The history of Johnson County, Missouri : including a reliable history of the townships, cities, and towns, together with a map of the county; a condensed history of Missouri; the state constitution; an abstract of the most important laws etc, Part 50

Author:
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Kansas City, Mo. : Kansas City Historical Company
Number of Pages: 1056


USA > Missouri > Johnson County > The history of Johnson County, Missouri : including a reliable history of the townships, cities, and towns, together with a map of the county; a condensed history of Missouri; the state constitution; an abstract of the most important laws etc > Part 50


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Stone-Quarries -- Man always depends for his substance upon what grows upon the surface of the earth; and to a great extent the materials for the improvement of his lands and the erection of his houses are obtained from the surface of the earth. But when men can go down into the earth and bring out material that is useful in developing the sur- face of the earth and in making him more comfortable, this is a great and positive gain; and the more there is found in the depths of the earth that is useful to him, the more has been gained for the world at large. Thus when the bowels of the earth have been opened and rich beds of all kinds of ore have been dug out, the whole human race is materially enriched; and it seems to be the characteristics of civilization that the more it advances, the more the mining resources of the earth are devel-


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oped. Among the earliest possessions Mother Earth gave up to man's use were her mighty beds of stone. These, from the first records of his- tory, have been used for making a habitation for man. It was of stone that the Tower of Babel was built. In this natural gift of earth to man Johnson county is perhaps the most bountiful of all the counties of the west; and it is not in this brief article that we would give an account of the history and resources of those' quarries located near Warrensburg. These quarries are located two miles north of Warrensburg, on the Lex- ington road. The first and nearest quarry is called the St. Louis Quarry, and is owned by Jacob Pickle & Brothers. This quarry was for many years open for the use of the public, those getting stone who needed it, and no one in particular working the quarry. But in 1871 Joseph Pickle & Brothers bought the quarry and a portion of the adjoining land and have worked them ever since, developing them more than any quar- ries in this county. Jacob Pickle & Brothers have long been engaged in this business, having worked quarries in Germany. These gentleman came from the " Old Country " only a few years before they commenced working here. They have shown great energy, industry, and perse- verance in working these quarries, as the reader will see from their descrip- tion and management.


The quarry is at present under the management of Mr. Antone Pickle, a young man of marked courtesy, and uncommon energy.


The St. Louis quarry is by far the largest of the three, and a description of the manner in which that is worked, will suffice for all three, as there is little or no difference in the modus operandi. The chief instrument they have for getting out the stone, is a small engine of six horse-power, which runs along over the stone on a track that can be moved when necessary. This engine has a shaft that runs down into the stone, and saws as it were, the engine moving slowly all the time. By this means, they can saw into the stone, to the depth of five or six feet. The track of the engine is about fifty yards long, and hence, when the engine runs the full length of this track, it saws a strip of stone about that long. These strips are four feet wide. The ends of the strips are separated from the adjoining stones by means of picks. The stone is soft and easily broken in small pieces in all the damp places below the earth. Then, by means of the engines, and picks, and steel wedges, stone blocks are taken out, ten feet long, four feet wide, and two feet thick. This is the size, generally, but of course, the stones are cut off of different sizes to suit the purpose. Probably about the most wonderful part about the working machinery at the quarry, is their manner of loading. After the stone blocks have been loosened, they are taken hold of by immense derricks, run by horse power, and placed under the great lifting machine. Of


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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.


these derricks, they have three at this quarry, and it may be mentioned here, that the engine for cutting stone, and the water tank, as well as track, are moved by the derricks. We will now attempt to give the reader an idea of the machine they have for lifting the stone and putting it on the cars. There are two tracks, somewhat like railroad tracks, sep- arated from each other about four feet, and running above the ground about ten feet. This arrangement extends from the railroad track all the way across the quarry; a distance of 200 yards. Upon this track runs all the machinery for lifting the stone, consisting of an engine of fifteen horse power, and all other parts needed in the work, such as the coal to feed the engine, the engine house and pulleys, ropes, etc. By the engine, this . machinery is moved along on its track till directly over the stone left by the derrick, and then the machine is stopped, and by the same engine the stone is picked up and carried along up the track till it is over the car, when it is let down on the car and is ready for transportation. Stone of enormous weight are thus loaded by this means.


Mr. Pickle informs us that he ships yearly, at least 500 car loads, and that in 1874 he shipped 900 car loads, and since that year he shipped 3,000 car loads from his quarry. This stone has been used in building some of the finest edifices in the United States. We have not a complete list of the large structures made with this stone, but will give what we have. In St. Louis alone, this stone was put in the following buildings: Chamber of Commerce, Lindell Hotel, Allen's building, fifth and Locust, besides fifty other large buildings. The State Normal, located at War- rensburg, a hundred and fifty thousand dollar building, was made of this stone. The Chicago Union depot, several large buildings in Quincy, Illinois, and in Louisville, Kentucky. To many other points in this state have the rock been shipped, and its reputation is known all over the United States. It is also used in making tombstones and grindstones.


The sandstone as found here is of a soft gray color, and, though a large portion of the county is underlaid with sandstone, that part which has this gray color and is alone fit for building purposes, is probably a little less than 300 acres. This stone has been quarried to the depth of 55 feet and below that it is not good for building purposes. Mr. Pickle has in his possession part of an elm tree petrified in the sandstone. In 1874 Jacob Pickle & Bros., had a branch road built from the Missouri Pacific railroad to their quarry. This road is two miles and a half long, and was built at an expense of $20,000. The railroad track, as we have pre- viously intimated, runs under the scaffolding upon which the lifting machine runs, so that the cars may be loaded directly by the machine. These cars are taken away about twice a week, averaging about fifteen cars at a trip. From this we may have some conception of the quantity of stone hauled from this place.


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The second quarry, known as the Warrensburg quarry, was first worked in 1871 by William Bruce & Company. This quarry was owned by Senator Cockrell and leased to these gentlemen for a number of years, but their term of lease expired in 1880, and the quarry was then sold by Senator Cockrell to Jacob Pickle & Bros., who now own two of the three stone quarries. This quarry is worked in the same way as the others are, but it has no railroad running to it, and hence the stone is hauled on wagons. This quarry has not been as extensively worked as the first mentioned.


The third stone quarry has just been opened. When Bruce & Com- pany gave up their old quarry, they bought another spot of land contain- ing good building stone, a few hundred yards northeast of their old quarry. This they commenced to work in the spring of 1881. This quarry hasn't the advantage of the railroad either, but it is being vigor- ously worked, and may, in a few years, be a very extensively known quarry.


Mineral Springs .- In many localities there is a peculiarity in the mineral springs of the county, most of which are strongly impregnated with car- bonate of iron. These springs are very numerous and are principally found in the sandstone region of Warrensburg. Some of these springs are impreg- nated with sulphur and other minerals, none of which have been correctly analyzed. None of these springs are very deep or large, but they con- tinue to flow the entire year. The drought has no effect upon the flow of water. The water is quite clear and contains considerable sulphuretted- hydrogen gas. One spring, belonging to Geo. W. Colbern, is situate just north of town, breaking out under a sandstone, and flowing at the rate of about ten gallons per minute. The depth of this spring is ten feet, and the water is strongly impregnated with mineral substances, principally carbonate iron, bromide magnesia, and sulphate lime, besides other sub- stance. This spring, during the summer of 1881, was considerable of a health resort. Many physicians and invalids claim that the water has great healing properties, and acts admirably in all diseases of the stomach and bowels. In one of the caverns in Cave hollow, a beautiful spring bursts out and flows both winter and summer incessantly, and does not often freeze over. The water is said to be strongly impregnated with bromide magnesia, and sulphate of lime. It is the spot, where anchorite , like, the health-seeker may drink and live without the public knowing any- thing about it.


The Purtle Springs are situate about one-half mile south of town on a line with Holden street. These springs surpass all others about War- rensburg in their sylvan retirements. Sunk away in a ravine whose banks are studded with beautiful white oaks, interspersed with American


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R. G. R. Wall


PHYSICIAN CHILHOWEE TP.


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ivy and various underbrush, is to be found the beautiful spring named above. For many years past, this has been known as a chalybeate spring. The main spring is about two feet in depth, and bubbles up from the bot- tom and flows off in a constant stream of clear water. The taste of this water is savory, and is said to be a fine appetizer. During the year 1881, quite a large number of influential citizens made this a health resort, and from some of them who have tested the curative powers of the water, we learn that the action of the water is strongly diuretic. It has exhibited wonderful curative properties in dyspepsia, diseases of the kidneys and urinary organs, and many diseases peculiar to women. The water is limpid and clear, and apparently pure, and has a sweetish taste. The water has never been analyzed by a chemist, although some has of late been sent to St. Louis for that purpose; however, it is generally believed by those who have tested the curative waters of this spring that some day this will be one of the favorite health resorts of the country. Sur- rounded as it is, with beautiful, natural scenery, forest, glade and defile, it is already a quiet retreat during the heated season of the year. This spring and the land belongs to Mr. Zimmerman, who has delivered hun- dreds of gallons of this water to the citizens of Warrensburg.


White Sulphur Springs is about two miles northwest of town, a short distance west of Post Oak. The water of this spring is strongly impreg- nated with sulphur, which is distinctly felt by the olfactory nerves and by the taste. The water bubbles up from the cavity in the bottom land, and contains a considerable amount of hydrogen gas. A few pleasure seek- ers resort thither in the dusky evenings of summer, where they drink and return fully paid by the recreation.


In the vicinity of the town are three excellent nurseries, owned respect- ively by Wm. Zoll, Ed. Kelly and W. H. Hatton. Messrs. Zoll and Kelly are among the pioneer nurserymen of the county and stand high as busi- ness men. The nursery of Wm. Zoll is about one-half mile east of town; north and east of this is the excellent nursery of Ed. Kelly. The new and elegant residence of Wm. Zoll is beautifully located in the corner of the nursery-ground. Mr. Hatton's nursery is a few miles south of town. Besides these nurseries, there are several good vineyards in the vicinity." That of George Reiter is among the best cultivated.


SCHOOLS.


" Lured by its charms, he sits and learns to trace The midnight wanderings of the orbs of space; Boldly he knocks at wisdom's inmost gate,


With nature counsels, and communes with fate."-CHAS. SPRAGUE.


Common schools are the glory and pride of free America. Semina- ries and colleges develope and stimulate the occasional master mind; but 28


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the common schools educate and train the nation's multitudes, fitting them for citizenship and the government of themselves. The eminent J. P. Wickersham says: " The dearest interest of a nation is the education of its children." During the early history of this city little attention was paid to schools. Now we enjoy the benefits derived from an excellent general school law. One of the first teachers in Warrensburg was Maj. N. B. Holden, who afterwards became one of the prominent men of the county. He was a soldier to Mexico, and received his title for gallantry in that war. He was assassinated September 21, 1862; and a marble monument now marks his resting place in the Warrensburg cemetery .. Maj. Hol- den taught during the winter of 1839-40. At that time all schools were managed more or less as private enterprises, the funds raised by public provision being entirely inadequate. These early schools were supported by private subscription, each pupil paying a certain amount of subscrip- tion every month. Joel H. Warren was another pioneer teacher at War- rensburg. He studied medicine with Dr. William Calhoun, commenced the practice of medicine in Cass county, served in the federal army dur- ing the war, since which time he has practiced medicine at Knob Noster. He was a grandson of Martin Warren, in whose honor Warrensburg received her name. In 1842 William H. Anderson taught a select school in Warrensburg, in a private house. He taught arithmetic, geography, reading, spelling and writing. Mr. Anderson has long been one of the very foremost men of Johnson county, and is now an enterprising grocery merchant in Warrensburg. His school numbered twenty-five pupils, and his pay consisted of a tuition fee of $1.50 from each pupil per month. George W. Johnson, a Baptist minister and graduate of William Jewel college, taught a select school in Old Town for about three years, begin- ning in 1857. He was married in Warrensburg, removed to California, entered the rebel army and served till its close. Rev. Johnson is now president of a female seminary at Jackson Tennessee. Miss Eliza Thomas and Z. T. Davis were early teachers. Robert A. Foster and a man by name Jewel, who was killed in the federal army were both teachers in the public schools of the city, when the war broke out.


The first public school building erected for that purpose was the old brick which still stands in Old Town. The upper story was owned and occupied by the masons, while the first floor was used for school during week, and religious meetings on the Sabbath. It was erected in the year 1845, at a cost of $1,800. The war put a stop to all well organized schools; but after its close, in 1867, the old Reese building was com- pleted at a cost of about $13,000. It was afterwards discovered that the foundation was defective, and the walls commenced cracking, render- ing the building unsafe. Accordingly the present, imposing and com-


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modious structure was finished in 1879, at a cost of $4,500. The Foster building was completed in the year 1870, at a cost of about $13,000. The Reese building is situated on the corner of Market and Warren streets, and the Foster building is situated east of the railroad on the corner of Grover and McGuire streets.


Under the general statutes of the state, approved March 20, 1866, Warrensburg City was " organized into and established as a single school district, " April 18, 1866. Special privileges were granted cities, towns, and villages, thus organizing for school purposes. It having been decided by the legal voters of the town of Warrensburg to organize, directors were elected and qualified. Their name were as follows, constituting the first Board of Education in this city: A. W. Reese, president; Melvill U. Foster, secretary; Jehu H. Smith, treasurer; Elias Stilwell, John L. Rog- ers and Nelson Dunbar. Among the first acts of the above named direc- tors was the securing of teachers and providing more ample accommoda- tions for the children, both white and black. Rev. Matthew Biggar, S. L. Mason, and Rev. M. Henry Smith were the principal teachers selec- ted, the two former were placed in charge of the schools for white chil- dren, and the latter was principal of the colored school. From 1866 to 1875, in accordance with all other professions, teachers received a much larger salary than they do at present; the superintendent during a con- siderable portion of that time receiving a yearly salary of $1500, and subordinate teachers from $40 to $60 per month. The colored school was conducted in the Howard building, situated on Culton street, between Old and New Town, also in a building formerly used as a Baptist church. The Howard school was named in honor of General Howard, an officer of distinction in the Union army during the war of the great rebellion. The Howard building is a small, one-story frame structure, 32x24, and cost $800 besides the lot on which it stands. Through the untiring and self-sacrificing exertions of Mr. Smith, the colored people of Warrens- burg and vicinity were provided with educational advantages never before enjoyed; for this and many other philanthropic acts, the blacks and whites, too, will hold him in grateful remembrance. He was sent here as a missionary, under the auspices of the Congregational church, in the fall of 1865, but when it became apparent that his particular denominational following was not sufficient to support a regular pastor, he gave his atten- tion to teaching, for which he was well qualified. Rev. Smith is a native of New York, and was educated at Oberlin college, both in the collegiate and theological courses. In 1871 he was called from Warrensburg to take charge of Lincoln Institute, at Jefferson City, a school for the edu- cation of colored teachers. He now resides on East Market street,


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Warrensburg, in a quiet and beautiful home, surrounded by an educated and refined family.


Large sums of money were expended in the construction of the two large and commodious brick school buildings now in use, the Reese building and the Foster building. The principals who have served in Warrensburg schools since the spring of 1866, are given below, with date of administration: 1866 to Jan. 1, 1868, Rev. Matthew Biggar; 1866, S. L. Mason; 1866 to fall of 1871, Rev. M. Henry Smith; 1868, Jan. 1, A. L. Pierce; 1869, September 1, M. Babcock; 1870 to 1875, Prof. J. J. Campbell; 1875 to 1877, Prof. J. Reynolds; 1877, Mrs. M. V. Neet, Foster building; 1877, Miss P. S. Sites, Reese building; 1878, no princi- pal or superintendent; 1879, two years, Prof. J. F. Starr; 1881, Sept. R. N. Dunn.


The following is from the treasurer, W. L. Hornbuckle's annual finan- cial report, April 9, 1881: Amount received $12,920.75, amount paid out, $10,042.42, balance 2,878.33. The following is the annual report on finances for the year ending May 3, 1869. Receipts: sale of bonds dur- ing the year, $24,765.06. Expenditures: for building, $24,765.06; paid on warrants, $21,401.16; paid on bonds, $12,144.82; total expenditures, $33,- 635.98.


The schools are in a flourishing condition, maintaining a high standard of discipline and scholarship. During the two years past Prof. J. F. Starr has been superintendent, but having received a call to a more desirable position at Butler, he has declined to accept the position here for a third year, though it was tendered him. Prof. Starr is an efficient teacher Report for the year ending May, 1881: whole number enrolled 718, whole number of whites enrolled 603, colored 115; average daily attendance 600. The enumeration of youths between six and twenty years of age in April, 1881, was: white males 502, females 479; colored males 78, females 80; total, 1,139. Present teachers: Robert N. Dunn, superintendent; Foster school, No. 1, Miss L. F. Grover, No. 2, Miss Eula Tracy, No. 3, Miss Maggie Wilson, No. 4 Miss Mary Emerson, No. 5 Miss Ella Adams. Reese school: No. 1 Miss Anna Rhodes, No. 2 Miss Josie Smith, No. 3 Miss Josie Shryack, No. 4 Myra Houts, No. 5 Maggie LeMar. Howard school, C. J. Lawton (colored); Old Town school, W. H. Dixon (colored.) Directors: J. H. Smith, president; G. Will Houts, secretary; W. L. Hornbuckle, treasurer; J. R. Kelley, W. H. Lee, M. Shryack.


One of the most important factors of the educational system of the town of Warrensburg is the normal school located here. While a State insti- tution and supported by the State, Warrensburg derives exceeding great benefit from it. Many families have removed to the town on its account,


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and its influence upon the order and intelligence of the community is largely felt. Hundreds of students gathering into it from various parts of the State, enliven the streets of the quiet little city and dispense no small amount of money through business circles. The school building is situated in the southern part of the town within a large and well laid out campus. Its architecture is plain and massive. It has lately been com- pleted and now furnishes ample accommodations for from five to six hun- dred students. The school was organized in 1871 with forty students in attendance. Its progress has been gradual from that time until the pres- ent, and now the yearly attendance is about four hundred. The present building was first occupied in 1873, the first story only having been fin- ished at that time. The first principal appointed was George P. Beard, assisted by E. A. Augell. Mr Beard was superceded at the close of the session of 1871 -- 2 by James Johonnot of New York: At the close of the annual session of 1874 -- 5 Mr. Johonnot was succeeded by Geo. L. Osborne of Louisiana, Missouri, who continues as president at the present time. The appropriation made by the State for the maintenance of the school was in the original bill of incorporation $2,500. This has been increased grdually, until at the present time the amount is $10,000.


The object of the school as is indicated by the name normal, is to edu- cate teachers solely. The methods of instruction and course of study are bent to this purpose alone. All pupils are required to assume a pledge to teach. A slight incidental fee is charged, but as it is believed that the masses are directly benefited, the state, as before stated, fosters the cause, and the school is essentially free. A model school has lately been attached and it is but justice to say that no school in the west of the character of this one is better equipped to carry out the purpose for which it was designed. The course of study occupies four years and is divided into elementary and advanced. While the sciences, mathematics, literature, and philosophy receive a large attention, the principle and practice of teaching precede all else. Students are graduated in the elementary course in two years and given a certificate of scholarship. After four years satisfactory work in all the various branches of the curriculum, a diploma, conferring the degree of bachelor of pedagogics is awarded. Students board in private families in the city and are allowed extended freedom, though subject to certain rigid rules, and always subject to the orders of the president or some professor. This plan works well, and there is great harmony between citizens and students. Two sessions are held daily; study and recreation hours are prescribed by the faculty. Com- mencements occur at the close of each school year, i. e. in June; the closing exercises occupying about one week. At these large numbers of visitors . are present. The present efficient faculty consists of the following named


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teachers, all standing high in the profession in this state: George L. Osborne, president; J. J. Campbell, Wm. F. Bahlmann, C. H. Dutcher, Ida M. Carhart, Arthur Dodd, Jeanette S. Perry, and Prof. Conable.


As a distinctive feature of the town of Warrensburg its value cannot be over-estimated. It is upon a sound footing, and will always remain one of the leading attractions of the place to those who are seeking good homes. It demands and receives the hearty co-operation of all the good citizens of Warrensburg, and sheds a lustre upon the name which no other enterprise can possibly equal., As this chapter shows, the public school system is excellent and with a normal school (the cap-stone of the educa- tional system) also, Warrensburg as an intellectual center rivals any city in the state.




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