USA > Missouri > St Charles County > History of St. Charles, Montgomery, and Warren counties, Missouri, written and comp. from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri > Part 103
USA > Missouri > Montgomery County > History of St. Charles, Montgomery, and Warren counties, Missouri, written and comp. from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri > Part 103
USA > Missouri > Warren County > History of St. Charles, Montgomery, and Warren counties, Missouri, written and comp. from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri > Part 103
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THE OLD LOG CABIN.
In these days the abode of the settler was indeed of a primitive character. The first to arrive were obliged to erect flimsy and un- reliable structures, out of poles and bark, very similar in looks to the
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
Indian bark huts that preceded them. As assistance came, however, in the natural order of things, the " men folks " assembled and erected the log cabins that before many years could be found scattered through the country. The days of the kitchen range were then far beyond the dreams of even the most sanguine housewife, who was content to do her boiling and roasting over the open fire of an old- fashioned broad chimney, which also warmed and lighted the dark recesses of the cabin. The furniture of the cabin was crude and un- weildy, generally the work of the people themselves.
Formality in visiting was looked up as a positive sign of unfriend- liness, and neighbors and strangers always found the latch string hanging out to welcome them to the hospitable cordiality of a race of men and women who have, unhappily, been forced to abdicate before the latter-day infringements of fashionable life and the rules of es- tablished etiquette. In after years the saw mills made it possible to erect more shapely and comfortable residences, but the old log house yet possesses a singular charm for the people who passed their youth beneath the friendly shelter of its protecting roof.
It may be said with truth that the pioneers " lived on the fat of the the land." A meal in one of these aboriginal homes carried with it an assurance of plenty to eat, and a guarantee that the torments of dyspepsia would not follow the indulgence of a hearty appetite. The bone and muscle of a generation of rugged and sinewy men and women have had its foundation, and their descendants of to-day may con- gratulate themselves upon the primitive yet sensible ideas of their forefathers.
In those days stated preaching was a rare thing, although the set- tlers were as a class religious and firm believers in the teachings of the Bible. It was the custom to hold fast by the old traditional Bible reading and family prayer, and the rustic surroundings had a natural tendency to create feelings of love and veneration for the Creator of all things.
To the mind of people raised in the atmosphere of elegant houses, convenient surroundings, rapid transportation and all modern appliances for the comfort, education and pleasure of mankind, there is nothing particularly charming in the details of pioneer life, yet there now liv- ing many people, who have been obliged to keep pace with the march of civilization, who do not hesitate to assert that the old days were the best days, and that notwithstanding the modern notions of what constitute comfort, they look with pleasure upon the time when the log cabin satisfied them with its pleasant yet primitive homeliness
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
Tender memories of youthful days spent amidst the attractions that nature affords, of courtships freed from the exactions of modern society, of houses where love alone developed the beauties of pure character, and where the Golden Rule was the foundation of all equity as between man and man; these and freedom from dissension and jealously, are considerations not to be forgotten.
The primitive homes and customs of the people were in keeping with the tools with which they labored to clear off the timber and locate the many rich farms that now dot the surface of the county. Steam threshing machines, combined reapers and mowers and cast steel plows were beyond anticipation at this time.
The present generation of farmers have no conception of the methods pursued by their forefathers, and if put to the test of using the machinery of these early times, the attractions of farming would be extremely few, and rarely courted.
Fashion knew no votaries among the unassuming people of that day ; the simple tastes of scattered settlers requiring nothing but plain, cheap and serviceable materials. These were the halycon days of the old-fashioned jeans cloth, and to this day, in many localities, home-made suits of this material are the rule. Then the spinning- wheel was as necessary as bread ; every mother taught her daughter to use it, and out of the product of the wheel whole families were dressed in suits upon which no duties had been paid, and under which happy hearts beat with the satisfaction that follow honest personal exertion ; and the knoweldge that to their own resources was 'due their happiness, was as satisfactory as it was pleasant to these thrifty and independent pioneers.
In January, 1833, by act of the State Legislature, as has been pre- viously stated, Warren county was formally set off from Montgomery county, and the boundaries of the new county regularly surveyed and established. This brought with it the necessity of permanent county organization, which was immediately agitated. In the following May the first session of the county court of Warren county was held, and from the well-preserved records of the county is given the following verbatim report of its proceedings : -
THE COUNTY COURT.
STATE OF MISSOURI, COUNTY OF WARREN : At the May term of the county court, in and for said county, A. D. 1833. Be it remembered that on this 20th day of May, it being the third Monday of said month, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three, personally appears at the house of Mordecai Morgan -
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
the place appointed for holding the county court in and for said county - Thomas N. Graves, Tilman Cullom and Morgan Bryan, Esquires, justices of said court, and by their order Absalom Hays, Esquire, sheriff of said county of Warren, opens court by making public proclamation thereof at the door of said house.
It is ordered by the court that Tilman Cullom, Esquire, be ap- pointed president of this court.
It is ordered by the court that the appointment of Walter Dillon, as deputy clerk, by Carty Wells, clerk of this court, be sanctioned and confirmed ; whereupon the said Walter Dillon appeared in open court and took the oath required by law.
It is ordered by the court that the clerk of this court issue 12 mer- chants' licenses and four peddlers' licenses, and deliver the same to the collector of this county.
Frederick Griswold applied for a license to keep a tavern at Pinck- ney in this county, which is granted, and it is ordered by the court that the tax imposed on said license be $15.
Walter Dillon applied for a license to keep a tavern at Hickory Grove in this county, which is granted, and it is ordered by the court that the tax imposed on said license be $12.
James Pitzer is appointed county surveyor for the county of Warren, and it is ordered by the court that the clerk certify said ap- pointment to the Governor.
It is ordered by the court that the county of Warren be divided into townships with the following boundaries, to wit : All that terri- tory within the following boundaries shall compose the township of Charrette : Beginning at the Missouri river where the fifth principal meridian crosses said river, thence running north with said meridian to the corners of sections 12 and 13, in township 46, range 1 west, thence due west to the township line dividing ranges 2 and 3, thence south with said line to the Missouri river, thence down the channel of said river to the beginning.
All that territory within the following boundaries shall compose the township of Elkhorn: Beginning at the corner of Charrette township at the meridian and running north to the Lincoln county line, thence with said line to the line dividing ranges 2 and 3, thence south to the corner of Charrette township and the line of said town- ship to the beginning.
All that territory within the following boundaries shall compose the township of Pinckney : Beginning at the Missouri river on the line dividing ranges 2 and 3, thence running north to the south-east corner of township 47, range 3 west, thence west with the town- ship and range line, dividing sections 4 and 5, thence south to the channel of the Missouri river, thence with said channel to the be- ginning.
And all that territory bounded as follows shall compose the town- ship of Camp Branch : Embracing all the territory west of the range line dividing sections 2 and 3, and north of the range line divid- ing townships 46 and 47, in ranges 3 and 4.
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
It is ordered by the court that the following places be designated as the place for holding elections in the several townships of said county, to-wit : In the township of Charrette, elections to be held at Marthasville. In the township of Elkhorn, elections shall be held at the house of Grief Stewart. In the township of Camp Branch, elections shall be held at the house of Nicholas C. Kablers. In the township of Pinckney, elections shall be held at the house of Tilman Cullom.
It is ordered that the following named persons be appointed judges of elections in the township of Charrette, to wit : John McGaw, Jared Erwin and John S. Wyatt ; and it is further ordered that they be no- tified of their appointment.
It is ordered by the court that Newton Howell, John Preston and William Langford be appointed judges of elections in the township of Elkhorn ; and it is further ordered that they be served with a copy of this order.
It is ordered by the court that Capt. John Wyatt, John B. Carter and Hugh A. Skinner be appointed judges of elections in the town- ship of Pinckney ; and it is further ordered that they be served with a copy of this order.
It is ordered by the court that Cornelius Howard, John Ferguson and Philip Glover be appointed judges of elections in the township of Camp Branch ; and it is further ordered that they be served with a copy of this order.
It is ordered by the court that Lewis L. Wyatt be appointed con- stable of Charrette township.
It is ordered by the court that Lawrie Williams be appointed con- stable of Elkhorn township.
It is ordered by the court that Hugh McDaniel be appointed con- stable of Pinckney township.
Ordered that court adjourn " till " 9 o'clock to-morrow morning. (Signed ) TILMAN CULLOM.
On the second day, Tuesday, May 21, 1833, it was ordered that the temporary seat of justice for the county be at the house of John Wyatt, Sr., and that the regular sessions of the courts be held there until otherwise provided by law.
Absalom Hays presented his bond and securities as county collector of the county, which were duly approved.
The following were recommended to the Governor as suitable per- sons to fill the office of justice of the peace for the newly organized townships : -
Charrette : Jared Erwin, James Hughes and Henry E. Welch.
Elkhorn : Edward Pleasant, Parker Dudley, Benoi McClure and Stephen Ellis.
Camp Branch : Philip Glover, Nathaniel Pendleton and James W. Taylor.
Pinckney : Bestan Callihan and Larkin G. Carter.
Abihee A. Williams was taxed $5 to operate a grocery store at the house of Caleb Williams.
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
William Hancock, William Logan, Lawson Thurman, Moses Ed- wards, Samuel Morris, John Tice and John Butler were appointed road supervisors.
During the third and last day of the session, the following sugges- tive orders were made and recorded on the minute book : -
It is ordered by the court that a patrol be appointed in Charrette township, consisting of James Bland, captain ; and N. Tomlinson, Daniel B. Callaway and Delaney Burnet, privates, under the direc- tion and control of said captain, the said patrol to continue in office one year, and to patrol not less than 24 hours in each month.
In Elkhorn township, a similar patrol was appointed, consisting of Elisha Elliott, captain ; and Lewis Daniel and Henry B. Graves, privates.
At this time the owners of slaves were somewhat harassed by the actions of neighbors who were opposed to the traffic, and fearing that assistance would be rendered runaway slaves in their efforts to secure their freedom, these patrols were selected to keep a constant lookout for escaping negroes, and to disperse all gatherings of the colored people. It is said that the patrolmen were ordered to arrest and prosecute any and all strangers found conversing with slaves. The regularly selected officers were court officials, clothed with legal power, and they did not hesitate to exercise their authority.
Among the early transactions of the court, to wit: At the special term, held in August, 1833, at the house of John Wyatt, is found the following order : -
William James filed a paper setting forth an improper assess- ment of a negro slave belonging to him, the said James, valued at $300, and upon full examination of the premises, and mature delib- eration therein being had, it is considered that the said James be released from the payment of tax on said slave, and that he be cred- ited with the amount charged by the said assessment.
THE CIRCUIT COURT.
From the records of the county were taken the following verbatim account of the proceedings of the first session of the circuit court of Warren county :
STATE OF MISSOURI, COUNTY OF WARREN.
At the May term of the court in and for said county.
Be it remembered that on this ninth day of May, it being the first Thursday after the first Monday of said month, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred aud thirty-three, personally
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
appears at the house of Mordecai Morgan, the place appointed for holding the circuit court in and for said county of Warren, the Hon. Priestly B. McBride, judge of the second judicial district in and for said State, and the judge of the circuit court aforesaid, and by his order Absalom Hays, sheriff of said county of Warren, opens court by making proclamation thereof at the door of said house, and also returns here into court the following panel to serve as grand jurors at the present term of this court, to wit : Thomas Talbot, who is ap- pointed foreman, Grief Stewart, Samuel Dokerty, Benoni McClure, Andrew J. Lang, Isaac Kent, Jr., William Cameron, James Miller, Edward Plaisant, Turner Roundtree, Jonathan D. Gordon, Benjamin Hutchinson, Woodson A. Burton, Thomas Chambers, George Clay, James B. Graves, John B. Shaw and Jared Edwin, eighteen good and lawful men of said county of Warren, who being so duly empaneled, and here in court charged to inquire for said State of Missouri in and for the body of the county of Warren, retire for that purpose.
The clerk presented to the court, for approval, the bond of Absalom Hays, sheriff of said county, taken in vacation by the clerk, which said bond the court refused to approve, because the said bond had not been executed by the said Hays within thirty days after receiving his commission as sheriff as aforesaid. And thereupon it appearing to the satisfaction of the court, that there is no sheriff or coroner quali- fied to act, it is ordered by the court that Absalom Hays be appointed "elizor" for said county, with full power to execute all processes issued by this court, and to do and perform all other acts pertaining to the office of sheriff required of him by said court.
THE STATE
v. On recognizance to keep the peace with his wife. WM. LOGAN.
On motion of the circuit attorney it is ordered by the court that this case be stricken from the docket, and the papers remanded to the justice of the peace for further proceedings.
THE STATE
vs. On recognizance to appear at this court, and answer WM. LOGAN.
to an indictment.
On motion of the circuit attorney, it is ordered by the court that this can be stricken from the docket, and the papers remanded to the justice of the peace for further proceedings.
Absalom Hays presented to the court an account against the county of Warren, for six dollars and eighty-seven cents and a half, which is allowed by the court. Ordered that the clerk certify the same to the county court for payment.
The grand jury return into court, and, having no business before them, are discharged from further duty at this term.
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
JOHN JONES
vs. Allegations of fraud.
THOMAS TALBOT.
John Jones, by his attorney, filed in open court an affidavit contain- ing allegations of fraud in the defendant, who has taken the benefit of the act for the relief of the insolvent debtors, and prays for a sum- mons against said defendant. Ordered by the court that a summons issue in conformity to the statute.
It is ordered by the court that the clerk procure the following books for his office : One record deed book, one order book, both to be bound ; two docket books, one fee book, one execution book, one book for witnesses' claims, and one minute book.
Ordered that court adjourn till court in course.
( Signed. )
P. H. McBRIDE.
The Tilman Cullom who was selected as president of the first county court, was a brother of the Hon. Shelby M. Cullom, ex- Governor of Illinois, and present United States Senator from that State. He was a Kentuckian, in which State he married a Miss Mc- Durmid, and shortly after moved to Missouri. Here he raised a large family of children, and was recognized as one of the leading and public-spirited men of the early days.
Absalom Hays, the first sheriff of the county, was, previous to its organization, the second sheriff elected in Montgomery county. He served as sheriff of Warren county for 12 years, his last term expir- ing in 1845. His wife was a Miss Annie Skinner, of Montgomery county, by whom he had Jeremiah, Susan, John A., Jane and Mary C. Mrs. Hays is yet living in Montgomery county, in the family of her daughter, Jane. During the election which took place in the spring of 1842, Mr. Hays was again a candidate for sheriff, and was opposed by Mckinney, who was some years his junior, and a man of considerable wealth. During the somewhat heated campaign the rival candidates met at a political meeting or barbecue at Lehmberg's store, on the present site of Holstein village, and becoming angered, finally resorted to a personal encounter. Mr. Hays was a cripple and hardly a match for his younger opponent. Mckinney, to humiliate the sheriff, used an old-fashioned cowhide whip, and it is said un- mercifully cut up the officer. A warrant was immediately issued for Mckinney's arrest, and he was formally tried, convicted and sentenced to pay a fine of one hundred dollars. This he did, and feeling hu- miliated in turn, sold out his property, moved away and never re- turned to the county.
CHAPTER III.
Daniel Boone -- His Early History in this County, Etc. -- Death and Burial Place.
The history of Warren county is replete with reminiscences of the great hunter and Indian fighter, Daniel Boone, and on account of the interest in this county, we here insert what may at the first glance seem a repetition of matter contained in another part of this work. [Pages 95-100.] His reputation is national, and at this late day, relic hunters and admirers of his prowess as a backwoodsman, delight to be shown the house in which he died, the grave in which he was first interred, and to listen to the thrilling details of his adventurous career during the 21 years he resided near the murky waters of the Missouri.
There are yet living several residents of Warren and St. Charles counties, who distinctly remember the old hero, and who recall his appearance as the frosts of age grew upon him ; and as he neared the final resting place chosen by himself, in the lower part of Warren county, they recall his later visits to the homes where he was an ever welcome guest. To these persons the writer is indebted for many in- teresting and exciting personal details of the great hunter's life in Missouri.
In the fall of 1797, Boone, who loved nature in her wildest forms and courted the seclusion and dangers of the frontier, became dis- satisfied with his Kentucky home, and began to long for a country where, as he was wont to express it, " He could have more elbow room." Settlers were rapidly locating all around him, and as each new clearing was begun he saw his dream of exclusive and solitary companionship disappear before the ax of the new comers. Game began to grow scarce, he was obliged to go longer distances on his roving excursions, and being unable to stem the tide of emigration into his neighborhood, he at last determined during the winter of 1795 and 1796, to once more seek a home in a country where he would not be surrounded by so many evidences of civilization. In the spring he disposed of a portion of his effects, and, accompanied by Flanders Callaway, who had previously married Boone's daughter, Jemima, the family packed what they thought necessary for their com-
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
fort during the journey, and set out upon a tedious horse-back ride for the wilds of Missouri. The exact date of their arrival in what is now Warren county is unknown, but some time during the spring of 1798, the fort, known in history as Callaway's post, was located near Marthasville. Boone was then 64 years of age, and in the full vigor of a well preserved and vigorous manhood. He now thought it pos- sible to live out the remainder of his life amidst the wild surround- ings so dear to his heart.
In this he was doomed to disappointment. For a period of about three years he remained practically undisturbed by the presence of what he was accustomed to term " poachers," his immediate family relations being the only white persons in the country. About this time his brother, known as " Squire " Boone, and his youngest son Nathan, came from Kentucky, and joined the little colony at Calla- way post. Boone continued to devote the greater portion of his time to his favorite pastime of hunting and trapping, and soon estab- lished himself in a lucrative business, forwarding furs to St. Louis, then a trading post, and it is said that he made yearly trips to that station.
In 1803, the early tide of immigration began, and once more Boone found that he was to be disturbed in his seclusion. In con- sultation with his relatives, he expressed a desire to move again, and once more seek a place so far from civilization as to preclude the en- croachments of pioneer settlers. From this idea he was dissuaded by his friends, who argued that he was growing too old to take upon himself such responsibility. Listening to this advice he first settled down upon a piece of land, adjoining the present town of Marthas- ville, and there resided until his son Nathan built a cabin for him, in the Femme Osage valley, at a point about five miles from Augusta, St. Charles county. Here Mr. and Mrs. Boone lived for several years when Nathen completed a large stone house in the same vicinity, in which the old couple lived and died. This house is yet standing, and is now known as the Johnson place.
Boone had experienced a serious loss previous to his removal from Kentucky. The land upon which he had settled was taken from him through some technical defect in the deed to the property. A horde of unprincipled speculators had been attracted to Kentucky, and dis- covering that the settlers had not correctly recorded the location and boundaries of their lands in many instances, these land-sharks took advantage of the opportunity, perfected correct surveys, and event- ually secured possession. Immediately following his removal from
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
Kentucky he journeyed to the home of his son, Daniel M. Boone, who had located in the Kanawha valley in Virginia, and while there se- cured an invitation from the Spanish Lieutenant-Governor, Zeron Tru- deau, to visit him at St. Louis.
Missouri, then a part of Louisiana, and under the control of the Spanish Government, was called the Upper Louisiana. Boone ac- cepted the invitation, made his way to St. Louis, and was there ten- dered a large grant of land, on condition that he would settle in that country. This he decided to do, and came to Warren county, in the manner already stated.
On the 24th of January, 1798, Boone received from the Spanish government a concession of 1,000 arpents of land, situated in Femme Osage district. Shortly thereafter he agreed with the Spanish author- ities to bring into the country 100 families from Kentucky and Vir- ginia, for which he was to receive 10,000 arpents of land. The agreement was fulfilled, but as Boone neglected to procure the signature of the direct representative of the Spanish crown, resident at New Orleans, his title was declared invalid when Upper Louisiana became a part of the United States.
The same defect existed in the first grant of 1,000 arpents, and realizing that he was in danger of again becoming the unwitting victim of the wily speculator, he determined to appeal direct to Con- gress for protection.
The following is a bona fide copy of the petition which Boone ad- dressed Congress, and by which he was eventually made secure in the possession of his property : -
The Senate and Representatives of the United States in Congress assembled. The petition of Daniel Boone, at present an inhabitant of the Territory of Louisiana, respectfully showeth : - -
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