USA > Missouri > Ray County > History of Ray county, Mo. > Part 40
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
monious stars gave them noiseless reverence; and Bethlehem's happy, social, and united shepherds looked upon the scene with rapture and delight. Christ came to unite, and keep united, the hearts of his follow- ers; hence, he bound them with every common tie and sacred chord of love; finally, sealing the consummated union with his own royal and divine blood. One with the Father, he came to make his people likewise one.
The same holy principle led and stimulated the mission and work of the apostles, and was proclaimed and clearly inculcated in all their teach- ing. Paul forcibly presented the necessity of this doctrine in his epistles, and doubtless urged it in all his wondrful and vivid discourses. The principle of the unity of God's people lies in the very genius of the gos- pel, and the effects of saving grace on the heart and life of every rescued sinner proves the naturalness of the holy and lovable sentiment: "As ye receive Christ Jesus so walk ye in Him." The good Christian, who can read the illustrious prayer of Christ, recorded in the 17th of John, and not believe in the union of Christians, has not been found. God never meant that his people should be divided. Christ emphatically taught us to be one, declaring that "there shall be one fold and one shepherd." Paul says: "Since there are wars and divisions among you, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?"
For about two hundred years after Christ there was love, union, peace, and quiet, when wicked and ambitious priests created discord, schism, here- sies and sects. The long series of sins and mistakes that followed, until over six hundred rival sectarian bodies were formed, cannot be noticed in this connection. Now, what? The object of the Christian Union move- ment is to go directly back to first principles, take up the same doctrines of Christ and the apostles, ignore all the isms and dogmas that have caused sects, and seek to promulgate pure primitive Christianity, standing on essentials only. These churches, now numerous, and these Christians, now an army for multitude, declare that they adhere to and advocate the fol- lowing sentiments, common to every real child of God: (1) The oneness of the church. (2) God, our Creator and Father. (3) Christ, our Savior and only head. (4) The Holy Spirit, our regenerator. (5) The Bible, our only įcreed. (6) Good fruits, our only condition of fellowship. (7) Each local church governs itself. (8) The right of private opinion. Christian and church union, without controversy about questions that neither save nor damn the soul.
LAWSON BAPTIST CHURCH.
This church was organized October 4th, 1879, by Elder W. C. Barrett. Following are the names of the original members: Mary Hollingworth, Josephine Palmer, Tillie Asbury, Lottie Asbury, Mary Jones, Puss Hat- field, Mary L. Smith, Sarah Ahart, Jennie Robinett, Eliza Garrison, J. L. Smith, William Ahart, M. Nicholson and John Garrison.
The house of worship is frame; was built in 1879, and cost $1,082.92. The building was dedicated on the first Lord's day in 'August, 1880, by Revs. W. C. Barrett, of Plattsburg, and T. W. Barrett, of Jefferson City. The pastor of this church is Rev. W. C. Barrett. The present member- ship is seventeen.
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
EDUCATIONAL.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF RAY COUNTY.
It is to the interest of every man to live in a refined, moral and educated community. Ignorance is the handmaid of vice. Education promotes the happiness, harmony and general well-being of society. Where ignorance prevails, religion is neglected, progress impeded, crime increases, and disorder reigns. The only way of improving the social, mental and moral status of mankind is, by the dissemination of useful knowledge among all classes, in every community. The great aim of education, in the true meaning of that term, is to make moral beings of those upon whom the advantages of learning are bestowed. Therefore, every mem- ber of society is equally interested in the diffusion of intelligence. Every man and woman in Ray county is mutually benefitted by the means of education, placed within the reach of all. The good of society demands that every member thereof shall receive at least a common school educa- tion. It is the one true way of promoting the peace, good order and pros- perity of the state. Where public instruction is fostered and maintained, men are prosperous and progressive in every department of life. Educa- tion upholds religion, propels the machinery of government, and sustains the whole fabric of society. To no community of Christian people is this fact better, or more appreciatively known, than to the citizens of Ray county ; and to their encouragement and maintenance of common schools, under the laws of the state, is largely due the enviable prosperity the county enjoys.
Section I. of Article VI. of the first constitution of Missouri, declared, that: " Schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged in this state; and the general assembly shall take measures to preserve from waste or damage such lands as have been, or hereafter may be granted by the United States, for the use of schools within each town- ship in this state, and shall apply the funds which may arise from such lands, in strict conformity to the object of the grant; one school, or more, shall be established in each township, as soon as practicable and neces- sary, where the poor shall be taught gratis."
The general assembly subsequently provided for the appointment of commissioners by the county in each county court, to preserve from waste or damage the school lands mentioned above; and at the first term of the county court in Ray county, April 2, 1821, the court " ordered that John Shields, John Stanley, James Snowden, Sr., John Hutchings and Samuel Tilford be appointed to superintend and preserve from waste, all school lands in this county; and that they be empowered to lease or rent the same for any term not exceeding five years."
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
Thus, at a very early day, was an interest taken in free schools by the officials and residents of the county.
As soon as possible after the completion of hovels in which to live, and of preparations absolutely necessary for their sustenance. and comfort, the first settlers commenced the building of school houses. Such as they built were poor and mean, it is true, but they could do no better, and doing their best, they did well.
The character of the first schools, and school houses, and where located, have been given elsewhere in this work.
There are, at present, (May, 1881,) one hundred and twelve school buildings in the county. They are commodious, comfortable and sub- stantial, and comport well with the advanced and improved condition of the county, in other than educational affairs.
The municipal townships are divided into school districts; and the employment of teachers and the control and management of the schools (except as to the authority of teachers) are vested in a board of directors, composed of three members, elected by the qualified voters of each dis- trict, at the annual school meeting, which is held on the first Tuesday in April, of each year.
The public teachers of Ray county, who receive a certificate of qual- ification from the county commissioner, are liberally, though perhaps not quite adequately, paid for their services, and it is fair to say that, as a rule, they are exceptionally industrious and competent.
Mr. Lindsey Dickey, a courteous, agreeable gentleman, now principal of the Taitsville public school, has, doubtless, been longer continuously engaged as teacher in the public schools of Ray county, than any of his brother teachers, he having taught in this county for fifteen successive years.
Thomas M. Deacy, Esq., county commissioner, kindly furnishes us the following educational statistics of the county, for the year 1880. It is simply a copy of his report to the state superintendent of public schools; and it is believed that, especially in after years, it will be of peculiar interest.
Following is the report:
To HON. R. D. SHANNON, Superintendent of Public Schools, Jefferson City, Missouri:
SIR :- In obedience to section 38, school law of Missouri, I have the honor to submit the following report:
Number of white children in the county between six and twenty years of age: Male, 3,535; female, 2,946.
Number of colored children in the county between six and twenty years of age: Male, 329; female, 227.
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
Number of white children attending school during the year: Male, 2,448; female, 2,112.
Number of colored children attending school during the year: Male, 192; female, 153.
Total number days attendance all such scholars, 306,720.
Average number days attendance by each, 63.
Number of days school has been taught: Summer, 34; winter, 102; total, 136.
Average number of scholars attending school each day: Summer, 14; winter, 26; total, 40.
Number of teachers employed during the year: Male, 102; female, 28; total, 130.
Average salary of teachers per month: Male, $37.52; female, $25.94- $31.73.
Number of school-houses in the county, 112.
Number of buildings rented for school purposes, none.
Number of scholars that may be seated in the various school-houses in the county, 5,432.
Number of white schools in operation, 97.
Number of colored schools in operation, 15.
Value of school property in the county, $46,560.
Average rate per $100 levied for school purposes in the county, 40 cents. Assessed value of property in the county, $39,415.95.
Amount on hand at beginning of school year, $8,818.27.
Amount received for tuition fees, $10.
Amount received from public funds, state, county, and township, $11,- 285.95.
Amount paid for teachers' wages in the county during the year, $22,- 484.60.
Amount paid for fuel, $851.66.
Amount for repairs or rent of school-houses, $632.44.
Amount paid for incidental expenses in the county during the year, $615.95.
Amount paid for erection of school-houses or purchase of sites, $1,548.55.
Amount expended in defraying past indebtedness, $1,918.66.
Amount paid for library, $30.10.
Amount paid as salaries of district clerks, $81.55.
Amount of unexpended school funds in the county at the close of the year, $7,895.48.
Very respectfully,
THOMAS M. DEACY, County Commissioner. This 18th day of September, 1880.
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
RICHMOND COLLEGE.
In the year 1851, the ynod of the Presbyterian Church of Missouri realizing the importance of establishing a first-class college to be under its control, resolved, "That the time is come to arise and build," and appointed a committee composed of elders from different parts of the state, to examine such places as should offer inducements for its location and report at the next meeting of synod.
In 1852, the committee reported, and four places were put in nomina- tion, Booneville, Richmond, Fulton and St. Charles.
For some months preceding the meeting of synod in Fulton, October, 1852, the most vigorous efforts were put forth in Ray county to raise a large subscription in money and land in order to secure the location of the college at Richmond.
The county was thoroughly canvassed by able speakers, who set forth the great advantages that would result, not only to Richmond, but the county, by securing the location of this institution of learning at our county seat.
The Richmond Herald, the only newspaper published in the county at that time, the publication of which commenced in March, 1852, in a num- ber of able and spirited editorials and articles urged the great importance of this movement, and called upon the people of Ray county to present a liberal subscription to the synod that was to meet at Fulton in the ensu- ing October.
After a thorough canvass the subscription realized from the county was $15,000 in money and ten acres in land within the limits of the city of Richmond. The subscription in money was subsequently increased to $18,000. This was regarded as the best subscription made by any of the contending points.
A delegation of citizens was selected to represent the county, and pre- sent its claims for the location of this institution of learning at Richmond, to the Presbyterian synod of Missouri that was to meet at Fulton, Cal- laway county, Missouri, on Tuesday, October 12, 1852.
The delegation consisted of Dr. George W. Buchanan, Joseph S. Hughes, William Boyce, Dr. Henry C. Garner, James W. Black, and Captain William M. Jacobs.
Reverend David Harbeson, Hon. Austin A. King, who was then governor of Missouri; Hon. E. M. Samuel, of Clay county, Missouri; Reverend T. A. Bracken, and a number of other prominent citizens from western Missouri, were present advocating the claims of Richmond as being the most eligible place for the location of this institution of learning.
The claims of the other contending points were also ably presented, especially those of Fulton and Booneville. Hon. John Jameson, of Cal- laway county, and other prominent citizens,, made the most earnest efforts
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
in behalf of Fulton. Considerable influence was exerted by the citizens in Fulton and vicinity with whom the Presbyterian clergymen were quartered during the session of Synod. The delegation of citizens from Richmond, it is proper to state here, were all quartered at Hackady's hotel and most hospitably entertained, but met with no Presbyterian cler- gymen entertained at this hotel from other portions of the state than western Missouri.
Hon. John G. Miller, then a member of congress from the third district of Missouri, made a most eloquent and impressive speech in favor of Booneville, presenting its claims with great clearness and vigor of thought. The ingenuity of his arguments, in showing that Booneville was the most elegible point for the college, and the most flourishing central city of Mis- souri, was highly complimented by many in the audience.
On taking the vote, after all the contending points had been duly heard, Fulton received a majority of the votes of the synod, and was consequently declared to be the most eligible place for the location of the Presbyterian College. Richmond received a large number of votes, being the only strong contending point against Fulton. Booneville and St. Charles received but a few votes.
The Reverend Hiram P. Goodrich, after the question of the location of the college had been decided, suggested the name, Westminster, as the most appropriate name for the college, which was adopted by the synod.
Considerable disappointment was manifested by the friends of Rich- mond, who had advocated its claims for the location of the college. An effort was therefore soon made by the Presbytery of Upper Missouri, to establish a Presbyterian College at Richmond, Missouri, on the endow -· ment plan from scholarship. Vigorous efforts were at once made to place the projected scheme on a proper basis. The citizens of Ray county agreed to guarantee the building fund of $15,000, and the Presbytery of Upper Missouri to guarantee the endowment fund of $40,000.
The act giving Richmond College its charter of incorporation was passed by the seventeenth general assembly of Missouri, February 23, 1853.
The preamble to the act of incorporation is in the following language:
WHEREAS, The presbytery of Upper Missouri, (O. S.) in view of the rapidly increasing population of that portion of the state, denominated Upper Missouri, and the existing and prospective necessity of educational institutions of a high order, desire to locate, erect and endow, a college of said character, in or near the town of Richmond, in Ray county, to meet said necessities; therefore,
Be it enacted by the general assembly of the state Missouri as follows: That William Dickson, R. S. Symington, A. V. C. Schenck, T. A. Bracken, Robert Scott, I. W. Canfield, J. B. Harbison, James Young, A. H. McFadden, A. W. Hutchins, John G. Taylor, J. B. Slaughter, E. M.
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
Samuel, W. M. Paxton, Robert Sevier, James L. McCoun, R. H. Smith, Robert Clark, D. F. Green, N. Davis, J. R. Allen, and George W. Dunn, shall be, and they and their successors in office, are hereby constituted a body politic and corporate, by the name, "The Trustees of Richmond College."
The first meeting of the board of trustees of Richmond College, was in the city of Richmond, on Thursday, the 29th of December, 1853. The following trustees were present: George W. Dunn, William Dickson, A. V. C. Schenck, Thomas A. Bracken, J. B. Harbison, I. W. Canfield, James L. McCoun, Lewis Green, Nathaniel Davis, George I. Wasson, Robert Sevier (resigned).
Soon after the complete organization of the board of trustees was effected, arrangements were made for building the college. The contract for building it was let to William Hunter, in the year 1856. The site selected for it was in the southern suburbs of the city of Richmond, on a beautiful eminence called College Hill, surrounded by a delightful and inviting "campus."
The work of the building had progressed so far, and was so near com- pletion by September, 1856, that the lower stories could be occupied for the purposes intended by the board of trustees. Richmond College was therefore formally opened in September, 1856, for students. Reverend John L. Yantıs, D. D., a distinguished Presbyterian divine, was duly installed as president of it. Prof. Oliver Cunningham, a teacher of great experience and ability, was selected as professor of languages. Professor Rufus B. Finley, a teacher of high standing, and a thorough mathemati- cian, was chosen for the position of professor of mathematics. There were also assistant teachers in the different departments. The college opened with the most flattering prospects; a large number of students was soon in attendance, and everything connected with this young insti- tution of learning seemed to progress most admirably, in every respect, for about two years. About this time it was ascertained that the resoures and liberality of the presbytery of Upper Missouri had been overesti- mated. The friends of Westminster College, at Fulton, charged a want of good faith, on the part of the presbytery of Upper Missouri, that had been one of the contestants for the synodical college; that having failed in obtaining it, it should have acquiesced in the decision of synod in estab- lishing the college at Fulton, in October, 1852; that it should not have engaged in an enterprise and movement that placed it in an opposing atti- tude to the interests of the synodical college at Fulton. This was the prominent cause of the enthusiasm waning for establishing a Presby- terian College at Richmond, and in a great measure caused the enterprise to give way. It was also ascertained at this time, that the financial scheme for endowing the college from scholarships, was far from being a
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
success, and fell far behind the expectation of the friends of the college. At the end of two years it was found that the fund realized from the endowment plan by scholarships was only $13,000 of the $40,000 prom- ised, and agreed upon. Failing, therefore, to realize a sufficient amount from the endowment fund to meet the annual expenses of the college, and that a debt was rapidly accumulating, the presbytery of Upper Missouri submitted to the board of trustees of Richmond College the proposal that the presbytery would assume the entire indebtedness, not only the debt to the teachers, which had become a considerable one, but to relieve it of indebtedness of every kind, and cancel the guaranty bond of the citizens of Ray county for the building fund of $15,000 for Richmond College, on condition that the guaranty bond of the presbytery of Upper Missouri, for the endowment fund for $40,000, should also be canceled, and the col- lege building revert to the people of Ray county. This proposition was accepted. The agreements were not fully complied with until some years afterward. The presbytery of Upper Missouri relinquished all claim to the college building and grounds, which reverted to the people of Ray county, Missouri.
Some time, however, before this arrangement had been consummated, James R. Allen, of Ray county, had completed the Richmond college edifice, at his own expense, and received the grateful acknowledgments of the synod of upper Missouri in a resolution passed in session at Lex- ington, Missouri, September 29, 1860. The synod of Upper Missouri was organized some time after the presbytery of Upper Missouri had engaged in the work of locating, erecting, and endowing the Richmond college. This explanation is made to show the connection of the synod of Upper Missouri with the Richmond College, and all matters pertain- ing to it.
Some of the original trustees of the college having resigned, the follow ing board of trustees were elected, and classed as required in the charter by the synod of Upper Missouri, at the session held at Lexington, Sep- tember 29, 1860: First class, composed of Judge George W. Dunn, Rev. Robert Scott, George I. Wasson, Lewis Green, and Rev. Ralph Harris; second class, Rev. I. Canfield, Dr. B. A. Rives, Preston Dunlap, James Fur- guson, and A. W. Hutchins; third class, Benjamin J. Brown, Geo. W. Buchanan, D. F. Green, Rev. D. Coulter, D. D., and Dr. I. M. Keith, any seven of which to constitute a quorum.
After it was ascertained that Richmond College could no longer be sustained on account of the reasons already mentioned, private schools were organized, and taught in the college building, one by Rufus W. Fin- ley, and one by George B. Turner. These schools were well patronized, and admirably conducted, until the spring of 1861, when the blast of " grim-visaged war" was heard in the land, they ceased to exist.
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
Richmond College building from the commencement of the great civil war until its close, instead of being the temple of learning, the home of star-eyed science, became, from necessity, a fortress bristling with bayo- nets, and arrayed in all the fierce panoply of war.
From 1862 till 1865 large bodies of troops were quartered in it at dif- „ferent times, and as a natural consequence the injuries it sustained were considerable. As soon as practicable after the close of the war, repairs were made to the college building by the board of trustees, and it was put in as good condition, if not better, than it was before the commencement of the war. In September, 1867, a tier of lots on the east and west sides of the col- lege ground, extending entirely across it from north to south, was sold, in accordance with legal process, and the amount realized from said sale was appropriated to the liquidation of a portion of the debt against the trustees of the college building. James R. Allen instituted suit against the trustees of Richmond College, in 1862, in Ray county circuit court, for the amount of money advanced by him to complete the college build- ing in the year 1858, but dying before the suit was determined, the admin- istrators were substituted as plaintiffs in the case. Failing to obtain judgment in the circuit court, the cause was appealed to the 5th district court of Missouri, held at St. Joseph, Missouri, and on being heard, resulted in a reversal of the judgment of the Ray county circuit court.
This claim was afterward fully satisfied by the trustees of the college.
Public schools were taught in the college building in 1867, by B. F. Winfrey, Mrs. Hannah Cunningham and others.
In 1868 one session of school was taught in it by Prof. J. W. Lewis, Prof. B. F. Winfrey and Mrs. Hannah Cunningham and assistant teachers.
In September, 1868, Rev. Samuel J. Huffaker opened a high school in the college building, for the co-ordinate education of male and female pupils. The faculty for the collegiate year of this school, from 1868 to 1869, were as follows: Rev. S. J. Huffaker, principal and teacher in the several schools; Lafayette W. Groves, professor of ancient languages, and assistant teacher in the several schools; Frank G. Gibson, professor of pure and mixed mathematics, French, and assistant in the several schools ; Miss Mattie Steele, mistress of primary school; Miss Docia Smith, assis- tant in library school; Miss Ruth B. Colgan, principal of music school.
College home, Mrs. S. J. Huffaker and S. J. Huffaker.
The board of trustees at this time, 1868 to 1869, were: Judge G. W. Dunn, president; Dr. W. W. Mosby, C. T. Garner, Esq., G. I. Wasson, Esq., treasurer; Judge Walter King, Joseph S. Hughes, Esq., J. C. Cates Esq.
In the year 1869, the presbytery of Upper Missouri, relinquished all claim to the college building and grounds in compliance with an agree-
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
meant that had been previously made. The college building and grounds therefore reverted to the people of Ray county.
Teachers in Richmond College in scholastic year from 1869 to 1870: Samuel J. Huffaker, principal; Lafayette W. Groves, professor of lan- guages; Frank G. Gibson, professor of mathematics; Mrs. F. M. Pritch- ard, mistress of primary school; Miss Ruth B. Colgan, principal of music school.
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