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 79
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 79
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The winter of 1872-73, was one of remarkable severity, and as soon as the ice had cleared away, the cribs were floated into position and sunk where the bed rock was within easy reach, and where it was necessary to go to a great depth to reach bed-rock, large flat-boats carrying powerful derricks and complete outfits of pneumatic ma- chinery, were moored in position, and the work of sinking the pneu- matic columns commenced.
792
HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
DESCRIPTION.
The abutment on the south side stands upon solid rock, above high water mark. The next foundation, No. 2, going northward, rests upon a cellular crib, filled with concrete and rubble masonry, which rests on bed rock. Pier No. 3, the pivot pier, rests also on bed-rock. No. 4 stands upon a pneumatic caisson sunk to bed-rock, thirty-five feet below water surface. Piers 5, 6, 7, are pneumatic pile piers, each sunk to bed rock, laid in hydraulic cement mortar from bottom to top, and lined with one inch burnetized pine boards. There is a handsome starling or ice breaker to each of these piers. Pier No. 8 stands upon the north shore, is built upon a foundation of piles and is protected by riprap. Pier No. 9, north abutment, stands at the end of the dyke and is enveloped by it, and has a foundation simi- lar to pier 8. The dyke is 1,800 feet in length, and will average twenty-five feet in height. The superstructure consists of two fixed spans, each 258 feet long ; three fixed spans, each 225 feet long ; one fixed span, eighty-four feet long; one draw, 363 feet long. These are all iron. The openings of the draw are 160 feet in the clear at low water, and the bridge is ten feet above the extreme high water mark of 1844. The weight of the superstructure is 1,638 tons. The draw is opened by a handsome steam engine.
The city of Boonville was placed under lasting obligations to Captain Jo. L. Stephens, for the active part he took in securing the passage by congress of the law authorizing the construction of the bridge. Captain Stephens spent several months in Washington in the interest of the bridge, receiving no pay for his time and trouble, and bearing his own expense. Colonel N. G. Elliott and Harvey Bunce, Esq., also went to Washington at their own expense, but doubtless felt amply repaid when they finally beheld the beautiful and substantial bridge for which they had labored, spanning the river so near their own homes. The bridge was finished about January, 1874.
BONDED DEBT OF COOPER COUNTY.
Two hundred ten per cent 10-20 bonds of $500 each, issued July 1, 1869, as a subscription to the capital stock of the Tebo and Neosho railroad company, interest payable January and July, at Bank of North America, New York, $100,000.
Thirty-two ten per cent 10-20 bonds of $500 each, issued May 1, 1873, to complete the subscription to the Tebo and Neosho railroad, in- terest payable January and July, at Bank of North America, New York, $16,000.
793
HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
The county from October, 1860, to August, 1870, issued to the Osage Valley and Southern Kansas railroad company, bonds amount- ing to $324,500; all of this debt has been paid off except $120,- 000, which has been refunded.
One hundred and sixty six per cent 5-20 bonds of $500 each, and 400 six per cent 5-20 bonds of $500 each, issned January 1, 1881, under chapter 83, revised statutes, in compromise and redemption of bonds issued to the Osage Valley and Southern Kansas railroad ; interest payable annually on the 1st day of January, at St. Louis Na- tional Bank, St. Louis, Missouri, $120,000. Total, $236,000.
Interest on Tebo and Neosho bonds not paid, but new six per cent compromise bonds have been issued to compromise on a basis of eighty-five cents on the dollar. On the six per cent, compromise bonds, issned in 1881, the interest is promptly paid : interest tax fifty cents on $100 valnation. Taxable wealth, $5,516,571.
BOONVILLE TOWNSHIP.
One hundred and five ten per cent twenty year bonds, of $500 each, issued July 1, 1869, to aid in the construction of the Tebo and Neosho railroad, interest payable January and July, at Bank of North Amer- ica, New York, $52,500.
Seventy-nine five per cent, 5,20 bonds, of $500 each, and forty- eight five per cent 5-20 bonds, of $100 each, issued April 1, 1882, under chapter 83, revised statutes, in compromise and redemption of bonds issued to the Tebo and Neosho railroad, interest payable annually January 1, at St. Louis National Bank, St. Louis, $44,300. Total, $96,800.
The original debt of Boonville township was $100,000. Com- promise bonds have been issued and $47,505 of the old bonds have been retired at eighty-five cents on the dollar. Interest on com- promise bonds will be promptly paid ; interest tax twenty-five cents on $100 valuation ; interest on old bonds not promptly paid. Tax- able wealth, $1,592,435.
PILOT GROVE TOWNSHIP.
Eighty ten per cent twenty year bonds of $500 each, issued July 1, 1869, to aid in the construction of the Tebo and Neosho railroad, interest payable January and July, at Bank of North America, New York, $40,000. Interest not promptly paid, no levy for interest since 1878, and no proposition pending for a compromise. Taxable wealth, $300,744.
794
HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
CLEAR CREEK TOWNSHIP.
Sixty ten per cent twenty year bonds of $500 each, issued July 1, 1869, to aid in the construction of the Tebo and Neosho railroad ; interest payable January and July, at Bank of North America, New York, $30,000. Interest not paid since 1878, and no proposition pending for compromise. Taxable wealth, $309,326.
BONDED DEBT OF BOONVILLE.
Fifty-eight six per cent 5-20 funding bonds of $500 each and twenty-eight do of $100 each, issued December 1, 1879, under chap- ter 83, revised statutes. Interest payable semi-annually in June and December, at St. Louis National Bank, $31,8000. Interest promptly paid. Interest tax forty cents on the $100 valuation ; sinking fund tax, twenty cents. Taxable wealth, $520,000.
POPULATION OF COUNTY AT EACH CENSUS, FROM 1820 TO 1880.
Year.
White Population.
Colored Population. 652
Total Population.
1820
-
-
6,307
6,959
1830
- 5,876
1,028
6,904
1840
8,312
2,172
10,484
1850
- 9,837
3,113
12,950
1860
-
-
- 13,528
3,828
17,356
1870
-
- 17,340
3,352
20,692
1880
-
- 18,994
3,502
21,596
The reason of the seemingly small increase in population between the dates of the taking of the census for the first few times, is ex- plained by the fact that every few years some new county was cut off from Cooper, thus taking some part of its territory and population.
POPULATION BY TOWNSHIPS IN 1880.
Blackwater township
646
Boonville township, including city of Boonville
5,605
City of Boonville
3,854
Clark's Fork township
-
1,406
Clear Creek township
1,324
Kelly township -
1,631
Lamine township
1,193
Lebanon township -
1,237
Moniteau township -
1,539
Otterville township, including Otterville
1,310
Otterville
-
-
505
Palestine township -
- -
1,703
-
-
-
-
-
-
HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
795
Pilot Grove township, including Pilot Grove village -
-
Prairie Home township
-
-
-
-
-
Saline township
-
-
.
White -
18,094 3,502
Colored - -
-
-
-
-
11,077
Females - -
10,519
Native born, in state and county
15,227
Illinois -
380
Kentucky
-
-
-
1,138
Tennessee -
- -
-
284
Ohio -
- - -
501 289
Indiana -
- -
British America -
29
England and Wales -
92
Ireland - -
- -
-
158
Scotland - - - - -
-
-
-
20
German empire -
-
-
1,120
France
- - -
-
I
7
Number of farms in the county -
-
-
2,520
Improved land, number of acres -
230,272
Value of farms, buildings, fences, etc.
$5,579,928
Value of farming implements and machinery Value of live stock -
- 1,163,742
Cost of building and repairing fences Value of farm productions - -
- 1,158,937
Number bushels of corn - -
-
-
-
-
- 2,389,965
Number bushels of oats - -
-
-
-
253,289
Number bushels of rye -
4,225
Number bushels of wheat
516,138
Value of orchard products
$18,826
Hay -tons
6,007
Number bushels of Irish potatoes
38,226
Number bushels of sweet potatoes
2,696
Tobacco - number of pounds -
21,252
Number of horses -
7,638
Number of mules - - -
3,413
Number of milch cows
-
7,451
Number of other cattle
12,548
Number of sheep
19,942
Number of swine
-
-
62,529
Wool - pounds -
143,770
Milk - gallons -
-
12,352
Butter - pounds -
-
-
-
-
263,278
Cheese - pounds
-
-
-
-
281
-
-
-
209 905
1,630
-
-
Males
- -
-
-
30
Sweden and Norway
-
-
247,011
70,613
-
-
796
HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
TAXABLE WEALTH AND TAXES OF COOPER COUNTY.
Year.
Value of Real Estate.
Value of Personal Prop.
State Tax.
County All Tax.
1819
-
1820
$1,734 04
$867 02
1821
-
726 32
363 16
1822
-
1823
1824
1,269 06
634 53
1827
1,242 96
621 48
1828
1,457 18
728 59
1829
1,729 96
864 98
1831
1832
1833
1834
1835
1836
1837
$595,899
$571,948
1,189 21
1,189 21
1838
863,153
639,442
1,509 16
2,300 76
1839
918,640
817,073
2,627 41
3,331 08
1840
1,141,775
742,267
2,715 54
4,029 06
1841
1,098,646
1,077,665
3,154 01
3,604 65
1842
1,386,126
1,094,997
3,455 59
3,455 59
1843
1,255,934
700,109
3,091 01
2,318 25
1844
3,749 60
2,812 20
1845
1846
4,103 06
4,103 06
1847
4,833 02
4,720 50
1848
1,288,322
921,494
5,426 62
5,089 91
1849
1,101,795
1,189,188
5,115 85
5,115 85
1850
1,232,740
1,060,518
5,200 04
5,188 16
1851
1,237,905
1,460,437
5,996 36
11,992 72
1852
1,264,695
1,492,532
6,143 72
7,522 46
1353
1,177,850
1,552,778
6,141 11
11,022 51
1854
-
1855
1,606,680
1,531,650
7,046 34
12,553 32
1856
2,634,645
2,316,195
10,682 43
19,803 36
1857
-
2,249,160
2,518,330
10,289 48
10,289 48
1858
-
3,385,821
3,458,683
15,588 13
21,671 05
1859
3,672,538
3,428,789
23,330 29
18,923 24
1860
-
3,603,872
3,186,830
22,402 81
21,720 67
1861
-
2,679,385
2,621,210
18,046 13
17,679 27
1862
-
12,777 50
13,334 91
1863
-
1,917,230
1,540,070
20,086 96
12,562 38
-
-
4,227 86
4,227 86
1825
1826
1830
797
HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
Year.
Value of Real Estate.
Value of Personal Prop.
State Tax.
County All Tax.
1864
-
1,976,390
1,089,660
22,126 36
35,871 98
1865
-
2,047,280
909,580
23,507 16
13,812 08
1866
-
2,662,757
1,027,807
41,219 07
32,291 07
1867
-
4,588,978
1,366,377
38,609 80
38,609 80
1868
4,929,762
1,164,443
31,243 50
75,580 36
1869
4,782,080
1,074,081
29,280 80
84,035 76
1870
4,787,165
1,069,167
29,281 81
111,684 47
1871
4,384,641
1,164,928
27,747 84
130,325 14
1872
4,275,973
1,252,845
24,879 68
107,956 26
1873
4,226,150
1,370,300
27,542 631/2
129,198 911/2
1874
4,226,150
1,347,250
25,814 65
113,186 003/4
1875
3,773,740
1,366,485
23,131 01
71,834 81
1876
3,773,605
1,781,550
22,174 42
92,472 12
1878
4,077,080
1,950,145
1879
3,520,065
1,714,385
1880
3,524,570
1,690,362
1881
-
3,538,505
1,916,981
1882
3,550,481
1,947,040
1883
-
3,550,481
2,007,745
The total taxes of the county, since 1876, will average annnally about $114,000.
TOWNS AND CITIES - WHEN LAID OUT.
Boonville - Situate in the northeast quarter of section 35, town- ship 49, range 17, was laid out by Charles Lucas and Captain Asa Morgan on the 1st day of August, 1817. Additions - Littleberry Hendricks', made February 6, 1829; Isaiah Hannah's and Jacob Wyans', September 6, 1833 ; Cooper county's, June 12, 1838; Na- thaniel Hutchison's, Angust 9, 1838; Isaiah Hannah's, October 1, 1840; Jaeob Wyan's, February 23, 1842 ; E. R. Hayden's, Decem- ber 9, 1867 ; T. W. Nelson's, September 30, 1845 ; East Boonville, by W. H. Trigg, August 12, 1857; John Porter's, March 19, 1868 ; O. D. Edwards', June 23, 1863 ; Constantine Heim's, July 21, 1869 ; Davis & Smith's, May 22, 1872.
Bunceton - Situate in sections 4 and 5, township 46, range 17 ; was laid out by H. Bunce on May 11, 1868. The town is now in Kelly township.
Petersburg - Situate in west half northeast quarter section 20, township 47, range 17; was laid out by the Osage Valley and Southern Kansas railway company on Jannary 30, 1869.
Bellingsville - Situate in northwest quarter of section 28, town- ship 48, range 17 ; was laid out by Osage Valley and Southern Kansas railway company February 8, 1869.
52
798
HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
New Palestine - Situate in east half southwest quarter southeast quarter section 8, township 47, range 17 ; laid out by J. L. Stephens August 20, 1868.
Pilot Grove - Situate in northeast quarter section 5, township 47, range 18 ; laid out by Samuel Roe May 30, 1873.
Pleasant Green - Situate in southwest quarter of southwest quar- ter of section 25, township 47, range 19 ; laid out by George Stemberger June 28, 1873.
Harrison - Situate in northeast quarter section 13, township 47, range 19 ; laid out by Doctor N. W. Harris July 10, 1873.
Clifton City - Situate in northeast quarter section 18, and north- west quarter section 17, township 46, range 19; laid out by Peter W. Ladue September 29, 1873.
Elkton, now Otterville - Sitnate in northeast quarter section 4, township 45, range 19 ; laid out by George W. Wear and Gideon R. Tompkins August 26, 1837.
Palestine - Situate in southeast quarter of section 8, township 47, range 17 ; laid out by Michael Son September 29, 1836.
Milton, now Gooch's Mill - Laid out by Charles McArthur, Leonard Calvert and Jesse Ogden July 7, 1837.
Hustonville - Existed near present site of Overton, now in Mis- souri river ; laid out by B. W. Levens and John Ward June 27, 1837.
Pisgah - Situate in south half northwest quarter and north half northwest quarter section 2, township 46, range 16, and laid ont by James A. Reavis June 30, 1836.
SURFACE - TIMBER - WATER.
Cooper county is situated on the thirty-ninth degree north lati- tude, and about the seventh degree west from Washington. It also lies near the geographical centre of Missouri, on the south side of the Missouri river, and about half way between Leavenworth and St. Louis. It covers an area of 558 square miles. The surface is about equally diversified with hilly country and prairie. A line of bluffs of goodly height extends the full length of the county along the river, at times approaching to the water's edge, and again retreating some distance from the shore. In the southwestern part of Lamine town- ship, near the county line, and in the neighborhood of Blackwater creek, we find it very hilly, as we also do in the southern part of La- mine township, and nearly the whole of Blackwater, Clear Creek and Otterville townships. Other portions are very hilly, but in most cases the roughness of the surface does not prevent a fair degree of
799
HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
cultivation. Upon the Lamine river and Blackwater creek we find the scenery borders closely upon the grand. At places along their courses we find precipices whose perpendicular height must reach the altitude of 200 feet. There is one in particular upon the Blackwater creek which rises from the creek-bed to about this height, as vertical as any house wall, while upon its summit a conical shaped pile rises still higher, enabling one to view the surrounding country at a great advantage for miles. There are many such precipices at various points along the streams. In many places along these streams we find vast stretches of bottom lands, most of which are well calculated for culti- vation, and, failing in this, are valuable as pastures for stock. Com- bining the prairie, the low land, the rough and the hilly in such proportions as they are combined in Cooper county, we have a surface capable of suiting the most fastidious farmer of the age.
Nor is any land going to waste. Those portions thought to be wholly unfitted for cultivation on account of their roughness, have, by the efforts of the Dutch and Germans, proven a source of wealth to some, and of material worth to others. None seems lost. None seems wholly useless. The county is nearly equally diversified with prairie and timber, the latter predominating. Old settlers state as a fact that there is more timber in the county to-day than there was fifty years ago. It is curious to see a fine growth of trees towering above you, and have a man tell you he saw them when they were no taller than hazel bushes, and that many times he drove over them in his wagon. But sueh is the rapid growth of timber in this county that such occurrences are frequent. The reason assigned for this growth of timber is the cessation of prairie fires, which in past days prevented the growth of vast portions of the forest. As a county, Cooper is well supplied with water. The drainage is perfect, except in the larger streams, whose currents, unless in very high water, are slow, or are absent altogether. In low water the streams move lazily, or lie quiet for miles along their sources, seeming loth to stir from their pebbly beds. The streams, when swollen by heavy rains, grow to be immense torrents, and rush down their hitherto temporarily empty beds, sweeping all before them. Some of them, not content to remain in bounds, break over their banks, and prove to be of great danger to crops, fences, etc. The drainage is so perfect that the ris- ing in the streams is very sudden, and as suddenly they fall. Springs of clear crystal water abound in various portions of the county, while it also furnishes a large number of mineral springs, salt springs, and sulphur springs. Of the former, Chouteau springs are quite celebrated.
800
HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
Some of these have proven of service in days past, and, doubtless, as their properties become better known, they will prove of more worth in the future.
The main streams of the county are : Lamine river, Blackwater creek, Monitean creek, Clear creek, Flat creek, Petite Saline, Clark's fork and Stephens' fork. Of these the Petite Saline and branches drain the greater part of the county, embracing the central and eastern portions, while Moniteau and Lamine drain the southwestern and western portions respectively .
COAL.
The coal measures of Cooper county are quite extensive, extend- ing about three miles south of Boonville and seven west of the Lamine river, giving an area of twenty square miles.
Besides this regular coal measure there are many local deposits of the very best coal. Among these prominent coal deposits we find Stephens' coal bed. It is located in township 47, range 17, sections 27 and 28. The principal bed is seven feet thick, and has an irregular dip to the west.
In township 46, range 17, section 10, is a bed of cannel coal. The strata dip at an angle of 55 degrees, and are covered by a bed of local drift, resting upon the edges of the strata. Colonel James Staple has a coal bed in township 49, range 19, section 16. This is a valu- able bed, but its location is such that its quality cannot be determined until it is worked.
Paxton's coal bed is located one mile south of Chonteau springs.
Stiger's coal bed is a half mile south of Paxton's. Colonel Thomas Russel's coal bank is located in township 47, range 16, section 18 or 19, J. T. Johnson & Co., and Washington Adam's coal bed in township 47, range 16, section 17.
Farley's coal bed is in township 46, range 18, section 31.
Drafton's coal bed is in township 46, range 16, section 18.
Mrs. Fryer's coal bed is in township 46, range 17, section 18. Moody's coal bed is on Clark's Fork.
Jenkin Robinson's coal bed is in township 48, range 16, section 22.
Mr. Son's coal bed is in township 47, range 18, section 13.
There are many other deposits in the county, but for want of space we cannot mention them.
CHAPTER XIX.
California Emigrants - Who they Were - A Beautiful and Touching Farewell - Tem- perance Excitement in 1853 - Rev. William Ross - Proclamation of the Mayor- Police Force Organized - Report of Temperance Committee - Kansas Troubles of 1856 - Meeting of the Citizens of Boonville.
CALIFORNIA EMIGRANTS.
The years of 1849 and 1850 will be remembered by the old settlers of Cooper county, as the periods when the gold excitement in California reached its highest point, and as the years when the people generally throughout the American Union, as well as Cooper county, were alike smitten with the gold fever. The early settlers, like their descendants of to-day, soon learned that -
" Gold is the strength, the sinews of the world ; The health, the soul, the beauty most divine; "
and manifested their love and appreciation of the saffron-hued metal by separating themselves from their homes and friends, and taking up their line of march to the gold fields of California. Cooper county sent forth many of her sons - some of whom were men with gray beards, and boys still in their teens - to that far-distant region, all animated with the hope that their labors, their sacrifices and their bravery, would be rewarded with an abundance of the glittering and precious ore.
Below will be found the names of a portion of the companies of Captains Robert McCulloch and Solomon Houck.
ROBERT M'CULLOCH'S COMPANY.
Spotswook McCulloch,
Renben Stevens, 2 Moniteau
Joseph McCulloch,
James Humes, county,
John MeCulloch,
Ewing Kelly,
Robert Donglass,
Joseph Hess,
Charles Lewis,
John Kelly,
Merriweather Lewis,
Peter Kelly,
Nicholas Lewis,
Bear Sr,
Abraham Weight, John Simmons,
Frank Bear,
John Carey,
William Son,
Joseph Potter, Nelson Potter,
George Kelly,
(801)
802
HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
John Hornbeck,
Perry Taylor, Alfred Hornbeck,
Richard Bidel,
Louis Brant,
county.
C. W. Sombart, Julius Sombart,
Dr. Antrim,
Robert Allison,
Love Wadly,
From William Reidmeyer, Ohio, John Hahn,
Erhart Sr.,
Joseph Byler,
August Erhart,
Calvin Wilson,
Albert Erhart,
Simon Boyd,
William Hardcastle,
Dr. Cooper, Universalist preacher.
SOLOMON HOUCK'S COMPANY.
C. B. Combes,
Thomas Chambers,
John Oglesby, Thomas Mitchell,
Charles Mitchell,
Jacob Harriet,
Absalom Meridith, John Baldwin,
Horace Hutchinson,
William Samuels,
Jacob Gype, John Mars,
William Wheatley,
Cal Mason,
Samuel Row, John Porter.
Upon the eve of his departing for California, one of the Cooper county boys penned the following beautiful and touching farewell : -
Farewell, farewell, my native land, I leave thee ouly with a sigh, To wander o'er a foreign strand, Perchance to live, perchance to die.
Adieu, my friends, whom kindred ties Unite, though distant we may rove, How ardent as time onward flies, Fond memory clings to those we love.
O'er the broad plains, far away, Beyond the Rocky Mountain's crest, Our wayward feet awhile shall stray, And press the gold-besprinkled west. But 'mid the gaudy scenes of strife, Where gold to pride enchantment lends, We'll ne'er forget that boon of life - Companions dear and faithful friends.
And in the lapse of coming years, Should fortune be not too nnkind, We'll hope reward for parting tears, In smiles from those we left behind. We go- yet hoping to return, Friends of our youth, to home and you, For these do cause our hearts to yearn, E'en when we sigh Adieu - Adieu.
Oldhansen & Son,
St. Louis
Abraham Reidmeyer,
803
HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.
TEMPERANCE EXCITEMENT IN 1853.
During the month of July, 1853, Boonville was much excited in consequence of a temperance movement inaugurated by the Crystal Fount division of the Sons of Temperance. This organization secured the services of the Rev. William Ross, deputy grand worthy patriarch of Missouri, who delivered a number of temperance lectures in the Meth- odist Episcopal and Presbyterian churches. Mr. Ross was quite radi- cal in his views in reference to the liquor question, and had incurred the displeasure of the saloon keepers of the town by the bold and de- nunciatory manner in which he spoke of their traffic. The excite- ment continued to increase, until it reached its culminating point on July 17, 1853. Upon that day ( Sunday ) a meeting of the friends of temperance was advertised to be held at the Presbyterian church, where Rev. William Ross would deliver a lecture. On the 16th day of July, the day preceding the day of the lecture, the mayor of Boon- ville had published the following proclamation, which explains itself :-
PROCLAMATION.
By the Mayor of the City of Boonville:
Whereas, a certain itinerant lecturer, calling himself " Billy Ross," has been disseminating discord and dissention in this commu- nity, by vituperation and abuse, under the guise of temperance lec- tures ; and, whereas, it is said that sundry persons have armed them- selves and threatened to assemble for combat -some to encourage and others to stop said Ross in his course - these are therefore to forbid all such riotous and unlawful assemblages. And the police of this city are hereby required to suppress and disperse all riotous and unlawful assemblies in this city.
In testimony whereof, I, H. B. Benedict, mayor of the city of Boonville, have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the seal of the city, at office, this 16th day of July, 1853.
H. B. BENEDICT, Mayor.
POLICE FORCE ORGANIZED.
In accordance with this proclamation, the mayor immediately or- ganized a force numbering sixty-two men, including himself, and marched to the Presbyterian church on the 17th of July, where the church and grounds were taken possession of by him. The people (the friends of temperance ) came to the church at the hour appointed, but were prevented from entering the building by the mayor and his force, who quietly dispersed the assembled crowd, which offered no resistance, and made no riotous demonstrations. This action upon
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