USA > Missouri > Buchanan County > The history of Buchanan County, Missouri > Part 29
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CHAPTER XVII.
REVIEW OF THE PROGRESS OF AGRICULTURAL ENTERPRISE-FAIRE AND EXPOSITIONS- STATE FISH HATCHERY.
The progress of agricultural enterprise in the past quarter of a cen- tury, evident all over our land, in no section has developed more marked advancement than that displayed in the condition of Northwest Missouri to-day.
Buchanan County, in common with others of the earlier settled portions of the Platte Purchase, enjoyed the advantage of numbering among her original settlers men of means, intelligence and enterprise. This fact is abundantly evident in the character of some of the earliest attempts at improvement to-day extant within her limits.
Naturally the first settlements were made in the timbered districts of the county, and it was not till a very large proportion of this part of the same was settled that the pioneers from the older states, many of whom had never seen a prairie till their arrival in Mirsouri, began to venture settlements in that, in those days, doubtful region of treeless expanse. Indeed there are to-day living in the county, on well-improved and valuable prairie farms, men who at the period of their first arrival in the country, thirty-five or forty years ago, declared the opinion that the timberless prairies would never be settled. These now include some of the best improved and most desirable sections of the county.
The cultivation of cleared timber land with the necessary presence of stumps, precluded the application of machinery, long after the use of the same had become comparatively common in the older settled dis- tricts. Slave labor was extensively, indeed, generally, employed, and the hoe, an implement almost obsolete in this advanced day, was the indis- pensable means of cultivating every crop which required tillage after planting. Notwithstanding the comparatively careless character of farm- ing which soon succeeded the first efforts of the pioneers, even in that early day, the returns from agricultural labor were enormous. The very fact of the generous soil so readily responding to the efforts of the hus- bandman induced this lack of diligence and laborious care in farming which was indeed unnecessary. Men from the older states, who were accustomed in their former homes to manuring and preparing for seed with the most scrupulous care the soil which they afterwards hoed and plowed repeatedly to secure a scanty yield of corn or of some other pro-
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duct, soon learned that prairie sod-corn planted in the simply upturned glebe, without any subsequent attention, yielded crops which, in their former homes in the older states, would have been regarded as enormous.
Many of the early settlers of the county, who brought their slaves with them, came from districts of Kentucky and Virginia, where hemp was a staple product. The first attempt to introduce the culture of this crop, which was soon to become the great staple of Buchanan, in common with other counties of the state, proved an unqualified success.
We state, on the authority of Dr. Silas McDonald, of St. Joseph, that he raised in Buchanan County, the first crop of hemp ever produced in the Platte Purchase. This was in the year 1840. The seed he procured from Clay County, and the yield he afterward sold at the rate of $4 per hundred, to Charles A. Perry, of Weston.
This success soon induced others to the culture of this crop, and, in a few years, hemp was recognized as the great staple of the county. It so continued until the breaking out of the civil war, when, in default of slave labor, the raising of this product was gradually discontinued.
Other commodities were imported as substitutes, and, in a few years, the amount raised in the county of what had for years constituted its great staple became so insignificant as to be entirely omitted in com- mercial quotations.
There probably never was a country adapted, by soil and climate, to as various a character of products, as much confined, for years, to one yield. The culture of hemp seemed to have absorbed almost every other agricultural enterprise.
Nothing raised in the country either before its introduction or since its abandonment has paid as well. The average price for years was $100 per ton, and the average yield per acre 800 pounds. Aside from the remunerative character of the crop, many advantages contributed to its popularity. Being invariably cut before it went to seed, it failed, as with other crops, to impoverish the soil ; indeed, it was a generally admitted fact that from the decomposition of the foliage, old hemp land. instead of deteriorating in quality from constant cropping, steadily improved, and 1,000 pounds to the acre on such lands was no uncommon yield.
Another advantage in the raising of hemp was that its culture did not in any way interfere with the corn crop. Sowed early in the spring before corn planting time, it was not ready for cutting before August. when all the corn was "laid by."
In the palmiest days of hemp raising, but a comparatively small amount of wheat was produced in the county. The rich alluvial soil of the river bottoms, fathomless in the depths of its exhaustless fecundity, as well as that of the scarcely less productive uplands, was ill adapted to the yielding of wheat, which, at best, commanded no such return as did
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hemp. Indeed, so insignificant was the quantity of wheat raised in the county in those days, that a considerable amount of the flour consumed was imported.
In the matter of breaking hemp, 112 pounds was considered a day's work. The slave was paid at the rate of one dollar per hundred for all he broke over and above this, the standard task. It was not unusual to find negroes in those days who broke from 200 to 300 pounds per day, and in this way often earning $100 during the course of a winter. Besides this there were occasionally found masters who allowed such of their slaves as displayed unusual industry, patches of ground, on which they raised hemp for their own exclusive and personal benefit.
This patriarchal character of servitude was the rule rather than the exception in Buchanan County.
C. A. and E. H. Perry, hemp dealers of Weston, had a branch house. in St. Joseph, and for many years shipped on an average 500 tons of hemp from that port. This, of course, was but a small portion of the annual yield of the county. It was nothing uncommon to get as high as 20 tons of hemp from one farmer.
The extraordinarily remunerative business of hemp-raising induced many to purchase farming lands in the county on credit. About the period of the breaking out of the civil war, these enterprising citizens had, many of them, about succeded in paying for these lands, and were beginning to contemplate improvements in the way of building, etc., when the distracted condition of the country put a sudden and protracted stop to every class and character of improvement. This, in a great measure, accounts for the inferior character of farm residences in the county, compared with those of Platte and other neighboring counties, about the period of the revival of business, after the close of the war. The demand for hemp ceased, and the farmers of the county began to direct their attention to the culture of other products. Wheat, though an uncertain crop in the county, began to claim attention, and the extra- ordinary yield of one season, shortly after the close of the war, and a ·price of some two dollars per bushel, started everybody to raising wheat. Experience has demonstrated, however, the truth that while an occasionally excellent crop may be raised, Buchanan is by no means a wheat country. Enterprise in the business of farming, in all its various expressions has, from time to time, been manifested within the county. All the latest appliances of art in the way of machinery for lightening and expediting labor, are tested, and rejected or adopted on the basis of their respective merits, as soon as presented to the public.
The spirit of old fogyism on the part of the farming community is found to exist only in rare and isolated cases.
The circumstance of Buchanan, having, for so many years of her earlier history, been pre-eminently a hemp county, serves to account, in
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a considerable degree, for the comparatively small interest manifested in the raising of cattle. Improvement in the different breeds of live stock of all kinds is an enterprise of comparatively recent date among the farmers of this county, though a lively interest has, of late years, been awakened in this direction. The hog crop especially compares favorably with that of most counties of the State.
The matter of fruit culture as a pursuit of general interest, is also a recent step in the march of rural progress, though there have existed, from a comparatively recent day, some extensive and valuable orchards of apple trees in the county. Noteworthy among these is an orchard of several thousand trees, the property of Major Feland, in Crawford Township, before referred to.
There is no corn country in the state superior to the Missouri and Platte River bottoms of Buchanan, and, with the exception of wheat, small grains of all kinds may be said to yield unfailing crops.
HORTICULTURE,
of recent years, has become a pursuit as remunerative as it is popular, and several large and well stocked market gardens exist in the environs of the city of St. Joseph.
UVA CULTURE.
has for many years claimed the attention of amateurs, as well as of specialists. Several vineyards of considerable size are found in the county, and wine of a superior quality is manufactured. The indications are that the culture of the grape and its manufacture into wine will one day become an important industry of the county.
Buchanan County, in common with other districts of the Great West, has had her trying vicissitudes. Her native strength, and the indomit- able spirit of perseverance on the part of her people, however, have risen superior to each and every calamity; hier trials only demonstrating the magnitude of her splendid resources.
In the Gazette of 1845, under head of " The Crops," we find the fol- lowing :
"We were fearful that the crops in the county would be injured by the excessive rains that have fallen lately, but are gratified to learn that the wheat has suffered no damage, as it is now generally ready for cut- ting. The corn and hemp looks very fine and promises an abundant yield. The comfort of the people and the immediate prosperity of our town depend very much upon the present crop. The farmers lost almost everything last year, and the year before, and could not well bear a third failure. But the wheat is good and safe, and the corn and hemp promise well."
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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY.
Besides the terrible backset to the entire country from the conse- quences of the civil war, Buchanan County suffered her full share of the evils of the grasshopper scourge, the desolating effects of which were felt, with brief intervals of cessation, from 1866 to 1874. Confident in the power of her grand resources, and ever hopeful of better days, her people scorned, in the hour of their calamity, to solicit the aid of their more fortunate neighbors, and ultimately triumphed proudly over the ills upon her poured by malignant fortune. Phoenix-like she has risen from the wreck of every calamity, more beautiful and enduring than before. and to-day she presents to the world a spectacle of solid growth and substantial wealth of which many an older and more fortunate country might be justly proud.
As before intimated, many of the earliest settlers of the county were men of intelligence, as well as of a fair share of pecuniary means. These early recognized the importance of competitive exhibitions of native products in advancing the spirit of enterprise and consequent improvement of all that pertains to excellence in rural or agricultural pursuits.
Accordingly, in the Gazette of August 2d, 1854, we find the fol- lowing :
"The Agricultural Fair of Buchanan County will come off on the 19th, 20th and 21st September next. The committee have sent east for about seven hundred dollars worth of gold and silver plate premiums."
The issue of the same paper, under date of Wednesday, September 20th, 1854, says :
"Yesterday was a proud day for our county. It was the first day of the first Agricultural Fair ever held in the county. There was a large concourse of ladies and gentlemen present. Great interest was mani- fested. The St. Joseph Band was there, and added much to the interest of the occasion. Mr. Silas Woodson delivered a very able and eloquent address on the subject of agriculture, and, though he had but little time for preparation, he did himself and the subject great credit."
In the Gazette of Wednesday, September 27th, 1854, appears the fol- lowing :
"BUCHANAN COUNTY FAIR.
"On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday last, were the days of the first Agricultural and Mechanical Fair ever held in Buchanan, or any of the counties above in what is known as the Platte Purchase. It was attended each day by a large concourse of people from this and the sur- rounding counties. The fair-we mean the fair sex-were present and lent 'enchantment to the view' that was already beautiful ; but the spark- ling eyes and smiling faces of the fair ones attracted many to the spot. where were to be seen the rich and varied products of our country, who otherwise might not have been there.
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The weather was delightful-the fair ground in a beautiful grove, peculiarly adapted to the purpose-where thronged the great crowd, all seeming to manifest much interest in the occasion. The whole scene was enlivened by the music of the St. Joseph brass band.
Everything passed off decently and in order. General satisfaction given, and a noble spirit of emulation aroused that will be productive of much good.
Many of the articles exhibited by the ladies on the first day would reflect credit upon the best fairs in Kentucky.
At the close of the exhibition of the first day, Mr. Silas Woodson delivered a truly eloquent address on the subject of agriculture.
The associate editor of the Cycle, being the secretary of the Associ- ation, we copy from his paper :
FIRST DAY-MANUFACTURES.
Best specimen mixed jeans, a beautiful article-premium to Mrs. J. P. Bryan, of Buchanan.
Plaid linsey-premium to same lady, $2.
White linsey-premium to William Gartin, of Buchanan, $2.
Woolen Blankets-premium to Mrs. J. P. Bryan, of Buchanan, $5. Half hose-premium to same, $1.
Satinet-premium to N. Buel, of Buchanan, $5.
Cotton quilt-premium to Mrs. Rosanna Porter, of Buchanan, $10. This was a rich quilt evidencing great skill and toil in the manufacture.
Cotton quilt-certificate to Mrs. Mary A. Mosely. This is a beauti- ful article.
Silk quilt, patchwork-premium to Mrs. E. C. Davis, St. Joseph, $10. The design of this quilt was the "American Confederacy," as represented in its constellation of stars, the States of the Union. Its pattern was after the style of quilted and knotted work. (See Godey for September.)
Silk quilt, a rich hexagon, exhibiting great skill and beauty in its execution, and much admired- certificate to Miss Betty F. Cunningham, of Jackson County.
Worsted patch-work, also a magnificent hexagon, universally admired, and pronounced a most elegant specimen of art-premium to Mrs. W. L. Irvine, of Buchanan, $10.
Worsted patch-work quilt, also a rich article-certificate to Miss Betty F. Cunningham, of Jackson.
Worsted bed cover-premium to Mrs. Amanda Kelly, $3. This was a delicate and beautiful article.
Needle-work and embroidery-premium to Mrs. Capt. Jas. Craig, $2; certificate to Mrs. C. M. Thompson.
Worsted rug-certificate to Mrs. J. P. Ryan.
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Linen shirt-premium $1, Mrs. M. Britton.
Shirt by girl under 12-premium $1, to Miss A. G. Long.
Half hose-premium $1, to Mrs. J. P. Bryan ; certificate to Mrs. Jen- kins
Two pair hose-premium $1 each, by two orphan girls, Sarah and Catharine Lewis.
Best two-horse wagon-premium $5, to J. A. Forest.
Sofa-premium to D. J. Heaton, $2.
Set chairs-premium to D. J. Heaton, $2.
Tin ware-premium $2, to F. B. Kercheval.
Single harness-premium $2, to Wm. Keer. This specimen of har- - ness was indeed beautiful.
Single harness-certificate to I. Landis.
Side saddle-certificate to C. A. Shoultz. No premium offered.
Single buggy-a magnificent article, premium $5, to A. Dolph.
Dentistry-certificate to Dr. J. E. Hewlet.
Fancy sign board-certificate to E. J. Knapp. No premium offered.
Best two sacks flour-premium $2, to B. F. Northcutt.
Two sacks flour-certificate to N. Buel.
Wheat cleaner-premium to James Cargill.
POULTRY, FRUITS, ETC.
Shanghai chickens-premium $1, to R. Mosely.
Brahma Pootra-premium $1, to Mrs. W. L. Irvine.
Best display poultry-premium $2, to Mrs. W. L. Irvine.
Sweet potatoes-premium $1, to A. Dittemore.
Ham-premium $2, to Mrs. R. Middleton.
Butter-premium $2, to Mrs. Wm. P. Richardson.
Peaches, variety-premium $2, to Wm. McGrew.
Grapes-premium $1, to Wm. McGrew.
Peaches, best I dozen-premium to Mrs. J. P. Bryan.
Onions-premium $1, to Judge Morris.
Melons-premium $1, to H. D. Harding.
SECOND DAY-CATTLE, SHEEP AND HOGS.
The second day opened as brilliantly as the first, with as fine an exhibition of stock as the most sanguine friend of the association could have hoped for. The grounds were again filled with a vast concourse of people, and graced with the beauty of Buchanan. We were pleased to see so many ladies present. It not only showed their good taste, but their high appreciation of what constitutes the true wealth and pros- perity of their country.
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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY.
In view of the whole day's exhibition, we venture to say that such a galaxy of fine stock has never been, seen in; Missouri above the Boon's Lick country.
We append the premiums as follows :
BULLS.
Four years and upwards-premium $10, to W. L. Irvine ; certificate to T. H. Irvine.
Two years and under-premium $6, to J. W. Steel, of Platte.
One and under two-premium $6, to A. Bowman ; certificate to R. C. Mosely.
Under one year-premium $5, to J. H. Irvine ; certificate to W. L. Irvine.
COWS.
Four years and upwards-premium $10, to D. Shanks ; certificate to J. J. Hart.
Two years and under three-premium $6, to R. C. Mosely ; certifi- cate to same.
Three years and under four-premium $10, to G. W. Brackenridge ; certificate to J. J. Hart.
One year and under two-premium, $6, to A. Bowman, of Andrew; certificate to W. L. Irvine ; P. Wirthume, white ribbon, for neatness.
Under one year old-premium $5. to J. J. Hart ; certificate to D. Shanks.
OXEN.
Best fat bullock or heifer-premium $10, to W. L. Irvine ; certifi- cate, R. C. Mosely.
Best yoke work steers-premium $:0, to R. B. Thomas ; certificate to William Litz.
HOGS.
Best sow-premium $5, to R. Ladd ; certificate to H. D. Morris.
SHEEP-LONG WOOL.
Best buck-premium $5, to G. W. Brackenridge, of Andrew ; cer- tificate to J. T. Doughty.
Best ewe-premium $5, to G. W. Brackenridge ; certificate to J. T. Doughty.
FINE WOOL.
Best ewe-premium $5. to B. C. Porter, of Andrew County.
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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY.
THIRD DAY-HORSES, MULES, &C.
The third day opened with increased interest. A display of fine horses will always attract a crowd, and at an early hour the show grounds were again thronged. '
The exhibition of stock this day surpassed the expectations of the most sanguine. There were many beautiful animals on the ground- animals hard to duplicate in the state.
We annex awards :
HORSES.
Best age stallion for harness-premium $10, to H. D. Harding ; certificate to J. W. Martin.
Stallion, two years old and under-premium to W. Gartin ; certifi- cate to Porter and Ardery, St. Joseph.
Stallion, one year old and under-premium to Isaac Miller.
Stallion, under one year-premium to J. G. Smith.
Mare for harness, two years and under three-premium to Milt. Murphey ; certificate to James Noland.
Filley, under one year-premium to Dr. W. G. Burton ; certificate to B. C. Porter.
Best pair carriage horses-premium $10, to Sparks and Talbot, St .. Joseph.
Finest buggy horse-premium $8, to J. O. Fisher ; certificate to. Wm. Ardery.
Stallion for saddle, four years and upward-premium $10, to J. O. Fisher.
Ditto, two years old and under three -- premium $6, to O. H. P. Craig, of Savannah.
Ditto, under one -- premium $3, to Wm. L. Irvine ; certificate to J .. D. Burgess.
Best brood mare for harness -- premium $10, to Isaac Miller.
Best mare for saddle, over four years -- premium $10, to E. N. Hart ; certificate to WV. L. Irvine.
Ditto, two years and under -- premium $6, to C. F. Hilterbridal, of Andrew ; certificate to J. B. Cox.
Ditto, under one year -- premium to Burgess Elliot ; certificate W. K. Richardson.
Best saddle animal -- premium $10, to H. D. Hardin ; certificate to S. Hill.
Best draft stallion, two years old and upwards-premium $10, to Porter and Arderny ; certificate to Henry Paschal.
Ditto, two and under three ---- premium $8, to O. H. P. Craig, of. Savannah.
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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY.
Best draft marc, three years old and upwards-premium $to, to R. C. Mosely ; certificate to J. E. Burgess.
Ditto, two and under three -- premium $8, to Wm. Ardery.
Ditto, one and under two -- premium $6, to Isaac Miller.
Ditto, under one -- premium $5, to B. C. Porter, of Andrew.
JACKS.
Four years and upwards -- premium $10, to T. H. Irvine ; certificate to Edwin N. Hart.
Under one year -- premium $5. to C. Todd.
JENNETS.
Four years and upwards-premium $10, to T. H. Irvine and C. J. Hart ; certificate to C. Todd.
Two years and under-premium $6, to T. II. and W. L. Irvine.
MULES.
Two years and upwards-premium $to, to Preston Richardson ; certificate to James Carson.
One year and under two-prmium $8 to A. G. Davis.
Under one year-premium $5 to W. L. Irvine: certificate to A. Woolverton.
Finest and best broke mules-premium $10 to Maj. Wm. P. Rich- ardson ; certificate to Sparks and Talbott.
All the premiums were paid at the close of each day, in beautiful silver plate.
Hon. W. P. Hall closed the scenes of the day and the occasion with an eloquent and appropriate address.
Thus has passed off the first annual fair of the Buchanan Agricultu- ral Society. It was an epoch in the history of our county, and the dawn of a brighter day upon its agricultural, mechanical and manufacturing interests. Heaven vouchsafed bright skies and balmy days. The rem- iniscences will be pleasant to dwell upon, and we trust all have gone home with the full determination to do all they can to promote the inter- est of the society and to extend its usefulness.
There were many articles exhibited for which no premiums had been awarded. Among them we noticed a box of superior candles manufactured by Messrs. Pinger, Hauk & Co., of St. Joseph.
Mr. C. A. Shultz exhibited a slendid lady's saddle.
At the next annual fair there will doubtless be a larger list of pre- miums than were offered this time. We anticipate, then, an occasion worthy of many of the old states.
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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY.
The Platte country is unsurpassed in fertility of soil, and all that con- stitutes or contributes to the wealth and happiness of a prosperous people."
The officers of the above described, the first fair held in Buchanan County, were : General Robert Wilson, President ; William L. Irvine, Vice President ; A. M. Saxton. Treasurer ; Wellington A. Cunningham, Secretaey.
The Robert Wilson above referred to, filled, for a brief period, a con- spicuous position in our national affairs during the late civil war.
March 18, 1861, Waldo P. Johnson, a Breckenridge Democrat, was elected U. S. Senator for six years, from March 4, 1861.
Dec. 10, 1861, Solomon Tutt, of Vermont, offered a resolution to the U. S. Senate, expelling Mr. Johnson from that body, for sympathy with and participation in the rebellion against the government of the United States.
On January 20, 1862, Lyman Trumbull, of Illinois, chairman, made a report from the committee in favor of the resolution of expulsion, which was adopted-yeas, 35 ; nays, nonc.
Dec. 18, 1861, Charles Sumner, of Mass., introduced a resolution expelling Trusten Polk, also a Senator from Missouri, for the same rea- sons given in the case of Mr. Johnson. It was referred to the Judiciary Committee, and on January 20, 1862, Lyman Trumbull, of Illinois, chair- man, reported in favor of it to the Senate, and it was adopted-yeas, 36; nays, none.
The vacancies thus occurring were filled by Lieutenant-Governor Willard P. Hall, in the absence of Governor Gamble, he appointing Rob- ert Wilson, of Andrew, and John B. Henderson, of Pike.
The site of the first fair grounds is now (1881) included within the limits of the city, near the northern extremity of Eleventh street.
Fairs continued to be held here for seven successive years, the last occurring in the fall of 1860.
The civil war, of course, put an end to everything of the kind; and no move to revive the institution was inaugurated till two years after its close.
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