USA > Missouri > Cooper County > History of Howard and Cooper counties, Missouri : written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of its townships, towns, and villages : together with a condensed history of Missouri, a reliable and detailed history of Howard and Cooper counties-- its pioneer record, resources, biographical sketches of prominent citizens, general and local statistics of great value, incidents and reminiscences > Part 17
USA > Missouri > Howard County > History of Howard and Cooper counties, Missouri : written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of its townships, towns, and villages : together with a condensed history of Missouri, a reliable and detailed history of Howard and Cooper counties-- its pioneer record, resources, biographical sketches of prominent citizens, general and local statistics of great value, incidents and reminiscences > Part 17
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The population at present numbers about two hundred and fifty
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
persons. The town contains one dry good store, two drug stores, one grocery, one harness shop, one mill, one blacksmith, one carpenter, one barber, three physicians, one hotel, two churches, one large, elegant brick school house, and three secret orders, the oldest of which is the
A. O. U. W.
New Franklin lodge No. 194, was organized July 17, 1880. The charter members were, George C. Edwards, Theo. H. Todd, A. S. Blankenbaker, Lemnel Frizell, Strother H. Todd, J. B. Ainsworth, Augustus Turner, E. T. Smith, W. T. Wayland, G. S. Herndon, J. G. Whitton, Wm. M. Strongs, Joshua F. Crews, Levi Fuller, F. G. Canole, V. Q. Bonham, James Randall, Wallace Estill, John M. Boggs, Jas. L. Gordon, Thomas J. Jordan, E. E. Dunaway, James D. Chorn and W. W. Smith.
Present officers- G. S. Herndon, M. W. ; W. W. Gray, Fore- man ; J. F. Crews, Overseer ; E. E. Dunaway, Recorder ; B. M. Chancellor, Receiver ; Augustus Turner, Financier ; J. J. Whitton, Guide ; S. H. Took, I. W. ; Wm. B. Webb, O. W. ; F. G. Canole, P. M. W.
HOWARD LODGE NO. 4, A. F. AND A. M.
Organized May 6, 1852, with the following members, Adam Lowry, James M. Chorn, S. T. Hamm, H. Kingsbury, C. E. Wil- coxon, J. D. Thompson, A. H. Lee, W. M. Biles.
First officers - Adam Lowry, W. M. ; James M. Chorn, S. W. : S. T. Hamm, J. W. ; H. Kingsbury, Treasurer ; C. E. Wilcoxon, Secretary.
Present officers - R. T. Kingsbury, W. M. ; W. E. Mckinney, S. W. ; W. O. Cox, J. W .; W. W. Smith, Treasurer; Geo. C. Edwards, Secretary ; number of members fifty-one.
BOONE'S LICK LODGE NO. 57, I. O. O. F.
was organized May 5th, 1852, with J. W. Chilton, N. G. Elliott, S. T. Hamm, E. H. Devins, and James S. White, as charter members.
The names of the first officers and present officers failed to reach the writer.
ESTILL STATION
is located on the Missouri, Kansas and Texas railroad, near the ventre of the township, on the northeast of southwest quarter, section 13
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
17, T. 48, R. 16, and was named in honor of Col. James R. Estill, a large landed proprietor and stock raiser, through whose land the rail- road passes. The town contains one store and blacksmith shop.
The country surrounding Estill, is well improved, and is one of the most beautiful portions of Howard county. The farm houses are generally large and handsomely constructed ; many of them being brick, and of modern style, while the yards and lawns in front of them are not only set in blue grass, bat planted with shrubs, flowers, fruit and shade trees.
INCIDENTS OF TITE HIGH WATER OF 1844.
The overflow of the Missouri river in 1844 is remembered by the old settler of to-day, as the highest water known within his recollec- tion. By actual measurement, the water was then six feet higher than it has been at any time since. The entire Missouri river bottom or low lands were submerged, many farms being covered to the depth of fifteen feet. The suffering among the people who occupied the overflowed districts was very great, many of them not only losing their houses, their stock and their crops, but losing their lives in their efforts to escape the mighty flood, which remained upon the land for nearly three weeks.
A farmer who lived in the bottom, south of New Franklin about a mile, by the name of Lloyd, waited, during the rise, thinking every day the river would reach its highest point, and did not leave his cabin until he was compelled one morning to hastily make his exit through the roof. While getting out some of his household plunder, he spilt some corn meal on the roof of his cabin. The third day after leaving, Lloyd returned in his boat and found to his surprise that the roof of his cabin had been transformed into a menagerie of birds and animals. Among these was a cat, a dog, a coon, a fox, a rat, two chickens and a turkey. He observed that the meal was all gone, and was greatly surprised to find these animals living together in perfect harmony. A common misfortune had created among them a sym- pathetic feeling. The presence of the great flood had seemingly over-awed and overpowered their antagonistic natures, and like the " lion and the lamb" of prophetic history, they were dwelling together in peace.
Another farmer, who resided in the bottom, lost a very valuable horse. The day he left his cabin this horse was driven with other horses and stock to the hills for safe keeping. Some days afterwards
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
the horse was missing, and was not found until the waters had receded when he was discovered (at least such portions of him as were left ), hanging by one of his hind feet in some grapevines fully fifteen feet above the ground, having on the same halter that he wore when he left.
CHAPTER VIII.
RICHMOND TOWNSHIP.
Boundary - Physical Features - Early Settlements -Churches - Richmond - Fay- ette - Its Early History -Business Men - Business - Incorporated - First and Present Officials - Banks and Bankers -Court House and Public Square - Facts and Incidents - Cholera in 1832 or 1833 - Cholera iu 1849 - Cholera in 1855 and in 1873 - Meteoric Phenomenon - Secret Societies -Central and Howard Col- leges - Their History - Fire -Postmasters -Business Houses of Fayette - Public School.
BOUNDARY.
This is the central portion of the county, and contains seventy-two square miles. It remains as first formed in 1821, excepting sections 19, 20, 21, which were attached to Burton township in 1880. It is bounded on the north by Prairie and Burton townships, on the east by Bonne Femme and Monitean, on the south by Moniteau and Franklin, and on the west by Boone's Lick and Chariton townships.
PHYSICAL FEATURES.
This township is admirably drained, the principal streams being Bonne Femme, Adam's fork, Leonard's branch, Salt creek, Doe creek and Dry creek. These are well distributed in the various sections of the township. The timber is in great abundance, and of an excellent quality - no prairie. The land is rolling and underlaid with a fine stratum of coal, and is well adapted to agricultural pur- poses.
EARLY SETTLEMENTS.
The pioneer settler of Richmond township seems to have been, from the most authentic sources, one Hiram Fugate, who was one of the original settlers of Franklin township - a private in Capt. Sar- shall Cooper's company and connected with Fort Kincaid, where he remained during the Indian hostilities of 1812. His cabin stood near the present site of Central college ; the northen part of Fayette was located on the south part of his land, and the southern part of the town on a portion of the claim owned by Hickerson Burnham, who settled in the township in 1819.
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER 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 Mckinney, of Texas tame, in the same year. In the spring of 1819, John Jackson took a claim near McKinney, 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 Sears, 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 Wm. 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 Philip Turner in 1821; Wm. Hughes, one of the first tanners of the county, settled in the vicinity of Mount Moriah Baptist church, abont 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-
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
ton, Harrison Stapleton, Moses 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 patriotic and distinguished services rendered their country, in the war of the revolution. In 1823, when the town was laid out, the news had just been received that Lafayette wonld 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 wharfs 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, Wm. Head, Samuel Wallace, Glenn Owens and Samuel Hardin, Sr. Hiram Fugate and Hickerson Burnham, each donated twenty-five acres of land for the county seat. Judge Alfred 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. Ignatius P. Owen, and was erected the day following by the general, who had assisted Witt in raising his house. These buildings 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 public square. These houses were erected in the fall of 1824. The pioneer business man of the town was named O'Neal.
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
His 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. McLain was the first physician ; Samnel 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 s'newy arm And early strokes his sounding anvil warm, Around his shop the steely sparkles flew 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 yard 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, John P. Sebree's wife, Elizabeth Garner, Susan Garner, Stephen Garner, Jesse W. Garner, Artimesia McLain, Sallie McKinney, Euphe- mia 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 continned 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 services occasionally in the town. He resided in the country. Rev. William W. Redmond ( Methodist ),
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER 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 buhrs. James Spencer had a carding machine and mill com- bined - inclined 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 Gill and Robert Wilson as trustees. It was reincorporated in May, 1830, with James T. Shirley, Alfred W. Morrison, John A. Hal- derman, Elijah Whitton and Joseph Gill as trustees. W. R. Snelson was the first mayor, elected in 1855. The councilmen were : -
Langfoot Cook and Gabriel H. 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 “
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER 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 al 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. Williams, 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 Payue & 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 conveniences 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-honse, 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
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER 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 public 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 acre 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 public sorrow at the death of President Harrison.
General Robert Wilson was president of the meeting.
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER 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 H. Benton, to come to Fayette and partake of a public 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 Temperance, 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, I. 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 " Fanatics 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.
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER 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 disease 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 epidemic 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 picnic 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
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