USA > Missouri > Mercer County > History of Harrison and Mercer Counties, Missouri : from the earliest times to the present : together with sundry personal, business, and professional sketches and family records : besides a condensed history of the State of Missouri, etc > Part 21
USA > Missouri > Harrison County > History of Harrison and Mercer Counties, Missouri : from the earliest times to the present : together with sundry personal, business, and professional sketches and family records : besides a condensed history of the State of Missouri, etc > Part 21
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Brigham smiled, and said, very obsequiously, "You need give your- selves no uneasiness gentlemen, we have been driven from our homes in Illinois by the wicked Gentiles, and some of our people are so poor they had to stop and raise something to live on, and will then move ahead."
The Colonel thereupon entered into a treaty of peace with Brigham that he was not to enter Missouri except for trade and commercial purposes.
The war having met with this favorable conclusion, the gallant Colonel with his conquering army returned home without the loss of a man. They reported the " Mount Pisgah Treaty" to the inhabitants of Bethany, and all seemed satisfied with the result of the expedition. After that the settlers enjoyed a lucrative trade with the Mormon trav- elers. These were the only wars in which the militia of the Territory engaged. They served at their own expense without the hope of fee or
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reward. It is stated that they never received any bounty or back pay, land warrant or pensions. The gallant Colonel resided in this county many years respected as a veteran by all the early settlers, and in 1887 was a dairyman at St. Joseph, commanding a milk peddling wagon. When the dependent pension bill becomes a law, he should, by all means, be included in its patriotic terms.
Land Opened for Entry .- When the squatters first came to this county each one could get as much land as he wanted, that is could claim what he wanted for farm or pasture or timber, for the land was then not surveyed or laid off into sections or townships.
About 1842 the land in Township 62, that is five miles on the south part of the county, was laid off into sections, and opened for entry, and in 1845 the land in Townships 63, 64 and 65, that is eighteen miles more north, was surveyed and sectionized, and in 1846 was opened for entry at the United States land office, then at Platisburg, Mo. The surveyors first laid off the townships six miles square, and these were afterward subdivided into sections. Each section was intended to be one mile square, and to contain 640 acres, but as the original townships were not always accurately surveyed, they were found sometimes to be more and sometimes to be less than that size. The sur- veyors laying off the sections would commence at the southeast corner of the township, and survey north and west, so the south and east sections were made one mile square, and the last tier of sections on the north and west was often either more or less than the proper size, and the north part of the last sections adjoining the township line on the north side of the township, and the half of the sections adjoining the range line of the west side of the township sustained the loss or gain, the inside eighty acres was usually full, and was called Lot 1, and the outside eighty, or the tract next the line, was called Lot 2; so Lots 2 are often more than eighty-acre lots, and often fall below that size.
The Government surveyors only ran the section lines and marked the sections corners and the half-mile points on their lines. In the timber or where they could get stakes conveniently, they would make a stake about four inches square and four feet long, and drive two feet into the ground. Upon the sides of the stake were marked the number of the section it was made to face, and the township and range. This was for the convenience of the people who desired to enter the land. Sometimes upon the large prairies the surveyors would run out of stakes and then they would pour down about a quart of char- coal to mark the exact corner, and cover it up with earth, making a
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small hillock. It was a violation of the law for any person to move these stakes or hills. Of course the section lines did not always suit the squatters, as sometimes they would have their houses in one section and their barns in another, and very frequently their cultivated land would be divided by the lines; sometimes a squatter would find his small field partly in four sections. As the surveyors did not run the inside lines of the sections, it gave occasion for the squatters to exer- cise their skill in sighting through, setting stakes and running the other lines. The first lands entered north of Township 62 were entered by John S. Allen, David Buck and James A. Dale on the 22d of December, 1846. At the same time John S. Allen, as county seat commissioner, entered 160 acres for the county for county seat purposes, to wit: The west half of the southeast quarter and the east half of the southwest quarter of Section 10, Township 63, Range 28, west of the fifth principal meridian. Thus the land upon which the county seat was located was not entered, nor purchased from the Gov- ernment, until some time after the county seat was located, and part of it laid off into lots, and some of the lots sold, and a few houses erected on them.
Before the organization of Harrison County, the territory of which it is composed was attached to Daviess County for general purposes, and at the election in 1844 some of the candidates for county offices in Daviess County visited the settlements of the squatters to secure their votes. The principal thing the squatters desired to know was whether the candidates were "Jackson men " or not. It is stated that out of about 100 voters then in the territory, all of them except three were " Jackson men. "
In February, 1845, the Legislature passed an act to organize the county, and it was named Harrison, after Albert G. Harrison, a mem- ber of Congress from this State, then recently deceased. The State line between Missouri and Iowa had not then been definitely settled, but a strip of about twenty-four miles north of Township 65 was in dispute, and the people expected to have another county north of Har- rison twenty-four miles square. When the State line was finally lo- cated, however, it was only about seven miles north of the line of Harrison County, and that was then attached to and became a part of Harrison County. When the county was first organized, it was only twenty-three miles across north and south and twenty-four miles east and west. Shortly after the organization Edward Smith, of De- Kalb County, and John Gibson and Ebenezer Wood, of Gentry County, were appointed commissioners to select a site for the county seat.
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After spending some time viewing the county they selected the place where Bethany now is for the county seat. At the May term, 1845, of the county court, these commissioners were allowed for nine days' serv- ices each $2 per day, amounting to $18 each, and these were the first warrants issued by the county court. At this term of the county court, John S. Allen was appointed county seat commissioner to have the brush cleared off and some lots laid off around the court- house square. Mr. Allen engaged Mr. John Plaster, county surveyor of Gentry County, to lay off the town, and he laid off fifteen blocks, being five blocks east and west, and three blocks north and south, the courthouse square being in the center. The blocks were each twelve rods square; the streets running north and south were made four rods wide, and the streets running east and west were made three rods wide. This plat of the first survey of Dallas (Bethany) was reported to the county court at the June term, 1845, and the same was by the court approved and adopted, and the county seat commissioner was directed to sell lots. At the same term John S. Allen, as county seat commissioner, presented an account for $30.37} for expenses of having the brush cleared off the ground for the survey of the lots. The town was first called "Dallas," but the settlers did not like that name, and at the November term of the court, 1845, the county officers took a vote upon a new name, and the name was accordingly changed to Bethany.
Upon the organization of the county, the settlers met at Phil. Harris' mill to select their county officers. The officers were elected in this primitive manner, about fifty voters being present. The candi- dates were called out and took their places a few steps apart, when the sovereigns gathered around the candidate they preferred. There was not much electioneering or log-rolling for the offices among the set- tlers then, and bribery, repeating and " ballot-box stuffing" were unknown. And there was no trouble or bribery or great expense in selecting the county seat such as we read about in Kansas and other western States. The commissioners selected a place near the geo- graphical center of the county as then organized, and where "wood and water were plenty." The first house erected in the new county seat was built by William R. Allen in the fall of 1845. It was a hewed-log house, about sixteen feet square, built on the block northeast of the public square, and remained upon its old foundation and in its original simplicity for about twenty years when it was destroyed in a fire. John and Clem Oatmen were the first merchants in the county. They sold goods for several years in the first house erected in the new town.
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HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY.
After they started their store it became the principal place of com- merce among the settlers. It was here the squatters repaired with their honey, beeswax, furs and other produce, and here they procured their sugar, coffee, tea, salt, ammunition, calico and other goods of prime necessity, and the Oatmens did the hauling between Bethany and St. Joseph, in which it is said they did a "driving business."
The first preachers in the county were A. B. Hardin, Baptist, and John S. Allen, of the Christian Church, both of whom came to the county in 1841, and labored faithfully for many years.
The first regular attorney was William G. Lewis, who came to the county in 1847, and practiced here over twenty years. He was a good lawyer, an excellent citizen, and an honest man. A more extended notice of him may be found on another page.
The first hotel in the county was kept by Robert Bullington in a one-story, hewed-log house, on the north side of the public square, in Bethany, where the St. Joe House now stands. The original part of the house erected by Mr. Bullington still remains, though sided up; other parts have been added, and a second story built on it, so that it has almost lost its identity.
The first dramshop kept in the county was by Dennis Clancy, who, in 1845, obtained license from the county court to keep a "grocery" at Harris' mill for six months, by paying $10 State tax, and $10 county tax. That was before the days of high license and cheap drug stores. It is stated that there has not been a saloon licensed in the county since the year 1863.
The first blacksmith shop in the county was started by Joseph Hunt about 1840 on Big Creek, near the south line of the county.
The first election for county officers was held the first Monday in August, 1846. Although the emoluments of the offices were not very great, there were quite a number of candidates, especially for county court justices; as they were called judges, it was considered quite an honor to have that handle prefixed to the name. Voting in Missouri was then done viva voce, that is, each sovereign stepped up to the polls, and called out the names of the candidates he wished elected. At this election Lorenzo Dow Thompson was elected to represent the county in the Legislature. He served with President Lincoln in the Black Hawk War, and, it is said, got the better of Lincoln in a wrest- ling match. He was a tall, stout, raw-boned man, and withal a man of good sense and fair ability. Thomas Dunkerson, S. C. Allen and Elkanah Glover were elected county court justices; John W. Brown, circuit and county clerk; Henry Fuller, sheriff, and David Buck, treasurer.
the first- drie Shop
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1863
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STATE OF MISSOURI.
COUNTY ORGANIZATION.
The territory embraced within the present limits of Harrison County originally formed a part of Daviess County, and remained such until created a separate jurisdiction by an act of the General Assembly bearing date of February 14, 1845. The county was named in compliment to Hon. Albert G. Harrison, at that time a distin- guished member of Congress from one of the southern districts of Missouri. The material part of the creating act describes the bound- aries of the county as follows: "Beginning at the northeast corner of Daviess County; thence on the range line between Ranges 25 and 26 west, twenty-four miles; thence west to the range line between Ranges 29 and 30; thence south on said range line to the northwest corner of Daviess County ; thence east along the northern line of Daviess County to the place of beginning."
The northern boundary of Daviess County is described in Section 14 of the same act as follows: "From the northeast corner of Sec- tion 36, in Township 62, Range 26; thence west on said section line to the northwest corner of Section 31, Township 62, Range 29." The act further provides for the organization of the newly created county, and designates the time and place for holding courts in the same. *" At the time Harrison County was created, Benjamin Salmon was the representative in the Legislature from Daviess County, and as he lived on the south side of Township 62, and desired to retain his residence in Daviess County, he had the bill so framed that when it passed the Legislature one mile on the south side of the above township, running the entire width of the county, was retained in the county of Daviess."
Since then the boundaries of the county have been variously modi- fied, the north line at the time of the organization having been about one mile north of the present site of Eagleville.
*" The State line between the States of Missouri and Iowa was then in dispute, and the district north of Township 65, for a distance of about twelve miles, was called the 'disputed territory.' The State line was settled and permanently located in 1850, and iron stakes six inches square and six feet long were planted along the line every ten miles. On the 1st of March, 1851, the territory between the old county limits and the State line, being about six miles in width and twenty-four in length, was added to the county, thus making it a little over thirty miles long and twenty-four miles wide, comprising a
*Heaston.
15
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HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY.
superficial area of over 720 square miles. The State line however does not run exactly with the section lines, but bears a little south- ward running west, making the true area of the county about 456,000 acres of land."
The County Court .- Shortly after the bill creating the county had become a law, the settlers met pursuant to appointment at what was known as the Harris mill, about two and a half miles west of where Bethany now stands, for the purpose of choosing county officers, and recommending them to the Governor for appointment. The number of citizens who attended the meeting is variously estimated at from thirty to forty-five, and the election is said to have been con- ducted in the most primitive manner. The candidates were called out, and took their stations a few feet apart, when the sovereigns flocked to the men they wished to serve them in the office designated. There was not much electioneering or "log rolling " for offices among the settlers then, and "repeating," and "ballot-box stuffing" were unknown. Lewis Charlton, Asaph Butler and Samuel Edmiston were selected for county court justices. John W. Brown was chosen sheriff, and Thomas Flint, circuit and county clerk. These parties were duly commissioned by the Governor, and on the 5th of May, 1845,. they met pursuant to appointment for the purpose of formally organiz- ing the county, and putting its machinery in motion.
The first session of the county court was held under the spread- ing branches of a large bass wood tree on the west bank of Big Creek about fifty yards south of the Phil. Harris mill; and the organi- zation took place in the presence of quite a large number of citizens attracted to the spot by the novelty of the occasion. The opening proceedings were characterized by due formality, proclamation having been made by the sheriff, Mr. Brown, who, with uncovered head and solemn mien, gave utterance for the first time to what has since become such a familar declaration to-wit: "Hear ye, hear ye, the honorable county court of Harrison County is now in session." Samuel Edmiston was chosen presiding justice, after which the court proceeded to the transaction of such business as came within the sphere of its jurisdiction.
The following from the little time-stained record is a synopsis of the proceedings of this historic court:
STATE OF MISSOURI,
COUNTY OF HARRISON.
Be it remembered that at a county court begun and held at Harris mills within and for said county, on the 5th day of May, 1845, were present Hon. Samuel Edmiston, Asaph M. Butler and Lewis Charlton, justices of said county
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court, and Thomas Flint, clerk. John W. Brown presents the account of Ebenezer Wood against the county for eight days' service, locating the seat of justice of Harrison County, at $2 per day. Ordered by the court that the ac- " count be allowed, and a warrant issued on the treasurer for the same.
The accounts of Edward Smith and John Gibson for similar service were also presented by Mr. Brown, and the court, after due investigation, ordered warrants issued on the treasurer for amount claimed.
Thomas Flint and John W. Brown, justices of the peace for North Township, Harrison County, came into open court, and resigned their commissions, both of which were duly accepted.
Ordered by the court that Henry Fuller be and is hereby appointed county treasurer for Harrison County to serve as such until his successor is appointed and qualified.
The court then proceeded to fix the boundaries of the following municipal Townships: Madison, Butler and Dallas, and, after appoint- ing one Shepherd Hulse constable for Dallas, an order to adjourn until the second Monday in June next was made and recorded. Thus ended the proceedings of the first county court of Harrison County.
On the 26th of May, 1845, the court assembled in vacation to consider the application of John W. Brown for letters to administer upon the estates of John W. Stevens and Thomas Brown, deceased, of Harrison County, and "the said John W. Brown having complied with the law in said cases provided, it is ordered that letters of administra- tion issue accordingly."
At the regular term, June 9, 1845, held at the residence of David Buck, near Bethany, there were present the justices already named, Thomas Flint, clerk, and John W. Brown, sheriff. It was ordered by the court that "John S. Allen be and is hereby appointed county seat commissioner to survey and sell the lots in the town of Dallas, the pres- ent county seat." Whereupon the same John S. Allen entered into bond and security to the Governor in the sum of $1, 000 for the faithful dis- charge of the duties of the position.
Ordered that Vincent Smith be appointed justice of the peace for Dallas Township, to hold said office until the next general election or until his suc- cessor is chosen and qualified.
A. B. Hardin and Samuel Allen were appointed justices of the peace for Dallas and Butler Townships, respectively, and Thomas L. Frame was appointed to draw the road and cancel fund amount- ing to $198.78, in accordance with the apportionment made by the treasurer and auditor of public accounts. William Roberson was appointed guardian and curator of the person and property
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HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY.
of Mary C. Taylor. Thomas L. Frame was appointed county at- torney for the term of one year, and also instructed to act as agent in procuring the necessary books and records for the county. Briefly stated, the other business transacted at this term was as follows: the appointing of L. D. Thompson, Henry Fuller and Jacob Brown as allotting justices for the townships of Butler, Dallas and Sugar Ridge, respectively. Elkannah Timmons and Valentine Floor, chosen justices of the peace for the township of Butler. Special elections were ordered held in the different municipal town- ships, and the appointment of judges for the same. John W. Brown was ordered to settle with the county court of Daviess County " for the purpose of ascertaining the amount of revenue belonging to Harrison County." License was granted Dennis Clancey to keep a gro- cery at Fuller's mill on Big Creek for six months, commencing June 10, 1845, for which the sum of $10 was imposed as a tax for the use of the county.
Ordered that the order made at the May term, appointing Henry Fuller county treasurer, be and the same is hereby received. Ordered that David Buck be appointed county treasurer of Harrison County by executing bond and security to be approved by the court.
Following the above appears an order for adjournment to meet at the house of David Buck on the last Monday in June.
At the next regular session John S. Allen, commissioner of the county seat, presented a report of plat and survey of the town of Dallas, and was allowed the sum of $30.37}, for superintending the clearing off, and surveying of the same. It was ordered that the revenue of Harrison County, for county purposes, be double that of the State revenue on all objects of taxables, including the tax on merchants and grocer's license. At the same term the name of the county seat was changed from Dallas to Bethany; the tax book returned by O. P. Green, assessor, was ordered received and approved, and John S. Allen was appointed commissioner to contract for the building of a courthouse in the town of Bethany.
Subsequent Acts .- At the July term, 1845, a petition was pre- sented to the court by Samuel Alley, signed by numerous citizens and householders, praying for the appointment of viewers to view and mark out a highway from Bethany, to intersect the county line at Section 35, Township 62, commencing at Bethany and running to Section 35, Township 62. Samuel Alley, E. T. Ellis and John Allen were appointed viewers on the same. John G. Conduit, Robert Peery and David Buck were appointed to view
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STATE OF MISSOURI.
"a road from Bethany in the direction of Trenton in Grundy County, via Joseph Jones' farm in Sugar Ridge Township." Edward Hunt, James Mitchell and James Taylor were appointed viewers on a road from Bethany in the direction of Hunt's mill, and for like service on a road from the county seat to Taylor's Grove were appointed C. L. Jennings, William Long and Stephen C. Allen. John S. Allen was authorized to sell lots in the county seat at private sale; the allotting justices of the various municipal townships made reports of road districts in the same. John Cravens was allowed $12.50 for medical services rendered Thomas Brown (deceased), and John W. Brown presented his report of settlement with Daviess County. The following is a brief synopsis of the proceedings of the court at the September, October and November terms, 1845. Edward Hunt appointed guardian . and director of the persons and property of James Michaels, Sarah Michaels and Lewis Michaels, infant heirs of Daniel Michaels (deceased), with bond and security of $1,500. At the October term, John W. Brown, sheriff and ex officio collector, made settlement with the court for the tax books for the year 1845. He was charged with:
The amount of the tax books for the year. $296 76 Credit by delinquent list .. .$37 38 Credit by commission for services. $10 00
$47 38
Balance to treasurer. $249 38
Harlan Oatman, Thomas Dunkerson, William Hamblen and Richard Watson presented claims against the estates of Thomas Brown, John W. Stevenson and John Edmiston, all of which were allowed by the court. Thomas Flint was allowed $72.65 for services as clerk, warrants to the amount of $32 were issued in favor of Asaph M. Butler and Samuel Edmiston, as salary, for eight days' attendance as justices of the county court, and John W. Brown was allowed $40 for services as sheriff.
At the Jauuary term, 1846, held at the residence of David Buck, William P. Allen was appointed sheriff of Harrison County. Various highways in different parts of the country were ordered opened, and a settlement with the collector for balance, of tax due the county from January, 1846, amounting to $67.482, was made and placed upon record. In March, 1846, Charles M. Scott was allowed $3.15 for hold- ing an inquest on the body of John W. Stevens; and Martin Jennings, by paying a tax of $20, was granted a license to keep a dramshop in the town of Bethany for the term of six months.
1
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HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY.
At the May term, 1846, the court appointed John S. Allen clerk, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Thomas Flint, and at the same time an appropriation was made for digging a public well in Bethany, and a license granted to E. S. Hughes to keep a grocery at Fuller's mill for a period of six months.
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