USA > Missouri > Linn County > The history of Linn county, Missouri. An encyclopedia of useful information > Part 58
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576
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
"It is ordered by the court that Jefferson township be divided as follows: Commencing on the county line of Chariton county, at the sec. tion corner of sections thirty-four and thirty-five on said county line; thence north with said line to the northeast corner of section twenty-two and the northwest corner of section twenty-three, in township fifty-eight, of range twenty. All that portion lying east of said line to be called and styled the Brookfield district; and all west of said subdivision line to be called and styled the Laclede district, both in Jefferson township.
This division did not take place until after the close of the civil war. The completion of the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad had brought into life- several towns along the line of that road, and these towns springing up. from five to six miles apart, there arose a spirit of rivalry. Brookfield hav- ing secured the division post at the expense of the life of Thayer, it be- came so excited over its probable future that it could not bear to be a part of a township, but wanted to be one all by itself or nearly so. The subdi- vision of Jefferson township into two voting precincts was but the prelude to a permanent divorce on the part of Brookfield from Jefferson and setting. up for herself. When the time came for this new organization, Brookfield township, Jefferson township lost just one-half of her territory, excepting, per- haps, two or three hundred acres left her by the meanderings of Lo- cust Creek on her western border.
This division was not opposed by the people of the western part of the township, and especially was Laclede satisfied as the overshadowing power of Brookfield began to be felt, and the latter was shrewdly acting upon the motto of "getting all you can and keeping what you get." So Laclede was- happy for she would be the metropolis of Jefferson township, and she hoped that a north and south railroad would give her in time greater metropolitan proportions. This has not as yet been realized, but as Linn county increases in population and wealth, so will Laclede, like other towns, receive her share of progress.
POTTERY WORKS.
The works were first started in 1868 by T. O. Fellows, and he manufac- tured largely of crocks, jugs, etc., until 1872. The demand being greater- than he could supply he sold out to Mr. O. W. Kelsey, who somewhat en- larged the works. The clay is of an excellent quality, and ready sale is made of the ware. Mr. Kelsey having run the works from 1872 to 1878, he sold out to the present proprietor, Mr. John A. King, who has been extensively engaged in the business in Illinois. Mr. King will add to the work that of making tiling and fine brick, as well as all kinds of crockery ware, of which the works have already a capacity of sixty thousand gallons annually. With this addition to these works it will prove one of the most profitable businesses as well as a valuable addition to the manufacturing interests of Jefferson township.
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
RURAL MILLS.
Among the manufacturing interests of Jefferson township the Rural Flouring Mills stand at the head. They are located on Locust Creek, on section fourteen, township fifty-seven, of range twenty-one, about three and one-half miles from Laclede. These mills were erected in 1878, strongly and solidly built, have two runs of burs, with a capacity of twenty-five barrels of flour per day on the merchants' run. Messrs. H. B. Jones and George Murray are the builders and owners and the mill cost something over $4,000. Since the burning of the fine mill at Laclede this mill has been crowded with customers, especially on custom work, and has ground the past season over 10,000 bushels of grain in that department. The flouring run is kept busy filling the demands for local trade, and home dealers take the bulk of its trade. The building is twenty-eight by thirty- eight feet in size, three stories high and frame. Another run of stone is expected to be added so as to meet the entire demand of the local trade and at the same time be able to promptly take care of the custom work. Both departments are increasing and fully demand this addition to the mills.
Jefferson township has improved so far as its farming interest is con- cerned more rapidly than any other township in the county excepting Jackson, which is an exclusively agricultural township, and Bucklin, the latter only leading it twenty-six in number of farming population. It is third in actual population, Brookfield and Locust Creek townships alone having a greater number of residents. The corrected returns of the census give Jefferson township 1,802 in population, and Laclede 694, making ten less in Laclede than first reported, whichgave it 704. The taxable wealth of Jefferson township as returned by the assessor for 1881 is $387,545.
In 1876 Dr. J. C. Griffith, a pioneer of Laclede and a much valued and respected citizen, died on November fifteenth, and on December 25th, 1877, Thomas L. Watson, one of the early pioneers, not only of Jefferson town- ship but of Linn county, passed away-one of the old landmarks, a good citizen, and an upright man, Jefferson township can well honor his memory.
RAILROAD COMPROMISE.
The matter of the railroad subscription of Jefferson township has been the source of much trouble. Had the railroad company been able to have fulfilled their contract, built the road as agreed, and kept the cars running, it is very doubtful if any opposition would have been made on the part of the people of Jefferson township to have paid their bonds in full, both prin- cipal and interest. But the road dragged along for years, and after it was completed it stopped running for many months between Laclede and Browning. Against this state of affairs Jefferson township protested, and that
578
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
protest took shape in a refusal to pay the bonds, either principal or interest, in full. Quite an indignation meeting was held in Laclede, strongly pro- testing against paying the tax levied to pay interest on the bonds, and in fact it has not been paid, and for the past few years no effort has been suc- cessful to compel the people even to pay the interest. In the general his- tory a chapter will be found showing the township's bonded indebtedness. A vote has been taken and carried consenting to pay fifty cents on the dol- lar of principal and interest, but this the railroad company refused and so the fight is still going on. At the meeting referred to it was stated that in reality the vote that carried it was not legally given, as no special registra- tion was made, and quite a number of opposition votes were refused because not registered. Still the people of Jefferson township are willing to pay for what they have received, but there can be no question in the minds of honorable men that a demand for full payment of principal and interest of those bonds by the railroad company, after it so lamentably failed in fulfill- ing its own contract, is simply a fraud upon the people which they should resist to the bitter end. The legal rights of corporate monopolies are onerous enough for the people to bear, but when deliberate fraud is added, justice and manhood alike demand resistance against oppression.
Jefferson township also boasts of one saw-mill, which is located on Muddy Creek, on section eleven, township fifty-seven, range twenty-one.
CITIES OF THE DEAD.
Jefferson township has four cemeteries. One at Laclede upon the prairie joining the town limits, lying at the top of a beautiful knoll, with a gentle slope in all directions. Here the loved ones are laid until the last trumpet shall sound, with their headstones and monuments glistening in the sun- light, or bathing in the soft light of the moon, taking on fantastic shapes and having a weird, fascinating attraction to those who tread its hallowed ground. Southeast from Laclede lies the cemetery near Sinsintaffer's on section ten, township fifty-seven, range twenty. The Hinckle cemetery on section seventeen, township fifty-seven, range twenty; and Maxwell's on section four, township fifty-seven, range twenty, closes the list of the cities of the dead in Jefferson township.
MEMORIAL SERVICE.
On the twenty-sixth of September, 1881, Laclede and Jefferson township paid honor to the dead president. On the nineteenth day of September James A. Garfield, president of the United States, died of an assassin's bul- let, and a nation went in mourning at his death. The business houses of Laclede closed their doors from eleven A. M. until four o'clock P. M., and memorial service was held at the Methodist Episcopal church. Many of the farmers of Jefferson township came in to join in the ceremony, and ex-
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
press their heart-felt sympathy for the widow and the fatherless, and a loss which has, as all expected, proved a national calamity. The dead president was buried at Cleveland, Ohio, September 26, 1881, and it was observed as a day of mourning throughout the Union.
TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION LAW.
At the session of the General Assembly in the winter of 1880-81, an act was passed known as the new organization law, which gives to each munic- ipal township its local officers. " This law in substance was passed in session of 1871-72, leaving it optional with the counties to accept or reject by a vote of the people. Some approved and adopted it, others did not; and in 1877 the law was repealed. It was very evident, however, that it was a great imn- provement, and it was again re-enacted at the above date, but the optional clause was left out, and the counties were to adopt it. Under this law Linn county elected township officers the following spring. Jefferson township list is composed as follows, the election being held on the first Tuesday in April of each year which was April 5, 1881, for its first enforcement. Offi- cers: Trustee, J. M. Welch; collector, Jefferson D. Rummel; clerk and assessor, R. W. Mitchell; constable, John B. Hurlbut; justices of the peace, . G. W. Freeman and Alfred Williams.
OAK ARBOR.
This church, known as Oak Arbor, is of the Methodist denomination, the Methodist Episcopal church South. It is the oldest church in the township, having been organized in 1841, when service was held at several of the members' houses, and for quite a number of years at the house of Mr. Maxwell. The church members also met at Schnell's, or, as it was called, Oak Arbor school-house, and the church went by that name. The first pastors were the Rev. Dryden, Rev. Cox, and others. The present mem- bership is but twenty-five. It has been kept up since 1846 pretty regularly, but of course at times rather slimly attended, and sometimes it would seem as if it must give up. The membership is slowly increasing, and it is hoped that more earnest work will place it in a more flourishing condition. The Church is situated on the southwest quarter of section three, township fifty- seven, of range twenty, about two miles from the town of Laclede. Its original members, as far as can be ascertained, were William Maxwell, Elizabeth Maxwell, Michael Whitley, Jane Welsh, Jacob and Nancy Sin- sintaffer, Rebecca Simpson, Ettor Sinsintaffer. Most of these members are now no more of this world, but have crossed the dark stream to enjoy eter- nal sunlight. May those who are left be ready when called to join those who have gone before.
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580
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
CRIMES AND CASUALTIES.
As early as 1843 a very unfortunate accident happened near Myle's mill, on Locust Creek. Two boys, one white, and bound to Dr. Dryden, the other a colored boy, a slave owned by the Doctor, went in swimming and were both drowned. They were not far from eighteen years of age. How it"happened is not known, unless taken with cramps. The body of the colored boy was found next day by Wharton R. Barton, and the other body was recovered soon after.
In the spring of 1852 Thomas Shipley and William Daily were hauling goods from Brunswick, and arrived at the ford at Myle's mill, then Pierce's mill, where there was a company of fifteen or twenty gathered, having a baptizing. In the load of goods was a barrel of whisky, which they put on tap, and Shipley and Daily went to perform the ceremony with the others. They all got jolly, and from that to a fight. Pierce, owner of the mill, tried to stop it, but got into the row and had his skull broken. Am- stead Hill and a man named Smith were also badly beaten and knocked senseless. The row finally ended, but it was a sadly demoralized crowd.
A Mr. White killed John Taylor. . Trouble over a horse trade. White was a farmer and was tried and acquitted, his plea being self-defense. This occurred in the spring of 1861.
William Tracy, a boy nineteen years of age, undertook to force an entrance into a house of bad repute with a companion. They were warned off, but still continued their efforts when the woman shot through the door killing Tracy. The woman was tried and acquitted in 1870.
On June 4th, 1871, Sheriff Brott succeeded in capturing a gang of horse- thieves named Cary, Norlow, Moore, and Clark, and they worked out their punishment in the penitentiary.
In a quarrel over a load of wood about two miles from Laclede, Daniel Holsinger shot David Robinson (colored). This occurred in 1873.
Two men attacked the house of the brothers Upchard, one mile from La- clede, in March, 1874. Evidently robbery was intended. They fired into the house no less than ten times. No one was hurt, but one of the brothers had a narrow escape, one ball passing through his coat sleeve. One brother got out and gave the alarm.
Harriet Henderson (colored) attended revival meeting and took active part in the shouting, etc. She was a large woman, and on her way home from church dropped dead. Apoplexy brought on by undue excitement. This was in Laclede and happened May 10, 1874.
In August, 1874, a son of William Sanders, living six miles south of La- clede, about thirteen years old, went out to get a mule, and catching it tied one end of the halter around his body. The mule got scared and ran away, dragging the boy. It killed him before reaching his home.
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
The Bigger school-house, one mile north of Laclede, was burned by an incendiary one night in November, 1874.
In July, 1875, Sterling Shifflett drank too deep of the flowing bowl, and returning from a picnic, fell into the water of Turkey Creek and was drowned.
Early in November, 1875, a son of Widow Elliott, about sixteen years of age, let his gun fall while on a hunting expedition, and was shot through the ankle. His life was saved, but his leg was amputated. On the same day a son of B. Williams living some five miles south of Laclede, shot him- self by accident through the abdomen, and the wound proved mortal.
On Thanksgiving Day, November, 1875, a number of boys went to Chilli- .cothe for a ride, and on their return a son of J. L. Reynolds fell from the cars and was killed. Those who came back safe told of the accident in the morning and the body was recovered.
The Laclede mills were burned February 7, 1877. They cost $23,000, and it was a severe blow to the prosperity of the town and township.
William Davis, on May 1st, 1877, being under the influence of liquor un- dertook to cross a piece of trestle ahead of an approaching train. It resulted in his death.
There was a school mutiny in Laclede, December 21, 1877, when the boys locked out the teacher. With the help of the girls in the second story the teacher succeeded in getting in and proposed to settle the matter, but the boys all went out and locked the teacher in. Mutual explanation was made and it was decided to adjust matters amicably, and all matters in dispute to be dropped on both sides. This was done and the school went on. This little incident is mentioned so that after a few years hence the boys of the period will know their fathers were boys once, and what good boys they were.
The sudden death of Mrs. Clarinda Bigger, wife of Judge H. E. Bigger, February 28, 1879, on her way to singing-school, caused intense sorrow to a large circle of relatives and friends. She died of apoplexy and was fifty- four years of age.
The livery stable of E. D. Edwards was burned on the night of April 20, 1880, with a loss of eight hundred dollars.
The last accident of a fatal nature to be recorded is taken from the Lin- neus Bulletin. It says: "Last Saturday week a lad named Palmer, about fourteen years old, went rabbit hunting, accompanied by two dogs. He failed to return in the evening, but no uneasiness was felt in consequence, as he was frequently in the habit of taking such excursions and going to a sister's and remaining a day or two. On Monday morning one of the dogs came home, and the night following the other arrived. The lad's mother then felt confident that something serious had happened to the boy, or the dogs would not have deserted him. On Tuesday a vigilant search was insti-
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
tuted, and after a jew hours he was found dead-shot by his own hand, acci- dentally. From appearances it is supposed that he was standing upon a' stump with his gun on his shoulder, probably held carelessly, when it slipped, fell, and in falling the hammer struck the stump with sufficient force to. explode the cap. His body was fearfully mutilated and burnt from his- waist to his shoulder."
CHAPTER XXIII.
CITY OF LACLEDE.
Its Location-The Beauty of its Surroundings-When Laid Out and by Whom-Advance. Progress-Items of Interest-Taking a Rest-The Effects of the Civil War-Incorpora- tion-Metes and Bounds-Indian Visits-City of the Fourth Class-Ward Boundaries- Mayor and Aldermen-Out of Debt-County-seat Vote-Business Houses-Churches and Civic Societies-The Full History of Holtzclaw's Raid in 1864-Biographies.
LACLEDE.
Laclede is laid out on a rising eminence surrounded by a beautiful undu- lating prairie. Some three miles to the west can be seen the range of hills- whose banks line the waters of Locust Creek, and in all other directions is one vast expanse of rolling prairies, dotted here and there with residences, barns, and orchards, giving the sight-seers a beautiful and varied landscape upon which to feast their eyes, and at the same time showing the thrift and energy of a wealthy farming community. Laclede has not improved very rapidly. Brookfield, which had the help of the railroad to build it up, has . exceeded her in growth, and the rising metropolis of Parson Creek, Mead- ville, is doing its utmost to become a rival. It is, therefore, necessary for Laclede to be up and doing, and see that in this race for supremacy she is not left to mourn in the background. Progress demands enlightened and energetic action, and prosperity ceaseless labor. If the capital of Jeffer- son township expects to grow without exerting herself she is doomed to. bitter disappointment.
LOCATION.
Laclede is located on section five, township fifty-seven, range twenty .. The principal portion of the town is built upon the northwest quarter of the section and on the north part of the southwest quarter. The corpora- tion lines include one section of land, being the east half of section six and the west half of section five, the north part of the latter only at present occupied. As laid out, the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad track nearly
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
divided the town equally, north and south, but there is but little building south of that division line at present. It is in nearly the center of the township east and west, but is three miles from the northern boundary, while it is five miles north of the Chariton county line on the s' ath.
WHEN LAID OUT.
Laclede was laid out August 19, 1853, by Henry W. Cross, of Brunswick, J. L. Worlow, a Mr. Eastman, and J. M. Clark. The name, "Laclede " was given to it by Mr. Cross, and was in honor of the old pioneer of Mis- souri, and one of the founders of St. Louis, Laclede Liqueste.
Among the first to erect residences were some of those who first laid out the town. Mr. Worley put up one, and Aaron Quick another, and they were living in them at the time the first business house was erected. This store was built by Thorton T. Easley, of Linneus, for Jacob E. Quick, and was situated on block twelve, corner lot. A post-office was established in 1855, and Aaron Quick was appointed postmaster. Joseph Hamburger, having got his house in order, kept the first boarding house in Laclede, and they do say that Joseph kept a good house, and was not reckless in his charges. The second business house was Mr. Hedrick's and the third belonged to M. G. Roush, who is a hale and hearty old man, a good citizen, and one of the landmarks of the town. This house was erected in 1857, on the east half of block twelve, in the original plot. T. W. Long put up a house where the Central Hotel now stands. Quick's house stood near where Mr. Reed lives, and they began to be put up promiscuously all over town. In the years 1857 and 1858 Laclede improved probably as much as in any two years of its existence. Perhaps not in the value of the houses and resi- dences put up, but in their number. Three log dwellings stood not far from where the two first business houses were erected.
It was in 1857 that the first school-house was built in Laclede. This was also by Jacob E. Quick, who seems to have been a leading spirit, and an energetic man. Mr. Quick employed E. G. Clough to put up the school- house for him. It was about sixteen feet square, and cost, when completed, seventy-five dollars. Miss Martha Quick, daughter of the owner, taught the first school within its walls. This school-house was for several years the only "church " edifice in Laclede, it being used pretty constantly for that purpose.
The first public school-building was erected in 1859, and stood just north of the site of the present fine brick structure. It was a frame building, and was moved off and used as a school for colored children.
ITEMS OF INTEREST.
The year 1859 saw the completion of the Hannibal & St. Joseph to La- clede. In 1857 the first male child was born within the corporate limits-
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
Frank Dick, son of James and Jane Dick, born in August, 1857. The first female child was Charlotte Frances, daughter of Moses G. and Mary Eliza- beth Roush, born July 27, 1857. This child is now the wife of Mr. Charles L. Molton, and at present resides at Burlington, Iowa, her hus- band being a conductor on the Chicago, Burlington & Kansas City Rail- road, formerly Burlington & Southwestern.
The first death is not of record, but the burial took place at Sinsintaf- fer's grave-yard.
The first regular physician was Dr. C. M. Robinson, who came in the year 1858. He is, or was, when last heard from, a citizen of Bentonville, Arkansas.
The first religious service was at one of the boarding shanties along the line of the new railroad for the accommodation of the railroad hands, Rev. Father Hogan officiating.
The present cemetery was laid out by the order of Masons. There was a military grave-yard on the McAfee place in the southeast part of town and it was believed some twenty-five were buried there. Some were taken up afterward, and the place is known no more. It has been plowed over and all traces of its former use obliterated.
The first published newspaper was started in 1860, called the Laclede Register, edited by D. E. H. Johnson, and championed the cause of Bell and Everett. The office was at the corner of State and Vernon streets, the building yet standing. During the war the Register suspended and soon after a paper was started, edited by Mr. Garner, and kept up for a few years. Quite a number have started, but not all have been successful. Sometime after the war a Mr. Smith started the Republican, in 1870, and continued it for nearly three years, then selling out removed to Brookfield. No paper was again started until the present paper, under the charge of Mr. Brunemer, was established in 1881. So far it has been successfully managed and is a credit to Laclede, and should be liberally sustained. Few towns have prospered without a newspaper, and in this day and generation it is impossible.
After the sudden and rapid growth of 1857 and 1858 Laclede took a rest, and during the civil war, little advanced progress had been made. At the time the census was taken, in 1860, although the village population was not reported it numbered about 300 and seemed to gain slowly but not enough to excite attention. At the close of the war it took a start and gradually grew until a local census taken of the county in 1868, showed a total popu- lation of five hundred and forty-nine. Of this number four hundred and fifty- nine were white and ninety were colored citizens. The census of 1880 gives a population of six hundred and ninety-four, and at this writing, March, 1882, will not vary much from eight hundred. With the exception of Brookfield, the towns of Linn county have not been of rapid growth, and
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