USA > Missouri > Cedar County > History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri > Part 48
USA > Missouri > Dade County > History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri > Part 48
USA > Missouri > Barton County > History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri > Part 48
USA > Missouri > Hickory County > History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri > Part 48
USA > Missouri > Polk County > History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri > Part 48
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Golden City Lodge No. 218, A. O. U. W., was organized May 14, 1881, with the following charter members: John R. Elswick, J. T. Kerr, John F. Calvert, W. A. Pemberton, E. G. Wadlow, Henry Chambers, Ben. Bates, F. C. Wilsey, C. A. Tomlinson, George E. Bush, Lewis Campbell, J. O. Berry, S. E. Myers, J. A. Johnston, C. G. Radcliffe, H. A. Stillwell, George W. Ackason, O. N. Carson and A. D. Morgan. The first officers were: C. G. Radcliffe, M. W .; E. G. Wadlow, F .; O. N. Carson, O .; J. A. Johnston, R .; W. H. Pemberton, financier; Ben. Bates, recorder; H. A. Stillwell, G .; F. C. Wilsey, I. W .; George E. Bush, O. W. The officers serving May, 1889, were: J. F. Calvert, W. M .; J. A. Williamson, F .; L. S. Wright, O .; F. E. Garrett, R .; D. E. Ketcham, financier; T. E. Trent, recorder; J. J. Andrews, I. W .; H. G. Schnelle, O. W.
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STATE OF MISSOURI.
Old Residents .- Captain M. Breeden, Joseph Patterson, R. C. McMinn, H. C. Gowan, D. F. McGowan and others, are among the earliest comers now resident here. David A. Appleby was one of the first merchants. J. T. Wyatt is an old resident. Captain Breeden made his mark as a Union scout and soldier during the Civil War.
LIBERAL.
Location and History .- Liberal is situated in the western part of Barton County, on the Kansas & Texas and the Kansas City, Springfield & Memphis Railroads. It is twenty-five miles from Fort Scott, fifteen miles from Lamar, 125 miles south of Kansas City, 325 miles from St. Louis, and about the same dis- tance from Memphis. The population is about 500.
The considerations which led to the founding of Liberal under its suggestive name and by a people who sought there a home in which their own peculiar ideas might prevail, have been thus set forth in a pamphlet designed to call attention to the .claims of the town upon all men and women of like views, and mark it as sui generis among the towns of the Southwest, and, indeed of the whole country :
" The reason we started the town was that it was apparent to all that no person could live in a Christian community and express an honest opinion regarding the Christian religion adverse to the interests of priestcraft without hazarding his business and social standing. This wicked independence of character and manly deportment never fails to reap the full wrath of the church, and there are but few people firm enough to brook such opposition and contend with such odds against them. To give an asylum for those noble men and women who were willing to sacrifice the comforts of life and joys of social intercourse, rather than live a life of deception and false- hood, was the incentive which actuated us in starting the town of Liberal, where we could all enjoy the full benefits of free American citizens, without having some self-appointed bigot dictate to us what we should think, believe, speak, write, print, or send through the mails. Therefore we called together such progressive minds as were willing to work to the upholding of
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HISTORY OF BARTON COUNTY.
humanity, and laid out the town for the attainment of the above blessings.
" It is not necessary for us to give, in this place, the opposi- tion and difficulties we were compelled to surmount to maintain ourselves here. Bearding, as we did, the great lion of orthodoxy in his den, not by opposition, but by a higher and better stand- ard of life than had been offered by it, we naturally aroused
rancor, hatred, revenge and opposition.
*
Ever believing in the godship of humanity, we went steadily ahead to the upbuilding of manhood, and now we have gained the respect of the surrounding people. * *
* With one foot upon the neck of Priestcraft, and the other upon the rock of Truth, we have thrown our banner to the breeze and challenged the world to produce a better cause for the devotion of man than that of a grand, noble and perfect HUMANITY.
' Bound to no creed, to no sect confined,
The world our home, our brethren all mankind.'
" We do not prescribe a belief for any one, nor do we meas- ure a person by his faith. Every one is judged by his own standard of manly worth. We do not feel under obligations to extend respect to a person who does not respect himself ; nor can we hold a person up who will not stand alone. Our standard of morality consists of but four words: BE TRUE TO THYSELF. No one can do wrong without receiving the effects of wrong. With this standard in view, we invite all lovers of humanity to join with us, with the pledge on our part to do them as much good and as little harm as possible."
Mental and Moral Culture .- The means established here for the advancement of mental and moral culture are thus referred to:
" To meet a social want and combine doing good with the pleasantries of life, we have in active usefulness two organiza- tions which contribute to the social welfare and interest of the members as well as the public good; both looking toward the improvement and benefit of humanity. One is The Brotherhood, which is an organization intended to meet all the demands of the age, including the absolute secularization of the government, as 34
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STATE OF MISSOURI.
well the finer requirements of the heart and brain, in one grand system of ethics. The Brotherhood is duly incorporated by State authorities. So far it has approved satisfactory to all of its mem- bers. It presents an ethics that addresses itself to both intellect and heart. The moral, intellectual and social qualities of man's nature find in this organization ample food for all the demands of life. It presents opportunities for doing good which must engage the noblest impulses of the human breast. There is nothing in the constitution or the tenets set forth that can be objected to by the most extreme atheist or spiritualist. It leaves the supernat- ural to the speculation of those who find solace in pondering up- on the unknowable, and directs the mind of man to the wants of man and his ennoblement, 'believing the most important study of mankind is man.' * * Another is the Ladies' Progressive Lyceum, which meets once a week, devoting a two hours' session to such handiwork as the members see fit to devise, or their fancy may dictate, and to instructive reading and the discussion of all subjects calculated to benefit womankind. The various articles of ornament or apparel made by the society are quarterly arranged for sale by way of a public fair and entertain- ment, the net proceeds of which are retained in the treasury or expended for charitable purposes, or as the society may direct. * * This is an interesting feature of our town, demon- strating the active labors of women for the promotion of good and the advancement of her sex. It is thought that, through the direction and management of this organization, various industries will, in time, be put in operation which will give employment to females, and create a demand for woman's work."
A Sunday instruction school and Sunday night meetings are maintained, and a Liberal Normal School and Business Institute has been founded. The school building, Universal Mental Lib- erty Hall and Opera House, occupied by the school, Sunday- school and literary clubs, are well finished frame buildings erected at a cost of nearly $6,000.
Incorporation .- Liberal was incorporated by an order of the county court, November 7, 1881; but, upon representation that the petition for incorporation had not been signed by two-thirds of the taxable inhabitants within the limits described, the order
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HISTORY OF BARTON COUNTY.
was revoked November 12, 1881. The town was re-incorporated Monday, March 3, 1884, by an order of the county, recorded as follows:
Now comes to be heard a petition signed by two-thirds of the inhabitants and tax- payers of the town of Liberal, asking that said town be incorporated as a village, and police established for the local government of the same, with the following boundaries, to wit : Embracing all the original plat of the town of Liberal, also the first, second and third additions thereto, as laid out and platted by G. H. Walser, also Waggoner's addi- tion to the town of Liberal, also Juvart's addition to the town of Liberal, and all that tract of land as commons thereto, lying south of Block I, in Walser's third addition to said town, and north of the right of way of the Fort Scott, Southeastern & Memphis Railroad, all in the county of Barton and State of Missouri, which is taken up and con- sidered by the court, and, it appearing to the court that the said petition is signed by two- thirds of the inhabitants of said town, it is therefore ordered by the court that the said petition be granted.
C. B. Adams, A. Burgess, R. J. Morris, F. L. Yale and Joseph McCullah were appointed trustees to serve until the elec- tion of their successors.
Additions .- " Old Liberal " was originally laid out by M. N. Wills. The town plat as now known was filed by G. H. Walser, October 30, 1880. The plats of the following additions have been filed: Waggoner's addition, May 20, 1881; Walser's three additions - the first, November 9, 1881; the second, November II, 1881; the third, August 19, 1882; and Jewart's addition, March 3, 1884.
Business .- Among those who have, in the past, carried on various enterprises of manufacture or commerce have been the following, some of whom are among the prominent business men of to-day: C. W. Goodlander, H. B. Irey, Todd & Co., S. F. Youmans, C. C. Richie, J. K. Belk, J. H. Dodd, Mrs. F. L. Yale, J. P. Redlinger, J. B. Dietrich, Rockwell & Allen, N. T. James, Dr. Merrill, J. W. Demby, Yale & Hesford, G. W. Car- penter, A. M. Lyon, J. H. Roberts, J. W. Glover, Betz Brothers, L. Kimminger, Silas Small, S. C. Thayer, Mayer & Weems, D. P. Miner, A. J. Allen, J. W. Williams. The merchants in different lines at the present time are F. L. Yale, J. S. Van Law, P. J. Umbrite, Todd & Co., J. D. Scothorn, J. H. Roberts, Cole, Cox & Westgrove, M. L. Anderson, Joseph Frittz, Good- lander & Mccullough, Peter Hartman and J. M. Mccullough.
The Bank of Liberal began business in 1888, with a capital
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STATE OF MISSOURI.
of $25,000. G. W. Baldwin is president; R. L. Baldwin is cashier. It is a useful and successful institution.
The Liberal Lodge A. F. & A. M. was organized a few months ago, with Joseph Curless as worshipful master. Among its mem- bers are H. C. Hatfield, John Stephenson, Dr. J. S. Gish, John Hendricks, J. W. Hendricks, Samuel Boulware, J. S. Van Law and William Mckinney.
Lubricating Oil .- There is found at Liberal a good quality of the grade of petroleum best adapted to lubricating purposes, possessing some of the distinguishing qualities of asbestos. It has never been fully developed, and the extent of the supply is as yet unknown.
The Local Press .- The first paper in Liberal was The Liberal, " in the interests of liberal and constructive Liberalism," by G. H. Walser. The Liberal Ensign was published by Scott & Sarles, and later by Mark Scott in 1877. The Barton County Enquirer was issued at Liberal in 1887-88, by the publishers of the Seda- lia Democrat. The Liberal Messenger was published in 1888-89, by E. H. Adams.
IANTHA.
Iantha is a small village in Township 32, Range 32, in Central Township, on the Gulf road, eight miles west of Lamar. It was laid out by M. N. Wills, of Lamar, and the plat was filed in the recorder's office July 25, 1881. The plat of Bonine's addition was filed March 20, 1889. Among the early business men were W. C. Baker, dealer in baled hay; J. A. & C. Bonine, builders; J. W. Gandlin, dealer in live stock; P. H. Harper, dealer in lum- ber and grain; John Osborn, hotel proprietor; J. Richardson, blacksmith; and J. M. Warden, agent for the railway. The mer- chants in 1888-89 were : George Wolf, A. B. Stone, Summers & Reid, J. P. Redlinger, Petty & Day, Ellis & Arton, and Harper, Fricke & Co. The population is about 300.
Incorporation .- Following is the record of the incorporation of Iantha :
Now at this day [November 5, 1885] comes on to be heard a petition signed by two- thirds of the inhabitants and tax-payers of the town of Iantha, asking that said town be incorporated as a village, and police established for the local government of the same with the following boundaries, to wit : Commencing at the northwest corner of Section
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HISTORY OF BARTON COUNTY.
24, Township 32, Range 32; running thence south to the west line of said Section 24, a distance of one-half mile ; thence east on the half-section line a distance of three-fourths of a mile; thence north the distance of one-half of a mile ; thence west on the north line of said Section 24, a distance of three-fourths of a mile, to the place of beginning, which is taken up and considered by the court, and, it appearing to the court that the said petition is signed by two-thirds of the inhabitants of said town, it is therefore ordered by the court that said petition be granted. Now at this day it is ordered by the court that the following persons be and they are hereby appointed as trustees of the village of Iantha : Samuel L. Summers, George Robinson, P. B. Harper, E. H. Purdy, George Wolf.
Daniel Miles Post No. 360, G. A. R., of Iantha, is in a flourishing condition, with George Robinson as its commander, and S. M. McChesney as its adjutant.
MILFORD.
Milford is an incorporated village, in Township 33, Range 29, in the west part of Milford Township, which was laid out by C. M. Wilcox, who filed its plat November 15, 1869. The plat of Faubion's addition to Milford was filed May 14, 1881. It is twelve miles northeast of Lamar, which is its most accessible ship- ping and banking point.
Milford contains several general stores, some small mechanics' shops and a flour-mill, and during the past few years has greatly improved. Its merchants, in different lines, are R. C. Wool- dridge, J. B. Vaughan, Clayton Rogers, R. L. Bales, and J. M. Herlocker. The population is about 200.
There are at Milford lodges of the A. F. & A. M. and the I. O. O. F., the membership of which includes some of the lead- ing citizens of the town and vicinity. A post of the G. A. R. was organized in 1888, by A. Van Meter, of McCook Post, Lamar. William Winter is the post commander.
There is found at Milford a good quality of petroleum or asbestos. The possibilities of this interest have never been developed. George Sarles published a small paper here a few years ago.
DENISON.
Historical .- The towns of North and South Denison were laid out in 1884; the first by A. Delissa, and the second by R. C. Goss, and both are located in Township 32, Range 33, adjoining Liberal, in the northeast part of Ozark Township. The plats of
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STATE OF MISSOURI.
both were filed on April 12 of the year mentioned. They form a growing, enterprising Christian community, and, with good rail- way accommodations (the Gulf and the Nevada & Minden lines both passing through them), bid fair to be a locality of importance. For railway purposes this point was called Pedro. The following merchants, in different lines, are trading there: A. Delissa & Son, R. C. Goss, H. Bradshaw, P. A. Howe, Dr. J. S. Gish, C. Frittz and Mrs. D. J. Villard. Among new mer- cantile projects are a large hardware store and a large clothing house. There are also located here various small mechanics' shops, and the interests of education and religion are well cared for. Population, 300.
Following is a copy of the record of the incorporation of Denison, which was effected June 9, 1884:
Now comes on to be heard a petition signed by two-thirds of the inhabitants and tax- payers of the town of Denison, asking that said town be incorporated as a village and police established for its local government, composed of the Denisons known and recorded as North Denison and South Denison, in Barton County, Missouri, which is taken up and considered by the court, and, it appearing to the court that said petition is signed by two- thirds of the inhabitants of said town, it is therefore ordered by the court that said peti- tion be granted.
The following named were appointed trustees of the village of Denison, to serve until succeeded by others duly elected and qualified: R. J. Morris, J. T. Johnston, Pit. Boulware, A. Fuller, Wes. Stader.
A mineral has been discovered in Denison which, upon assay, proves to contain large quantities of rich gold and silver ore.
The Pedro Enterprise was published in 1887-88.
A lodge of the I. O. G. T. was organized at Denison, April 19, 1887, with Edward Sackett as chief templar. Among its other members are T. W. Martin, R. J. Morris, Edward L. Adams, Effie Adams, Mrs. Edward Sackett, Edward Stacy, Nellie Curless and Sarah Perkins.
MINDEN MINES.
Minden Mines is a station on the Nevada & Chetopa branch of the Missouri Pacific and a branch of the Gulf system, in Township 31, Range 33, near the north border of Southwest
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HISTORY OF BARTON COUNTY.
Township. It is the business center and shipping point of a cluster of coal mines in Southwest and Ozark Townships. It was laid out by R. J. Tucker, and its plat was filed April 19, 1883. Charles H. Morgan, the Inter-State Commercial Com- pany, J. M. Dickerson, H. Nelson, Usher Brothers, Stroud Brothers and William A. Frazier have stores there. The popu- lation is about 350.
Extensive operations in coal mining have been carried on there during the past two and a half or three years, which have gradually developed to great proportions; necessitating the investment of much capital and the employment of many men, and resulting in an increasing output that has gone far to establish Barton County's claim to containing an important coal mining district. The operators are Charles H. Morgan and the Missouri Pacific Railway Company.
Minden Mines was incorporated December 28, 1885, and its incorporation is thus recorded :
Now come J. W. West, Robert Perkins and others, and present to the court a peti- tion to incorporate the village of Minden Mines, bearing date of December 28, 1885, in words and figures as follows, to wit: To the Honorable County Court of Barton County: We, the undersigned petitioners, residents of the village of Minden Mines, County of Barton, State of Missouri, do pray your Honorable Court to make an order incorporating said village under the name of the village of Minden Mines, with metes and bounds as follows, to wit : Commencing at the southeast corner of Section 6, Township 31, Range 33; thence west eighty rods; thence north 400 rods; thence east 240 rods; thence south 400 rods; thence west 160 rods, to the place of beginning, including 160 acres of the east side of Section 6, Township 31, Range 33, and the south- east quarter of Section 31, Township 32, Range 33, and the south half of the southwest quarter of Section 32, Township 32, Range 33, and the west half of Section 5, Township 31, Range 33, all in Barton County, State of Missouri, and con- taining 560 acres, more or less ; and to establish a police for the local government of said village ; and your petitioners respectfully recommend the following named persons to be appointed trustees in and for said village : Robert Perkins, Frank Orr, A. M. Fox, K. Davis, J. C. Wilkeson ; which petition is examined by the court, and, it being proven to the satisfaction of said court that it is signed by at least two-thirds of the inhabitants of said village, it is ordered that said village be incorporated and known as the Town of Minden Mines, etc.
The persons named above were appointed trustees to serve until their successors should be elected.
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STATE OF MISSOURI.
VERDELLA.
Verdella is a postoffice village, known also as Barton Center, located in the center of Barton City Township, sixteen miles northwest of Lamar, and eight miles northeast of Liberal. Merchants here are Fletcher & Brown. The population is about 150.
Barton Lodge No. 342, I. O. O. F., meets at Verdella weekly. J. B. Greer, N. G .; A. W. Baker, secretary.
SUNDRY VILLAGES.
Berry Hill, in Township 31, Range 33, in the northwest part of Southwest Township, was laid out by Philo H. Sawyer, who filed the plat March 24, 1888. Nashville is a village of about 200 souls, in Township 30, Range 32, in the southeast part of Nashville Township. Its plat was filed by Thomas and Squire Baker, January 28, 1869. The plat of Nashville Center, a part of the same town, was filed by John Main, April 29, 1870; that of the west addition to Nashville Center, July 25, 1883. Judge Main built a store there in 1867. The second store was kept by Marion Dale, and the third by John Dyer. The present mer- chants are A. Walter, D. Pittinger, Crouch & Williams, E. C. Brown and John Dyer. Irwin is a station on the Missouri Pacific Railway, in Township 33, Range 31, in Union Township, a few miles north of Lamar. It was laid out by James McCor- mick, who filed the plat February 9, 1884. H. T. Reed, J. A. Hurst and M. G. Whitter are merchants in different lines, and James McCormick deals extensively in live-stock and grain. The population is about 200. Beloit is a station on the Missouri Pacific Railway, in Township 31, Ranges 30 and 31, in Richland Township, seven miles south of Lamar. It was laid out by A. Steetman, and the plat was filed July 25, 1881. W. H. Thompson and Dr. J. W. Speece are merchants there. Its former name was Carleton Station. The population is about 100. Newport is located in Township 32, Range 29, in the northwest part of Newport Township, eleven miles northeast of Lamar. The settlement here was formerly called Horse Creek. The town was laid out by Miles Boord, and the plat was filed
1
545
HISTORY OF BARTON COUNTY.
June 24, 1874. The plat of Griffin's first addition was filed July 25, 1879. Merchants there are A. Spence & Co., William Stout and Ash & Polley. Population about 100. Kenoma is a small village, in Township 31, Range 30, in the northeast part of Richland Township, six miles northeast of Lamar, on the line of the Gulf road. It was laid out by Barnabas Boggess, who filed its plat October 26, 1880, and that of Boggess' addition, February 9, 1884. Mr. Boggess was a prominent early resident and dealer in agricultural implements. . Present merchants are Schriner & Malone and James Bryan. Population, 150. Le Roy was laid out by John Jones, who filed the plat April 12, 1873. It is located in Township 33, Range 33, in the northwest part of Le Roy Township, near the line of the Gulf road, twenty- five miles northwest of Lamar. J. M. Hawkins is a local mer- chant. Population about 100. Esrom, sometimes called Farmers- ville, in Township 31, Range 31, in the eastern part of North Fork Township, was founded in 1880. It has one store, kept by William Oustatt. Lumber has been manufactured here by William Moody. The village is distant eight miles southwest from Lamar. Dublin is a small town on the Missouri Pacific, in Township 30, Range 31, in the southwest part of Richland Township, on the southern border of the county. It was for- merly known by the name of Coon Creek. It was laid out by Nathan Bray, who filed the plat November 11, 1876. The plat of Merlan's addition was filed April 8, 1880. E. C. Moreland is the merchant and most prominent business man. The popula- tion is about 100. Ellsworth and Bushnell are postoffices with small population, yet convenient to the country surrounding them. Each has one store; that in Ellsworth being kept by J. S. Worthington, and that in Bushnell, by Mr. Bushnell, whose family name has attached to the locality.
WAR HISTORY.
Troubles before the War .- As early as 1858 Barton County became the scene of events connected with the Kansas-Missouri difficulties, which for years occupied a prominent place in public
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STATE OF MISSOURI.
attention, and at different times depredations were committed within the county by pro-slavery and anti-slavery sympathizers who ranged the country in lawless bands, self-constituted admin- istrators of so-called justice, at times perpetrators of outrages such as would have disgraced the Northmen of old.
First Military Organization in the War Period .- Early in 1861, Maj. Randall recruited a company on Horse Creek for the Southern service, which was made up of Barton and Cedar County men. A. J. Smith, of Barton, was his first lieutenant, and Dr. Gilmore, his second lieutenant. This organization was attached to Gen. Rains' command, and saw much active service.
Capt. I. N. De Long, popularly known as Capt. "Ike " Delong, soon afterward organized a company at Lamar, the members of which were Federal sympathizers. This was a " home guard company," and, as a company, never was mustered regularly into the United States service; though later many of its members enlisted in different companies recruited in South- west Missouri and Eastern Kansas, and saw hard service during the war.
Notes and Incidents .- The population of Barton County was very small at the outbreak of the Civil War, and the public senti- ment was markedly divided, and hence the number of its citi- zens who did soldier's duty for either the Union or Southern cause was necessarily small; but such as did espouse either cause were not lacking either in patriotism or bravery. As an inci- dent of the struggle, Barton's court house was burned, and with it all of the county records to that date. Quantrell and his band once raided Lamar. Much lawlessness prevailed over this whole section of country, and depredations by jayhawkers and bush- whackers were of frequent occurrence. These consisted in the occasional shooting of men who were obnoxious to the raiders, and the burning of barns, dwellings, and the destruction of prop- erty generally. Not to exceed half a dozen families were left in the county at one time. A rancorous bitterness existed for two or three years after the conflict was over, which in some cases resulted in great personal inconvenience and considerable loss of property to men of both Northern and Southern sympathies.
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