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 52

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 52

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MISCELLANEOUS EVENTS.

On Saturday evening, November 29, 1873, a distructive fire broke out in the city of Warrensburg, consuming the Ming hotel, Johnson county saving's bank, besides several stores and offices, and three persons burnt to death.

The following is a brief description of the heartrending scene, written soon after the occurrence:

"About ten o'clock, the proprietor and several guests were seated by the office stove, when a crash, as the breaking of a glass in the dining room, started Mr. M. E. Mulverhill, the landlord, to his feet, who exclaimed, ' That sounds like an exploded lamp,' and rushing to the scene of the disaster, followed by several others, they found dense volumes of smoke and flame issuing from the lamp-room. Mr. Mulverhill immedi- ately proceeded to alarm the sleeping guests, but was never again seen alive. Virgil Pinkston, a daring young hero of this occasion, found Mrs.

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Mulverhill in her bed room door, apparently bewildered with fright, refus- ing to make any effort to escape from the gathering conflagration, when Mr. Pinkston seized her in his arms and conveyed her safely through the stifling flames and gases, landing her securely in the street, and proceeded to rescue others. Miss Fannie Smith appeared in the third story window; escape by the stairway being cut off by the flames, she jumped into the arms of Mr. John Cheedy, on the porch below, and thus saved her life. Thomas C. Higgins, a boarder at the hotel, was in the office when the alarm was given, and immediately rushed to his room in the top story for his baggage, but he had no sooner gained the upper floor, than he was cut off and retreat seemed impossible, but having great caution he drew his hat over his face, and sped down the dining room stairway, only los- ing his beard and hair, which were singed off in his downward flight. David Holden, of the quarry company, was sleeping in the fourth story, when the alarm.was given; he had only time to partially dress when he found the smoke and furious flames beating against his door; he passed out through the dormer window on the steep roof and crawled to the front eave, thence bounded a distance of thirty feet to the porch, without breaking any bones. W. D. Ordendrake and wife had retired for the night, in the third story, above the porch, and their only chance of escape was through the window to the porch below; he let his wife down as far as he could reach with his hands, when Mr. Crone, the clerk, caught her from the balcony.

Charred and burned remains of the dead were found the following day. Mr. M. E. Mulverhill, the landlord, made all due haste to arouse the inmates, and in attempting to make his exit, it is supposed became suf- focated. A burned and charred form was taken from the debris, at about ten o'clock the next day (Sunday morning), and identified as the body.

The next body taken from the ashes was supposed to be J. W. Poland, a photographer, who arrived from Kansas City, the previous Thursday. This body was in a crisp, though partially natural form. The third vic- tim was a young man by the name of J. L. Prouty, of Clintonville, Mis- souri, who arrived that evening, with the expectation of attending the Normal school. He occupied an upper room, and was repeatedly urged to jump from the window, and probably from fear and consternation, utterly failed to escape the fiery elements that were fast bearing upon him. A portion of a body was taken out, supposed to be that of this unfortu- nate young man."

The Ming Hotel stood on the east side of Holden street, opposite Step- per's drug-store. It was a four story pine building erected in the spring of 1865, and owned by I. M. Cruce. It was insured for $9,000. The hotel furniture was all lost. The inmates lost everything except the

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clothing upon their backs. The hotel furniture and bar-room fixtures were covered with an insurance of $5,000. The hotel safe, containing considerable money, stood the fire and nothing damaged.

A two story brick building adjoining the hotel, owned by H. F. Clark, was consumed. It was insured for $3,700. The upper rooms were used as bed rooms, while the lower room was occupied by J. D. Morris, as a saloon. The bar fixtures and billiard tables were insured for $1,300.

The next building destroyed belonged to the Johnson County Savings Bank. The lower room was used as a bank and the upper part contained offices. Everything was saved. The safe was fire-proof. The insurance was $4,000.

Mr. M. E. Mulverhill, the landlord, located in Warrensburg in Decem- ber, 1870, and conducted a hotel to his demise. He left a wife and two children. He had an insurance of $2,000 on his life, which showed his care in providing for the future of his wife and family. Let his epitaph be, "He died to save his fellow man."

Closely following on the great conflagration of the Ming Hotel, another, big fire broke out in the post-office building the following week, burning three buildings aud destroying upwards of $50,000 worth of property. No lives were lost. It is said that Dr. W. L. Hedges had a narrow escape.

For several years past Warrensburg has had a loathsome cell, called her jail, where prisoners were confined without safety. An incident is related that on Monday March 2, 1874, the following prisoners were sent to the State's Prison: James Todd and J. M. Combs, each ten years for murder in the second degree; Dan Fisher, two years for manslaughter in the third degree; Frank Page, three years for burglary; David McCon- naughay, two years for breaking jail; Z. Monday, four years for attempted rape on a child under twelve years of age; Jno. Jackson, two years for grand larceny; Younggold, four years for everything villainous grand larceny in particular. A large crowd of citizens assembled at the depot to see them leave, and as they passed'down the streets they sang the following refrain, composed by one of the victims in jail. Here is the original:

"Come all you young fellows, ho live far and near, Come listen attentive to what you shall hear;

Its of a young fellow ho could not give bail, And they sen him awhile to the Warrensburg jail.

CHORUS:

And its hard times in the Warrensburg jail,

And its, and its hard times they say.

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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.

And all you git to eat is a piece of dry bread As thick as a log and as heavy as led

And a cup of cold coffee and beef that is stail, And is doing very well for the Warrensburg jail.

CHORUS:

Your bed is composed of old rotten rug's, And when you lie down you are covered with bugs. The bugs will swear if you do not give bail,

You are bound to get lowsy in the Warrrensburg jail."

During the year 1874 a branch railroad was built to the Warrensburg Stone Quarry. The following damages were assessed for the right of way by the board of commissioners, Messrs. Delaney, Markey and Burford: Will. S. Stone, $150; E. C. Fitch, $200; George Kane, $400; Austin Elliot, $430; R. Baldwin, $625; Jno M. Jewell, $166; total $1,971.

The above mentioned road has been of invaluable service to the quar- ries, and has paid well.

On Friday night, April 11, 1873, the brewery in Warrensburg was destroyed by fire. The loss was estimated to be about $9,000.

The first annual fair of the Johnson County Agricultural and Mechanical Association was held at Warrensburg during the month of October, 1858. It was a success.

CHAPTER II .- HOLDEN.

Introduction-Present Prosperity and Future Promise of Holden-The Early Beginning -The Town Laid Out-Its First Settlement and Early Growth-The Additions to the Town since its Commencement-The Incorporation, Including its Charter and Ordi- nances-History of the Various Churches-History of the Establishment of Holden College-Public Schools, Including a List of Their Teachers-Newspapers-Railroads -Depot-Engine-House-Bridge and Building Department-Mills and Elevators- Hotels - Post-Office - Banks - Societies - Holden|Cemetery - Nursery-Streets and Walks-Business Directory-Madison Township.

History by all writers upon this subject is divided into various depart- ments, and these are again subdivided into smaller divisions, for it is only by the separation of a subject into its various branches or parts that the human race is enabled to make any progress toward the attainment of knowledge. History implies growth, movement, or change, for if any- thing should remain the same through any series of years, during that length of time it would have no history. Then we have as many kinds of history as we have subjects upon which history treats; that is, when we speak of history in its broadest sense. We may say there are as many kinds of history as there are departments of human investigation. We speak of the history of the earth and its geological formations, the his-

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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.

tory of the human race upon the surface of the earth, or even of a single man in his career through life. Every bird that wings its flight in the air, every fish that swims beneath the crystal waters, nay, even the despised worm that crawls beneath our feet, has a history; and no doubt in many cases a history full of interest and instruction to man. But of all histo- ries that comes within the ken of human knowledge, none are fraught with more mighty results, none involving more vital questions to man- kind, and none more profoundly the object of man's thoughts and inves- tigations than the rise, progress, and decline of civic communities. Its political and social relations are generally so intricate and yet so vital that they at once command the study, and at the same time diversify the opin- ions of the whole human race. But next in importance to the history of a state must be ranked the history of cities and towns. To tell the appa- rently trifling circumstances that sometimes lead to the location of a town or city, or tell some little incident that influenced the originator of the city to change its place of location; to narrate the various struggles it had to go through in its incipiency ; or to record the mighty impetus it has received from unforeseen cause; and in general to relate the vicissitudes of fortune that have tossed it from shore to shore in the great ocean of time, are * events that are read with profound interest by all who are connected with its history. Many of the great cities of Europe owe their origin to mere chance; and could we penetrate the darkness of pre-historic times with the light of modern times, the cities of Asia in their early growth would present us a history so full of richness and beauty that the oriental splen- dor of her more modern life would be eclipsed. But in the progress of the human race, as the star of empire wends its way westward we come to the history of another class of cities.

The growth of our western cities has been so rapid and so marvelous in many respects that little in the history of the cities of any other country can be found to surpass it. Wild uncultivated prairies have been con- verted into beautiful cities within the space of a single decade. And in the growth of this grand old state that rears her head aloft with pride, and bids fair in a few years to be the rival of any state in the union, the county of Johnson and the people of the city of Holden need never be ashamed of the part they have taken to make this state what it is destined to become, but, on the other hand, they must always be animated with feelings of personal pride, and be ever ready to recount to their children and their children's children, the arduous toils and the severe trials which they underwent when building up and developing the resources of this favored spot. All who enjoy the civil and social advantages, and the many other blessings of an enlightened and refined community, should ever cherish the most profound and sincere gratitude toward those noble

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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.

pioneers who bore all the toil and braved all the danger that others might reap the fruits. Holden may congratulate herself upon securing such a thrifty and enterprising class of citizens as she has had to contribute to her rapid growth and development. At the close of the war and the disband- ing of the armies a very large class of men found themselves out of em- ployment and many of them without homes. It was then the great immi- gration to the west began. The class that first ventured out from the ties of home and the association of friends, were those that were the most ambitious to succeed in the world, make for themselves and families homes, and be honored men and women in the community in which they lived. Holden at this period had just thrown open her gates and an invi- tation was extended to all who intended to add to her material wealth. While the early settlers of this place have never been wanting in their efforts to build up the town and make it a city that would be an ornament to the county and to the state, it is a compliment to their judgment and their foresight, to choose this spot, so especially formed by nature, for their future homes. In the midst of such a vast extent of fertile lands whose resources were just begining to be developed, and whose promises and prospects have seldom been surpassed by other tracts of land of equal extent. Holden was peculiarly favored in being central in its loca- tion, and elevated in its position. The iron horse, the great civilizer of modern times, has just been introduced, bringing with him communica- tion and means of transportation with all the east.

Yet within the space of fifteen years what bard of eastern inspiration what poet of Shakespeare's genius could have foretold or described the marvelous and unparalleled changes which have taken place ? Holden is a city, if not in name yet in all the attributes of its business relations and facilities, and still more in promise. The massive churches that lift up their heads in one perpetual prayer to God, tell in an unspeakable language. of the present dignity and importance of the "city of Holden," and at the same time give divine premonition of her future greatness.

The frequent whistle of the locomotive as it rushes into the city from different points of the compass at almost every hour of the day is an unmistakable sign of the growing importance of the city. The neat and commodious dwellings, and the large and elegant mansions with yards and barns ornamented with exquisite taste, all bespeak for the youthful city a prosperity for the present seldom surpassed, and promise for the future rarely rivaled.

The continued streams of wagons loaded with the various products of the farm that pour into this place during the business season of the year, are visible proofs of the richness of the surrounding land, of the thrift of the farmers, and of the trade that is annually conducted at this point.

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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.

These advantages are not transient or uncertain, but are fixed features in the characteristics of a people ,and unchangeable elements in the constitu- tion of the soil.

In the summer of 1857 the present site of Holden was a wild, unculti- vated waste of rolling prairie belonging to the government. This land was sold by the government for 122 cents an acre, and in the fall of 1857 a tract of about 160 acres was bought from the original patentee by Isaac Jacobs. At this time the Pacific railroad was built as far as Jefferson City and a bill had been passed through the legislature, laying out the road through this section of land. And hence it was with a view of locating a town at this place that Isaac Jacobs bought this tract of land. This was a very favorable site for a town for many reasons. It was a very promi- nent point on the open prairie, commanding a very wide view of the sur- rounding country, including some of the most beautiful scenery to be seen in this portion of the world. It was the most southern point on the pro- posed railroad, and hence would command all the trade in the southwest- ern part of the state, while the Missouri river in those days commanded the trade from the counties bordering upon it. And again, this was a very favorable place for building a city, because it was at considerable distance from any large town. Some time after the purchase of this tract of land, Mr. Jacobs associated with him Sanford Cummings, and hence the town of Holden was said to have been laid off by Jacobs and Cummings. Major W. B. Holden being a prominent citizen at this time, and having been largely instrumental in bring the railroad through this county, since he was a member of the legislature at the time, obtained the honor of having the new town named for him, and soon after became identified with her interest and rapid growth. The town was laid off into lots 72 by 144 feet and sold for $50 apiece. A plat of the town was made and recorded in the recorder's office, April 27, 1858, by Isaac Jacobs. This gentleman seemed to be very enterprising and did every thing in his power to add to the growth of the new town. August 12, 1858, he had a sale of lots, and in order to show the enterprising spirit which animated him, as well as some other interesting particulars connected with the sale of lots, we give below in full an article contributed to the Western Missourian and pub- lished in Warrensburg, and bearing date of July 31, 1858:

A few days since I attended a sale of lots in this newly laid-out town, and ią may not be uninteresting to some of your readers, if I give a brief description of it, and the surrounding country. It is generally admitted, I believe, that John- son county is one of the best agricultural counties in the state. The rapidity with which it is being settled and improved is evidence of this. The town of Holden is located in one of the very best parts of the county; the fertility of the soil cannot be excelled. It is directly upon the line of the Pacific railroad, and arrangements have already been made with the directors of that road by which a depot is to be established at the town. Without intending to disparage any

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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.

of the other towns in our county, I must say, that no place could have been selected better suited for the building up of a flourishing town than this. It is situated in the very center of as good a farming country as can be found in the world, at a distance of some 15 or 20 miles from any other town of any size. With these advantages it must become, in a very short time, a prominent busi- ness place. In the way of fuel and water, it is peculiarly favored; good water can be had by digging about 25 feet, while excellent springs are abundant, and excellent coal is obtained within one mile of the place.

The enterprising and public spirited proprietor, Mr. Isaac Jacobs, has adopted a plan, which cannot fail of bringing to the town, a sober, industrious, and intel- ligent class of citizens. In each deed a condition is incorporated, that no spirituous liquor shall be made or sold upon the premises, except for medical purposes, on violation of which, the lot is to be forfeited to the trustees of the town, by them sold, and the proceeds applied to the support of schools. To some this condition may be an objection, but one thing is certain, it will secure a sober, temperate and orderly community, and afford full protection against the evils resulting from liquor establishments. Mr. Jacobs has also agreed to expend in the building up and improvement of the town, all the proceeds arising from the sale of the lots. This will be an additional inducement for persons to settle in Holden. On the day I was present, some thirty of the lots were sold, at prices ranging from $25 up to $80, and I understand that most of the purchasers intend improving at once. A post-office has already been established there, and coaches running from Jefferson City to Independence pass through daily. Men of every trade have strong inducements held out to them to settle in Holden. Work at good prices can readily be obtained and persons who wish to settle can purchase lots at private sale, on good terms. Success to the new town, and to its enterprising proprietor.

No name is signed to this contribution, but it serves to give the reader an idea of the estimation in which the people of Johnson county, at that early day, held their county, and, at the same time, how zealous they were to build it up, and develop its resources, This effort, on the part of Mr. Jacobs, as we shall now see, did not fail to bring about the desired results. In the latter part of the year 1858 Jacobs & Cummings erected a small box house, on the corner of Second and Olive streets, and in this building started a store containing all kinds of articles needed by farmers. Next, John Spiess, the first carpenter in the new town, built a small frame house, similar to the first, on the corner of Lexington and Market streets. About this time Dr. C. F. Carter bought two lots, on Second and Olive, and erected the first frame building used as a residence in Holden. In the winter of the same year a frame hotel was erected by Joseph T. Mason & Son, where the hardware store of H. C. Betts & Louis now stands. This hotel was consumed by fire during the late war. In the same year Horatio Cox built a blacksmith shop. Dr. C. L. Carter was the first prac- ticing physician in town, and had the first doctor's office erected. In the spring of 1859 the first school-house was built, on First and Livingston streets, E. N. Cooter being the first teacher. This school-house, for a number of years, was also used as a church, in which William Roup, of the Protestant Methodist denomination, preached a large part of his time,

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though preachers of other denominations preached in the same building. In the summer of 1859 M. W. & H. H. Mize built a house for general merchandise, and began business soon after. This store had a Masonic hall above it. Among the first carpenters, besides John Spiess, already mentioned, were Perry Harris and M. W. Marquess. W. C. Painter had the second blacksmith shop, and Dr. Bolton built the second doctor's office, in 1860. A one-story brick was built by James Bradley, in the year 1860, and burned down just at the commencement of the war.

This brief sketch contains the outlines of the progress made by Holden before the war. The town had a population of about one hundred, mak- ing in all sixteen families.

During the war Holden had to undergo a very severe shock, and, for some time, it seemed that she would go back to the starting point, but she finally struggled through, having lost, in the war, several of her largest and best buildings by fire. Soon after the close of the war, in 1866, Holden began to get on her feet again. Hubbard & Coventry com- menced an extensive dry goods business, and about the same time H. C. Bettes began his hardware store. In a short time W. J. Lee started another dry goods store, as did also Jas. S. Peel & W. B. Nichols. I. Starkey and William Christian commenced in the lumber business in the same year. By this time Holden was thoroughly under way, and since then has made such progress as has been seldom equalled by the grow- ing towns and cities of the state. Men from the east, many of them with wealth, began to flock to this and other states of the west in pursuit of homes, and many found Holden the most attractive town in the west in which to cast their fortune.

In 1868 the town organation was perfected with the following officers: J. M. Hubbard, mayor; George L. Wells, J. O. Parish, Abe Metzler, and J. C. Richards, councilmen; Ed. Stearns, marshal; D. Nation, attor- ney; and J. W. Mack, clerk. By the year 1873, the town had grown so much that the charter had to be amended, but this matter will be more particularly mentioned in the article devoted to the incorporation of the town. The town had been first incorporated in 1861. In 1876, the popu- lation of Holden had swelled from one hundred in 1861, to 1,800, and at present 1881, it has a population of nearly 3,000, and during the present year over a hundred new residences have been erected besides many busi- ness houses, including a new hotel, a large grain elevator, a woolen mill, a new bank building and a college structure.

Until the year 1867, the plat of Holden as it was originally laid out, remained unchanged. This plat embraced all that tract of land included between the railroad and Sixth street on the north and south, and between Gay and Lexington on the east and west. August 6, M. W. Mizes' addi-

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tion was made to the town. This addition was south of the original plat, and consisted of a narrow strip of land included between Sixth and Tenth streets. North Holden was added to the town on the 21st of October 1867. This portion of the town is just north of the depot. In November, W. M. Coventry made his first addition. This was next to Mizes' addi- tion on the east, and embraced likewise, between Sixth and Tenth streets. Cooke's addition was made, April 14, 1868. This is south of Mizes' addi- tion, and extends beyond Thirteenth street.

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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 52

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

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