank, Clifton City, Mo .; Pilot Grove Bank, Pilot Grove, Mo .; Citizens Bank, Pilot Grove, Mo. ; Farmers Stock Bank, Blackwater, Mo .; Bank of Blackwater, Blackwater, Mo .; Bank of Speed, Speed, Mo .; Bank of Otterville, Otterville, Mo .; Farm- ers & Merchants Bank, Otterville, Mo.
The Boonville National Bank .- The fact that Boonville boasts the largest bank in the United States in cities of 5,000 inhabitants, or less should impress the observer as an important fact, and is evidence of the prosperity of Cooper County. The Boonville National Bank was opened for business Oct. 30, 1916 as the successor to the old Central National Bank. In less than three years time it has risen to a place of importance and standing in the financial world of the Middle West. In August of 1913 the Farmers Bank, an old established institution was absorbed by the Boonville National, resulting in a substantial increase in the assets and deposits of the bank. By this merger the large amount of one million dollars was added to the deposits of the Boonville National.
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The Citizens Trust Company of Boonville, subsidiary of the Boon- ville National was established in splendid quarters for the purpose of handling trust funds and caring for the safe deposit feature of the bank. This concern is capitalized at $100,000, with a surplus of $25,000 and the old Farmers Bank Building, remodelled, in which the Trust Company is located, is owned by the Boonville National. The same directors which control the bank are also in charge of the Trust Company.
The first officers of this bank were E. E. Amick, president: W. A. Som- bart, vice-president; W. W. G. Helm, chairman of board; B. M. Lester, cashier ; R. L. Moore, Jr., asst. cashier. The first board of directors were : W. W. G. Helm, J. E. Thro, N. Nelson Leonard, Roy D. Williams, H. T.
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Zuzak, A. W. Nelson, E. E. Amick, G. W. Jewett and W. A. Sombart.
The resources of this bank at the close of business on June 29, 1919 had reached the grand total of $1,062,759.62. The capital stock of the bank was $75,000 with a surplus fund of $25,000. It was the only National Bank and the only member of the Federal Reserve System in Cooper County.
The present officers of the bank are: A. W. Nelson, chairman of the board; E. E. Amick, president; F. S. Sauter, vice-president; W. A. Som- bart, vice-president ; B. M. Lester, vice-president; J. L. Meistrell, vice-presi- dent ; R. D. Williams, counsel; H. T. Redd, cashier ; R. L. Moore, Jr., assist- ant cashier. The directors are: A. W. Nelson, W. W. G. Helm, L. T. Sites, H. F. Blankenbaker; W. A. Sombart, J. E. Thro, J. A. Fischer, N. N. Leon- ard, H. T. Zuzak, R. D. Williams, Julius Oswald, G. W. Jewett, E. E. Amick, F. S. Sauter, and W. W. Kingsbury.
The capital stock of the bank has been increased to $200,000. The surplus fund is now $70,000. The deposits has attained to the grand total of $2,000,000.
The Farmer's Trust Company of Boonville, Mo., has been recently organized with a capital of $100,000 and a surplus of $35,000. The officers are Harry A. Creagan, president ; Frank J. Felton, vice-president ; Edward J. Muntzel, secretary and treasurer; and Fred Dauwalter chairman of the board. The Board of Directors are W. A. Whitehurse, Fred Dauwalter, Robert P. Burge, Edward J. Muntzel, Frank J. Felton, Homer C. Davis. Harry A. Creagan.
The Farmers Trust Company has secured the south room on the ground floor of the Knights of Pythias building on Main street, large and com- modious quarters for its banking business. A large fire-proof vault has been built, safety boxes installed and the furniture and equipment are handsome and elegant and are unexcelled by that of any banking institu- tion in central Missouri.
The Commercial Bank of Boonville, Mo., was oraganized in 1883 and is the oldest financial institution in Cooper County and one of the strongest and most important in central Missouri. Charter No. 247 providing for the organization of this bank was obtained by the following citizens: John S. Elliot, R. P. Williams of Fayette, Mo., Col. John Cosgrove, John Otten, William Johnson, C. W. and Julius Sombart, Joseph Combs, Col. Thomas A. Johnston, John Viertel, Jacob F. Gmelich, W. R. Hutchinson, B. E. Nance and John Lee of Howard County. These gentlemen were the original stockholders of the bank which was organized with a capital stock
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of $50,000. John S. Elliot was the first president; Jacob F. Gmelich was the first vice-president and the first cashier was W. R. Hutchinson. On January 16, 1888, Mr. Elliot was succeeded as president by Jacob F. Gmelich. Upon Mr. Gmelich's election as state treasurer in 1905, Mr. John H. Zollinger was elected president of the bank. Mr. Zollinger served until July 7, 1913 and was succeeded by the present incumbent of the office, Mr. Edward W. Chilton, who had previously served as assistant cashier.
This bank has weathered all financial panics and is conducted on a safe, conservative plan which commends it to the hundreds of patrons who have always had the utmost confidence in the integrity of the institution. The present capitalization is $50,000 ; surplus and undivided profits exceed $50,000; and the deposits are over $500,000. The officers of the Com- mercial Bank are as follows: Edward W. Chilton, president ; W. W. Trigg, vice-president; R. G. Hadelich, cashier; J. A. Smith, bookkeeper. The directors are: E. W. Chilton, John Cosgrove, W. W. Trigg, W. A. Hurt, H. G. Windsor, T. A. Johnston, R. G. Hadelich, Thomas Hogan, and M. R. McDowell.
The Bank of Bunceton was organized Aug. 25, 1887, with a paid-up capital stock of $10,000 and the following officers: J. H. Goodwin, presi- dent, Edward Cramer, vice-president; E. W. Moore, cashier ; W. B. Kerns, secretary ; and with the following directors, J. H. Goodwin, Edward Cramer, E. W. Moore, W. B. Kerns, T. J. Wallace, John Coleman, Geo. A. Carpenter, Wm. Lusk, Hugh Rogers
The bank now has a paid-up capital of $50,000 and a surplus of $35,000, with resources totaling more than $6,000,000 The following are the pres- ent officers: Dr. A. W. Nelson, president; H. . E. Meeker, vice-president ; Snode Morris, vice-president; A. Blomquist, cashier ; G. H. Meeker, assist- ant cashier. The directors are Dr. A. W. Nelson, R. L. Harriman, Snode Morris, Geo. K. Crawford, A. T. . Hockenberry, Geo. A. Carpenter, N. N. Leonard, C. W. Oglesby and H. E. Meeker.
The Cooper County Bank of Bunceton was incorporated on June 26, 1893, with a capital stock of $20,000. J. A. Waller was the first president and W. J. Boschert, cashier. The original Board of Directors consisted of the following: John S. Vick, Gordon L. Stephens, John A. Wallace, Newton A. Gilbreath, William J. Boschert, Samuel T. Baugman, Edward Cramer, E. H. Rodgers, James A. Lander. The present capital stock is $20,000, sur- plus and undivided profit earned. $43,000, total deposits $307,500, total re-
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sources $380,000. The present officers are W. J. Boschert, president ; George W. Morris, vice-president; F. C. Betteridge, cashier; C. W. Olley, bookkeeper.
The Farmer's Stock Bank of Blackwater, Mo. was organized in 1895 with a capital stock of $10,000. The first officers were: G. A. Cramer, president; Erhardt Fischer, vice-president; F. S. Sauter, cashier. In 1907 F. S. Sauter tendered his resignation as cashier of the above bank and C. E. Steele was elected to fill this vacancy, which position he has held since the above date. The present capital stock is now $20,000 with an earned surplus of $25,000 and deposits aggregating $200,000. The present officers are: S. Y. Thornton, president ; H. C. Griffith, vice-president, C. E. Steele, cashier.
The Bank of Blackwater, Mo. was organized in 1906 with a capital stock of $25,000. The officers were: T. B. Gibson, president; Joseph Fischer, vice-president; C. M. Shepherd, cashier. C. M. Shepherd served three years as cashier of the above bank, and was succeeded by H. T. Redd, who served eight years, and he was succeeded by Walter Shouse, the pres- ent cashier. The bank now has an earned surplus of $17,000 and deposits aggregating $150,000. The present directors are: W. B. Gibson, L. T. Sites, R. B. Hill, H. M. Wing, Joseph Thompson, C. P. Hudson, T. B. Gib- son, Walter Shouse, Joseph Fischer.
The Pilot Grove Bank of Pilot Grove is the second oldest bank in Cooper County, the Commercial Bank of Boonville being the oldest. The Pilot Grove Bank was incorporated June 13, 1884 and was organized by Edward H. Harris, who was the president of the same and E. H. Harris, Jr., the cashier, with a capital stock of $10,000. This bank had a remarkable career in that for over a quarter of a century under the management of the Harris not a dollar was lost by bad loans. The capital stock was increased from time to time and now, 1919, the capital stock is $20,000, surplus $20,000, undivided profits $6,321.26. The total assets of the bank March 4, of this year, were $371,259.45. The present officers are J. H. Thompson, president; Andrew Davin, vice-president; and C. M. Shepherd, cashier. The directors are Ham Lusk, E. B. Mccutchen, B. J. Felton, Jacob Hoff, A. Davin, W. A. Scott, W. B. Simmons, Reuben Thomas, A. C. Harriman, R. A. Harriman, B. E. Sly, J. A. Thompson, J. L. Painter.
The Bank of Woolridge was organized in June, 1902, with a capital stock of $10,000 and the following officers: George Vaughan, presi- dent; J. K. Bruce, vice-president; M. A. Smith, cashier; and George
WHAT THE TORNADO DID TO MRS. EMMA SCHMALFELDT'S RESIDENCE. JUNE 5. 1917, NEAR LONE ELM
WHAT WAS LEFT OF ERNEST OERLY'S HOME AFTER THE SAME STORM
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Vaughan, W. J. Wooldridge, E. I. Smith, Ben Heying, Charles Leuger, J. K. Bruce, and W. L. Hays, directors. M. A. Smith was the organizer of the bank.
The present capital stock of the Bank of Wooldridge is $10,000 with a surplus of $8,000, undivided profits of $2,000, deposits amounting to $100,000. Corresponding banks are the National Bank of Commerce of St. Louis, Missouri; National Stockyards National Bank of East St. Louis, Ill. ; and the Boonville National Bank of Boonville, Mo.
The present bank officials, at the time of this writing, are: W. J. Wooldridge, president ; J. A. Clayton, vice-president ; A. F. Nixon, cashier ; and F. B. Hopkins, bookkeeper. The directors are: W. J. Wooldridge, A. F. Nixon, J. A. Clayton, A. D. Renfrow, C. L. Eager, Henry Knorp, and Carl Lenger. The bank owns its building, a frame structure, erected in 1902. The Bank of Wooldridge is one of the strongest financial institu- tions of Cooper County.
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