History of Daviess and Gentry counties, Missouri, Part 3

Author: Leopard, John C
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Topeka : Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1164

USA > Missouri > Gentry County > History of Daviess and Gentry counties, Missouri > Part 3
USA > Missouri > Daviess County > History of Daviess and Gentry counties, Missouri > Part 3

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"It is hereby ordered by the court that Philip Covington be and is here- by appointed Superintendent of the court house and jail which is to be built in Gallatin, and that he draft a plan of said building and report to this court at its next regular term."

On March 26, 1838, this plan was presented and approved and an ap- propriation of $6,000 made for the erection of the building. May 25, 1838, was set as the day on which the contract for the building would be let to the lowest bidder. The order further provided that the contractor should be bound in a sufficient bond for the completion of the building within three years, and that one-third of the payments be made annually.

Mr. Creekmore's home being outside of the county seat, the court, in May, 1839, ordered that court from that time on should be held in Gallatin. Mr. Creekmore was paid $13 for house rent for circuit court. He was treasurer for the first eighteen months, and he evidently paid no attention to the court order that business was to be transacted at the county seat, for he later made that statement that for the first half of his term of service he received no salary and that he was finally dismissed because he persist- ed in keeping his office at home instead of in Gallatin.

Just when the contract for the court house was let is not known, but at the March term of the county court, 1839, a contract with Thomas N. Aubrey, Robert P. Peniston and William P. Peniston was rescinded, and "Philip Covington, superintendent of said courthouse is hereby authorized to give up the bond for the completion of said building to the said con- tractors on the receipt of his obligation for the payment thereof." Evi-

HISTORY OF DAVIESS AND GENTRY COUNTIES

dently Aubrey and the Penistons had taken no steps towards carrying the contract into execution.

The court then tried two men-Jacob Stollings and W. C. Livey. Their plans were accepted in March, 1840. The specifications provided that the foundation was to be three feet thick, the brick wall of the first story to be 18 inches thick, second story 13 inches thick; the building was to be four square, two additional windows in the upper story, one over each door, the wall and the roof were to be painted Venetian red, doors to be painted a beech yellow, the door and window casings and sash to be painted with white lead. The window blinds were to be green and the window frames were to be put in plain and arch braces and mouldings to be put in afterwards. The contractor was to be put under bond to put up the walls and roof in one year and the remaining part in two years, each part pay- able when completed.

In writing of the building of this first courthouse, J. F. Jordin says: "So it was that these sturdy old pioneers with the entire revenue amount- ing to but $286.44 started boldly to build a $6000 courthouse and a $400 jail. But there were giants in those days! Men who were in the habit of doing impossible things, men with civic pride who realized that their lot had been cast in a land rich in latent natural resources and with brave hearts and willing hands they approached the task of proving themselves worthy of such a heritage. * * * * Coonskins were current money of the realm and at 50 cents apiece it would have taken 12,800 coons to pay for these public improvements."

Work was begun in the summer of 1840. The enterprise seems to have been backed financially by Benedict Weldon. Various changes were made in the plans, more time was granted, there were changes in contrac- tors, and finally on May 1, 1843, the following court order was made:

"Now on this day come Joseph L. Nelson and prayed the court to re- ceive the court house as finished (except the repairing of two windows which have been broken since the completion, one bolt on each of the out- side doors, repairing the plastering in second story and penciling chim- neys) and that the court would order the Superintendent to deliver to him the said Nelson the bonds executed to the county by Benedict Weldon for the completion of said house. Whereupon the court proceeded to examine the house, after which mature deliberation being thereupon had, it is ordered that the house be received as finished with the exceptions above named; that Tobias Miller, the superintendent, deliver up to said Nelson the bonds of Benedict Weldon aforesaid." The total cost of the court- house was $8094.55 Its dedication went uncelebrated. A writer in the

HISTORY OF DAVIESS AND GENTRY COUNTIES

Gallatin Democrat of Oct. 8, 1908, gives the following description of the building :

"The old courthouse was square, probably 40x40, no record existing of its exact dimensions. There were two double door openings, one each on the west and south. The courtroom took up the entire lower floor. The rostrum was on the north side built high so that the feet of those on it were above the eye level of the seated spectators. The courtroom was fur- nished with wooden benches. Here it was that James S. Rollins and R. M. Stewart, candidates for governor, met in a joint debate and would have pummeled each other with their fists but for the prompt intervention of friends.

"The stairway leading to the second floor was at the southwest corner. There were four rooms upstairs, one too small for practical use on account of the stairs, but was the office for many years of the early day lawyers beginning with the late John A. Leopard. The probate office was in the northeast room, the recorder's in the northwest and the sheriff's in the southeast."

A single story, two room structure was built about 1858 just east of the courthouse and in it the circuit clerk and recorded, the offices being under one official at that time, and county clerk's offices were established. There were no vaults in the offices and the records were kept in desks or racks having little or no protection.

A wooden tower surrounded by a balcony and ornamented with a brass ball the size of a washtub topped the building. On gala days the band occupied the balcony and the tower was decorated with flags. This cupola was a constant source of trouble. It would leak. As early as 1849 the court paid $85 to have it guaranteed waterproof for two years and in 1870 the total repairs on the courthouse amounted to $1500.

As early as 1865 we find the local papers complaining of the condition of the courthouse. The old building grew more and more unsatisfactory and in 1883 the Frank James trial was held in a building owned by Judge Alexander on the west side of the public square on the site now occupied by the Payne Furniture Company. On June 12, Mr. Lamkin, of the Galla- tin Democrat, had published this statement: "It is said that Governor Crittenden and Phelps, General Shelby and other eminent men will be in Gallatin to attend the James trial, and it is enough to make every citizen of Daviess County blush with shame to be compelled to point to this miser- able abode of bats and owls and say to these eminent visitors, "This is our courthouse." After the trial the county court entered into negotiations with Mr. Alexander, and the building was arranged to accommodate the circuit

HISTORY OF DAVIESS AND GENTRY COUNTIES

court and one or two county offices. The old court house was torn down in 1886, but the side building remained for several more years.

In 1890 the building owned by Judge Alexander burned and the Pro- bate records were destroyed. The present building on the same site was then erected.

Several propositions to vote bonds for a new courthouse were voted down. In 1889 a proposition to erect a $50,000 courthouse was rejected by a majority against of 223 votes. In March, 1902, the county court, on the petition of the required number of taxpayers ordered an election to be held on April 22, on the question of erecting a new courthouse at a cost of not to exceed $75,000, to be paid for in bonds payable in five and due in ten years, to be paid by a levy of not to exceed 25 cents on the $100 valuation. A very light vote was cast and the vote stood 1526 for and 1118 against, but since a two-thirds majority was necessary, the proposition was lost.

In September of the same year, a petition was presented to the court asking for a vote on the question of issuing bonds not to exceed $70,000, bearing 4 per cent interest and maturing in five years. At the election on Nov. 4, the vote stood 1821 for and 1054 against, Washington, James- port and Lock Springs precincts having a majority against.

The voters having twice within a year rejected propositions for build- ing, the county court felt justified in making a contract for the use of the Alexander block for a period of seven years.

The question was still kept before the people by the press, and in 1905 petitions were again circulated for another submission of the propo- sition. It was proposed to build a $75,000 courthouse, to be paid for by a special tax of four direct levies of 20 cents each rather than by issuing bonds. More than 500 singned the petition and it was presented to the county court by D. H. Davis. Accordingly, December 9th was set as the day of election. Mass meetings were held all over the county. This time the vote was 2299 for and 803 against. Only four townships failed to give the proposition a two-thirds majority, and two of these went more than two to one against.

An advisory committee was appointed by the county court in Febru- ary, 1906. The members were Frank Ray, W. T. Smith, H. R. Hill, R. E. Maupin, W. C. Pogue, John R. Handy, W. P. Minnick, D. H. Davis, W. H. Kindig, E. G. Brown, J. H. Wise, Grant Mccrary, E. M. Foley and Moses Mann. The court selected as a building committee A. M. Dockery, C. M. Harrison, J. W. Meade, Boyd Dudley and Weasley L. Robertson.

In April, 1906, architects submitted plans to the county court, but de- cision was deferred for a time. The plans and specifications of P. H. Weathers were adopted, and in August the contract for the construction

HISTORY OF DAVIESS AND GENTRY COUNTIES

of the building were let to M. T. Lewman, of Louisville, Kentucky, at $69,- 625. Work was begun early in November, with J. W. Alexander, Superin- tendent of construction, and M. E. Pangburn, accountant. In April, 1907, the foundation was pronounced satisfactory. The cornerstone of the building was laid on May 24, 1907, the Masonic lodge having charge of the ceremony. On Monday, August 31, 1908, the court formally accepted the courthouse and final payment was made to the Louisville company.

The formal dedication took place Oct. 5th. In the morning the corner- stone of the Y. M. C. A. was laid, the Masons having charge. In the after- noon the meeting was called to order by Judge George A. McWilliams.

Jail .- As stated in the account of the courthouse, Philip Covington was ordered in March 1838 to draw up plans for a jail. The plan was ac- cepted and an appropriation of $400 was made for that purpose. The contract was awarded to John B. Comer in May, 1838, and a year was allowed in which to erect the building. Mr. Comer was unable to finish the work in that time and in June of the following year an extension of time until December 25 was granted him. The court may have considered a jail to be of more immediate importance than a courthouse as three years was allowed for the building of the latter. The lack of a good jail was presented rather forcibly to the citizens when in July, 1839 Mayberry Mitchell presented the court with an account in favor of certain citizens of Clay County for guarding Joseph Smith and others. The bill amounted to $480. Since the entire revenue derived from taxation that year amout- ed to but $460.30, $125.45 of which was delinquent, the dismay of the court may be easily imagined. The matter was laid over to the August term, and court refused to allow the claim. It was then by agreement certified to the circuit court for final adjudication. This court found for the citi- zens of Clay County and in Sept., 1840, the court ordered the claim to be paid.

Again John B. Comer asked for an additional year in which to com- plete the jail. The building was finally ready for occupancy in March, 1841. The jail is described as follows in Kost's History of Daviess County : "It stood on the next block north of the public square in Gallatin, and was made of hewn timber one foot square and notched down so as to fit close. It was double, on one pin within another, with four inches of space between them. This space was filled with straight poles dropped down from the top. The bottom or floor was also double, like the sides. The inner space of the building was 20 feet square and the height of the ceiling was also 20 feet. The only entrance was through a trap-door in the center of the ceiling."

The total cost of this prison was $560. In April, 1857, the court ap-

HISTORY OF DAVIESS AND GENTRY COUNTIES

propriated $4000 to build a stone jail in the northwest corner of the public square. James McFerran was appointed to superintendent its construc- tion. The building was completed Nov. 15, 1858, and cost $7850. In June, 1859, a kitchen and smokehouse were added at a cost of $579. This jail burned in ???? , the general opinion being that it was set on fire.

In 1887, it was decided by the county court to errect a new jail, $11,- 000 of the county funds being appropriated for that purpose. A. M. Irving was appointed commissioner, and submitted plans for a jail and sheriff's residence. This jail has been used ever since. Recently a survey was made by W. L. Nelson, representing the State Board of Charities, of the jails of the state. He described thirty-two as being below a descent stand- ard as to ventilation, sanitation, size or security. The Daviess County jail was among the 32.

County Farm .- The first move to secure a permanent home for the care of the destitute of the county was made in 1864. Prior to that time the care of the poor had been let out by the sheriff to the lowest bid- der. Occasionally the court would assume the responsibility and fix the terms for their support. The terms ranged all the way from $25 to $100 a year, paid quarterly.

At the December term of the county court, 1864, Andrew Shriver and Samuel A. Richardson were appointed commissioners to select a site for an almshouse and to report in January, 1865. A tax of one-sixth of one per cent on all subjects of taxation was ordered to defray the expense of purchasing the farm and erecting the necessary buildings.

The commissioners reported that of the several farms offered, what was known as the Ward farm seemed to them the best suited for the pur- pose and recommended its purchase at $15 per acre. The farm of 160 acres was purchased at that price, William W. Everly acting as agent for the county. The following terms were agreed upon; one half cash, $800 within two months and $400 within six months, with ten per cent interest upon deferred payments.

This farm was of little use to the county. No buildings were put up, and after a few years it was sold and another farm selected.

The farm of John Cooper was purchased by the county court in July, 1873. The tract included 100 acres and the purchase price was $2000.

In 1914 an examination of the county farm disclosed that miserable conditions obtained. The conditions, when reported, created a demand for a decided change. A petition was then circulated asking for a special election to vote on the question of erecting a modern infirmary. The peti- tion was signed by nearly 700 taxpayers. The court accordingly in March 1915 ordered an election to be held the first Tuesday in June. The propo-

HISTORY OF DAVIESS AND GENTRY COUNTIES

sition was to sell the present farm and purchase a site nearer the county seat. A special tax of 10 cents on the $100 valuation for two years was ordered to pay for the new building. This proposition was rejected by the voters.

Since that improvements have been made on the present farm, and while conditions are far from ideal, things are in a fair condition.

Not all of the poor are cared for at the county farm. A number are allowed a certain amount a month, while other needy persons are given oc- casional help.

The county also has the expense of a number in the various state in- stitutions. At the end of 1920 the county had supported 42 persons in state hospitals and assisted 47 not in state hospitals. The total amount expended by the county for poor persons in state hospitals was $987.90, while the sum expended for poor persons not in state hospitals was $4864.18.

CHAPTER IV.

CITIES AND TOWNS.

GALLATIN - COFFEY - WINSTON - PATTONSBURG - JAMESON - CARLOW - LOCK SPRINGS-ALTAMONT-CIVIL BEND - MILLPORT - ADAM-ONDI-AHMON - CRAV- ENSVILLE-PRAIRIE CITY-CRITTENDEN-ECLIPSE-OLD PATTONSBURG-VIC- TORIA-ALTA VISTA-BANCROFT.

Gallatin .- The events connected with the selection of the site for the seat of justice have already been mentioned. The land upon which the town is located was preempted by Philip Covington. Some difficulty later arose over the title and it was not until 1869 that the necessary quit claim deed was secured. The town was platted in December, 1837 and the first lots were sold Jan. 8, 1858. Main and Grand streets were each to be 80 feet wide, and all other streets 60 feet in width. Jacob Stollings built the first house in the town-located where the Etter Dry Goods Company now has its store. At about the same time George W. Worthington put up a build- ing for a dram shop. The first grocery store was kept by John A. Williams. Thomas W. Jacobs opened a dry goods store and Jesse Adamson a grocery. Compton and Mann a general store. All of these business establishments were started before June, 1838. The first tavern was opened by Lewis J. Dodd, while the "Mansion House" was opened in 1844 by Stollings and Peck.

Gallatin was first incorporated in 1854, the trustees being Thomas T. Frame, Joseph L. Wilson, Alfred L. Barnett, George W. Brosius and Robert Wilson. For some unknown reason no other trustees were elected under this charter. On Nov. 7, 1854, Gallatin was again incorporated. Dr. John Cravens, Adam Clemdenen, James Owings, Henry Whittington and Otis B. Richardson were appointed the first trustees. By 1857 the town had a pop- ulation of about 400 and then asked for incorporation as a city. The Gen- eral Assembly passed the necessary act and it was approved by the Gov- ernor Nov. 21, 1857. The first election of Mayor and Council was held in May, 1858 when the following were elected. William M. Givens, Mayor; J. H. McGee, S. T. Hill, John Ballinger and Henry W. Lile, Council. The

HISTORY OF DAVIESS AND GENTRY COUNTIES

Council then appointed William M. Sheets, Clerk, William T. Osborn, Treas- urer and C. A. Witt, Marshall and Collector.

During the Civil War there were no elections, control of affairs being largely in the hands of the militia. In Nov., 1866, upon the petition of Joseph of McGee and a hundred and one other residents tax payers, the county court appointed Joab Woodruff, Joseph H. McGee, Samuel A. Rich- ardson, D. L. Kost and John Ballinger, Trustees for the town until next election. This enabling act seemed unsatisfactory and in Sept., 1868 a number of citizens petitioned W. C. Gillihan, who was a notary public to call an election to fill all vacancies in "office elective under the charter of said city". The election of D. Harfield Davis as Mayor, Jacob Woodruff, Robert H. Grantham, Benton Miller and James D. Vance, members of the council.

A new charter was granted Gallatin in 1870 by the General Assembly, and the first election under it was held the first Tuesday of April 1870, and resulted in the selection of D. C. McDougal, Mayor, Joel H. Brundidge, Thomas J. Crain, A. M. Irving and Amos Poe, council.

In 1877 an attempt was made to have Gallatin become a city of the Fourth Class, but the proposition was defeated by a vote of 33 to 94. The city continued to operate under its special charter until 1908 when by a vote of 260 to 105 Gallatin became a city of the Fourth Class.

A number of additions have been made to the original town site.

In 1878 it was decided to macadamize the public square. The work was under the direction of Squire Ewing. Morley and Venable were given the contract for the south side at $2.00 per square of 10 feet. By 1882 the work had been completed, as well as a road to the Rock Island depot. It is now proposed to have the main streets paved. In 1905 an ordinance was passed providing that all new sidewalks put down must be made of brick or granetoid.

In 1906 Governor Dockery purchased a tract of land which he presented to the town for a park. Additional land was purchased and Dockery Park was formally dedicated on June 18, 1907. For many years the Catholic church had owned a lot in Gallatin near the park. A controversy later arose over the ownership and finally in 1909 an acre adjoining the park was exchanged for the land in controversy. In the same year Governor Dockery added two more acres to the park.

Since 1911 Gallatin has maintained a Chautauqua which is managed by a group of citizens, rather than by a Chautauqua company.

The population of Gallatin in 1890 was 1,489; in 1900, 1,780; in 1910, 1,825 ; and in 1920 it was 1,747.

Jamesport .- The story of the founding of Jamesport is best related

HISTORY OF DAVIESS AND GENTRY COUNTIES

in the words of one of the founders, Dr. J. T. Allen, who in 1905 wrote a series of articles for the North Missourian entitled, "Recollections of an Old Settler."

"James Gillilan's house stood near where the school house now stands, only on the West side of the street. Remember that there was nothing east of that but prairie. I built my office in his yard in the spring of 1856. I made a trip to Virginia in that fall. When I left I told Mr. Gillilan to finish my office. When I returned it was nearly Christmas, but Mr. Gillilan had not done a thing to my office. When I asked why, he said he thought I would want to go to one of the new towns, which had been laid out in my absence. I was, as the saying goes, knocked clear out of the persimmon tree, as the understanding was when I left we would lay out a town where it now exists. There was a spritely widow, a Mrs. Murray, who had laid out a town three miles north of the Jamesport-to-be, and she called it Edray. If any doubts this, look at the records in your county clerk's office. Another town was laid out by Mr. Smith about two miles east. As I had devoted a great deal of time in studying the law about how to lay out towns, I found that Mr. Smith, although he had advertised sale of lots, had violated the law by not having previously recorded the plat as the law di- rects. So I scared him off by a threat of the law, and I told Mr. Gillilan I thought we could beat the widow, as this was the place for the town. So with his consent I platted the old town and got a young man named Solo- mon to survey it. Not being accustomed to laying out towns, I made the streets too narrow. Mr. Gillihan gave me choice of a half block, with the privilege to select where I wished. I selected the lots where the old Buz- zard bank stood. On the other half was erected the first hotel. We had a public sale of lots and did well. I will state here that with Mr. Gillilan's consent we had an agreement that no saloon should be allowed to hold any lot. They finally beat us in this. 'As the children of darkness are always wiser in their generation than the children of light.'

"This is a true story of the origin of Jamesport. Mr. Gillilan and my- self pondered a long time as to the name we should give our new foundling, and as we were both named James, we concluded to call it for ourselves."

The town grew slowly, having in 1870 only about 120 inhabitants, with the building of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, now a part of the Rock Island system, Jamesport took on new life. The first train came thru the town on June 25, 1871. New business houses began to be built. A grain house was erected by Franklin Collison in the summer of that year, Dunn & Miller started a large store building and a lumber yard established. In 1872 the Jones Mill was built. Between July 1, 1871 and Jan. 1, 1872, forty dwellings and ten stores were built.

HISTORY OF DAVIESS AND GENTRY COUNTIES

In 1872 a petition was presented to the county clerk asking that James- port be incorporated.

Franklin Callison, Nathaniel G. Cruzen, Maro Thomas, A. B. Barnes and Isaiah H. Jones, were appointed trustees.

By 1875 the population had increased to 400. In that year the board of trustees undertook numerous improvements, sidewalks and street cross- ings were put in.

In Jan. 22, 1881, Jamesport voted to become a city of the fourth class, The vote being 78 to 22. Franklin Callison was the first mayor and P. H. Lilly, J. C. Murray, Horatio Bunker and J. H. Berry made up the first board of aldermen.

The Commercial Club has been especially active in the improvement of roads.

Jamesport has one of the prettiest parks in this section of the state.

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History of Daviess and Gentry counties, Missouri, Part 3

Author: Leopard, John C Publication date: 1922 Publisher: Topeka : Historical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1164

Author: Leopard, John C
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Topeka : Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1164