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 25
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 25
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NEWSPAPER AT (OLD) FRANKLIN.
On the 23d of April, 1819, Nathaniel Patton, and Benjamin Holli- day, commenced the publication of the Missouri Intelligencer in (Old) Franklin. The size of the sheet was 18x24 inches, and was printed on what is known to the printers as the Ramage press, a wooden con- trivance, with cast-iron bed, joints and platten, and which at this day, is a great curiosity. About the year 1858, Col. Wm. F Switzler, of Columbia, Mo., presented this press to the Mercantile Library Associ- ation of St. Louis. From April 23d, 1819, to June 10, 1820, Na-
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
thaniel Patton and Benjamin Holliday were the publishers. (Mrs. E. W. McClannahan, who now resides near Columbia, Missouri, is a daughter of Mr. Holliday. )
June 10, 1820, Mr. Patton retired as publisher, leaving Mr. Hol- liday in charge, who continued till July 23, 1821, when John Payne, a lawyer, became the editor. He was a native of Culpeper county, Virginia, and died in Franklin, September 15, 1821, aged twenty-four years.
September 4, 1821, Mr. Payne retired and Mr. Holliday again as- sumed control.
From August 5, 1822, to April 17, 1824, Nathaniel Patton and John T. Cleveland were the publishers. Mr. Cleveland died some years ago at Austin, Texas.
April 17, 1824, Mr. Cleveland retired, leaving Mr. Patton sole publisher, which position he continued to hold until the sale of the paper by him to Mr. Fred A. Hamilton, December 12, 1835.
The last issue of the Intelligencer at Franklin, June 16, 1826.
The paper was then moved to Fayette, the first paper appearing June 29, 1826.
July 5, 1827, John Wilson, then a young lawyer in Fayette, was announced as editor, which position he held till July 25, 1828. Mr. Wilson died in San Francisco, California, February 2, 1877, aged eighty-seven years.
April 9, 1830, last issne of the Intelligencer at Fayette.
May 4, 1830, first issue of the Intelligencer at Columbia, Mis- souri.
December 5, 1835, last issue of the Intelligencer at Columbia.
Near the close of the year 1835, it became known that Mr. Pat- ton, owing to failing health, intended to dispose of the Intelligencer office, and as the presidential and state elections of the following year were approaching, the possession of the paper became an object of interest to the politicians and the people. Both parties wanted it, and the Democrats under the leadership of Austin A. King, then a lawyer resident of Columbia, Dr. William H. Duncan, Dr. Alexander M. Robinson and others of Columbia, made some efforts to secure the office. While negotiations to this end were pending, Robert S. Barr, Oliver Parker, William Cornelius, Warren Woodson, Moses U. Payne, A. W. Turner, Joseph B. Howard, John B. Gordon, Sinclair Kirtley, David and Roger N. Todd, Dr. William Jewell, James S. Rollins, Thomas Miller and possibly other whigs, raised the money and pur- chased the press and the materials, with the understanding that Fred-
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
erick A. Hamilton, a practical printer, should take charge of the pub- lication, and Rollins and Miller, then two young lawyers of Columbia, the editorial conduct of the paper, the name of which was changed to Patriot, December 12, 1835.
The Intelligencer was the first newspaper published west of St. Louis.
The next paper published in Howard county was the Western Monitor. This was commenced in Fayette in August, 1827, by Weston F. Birch, who continued it until about 1837, when he retired, and was succeeded by his brother, Colonel James H. Birch, who changed the name of the paper to the Missourian. After running the Missourian for about three years, he disposed of it to Clark H. Green. who changed the name to the Boone's Lick Times. The Monitor, the Missourian, and the Boone's Lick Times, were all whig papers, the Times being the last whig paper that was published in Fayette. Almost sim- ultaneously with the Times, was established the Boone's Lick Demo- crat, which was edited by Judge William Napton, and afterwards by Judge William A. Hall, who ran it until about 1844. The Times was finally taken to Glasgow, where it was published until about the year 1861.
The Democratic Banner was published in 1868, by J. H. Robert- son, who remained editor and publisher till 1872, at which time he disposed of his interest to Connedy & Kingsbury. The press was sold for debt in 1875, when the paper was discontinued.
The Howard County Banner was moved from Glasgow, Missouri, in 1853, by R. C. Hancock, who purchased the office from W. B. Twombly. It was published by Leland Wright a short time after- wards ; then again by R. C. Hancock. In 1858, Hancock sold to Randall & Jackson, who continued the publication of the paper until the breaking out of the civil war, when the publishers entered the Confederate army. During their absence the office was seized and sold, and passed into the hands of I. N. Houck, who changed the name of the paper to the Howard County Advertiser. Houck & Jackson purchased the paper from Randall. Randall sold out to Houck in 1861 and entered the southern army. Mr. Houck contin- ued to publish the paper until the summer of 1864, when he went to Illinois, where he remained until April, 1865. In June of that year, he returned to Fayette, where he soon thereafter resumed the publi- cation of the Advertiser. In 1868, he sold a half interest to General John B. Clark, Jr., and the paper was published under the firm name of Houck & Clark for about ten months, when Houck sold his inter-
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
est to Clark. In 1871, Houck again purchased the Advertiser, which was continned until December, 1872, when it was sold, and became the property of its present owner, Charles J. Walden. On the 13th of July, 1882, the entire office was consumed by fire, nothing being saved except the files for the past five years and the subscription book. The paper appeared regularly, however, without missing an issue. It was printed at the Boonville Advertiser office until new material and machinery could be bought and put in.
In the spring of 1874, Honck & Frederick started a paper in the interest of the Patrons of Husbandry called the Ploughman. It was printed a short time, when Houck purchased the interest of Frederick aud continued the publication seven months, when he sold the paper.
In September, 1879, Houck & Butler commenced the publica- tion of the Fayette, Missouri, Independent, which was run a year under the firm name of Houck & Butler, when the latter sold his interest to Houck, who published it until July 13, 1882, when it was destroyed by fire. Mr. Houck, however, nothing daunted, recommenced the publication of the Independent the following September.
Hardly had the town started on its way in the race to commer- cial prosperity before the printing press was put in motion.
The first newspaper was the Pilot, and published by J. T. Ques- enbury prior to the year 1840. This paper was afterwards published by different parties, among whom were Dr. John H. Blue and James A. DeCourcy.
The Banner, T. W. Twombly, editor, was among the first papers.
The Glasgow Times was run by Clark H. Green for a number of years, and until 1861.
The Glasgow News was published by Walter B. Foster.
The Glasgow Journal was established in 1868 by General Lucien J. Eastin, who, with his sons, continued the publication of the same until 1881, when Colonel H. W. Cockerill purchased the paper, and has since run it.
The Central Missourian began its existence in 1879, the first number being issued July 31, by Yeaman & Bowen, who were suc- ceeded by Bowen & Ruffel, who are the present (1883) proprietors.
The Armstrong Autograph, published at Armstrong, Prairie township, was started in January, 1883, by Dentith & Ferlet.
CHAPTER XIII.
MEXICAN WAR-CALIFORNIA EMIGRANTS OF 1849-50 -THE WAR OF 1861.
Howard County upon the Eve of the Civil War - Union Meeting at Fayette - Ladies' Umion Meeting at Fayette - Eloquent Address by Miss Jane Lewis - Howard County during the War -Confederate Soldiers, Officers and Privates -Howard County Militia - Col- ored Recruits - Sale of Slaves - Colored Recruits from Howard County - Attack on Fayette - Affair near New Franklin - Cason's Attack on Two Steamboats- An Act of Brutality-Capture of General Thos. J. Bartholow - Battle at Glasgow -Incidents of the Battle -Quantrell - Robbery -Mass Meeting after the War --- Unconditional Union Convention - Result of the Election.
MEXICAN WAR.
We have elsewhere stated in this work, that the Mexican war began in May, 1846, and that during the middle of that month, Gov- ernor Edwards, of Missouri, called for volunteers to join the "Army of the West " - in an expedition to Santa Fe. The full complement of companies to compose the first regiment was raised from Jackson, Lafayette, Clay, Saline, Franklin, Cole, Howard and Callaway coun- ties. The volunteers from Howard county, were made up of excel- lent men - men who proved themselves to be good soldiers, a number of whom had already seen military service in the Black Hawk and Florida wars. The first company from Howard was composed of the following persons : -
Captain - Joel W. Hughes.
Lieutenant - Samuel G. Ward.
Sergeants - F. Ritchie, R. Powell, J. W. Hall and S. C. Wolfs- kill.
Corporals - J. W. Rollins, Waldo Lewis, J. Mahone and Wm. Sterns.
PRIVATES.
H. H. Hughes,
L. Sterns,
T. T. Gibbs, Jacob Schmidt,
J. Love,
J. Jones,
J. W. Cruse,
J. Campbell,
E. W. Diggs,
W. Newcomb,
C. H. Mead,
J. Wilson,
J. Tucker,
J. McKeehan,
T. Robinson,
Z. W. Elkin,
(264)
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E. Burton, J. R. White,
T. S. Donohoe,
E. Casey,
L. P. Collins, J. Wilds,
J. C. Becket,
J. Embree,
B. Wilson, A. J. Sims,
WV. M. Scott,
T. W. Cawthorn,
J. Cravens,
J. B. Reid,
H. Hnlitt,
W. W. White,
J. Quimby,
J. M. Duff,
J. McCord,
Benjamin Halstead,
A. Wilson,
W. P. Adams,
W. T. Wilson,
J. Odell,
A. Rice.
SECOND COMPANY.
Captain -William A. Hall.
Lieutenant - R. L. Coleman.
Ensign - T. J. Bartholow.
Sergeants - Hardin A. Wilson, James A. Douglass, James Kunkle and John H. Jackson. Corporals - James Marley, S. J. Craig, W. P. Miles and Wil- liam B. Wilson.
PRIVATES.
Isaac J. Burnam,
J. D. Patton,
J. Fray,
J. W. Craig,
J. S. Williams,
G. F. Hackley,
A. G. Ellis, John J. Hackley,
W. Thorp, W. H. Leveridge, J. J. Greer, J. Lynch, J. E. Corbit, E. K. Atterbury, W. W. Ayres, W. McDonald, J. W. Collins, W. G. Quim, S. Swetnam,
A. S. Leveridge,
W. Peacher,
F. J. Tramil,
J. L. Harry,
J. McLin,
W. Cooly,
D. Hooton,
H. Ford,
R. Grant,
A. G. Mansfield,
D. A. Waterfield,
L. W. Sweetnam,
R. Kirby,
J. B. Alexander,
R. C. Hancock,
S. G. Bailey, H. Bynum,
W. H. Martin, J. S. Brundege,
Wm. McCord,
T. J. Basye,
J. B. Blythe, T. Childs, W. J. Peecher,
H. Turner,
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
G. W. Hackley, W. R. Simonds, J. F. Hackley, Jr., T. Thorp, J. Reynolds,
T. Wright,
W. S. Clack, C. J. Murray, C. W. Pendleton, W. Montgomery,
E. Montgomery.
The volunteers embarked at Glasgow, on the 25th day of May, 1846, on the steamer Wapello, for Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. After the arrival of all the volunteers at that place, from Missouri, an election was held, which resulted in the choice of Alexander W. Doni- phan, colonel ; C. F. Ruff, lieutenant-colonel, and William Gilpin, major.
PUBLIC MEETINGS.
In June, 1847, after the volunteers had been gone about one year from Howard county, public meetings were held at Fayette and Glasgow to make arrangements for giving a proper reception to the returned volunteers from Mexico.
The committee (at Fayette) of arrangements consisted of A. W. Morrison, C. H. Green, A. J. Herndou, J. Headrick, B. Watts, L. Crigler, R. L. Coleman, C. C. P. Hill, C. F. Jackson, William Buster, J. C. Hackley, S. Brown, John C. Ross, R. W. Boggs, James Cooper and others.
The committee on reception at Glasgow was composed of Jesse Haston, Thomas Peery, Richard Dicken, Richard Earickson, L. S. Eddins, Thomas Shackelford, May B. Collins, J. C. Thomson, William F. Dunnica and others.
The reception at Fayettee occurred July 23d. Early in the morning of that day, a salute of thirteen guns was fired from one of the cannons captured at the battle of Sacramento, by the Howard county soldiers. William A. Hall welcomed the volunteers in an elo- quent speech. Joseph Pulliam served as host at the dinner table. The Glasgow brass band was present, and discoursed some excellent music.
The reception took place at Glasgow, on Thursday, July 8th, 1847. Hon. Thomas Shackelford made the address of welcome. Major Gilpin and Governor C. F. Jackson also addressed the meeting.
CALIFORNIA EMIGRANTS OF 1849 -50.
" The plague of gold strikes far and near - And deep and strong it enters;
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
Our thoughts grow dark, our words grow strange, We cheer the pale gold diggers ;
Each soul is worth so much on change, And marked like sheep with figures."
No doubt the desire for gold has been the mainspring of all pro- gress and enterprise in the county, from the beginning till the present time, and will so continue till remote ages. Generally, how- ever, this desire has been manifested in the usual avenues of thrift, industry and enterprise. On one occasion it passed the bounds of reason and assumed the character of a mania.
The gold mania first broke out in the fall of 1848, when stories began to be spread abroad of the wonderful richness of the placer mines in California. The excitement grew daily, feeding on the marvellous reports that came from the Pacific slope, and nothing was talked of but the achievements of gold diggers. The papers were re- plete with the most extravagant stories, and yet the excitement was so great that the gravest and most incredulous men were smitten with the contagion, and hurriedly left their homes and all that was dear to them on earth, to try the dangers, difficulties and uncertainties of hunting gold. Day after day, and months after month, were the papers filled with glowing accounts of California.
Instead of dying out, the fever mounted higher and higher. It was too late in the fall to cross the plains, but thousands of people in Missouri began their preparations for starting in the following spring, and among the number were many from Howard county. The one great subject of discussion about the firesides that winter (1848), was the gold of California. It is said at one time the majority of the able-bodied men of the county were unsettled in mind, and were con- templating going to California. Even the most thoughtful and sober- minded, found it difficult to resist the infection.
Wonderful sights were seen when this emigration passed through - sights that may never be seen again in Howard county. Some of the emigrant wagons were drawn by cows ; other gold hunters went on foot and hauled their worldly goods in hand-carts. The gold hunters generally left the moralities of life behind them, and were infested with a spirit of disorder and demoralization. The settlers breathed easier when they passed. Early in the spring of 1849, the rush began. It must have been a scene to 'beggar all description. There was one continuous line of wagons from east to west as far as the eye could reach, moving steadily westward, and, like a cyclone, drawing in its course on the right and left, many of those along its pathway. The
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
gold hunters of Howard crowded eagerly into the gaps in the wagon- trains, bidding farewell to their nearest and dearest friends, many of them never to be seen again on earth. Sadder farewells were never spoken. Many of the emigrants left their quiet and peaceful homes, only to find in the " Far West" utter disappointment and death. At the time of the treaty of Gaudaloupe Ilidalgo, the population of California did not exceed thirty thousand, while at the time of which we write there were more than three hundred and fifty thousand peo- ple, who had found their way thither, fully one hundred thousand of these being gold hunters from the states.
The evil effects of this gold mania upon the moral status of the United States are still seen and felt, and in all classes of society. It has popularized the worship of Mammon to an alarming extent, and to this worship, in a great measure, is attributed the moral declension of to-day.
Among the scores of men who went to California from Howard county, we record the names of the following : -
Sashall Bynum,
John Dunn,
E. K. Atterbury,
James Douglass,
Paul Shirley,
General John Wilson and family,
George Douglass,
William McDonald,
William Davis,
James Sanders,
Joseph W. Pulliam,
James Crews,
William Pulliam,
Lycurgus Crews,
James Hill,
William Stapleton,
General John B. Clark, Jr.,
John Lowery,
Wesley Hill,
Jack Wilcox,
John L. Morrison,
Jeff Wilcox,
William Morrison,
" Big " Jim Hill,
John Boggs,
Andrew Wilhoit,
Colonel John Williams,
William Martin and brother,
John P. Musler,
Hampton McCauley,
Henry Thrager, Atler,
Robert Hughes,
Pleasant Wilson,
R. M. Patrick,
William Wilson,
Garrison Patrick,
James Wilson,
Weston F. Birch,
Clay Wilson,
Thomas Birch, Sr.,
Frank Brandus,
Dr. - Parrish,
Barnet Fernish, Joel Fernish,
Jacob Headrick, Bradford Pulliam,
William Burris,
Garret Tatum,
Charles Burris,
Stephen Wethers,
Josiah Tindall, James Tindall,
Perry O 'Neal, Zack Benson,
George Ward,
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
Reuben Basket,
Robert Payue,
James Tolson, James Morrison, John Kring,
Henry Bynum, Warren Adams,
Morrison Hughs,
Humphrey Cooper,
Sumpter Lynch, Frank Becket,
Luther Cooper, Stephen Hancock, Nathaniel Arben,
Jacob Greenabaum,
Robert Bohanan,
John Mahone, - Brand,
Allen Raines,
John Crigler,
John Shelton,
James Hanna,
Cale Wilcox.
Of course there were many others who went to California from Howard county, but after making diligent inquiry we failed to get their names.
HOWARD COUNTY UPON THE EVE OF THE CIVIL WAR.
A complete history of what was said and done in Howard county, just preceding the great civil war, which swept over our country like a besom of destruction, would fill a large book. Of course, we have neither the time nor space to devote to such a work. Even if we had and were inclined to write it, we should doubt the propriety of doing so. One of the oldest and most highly esteemed citizens of the county, when questioned upon this subject said : " Better let bygones be by- gones," and so we think.
There were, however, some things that transpired upon the eve of that gigantic struggle which were quite significant of the character of the spirit and temper of the people, and of these we shall briefly speak.
UNION MEETING IN FAYETTE.
The citizens of Howard county, or at least a large number of them, met in the court-house on the third day of December, 1860, to consult in reference to the welfare of the county. The Glasgow Weekly Times gives an account of that meeting as follows : -
On motion of R. T. Prewitt, the meeting was organized by the election of the following gentlemen : -
President - Hon. Abiel Leonard,
19
Robert Lynch,
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
Vice-Presidents.
W. M. Jackson,
M. A. Taylor,
Richard Earickson,
F. E. Williams,
Joseph Davis,
William Payne,
Richard Patton,
S. C. Major,
L. S. Eddins,
John M. Rivett,
Joseph Cooper,
Owen Rawlins,
Rice Patterson,
Bird Deatherage,
Jefferson Payne,
A. W. Lee,
James R. Estill,
Girard Robinson,
David Peeler,
J. F. Finks, W. D. Swinney,
Dr. J. C. Heberlin,
John C. Woods.
Secretaries.
A. E. Randall, Dr. W. C. Boon.
On motion of A. J. Herndon, a committee of sixteen was ap- pointed to draft resolutions expressive of the sense of the meeting. The chair appointed the following gentlemen on said committee :
A. J. Herndon,
J. M. Marmaduke,
Benjamin J. Payne,
N. G. Elliott,
J. F. Williams,
John P. Sebree,
C. H. Green,
W. P. Jackson,
Thomas Shackelford,
S. E. Graves,
James S. Thomson,
J. F. Hughes,
Andrew Cooper,
James Simms,
S. T. Hughes,
R. T. Prewitt.
On motion of N. G. Elliott, an additional committeeman from each township was added to the above list, viz :
Richmond township, Neriah Todd.
Chariton township, M. B. Collins.
Bonne Femme township, J. Hockersmith.
Prairie township, Joseph B. Bradford.
Boone's Lick township, William M. Burton.
Franklin township, R. H. Robinson.
Moniteau township, John Walker.
During the progress of the meeting, and in the absence of the committee, the citizens present were ably and eloquently addressed by Judge A. Leonard, of Howard county, Judge William A. Hall, of Randolph county, and Major James S. Rollins, of Boone county.
The committee on resolutions made the following report : -
Resolved, 1. That the election to the presidency of any person. constitutionally eligible to that office, according to the forms of the constitution, is no cause for disunion.
2. That we regard the election of Abraham Lincoln as a triumph of sectionalism over nationalism - of fanaticism over patriotism ; but
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
while we have in the northern states a million and a half of patriotic freemen, voting and battling with us for our country, we will not dis- pair of the republic.
3. That resistance to the fugitive slave law by the people, and virtual nullification of its provisions by the legislature of the states of the north, are an actual grievance of which we have a right to complain, as illegal, unconstitutional, and unfriendly to us ; but we believe that the proper remedy is not to dissolve the union and fight against the constitution, but to stand by the union and maintain the constitution and enforcement of the laws.
4. That we have a majority of both houses of congress with us, who can and ought to require and compel the strict enforcement of the fugitive slave law, and all other legally enacted laws of the United States, no matter what the cost.
5. That the proposed resignation of southern congressmen at this juneture, which may have the effect of giving the republicans a majority in congress, would be an injudicious and improper desertion of their friends.
6. That our senators and representatives in congress are re- quested to offer a resolution requiring the general government to enforce the fugitive slave law with all the power of the government, and pledging the congress to supply the means.
Another monster union meeting was held in Fayette, in Feb- ruary, 1861. At this meeting, Thomas Shackelford, of Glasgow, received the nomination as a candidate to the convention at Jefferson City.
LADIES' UNION MEETING.
The ladies of Fayette held a union meeting at the court-house, January 29, 1861, and unanimously adopted the following resolu- tions : -
Resolved, 1. That the 100 ladies, whose names are here enrolled, do still love our country, our whole country, and our country's con- stitution ; and we feel that it is perfectly consistent with the char- acter of refined, intelligent, and patriotic ladies to make a public demonstration of our feelings in this time of peril to our country and our liberties.
2. That as the most appropriate manner of doing this, we will, with our hands, make a national flag, to be presented to the man who shall be selected for a union representative from this county.
3. That on Monday night, February 4th, several gentlemen he invited to address us, and upon that occasion, we will present our flag to the union candidate, praying him in the name of our state, and for the sake of that flag, to do all in his power to keep Missouri true to her allegiance to the union and the constitution.
On the evening of the 4th of February, the Methodist Episcopal church building, in Fayette, was crowded with an eager and interested
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
audience. Miss Jane Lewis had been invited to make the presenta- tion address, and as it is a most appropriate, eloquent, and patriotic address, we here present it : -
The time of danger is at hand. Our republic is shaken to the centre. The American union, the standard-bearer in the onward march of the nations, has paused in its splendid career ! Our con- stitution, the ablest work of uninspired mortal minds, is decried and attacked. Our beloved country, our mighty and magnificent union, is convulsed by a moral earthquake, which threatens to rend it asunder. and leave it a hopeless ruin, a " by-word and a shaking of the head to the nations." Our flag, our stainless banner of the stars and stripes insulted ! Yes ! torn down, trampled under foot, by those who owe to its protection all the rights of sovereign citizens ! Now, indeed, the time has come when " man must rise and woman call to God!" To man belongs the privilege of defending in the council and on the field the honor of his country, and the rights of its citizens. Woman can only weep over the woes of her native land, pray to the Great Ruler, in whose hands are the destinies of all nations, and trust, implicity trust, to the wise heads, the stronger arms, the braver hearts of her countrymen. The time of trial draws near. A few days will decide whether Missouri will throw off her allegiance to the federal union, violate her most solemn pledges, or remain loyal to her own constitution, to the whole nation, to the human race, to Almighty God ! Missouri is in the centre, the very heart of the union. And our county, our noble old Howard, is the heart of Missouri. Let that heart remain steadfast and true, and its every throb shall be felt throughout its political body. And through you, that heart must find a voice. I, then, in the name and by the authority of my countrywomen of Fayette, whose names are recorded on it, present to you, and through you to the citizens of Howard county, this flag, made with our own hands ; it is offered from our hearts. With it we commit to your guardianship all that we hold most sacred. By all the hallowed associations clinging around this spotless banner of our country, we pray you, in the coming struggle to stand fast to the cause of the union and the right. Through your voice, let the heart of old Howard speak in thrilling tones to the state, to the union, to the world ! In the hour of high and solemn debate, remember us and our flag and all of which it is a symbol. This flag knows no north, no south ; the whole undivided, glorious union is its own !
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