USA > Missouri > Jackson County > The History of Jackson county, Missouri, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., biographical sketches of its citizens, Jackson county in the late warhistory of Missouri, map of Jackson county > Part 11
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139
The following is a copy from the " State Geological Survey " of a well bored in Kansas City :
No.
Kinds of Strata.
of strata.
Thickness
from sur.
Depth
I Drift at top of bed rock .
2 |Fine grained bluish limestone (78)
3|Light blue clay .
I
59 ...
4 Dark colored clay .
4 ...
63 ...
5 Gray limestone (No. 77)
13 .
76 ...
6 Dove colored clay shales .
100
176 I80 ...
7 Bituminous sandy clay .
8 Clay .
9| Bituminous limestone (brown)
4
5 273 ...
12 Arenaceous clay (soft drab sandstone)
13 Buff limestone
14 Soapstone
15 Clay (arenaceous)
23 ...
... 365 370 ...
17 Blue micaceous clay
18|Dark blue fine-grained sandstone
19 Dark shales (salt water) .
20 Coal.
4 433
4
21 Fire clay
22 Clay and limestone thrarlite
23 Dark shale and coal, fossils, plants, salt water flowing .
24 Coal, dense and bright
25 Clay and limestone .
26 Coarse gray sandstone, strong lime
IO .
489 493 6.500
...
30 Sandy clay, fine grained sandy clay
3I Black shale . .
32 Coal .
33 Clay with sand
50 673
...
34 Three laminated dark shales
6 . .
679 ...
35 Black bituminous shales
36 Coal.
I
8 683 8
37 Clay and mud 38 Mud.
16
4 700 ...
39 Dark mottled crystalline sandstone
IO
34 10 734 10 2 745 10 758 ... I 3
.. ...
2I ...
58
...
II Limestone, with water and oil .
291
...
...
23
...
24
I6 Clay and shelly coal and fossils
5 . ..
25 37 .. 432 :
I ... 433
...
IO 443 ... 4
5
8 449
...
I
... 450
6
6 45 ...
16 6461 ...
27 Gray and fine sandstone
3
...
29 Clay or soapstone .
7
119 ...
3 I
619 ... 622 623 ...
3 ...
782 ...
40 Virtreous crystalline limestone .
ft. lin
ft. in
37 ...
4
84 264 ... 268
Io Soapstone
18 4 ... ..
295 318 342 ...
39! ...
I 2 ... 47 ...
6
28 Blue clay . . .
So it would appear (from the above) that the deeper we go the thicker the coal, and consequently the better article. There is no doubt but if the boring had proceeded further, say 100 feet, a heavier vein of coal would have been found. The above table appears to correspond with the Leavenworth shaft be- fore it was sunk to its present depth.
81
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
That there is coal here there is no doubt. We have all that is required to positively indicate its existence ; all it wants is for capitalists to go to work and get enough together and let the matter be tried. There are two wells that can be bored deeper (the distillery and Waggoner's); they are now 300 to 400 feet deep, a good beginning, and by following them up it would not take long to tell wheth- er the matter would pay or not. Those wells were bored for the purpose of pro- curing a permanent flow, but failed as was predicted; they cannot get a good flowing well here short of 1, 500 or 2,000 feet, for the reason that we are at the bottom or eastern water shed off Pike's Peak.
Let those who feel interested in the welfare of Jackson county, strike now, before the counties south stop the enterprise, by stocking the markets.
PLANTS.
God might have bade the earth bring forth, Enough for great and small, The oak tree and the cedar tree, Without a flower at all. He might have made enough, enough For every want of ours : For luxury, medicine and toil,
And yet have made no flowers. Our outward life requires them not-
Then wherefore have they birth ? To minister delight to man,
To beautify the earth ; To comfort man-to whisper hope,
Whene'er his faith is dim ; For whoso careth for the flower, Will much more care for him.
Jackson county is the most favored locality in the State for the successful growing of forest trees, evergreen trees, apple trees of all varieties, together with peaches, plums, pears, apricots, grapes and small fruits. All kinds of ornament- al and shade trees, flowers and hedges grow and flourish with only reasonable care and with a certainty that is not known east or west, north or south. If we go further south the apple will not flourish, if further north the peach is liable to blight ; but here, all are almost sure to do well. In the following list we give some of the most common native trees and plants.
The lobelia, mint, sassafras and birthiwort families furnish many species of plants having valuable medicinal qualities. The lilies, wild roses, cacti, wild honeysuckle, violets, etc., meet the eye in every wood in early spring and sum- mer with a profusion of rare and beautiful flowers. There is a great variety of valuable forage grasses, such as blue grass, foxtail grass, timothy, millet, etc. Many species of trees and plants are cultivated with great success which are not mentioned in this list. All kinds of trees, shrubs, grains and fruits adapted to this latitude and climate can be produced in the greatest profusion and luxuriance.
PRODUCTS, ETC.
The lands of Jackson county, are of the best known in the State-a rich and fertile bottom and upland deposit, producing everything planted. The industrious husbandman is amply rewarded for his labors, abundant crops greet him on every side. Jackson county holds out the most promising inducements to settlers. If you want a good house, good land, water, health, climate, plenty of fruit of all kinds, and good neighbors, come to this county. We have every-
6
82
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
thing here that the most avaricious could desire. Nature has been liberal with her gifts, bestowing fertile valleys, rich uplands, abundant woods, pure streams, fine orchards, healthy climate and immense deposits of coal. Commerce observ- ing these facts, reached out with its arms of iron and steel, and embraced us. Numerous railroads center here conveying to and from the world articles of trade and traffic. We would say to you, come and behold Jackson county and its lands. Come and see us if you want good homes.
THE SUB-SOILS
of the county are generally rich in silicious marls, are strongly marked with the Loess characteristics, range from one to one hundred feet in depth, slack like quick lime on exposure to frost and atmosphere, and are an inexhaustible mine of productive wealth which some day will make Jackson county, and indeed, all Central Missouri, the classic ground of American husbandry. As a whole, the soils mentioned give
THE WIDEST RANGE OF PRODUCTION
known to modern husbandry. Every domestic product of the soil that flourishes between the northern limit of the cotton fields and the northern Red River, is at home and reaches perfection, in these soils. Jackson county is emphatically
THE HOME OF THE GRAIN GROWERS.
Corn, the great staple cereal of the lower Missouri Valley, gives a yield of thirty- five to ninety bushels per acre, depending upon soil, season and culture, and it is safe to estimate the total crop of the county for 1880 at 4,000,000 bushels. This is
A CAPITAL WHEAT COUNTY,
as the superior quality of the late crop fully attests. The south half of the county is largely underlaid with limestone, the subsoils are rich in lime, and every con- dition to successful wheat growing obtains in high measure. Fully 500,000 bushels of white winter wheat were grown in the county in 1879, and the area in wheat for the coming harvest, with the exceptionally fine stand, promises a yield of 1, 000,- ooo bushels. The oak and hickory soils give a yield of fourteen to thirty bushels per acre, and with anything like thorough culture following clover, the county would give an average yield of twenty-five bushels in ordinary seasons. Jackson county certainly presents a splendid field for ambitious wheat growers. Among
OTHER FIELD CROPS,
oats, barley and rye all do finely here, the former often give a yield of fifty to seventy-five bushels per acre. Broom corn makes a fine growth of the finest brush and might be made a very profitable crop. Sorghum is cultivated with decided profit for local use. Hungarian and millet make a wonderful growth and are in great favor with the best farmers. Up to a recent date,
TOBACCO
has been an abundant crop here, the dry, warm oak soils of the greater elevations producing a very superior quality of leaf, which under the treatment of old experi- enced Virginia cultivators made an enviable reputation in the great markets. The product of the county, 1,000, 000 to 2, 000, 000 pounds, could easily be increased 300 per cent if the demand shall again warrant the general culture of this plant.
FIELD AND GARDEN VEGETABLES
fairly luxuriate in any part of the soil of this noble county, giving generous
83
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
returns to the cultivator, who may gratify his nobler senses with a little paradise of vegetables, plants and blooms, with half the labor required in the east and north. To the credit of old Jackson be it said that
NO FAILURE OF THE GRAIN CROP
is recorded in her 65 years of agriculture. Extreme conditions of climate have sometimes shortened the export surplus of some of the cereals and grasses, but the bounteous soil has never faild to yield ample supply for the use of the home, the flocks and herds.
HORTICULTURE.
The people of Jackson county took an interest in the cultivation of fruits at an early day, and no county in the State had a local supply of all the fruits inci- dent to this climate at an earlier period in their history. Apples, peaches, grapes, pears, cherries, apricots and a number of kinds of berries all flourish in Jackson county. Of the earliest orchards nothing now is known but it has been the usual course with the farmers to plant orchards as soon as practicable after the opening of their farms, and hence Jackson became a fruit growing county before there was any attempt on the part of those interested in orchards to organize and so preserve a history of the industry.
The first horticultural organization in Jackson county was effected on the 18th day of December, 1869, at Independence, when a small number of farmers and fruit growers assembled at the call of Maj. F. S. Ragan for that purpose. At this meeting the Jackson County Horticultural Society was organized, by-laws adopted and officers elected. Alexander Proctor was the first president; F. S. Ragan, Vice-President ; U. P. Bennett, Secretary, and John Bryant, Treasurer. The Board of Directors was composed of J. O. Blair, E. M. McGee, W. E. Mc. Bride, Henry Parker and A. Renick.
At this Meeting Maj. F. S. Ragan read before the association a paper on the General Subject of Horticulture.
Further meetings were held by the society in January, February, March and April, 1870, at which a list of apples suitable to the country was adopted. Apple, pear and small fruit culture was discussed.
The society renewed its meetings the following November and at the first meeting the society submitted a list of apples as those so far approved by the society for cultivation in Jackson county.
We append this list so that our readers may have the benefit of the experi- ence of those longest engaged in the culture of apples in the county :
Early Apples-Early harvest, early pennock, golden sweet, red astrachan, Carolina June, sweet June, summer pearmain.
Fall Apples-Rambo, maiden's blush, fall wine, fall pippin, pale red streak.
Winter Apples-Ben. Davis, Jesse Black, Wagoner, white winter pearmain, white pippin, wine sap, northern spy, Clayton, McAfee's, none such, Newton pippin (green), Peck's pleasant willow twigg, Pryer's red, Missouri pippin, Rawl's jenet, Huntman's favorite, Talpahockin, Ortley, Rome beauty, Smith's cider, golden russet.
At this meeting the annual election was held, at which F. S. Ragan was elected President and U. P Bennett, Secretary, and it was also determined at this meeting that part of subsequent meetings should be held on the premises of members from which there resulted many pleasant gatherings of the horticultur- ists during the spring and summer months of succeeding years. On the 29th of May, 1875, this society was merged into the Missouri Valley Horticultural Society.
In 1870 the Missouri Valley Grape Growers' Association was organized, for the purpose of fostering the cultivation of the grape. It held three meetings in
84
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
1870 and 1871, two of which were held at Leavenworth and one at St. Joseph. Its fourth meeting was held in Kansas City, in September, 1872, during the Kan- sas City Exposition, and in the Fine Art Hall of that association. At this time, Major F. S. Ragan, of Independence, was its president. At this meeting it was merged into the Missouri Valley Horticultural Society, which had been organ- ized in 1868, of which J. C. Evens, of Clay county, is now president, and L. A. Goodman, of Jackson county, secretary.
The Missouri Valley Horticultural Society has followed the habits of the Jackson county society, and holds monthly meetings, partly at the residences of the members, for about five months in the year. At these meetings essays are read on topics connected with the fruit growing interest, experiences and observa tions are exchanged, methods discussed and illustrated, and samples exhibited. Under its influence, and the influence of the other societies merged into it, horti- culture has been materially fostered in Jackson county, better methods have been brought into use, unprofitable varieties of fruits discarded, and more profitable ones adopted ; and the quality and quantities of the fruit produced has been im- proved.
BEE CULTURE.
Until 1866 little attention was given to the culture of bees as a distinct branch of industry. Prior to that time there were no opinions as such in Jackson coun- ty, but many of the farmers kept a few bees, allowing them to take care of them- selves during the summer season, and in the fall, when honey was wanted, killing a number of hives with sulphur matches. In 1866 Mr. Harper Bennett came to this county, as agent for improved hives, and went into partnership with Mr. James D. Meador, of Independence, in the manufacture of hives and the culture of bees. They obtained Italian queens, and conducted the keeping of bees in such scientific manner as soon to demonstrate its profit. From this small begin- ning the interest grew rapidly, until in 1872 there were so many engaged in it that they convened at Lee's Summit, and organized what they called the Green- wood Bee-keepers' Association of Jackson county, electing Mr. James D. Meader president; William McKedrick, vice-president ; J. D. C. McFarland, secretary ; and John Proudfitt, treasurer. This movement gave a great impetus to the inter- est, and caused many others to undertake the keeping of a few colonies by im- proved methods.
In 1878 the interest met with great disaster in the bees in many colonies by death during the winter from causes which have never been satisfactorily ascer- tained. Many then abandoned the business, but a few of those who understood it better continued it and have fully overcome the losses of that year. Among these are Messrs. William M. Kitterick, of Greenwood; M. O. Rowe, of Grain Valley ; L. W. Baldwin, P. Baldwin, F. J. Farr, J. D. Meador and Charles Crandall, of Independence; Mr. Grigg, Mr. Briant, Mr. Salesbury and E. M. Hayhurst, of Kaw township. Some of these gentlemen, especially those at In- dependence, make bee culture a specialty, and during the year 1880 the product was not less than twenty-five thousand pounds of excellent honey, mostly gathered from the blossoms of the linden in the space of about eighteen days, and from an area not exceeding five miles square. Mr. Hayhurst of Kaw township, makes more of a specialty of raising improved queens, of which he produces several thousand annually, and distributes them on orders to all parts of the United States.
Through the efforts of the gentlemen here mentioned, Jackson county has been brought to the front rank of bee-keeping counties in the United States. The county abounds in honey producing flora, and her apiculturists are of the enter- prising intelligent character necessary to realize its highest possibilities.
THE NATIVE AND DOMESTIC GRASSES.
Jackson county is pre-eminently a grass country. All the grasses of this great
85
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
grazing belt attain luxuriant growth here. Better still the soil and climate give them a perfection of quality rarely attained in other regions.
THE NATIVE PRAIRIE GRASS,
though not equal in variety to the wild grasses of Nebraska (of which 154 varie- ties have been catalogued by Prof. Aughey) are yet very numerous, especially on the grand Prairie, and from early April to the last of July, give more flesh to grazing animals than any of the domestic grasses; but they are fast disappearing before
THE ALL-CONQUERING BLUE-GRASS,
and may not be named among the permanent grazing resources. The green, luxuriant, nutritious, tenacious blue-grass is the all prevading, all-absorbing herb- age of this beautiful herdman's paradise. It is "marching on to the conquest " of field and forest with a sort of Roman firmness, persistence and confidence that seems heroic enough to be human. It is the grand imperial resource of the country, leading the grain fields " two to one " in net returns. These splendid blue-grass pastures of forest and field in Jackson county, will compare with the best range in Illinois or Kentucky-every acre representing the net returns of two acres of good corn. The writer, though neither venerable with years nor sage in worldly wisdom, remembers in half a dozen years of western travel, a score of opulent blue-grass herdsmen to every instance of personal independence in the great wheat regions.
THE TIMOTHY MEADOWS
of Jackson county, though not as extensive as in some of the prairie counties fur-
RAMSEY MILESLET
RESIDENCE AND SHEEP FARM OF SAMUEL JEWETT.
86
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
ther North, are equal to the very best in Illinois, the Canadas and the Western Reserve.
RED CLOVER.
makes a splendid growth here, especially in the oak and hickory soils, is very suc- cessfully cultivated on the oak lands in the southwest part of the county, and is becoming popular among the farmers of other portions resulting here, as every- where, in enrichment of, and large increase in the productive power of the lands.
WHITE CLOVER,
like blue-grass, is indigenous to the country, flourishes in all the silicious soils and in years of full moisture adds largely to the grazing capacity and wealth of the country. With the foregoing notes upon the climate, soils, water supply and grasses of Jackson county, it seems almost superfluous to pronounce it
A SUPERB STOCK COUNTY.
But I am reminded that three-fourths of the prospective immigrants who are look- ing westward for Etopia, locate that fabulous land somewhere on the broad savan- nas of the New West, and think, talk and dream only of becoming shepherds and herdsmen. Well, that is natural, honorable and sagacious, for no calling is more profitable and reputable, and these gentlemen of the prospective flocks and herds will permit the writer to tell them that northwestern Missouri is the
HOME OF THE STOCK GROWER,
and that grand old Jackson county is "pretty nigh" its head center. Here are the cheap lands, here the matchless herbage and clear plenteous waters, here the forest ravines, bluffs, gulches and chaparral that make the finest natural stock shelter known to a mild and equable climate, and these with cheapest transporta- tion to the National and Union stock yards are the things that go into the make up of a royal stock country. We must not forget to add those other essentials- cheap corn and
ALMOST PERENNIAL PASTURAGE.
They grow corn here at a cost of fifteen cents per bushel, and the years are rare that do not furnish ten months grazing for young stock. Only a field of rye and a reservation of the autumn growth of blue grass in the underbrush woodlands are necessary to complete as full year's pasturage. It should interest those coming herdsmen, too, to know that there are none of the climatic rigors of the far west- ern plains ; that the good Lord gives this region plenteous rainfall; that the coal and wood and fencing timber are almost as "cheap as dirt; " that the highways are made, the bridges and school houses are built ; that there is
A SLIGHT DIFFERENCE
between life here and on the borders. It may be well to remind him, too, that there is such an order as polite and refined society for his wife and good schools for his children ; that the country is full of nrst-class railways; that the rough work of pioneering was done by other hands than his, half a century ago; and that Jackson county has stood the test of sixty years of unfailing agricultural pro- duction without diminishing the productive power of its soil. This prospective stock grower who is already asking if Jackson county is really a good county to live in, will pardon me for telling him a little story about the
EXTENT AND PROFIT OF STOCK HUSBANDRY
In Jackson county. The late assessors returns accredit the stock men of the county with a total of 19,680 horses; 4,212 mules; 18,325 cattle; 23,275 sheep and 35,390 swine. This splendid aggregation of domestic animals is not made of
SCRUBS AND SCALAWAGS,
For these rude tribes, like the "bushwhacker" of the genus homo, are mainly
87
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
passed into history. It is worth the journey of a thousand miles to look over the stock ranches, farms and herds. Hardly too much can be said of
THE CHARACTER OF THE HERDS
And their progressive owners. There are half a hundred short horns of illustri- ous heraldry and lineage here ; another half hundred animals of model types, fit for the show-ring, and several hundred finely bred animals of noteworthy families. The feeding herds are all good or high grades, a large per cent. of this stock being bred and fed for the European trade. Some of the enterprising breeders are in- troducing Herefords, to meet a fast growing demand from the ranchmen of new prairie States and Territories. Hundreds of young thorough-bred short horn bulls are annually shipped out of the county for the same destination. Imported Jer- seys, whose names and fame are known to two continents, are kept and bred here in fair numbers. Imported Cotswolds, Downs, Leicesters and Marinos of na- tional fame, grace the estates of several sheep breeders, and are giving generous infusion of the best blood into many of the local flocks. Model Berkshires and Poland Chinas that have swept the Provincial and National prize may be found here, and it may be safely said that Jackson county, in regard to blooded stock, has no superior in the west.
Many another good word might be said for old Jackson county and its enter- prising citizens, but there are some live and successful stock men in it who are more than deserving of passing notice. Scattered throughout this beautiful county of hills, vales and picturesqueness are some dozen or more noteworthy fine stock
BREEDERS
Of short horns, and, indeed, of all other kinds of stock, a note of whom will serve to show the character of the county and herds, and men who are pursuing this noble calling. Jackson county stands second to no county in the State in the quality of her stock. Three miles east of Independence is Mr. C. Pugsley's Elm- Wood farm, that stands as a model of what energy and enterprise can do. It consists of 317 acres of good land, all splendidly fenced and heavily coated with a good covering of blue grass. A good home, ample and convenient stabling, sheds and corrals, ponds and elegant pastures, make up this model farm. His herd consists of 40 recorded short horns of the Rose of Sharon, formerly bought of T. C. Anderson, of Kentucky. His herd is well handled, and has a high pedigree, the bull of the herd is a royal Princess and Bates cross. In addition, Mr. Pugsley has 400 Spanish Merino sheep of pure breeding, and was the first to introduce them into this county. Jackson county has in Mr. Pugsley an old Ohio raised farmer and stockman, a worthy and exemplary citizen, farmer and stockman. A visit to his farm, and a look at his beauties, will convince the most skeptical that there is something in life yet worth living for. In our researches after food of the above mixture we_run across
WM. ANDERSON,
A man rich in mortgages, stocks and bonds, rich in all good human feeling, has a large and exhaustless stock of good common sense, sympathizes with every movement for the advancement of the county, and in practical business talent is the peer of any man in the State. Mr. Anderson, with the enterprising energy characteristic of his nature, has not only added to the lovely attractions of his rural home, but has invested largely in fine blooded stock, among which may be mentioned the following noted families :
THE GLENDALE HERD
Of fine short horn cattle, the best in the county, and handled with the best of
88
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTV.
care. The herd is a large one, headed by a male of the celebrated Rose of Sharon family. Mr. Anderson's farm presents to the eye an attraction seldom found in the travels of a lifetime. [We have been unable to glean all the facts connected with the fine breeds of the county, and the fault is not ours, as we have earnestly questioned all. ] Mr. H. M. Vaile, another of our fine breeders, has in quarantine at Baltimore a herd of fine blooded cattle, one of which cost him the fabulous sum of $3,000. [We are sorry to say we were unable to see Mr. Vaile.] One more fine stock man calls for our words of encouranement, and that man is
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.