USA > Missouri > Clinton County > The History of Clinton County, Missouri : containing a history of the County, its cities, towns, etc., biographical sketches of its citizens, Clinton County in the late war, general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men etc > Part 10
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BUILDING STONE.
There is an abundance of building stone in the county, and much of it has been used in the construction of buildings, and at an early day, making stone fences. The limestone is of a superior quality, a fair sample of which may be seen in the court house, the steps of that building being stone taken from the native quarries which abound in different portions of the county.
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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
MINERAL WATER.
Among the many objects of interest in Clinton County, are the springs of mineral water, located on "Smith's Fork " of Platte River, two and four miles, respectively, from Plattsburg, These springs were ana- lyzed by competent chemists, during the early part of the present year (1881.) Since then, parties suffering from rheumatism, and numerous other diseases and disabilities of a chronic nature, have visited them, for the purpose of not only drinking the waters, but to try their healing virtues by thorough and frequent baths. That these springs have been greatly beneficial to the sick and the afflicted who have used the water, there can be no doubt, as there are numbers of living witnesses who can tes- tify to this fact. Among the cases cured, are some of a remarkable character ; indeed, so much so, that full credence would not be given to the stories related, were the facts connected therewith not well substan- tiated by the parties themselves, and a large number of reputable citi- zens who live in the town of Plattsburg and surrounding country. No special importance was attached to either of these springs until the beginning of the year 1881. We clip the following from the St. Joseph Gazette :
PLATTSBURG MINERAL SPRINGS
are situated two miles south of the town of Plattsburg. The region around them is grandly picturesque and worthy the brush of an old master.
To form an idea of the surroundings, imagine a vast natural basin, with the portion of the rim between the northwestern and northeastern points of the compass torn away. The remainder of the rim is repre- sented by a chain of hills, gently rising to the height of thirty or forty feet, and forming one of God's own theatres, from which all portions of the fair enclosure may be seen. Near the western rim is a deep ravine, in which the now famous springs are located. The banks of this ravine are covered with large trees which form a dense shade, beneath which. are quiet nooks and natural rustic chairs, which irresistibly invite the sick, the well, the old, the young to seek seclusion and repose. The gap in the rim of this basin is filled with about fifteen acres of native forest trees, making a park of great beauty and of no mean proportions. The remainder of the enclosure, about one hundred acres, is a level tract without trees and covered with blue grass.
A race course will be made here in the immediate future, and will add much to the natural attractions of the place. North of the park is Smith's Fork of the Platte River, a stream containing an abundance of fish and affording fine opportunities for boating.
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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
WHAT LED TO THE DISCOVERY.
The existence of the Plattsburg Mineral Springs has been known to many of the old residents for years, but the medicinal properties of their waters were not discovered until about the first of the present year. The published statements as to the wonderful cures being effected by other mineral waters brought forth the declaration of several old hunters and fishermen, that they knew of a spring within two miles of Plattsburg that gave forth water of peculiar taste and properties. This led parties to bring in quantities of the water, and to a careful examination of it by some of our home chemists ; and their favorable reports and the discus- sion of its probable merits, led quite a number of persons who were suffering from kidney derangements, indigestion, dyspepsia, scrofula, rheumatism, neuralgia, erysipelas, etc., to try it, and in nearly every instance with astonishing and wonderfully pleasing results. The reports from those thus experimenting with the water were taken hold of with much interest, and the excitement spread throughout the country. It was caught up by Mr. Thornton Guinn, a most respectable and reliable citizen of the county-seventy-eight years of age-who came forward, connecting the red m'en of the forest therewith. He says :
"Sixty years ago, on the 6th day of April, he, in company with three other white men, older than himself, was traveling over the coun- try. There were no roads then, and Indian paths were followed. When the party got on the ridge extending southwest from Judge Birch's place, two and one-half miles southeast of where Plattsburg now stands, they were met by five Indians, who prevailed on them to pass by the 'Great Springs,' about two and a half miles south of the present town site. As the party were going in a northwesterly direction, they con- sented, and soon the Indians brought them to the famous springs, which they, pointing upward, said the 'Great Spirit' had given for healing pur- poses. They seemed to ascribe wonderful properties to the water of the springs, and regarded them with the most profound veneration. They, in their broken manner, tried to make the whites understand the value of the water." Mr. Guinn distinctly remembers that the Indians attached great importance to the water, and had great faith in its miraculous powers.
This added materially to the excitement, and at once a quantity of the water was sent to Messrs. Wright & Merrill, the most noted scien- tists known to the country, and their report shows the result. Since obtaining the analysis, these springs have become immensely popular, and hundreds have been flocking to them daily, in all kinds of weather, carrying away the water by the wagon load, and from every direction the most pleasing and satisfactory reports come, bringing tidings, in some instances, of cures effected that are truly wonderful.
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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
MINERAL SPRINGS TOWN COMPANY.
The following named parties still constitute the Mineral Springs Town Company : George P. Funkhouser, Wm. Atchison, W. F. Davis, James A. Funkhouser and George N. Davis; George P. Funkhouser, Treasurer and Secretary.
Prior to June 24, the grounds on which the springs are situated, were simply leased ; but on that day a number of gentlemen, acting in perfect harmony with the above named company, agreed to join with them and buy the lands outright, and make extensive and all needed improvements on a substantial basis.
Several buildings, including a hotel and bath house, have already been erected, and others are soon to follow.
The following is the analysis and rendition made as to the quanti- tive constituents of the water of the Plattsburg Mineral Springs, by Messrs. Wright & Merrill, analytical chemists, of St. Louis, Missouri : Specific gravity, 1.0022; carbolic acid, abundant ; reaction, alkaline ; solid constituents, 13.58 grains ; carbonate calcium, 4.53 grains ; carbon- ate magnesia, .53 grains; carbonate iron, .83 grains ; carbonate soda, 1.06 grains ; sulphate calcium. 1.63 grains ; alumina, .25 grains ; silica, .7 grains ; organic matter, 3.97 grains ; free ammonia, a trace.
"PEERLESS" SPRINGS
are situated four miles southwest of Plattsburg, and four miles east . of Grayson, on the farm of Jacob Walker, one of the oldest and most highly esteemed residents of the county. The natural scenery surrounding the Peerless Springs, is charming, and would not suffer by comparison with the scenery of the most noted and popular springs of the country.
The grounds adjacent are high and gently rolling, sloping toward the west, and at a sufficient altitude to be above all malarial influences. Like the Plattsburg Mineral Springs, the Peerless are located near Smith's Fork of the Platte River, on the banks of a small stream, formed by springs above, and uniting with the former stream some two hundred yards below. A range of bluffs or high land, between two and three hundred yards to the westward and northwest, gracefully curves in a southeast direction, where it abruptly terminates at the banks of Smith's Fork. These hills are covered with a growth of native forest trees, mostly black and white oak, and afford the densest shade, which is ever an important consideration to those who try the healing properties of water cures. Here the parties interested have laid out a town, since March, 1881, the nucleus of which has already been formed, by the erection of several neat and substantial frame buildings, designed for residences and business houses.
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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
The basin to the east, where the springs are located, embraces about five acres of ground. In the northeast corner of this basin, just at the foot of the bluffs, and about three hundred yards from the Peer- less Springs, there is a spring (limestone) of most excellent water, cold and pure.
It is the intention of the proprietors to utilize the waters of this spring in beautifying and adorning the grounds which lie adjacent to the Peerless Springs. About the center of these grounds, there will be erected, at no distant day, a fountain, supplied by the fresh water spring above mentioned. The entire ground in the basin will be leveled off and set in grass, shrubbery and shade trees, with nicely arranged walks and rustic seats ; in fact, every comfort and convenience will be furnished the visitor, whether he seeks the gratification of mere idle curiosity, or seeks the health renewing properties of the springs.
About eighty feet from the spring which has been analyzed, are two springs, very strongly impregnated with sulphur water. Near by, is still another spring the water of which is as soft as rain water. There are grouped together then, within the radius of eighty feet, four springs, each differing in the character of their water, and all said to possess medical qualities which contribute to the relief of a variety of human maladies.
The Peerless Springs Company is composed of the following par- ties: W. W. Scutt, John Walker, Tyler Elliott, T. H. Walker and D. H. Lindsay. D. H. Lindsay is trustee, and T. H. Walker, secretary and treasurer.
The following is the analysis and rendition made as to the quanti- tive constituents of the water of Peerless Springs, by Messrs. Wright & Merrill, analytical and practical chemists, St. Louis, Missouri : Specific gravity, 1.0024 grains; carbolic acid, abundant ; total solids, per gallon, 17.44 grains ; carbonate lime, 4.26 grains ; carbonate iron, 1.90 grains ; carbonate magnesia, .50 grains ; chloride magnesia, 1.58 grains ; chloride sodium, 3.04 grains ; chloride potassium, 82 grains ; sulphate magnesia, .98 grains ; sulphate iron, 1.04 grains; soluble silica, .92 grains ; silica, .84 grains ; organic matter, .35 grains ; alumina and loss, 1.21 grains.
CHAPTER III.
LEGISLATIVE ACT ORGANIZING CLINTON COUNTY-APPOINTMENT OF COMMISSIONERS TO LOCATE COUNTY SEAT-ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY-FIRST COURTS- THEIR WORK-TOWNSHIPS ERECTED-ELECTION PRECINCTS-ROADS-ETC.
The following is the act of the General Assembly of Missouri (1833) under which Clinton County was organized and its boundary defined :
AN ACT TO ORGANIZE THE COUNTY OF CLINTON.
Be it resolved by the General Assembly of the State of Missouri, [as fol- lows : ]
I. The portion of territory heretofore attached to the County of Clay, in the State of Missouri, lying within the following boundaries, to wit : commencing at the northwest corner of the County of Clay, running thence with the boundary line of the state north, to the middle of town- ship fifty-seven ; thence with the middle of said township east, to the boundary line of said tract, so attached to Clay County ; thence with the said boundary south, to the Clay County line ; and thence with the said line to the beginning, be, and the same is hereby declared to be a sepa- rate and distinct county, to be known and called by the name of Clinton, in honor of DeWitt Clinton, of New York.
2. David R. Atchison, John Long and Howard Everett, be, and they are hereby appointed commissioners for the purpose of selecting the seat of justice for the said County of Clinton ; and the said commis- sioners are hereby vested with all the powers granted to commissioners, under the law entitled An act for the organizing of counties hereafter established, approved January the 14th, 1825.
3. The said County of Clinton shall be added to, and form a part of the fifth judicial circuit, and the circuit courts of said county shall be held on the Fridays following the second Monday in the months of Febru- ary, June and October, in every year, until otherwise provided by law. 4. The county courts of said county shall be held on the first Mon- days of February, May, August and November.
5. The courts to be holden in said county shall be held at the house of Samuel G. Biggerstaff, in said county, until the tribunal transacting county business shall fix on a temporary seat of justice for said county.
6. The remainder of the country heretofore attached to the county of Clay, which is not included within the boundaries of the said county of Clinton, shall be, and the same is hereby attached to the county of Clinton for all civil, judicial and military purposes.
7. The Governor may, by and with the advice and concurrence of the Senate, appoint three persons to hold and exercise the offices of justices of the county court of said county, and the parties so appointed and commissioned shall continue in office until the next general elec-
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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
tion, and until their successors in office will be duly appointed and qualified, as the law directs; and said court, after the organization thereof, will moreover appoint all county officers; the appointment of which is not otherwise provided for by the existing laws, or the consti- tution of the state.
8. All money due the state, or to the county from which this county is taken, shall nevertheless be collected, as though the county of Clin- ton had not been formed.
9. All suits which have been commenced against citizens residing within the said County of Clinton, shall be prosecuted and decided as though this act had not passed.
This act to take effect and be in force from and after its passage thereof.
January 2, 1833.
On the 15th day of January, 1833, the Governor of the State appointed county court justices, and sent to each of them the following commis- sion :
STATE OF MISSOURI, SCT.
" The Governor of the State of Missouri to all who shall sce these pres- ents greeting:
"Know ye, that reposing special trust and confidence in the integ- rity, learning, and ability of John P. Smith, I have nominated and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do hereby appoint and commission him a justice of the county court of Clinton County, and do authorize and empower him to discharge the duties of said office accord- ing to law. To have and to hold the same office with all the powers and privileges and emoluments to the same of right appertaining unto him, the said John P. Smith.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the great seal of state to be affixed. Done at the City of Jefferson, this 15th day of January, in the year of our Lord 1833, of the independence of the United States the fifty-seventh, and of this state the thirteenth.
By the Governor: DANIEL DUNKLIN.
JOHN C. EDWARDS, Secretary of State."
" The Governor of the state of Missouri to all who shall see these pres- ents greeting:
"Know ye, that reposing special trust and confidence in the integ- rity, learning, and ability of Archibald Elliott, I have nominated and by and with the .advice and consent of the senate, do hereby appoint and commission him a justice of the County Court of Clinton County, and do authorize and empower him to discharge the duties of said office, according to law. To have and to hold the same office, with all the powers and privileges and emoluments to the same of right appertain- ing unto him the said Archibald Elliott.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the great seal of state to be affixed. Done at the City of Jefferson, this 15th
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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
day of January, in the year of our Lord 1833, of the independence of the United States the fifty-seventh, and of this state the thirteenth.
By the Governor: DANIEL DUNKLIN.
JOHN C. EDWARDS, Secretary of State."
" The Governor of the State of Missouri, to all who shall see these pres- ents, greeting:
"Know ye, that reposing special trust and confidence in the integrity, learning and ability of Stephen Jones, I have nominated, and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do hereby appoint and commis- sion him a justice of the County Court of Clinton County, and do authorize and empower him to discharge the duties of said office, accord- ing to law; to have and to hold the same office, with all the powers, priv- ileges and emoluments to the same, of right appertaining unto him, the said Stephen Jones.
"In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the great seal of state to be affixed. Done at the City of Jefferson, this 15th day of January, in the year of our Lord 1833, of the indepenence of the United States the fifty-seventh, and of this state the thirteenth.
By the Governor: DANIEL DUNKLIN.
JOHN C. EDWARDS, Secretary of State."
The Legislative act, naming the County of Clinton and defining its boundary, was passed in January, 1833, and, in March following, the Secretary of the State sent to each of the commissioners, who had been named in the act to locate the county seat, a certificate of his appoint- ment, which is as follows :
" STATE OF MISSOURI :
" I certify that David R. Atchison has been appointed a commis- sioner to select a seat of justice for the County of Clinton, state afore- said :
"Given under my hand and seal of office the 20th day of March A. D. 1833.
SEAL.
JOHN C. EDWARDS, Secretary of State.
On the 8th day of May following, General Atchison went before William L. Wood, a justice of the peace of Clay County, Missouri, and took the following oath, preparatory to entering upon his duties :
STATE OF MISSOURI, DUKT, } SCT. COUNTY OF CLAY,
I, David R. Atchison, commissioner above named, do swear, that I will faithfully discharge the duties of commissioner for said county, with- out favor, partiality or prejudice.
May 8, 1833. Sworn to before me May 8, 1833.
DAVID R. ATCHISON.
WILLIAM L. WOOD, J. P.
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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
HOWARD EVERETT'S CERTIFICATE.
STATE OF MISSOURI :
I certify that Howard Everett has been appointed one of the com- missioners for the purpose of selecting a seat of justice for the County of Clinton, state aforesaid.
Given under my hand and the seal of my office, the 20th day of March, A. D., 1833.
JOHN C. EDWARDS, Secretary of State.
OATH.
STATE OF MISSOURI, COUNTY OF CLINTON. J
This day personally appeared before me, John P. Smith, an acting justice of the county court of said county, Howard Everett, and took an oath to faithfully discharge the duties of commissioner of said county without favor, partiality or affection.
HOWARD EVERETT.
Taken and certified this 15th day of June, A. D., 1833. JOHN P. SMITH, J. C.
JOHN LONG'S CERTIFICATE.
STATE OF MISSOURI :
I certify that John Long has been appointed one of the commis- sioners to select a seat of justice for the county of Clinton, state afore- said.
Given under my hand and seal of office the 20th day of March, A. D., 1833.
JOHN C. EDWARDS. Secretary of State.
Mr. Long also took and subscribed an oath similar in form to the two above metioned.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS.
" To the Honorable Fudge of the Clinton Circuit Court:
"The undersigned commissioners appointed by the legislature of the state of Missouri to select and designate a place for the location of the seat of justice for the County of Clinton, do report to your honor, that they have selected the following described tract of land as a suit- able place for the location of said seat of justice, to wit : The east half of the northwest quarter of section twenty-four, of township fifty-five, range thirty-two, containing eighty acres. Also a tract of land begin- ning at a stake at the southeast corner of the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section twenty-four, township fifty-five, range thirty-two, running thence west to a stake twelve poles; thence north
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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
to a stake eighty poles; thence east to a stake twelve poles ; thence south to the beginning, containing six acres, more or less. For title papers, your honor is referred to the papers marked 1, 2; and 3.
DAVID R. ATCHISON, JOHN LONG, HOWARD EVERETT,
One of these commissioners, who is still living, (General David R. Atchison) informs us that it was the intention of the commissioners to locate the county seat on the eighty acres of land lying just east of the present site of Plattsburg, and upon a more elevated spot of ground. This fact being made known, a man named Walker, hastened to Lexing- ton, to the land office, and entered the eighty acre tract, believing, by so doing, that a chance was opened for a speculation. This act upon the part of Walker, caused the commissioners to locate the county seat where it now is.
FIRST COUNTY COURT.
On the second Monday of March, 1833, the first county court met in the County of Clinton, at the house of Laban Garrett, and there organized and set in motion the machinery necessary to its civil govern- ment. The record is as follows :
STATE OF MISSOURI, ;SCT.
Be it remembered that, on the second Monday of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three, the eleventh day of said month, at the house of Laban Garrett, in Clinton County, there appeared, John P. Smith. Archibald Elliott and Stephen Jones, who, having each produced a commission from the governor of the state aforesaid, appointing them justices of the county court, within and for the County of Clinton, which commissions are, in words and figures following, to wit :"
Having already given copies of the commissions, we shall here omit this portion of the record.
The justices having taken the oath to support the constitution of the United States and the constitution of the State of Missouri, they then took their seats, constituting the county court of Clinton County, and caused proclamation to be made thereof, accordingly, by Thompson Smith, who had been appointed sheriff. John P. Smith was appointed presiding justice of the court.
The court then made the following orders :
"It is ordered, that Richard R. Rees be, and he is hereby, appointed clerk of this court, who, together with Joel Lamham, Rice B. Daven- port, and Elijah Fry, entered into and acknowledged bond to the State of Missouri in the penalty of three thousand dollars, lawful money of the
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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
United States, conditioned as the court directs, which bond is approved of by the court and ordered to be certified to the secretary of state."
"It is ordered, that Elijah Fry be, and he is hereby, appointed assessor for the County of Clinton, for the year of our Lord one thou- sand, eight hundred and thirty-three, who appeared and entered into bond with Rice B. Davenport, Joel Lamham, and Benjamin F. Wilkin- son, his securities, in the penalty of six hundred dollars, which they acknowledged in open court, and the court approved said bond."
This was all the business done by the court at the first meeting, in March, 1833. On the 8th day of April, following, the court again met, special term, at the house of John Biggerstaff, all the justices being present. The first thing that engaged the attention of the court was the following :
"This day Richard R. Rees presented his account against the county, amounting to eighteen dollars and fifty cents, for books and stationery, purchased for the county, which account is allowed, and ordered paid out of any money in the county treasury."
The court then appointed Washington Huffaker collector of the county ; Levi Shalcher, county surveyor ; and John Biggerstaff, county treasurer. Abner Jackson was appointed constable of LaFayette Town- ship, and Ezekial Smith constable of Jackson Township.
John Biggerstaff and Abraham Enyart were recommended to the governor as suitable persons for justices of the peace.
The court recognizing the disadvantages arising from the fact that the county had not at that time been divided into suitable districts or townships, and that it would be impossible to administer the law fully and properly, without additional townships and township officers, made the following order, establishing and defining the boundaries of Jackson and LaFayette Townships :
"Be it ordered by the County Court of Clinton County :
"That all that portion of territory within said county lying within the following boundaries, to wit : Bounded east by the eastern boundary line of the county, or line dividing Ray and Clinton Counties west ; com- mencing at the southwest corner of section twenty-eight, in township fifty-four, and from thence running north to the northern boundary line of the county; bounded south by the southern boundary line of the county, or line dividing Clay and Clinton Counties, and bounded north by the northern boundary line of the county, be, and the same is hereby declared to be a distinct township, to be known and called by the name of Jackson Township, in honor of General Andrew Jackson, l'resident of the United States ; and further, that all that part of country lying north of said township, not included in the county aforesaid, which has been
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