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 105
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 105
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 105
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Charles E. Peers is literally a self-made man, who has attained an enviable position through the exercise of indominitable pluck and perseverance.
Without the benefit of an early education, yet determined as a boy to attain for himself a position in society, he has arisen to a proud place in his chosen profession, and is recognized as one of the lead- ing attorneys of the State. Being admitted to the bar he rapidly came into prominence, and in 1868, when but 24 years of age, was elected circuit attorney for the district comprising Pike, Lincoln, Warren, St. Charles, Montgomery and Audrain counties, and held that important office for a term of four years. In 1872 Mı. Peers was elected to the State Legislature and served one term to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. In 1876 he was a member of the Democratic Presidential electoral ticket, and his canvass of the dis- trict was marked by the energy, eloquence and ability that has always distinguished his efforts.
Mr. Peers is a genial polished gentleman ; kindly in his impulses, he believes in the axiom that strict equity should be a cardinal rule of existence, and being yet in the prime of life, undoubtedly has a brill- iant future before him.
WILLIAM L. MORSEY.
William L. Morsey, the second son of Frederick Morsey, was born at Warrenton, November 21, 1850. Completing his studies, he read law in the office of his father and was admitted to the bar in 1870. In 1874 Mr. Morsey was elected prosecuting attorney of Warren county, and has been elected regularly to the same position at each succeed- ing election, performing the arduous duties of his office with signal ability. During his term of office two of the most remarkable and sensational murder trials in the history of the State have been prose- cuted by him in the interest of the people, and his successful conduct of the cases referred to, has earned for him the thanks of all order- loving citizens.
He is the law partner of the Hon. Charles E. Peers, and occupies an enviable position in society, being a gentleman of polished man- ners, versed in the knowledge of the law, and possessing the respect and confidence of all who know him. He is yet quite young and has a long life of usefulness before him.
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
PETER P. STEWART.
Peter P. Stewart was born in Pittsylvania county, Va., February 20, 1826, and came to Missouri with his parents in 1830. Mr. Stewart was admitted to the bar in 1849, and is now the oldest practicing law- yer in Warren county. He enjoys an enviable reputation, both as a lawyer and a citizen, has a lucrative practice, and is well and favorably known throughout the district in which he resides.
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CHAPTER V.
WAR HISTORY.
Introduction -Second War with Great Britain -Names of Veterans - Indian Out- break of 1832 - The Mexican War - War of the Rebellion - Burning of Red Hill Bridge - The Wright City Raid -Confederate Attack on a Railway Train -The Skirmish at Briscoe's Farm -Names of the Veterans of both Armies.
In all the wars since the Revolution, whose glorious results estab- lished republican principles of government on this continent and guaranteed to its participants and their descendants a heritage of free- dom, Warren county has always contributed her quota of fearless and gallant men. Living among the rocky gorges, and upon the broad prairies that comprise the little county, are many brave citizens, who, when occasion required their services, have gone forth to battle for a common interest.
These men have faced the leaden hail of warlike strife. "Grim visaged war " created no element of fear in them when once they had determined to nobly contend for the right, as they perceived it. Im- pelled by a patriotic love of country and a deep-seated veneration for her institutions, they have left their loved ones behind, severed the ties of neighborly friendship and hastened to defend the flag of their country.
Among the residents of Warren county who enlisted in the second war with Great Britain were Anthony Wyatt, Morgan Bryan, James Bryan, William Hancock, who was the first settler on what is known as Hancock's Bottom ; John King, William T. Lamme (who was first lieutenant in Nathan Boone's company of rangers) ; Newton Howell, a son of John Howell, the first settler on Howell's Prairie, in St. Charles county ; Thomas Bowen, afterwards a noted Baptist clergyman ; James Kennedy, a son of Thomas Kennedy, the com- mandant of Kennedy's fort and brother of Judge Royal J. Kennedy ; John Kent, who was one of Capt. James Callaway's famous company of rangers, and who was present at the battle of Loutre Lick ; William McConnell, who was also with Capt. Callaway ; Thomas Chambers, a son of John Chambers, an Irishman, who settled in Missouri in 1798 ; Alexander Chambers, his brother; Joseph, John, James and Guion Gibson, Jr., all of whom were enlisted men in Capt. Callaway's com-
(988)
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
pany ; Robert Lisle, son of Hugh Lisle, who came to Warren county in 1809, and Robert Gray, a Tennesseean, who settled in the county during the same year.
The grizzled veterans of the War of 1812 have all gone to their final rest, but their exploits will live in history and their memories be preserved by a people whose gratitude can not be measured by the lapse of time.
THE BLACK HAWK WAR.
The next call to arms was upon the outbreak of the Indian insur- rection of 1832, headed by the famous chief, Black Hawk. The only names obtainable of men who enlisted for this contest from Warren county are Woodford F. Roundtree, Edward Roundtree and Turner Miller. These men were cousins and lived about two miles east of Warrenton. They all returned home after the close of hostilities, and the Roundtrees afterwards became a well known family.
MEXICAN WAR.
In May, 1846, war was declared against the Republic of Mexico, and following the call of the President for troops, Gov. Edwards, of Missouri, issued a call for volunteers for the Army of the West. A company was immediately raised in Warrenton, of which Thomas W. Stewart was elected captain. Among those who enlisted in this com- pany were P. P. Stewart, J. H. Faulconer, Lewis Gibson, A. Z. Kent, Joseph L. Fant and James A. Stewart.
The organization met and were regularly drilled for a time when it was announced that the quota from Missouri had been filled, and that their services would not be required. Joseph L. Fant, following the disbandment of the company, enlisted in an adjoining county in Capt. Parson's company of the First Missouri cavalry. James B. Oliver, who lived in the vicinity of Wright City, and was one of the founders of that town, also volunteered for the war. John Ballard was also a volunteer, and John Owings enlisted in the First Missouri infantry, but died on the plains before the regiment reached Santa Fe.
THE CIVIL WAR.
In April, 1861, the war cloud that burst upon the country, following the commencement of hostilities at Fort Sumpter, brought with it into Warren county the usual excitement that precedes times of strife and contention. The call of President Lincoln for troops was the signal for action, and this event in Warren county aroused the par-
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
tisans on both sides. The situation of the county was peculiar. Lo- cated near the line of demarkation between the free States of Illinois and Kansas, and but a short distance from the base of operations of the Union army, it became necessary to make a show of hands at once. Missouri was a slave State, and there were a number of slave owners in the county, and the time had at last arrived when nothing but actual and cruel warfare could forever determine whether the sys- tem of African bondage should continue as a national institution. Volunteers began to enlist on both sides ; neighbors who had lived side by side for years, and whose friendly relations had never been disturbed, suddenly found themselves placed in a position where, in order to maintain their personal opinions, it became a matter of declaration and prompt action on their part. The fact was unfortu- nate and extremely unpleasant, but none the less true, and then began a state of public fear and anxiety that continued, with more or less intensity, throughout the four long years during which the two armies struggled for supremacy.
The town of Warrenton contained many Southern sympathizers ; in fact, the majority of its citizens were firm believers in the doctrine of State sovereignty, as enunciated by the Confederate leaders, and the few Union men who dared to take a decided stand were threatened with death at various times. Col. Frederick Morsey, who after- wards organized the Third Missouri cavalry, was served with a notice to leave town, but, being a man of courage, he remained and quietly carried on his plans. In order to procure recruits it was necessary to have them come to his house after night to enlist. In this way the reg- iment was enrolled, and to these men belongs the credit of preserving the lives and property of the people of Warren county.
The utmost precaution did not, however, prevent occasional raids into the country, and the well disciplined and active militia were con- stantly kept on the move in order to checkmate the enemy.
BURNING OF RED HILL BRIDGE.
On a dark night in August, 1861, the citizens of Warrenton were brought to a full realization of what real war signified. About midnight a party of guerrillas rode through the town, proceeded immediately to Red Hill bridge on the North Missouri Railroad, set fire to the structure, waited until there was no longer any question as to the total destruction of the bridge, and then dashed out of town in the dark- ness. The object of the raiders was to prevent the transportation of troops to St. Louis, whither many Kansas and Missouri regiments
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
were being forwarded, but in this they were disappointed, as but a temporary delay was occasioned, the bridge being speedily re- placed.
THE WRIGHT CITY RAID.
In September, 1863, an event occurred which, to this day, is the subject of comment and discussion, as to who was responsible for the burning of a portion of the village of Wright City.
The Union militia learning that a small band of the Confederates were encamped in the timber, about two miles west of that place, determined to attempt their capture under command of Capt. Joseph L. Fant.
The militia surrounded the woods and began to close in upon the guerrillas. Believing their capture inevitable, the Confederates made a bold dash for liberty. They charged the Union line, kept up a rapid firing, which was as hotly returned, but under cover of smoke and excitement the party escaped, although one of them was severely wounded, and afterwards killed.
In the skirmish William Berchlage, a member of the militia com- pany, and who lived near the Boone's Lick road, about four miles from the scene of the fight, was instantly killed. These Confederates it was known had been provisioned by citizens of Wright City, reports to that effect having been heard for some time prior to the attack in the woods. This fact, and the killing of Berchlage, incensed the militia, who determined to avenge the death of their comrade, and at the same time attempt to prevent the extension of further aid and comfort to the roaming bands of bushwhackers. News of the death of Berchlage soon reached Wright City, and the people there feared that the town would be attacked. Runners were sent over into Lin- coln county where Capt. John E. Ball was encamped with a company of Union men, and he was requested to repair at once to the town to protect its people. Capt. Ball, accompanied by Lieut. H. H. Schaper and a portion of his command, immediately started overland, but ar- rived too late to prevent the destruction of a few buildings owned by men who were well known sympathizers with the rebellion. The militia rode to the village, repaired to the Baptist Church, which was known as a rallying place for the Confederate element of that vicinity, applied the torch, then fired the blacksmith shop of Clint Bryan, a well known and active Confederate sympathizer. The next victim was one Bill Kennedy, who kept a saloon, and was a notorious rebel. This building was also fired, and the three structures burned to the ground.
992
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
But for the timely arrival of Capt. Ball, who advised the maddened militia quietly to withdraw, there is no doubt that Wright City would have been entirely destroyed.
FIRING INTO A RAILROAD TRAIN.
Shortly after the battle of Carthage, which occurred on July 5, 1861, a train load of Union soldiers was dispatched from St. Louis, to re-enforce the army commanded by Gen. Franz Sigel. News of their approach reached Warren county in advance of the troops, and the Confederate element of the county determined to attack the train. In response to the request of several prominent Southern sympathizers, who had sent runners into the county on every side, a great crowd of their followers congregated along the North Missouri Railroad track, and were distributed at convenient points, to await the arrival of the Union soldiers. When the train reached a point just west of Foristell, in St. Charles county, a murderous fire was opened upon it, and this mode of attack continued for several miles. The occupants of the train, at first taken by surprise, replied to the straggling fire with volley after volley of musketry, and in the course of the fight, it is said, severely wounded several of the yeomanry of Warren county. Thomas Edwards, a son of a prominent Confederate, was one of the attacking party, and while concealed behind a rail fence was mortally wounded by a shot from the train. He was found near a pond about three miles west of Wright City; and died within a day or two after the attack. Great excitement followed this occur- rence. Rumors of retaliatory measures on the part of the militia were rife, and the utmost consternation prevailed among those who had been concerned in making the onslaught upon the train. Many men left their homes, owing to a wholesome fear that they would be called upon by the indignant Union soldiers of the county militia, and made their way to Price's army. This open declaration of war, of course, had the effect to arouse the Union men of the vicinity, who now began to perfect organizations for their own protection. It became necessary to arm and thoroughly equip troops for constant service, and the enlistment of Union men began in earnest. These organized companies were in a short time ready for field service, and their readi- ness served to repress the daring acts of the Confederates, which at one time threatened to engulf the county in a bloody war.
Early in the spring of 1862, the army commanded by Brig .- Gen. Pope, numbering about 10,000 men, marched through the town of Warrenton, and went into camp at Truesdale. The sound of the bugle and the fife and drum was inspiriting as well as encouraging to the
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
Union men of the village, who vied with each other in extending every kindness and courtesy to both officers and men, in which patriotic duty they were assisted by the loyal ladies of Warrenton.
SKIRMISH AT DR. BRISCOE'S.
On March 20, 1862, was fought what is known as the skirmish at Briscoe's farm, about three miles north of Marthasville. A man named James Henderson came into Warren county soliciting and drill- ing recruits for the Southern army. He was outspoken and fearless in his labors to aid the cause of rebellion, and having previously escaped from a squad of Union militia, it was determined to again effect his capture. About 30 men of the Third Missouri cavalry left Warrenton for the farm of Dr. Briscoe, where Henderson was reported to be with several companions. The house was surrounded and a surrender demanded. The demand was answered by a volley of shots from the house, when a general fire was concentrated on the building. The skirmish was of short duration, however, when the militia captured the entire party. Henderson was badly wounded, and being brought to Warrenton, was placed in the hospital, where he died a few days after. In this fight private Conrad Drunert, bugler of Capt. McFadden's company, was seriously wounded.
In July, 1864, an entire army corps, commanded by Maj .- Gen. A. J. Smith, with banners proudly floating in the breeze, came over the hills from the west, and marching through Warrenton camped about a mile east of town. There were fully 15,000 veterans in the ranks, and the effects of hard service were plainly visible in their appearance. Again the patriotic men and women of Warrenton did everything possible to add to the comfort of the grizzled heroes of an hundred battles, and although their stay was short the army had no cause to complain of the treatment extended to them by citizens of Warrenton.
In August, 1862, Capt. Joseph L. Fant, of Warrenton, organized a company of volunteers for the Union army, which was afterwards known as Co. K, Thirty-second Missouri infantry, and the roster of his company contained the names of the following residents of Warren county : David F. Carson, first sergeant; Henry M. Arnell, second corporal ; Martin S. Copenhaven, third sergeant; Archibald C. Mc- Kinnon, first corporal ; Charles F. Holbach, third corporal : Charles Wasserman, sixth corporal.
Privates. - Joseph R. Arnell, William Brown, Samuel C. Cope, Arthur L. Cravens, John L. Dandridge, John Friebe, John D. Hum-
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
phries, George Kennion, Hendrick A. Seipp, A. J. McWilliams, James Mackintzer, Joseph Peterson, William Roberts, John A. M. Ray, James Stacks, August Salva, John Snyder, Columbus V. John- son, Robert W. Stewart, Joseph B. Arthur, William Bryant, George Edmunds, Charles Oaks, Thomas P. P. Wilson.
In response to a call for volunteers issued during the winter of 1862, Capt. J. W. McFadden organized what was afterwards known as Co. F., Third Missouri cavalry. The following Warren county residents enlisted in this company.
Captain, James W. McFadden ; first lieutenant, Samuel W. Hop- kins : second lieutenant, Frederick Huckride. Sergeants, John S. Moody, Thomas J. Tidswell, Frederick Frodeman, Henry Wegner, John Shaw, John B. Wehmeyer, Ernst Leineker, Isaiah Baldridge. Corporals - George Shepard, Ernst Schonbaum, Ernst Lefholtz, August Shellhorn, Noah Smith, Henry Cordis, Charles Engermann, William Dee. Buglers - Frederick Brunert, William Reese. Pri- vates - Anton Baumer, John D. Brieker, Edwin Barr, Frederick Backhaus, Samuel M. Barton, James Conway, Rodney Cameron, An- gus Cowan, Henry Dreyer, Frederick Dehart, Conrad Drunert, Ernest Dothage, Henry Dickmeyer Frederick Farre, Herman Veith, Henry Veith, August Fisher, Benjamin Francis, Jos. Guggenmoos, Benjamin Hoensbreak, August Hallman, Simon Hill, Charles Hanke, Wilford Johnson, August Karenbrock, John Lee, James McGuire, Thomas Moran, Malcom Martin, Herman Morhaus, William Nichols, Frede- rick Rogers, William Pritchett, Hiram Stacy, William Shepard, Charles Speckmann, Frederick Stumeier, Louis Stoneberger, Frede- rick Schroeder, Joseph R. Speed, James L. Sterritt, Charles Timmer- berg, Andrew Thompson, Joshua Thompson, Charles Wegner, John Whalen, Frederick Wegner, Frank Wipfer, William Werman, Vogt Henry, Ernest Upmeyer.
Lieut. Hopkins was taken prisoner at Cedar creek, as also were Sergts. Wegner and Shaw, Corporals Shepard and Privates Drunert, Dickmeyer, Fosse, Herman, Veith, Fisher, Guggenmoos, Hollman, Hill, Johnson, Karenbock, Lee, Morhaus, Schroeder and Vogt.
Lieut. Huckride resigned his commission in November, 1863, and re- turned home. Private Henry Dreyer was killed in the battle at Roche- port, Mo. Private Conrad Drunert was wounded and taken prisoner at Cedar creek, and afterward killed at Rocheport. Private Thomas Moran was tried for shooting a comrade and sentenced to imprison- ment in the penitentiary at Alton, Ill., for three years. The follow- ing members of the regiment have died since the war : Herman Rein-
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
iska, William Pothorst, Herman Nolte, Herman Backhaus, John Mahoney, DeWitt Cameron, Henry Hoppy.
The regiment was organized for duty in Missouri, though it was sub- ject to call for active campaigning wherever required. The regiment was engaged in pursuing bushwhackers and guerrillas during most of its term of service, and it distinguished itself on many historical oc- casions. Among the engagements in which it took part were: At Briscoe's, March 20, 1862 ; Kirksville, Mo., August 6, 1862 ; Auxvasse Church, October 15, 1862 ; Cedar Creek, April 20, 1863 ; Patterson, Mo., April 21, 1863 ; Chalk Bluffs, Ark., April 30, 1863 ; Pocahontas raid in August, 1863, during which the regiment captured Gen. Jeff Thompson and his entire staff; Eveningshade, Ark., October, 1863; Ripley, Mo., December 25, 1863 ; Spring Creek, Ark., March, 1864 ; Walnut Grove Church, September, 1864 ; Wingoe's Farm, September 10, 1864 ; Rocheport, Mo., September 23, 1864 ; Osage River, October 5, 1864 ; Tipton, October 10, 1864 ; Independence, October 22, 1864 ; Cherokee Bay, May 1, 1864.
The field officers of the regiment were: Colonel, Edwin Smart ; lieutenant-colonel, Frederick Morsey ; major, R. Z. Woodson ; adju- tant, Henry C. Campbell.
Company F acquitted itself upon every occasion with the utmost bravery. The men were recruited from the flower of the county, and never failed to do their full measure of duty.
Among other soldiers of the Federal army who enlisted from Warren county, in various Missouri regiments, were J. H. Koelling, who was elected county clerk in 1881; Charles Vogt, who died in the rebel prison at Andersonville ; Charles Neihaus, who was also an An- dersonville victim ; Henry Meine, who was killed in the attack on Spanish Fort, in Mobile Bay; John M. Koelling, who died in the hospital at Montgomery, Ala. ; Henry Neihaus, Charles Knipmeyer, William Veith, Frederick Albert, Ernst Fasse, Thomas Childs, James McIntyre, Joseph P. Childs, Samuel Wright, George B. Turner, J. W. Delventhal, Charles Ruge, William Ruge, Dr. Julius Ruge, Louis Wild, who was an orderly on the staff of Gen. A. J. Smith ; Churchill Strother, previous to the war a leading physician of Warrenton and surgeon of the Thirty-first Missouri infantry.
COLORED RECRUITS.
Hiram Thurman, James Callaway, Milton Lemme, Price Sanders, Virgie Stewart, Henry Pratt, Henry Kenner, William Travis, Samuel Logan, Jacob Kountze, Porter Kountze.
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
The Confederate army received quite a number of recruits from Warren county, and herewith will be found the names of all that could be learned : -
P. P. Stewart, Simeon Kent, J. C. Kent, Thomas Hudson, W. A. Coleman, - Pritchard, Robert Tanner, John Waller, Capt. George Carter, Thomas B. Archer, Clay Taylor, Charles C. Custer, Lewis Jones, H. C. Painter, Tyler Painter, Robert Pratt, Guyon Kennedy, Nathaniel Kennedy, Todd Black, Reuben Devore, William Spires, Boss Eldridge, John Bell, James Bell, - Bates, - Duckworth, Wash Gibson, Wm. Lyons, Joseph Lyons.
During the entire war the German residents of Warren county were conspicuous for their devotion to the cause of the Union. To a man their sympathies were with the North, and they gallantly supported their convictions by responding generously to the call for troops to defend their adopted country.
The animosities resulting from the four years of strife have been long since buried, and to-day a happier and more contented commun- ity than the people of Warren county would be difficult to find. With the close of hostilities the soldiers of both armies returned to the quiet pursuits of civil life, and manfully endeavored to build up ' the material interests of the county, which had been seriously inter- fered with and injured by four years of warfare and its attendant evils.
CHAPTER VI.
CRIMINAL RECORD.
The Foster Case -Killing of a Negro by Wm. Foster - Trial and Conviction of Fos- ter - Decision Reversed - Second Trial and Sentence of Death - Execution - The Taylor Murder- Daniel Price, the Murderer- His Death on the Gallows -- Mur- der of John Hartgen - Shooting of Col. Meyer -- Murder of Mrs. Callihan.
That community is indeed fortunate whose records contain no refer- ence to dark and bloody deeds that startle and horrify the quiet and law-abiding members of society. The instincts of the criminal are apt to develop even in the most moral of communities. There can be no preventative of crime before the act, except the law of the land, and when the cupidity or jealousy of the human mind disregards the law and men commit overt acts against the peace and well-being of society, their particular localities, while unfortunate in being the scene of such violations, must be forgotten, and while regretting the . fact, its people must unite to punish crime, maintain the majesty of the law and keep inviolate the axiom of " a life for a life."
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