USA > Missouri > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Missouri > Part 8
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When the dedicating party reached Franklin it looked as if half of the population of Howard County was there. They had prepared a mag- nificent dinner and invited every one to partake of their hospitality. Governor E. W. Major was present and made a speech of welcome.
THE SANTA FE TRAIL. (Written by Ed Blair.)
Years ago-'Twas a prairie then And the deer roamed wild and free; Years ago-I see it again As it appeared to me. The old trail ran where the barn stands now, The trail was here long before the plow, And we drove ox teams with sometimes a cow, In the days that use to be.
Years ago-Yes, I lived here then And a lively place 'twas too. Wagons for miles with their fearless men Coming and passing from view. On the wagon covers "Pike's Peak or Bust!" Yes, the fever was high for the yellow dust Just a lot of grit and then their luck to trust, For those that won were few.
Years ago-'Twas a camping ground Where the trees now cast their shade, And the faithful oxen rambled around And rarely if ever strayed,
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
And the camp fires burned each night of the year In the pastures there and the cornfields here, Yes, I slept each night with never a fear, And many the friends I made.
Yes, years ago-What a striking change From the way we do things now, No less these farms from the boundless range Or the way we sow and plow The sickle is gone and the binder's here, . But the sickle still to my heart is dear, But I look in vain for the roving deer And the prairie chicken now.
Years ago-Ah, I love to know That the old trail shall remain, That the markers tell in the years to go Where the ox teams crossed the plain Of the men who traveled the toilsome way But few are left to tell it today, But their march was Progress on its way, And its glory ne'er shall wane.
CHAPTER IX
FIRST COUNTY BUILDINGS
SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS APPOINTED-TEMPORARY COURT HOUSE BUILT-COST-BUILDING OF PERMANENT COURT HOUSE AND JAIL- SPECIFICATIONS OF COURT HOUSE, JAIL.
In the November term, 1827, the following order was made by the court : Ordered that the court do now proceed to the appointment of a superintendent of the public buildings of the county. Whereupon the court appointed Lilburn W. Boggs, superintendent of the public buildings and he was duly sworn according to law.
On motion of the president, that there be a temporary court house built in the town of Independence, it was ordered that the superintendent of the public buildings be directed to cause same to be erected on the northwest corner of Lot 59 in the town of Independence, a hewed log house, 36 feet in the clear in length by 18 feet in the clear in the width with a partition of hewed logs so as to leave the large room 22 feet by 18 and the small 18 x 14 one good story high, say nine feet between the joists and floor, roof to be of rafters and three feet boards, with a brick chimney, built so as to have a fire place in each room, with a rock founda- tion, with good puncheon floor below and a loft covered with plank and a sufficient number of hewed joists to each room. The foundation of the house to be laid on strong pillars, with a sufficient number of doors and windows, say one door to the large room and one through the parti- tion, cracks chinked with seasoned short chinking and pointed outside and inside with lime mortar, with two twelve light windows in the large room and one in the small room.
The door shutters to be what is commonly called batton doors of wal-
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
nut plank, well seasoned, planed and neatly and strongly made. The door casings and window casings all to be of well seasoned walnut plank and window shutters to each window, and the superintendent is author- ized to supply any deficiency in the plan so as to make the building com- plete and fit for use, and make any alteration that will tend to lessen the expense to the county, and it is further ordered that the sum of $175.00 be appropriated to pay for the said building out of any money in the treasury arising from the sale of the lots in Independence.
At the same term of court we find the following :
To the County of Jackson, Dr. to James R. Moore.
For four days' services rendered the county in 1826 in taking the census, at $1.00 per day, $5.00.
Ordered that the above account be allowed and paid out of any money in the treasury appropriated to the county expenditures.
The people in those days must have been a great deal more prompt in paying their taxes, than those of us now living here, witness the fol- lowing statement made by the collector for the year 1827.
The collector presented to the court the following, being the delin- quent list of this county for the present year, to-wit:
State tax County tax Total
Willis Crump $0.621/4 .621/2 $1.25
Andrew Godak .60
.60 1.20
Isaac Hitchcock .53
.53 1.06
Joseph M. Kinron .561/4 .561/4 1.121/2
$2.3134 $2.3134 $4.631/2
Given under my hand this 5th day of Nov., 1827.
JNO. R. SWARINGEN, Co. Collector.
The collector this day came forward and made a settlement with the court for all monies accruing to the county and him collected and pre- sented the following account.
The County of Jackson Dr. to John R. Swearingen, Collector, 1827: Nov. 5, To amount of delinquent list this day allowed by the
Court for county taxes $ 2.313/4
Nov. 5, To cost and county warrant this day paid into the county 184.301/4
treasury
To eight per centum for the collection of county taxes on $200.23 16.02
$202.64
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
By amount of county tax list for the year
$202.64
February Term, 1828.
The court met pursuant to agreement, all the justices present.
The superintendent of the public buildings made the following re- port, which was read and ordered to be entered and the accompanying papers filed and No. 8 entered.
To the Honorable, the Justice of the Public Buildings for the County of Jackson, report that in pursuance of an order of said court on 3rd Sept., 1827, advertisements were published for receiving proposals, for building a temporary court house in the town of Independence, on the northwest corner of Lot No. 59, in said town. Agreeably to the said advertisement, proposals were received until the 18th day of September last, on which day they were opened.
The accompanying document No. 8 will show what the proposals were and whose proposition was accepted. The several proposals are re- tained and are enclosed in the said document No. 8 for reference. The court will discover by the said papers that Sam'l P. Lewis became the undertaker to build the said house for the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars.
The work has progressed with as much expedition as the season would admit. The superintendent has the satisfaction to state that the work as far as it has progressed has been executed in a workmanlike manner, the balance of the work will be completed as soon as the weather will permit. In pursuance of a subsequent order of court the sum of forty dollars being the first payment for said building has been drawn from the county treasury and paid to the order of the undertaker. The advertise- ment with the bond annexed and likewise presented to the court for their inspection together with all the papers relating to the said building, in order that the court may make such disposition of them as they may think proper.
Respectfully,
L. W. BOGGS, Supt. of Public Buildings.
Jackson County, Feb. 4, 1828.
Document No. 8.
The following are the proposals for building a temporary court house in the town of Independence, in the County of Jackson, in pursuance of an order of the county court made at the special term, on 3rd Sept. 1827.
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
No. 1, James Sheppard
No. 2, John Smith
No. 3, S. V. Noland
No. 4, Archibald McCorkle
No. 5, Harmon Gregg
No. 7, Daniel P. Lewis
Daniel P. Lewis being the lowest proposed and his security accepted
L. W. BOGGS, Lewis entered into bond and security as required by law. the contract for the said building was made with him, whereupon the said Sept. 15, 1827.
Superintendent of Public Bldgs.
From the record it appears that grand jurors did not have much
work to do to investigate all the acts of lawlessness taking place in Jack-
son County, as will appear from the following account presented for work
done by the sheriff in the while in the discharge of his duty.
March Term, 1827-
Summoning grand jury
Calling same
One day's attendance
Summoning grand jury
Three days' attendance
Summoning grand jury
Calling same
2 days' services
Total
Approved and ordered paid.
The superintendent of the public buildings of the county presents to
the court the following plan of the permanent court house and jail for
the county, together with the probable cost of erecting the same, to-wit:
To the Honorable, the County Court of Jackson County.
The superintendent of the public buildings of said county has the
honor known to lay before the Honorable, the County Court, the following
plan, and estimate of the probable expense of erecting the court house and jail for said county, to-wit:
$180.00
190.00
179.00
170.00
190.00
175.00
150.00
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$ 5.00
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$25.00
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The County of Jackson, to Jos. R. Walker, sheriff Dr.
July Term-
November Term-
1
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No. 6, James Lewis
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
The court house to be of brick on a stone foundation, two stories high, the lower story 12 feet in heighth above the stone foundation and the upper story 10 feet in heighth, the building to be 40 feet in length by 30 in width. The walls of the lower story to be two brick thick or 13 inches, the gable ends to be one brick thick. Two double chimneys in the east end of the building with fire places above and below. Two single chimneys in the west end of the building, one fire place below in each, the chimney jambs to be 18 inches thick and seven feet in width, the chim- neys to extend the usual heighth above the comb of the roof, the flues to be separate to the top, the lower fire places to be large enough to admit a four foot stick and the upper fire places large enough to admit a four foot stick of wood.
Spaces are to be left in the walls for 12-24 light windows in the lower story of 10 x 12 glass, and the same number in the upper story of 18 light windows of 10 by 12 glass and for two large folding doors in the lower story in each front of the building in the center.
The stone foundation wall to be let in the ground 18 inches and to extend 18 inches above the surface of the ground and two feet thick, the part which extends above the surface must be neatly faced on the outside and pointed with lime mortar.
Roof of building to be of rafters 20 feet long, four inches by five, and covered with sheeting plank and good oak or walnut shingles. The rafters to be supported by sufficient studding of scantling, four inches by five. Two hewed sills, 12 inches by nine, and 40 feet long, to extend across the building from east to west and 15 feet apart, each end of the said sills to rest on the stone foundation and supported at intervals of 10 feet by stone pillars. The sleepers are to be of oak logs with one side hewed to rest on the stone foundation at one end and on the sills at the other and two feet apart from center to center of each sleeper. The sill and sleepers are to be so put in that when the floor is laid it will not extend onto the thickness of the plank above the stone foundation. The lower floor to be neatly laid, of good one and a quarter inch oak or wal- nut, plank planed and dressed and tongued and grooved and points broke. Two plates each 40 feet long by 12 inches by nine to extend across the building from the east to west on the first story parallel with the lower sills to rest on the brick wall at each end and supported at intervals of 10 feet by turned pillars of wood, the pillars to square one foot and to be 13 feet long and made into the sills below and the plates above, it will require six of those turned pillars, a space is to be left between the before
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
mentioned plates on the first story when there is to be no joice put which space will extend from the center of the building to the west end of the same. The joice for the first story are to be of scantling nine inches by three. The joice for the upper story are to be of scantling nine inches by four and 32 feet long, to extend across the top of the building from north to south and to project over the brick wall one foot at each end for the foot of the rafters to rest on the eaves of the roof to be boxed and plain cornice to be put on and barge boards put along the gable ends. All the doors and the windows to be neatly cased and faced inside and out with single "archetrive" the facing to be at least six inches wide sash and glass neatly put in a translight of sash and glass over each of the front doors. A plank partition to extend across the lower room from north to south commencing at 12 feet along the east end of the room and a counter partition 12 feet in length so as to divide said room into two equal parts for jury room with door through the main partition leading into each room with good baton door shutters to each.
The jail is to be built of square hewn timber to square one foot the building to be 20 feet square on the outside and 16 feet high above the top of the stone foundation, so as to form two stories each seven feet in clear or thereabout, the walls of the upper story to be single and the walls of the lower story or dungeon to be double, with a space of one foot left between the outside of the inner wall and the inside of the outer wall, which space is to be filled up with square bolts of split timber, round pealed, poles, placed upright or with loose rock beat into small pieces. The foundation wall to be of stone three feet thick and let in the earth two feet and to extend above the surface six inches, the part which ex- tends above the surface to be faced and pointed with lime mortar on the outside, the logs for the outside wall to be 20 feet in length and the logs for the inner wall to be 16 feet in length, the lower, middle and upper floors to be laid of square hewed timber the same as used for the body of the building. All the floors to be rabbitted into the outside wall on the inside of the same, so as not to show on the outside. The middle floor to be covered with strong oak plank jointed and well nailed down, a trap door to be left in the center of the middle floor and shutter made strong with necessary fastening. The roof to be of rafters and covered with lathing and good oak or walnut shingles, the gable ends studded and weather boarded, and large boards along the gable ends. One window in the lower room and two in the upper room, the windows to be one foot in heighth and 18 inches in length well secured by strong iron bars
-
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
or grates. One door in the upper story with two strong door shutters. One to open on the inside and one on the outside of the building and hav- ing good strong iron hinges. A pair of coarse rough steps and platform on the outside to lead up to the upper room. The building to be raised with a half dovetail and notched down close, so that there will be no cracks between the logs. All the work to be done in a strong and work- manlike manner.
Estimate of the probable cost of building court house __ $1,500.00 Do. of the jail 400.00
Total $1,900.00
It is therefore ordered by the court that the superintendent be directed to issue advertisement for receiving proposals to erect the before mentioned buildings, and that the following sums be and are hereby appropriated for that purpose, to-wit:
Out of any moneys in the County Treasury arising from the sale of lots in the town of Independence $1,020.00
All the town property belonging to the county including the present temporary court house and lot 1, with the exception of such lots as are reserved for public uses, the whole valued at 880.00
Total $1,900.00
And it is further ordered that the superintendent be authorized to make any alterations in the plans of said buildings that will tend to the interest of the county and to lessen the expense which he may deem ad- visable. And that the clerk furnish the superintendent with a copy of the foregoing order.
The court adjourned to the first Monday in May next.
ABRAHAM MCCLELLAN.
CHAPTER X
EARLY RECORDS
FIRST INSTRUMENT RECORDED-FIRST RECORD OF MARRIAGES-FIRST WAR- RANTY DEED-ANOTHER WARRANTY DEED-EARLY LAND ENTRIES-FIRST ROAD RECORDS-FIRST FERRY-FIRST SALE OF LOTS-WHERE SOME OF THESE LOTS ARE-EXPENSE OF SALE OF LOTS.
The first instrument recorded in Jackson County is rather a remark- able one and deserves special mention. It was concerning a certain patent obtained by Anthony Bencine, of Greensboro, N. C., who, for $500, sold the right for the counties of Lafayette, Ray, Clay and Jackson Counties to R. and L. McCaskrie. It states that it is for the improve- ment of grist mills, specifying that by certain arrangements of burrs, spindles, etc., perfect accuracy in grinding can be had in such a manner as has never before been attained or used in the United States. These letters patent were issued to A. Bencine by John Quincy Adams, Presi- dent, Henry Clay, Secretary of State, and certified to by Wm. Wirt, At- torney-General of the United States. The witnesses of the signature of A. Bencine, were T. Early Strange and Peter Adams, of North Carolina.
These documents are so exceedingly interesting that a careful perusal of them will afford the reader much pleasure. A simple description of them is not sufficient, we therefore insert them: Letters patent. The United States of America. To all to whom these letters patent shall come: WHEREAS, Anthony Bencine, a citizen of the United States, hath alleged that he has invented a new and useful improvement in grist mills. which improvement, he states, has not been known or used before his application ; hath oath that he doth verily believe that he is the true in- ventor or discoverer of the said improvement; hath paid into the trea-
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
sury of the United States the sum of thirty dollars, delivered a receipt for the same, and presented a petition to the Secretary of State, signifying a desire of obtaining an exclusive property in said improvement, and praying that a patent may be granted for that purpose. These are, there- fore, to grant, according to law, to this said Anthony Bencine, his heirs, administrators or assigns, for the term of fourteen years from the six- teenth day of January, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-seven, the full and exclusive right and liberty of making, constructing, using and vending to others to be used the said improvement, a description whereof is given in the words of the said Anthony Bencine himself, in the schedule thereunto annexed, and is made a part of these presents.
In testimony whereof I have caused these letters to be made patent and the seal of the United States to be hereunto affixed. Given under my hand at the city of Washington this sixteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty-seven, and in the Independence of the United States of America the fifty-first. By the President, J. Q. Adams. H. Clay, Secretary of State.
City of Washington, to-wit: I do hereby certify that the foregoing letters patent were delivered to me on the sixteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty-seven, to be examined; that I have examined the same and find them conformable to law, and I do hereby return the same to the Secretary of State within fifteen days from the date aforesaid, to-wit, on this sixteenth day of January, in the year aforesaid. Wm. Wirt, Attorney-General of the United States.
FIRST RECORD OF MARRIAGES.
Cupid, who is everywhere busy, was at work here in the hearts of the youthful immigrants, and as no officiating priest could be had, the aid of the Justice was invoked. Records followed as a legal necessity, and the first marriage notice we have on the books, is that of David G. Butterfield and Nancy Grayham, Feb. 26, 1827. Herewith we insert a verbatim copy of a few of the earlier marriages.
"State of Missouri, Jackson County. This is to certify, that on the fifteenth of February, I celebrated the writes of matrimony between Francis Prine and Eliza Daily, and joined them together as husband and wife, according to law. Given under my hand this 18th day of May, 1827. Joel P. Walker, J. Peace, The above certificate was received and recorded on the 27th of July, 1827. Sam'l C. Owens, Clerk, Circuit Court, Ex-Officio Recorder."
SHORT REST AFTE
THE HUDSPETH HOUNDS ON A FOX HUNT.
-.
VIEW OF THE VALLEY OF THE BLUE.
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
"State of Missouri, Jackson County. This is to certify, that on the 15th day of February last, I celebrated the rites of matrimony between Silas Hitchcock and Margaret Patterson, and joined them together as husband and wife, according to law. Given under my hand and seal this 18th day of May, 1827. Joel P. Walker, J. P. The above certificate was received in my office on the 27th day of July, 1827, and recorded on the dame day. Sam. C. Owens, C. C. and Ex-Officio Recorder for Jack- son County, Mo."
"State of Missouri, County of Jackson. This is to certify, that on the 26th day of February I celebrated the writes of matrimony between David G. Butterfield and Nancy Grayham, and joined them together as husband and wife, according to law. Given under my hand this 18th day of May, 1827. Joel P. Walker. The above certificate was recorded in my office on the 27th day of July, 1827, and recorded on same day. Sam. C. Owens, C. C. and Ex-Officio Recorder for Jackson County. I do hereby certify, that I married David Reed and Timmy Brock in the holy matrimony on the ninth day of April. Given under my hand this twenty- first day of April, 1827. Recorded 7th of July, 1827, recorded on same day. Sam'l C. Owens, Clerk and Ex-Officio Recorder of Jackson County, Mo."
"State of Missouri, County of Jackson, Township of Blue, to-wit: I do hereby certify, that I joined together William Butler and Margaret Warden, in the holy estate of Matrimony, on the first day of April last, this the 28th day of June, 1827. Lewis Jones, J. P. Recorded on the 7th day of July, 1827 ; received on same day. Sam C. Owens, Clerk, and Ex- Officio Recorder of Jackson County."
"Jackson County, State of Missouri. This is to certify, that I, Caleb Weeden, a regularly authorized preacher of the Gospel, did on the 17th day of April, 1827, legally solemnized the rite of matrimony between Mr. James Chambers and Miss Margaret Johnson, of the county and State above mentioned. Given under my hand this 18th day of April, 1827. Caleb Weeden. The above certificate was received in my office on the 27th day of July, 1827, and recorded on the same day. Sam. C. Owens, C. C., and Ex-Officio Recorder of Jackson County."
"State of Missouri, Jackson County. This is to certify that on the 27th day of May, 1827, I Celebrated the writes of matrimony between Hyram Shears and Eliza Creek, and joined them together as husband and wife, according to law. Given under my hand this 22d day of August,
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
1827. Abr'm Mcclellan. The above certificate was received in my office on the 24th day of August, 1827, and recorded on the same day. Sam'l C. Owens, Ex-Officio Recorder."
"State of Missouri, County of Jackson, Township of Blue, to-wit: I do hereby certify that I joined together in holy state of matrimony Mr. William Warden and Mahulda Butler on the 27th of this instant, this the 28th day of June, 1827. Lewis Jones, J. P. Recorded on the 7th of July, 1827; received on the same day. Samuel C. Owens, Clerk, and Ex- Officio Recorder of Jackson County, Mo."
"State of Missouri, County of Jackson. I, William I. Baugh, a jus- tice of the peace within and for said county, do certify that on the 17th day of August, A. D. 1827, I joined together as husband and wife, Moses Belcher and Eliza Richy. Given under my hand this 3d day of Novem- ber, 1827. Wm. I. Baugh, J. P. The above certificate was received in my office on the 3d day of November, 1827, and recorded same day. Samuel C. Owens, Clerk and Ex-Officio Recorder."
"State of Missouri, Jackson County. I, Lewis Jones, a justice of the peace within and for said county, do certify that I joined together Mr. James Lewis and Miss Margaret Gregg, both of this county, on the 6th day of this instant, this 20th day of November, 1827. Lewis Jones, J. P. The above certificate was received in my office on the 20th day of No- vember, 1827, and recorded on same day. Samuel C. Owens, C. C. and Ex-Officio Recorder for Jackson County."
"Jackson County, State of Missouri. I do certify that I joined to- gether in bonds of matrimony Jonathan Cameron and Phoebe Connor, September 27th, 1827. Joel P. Walker, J. P. The above certificate was received in my office on the 27th of March, 1828, and recorded same day. Samuel C. Owens, C. C. C. and Ex-Officio Recorder for Jackson County, Mo."
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