USA > Missouri > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Missouri > Part 20
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"But it is far different with you, and those whom you so creditably. represent upon the present occasion. All that now appears to you is tinged with the roseate hues of the morning.
"From our own early experience we can safely venture the assertion that the active fancy of yourself, and of each of your young associates, is daily teeming with plans and purposes looking to the future, and abounding in promises of rich results, all seemingly assured to your yet inexperienced minds by the cheering fallacies of hope. Some of you have diligently qualified yourselves for the learned professions, and expect to achieve wealth and distinction therein.
"The tempting bait of official position which inspires alike the low craft of the politician, and the nobler ambition of the statesman, may reasonably be supposed to obtrude itself occasionally in the prospect which lies open before you. This is as it should be. Such aspirations are in complete harmony with the great design of our being, and stimulate to exertion that period of human life most capable thereof. And although the result of individual exertions in myriads of cases may fall immeas- urably short of the expectations which prompted them, it is nevertheless, to human effort impelled by human aspirations that we are indebted for all those real, tangible and grand results which we now behold around us, and which confer the practical blessings of an advanced civilization on so many millions of the human race. Many of the most important and most wonderful of these results are to be credited to the genius, energy and perseverance of those whose surviving representatives and co-lab- orers are to be seen in the venerable forms and time-scarred visages which are here assembled. Within the comparatively brief period com- mencing with their birth, we shall scarcely go beyond the truth in affirm- ing that more has been accomplished by man for the benefit and amelior- ation of his race than can be properly credited to the aggregated human effort of any preceding 500 years. When they drew their first breath,
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
the locomotive which draws the freight of nations over every quarter of - our globe, had no existence even in the dreams of its immortal pro- jector.
"The use of steam in propelling water craft was equally unknown, and had any one, at that period, predicted that the person was then liv- ing who would see the lightning of heaven subdued and put in harness by the genius of man, and its fiery speed utilized in transmitting instan- taneous intelligence over every quarter of the inhabited earth, he would have been regarded as the wildest visionary that ever merited quarters in a lunatic asylum. But these and other miracles of human invention equally wonderful-and all contributing to the advancement of our race -by no means transcend in importance the redemption from savage sway, and the opening to emigrants from all lands, of this vast western territory which we inhabit. For this service, the millions who are to suc- ceed us, and whose ballots are destined to shape the future policy of our great republic, will not fail to give a due portion of credit to the hearty pioneer-'the old settler'-who boldly ventured beyond the confines of civilization, and by the stroke of his ax, or the crack of his rifle, first broke the silence of the primeval forest.
"Daniel Boone and his hardy and adventurous associates, and the old time-worn settlers who are here today, are as fully entitled to the grati- tude of our coming generations as the statesmen who have given organic form to our republican institutions, the generals who have led our armies to victory, or the Morses, Fultons and Stevensons who have enriched the world by their inventions. They have been leaders in a field which made leadership pre-eminently the position of hardship, danger and privation, requiring the constant exercise of those qualities of the head and heart which form the elements of the hero. In the full vigor of early manhood, they tore themselves from the associations in which they were reared, and boldly ventured out into untrodden paths to make available to civilized man the locked-up wealth of a region whose products are now burdening the channels of commerce, and feeding the hungry of distant lands. No discouragements were allowed to impede them in their perilous journey- ings. Through malarious swamps and mountain passes, they pushed onward until their stakes were fixed on the virgin soil which was to be the future homes of themselves and children. Their unerring rifles fur- nished them the means of immediate subsistence. The axe and a few simple tools were all that they required in the construction of their primi- tive log cabins.
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
"These up, and affording shelter to their wives and little ones, the clearing and the corn field next appeared. The golden grain gathered therefrom, and the porkers fattened thereon, soon secured them the well known and substantial luxuries of frontier life. The dressed skins of the wild deer furnished the men and boys with outer garments, than which none could be better adapted to resist briers, brush, and the frosts of win- ter. The spinning wheel and the looms were set in motion in every cabin, and the fleece of a few sheep, and products of the flax or cotton patch were constantly being wrought by steady and dexterous female hands into shirts for the men and gowns for the women.
"Thus, without commerce or intercourse with the civilized world, from which they had separated, each sparse settlement, formed by their location, became a self-sustaining community, supplying from its own unaided resources those essential wants of life beyond which the temper- ate desires of its members seldom, or never extended.
"Against all assaults of the red men, banded together for their ex- termination, they heroically defended their infant settlements and suc- cessfully maintained their right to dwell upon and cultivate the soil which savage possession would have continued a perpetual wilderness. And it is this right to occupy and bring into use the unappropriated soil of the earth, thus bravely defended and maintained by our Old Settlers, which now constitutes the real basis of the title to every acre of land lying within the limits of our broad domain.
"It would be folly in me here to attempt even a brief recital of their heroic deeds of self-sacrificing services in the cause of civilization. Many of them occupy a conspicuous place in the written history of their coun- try. Others will go down to posterity in traditions from father to son, and furnish material for the poet, novelist and painter for unnumbered years to come.
"Well merited, therefore, is the honor which you have so elegantly recognized as due to their venerable survivors who yet linger with us and give interest to this occasion by their presence. And when those of you have the good fortune to survive the dangers, accidents, and diseases which strew the journey of life with the wrecks of mortality, shall be- come the old men of Jackson County, and as such meet together as these venerable citizens now do, may your restrospections be as pleasant and sat- isfactory as theirs, and a life of patriotic devotion, integrity and useful- ness equally entitle you to the remembrance and gratitude of posterity."
Following this the Old Settlers of the county, sixty-four in number,
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formed in line and, headed by the band, marched in procession around the ring. This concluded and an hour of recess was allowed for dinner. Baskets filled with home food were hauled from their hiding places in the wagons, clean white cloths were spread upon the grass, gay couples ranged in order around the tables and the grounds fast assumed the look and shape of a real old-fashioned picnic.
After the sandwiches were disposed of the merry assembly was again called to order and Jacob Greggs, esquire, of Sniabar township, was intro- duced. He delivered a very interesting speech.
Dr. Johnston Lykins spoke as follows:
"I was appointed to prepare for presentation to you on this occasion brief sketches of the early French settlers of Jackson County. For this service the notice was too short and unexpected, and urgent business in- tervening, I have been unable to do more than to get up a list of the names of those early and hardy comers to our pleasant county, and have to beg your indulgence for further time and opportunity for sketches which may appear in the papers.
"Almost forty-five years ago, almost in youth, with a young wife and child, I came to this region and found here the most lovely and fer- tile country-in its almost virgin state-to be found anywhere under the broad expanse of heaven. The best country, the best people, and let me say, the best wives, sisters and mothers in the world.
"Old Settlers and New, I rejoice to meet you here today, to shake hands and to wish you a prosperous and happy future.
"Reference was made by the eloquent young gentleman who, in be- half of a younger generation addressed us Old Settlers, to the days of the past, and here allow me to say that when the early pioneers took posses- sion of this land, we found on its highways no stage coaches or daily mails, on its rivers no steamboats, no railroads, no telegraph lines, no steam power in use, no cities, no towns, no churches or school houses, or improvements of any kind, save the rude and hasty structures prepared by our hardy and daring pioneers. In surrendering this, our noble charge, to you, a younger generation, to you young men before me, we do it with a mournful pleasure, because we are passing away. We pause today to recall with pleasure the remembrance of the wooed and cherished ones, the long list of our loved fellow pilgrims who sleep by the wayside of the past, and are admonished that our rest draws near. But in turning from you, perhaps never again to thus stand before you, I gladly and proudly point to a wilderness found by us fifty years ago, now budding and blos-
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
soming as the rose, with exultant feelings of joy, to the great net-work of railroad everywhere bisecting our country; to our multiplied telegraph lines flashing intelligence to every land; to our cities, our towns, our stately churches, our palatial halls of education, our floating palaces, and that type of civilization, intelligence and refinement present and before me today-a land filled with arts, sciences and wealth. So have we, your sires, discharged our trust.
"Such is the charge we surrender, as one by one we lie down to rest -a heritage-a land-the soil, the climate, the locality of which will compel this to become the cradle of the highest type of civilization, the center of the greatest activities, of commerce, the arts, sciences, and hu- man progress, and from which shall go out a moral, religious and po- litical power to bless the world."
An address was then delivered by Col. R. T. Van Horn, on the "Commercial Future of Jackson County."
In the meantime the judges had been busily engaged in receiving, taking down and counting the votes and names for the different prizes to be awarded. When completed they ran as follows:
For the oldest settler of Jackson County, an easy chair, value $21.50, which was awarded to Mrs. Pitcher.
The names of the contestants for this prize, together with the year in which they first became resident, are as follows:
Mrs. Mary A. Pitcher, 1821; Wilson Lewis, 1822; Emanuel Bitter, 1823; Mrs. Flora A. Gregg, 1823; Col. James Lewis, 1825; Mrs. Polly Lewis, 1825; Jacob Gregg, 1825; Henry Noland, 1825; Mrs. Margaret Chambers, 1825; James Chambers, 1826; William Shepherd, 1826; Silas Hudspeth, 1827; Mrs. M. A. Irwin, 1827; Sloper Adams, 1828; Roliet Hudspeth, 1828; Joel Hudspeth, 1828; George Hudspeth, 1828; Mrs. M. P. Bell, 1828; Mrs. Mary Smart, 1829; Abraham Coger, 1829; Levi Potts, 1829; Mrs. Tobithe Silvers, 1829; Albert Vaughn, 1832; Landes Stayton, 1833; Mrs. Michael Rice, 1835.
For parent or parents of greatest number of children born in Jack- son County, silver pitcher, goblet and waiter, value $41. The contestants were few, as follows, David Daily carrying off the prize :
David Daily, 22; Nelson Warren, 20; Levi Montgomery, 19; Francis E. Johnson, 16.
For the oldest continued resident of Jackson County, an easy chair, value $20.50. The entries were as follows:
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
Mrs. Mary A. Pitcher, December, 1821; David Daily, January, 1822; John Bogard, February, 1822; Larkin Johnson, November, 1822; Mrs. Jemima Russel, May, 1823; Mrs. Matilda Maxwell, August. 1823; John Majors, February, 1825.
As the two first and oldest names recorded had already been the recipient of one prize, and as none were allowed to recive but one, the chair was placed in the hands of the third, Mr. John Bogard, he having resided in the county over 52 years.
For the oldest native born citizen of Jackson county, then a resident, set of silver knives and forks. The following names were found recorded, which resulted in the first, Mrs. Margaret Christeson, now in her fiftieth year, having been born and lived since in the county :
Mrs. Margaret Christeson, March, 1824; Sarah A. McClanahan, April, 1828; C. B. L. Boothe, April, 1829; Nelson Adams, May, 1829; Fannie C. Twyman, April, 1829; Jesse Nolan, October, 1830; Landes Stayton, October, 1833.
The presentation speeches were made by Mr. Richard R. Reese, now of Leavenworth, Kansas, but for years one of the old Jackson County boys, in a fluent and acceptable manner, and as each would receive and bear off his or her prize, cheer upon cheer would ascend from the crowds around; and though there were many disappointed faces to be seen, the utmost good humor prevailed throughout, and none seemed to envy the other or to begrudge him the present.
Next in order came the foot race, booked for which there were six contestants, all of whom were over 65 years of age: Henry Donahue, Thomas Pitcher, Henry Tull, George W. Clair, Samuel Ralston and Ben- nett Hail.
From some unaccountable cause, however, but the first three ran for the prize, which consisted of a gold-headed cane, valued at $15, which fell to the lot of the first, Mr. Henry Donahue, aged 70 years.
This last concluded the long and very agreeable programme provided for the day's entertainment, and gradually the buggies began to fill, horses were saddled and harnessed to the old country wagons, and by twos and threes the vast crowd began to move homeward.
Many of the residents of Kansas City boarded the return train at 3:30, though the majority were determined to "see it out," and the train leaving Independence at 9:50 p. m. found many weary picnickers in wait- ing at the depot.
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
Matters, however, in the meantime were varied. A large number of the excursionists received and accepted a courteous invitation from Mr. Vaughn, of Narrow Gauge fame, and indulged in a delightful ride for a few miles up the road.
Others sought the city of Independence and time passed pleasantly in the watching of fireworks, etc., and for hours did the dull old town resound with Kansas City shouts. But when the time came to go home they were all there and the train left the depot bearing away many a full stomach and an aching head.
As far as heard from none regretted the visit and in the minds of the many thousands who attended, the Jolly Old Settlers will ever re- main fresh, while "The Fourth, of 1874, at Independence," will never be forgotten by the picnicking people of Jackson County.
The following recollections were penned by Mr. J. C. McCoy on the death of Daniel Boone, one of the pioneers of this region of country:
"From a brief notice we receive intelligence of the death of Daniel Boone, one of the earliest pioneers of Jackson County, Missouri, and of the State of Kansas, which occurred at his old homestead, eight miles south of Kansas City, February 22, 1880. Deceased was a grandson of the famous Kentucky and Missouri pioneer, and son of Daniel Morgan Boone, who was, without doubt, the first actual resident householder within the limits of the State of Kansas, and who died at the same old homestead about the year 1834.
"For almost half a hundred years I had been on terms of intimate friendship with him and honored the sterling worth and guileless life of my worthy old friend and fellow pioneer. I may not call the news of his death sad. His earthly pilgrimage had extended beyond the ordinary limit of three score years and ten. His active work on earth was finished and believing, as I do, in the wisdom of the conclusion of the King, that a 'good name is better than precious ointment and the day of death bet- ter than the day on one's birth,' why then should we contemplate the departure of such an one to his long home, with sadness and regret? The same wise King hath said: 'Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was and the spirit shall return to God who gave it.'
"Deceased was born in St. Charles County, Mo., Aug. 27, 1809, and . in 1826, his father, Daniel Morgan Boone, lived in the lower part of Kan- sas City, near the mouth of the small creek below the gas works, that point being the agency for the Kanzan Indians; and at that point resided Benito Vasques, who was United States agent, and Daniel Morgan Boone, the
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
father of the subject of this notice with his family-the latter having the appointment of government farmer for the Kansas tribe.
"Early in 1827, they removed, and established the agency at a point about eight miles above Lawrence, on the north bank of the Kansas River. It was here that I first met my friend, who is now deceased. Daniel Boone was then about twenty, while I was nineteen. From that day till the day of his recent death, through the long lapse of half a century, dur- ing which the wild wilderness of our youth had become transformed into smiling fields and busy marts of commerce and all the appliances of human industry and progress, we were friends in the true meaning of the term. I can use none other more expressive of our relations during that long period.
"In 1833, his father removed with his family to the state of his old homestead, where his son died where he lived in 1834.
"In 1832 our old friend was married to Mary Philbert, who is still living in the enjoyment of health and vigor, mental and physical, at that pleasant, unostentatious, hospitable homestead. She, too, has a personal history full of interest connected with the early settlement of these west- ern wilds. The panorama unrolled to our vision and the experiences of half a hundred years would form the subject and theme of an epic worthy of the grand old Homer. Eulogies are delivered in set speeches, by chosen and gifted orators, on the demise of great men of the earth and those holding high official trusts and the inanimate clay is consigned to earth, the rappings and blaze of funeral pomp. All proper and right, if the eulogies pronounced tell the truth, and the whole truth, and if the sable badges of mourning represent the true sorrow of the multitude.
"Not so, however, was it with our deceased old friend, Daniel Boone. His humble eulogy was more appropriate, more eloquent and more touch- ing, pronounced by tearful eyes and loving hands, and the heartfelt sympathies of lifelong friends who surrounded his bedside and cheered him as his feet met the waters of the dark river. It would be a pleasant and grateful task to write an obituary of such an one; but none is needed. It is already graven on the hearts of his friends, 'Let me die the death of the righteous and let my last end be like his.'"
The old settlers met at Kansas City, in the county court room, includ- ing men who have lived in and around Jackson County from twenty-five to fifty years, who date their arrival with the earliest pioneers who set- tled in this section of Missouri. At the morning session a committee was appointed to prepare the programme for the evening. William O. Shouse
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
was selected as chairman and C. D. Lucas, secretary. In the afternoon the old settlers again assembled and the committee made a report which was adopted and the proceedings had in regular order as suggested in the report. The first question under consideration, the advisability of forming themselves into an association was discussed by R. N. Hudspeth, J. C. McCoy, F. R. Long, William Jarboe and others.
They then adopted the name of "Historical Society of Old Settlers." The society was understood to include all the old residents of Jackson, Clay, Cass and Platt Counties, Mo., and Wyandotte and Johnson Counties, Kan. Jacob Gregg was elected president. He is now one of the oldest residents in Jackson County, was sheriff in an early day and has served in the State Legislature. D. C. Allen, of Clay County, was elected first vice-president, Chas. D. Lucas, second vice-president, J. C. McCoy, secre- tary, and Joseph S. Chick, treasurer. An executive committee was ap- pointed with powers to appoint various sub-committees to arrange for the meeting on the 22d day of May at the fair grounds in Kansas City. The committee consisted of Wallace Laws, Col. Theo. S. Case, Col. A. B. H. McGee, Col. R. T. Van Horn and Judge F. R. Long. By request Judge Adams, secretary of the Historical Society of Kansas, addressed the meet- ing, giving valuable suggestions as to the mode of operation for the gathering of historical facts. Judge Adams was then invited to be pres- ent at the reunion, May 22d.
A resolution was adopted appointing John C. McCoy, Col. Case, L. B. Dougherty, D. C. Allen and E. A. Hickman a permanent committee on history, with a view of collecting historical facts connected with the early settlement of this portion of the West.
The following is a list of the names of those present and the date at which they settled in this locality, some of them running back fifty years or more :
Allen McGee
1827
W. J. Wright 1837
C. B. L. Boothe
1829
Amazon Hayes
1837
William Mulkey
1829
Myers Hale 1837 1 I 1
Samuel Gregg 1831 1
John J. Moore 1837 1 1 I I 1 1 I I
James M. Adams 1833
J. F. Thomas 1
1 1838
William J. Jarboe
1834
N. B. Wallace 1839 1
Larkin Steele 1836
Joseph C. Ranson 1842
Josiah Davenport 1836
George W. Shepherd 1844
Wallace Laws
1846
John C. Wallace 1837
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
John C. Agnew
1847
Samuel Bales 1837
J. M. Ross
1850
W. O. Shouse
1837
R. T. Van Horn 1
1855
G. B. Regan
1837
A. M. Allen
1855
Joel Lipscomb 1839 I 1
F. R. Long
1828
Wallace Smith
1 1840
. R. A. Hudspeth 1 1 1 1 1 1
1829
William Radcliff
1 1 1843
J. C. McCoy 1
1830
W. S. T. Patton
1 1846
Walter Bales I
1831
William R. Bernard
1847
C. D. Lucas 1834 1 1
A. B. Earle
1848
Alexander Collins 1
1835
Isaac McCarty
1
1
1 1852
William Stewart
1
1836
D. Y. Chalfant
1855
Bryan Wright
1836
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By request J. C. McCoy then read an address to the society. The fol- lowing was delivered before the pioneers of Jackson County, April 24, 1880: "This reunion of Old Settlers is to me as it is no doubt to all present an occasion of great and profound interest. Aside from the opportunity it affords us for an interchange of friendly greetings and the renewal of old friendships and the expression of words of mutual sym- pathy and cheer as we draw near the end of life's journey, it may not be inaptly regarded as a pleasant way-station, a halting place, where we may take our bearings and view the surroundings, a high point from whence we may note and fix upon land-marks that shall safely guide us to our haven of rest. Only a few years more will come and go, before such a meeting as this will cease to be held altogether, and when the small remnant of the pioneer band who first entered this goodly land shall have passed over to another and we may hope a better one. In this regard, then, this meeting of Old Settlers has no ordinary significance. It means, not only a reunion of old familiar friends, but a sort of leave taking, an adieus to the scenes and the recollections of our early boyhood, our mature manhood and our autumn days whose chilling blasts have so plentifully sprinkled our heads with withering frosts.
"Half a hundred years have elapsed since many who are now here first entered this beautiful, bountiful land, known then as the farthest "Far West." The broad boundless area lying westward and a very large proportion of that lying eastward and northward, was then a wide, waste wilderness, clothed in the garb of nature's own handiwork, unknown and almost untrod by civilized man undisturbed and unmarred by the ax or plowshare, the pick and shovel. But all this is now changed. Instead of the lonely wolf howl and the scream of the panther, the hills and valleys
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
now resound with the shrill warning of the steam whistle, the rumbling and rattle of the locomotive with its long, swift flying train, and the ceaseless hum of the busy multitude over the vast wild region from the Mississippi to the Pacific, and from the Northern Lakes to the Gulf. Civilization and enlightened human progress, like a broad wave has swept across plain and mountain, hill and valley, in its onward, resistless, west- ward flow, obliterating our ancient land marks, uprooting our grand old forests, spanning our rivers with iron bridges, building throughout its entire length and breadth a network of railroads, cities, towns and vil- lages. Churches and school houses have sprung up until we find our- selves today no longer in the Far West, but in the great mid-continental center of commerce and trade. Nearly all these marvelous results have been accomplished within the last twenty years.
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