USA > Missouri > Nodaway County > The history of Nodaway county, Missouri, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., biographical sketches of its citizens > Part 49
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But two tickets were placed in the field-the Republican and Lib- eral Republican. The canvass was thorough and hotly contested. Both parties stumped the county in company with foreign speakers, who were pressed into the service during the electioneering season. The result of the election of 1870 is as follows :
Official vote of Nodaway County, 1870:
+J. W. McClurg Governor 1,000
*B. G. Brown Governor 995
+I. C. Parker Congress 994
*J. H. Ellis
Congress
986
+H. S. Kelley .Circuit Judge 95I
*Bennett Pike . Circuit Judge 1,028
Amendments to Constitution :
For First Amendment 1,749
Against 143
For Second Amendment 1,769
Against . 223
+Republican. * Liberal Republican.
-
492
HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY.
For Third Amendment
1,744
Against.
126
For Fourth Amendment
1,244
Against
652
For Fifth Amendment .
1,284
Against
623
For Sixth Amendment
1,788
Against.
100
+W. A. Jones.
Representative of County
98 3
*M. B. W. Harmon
Representative of County
1,005
+J. W. Morgan
Circuit Clerk
983
*Henry Graves
Circuit Clerk 999
+Joseph Jackson
County Clerk. 1,298
*W. H. Smith
County Clerk 677
+I. K. Alderman
Probate Judge
983
*D. L. Palmer.
Probate Judge 959
+J. F. Bainum
Sheriff
840
*I. N. Wray
Sheriff
904
#James Boling
Sheriff
132
#Samuel Robison
Sheriff
88
+H. H. Geiger
Treasurer
1,057
*Samuel Lutes Treasurer
923
+W. Dougherty
Assessor
1,038
*G. W. Hatfield
Assessor
944
S. C. McClusky
School Superintendent 1,160
T. W. Gaunt.
Superintendent Registration 976
1G. H. Sexton
Coroner 938
*Daniel Diamond.
Coroner 903
The total number of votes cast at this election was 1,995. The Republican party elected seven of the county officers, and the Liberal Republicans elected three. All of the constitutional amendments carried by overwhelming majorities.
After the election of 1870, all residents of the county could exer- cise the elective franchise. The Democracy assumed the organization effected in 1868. Many of the Liberal Republicans returned to the ranks of the Republican party, while not a few remained with the Democracy. The Maryville Republican and the Nodaway Democrat became the champions of the respective parties in the county.
Though the campaign of 1872 was national in character, it was somewhat mild in this county. But two tickets were in the field-the Republican and the Democratic. A few Democrats in the county refused to vote for the National Democratic ticket. The two parties
+Republican *Liberal Republican. #Independent.
493
HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY.
were organized, conventions held and the canvass continued up to the night before the election. The result of this canvass is as follows :
Official vote of Nodaway County, 1872 :
+U. S. Grant President. 1,683
*Horace Greeley
President. 1,483
#Charles O'Connor
President. 29
+Henderson Governor 1,695
#Woodson
Governor. 1,566
+I. C. Parker.
Congressman 1,706
*Bennet Pike .
Congressman 1,512
#Perry H. Talbott
. Congressman 22
+Wyatt
State Senator 1,683
*Parish.
State Senator 1,558
+Scott K. Snively
Representative 1,657
*T. C. Ellis.
Representative 1,600
+Beech
Sheriff
1,666
*Johnson
Sheriff
1,554
+Carver
Treasurer
1,698
*Todd
Treasurer 1,540
+Jackson
Prosecuting Attorney. 1,680
*Anthony
Prosecuting Attorney. 1,565
+McClusky
School Superintendent 1,649
*Edwards
School Superintendent 1,598
+Linville Surveyor 1,690
*Brady
Surveyor
1,569
+.Wood
Public Administrator
1,662
*Snyder
Public Administrator 1,578
+Cox
Coroner 1,645
*Trublocd.
Coroner 1,58I
Republican majority in the county for president was 200 ; for gov- ernor, 129. This party also elected every county officer at this election.
The total number of votes cast for president was 3,195.
The Democratic party lost none of its ardor by this defeat ; but, on the contrary, sought to add to its numbers and increase its strength for the next contest. The financial panic which took place throughout the country, in 1873, had a tendency to make the people distrustful of those in power. This fact, for the time, indicated a disintegration of the Republican party to some extent (that party being in power). The leaders of the Democracy began to take advantage of this situation of affairs, and to avail themselves of the opportunity to add to their party such as were becoming dissatisfied with the administration.
+Republican *Democrat. #Independent.
494
HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY.
An early canvass was inaugurated in the spring of 1874. Both the Democratic and Republican parties commenced early to gird on their armor for the conflict. Through central committees, the townships throughout the county were organized, and political tracts and docu- ments were conveyed into every neighborhood. The approaching cam- paign promised to bring with it a hand to hand struggle between these parties for supremacy. But a difficulty, little anticipated in the begin- ning, was to break the force of these two contending factions. Some of the Patrons of Husbandry, or friends of the Grange movement, which had imperceptibly grown up in the county, formed themselves into an Independent party. This new party marshalled to its principles a num- ber of the best citizens in the county, and while it seemed confined to certain neighborhoods, or sections of the county, the most thoughtful politician could not foretell what the result would be. No one could predict which of the two old parties would be the more affected by this new movement. Three county conventions were called by the parties thus arrayed, and for many of the county offices three candidates entered the field. This triangular fight had a tendency to intensify the interest of the Republican and Democratic parties. The canvass was long and warmly disputed. The end of the campaign of 1874 is as follows :
Official vote of Nodaway County, 1874 :
*Hardin
Governor. . 1,400
+Gentry
Governor. 1,367
*Rea.
Congress 1,522
+Thompson
Congress
1,384
*Herren
Circuit Judge 1,333
+Kelley .
Circuit Judge
1,583
*Updegraff
Representative
1,462
+Terhune.
Representative
977
#Greason
Representative
488
*Graves. .
Circuit Clerk 1,383
+Dougherty
Circuit Clerk 1,214
ţHall
Circuit Clerk
339
*Lamar
County Clerk
1,203
+Jackson
County Clerk
1,293
#Wilson
County Clerk
441
*Denning
Sheriff
1,137
+Beech
Sheriff
1,492
*Moor
Sheriff
306
*Kceler
Treasurer
1,577
+Mendenhall.
Treasurer 1,302
*Morehouse (Stephen).
Probate Judge 1,291
*Democrat, +Republican. #Independent.
495
HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY.
+Grems
Probate Judge
1,231
McMacken
Probate Judge®
392
*Anthony
Prosecuting Attorney 1,465
+Davis
Prosecuting Attorney 1,308
*Dean
Coroner
1,395
+Cox
Coroner 1,174
The Democratic majority in the county for Governor was 33, for Congressman 138, and at this election that party elected six county officers, the Republicans two.
The election was followed by much rejoicing on the part of the Democracy of the county. For twenty-four years this party had been in the minority, during which period it had been unable to elect a single officer. In the battle which had just ended, it had elected three to one of the county officers, and had established a Democratic majority in the county.
Prior to the opening of the National campaign in 1876, the Inde- pendent party, which had figured in the county in 1874, had disbanded and its members had fallen back within the lines of the two National parties. Yet other disturbances aroused the apprehension of the leaders of the two parties.
Another financial crisis was upon the country. Business failures were heard of throughout the land. The preceding Congress had spent much time in debating the financial problem, and the public mind seemed in a condition to center upon one single idea, how to avoid impending bankruptcy? Little interest was manifested in general politi- cal measures. To avoid the organization of a new party in the county upon this single question, both the Democratic and the Republican par- ties, keeping consistency in view, sought the sunny side of the situation. As early as the 29th of April, 1876, the Chairman of the Democratic Central Committee issued a call to the Democracy to meet at the court house in Maryville, to discuss the financial question. Little was accom- plished by this movement other than to ascertain the differences of opinion existing in the minds of the members of that party upon the question. From that time forward, all means were adopted to bring about a unity of sentiment and action upon this one disturbing ques- tion, and to confine its discussion within the old party lines, As the canvass progressed, and partisan spirit increased, the work was more easily accomplished.
After the National and State Conventions were held, the Democratic and Republican parties held their County Conventions, and with but two tickets in the field, they marched into the conflict. This was perhaps one of the most thorough canvasses every made in the county. Meetings
*Democrat. +Republicar. ¿ Independent.
496
HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY.
were held in almost every school district in the county. The respective candidates for Representative made a joint canvass of the county, while other speakers were busy all directions. As in former campaigns, able speakers from abroad were invited to participate, and for a time the usual routine of business seemed to stand still while the political war was waging. The fight continued until the night preceding the election. Each party was thoroughly organized for the day of election, which closed the labors of the season in this county as follows :
Official vote of county, year 1876 :
*Tilden
President 2,41 I
+Hayes
President 2,213
#Cooper
President 59
*Phelps
Governor
.2,403
+Finklenburg
.Governor
2,238
*Rea
.Congress
2,461
+Loan
Congress
.2,224
*Parish, Thomas
State Senator 2,418
+Davis, B. K.
State Senator 2,260
*Morehouse, A. P.,
County Representative 2,431
+Jackson, H. M.
County Representative 2,235
*Keeler, P. J ..
Treasurer 2,428
+Beech, S. R.,
Treasurer
2,246
*Edwards, John
Prosecuting Attorney
2,505
+Alderman, I. K.,
Prosecuting Attorney 2,172
*Cooper, J.
Sheriff
. 2,340
+.Dougherty, William
Sheriff
2,330
*Paquin, J.
County Surveyor 2,366
+Bariteau, A. L., .
County Surveyor
2,313
*Snyder, Fred.,
Public Administrator
. 2,430
+Andrews, Arthur
Public Administrator 2,240
*Phillips, Thomas
Coroner 2,450
+Baker,
Coroner 2,235
Total vote cast at this election, 4,683.
Democratic majority over Republican ticket for President, 198. This party also elected the entire county ticket.
Before either of the old parties had entered upon the canvass of 1878 the movement apprehended in the spring of 1876 was set on foot in the county. Financial embarrassments still prevailed throughout the length and breadth of the land. Few questions were so fully discussed in the Congress of the United States as the financial problem. Books, essays, speeches and documents of every desciption bearing upon the monetary system of government flooded the country.
*Democrat. +Republican #Independent, or Greenback
497
HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY.
During the winter of 1877 and '78 the Greenback Standard was estab- lished in Maryville. A new party sprang into existence. Meetings were held and the county awakened to the new situation of political affairs be- fore the first movement had been made by either of the old parties. The storm cloud had burst upon the political sea and the waves of excite- ment were running mountain high before the first mustering drum was heard in the old political camps. In the issue of the Nodaway Dem- ocrat of March 28, 1878, the Democratic Central Committee, then retir- ing from office, published a lengthy address to the members of that party, urging the voters to stay within its party lines, and maintaining "that all needed reforms and financial relief could be brought about earlier and better by and through the Democratic party than by any other polit- ical organization."
This was followed by a similar movement on the part of the Repub- lican Central Committee of the county.
All parties commenced to organize from that date, and the entire summer was spent in electioneering. Conventions were early called in the summer, and three full tickets were placed in the field for county offices.
The Republican party of this congressional district, failing to place a candidate in the field for Congress, that party, in this county, united with the Greenback party upon their candidate. With the exception of this fusion, the three parties fought in their respective intrenchments, and for expressed principles throughout the canvass. This canvass was bit- terly contested. The three parties sent their ablest workers into the field, and every neighborhood in the county witnessed the war of words and the conflict of theories concerning the moneyed interests of the coun- try. Like the preceding canvass, this was continued with unabated fury up to the election, and never in the history of the county was greater labor performed in one day than on the election day, in the fall of 1878. The following are the returns of that election :
Official vote of county, year 1878 :
*Rea, David. Congressman 1,738
+Ford, Nicholas
. Congressman 2,704
*Ellis . County Representative 1,835
+Leeper
. County Representative 1,302
#Robinson. County Representative 1,463
*Snyder, Fred Probate Judge 1,756
"+Vinsonhaler, E.
Probate Judge 1,622
#Snively, S. K Probate Judge 1,278
*Ramsay, W. W
Prosecuting Attorney 1,883
+Beech, S. R Prosecuting Attorney. 1,667
* Democrat. +Republican. #Greenback. 32
498
HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY.
+Somers. Prosecuting Attorney 1,060
*Growney, L. J.
Circuit Clerk 1,648
+McClusky, S. C Circuit Clerk 1,519
#Wright, E Circuit Clerk
1,392
*Lamar, John County Clerk
1,656
+Miller. John
County Clerk 1,766
#Dougherty, William
County Clerk
1,182
*Updegraff, Joseph.
County Treasurer 1,909
+McKee
County Treasurer 1,446
#Sisson, N
County Treasurer
1,247
*Linnville, James
Sheriff 1,625
+Toel, Henry
Sheriff
1,927
Gill
Sheriff
1,058
*Pistole, James
Assessor
1,745
+Evans.
Assessor
1,622
±Motch
Assessor 1,257
*Skidmore, Joseph
County Collector 1,805
+Hotaling, George
County Collector 1,614
#Greenlee
County Collector 1,166
*Phillips, Thomas
Coroner 1,855
+Hull
Coroner 1,565
#Geno, John
Coroner 1,163
*Guthrie, Samuel F
County Judge, at large 1,835
+Johnston
County Judge, at large 1,562
#Barber
County Judge, at large 1,218
*Myers
County Judge, First District 1,164
+Dimond
County Judge, First District. 920
#Marlin
County Judge, First District. 657
*Dinsmore County Judge, Second District 674
+Thummel
County Judge, Second District 591
$McDowell
County Judge, Second District 577
The total number of votes cast in the county at this election for Congressman was 4,442.
The Democrats elected eleven county officers and the Republicans elected two.
The canvass and election held in 1880 was very similar to that of 1878, differing only in the fact that the latter was a National campaign. The three parties placed full county tickets in the field. The action of the Republican party in the Congressional race was the same as that of 1878.
But one distinguishing feature appears between the two canvasses: That arose in the ranks of the Republican party in its selection of dele-
* Democrat. + Republican. ¿ Greenback.
499
HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY.
gates to attend the State Convention, which was to select delegates to attend the National Republican Convention at Chicago.
The Republicans of the county were divided over the question of the candidacy of General Grant for the presidency. Some of the strongest followers of the "Third Term Movement " canvassed the county, in order to secure Grant delegates to attend the State Conven- tion. This aroused an opposition on the part of the opponents of Grant in that party, and when the County Convention was called to select the delegates to attend the State Convention, the two factions were present to contend for their respective views of the matter. The line was drawn in the selection of the delegates, and all anti-Grant men were chosen to attend the State Convention. This action of the Republican party in this county resulted in the selection of S. C. McClusky as one of the Republican delegates from this state to the Chicago Convention. Mr. McClusky proved true to the views by him expressed in the primaries, throughout the session of the Chicago Convention, casting every ballot in opposition to Grant and his entire state delegation. He cast every ballot, but the last, for Washburn. The last he cast for Garfield, who was nominated, and afterwards elected, President of the United States.
The result of the election of 1880 in this county is as follows :
Official vote of county, year 1880:
*Hancock.
President 2,484
+Garfield
President 2,301
*Weaver
President 930
*Crittenden
Governor 2,48 1
+Dyer
Governor
2,314
#Brown
.Governor
930
*Craig, James
Congress. 2,340
+Ford, Nicholas
Congress 3,205
SJohnston, T. J.,
Circuit Judge 2,457
+Kelley, H. S.,
.Circuit Judge 3,114
*Daniel, John
State Senator 2,83 1
+Dungan, -
State Senator. 2,496
*Anthony, C. A.
County Representative 2,441
+Dunn, B. A.,
County Representative 2,266
#Robinson, Ed.,
County Representative 1,017
*Ramsay, W. W.,
Prosecuting Attorney 2,749
+McMillan, I. V.
Prosecuting Attorney 2,151
#Bently, Amos
Prosecuting Attorney 756
*Moran, James
County Collector . 2,096
+Vinsonhaler, Ed .. County Collector 2,580
*LaTourette, I. V .County Collector 940
#Democrat. ¡ Republican. įGreenbacker. ¿ Independent.
500 .
HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY.
*Young; James Sheriff
.2,130
+Toel, Henry.
Sheriff 2,609
#Merrigan, James Sheriff
965
*Updegraff, J.
Treasurer 2,609
+Martin, H. K.
Treasurer 2,057
#McCoy.
Treasurer
1,048
*Given, James,
County Assessor
2,497
+Harris,
County Assessor
2,262
¿Trueblood,
County Assessor
952
*Paquin, J.
. County Surveyor 2,637
+Andrew, Arthur
County Surveyor 2,18 1
#Hays
County Surveyor 899
*Morehouse, Stephen
Public Administrator
2.377
+Holmes,
Public Administrator
2,269
+Huffman,
Public Administrator
955
*Phillips, Thomas.
Coroner
2,487
+Williams,
Coroner
2,270
#Redfield,
Coroner
939
*Myers
County Judge, First District 1,499
+.Brigg
County Judge, First District 1,265
¿Burks
County Judge, First District 456
*Skidmore
County Judge, Second District
995
+Dale
County Judge, Second District 1,077
#Hungate County Judge, Second District 402
For Township Organization
3,122
Against Township Organization 1,507
The total number of votes cast at this election for president was 5,724 ; the Democratic majority over the Republican was 183. The Dem- ocrats elected seven of the county officers, the Republicans three.
The last election returns show, as nearly as may here be stated, how the political parties in this county stand at this time, the beginning of 1882. Few counties in any state can show a more healthful political condition than is presented in these few pages of history. With the opposing parties so evenly divided, that the slightest mistake on the part of one would cause its defeat at the polls, great caution has been exercised by the respective parties, in the selection of candidates to fill the different county offices. Since 1874, the county administration has been divided between the Republican and the Democratic parties. At no time since that date has either party had control of every county office. Though the Greenback party, in this county, has been unable to overcome the opposition of the Republican and the Democratic par- ties at the polls, it has developed great strength, and in the election of
*Democrat. +Republican. #Greentacker. ¿ Independent.
501
HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY.
1878 and 1880, was chiefly instrumental in the selection and election of a Greenback Congressman in the Congressional District of which this county forms a part.
When we reflect upon the fact that, between the years 1870 and 1880, the population of the county more than doubled ; that the aggre- gate number of votes cast in the county, increased from 1,995 in 1870 to 5.724 in 1880, the relative positions maintained by the Republican and the Democratic parties appears but little less than remarkable. The untried element (new voters) at each election has been equally divided between these parties. Independent movements and the organization of new parties have about equally effected them. Like twin children, they have grown up together. At no time in the past ten years have the leaders of either party been too sanguine of success at the polls. Party spirit has run high, it is true. In the midst of a canvass, when the barometer of hope was fluctuating between anticipated success and dreaded defeat, a few have been reckless enough to lay a wager upon the success of their party, but usually the vote has been counted and the result announced before many were certain who were elected. These close political contests have benefitted the county, as they do a state or a nation. They purify the social and political atmosphere as does the thunder storm the air we breathe. A spirit of energy and emulation are thus cultivated among the people. Public men and public transac- tions are watched and understood by the masses. A common interest is taken in the welfare of the county, and each public servant endeavors to excel in the public service. Chief among the leading causes which have contributed to bring about this wholesome situation of public affairs in this county may be mentioned the public press. The two political journals, while advocating the cause of their respective parties, have not hesitated to approve right conduct on the part of a political opponent, nor to condemn misconduct wherever observed, even in the ranks of their own party, while the independent press of the county has aimed to support merit in the political affairs and public administra- tion of the county throughout.
We will offer no prophesies as to the future. Already the political war-horses are snuffing the breeze and are impatient for the campaign of 1882.
" In knots they stand, or in a rank they walk, Serious in aspect, earnest in their talk ; Factions, and favoring this or t' other side, As their strong fancy or weak reason guide."
CHAPTER XXXIV.
TORNADOES.
A DESTRUCTIVE TORNADO - THE HOPKINS TORNADO - LAWS GOVERNING THEIR MOVEMENTS.
Nodaway County, like all prairie countries, is occasionally subject to high winds. Destructive winds, however, are less frequent here than elsewhere, on account of the native growth of timber, which still fringes the banks of the numerous streams in great abundance.
A DESTRUCTIVE TORNADO.
We clip from the Nodaway Democrat the following account of the disastrous tornado that swept through the southern portion of Nodaway County, May 29, 1879, as given originally by a reporter of the St. Joseph Herald :
Yesterday morning the Herald gave an account of the disastrous , tornado in Nodaway and Andrew Counties, but the details as to the amount of damage done and the number of casualties could not be ascer- tained at the time of writing. Accordingly the news man boarded the six o'clock train Friday morning, and was soon speeding away on his mis- sion. He arrived in Barnard in time for breakfast, and before he had finished his repast Dr. J. W. Heath, hearing of his arrival, had harnessed up his span of dashing blacks, and was in waiting at the door of the hotel to convey him to the field of destruction. The representative was only too glad to accept of the doctor's hospitality, and in a short time they were spinning away in a southwesterly course, toward the Nodaway River, where the storm first started. On the way Dr. Heath gave a description of its appearance when first seen by him
The cloud was first noticed at about 4 o'clock, and resembled a dense volume of smoke arising from a burning building, and such it was at the time thought to be. It did not appear to be over two or three rods in width, having the shape of a funnel, spreading out to larger dimensions at the top. Afterwards, it seemed to spread, until it finally covered a strip of territory half a mile wide.
Upon arriving at the point where the tornado did its first damage, the team was halted and a survey of the land taken. The first damage
503
HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY.
done was at the farm of Dudley Messick, about nine miles northeast of Fillmore, in Andrew County, where it destroyed an orchard of bearing apple trees and blew down the fences over which it passed.
From there the whirlwind went to the farm of David Maginnis, about three-quarters of a mile further on, where it literally tore a lum- ber wagon to pieces, but not injuring any of the buildings. The next farm in the track of the storm was that of James Wade, whose fences were completely wrecked, the pieces being scattered far and wide over the farm. From there the storm passed on to the farm of Mr. Lemaster near that of Mr. Maginnis. Here it unroofed the cow-sheds belonging to the place, scattering the pieces in every direction, but strange to say, leaving the stock unharmed in their stalls. From here the tornado seemed to increase in strength, its velocity becoming greater, and the whirling motion growing more powerful. Sweeping at the rate of nearly sixty miles an hour, it passed a short distance north of the house occu- pied by Mr. Charles Schmidt, on .the farm of George R. Montgomery, when it turned suddenly to the southwest and struck Mr. Schmidt's house.
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