USA > Missouri > Gentry County > History of Daviess and Gentry counties, Missouri > Part 22
USA > Missouri > Daviess County > History of Daviess and Gentry counties, Missouri > Part 22
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"Dark Brahmas-Dr. W. B. McCoy, Gentryville, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, old pen; 1st, 2nd, 3rd young pen; 1st, 2nd, 3rd, hen; 1st, 2nd, 3rd pullet.
"Black Langshans-Mrs. Carl Gillespie, Albany, 1st pen; 2nd cock. Mrs. G. W. Lainhart, Albany, 1st pen. C. J. Yarrington, Albany, 1st cock; 1st, 2nd, 3rd cockerel.
"Silver laced Wyandottes-Mrs. Jennie Degginger, Albany; 1st, 2nd pullet; 1st cockerel. Roy Felts, Darlington, 1st, 2nd cock; 1st and 2nd hen; 3rd pullet.
Mottled Javas-Clarence Baldock, Albany, 1st cock; 2nd pen. "Black Minorcas-Steve Cassity, Darlington, 1st and 2nd pen. "Anaconas-J. H. Wolf, Albany, 3rd pullet.
1st, 2nd, 3rd cockerel; 1st, 2nd, 3rd hen; 1st, 2nd pullet.
"White Wyandottes-Mrs. Carl Gillispie, Albany; 1st pen; 1st cockerel; 1st pullet ; 1st, 2nd, 3rd hen ; 3rd cock. Mrs. Eugene Larmer, Albany, 3rd cockerel; 3rd pullet. Mrs. Ross Allenbrand, Gentry ; 2nd pen, 2nd pullet. Earl Summa, Gentry, 1st, 2nd cock; 2nd cockerel.
"Single Comb White Leghorns-Mrs. Carl Gillispie, Albany, 2nd cockerel, 2nd and 3rd hen. W. C. Brown, Bethany, 1st cockerel, 1st hen; 1st pullet.
"Buff Leghorns-T. E. Magee, Albany, 1st, 2nd pullet.
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HISTORY OF DAVIESS AND GENTRY COUNTIES
"Rose comb Rhode Island Reds-Mrs. G. W. Chenoweth, Albany, 1st cock. Mrs. Emma Culp, Albany, 1st, 2nd cockerel; 1st, 2nd pullet.
"Single Comb Rhode Island Reds-Mrs. Grey Gill, Albany, 1st cock; 1st, 2nd, 3rd cockerel; 1st hen; 1st, 2nd pullet; 2nd pen. Earl Summa, Gentry, 3rd cock; 2nd and 3rd hen. James S. Stecker, Win- ston, 1st pen; 2nd cock; 3rd pullet. Other exhibitors in this class were Volley Siddens, Albany ; R. R. French, King City.
"Rose Comb White Leghorns-Earl Summa, Gentry, 1st, 2nd, 3rd cock; 1st, 2nd, 3rd cockerel; 1st, 2nd, 3rd hen ; 1st, 2nd, 3rd pullet.
· "Dark Cornish-Earl Summa, 1st, 2nd, 3rd cockerel; 1st, 2nd 3rd hen; 1st, 2nd, 3rd pullet.
"Black Breasted Red Game-Earl Summa, 1st cock; 1st, 2nd ckl .; 1st, 2nd, 3rd hen; 1st and 2nd pullet.
"Bantams-Dr. W. B. McCoy, Gentryville, 1st cockerel; 1st pullet on Dark Brahams. Harlen Giles, Albany, 1st cock; 1st hen; 1st cock- erel, on Black Cochins. Roy Felts, Darlington; 2nd cock; 2nd hen on black Cochins. James Hacker, 1st cock; 1st and 2nd hen on Golden Seabrights. Roy Felts, 1st, 2nd, 3rd on White Cochin, Black Tail Jap- anese, Buff Cochin, Millfleur, Japanese Silken.
A brief analysis of this report easily reveals its historic value. Such a show presupposes so much of past endeavors and implies so much of present interest .
Twenty-six breeds of pure bred poultry attest the progress of this great industry throughout the country. It has taken labor, intelligence, and above all, years of time, to make such an exhibition possible. It is a sort of declaration that poultry products are of primary importance in our list of resources. Such success and diversity is only posiible in a region where eggs and chickens have been a large item in the farm income for generations.
A patch of corn was the first farm crop produced by white men in the county. From that far summer of 1834 to the present time, corn has ever been a leader. The splendid Exhibition of 1921 manifests the constant interest in this great product. Highly significant is the fact that High School pupils, both boys and girls, from adjacent counties united with like pupils of our own county in the judging contests. Where such a crop is concerned, but little is left to chance. The crop begins with the selection of the ears for seed. Preparation of the soil is carefully planned ; perfected planters are used, and the best style of cultivator is sought for. Intelligent care and regard for weather con- ditions are considered well worth while, until the crop is made. Back of the individual crop is the system of rotation largely followed as the
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HISTORY OF DAVIESS AND GENTRY COUNTIES
result of multiplied experimentation. The farmers of the county wel- come and profit by all that science and agricultural colleges have thus far demonstrated.
GENTRY COUNTY'S 1902 CROP.
Acres
Product
Corn
98,793
4,149,306
Value $1,306,030
Wheat
1,515
30,300
17,425
Oats
5,940
196,020
50,965
Hay
45,210
76,855
384,275
Forage
7,735
10,315
51,575
Broom Corn
60
32,000
910
Clover Seed
80
440
Grass Seed
6,670
10,340
Tobacco
8
7,200
720
Potatoes
819
98,280
23,590
Vegetables
890
45,360
$1,891,630
LIVE STOCK AND PRODUCTS.
Kind
Number
Value
Cattle
45,460
$1,477,450
Horses
13,173
878,200
Mules
1,375
103,125
Asses and Jennets
98
9,800
Sheep
18,710
62,365
Swine
69,027
690,270
Chickens
173,199
Turkeys
6,420
Geese
4,328
Ducks
3,028
156,940
Swarms of Bees
3,435
10,575
Honey
114,500
14,315
Wool
86,200
14,365
Milk
3,097,068
Butter
599,430
201,495
Eggs
1,004,460
125,560
Total
$3,744,460
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HISTORY OF DAVIESS AND GENTRY COUNTIES
1919 Number
Value Total all crops
Corn, Bushels
1,834,558
Ooats
240,658
Wheat
403,576
Hay and Forage
1,140,024
Potatoes
13,741
Vegetables
164,296
Fruits and Nuts
143,825
$5,344,754
Number
Value
All Animals
*Cattle
27,345
1,701,350
Horses
11,218
838,938
Mules
2,541
352,953
Sheep
29,730
379,073
Swine
41,112
532,123
Chickens
310,608
Other Poultry
8,120
328,775
Dairy Products total value
308,097
Poultry Products total value
695,018
Wool
84,257
$4,140,592
*Does not include city and town animals.
Analysis of these tables shows some radical changes for the 17-year period. Among the crops-Corn and Irish potatoes have greatly dimin- ished in volume. Wheat from almost nothing has risen to third place in acreage. Oats have doubled in acreage. Vegetables have tripled in value. Hay and forage have practically held their own in acreage while vastly increasing in value.
Among domestic animals-Cattle have diminished 40 per cent in number while slightly increasing in net value. Swine have decreased in both number and value about 25 per cent. The slight decrease in horses is overcome by the increase in value of mules. Sheep have increased 40 per cent in number and 500 per cent in value. Chickens have increased 80 per cent in number and over 100 per cent in value. Poultry products have increased in value about 150 per cent. Dairy products have in- creased over 50 per cent in value. Sheep, wheat and poultry have greatly advanced in volume.
The assessed valuation of the county is now approximately $35,- 000,000.00-more than doubling in the last twenty years' period.
An item of current history is taken from the Albany Ledger, Dec.
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HISTORY OF DAVIESS AND GENTRY COUNTIES
1,1921: "Of all the big turkeys that were sold in this vicinity for the Thanksgiving trade, the largest so far reported is that which Frank Monger, from north of town, sold to W. A. Grace. The bird weighed 36 pounds and brought 35 cents a pound, the total being $12.60. Some bird! Some price !
These clippings speak for themselves. The King City article will show how our corn growers fared at the International Corn Show in 1921. August 23, 1921. From the King City Chronicle-"At the State Fair now on at Sedalia, Gentry County became famous by winning prac- tically all the yellow corn blue ribbons, and being awarded two grand champion prizes. The thanks of the county is due to Messrs. Alva Mann, John Potter and Joe W. Boley, and others for producing the corn that won the prizes and has made this county famous. The report of the win- nings came in too late to give very extended comment, but we will give the winnings as they were reported to the Chronicle, by John Potter, for which he has our special thanks: Bushel Yellow Corn-Alva Mann, 1st; also Grand Champion on bushel. John Potter, 2nd; and Joe W. Bo- ley, 3rd. Ten Ear Yellow-John Potter, 1st; also Champion on ten ears. Sanford Shilder, 3rd; Alva Mann, 5th. Single ear, yellow, men's class- John Potter, 1st; also Grand Champion on single ear. L. H. Williams, 3rd; Joe W. Boley, 4th ; Joe L. Boley, 5th. Ten ears yellow, young men, over 16 and under 20-Pearl Mann, 1st; Bessie Potter, 2nd. Single ear, yellow-Bessie Potter, 1st. Ten ears, yellow, young men under 16- Hervert Potter, 1st; Francis Boley, 2nd. Second ear, yellow-Frances Boley, 1st; Herbert Potter, 5th. Ten ears, other than white or yellow- Francis Boley, 3rd. Single ear, other than white or yellow-Walter Pryor, 1st; also Champion. Ten ears popcorn-Alva Mann, 1st."
Albany Capital, January 26, 1922-"Those live corn specialists over in the south part of Gentry County just about swept the board on prizes at the Missouri State Corn Show at Columbia, during Farmers Week. Alva Mann and Joe Boley returned from the big meeting at Co- lumbia, last week, and reported the following corn prizes captured for Gentry County, in competition against the whole United States: On Bu- shel Yellow Corn-Joe W. Boley, 1st; Alva Mann, 2nd ; John Potter 3rd. On 10 Ears Yellow Corn (men's class)-John Potter, 1st; Joseph L. Bo- ley, 2nd ; Pearl Mann, 3rd; Joe W. Boley, 4th; Walter Prior, 5th ; San- ford Shidler, 7th. On 10 Ears Yellow (boy's class)-Herbert Potter, 1st; Francis Boley, 2nd; Dale Rainey, 5th; Wayne Mann, 7th. On Single Ear Yellow (men's class)-Joe W. Boley, 2nd; Sanford Shidler, 3rd; Walter Prior, 6th. Single Ear Yellow (boy's class)-Frances Bo-
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HISTORY OF DAVIESS AND GENTRY COUNTIES
ley, 2nd. On 10 Ears White (men's class)-Wayne Rainey, 5th. Cham- pion 10 Ears Yellow (boy's class)-Herbert Potter. Sweepstakes 10 Ears Yellow (men's class)-John Potter. In addition to winning the cash premiums and other prizes that went with the ribbons in all the above awards, the boys put Gentry County still more thoroughly on the map as the place where the best corn in the state is grown, and they are entitled to a lot of credit for the remarkable showing which they made in this new contest against the best corn in the land.
Feb. 2, 1922-In attempting to give a list of those who won corn prizes, at the recent state show at Columbia, The Capital last week omitted two of the Gentry County boys who carried away prizes: Dale Rainey won first in the Boys' Class on 10 ears White corn, and Wayne Rainey won first in the boys' class on 10 ears White corn, and Wayne Rainey took second prize (boys' class) on 10 ears of Calico corn.
As far back as 1893 Gentry County began to make exhibition his- tory at the Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Missouri captured 400 premiums, of which Gentry County won 75. Among them four firsts. Al- most a fifth of the state winnings came to our County. The Albany Ledger of Oct. 31, 1983, puts it thus: "Citizens of Gentry County, are you not proud of the fact that with the world as competitor our county took four first premiums at the World's Fair, or, it captured every pre- mium it contested for. L. E. Shattuck took first premium on Merino sheep and first on largest fleece of wool produced. C. G. Comstock, first premium in Jack Show, and a Stanberry man first premium in book- keeper's contest. With these honors won at Chicago our citizens can go out through the wide world and say, 'I am a resident of the county that took more premiums at the World's Fair, than any other county on the map.' "
Mr. L. E. Shattuck, of near Stanberry, before his early death in 1894, had done much pioneer work in bringing the improvement of cat- tle, sheep and hogs to the attention of farmers and breeders. His Merino flock from the early '80's became a national asset of the highest order. He also brought in some of the very first pure bred short horn cattle and Berkshire hogs. The blue ribbon flock he started so long ago is still go- ing strong at the old stand.
C. G. Comstock was an early enthusiast for better mules and Here- ford cattle. Other early breeders were James Castor, Keef Judd and Calvin Spessard.
The following list, for 1922, furnished by Mr. Saunders, County Agent, shows how the interest in pure bred stock has grown :
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HISTORY OF DAVIESS AND GENTRY COUNTIES
Poland China Breeders-A. B. Durbin & Son, King City, Mo .; E. G. Fisher, King City, Mo .; L. C. Loest, King City, Mo .; A. T. Robertson, Albany; Wm. Miller, Stanberry; Wm. Ketchum, Stanberry.
Duroc Jersey Breeders-W. A. Melton, Albany ; Carl Gillespie, Al- bany; John Parman, Albany ; J. H. Degginger, Albany ; L. A. Saunders, Albany ; Dan Gibson, Jr., New Hampton; Orlin Stephens, Gentry.
Shorthorn Cattle-Charles S. Allen, Stanberry ; Frank Allen, Stan- berry; Melvin Gregg, Stanberry; A. T. Stockton, Stanberry; D. C. Thomas, Stanberry; W. A. Melton, Albany ; J. H. Degginger, Albany.
Aberdeen Angus Cattle-L. C. Loest, King City ; A. T. Robertson, Albany ; Robert Larmer, Stanberry ; Dr. R. R. Dunshee, Stanberry.
Hereford Cattle-Carl Gillespie, Albany ; J. M. Slagle, Ravenwood.
Jersey Cattle Breeders-John Doyle, Albany; Mrs. Mary Culver, King City.
Holstein Cattle-Gust Spaht, Albany; Casper Gantz, King City ; Orlin Stephens, Gentry.
Feb. 17, 1921. "With Poultry Experts-Mr. and Mrs. Mose Green's Shelternook Farm, north of Albany, is gaining wide reputation with poultry breeders over the United States. The Shelternook Dark Brown Leghorns have won just about all the prizes in the big shows at Kansas City and other places, in competition with the best birds in America, and the success of Mr. and Mrs. Green has attracted the attention of poultry growers throughout the land, and has also reached government officials in such a way that they want Shelternook methods to become of value to soldiers who are taking up the poultry branch of vocational training.
"Last Sunday J. H. Wolfe arrived in Albany, and has gone out to the Green home to spend a year studying the Dark Brown Leghorn birds and the extensive manner in which they are being produced at Shelternook. Mr. Wolfe's home was at Sedalia, Mo., prior to his call to service in the world war. He sustained health disabilities in the army and was sent at government expense the past year to the Kansas State Agricultural College at Manhattan, Kan. He wanted to specialize in poultry, and so the government has now sent him to spend the coming year studying methods at the Green farm, north of Albany, as it is rec- ognized that there is no better authority on Dark Brown Leghorns in the United States than Mr. and Mrs. Green, whose birds from Shelter- nook have swept the ribbons and prizes wherever they have been placed on exhibition the last few years.
Fine Grasses for Fair-Capital, July 28, 1904-"J. P. McCammon,
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HISTORY OF DAVIESS AND GENTRY COUNTIES
Ed. S. Gibbany and W. F. Sager, the committee appointed by the county court, last Saturday forwarded to St. Louis Gentry County's last install- ment of grasses to be entered in the World's Fair contest. In the con- signment sent last Saturday were some as fine grasses as were ever gathered in Gentry County, or, probably, in any county in the United States. One bunch of red clover, grown by John Dale on Sampson Creek, measured 82 inches in length. Two bunches of the bluegrass measured 67 inches in length-one bunch having been grown by R. T. Canaday and the other by Frank Hicks. Frank Seamands entered a bunch of al- falfa over 6 feet in height. A bunch of timothy 6 feet 4 inches in height was furnished by S. R. Williams and there were several other bunches a close second. In addition to the foregoing, there were numerous other bunches of grass that spoke eloquently of the richness of Gentry County soil, and it was the opinion of all who saw them that this county ought certainly to capture some prizes on grasses at the Fair."
Stanberry Democrat, Oct. 30, 1903: "We are informed that Gentry County was "in it" at the Kansas City stock show. C. Folgate won first prize with one of his fine Duroc-Jersey hogs. He sold this prize winner hog for $300. This was the highest price paid for any hog during the show.
Profit in Cattle-Albany Capital, March 9, 1922: "J. M. Slagle, the Hereford cattle man, was down from the northwest corner of the county last Saturday, and called to place advertising of a couple of ani- mals he had for sale. Mr. Slagle returned last Thursday from the Round-Up sale at Kansas City, in which sale he marketed two yearling Herefords for $570. In the spring of 1917 Mr. Slagle bought a Hereford cow from a down-state herd. This cow has since brought him five calves. He has sold four of them for $1,260, and still has the cow and one calf left. J. M. feels absolutely confident that there is still a good profit in the game for the farmers and breeders who raise and feed good live- stock, and who pay proper attention to the rotation of crops and the up- keep of their farms. The appended complete report of a recent "Pig and Calf Show," illustrates present activity.
Tri-County Calf and Pig Show-Albany Ledger, Sept. 29, 1921: "Probably the most interesting community affair ever held in King City, was the calf and pig club show of last week. Thirty-one boys and four girls brought out 144 pigs and 10 baby beeves. The boys and girls had spent almost one year of consistent effort and their labors were amply rewarded in the large cash premiums and the satisfaction of having ac- complished something worth while. Everyone is interested in the boys
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HISTORY OF DAVIESS AND GENTRY COUNTIES
and girls, and there was intense interest all through the show. Nothing has been quite so satisfactory as the club work in this community, and it will be continued from year to year.
The Commercial Club of King City is to be highly commended not only for the large amount of cash and the ideal accommodations which they so freely gave, but for the personal interest which every business man of King City took in the show.
The quality of the animals shown was so high that although there were eleven places in some of the classes, yet many animals worthy of a first place in some shows had to go without a ribbon. Carl Gillespie, of Albany, and Harry Messick, of Bolckow, did an excellent and satisfac- tory job of judging.
In the class for best boar, Theron Sweat, of McFall, took first on probably the most outstanding pig in the show. In the class for the best barrow, Cary Berry, of King City, took first on an excellent indi- vidual. In the class for best gilt, William Danbury, of King City, took first. This was certainly a great class, there being 41 competing. The best litter of four pigs was exhibited by Theron Sweat.
In the baby beef class an excellent array greeted the judges. First place went to Lucille Loest, daughter of L. C. Loest, of King City, on pre- sumably the best show heifer ever exhibited in Gentry County. Mr. Loest is a breeder of excellent Aberdeen-Angus cattle and this heifer. while not a pure bred heifer, shows the value of the use of high class pure bred sires of the correct type. Miss Loest not only won the $30 cash prize contributed by the Commercial Club but also $25 in cash and a gold wrist watch valued at $25, contributed by the Aberdeen-Angus Breeders Association of Chicago, making a total of $80. She will show this calf at St. Joseph in the baby beef show October 3, 4, 5, where she confidently hopes to take first place. Charlotte Loest's calf was placed 2nd; Thelma Cummings', 3rd; Glenn Boone's, 4th; Loren Holeman's 5th ; Ralph Justice's 6th; Fred Justice's, 7th; Donald Martin's, 8th ; George Dierenfeldt's, 9th; Carl Loest's, 10th. All of these calves will go to the St. Joseph show next week, also Forest Slagle and Wilma Harkrider, north of Alanthus, will send two choice Hereford calves. Clayton Saunders, of Albany, will also take one Hereford calf. Five of the best calves sent from this county will have all of their expenses paid by the Stock Yard Company. And all expense of the boys and girls who exhibit the calves will also be paid.
Many new members have already signed up for the work next year in the Tri-County club at King City, and there will, without doubt,
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HISTORY OF DAVIESS AND GENTRY COUNTIES
be at least three times as many enrolled for 1922 as we had this year. There is no work that is so far-reaching and so satisfactory in every way as the boy and girl club work, and Stanberry and Albany and other communities in the county should take up this work for next year.
"L. A. SAUNDERS, County Agricultural Agent."
Horses-Horse breeding has been an important industry from early times. Thirty years ago there were weekly horse sales in the county seat, well advertised and attended. The farm type of today is much more blocky, and more powerful. The automotive development of the past dozen years has not greatly disturbed horse production in the county, except to increase the interest in mules.
The second great farm product of the county is hay and grass, as follows: Timothy and clover mixed, 18,000 acres; blue grass, for seed, 13,000 acres; timothy alone, 6,000 acres; alfalfa, 2,000 acres; clover alone, 1,500 acres. The annual production of blue grass seed exceeds 150 tons. The figures given are official, and accounts for about three- fifths of the county acreage. The large balance is in some form of pas- ture, and the proceeds appear in stock and dairy income. Given time, and almost any of our land will become set with blue grass. Perhaps no other natural characteristic is so great an asset. Blue grass is "a thing of beauty and a pasture forever," almost.
The annual wheat crop is nearly a half million bushels.
Animals not reckoned in above estimates, owned in towns: Horses, 500; milk cows, 500; young cattle, 500; swine, 1,000.
Vegetables and fruits imply small acreage. The county's income from these sources average a third of a million yearly.
Gentry county in common with northwest Missouri is very free from cattle and horse plagnes. While swine are not so exempt, hog cholera has never been frequent or malignant.
In conclusion it may be said that Gentry county has met and en- dured the slump of 1920-21 with admirable courage and patience. In this time of stress, poultry products and dairy products have saved many of our people from hardships and defeat.
If Gentry Were My Native Land.
It would induce a steadfast pride, And I would never need to hide, When those of any country side, Were boasting what their own supplied, If Gentry were my native land.
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HISTORY OF DAVIESS AND GENTRY COUNTIES
I might, marooned, be far away, Compelled indefinitely to stay, Some elsewhere active part to play, Yet would my heart return for aye. If Gentry were my native land.
I would myself discussion raise, And Gentry County I would praise, And count the gifts she brings and lays Before her children, harvest days. If Gentry were my native land.
And I would praise her gallant youth, And make it always plain-forsooth I was but telling half the truth, And call my elsewhere home a-booth. If Gentry were my native land.
CHAPTER XII.
CIVIL WAR PERIOD
OPINIONS DIVIDED-POPULATION MADE UP OF NORTHERNERS AND SOUTHERNERS -- DEVELOPMENT RETARDED-FEDERAL CONTROL MAINTAINED.
The period from 1860 to 1865 in Gentry County deserves histor- ical mention in that it greatly affected social relations, and greatly re- tarded material development. As has been seen, the earliest settlers were largely from Tennessee, Virginia, and Kentucky. They brought with them the convictions prevalent in the states from which they came. These convictions could not be set aside in a day-at the result of a national election.
· Possibly by 1860 an almost equal number from Pennsylvania, Ohio and other northern localities had become citizens of the county.
The result was inevitable. Gentry County in many respects was a border county. With two sets of utterly opposed convictions contend- ing for supremacy. When the issue was forced upon the people, friends were separated, and households sometimes divided. It is far from the present purpose to single out any individual-to accuse or to justify any action or any policy pursued. It is enough to speak of the general effect. A divided people cannot be a happy people, neither can they be prosperous and progressive. There was little of the tragic and heroic, much that was irksome and disquieting in the continual conflict of convictions. Social life and community interests were greatly hampered. Agriculture and all industry suffered accordingly. Instead of a generous surplus, the county ceased to fully supply its own needs for both man and beast.
The situation was aggravated by several dry, or semi-dry seasons. Gentry County citizens sometimes gathered up empty sacks and went "a-buying."
Federal control was maintained without serious opposition and all classes welcomed peace when it came. Most of the wounds were quickly healed. The scars received less and less notice. In a few years a united people were forging ahead.
CHAPTER XIII.
RAILROADS AND HIGHWAYS.
AGITATION FOR RAILWAYS BEGINS-FIRST ROAD IN THE COUNTY-THE WABASH- LEON, MOUNT AYER AND SOUTHWESTERN-STATIONS IN THE COUNTY-HIGH- WAYS-JEFFERSON HIGHWAY-HARD SURFACE ROADS.
Agitation for railways began with the first recovery after the Civil War. Elections were held and bonds voted. But the earlier projects failed and the bonds could not be used.
The first road into the county was the St. Joseph and Des Moines railroad. This line, which is a branch of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, was completed from St. Joseph to Albany in Septem- ber 1879. The citizens of Gentry County donated, in money and mate- rial towards the building of this road through the county, about the sum of $20,000.00, and in addition thereto, the depot grounds and right of way, the latter costing about $1,000.00. This road was formerly called the "Narrow Gauge."
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