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 7
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It was finally agreed that Judge Earickson should propose to the Mormons that, if they would pay for all the cattle they had killed belonging to the citizens, and load their wagons during the night and be ready to move by ten o'clock next morning, and make no further attempt to settle in Howard county, the citizens would purchase at first cost their lots in DeWitt and one or two adjoining tracts of land.
Col. Hinkle, the leader of the Mormons, at first refused all attempts to settle the difficulties in this way, but finally agreed to the proposition.
In accordance therewith, the Mormons without further delay, loaded up their
49
HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
wagons for the town of Far West, in Caldwell county. Whether the terms of the agreement were ever carried out, on the part of the citizens, is not known.
The Mormons had doubtless suffered much and in many ways-the result of their own acts-but their trials and sufferings were not at an end.
In 1838 the discord between the citizens and Mormons became so great that Governor Boggs issued a proclamation ordering Major-General David R. Atchi- son to call the militia of his division to enforce the laws. He called out a part of the Ist brigade of the Missouri State Militia, under command of General A. W. Doniphan, who proceeded to the seat of war. General John B. Clark, of Howard county was placed in command of the militia.
The Mormon forces numbered about 1, 000 men, and were led by G. W. Hinkle. The first engagement occurred at Crooked river, where one Mormon was killed. The principal fight took place at Haughn's Mills, where eighteen Mormons were killed and the balance captured, some of them being killed after they had surrendered. Only one militiaman was wounded.
In the month of October, 1838, Joe Smith surrendered the town of Far West to General Doniphan, agreeing to his conditions, viz. : That they should deliver up their arms, surrender their prominent leaders for trial, and the remainder of the Mormons should, with their families, leave the State. Indictments were found against a number of these leaders. including Joe Smith, who, while being taken to Boone county for trial, made his escape, and was afterward, in 1844, killed at Carthage, Illinois, with his brother Hyrum.
FLORIDA WAR.
In September, 1837, the Secretary of War issued a requisition on Governor Boggs, of Missouri, for six hundred volunteers for service in Florida against the Seminole Indians, with whom the Creek nation had made common cause under Osceola.
The first regiment was chiefly raised in Boone county by Colonel Richard Gentry, of which he was elected Colonel; John W. Price, of Howard county, Lieutenant Colonel; Harrison H. Hughes, also of Howard, Major. Four com- panies of the second regiment were raised and attached to the first. Two of these companies were composed of Delaware and Osage Indians.
October 6, 1837, Col. Gentry's regiment left Columbia for the seat of war, stopping on the way at Jefferson barracks, where thev were mustered into service.
Arriving at Jackson barracks, New Orleans, they were from thence trans- ported in brigs across the Gulf to Tampa Bay, Florida. General Zachary Taylor, who then commanded in Florida, ordered Col. Gentry to march to Okee-cho-bee Lake, one hundred and thirty-five miles inland by the route traveled. Having reached the Kissemmee river, seventy miles distant, a bloody battle ensued, in which Col. Gentry was killed. The Missourians, though losing their gallant leader, continued the fight until the Indians were totally routed, leaving many of their dead and wounded on the field. There being no further service required of the Missourians, they returned to their homes in 1838.
MEXICAN WAR.
Soon after Mexico declared war, against the United States, on the 8th and 9th of May, 1846, the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma were fought. Great excitement prevailed throughout the country. In none of her sister States however, did the fires of patriotism burn more intensely than in Missouri. Not waiting for the call for volunteers, the "St. Louis Legion " hastened to the field of conflict. The "Legion" was commanded by Colonel A. R. Easton. During the month of May, 1846, Governor Edwards, of Missouri, called for volunteers to join the " Army of the West," an expedition to Santa Fe-under command of General Stephen W. Kearney.
50
HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
Fort Leavenworth was the appointed rendezvous for the volunteers. By the 18th of June, the full complement of companies to compose the first regi- ment had arrived from Jackson, Lafayette, Clay, Saline, Franklin, Cole, Howard and Callaway counties. Of this regiment A. W. Doniphan was made Colonel ; C F. Ruff, Lieutenant-Colonel, and William Gilpin, Major. The battalion of light artillery from St. Louis was commanded by Captains R. A. Weightman and A. W. Fischer, with Major M. L. Clark as field officer; battalions of infantry from Platte and Cole counties commanded by Captains Murphy and W. Z. Augney respectively, and the " Laclede Rangers," from St. Louis, by Captain Thomas B. Hudson, aggregating all told, from Missouri, 1,658 men. In the summer of 1846 Hon. Sterling Price resigned his seat in Congress and raised one mounted regiment, one mounted extra battalion, and one extra battalion of Mor- mon infantry to reinforce the " Army of the West." Mr. Price was made colonel, and D. D. Mitchell lieutenant colonel.
In August, 1847, Governor Edwards made another requisition for one thou- sand men, to consist of infantry. The regiment was raised at once. John Dougherty, of Clay county, was chosen colonel, but before the regiment marched the President countermanded the order.
A company of mounted volunteers was raised in Ralls county, commanded by Captain Wm. T. Lalfland. Conspicuous among the engagements in which the Missouri volunteers participated in Mexico were the battles of Brazito, Sacra- mento, Canada, El Embudo, Taos and Santa Cruz de Rosales. The forces from Missouri were mustered out in 1848, and will ever be remembered in the history of the Mexican war, for
"A thousand glorious actions that might claim
Triumphant laurels, and immortal fame."
+
CHAPTER X.
AGRICULTURE AND MATERIAL WEALTH.
Missouri as an Agricultural State -- The Different Crops-Live Stock-Horses-Mules -- Milch Cows -Oxen and other; Cattle -- Sheep -Hogs-Comparisons-Missouri Adapted to Live Stock -- Cotton-Broom-Corn and other Products-Fruits-Berries-Grapes-Railroads-First Neigh of the " Iron Horse" in Missouri-Names of Railroads -- Manufactures -- Great Bridge at St. Louis.
Agriculture is the greatest among all the arts of man, as it is the first in supply- ing his necessities. It favors and strengthens population ; it creates and maintains manufactures; gives employment to navigation and furnishes materials to com- merce. It animates every species of industry, and opens to nations the safest channels of wealth. It is the strongest bond of well regulated society, the surest basis of internal peace, and the natural associate of correct morals. Among all the occupations and professions of life, there is none more honorable, none more independent, and none more conducive to health and happiness.
" In ancient times the sacred plow employ'd The kings, and awful fathers of mankind; And some, with whom compared, your insect tribes Are but the beings of a summer's day,
51
HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
Have held the scale of empire, ruled the storm Of mighty war with unwearied hand, Disdaining little delicacies, seized The plow and greatly independent lived."
As an agricultural region, Missouri is not surpassed by any State in the Union. It is indeed the farmer's kingdom, where he always reaps an abundant harvest. The soil, in many portions of the State, has an open, flexible structure, quickly absorbs the most excessive rains, and retains moisture with great tenacity. This being the case, it is not so easily affected by drouth. The prairies are covered with sweet, luxuriant grass, equally good for grazing and hay; grass not surpassed by the Kentucky blue grass-the best of clover and timothy in growing and fat- tening cattle. This grass is now as full of life-giving nutriment as it was when cropped by the buffalo, the elk, the antelope and the deer, and costs the herds- man nothing.
No State or Territory has a more complete and rapid system of natural drainage, or a more abundant supply of pure, fresh water than Missouri. Both man and beast may slake their thirst from a thousand perennial fountains, which gush in limpid streams from the hill-sides, and wend their way through verdant valleys and along smiling prairies, varying in size, as they onward flow, from the diminutive brooklet to the giant river.
Here, nature has generously bestowed her attractions of climate, soil and scenery to please and gratify man while earning his bread in the sweat of his brow. Being thus munificently endowed, Missouri offers superior inducements to the farmer, and bids him enter her broad domain and avail himself of her varied re- sources.
We present here a table showing the product of each principal crop in Missouri for 1878.
Indian Corn
93,062.000 bushels
Wheat
20, 196, 000
Rye
732,000.
Oats
19,584,000 46,400
Buckwheat
Pota oes
5,415,000
Tobacco
23,023, 000 pounds
Hay
1,620,000 tons
There were 3,552,000 acres in corn; wheat, 1, 836,000 ; rye, 48, 800: oats, 640,000; buckwheat, 2,900 ; potatoes, 72, 200; tobacco, 29, 900 ; hay, 850,000. Value of each crop : corn, $24, 196, 224; wheat, $13,531,320 ; rye, $300, 120; oats, $3,325, 120; buckwheat, $24, 128; potatoes, $2,057, 700; tobacco. $1, 151,- 150 ; hay, $10, 416,600.
Average cash value of crops per acre, $7.69; average yield of corn per acre, 26 bushels; wheat, 11 bushels.
Next in importance to the corn crop in value is live stock. The following table shows the number of horses, mules and milch cows in the different States for 1879:
STATES.
HORSES.
MULES.
MILCH COWS.
Maine
81,700 .
169, 100
New Hampshire
57,100
98, 100
Vermont .
77,400
217,800
Massachusetts
131,000 .
160,700
Rhode Island
16,200
22,000
Connecticut
53,500 .
116,500
.
52
HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
STATES.
HORSES.
MULES.
MILCH COWS.
New York
898,900
11, 800 .
. 1,446, 200
New Jersey .
114,500
14,400
152,200
Pennsylvania
614,500
24,900
828,400
Delaware .
19,900
4,000
23,200
Maryland
108,600
11,300
100,500
Virginia .
208,700
30,600
236,200
North Carolina
144,200
74,000
232,300
South Carolina
59,600
51,500
131,300
Georgia
119,200
97,200
273, 100
Florida .
22,400
11,900
70,000
Alabama
112,805
III, 700
215, 200
Mississippi
97,200
100,000
188,000
Louisiana
79,300
80, 700
110,900
Texas
618,000
180,200
544,500
Arkansas
180,500
89,300
187,700
Tennessee
323,700
· 99,700
245,700
West Virginia
122,200
2,400
130,500
Kentucky
386,900
117,800
257,200
Ohio .
772,700
26,700
714,100
Michigan
333,800
4.300
416,900
Indiana .
688,800 .
61,200.
439,200
Illinois
1, 100,000
138,000 .
702,400
Wisconsin .
384,400
8,700
477,300
Minnesota .
247,300
7,000
278,900
Iowa
770,700
43,400
676,200
MISSOURI
627,300
191,900
516,200
Kansas
275,000
50,000
321,900
Nebraska .
157,200
13,600
127,600
California .
273,000
25,700
459,600
Oregon .
109, 700
3,500
112,400
Nev., Col. and Ter's
250,000
25,700
423,600
It will be seen from the above table, that Missouri is the fifth State in the number of horses; fifth in number of milch-cows, and the leading State in num- ber of mules, having 11, 700 more than Texas, which produces the next largest number. Of oxen and other cattle, Missouri produced in 1879, 1,632,000, which was more than any other State produced excepting Texas, which had 4, 800,000. In 1879 Missouri raised 2, 817,600 hogs, which was more than any other State produced, excepting Iowa. The number of sheep, was 1, 296, 400. The num- ber of hogs packed in 1879, by the different States, is as follows :
STATES.
NO.
STATES.
NO.
Ohio
932,878
MISSOURI .
965,839
Indiana .
622,32I
Wisconsin .
· 472,108
Illinois
3,214,896
Kentucky .
212, 412
Iowa .
569,763
Average weight per head for each State :
STATES.
POUNDS.
STATES.
POUNDS.
Ohio
210.47
MISSOURI
213.32
Indiana
193.80
Wisconsin .
220.81
Illinois
225.71
Kentucky
. 210. II
Iowa
211.98
53
HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
From the above, it will be seen that Missouri annually packs more hogs than any other State excepting Illinois, and that she ranks third in the average weight.
We see no reason why Missouri should not be the foremost stock-raising State of the Union. In addition to the enormous yield of corn and oats upon which the stock is largely dependent, the climate is well adapted to their growth and health. Water is not only inexhaustible, but everywhere convenient. The ranges for stock are boundless, affording for nine months of the year, excellent pasturage of nutritious wild grasses, which grow in great luxuriance upon the thousand prairies.
Cotton is grown successfully in many counties of the southeastern portions of the State, especially in Stoddard, Scott, Pemiscot, Butler, New Madrid, Law- rence and Mississippi.
Sweet potatoes are produced in abundance and are not only sure but profi- table.
Broom corn, sorghum, castor beans, white beans, peas, hops, thrive well, and all kinds of garden vegetables, are produced in great abundance and are found in the markets during all seasons of the year. Fruits of every variety, including the apple, pear, peach, cherries, apricots and nectarines, are cultivated with great success, as are also, the strawberry, gooseberry, currant, raspberry and black . berry.
The grape has not been produced, with that success that was at first antici- pated, yet the yield of wine for the year 1879, was nearly half a million of gallons. Grapes do well in Kansas, and we see no reason why they should not be as sure- ly and profitably grown in a similar climate and soil in Missouri, and particularly in many of the counties north and east of the Missouri River.
RAILROADS.
Twenty-nine years ago, the neigh of the "iron horse" was heard for the first time, within the broad domain of Missouri. His coming presaged the dawn of a brighter and grander era in the history of the State. Her fertile prairies, and more prolific valleys would soon be of easy access to the oncoming tide of immigration, and the ores and minerals of her hills and mountains would be developed, and utilized in her manufacturing and industrials enterprises.
Additional facilities would be opened to the marts of trade and commerce ; transportation from the interior of the State would be secured; a fresh impetus would be given to the growth of her towns and cities, and new hopes and inspi- rations would be imparted to all her people.
Since 1852, the initial period of railroad building in Missouri, between four and five thousand miles of track have been laid; additional roads are now being constructed, and many others in contemplation. The State is already well sup- plied with railroads which thread her surface in all directions, bringing her remotest districts into close connection with St. Louis, that great center of west- ern railroads and inland commerce. These roads have a capital stock, aggregat- ing more than one hundred millions of dollars, and a funded debt of about the same amount.
The lines of railroads which are operated in the State are the following :
Missouri Pacific-chartered May 10th, 1850; The St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Railroad, which is a consolidation of the Arkansas Branch ; The Cairo, Arkansas & Texas Railroad. The Cairo & Fulton Railroad : The St. Louis, Kansas City & Northern Railway; St. Louis & San Francisco Railway; The Chicago, Alton & St. Louis Railroad; The Hannibal & St. Joseph Rail- road; The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad; The Illinois, Missouri & Texas Railroad; The Kansas City, St. Joseph & Council Bluffs Railroad; The Keokuk & Kansas City Railway Company ; The St. Louis, Salem & Little Rock Rail-
54
HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
road Company; The Missouri & Western ; The St. Louis, Keokuk & North- western Railroad; The St. Louis, Hannibal & Keokuk Railroad; The Missouri, Iowa & Nebraska Railway; The Quincy, Missouri & Pacific Railroad; The Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway; The Burlington & Southwestern Rail- road.
MANUFACTURES.
The natural resources of Missouri especially fit her for a great manufacturing State. She is rich in soil; rich in all the elements which supply the furnace, the machine shop and the planing mill; rich in the multitude and variety of her gi- gantic forests ; rich in her marble, stone and granite quarries ; rich in her mines of iron, coal, lead and zinc; rich in strong arms and willing hands to apply the force ; rich in water power and river navigation ; and rich in her numerous and well-built railroads, whose numberless engines thunder along their multiplied track- ways.
Missouri contains over fourteen thousand manufacturing establishments, 1,965 of which are using steam and give employment to 80, 000 hands. The cap- ital employed is about $100,000,000, the material annually used and worked up, amounts to over $150,000,000 and the value of the products put upon the markets $250,000,000, while the wages paid, are more than $40,000,000.
The leading manufacturing counties of the State, are St. Louis, Jackson, Buc. hanan, St. Charles, Marion, Franklin, Green, Lafayette, Platte, Cape Giardeau, and Boone. Three-fourths, however, of the manufacturing is done in St. Louis, which is now about the second manufacturing city of the Union. Flouring mills produce annually about $38, 194,000 ; carpentering $18,763,000; meat-packing $16,769, 000; tobacco $12, 496,000; iron and castings $12,000, 000 ; liquors $11,- 245,000 ; clothing $10,022,000; lumber $8, 652,000; bagging and bags $6,914,- ooo, and many other smaller industries in proportion.
GREAT BRIDGE AT ST. LOUIS.
Of the many public improvements which do honor to the State and reflect great credit upon the genius of their projectors, we have space only, to mention the great bridge at St. Louis.
This truly wonderful construction is built of tubular steel, total length of which, with its approaches, is 6,277 feet, at a cost of nearly $8,000,000. The bridge spans the Mississippi from the Illinois to the Missouri shore, and has sep- arate railroad tracts, roadways, and foot paths. In durability, architectural beau- ty and practical utility, there is, perhaps, no similar piece of workmanship that approximates it.
The structure of Darius upon the Bosphorus ; of Xerxes upon the Hellespont ; of Cæsar upon the Rhine ; and Trajan upon the Danube, famous in ancient histo- ry, were built for military purposes, that over them might pass invading armies with their munitions of war, to destroy commerce, to lay in waste the provinces, and to slaughter the people.
But the erection of this was for a higher and nobler purpose. Over it are coming the trade and merchandise of the opulent East, and thence are passing the untold riches of the West. Over it are crowding legions of men, armed not with the weapons of war, but the implements of peace and industry ; men who are skilled in all the arts of agriculture, of manufacture and of mining ; men who will hasten the day when St. Louis shall rank in population and importance, sec- ond to no city on the continent, and when Missouri shall proudly fill the measure of greatness, to which she is naturally so justly entitled.
55
HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
CHAPTER XI.
EDUCATION.
Public School System-Public School System of Missouri-Lincoln Institute-Officers of Public School System-Certificates of Teachers-University of Missouri-Schools - Colleges-Institu. tions of Learning - Location-Libraries-Newspapers and Periodicals-No. of School Chit- dren-Amount Expended-Value of Grounds and Buildings-" The Press."
The first constitution of Missouri provided, that "one school or more, shall be established in each township, as soon as practicable and necessary, where the poor shall be taught gratis."
It will be seen that even at that early day, (1820), the framers of the con. stitution made provision for at least a primary education, for the poorest and the humblest, taking it for granted that those who were able would avail themselves of educational advantages which were not gratuitous.
The establishment of the public school system in its essential features, was not perfected until 1839, during the administration of Governor Boggs, and since that period, the system has slowly grown into favor, not only in Missouri, but throughout the United States. The idea of a free or public school for all classes was not at first a popular one, especially among those who had the means to pat- ronize private institutions of learning. In upholding and maintaining public schools, the opponents of the system felt that they were not only compromising their own standing among their more wealthy neighbors, but that they were to some extent, bringing opprobrium upon their children. Entertaining such preju- dices they naturally thought that the training received in public schools, could not be otherwise than defective, hence many years of probation passed, before the popular mind was prepared to appreciate the benefits and blessings which spring from these institutions.
Every year only adds to their popularity, and commends them the more earnestly to the fostering care of our State and National Legislatures, and to the esteem and favor of all classes of our people.
We can hardly conceive of two grander and more potent promoters of civili- zation, than the free school and the free press. They would indeed seem to con stitute all that was necessary to the attainment of the happiness and intellectual growth of the Republic and all that was necessary to broaden, to liberalize and instruct.
"Tis education forms the common mind; * * * * * *
"For noble youth there is nothing so meet As learning is, to know the good from ill;
To know the tongues, and perfectly indite, And of the laws to have a perfect skill,
Things to reform as right and justice will,
For honor is ordained for no cause
But to see right maintained by the laws."
All the States of the Union, have in practical operation the public school system, governed in the main by similar laws, and not differing materially in the manner and methods by which they are taught, but none have a wiser, a more liberal and comprehensive machinery of instruction than Missouri. Her school laws since 1839, have undergone many changes, and always for the better, keep-
56
HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
ing pice with the most enlightened and advanced theories of the most experienc- ed ed icators in the land. But not until 1875, when the new constitution was adopte l, did her present admirable system of public instruction go into effect.
Provisions were made not only for white, but for children of African descent, and are a part of the organic law, not subject to the caprices of unfriendly legisla- tures, or the whims of political parties. The Lincoln Institute, located at Jeffer- son Ci y, for the education of colored teachers, receives an annual appropriation trom tie General Assembly.
For the support of the public schools, in addition to the annual income de- rived from the public school fund. which is set apart by law, not less than twenty- five per cent. of the State revenue, exclusive of the interest and sinking fund, is annually applied to this purpose.
The officers having in charge the public school interests, are the State "Board of Education;" the State Superintendent; County Superintendent ; County Clerk and Treasurer; Board of Directors; City and Town School Board : and Teacher. The State Board of Education is composed of the State Superin- tendent, the Governor, Secretary of State and the Attorney General, the execu- tive officer of this Board, being the State Superintendent, who is chosen by the people every four years. His duties are numerous. He renders decisions con- cerning the local application of school law ; keeps a record of all the school funds and annually distributes the same to the counties ; supervises the work of county school officers ; delivers lectures; visits schools; distributes educational informa- tion ; grants certificates of higher qualifications; and makes an annual report to the General Assembly of the condition of the schools.
The County Superintendents are also elected by the people for two years. Their work is to examine teachers, to distribute blanks and make reports. Coun- ty clerks receive estimates from the local directors and extend them upon the tax-books. In addition to this, they keep the general records of the county and township school funds, and return an annual report of the financial condition of the schools of their county to the State Superintendent. School taxes are gather- ed with other taxes by the county collector. The custodian of the school funds belonging to the schools of the counties, is the county treasurer, except in coun- ties adopting the township organization, in which case, the township trustee discharges these duties.
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