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 42
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 42
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND CHIARITON COUNTIES.
caught a eat-fish in the East fork of the Chariton river, in 1830, that weighed 120 pounds. Minks were so numerous on the banks of the same stream that Kitchen succeeded in trapping sixty-four one win- ter, within a distance of two miles up and down the banks.
KINDNESS OF OLD SETTLERS.
Mr. Kitchen relates the following : lu 1835, a man named Alexan- der Daman lost his eabin and all his household goods by fire. Daman lived in the edge of Randolph county. The neighbors, Mr. Kitchen being one of them, heard of the misfortune, and all got together, on a certain day, immediately after the occurrence, and proceeded to the place in a body. They ent logs, erected and finished a larger and better house than the one that was destroyed by tire, and had it ready for occupaney that evening. But this was not all. Each man took with him what he could spare from the wants of his own family, such as a ham, a piece of bacon, a blanket, a quilt, cups and sancers, knives and forks, plates, and, in fact, prepared him for keeping house in a more comfortable manner than he was before the fire. Such were the old settlers, and such were some of their true-hearted deeds - deeds the record of which should be preserved and handed down to the latest generation. James Taylor came from Kentucky in 1824. Achilles Finnell came from the same State in 1822. Charles Herryman came from Tennessee in 1823 'and became a Santa Fe trader some years afterwards. William Rich- ardson and his sons were North Carolinans. Andrew King emigrated from Kentneky in 1822. James MeHargne was from North Carolina, and came in 1827. Mrs. Mary Profit came from Kentucky and was an early settler. James M. Harelson came among the pioneers, and had the honor of erecting the first frame dwelling-house that was put up in the township. The first wheat was raised by Achilles Finnell, in 1834, and called the " Golden Chaff." MeHargue was the first . postmaster in the township, taking charge of an office at his home as early as 1838.
William Titus, who came from Kentucky, erected the first mill in the township, in 1831, on section 28. It was a band mill.
James Ryan settled in the township in the fall of 1817, and died be- fore the war of 1861. His children are still living, but are scattered. Samuel Dinsmore located in the forks of the Chariton rivers in 1820. His wife, Rebecca, is still living, and took the premium at the last fair
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND CHARITON COUNTIES.
in Chariton county for being the oldest lady settler in the county. George Wolfskales, father-in-law of Ryan and Dinsmore above named, opened a farm in the edge of Chariton and Howard counties. He died before the war of 1861. Among other old settlers were Peterson Parks, Robert Hays, Samuel C. and Jonathan T. Burch, Joseph Hol- sea, Wm. MeCollum, David Gentry, Stokely Bunch, Elijah Boone, John Watson, the two Martins, Brummett, John Tillotson, Richard Tillotson, Thomas Henderson, Wi. Lee, Samuel S. Ellington, John P. MeAdams, Samuel and Thomas Williams, Martin Hurt, Stephen Phelps, Samuel, Joseph and Gideon Gooch, Harrison Dennis, and James Winn.
FIRST SCHOOL.
One among the first schools in the township was taught by Captain Abner Finnell, about the year 1826. The building was located on the southeast quarter of section 19. Finnell had been one of the early militia captains, and was killed in the late war. Eliza and Rebecca Hays, Ethelred Parks, P. B. Parks, William, Daniel and John V. Heryford, were among the pupils who attended this pioneer school.
TORNADO OF 1830.
About the 10th of September, 1830, Chariton county was visited by a tornado, which swept through a portion of Salisbury township. Had the township been as thickly settled as it is now ( 1883), there would have been great destruction of life and property. The wind came from the southwest, and blew towards the northeast, levelling houses, trees, and everything in its path, and destroying a few lives. The storm was accompanied by lightning, hail and rain, the bailstones averaging as large as hen's eggs. Thomas S. Kitchen informed the writer that after the storm had passed he picked up a bailstone in his father's yard that was too large to be put into a pint enp.
Mrs. Elijah Parker, who resided in Mr. Kitchen's neighborhood, had an arm broken by the storm, and her house blown down. A small flock of geese were in the yard at the time, and were never heard of afterwards.
RECOLLECTIONS OF PIONEER WOMEN.
Martha Williams, the wife of Samuel Williams, deceased, was born March 1, 1811, in Jessamine county, Kentucky, and is the daughter ot
460
IIISTORY OF HOWARD AND CHARITON COUNTIES.
Nathaniel and Nancy Morris, her mother's maiden name being Wil- liams, She came to Chariton county, in 1837, with her husband and family, and located in what is now known as Salisbury township, be- tween the East and Middle forks of the Chariton river.
Among her neighbors, those who were already living in that seetion of country when she eame, were Isaac Runnymire. James Drinkard, Isaac Cupp, John Mansfield, John Winn, the Seribners, David MeCol- lum, Elias Gentry, Elijah Emery, and Daniel Johns.
The first school teacher to follow his calling in her neighborhood was John P. McAdams, who emigrated to the county from Virginia. The first term of his school was attended by George W. and Nancy J. Williams, Hezekiah, David and Columbus Philpott, John and Susan Ellington, James Brummal and others.
The pioneer church was Mount Nebo, built by the Baptists, and located about three miles west of the present town of Salisbury. The minister who officiated at this church at the period mentioned, 1840, was Elder Felix Redding, who labored long and faithfully in the cause of his Divine Master. Doctor James Brummal was the first physician to locate in the neighborhood. He was a great walker, and always travelled on foot to see his patients when they did not reside too far from his home. The doctor was wantonly and brutally murdered during the war of 1861.
Mrs. Williams says there was much true-hearted hospitality among her neighbors, and that her pioneer days, although spent in a wild country, where she was deprived of many of the comforts and luxu- ries with which the people of to-day are surrounded, were her hap- piest days, and that she, even now, in the quietude of her home, often lingers in thought, longingly and lovingly over the scenes and incidents of those early years.
She remembers one David Gross, who was the only fiddler in all that immediate section of country. David was quite an original genius, and always carried warmth and sunshine wherever he went. He was appreciated also for his bonhomie, and was intensely fond of and well versed in all the rural games and enjoyments which were participated in by the people of that time.
He was -
" In wrestling nimble, in running swift, In shooting steady, in swimming strong;
Well made to strike, to leap, to throw, to lift, And all the sports that shepherds are among."
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND CHARITON COUNTIES.
His fiddle was his inseparable companion, and when spending an evening with his friends, he possessed the happy faculty of discours- ing to them the most delightful music, always accompanying his instrument with an unique and improvised song, which was replete with wise and startling hits and felicitous inuendoes, touching the vul- nerability of some one or more of his entranced and rustic auditors. David was especially happy when playing for a dance. Upon such occasions the scintillations of his wit, were resplendently luminous, and even the instrument itself seemed to be inspired with new life, and gave baek its most thrilling notes to the amorous touch of this rustic musician. Never did Troubadour sweep the strings of his harp with half as much pride and self-assurance as did David, when he sounded the notes of his violin at a country dance. He played many pieces to the delight of the dancers, but none permeated their very souls, like that old familiar tune, called in yeoman parlance, " Chicken Pie." So irresistibly happyfying in its effects was this tune, that even old age forgot its wonted infirmities, and was often found threading the mazes of the dance. The words of this remark- able song were very suggestive. the first two lines of which ran as follows : -
Chicken pie and pepper, oh! Are good for the ladies, oh!
While " Chicken Pie " was universally liked as a favorite dish, and as a favorite dance song, there was another song that always enlivened the dancers, as they listened to its inspiring measures. This was " Buffalo Gals," and seemed to be played especially on moonlight nights when the weather would permit of a dance under the bewitching beams of a silver moon.
Mrs. Williams has often counted while standing in her cabin, fifteen and twenty deer, some of them being at times, within gunshot, and at night the wolves would come to the open door, their very eyes fairly glistening in the darkness without, as they turned their hungry, wolfish faces towards the ruddy blaze upon the rude and simple hearth.
SALISBURY
was laid out April 1, 1867, on the west half of section 2, northeast quarter and south half of section 3, township 53. range 17, on the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific Railroad by L. Salisbury ( after whom the town takes its name ), George W. Williams and O. W. Lusher.
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND CHARITON COUNTIES.
There is no town in this section of country that is more handsomely located than Salisbury, and none surrounded with a more beautiful and productive country. The town stands upon an elevated prairie or dividing ridge, from which may be seen rich farming lands, stretch- ing far away in gentle undulations in all directions, constituting the most superb agricultural region to be found almost anywhere in the great west. To the west and southwest, at the distance of four miles, can be seen the dark outline of timber which stands upon the banks and the wide bottoms of the Grand Chariton; while to the east and southeast, at the distance of two miles, flows the East fork of the same river. Wherever the eye may turn, it is delighted with the beauties of a prairie landscape, dotted with farm houses, cultivated fields and bearing orchards, the whole presenting a scene of pastural loveliness which is seldom seen in any country.
The original proprietor of the town site was one, Prior Bibo, who was a soldier in the war of 1812. He drew 320 acres on the south side of the railroad, where Salisbury now stands. Bibo sold to John Bull, Bull sold to James Bennett, and Bennett sold to Judge Lucius Salisbury in 1856, receiving $400 in gold for the two quarters.
Judge Salisbury moved on to the land in 1858, and erected a box- house, in which he lived temporarily, until he completed the erection of a frame building, containing two rooms. This house was located on the west side of Broadway - on what is known as the Salisbury Square.
The first business of any character was begun by John Culver, who built a blacksmith shop on the southwest corner of Broadway and Second streets, where he worked -his shop being the second house erected in the town. The first business house -- general store - was opened by John HI. Thomas. Judge Salisbury was also among the pioneer business men, he operating the next general store.
The post-office was established several years before the town was laid out, and was kept at Judge Salisbury's house in 1863, by John Hutchison. Salisbury kept a house of entertainment called " Stop-a- While," where travellers and the stage coach stopped. The first church edifice was built by the Cumberland Presbyterians. The first physician was J. W. Campbell. W. S. Stockwell was the pioneer lawyer. The, first sermon ( funeral sermon), was preached by Rev. Wm. Penn, of the M. E. Church. South. The occasion was the death of L. W. Salisbury, son of Judge Salisbury. P. C. Vincent opened the first livery stable ; John H. Wills kept the first saloon ; J.
.
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND CHARITON COUNTIES.
C. Ingramt the first drug store : Mrs. L. C. Moore, the first millinery establishment, and Mrs. M. A. Robinson. the first hotel after the lay- ing out of the town.
The town was visited by a fire June 11th, 1877, when nine houses ( frame ) were destroyed.
SECOND FIRE.
On June 28th, 1882. Salisbury suffered from the ravages of another destructive fire, as will be seen from the following which we take from the Press-Spectator: -
" It was midnight's solemn hour, and our little city lay wrapt in profonnd slumber. The gentle breeze toyed with the laughing leaves, making mellow cadence to woo the god of sleep. But list ! A horrid ery rings out on the still night air, faintly at first, but anon clear and more distinet, till the arms of Morpheus loosened their grasp and the bewildered sleeper sprang from his eouch, as he heard now too plainly to be mistaken, the cry of ' Fire,' - a ery once heard never to be for- gotten. The shout is taken up and rapidly passed from mouth to mouth till the whole eity is aroused. Bells ring, guns fire, whistles seream, and pandemonium seems to reign. All this time precious moments are passing, and a red glare piereing the blackness of night shows plainly the location of the fire. Men may now be seen running from all directions towards the point of attraction, where the fiery tiend is defiantly devouring everything in its way. The first gleam told the fearful doom overhanging the west side of Broadway. The buildings must go, but their contents ean be saved. Willing hands seize upon everything movable, and, in an incredibly short time the street is strewn with a conglomerate mass of merchandise - the work goes on - men work as men never worked before. Then comes a cry for water. The flames must be stayed. Men and women vied with each other in trying to combat with the demon, nor was there any dimunition of effort till the flames were stayed. The origin of the fire is unknown, but is supposed to be the work of an incendiary, or the result of some careless smoker.
" The first man to discover the fire, so far as is known, was Doctor Wilson, who had been attending a patient in the country, and was re- turning to town about one o'clock in the morning, when he noticed a blaze in the rear end of Blakey's grocery store, and immediately gave the alarm. By almost superhuman effort the Dickson House was
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND CHARITON COUNTIES.
saved, but in a damaged condition. The massive wall of Coleman's brick withstood the flames and checked them in that direction. Though somewhat damaged, the wall is considered safe, and will not be taken down. Fortunately the cisterns and wells were nearly full of water, and furnished a bountiful supply. The only one to fail in the time of need was the public well on the corner, and in a short time it filled up again, and is now all right. Below will be found a complete list of the losses, with the insurance thereon : -
W. Il. Tindall. in Springfield Company
INS. $2,000
LOSS. $3,000
Wm. Thomas, no insurance
500
Clarkson & Straub, Continental
500
1,200
M. L. Hurt, no insurance
800
J. W. Redd, in North American and German American
1,500
3,000
Y. C. Blakey, no insurance
. . . .
1,200
Clark & Taylor, insurance in Continental, North American, Watertown, American Central
3,300
4,500
D. C. Hilton, in Hartford
400
660
VanDeventer & Banning, insured in Watertown and Western
900
1,000
W. S. Stockwell, Continental .
100
200
Mrs. Willis' hotel, damage estimated, $100
1,000
. ..
...
.
"L. Diekson's furniture was damaged by removal and water to con- siderable extent, but what insurance he had, if any, we did not ascertain.
" The several stocks of Geo. N. Burrus, J. F. Welch & Co., L'IIom- medien & Kistner, C. M. Rumsey, and Clark & Robinson, were more or less damaged by removal, most of which was fully covered by in- surance.
"J. B. Ellington was one of the heaviest sufferers by the fire, his loss amounting to about two thousand dollars, on which there was no insurance. Hle lost his entire library and many valuable papers, in- cluding notes, etc.
" Dr. Banning lost his medical library, over Clark & Taylor's store, and had no insurance.
" Mr. Davis, the corn man, sustained considerable loss on his corn,
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND CHARITON COUNTIES.
a portion of which was burned, and the remainder saved in a damaged condition.
" The insurance on Y. C. Blakey's stock of groceries had expired only a few days before the fire, and he had failed to have it renewed. Many of our business men are out of employment by this disaster, but most of them will find places temporarily, and continue business as soon as they ean settle up with the insurance companies. While the loss of so many business honses will be seriously felt for a time, and the loss on some individuals is hard to bear, yet we venture to pre- diet that a stately row of buildings will soon be erected on what will now be called " the burnt distriet," and in time be an ornament to the town. The aggregate loss will reach $20,000; the insurance about half that sum."
TORNADO OF 1872.
We have already spoken of the tornado that oeenrred in the town- ship in September, 1830. Forty-two years afterwards, another tor- nado or wind storm swept over a portion of the same township, this time taking the town of Salisbury in its course.
On the night of June 11, 1872, and at the hour of eleven o'clock, the wind blew fiercely from the southwest, blowing in the direction of the northeast, accompanied by lightning, hail and rain, the rain pour- ing down in sluices. The amphitheatre at the fair grounds, located southwest of town, and just outside the corporate limits, was completely destroyed. This structure cost $8,000, and, being almost new, it was a great loss -- so much so, that the fairs which had been held for several years preceding that time were discontinued.
The Cumberland Presbyterian church (the south end of it) was blown about the distance of ten or twelve feet from the foundation. The Baptist church also was damaged to some extent. Allois Steck- er's dwelling house was blown down, and, in fact, many persons sus- tained more or less damage in having their fences, chinmeys, side- walks, and other things destroyed.
BANKS.
Official statement of the financial condition of the Bank of Salis- bury. Salisbury, Chariton county, State of Missouri, at the close of business on the thirty-first day of August, 1882.
Resources -
Loans undoubtedly good on personal or collateral
$36,674 94 security
Loans and discounts good on real estate ยท
300 00
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND CHARITON COUNTIES.
Overdrafts by solvent customers
873 49
Due from other banks, good on sight draft
53,898 06
Furniture and fixtures 780 00
Checks and other cash items
1,000 00
Bills of National Banks and legal tender United
States notes
4,215 30
Gold coin
300 00
Silver coin
200 09
Total
$98,242 03
Liabilities -
Capital stock paid in
$10,000 00
Surplus funds on hand
111 93
Deposits subject to draft at sight
88,130 10
Total
$98,242 03
STATE OF MISSOURI. ?
COUNTY OF CHARITON.
We, T. II. Walton, president, and W. H. Hayes, cashier of said bank, and each of us, do solemnly swear that the above statement is true to the best of our knowledge and belief.
T. II. WALTON, President.
Wy. H. HAYES, Cashier.
Subscribed and sworn to before me, this twelfth day of September, A. D. 1882.
Witness my hand and notarial seal hereto affixed, at office in Salis- bury the date last aforesaid (commissioned and qualified for a term expiring May 14th, 1882).
Correct --- Attest : BENJ. HAYES. GEO. H. APPLEGATE, W. R. SLAUGHTER, Directors.
A. W. JOHNSON, Notary Public.
SECRET ORDERS.
Charter members of Salisbury Lodge, No. 208, A. F. & A. M., May 18th, 1867: I. K. Stephenson, W. M. ; A. C. Vandiver, S. W. ; M.
.
-
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND CHARITON COUNTIES.
L. Walton, J. W. : JJ. E. Weber, secretary ; N. C. McGirk, treasurer : A. W. Taylor, chaplain ; W. F. Maupin, tyler.
Present officers -C. M. Rumsey, W. M. ; R. T. Hamilton, S. W. ; L. T. Fawks, J. W. : T. G. Dulany, treasurer ; John Clark, seere- tary ; A. W. Taylor, tyler.
Charter members of White Stone Royal Arch Chapter, No. 57, November 10th, 1876 : Charles B. Randolph, H. P. ; John H. Turner. K. ; Daniel Dawson, S. : J. R. Meyers, C. H. ; G. N. Ratliff, P. S. ; J. T. Williams, R. A. C. ; John H. Turner; M. of 3d V. ; H. Clay Cockrill, M. of 2d V. ; T. Z. MeDaniel, M. of 1st V. ; O. Root, Jr., secretary.
Present officers - H. H. Wayland, H. P. ; B. B. Somerville, K. ; W. S. Coleman, S. ;. W. H. Tindall, treasurer ; John Clark, secre- tary ; Lazar Loeb, P. S. ; C. M. Ramsey, C. H. ; Will Clark, R. A. C .; Robert Donaldson, M. 3d V .; J. F. Welch, M. 2d V .; T. G. Dulany, M. 1st V.
Salisbury Lodge, No. 236, I. O. O. F., instituted June 20, 1870. Charter members : John Q. Wirrick, John Richards, M. R. Williams, R. M. Jones, J. C. Taylor and C. J. Knox.
Present officers (1883) - A. F. Moredock, N. G. ; D. C. Hilton, V. G. ; T. J. Moore, secretary.
Salisbury Lodge, No. 252, A. O. U. W., organized July 15, 1883, with twenty charter members and the following officers: Geo. D. Copeland, P. M. W. : D. C. Hilton, M. W .; J. L. Frazier, G. F. : G. A. Hall, O .; A. M. Fellows, G .; W. H. Bradley, R. ; J. H. Green, R. ; John F. Fidler. F. ; Wm. G. Cook, I. W. ; John O'Don- nel, O. W. ; Doctor F. B. Philpott, M. E.
The officers for 1883 are James H. Green, P. M. W. : Charles D. Reed, M. W. ; A. M. Fellows, F. ; P. J. Sylvester, O. ; John O'Don- nel, G .; Charles R. Jaeneeko, R .; D. C. Hilton, R. ; G. A. Hall, F. ; John Schneider, I. W. ; John F. Koehne, O. W. ; Doctor F. B. Philpott, M. E.
INCORPORATED.
Salisbury was incorporated as a city of the fourth class in June. 1882. The first mayor and councilmen were : Phillip B. Branham, mayor ; Joseph Baier, F. M. Clements, W. H. Tindall, John Clark, councilmen.
Present mayor and councilmen : Isaac Morehead, mayor ; Joseph Baier, C. J. Via, Mat. Williams, W. H. Tindall, councilinen.
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND CHARITON COUNTIES.
PUBLIC SCHOOL.
The public school was organized in Salisbury in February, 1867, with the following trustees : L. Salisbury. John E. Weber, W. O. Wilhite, F. B. Thomas, Eli Wayland, and W. E. Hlite. The first principal was Professor O. P. Davis. The school is taught in a frame building, which contains four rooms. The number of pupils enrolled. white and colored, is about 300; average attendance, about 200.
The following, in reference to the public schools, was prepared by Professor L. B. Coates : -
SALISBURY PUBLIC SCHOOL.
The public school of Salisbury was organized under the city organ- ization April, 1867, having at that time two teachers and an enroll- ment of 108. The board of education have taken inch interest in the school, and have, from time to time, made many profitable changes, till at present (September 16, 1883), the school opened with 241 pupils, and has five teachers. The present board of education is as follows : W. R. Slaughter, president ; Doctor F. M. Clements. secretary ; J. W. Redding, treasurer ; C. J. Via, Major Walton, Doctor F. B. Philpott. The present corps of school teachers, several of whom have been in the school four years, and all of whom for the past two years, are as follows : L. B. Coates, principal ; Mrs. F. A. Cram, room No. 2; Miss Edmonia Wright, room No. 3; Miss Gussie Redding, room No. 4; Miss Pattie Woodson, room No. 5. Salary of teachers as follows : Principal, $100 per month ; rooms Nos. 2 and 3, $40 per month ; rooms Nos. 4 and 5, $35 per month. Last April the board of education adopted a course of study, consequently the present school is properly and strictly a graded school of five grades, and composed of fifteen elasses, three of which are in each room. There is also a set of printed regulations governing the board and school. Last April the board voted $50 more with which to purchase apparatus for the school. These steps, with the body of teachers now in the school, and with other changes that have been made, warrant us in saying the school stands on a solid foundation and has a brighter and more inviting future. Mr. J. W. Redding and Mr. C. J. Via have been on the board during its organization. The following gen- tlemen have at different times been members of the board of educa-
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND CHARITON COUNTIES.
tion : Messrs. W. S. Stockwell, T. G. Dulany, Doctor B. F. Wilson, Doctor F. B. Philpott, Doetor F. M. Clements, Major Walton, W. R. Slaughter, F. Blakey, W. D. Wilhite, Eli Wayland, and F. B. Thomas. The following persons have been principal in the school : Thomas Knox, John Wood, A. C. Vandiver, -- Pettit, C. D. Rat- litf, P. A. Frederick, Jacob Adams, W. C. MeMelan, J. J. Buchanan, and L. B. Coates, the present principal. " Our public school is now organized according to the course of study adopted. It is in good working order and has the most flattering prospects for a successful year's work." - Press-Spectator.
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