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 19
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Masonry is as old as the eternal truth itself, because it is based upon it. Since the sons of the morning shouted together for joy when Jehovah laid the foundations of our earth ; since Solomon's splendid temple, with its golden pinacles, was reared amid rejoicings, it has never once been out of work-always active-always the same. It has seen the ruin of powerful empires and mighty kingdoms; it saw great nations crumble and fall, and others rise and take their places. It has witnessed war, pestilence, destruction, and devastation ; was active in the crusades and instrumental in supplying thrones with kings and monarchs, and republics with rulers.
The noblest knights and grandees felt justly proud of being Masons. Our own country can point out a George Washington and others as a proof of this, and only a few days ago Masonry presented the glorious sight of a brotherhood bound by the holiest and tenderest ties assembled around the grave of Hon. C. L. Vallandingham, where they met without distinction of social rank, sect, or politics, to bid farewell to a departed bright ornament of the order.
This independence from all party spirit and sectarianism of the fraternity, is one of the secrets of its great power and influence, while still it bends in humble submission to the Supreme Master of Masters, the great architect of the universe.
Justice, goodness, indulgence, kindness, modesty, pardon, gener- osity, hospitality, forbearance, charity, temperance, frugality, industry and fervent piety, are virtues which every Mason is under solemn obli- gation to practice.
Such is Masonry, the hand maid of religion, the servant of truth, and the golden link between both.
The language of Masonry is the same every where, in every zone and clime, understood on every portion of the globe; it speaks of a common mighty brotherhood, boundless, without a flag, a border or limit. It raises its still voice and is heard and understood on the battle- field and in the drawing room, the mighty main and the boundless forest and prairie, the desert and the arctics, this language of the eye, the hand and the heart. It is as sweet as an angel's voice to those who understand it; it speaks of peace, trust, confidence and brotherly love.
It has withstood every opposition, mounted every difficulty, con- quered every obstacle in its pathway, and stands to-day as triumphant, young, strong and beautiful as ever."
The oration was followed by the choir singing the following ode : " Hail, Masonry divine !" etc., etc. The prayer by the Chaplain closed the exercises and the fraternity returned in procession to their lodge on Locust Street.
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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
THE STORM OF 1870.
One of the most destructive storms, that ever visited this section of the country, swept over Plattsburg on Thursday, the 13th day of July. 1870, at about eleven o'clock at night. The Register thus speaks of it :
"The vivid and startling flashes of electricity and the grand peal after peal of reverberating thunder, as it rolled through the expanse above, were truly sublime and terrific. Great damage was done to prop- erty in this city and surrounding country. Dr. C. W. Spencer lost a fine young horse, which was killed by lightning. It was in the stable at the time ; the lightning stuck the cone of the roof, passed down the rafter between the stall and the corn crib glanced off and killed the horse. Dr. Crellin lost a fine cow by the same instrumentality. One of our colored fellow citizens also lost a fine milker. Mr. James Stonum's stable was struck, and nothing being in it, except a sow and pigs, these were killed. Messrs. Anderson & Goheen's new brick building, which had reached the third story was considerably damaged by having the west wall partly blown in. Mr. Deberaux's new house was partially moved from its foundation. The chimneys upon the brick house recently purchased by Captain Thomas, situated upon Walnut Street, were blown off. Quite a number of signs, all over the city, were scattered helter skelter, in promiscuous confusion. Mr. Falkner Kennedy lost nearly all his fine plum trees, which were blown down and in many instances dragged out by the roots. His well house was badly injured. Messrs. J. H. Bennett and J. Jackson had small building demolished. In the country, great damage was done.
Mr. George Funkhouser's fine young apple orchard has been ruined, and his corn prostrated to the earth. He will not realize a half crop. Mr. A. Funkhouser has lost his entire corn crop. Messrs. John Funk- houser, Jacob Funkhouser, B. F. Craig, Luther Carter, Charles Carter, William Carter, George Moore, Mrs. Savage, Wilson Biggerstaff, T. H. B. Turner, William Fry, and a number of others, lost from one-half to nearly the whole of their entire growing crops.
The storm swept over a strip of territory between eight and ten miles in breadth, and arose in the northwest and extended in a south- westerly direction, the dark, portentious clouds coming from three differ- ent points. A heavy, ominous cloud in the north, was the first harbinger of the threatened calamity. Another soon arose from the northwest, and made rapidly for a dark, sulphurous looking one from the southwest, all three meeting hurriedly and with terrible effect in the vicinity of Castile Creek, about seven miles northwest of this place, when the marshalled hosts of the storm king proceeded in a southwesterly direction, laying waste the country in its track. In this vicinity the storm was the sever- est, and the fall of hail immense, completely annihilating the crops. The
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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
roaring of the elements, accompanied with a raging hurricane, the sharp cutting hail stones, the vivid flashing of the electrical fluid, and the loud, reverberating peals of the artillery of the skies, shaking and rocking ter- restrial things to their very foundation, was a sight never to be forgotten, and sublime and magnificent in the extreme.
Squire Keyser, living about nine miles northwest from this city, states that his entire fruit crop has been destroyed by the storm, and says that all in his neighborhood suffered to the same extent. His section, he says, suffered the worst of any in the neighborhood. It swept every- thing clean for a distance of four miles wide. His corn crop is entirely destroyed, but he thinks that his oats will yield about half a crop.
The clash of the surging clements, miraculously, we might say, restored some of our invalids to their wonted health, and they are again at their old avocations. Mr. John Spangler is well and upon our streets again, and Major Birney must have been greatly overawed by the heavenly phenomena, for we have not seen him since the dreadful night."
DEATH OF JOSIAH BROWN.
On the 9th day of December, 1870, occurred the death of Josiah Brown, in the seventy-fourth year of his age. He resided a few miles west of Plattsburg. "Uncle Si Brown," as those who knew him always called him, was born in Madison County, Kentucky, in 1797. In 1809, his father with the Coopers and Todds, emigrated to Howard County, Missouri, and were the first settlers of that historic ground. He lived in Forts Hemstid and Cooper during the war of 1812, and assisted in driving the Indians from the Boon's Lick country. His recollections of those early days were a treat to those who were privileged to hear him. When the celebrated Platte Purchase was attached to the state, the same spirit which caused his father to emigrate to the wilderness of the Boon's Lick, induced him in 1837 to remove to what has since been known as Platte County. Again, in 1849, he emigrated to California, but after a residence of two years he returned, and at his death was a resident of Clinton County. His wife, whom he married in 1819, still survives him, together with many children and grand children.
More than fifty years ago, he joined the old Regular Baptist Church. His walk through life was an exemplification of the pure and simple truths of his religion. His faith in the grace and mercy of his Maker increased as his years grew more, and as the shadows of the sunset of his life lengthened across his path, he watched them in the simple trust- fulness of one who never doubted the promises of his God. Waiting and watching, the summons came at last, and quickly, quietly, peacefully and almost without pain, passed his spirit to its eternal peace.
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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
ORGANIZATION OF A FIRE DEPARTMENT IN PLATTSBURG.
According to previous notice, the citizens of Plattsburg met at the court house on Thursday evening, the 26th of October, 1871, at 7 o'clock, for the purpose of adopting some means to prevent our city from being destroyed by fire. The meeting being called to order, on motion of Mr. E. M. Lyons, Mr. D. K. Morton was called to the chair. Having stated the object of the meeting, the chairman called for suggestions from those present as the best plan to be devised to accomplish the end desired. Remarks were made by Colonel Turner, Mr. Morton, Mr. Beasley and others on the plans offered. On motion of Mr. Nesbitt, it was agreed that those present, or such of them as desired, form themselves into an organization for the purpose of guarding the city. On motion, the chair appointed a committee of five, consisting of Messrs. Shoemaker, Clay, Nesbitt, C. W. Porter and W. L. Birney, to draft a paper for the signa- tures of such citizens as desire to become members of said organization, the committee to report on Friday evening, at 7 o'clock. On motion, the meeting adjourned to meet at the court house, on Friday evening, at 7 o'clock.
Meeting met pursuant to adjournment, on Friday evening, and having been called to order, on motion of Mr. Morton, Mr. C. J. Nesbitt was called to the chair. On motion of Mr. Shoemaker, Mr. Morton was appointed secretary of the meeting, and instructed to record duplicate of names of signers. On taking the chair, Mr. Nesbitt, as chairman of the committee appointed to draw up a paper for signatures, offered the following : "With a view to the mutual protection of our property against fire, we, the undersigned citizens of Plattsburg, do hereby agree upon honor, to form ourselves into an organization for that purpose. Said organization shall be styled "The Plattsburg Fire Department." We hereby agree to con- form to such regulations as may be adopted by said organization, and to perform such duties as may be imposed upon us by the proper officers thereof. The following responded : G. W. Armstrong, Omer Adams, WV. L. Birney, Wm. A. Beasley, Wm. Belder, Wm. C. Barnes, T. C. Berryman, Jos. B. Biggerstaff, L. S. Behen, Jas. M. Clay, John T. Car- roll, Stephen Collins, L. D. Carpenter, J. A. Cayton, Wm. Childers, W. H. Connor, R. S. Curd, J. C. Crellin, W. F. Davis, C. M. Dunham, James Douthitt, Chas. Deubel, M. W. Dorser, W. F. Denning, A. Doniphan, Joel Funkhouser, R. Fisher, S. Daniel Forsee, J. A. Funk- houser, E. K. Fritzlen, W. H. Foree, George K. Goheen, William Grannis, A. S. Hare, W. T. Hawk, L. B. S. Hall, James T. Hughart, H. R. Holland, R. W. Hockaday, C. M. Hooper, M. N. Jones, Robert Kipp, T. R. Livingstone, J. C. Larimore, E. M. Lyons, Wm. A. Marsh,
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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
D. K. Morton, A. Meininger, A. Musser, Jerry Matthews, H. W. Miley, N. Maupin, J. C. Morris, John T. McGrew, Ed. A. Millan, John M. McMichael, C. J. Nesbit, C. W. Porter, M. S. Peters, Pat Quinlan, Gard- ner Ross, Robert Ray, O. P. Riley, E. S. Randolph, A. G. Robertson, J. Ryan, James M. Riley, M. Shoemaker, H. Springer, J. C. Shepherd, R. C. Smarr, C. W. Shepherd, W. W. Sherman, William W. Scutt, Benjamin Smith, E. Smith, Doctor M. Smith, C. W. Smith, Samuel Smith, G. D. Smith, Ed. W. Turner, E. C. Thomas, Winslow Turner, Albert Vance, John W. Winn, William Walker, A. Weber, James S. Ward, B. F. Willis, S. A. Walker, Carl Weigler, John Q. Word.
After the signing of names, as further proceedings were in the hands of the organization and not of the meeting, Mr. Nesbitt resigned the chair, and, on motion of Mr. Goheen, Mr. Nesbitt was again called to the chair. On motion of Mr. Shoemaker, Mr. Morton was chosen sec- retary of the organization. On motion it was determined to elect three officers of this organization, viz : A chief or captain, and two assistants. On motion of Mr. Beasley it was agreed to elect said officers by ballot, the three persons receiving the highest number of votes to be declared elected. On ballot, the election resulted as follows : D. K. Morton, chief, and Moses Shoemaker and C. W. Porter, assistants. On motion, a committee was appointed by the chair, to draft by-laws and regula- tions, and to report the same for adoption, or rejection, on Monday evening, at 7 o'clock. The chair appointed Messrs. E. C. Thomas, W. F Davis, W L. Birney and E. S. Randolph said committee. On motion, the chairman was added to the committee. On motion, the meeting adjourned, to meet at the court house, on Monday evening, at 7 o'clock.
The Fire Department met at the court house October 30, 1871, pur- suant to adjournment, and was called to order by the president, C. J. Nesbitt. The president laid before the department the constitution and by-laws, which were read and adopted. On motion of D. K. Morton, M. S. Peters was elected secretary. On motion of Prof. Thomas, the sum of ten cents was levied upon each member, the foreman of each section to collect the same. A motion was adopted, directing the chief and his assistants to act as a committee, to wait upon the city authorities, and learn from them what assistance they would render the organization in its efforts to guard the city against fire; also to request the mayor and council to supply the organization with hooks and ladders, and buckets, and furnish a suitable room for the use of the department, and such other assistance as in their power to grant. On motion of E. S. Randolph, the organization adjourned to meet again at the court house at 7 o'clock on Wednesday evening.
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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
The Fire Department met November 1, 1871, pursuant to adjourn- ment. Upon motion, E. S. Randolph was elected chairman and C. W. Porter secretary. The committee appointed at a former meeting, con- sisting of D. K. Morton, M. Shoemaker, and C. W. Porter to wait upon the city authorities and learn what the city was willing to do in further- ance of the objects of the Fire Department, reported that they had met the council in special session, and that that body manifested a desire to do all in its power to aid the Fire Department in its efforts to save our city from being burned. That body also appointed a commission to ascertain the cost of hooks and ladders, buckets, the cost of two cisterns, and procure a room for the use of the department. The committee further reported that the city authorities had invested the members of the Fire Department with police authority to make arrests, etc. Messrs. James M. Riley, G. Ross, and John W. Winn were appointed a commit- tee to wait upon all citizens who had not yet become members of the Fire Department and solicit them to do so at once. Upon motion, the meeting adjourned, subject to the call of the chief.
BUILDING AND COMPLETION OF THE BRICK BLOCK IN PLATTSBURG.
The best and handsomest block of buildings in Plattsburg was com- pleted in 1871, and as that enterprise was one of great importance to the city, we copy what was said of it, at the time, by the Register :
Some nine months ago the fiery fiend visited this city and laid in ashes many buildings upon the square on Main Street, directly opposite the court house, in fact, destroying the better part of what was then the business houses of our fair young city. The railroad had, at that time, just been completed, connecting us with the outside world, and carrying through our town and county the hundreds of people from the East on their way West, hunting thriving towns, villages and counties, in which to locate and help build up, and at the same time they were building up themselves. It was at this time, when the citizens of this place were expecting great things from the railroad toward building up their city, that the demon, fire, laid in ashes the best portion of it. This, as a matter of course, threw a damper upon the ardor and enterprise of the
few in our midst who showed any of those qualities at that time, and those who had been in the habit of predicting nothing but disaster and ruin to the place from the building of the road, who had fought the project step by step from its incipiency to its giant manhood, commenced again their croakings of evil, boldly asserting that now, that the better portion of the city was laid in ruins, that Plattsburg was doomed to be the second or third town in the county, as the other places in the county were at that time displaying a good deal of enterprise and go-aheadit- iveness. But, we are happy to be able to state, such has proven to be
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untruc. The men who make a city were in our midst, and though for a time paralyzed by the sudden stroke of ill-fortune that had overtaken them, they soon recovered themselves, buckled on their armor and pre- pared for the fight, and there now stands upon the site of the "burnt district" as magnificent a row of two story brick buildings as can be found in any city in the west, an honor and a credit to the builders as well as to the city and county in which they are situated.
As we said that when these buildings were completed, we should take occasion to lay before our readers a description of the same, on Monday last, for that purpose, we visited the building of Colonel Wins- low Turner. This building occupies the extreme right of the beautiful block. The store is completed, with the exception of the counters. It is twenty-two feet front by sixty feet deep. The second story is divided off into three rooms, with a pitch of twelve feet. The front and center rooms are occupied by the law firm of Turner, Porter & Turner, the senior member of which is Colonel Winslow Turner, the owner of the building. The rear room is occupied as a sleeping room by two or three of the young men of the city. This store is to be occupied by a gentle- man from Baltimore, a Mr. Hurst, as a leather and furnishing store, about the first of January next. The front of the store is walnut, and has been put up in the very best possible manner. The windows and door are of the latest pattern, the windows contain four panes of glass, three by five feet, being French plate. This building, throughout, has been completed in the best manner, regardless of expense, when it stood in the way of the beauty of the building.
We then called in next door, in the store of Willis & Funkhouser, Colonel Turner having informed us that Judge Willis, the senior of the firm and owner of the building, would be able to give us all the particu- lars desired, in regard to the building of the two houses. Upon stating our business to Judge Willis, he kindly gave us the desired information. He stated that Patton & Sanderson, of St. Joseph, did the brick work. The cornice was made by C. H. Shultz, cornice manufacturer of St. Joseph. The stone work was done by J. Pfeiffer & Son, of St. Joseph. Mr. Ste- phen Collins, of this city, did the carpentering, Mr. A. J. P. Barnes, the painting ; Dennis Downey put up the stone work, Barnes & Wood did the plastering, under the direction of E. K. Barker, and W. W. Scutt the iron work. The iron columns supporting the entire block were cast at the St. Joseph foundry. Candor compels us to state that the carpenter, brick, iron and stone work and painting on these buildings have been done in a superior manner. These two buildings (Colonel Turner's and Judge Willis') will rank with any in this section of Missouri, for beauty of finish and elegance of style. The store room of Colonel Turner's building still needs the finishing touches of the painter, and the counter and shelving, which will be placed therein by the first of January.
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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
The store-room of Willis & Funkhouser-the senior being Judge Willis, the owner of the building-is complete in every department, the counters and shelving being in place and the room having been taken possession of by the above-named firm. The counters and shelving of this store are of walnut, and for beauty of design and magnificence appear truly wonderful to those unacquainted with our business men and the superior mechanies in our midst. As stated above, Mr. Collins, of our city, did the work and designed the counters, Mr. Barnes the painting; which reflects the greatest eredit upon them both. The store is twenty-two feet front by sixty feet deep. The second story is divided into two rooms, the front one being twenty-two by twenty-two, and the rear room twenty-two by thirty-eight feet. The front room has been rented to Dr. J. J. Newell, and will be occupied by him as a dental office. The rear room is for rent.
The next house in order, and the center one of the block, is that of Judge James H. Birch. The entire work on this building was done by the mechanics of our city. The material for the structure, with one or two exceptions, was purchased here. The building is twenty-two feet front by sixty feet in depth, with a wareroom in the rear. The brick work was done by Mr. J. F. Viglini, the carpenter work by Ed. M. Wins- low, the plastering by Joseph Aikin (and is pronounced by Judge Birch to be a satisfactory, excellent job), Messrs. Anderson & Goheen did the painting and graining of the lower floor, the stone work was done by Mr. J. A. Donahue. The lower story is occupied by Mr. D. K. Morton, lately of the firm of Morton & Fritzlen, as a drug establishment. The counters and shelving were furnished by the firm. The entire upper story, consisting of two large rooms, is occupied as the Register office, and is one of the finest as well as one of the most convenient offices in this section of the state. There is a wide stairway leading to the second story of this and the adjoining building, (Judge Willis'), both front and rear.
The next building we enter is that of Mr. J. N. Forsee. It is not finished. The last coat of plastering is being put on and the carpenter- ing in progress. Mr. J. F. Viglini did the brick work, Mr. Collins is doing the carpentering, Messrs. Barnes & Wood the plastering, Mr. John Carrol the stone work, William W. Scutt the iron work and A. J. P. Barnes the painting. Like all the buildings composing this block, neither pains nor expense have been spared toward having it put up in a manner creditable to the owner and commendable to the mechanics engaged in its construction. It is 21 feet front by 60 deep. The lower floor will be occupied by Mr. Forsee, the owner of the building, as a drug store. The enterprise and perseverance of this gentleman is truly wonderful. He has within the space of twelve months been burned out, and but a short time since his store was entered by thieves and a large amount of valua-
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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
ble goods stolen. Spite of it all, he stands to-day ready and willing to do all in his power to build up and promote the interests. of our city and people. That success may crown his every effort is the wish of all who know the man. There is a good stairway between this and the adjoining building on the left, that of Mr. Charles W. Porter, which leads to the upper portion of the two buildings. The upper portion of this building is divided into two rooms, both suitable for a light business, and are for rent.
Upon leaving this building we enter that of our enterprising, liberal hearted and go-ahead banker, Mr. Charles W. Porter, which we find to have progressed toward completion to the same extent as that of Mr. Forsee's, the plasterers and carpenters being at work on it. This build- ing is of the same dimensions as that of the one immediately adjoining, 21 by 60 feet. The upper story is also laid off in like manner, consisting of two rooms, the front one being 21 by 22 and the rear one 21 by 38 feet. The work on this building has been and is being done by the same parties who built the adjoining premises, Messrs. Viglini, Collins, Carrol, Barnes, etc. The lower story will be occupied by Mr. H. D. Walker as a clothing emporium, and Mr. Charles W. Porter, the owner, as a banking house. The rooms in the second story are for rent. As they are well located for and will make fine offices and business rooms, we predict that they will not lay idle long after completion. The roofing of this block of buildings is of tin. The work was done by our enterprising citizen, Mr. J. S. Jordan, and the owners of the block consider it a tip-top job. Messrs. Stigers & Boettner, of St. Joseph, were the architects, and those interested are loud in commendation of them, they stating to us that everything appertaining thereto has proven to be as represented. The gentlemen who, in the face of the general depression of business through- out the west, and the extreme tightness of the money market, have had the enterprise and courage to put their shoulders to the wheel and erect such a block of buildings deserve the thanks and enconiums of one and all, and we hereby cordially extend ours, at the same time wishing them a long life of happiness and prosperity.
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