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 82
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The present population of the town is about 280, and in consequence of its close proximity to the famous McAllister Springs, is destined in the near future to become a popular resort and an important distributing point. It is now the point of departure for persons visiting the Springs from the south and east, and as they are distant but about four miles, it is bound to become the residence of many people who are desirous of mak- ing their home within easy reach of them. The history of the place is easily written, as it only dates back a few years since the first store was erected.
The following are the business men of Houstonia at the present time:
Fred Wilson, postmaster and dealer in dry goods and groceries; Locket & Vantuyl, dealers in groceries and hardware; A. F. Dorsey, gen- eral merchandise; Philip Washington, general merchandise; J. F. Steph- ens, druggist; Higgins & Boyles, livery and sale stable; J. H. Porter- field, livery and sale stable; Wm. Pettit, saloon; Mrs. Jennie McConnell, proprietress hotel; Smith & Calhoun, blacksmiths; Thos. A. Smith, phy- sician and surgeon; W. C. Riley, physician and surgeon; C. W. Good- rich, physician and surgeon; A. H. Nicholas, notary public; J. C. Young, agent Missouri Pacific R. R .; J. G. Gregg, grain and stock dealer; J. W. McClure, grain and stock; F. Wilson, grain and stock; Longan & Bros., grain and stock.
THE HOUSTONIA CYCLONE.
From the Sedalia' Democrat, of February 25, 1875, we copy as fol- lows:
At 4:40 p. m., Tuesday, the following dispatch was received at this office, relating briefly the terrible calamity which is given below. About the same time other dispatches were received, and the news cir- culated upon the streets, creating the wildest excitement and sympathy for the unfortunate people of Houstonia:
HOUSTONIA, Mo., February 23, 1875.
Dr. A. Y. Hull :- A tornado has torn down the railroad depot and every store and business house in town, and many residences-twenty houses in all-and wounded many citizens, some mortally. Of the latter, W. H. Porter and Dr. L. H. Williams; badly hurt, F. J. McClure, Jas. Sewell and George Scott.
THOS. F. HOUSTON.
In a short time Supt. Cummings, with his characteristic energy, had a
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special train at the depot.ud Mr. Cummings also summoned medical aid, and several physicians.g'accompanied him-Drs. Trader, Evans, Conk- wright, Scott, J. B. Jones, J. B. McClure, E. Hughes, and others, whose names we forget. JYn company with about fifty others, a reporter of this paper proceededico Houstonia. An hour's ride brought us to the storm- stricken town! which presented a scene that baffles description.
The business portion of the town was in ruins, and the smouldering fires markeds the sites of what a few hours before had been the largest stores in tomin. The country people had rallied in large numbers, and teams We're busily engaged in transporting to places of safety what had been Javed from the wind and fire.
The depot was almost an entire wreck. The southern portion or ticket and telegraph office alone standing. The northern part was torn wide open, the walls were down, and the goods covered with the debris of the roof. To the right of this, an entire train of cars, some twelve in number, were blown from the track, and lay piled up in every conceivable shape. One car was blown seventy feet. Two cars were literally torn into kindling wood by the force of the hurricane.
Where an ice house had stood, a short distance to the left of the depot, nothing remained but the ice piled up in regular blocks, just as it was put in. A livery stable was a pile of hay and boards, with dead horses in front, and wounded ones attempting to rise from amid the wreck. Little knots of people were gathered together, talking in low tones over the disaster, while others were so excited they could give no coherent account of the affair.
As it was nearly dark, and the confusion and excitement were great, we found it exceedingly difficult to get any connected account of the disaster; for different persons were differently situated, and the experience of one was different from the other. We give to our readers the following as the most lucid account concerning the approach of the tornado:
Mr. Sellman, a farmer living on the edge of Houstonia, says about 3 P. M. he saw a small white mass of fog or cloud approaching from the direction of Knobnoster. It seemed very small at first, but grew rapidly in size, and appeared to shoot out long columns from its sides, which seemed to lick up everything within reach.
It moved with lightning speed, passing between the houses of J. C. Higgins and Clay Gibson, missing both, but taking up Higgins' school house and scattering it like chaff' in the air. It also struck Gibson's ice house and completely demolished it. Further in its course it took up the smoke house of Mr. Jenkins, slightly grazing the corner of his dwelling, but doing no damage. It then pursued a northeast course and moved in the direction of Houstonia.
The people were all engaged in their usual avocations, the stores were
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all open, men working in shops, and in the various dwelling houses the inmates were pursuing their domestic duties unmindful of the terrible calamity which was coming down upon them with the lightning speed of the storm king's blast.
The whistling of the dense mass was the first notice of its approach, which was observed but by few. A flock of geese was caught up in the vortex, and whirled around until stripped bare of their feathers. This rotary motion was kept up until the tornado burst like a thunderbolt upon the business part of the town, and in an instant it was leveled to, the ground, and the air was filled with the flying fragments of buildingrs, merchandise, etc. A most appalling scene presented itself to the sight. The -- hurricane struck the town, happy in its apparent security, like a demon of destruction, and in the twinkling of an eye it was gone, leaving wreck, ruin and disaster in its path. One brief instant and the houses crushed like egg-shells, the air was filled with a horrible blackness and a roar that seemed to rend the earth. When the shock 'was over, a fearful scene presented itself. There prone upon the ground lay the business portion of the town. Men were crying beneath the ruins, which were piled on top of them, for help; fathers, sisters and brothers were running hither and thither, seeking for their relatives, and the whole face of the town had altered in an instant. To add to the excitement, a store (or rather the wreck of it) caught fire, and the flames speedily consumed the debris and the stock it covered. Fred. Wilson's store, adjoining, was blown against Porter's, and it, too, was consumed with all its contents.
Mr. W. H. Porter was found under the debris of W. A. Porter's store. Those in the store heard the storm coming, and they tried to get out of it before the blast came. Mr. W. H. Porter ran out of the front door and turned the corner of the store; but just as he did so the building fell upon him and buried him beneath its ruins. When he was extricated it was found that his back was broken, as was also his leg, and he was otherwise badly hurt. He was removed to the house of Squire Nicholas, when medical assistance was summoned. His wife was also there. Everything was done for him that medical skill could devise, but his injuries are mortal and he cannot recover. He has a wife and four children.
Dr. Williams, who resides about two miles west of Houstonia, was in town and was also injured. He received a fracture of two ribs and his lungs were also hurt. His condition is dangerous. George Scott had his leg fractured below the knee. Harris McClure had two ribs broken; but his wounds are not considered dangerous. Mr. Emerson was hurt in the lower part of the spine and otherwise bruised, not considered dan- gerous. He was caught in a blacksmith shop. Mrs. Carter, wife of John Carter, had both collar bones broken, a large incised wound of the
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scalp, and her lips bruised. Mrs. Lachley and Mrs. Coates and her two daughters received slight injuries. Mr. Sanctuary had his leg broken below the knee. Mr. Bewrel was in the act of drawing coal oil when the storm struck the building he was in. He had his head badly cut and his arm bruised. John Gregg was hurt in the back of the neck. Dr. Idol was also slightly hurt.
Nineteen houses, including stores, shops and dwellings, were utterly demolished. We give below the losses as near as we could ascertain them:
Fred Wilson, general merchandise, lost his entire stock and building, valued at about $4,000. Mr. Boyles, of the firm of McClure & Boyles, had his dwelling entirely demolished. His family escaped with some slight bruises. Loss on dwelling, about $600. The firm of McClure & Boyles, grocery and dry goods merchants, lost their entire stock and building. Total loss, about $5,000. W. A. Porter lost his entire stock of groceries; the storm blowing his store over, and it catching fire was entirely consumed. Total loss, $1,500; insured. P. H. Washington, residing in Texas, was the owner of the building which Mr. Porter occu- pied. Mr. McGill lost his dwelling and stable. Loss, $1,000. The hotel, a two-story frame building, was destroyed. This property was owned by Joseph McDonnan. Loss, $1,200. Mr. Wiles, a lumber mer- chant, lost a grain house, the lower part of which was used as a carpen- ter shop. Loss, about $600. Mr. Sanctuary lost his shoe shop. Loss, about $200. Jas. Shelly lost his blacksmith shop and wood shop, with contents. Loss, $700. Sules & Son lost a store building. Loss, $1,200. This building was occupied by W. H. Emerson & Co. with dry goods on the one side, and on the other side by Williams & Idol, with drugs. Others in the village lost as follows: H. J. Hall, of Lamonte, lost the building occupied by McClure & Boyles as a grocery; the township office with its contents was destroyed; W. A. Williams lost his saddlery shop; A. Houston lost a small house situated near town; L. Luchley lost house; several small buildings used as meat shops and blacksmith shops were destroyed.
We were unable to ascertain the amount of loss the railroad company sustained by inquiry at the depot building. We should roughly estimate the entire loss at from $30,000 to $40,000.
The tornado was one hundred yards in width. It came from the south- west and passed to the northeast, spending its full force on the business part of the town. It continued its course in the country, demolishing fences, stacks, etc. Five miles distant from Houstonia the tornado passed over a dwelling, then descended and carried away an out-house. It twisted large elm trees off like saplings, and its pranks were as erratic as they were terrible in effect.
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This terrible visitation was a sad blow to this prosperous little town, and our citizens feel an earnest sympathy for their misfortune. We hope soon to see the town rebuilt, and its citizens achieve that prosperity their industry and intelligence so well merit.
Conductor James K. Merrifield had just arrived at the depot with his train, as the tornado burst upon the town. The first thing "Jim" knew he was making lightning express time over the prairie, while his train was tumbling around on dry land, loose. As soon as it was over he took the locomotive and run to Brownsville for needed assistance, with which he returned.
A young man who was standing on the depot platform suddenly found himself against a fence, about one hundred yards distant.
Mr. Wiles was sitting in his grain warehouse next to the depot. The tornado took his building across the railroad track. He was thrown down, the stove fell upon him, and his coat was on fire when he extricated himself.
A lady was crossing a street, when the hurricane threw her down in the mud with such force that she could not get out without help.
Mr. Black was in Porter's store trying on a pair of boots. He was thrown down and a desk thrown on top of him. This probably saved him from greater injury.
Mrs. Coates and her two daughters were at work in the two-story hotel. The tornado tore the house to atoms, lifted all three of them in the air, and carried them fully one hundred feet.
A man led his saddle horse into a blacksmith shop. The smith hap- pened to see the storm coming, and threw himself on the ground beside the anvil. When the tornado had passed, the shop was gone, leaving him and the horse, the latter having the saddle blown from off him.
The only building left in the town, where the storm struck, was the saloon. A blacksmith shop joined on the south and a meat market on the north; both the latter were swept away, but the saloon still stood unmolested.
A man who saw the hurricane coming upon him, threw himself on the ground in the street, and was uninjured.
Portions of the town were scattered for miles, and the fury of the wind, compressed into the small space it occupied, was incredible.
BIXBY'S EXCURSION TO HOUSTONIA.
About half-past one o'clock on Sunday evening, the Sedalia brass band began to pipe soul stirring music from the Ives House platform, which caused the people to begin at once to gather at the place, the occasion being the excursion to Houstonia, to give our people a chance to gaze on the ruins of that once flourishing town.
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By two o'clock the depot rooms were full, and the platform was crowded.
The train, composed of three large passenger coaches and a caboose, was filled full before it had scarcely time to come to a halt, leaving one-half of the people standing on the platform unprovided for. Deter- mined to take the crowd along, Mr. Bixby procured two cars from the M., K. & T. Company, which were also filled to their utmost capacity, and at least one hundred persons were compelled to remain for lack of room.
The brass band occupied the caboose, and all the standing room they could spare was taken up at first-class rates.
Crowds of people were collected at the stopping places along the road, who took up the little remaining standing room.
At Houstonia the crowd alighted, and proceeded to interview the fear- ful and terrific work of the fierce tornado.
The sight was such as we have already pictured to the readers of the Democrat. The debris of the nineteen destroyed buildings had been piled in heaps, at least what little of them had not been torn into shreds and scattered over the prairie like so much kindling wood.
A blacksmith shop and Porter Bros.' store are the only buildings now being rebuilt.
Fred Wilson will purchase lumber this week, and at once proceed to rebuild his store.
The depot looks just as it came from the hands of the " storm king."
Mr. Reinhart, the plucky agent, has improvised a box shanty-Sx10, where he now transacts his business. Shipments to and from that port are likely to be light for the present.
Dr. W. H. Evans visited the wounded. Mr. Porter still remains at the house of Esq. Nicholas, and reports his condition as no better. He thinks that Mr. Porter may live for several days possibly, as this is a case where the patient's life must gradually wear away, but that there is no possible hope for recovery; the lower part of his body is paralyzed from the wound in his back. He eats a little, and drinks a great deal of water. ยท Mrs. Coates, who kept the hotel, and was removed to the country to be cared for, was reported worse Sunday, and a doctor was sent out to see her.
Mrs. Canter, who was reported dead, is recovering.
All other parties that we were able to hear from are rapidly recovering.
The saloon dispensed drinks at the usual price, and was well patron- ized.
The train returned at five o'clock, not a single accident or unpleasant occurrence having marred the enjoyment of the trip.
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Mr. Ed Bixby deserves considerable praise for the undertaking. He is a first-class railroadist, and acquitted himself with honor. .
The proceeds of the excursion, after paying expenses, will go to the Houstonia sufferers, of which there are several families in great need.
RELIEF FOR THE HURRICANE SUFFERERS.
Word was brought by the Lexington train Thursday morning that a number of sufferers by the tornado in Houstonia on Tuesday were with- out food, and that they had called on Brownsville for aid. Our citizens at once took active measures to raise sufficient funds to alleviate their distress, and in two hours raised about $130 in money and provisions to send up by the noon train.
Messrs. Ira E. Barnes and E. W. Bixby were appointed a committee to accompany the relief, and see it properly distributed.
Supt. Cummings, of the Missouri Pacific, kindly offered the committee free transportation for themselves and the provisions and goods donated.
In the liberality displayed by our citizens we cannot overlook that man- ifested by Messrs. Brown & Pratt, of the Ives House, who sent up a large lot of cooked provisions.
We learn that Mr. Cummings will send any donation of food, etc., free, until the emergency is passed.
N. T. ALLISON.
Is in fact a man who has spent the greater part of his life in the upbuild- ing of a civilization, which is now the admiration of the Republic. He was born in the Territory of Illinois, near the present town of Edwardsville, Madison County, on the 9th day of December, 1817. In 1821 his parents crossed the Mississippi River at St. Louis en route to Cooper County, where they made a settlement. Here the youthful days of our subject were spent, assisting his parents with the duties of the farm and in mak- ing salt, which occupations occupied his labors for many years. During the Mormon troubles in Clay County in 1833, he joined a company of vol- unteers that went from his neighborhood to remove them from Far West, which was accomplished without any collision of arms. In February, 1843, he was married in Pettis County to Miss Elizabeth Tussey, and the same year made a settlement on Heath's Creek of this county, where he purchased and improved a farm. He was among the early settlers of this locality, and in company with his young and loving consort succeeded in improving and establishing a home in the then thinly settled region. Churches, schools, markets, mills and neighbors were few and far between in those early years of the county's growth. By industry and perseverance he succeeded in developing a business of large proportions and accumulating a comfortable home. Politically Mr. Allison has been
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a strong Union man, and during the civil war was for a time actively engaged in its defence; was on scouting duty for the State Militia several months. During the times of the Shelby and Price raids, he was in the engagements at Lime Creek and Blackwater. Mr. Allison is now retired from active life, having been rendered an invalid by a severe attack of rheumatism in the autumn of 1881. He is the parent of seven children, all of whom have received a liberal education; Jonathan, a resident of this county; Monroe, now in Colorado; John, Emily, a school teacher of this locality; A. Thompson, William, and Rose, a student of the Christian College of Columbia. Mr. Allison and sons are now conducting a farm of 750 acres and are doing an extensive business. Thus we have traced the ups and downs of one more of the pioneers of Pettis county, a man who has long since past the meridian of life, whose entire career has been full of usefulness and thrilling experience and is still laboring on for the advancement of the cause of civilization.
J. H. CARD.
Post-office, Houstonia, one of the prosperous farmers. Was born in Cooper County, Mo., on the 9th day of December, 1858. His father, J. D. Card, was one of the early settlers and a native of that county. His paternal grandfather, Josiah H. Card, was also a pioneer there, and was a native of Kentucky. Our subject, Mr. J. H. Card, came to this county, in March, 1880, and engaged in farming. He was married in August, 1881, to Miss Sally A .. Howe of Cooper County, a lady of refinement. Mr. Card is now largely engaged in farming. He and his father and brother are conducting a farm of 400 acres and are doing a good business.
GEORGE W. CRAWFORD.
Stock raiser and farmer, post-office, Hughesville. Prominent among the many enterprising and energetic business farmers of this township should be mentioned the name of George W. Crawford, who is a native of Northampton County, Penn. Was born on the 8th of May, 1838. When he attained the age of twenty years he took up the trade of a car- penter and joiner and served a regular apprenticeship. At the breaking out of the war Mr. C. was an earnest sympathizer in the Union cause, and in the autum of 1861 he enlisted in Company B, 51st Pennsylvania Infantry Volunteers. He was engaged in many severe and bloody battles, and Nov. 14, 1863, was captured by the Confederates and conveyed to Libby prison. In March, 1864, he was removed to Andersonville prison, where he experienced all the horrors and privations of that execrable prison, for many months. From there he was conveyed to Florence, South Carolina, where he was kept until March, 1865, when he was exchanged, having served a term of more than fifteen months as a prisioner of war.
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He was, at the time of his return, a physical wreck, having endured the pangs of hunger, and experienced the wasting influences of disease. Dur- ing his prison life Mr. C. was actively engaged in trading in provisions and other articles with his fellow prisoners, and it is to his active, stirring disposition and pursuits that he to-day owes his life. Soon after his release Mr. Crawford returned to his home, and on the 9th of Nov., 1865, was married in Pennsylvania, to Miss Mary Bosserd, who is also a native of that State. In March, 1868, he came west with his family, locating on his present farm. Since his arrival in Pettis County Mr. C. has accomplished much, as he came here with limited means, and through his energy and judicious management has succeeded in surround- ing himself with many comforts of life. He owns a well improved farm, " Crawford Lawn," which consists of 160 acres, and also one adjoining it of 360 acres, as well as 30 acres of valuable timber. He is largely engaged in stock raising and is now directing his best efforts to that busi- ness. His home place is a model farm in every respect, adorned with a handsome and commodious dwelling, beautifully situated on a gentle eminence, adorned with a large orchard and ornamental trees, and pre- sents an appearance which is pleasing to the eye. As a citizen and busi- ness man Mr. Crawford is highly appreciated. He is a man of general culture and liberal education, and rates men entirely from point of charac- ter and intelligence. His hospitality is also worthy of special mention, as his doors are always open for the entertainment of worthy people, and the writer is under many obligations for kind and generous treatment received from himself and family.
R. P. CRUME. -
Residence, Hughesville. Knowing the strong desire that pervades the human heart for knowledge concerning the origin or beginning of all things, we are of the opinion that a brief sketch of the life of a man who was among the first business men of the place and among the zealous workers for the upbuilding of christianity, will not fail to interest in connection with the history of Hughesville. We trust that when this century will have been buried in the dim memory of the past, that then will be visible and appreciated the fruits of his labors, manifested in the morality and christ- ian spirit of the people. Mr. Crume is a native of Kentucky. Was born in Nelson County, May 2, 1844. His youthful days were spent in assisting his parents in the duties of a farm and in acquiring an education, until he attained his twenty-second year; he formed habits of honesty and industry which have since become deep seated constituents of his charac- ter. In October, 1856, he came west, remaining about seven months in Edgar County, Ill., when he came to Pettis County, Mo. In January, 1871, he was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Meng, a lady of christian
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spirit and liberal culture. She is a native of Missouri. Soon after mar- riage Mr. Crume become associated with the Christian Church, and has since been an active and zealous worker as has also his wife. They were among the original members and founders of the High Point and Hughes- ville organizations of that denomination, and he was one of the first deacons, which office he has filled with credit to the present time. He has long been identified with Sabbath School work in this section, and we trust his good works in this direction will be remembered long after this volume becomes impaired with age. As a citizen and business man Mr. C. is highly esteemed; he has been engaged in stock shipping and dealing for the past few years. But is now giving his entire attention to the walnut lumber trade, which business calls him over a broad expanse of territory. He is now enjoying the comforts of a neat and well appointed home, and is still laboring on in the cause of christianity and the good of his fellow beings.
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