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 30
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 30
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County school funds arise chiefly from the sale of swamp lands donated by the general Government to the State, amounting origi- nally to 4,300,000 acres, and patented to the counties for school pur- poses. This money is Joaned by county courts, and the interest devoted to the yearly support of the schools.
The township school fund has its source in a grant of land by the Government, consisting of Section 16 in each congressional town- ship, and amounting, in the aggregate, to 1,200,000 acres. The larger portion of these lands has been sold, and the proceeds have been invested by the county courts in trust for the benefit of the town- ships to which they belong. The annual income of the township fund is appropriated to the various townships according to their respec- tive proprietary claims.
The direct taxation laid upon the taxable value of each district sup- plements the support yielded by the permanent funds. Additional to the above there is a special school fund, secured by grant, gift, devise or special legislation. The county fund is annually increased by the net proceeds of fines, penalties, estrays and forfeitures.
At this time Missouri claims the proud distinction of having the largest school fund of any of the States. The following is the exhibit for the year ending June 30, 1883:'
Total amount to credit'of State school fund. $ 3,134,414 80
University or seminary fund 519,095 08
County public school fund 3,300,668 39
Township public school fund 3,441,048 16
Special school fund. 71,455 44
Fines, penalties, forfeitures, etc.
121,279 94
Total school funds .. $10,587,961 81
County Schools .- That the pioneers of Harrison County early took an interest in education is evinced by the fact that schools were estab- lished in the various localities nearly as soon as the settlements were made. In the early development of the country, however, there were a great many obstacles in the way of general education. Settlements
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HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY.
were sparse, and money or other means of remunerating teachers were scarce, as the pioneers of nearly all new countries are poor. There were no schoolhouses erected, and competent instructors were dif- ficult to obtain.
All persons of both sexes, who had physical strength to labor, were compelled to take their part in the work of securing a support. In the last place, books were scarce. Taking all these facts together, the wonder is that they made any progress in educational matters at all. But the pioneers deserve the highest praise for their prompt and ener- getic efforts in this direction. Just as soon as settlements would justify schools were begun, and as population and wealth increased schoolhouses were erected and educational facilities extended.
The early schools of the county were of the commonest kind, and for a number of years the schoolhouses, books, teachers and methods of instruction were of a primitive character. The buildings, as a rule, were small log structures, with puncheon or dirt floors, furnished with rude benches made of the split trunks of trees, and heated by a large opened-mouthed fireplace, which occupied nearly the whole end of the apartment. Light was admitted through a long window made by the removal of a log from the wall of the building, and the desks were usually nothing more than rough boards resting upon pins driven into the wall. These primitive buildings gave way in time to more comfortable frame structures, but the remains of some of the humble temples of learning are yet to be found in various parts of the county, eloquent of times forever past.
The schools of Harrison County at the present day will compare favorably with those in any other part of the State. Competent teachers are employed, and the course of instruction embraces all the branches usually taught in common schools. By a system of town- ship institutes the teachers are enabled to keep abreast of the times, and the growing tendency is to relegate incompetent instructors to a place in the rear. The school buildings are good frame structures, the majority of which are supplied with all the modern educational appliances.
STATISTICS OF 1886.
Number of white children of school age. .7,393
Number of colored children. 34
Total. 7,427
Total number enrolled.
.5,772
Total number of days' attendance in 1885-86. 269,162
Average day's attendance.
47
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STATE OF MISSOURI.
Number of days school has been taught. 13,853
Average number attending each day. 2,340
Number of teachers. 144
Average salary. $28.10
Number of rooms occupied.
150
Seating capacity of all rooms.
6,627
Number of white schools.
139
Number of colored schools.
1
Cost per day per pupil. .045
Value of school property
.$54,928
FINANCIAL. 1
Amount of county funds ..
$63,907 01
Amount of township funds 30,811 16
Total of all funds. $94,718 17
Fines, penalties, dog tax, etc. .$ 2,295.01
Amount on hand, July 1, 1886. 15,310 95
Tuition fees. .
177 05
Received from public funds.
768 95
Received from taxation.
25,227 41
Total receipts $41,484 36
Paid teachers. .$23,960 32
Paid for fuel. 1,752 07
Paid for repairs and rent.
1,319 09
Paid for apparatus. 2,074 59
Paid for new buildings. 778 00
Sinking fund interest.
4,979 33
Paid salary of district clerks.
743 73
Total expenditures. $35,637 13
Average levy 56
Bethany Schools .- The first school patronized by the citizens of Bethany was taught in the year 1846 by one Jonas R. Gray, who used for the purpose the hewed-log building, which stood about a quarter of a mile east of the town limits, on the land of David Buck. This building was erected for church and school purposes, and stood until some time in the fifties. Of the literary and professional qualifications of Mr. Gray but little is now known. William Flem- ing may also be mentioned among those who taught in the same build- ing at an early date. William G. Lewis, a distinguished member of the Bethany bar, was identified with the educational interests of the town for a short time as a teacher, and is remembered as a very com- petent and popular instructor. His successor was F. M. Goodpasture, after whom schools were taught from time to time by Mr. Clenden- ing, L. T. Morris, Dr. Skinner and others.
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HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY.
After the destruction of the log building by fire, a small brick schoolhouse containing a single apartment was erected in the south- eastern part of the town, and subsequently opened for the accom- modation of pupils. This building answered the purposes for which it was intended until the increase of the school population rendered additional accommodations necessary, when vacant rooms in various parts of the city were secured, and at one time schools were taught in the Christian Church. In 1870 an independent district with special privileges was organized for Bethany, and the following board of education elected: H. M. Cuddy, E. L. Hubbard, J. D. Wilson, W. R. Simms, H. D. Dougherty, and Thomas D. Neal. The following year H. D. Dougherty, D. S. Alvord, C. J. Blackburn, D. J. Heaston, H. M. Cuddy and John Taggart were elected directors, and among their first official acts was the reorganization and grading of the schools into four departments: high school, grammar, intermediate and primary.
The necessity of a building of sufficient proportion to accommo- date the children of the town having long been manifest, the board in the spring of 1871 took the necessary action, and submitted plans and specifications. W. H. Hillman took the contract for $6,500, and in due time a two-story brick structure, 50x44 feet, containing three rooms and a spacious hall was completed and ready for occupancy. The school rooms were furnished with 102 double iron desks, and other educational appliances were procured.
Schools in the new building commenced in the fall of 1871, under the principalship of Prof. R. A. Lovitt, assisted by Mrs. J. Stewart, Mrs. Mary W. Kessler, and Mrs. W. H. German. The teachers for the school year 1872-73 were Prof. Frank Permont, principal; Mrs. Mary W. Kessler, grammar department; Mrs. Frank Permont, inter- mediate, and Mrs. Sarah C. German, primary; 1873-74, S. Bow- man, principal; Nancy E. Conner, Nannie E. Price and Alice Wood- ward, assistant; 1874-75, D. K. Andrew, principal; assistants, M. A. Robbins, James L. Allen and Mrs. German; 1875-76, James E. Dunn, principal; Alice Lewis, Sarah Newman, and Mrs. W. H. German, assistants; 1876-77, Prof. John R. Kirk, principal; assisted by the subordinate teachers of the previous year. The same corps of instructors was employed during the year 1877-78; 1878-79, principal, J. R. Kirk; assistants, Lizzie Iles, Lucy Young and Mrs. German; 1879-80, J. R. Kirk, B. F. Thomas, Mrs. Ger- man and James Rusk; 1880-81, J. R. Kirk, Isola Howard, Lillie Lewis and Sarah Devers; 1881-82, F. D. Davis, principal; Mrs. German, Sarah E. Devers and W. F. Parker, assistants; 1882-83,
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STATE OF MISSOURI.
Prof. J. W. Yowell, principal; Jennie Lawver, Sarah E. Young, and Mrs. German, assistants; 1883-84, Prof. B. Riggs, principal; Alice Skinner, Eva Tucker and Mrs. German, assistants.
In 1883 it was found necessary to enlarge the capacity of the school building, and accordingly an addition of four rooms was built at a cost of $7,000. The structure as it now stands is a fine specimen of archi- tecture, and ranks among the most commodious and imposing school edifices in the northern part of the State. The addition was com- pleted in time for occupancy in the fall of 1884. With the increased facilities for accommodation of pupils came the necessity for more teachers, and two additional ones were therefore employed for the year 1884-85. Prof. J. W. Yowell was elected principal. His assist- ants were James L. Allen, Cora Gilbert, R. R. Young, Mrs. German and Lenora Parsons.
In the year 1885 Prof. J. R. Kirk was employed as superintend- ent of the city schools, since which time their advancement in efficiency and excellence has been eminently satisfactory and substantial. Prof. Kirk ranks high professionally, and as a successful manager of schools occupies a conspicuous place among the leading educators of the State. Prof. C. H. Corey, of Moulton, Iowa, a teacher of acknowledged ability, has had charge of the high school since the fall of 1885. The teachers of the subordinate departments in 1885-86 were Allie Rains, Belle Morgan, Lou Lewis, Cora Gilbert and Mrs. N. E. Pratt. The teachers for 1887-88 are as follows: C. H. Corey, high school; George L. Owens, Miss Lee Buckles, Miss Lou Lewis, Miss Cora Burris and Miss Esther Pratt in the subordinate departments.
Present Board of Education .- R. H. Wren, H. A. Moulton, M. A. Ford, O. C. Macy, J. H. Nordyke and J. P. Hamilton.
Receipts for the year ending July 1, 1887, were $5, 326.36, and expenditures $4,813.39, of which amount $2,655 were paid as salary to teachers.
STATISTICS OF THE DISTRICT.
Number of white pupils enrolled .. 368
Number of colored pupils enrolled. 34
Daily attendance. . 264.33
Whole number days' attendance. 3,647.50
Enrolled resident pupils. 358
Non-residents 44
There is one colored school in Bethany, taught at this time by J. H. Daily.
In addition to the public schools of Bethany, there have been at different times private institutes of learning in the city, one of the
1
322
HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY.
first of which was the Bethany Collegiate Institute, established in the year 1860 by Prof. W. D. Stewart. It was incorporated by an act of the Legislature in 1864, and continued in successful operation for several years. The course of study embraced the following branches: Orthography, reading, writing, arithmetic, geography, grammar, the higher mathematics, Latin, Greek, and some of the modern languages. The school was taught in a hall in the building occupied at this time by the Dunn Brothers and W. T. Harvey, southwest of the public square. An effort was made at one time to erect a building for the institution, but for some reason the enterprise was abandoned. Prof. J. H. Carter and Hon. John C. Howell, late judge of the circuit court, had charge of the institute at different times during the sixties.
A select school for instruction in the common and higher branches of learning was established in Bethany about the year 1861, by Prof. J. C. Bailey. It was in operation for a short time.
The schools of West Bethany are supported apart from those of the city proper. The West Bethany building is a two-story frame structure, with two apartments. There is but one school, however. It is taught at this time by Prof. Fremont Kidwell.
Cainesville Schools .- There is a two-story graded school building in the town of Cainesville, erected in the year 1872. The teachers for 1887-88 are: Prof. S. P. Davisson, principal; and Miss Allie Miles, assistant. The term begins in September of each year and lasts eight months. Average attendance, about 110. Board of education-W. C. McKiddy, I. R. Hadley, G. R. Wilson, Dr. H. Nally, Dr. S. D. Logan and George Cibborn.
The Mount Moriah schools are taught at the present time by Prof. Samuel F. Church, principal, and Miss Nona Magraw, assistant.
Teachers of the Eagleville graded schools: Prof. E. Young, prin- cipal; Miss Deckard, assistant.
Ridgeway-Henry Burrell, principal; Mrs. Yeater, assistant.
1 Blythedale-Prof. H. Yeater, principal.
MILITARY HISTORY.
The history of a nation's wars is generally a history of that nation's mistakes. Misrule at home or abroad, growing out of the wrong-headedness of rulers, is the fruitful source of these mistakes. War is always an aggression upon one side or the other; the stronger from motives of cupidity and power, making encroachments upon the rights and privileges of the weaker, or the weaker seeking to revenge themselves upon the stronger. In the war between the mother country
323
STATE OF MISSOURI.
and the colonies, the former was the aggressor. The King backed by venal Parliament sought to impose onerous burdens of taxation upon the struggling colonists, while at the same time persistently refusing to concede to them the just and inalienable rights of representation. The colonists insisted that taxation and representation were inseparable and should go together, and, therefore, that " taxes or subsidies of every sort for the support of government, should be the voluntary tribute of the people through their representatives." The insistance upon this principle of taxation without representation, without representa- tion by Parliament on the one hand and its resistance by the colonies on the other, soon brought about the heroic struggle which finally resulted in the complete independence of the latter.
It is not the present purpose to recount any part of that eventful period-it was over and almost forgotten before the greater portion of Missouri was thought of as a possible habitation. After the struggle was over, however, and the people again settled down to the more peaceful vocation of life, the growing importance of the great West began to attract the attention of many of the more adventurous spirits of Virginia and the Carolinas. Some of the war-worn veterans of the Revolution, by themselves or in groups, began to make their way westward, and a number of years after the close of the war settled in various parts of Missouri, a few seeking homes in what is now Harrison County, when it was first opened to settlement. The names of these patriots and all facts concerning them have long since faded from the memory of man. Among the early comers to Northwest Missouri were several who participated in the Indian War and the last struggle with Great Britain, but like the former, their names have been forgotten in the rapidly passing years.
The military history of Harrison County properly begins at the year 1843, at which time an order was received requiring the citizens of the territory to organize into companies, the same to be called upon whenever needed for service. Two of these militia companies were organized in Harrison County, with Charles L. Jennings as colonel, and Stephen C. Allen, major. Fortunately there was no necessity for their active service, as the Indians were peaceably disposed, and no other possible enemies were near to disturb the tranquility of the set- tlement. Upon two very important occasions, however, these hardy sons of wars were called upon for service, the first of which has gone into local history, as "The Killyan War," described by the graphic pen of Col. Heaston as follows :*
*See also page 223.
324
HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY.
"Charles Killyan was a citizen of this territory, residing in the northern part of the county. He came to Harris' mill in the spring of 1844 with a sack of corn. While at the mill the creek raised so that it could not be forded, and as it was likely to remain so for several days, he set out north to 'head the stream.' After passing into Iowa he crossed the creek and went east, intending to come down the ' divide' between it and Grand River to his home. When near his home he found he was on the east side of Grand River, which was too full to be forded. His failure to return home alarmed his family, and they sent to the mill in order to learn the cause of his prolonged absence. He had been to the mill, had started home, but not making his appearance or being heard from, the rumor at once gained credence that the red-skins had captured him. In this extremity an appeal was made to the gallant Col. Jennings, who, with his company of brave militiamen, started forth to rescue the unfortunate Killyan and punish the treacherous sav- ages. About forty men responded to his call, and at the head of these intrepid troopers the gallant Colonel marched northward on the 'divide' in search of the missing neighbor. In the afternoon of the second day's campaign they discovered in the distance a company of Indians, who were assisting the unfortunate Killyan to find his way home. But the Colonel and his comrades knew not that they were friendly red-skins. Perhaps they were only an advance guard, or they might be coming up in that manner as a decoy squad to draw the militia into ambush. But the Colonel was not to be so easily decoyed. Halting, and hastily forming his brigade into line of battle, he revived the drooping courage of the soldiers by bravely shouting, 'Let the enemy come; we are ready for them, by thunder!' Still the savages continued to approach. At this juncture some of the men awoke to the fact that they were not fit for military duty and gently fell back, while along the whole line signs of wavering began to appear. Then was heard the stentorian tones of the officer in command as he shouted, 'By thunder, keep in line there!' the effect of which was to inspire the men with renewed courage. Seeing the line of battle, the Indians ran up a white flag. Embassadors were sent out to meet them. Mutual and satisfactory explanations were made, the war was over, and 'Johnny came marching home again.' The militia were dismissed and returned to peaceful pursuits without the loss of a single scalp."
The second war in which the militia of Harrison County were called upon to participate was against the Mormons, under Brigham
325
STATE OF MISSOURI.
Young. * In the spring of 1846 the Mormons were driven from Illinois, and immigrating westward passed through the southern part of Iowa, at that time unsettled. A large company of them under the im- mediate direction of Brigham Young stopped for a season in Decatur County, that State, pitching their habitations near where the town of Leon now stands. The people of northern Missouri remembering the former troubles with the Mormons were excited and alarmed. But Harrison County still had its redoubtable military organization and gallant colonel, and, knowing how successfully he had brought the Indian War to a conclusion, all eyes were turned to him for safety and protection in this their second time of trouble. Fortunately he was equal to the emergency. He did not long wait in fear and dread of an attack, but Napoleon-like, carried the war into the enemy's country. Gathering together his brave and resolute soldiers he planned an extensive campaign, and marched boldly against the enemy. After a tedious march of two whole days, the valiant little army came in sight ` of the Mormon camp, and beheld the green prairie for some distance dotted with tents. The Mormons upon beholding the approach of the
warlike squadron were greatly alarmed. They had been forced to flee from two States and had no further desire to meet or encounter armed men. They hoisted a white flag in token of peace, whereupon the Colonel advanced and inquired for their leader, Brigham Young. That dignitary very soon made his appearance, and bowing and smil- ing, politely inquired what was wanting. The Colonel raising him- self to his full height in the stirrups bravely replied "we want to know what in thunder you are doing here!" at the same time explain- ing that his company were Missouri militia, and feared the Mormons were going to invade their State. Brigham then stated that his peo- ple had been persecuted and driven from their homes, and had started for the West, intending to seek a place of safety and seclusion far removed from the Gentiles, but having run short of provisions they had stopped to raise a crop, after which they would proceed upon their journey. A treaty was entered into under the terms of which the Mormons were not to come into Missouri or disturb its people or prop- erty, and while they observed these conditions the militia were to give them no further trouble. Thus ended the second campaign, and the gallant Colonel returned home with new laurels added to his immortal fame.
Several persons from Harrison served in the war with Mexico, but there was no organized effort made to raise troops in the county.
* See also page 227.
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HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY.
Civil War .- Less than a decade and a half after the close of the Mexican War, the great Civil War between the States broke out. Hitherto our wars had been waged against savage or foreign foe, but this was an internecine strife wherein brother was arrayed against brother, father against son and neighbor against neighbor. It was unparalleled in the history of nations, and dwarfs into insignificance the mighty struggles of the past. It is not the purpose of this history to enter upon a discussion of the issues that led to the war, nor to paint the horrors of its shifting scenes, but simply give the gallant part the people of Harrison County took in the struggle. A late writer has truthfully said, " All the evils of war, and all the horrors of civil strife were crowded into those four dreadful years, 1861-65, and all the refined cruelties known to the science and civilization of the enlightened age in which we live were practiced more or less by the opposing par- ties." But after four years of strife and bloodshed, the olive branch of peace again waved over a united country, and now, fraternal love and prosperity smile upon the land from one end of the nation to the other. As the South became naturalized and "reconstructed." to the new order of things, it found a source of sincere congratulations that the object of the strife between the sections was forever removed, and will never cause another war on American soil. In the final union of the "roses" England found the germ of her future greatness and glory, so in the harmonious blending of the "blue " and "gray, " who shall limit the greatness and glory of the American people!
The people of Harrison partook largely of the general excitement of the times, but as the county did not lie along the track of either army and was altogether unimportant from a strategic point of view, it was not made the theater of any important military operation during the war. The people were almost unanimously in favor of the Union, and no sooner had war become a fact than meetings were held through- out the county for the purpose of raising troops for mutual protection and defense. At a large mass meeting held at Bethany on June 3, 1861, the following, among other resolutions, were adopted, expres- sive of the feeling of the public mind at the time:
WHEREAS, In the present distracted condition of our country, it behooves all citizens without respect to party, who desire to perpetuate the blessings of our republic and preserve the public peace, to refrain from all acts which may either directly or indirectly tend to excite the public mind to acts of insubordi- nation or rebellion against the laws of our country, and,
WHEREAS, The minds of some of our people have become impressed with the belief that their persons or property are being put in danger through fear of mobs and lawless bands of marauders;
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STATE OF MISSOURI.
Therefore, be it resolved by the people of Harrison County, in mass meeting assembled, irrespective of party,
First-That we mutually pledge ourselves to protect each other * * against all lawless and unauthorized acts of all persons from whatsoever source they may come.
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