USA > Missouri > Vernon County > History of Vernon County, Missouri : past and present, including an account of the cities, towns and villages of the county Vol. I > Part 29
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Coroner-Geo. W. Symms, 1427; no opposition.
Township organization-For, 1402; against, 300.
Mr. Greeley's vote in the state was 151,434; Grant's, 119,196. and Charles O'Connor's 2,429. For Governor, Woodson received 156,714 and Henderson, 121,272. In this congressional district, then the sixth, Haven's majority over McAfee was 362.
In 1872 Vernon county was divided into seventeen townships, viz : Bacon, Blue Mound, Center, Clear Creek, Deerfield, Dover, Drywood, Harrison, Henry, Little Osage, Montevallo, Moundville, Richland, Two-Mile, Virgil, Walker and Washington. But in February, 1873, pursuant to the vote of the people at the pre- ceding November election, the county court organized the county into twenty municipal townships, by creating the townships of Badger, Coal, Lake and Metz, and discontinuing Two-Mile: Township organization was afterwards discontinued, but re- adopted by a decisive vote, in 1886.
What became known as the "tadpole" party sprang up in 1874, the name being applied to the "Peoples' Party," composed of Republicans and Democrats, as opposed to the regular Demo-
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cratic party. The out-and-out Democrats alleged that their bolt- ing brethren, by abandoning their regular Democratic organiza- tion for the Republican, were changing to Republicans as todpoles change to frogs, with time, and as the the pool in which they lived became more filthy and poluted. Hence the nick-name. In the election of that year, although some prominent Democrats in the county were allied with the Tadpol or Peoples' party, there was an overwhelming majority for the regular Democratic ticket.
Also, in 1874 was started in Vernon county the Grange move- ment, an organization in the interest of farmers ; and a majority of the farmers in the county at sometime were identified with the Order of Patrons of Husbandry. As an organization, contempla- ting the union of the farmers for mutual co-operation and protec- tion, it accomplished much for the farmers during the days of its prosperity. But it eventually came into the control of unscrup- ulous political demagogues, internal dissensions arose, the real purposes and objects of the organization were neglected, and gradually its influence dwindled until finally what had been a widespread and powerful agency of good, fell into a condition of practical inactivity, and in recent years comparatively little has been heard of it as an organization.
GRASSHOPPERS.
Late in the summer of 1874 began what was called the grass- hopper plague, when vast swarms of grasshoppers or Rocky Mountain locusts infested western Missouri and eastern Kansas and litterally stripped the earth of vegetation, and in parts of Vernon county no living green thing was left in their wake. Their first appearance in the upper air, with the scintillating sun- light playing on their wings, had the appearance of a snow storm raging in the sky. When they descended and settled they litterally covered the ground and devoured everything green in sight. The crops had been gathered and they were forced to forage upon the trees and grass and weeds, and did little real damage at this time, but their appearance was something fearful to behold. In the chill of early morning, to get the warmth of the sun, they gathered on the east side of objects, and on the east side of the houses and other buildings in many places they were massed in heaps three and four feet high. During the fall
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they bored into the ground and deposited their eggs. These eggs hatched the next spring and the numbers seemed to have increased over the first comers a hundred fold. Their appetites were insatiable and from early in the spring of 1875, till about the middle of June, everything in the way of vegetation that showed itself above ground was greedily devoured to appease their devouring hunger, and wherever they went the surface of the earth resembled a bare floor. When they reached the flying stage, about the middle of June, they took wing, going north- ward and disappeared as mysteriously as they came. In this connection it should be stated that Governor Hardin, who seemed to believe in the efficacy of prayer, appointed a day for special prayer for deliverance from the scourge. The day was quite generally observed in the afflicted districts and, on good authority, it can be stated that within a few days the pests disappeared. The statement that has been made that contributions were sent into the county in response to appeals for help, is somewhat mis- leading. The facts are that the people not only did not ask for aid, but refused to accept it. They did notify certain parties in St. Louis that if they could send seed corn to be sold on time it would be appreciated. And seed corn and possibly some other supplies were sent, but the most of those who were supplied paid cash for what they got, and only in a very few cases did the recipients not pay, and they belonged to the general class of needy poor. There was no call for outside help, the people were able to cope with the situation and were opposed to having the county placed in the attitude of receiving charity. Contrary to general expectations, the crops that year were bountiful, which was acounted for by some on the theory that the innumerable borings in the soil rendered it more easily tillable, and that in the holes was deposited more or less matter of a fertilizing nature.
CHAPTER XXV. GENERAL PROSPERITY-ELECTIONS-PROMINENT INCIDENTS.
Ten years of earnest and conscious endeavor, succeeding the close of the war, by the citizens of the county to retrieve their losses and reconstruct and replace what had been destroyed, wrought marvels in the way of developing its material resources and starting it on the high road of prosperity. With the fresh impulse given to every branch of activity by the rapid immigra- tion of new settlers into the county after the year 1875, there began a period of prosperity. almost unparalleled. During the next ten or twelve years the population of the county much more than doubled, some of the new-comers being from the northern part of the state, but the majority of them coming from the northern states and bringing with them, to vivify and invigorate the entire industrial system, that spirit of energy and enterprise so characteristic of northern men. New farms have been opened and thousands of acres of land brought under cultivation; homes have been established, and new and modern buildings have replaced those of earlier days, and everywhere throughout the agricultural communities are apparent the evidences of material prosperity and thrift. Old towns have been rebuilt, and new villages and towns have sprung up ; a complete network of public roads has been opened and improved, and splendid bridges span the streams. A fine system of public schools has been established and developed, and well-patronized schools are found everywhere throughout the county, while churches of all the leading denomi- nations exist in plenty to minister to the spiritual needs and moral upbuilding of the people in cities, villages and rural districts. With the building of railroads connecting with all principal points in every direction have come business houses representing every branch of commercial and business enterprise, and the growing towns and cities have taken on the appearance and airs of ambi- tious and enterprising young metropolitan centers. It is, perhaps,
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true that the railroads, by their incalculable advantage to the county, have been the most important factors in the development of its varied resources. The completion of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas in 1870 gave the county its first connection with the outer world, and its benefits, at once apparent, were great. But with the coming of the Lexington & Southern branch of the Mis- souri Pacific railroad in 1881-82, giving connection with Kansas City, which had become well nigh indispensable, such an impetus was given to the county's development as it had not known before. It supplied for Nevada a long-felt want, and was of great benefit to many farming communities, and on account of it the villages of Sheldon and Milo were called into being and other stations were established. It brought wealth into the county, enhanced the value of land, was an important agency in increas- ing the county's population, and gave a stimulus to business of every kind. An interesting fact in connection with the building of this road was that it cost the people little beyond the right of way; the payment of no interest-bearing bonds had been assumed to burden those then living and to be left an undesirable heritage to those who should come after them.
The building of the Nevada & Minden railway from Nevada through the southwestern section of the county in 1886 was of great advantage. Moundville township reaped great benefit from it. Moundville itself was given a new lease of life, and the town of Bronaugh sprang up on account of it. The project excited popular favor, and both the citizens of Nevada and the people of those sections most deeply interested contributed generously to the enterprise. Mr. Frank P. Anderson, of Nevada, who was the first president of this road, was chiefly instrumental in its building. A further and more complete account of the railroad enterprises in the county is given in the article by Mr. Frank P. Anderson appearing elsewhere in this work.
The general strike on the Gould system of railroads in the West, in March, 1886, was far-reaching in its effects, throwing out of employment hundreds of men, causing great public incon- venience and interfering with commerce, to say nothing of the financial loss. In Nevada nearly every employee as well as the agents' assistants quit work, and for thirty days no freight was handled and no freight trains run. The stores' supplies were exhausted, and as no goods of any kind could be brought in there
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was well nigh a famine in staple articles and necessities, such as sugar, coffee, salt, coal oil, etc. It was the contention of the employees that the railroad authorities, by a series of oppressive and tyrannical acts, had infringed on their rights; that the regu- lations in force were harsh and unreasonable; that wages were miserly ; that their repeated petitions for relief were unheeded, or promises on the part of those in authority to ameliorate the condi- tions complained of were constantly violated; while the authori- ties charged that the discharge in Texas of an employee named Hall, who belonged to the Knights of Labor, was the occasion of the strike. The matter finally became the subject of legislative and, later, of congressional investigation.
There was no violent or menacing conduct on the part of the strikers at Nevada, but a grim determination to stand together and bring the railroad authorities to their terms.
The final outcome was practically a repetition of the failure that has characterized most of the unpleasant controversies of a similar kind, resulting in profit to neither party and causing inconvenience to the public and loss to all the interests affected.
The selection of Nevada as the site of insane asylum No. 3, by the general assembly in 1885, was a source of great rejoicing by citizens of the county. It had been the intention to locate the institution at Springfield, but an amendment to the act authorizing any other location in that quarter was supported by the members from the Southwest and carried. There was great rivalry for the prize between Springfield, Carthage and Nevada, the award to be made by a board of commissioners appointed by the governor to the city offering the best inducements, all things considered. The people throughout the county, generally, entered heartily into the project. Public sentiment in its favor was aroused by the three newspapers of Nevada, the "Southwest Mail," the "Democrat" and the "Ledger," in stirring and con- vincing articles, and public meetings in furtherance of the enter- prise were held. Of $30,000 finally subscribed and tendered to the commission on condition that Nevada be selected as the location, Mr. Jay Gould, through the representatives of his railroads, subscribed $5,000. The award selecting Nevada was made on August 31, 1885, and at once approved by Governor Marmaduke. Contracts for material were soon made ; plans and specifications prepared by Mr. M. Fred Bell, a skilled
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architect, were approved, and in February, 1886, the contract for the construction of the building was let to Mr. Theodore Lacaff, an experienced contractor and builder of Fulton, Mo., for the sum of $165,500. Work on the structure was begun in March, 1886, and carried forward with all practicable speed and, when completed, the building, an object of local pride, was creditable alike to the county and state, and in all its appointments worthy the purpose for which it was created.
The reports of the county's vote in various elections during a period of nearly thirty-five years, last past, will be found of interest. Beginning with the presidential election of 1876, when Samuel J. Tilden was the Democratic nominee and Rutherford Hayes the Republican, the vote of the county showed as follows : Presdent, Tlden, 1,875; Hayes, 774. Governor, John S. Phelps, 1, 861; G. A. Finkelnburg, 765. Congress, Charles H. Morgan, 1,892 ; H. E. Havens, 767. The county officers elected were Wlliam Hall, representative; R. J. McGowan, treasurer; William B. McGinnis, sheriff ; C. T. Davis, prosecuting attorney ; C. O. Graves, public administrator; C. N. Logan, surveyor; Thomas P. Ander- son, coroner ; Paul F. Thornton, county judge. All Democrats.
1880.
In 1880 the Greenback party presented its candidates for the first time in this county. The vote in this county at the November electon for the leading candidates is here given-Democrats first, Republicans next, and Greenbackers last :
President-Hancock, 2,338; Garfield, 940; Weaver, 360.
Governor-Thomas T. Crittenden, 2,319; D. P. Dyer, 957; L. A. Brown, 362.
Congress-James R. Waddell, 2,329 ; Ira S. Haseltine (Fusion), 1,297.
Representative-George R. Jones, 2,268; Wesley Mellick, 963; W. T. Doyle, 386.
Sheriff-William I. Fisher, 2,188; Aaron Walters, 1,061; D. C. Lincoln, 371.
Circuit Judge-John D. Parkinson, 655; C. G. Burton, 1,202; C. R. Scott (Democrat), 1,733.
In this election there was intense interest in the judicial con- test, and considerable bitterness of feeling was engendered. Judge Parkinson, of Bates county, and Judge Scott, of Vernon, each
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claimed to be the properly nominated Democratic candidate, and the result was much feeling between the two counties and the election of Judge Burton.
1884.
President-Cleveland, 3,782; Blaine and Butler, 2,007.
Governor-Marmaduke, 3,546; Ford (Fusion), 2,003; Brooks (Prohibition), 235.
Congress-W. J. Stone, 3,699 ; S. A. Warden, 2,037.
Representatives-J. C. Murray, 3,529; J. T. Birdseye, 2,128.
Sheriff-W. W. Hill, 3,836; C. M. Barry, 1,938.
Collector-A. C. Sterett, 3,792; J. P. Jones, 1,973.
Attorney-H. H. Blanton, 3,645; J. B. Harris, 2,073. County Judge-T. J. Myers, 3,763; S. A. Wight, 1,997. Treasurer-A. M. McGovney, 3,805; T. C. Hambaugh, 1,972. Assessor-C. A. Yater, 3,795; J. H. Rinehart, 1,985. Surveyor-C. N. Logan, 3,744 ; B. E. Hummell, 1,991. Administrator-W. F. Gordon, 3,799; D. Smart, 1,980. Democrats first named.
R. F. Mason and C. Correll, both Democrats, were elected associate justices of the county court.
1886.
At the general election in November, 1886, for the first time in the county's history a break was made in the straight Demo- cratic ticket and two Republicans were elected to office. Mr. Hiram L. Tillotson, Republican, was elected representative over Mr. Alfred Cummins, the regular Democratic nominee, and Mr. Reese Hill was chosen county judge from the second district of the county over Judge C. Correll. At the same time the Demo- cratic majority in the county was in excess of 1,500. Messrs. Cummins and Correll were reputable citizens of the county, had held official position acceptably for some time previously, were the undoubted nominees of their party, and why they were defeated was inexplicable. The result was a great surprise, even to the Republicans, and a few nights after the election they indulged in a jollification at Nevada.
At this election, also, two citizens of the county were rival candidates for congress. Honorable W. J. Stone was the Demo- cratic nominee for re-election, and Mr. E. E. Kimball was the
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Republican candidate. The township organization system was re-established at this election by a large majority. The vote was as follows, Democratic candidates first named :
Supreme Judge-Theodore Brace, 3,228; John C. Cravens, 1,709.
Congress-W. J. Stone, 3,156 ; E. E. Kimball, 1,777.
Senator-S. H. Claycomb, 3,171; F. Griffith, 1,792.
Representative-A. Cummins, 2,192 ; H. L. Tillotson, 2,501.
Presiding Judge County Court-R. A. Short, 3,185; D. W. Graves, 1,746.
County Judge District No. 2-C. Correll, 1,245; Reese Hill, 1,417.
Coroner-H. B. Harris, 3,094; Z. Kelso, 1,812.
Township Organization-Yes, 4,013; No, 3,041.
Stock Law-Yes, 1,545; No, 2,573.
D. P. Stratton for circuit judge, Peter Rexrode for circuit clerk, Andrew King for recorder, W. F. Gordon for county clerk, William Hill for sheriff, A. C. Sterrett for collector, A. J. Smith for prosecuting attorney, H. P. Gray for probate judge, Charles H. Prewitt for treasurer, C. A. Yater for assessor, W. H. Prewitt for associate justice of the county court of the eastern district, or district No. 1. All Democratic candidates had no opposition.
In 1888 the following officials were elected for Vernon county : Representative, James W. Underwood; sheriff, Archibald G. White; presiding judge of county court, Thomas J. Smith (Mr. Smith died April 13, 1889, and J. E. Harding was appointed to fill the vacancy ) ; county judge north district, William H. Prewitt; judge county court south district, William A. Gore; prosecuting attorney, Levi Scott; county treasurer, Charles H. Prewitt; coroner, Edward J. Akinson ; surveyor, William H. Wood ; public administrator, L. N. Kennedy.
In 1890 those elected were: Representative, James W. Under- wood; clerk of county court, William F. Gordon; sheriff, A. G. White ; clerk of circuit court, Oscar Diehr ; presiding judge county court, John T. Mayer ; judge county court north district, Joseph F. Brooks ; recorder of deeds, John B. Harvey ; judge county court south district, William A. Gore ; judge probate court, Hampton P. Gray; prosecuting attorney, Levi L. Scott; county treasurer, Richard G. Bryan ; coroner, Levi M. Dixon.
In 1892 Daniel P. Stratton was elected circuit court judge ;
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY
representative, John J. Requa; sheriff, E. M. Seroghen; judge county court north district, Joseph F. Brooks ; judge county court south district, Wesley Jones; prosecuting attorney, Horace H. Blanton; county treasurer, R. G. Bryan ; collector, W. T. Thorp ; surveyor, William H. Wood ; public administrator, L. N. Kennedy ; county assessor, S. L. Higgins.
In 1894 Cornelius Correll was elected representative; clerk of county court, Robert J. McGowen ; sheriff, E. M. Seroghen ; clerk circuit court, Henry C. Brady ; presiding judge of county court, Richard T. Shields; judge county court north district, Jasper McCrary ; recorder of deeds, John B. Harvey ; judge county court south district, W. W. Burcham ; judge probate court, Judson W. Smith (F. Childs appointed) ; prosecuting attorney, Daniel M. Gibson; county treasurer, Frank A. Parker; collector, W. T. Thorp; coroner, E. J. Warth; county assessor, James R. Walton.
In 1896 J. D. Ellis was elected representative ; sheriff, E. A. Ewing ; judge county court north district, Jasper McCrary ; judge county court south district, J. L. Lampler ; prosecuting attorney, D. M. Gibson; county treasurer, F. A. Parker; collector, W. T. Thorp; coroner, E. J. Warth; surveyor, W. H. Wood; public administrator, F. E. Gordon; county assessor, F. B. Calloway.
In 1898 Henry C. Timmons was elected to the circuit court bench ; representative, John D. Ellis; clerk county court, Robert J. McGowen; sheriff, E. A. Ewing ; clerk circuit court, Henry C. Brady; presiding judge of county court, William B. Martin ; judge county court north district, E. N. Hurst ; recorder of deeds, G. G. Ewing; judge county court south district, Jon L. Lampler ; judge probate court, Judson W. Smith; prosecuting attorney, J. R. Moss; county treasurer, R. F. Lancaster; collector, A. C. Sterett ; coroner, L. M. Dixon.
In 1900 representative, J. D. Todd ; sheriff, J. F. Haskreader ; clerk circuit court, E. M. Brady; judge county court north dis- trict, E. N. Hurst ; judge county court south district, P. C. Davis ; prosecuting attorney, A. J. King; county treasurer, R. F. Lan- caster ; coroner, C. B. Davis; surveyor, James M. Clack; public administrator, Will L. Calloway.
In 1902 William H. Prewitt was elected representative; county clerk, H. W. Isbell ; sheriff, J. T. Harkreader ; clerk circuit court, J. E. Huff; presiding judge county court, W. B. Martin; judge county court from north district, Samuel B. Combs; recorder of
ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCHI.
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GENERAL PROSPERITY
deeds, G. G. Ewing; judge county court south district, C. C. Pettibone; judge probate court, T. J. Myers; prosecuting attor- ney, James M. Hull; county treasurer, J. M. Palmer ; coroner, C. B. Davis.
In 1904 Levin W. Shafer was elected judge of the circuit court (In May, 1906, Judge Shafer died, and J. B. Johnson was appointed by the governor to fill the vacancy) ; representative, William H. Prewitt; sheriff, R. B. Moore; judge county court north district, S. B. Combs; judge of county court south district, C. C. Pettibone ; prosecuting attorney, J. R. Moss; county treas- urer, J. M. Palmer ; coroner, J. M. Yeates ; surveyor, J. M. Clack ; public administrator, W. F. Gordon.
In 1906 B. G. Thurman was elected judge of the circuit court ; representative, J. O. Morrison ; clerk county court, H. W. Isbell ; sheriff, R. B. Moore; clerk circuit court, J. E. Huff; presiding judge county court, J. N. Staten; judge county court north dis- trict, Parcal Henshaw; recorder of deeds, J. R. Davis; judge county court south district, W. S. Creel; judge probate court, T. J. Myers ; prosecuting attorney, J. N. Coil; county treasurer, W. L. Earp; coroner, Truax.
In 1908 J. O. Morrison was re-elected representative, but died before qualifying, and at a special election called J. B. Johnson was elevated to the office ; sheriff, Ben Baugh ; judge county court north district, Robert Dean, William Price; judge county court south district, W. B. Martin ; prosecuting attorney, Lee B. Ewing ; treasurer, W. L. Earp; coroner, Dr. J. T. Hornback; surveyor, J. M. Clack ; public administrator, W. F. Gordon.
In 1910 B. G. Thurman was re-elected judge of the circuit court ; representative, J. N. Coil ; clerk county court, J. B. Akers ; clerk circuit court, M. C. Cummins; judge county court north district, J. H. Caton ; recorder deeds, B. F. Chatman ; judge county court south district, W. L. Creel; judge probate court, T. J. Myers ; prosecuting attorney, Lee B. Ewing.
SOME NOTED CRIMINALS.
There has always existed in Vernon county, with its cosmo- politan population, more or less of crime, but that the so-called criminal class has been any more predominant than in other com- munities of like character, there is no reason to suppose. There have been numerous murders and homicides aside from the atro-
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cities committed during the perilous times of guerrilla warfare ; criminals have been killed while resisting or trying to escape arrest, some have been slain while assaulting their fellows, and numerous perpetrators of crimes have escaped with punishment through the law's delays, the shrewdness of lawyers and the stu- pidity of jurors and, in some instances, murderers have paid the penalty of their crimes with their lives. One of these was William Fox, who was hung at Nevada on December 25, 1883, for the murder of Thomas Howard. Fox was a dissolute character and had known Howard in Adrian county. He had lived in Nevada but a short time before the murder. After spending the night of May 19 together in drinking and debauchery, Fox, near morn- ing, enticed Howard to a secluded spot in the southwestern part of the town and, after shooting him three times in the head and face, robbed and secreted the body. The body was discovered later in the morning near the railroad track and, on being arrested, Fox confessed the crime. On being brought before Judge Burton, of the circuit court, then in session, Fox offered to plead guilty. According to the usual custom, such a plea would be followed by a penitentiary sentence. For some reason Judge Burton would not allow a plea of guilty to be entered and ordered instead a plea of not guilty. Following indictment a trial was had, resulting in a conviction and sentence to death. The sen- tence was affirmed on an appeal to the supreme court, and at 12 o'clock on July 18 Fox was hung near the railroad trestle in the presence of a large crowd, among whom were his wife and his father and the widow of Howard.
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