Bates County, Missouri - The whole text, 1900 (part 1 of 5)

The whole text

It is iln> intention of the publishers to present an accurate and brief account of the settlement, growth and advancement of our county. Statistics are dry reading for the average person, and may be found in carefully prepared public documents. We only use such as are necessary to verify specific statements. Believing that a work compiled from the narratives of those of the early settlers who yet remain with us. but whose ranks are becoming .broken and wavering, and will prove most interesting reading to the thousands who are today enjoying the fruits of then- early toil, and having the greatest respect for the memories of the past, as well as for the participants in the various processes and stirring events which have wrought such wondrous changes in this beautiful and fertile county of ours, manifest by a comparison of the conditions existing a half century ago with the immediate present; and believing that it is only by awakening an interest in, and encouraging investigation of the numerous striking incidents of real life yet stored in the minds of the few remaining ones of the pioneer period, that those valuable mementoes of the past may be preserved from oblivion we have compiled this work and hereby wish to ac- ,"-"» knowledge our indebtedness and in soim? degree express our " appreciation of the kindness of Hon. J. B. Newberry, Clark T Wix, S. C. Sturtevant, Judge C. I. Robords, Judge Bartlett, \C. C. Blankenbecker. Prof. L. B. Allison. Judge C. F. Boxley, John Divinuy, Ed. S. Austin and others who have great - ~'ly assisted us in our Work by submitting invaluable articles, c-reminiscences, etc. And further desiring to cultivate more -friendly and fraternal relations among those who have en- Jdured the trials and enjoyed the pleasures incident to pioneer _o life and early citizenship in our beloved county: We do most j respectfully dedicate this work to The Old Settlers' Society - of Bates County. «" S. L.

Preface

The compilers, in preparing this work, have sought to obtain only authentic narratives, aud have diligently searched the obtainable records for ;ill such facts us in llieir judgement are germane to a brief and reliable history of our county.

Believing that the county is the nucleus of our government, and that at least iu some degree a knowledge of its history is imperative to the highest conception of citizenship; we have prepared a history which we believe will l>e interesting as to fact, aud which will be made entertaining by a recital of the experiences of its pioneers.

of the historian; the IV i>eriod is but begun. First Period embraces thirty-nine of the seventy-eight years which have elapsed since the founding of the first settlement, and to it beloug the interesting stories of pioneer life, its privations and its joys: its hardships, its excitements and its bliss; its labors and its pleasures. And great were the changes its years brought to pass. Broad prairies, whose limits the eye could not trace, one great mass of luxurient vegetation which grew in wild and tangled profusion: gloomy forests whose somber shades were scarce dispelled by the noon-day sun, the ideal home of beasts of prey: within thirty-nine years from the time of the founding of the first white settlement. both wood and prairie acknowledged the power of the conqueror.

The first settlements were made along the inaiiy watercourses, as we find it to be the case in all countries. There the hardy pioneer found material to build his rude, but servicable ami substantial dwelling and fence his fields. TIio forests also offered protection from the storms which swept across tne unbroken expanse of prairies.

The first settlers wen* from Virginia, Kentucky. Tennessee and other southern states, many of whom had before settled in older portions of tin* slate and were attracted to this section by tin* story of its rich soil and equable climate.

Tb«* development of tin* settlements was not rapid, owing to the great distance from market and the slow and tedious pnx*«*ss of freighting in supplies, but the pioneer is not a man to be easily discouraged and be went sturdily on with his work, and his wants w< re few outside of what the resou n-es of the country afforded him. It is a matter of congratulation that he wa> but little troubled by the Indian, whose hunting grounds he usurped. Hut few acts of depredation were committt d by the red man. and not n single attack was made on a white settlement. The woods also, appear to have been especially free from ferocious or really dangerous animals, although .hey abounded in game and afforded rare sport for the hunter.

While the white man first came to this county in 1**21, tin* t ide of emigration did not turn in this direction until nearly twenty years later. Prom that time until the breaking out of the Civil War was the real colonial period. The story of period I is a story of trials and hardships, but also one of progress. Period II i^ a tale of sorrow, of terror and of retrogression. The tidal wave of a night sweeps away the mighty city which taxed the ingenuity of man to rear in a hundred years! The blight of the Civil War almost wijxnl out the results of thirty-nine years of weary toil.

Although the campaign of IN>!) showed the southern sympathizers to be overwhelmingly in the majority, there were a goodly number who refused to take up arms against the Federal government. There were no regular engagements fought in the county, but border ruffians and bushwhackers left a trail of blood on the fair page of our history. Tocheck these outrages, Home Guards were organized and did good work in quelling the lawless element. It was only, however, in the towns thai adequate protection could be afforded, and after a series of robberies and murders the greater part of the settlers leli their fatn.s. and thousands of acres of fertile land wen? allowed to ivturn to their wild state. The period closes with ruin and desolation showing black and grim on every side.

The close of the war stopped actual hostilities, but left uianv bitter feuds, some of which lasted for years. When the militia was withdrawn, the disorganized civil govern - .meut was almost overpowered in its struggle with this turbulent element, and it w;ts net until 1*66 that any considerable number of the refugees returned to their ruined homesteads. Many never returned, and their lands reverted to the government. Slowly the rough places wen» smoothed over; houses were built and fields reclaimed. Law and order triumphed, and progress once more t«>ok up its onward march. Then came the rush of immigration, largely from the east and north, and new life w;is infused into l>oth business and social affairs. During the latter half of this period pilenominal progress was made.

Period IV finds our count v fully settled, ready to enter on a long period of development. The huge tracts of commons which had heretofore furnished pasturage and hay for the community adjacent, passed under private ownership, and our prairies lost their identity. Cities and towns tilled up and new oues were established. This was an era of railroad building. (oujvi]>er) and sonic of these projects have left unpleasant memories. Iu the seventies, gojds were freighted froui Appleton City and Pleasant Hill. Missouri, and La Cygue. Kansas. AVitb the exception of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas which touched the south-east corner, the county was without railroad facilities until her great coal fields wen* developed in 18-**0. Since that time a great industry has been carried ou.

Iii order that we. as Historians- -if wo be 2>ermitted to use lli«* title - uiav f.iithfullv portray tin* wonderful and unexauipled development <>f Kates County, and satisfy the eon* ditions iukiKi^Hl bv ourselves, it is necessary to briefly sketch the history of thai part of the territory west <>f the Mississippi River, which now constitutes the great State of Missouri, and of which Bates Couuty -our particular care - has as varied. thrilling and interesting a story as any part thereof.

Long, long years before the sound of the ax was heard in the forests, or the waters of the lakes and rivers were disturlied by The white man's canoe, the Indian roamed over the prairies, pitched his rude camp in the forests, and fished in the waters -undisturbed l»y traders, "fire water," or homeseekers: Iivinsr his primitive life with few wants, and those wants easily supplied by the bountiful products of Nature. »>ver ready to he "fathered, and without money or price.

Tins condition of things remained entirely unbroken until 1 r»4 1. when Hernando de Soto, that Prince of Spanish explorers and adventurers. (In his vain and fatal search for gold, was incited t > penetrate further and further into the unknown wilderness, by the stories of inexbaustable supplies of *fokl to be found, told him by the Indians.) reached, with a part of his followers, the banks of the Mississippi, and crossed over into Missouri near what is now New Madrid county, and continuing his search traveled westwardly across the southern part of the state and then south into what is now Arkansas.

His explorations in this part of the country, however, amounted to nothing more than furnishing Spain with a claim to the territory which it was never able to make «;ood. because the Spaniards did not follow De Soto's work by any effort to colonize, until the country here was settled by the

A French nobleman, James Marquette, part soldier, pail priest, inspiivd by a lofty desire to carry Christianity to the red man: ir 1073. accompanied by Louis Joliet and some few others, w;is the second white man to set foot on what is now Missouri soil. He and his companions floated, in canoes, down ti) 2 Mississippi as far as the mouth of the Arkansas, and returning: to the French settlements iuthe north, gave such a glowing: account of the country they had visited; its mighty rivers, abundance of game and docile Indians, tiiat Robert De La Salle was tired with a desire to explore thii country further and take possession of so promising a territory for his master. Louis XIV of France.

Accordingly, in 10^^ he organized an expedition for th;» purpose and. reaching the Mississippi, descended it to its mouth and formally took possession of all the territory drilled by it and its tributaries and named the entire co'iutry Louisiana. Therefore the French were the first to take possession of this territory, and the first to thoroughly explore it.

In 1705 another party of French ascended the Missouri to the viciuity of what is now Jackson county, and in 171S* the country was crossed by them from the Osage to the northwest part of the present state: and from this time exploring and trading expeditions were numerous throughout the entire country..

But the country was still claimed by Spain and in \~'2y » the Spaniards made one futile effort to wrest it from the FreucJi, by sending out an expedition which was betrayed by its guides to hostile Indians, but it served to arouse the French who now sent troops into the country and built a fort somewhere on the Missouri near the mouth of Grand River, but these people were soon after killed by the Indians and this settlement abandoned

The fur trade and hunting were vigorously continued, but no effort to settle or hold the country was again made until about 1735 to 45 when a settlement was made at St. Genevieve, in the eastern part of the state on the Mississippi Riv-

This settlement was made by a party of French miners under the direction of a wealthy French mine operator, Renault, who came across the river in a vain search for gold and silver, but in their search they did find valuable lead deposits, and proceeded to erect smelters, and mine and smelt the ore. France furnished them a ready market for all the lead they could produce, and the "Father of Waters" was the great highway on which their boats might tarry it down to New Orleans to be there shipj>ed to France. The importance of this industry caused numbers of settlers to flo-k here and St. (Jenevieve soon became a place of no mean importance, lint in 17^7) the original town was destroyed by an o\«mMo\v of the Mississippi and the new town was buiJt up where it now is.

The next important settlement was made at St. Louis in 1*0-1. Pierre Laclede, a French fur trader, selected this spot, for the establishment of his trading post, because of its excellent facilities for communication with the Indians of the West and North-west and also because it was a convenient place frotu which to ship his furs to New Orleans to narket.

AI>out the time Laclede was founding St. Louis, Blauchette was erecting rude buildings and trading with the Indians at the spot on which St. Charles now stands. It was first called Village of the Hills, and at this place and in the territory tributary to it occurred most of the Indian troubles and massacres which were attendant upon the settlement of this state.

But just at this time came the decisive battle of Quebec which foronl France to dispose of practically all of her territory in North America and in the re-arrangement of lxmndaries all the country west of the Mississippi that had been claimed by France was given to Spain and thereby Missouri i>ecame undisputed Spanish territory. But Spain sent no officials to take charge of the civil affairs until 1770 and the French so heartily disliking the English and also thinking the Spanish would perhaps never give the country attention. Hocked in great numbers from east of the Mississippi to Spanish territory and rapidly settled the eastern portion of the state. The settlers congregated for the most part in villages and held the land in common, each settler i>eing.privi-

This brings us up to tin* time when Xejxdeoii. ;it tin* very zenith of his power and glory, whs practicing tin* art of empire building at the expense of the. Eastern Continent, not being satisfied with so small an area for his gigautic plans for the extension of French supremacy, he erected the Kingdom of Etruria. and secretly, from fear of England, proposed to the kiugof Spaiu to make his son-in-law king of this new kingdom in exchange for the cession, by Spain to France, of Louisiana. This proposition was accepted and thereby Louisiana, of which Missouri was then a ]»art, again became French territory. But so important an exchange could not long be kept secret, and soon became known in both England and America. This knowledge caused great alarm in the United States, from the fact that the relations between France and this government were somewhat strained at this time, and France, having control of the Mississippi, could do the people west of the Alleghauies incalculable harm by closi.ig the river to them, as it was th«-ir only practicable outlet at that time. England, however, determined to prevent Nepoleon's possessing himself of this territory, and he. realizing his inability to defend France and hold the territory. proposed to sell it to the United States, in order both to conciliate us and prevent the possibility of England securing it. His proposition was egarly accepted, and for the sum of si "i,0 M, (»)>, we became tlie possessors of Louisiana, and Missouri became a part of the United States.

Tin- Territory was soon after divided, and the part containing Missouri attached to the Territory of Indiana for the purpose of government, but the people objecting to this, it was soon afterwards detached and made a separate Territory, the first Governor beiug James Wilkinson. It was from this time on rapidly settled, principally by immigrants from the Eastern states. This continued until 1^1% when the ]>eople of the Territory applied for admission as a state.

This application brought on a violent contest between the slavery and anti-slavery factious in Congress, finally settled -;. by the Missouri Compromise, which admitted Missouri as a":' slave state. On August 1< »th, 1 >-£l . by proclamation of President Monroe, it became in fact a state.

Frank E. Kellogg

was born in Claridon. Geauga County, Ohio, on the 20th day of April, 1851 ; brought up on a farm, remaining on the one purchased from the Connecticut Land company and cleared up by his grandfather in the early part of the present century; taught several terms in the district school and "boarded around" ; in 1879 in his home township, was elected justice of the peaqe and at this time was also reading law. Resigning his position, he came to Missouri in October, 1S80, and embarked in the mercantile business; resided in Butler one year, since which time he has been a resident of Rich Hill, Missouri, and for eighteen years was secretary and treasurer of the M. S. Cowles Mercantile company. His old congressional district (the 19II1 Ohio) was for many years represented by Benj. F. Wade. Joshua R. Giddings and James A. Garfield, and he was quite well acquainted with the latter. Was married to Delia J. Wells in 1877; one child, a daughter, Delia May, was born February 5, 1SS3. He was elected superintendent of the First Presbyterian Sunday School in Rich Hill in January, 1894. and still holds that position, going to Rich Hill every Sunday. His hobby is the breeding of Shorthorn cattle and he is interested in one of the best herds of pure bred animals in the country, Mr. Kellogg has always been a republican in politics and represented his. the Sixth Congressional District of Missouri, as a delegate in the Republican National Convention at St. Louis in 1896. Was appointed Collector of Internal Revenue for the Western district of Missouri, and entered upon the duties of his office May 1, 1899. Frank Kellogg, as he is familiarly called, is one of the most companionable men in the world, and his friends are only numbered by the limit of his acquaintance. He is a capable, faithful business man, and an honorable party politician. His relations and influence with the present administration is all that one of his position could ask. While he is temporarily residing with" his estimable family in Kansas City, Bates county is his home, and her people feel a local pride in his successful career. Hence his place in this Bates County book.

The faitjiful historian in taking upon himself the task of -riving anything like ;i complete account of any part of the itirth wishes-, of course, to begin at the beginning. But upon going back to find the point at which to commence, In* invariably finds himself beyond tin* time of authentic record and in tin* midsl of traditions. th<*ories and suppositious, which, perhaps, have ;i foundation in fact, but which are differently interpreted and lend investigators to different tonelusions, so th.it the ordinary reader is utterly unable to settle in his own mind what is tin* truth. "We find it utterly impossible to fix dates or give any con:n*ct«*d account of the people of prehistoric times, yet ire hart* evidence to establish beyond a doubt, that populous, powerful and wealthy nations existed thousands of years preeeeding the period of which we have any recorded history.

In I Si ft a territ>rial government was organized bvConirress for the territory embraced in the Louisiana Purchase. The settled parts of Missouri were* divided into four districts, but as no white men lived in what is now l?at<*s County, it was not included in either, but remained unorganized until January '1\. 1H10, wheu the Territorial Legislature passed an act organizing Howard county. It included all that part of Missouri north of the Osage and west of Cedar Creek and tin* dividing ridge between the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. It comprised what is now ninteen counties north of the river, twelve south of the river and part of nine others. The county - seat was fixed at Ode's Fort, where the first court was held Julys. lsH>. In 1 Hi 7 the county seat was removed to F)ai.klit old si:tti.ki:>" iiistoky lin, on the Missouri River. The spot on which it stood lias been entirely -washed away by the ever-shifting current of the Missouri. Saline county was organized from territory south of the river, in 1820 and 1821, by the first State Legislature, Missouri having been just admitted as a state. The liext session, 1821-22, Jackson county was organized from territory between the Marais des Qygnes and Missouri rivers. Harmony Mission was established in 1821, and was the only settlement in what is now Bates. In 1833 a new county was organized out of that part of Jackson now comprised in the counties of Bates, Cass aud Vernon, and was named Van Buren in honor of Martin VanBureu, then Vice President under Jackson. Afterwards, during Van Buren 's administration, he became very unpopular in this locality and General Lewis Cass, being then a popular statesman and the member -of the State Legislature from the county, secured the passage of a bill changing the name from Van Buren to Cass county, but not making any change in the boundry lines. Thus it remained till 1811, when Cass was divided on the line dividing townshijjs 40 and 41, the territory south of that line to the present south line of Vernon being the new cjunty and it was called Bates. It will be observed thr.t the north line of Bates was then only three miles north of where Butler now stands.

The first court was held in the church at Harmon3* Mission, with Hon. Foster P. Wright as Presiding Judge. The courts were held at this place three or four years, then the county seat was located on the north bank of the river, where Papinsville now stands, the town being named in bon* or of Milicourt Papin, a French trader who donated the land for the town. William Gil breath of Hudson township, was one of the commissioners to select the site for the county seat. Being at the head of navigation on the Osage it soon became quite a trading point, aud a considerable village grew up. The unsurpassed facilities for stock raising in this locality soon attracted many settlers, and as the population increased various projects were devised for new counties.

Harrison ville was the county seat of Cass and situated 2(1 miles north of the '.south line, as the boundaries of the county were at that time. The people of that town and vicinity furnished the majority of voters in the county and they fear- county seat would be removed to Austin, or some other location near the center of the county. They were, therefore, anxious to give off that part of the county strath of Grand River, that they might be sure of holding the county seat at Harrison ville. Accordingly, their Representative, in connection with the Representative of Bates. Major McHenry, made an effort to organize a new county, but failed to carry it through. R. B. Fisher was the next Representative from Bates, and in connection with the Cass county man. he got a bill through, forming a new county, comprised of the saine territory as is now included in the houndaiies of Bates, except that the south line extended east from the Kansas line, as now, until it r< ached the Osage, where, instead of following the river channel as at present, it crossed and continued due east, thus leaving Papinsville iu the old county which retained the name of Bates, and the new county was called Vernon.

The citizens of Papinsville were bitterly opposed to the new county and claimed that the act establishing it was unconstitutional. The old County Court proceeded to build a brick court house at Papinsville and a tine bridge across the river at that place, hoping by these measures to retain the county seat, which they would, by reason of their location, be sure to lose if the new arrangement became permanent. Edmund Bartlett, T. B. Arnett and Wm. Lakey were appointed County Court judges of the new county andproceed- < d to organize townships, establish precincts, appoint township officers and exercise all the duties of the County Court. It being in no judicial circuit there was no Circuit Court held in the county. The commissioners appointed to locate the county seat. tix«*d on the present site of Butler, but there was no building tiereon and the County Court met at the house of Charles Adams. At the next election, Rogers, Clem and Feely were elected County Court judges: J. E. Morgan, clerk: Samuel Scott, sheriff: John Cummins, treasurer: and M. D. Osborn, Public Administrator, and they proceeded to put the affairs of the new county, Vernon, into proper shape.

Meanwhile the enemies of the arrangement were planning to defeat it. A suit was brought, in the Circuit Court at Papinsville, against Sam Scott for attempting to ]>erform duties of sheriff within the county' of Bale-.. »o1 having been legally elected to that office. This was ?or the purpose of testing the constitutionality of the act establishing the new county. A change of venue w;is taken to Henry county. The act in question was claimed to be void for a variety of reasons, but the only one decided by the court to ba valid was that it reduced the old county of Bates below the ratio of population required for a representative district. A judgement was given setting aside the act as unconstitutional. An appeal was taken to the Supreme Court oi the state, and the judgement of the lower court was affirmed. Sam Scott was fined one cent., r ,.

The papulation incre.isaJ'so rapidly that the point mud .; in the above suit could never again be sustained. In 1R55, J. E. Morgan, now of Warsaw, Mo., was elected to the Legislature and succeeded in putting through a bill attaching that part of Cass south of Grand River and the lint* between townships 41' and 4o to Hates County, and then striking off the south part of Bites to form a new. county to be called Vernon, and removing the county seat of Bates County .0 Bullar. As that act established thecounty lines of Bites and Verncn, they still remain.

J. E. Morgan built the first house in Butl »r. while t!r» land was still vacant, lie afterwards entered "the land and donated a part of it for the county scat. The County Court was composed of John D. Myers. Edmund Bartlett and J. O. Pearson. They made a new plat for the town and R. L. Duncan laid it out in October. ]s.")0. The records of the county were removed* -to Butler, and the first session of the Circuit Court was held in an old school house. l>y Judge R. B. Hicks. The attorneys in attendance were Thomas H. Sterns of Bates. W. P. Johnson -of St. Clair. R. G. Paytonof Cass, and Thomas Freeman of Polk. William Jennings was one of the Grand Jurors. They held their sessions on a dry knoll in the high prairie grass, but as no complaints. were laid before them tJtey were soon discharged.

At this time two -thirds of the land in t3*e county belonged to the Government, but in the next three years it was nearly all entered, and. in IsOl the county contained a population of 0.70"), and Butler was a well built town of 10.10 people. * * a

In comparison with other sections of the state the settlement ox the territory now included in Bates County was slow. We find much older settlements to the south, north and east of us, and even in the eastern part of Kansas many settlements, before this section was in any considerable measure brought under the dominion of the white man. The reason for this is found in the fact that this territory was set apart bv the government as a reservation for the Indians, and the land was not open to homestead. So no title could be secured to the land until after the Indians were removed (about 1S37) and it was then some time before the surveys could be completed and the land opened for the homeseeker. Previous to this time people came and built cabins, cultivated small tracts of land along the streams, and hunted and trapped in the forests. Many of these people were of that roving class of adventurers who never remain in one place for any length of time, and when they heard of a more promising field, or grew tired of the spot where they were staying, all they had to do was to "pull up stakes" and travel. These conditions make it peculiarly difficult to attempt to give airy definite record of "First Settlements," or "First Settlers. " As there are no land entries to be consulted, or records of any kind to examine, it is only a matter of recollection or tradition as to the very first settlements. The oldest settlers now living have recollections of older settlers, and many remember abandoned settlements which l>ud been the home, for a time at least, of some adventurous person, long since

There are very good theories advanced to support the claim that some of these old settlements anti-date the establishment of Harmony Mission, outhe Osage, commonly accepted as the first settlement made by whites within the present limits of the count}-, a~s it most surely is the first of which any authentic account can be given. For these reasons Harmouy Mission is taken as the starting poiut in the settlement of this section, although it was in no sense a settlement in its self, but the fact that there was a little band of whites established there led others, who were to be pennaneut settlers, to rear homes near this Missiou, thus forming a nucleus, or foundation for more extensive developments, radiating from this common center, aud merely as such we shall treat it.

Harmony Mission

Up to the year 1*37, the Osage Indians made their home in the southern part of Bates Couuty and northern part of Vernon, and about 1820, having some business with the "Great Father," at Washington, they sent a delegation of Indians to that place to make kuowu to him their desires, aud, among other things, they preferred a request for missionaries to be sent out to their tribe, for the purpose of teaching them Christianity and interesting them in the arts of civilization.

The American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions having headquarters at Boston, Mass., being informed of the request of the Indians, immediately set about complying with it. Volunteers were not at all scarce, and in the spring of 1821, a party was organized for this purpose. Rev. N. B. Dodge was chosen Superintendent, and some twelve or fifteen persons, of various occupations, agreed to meet at Pittsburg, ready with supplies, tools, etc, for their long and arduous journey into the wilds of the far West.

means of propulsion except than by oars, or "poling" as it was called. While their course led them down stream they floated with the current, and when up stream they were compelled to resort to the oars, or poles. The poling was done by the men taking a long pole and, standing in the bow of the boat, they would stick one end of the pole in the mud, holding to the other and pushing, walk to the stern, then repeat the operation, thereby slowly and laboriously working their way against the current. In this way the}7 worked on until tiually. on the 9th day of August, 1821, they reached a spot about 3 miles below the present site of Papinsville - formerly spelled Papinville - and there found a few French traders, probably from St. Louis, who were camped there for the purpose of trading with the Indians and not as permanent settlers.

Here the missionaries determined to establish their mission and pitched their camp near this place and named it Harmony Mission. Until the}* could erect log cabins, they were compelled to live iu tents, and endure all of the hardships incident to this mode of iife. and all this they were doing, not for money or expectation of worldly gain, but that they might carry the blessings of Christianity to the ignorant child of the prairie, for the organization which sent them out only paid their actual expenses and nothing more. They soon had rude cabins erected and moved into them, established a school for the Indian children and began their efforts for the betterment of these people. The Indians generally were not so anxious for advancement in civilization as their delegates had been, and they even demanded pay from the Mission for the privilege of using their children as pupils.

For some time after their arrival here they were compelled to freight their goods from Jefferson City, but later they got them at Independence.

Although the Mission served as a beginning for the settlement of what is now Bates County, considered from the standpoint of the Missionary Society it was a practical failure, for after many of the younger Indians had embraced Christianity and received some degree of education, they would, as soon as released from school, return to their tribes and instead of teachiug them, they returned to their old tribal customs and were as much savages as. ever.

Bui notwithstanding tliis disappointment the Missionaries continued their labors until ls.'>7, wiien the Os,i,u<>s were removed farther west and, there being no longer occasion for maintaining it. the Mission whs abandoned. The buildings were sold to the government for 5*HK.M) which went to the Society, and the Missionaries being left without support, scattered to various parts of the country and with oneexcep tion were lost track of. This exception was Dr. Jones, who settled on Deepwater near Montrose iu Henry county, and whose daughter - Mrs. Austin - who recently resided in Montrose, was born at the Mission, being the first white child born in the county of which we have any knowledge.

The Requas, who lived for a time at the Mission, settled in Lone Oak township, and many of their descendants still reside there. There are. also, a number of people now living who settled in the county while the Mission was in exi stance' and who had some chance to observe its workings, and who are still able to give interesting accounts of its members.

And, while the work of this brave and unselfish little band produced but very little pcrceptable results in as far as the Indians were concerned, we give them all honor for their untiring efforts for the good of their fellow beings.

After the Mission was abandoned a number of settlers remained, and in 1*41 a post-office was established here under the name of Batesville, the first post-office in the county. Before this time the nearest post-office had been at Independence, Missouri, nearly one hundred miles distant, so we can surmise that the change was hailed with joy by the settlers who were separated from relatives and friends, whom they had left in older states and communities.

In the winter of 1840-11 an act was passed by the Legislature for the purpose of organizing a number of counties in this state from territory until tiiis time unorganized, and among others was one to ba known as Bates Cjunt3T - so named in honor of Edward Bates, a native of Virginia and a very eminent lawyer and statesman, his last public service being rendered as Attorney General in President Lincoln's Cabinet.

the south-east corner of said count}': thence south on the range line dividing ranges 2H and 29, to the township line dividing townships 33 and 34; thence west on said township line to the western line of the state; thence north on said line to the place of beginning, is hereby created a separate and distinct county, to be called and known by the name of the county of Bates.

The boundaries of Bates County so remained until 1851 when the Legislature passed an act creating Vernon county, and including therein very nearly the same territory as this county now contains, but this act was declared unconstitutional and nothing more was done until 1855, when a strip of territory 25 miles wide and about 30 long was detached from the south side of Bates, and organized as the county of Vernon. At the same time a part of Cass was added to Bates, giving this county the boundaries which have so remained since.

The Legislature of 1840-41. which created the original County of Bates, also decreed that the Circuit and County Courts should be held at Harmony Mission until such time as a permanent county seat be selected, or the County Court order otherwise. The courts held their sessions in the school house as lonir as the county seat remained here.

Owing, possibly, to the removal of the Mission, and the fact that the new site offered better facilities for conducting the limited commerce of those days by being better suited for a boat-landing, a new town was laid out in 1847, about three miles from Harmony Mission, on the Marais des Cygnes River, and named in honor of a Mr. Papin, a French Indian trader. The town grew rapidly and, showing evidence of attaining to some importance, the county seat was located here in 1S4S, and Harmony Mission rapidly became merely a memorv of bv-goue davs.

was born in McDonough County, 111., October 27, 1862, came with his parents to this county when seven years old, locating near Burdett, and has ever since resided in the county. His early life was spent on the farm and he attended the public

In 1886 he was married to Miss Belle Timmons, who died one year after their marriage. In 1889 he was again married to Miss Nannie Heavilin, she also died soon after their marriage. On April 1, 1S92, he bought a half interest in the Adrian Journal, since which time he has been engaged in the husiness. On October 11. 1892, he was united in marriage with Miss Laura Holloway. Mr. Purkey is an active member in the United Brethren Church, and is at present superintendent of the Sunday School of that denomination in Adrian.

Eli J. Cline

Th. subject of this sketch disclaims any pretense as an old settler. He was born in the north part of Vernon County, March 23, 18S0, and moved with his parents to Rich Hill in 1886, where they resided till 1S97. Here he got his education and learned the printers art. In 1897 his father, H. Cline, purchased the Foster Beacon plant, and it was published under the name of H. Cline A: Son for two years; then the plant was removed to Amoret and the paper is continued as the Amoret Beacon with Eli as editor. He is the youngest editor in the county and probably in the state. H. Cline is the publisher of the Beacon but has little to do with conducting the paper. He came to Bates County in 1876, moved to Vernon and returned to Bates in 1886. He was born in Scotland County, Mo., in 1850 and was married to Judy E. Drake in 1869. Five children are now living - three at home and two married daughters in Terre Haute Ind.

the north lino was soine distance south of wnerc it now is aud, there being no other town of any sizj in the comity, it was believed that the seat of county government would remain at Papinsville. This appeared all the more sure when it was considered that the river afforded almost the only, and by far the most feasible, route for the shipment in and out, of such commodities as constituted the articles of commerce of those days; an inland town was not expected to attain any great importance, as a town situated distaut from a railroad is uot expected to do any gieat volume of business at the present time. But conditions change as time passes, especially during the period of settlement in new countries. Almost every sessiou of State Legislature changed county lines, and carved new counties out of the remains of old ones. In a few years efforts were m ide to divide the county. This division was bitterly fought by the friends of the old town, and was once defeated in the courts, but the attempt aroused the people of that part of the county into activity. Up to this time court had been held in a log building, but the County Court now proceeded to build a substantial brick court house. They also put a bridge acrosi the river at that place, seeking thereby to avoid the complaint that the county seat was inconvenient of access to the citizens who resided south of the Osage. But these measures did not long delay the inevitable change.

In 1855 the Legislature again divided the county, this time on the present lines, naming that part south of the river, [ Vernon county, and leaving Papinsville in Bates, but locat- i iug the county seat in the center of the county. This left an almost uew court house on the hands of the County Court, which they sold to Philip Zeal, and removed the county seit from Papinsville in 1856-7.

During the time the county seat was located at Papinsville I the town grew rapidly and was, for some years, the metropolis of the county. Next to Harmony Mission, the history of the early days in Bates County centers around this place, which, in fact, was the offspring of the old Mission, and is I so regarded in the fond recollections of our old settlers. Here many of the interesting and exciting events of the early i times ioo£ place. Here the politicians and influential men i of the community naturally congregated, and the public questions which came up for consideration in those days were just as momentous, and probably excited greater interest among the people of the spurcely settled couutry, than like matters now do. Heiv occurred the first murder trial ever held in the county, and the first and only execution by civil authorities. It was the landing place of a large majority of the first settlers of the county, and the distributing point for the supplies brought in for a great many of the early inhabitants. Even after the removal of the county seat it continued to prosper until the Civil War brought ruin to so many of Bates County's people, but from this blow Pa pins vi lie never recovered her one-time prestige and improtauce.

North-Eastern Hates

"While this section was still reserved by tne Government, the whi^e men cast many a longing eye ou its beautiful prairies, rich bottom lands and fine forests and. as we have before related, a number of the more mercenary had "squatted" on the forbidden territory. When the Indians were removed still farther west, and it was known that the land would soon be open for M-ttleuiont. the tide of immigration set in, and from that lime forward the. settlement of the count}* progressed rapidly, and soon tin* cabin of the settler, surrounded by his "clearing" could b; seen in all parts of the county, for such it soon became although the limits at first did not coincide with the present county boundaries. The largest settlement was along the Osage, in the vicinity of the old Mission, which place was the temporary seat of county gov* r anient.

And not till the early 4Ts were~th?re any other considerable settlements made in Bates County. About this time, however, settlers began erecting homes along Deepwater Creek, selecting the timber lands, believing them better alapted t) the requirements of the farmer than the prairies and in a short time there was a considerable number of people in this part of the country, large numbers of them coming from the nearby couuties where they had become crowded by neighbors settling within ten or fifteen miles of them. Although as far back as 1830 we find a few settlers occupyiug homes on Deepwater, and iu what is uow Mingo township there were some settlers as early as 1832, but no town was founded until 1843.

The first store was oj>ened in Johnstown by Dan and Jim Johnson. They were not able to secure a post-office until about 1*4.9, until which time they had to go to Deepwater City, in Henry county, for their mail, but after the establishment of a post office Johnstown made rapid strides toward becoming a town of no mean importance for those days. Being surrounded by a fertile aud productive country, it afforded a place for the Indian trader to exchange his furs for more trinkets to barter to the Indians, aud, being a considerable distance from any other settlement of importance, it soon was doing more business than any other place in the county, at one time having two wholesale houses, handling general merchandise, four or live general stores, two saloons, three blacksmith shops, cabinet shop, mill aud harness shop.

This condition of prosperity con^iuued uutil the breaking out of the border troubles between Missouri and Kansas, aud during this time and the Civil War Johstowu was almost ruined, and then just after the war the building of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway so near to it, rendered it impossible that it should ever agaiu attain its old time prominence.

Other Settlements

From 1830 to 1840 settlements were being rapidly made in various other parts of the county, a post-office being established at Pleasant Gap perhaps as early as 3842, and settlements made in Lone Oak, Hudson, Deer Creek, New Home, Walnut and Charlotte townships about this time also.

It appears that uo settlements were made in other parts of the county prior tj 1813, but during the forties numerous settlements sprang up with great rapidity in all parts of the county, there being a great influx of homeseekers from the eastern states and this caused the founding of a number of towns in various parts of the county, only a few of which, however, reached any importance before the war. Two of these have beeu briefly mentioned, and we will now try to record something of the history of the others.

West Point

"West Point - founded in 1830. Situated in the north-west part of Bates County, is in WTest Point township, about one mile from the state line. The first store was opened by Aruett & Adams, and as they had located on the old cattle trail from Texas and the Southwest, over which thousands of head of cattle were driven annually to the market at Kansas City, it soou became an important trading point, and a place for "outfitting" by parties going into the Southwest - which rapidly pushed it forward to the position of metropolis of Bates County. And another thing which was of material benefit in its development, aside from thelocai business, was that the Pottowatomie Indians here received their periodical allowance of rations, etc., from the government agents, and made this, as a matter of course, their trading point.

In those days the great, clumsy, creaking freighting wagon, drawn by * to 10 yoke of oxen, crept slowly "over the winding prairie trail, bearing its heavy load of freight from the river landing at Kansas City. The "Noble Red Man." dressed in his wolf-skin vest, traded his government ratious for "fire-water" or "baccy." The picturesque squaw, in her abreviated gown of many colors, peddled her hand-woveu baskets and bead-work trinkets, while the pappoose, dressed in "most any old thing" - and not much of that - turned his big, inquiring eyes ou the many wonderful works of the "pale face" but was as dumb as was the ox which pulled the groaning wagon. The trapper and hunter brought in their furs aud traded them for provisions, powder, etc. And the homesteaders frjm many miles around b3ught their supp'ies here.

In 1845 the post-office was established and mails were secured two or three times per week. A school house was erected, by public subscription, in 7)2, and the first teacher was a Mr. Kirkpatrick. The town had a large hotel aud several well stocked stores. Iu '50 the West Point Banner was established, with T. H. Sterens editor. This was a weekly paper, well filled with advertisements and gained *\ circulation over a large scope of territory.

West Point was a typical border town, and experienced some lively scenes and incidents. A crowd made up of the average freighter, trapper and reservation Indian, made a combination that was hard to beat in raising the crop which Mrs. Lease advised the Kansas farmers to pay more attention to. Government troops were, at a number of times, stationed there to preserve order on the frontier.

- Rl;i very question, broke out, and from its position, just \ i mi the Missouri side of the line, was made a gathering :--". n sort of hond-quarters for the pro-slavery men. . were turbulent times in West Point those days, but in.- town continued to grow until the breaking out of the war although several times raided by the Free State men, from over the Kansas line, and its citizens were kept in constant fear of the "torch," a mode of retaliation which became very popular a short time thereafter.

The subject of this sketch was born in Putnam County, West Virginia, in the valley of the Great Kanawha river, and was reared to manhood there. He is the son of a farmer and had the usual experiences and passed through the ordinary vicissitudes of farm life in that country. He attended the country schools and quit the public schools a pupil of the Buffalo Academy. At the beginning of the college year of iS73-'74 he entered the Kentucky University at Lexington, matriculating in the Agricultural and Mechanical College and pursued a special course in mathematics, literature, history, book keeping and military training, with recitations in chemistry. He remained in the university only about 7 months, and on account of sickness returned home, and went to work on the farm. The following winter he taught school in Mason County, \Y. Ya. , and with the money so earned he matriculated in the West Virginia State Normal School at Fairmont, and graduated from the same in June, 1875. The following winter he was principal of the New Haven graded schools, and in the spring of 1S76 he became one of the editors and proprietors of the West Virginia Monitor, published at Point Pleasant, W. Ya. After a few months he disposed of his interest in the paper and returned to the farm and began the study of law. and was admitted to the bar in VVinfield, \Y. Ya., in 1877. In 1878 he removed to Council Grove, Kansas, where he resided and practiced his profession until he came to Rich Hill in 1882. He was elected justice of the peace in Council Grove, Kansas, and served out a term of two years. In October, 1SS9. he removed with his family to Butler, where he has since resided. lie was elected prosecuting attorney of Bates County in 1S90 and served a term of two years successfully. In 1892 he was a candidate tor circuit judge on the People's Party ticket and was also nominated by electors, and carried three counties out of the four composing the 29th judicial circuit, but was defeated. The election of his opponent was contested, the opinion of the Supreme Court being recorded in 115 Mo. Repts. He became the editor of the Butler Free Press in 1S94 and has been with the paper ever since, and is regarded by friend and foe as a clear, decisive writer, a fair and honorable editor, and a good citizen. He lives in a comfortable cottage home with a family of five children, having recently lost his wife whom he married in Barton County, Mo,, in 18S4. He was a member of the first national committee of the People's Party and is now a member of the state committee. In 1894 the Kentucky Central Normal School confered on him the honorary degree of A. M. He is a man of varied culture, firm convictions and great tenacity of purpose; and his home has always been an open door to all who wish to come and share its modest and cordial hospitality.

Butler

The first settlor on the site now occupied by Butler was one John C. Kennett. who came there probably about 1845, at any rate, he was well established there in 1849, and he whs the first man to establish any kind of mercantile business at the place, he having put in a stock, principally whiskey and tobacco, for which he found a ready and profitable sale, to the "forty-niners" who were about this time lushing in every conceivable manner, to the far West for the purpose of acquiring possession of their share of the "root of all evil." the glittering gold of California. He seems to have prospered here for a time but finally falling a victim to the "gold fever" himself he sold his business to John W. Montgomery, the second settler, and went to California in search of greater wealth in 1853. J. S. Wilkins and John E. Morgan next came and settled here in 1854, and the Legislature having passed an act in 1851, which ordered the County Court to remove, the county seat from Papinsville to such other place as the people of the county should designate by a petition bearing the names of three-fifths of the qualified voters of Bates County, and this question of removal now being agitated, Morgan and some others conceiving the idea that the land on which they were living being near the center of the county and well suited by nature for a townsite would stand a good chance of securing the county seat, proceded, in 1854, to lay out a town, which they named Butler, and as an additional inducement to secure the county seat, Morgan, Wilkins and Montgomery offered to donate to the county a tract or tracts of land which agregated 55 acres, which offer was soon accepted. But notwithstanding their laying out a town and making this offer, it seems no other busiuess was attracted to Butler until after the location of the county seat had been fixed here in 1856 by commissioners, W. S. Sutherland and Achilles Easley, who were ap-

The first business house, devoted to business, was erected by Couch & Smith in the spring of 1856, in which they - conducted a geueral merchandising business. They came here from Platte county, Missouri, but were originally from Kentucky. The next business house Avas put up by McComb *£: Kobison in the fall of 1856, their business being general merchandise also. McCoinb previously lived in Deepwater township, this county, and Kobison in Platte county, this state. Dr. Joseph S. Haiusbrough was the first physician to locate here for the practice of medicine.

The first school was taught in a building erected for both school and church purposes in 187)0. The teacher was Mrs. Martha Morgan, wife of John E. Morgan. This building was used by all denominations for their services, people coming for fifteen or twenty miles to attend church, as the church houses were very scarce at that time.

The first hotel or tavern wjis kept by John E. Morgan, who was succeeded by Thomas Rice. This hotel was a log house, and the management were able to supply man and beast with the plain fare of the time, but without those lax uries and embellishments which our modern education lead us to expect and demand, and which our pioneer progenitors tell us is the cause of the physical jjnd moral degeneration of the race and which will ultimately be the sure cause of our complete undoing.

When the county seat was removed from Papinsville to Butler, the latter place had no court house or other suitable place for the sessions of the courts to be held in aud the first Grand Jury was compelled, for want of a better place, to meet out iu the prairie on a knoll, at which place tbey remained in session one day, but no business coming before them, they then adjourned. These conditions rendered it necessary to build a court house, aud they decided that it should be a brick building two stories high. The contract for building was let to William Hurt and a Mr. Fritzpatrick. The brick used in the building were burned at Butler, where the Lake Park now is, and the building begun in 1857, and completed in lt>58, but was destro3*ed by fire during'the war. The building cost about £9,000, and was a credit to the pro-

The subject of this sketch enjoys the distinction of being the youngest and most successful editor of a country paper in Missouri, having commenced his career as proprietor and editor of the Hume Telephone at the age of i6 years. Mr. Moore is a native Missourian. From the extreme tenderness of his youth he bears the euphonious title of "The Kid," but his sober and intelligent editorials make the appellation respectable. The motto at the head of his paper, viz: "A live, independent journal devoted to spreading the news and earning a few dollars in cash," embodies the warp and woof of his life's effort. Through manly foresight, judicious advertising and a ready pen, his paper has been rescued from the quicksands of disaster, while in other hands, and placed among the substantial newspapers of the state.

His quaint aphorisms, unique questions, scientific deductions, sarcastic and cutting paragraphs are now being copied by leading papers everywhere. In addition to the business of his own office he does special or detail work for several well known eastern publishing houses.

In a social way Mr. Moore is something of a curiosity. Sedate as a preacher and comical as a clown, never forgetting the maxim that evil communications corrupt good manners. He is widely known and pleasantly spoken of by a respectable number of the fraternity, and nothing but a misfortune will prevent him from reaching the peaks longed for by the journalistic world. Dictated: Steno. No. 499.

gross and enterprise of the people of Bates County at that time, having so many inconveniences and difficulties with which to contend. Nothing but native lumber, native clay and native stone as material for buildiug, without going an Unreasonable distance for them and then bringing them b.ick by the laborious and tedious process of freighting by ox wagons. But the native push and indomnitable will of those people who have made Bates Count}* what it is to-day, overcame all difficulties, surmounted all obstacles, and their efforts woe finally crowned with a degree of success, in the prosperity and progress of the county, which in their wildest imaginings they had never dreamed of attaining so soon. After the erection of tin* court house Butler grew rapidly until at the breaking out of hostilities between the states it was a considerable town, for its age, but here we will leave it for a time, and follow its history through the war and later in the common history of all the towns in the couutv.

Bordek Tkoubles

The Missouri Compromise, as the act which admitted this state was called, provided that Slavery should be prohibited uorth of 06 degrees 30 min. north latitude, but when the territory of Kansas applied for admissiou, the Slavery men determined to force her in as a slave state. The antagonists of Slavery were just as determined that it should go in as a free state. Both sides rushed in men in their endeavor to control elections and carry their respective points. Iu this manner a great many reckless characters were gathered along the Kansas - Missouri hue. and as a result lawlessness became rampant. These troubles commenced in 1855 and Hi. and while the boni-fidc settlers of Bates County took no part in them, and perhaps were not very deeply interested at first, regarding the matter as one in which the}- had no part, they were too close to tlie scene of action to escape the effects of these disturbing conditions for any considerable time. The leader of the Free State men was John Brown, who for a time made his headquarters just over the Kansas line from

Bates County, the farm generally known as the "Old John Brown Place," lying at the foot of a mound sixteen miles west of Butler, and adjoining the Missouri line. Brown recognized no law in his operations against the institution of Slavery, and no more did the leaders of the opposition in their attempts to crush him and his followers, and the struggle soon took the form of plunder, arson and murder. While the greater part of this sanguinary conflict was waged ou Kansas soil, the settlers oh this side of the line suffered severely from raids by the Free State men. Small parties came over the border and thieateued, and in some instances committed serious depredations. In May, 185H. a meeting was called at the place of Jerry Jackson, on Mulberry Creek, to consider the difficulties and try to find some means by which those troubles might be settled, or the settlers and their property protected. The predominant sentiment at this meeting which was attended by about 200 people, was favorable to an attempt at a peacable settlement of the troubles, but the radical element under lead of one, Hamilton, refused to join iti this decision and adjourned to the home of Mc Henry, where plans were laid for a raid on the Free State settlers over the Kansas line. This raid they carried out, and after gathering up about one dozen of these men, opened fire on them, killing five and wounding five more. The only resistance the party encountered was at the John Browu place, where Eli Snyder, a blacksmith, claims to have killed two of the party and wounded the leader. Hamilton, and escaped from the band. The men who took part in this raid were not settlers of Bates County, but were the people who had gathered, as the crows do around a carrion, where they could indulge iu lawless practices to the content of their vicious natures.

The Free State men vowed vengence on the perpetrators of this outrage, and several bands crossed the border in search of Hamilton and his followers. The settlers, especially in the western part of the county, were kept in constaut terror of retaliatory measures, and even Butler, the county seat, was expecting a raid by the Free State men. John Brown, himself, headed several raiding parties into this state and carried away a number of slaves, killed one, possibly more, owners, and also took other property.

Both the State aiid National Governments declared Brown an outlaw, and offered rewards for his apprehension. Brown, as a return of the compliineut, offered a reward for the Governor of Missouri, and the President. Gathering up the slaves he had liberated. Brown took them b}T way of Nebraska and Iowa, to Canada, and the "border" knew him no more.

Hamilton escaped the Free State men at that time, but according to Eli Snyder, in an account published about two years since, he was killed, in the Iudiau Nation, June 17, 1S77, (supposedly by Suyder) thus at last suffering death at the bauds of one of his intended victims.

These raids, as a matter of course, created great excitement along the border, and the feeling between the partisans of the Free State leaders and the Pro slavery men ran high. In 18o^ aud '*> began an exodus from -the western part of the county, which movement although at first it was not general enough to produce any great change, gathered momentum as the situation continued to grow darker. As one of our Old Settlers expressed it: ''It seemed like a great black cloud was hanging over the country, aud everyone was waiting, breathlessly, for the breaking out of the storm."

Every man began to suspect his neighbor, and no one knew just who his friends or enemies were. At the close of 1859 there came a lull in the border troubles, but it was only the calm before the storm, the prelude to the great Civil War.

Pioneer Life

We have briefly sketched the pioneer period in our county's history, and a shc»rt description of the genera] and social conditions prevalent at that time may not be out of place.

The earliest settlers, being widely separated, there was very little in their lives except the daily contact with nature in its pure and unadulterated forms, and while this life ruajT have been solitary and monotonous, it was not without its compensations, as is shown by the testimony of the few remaining pioneers. They grew to love their somber forests, and their gorgeously beautiful prairies, and they yet mouru their desecration by the ever increasing influx of busy, bustling humanity. Later on as more and more homeseekers were drawn here, the people naturally gathered in settlements, and enjoyed the blessings of social intercourse. The , first settlements were confined exclusively to the vicinity of the numerous water courses, where they secured the material for their homes from the forests which lined the streams. The houses were uniformly built of logs, and the majority were small and rude, but some of the more pretentious were made from nicely hewn timbers, which were neatly and carefully put together, forming substantial and comely structures. Each house had one or more large chimneys, and open fire-places which were, in the winter season, piled high with huge sticks, or logs of wood, and the whole building was heated and lighted by the cheerful blaze.

The fields, consisting for the greater part of clearings in the timber land, were fenced by means of rails split from the timber which grew on the land. The crops consisted principally of corn, wheat and oats, and the common garden produce. They also raised cotton and hemp, and each family kept a few sheep, and from these various sources the loom, which supplied the family with wearing1' apparel, was fed. They made but little attempt to raise more than was sufficient for their needs, as they were too distant from \ was born in Washington City, D. C, on the 31st of December, 1843. His father, M. T. Doolev.came to this country from Ireland when quite a young man and manned Miss E. Hannah a native of Washington. The subject of this sketch received his early education in the public schools of that City, then attended Gonzaga College, a branch of Georgetown College, finishing his education at Villa Nova College just west of Phila., Pa. At the age of eighteen he began work as clerk in a retail drug store and after the war became a clerk in the Quartermasters Dept. Seeing no other future for him in his native place than clerkship in retail stores or clerking for the government and being ambitious for something higher, he concluded to come west and landed in St. Louis on the 3rd of May, 1S6S, a complete stranger with only a tew dollars in his pocket. Situations were few and applicants very numerous at that time, but after repeated efforts he succeeded in getting a position as clerk in a Title Abstract office, in which occupation he continued until he graduated from the St Louis Law School in 1871, working during the day and studying at night, although he had passed the examination before the Circuit Court and been admitted to the bar after his first year at the Law School. After graduating he hung out his shingle as a lawyer, doing work as abstracting until he had built up practice sufficient to give him a living and continued in the practice of his profession in St. Louis until he came to Bates County in 1883; it was in St. Louis that he met and married Miss Germaine E. Duclos, six children now living and three dead being the result of that union. About the time of his arrival in St. Louis the movement for the enfranchisment of the Southern sympathizers was assuming proportions and being a democrat he entered into it with his usual energy and enthusiasm, contributing as far as lay in his power to removal ot the test oath and other iniquities of the Drake Constitution and at all times while there assisted in the success of his party, giving to it his means, time and abilities. Having quite a large and growing family he concluded to seek a smaller place in order to give them more of his personal care and attention.

}x>se of any surplus to advantage. They raised many hogs, which were killed and the meat cured, and this they hauled away, some to points on the Osage where the river boats took it to more distant markets; some was taken to points on the Missouri River, and there traded for those supplies which could not be raised on the settlers' clearings. Their corn and wheat, they took to the little gristmills which were soon located at convenient points, and it was there converted into bread-stuffs. Going to mill and awaiting their turn for the grist was one of the diversions of pioneer life.

As soon as a settlement, consisting of six to a dozen families, was formed, educational and religious matters received attention. The men would meet and proceed to erect a primitive log building, which would be used for school purposes on week days and as a church on Sundays.

At the time (1856) the county sent was removed to Butler, ouly a small portion of the land of the county had been homesteaded, but within the next four years it was practically settled, and the county contained a population of between six and seven thousand people, who were fairly prosperous and contented. Many had by this time made extensive hnprovemeuts on their farms, built more pretentious residences, brought greater aieas under cultivation and gave more attention to the raising of live stock. The county was now a busy, prosperous commonwealth' where we leave it to turn to a different scene.

.1 story of sorrow, of {error, ami of n I logic ssu. n. Jiatts County is sire/it hy the fierce conflict of Civil Warfare - Slitters ore driren from their homes, their i/iti tilings air. mined and their fields return to their irild state, irhile riiits ami toiras fall rictims to the torch.

In order that the situation may be thoroughly understood, we are obliged to note a few important occurrences connected with state affairs which were happening in the early days of this period.

During the presidential campaign of 1860, threats were freely indulged in to the effect that the Slave states would secede from the Union in the event of Lincoln's election, and when the expected happened, they proceeded to carry their threats iuto execution. "While Missouri was a Slave state, but comparatively few of its citizens were slave owners. That class, however, endeavored to force the state to join her Southern sisters in their desperate course. The majority of her people, however, were opposed to extreme measures. The State Assembly met in January and, finding the members at variance on the fpjestiou, concluded to refer it back to the people. They accordingly passed au act creating a convention to be composed of delegates selected by the people, and this convention was empowered to decide as to the course to be pursued. This body, in session at St. Louis, about March 10, lbGl, passed a resolution in favor of maintaining the Union, but was not in favor of war if the Southern states persisted in their action. This, however, was a position which could not be maintained. Governor Jackson raised an army of state troops to defend the state from aggressions from the Federal Government. This action brought him into conflict with the Union forces, and the state troops were defeated at Boouville, June 17, 1861.

In this county the campaign of 1860 was one in which much bitterness was shown. The border troubles culminating in the Hamilton and Brown raids, left the liues between the Free State and Slavery parties rigidly drawn. As in the state, the Southern sympathizers were largely in the majority in this county. The reckless element, which had previously taken }>art iu the border raids, was active in stirring up auimosity, and many threats were indulged in against those believed to be in sympathy with the Abolitionists and ;is to what might be expected by those who tried to vote for Lincoln at the November election. The anti-slavery men very discretely remained quiet, and very few of them attempted to exercise their right of franchise. After the election the names of those persons who were alleged to have cast the Lincoln ballots were posted at various public places over the county, and it was broadly intimated that it would be wisdom on their part to "make themselves scarce. "

When the result of the election became known, it was generally thought that the President elect, Liucolu. would not be recognized by the Southern states, and all were anxiously watching to see what course our state would take- About the tirst action bearing on the questiou which was taken in this county was the organization of '"Cummiugs Battalion/1 which was composed of several hundred Southern sympathizers who were to guard the state border, and render whatever aid to the Southern cause it lay in their power to accomplish, to keep watch on and report the movements of the Union men, etc. This was a secret organization and it was never known just how many members it contained, or who those members were. It was one of the moves of the Southern men in their attempts to force the state to join the Seceders.

The Union sympathizers were overawed aud kept quiet. If they showed too much activity they would receive a warning, and if this was not heeded, a night call would follow.

General Price was in command of the Confederate forces in this section and in the spring of J8G1 a portion of his army was stationed at Papinsville. At this time a number of com-

The Southern element was dominant here uutil Geueral Laue, with his Kansas troops, swept through the county in the fall of Yd. Then all wlio had taken a conspicuous part in upholding the Confederacy were compelled to leave. Sonic joined the regular service, others "took to the brush." From this tiin;* forward tliecaunty was repeatedly raided bjT the troops of the one side or the other. When the Confederate troops came in the Southern sympathizers would lead them to the homes of their neighbors who favored the North. Then when the Union forces came in the Southern sympathizers, in their turn, would suffer. Neither life uor property was safe. In fact, property suffered, whether the invading forces were friend or foe. If a settler was a sympathizer of the raiding party they would "barrow" his property "for the good of tile cause." If of the opposite persuasion, they would confiscate it. The result was the same iu either case; the properly was never returned or accounted for.

When Gen. Lane brought his Kansas troops over to join in the campaign against the Southern forces under Geu. Price, a portion of his army, on its return to Ft. Leavenworth, passed through Bates County enroute. They eutered the county at Papiusville. and while at that place burued the old court house building. Oue troop, under command of Capt. Beil. approached Butler from the south-west: another, under the lead of Maj. Montgomery, came from Papiusville. They had planned to join forces at the Ramey place, south of Butler. Bell's troop arrived at the appointed place some time iu advance of the others and, instead of waiting for their comrades, went out to the north-west of Butler, ou Bones Fork, in search of some parties who had made themselves particularly obnoxious to the Union men, and who. on the approach of the soldiers, had fled from Butler and were iu hiding. One of these was a man named Lock, who had, in 'GO, killed an Indian at "West Point. He had been placed in jail at Butler, but had soon afterwards been released.

Montgomery afterwards came to the Ramey place, and not finding the other troops there, sent a party of five into Butler to find out what had become of Capt. Bell and his force. This party was captured by the Southern men. now commonly designated "bushwhackers" in distinction from the regu- lar Southern soldiers. Not hearing from this scouting party Montgomery followed with his entire troop, and took ]k>ssession of the town, the Southern men fleeing as he advanced. This was in the last days of December, 1861. The town does not appear to have suffered greatly, but all the county records were taken and carried away to Ft. Leavenworth.

Affairs were now in a chaotic condition, such civil officers as remained were entirely powerless to cope with the conditions and enforce any sort of order. Property rights were disregarded, and the general rule with many was to take what they could get. The raiding back and forth over the line between Kansas and Missouri was started afresh when the war brok * out. and tlie territory on each side of the line was stripped of everything movable. In fact, stories of houses being b.nlily moved from one state into another, are often told. West Point fell an early victim to the Kansas raiders, and the town was almost wij>ed out of existence. Its stores were looted and houses burned. The office of the West Point Banner, which had incurred the enmity of the Kansas men. was looted aud type and machinery scattered and destroyed. The other towns of the county suffered, but to a less extent. v

Lane's troops burnt the greater part of Papinsville in thex fall of '61, and the Osage River bridge was destroyed by the state troops in order to prevent Price from entering the county with his army.

In the spring of IbCl* a troop of the 1st Iowa Calvarj-, commanded b3' Col. Warren, was stationed at Butler and remained through the summer. The}' preserved order in the town, but their preseuce had little effect on the bushwhacking element which continued its operations throughout the county. The troops would occasionally raid a camp, but the men would scatter, only to return as soon as the soldiers left.

At one time, while a detachment of Warren's troops was foraging, on the Miami, it was way-laid and fired on by bushwhackers, and several were killed.

When General Price made his raid through Henry and adjoining counties. Col. Warren was ordered to join in pursuit of the Southern army. About this time a state militia - Home Guards, they were called - was organized. Captain J. B. Newberry was in command of one of those companies which first had its headquarters at Clinton, then Germantown. This company was ordered to Butler in the fall of J Nil', and remained until the county was depopulated.

In December 1>0l\ ;i man by name of Slater, was executed at Butler, by command of Major White. Slater was not a Bates county man, but had been brought ben? by White's troops and sentenced by court-martial.

While this section was nominally under the control of the Union forces, it was entirely beyoud the power of the few troops to preserve order outside of such places as garrisons could be maintained.

The border counties, in both Missouri and Kansas, had acquired a reputation for lawlessness that was far from encouraging to the military authorities, and heroic measures were decided upou.

Ewing Order

First: All persons being in Cass, Jackson and Bates counties, Missouri, and in that part of Vernon included in this district, except those living within one mile of the limits of Independence. Hickman's Mill. Pleasaut Hill, and Harrisonville, and except those in that part of Kaw township, Jackson county, north of Brush Creek and west of Big Blue, embracing Kansas City and Westport, are hereby ordered to remove from their present places of residence within 15 days from the date thereof.

Those who. within that time, establish their loyalty to the satisfaction of the commanding officer of the military station nearest their present places of residence, will receive from him certificates stating the fact of their loyalty, and the names of the witnesses by whom it can be shown. All who receive such certificates will be permitted to remove to any

.military station in this district, or to any part of the state of Kansas, except the counties on the eastern borders of the state, all others shall remove out of this district. Officers commanding companies and detachments serving in the couuties named, will see that this paragraph is promptly obeyed.

Second: All grain and hay in the field, or under shelter, in the district from which the inhabitants are required to remove, within reach of military stations, after the 9th day of September next, will be taken to such stations and turned over to the proper officer there, and report of the amouut so turned over made to district headquarters, specifing the names of all loyal owners, and the amount of such produce taken from them. AH grain aud hay found in such districts after the !*th d;iy of September next, not convenient to such

As will be noticed from its wording, this order included Bates County entire, not even a military station being reserved. Bates was the only county which Avas entirely depopulated. Those who had braved the many dangers in their attempts to preserve their homes from total ruin, were now compelled to leave ail and seek homes among strangers. The order appeared harsh aud unjust to many, but it was enacted as a military necessity, aud undoubtedly saved many lives, as robbery and murder would have contiuued unchecked uutil the close of the war.

Therefore, there was no disjjuting the order as the Military was the supreme authority and there was no appeal from its decree. The people hastily gathered up what few personal effects they had been able to save from the raiders, pressed into service every conceivable sort of conveyance, many of them hardly knowing which way to turn. Some went into nearby counties where they made some sort of temporary homes. Some went to Kansas, and not all of them were

As a result of the Ewiug Order Bates County once again became a tenautless wilderness. Fires raged, unchecked, through prairie, wood and overgrown tieid. Fences, buildings, improvements of all kiuds were swept away. Where, only three years previous, had been a flourishing commonwealth, composed of six thousand people, now roamed the savage wolf and half starved dog, and perchance, the hunted outlaw, who sought refuge in the forbidden territory.

Cut the history of the county, from this time until the close of the war, is a blank. A few of her officials and citizens attempted to keep up a show of county government, and Germautown. just over the Heury county liue. was made a sort of temporary headquarters. In the fall of 1864, a few Bates County citizens, under protection of troops stationed atGermantowu, came over into Bates, met at Johnstown, aud went through the form of electing county officials. The County Court endeavored to preserve its organization, but as a matter of fact, could transact no business. There was no court sessions, no real estate transfers, no records, and no taxes could be assessed or collected. As far as records or legal proceedings are concerned, there was no such organization of Bates County from September, 1863 to the close of the war.

J. C. Clark

J. C. Clark was horn in Christian county, Kentucky, February 28th, 1S43. He comes of that hardy pioneer stock whose rugged honesty, mental stamina and strength of character has made firm the foundation of the matchless citizenship of the West. His father. Dr. J. H. Clark, a physician of the old school and one of the most respected and influential citizens of his state, early moved with his family to the West, and became one of the first settlers of Southern Illinois, building his log house in Christian county, then an uninhabited wilderness. There and in Texas the subject ot this sketch spent his boyhood upon the farm, enduring the hardships and encountering the difficult ies common to his time and situation. He came to Missouri in his early twenties, and in 1S6S was married to Miss Mallissa Myers of Otterville, in Cooper county, where he was then living. Early in the winter of 1869 he came to Bates county and settled at Butler, then a mere hamlet. With no capital save scrupulous honesty, industry, sincerity and integrity which have characterized his whole life, he cast his lot here, and soon won that esteem and popularity which he has retained to this day. In 1876 he was elected Sheriff of the county by a sweeping majority. His administration was a popular one, and at the end of his first term he was re-elected for a second term by an increased majority. While serving his second term he was appointed collector. At the close of his term in that office he was tendered the cashiership of the Bates County \\ational, (now the Bates County) Bank, which position he is still filling. This will be his twentieth year in this important position of trust and responsibility, and the steady growth an J increasing strength and patronage of that institution with which he has been so long identified, is a monument to his integrity, character and financial ability. He has two sons, Harvey C. , present Prosecuting Attorney of the county, and Claud L., assistant Attorney General of the state, who lives in Jefferson City. In politics, like his father and grandfather before him, he is a democrat, and has always been prominent in party affairs. His universal popularity among the masses of the people has always been great. Perhaps no man who has ever lived in the county has known so many of its people by name, and withal has had the friendship and esteem of all of them as has the subject of this sketch.

Recuperation

At the close of the war in 1K35, Bates County presented to the chance traveler who was forced by circumstances to pass through tLe barren and deserted country, once populous and flourishing, now all but utterly ruiued and tenantless. a picture of the most utter desolation. Perhaps no other part of the United States was so entirely and completely stripped of all improvements and material necessary for the subsistence of man or beast as Bates County, not even excepting the Shenandoah valley in Virginia, for the crow had long since departed from Bates* borders iu disgust at not beiug able to find sufficient provisions to carry with him iu his jouruey across the country. Nothing to disturb the vast solitudes except jiu occasional bo<ly of troo]>s who might for some reason be compelled to pass through h«*re, or au outlaw seeking to hide himself where there were no officers ;>nd no civil laws to fear.

The recuperative powers of Bates County's people together with the unlimited variety of her natural reso* ~^es could not have been more graudly or conclusively demonstrated than by the rapidity with which the county recovered from this terrible and almost fatal blow to her development. At the close of hostilities the county could boast only about three school houses iu its territory and they were in a badly dilapidated condition. Along the eastern border there were some houses left standing aud a few families living in them, but the only signs of past habitation in a large portion of the county was an occasional lonely chimuey found standing to mark the spot where once had been a happy home, but now deserted and desolate.

Iu Butler, which before the war was a beautiful little village, there was now left three or four cabins, the remainder having been destroyed by fire. One of these belonged to William Smith, father to Joe Smith. There were no busi-

In lKOO people began to return to the county and re-establish their homes amid the ruins of former ones, and at the same time the civil authorities, for so long a time helpless, began again to assume control and bent all their energies to bring order out of chaos, but just on the outset found themselves confronted by a condition, not a theory, said condition being a county with no court house nor office buildings, and no building whatever that could be used for these purjx>ses, and worst of all, no money with which to er*x*t suitable ones. In this dilemma they were forced to in a ke temporary arrangements by erecting in the north-east corner of the public square a frame building about 24x40 feet, to be u>ed as a court house, and iu the south-east corner one 10x1* for the use of the county clerk as his office. These buildings were erected by Jao. Divinny.

Benj. White was the first man to engage in the mercantile business in Butler after the war. Hut. others came in rapidly and the town soon began to grow in reality, but for a year or so the outlook for the county was not very bright, for many of those who were land owners had cast their lot with the lost cause, and thereby lost everything. They returned to find their homes ruined and the money in which they had been paid Ix'ing worth nothing they were absolutely without means to make the necessary improvements, and the result was that much of the land was never reclaimed by the original owners and returned to the government, or was sold for taxes. There were as yet, 1K66, no railroads iu the county, but numerous enterprises for the securing of roads through all parts of the county, and the flattering promises ma.le by the promoters acted as a stimulus to immigration and the actual building of some to within a short distance of the county kept this iuterest alive.

Of the towns that flourished before the war. Hutler, the county seat, was the only one which regained its prestige. Old Papinsville was partially rebuilt, but the river trade was gone, and soon the M. K. & T. K. R. pass<nl through the southeast corner of the county, and new towns sprang upon the line of the railway! Papinsville remained only a local trading point, aud not a business center as it was iu its early days. Johnstown being near the border of the depopulated ;» nitory, was one of the first towns in the county to rocovc r a part of its old-time activity, and for the first few years fol lowing the war. was quite an important town. But the railroads also brought its rivals which prevented it from attaining its place in the category of leading towns of the bounty. The border troubles and the war completely wiped "West Point off the map aud left not a sign of civilization or improvements in the west part of the county, but at -the close *»f the war it was rebuilt and, like John stow u. did a very considerable business until the building of railways brought it rivals which lelt it merely a relic of by -gone days.

But soon new towns began to appear in different parts of tin* county. In the east, Hudson was located iu '67, on the strength of railway surveys, and quite a colony of immigrants from New York state located here. But the railway "passed by on the other side.** and Hudson never attained more than local prominence.

In the southern par* of the county Old Rich Hill was established south of the river, also in ls>7 and for a number of years remained tire local trading point. Iu the same year, Mulberry, iu the west part of the county was started, and being on the mail route from Butler and LaCygne, Kansas, and the center of a good agricultural district, grew to be a lively little town. Kew Home, also south of the river was located in 1M5SI, aud assumed its place as a local trading point. Besides these were a number of poiuts where postofticcs had been established, seme of them before the war, and wliere there was usually to be found a store or two and probably a blacksmith shop. Among these we might mention Prairie City. Lone Oak and Pleasant Gap, in the southeast: Maysbnrg, Uuion Town and Burdette, in the north.

Meanwhile a great charge was taking place throughout the rural portions of the county. At the* beginning of this period the great prairies stretched in almost unbroken expanse for miles iu every direction. A settler living iu the outskirts of the county, when making a visit to the county seat would cut across the nearest way, and was seldom denWtod from his course by fence or furrow. The country .wins still wild enough to give the Easterner a touch of frontier life. Deer were yet comparatively plentiful. Wild tur- full of the year the streams were covered over with wild ducks and geese. They also abounded in fish, and a halfhour with hook and line would supply the table. The water in the streams was much clearer and the supply seemed to be much more constant, than it has been siuee the county has been settled and most of the timber cut off. Prairie chickens in almost countless numbers gathered in their feeding grounds in the winter time, and were easily approached by the sportsmau. Squirrels were so plentiful and tame that they were hardly noticed by the hunter, but the farmers, provoked by their raids ou the corn fields, carried ou a warfare of extermination against the mischevious little pests. The fields also suffered from the ravages of the raccoon, and a trained "'cdou dog" was accorded a place of hoajr in every old settler's home. The excitement of the 'coon huut was a fascinating attraction for the new comer, aud tiie older inhabitants took pride in exploiting the feats of their favorite 'coon dogs. Opossums, rabbits, etc., were too numerous to excite comment. During the war, when the fields were overgrown with weeds, bushes and briers, reptiles of all kinds became very numerous. Snakes, especially the dreaded rattler, were too plentiful for the comfort of the field worker. But one treatment was recognized for snake bite. That was to fill the victim with the very worst grade of whisky obtainable and, if the whisky did not kill him, the milder p >isoa from the rattler gave up the job in disgust. A favorite place for these reptiles was under the swathes of grain in the harvest field, and not infrequently the binder gathered them up aud bound them with tin? grain. Familiarity, they say, breeds contempt, but few ever became callous enough uot to experience "that tired feeling" when brought into sudden contact with a healthy rattler. It is a great wonder, considering the number of these reptiles, that there were so few serious casualties from snake bites.