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Decorative drawing: a thick bound ledger closed on a writing desk, an inkwell, a quill and a brass letter scale.... Not a photograph of this place.

North Springfield directory, 1878

Who lived and worked in North Springfield in 1878, as the directory printed it. Machine-read from the public-domain scan at the Internet Archive; 91% of its words measure as correctly read.

The listing

90,179 names and addresses

Published exactly as the recogniser returned it. Spellings are the scan's own (Claude.md 32.6 - never corrected), so a name may carry a wrong glyph. The original volume is one click away.

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HISTORY AND DIRECTORY

OF

SPRINGFIELD

AND

NORTH SPRINGFIELD,

CONTAINING A.

HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE EARLY SETTLEMENT, GROWTH AND BUSINESS IMPOR- TANCE OF THESE CITIES; THE RESIDENCE AND OCCUPATION OFALL HEADS OF FAMILIES AND PERSONS OVER EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE; THE POPULATION AT THE TIME OF PUBLICATION, AND OTHER VALUABLE INFORMATION.

COMPILED AND PUBLISHED BY

GEORGE S. ESCOTT

SPRINGFIELD, MO.

PRINTED AT THE OFFICE OF THE PATRIOT-ADVERTISER.

1878.

CORRECTION

A ntlHO iinprcHBion rsccniH to have boon matle upon the ininils of a niimljcr of nitr rriondf), who think thul the author of thiH book iflconnectrd with n orhool xuincwhcrr in Arkahnas. In order to corr«>ct this ini|>r(>!<i<ii>n. nnd to bring before tlir publir the f<cliool which he does rcpreHent, we have inserted on page inrt, the card of tlic MOl'N- TAIN GROVE ACADKMV and nrsiSE8S COLLI.liK.

ThiH Scliool iH loCAted in the Houthennt comer of Wright count}', Mif>8ouri. on one (-f the highc.it apurHofthe O/ark MountainH. and b< surrounded by an elevated plateau \Thicli furnishes the flnest l>ody of fanning land in South Central Mishouri, includint: fomc good Govcmmcnt landH still Hul>Joct to entry. Tlic location Ih healthy, the nociely Kood, and tlio natural advantages Huch as to make it a favorable place for the building up of a Ur.Ht-claHH instituiion of learning. Special attention ih given to a practical bu- cine^is and scientitic course of instruction, rather tliaii to a classical (-<liication.

Having purchased the school property and determined to make this our pennsnenl home, we shall be pleased to answer any iiKpiiries iVoni (lersons in search of cheap iioines aud a couvenieut place for obtaining a liberal education.

Uespcctftilly, GEO. S. ESCOTT.

Mountain Crove, Wright Counlv, Mi!->nurl.

INTRODUCTION.

"When in the course of hiiman events" a city grows to such an extent that every one does not know where every one else Hves, it becomes necessary for some person or persons to take upon themselves the responsibility of providing a complete and reliable Directory of such city ; and certainly no better time can be select ed for such a work than when its '* City Fathers" have passed an ordinance which provides for the numbering of its residences and business houses. With these self-evident facts in view, we enter- ed upon the discharge of this arduous duty with the determina- tion to prepare an accurate list of the names of all citizens of Springfield and North Springfield, and arrange them in alphabet- ical order, so that they may be easily found. In Springfield the residence or place of business is given according to number and street, while in North Springfield the location is pointed out by mentioning the street, together with such other data as may be considered necessary.

In connection with the Directory, we take pleasure in present- ing to our patrons a concise history of the principal events con- nected with the early settlement of these beautiful " Cities of the Ozarks," together with such a sketch of their growth, reverses and prosperity as we have been enabled to prepare from the nu- merous items furnished by friends of the enterprise, among whom we may especially mention Messrs. John M. Pettijohn, A. G. Pat- terson, Joseph J. Weaver, Henry Sheppard, Jacob Painter, A. M, Townsend, Dr. E. T. Robberson, Judge Charles E. Harwood, Col. S. H. Boyd, Capt. A. M, Julian, Judge John S. Waddill, Judge M. J. Rountree, Rev. B. H, Bills, Mrs. Rush Owen and Mrs. Orlena

Vl INTRODUCTION.

C'olt'iimii, bcKidi's .Mr. A. V. Ingruni iiiul tlu' other ;,'cntI<MimijIy officerH of tlio coiuity ami cities, wlio have kimlly j^iven lis accesH to the books and papers of thiir reKpective ofTic-cH, inchiding th*- *'Ilhistnitetl Historical Atlas of (ireono County," recently ptil» lisheil. from which to obtain information. Nor must we nef^lect to give <lue credit to the editors of the lAtuhr, 7'it/ir>i, J'afrinf Adi't'ftisei'y Sonthirest J'^tnner, Sout/uctitfer anf Sjn'ritmi/ Oj[f'< r imj, for tiles of their respective papers and those formerly piil) lished here, from which we liavc gathered much useful (hitu.

We wish also to cull particular attention to our adv( rtisers. wlio^ by their liberal piitrona^'e. have helped to jirovide the means of furnishing this book to subscribers at a merely nominal piice.

Absolute perfection in this or any other human work cmnot be expected; but after using every exertion to muke it a reliable guide and an interesting narration of facts, we submit it to the criticism of the public. THI'. PUBLLSHKR.

Sprhujtidxl M»., 1878.

CONTENTS.

PAGE

Index to Advertisers, - - - - - - - 8

Post Office Time Table, -------9

('exsus Table, ----_-___ iq

HISTORY or SPRINGFIELD. CHAPTER I. Incidents in the Early History of Southwest Missouri - Osage and Delaware Indians - Early Settlements on the "Jeems," - - ------- 11

CHAPTER II. Other Settlements in Southwest Missouri before the Organ- ization OF Greene County - Kickapoo and other sm.all Indian Tribes, ---------22

CHAPTER in. Organization of Greene County and Selection of County Seat - Military Organizations, and Expeditions against the Osages, ------ - 43

CHAPTER IV. Biographical Sketches of some of Springfield's Pioneers, 59

CHAPTER V. Twenty-Five Years of Prosperity - The Storm of War - 82 The Return of Peace, -------

CHAPTER VI. Springfield as it now is - Its Surroundings, and a Glance at some of its Institutions and Leading Business Men, - 106

HISTORY OF NORTH SPRINGFIELD.

Completion of the A. & P. R. R. to this Point - Founding of "New Town" - Some of its Pioneers and Present Business Men, etc. - - - - - - - - - 141

DIRECTORY.

Including Springfield and North Springfield, with Explana- tion of Plan of Numbering, ----- 165

iNi)i;\ TO ai)vi:rtisi:i{s.

Anderson, T. IJ., Prapticiil Wiitch Miikor l»;s

Bahner iS: Wchor, Music Dealers, St. Louis, 17<i

Benson, 1). L., Tjirantuhi AVlieel Hotiuy Hiirrow. 'l'i'2

Brownson, Mrs. J. B., Dressmaker ISi)

Crtss, L. S. iV Co., (Jrocers, IS}

Cox, Frank, Fresco I'ainter ITJ

Denton. H. F., Livery Stable is (

Dow, H. (). iS: Co., Aj,'ricultural Implements, !<»:{

Drury Collej^e 214

I'lmery iS: C'omstock, Furniture Dealers, liO.s

Kscott, (I. S., Mountain (iruve Academy, ISS

Gardner, B. li., Younf>: House IIKI

Goffe. Mrs. M. A., St. Louis Street House, r.iii

Harris, James A., Book binder (facin-,') ---4

H'^acker, F. A., SoutliwcKtei-n ('ip^ar Factory --lO.s

Huntington, B. F., Merchant Tailor ' 2ns

Jackson, J. C, North Springfield House 172

Kaufholz, H. H., Fartners' Store KiS

Kcen(!r, ^L, Bakery and Confectionery, 2< is

Kelley, J. M, Transient House, ". ISs

Kennedy, D. C, Sj)ringtiold Le.ider, 'SA'2

Kerber. Mrs. Henrietta, Resbiurant 172

Koch, John H.. Clocks. Watches and Jewelry iSS

Leach «.S: Tracey, S])ringriel<l Patriot- Advertiser I'.IJ

Lee, A. R. Jt Co.. Merchant Tailors -.isi

Loretto Young Ladies' Academy, 1(5 4

Lyman. W. H . Blacksmith lU S

Lyon. Dr. J. S., Spriugtield Hygeian Home li)(!

Meissbach. Louis. Fashionable Barber 21(i

Mitchell. Walter. Art Gallery 244

Mclntire, Blank Book Manufacturer (facing) 24' -

Naegler & Paulj-, Butchers and Packers. 1S4

Nattrass. Dr. A., Denti.st 21«)

Peck it Clark. Notions and Hosiery 21(!

Kaithel. J. G.. Lumber Yard '. ISO

Rountrce, J. M., Concord Nursery 1(14

Sawyer it Lamorcaux, Springfield Times 24S

Ste})hens, J. A.. Books and Stationery 200

Singer Sewing Machine Company. 2.'iG iV- 2(10

Trantham, W. H. B.. North Springfield Southwester '2'}Ct

Talcott. S. Tudor, Real Estate and Shingles 244

Wellman, A[rs. G. B., Sjuth Street Boarding House 200

Wright. A. W., Practical Architect, 200

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CENSUS REPORT-1878.

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1154

HISTOHY OF SPHmGFIELD.

CHAPTER I.

INCIDENTS IN THE EAKLY HISTORY OF SOUTHWEST MISSOl'KI - OSAGE AND DELAWARE INDIANS - EARLY SETTLEMENTS ON THE " .TEEMS."

Considering- the fact that the founclino- of the "Queen City of the Ozarks" dates l)aek nearly half a century to the time when the red man still roamed through the forests and over the prairies of more than half of the territory of the United vStates, it may be in- teresting to our readers if we go hack a few years farther, to the days when the hardy frontiersmen first came here from the older and more thickly settled States and braved the dangers of con- testing the claims of the " Lo" family to this now wealthy and })rosperous section of our fair State.

These pioneers Avere generally a class of persons who could not bear to be crowded and "hemmed in" by the increasing settle- ments and the fencing up of the "range" in the older states, so they followed the illustrious example of their forefathers and emi- grated to the far West in search of freedom from restraint and in quest of richer hunting grounds where the game had not been frightened away l.)y the advancing tide of civiUzation and improve- ment.

As the "pilgrim fathers" and other noted ancestors of the American people broke loose from the l>ondage of the Old World and became the pioneers of the New, so their sons and grandsons extended their settlements farther west beyond the Blue Kidge and the Alleghanies ; and as Daniel Boone emigrated successively from North CaroUna to the mountains of the eastern part of Kentucky,

12 iiisTOKV OK sriaNCKiKi.n.

tlifiuv to t!u' wi'stnii. ami liiially to St. Charles county, in Mis soiiri, wlu'iv 1k' (lied, so liis tsoii Nathan oinijjrated still farther west and l)eeanie one of the pioneers of (^ireene eonnty, where he Mild the illustrious Daniel still lia\i' oiu' representative of the name, ill the person of James W. Boone, of Ash Grove.

But the first settlements in Southwest Missouri, of which we lun'e any autiieutic record, were madt' on the James River, from eijrht to lilteeii mik's southwest of where Spriniilield now stands. These early settlenu-nts were made Ity John Pettijohn with his sons and their families, Joseph Price, and Auuustine Friend. William Fi-iend settled about the same time on Finley Creek, where Kenton now stands, in Christian county, and Jerry Pierson at the head of a iieek which still bears his name, in the east part of Greene county. Nathan Bnrrill, Isaac Prosser, and George Wells also came to the same %icinity a few months later.

John P. Pettijohn, who was a soldier in the Kevolutionary war, was born in Henrico county. Viroinia. where he married and lived until 17117, when he reinovi'd to Gallia county, Ohio. There he settled a new farm, upon which he remained until 181H, at which time he and his family, togvther with those just mentioned and other relatives of the family to the number of twenty-four persons, set out to seek a home in the interior of the new Territory of Mis- souri. Whether IVIr. Wells was one of this company is not cer- tainly known. ^

Procuring a keel-boat, which was a sort of large row-boat, they i-ommenced their voyage in the latter part of the Sununer, down the Muskingum, thence down the Ohio and Mississippi to the mouth of White river. So fai", it had been comparatively easy sailing, they had made good time, and were in tine si)ii'its. The men had frequently gone on shore and killed game to add to their stock of provisions, of which they had laid in a good sui)ply before leading their homes in Ohio. It is not probable that it took many large Saratoga trunks to contain their surplus wardrol>e, but they brought with them such things as they exiu'cted would be necessary to make them comfortable and liajjpy in their new homes beyond the pale of fashionable society and its iTquirements. Among other things they had providiMl themselves with a variety of field and garden seeds, and as tlicy had sjjciit iiiuch of their time in hunting

HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD. 13

and trapping in the foi-ests of Ohio, they had a iiiniiher of bear- skins which were nsed as a snhstitnte for mattresses.

Soon after commencing the ascent of Wliite river, they enconn- tered floods which greatly impeded their progress, the m-er being so full that it overflowed its banks, spreading out in some places for miles among the cane-brakes which lined it on either side, and flowing so rapidly that it was impossible to make any headway against its seething tide.

About this time sickness assailed the little band and nearly all were prostrated with malarious fevers. With these hindrances, and the inabihty to go on shore to hunt, their supply of provisions was soon exhausted, and the famishing crew were compelled to use for food all of the seeds Avhich they had brought with them, and then even to singe the hair from the bear-skins and roast them to keep from starving. After this, for nearly eight days, the}- were without a mouthful of food of any kind, but on the eighth day a small deer came swimming up to the boat, as if for assistance, having probabh' been borne down on the current while attempting to cross the river. It is needless to say that the}' gave it such l)rotectiou as the vulture gave the lamb. On its flesh, without bread or salt, they subsisted two days, after which was another fast of eight days, and on the ninth day Nathan Burrill, a son-in- law of Mr. Pettijohn, took a skiff and set out among the cane- brakes, declaring that he would go till he found food or die in the attempt. He had not gone far before he heard the tinkling of a small bell, and. on rowing in the direction from which it proceeded, he soon cliscovered a mare and a young filh' wiiich were on a small knoll entirely surrounded by water, where they had l)een grazing, when the waters had risen around them and cut them off from the main land. Mr. Burrill considered it a ' ' military neces- sity," under the circumstances, to appropriate the filly to the use of himself and his suffering companions, without waiting for the owner's consent, inasmuch as he did not know where to find tlic owner, and there was not much time to be lost if anything wms to be done to save the famishing company.

Shooting it down he next cut its throat and drank of its l)lood as it flowed warm from the animal's heart. With ditficulty he skinned the carcass and conveyed it piecemeal to tlie boat, where it was

14 UISTDKY OK SlM!IN(iKIKI,D.

gladly ri'ceived hy his i-onii-iuU-s. 'I'liis fiiriiisluMl food again for a few days, and tlu' waters ofttiug Iowit. and llie party gaining some strcngtii. tlu'y wen- making tlu'ir way slowly l)nt snrely toward the " promisi'd land," wlu-re a few other families had preceded them and formed settlements but a short time before.

These settlements wi'r<' on White ri\t'i'. near the month of the BiiT Noi-th Fork, and eonseqnently in the present limits of Arkan- sas, which at that time fonned a part of the Missonri Territory.

The lirst hnnian haliitation they fonnd was that of a Frenchman who lived all alone, far down the river below the other settlements, . where he was engaged in raising stock. From him they i)urchased

'^_' some corn, but he could not be induced for money or any other consideration to kill any beef or pork for them. However, with the corn, which they IjoIUmI, they soon gained suflicient strength to iro out occasionally and shoot game to go with it, and it was not long till they fonnd themselves among more hospitable pioneers, who. true to the custom of old Tennessee, from which most of them had i-migratt'd, would have shared their last loaf and killed their last fatted calf, in order to provide for the wants of the " ni'W-comers."

And well was this kindness appreciated, for, during this long and l)eril()us voyage, two of the number - the wife of our veteran hero and the wife of his son William - had been taken away by the hand of di'atli. and the rest had Iteen sadly reduced by sickness and pri- vation.

They were, howi-ver. soon able to erect caldns and begin to pro- vide for their own wants, as there were plenty of deer and turkeys in the country, and bee-trees well tilled with honey. The bear and the buffalo were not very diflicult to find, and the elk still roamed through the forests in large herds.

But their settlement on the White river was not a iiermanent one. Their hunting excui'sions often extended several miles back among the hills and valleys, and as early as 1S2() and 1821, frequent expe- ditions wi're made by various members of the party as far north as the James river, where some of them erected a small caliin and thus established a claim to a place about eight miles south of the ])resent site of Springfield. On his return from one of these ex- peditions, William Pettijohn told his neighbois on White river that

HISTORY OF SPKIXGFIELD. 15

he liad diseovertHl tlie coiintiy which flowed Avith milk and honey, bear's oil and buffalo niai-row. These two latter articles were con- sidered great luxuries among; the old hunters and trappers of the West.

In the Spring and Summer of 1822 these families began to re- move to the places we have already mentioned - on the '' Jeems" - and within the present limits of Greene and Christian counties. Thomas Patterson and family, who had also lived about three years on AVhite river, which they had reached after successive removals from North Carolina to Tennessee, and from Tennessee to the Missouri Territory, came up the James in 1821 and bought the claim and improvement formerly made by some of the Petti John family on the place now owned by his son, Albert G. Patterson, who is, without doubt, the oldest settler and his farm the oldest improvement in this county, although actual settlement was not made upon it until August, 1822.

Alexander Patterson, a brother of Thomas, came al)Out the same time aM made a settlement on the place which was aftei-ward Acj-k^^, «Vywv« known as the DaAid Wallace place ; also another Thomas Patter- %-. ' son, a cousin of All»ert G., settled higher up the James, a little ajjove Samuel Crenshaw's place. A man_ named Ingle settled near where the bridge now stands, at the crossing of the James, on the ' Ozark road, and there erected the first mill in Southwest Missouri.

Ui> to this time these early settlers had encountered but very few Indians - only occasional parties of Osages wdio were in the habit of coming here in the Fall to hunt, their home being farther north and west, probably within the present limits of the State of Kan- sas. But, in the Autumn of 1822, the Delawares came, about five hundred strong, and laid claim to all of the southwest part of the State.

These Delawares, one branch of the great Algonquins, are one of the most peaceable and friendly tribes in America, being the very same nation with whom William Penn formed his first treaty, which was ever kept inviolate by them, even when other nations had persecuted them for their friendsliip to the wliites. In an earlv day thej' were eminent for their A'alor and wisdom, and exercised an important influence over the other tribes, which was felt from the Chesapeake to the Hudson, as an evidence of which they re-

1(5 HISTORY OF sriaXiiFIICM).

ceivcd tlu' title of -'TIk- Orniul Father." In the sixteenth cen- tury then- home \y:is in the valley of the Delaware and on thelianks of the Seluiylkill. In 1751 we find them on the Susquehanna, and in iTlTi they wi-re jjaities with the AVyandotts, Shawnees and Miamis to the tieaty of peace at Greenville. Owing to the hos- tilities of other tril)es, they emii>Tated after this to White river, in Indiana, where they remained until their removal to this portion of the country, whither it is i)rol)al)le they had ])een directed by de- sioiiino; white men who had told them that this Avas the reservation wiiich had been set apart for them.

The few white settlers here, not being satisfied on the subject, sent one of their number, Thomas Patterson, 8r., to St. Louis to make inquiry coneei-ning it, and he was there informed, although it is not known to whom he referred the matter, that the Indians were right, and that the white settlers must give up their claims. (Jn his i-eturning and reporting thus, the settlers nearly all aban- doned their claims, some going to the INIerrimac, some to Osage Fork of the Gasconade, some back to Illinois, and some pressing- onward still farther south and west.

Besides the early settlers already mentioned there is a sort of traditionary account of a man by the name of DaAis, who settled on the James some time between 1822 and 1825, and was killed by the Indians, but we could not learn what tribe was charged with it or what the circumstances were. His \Aife and children probably removed from the country at the time of the general aljandonment of claims on the arrival of the Delawares and never returned to reclaim it. A man named Spencer O'Neil was also an early settler on the James, and will receive further mention in the next chapter.

The Delawares, who were now in undisputed possession of the country', rented land to a few families who came with them, and also to Mr. William Friend, who remained on his farm thi'oughout the whole time that they had possession, and therefore, during his life-time, was the oldest permanent settler in this portion of the State. His father was a captain in the Revolutionary war, and he himself had been a soldier in the war of 1812, and was at the battle of Tippecanoe when Tecumseh was killed, so he had no fears in leraaining among the red men, especiallj' among this friendl}^ tribe. yiv. Friend had successively removed from Maryland to Ohio,

HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD. IT

from Ohio to what is now Arkansas, and finally to the wilds of Southwest Missouri. He came with the Petti johu family, the joC.>>«-<:'^- Piersons, his brother Augustine, and the other pioneers who came by way of the rivers from Ohio. Of a family of thirteen children, lie has three sons - Reason, Hiram and Elias - still living in Christian county.

With the Delawares, came a man named -Tames Wilson, who was married to three squaws while here, and after living- with each for a short time, would drive her oft', and seek another affinity. About the time the Delawares left, he "shipped" the third one and returned to St. Louis, where he married a whit© woman, whom he brought back with him, and they settled on a farm near the mouth of the creek which was named for him, and afterward became noted as the scene of one of the fiercest battles of the Great Rebellion. After the death of Mr. Wilson his widow was married to Dr. C. F. Terrill, whose name afterwards appears in the official record of Greene county as the second Clerk of the County Court.

A man by the name of Marshall also came with them, being married to a squaw, with whom he lived until his death, which occurred about the time the Indians were leaving here, and his widow and orphans went to the Territory with their dusky com- panions. Mr. Marshall had taken the old mill which had formerly been abandoned by Mr. Ingle, and removed it down the river to a point near the mouth of Finley creek, where he had commenced a plantation.

We also learn the names of two other men who seem to have come with the Indians as traders. They were Joseph Fillabert and William Gilliss. Of the latter, all the information we find after the Indians left, was developed through a suit brought by persons claiming to be his heirs, in consequence of his marriage to the daughter of a chief of a small tribe who were connected with the Delawares, or under their protection, while here.

It is claimed that, like Wilson, he was not content to live Ion"- at a time with one dusky bride ; but that he, too, lived successively with three different ones, each, for the time, being considered his legal wife. It seems that while keeping a post at the Dela- ware town on the James fork of White river, he was twice married

18 HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD.

to women of the Doluware tribe; but, about the year 1830, he proposed to Laharsh, a fliief of the Piankcshaws, to marry his daughter, Kahketoqua, and that ho employed one Baptiste Peoria to negotiate the marriage. Baptiste visited Laharsh and reported favorably to Gilliss; after which he and Gilliss went down to the settlement on Cowskin creek, where the Indian maiden lived, and carried her father and mother presents, which were acceptable, and she returned with them to become his wife. In regard to the custom among the Indians in relation to mar- riiige. tlie contract was usually made thus with the parents, and if the bridegroom made presents which were satisfactory, the parents usually assented, and that constituted the marriage. ' These contracts were dissoluble at the option of the parties, and in this case Gilliss sent Kahketoqua back after living with her for a few months, promising to recall her when he should return from the East.

But it does not apj^ear that he ever returned or acknowledged her as his wife after this, although he frequently sent presents to her child, which was named Nancy, and in after years the heirs of Nancy, not being mentioned in his will, sued for their share of his property, which was finally granted them by decision of the Supreme Court of the State of Missouri, from reports of which we obtain our information.

It seems that Mr. Gilliss' mother-in-law, the wife of Laharsh, accompanied him and his wife on the wedding tour, remaining several weeks, probably to give the wife some instructions in iiousekeeping, and that at the end of her visit, Gilliss took or sent her back to the Cowskin settlement. This watchfulness of the jmother-in-law over bride and groom doubtless had the same effect as it is often supposed to have in the case of white mothers- in-law, and may have been the cause of the early separation.

Concerning Mr. Fillabert, we have the following from the i^en of Col. S. H. Boyd, of this city:

"With the Indians lived a Frenchman whose name was Joseph Fillabert. He and some associates in St. Louis carried on a trade at this Indian town for many years, by which he accumulated considerable riches, and he now possesses large paj'ing estates in St. Louis. From early life he had been a pioneer, and much

HISTOBY OF SPBINGFIELD. Ift

-of his career lias been j^assed iu close association with the Indians. When the Indians emigrated to the Indian Territory, Filhbert remained in this country, and still lives in Stone county. He takes great interest in the affairs of government, reads the weekly newspapers, and discusses with earnestness the political questions of the day. Many years have passed by since he was any distance from his comfortable home on the banks of the White river and the James. His agent in St. Louis makes him monthly statements of his property, and this is the only care he gives to his large St. Louis estates. He is the oldest settler of Southwest Missouri now living."

The Indian town and trading post referred to, was at what is now known as the Berry Gibson place, in the northwest part of Christian county, on the James, and extending from the lane where the county road crosses the river, about three-fourths of a mile down its banks. This was their principal town, and for several years the home of the greater part of the nation. There were, however, some suburban towns scattered along np and down the James and on the banks of Wilson's creek.

Here the Delawares remained monarchs of the forest and the prairie iintil about the year 1830, when it was determined that their reservation was further west. To their new hunting grounds they removed, and there they have ever since remained, true to their former pledges, at peace with the whites, and willing to suffer wrongs rather than engage in war.

As soon as they left, most of the white settlers, who had been absent during their occupancy of the counti'y, came back and reclaimed their old homesteads, where the descendants of some of them still live.

Mr. Pettijohn, who had been back to Ohio, came with his son John, who had remained in Illinois. On returning to their old home, which had afterward been the site of the Delaware town,^ they found a man named Joseph Porter in possession and claim- ing to have purchased it from the Indians ; so they went further down the river and settled near the mouth of the James, where they both remained until their death. John Mack Pettijohn, a grandson of the old pioneer, has long been a prominent citizen of Ozark, in Christian county, where he has raised a family of ten

20 HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD.

chihlren. four of whom are married and. still livinf^ there. In April last Mr. P. and his wife, with tlieir six unmarried children, set out overland, with horse and ox teams, for the interior of Oref;;on, but we learn that they have purchased land and settled in Southern Kansas. A\'e also hear of others of the family who- talk of moving further west. The descendants seem to inherit the ))ioneer spirit of their forefathers, and likewise a good degree of the patriotic spirit of their venerable ancestor of Revolutionary times. John Pettijohn, jr., and his brother William, were both soldiers in the war of 1812 ; a grandson. William C, was in the Mexican war, and two other grandsons, George and Levi, as well as a great grandson, John AV., were in the Union army in the late. war, while another grandson, George, Avho was the son of Jacob,, was in the Southern army.

Joseph Porter, before mentioned, was distinguished as a first- rate farmer, as well as an excellent trapper and fisherman. He is said to have killed the last beaver taken in Greene county. Mr. P. is described as being of a very genial nature, full of fun and frolic, and possessing a large fund of anecdotes, which con- spired- to make him a general favorite with old and young. Concerning his family we have no further account.

Thomas Patterson and family returned from Osage fork in 1834. to the old i^lantation on the James, and in a small cemetery- near the old homestead his remains and those of his wife rest undisturbdd beneath the shade of a tine grove of native cedars, a fit emblem for the graves of i)ioneers from the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee, which abound with this beautiful evergreen. On the old farm, as we have already stated, lives his son, Albert G., who, in his sixty-third year, has a family of four- teen children, the youngest of whom is but a few months old : so the name of Patterson is not likely soon to be forgotten.

The farm now owned by Julian Foster, in Taylor township, was first settled by Rev. Mr. Moon6y, about the year 1827. Mr. Patterson informs us that when his father's family retiu-ned from the (Jsage fork, John B. and Edward Mooney were living on this land, which they had been renting from the Delawares.

Samuel Martin, from North Carolina, eame in 1829, and re- mained in that part of the country for a number of years. He

HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD. 21

was at one time one of the Judges of the County Court, and afterward removed to Ozark county, where he held the office of Circuit Clerk. His brother Cowden came at the same time and remained until his death, which occurred in 1835.

Of most of the other families who returned to their former plantations after the Indians had left, we find no representatives from whom to obtain definite information, but presume that most of them, or their descendants, have "gone west" with the grand army of pioneers whose biographies may never be traced by the historian's pen, but whose records will still live in the wonderful results which soon follow in the footsteps of that hardy race who form the vanguard of civilization.

22 HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD.

CHAPTER II.

OTHER SETTLE^IENTS IN SOUTHWEST MISSOURI, BEFORE THE ORGANIZATION: OF C4REENE COUNTY KICKAPOO AND OTHER SMALL INDIAN TRIBES.

The probable removal of the Indians from Southwest Missouri^ aboTit the year 1830, seemed to be the signal for quite a large influx of pioneers. Although Missouri had been admitted into the Union, ten j-ears before, and the eastern and northern por- tions had been rapidly tilling up with immigrants, there were very few white people southwest of the center of the State, and all of this vast amount of territory, now comprising forty or fifty counties, was still attached to Wayne county.

On the organization of Crawford county in 1829, this territory was transferred to its jurisdiction, under which it remained until the organization of Greene.

There were no regular roads, and the usual way of reaching this part of the country was either by way of the rivers, as we have already described in the former chapter, or by following the Indian trails across from Green's Ferry, on the Mississippi. For a description of this route we cannot do better than to quote the description published not long since in the Springfield Leader, and M'ritten by John H. Miller, of Ritchey, from whose writings we expect to draw pretty freely for this chapter :

"In the fall of 1820, Madison and J. P. Campbell left Maury County, Tennessee, on horseback, traveling toward the setting siin in search of homes for themselves and their families. Cross- ing the Mississippi river, thence west through the then Territory of Arkansas, on to the present site of Fayetteville, then almost an entire wilderness ; thence making a circle back in a northeasterly direction into Southwest IMissouri, striking the old Delaware town, the first and only place of note on the James fork, eight miles southwest of where Springfield now stands. From there they went on to Kickapoo prairie and then north into the tim.-

HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD. 23^

ber, discovering the Fiilbrigbt spring and the natviral well. Near the latter they cat their names on some trees to mark their claims to the land in that vicinity. 'V

Mr. M. next goes on to mention several families who were liv- ing on the James, the names of whoau we have already given in the preceding chapter, ai4|l says that Messrs. Gilliss and Filla- bert had a little log store on a knoll near the Delaware town, where they kept a few pieces of blue calico, &c., for sale to the Indians. After mentioning their return to Tennessee, he says : , "In February, 1830, J. P. Campbell and his brother-in-law, Joseph Miller,' fixed up with their small families, and set out for Kickapoo prairie. Mr. C.'s family consisted of himself, wife and one child, Tabitha, then not a year old, who was afterward the mother of Lula, wife of Frank Sheppard. Mr. Miller's family consisted of himself and wife and two children. Rufus was ona year old, and John, who is now a citizen of Ritchey, was twelve. They also had six darkies, one five-horse team and one Derbin wagon, which was driven by John. (Madison C. did not move until 1832.)

"They journeyed via. Nashville and Hopkinsville, crossing the Ohio at Golconda, thence over the south end of Illinois to Green's old ferr}' on the Mississippi. It being in Februaiy, they encountered great difficulties in crossing on account of the quan - tities of floating ice, but after making several trips across the river in an old, rickety piece of a flat, the wind being high aul cold, they succeeded in landing safe on the Missouri side ; thence they were obliged to almost cut their own road, but onward they went toward the West, by old Jackson in Cape Girardeau county, stopping one day to rest at old Col. Abram Byro's, five miles west of Jackson. Thence they proceeded on to Farming- ton, in St. Francois county, and by Caledonia, in Washington county, which was the last town, and it only contained one little store and two or three dozen inhabitants. Then on west, with scarcely any road, ^o the present site of Steeleville, in Crawford connty, and on twelve miles further to Massey's iron works', which had not been in operation but a very short time, and so on to where Rolla now stands. Twelve miles farther on, they came to old Jimmey Harrison's, at the mouth of Little Piney, on

"24 HISTORY OF SPKINGFIELB.

the Gasconade, about four hundred yards south of the present Gasconade bridge. ]\Ir. Harrison kept a little store for the accommodation of the few settlers up and down the Piney and the Gasconade ; that was also the court house for the whole of ^Southwest Missouri, and so ife was the only post office until 1832. Thence west twenty miles brought them across the Big Piney on to Roubideanx, now Waynesville, in Pulaski county. Contin- iiing their journey, they went up the Gasconade river to the mouth of the Osage fork, where they found a few white settlers - f!ome of the Starks, Ballous, Tygarts, O'Neals, and one old 'Jim Campbell,' who was sheriff of all of Southwest Missouri. This was in the neighborhood of the present Oldland Postoffice. From there they came on to Cave Spring, where they crossed the Osage fork, leaving it at the old Barnett place, from which they came to Pleasant prairie, now Marshfield, and striking James fork 20 miles east, thence down to Jerry Peirson's, where he had built a little water mill at a spring just below the Dan- forth place ; then on west they struck the Kickapoo prairie one mile east of the present Joe Merritt place ; thence five miles more brought them to the natural well (a short distance north of the present public square of Springfield). Here they first camped on the night of the 4th of March, 1830.

"In the meantime. Uncle Billy Falbright had got about three weeks ahead of them, and stojjped at the Falbright spring. His brother, John Falbright, had settled at the spring where 'Capt. Geo. M. Jones now lives, and had a cabin up ; and his brother-in-law, A. J. Burnett, had succeeded in putting up a -small oak-pole cabin 12x15, just on the spot of the old 'Scpiire Burden residence, a little west of Mr. McElhany's. Mr. Camp- bell having had rather the oldest claim, by his name being cut on an ash tree at the well, Mr. Burnett gave way and went and <?omnaonced an improvement five miles east, at the Merritt place. Both Miller's and Campbell's families then moved into the pole cabin, the negroes having a good cloth tent to live in. This cabin had a splendid dirt tloor.

"- Then all pitched into cutting and clearing, and soon suc- ceeded in opening a few acres on the north side of the branch "(Jordan) and just north of the natural well. They also cleared

HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD. 25

a field on the top of tlie hill, where the city now stands, and just about where the old Bigbee house stands they had a pair of draw-bars going into the field, the north string of the fence being about in the middle of the public square running west and including the ground where the Metropolitan hotel now stands."

The remains of the old Kickapoo Indian village still stood in the southwest portion of the pi-esent limit of Springfield. It was built of bark and small hickory poles bent over. The Kickapoos had moved northwest in 1828, but of their previous or later his- tory but little seems to be known, as they were but a small tribe, and are not mentioned in any books within our knowledge. It is i^robable that they came here from Illinois, as there is still a postoffice in that State which bears their name.

"NVe find a remnant of them mentioned by Mrs. Rush Owen, in a communication to the Leader, and also published in the Histor- ical Atlas of Greene county. Her description of the present site of Springfield is so graphic, and her style so interesting, that it will bear reading again ; so we venture to reproduce it. It reads as follows:

"In 1827 my father, John P. Campbell, and my uncle, E. M. Campbell, took refuge from an autumnal storm in old Delaware town on the Jiimes, not far from Wilson creek battle-ground. The bi-aves had just brought in a remnant of Kickapoos which they had rescued from the Osages. Among the Kickapoos was a brave boy, ill with a kind of bilious fever recently taken. Just before leaving home my father had been reading a botanic treat- ise, and became a convert. In his saddle-bags he carried lobelia, comi)osition and No. 6. He gave them to understand that he was a 'medicine man,' and, against Uncle Mat's earnest protest, who feared the consequences if the Indian died, he undertook the case. Not understanding the condition of his patient, or, perhaps, the proper quantity of the emetic to administer, he threw the Kickapoo into an alarm, or in other words a frightful cold sweat and deathly sickness. Then there was work for dear life. Uncle Mat, the older and more cautious of the two, pulled off his coat and plunged in to help my father get up a reaction, which they did, leaving the poo-r patient prostrate, and 'weak as a rag." My father always laughed and said : ' But feel so good,

26 HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD.

good - all gone,' laying his hand weakly on his stomach. They remained some time with the Indians, hunting and looking at the country. They finally made up their minds to return to INIaury county, Tennessee, and bring their families. Piloted by the Kickapoo, they went some distance up the James, and made ar- rangements with an old trapper to get out their house logs ready to be put up immediately upon their return. They had selected lands where Springfield now stands. They found four springs whose branches uniting formed Wilson creek. About the centre of the area between these springs was a natural well of wonderful depth, now known to be a subterranean lake, hard by which my father 'sqatted,' after a toilsome journey through the wilderness, the Mississippi river being frozen over so hard that they crossed on the ice in January, 1828. Several families accompanied him, among whom was glorious Uncle Joe Miller. Who ever saw him angry? Who ever caught him looking on the dark side? The moment he was seated every child clambered and buzzed over him like bees over a honey comb, and we had implicit faith in his 'honey pond' and 'fritter tree,' and have to this day. The Kick- apoo came over immediately and became an almost indispensable adjunct to the family. Seeing that my father was very tender with my mother, he looked upon her as a superior being, some- thing to be guarded and watched that no harm came near. He was out on a hunt when my sister was born, the first white child in Kickapoo jirairie. When he came in, my father, who had thrown himself on the bed by my mother, said : ' Oh, ho ! look here!' He approached, looked at the little creature with quaint sei'iousness, and said, 'What call?" My mother, to please him, said 'Kickapoo;' and my father, who was cheerful and bright, had just taken baby's tiny hand and exclaimed, 'M}- Beautiful;' so that the child was ever to the Indian 'Kickapoo, My Beautiful,' and exceedingly beautiful she proved to be. The old people discourse upon her loveliness to this day, and refuse to believe that there ever was another to compare with her. The Kickapoo's greatest pleasure was guarding the rustic cradle, and drawing the delicately-tapered hand through his own.

"Springfield soon became a habitation with a name . Cabins of round poles were hastily put up. and filled with immigrants.

HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD. 27

My father vacateJ and built thirteen times in one year to accom- modate new comers. Log lints filled with merchandise, groceries, and above all that curse of America - whisky - soon did a thriving trade with the Indians and immigrants. On a cool autumn after- noon my mother, who was remarkably tall, with black hair and fine eyes, went to one of the primitive stores to buy a shawl, and could find nothing but a bright red with gay embroidered corners. She threw it over her shoulders, and crossed over to see a sick neighbor. Returning at dusk, she was forced to pass round a crowd of Indians who had been trading and drinking. A powei*- ful, bare-armed Osage, attracted no doubt by the gay shawl, threw up his arms, bounded toward her, shouting, 'My squaw.' She fiew toward home. Just as she reached the door her foot twisted and she fainted. A strong arm with a heavy stick came down on the bare head of the dxisky savage, and he measured his length on the ground. The Kickapoo, for it was he that came so opportunely to my mother's rescue, carried her in, closing the door, for by this time everybody had rushed to see what was the matter, the Osages calling for the Kickapoo who had dealt the blow upon their companion. He passed on to the kitchen, making a sign to Rachel to go in, took 'Kickapoo, My Beautiful,' from Elizabeth, pressed her tenderly to his heart, looked at her wist- fully, returned her to the nurse, and Avas gone. The blow dealt really killed the Osage. Nothing but Rachel opening the door wringing her hands, with tears running down her's and Eliza- beth's cheeks, with 'Kickapoo, My Beautiful,' screaming, the finding of my mother in a death-like swoon, and no trace of the Kickapoo, saved the village from serious trouble. Days, weeks, months and years passed, and all my father's efforts to find out the fate of his red friend were futile, and he concluded he had been assassinated by the Osages, though assured by them, ' They no find him.' "

It seemed to be a peculiar trait in the character of these Del- awares that they were ever ready to assist and protect the smaller and weaker tribes. Besides the above reference to the Kicka- poo, whom the}"- had resciied from the hands of the more cruel and barbarous Osages, we are informed that they had under their protection, while here, small remnants of several other-

28 IIKSTUUY OF SPRINGFIELD.

tribes, among whom were Potawatamies, Piankesbaws and Miin- cies. About the time that Messrs. Miller and Campbell settled in Springfield, there were settlements being made in various parts of what was soon to become Greene county, the county seat of which should finally become a flourishing city. As we have before mentioned, the Fulbright family had settled in the Tvest part of what now constitutes the city, or perhaj^s just out- side of the present city limits ; the spring which bears their name, and furnishes an abundant supply of 'Adam's ale," being, but a short distance from the fountain of that more recently invented beverage, lager beer. Wra. Fulbright had passed through what is now Greene county in 1819, but M-ent back East, and settled in what afterwards became Crawford county. In 1829, just after the return of Mr. Campbell from his first trip, as we have before stated, Mr. Fulbright, Avith his brothers Levi and John, and his brother-in-law, A. J. Burnett, removed to this place and pitched their tents in the wilderness. They brought with them their families, and a niimber of negroes, among whom was Aunt Hannah, so well known to all citizens of Sjirinfigeld claiming to be over a hundred years old, and to have assisted in the construction of that first little pole cabin. In 1832 a mill was erected by "Wm. Fulbright on the site now occupied by the one owned by Lawson Fulbright, near the head of Little Sac. Many of the descendants of this family are still living in the vicinity of Springfield, and from the pen of Mr. Miller, in a communication to the Ijeader, we quote the following honorable tribute to some of the departed members :

''In making further drafts upon the tablet of memory, fond recollections are awakened of more, and not to be forgotten, men and women Avho once lived in and about Springfield, but are long since gone. I call to mind the Fulbright family and others ; William Fulbright and his amiable wife (Aunt Ruthy) and their interesting young family of sons (they had but one daughter). "When I first knew them in 1830, they lived at the sirring, opened a large farm on the high ground south of the spring, and were the very first to break the soil in the way of plowing, in the neighborhood. Uncle Billy's late and last residence was at the site of the old fort, or earth woik, where he died in 1843, after

HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD. 29

spending a very energetic and useful life. He was very punc- tual, honest and strict in all his dealings. He taught all of his nine sons true habits of industry ; to get money, but to get it honestly, or not at all. Some of their sons are still living in Boone county, Ark., one in Greene, and one in Lawrence count}'. Their third sou, Henry, held several resposible offices in the county, and was for one term Receiver of the U. S. Land Office,^ and while adversity has overtaken some in the decline of life, they still struggle on, not forgetting their early training. It was my good fortune to be personally acquainted with old Grand- mother Falbright, mother of Uncle Billy and great-grandmother of the present John Y. She was of Dutch or German origin from North Carolina, and had in her possession a very old Dutch Bible, the first I ever saw. She died, I think, in 1832, at a very advanced age. Aunt Ruth}', who died a few j-ears ago, is well remembered, no doubt, by manj for her kind, generous and amiable disposition. Though passed away, may they long be remembered."

Andrew Biss, the father of Simpson Bass, of Jackson town- ship, left Tennessee in the fall of 1829 for Missouri, arriving in Greene county toward the close of the year. His first location was half a mile west of where Strafi'ord now stands, but on the departure of the Indians, the following year, he removed to the place now owned and occuj^ied by his son, in Jackson township. Alpheus Huff, whose sons still live in that township, came from Franklin county, Missouri, in 1830, and settled within a mile of Mr. Bass, and Alexander Chadwick came from Tennessee in the fall of 1831, after which there were no other arrivals in that part of the county for several years.

On the south side of the James, where John Caldwell now lives, Edward Thompson, from Tennessee, settled in 1830. Mrs. Page and her family, who were of French descent, came also about the same time, and remained for several years on what is known as the Galbreath place, in the same neighborhood. In the same j'ear, Thos. Finney and wife and Samuel Weaver came, and lived for about a year, just below the present Boonville street bridge, where G. N. Shelton afterward had a tan-yard. Mr. "Weaver was a son in-law of "\Vm. Fulbright, but his wife had

"30 insTOHV OK SPRINGFIELD.

recently tiled, leaviufi^ an infant son named Marion, who is now a merchant in Lawrence conntj'.

Joseph Miller settled at the spring, a short distance south- west of the city, where Mr. Beiderlinden has since lived, after wliioh he sold out to ^laj. Joseph Weaver, and removed to Sac river, thirty miles northwest of this city. Mr. Weaver came in IMarch, 1S30, from Marshall county, Tennessee, and first settled at the Delaware town, where he purchased and improved the farm now known as the Porter place, upon which he lived until his removal to the above named point. On this farm he remained three or four years before removing to the place know"n as the AVeaver grove, two-and-a-half miles west of town. After one or two other removals, he died in September, 1852, on the farm three miles northwest of the city.

Of his family of thirteen children, eleven were by his first wife, to whom he was married in Georgia. His second wife, and the mother of his two younger daughters, was the widow of Dr. Wm. Shackelford, who will hereafter be irentioned. Of the first family eight are still living, and one of the second. Of these J. J. and E. L. Weaver, and the wives of J. L. Carson and J. M. Griffith, all living in this city, are well and favorabl}- known to most of our readers ; also another sou, Thomas J. Weaver, who lives at the "^Veaver Grove. One brother, R. B., and two sisters, are living in Boone countj', Arkansas, Mr. Weaver being at the present time the Representative of that county in the State Leg- islature. Joseph J. Weaver has taken a prominent part in the affairs of this city, having served two or three terms as Council- man from the Third Ward, and one year as Mayor.

In 1831, Daniel B. Miller, a brother of Joseph, settled at what is still known as the Miller spring, in the northwest part of the city, and whidi furnishes power in the form of steam for the Sj^riijgfield woollen mills. Here he made a field, which was afterward used as the Federal burying ground. He also cleared a small field in the " bottom," whei-e the depot of the S. «Sc W. ^I. Vi. R. ivow stands. Mr. Miller remained in Springfield until liis death, which occurred in January, 1839.

Samuel Lasley, who came with Mr. Miller, settled on Little Sac, where the l^olivar road now crosses : and we are informed

HISTORY OF SPPINGFIELD. 31

'Cliat Spencer O'Neil, mentioned in the former chapter, who had 'been absent during the general abandonment of homes, also referred to in that chapter, retui-ned about this time and settled in the southwest part of the county, near where his son Charles, now resides.

Next came Joseph Rouniree and family, from Mauz-y county, Tennessee, reaching here in January, 1831. They had started in November, 1830, and after crossing the Mississii^pi were snow- bound at Massey's Iron Works on the Merrimac. Here they fell in with Joseph Fillabert, the French trader mentioned in the former chapter, who was coming through with some Canadians and about thirty ponies. Mr. F. kindly piloted them through, and became a firm friend of the family. Mr. Rountree settled on the farm now owned by his son, Z. M. Rountree, two-and-a half miles southwest of the Public Square. In honor of the old gen- tleman we insert the following from the pen of Col. Wm. E. Gil- more, as published in the Patriot of Feb. 14, 18G7:

"Father Joseph Rountree, the patriarch of an exceedingly nu- merous and highly respectable family in this county, was born April 14:th, 1782, in North Carolina, the State which, next to Ten- nessee, gave the most pioneers to Southwest Missouri. Mr. Roun- tree in 1806 married Nancy Nichols and remained upon the home- stead farm in Carolina until the fall of 1819, when, having heard that in the far West there actually was land that would produce more than two barrels of corn, to the acre, he started out to find it in the then remote Territory of Misssouri.

"Having two brothers living in Maurj county, Tennessee, whom he visited on his way to the "West, he was induced by them to give up his intention of going to Missouri, and settle there. He ac- cordingly bought a farm there and remained upon it eleven years. But he could not forget the glowing accounts he had heard of Missouri, and in the fall of 1830 he again "pulled up stakes" and came on to this place, as we have before stated.

"Father R., not long after coming here, was elected Justice of the Peace, which position he filled for several years, and in 185G was chosen one of the Judges of the County Court. This office he filled acceptably until the war threw everything into confusion. In 1865, the venerable old man was assaulted most wantonly by a

32 HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD.

brutal solilier, and after a struggle lie was shot through the shoulder with a revolver bullet, after which the soldier made two or three iinsuccessful attempts to shoot him through the head, but the weapon missed fire, and assistance coming at that moment, the brute was prevented from completing his murderous inten- tions. The soldier was promptly arrested, tried, and convicted by a court martial, and sentenced to ten years confinement in the penitentiary. Mr. Rountree suffered acutely for a long time from this wound, but finally recovered and lived several years. When he came to this State he brought with him a family of seven sons and two daughters, who have filled honorable places in society."

In company with I\Ir. Rountree on his journey from Tennessee was Sidney S. Ingram, who settled where Mr. John Demuth now resides on East Walnut street, just north of which he erected a cabinet and wagon shop. Mr. Ingram remained in the city a number of years, and afterward removed to a farm about one-and- a-half miles southwest of town, after which he removed to the place on the James, where, in company with F. C. Howard, he erected a saw and grist mill. There he remained until his death, which occurred about the year 1847. IMr. Ingram will hereafter be mentioned in an official capacity. Of his family but few remain among us, Sidney P. living oue-and-a-half miles south of town, and Benoni L., who lives in Texas, being his only children now living.

Somewhere about this time Randolph Britt came from near Bowling Green, Kentucky, and settled five miles southeast of town, on the farm now owned by Dr. Blake, and we are informed that Edmund Vaughn, living ten miles east of town, is probably the oldest permanent citizen of the county now living, he having come while the Delawares were still here. He is said to be a well- read man, but not very communicative. Mr. Buflford also settled at an early day, some thirteen miles east of town.

Kindi-ed Rose, who is still living on a farm a short distance southwest of Springfield, settled upon the same in 1831. We learn that he had been living about one year before this at Rich- wood, near Ozark.

Also in the same year Junius Campbell, then eighteen years old, came and put up a little log store, within a few feet of where

,rvtx.

HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD. 33

the public school building now stands, and had a few goods hauled from Boonville. His partner was James Feland, an old -Santa Fe trader. Mr. Campbell traveled all the way from Ten- .j^^^"^ nessee alone, on horseback, and Mr. Miller says that in a lonely region he halted at a small wayside cabin and asked permission to stay all night. The lady replied that she had no meal. "Well," said he, " just make me a little mush." However this may be the citizens of Springfield have reason to be thankful that he reached the little hamlet in safety and entered into business, where he remained until his death in 1878, one of the staunch business men of the growing city. But as Mr. Campbell's name will occur again in future chapters, we leave him for the present . and pass on to notice other arrivals. ^

^'^ ' Andrew Taylor, from West Tennessee, settled in 1831, one and \ h',, "" a half miles southeast, on the prairie just east of the Phelps place, ,*> and D. D. Berry, his brother-in-law, just south of him, where he put up a little log store, bringing his goods from Tennessee. Mr. Taylor soon moved back to Tennessee, and after a village began to be shaped here, Mr. Berry removed his store to town.

In the fall of 1831, Peter Epperson and family came from Tennessee and settled on a place adjoining Mr. Rountree's, having sent an overseer with about twenty slaves, in the spring, to erect a house, oj^en up a farm, and make necessary prepara- tions to receive them.

Radford Cannefax and his family, including two grown sons, Benjamin and Chesley, and a daughter, who afterwards became the wife of S. S. Ingram, arrived in 1831, and settled four miles southwest of the city, on the farm afterward owned by Chesley. They were originally from Campbell county, Virginia, where, in 1809, the elder Cannefax was compelled, in self-defense, to kill a man by the name of Pitts. Cannefax surrendered himself to the authorities, was tried and acquitted. He soon after removed to Kentucky, where he remained until his removal to this place, as before stated.

In the same year. Finis Shannon, brother-in-law of Joseph Miller, settled just below the Uncle Joe Rountree place, on Wilson, creek, where he soon died and was buried. He was the first white person ever buried in the neighborhood, the plank for his

34 insTORY OF SPRINGFIELD.

coffin being sawetl from a green walnut log by Joseph Miller and a negro man, with a whip-saw, and the coffin was made by Junius Rountree and Sidney Ingram.

In the latter part of 1831, Samuel Painter came here from Montgomery county, Illinois, where he had lived about five years. He was formerly from Lincoln county, Tennessee, to which place he removed in 1S18, when his son Jacob, who still lives in Spring- field, was but two years old. Mr. Painter and his family, con- sisting of his wife and three sons - John, Jacob and Elisha - re- mained a few months in Springfield, after which they removed to the beautiful prairie in the north part of the county, where they remained about one year, on the place now owned by William H. Paj-ne. near Ebenezer. Mr. Painter sold out to Thomas "Wilson, and then removed to what was called the *' Mill Bottom," on the James, the place first settled by Mr. Ingle, and afterward by a man named Seigler. Jacob, at the same time, removed to the place known as the " Brashear's Cave" farm, four miles southeast of Springfield.

About tbe time of the laying out of the town they both returned to Springfield, where the old gentleman remained until his death, which occurred in 1830. Two of his sons, John and Elias. are also dead. Jacob still lives in the Third ward, and is, without doubt, the oldest white settler in the city. In 18-15, he purchased, for ten dollars, the ground on Olive street, where his present house and shop stand, and where die has ever since resided. Col. S. H. Boyd thus refers to him, in his Historical Essay, delivered at the meeting of Pioneers, July -Ith, 1876 :

" He was a professional gunsmith, and has tm-ned out thousands of fire-arms, and he gained (juite a celebrity for his pistol pattern, known as 'Jake's best.' Califcrnians. in 1849, '50 and '51, bought them in preference to any other. Jake married the daughter of William Freeman, a soldier of the Kevolution, who died in 1830, and was buried on the Gardner farm, two miles east from Spring field. Jake remembers well the house of John P. Campbell, the only one where now is our city, in 1831. William Fulbright, Benjamin Cannefax, Joseph Rountree and Joseph Miller, were the nearest residents to where now is Springfield. Jake, in those far-gone da^ s, was i ccustomed to church-going, to hear the Rev.

HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD. 35

Thomas Potter, an uncle of Col. Thomas Potter, a leading man and politician of Greene count}'. The county was full of game, and the water-courses filled with fish. Jake was champion then, but he always played fair and practiced no deceit, even upon the finest game and fish. Jake never told a falsehood, and he says honey was used as a lubricator for wagons, it being so plenty then. He has continually resided here since 1831, except for a few days, when he went into the country to his brother's. Some claim that he is not now the oldest settler ; that he lost that right when he left, as he left in a hurry. The story is that Henry Fulbright, son of William Fulbright, came from St. Louis, and brought the cholera with him, in 1835; and that when Jake left, he left for good. 'To a Tennesseean, that pest was more terrible and fright- ful than a thousand painted Indian warriors. Samuel Campbell, brother to John P. Campbell, a Mr. Foren, and some colored people of the Fulbrights, died of it. But it subsided, and Jake returned. Knowing the demoralizing effect cholera has upon a Tennesseean, the court decided that Jake's domicil was not aban- doned, and that he is entitled to carry the knife. Jacob Painter has filled well his part; always the quiet, fearless advocate of right, he never had an enemy, political or personal. Such is the- oldest living settler of Springfield."

Some time in 1831, James K. Alsop, Samuel Scroggin* and Daniel Johnson, settled on the Little Sac, and were followed, in 1832, by John Headlee and two brothers-in-law, Benjamin John- son and James Dryden . As an exception to the general rule, we notice that Mr. Headlee does not trace his history back to Ten- nessee, but to New Jersey.

In the same year came Thomas P. Whitlock, the father of W. P. "Whitlock, of this city. He arrived in June, from Hardeman county, Tennessee, and settled in what is now Franklin township, in the north part of the county, near where he still lives. He brought with him a wife and one son. He has had, in all, a family of eight children, all but one of whom are still living. We also- learn the names of Zachariah Simms, Benjamin Johnson, Henry Morrison, David and John Eoper, Drury Upshaw, and Larkin Dewitt, all of whom settled about the same time in that part of the county.

3G HISTORY OF SPHIXGFIELL).

After 1832. we are inforinecl, the settlers began to pour into that part of the county (juite rapidly, and so we shall not attempt to mention all of their names ; but, passing over a space of three years, we mention one of the pioneers whom we had rather over- looked. He was no less a personage than Mr. l*anther, and he was so neighborly that he came within a hundred yards of IMr. AVheeler's house, where, being chased by dogs, he took refuge in a black jack tree, and was shot by Mr. Benjamin Johnson, who, like most of the pioneers, was a great hunter.

John Briscoe, with his sons-in-law, Jacob and Andrew Holler, arrived from Tennessee in 1831 or 1832, and settled in the south part of the county; the former on the farm where William M. "Ward now lives, and the two latter respectively on the present farms of Elijah Gray and Scott Fry.

In 1832, Bennett Robberson, the father of Dr. E. T. Robberson, "who is one of the oldest and most highly respected citizens of Springfield, came from Tennessee and settled near Mr. Kountree's, about two miles southwest of Springfield, and about a year after- ward his mother (the grandmother of the doctor) came with her sons William, Allen. John, Edwin, Russell and Rufus, who all settled in the north ]iart of the county, on the prairie which still bears their name. She also had three daughters, who married, respectively, Rev. David Ross, father of Dr. Ross, Thomas Stokes and Richard Say.

John G. Lock settled on Flat creek in 1832. He was what is now known as '"a sport" - i. e., a gamester - and the owner of race horses, which he often matched for large wagers. He was, nevertheless, a good and genial man, who had many warm friends among the pioneers. Mr. Lock terminated his life in an affray with one of his cousins, John Short, by whom he was fatally stabbed in the abdomen. Short also received wounds in this affray, from which he never recovered.

In the spring of 1832, Humphrey AVai-ren located in the prairie three and one-half miles from town, Avhich is about the main and extreme head branch of Wilson creek, where James Massey after- ward lived and died. Mr. Massey was the father of William Massey, Mrs. McAdams and IMrs. ''Buck" Rountree. There is -where IMi*. Rountree and Mr. McAdams were married.

HISTORY OF SPKINGFIELD. 37

Thomas Home also in the same year settled on the branch below the Beiderlinden place. James Dollison came from Ten- nessee abont this time, and settled near where the cotton mills now stand, but soon afterward removed to a farm three and one- half miles south of town, near where his son Grundy and several daughters still live. Mr. 1). was for several years one of the Judges of the County Court.

We have only succeeded in getting a rather indefinite record of the early settlements in the vicinity of Walnut Grove, although it is among the old landmarks of the county and this portion of the State. Among its early settlers, all of whom, probably, came before 1833, we find the names of Allen Williams, Michael Walsh, William Mallory, Joseph Moss, Mr. Sloan, (the father of Dr. Sloan of Walnut Grove,) and Hugh Leeper, from whom the large prairie in the northwest part of the county took its name.

In the "Historical Atlas of Greene County," before mentioned, we find this sketch of the Boone family, and their connection with the early history of Greene county :

" The western part of the county was explored at an early day by Nathan Boone. He was the youngest son of Daniel Boone, was a captain in the United States service, and was one of the first white men who traversed Southwest Missouri. He was pleased with the appearance of the west part of this county, and selected some land in the neighborhood of Ash Grove, and sent out his son to take out pre-emption rights. Several of the Boone family have since lived in the county. Nathan Boone located in the heart of Ash Grove - a large grove of timber comj)osed principally of walnut and ash, and receiving its name from the predominance of the latter. James, John, Benjamin and Howard were his sons. His sons-in-law were William Caulfield and Alfred Horseman, who also settled in the grove. Nathan Boone at one time owned several hundred acres of land. James Boone, his oldest son, is said to be the oldest American white male child born in Missouri, west of St. Louis county. He was born in St. Charles county in 1800." His two daughters, Mrs. Frazier and Mrs. Horseman, and his grandson, James W., besides some other grandsons and grand-daughters, still live near Ash Grove.

Again we quote from Mr. Miller : " In 1831, Dr. James H.

38 HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD.

-Slavens, then a. young preacher from "Warren county, and who married Joseph Rountree's oldest daughter, Amanda, in 1832, was the first Methodist that ever preached in this county. He is now a citizen of Buffalo, Dallas county. I will here mention old man Sol. Cotner as being one of the early settlers, who, with Jacob Painter, could kill more game, and they were considered the most expert hunters in the country, and long after wild game had disa])peared, they could find and kill deer almost in sif^ht of town, when no one else could. Old man James Carter -put up and run the first blacksmith shop, which stood not far from the northeast corner of the present Public Square. Mr. Charter died of cholera in 1835, as also two of Mr. Campbell's ne- groes - old Davy and Jim - and were buried just under the hill a little way above the present bridge. At the Miller spring is a disappeared graveyard of six or seven persons of the Miller fam- ily. It is some eighty or one hundred j'ards east of the spring, may be a little southeast, which I presume is now covered over with houses and fences. .1 am very sui'e they have never been taken up. The graves were near the foot of a solitary large black oak tree that then stood there, which was surrounded by a thick growth of young oak saplings or bushes. They were buried there in 1831-'32-'33-'34-'35 and '36.

" In 1832, a Mr. Eads settled at the Sclmltz spring, one mile and a half southwest. Afterwards, Maj. Blackwell, father-in-law of Junius Campbell, lived there, and at that place Mr. C. was married. The writer was at that wedding in 1833. Samuel Teas, another son-in-law of Maj. Blackwell, settled at the spring one mile south of town. He afterward put up a store at Sar- coxie, in Jasper coiinty.

" Now, in rambling further, with your permission, I will lead you fifteen or twenty miles northwest - into the noted Ash Grove and Walnut Grove neighborhoods - where, in by-gone days, lived the old stock of the Boones and others. Major Na- than Boone, of old United States army notoriety', whom I well remember, and his three honorable sons, James, John and How- ard, have all long ago bid adieu to time, except, probably, John ; and of the Boone daughters much might be said as to their amia- bility and respectability. They were the belles of the count}- at

HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD. 39

that date - say forty-four years ago - several of wliom have long since passed away, One is, if living, the wife of Col. F. T. Fra- zier, who is another highly respected old citizen. I would be much pleased to know what portion, if any, of the old Greene county Boone family are left, having spent many pleasant hours with different members of the old stock away back in the past, and they are remembered with respect.

" And near the Boones was another old and honorable citizen - Dr. Constantine Perkins, who- lived there a long and useful life as a physician. I have forgotten when he died, but it was a long time ago. You will find the names of Dr. Perkins and the Boones on the books of the first Masonic lodge in Springfield.

" Not far away we find traces of other old-timers of respectabil- ity, among whom were the Caulfields, Kelleys, Whittenburgs, Ijooneys, Tatums, Wilsons, Murrays, Kobinsons, "Wadlows, and further south we come to mention that noted family the " Leep- ers," of '- Leeper's Prairie," and the Reynolds, Yeakleys, Lind- aeys - all remembered ; that is, the old ones, forty-eight years ago, who, together with the above named, with others, helped to brave the storms and bear the hardships of the then western wilderness country, and I am now proud to class them promi- nently among the distinguished adopted sons of Greene county.

"In 1831 a strange, odd and remarkable individual, in the per- son of an old and somewhat demented white man, appeared amongst us, nam.ed Jesse Bayles. He had some English educa- tion, but lived a wilderness life among the wild beasts and In- dians, seemed half crazy, dressed very scant and odd, wore an old white wool hat tucked up at the sides, and written thereon, in large red letters, " death." He carried a long butcher knife and a tomahawk, and seemed dangerous to look at, but was harmless and even lively. I was Avith him considerable. He was fifty or sixty years old. He said no harm should befall me ; that he in- tended to keep the panthers, wolves and Indians from ' ahold ' of me. In a year or two he disappeared. He either died or fol- lowed the Indians.

" About the same time another extraordinary and remarkable old man, then over sixty years of age, came 'round amongst the few settlers. His name was Robert Alexander ; originally from

40 HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD.

North Carolina ; came West, aloiie, in 182;") ; lived several years with the Miami Indians, at the month of Swan, on White river (at present, Forsyth, Taney county.) He was well educated, had been a fine lookinf]^ man and had been in hifj^h life, but ardent spirits had '^ot away ' with him, as it is getting the best of some of our American statesmen at this date. This old man, Alexan- der, came within a few votes of being elected Governor of the State of North Carolina in 1824, but, by domestic and political trouble, disappointment and defeat, .he came West and lived a roving, reckless, dissijiated life. He was a man of tine sense, al- ways had good horses, would gamble with cards and race horses and drink whisky. Finally', in 1835, he found his way to William C. Cami^beH's, in Polk comity, and, drunk, undertook to swim Sac river on horseback, and was drowned just below Orleans, and that was the last of poor old Bob Alexander."

Mr. Miller also mentions Christopher McElhanuon, Randolph Lanham and Billy Warren, living just north of town, and a num- ber of other families living in the northwest part of the county, but we are of the opinion they did not come before 1833, and are consequently out of the range of this chapter.

Some time in the year 1832, Wm. Ross, originally from South Carolina, but more recently from North Missouri, settled the place now owned by Widow Wilson, in the north part of the county.

Alexander IMcKenzie came from Pulaski county, Kentucky, and settled, about the year 1830, on a farm three and a half miles southwest of Springfield, where he remained until 1832, when he sold out to Mr. Wm. Townsend, the father of A. M., Thomas B., and William M. A. Townsend, who still remain among us, their parents having long since " passed over the river." The oldest son, W. G. Townsend, removed about the year 1850 to Cassville, Barry county, where he still lives. The oldest daugh- ter, Nancy, was married to Benjamin Cannefax, and lived three and a half miles southwest of town ; the second, Lizzie A., be- came the wife of Wm. Britt, who was the son of Randolph Britt, before mentioned ; the third, Lucetta A., married Rev. Matthew Barnes, and lived three miles east of town ; the fourth, Mary, was the wife of Chesley Cannefax, who will hereafter be men-

HISTORY OF SPBINGFIELD. 41

tioned in the official records of the county; and the youngest daughter, Drucilhi, was first married to Meredith Carter, v/ho lived near the Wilson Creek battle ground, and afterward to Jas. Kelley, with whom she removed to St. Clair county, where they still live. A. M. Townsend informs us that his father and mother, Wm. and Mary Townsend, came from Logan county, Kentucky', when he was but ten years old. He says that where Springfield now stands, was a fine forest of red-oak timber, with but a small clearing around the residence of John P. Campbell, which was a small log cabin, and at that time the only house in what is now the business part of Springfield. He speaks in glowing terms of the happy times " when this old town was new,"

"In the days when we were pioneers, Some fifty years ago."

To hear these old settlers tell about it, one would almost think they were describing the Canaan of the Israelites. If it did not flow so freely with milk, it seemed to be made up by the abund- ance of honey. They all agree that if a person lacked sweet- ness, all he hid to do was to cast his eye upward toward the heavens, and he would see that industrious little insect, the hon- ey-bee, heavily laden with his sweet store, flying homeward to his storehouse, which was generally a hole in the side of some lofty oak. These bee-trees were so plentiful, and so easily found at that time, that a person had no difficulty in finding one, when- ever he set out to look for it.

They also tell us wonderful stories of the productiveness of the soil, which would then produce abundant crops Avith little or no attention after breaking the new turf and planting the seed. Venison and other game was plentiful, and although these hardy pioneers were deprived of nearly everything which people of to- day consider the necessaries of life, and surrounded by the wild- erness filled with Indians and wild beasts, they lived a compara tively happy life.

Again we quote from Mr. Miller :

"The settlers in those days were driven by necessity to use their inventive wits. Doors were made of clap-boards, floors of mother earth, bedsteads with one leg were fastened to the walls in the corners of the houses, and wagon grease was made of

42 HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD.

honey, which was only twenty-five cents a gallon, or about one cent a pound in the comb. "When they were able to aflbrd good puncheon floors, and two bedsteads, it seemed quite like civiliza- tion.

" Bread was scarce, and what little crops were made, were lib- erally divided, so that all could have a little bread. Very few hogs, and pork hard to get, but wild game was plenty, and with the faithful dog and flint-lock rifle, every one had plenty. The meal was made by pounding the corn in a stump mortar, the coarsest for hominy and the finest for bread, and very dark at that. Men worked then at fifty cents per day, and I say this to put a correct idea and feeling into men who now-a-days think it is a disgrace to work at that price. Honest labor at even twenty-five cents per day, where a man can't do better, is far more profitable and honorable than idleness.

" In those days neighbors were few and far between, but every- body was friendly and willing to divide the last mouthful. The first grist of corn was ground on a little wing-dam mill that old John Marshall had on James, near the mouth of Finley, although Jerry Pearson had a little rattle-trap of a mill some nearer, but it was hardly competent to grind for his own use."

Prior to mill building, corn had to be beaten in wooden mor- tars with a pestle, and these were used to some extent for a long time in preference to the little " one-horse " mills of the new country. The hand-pestle was a small wooden one, similar in shape to the pestle used by a druggist in compounding and pul- verizing medicines; but the sweep-pestle was fastened to a spring-pole, after the manner of a well-sweeiJ. The mortars were made by boring or burning holes, conical in shape, in the top of a stump, or section of a large tree, and were made about a foot wide at the top and eighteen inches deep. Bread made from this meal was called " pound cake," and Mrs. Campbell used to tell her friends that for a number of years after coming to Spring- field she had scarcely anything to eat but "pound cake."

HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD. 43

CHAPTER III.

ORGANIZATION OF GREENE COUNTY AND SELECTION OF COUNTY SEAT

MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS AND EXPEDITIONS AGAINST THE OSAGES.

As we have seen by the preceding chapter, when the first pio- neers came to Southwest Missouri, this section of the State was all under the jurisdiction of Wayne county, which was one of the original counties into which the State was divided at the time of its admission into the Union ; but, on the 23d day of January, 1829, Crawford county was organized, and its county seat was located on Little Piney, not far from the present site of Arling- ton, on the St. Louis and San Francisco railway. The early settlers in this vicinity were subject to the commands of the officers of Crawford county until the 2nd day of January, 1833, when, by act of the Legislature in session at St. Louis, which was at that time the capital of the State, Greene county was duly established. Its limits extended to the present line of Kansas on the west, and southward to the line of Arkansas. Its eastern boundary was about the Gasconade river, and it extended north to the Osage fork. Concerning its name, we insert the following patriotic extract from the speech of Col. Boyd, quoted from in a preceding chapter :

"It was called ' Greene,' in honor of Gen. Nathaniel Greene, of the Revolution, a son of Rhode Island. Reared in the smallest and most clanish of commonwealths, he never had a thought that was not as deep, and as high, and as broad as the Republic. The spot where he is bui-ied is unknown. No imposing shaft stands out in bold relief to catch the patriot's eye and invite him to prayer, or to drop a tear over a nation's hero. No tablet, rich in design and elaborate in finish, spreads itself out to commemorate the heroism and fame of departed greatness. Not even a rude head-board marks the spot where General Nathaniel Greene rests. But Missouri remembered him, and raised to him a monument, and immortalized him by giving his name to the fairest, freest

44 HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD.

garden of her dominions, 'Southwest Missouri.' It was then- named and called Greene ; and let her protestations go out to- day, that G-r-e-e-n-e must, and shall be, the only correct way in spelling the name of our county, in remembrance of his Revolu tionary campaign in the Carolinas, against Cornwallis at Eutaw Springs, Guilford Courthouse, Camden, Hobkirk's Hill and Ninety- Six. These were blazoned on the banners of the conquering le- gions, whose prowess a Greene has made the theme of song and story ; and forever hereafter may we all patriotically remember the last finishing letter in the word Green-e, and keep it so pure that at the coming of the second Centennial of our country, an- other picture may be penciled and filed away in the archives of a nation one hundred millions strong, and the spelling of the word Greene then will be, as it was in 1776 and 1876, in honor of the comrade of "Washington, Lafayette, Lee, Marion and Sumpter."

On the 11th day of March, 1833, the first session of the County Court was held at the residence of J. P. Campbell, who had pre viously been appointed as County Clerk. Among the acts of this Court we find the organization of townships, appointment of justices of the peace, and establishing of voting precincts. Also the appointment of commissioners for the location of a number county roads, which were no doubt sadly needed, the only public road through the county previous to this, being the State road running from Boonville, on the Missouri river, to Fayette\alle, Arkansas. Abraham Bledsoe was granted a license to keep a ferry across the Osage river, on this road, and letters of adminis- tration were granted to Joseph Weaver and John A. Langles, on the estate of John Marshall, deceased.

Richard C. Martin was, on the second day of the session, appointed County Assessor, Achilles J. Burnett Collector, and Junius T. Campbell Treasurer, all for one year; also Samuel Scroggins County Surveyor. James Caulfield was appointed administrator on the estate of John Fitch, deceased, and John, Jndia and Finny Brantlet, minors, were bound out to kindred Rose, Larkin Payne and Joseph Price.

On the third day of the session A. J. Burnett resigned the oflSce of Collector, and the vacancy was filled by the appointment of Larkin Payne, and elections were appointed in the various- townships for the selection of constables.

HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD. 45

On the fourth day, the Court adjourned to the 10th day of -June. For this first session the Judges of the County Court were allowed $1.75 per day, and the Sheriff $1.50.

The townships organized, and the Justices of the Peace ap- pointed at this session of the County Court, were as follows :

Spring Kiver - (No appointment.)

Jackson - William H. Duncan.

Osage - Christopher Elmore and John Ripaton.

Mooney. - (No appointment.)

Campbell - Andrew Taylor. Richard C. Martin, and Larkin Payne.

White River - Samuel Garner.

Oliver - Thomas B. Arnett.

The first warrant issued by the Court was to Martin H. Brame, for table and box, $5.00.

At the second session of the County Court, Chesley Cannefax, John Sturdivant, John Fulbright, Barton Warren and Amli-ew Taylor, were appointed CajDtains of Patrols, to look after slaves ; and a State tax of $15 was levied on E. W. W^allis, "for the j^rivi- lege of exercising the business and trade of a grocery in Greene county."

During this session, the resignations of Junius T. Campbell, as Treasurer, and of Larkin Payne, as Collector, were accepted ; John Fulbright being appointed to the former office, and John D. Shannon, who was also Sheriff', to the latter.

On the 5th day of August, an election was held for Congressman from this district, and Campbell township, which then covered as much territory as is now contained in the whole of Greene county, cast only 103 votes.

Sugar Creek was added in June to the list of townships, and Elk Creek in December. During the first three sessions of the County Court, Samuel Martin was the Presiding Justice, but was succeeded, in December, by James Dollison. At the December term, A. J. Burnett's "grocery" license was fixed at $20 per annum to the State, and half that amount to the county. John Fulbright resigned the office of Treasurer, and D. D. Berry being aj^pointed his successor, gave bond in the sum of 82,000.

The expenses of the county for the first year were $363.32, and

46 HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD.

the receipts, from taxes aud licenses only, S299.31, leaving a de- ficit of 804.01.

At the first session of the County Court, in 1834, the Clerk was ordered to procure, for tbe use of the county, standard weights and measures, and a county seal, of brass, with an ''effigy of the elk."

On the 4th day of August, 1834, the first general election was held in the county, with the following result, as far as Greene county was concerned :

State Senator - Joseph Weaver. " Representative - John D. Shannon.

County Justices - James Dollison, Alexander Younger, Benja^ min Chapman.

Sherift' - Benjamin U. Goodrich.

Coroner - John Robards.

At this election, Campbell townshij), containing the town of Springfield, cast 185 votes, and the whole county, which was nearly all of Southwest Missouri, only about 500 votes. On the night of the election, Mr. Goodrich, the Sheriff elect, died, and Chesley Cannefax was afterward appointed in his place.

In the autumn of 1834, the first post-office was established at Springfield, and J. T. Campbell appointed postmaster.

In Mr. Ingram's "Chronology of Greene County," recently published in the Fatriot-Adcertlser, to which we are indebted for many of the facts furnished in this chapter, we find the fol- lowing list of the business men of Springfield, about this time :

D. D. Berry, Henry Fulbright, and Cannefax & Ingram, who sold dry goods and groceries ; John "\V. Ball and James Carter, who were the blacksmiths, and S. S. Ingram, who made coffins, bedsteads, chairs, cotton-wheels, ete.

From ^Ir. Miller's writings, before quoted, we learn that Mr. Ball was the first blacksmith who opened a shop here, and the following quotations from the same will give a good idea of the infant town about that time :

'* In 1833 a one mile round race track was established in the southeast part of town, then prairie : the west edge of it extended about where Mrs. Owen's present residence now is, and rimning about foiu' hundred yards east, and the race stables stood a little

HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD. 47

southeast of the C. P. Churcli. It was established by Mr. J. P. Campbell, who, after a few years, joined the Presbyterian Church, was baptised, and the race course was broke up. I believe Mrs. Owen is the only one of Mr. Campbell's children now about Springfield, who was born here.

"The first meeting-house, or church for worship, was built of oak logs in 1833, at a spring in the woods about half a mile north of Capt. Geo. Jones' present residence, and was occupied by the Methodists and Cumberland Presbyterians. I believe the first marriage ceremony ever performed in the neighborhood of Spring- field was that of Lawson Fulbright, who married David Roper's daughter in 1831, who lived four miles northeast. The next, in the same year, was Junius Rountree, who married Joseph Miller's daughter, Martha, at the place where Squire Beiderlinden now lives. She was the mother of the wives of Geo. Beal, Newt. "Wil- liams, Joe Winfield and McCall.

/^' The first school-house was built of small logs, in 1831, just about where Dabney Dade's residence stands, and the teacher was old uncle Joe Rouuti'ee ; the pupils were Henry Fulbright and some of his younger brothers, the Rountree boys, John Miller, J. J. "Weaver and his two older sisters, Louisiana, late wife of Col. C. A. Haden, and Jane, mother of Joe Farrier, and a few others. The schoolhouse had a good dirt floor, and one log cut out for a window, no door or shutter. Here they learned to spell, read, write and cypher in "- Pike's " arithmetic, on three- legged benches./ Then the next place of learning was built on. the ground where the Christian Church now stands, of logs, and had a loose plank floor, a door-shutter, and a stick and mud chimney, and then they thought they had nearly reached the top round on the ladder of civilization."

In the month of June, 1835, as we have before noticed, these pioneer settlements were visited with cholera, the infection sup- posed to have been brought here in goods brought by Henry Fulbright, from St. Louis, about this time. The first case was that of James Carter, who was taken with the disease at 9 a. m. and died at 2 p. m. of the same day. Cowden Martin, a son of Judge Martin, came to town that day, was attacked and died the same night. J. P. Campbell lost two colored men in one night,

48 HISTORYOF SPRINGFIELD.

and IMoses Foren and jirobably one or two others whose names we did not learn, died of the same terrible disease. We are also informed that Solomon Cotner, John Ingram and Mrs. Martin Inpi'ram were attacked, but the "steam doctors" saved them. In abont a week or ten days the scourge passed away.

About this time several new counties were organized in South- west Missouri, and Greene county was very much reduced in size ; in fact it seems as though they came near cutting it about as close as the Indian cut oft' his dog's tail, when he cat it off" just back of the animals ears.

In the " Session Acts of 1835 " we find the boundaries of Barrj' coimty, cutting oft' one whole tier of toAvnships from what is now included in Greene county, and although there seems to have been a correction in 1838, and the line was removed to its present l^osition, in 1840 it is again declared the same as in 1835. This w^as probably a mistake, and was again corrected the first oppor- tunity. The east line remained unchanged for a number of years, just including one half of the present county of "Webster, and the southern boundary, which was established in 1837. at the time Taney was organized, one township further south than it now extends, remained unchanged till the organization of Christian county about the year 18G0, when Greene was reduced to its pres- ent dimensions.

On the 18th of July, a special session of the County Court was held, for the purpose of receiving and adopting a plan for laying ut the town of Springfield. A plan submitted by J. P. Camp- bell was approved, and Daniel B.Miller appointed a commissioner to sell lots ; but owing to the uncertainty with reference to the western boundary, and on account of the county extending so much farther east, it was for some time quite doubtful whether the county seat would remain here, or be removed to some point fartlier east ; and, although the question had been once regularly decided by commissioners appointed for that purpose, it still continued to be agitated until 183(5, when a petition was circu- lated by the fi-iends of Josiah F. Danforth, to have it removed to a site which he oft'ered, on his farm eight miles east of town. John W. Hancock, who was that year elected to the Legislature, promised to work for whichever party got the most signatures

HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD. 40

to its paper, and as j\Ir. Campbell's friends, in this part of the county, were successful in getting the most names to their re- monstrance, the countj'- seat remained unchanged.

When Springfield was accei^tgd as the county seat of Greene coimty. none of the lands were owned in fee simple by the per- , sons who claimed and occupied them. All were alike " squat- ters." Those who had come here as early as 1833, had a pre- emption claim to one hundred and sixty acres each, under an act of Congress passed June 19th, 1834. This act required as con- ditions precedent, that the claimant should have cultivated the land claimed, in 1833, and been in actual possession of it at the time of the passage of the act.

"We are again indebted to Mr. Miller for the following :

"Springfield was laid off into lots by Mr. J. P. Campbell, in 1835, the northeast corner being on the hill northeast of R. J. McElhaney's, running south and west, forming a fifty acre tract, which was donated by Mr. Campbell to the county, and, under a law regulating such cases in Missouri, the proceeds of the sale of lots went for the erection of the necessary public buildings for the county.

" In forming the public square and laying off the four main streets, Mr. C. laid it out just like Columbia, Maury county, Ten- nessee, where he was born and raised, the four streets centering to the public square, which is unusual in most towns. Columbia and Xashville were about the only towns he had ever seen, and when settlers and 'new comers' would come along they would frequently say, ' Why, Mr. Campbell ! What made you la}"- it off this way?' He would answer, ' Well, that's the way they made 'em where I came from ;' so, after considering the matter over, it was found too late to change it for the streets to come in at the corners, and thus it remained.

" When it came to naming the town, a consultation was held by Mr. Campbell, D. B. Miller, of Miller's Spring, and a few other citizens ; and, as the sprhKj was under the hill, and the field oti the hill, they concluded to call it Springfield.

There may have been some inaccuracies about laying off" the first lots, * * * * bi^t in those days people were not very particular or exacting about a little ground.

4

-'no inSTOUY or bl'lUNGFIKLD.

'- The Idt where J. L. Holhind's residence now stands, was sold for an old. broken-down, black horse, and Avas considered well sold."

The original public square only containeel one and one-half acies, but, by action of the County Court, on the 7th day of An<:;:ust of the«aine year it was enlarged to two acres.

About the first of September, 1835, the U. S. Land OflSce was 'Opened here, Joel H. Haden being the first Register, and Robert T. Brov.-n the first Receiver. The latter seems to have been a ''carpet bagger," according to the later usage of that term, as he -never removed his family to this place, and, after holding the oflSce two or three ye:^rs, returned to Ste. Genevieve. Mr. Haden removed his family here, a year two after his appointment, and became a permanent and highly respected citizen of the new county.

In August, 183G. Mr. P. B. Miller was ordered to employ a competent survej-or, to survey the town tract and file the plat and field-notes of the same. He was further ordered to offer town lots for sale, so soon as surveyed, by advertising in the Missouri Argus, published at St. Louis, and in the BooHslick Democrat; also by setting up handbills at the county seats of Greene, Pulaski, Barry and Polk countj^.

At a later session of the Court, lots were set apart for public purposes, and not offered for sale. On 'the 9th of November, of the same year, Mr. Miller made a settlement with the County Court, showing that, up to the first day of November, sales had been made to the amount of $649.88. He was allowed $131.51 for expenses incurred in the sales, and ordered to pay the bal- ance into the county treasury.

A public jail having been built by temporary donations by citizens of the county, the Treasurer was ordered to refund the amoimts so donated, out of the funds received from the sale of lots. Sidney S. Ligram was appointed Superintendent of the Erection of County Buildings, and ordered to submit to the €ounty Court a plan of a court-house.

On the 28th of Noveniber, a second sale of lots was ordered, to be made on the fourth ^NFoiiday in January next following, and an order was made for the erection of a court-house, in the center

HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD. 51

of the public square, at a cost of Si§3,250. The building was to be a two-story brick, 34 by 40 feet. Fifty-one county warrants were issued this year, and the total expenses of the county were $829.96. The receipts into the treasury were only $557.43^, showing a deficit of $272,521 Add to this a deficit of $87.50 fo"r the preceding year, and we find the total indebtedness, at the close of the jeav 1836, to be $360.02 2. Thus we see that there was a deficiency of funds to run the machinery of the county, every year except 1834, when a county tax double the State tax was assessed, and the county had money enough to pay all of its warrants, pay up the deficiency of 1833, and have $160. 62|^ on hand. This was, however, before there was much money ex- pended for public improvements.

On the 9th of February, 1837, one hundred dollars was ajipro priated from the Road and Canal Fund, for the erection of a bridge across the ' town branch,"' north of the jDublic square at Springfield, and D. B. Miller apjoointed to superintend its build- ing. During this year appropriations were made for the erection of several bridges in the count}^ but a jietition of sundry inhab- itants of the county, praying for an apj)ropriation for '" clearing out" the public square, was rejected by the Court, it probably being considered a useless waste of public funds, as the trees had all been cut oft* for wood, and the stumps would rot out in due time.

For many years, the old court-house was used for public wor ship. In it, old Father Haden used to counsel holiness and all the Christian virtues, long before the more pretentious places of worshij), of the present day, were erected.

In 1836, camp-meetings, political meetings and debates, danc- ing, hunting and picnicing, were the chief amusements of the people. The managers of the dances, it is asserted, used to count the puncheons in the floor, and then charge admission in pro]3ortion to the size of the party that could be accommodated. Eed bandanna handkerchiefs Avere the height of fashion, among the gentlemen of those days, and, if a young gentleman chanced to pull out a white handkerchief, a titter would run around the room, accompanied by whispers of, '"Look I he's got his sister's Jiandkerchief."

OZ HISTORYOF SPRINGFIELD.

D. D. Berry often opened his honse to these social reunions. On one of these occasions, we are informed, he invited nearly everybody in town to a dance, but for some reason, or perhaps by accident, left out one man named Shockley, who had recently moved to town. He was angry at being thus slighted, and deter- mined to let people know it. He had a line horse and a dog, which he valued very higldj'. He strung to the horse and dog as many bells, tin-pans, and other noise-making instruments, as he could devise, and tied the dog to the saddle of his horse, with a strong rope. When all was ready^and the dancers in the midst of their amusement, Shockley mounted his horse, and, adding tO' the jingling of bells and the howling of the dog, his own voice in yelling and screaming, he rode around Mr. Berry's house, to the conster;iation and amazement of the company. Everybody, of course, rushed out too see what on earth was the matter. Satis- fied with the effect there, he left the house, and, at full speed, made the circle of the town. It is said that every man, woman, and child, of Springfield, was out of doors that night, and the more superstitious, no doubt, thought that a certain individual with horns, hoofs and tail, who was then supposed to live in the sulphurous regions, had paid a visit to the town. Shockley's poor dog paid for the sjDort with his life, and the horse and his rider came near meeting the same fate. While passing a tree, at break-neck speed, the dog took one side and the horse the other. The dog was instantly killed, and the horse and his rider were overthrown, but, as it hai)pened, not seriously injured. Witli this event, Shockley passes out of sight, probably removes ta some neighborhood of more congenial spirit.«, and is never heard of again in Springfield.

The sports and amusements of the young folks, in the early days of Springfield, Avere sometimes of a rather dangerous, and even tragic character. In 1835 and 183G, it became a custom among the youngsters, to " make niggers " of such strangers as they could manage. This was done b}^ blacking their faces with burnt cork or other blacking, and, when their object was accom- plished, their shouts of laughter would "raise the town." To illustrate how this was done, we give two or three instances which were vouched for by one who always took part in such sprees :

HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD. 53

Two men, named L and B , who were brotliers-in-law,

"were in the habit of coming to town to get their grog, and nearly always made a two or three days' "drunk" of it, when they came. On one occasion they were induced to separate for the night, and each one slept with one of the town boys. In the night, while sleeping oflf the effect of their potations, both of their faces were thoroughly blacked with burnt cork, and in the morning they "were well j^repared, in complexion, to appear as "Brudder Bones" or "Banjo Sam," but the looking-glasses were carefully kept out of sight, and both of the men were unconscious of the joke that had been perpetrated upon them. * It was arranged to bring them to McElhany's "grocery," to take a morning dram, and this being <lone, all hands were invited up to drink, and i^romptly accepted

the invitation. B was surprised to see a black man come up

to drink with them, and told L that he "was not in the habit

of drinking with niggers." L , hearing this speech from a

man whom he considered a negro, at once pitched in, and a first- class muss was at once inaugurated, each thinking he was pun- ishing a "d - d impudent nigger."

On another occasion, after this joke of blacking faces had been run for a number of months, a strapping big fellow came into toTNTi, with his loaded rifle on his shoulder, and announced that he had come expressly to have his face blacked by these Spring- field boys. He looked dangerous, but it would not do to allow him to escape, after thus daring the venture. So a council was held and a programme arranged. One of the boys "cousined in" with the stranger, and soon got on intimate terms with himv After introducing him around, and getting him to drink a few times, it was suggested that a shave would improve his apj^ear- ance, and he was induced to submit to the operation. In the meantime one of the number, who acted as barber for the occa- sion, was prepared with a cup of diluted printer's ink, which he used as lather, and after pretending to shave him, he was sent to the glass to see how he liked it. A glance was sufficient. With a short, quick scream of rage, the victim sprang for his gun. Another of their number had quietly taken that, during the shav- ing operation, and emj^tied the priming from the pan and spiked the tube with a wire ; but, as most of the boys were not aware

54 HISTORY OF SPRIXGFIELD.

that the gun had been rendered unserviceable, it is said there was some ''tall running," about that time. The stranger chased them for some time, trying every few yards to fire his gun, but finally becoming convinced that it had been spiked, he stopped and burst into tears of rage and disappointment. After promis- ing to behave himself, and go quietly home, he was taken around to Mr. Painter's shop, and the rille was soon put in good order, when its owner departed southward, swearing he would never set foot in the accursed town again, so long as he lived. It is said he kept his word, and was never afterward seen in Spring- field. At least it is certain he never dared that set of boys again, to "try him on a spell."

But we mentioned that these spoiis sometimes led to tragic results, which will be verified by the following instance : One day, in the year 188H, Randolph Britt, with a number of the then citizens of Springfield, were in the "grocery, ' eating, drinking and talking, when some one suggested to J. Renno, to go into the grocery. and "clean it out." R«nno, always ready for such work, "went in," and happening to seize Britt first, a scuMe ensued, in the course of which Reno suddenly cried out, "He's sticking me with a knife!" and fell. It turned out to be too true - he had been fatally stabbed in the throat by Britt, and died in a very few minutes afterward. Britt, for some time, did not seem con- scious of the nature of his act, and when he did realize it, wept bitterly, often exclaiming he would rather Reno had killed him. Much excitement was caused by the tragedj', and. after a long trial, and a change of venue to Benton county, Britt was con- victed of manslaughter, and sentenced to the penitentiary, but was soon after pardoned out.

This case seemed to be the cause of other feuds, which existed for a number of years, and were, probably, indirectly, the cause of two or three other men losing their lives. But it was probably the means of putting a stop to such rough practical jokes, as this is the latest one of that character on record. / Judge Charles H. Allen, who was commonly known as '' Horse" ' Allen, was the Iji'st judge who ever held court at Springfield. He presided over the Seventh Circuit, which then included all of the.- State south of the Osage river and west of Phelps county.

HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD. S^

In the time of these early settlements in SoittLxrest IVIissonri, the militia law required every man over eighteen years of age and "onder forty- five, to drill regularly three or four times- a year, and their officers were elected by the men. This parti of the State was in the Seventh Division, and Greene county fomaed the first brigade, while the second brigade was composed' of Polk and some of the adjoining counties on the north and v;-est. The first organization of these counties, under this arrangement, was in the year 1837, and the following were the first officers elected :

Joseph Powell - Major-General.

N. R. Smith - Brigadier-Gen. 1st Brigade.

Abner Nail - Brigadier-Gen. 2nd Bi'igade.

In the summer of 1837, sorfie slight depredations were commit- ted by roving companies of the Senecas, in some of' the counties-- to the north and west of here, and Maj. L. A. Williams, common- ly called Dr. Williams, and afterwards well known as a citizen of Springfield for a number of years, who Avas then^ living in Polk county, was appointed by the Count}'- Court qS that couirty. to take command of a company of militia, and march the Indians out of that part of the State. Captain Williams,, as he wa8 then called, accomplished the desired object, as far as Polk county was concerned, and, after an absence of about twenty days, the com- pany returned to their homes and were disbanded, but about this time, there was considerable excitement about the Osages gath- ering, in large numbers, in the vicinity of Sarcoxie, and General Powell called out the whole military force of the Division, and marched to that place. The Indians were marched across the line, and after giving assui'ances that they would stay on their own side, the soldiers came home after an absence of about fif- teen days.

This was known as the Sarcoxie war, but there was little ]or no trouble, reports of the outbreak being greatly exaggerated. Ow- ing to some irregularities on the part of General Powell, who did not understand military tactics very well, he was soon afterwards: court-martialed, and expelled from his position. We are informed that this was done at the instigation of Gen. Smith and others- Smith, however, was not a very well posted military man himsell. On one occasion, an old veteran of the regular army was oru

66 ' HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD.

guard, Avlien Gen. Smith fitteinpted to pass the lines, and was accosted with the usual salutation, "who comes here?" He an- swered, "I'm Gen. Smith from Springlield." The guard com- manded him to halt, adding, " I don't care if you're Gen. Smith from hell, you can't pass this line without giving the countei'- sigh." This afterward became a bj'-word in the camp and after the boys returned home.

On the removal of Gen. Powell from this ofHce, a gentleman named Nelson was first elected to the honorable position, and was succeeded by Judge Yancey.

From the pen of Col. Wm. E. Gilmore, to whose writings we are indebted for some of the items already furnished, we quote the following interesting description -of a little expedition against the Osages:

"In the. winter of 1836-'37, Judge Yancey, who held the mihtia rank of colonel, was ordered by the Governor of Missouri, to compel the remaining Indians to retire across the State line, and confine themselves to their own territory. This was done to pro- tect the settlers along the border, and prevent a collision between them aiid the Indians,

" As Lieutenant Chesley Cannefax was next in rank to IMiv Yancey, he and Heni-y Fulbright, whose rank we did not learn, but which stood somewhere between Lieutenant-General and *liigh private,' accompanied the Colonel on his mission to notify them of the order. They were also attended by a negro named Charley, who had be^n raised among the Delawares, and was fa- miliar with the dialect of several of the tribes.

" Near the mouth of Flat creek they met the first Indians. There was a considerable party of them, mounted upon ponies, and engaged in a bear hunt. Col. Yancey was in all the splendor of a fine new uniform, with sword, sash, epaulets and plumes. The Indians halted, gazed at the party a few moments in silence, and then raised a shrill yell, which was answered from every di- rection, and rushed by them in full speed, without speaking or paying iiny attention to the negro Charley, who hailed them.

" The Colonel and his men rode on after them, although they liardly knew how to interpret this strange action on the part of the red-skins. Mr. Cannefax, in speaking of the circumstance

HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD. 57

afterward, used to say, ' I did not like the sign, and as I closed up with the Colonel to see if there was any change in his face, I thought there was ; but if we were both scared, neither of us spoke our thoughts.'

" At length they reached the camp of the Indians, where, by this time, the whole of them were collected, and had made their savage toilet of beads, feathers and finery, all ready to receive ' the Great Chief of the white men,' as they supposed the Colonel must be.

" The visitors were conducted immediately to the tent of the Chief, who was named Nawpawiter, and through Charley, as an interj^reter, informed that personage of the object of their mis- sion. The Indian promised to withdraw his band from Missouri,

-but said that a lai'ge number of women and children were with them, and if it continued as cold as it was then, he must delay until it moderated. This was agreed to, and a written consent given by the Colonel. There were, in this camp, about a hun- dred men and nearly as many women and children.

" Some forty days were spent in search for other bands, when,

-coming around to the saw-mill about thirty-five miles southwest of Springfield, they were very much surprised to find all of the scattering bands which had been hunting in this part of the State,

collected together.

"As the assemblage had the aj^pearance of a war council, the

'Colonel and his aids held a consultation as to what they should do. Col. Yancey and Mr. Fulbright thought best to be gentle with them, and urge them to return peaceably to their reserva- tion, but Mr. Cannefax urged stronger and more impressive ac- tion, and finally the counsel of the latter was accepted, and they

jiode to raise the militia force of the country. In thirty-six hours,

. over a hundred men, well mounted and armed, were assembled at Ozark on the Finley. The Indians were much more numerous,

- but were armed mostly with bows and arrows.

" As this force moved forward, the Indians began to retreat toward their reservation. But Col. Yancey pushed rapidly after them and overtook them on the second evening, on the west side

<of the James river, not far from the mouth of Finley creek.

" The militia were drawn up in line, close to the Indians, and a

/jS history of SPRINGFIELD.

demand M-as made of the Chief, that his men should deliver up their arms, as security against hostilities. This he refused, for some time, to submit to, but, finding that he must consent or fight, he finally yielded, and set the example by coming forward and laying his bow and arrows on the ground. His example was followed bj' most of the warriors, but some of the younger ones refused, and were compelled, with difficulty, to give up their arms.

*' After all of their guns had been rendered unserviceable, by the removal of the fiints from the locks, and ramming a naked bullet tight into the barrel of each, they were returned to their owners, and the Imlians were then compelled to resume their march towards the setting sun, as they had, no doubt, often been required to do before. The next day or two were bitter cold, and the women and children suffered much, especially while crossing Olivers Prairie.

"In two or three days more the State line was reached, and after admonishing them not to return again, the militia started homeward. The same day they were overtaken by an Osage Chief, accompanied by a white man named Matthews, who begged them to return to attend a council of their chiefs, which had been called, they said, to consult with the white men. This, Colonel Yancey refustid to do, saying that he had no power to treat with them.

" When the party got back to Springfield, they found great excitement here, caused by rumors that an Indian war had been commenced. Exaggerated accounts of what had happened, con- nected with the fact that this place is so near the line of the Ter- ritory, caused the people to fear a sudden attack.

" Maj. Berry, who was then the most prominent merchant in this place, came very near packing off his Avhole stock of goods, to some other place for safe keeping. No hostilities followed, however, and Southwest Missouri has had no trouble with In- dians since."

HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD. 59

CHAPTER IV.

BIOGRAPHICAL, SKETCHES OF SOME OF SPRINGFIELd's PIONEERS.

Realizing how difficult it is to write an acceptable chapter on the subject mentioned in the caption of this, we enter upon the task with a sincere desire to give an impartial view of the little town and its inhabitants, in the first stages of its existence, before its population became too large to admit of a special mention of each family.

In the Springfield l*atylot for the year 1867, we find a series of , articles fi'om the pen of Col. Wm. E. Gilmore, under the caption, j "Notes of the Early Daj's of Springfield," commencing with the sentence : '" We wish, and will make the endeavor, to collect and preserve in the files of the Patriot^ such historical facts, ', statistics, anecdotes, and incidents of Springfield and Southwest Missouri, as may be accessible to us ; in the hope that such notes may be found interesting to our readers now, and possibly of value hereafter to local historians."

Thanking the writer for the consideration expressed in the last paragraph, we shall draw upon these articles to some extent for the matter for this chapter. Speaking of John P. Campbell, he says:

"Campbell, the founder of Springfield, .was much the most marked character among these earliest settlers. He was a man \ of unbounded physical energy, and scoured the West on horse- back - in his trading trips, far and near, in every direction - ex- tending these rides even to El Paso on the Rio Grande. He was sharp as the traditional Yankee in a trade, but withal hospi- table and obliging. He and his accomplished wife - who seems to have been beloved and respected by all who knew her - took great pains to assist all newly-arrived immigrants to this coun- try. If he afterward found his profit in his kindness, that was all right. He was not a highly educated man, but had a large share of common sense, and is represented as being very decided in his likes and dislikes.

GO HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD.

''When at one time his attention svas strongly drawn to re- ligious matters he concluded to 'join the church,' but he refused to go to heaven with Parson Joel Haden, to whose ' Christian' congregation Mrs. Campbell belonged, on account of some old grudge he owed Father H., so he was baptized by a Methodist minister and connected himself with that denomination.

" Mr. Campbell M'as a Democrat in politics, and Avas for some time an aspirant for Congress. He came very near reaching this object of his ambition, being at one time elected, as he supposed, in the year 1842. But at that time Missouri elected her Repre- sentatives on a general ticket - i. e., citizens voted for the whole number to be elected for the entire State, on one ticket. It was supposed that the State would be entitled to seven Representa- tives in the 27th Congress, and they voted for seven, but num- Ijered the candidates in the nominating conventions, so that in the event that a less number only should be received from the State, the highest numbers should be rejected. Mr. Campbell was No. 7, and Gov. William Gilj)in No. G, and as the apportion- ment act which passed immediately' afterward, allowed only five Representatives from the State, both Campbell and Gilpin were " left out in the cold.' '

We also quote the following from the same writer :

" Another prominent citizen of the early days was Charles S. Yancey, Avho was born in Kentucky, and when a very j'oung man emigrated to Franklin county in this State, and after a brief res- idence there, came to this place in 1833. Not long after his ar- rival here, he was admitted to the bar, and soon by his urbanity and geniality, won his way to general popularity and favor._ We cannot say he was a profound lawyer ; several of his cotempora- ries at the bar here being sujjerior to him in legal erudition and force. But he was one of the most sensitive, kind-hearted and 2)olite men, and consequently had a host of personal friends, and very few personal enemies, at any period of his life.

"It is one of the curious commentaries on the vicissitudes of frontier life, that he, among the most unwilling of all men to do a personal injury to any one, should be compelled to take the life of a fellow man, which he did in self-defense.

"Mr. Yancey practiced his profession quietly and successfully

HISTORY OF SPEIXGFIELD. 61

imtil 1S36, when lie was appointed one of the Judges of the County Court. About that time a difficulty had grown up be- tween Mr. Campbell and a man by the name of John Roberts. Both were determinei-l and dangerous men when their anger was aroused ; more especially Roberts, when drinking, which he did sometimes to excess. "When in this condition he scarcely made any distinction between friend and foe, although, when sober, he was a man of many good qualities and much respected.

"Chesley Cannefax, then Sheriff, arrested Roberts upon a charge of some 'In-each of the peace,' and brought him before the County Court. When in court, high words passed between Rob- erts and Campbell, and to Judge Yancey's order of ' Silence !' Roberts replied that he would say what he pleased, either before that Court or the Court of Heaven or Hell. For this he was fined .^20, and the assessment of this fine gave Roberts the grudge against Yancey, which led , to the fatal catastrophe. Roberts paid the fine, but with many threats ; and whenever 'un- der the influence of liquor he lost no opportunity of insulting the Judge, who for a long time endeavored to avoid a collision, by pajdug no attention to his remaiTcs.

"Thus matters went on for about a year, when one day, Rob- erts met Y'ancey on the Public Square, in company with Little- berry Hendrick, who had persuaded Yancey to go home- in order to avoid a collision with Roberts, who wus known to be in town and making threats against him, and after some insulting lan- guage, Roberts put his hand in his bosom, as if for his knife, (which he had used on more than one occasion in personal diffi- culties), when Y''aucej'' drew a pistol and fired. He then drew the second pistol, and was in the act of firing again, when Hen- tirick knocked the weapon upward and the ball passed into the air. Roberts exclaimed, '-Don't shoot again - I am a dead man now,' and fell.

" The Circuit Court was, at the time, in session, Judge Foster P. Wright being then on the bench, and Mr. Yancey at once sur- rendered himself to the authorities, was tried and acquitted of criminality.

" So ended this, one of the singular, painful and fatal alter- cations which have happened here, and we doubt not that

€2 HISTORY OK SPRINGFIELD.

bo^YeYel' deeijly the death of Roberts grieved his relatiYes and friends, the grief of none of them was deeper or more lasting than that of the man AYho alew him.

" Mr. Yancey was chosen, in 1}S38, as Colonel of the militia of this district, and afterwards as Major General of the same. This Avas an important and dif^nifiiul office in the eyes of the people then, before war had familiarized us all with military dignitaries and military operations of a more serious character than the old time 'muster.'

"In 18-41 he was appointed Judge of the 13th Judicial Circuit, of which Greene county then formed a part. He was re-ap- pointed in 1847 ; and the office afterward becoming electiYC, he was chosen by the people for the same position, in 1851, and again in 18;")7, thus holding this high and responsible position for six- teen consecutive years, and up to his death, Avhich occurred in 1857. 'We close these recollections of this locally prominent and excellent man, by stating that he was an active and zealous mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity and died a Royal Arch Mason."

Littleberry Hendrick, mentioned in the preceding sketch, was another prominent character among these pioneers. He came to this place about the same time as ]\[r. Yancey, and im- mediately engaged in the practice of law, which he continued the greater part of his life.

In 1801-62, Mr. Hendrick was a member of the Convention which was called at St. Louis and Jefferson City, to discuss the relations of the State of Missouri to the TTnion, and to consider the subject of secession, which Mr. H., in common with the ma- jority of that convention, strongly opposed.

About this time he was also appointed Judge of the 14th Circuit, which office he held until his death, which occurred on the 9th of January, 18G3, and was probably caused indirectly by the excitement incident to Marmaduke's raid, which occurred the day before, and which was said to have resulted in the death of several old persons whose hold upon life had become weakened by sickness and the alarms of war.

His wife died soon after. His oldest son, Leonidas, who is also dead, was for six years Judge of the 13th Circuit. "NYilliam,

HISTORY OF SPRIXGFIELD. 63

tlie second son, is a merchant at Mt. Yernon, and Edward, the youngest, is a dentist and surgeon at the same place.

John Edwards came to Springfiekl in the same year, and re- mained until his death in 1851. Mr. Edwards was the first man to open a bakery in the little town. Of his family, the onlj' rep- resentative remaining is his son, "\Vm. B., living on a farm five miles south of town. Col. Gilmore thus mentions Mr. Edwards:

" Of John Edwards we have been able to learn but little. One anecdote told of him by an old citizen, will do to repeat :

" Mr. E. made relentless war on the pole-cats, or skunks, which then abounded here : and rarely missed a shot at one, even in the darkest night. He used to say he aimed by smell, ' jist as Chris- tians walk by faith, 'thout seein' at all."

In 1833, John Bunch and his son Samuel H., came Avitli a num- ber of slaves from East Tennessee, and selected sites for homes, upon which they erected cabins, and returned for their families, who did not arrive until the following year. John Bunch settled An thin the present limits of Polk county, where he remained until his death. Samuel made a settlement on a place about ten miles northvrest of Springfield, on the j^lace now owned by Mr. AVad- low, on Grand Prairie. Mr. Bunch remained in Greene county the most of the time till the death of his wife, which occurred in Aj^ril, 1847, after which he returned to Tennessee with the younger members of his family, where he still lives.

R. J. McElhany, who came to Springfield with this family, af- terward married Miss Cordelia Bunch, a sister of Samuel. Mrs. Latham of Greenfield, and Mrs. i\IcBroom of Polk county, are also sisters, while Mrs. Orlena Coleman, of this city, is a daughter of Samuel Bimch. His son Rufus is now in Oregon, Janagin in Florida, and Robert in Tennessee. He has also two daughters, Margaret and Louisa, both married and living in Tennessee.

Although Mr. McElhany is mentioned as having come here in 1834, vrith Mr. Bunch's family, one member of -which seems to have possessed special attraction for him, he did not come to remain permanently in Springfield iintil the following year, 1835. He has ever since remained here ^v-ith the exception of about two years after the battle of "Wilson Creek, during which time he "was engaged in business at Rolla, which he considered a safer place

64 HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD.

(luring those exciting times, -when Springfield was alternately^ occupied by the contending armies. Mr. M. has developed a shrewd business tact, by which he has risen from small means witli which he came here, to be considered one of the " solid men " of the city.

We are informed by ]Mrs. McLaughlin, wlio lives on South Campbell street, that her father, James Coin, first came to Spring- field when it contained but three houses. He did not remain in town, but settled on a farm ten miles south, at the old ''Spout Spring," where he still lives. Mr. C. is of Cherokee descent, and several of his family are in the Indian Territory.

Joseph Burden, who was long a prominent citizen of Greene county, was born on the Cumberland river in Tennessee, in 179G- He married a lady in Georgia and removed to this county in 1883. settling on the farm wliich John Fulbright had opened up, where Berry Hospital was afterward erected, just east of town. In 1841, he built a house on JBoonville street, just nortliof the square, where he kept a boarding house for about twelve years, after which he built the house now ovmed by Mr. Matlock, in the north l^art of town. In 185G he bought the place where the Public School building now stands, at the corner of Jefterson and Olive streets. This was known as the " Campbell Reserve," it having been reserved by Mr. Campbell, for himself, in the original laying out of the town. In this house Mr. Burden died, in January, 1807. During his long life he had held various local offices, and was regarded by his fellow-citizens of all classes with much respect. ]\Irs. Burden died in 1873, leaving a family of five children - three sons and two daughters. The oldest daughter is the wife of P, H. Edwards, formerly Judge of this Circuit, and now presiding over the Probate Court of Newton county. The second daugh- ter was first married to E. A. Plumb, with whom she lived in this city until his death, in 18G0, after which she was married- to Judge J. H. Sliaiv, and now lives on Kickapoo prairie, about two miles south of town. Two sons, W. G. and A. J. Burden, lived for a number of years at Carthage, in this State, from which place they went South at the breaking out of the war, and have since lived in Texas. The other son, W. H. Burden, still lives in this city, where he has always been actively engaged in business.

HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD. 65

In the year 1834, Martin Ingram, the father of A. F. Ingram, the present County Treasurer of Greene county, came from Wil- son county, Tennessee, and went into business with his brother Sid- ney. After a sojourn of one year in town, he bought out the improvement made two or three years previous by Jeremiah Ro- land, six miles east of town, where he still lives. From the His- torical Atlas of Greene county, we gather the following items :

" Martin Ingram, one of the oldest settlers of East Campbell township, was born in Caswell county. North Carolina, on the 29th of August, 1803. His grandfather was a soldier in the Rev- olutionary war, and his father was born in 1776. On the 13th of November, 1827, Mr. Ingram was married to Miss Annie A. Howard, the daughter of Francis Howard." They have there- fore been living together over half a century, and of this family this remarkable statement may be made : " Of a family of eight children, all have grown to maturity, and not a death has oc- curred, and of twenty-nine grandchildren, twenty-seven are still living."

J. S. Waddill, who is well known to most of our readers, was born in East Tennessee, March 18th, 1805. In 1885, he emi- grated to Southwest Missouri, and first purchased the Wilson farm, at the mouth of the creek of the same name. In 183G, after remaining upon the farm about a year, he removed to Spriugfieldo Two years later he was admitted to the bar, and has ever since been engaged in the practice of law, in this and adjacent circuits. He has probably done more riding than any other attorney in the State ; and still, in his seventy-third year, he thinks nothing of saddling his horse and riding out to Hartville, Ava, Ozark, or even to West Plains, to attend court.

*Iu December, 18G1, he was appointed by Governor Gamble to preside over the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit, which position he held until his resignation in 18C2. In 1863 he was again ap- pointed, by the same authority, as Judge of the.Fourteenth Cir- cuit, which then included this county. At the conclusion of the term for which he was appointed, he was elected to the same office, but was afterwards removed by the conditions of the Drake constitution.

In 1867, he received the appointment of Register in the U. S.

5

<)G HIsrOKV OF SI'iaXGFIELD.

Laud OlTtice, and retained the position until the commencement of President Grants administration.

The Judge was married, in 1833, to Miss Sarah Kellogg, and he and his estimable lady still live in the north part of the city on the old homestead which thej' have occupied nearly forty years. Their live children, all of Avhom occupy honorable places in so- ciety, are well known in Springfield, and need no commendation from a stranger.

Dr. T. J, Bailey, who was one of the most liighlj' respected of the early settlers of this place, came to Si^ringfield in 1837, when it was but a mere hamlet, and for several years enjoyed the largest practice of any phj^sician in Southwest Missouri. He was from Monroe county of this State, having previously emigrated from Lincoln county, Kentucky. Mr. Bailey was considered, up to the time of the war, one of the wealthiest men in the county, -and he possessed the happy faculty of being content. He was the owner of eight slaves at the time of the emancipation procla- mation, and at the time of his death he left 84,000 to be divided among them. Being a staunch Union man during the war, he retained his patriotism through life, and bequeathed $5,000 for the erection of an appropriate monument, which was soon after- ward erected in the National Cemetery.

His widow survived him until 1875, when, after a long and useful life, she passed over the river. In her will she left a pro- vision for a donation of S5,000 to aid in the erection of a new BajDtist church in this city, and $21,000 for the erection of a female seminary, to be under the control of the trustees of said church ; but, owing to a neglect on the part of the church to comply with the conditions of the will, neither of the institutions lias been erected, and the funds naturally revert back to the estate, a large part of which falls to the wife of Dr. E. T. Robber- son, who is a niece of the deceased.

AVm. C. Price, who is a native of the "Old Dominion," was born on "All Fool's Day," in the year 181G. Twenty-one years later, he emigrated to the " Far West," and pitched his tent in the vicinity of Springfield. About the year 18-10, he was adjutant of a regiment of militia, under the old military system, and, in 1844, was admitted to the bar, since which he has been engaged, the

HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD. G7

most of the time, in the practice of law. About the year 1842 he was Presiding Justice of the County Court, and in 1847 was elected as the first Probate Judge of Greene county, the probate business having been done by the County Court up to that time. In 1851 he was elected State Senator, and in 1857 received from Gov. Polk the aj^i^ointment of Circuit Judge. Two years later he was ai^poiuted Swamp Land Commissioner on the part of the State of ^Missouri, and on account of opinions given by him, de- cisions were rendered which obtained for the State, millions of acres of land which she would otherwise have lost. In March, 1860, he was appointed, under President Buchanan's administra- tion, as Treasurer of the United States, which position he held until after the inauguration of President Lincoln. Immediately on tte breaking out of the war, he went into the Soi>thern army, with which he was connected about three years, being captured at Pea Ridge in 18G2, and soon after exchanged.

Mr. Price has been twice married ; first, in 1812, to Miss Sarah Kimbrough, a daughter of John Kimbrough, who came from Kentucky in the fall of 1839. After the death of his first wife, which occurred in 1819, he was mkrried, in 18G0, to Miss Lydia C. Dow, from Vermont. As ]Mr. P. is a strong pro-slavery man, and bitterly opposed to the "Yanks," it has often been the sub- ject of remark by his friends, that it was strange that he should marry a Yankee ; but he says, he " could not hope to punish all of them, so he concluded to take them in detail.'' Descending from an old Quaker family, who came to America with "William Penn, Mr. P. is a man of strong religious convictions, and bitterly deplores the present ungodliness of the United States. It is a favorite remark with him, that "The country is going to the devil, and all hell can't save us from it." He has had a family of ten children - six sons and four daughters - of whom three of the former and two of the latter, are still living.

Prominent among the pioneers of the little toAvn, stands the name of JoJin_S. Phelps, who was born and educated in Connect- icut, but concluded to cast his lot with the people of Missouri. He was a young man then, and came west to practice law. Arriv- ing in Springfield in 1837, he hung out his shingle, and com- menced practice in the counties of this and adjoining circuits.

G8 HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD.

In 1840, he was elected to rej^resent this county in the State Legislature, and, in 18-42, he first represented the people of Southwest Missouri in Congress. This office he held for eighteen years, and for the jmst two years he has held the honorable and responsible position of Governor of the State. While in Congress, Mr. Phelps was one of the ablest and most infiuential members of that body, and his career reflected credit on the State of his adoption. He was a member of the Committee on Post Offices and Post Roads, and was for twelve years on the Committee of Ways and Means, of which for one term he was chairman, the most responsible and influential position, with the exception of Speaker, attainable by any member.

As a Governor, Mr. Phelps has also shown great exeQutive ability, especially in the "Great Strike," in the summer of 1877. In no city in the Union did the strikers and their lawless coad- jutors seem more powerful than in St. Louis, the local authorities being utterly incapable of preserving the dignity of the law ; but on application to the Governor, he proceeded immediatel}', with- out asking for Federal aid, to ,call out and organize State militia, by whom the i*iot was su^opressed, without the firing of a single gun, or the spilling of a drop of blood. Within a few hours, ten thousand troops were placed at the command of the authorities, and before this grand army, resistance to the law would have been futile.

Among the many other public acts of John S. Phelps, to which his descendants will point with pride, and which will be remem- bered with satisfaction by his many friends and admirers, was his serving upon the committee which selected the site for the loca- tion of our State University, which is destined to become one of the strong pillars in the future greatness and prosperity of the State. Of the committee of five, Mr. Phelps is the only one now- living.

Concerning his wife, who was almost as generally known throughout the Southwest as her husband, we make the following selections, from among the many tributes paid to her memory hy the press, and by admiring friends, of whom she had a host. In the Leader of January 31st, 1878, we find the following notice :

" Mrs. Mary Phelps died Jan. 2oth, 1878, of iDueumouia. She

HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD. 69

came, in 1837, from New York, where she was married to John S. Phelps, then just from college and entering the practice of law. During her husband's absence from home on public business, she had all the care and responsibility of a large farm and a family, in which she acquitted herself with great credit.

" Her impulses were noble and generous, her charity as diffu- sive as the sun, and many good men and women are to-day scattered through the world, who were saved from degradation, if not from death, by her influence.

" She was sixty-six years of age, and with the exception of the past few years had suffered but little from sickness. ^She died in full faith and belief in the Spiritual Philosophy, and commemo- rative services were held at the Opera House, on Sunday follow- ing her death, which were attended by a large circle of friends."

Also from the I^atriot-Advertiser of the same date:

" For over thirty-six years Mrs. Phelps has been a resident of Greene county, and her many acts of benevolence have made her name the very synonym of charity. Through all the storms of war and bloodshed, through all the days of want and poverty, through all the nights of ignorance and crime, she has ever been at her post of duty; now the heroine and nurse, then the alms- giver and helf)ing friend, next the teacher and protector of the orphan and homeless.

"At the bloody battle of Wilson's creek, she performed the du- ties of a veritable Sister of Charity, ministering to the wants of the wounded and dying, making her house a hospital for the re- ception of many a poor fellow far from home in the land of the enemy. She saved the remains of General Lyon from mutilation, and buried them on the Governor's farm till they could be con- veyed to their permanent resting-place.

"At the close of the war Congress voted her an appropriation of $20,000, not only for the purpose of founding an orphan asy- lum for the reception and care of the children of men who had died in the defense of their country, but as a recognition of her many meritorious acts during the "times that tried men's souls." The institution was kept in operation several j^ears, and when her mission was ended in this respect, she used the building for an academv and hi^-h school.

70 HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD.

"Since tliat time Mrs. Phelps has taken an active part in the Woman' Suffrage movement, being at one time one of the Yice Presidents of the National Organization, and was once before Congress in the iiursuance of this work."

Arcinbald !Maupin came here from Arkansas in 183G, and was one of the first wagon-makers in the town. For a long time he had a shop on Boonville street, opposite where Schmook's mill now stands, and he[ lived and died in the house now occupied by- Fred Weaver as a grocery store.

In 1837, Wm.^ Parrish came from Kentucky, and settled on a farm northwest of town. With him came M. H. Parrish, who. in lS-10, came to town to attend school, and afterward studied medicine under Dr. G. P. Shackleford. He graduated at the Missouri Medical College, at St. Louis, and afterward received a degree from the Nashville University. After practicing medicine over twenty years, Dr. P., in 18GG, commenced the business of surveying, which he lias ever since followed. In October, 1849, he purchased the property on St. Louis street, where he still lives. His wife, who is also a native of Kentuck3% is still living, and they have a family of four childr^'n, the oldest daughter being the wife of Dr. C. C. Clements, of this city, and the second being married to Mr. E. E. Adams, of Hancock, Michigan. The third daughter and the only son still live witli their parents.

Jas. Rains came from Wilson county, Kentucky, in IMay, 1837, and two months later purchased the hotel erected by John P. Campbell, on the north side of the public square. After keeping hotel two or three years, he went to Neosho and lived a few months, then returned and purchased the property on North Jef- ferson street, where he still lives. He was, for a number of years, the village butcher, but is now too feeble for any kind of hard work.

His wife died in 1870, and he has lost two children. His son John was, for twenty-seven years, a merchant at Bolivar, where he .yet lives, and his only daughter is the wife of J. W. Boren, editor of the Ozif/'k Hepnhru'an.

Captain A. _M. Julian, who may be found at any time when the weather is pleasant, sitting on the sidewalk in the northwest cor- ner of the square, discussing politics and reviewing the past

HISTORY OF SPRIXGFIELD. 71

history of Southwest Missouri, came to Springfield in 1838. Ho is a native of Knox county, Tennessee. In 1836, when but eigh- teen years of age, and weighing but eighty pounds, he went into the Florida war, and two years afterward came out weighing one hundred and seventy pounds.

Having gained financially in about the same ratio that he had physically, he was enabled, on coming to Springfield, to go into the wool-carding business, and in company with Solomon H, Owen, who afterward became his father-in-law, erected the first carding machine in the town, on the site of the Eagle Flouring Mills, near which he still lives. In 1846, he raised a company for the Mexican war, after which he commenced the study of law, which he continued while running the carding machine, and in 1859, was admitted to the bar, since which he has continued the practice of his profession, except during war times, when he was engaged a considerable portion of the time, as a scout and guide for the Union armies in this part of the country.

C. Aj_Jamison came, in 1839, and erected a residence and a blacksmith shop about where the St. James Hotel was afterward built.

Mr. J. was from Kentucky. He remained a citizen of Spring- field for several years, residing on the corner of Campbell and West Walnut streets until about three years since, when he re- moved to a farm in the west part of the county, where he still works at his trade a part of the time, although over eighty years of age. His grand- daughter, Mrs.' C. G. Moss, is the only one of his family now living in town.

John Kimbrough came to Springfield, Oct. 15, 1839, from Bowl- ing Green, Kentucky, and died in September following. With tiim came his wife and three sons, and three daughters. His -wife died about the time of the war. His oldest son, John S. KimbrougL, first followed the blacksmithing business in partner- ship with John Lair, in the shop now run by Collins and Mc- Curdy on St. Louis street. About 1850, he went into partner- ship with Mr. Sheppard, in the meTcantile business, on the corner of South street and the public square.

At the breaking out of the war Mr. K. went Soutb, after which

72 HISTORYOF SPRINGFIELD.

be went to Columbia, IMo., tben for a wbile did business in Kan- sas, and afterward in Texas. He is now engaged in the hardware business at Cli;iton, Henry county, Mo.

"William, the second son, died at the age of twenty-one, and the youngest son, Joseph B., is doing business in Sherman, Texas.

One daughter was married to William C. Price, another to Stephen Bedford, who was for some time a citizen of Springfield, and the oldest to Wilson Hackney, who came in 1840, and soon after opened a hat shop, in which he continued until the time of his death. He was very highly respected, and held some county and city offices, being, at the time of his death, April 12, 1863, Treasm-er of Greene county.

Mrs. Hackney and her son Wilson still live on the old home- stead on West Walnut street, where Mr. Hackney first settled in 1840.

William McAdams came from Pennsylvania in the spring of 1840, and immediately opened a saddle and harness shop in a small log store which stood nearly on the same site as his pres- ent large establishment, on the west side of the public square. He was married in the fall of 1841, as we mentioned in a former chapter, and occupied a house which he had built during the pre- ceding summer, on the ground where his present residence stands, on West Walnut street. This lot is on the extreme south- west corner of the original town plat.

Mr. McAdams has held respectively' the offices of City Treas- urer, County Treasurer, and member of the City Council. His wife still lives, and they have a family of six children - four sons and two daiighters. Wm. H., the oldest son, is engaged in busi- ness with his father, and is at present Councilman from the 4th Ward.

This family took the Union side in time of the war, and Wm. H. McAdams was Adjutant 6i the 24th Regiment Mo. Yolunteers under Col. S. H. Boyd.

Wm. P. Cox came from Indiana in 1839, and went into part- nership with Thomas Jessup in a tan-yard which was about where the Springfield Wagon Factory now stands. Mr. Jessup has one daughter now living in the city, in the person of Mrs. Terry, who resides on North Campbell street.

HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD. 73

One year later, John B. Cox, with his mother and her family, came also from Indiana, and became residents of Springfield, were the old lady remained until her death. John has followed the carpenter's trade most of the time since he came, but was for a while engaged in the butchering business. He resides on North Campbell street, near the residence of Mr. Henry Matlock, who is another of the pioneers of the town.

Mr. Matlock came in the autumn of 1840, from Tennessee, and in 1841 was married to Miss Jane Cox, a sister to John and Wm. Cox, before mentioned. Mr. Matlock has, most of the time since he came to this place, been engaged in keeping hotel, and his wife and son are now in the same business at Ash Grove.

On the 17th day of September, 1840, S. H. Jopes, a Virginian by birth, but for several years a resident of Galatin, Sumner county, Tennessee, came and opened a shoe shop on Boonville street near the bridge. He afterward had a boot and shoe store on the east side of the square. Nearly thirty years ago he bought out Randolph Moore, who had a small log cabin on St. Louis street, and there Mr. Jopes has ever since lived, with the exception of an absence of about nine months in California in 1850. He made the first pair of boots ever made in the town. They were for J. R. Danforth, who was afterward cashier of the first bank. The log cabin before mentioned is still a part of ]Mi\ J.'s residence, although he has built a frame part by the side of it, and covered the old log cabin with clap-boards so it would hardly be known.

"NVe must not fail to notice another very respectable, useful, and honorable citizen, Colonel Marcus Boyd, who came from Wil- liamson county, Tennessee, about the year 1840, and held some of the highest offices in the gift of the peojjle of this county. He was member of the General Assembly for several years, and after- ward held the position of Receiver in the U. S. Land Office at this place, upon retiring from which his accounts were all found to be "fair and square." He raised a large and respectable family of sons and daughters, among whom is his oldest son '"Pony," who is well and favorably known to the citizens of Southwest Missouri, whom he has twice represented in Congress. Colonel

74 HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD.

Marcus Boj-d liveil a lonfj and useful life, and tinally went to his long home regretted by all.

From the Greene County Atlas we obtain the following sketcb- of the life of Wm. B. Farmer :

" Judge Farmer has had an honorable career as a citizen of Greene count3% and has been closely and actively identified with its interests. He was a native of Kobertson county, Tennessee, and his birth occurred on the 20tb of September, 1811. His ancestors were from North Carolina.

"In 1840, then still unmarried, he made up his mind to try hi& fortune in Missouri, to which State many of the people of Ten- nessee were then emigrating. He made his appearance at Spring- field on the 2Gth of July, 1840, his sole worldly possessions con- sisting of an old gray mare and nineteen dollars in hard "cash. A few days after his arrival he secured a situation as clerk at Springfield, in the store of Shackleford & Cloud.

"The Slimmer of 1841 he returned to Tennessee, and married Julia A. White. Bringing his wife back to Missouri, he found that he had been appointed Postmaster of Springfield under President Harrison. He bought out a small drug store, and for two or three years kept the drug store and postoffice. In 1844 he went into the dry goods business, first with Joshua Jones, and was thus occupied for a period of about ten years. After the death of Jones he was associated with the brothers of his de- ceased partner, and afterward did business on his own account. In 1849, on the accession of General Taylor to the Presidency', he was again appointed Postmaster of Springfield. While still in the mercantile business he was appointed County Judge by Gover- nor Price, and held that office for about four years, his term expiring in 1858 or 1859. In 1852 he moved out on his farm, a short dis- tance west of Springfield, though at the same time he still con- tinued to carry on business in town. At the beginning of the year 1856 he disposed of his interest in the di'y goods business, and from that date to the time of his death in 1878, he devoted himself actively only to farming and stock raising. For two or three years, however, he was a silent partner in a drug store with Wm. H. Jopes, but the business was terminated on the breaking out of the war of the rebellion. During Judge Farmer's long

HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD. lb

and active business career, he was favorably known to those with whom he was thrown closest in contact, and enjoj^ed the confi- dence of the commnnity.

President Lincoln, in 18G1, appointed him Receiver in the Land Office at Springfield, and he acted as such till the progress of hostilities occasioned the removal of the office to Boonville. He suffered greatly during the progress of the war, and lost property amounting to several thousands of dollars. For a time he acted as Quartermaster for a Dallas county battalion, but remained with his family at Springfield. His first wife died on the fifth of May, 185-t. He went back to Tennessee, and married, for his second wife, Mrs. E. S. Justice, a sister of his first wife. His second marriage was celebrated on the 27th of May, 18G5. By his first wife he had six children, of whom three are now living - Rebecca, now the wi/e of "NVm. L. Chapman, and two sons, Wm. and John Farmer.

Next on the " Roll of Honor " are the names of C B. and J. L. Holland, from Robberson county, Tennessee, who came to Spring- field in 1841, and opened a tailor-shop on the west side of the public sciuare, where they continued in business for four or five years, after wdiicli they were both in mercantile business (but not in partnership) up to the time of the war.

C. B. Holland had been a non-commissioned officer in the Florida .War against the Seminole Indians, in 1836-'37, and, at the breaking out of the Rebellion, w^as captain of a company of Home Guards. He was afterward Captain of Company D., in the Phelps Regiment, and promoted to the office of Lieutenant Colonel. After serving out his time in that regiment, he became Colonel of the 72d Regiment of Missouri Volunteers, and was next appointed, by Gov. Gamble, as Brigadier General of the 4th Military District of the State of Missouri, which position he occu- pied about three years.

Since that time he has been engaged in mercantile business,. and was one of the original projectors and a large contributor to the stock of the Springfield Cotton Mills, of which he was for some time the president.

In 18G5, in company with his sons, T. B. and W. C, he opened a private banking institution on the east side of the public square, in which they are still engaged.

76 HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD.

J. L. Holland -was for some time a Lieutenant in the 72nd En- rolled Missouri Militia, and since the war has followed merchan- dizing. These gentlemen all live in the First "Ward of the city, where they have i^leasaut homes.

About the j^ear 1842, John A. Stej^hens, sr., came to Spring- field and opened a private school in a brick school-house which was biiilt bj- contributions of citizens for that purpose, and stood a little east of the present residence of W. C. Peck, north of St. Louis street. Prof. Stephens was a graduate of Princeton Col- lege, Kentucky, and had been teaching in various places in that State before he came to Missouri. He was one of the most highly respected citizens of the place, and has the name of being the best and most thorough teacher that ever taught here.

At the time of Zagonyi's reckless charge, in October, 18G1, Mr. Stephens, although a staunch Union man, was accidentally shot.

In December, 1847, he had been married, in the State of Ark- ansas, to Miss Caroline Sugg, whose parents had just come from Kentucky. Mrs. Stephens still lives on the old homestead in the south part of the city, where they settled in 1853. She was post- mistress of the Si^ringfield office for about ten years next preced- ing Mr. Shipley, who is now P. M. Her three sons, William, John and Paul, are well known to most of our readers, and her three daughters are respectively the wives of J. "W. McCullah, G. ]\I. Sawyer, and J. K. White, all of whom are resiDCcted citizens of this place.

J. B. Beiderlinden, commonly known as "Beidy," is another pioneer of Springfield, coming here in March, 1843. He has alternately lived on South street in the city, and on his farm a short distance southwest of town. Mr. B. was originally from Prussia " on the Rhine," from which place he came to New Or- leans in 1842, and from there to St. Louis where he remained a short time, and afterward to this place. In 18G1 he was ap- pointed Deputy Collector of U. S. Internal Revenue in this dis- trict, and afterward Assistant Assessor, which office he held until the time of President Johnson's administration. He is now Jus- tice of the Peace, which office he has held for several years. In 1845 he was married to Miss Nancy Smily, a daughter of Hugh Smily, who came from Kentucky about the ^-ear 1840, and settled on a farm five miles southwest of town.

HISTORY OF SPEINQFIELD. 7T

John Lair, from Palmyra^ Marion county, Mo., came about the year 1842, and opened a blacksmith shop on St. Louis street, near where Mr. Carson's grain elevator now stands. He lived at the corner of Jefferson and East Walnut streets, and opened up a large farm, which extended to the south and east, within the present limits of the city.

In the following year, R. P. Jenkins came from the same place, and went into partnership with Mr. Lair. He lived first on St. Louis street, near the shop, and afterward where the City Hall building now stands. He next occupied the ground where the Metropolitan Hotel stands, and, in 1848, removed to the place where he now lives, since which,

" Year in, year out, from morn till night, Y'ou may hear his hammer ring"

in the little shop just north of Schmook's mill, on Boonville st. Mr. J. says it was a matter of some surprise, when he came here, to see that he would not drink anything stronger than ''Adam's ale ;" but he has ever held firm to the pledge of the Washington- ian Society, to which he then belonged; and while some have heaped up wealth by selling whisky, and bringing shame and misery upon their fellow-men, he has worked steadily on, dis- daining to gain money by such means, and now, in his seventy- sixth year, still has to hammer away at his anvil. His wife, who came the next year, and has ever since lived in Springfield, al- though pretty well advanced in years, adds her mite to the scanty sum which her husband is now able to earn, by cleaning and coloring hats, bonnets, etc.

J. L. Bigbee, from Robberson county, Tennessee, immigrated to Springfield in 1844, and became a respected citizen of the new town. His only sou, L. M. Bigbee, has been for several years in the livery business on St. Louis street, and his daughters were respectively Mrs. C. B. Holland, Mrs. J. L. Holland, Mrs. S. G. Sanford, Mrs. Young, Mrs. Bishop and ]\riss Mary A. Bigbee, all of whom are still living except Mrs. J. L. Holland.

In 1844, Henry Sheppard, the' pioneer of a numerous and res- pectable family, came from New Jersey, and engaged in mercan- tile business, in a little log store which stood on the ground now occupied by the Court House. From that time to 1861,

78 HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD.

he continued in business, and acquired a considerable amount of pro])orty.

]\lr. Sbeppard ^vas a staunch Union man in the time of the war, in which he took an active part. He succeeded Gen. HoJ- hmd, as Colonel of the 72nd Regiment of Enrolled IMissouri Militia. This regiment was afterward known as the lUth 'Min- souri Volunteers. Since the war, he has not engaged actively in business, but has been i den tilled with many of the substan- tial improvements in the growing city. He has recently erect- ed a fine residence on St. Louis street, where, Avith his amia- ble lady, who is ever ready to lend a helping hand in works of charity and benevolence, he has one of the most delightful homes in the city.

Richard S. and John S. Gott came from the Red River coun- try in the Southwestern part of Arkansas, in 1845, and the next year their brother, Josej^h, came from the same place and set- tled in Springfield. They were originally from Kentucky, from Avhich State they had emigrated two or three years previous, but not being satisfied with the country and the state of society in Arkansas, they came back to look for a higher state of civiliza- tion, which they found in Southwest Missouri. ]\Ir. Joseph Gott, who still lives in the north part of the cit}', says that at that time "Arkansas was the best poor man's counti'}' in the world;" i. e., if a man went there poor, he was sure to remain so.

For a number of years, Joseph and his older brother, R. S. Gott, worked at the carpenters' trade, and, as the old gentle- man says, their "hammer tracks" will show here for many a day. At the time they were engaged in this business, but little labor- saving machinery Avas used and everything in their line was done by hand.

The younger brother, John S., followed farming, and used to raise large crops of corn in the Southwestern part of what now constitutes the city, and Joscj^h silent a portion of his time in farming in the southeast part of town. R. S. Gott now lives on the Mt. Vernon road, six miles southwest of town. John S. lives four miles northwest, on the Melville Road, and Joseph lives at the place where he settled in 1848, on Boonville Street. Their wives are all still living and they each have children grown up and married.

HISTORY or SPIUNGFIELD. 79

We cannot close this chapter better, than by adding one snore letter from Mr._Millerj recently published in the Leader, as follows :

"It maj' be thought that I have tarried long enough in Spring- field to exhaust the reader's patience, but justice to the long de- parted ones, and to my own feelings, bids me linger yet a little longer. I now propose to take my stand on the high ground .south of the little river Jordan, near the present large brick school building, from which to overlook that beautiful valley, --through which the Jordan, as it is called, makes its way to - James' Fork, thence to the father of waters.

"The'first object that presents itself prominently to my vicAV, is that long-to be-remembered little 12 bj^ 14 log cabin which I Jielped to daub with mud, where first resided the pvincij^al foun- der, originator and locator of the town, and a i^rop, stay, and .support, after it was located. It owes its origin, in fact, to the energy, industry and business habits of John P. Campbell, and it is a fact, that had it not been for him, the town would have been jjlaced 14 miles S. E.

"It was his pride to be up and doing. His very presence seemed -to impart life to business, and his energetic movements gave re- newed spur to industry. Often, when he has been absent for a iew days ',or weeks, everybody was lamenting that Mr. C. was gone, and as soon as he returned, all things were full of life. He should long be remembered for his mental ability and energetic, business qualifications. His physical strength was rather poor, being of slender frame and weak constitution, and it would seem ;that he departed this life before he had finished his work, for he died, aged about 45 years. His death took place at Oil Springs, in the Indian Nation, in 1851, whither he had gone for his health. Islx. C. was a first cousin to Jas. K. Polk. His kind and honora- Jjle ladjr was a daughter of Col. Nathaniel Chairs, of Maury coun- ty, Tenn., where they were married in 1828, and came to the then far west in 1830. Mrs. C. survived him several years, and died since the war, and should be well recollected for her noble deeds of charity and for hardships endured among the Indians and af- terwards during our late war. They raised a considerable fam- ily of honorable sons and daughters, some of whom yet hve; their

80 HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD.

youngest daughter, (Mrs. Owen), I think, lives yet in Springfield- The death of Mr. Campbell removed an historical land-mark from the community, and made a painful void in the ranks of those old citizens, whose lives were cotemporaneous with the career of Springfield.

'- He held many responsible offices, from the least to the great- est, and came near being elected to Congress in 1844, being beat- en, a few votes, by our present Honorable Governor, John S. Phelps.

"I love to tarry around the old and long-ago stamping-ground of Springfield. It brings to memory other departed men and women of days long past. I have in my mind's eye now another worthy family, the 'Smiths,' of early recollection ; General N. R. Smith and his estimable lady, who lived long and with great res- pect in Springfield, having arrived as early as 183G, settled four miles north of town, raised a family of several sons and daugh-- ters, all of whom are much respected, talented and honorable. The General was a great acquisition to the country, held differ- ent county and State offices, and, once lleceiver of the Land Oflice, and balanced up his official and earthly accounts honorably, and his departure from earth was greatly lamented by all. So of Mrs. Harriet Smith, his kind lady, who survived him so many years. She lived to a good old age, and finally passed to that undiscovered counti*y.

"I ask now to be allowed to pay a tribute of respect to another worthy and noble man - Daniel D. Berr}', and his much-esteemed lady and interesting family of many sons and daughters. Mrs. B., of precious memory, was a daughter of Wm. Polk, of Tennes- see, and cousin of James K. They Avere in the country as early as 1831, braved all the hardships and storms incident to a far western border life, and by prudence, industry, honesty and strict economy, the}' accumulated a full competency of this world's goods. Mrs. B. was rather an extra woman in her time, noted, especially, for her kind and amiable disposition. To be in her presence was to feel at home. She died aboiit 1850. just in the midst of her enjoyments. and pleasures with her bright and rising family.

"Mr. B. finished his earthly career in 18G0, at Memphis, Tenn.

HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD. 81

It will be long ere their memory will fade from the recollection of those who enjoyed their friendship and acquaintance.

'- And now once more, kind reader, allow me to say that I can- not think of raising my old pen till I say a few words in memo- ry of one other of the long departed from the honest walks of life, and who I verily believe was among the very best people, as also his liidy, that ever traversed the the then unfrequented streets and neighborhood - Dr. Wm. P. Shackleford and his three (then) little girls. They were truly bright, rising stars. Every- body honored and respected Dr. Will. Shackleford, He was a fine physician, good neighbor, and a kind husband and parent. He took his departure to the long home early in life - I think in 18-40. His widow survived him, and some years afterwards mar- ried Major Joseph AYeaver, another one early and precious in memory. He, too, passed from time, after living a long and use- ful life, and left her a widow the second time, and I think she long afterwards married John Wood, sr., and still lives. Of her three sprightly little girls I have lost sight, except the eldest, who married John Wood, jr.

" In this connection, dear reader, I take great pleasure also in remembering and referring to Dr. G. P. Shackleford, elder broth- er of Dr. W. P., who was a physician and gentleman of high standing, passed a long, useful and honorable life one mile east of town and died during the war, in Arkansas, as also did his la- dy, who was his second wife, and daughter of Judge Younger, previously spoken of. Many, no doubt, remember them, and also his two sons, William and Ben, worthy and respectable young men. All have gone, long since, to their last and long home. I love to dwell and call to mind such characters, and if a faithful historian comes along hereafter, a page will be alotted to such men and women as the Shacklefords, Weavers, Campbells, Ful- brights, Berrys, Hancocks, Roun trees, Robbersons and others."

If any of these worthy families fail to receive the page Mr. Miller bespeaks for them, it is only because there are so many of them, and our space, in a work of this kind, is necessarily lim- ited.

82 HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD.

CHAPTER V.

T\YENTY-FIVE YEARS OF PROSPERITY THE STORM OF WAR THE RETURN

OF PEACE.

Ou the lOtli day of February, 1838, the town of Sprhigfield was regularly incorporated, "By Act of the County Court," and Joel H. Haden, D. D. Berr}-, S. S. Ingram, R. W. Crawford and Joseph Jones, appointed Trustees. Lest the propriety of saying '- By Act of the County Court " may be called in question by some person who is not aware of the omnipotence of that supreme bod}', we quote an order made by said Court on the 4 th day of November, 1839, and recorded in the proceedings of said Court as follows:

' Ordered by the Court, here, that the act concerning grocers, passed at the last session of the Legislature, approved Feb. 13, 1830, be and the same is hereby repealed, [and] of no effect in the county of Greene."

In order to give an idea of the size of the town and the amount of business done here about the time of its incorporation, we quote from the " Chronology of Greene County," recently pub- lished in the -Fatrlot-Adoertlsey, a list of the business firms and the amount of license paid by each during the year 1838 :

Flourney & Hickman bio 00

T>. D. Berry, merchant GG 08^

5^ W. Canuefax, " 55 00

Campbell & Hunt, " 21 50

Danforth & Bros., '' 93 10

John Bullion & Co., " 21 30

John P. Campbell, " 73 50

John P. Campbell, grocer 33 05

C. A. Haden & Co., merchants 34 38

Cannefax & Co., " 13 81

Wm. & L. H. Davis, " 22 13

Casebolt & Stallions, " SI 33

HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD. 83^

Casebolt «& Stallions, grocers 10 00

Isaac Sanders, merchant 35 62

B. H. & J. C. Boone, grocers 15 00

John Edwards, '' 15 25

Joshua Jones, " 20 00

Jacob Bodenhamer, merchant - 30 00

C. A. Haden, " 30 00

From this list it will be seen that " groceries " were numerous,

and it must be understood that a " grocery " in that day was nearly the same as a " saloon " of the present time. The term " merchant " included dealers in dry goods, boots and shoes, hats, caps and gents' furnishing goods, ready-made clothing, groceries and provisions, hardware, stoves and tinware, and everything usually kept iu a country store, from a paper of pins to a grind- stone, and from an overcoat down to a stick of candy.

Concerning the starting of the first newspaper in Springfield,, authorities differ, and as there seem to be no files of the original paper preserved, we give the opinions of the different authorities, some of whom must be mistakan. In his Chronology of Greene County, Mr. Ingram expresses the opinion that it was started in the spring of 1838, but in a marginal note refers to a letter from John H. Miller, of Richey, Newton county, w^ho was Deputy County Clerk of Greene county in 1836, and quotes from his letter the following extract :

"I have the record to show that it was in the spring of 1837 that the Standard was started by J. C. Tuberville. When I wrote you a few days ago, I was not certain but that it was 1838 ; but it was in 1837."

This difference of opinion called forth the following letter from- Warren H. Graves, who now resides in Texas :

"The Ozark Standard was started some time iu the spring or summer of 1839. I remember that I was working in Jefferson City during the winter of 1838-9, when C. W. Stark proposed to me to go with him to Springfield and start a paper. I was then young and declined the proposition, but Starks did go, and, in campany w'ith some one else, started the Standard. It lived but a short time, but I do not remember when Huffard changed it to the JEagle. I should think it probable Phelps would know this ; also as to the length of time the Eagle was published.

84 HISTOKY OF SPKINGFIELD.

''I started tlie Advertiser in ]\[ay, iSi-l, publishing it continu- ously up to the summer of 18G1. I left, at Neosho, a full file of the Advertf'tier, with orders to my brother there to send by ex- press to my son Joseph, then at Springfield. I am under the impression that the box was never sent, although I paid the express charges. In those bound volumes, I think, is one copy of the /Standurd and one of the J'J((.;/le, bound with the second or third year of the Adoertlser. They were given to me by Uncle Joel Haden.

'-- The original Adoertlser office was the same in which the Standard and JiJagle had been printed. It had been idle for some time - I think for two or three years - was under control and in possession of John 8. Phelps, but there was a suit between Jolui P. Campbell and him in relation to the 0's\niership, which was afterward compromised, and the office went to Campbell. This was in the spring of 1840, and I purchased a new office. The material of the old office was used in 1846, in the interest of Campbell for Congress - the paper being published by E. D. Mc- Kinney."

Dimng the year 1839, the names of G. P. Shackleford, Joseph Crutchfield, Thomas Shannon & Son, John Adams, Miles Carey, Hufif & Holmes, Layton G. Moore, Jacob Eustler, J. A. Carey and Parr & George, were added to the list of business firms, and Junius T. Campbell, resigning the office of Postmaster, was suc- ceeded by Thomas Shannon.

The U. S. Census, in the year 1840, showed the population of Greene county to be 5,372.

In the record of the County Court for the August term, 1841, \s& find the following order :

'* Margaret "Williams, a free woman of bright mulatto color, 29 years of age, 5 feet 2 inches liigh, etc., is granted a license, dur- ing good beha\aor, to reside in the State."

In the spring of 1845, the Springfield Branch Bank was estab- lished, with J. H. McBride, President ; J. R. Danf orth. Cashier ; and C. A. Haden, Clerk ; and some time in the same year "William B. Farmer, who had succeeded Thomas Shannon as Postmaster, resigned, and R. J. McElhany Avas appointed as his successor.

AMiat became of the orisfinal ore-anization of the town does not

HISTOKY OF SPRINGFIELD. 85

uppoar, but in the proceedings of the County Court we find that on^the 7th day of May, 1846, another order was made, "on peti- tion of sixty-two inhabitants of Springfield, (being at least two- thirds of the inhabitants thereof,") incorporating the Town of Si^ringfield, and defining the boiuidaries thereof as follows : "Be- ginning on an east and west line, running with the south boiui- dary of John H. Miller's and J. B. Beiderlinden's lots, intersect iiig the eastern boimdary of the eightj^-acre tract of land upon which the said town now stands ; on the west by a line drawn north and south, including Joel H. Haden's yard and garden ; on the nortli by a line drawn east and west so as to include A. M.. Julian's dwelling house, and so as to intersect the north and south line on the east and west boiuidary of the said eighty acre ti-act of land as aforesaid." If any one could imderstand this description they must have been better scholars than we have. now. N. K. Smith, C. B. Holland, K. J. McElhany, S. B. Allen and A. Maurice, jr., were appointed trustees.

From the reference to the inhabitants, it will be noticed that the voting population must have been less than' one hiuidred, and the whole population could not have been much more than five hundred. The town plat seemed to cover less than eighty acres of land, and from those who were citizens at that time, we learn th'at the extent of the town, as then constituted, was from about where the Baptist chui'ch stands on South street, to the bridge, or but little beyond it, on 'Boonville ; and from where the new Presbyterian church is being erected on St. Louis street, to the site of the Christian church on College street. Of the voters of the little town at that time, but about a dozen now remain.

In 1846 the Texas Democrat was established to advocate the claims of J. P. Campbell, who was this year a candidate for Con- gress. It was edited by his son-in-law, E. D. McKinney. The Advertiser was Mr. Phelps' organ during this campaign, and, al- though Mr. Campbell received the most votes in his own county, Mr. Phelps was elected.

On the 7th of April, 1847, A. Maurice, jr., was elected Mayor of the city of Springfield, and on the 9th day of the same month an order was made by the County Court that the use of the Jail should be granted to the Mayor and Councilmen of the varioua wards of the city.

86 HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD.

Sept. loth, 1848, the first number of the /Sjjj'inr/Jield Whit^ was issued by Fisher & Swartz and edited by Littleberry Hgn- drick; and in September, 1849, it suspended and was removed to Osceola. On the 19th^_November, of the same year, the first number of the /Southwestern Plarj was issued by "NVm. P. Davis, pubHsher, and John M. Richardson, editor. This paper was es- tabhshed to sustain Benton's appeal from the Claib. Jackson "Nullification Resolutions" which was opposed by the Adver- tiser.

During those early days of Greene county, Democracy reigned ^supreme, but the people were divided into two powerful fac- iiions, known as Benton Democrats and Anti-Benton.

A gradual, though not very rapid, growth is shown in the county as well as the city, the regular U. S. Census of 1850 -showing a population of 12,785.

In 1851 Messrs. Richardson & Davis both retired from the JSontJiicesteni Flag, and were succeeded by B. F. Buie.

On petition of E. P. Gott and others, a majority of the citizens of Springfield, the County Court ordered, Oct. 10th, 1851, that no dram shop be licensed in the City of Springfield for twelve months. This was the first prohibition act in the county or

«ity.

For four or five years the City Government seems to have been a nonentity, but, on the third of March, 1851, an election was held for city ofl&cers, Wilson Hackney receiving 45 votes for Mayor, and Peter Apperson 5; "NV. B. Logan, Wm. McAdams, S. :S. Vinton, A. A. Mitchell and Presley Beal, were elected Coun- cilmen ; E. P. Gott, Constable, and R. S. Gott, Assessor.

"This election," says the SoutlncesternFlarf, "was an attempt to resuscitate the almost defunct act of corporation making this a city."

During the first few months of 1852, the dram-shop license question seemed to agitate the public mind and puzzle the Coun- ty Court more than anything else, and, after rescinding the or- der of Oct. 10, 1851, and re-enacting it a few days later, it was again rescinded on the 9th day of April following, and again Tfwhisky flowed free and the " grocery" keepers were happy, f Some time in 1853 the /Southu-esterx Flag was succeeded by

HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD. ^ .7-- 87

the Lancet, with Joshua Davis as editor; and, the 4th day of July, \ of the same year, A. F. Ingram entered upon the discharge of the duties of Postmaster at Springfield in place of C. B. Holland re- signed. In the following year Mr. Ingram was succeeded by Wm. Jones, who held the office until 18-55, when Joseph Burden was appointed.

About the year 1850, the people of Springfield began to have some aspirations towards making their little town a " railroad center," and in 1854 Wm. C. Price was appointed agent of the county, to take $50,000 stock in the Pacific Kailroad. He was afterward instructed to take $50,000 additional stock, but still later this order was rescinded. An order to submit a prop- osition to the voters of the county relative to taking $100,- 000 additional stock was also rescinded, and no effort seems to have been made 'thereafter to increase the amount. Of the $50,000, about $20,000 was raised by tax and paid.

In February, 1855, the snow was from 18 to 20 inches deep, and on the 4th day of that month the mercury was down to 20'^ below zero.

On the 3d day of May, J. W. Boren issued the first num- \ l)er of the Springfield Mirror, and from a later issue of the same j we learn that on the first day of October„1856, a large and enthu siastic meeting was held at the Court House, and resolutions adopted, pledging aid to the pro-slavery sufferers in Kansas. The meeting was addressed by W. C. Price, W. H. Otter and R. W. Crawford. " A handsome sum of money was raised on the spot," says the Mirror, and a committee appointed to raise further aid. From 1850 to the breaking out of the war, patrols were regularly appointed from time to time, to look after runaway slaves, and paid out of the County Treasury for said services. An official re- port for 1857 gives|the number of slaves in the county at 1,436. In 1858 an ordinance was passed by the City Council, ordering the arrest of all persons who were found on the streets at unusual hours, - whites to be imprisoned until eight o'clock next morning and blacks to be whipped.

From Nov. 18, 1857, to Nov. 20, 1858, J. M. Richardson pub> lished a paper entitled the Weekly Missouri Tribune, which ad- vocated what was called " Union Democracy."

88 HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD.

On the lifteenth of Seiitember, 1858, the first outward-bound over-land nuiil passed through Springfield for California, three hours ahead of time, and at night the event was celebrated by the letting off of sky-rockets, throwing fire-balls, &c. On tlie 22nd of October the first eastern-bound mail passed through Spring field from California, with two or three passengers, making the trip from San Francisco in 28 days.

/ On the 25th of December, 1858, the contract was let for the ( building of a new Court House, but, owing to financial embarass- ment of the county, the work was not pushed forward very rap- idly, and the building was still in an unfinished condition when the war cloud settled over the country and put an end to all works of public improvement.

But we must not omit to mention that in ^58 Jared E. Smith erected the mill now owned by Mr. Schmook, on Boonville street, which was probably the first aj^plication of steam power in South- west ^Missouri. It was then used as a planing mill, instead of a iloming mill.

And in 18G0 a line of telegraph was extended to this place from Jefferson City, and afterward extended as far as Fort Smith, Ar- kansas.

Among the other institutions of the town, schools seem to have been well sustained ; and, contrary to the general rule, we learn of teachers here who acquired a considerable amount of property while engaged in their profession. Mr. ]\Iiller has given us an aocomit of some of the primitive schools of the pioneer times, and m the preceding chapter we mentioned a school-house erected in 184:2 or '43, and occupied for a number of years bj- Prof. Stephens' flourishing school.

About the year 1848, Rev. Charles Cirleton, a Christian minis- ter from Canada, with the aid of a number of citizens, established a female seminary on College street, just west of the present cross- ing of Main street. This institution was well patronized for sev- eral years, both by home students and those from abroad. A good building was erected for this school, and although at first controlled by a joint stock company, Mr. Carleton became the principal owner of the property-.

It seems that, in the course of time, the house occupied by the

(

HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD. 89

"boys' school" in the east part of town, or rather, " east of town," as it was then considered, became too small to meet the wants of the growing city, and from the Mirror of September 12th, 1857, we clip the following item spurring the people up to build a new house :

" With the many advantoges Springfield possesses, the public spirit of her citizenr, and the wealth of many of them, there is not a school-house in the town that the boys and young men can re- ceive an education at, much as they ma^^ desire it. The apology for one, we have had so long, will no longer do."

From the same paper, one year later, we learn that there were then six schools in town - five female and one male - besides two music schools.

On the 12th of February, 1859, C. B. Holland, J. Eobinson, R. P. Faulkner, J. M. Bailey and L. Hendrick, trustees, advertised for sealed proposals for building a brick college in the southwest- ern part of the city, the building to be 35x60 feet, and two stories high. . The building was erected, and Prof. Jacob Schultz, from Tennessee, had just been teaching there a short time, at the l^realdng out of the war. During the years that followed, when school-houses were turned into barracks, and churches into hos- pitals, this college building was used for a prison for Confeder- ates, and also for Federal soldiers who disobeyed the army regu- lations. It was surrounded by a high stockade, and stood on the lot which is now vacant, just opposite the Old Cemetery on South Campbell street.

Early in 1861, the gathering storm of war burst upon the coun- try, and in Missouri, as well as the other " Border States," it became a question for the people to decide W'hether they would remain in the Union or cast their lot w-ith the seceding States. Consequently the General Assembly of ^Missouri called a conven- tion to determine what should be done in the event of civil Avar.

The official vote of this county, taken on the 28th day of Feb- raary, for delegates to this convention, gave the following result : '^R.V. Jameson, 1,455; C. Hendrick, 1,446; Sample Orr, 1,437; N. F. Jones, 306 ; Jabez Owen, 287, and T. W. .Anderson, 286." The thi'ee first-named gentlemen ran as unconditional Union men, and were elected by large majorities. From the proceedings of

90 HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD.

this convention, which assembled first at Jefferson City, and af- terward at St. Louis, we see that a large majority of its mem bers were stronglj- opposed to secession, and yet they did not acknowledge the right claimed by the President of coercing the Southern States back into the Union, if they chose to vrith- draw.

We now make a few quotations from the Chronology of Greene County, before referred to :

"June 11, 1801. - Intense excitement thi-oughout tliis and adjoining coim ties. Two thousand men asseml)le at the 'Goose Pond' south of Springtield, and a company of State Guards and several hundred Secessionists assemble at the Fulbright spring. After all but two companies of the Union men had disappeared, the Secessionists erected a State flag over the Court House, in violation of an agreement not to do so.

'-June 12. - The State Guards leave the coimty to prevent being captui'ed. / " June 24. - Gen. Sigel, with three regiments of Federal sol diers, arrive and occupy Springfield.

" July 7. - Capt. C. B. Hollands company of militia mustered into service by order of Gen. Sweeney.

" July 9. - General Sigel's troops return to Springfield from Jasper county.

" July 13. - The troops of Generals Lyon and Sigel unite, and the former takes command. ('^" Aug. 4. - Gen. Lyon retwrns to Springfield from Dug Spring. ' "Aug. 9. - Battle of \\"ilson Creek, and retreat of Federal army.

"Aug. 11. - The Confederate army, under Gen. Price, enters and occupies Si)ringfield."

Although the majorit}^ of the State Convention were very strongly opposed to secession, and the majority of the people of the State seem to have entertained the same sentiment, the oc- currences of the first year or two of the war were such as to cause many staimch Union men to renounce their allegiance to the Federal Government, and seek from the Confederate armies the protection which was refused them by the Union forces.

There had been a serious misunderstanding of the position of

HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD. 91

IMissoiiri, by the people of the Northern States, and when sol- diers from those States came here, they could not realize that a slave-holder could be a loyal man. In the North the idea of -" Slave-holder" and " Rebel" had become associated from hearing them used as synonyms by the political demagogues who had for months been exciting their minds with inflammatory harangues; so, when they came to the South, it was generally with a feeling of malice toward all who held slaves, no matter if they were wil- ling to sacrifice everything they had in defence of the Union and the Constitution.

Nor was this misunderstanding confined to the Union soldier. 'The political demagogues of the South had also misrepresented the feelings of the Northern people, and made their southern brethren believe that nearly the entire North was in favor of the abolition of slavery at all hazards, and when they saw these north- ern men marching into their towns and throwing guards around their homes, it is not strange that a feeling of distrust and sus- picion should lead them to treat their guests with some degree of reserve, which was liable to be interpreted as contempt, or positive enmity.

Especially did this feeling of distrust exist in the minds of nearly all citizens of the Southern States toward the Germans, who, as it happened, were the first soldiers sent to Southwest Missouri by Federal authority ; and a more intimate acquaint- ance with these " Dutch soldiers," as they were called, and a knowledge of the views they entertained on the questions of sla- Tery and "State rights," did not tend to heal the breach or to con- -ciliate the soldier and the citizen.

During the spring and summer of 1861, the Confederate cause gained strength very rapidly in Missouri, and, what with the se- -cession element of this State and the armed forces that rallied to their support from Arkansas and other Southern States, the Union cause was at a low ebb in the State at the time when Gen. Fremont took command in Missouri, and Sigel and Lyon came to Springfield. Still the larger part of the citizens of Spring- field held firmly to their Union sentiments throughout the war, and in the battles that occurred, here and in other places in this State and Arkansas, valuable aid was furnished by them to the

02 HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD.

Federal armies. From the account of the movements in this vi cinity, already given, it will be seen that on the 4tli day of Au- gust, ISGl. Lyon and Sigol were both in Springfield with their respective armies, all, however, subject to the commands of Gen- eral Lyon ; and hdre we introduce some extracts concerning the memorable battle of Wilson's Creek, from J. T. Headley's History of the Rebellion :

''It was a hot day in August, and the troops suftered intoler- ably from thirst. The next morning the column moved on. Twenty-six miles beyond Springfield, finding himself short of provisions, his men exhausted, sick and sore, and his communi- cation with Springfield threatened, Lyon resolved to retrace his steps to that place."

''On the 9th of August, Lyon, then at Springfield, heard that McCulloch and Pi'ice, outnumbering his force four to one, were only some ten or twelve miles distant, advancing full upon him. His need for reinforcements was most urgent, j'et he was told they could not be furnished him. What should he do ? Strict military rules demanded a retreat; but then the Unionists at SiJringfield and the surrounding region would be abandoned to. the tender mercies of the rebels, from whom they had just been delivered, and a moral defeat sustained, full of peril to the Union cause in the State. In this painful dilemma he resolved, like a true hero and patriot, to make one desperate effort to arrest the progress of the enemy, and if he could not save Springfield, at least give Fremont time to rally his forces at St. Louis before crushed by the double armies approaching him from the west and south.

'- So he determined on the following morning to march forth in two columns, and at daylight fall like a thunderbolt on the ene- my, and by a sacrifice as great as it was noble, stop him in his victorious career. At five o'clock in the evening, the little army- set forth on its perilous undertaking, and, marching all night, long before the first gray streak of dawn aj^peared in the east, approached the camp of the enemy. Here the column halted, to wait for daylight. Sigel was directed to make a detoiu' around the right of the enemy, and fall on his rear, while Lyon moved, straight on his position.

HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD. 93

*' Driving in the enemy's pickets, Lyon ascended a ridge, and vcliere in the valley before him, glittering in the early sunlight, lay more than a thousand tents, dotting the green fields, and sprinkled among the thickets and surrounding forests. The rebels had been apprised of his approach, and stood in battle array, ready to receive him. Less dauntless soldiers would have sbeen appalled at the overwhelming force that stood massed be- low, but the men of Kansas, Iowa and Missouri, surveyed t^e work before them with undismayed hearts. It was then that the batteries of Totten and Dubois, by the skillful manner in which they were worked, showed that they could supply the lack of numbers. The enemy came resolutely on, and halting three ranks deep - the first lying down, the second kneeling, and the third standing - poured in a continuous and murderous fire on -Lyon's thin line. Totten's battery coming into action by sections, and by single piece, as the wooded heights would permit, hurled its shells and canister, tearing with frightful effect through the rebel ranks. "

" The firing was incessant and awful ; the opposing lines often coming within a few yards of each other, before delivering their vollies, while their shouts and yells rose over the deafening roar of the guns. For a half hour the conflict was deadly, and the contending lines swayed to and fro like two fierce opposing tides meeting in mid ocean, but each surged back only to leap to its place again. General Lyon, seeing the troops on the left of Tot- ten's battery in disorder, led his horse along the line to rally them, when the dapple gray fell dead by his side, and two balls struck him, one in his leg and the other on his head. He then walked slowly a few paces to the rear, saying, 'I fear the day is lost.' The next moment, however, he mounted another horse, and swinging his hat over his head, and shouting to the troops to follow him, dashed where death was mowing down the brave fastest.

" The enemy, in the mean time, had massed a large force in a

corn-field on the left, and for a short time it seemed as if that

- wing must be overpowered. But at this critical juncture, Du-

"bois' battery came into position, and sent such a shower of shells

-into their ranks . that , the enemj withdrew. There was now a

9J: HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD.

short lull in the contest in this portion of the field, but on the right, where the gallant first Missouri stood, the battle raged fiercer than ever. Though contesting every foot of ground like veterans, they were gradually being forced back by overwhelming- numbers. An ofticer, dashing up to Ljon, reported the perilous state of things, when he immediately ordered up the Second Kansas and the brave lowas, to their support. Coming into position, they lay down close to the brow of the hill, and waited the approach of the enemy as they came on in imi^osing, over- whelming force. Not a word was spoken as they lay with their eyes along their ^Miuie muskets, till the foe, firing as they came, arrived within forty feet, when a sheet of fire ran along the ridge, and the crash of a simultaneous volley rolled along the astonished ranks.

" As the smoke lifted, a disordered host was seen staggering reluctantly back. Lyon now ordered them to charge bayonets. One of the regiments had lost its colonel, and called for a leader, Saying thej^ would follow him to death. 'I will lead you,' ex- claimed Lyon, ' come on, my brave men ! ' and placed himself in front of the lowas. while the one-armed Sweeney rode to the head of the Kansas regiment. On came the enemy, pouring in a destructive volley as they advanced, and the brave Lyon fell dead from his steed - one of the bravest, noblest, puresC patriots, that ever gave his -life in a holy cause. But these gallant regiments stood rooted to the field, and the enemy finally Avithdrew from the fire they could not make head against ; and there was a lull in the contest, while each commenced carrying their wounded to the rear.

" The command now devolved on Major Sturgis, who began to rally his disordered line. Aitairs were looking gloomy enough, for twenty thousand men still stood in battle array in front, while that brave little army, though standing undaunted amid its own dead, had not tasted water since five o'clock the day before, and if it should retreat could expect none till it reached Springfield, twelve miles distant. To go forward was impossible. Not a Avord had been heard from Sigel, and it was evident the enemy was not alarmed for its rear. What had become of him ? asked the anxious commander of himself. He stood, and listened anx-

HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD. 95

iously to catch the first thunder of his cannon beyond the hights. Could he hear it, the order ' forward ' would break from his lips, and the loud roll of his battered drums send his exhausted army once more on the overpowering foe. But it did not come - an ominous silence rested on the field where he should have been. Had he retreated ? Then it was plain he must retreat also ; but could he retreat ? Tossed in painful doubt, he summoned his remaining officers to consultation.

"They met, but their deliberations were brought to a hasty close by the sudden appearance of a heavy column in the direc- tion where in the morning they had heard, as they supposed, the roar of Sigel's guns. "Was he coming? treml)led on every tongue. Yes, they carried the American flag, and deliverance had arrived at last. On they came in easy range down the opposing slope, until close upon our lines, when they suddenly opened a terrible fire of shrapnell and canister, and unfurled the rebel flag to the breeze. Totten's battery in the centei* was the prize they were making for.

"As soon as the deception was discovered this gallant com- mander opened a terrible fire upon them. But they kept stead- ily on till the}' came within twenty feet of the muzzle of his guns, and the smoke of the contending lines blending together, rolled upAvard in one fierce column. Supports were ordered up at the double-quick, and coming into line with loud shouts, stood firm as iron. Not a regiment flinched or wavered. A solid adaman- tine wall they stood, against which the advancing tide broke in vain. A few companies of the First Missouri,' First Kansas, and First Iowa, were quickly brought up from the rear, and hurled like a loosened rock on the right flank of the enemy. Before the determined onset the rebel ranks disappeared like mist. Tot- ten's battery, supported by Steele's little battalion, a moment before seemed scarcely worth an eftbrt, so enveloped was it in the enemvs fire.

"But now the tide was changed, and the right flank, pouring in a determined fire, rendered the overthrow complete, and the disappointed enemy retired from the field The fight had now lasted for six hours, and the ammunition being wellnigh exhaust- ed, there was no alternative left but to retreat, and Sturgis taking

"96 HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD.

ivdvantaf^fe of this last repulse, reluctantly gave the order to do so.

"At this critical moment, an officer from Sigel's column arrived breathless on the lines, sayin^^ that Sigel was routed, his artillery captured, and he himself killed or a prisoner. This was aiialling news to the exhausted little army, and it moved rapidly oif the held, carrying its wounded with it to the open prairie, two miles distant, wh(;re it made a short halt and then took up its march for Springfield. Fortunately the enemy did not molest it - his punishment having been too severe to admit of pursuit. On reaching Little York road, it met the principal portion of Sigel's command, with one piece of artillery. This officer had proceeded on the route marked out for him, and striking the Fayetteville road, came to a place known as Sharp's farm. Here meeting sol- diers as if in retreat, he supposed Lyon had been successfiil and was following up the enemy. He therefore formed his command across the road to receive the fugitives. In the mean time, the skirmishers which had been sent out, returned and reported Lyon coming up the road. Soon, heavy columns appeared in sight, and orders were given to the different regiments and the artilleiy not to fire, as they were our own troops ; the flags were waved to show they were friends. Suddenly the approaching forces opened a destructive fire, and the cry " They (meaning Lyon's troops) are firing on us," spread like wild-fire through the ranks. The artillerymen believing it was a horrible mistake, could with difficulty be made to return the fire, while the infantry would not level their pieces till it was too late. The enemy came within ten paces of the muzzles of the guns and killed the horses. A panic followed - the men broke ranks and scattered in every di- rection. There was no fighting - nothing but a wild, disordered flight. Sigel lost five of his guns, and nine hundi-ed in killed, wounded, arid missing, out of the two regiments he commanded. "With the residue he made the best of his way towards Spring- field. Our total loss was reported to be one thousand two hiui- dred and thirty-five, though it was probably miich larger. The rebels reported about the same loss.

-'The defeated army fearing for its communications did not tarry long at Springfield, but fell back to Rolla. This left a great portion of Missouri in the hands of the rebels. Small bodies,

HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD. 9T

however, kept the fiehl, and incessant skirmishes and combats, - the alternate occupations of remote to\ms by the loyalists and rebels, - the destruction of railroads and bridges, - the firing of houses and barns, - the scattering of families and desolation of neighborhoods - made the State a scene of devastation and blood, and carried the mind back to the days of barbarism." / After the occupation of Springfield by Gen. Price's army on 1 the 11th of August, the city remained under control of the Con- federate forces until October following, but, as there were no Federal soldiers nearer than Rolla, the Confederate commander had gradually drawn off his forces until he had very few troops left here to "hold the fort."

Thus it happened that when Major Zagonyi with about 300 | cavalry, known as Fremont's Body Guard, made a sudden dash upon the city on the 25th of October, they met with but little resistance, and it is thought by Union men of Sj^ringfield that if he had obeyed the commands of his superior officer, and merely reconnoitered and learned the situation sufficiently to report back to Gen. Fremont, the town could have been surrounded and all of the Confederates and their stores would have fallen into the hands of the Federals. As it was, it was merely a warning to the Confederates, and before the main body of Fremont's army came up, the field was clear ; and on the 27th day of October Fremont -entered and occupied the town.

But although probably one of the best Generals in the Union army at the time, Fremont was, on the 2nd of November, super- ceded by Gen. Hunter, who immediately began to fall back toward Rolla, and soon left Springfield again in the hands of the Confederates ; and on the 25th of December Gen. Price's army again entered and occupied the town. ^^ On the 12th of February following. Price suddenly retreated [ from Springfield, and on the 13th the Federal army under Gen. \ Curtiss passed through town in pursuit.

From this time until the close of the war, Springfield remained under Federal authority, although on the 8th of January, 1863, a bold attack was made upon the town by Gen. Marmaduke ; and, but for a change in the programme, which was not known by all of hia command, it would probably have been successful.

7

98 HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD.

From Capt. O. B. Smith, a son of Gen. N. R. Smith, mentioned in a former chapter, we gain the following information concern- ing the disposition of the Confederate forces and the plan of the attack :

Marmadnkes main army was at Clarksville, on the Arkansas river, and Gen. Porter was in command of a brigade stationed at Pochahontas, Ark. Mr. Smith, who had formerly been a Repre- sentative in the Legislature of i\Iissoiiri, was at this time a mem- ber of Green's regiment. Third Missouri Cavalry, commanded by Col. Campbell, and attached to Porter's brigade.

According to orders received by Gen. Porter, Springfield was to be attacked on the morning of the lltliof January, at daj'light, by Porter from the east, and Marmaduke from the south. On the 8th of January Porter's command took Hartville and remain- ed there all day. On the 9th they came on to Marshfield, where they were surprised to meet Marmaduke on a retreat from Springfield, which had been attacked on the day previous. It seems that after starting for Springfield, the plan of the attack had been changed, and a messenger who had been sent out to in- tercept Gen. Porter's route and notify him of the fact, had missed the route and failed to reach him in time. But, if Marmaduke's forces had entered Springfield, it is doubtful if they could have held the position very long, for on the next day they met Gen. Warren, who was on his way across the country from Houston, Texas county, to reinforce the brave Unionists at this place.

The meeting of Marmaduke's and Fitz Henry AVarren's forces took place at Hartville, Wright county, and quite a severe battle was fought, in which the loss to the Confederates was about 150 men, including Lit-ut.-Col. Wymer, former Mayor of St. Louis, and Col. Emmett McDonald. Mr. McDonald was one of the men who refused to take the oath of allegiance to the Federal Govern- ment at St. Louis in 18G1, and were banished "beyond the lines." The Federal loss was estimated at about forty or fiftj-. Concern- ing the defense of Springfield from Marmaduke's attack, and the subsequent operations of the Federal army in this vicinity, we have not space to give anything more than the brief synopsis contained in the Chronology of Greene County, before quoted from :

HISTORY OF SPKIXGFIELD. 99

" Jan. 8. - Gen. Marmaduke, with a force of about two thou- sand men, with artillery, attacks Springfield and is repulsed, leaving twenty-two men killed. The number of wounded is un- known. The Federal troops lost eighteen killed, and had about one hundred men wounded. The 72nd Enrolled Militia, 223 strong, commanded by Col. Sheppard, had 53 killed, wounded and missing.

" Jan. 9. - Gen. Marmaduke retreats. Col. Johnson, with a reg- iment of Polk county Enrolled Militia, arrives at Springfield. The Confederate dead buried.

" Jan. 10. - Maj. C. A. Graves dies of a wound received in the battle of the 8th. Judge Littleberry Hendrick dies of fever.

"Jan. 11. - The Federal dead, who fell in the defense of Spring- field, are buried with military honors, Col. Walter King acting as Field Marshal of the day.

" Jan. 12. - Maj. -Gen. S. R. Curtis congratulates Gen. E. B. Brown, and the troops and people of Springfield, on their suc- cessful defense against tlie Confederates.

" Jan. 13. - Federal troops arriving fropi Northwestern Arkan- sas and Southwestern Missouri, under command of Col. W. F. Cloud of the Second Kansas Cavalry. *

"Jan. 16. - Gen. Herron arrives."

After this we find no record of any military movements in this vicinity until the evacuation of the post in 1865.

On the 6th of July, John M. Richardson was appointed hj the County Court, to prosecute the United States for rent and dam- age to the Court House, and to obtain possession of it, his com- pensation to be ten per cent, of the amount collected.

During the excitement of war times we neglected to state that in March, 1862, A. F. Ingram established a paper called the Jlis- sourian, and that in June following the Springfield Journal was established by Boren & Graves.

AVe had also neglected to continue the Post Ofiice official record, which had been omitted after the appointment of Joseph Burden. About 1860, Mr. Burden resigned, and was succeeded by Nathan Robinson, who was succeeded in December, 1861, hy Bejamine Kite, who held the ofiice until about the year 1868, when he was succeeded by Marcus Boyd. But Mr. Boyd's death

100 HISTORY OF SPKINGFIELD.

occurring just after bis appointment, lie was succeeded by Mrs. Stephens, who held the office, as we have before mentioned, until the appointment of ]\[r. Shipley in 187G.

On the 2;'5tli of September, ISfJi, Mr. Ingram started the Mis- xoiiri Patriot, as the successor of the Missoiirian^ discontinued.

On the 2l8t of January, 18(55, a large and euthiisiastic meeting was held in Springfield to celebrate the passage of the Emanci- pation Ordinance by the State Convention, and on the 10th of April the city was illuminated, and there was a general rejoicing over the fall of Richmond, a salute of two hundred guns being fired.

During the years 1804-5, a number of changes were made in the commanding officers of the post, and finally, on the 17th of August of the latter year, the seige guns were removed from here to Rolla, and on the 17th of September following the last three companies of soldiers, of the 2nd Ohio Cavalry, left the city.

Having now given an account of the principal military move- ments in the vicinity of Springfield, in the order in which they occurred, we close this chapter with a recapitiilation of some of the leading incidents and principal results of the wai', kindly furnished us by " one who was present " and participated in many of the movements which he describes :

" Springfield, in 18G0 and 1861, was the headquarters of the ' two antagonisms in Southwest Missouri. The Doviglas and Breckenridge political parties had perfect organizations, and were fierce and bitter, the one charging upon the other Secession, and the other repelling the charge with vehemence and acrimony. Claiborne Fox Jackson was elected Governor over Sample Orr, of this county, the Union candidate, so-called. The Legislature of Jackson, in the month of February, 1861, called a special elec- tion of delegates to a convention of the State. Littleberry Hen- drick and Sample Orr were elected from this, and Robert Jami- son from "Webster county, as Union delegates. That short can- vass caused each and every citizen to choose his flag, and from the 18th day of February, 1861, business was suspended and secret organizations formed.

" In May following, the two opposing parties met at Spring- field. The Secession element of the people had a barbecue near

HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD. 101

the Fulbrigbt spring. Peter S, Wilkes, Representatives Hancock, Frazier and W. C. Price, Cols. Campbell and Freeman, were tlie leading spirits of the Southern cause. Col. Phelps, Col. Marcus Boyd, Sample Orr and Thos. J. Bailey, were the leaders on the Union side. Several thousand Union men met at Col. Phelps' farm south of town, with every kind and species of destructive weapons, and organized a double regiment, with Phelps as Colo- nel, Marcus Boyd as Lieut.-Colonel, and Sample Orr and Pony Boyd, Majors. Col. Dick Campbell was sent with a flag of truce by the opposing element, to confer with Col. Phelps about rais- ing a flag on the Court House. Col. Phelps agreed that the ladies might raise the State flag, and he would raise above it the Stars and Stripes. This compromise prevented a deadly conflict of the two forces on that da}'. It, however, was only for a time, as the future terribly revealed.

" On that memorable day, fathers were on one side and sons on the other. Estrangements, even to bitterness of hate, sev- ered the peace and happiness of many families in Greene county. Business partners, friends and neighbors, became enemies. Sigel came, and Lyon came, and for a few weeks gave coulidence and hope to the Unionists. Wilson creek battle, on the 10th of August, 1861, with the death of Gen. Lyon, blasted all repose ; and Sigel, with a crippled remnant of a beaten and discouraged arm3% retreated from Springfleld the early morn of the 11th of August, towards Rolla,'_]Missouri, with a wave of refugees, black and white, old and young, in a solid column, longer and wider than the tail of a comet, all on double-quick time, army march, every man for himself ; and no one to this day, who was in that mem- arable exodus, will admit that he was in the rear ; but each one will say that as he looked back he could see clouds of dust and a moving, living panorama, ' on the git,' with eyes open and fixed on the east.

"One officer, high in authority and confidence of the Dutch commander, had no wagons or other accoutrements for his regi- ment. He pressed a pair of mules and wagon and loaded it with seven barrels of whisky and a half box of hard tack for his frag- mentary regiment of five hundred men on a retreat of one hun- dred and fifty miles. This officer, with great presence of mind

102 HISTORY OF SI'RIXGFIELD.

and forecast of the future, in loadiii','' a single wagon for his men, fed them and twice as many refugees most sumptuously, with the choice of all the commissaries of the command, for seven days, and had two barrels of whisky left, besides seventeen wagons and teams, loaded with hard tack, sugar cured hams, sugar, cofteeand molasses.

" The year 1861 exceeded, by far, anj' year l^efore or since, in the products of the farms of Greene county. The inhabitants, Lyon and Sigel's army, Fremont and Hunter's army, McCullough and Price's army, were all wastcfully supplied on its crops for two years, and much of it was carried into the third year. Over ^3,000,000 of claims for quartermaster's stores and com- missary supplies to the army of the Union, have been filed against the Government by the Union people of the county for the crop of the year 18G1, with no good reason to doubt the justness of any single claim.

"In July, 1861, L. A. D. Crenshaw, Dr. E. T. Robberson, and S. H. Boyd, all ardent Unionists, conceived the idea that unless Southwest Missouri received immediate relief from the Govern- ment, the Union element would fall into the hands of Claib. Jack- son's forces, and they determined on going to St. Louis and im- pressing upon the Union men of that city the necessity of holding Southwest Missouri secure. So, one evening, on horseback, the three started for Rolla. Dr. Robberson was acquainted with every path and road in the county, and could travel them in the night as well as he could in the day-time. Each one rode a gray horse, and after dark they entered upon a narrow pathway that led through the woods east of Springfield, Dr. Eobberson in the lead. They passed men - crowds of men - until after midnight, on horseback and afoot, and not a word was said, spoken or passed between them.

" The town of Rolla was filled with excited men, and all rebels. No train had been there for three days. They got W. H. Graves, of the firm of Graves & Faulkner, to hire them a hack, to get out of the town and to St. James. They had gone but four miles when they discovered a very large train of cars moving up the Dillon grade of the road. It was Sigel and his regiment of Ger- mans, on their way to Springfield. Very soon they met Sigel,

HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD. 103

and when he learned the situation at Rolla, he gave orders to sur- round the town. "With about one-half of his raiment, newly uniformed, with bright, bristling muskets, he moved through the woods on to the town. Some three or four hundred men had gathered into the place, and were boasting of how easy it would be for them to whip all the Dutch in St. Louis.

" Graves & Faulkner's large commission house was crowded with men, and one old fellow, who was spokesman, was hoping the Dutch would come, so he could go for them. While he was thus talking, some one came into the room and said, 'By G - d, the Dutch are here now upon us!' The old man, with all the others, stepped out on the platform, and looking down the road, sure enough saw, through an opening in the woods, about four hundred yards distant, the bristling soldiery moving down upon them. Not a word was spoken, not an order was given, but the sight was enough, and no fixed opinion of any four hundred men was ever so quickly changed. The old man turned pale, and with one bound cleared the railroad track, and down it he ran as never civilian ran before, all his courageous comrades following their gallant leader.

"After running about a mile, they were pressing through a deep cut in the road, a quarter of & mile in length and twenty feet deep. As the old man and his followers were about passing out of the west end of the cut, thinking they were safe for awhile, to their astonishment one hundred or more of those same Dutch raised up out of the brush on one side of the road, and bringing down their bayoneted muskets on the fleeing rebels, said, 'Halt dare! Vot d - n vellers is j'ou anyhow f It is needless to say that the old man and his entire company then and there surren- dered, body and soul, and all their possessions then present and in expectancy, to the men who 'fought mit Sigel.'

" General Sigel hastened on to Springfield, and got there on a Sunda3% about half-past eleven o'clock. Bro. Charles Carleton, pastor of the Christian church, had a full house on that morning. Although a Canadian, he and many of his congregation were ' se- cesh,' and a cordon of Dutch soldiery quietly surrounded the church, and when the congregation was dismissed, a large, fat, dark-colored Dutch major, who had won laurels on many a bloody

104 HISTOKY OF SriUXGriELD.

field in the old country, bis body fairly glistening with medals, Bpaulets and all the general war paraphernalia of a soldier who knows how to hurt, ste])ped into the door, and with a terrible voice, (no doubt some of those who were in the church that day still hear that terrible voice,) exclaimed : ' In the name of mine adopted country, de United {States of America, and de President and de power of de army, and by de orders of Col. Franz Sigel, you are my jnisoners of war. Pass out in single file to my head- quarters in de court house in de public square of de town. For- "ward march !' Carleton's congregation were never more attentive listeners to any sermon than to that one, nor more obedient to any advice than they were to the Dutch major on that occasion.

"-' War, actual, dire war, had overridden society and its social und moral laws in Springfield. For four years thereafter, Spring- field, and all Southwest Missouri, was a field of battle, rapine and murder, a product of military law in all countries and climes of the world - has been and ever will be. Let us hope that the United States of America, the birth-place of liberty, law and order, will so educate the peopl^, that the time is not far distant when this species of barbarism can and will be abolished.

" The soldier of the Union, and the soldier of the Lost Cause, liaving passed through the fire and flame of many battles, stack arms and greet one another at their ante-belliTm homes in Greene county, better friends, truer men ; and a more neighborly broth- erhood and union, scarcely can be found, than that couqjosed of Union and Confederate soldiers. Those who fought on neither side, or where the warfare was not legitimate and regular, cannot experience that inborn tie of friendship now existing between these once conflicting elements - where sworn duty to their re- spective flags for five years made them public enemies, even to the death - each maintaining honoral:»le names and lives, with dis- charges from their respective powers - war records of soldierly lives and conduct. After the war and return, and heart}'^ shakings of hands and congratulations, they turned their attention to re- cuperating their losses and rebuilding their once comfortable homes.

" Some there were who did not return, and when the smoke of war had Iflown from off the land, failed to answer at roll-call ; yet

HISTORY OF SPRIICGFIELD.

105

they were accounted for, a;id life's tablet of memory will clierish their names to latest time. A long list of names of citizens of Greene county before the war, conld be given, who went down with the roar of musketry and thunderings of artillery."

106

HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD.

CHAPTER YI.

SPRIXGFIELD AS IT IS NOW ITS SURROUNDINGS, AND A GLANCE AT SOME

OF ITS INSTITUTIONS AND LEADING BUSINESS MEN.

Springfield, fair city of the mountain crest, , Enthroned, majestic as an eagle's uest, -

By Jordan's ficljle stream ; Rude storms with furious rage liave rent Thy rugged liills, and madly spent In vaiu around thy battlement -

Proud O/iark's mountain queen !

In other days thy rocky side Has felt the roll of battle's tide,

That swept, these hills along, When Price and Lyon alternate led Their legions o'er the trampled dead, Thy streets have echoed to the tread 'Of fierce Zagonyi's throng.

And yonder distant green-clad field Has trembled 'neath the serried steel.

When squadrons rushing tore, As Marmaduke, withg'ory's thought, Led his brave followers to the shock - Repulsed like ocean from the rock.

His laurels wet with gore.

Historic Hill ! on glory's page, Will live the annals of that age.

When valor ruled of yore; And often will the tale be told, Of "Old Pap Price," and Lyon bold. When infants now are grandsires old,

And war resounds no more.

Now peice prevails througliout the land, And industry on every hand, / With childhood's merry laugh ;

And where in yonder verdant dell Once on the startled ear there fell. The crash of arms and shriek of shell - We hear the loom and shaft.

Springfield, we love thy mountain air - Thy beauteous fields- thy valleys fair -

The glories of thy zone. Of fairer skies, may poets sing, -

Where summer reigns, aud endless spring iMore varied stores, from nature bring- But we love our mountain home. - Charles H. GOFFEf.

HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD. 107

"NVe have now traced the growth and development of Spring- field from a little hamlet, established in a new and remote part of the country, far away from the ordinary haunts and common thoroughfares of men of that day, and even gone back of that and given a sketch of the lives of brave jDioneers who came here long before a town at this place was even thought of. "We have attempted to show the causes which led to the founding of the town and its location at this place, and have given our readers Buch items of its general history as we thought would be most interesting to the general reader, and such facts and figures as should properly be preserved for future reference.

In the present chapter we purpose to give a sort of general review of the city as we find it to-day, in some places, perhaps, introducing historical items that have not been mentioned in reg- ular chronological order. It will be observed that the former chapter left us at the close of the "war of the rebellion," and in this we commence with a reference to " Springfield as it is now," thus leaving a space of thirteen years unnoticed in the heading of the chapters ; but, as a review of the institutions and -business of the city will naturally lead us back over these inter- vening years, this space will be bridged over, and the history will "be as complete as the ability of the writer, under the circumstan ces surrounding him, could make it.

The present corporate limits of Springfield includfe the whole of sections thirteen and twenty four, with three-fourths of sec- tions fourteen and twenty-three, in township twenty -nine north, of range twenty-two west, and contain three and a half square miles, or 224:0 acres of land. The present population, as ascer- tained by an actual census of the city, taken expressly for this "work, is very nearly seven thousand. On the tenth page will be found a complete census report of this city and North Spring- field.

Springfield is the county seat of Greene county, which contains a population of about twenty-five hundred, with an assessed valu- ation of over §6,000,000 worth of property. It is surrounded by several of the largest and most fertile prairies in this section of the State, and is the principal market and shipping point for a larsre share of Southwest Missouri and Northwestern Arkansas.

108 HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD.

Its situation is two hundred and fort^'-one miles from St. Louis. . via the St. Louis and San Francisco Railway, which passes through North Springfield a little over a mile from the public square.

This is the same road for which a tax of $20,000 had been levied and paid by this county in 1850, but at the commencement of the war the road was only completed as far as Rolla, and as the original company were unable to fulfil their contract and complete the road, it fell into the hands of the State authorities, from whom, in 1800, it was purchased by John C. Fremont for $1,300,000.

Concerning this sale and the interest manifested in Soiithwest Missouri by Gov. Fletcher, who had control of the matter, we quote, below, an extract from a letter received from him in Janu- ary, 186(5, by Maj. INIcElhany, who was afterward appointed one of the commissioners for the sale of the road :

" Don't despair of your railroad, and don't forsake the Kickor poo country-^' its day of redemption draweth nigh.' I know that you have, for long weary years, struggled on in the hope of one day being brought iuto communication with the outside world, and have so often seen your hopes dashed to the ground that you hesitate, now that you have passed the meridian of life, to build new hopes of seeing the development of the Great South- west, and reaping the benefit of the improvements. Let me assure jow'the road will be built, and that at once.''

In a letter to H. C. Young, Esq., just after the passage of the bill, Gov. Fletcher also says :

"I shall select as commissioners, the men who I think can most aid me to get the road built soon, without regard to where they live, or what their opinions may be on any other subject."

But this sale to Gen. Fremont did not result in the completion of the road to Springfield. The first installment of !^325,000 was promptly paid, and the road was completed as far as Little Piney; but when the second payment fell due, Fremont was unable to meet it, and the road again reverted back to the State.

During all these years, staging and hauling goods in wagons from Rolla, were among the inconveniences from which the city suftered. The overland stage route to California had been con- tinued through this place up to 18G1, but after the war was never

HISTORY OF SPIUNGFIELU. 109

re established. There was, however, a continuous line of stages to Fort Smith, Arkansas, and the telegraph line to that place was still continued. Up to the close of the war it was controlled by Federal aiTthorit3% but in 1867 was purchased by a private com- pany of citizens of Springfield.

Soon after Fremont's failure, and the relinqriishment of his claim to the railroad. New York and Boston capitalists began to be interested in the building of a number of roads in the South and West, and, in 18G8, a company of Eastern men piu'chased this line and soon completed it through this State, to Vinita in in the Indian Territory, which is its present western terminus.

Although the fondest hopes of the people were not realized in the construction of this road, and although it did not directly benefit the town as much as could have been wished, still it has brought to the county a large number of enterprising farmers, as Avell as some capitalists, and thus added much to the ma- terial wealth of the county.

Springfield being the county seat and business center, must necessarily hold the balance of i^ower and reap largely of the benefits of all improvements in the surrounding country, how- ever much any class of persons in the county may strive to opijose this irresistible consequence, and, although at times, when excited by some act of those in power which may seem more directly in the interest of one than the other, jealousies may arise between the coiuitry and the city, it will be seen, on mature deliberation, that the interests of city and country are so nearly allied, that anything which is for the benefit of one, cannot fail to profit the other to some extent.

Springfield has already been the recipient of a large increase in trade from the hundi-eds of farmers who have come to the county and opened up new farms since the Atlantic & Pacific Kailroad reached here, and when she gets a competing line across the State to Memphis or some point on the IMississippi, she will be able to repay them with interest by furnishing their necessary supplies at greatly redul^ed prices.

Such a road would form an outlet from Springfield to the Mississippi, at a point below where navigation is visually block- aded by ice during the winter months, and form a more di-

110 HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD.

rect lino for the shipment of gviwn to the European markets by way of the Gulf. It would also open up a large scojie of good farming lands, heavy pine forests and rich mineral re- gions throughout the south central portion of the State, which is now almost considered " outside of the pale of civilization." This section would rapidly fill up Avith an enterprising class of citizens, who would develoj) its resources and add much to the trade of Springfield, if railroad and telegraphic communi- cation with the rest of the world were furnished from this section.

The new railroad which is now open from Springfield to Ash Grove, and Avill probably bo com])leted to the vast coal fields of the counties north and west of this, cannot fail to be the means of helping to build up more extensive manufacturing estaljlish- nients in Springfield, and has already been of considerable ad- vantage to the farmers in the northwest part of the county, by furnishing transportation for stock and grain.

This was the first railroad track ever laid within the limits of Springfield, and the first road that could really be claimed by this city: so it is not strange that more than an ordinary degree of in- terest was felt by the citizens in the laying of the last few rails, wliich should connect the city with the great net-work of railroads of the country. About 3 P. M., on the 20th day of May, 1878, the people of Springfield were startled by the prolonged whistling of the engines in the Wagon Factory and the Iron Works, and by the ringing of the alarm bell in the Bell Tower in the center of the public square. Nearly all at first thought it was a fire alarm,, but in a few moments word was passed from one to another that it was the signal announcing the approach of the first regidar train on the Springfield & Western Missouri Railroad.

This discovery, however, did not check, but rather added to the excitement which prevailed upon the streets, and hiindreds of people - men, women and children, white and black, old and young - were seen hastening toward the depot, or gathering in groups along the brow of the hill which commands a view of the track. When the whistles began to blow in town, they were ans- wered by the shrill whistle of the Thomas A. Scott, the locomo- tive which was bringing in the train, and a halt was made near

HISTORY OF SPEINGFIELD. Ill

the bridge over Wilson Creek, to give the croAvd sufficient time to secure suitable places of observation. Four or five hiuidred of the more eager and enthusiastic "citizens and small boys" went up the road to meet and welcome the train ; and no doubt the passengers felt like the rustic who was riding with the king, and, observing the people taking oft' their hats and bowing as they passed, he turned to his companion and enquired what it all meant, adding, " Sure I must be the king, or you," whereupon the Idng made himself known, and the man discovered that the hom- age was not intended for him but for his royal companion. Al- though this is but a short road, and does not yet extend beyond the limits of Greene county, the people recognize in it a tie which will in some future day form a link in the great chain which will serve to unite the South and the West.

In this connection, and in order to give to strangers and per- sons who are not well acquainted with the business and sur- roundings of the city, a more comprehensive view of its advan- tages, we publish extracts from some of the many interesting ar- ticles that have recently been written descriptive of Springfield. We first call your attention to the following, from the Spiritual Offering of January, 1878 :

" Springfield is the chief commercial representative of this sec- tion and controls a very important jobbing trade. The country, in all directions for fifty miles, is dependent upon this point for supplies, and on the south for 150 miles. All that portion of Ar- kansas lying north of the Boston Mountains is forced to seek this market. This trade is exceedingly lucrative. From the South 100/JOO bales of cotton are received annually^ besides all other products of this vast region. Springfield is the best outlet, and the natural obstructions in the way of points that might other- wise compete with her, gives this city entire control of the trade. 2'he johbiiKj trade of Springfield this year vnll aggregate $2,500,000. There are houses which sell worth $500,000 of goods a year. All lines of trade are well represented, as will appear in detail hereafter. Springfield contains about 150 business houses of various ranks, caiTying stocks amounting to upwards of $1,- 000,000 in value. Nearly all the stores are of brick, and very cred- itable in appearance, as fine as those of any medium city in the

112 HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD.

United States. The city is growing steadily, improvements are constantly in progress,. and the country can support a city three times the size of Springfield. Its resources are not half devel- oped. Here is a promising field for capital, and not a chance of failui*e in any well-directed eftbrt."

We next give extracts from the Patriot-Advertiser of a recent date :

" Leaving St. Louis on the St. Louis and San Francisco rail- road, after traveling a distance of two hundred and twenty-five miles, the traveler finds himself on the summit of the Ozark mountains in Southwest Missouri. The country is made up of nearly equal parts of prairie and timber land. The climate is mild, and as invigorating and healthful as can be found anywhere in the world. The winters are short, beginning in December and terminating about the middle of February. The thermometer never shows a degree of cold lower than six to eight degrees be- low zero, and that seldom occurs. A cold spell rarely lasts long- er than three or four days. Many of our winters are not cold enough to furnish an ice crop. That of 1875-6 was of that char- acter. Horses find cattle, in many instances, live through the en- tire winter on the range Avithout feed. For a distance of forty miles after attaining the summit, principally occupied by Greene county, the land is rolling, in places broken, and with an occa- sional hill or ridge which is too rocky for successful cultivation ; but the soil everywhere is of the strongest and most fertile char- jxcter, producing heavy crops of the cereals and grasses, large crops of tobacco, and fair average crops of cotton. "Wheat yields from year to year an average of fifteen to twenty bushels per acre, corn thirty-five to forty, and all the grasses grow luxuriantly. Blue grass is indigenous, and grows spontaneously wherever it has an opportunity. Tobacco yields an average of one thousand pounds per acre. Cotton is not groAvn extensively, but yields an average of four to seven hundred pounds per acre. Vegetables of all kinds grow bountifully. Apj^les, peaches, pears, cherries, in fact every variety of fruit except currants, is groAAii success- fully. The apple crop is never a failure, nor is the crop of small fruits. Peaches are sometimes pushed forward by warm weather in February and killed by frosts in March.

HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD. H3;

" The atmosphere during the spring, summer and autumn months is for the most part delicious. It is believed that no other country in the world has such beautiful skies, or such balmy, exhilarating air, as Southwest Missouri during August, Septem- ber and October. It is nearly impossible to get sick during this period, and those who come here sick at that season receive as nwich benefit as they can possibly obtain from a pure and invig- orating atmosphere, and a genial and healthful climate anywhere. Thousands can testify to the truth of this statement from per- sonal experience.

" If a watering place is wanted, the Chalybeate Springs, in Law- rence county, only twenty miles from Springfield, furnish an abundance of the finest mineral water to be found in the United States. A large hotel and boarding house, furnishes all visitors with the comforts of home, while they are receiving the health- giving properties of the water.

"If good society is wanted, there is none better East or West. Orderly, moral, cultured, enjoying the benefits of comparative wealth more generally distributed among all classes than else- where, and furnishing, therefore, a higher degree of indepen- dence, our people extend a hospitable and friendly invitation to -all who come to improve their condition in any way, and who desire to assist in improving and making still better the couu- iry to which they come.

"Are schools and churches wanted, every denomination is rep- resented here in town and country. Church houses abound everywhere, and religious meetings are well attended, while re- ligious effort meets with a gratifying degree of success. Every school district in Greene county has a neat, comfortable school house, at which from four to eight months school is conducted «ach year.

" Is a reliable home market wanted, Springfield, the Metropolis -of the Southwest, a town of over eight thousand inhabitants (in- chiding North Springfield), the distributing point for a territory large enough to make a State, furnishes such a market. Here ure important manufacturing enterprises successfully prosecuted. A large cotton mill, employing a hundred hands, makes thou- sands of yards of domestic and pounds of yarn and twine daily»

8

114 HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD.

A wagon factory, employing over fifty hands and the best ma- chinery, is making two thousand wagons a year, equal to the best made in the United States. An additional factory makes from forty to fifty wagons each year. The iron works employ over forty hands, and turn out from forty to fifty thousand dollars worth of work per year. The Eagle foundry, which does a large amount of work, employs a number of hands. The woolen mill makes cassimeres, jeans, blankets, flannels, etc., of as good quality as are made anywhere ; merchant flouring mills, which make an article of flour that cannot be excelled ; a plan- ing mill and sash, blind and door factory, which turns out the very best of work ; tobacco factories, whose best brands of to- bacco have a wide reputation and meet ready sale ; cigar makers, who turn out yearly several hundred thousand A No. 1 cigars, and medical laboratories, sending out thousands of dollars worth of proprietary medicines, which are rapidly becoming popular. These, and other manufacturing enterprises, employ in the aggre- gate a large number of hands, who, with their families, must be fed by the produce of the siu-rounding country, and they are the nucleus around which will gather other similar enterprises in the near future.

" If facilities for education are wanted, the public schools of Springfield are not excelled in any respect by the public schools of any other town or city in the Union ; while to those who de- sire a thorough, scientific or classical course, Drury College offers all the advantages of the older institutions of learning.

"The natural beauty of the country, with its prairie and wood land, its l^ubbling springs, and creeks and rivers of living water, is equal to any, and it is equally capable of artistic and profita- ble improvement.

" To those timid people who imagine this country to be filled with cut-throats and other desperadoes, whose business it is to wreak vengeance upon those who difter with them politically or otherwise, we can say, sincerely and truthfully, that there is no section of the Union where life and property are more secure than here in Southwest Missouri. The two political parties divide the people about equally, and there is no persecution of any kind, nor ostracism on account of political opinion. Every man is meas-

HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD. 115

Tired at the true value of his manhood, regardless of whether he is a Republican or Democrat^ and his entree to the best society is not in the least impeded by his political opinions, however fiilly he xnay express them. Were it not for misrepresentations that have gone out. and to some extent taken possession of the Northern mind, a statement like this would be wholly unnecessary. As it is, we hope it may help to dissipate the foul cahmmies which Lave been circulated concerning this beautiful portion of Mis- Bouri."

It seems to be a fact that Missouri and her people have been more seriously misrepresented than those of any other section of the country. We are aware that Missouri has furnished some of the most daring and desperate characters of the present cen- tury, but we protest against this general charge of lawlessness which is continually implied in the writings of those who furnish so many sensational articles for the Northern and Eastern press. Jas. B. Hickok,or "Wild Bill,"' was a man who figured quite conspic- uously in Springfield for some time after the war, as a gambler and desperado, and a correspondent to Harper's Monthly, in 18G7, furnished a highly-colored description of his wonderful and dar- ing feats. This correspondent, like many writers of sensational literature, also drew very much upon his imagination in describ- ing the people generally in Southwest Missouri, whom he repre- sented as " dressing in greasy skins and basking in the sunshine prone upon the pavements."

From a recent article in the Leader on the subject of immigra- tion, we clip the following item, which we know to be too true with regard to the opinions of Missouri in other sections of the coimtry :

" In many places in the East, Southwest Missouri is looked upon as inhabited by a set of long-haired, ignorant bush-whack- ers. People there, appear never to have heard of any but the very worst class of our people, and one old lady was much sur- prised when we told her of the seven or eight churches in Spring- field, and that Sunday here was as quiet as in her own native Tillage."

The following beautiful letter, written last spring by a lady of this city to a relative in the East, with its glowing description of

IIG HISTORY OF SPIUNGFIELD.

some of the attractions of Springtielcl at that lovely season of the year, was published in the Leader^ and we venture to say that those of our readers who have once perused it, Avill be pleased to have this opportunity of reading it again :

" You ask me, dear Jennie, to tell you of the lovely Southwest and the beautiful birds, &c. March has really outdone herself this season. While you at the North, enveloped in furs, face bleak snow-storms, or shiver over range and register indoors, spring - gentle spring - decked in robes of gorgeous hues, comes to us with noiseless footsteps. Sleeping violets awaken to greet her; bud and leaf unfold to receive her tender kisses: prairie and woodland doll" their wintry robes ; snow-wreaths melt away ; sweetest flowers rejoice to embrace her as she smilingly rescues them from winter's relentless grasp. Bloom from meadow and orchard drifts out on the stillness and floods the very air with fragrance. For weeks, the mornings have been enveloped in a soft haze, visible in fading sunsets of mid-summer, or at the close of mellow October days. Nothing wild or boisterous - onl}' peace in the strange quiet - the very repose is rest-laden and brings throbs of joy to the sufferer and glimpses of hope to the despon- dent Each warm sun-glance, as it peers into the abode of mis- ery, causes the forlorn inmate to look gladly forth and thank God for smiling sj^ring. Her coming heralds the annual retiu'n of the dear song birds - those sweet heart-charmers ! how they chirp and flutter and warble ! There they are - in the east corner of the porch column - blue bird and robin, disputing, like wayward children, over the wreck of a last year's nest. Each claims bits of rotten twine and brittle twigs. A red-bird, brilliant in scarlet, with bristling 'top-knot,' poises on the wisteria vine close by, to watch the progress of the performance. A lovely 'fischu' adorns his breast - not made up in guissure and valenciennes, but composed of black, silky feathers, securely fastened to his throat by Nature's hand. His low, clear chirps, swell forth into prolonged whistles and sweet melody, equaled only by the match less medleys and soaring trills of the downy-winged mocking- bird. Thrushes, wild canaries and orioles (or golden robins) will appear in later spring days to swell the grand chonis of praise, which you will fail not to hear, if you listen to my urgent invita- tion to visit our fair Southwest.

HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD. 117

" I know you have an outlook to Vassar or Speingle's. I think you could protitably take a preparatory course - at our public school, complete with a trained corps of modern teachers and professors. The noted and conspicuous school building looms up - an attractive object from various points of observation. It has spacious halls, and airy, commodious apartments. The win- dows of the upper rooms offer pleasant glimpses of business hous- es and a Public Square with its ever-changing panoramic views ; a lovely landscape to the north, dotted with elegant residences and a stretch of woodland beyond. Soaring ambition w^ould jjoint to Drury, basking in the simshine, and approval of its numerous hiends and wide-spread classical fame.

" True, we are three days from Trinity chifnes, Broadway beau- ties. Central Park attractions, Stewart's and Taylor's. Still we boast of merchants whose shelves are crammed with the latest importations, going at a " ruinous sacrifice."

" Our suburbs in every direction afford charming scenery and enjoyable rides. Within the area of a few miles we have a natu- ral bridge, a popular resort for picnics ; caves overhung with glit- tering pendants in strange shapes and artistic devices, w^hich elicit the wonder and admiration of distinguished visitors.

" Our churches are filled on the Sabbath with attentive listeners. We have organs, well-trained choirs and eminent leaders. Don't you wish you were here to participate ? Oh, will not sweet' mel- ody, healthful breezes, a salubrious climate, and, above all, re- sistless pleadings, lure you to our fair Southwest ? Oh, come to our lovely prairie home ! Will you come to our beautiful * Queen City of the Ozarksf "

CHURCHES, LODGES AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS.

An invitation was extended to all Churches and Masonic Lodges, and other religious and benevolent societies in the city, to furnish historical sketches for publication. This information was pub- lished in all of the papers of the city, early enough to give ample time for all of these societies to collect the items, if sufficiently interested to do so. Some have responded promptly, and we cheerfully give them the space to insert such matter as they have furnished. Others have «probably considered the subject of no great importance, or have expected that we would take time to

118 HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD.

look the matter iTp aiul publish it without any labor on their part, and have therefore neglected to furnish the data from which we could do so.

All subjects that we consider of general interest to the public, we have spared no pains in collecting, and even these historical sketches of societies, each of which would only be of special in- terest to a small class of readers, have been repeatedly asked for, from leading members of the societies, with only partial success in obtaining them. This is our only apology for the difference iu the amount of Ki:)ace given to each, or for omissions, if any are noticed.

The Methodist Church is probably the oldest of any organized Society in the city, and for the following sketch of its eai'ly his- tory we are indebted to Kev. T. M. Cobb, Pastor in charge of the

M. E. CHURCH SOUTH.

"In 1832, Rev. Mr. Slavens commenced preaching at the old Tulbright place, near the west end of Walnut street. Subse- quently the place of worship was moved to a log school house and meeting house near the present residence of Capt. George M. Jones, at which place monthly preaching was kept up for some years. The church was organized at the school house in 1832. About 1840 the place of worship was again moved to near where the present church stands, at the corner of Soiath and Walnut streets. Soon after, a frame chiu'ch was erected, which still stands, near the residence of Mr. Mc Adams.

" In 1847, Springfield was made a station, with j)reaching every Sabbath, and Rev. Lacy was appointed its first pastor. In 1855, the St. Louis Annual Conference met in this old frame church. Bishop John Early presiding.

" In 1858, the present church edifice was biailt, and occupied until 1863, when, on account of the disturbance of the civil war, services were suspended.

"In 1869, Rev. W. M. Prottsman was appointed to reorganize the church. He commenced with about 15 members. The mem- bership now numbers 170, and the church enjoys a constant growth. Rev. Thomas M. Cobb is just now closing up his third year as pastor. t

" The church property is valued at $10,000, and the parsonage

HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD. 119

at $2,000. John L. Holland, W. P. Whitlock, George M. Jones, Samuel Jopes and S. M. Doling, are the Trustees.

" The Sunday School numbers 125 scholars, with the Pastor as Superintendent. "

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

After the first organization of the Methodist Church in Spring- field, the Methodist Episcopal Church of the United States became divided, the Methodists of the Southern States taking the name, *'M. E. Church South," and those of the Northern States retain- ing the old name. The Northern branch of this Church is also represented by a large society in this city, and the following sketch of its history was kindly furnished us by Kev. J. J. Bent- lej', its present pastor :

"At an Annual Conference held in March, 1864, in the City of Jefferson, Mo., Rev. L. M. Vernon was appointed Pastor and Presiding Elder to this city and section of Missouri. On the 15th of May, 1864, a society of 55 members was organized, and on the 28th of August the basement of the church edifice built by the M. E. Church South was opened for worshijj, at an expense of $1,500. The house had been used for military jourposes. Those were days of peril and toil. The Pastor worked on the fortifica- tions with all other citizens, till relieved therefrom by sickness lasting a month. At the end of a year the membership num- bered 100.

" In the spring of 1865, Eev. Vernon was returned as Presid- ing Elder, and Rev. J. M. Davidson as Pastor of the Church in Springfield. The war closed during the year, and with peace came great prosperity to every interest. Rev. J. L. Walker was appointed to succeed Rev. Davidson, in March, 1866. His efi'orts were crowned with a revival resulting in a gain of 32, many of whom yet remain as active members. In August, 1866, Rev. Vernon was called to the Presidency of St. Charles College, Rev. J. L. Walker was appointed Presiding Elder, and Rev. J. J. Bent- ley was appointed Pastor.

"During this fall the Church purchased the house of the trus- tees of the M. E. Church South. In 1867 the completion of the audience-room was undertaken, and finished early in 1868. May 28th of that year a tornado unroofed the house and otherwise

120 HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD.

damai^eJ it, so as to lead the trustees to determine to erect a building on another lot. In the fall of 18G8, the chapel now used was bef>;un, but was not finished until in May, 1809. During- an entire year the conji^rej^'ation worshipped in the court house.

"Rev. J. J. Bentley was removed in March, 180'.), and Rev. A. -Oreenman was appointed in charg-e. During 1808 the two ]Meth- odist churches agreed upon a committee of arbitration, to adjust the question of church property in the city. The M. E. Church South received the old property again.

"Rev. J. K. Tuttle was appointed to succeed Rev. Greenman> in March, 1871. He served but one year, and was followed by -Re\. H. R. Miller.' After two years of successful ministry. Rev. O. M. Stewart was appointed Rev. Miller's successor to the pas- torate. During this ecclesiastical year occiuTcd the great reli- ^ous awakening known as the "Union Revival Meeting. " Some- "20 had been converted in the M. E. Church before the union meetings began. The result to this church was an increase of 50 probationers. In March, 1875, Rev. F. S. Beggs was appointed preacher-in-charge, and continued till Conference met in 1877, -xvhen the present pastor, Rev. J. J. Bentley, was appointed.

"During these years, the following results have been obtained: 530 persons have been members here ; 220 have professed conver- sion and joined the church as probationers, of whom 140 became "full members here, and 31 were dismissed by letter, and 49 were discontinued, most of them having removed without letters. Baptisms, infants 89, adults (50. Deaths, 25. Average attend- ance of Sunday school, 200. Benevolent collections - missions, ,$1,210; all other collections, $1,223; total, $2,433. For church property, principal and interest, about S10,000. Salaries of min- istry, $15,000. Rent of preacher's house, usually paid by i^reach- er, $2,300. The chvu-ch has rarely ever been closed, or the pulpit without some one competent to break the Bread of Life to the people. The present membership is 195."

Next to the Methodist churches, in date of organization and in membership, is probably

THE CHRISTI.W CHURCH.

This society have a large brick church on College street - the largest in the city, but at present have no regular minister. There

HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD. 121

is also a large Sunday school in connection with the church.

Before the war, Rev. Charles Carleton was for several years the pastor, and continued in charge up to the time of the little epi- sode referred to in the preceding chapter, after which he went South, and the church was, for some time, without a regular min- ister. Since the close of the war, its pulpit has been occupied most of the time by some of the most talented ministers of that denomination.

The Presbyterian church, which was also organized at an early day, is now represented by two societies.

THE CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN

society have a large brick edifice on Jefferson street near the pub- lic school building. This church was erected before the war, and during that conflict was used as an arsenal. At the time of Mar- maduke's attack, it Avas struck by a shells which passed entirely through the building without exploding. There was also a plot laid for blowing it up on the same night, but it was discovered in time to save the building, and it still stands. This church was also struck by lightning in 1878, but not seriously injured. Rev. Pendergrass, its present pastor, has been in charge several years, and regular services are held every Sunday, morning and evening. This church also has a lai-ge Sunday school.

THE CALVARY PRESBYTERIAN

society have for several years occupied the old church on South Jefferson street, but are now engaged in the erection of a new house of worship on the corner of St. Louis street and Benton avenue, on the site formerly occupied l^y the residence of Gover- nor Phelps, which was destroyed by fire at the time of the war. The present poi:»ular minister is Rev. C. H. Dunlap, who has been in charge several years. Good music is also one of the attrac- tions of this church, the choir being under the leadership of Prof. A. B. Brown, of the Conservatory of Music. The Sunday school is also in a flourishing condition.

THE BAPTIST CHURCH.

This is another of the pioneer societies, though we have not ob- tained the exact date of its organization. Among its most prom- inent ministers of the early days was Rev. McCord Roberts, who was its regular minister up t6 the time of the battle of Wilson

122 HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD.

creek, after Avhicli the church hatl no regular services for five years. The building was first used by the Confederates, as a hos- pital and commissary store-house. Soon after, the Federals having gained possession of the town, used the house as a home for refugees, and Gen. Sanborn's body guard used it for a while as their headquarters.

For some time an amateur dramatic club gave regular enter- tainments there for the benefit of a fund raised for the aid of ref- ugees and other sufterers from the war. Among the members of this club was Miss Dosia Smith, who was afterward imprisoned in St. Louis as a " rebel spy," but nothing being proven against her, she Avas honorably acquitted. Miss Mary Phelps, now Mrs. Montgomeiy, was also a member, as Avell as Mrs. Bm-den, Mrs. Fairchild and Wm. Shipley, of this city. These entertainments were well patronized, and were probably the means of doing much good. The church was afterward used, by permission of the military authorities, for a colored school.

During these years the house was badly abused, the seats all being destroyed, and the walls defaced and otherwise damaged.

In June, 18G6, Eev. E. Alvard came here from Kansas, and an eftbrt was commenced for reorganizing the church. Money was raised and the building thoroughly repaired, and in September following the reorganization was accomplished. Rev. Alvard being chosen the first pastor. At this time, Springfield contained but about 2,500 j^eople, and the only churches that had regular ser- vices were the Presbyterians, Methodists and Christians.

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

was organized in the spring of 1859, Rev. T. I. Holcomb, who was formerly assistant in Christ's church, St. Louis, being the first minister. Prof. J. A. Stephens and Miss Marie L. Madison, who is now the wife of Wade H. Burden of this city, were the pioneer " church people ' in this city. The chancel window of the present church is a memorial in honor of the valuable ser- vices of Mr. Stei^hens, in helping to build up the society.

Mr. Holcomb first came to Springfield at the request of Mrs. Burden, to baptize her infant daughter, and Miss Nellie Burden was therefore the first person baptized into this church in Spring- field. Diu-ing Mr. Holcomb's first visit here, he also baptized

HISTORY OF SPBINGFIELD. 123

several others, members of some of the leading families of the place, among them Miss Sue Ware, who was baptized by immer- sion in Fiilbright's spring. The other baptisms were jjerformed in the Presbyterian church, and for some time after that the ser- vices of the church were held in Temperance Hall, which stood on the east side of the public square. After that, services were held on alternate Sundays in the Baptist church. Mr. Holcomb remained in charge until the spring of 1861, when he was called tojthe charge of St. Paul's church in Cincinnati, which he accepted for three months, hoping, while there, to obtain aid for the con- struction of the new church which the society contemplated erecting here.

The war coming on about this time, Mr. Holcomb did not re- turn, and the project of building was postponed. This society had services occasionally during the time of the war, among which was one extraordinary service, conducted in the Baptist church by a Confederate officer, a layman, who read the Episco- pal church service and then called upon Col. Mitchell, a Method- ist minister, to close with prayer, which he did with a great deal of earnestness, including a lengthy exhortation to the congrega- tion. About the year 1868, under the efforts of Rev. William Charles, the erection of the present church, on the corner of East Walnut and Kimbrough streets, was commenced, but it was not completed and consecrated until New Year's Eve, 1870. The church was at this time under the care of Rev. J. H. Waterman, by whose efforts the house was completed and cleared of debt. This church has always been celebrated for its excellent music, having always maintained a good choir. The first regular quar- tette choir was organized by Mrs. Burden, before mentioned, and consisted of Miss Jennie Stephens, soprano ; Miss Fannie Steph- ens, alto ; Wm. Stephens, tenor, and Geo. M. Sawyer, bass, with Miss Annie Stephens, organist. Of this original choir, three re- main, the choir now consisting of Misses Kate and Mary Junes and Nellie Burden, sopranos ; Mrs. John White, alto ; William Stephens, tenor ; Geo. M. Sawyer and Henry Graves, bass ; Jas. Smith, leader, and Miss Clem Culbertson, organist. Among those who have officiated as organist, were Miss Nellie M. Madison and M.V8. James Smith. In connection with this church is a large

124 HISTORY OF SPKINGFIELD.

Sunday school, under the efficient superintendence of Mr. J. H. Tuttle.

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH,

of Springfield, obtained the services of a resident priest in 1867. Previous to that it was attended by Rev. F. W. Graham, from Rolla, but in that year he located here. This society first wor- shipped in a hall on St. Louis street, but soon purchased the prop- erty now used by them on the corner of Campbell and Pine streets. There they erected a church 30 by 00 feet, and in 1871 a priest's house and a convent were erected at considerable ex- pense, which involved the necessity of going in debt to some ex- tent. In May, 1873, Rev. Theo. Kussnian took charge of the parish, and still remains. In July, 1874, the congregation bought a site for a future church, to be built as soon as convenient, on the northeast corner of the same streets. This lot, 120 by 250 feet, cost them $1,100, and in January, 187G, the society paid off their entire debt to the amount of $3,000.

The principal service of this church is early mass, which takes place in the morning. At first and late mass the church is pretty well filled, and the society numbers about 350 communicants. We are reliably informed that within the last four years the con- gregation has increased in the ratio of three to one. St. Vincent Society, connected with this church, has a membership of about 40. There is also a Sunday school of about 60 children ; and an. Academy, which bids fair to become a popular institution of learn- ing, is just opened in the Convent, under the efficient manage- ment of the Sisters of Loretto.

Besides the churches already mentioned, the colored people of the city, who constitute about one-fourth of the population, have four churches, all of which are well attended. Here, also,

THE COLORED METHODIST CHURCH

seemed to be the pioneer, and for a long time this society had regular services in a church given to them by Maj. R. J. McEl- hany. In 1865 they erected their present brick chapel, on the corner of Jefferson street and Phelps avenue. L. M. Hagood, the present minister, was appointed by the M. E. General Con- ference in ]\Iarch, 1878, and from him we learn that the present membership is about 200, and the value of church property, in-

HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD. 125

-eluding parsonage, $2,000. The colored Methodists, as well as their white brethred, are also divided into two societies. In 1872

THE AFRICAN M. E. CHURCH

was organized by Rev. John A. Fonche. The original member- shii? was ten, who withdrew from the other church. The present membership is 87, and they have a good frame building, erected in 1875, on the corner of Benton and Center avenues, at a cost of §1,800. Their present pastor is Rev. John W. Shropshire. Both of these societies also have large Sunday schools.

THE COLORED CUMEERL.^D PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

was organized in 1866. Peter Lair was the first preacher in charge, and the organization consisted of only five members. Mr. Lair continued to preach for them about six years, after which Robert Johnson j)reached for them one year. After him came Louis L. Fulbright, two years, Jacob L. Hatton nearly two years, and since that Peter Lair has again been in charge for about eight months. The services were held in Mr. Lair's house in the €ast part of town until about 1868, when their present church was erected on Water street, at a cost of about $1,800. The membership is now about 160.

THE COLORED BAPTIST CHURCH

is a large society, having a comfortable house of worship on "Wash- ington street, but as they have, at present, no regular minister, -^e failed to get any definite record of their history and membership. Like all the other churches of the city, it has its Sunday school, which has now come to be considered, by nearly all religious de- nominations, the nursery of the church.

Of the Masonic lodges, Mr. C. F. Lea^dtt furnishes us the fol- lowing data:

The first lodge instituted in Springfield was known as Ozark Lodge, and was organized July 21st, 1841, with the following of- ficers : Joel Haden, W. M. ; Jas. R. Danforth, S. W. ; Coustan- tine Perkins, J. W.

On the 17th of October, 1842, the charter was obtained, and to the list of officers already appointed were added the names of J. W. Danforth, Secy ; I. N. Young, Treas. ; L. B. Nichols, S. T>. ; P. G. Stewart, J. D., and C. Cannefax, Tyler.

126 HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD.

UNITED LODGE NO. 5, A. F. & A. M.,

was chartered on the 30th of May, 1857, being formed by uniting Taylor Lodge, No. 5, and Greene Lodge, No. 101. The Masters of this lodge have been Charles Carleton, Marcns Boyd, J. B. Clark, J. W. D. L. F. Mack, Martin J. Hubbcll, Z. M. Eountree, C. F. Lcavitt and W. A. Hall. Its regular meetings are held ou Thursday, on or before the full moon of each month.

SOLOMON LODGE, NO. 271.

From Dr. Tefft we learn that this lodge was instituted on the the 11th of January, 18G8, by M. J. Hubbell, D. D. G. M., under a dispensation granted by the M. W. Grand Master of Masons of Mo. The first place of meeting was the old hall in the third story of the court house. The tlispcnsation was granted to the following gentlemen, who constituted the first membership : John Y. Fulbright, W. M. ; J. E. Tefft, S. W. ; W. F. Dunn, J. W. ; M. J. Rountree, Treas. ; J. L. Carson, Sec'y; F. 8. Jones, S. D. ; E. A. Finney, J. D. ; T. D. Hudson and John S. AVaddill.

S. H. Jopes, of United Lodge, No. 5, was the first Tyleiv and the first initiation was that of H. R. Creighton, who took the first degree on the 12th of March, 1808. At the regular meeting of the Grand Lodge in Oct., 1868, a charter was granted to this lodge, and on the 5th of Nov., 1868, it was duly organized.

The following is a full list of the Masters of the lodge and the times of election : John Y. Fulbright, 1868-'69-'71-'77 ; J. E. Tefft, 1870-75-76; W. O. Cox, 1872; R. S. Eddy, 1873-74. The present membership is 81.

ANCIENT ORDER OF UNITED WORKJIEN.

Dr. C. L. King furnishes the following items concerning this society, which was organized Jan. 16, 1878, and holds its meetings in Druid's Hall, 107 Public Sipiare. Its officers are C. L. King, M. W. ; W. A. Hall, P. M. W. ; L. W. Hubbell, R. ; J. B. New- som, Rec. ; C. L. Dalrymple, F. ; W. N. York, G. F. ; St. F. C. Roberts, G. ; E. Barrett, O. ; Kirkham, I. W. ; Ram- sey, O. W. Meetings every Friday evening at 8 o'clock.

Several references have already been made to the public schools of Springfield, and for want of space we shall be obliged to omit further statistics, which we intended to publish in order to give the reader an idea of their importance to the city.

HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD. 127

DRURY COLLEGE.

Any review of Springfield and its institutions would not be complete that did not include Drury College. It belongs to the family of American colleges, of which Howard and Yale are the tyi:)e. It resembles these in its founding, organic laws, courses of study and aim. Although among the youngest of its class, it has already won a high reputation throughout the country. The work of its classes, represented at the Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia, attracted the favorable attention of educators from all sections of our own and from foreign countries, especially that of the scholastic delegation of France. It has been honored by frequent visits from those interested in or representing other col- leges, who have invariably noticed the work done by its students, and at the inter-collegiate contest for this State, recently held in Fulton, Mo., Drury was victorious.

The rapid growth of the College is largely due to the generous aid given by friends at home and abroad. It has ever enjoyed the highest confidence of its patrons. Its geographical position in the center of a large and promising territory, where growth in wealth and population has been wonderfully rapid, enables it to fill the need wliich had long been felt for a school of the highest Christian character, as well as the highest degree of learning. Its future prospeats are brighter than at any period of its history. This is shown by the increased number of students.

LORETTO YOUNG LADIEs' ACADEMY.

Concerning this new institution of learning, we quote the fol- lowing extract from a notice recently published in the Times :

" The Catholic congregation of this city have tried hard for the last two years to get the Sisters of Loretto to open a school here, because they knew their excellent reputation as educators. Ow- ing to the fact, howevei', that they were wanted in several other places, it seemed doubtful whether they could be induced to come to this city. Last November the Lady Superior paid a visit to Springfield and was so delighted with the place and the people she became acquainted with, that she promised to lay the matter before a council of the sisterhood. The result was, that they concluded to open here a first-class Convent Academy. As edu- cators, the Sisters cannot be surpassed ; but what makes their

12S HISTORY OF SPRINGFIEI.n.

presence iu a community most desirable is the charming charac- ter they form in their pupils, imparting to them a sweetness of disposition and gracefulness of deportment that always tell of a convent education. "

THK SPUINGFIEIJ) (J.VSI.KiHT COMPANY

believe in letting their light so shine that others may take knowl- edge of their good works. This company was organized in 1874, and commenced operations about the first of August, 1875. There are now eighty- two regular consumers, and fixtures furnished for about forty more. The company have 13,000 feet of first-class mains, and the city has fifty street lamps, besides which a bill is now before the City Council to provide for supplying fifty morn street lamps, which woiild repuire 11.000 feet of additional mains.

OMNIBUS AND HACK LINE.

One of the great conveniences of the city, and the important link which connects it with the railroad town of North Spring- field, is the almost continuous line of hacks running between the two places, and the large and comfortable omnibuses which are always on hand at train time. For this convenience the people are chieily indebted to H. F. Denton, who also keeps a first-class livery stable just opposite the Metropolitan hotel on College street. Mr. Denton is one of Springfield's most popular citizens, and is an enteri)rising, liberal and public-spirited^man. He keeps a complete outfit of the best buggies, barouches, etc., and a well- selected stable of horses.

Besides its large hotel, Springfield is well supplied with first- class boarding houses.

THE ST. LOUIS STREET HOUSE,

kept by Mrs. M. A. Goffe, at the stand occupied for several years by Mrs. AVilliams, and known as the " Williams House," is the most conveniently situated for persons wishing to do business on the public square. Its table is always supplied with the best the market affords, and the charges are reasonable. Special attention will be given to transient boarders.

THE TR.\NSIENT HOUSE,

kept by J. M. Kelley, is situated on the west side of South street, the first door south of the Methodist church, and is a pleasant

HISTORY OF SPRIXGFIELD. 129

place for persons wishing a home-like place away from the noise and bustle of hotel life, and yet near enough to the public square to be convenient for the transaction of business. Mr. Kelley and his lady have kept a private boarding house for several years, and have recently erected a large new dining hall forty feet long, so they are now as well prepared to entertain regular and transient "boarders as at any house in the city.

SOUTH STREET BOARDING HOUSE

is next above the Transient House, on the same street, and is kept by Mrs. G. B. Wellman, who is well and favorably known. This hoiise is also conveniently located for persons doing busi- ness in the city, and is comfortably furnished, while the table is well supplied with substantial as well as delicacies. Regular and transient boarders will find at this house pleasant rooms, po- lite attention and good fare, at moderate prices.

THE YOUNG HOUSE

is the largest hotel in the city with one exception, and is pleas- antly situated still farther up on South street, where it commands a fine view of the city. Its present proprietor, B. B. Gardner, who has only been in Springfield a short time, is a veteran in the business, and knows how to keep a good hotel. The location the is healthy and charges moderate.

MRS. KERBEr's RESTAURANT

is another convenient place for regular or transient boarders, be- ing situated on the east side of South street but a short distance from the public square. There is one convenience about this kind of a boarding house which is not enjoyed at a regular hotel, A person can go in at any hour and get a good warm meal on short notice, and this is a very important item to business men who are often too busy to take their meals at regular hours.

SPRINGFIELD HYGEIAN HOME.

This is one of the institutions of the city which is growg in in favor as its advantages become known by the people, and is also pat- ronized quite liberally by persons from abroad. It is commonly known as a water-cure establishment, but is, as its name implies, much more than this - pure water variously applied being con- sidered as only one of the curative agents which nature has pro- vided, and which are here employed. Patients are treated without

9

130 HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD.

drugs, upon hyg-eio therapeutic principles. Boarders are alsa received at moderate rates.

This establishment's kept bj-- Dr. J. S. Lyon, and is pleasantly- situated at the corner of Market and Mt. Vernon streets, in the southwest part of the city.

I)R. J. A. NATTRASS, DENTIST,

is prominent among the members of his profession in the city, and being the iDioneer dentist of Springfield, merits and receives a large share of the business. He is a genial, whole-souled gen- tleman, and seems to be highly respected by all who know him. His office is on South street, nearly opposite the Opera House.

JOHN H. KOCH, JEWELER,

will be found at No. 204 South street, where he keeps a fine stock of clocks, watches, gold pens and all kinds of jewelry. Mr. K- also gives sj^ecial attention to the repairing of clocks and watches,, and keeps on hand the largest stock of spectacles to be found in Southwest Missouri.

This is one of the old reliable houses of the city, and hoping- that Mr. Koch will continue to receive a fair share of patronage^ we next turn our attention to

T. B. ANDERSON, PRACTICAL WATCHMAKER.

Mr. A. is a pleasant and aftable gentleman, and seems to be mas- ter of his trade. He is the recipient of a good share of the pat- ronage which his skill and fine stock of clocks, watches and jew- . elry merit. Mr. Anderson will -be found at No. 142 Public Square, corner of St. Louis street.

L. S. CASS k CO., GROCERS.

This firm is composed of the gentleman whose name appears in the above heading, associated w^th his father, D. Cass, formerly from Wisconsin. They have been in business at their present stand, 213 College street, for about nine years, and by fair, hon- est dealing, and keeping a good stock of choice groceries, pro- visions, stoneware, glassware, queensware, etc., have secured a large trade from both city and country. Mr. L. S. Cass is at present a member of the City Council, in which he is an earn- est advocate of the public improvements so much needed.

PECK & CLARK,

wholesale and retail dealers in notions, hosiery and ladits' and

HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD. 131

gents' furnishing goods, at No. 140 on the Public Square, are also doing a fine business in Bvitterick & Co.'s patterns, of which they keep a full line. These patterns, for the cutting and fit- ting of all kinds of clothing for ladies, gentlemen, boys, girls, and even the smallest types of humanity, are a great conven- ience, and supply a want which has long been felt.

CONCORD NURSERY, M. J. ROUNTREE, PROPRIETOR.

This large and popular nursery is situated on East "Walnut street, a short distance from the city limits. Mr. Roiintree deals extensively in fruit and ornamental trees, and has proba- bly the most complete stock of evergreens to be found in this section of the country. He is an active member of the Horti- cultural Society, and has devoted many years to the business of nursery and fruit-growing.

Strangers visiting Springfield will find that a look at the Con- cord Nursery will amply repay them for the trouble.

FRANK cox, FRESCO PAINTER.

IVIr. Cox has only been in the city a short time, and being in- terested in the large grocery house of Cox & Co., at 220 Col- lege street, he has given but little attention to liis favorite pro- fession since he came here. He has, however, recently painted for Mr. Horace Dumars, some very fine new scenery, which was used in recent entertainments at the Opera House. His work compares favorably with that of the best painters of the East- ern cities, he having painted and received instructions under some of the best scenic artists the country affords.

W. E. LEE & CO., MERCHANT TAILORS,

231 South street, have been doing business near their present stand for about twelve years, and have built up a large busi- ness both as manufacturers of new and as dealers in second- hand clothing, of which they always keep a large stock on hand. A. R. Lee, the junior partner in the firm, is an experienced hand in the dyeing and renovating department, and will make old clothes look as good as new, and sometimes better. They also pay cash for cast-off clothing.

MRS. G. B. BROWNSON, DRESSMAKER.

The dressmaking establishment of Mrs. G. B. Brownson, over Dittrick & Meinhardt's large retail dry goods house on St. Louis

132 HISTORY OF SPKIXGFIKLD.

street, is tlie leading establishinent in the city. The Litest fash- ion plates are received every week from Paris and New York, and satisfaction, both as to prices and work, is guaranteed to all.

.1. A. STEPHENS,

wholesale and retail dealer in books, stationery and wall paper, in the Post Office Bookstore at No. 224 College street, is con- veniently located for business, and has a large patronage both in the city and the surrounding country, even into Arkansas. His stock embraces a full line of miscellaneous books, text-books and school supplies, as well as the latest novelties in stationery, and the most elegant patterns of wall pa]>er, window shades, etc.

Mr. Stephens, although a young man, has been in this busi- ness several years, and is one of the best known and most popu- lar men in his line in Southwest Missouri.

H. O. DOW A: CO.,

dealers in all kinds of agricultural implements and jobbers of farm machinery at No. 211 College street, do the largest business of any lirm west of St. Louis outside of Kansas City. They own the building they occupy, pay no rents and can sell goods on as small profits as any lirm in the West. Their trade extends from Salem, Dent county, to Central Kansas, and they control the ter- ritory as far south as Little Rock, Arkansas. They are general agents for the following well-known manufacturers : Pitts Agri- ricultural Works, Buffalo, N. Y.; D. M. Osborne & Co., Auburn, N. Y.; Kingsland, Ferguson & Co., St. Louis, Mo.; Mosler Safe and Lock Co., Cincinnati, Ohio ; Oliver Chilled Plow Co., South Bend, Lid., and Hapgood & Co., Alton, 111.

The gentlemen composing this firm are both citizens of Spring- field, Mr. Dow having resided in the city thirteen years. Before engaging in this business he was civil engineer on several rail- roads in the Southwest, and therefore has an extensive acquaint- ance throughout the territory which they control. His partner, Mr. Coombs, is a man of large experience in the business, and is well and favorably known throughout the Southwest. He is also deeply interested in the improvements in the city, being at pres- ent a member of the City Council.

J. G. RAITHEL, LUMBER DEALER.

The gentleman whose name heads this item is one of our most

HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD. 133

energetic business men. His lumber yard, corner of Boonville and Mill streets, is one of the most extensive to be found in the Southwest; and, what is even better than this, Mr. Raithel is a man with whom it is pleasant and safe to deal. His word is as good as any man's bond, and his lumber, which is kept in large stock, is sold as low as can be afforded in this city. He was one of the pioneer lumber dealers of North Springfield, but soon find- ing that too limited a "field," 'removed his business to this city, where he enjoys an extensive patronage.

EMERY & COMSTOCK, FURNITURE DEALERS.

This firm have the largest stock of furniture southwest of St. liouis. They have been established in Springfield a number of years, and have built up a trade that extends for more than one hundred miles south and west ; in fact nearly all the furniture sold in Northern Arkansas and the extreme southwestern counties of this State, comes from this house. All their goods are made of the best material and are warranted. Mr. Emery is one of our most liberal and enterprising citizens. Mr. Comstock is a resident of St. Louis, and has been for many years actively engaged in the furniture business there. This connection enables them to lay down their goods here at lower rates than can their competitors, and as a natural result they undersell them. Besides the regular line of furniture, they keep the most complete stock of carpets, mattresses and upholstery goods of any firm in the city. They occupy the large brick building formerly known as the St. James Hotel, at 220, 222 and 224 South street. ^

W. H. LYMAN, BLACKSMITH,

Stands prominent among the first-class workmen in his line. His shop on Mill street, near the corner of Boonville, is one of the old land-marks of the city, and always seems to be thronged with customers ; but Mr. L. keeps several assistants, and is prompt in turning out good work on short notice. He does a general black- smithing business, but gives special attention to the repairing of carriages and wagons.

B. F. HUNTINGTON, MERCHANT TAILOR,

has been in business for several years at No. 215 College street, where he gives people " fits " in the line of clothing. He is the idol of a select coat-erie, and a " cut " from him is considered a

134 HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD.

compliment. He keeps on Land a good stock of different styles of goods, from wbicli he makes up elegant suits of cfotbes, to please the taste of the most fastidious. As he employs several hands to help him, he is enabled to turn out good work on short notice, and is always prompt in fulfilling his promises.

M. KEENERS BAKERY AND CONFECTIONERY,

at No. 308 Boonville street, furnishes the "staff of hfe" for a lar^e number of the citizens of Springli.eld, besides supplying yeast to raise a great deal more. Mr. Keener has been in business at his present stand for about eight years, and his establishment is a great convenience to the people of that part of the city. Nor is liis patronage confined to his immediate neighborhood, but ex- tends to the whole city. He also keeps a good stock of staple and fancy groceries, which he sells as cheap as any one in the city.

NAGLER & PAULY, BUTCHERS AND PACKERS.

These gentlemen are doing business at No. 610 South Campbell street, where they have an extensive establishment devoted to the manufacture of Bologna sausage and cured meats, for which they find ready sale in this city, and receive many orders from abroad. They are both highly-respected citizens, and merit the good de gree of patronage which they receive.

J. A. HARRIS, BOOK-BINDER.

A long-felt want was supplied, and well supplied, too, when Mr. Harris, the book-binder, locafced in this city. His place of business is over Abbott's drug-store, on the Square. Mr. Harris has been in business here only a few months, but the time has been sufficient for him to make friends with all who have become acquainted with him. And it has been sufficient, also, to demon- strate his taste and skill as a workman. We are glad we have a book-binder, and particularly glad that we have so competent a one. We can say with entire confidence to our readers, that any binding, plain or fancy, which they may wish to have done, can now be secui'ed at home, and that it will be done as well and at as low rates as in St. Louis or elsewhere.

C. B. M'^INTIRE, BLANK BOOK MANUFACTURER,

has also established a blank book manufactory and book bindery in Dr. Evans' building, one door north of the Opera House on South street. He gives special attention to the manufacture of

/i-

HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD.' 135

books of record in use in the various county offices. He is well skilled in the different branches of his trade, has amj)le facilities to carry it on snccessfull}', and asks to be judged by the quality of his work. It is hoped that the counties of the Southwest will find it to their interest to send all work of this kind here, and give Mr. Mclntire a share of their patronage.

Springfield has many more men and firms who have an exten- sive trade in their respective lines, but most of them are so chary about bringing themselves prominently before the people in pub lie print, that we forbear to mention them for fear of shocking^ their modesty. We, however, have no such fears concerning the editors of the

NEWSPAPERS.

In a former chapter we chronicled the birth and the death of several newspapers which Avere published here in the days of yore. We here call attention to those that are now published :

From the Patriot and the Advertiser, formerly mentioned, has grown up the present large and flourishing weekly J^atriot-Ad- vertiser.

This is a large thirty-two column Republican paper, is- sued every Thursday, by Leach & Tracey. It is now in its fourteenth volume, with a circulation of 1,000, and constantly increasing.

Although sternly and unflinchingly Republican in its princij)les, freely devoting its columns to political news during the cam- paignr, and in fact whenever occasion may seem to demand, its proprietors conduct it more in accordance with the principles of true journalism, by ignoring in some measure j^arty prejudices, and mnking it a general news and local paj^er. In this latter particular it excels, and it is no doubt owing to this that it has met with such success. Office No. 208 St. Louis street.

The J^atriot- Advertiser has a large book and job office, and is prepared to execute any description of work. The material is all new, their workmen of superior ability, and satisfaction is guar- anteed both as to prices and quality of work.

The Springfield Leader was established April 4, 1867, by O. S» Fahnestock & Co. In 1868, the junior partner, D. C. Kennedy, purchased the entire property and assumed entire control. It

136

HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD.

was the first Democratic paper issued in Southwest Missouri after- the close of the war between the States, and had a severe stru"r<rle to maintain itself, but the few Democrats in Springfield and the Southwest at that time rallied to its support and defence, and it is now recognized as the representative Democratic paper of this section. It circulates in all the counties of Southwest Missouri, and is regarded a good advertising medium. In the advocacy of all measures it is independent, and alwa5's espouses the cause of the i^eople in opposition to all monopolies. Office 204 Boonville street.

The Sj)rln<ifield I'unes, a Democratic newspaper published by Sawyer & Lamoreaux, is now in its ninth year. The Times has attained a circulation second to no parser in the Southwest, and the able manner in which it is conducted reflects credit upon its managers. The paper is characterized by the attention it gives to home and local affairs, and each week considerable space is de- voted to the discussion of city and county news. The publication day is on Wednesday, and the office at No. 217 South st. In con- nection with their newspaper office, the proprietors have one of the most complete job offices in the city, and with experienced managers are enabled to compete with Eastern houses in the way of job printing, in quality of work or in prices.

The Spiritual Offtrhuj^ Mrs. Nettie Pease Fox editor. From the prospectus of this sixty-foiir page magazine, established here in 1877, and jDublished at No. 215 South street, we quote the fol- lowing extract :

"The OfferltKj will be conducted indejaendently, impartially. Nothing looking to man's welfare will be deemed alien to its pages. Unrestricted discussion of all questions of humanitarian import, will be ever maintained by it. Offensive personalities and indelicacy of language will be wholly excluded. In its edi- torial conduct, the truth, beauty and utility of Spiritualism in its higher phases will be advanced. It will not in an}^ particular be a sectarian journal, but broad, progressive and liberal - will give fair and equal expression to all forms of thought ; and "fair field and no favor" it extends to all. Above all things it aims to be Liberal, to be devoted to Liberalism in its broadest and most ex- tensive application."

HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD. 137

Having now given the reader a fair picture of Springfield and its principal institutions, we again call your attention to the his- tory of its

CITY GOVERNMENT.

With all the various attempts at organization and incorpora- tion, it seems that nothing really permanent was effected, until the year 1855, when the city of Springfield was incorporated by act of the Legislature ; and in the spring of 1856 the first city of- ficers under this act were elected and entered upon the discharge of their duties. We close this chapter and the history of Spring- field with the official register of the city, from the incorporation in 1855 to 1878, inclusive :

1856. - H. S. Chenoweth, Mayor; Benj. Kite. Marshal; Josiah Leedy, Marshal; S. H. Boyd, Clerk; Wm. McAdams, Treasurer; John B. Perkins, Assessor ; J. S. Bigbee, Recorder. Council- men - W. H. Graves, W. G. Evans, Presly C. Beal, J. W. D. L. F. Mack, John Kimbrough, T. J. Bailey, Allen Mitchell, H. M. Parrish.

1857. - J. S. Kimbrough, Mayor ; Josiah Leedy, Marshal ; John S. Bigbee, Recorder; J. L. Sharp, Clerk; Wm. McAdams, Treas urer; D. C. Smith, Assessor. Councilmen - J. W. D. L. F. Mack, W. G. Evans, Joseph Moss, W. B. Logan, W. H. Graves, H. M. Parrish, John Lair, N. K. Smith.

1858. - S. H. Boyd, Mayor ; Josiah Leedy, Marshal ; J. S. Big- bee, Recorder ; J. L. Sharp, Clerk ; Wm. McAdams, Treasurer : Joseph Morris, Assessor. Councilmen - P. C. Beal, J. A. IMiller, Allen Mitchell, W. G. Evans, J. E. Smith, N. K. Smith, W. B. Logan.

1859. - S. H. Boyd, Mayor ; Josiah Leedy, Marshal ; J. S. Big- bee, Recorder; J. L. Sharp, Clerk; Wm. McAdams, Treasurer; Jo- "seph Gott, Assessor. Councilmen - P. C. Beal, N. F. Jones, Benj. Pegram, Allen Mitchell, R. P. Faulkner, J. E. Smith, J. A. Miller.

I860. - J. W. Mack, Mayor ; A. M. Julian, Marshal ; J. S. Big- bee, Recorder ; R. A. C. Mack, Clerk ; Wm. McAdams, Treasurer; AV. F. Dunn, Assessor. Councilmen - R. P. Faulkner, P. C. Beal, J. W. Boren, Benj. PegTam, Benj. Kite, J. B. Clark, John Lair, W. G. Evans.

138 HISTOEY OF SPRIIs'GFIELD.

From the spring of 18G1 to September, 1865, the city was gov- erned by the military, and had no civil officers. " 18G5. - Benj. Kite, Mayor ; C. C. Moss, Marshal ; J. S. Bigbee, Kecorder ; Jas. E. Waddill, City Attorney ; J. W. Lisenby, Clerk ; Jas. Abbott, Treasurer ; J. B. Beiderlinden, Assessor. Conncil- uien - Jas. Baker, Jas. Vaughan, F. W. Scholten, J. AV. D. L. F. Mack, R. J. McElhany, A. F. Ingram, Elisha Painter, J. B. Per- kins.

18G6. - J. H. Creighton, Mayor ; W. F. Dunn, Marshal ; A. Hoi-' lingsworth, Marshal; Jas. R Waddill, City Attorney; J. W. Lis- enby, Clerk ; Jas. Abbott, Treasurer ; Joseph Gott, Assessor ; J. J. See, Street Commissioner; A. Yangeuder, Recorder. Coun- cilmen - Jas. Vaughan, A. F. Ingram, Geo. C. See, J. W. D. L. F. Mack, ^V. H. Lyman, F. W. Scholten, Elisha Painter, John H. Caynor.

18G7. - R. B. Owen, Mayor; A. Hollingsworth, Marshal; A. Yangeuder, Recorder ; \Y. E. Gilmore, Recorder ; A. M. Julian, City Attorney ; F. H. Warren, Clerk ; Wm. Massey, Treasvu-er ; F. H. Warren, Assessor ; H. F. Williams, Street Commissioner. Councilmen - Geo. C. See, A. F. Ingram, J. L. French, F. W. Scholten, W. H. Lyman, Jas. Baker, John Schmook, John H. Cay- nor, J. F. Brown, J. B. Dexter, Jacob Pilger.

18G8. - J. B. Dexter, Mayor and Rec. ; Jas. Long, Marshal ; H. R. Creighton, City Attorney ; F. H. Warren, Clerk ; Wm. Mas- sey, Treasurer ; F. H. Warren, Assessor ; T. D. Hudson, Street Commissioner ; D. W. Campbell, Street Commissioner ; John Hursh, Street Commissioner. Councilmen - J.* L. French, J. L. Holland, Anthony Fisher, John Schmook, Jacob Pilger, James Hays, W. H. Lyman, L. T. Watson, Wm. McAdams, J. B. Wad- dill.

18G9. - W. E. Gilmore, Mayor and Recorder ; Jas. Long, Mar- shal; F. H. Warren, City Attorney: E. D. Ott, Clerk; N. M. Rountree, Treasurer ; B. F. Lawson, Treasurer ; L. A. Newton, Assessor ; D. C. See, Street Commissioner ; C. P. Johnson, Street Commissioner. Councilmen - J. L. Holland, John Schmook, Job Newton, L. T. Watson, Henry Sheppard, W. D. Hul)bard, Ad. E. Smith, L. H. Murray, J. B. Waddill.

1870. - W. E. Gilmore, Mayor and Recorder; C. C. Avery, Mar-

HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD. 139

shal ; J. H. Murphy, City Attorney ; J. E. Kenton, Clerk ; J. T. Hubbard, Treasurer ; M. M. Turk, Assessor ; B. F. Partridge, Assessor. Councilmen - L. H. Murray, John Schmook, J. Mc- Adoo, W. D. Hubbard, Ad. E. Smith, A. F. Ingram, J. B. Town- send, J. H. Rector, C. P. Johnson.

1871. - L. H. Mui'ray, Mayor; David C. See, Recorder; J. L. French, Marshal ; Jas. R. Waddill, City Attorney ; J. E. Kenton, Clerk ; Daniel Ellis, Treasurer ; Thos. C. Case, Assessor ; B. F. Partridge, Assessor ; S. C. Moore, Street Commissioner ; Sam. Odell, Street Commissioner. Councilmen - J. B. Townsend, A. F. Ingram, R. L. McElhany, M. M. Johnson, J. H. Rector, J. Fairbanks, L. A. Newton, J. McAdoo, J. N. Miller, F. S. Jones.

1872. - J. Fairbanks, Mayor ; J. A. Patterson, Marshal ; J. H. Murphy, Recorder ; J. C. Cravens, City Attorney ; J. H. Paine, Clerk ; Samuel Moore, Treasurer ; E. J. Baldwin, Assessor ; F. J. Porter, Street Commissioner. Councilmen - H. Fletcher, R. L. McElhany, W. C. Hornbeak, J. R. Ferguson, M. M. Johnson, E. A. Anthony, Morris Paxson, F. S. Jones, Samuel Odell.

1873. - John McGregor, Mayor ; J. A. Patterson, Marshal ; J. E. Kenton, City Attorney ; D. C. See, Recorder ; John H. Paine, Clerk ; Sam. Moore, sr.. Treasurer ; B. F. Partridge, Assessor ; J. G. Aumoth, Street Commissioner. Councilmen - W. A. Knotty T. U. Flanner, F. M. Shockley, H. Fletcher, B. U. Massey, Mor- ris Paxson, W. C. Hornbeak, Sam. Odell.

1874. - John W. Lisenby, Mayor ; J. M. Wilhoit, Marshal ; C. H. Evans, Recorder ; E. Y. Mitchell, Attorney ; J. H. Paine, City Clerk; J. R. Ferguson, Treasurer; E. J. Baldwin, Assessor; Wayne O'Donald, Street Commissioner. Councilmen - W. A. Knott, T. U. Flanner, F. M. Shockley, John Wood, W. D. Shep- pard, James Stone, J. J. Weaver, J. W. Peacher.

1875. - J. J. Weaver, Mayor ; J. A. Patterson, Marshal ; O. H. Travers, Attorney ; C. H. Evans, Recorder ; J. E. Kenton, Clerk; J. H. Gage, Treasurer ; W. O. Stephens, Assessor ; J. L. French, Street Commissioner. Councilmen - W. D. Sheppard, James Stone, C. H. Heer, J. W. Peacher, P. C. Morhiser, H. F. Fellows, J. C. Cravens, A. F. Ingram.

1876. - W. A. Hall, Mayor; S. F. C. Roberts, Marshal; C. L. Dalrj^mple, Recorder; O. H. Travers, Attorney; A. H. Wilson,

140 HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD.

Clerk ; J. H. Gage, Treasurer ; N. B. Turner, Assessor ; James-- Long, Street Commissioner. Councilmen - P. C. Morhiser, Jas. Stone, Jas. Penland, A. F. Ingram, Geo. S. Day, W. O. Stephens. E. A. Roberts. Jas. Evans.

1877. - H. F. Fellows, .Mayor; M. M. Johnson, Marshal; C. L. Dalrymple, Recorder ; J. A. Patterson, City Attorney ; W. W. Donham, Clerk ; J. H. Gage, Treasurer ; E. S. Moberly, Assessor ;.. Dennis McSweeney, Street Commissioner. Councilmen - Geo. S. Day, James Stone, E. A. Roberts, Wm. Naegler, W. H. Mc Adams. H. Fletcher, W. O. Stephens, James Hodnett.

1878. - H. F. Fellows, Mayor ; M. M. Johnson, Marshal ; J. H. Duncan, Recorder ; R. A. Druley, City Attorney ; W. T. Bigbee,. Clerk ; J. M. Kelley, Treasurer ; Aaron Depee, Assessor ; Dennis McSweeney, Street Commissioner. Councilmen - H. Fletcher. John Coombs, W. O. Stephens, James Stone, E. A. Roberts, Jas. Hodnett, W. H. McAdams, Lewis Cass.

NORTH SPRINGFIELD. 141

NORTH SPRIiNGFIELD.

'COMPLETION OF THE A. & P. R. R. TO THIS POINT FOUNDING OF " NEW

town" SOME OF ITS PIONEERS AND PRESENT BUSINESS MEN, ETC.

As North Springfield was not apparently thought of much before the year 1870, its history is necessarily brief, and may soon be told. But a history of the town would not be complete without a sketch of the incidents relating to the construction of the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad. In fact, without this sketch, its history would be as incomplete as would the history of the United States which should not mention Columbus.

As we have seen from the reference to this road, before given, in the year 18G8 a company of New York and Boston capitalists, with the assistance and co-operation of a few of the citizens of Springfield, purchased the road from the authorities of the State of Missouri, into whose hands it had fallen after Gen. Fremont's failure to make the second payment on his purchase.

Prominent among these gentlemen from the East were Messrs. Peirce, Hayes, Stout, Rich and Coffin ; while among the citizens of this place, who were actively engaged in the enterj^rise, were Dr. E. T. Robberson, and Messrs. Eli Parrish, Chas. E. Harwood, Thomas Whitlock, S. H. Boyd, and Wm. Massey.

All the time, from the organization of the company, about the year 1850, for the construction of the Southern Pacific Branch Railroad, to within a few months of the completion of the road to this place in 1870, the people of Springfield had been looldng forward with bright anticipations to the dawning of a new era of prosperity, whenever the iron band should connect them with the outer world; but as the path of the '"iron horse" began to be marked out through Greene county, they saw, with alarm on the part of some, and, perhajis, misgivings on the part of others who had once had it in their power to bring it nearer, that instead of

142 NORTH SPRINGFIELD.

coming- directly to the city, it would, like the Phariseti of old, "pass by on the other side."

"Still, though not realizing tlieir fondest anticii^ations, the the citizens of Springfield hailed with joy the day when the road was completed to a point so near their borders ; and, from a pamphlet entitled " Opening of the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad, and Completion of the South Pacific Railroad to Springfield, Mo., May 3d, 1870," we quote the followng extracts from an address of welcome delivered by Gov. Phelps on that occasion :

"Mr. President and Directors of the South Pacific Railroad: In behalf of the citizens of Springfield and its ^^cinity, I tender you a hearty welcome. For years we have been anxiously look- ing for the comjrietion of a railroad to this city. We knew the difficulties to be overcome, the obstacles to be removed, and the arduous work to be accomplished, and we duly appreciated the great advantage the road would be, not only to Springfield, but to the surrounding country.

" Tou now have our heartfelt thanks, that the great and diffi- cult work is finished, and to you, Mr. President and Directors of the Atlantic ^nd Pacific Railroad, the completion of the road to this point is a source of as much joy as it is to us.

* * * uj iiotice there are with us the Governor and other officers of the State, Ex-Gov. Fletcher, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, two of the members of Congress, an ex-mayor of the city of St. Louis, an ex-postmaster and the Pres- ident of the Board of Trade of that city, the Secretary and an ex- Secretary of State, several members of our Legislature, and other distinguished gentlemen. All these have come here to greet us. I tender you a cordial and hearty welcome.

"Many of you, perhaps, have had business relations for years with some of the people of this city and the Southwest, yet as this is your first visit to our beautiful country, you can hardly appre- ciate the difficulties under which we have labored, without an easy and expeditious connection with other portions of the State.

"We were in an almost isolated condition ; access to our coun- try could only be obtained by days of tiresome and weary travel, over rough and rugged roads, and through a hilly and mountain- ous country, whilst for years you have been in the enjoyment of

NORTH SPBINGFIELD. 143

railroad communication with all the advantages you possess ; nay, more, we have rejoiced with yovi in your good fortune and pros- perity, and have earnestly endeavored to secure the same benefi- cent results to ourselves. We cordially greet you on this morn- ing of our prosperity. We unite with you in rejoicing that this railroad, of such infinite advantage to the people of Southwest Missouri, and of such great importance to the State, and which will tend so greatly to increase its wealth and population, is com- pleted to our city.

" You have but just entered upon the table-land and beautiful coimtry which extends not only to the western line of the State, but for many miles beyond the limits of our State. And now, my coun- trymen, this is a happy day for us. We celebrate the completion of the South Pacific Railroad to our city. This is an event which opens to us a new and a bright future henceforward, by reason of an easy and rapid communication with all parts of our coun- try. This part of our State, with its mild and salubrious climate, with its fine, pure water, and numerous streams, with its rich and fertile soil, invites the enterprising man to make it his abode, and unite with us in advancing its material prosperity.

"Everything which can be produced in the United States can here be produced in superabundance, except the ice of Alaska, the cotton and rice of Carolina, and the tropical fruits of Florida. No portion of our country surpasses this in natural advantages. The bright and happy future, the subject of our wishes for many long years, has just arrived upon us, and no longer shall we be compelled to travel by stage on bad and dangerous roads, over a broken, hilly and mountainous country, to reach the commercial emporium of our State.

" This road is to be the great thoroughfare to the Pacific. You have just entered upon the beautiful and fertile country which extends for hundreds of miles in a westerly course from this city, and through which this road will pass. No trans-continental route possesses the advantages this route possesses. The climate of this entire route is mild; it is near the 35th parallel of lati- tude. But little snow in the most severe winters falls in any por- tion of this route, hence the running of cars will not be obstruct- ed by snow. The greatest altitude on the route is about seven

144 NORTH SPRINGFIELD.

thousand feet above the level of the ocean. In that latitude the cold on the highest summit is not severe. The country on its entire route will be settled, except a small portion between the Colorado river and the mountains.

" But when this road shall be extended to the Pacific, the pro- ducts of India and Japan will pass our very doors on their way to St. Louis and other portions of our country. This road to Southwest Missouri should have been built long before this time. It will profit nothing to inquire who was at fault, nor who to cen- sure, if any. Let it be as it may, we now have a road which greatly contributes to our wealth, our prosperity and our happi- ness.

" In belialf of the people of Springfield and its vfcinity, and in behalf of the people of Southwest Missouri, I return to the Pres- ident and Directors of the South Pacific llailroad our heartfelt thanks for the great and inestimable benefit they have conferred on us, and to the President and Directors of the Atlantic and Pa- cific railroad we say, God speed them in the great and noble en- terprise in which they are engaged 1 Push forward the work until the road shall reach the Pacific. Our hearts are with you ; and to those from distant parts of our State, who have honored us with their presence on this day of our rejoicing, we tender our thanks, and agein bid them, and the ofiicers of the railroad com- panies, welcome, a hearty welcome !"

From the address of Hon. Francis B. Hayes, President of the Atlantic and Pacific Kailroad, delivered on the same occasion, we quote the following :

" It is for you, gentlemen and ladies, as well as for me and my associates, to unite in accomplishing the great work we are en- gaged in ; and if we do succeed in our eflforts, and this road is completed, you and I will have the satisfaction of having aided in accomplishing a work of more importance and value to this State and to the nation, than any ever before undertaken. Then let our cry be, 'Onward, onward to the Pacific ocean." '"

Ex-Gov. Fletcher was the next speaker, whom the President asserted needed no introduction to a Missouri auditory. From his address we quote as follows : , " My Friends : There is victor}' in this - glorious victory ! Such

NORTH SPRINGFIELD. 14:5

a victory as i:)eace only Inings to patient, persistent toil in the right! In such an hour the human heart knows its most deli- cious thrill of feeling. God pity the poor miserable creature who has never experienced the joy-throbs of a victory crowning the struggle for the accomplishment of some good thing for man- kind.

" Aye ! I hear the deep rumbling echos which are given back from the forests and hills around us for the first time. 'Tis the sound of the tread of the ages - the noise of the footfall of destiny as it grandly marches onward.

" At this distance of two hundred and forty-one miles from where the central city of the Republic sits upon the sunset bank of the Father of Waters - at an altitude of nearly nine hundred feet above the quays of that city; here, at a distance of nearly fif- teen hundred miles from Boston, a j)ortion of the stockholders in this enterprise send greetings and congratulations to their asso- ciates down by the Atlantic shore, telling them in words of light- ning the story of their success, and announcing that there is to- day an unbroken line of railroad and telegraph communication from Plymouth Rock to Springfield, Missouri."

Several other addresses were made by distinguished visitors and citizens, all of whom expressed gratification at the comple- tion of the road to this point, and great hopes for the future prospects of Southwest iMissouri. But we must no.w return to the founding of North Springfield.

Col. S. H. Boyd, who was an ex-Member of Congress from this district, had once been before President Lincoln with a proposi- tion for the construction of the road from Rolla to this place, for the transjiortation of troops and military supplies in time of the war ; but, although the President seemed to look upon the sub- ject with favor, it was opposed by the Secretary of War, and the plan was never carried into effect.

Failing in this, Mr. Boyd had been a partner with Gen. Fre- mont, in his purchase of the road in 18G6, and now that it was again sold, he still took a lively interest in the aifairs of the new company.

Being, from his past acquaintance with the plans of Gen. Fre- mont, pretty well posted in the probabilities comiected with the

10

146 NOHTII SPUINGFIEI.D.

constniction of the road, Mr. B. purchased from Dr. Kobbersona half interest in a large tract of huid lying in the north part of Hprhiglield and adjacent to its northern limits. Messrs. Robber- son and Boyd then purcoased all lands lying in the southeast part of the city which would be available for depot grounds; and when, at last, a meeting of the stockholders of the (company was held in Springfield, to negotiate with the city for the location of the depot, it was found that suitable grounds within the city lim- its could only be purchased from these parties, at prices which the city was unwilling to pay.

Messrs. Robberson & Boyd then offered the railroad company a half interest in the lands first mentioned, provided the depot should be erected where it now stands, and this proposition was finally accepted.

This led to the organization of the Ozark Land Company, con- sisting of the South Pacific Railroad Company, Dr. E. T. Rob- berson, and C. H. Harwood, who had purchased the interest of Col. Boyd.

A town was now laid out adjoining the city of Springfield on the north, and North Springfield sprang into existence as if by magic. The first building erected was the small frame building ei'ected by the company, and used for some time as a real estate office, at the corner of Jefferson and Commercial streets. The next was the residence and store of J. J. Barnard, who opened the first stock of groceries and provisions. Next came Mr. Pay- ton's residence and Dr. Hansford's drug store. Mr. Barnard's was the first family that came to town, but was soon followed bj' Mv. Payton"s, Dr. Hansfords, Mr. Mumfort's. and other famiUes too numeroiTs to mention.

Among the pioneers to the new town was

J. C. JACKSON, GROCER,

who came here when the town first began to build up, in the spring of 1870, and erected a two-story brick building 20x04 feet, on the south side of Commercial street, near the corner of Jeffer- son avenue. In 1870, feeling encouraged by the prosperity which had attended him since he came here, he erected a second brick building adjoining the first one en. the east, and of the same di- mensions. In the spring of 1878 ho raised his building one storj^

NORTH SPRINGFIELD. 147

higher, and now has one of the finest brick blocks in town. One room of this block is used by Mr. J. in carrying on the grocery business, which he opened as soon as his building was ready to receive a stock of goods in 1870, and has ever since continued; and the rest of the building is fitted up in good style for a hotel, which is also run by Mr. Jackson, under the name of the

NORTH SPRINGFIELD HOUSE.

This house has a wide reputation and goodly patronage, and no one is ever dissatisfied with either fare or charges.

Mr. Jackson is a native of Kentucky, but removed first to Coles county, Illinois, where he remained five years before coming to North Springfield.

H. H. KAUFHOLZ, GROCER,

who was one of the first men that came to North Springfield, was born in Germany, in 1832, and immigrated to the United States with his parents in 1845, landing in Baltimore, where he remained until 1850, when he went, first to Washington, then to New Or leans, and finally to Texas, engaging in the dry goods and gro- cery business in San Antonio, where he remained until his re- moval to this place in 1870. During the war he held the office of constable in San Antonio. Arriving in North Springfield early in March, 1870, he immediately commenced the erection of a two- story frame building, 23x50 feet, with a ware-room about the same size, on the corner of Commercial street and Robberson avenue, in which he opened a " general store " in May following. In this building he continued the business until it was destroyed by fixe October 12, 1872. This fire was occasioned by the burning of the famous Fellows elevator, on the opposite side of the street, the heat being so great as to ignite Mr. Kaufholz' building at a distance of over a hundred feet.

Mr. K.'s loss by this fire was about $7,000, on which he only received insurance to the amount of $4,200, which was barely suf- ficient to pay his debts ; but his tried and true friends of New- York city came to his aid, and he the next year erected his pres- ent fine two- story brick building known as the

f.^rmer's store, and on the same ground where he sold the first sugar and coffee in North Springfield, he now keeps one of the best retail grocery

148 NORTH SPRINGFIELD.

liouses in Southwest Missouri. Mr. K. has recently added to this brick building another store room, KIx.'jS feet, which is now occu- pied by Mr. H. H. Haynes, with a stock of millinery and fancy goods.

jNIr. Kaufholz has several times held the office of Town Coun- cilman since the town was organized, and is one of the most watchful guardians of its interests. He brought with him a highly respectable family, and for several years past has been as- sisted in his business by his son Henry, who will no doubt in future years fill as important a place in the growing city as his father has before him.

DESTRUCTIVE FIRES.

The whole loss in the fire above mentioned was first estimated at !?20.000, although it did not, probably, reach quite that amount. In connection with the elevator before mentioned, was the large forwarding and commission house of Mv. Fellows, which was totally destroyed. The building stood about where the new ele- vator has recently been erected, on the corner of Commercial street and Robberson avenue.

Strangers visiting the town always enquire what that large stone foundation was l)uilt for, just opposite the passenger de- pot. That is where once stood

THE OZARK HOUSE,

a fine large frame hotel, which cost the railroad companj'- and the Ozark Land Company about $30,000. It was among the first buildings erected in North Springfield, and was kept for about five years as a first-class hotel, but in the winter of 1874 it was destroyed by fire and has never been rebuilt.

The following year Dr. Hansford's two-story frame boarding house was destroyed, and the Doctor set to work as soon as pos- sible to erect

THE LYON HOUSE,

which is a fine three-story brick hotel, standing on the ground which his former building occupied, on the south 'side of Com- mercial street. Dr. H. is a man who seems to understand the business of keeping hotel, and is highly respected, not only by those who have made his acquaintance here, but by his old friends and neighbors in Ozark and in Arkansas, where he formerly lived.

NORTH SPRINGFIELD. 149

SOUTHWEST PRINTING OFFICE. v.

In February, 18G9, the Soxithioest was first issued by H. Lick, from an office over Dr. McAdoo's store in Springfield. In March following, Z. T. Hedges bought an interest in the paper, and in August of the same j-ear Mr. Lick sold out his interest to D. B. Taylor, when the office was removed to North Springfield and the name changed to llie Springfield i^^pudticwr, Taylor, Hedges & Co. being the i^ublishers. In the spring of 1871 the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Taylor retiring, and i\A-. Hedges remaining in North Springfield and re-establishing the Southioest. Under this style it continued until 1875, when Mr. Lick returned and took charge, soon after which the office was destroyed by fire. The office was at that time in a building erected and owned by D. B. Taylor, who still had some claim on the office, and held insurance policies to the amount of $1,900 on the building and office.

Soon after this a new outfit of material was purchased by ]Mi\ Lick, who changed the name of the paper to the Southv:est-er, and continued its publication* until the spring of 1878, when W. H. B. Trantham became the editor and proprietor, and the j^aper, which had been published as an "independent" sheet, became the organ of the National Greenback party of this eount3\ It is an eight-page, five-column paper, devoted to the interests of the farm- er, the mechanic and the laboring man, in opposition to monopolies of all kinds, and seems to be quite popular with those whose cause it has espoused. Connected with the office is a job depart- ment, which turns out a large amount of first-class work.

RAILROAD LAND OFFICE.

Prominent among the business interests of North Springfield in its infancy, was the real estate busineiss, and in that little building, before mentioned, which still stands on the corner of Commercial street and Jefferson avenue, we are credibly in- formed that $90,000 worth of town lots were sold during the first six months. Besides this, thousands of acres of farming lands were sold during the same time, by Messrs. C. E. and Alfred Harwood, who occupied this office, and were for several years the authorized agents of the Railroad Company, for whom they have transferred nearly a million dollars worth of real estate.

150 NORTH SPRINGFIELD.

These gentlemen were originally from Bennington, Vt., but came here from Wisconsin or Illinois. They are both highly re- spected citizens, and have amassed a large amount of property in the town and surrounding country, in the short time they have been in Southwest Missouri. They both reside within the limits of -Old Town."

In the spring of 1878 the Harwood Bros, resigned the position of agents for the Railroad Company, and Dr. E. T. Robberson was appointed as their successor. The Doctor, who is also a citizen of Springfield, has always been one of the most active and earnest advocates of all measures for the advancement of " New Town." The business of the office is now under the efficient management of A. M. Haswell, who is thorough!}' posted in all t'le details of the business, having formerly assisted Messrs. Har- wood Bros, in the office, and being for some time engaged in "grading" and setting prices upon the various tracts of railroad land in this and neighboring counties. Dr. Robberson is thus relieved of most of the care and responsibility of the office, and still has time to continue the practice of his profession. He is also a partner in the large drug store of Robberson & Reed, in the brick biailding at the corner of Commercial street and Benton avenue, where ha has his office ; besides which, he is a partner with Mr. ]McCaskill in a drj'^ goods store in the west end of town, and has a controlling interest in various other business enter- prises.

THE LUMBER TRADE

was among the important business interests of North Springfield in its infancy, and was rejDresented in 1870 by T. R. Johns, Theo- dore Bloess, J. C. Degenhardt, McAllister & Barber, J. G. Raithel, and Kennedy & Druhe.

Mr. Johns, who was from Ohio, came here a few months before the arrival of the cars : so he had become well acquainted in the new town, and being a man of fine address and pleasant demean- or, soon Avon a large share of the trade ; but, with his liberality, and whole-souled generosity to all of the new enterprises which were gotten up for the benefit of the town and county, he soon failed. Having married a farmer's daughter, he has since settled down upon a farm wesit of town.

NORTH SPRINGFIELD. 151

Mr. Bloess, who was also largely engaged in the lumber busi- ness in Sedalia, and whose name was familiar to the men who came here from the northern counties to purchase lumber, also did a large business during the first year, but he also "busted."

Mr. Degenhardt was at this time doing a heavy business in St. Liouis, but, being unfortunate in the selection of a man to repre- sent him here, he never built up a very extensive trade in the Southwest, and he also "went under."

Messrs. McAllister & Barber made it lively for their competitors here for a short time, but as soon as the railroad was completed to Pierce City, they "pulled up stakes" and removed to that place, where they have, until recently, been doing a thriving business.

Mr. Raithel, who came here from St. Louis, was originally from Bavaria, one of the states of Germany, where he was raised and educated, coming to America in 1852. After successive removals from New York to Indiana, thence to Iowa, and finally to St. Louis, he followed the new railroad, and, early in the spring of 1870, came to North Springfield, where he continued in business four years; first near his present residence on the north side of Franklin square, and afterward on the corner of Campbell and Commercial streets. In 1874 he removed his lumber business to the corner of Mill and Boonville streets, in Old Town, among whose business men he is also mentioned. He still retains his residence and citizenship in North Springfield, w^here he has several times occupied a place on the Town Board and School Board.

But the only men in this business who have held to the place through evil as well as good report, from among the first to the present time, are the firm of

KENNEDY & DRUHE.

Prominent among the citizens in the advancement and pros- perity of North SiDringfield, is John L. Kennedy. An old, tried and true pioneer of the place, he stands as one of the noblest and firmest pillars in its structure. He has been on the ground since 1870, and has furnished a large part of the wood of many of its buildings, besides erecting, at his own expense, several fine resi- dences for rent. Mr. Kennedy is a native of Dublin, Ireland, but has been a resident of this country over fifty years, during which

152 NORTH SPRINGFIELD.

time he has been famihar with the lumber business in various parts of tlio country, especially in Michigan, Wisconsin and IVIin- nesota. His partner, ]Mr. Druhe, is a German, resiiling in Saint Louis, where he is one of the most extensive jobbers in the himber trade.

A. W. WRIGHT, PRACTICAL ARCHITECT.

As may well be supposed, carpenters and builders were in great demand in the first days of the town, and still seem to have a fair amount of work. The subject of this sketch is one of the pioneer builders of North Springfield, having made the plans and specifi- cations of numerous substantial and imposing structures of the town. He is in every respect a first-class architect and builder. His nativity is Durham, Greene county, N. Y., one entire street of which city is settled by Wrights of his connection, and is ac cordingly very properly named Wright street.

J. M. DOLING, COMMISSION MERCHANT.

From a recent issue of the Soutlnvester we clip the following concerning this gentleman and his business :

" Foremost in North Springfield, in business and capital, is J. jM. Doling, and if we may not quite say, the life and embodiment of the 2)lace, it is at least due to this enterprising gentleman to accord him the credit of being the ruling spirit in the commercial interests of North Springfield.

" Mr. Doling's property and money interest is, perhaps, greater than any .other one person's in Springfield. Besides his large estate in North Springfield, he owns a half interest in the Metro- politan Hotel of South Springfield, the original cost of which, if we are rightly informed, was more than §100.000. He likewise owns numerous other brick and frame buildings in that place, besides property in the north part of the State. His entire prop- erty and monied interest will probably aggregate a quarter of a million dollars.

"Mr. Doling is a native of Lexington, Ky., from whence he re- moved to Paris, this State, in 1843, and after successfully engaging in business there and at Gallatin a number of j'ears, removed to Springfiield in 1867. When the shrill whistle of the first locomo- tive sounded from the summit of the Ozarks, and " Moon City" (as the Old Town people were wont to call our town) was seen

NORTH SPRINGFIELD. 153

through the veil of mystery, Mr. D.'s interest was identified with South Springfield ; but, notwithstanding the entreaties of numer- ous i^arties to withhold his fine business talent and capital from North Springfield, he readily saw the advantage gained in ship- ping by locating here, and in 1870 commenced buying and shipping grain. That