USA > Missouri > Pike County > The history of Pike County, Missouri : an encyclopedia of useful information, and a compendium of actual facts > Part 27
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The following is a brief inventory of the business interests of the town:
Dry goods stores 3 Restaurant 1
Grocery stores 7 Tobacco factory 1
Drug stores. 3 Merchant mill 1
Saddle and harness shops 2
Boot and shoe store 1
Millinery stores 2
Butcher shops 2
Blacksmith shops 2
Carriage and wagon shops
2
Huckstering establishment. 1
Carpenter shops 3
Bakeries 2
Brick yards. 2
Banks 2
Livery stables 2
Transfer stable 1
Jewelry store 1
Watch repairing 1
Shoe shops. 2
Barber shops. 2
Churches 3
Furniture store 1
Colored church 1
Bed spring factory . 1 Schools 3
Hotels 1 Public halls ->
Merchant tailor 1
Saloon 1
Beer and wine house 1
Trade and sale stable. 1
Cigar factory 1
Hardware stores
Lumber yard 1
Ice dealer 1
Dairy. 1
Photograph gallery 1
Dress makers 2
Lawyers 11
Doctors 5
Dentists
2
Printing offices 2
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762
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
THE COURT-HOUSE.
Whether the court-house at this time be regarded as an elegant temple or not the people of Pike county deserve credit for having made an honest attempt at having a magnificent structure for the administration of justice. The contract for this building was let as carly as 1866 to Conrad Smith, of Lonisiana. The foundation was laid by John W. Allen and was constructed out of the Bowling Green building rock, pronounced by geologists to be ex- cellent stone. That the building has given way some and discloses un- gainly cracks is due to the peculiar nature of the ground itself rather than to defects in the foundation. The brick work was completed by William English. Jones & Burris, of Hannibal, did the plastering, and Greenwood & Flesh, of St. Louis, had the contract for the painting. The excellent roof, constructed of Vermont slate, is the workmanship of one Wyte. The entire cost of the building was not much below $70,000.
In size, the building is eighty feet north and south and fifty-five feet east and west, with a vestibule on the east fourteen by fifty feet, surrounded by a cupola which reaches an altitude of ninety-five feet. The main building is but two stories high, measuring forty-one feet from the foundation to the eaves. The lower story furnishes the accommodations for the county and probate courts and a number of rooms for county offices, while the upper story has the large circuit court room and smaller rooms for consultation and for the juries.
On the first floor are two capacious halls intersecting each other at right angles, providing easy access to any part of the first story, while on the east side, located in the vestibule, are double stairs leading to the large circuit court room, whose dimensions are fifty-one by sixty-two feet, the ceiling be- ing twenty-one feet from the floor.
This building stands in the center of a grove of locust trees, interspersed by young and thrifty maples, furnishing ample shade and yet not sufficiently dense to interfere with the grass beneath making a beautiful green sward. The locust trees at this time present a rather stubby appearance, owing to the fact that they were recently bereft of their branches by a heavy sleet and have not yet had time to regain their symmetry. That they survive at all is not perhaps due to the fact that they are the fittest trees for shade, or the most ornamental, and it is to be hoped that. in the future, they will not be as popular as they have been in the past, but will yield their place to better and prettier trees.
This shaded lawn, on which the temple of justice stands, is enclosed by a
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BOWLING GREEN.
beautiful and durable iron fence built upon a substantial wall -- all of which is very creditable to the place.
BUSINESS INTERESTS.
While the town is not noted for its manufacturing interests it has several establishments of no little importance to the place, which, if properly pat- ronized by the community, are destined to grow materially. Among these is the
CARRIAGE-MAKING
establishment of Burke & Bagby, which turns out fine carriages, barouches, phaetons, spring-wagons, etc., of excellent finish and first-class material. Mr. W. T. Burke commenced in this business some eleven years since, and has the benefit of a wide experience. The firm now employs, on an average, seven hands, and its output now amounts to about $10,000 worth of new work each year, and is on the steady increase. Aside from this, general black- smithing and repairing is done.
It is the purpose of this firm to run a first-class machine shop, to which end they have already secured an engine, lathe, and all the machinery neces- sary for a shop of this kind, which is to be opened in full blast early in the coming spring of 1883. It will be in charge of a machinist who has made a specialty of this branch of business, and is eminently qualified for his work. The proprietors propose to erect a commodious brick building for their en- larged business. These gentlemen are also general agents for all kinds of machine goods, such as outfits for saw-mills, steam-engines, mowers, etc., as well as for Thomas's Patent Harrow, the Casady Sulky Plow, and the Oliver Chilled Plows. All persons buying machinery of these merchants can pro- cure all extras at home, saving themselves much needless trouble and bur- densome commissions. Again, one man is constantly at hand to set up and start all machinery for the industrial community.
In the wood line we find that these gentlemen have also supplied them- selves with planers, band-saws, and other machinery adapted to sawing out and dressing any kind of hard lumber, sizing it to suit the purpose intended, running even a wood saw to prepare fuel.
Such enterprise as this deserves the patronage of the farmers especially, whose interest it is to build up home manufacturing interests, something often preached but too little practiced. A similar establishment is
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HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
A. J. PUGIL'S CARRIAGE AND WAGON MANUFACTORY.
This business was begun by the present proprietor as early as 1866, at which time he devoted his attention principally to the manufacture of wag- ons, at the same time carrying on a repair shop for the convenience and benefit of the general public. A few years after he had become firmly es- tablished in Bowling Green, Mr. Pugh commenced to build or manufacture buggies, and his work giving universal satisfaction, and, there being de- mands made upon him for more work than his facilities then enabled him to supply, he at once prepared to engage in the business more extensively, and immediately supplied himself with all the material, tools, and other ar- ticles essential to the safe and successful conduct of the business. From that time until the present he has every year made more or less buggies and wagons, at the same time carrying on his repair and blacksmith sbops, un- til, at this time, his establishment is regarded as one of the important busi- ness enterprises of this portion of the county. He has invested about three thousand dollars capital, employs from three to six men, and last year turned ont, in addition to wagons and other farm implements, fifteen new buggies and three spring wagons. Besides this he rebuilt a number of old buggies, and did much similar repairing for the citizens of both the town and coun- try. Another enterprise of public interest is the
BOWLING GREEN MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
This company was organized in May, 1881, with a cash capital of five thousand dollars. Its objeet was to manufacture plug tobacco, and from the time when it was first operated it has been engaged in supplying western Missouri and Kansas with some exellent brands, aud has, for the most part, been kept running up to its full capacity, about seventy thousand pounds per annum. The incorporators were S. P. Griffith, D. L. Caldwell, Geo. W. Jacobs, R. H. Wright, C. F. Williford, J. L. Hendrick, J. B. Purnell, Ga- briel Phillips, Dr. R. HI. Bourn, of Mexico; Elliott & Wyman, of Hannibal, and W. T. Jacobs, of Prairieville. Mr. Perry A. Seroggins, who has bought into the factory since its first organization, is both business manager and secretary of the company. Mr. C. F. Williford has, charge of the factory, and attends to the details of the manufacturing. The factory is well sup- plied with machinery, by the use of which inost of the goods are made, and its trade is gradually and constantly increasing.
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BOWLING GREEN.
BANKS.
Perhaps nothing indicates the financial status and business thrift of a community better than the character of its banking institutions. Of these Bowling Green has two that command the confidener of the people in the highest degree, representing, as they do, a large amount of capital and of- ficered by men of integrity and genuine courtesy. The banking-house of
W. B. M'ALISTER & BROS.,
of Bowling Green, began business January 3, 1881, with a cash capital of five thousand dollars. It is a private bank, owned by three brothers, Wil- liam B., Alexander R., and James R. MeAlister, who were born and reared on a farm near the county seat, and who, previous to their engaging in banking, were employed in the grocery business and in various other pur- suits, being always prominent in every public enterprise, and thus entrench- ing themselves in the good opinion of their neighbors, whose confidence and esteem they pre-eminently enjoy. This bank has been a snecess from the beginning. having to-day, in addition to its original capital of five thousand dollars, a surplus of five thousand dollars, and deposits to the amount of seventy thousand, which are still increasing. From its inception, Win. B. McAlister has given to the business of the bank his personal and careful supervision. During the first months of its existence Fenton Murray was assistant cashier, and bears the reputation of being one of the most accurate accountants in the state. Since his resignation his place has been ably filled by Lucien M. Edwards, who, though young. is an expert in every branch of the business, and withal a courteous gentleman. With such a record, not a cent thus far having been lost, it is safe to predict for this institution a bril- liant future.
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FARMERS' BANK.
This bank, which is the oldest institution of the kind in the western por- tion of the county and which has long had the entire confidence of the com- munity in which it is located, was organized in the fall of 1874 and char- tered in January, 1875. Its capital stock amounted to fifty thousand dol- lars, with thirty per cent, or fifteen thousand dollars paid in. The original stockholders were Dr. R. H. Bourn, of Mexico; Moses Hendrick, J. L. Hendrick, Richard Gentry, and Elijah Robinson. The first officers were Moses Hendrick, president; Dr. R. H. Bourn, vice-president; and Richard Gentry, cashier. In the fall of 1875 S. P. Griffith bought the stock of Richard Gentry, and at the same time succeeded him as cashier, which po-
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HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
sition he still retains. Since its first organization some changes have been made in the way of the sale and purchase of stock, and at this time the stockholders are Dr. R. H. Bourn, of Mexico; S. P. Griffith, E. Robinson, W. G. Downing, of Memphis. Missouri; and John E. Stonebraker, of St. Charles, who is also cashier of the First National bank of that city. Dur- ing its term of business the bank has added to its capital a surplus in excess of eight thousand dollars: it has on hand at this time deposits aggregating over eighty-six thousand dollars; is now doing, and has always done, a care- ful and successful business, npon the most liberal principles compatible with absolute safety; and is at this time in a promising and prosperous con- dition, and with a future full of usefuluess to the general public and of pos- sible profit to the parties in interest.
FLOURING MILLS.
The first mill ever built in Bowling Green was erected by Edward Hardin about the year 1857. It was really a grist and saw-mill combined, and stood near the present track of the Short Line Railroad, and was run until the war began, when it passed through numerons changes, when, finally tl:e old mill was abandoned. Afterwards Reedy & Purse built their mill and ran it about two years, at the expiration of which time Mr. W. J. Sisson, who had for many years been in partnership with Judge S. S. Russell, of Ashley, in connection with W. B. and A. R. McAllister, bought it. This occurred in 1879. At this time the mill has been enlarged and greatly improved. The old mill ran two sets of burs, one for wheat and the other for corn, and had a daily capacity of 108 bushels of wheat and 96 bushels of corn for a run of twelve hours each day. The present capacity is about three times as much for each cereal. The building at this time is a two and a half story frame, besides the stone basement for engine and machinery.
Recently the mill has been supplied with much new and costly machin- ery. The new engine is a sixty-horse power, constructed by the Greenlief' Manufacturing Company, Quincy, Illinois. The boiler is twenty-two feet long, forty-eight inches in diameter, and has twelve six-inch flues, manufac- tured by John O'Brien, of St. Lonis. The cost of the engine was $1.200, that of the boiler $781. exclusive of freight, which was $24. The cost of the wood work in enlarging the house was $1,000.
A personal inspection of the interior of the mill revealed the fact that it contained machinery in perfect harmony with that of the engine and boiler room. Among this machinery was the " Becker brush," patented June 2, 1871, and manufactured by the Eureka Company at Rock Falls, Illinois;
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BOWLING GREEN.
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" No. 2 Excelsior bran duster," made at Silver Creek, Chautauqua county New York; a " wheat separater and oat and weed extractor," manufactured by Barnard & Company, Moline, Illinois; a fine bolting chest, being a "four-reeled double conveyor," having a length of eighteen feet; also a three-reeled bolting chest; a " middlings purifier," No. 3, from Jackson, Michigan; a No. 2 " Victor smutter," made by Barnard & Lea., Moline, Illinois; and much other excellent machinery, whose description our limited space precludes. This mill has already gained a reputation that reflects credit upon the county at large, and more than merits the description given.
LIVERY BUSINESS.
Commercial travelers certainly have no reason to complain of the facili- ties that the town affords in the way of livery rigs. Two establishments, with excellent turn-outs, are ever ready to supply every demand in their line for transporting the living or burying the dead. The establishment of
H. C. JOHNSON
dates back to 1871, when he first began the business, in which he remained until January 1, 1881, when he went to Louisiana to engage in the same employment, commencing there February 21, 1881. IIc sold out, however, November 4, of the following year, and returning to Bowling Green bought out W. N. Gibbs, to whom he had previously sold his establishment. Dur- ing bis absence the firm.was known as Frier, Gibbs & Company. Soon af- ter Frier sold his interest in the concern, and the firm was then known as that of Ward & Gibbs. Ward retired in 1882, buying out his partner's in- terest in the omnibus line, to which he is now giving his exclusive atten- tion, there being no competing line. Finally, in November of 1882, H. C. Johnson, the present proprietor, bought ont W. N. Gibbs, and has resumed entire control of the business at the old stand. At this time he is employ- ing ten horses, six buggies, two carriages, two spring wagons, and a fine hearse, valued at 8800. A more recent establishment is that of
R. W. M'DANNOLD,
who began the livery business, with O. A. Myers as his partner, December 1, 1881, but bonght Myers out April 1, 1882. His employment was remunerative until the destructive fire broke out, which consumed the frame buildings on the corner near by and also burned up the fine stables in which he was carrying on his business. Through the exertion of his friends his stock and buggies were all rescued before he could reach the conflagration. He moved his stock temporarily into the buildings
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HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
belonging to Ward & Gibbs. Determined not to be disheartened by ad- verse circumstances he commenced to rebuild on the 20th of November and by the Sth day of the following month he had his stock moved into the new building, and is now prepared to furnish the public with turn-onts that would do credit to any stable in the county. The establishment comprises eleven horses, five buggies, one carriage, and one spring wagon, involving a capital of more than $3,000.
THE TELEPHONE.
The idea of building a telephone from Ashley to Bowling Green was con- ceived by M. T. Griggs, who. in the years 1880 and 1881, in traveling over the state, had observed the successful working of this novel instrument. As the distance between these two places was only eight miles, he felt confident that enough interest could be awakened in the matter to put up the line, and mentioned the project to several men of means in Bowling Green, but received little or no encouragement, as no one seemed to be willing to invest means in a scheme that promised no certain returns. Nor was this strange, as no one knew anything of the practical value of such a line of communi- cation or the cost of its construction.
In the summer of 1881 Mr. Griggs went to St. Louis and called on the agent of the Bell Telephone Company, who gave him all the necessary in- formation touching the cost of building the line and the best means of securing its construction. Another attempt was then made to form a com- pany. Having failed at Bowling Green certain enterprising men at Ashley were approached. As a result J. L. Elmore subscribed 850, Russell & Sons $100, and M. T. Griggs $100. Thus a good beginning was made, and soon after S. F. Griffith, of the Farmers' Bank, of Bowling Green, subscribed $100, and the balance of the $500 stock was secured in good subscriptions.
The contract for the poles and the erection of the line was awarded to P. P. Parker, who completed the work by January, 1882. The line was not, however, in working order until March 1, 1882. The first message sent over the line was from W. S. Bryant, Ashley, to C. & A. depot.
So snecessful was the enterprise that the company concluded in the fol- lowing June to extend the line to Louisiana, cleven miles farther. For this purpose they secured the right-of-way from the Louisiana and Middle- town Roek Road Company to run the line along said road. Meanwhile the Mutual Union Telegraph Company had put up poles along this road for one of their own telegraph lines. The Rock Road Company having refused to allow the ercetion of any more poles, and the Telephone Company having
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BOWLING GREEN.
secured the right-of-way, which the Telegraph Company had not, an unwil- ling compromise was forced upon the latter, which resulted in allowing the Telephone Company to put their wire on the poles erected by the other company, the one furnishing the poles and the other the right-of-way.
THE MASONIC FRATERNITY.
More than thirty years ago the Masonie fraternity instituted a lodge in- troducing the mysteries and rites of this time-honored institution. At this time it is represented by three organizations-one Blue Lodge, one Royal Arch Chapter, and one Commandery.
Phoenix Lodge No. 136, A. F. & A. M., was organized under dispensa- tion, November 4, 1850, by M. II. MeFarland as D. D. G. Master, with the following named persons as charter members: James O). Broadhead, Will- iam Bolton, Thomas Dunbar, James W. Kem, James M. Martin, N. P. Minor. William Penix, and Thomas Reynolds.
The Pike Royal Arch Chapter was organized as Lyons Chapter, under dispensation, May 12, 1875, by W. O. Parks as M. E. G. H. P .; W. R. Gwilliam as G. K .; D. E. S. Taylor as G. S .; G. D. Vineil as G. S .; R. C. Pew as G. C. Il .; F. C. Wenkle as G. R. C .; HI. S. Smith as G. P. S .; W. W. Anderson as G. M. third veil: H. M. Reed, G. M. second veil; M. T. Davis, G. M. first veil; P. P. Parker, G. G. The charter was issued Octo- ber 7, 1875, and the lodge instituted under charter October 19, 1875, by C. B. Randolph, acting G. II, P. The lodge, though small in the beginning. has made commendable progress, and now numbers thirty-eight members in good standing.
Cyrene Commandery was instituted under dispensation by P. R. E. G. O. of Missouri, Sir Knight John R. Parsons, of St. Louis, on April 6, 1882. The following Sir. Knights acted as officers: P. R. E. Y. C., John R. Par- sons as E. C .; P. R. E. G. C. of Illinois, C. M. Morse, G. R. E .; J. A. Sloan as C. Gen .; W. A. Simpson as S. W .; G. A. Potent as J. W .; Thomas C. Ready as prelate; Ferdinand Winkle as recorder; S. B. Cunningham as St. Bearer; W. L. Orr as Sd. bearer; James Yates as warden; F. K. Buford as guard. The following Sir Knights were charter members: C. J. Atkins, A. B. Ayres, J. Brown. F. K. Buford, Thomas Conley, F. M. Doan, J. M. Dreyfus, M. T. Griggs, R. J. Hawkins, A. R. McAlister. G. T. Mose- ley, W. F. Oglesby, P. P. Parker, R. C. Pew. E. D. Pearson, Enock Pep- per, HI. M. Reed, W. J. Sisson, N. C. Harden, W. F. Hill, John J. MeEl- wee, W. B. MeAlister. II. S. Smith, D. E. S. Taylor, Ferdinand Winkle, and B. F. Wilson. The first officers elected under the charter were: P. P. Parker,
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HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
E. C .; M. T. Griggs, Gen .; B. F. Wilson, C. G .; J. M. McClellan, prelate; T. L. Wells, S. W .; G. Monroe, J. W .; W. J. Sisson, treasurer; W. B. McAlister, Rec .; R. O. Pew, S. B .; Thomas Conley, S. B .; S. P. Griffith, warden; and F. K. Buford, guard. This Commandery is in a flourishing condition, with an ever increasing membership, which now numbers forty- two.
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS.
Cuivre Lodge, No. 212, I. O. O. F., was organized at " Little " Phoenix Hall, where it still meets, November 18, 1870, by Deputy Grand Master W. II. Shaw. The following officers were elected, constituting also the charter members, as the lodge was small: N. G., C. P. Williams; V. G., N. M. Clark; Sec., II. S. Clark; Treas., C. B. Richards; R. S. to N. G., Gilbert Munroe; L. S. to N. G., W. H. Campbell; warden. H. D. Hunter; R. S. S., W. H. MeAlister; T .. S. S., IL. Randolph; I. G., P. P. Parker; sup- porter to V. G., S. P. Fleak. The lodge has at this time about thirty-five members, and is making commendable efforts to sustain its organization in the face of some difficulties.
THE A. O. U. W.
Lodge No. 64 was organized July 24, 1878. The following persons hav- ing assembled at Odd Fellows' Hall, were the original members, as organ- ized by Deputy Grand Master Workman M. W. Newton: James L. Hen- dricks, W. C. Williams, James W. Rodgers, W. F. Mayhall, John S. Baker, Edward T. Smith, Joseph B. Purnell, S. P. Griffith, William R. Hind, W. T. Burk, Frank P. Toombs, David L. Caldwell, W. C. Kincaid, Mathew G. Reynolds, John B. Buchanan. Ferdinand Winkle, Charles W. Morris, Car- roll J. Atkins, Thomas L. Wells, W. K. Frier, James D. Frier, and Benj. HI. Cowgill. The present officers, whose term ends January, 1883, are: John Creighton, M. W .; Gab. Phillips, financier; P. M. McNally, G. F .; A. Livingston, O .; W. D. MeLean, recorder; C. E. Porter, recorder; James Swagerty, guide; B. F. Richards, I. W .; A. J. Farrell, O. W .; F. Winkle, tristee; J. M. Rodgers and P. G. Nichols, medical examiners. Among the P. M. workmen are John W. Buchanan, S. P. Griffith, and James W. Rodgers. The fraternity is growing in numbers, the present membership being sixty-five. During the four years of its existence but one member, Jesse W. Bilbrow, has died, which occurrence took place Angust 25, 1881.
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BOWLING GREEN.
GOOD TEMPLARS.
The Bowling Green Lodge, No. 292, I. O. G. T., was duly instituted Jannary 12, 1878, in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, by P. P. Ellis, P. W. G. O. T., and the following officers clected and installed: Rev. R. O. Elmore, W. C. T .; Miss Pue Parker, W. V. T .; Gilbert Munroe, record- ing secretary; Mrs. Emma Dixon, assistant secretary; Miss Kate Reid, L. S .; Miss Mollie Emerson, R. S .; Vol Pugh, financial secretary: Mrs. . L. V. Campbell, treasurer; P. Frank Wilson, marshal; Miss Patsy Frier, assistant M .; B. F. Cowgill, P. W. C. T .; ]. W. Basye, L. deputy; Jolin Doan, chaplain; Miss Emma Murray, I. G .; J. A. Dixon, O. G. The present officers (1852) are: P. W. C. T., Gabriel . Reed; W. C. T., R. W. Unsell; W. V. T., Miss Ettie McDonold; recording secretary, Thomas Lasberry; assistant secretary, Mrs. Thomas Lasberry; financial secretary, -- Saunderson; treasurer, Miss Fannie Murray; chaplain, Ira B. Kirk- land; marshal, Willie H. Campbell; assistant marshal, Miss Clara Brad- bury; I. G., Miss Mary Johnston; O. T., Ira B. Richards; lodge deputy, W. II. Campbell. This lodge is doing good work in the interests of tem- perance and good morals, nor is it withont a good field for its labors, even in Bowling Green, a town without a saloon.
AMERICAN LEGION OF HONOR.
Pike Council 43, American Legion of Honor, was organized January 8, 1SS1, with twelve charter. members, by S. P. Griffith, Dept. Sup. Com. The following were the officers chosen for the year: S. P. Griffith, com- mander; S. Walter Basye, past commander; Anson Brodbry, orator; J. B. Dunbar, vice commander; R. A. Lowry, guide: J. E. Sanderson, financial reporter; J. N. Gibbs, treasurer; W. H. Mitchell, secretary; Rev. J. Reid, chaplain; S. J. Reynolds and W. II. Pollard, medical examiners.
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