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 107
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 107
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 107
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For Coroner .- Middelkamp, Democrat, received 239 and Einebeck, Republican, 550 votes ; Einebeck's majority, 311.
For School, Commissioner .- Roell, Democrat, received 108, Bur- ger, Republican, 669, and Hinds, Independent, 123 votes; Burger's majority, 438.
For Public Administrator .- Pendleton, Democrat, received 287 and Howell, Republican, 733; Howell's majority, 446.
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
OFFICIAL DIRECTORY.
Circuit Court Judges. - P. H. McBride, 1833 to 1836 ; Ezra Hunt, 1836 to 1848 ; Carty Wells, 1848 to 1857; A. H. Buckner, 1857 to 1862 ; Thomas J. C. Fagg, 1862 to 1866; Giles Porter, 1866 to 1871; W. W. Edwards, 1871 to 1884.
Circuit Court Clerk. - Gus. Reiche, 1868 to 1873 ; R. J. Gump, 1873 to 1874 ; Buckley Liveseg, 1874 to 1884.
County Clerks. - Carty Wells, 1833 to 1837; Jos. B. Wells, 1837 to 1841; Eli Carter, 1841 to 1847; Thomas J. Marshall, 1847 to 1865; A. P. Frowein, 1865 to 1867; George Block, 1867 to 1881 ; John H. Koelling, 1881.
Sheriffs. - Absalom Hays, 1833 to 1839; Benoni McClure, 1840 to 1842; Anthony Wyatt, 1842 to 1844; Absalom Hays, 1844 to 1846 ; Jonathan D. Gordon, 1846 to 1852; William James, 1852 to 1856 ; Robert J. Huston, 1856 to 1858 ; Creed T. Archer (appointed ), 1858 to 1864; Paul Schmidt, 1864 to 1866 ; J. W. McFadden, 1866 to 1870; Samuel W. Hopkins, 1870 to 1872; Buckley Liveseg, 1872 to 1874 ; John A. Howard, 1874 to 1878 ; S. B. Cook, 1878 to 1882 ; E. F. Ordelheide, 1882.
Treasurers. - William James and James Hughes, 1833 to 1836 ; Joseph B. Wells, 1836 to 1838 ; Eli Carter, 1838 to 1840; William Harper, 1840 to 1842 ; William Harper, 1842 to 1848 ; J. A. Pulliam, 1848 to 1861; John H. Faulconer ( appointed ), 1861 to 1864 ; Chris- tian Graf, 1864 to 1866 ; Greenup Jackman, 1866 to 1868; John H. Faulconer, 1868 to 1870; Ernst Schowengerdt, 1870 to 1874 ; John H. Faulconer, 1874 to 1876 ; John H. Middelkamp, 1876 to 1884 ; D. Buckhorst, 1884.
County Court Judges -Tilman Cullom, Thomas N. Graves, Mor- gan Bryan, May 20, 1833; Tilman Cullom, Thomas N. Graves, Jared Erwin, Nov. 9, 1834 ; Thomas N. Graves, Jared Erwin, Til- man Cullom, June 20, 1836 ; Thomas N. Graves, Jared Erwin, James Talbot, Nov. 1, 1836 ; And. S. Wood, Wm. James, Thomas N. Graves, May 15, 1838 ; James L. Simms, Wm. James, Thomas N. Graves, May 20, 1840 ; William James, Tilman Cullom, William Skinner, May 20, 1842; William James, Tilman Cullom, Robert L. Allen, May, 1844 ; William James, Robert L. Allen, James L. Simms, May, 1846 ; Joseph G. Waller, James L. Simms, Jared Erwin, May, 1848 ; James L. Simms, Jared Erwin, Royal J. Kennedy, May, 1850 ; James L. Simms, Jas. Duckworth, Harvey Griswold, May, 1854 ; Jas.
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
L. Simms, Jas. Duckworth, J. G. Waller, May, 1856 ; J. G. Waller, James L. Simms, Royal J. Kennedy, May, 1858 ; Jas. L. Simms, J. G. Waller, J. W. Mc Fadden, May, 1860; James L. Simms, E. Min- drop, J. W. McFadden, May, 1862 ; J. W. McFadden, E. Mindrop, Jos. Pennington, May, 1864; Henry Parker, Herman Ulfers, Jno. Stoneburger, May, 1866 ; Henry Parker, Robert Howell, Fred- erick Dickhaus, May, 1872 ; J. C. Casner, Robert Howell, H. Bier- baum, May, 1874 ; J. C. Casner, Fred. Wegener, Henry Middelkamp, May, 1878 ; J. C. Casner, Fred Wegener, C. T. Archer, May, 1880 : Fred Wegener, Aug. Dickhaus, Aug. Hollman, May, 1882.
ECCLESIASTICAL.
The history of the world is the history of religion. The progress of civilization is inevitably accompanied by the restraining influences of the church. The noble and self-sacrificing results of missionary effort are always among the earliest indications of advancement in pioneer countries, and the code of morals promulgated eighteen hun- dred years ago by Him whose teachings have purified the world, often find their brightest and truest exemplification among the communities who first locate in the isolated portions of the earth's broad domains.
The Sermon on the Mount, which possessed the broad, catholic and inspired sentiments of law, equity and justice, found among the hardy pioneer settlers of Warren county, a universal veneration for its tenets and an honest though rigid enforcement of its principles.
Church service was not looked upon in the light of a task, but ad- herence to the holy observance of the Sabbath, and perfect loyalty to all the precepts of Christianity was the rule.
In the early days, church services were held at the homes of the settlers, the traveling circuit rider having no stated place in which to extol the beauties of a Christian life.
Amidst rude surroundings, and in the unpretentious homes of the settler, was preached the doctrine of faith, hope and charity, to aud- iences composed of men and women whose daily life was pure and sincere. The same doctrinal principles were here laid down as are now expounded to the fashionable audiences that fill the costly metro -. politan church edifices ; the same rules of religious conduct were here presented, with much more hope of their observance than is found in this century of free thought and scientific skepticisms.
Below will be found a brief mention of the various churches that have been organized in the county.
About the year 1831, the people living in the vicinity of Hopewell erected a large log church, which was not confined to any particular denomination, but was used freely by all. The structure was also
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1010
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
used as a school house, and in this building many of the men who afterward were famous in the various walks of life, acquired the rudi- ments of education. The Hon. John D. S. Dryden, subsequently one of the justices of the State Supreme Court, and ex-Sheriff John A. Howard and Jos. L. Fant were among the boys who began their scholastic careers in this old building.
M. E. Church South at Warrenton - Was constituted as an or- ganization in 1840, the original members being A. S. Wood, Eliza- beth Wood, Ann M. Tease, James McClenney, Isaac McCleary, Emily McClenny, Elizabeth Buxton and Ann Smith, which number has since been increased to 50, the membership at this date. They occupy a frame church building, erected in 1859 at a total cost of $1,768.07. Those who have had charge of the congregation as their under shep- herd are G. B. Bowman, Jesse Sutton, William Patton, W. Redman, Joseph H. Pritchett, J. S. Allen, P. D. Vandeventer, L. A. Smith, J. H. Ledbetter, Henry May, J. M. O'Brien, W. B. Beagle, R. P. Jones, W. B. Johnson, J. T. McDonald, C. Babcock and C. W. Col- lett.
Missionary Baptist Church - At Warrenton, was organized in 1855. The names of the original members were Albert Johnson and wife, William Harper and wife, and others. A church was built in 1866 at a cost of $600, and the pastor was Joseph Nichols. The church society existed for several years under the pastorate of Dr. Nichols, when the building was sold to the school directors of Warrenton, and has since been used as a public school.
Frieden Germeinde Church - Was organized in 1878, the names of the original members being John G. Schranz and wife, Frederick Fehmeyer and wife, Frederick Fehmeyer, Jr., and wife, Wm. Feh- meyer, August Heidtbrink and wife, James Drewer and wife, Fritz Seiver and wife. The present frame church building cost $650, and was dedicated by Frederick Stoeken and Paul Bokelmann. The pres- ent membership comprises ten families. The building was originally constructed in 1864 by the Campbellite association, from whom the Lutheran Society purchased it.
St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church - One-half mile south of Dutzow, in Charrette township, was organized in 1837, its original members being Bartholomew Roesner, Hr. Dickhaus, Henry Dick- haus, Francis Krekel, Herman Struckhoff, Messrs. Heller, Roderick, Schmeucker and others. Fifty families compose the present mem- bership. The rectors who have administered to the spiritual needs of this church have been Revs. Father Buschotz, S. J. ; Father Eisvogel,
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
S. J. ; Father Peukert, Father Van Nierleau, Father Seisl, Father Wappelhoost, Father Seling, Father Faerber, Father Gockel, Father Heckman and Father Bertens. The present brick church, their third building, was built in 1874, costing in the neighborhood of $17,000. Father Bertens attends to the superintending of the Sunday-school, which has 50 scholars.
Harmony Church - Located three miles south-east of Pitts, in the county, was organized in the fall of 1843. The original members were George H. Wahlbrink, Dr. Brandt, E. Theermann, H. H. Kirkhof, F. Waltsmath, Henry Bockhorst and E. H. Suhre, and their wives and others, the two last named being the first trustees. There are 68 families members of this church. The ministers who have served this congregation as pastors are Karl Strack and Henry S. Feix. The Sunday-school has 75 scholars, the superintendent being Mr. Fricke.
Evangelical Church at Holstein. - The membership of this church, organized as far back as 1848, now numbers 78 families. It was formed through the efforts of Joseph Riegen, and the congregation first worshiped in a log building, which was burned in 1855. The same year a brick building was erected at a cost of $2,500, exclusive of the labor performed by members. In 1884, on account of the in- sufficiency of room, this was torn down, and a new brick edifice now adorns the site of the former one. The sum of $7,000 was expended towards its construction, not including the help of members, which is valued at about $3,000. The basement contains two rooms for school purposes. One is used for the Sabbath-school, which numbers 115 members, superintended by Mr. J. H. Koenig. The original mem- bers of this church were G. Hackmann and wife, Henry Hackmann and wife, Henry Schopedhorst and wife, William Huenefeld and wife, Frank Heinkamp and wife, Christian Schneider and wife, William Hasse and wife, and William Bierbaum and wife. The first pastor of the congregation was Joseph Rieger, who filled the pulpit for 10 years. He was followed by Gustav Reiche, two years; Conrad Riess, six years, J. F. Schierbaum, 11 years, and, lastly, A. J. H. Bierbaum, for five years.
German Evangelical Church -Located at Marthasville, in Char- rette township, was organized in 1864, the original members being Herman Branns, Fred. Budke, Herman Schulte, Henry Hilgedick, Fr. Langemann, Eberhard Rogge, W. Ottermann, R. Hilbrandt, Ru- dolph Grunecker, H. Brune, H. Eilers, E. H. Suhre, E. Hovelmann and G. H. Brinkmann. The number of the present membership is 40. The pastors who have served as such are O. Neithammer, E. Berger,
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
J. C. Feil, H. Schmidt and C. Bechtold. A church building - a frame -was constructed in 1864, and cost $1,200. The Sabbath- school numbers between 40 and 50 pupils, the superintendent being H. Schwarze.
St. Paul's German Evangelical Church -Located four and a half miles north of Warrenton, in Elkhorn township, was organized in 1865 by Rev. J. G. Stanger. The original members were William Hollmann, Henry Pope, Henry Razee, Henry Fischer, Henry Pieper, Herman Vogt, Frederick Darnkuler, Jacob Leek, William Karen- brock, Kimrad Bubermeid, Henry Determan, William Voss, Henry Rume, Frank Hollmann, William Linnert, Fred Albert, William Albert, Caroline Leek and William Bushman. The present member- bership is about 25. The first pastor of the church was Rev. J. G. Stanger, succeeded by Revs. Rapp, Borgnen, Langhoop, Strucker and Bockelmann. The house of worship - a stone structure - erected in 1875, cost nearly $1,000. A parsonage of about the same value has recently been completed, near the church. Mr. August Hollmann superintends the Sabbath-school of 40 members, and he is also church clerk. Preaching is held each Sunday.
German Evangelical Congregation of Lippstadt -Is on the south- west quarter of section 9, township 16, range 2 west ( Elkhorn town- ship). The first church was a log structure, built about two miles north of the present location, to which it was subsequently removed for service as a school house. Then the brick edifice, a handsome building, was put up at a cost of $4,500 in 1877. Connected with it is a parsonage and eight acres of land with convenient out-buildings, etc. There is also a cemetery laid out here. Some of the original
members are still living. The names of those who first joined were Henry Luttmann and wife, Christian Fahrmeier and wife, C. Schroeder and wife, Ernest Winter and wife, Fred Meine and wife, Fred Starke- baum and wife, Simon Roewe and wife, Herman H. Unverzagt and wife, Christopher Ploeger and wife, Herman Sievert and wife, M. Hackman and wife and many others. Now there are 30 families con- nected with the church. The following ministers have filled the pul- pit : John Will, C. F. Doehring, R. John, J. Stanger, E. Bourquin, J. H. Langpopp and Fred Hempelmann, the latter now being also su- perintendent of the Sabbath-school of 35 members.
St. Johannes' Congregation of the Evangelical Church - Worship in a frame building, erected for $2,000, in 1870. This is in the south- ern part of Pinckney township, near the river, where old Pinckney was formerly located. Of the tract of seven acres of land connected
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
with the church, five acres have been washed away by the river, and on the remaining two acres is a good parsonage. Twenty-four families comprise this congregation. The organization occurred in 1870, the original members then being Herman Suak and wife, C. Bueker and wife, Henry Schlapper and wife, Christopher Jaeger and wife, L. Nie- meyer and wife, T. Poertner and wife and others. Revs. C. Beck, C. Seibold and C. Moritz have filled this pulpit at different periods. The Sabbath-school has on its roll 30 members ; the superintendent is Rev. Moritz.
Pendleton Methodist Episcopal Church - Was organized by Rev. C. S. Cooper, in 1871, its constituent members being William F. Chiles, Robert N. Chiles, Mrs. Ellen Watkins, Wilford Johnson, Mrs. Mary Emma Johnson, Joseph P. Chiles, Mrs. Eliza Chiles, Mrs. Jane Chiles, Henry Benney, Mrs. Jane Martin, Lewis H. Jackson, Alfred Wingett, Allison Baldwin, Mrs. Elizabeth Lewis and Mrs. Mary Ben- ney. The number of the present membership is 35. The ministers who have had charge of this church are Revs. C. S. Cooper, A. J. Dill, E. B. Carter, R. R. Witton, J. H. Banyher, John Wilson, T. J. Enyeart, Samuel Taylor, I. H. Bawdle, E. B. Lytle and E. W. Mc- Millian. The present frame building was erected in 1872, at a cost of $1,000. Services were held in the school-house previous to building the church. There are 70 scholars in the Sabbath-school, the super- intendent being Thomas K. Chiles.
German Evangelical " Friedens Germeinde" -Located at Wright - City, was organized September 5, 1880. The original members were Capt. E. F. Ordelheide and wife, William Kamp, Fr. Nieburg, Fr. Liedke, Henry Blattner, Florence Ordelheide, Henry Schmidt and others. The present membership is composed of 76 members. The pastor is Henry S. Feix. The present frame church was erected in the spring of 1881, at a cost of $4,600. There is a large and flour- ishing Sunday-school of 136 scholars connected with the church, Henry Schmidt being its superintendent. This is one of the most flourishing congregations in the county.
CHAPTER VIII.
MISCELLANEOUS.
The Cyclone of May, 1883 - Agricultural Societies - Warren County Press - Educa- tional -County Indebtedness - Census Statistics of 1880 - Banks and other Incor- porations - California Gold Excitement - Warren's County Seat - First Deed -- Historial Facts, Anecdotes, etc. -- Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific Railroad.
On the evening of Friday, May 18, 1833, portions of Warren county were visited by a furious wind storm carrying destruction with it, and leaving as a legacy recollections that will never fade. Between seven and eight o'clock, the storm coming from the south-west struck a point near Hopewell, and thence down the Charrette creek, where fences were leveled with the ground, houses and barns unroofed, the storm gathering strength as it traveled. Pursuing a north-easterly direction it struck Hickory Grove township. As it came from wooded Teuque it seemed to be eight or ten feet above the earth, and did its work by topping over trees and buildings, but on the prairie it seemed to come down to earth and carry everything before it, making many ec- centric turns. Crossing Hickory Grove Prairie to Woodhull's cream- ery, it left Warren and entered St. Charles county. The day had been a warm one with a strong sultry breeze blowing from the south- west. Clouds began to gather and bank in the west and north-west early in the afternoon ; later an orange yellow cloud passed north.
When the storm broke devastation and ruin soon followed in quick succession. The homes of Mr. Prior, James Brooks, Mr. Roloff, Thomas Mills,'Mrs. Maxwell and Milton J. Young, felt the effects of the storm, as did also the old Oakdale school-house, H. G. Quincy's and M. S. Pringle's. Next it took to the premises of Norman O. Pringle. At William Spire's the family were watching the cyclone, and were just congratulating themselves that it had passed them, when it moved around in a circle to the west, and everything within reach was taken into its destructive power. Mr. and Mrs. Spires were badly injured by flying timbers, and other inmates of the house received severe bruises. Thence it passed on its way to the home of Mr. A. P. Parsons. The center of the wind cloud seemed to pass directly over the premises, and when it had passed not a vestige of house, building or fence was
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
left to show that anybody had lived there. The whole place was ab- solutely swept clean. The house was not occupied at the time, the family being absent on a visit. Then the cyclone bounded on to the residence of Mr. George P. Strong, and in the twinkling of an eye his beautiful home was literally demolished. Mr. and Mrs. Strong and a negro boy were badly injured. The storm sped on its way to St. Charles county, and there repeated the ruin that Warren county had experienced.
The news of the horrible disaster spread rapidly, and crowds of people repaired to the vicinity to witness the scene, which was a most terrible one in the extreme. About the same hour that the storm burst upon Hickory Grove township, another cyclone was creating havoc and ruin in the western end of the country, although the greater part of the damage by this storm was just across the Mont- gomery county line. The first evidence of the tornado was seen on Loutre Island, above . Hermann. From there its course was north- east, striking William Maxey's house, John C. Whiteside's dwelling, also the residence of Mr. Henze, on Beard creek, all of which were completely demolished. When the storm struck the residence of Mr. Charles B. Eddings, about two and a half miles south-east of Jonesburg, the full fury of its strength was demonstrated. It literally destroyed the house, a. one-story frame, leaving it a mass of ruins. Mr. Eddings and his family were in the house at the time, together with his mother-in-law, Mrs. Catherine Northcutt, who was killed. The unfortunate lady, who was quite old, was carried 150 yards from the house, and when found, was terribly mangled. Mr. Eddings and his family, consisting of his wife and two children, were all more or less injured, but none of them seriously.
This deplorable accident was the most serious result in Warren county, but across the line in Montgomery, the scene after the storm had passed was simply awful, beyond the power of language to fitly describe. House after house had been scattered to the four winds of heaven ; whole orchards were destroyed, stock was killed, etc.
The injured by this fearful visitation were cared for at once, and then began the formation of organizations for the relief of the sufferers. The necessary aid was forthcoming at once, the people who had escaped generously contributing towards their less fortunate neigh- bors.
Mr. Strong had in his possession, before the storm, a title deed to some property, which was found by a farmer in Green county, Ill., and returned to Mr. Strong.
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
Milton J. Young's house was directly in the path of the storm. His son had a teacher's certificate in his trunk at home. When the storm subsided a farmer residing in Macoupin county, Ill., returned it to its owner.
AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION.
In 1859 citizens of Warrenton and many of the leading farmers of the county united in an effort to organize a county agricultural society. The necessity for such an association, it was claimed, existed in War- ren county to no less degree than in surrounding communities, and the result was that a county fair was determined upon. The follow- ing well known residents of the county were selected to make the initiatory move in establishing an annual exhibition : Peter Harmon, Dr. Churchill, G. Strother, Joseph L. Fant, Peter P. Stewart, Chris- tian Graff, Grief Stewart, John L. Howell and Garrett Schnick. Mr. Harmon was elected president and Dr. Strother, secretary. Suitable grounds were selected west of Warrenton, and the necessary buildings erected. The association held one fair, which was not very encour- aging to its promoters, and in the winter of 1860 the buildings were destroyed by fire. No effort was made to rebuild, and the idea of a yearly fair was abandoned until the spring of 1868, when another effort was made to organize. Promises of hearty support were tendered from all parts of the county, and the following citizens became stockholders in an association having for its object the establishment and continuance of an annual fair: C. R. Abell, J. E. Yocum, W. W. Halsman, Henry Kampe, Charles Prudhome, James Hammontree, H. T. Pendleton, Philip Kuhl, D. Hietmann, Thomas Keys, Nicholas Keys, Natley Paxton, James W. Shelton, Casper Lohmann, Jerry Sullivan, Henry Bothe, L. D. Welch, F. G. Meinershagen, Aug. H. Bothe, Gerhard Bockhorst, John H. Bockhorst, Henry Bockhorst, B. Wisbrock, H. Schinck, H. H. Kerkoff, August Hince, Henry Harbaum, Frederick Drunert, C. B. Hennion, F. Mische, H. Middelkamp, John Schaberg, George Kemper, S. W. Hopkins, Henry Parker, John Harper, Fritz Ritter, D. P. Dyer, W. Delventhall, John H. Faulconer, William Schaden, W. P. Riddle, James H. Riddle, William Thee, William Leak, A. Hart, Ernst Schowengerdt, T. L. Garrett, Lemuel Thurman, C. E. Peers, A. M. Hammontree, Marcus Bentz, C. T. Archer, Garrett Schnick, John Gaffney, H. D. L. Bockhorst, Simon Morris, William Middlekamp, Patrick Ryan, John Middelkamp, Frederick Morsey, William H. Smith, William Horstmann, Michael Kelly, George Block, G. Reiche, L. J. Dryden and F. Koch.
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
. The association was duly chartered under the name of the " War- ren County Agricultural and Mechanical Association." Grounds were selected on the Troy and Wright City road, about one mile north-east of Warrenton, substantial buildings and fences were erected and on October 14, 1868, the first annual exhibition opened under very auspicious circumstances. The premiums were liberal and promptly paid.
The association continued to prosper for the next three seasons, but for some unaccountable reason, interest in the fair seemed to diminish, gradually, until the managers were forced to discontinue the annual meeting. The grounds were sold, as were also the build- ings ; and since 1871 the county has had no fair. The officers of the association were J. E. Yocum, president ; C. E. Peers, secretary.
THE PRESS.
In the diffusion of knowledge, as an educator of the people, the Press is recognized as a powerful ally, and in conjunction with the educational facilities offered in every intelligent community, its power and influence is widely felt. In the dissemination of news and the protection of the interests of the people, the newspaper occupies a position of great responsibility. Its obligations, too, and influence with its readers partake of the nature of personal intimacy, and when used in the interest of good morals and pure government, this influ- ence can not be overestimated.
Twenty-four years after the organization of Warren county in 1857, the first newspaper was established at Warrenton. It was called the Warrenton Nonpareil, and was owned and edited by Robert E. Pleasants and Charles Corwin. The partnership was soon dissolved, however, Mr. Pleasants becoming the sole proprietor. The paper was a 16x22 sheet, in which form it was published until in 1863, when it was enlarged and improved in every feature. Col. John E. Hutton, now Congressman from the Seventh district, was at this time editor of the Nonpareil. The following year its publication was sus- pended, and in August, 1884, Mr. Charles E. Peers became the owner of the franchise and property.
Mr. Peers immediately began the publication of the Warren county Banner, a spicy, reliable and ably conducted sheet. In 1869 the title was changed to the Warrenton Missouri Banner. Mr. Peers disposed of the property to Chas. W. Rapp, who, however, had but a short career as a journalist, when the paper reverted again to the ownership of Mr. Peers. In the winter of 1872 the office was sold to Messrs.
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