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 77
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souri, in the fall of 1839. His education was meager, but by application he has acquired some knowledge of the English tongue.
Mr. Duncan states that in 1850 he joined the gold hunters and went to California; he returned on an English sail vessel not much wealthier but a great deal wiser. He was commissioned by the county court as justice of the peace for Kingsville township, where he resided till July 20, 1874. In 1875 he was selected to solicit aid for the grasshopper sufferers. He was commissioned by Gov. C. H. Hardin as notary public in the county for a period of six years, from February 16, 1876. He is now a poor man but full of common sense, and has spent considerable of last years in preaching the gospel for which the Lord will bless him as he deserves. He now resides in Warrensburg township.
The public roads are well kept, but not so well as under the township system.
A few Indian graves are supposed to exist in some parts of the town- ship.
In a few adjacent settlements the Mormons would hold meetings and get a few converts. It is said that they would woo a wife in one settle- ment and then go to another for the same purpose, and in this way got a great number of recruits to the army of Latter Day Saints.
For a long time Columbus was the county seat. The courts would meet at the residence of the late Nicholas Houx or under a shade tree near by. The county seat was first located three miles east of the present site of Columbus on the farm of Mrs. Fanny Cockrell, but the selection met with much opposition from other parts of the county. The commis- pioneers reconsidered their decision and selected the present location.
The first election held here was in 1832, and forty-four votes were cast, forty democrats and four whigs. The democrats became indignant at the whigs and insisted that they should be ducked in the creek, but through the influence of the more thoughtful the project was abandoned. In 1834 the democrats cast 100 votes and the whigs 44. PLEASANT RICE, the clear headed old pioneer, was appointed by the court and ordered both of these elections. Since then the whig element has died away and by the changes wrought by internecine war, other parties have sprung up, yet the democratic spirit still burns in the hearts of the descendants of the fathers who stood by Jefferson and Jackson, the founders of the party.
The first store was erected in 1836 by Wm. Beaty. Nicholas Houx kept a tannery here, and P. L. Hudgins kept a whisky'shop. The latter soon left with his "fire water" and started the town of Blackwater.
At that time, under the law of the state, the church could not own property, so the eighty acres of land on which Columbus was built was entered by Samuel Ramsey, Dr. R. Rankin and Rev. Robt. D. Morrow, for the church, in their names. The town was laid out by Mr. J. Epper
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in 1836. The same year (1836) the village of Blackwater was started and laid out by P. L. Hudgins in March, 1836, on the N. E. qr., S.E., sec. 28,T.47, R. 27. The man Hudgens was afterwards converted to the Christian faith, abandoned the whisky shop, and commenced preaching the gospel. He was a man of, some talent.
The town of Columbus was one of the first trading places in the county. At present G. C. Wolf is selling groceries and dry goods here. The place has a blacksmith shop also. The postoffice since the war has had the following postmasters: Newton Stogden, Geo. Stepper, L. Y. Hyatt, G. W. Houx, W. H. Violett, L. T. Hyatt and E. Cobb. Columbus mills are one mile west of town. At present the old village of Columbus is nothing more than a country store, postoffice, and a few shops. Its glory faded long ago. The churches are the chief attractions of the village, and their members are noted for piety. The postoffice was established here in 1832. The postmasters were Wm. Kincaid, Josiah Beaty, Jerry Washam and Chas. D. Cobb. At one time the office was kept at Black- water. The first postmaster, Wm. Kincaid, was postmaster for consid- erable time.
Columbus and several farm houses were burned on the 7th and 8th of January, 1862, by the " Kansas Redlegs." For these particulars we are indebted to Mr. J. E. Rankin. The following is a partial list of those who were burnt out of homes: R. Dalton, W. Violett, J. Stogden, Col. R. Cockrell, Mrs. Davenport, and several others. At one place two little children were set out in the snow while the house was wrapped in flames. Slaves were taken from their masters by these robbers.
This place may be said to be the birthplace of religion in Johnson county. It was in these groves that the first campmeetings were held. Almost cotemporary with the first settlement Rev. J. B. Morrow began to preach the gospel to these pure minded pioneers. The Christian heart of Robert D. Morrow constantly beat for the salvation of his fellows. He asked no money, but God blessed him with prosperity. For a while there was preaching at the residence of Nicholas Houx, and for about one year only three families attended. Regular monthly meeting commenced in 1829. Soon after this a log church building was erected, and the first campmeeting was held in 1831 in a beautiful grove. Revs. Finis Ewing and Samuel King, founders of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, were present; also, Revs. Rob't King and J. B. and R. D. Morrow. Here the church began the great work that is seen everywhere over the county, of planting and sustaining organizations. Here was the first Sunday school, in 1834. James Harris and James Morrow should long be remembered as among the first Sunday school workers. A preachers' institute was organized here and taught by Rev. J. B. Morrow. The young students
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boarded where they could work Saturdays and evenings to pay their tui tion and board. This school continued from 1834 to 1836.
The Cumberland Presbyterian Church was organized in 1830 by Rev. R. D. Morrow, and in 1837 the people built a log house. In 1847 a brick house was built at a cost of $800. The house is one story, 40x32. The following pastors have served: Revs. Rob't D. Morrow, Jas. H. Houx, John A. Prathor, S. Finis King, A. Vanausdol and A. A. Moore. The names of the original members are Nicholas Houx, Rachel Houx, James B. Harris, A. Harris and Isabelle Foster. The first records are lost. The present membership is 102. The average number attending Sunday school is forty, and Wm. Woods is superintendent.
The first church house was made of large, hewn logs, and built by the people of the vicinity. The second house, a brick, was built by subscrip- tion, Cornelius Gaut, Wm. Davis and Charles D. Cobb leading in the enterprise. James Brown did the brick work and T. P. Taylor and R. M. Davis did the carpentry. The present large frame house was built in 1870 by subscription. When the church was organized in 1830, James B. Harris and Nicholas Houx were ordained elders, and after the reorganiza- tion by Rev. R. D. Morrow, Wm. Davis and Wm. Whitsett were made elders. The first pastor, Rev. R. D. Morrow, was the first missionary sent out by the church, in 1818. The present pastor, Rev. S. F. King, is a grandson of Rev. Samuel King, one of the founders of the church.
The Church of Christ was organized by Elder D. Young, with con- siderable opposition at an early day in the history of Columbus. In July, 1865, the church was reorganized. The frame church building was erected in 1868, at a cost of $2,000. The following is a partial list of the pastors: Hiram Bledsoe, C. A. Hedrick, G. W. Longan, D. M. Grand- field and E. M. Monser. The original members were: E. A. Cheatham, Samuel B. Starks, James Myers, W. E. Frakes, Ralph Greenwell. Geo. F. Hedges is clerk. The present membership is 100. The average attendance of the Sunday school is 50. The superintendent is Nick Houx. Much of the history is lost. The early members have preserved no record of their meetings, and for the want of these we cannot do this denomination justice.
The M. E. Church, South .- The following is a list of the original members as far as could be ascertained: P. S. Baker, Willis Violett and wife, Wm. Wilcoxen, W. L. Long and wife, Chas. Cobb, Delia Rice and Virgil Rice. Columbus does not appear in the records of the Methodists till 1843, at which time we suppose the society was organized. The follow- ing ministers were on this circuit: Revs. Thomas T. Ashley, 1843; Dan'l S. Capell, 1844-5; E. E. Degge, 1846; Silas Williams, 1847; D. A. Leeper, 1848-9; J. Chase and T. C. James, 1850; W. M. Pitts, 1851; James A. Cuming, 1852; R. A. Foster, 1853; W. M. Pitts, 1854-5; A.
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Williams, and W. M. Pitts, 1858-9. In 1866 Columbus circuit appears and the following ministers have filled the pulpit: H. W. Webster, 1866-7; M. Minshall, 1868-9; H. N. Watts, 1870-1; M. Duren, 1872-3; W. J. Brown, 1875; T. P. Cobb, 1876; J. C. Daily, 1877; E. W. Woodard, 1878; John D. Wood, 1879; and J. D. H. Woolridge, 1880-1. This church has no building, but worship in the C. P. church.
The civic societies were but few because the pioneers did not have much faith in them. Lodge No. 85, A. F. and A. M., existed here prior to the war. A lodge of I. O. G. T. was organized here since the war, and is the most faithful and prosperous lodge in the county. It has done much good in educating the youth to shun the intoxicating cup and to furnish better associations than in the saloon. The people of the vicinity have always looked well to the religious and moral influence thrown about them. From 1830 onward, these good hearted old settlers have denounced the whisky traffic as a curse upon the morals of the county.
The Cemeteries of the township are among the oldest of the county. The first one is Columbus cemetery. Here the beloved Nicholas Houx was the first to " lie down to peaceful slumbers." The two churches now have cemeteries; besides there are several scattered over the township.
The Schools of the township were not neglected. Most of the pioneers came from the F. F. V's, and believed in education. "Education," Burke says, " is the cheap defense of nations."
From the old log school houses of fifty years ago to the present neat frame school buildings, there has been a chain of progress, only inter- rupted by a few years of civil strife. The teachers too have kept pace with the wheel of progress.
The first school taught was in 1833, by Z. T. Davis, at the farm house of Robert Craig. Mr. Maum and his wife, Lewis McCoy, Joshua Rogers, James Francis, Rev. Ben. Love, and Ben. A. Bradley are among the old teachers. Rev. R. D. Morrow was a teacher of excellent merit. The teachers of this period are: W. C. De Witt, John Sarency, C. A. Potterf, Albert Potterf, and Miss Nannie Dalton.
The Waldon school, (No. 84,) was built in 1868, at a cost of $700. The first director was James Middleton. The following teachers have taught: S. M. Corman, four terms; Henry Harmon, Miss Mattie Gaskin, Miss Minnie Morrow, Miss Maggie Brown, Wm. Cook, Miss Nannie Dalton, D. W. DeWitt, G. B. Longan, W. C. Knaus, Miss Jennie C. Woolsey, three terms; Albert 'Dunbar, Chas. A. Potterf, S. P. Culley, Henry C. Potterf, Miss Eula Tracy, and A. J. Sparks. The directors are: Jno. M. Rice, J. P. Welsh, and Samuel W. Campbell.
A few incidents of interest may be appended to this township.
In 1862, Jan. 7 and 8, a skirmish took place at Columbus between two 43
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marauder gangs, Kansas redlegs and bushwhackers. Three of the red- legs were killed. These Kansas guerrillas set the village on fire, and then are said to have thrown their three dead comrades into the fire.
Concerning Cuss Jackson, the following anecdote is related by Mr. Russell: "It was supposed that Columbus township was a rendezvous of the confederates, being on the line between the southwest to the Miama crossing of the Missouri river. This was an old road. An old negro, Cato, played the drum. He had played in the battle of New Orleans with Jackson.' Old Cuss Jackson had a peculiar way of calling his hogs, and the same called the confederates from the bushes. The federals went there in hot pursuit of supposed concealed confederates, and the old man met them at the gate with the old fife, with which he played at the battle of New Orleans, in 1814. He played for them and said, 'I am so glad to see you; this is the same fife and tune that I played at the battle of New Orleans. '"
This is the same Jackson we spoke of elsewhere, of having the first mill in the county.
The following is a story of a heroic girl as given by her brother: "On the night of January 8, 1865, two men knocked at the door of an old gen- tleman's house by the name of Bedichek, living near Columbus, in this county, asking admittance to warm. The daughter, a girl nineteen years of age, on going to the window, saw that the men were armed with double-barrel shot-guns. She told them one might come in if he would lay down his gun. He did so, saying, "If that's all, I can do that.' Walking in, he refused to be seated, and went to the beds and examined them, inquiring if the old man and his daughter were the only inmates of the house. On being told that they were, he drew a revolver and pre- senting it to the old man's breast, said, "Old man, I came to kill you.' No sooner said than the old genleman seized the pistol with one hand and threw the other around the ruffian, and being very strong for his age, the old man succeeded in preventing him from shooting. By this time the daughter had concealed by her side a very heavy corn-knife, and when the would-be-murderer wrenched the pistol from her father's hand, she struck him on the head with the knife. Her fiery indignation arose, and with valor she went to work with her corn-knife. The first stroke cut off one ear and disabled the hand that held the dealy weapon. Then she com- menced her work on his head. In the meantime the old man had disen- gaged himself and walked back and procured a sword which he fortu- nately possessed, and pricked the miscreant through three times about the stomach. By this time he was shouting, 'Murder! murder! please , let me alone. I'll trouble you no more.' His comrade outside, hearing this, broke open the north door. The brave girl immediately rushed there and struck him a severe blow with the corn-knife, backing him out
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of the house and bolting the door. She then put up a window shade that had fallen down. He then went around the house and fired two shots into the window and one in the door. The window being high from the ground carried the ball into the joist above. He then succeeded in break- ing open the outside door, and took his wounded comrade out. Next morning his hat was found by the hen-coop, hacked to pieces. Here it is supposed he died, and the corpse was taken off on horseback. The val- orous girl did her work well, and deserves a name in the constellation of those who defend their homes. With her it was not only self-preserva- tion, the first law of nature, but the saving of the life of a dear father. This noble act fully comprehends the fifth commandment of the deca- logue.
Warrensburg was the nearest military post, and word of the tragedy had reached the station. Capt. Box, accompanied by a scout of thirty militia came out to see what was done. The father and daughter on see- ing the scout approach, not aware whether friend or foe, decided to remain in the house and fight if necessary. The soldiers came in peace- fully, and the young lady took her large knife from its scabbard, which had concealed in her dress, and placed it on the mantel shelf. The cap- tain taking notice, remarked, ' What a brave lady!' She had been whet- ting her knife to fight all thirty of us.' Col. Crittenden was then in com- mand of the post, and on hearing of the lady's bravery, made her a pres- ent of a good Colt's revolver, something better than a corn-knife with which to defend her home. Several ladies of Warrensburg made her nice presents, and she won the universal praise and best wishes of all good citizens."
This noble hearted lady, Miss Mary M. Bedichek, married S. W. Campbell, in the fall of 1867, and is living near the spot of the tradegy of 1865. She is a lady of high moral culture, and a consistent, devoted, faithful member of the church of Christ. She is the same extraordinary lady, that the papers said so much about, who fasted forty-one days in the winter of 1879. She is now enjoying good health and a sound mind. Her father, F. A. Bedichek, is of French blood, and was born in Switzerland, came to the United States in 1836, and settled in this county in 1857. He can speak the French language fluently. His wife, nee Miss Mahulda Jib- erton, was of good Virginia stock and well educated.
The agricultural interests of this township are excellent. Corn and wheat have long been the staple products. For upwards of twenty years after the old settlers opened their "patches," hemp culture was largely engaged in and brought considerable wealth to the farmers.
The horticulturist could not find a more favored spot in the county to become wealthy. The soil everywhere is well adapted to fruit growing. Every variety of apples, grown in this climate, do well here. Several
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farmers have for many years past added considerable to their wealth by raising and feeding stock.
CHAPTER XIV .- JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
Introduction-Name-Location-Physical Features-Statistics-Early Settlers-Squire John Winfrey-Hon. R. B. Fulkerson-Jonathan Fine-Pittsville-Postoffices- Churches-Cemeteries-Civic Societies-Schools-Early Teachers-Agricultural Interests-Incidents.
In this brief sketch which we shall present of this township, we will hardly be able to detail every incident that the old settlers remember, but suffice it to say we shall present facts, such as we have been able to gather from every available and reliable source.
The statistical reports are sufficient to lead the reader to a proper idea of what the results have been in the development of this corner of the county. In regard to the value and demand for land in this section we believe that at present no other part of the county is more desirable for fruit growing and horticultural interests in general. An industrious New Englander might here realize ten dollars for his asiduity in farming and gardening where he gets one dollar in his own almost sterile home. Here land ranges all the way from twelve to forty dollars per acre, but the aver- age price is about fifteen dollars per acre. The old settlers, of whom we shall speak, have a distinction which we shall take pleasure in recording in the pages of history for their brave endurance of hardships, and long and tried hospitality. Their charitable deeds will never be forgotten.
The village of Pittsville, which was laid out about 1857-8, although not on record at the county seat, has but little history aside from the rich farming country surrounding it. For lack of material from some of the old settlers who have moved away, we are compelled to leave untouched many interesting facts. The agricultural interests of this township demand the attention of every farmer who delights in agronomy. The cheapness of these rich lands, and the kind, intelligent citizens, will, no doubt, in the near future, draw men of energy and wealth sufficient to develop the soil.
Name .- The wonderful notoriety that a name may take in the course of half a century is beyond imagination. Some names sweep both land and sea in their scope of influence. Sometimes one deed of noble daring endears the name in the affections of the people. It is said that the early settlers regarded Andrew Jackson, who was at that time in the zenith of his glory, one of the purest and most daring men of any age. His strong will force, co-ordinate with theirs, impressed them that no other man was so suitable for the high position as chief executive of the nation. This is
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one of the first townships named, receiving the appropriate appellation that it now bears, May 4, 1835, and included at that time about one fourth of the territory of the county.
Originally, this was the first township organized in Johnson county. It then embraced, as we have already stated, about one fourth of the county, but now embraces only eighty-one square miles in the extreme north-western corner of the county. It is bounded on the north by Lafayette county, on the east by Columbus township, on the south by Madison and Kingsville townships, on the west by Cass and Jackson counties. One whole congressional township borders on Jackson county.
Physical Features .- The north-west part is rough, rugged and very rolling. The soil is light and the rocks are near the surface. About one hundred yards from the county line in Lafayette county, is the old village of Chapel Hill, standing out on a rocky point looking eastward, in an almost abandoned state. Below, and around these highlands the land is rich and fertile. The central portion of the township is very rich and fer- tile. The soil is black limestone loam. In the south-eastern part the numerous little streams forming the head waters of Blackwater supply plenty of stock water, and are skirted with some good timber. The southern and western portions of the township are quite hilly, containing several kolls. The many little dales are very rich, and produce excellent corn and wheat crops. In the western part of the township is an emmi- nence called Devil's Ridge, so named during the late civil war. This ridge runs north and south through the entire length of the township, and divides the waters of the Missouri from those of the Osage. There are some good residences on this ridge. In many places the ridge is ruffled with coral formation and limestone rocks. On many parts of this ridge beautiful timber and wild shrubbery covers the surface. Black walnut, oak, hickory, persimmon and other forest trees are abundant.
Basin Knob is a beautiful eminence in the center of a rich fertile valley. This Knob is somewhat in the shape of a basin, but as the old hunters and Indians said, " not good to catch honey, bottom upward." It appears to have been principally formed of coral and carbonaceous stones. The soil around it produces well. Near the base on the south side is the resi- dence of Mrs. Lydia A. Lundy. The mound contains about one acre on the flat top. The height is upwards of fifty feet. Luxuriant wild grasses grow on the sides and present a very picturesque appearance from the surrounding hills.
Northwest of this knoll is the beautiful eminence on which resides Judge John Winfrey, who once served as county judge, frequently called 'squire, from the fact of his serving twenty-one years as justice of the peace. It is stated that Capt. Park, a Kaw chief, visited this spot in 1853 after an absence from his old hunting ground of twenty-five years, and shared the
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hospitality of 'Squire Winfrey. Although he had been absent a long time he could point out to the 'squire every place where the deer or buffalo ran, and the stands the hunters took and the trails of his game. He could describe every creek and branch of the country. The 'squire states that he enjoyed a very pleasant time with the chief of the Kaws. His conver- ยท sation showed that his mind was burdened with the sweet and endearing memories of the past. The chief's last pensive sigh for the land of his pride was thus reluctantly expressed in his broken English: "Look; look; see changes, new people, deer gone, my last look." Here he stood motionless and cast his savage eye over the land of his youth, while per- haps a thousand scenes passed through his mind, and then, he turned his feet westward, after giving Judge Winfrey an affectionate adieu, to join his dusky brethren in the free and wild west.
This township is naturally well drained. No stagnant pools or marshy land is found in the township. The soil is quite fertile and will favorably compare with the fine soil of other States.
Jackson and Washington are the two largest townships in the county. The following we clip from the fournal-Democrat, written by "Cicerone," a correspondent of that paper, under date of May 21, 1881:
"Jackson township is the oldest township in the county. This is one of the largest agricultural districts in the county, and, although it is somewhat divers- ified by 'Devil's Ridge,' ' Basin Knob,' ' Offuit Knob,' and other eminences of less note, the soil from the summit to the base of the hills, and all over the roll- ing valleys is as rich as the alluvial deposits found in the river bottoms of other States. It is true that now and then there are some limestones jutting out of the roughest hills. The timber is plentiful and good, and a large number of fine walnut logs which grew here, have been shipped this winter (1880). Water is found here in springs and good wells in abundance. The springs in this town- ship form the headwaters of Blackwater.
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