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 26
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 26
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The Eagleville Clipper was established at Eagleville in 1877 by W. J. Wightman, who continued its publication in that town until 1880, when he moved the office to Blythedale, where for twenty months it was published under the name of the Blythedale Clipper. In 1882 Mr. Wightman moved to Bethany, and changed the name of the paper to the Bethany Clipper, by which it has since been known. Mr. Wightman is one of the oldest and most experienced newspaper men in Harrison County, and as an editor and writer enjoys much more than a local reputation. The political complexion of the Clip- per is decidedly Republican, and as a sprightly local paper it ranks among the best county newspapers in Missouri. It has a liberal adver- tising patronage and a good circulation.
The Eagleville Enterprise .- This paper was established by J. Frank Ward, and made its first appearance in 1880. It was an inde- pendent sheet with Republican tendencies, and during the time of its publication, two years, gained a circulation of about 500. Mr. Ward was a writer of average ability and a practical printer. The Enterprise was a seven-column folio, neat in its mechanical appear- ance and compared favorably with the other newspapers of the county.
Elder W. M. Browder, a distinguished minister of the Christian Church, established, in 1879, at Bethany, The Gospel Star, a religious paper, the printing of which was done in the office of the Broad Ax. The Star was an able advocate of the peculiar plea of the Disciples, and in its columns were found many strong articles upon the great religious questions of the day. Elder Browder was an able and aggressive writer, and a renowned pulpit orator. He continued the paper about one year during which time it gained a fair patronage.
The Cainesville Signal was started at Cainesville in 1885 by C. A. Brannon. It was a five-column folio, independent politically, and enjoyed an existence of about one year. The enterprise not proving remunerative, Mr. Brannon closed out at the end of that time, and moved to Leon, Iowa.
The Cainesville News, established by J. H. Rockwell, of Iowa, made its first appearance on the 12th of April, 1885. It was started as an independent paper, but subsequently became decidedly Republican
278
HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY.
in politics. It changed hands in July, 1887, Prof. S. P. Davisson, present proprietor, purchasing the office and taking editorial control. The News is well edited, has a liberal advertising patronage, and a subscription list of about 500.
The Eagleville Journal is the name of a small local paper estab- lished at Eagleville in 1885, by J. Fred Cramer. It was published only two months, and proved a very indifferent affair.
In the year 1882 M. A. Thorne established at the town of Ridge- way a small local paper known as the Ridgeway Blade, which enjoyed an existence of two years. The Blade was well edited, and became a fearless advocate of the temperance cause, in which Mr. Thorne was an active worker. Like some of its predecessors it was compelled to suspend for want of remunerative patronage.
The Ridgeway Free Press was started in 1884 by C. C. Bartruff, who continued the publication until 1886. Mr. Bartruff was a practi- cal printer and fair writer, and succeeded during his sojourn at Ridge- way in securing a fairly remunerative circulation for the Press. The paper was a quarto, Republican in politics, and presented a very neat appearance. The editor sold his office in 1886 and left the town.
Elections. - The first presidential contest in which the citizens of Harrison County participated was the election of 1848. The vote of the county was as follows: Zachary Taylor (Whig), 63; Lewis Cass (Democrat), 144. The following is the vote for the year 1852: Scott, 111; Pierce, 164.
In 1856 James Buchanan, the Democratic candidate, received 495 votes in the county, and Millard Fillmore, standard bearer of the American party, 318. There were no votes cast for the Republican nominee, John C. Fremont.
The following is the vote by townships in the national election of 1860:
Douglas.
Breckin- ridge.
Bell. Lincoln.
Bethany
.298
0
84
47
Madison
87
0
56
15
White Oak.
30
2
19
00
Trail Creek
45
0
8 20
Union
13
0
5
28
Dallas
31
3
7
25
Butler
36
3
11
1
Marion
201
9
75
64
Clay
56
1
23
7
Total
797
18
288
297
Gubernatorial Vote of 1860 .- C. F. Jackson, 792; Gardenhire, 260; S. Orr, 104; H. Jackson, 18.
279
STATE OF MISSOURI.
In 1864 the vote of the county was as follows:
Lincoln. McClellan.
Bethany
.226
79
Marion.
182 .
12
Sugar Creek
100
5
Union
54
14
Butler
63
1
Madison
85
40
White Oak.
38
7
Cypress
66
00
Trail Creek
83
00
Washington.
31
17
Dallas
27
00
Clay
37
33
Total
992
208
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, 1868.
Grant. Seymour.
Butler
94
4
White Oak.
83
17
Dallas .
47
9
Washington.
35
18
Lincoln
34
28
Marion
210
81
Union
140
22
Bethany
229
121
Cypress.
139
18
Sugar Creek.
130
41
Trail Creek
112
30
Madison
91
39
Clay.
65
47
Total.
1,429
475
Vote for Governor-McClurg (Republican), 1,397; Phillips (Demo- crat), 485.
Congress-Parker (Republican), 1,252; Ellis (Democrat), 702.
Gubernatorial Vote of 1870 .- J. W. McClurg (Republican), 1,304 B. Gratz Brown (Democrat), 703.
1872.
Grant.
Greeley.
Bethany
309
238
Butler
106
84
Cypress.
144
37
Sugar Creek
146
93
Trail Creek
125
89
Madison
109
62
Clay
107
64
Marion
276
150
Lincoln
51
48
280
HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY.
1872.
Grant.
Greeley.
Washington
55
32
Dallas
67
75
White Oak.
101
84
Union
88
43
Grant
67
17
Total
1,751
1,116
Gubernatorial Vote of 1872 .- John B. Henderson (Republican), 1,748; Silas Woodson (Democrat), 1,133.
Vote for Governor at election November 3, 1874-C. H. Hardin, 1,034: William Gentry, 807.
Congress-I. B. Hyde (Republican), 1,749; R. A. DeBolt (Demo- crat), 929.
1876.
Hayes.
Tilden.
Adams
98
31
Bethany
210
179
Butler
78
84
Colfax
86
78
Cypress
109
37
Clay
95
95
Dallas
90
85
Fox Creek.
99
75
Grant.
74
48
Hamilton
76
55
Jefferson
92
87
Lincoln. .
56
54
Madison
101
70
Marion
162
73
Sherman
115
38
Sugar Creek.
81
35
Trail Creek. .
87
60
Union
136
56
Washington
58
45
White Oak.
113
92
Total
2,013
1,373
Hayes' majority.
. 640
Vote for Governor-Finklenberger (Republican), 2,013; Phelps (Democrat), 1,377.
Congress -- Pollard (Republican), 2,021; DeBolt (Democrat), 1,392.
1880.
Garfield. Hancock. Weaver.
Adams.
103
44
10
Bethany
260
169
1
Butler
94
104
Colfax
102
104
2
.
281
STATE OF MISSOURI.
1880.
Garfield. Hancock. Weaver.
Cypress.
108
27
36
Dallas
82
92
26
Fox Creek.
105
96
5
Grant.
101
47
6
Hamilton
73
55
2
Jefferson
87
104
14
Lincoln
46
86
9
Madison
111
71
26
Marion
150
88
25
Sugar Creek
67
51
19
Sherman.
102
59
12
Trail Creek.
106
68
9
Union .
131
63
10
Washington
65
63
10
White Oak.
112
89
8
Total
2,097
1,586
239
Governor-D. P. Dyer (Republican), 2,102; T. T. Crittenden Democrat), 1,589; L. A. Brown, (Greenbacker), 236.
Congress-C. H. Mansur, (Democrat), 1,574; J. H. Burrows (Greenbacker), 2,196.
1884.
Cleveland. Blaine and
Butler.
Sugar Creek.
49
95
Fox Creek ..
88
101
Trail Creek.
69
127
Madison
80
123
Clay.
107
86
Adams.
47
119
Sherman
52
135
Grant.
90
127
Marion
78
165
Colfax
101
137
Cypress
44
120
Bethany
209
302
Jefferson.
78
100
Union
73
130
Hamilton
70
90
Butler
102
98
White Oak
91
125
Dallas .
119
92
Washington.
76
80
Lincoln
66
59
Total
1,608
2,288
Governor-Marmaduke (Democrat), 1,232; Ford (Greenbacker), 2,162; Brooks (Prohibitionist), 401.
18
282
HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY.
Congress-Dockery (Democrat), 1,626; Harwood (Republican), 2,227; Jordan (Greenback), 48.
Railroads. - Hopes of securing a railroad were entertained by the citizens of Harrison County as early as 1859. In that year the Galves- ton, Kansas City & Lake Superior Company was chartered to construct a line of road from Des Moines, Iowa, to Kansas City. A preliminary survey was made between those two places in 1860, and the counties through which the proposed road was to pass were solicited to sub- scribe to the capital stock of the company. The citizens of Harrison became greatly interested in the matter, and by a majority vote the county court was instructed to subscribe the sum of $150,000 to aid the enterprise. The breaking out of the war a short time afterward interfered with the plans of the company, and, as a consequence, all work on the line was abandoned.
The matter was revived in 1866, during which year operations commenced at various points along the road, and grading to the amount of $5,000 was done in Harrison County. Subsequent changes in the plans of the company were such as to render the route through this part of the country impracticable; accordingly the road was never completed.
In the year 1868 the citizens of Harrison became interested in the proposed construction of the Leavenworth & Des Moines Railroad, and in May of that year the court was authorized to vote the sum of $150,000 to aid the same, on condition that the road should be com- pleted within a stipulated time. The survey was made through the county the same year, but the company subsequently changing the route, so as to run via Gallatin and Trenton, the court order was officially rescinded at the November term, 1872.
About the year 1869 a third railroad project was presented to the people of the county, and their aid solicited in behalf of the Quincy, Missouri & Pacific Road, which company proposed to construct a line from the Mississippi River to the eastern boundary of Harrison County. Upon condition that the road should be located, bridged and graded between the prescribed points within three years, the peo- ple of the county, by a majority of 232, in 1869, voted an appropriation of $250,000 in aid of the enterprise. The line was surveyed, but nothing further was done toward constructing the road. The order making the appropriation was rescinded by the court at the October term, 1872.
Three years later a second movement was made to aid the above road, which at that time was in process of construction between Milan
283
STATE OF MISSOURI.
and Trenton. With the hope of inducing the company to extend the line westward through Harrison County, the citizens of Bethany Township, in 1875, voted aid to the amount of $40,000, no part of which was ever paid, as the road was not extended.
The first railroad agitation which produced fruitful results began in 1879, at which time a preliminary survey of the Leon, Mount Ayr & Western, a branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Road, was surveyed through Harrison County. The citizens assisted the enter- prise by a subscription of $40,000, and granted the right of way from Bethany north to the Iowa State line. Work commenced on the road in the summer of 1880, and on the 28th day of October of that year the first train of cars ran to Bethany. The line was extended south- ward to Albany in 1881, and consolidated at that place with a narrow- gauge road which had been constructed a short time previous from St. Joseph to Gentry County. The latter was subsequently changed to a standard gauge, and the road is now one of the most important branches of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy system.
The influence of this road in developing the material resources of Harrison County has been very marked, and since its completion population has greatly increased, and all kinds of real estate steadily advanced in value. An immediate outgrowth of the road was the platting and building up of the flourishing towns of Blythedale, Ridgeway and New Hampton, and the vast increase in the business interests of Bethany. The line runs from northwest to southeast, and includes about forty-two or forty-three miles in Harrison County.
In the year 1884 the Des Moines & Osceola Narrow Gauge was extended southward from Leon, Iowa, to Cainesville, Mo., the latter place being the present southern terminus of the line. By this road Harrison County is brought into easy communication with Des Moines and other Iowa cities, but the benefits resulting therefrom are confined principally to Cainesville and the northeastern part of the county. It has been especially beneficial to Cainesville, the population and wealth of which has rapidly increased since its completion.
CRIMES AND CASUALTIES.
The history of all countries and communities from their earliest colonization and settlement has shown bad men mingled among the better classes of society. So it has been in Harrison County. The records of the county reveal the fact that quite a number of persons have been called to answer at the bar of justice for the commissions of heinous crimes and offenses. As early as 1846 a stabbing affray
284
HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY.
occurred near Bethany between Josiah Spurgin and Jacob Mitchell, in which the latter was killed. The trouble was caused by a too free use of whisky, both parties having been in a state of intoxication when the quarrel took place. Spurgin was arrested and tried at the March term of the circuit court, 1847, before the following jury: William C. Allcock, David Duan, Joel Harris, Hugh Hamlin, Josiah J. Allen, William Hamlin, William Hunter, Alfred Daniel, Daniel M. Thompson, Abel W. Allen, James Edmiston and Michael Ballew. The jury, after hearing the evidence in the case, returned a verdict of man- slaughter in the third degree, and assessed the punishment at three years in the State prison.
Killing of Charles Burger .- In the year 1863 Charles Burger was shot and killed near the Iowa State line by his neighbor, Christopher Shaeffer. A grudge of long standing had existed between the two men, and Burger, it appears, had been in the habit of killing Shaeffer's stock whenever an opportunity for so doing presented itself. This stung the latter to madness, and he was heard to make the threat that he would kill Burger if his stock was not left alone. Hearing the report of a gun early one morning Mr. Shaeffer looked in the direction of Burger's farm and saw the latter in the field shooting at some hogs, which he (Shaeffer) at once recognized as being his own. Seizing his gun he started across the field, and when near Burger called to him to stop shooting, whereupon the latter turned and placing his weapon in position advanced toward the enemy, with the intention, doubtless, to shoot him. Shaeffer brought his gun to aim very quickly and fired first, the entire charge taking effect in Burger's breast, kill- ing him instantly. After committing the fatal deed Shaeffer went back to his home, and, ordering his wife and children to leave the house for a few minutes, took off his boots, seated himself in a chair, placed the muzzle of the loaded gun barrel to his forehead, and touching the trigger with his toes, blew nearly the entire top of his head off. Shaeffer was a discharged soldier from Merrill's Cavalry, and a man of reputable standing in the community. Both men left families.
The Elliott Fratricide. - About the year 1863 there occurred, near the southern boundary of the county, in Butler Township, a bloody tragedy, rendered doubly horrible by the intimate relationship that existed between the murderer and his victim. John and Hart Elliott were two brothers whose friendship and intimacy had long been the subject of comment among the citizens of the community. No trouble of any kind had ever existed between the two men, consequently the startling announcement one day that John Elliott had killed his
285
STATE OF MISSOURI.
brother was for a time entertained as an idle and silly joke. The rumor, though at first treated with indifference, proved only too true, as the body of Hart was found in the woods where the two brothers had been at work, with the throat cut from ear to ear. What led to the com- mission of the bloody deed is not now known. John Elliott was arrested, and while not denying having committed the murder, entered a plea of insanity, upon which he was cleared in the trial that followed. His defense was ably conducted by Silas Woodson, William G. Lewis, S. A. Richardson and J. S. Asper, and the trial is remembered as one of the most interesting that ever took place in Harrison County.
Killing of John Garrison .- In the year 1866 or 1867 Riley Strickland and John Garrison, two neighbors who resided about four miles west of Eagleville, had a difficulty, which resulted in the death of the latter. Rumors charging Garrison with undue intimacy with Strickland's family, while the latter was in the army, had for some time been afloat, and, reaching Strickland's ears, caused him to become beside himself with rage. Meeting Garrison upon the occasion referred to, Strickland broached the matter and very soon a bitter war of words was in progress between the two men, during which the fatal shot was fired. Strickland was arrested and tried in Bethany before a jury which could not agree upon a verdict. At his second trial he was found guilty and sentenced to imprisonment in the county jail for a term of one year.
About the year 1856 one Dr. Tennis was killed 'in a Bethany saloon by the barkeeper, George Young. It appears that the two men had a difficulty over some drinks, and, being under the influence of whisky, they soon became engaged in a violent quarrel, during the progress of which Young struck the Doctor upon the head with a heavy bottle, inflicting a terrible and fatal wound. After realizing what he had done, the saloon keeper ran out of the building and made good his escape from the town. The Doctor lingered in great agony for a few days, until death kindly put an end to his sufferings.
Bloody Deed of an Insane Man .- Benjamin Nickerson, a resident of Cypress Township, about the year 1867 or 1868, while laboring under a fit of insanity, killed his wife and sister-in-law with a large bludgeon, literally beating their heads to a jelly. He was arrested and tried, but being proved violently insane at the time, was acquitted by the jury.
Killing of McCollum .- In July, 1864, George Williams, a returned Federal soldier, attempted to disarm Isaac B. McCollum, a Southern sympathizer, and in the quarrel which ensued the latter was shot and
-
286
HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY.
killed. Williams received a shot in the leg, but was not otherwise injured. He was indicted for the killing only a few years ago, and after quite an extended and exciting trial, was cleared.
Fatal Stabbing Affray .- On the night of February 15, 1875, two brothers, Jack and James Urshin, while attending a social party at the residence of F. M. Brower, a short distance northwest of Cainesville, became involved in a quarrel with a young man by the name of Byron Harrison. From words the young men came to blows, and finally knives were drawn by all three and freely used. James Urshin received a fatal stab; his brother was seriously cut in several places, while Harrison received three or four ugly wounds. After young Urshin's death, Harrison was arrested, but the facts elicited at the trial proved conclusively that he acted in self-defense.
Fatal Termination of a Family Feud .- About the year 1877 the citizens of the northeastern part of the county were thrown into con- siderable excitement by the shooting of William C. Chapman by Oxley Johnson. The fatal deed was but the termination of a family trouble which had existed between the two men for a number of years. Johnson was arrested for the crime, but the jury failed to convict him.
Shooting of William Poynter .- In the month of September, 1878, William Poynter, an exemplary citizen living at Eagleville, was shot and killed by a tramp near that village. It appears that several worthless characters and lewd women camped in the vicinity of the town, and one day a number of boys and young men collected for the purposes of inviting them to leave the neighborhood. While in conversation with the villagers, one of the tramps fired his revolver into the crowd, the shot taking effect in young Poynter's body, causing his death in a short time.
Killing of Isaac Moore .- Friday night, April 5, 1878, Isaac Moore, an old citizen of Lincoln Township, was shot through the body from side to side with a musket ball. The facts of the matter are about these, as obtained from Mr. Moore, and from Jonah Noah, the man who did the shooting: Moore was going along the public road, and when near Noah's house, Noah fired from some place about the stable. Noah's version is that some one had been stealing his corn, and he suspected a certain man (not Moore) and was out with his gun watch- ing for him. By and by a man came along, and it being dark he could not see who it was, but supposed it was the one who had been stealing his corn. Without warning or notice of any kind, and while Moore was walking along, Noah fired with the above result. Noah admitted
287
STATE OF MISSOURI.
to several persons that he shot Moore, but did not know it was Moore, but thought it was the other man. The next day (Saturday) Noah gave himself up before Squire D. Adair, and a preliminary examina- tion was held, and Noah was held to answer to the circuit court in the sum of $2,000. Failing to give bail he was brought to jail Sunday.
When Noah saw that he had shot Moore, he went to him, took him to his own house and sent for a physician.
The next day 'Squire Adair went to where Moore was and took his affidavit. The affidavit was in words as follows:
[MOORE'S AFFIDAVIT. ]
Isaac Moore states on his oath that he, Isaac Moore, was going down towards his timber, to look after the fire that was in the prairie, and I started towards the house (meaning Noah's, we suppose), and was shot in the public highway. This was April 5, 1878, after dark.
[Signed]
ISAAC MOORE.
Subscribed and sworn to this April 6, 1878. DAVID ADAIR, J. P.
Noah had been living in that vicinity but a short time, having removed from near Denver, Worth County.
Moore died on the 7th, and the same day the sheriff lodged a com- plaint with 'Squire Howell, charging Noah with the murder, when he was rearrested. He plead guilty to manslaughter, and was sen- tenced to the State prison for a term of twenty years. He served only six years of the sentence, having been pardoned at the end of that time.
Killing of Jacob Fanster .- On Thursday, June 13, 1878, in Washington Township, occurred a fatal tragedy resulting in the shooting and killing of Jacob Fanster by William W. Jessee, of Mar- tinsville. In September, 1876, Fanster was indicted by the circuit court for forging a school warrant on a school district in Washington Township. He gave bail in vacation for his appearance at the March (1877) term, but failed to appear at the designated time. He left the country, and was not heard of until March, 1878, when it was learned that he was in Nebraska. The sheriff of Andrew County went there, arrested and brought him to Bethany and lodged him in jail. He sub- sequently gave bond, W. W. Jessee being one of the bondsmen. Learning that he was going to leave the country, Mr. Jessee procured a writ of recognizance with a view of turning him over to the sheriff. Fanster attempted to make his escape, and in so doing was shot and killed by Jessee. Jessee was subsequently tried for the killing in the Harrison Circuit Court and acquitted.
Mysterious Death of a Young Lady .- In October, 1879, Miss
288
HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY.
Mollie Monroe, a young lady living in Butler Township, disappeared from her home under very mysterious as well as suspicious circum- stances. It appears that a young gentleman by the name of Brown had been waiting upon her for some time, and rumors had it that the two were to have been married.
One day Brown quit the neighborhood but left her $50 with which to join him as soon as he succeeded in finding a location. From that time, however, it is said that she never heard anything further from her absent lover. On the second day of October, 1879, she left her home without saying anything to her parents, going, no one knew whither, but the general supposition was that her intention was to join Brown. Over one year elapsed before any trace of the missing young lady was discovered. On Wednesday, April 26, 1880, some one passing through the woods near her father's house found floating in the wind from the limb of a small tree the torn fragments of a dress. This aroused the man's curiosity, and searching among the fallen wood and brush in the vicinity, he soon discovered a human skull, and in a ravine a short distance away a number of bones and pieces of woman's clothing were found. Some of the bones had been carried to the side of the road by hogs. Mrs. Monroe recognized the dress as the one worn by her daughter the day she left home. How the young lady met her death will perhaps forever remain a mystery. Some think that she de- stroyed herself, while others maintain that it could have been nothing short of murder.
Murder of Albert Hines. - At Hamptonville, May 15, 1880, oc- curred the murder of Albert Hines, a well-to-do citizen, who had been doing the blacksmithing at that place for a number of years. Sometime before that date John H. Lawson went to the shop and ordered a clevis made, which he had charged to William Black, his brother-in-law, as Lawson's credit was not good. A few days afterward Black stepped into the shop, when Hines asked him for the pay for making the clevis, stating that Lawson told him that Black wanted it. Black denied that he had authorized Lawson to have it made for him. As soon as Black saw Lawson he told him what Hines had said, which Lawson denied, and swore he would see Hines about the matter. On the 15th some words passed between the two men, the result of which was that Lawson struck Hines several times upon the head with a heavy piece of iron.
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