USA > Missouri > Pettis County > History of Pettis County, Missouri > Part 7
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The difficulty of getting a stand of clover on some of the thinner soils has made the growing of cowpeas and soy beans important. The soy bean has proved especially valuable, and in some parts of the county it is grown on almost every farm. In many places this crop is displacing cow- peas, because it is hardier and more easily handled.
Cowpeas and soy beans are usually grown, and are planted with
127
HISTORY OF PETTIS COUNTY
the corn in the hill or drill, or drilled in between the rows at the last cultivation. Many farmers plant cowpeas on wheat land after the grain is harvested. Preparation of the seed bed consists of disking and har- rowing the ground two or three times. A large quantity of nutritious hay is obtained, or the green crop can be used with corn for filling silos.
Except in the immediate vicinity of Sedalia the trucking industry has not yet been developed in Pettis County on a commercial scale, al- though every farm has a home garden in which vegetables and small fruits are grown for the use of the family. The red limestone soils are best adapted to truck crops. They are warm, well drained, and easily handled. The growing of fruit does not receive much attention in Pet- tis County. The orchards are small. Apples and peaches are practically the only fruit grown. Little or no attention is paid to pruning, spraying, and cultivating. The soils of the Crawford and Baxter series are admir- ably adapted to fruit growing, many desirable slopes affording good orchard sites.
Pettis County ranks as one of the most important live-stock regions in the State. As a source of income the live-stock industry holds first place. The numbers of live stock shipped out of the county in 1912, accord- ing to the Missouri Red Book, are: Cattle, 15,044; hogs, 25,872; horses and mules, 1,708; sheep, 4,704; jacks and stallions, 48.
In addition to the large number of cattle raised in the county, many carloads of "feeders" are brought in from Kansas City and the Ozark region and fattened for market. Feeding is carried on most extensively in the northwestern part of the county, where many farmers make a specialty of it. The breeds of beef cattle most favored are the Hereford, Shorthorn, and Angus.
The cattle-feeding industry has declined somewhat in recent years on account of the high prices of grain and of feeder cattle, and because cattle feeding is not now so profitable as other branches of agriculture.
Hog raising is carried on in conjunction with cattle raising, although this industry also has declined in recent years, largely because of the high prices of corn. On some farms the raising and feeding of hogs is made more or less a specialty. Large numbers of purebred hogs of various breeds are kept in the county, although crossbred animals also are numerous.
Horses and mules are raised, although few farms are devoted solely to this interest. The Percheron is the most popular, and there are many
128
HISTORY OF PETTIS COUNTY
animals of excellent breeding in the county. On the larger farms mules are used as work stock in preference to horses, and the raising of mules is an important industry.
Sheep raising receives little attention. Western range sheep are fre- quently brought into the county to be fattened for market.
Dairying is carried on in an incidental way on many of the farms near shipping points. Conditions are favorable to the development of this industry, and near Sedalia several farmers make a specialty of dairying to supply the local demand. According to the 1910 census there are more than 9,000 dairy cattle in the county.
The use of commercial fertilizer is receiving increasing attention in Pettis County. The 1910 census reports an expenditure of $5,479 for fertilizers. In general, commercial fertilizers give best results on the poorer soils. It is doubtful if they would prove profitable on the better land in the county under the present extensive system of farming.
A number of tests made during the progress of the soil survey indi- cate that in many areas in Pettis County the soil is deficient in lime. This condition is most pronounced in the Oswego and Eldon soils and on the gray bottom soils. Even the red soils derived from limestone are deficient in lime in places, owing to the leaching out of this constituent. Soil acidity is usually indicated by the growth of certain weeds, such as sheep sorrel, redtop, and sour dock, and by the fact that clover can not be grown. This deficiency can be corrected by the use of burned lime or ground limestone. The latter in most cases is preferable, because it is less expensive. Applications of about one and a half to two tons per acre every four to six years give good results. The thick beds of Burlington limestone found in the county are well adapted to the manufacture of high-grade ground limestone.
Except in rolling areas of the Crawford soils, erosion is not a very serious factor in Pettis County. However, on all the slopes there is some loss through surface wash, as indicated by the clay points in several parts of the county. To check erosion it is necessary to get the soil in such a condition that it will absorb and retain large quantities of rain water, so that rapid run-off will not take place. This can be accomplished by incorporating organic matter and by deep plowing. The soil on the steeper slopes can be protected during the winter with a crop of rye or wheat, or such areas may be used for permanent pasture.
According to the 1910 census, a total of 407,360 acres, or about ninety-
VIEW OF RAILWAY STATION, LAMONTE, MO.
THRESHING SCENE, NEAR LAMONTE, MO.
129
HISTORY OF PETTIS COUNTY
three per cent. of the land area, is in farms. Of the land in farms, 356,639 acres, or 87.5 per cent., is classed as improved. The total number of farms in the county is reported as 2,869, with an average of 142 acres per farm.
Of all the farms 1,963, or 68.4 per cent., are operated by the owners, and 864, or 30.1 per cent., by tenants. The average value of all property per farm in 1910 was $10,979, 71.1 per cent. of which is represented by land, 13.2 per cent. by buildings, 2.1 per cent. by implements, and 13.7 per cent by domestic animals. The total value of farm property in 1910 was $31,498,615 and in 1900 $14,872,232, showing an increase of 111.8 per cent. within a decade. In total value of farm property Pettis County ranks fifteenth among the counties of the State.
In general, the type of farming now established and the methods in common use seem well suited to the soils and general conditions in the county. Occasionally slight changes in the agricultural practices are made to conform to changing economic conditions.
Where grain growing is more profitable than stock raising the grass lands are broken up and cultivated. Grain and stock raising combined permit economical utilization of farm labor, and farm products and tends to maintain a good state of productiveness of the soil. Farmers through- out the county are prosperous, there is little or no land for sale. No county in Missouri has a better balanced agriculture than Pettis. The necessity of food to win the war has spurred the farmer on, as has the $2 wheat, until in 1918, estimates place the acreage of wheat at one-fourth more than ever planted per annum before in the county. Land in many parts of the county was not heretofore considered adaptable to wheat raising; but the farmer has learned the use of commercial fertilizer and when properly applied to the land, most fields produce wheat in paving quantities.
Pettis County ranks with any in the world in the production of live stock, because the limestone soil is particularly adapted to this industry, and by its fruits it is known to the most prominent stockmen in the country. The soil is the best for the tame and cultivated grass which is used for grazing, and then the great quantities of corn are grown for fattening preparatory for the markets.
It is a well established fact among stockmen that the best method for fattening cattle and hogs is to feed them together on the same pas- ture, so that the hogs can get the advantage of the waste; consequently this is in most instances regarded as a secondary consideration. But this,
130
HISTORY OF PETTIS COUNTY
however, is not characteristic of this county, for something like 50,000 hogs were shipped from here in one year against half that number of cattle, which is a remarkable record. And in this same connection, 5,906, 266 hides and pelts were exported during the same year.
Many of the stockmen buy their feeders on the Kansas City mar- ket, and after fattening ship them to St. Louis, Kansas City and even Chicago. These include all breeds, and there are some Texas cattle, which have been revolutionized from the long-horn variety to the choicest herds and can scarcely be distinguished from any others, so perfect are they in every respect.
This county has many large feeders who have devoted many years to this industry and have every equipment and convenience to facilitate in the work, and which is productive of the best results. Many of them are partial to the silo, and in fact every one of them is an adept to the method and has at least one on the farm, but in most instances this does not supply the needs.
There is scarcely a community in the county that does not have extensive feeders, and this is especially true of LaMonte, Smithton, Green Ridge, Houstonia, Hughesville and Longwood.
Pettis county is the most progressive in the matter of producing pure- bred stock as well as in everything else, and it has some of the most famous in the country. The farmers know the value and the attainments of the best results in introducing the use of them. This county is the best adapted to this endeavor in many ways, and its reputation as a center for such is well established. It has every facility for shipping and it is the most propitious for exhibition purposes, being within the very eaves of the seat of the Missouri State Fair grounds, the American Royal Stock show, which is held in Kansas City and it is easily accessible to the Chicago shows, and it has some men who are renowned the world over for their stock. And with the increase in the introduction of the finest breeds, it will be only a matter of a few years until the adjacent pastures will be stocked with nothing but the purest breeds.
There are many herds of Aberdeen-Angus cattle in this community, which are increasing steadily. This is a hardy stock which had its origin in the Highlands of Scotland, and it is provided with long black hair. They thrive in this county and make good beef cattle, for the meat is of a fine grain and is a good flavor.
ยท There is a tendency in Pettis county to produce a better and higher
131
HISTORY OF PETTIS COUNTY
quality of stock, and practically every farmer is exerting his every effort to this end and the Chamber of Commerce is contemplating a plan by which it proposes to buy a herd of Holstein cattle and let the farmers have the use of it by taking a number of cows and pay five per cent. of their value for breeding purposes, and at the end of five years the increase will be sold at auction and the proceeds divided between the producer and the organization.
Pettis county is also the home of the largest jack breeders in the world.
Pettis County Bureau of Agriculture .- This organization was formed in July, 1912. Funds were raised by private contribution and from the County Court, for the employment of what was then called a "Farm Adviser." Mr. Sam Jordan, known over Missouri as the "Corn Man," accepted the position and became the first Farm Adviser in Missouri, and one of the first north of the Mason and Dixon Line. The work was carried on independently for about a year, then the University and the United States Department of Agriculture co-operated in the expense.
The work was a success from the very beginning and drew to it the best farmers in the county. However there was a reactionary element who thought that the county was spending entirely too much money for this "County Hired Man" and when the three years' contract was nearing a close, they circulated a petition against its renewal. Following this those in favor of the work also circulated a petition. The former petition when presented to the court carried about 450 names, the latter 1,640. It is needless to say that the work was continued. Mr. Jordan was re-employed at an increase in salary. He resigned shortly after- ward to take up work with the State Board of Agriculture.
His successor was C. M. Long, then County Agent in Johnson County. Mr. Long still continues in the work.
The bureau, since 1916, has organized a co-operative milk depot and creamery for the purpose of supplying Sedalia with sanitary milk and also to furnish the farmers of the county a market for their milk and cream. This co-operative company is capitalized for $35,000.
The Boy's and Girl's Club work, organized in 1917, is successful to such an extent that another hundred calves were put out during the first half of the year 1918.
The Bureau's work in the schools of the county is successful and co-operates with all schools in the county in various ways and teaches
132
HISTORY OF PETTIS COUNTY
the youth practical principles relative to the agricultural needs of the community. In the spring of this year, owing to the poor quality of seed corn, the bureau made the high schools of the county testing sta- tions and the students tested the seed for the farmers in a very thorough manner, making a charge of thirty cents per bushel for testing. The proceeds thus gathered were turned over to the Red Cross.
Instructions were given to the rural schools and these schools tested five hundred bushels of seed corn. Two thousand bushels were tested at the court house and two thousand bushels in the high schools. As a result of this precaution the farmers had a better stand of corn than at any previous planting for many years.
CHAPTER XII.
-
STATISTICAL
We are indebted to the Red Book of 1917, prepared by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the following table showing surplus products of Pettis County during year 1915. The table is based on returns made by railroad and express agents and by steamboat and landing keepers and was prepared by Deputy Commissioner John L. Bradley :
Live Stock-
Cattle, head
19,187
Hogs, head 38,058
Horses and mules, head_ 2,870
Sheep, head 11,795
Goats, head 160
Jacks, stallions, head. 13
Dogs, head
1
Farm Crops-
Wheat, bushels 277,064
Corn, bushels
66,363
Oats, bushels 9,363
Timothy seed, bushels 410
Clover seed, bushels
11
Hay, tons
8,279
Popcorn, pounds
155
Cowpeas, bushels
4
Planting and garden seed,
pounds
1,195
Nuts, pounds
758
Mill Products-
Flour, barrels 9,380
Corn meal, pounds 260,000
Bran, shipstuff, pounds. 266,000
Feed, chops, pounds. 357,000
Mine and Quarry Products --
Gravel and ballast, cars __
216
Macadam, cars
18
Forest Products-
Lumber, cars 11
Logs, cars. 5
Railroad, ties, cars 33
Fence and mine posts,
cars 11
Cordwood, cars
419
Cooperage, cars 4
Farmyard Products-
Poultry, live, pounds 1,554,257 Poultry, dressed, pounds_1,925,988
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HISTORY OF PETTIS COUNTY
Eggs, dozen 1,123,310
Feathers, pounds. 162,443
Stone and Clay Products-
Brick, cars 4
Cement products, tons
5
Lime, bushels. 300
Packing House Products-
Hides and pelts, pounds_ 995,314
Dressed meats, pounds 257,496
Tallow, pounds. 84,678
Lard, pounds 26,030
Flowers and Nursery Products-
Nursery stock, pounds 33,397
Cut flowers, pounds. 3,000
Dairy Products-
Butter, pounds. 417,451
Ice cream, gallons. 25,598
Milk and cream, gallons 255,012
Buttermilk, gallons 4,500
Cheese, pounds 2,000
Wool and Mohair-
Wool, pounds
125,919
Mohair, pounds 3,200
Liquor Products-
Beer, barrels
102
Vinegar, gallons
100
Cider, gallons 425
Soda and mineral water,
gallons
7,500
Whiskey, gallons
6,423
Fish and Game Products-
Game, pounds 4,328
Furs, pounds
16,069
Vegetables-
Vegetables, pounds 1,047
Potatoes, bushels 22
Tomatoes, bushels
41
Onions, bushels
10
Canned fruits and vegeta- bles, pounds 587
Fruits- Miscellaneous fresh fruits,
pounds 347
Strawberries, pounds 329
Apples, barrels 198
Blackberries, pounds 520
Peaches, pounds.
780
Cherries, pounds.
560
Apiary and Cane Products-
Sorghum molasses, gallons 92
Candy, tons 200
Unclassified Products-
Coke, tons 230
Junk, cars 26
Ice, tons
1
5,300
Coal tar, pounds 5,000
Bakery products, pounds_ 210,000
Cigars
33,000
Overalls, etc., dozen
37,600
Wagons
150
The total assessed valuation of all property in county, 1917, was $13,790,040, divided as follows: Real estate, $10,425,300; personal prop- erty, $2,926,030; merchants' Adv. tax, $438,710.
Total value of manufacturing production in the city of Sedalia in 1914 was $3,130,151; in 1915, $3,254,982; and in 1916, $3,993,322.
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HISTORY OF PETTIS COUNTY
After the Civil War we heard a great deal about "war prices." The following list of war-time prices during the World's War may be of interest in after years: United States Food Administration, Adminis- trator's Weekly Report on Fair Prices in Sedalia week ending November 23, 1918. J. A. Lamy, Administrator.
Commodity. .
Retailer Pays.
Consumer Should Pay.
Wheat flour, per 1-16 bbl. bag
(per lb.)
$ .70
$ .82
Wheat flour (bulk)
(per lb.)
.051/2
.061/2
Barley flour, per 1-16 bbl. bag __ (121/4 lbs.)
.60
.78
Barley flour (bulk)
(per lb.)
.05
.06
Rye flour, per 1-16 bbl. bag
(121/4 lbs.)
.63
.75
Rye flour (bulk)
(per lb.)
Corn flour (bulk)
(per lb.)
.051/2
.07
Rice flour (bulk)
(per lb.)
.081/2
.11
Cornmeal (bulk)
(per lb.)
.04 2-5
.06
Cornmeal (package) 5 lbs, or less (per lb.)
66
(24 oz.)
.12
.15
Bread, price per loaf.
(16 oz.)
.08
.10
(12 oz.)
Oatmeal or rolled oats (bulk) (per lb.)
Oatmeal or rolled oats (package) (per lb.)
.071/2
.10
Rice, unbroken standard quality __ (per lb.)
Hominy or hominy grits, 1} 1b. pkg .__ (pkg)
.12
.15
Sugar, granulated (bulk)
_ (per lb.)
.0992
.111/2
Beans, white, navy or pea (not lima)
(per lb.) .13
Beans, colored, pinto or any other colored va-
riety
(per lb.)
.09 8-10
.1212
Potatoes, white or Irish
(per pk.) .35
.45
Onions
(per lb.)
.021/2
.04
Raisins, seeded
(per 16 oz. pkg.)
.141/2
.18
Prunes, medium size (60-70) (per lb.)
.15
Canned tomatoes, standard grade, per 20 oz.
(No. 2) can .15
.19
Canned corn, standard grade, per 20 oz.
(No. 2) .can .15
.19
66
.17
.04 2-5
.06
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HISTORY OF PETTIS COUNTY
Canned peas, standard grade, per 20 oz.
(No. 2) can .15
.15
Canned salmon, tall pink Alaska, per 16 oz.
(No. 1) can. .20
.25
.
Canned salmon, tall red Alaska, per 16 oz.
(No. 1) can .25
.30
Evaporated milk (unsweetened), per
6 oz. can .08
Evaporated milk (unsweetened) per
16 oz. can .101/2 .15
Milk (bottled, dipped)
(per qt.)
Butter, creamery and country
(per lb.) .6134 .69
Oleomargarine
(per lb.) .34
.40
Eggs (fresh, stored) - (per doz.) .60
.70
Cheese, American, full cream (cut)
per lb.) .38
.46
Lard, pure leaf (bulk)
(per lb.)
.301%
371/2
Lard, pure leaf (in tin)
(per lb.)
.35
Lard substitute (bulk) Magnolia Shortening
(per lb)
.25
.30
Lard substitute (in tin) Kream Krisp
(per lb.)
.331/2
.42
Bacon, breakfast, sliced (standard grade)
(per lb.)
.52
.59
Pork chops
(per lb.)
.33
.40
Hams, smoked, sliced
(per lb.)
.3614
.50
Round steak
(per lb.)
.35
Hens, year or more old.
(per lb.)
.25
Fish, fresh, plentiful variety, Cat
(per lb.)
.24
.30
Halibut
(per lb.)
.24
.30
Lard substitute (Lard Mazola)
(1 pt.)
.3114
.40
Empire bacon (not sliced)
(per lb.)
.3834
.50
Boiled ham (sliced)
(per lb.)
.481/2
.60
.05
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CHAPTER XIII.
BLACKWATER TOWNSHIP
TOWNSHIP HISTORY-BLACKWATER TOWNSHIP-ORGANIZATION --- BOUNDARIES 1833, 1844, 1873 -- ANCIENT MINING --- MOUNDS --- STREAMS-EARLY SETTLERS- SCHOOLS -- CHURCHES-FARMING AND STOCK RAISING.
Blackwater township was one of the original five townships laid out when Pettis County was organized in 1833. It occupied then, not only its present territory, but all of Houstonia and parts of Dresden and LaMonte townships. It continued in this organization until 1844; at which time its boundaries were changed to include the territory now occupied by Hous- tonia, and itself taking from it parts of Dresden and LaMonte townships. Blackwater held this territory until 1873, when the county adopted town- ship organization and took Houstonia township away from it, leaving its territory as it is today.
This township is bounded on the north by Saline County, on the west by Johnston County, on the south by LaMonte township and on the east by Houstonia and Hughesville townships. It contains 34,560 acres, and some of the most magnificent homesteads in the county.
The western and central parts of this township are high, rolling prairie land, while the eastern part is more or less broken. It is well drained by several small streams, the largest of which bears the same name as the township. The Blackwater enters the township at about section 30 and flows across the northwest corner through sections 30, 19, 20 and 21. Blackwater township derives its name from this stream. The south fork of Blackwater finds its headwaters in LaMonte township. Following these two streams in size come Elk Fork Creek, Beaver Dam Creek, Wolf Creek, and numerous other small branches, each of which has its local name and importance. Along all of these water courses a fine growth of timber
138
HISTORY OF PETTIS COUNTY
exists, and in the driest season the springs along their banks afford a never failing supply of water for stock.
The physical features of the township are perhaps more diversified than those of any other part of the county. Nowhere in such close proximity is to be found the rough and woody hills bordering at once on the beautiful rolling prairie, as are seen in this section. But little, or at least a comparatively small amount of the land is so broken that it would not be susceptible of cultivation.
This township was one of the favorite resorts of the red men prior to the time of its being taken possession of by the whites. Everything was favorable for their pursuits. It was near the great "salt lick" and salt springs, from which places the trails of buffalo and other game that came to them every few weeks. It was a country supplied with abundance of all kinds of game in which the lovers of the chase delighted to pursue. It was a country adapted in every way for their primitive modes of agri- culture, where they had but to stir the ground, plant their meagre fields of corn and their labors were sure to be rewarded. It is no wonder then that here they found a resting place for their dead. These places of burial were plainly marked years ago, but now they are nearly obliter- ated. A few have been explored and in them were found such remains as are common to the last resting places of the Indians, stone imple- ments of agriculture and of the chase. None of the more ancient have been explored, so it is not known if they were of the prehistoric mound builders, or just of the red men within the limits of our own history.
There are in the township numerous holes supposed to have been made by the earliest white men, who passed through this country -- the Spaniards. Excited by their great thrist for precious metals, these rapa- cious men sought in every country where there was the most remote possibility of a discovery of valuable metal. From the mouth of the Mississippi to the headwaters of the Missouri, the adventurers searched in every conceivable nook for the treasures hidden from them, but which they were determined to find. How well their search was rewarded we do not undertake to say, but are of the opinion that their reward was not equal to their expectation. There seems yet, however, to be some sort of mineral in this locality. In the vicinity of these prospectors' openings there is quite an attraction for electricity. In these immediate neighbor- hoods stock is quite frequently killed by lightning, much more so than in other parts of the township or county. In these vicinities the surveyor's
139
HISTORY OF PETTIS COUNTY
needle will not work. Mineral in this township is much talked of but, as yet, wholly undeveloped. On the old Shank farm there is an unusual formation of shale containing large shells. This formation is in great quantities on top of a high knoll, from ten to twenty feet below the surface above stratas of coal.
Previous to any settlements having been made in Pettis County, excursions were made into it by parties from adjacent settlements in search of game and honey, and in search of more desirable homes, where they, if they did not, like the Israelites of old, find a land flowing with milk and honey, they at any rate found one overflowing with abundance of meat and honey; for buffalo, elk, and deer were as numerous upon the luxuriant grass of the rich and beautiful prairies as are cattle, sheep and horses at the present day upon our pastures and meadows. Such was the condition of this township when the brave and hardy few first made their resting place within its limits.
Among the earliest settlers of the township was Isaiah Prigmore, who came to this township in 1829, from Kentucky. Peter Fisher came to the township in 1832, from Kentucky, and lived here a number of years, and died in Texas. Benjamin Snelling settled in the township in 1833. He now rests in one of the township cemeteries. Samuel Fisher came to the township in 1834, from Kentucky. B. F. Prigmore was born in the township in 1838. George Miller came to the township in 1836, from Cooper County, lived here a number of years, and died in the south- ern part of the State. John Loper and Hiram Taylor, attracted by the productiveness of this section, came here in 1837, from Illinois, and lived here many years. Both are now dead. John Rice came to the township in 1840, from Cooper County. He was prominently identified with the interests of the township for many years. Elijah Roberts came in 1840, from Cooper County. He lived a number of years in the township, but finally went to Texas, and there died. James Scott came in 1838, from Cooper County, and lived a number of years in the township. His wife died in the township on the original homestead, at the advanced age of ninety years. David S. Ramsey came to the township in 1840, from near the vicinity of Georgetown, this county. He lived here a number of years, but died before the Civil War.
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