USA > Missouri > Linn County > The history of Linn county, Missouri. An encyclopedia of useful information > Part 24
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Suit was brought and carried to Livingston county by a change of venue. Judgment was rendered against Clarkson in the sum of
County general fund
$4,214.52
With interest at six per cent from July 14, 1879 to July 14, 1881, two years 505.74
And in favor of the school fund of 919.45
With interest from July 1, 1873 to July 1, 1881, eight years 441.34
$6,081.05
Of this sum the following named sureties paid :
From the Berry estate $2,168.37
From the estate of George Smith 500.00
Robert Glenn 225.00
Thomas Morris. 200.00
Charles A. Fore 75.00
Z. H. Robinson 75.00
H. Wanck. 75.00
A. D. Christy. 75.00
3,393.37
Leaving a balance January 1, 1881 of
$2,687.68
227
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
The costs in the suit were large, as the witnesses were taken to another county. The county stands in a loss of about $4,500, including counsel fees.
COMMON PLEAS COURT.
This court, after nearly four years of work, had its jurisdiction enlarged by an amendment passed at the session of the General Assembly, which was approved March 20, 1871, giving it "Exclusive and original jurisdic- tion of all misdemeanors arising under the laws of this State, committed in Linn county." The judge could not practice law in the county, and his salary was placed at six hundred dollars per annum. The court was finally abolished January 1, 1881.
The County Court made an order to collect all the arms it had purchased at a cost of about $1,000, and had distributed, and have them disposed of, as war and rumors of war had ceased; and so the sheriff was ordered to sell them. On April 22d, 1874, he reported $220 of arms sold, but whether that was the amount realized on the one thousand dollars purchased was not stated. No further report seems to have been placed upon record.
IT COST ONE DOLLAR.
In 1875 there were two papers published in the county, and both were anxious to secure the county printing to their own individual profit. This caused considerable figuring and maneuvering among the parties. The op- posing forces were the Linneus Bulletin and the Brookfield Gazette. The former, being on the ground, pretty generally got in its work, but the lat- ter made every effort to come to time. The above year this strife ran high. The Bulletin succeeded early in the fall in getting the County Court to make an order giving it the printing for one year, at fifty cents per square. This was a trifle more than the Gazette men were willing to put up with; so at the November term, 1875, they proposed to do the printing for noth- ing; and, as the County Court believed in economy-except in buying poor- farms-they promptly revoked their former order, and gave the printing to the Gazette. This was just a trifle more than the Bulletin could stand, so at the December term, the latter came down with one dollar in cash, and purchased the right to do all the printing the county had to pay for, for one year. That was a contract, and the Bulletin retired happy, and the strug- gle closed.
SEVERAL THINGS.
West Brookfield was vacated September 4, 1876, and several streets in North Brookfield were vacated July 16, 1877.
The railroad assessment for 1875 gave forty-nine miles of railroad as be- ing in Linn county.
228
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
It was not until the year 1877 that the county collector's office was a dis- tinct office by itself, the sheriff acting as ex officio collector of the county previous to that date.
The office, by appointment, was given to James Tooey. In November, 1878, another person was elected, but he was compelled to give it up upon account of ill health; and on his resignation a few months after, the office was again tendered to Mr. Tooey, who, at the date of the compilation of this history, still retains the office.
Another change in the County Court was made, the county being divided into two judicial districts; number one including North Salem, Baker, Bucklin, Yellow Creek, Brookfield, Grantsville, and Enterprise; and dis- trict number two, Benton, Locust Creek, Parson Creek, Clay, and Jackson.
The first iron bridge put up in the county was across Locust Creek, near Austin's mill. It was commenced in June, 1878, and built by the King's Iron Bridge Manufacturing Company. There are, we believe, but two iron bridges in the county, the other one being across Yellow Creek.
The County Court granted to the town authorities of Linneus, in July, 1879, the privilege of digging two public wells, one on the northwest cor- ner of the public square, and the other on the southwest corner. .
The petition of William H. Brownlee et al., of Brookfield, for the removal of the county seat was received, ordered filed, and was indefinitely post- poned June 25, 1879.
The county seat question remained quiet for about one year when it again came up and was submitted to a vote of the people and pretty badly defeated. It is hardly probable it will ever be renewed.
While the county seat question was decided adversely to the petitioners by a large majority, the township organization was carried by a full and de- cisive vote, there being 296 in favor to 688 against it, or over four-fifths in its favor of the votes cast. It is a wise law, if fully and fairly executed, showing not only the progress of the county in material wealth from year to year, but the appointment of assessors in each township, who are far better acquainted with the property than one could possibly be, makes a far closer assessment. Especially is this the case in regard to the value or whereabouts of the property. These local assessors are pretty well posted in their respective. townships, and when a man gives in his property below its value they are pretty sure to recognize the error, and suggest that per- haps a larger valuation would be nearer the facts. The law is a good one in many other respects, and seems to have met with general approval wherever it has been tried.
February, 1881, it was decided by vote to change the boundary between Clay and Locust Creek townships from the center of the channel of Locust Creek to the section line between sections twenty-two and twenty-three, of township fifty-nine, of range twenty-one, thence south on said line to the south line of said township.
July young R. A. Whaler
231
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
The proposition to erect a new court-house to cost $15,000 was submitted to a vote of the people in April, which was defeated.
Bucklin, Brookfield, and Yellow Creek want a new court-house, but they want it at Brookfield, and probably will not vote any more to the present county seat for a few years yet.
The County Court paid three dollars each as a bounty on two wolf scalps in 1880, and as late as February 9, 1881, it paid three dollars for another.
The petition for the incorporation of the town of Eversonville was pre- sented to the County Court November 7, 1881, and was granted. Its first officers, as a board of trustees, were J. F. Harris, J. H. Tharp, John Blodgett, W. B. Brinkley, and J. A. Hudson.
Meadville was incorporated by the County Court January 4, 1881, as a city of the fourth class, George W. Golden mayor, and John Crafton mar- shal.
FINANCIAL.
The assessed valuation of Linn county August 1, 1881, was reported by the township assessors as aggregating:
Of real estate. $2,560,063.00
Of personal property 1,612,021.00
Total valuation . $4,172,084.00
The railroad property and telegraph property in the county were included in the above valuation, but below will be found separate figures showing what these properties were assessed at:
The Hannibal & St. Joseph R. R. $9,000 per mile, total valuation . $340,730.50 The Burlington & Southwestern R. R. $3,500 per mile, total valuation 78,081.32 The St. Louis & Omaha R. R. $5,000 per mile, total valuation . 16,290.00
The Western Union Telegraph Co., east and west line
$85 per mile; north and south line $65 per mile 2,457.30 .
Total corporation property. $437,553.12
The regular county levy in all for 1881, based upon the above valuation is $1 on the $100. In addition to that levy there is assessed the same year a tax of seventy cents on the $100 in Locust Creek township, and in Benton township fifty cents on the same valuation to pay on railroad bonded debt of the townships. Jefferson township debt remains in statu quo, no effort being made to raise means either to pay principal or interest, and the Brookfieldians are doing nothing towards paying the bonded debt of Brook- field township.
15
232
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
COMPROMISE.
An effort was made by the several townships to compromise their bonded indebtedness to the railroad companies some three years ago, and a propo- sition was submitted to the voters of these townships to pay fifty cents on the dollar of the principal and interest of their indebtedness. The debt stood as follows:
Benton township $30,000 and to pay in six per cent 5-20 years $15,000 Locust Creek township $56,000 and to pay in six per cent 5-20 years new bonds. - 28,000 Jefferson township $45,000 and to pay in six per cent 5-20 years new bonds . 22,500 Brookfield bonded debt 13,000
The proposition of the three first townships named carried nearly unani- mously, the election having been ordered for the twentieth of September, 1879.
The County Court subsequently made A. B. Jones, county clerk, the fi- nancial agent of these townships to negotiate with the railroad company for a compromise upon the terms so unanimously voted by the people of the townships. Up to the first of January, 1882, the railroad company has de- clined to accept the terms of compromise, demanding the entire subscrip- tion, principal and interest. Just what the outcome will be is hard to de- termine, and a costly suit seems by no means improbable.
ACTION OF THE PEOPLE'S AGENTS.
The threatening of the railroad company to commence suit and force the payment in full of the township bonds and interest, aroused the people of those townships to action, and a meeting was called to come off at Linneus, Saturday, June 10, 1876, to take action in the matter, appoint committees, and look to the engaging of counsel to defend any and all suits which might be brought by the railroad company or the holders of the bonds. Also to see the County Court and request a halt on levying a tax to pay interest or principal. This last object was effected. There were a series of meetings held by the committee of three from each of the townships joined to make the contest. These were Benton, Grantsville, Locust Creek, and Jefferson, and Brookfield was invited to cast her lot with the same. The committees met June 24, July 10, August 1, August 12, September 2, and October 7, 1876. Money was raised to pay attorney fees, and the sum of $3,000, prop- osition of W. P. Hall, was agreed upon as the amount to be paid on win- ning the suit. Hon. Samuel Glover and Willard P. Hall were consulted, also Judge Burgess, C. L. Dobson, and others. Meetings of the committee
233
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
continued to be held all during the year 1877, up to April 27, 1878, when an address was issued to the people of the several townships interested, set- ting forth the action of the committee, and a series of resolutions was at- tached asserting a declaration of action in regard to both paying the bonds and putting men in office who were not pledged against this robbery. It is not necessary in this work to give this address in full, or the resolutions attached, but simply give one paragraph which expresses the views and sentiments of those engaged in opposing the unjust demand of the railroad company and bondholders. The paragraph reads: " * We there- fore firmly plant ourselves upon the only true and fundamental principles underlying this whole question of taxation; viz., The sovereign power of taxation can only be invoked in aid of objects and for purposes that are public; that belong to the people and are of the people, and not in aid of private enterprise. That ever since the beginning of our government, up to the present time, the principle has been firmly maintained by all the courts of the land, that a tax levied in aid of private enterprises, such as mills, manufactories, etc., is not within the taxing powers of the govern- ment, and are therefore unlawful, and that to enforce such tax is but usur- pation of power, of plunder and robbery, as some of the best judicial minds of the country have characterized it."
While demanding legislative action in the matter, the fourth resolution reads:
" That we recognize the fact that we, the taxpayers, are the power behind the throne; that no man holds position, either judiciary or executive, except by this same power, and as to the end of obtaining such reform as the neces- sity of the case imperatively demands at our hands, we further pledge our- selves that we will support no person for any official position in this State who will not pledge himself to support and maintain the principles herein annunciated."
This is sufficient to show the feeling of the people in the matter of pay- ing these bonds subscribed. There is no question, whatever, that if the rail- road company had fully and faithfully carried out their contract, the people would have paid these bonds, but a broken contract invalidated them if not in law, in justice and equity, and never should be paid.
The meetings continued on through the years 1878 and 1879, and then fell through. Locust Creek and Benton are paying a tax to take up bonds by compromise. Jefferson and Brookfield will do nothing, neither paying interest nor bonds.
As before stated, the compromise offered by the townships was refused, and the railroad company offered their proposition. The best being an ex- tention of time, and not much discount, in fact bonds for principal and inter- est for nearly the full amount of the debt. Below will be found a concise statement of the township's railroad debt, taken from the Linneus Bulletin,
234
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
of January 26, 1882, which, being from the records, is official. To this statement is added the comments of the editor, T. E. Brawner, who is con- versant with the situation, and who seems to agree with the writer of this history, that a lawsuit is probable.
TOWNSHIP INDEBTEDNESS.
Bulletin's statement: We desire as briefly as we can from the data we have been able to obtain to show the taxpayers of the three bonded town- ships, Benton, Locust Creek, and Jefferson, the present status of their indebtedness.
BENTON TOWNSHIP.
Original issue of bonds. $20,000
Compromised and bought in 6,000
Old bonds outstanding. $14,000
Past due coupons to January 1, 1882 7,000
Interest due on coupons at six per cent 840
Total amount now due on Benton $21,840
New six per cent bonds issued on compromise 3,290
Total outstanding bonds and interest of Benton township.
$25,130
LOCUST CREEK TOWNSHIP.
Original issue of bonds $40,000
Bought in on compromise. . 11,500
Old bonds outstanding $28,500
Past due coupons to January 1, 1882 14,250
Interest due on coupons at six per cent 1,710
Total amount due on old bonds of Locust Creek .. $44,460
New six per cent bonds issued on compromise 12,000
Total outstanding bonds and interest of Locust Creek
$56,460
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.
Original issue of bonds
$30,000
Bought in on compromise 1,600
Old bonds outstanding $28,400
Past due coupons to January 1, 1882 14,200
Interest due on coupons at six per cent. 1,704
Total amount due on old bonds of Jefferson town-
ship .. $44,304
New six per cent bonds issued-none.
235
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
With these figures before the people, we here give Gen. Henderson's proposition in full:
To Prof. B. A. Jones, agent for the following named townships, etc .:
DEAR SIR-For myself, and as attorney for others, I control the follow- ing amount of indebtedness of certain townships of Linn county, Missouri:
Of Jefferson township bonds $17,500
Interest
9,800
$27,300
Of Benton township bonds
$10,000
Interest
5,600
$15,600
Of Locust Creek township bonds
$10,000
Interest
5,600
$15,600
Total
$58,500
In speaking of the proposition made by the company through General Henderson, he adds:
"In lieu of either of the foregoing propositions there was submitted to General Henderson a proposition in substance to compromise at the face of the old bonds, and issue six per cent twenty year bonds therefor. Had General Henderson accepted this proposition, and the people have ratified it upon a vote submitted for that purpose, the indebtedness of the several townships when compromised would have stood as follows:
Benton township $17,290
Locust Creek township
40,500
Jefferson township. 28,400
It is believed that the proposition submitted to General Henderson was the extreme of what the people would vote, and hence his propositions have been rejected. He refuses to accept the one submitted to him, and there the matter rests, with a strong probability of suit for enforcing collection. If, upon suit, judgment, and mandamus for the necessary levy, we intend to pay, it would be much better to compromise at any terms, for necessarily with every judgment follows heavy costs, but if the people stand firm and refuse to pay the tax when levied for such judgment, it is believed we can effect a more satisfactory compromise.
In the foregoing statements or estimates, Locust Creek and Benton townships are entitled to credit for cash on hand.
The total township debt as it now stands is $144,000. Should the offer of compromise be finally accepted, the net amount of the debt would be $85,707.35, less cash on hand as above stated.
236
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
TAX LEVY AND COSTS OF COLLECTION.
The cost of assessing Linn county in 1843 was $37.50 and Highland county $33.50.
In 1850 it cost. $ 94.70
In 1860 it cost 348.00
In 1865 it cost. 397.85
In 1870 it cost 629.87
In 1881 it cost.
1,138.95
The tax levy for Linn county in 1843 amounted to $846.29.
In 1846 it rose to 925.98
In 1855 it rose to 3,809.29
In 1862 it rose to 9,622.82
In 1868 it rose to 17,932.00
In 1875 it rose to.
19,649.73
In 1881
16,474.84
The county and[State assessment, which had for years been fifty cents, is now forty cents on the $100 and there is a past indebtedness tax of ten cents and a township tax of ten cents making the total county assessments $1 on the $100, excepting local township school tax which is left for them to vote extra if they wish, not, however, to exceed sixty-five cents on the $100.
COUNTY DEBT.
Linn county stands in an enviable light as regards her indebtedness. Economy has been the guiding-star of her destiny thus far, and if she has not all the surroundings she should have, she at least has kept out of debt and not mortgaged her future. That it is time she placed herself more in advance may be true and she is now able to do so, being so nearly out of debt and both rich and prosperous. On the first day of January, 1882, her bonded debt is as follows:
Bridge bonds . $3,500.00
Due to the school fund 3,707.35
Total debt. . $7,207.35
Linn county has no floating debt and the above bonded debt will be can- celed the present year, a levy of one mill tax having been made to meet it.
237
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
CHAPTER IX.
SOIL, CLIMATE, AGRICULTURAL AND MINERAL RESOURCES OF LINN COUNTY.
Introductory-Central Position-Topography-Streams-Climate-Soil and Productions- Coal-Stone-Fruit-growing-Variety-Berries, Kinds, Etc .- Statistics-Leading Crops -Corn, Oats, Tobacco, and Wheat-The Crop of 1879-Assessment of 1879, 1880, and 1881-Number of Horses, Mules, Hogs, Cattle, and Sheep for Above Years-The Lead- ing Breeds of Stock-Their Choice-Summary.
Among the counties of the State it is believed that few exceed the county of Linn in the richness of its soil. Its alluvial qualities reach many feet below the surface, making it almost exhaustless in its productiveness, and with its streams of running water, its fine timber, its rolling prairie, the home of the most succulent grapes, its quarries of stone, and its wealth of coal, which is believed to underly nearly its whole surface, Linn county is pecularly favored in all things which go to make a rich and prosperous agricultural people: with a healthful climate, added to its rich productive wealth, that makes it the home of the leading cereals, of fruit and vegeta- bles, where the grape grows most luxuriantly, and the grasses native to the soil, it would seem as if nature had done all that could be done, had given all that could be imparted to place the central county of north Missouri in a most enviable position among her sisters. Therefore, she is placed as a grain-growing, tobacco-producing, and for stock-raising among the leading counties, and it will only be a question of time when her vineyards will attract universal attention.
There are few States in the Union that combine so great a variety of soil, as salubrious a climate, so rich in agricultural and mineral resources, better adapted to stock, or a more healthy climate for man than Missouri, and of all these qualities Linn county has her full share. It is because of these superior advantages that the settlement of north Missouri should be rapid, or would be, could these facts be sent broadcast over the Eastern States and Europe. The State Immigration Society is doing good work with the Hand-book of Missouri, but that is not enough. Every county should have its resources made known, and scattered far and wide,-not one time, but every spring and fall; thousands of these silent messengers would do their work while the people slept.
Here is literally a garden spot. Thousands of acres of virgin soil have never yet been touched by the plow. The wealth of a. State lies hidden in her soil; why should not this fact be made known? Other parts of the State are waking up; why should Linn county slumber?
There are many reasons why Linn county should receive a large immi-
238
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
gration. One is that it lies in a country most favorable in climate and agri- cultural production, while in the depth and richness of soil it has no supe- rior. Again, lands are cheap. Not one-half of her soil is under cultiva- tion; there is room and to spare for a hundred thousand people; and, with its cheap land, water, and grasses, it is both a grain-growing and stock- raising country, exceeded by none. These things are all to be considered in settling in a new country; and yet, Missouri, while a new country in the extent of her immense forests and prairies, is old in all that constitutes wealtlı, refinement, and culture-in the luxuries of life, and in her schools and churches. It is because of her great educational facilities, and her nu- merous railroads, which give her a preeminent stand over both her eastern and western neighbors. She equals the East in all the luxuries of life and social ties and advancements, with cheap lands, and living at less than two- thirds the cost. She equals the West and borders of civilization in every- thing that constitutes a cheap and comfortable home, and all this without going beyond the confines of civilization, and enduring the hardships and privations of a pioneer life. Add to these attractions for produce, labor of all kinds at remunerative prices, and Missouri may well be called a garden spot for the people of every clime; and one and all of these advantages are fonnd within the limits of Linn county.
These advantages should be known, and if they were properly set forth from time to time, the next decade would show a sweeping growth. All who are acquainted with the great resources of this county know that her future is sure, but it would be well to hasten that day by showing, not only a rich and productive county, but a wise and energetic people. The writer be- lieves in Linn county.
WHERE SITUATED.
Linn county is centrally located in north Missouri, which is understood as being north of the Missouri River; and, on an east and west line, is ex- actly in the center of that part of the State. It has not 648 square miles, but, leaving fractions out, has 611, and contains 392,040 acres of land, of which was assessed the past year (1881) 387,759} acres. There is at least that amount of arable land that nature lias richly endowed with productive force, and of such a variety that all tastes can be suited. The beautiful, undulating prairie, the timber land and the bottoms-all equally rich, and all having their special qualities. .
NORTH AND SOUTH.
Linn county's northern line is forty miles south of the Iowa State line, and her southern border lies twenty miles north of the Missouri River, her dimensions being nearly twenty-three miles north and south, and twenty- seven east and west-lies in the " great corn belt," and the native grasses, and yet not one-fourth of this county is under cultivation.
239
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
From the Southwest is taken a very correct description of the topography of this county, and the streams which water its rich soil, and it is here added :
" TOPOGRAPHY AND STREAMS.
" Nearly the entire county is a rolling prairie, growing more rugged in the vicinity of the larger streams, but presenting a vista of beauty in hill and dale. Locust Creek enters at section eleven, township sixty, of range twenty-one-flows south through section thirty-three, township fifty-seven, of range twenty-one; East Yellow Creek enters at section nine, township sixty, of range eighteen, and unites with West Yellow Creek, which enters at section ten, township sixty, of range nineteen, in Chariton county, sec- tion thirty-three, township fifty-seven, of range nineteen; Parson Creek rises in section twenty-five, township sixty, of range twenty-two-flows south into Chariton at section thirty-five, township fifty-seven, of range twenty-two. The other streams are: West Parsons, Turkey and Little Turkey, Muddy and Little Muddy, Elk, Badger, Van Dusen, East Locust, Winegan (a branch of Muscle Fork), with many small tributaries. Along the streams are found the blue and gray limestone, excellent for building purposes; while in the southwestern part of the county, on Stephen's Ranch, is a deposit of sandstone, equal in quality to the Carroll county quarry, of a pure cream color, and becoming more solid on exposure. White and burr oak, hickory, walnut, the various elms, sycamore, cherry, hackberry, ash, butternut, horse-chestnut, maple, and many others, are found in liberal quantities, providing timber for home use and export. There are four good mines of bituminous coal now being worked in various portions of the county; there is no question that coal underlies the substrata of nearly the entire part of it. An abundance of good brick clay is found in almost every part of the county, and large deposits of potter's clay are found in various localities."
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