The history of Linn county, Missouri. An encyclopedia of useful information, Part 59

Author:
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Kansas City, Mo., Birdsall & Dean
Number of Pages: 906

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585

HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.

before they can increase much, a large farming population must settle in the county.

Soon after the war the citizens of Laclede began to think of being an in- corporated town, and the question was soon successfully agitated and a ma- jority of the citizens concluded to have a town organization with its metes and bounds duly acknowledged. A petition wa's gotten up and signed in sufficient numbers to warrant action, and duly presented to the County Court for action at the March term, 1866. The petition was favorably acted upon and the order placed upon the records.

INCORPORATION OF LACLEDE.

"It is ordered by the court that the petition of W. J. Porter and others be received and filed; to wit, to incorporate the town of Laclede, in Linn county, Missouri, the metes and bounds of said incorporation being as fol- lows: Commencing at the northeast corner of the northwest quarter of section number five, township fifty-seven north, of range twenty west, in the county of Linn; thence west three hundred and twenty rods to the northwest corner of the northeast quarter of section number six, in the same township; thence south three hundred and twenty rods to the south- west corner of the southeast quarter of said section six; thence east three hundred and twenty rods to the southeast corner of the southwest quarter of section number five, above mentioned; thence north three hundred and twenty rods to the place of beginning. The said town of Laclede to be incorporated in the corporate name of the inhabitants of the town of Laclede, with the inetes and bounds as above described. That W. J. Por- ter, John L. Reynolds, John F. Pershing, John Lomax, and R. W. Mitchell be and they are hereby appointed trustees of said corporation, and that the same take effect from the sixth of March, 1866, and that the sheriff deliver the said trustees with a copy of this order."

Of course after this incorporation Laclede began to feel its importance, and a full line of town officials was necessary to properly uphold the dig- nity of the new corporation. The board of trustees therefore met at their earliest convenience and mnade the following official appointments: C. A. Stone, clerk and attorney; J. B. Hurlbut, marshal and street commissioner; W. P. Addison, assessor and collector; and R. W. Mitchell, treasurer. Whether any other board of trustees was elected or officers appointed is not of record, and the next change appears when the citizens, getting tired of being only a village, aspired to become a city of the fourth class, which after twelve years of village life was effected.

INDIANS VISIT THEIR CHIEFTAIN'S GRVVE.

After this incorporation the town settled down again and it passed on in the same routine way, nothing of special interest occurring for years to

586

HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.

break the monotony of its existence. Local events were not of a nature to make history, and all that can be said is that it grew slowly and prospered accordingly. In 1876 a band of Sioux Indians visited the town. Many moons before, in reality in the distant past, a band of their brethren had been through this county and one of their " braves " had died on the way. He had been buried a few miles from here, on one of the high bluffs that overlooked Locust Creek and the magnificent prairies beyond, and they came to Laclede after a visit to the spot where their beloved chief had seen the last of earth. They remained two days and then passed on in their journey toward the setting sun.

A CITY OF THE FOURTH CLASS.

In the fall of 1879, claiming a population of seven hundred, Laclede concluded to put on metropolitan airs and become a city of the fourth class under the act granting such privileges which was passed by the legislature and approved in April, 1877. The chairman of the board of trustees was authorized to call a special election and submit the question to the people, and it was carried almost unanimously, only two votes being polled against it. This was on November 3, 1879, and an election was called for April, 1880, to vote for mayor and councilmen. The result was as follows:

Mayor, G. W. Freeman; aldermen: east ward, E. D. Edwards, Harvey Hendrickson; west ward, J. C. Carothers, Virgil True; marshal, M. E. Thornburg; clerk and attorney, O. F. Libby; treasurer, J. D. Rummel; collector and street commissioner, M. E. Thornburg.

Mr. Thornburg resigned as city marshal, and J. B. Hurlbut was appointed December 6, 1880. After the spring election W. W. Pease was appointed, who held until December 9, 1881, when he also resigned, and George Reed, present incumbent, was elected. G. W. Freeman, the first elected mayor, was reëlected, as was, also, the aldermen, except Hendrickson, who was succeeded by James Maybee. The spring appointments by the mayor and council for 1881 resulted in the selection of J. N. Wilson for treasurer and marshal, as above.

The city affairs have been prudently managed, and Laclede is free of debt.

WARD BOUNDARIES.

East ward, all that part of the city of Laclede east of a line commencing in the center of State street on the north line of the corporation, running thence south along the center of said State Street, to the center of Prairie Street, thence west to the center of Olive Street, thence south to the south- ern limits of the city, or corporation line. West ward: All west of the lines above referred, and within the corporate limits of the city.

587

HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.

COUNTY SEAT.

The county removal question has come before the people of Linn county upon two occasions, once in 1870 and again in 1880, a decade of time pass- ing between the votes. In both of the contests Brookfield led off, and in fact Brookfield was the only contestant. Laclede, however, did not pro- pose to allow her overgrown neighbor to have all the honors, that is both the commercial emporium and the county seat, and so it made application at both trials to have the county seat removed to Laclede. There is not a doubt, even in Brookfield, that Laclede is in dead earnest in wanting the county seat, and there is every assurance on the part of the most prejudiced that Laclede prefers the present location of the county seat by a large ma- jority if she cannot secure the prize herself, and it looks very much as if, on this county seat question, that Laclede was a sort of thorn in the side of Brookfield. The first vote for the removal of the county seat to Laclede resulted in two hundred and one votes in its favor out of a trifle over 3,100 cast. In 1880 she received two hundred and eighty-two votes in its favor, two hundred and forty-four of this number being cast in Jefferson town- ship, showing that the people of the township stand by their handsome little city in her aspirations for metripolitan greatness. The chances for the removal of the county seat are not flattering, as scarcely a one-third vote can be had in its favor, and it requires two thirds to accomplish it. This will, in no way, however, affect the good nature of Laclede so long as she is able to spike the removal gun of her neighbor living a few miles to the west.

BUSINESS HOUSES.

As has been before remarked, Laclede has not made a rapid growth, and at the time is as large as the surrounding country is able to support. The business interests of Laclede are probably up to the standard of towns of her size, and she is represented by nearly every branch in a greater or less degree. Below will be found a list of the business houses doing busi- ness April 1, 1882.

Dry goods stores 3 Hotels. 4

Grocery stores

6 Barber shops 1

Drug stores. 2

Lawyers 3

Hardware, stoves and tin ware 1

Physicians 4

Agricultural implements 1

Shoe store

Millinery store.

Shoe shop

Dress-making 1

Harness shop 1

Meat markets. 2

Printing office 1

Carriage and wagon shop 1

Churches

Blacksmith shops 2

Restaurant and bakeries 1

Broom manufacturer 1

Livery stables 1

School-houses 2

588

HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

This church was first organized November 25, 1866. A few earnest workers took the matter in hand, which was the foundation of the present prosperous church. The original members were John Lomax, Mrs. Anna Lomax, Ralph Smith, Eliza Smith, Felix Margrave, E. S. Foreman, Arthur Glover and Mary A. Glover. The church grew in membership, but not much in wealth until 1875, when preaching was finally suspended till 1880. Having no house of worship of their own they concluded to wait a few years for better times. The elders first ordained all died during the suspension above mentioned, and within a few months of each other. The Rev. J. P. Finley was the first pastor, and continued. until the fall of 1868, when the Rev. A. J. Caldwell was appointed stated supply, and served until the spring of 1870. The Rev. James Reed received the next appointment and con- tinued as pastor, although preaching was suspended for a time, until the first of September, 1881. The organization at last made an effort to secure a church building of their own, and although the present membership is but fifteen, they have, with the help of their friends, erected a neat and substan- tial church building at a cost of $1,004. At the reorganization James C. Carother and Samuel Boyd were ordained as elders in this church, at that time the others all being dead. The church was dedicated January 31, 1881, and has before it a prospect of a useful existance.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

The organization of this church was in the year 1865, and from its first inception seemed to start upon a prosperous career. Not all of the names of the original members could be ascertained, but among them were the fol- lowing well known persons:

J. C. Jones, J. L. Reynolds, M. D. Hardy, Benjamin Anderson, W. R. Lane, William Rodgers, John Welsh, and Robert Schrock, Rev. R. E. Sidebottom, becoming their pastor. In the following year the congregation concluded to erect a house of worship, and succeeded in their endeavor, fin- ishing a neat and tasteful edifice at a cost of $900. It is built in the gothic style, and was dedicated the year it was completed, 1866, by the Rev. D. F. Crary. The gentlemen who have officiated as pastors are as follows, in the order named:

Rev. R. E. Sidebottom, mentioned above, and Reverends G. Hamilton .. W. W. Roberts, Z. S. Weller, T. B. Bratton, J. M. Parker, A. H. Rowell, C. Allen, J. R. Sapeen, I. Hill, J. Kelso, J. H. Pollard and the present in- cumbent, J. F. Mesner. During the pastorate of the Rev. C. Allen, a violent wind-storm damaged it very seriously, and a few years later, while under the care of the Rev. J. H. Pollard, another tornado badly wrecked it. Means, however, were at once raised to put it in thorough repair. In addi-

589

HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.

tion to this the church felt the need of a bell, and money was raised through the instrumentality of E. M. Tracy to purchase one costing $400. This bell weighs 1,000 pounds, and is of exquisite tone, ringing out the glad tidings of peace on earth and good will to man. Under the active ex- ertions of its present pastor, the Rev. J. F. Mesner, the interior has been thoroughly renovated, and the church reseated, and is now one of the most pleasant places of worship to be found in the county. It has a membership at this time of 108, and its progress and usefulness in the future is exceed- ingly bright and promising.

CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

This is, comparatively speaking, a new church, for its organization did not take place until on the fourth Lord's Day in March, 1880. Those who were instrumental in effecting its organization and enrolled their names as the original members of the church were W. J. Porter, Mrs. Sarah A. Por- ter, W. P. Spurgeon, Mrs. A. E. Spurgeon, Norman Kelm, Mrs. O. Kelm, W. D. Wood, Mary Wood, John W. W. Waugh, Mrs. Jennie Wilson, Eliza- beth O'Neal, and, others whose names were not ascertained. The church is a handsome frame structure costing $750, and is neatly finished and fur- nished. The church was erected the same year of its organization, and was dedicated November 12, 1880, by Elder Rupel who preached an impres- sive sermon to a large congregation, which was listened to with deep interest. Those who have acted as teachers of the divine word were first Elder John W. W. Waugh, followed by Elders J. B. Stutsman, W. W. Jones, D. M. Cotton, D. T. Wright, Elder Rupell, etc. The present membership is twenty-five. Death called away Brother A. B. Post and Sister Sarah A. Porter, and a few others have removed to other places. During the sum- mer months they have Sunday-schools and service is held on the second and fourth Lord's days of each month regularly. The present elders are W. J. Porter, and W. P. Spurgeon; deacons Norman Kelm, and W. D. Wood. On the thirty-first day of December, 1881, the church debt was entirely paid off and the opening of the new year, 1882, the bell sang out a joyous peal, for it was free. The church is prosperous, and those who hold the trust now, when called hence will have said of them, " Well done, good and faithful servants."

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

This is one of the oldest churches in Laclede, it having been organized in 1865, under very fair auspices, but as the growth of the town has been slow, so has the growth of the churches. The original members of this church were Rev. E. D. Seward, Mrs. Sarah A. Seward, Catharine L. Seward, Mrs. E. F. W. Bullard, John Paine, Miss Gertrude C. Seward, Eleanor I. Seward, Flora L. Seward, Mrs. Mary Gillette, Mrs. Nancy Harrington, and Mrs. Mary Mas- terman.

590

HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.

The church has steadily prospered, having had something like a hundred members since its organization, of which thirty-six are now connected with it, death and removals not allowing a rapid increase. In the spring of 1866 they went earnestly to work to build themselves a place of worship, and by the first of July of that year had put up a handsome structure cost- ing $2,000, which was dedicated the first sabbath in July of that year, the dedication serinon having been preached to a crowded house by the Rev. J. M. Sturdevant Jr., whose remarks were listened to with deep interest. The names of the pastors who have held the position are, first, one of the origi- nal organizers of the church, an earnest man and faithful worker, the Rev. E. D. Seward, who retained the trust three years. Rev. John Allender fol- lowed, who also retained his pastorate nearly three years, followed by the Revs. W. W. Whitmore and Albert Bowers who remained but a few months each. The Rev. W. H. Hicks served three and one-half years; Rev. R. R. Davies one year; Samuel Ollerenshaw, two years; Rev. J. J. Weage, three years ; and Rev. J. Vincent Willis, the present pastor. The church is in a sound condition, and with the growth of the town, so will the church grow and prosper, for earnest men and women have its future in their custody, and will render a faithful account of their trust.

I. O. O. F.

The Amana Lodge No. 356 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows was instituted by C. R. Hutchins of Macon City. The date of the dispen- sation and also of the charter is May 19, 1876. The charter members were Calvin Allen, J. H. Manning, E. M. Tracy, George H. Tracy, 'J. H. Brun- emer, and W. T. Hodson.

The first officers were E. M. Tracy, N. G .; J. H. Manning, V. G .; J. H. Brunemer, secretary; and Calvin Allen, treasurer.

The membership at this time numbers twenty-five, is in good condition, with every prospect of continued prosperity and steady growth. The lodge was instituted July 7, 1876, and is jointly owned by the Odd Fellows and Masons. It is a neat frame structure and cost, without furniture, $750. The present officers are G. H. Tracy, N. G .; H. Hendrickson, V. G .; H. A. Stone, secretary; V. True, treasurer; and O. F. Libby, permanent sec- retary.

A. O. U. W.

Laclede Lodge No. 43 of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, was instituted by N. W. Newton, D. G. M. The charter is dated Decem- ber 31, 1877. The names of the charter members of this excellent order were Robert C. Schrock, W. P. Spurgeon, T. E. Foreman, A. N. W. Pal- mer, R. C. Palmer, John B. Hurlbut, J. H. Ayers, Ralph Smith, M. E. Thornburg, Thomas C. Maxwell, Abraham Bird.

591

HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.

They have no hall of their own, but meet at Wilson's hall regularly twice a month on the second and fourth Tuesdays. The first officers of the order were W. P. Spurgeon, W. M .; M. E. Thornburg, F .; A. N. W. Pal- mer, O .; R. L. Schrock, recorder; J. B. Hurlbut, financier; R. C. Palmer, receiver; Ralph Smith, P. M. W .; T. C. Maxwell, G .; T. E. Foreman, I. watch; and A. Bird, O. W.

Present officers, W. P. Spurgeon, M. W .; Ezekiel English, O .; R. C. Whitley, recorder; John H. Wilson, guide; J. N. Wilson, receiver. The order is in good standing. No deaths have have occurred, and strong hopes are entertained of soon increasing its membership.

A. F. & A. M .- CYPRUS LODGE NO. 229.

This lodge is one of the oldest in the county, having been first chartered in 1857. The charter, however, was surrendered and the records lost, and therefore much of its early history, in fact, nearly all, is lost. There are some of the members still living, but outside of the fact that the lodge was instituted and charter granted and surrendered very little else can be re- membered. The lodge, however, was again reorganized and a dispensation granted May 4, 1860. It was instituted by T. B. Howe, by proxy N. A. Grubb, District Deputy Grand Master, and the following officers installed: F. M. Bell, worshipful master; John Lomax, senior warden; A. M. Clark- son, junior warden; J. R. Sands, treasurer; L. H. Weatherby, secretary; N. W. Harris, S. D .; C. P. Patterson, J. D .; John Morrison, tyler. The lodge did not receive their charter until May 29, 1862, and the list of the charter members are here given as far as the names are recollected or could be given the writer: F. M. Bell, John S. Cooper, John Lomax, J. R. Sands, and several others. On receiving the charter the following officers were elected under its provisions : F. M. Bell, worshipful master; John S. Cooper, senior warden; John Lomax, junior warden. The lodge is in good stand- ing and is in a more flourishing condition at this time than ever before. They bought a hall in 1881, and, with repairs and furnishing, it cost $1,000. It was dedicated September 21, 1881, by Reuben Barney, District Deputy Grand Master. The lodge now has thirty-one members, and its present officers are: G. W. Freeman, worshipful master; L. W. Lyons, senior war- den; W. W. Pease, junior warden; H. H. Hendrickson, treasurer; Z. T. Standley, secretary; A. H. Love, tyler.

THE HOLTZCLAW RAID.

The civil war caused far more deviltry and inhumanity by those who re- mained at home as pretended guards than those who entered the army on one side or the other in defense of what they believed right. Loyalty-a word that should never have a meaning in a republican form of govern- ment-was used to cover the darkest and some of the most damning and

592

HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.

brutal acts of the war. Retaliation became an absorbent desire, and be- tween the bushwhackers on one side and the State guards, spies, traitors, and cowards, on the other, the home fight was a perfect hell. Cold-blooded mur- ders occurred, and when some brute in human form secured power, his will was law and rapine and murder the result. The dark days of the civil war was when brave men went to the front and cowards with brutal instincts joined the home guards and the bushwhackers, and between the two, inno- cents suffered and law was a farce. At Laclede, were at times home guards, militia, or some foreign company like the Kansas Jay Hawkers, or some dis- reputable company from Illinois or Iowa, and in turn the confederate side turned out their bushwhackers or guerillas, justice was not known, and between the two murder for retaliation, and a good many out of pure fiendishment, was common.

THE EIGHTEENTH OF JUNE, 1864.

One of the most exciting episodes which happened at Laclede was known as the Holtzclaw raid. Clifton Hotzclaw's father was killed by the Fed- erals, it was claimed, for harboring the noted guerrilla chief, Bill Anderson. The senior Holtzclaw was undoubtedly a rebel sympathizer, but not an ac- active participant. His death caused his son Clifton to swear vengence on his murderers, and well he kept his oath. With his rendezvous on Mussel- forks in Chariton county, Holtzclaw raided all the adjoining counties, tak- ing the property of Union men wherever and whenever found, and obnox- ious Union men were unceremoniously killed. This state of affairs, however, was not all on one side, for Holtzclaw had felt the force of the troops sent out for his capture more than once. His raid on Laclede, which had been held by a Federal guard, but was not at the time of his raid, was for plun- der of the Union men, and not to kill, excepting two men who had played spies on him and his command, and he proposed to get even. Luckily they were away. They came into Laclede and commenced the work of plunder, the citizens being placed on the square under guard. Below is given a full account of this raid taken from a newspaper called the Union, published June 24, 1864. It says:

LACLEDE ROBBED BY BUSHWHACKERS.

" On Saturday the eighteenth instant, at about four o'clock P. M., Captain Holtzclaw with between sixteen and thirty men dashed into this place from the west, entering the town between the post office and Clarkson's old stand. Though it was broad daylight such was the carlessness of the citizens, that the invaders rode one mile along the big road through the open prairie without being seen till they announced their presence in the town with yells the most terriffic.

Hitching their horses at the racks they instantly ordered the business inen

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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.

out of their houses and formed them with the male citizens from the coun- try in a line on the public square, manifestly to prevent them from getting their arms or carrying information to the soldiers at Brookfield.

This done, the work of plundering commenced in the post-office and store occupied by John F. Pershing. Crossing to the east portion of town they found quite a number of citizens in. Earl's hall, unarmed, except David Crowder, a discharged soldier, who had a revolver. Seeing the situation one man or more with shot-guns, cocked and presented, he took deliberate aim from the window and mortally wounded James Nave. A comrade of Nave's instantly shot Mr. Crowder dead. At this a portion of the men came down the stairway while others rushed out at the east window, jumping on top of Mrs. Earl's residence and thence to the ground. Among these was 'Squire John H. Jones, a good man and lawyer of this place He with the rest was halted the third time, but he continued to run, trying, it is sup- posed to get to his drug store, when he was shot dead on the street leading to Linneus. At this Captain Holtzclaw came up and expressed deep regret, stating that it was not his intention to hurt any one, but that his orders must be respected and obeyed. While these things were occurring two men had escaped from town and making their way to Brookfield gave the alarm, and in the course of two hours or less a train with Federal soldiers from that place came in sight, and Captain Holtzclaw and his men quietly with- drew south by the Bell House, sending Mr. Nave west in the Linneus hack. The soldiers made pursuit; one squad on the locomotive west after the hack, running parallel witli the hack they fired repeated volleys at it, wounding "Nave a second time, and mortally wounding one of the men with him, and it is supposed the other was mortally wounded also. The squad going south accomplished nothing. While Captain Holtzclaw's men were plundering the stores he made a short speech to the citizens, in substance as follows:

"He had no ill feeling toward any Union man simply because he was such, but has visited Laclede in relation to outrages committed upon his friends about Keytesville. There are, he said, some abolitionists in the place who ought to be executed, and that if he had to visit the place again he would lay it in ruins and deal less leniently with the people. If he heard that any of his southern friends were abused or his men hurt or killed, or if pursued by the citizens he would deal with them severely, killing two for every one of his men killed." He added, "I am well posted and know all that is going on here." He left no list of his southern friends, and the editor added that they didn't know there were any there if he had not told them. The value of goods, money, and stock taken by the raiders amounted to over $3,000. The editor makes the following closing comments:

"It is believed that Captain Holtzclaw did not intend to kill anyone, with the exception of two men, for whom his men made frequent calls, but neither of them were in town at the time. He could have killed fifty inen

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The history of Linn county, Missouri. An encyclopedia of useful information, Part 59

Author: Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Kansas City, Mo., Birdsall & Dean Number of Pages: 906

Author:
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Kansas City, Mo., Birdsall & Dean
Number of Pages: 906