USA > Missouri > Grundy County > The History of Grundy County, Missouri : an encyclopedia of useful information, and a compendium of actual facts > Part 38
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HER PROGRESS.
The progress of Trenton the next few years was marked by her struggle for railway communication, and on the success of that project depended al- most the life of the town. She began to make solid improvement and was growing fast after it was ascertained that the Chicago & Southwestern Railway would really make Trenton a point. In 1869 buildings were put up to the value of $65,707, and for a town of something less than a thousand people showed wonderful progress. Her energies, however, were far from being exhausted, and the year 1870, though not quite as heavy building operation went on, still the amount reached $56,735. Other business had also rapidly improved and 1870 was one of general prosperity.
In 1871 Trenton was represented by the following business houses, which shows a pretty good assortment. There were five dry good stores, three drug stores, five family groceries, one hardware and agricultural implements, two agricultural agencies, one furniture store, one hotel, three meat markets, one lumber yard, four carpenter shops, three blacksmith shops, three wagon
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HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
makers, one tin and stove store, one harness shop, five boarding-houses, one restaurant, one boot and shoe store, two milliners, three paint shops, two livery stables, two barber shops, one tannery, three flouring-mills, one woolen factory, one marble yard, one printing office, one seminary, two school- houses, three churches, three land agents, one photograph gallery, one bank. one gunsmith, two jewelry stores, one tailor shop, six doctors, fifteen law- yers, and insurance agents too numerous to mention. Each taxpayer had personal property to the value of $300 exempt from taxation. The popu- lation had increased from 920 to 1,075, and the valuation of city property was $214,685.75. The school building was finished, of which will be found a description in the school history of Trenton.
THIE MILK WAGON.
· About this time Trenton took a new departure, put on city airs, and by and with the consent of P. Y. Yakey came out with that article of a city's prime necessity, a milk wagon. Mr. Yakey inaugurated this necessary re- form, but the first time around his modesty got the better of his judgment and he walked into the house of each customer and announced his presence and his milk. All this, however, wore off, and in a few days Mr. Yakey could give his little bell one of those sharp taps which bids a lazy customer to hurry up, with the twang of an expert. This necessary luxury Mr. Yakey was prepared to keep up winter and summer. Mr. Yakey started on his first round of delivery November 30, 1870.
THE IRON HORSE AND JOY UNSPEAKABLE.
It was on June 24, 1871, that the citizens of Trenton were fully per- suaded that the " year of jubilee" had come: their faith was the size of a mountain in that belief, and there never was a people so tired as they were that night and so supremely happy. They could talk and shout, that is the few that were not already hoarse from undue exertion in that line, but they could not sleep, and quite a number went down in the morning to see if the thing had really staid all night. But to the feature of all this happiness.
CROSSING THE LINE.
On the morning of June 14th, 1871, at precisely nine o'clock in the morn- ing the track laying of the Chicago & Southwestern Railroad crossed the line of Mercer into Grundy county. On the morning of June 24th, 1871, at eleven o'clock, the first rail was laid within the corporate limits of Trenton, and at three o'clock r. M. of the same day the last spike had been driven at the depot. A vast crowd was gathered and ere the ring of the hammer had ceased " three cheers and a tiger" rent the air, and Trenton was in railroad communication with the outside world. A free ride to Tindall and return was given those who wished to go on the construction train, the people
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HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
returning that night in the firm belief, that no matter what the future might bring forth, Trenton's fate would be a happy one and her progress rapid. Of this belief, the past ten years have proven the truth and from a population of 920 she has one of quite 4,000.
MACHINE-SHOPS.
While their joy was great and their hopes high, there was still one more event which they were very anxious should happen and if that were obtained for Trenton then their cup of joy would not only be full but running over. As the saying is, it never rains but it pours, or that one streak of luck brings another, proved true in Trenton's case, and it was not long before the grand prize was dropped into her arms. The machine works and repair shops were located here. When that was decided, it was necessary that some demonstration should be made to let off a little of the joy which was too much to bear. A big meeting was called, the people cheered and 4th of July oratory, real spread eagle style, was indulged in. Col. Shanklin, and C. H. Manson, who was up from Chillicothe, succeeded in doing the wind work in a surprisingly graceful and popular manner. The people of Tren- ton retired to their homes throughily convinced that they had won the stakes and that there were no more worlds to conquer.
CLOSE OF 1871.
The first merchant tailor, that is, exclusively in the business, in Trenton, was S. V. Spurling and he opened that year, 1871, and in March of the same year R. F. Derick opened the first exclusively boot and shoe house.
CHAPTER XIV.
SOMETHING OF A BOOM.
Onward March. 1872-First Fire-company-Building Association-Brewery-Financial -Crash-Railroad Business-Public Library-Gas Works-Hotels-Banks-Trenton Silver Cornet Band-Passing Events-Prehistoric-Gala Day-Depot Burned-Tele- graph -- Trenton's Business Houses.
The Elmore House and other first-class buildings showed the energy and enterprise of the Trentonians, and the year 1872 proved a boom in the build- ing line. Trenton expended $101,000 that year to increase her residence and business property. That was progress, and progress of that kind makes history.
The business of Trenton in 1872 amounted to the handsome sum of $502,- 000. In excess of that the freight paid on shipments and receipts amounted
361
HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
in the aggregate, to $80,000, and the machine-shops and departments showed an expenditure the same year of $125,000.
There were fines assessed for the year 1872 amounting to $560.50, and the amount the city received from licenses, from saloons, billiards, circuses, etc., reached the sum of $1,091.50. By order of the city council this last sum was appropriated for the grading and repairing of the streets and side- walks, and this history records the fact that it would be a great improve- ment to the city of Trenton if more saloons were in full blast, if thereby the sidewalks could be improved. In choosing between the evils of saloons and the present condition of the sidewalks, all will favor the saloons. The side- walks are simply execrable.
In August, 1873, the stave factory was started by J. M. Robertson and J. M. Leedy, and it was for a while one of the institutions of the city.
The house known at that time as the Central Hotel, near the depot, was opened in August, 1873, with D. S. Miller as proprietor. The house is known at this date as the Trenton House.
FIREMEN.
The first fire-company was organized in Trenton April 2, 1873, with thirty-eight members. The following officers were selected to take charge of the company and look to an increase of membership: Foreman, Levi Greer; first assistant, James Guerin; second assistant, George W. Smith; secretary, Robert A. Collier; treasurer, J. W. Smith; and the name given it was the "Trenton Fire King." In June of the same year the organiza- tion had increased to sixty members on the roll, the limit being eighty.
AN ASSOCIATION.
One of those wild vagaries which always strike a growing town got a slight grip on Trenton in the year 1873. The town was growing and there were many new projects started. They had secured a railroad, machine- shops, even put up a first-class hotel and started a national bank, and not finding anything more of a practical nature and within the scope of their financial resources, concluded to step outside of both, and the grand idea culminated in the organization of a grand building association, with a modest capital of only $600,000. To be sure the real and personal property of Trenton had been assessed at just $445,467 the same year, but there was not a parti- cle of doubt that the citizens, or rather the incorporation could, after taking in the city and its assets, secure the small sum remaining of $155,000. or thereabouts, to make up their capital stock. It was a " big thing," and the wealthiest men in the city were put in as directors to give the association a handsome start. The idea was worthy of the genius of those who love to build air-castles, but to the plain, matter-of-fact business man, just where the money was to come from, or where the profit would come in, was past
362
HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
their judgment, and so they looked on and wondered at the magnificent scheme, but kept their grip on their pocket-books. They took a just pride in the fact that such a rich corporation or association could be started, and even the suggestion of such a scheme caused them to feel proud of their leading citizens. Still they preferred to get rich by the sweat of their brows, and the author of this history is sorry to record that the association was a dead failure after six months of a not over healthy existence. The following were the first and last directors of the association: W. B. Rogers, R. O. Carscadin, Robert P. Carnes, C. R. Dudley, E. Reams, J. R. Rupp, R. V. Young, George W. Smith, W. T. Beachem, John Tannehill, Joseph McMullen, Solomon Stewart and J. M. Leedy. The capital stock, as before stated, was $600,000, divided into 1,200 shares of $500 each. Directors were to be elected annually, on the first Monday in May of each year. The board of directors were to elect their own officers from the directory, which would secure a close corporation. Those who couldn't pay all down for a share could do so in weekly installments. Notwithstanding this last accom- modation the scheme failed, and in November, 1873, the most magnificent project ever offered to the citizens of Trenton "passed in its checks."
BREWERIES.
In the winter of 1873-74 a brewery was built just outside the city limits on the banks of the Grand River, not far from the river bridge, and on the corner of what is known as the Gilham farm. The building was in size forty by eighty feet, the machinery was received December 12, 1873, and it commenced operation as soon as it could be arranged. Its proprietors were Messrs. Bauer, Kraner & Schaub, and they were from Ottumwa, Iowa. Mr. Schaub took the active management of the business, and for a year suc- ceeded very well; but the business seemed to decline after that and he lost all he had, and what his partners put in they lost. The brewery burned down in the fall of 1876, and the ground fell into the hands of the Shank- lin & Austin Bank. The unfortunate termination of this business venture made it the last as well as the first brewery in Trenton.
FINANCIAL CRASH.
The crash of 1873 and 1874, which swept thousands of business men into bankruptcy and ruin, and brought other thousands to the verge of starva- tion, passed Trenton with scarcely a breath of its destroying force. What proved in some parts of the county a simoon, carrying poison in its breath, and wilting all that came in its path, passed Trenton as mildly as a zephyr.
Buildings continued to go up, business prospered and the growth of the town kept pace with its business. The coal mines and the machine-shops came to the front, and with the money they distributed monthly kept stag- nation away from the doors of its citizens. All around was the crash felt.
363
HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
Chillicothe felt its poisonous fangs sink deep into its business vitals, and she lies to-day a wreck, searcely a hundred more in population than a decade ago, and the value of property far below its former price. Trenton was growing and it has continued to grow, and in this year 1881 nearly rivals in popu- lation and wealth her sister city, Chillicothe, while a decade since she had bnt one-fourth of her population. This is the age of progress, and the city or the man that waits for something to turn up, is destined to be badly left in the race for wealth-wealth that is so necessary to build a town or seeure a home. Trenton continued to move forward, adding to the area of her boundary, building business houses and residences, and making sure by active work that her progress should not be impeded or her future become less promising.
In 1875 the demand for new buildings continued, and it was seen that a more extensive building arrangement would have to be made than at first contemplated. Many new-comers found rents high while many more were forced to board, because vacant houses could not be found. With this de- mand on its hands, Trenton put forth her exertions and by January 1st, 1876, had put up buildings to the value of $71,850. That was what the year 1875 brought and it added wonderfully to the growth of the city.
The railroad property was assessed at $98,246.51 within the city limits of Trenton. There were paid out for telegraphie dispatches by the citizens of Trenton for the year 1875, $1,551.75, and right on top of that light- ning business a " silver cornet band " was organized, but it died, and those living in the neighborhood where they practiced uttered thanks and sang pæans of joy.
December, 1875, had the honor of inaugurating street lamps, and one here and there can be found at this day.
A cold blooded murder was committed on the 15th day of October, 1875, by a rongh, named Diek Mitchell, and the victim of the shooting and of his brutal revenge, was a Mrs. Jane Sayers, alias Fitzgerald, a courtesan.
RAILROAD BUSINESS.
The railroad business of Trenton, for 1875, amounted to 452 car loads shipped, and the sum of $35,722.07 was taken in on freight received, and on shipment the amount was $33,911.24. In the passenger department tickets to the amount of $12,349.20 were sold during the year.
The amount of money paid out for labor, which included all making their home or stopping at Trenton, the machine-shop workmen, engineers, ete., was $93,806.
There were used by the engines and shops at Trenton 13,360,000 pounds of coal the same year. There were also used at this point 13,396 gallons of oil, and 19,116 pounds of waste.
Perhaps future generations could have no better idea of what the soil of
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HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
Grundy produces, the variety of her productions, and her stock-raising bus- iness, than to give the contents of those 452 cars. Here it is:
CAR LOADS SILIPPED.
Horses and mules 4
Cattle. 61
Hogs
149
Sheep
11
Wheat
35
Oats.
65
Rye.
31
Corn 10
Seed, grass and hay
23
Apples
6
Potatoes ..
2
Lumber
21
Staves and heading.
11
Hoop-poles
15
Wool
8
Total car loads
452
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
An attempt was made January 4, 1876, to establish a public library in Trenton, and a meeting of gentlemen took place at the office of Luther Collier. A committee was appointed to seek subscriptions of membership, which was placed at five dollars. Another committee was appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws, and after some talk, and further matters considered, the meeting adjourned to meet at the same place in one week, January 15th. It never met, if it did it is not recorded in the papers of that day, or by any other sign, that a library association was ever one of the institutions of Trenton. Yet good men attended that meeting, men of attainment and public spirit, but they were too few, and they are still too few for Trenton's good. However, this attempt was undoubtedly the starting which gave to Trenton her public school library, which was secured the following year.
MISCELLANEOUS.
The fourth of July, 1876, and the centennial day of our national exist- ence came along, and while all the people could not attend the Philadelphia Exposition and see the wonders of man's genius from all parts of the globe, they could come to Trenton and enjoy themselves, and air their patriotism. which was just as strong and enduring as if they had exhibited it in the halls of the World's Exposition. It was the biggest "fourth of July " ever seen in Trenton. The day was splendid, and the celebration was carried on in a magnificent manner. It wasn't exactly a centennial for old Grundy, but she put in four decades of life and celebrated it by one of the most attractive features of the day, and that was a short but very interesting his- tory of Grundy county, from its first white settlement to that day, by Geo. H. Hubbell, and added to that was a centennial poem, read by its author, Dr. Cole. These were productions of high merit, and both the gen- tlemen were handsomely complimented by the large concourse of people,
365
HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
for the rich literary treat given them. This, with fireworks, ended the cen- tennial fourth in Trenton, and it will be to those who were there to enjoy it. the " fourth of July " of their history and remembrance.
GAS WORKS.
A proposition was made the same year to the city of Trenton, to build gas works. The city council met, discussed the merit of the proposal, and concluded to accept it. The party or parties were notified that while Tren- ton boasted a supply of the article manufactured from wind by some of her best legal and oratorical lights, that it was a poor quality for illuminating purposes, so to speak, and that coal gas for lighting the streets would be preferable, and their proposition was accepted. Just what scared the per- sons who made the proposition was not known, but they were not heard of afterward, and Trenton still glories in her street lamps, and the illumination of coal oil.
Of course it is not known whether the people of one generation are like another, but while the following may not be exactly history, yet future gen- erations, who may happen to have the style of people mentioned below, will know they bloomed and flourished in earlier days, and that this class of people, like history, repeat themselves.
The editor of the Trenton Republican was constrained to publish Angust 2, 1874, the following from personal observation:
" It is remarkable to see how easy it is for some men to raise money to hire a horse and buggy to go ont and see a foot-race, who never have a nickel to give to the Sunday-school or church."
Undoubtedly it is somewhat remarkable, while it is a solemn fact, yet such is life, and Grundy county and the city of Trenton probably have their full share, and history will so record it.
HOTELS.
In December, 1871, the night of the 16th, a meeting was held to inaugu- rate the building of a first-class hotel. Mr. J. M. Roberts, of Centerville. Iowa, was present, and offered to take from $8,000 to $10,000 worth of stock in a building of that kind. A committee was appointed to solicit subscriptions, but the project fell through. The matter, however, was not allowed to die out, and in June, 1872, the plan for the Elmore House was accepted, and the work begun. The honse was to be of brick, three stories high, 70x100 feet, and substantially built. The owners were Spitler, Her- ring & Elmore, the house being named after the latter gentleman. It was finished in 1873, and met with varying success, changing hands several times in the matter of landlords, until June 1, 1878, when it was leased by L. D. Baily, of the Baily Brothers, the popular dry goods merchants of Trenton, and since that day the house has continued to grow in popularity.
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HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
The " Elmore House," under its present able management, has achieved a wide-spread reputation as a first-class hotel, and Mine Host "Baily," has proven himself a prince among landlords.
AMERICAN IIOTEL.
In April, 1877, Mr. J. Meloney, who owned the property, gave out a con- tract to build a hotel on Water Street, near the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific depot, and the contract was taken by Mr. C. Hall. Mr. Meloney and his father-in-law, who was with him, came from Washington, Washing- ton county, Iowa. Mr. Hall finished his work, and announced August 1st that the building was completed. It was named the " American House," and Mr. Meloney took charge as landlord and proprietor. The house had cost rather more than contemplated, and beyond Mr. Meloney's financial ability to meet, and he gave up the property and returned to Iowa. The property is owned by Mr. Milton Crow, and he leased the house to Mr. Thomas B. Harber soon after. The hotel has sustained a well merited reputation, is quite a favorite with the traveling public, and Mr. Harber has realized a handsome competency by his successful management. In July quite an addition was added to accommodate an increased patronage.
OHMART IIOUSE.
This well-known hostelry is the oldest of the trio which find their loca- cation near the depot of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad. It was built in 1860, by the Patterson Brothers, who, also, became the land- lords and held sway for some eighteen months. At the end of that time they traded the house to Mr. Ohmart who assumed its management at once and gave it his name. The house has held a very steady run of customers, is known far and wide among the traveling public and has been the source of a steady and remunerative patronage to its proprietors. It is still owned and under the management of Mr. Ohmart. The Patterson Brothers came from Ohio; one is dead, the other is a resident of the State of Iowa.
UNION HOUSE.
This is one of the oldest hotels of Trenton, and has always received a fair and steady run of custom. The house was built in 1871 by Jas. G. Benson, who conducted the same until the fall of 1878. He died November 22d of that year and since that time his widow has taken charge of the house and been successful in its managment.
CLOUDAS HOUSE.
This is the oldest hotel in Trenton, a frame building built in the old- fashioned style, low ceilings and windows with 7x9 and 8x10 glass. The house was erected in 1844, and the corner upon which it stands was, when
yo Horton
TUR NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
AUTOR. LEYSE TILDEN SOU !!
369
HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
the hotel was built, about the center of the town or the business portion thereof. It is now on what might be considered the west end and be called a rural and out of the way corner. In its long career it has seen many strange customers within its walls, and it has had many landlords to welcome its guests. It has had its name changed several times and it is now named as at the head of this article. Mr. Milton Clondas having kept the house a couple of years. Its landlord is now Robt. McAfee a genial host and pleas- ant gentleman.
TRENTON HOUSE.
This house was built in 1874, by D. S Miller, and was kept by him for a short time. He sold to Ed. Landers who in turn sold to O. G. Newton, present proprietor, who took possession September 20, 1877. In the spring of 1878 he added nineteen rooms to the building and it is now, with the exception of the Elmore House, the largest hotel in the city. At the time it was pur- chased by Mr. Newton the house was kept by James Corett. The house is located near the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad depot and is re- ceiving a fair share of the patronage of the traveling public.
THE NATIONAL.
This hotel was opened in the fall of 1875 by Messrs. Colley and Wilson, who continued as proprietors until 1870 when the partnership was dissolved by the death of Mr. Colley, the father-in-law as well as the partner of Mr. Wilson. The latter still continues its management.
PACIFIC.
It was in 1873 that this house was first opened as a traveler's inn to the public, and was then the property of O. G. Newton, now of the Trenton House, who added six new rooms and continued its proprietor until 1877, when he sold it to Mr. Edward Landers, the mother of the latter gentleman assuming the proprietorship of the property. It is now conducted by Mr. N. A. Phillips, who is making it a pleasant home for travelers.
BANKS.
The First National Bank of Trenton was organized January 23, 1872 with a capital stock of $50,000. The stockholders' names and amount taken by each is as follows:
Wm. Bradley.
$ 26,000
Robt. P. Carnes.
8,000
Geo. W. Moberly
8,000
Jas. B. Carnes . 2,000
James Austin.
1,000
A. D. Mullin
1,000
Stephen Peery
1,000
Henry Wharton
1,000
J. H. Foulks.
1,000
J. A. Webster
. 1,000
23
370
HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
Mr. Bradley was made president, Geo. W. Moberly vice-president, and Robt. P. Carnes, cashier. It continued business until the summer of 1876, when it gave up its charter and turned its business over to the Union Bank as its successor. The last statement of its assets and liabilities was given May 12, 1876 and is as follows.
RESOURCES.
Loans and discounts $ 91,737.50
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