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 66
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 66
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
cost for medical attention, which left the county, at the end of the year 1822, in debt, without counting in any of the other expenses of the county.
The petition not having been granted by the general assembly, the court levied, for his support, during all the years from 1823 to 1828, a special tax of fifty per cent of the state revenue tax, being an amount equal to the whole of the general county tax ; and in 1828, ten per cent of the state revenne tax was levied for the same purpose. He must have died sometime during that year, as no further tax for his support appears upon the records of the county, thus relieving the county of a burdensome tax.
FIRST COURT-HOUSE.
The buildings occupied for a court-house prior to 1823 were mere wooden, temporary structures, not built with any reference orig- inally to their being occupied by the courts or county officials. The first court-house was completed in 1823. When Boonville was laid out by Morgan and Lucas, its founders, they donated fifty acres to the county on condition that the commissioners would locate the county seat at Boonville. As soon as the county seat had been located at Boonville and a part of the land sold by the county, the erection of a court-house was commenced. This building was located on the land which had been donated by Morgan and Lucas, and on land out of which was afterwards laid off the public square. It was a small two-story brick and resembled the present court- house in style, but much smaller. The court-house stood for sev- enteen years, and until the business of the county had increased to such an extent that the building could not accommodate it.
SECOND AND PRESENT COURT-HOUSE.
In 1838 the county court, at its May term, ordered that the public square be laid off into lots and sold, to raise money with which to build a new court-house (present building), and at the same time it was ordered that the old court-house be sold, which was accordingly done. The money, however, realized from the sale of the lots and the sale of the old building was not sufficient to erect the new building. The first appropriation made in money for this purpose by the court was the sum of $10,800. Other appropriations were made from time to time, until the completion of the building in the year 1840, the entire amount approximating about $30,000.
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
The present court-house, although not centrally located, occupies a beautiful spot of ground near the corner of High and Main streets, and fronts the Missouri river. The building is large, two stories in height, is made of brick and surmounted with a cupola, from which much of the surrounding country, including a portion of Howard county, can be seen.
ATTEMPTS TO MOVE THE COUNTY SEAT.
Since the organization of the county there have been four attempts to change the location of the county seat, each resulting in the crea- tion of an ill-feeling between the different portions of the county, which took years to palliate. The first attempt to change the county seat was made in 1832, the next in 1838, the third in 1842, and the last in 1844.
The third effort was caused by the excitement which originated between the militia and an organization known as the "Fantastic company," of which we will now speak.
From the organization of the government of the state until the year 1847, there existed a militia law, requiring all able-bodied male citizens, between the ages of eighteen and forty-five years, to organize into companies and to mnster on certain days. They had, during the year, at different times, a company, a battalion, and a general muster. A company muster was the drilling of the members of one company ; a battalion muster consisted in drilling the companies of one-half of a county ; and a general muster was a meeting of all the companies of a county.
Muster day was, for a long time after the commencement of the custom, a gala day for the citizens, and was looked forward to with considerable interest, especially by the different officers, who ap- peared in full military dress, captains and lieutenants with long red feathers stuck in the fore part of their hats, and epaulettes upon their shoulders. The field officers mounted on their fine steeds, with con- tinental cocked hats, epaulettes upon their shoulders and fine cloth coats ornamented with gold fringe, rode around among the men and gave orders, making themselves the "observed of all observers." Also, the venders of whiskey, ginger-cakes, apples and cider took no small interest in the anticipated muster day, for on that day, every person being excited, bought more or less of these things. Always on muster days, after the muster was over, the rival bruisers of a neighborhood tried their strength upon one another, thus furnishing a great deal of amusement for those who attended. The little folks
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IIISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
were also happy in the anticipation, if not in the enjoyment, of being presented with a ginger-cake and an apple upon that day.
But after a lapse of tune these musters became tiresome to a por- tion of the citizens, as they were obliged to lose so much of their valuable time in order to attend them, or were compelled to pay a fine of one dollar for each failure to attend on muster day ; besides, they could sce no real use in continuing the organization, as there seemed no prospect soon of the state requiring any troops, as all was peaceful and quiet within its borders. Also, at the elections for officers, many of them were chosen on account of their personal popularity, instead of their qualifications to fill the office for which they were elected. Musters, after their novelty had worn off, became very unpopular, the citizens believing them to be an unnecessary bur- den upon them.
Therefore, some time before the battalion muster, which was to take place at Boonville, during the year 1842, a company, the ex- istence of which was known only to its members, was formed at that place, among the members of which were some of the best citizens of the city. This company was styled the "Fantastic company," on account of the queer costumes, arms, etc., of its members, they being dressed in all manner of outlandish costumes, carrying every con- ceivable kind of a weapon, from a broom-stick to a gun, and mounted upon horses, mules and jacks. The company was intended as a bur- lesque upon the militia, and to have some fun at their expense.
The regiment of state militia which was to be mustered at the above mentioned time was commanded by Colonel Jesse J. Turley and Major J. Logan Forsythe, and was composed of all the com- panies in the north half of the county. On the morning of the muster day Colonel Turley formed his regiment in front of the court house. After they were organized and ready for muster and drill, the Fantastic company, which was commanded by John Babbitt, each member dressed in his peculiar costume and carrying his strange weapon, marched up into full view of Colonel Turley's command, and commenced preparations to drill. Colonel Turley, feeling indignant that his proceedings should be interrupted by such a " mob," and be- lieving that it was intended as an insult, ordered his command to sur- round the Fantastic company.
There was a high fence on the eastern side of the vacant lot on which they were mustering, and Colonel Turley's company sur- rounded the " Fantastic company " by approaching on High street, on the alley between Fifth and Sixth streets, and on Sixth street, thus
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
hemming them in on the vacant lot. The latter, being closely pressed, retreated back across the fence, and then commenced a fight by throw- ing brickbats. The fight immediately became general and promis- cuous, and resulted in serious damage to several members of the state militia. Colonel J. J. Turley was struck in the side by a stone, and two or three of his ribs broken. Major J. Logan Forsythe was struck by a brickbat in the face, just below his right eye, and died the next day of his wounds. The members of the Fantastic company then dispersed and scattered in every direction.
The death of Major Forsythe caused great excitement through- out the county, and great indignation to be felt against the citizens of Boonville, so much so, that a petition was immediately circu- lated, asking that the " county seat of Cooper county be removed from Boonville " to a more central point of the county. So great was the excitement that some persons living within three miles of Boonville signed this petition. But the county seat, after a severe struggle be- fore the county court, was retained at Boonville.
The death of Major Forsythe was greatly regretted by all parties, for he was an excellent citizen and a very popular officer. It pro- duced an ill-feeling throughout the county, which lasted for many years. After the fight was over, the militia went through with their usual exercises, under the command of their subordinate officers, as Colonel Turley and Major Forsythe were unable, on account of their wounds, to drill them.
The last effort was made as stated, in 1844, by the people of Palestine township. The citizens of that township held a meeting in March of that year, and agreed to submit the question of changing the county seat to a vote of the people, which was accordingly done at the succeeding August election. The question was decided ad- versely to those who favored the change.
CHAPTER IV.
BOONVILLE TOWNSHIP.
Boundary - Physical Features - Early Settlers - Boonville - Its Location - Its Pioneer Builders and Business Men - Town Laid Out - Merchants - Franklin - Boonville Grew Beyond Expectation-The Missouri Overflow of 1826 - New Town of Franklin Started - Old Business Men and Santa Fe Traders - From 1830 to 1840 - From 1840 to 1850 - Steamboats - Opposition Ferries - Death of William Henry Harrison - Reception of John J. Crittenden at Boonville - From 1850 to 1860 -Thespian Hall -Commerce and Manufactures - H. B. Benedict's Report in 1855- Statement of 1882 - Banks and Bankers - Boonville Water Company - Kemper Family School-Cooper Institute - History of the Public Schools - Secret Orders -Odd Fellows Celebration - Mayors and Present Officers of Boon- ville - Present Business.
BOUNDARY.
Bounded on the north by the Missouri river, on the east by Sa- line township, on the south by Clark, Palestine and Pilot Grove town- ships, and on the west by Pilot Grove and Lamine townships.
PHYSICAL FEATURES.
The water supply is good. The Missouri river on the north, the Petite Saline creek running through the southern part of the township, and the Lamine river bordering a portion of the western part of the township, furnish ample water facilities.
EARLY SETTLERS.
The first settlers of the township were Stephen and Hannah Cole, who settled there in 1810.
The settlers who arrived previous to the year 1815, were Giliad Rupe, Muke Box, Delany Bowlin, William Savage, James Savage, John Savage and Walter Burress ; and, in 1815, Umphrey and Wil- liam Gibson.
Those who settled in this township between the years 1815 and 1820, were William McFarland, John S. and Jesse McFarland, George, Samuel and Alexander McFarland, William Mitchell, James Bruffee, Robert P. Clark, Joseph and William Dillard, Littleberry Hendricks, William Bartlett, Jesse Ashcraft, Russell Edgar, John M.
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
Bartlett, Abram Gibson, Thomas Twentyman, James Dillard, Jacob Newman, William Potter, Frederick Houx, William Poston, George Potter, Benjamin L. Clark, John J. Clark, Kyra Dunn, K. Mckenzie, Marcus Williams, James, Robert and Alexander Givens, Jacob Chism, John B. Lucus, Charles B. Mitchell, Nicholas McCarty, Lewis Edgar, John B. Seat, Jacob McFarland, James McCarty, William Ross, Abiel Leonard, Joseph W. Bernard, James McFarland, Ephraim Elli- son, John Roberts, Thomas Mitchell, Reuben George, Fleming G. Mitchell, Jesse Thomas, Asa Morgan, Peter B. Harris, James Cham- bers, Benjamin F. Hickox, William H. Curtis, William W. Adams, John D. Thomas, William Lillard, James H. Anderson, Peyton R. Hayden, John S. Brickey, Peyton Thomas, David Adams, Luke Wil- lians, John Potter, Andrew Reavis, David Reavis, Jonathan Reavis, Jesse Homan, John H. Moore, Green B. Seat, W. D. Wilson, Thomas Rogers, Mrs. Mary Reavis, William Chambers, James Chambers and Justinian Williams.
There were, no doubt, many others not mentioned above, who resided in this township between the above years, but their names are unknown, and perhaps some few of those mentioned above resided in some other township. The above list was taken from the poll books of the township for 1820, and of course those who lived there at that time, but did not record their votes, are not included in the same.
From the best information that can be obtained, all the persons mentioned in the foregoing list of early settlers are dead, except John S. and Jesse McFarland, and Lewis Edgar.
Mr. John Kelly and Mrs. Tibitha Kelly were in the township frequently between 1818 and 1820. They theu resided in Old Frank- lin, but are now living in Boonville. Of the ladies now living who resided in Boonville township previons to 1820, are Mrs. Jesse Homan, Mrs. Frederick Houx, Miss Mary Reavis, Mrs. B. F. Hickox, Mrs. Jennie Wadley and Mrs. Dikie Dallas, the two last mentioned being the sisters of Samuel Cole.
Wm. McFarland, the first sheriff of Cooper county, was born in Buncombe county, North Carolina, in the year 1778. He emigrated to St. Genevieve, now St. Francois county, Missouri, in 1811, and from thence to Cooper county, and on the 16th day of October, 1816, he settled on the north side of Petite Saline creek, where Joseph Byler now resides. He had two neighbors living on the south side of the creek whose names were John Glover and Warden. He had no other neighbors nearer than the immediate neighborhood of Boonville. IIe was, in 1818 or 1819, a member of the territorial legislature from the
43
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
southern district of Howard county, which included that part of the county lying south of the Missouri river. He was a farmer, a man of great energy, an affectionate husband and father and a good neighbor. Ile died in the year 1834.
Benjamin F. Hickox was born in the state of New York, and emigrated to this country at an early day. He was elected a member of the legislature from Cooper county in 1822, 1824 and 1838, and county court justice from September 24, 1844, to November 2, 1846. He was also one of the commissioners to superintend the building of the first court-house at Boonville. He was a successful farmer, an honest, upright man, an excellent neighbor, and very charitable to the poor, never turning them away from his door without relieving their wants. He died nearly thirty years ago, beloved and respected by all who knew him.
Luke Williams, a Baptist preacher, was a farmer, and resided about five miles west of Boonville. He is celebrated as being the first preacher in Cooper county, having located there several years before the county was organized.
Justinian Williams was born in Bath county, Virginia, and while young emigrated to Kentucky and there married. He then moved to Howard county, Missouri, from thenee to Cooper county, and settled at Boonville in the year 1818. In this year he located the first Metho- dist church in Cooper county. He was a cabinet maker by trade, and followed that business for several years, preaching and organiz- ing churches at intervals. He was also the local preacher at Boon- ville for several years. In the year 1834 he built a steamboat called the " Far West," about two miles above the mouth of the Bonne Femme creek, in Howard county, and was the commander of the same for some time. During that year he emigrated to Tennessee, where he died.
Marcus Williams, the first mayor of the city of Boonville, was born in Bath county, Virginia, and when young moved to Kentucky ; from thence to Boonville, Cooper county, Missouri. He was a brick mason by trade, and manufactured the first bricks ever made in Cooper county, having opened a lime kiln in the western part of Boonville. At the " Vollrath " place in 1840, he made the first stone- ware ever manufactured in western Missouri. He emigrated to Cali- fornia at the time of the gold excitement in 1849, and settled at San Jose, where he died about the year 1860.
This township at the time of its first settlement was partly prairie, in the west and southwest, but after the lapse of many years, the
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
prairie became timbered land. Great fears were entertained by the early settlers about the scarcity of timber, but it is believed that there is at the present time, more timber in the county than there was fifty years ago.
This was the first township of the county which was settled, and for many years few ventured outside, or at most, far from its bound- aries. The early settlers believed that the prairie land was only suited for grazing and not fit for cultivation. In the year 1830, a few persons ventured to cultivate prairie land, and finding it so productive, many other farmers settled on the prairies, and at this time all of the prairie land is under fence, and now constitutes the most valuable farms in the county.
Persons in the early history of the township settled near the river, that affording the only means by which they could ship their surplus productions to market. But the building of railroads has re- volutionized everything. Land near the river has become less valu- able, and that on the prairies, which a few years ago was considered almost worthless, has now become more valuable. Timbered land is still preferred by many farmers, for the reason that it is much better for the growing of wheat, and equally as good, if not better, for other productions.
The soil of this township is very productive, and is especially excellent for growing fruit. It has also large quantities of coal of a good quality, which could be shipped at large profit.
BOONVILLE.
At a spot on the Missouri river a little below the old town site of Franklin, but on the opposite bank of the river, a little ravine, since known as " Roupe's branch," flows into the " Big Muddy " and mingles its clear waters with that turbid stream. The land at and near the month of this little branch is comparatively low and flat. To the west and on the river the hills rise abruptly, while towards the east there is a gradual elevation of the surface for a distance of about a quarter of a mile, until the summit of the river bluff's is attained. Here the country is level for some distance back, and from the top of the bluffs may be seen not only the broad and swiftly-rolling river, which sweeps along at their base, but much of Howard connty upon the opposite shore. The landscape is a beautiful one, being varied as it is by winding river, broad-reaching forests, hills, farm houses and green fields.
Crowning the summit above mentioned is a handsome little city which was christened Boonville by its founders, in honor of Daniel
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
Boone, the crack of whose unerring rifle doubtless resounded within its present limits, when the red man and the wild beasts were the sole occupants of the territory now known as Cooper county.
The original proprietor of a portion of the present town site of Boonville was Mrs. Hannah Cole, who is mentioned in a preceding chapter of this history. She located and took a pre-emption in 1810, which she afterwards sold to Bird Lockhart and Henry Carroll, Jan- uary 25, 1819, for a mere trifle.
The first settler in the limits of old Boonville was Gilliard Roupe, who built his residence on the lot now owned by Captain James Thompson, on the south side of Spring street, near the old cement factory. The next building was a ferry-house, erected also by Roupe at the mouth of Ronpe's branch. The first ferry was operated by the sons of Mrs. Cole prior to 1816, and a license was granted to her for that purpose after the organization of Howard county. There were several houses - log cabins - built on the bottom laud below the branch, extending south as far as the corner of Morgan and Second streets, before the town was located or laid off.
The pioneer business house was kept by a Frenchman named A. Robidoux, which was located in the flat below Roupe's branch. Ro- bidoux came from St. Louis and was doubtless an Indian trader be- fore coming to Boonville. Soon after Robidoux commenced business a man named Nolin opened a grocery near the mouth of the branch, his stock in trade consisting mostly of whiskey and tobacco. These improvements of log and pole cabins were made in 1816 and 1817. During the same period Mrs. Reavis and William Bartlett kept board- ing houses in the same locality, and Thomas Rogers built a house on the corner of High and Second streets and used it as a residence, hotel and store.
TOWN LAID OUT.
The town was laid out by Asa Morgan and Charles Lucus, and the plat filed on the 1st day of August, 1817. It was surveyed by William Ross. The first lots were sold in 1819. A donation of fifty acres was made by Morgan and Lucus to Cooper county, was accepted by the commissioners, and the county seat located thereon. The first donation lots were sold in 1821.
From the best evidence that can be had from old citizens, the first houses built after the town was laid off were two brick houses still standing on Morgan street - one east of the jail, and the other east of and near the Central National bank, built by Asa Morgan. Some
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
other old houses, now standing, are Dr. Trigg's, on Morgan street, and a log house on the north side of High street, on the corner of Seventh street, occupied by a colored woman by the name of Carter ; also a brick house on High street, northeast of the court-house, built by Hon. R. P. Clark, and now owned by Joseph and William Williams.
The next merchants after Robidoux were Jacob Wyan and Archie Kavanaugh, who had a store and residence north of the court-house square. The other early merchants were Mckenzie, Bousfield, Colonel Thornton, Mrs. Dobbins, Thomas M. Campbell and Judge C. H. Smith. The next hotel was built by Justinian Williams, after- wards sold to John Dade. It is still standing, and used as a hotel, Mrs. Helfrich being the present proprietor. There was also a hotel on the lot north of the jail, now occupied by the residence of C. W. Sombart.
FRANKLIN.
It must not be forgotten, when Boonville was laid out, that on the opposite side of the river stood the town of Franklin, which had been previously settled and had just been made the county seat of Howard county. Franklin was springing right up, as if by magic, and was already the centre of a large trade, reaching out for many miles in every direction. Beside this, Franklin numbered among its citizens many of the most wealthy, enterprising and talented men, who had emigrated to the country, from Virginia and Kentucky - men who were doing all they could to build up the town which they had helped to locate and to which they had given a name. It was, of course, not expected by those who laid out Boonville that it would increase as rapidly in influence and population as its neighbor had done, on the opposite bank of the river. It had not the prestige, nor did it have surrounding it a country so populous as that which paid tribute to Franklin. The little town, however, grew from the beginning ; and soon after the first sale of lots, which oc- curred in 1819, a number of houses were immediately erected, thus giving promise of a much brighter future than its founders had ex- pected. They knew, in reason, that the geographical location was not only a good one, but a healthful one, and that, as the county in- creased in population, the town would increase in proportion, pro- vided it remained the county seat, notwithstanding the near proximity of its thrifty rival. The little village maintained a slow growth until the summer and fall of 1826, when it entered upon an era of prosperity never before known in its brief history. In the spring of that year the Missouri river overflowed its banks, and Franklin,
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
because of its low and flat location, suffered greatly from the high water and the malaria which followed. The town site was built largely upon soil, the chief component of which was sand. The consequence was, the constant falling in and washing away of the river bank. This occurred to a very great extent, in 1826, many houses going into the river. The citizens of the town, which had at that time a population of between 1,800 and 3,000 people, he- came satisfied that all future efforts to prevent the gradual caving in of the banks would be futile upon their part; and so believing, many of the residents and business men left the place, some of them settling in the town of New Franklin, two and a half miles back from the river, in Howard county, just in the edge of the hills, some in Fayette, the county seat of Howard, and some came to Boonville, a few of the latter bringing not only their goods and chattels, but their houses.
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