USA > Missouri > Howard County > History of Howard and Chariton Counties, Missouri : written and compiled from the most official authentic and private sources, including a history of its townships, towns, and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri > Part 17
USA > Missouri > Chariton County > History of Howard and Chariton Counties, Missouri : written and compiled from the most official authentic and private sources, including a history of its townships, towns, and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri > Part 17
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54
(176)
177
HISTORY OF HOWARD AND CHARITON COUNTIES.
George Craig and Colonel Philip Tramell established salt works near the present railroad depot near Fayette, in 1819, and conducted the business for several years. The next settler was the father of Colonel MeKinney, of Texas fame, in the same year. In the spring of 1819, John Jackson took a claim near MeKinney, also James Reed, William Harris, and Joseph Gill. In the spring of 1818, Henry Burnham opened a farm north of Fayette and was joined the same year by James Howell, Thomas Low, Joseph Scars, Townsend Brown, Wm. Reynolds, and Enoch Kemper. Mr. Kemper was county assessor a number of years; he had a family of nine children and each alternate child was born blind.
Thomas Collins and Robert Reynolds each made a settlement north of Fayette. in the spring of 1819. In 1820, Colonel Benj. Reeves, father-in-law of Judge Abiel Leonard, purchased the farm of Town- send Brown, and was a member of the first constitutional convention of the state; he was afterwards elected lieutenant-governor, and was one of the commissioners appointed to view the first road to New Mexico.
Bennett Clark, father of General John B. Clark, Sr., who came in 1818, and located three miles east of Fayette, was one of the first state senators from Howard county, and was often in the legislature. The same year Andrew Fielding located one and a half miles east, and Win. Snell, in 1819, about two miles northeast of Fayette. David Todd, of Cooper's fort, whose brother Jonathan was killed by the Indians, settled in the neighborhood of Bennett Clark in 1818. Gar- rison Patrick and Watt Ewing settled in the township in 1819. Joel Prewitt, the father of Robert Prewitt, settled here in 1821, three miles west of Fayette. Also Philip Turner, father-in-law of General John B. Clark, Sr. ; Alfred Basey, father-in-law of Judge George Miller, of Jefferson City, settled on the Turner farm in 1820, selling to Puilip Turner in 1821; Wm. Hughes, one of the first tanners of the county, settled in the vicinity of Mount Moriah Baptist church, about 1820, and donated the land on which the church was erected, and was joined the same year by his brother Roland Hughes. In the neighborhood of Judge Ben. Tolson, there was also made a settle- ment very early ; among these settlers were Amos Deatherage, 1817 : John Tolson, the judge's father, 1819 ; Mathew Howard, 1819 : Pen- dleton Bridges, 1814, and about the same dates, John Cleeton, James Weathers, Andrew Evans, James Burge, General Ignatius P. Owens, Jonathan Bozarth, James Shephard, Enoch Fly, Neheriah Todd, Truman Nailor, Thomas Tolson, David R. Downing, George Staple-
178
HISTORY OF HOWARD AND CHARITON COUNTIES.
ton, Harrison Stapleton, Moves Hyatt, George Burris, Thomas Howard, Henry Saling, Richmond Gage, Hickman Buman, W. B. Hanna, Willis Grimes, Hugh Shields, James Masters, and Robert Brown.
RICHMOND.
This was the name of an old business point which was situated south of the present town of Fayette, in what was known as the Spanish needle district. The township took its name after it. It contained one small store of general merchandise and a blacksmith shop. It now lives only in the memory of the old settler.
FAYETTE.
The county seat of Howard county, is located on parts of sections 11 and 12, in township 50, range 16. It was named in honor of General Lafayette, whom all Americans loved because of his patriotie and distinguished services rendered their country, in the war of the revolution. In 1823, when the town was laid ont, the news had just been received that Lafayette would soon visit the United States. This visit, however, did not take place until the following year, 1824. His landing at New York, and reception by the people, who had gath- ered upon the wharf's by the tens of thousands, is most beautifully and graphically described by that matchless orator and statesman, S. S. Prentiss, in his incomparably grand and eloquent eulogy upon the life and services of that great man.
Fayette was located by Jonathan Crawley, Win. Head, Samuel Wallace, Glenn Owens and Sammel Hardin, Sr. Hiram Fugate and Hickerson Burnham, each donated twenty-five acres of land for the county seat. Judge AAlfred Morrison, who was afterwards sheriff and county judge of the county, surveyed the town site, assisted by John Jackson, Samuel Hardin and others, who were the chain bearers.
After the town was laid out, Elisha Witt erected the first house which was constructed of logs, and located on the ground where Howard college now stands. Although this was the first house built in the town, the logs for another house had already been prepared by Gen. Ignatins P. Owen, and was erected the day following by the general, who had assisted Witt in raising his house. These building, were intended for hotels and were conducted by their proprietors as such for many years. General Owen's hotel was located on the south- east corner of the publie square. These houses were erected in the fall of 1824. The pioneer business man of the town was named O'Neal.
179
HISTORY OF HOWARD AND CHARITON COUNTIES.
Ilis stock was very small and was sold in a log house on the lot where Captain Brooks' livery stable now stands. After remaining a short time O'Neal sold to John Nanson, an Englishman. Nanson died in Fayette from a cancer. The next merchant was Waddy T. Curran, who sold goods in a log house on the corner of the street south of Boughner, Tolson & Smith's grocery. A few years thereafter, Curran moved to Huntsville, Randolph county, Missouri, where he died. Dr. William T. M.Lain was the first physician ; Samuel T. Crews was the second, and John A. Halderman was the third. Halderman is now minister to one of the South American states. Matthew Simonds was the original village blacksmith.
Here smokes his forge; he bares his sinewy arm And early strokes his sounding anvil warm, Around his shop the steely sparkles tlew As out of steel he shapes the bending shoe.
Lawrence J. Daly taught the first school in the town, in a log cabin which now stands in the vard where Mrs. Mary S. Hanna now lives. Mr. Daly was a native of Ireland. He was the father of Mrs. Samuel C. Major, and Mrs. Dr. John Talbot, the latter now deceased. He died in Fayette. Among his pupils were William C. Boone's wife, Johr P. Sebree's wife, Elizabeth Garner, Susan Garner, Stephen Garner, Jesse W. Garner, Artimesia Me Lain, Sallie Mckinney, Euphe- min Mckinney, Nancy Reynolds, Susan Reynolds, Eleanora Spencer, Miss A. Spencer, Joseph Hardin, William Wilson, Thomas Taylor, Townsend Taylor, Humphrey Taylor, and Mrs. Mary S. Hanna.
There were other schools kept in the town between 1825 and 1834, by both male and female teachers. but at the latter date a most excellent educational institution called the Fayette academy was established by Archibald Patterson. The building was constructed of brick, one story high, and contained two rooms. It was located a little to the left and south of Central college. Mr. Patterson came from Ohio ; he was a man of classical attainments and quite success- ful as a teacher. His school continued until 1844, when he went to Marion county, and then to Lexington, Missouri, where he died from an accident.
The first resident minister was Rev. Augustus Pomeroy, an Old School Presbyterian, who held services in the school-house spoken of. He was also a school teacher. Rev. Ebenezer Rodgers, a missionary Baptist preacher held religious serviees occasionally in the town. He resided in the country. Rev. William W. Redmond ( Methodist ),
180
HISTORY OF HOWARD AND CHARITON COUNTIES.
was a circuit-rider at an early day in the county, and was the presiding elder in 1826. The first house of worship was erected by the Baptists in 1824.
Washington Shepherd was the first tailor. The first death in the town was that of Miss Elmira Whitton; hers was the first grave in the cemetery.
The?first Sunday-school was organized by Rev. Augustus Pome- roy. Reuben Johnson. Elijah Mock and William Taylor were the first carpenters and builders. Hickerson Burnham erected the first large brick residence : it occupied the corner where Bell's grocery store now stands. The first jeweller was Joel Gill. William Jones, Sr., was the first wagon-maker. Richard Law built the first tobacco factory. The first gunsmiths were Jesse Riddleberger and Gabriel Oldham. Jesse Whitton had the honor of erecting the first mill - a horse mill, one set of bulirs. James Spencer had a carding machine and mill com- bined - inelined tread wheel. John A. Johnson operated an inclined tread-wheel carding machine. A man by the name of Purdon ran a linseed oil mill, and about this time James Dunn erected a steam saw mill. Wash Shepherd and - Hurt had a saddle manufactory. John R. White was also a saddler. Marly and Cole were hatters and made all kinds; of hats. Boone Fly and S. C. Major operated a furniture manufactory.
INCORPORATED.
The town was incorporated by the county court in November, 1826, with Samuel T. Crews, Elijah Whitton. Lawrence J. Daly, Jos- eph Gillfand Robert Wilson as trustees. It was reincorporated in May, 1830, with James T. Shirley, Alfred W. Morrison, John A. Hal- derman, Elijah Whitton and Jo-eph Gill as trustees. W. R. Snelson was the first mayor, elected in 1855. The councilmen were : -
Langfoot Cook and Gabriel HI. Oldham, from First ward.
W. T. Lucky and Jas. Gregory, Second ward.
W. T. Lucky, clerk.
Samuel C. Major, Sr., treasurer.
Wm. Mitchell, marshal.
PRESENT CITY OFFICIALS.
W. F. Mitchell, mayor.
James Waters, councilman, First ward.
A. F. Davis, .. .. .
Jno. T. Tolson, Second "
181
HISTORY OF HOWARD AND CHARITON COUNTIES.
Wm. Shafroth, councilman Second ward.
John Crump, marshall.
Joseph Pulliam, treasurer.
Leland Wright, clerk.
Jordan Cullar, street commissioner.
BANKS AND BANKERS.
About the year 1838, the " Branch of the Bank of the State of' Mis- souri at Fayette," was established with Dr. J. J. Lowry as president and C. F. Jackson, cashier. It was operated until 1864, when it was discontinued. During that year the bank was broken into by the scouts and camp followers of the southern army. The bank, however, did not lose anything by the robbery, but Howard county suffered a loss of $28,000, the county having on deposit at that bank that much money.
The second banking institution in Fayette was the private bank of A. Hendrix & Co., established September, 1865. The company was composed of A. Hendrix and Thomas J. Payne.
Payne sold his interest to his partner, A. Hendrix, in 1869, and Hendrix continued in business until May, 1876, when he died.
Mr. A. Hendrix was succeeded by the Hendrix bank, June 1. 1876. A. F. Davis succeeded the Hendrix bank in August, 1878.
.
March 1, 1871, the Fayette bank was organized with R. T. Prewitt as president, and Thomas J. Payne as cashier. July 1, 1878, the Fayette bank was purchased by Thomas J. Payne and R. P. William-, who now operate it as Payne & Williams. Thomas J. Payne was elected president of Fayette bank in September, 1873, and R. P. Wil- liams, cashier.
The two latter banks ( A. F. Davis, and Payne & Williams ) are the only banks that are now doing business in Fayette. Each of these are supplied with safes and time locks, and such other convenience> and improvements as are possessed by similar institutions of modern times.
COURT-HOUSES.
There have been but two court-houses in Howard county. A temporary wooden structure was provided in 1817, at Old Franklin. upon the location of the county seat at that place, but no building was erected and designed especially for a court-house, until 1824, when one was built at Fayette, soon after the town became the seat of justice. At that period, the first brick court-house was completed by
182
HISTORY OF HOWARD AND CHARITON COUNTIES.
a Mr. Garne, who took the contract for building it. That building was occupied until 1859, a period of thirty-five years, when the present court-house was erected.
It is a two story brick with main building and wings. It has a. neat and attractive appearance, and is a building of considerable magnitude, containing beside the court-room and jury-rooms, eight offices, with floors made of tile. The upper portion of the building, which projects in front and forms a portico, is supported by four large and lofty columns, which resemble in appearance light gray limestone. The roofing is tin, and is flanked on the sides and ends, with a balus- trade, made of brick, the whole surmounted with a handsome and graceful cupola, upon the summit of which, is stationed a weather vane and brazen eagle.
PUBLIC SQUARE.
The town of Fayette was laid out with reference more especially to the smoothness of the surface of the land, than with reference to the cardinal points of the compass. The public square was thus laid out, and the streets had to be adjusted accordingly. The consequence is, the streets do not run east and west or due north and south. The stranger visiting Fayette, would never know without being told, that what he would suppose to be the northeast corner of the publie square, is not in fact the northeast corner, but the corner of the square point- ing due north. So difficult has been this question of a correct solution at all times, even to those who reside in the town, that the county court, some years ago, had the initial letters representing the points of the compass placed upon the cupola of the court-house, so that the mystery could be solved at a mere glance. Although the surveyor did not lay off the town according to the points of the compass, he succeeded most admirably in selecting a most elegant site for the public square. It embraces about one aere of ground. which is enclosed with a neat and substantial iron fence. It is covered with a luxuriant growth of blue grass, and is interspersed with shade trees, which add much to the beauty of the place. A broad brick pavement surrounds the square, just outside of which stands a row of soft maples, which afford an abundant shade.
FACTS AND INCIDENTS.
Fayette had a fire engine in 1838.
A public meeting was held in Fayette, April 17, 1841, to express publie sorrow at the death of President Harrison.
General Robert Wilson was president of the meeting.
183
HISTORY OF HOWARD AND CHARITON COUNTIES.
The committee on resolutions was composed of General John B. Clark, Joel Prewitt, Dr. Samuel T. Crews, James Brown, S. C. Major and Colonel J. H. Birch.
The 4th of July, 1842, was celebrated at Fayette in a grand style.
Thomas L. Belt was the orator of the occasion.
Adam Hendrix read the declaration of independence.
Among the toasts was the following : -
" The memory of Boone, Cooper and Hancock - while the tall forest stands around us, here and there interspersed with the improve- ments of the pioneer, these names cannot be forgotten upon the waters of the great Missouri."
In the fall of 1843, Claiborne F. Jackson, Leland Wright, John Jackson, J. J. Lowry, N. G. Elliott, Robert Lynch and others, extended a written invitation to Colonel Thomas II. Benton, to come to Fayette and partake of a publie dinner in his honor.
W. R. Singleton made a map of Howard county in 1844.
Mrs. Torode taught school in Fayette in 1845.
Sons of Temperanee, Howard county division, No. 34, was organized in Fayette December 31, 1848. The officers were : W. T. Lucky, W. P. ; R. Lynch, W. A. ; W. McNair, R. S. ; S. T. Preston, A. R. S. ; J. Bradley, F. S. ; A. Mitchell, T .; Rev. A. Scarritt, C .; E. K. Atterbury, A. C. : W. W. Mitchell, 1. S. ; D. Doffmyer, O. S.
On July 11, 1852, the people of Howard county assembled at the College chapel at Fayette, to pay appropriate honors, upon receiving news of the death of Henry Clay. Addresses were delivered by Robert T. Prewitt, General John B. Clark and Major C. F. Jackson.
On Monday, the 4th day of June, 1855, the people, irrespective of party, met at the court-house at Fayette to express their views in reference to the " Fanaties of Kansas, Missouri and elsewhere." The following gentlemen were appointed a committee on resolutions : W. M. Jackson, G. M. B. Maugh, N. G. Elliott, F. M. Grimes, J. J. Lowery, Sr., Jno, B. Clark, Jr., G. W. Morehead, J. F. Finks, Seton E. Graves, Joseph Cooper, Morgan A. Taylor, Taylor Hughes, Thomas Payne, C. C. P. Hill, H. L. Brown, Rice Patterson, J. W. Henry and others. Owen Rawlins was president, R. C. Hancock, secretary.
A subsequent meeting of a similar character was held at the same place, when a large number of delegates from Howard county were appointed to attend the Pro-slavery convention which met at Lexing- ton, Missouri, July 12, 1855.
184
HISTORY OF HOWARD AND CHARITON COUNTIES.
CHOLERA.
Cholera made its appearance in Fayette the first time, in 1832 or 1833. There was one case in 1849. Dr. C. R. Scott, of Fayette, made a visit to his native State, Virginia, during that year, and took the discase while returning home; he died after his return. The cholera again made its appearance in August, 1855. Among those who died in the town were Mrs. Catherine Marley and John A. John- son. Harrison and Cleveland Stapleton died in the country. It made its appearance again, in its most virulent form, in 1873, there being fifty-three deaths out of fifty-six cases. A physician who passed through it and witnessed its effects in all its various phases during that year, gives the following account of the same : -
CHOLERA AT FAYETTE IN 1873.
[Prepared by U. S. Wright, M. D.]
This epidemie was brought to our town July 19, 1873, by a Swede. who had been a laborer on the railroad, which was then being constructed through the town. From the best information, he had been drinking several days when he came to Fayette, arriving here on the night of the 18th, from Boonville. I was called to see him early on the morning of the 19th, and found him in a collapsed state, called a consultation and did all we could, but the patient never rallied, dying in five or six hours. This man died in a boarding- house, constructed from the lumber of an old livery stable, built on the same ground, consequently the surroundings seemed to be quite favorable to an outbreak of the disease. There were, perhaps, fifty men boarding at this house. It was only a few days when two more of the railroad men ( laborers ) were attacked in the same manner and died in twenty-four hours or less time. This produced a great ex- citement among the citizens, which amounted almost to a panic in a few days thereafter. The colored people had a pienie near the town, and the next day the medical authorities positively announced that five negroes had died with the dreaded disease, and that several others of that race had the symptoms of cholera. The citizens organized a sanitary committee under the auspices of the medical faculty, and used their best efforts to abate the ravages of the oriental plague in Fayette. Nurses for the sick and dying were provided, and others were appointed whose duty it was to see the dead decently interred. About three-fourths of the population of the town fled, and remained away until they supposed the disease had run its course, when they
185
HISTORY OF HOWARD AND CHARITON COUNTIES.
would return, waiting just long enough for another outbreak when they would again flee. The disease continued to attack and kill our people until the 9th of September, when the last ease occurred in the community. As soon as the news had been heralded abroad that all danger was past, the absent citizens returned. Fifty-three persons had been carried off by the disease, and among this number were some of the best citizens of the town. As far as known, there had been fifty-six cases of cholera, but three recovering, showing the malignant character of the disease. There were, however, many cases of cholerine, which would have turned into genuine cholera had it not been for the physicians and kind nursing.
The cause of the epidemic seems to be still veiled in mystery. There were, at the time, quite a number of laboring men gathered in camps and boarding-shanties, engaged in building railroads, in and near the town, and also many negroes crowded together in every available house in the city ; these facts, coupled with the further fact, that the town was poorly supplied with privy-vaults, and those in use were neglected and uncleanly -- I think furnished at least some of the causes for the pestilence prevailing here, after its germ had been imported. The town at that time was almost wholly supplied with water from wells, and this drinking water question is known to be an important factor in the spread of this plague. Ours is a limestone district, but it is now thought that the geological structure of the soil has but little influence upon the disease, and it is admitted that it is the physical rather than the mineralogical structure that produces cholera.
Another canse for its propagation here may have been found in the number of stagnant pools of water in the vicinity, caused by the railroad dumps at many points along the line of the road. The disease here was very unmanageable, as the cases advaneed very rapidly into the collapsed condition. Calomel, given in small doses, seemed to be the most efficient remedy. With my experience with cholera, I would advise immediate flight, as the best plan of getting rid of so formidable an adversary, upon the part of the citizens of any community, whenever the disease appears.
A METEORIC PHENOMENON.
Between three and four o'clock on Wednesday morning, Novem- ber 13, 1833, there occurred in Fayette, and in every town and county throughout the United States, a meteoric phenomenon, the splendor of which never passed from the memory of those who witnessed it.
186
HISTORY OF HOWARD AND CHARITON COUNTIES.
It has since been known and remembered, as " the falling of the stars." In the firmament above, and all around the horizon, were beheld innumerable balls of fire of a whitish, pallid color, rushing down and across the sky, drawing after them long luminous trains, which clothed the whole heavens in awful majesty, and gave to the air and earth a pale and death-like appearance. An inconceivable number of meteors shot athwart and downwards from the heavens, as though the whole framework of the blue and cloudless arch above had been shaken. These luminous bodies had the appearance of flying through the air with great rapidity, occasioning the greatest wonder among the beholders, mingled with fear and consternation. Some described them as the slow and sparse descent of large flakes of snow, and that each flake, becoming ignited in its passage, fused like a bombshell before bursting, leaving a long, lurid light in its wake, and that tens of thousands of these, continued to descend and scatter, each becoming extinet before reaching the earth.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
Lafayette Lodge, No. 47, A. F. and A. M., organized October 17, 1842. Charter members - Priestly H. McBride, G. M. ; Samuel T. Crews, David Kunlle, Wm. G. Kerley.
First officers - Sammel T. Crews, W. M. ; David Kunkle, S. W. ; W. G. Kerley, J. W. ; Wm. Taylor, Treasurer ; James H. San- ders, Secretary : A. H. MeDonald, S. D. ; I. L. Johnson, J. D. ; L. Crigler, T.
Present officers -Theo. F. Woods, W. M .; M. A. Boyd, S. W. ; Uriel S. Wright, J. W. ; Thos. G. Deatherage, Secretary ; Thos. J. Payne, Treasurer; John Talbot, S. D. ; James Waters, J. D. ; Wm. F. Tieman, T.
Temple commandery. No. 38, organized March 15, 1882, with S. B. Cunningham, A. F. Davis, Jno. B. Clark, Jo. W. Finks, Jno. S. Elliott, R. P. Williams, J. T. Smith, W. A. Mathews, Jas. B. Brooks, W. A. Dudgeon and J. C. Ferguson.
Present officers - Sid. B. Cunningham, E. C. ; Arthur F. Davis, M. C .; Julius C. Ferguson, C. G. ; R. P. Williams, P. ; Jas. T. Smith, R. ; M. A. Boyd, Treasurer ; Jas. B. Brooks, S. W. : Robert C. Clark, J. W. ; L. S. Prosser, S. B. ; W. F. Mitchell, S. B. ; W. A. Dudgeon, W.
Fayette; Chapter, No. 94, organized with the following charter members - W. A. Dudgeon, J. C. Ferguson, Thomas G. Deatherage,
187
HISTORY OF HOWARD AND CHARITON COUNTIES.
R. C. Clark, R. P. Williams, S. B. Cunningham. James B. Brooks, J. L. Morrison, Jo. II. Finks.
First officers- W. A. Dudgeon, fI. P .; J. C. Fergu-on, K. : Thomas G. Deatherage, S. ; R. C. Clark, C. H. ; R. P. Williams, P. S. ; JJ. B. Brooks, R. A. C .; S. B. Cunningham, secretary ; J. L. Morrison, treasurer : Theo. F. Woods, M. 3d. V. ; J. T. Smith, M. 2d. V. ; J. T. Bailey, M. Ist. V .; N. B. Corprew, G.
Present officers - William A. Dudgeon, H. P. ; Julius C. Fergu- son, K. ; Nestor B. Cooper, S. ; M. A. Boyd, C. H .; R. C. Clark, P. S. ; John Talbot, R. A. C. : Theo. F. Woods, M. 3d. V. : James B. Brooks, M. 2d. V. : Uriel S. Wright, M. Ist. V. ; S. B. Cunning- ham, secretary ; Walter C. Kuaus, treasurer ; W. F. Tieman, guard. A. O. U. W. charter members of Cincinnatus Lodge, No. 143, A. O. U. W. - John A. Mckinney, H. A. Norris, C. E. Burekhartt, Joel W. Morris. C. J. Walden, John Dinkle, John C. Herndon, E. S. Prosser, James Waters, N. B. Cooper, Thomas Ward, W. C. Arline, A. F. Willis, W. B. Anderson, S. C. Major, A. J. Furr, J. F. Agee, O. G. Willis, Thomas B. Brooks, John B. Dickerson and Jaures P. Morrison.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.