USA > Missouri > Bates County > The old settlers' history of Bates County, Missouri : from its first settlement to the first day of January, 1900 > Part 7
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* Owing to our inability to secure the exact number of school houses from any reliable record at this time, we only approximate it from what we have at hand.
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N. A. WADE,
Senior Editor of Bates County Weekly and Butler Daily Democrat, was born in Harrisville, Harrison County, Ohio, April 27, 1843.
His father, Robert Wade, was a native of New Jersey, and his mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Matson, was born in Virginia.
He was reared in Ohio, and educated in its public schools and at Franklin College.
He was a member of Co. E, Fifteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War and served two years. He participated in the battles of the Atlanta campaign and at Nashville and Franklin.
He taught school before and after the war, and was Principal of the St. Clairsville (Ohio) High School just previous to coming to Missouri. Read law when he could spare the time from school duties and was ad- mitted to the bar in Ohio in 1868.
Came to Butler, Mo., October 23, 1868, and practiced law until January Ist, 1871, when he was appointed Deputy Circuit Clerk and Recorder. In July, 1871, he and J. Scudder, the latter of whom subsequently became President of the Adrian Bank, after he had sold his interest to the former, January 1, 1882, and since deceased, purchased the Bates County Democrat, and the former has been editor of same and is now. He started the Daily which he is conducting, in June. 1889.
He was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention of 1876 at St. Louis which nominated Samuel J. Tilden. Was Postmaster in Butler during President Cleveland's first administration. Is holding the position of Inspector of Oils for Bates county during absence of Lieut. Wade in the Philippines. Was united in marriage to Mrs. M. J. Weed, whose maiden name had been Mary J. Dimmett, daughter of Wm. Dimmett of Blooming- ton, Ills., a native of Maryland, in December, 1871. They have one son, Lieut. Ben R. Wade, formerly assistant editor of the Democrat, now 2d lieutenant in the 32d U. S. Volunteer Infantry. serving in the Philippines. They had one daughter, who died quite young.
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OF BATES COUNTY.
THE PRESS OF BATES COUNTY.
NEWSPAPER DIRECTORY.
Butler Daily Democrat.
Butler, Mo.
Daily Mining Review,
Rich Hill, Butler,
Bates County Democrat, weekly,
The Free Press,
Bates County Record,
Butler Weekly Times.
Bates County Republican
Mining Review,
. Rich Hill.
Western Enterprise,
Rich Hill Tribune,
The Critic,
Border Telephone.
Hume.
Rockville Reflex,
Rockville,
Adrian Journal,
Adrian,
Border Breezes
Amsterdam,
Merwin Mirror.
Merwin,
Amoret Beacon,
Amoret,
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The newspapers published in the county prior to the Civil War. were The Bates County Standard, at Butler, by W. L. Perry, 1858 to 60: The Western Times, also at the county seat, by W. P. Green. 1560 and 61: The Banner, at West Point, by T. H. Sterens. 1859 to 61. All collapsed in the early stages of the war, and noue were resurrected after the close of hostilities.
The first paper established after the close of the war was The Bates County Record, at Butler, in 1866, and it has been published continuously since that time. The Bates County Democrat was started by Feeley & Rosser, in 1869, passed under the control of Wade & Scudder, in 1871, and the en- tire control was assumed by N. A. Wade in 1882, under whose control it has continued to flourish. The Butler Weekly Times was established in 1878, by Newsom & Lanhorn, in
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OLD SETTLERS HISTORY
1>79 Chas. T. MeFarland succeeded Lanhorn, and in 1850 he secured control of the paper, but was afterwards succeeded by J. D. Allen.
The Rich Hill Gazette was established at Rich Hill in 1550. by Huckeby & Eldridge, who were in 1881 succeeded by Eldridge & Cobb. In the same year, also at Rich Hill, The Mining Review was launched by Thos. Irish, and in 1881 The Western Enterprise was started at the same place by Wiseman & Magill. The Adrian Advertiser was established at the new town of Adrian, by E. T. Kirkpatrick, in 1882. The Bates County Republican was launched at the county seat, also in 1882. It enjoyed a short and somewhat check- ered career, and was edited in turn by John Brand, Edgar Beach and Robert Grierson. Mr. Beach died soon after as- suming control of the paper.
In her early days Foster had several newspaper ventures, and in the last few years has had two different claimants for her support, but is now without a local paper. The Adrian Register was started in 1886 and published for about two years.
During the last decade the following have for a time flour- ished and passed off the stage of action:
The Amoret Chief. by T. J. Trickett; The Bates County Globe, at Hume, by Palmer Bros., had a short career: The Bates County Populist, at Rich Hill. by A. P. Hackett: and The Leader, at Rockville.
Although we find an occasional wreck along the wayside of the newspaper past in Bates County, it has on the whole proven to be an exceptionally good field for the newspaper men, as can readily be seen from the number of local papers which it supports. Almost every town of sufficient size to aspire to any considerable prominence as a trading point, supports its local paper. And in turn we can say that the county owes much to the earnest and untiring efforts on the part of her press to promote every worthy enterprise and lead the way in every advance.
The Bates County Record, the oldest paper now published in the county, was established at Butler a third of a century since. O. D. Austin & Son aro publishers, the senior mem- ber of the firm having been in control of the paper since its early days. It is republican in politics, and has led the
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OF BATES COUNTY.
party in every campaign since the war. Its senior editor has twice held the position of postmaster at Butler, is prominent. in Masonic and Grand Army circles and has at all times been regarded as one of the leading citizens of the county. His son. E. S. Austin, has been connected with some of the leading papers of the state. and is an "up to date" journalist. The Record has a large circulation, distributed to all parts of the county.
The Bates County Democrat has been under the control of that veteran newspaper man, Col. N. A. Wade, for thirty years, is democratic in politics, and its editor is one of the party leaders of the state. He was postmaster of Butler un- der Cleveland's first term. and now holds the position of Coal Oil Inspector for Bates County. His son, Ben. R. Wade, who has until recently been connected with him, is now a lieutenant in the 32d U. S. Volunteer Infantry Regiment do- ing duty in the Philippines. The Democrat has a very large circulation. N. A. Wade & Co. also publish The Butler Daily Democrat, which is issued from the office of The Bates County Democrat. It receives a good local patronage.
The Butler Weekly Times holds third place in respect to age, but is one of the leading papers of the county. It is now published by J. D. Allen & Co., is democratic in politics and receives its share of the party's honors and emoluments. Mr. Allen was postmaster at Butler from 1893 to 1897, the third in succession of newspaper men to hold that position. He also stands very high in the councils of his party, and has been honored by appointments to other high stations. The Times is a model county paper, and enjoys good support.
The Local News was established at Butler, in 1888, by R. J. Trickett. who sold out to B. R. L. Poston, and the name of the paper was changed to Weekly Union. In May, 1890, the plant was purchased by the Weekly Union Company, an incorporated concern. and M. V. Carroll was employed by the board as editor. He continued with the paper till July 1893. when he was succeeded by G. P. Garland. He edited the Union until March Ist, 1894, when W. O. Atkeson was employed as editor, and has continued with it to the present · time. In November, 1893 the concern was incorporated un- der the law with a capital stock of $2,000. On June, 1, 1895, the name of the Union was changed to The Butler Free Press.
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OLD SETTLERS HISTORY
its present name. It is a vigorous, fearless, peoples party paper, ably edited, and enjoys a wide circulation and large influence in local affairs.
The Bates County Republican. established at the county seat. July. 1599, by Chambers & Cohenour, soon afterwards passed under control of J. F. Chambers, is a recent appli- cant for the support of Bates County's citizens. It is an out- spoken advocate of Republicanism, and under the manage- ment of its energetic young publisher, is making substantial progress and has gained a wide circulation.
The Mining Review, at Rich Hill, is now published by Walters & Carr. It is a Democratic paper, ably edited and well supported. its circulation extending over the entire county, and enjoys the distinction of being the largest in size of any paper in the county. Its publishers also issue a daily edition which receives merited support and is a financial suc- cess.
The Rich Hill Tribune is now on its tenth year, and under the control of J. C. Oldham and R. E. Pichard, editors and publishers, it is Republican in politics and its senior editor is secretary of the Republican County Committee. It, hower- er, devotes much space to local news and is a very popular paper, especially in the south part of the county.
The Western Enterprise, also at Rich Hill is published by Col. Wiseman, is Democratic in politics, is ably edited and secures its full share of the support of its town and its party.
The Critic was launched at Rich Hill in 1898. br. Warren Bros. It is edited by Fred D. Warren, and is an advocate of Modern Socialismu. Its editor is a graduate of a journalistic Art school, and enlivens his articles by timely and character- istic cartoons.' The Critic is securing a large circulation in the state.
The paper that made its first salutatory in the city of Ad- rian was the Adrian Advertiser, E. T. Kirkpatrick, editor and proprietor. Published Saturday, September 9, 1882. Politically the Advertiser was strictly Democratic. The pa- per proved profitable both to the public and publisher. In 1885 and '86 the Advertiser changed hands and M. H. Sly be- came editor until 1888, when it again changed, and was pub- lished on Thursday, with E. T, Kirkpatrick editor. In Jan- uary 1889, the town company had charge of it and changed
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J. FRANK CHAMBERS.
The subject of this sketch was born in eastern Bates county, Mo., January 26, 1868; lived on his father's farm, assisting on same and going to school in the winter, until he was twenty years old, then he entered Butler College where he attended school two years. From this school he went to the Ft. Scott Normal College which he attended one year. He then taught school two years and afterwards farmed and taught school, and was also engaged in the mercantile business at Spruce, and at Butler. In 1894 he was married to Miss Callie M. Patrick. To them have been born four children.
Mr. Chambers has always taken great interest in politics, being a Republican. In 1898 the Republicans of Bates honored him with the nomination for Circuit Clerk and he came nearest to election of any one on the county ticket. June 30, 1899, Mr. Chambers, together with W. C. Cohenour, edited, published and sent out the first copy of the Bates County Republican, which Mr. Chambers is now editing and publishing, he having pur- chased the interest of Mr. Cohenour. By good management and hard work he has built up one of the leading Republican papers of Southwest Missouri. While Mr. Chambers is yet a young man he is quite well known in and outside of Bates county. He has a bright future before him.
OF BATES COUNTY
the name to The Journal. The company put. M. O. Smith in charge. In a short time it was sold to McBride & Hutch- inson. In 1890 was sold to Hogan & Co. In -1891 it went to Hogan & Dowell. At the expiration of two months Dow- ell bought Hogan out. J. E. Dowell was then editor and proprietor until 1892, when he sold a half interest to L. R. Purkey. It is now published by Dowell & Purkey, is an ex- callent local paper and enjoys a good patronage.
The Rockville Reflex was established in 1893 by Santford Hardy, who is still its editor and publisher. It has "enjoyed" some opposition in the local field, but has steadfastly sup- ported it- town and locality, and in turn earned the hearty support of the citizens of that locality.
The Border Telephone, established at Hume in 1890, is published by Moore & Son, and edited by Lewis Moore, one of the bright young newspaper men of the state. It is "A live. progressive. independent local paper, devoted to spread- ing the news, and earning a few dollars in cash, " as its head- line announces, all of which it certainly accomplishes.
The Border Breezes has been published at Amsterdam since 1894, by S. L. Tathwell, and has received the loyal sup- port of its town and community.
The Merwin Mirror was also established in 1894. and is owned by A. J. Oaks, an experienced publisher. It is a good local paper and enjoys the hearty support of its_ pa- trons.
The Amoret Beacon has recently been launched by H. Cline & Son, Eli J. Cline, the youngest editor in the county, at the helm.
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OLD SETTLERS HISTORY
CRIMES AND CASUALTIES.
(Prepared by Ed. S. Austin )
To detail the crimes which have been committed in Bates County since the war is an undertaking that is limited by the ability to secure facts. There were many, aye too many, to give details in fact. Bates County is not greater in crime than other counties in the state. In fact, taking the popula- tion in proportion to the other counties in the state. we have been particularly fortunate in this respect. We have had bad crimes committed here. We have made a record that would be a credit to any law-abiding community. There are not a great many evidences of a vicious community. What has happened to mar the pages of the county's history were minor crimes, when compared to the bloody records of other communities.
Bates County has led in the good work rather than the bad. A history of her churches-her people-her institu- tions of all kinds would prove more attractive and the sub- ject would be productive of greater results. We are a law- abiding community in all definitions of the term. We have grown from a wilderness to a community of prosperous peo- ple without any really great crime to point back to with shame. People have had their difference and they have set- tled them with the knife and pistol. but this method has not been popular. A study of the court records will show that most of them have been arbitrated by a third person or left to twelve good men in the jury box. This fashion was es- tablished early in the county's history and it seems to have hung on like an octopus. This. of course, has settled many disputes that might have otherwise been settled with the aid of some deadly weapon.
There are no "middle" or "dark ages" in the history of Bates County. Each year the county has added something to its advantage in education or wealth. The few crimes that have been committed are the results of fiery tempers or
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OF BATES COUNTY.
"tiery waters." Probably the latter as an example of edu- ration cannot be extolled to the skies. It is what the white man brought with him and it seems to stick. Morally the county has a splendid record.
In the pioneer days Bates County people experienced con- siderable trouble with bandits of a character produced as a result of border war-fare. Horse thieves were plentiful until an "anti" organization played sad havoc in their ranks.
There were some of the old copper-headism still to be fonnd within the confines of the county at the close of the. war and it was some time before the troubles were adjusted. or eradicated entirely.
There were few crimes that are worthy of record as being anything out of the ordinary. On August 3. 1807, Aug. Peip- mier of Hudson township, shot himself. He was insane and had just been returned from the asylum at Fulton. Novem- ber the 2nd. sheriff John Atkinson was robbed of $15,00) This money belonged to the county and was a part of the taxes which he had collected. Jail birds found out where he kept it and one night one of them by the name of John Walt escaped with the money. He was captured and showed where he had hidden the money. or most of it near the jail.
Joseph Wix and Judge Meyers came near being assassinat- ed at Pleasant Gap in March, 1868. Neither was hurt but a number of shots were fired. This bushwhacker warfare broke out in several portions of the county, but there were rarely any serious results.
In 1877 Adam Giles (colored) found a dead body on Mound Branch. The remains were not identified. The store of Brooks & Mains. at Pleasant Gap was entered by burglars and goods stolen.
One of the peculiar shooting escapades that occurred in the county was that of Adam Howald, shot by Mrs. Rohrback in Charlotte township. in October, 1878. Mrs. Rohrback heard a noise in her chicken coop and proceeded to that point, stuck the mazzel of the gun through the door and fired. Howald was a neighbor.
Road agents held up the La Cygne stage a inile west of Butler in 1879. The Greenwade brothers were convicted of the crime and sent to the pen. They have both served out their sentences.
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OLD SETTLERS' HISTORY
In 1332 John F. Stanley, attorney in Butler, was shot and killed by Marshal Morgan, who had arrested Stanley earlier in the evening on the charge of drunkenness. He sought the marshaland pulled a pistol and after firing two shots. which were. returned by the marshal. sank to. the ground. He died a few days later and the city marshal was exhoner- ated.
What probably was one of the most noted crimes over committed in the county was the murder of his wife by John T. Lebo in December 15/3. Lebo resided at Foster. One morning his wife was found in a well near the house. dead. At first it was thought she had committed suicide. Later. suspicion fastened itself on the husband. He was arrested and after a long trial convicted. Ho was sentenced by Judge Gantt to be hanged Aug. 2.
His sentence was commuted to life imprisonment. I saw him in 159% in the (Missouri) penitentiary. He was frail and emaciated. He was a model prisoner and has never given up hope of being released. . He has probably served as iong a sentence as anyone in the "pen" at this time. 1900. in all about seventeen years.
The year 1859 seems to have been a most deplorable one for Bates County. In that year J. W. Mcveigh, a lumber- man at Butler, was killed by Harlan Turner: the famous double killing of City Marshal Morgan and John P. Willis oxcurred then: D. D. Quackenbush committed suicide in Elk- hart township, and Frank Wright, a farmer living near Adrian. killed Jesse Christoleer.
The killing of Me Veigh was a particularly sad one. The two quarreled while under the influence of liquor. Turner pulled a pistol and killed him. This occurred in a saloon conducted by John P. Willis. Turuer was prosecuted, but eventually he was released and is now residing in Kentucky.
The murder of City Marshal Morgan by J. P. Willis, and Willis' death will always remain the capital crime in Bates County affairs. Morgan had arrested Willis, who was at that time acting as a Deputy U. S. Marshal. He (Willis) was a hard drinker and it was because of Lis offensiveness ou the streets that he was arrested. He was released a short time after but he swore he would ixe revenged. He proceeded to Kansas City and secured a United States warrant for the ar-
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OF BATES COUNTY.
rest of Morgan. He came to Butler on the night train in company with a traveling man, Price, who he had deputized. The two went to Morgan's house and calied to him to come out. He stepped to the door and as he did so Willis fired twice at him. The marshal had his pistol and he fired at Willis. The balls from both pistols took effect and both men died within a few hours. Price was arrested and thrown in jail. At that time I was sent to the jail with a special de -. livery letter for him. On going into the jail I was astound- ed to find at lest a dozen men with winchesters guarding him. It was only with the greatest exertion that cool headed citi -. ans prevailed on the people to allow the law to take its course. Price afterward was released.
Mr. Morgan was one of the ablest officers the town ever had.
The murder of Jesse Christoleer by Frank Wright occa- sioned much comment. Wright's daughter had been married and a party of neighbor boys gave them a chaivori. Wright, who had been angered by their actions, shot into the crowd killing Christolver. Wright was released after a short trial and a few months later was mysteriously assassinated. His murderer was never apprehended.
About the year '90 Ed Boldin. a negro, killed his wife at Rich Hill. He escaped and was never captured.
Thomas Vanghn, a farmer residing near Cornland, was shot and killed by highwaymen in 1896. The murderers es- caped.
Luther Park, son of Jefferson Park, in the Virginia neigh- borhood, shot his brother. He was afterward declared in- sane. In February 1895 G. A. Heath, a saloon man at But- ler, was killed by Ben Fee, his bartender. Fee was acquitted.
Summer Holcomb and night-watch Aleshire had a difficulty and the former killed the latter. After several trials Mr. Holcomb was acquitted and he is now a resident of Kansas. It was not long after that Aleshire's eldest son had a dispute with Philip Mensinger, Gernamn baker, at Butler and he was stabbed with a bread knife. Mensinger was acquitted.
D. C. Edwards. jr. is now charged with the killing of Mar- tin S. Shafer and his trial remains to be heard. Buck Mc- Ginness is now in jail charged with Burcherding's murder. The outcome is uncertain. E. S. AUSTIN.
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OLD SETTLERS' HISTORY
One hot. dry summer. a quarter of a century ago. when the withering winds sweeping over the great western plains had literally burnt up all vegetation and left only boundless expanse of glittering sand: a host of hungry. disgusted in- sects, commonly known as Colorado locusts, or grasshoppers. rose up in a mighty cloud and, guided by instinct. chance or providence, took an eastward course. Here in Bates County we had also suffered quite severely from the drouth. but there was still pasturage for our stock and the corn fields were yet green. Late one afternoon the sun, which had been shining out of an almost cloudless sky for weeks, grad- ualiy became dimmed by what appeared to be a cloud rising from the west. The cloud mounted higher and higher. but instead of completely obscuring the sun as all expected. it only dimmed its light, leaving it still visible, but of a strange and wildly wierd appearance which attracted the attention and caused much apprehension. All seemed to feel that some great trouble or catastrophy was settling down over us but no one had the slightest idea of the nature of the visita- tion. Presently an occasional insect would hit one in the face, and soon the unusual number of grasshoppers attract- ed attention, but most people were too troubled to note that they were different from the native "hopper."
Soon the sprinkle increased to a shower, and then it liter- ally rained grasshoppers. They kept lighting for several days. and it is simply impossible to convey to those who were not here at the time any conception of the innumerable throng of these hungry pests which dropped down upon us. Prairies and meadows were soon as clear of grass as if they had been swept with a fierce conflagration. Some sought to save their corn by cutting and shocking it, but they covered the shocks and ate in and through them. They ate the leaves from the trees aud hedges. They appeared to have unappeasable appetites and digestive organs equal to any e- mergency. In the spring we planted and then sowed and the hoppers they hatched out and ate and ate. The last days of May found scarcely a green thing in the county. The Governor set a day on which all were to pray for deliverance from the plague. The people gathered in churches and school houses, and prayed, and the hoppers gathered on fences, logs, etc. and started for their native plains.
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E. D. KIPP.
The subject of this sketch is the second child and only son of Wesley and Margarette Kipp, and was born in LaFayette, Ind., January 16, 1866. Wesley Kipp was born in Schaghticoke, N. Y., January 11, 1832. Moved to LaFayette. Ind., in 1848, and was there connected with the Toledo, Wabash & Western Railway until 1868 when he moved to Sedalia, Mo. During his residence in Sedalia he ran several hack lines south and one through Bates County to Fort Scott, Kan., when Bates County was in her infancy and prior to the building of the M., K. & T. railway. Ile is now a resident of Butler. Elmer D. was educated in the Sedalia public schools, at Hooper Institute and Holden College. His business career began as an employe in the general offices of the Missouri Pacific railway at Sedalia in ISSo. He came to Butler, July 20, 1883, and engaged in the furniture business. In ISS4 he sold out and accepted a clerkship in the Butler National Bank. After a few months service there he accepted a position in the Bates County National Bank and remained with that institution until the Farmers' Bank was established in 1SSS. He was elected cashier of the Farmers' Bank, and has been continuously re-elected every year since. He has seen this bank grow from a small beginning to a place in the front rank among banking institutions in Southwest Missouri. He is a methodical tireless worker, and takes pardonable pride in the great success and businness standing of the Farmers' Bank. Always a republican in politics, he does not allow that fact to affect or influence his business re- lations. As a citizen he is progressive and liberal, always ready with energy and means to further any public enterprise for the general welfare. He is a 32nd degree Mason, Oddfellow, M. W. of A. and is Past Em. Com., Past High Priest and the present W. M. of Butler Lodge No. 254. hence his wide influence for good. He was married in 1891 to Mary Myrtle McBride of Butler, to which union one child was born, it dying in infancy.
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