History of Johnson County, Missouri, Part 25

Author: Cockrell, Ewing
Publication date: 1918
Publisher: Topeka, Kan. : Historical Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1234

USA > Missouri > Johnson County > History of Johnson County, Missouri > Part 25

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Farmers & Commercial Bank .- The Farmers & Commercial Bank of Holden, the third Johnson county bank, was organized March 17, 1881, with a capital stock of $25,000. The first officers were: W. M. Steele, president; George S. Young, vice-president, and Z. T. Miller, cashier. The original stockholders were: W. M. Steele, G. S. Young,

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Z. T. Miller, D. C. Quick, J. S. Johnson, Richard M. Simpson, H. D. Smithson, J. C. Creighton and S. H. Farrar. This bank now has a capital stock paid in of $30,000, with a surplus fund of $30,000 and undi- vided profits of $20,000. So strong was the personality and control of William Steele, the deceased chief organizer of this bank and for a long time Holden's first citizen, that for years it has been much better known as "Bill Steele's Bank" than by its real name. One of his definite policies was always to keep on hand an unusually large amount of cash. Even in the 1907 panic, it is said the bank always paid its depositors cash on their checks if requested. The following are the present officers of the bank: I. G. Farnsworth, president; R. L. Jackson, vice-president ; W. W. Morhart, cashier; F. R. Huber, assistant cashier. The directors are Messrs. Jackson, Farnsworth and Morhart and E. K. Steele, son of William Steele, the founder, Mr. C. Bell, John A. Doak, S. A. Murray, R. L. Miller and Sam C. Day.

Citizens Bank .- The Citizens Bank, the oldest bank in Warrens- burg, was organized October 18, 1888, with a capital stock of $25,000, under charter No. 524. The first officers were: J. T. Cheatham, presi- dent; Marcus Youngs, vice-president; O. S. Wadell, cashier; J. T. Cheatham, Dr. C. W. Robinson, W. H. Hartman, J. A. Stewart, O. S. Wadell, Marcus Youngs, J. D. Eads, and E. N. Johnson. directors. On March 22, 1911. the capital stock was increased by a cash dividend of $75,000, making the capital stock $100,000, the present capital stock. The bank has a surplus of $25,000 and undivided profits of $23,000. It has paid $78,000 in cash dividends since its organization. The present officials are: Marcus Youngs, president; T. E. Cheatham, vice-presi- dent; W. H. Cheatham, second vice-president ; J. V. Murray, cashier : A. Lee Smiser, assistant cashier: J. A. Stewart, G. A. Lobban, T. E. Cheatham, W. H. Cheatham, W. D. Faulkner, J. V. Murray, and Marcus Youngs, directors. Of the original directors of the bank three have died : J. T. Cheatham, W. B. Drummond, and O. S. Wadell.

Bank of Kingsville .- The Bank of Kingsville, Kingsville, Missouri. was organized June 18, 1890. The officers are: W. W. Messick, presi- dent : R. T. Fryer, vice-president ; Joseph Greaves, cashier, and the directors are: W. W. Messick, R. T. Fryer, S. P. Gibson, W. B. Wal- lace and S. W. Jones. The paid-up capital stock is $10,000, and surplus, $20,000.

Bank of Centerview .- The Bank of Centerview, Missouri, was

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organized in 1891, under charter No. 796, dated October 8, 1891. The following are the officers: C. H. Houx, president ; J. R. Bozarth, vice- president ; R. C. Hull, cashier, and Jolin DeLaney, G. W. Eppright, S. O. Ball, J. S. Graham, C. H. Houx, J. R. Bozarth and R. C. Hull directors. The paid-in capital stock is $15,000, with a surplus of $15,000.

Peoples National Bank .- The Peoples National Bank is a result of the Peoples Savings Bank. This was opened as a private bank in a drug store by E. N. Johnson, sole owner, in 1890. with a capital of $5,000. As owner, E. N. Johnson continued the bank until the 20th of July, 1892, at which time a charter was taken as a state bank, with capital of $15,500. On March 16, 1897. the capital stock was increased to $25,000, a dividend of $9,500 being declared and stock issued therefor. On August 10, 1897, the Peoples Savings Bank purchased the Bank of Warrensburg, consolidating the business of the two banks and liqui- dating the bank of Warrensburg. In 1900 J. D. Eads was elected cashier, holding it for some time. November 28, 1898, the capital stock was increased to $50,000 and a national charter taken out. In 1907 the Peoples National Bank declared an extra dividend of 50 per cent., increasing the capital stock to $75,000, the present capital stock. The surplus is $15,000; undivided profits, $20.000. The present officers are: E: N. Johnson, president ; L. J. Schofield, vice-president ; J. D. Eads, cashier; other directors are, E. F. Tracy, C. H. Dutcher, W. O. Red- ford, G. A. Gilbert.

Bank of Latour .- The Bank of Latour, Latour, Missouri, was char- tered June 1, 1895: charter number 931. The officers of this bank are: Jesse Elliott, president : Taylor Deatley, vice-president; C. A. Doven- spike, cashier ; and A. L. Feeback, assistant cashier. The directors are: Jesse Elliott, Taylor Deatley. C. L. Deatley, A. L. Feeback, J. E. Stitt, J. H. Feebee, N. R. Dovenspike and C. A. Dovenspike. In 1917 the paid-up capital was $11,000. Surplus and profits, $9,780.

Bank of Leeton .- The Bank of Leeton was organized in 1896 and chartered September 14 of that year, under charter number 966. The officers are: H. E. Fewel, president; A. B. Venable, vice-president ; C. D. Johnson, cashier; J. T. Kennedy, assistant cashier. The directors are: H. E. Fewel, A. B. Venable, C. D. Johnson, E. E. Wall, Rolla Stacy, C. M. Greer, J. J. Lee, J. R. Grinstead and J. T. Kennedy. The paid-up capital of the Bank of Leeton is $12,500; surplus and profits, $32,000.

Commercial Bank .- The Commercial Bank of Warrensburg was

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organized in 1897, under charter No. 992. The following were the first officers of this institution: Dr. W. L. Hedges, president; A. S. Mayes, vice-president ; F. L. Mayes, cashier, and the first directors were: Dr. W. L. Hedges, A. S. Mayes, F. L. Mayes, Isaac Markward, George W. Houts, James H. Parker and J. D. Eads. The capital stock was $25,000, which was later increased to $50,000, with a surplus of $50.000. The present officers are F. L. Mayes, president; W. L. Hedges, vice-presi- dent : W. S. Clark, second vice-president; H. F. Berkley, cashier; A. H. Gilkeson, assistant cashier, and the directors are: F. L. Mayes, W. L. Hedges, W. S. Clark, H. F. Berkley, James H. Parker, George W. Houts and W. J. Mayes. Messrs. Parker, Hedges, Houts and F. L. Mayes have been members of the board of directors since the organi- zation of the bank.

Chilhowee Bank .- The Chilhowee Bank, Chilhowee, Missouri, was chartered June 29, 1901, under charter number 1086, with a capital stock of $10,000. The officers are: William P. Hunt, president ; William Sweeney, vice-president; R. E. Sweeney, cashier; H. R. Butcher, assist- ant cashier, and the directors are: Lewis Corson, William P. Hunt, S. Ella Hunt, E. S. James, Charles H. McElwee, William Sweeney and R. E. Sweeney. In 1917 the surplus fund was $11,400.

Bank of Magnolia .--- The Bank of Magnolia, Magnolia, Missouri, was chartered January 18, 1905, under charter No. 1327. The officers are: George D. Graham, president ; F. P. Parrott, vice-president ; G. V. Raker, cashier, and J. C. McDougal, assistant cashier. The directors are: R. T. McDougal, John Witteman, J. C. McDougal, George B. Graham, J. C. Raker, G. V. Raker and F. P. Parrott. The paid-up capital stock is $10,000, and the surplus is $2,000.

Farmers Bank of Chilhowee .- The Farmers Bank of Chilhowee was organized in 1907. Its charter number is 1565, dated October 10, 1907. The officers of this institution in 1917 were: F. M. Gray, presi- dent: C. H. Gaines, vice-president ; William Inglish, cashier, and the directors are: F. M. Gray, C. H. Gaines, W. R. Carr, D. L. Day, S. W. Paul, G. L. Park and William Inglish. The paid-up capital stock is $10,000. Surplus and profits, $9,500.

American Trust Company .- The American Trust Company is the outgrowth of the consolidation of the Johnson County Trust Company with the American Bank. The Johnson County Trust Company was organized in 1908 and the American Bank in 1905 and in 1913 the two

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became the American Trust Company. The capital stock of the Ameri- can Trust Company is $50,000, with a surplus fund of $25,000. The deposits on March 5, 1917, amounted to $240,000. The present officers of the bank are: C. A. Harrison, president; George W. Lemmon, vice- president ; C. L. Gillilan, secretary and treasurer; W. E. Crissey, gen- eral manager; R. L. Campbell, P. D. Fitch, C. A. Shepard, T. H. Doolin, T. B. Montgomery, C. J. Rucker, Nick M. Bradley, and William Shockey, directors.

Peoples State Bank .- The Peoples State Bank of Knob Noster is authorized under charter number 1767, and was chartered February 25, 1911. The following are the officers: R. M. Jenks, president; O. N. Whitsel, vice-president ; Frank Jenks, cashier.

Farmers Bank of Leeton .- The Farmers Bank of Leeton was char- tered May 12, 1911, under charter No. 1773. The officers are: A. C. Todd, president: W. T. Baker, first vice-president; Guilford Morris, second vice-president ; J. O. Reynolds, secretary and cashier; Henley Stacy, assistant cashier. The directors are G. L. Hall, L. C. Abbington, J. W. Shoemaker, A. C. Todd, W. F. Reynolds, J. H. Boone, S. R. Miller, W. T. Baker, Moses Nehr, F. G. Cooper, William Hinton, Guil- ford Morris, W. T. DesCombes, Henley Stacy and J. O. Reynolds. The paid-up capital stock of this bank is $20,000; surplus and profits, $7,510.

First National Bank .- The First National Bank of Holden is the baby bank of the county. It was organized under the national banking laws in 1913, with a capital stock of $30,000 and a surplus of $10,000. The first officers were I. G. Farnsworth, president; C. C. Tevis, vice- president ; and J. H. Tevis, cashier. These, with R. L. Whitsett, Samuel Raber, Samuel Sankey and R. F. Tevis were the first directors. There were about thirty-three stockhodlers, and $25,000 deposits the first day. The present officers are : C. C. Tevis, president ; R. L. Whitsett, vice- president ; A. A. Searle, cashier, and William S. Farnsworth, assistant cashier. The directors are: S. R. Sankey, R. L. Whitsett, R. F. Tevis, W. S. Farnsworth, S. R. Raber, C. C. Tevis and A. A. Searle.

The following is a complete statement of all the Johnson county banks for March, 1918.

Summary .- The distinguishing features of the banking business in early times and today are as follow :

(1) When banks were established in the county little business was

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done through them at first, the number of checks given was very small and the work of bank officers was very light. Today, business done through checks has increased enormously and the banks' work corre- spondingly.

(2) Many more loans were made on personal endorsements in early times than today. Neighbors and friends endorsed each other's notes, often when not financially justified in doing so. This practice has almost entirely ceased now, and most bank loans are made on the worth or credit of the borrower himself. There has been a great increase in loans on chattel mortgages or live stock (cattle, horses and mules). Missouri has an excellent chattel mortgage law, and these loans are a great aid to agriculture.

(3) Money was scarce, and interest rates were always ten per cent. or more, as the law allowed. Today, interest rates are chiefly six to eight per cent.

(4) Interest on time deposits was never paid generally until recent times. Some banks paid such interest early and some started and then abandoned it. Now all the banks pay such interest, usually three per cent. There were no savings accounts at all in the early days. Today these have been increasing, are of great value to those that keep them. Savings accounts today total many hundred dollars.

(5) Losses to the banks on bad loans are much less today than ever before. This is due to the fact that the bank officers are better trained and more capable men, and to the efficient system of bank inspec- tion that has been established chiefly in the past twenty-five to thirty years. This requires good banking and prevents bad.

(6) The sources of income to the bank have been always about the same-namely, interest on loans. The Johnson county banks have practically always furnished exchange to their customers without charge.

(7) The best characteristic feature of the banks today is their increasing interest and leadership in things for the general good of the community. They have become liberal contributors to and helpers in movements for better farming, good roads, agricultural fairs and meet- ings, etc. And their work in the great World War going on is very important and increasing monthly.

CHAPTER XXXIII .- JOHNSON COUNTY NEWSPAPERS. (By Mel. P. Moody.)

FIRST ATTEMPTS AT JOURNALISM IN JOHNSON COUNTY-"STANDARD-HERALD," 1865-"STAR JOURNAL", 1865-"HOLDEN ENTERPRISE", 1867-"KNOB NOSTER GEM", 1878-"CHILHOWEE BLADE", 1894-"LEETON TIMES", 1897-"HOLDEN PROGRESS", 1903-"NORMAL STUDENT", 1911-"JOHNSON COUNTY DEMO- CRAT", 1913-JOHNSON COUNTY NEWSPAPER FILES-OLD PAPERS.

[Editor's Note: Mel P. Moody, though still distinctly one of the "younger set" of Warrensburg, is one of the oldest newspaper men of Johnson county. He has been connected with the printing business all his life and has a viewpoint that is live and discriminating. In the following article, Mr. Moody has modestly not given the news- papers of the county credit for what they are doing today. For city, town, village and farm-in the material, intellectual and spiritual betterment of our people-generously and in every way they can, these newspapers are, day by day, doing a work that no other agency is doing, or can do.]

The history of the newspaper is largely the history of modern civili- zation and freedom, as no other factor has filled a more important role in human progress. As soon as the race emerged from savagery, tribe and community sought communication. At first came the rude pic- tures upon the rocks, finally growing into an alphabet and then came the printing press and knowledge began to run to and fro upon the earth.

The influence of the early American papers was even greater than today, though they were few in number. Their editors were looked up to and weight was given to their opinions, while now the people take them as the ideas only of ordinary men, and indeed some go so far as to doubt the integrity of newspaper men and inquire how much they get for such and such an editorial.

The old-time country paper was but little different from those of today, but their similarity of make-up was because of entirely different reasons. Then news was difficult to get. There were no telegraph lines and it took a long time for information to travel over the country,

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consequently the contents of the papers consisted of country gossip, agricultural advice, stories and the profound impressions of the editors usually very forcibly expressed.

Today the country paper is about the same, excepting that the tone of the editor is more polite, having been tempered by libel law. It is now too much news facility that devotes the country paper to local gossip. The great metropolitan dailies are sown broadcast over the land, making the state, national and foreign news of the country weekly, "old stuff."

The first attempt at a paper in Johnson county was the "Warrens- burg Clipper," edited by William Stephenson, known as "Uncle Billy." It was written by hand, five or six copies, and posted in the show win- dows of the prominent stores. Uncle Billy depended upon advertising to pay him for his labor and in that day the unregenerate ancestors of modern non-advertisers flourished, So Uncle Billy, like the poor editor of today, had some difficulty in making ends meet. One firm, Pinkston & Calhoun, druggists, were so particularly averse to inserting a 25-cent weekly ad., that Uncle Billy in disgust decided to give them a free advertisement. He drew a picture of their store with the sign, Pinks- ton & Calhoun, Druggists, very prominent. In front of the store stood a man bended doubled with his hands upon his stomach, unloading all that he had eaten for a month. The legend from his mouth was, "Damn your stuff." We do not know whether this converted the firm or not, but we note that in a paper of 1858 they were liberal advertisers.

The two important papers prior to the Civil War were the "Western Missourian," edited by Marsh Foster, and the "Signal," we do not know by whom edited, but C. A. Middleton, one of our citizens still living, was connected with it-and by the way, he is now the oldest printer in the state. It was in this office that we first got smeared with printer's ink and paid the penalty by being licked at home.

As we have hinted above, the language of ante-bellum editors would hardly be acceptable in a prayer meeting. Here is a mild sample clipped from a paper of 1857. It seems that the editor failed to appreciate the sentiments of a communication signed "Knob Noster," and pays his respects as follow: "We have applied for the author of 'Knob Noster' but it is not forthcoming, but we know him by his ear-marks and we know him not only to be a dirty Black Republican of the Fremont stripe,

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at heart, but a black-hearted scoundrel and liar, a traitor to the insti- tutions of the state that gave him birth and a pest to the community that now gives him bread. He lives in Warrensburg." For this frank opinion the editor was a few days later compelled to take a pistol away from "Knob Noster" and throw him down stairs. In those days there were not so many decorous libel suits, but gun-play was one of the popular amusements.

With the breaking out of the war the newspaper business stopped short. If it had been a gun-powder proposition before it was now a dynamite venture. There are now nine papers published in Johnson county, affording every facility for starting a controversy, expressing any variety of political opinion or placing advertising before the public. We have the "Star-Journal," "Standard-Herald," "Holden Progress," "Holden Enterprise," "Knob Noster Gem," "Chilhowee Blade," "Leeton Times," "Normal Student," and the "Johnson County Democrat." In order of their foundation, they are as follow :

"Standard-Herald," 1865 .- The first paper published after the war was the "Warrensburg Standard," now the "Standard-Herald." The "Warrensburg Standard" was started in 1865 by N. B. Klaine and S. K. Hall. In 1880 Hall sold his interest to Roderick Baldwin and in 1877 Klaine sold to George A. Richards, later Richards sold to Van Matre. After the death of Major Baldwin, his son, Mark Baldwin, succeeded him until he sold his interest to J. M. Shepherd, who bought out Van Matre. Shepherd sold to C. M. Jaqua, the present editor and proprietor. The hyphenated name came from the absorption of the "Daily Herald," published by Will Carr. . The paper is the only torch-bearer of the Republican party in Johnson county, and is ably edited.

"Star-Journal," 1865 .- The "Star-Journal" is the largest paper in the county and has a plant worthy of a metropolis. It is a combination of the "Star" and the "Journal-Democrat," which was a consolidation of two of the oldest papers in the county, the "Journal." established in 1865 by J. D. Eads, father of J. D. Eads, a popular Warrensburg banker, and the "Democrat." founded by Julian & Conklin in 1871. The "Star- Journal" is owned by a stock company, the largest stockholders being Wallace Crossley, now lieutenant governor of Missouri, and W. C. Kapp, a veteran newspaper man who has editorial charge. A daily edition and a semi-weekly edition are issued.

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"Holden Enterprise," 1867 .- The "Holden Enterprise" was estab- lished in August, 1867, and since that time has had several changes in its ownership. It is at present conducted and edited by Richard H. Tatlow. It is Democratic in politics and is well supported by the western section of the county. Judge Tatlow was former county judge and has conducted the paper now for a long time.

"Knob Noster Gem," 1878 .- The "Knob Noster Gem" was estab- lished by Harris and McFarland in 1878. Shortly afterward, Will D. Carr and J. P. Johnston took charge, and in 1879 Johnston sold his interest to E. B. Farley, and a few months later Carr became sole proprietor. In February, 1889, Carr sold to E. D. Crawford, and in November of same year Crawford sold back again to Carr and brother. The Carrs afterward sold out to George J. Taylor, who conducted it for sixteen years. It was then sold to a company and conducted by O. A. Palmer, then sold to Houston Harte, and now belongs to E. T. Hodges. It is independent in politics. The press upon which the "Gem" was first printed was the one carried by General Fremont in his famous Rocky Mountain tour.

"Chilhowee Blade," 1894 .- The "Chilhowee Blade" was established as the "Chilhowee News" by Tol McGrew, twenty-three years ago. Afterward it was conducted by a company of Chilhowee citizens, then sold to Stuart Lewis, and is now owned and conducted by Don H. Wimmer as an independent paper.

"Leeton Times," 1897 .- The "Leeton Times" is a well-edited, newsy paper published in the growing town of Leeton, in southern Johnson county, and was established in 1897. J. R. Bradley is editor and publisher and he puts his personality into his publication.

"Holden Progress," 1903 .- The "Holden Progress," published at Holden, Missouri, is true to its name and is a progressive, aggressive journal edited by a live wire. The paper is fourteen years old and has been owned by its present editor, C. L. Hobart, for twelve years, in which time the prestige of the paper has increased and its circulation grown rapidly. The plant has been improved until it is first class in every particular. The paper is independent in politics.

"Normal Student," 1911 .- The "Normal Student" is a school paper and was started in 1911.

"Johnson County Democrat," 1913 .- The "Johnson County Demo- crat" was established in 1913 by Mel. P. Moody, the writer of this sketch.

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It is a great paper, but the editor has some difficulty in convincing the people of this fact so apparent to himself.

Newspaper Files .- Johnson county newspaper files running back over fifty years may be consulted at Columbia, Missouri. The State Historical Association there has the following:

"Warrensburg Journal," 1865 to 1876; "Johnson County Weekly Democrat." 1871 to 1876, name changed December 18, 1874, to "War- rensburg Democrat" December 25, 1874, to April 14, 1876. "Journal- Democrat," and "Star-Journal." 1876 to present time.

The writer has before him two interesting publications belonging to Mrs. Joseph Dixon.

Old Papers .- One is "James K. Duffield's Land Bulletin," published in November, 1867. (Mr. Duffield was Mrs. Dixon's father. ) It lists 212 farms and 40 town properties for sale, at prices of $5 to $50 an acre for farms and $150 to $5,500 for town properties. It gives a short sketch of Missouri and its advantages, tells about Johnson county and its resources and conditions. It emphasizes the fact that peaceful conditions exist, and states that "people are as safe in person and property as they would be in Ohio or Illinois. * * * The Sabbath is duly observed and divine worship is held in every part of the county. * * Warrensburg is certainly as quiet and orderly as towns in New York or Pennsylvania ; and society, with regard to culture and refinement, compares favorably with that of Eastern towns." (Mr. Duffield's solicitude that the seeker for a peaceful and prosperous home in our county should realize its good character as a law-abiding community, is somewhat explained by the fact that in the nine months immediately preceding nine men had been hanged or shot by a vigilance committee in order to bring about this happy and peaceful condition. The last one was hanged two months before the "Bulletin" appeared. The results of these ministrations by the committee to the spiritual needs of the community fully justi- fied Mr. Duffield's statements. At that time the most exemplary lives were being led by those whose previous reputations had been even slightly doubtful.)

The "Bulletin" also contains an advertisement of the "Warrensburg and Clinton State Line." which states that it "connects with stages at Clinton for Osceola, Ft. Scott and other points south and west. Also at Warrensburg the Lexington for other points north," and that "This line has just been refitted with new four-horse coaches. The most

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careful drivers and the best horses. Office under Ming's Hotel near the depot. No. 1 Holden street." (This was the first house north of the railroad on the east side.)

Mrs. Dixon also owns a copy of the "Daily Standard" of March 25, 1886. In it appear the following advertisements, all of well-known Warrensburg people of today :

"Spiess and Beardslee, Dealers in Staple and Fancy Groceries."

"Stewart and Cheatham, Groceries and Provisions." (John T. Cheatham and Joseph A. Stewart.)

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History of Johnson County, Missouri, Part 25

Author: Cockrell, Ewing Publication date: 1918 Publisher: Topeka, Kan. : Historical Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1234

Author: Cockrell, Ewing
Publication date: 1918
Publisher: Topeka, Kan. : Historical Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1234