USA > Missouri > Linn County > The history of Linn county, Missouri. An encyclopedia of useful information > Part 18
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91
Watson, Jr., Thomas.
Stanley, Thomas.
Watson, Robert Y.
Smith, William.
Ware, William.
Scales, Charles P.
Ware, M. E.
Scales, Henry.
White, Alex.
Sights, Robert.
Wilhoit, Reuben.
Sights, Isaac.
Wilhoit, Daniel.
Stewart, Lucien E.
Watson, William M.
Sevier, William.
Watson, Lysander C.
Skelton, Willis.
Williams, Milton H.
Shipley, James.
Webber, Timothy.
Smith, Absalom.
Wheeler, R. J.
Sutton, Hezekiah E.
Wilson, J. N.
Taylor, William.
Wright, Lewis.
Tyer, William.
Woodruff, T. T.
Taylor, George.
Winkle, Isaac.
Taylor, Isaac.
Williams, Howard.
Tyer, Lewis.
Williamson, John.
Tolston, Benjamin.
Wilson, Wiley.
Thompson, William B.
Yount, John.
1840 TO 1850.
The decade betweeen the above dates was one of advance all over the country, and Missouri had her share of the general prosperity. After the exciting election of 1840, the country quieted down and the people turned their attention to the importance of building up their homes and individual fortunes. This continued until the spirit of the people was aroused by the declaration of war by Mexico.
169
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
SCHOOLS.
The number of inhabitants rapidly increasing suggested an improved system of schools. Up to this time, 1840, the schools of the county were kept only where the settlers were near enough together to afford to engage a teacher for about three months in the year. An old log cabin was gener- ally secured, or one put up by the neighbors, and all schools were subscrip- tion schools; that is, the neighbors would agree to send so many scholars, and pay from $1.50 to $2.50 per month per scholar. In another place will be found the school history of the county, and we will only state here that in the year above mentioned, the citizens of congressional townships 58-18 and 58-20 concluded to ask for the sale of the sixteenth or school section of land in their townships, and organize for school purposes. Congres- sional township 58-20 was the pioneer township thus organized, which was done February 22, 1840, and the entire sixteenth section was sold, re- alizing $2,269.40.
In 1843 the Hon. Lewis F. Linn, United States Senator from Missouri from 1833 to 1843, and in whose honor Linn county and the county seat was named, died at his residence at Ste. Genevieve. He was an able man, of broad views, a mind of the progressive order, and he filled worthily the trust reposed in him as United States Senator, the associate and the peer of Benton. The General Assembly appropriated nine hundred dollars for a monument over his remains at Ste. Genevieve, which is enclosed with a hand- some iron railing. Few nobler men have ever graced the Senate Chamber than Lewis F. Linn. The presidential election of 1844 again precipitated the country into a period of excitement no less great than that of 1840, but upon entirely different grounds. Texas, the " Lone Star " State, has asked to be admitted into the union of confederate States, which lay upon her northern border, with the understanding that annexation would be followed by admittance as a State, and an act was passed March 1, 1845, admit- ting her into the Union, to take effect December 29, 1845. This caused the war with Mexico, which shed such luster upon American arms and ad- ded unbounded mineral wealth to the country.
MEXICAN WAR.
The annexation of Texas, followed by its admittance into the Union as a State, and the occupation of the border on the Rio Grande, aroused Santa Anna and the Mexican people to a spirit of frenzy, and the Mexican govern- ment promptly declared war against the United States. The flower of her army, under Generals Ampudia and Anista, two of her most noted cap- tains, were placed to intercept the march of the American troops for the declaration of war on the part of Mexico was promptly met by Congress with the counter-declaration "that war existed between Mexico and the United
170
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
States," and General Taylor, who was in command on the Rio Grande, was ordered to march at once into the enemy's country. War had been de- clared by Mexico, in April, 1846, and in May, on the 8th and 9th, the cele- brated battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma had been fought and won, and the Mexican army had been defeated with great slaughter, and were in full retreat for Monterey. It was at the first of these battles that the brave Ringgold fell, and in them many of the rank and file gave their lives to their country's defense and glory.
It is not necessary to go into all the history of this war. The achieve- ments of the American arms added luster to the American name, and the armies of Taylor and Scott, and the splendid exploits of Doniphan, have left an undying record upon the footprints of time. They and other comrades in arms
" Belong to the few immortal names, That were not born to die."
In May, 1846, Governor Edwards called for volunteers to join the Army of the West, and in June, the Hon. Sterling Price resigned his seat in Con- gress and was given a colonel's commission by President Polk, with author- ity to raise a regiment to reinforce the "Army of the West." Colonel Price raised a full regiment from the district which he represented, and where he was well known. These volunteers came principally from Boone, Chariton, Carroll, Livingston, Linn, Randolph, and Monroe counties. They rendez- voused at Fort Leavenworth, in August, where Colonel Price was elected col- onel, and D. D. Mitchell lieutenant-colonel. The troops claimed their right to elect their own colonel, notwithstanding the appointment by the President. Soon after, Colonel Price took up his line of march for Mexico, and arrived at Sante Fe, September 28, 1846. Generals Kearney and Doniphan had preceded him, and taken possession of New Mexico, and formally declared it a part of the United States territory, leaving a small garrison in com- mand. When General Kearney captured New Mexico, by the surrender of its capital, Sante Fe, which was previous to Colonel Price's arrival, he raised the American flag, and asserted the supremacy of the United States over all its territory, and appointd Silas Burt its provisional governor. The leading Mexicans, backed by the Catholic priests, who feared for the power of their church under American rule, undertook to raise a revolt and drive out the forces of the United States. The situation of Colonel Price and his men was critical. Of those in command of the post was the Linn County Volunteers, under the command of Captain Colonel Price was, however, equal to the demands of the occasion. The revolt was led by General Tofaya, and the first outbreak occurred at Bent's Mills, near Taos. A few persons were killed, and Tofaya, with a strong force, threat- ened Sante Fe. Colonel Price gathered his forces, and determined to meet
171
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
the advancing Mexicans and decide the contest. The opposing forces met at a place called Canada, and the Mexicans met with a decided defeat. Col- onel Price pursued the retreating forces to their stronghold, Taos, capturing that place and capturing General Tofaya, and several other leaders of the insurrection. They had taken the oath of allegiance, and their revolt was treason. Tofaya and the others were tried and hung, and this satisfied the Mexicans that the power of the United States was not to be trifled with, and that treason and treachery would be promptly and severely punished. This ended all opposition on the part of the native Mexicans, and the Cath- olic priests were quietly informed that any action on their part would re: sult in their punishment as severe as that meted out to the leaders of the revolts. The Linn county company remained at Santa Fe until they were ordered to return.
COMPANY N, SECOND REGIMENT-MOUNTED VOLUNTEERS.
With the command of Sterling Price was Captain Thomas Barber's com- pany from Linn county. This was known as company N, Second Regiment of Missouri Mounted Volunteers. The brave men who composed this gal- lant company are here given :
Captain Thomas Barber, d. Second Lieut. John G. Flournoy.
First Lieut. T. G. West, d. Third Lieut. M. H. Hamilton.
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
John N. Barr, d.
William Bowyer, d. John M. Neece, d. Thomas Monroe, d.
John M. Pratt.
William Barbee, d.
Robert Morrow, d.
Chapman Lightner.
PRIVATES.
John Walkup.
W. R. Monroe, d.
Daniel Monroe.
G. W. Neece.
Benjamin Ralson, d.
R. Sights, d.
J. H. Calaway.
M. Crossınan, d.
Green Calaway, d.
James Agle.
James M. Clarkson, d.
William Mays. M. H. Davis. Albert Nickison.
E. S. Moore, d. Robert McCollum.
Isaac McCollum.
Jesse Yocum, d.
Thomas B. Moore.
George W. Zinn, d.
James W. Talley, d.
T. L. Watson, d. H. D. Watson, d. Jesse Watson, d.
Henry S. Findley, d. Alexander Findley, d.
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
172 John Nagle, d.
John E. Porter. A. J. Wilson.
R. W. Foster, d.
David De Mastes.
James Heron.
H. S. (?) Bragg. B. T. Tolson.
James M. Hughes.
David H. Allen.
James Whorter.
M. M. Bryant. John Carson.
Charles Lemmont.
Johnston D. Camble.
Fred Maize.
Arnold Chance.
J. J. McCown.
Isaac D. Enfield.
Perry McCollum.
James Enfield.
Calvin Rose.
Andrew Estes.
J. M. Spriggs.
James A. Findley.
J. J. Sights.
Robert N. H. Gray.
Frederick Schweiss.
Robert Gray.
E. T. Taylor.
Harrison Hawkins.
W. T. Hancock.
W. B. Thompson. Calvin Vanbeber.
Those marked d are dead. Of this company but sixteen are now living. Much sickness was in Price's army and he was unable to commence active operations until near the close of the year when he left Santa Fe in search of the enemy. January 24, 1847, he met the enemy at Canada under the command of General Tofaya and defeated him, loss slight ou both sides. The enemy retreated to Taos, but before reaching there Colonel Price again' over- took them and this time caused a stampede or total rout. The battle was at El Embado, January 29. The Mexican losses in these battles were about 300 killed and many more wounded. Colonel Price lost fifteen killed and forty- seven wounded. Taos was captured and a portion of the command returned to Santa Fe. The Linn county troops remained at the latter place until they were ordered to return and then discharged. Some came home to die, others left their bones to rest 'neath the chaparrals of that southern clime, and others still live. They were received with open arms and a grand bar- becue given in their honor. They had done their duty like brave men, and their memory will ever be green in the hearts of the American people.
The brave deeds of the volunteers in the war with Mexico have been re- corded in song and story, and this has been done that posterity may remem- ber and revere those who gave their lives to their country's honor and glory, and it cannot and never can be forgotten, for
"In seeds of laurel in the earth, The bloom of your fame is blown; And somewhere, waiting for its birth The shaft is in the stone."
..
James M. Heron.
Jesse W. Lowe.
173
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
The war had closed, peace spread its mantle once more over the land and in the past two years destiny, as it was looked upon by many, had added much territory to the area of this country. What this territory was few knew. It might be a desert, or its soils might be fertile and its mountains of great value, but who knew?
THE GOLDEN LAND.
Hardly had the clash of arms ceased, and the sound of cannon might still be said to be reverbrating through the canons and chaparrals of Mex- ico, when the country was excited by astounding news which came in fitful gusts from the Pacific coast. The report was that gold had been found in that western land; that the waters of the Pacific actually washed a golden shore, and that among mountains and on the plains, on hill-top and in gulches, the golden ore was found. All this came to the ears of the people, and by- and-by, when corroborated, created the wildest excitement. Talk of frenzy, the madness of the hour, the surging of the wild sea waves when the storm- king lashes them to rage, listen to the clamor of contending hosts when the God of battles urges on the serried ranks to slaughter and to death! Think of all these combined in one terrible onset, and you can have only a faint conception of that mighty throng who truly proved the madness of the hour, and whose pathway became a charnel-house of sorrow and death, while the road became whitened with the bones of the victims who had failed to realize their dreams and never reached the golden shore. In that far distant land, where the white-capped waves kissed the pebbly beach on the Pacific's sun- lit coast, and sang the soft lullaby of a murmuring sea, or where the storm- king in his wrath ground the grand old ocean to fury, there gold, bright yellow gold had been found. The rush was as the charge of a mighty host. In wagons, on foot, on horseback, everywhere the tide set to the western border of our State, and there vast throngs "crossed the Rubicon," until the plains were whitened with their covered wagons and tents, and they entered the dark portals of an unknown beyond, some to pass the arid waste, others to leave their bones to mark the pathway of those who followed. It was many days, days of terrible suffering, before these prisoners of a trackless plain saw the light breaking and the golden land appear in view for which they had longed with yearning hearts, and looked for with eyes dimmed by expir- ing hope, but seen at last. Despair gave way to joy too great for utterance. The El Dorado had been reached; would their hopes be realized? The hegira has left terrible footprints upon the pages of time. History has re- corded in words of burning intensity the hardships and sufferings of the thousands who sought fame and fortune on the shore of the distant land. How many succeeded, or how many, after suffering and enduring all in the hope of a brighter day, failed, will never be recorded?
The stream of surging humanity kept on for years, for many had gained
174
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
a fortune, and California became to the poor man a veritable land of promise, but in reaching it many weary days and nights were passed, and many drop- ped by the wayside-crossing not the plains which bordered the land of their hope and desire, but over the " dark river," with their fate unknown, until Gabriel's trump shall sound.
EXCITEMENT IN LINN COUNTY.
The people of Linn county caught the contagion, and the gold fever raged . with violence. The voting population of the county did not probably ex- ceed one hundred and fifty votes, and full fifteen per cent of this left for the golden shore. The pioneers had been through privations and hardships to secure a home in the then wild West, and now, when wealth held out its allurements simply by enduring a few more months or years of what had already been their lot, were ready for the work. They had conquered the wilderness, had opened a pathway for civilization to tread, and what man had done man could do, and so while reports came thick and fast of the immense wealth of the far off El Dorado, they hastened their departure, putting down with the faith they had of their own powers, any report that told of the suf- fering and trials to be endured before reaching the elysium of their hope. Over one hundred and twenty of the bone and sinew of Linn county started for the land of the setting sun,-some to drop by the way, others to have years of alternate hope and despair, while yet others blest with a full fruition of their hopes, retured to tell of their success and the marvelous wonder of that far- off' land. When the cold facts of experience are brought forward as a test, and the expenses incurred in fitting out, it is scarcely probable that Linn county received in return the amount required to fit out those who left to seek their fortune on the Pacific coast. A few of her citizens remained to add to the population of the Golden State, and when the profit and loss is. footed up the figures show a preponderance on the wrong side of the ledger. Those who returned were ready and willing to let it be known they had secured a competency. So trade revived, and a new era of prosperity was opened to the county. No more stagnation, but new life to start the wheels of progress, and to inaugurate an era of prosperity which was to continue until in the wild fanatacism of the hour, our country became a charnel-house, and a fratricidal strife deluged our land with blood.
In 1856 a heavy rain-storm so suddenly raised the waters in the streams and branches that it is stated that every bridge in the county, but one, was swept away. They were not very valuable, but cheap wooden structures, ready to float off without any extraordinary effort. The bridge policy of Linn county up to 1870 seemed to have been of a penny wise and pound foolish character. Of course there were many streams to bridge, but it would seem to most people that one good bridge would cost less and be of more value that two poor ones. What the bridges of Linn county have cost the people will be found under the head of bridges in a separate chapter.
175
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
CHAPTER IV.
UPWARD AND ONWARD IN MATERIAL PROGRESS.
Rapid Progress-1840 to 1860 Compared-Increase of Property and the Increase of the Tax Levy-The Set-back by the Civil War-Shaking for a New Deal at the Close of the War-On the Up Grade-Repairing Broken Fortunes and Adding to New Ones-1865 to 1870-Organizing the Shattered Remains-A Tornado-A Matter of a Few Thousand Dollars on the Delinquent List -- New Road Law and How it Worked -- Linn County Fair- Its Constitution and List of Officers-Busted-Rodents and Bounty-Money for the Small Boy-Meteoric-Murder of Willie McKinley-Coroner's Verdict-Petition for Pardon- Governor Crittenden's Refusal-His Reasons in Full.
Linn county had progressed as rapidly as most counties in the State from 1840 to 1860, in fact there were but few counties in the State that exceeded her in the gain of population during the period mentioned, that gain being a trifle over four hundred per cent. The gain in material wealth kept pace with the population, for, while the tax levy of 1840 was but a trifle over $700, that of 1860 exceeded $9,000. This rapid progress received a check during the civil war, and Linn county, like all others, had to bear the trial brought ou by the unholy strife. What part Linn county took in that struggle, both upon the Federal and Confederate side, will be given in an- other chapter fully detailing the events of her local action, giving brave men their due, whether under the flag of the Blue or the Grey. Outside of war history there is little to be noted during those four years. There was no progress made either in population or wealth, and when peace once more blessed the land it found business blasted, society rent, and a general apathy seemed to have possession of the people. But it is not the nature of the American race to give way to despondency for any length of time, and it was not long ere hope began to nerve the heart, energetic action to take the place of indifference, while once more the wheels of progress be- gan to revolve and the cheering hum of industry was heard over the land. Linn county arose from her apathy, put on the armor of hope, and once more entered the race for material prosperity and enlightened progress. What she has accomplished can be seen in well-improved farms, happy homes, and a future full of promise.
In the year 1867 there was a discussion of a proposition to organize a new county, to be called Grant, and to be composed of portions of Linn, Macon, and Chariton counties. The scheme had many advocates, but failed, and never made sufficient headway to be of serious consequence. Bucklin was proposed for the county seat of "Grant county " should it ever be organized.
In the fall of the year prairie fires occurred in various parts of the county,
.
176
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
and were especially destructive around Brookfield. Several farmers lost hay, grain, fences, etc., and, in the vicinity of Bucklin, John Ryan lost his house, barn, and much other property, from a prairie fire. Along the rail- road many fires were thought to have been set out by sparks from passing locomotives, and some suits were brought against the company for damage done.
The county drifted on in peace and with no great effort to build up from outside parties. Immigrants were not numerous, and the decade between 1860 and 1870 was used to repair broken fortunes, put the lands in order, and prepare for a more promising future, sadly marred by the events of the past. . Still the county grew slowly, and by the year 1870 showed a com- mendable advance. From 1870, taking into consideration the towns, and Linn county has gained in exact ratio to the State. Brookfield, from a little town of 1,156 in 1868, has increased to 2,500 and become the commercial metropolis of the county. Several other towns have shown considerable advance in population and wealth, and Linneus is beginning to throw off her fear of losing the gem in the coronet of her existence, the county seat, and is taking an advance step. There has been no incident of note to change the monotony of the ordinary events of the day. The railroad fever broke out when the Chicago & Southwestern Road was first talked of, and it was at last secured. If there should be no other roads built in the county, Linn is yet able to meet the demands of her people in rapid and cheap transportation, giving her farmers the best markets for their surplus produce. Thus, with an abundance of cheap lands, rapid and cheap trans- portation, a rich soil and salubrious climate, why should not Linn county's place be in the front rank among her sister counties?
A TORNADO.
" What at first was called a ' gust,' the same Hath now a storm's, anon, a tempest's name."
Linn county was visited by a severe wind, rain and hail-storm on the night of June 18, 1875, and on the following day. It did the most damage in the vicinity of Laclede. The people were awakened by the vio- lence of the storm, and the shaking of their dwellings, and the noise of fall- ing trees, roofs, etc. For a full hour the citizens of the town were filled with terror, not daring hardly to move. Luckily the stormn spent its force without loss of life, though quite a number of persons had very narrow es- capes. The steam mill had its roof blown off, a Mr. Leggett's horse mill south of Laclede, was destroyed, and Mrs. L., who left her house in fright, came near losing her life in attempting to reach a neighbor. James Whit- ney's house, south of Laclede a short distance, was turned nearly around, while Dr. Polson's residence was lifted completely from its foundation.
177
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
Corn, wheat, tobacco, fruits, etc., received great damage from the hail-storm which followed, hail-stones being found as large as walnuts. Something like six thousand dollars was the loss in Laclede and surrounding country, to buildings, fences, trees, etc., but the damage to the crops was still greater, though not computed. There was slight damage reported from other sec- tions, where the storm had not marked its pathway, by trees torn up by their roots, fences blown down, and crops partially destroyed, but Laclede and vicinity seemed to have fared the worst. The citizens breathed freer when it had passed, and noting its power and fury, were thankful the dam- age was no greater, and more thankful that no lives were lost.
On January 1st, 1878, the back taxes which led back to and including those unpaid at the close of the war, amounted in Linn county to about $60,000. An effort was made to collect these taxes, or as much of them as was possible. Linn county was not alone. Livingston county was cred- ited with having $82,272 still unpaid; Lafayette county $171,000; St. Louis county $70,000. It was shown that there was an aggregate defalcation on the taxlists of the State, of an amount exceeding $5,000,000. A portion, of course, could not be collected, but the larger part of these back taxes ac- cumulated were due to the insufficiency of the collectors. Up to this date there is quite a sum yet due upon the delinquent lists, and of those back years very little will ever be secured. Taxes are now lighter, and it is the special duty of one man to look after it, and the result is better and much closer collections.
HOW IT WORKED.
The "New Railroad Law " was not found to work advantageously only in the matter of extra expense. Under the law, the County Court ap- pointed in May, 1877, no less than seventy-two road overseers, four to each congressional township in the county. When the annual report of the receipts and expenditures was made out at the end of the year, it was found that the expenditures had exceeded the receipts by $5,724.85. This was enough, and although Linn county needed good roads, it was hardly likely she could get them by paying out all the money she could raise, and something over, as salaries to the army of road overseers appointed under the new law. In May, 1878, the road districts were condensed from seventy- two to twenty, and resulted in a pretty handsome reduction in salaries, and correspondingly more work done on the roads.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.