Audrain County, Missouri - Chapter 14: Old Citizens' Association, 1884

Chapter 14: Old Citizens' Association

Experience of First Settlers - Year by Year the Circle is Narrowing - The Pioneers a Connecting Link - First Annual Meeting of the Old Citizens' Association - Ad¬ dress of M. Y. Duncan, Esq. - Address of Hon. D. H. McIntyre - Address of Hon. W. D. H. Hunter - A Poem by an Old Settler.

The first settlers in any new country pass through an experience which no succeeding generation will ever be able to fully appreciate. The time is already past when the youth of the present even have any proper concept ions of the vicissitudes, dangers and trials which the pioneer fathers and mothers were compelled to undergo, to maintain a footing in the States west of the Mississippi. Every new settlement wrote a history of its own, which differed from others in the nature of its surroundings, but the aggregate of the experience of all was one never to be repeated again in the same territory or country. The mighty woods and the solemn prairies are no longer shrouded in mys¬ tery, and their effect on the minds of the early comers are sensations which will be a sealed book to the future. Year by year the circle of these old veterans of civilization is narrowing. All that is most vivid and valuable in memory is rapidly disappearing. Gray hairs and bowed forms attest the march of time. The personal sketch of pio¬ neer settlers, however rudely drawn or immature in detail, can not be classed as the work of mere vain glory.

On the contrary, the future will treasure them, and, as the genera¬ tions recede, they will become more and more objects of interest and real value. The memory of the pioneer is one the world will never consent to let fade. Its transmission is a priceless gift to the future.

The pioneers are with us as a connecting link between the past and the present. They have seen this great country reclaimed from the wilderness that reigned supreme since time began, and become the home of civilization, refinement and intelligence. They have seen the heavy road wagon give place to the puff of the engine and the flutter ot the wheel of the steamboat which brought their supplies and took their surplus to market. They have seen the iron horse, with clanging hoof and breath of flame, hissing contempt for the space (270) lying before it, make neighbors of distant cities and supplant the steamboat. They have seen the electric telegraph enter the race with light, and beating the tardy sunbeam, deliver messages ahead of time. They have seen school-houses dot the country and education brought to every child. They have seen churches erecting their spires heavenward in places where the pagan, on bended knee, awaited the first glittering of the rising sun, and can remember, too, the time when

They have seen the star of empire finish its western course, and hanging high above the Pacific, send back its rays in golden splendor upon nearly fifty millions of American citizens. Few of the pioneers now living represent territorial times. They have been law-abiding citizens, always setting a good example before their associates. No indictment or charge of disorder was ever brought against them, and it may be that they are spared by an all-wise Providence as sentinels upon the watch tower of time, to witness still greater blessings to the human race. Their ranks are thinned by death and removals, but we indulge the hope that they may be spared to witness yet farther advances in human progress.

Pursuant to the call of the executive committee of the Old Citizens' Association of Audrain county, the association met Thursday in the circuit court-room. The president elected at the initial meeting in June, 1883, being absent, Dr. W. H. Lee was called to the chair. The secretary read the minutes of the June meeting, and also reported the names of 20 gentlemen who had enrolled since that time. An invitation was then extended to those present not members and desir¬ ing to become identified with the association to sign the roll, which was responded to by quite a number, the parties signing, added to new members reported by the secretary, being as follows - together with the dates at which they severally became residents of Audrain, or the territory embraced within its limits : W. H. Stewart, 1853 ; L. M. Hendrix, 1845; J. E. Chappell, 1851; Silas Wilson, 1852; W. R. Wigginton, 1852 ; A. G. Turner, 1837 ; D. M. Hill, 1853 ; W. A. Williams, 1843 ; L. K. Crockett, 1847 ; Josephus Eubanks, 1838 ; John P. Vance, 1840; J. H. Charlton, 1830; G. L. McIntosh, 1842 ; J. B. Jackson, 1844 ; W. T. Winant, 1851; James B. Reed, 1833;

Hon. W. D. H. Hunter, an early resident of the county, but for several years past a citizen of Indiana, was elected an honorary member. After completing the enrollment the secretary announced the entire membership as 100 regular members and two honorary members.

The annual membership fee - the amount of which was left blank in the original articles of association - was fixed at 25 cents. The association then proceeded to the election of officers for the ensuing year, the result being as follows : -

The very unfavorable weather rendering it impossible to carry out that part of the published programme which contemplated an adjourn¬ ment to the fair grounds, etc., the chairman introduced Hon. D. H. McIntyre, Attorney-General of Missouri, who delivered an eloquent address, replete with local historic facts and pleasant reminiscences - the full text of which will appear in print.

At the conclusion of that gentleman's address, Hon.W. D. H. Hunter, who had been elected an honorary member, and who was present, was loudly called for, and responded in his happiest vein in a speech of half an hour's duration, reciting a number of anecdotes illustrative of pioneer methods, and dwelling enthusiastically upon the material progress made by Mexico and Audrain county during the past few years.

There being no further business, the association adjourned, to meet on the first Saturday in September, 1884, at such place as may be hereafter designated by the executive committee.

Address Of M. Y. Duncan, Esq

The following address was prepared by the president of the Old Citizens' Association to be read before that bodv, but on account of illness he was deprived of that privilege : -

Our assembly to-day marks a new era in the county's history. The daughter of Callaway and Monroe has now grown into mature woman¬ hood and become venerable for her achievements. Her social, polit¬ ical, agricultural, commercial and financial status compare favorably with her stepmother's on any side, while her broad savannas are thrilling with the hum of busy workmen as they sow, cultivate and reap the harvests. It was on her soil that the iron horse first gave the awakening whistle that reverberated over hills and plains and pene¬ trated into the hill country of Callaway. Mexico first stretched out her friendly hand to aid old mother Callaway in getting a railroad through her limits, and to-day Audrain stands the proudest of the proud in the battle of life, - waving the flag of peace, lovo, good will and joy to the world, bidding men of every honorable calling in life a hearty ivelcome to her borders, and extending the hospitalities and civilities to such as desire a home with us.

Thirty years ago our prairies, now blooming as the rose and dotted with cheerful homes, were in a state of nature. The wild deer, the wolf, the rattlesnake and the green-head flies were monarchs in their seasons of all they chose, and man, the intended monarch, had to skulk like the highwayman and make the best he could of their le¬ niency. But progress and indomitable will and energy have chased away the timid deer and wolf, extirpated the rattlesnake, capsized the grassy sod, and left no resting-place for the soles of the feet of the green-head flies. Many of the noble heroes who stood in the front rank of this mighty conflict are here to-day. They have lived to see a grand transfiguration take place. From a little voting precinct, where much bad whisky was consumed, they now behold the proud city of Mexico, with its churches, schools, college, railroads, hotels, shops and stores, and when they once could only work or travel by night for fear of the flies, they now see highways filled with wagons, buggies and carriages rolling along, freighted with happy and cheerful people.

But while the few that remain rejoice in the work that has been ac¬ complished, the still small voice whispers in the ears of each one here and asks where are those other men and women who were co-laborers with them in the past? It seems but a short time. Nay, as a watch in the night, when the mind reverts to the brief thirty years past, and yet in that period a countless host has gone down to that dreamless bed in obedience to the fiat passed upon our race in the morning of its history by the Creator, who said : " Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return." Among those whom we knew and appreciated as friends we will venture to name a few : William White, George Card- well, William Cardwell, Richmond Pearson, Judge John A. Pearson, John P. Beatty, H. J. M. Doan, Harvey McGee, Charles and Roland McIntyre, George Bonier, Richard and William Byrns, Elias Eller, Joseph Watts, John Potts, William P. Harrison, George W. Poague, Dr. Henry French, George W. Turley, Judge Robert Calhoun, Judge James Harrison, Jackson Ridgeway, Henry Shock, Judge James Jackson, William James, Barnett McDonald, John McDonald, Abram Pool, Dr. Sanies, David Cauthorn, Alfred Galbreath, William Mar¬ shall, Wiley Talley, Wilson Talley, Joel Haynes, Carter G. Dingle, Robert Powell, T. Jeff. Powell, Samuel Murray, Reuben Canterbury, Thomas Peery, William Cave, Frank Cave, William H. Morris, William B. Douglass, George Coil, William H. Coil, John G. Coil, Judge J. B. Morris, Charles C. Ricketts, John W. Ricketts, S. A. Craddock, Dr. L. N. Hunter, Octave Abot, Richard Roundtree, Elkanah Brooks, Rev. William Jesse, John P. Jesse, Isham T. Jesse, William H. Day, Meredith Myres, Jacob Coons, Conrad Enslen, Jacob Herlinger, Barnett Newkirk, Thomas M. Barnett, James E. McSwain, Deloney Willingham, Jerry West, Judge H. H. Crooks, William R. Martin, Banks B. Hall, Walter S. Adams, George W. Brown, Joseph C. Offutt, B. Z. Offutt, Henry H. Spencer, the venerable George Muldrow, John G. Muldrow, Charles A. Muldrow, William Tipton, William R. Sims, John Haley, E. G. Haley, John Fike, Dr. William Henderson and George Straube. It was the writer's good pleasure to know all these men except one or two, and to know them Avell, and it affords one of the sweetest pleasures of this fickle and uncertain life to remember a large number of them as true friends. They had their faults, but with most of them their faults were not grievous. But to such as we cannot give a hearty indorsement of their conduct, with that charity which covers a multitude of sins and thinks no evil, let us draw the veil over them, and with Pope let us say : -

And now, leaving the things that are behind, let us renew our vows of fidelity to each other and our devotion to the best interests of Au¬ drain county, and remembering that her interests are our interests, her destiny our destiny, and with a grand united effort, let us work harmoniously together, and many of us may yet live to see far greater advancements in wealth, culture, social refinements, comforts, and enjoyments than have yet been attained, and may those who come after us feel that our work has not been in vain.

Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Old Citizens' Association: - It affords me great pleasure to have the opportunity of meeting with you on this occasion. I understand the object of your association, as well as your meeting at this time, is to revive and in some measure keep alive some at least of the events, circumstances and conditions of the times connected with the settlement and organization of Audrain county, by a mutual interchange of recollections touching such matters ; in short to talk over the good old times. Byron said, " The gold times, all times, when old are good, are gone ; the present might be if they would. Great things have been, and are, and greater still, want little of mere mortals but their will." And at the same time of course the cultivation also of the social feelings.

These are worthy of facts, and such as that those who were imme¬ diately connected therewith, may justly feel proud to have it known that they were among the first who settled in Audrain county as it afterward became, and viewing it in the light of results, who can say that they were not truly fortunate in selecting this portion of the great public domain that then lay stretched away from the great Father of Waters on the east, to the dark and swift rolling Missouri on the west, and settling high up upon this rolling divide between these two great water courses?

Precisely when the first actual settlements were made in the terri¬ tory which was afterward circumscribed by the boundary lines of Audrain, is perhaps not very definitely known, at any rate it is not to your humble speaker. But it may be assumed that some few settle¬ ments were made almost, if not quite, as early as the day on which the proclamation was made declaring Missouri's admission into the Federal Union, viz., the 10th day of August, 1821.

There are many present, doubtless, whose memories reach much further back in the history of this county than my own, and such will have no difficulty in recalling the day when only the little scat¬ tered settlements upon the streams broke the continuity of the wide expanse of nature in its strength and virgin beauty, extending far away to the horizon unmarred by the hand of civilization. The land¬ scape was almost an unbroken prairie. Its luxuriant growth of grass yielding to the ceaseless breezes, fell and rose and swayed again like the restless billows of the ocean.

There still lingered a remnant of that wandering and unsubduable race, the red man of the forest, as late as 1833 or 1834. His proprie¬ torship, however, had long since yielded to an advancing civilization, its manifest destiny, as " Westward the course of empire took its way." And instead of being a terror to the new settlers, making war upon them, killing them and carrying off their stock as they had done the early settlers in Callaway, he was a beggar upon his own hunting grounds, where he and his ancestors before him were " Monarehs of all they surveyed, with none their rights to dispute."

The bounding deer and elk, with antlers wide, were here also in greatest abundance, and many of them fell at the crack of the unerring flint-lock rifle and were carried home to furnish a repast for the huntsman's family, as rich and delicious as ever graced the tables of wealth and luxury.

But, as there are always thorns among roses, so there was the daring wolf, which often chased the timid flock to the very door of the cabin, and if the faithful watch-dog should venture out to drive back the bold intruder, no sooner had he chased him a short distance from the house, than turning upon his pursuer fiercely, he would compel him to flee with redoubled speed for his life. Thus often would these deadly enemies chase each other up and down while the little flock, trembling with fright, would stand huddled together near the cabin for protection. But yet, though the wolf's face was against every man, and every man was his enemy, he had his useful purpose, or at least his scalp had, for a price was set upon his head, and though it had no value as a legal tender, nor was it a circulating medium, it nevertheless was receivable for taxes as earlv as 1816 bv act of the Legislature, and it can hardly be questioned that in the early days of this county, it liquidated to greater or less degree its debt of taxes to the State with this sort of currency.

But to turn to the pleasant side of the picture again : Besides the grass for his herds and flocks, and wild game for domestic use, the early settler found the honey bee, of which the prince of poets said, " So work the honey bees ; creatures that by a ruling nature teach the act of order to a peopled kingdom." These busy little creatures had ready prepared honey, as fine as was ever found in any land, stored in the hollow of some neighboring tree, which needed only to be felled to put the pioneer in possession of its rich store. And again, so fruitful were the trees and brush which skirted the streams with acorns and nuts, that the hogs ran in the woods, and during the fall and winter months found such ample subsistence, that fine pork might be taken from the woods at any time within those seasons.

Thus had an all-wise Providence prepared for the coming of those pioneers who stood in the front rank in the march of civilization, by providing in this manner for their immediate necessities, and by spread¬ ing out betore their enraptured vision a view of prospective wealth and beauty, wonderful to behold.

But we must not imagine that the early settlers had no difficulties, for there were many, as the survivors well know, as there are in all newly settled countries. Machinery of almost every description was un¬ known in this county, or beyond the reach of those who lived here. The labor-saving machinery, and implements of the husbandry which now lighten and expedite the labors of the tiller of the soil, were then unknown.

The houses were of the rudest and simplest character, being con¬ structed ot hewn logs, mud and chinks stopping the spaces between the logs. The roof was made of clapboards laid upon ribs and kept in place by weight poles, separated by blocks of wood. The floors were made ot heavy puncheons, formed by spliting logs of convenient size and length, and facing the flat sides, which made a strong but rather rough floor. The door shutters were made of riven boards, with a latch on the inside for a fastening. To this was attached a strong string, which passed through the front board by a small hole hung on the outside, and needed only a slight pull to raise the latch within, and allow the door to swing open on its wooden hinges, admitting the comer in almost every instance, to as generous hospitality as was ever dispensed in any place or under any condition of life.

Little glass was used, translucent substances being used in its place. But often the window consisted merely of a hole in the wall with a wooden shutter to be closed or opened at will. The chimneys were made of sticks and mud for the upper portion, while the back and jams were made of timbers covered with mud or stones and mud. The fire¬ place, of great capacity, took in great quantities of wood, making a roaring fire, lending cheerfulness and comfort to the whole house. What little sawed lumber was used was made by the whipsaw, a te¬ dious and laborious contrivance, which in time was supplanted by bet¬ ter appliances. Pine lumber was for a long time practically unknown, and when it began to be used it had to be transported from Hannibal or Louisiana on wagon. This continued to be the case until the North Missouri Railroad reached Mexico.

Traveling through the country was done by course or direction, or by points of timber and the like. Without these guides, the traveler on the prairies was like the mariner on the deep without his compass, likely to wander at random and be lost. To establish direct routes, furrows were run for miles across the vast plains, which being followed, in time became distinct beaten roads. Where the route ran through timber after being cut out, the trees were blazed on the sides of the road, and notched to indicate that it was a public highway. Mills were few and far between, the common horse-mill being the first in use. If it was a pretty good one, it was supplied with a bolt turned by hand, capable of making what would now be considered a very indiffer¬ ent article of flour. One of these mills was built in this town, a little to the rear and a short distance below where the post-office now stands ; another was built on the north side of Davis' Fork of Salt river, near the bridge on that stream just beyond the residence of B. R. Cauthorn, Esq. This simple contrivance with its long arms or sweeps answered a good purpose. But in a few years, it was supplanted by the inclined wheel, which was esteemed a great improvement.

To get the benefit of this improvement, the people in this portion of the county were compelled to go to Callaway county. The nearest good flouring mill was Hickman's, at Florida, on the North fork of Salt river. But these old fashioned mills have suffered the same fate as the distaff and the loom, the sickle, the cradle, the mowing scythe, the flail, the threshing floor, the farming machine and the cary plow. They are numbered with the things which were. Even that good old custom, the quilting, has disappeared and instead we have machines for quilting.

These are only a few of the plain matters of facts that might be re¬ lated, and though they are plain facts, untouched by fancy or colored by any romance, save the beautiful romance of nature, yet are they a part of our history, and as such, we would not forget them. For by recalling them we are reminded of the infancy of our now flourish¬ ing and proud county, and of those brave and true pioneers who, en¬ vironed by so many dangers, difficulties and hardships, of which I have given you a faint glimpse, laid the foundation and prepared the way for the developments that may now be seen on every hand.

By an act of the General Assembly, approved January 12, 1831, the boundary lines of Audrain county were defined, and the county laid off. Most of the territory had been attached to Callaway county, by the provisions of the act establishing the boundaries of the latter county. The remaining portion was taken from territory which had been attached to Monroe and Balls counties. After fixing the boundaries the act proceeds, " Shall be, and the same is hereby designated a contemplated county, to be known by the 'name of Audrain county ; and so soon as there shall be inhabitants in said territory, sufficient to entitle said designated county to a representative, by the then existing laws of the land, the same shall be organized and entitled to the rights and privileges of other counties in the State." The second section of this act declared that those parts of said territory which were attached to the counties of Callaway, Monroe and Ralls, should remain so attached for all civil and military purposes of government, until said organization should take place as provided by the first section of the act.

By the act of December 17, 1836, approved by Lilburn W. Boggs, the Governor, the territory so laid off by the act of 1831 was declared to be a separate and distinct county, to be known as the county of Audrain. The second section of this act provided, "That the courts to be holden in said county, shall be held at the house of Edward Jennings, in New Mexico, until the permanent seat of justice shall be established." Similar provisions were made in many other counties in respect to places for holding courts, and, it is a fact recorded in history, that the first Circuit Court in Boone was held by Judge Todd, April the 2d, 1821, under the spreading branches of a sugar maple at Smithton. It is also related that on a very lovely day in this county, on a particular occasion, the grand jury met in a con¬ venient thicket of brush. That among other matters before them was the case of a very able and noted lawyer in this part of the State, charged with some small misdemeanor. That this lawyer, learning that his case was about to be considered by this body, managed to get before them, argued his case, told a good anecdote, treated the jury and submitted his case. The grand inquest returned into court, using their own language, that they had examined the case and found it too small a matter to kick up any fuss about - doubtless very wise action to take.

Pursuant to this statute the first Circuit Court was held in this county by Judge Priestly H. McBride, who in 1845 was appointed one of the Supreme Judges. Under the said act of 1836, the courts appointed their clerks, who were to hold their offices until the next general election, etc. Joel Haynes, a name familiar to all old resi- dents, was appointed county and circuit clerk. By this act also the Governor was to appoint and commission three persons judges of the county court, and one person as sheriff. The three persons first commissioned judges for the county court were James Harrison, James E. Fenton and H. J. M. Doan, the first sheriff, John Willing¬ ham. The fifth section of this act also provided that Cornelius Edwards, of the county of Monroe, William Martin, of the county of Callaway, and Robert Schooling, of the county of Boone, should be commissioners for the purpose of selecting the seat of justice for the said county of Audrain. They were to meet on the 1st Monday in June, 1837, at the house of said Jennings. But by an act passed at the same session, approved January 20th, 1837, the time of meeting was changed to the first Monday in the following March, the place of meeting was not changed.

So the county commenced in its organized capacity ; and as a politi¬ cal corporation assumed the position of individuality in the then young and growing Commonwealth of Missouri. We were, at that time, somewhat the sport of our larger and more powerful neighbors, who would sometimes, good humoredly, call us " Salt River Tigers ; " and it has been related that that elegant and accomplished gentleman and philanthropist, Maj. James S. Rollins, of Boone, used to refer to us in more tender terms as " Little Sis." Our mail service then was very limited, nor was there ever any account given of its being expedited. It is a matter of tradition that one of our first settlers, Caleb Williams, who now resides, if alive, in the State of California, had the contract for carrying the mail from Mexico to Fulton, and that he made his trips on foot, making the round trip in one day! That most important duty, the education of the youth, was not, even in the early days of the county, neglected. The school-houses were very much, in material and construction, a pattern of the primitive dwell¬ ing houses. They were erected by the united labors of the people in the neighborhood, and answered the double purpose of school-house and house of worship, for all who chose to use them for that purpose, and more devout praise, humble piety or sincere thanksgiving was never offered up or displayed than might be witnessed at the meetings in these plain humble structures.

For many years these subscription schools, as they were called, were supported entirely by the patrons themselves, without any aid from the State or otherwise. For it required many years to establish a system and get it in working order so that the townships could get the benefit of the sixteenth section bonds, donated generously and wisely by the general government, by the act of March 6, 1820, admitting Missouri to the Union of the States. Nor did this county receive any support for its schools from the State for several years, and then only in very small amounts. The first benefit thus received was under the fourth annual apportionment in 1845. The amount received was $98.78, distributed to four townships, as follows : Town¬ ship No. 8, districts 1 and 2, $17.16 each; township No. 9, districts 1 and 2 combined, $24.42 ; township No. 16, Jackson district, $9.36 ;

The thirty-seventh annual apportionment was made March 31, 1883, under which this county gets $4,857.75, out of $566,782.14, the whole amount distributed for the year 1883 to 1 14 counties and one municipality.

This year, including the tax on railroad property, the county will pay, for we always make close collections and pay the State all we owe, $26,439.76, and it may be safely stated that the cash value of the taxable property in the county to-day is not less than $12,000,000.

Not wanting in enterprise and public spirit, the county in 1853, when it had not more than 5,000 or 6,000 inhabitants, subscribed $50,000 to the North Missouri Railroad, to be paid by taxation in three years, 1855, 1856 and 1857. In 1868 and 1869 the county sub¬ scribed the further sum of $300,000 to the Louisiana and Missouri River Railroad and the South Branch of the same, payable in bonds at eight per cent interest, and payable semi-annually. The last bond of this subscription, with the last interest thereon, was paid January 1, 1881. These bonds, with the interest, aggregated the sum of $487,000 ; add to this the amount subscribed to the North Missouri Railroad, and we have $537,000 paid by the people of this county in aid of these great enterprises, and the people may congratulate them¬ selves upon the fact that there never was a time during the existence of this indebtedness that the county's obligations went to protest. But promptly from the beginning, the interest as it accrued was paid, and the installments of the principal were likewise paid, from time to time, as fast as they severally fell due. Great credit is undoubtedly due to those upon whom depended the management of the county's finances during this period.

I need not say to you that these were wise investments. The evi¬ dence is before you every day and may be seen on every hand. In¬ stead now of being taxed to pay off the railroad indebtedness, you are receiving into your county treasury taxes from the corporations, for all purposes for which taxes are levied and collected.

Besides, these great arteries of a great commercial system are pass¬ ing to and fro before your doors every day, thus connecting you with the outside world and its business in every direction, and bringing the markets of the country to your homes.

Nor need I remind the old settler of the growth and prosperity of your county. You are familiar with it at every stage ; you know how, in the country, the landscape is checkered all over with beautiful and flourishing farms, so that your 441,927 acres of land, almost every acre of which is arable, presents almost a continued series of enclo- sures; that in every district there is a handsome and commodious school-house, and also that not only in the towns, but in almost every neighborhood, beautiful church edifices may now be seen, and though the spires of some of them may not be very tall, they all point to the Heavens above.

of civilizing and christianizing the world. They make free govern¬ ment possible, and preserve free institutions ; without them political governments must be maintained by force, and despotic rule be the limit of civil power. They are the propagators and conservators of the moral forces. They teach individual responsibility, individual duty and individual moral manhood. Should we not then depend upon these influences for great moral reforms, rather than upon coer¬ cive measures or prohibitory statutes?

Address Of Hon. W. D. H. Hunter

Gentlemen of the Old Settlers'' Association : - It is with real pleasure that I meet with you to-day as one of the pioneers of Audrain county. In looking over this audience, when I first came into this room, I thought the great majority of those present were strangers, but, upon looking into your faces and observing more closely your features, I soon recognized that 1 was in the midst of old acquaintances, and before me s*at those 1 had known in years past as friends and familiar ac¬ quaintances, with whom it was always a pleasure to meet. In looking over this audience, therefore, what scenes of recollections pass before me ! How many familiar faces present themselves ! Age and care, however, have left their impress on all. None have escaped ; and the frosts that have whitened the locks reminds us that time is advancing as the years multiply, and we realize we are growing old. Thirtytwo years ago last June, in company with Mr. William White, with whom you were all acquainted, but now long since passed away, I entered the then little village of Mexico, stopping at the house of Judge Morris, in the northern part of the town, where for many years after I made my home. It was in the early morning, just before the dawn of day, when we reached the town. I could see in the dim twi¬ light but here and there, in the midst of hazel brush, the rudely constructed homes of its early inhabitants - but a dozen families em¬ braced them all. It may seem strange to those who know but little about the early days of this county, why I chose to enter Mexico be¬ fore the dawn of day - many have left it, I doubt not, at such a time without credit to themselves and profit to those who remained - but just why I got into Mexico at so early an hour is the question. To those pioneers here it is hardly necessary to say that it was to avoid the green-head flies, which at that time infested the prairies in every part of the county. I have seen at that early day white or gray horses come into town with blood trickling apparently from every pore, bitten by green-heads. They were the terror of stock during the day, and at night was the only time that horses could travel with comfort, and, in many cases, most of the plowing and other work on the farm had to be done at night. When the old court-house stood iu the place now occupied by this beautiful structure, it used to be the refuge for the sheep, cattle and horses that were driven from the prairies after sun-up by the flies, and many of you will be able to call to mind old man Bomer's jennets that were generally the first to reach the court-house door, and in those days were the most familiar objects within the court-house square. But four or five log dwellings stood around the square : John P. Clark, George Cardwell, Charles Ward and Dr. Walton occupied them. John B. Morris lived at the old tavern stand, in the north of town, and many a weary traveler has extended his ride in order to reach its hospitable privileges. No house in the State surpassed it in the deliciousness of its culinary depart¬ ment. Near by was the home of Alfred Cauthorn, the preacher's paradise. John Willingham lived oft* the square a few rods on Mon¬ roe street, and rude log huts could be seen here and there among the brush, making the little village of New Mexico.

I see to-day before me the representative men of that day - the leaders here as well as in Prairie and Wilson townships ; men who, in their day, were the controlling forces in those localities. Positive men gave character to these townships ; and we readily call to mind such men as Bill Sims, as he was familiarly called, Rube Pulis, Frank Canterbury, Sumner, Hubbard and the Bottses, and many others I could mention, who in political times were always prominent. But I realize that many have passed beyond this life and are seen no more. (Some one in the audience stated that Abe Tinsley was still living.) Yes ; Tinsley was always ready to serve his country, and was a man of his own opinions. He and Dr. Hardin, I recollect, canvassed the county for Representative. The canvass was a warm one and each, of course, did what he could for his election. They happened to both stop at a house in the country one night, and, as was natural, they both desired to ingratiate themselves into the good opinion of the lady of the house. Early in the morning, before it was yet light, Abe slipped out into the yard to hold the calf while the lady of the house milked the cow. The Doctor thinking Abe was asleep in the next room, quietly stole from his bed with a view of stealing a march on the sleeper, and in the darkness hurried to the chip-pile to gather kindling to make a fire for the lady to get breakfast with. In his baste and the darkness he stumbled over Abe with the calf between his knees, and thus the trick of each was discovered. Those were pleasant days for electioneering, although the canvass was often hot and would occasionally run up to red heat.

The first court-house, a log building, stood in the center of the block fronting the square on the south, where for some time Charley Weinand disposed of cake and candy to the little ones. It had two rooms - one for the clerk's office and the other for the court-room. This in time, however, gave way for a two-story, old style square building, with hip-roof, that stood in the center of the square where this beautiful structure now stands. From this building was dis¬ pensed justice and religion, and in its upper story were the lodge- rooms of the orders then in existence in the village. Mr. McIntyre, in his speech, has given you the names of the officers that kept the machine in working order, and has told you some incidents to illus¬ trate the manner business was transacted in those early days, espec¬ ially by the sheriff, Uncle Jack Willingham. But he has probably overlooked a circumstance which occurred in the same office, during the administration of Jack Willingham as sheriff, and with which his father, Uncle Charley McIntyre, was a prominent participant. Jack had collected the State revenue, and was taking it over to Jefferson City to pay into the State treasury. The amount, I think, was about $120. On his way to Jefferson City, Jack met Uncle Charley McIn¬ tyre going to a neighbor to buy some nice cattle he had selected, and Uncle Charley, wishing to get them on the best terms possible, desired to pay the cash. He learned of Jack that he was taking the money to the capital, and immediately entered into a negotiation for a loan. Jack turned the money over to Uncle Charley and then re¬ turned home, and, in due course of time, Uncle Charley returned the revenue to Jack, and thus Uncle Charley was accommodated; the State lost nothing, and Audrain county came up nobly to her credit, and the sheriff never defaulted.

Up to this period, and for years after, Mexico was but a small vil¬ lage, and everything in the way of merchandise from St. Louis and elsewhere was brought here by the way of Hannibal in wagons. We were fifty miles from any public highway, in a country that produced but little. In 1854 the North Missouri Railroad was projected, and the county subscribed to its stock $50,000. The taxable wealth of the county was only about $300,000, notwithstanding we had 400,000 acres of land in the county. In 1858 the taxable property had in¬ creased to $3,000,000. The history of the county since then is famil¬ iar to you all. We have now a county second to none in the State. These broad prairies, which in my recollection could not boast of a fence, but abounded in grass and flies, and on every knoll in the county could be seen deer, are now taken up and fenced, and beauty and in¬ dustry go hand in hand to make lovely your homes and to bring wealth and comfort within the reach of all. A city in the center of your county from a village has grown, and its iron arms are now reaching out in every direction, grasping the commerce of the world. Its business is vast, and its people equal to the emergency in keeping pace in the march of progress, with the most enterprising part of the great Commonwealth of Missouri.

A Poem By An Old Settler

The way in which we clean our wheat, When two strong men with blanket sheet Would winnow out the chaff and cheat, And twice or thrice the thing repeat,

As men in these enlightened days With all their strange, new-fangled ways, Which wealth and fashion now displays, The mind of man to please.