USA > Missouri > Bates County > The old settlers' history of Bates County, Missouri : from its first settlement to the first day of January, 1900 > Part 12
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18
133
OF BATES COUNTY.
FIFTY YEARS AGO. Written for The Old Settlers' History, by Judge (. I. Robords.
PRAIRIES FIFTY YEARS AGO.
No man will ever be able to imitate the beauty of landscape and variety of scenery of the natural prairies of the Great West. because of their vastness and their great variety of products, many of which are extinct.
Flowers that grew spontaneously and occupied every sea- son. from earliest spring to latest fall. excelled any collec- tion man could gather in a life-time. Lilies. roses. phloxes, violets, wild chrysanthemums, single petunas, crimson as- clepias. snow drops- brilliant and gorgeous flowers for every season -- were here to be enjoyed for their beauty as land- scape decorations, or to be plucked at will. The air was red- olent with their perfume: their sweets wore free for the honey-makers.
The grass that grew everywhere was more nutritious than any meadow of modern days. Fruits in great variety grew in the wooded districts along the water courses and ripened in succession -an abundant supply for the wants of all. Strawberries, raspberries. blackberries. dewberries, wild apples, blackhaws, grapes of large size and excellent flavor, persimmons, pawpaws, pecan nuts. black walnuts so plenti- ful that they could be scooped up with a shovel.
Bees stored their honey in hollow trees so abundantly that it could be gathered by the barrel-full. Everywhere nature provided so abundantly for man's wants that no one could doubt the Bible representation of "The land that flowed with milk and honey."
Apple and peach orchards planted in those primative days knew no insect pests and no failure of crops. Watermelons and muskmelons planted in freshly turned prairie sod cov- Pred the ground with the luxuriance of their vines, and with-
-4
.l
1
5
1:4
OLD SETTLERS' HISTORY
out cultivation produced monstrous melons so abundantly there were more than could be consumed. Water, pure and fresh stood in open prairies in sunken basins or pools that seemed to have neither inlet or outlet. Fish occupied these natural ponds. Wild animals and fowls found food. water and shelter in these great natural fields. Wooded streams afforded protection and water for fish and fowls. Along the margins of these water courses grow wild climbing roses: in the ponds and lakes grew water lilies, and beavers and otters had their home; here.
When this immense growth of vegetation was killed by frosts in the fall. grand and wonderful sights were present- ed in the burning prairies, for the wild grass grow in some seasons to the hight of eight or ten feet. Then these furious fires would create destruction to the lives of stock and occa- sionally a human life would be sacrificed by the intense heat. But as the prairies became more densely inhabited. better regulations were established for protection. and whole neighborhoods would form lines of men armed with different weapons of defence against these dangers. In the highest fury of these fires the flames would leap over creeks and riv- ers, destroying houses, fences and trees. Then the only means of defence was to build counter fires to advance and meet the oncoming flames until the two lines united' and there was nothing more to destroy.
But man's progress and civilization have destroyed that which can never be reproduced. The plow and the railroad have developed a different order of things and whether bet- ter or worse, it remains for those who loved the beautiful prairies to know them only in memory.
A MODEL LOG HOUSE.
In the eastern part of Bates County. in Hudson township. there stands a Jog house in a good way of preservation. now owned and occupied by Thomas J. Pheasant. that was built on my father's farm almost fifty-five years ago. All the logs
1
-
185
OF BATES COUNTY. .
. in this building are of white oak or black walnut hewn with smooth surfaces by the broad ax and adz. Jeveled at top and bottom. dove-tailed and matched at the ends. As the logs were laid'in place each one was bedded in mortar. and to add to the security of their position. holes were bored through every log from top to bottom of the whole wall on each side of every door and window. on each side of every corner and held in place by an inch iron bolt the full height of the wall. This log house has been re-roofed four or five times, first with black walnut rived boards, then with best sawed shingles and now with pine. The flooring was all cut with a whipsaw, the log being placed on a strong frame and one man standing above the log to pall the saw up while an- other stobal beneath the loz to pall it down. The upper foor was cut from large pecan logs. the lower floor large black walnut timber. The reason my father had for having this house built so substantially was to resist high winds.
I do not remember that we feared cyclones in the early settlement of this country. but we could often see the tracks of terrific tornadoes and hurricanes in the timber districts. Our house was built and stands on a high limestone table- land at the head of Panther Crock. From this eminence we could view a beautiful landscape five miles in extent in near- ly every direction.
Game of nearly every kind was abundant and from our hill we could see deer every fair day in the year. Indians from different tribes came to visit us every spring and fall to ask permission to hunt game. until we became so accustomed to seeing them that we did not fear them.
My father settled in Bates County when I was ten years of age. I had four sisters. When the indians came to see us, sometimes a dozen or more at the same time, we would go ont and meet them and exchange pork or corn or some arti- «le that they wanted. for their venison. They invariably had one interpretor or spokesman. all other members of the party giving us to understand that they could not speak our language. When they returned the next season some other member of the party would act as interpretor and the speak- er of the former season would be silent, pretending not to understand. But they were jovial among themselves and much given to langhter.
.
----------
-
------
=
.
136
OLD SETTLERS HISTORY
During our early acquaintance with the frontier tribes of indians we never heard of more than one act of hostility. About the year of 1840 a band of Osage Indians obtained per- mission from their agent. located in what is now Kansas, to come over the border into Missouri to hunt. While hunting game in the woods they killed some hogs belonging to white settlers. In haste, and angered at the depredations of the indians, an armed band of whites suddenly appeared at the indians' camp to bring them to account for their conduct. The first unfortunate impulse of the indians was to fly to their arms and resist what they supposed to be a determination to butcher them. The indians opened fire on the white men and killed a Mr. Dodge, one of the most useful and influen- tial pioneers of the county. Finally the indians were induc- ed to surrender, and after being informed that they must not return, the locks were removed from their guns and they were sent back to their agency in disgrace. The indians' visits were not so frequent for several years after this event, but finally under promise of good behavior they began to re- turn in small bands and always asked permission when they came to hunt.
One day a wounded deer came bounding into my father's cornfield. My dog gave chase and soon caught it. Just then a large indian with a gun in his hand ran to me and gave me to understand that it was his deer, and pointing to its hind foot showed me it had been shot off: of course I could but submit. He proceeded to dress the deer in a hasty but neat way, and after it was all ready to pack he cut off one of the hind quarters and gave it to me as my portion for the service my dog had rendered. I thought then as I now think, he proved himself to be better than most white men in manliness and gratitude.
MY WATERMELON PATCH .-
I planted a little watermelon patch in the center of the cornfield where from the hill-top at the house I could look
1 1
E. C. MUDD.
The subject of this sketch was born in Larue County, Ky., on March 27, 1852. Was educated in the common schools, and attended the Hodgensville Academy. Came to Bates County, Mo., in 1873 and settled near Burdette. Went to Pacific coast in 1883, returned in IS85, and went out again in 1888 and re- turned in 1891. While out there he was engaged in contracting on r; ilroad and other public works.
Was married to Miss Amanda Stillwell in 1874. Has always been a democrat. In 1896 was nominated and elected sheriff by the democracy. Was re-elected in 1898, and is at this time Sheriff of Bates County.
As a public official "Shelt" Mudd, as he is familiarly called, is popular with the people, and as a man and citizen he has a a large circle of admirers and friends. He is fearless in the discharge of his public duties, companionable and generous in the private relations of life. Faithful to his friends, respectful to every body, it is not remarkable that he is popular as a pub- lic officer. His term of office will expire January Ist, 1901.
OF BATES COUNTY.
down into it. As I looked into my marlon patch one day I discovered that a number of deer and wild turkeys had taken possession of it and that after they had dined on melons at my expense were engaged in a little innocent dance among the vines. The turkeys would fap their wings and strike and jump against the deer, while the latter danced and jump- ed around the turkeys like lambs at play.
They were so intent on their amusement that they did not notice me as I quietly crept dora among the corn to within a few feet of the little open square. Here I lay quiet a few moments, then raising my head discovered that a turkey was my nearest game. Leveling Er gun I pulled the trigger. but to my disappointment the gun had been loaded so long that it failed to discharge and I feared the explosion of the percussion cap would scare the game away. I remained very quiet for a little while until assured that there would be no general alarm. then placed a fresh cap on the tube. By this time a deer stood. broad-side. within a few feet of where I lay. I took steady aim. but to my increased aggravation my gun again failed to do service. I now felt sure I should lose all opportunity to capture any of the game. although within reach of it. The turkeys began to be suspicious and I knew by their notes of alarm that they were warning each other to be on the look-out for danger. I determined however, that as long as the game remained within reach of a shot I would continue to try the obstinate gun. The third time I took more care to prepare my gun for service. Having come prepared with powder-horn and shot. I opened the tube with a pin, poured in fresh powder and primed it to the top, then . placed on a new cap and raising my head cautiously, saw a fat. half grown deer less than twenty feet away. This time my gun did full execution and there immediately occurred a rushing flight and stampede of all the game except the ani- mal at which I had aimed. and that one I dragged proudly home.
TAKES TWO TO SHCOT WILD TURKEY.
We kept a flock of fame turkeys. One fall a wild turkey
-
138
OLD SETTLERS HISTORY
came from the woods and. although it always seemed a little shy, stayed all winter with the tame ones. In the spring he became discontented and began to evince a disposition to re- turn to his haunts in the woods He would make frequent attempts to lead our whole flock of tame ones away to the place of the home of his wild companions. I then determin- ed that if he was so ungrateful as to desert us after all our kindness and after having shared our hospitality a whole winter I would rather have his dead body than to have his living memory. I carefully loaded my rifle, but to my great chagrin. found that my cap box was empty. In those days it was not easy to obtain supplies when they were exhausted as it was six miles to the nearest store.
I had determined to shoot that turkey. however. By this time the turkey had perched himself on a fence within twenty feet of the house. Having raised the window quietly, I told my mother to take the tongs and bring a coal of fire from the fire place and when I raised the hammer of the gun as I took aim at him, to touch the live coal to the tube of the gun. The discharge, of course, was simultaneous with the appli- cation of the coal. My mother was greatly frightened: but we shot the turkey and ate him for dinner.
SIGN LANGUAGE OF BIRDS.
I noticed a remarkable proof of the communication of the wishes of birds. As I stood on our hill one day at noon I noticed a large hawk slowly and laboriously approaching the limestone bluff to the west of the house. The direction the bird was flying was bringing it nearly over my head. The hawk was evidently carrying a heavy prey for its young and as it came nearer I discovered that its burden was a rabbit hanging down from its talons. AAt this moment I noticed the hawk's mate dart rapidly away from the cliffs and fly direct- ly under its mate at a distance of fifteen feet or more below, then suddenly the upper hawk dropjeel its burden, I suppos- ed accidentally, but it was caught by the mother hawk, as I believed the lower bird to be, who tarned herself feet up in . the air and received the rabbit as dextrously as ever base ball catcher caught a ball, then turned and hurried back to feed her brood, while the tired master hawk flew slowly after.
1
1
-
1
:
....
inc
JACOB D. ALLEN,
born in Franklin County, Kentucky, September 12th, 1859. Moved to Missouri in 1875 with his parents, Richard N. and Jannette Allen, who located on a farm in New Home township, Bates county. Served an as apprentice in a printing office in 1876-79. Took an A. B. course in Kentucky Millitary Insti- tute 1879 to 1882. Was Senior Captain of Corps 1881 2. Salutatorian '82 class. Was Deputy County Clerk from Jan- uary 1, 1883, to July 1, 1884, when he took charge of the Butler Weekly Times, which paper he is still conducting. Was con- gressional committeeman from 1886 to 18S8. Delegate to the Democratic National Convention at Chicago, from 6th Missouri District in 1892. Was Postmaster at Butler from July 1, 1893, to October 1, 1897. Appointed by Govenor Lon V. Stephens, on October 2, 1899, a member of commission to locate and build State Lunatic Asylum No. 4, in Southeast Missouri; elected chairman of the commission by his conferres, in which capacity he is now serving the state. Was married Oct. 6th, IS86, to Miss Ida R. Wood, to which union three sons were born, Robert, William and Jacob.
Mr. Allen has made the Times one of the leading and in- Auential Democratic weeklies of the state; and he is recognized as among the prominent politicians of his party, and his friends hope to see him suitably honored by his party in the future.
139
OF BATES COUNTY.
.
PIONEER LIFE IN BATES COUNTY.
Written for The Old Settlers' History, By C. C. Blankenbecker.
I was born in Monroe county. Missouri. October. 14. 1840. My family left there September, 28. 1855. for Linn county, Kansas, passing through Butler on October. 7. At that time it was a small village with grass growing in the streets. We arrived at our destination. October. 9th. and remained there until the spring of 1-59. moving to Lone Oak township on the 29th day of March.
While this township was sparcely settled, and what settle- ments there were confined to the creeks and rivers. yet the people were kind and hospitable. Churches and schools had been established in most communities. Church services were generally held in school houses which were built of logs, with one end out for a fire-place, and one log out the full length of one side for a window and with slabs for seats. Such were the facilities for what education I have acquired, and which were cut short by that little difficulty between the states. The first frame church building erected in the coun- ty that I remember, was within three-fourths of a mile from where the writer now sits, built by the Presbyterians. The lumber was haulded from the southern part of the state or northern Arkansas in the fall of 1859. At this time the seat of government had been moved to Butler: which was build- ing up rapidly. This was our postoffice and trading point.
There are but few of the old settlers left that were here when we came. We can call to mind only one head of a fam- ily that was here then. John Daniels. There are a good many descendants of the early settlers remaining.
Nothing of an exciting nature took place from that time until 1861. when the presidential election occured. Our peo- ple were attending to their legitimate affairs, quietly and good naturedly. Once in a while a raid of freebooters from Kansas, or visa versa. which soon quieted down. Not until 1×61. as the campaign progressed did the excitement reach
4
140
OLD SETTLERS HISTORY
fever heat. As I was not a voter I took but little interest in passing events. There was one little incident after the elec- tion that I often call to mind. As I remember. there were eleven votes cast in the county for Mr. Lincoln. The names of these voters were printed on placards and stuck up at ov- ery cross-roads. I mention this to show what partisanism will lead men to. Actual hostilities did not commence in this county until the latter part of the summer of 1861.
My father being a slave holder and the circumstances sur- rounding us left us to take sides with the south. The com- pany of which I was a member. was made up in this vicinity on the 27th day of June. 1-61. We took up our line of march for the south. joining the main army at Papinsville, com- manded by General Price. We were uninterrupted until near Carthage, Missouri, when we met General Siegel, and after a sharp engagement of several hours, with slight loss on both sides. General Siegel was forced to retire. General Price continued his march to Cowskin Prairie, where we re- mained three weeks: then tock up our line of march for Springfield. Ten miles south-west of this city on Wilson Creek. we encountered General Lyon. I am unable to give the details of this fight, as our regiment was in advance, re- ceiving the first assault. I fell early in the engagement. with a minnie ball in the thigh, near where General Lyon fell. I was taken to the hospital at Springfield. In the lat- ter part of September I was able to return home where I ro- mained until 1863. From the time of my arrival at home un- til my departure there were many incidents, a few of which I will relate without being exact as to dates.
In the fall of 1861 James Hawkins accidently shot and kill- ed himself while passing through a gate at the Andrew Brown place. In less than a year Alexander Weddle and a Mr. McRupe were killed at and near the same place.
Some time in the fall of 1-52 Joe Myers called at the resi- dence of John Lloyd, and angry words ensued. Myers shot the latter, killing him instantly. In April or May. 1863. Judge Durand, a prominent citizen of Prairie City, was kill- ed by two bushwhackers, while going from his home to Butler. It was not the design of these men to take his life. only his horse and gun, but he refused to surrender. Just before or shortly after this last occurrence M. D. Elledge and J. W.
141
OF BATES COUNTY.
Jones were encamped in the brush near where Pleasant Val- loy school house now stands. While each had gone to his home for breakfast, being only a short distance away, a com- pany of militia surrounded their camp. Elledge returned first: his first intimation of danger was a demand to surren- der. He began to retreat. at the same time shooting at those in front of him: that opened a way for him to escape. Many shots were fired and the last one hit Ellodge in the arm. He returned home. called his wife out and told her where to find him when the militia had gone. He was soon able to be in the saddle again.
On December 5, 1851. a band of outlaws came to the resi- dence of George Thomas, a respected citizen and a Union man, carried him off. and he was never heard of. It is sup- posel he was murder d. In the fall of 1863 a lot of South- orn men were in the brush in the southern part of the town- ship when a dispute arose between Jim Lloyd and Harry Humphreys, over the return of some horses taken from Jack Wright. Humphreys demanding their return. Angry words ensued and both reached for their guns and fired simulta- neously. Lloyd received a ball in his brain and Humphreys one in his breast. both expiring immediately.
In May 1863. the order of General Ewing. depopulating the border counties. was issued. Bring unable for service I re- mained at home until this time. A pass was furnished me to go into our lines. I did not reach the lines until fall when I re-enlisted in the 10th Missouri Cavalry, C. S. A. Not able for active service I was detailed in the Commissary depart- ment, where I remained until the army reached the Missouri River on the Price raid, when I re-joined my company and participated in all the engagements to the close, except that of Mines Creek in Linn county. Kansas. At Cane Hill, Ar- kansas. we turned into the Nation, where for three weeks we had nothing to eat but moul without salt: and our faithful animals, brush and prairie grass, in the month of November .. After reaching Red River we turned down that stream until we reached Lee, where we spent the balance of the winter and spring, surrendering at Shreveport June the 10th, 1865. After Uncle Sam had licked us he was kind enough to fur- nissh us transportation home and plenty of grub to eat.
I found my parents in Henry county, Missouri. on the 27th
-
142
OLD SETTLERS' HISTORY
.
day of June, 1865. I did not return tothis county until 1867. While there was a great deal of animosity existing here I re- ceived very kind treatment at the hands of my late enemies, and I am proud to say that now my warmest friends are those who wore the Blue, some of whom I met on the battle-field.
Now in conclusion I wish to say that the foregoing are the facts as to my best ability to chronicle them, without any col- oring, for I see things differently from what I did thirty years ago. When I laid down my musket I considered the war at an end, and have adhered to that policy since. The past is behind us, our duty is to the future and as patri- otic Americans we should tura our eyes in that direction.
INCIDENTS OF FRONTIER LIFE.
In. Lme Oak Torraship as Related by Early Settlers.
John Daniels settled near the north boundry of Lone Oak township in the year 1855. The hardships of those early times were indeed trying to the yoeman who undertook to support his family and improve his farm under the existing circumstances.
Mr. Daniels relates that net pork was worth but three dol- lars per cwt. when delivered at Tipton, Missouri, and that almost all goods were freighted by wagon from the same place. Milch cows were worth from five to seven dollars per head, until traders came in from Oregon and caused cat- tle to advance.
Mr. Daniels served as a soldier during the war and return- ed at its close to find his buildings all destroyed and the ef- fects of his hard toil almost wiped out. Not discouraged by this he once more went to work and soon regained from waste his farm of two hundred acres, on which he still re- sides.
GEORGE W. BLANKENBECKER settled in Lone Oak town- ship in 1866. Mr. Blankenbecker was a typical frontiers- man and enjoyed the rough and ready life of the settler. His ax quickly cleared away the forest and his fruitful
-----
-
JOHN EMERY DOWELL.
The subject of this sketch was born in McDonough County, Ills., forty years ago. When he was four years old his father died, leaving a widow and three sons to fight the stern battles of life. which at times were such as to require effort and great personal sacrifice. His early educational ad- vantages were such as afforded by attending school two months in the winter and by close application to study at home during the evening hours, by de- nying hinself the pleasures of social life during his early manhood he ac- quired the foundation which enabled him to pass the examination into the higher institutions of learning. This he did at the earliest opportunity, and graduated from the Methodist School at LaHarp, Ills., in 1883, with the honors of his class.
Immediately after his graduation he joined the mighty army of ener- getic people who were then going to Dakota Territory. where he was an active figure in the battle incident to life in a new country.
In 1884 he was nominated as a candidate for Superintendent of Public Schools of Potter County, Dakota Territory, which he resigned to accept a good position as Teacher in another county.
In March, 1884, he associated himself with C. N. VanHosen, now editor of the Springfield Republican. (this state), as editors and publishers of the Potter County Blizzard, (it was just what its name implies). In March, 1886, Mr. Dowell was admitted to the bar, and located at Miller, Hand Co .. Dakota. Here he held several positions of trust, and enjoyed the confi- dence of the people. In the autumn of 1890 he came to this county, locat- ing at Adrian, and bought the Journal at that place, with which he is still connected. In the spring of 1897 he was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace, and in the autumn of the same year was elected Mayor of Adrian to fill the vacancy caused by the death of A. J. Satterlee; in the spring of ISOS he was re-elected to that office, and is still acting in that capacity.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.