History of Saline County, Missouri, Part 49

Author: Missouri Historical Company, St. Louis, pub
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: St. Louis, Missouri historical company
Number of Pages: 1008

USA > Missouri > Saline County > History of Saline County, Missouri > Part 49

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).

During the war it suffered severely from the ravages of the evil-disposed of both sides. The guerrilla chief, Quantrell, visited the township at least twice. Bill Anderson, Blunt, and Yager made frequent incursions into the township. Anderson crossed the river just above the town upon the occasion when he went to Huntsville, Randolph county, and plundered the town and the county treasury of about $30,000. This was in June, 1864. The Federal militia were constantly passing through the township, and Gen. Pleasonton's cavalry returned from the pursuit of Price along its main roads running east and west. Some of the tragedies happening in this township are given elsewhere.

445

HISTORY OF SALINE COUNTY.

ANTI-HORSE-THIEF SOCIETY.

For some years after the war closed, Saline county horses would dis- appear from their stables and enclosures; no matter how strongly or vigi- ilantly guarded. Horse-stealing became at last so frequent and intolerable that no man's horse was safe, and the people of Miami township determ- ined to find some remedy for an evil that was growing worse every day. They therefore, in 1875, organized what was, and is still known as the "anti-horse-thief society of Miami township." Nearly all the able-bodied property holders in the township, belonged to this organization, subscribed a financial fund, and pledged themselves that whenever the signal of a horse stolen from one of its members was given, they would pursue both horse and thief until the one was recaptured, and the other brought to justice. Since the organization of this society, the crime of hsrse-stealing has greatly decreased in the county as well as in Miami township. For a time, a number of horses were taken from Miami township, but all of them, except one, were recovered by the association, and now the disappearance of a horse from that township is a rare occurrence. The gentlemen so devoted to horse flesh that they cannot resist their craving for every good horse they see, have abandoned this township for other and less danger- ous fields. Long may this society live and prosper.

THE TOWN OF MIAMI.

The incorporated town of Miami is one of the oldest in the county, and one with a most interesting history. It was formerly called Greenville, and at one time aspired to be the county seat. From a printed sketch the following history has been adapted:

The site of the town of Miami was entered in the year 1833, by Henry Ferrill, one of the pioneers of Saline county. In 1836 he established a ferry, and in 1838 he laid out the town, which was known as Greenville until 1843, when it was changed to Miami. The broad-axe and whip-saw prepared all the building material used in the community until 1838, when a steam saw-mill enabled the good people to indulge in the luxury of plank . houses.

The first start toward business was a hewed log warehouse on the levee, and the first crop of hemp shipped was that of P. Y. Irvine, Esq., shipped by J. J. Ferrill in 1840. The first merchant was Singleton Vaughn.

Gradually the little village grew in population and in business to meet the requirements of the country. Hemp became the great staple of the county, and, in 1860, Saline was the great hemp-growing region of the west. Being the principal shipping point, Miami shared the notoriety and the prosperity, reaching a population of about 800.

The war came on, and the industry of the entire county was totally prostrated. For four long years there was a general retrogression.

After the close of the war a decided change took place in the agricul- tural products of the county. More attention was given to the raising o

446

HISTORY OF SALINE COUNTY.

corn and stock; and wheat, which had never been extensively cultivated, gradually took the place of hemp.

For several years it was thought that Saline soil was not well adapted to the growth of wheat, but experience has corrected the error. The crop of last year (1873) was not only large, but the quality was the very best sent to the St. Louis market.

Though her productions and resources are many and varied, it is for corn and stock that Saline has become most famous; and Miami gets a large share of the shipments. During the year 1873 there were over one thousand car-loads of stock crossed at Miami, and shipped on the St. Louis, Kansas City & Northern Railroad; besides a large number shipped by river.

Extensive deposits of coal and the best building stone in the state (the White Rock quarry), in the immediate neighborhood, and the matchless fertility of the soil of the Missouri valley, make Miami one of the most convenient and desirable points in central Missouri for the establishment of manufactories of various kinds, on a large scale, such as farming imple- ments, wagon, and all various articles required by the people, which can be manufactured to much better advantage when the producer and con- sumer live near together. Every branch of trade and industry is well represented, and no point in the country offers greater inducements to · farmers, either for the purchase of their produce, or for the sale of such articles as they have to buy. The public school is one of the largest and best in this part of the state, and the citizens take great interest and pride in it.

· The savings bank has a capital of $50,000, the unpaid portion of which is secured by real estate, thus giving to depositors a security rarely offered.

The business of the town is good at present, and the prospect for the future is flattering.

THE CHURCHES OF MIAMI.

Although at one time there was a great deal of immorality in the town of Miami, now no place of its size in the country has more of quietude of manners and orderly behavior and conduct. There are many churches and church-going people, and the morals of the community are well looked after, and are of a high character.

THE M. E. CHURCH, SOUTH.

The present organization of this church was established in 1854. The original members were Mother Ferril, James Isbell and two daughters, Wm. S. Brown and wife, Wm. Eustace, R. R. Cruzen and wife, N. Perry and wife, Mrs. Music, Mrs. Eustace, Mrs. Martin and others. The pastors have been Wm. Protsman, Thomas Finney, J. R. Bennett, -- Peterson, John Shackelford, Wm. Compton, Wm. Wharton, John Wood- ridge, W. J. Brown, Luke Pulliam, W. H. Woodward, M. Adkinson, Wm. B. McFarland, P. Phillips, J. A. Murphy, B. Margeson, and J. T. Perry. The number of members at present is 85. The first church building of this church was destroyed during the war, in 1864. The second was built of brick, at a cost of $6,500, and was finished in 1872.

447

HISTORY OF SALINE COUNTY.

CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

The Christian Church of Miami was organized in 1850 or 1851. The orig- inal members were N. S. Robertson, Emily Robertson, Jno. Robertson, Wm. Thomas and wife, F. Robertson, W. C. Monroe and wife, P. Maupin and wife, M. Moberly and wife, - Erwin and wife, Wm. Erwin, S. Pemberton and wife, Eliza Moberly, Mary Stevenson, Susan Clement. The pastors have been Elder Flint, J. W. McGarvey, Thos. P. Holey, (or Halsey) Wm. H. Robinson, Dr. W. T. Jordan, T. N. Gaines, Samuel McDaniel, H. M. Dale, and Geo. Plattenburg. The number of present membership is 170. The present church building, which is a frame, was built in 1854, at a cost of about $3,000. In connection with the church is a flourishing Sabbath-school, of about 65 members, which was organ- ized in 1866.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.

This is the oldest church organization in the town, being organized November 20, 1849. The records say:

"At the request of sundry members of the United Baptist Church, the following persons resolved themselves into a council on Tuesday, the 20th day of November, 1849, to determine in relation to the propriety of con- stituting a church in the town of Miami, Saline county, Missouri, -to-wit: Elders R. Y. Thompson, Wm. C. Ligon, and Deacons Wm. Graves and R. E. McDaniel. After an appropriate sermon by Elder Wm. C. Ligon, from Ephesians 2:20 and 22, the following brethren and sisters presented testimonials satisfactory to the council that they were members of the United Baptist Church, in good standing: Elder W. C. Batchelor, Win- son Rice, C. W. Pendleton, W. H. Cunningham, Ann P. Rice, Lucy V. Haynie, Catherine Strother, Elizabeth Graham, Eliza Campbell, Nancy Batchelor, and Judith Haynie."

Elder Bachelor was the first pastor. He preached for the congrega- tion some three months, when he was succeeded by the Rev. W. M. Bell, who served seven years. The other pastors have been A. P. Williams, John H. Luther, A. P. Williams, G. W. Rodgers, E. Horne, J. C. Arm- strong, G. W. Hatcher. The present membership is 193.

The deacons have been W. Rice, A. Wheeler, E. W. Lewis, C. W. Pendleton, N. J. Smith, C. C. Booth, and J. C. Scott. The clerks, W. J. Cunningham, L. B. Harwood, D. H. Lindsey, N. J. Smith, and W. H. Wheeler.

The first church building was a frame, erected in 1852, and erected by the congregation. Afterwards, in 1857, it was improved greatly, making the total cost of the building, about $2,700. During the war this house was occupied by the Federal militia, who enclosed it with a stockade. In the summer of 1864, two Confederate bushwhackers, taking advantage

44S

HISTORY OF SALINE COUNTY.

of the absence of the Federal troops, set it on fire and it was burned to the ground. The present church was built in 1866, and dedicated in December of that year, by Rev. W. M. Bell. It cost about $4,000.

There is a flourishing Sabbath-school of 150 scholars connected with this church.

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

A number of members of the Episcopal church, namely, John G. Guthrie, Henry Boyer and John H. Boyer, with their wives and others, effected a church organization of their denomination, about the year 1870. This organization is called Grace Church Missionary Station. It has no church building. Services are and have been held in a hall, belong- ing to John G. Guthrie, who fitted it up with the necessary furniture for church use. The pastors have been Rev. Dr. Samuels and Rev. M. L. Woodruff. Services are held monthly. Present membership, 20. Mr. John G. Guthrie, the chief supporter of this church, it is claimed, has contributed more than any other man towards the erection of churches and the furtherance of church work in Saline county.

AFRICAN M. E. CHURCH.

This church was temporarily organized by Sylvester Dines, a local preacher, about the year 1866. As none of the members could read or write, no records were then kept. In 1870, the A. M. E. conference sent Rev. Wm. G. Rhinehart, as pastor. The original members were Jacob and Hannah Brown, Mary McFadden, Adeline Hobson and Rosa Adams. The colored Baptists and Methodists worshipped in a house owned by both denominations, until 187S. In 1879, the members of this church erected a church building, a frame, at a cost of about $600, which will be dedicated the present season. Besides Rev. Rhinehart, the pastors of this church have been G. W. Thatcher, John R. Loving, S. W. Bird and G. W. Guy. Jacob Brown, one of the first trustees, is still living at the age of 78. The present membership is 49.

SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH (COLORED).

This church was organized in the spring of 1868. James Thomas and York Brown were the first trustees. Names of the first members have not been ascertained. The pastors have been Ephraim Jenkins, Hardin Smith, Wm. P. Brooks, and J. W. Crustion. The first church was erected in 1876. It is a frame, and cost $1,500. It was dedicated the present season. The present membership is 150. There is a Sabbath-school in connection, which is in a prosperous condition. Preaching, twice a month; prayer meeting, every week. The church is out of debt, and has a cemetery in the church-yard, two acres in extent, which was donated to the church by Rev. W. M. Bell. As previously stated, this congregation at first worshipped with the colored Methodists.

449

HISTORY OF SALINE COUNTY.

The Old School Presbyterians had a congregation organized in Miami, in 1847, by Rev. Geary Hickman. They built a church the same year, the only one in the place for a number of years. In 1867 the church was reorganized by Rev. Nall. A new church was completed in 1876.

CIVIC SOCIETIES.

PALESTINE CHAPTER, NO. 69, R. A. M.

The first organization of this chapter was effected in October, 1871. The charter members were L. Fry, Vance Bell, J. H. Eakin, H. Mer- tens, D. F. Bell, Rev. J. B. Hamner, T. S. Akerman, Jno. Elder, C. P. Bondurant, and G. W. Rogers. The chapter holds its meetings in the Masonic hall, a brick building, costing from $1,500 to $1,800. The pres- ent officers are: D. F. Bell, H. P .; J. W. Robertson, king; Wm. H. Morris, scribe; A. A. Wheeler, C. of H .; L. Fry, P. S .; A. J. Casebolt, R. A. C .; Geo. Burrus, M. of 3d V .; T. S. Akerman, M. of 2d V .; B. B. Berry, M. of 1st V .; G. N. Hill, guard. The number of members is twenty-four, one of whom is a Knight Templar.

I. O. O. F.

Miami Lodge, No. 198, I. O. O. F., was organized October 14, 1868, by W. H. Plunkett, district deputy grand master. The charter members were: R. P. Edgington, N. G .; J. M. Stone, V. G .; J. Greenebaum, secretary; John Martin, treasurer; Stephen Wheeler, W. O. Smith, H. Mertins, W. W. Jenkins, Dr. A. A. Wheeler, and D. S. Kinson. The lodge meets in a brick hall, which was built in 1876, at a cost of $1,600. The present officers are: Joseph Wilson, N. G .; F. Miles, V. G .; J. A. Jessup, P. S .; A. Koyar, Jr., secretary; Henry Mertins, treasurer; John Martin, warden. Present membership, forty-two; number of past grands, fifteen.

I. O. G. T.

Miami Lodge, No. 467, Independent Order of Good Templars, was organized November 5, 1880. The original members were: C. W. Pen- dleton, Rev. J. T. Perry, David Vaughan, Rob't Ruxton, J. G. Ball, G. W. Carpenter, C. Portman, F. Snelling, Prof. J. B. Tate, Dr. A. A. Wheeler, and thirty-eight others. The lodge, for the present, occupies the Odd Fellows' hall. The present membership is eighty. Present offi- cers are: P. W. C. T., G. W. Carpenter; W. C. T., David Vaughan; W. V. T., Miss A. M. Hawkins; chaplain, Rob't Ruxton; secretary, W. T. Burns; assistant secretary, Miss Janie Robinson; treasurer, Miss Mary Zea. Number of members at present, eighty.

A. O. U. W.

Brook Lodge, No. 79, Ancient Order of United Workmen, was organ- ized in October, 1878, with the following members: A. L. Wheeler, W. 29

450

HISTORY OF SALINE COUNTY.

A. Marshall, W. Parish, Hy. Burruss, R. S. Ireland, J. L. Burruss, J. Greenebaum, Lee Hughes, G. R. McDaniel, A. R. Edmonds, D. B. Col- trane, Isham Roberts, J. B. Moberly. The Odd Fellows' hall is used in which to meet. The number of members at present is 42. The present officers are Hy. Burruss, P. M. W .; A. R. Edmonds, M. W .; Flournoy Snelling, G. F .; A. L. Wheeler, Overseer; D. F. Bell, Recorder; John Burns, Receiver; H. P. Eakle, Financier; John Higgins, Guide; G. R. McDaniel, I. W.

A. F & A. M. (COLORED.)

Mount Moriah Lodge, No. 10, A. F. & A. M., colored, was organized June 3, 1874, by Wm. R. Lawton, G. M. The original members were G. W. Thatcher, W. M .; F. Booker, S. W .; Thos. Green, J. W .; Monroe Booker, Treasurer; Thomas Booker, Secretary, and twenty-two others. A hall was purchased in the year 1877, at a cost of $300. The present officers are R. R. Pool, W. M .; Thomas Williams, S. W .; H. Tolliver, J. W .; James Beason, Treasurer; A. D. Johnson, Secretary. Number of members, eighteen, a falling off of nine from the original number.

ELECTA COURT,

No. 17, was organized February 27th, 1880, by G. W. Guy, Grand Lec- turer. The officers are Mrs. V. E. Guy, M. A. M .; James Beason, W. J .; Mrs. Mary Pool, Treasurer; Mrs. C. B. Crushon, Secretary.

THE MIAMI SAVINGS BANK

was formerly a private institution, owned and operated by J. H. Eakin and L. J. Hamner, and was established in 1869. In 1874 it was purchased by a stock company and organized under its present name and charter, with a capital stock of $50,000. I. C. Withers, president; L. J. Hamner, cashier; B. F. McDaniels, secretary. The present president is J. G. Guth- rie; L. J. Hamner, cashier, and W. H. Wheeler, secretary. The first five years the bank declared 120 per cent. dividends. The bank has never lost a cent, which, says the cashier, is not so much due to the management as to the solvency of its patrons.

THE MIAMI MILLS.

The Miami mills were established in 1871, by Guthrie, Holloway & Keller. They are now owned by J. G. Guthrie. The capacity is one hundred and fifty barrels of flour per day. They are situated on the bank of the Missouri river, and have all the latest and best class of machinery. The mill proper, is 34x45 feet, has four stories and a warehouse 45x100 feet, two stories high.

THE A. C. BIRD.

The steam packet, A. C. Bird, was built in 1877, at Grafton, Illinois, for the Burruss Bros., of Miami, at a cost of $16,000. Her regular run was

451

HISTORY OF SALINE COUNTY.

on the Missouri river, from De Witt to Waverly, fifteen miles, which was made tri-weekly. The railroad pool forced her out in April, 1880. She then went to La Crosse, Wisconsin, for lumber for Kansas City market. After this trip she ran independent from Waverly to St. Louis for a while; and then entered the "Star Line." On her second trip she sank at Lib- erty landing, below Kansas City. She has always been commanded by Capt. George Burruss, who was on her when she sank.

THE BRUCE CARRIAGE FACTORY

was founded in August, 1858, by C. G. Bruce, and is owned and oper- ated by him now. All kinds and styles of carriages, buggies, etc., are here manufactured. Four hands are constantly employed, and about $6,000 worth of work done annually. It is the intention of the proprietor to increase its capacity to $10,000 during the present year.

THE SALINE COUNTY AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL ASSOCIATION was incorporated at Miami March 3, 1857, and located one quarter of a mile southeast of Miami, and occupies fifteen acres of land. The first president was ex.Gov. M. M. Marmaduke. The eighteenth fair was held in 1880. Its present officers are John Burruss, president; A. R. Edmonds, secretary. This association has been of great benefit in developing the agricultural interests of Saline county.

THE PEOPLE'S MILL

at Miami, was built for a distillery, in 1866, by Purcell & Co., and was used for that purpose about one year, when it was seized by the Govern- ment, and sold to Van Meter & Shaughnessy. They converted it into a ftouring mill and operated it until 1875. In 1881 it was purchased by Smith & Lemon, and refitted with new and improved machinery. It has a capacity of one hundred barrels per day.

THE MIAMI TELEPHONE

was established June 1, 1880, and was built by the citizens of Miami. The office is in the drug store of A. R. Edmonds. The line runs from Miami to Miami Station, on the W., St. L. & P. R. R., a little over two miles across the river, and is now in connection with the Western Union Telegraph Co. A continuation of the line to Marshall was effected the present year.

THE MIAMI LIVERY AND SALE STABLES

owned and operated by Robertson Bros., average about twenty head of horses, with a large number of carriages, buggies, &c. They ship about twenty car loads of horses and mules per annum.

452

HISTORY OF SALINE COUNTY.

THE FREE STATE SETTLEMENT.

There was once a settlement about seven miles east of Miami, in Saline county, called "The Free State." In 1840 there was a dance in the "Free State." The " boys" of Miami-and among them the county sur- veyor, A. M. Brown,-went to the dance. The Miami " boys" were too " solid" with the " Free State" girls to suit their country sweethearts. So to get even with them, the country fellows shaved all their horses' tails, and turned the saddles so that when they mounted, their faces would be to the horses' tails. Brown's horse was well tarred and turned loose. He strayed away and was taken the next day. In order to advertise the stray it was necessary to appraise him. Brown, as it happened, was one of the appraisers, and put the price at a nominal sum. Some weeks after, as he was passing, he saw the horse, now cleaned off-and had to prove his property.

JUDGE FERRIL'S "BUSHWHACKERS."

Amid all the gloom and horrors of the civil war in Missouri, many . amusing incidents happened that do to laugh over now. During the war, when guerrilla bands had become prevalent, Justice Ferril, of Miami, was suddenly awakened one dark night by a loud knocking on his door. Of course he was satisfied at once that the " bushwhackers" had him, and trembling in every limb, he hurried down without waiting to dress. It proved to be only a couple who wished to be married immediately, and who were in so great a hurry, that they would not wait for him to dress -so he married them then and there, sans coat, sans vest, sans boots and trousers, and they went on their way rejoicing. He also went rejoicing back to bed.

RIOT IN MIAMI, IN 1867.

The following is the account of the killing of Thos. Elson, alluded to elsewhere in this history, as given by citizens of Miami:

On Sunday, March 17, 1867, Wm. Elson, Lewis Elson, Thos. Elson and Jas, Burnsides, who had been members of the state militia, and lived about two miles from Miami, came into Miami, and galloped around town, firing their revolvers at every negro they saw wearing gray clothes, and swear- ing that the same were rebels. A good number of the negroes were wearing Confederate clothes, given them by returned soldiers. In the afternoon, one of them fired at a negro entering the hotel of Mr. Snelling. Snelling came to the door, and demanded why they were shooting in his yard? One of them replied, "We will shoot you," and fired at him, hit- ting the door casing, and glancing, came very near to Mr. Snelling. This was a little too much! Snelling gathered up his gun and fired at William Elson, and missing him, knocked him down with the gun, and received a ball from Thomas Ellis, in his gunstock. By this time the citizens were

453

HISTORY OF SALINE COUNTY.

all aroused, and turned out in force. They soon put the ex-militia to flight. In the pursuit, Thomas Elson was killed. The coroner's jury returned a verdict of " killed by a shot fired by J. A. Saufley." Saufley was tried before a justice, and immediately acquitted. Lewis and Wm. Elson were arrested for disturbing the peace, and held to bail in the sum of $500 each.

" THE BLACK FLAG."

In April, 1865, not long after the assassination of President Lincoln, the town of Miami was, for a few minutes, thrown into the greatest conster- nation and alarm. The news of the murder had reached the place, and there came also the report that the Federals were incensed beyond meas- ure and restraint, and were taking fearful vengeance upon the Confeder- ates and their sympathizers, whom they believed to be, directly or indi- rectly, the accomplices of John Wilkes Booth. A few parties in Miami had been heard to exult over the murder, or at least had not been heard to express any regrets, and the report was generally current that the militia were about to visit the town and put to the sword, summarily and without exception, every adult male not known to be a Federal or an active Federal sympathizer. Just at this moment a steamboat was seen coming up the river crowded with Federal soldiers and with a black flag floating from the jack-staff ! God help the poor men of Miami now! To flee to the country was to run the risk of meeting the militia, and there seemed no way of escape. It is said that many men actually betook themselves to their prayers, and made preparations to pass through the the dark valley and shadow. The boat landed at the wharf. It was draped in black from stem to stern. A band of soldiers, grim and threat- ening, left the boat, marched silently and ominously up into town, and- while every citizen listened with bated breath for the work of carnage and slaughter to begin,-bought some crackers and cheese, paid for them, and returned to the boat! It was explained that the boat had been draped by her officers, and was merely in mourning for the " Martyr President." The boat with her cargo, soon steamed away for Lexington, and the peo- ple came forth into the streets again-some from cellars, some from hay- mows, some from other hiding places often occupied before, and all the people breathed deep breaths of great relief.

FAIRVILLE.

The town of Fairville was laid off by Col. John B. Brown, in 1856. On its site he established an academy and boarding-house. In 1869 a sale of lots was made by J. D. Edwards. During the war the people of the sur- rounding country were intensely southern in their sentiments and sympa- thies, and furnished a large number of troops for the Confederate army. A secession flag was raised in the town in 1861. It was near this place that Capt. Ed. Brown was murdered by the Federal militia. Detach-

454

HISTORY OF SALINE COUNTY.

ments of the armies of both sides frequently passed through the little hamlet.

The first Baptist Church of Fairville was organized in the spring of 1875, by Rev. W. M. Bell, of Miami. The number of original members was about fifty. A church building was erected the same year. The first pastor was Rev. J. B. Dodson. Present membership is about seventy- five.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Saline County, Missouri, Part 49

Author: Missouri Historical Company, St. Louis, pub Publication date: 1881 Publisher: St. Louis, Missouri historical company Number of Pages: 1008

Author: Missouri Historical Company, St. Louis, pub
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: St. Louis, Missouri historical company
Number of Pages: 1008