USA > Missouri > Livingston County > Past and present of Livingston County, Missouri : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume I > Part 4
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Otis Millon, 1859.
L. J. Minnick, 1849. W. E. Minnick, 1846.
R. S. Moore, 1860. D. N. Morris, 1856. John T. Moss, 1841.
S. B. Mumpower, 1850. W. G. Mumpower, 1855. G. B. Nave, 1840. Otto Neuschafer, 1858.
J. F. Oliver, 1849. G. H. Oliver, 1850. W. W. Patrick, 1848.
W. B. Patterson, 1859. William Perren, 1859. F. M. Phillips, 1857. G. W. Phillips, 1858. J. J. Phillips, 1843. J. R. Phillips, 1857. W. D. Phillips, 1845. J. H. Poe, 1855.
B. W. Porterfield, 1857. Andrew Prager, 1859. William Prewett, 1850. G. W. Purcell, 1849. J. V. Ramsey, 1854.
G. F. Renchler, 1855. N. L. Reynolds, 1848.
S. W. Reynolds, 1840. J. T. Roberts, 1854. Thomas Roberts, 1854. J. T. Roberts, 1854. W. P. Robinson, 1849. Samuel Rockhold, 1843. Julian Rockhold, 1856. A. T. Rockhold, 1851. Isaac Rockhold, 1853. J. K. Rockhold, 1846. W. C. Samuel, 1849.
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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
O. H. Saunders, 1857.
J. W. Scott, 1857.
Emily Shinkle, 1856.
W. R. Walker, 1860.
J. F. Sims, 1842.
F. M. Smith, 1852.
John M. Spears, 1857.
W. F. Spears, 1855.
James Steen, 1846.
G. W. Steen, 1859.
J. T. Ware, 1859.
John Sterling, 1843.
J. D. Warren, 1856.
Joseph Stone, 1836.
J. H. Warren, 1848.
J. P. Stuckey, 1858.
T. L. Warren, 1854.
A. F. Summerville, 1858.
R. M. Weatherby, 1856.
E. L. Taylor, 1844.
Elisha Wells, 1838.
Leo Tiberghien, 1835.
W. J. Wier, 1853.
J. Y. Todd, 1845. William Todd, 1845.
F. L. Willard, 1851.
P. H. Willard, 1856.
M. Tomlin, 1838.
J. G. Willard, 1850.
D. H. Williams, 1848.
I. T. Williams, 1844.
G. A. Williams, 1855.
G. W. Wolfskill, 1839.
MISSOURI GOVERNORS
Missouri has had thirty-two governors since 1820. The names of each, county in which the respective executives re- sided when elected, together with date of election and remarks follow :
Alexander McNair, St. Louis, August 1820, died March 18, 1826.
Frederick Bates, St. Louis, August 1824, died August 4, 1825.
Abraham J. Williams, Boone, Pres. Senate, Vice Bates, died in Columbia, December 30, 1839.
John Miller, Cooper, Dec. 8, 1825, special election to fill vacancy.
Michael Trumbo, 1858.
James Turner, 1837.
T. B. Turner, 1835.
J. E. Wait, 1859. Joshua Walker, 1843.
J. A. Walls, 1854. William Walter, 1858. Jacob Walz, 1857. G. M. Walz, 1860. F. D. Ward, 1837.
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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
John Miller, Cooper, August 1828, died at Florissant, March 18, 1846.
Daniel Dunklin, Washington, August 1832, died August 25, 1844.
Lilburn W. Boggs, Jackson, August 1836, died at Nappa Valley, Cal., March 14, 1860.
Thomas Reynolds, Howard, August 1840, February 9, 1844, committed suicide at mansion.
M. M. Marmaduke, Saline, Lieut .- Gov., died March 26, 1864.
John C. Edwards, Cole, August 1844, died in Stockton, Cal., Sept. 14, 1888.
Austin A. King, Ray, August 1848, died April 22, 1870.
Sterling Price, Chariton, August 1852, died in St. Louis, Sept. 29, 1867.
Trusten Polk, St. Louis, August 1856, elected U. S. Sen- ator, Feb. 1857, died April 16, 1876.
Hancock Jackson, Randolph, Lieut .- Gov., died in Salem, Oregon, March 19, 1876.
Robert M. Stewart, Buchanan, August 1857, to fill va- cancy, died Sept. 21, 1871.
Claiborne F. Jackson, Saline, August 1860, died in Ar- kansas, December 1862.
Hamilton R. Gamble, St. Louis, appointed by convention July 31, 1861, died January 31, 1864.
Willard P. Hall, Buchanan, Lieut .- Gov., Vice Gamble, died Nov. 2, 1882.
Thomas C. Fletcher, St. Louis, November 1864, died in Washington, D. C., March 25, 1899.
Joseph W. McClurg, Camden, November 1868, died in Lebanon, Dec. 2, 1900.
B. Gratz Brown, St. Louis, November 1870, died at Kirk- wood, Dec. 13, 1885.
Silas Woodson, Buchanan, November 1872, died Novem- ber, 9, 1896.
Charles H. Hardin, Audrain, November 1874, died July 29, 1892.
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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
John S. Phelps, Greene, November 1876, died November 20, 1886.
Thos. T. Crittenden, Johnson, November 1880, died May 29, 1909, in Kansas City.
John S. Marmaduke, St. Louis City, November 1884, died Dec. 28, 1887.
Albert P. Morehouse, Nodaway, Lieut .- Gov., suicide, Sep- tember 30, 1891.
David R. Francis, St. Louis City, November 1888, now in St. Louis, Mo.
Wm. J. Stone, Vernon, November 1892, now United States Senator.
Lon V. Stephens, Cooper, November 1896, now in St. Louis City.
Alexander M. Dockery, Daviess, November 1900, now in Gallatin, Mo.
Joseph W. Folk, St. Louis, November 1904, now in St. Louis City.
Herbert S. Hadley, Jackson, November 1908, now in Kan- sas City, Mo.
Elliott W. Majors, Pike county, governor, elected No- vember, 1912.
MISSOURI SOILS
During the past two decades a wave of national prosperity in this country has exerted a most important influence upon the American farmer. Few classes of people have reaped the rich reward from these extraordinary commercial conditions as the men on the farm. In a large degree this prosperity of the country has been due to favorable crops and high prices of all farm products. These conditions have enriched the progressive farmer from one end of the country to the other, but more especially is this true of the central and western states. Farm lands have advanced from $20, $40, and $60 to $70, $100 and in some sections to $150 per acre, according to improvements, while the rate of taxation has only kept pace with the advanced prices in land values. The farmer has
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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
sold his stock and grain at prices unknown since normal condi- tions prevailed after the close of the Civil war. As a result his bank account is largely on the credit side of the ledger, thus enabling him, not only to add greatly to improvements on the farm, but by the aid of improved machinery and new and up-to-date methods of farming, to take life easy. Espec- ially do these splendid conditions exist here in Livingston county, where the soil is generally rich, and with few excep- tions is dark, rich, and when properly handled "loamy," be- ing from eighteen inches to two feet in depth. To be sure some few tracts are broken but the area is limited. Of this latter we might call it a mulatto soil, sometimes sandy to a few inches in depth. There abounds in the western section of the county what is known as limestone land which pro- duces equally as well as the dark, rich soil but is differently adapted. Some little hilly land is found adjacent to water courses, but this is somewhat limited. Many of these hills or slopes are so gentle that they really are desirable for meadows and pastures. The river and creek bottoms are usually level, the soil fertile, but during wet seasons not desirable for culti- vation. This, however, is rapidly being overcome by ditching and tiling, thousands of acres having been reclaimed within the past decade and the work goes merrily on.
The number of acres of upland in cultivation is approxi- mately three hundred and twenty-eight thousand nine hundred and sixty-three, while the number of acres of bottom land now in cultivation, has leaped from seventy-one thousand one hun- dred and sixty to not less than two hundred and eleven thou- sand seven hundred and nine acres.
Less than one-third of the county abounds in timber. In the last quarter of a century the best timber that skirted Grand river and all other streams has been felled and sawed into lumber, while the stately and second-growth hickory has been turned into wagon axles, handles and many other useful arti- cles. The oak, ash, hackberry, pecan, maple, and elm has supplied fuel for our people for three-fourths of a century.
From a gentleman, whose three score years as a prac- tical farmer enables him to judge intelligently, we are in-
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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
formed that the surface soil of Livingston county is of the richest variety. The soil, he says, is mostly decomposed vege- table matter-a rich, black mold-equal to the richest valleys of the corn belt states and that it is from twelve to fifteen inches deep. It is strong in the elements of production as everywhere indicated by the rank growth of vegetation to be found. As a proof of this experienced pioneer's opinion, the writer is cog- nizant of many fields of corn that have been grown year after year for from twenty to forty years, producing thirty-five to seventy bushels per acre according to conditions of the weather and mode of cultivation, while one field of thirty acres in Mound township produced sixty-seven bushels to the acre after having been planted to corn forty-two successive years, and this without any fertilization whatever.
There is beneath this rich, black mold a clay subsoil, ap- parently impervious while the underlying strata when brought in contact with the air soon breaks up into irregular sections and later into a velvety or ashy heap, not at all like the heavy, soggy and undesirable red and blue clay so familiar to our people who immigrated to this section from some of the east- ern states. This subsoil of Livingston county forms a base which is enduring for the production of grains, grasses and fruits and is acknowledged superior as a soil base by the best and most experienced agriculturists in the country. This sub- soil deposit underlies the entire county to a depth of from ten to thirty feet and its value to the farmer cannot be overesti- mated. No section of the United States enjoys a broader range of production than is presented in this part of Missouri. It is a paradise for the husbandman. Here the farmer has the whole field against the specialist of other sections of the coun- try. Complete failures of all crops are unknown. He sows his wheat, rye, and oats, plants his corn, some flax, a large variety of vegetables and fruits; he raises horses and mules, cattle, hogs, sheep and poultry ; he has blue grass pastures, meadows of timothy, clover and alfalfa and in this manner covers the field as against a single possible winning crop.
The late Hon. H. C. Ireland who immigrated to Living- ston county at an early day from the State of Kentucky, once
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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
told the author of this work, that the celebrated blue grass of his native state was very fine indeed, but that the blue grass carpet of this county was richer and ranker of growth and con- tained flesh-building elements not to be found in Kentucky blue grass. This is indeed a grass country. Blue grass and clover are indigenous to our soils and our domestic herds have given both the impulse of the victor or conqueror in the race for preponderance. All stock men admit that blue grass leads all else in the rapid putting on of flesh, but that alfalfa is a close second. There is not a more natural grass country on the continent and in consequence it has been spreading out over prairie, woodland, field and lawn.
The timothy meadows of Livingston county as well as other sections of north Missouri charms the immigrant from many of the older states. The nutritious growth of this grass, so rank, rich and resplendent, its equal is nowhere to be found. The fields when fully headed give forth the appearance of a sea of stately waving grain, producing one and one-half tons to three tons per acre. The seed is also an important staple.
THE MORMONS
The attack upon the Mormons in Livingston and adjoin- ing counties by the early settlers was a war of extermination and resulted in much blood shed. Although there are today two distinct bodies of the church, one known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and the other the Reorgan- ized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, both have the same founder, Joseph Smith, who was born in Sharon, Vt., in 1805. Taken to Palmyra, N. Y., he became religiously con- cerned in 1820. He received "visions" from 1821 to 1827, and the Book of Mormon in 1827. With Oliver Cowdery he was ordained priest by "an angel" in 1829; founded a church at Fayette, N. Y., in 1830; moved to Kirtland, Ohio, where he was joined by Sidney Rigdon in 1830, and Brigham Young in 1832. The presidency was established in 1833, the apostolate of twelve in 1835 and the foreign mission in 1837. A temple was built and a bank founded, but the latter proved a failure.
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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
Rigdon and Young fled to Missouri, where a colony had been founded in 1831, but opposition arose here, and in the winter of 1839 twelve thousand people were driven from the State of Missouri and took refuge in Illinois. The town of Commerce, Ill., was bought and the name changed to Nauvoo (1840) and a charter obtained. Smith was mayor of the town and the city council was controlled by Mormons. The religious prop- aganda brought large numbers to the town, one thousand, six hundred and fourteen persons coming from England in 1842. The organization of the church aroused anxiety and wide- spread antagonism among those who knew its strength. A "revelation" on "celestial marriage" is said to have been re- ceived by Smith at this time, though it was not published until 1852. In 1843 the Nauvoo Expositor, started by ex-Mormons for the purpose of exposing Mormonism and its founder, is- sued one number, after which its offices and equipment were destroyed by order of the city council. This act brought oppo- sition to a head. Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were arrested and were shot by a mob while in jail at Carthage, Ill., June 27, 1844.
Referring to the expulsion of the Mormons from the State of Missouri by force in 1839, preliminary steps had been taken by the people as early as 1838, when a petition, numerously signed, was sent from Livingston and other counties to the governor asking him to expel the Mormons from the state. The petition from Livingston, Daviess and Caldwell counties was borne to His Excellency by one, Adam Black. The proc- lamation of the governor followed the presentation of the peti- tions quickly and the organization of militia companies went forward rapidly. Livingston county raised two hundred men in a few days. These were joined by even greater numbers from Caldwell, Daviess, Ray and adjacent counties. The militia first encountered the Mormons at Haun's mill, situated on the north bank of Shoal creek in the eastern part of Cald- well county.
News that the militia of the state had been ordered to expel them had reached the Mormons, and following these tidings word was brought that a considerable number of men living
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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
in Livingston county, together with some from Daviess, had organized near Spring Hill, in Livingston county, and were preparing to attack them. A company of about thirty men, in- differently armed with shot guns and squirrel rifles, was or- ganized, and David Evans, a Danite, was chosen captain. It was determined to defend the place. Learning that the force organizing against them numbered some hundreds, some of the older men among the Mormons urged that no resistance should be made but that all should retreat to the far West. It seems that the prophet had advised this, but nevertheless had given them permission to remain if they thought they could protect themselves.
North of Haun's mill, a short distance, was a body of tim- ber and brush, and north of this, towards where Breckinridge now stands was a stretch of prairie for miles. For a day or two Capt. Evans kept a picket post in the northern edge of the timber, but having entered into a truce with Capt. Nehemiah Comstock, commanding one of the Livingston county com- panies, and no other enemy appearing, this post was with- drawn.
This truce was effected by means of a messenger, who rode between Comstock and Evans, and his terms were that the Gentiles were to let the Mormons alone as long as they were peaceable. The Mormons agreed also to disband their mili- tary organization if the Gentiles would disband theirs, and this it is claimed was agreed to. But the Mormons heard that over in Livingston, directly east of them, another company of Gen- tiles, under Capt. Wm. Mann, was menacing them; and so they did not disband, for while they confided in Capt. Com- stock's company, they had no confidence in Mann's, which for some time had been operating at and near Whitney's mill on Shoal creek, where Dawn now is, stopping Mormons on their way to Caldwell from the east, turning them back in some in- stances, taking their arms from them.
The Gentile force in Livingston county numbered about two hundred men and was under the command of Col. Wm. O. Jennings, then the sheriff of this county. Three companies composed it, led by Capt. Nehemiah Comstock, Thos. R.
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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
Bryan and William Mann. It took the field in earnest about the 25th of October, and for a few days prior to the 30th was encamped about three miles northeast of Breckinridge, at least Comstock's company was. Perhaps Mann's was employed in the southern portion of the county until the 29th.
Learning that the Mormons at Haun's mill had not dis- banded, and yielding to the almost universal desire of his men, who were eager to seize upon any pretext for a fight, Col. Jen- nings set out from his camp in the afternoon of the 30th of October, intending to attack and capture Haun's mill, and en- camp there that night. The route lay via where Mooresville now stands and on across the prairie towards Breckinridge. The march was made swiftly and without interruption.
Suddenly from out of the timber north of the mill the Liv- ingston militia burst upon the hamlet. In a few seconds the air was filled with wild shouts and shots, and the fight was on. It can scarcely be called a fight. The Mormons were thrown into confusion and many of them ran wildly and aimlessly about. The women and children cried and screamed in excite- ment and terror, and the greater number, directed by the men, ran across the mill dam to the south bank and sought shelter in the woods south of the creek. Perhaps half of the men, Evans among them, ran with their guns to the blacksmith shop and began to return the fire. Some were shot down in an effort to reach the shop or as they were trying to escape.
The fire of the Mormons was for the most part wild and ineffective; that of the militia was accurate and deadly. The cracks between the logs of the shop were so large that it was easy to shoot through them, and so thickly were the Mormons huddled together on the inside that nearly every bullet that entered the shop killed or wounded a man. Firing was kept up all the while on the fleeing fugitives, many of whom were shot down.
After the engagement was over, and all the able-bodied male Mormons had been killed, wounded or driven away, some of the militia men began to "loot" the houses and stables at the mill. A great deal of property was taken, much of it consisting of household articies and personal effects but just
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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
how much can not now be stated. The Mormons claim that there was a general pillage and that in two or three instances the bodies of the slain were robbed. Some of the militia or their friends say only two or three wagons were taken, one to haul off three wounded, and sufficient bedding to make their ride comfortable; but on the other hand two of those who were in a position to know say that the Mormon hamlet was pretty thoroughly rifled. Colonel Jennings did not remain at Haun's mill, in all, more than two or three hours. Twilight approaching, he set out on his return to his former camp, for one reason fearing a rally of the Mormons with a large re- enforcement, and doubtless desiring to reflect leisurely on his course of future operations. Reaching his camp near Wool- sey's, northeast of Breckinridge, Colonel Jennings halted his battalion and prepared to pass the night. But a few hours later he imagined he heard cannon and a great tumult in the direc- tion of Haun's mill, betokening the presence of a large Mor- mon force, and rousing his men he broke camp, and moving rapidly eastward, never halted until he had put the west fork of Grand river between him and his imaginary pursuers.
The story of the fight at Haun's mill as related from a Mormon standpoint, is given in the following somewhat ex- tended report by Joseph Young, a brother of Brigham :
On the 6th day of July last I started with my family from Kirtland, Ohio, for the state of Missouri, the county of Cald- well, in the upper part of the state, being the place of my desti- nation. On the thirteenth day of October I crossed the Mis- sissippi at Louisiana, at which place I heard vague reports of the disturbances in the upper country, but nothing that could be relied upon.
I continued my course westward till I crossed Grand river, at a place called Compton's ferry, at which place I heard, for the first time, that if I proceded any further on my journey I would be in danger of being stopped by a body of armed men. I was not willing, however, while treading my native soil and breathing republican air, to abandon my object, which was to locate myself and family in a fine healthy country, where we could enjoy the society of our friends and connections. Con-
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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
sequently, I prosecuted my journey till I came to Whitney's mills, situated on Shoal creek in the southwestern part of Liv- ingston county.
After crossing the creek and going about three miles, we met a party of the mob, about forty in number, armed with rifles and mounted on horses who informed us that we could go no farther west, threatening us with instant death if we pro- ceeded any farther. I asked them the reason of this prohibi- tion; to which they replied that we were "Mormons"; that every one adhered to our religious faith would have to leave the state in ten days or renounce their religion. Accordingly they drove us back to the mills above mentioned. Here we tarried three days, and on Friday, the 26th, we recrossed the creek and following up its banks we succeeded in eluding the mob for the time being, and gained the residence of a friend in Myer's settlement.
On Sunday, the 28th of October, we arrived at Haun's mill at about twelve o'clock where we found a number of our friends collected who were holding a council and deliberating upon the best course for them to pursue to defend themselves against the mob, who were collecting in the neighborhood un- der the command of Col. Jennings, of Livingston, and threat- ening them with house burning and killing. The decision of the council was that our friends should place themselves in an attitude of self-defense. Accordingly about twenty-eight of our men armed themselves and were in constant readiness for an attack of any small body of men that might come down upon them.
The same evening, for some reason best known to them- selves, the mob sent one of their number to enter into a treaty with our friends which was accepted on the condition of mu- tual forbearance on both sides, and that each party, as far as their influence extended, should exert themselves to prevent any further hostilities upon either party. At this time, how- ever, there was another mob collecting on Grand river, at William Mann's who were threatening us, consequently we remained under arms.
Monday passed away without molestation from any quar-
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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
ter. On Tuesday, the 30th, that bloody tragedy was acted, the scenes of which I shall never forget. More than three-fourths of the day had passed in tranquillity, as smiling as the pre- ceding one. I think there was no individual of our company that was apprised of the sudden and awful fate that hung over our heads like an overwhelming torrent, which was to change the prospect, the feelings and circumstances of about thirty families. The banks of Shoal creek on both sides teemed with children sporting and playing, while their mothers were en- gaged in domestic pursuits and their fathers employed in guarding the mills and other property, while others were en- gaged in gathering their crops for the winter consumption. The weather was very pleasant, the sun shone clear, all was tranquil and no one expressed any apprehension of the awful crisis that was near us-even at our doors.
It was about four o'clock, while sitting in my cabin with my babe in my arms and my wife standing by my side, the door being open, I cast my eyes on the opposite bank of Shoal creek and saw a large company of armed men on horses, directing their course towards the mills with all possible speed. As they advanced through the scattering trees that stood on the edge of the prairie they seemed to form themselves into a square position, forming a vanguard in front.
At this moment David Evans, seeing the superiority of their numbers (there being two hundred and forty of them according to their own account), swung his hat and cried for "peace." This not being heard, they continued to advance, and their leader, Mr. Nehemiah Comstock, fired a gun which was followed by a solemn pause of ten or twelve seconds when all at once, they discharged about one hundred rifles, aiming at a blacksmith's shop into which our friends had fled for safety ; and charged up to the shop, the cracks of which between the logs were sufficiently large to enable them to aim directly at the bodies of those who had fled there for refuge from the fire of their murderers. There were several families tented in the rear of the shop, whose lives were exposed, and who, amidst a shower of bullets, fled to the woods in different directions.
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