USA > Missouri > Scotland County > History of Lewis, Clark, Knox, and Scotland counties, Missouri. From the earliest time to the present, together with sundry personal, business and professional sketches and mumerous family records > Part 16
USA > Missouri > Lewis County > History of Lewis, Clark, Knox, and Scotland counties, Missouri. From the earliest time to the present, together with sundry personal, business and professional sketches and mumerous family records > Part 16
USA > Missouri > Clark County > History of Lewis, Clark, Knox, and Scotland counties, Missouri. From the earliest time to the present, together with sundry personal, business and professional sketches and mumerous family records > Part 16
USA > Missouri > Knox County > History of Lewis, Clark, Knox, and Scotland counties, Missouri. From the earliest time to the present, together with sundry personal, business and professional sketches and mumerous family records > Part 16
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The county faced its predicament fairly and honorably. At this writing (June, 1887,) less than $10,000 of these bonds, for which the county received no equivalent in value, remain un- paid. It is expected that they will all be retired and the entire debt discharged within two years.
In 1870 the West Quincy & Alexandria Railroad Company was chartered and consolidated with, or became the successor of, the Air Line. Passing through various changes the corporation eventually became the St. Louis, Keokuk & Northwestern. In the spring of 1871 the road was completed through the county along the river route, its present line. In April the cars reached Can- ton, and on the 12th there was an enthusiastic celebration of the event. The building of this road cost the citizens of the county but little additional to the amount expended for the construction of that part of the old grade used; in most instances the right of way was donated.
THE QUINCY, MISSSOURI & PACIFIC RAILROAD.
The Quincy, Missouri & Pacific Railroad Company was organized under the general law of the State in 1869. [See His- tory of Knox County. ] Its completion through the county was of great importance to the southern portion, notably to the town-
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HISTORY OF LEWIS COUNTY.
ships of Highland, La Belle and Salem. It was constructed to the Knox County line during the year 1871. The first train reached La Belle January 11, 1872. The road gave to the county the villages of Maywood, Durham, Tolona and Lewistown, and virtually made the town of La Belle, adding largely to the value of lands along the route, and giving to a somewhat isolated sec- tion easy access to and communication with the markets of the world. In addition to the amount of subscription made to this road by Highland Township, $25,000, the township of La. Belle, pursuant to an election held June 9, 1870, voted a sub- scription of $45,000, and bonds to that amount, running twenty years at 10 per cent were issued January 1, 1871. Payment of these bonds was at first resisted, but a few years since the town- ship secured favorable terms of payment, and the obligations. have since been rapidly retired. In a few years the entire bonded. indebtedness of the township will have been extinguished.
COMMERCE AND NAVIGATION.
Flowing along the entire length of Lewis County, from north to south, the Mississippi River forms not only its boundary, but. for many years furnished its only avenue of approach to the marts of civilization. Not until about 1836 did the county pro- duce a surplus for export. Everything raised in the county prior to that time was consumed at home. In most instances the farm- ers raised little more than sufficed for their own wants; the excess. was disposed of to new comers who had to buy until they could raise a crop.
The first shipments of produce were sent down the Missis- sippi on keelboats and flatboats built on the river and loaded. at the shores. Rev. Eli Merrill and George Wright sent out the first shipment on a flatboat in about 1836. Their boat was built. on the Fabius, at Taylor Station, and the cargo consisted of bacon, beans, venison hams, deerskins, honey and beeswax. At a good stage of water the craft was floated down the Fabius into the river and on to St. Louis, and perhaps below. Wright continued in the business for some years, and eventually died of yellow fever at Vicksburg. J. P. Harrison took out the second flatboat load of produce, embarking at La Grange.
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Prior to this, however, steamboats had frequently ascended the river as high as the lead mines of Galena and Dubuque. The first steamboat to ascend the Mississippi above Louisiana was the "Gen. Putnam," which, in June, 1825, made a trip from St. Louis to Galena. The "Putnam" was owned by Moses D. Bates, the founder of Hannibal, and his brother, David G. Bates, was the captain of the boat on her first trip. The Bates brothers had a store at the lead mines, and the cargo consisted of mer- chandise, the greater part of which belonged to themselves. The boat was a small stern-wheeler, without a cabin, and with but one smokestack. The crew carried axes, and occasional landings were made to procure the wood used in getting up steam. At that period the river was full of snags and sawyers, and the boat was more than a week in making the voyage from St. Louis to the mouth of Fever River. The " Putnam " made sev- eral other trips the same season.
In about 1832 a new steamer, the " Rolla," made her appear- ance on the Upper Mississippi. The same year some boats, char- tered by the Government to carry soldiers and supplies to Prairie du Chien, Fort Snelling and the post at Rock Island, passed up and down. It is believed that another Government boat landed at Fort Madison in 1829.
In 1836 the " Envoy " made regular trips between Quincy and St. Louis. In 1837 the " William Wallace," Capt. Carlyle, discharged some freight at Tully and Smoot's Landing. The cabin of the " Wallace " was on a keelboat which was towed alongside. Other early steamers which visited the Lewis County ports with some regularity between 1838 and 1845 were the " Rosalie," " Quincy," "Boreas," "Annawan," "Olive Branch" and " Glaucus."
In about 1848 the St. Louis & Keokuk Packet Company, Gaty, McCune & Co., proprietors, was organized, with the old " Kate Kearney," "Di Vernon," "Edward Bates," "Mononga- hela," "New England " and other boats. Some years later it added the "Jeannie Deans" and the "City of Warsaw." In 1861 the regular packets of this line were the "Di Vernon," " Jeannie Deans" and the "City of Warsaw;" after the war, the "J. H. Johnson " (the "Harry Johnson " ), the " Andy
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Johnson," the "Rob Roy" and others. Connected with this company at different periods and in various capacities have been numerous citizens of Lewis County.
The Northern Line Packet Company was first organized in 1856, with the "York State," "Sucker State," "Excelsior," " Denmark," "Metropolitan " and other steamers. At that date these boats ran from St. Louis to Galena and Dubuque, but in 1859 they ran as far north as to St. Paul.
In late years the St. Louis and St. Paul Packet Company and the " Diamond Jo " Line have controlled the trade of the upper river. These lines make regular trips in the boating season between St. Louis and St. Paul. From time to time a sm a boat has made regular daily trips between Canton and Quincy. At present the regular packet between these two points is the " Frankie Folsom."
CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY .*
This institution of learning owes its existence to circumstan- ces suggestive of much thought, not only retrospective in charac- ter, but advisory and admonitory as to the future. The indiffer- ence, if not antagonism, to the use of the Bible and to the incul- cation of the precepts and demands of the Gospel of Christ, man- ifested itself in the earliest introduction of public instruction in this State. This sentiment was either the conviction of those who formulated the system governing our public schools, or, more probably, those persons doing violence to their convictions, yielded to the pressure of an anti-religious element, which, though weak at the time, promised a rapid growth in the element that yearly poured its thousands into our country. This was realized in the abolishment of the Bible and prayer from many of our public schools.
While the larger religious element of our country would dis- courage the teaching of any denominational tenet in our public schools, that element insists upon the inculcation in the minds and hearts of the rising generation of the great moral and relig- ious precepts of the Bible, especially the inculcation of the incom- parably sublime precepts of Christ. That element would insist
*Contributed by Rev. B. H. Smith.
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upon the claims and recognition of, and loyalty to, the God of the universe, from whom all blessings come. It would impress the young with a recognition of and a dependence upon Him, the giver of all good. It would recognize the fact that head and heart must be educated together and in harmony, in order to the full development of man.
Such were some of the circumstances which suggested the establishing of Christian University, and, although the direct cause did not exist to the extent above stated, yet the sentiment prevailed sufficiently strong to bring into existence an institution of learning, to co-operate with similar institutions, to meet the demands of a large and growing sentiment. Here the founda- tion of all knowledge, and the basis of all morals are laid in the oracles of God. The Bible is a leading text-book, as it first fell from the lips of prophets and apostles, neither mangled by creeds nor diluted with the traditions of men. It is not the design of this institution to inculcate any special system of religious belief, nor propagate any form of sectarian faith. The object is to ground the student deep in the knowledge of that truth, before which the temples of the heathen have crumbled, and the altars of Baal have been broken; so, that when the graduate of Christian University shall spread his sails before the storms of life, he may have anchor in Heaven, and a pilot to secure his entrance there.
Such were the feelings of a number of the leading brethren ¿of the Christian Church, most prominent among whom was Elder D. Patrick Henderson, who immediately visited the different por- tions of the State, setting forth the wants of the brotherhood, and the necessity for prompt action.
It required but a short time to infuse the brotherhood with a zeal commensurate with the importance and extent of the work. A few months, only, elapsed and the fund swelled to thousands of ·dollars. Christian University was now a fixed fact. The site was selected; fifty three acres of beautifully located land were pur- chased and paid for. Soon the grand building loomed up in majestic proportions on the sightly eminence near Canton, the whole involving an outlay of some $50,000.
President Shannon, Elders Henderson and Creath, assisted by M. C. Hawkins, now turned their time and attention to an
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HISTORY OF LEWIS COUNTY.
endowment. In this they were very successful, but a chain of cir- cumstances dampened the ardent hopes of friends and dimmed the bright prospect. A large number of shares in the Southern Pacific Railroad was donated to the endowment, but "grim-vis- aged war" rendered them valueless, and that from which was expected a million of dollars, evaporated into "airy nothing." With all this, and other discouragements, Elder Henderson pros- ecuted the work with a measure of success. His heart, purse and time were given freely.
As this article must be limited, necessarily, many details of the history of Christian University must be omitted here. From the · record, we find that the first organization of the board of trustees was on the 4th of December, 1851, composed of D. P. Henderson, James S. Green, Samuel Church, John T. Jones, John Jamison, R. A. Grant and David Stewart. D. P. Henderson was elected. president of the board and Hon. James S. Green was elected sec- retary. The first business of the board was to appoint a commit- tee, consisting of Elder Henderson, James S. Green and John Jamison, to apply to the Legislature for a charter for Christian University. At a subsequent meeting of the board, this commit- tee reports, presenting a certified copy of the charter granted. This charter is most liberal in its features, requiring two-thirds of the board to be members of the Christian Church. Another feature of this charter authorizes the co-ordinate education of the sexes. Christian University was the first institution of learning in our land guaranteeing chartered privileges in the arts, sciences. and classics to ladies, co-equal and co-ordinate with gentlemen.
The doors of this institution were first open for instruction in the fall of 1856, with James Shannon, A. M., LL.D., as its presi- dent, assisted by an able corps of professors. The sessions. ending 1858 and 1859 gave promise of future success, but Presi- dent Shannon presided but two short years when death took him from his position of usefulness. The year after his death wit- nessed the dark war cloud over our country; the tramp of sol- diery was heard, and the roar of musketry and cannon reverber- ated throughout our land. The beautiful building was converted into a military barrack, the ruthless hand of the vandal marred and disfigured its polished walls, despoiled its furniture, burned.
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its fences, and razed its noble, stately forest trees. When aban- doned by the soldiers, it became the abode of beasts, owls and bats !
In 1865, Elder B. H. Smith was called from the pastorate of the first Christian Church, St. Louis, to the presidency of Chris- tian University. The building was soon repaired, everything connected with the school soon brightened, and the second year of the new administration showed the roll of matriculates to be- over 200 in number, from nine States and Territories of the Union. This prosperity continued, and grew each successive year of President Smith's administration for ten years, when he was called to the presidency of Hesperian College, California.
President Smith was succeeded by Dr. W. H. Hopson. The administration of the latter gave promise of success, but ill health compelled his resignation after serving one year. Dr. Hopson was succeeded successively by R. L. Cave, I. C. Reynolds, and Oval Pirkey, each of whom served two years with varied suc- cess, impeded by many obstacles and discouragements.
In 1885, the State Convention of the Christian Brotherhood, of Missouri, passed a resolution, almost unanimously, that Christian University, of Canton, Mo., and the female Orphan School, of Camden Point, Mo., be brought under the immediate; auspices of the brotherhood through the State convention, and that these schools be regarded as the special care of the brother- hood-pledging the same to their aid, support and patronage. , The convention appointed an endowment committee to raise. endowment funds to, at least, the minimum amount of $100,000. In the fall of 1886 Elder J. H. Hardin was chosen president of the university. The last scholastic year under his management showed a marked increase in attendance and general interest. Elder W. A. Melvan is now the traveling agent for endowment, and. is meeting with success. The present available endowment fund is about $15,000 or $20,000, and is daily increasing through the. active solicitations of Agent Melvan. The friends of the institu- tion have great hope in its future success. It seems now to. be on the high way of prosperity.
The facilities of this institution are second to none other in the land. The faculty is composed of professional educators, while for beauty and healthfulness of location, it is unsurpassed ..
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HISTORY OF LEWIS COUNTY.
The alumni of this institution are scattered over the States and Territories of our country, many of whom are prominent in legislative bodies, on the bench, at the bar and in the pulpit. Other pursuits are well represented, of whom their alma mater is justly proud.
Christian University is situated near Canton, Lewis Co., Mo., in latitude 40° 20' north, and 91° 30' west, on the west bank of the Mississippi River, 175 miles above St. Louis. Here the Mississippi makes its boldest sweep westward, at the western extremity of which is located Canton, on a beautiful inclined plane, in the form of a crescent, about two miles in length and one mile in width. The ground rises from the margin of the river at an elevation of seventy-five feet to the mile. It is arrested by a circle of hills of the most beautiful and picturesque outline. The university building crowns one of these-a superb and solid structure, built in architectural taste, forming one of the most substantial as well as beautiful college buildings in America, with a capacity for 500 students. From the dome of the building a scene of surpassing grandeur and beauty is seen in every side. The States of Missouri, Illinois and Iowa make up the panorama. The table lands of Missouri spread afar to the west, the north and the south; in front the city of Canton, with its 2,500 busy inhabitants; the grand Mississippi, with its numerous islands, rich in primeval forests, is visible for forty miles in its grand career, while beyond the States of Illinois and Iowa fill the swelling scene, as far as the eye can reach, with farmsteads, villages, towns, forests and prairies.
In addition to the physical beauty here set forth, Canton is as healthy as any location in the West. The climate is excellent, the air pure, and the water abundant and of the best quality. Not a single student from a distance, among the thousands who have attended Christian University, has died while attending school here.
Canton is accessible from all points, with superior river and railroad facilities.
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LA GRANGE MALE AND FEMALE COLLEGE.
This institution, under the auspices of the Baptist denomina- tion, was erected at La Grange during the years 1857 and 1858. It was regularly opened for the reception of students in Septem- ber of the latter year. Rev. William Ellis was the first president .. Its career was fairly successful up to the breaking out of the civil. war, when the college closed. In September, 1866, it was re- opened by its present president, Rev. Dr. J. F. Cook. Since the reopening it has flourished, and has earned an enviable reputa- tion. Its curriculum is thorough and complete, its faculties have been and are strong and efficient, and its general condition very satisfactory.
WESTERN ACADEMY, LA BELLE.
In the year 1880 a stock company, composed of citizens- of the place, erected a commodious frame building at La Belle, designed for use as an academy. The cost of the building was $1,460. In October of that year the first term of the in- stitution, called the Western Academy, was opened. Prof. Henry Rickards was the first principal, with an assistant lady teacher. In 1883 he sold his interest in the school to Prof. W. B. Anderson, and removed to Florida. The last year of his service he was assisted by Miss Mollie Ammerman. His music teachers were Miss Emma Guipe, in 1881-82, and Miss Mollie Kennedy, in 1882-83.
Prof. Anderson, a graduate of the Kirksville Normal School, and of the Missouri State University, at Columbia, has been. very successful in the conduct and management of the acad- emy. His assistant the first year was his wife, Mrs. Missouri L. Anderson. For the first two years of his management his teacher of music was Mrs. Millie Hawkins, who was succeeded in 1886 by Mrs. Anna Ringer, of Edina. The present faculty is composed of W. B. Anderson, professor of moral and men- tal philosophy, languages and mathematics; Mrs. Missouri L. Anderson, teacher of elocution and literature, and assistant in mathematics; Della Wildman, teacher of history, grammer and. geography; Mrs. Emma Davis, teacher of vocal and instru- mental music; Dr. W. S. D. Johnson, lecturer on physiology, etc., and Christian Madsden, librarian.
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HISTORY OF LEWIS COUNTY.
The school has been very successful in every feature. It has the confidence of a large community. The fact that it offers very superior facilities for the acquirement of a thorough academic education is generally recognized, and it is well pat- ronized. At present it furnishes instruction to more than one hundred pupils.
THE MONTICELLO SEMINARY.
A private school, under the control of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, was established at Monticello in 1872, and first opened for students in September of that year; Rev. Marshall McIlhany was the first principal. In 1875 he was succeeded by Rev. James Smith. Some years later Prof. Musgrove conducted a school for a considerable period, but the patronage proving in- sufficient to warrant its further continuance, it was discontinued. The building was purchased by Hon. B. F. Thompson, and con- verted into a very substantial and commodious private residence.
From time to time other private educational institutions have existed in the county. Canton, La Grange, La Belle, Williams- town, and even Lewistown, have each had these advantages.
The public schools average in general excellence with those of the other counties in the State. The towns all have good graded schools, which are well attended and popular. In the country some districts are well supplied, and on the whole the educational interests are in as good condition as ought to be ex- pected. Although politically the county is strongly Democratic, the present school commissioner, Prof. Mussetter, is a Repub- lican.
BAPTIST CHURCHES.
The first preachers of the Baptist denomination in Lewis County were Eli Merrill, Mordecai Boulware, Jeremiah Taylor, John Taylor and William Fuqua, all of whom lived in Marion, and visited the settlements here between the years 1829 and 1835, and held services at private houses.
In 1835 Rev. James M. Lillard came to the county, and was perhaps the first resident minister of his church, although Rev. Haycraft, of Highland Township, located here at an early
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date. Rev. Lillard is the best known minister in Northeast Missouri. He has organized a score of churches, and performed the rites of baptism for more than a thousand persons. He is yet living, and it may fairly be said that he is still in service.
Wyaconda .- This church was organized in 1831,* with Rev. Jeremiah Taylor as pastor. The original members were Robert Sinclair and wife, James Thomas and wife, Newbold Cannon and wife, Mrs. Crooks, Mrs. Cannon, Justinian Mills and wife, Mrs. Hunsicker and Mrs. Oder. The first building was of log, but has been replaced with a commodious brick, 40x60 feet, costing $2,200. The church is situated two and a half miles west of Canton, in Canton Township. When finished it was dedicated by the Rev. James M. Lillard. The pastors serving the church have been the Revs. Eli Merrill, " Billy " Fuqua, James M. Lil- lard, James M. Holt and Col. John Winter.
Gilead .- The Rev. Jeremiah Taylor organized the Baptist Church at Gilead, Highland Township, in the month of May, 1833. The first members enrolled were Mrs. Briscoe, Mrs. Combs, Mrs. Shepherd, Walter Briscoe and wife, Stephen Briscoe and wife, Mrs. Bourne and Mrs. Hayden. As usual in that early day, the building was of logs, but as the country developed old things passed away, and a brick building is now seen where the old log church stood. Rev. Jeremiah Taylor not only organized but dedicated the church as well. Its subsequent pastors have been Revs. James M. Lillard, Neville Haycraft, John W. Rowe and James M. Holt.
Dover .- This church was organized in 1834, with the follow- ing members: George Neal, James M. Lillard, David Lillard, and their wives; Mrs. Nancy Cox, Mrs. Elizabeth Lancaster, and Austin Morris and wife. Rev. James M. Lillard was the pas- tor, and the first services were held in a log schoolhouse. The present building is a brick situated at the same place in Union Township. It was dedicated by Mr. Lillard, and he has continued as its pastor to the present day.
La Grange .- The First Baptist Church of La Grange was organized in April, 1845, by Elders J. M. Lillard and P. N. Hay- craft. There were nine original members, the church now num-
*One account says Wyaconda Church was organized in 1842, Gilead in 1843, and Dover in 1844.
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HISTORY OF LEWIS COUNTY.
bering 176. Its pastors have been Revs. P. N. Haycraft, J. M. Holt, M. M. Modisett, I. N. Denton, J. F. Cook, E. H. Sawyer, 1). B. Ray, J. P. Green, I. R. M. Beeson, J. B. Starke, G. A. Crouch, J. B. Weber and D. T. Morrill. In 1887 a new building costing $4,000 was erected on Lot 1, Block 37.
South Fork .- This church was organized in the fall of 1843. The original members were Walter Emery, Elizabeth Emery, Benjamin Veers, Malinda Veers and Jackson Thompson. In October of the same year C. A. Maddox, Joshua S. Hobbs, Diana Thompson and L. G. Hatcher became members. Jackson Thomp- son was the first deacon, and J. S. Hobbs the first regular clerk. The first building, a log structure, was commenced in 1848, though not fully completed till April, 1849. T. P. House gave five acres of land on which to build it. The pastors serving this church were Revs. Jeptha S. Smith, from its organization to 1846; P. N. Haycraft, to 1848; J. S. Hobbs, to 1849; John W. Rowe to 1857, J. M. Holt to disorganization of the church in 1867. The church was used by all denominations, Bishop Mar- vin preaching there in 1848. In 1860 a new brick church was built, but on the disorganization in 1867 was deserted, and the building is now in ruins in the midst of a dense forest. The graveyard was regularly laid out in 1855, but there were some burials prior to that time.
Providence .- Elders J. W. Rowe and C. V. Mattox organized the Providence Baptist Church January 22, 1848. The following persons were members: J. W., Louisa, and Dulcina Rowe; J. V. and Louisa Lillard; Jesse, Agnes and Catherine Ford; Robin, Nancy, Ninion, Simon, Mary and Louisa Ann Nichols; William, John and Sophia Fee; Jesse and Elizabeth Moore; David Ham- ilton and Martha Legg. The first building was of logs; it was erected by the farmers belonging to the church in 1852, and with such tools as they could readily obtain. No mechanic was em- ployed except to make the windows and doors. Its cost was about. $250. The present building stands on Section 23, Township 63, Range 8, one and one-half miles east of Williamstown, and was erected in 1867 at a cost of $1,775. The pastors have been Elders J. W. Rowe, James M. Holt, T. J. Musgrove, G. H. Lil- lard, R. V. L. Wayland, A. S. Ingman and W. D. Cave. The
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