USA > Missouri > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Missouri > Part 22
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When death's dark curtain shall be drawn And we old pioneers are gone, Let truthful history tell To far posterity the tale, As down the stream of time they sail, How we with motto "never fail" Came here and what befell.
Let history then impartial state The incidents of every date, And that it so may do, Let pioneers of every age, In this important work engage, And each of them produce his page, His page of history true.
The incidents of early years, Known only to the pioneers, With them will soon be lost. Unless before they hither go, Those incidents are stated so Posterity the facts may know, When they the stream have crossed.
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
The last speaker of the day was Rev. Father Donnelly who related some interesting personal reminiscences of his early pioneer life in this county. Father Donnelly has been a Catholic priest in this county for many years.
OLD PERSONS PRESENT.
John Christerson, of Jackson County, can lay claim for being the oldest pioneer within its limits. He was born here in 1819 and has lived in the county ever since his birth, making a total residence of sixty-one years.
David Tyburn, of Clay county, comes next on the list. He is from Kentucky where he was an infant. The date of his arrival is also 1819, and he was reared in Clay County where he has lived about sixty-one years.
Margaret Christerson was the first white female child born in this county. This occurred in the year 1824 in what is now Sniabar township. She is still a resident of the same township.
Adam Christerson has lived in Jackson County since 1825. He was born in 1794 and was the oldest man on the grounds. Alexander Majors, of Platte County, has resided there ever since 1825, and is sixty-six years old.
James Hunter has resided in Jackson County since 1829.
Edward Turner has lived in Clay County for the last fifty years.
RERGISTERED LIST.
The following is a complete list of names registered, with date of coming to the county :
Walter Balis, Jackson County __ 1831
James K. Sheley, Jackson 1852
Martin Rice, Jackson 1833
M. Hale, Platte 1837
Wm. McCraw, Jackson 1836
J. S. Davenport, Jackson 1833
J. A. Steele, Jackson 1844
James Wilson, Jackson 1825
B. F. Duck, Jackson 1852
C. Powell, Jackson 1831
Mrs. S. Chick, Saline
1822 ยท A. B. H. McGee, Jackson 1828
F. R. Lorey, Clay 1828
J. M. Belcher, Jackson 1832
E. A. Hickman, Jackson 1840
John Gunter, Jackson 1842
John Trenter, Jackson 1836
Alsom Renick, Jackson 1843
J. Farmer, Cass 1837
Greenup Bird, Clay 1831
Henry Adams, Platte 1838
Caleb Winfray, Jackson
1842
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
E. Marion, Jackson
1833
Alexander Majors, Jackson
1825
J. B. Forbs, Jackson
1868
Jesse Davis, Jackson
1828
E. Allen, Jackson
1826
Alexander Harris, Jackson
1829
B. B. Cane, Cass
1834
L. B. Leef, Jackson.
1836
Philip Weinger, Jackson
1838
Edward West, Jackson
1834
R. L. Shanks, Jackson
1846
J. P. Withers, Jackson
1828
Edward Tanner, Ray.
1839
N. W. Ashlog, Jackson
1829
B. F. Millis, Jackson
1849
John Long, Jackson
1828
J. P. Henry, Jackson
1849
N. Vinquest, Jackson
1836
J. O. Matthews, Jackson
1848
W. M. Cogswell, Jackson
1844
Benj. Ricketts, Clay
1831
J. H. Robertson, Jackson
1855
C. B. L. Boothe, Jackson
1829
Clifton Twyman, Jackson
1844
W. H. Winship, Jackson
1854
W. C. Staples, Jackson
1830
E. Von Schwonefeldt, Jackson. .1849
J. D. Noland, Jackson
1839
R. Harris, Sr., Jackson
1827
O. P. W. Bailey, Jackson
1852
G. R. McCorkle, Clay.
1848
J. J. Willoughby, Jackson
1829
G. Lemon, Clarke
1850
Sol. Young, Jackson
1841
Margaret Christerson, born in
Jackson County 1824
John Christerson, born in Jack- son County 1819
James Hunter, Jackson
1829
J. R. Fry, Jackson
1858
W. D. Steele, Jackson
1851
Adam Christerson, Jackson
1825
C. Phillibert, Jackson
1836
John M. Hale, Jackson
1825
John Frazier, Jackson
1852
A. B. Earle, Jackson
1848
John C. Agnew, Jackson
1848
Archibald Clark, Jackson
1826
Daniel Dofflemyer, Jackson 1843
John P. Knoche, Jackson 1841
J. S. Chick, Jackson
1836
S. H. Woodson, Jackson
1839
Robt. Barnhart, Jackson
1841
J. H. J. Harris, Jackson
1832
James Genders, Jackson
1837
Richard Keely, Jackson
1836
W. E. Boyne, Jackson
1843
W. H. Radcliff, Jackson
1843
Agnes Flournoy, Jackson
1826
Rebecca Potet, Jackson
1836
David Tyburn, Clay.
1819
J. B. Wornall, Jackson
1844
E. R. Hickinan, Jackson
1841
J. M. Teegardin, Ray
1839
Jackson, Jackson
1835
Thos. J. Ford, Jackson
1850
Geo. Sellman, Jackson
1857
A. V. Freeman, Jackson
1846
Wallace Smith, Jackson
1840
C. G. Hopkins, Jackson.
1840
S. W. Hopkins, Jackson
1858
C. Whitehead, Jackson
1856
I. Hopkins, Jackson
1842
H. C. Brooking, Jackson
1838
James M. Reed, Jackson
1835
Thomas Winship, Jackson
1854
W. E. Croysdale, Jackson
1830
W. H. Hill, Jackson
1836
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
Charles Keller, Jackson 1841
W. M. Johnson, Jackson 1845
T. M. James, Jackson 1854
J. R. Morrison, Jackson 1865
S. J. Platt, Jackson
1844
D. W. Banta, Jackson
1857
Wallace Laws, Jackson
1846
Chas. Long, Jackson 1847
J. R. Griffin, Jackson
1857
Geo, Long, Jackson
1848
C. E. Miles, Jackson
1867
H. M. Northrop, Jackson
1844
Mary J. Clark, Jackson 1842
William Mulkey, Jackson
1826
Catharine Mulkey, Jackson
1839
Margaret Northrop, Jackson. ._ 1842
S. W. Speas, Jackson 1852
J. M. Adams, Jackson 1833
Richard Steele, Jackson
1832
Jos. C. Ranson, Jackson
1842
Chas. D. Lucas, Jackson 1834
J. C. McCoy, Jackson
1853
C. J. White, Jackson
1865
John H. Reid, Jackson
1854
L. A. Allen, Jackson
1858
CHAPTER XVIII
MISCELLANEOUS
GOOD ROAD MOVEMENTS-COL. EUGENE IRWIN-RECOLLECTIONS OF JUDGE JAMES B. YAGER-RAILROAD PROMOTION.
In the summer of A. D. 1913 Elliott W. Major, then Governor of Mis- souri, conceived the idea of getting up a sentiment all over the State for making better roads.
Automobiles were fast coming into use, not only in the towns and cities, but into the country as well. Farmers, who at the first sight of the machine on the road, wanted to shoot the driver, were getting accustomed to the sight of them. His horses were also getting used to seeing them and learned that they would not hurt anyone. Just as soon as a man bought a car, he became a good roads booster, and wanted better roads on which to drive his car. The idea spread. Farmers were beginning to buy cars, and just as soon as he did, he commenced a crusade to make the roads better.
The Governor issued a proclamation designating August 20 and 21 of that year, "Good Roads Days," and called upon all the people of the State to donate those two days and turn out and do all the work possible. It was to be a free-will offering by everybody for the general good. Upon receipt of the proclamation the county immediately fell in with the idea and promised all assistance in their power to carry on the work. The first thing they did was to appoint R. W. McCurdy, president of the Home Deposit Trust Company, general superintendent, and put an automobile and driver at his disposal, and told him "to go to it." With Mr. McCurdy's usual energy he put his whole time and attention to the undertaking. The first thing that he did was to appoint an executive committee, consisting of J. Allen Prewitt, Albert M. Ott, Frank C. Wyatt, C. A. Davis, B. Zick,
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
Jr., D. C. Herrington, J. L. Cogswell and W. Z. Hickman. The commit- tee was called together and elected D. C. Herrington treasurer, O. C. Sheley secretary, and W. Z. Hickman assistant secretary. The meeting was more to organize for work. Various plans were discussed as to how to proceed in order to get the best results. The plan adopted was to appoint the road overseer in each of the 36 districts as captains of their district. He in turn selected the lieutenants for each sub-division of his district. The lieutenant visited every man in his territory and selected his help to make the undertaking a success. The captains were directed to select the places for the work to be done and assigned as many men he thought best for that particular job.
Mr. McCurdy visited the chamber of commerce and an automobile club of Kansas City and asked their assistance. They responded nobly to the call and made donations of money to buy tools with, for the supply of tools under the control of the overseers were totally inadequate to do the work. Several large manufacturing establishments volunteered to loan tools for use on those days, and the preparations went on as fast as pos- sible. The overseers made an estimate of what tools would be needed and sent them into the secretary. It did not take long to find out just what kind, and how many tools of each kind, would be needed. Mr. Mc- Curdy appointed a committee, consisting of W. T. Newbank, of Independ- ence, Ed. H. Tafft and Thomas King, of Kansas City, as a committee to assemble the tools and send them to their proper locations. Mr. McCurdy then began holding meetings all over the county in the school houses and at the small towns. Enthusiasm took hold of the people and the work began. He organized what he called the "Whirlwind Campaign."
Automobiles were secured and willing workers started war. About a half dozen loads of enthusiasts left Independence and went to Kansas City. There they were joined by about a dozen more, all loaded to capacity, to- gether with a band employed by W. R. Nelson, of the "Star," and started south over the Wornall road.
The first stop was made at Martin City, where a good crowd was in attendance. A schedule of stops had been made and published in all of the papers, speeches were made by several persons to the crowd.
The next stops were Grand View, Hickmans Mills, Lees Summit, Greenwood, Lone Jack and Oak Grove, where they were entertained at a fine chicken dinner, prepared as only the ladies of Oak Grove can do. The dinner was prepared at the request of Mr. W. R. Nelson, of the Kansas City "Star," and entirely at his expense. After dinner the march resumed.
293
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
The next stops were Grain Valley, Livesay, Buckner Sibley and Atherton, where the line of march was broken and to occupants each took their own route homeward. Mr. McCurdy made eighteen speeches that day, urging everybody to "do your duty."
The next morning the work began, all business was suspended in the public offices, and the clerks went to the country and went to work. In the smaller towns the merchants closed their business houses and did likewise.
While the men were working the ladies were not idle. They prepared meals and at noon the working men found themselves confronted with a feast fit for a king. The second day was a repetition of the first, and when night came each and everybody felt that something had been accomplished that was never thought of before. The captain of each district had been notified to keep an accurate account of the work done in his two days, and when completed to send same to the secretary for compilation. When they had all been sent in and figured up, Mr. McCurdy made the follow- ing report :
Independence, Oct. 4, 1918.
To the People of Jackson County :
It gives me great pleasure to be able to give you the general result of the grand work done in this county on August 20 and 21, last, by the good people of this county. The following is the summary of the total amount of work done on the public roads of the county during those two days.
266 days work done with teams and graders.
144 days work done with teams and wheel scrapers.
1136 days work done with teams and slip scrapers.
216 days work done with teams and plows.
3017 days work done with single hands using picks shovels and etc. 47 days work done hauling supplies.
13 days work done with steam engine and grader.
1665 pounds of dynamite used.
823/4 miles of road graded.
7814 miles of weeds cuts.
156 hills worked in.
2180 feet of culberts from 12 to 36 inches in diameter put in.
10 miles of road dragged.
123/4 miles hedges cut.
30 corners rounded.
21 bridges repaired.
23 culberts repaired.
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
I want to express my sincere thanks to one and all for their great assistance in the big undertaking and in a special manner to the members of the committee that assembled the tools for the work. It was a hard and tiresome job and they deserve the thanks of the whole people for their un- tiring loyalty. Upon examining the machine in which I rode, I find that I traveled 1,432 miles. While the work was arduous and partly demanded the neglect of my own business at times, I feel myself amply repaid when I consider the vast amount of good that has been done. I have learned that the good people of Jackson County can always be depended on to do their whole duty when called upon. To the members of the executive com- mittee who so ably assisted me at all times I return my grateful thanks. Take it all in all, every one did their whole duty from the start to finish. I also wish to state that during all the time that I was driving over the country I was greatly assisted by Mr. W. Z. Hickman, assistant secretary. His thorough familiarity with all the roads of the county enabled us to reach all parts of the county by the shortest routes. We spent the two working days going into every road district.
Respectfully submitted,
R. W. McCURDY, Supt.
COL. EUGENE IRWIN.
Eugene Erwin was the son of Emma Clay Erwin, youngest daughter of Henry Clay, the statesman. Of his father I have no knowledge. Upon reaching his majority, young Erwin moved to Missouri and married Josephine Russell of Boonville. He afterwards moved to Independence and built a home on North Liberty street.
When the Civil War came he espoused the cause of the South and became active in organizing for the strife that he felt would sweep the country. He gave valuable aid to Col. Thomas H. Rosser in organizing a battalion of infantry for the Confederate army.
In April, 1865, Col. Rosser was assigned to command of Memphis, Tennessee, and Erwin, then a major, succeeded to the command of the battalion and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel. The bat- talion participated in the operations around Corinth, Miss. and upon the evacuation of that place retired to Gunntown, where the summer was spent in outpost duty and drill.
Col. Erwin was fortunate enough to add three additional companies to his command which brought it up to a regiment and it became desig- nated as the 6th Regiment of Missouri Infantry, C. S. A. It was at Iuka,
295
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
but did not take part in the battle. It was furiously engaged in the bat- tle of Corinth, where it suffered a heavy loss. Capt. F. M. Kinney and Lieut. Caleb Parish, both of Jackson County, were killed. Col. Erwin was painfully wounded. At the battle of Port Gibson, at the opening of the Vicksburg campaign, Col. Erwin maneuvered his regiment with such daring, courage and skill that he was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general, but was never apprised of the fact, being killed before the word could come from Richmond. His death came in this wise:
General Grant failing to carry the Confederate defense at Vicksburg by assault, resorted to a system of mining and blowing up salient points. One of these was at Fort Hill, which projected four hundred feet to the front of the Confederate main line. Erwin was assigned to defend this point. All were expecting the explosion, for the work of the miners had ceased. It came on the afternoon of the 25th of June. As soon as the explosion had subsided Grant rushed 2,700 picked men into the breach. These were as promptly met by Col. Erwin and his regiment of less than 300 men. For an hour the battle raged along the rim of the crater that had been made by the explosion. As soon as he realized that his picked men could not get over the top, Grant recalled his men. Not compre- hending what the sudden silence portended, Col. Erwin clambered to the crest of the rim and was immediately shot through the heart. He fell back dead into the arms of Nathan Lipscomb, one of his most faithful soldiers. Thus was lost one of the most promising young men of the army.
RECOLLECTION OF JUDGE JAMES B. YAGER.
Jackson County has been the home of a great many able strong men, both by selection and birth. Those of them that were in the vigor of ' manhood, were men of strong character and resolution. In those times it took strong men to break away from home ties back East and go to a new, untried, undeveloped wilderness, and hew out their own fortunes. Those that did, had the nerve to stand any and all hardships that they might encounter. I wish that I had the data and history of each and all of them so that I might, in my feeble way, leave to posterity the deeds and works that these men and women did in their early struggles and pri- vations, while they were subduing the wild country to which they had come to build their homes for their children and their children's children.
Among that number was James B. Yager, a Kentuckian, born in Simpson County, July 19, 1809. As the name indicates he was of German
296
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
descent, but his ancestors had lived in Virginia. Like most of the boys of that day and time, he was put to work early and kept at it until he was a full grown man. He had few advantages to acquire an education, al- though a man of a great deal of natural ability. He married in Kentucky and brought his young wife to Jackson County in 1837, to make a home. They settled in Washington township, about four miles southwest of where the town of Grandview now stands. Although that township of land had never been surveyed or opened for settlement a number of people were coming in and occupying it. They were anticipating the time when it would be opened for settlement. On an old government map, now in the county surveyor's office in Independence, is the report of the United States Surveyor, made in 1843, as they ran the section line, they frequently ran through the farms of the settlers and noted it on the map. There are many entries on it, such as "Wilson's Farm," "Shelton Farm," "Abston's Farm" and so on. It happened that the section corners to four section was about in the middle of Mr. Yager's farm, and after the sur- vey he had to adjust his lines to conform to those of the government.
In 1842, Mr. Yager was elected a member of the County Court, and served two years. In 1844, he resigned the office of County Judge, and was a candidate for the Legislature on what was known as the anti- Benton ticket, but was defeated. In 1850, he sold that farm and bought one at what is now Troost avenue and Seventy-seventh street, Kansas City. In the year 1854, he was again elected a member of the County Court, and served four years. At the election in 1858, he was elected to the Legislature, and served two years. In 1868, he was again elected a judge of the County Court, and served six years. He was elected again in 1874, and owing to a new law reorganizing county courts, the members elected at that time drew lots for the length of their terms. It fell to his lot to get the two-year term. At the election, held in 1876, he was re- elected for a term of six years.
In the years 1870 and 1871 a great boom for railroad building came over the State of Missouri. Under the existing laws at that time, county courts would issue bonds and use the proceeds in aiding the construction of any railroad they saw fit, without the vote of the people. New rail- road companies sprang up all over the State, almost in a night, and began scheming and working to get counties along the proposed line to sub- scribe to their capital stock for just about enough to build the road. One of these schemes was called the Clinton and Kansas City Branch of the Tebo and Neosho Railroad. It was to start at Kansas City, and run
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
south to some point, the Lord knows where, nobody else did. A great majority of these schemes were nothing more or less than straight out steal, and were intended to fill the pockets of the promoters. Judge Yager objected to the County Court subscribing stock to the so-called Clinton and Kansas City Branch of the Tebo Noeosho Railroad. They could not convince him that they had the financial ability to build and equip the road. The other two members of the County Court overruled him and made the subscription. It was not long until the officers of the company came into court and asked for the bonds, although scarcely a single term of the contract had been complied with. When the other
members of the court would make an order in regard to turning over the bonds to them, Judge Yager would file a written protest and have it spread upon the record. As soon as his protest would go on records, the newspapers would get hold of it and publish it to the world. Whenever one of his protests went on record, it was like throwing a hammer into a thrashing machine, it upset the whole machine. Thus things went on, the bonds had been printed and signed, but never delivered until the elec- tion of 1872. At that time the whole county was stirred up over the transaction. The taxpayers sided with Judge Yager. Joshua Petty, the member of the court whose term was expiring, but owing to his stand on the bond question, he was afraid to go before the people for re-election, and declined to be a candidate. The people who were opposed to the issue of the bonds to the railroad company cast about for a candidate who would side with Judge Yager, knowing that with two or three judges op- posed to the issue, they would not be turned over. Luther Mason, a farmer of Prairie township, was agreed upon for the proper man. He was a large land owner and a heavy taxpayer, and was an honorable man in all of his dealings. He was elected and took his seat Jan. 1, 1873. The people now felt easy and thought the fight had been won, but at last the hopes of man are often blasted when they least are expected.
The officers of the railroad company did not intend to give up their prey if it could possibly be avoided, so they put their heads together, and had a bill prepared quietly, increasing the number of County Court judges from three members to five members, and providing that the addi- tional two members should be from Kaw and Westport townships. Then they slipped down to Jefferson City, where the Leglislature was in ses- sion, and had the bill rushed through both houses and had the bill signed by the Governor before the rest of the county was aware of their inten- tions. An election was immediately called, in those two townships, and
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
resulted in the election of A. L. Harris, of Kaw township, and W. R. Bernard, of Westport township. Among the very first acts of the court after the new members took their seats was to turn over the bonds to the railroad company. The road was never built, as Judge Yager predicted, but Jackson County paid out over $1,000,000 principal and interest of the peoples money before the last bond was paid. The County Court con- sisted of five members until the year 1877, when the Legislature repealed the law of 1873, and returned it to three members, where it has remained ever since. It was during that period before the increase of five members of the court, an incident occurred that showed what manner of man Judge Yager was, that I wish to relate. The railroad company, in order to create impression that they were really in earnest about building the road, had bought a section of land in Cass County, where the town of Belton now stands. And had the town laid out and platted, and were offering lots for sale. After they had tried every means they knew of to overcome the opposition of Judge Yager to their plans, finally concluded to try the last resort-buy him. One morning while I was deputy clerk of the court, I was at work in the office alone. Judge Yager walked in, and the moment that he stepped in the office I saw that he was greatly agitated about something. Handing me a long envelope that had been opened he said to me, "Will, read that, and see what those dirty scoundrels are trying to do with me." I took out the contents of the envelope and it was a warranty deed made to him by the company for an undivided one-fourth interest in all of the lots of the town of Belton, as well as the same interest in the unplatted part of the 640 acres not platted. Ac- companying the deed was a nicely written letter, requesting him to accept the deed as a small token of the friendship and esteem the railroad com- pany entertained for him. He immediately called for pen, ink and paper and sat down to a desk and began to write. After a while he got up and came into my desk and said to me, "Will, you know I am not a good pen man at best, and I am so excited I can scarcely hold a pen. I want you to copy this letter, exactly as I have written it." Although it has been nearly fifty years ago since I copied that letter, I can almost give it ver batum.
"Independence-Sir: Yours of yesterday came this morning. If I had any doubts of your intended rascality before, I have none now. I am returning the deed you sent me, and want you to know, I am not for sale. As far as this world's goods are concerned I am a poor man, but I am rich in the knowledge of the fact that I am trusted by my con-
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