USA > Missouri > Buchanan County > St Joseph > The Daily news' history of Buchanan County and St. Joseph, Mo. From the time of the Platte purchase to the end of the year 1898. Preceded by a short history of Missouri. Supplemented by biographical sketches of noted citizens, living and dead > Part 26
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forth's fluid. On the night mentioned there were about twenty-five negroes in the saloon, playing cards and enjoying themselves. There was to be rehearsal of a prospective minstrel troop in the basement, and at about 8:30 John Hicks, one of the artists, went below stairs to light up the basement room. Forty barrels of fluid had been stored in the adjoining basement room that day, and both rooms were filled with the fumes of the highly inflammable fluid. When Hicks struck a match an explosion occurred which was heard throughout the city and the shock of which was felt for quite a distance. The building was wrecked. Hicks, Billy Williams and the bartender, Charles Dunlap, who weighed 320 pounds, were killed. Fourteen negroes, congregated about the place, were more or less seriously injured, and considerable damage was done to neighboring property by the force of the explosion.
On the night of April 3, 1885, during a severe thunder storm, lightning struck the magazine of the Hazard Powder Company, located on Prospect Hill. The explosion that followed shattered many windows in the business district, the loss on plate glass having footed up over $2,000.
The following are the dates of some of the famous fires since 1880: Hannibal & St. Joseph elevator, Sixth and Lafayette streets, January 13, 1883; tank of Standard Oil Company, September 10, 1883; court house, March 28, 1885 ; C. D. Smith's wholesale grocery house, October 20, 1885; New Era Exposition, September 15, 1889; James Casey's sale stables, Fourthi and Messanie. streets, No- vember 10, 1889; Hax furniture factory, Seventh and Angelique streets, December 13, 1890; Kennard Grocer Company, Fourth and Angelique streets, March 1, 1891 ; Gregg's elevator, September 23, 1891; Wyeth's hardware house, Third street, near Felix street, No- vember 2, 1891; Union street car barns, November 30, 1891 ; J. B. Brady & Co., carpets, January 13, 1892; R. K. Allen's planing mill. Second and Francis streets, April 6, 1892.
Center block and Commercial block, at Sixth and Edmund streets, burned September 25, 1893. Center block was totally de- stroyed. It was occupied by the Townsend, Wyatt & Emery Dry Goods Company. North of it stood the Hoagland building, oc- cupied by the Regnier & Shoup Crockery Company. This building and contents were also destroyed. The Commercial block, opposite
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Center block was partially destroyed. The Carbry block, on the east was also damaged. The total loss was over half a million dol- lars. The fire started on the top floor of the Townsend, Wyatt & Emery Company's store, at about 9 o'clock in the morning, and spread rapidly. There was a strong breeze and the entire business portion of the city was in danger. The department could make no headway with the fire and it was far in the afternoon before they got it under control. The burned buildings have been replaced, though the present Center block (Hotel Donovan) is not so high by one story as was the original.
The Bennett Lumber Company's stock, on Middleton street and Lincoln school, burned July 24, 1894. Meierhoffer's cooper shop, South Fifth street, was totally destroyed August 27, 1894. There was a fire at Joseph Tullar's livery stable in which eight horses per- ished November 24, 1894. The Union Depot burned on the night of February 9, 1895. The St. Joseph pump factory, on Lake boule- vard, burned May 13, 1895.
The old freight house of the Hannibal & St. Joseph railroad, located at Seventh and Olive streets, used by the Missouri Pacific road, was destroyed on Saturday morning, November 24, 1895. The office was the only portion of the building saved. This building was one of the landmarks of St. Joseph, having been built by the Hannibal & St. Joseph road in 1860.
Saturday night, February 22, 1896, the extensive feed stables and livery barn of Ducate & Grantham, on Edmond street, between Seventh and Eighth, were destroyed by fire, entailing a loss of nearly $50,000. Sixty horses and many fine carriages were burned ..
CHAPTER XXV.
THE FAIRS OF FORMER DAYS .- THE FIRST EFFORT, WHEN THE GROUNDS WERE LOCATED ON NORTH ELEVENTH STREET .- THE FAIRS AT THE EAST END OF FREDERICK AVENUE .- THE ELABORATE EFFORT ON LOWER SIXTH STREET .- THE INTER- STATE EXPOSITION AT FOWLER'S GROVE .- THE LIGHTS AND SHADOWS OF THE NEW ERA EXPOSI- TION .- VARIOUS EFFORTS AT THE PRESENT FAIR GROUNDS.
Among the pioneers of Buchanan County were many men of in- telligence, who early realized the importance of competitive exhibi- tions of native products in advancing the spirit of enterprise and con- sequent improvement of all that pertains to excellence in agricultural, mechanical and domestic pursuits. In 1854 a Fair association was formed with General Robert Wilson (afterwards United States Sena- tor) as president, William M. Irvine as vice-president, Albe M. Sax- ton as treasurer and Wellington A. Cunningham as secretary. Grounds were secured in what is now the northern part of the city, being on Eleventh street, south of Grand avenue, but what was then in the country. This fair was the first, and therefore a great event for the entire Platte country. Seven hundred dollars worth of gold and silver plate premiums were offered and the world was invited to compete. September 19, 20 and 21, 1854, were the days and the Ga- zette of September 20 says :
"Yesterday was a proud day for our county. It was the first day of the first agricultural fair ever held in the county. There was a large concourse of ladies and gentlemen present. Great interest was manifested. The St. Joseph band was there and added much to the interest of the occasion. Mr. Silas Woodson delivered a very able and eloquent address on the subject of agriculture, and, though he had but little time for preparation, he did himself and the subject great credit."
There were no races, but there was lively competition for pre- miums on live stock and the products of the housewife and the
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artisan, as will be seen by the following excerpt from the list of awards :
"Best specimen mixed jeans, a beautiful article-premium to Mrs. J. P. Bryan of Buchanan.
"Plaid linsey-premium to same lady, $2.
"White linsey-premium to William Gartin of Buchanan, $2.
"Woolen blankets, premium to Mrs. P. J. Bryan of Buchanan, $5.
"Satinet, premium to N. Buel of Buchanan, $5.
"Cotton quilt, premium to Mrs. Rosana Porter of Buchanan, $10."
There were premiums for needlework, knitting, etc. Also for the best two-horse wagon, the best set of chairs and sofa manufac- tured at home, best sets of harness, best saddles, best tinware, best flour, best buggy, best chickens, best butter, best fruits, vegetables, best jellies and preserves. In fact it was a genuine old-fashioned fair, which was well attended and which pleased the people so well that it was repeated for six years in succession, the last time in the autumn of 1860.
The civil war put an end to fairs and no effort was made to revive them until July of 1867, when the St. Joseph Agricultural and Mechanical Association was organized with General Robert Wilson as president, Thos. B. Weakley as vice-president, Albe M. Saxton as treasurer and Charles B. France as secretary. The capital stock was $15,000, divided into shares of $100 each, and the money was promptly subscribed. As an incidental evidence of the political con- dition of those times it may be mentioned that the records of this association state that at the meeting held August 6, 1868, the oath of loyalty was signed by all the directors, which oath was filed in the office of the county clerk. A twenty-acre tract, at the head of Fred- erick avenue, on which had formerly been located a rope walk, was purchased from Bassett & Ensworth for $400 an acre. The fair was held four days, beginning October 29, 1867, and was pronounced a success. The association continued with various fortunes until the end of 1871, its last fair being held in December of that year. The grounds had been mortgaged to the Life Association of America and were sold under the deed of trust at the request of the stockholders. Goldsmith Maid trotted a mile in 2:18 on the last day of the fair.
No fairs were held at St. Joseph during 1872, but in 1873 a grand effort was made. It was no longer a plain fair, but an exposition.
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An association was formed with Captain George Lyon as president, I. G. Kappner as treasurer and Edward Fleischer as secretary and general superintendent. Grounds were leased southwest of the city limits, and elaborate buildings erected. Every indication pointed to success when an unexpected calamity befel. On the night of September 3, 1873, a tornado struck the exposition grounds, demolishing the main buildings and seriously damaging the art and power halls. The contractor, George Herbst, was financially ruined by the catastrophe. The demolished buildings were promptly re- constructed and the exposition opened on the appointed day, Sep- tember 29.
The receipts of the week were over $28,000, and but for the tornado, there would have been a handsome net financial result. In 1874 a new corporation was formed, assuming the debts on the build- ings. The officers of this association were: James N. Burnes, presi- dent ; George H. Hall, vice-president; George Lyon, superintendent and manager ; H. R. W. Hartwig, treasurer, and J. M. Varnum, sec- retary. The exposition opened September 7, 1874, closing Septem- ber 12, and the receipts were $22,500. There was a half-mile track at these grounds and there was good racing at each fair.
In 1875, with Colonel Burnes as president and J. T. Imbrie as secretary, the receipts were $20,000. The fourth exposition opened September 25, 1876, with Captain Lyon as president and J. T. Im- brie as secretary. 'A great feature of the exposition during its last three years was the old settlers' meeting. The association was dis- solved at the close of the effort of 1877.
In 1878 Buchanan County had no fair. However, it was not in the nature of things that this should continue long. In August of 1879 the St. Joseph Exposition Association was organized with a capital stock of $12,000, divided into 1,200 shares of $10 each. The incorporators were Samuel M. Nave, John Abell, Edward Kuechle, L. G. Munger and Dr. J. M. D. France. The first officers were: Samuel M. Nave, president ; H. R. W. Hartwig, vice president; Ed- ward J. Kuechle, treasurer, and J. T. Imbrie, secretary. A tract at the foot of Eleventh street and extending west toward Sixth, known as Fowler's grove, was leased for a term of ten years and suitable buildings and a race track were at once constructed. The grounds were accessible by two street car lines and also by railroad trains.
The first fair commenced Monday, September 29, 1879, and con-
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tinued for a week. Though it rained every day, the venture was considered a success by its projectors and from that time until the end of the season in 1888 a fair was held each year, generally during the first part of September. Major Hartwig succeeded Mr. Nave as president ; the late Charles F. Ernst succeeded Mr. Imbrie as secre- tary in 1881 and continued as such until the association dissolved.
Early in 1889, when St. Joseph was proud with prosperity, when the spirit of enterprise was upon the people, and when nothing was too big to undertake, it was decided to have an exposition, the mag- nitude and novelty of which would overshadow not only all previous efforts at home, but elsewhere in the West. Sioux City had aston- ished the world with a corn palace, Denver with a mineral palace, Fort Worth, Texas, with a grass palace, and Ottumwa, Ia., with a coal palace, but St. Joseph was to eclipse all of these with a New Era exposition.
The genius of this undertaking was H. D. Perkey, who had come here during the previous summer and who had but recently estab- lished steel car works at Brookdale. Mr. Perkey had been prominently connected with the Mineral Palace at Denver and was therefore in a position to take the leadership of this movement. On April 4, 1889, the National Railway, Electric and Industrial Exposi- tion Association was formed, with a capital stock of one million dol- lars. The association was to continue for one year and was incor- porated under the laws of Colorado, because these laws did not require so large a proportion of the capital stock to be paid up as the laws of Missouri. It was to have a national scope and offices were to be established in every state capital. The incorporators were G. J. En- glehart, John S. Lemon, R. E. Turner, C. B. France, A. M. Saxton, John Donovan, Jr., R. L. McDonald, D. M. Steele, George W. Sam- uels, Louis Hax, Wm. E. Hosea, D. D. Burnes, H. R. W. Hartwig, S. C. Woodson, F. M. Posegate, T. F. Van Natta, S. A. Walker, A. M. Dougherty, W. B. Smith, Harry Keene, J. Francis Smith, R. T. Davis and Winslow Judson. The directors were John S. Emery, Chas. A. Shoup, W. J. Hobson, Herschel Bartlett, Robert Winning, J. C. Bonnell and H. D. Perkey.
A large tract of land east of the city, beyond Wyatt Park, and surrounding the Steel Car Company's plant, was secured and pre- pared during the summer. The Car Company had a building 80x960 feet, which was used as a shop. The western portion of this
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building, which was two stories in height, was made the main hall of the Exposition. The grounds were dotted with beautiful pavil- ions, two score in number, of quaint architecture. "Korn is King" was the motto of the enterprise and this idea was carried into every decoration. The pavilions and buildings were decked with cereals in various colorings and design. The effect was entrancing, espe- cially at night, when the grounds were fully illuminated with electric lights. The most admired of the pavilions were the "Ladies' Palace of Delights," the "Reporters' Lodge," "Pomona's Pavilion,' "Cupid's Bower," "Pocahontas," "Mondamin," and "Horticultural Hall." Aside from the buildings there were artificial lakes, waterfalls, an old grist mill and other picturesque novelties. The architectural triumph, however, was the amphitheatre, which had a seating capacity of eleven thousands and an arena of two acres.
The exposition opened on September 3, 1889, and continued to October 3. Bach's band, a famous musical organization of Milwau- kee, was engaged for two concerts daily in the amphitheatre. Capt. Jack Crawford, the "poet scout," was director of entertainments in the arena, and he had, beside a band of cowboys, several hundred Apache Indians. General Russell A. Alger of Michigan, formally opened the exposition. Hon. Jeremiah Rusk, Secretary of Agricul- ture, spoke in the amphitheater on September 18th and on September 23d Governor Larrabee of Iowa and Governor Francis of Missouri spoke tliere also.
The attendance was not what it should have been. If the time had been ten days instead of one month the effort might have met with better reward. Mr. Perkey doubtless had some good ideas, but they did not fit this case, and there were, consequently, disappoint- ments. However, the difficulties might have been overcome had not an irreparable disaster visited the exposition. On Sunday night, September 15, at about 9 o'clock, just as the crowds were leaving the grounds, flames burst from the roof of the main building. The fire was beyond control from the start and the entire building, with all of its contents, excepting two pianos and a carriage in which General Lafayette had toured Virginia, were destroyed. The loss was $193,- 000, upon which there was only $50,000 insurance. One life was lost. Capt. John Foster, a guard, who had quarters in the building, near where the fire broke out, was burned to death. The fire is sup- posed to have originated from defective electric wiring. At a meet- ing of the Board of Trade on the following day it was decided to at once rebuild Machinery Hall, but this was not done. The Exposi-
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tion continued until October 3, and then there was a benefit week for employes.
The buildings stood until the following year and were gradually removed. There is nothing left to mark the location of the brilliant but ill-fated New Era Exposition, and it lives to-day only as a painful memory with those who backed it heavily.
There was no race track connected with the New Era Exposi- tion, but this class of sport was provided by the Lake Shore Com- pany. A half-mile track was built at Lake Contrary and a grand- stand with a seating capacity of 3,000 was erected. Mayor H. R. W. Hartwig was president of the company and Captain Charles F. Ernst secretary. The first meeting was held September 17, 18, 19 and 20, 1889. Several meetings were subsequently held, but the ventures were not profitable.
During the years 1890 and 1891 there were no fairs in St. Joseph. In the summer of 1892 the St. Joseph Fair Association was formed, with John S. Brittain as president and Homer J. Kline as secretary. The capital stock was $50,000. It was the era of fast harness horses and odd-shaped tracks and people excited over the perform- ances of Nancy Hanks, Martha Wilkes and the other record-break- ers. The association catered to the popular enthusiasm by building a mile track and offering purses of $1,000 and $500 to attract the best horses. Although a main hall was built, the fair was subordinated to the horse-race. Nancy Hanks and Martha Wilkes were both se- cured for exhibition work, and the best stables in the country were represented in the general entries. September 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 were the days. The weather was perfect, the attendance was large and the turf performances were of a high character. On the first day Jim Wilkes won the 3-minute trot, $1,000 purse, in three straight heats, his best time being 2:22}. John R. Gentry won the 3:35 pace, $500 purse, in three straight heats, his best time being 2:193. On tlie second day Lobasco, a magnificent horse, the property of James Ladd of Beatrice, Neb., won the free-for-all trot, $1,000. Four lieats were trotted and Lobasco's best time was 2:102. He was driven by McHenry and broke a great record by trotting the fastest mile heat that had been done up to that time by a stallion in a har- ness. On the third day, Thursday, seventy-five thousand people
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witnessed Nancy Hanks' effort to break her record of 2:07. The wind was a trifle too high, however, and the brave little mare did not triumph, but she made the mile in 2:07}, which was con- sidered good enough by the crowd and the enthusiasm was un- bounded, both Nancy and her driver, Bud Doble, being covered with floral tributes. The next day Martha Wilkes went against her record of 2:08, but she, too, failed, making the mile in 2:09}. This effort was none the less appreciated by the immense crowd, however, and the floral decorations were as profuse as those that fell to Nancy Hanks. The last day was given up to unfinished harness races and jockey efforts. The association paid every obligation and was a goodly sum ahead.
In 1893 the weather was bad and the World's Fair had drained the purses, so that there was some loss connected with the fair. The association was officered as during its first effort. In 1894, with John S. Brittain as president and Matt F. Myers as secretary, a third effort was made with indifferent success. The fourth fair, with John S. Brittain as president and John Combe as secretary, was a financial success. In 1896, with James N. Burnes, Jr., as president and John Combe as secretary, the attendance was small owing to the weather and other conditions. The association then dissolved. The grounds and buildings reverted to the owners, from whom they had been leased.
Race meetings have been managed since then by W. T. Van Brunt and Palmer Clark. On October 14, 1897, Joe Patchen went a mile in 2:03 and Star Pointer covered the distance in 2:02. In 1897 and 1898 Messrs. Van Brunt and Clark successfully managed "old- fashioned fairs."
CHAPTER XXVI.
INDUSTRIES OF THE PAST AND WHAT SOME OF THEM HAVE LED TO IN THE PRESENT .- HEMP RAISING, MILLING AND PORK PACKING .- BREWERIES .- THE FIRST FOUNDRY .- FURNITURE FACTORIES. -THE NATIVE LUMBER INDUSTRY .- DISTIL- LERIES .- THE STARCH FACTORY .- THE STOVE WORKS, TOBACCO FACTORY AND STEEL CAR WORKS .- OTHER INDUSTRIES THAT FLOURISHED AND FADED .- THE OLD-TIME HOTELS OF ST. JO- SEPH.
In reviewing the industries of the past it will not be improper to speak of hemp first, because of the prominence of this product in the early days. Hemp was the great staple before the war. Dr. Silas McDonald of St. Joseph claims the distinction of having pro- duced the first crop of hemp in the Platte Purchase. In 1840 he procured seed from Clay County, and he sold the yield to Charles A. Perry, who was then located at Weston, at $80 per ton. Nothing raised in the country, either before its introduction or since its abandonment, paid so well as hemp. The average price for years was $100 per ton, and the average yield per acre 800 pounds. Aside from the remunerative character of the crop, many advantages con- tributed to its popularity. Being invariably cut before it went to seed, it did not, as with other crops, impoverish the soil; indeed, it was a generally admitted fact that from the decomposition of the foliage, old hemp land, instead of deteriorating in quality from con- stant cropping, steadily improved, and 1,000 pounds to the acre on such lands was no uncommon yield. Much of the hemp was manu- factured into rope, but the most of it was shipped in bales to St. Louis and Louisville. The decline of the hemp-raising industry was due to several causes. Hemp breaking was hard work and the abo- lition of slavery made it difficult to secure labor for this. Hemp rope was formerly used as ties for cotton bales and for mak- ing sails for ships. The invention of the hoop-iron cotton tie,
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the substitution of steam for sails on vessels and the introduction of cheaper fibers for rope and twine, took hemp from the head of the list of our staples.
Milling was the pioneer industry, and the primitive mill gen- . erally formed the nucleus of a settlement. The early mills of Bu- chanan County were located along the streams, water furnishing the motive power. Going to mill in those days, when there were no roads, no bridges, no ferries, and scarcely any convenience for travel- ing, was no small task, where so many streams were to be crossed, and such a trip was often attended with great danger when the streams were swollen. Generally the grain was packed on horses to the mill. In cases where the mill was operated by horse power, each patron furnished his own power.
In 1838, Harrison Whetson built a mill on Platte River in Platte Township and operated it until 1843, when it was bought by John Bretz, who held it until it was consumed by fire on February 28, 1845. It was at once rebuilt on the opposite side of the river in Jackson Township. In 1857 the mill passed into the hands of William M. Matney. In 1867 it was destroyed by fire and rebuilt, and still stands, being operated yet by Mr. Matney and known as Matney's mill.
It is generally conceded that the first mill in Crawford Town- ship was Clowser's, operated by John Clowser. The site of this mill was two miles east of Halleck. It was destroyed by a great freshet in 1858. Dr. Silas McDonald erected the first steam mill in the township, which has long since passed out of existence. Edward M. Davidson also built a steam saw and grist mill, which was de- stroyed by fire in 1868, after having been operated for seventeen years. In 1856 Brown & McClanahan built a steam saw mill north of Halleck. This was converted into a grist mill by Daniel Clowser, and in 1865 passed to Faucett & Ferrill, who made a famous flouring mill of it. It was destroyed by fire in 1881. Nathan Turner built a mil: in 1838 in the same neighborhood, but it was not successful.
Stephen Field built the first mill in Bloomington Township in 1838. It stood three miles from DeKalb and was operated by horse- power. Later on John T. Martin built a water-power mill on Sugar Creek, which was afterwards converted into a steam mill and oper- ated by Phillip Guerner, who also carded wool. The building is still in existence. In 1860 J. H. and B. Sampson erected a mill on
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Contrary Creek, two miles northeast of DeKalb. A saw mill was connected therewith. The mill is still in existence, but not in opera- tion.
The first mill in Rush Township was built by Flannery & Son on Lost Creek, which stream supplied the power. Nothing remains of this mill, nor of a small cornmill and distillery operated during the same period by Sylvester Hays, better known in those days as "Boss." M. H. and S. F. Floyd built a good steam mill at Rush- ville in 1868, which burned in 1873. The McFarland mill at Rush- ville was built in 1875.
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