USA > Missouri > Dunklin County > History of Dunklin County, Mo., 1845-1895 Embracing an historical account of the towns and post-villages of Clarkton, Cotton Plant, Cardwell, Caruth [etc.] Including a department devoted to the description of the early appearance, settlement, development, resources With an album of its people and homes, profusely illustrated > Part 6
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Upon the formation of the Twenty-third Circuit, Ira E. Leonard was appointed to hold the courts until the next regular election, when Reuben P. Owen of Stoddard County was elected. He was a very
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HISTORY OF DUNKLIN COUNTY, MO.
popular judge and remained upon the bench until 1885, when he resigned.
In 1886, John G. Wear of Poplar Bluff was chosen to succeed Judge Owens. He has been re-elected at each succeeding election and is now the presiding judge.
COUNTY OFFICIALS.
The representatives in the State Legislature from Dunklin County have been as follows: H. D. Flowers in 1846, Russell Horner in 1848, John Huston in 1850, C. T. Jones in 1852, T. J. Mott in 1854, C. T. Jones in 1856, James McCullough in 1858, H. A. Applegate immediately after the war, or the adjourned session of 1865, also in 1866-68; John Lowery in 1870, T. B. Turnbough in 1872, J. H. Barrett in 1874-76, Jesse Long in 1878. He died shortly after his election. W. H. Helm was chosen to fill the unexpired term. W. M. Harkey in 1880, John P. Taylor in 1882, J. T. Wilson in 1884, T. R. R. Ely in 1886, F. Joe Rice in 1888, C. P. Hawkins in 1890-92, D. C. Pollock, 1894.
County and Circuit Clerks and Recorders .- John S. Huston, 1846 ; B. C. Henslee, 1850-54; John W. Marsh, 1858-60; Leonard T. Bragg, 1864; W. G. Bragg, Sr., 1866-68 ; R. R. Roberts, 1870-74; T. E. Baldwin, 1878.
In the year 1882 the offices were divided, making a separate office of county clerk, but still leaving the offices of circuit clerk and recorder combined. Circuit clerk and recorder, W. G. Bragg, Jr., 1882-86; and
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HISTORY OF DUNKLIN COUNTY, MO.
J. B. Blakemore was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Mr. Bragg, and was also elected to that office in 1890-94.
COUNTY CLERKS.
The first man elected to the office of county clerk after the offices were divided was C. R. Mills in 1882. On the death of Mr. Mills, not long after his election to office, D. B. Pankey was appointed to fill the unexpired term, and elected in 1886. Virgil McKay, 1890-1894.
SHERIFF AND COLLECTOR.
The first sheriff and collector is said to have been John H. Dougherty ; Louis Holcomb in 1848-50; William Kimbrow, 1854; Lee J. Taylor, 1856-58; Elan G. Rathburn, 1866-68; James H. Barrett, 1870-72 ; W. P. Nichols, 1874-76; More M. Rayburn, 1878-80; I. F. Donalson, 1882-84 ; J. R. Allgood, 1886-88 ; Col- lin Morgan, 1890-92; W. G. Petty, 1894.
The offices of sheriff and collector were held jointly until 1886, when they were divided, and James H. Owen was the first collector, being elected to that office in both 1886 and 1888. Mr. Owen died shortly after his last election and D. Y. Pankey was appointed to fill his unexpired term. T. J. Douglas was collector in 1890-92 and F. Joe Rice, 1894.
ATTORNEYS.
Samuel A. Hill of Cape Girardeau City was the District Prosecuting. Attorney in 1846. Maj. H. H.
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HISTORY OF DUNKLIN COUNTY, MO.
Bedford of Bloomfield held that office from 1846 to 1860. Then Henry Porter served in that capacity for a short time, when David G. Hicks of Bloomfield was elected and served until the change of the law made it necessary to have county instead of district attorneys.
The county attorneys have been : J. M. Fisher, John P. Taylor, elected in 1876-78 and 1880. T. R. R. Ely in 1882-84; C. P. Hawkins, 1886-88 ; R. M. Finney in 1890-92, and C. P. Hawkins in 1894.
TREASURERS.
An old man by the name of Price was the first treas urer; Campbell Wright and Louis Chandler were also treasurers before the Civil War. Next after the war G. T. Sloan and Daniel Brewer, also W. F. Shelton, Sr., served as treasurer for a period of eight years. N. F. Kelley was elected in 1882, T. E. Baldwin, 1884 ; F. Joe Rice, 1886 ; J. W. Sexton in 1888 ; R. A. Laden in 1890-92, and J. F. Smyth in 1894.
ASSESSORS.
This county was assessed from Stoddard County for several years. The first assessors after the war were J. Q. A. Keck in 1866-68; John W. Black, 1870; G. T. Smith, 1872; Gilbert L. Derryberry, 1874 ; James M. Douglass, 1876-78; W. J. Davis, 1880-82; G. T. Smith, 1884; Virgil Mckay, 1886- 88; B. F. Crenshaw, 1890; T. R. Neel, 1892; Louis Ham, 1894.
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HISTORY OF DUNKLIN COUNTY, MO.
PROBATE JUDGES.
Have been John H. Stokes, Given Owen, 1876-78- 80; T. E. Baldwin, 1882-84; C. O. Hoffman from 1886 to 1894, or to the present time. Jonas Eaker was judge of a District County Court, having probate jurisdiction in 1855, and it was by the order of this judge that George Mott was appointed agent for and on behalf of Dunklin County to make deed or deeds for 100,000 acres of low or swamp lands to the Cairo and Fulton R. R. Co.
JUDGES OF COUNTY COURT.
The first court was composed of Edward Spencer, Howard Moore and Anderson Thompson in 1845-46. Next was Edward Spencer, Moses Farrar and Billy Johnson in 1850. Moses Farrar, Edward Spencer and Given Owen in 1854. Given Owen, S. P. Eldridge, Moses Farrar in 1858.
After the Civil War the first court was held by Elgin C. White, Jacob Snider and W. W. Shelton, in 1866. W. W. Shelton, A. L. Johnson and Wm. M. Harkey, in 1870. Harkey resigned and the unexpired term was filled by John H. Bird. Then A. L. Johnson, W. W. Shelton and John H. Bird, in 1872. A. L. John- son, W. W. Shelton and R. L. Hodge, in 1874. J. B. Hogue, R. L. Hodges and John T. Johnson, in 1876. Given Owen, Charley Stevens and E. J. Lang- don, 1878. E. J. Langdon, Given Owen and J. M. Waltrip in 1880. E. J. Langdon, J. W. Black and J. M. Waltrip in 1882. J. M. Douglass, N. J. McBride
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HISTORY OF DUNKLIN COUNTY, MO.
and J. H. Owen in 1884. J. M. Waltrip, J. W. Baker and J. M. Douglass in 1886. J. M. Waltrip, W. R. Dalton and O. L. Thurmond in 1888. W. H. Shel- ton, J. P. Craig and S. F. Hale in 1890. W. H. Shelton, J. A. Hogue and W. J. Davis in 1892. W. C. Whiteaker, Thomas Waltrip and J. H. Harkey in 1894.
Dunklin County lawyers make up a large and able bar, composed of the following attorneys: Hon. T. R. R. Ely, Hon. C. P. Hawkins, who have both rep- resented this county in the State Legislature, also R. M. Finey and J. P. Tribbe, all of Kennett. D. R. Cox, W. S. C. Walker, Charles Vancleve, J. L. Downing and R. H. Stanley, Jr., of Malden ; Dunklin County also claims H. N. Phillips, who is perhaps our best orator.
OFFICIAL DIRECTORY FOR 1895.
District Officers.
Congressman of the 14th District, N. A. Moseley, Dexter, Mo.
Senator 23d District, B. F. Walker, Dexter, Mo.
Circuit Judge 22d Circuit, John G. Wear, Poplar Bluff, Mo.
County Officers.
Representative. D. C. Pollock. Circuit clk. and recorder J. B. Blakemore. County clerk . Virgil McKay. Collector F. Joe Rice. Coroner A. Harrison.
.
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HISTORY OF DUNKLIN COUNTY, MO.
Sheriff W. G. Petty.
Prosecuting Atty . C. P. Hawins.
Treasurer J. F. Smyth.
Assessor Lewis Ham.
Probate Judge. C. O. Hoffman.
Pres. Judge County Clerk W. C. Whiteaker.
Judge 1st District. Thomas Waltrip.
Judge 2d District J. H. Harkey.
County Calendar.
Circuit Court convenes on the 2d Monday in January and July.
County Court convenes on the 1st Monday in January, April, July and October.
Probate Court convenes on the 1st Mondays in February, May, August and November.
CHAPTER X.
TOWNS AND VILLAGES.
CARUTH
Is a little post-village first established by Wm. M. Satterfield about 1881. Mr. Satterfield built a large two-story house in which he did a flourishing business during the remainder of his life. He operated a grist mill and cotton gin, built many tenant houses, and caused the little village to move on in a manner typi- cal of " New America." Since the death of Mr.
L. of C.
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HISTORY OF DUNKLIN COUNTY, MO.
Satterfield in 1890 it has seen quite a decline. Several business men have at different times opened stores here, but have remained only a short time. At present there are no goods being sold here, and the post-office is kept at the home of Rev. R. H. Douglass. Mrs. Douglass is the accommodating and efficient post-mis- tress. Caruth is situated on the main public road leading south from Kennett and at a distance of eight miles from that city and in the very heart of " Grand Prairie." It is surrounded on all sides by some of the finest and best improved farms in Dunklin County.
No neighborhood in the county has prettier homes or more cultivated people. The neighborhood has the benefit of a six or eight months' school annually. The Baptists have a new church edifice at Caruth and carry on a Sunday-school. The Liberty Church of the M. E. C. S. is within less than a mile distant. Passing Caruth is a daily hack line which leaves the U. S. mails from both the North and South. The post-office was named by Mr. Satterfield in honor of an old friend, who was a member of the McCombs, Caruth & Byrns Hardware Co., of St. Louis, Missouri.
CARDWELL
Is situated about two miles from the St. Francois River, six miles north of the Arkansas and Missouri State line, and in section 3, township 16, range 7, on Buffalo Island. It is the terminus of the Paragould and Southeastern Railroad and its people believe it is destined to be the metropolis of the south end of the county.
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HISTORY OF DUNKLIN COUNTY, MO.
Cardwell was laid out and surveyed by Burtig Brothers, of Paragould, Arkansas, and named in honor of Mr. Frank Cardwell, cashier of the Bank of Paragould ; the first house was erected by Cox Bros. of Paragould and the second by J. R. Pool. The post- office was established February 16, 1895. Since that date the town has had a steady and rapid growth. Its people show their energy and thrift by their manner of felling the great forest trees, sawing them into lumber and shaping them into neat and comfortable resi- dent and business houses. The place which was one year ago the forest home of the bear, deer, coon and turkey, is to-day a thriving little railroad town of 150 inhabi- tants, having two general stores, owned respectively by Burtig Brothers and Lamb & Hale; they both carry a full line of fresh goods, and buy cotton and other produce. J. W. Wetherby, J. M. Gist and J. A. Southers, each carry a nice selection of fresh gro- ceries. There are three restaurants and two saloons.
Hotel Cardwell is a large well-built house, that would be a credit to any town of 1,000 inhabitants. Three saw-mills, one cotton gin, and grist mill, a livery stable and two blacksmiths, do a prosperous business at this new town. Daily mail is brought by the Paragould and Southeastern Railroad, which con- nects with the Cotton Belt Route at Paragould. The new road was completed from Paragould to Cardwell in February, 1895, and will now compare favorably with older roads in the South and West. The business of the road is quite heavy and increasing. They have a first-class depot at Cardwell and are
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HISTORY OF DUNKLIN COUNTY, MO.
fairly well prepared to accommodate the general public. The train carrying passengers arrives from Paragould at 11 o'clock a. m. and leaves for Paragould at 1 o'clock p. m. A six months' school with fifty - three pupils enrolled under the supervision of Mr. Walter Cook, one of the most successful and best informed teachers in the county, alone speaks well for the enterprise of the people of Cardwell and vicinity. They have preaching once and twice each month and the M. E. C. S. has bought a lot on which they expect soon to build a house of worship.
There are some good farms opened and fairly well improved around this new town, but there are thou- sands of acres of land that will produce anything that can be produced in this climate upon which there is scarcely a tree amiss. The timber is mostly large, plenty of it being from three to five feet in diameter, and in many cases worth more than is asked per acre for the land.
COTTON PLANT.
In 1848 Buffalo Creek levee, between Cotton Plant and Kennett, was built by Judge E. J. Langdon and Billy O. Williams. With the money which he received for this work, Judge Langdon purchased a stock of general merchandise and started a store near the present site of Cotton Plant. About 1854 he bought a cotton gin of a Mr. Clark. At that time it stood on the old Anderson Tompson place. Judge Langdon improved this crude gin and began to encourage the farmers, or perhaps hunters would be as correct a name, to raise cotton. He also bought the Jack Cude
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HISTORY OF DUNKLIN COUNTY, MO.
place at Cotton Plant and established his family in the resident houses.
From that time Cotton Plant began to take on a tangible form, but at just what time it took its name is not certain. It was first spoken of as Cotton Plant by a stranger, who on coming into the county, noticed around it the only plants of cotton in that part of the county.
The plants of this growth are very pretty and sure to attract the attention of any one not accustomed to seeing them grow, more especially when in bloom. The red and white blossoms are very attractive among their beds of dark green leaves, and in the fall season the balls of soft fleecy white cotton are by many con- sidered quite as pretty as the bloom. Anyway you take it the little town's namesake is worthy of atten- tion, and for this particular town no more appropriate name could have been chosen than Cotton Plant. It was for years the source and center of the cotton business in the south end of the county save what was raised on the west prairie around Old Cotton Hill, Cotton Plant had the exclusive cotton traffic of the county until long after the Civil War. The history of this post-village is the history of Judge Langdon's prosperity. From his modest beginning as half owner in a cooper's shop and blacksmith's, with Isiah Jones as partner, as contractor and builder of one of the first levees in the county, as founder of one of the oldest general stores, he became the owner of a village containing about one hundred inhabitants, with a school and
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HISTORY OF DUNKLIN COUNTY, MO.
church house, over which was an Odd Fellows and Masonic Hall; a commodious store well filled with the latest wares, and one of the largest landholders in the county. In his latter years he might have stood on the upper gallery of his pretty village home and surveyed, almost as far as the eye could see, his own domains, well improved, on the east, south, or
west. He was the first and only postmaster up to the time of his death ; although, prior to his decease, for several years, he did not reside at Cotton Plant in summer, and in fact kept his family at Arcadia, Iron County, Mo., most of the time, but he never ceased to hold his citizenship in Dunklin County and always came back to vote.
He erected from time to time new cottages in Cot- ton Plant, but would never sell any lots. He prob- ably had two reasons for this; one was he did not wish a competitor, another was he did not want any one to have the right to sell any intoxicants in his little town, as he feared they would do if they owned prop- erty. He was for many years the sole merchant in this part of the county, and always did a prosperous business, selling goods at a time when they could be sold at a large profit, he bought, or took in on debts, large tracts of land, until at the time of his death, in 1892, his estate was worth about $200,000 or $300,- 000. At different times he had several partners in business, but as often something happened that caused him to be again alone. At one time he sold to T. R. Neel and C. V. Langdon and they ran the store for a time, but sold back to Judge Langdon.
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HISTORY OF DUNKLIN COUNTY, MO.
He again sold out, this time to A. J. Langdon, who was doing a general mercantile business at Cotton Plant, at the time of his father's death.
In 1894, A. J. Langdon sold to Wm. M. Cates, who is doing a general mercantile business in the Langdon old store, and has built up for himself a surprisingly good trade. The first church and Masonic hall, erected about 1874, was burned in 1883. Shortly after an- other building of similar character was erected on the same site. The lower story was owned and built by Judge Langdon, and the upper by the I. O. O. F. and Masonic fraternities.
The lower story was set apart for school and church services, and is yet held so by the heirs of Judge Langdon. A six or eight months' school is annually kept at Cotton Plant.
It may be said in connection that Judge Langdon was very generous and furnished a home for several years to the circuit preachers of Grand Prairie Circuit, free of charge, besides giving liberally. He also nearly always had several widows and their children " under his wing," so to speak, and gave them homes and financial assistance. No man whom this county has ever known, was more universally loved and respected by its people than the founder of Cotton Plant.
CLARKTON.
The " pole road " between Weaverville and Clark- ton was a nice plank road at first, and was to Clarkton then about the same as a railroad is to a little town now. Bach was the name first given to this place, but
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HISTORY OF DUNKLIN COUNTY, MO.
after the plank road was built, and it began to thrive it was called Clarkton, in honor of Henry E. Clark, a contractor on the new road. Being in the midst of West Prairie, which was easily cleared and tilled, on the road from Gainsville, Ark., to Weaverville and New Madrid, it soon had good stores, mills, gins, etc.
The first house erected here stood about where the late residence of Z. B. Penney was burned. The store was on the old Cottage Hotel lot, and its first proprietors were John M. Muse and John Timberman.
John H. Stokes also established a store here in 1856, which his son, Robert W. Stokes, had charge of until the breaking out of the Civil War. Clarkton was during the war the site of several skirmishes ; some of its stores were destroyed by fire and the plank road was burned.
This was a heavy blow to the new town. For although the road was afterwards rebuilt, or partially so, with poles, it was a very rough affair ; and when once traveled from end to end, it was not so hard to understand how a certain witty traveler's imagination was wrought upon, until he dubbed it " The Devil's Washboard." But Clarkton withstood all this, and after the cessation of hostilities built up again. Z. B. Penney, E. C. White, Oscar Summers and John Muse established stores, and George Rogers (later of St. Louis ) erected a flouring mill, and several grist mills and cotton gins were built, papers were estab- lished by different newspaper men, and Clarkton became the metropolis of the county. It had at one time nearly 500 inhabitants, the best schoolhouse in
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HISTORY OF DUNKLIN COUNTY, MO.
the county, two good churches, and many neat resi- dences, and was, without doubt, one of the prettiest towns in this part of the State. The Cottage Hotel erected by Z. B. Penney was, in its day, a boon to travelers in these parts.
The building of the railroad, however, from New Madrid to Malden dealt Clarkton a terrible blow from which it has never completely recovered. Still it does considerable business for a country town, for its citizens are nearly all of old and highly respected families who have nice homes and are good livers. In fact, among the best and most influential citizens the county has ever had, have been those in the vicinity of Clarkton. At present it has two general stores owned respectively by M. W. Hubbard and Judge James M. Waltrip. A drug and grocery store are kept by Pack Harrison and his brother, Dr. Arthur Harrison. There is also a blacksmith shop, two mills and cotton gins.
Some fine farms are in close proximity to Clarkton, those of Asa B. Douglass, the Rayburns, Wm. N. Gunn, Judge R. L. Hodges, - Scaggs, Martin V. Baird and George. W. Marshall's are the best known. The last named is, I believe, all things considered, the most desirable farm in the county. Those of T. J. Douglass, near Caruth, and Ben. F. Hicks, of Hal- comb, are, in fact, its only rivals.
CAMPBELL.
This place is situated at the terminus of the St. Louis, Kennett and Southern Railroad, and the Cot-
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HISTORY OF DUNKLIN COUNTY, MO.
ton Belt Route of the St. Louis Southwestern Railroad passes through it. Although many of its citizens are those who formerly lived at Old Four Mile, Campbell
bears no resemblance to that country post-office, but it is a live little railroad town.
When the town first started Maj. Rayburn laid off
OLD COUNTRY HOME OF ELBERT W. HOPPER NEAR CAMPBELL.
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HISTORY OF DUNKLIN COUNTY, MO.
ten acres of the farm of G. M. Williams into town lots, and the railroad company did the same with forty acres. The Lasswell Brothers put up the first store, and E. C. Haines the first saw-mill on the site of the new town. But Campbell was not designed on the country store and saw mill style, for the citizens here- about intended from the first to make a good town of it, and they have, for it has some of the best business enterprises of any town in the county. The Lasswell Milling Co., incorporated February, 1894, with a paid- up stock of $30,000, is one of these enterprises.
It has, in connection with a 30,000 feet capacity sawmill and planing mill with machinery of the latest improvement, both of which have the record of putting out from 75 to 100 car loads of material per month, a trainroad with steel track some seven miles or more in length, running southwest from Campbell, with ample equipment of rolling stock, consisting of a locomotive and ten train cars ; besides, it owns ten standard gauge logging cars, which are in control of the St. L., K. & S. R. R., and bring timber from stations along this, and the Kennett and Caruthersville R. R., to the mills at Campbell.
It will be seen from this that the supply of timber for this company is almost limitless, and it is the source of employment of some 150 or 175 men.
This company about one year ago bought a tract of land and added it to the town plot, as the Mccutchen Addition, and the town has within that time almost doubled itself in size and population ; there having been about thirty new buildings, erected mostly on this
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HISTORY OF DUNKLIN COUNTY, MO.
new plot, and this gives the town a very attractive ap- pearance from the east, south and west. The officials of the company are J. F. Lasswell, President, W. D.
RESIDENCE OF LOUIS MCCUTCHENS, CAMPBELL.
Lasswell, Vice-president and General Manager, and J. P. Lasswell, Secretary and Treasurer.
The " Campbell Roller Mills" fill a long-felt want
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HISTORY OF DUNKLIN COUNTY, MO.
of this county, and gives Campbell another paying enterprise. It is new, having done its first work on the fall crop of 1895, but it makes four grades of good flour. The building is four stories, and the machinery of the very best, having a capacity of fifty barrels per day.
For convenience of shipping, the company have built a 600-foot railroad switch. The officers are numbered among the best citizens of the county, being J. Q. A. Gardiner, President; W. D. Lasswell, Vice- president; Louis Mccutchen, Secretary and Treasurer, and W. E. Hopper, General Manager. Besides this, Campbell has a cotton gin, woodwork and blacksmith shop, four hotels and a number of staple and fancy groceries and general stores.
A large amount of produce is shipped from this place, as the farming community is a good one. This is also a fine fruit growing locality, being at the foot of Crawley's Ridge in this county, and the people are quite proud of the " Pollock & Stanley Nursery." It is only about eight years old, but its business is annually increasing and the fruits, shrubs, etc., worked are of the best standard kinds.
As the people are progressive and up-with-the-times folk, they are, of course, proud of their good school building, and cheerfully support an eight months term, which is this year under the management of E. E. Mccullough, and Miss Katie Lawson.
The Campbell Baptist Church on Riffle avenue and Main street, the M. E. C. S. on Martin avenue and Oak street, and the Christian Church on Martin
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HISTORY OF DUNKLIN COUNTY, MO.
avenue and Pine street, are all neat churches and speak well for a town of 600 inhabitants.
This is one of the oldest settled communities in the county, and many of the citizens of Campbell have been residents here between forty and fifty years. Among the oldest are A. D. Bridges, of the firm of Bridges & Son, who located here in 1844. Mrs. Owen, widow of Dr. Given Owen, who also came to the county in 1844; Dr. Bray, who has been here since 1850; and old " Uncle " Billy Gear, who has been here " about as long as any one ; " and J. Q. A. Gardiner, who has been a citizen of Dunklin County since 1869. A number of others might be mentioned but this is enough to prove that Campbell is a fairly healthy locality, for these old people are all hale and strong considering their age.
GIBSON.
This is a little station on the railroad between Campbell and Kennett. It has a saw mill, cotton gin and grist mill, owned by J. G. Dover & Son, and a grocery store, by J. A. Northernton, and a good church and schoolhouse. Among the old fami- lies around Gibson, nearly all of whom have good farms, are the Northerntons, Weathers, Bensons, Davidsons, Taylors, Barnes, Moores, Ozbirns, Sanders and Browns.
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