USA > Missouri > Pettis County > The History of Pettis County, Missouri, including an authentic history of Sedalia, other towns and townships, together with biographical sketches > Part 81
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
This corroborative statement I read in the St. Louis Times, copied from the Dayton, Ohio, fournal, in the fall of 1874, if I am not mistaken as to date.
I have in my possession his old Latin grammar, published in 1818, and in it there are many autographs of M. Ney, (my old preceptor), which by comparison with Marshal Ney's autograph as given under his engrav- ings in the life of "Napoleon and his Marshals," can very readily be recognized. To substantiate my statements I can refer to Dr. John M. Young, Water Valley, Miss .; Lucius Q. Butler, County Line post-office, Davie County. N. C .; also Mrs. Mary C. Dalton, Eagle Mills, Iredell County, N. C .; and Gen. John A. Young, Charlotte, N. C., and scores of others yet living. The two first named gentlemen were his pupils in 1826. That Ney, while in the United States, corresponded with foreigners, I find conclusive evidence in the following, which I quote from a paper before me in my own hand writing:
" Oblivion is the common lot Of common men-they die forgot ; He who would live in memory warm, Must do much good or do much harm ; Fame lifts her voice alone on high For those who fill the public eye; Down in the brief ephemeral tide, Sinks every man a kin beside. "
Immediately after the foregoing quotations, written in stenography, (except the proper name and date of month and year) is the following note made by him, viz: "As was written in a letter to J. E. Poellintz, 8th of May, 1828, from Abbyville, Va."
If time and space permitted, I could relate the visits of strangers and foreigners, and their recognition of each other; once, at the retirement of M. Ney and the stranger, and their remaining out together the greater
762
HISTORY OF HOUSTONIA TOWNSHIP.
part of the night. Ney died in Rowan County, N. C., in the fall of 1846. Mr. O. G. Ford was his administrator.
He left a large book of strenographic manuscript, which I have seen many times, which was supposed to be a biography of himself, and which I understood was given up by Mr. Ford to some man who promised to translate it.
The following original poem was written by M. Ney, in my sister's album, after the death of Napoleon's son, and after Ney had abandoned all hope of being able to return to France, or of seeing the Bonaparte family restored to the throne:
GONE WITH THE GLORIES, GONE.
Though I of the chosen, the choicest, To fame gave her loftiest tone, Though I 'mong the brave was the bravest, My plume and my baton are gone!
My eagle that mounted to conquest,
Hath stooped from its altitude high. A prey to a vulture the foulest, No more to revisit the sky.
One sigh to the hopes that have perished,
One tear to the wrecks of the past, One look upon all I have cherished, One lingerigg look-'tis the last.
And now from remembrance I banish, The glories which shone in my train, Oh, vanish, fond memories, vanish, Return not to sting me again. -P. S. NEY.
May 26, 1835.
Now, assuming the writer to be Marshal Ney, how could he have given expression to the disappointment and anguish of his heart in more forci- ble and pointed language!
If he was Marshal Ney, and had escaped execution in the manner here- tofore related, his escape was by the connivance of soldiers detailed for his execution, and the surgeons and officers superintending the same. · A knowledge of the fact that he was still living would most assuredly have caused death to those who falsely reported he had been executed. Again, if his intention was to return to France when the proper time should come, (and I know that to be true), would it not be much easier for him to escape detection and get back, if it was not known that he was living? And what could have been a greater surprise to the whole world, or struck such terror into the hearts of those who were opposing the return of the Napoleonic dynasty to the throne, or produced such enthusiasm . among the French people as a military proclamation from Marshal Ney, .at the head of the army of Napoleon, the Second, long after he was sup-
763
HISTORY OF HOUSTONIA TOWNSHIP.
posed to be slumbering in the grave? His advent to such position would probably have been regarded as a resurrection from the dead by the miraculous interposition of Providence, and have drawn to his standard the entire French nation.
A LATER LETTER FROM COL. HOUSTON.
In addition to the foregoing statement Col. Houston writes as follows to a correspondent of the Republican:
HOUSTONIA, PETTIS Co., Mo., JUNE 28, 1877.
I am fully aware of the difficulty (perhaps improbability) of con- troverting an historical account of so important event as the execution of Marshal Ney, after its acceptance by the world as true for over sixty years. The opinion and facts as given in my statement have not been so profound a secret as the world might suppose. My most intimate friends have known for the past thirty years and more that I was fully convinced that the old French teacher of the Carolinas and Virginia, from 1816 to the time of his death in 1846, was no other than the distinguished Marshal Ney. I would be glad if the Republican or some one would investigate this matter and assist in the vindication of the truth, or (in this instance) the untruth of history. The enclosed letter from Gen. John Gibbon will explain itself. I answered him but retained no copy. I was unable to assure him, however, that his old preceptor was the person referred to in his letter, as the last time I ever saw him was while teaching in the place referred to, in the year of of 1842 or 1843.
.
Yours truly, THOMAS F. HOUSTON.
GEN. GIBBON'S LETTER.
FT. SHAW, MONTANA, JUNE 7, 1877.
DEAR SIR :- My attention has been called to a newspaper article relat- ing to Marshal Ney, in which you are said to be authority for the state- ment. I feel an interest in knowing if they are authentic, for, in addition to the historical interest which attaches to them, I am curious to ascertain whether or not the statements refer to the same old gentleman to whom I went to school in the spring of 1842, when preparing to go to the Military Academy. The description of the personal appearance of the supposed Marshal coincides perfectly with that of my old school master, who at that time kept a little country school near a place called Catawba Springs, Gaston County, N. C. The large bald head, with the great scar across it, I distinctly remember, and the old man had been nick- named "Marshal Ney" by the country people.
Respectfully yours, JOHN GIBBON.
STATEMENT FROM W. O. SHERRILL.
NEWTON, N. C., MARCH 4, 1876.
EDITORS SOUTHERN HOME :- In a late issue of your paper there appeared a very interesting account of P. S. Ney, by Col. Houston, of Missouri. Being aware that O. G. Ford (now a citizen of this place) and
764
HISTORY OF HOUSTONIA TOWNSHIP.
D. B. Gaither were pupils of Mr. Nev, I called Mr. Ford's attention to the communication, and he says that in the main the statements of Col. Houston are correct, and that he (Ford) is satisfied that P. S. Ney was none other than the great Marshal Ney of France. Mr. Ney died at O. G. Ford's house, November, 1846, and O. G. Ford was his administrator. Letters of administration were issued by Rowan County Court. The manuscript referred to was turned over by the administrator to Mr. Pin- ney Miles, a member of the Historical Society of New York, in 1847, with the understanding that he was to solve the mystery as to whether P. S. Ney was Marshal Ney. Mr. F. received two or three letters from Mr. Miles, the last one from Europe, in which he thought there could be but little difficulty in establishing the fact for which the manuscript was placed in his hands. Mr. Ford says that when Ney received news of the death of Napoleon's son, he threw a great many papers in the fire, threw his watch on the floor, dismissed school, and he believes would have com- mitted suicide if not restrained. While Ney was on his death bed he would exclaim: Oh, my country! If I could only die in France!
MARSHAL NEY AGAIN .- From the Southern Home, Charlotte, N. C. Dr. Robert Dalton, formerly of Rockingham County, N. C., now of Los Angeles, Cal., writes that he knew Mr. Ney in 1827. In that year Mr. Ney visited Raleigh at the Governor's invitation and Judge Murphy, and was employed by them to write a history of the State. In consequence of a disagreement between the Governor and the Judge the contract was broken off, and Mr. Ney returned to Virginia. On the way he spent a week with him, most of the time in his office. Dr. Dalton considered him the strongest minded man he ever knew, and was convinced of his being the veritable Marshal of the Empire.
DR. J. R. B. ADAMS, Oak Forest, Iredell County, N. C., says :- I have been entirely satisfied in my own mind [since 1842, that P. S. Ney, who taught school two years within seventy-five yards of my residence, and is now buried in Third Creek graveyard, was the distinguished Mar- shal Ney.
ORGANIZATION .- Houstonia is one of the later townships organized in the county. It was originally the eastern half of Blackwater township and remained thus until 1844, when it became in the new arrangement part of Blackwater, Mt. Sterling and Elk Fork. It remained parts of these three townships until 1873, when in the new organization Houstonia was organ- ized out of parts of these three townships. As it is now organized it is situated in the northern part of the county, and is bounded on the north by Saline county, on the east by Longwood township, on the south by Dresden township, and on the west by Blackwater township. It is divided into voting precincts of Houstonia, in the northern, and Hughesville, in the southern portion of the township. The latter includes parts of Long- wood and Houstonia townships. In the election of 1880 there were cast in Houstonia, ninety-three votes for Hancock, Democratic candidate for President, and sixty-nine for Garfield, Republican candidate. Hughes-
765
HISTORY OF HOUSTONIA TOWNSHIP.
ville, being the voting precinct for parts of two townships, the exact number of votes cast from this township in that precinct cannot be given.
CONFIGURATION .- The township has no striking physical features peculiar to itself. Its land consists mostly of beautiful, rolling prairie, as fertile as any in the county, as beautiful as any in the world. Its streams of water are Heath's Creek, which rises in the southern central portion of the county and finds its way in a northeasterly direction through the township; Buffalo Creek and another small branch or two rise in the township and flow north into the Blackwater, and a few small branches rise in the western part of the township and flow west into the south fork of Blackwater. These are generally timbered with a supply sufficient for home consumption. The slope of the land is everywhere sufficient to afford excellent drainage. On every hand beautiful and well tilled farms are seen, with stately residences and complete out-buildings, and sur- rounded with well-trimmed orchards, bearing in their season abundant fruits. Beautiful blue grass pastures, with cattle and sheep roaming at liberty over them, are seen on every hand. In respect to pastures this section of Pettis County ranks second to none in America. The famous blue grass pastures of Kentucky are equalled in luxuriance of their natural products, and only surpass those of Pettis County in the quality of stock grazed on them, and in this it will be but a few years until Central Missouri must step to the front in this matter also.
EARLY SETTLERS .- As the early history of this township is so inter- woven with that of its neighbors, it is almost impossible to give an accu- rate list of those who first settled within its borders. As near as we were able, we obtained a correct list of those who paved the way of opening the now populous township. Henry Guier settled here about 1834. He came from North Carolina, and nas children now residing in the township. Bartlett Williams came in 1840. More than forty years ago he passed to his final rest. John L. Scott came about 1837, from Tennessee. He entered the land where Col. Houston's farm is now located, and lived there until his death. Daniel A. Gardner and Mrs. Paulina Coats both came at an early date. Mrs. Coats still lives in Houstonia, and Mr. Gard- ner resides in Lamonte. John Beatty came at an early day, and his widow still resides in Heath's Creek Township. A. N. Redd was another early settler, but has been dead a number of years. Cable Edmondson was an early settler. He came to the township from Maryland, and gave his attention to farming and stock-raising. He had one of the first, if not the first herd of fine blooded stock in the county. A. H. Wilkinson settled at the head-waters of Heath's Creek as early as 1840. He came from the Old Dominion, and lived in the township until his death. But few
36
766
HISTORY OF HOUSTONIA TOWNSHIP.
who saw these prairies in their wild and uncultivated state now remain to tell the story. Could those who opened the gates of civilization of this county view these well kept farms they would never recognize their old, favorite grounds for the chase. But such is progress. In a few years those who are now familiar with these scenes will have passed away, and other hands will direct the business of the community.
CHURCHES .- The churches of the township are three in number; two located at Houstonia and one at Hughesville. These all occupy commo- dious buildings, and their services are attended by large congregations. A number of the people of the township hold their membership with the churches nearest them, and in several cases these are situated in the bounds of other townships.
The Christian Church of Houstonia numbers perhaps the largest con- gregation in the township, and was organized in 1870 by Elder Samuel McDaniel. Its history, in brief, as given by Mr. J. A. J. Downs, is sub- stantially as follows. We quote him throughout:
" I assure you that for me to write a history of the church at Housto- nia would be embarrassing in the extreme, for in so doing I should have to write my own history for the last twelve years, without which no such history would be complete, and I have no desire to see my name, or the sac- rifices and efforts I have made, appear in public print. I have concluded to write some facts which may not be improper to appear in the History of Pettis County. I believe I was the first one to conceive the idea of build- ing a church at Houstonia. About the year 1870 there were a few per- sons in the neighborhood who belonged to different congregations, and many of them lived at considerable distance from their places of worship, and being far enough remote from other congregations, we determined to make an effort to build up a church that would be more convenient. After canvassing the matter with Brothers Longan, Houston, Guier and others, it was resolved to call a meeting at Prairie Grove school house, and invite Bro. Samuel McDaniel to be present with us, and organize what has since been known as Houstonia Congregation. We met in the spring of 1871, and proceeded to organize by selecting F. L. Longan and myself as elders, and Brothers Jack Longan and J. J. Guier as deacons; thirty- four members covenanting with us, mostly females. We immediately commenced holding public services at school houses and private residences. Brother McDaniel preached for us, assisted in his labors by Brother Price, who has long since departed to his final reward. Also that good old vet- eran, Bird Smith, sometimes supplied the pulpit.
"As soon as the church was organized, we set about building a house of worship, and this was quite an undertaking, as there were only six or eight members that could be relied upon in furnishing material, and I doubt
767
HISTORY OF HOUSTONIA TOWNSHIP.
whether there was ever a more sacrificing spirit manifested by so few, having so little of this world's goods. But we went to work, determined to succeed, and by the blessing of our Heavenly Father, we did succeed. We built our house, costing over $2,200, and paid for it. Immediately, the church began to prosper. We called Bro. Joseph B. Wright to preach for us, and large congregations attended his ministrations. Joy and glad- ness filled the hearts of the members, numbers were converted, and many additions were made to the church. Brother Wright preached for us for three years, then Bro. Chas. Shouse filled the pulpit for one year. In the meanwhile, the church had grown to 125 members, and Bro. George Plattenburg followed Brother Shouse's ministration, preaching two years; then Bro. Samuel McDaniel preached one year. He was followed by Bro. E. M. Berry, who preached a part of last year.
"During the ministration of Bro. Shouse, Bro. M. M. Davis, now of Nevada, held one of the grandest meetings that was ever held for us, and it resulted in twenty-five additions to the membership. We have had the labors of many prominent preachers, of whom I cannot fail to mention that of the grand old veteran of the cross, G. W. Longan."
The congregation worship in the beautiful house situated in the west- ern part of the village on high, rolling ground, and it is one of the first objects that is seen on coming in sight of the town. It is plainly, but comfortably furnished, and was dedicated in August, 1871, by J. B. Wright. Its members now number eighty-four, and they support a good Sunday School, with an average attendance of forty. C. W. Goodrich is superintendent, and G. W. Card, secretary.
The names of the original members are J. A. J. Downs, Caroline Downs, Ann H. Haines, Mary E. Vanhook, Sallie P. Downs, Andrew T. Dorsey, Emma Dorsey, Wm. H. Johnson, Thos. F. Houston, Mary L. Houston, J. M. C. Weathers, Elizabeth Weathers, Jonathan Janney, Jane Janney, J. W. Rice, J. J. Guier, Susan C. Guier, J. B. Longan, Judith A. Longan, Gaines Berry, Elizabeth P. Berry, C. H. Hanes, F. L. Lon- gan, Mary D. Longan, Mary E. Alexander, David E. Longan, Katie Black, Isaac Shipley and Emily E. Longan.
The M. E. Church South, of Houstonia, was organized by Rev. W. B. McFarland in February, 1869. Their first house of worship was built in 1870 by Rev. Joseph M. Kelley, a frame building, costing $1,700, and was dedicated by Elder M. M. Pugh, in December of the same year. The style of architecture is Gothic. It has a belfry and fine bell. The following have served the Church as pastors: Revs. W. B. McFarland, J. M. Kelley, A. M. Rader, W. S. Woodard, W. M. Bewley, M. Duran, J. B. H. Wooldrige and J. J. Hill, the present pastor. The names of the orginal members are as follows: J. Harter, W. R. Brown, G. Vanatta, John Sebring, George Williams, R. V. Westbrook, A. H. Nicholas, J. M.
. .768
HISTORY OF HOUSTONIA TOWNSHIP.
Clodfelter, Tessie Clodfelter, Christina Brown, Susan Harter, Martha Westbrook and Louisa Vanatta. Their present membership is about one hundred. The Sabbath School has an average attendance of about thirty- five, with Burel Porter, Superintendent, and A. H. Nicholas, Secretary. This Church has had steady growth from its organization. Many have been converted at her altars, and some removed to various parts of the country with letters, and again others relapsed into sin. During the pastoral service of Brother Bewley an unusual religious awakening took place in September, 1879; about sixty conversions and fifty additions to this church were made. Since organization this church has lost the following members by death: Lucinda Wallace, J. M. Wilboug, Tessie Clodfelter, Louis R. Jones, Mrs. Sarah C. Nicholas, Fannie Black, W. F. McClure, Alferetta Gresham and Mrs. Ayres. These all died in faith and full hope of a blissful immortality beyond the grave. Of this membership the fol- lowing have served the church as Stewards, Sunday School Superin- tendents, &c .: Stewards, A. H. Nicholas, J. M. Clodfelter, J. M. Wilfoug, J. Harter, David Jenkins and A. Smith. A. H. Nicholas has served as Steward and leader for about eleven years, and filled the office of Sun- day School Superintendent for ten years.
As to the pastors they have been men of age and ability, and marked for their Godly piety. This church was first organized by Brother McFarland, at a place two miles north of Houstonia, where an acci- dental appointment was made for preaching by Brother McFarland, who, at the request of A. H. Nicholas, was induced to preach there on a fifth Sabbath. The Methodists having no organization in the neighborhood, and no Methodists except R. V. Westbrook and wife and A. H. Nicholas and wife, who had just moved to Houstonia. At this first appointment the preacher intended to preach and go home, but the Lord ordered otherwise; the word was blessed and the result was visible. The preacher again preached at night and continued the meeting through the week until twelve heads of families were converted and added to the church. That meeting gave rise to the present church and edifice in Houstonia.
SCHOOLS .- There are at present eight schools in the township. Those of Houstonia and Hughesville will receive notices appropriate to them in connection with the villages. The others are all good frame buildings, and have from four to eight months school. The teachers are paid from $35 to $50 per month.
AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS .- In no part of the State is to be found more advantageously situated farming land than that of this township. On its rolling prairies, when the writer drove over them in the spring of 1882, were broad acreages of wheat and fine fields of corn, and abundant pastures, on which were feeding large herds of cattle and sheep. Some
769
HISTORY OF HOUSTONIA TOWNSHIP.
of the finest herds to be found in the county are in this township, and the yearly shipments from the village of Houstonia will reach or surpass that of any other station of its size in the county. Among the largest and finest farms of the township is that of Col. Houston, in the northern part. It consists of 1,800 acre, all under fence, and in cultivation and pasture. On this magnificent homestead the Colonel has a flock of 275 fine South- down sheep, and a herd of 75 full blood Durham cattle. Wm. Lowery, near Hughesville, has 1,000 acres, and a fine herd of full blood Durham cattle, and a fine flock of Merino sheep. Mrs. Mary E. Alexander has an S20 acre farm, with 100 fine Southdown sheep, and a large lot of cattle. The Messrs. Gentry also own large tracts of land, and have each of their farms finely stocked. Messrs. Higgins & Boyles are large buyers and shippers of mules. Many others are engaged in a greater or less extent in raising and shipping stock, and it will be but a few years until the grade of stock of all kinds in this section will equal that of any in the State.
HOUSTONIA VILLAGE.
In the center of a broad expanse of beautiful table land, extending back as far as the eye can reach in any direction, is situated the enterprising town of Houstonia. It was named in honor of Col. Thos. F. Houston, whose residence is near its corporation. To give a vivid description of the surrounding country, with its many elegant and commodious farm residences, which dot the prairie in a promiscuous display, and the beau- · tiful streams, along whose banks are here and there skirts of timber, and the many herds of fine stock roaming over broad fields and rich pastures, would tax the powers of a Victor Hugo. It is not the purpose of the writer to attempt to give a detailed or exhaustive description of this locality, as it must be seen to be appreciated. Suffice it to say, that here is a section of country that is seldom equalled, and never surpassed, in point of beauty or productiveness, by any county in the State. It can be truthfully said that here may be found the beauty of the famous Valley of the Nile, and its agricultural wealth. . The town is, as may be inferred, the most important shipping point of the county. During the year 1881, its shipments of live stock aggregated upwards of 165 cars, as well as 230 cars of grain, which, in view of the general failure of crops through- out the county, are facts that indicate its general prosperity. The town suffered a severe calamity on the 23d of February, 1875, by the long-to- be-remembered cyclone, of that date, an account of which is given in con- nection with this chapter. Since then it has built up rapidly, and now contains a number of beautiful and comfortable residences, and several business houses of more than ordinary pretensions. It has a commodious and comfortable schcol building, with a capacity to accommodate one hundred children, and in which Miss Lucy Hopkins is conducting a
770
HISTORY OF HOUSTONIA TOWNSHIP.
school at present, which is well attended. The town has also two com- fortable church buildings, those of the Methodist Episcopal, South, and Christian denominations. Its business interests are represented by a num- ber of live, energetic business men, who are fast becoming widely and favorably known throughout the surrounding country.
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.