Buchanan County, Missouri - Chapter 4: Old Settlers and What They Did, 1881

Chapter 4: Old Settlers and What They Did

POSTMASTERS OF ST. JOSEPH - BUSfNESi MEN OF 1845-PROFESSIONAL MEN-PRICES CURRENT - FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION - LETTERS-MEETING OF PHYSICIANSINTERESTING INCIDENTS, ETC.

population, it was hardly expected by even the most ardent friends of the town that it would have in the beginning more than a moderate, steady growth. So great, however, was the influx of emigration hitherward from the older settled states in the East, that the population had increased from two hundred in June, 1843, to five hundred at the close of the year.

Among the earliest pioneers of Blacksnake Hills were C. A. Perry and his brother, Elias H. The first trip that C. A. Perry made to the town from Liberty, Missouri, was in the summer of 1842. He came horseback, reaching the Blacksnake Hills at sunset. While riding through the bottom, just south of town, Mr. Perry says, that he could just see the sun set through the top of the tall grass. He and his brother came in 1843, and commenced business (general merchandise) in the old trading house of Mr. Robidoux, on the west side of Blacksnake Creek, which was a one-story log house, their stock of goods being the second after Mr. Robidoux' in the place. In the fall of 1843 Mr. Perry and his brother erected two two-story brick business houses, on Main Street, between Francis and Jule, 20x6o feet, fronting east, and located in the same block now partly occupied by the cracker factory of F. L. .Sommer & Co. A man by the name of Angel did the carpenter work, a Mr. Miller made the brick, and William Langston did the plastering.

We have here given the names of the owners, builders and locality of the first brick houses erected in St. Joseph. These buildings were completed in 1844. Mr. C. A. Perry and his brother, Elias H., are still living in St. Joseph, engaged in the grain business, and are among the ' most respected and influential of her citizens.

With the Perrys, came A. M. Saxton, who was in their employ as salesman and book-keeper. He remained with them four years, having been employed by them in St. Louis. He then formed a partnership with Robert W. Donnell and William Duvall, (general merchandise), in a house on Second Street, which stood on the corner of Felix. (See biographical sketch.)

The next business houses were erected in 1844 by Hull & Carter and Livermore & Co., on Main Street, between Jule and Francis ; the one built by Hull & Carter was a two-story frame 20x60 feet, and that of Livermore & Co. a brick. About the same time Benjamin Powell built a one-story frame on Levee Street, and Johnathan Levy a onestory frame on the same street. Soon after this, Archie McDonald erected a small brick house on Water Street, as far south as Edmond. This, with the treacherous bank upon which it stood, has long since gone into the Missouri River.

In the fall of 1843 occurred the first sale of town lots. This sale had been advertised quite extensively by printed hand-bills (the printing being done in St. Louis) and upon the day of sale a great number of men

There were but few, if any, land speculators in attendance, the bidders, generally, being composed of men who wished to become bona fide citizens. The sale took place on Second Street, which locality was considered the most valuable portion of the town. Janies Anthony, who was at the time the sheriff of the county, was employed by Mr. Robidoux as auctioneer. At this sale, about one hundred and fifty lots were sold. Mr. Robidoux did not intend to sell more than one hundred, but was prevailed,on by the bidders to dispose of a greater number. The corner lots sold for one Jiundred and fifty dollars and middle lots for one hundred dollars. Mr. Robidoux believed that the price of lots would soon advance, hence his refusal to sell any more at that time at public auction.

In the fall of 1844, Israel Landis became a citize'n of St. Joseph, and began business in a house built by Glasgow, a shoemaker, on the west side of Blacksnake Creek. The following spring, Mr. Landis moved over on Main Street, between Francis and Felix, into a frame house, which he rented of George Brubaker. After remaining here a while, he then moved to the west side of the street and remained there until he moved into one of the buildings in Union Block, the latter feeing the first three-storybrick building erected in St. Joseph.

When Mr. Landis arrived," or doing the year thereafter, there were two one-story brick or tenement houses, built by Mr. Robidoux ; one of these stood on the corner of Felix and Fourth Streets and the other on Edmond on the corner of Fourth. Mrf Landis, though long since having reached the grand climacteric of human life, is still hale and hearty.

George Smith was also in business, on the west side of Blacksnake Creek, in 1844, and during the next spring moved over to Main Street at the same time with Landis, Perry, Powell, Levy and others.

During the same year Wm. M. Carter, a blacksmith, opened his plow manufactory on the corner of Second and Edmond, and Aquilla Morrow erected a similar manufactory on the east side, between Francis and Felix Streets. The tonsorial art was then started by Philip Wortwine, and a meat market was opened by AUendorf & Rhodes, on the corner of Francis and Main Streets. It was customary to have meat for sale on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, and it required a whole week to dispose of one animal.

Glasgow, mentioned above, who, although not an experienced disciple of St. Crispin, built a small shop at the side of the bridge over "Blacksnake Creek' and began work. At this romantic spot he continued to do business for several years, attending to the soles of his patrons in a very satisfactory manner.

Joseph Fisher, who now resides on the west side of "Blacksnake Creek,'' came in 1844, and had the honor of running the first regularly licensed dray in the town.

In 1 844-45 the first church edifice in the town, a log building 20x30 feet, was erected, under the direction of Rev. T. S. Reeve, a Presbyterian clergyman. It was located on the lot where the business house of John S. Brittain & Co. now stands.

In the fall of 1845, on a Sabbath day eve, while religious services were being held, a loud, rough knock was heard upon the door. Without waiting for a response, the door was thrust wide open, when in stalked a large, burly looking individual from Grand River.

With hat on and hand raised, he advanced toward the pulpit and motioned to the mimster to stop. The man of God (Rev. T. S. Reeve) being thus rudely and inopportunely accosted, left off preaching, when the stranger said :

Mr. Donnell being present and taking in the situation at a glance, immediately left his seat and went out- of the house with the enterprising and redoubtable honey vender. Whether he purchased the "bar'l" we cannot say. The man, however, who, nothing daunted, had so persistently hunted him up, braving the parson and the astonished gaze of the congregation, certainly deserved some consideration at the hands of Mr. Donnell. We hope, therefore, a bargain was made, and that his Grand River friend returned home a happier, if not a wiser man.

The first church bell to vibrate in the air of the classic hills of St. Joseph, was hung in the steeple of the old log church presided over by Rev. Mr. Reeve.

The first three-story building (fram?) erected in the town, was the " Edgar House," in 1845. It still stands on the corner of Main and Francis Streets, east of the cracker factory of Sommer & Co., as a monument of the past.

Robert W. Donnell came to the county in 1838, from North Carolina, but did not come to St. Joseph until about 1845. He was in the mercantile business some little time at Rock House Prairie. After his removal to this city he formed a partnership with George Smith. In 1848, the style of the firm was Donnell, Saxton & Duvall. Donnell' built a brick warehouse and then a brick storehouse, both of which are now in the river. He alsb erected a brick residence on the site of R. L. McDonald's business house, which was at the time considered the finest in the place. Mr. Donnell is now (1881) a banker in the City of New York.

The older citizens will remember the water mill, propelled by the waters of Blacksnake Creek, operated by Mr. Robidoux', for the benefit of the Indians. It ground both corn and wheat, and stood on the Black-

Dr. Martin, from Indiana, opened a boarding house on Second Street, betNveen Felix and Francis. His was the first family to move into St. Joseph proper after the town was laid off. His boarding house was made of hewn logs, and contained six rooms. The price of board per week was two dollars and a half. The Doctor soon after located in the country, about four miles from town, where he entered a quarter-section - of land and began to farm. In 1849, during the "gold excitement,' he went to California, being then about sixty-five years of age. When crossing the river at this place for the Pacific Slope, the Doctor had inscribed in large letters upon his wagon cover, the significant legend, "Gold or Blood." He was a man of great energy and strong will-power, and died in California.

John Corby was among the early arrivals from Kentucky, and soon became one of the most prominent citizens of the county. He possessed a good education and was a thorough business man. He opened a business house on Second Street, near the site of the old City Hotel. He was a money lender, and a contractor on the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad; often furnishing money to parties wishing to enter -land, and in many instances receiving therefor one half the land in return for the accommodation.

A little later, James Cargill, from Wheeling, Virginia, erected in the town a flouring mill on Eighth Street, between Edmond and Felix. This mill was considered a large one in that day, operating three runs of His son-in-law, James A. Owens, is now a resident of the city.

Among the early settlers was John Searcy, who was the first tailor in the town, and William Farley the first jeweler, and William Dillon, who kept the first livery stable, his place of business being east of Coi'- by's Block.

In 184s, Hill & Welding opened the first carriage 'shop, located on Main, near the foot of Edmond Street, and about the same time came Isadore Barada, and began the bakery business, on Main and Edmond Streets, south side. Jonathan Copeland built the first warehouse, between Jule and Water Streets. A man by the name of Inman kept a hotel (log house) on the corner of Second and Jule Streets, and a man by the name of May opened a similar house, containing two rooms, on Jule Street, between Second and Third. Mrs. Anna Hamilton, Benjamin Hartwell and George Merlatt were early settlers. Benjamin and Francis Northcut, William Carter and Philander Thomas (blacksmiths,) Whitehead & Infelt, Samuel C. Hall (first justice of the peace,) Thomas Mills (first mayor) and Alexander Constance, were all here in 1844 and 1845.

At the dates above mentioned, such agricultural products as the farmer had to dispose of, including horses and cattle, brought, in the St. Joseph market, the following prices :

Many of the business firms had commenced even at that day the jobbing trade, and continued up to 1856, when Smith, Tootle & Farley, Donnell & Saxton and others began exclusively a wholesale business.

Steamboats, other than those owned and run by the American Fur Company, were very limited in number. Generally about two a month passed St. Joseph.

The celebration of the Fourth of July was first observed in St- Joseph in 1845, by the Sunday School. The following is the programme fpr the occasion :

Order Of Exercises

The Sunday School will convene at the Church at 8 o'clock a. m. Procession will form at 8 o'clock, and will leave at precisely 9 o'clock for the grove.

On The Ground History O'F St. Joseph. 42 U.

On the 5th of July, the day followmg the celebration, the committee of arrangements for that interesting occasion, consisting of Israel Landis, George Brubaker and Josiah H. Crane, addressed a note to the Rev. F^ Willis requesting a copy of his address for publication.. On the nth of July, they received the following :

"July ii, 1845. " Dear Sirs : I am exceedingly sorry that I cannot comply with your request. I cannot do it, for the following reasons : First, I am sO' much of an offhand man, that I never write out any address on any occasion whatever, and consequently I never memorize. I must say in this case, as Belshazzar said to Daniel, ' the thing is gone from me.' Another reason: I have never yet delivered an address worth publishing ; either of which reasons, I presume your honors will in charitydeem a sufficient apology.

Believing that our readers would be pleased to know somethingmore of the first celebration of our National Holiday, in St. Joseph, wewill, in this connection, give a verbatim copy of a letter, which waspicked up on the street the day following that event, written by a Ger- man - an old settler :

" Unt by sure yesterday he peen to Forth of Shuly akin, und I dinks to mineself, I vill go me to St. Sho akin, unt see efry dinks vot te beebles peen do dare. Vel, den, ven I cooms dare. Shake Schneider he peen dare too. unt I ses, ' Vel, Shake, I peen so mittlen,. how you duss,. Shake.'' Unt Shake, he tells me if I will trink somedinks unt den coemit him to see the selebration." Unt I ax him, ' yes, I vill,' put vot in detivil he means, I dush not know. Vel, Shake, he dakes me to de shurch,, unt efrybody been come dare, unt dare bin Mishter Reef, unt he haf great many little shilders dare; unt I tells Shake, 'mine Got, mine Got, vot sort of a man ish dish, vot you calls Reef, to have so much shilders ? Unt how dush he keeb him on meat and breat ? ' Unt hesess : ' Philip, you peen vone fool ; dese peen de peebles' shilders vot peen coe to de Sunday School, unt Mishter Reef he been a teacher, unt he peen de Superintendent, unt dare dem berty bick galls vot you; sees: dare, unt dem fellows mit his hair so nise unt slick, da peen all Sunday Schoolmashters, unt day all shtart out to de voods to eat his dinner,,unt dare peen three udder fore fellows vot peen blaying te fittle unt some udder leetle squealin music not much bicker as a fife, unt day comes pefore,.unt den de shilders day comes, unt day haf vone crate bick hanksheef stikin on dop of a bole, und a hunderd yads of ribbins hangen to him,. und dem berty galls, und dem fellows vot haf de nise slick hair, day peen walk on de outsite of de shilders, unt den comes efrybody else folerin,.

Unt now I dinks to mineself dish peen von Whig meedin, unt da dinks da ville shlip in dot olt dory Henry Clay, ven de beebles not been dinkin any dinks about it. Unt I tells Shake I dush not like it, unt Shake he ses : "Philip, vot for make you peen von fool "

Philip Shtuffinger

At a meeting of the practicing physicians of the town of St. Joseph and vicinity, holden for the purpose of establishing a uniform system of charges, the following were agreed upon, to wit :

Historv Of St. Joseph

The last mentioned disease to be paid for invariably in advance. No charge will be made for more than two visits in town same day. Hereafter no families will be engaged by the year. Settlement in all cases will be required either by note or cash as soon as services are rendered.

During the month of May, 1845, the little town of St. Joseph came very near being the scene of a duel between two gentlemen of the medical profession, as the following will show :

Sir: I have been informed that some doctor in St. Joseph, from Weston, has used very disrespectful language in regard to me, and said that I did not know what a cataract knife was, and that I had lent to Dr. Belt wrong knives through profound ignorance, &c. Now, sir, I wish you to avow or disavow said language. I am a graduate from the college of Edinburgh and have my diploma from said institution ; I have been surgeon nearly seven years in the British army, and more recently assistant surgeon in the United States navy, for three years, aboard the ship- Experiment, Captain Mervin. I refer you to the Navy Chronicle for 1833, where you will find my appointment.

Dear Sir: In reply to your note of 3rd inst., I have to state that upon an occasion (the time and place I do not remember) you were the subject of the conversation. I then made use of the language in substance as follows : ' I have met with Dr. Gray but a few times ; I knownothing of him ; I know nothing of his professional qualifications. Sometime ago, soon after he came to this country, Dr.B , of Weston, sent to him for a Wetzel's cataract knife, and he sent a common Bistoury,, such as is usually found in a surgeon's pocket case, and wholly unlike the instrument required. Now I know not whether to attribute this tO' his own ignorance or his belief in the ignorance of the surgeons at Weston of a cataract knife. I further stated that Major C, of Weston, had spoken of you as having been engaged in a mercantile house in Pittsburg or Wheeling, and not known there as a physician or surgeon.'

The foregoing is, in substance, what I have said. I spoke nothing of my own knowledge, except in regard to the knife, and permit me to add, I did not intend any disrespect to you or cherish any desire to do' you injustice. I am happy to learn that I have been deceived in regard to your professional character, and I shall have pleasure to contradict the reports in circulation relative thereto.

Sir: - I have been informed that you avowed the language referred to in my last note to you, viz : That I had lent wrong cataract knives to Dr. Belt, through profound ignorance, etc. If you know said language to be a fact, you had a right to use it, otherwise, I shall require a retraction and an apology.

My friend P., Esq., is duly authorized to arrange and settle all thenecessary preliminaries in regard to time, place, and manner of satisfaction, in case Doctor Page refuses to do me justice as required above.

St. Joseph, May 9, 1845. Sir: To your note of the 3d inst. I have replied to through the medium of the Postoffice at Sparta. I then avowed the language I had msed relative to the cataract knife, &c. I do know, sir, that Dr. Belt, Weston, sent to you for a Wenzel's cataract knife, and that you sent a common Bistoury therefor, whether through ignorance or not I do not Your ob't serv't, sufficiently satisfactory. If you made use of the language contained in my note to you, for the purpose of injuring my standing as a physician otherwise, I demand an explanation.

My friend, Mr. M is duly authorized to make satisfactory arrangements with any friend you may please to appoint, otherwise to receive a satisfactory apology. Very respectfully your ob't serv't,

The following is the first list of letters remaining in the postofifice, ever published in St. Joseph. Among these names will be recognized many of the old settlers :

" List of letters remaining in the postoffice at St. Joseph, October I, 1845, which, if not taken out within three months, will be sent to the general postoffice as dead letters."

Death Of General Jackson

Upon the receipt of the intelligence of the death of the old hero of the battle of New Orleans, fought on the 8th of January, 181 5, the citizens of St. Joseph repaired to a grove, one mile north of the town, on Saturday, the 19th of July, 1845, and listened to a eulogy upon the life and services of General Jackson, delivered by Hon. Willard P. Hall, who then resided at Sparta. The Gazette, speaking of that occasion, says : " We will not do Mr. Hall the injustice to attempt a sketch of his speech. We would only say, the matter of the address was entirely appropriate ; his style was concise and perspicuous, sometimes ornamented by beautiful figures, and the composition lost nothing by the manner of delivery, for Mr. Hall is an agreeable speaker. The only objection we have heard made to the address is, that it was too short."

Health Of The Town In 1 845

During the summer and fall of 1845, the old citizens will remember that sickness prevailed over the Western States to an unparalleled extent. In almost every section of Missouri, disease prostrated a great many people, and even in Buchanan County they were not entirely free from its ravages. In St. Joseph, however, there was but little, if anyi during that year. The Gazette, speaking upon the subject, in 'October of 184S, says :

" Had there been any doubts about the healthfulness of our towtii its history the past year is sufficient to set that doubt to rest, for whilst people on the prairies, in the woodland, in the bottom, on the bluffs, and in the new and old portions of the state have very generally been made acquainted with the icy touch of the ' chill ' and the burning grasp of the ^ fever,' the people of St. Joseph have been remarkably healthy all the time."

"The weather is now fine - Indian Summer with all its serenity and -sweetness. On these lovely fall days 'tis a luxury to withdraw from the busy strife and hum of business, and seek the quiet solitude of the country, where nature inspires the mind with contemplations that refine and elevate. The faded and falling leaves, the drooping and frost-bitten grass, the leafless trees, forcibly remind man that his season of decay will soon come, and bids him, in feeling, imitate the calmness and sweetness which seem to pervade all space, and consecrate every object."

On the Sth of December, 1845, the "St. Joseph Lyceum" held its first meeting in the Presbyterian Church. The question discussed was : "Do the lights of nature teach the immortality of the soul.'" Disputants - Affirmative, Dr. S. D. Overstreet, George Brubaker. Negative, L. Archer, J. H. Young.

At the next meeting of this society, B. F. Loan became a member, and, among others, discussed the question, " Are the inferior animals immortal .''"

As the ladies may be interested to know when the first sewing society was organized in St. Joseph, we here quote from the Gazette of April 3d, 1846;

" We take pleasure in calling the attention of our townsmen to the St. Joseph Sewing Society, which has lately been established in our The object of the association is extremely laudable, viz., the gaining of funds to erect and finish the Methodist Church. We recommend those of our young men and others who may wish clothes of any

^description, to patronize, the ladies of the SL Joseph Sewing Society, for in doing this, the double consolation is found of wearing garments well -done up by the fairest fingers, and knowing that the proceeds are well appropriated."

About this date, there were in St. Joseph and vicinity quite a number of MormonSj whose presence here was not desired by a few of the citizens, as the following will show :

Notice

The Mormons now in St. Joseph may do well to leave as early as possible, as there is considerable excitement now existing against them, and to save trouble I advise them to seek some other home.

Samuel C. Hall

Among the advertisements which we find in the Gazette of 1846, is one entitled " Big Saddle Poetry." Being a novel, as well as an ingenious, production, we here insert it :

If a good saddle you would find, One that's just suited to your mind, You need not to St . Louis go, For you can get one in St, Joe. If in that town you chance to be, Call in at Landis' factory. You'll know it if you chance to spy That great big saddle hanging high ; The very same on which was found The Sparta Rooster, snugly bound ; Which, though it happened long ago, Can still gire forth as shrill a crow As when, on that eventful night, He challenged Landis to a fight. If this direction's not enough, From Somerville's go six doors south ; And when you're there if you can't see it, Just cross the street to Todd's for physic ; If then your sight should not be good, -Go three doors north of Dr. Wood ; And when you're there just take a hint, And walk straight up to Dr. Flint. Should you to Sparta chance to go. On your return stop at St. Joe; for Landis is the man, they say, To furnish saddles night and day.

Preaching

The Rev. Joshua Wilson will preach in St. Joseph this evening, (January 28, 1847,) at early candle lighting, in the house now occupied by the Methodists as a church.

" This town, as exhibited at present, seems to answer the expectations of those who have been the most hopeful of its advancement and prosperity. Many persons long doubted whether St. Joseph would, like the " thousand and one ' towns that spring up along navigable streams, flourish for a while and then dwindle into insignificance, or would take and maintain a permanent stand as a place for the transaction of business and ultimately fill the dimensions of a large town.

" The observation of the place nowwill effectually drive away all such doubts and establish the fact that we will at no distant day exist in the midst of a populous and important city.

" Several additional mercantile houses have been established here, many of the older firms have enlarged their business very much, and it is generally conceded that all of them are selling and will sell a vast amount of goods. The mechanics of every description have an abundance of work to do, for improvements are being made in every section of the town. More buildings are in process of being erected at this time than during any preceding season, and those buildings are generally of a better quality. Many of the farmers from a distance are now seen dealing with our merchants, who formerly carried their produce to other towns on the river, and bought their goods there. Take it all in ail, we have never known St. Joseph to present such an animated and businesslike appearance as is now exhibited, nor have the indications ever been so decidedly in favor of its permanent prosperity.

"Heretofore many difficulties have intervened to retard the progress of improvement here, some of which have been entirely overcome, and others only in part. We have had to contend with the jealous influences of other places, which knew that St. Joseph would soon become their successful rival. The character of this place has not been fully established abroad as the most elegible starting point for Oregon and California, notwithstanding all or very nearly all who have actual knowledge of the matter give the preference to St. Joseph. The great emigration to California, Oregon and Texas, tended to keep back this county and town in point of population and improvement, and the almost boundless extent of the lands in those countries which may generally be acquired by bare settlement, has conduced to diminish the price of real estate here. Furthermore, hemp, grain and pork, the staple products of this country, have until recently commanded a very low price, and the navigation of our river has been unusually difficult, on account of low water and snags.

"What progress this place and the surrounding country have made has been effected in spite of all these difficulties, but when these obstructions shall have disappeared, as all of them must do at some early period, the older settler here who has witnessed the town of his choice in all its stages, will feel his bosom swell with emotions of pride and exultation at the observation of her prosperity and beauty.

"Again, the spirit of internal improvement is abroad, our people are determined not only to improve the transporting facilities- now had, but to add others, which will place us on terms more nearly equal with other parts of the world. Then all the advantages we have in soil and climate will become available ; then a new impetus will have been given to the industrious farmer ; then the call upon the merchant for the necessaries and comforts of life will have been vastly increased ; then health and prosperity will everywhere greet the eye of the beholder ; then ours shall be a town and county in which the wealthy, industrious and educated of the other and older states will love to settle, and the situation of our town and the surrounding scenery, which are now surpassingly lovely, will be enhanced by the touch of art, and the citizen or visitor of cultivated or refined taste will love to contemplate their beauty."

The above article was written in the spring of 1847, ^"d is doubtless a faithful and correct representation of St. Joseph and her business prospects at that time. Four years had elapsed from the laying out of the town, and the inferences drawn from the editorial are that notwithstanding many difficulties had theretofore intervened, such as the jealousies of rival towns, imperfect navigation facilities, and other hindrances, the town had continued to prosper.

At that date, several additional mercantile houses had just been established here, and many of the older firms had enlarged their busi-- ness, and it was conceded that they were selling a vast amount of goods- Another evidence (always unerring), of the substantial prosperity of the town, was that the mechanics and laborers of all classes were then busy. Improvements were being made not only in one locality, or upon one street, but " in every section of the town." Not only a greater number of buildings were in process of erection, but they were generally of a better character.

Had the editor been a little more specific, and gone a little more into detail, and given the names of the parties making these improvements, and located these buildings, it would have been more satisfactory to the reader of to-day.

Western Mails

Thirty-five years ago, in this western country, mails were very irregular, sometimes several weeks intervening between times. Like all other extreme western towns, St. Joseph was frequently inconvenienced by the non-arrival at the proper time of the mail. In reference to the mail, the Gazette of April, 1847, says:

"We have not received a mail here for three weeks, nor do we know when we shall get one. Why does not the Postmaster at St. Louis make some arrangement to forward the mails by the river to this place as well as Glasgow ? Is it because we are too high up, or does the Postmaster General think that we can do without the mails ? If it be true that authority has been given to the Postmaster at St. Louis to make contracts for carrying the mails to Glasgow, why does he not make a contract with the boats that are coming direct to this place.' Wo could then have a mail once a week. The inconveniences that are felt and the loss that is sustained by the people from the outrages and intolerable irregularity now experienced, we hope will soon be remedied."

Public Meeting

A public meeting of the citizens of St. Joseph and vicinity will be held at the office of B. F. Loan, on Tuesday next, at 2 o'clock, P. M., to take into consideration the propriety of authorizing the corporation of St. Joseph to borrow money for the improvement of Blacksnake Creek, and such other matters as may come before the meeting. A general attendance is requested, particularly of the property holders in the town.

Many Citizens Commodore Stockton

October 27, 1847, St. Joseph had a distinguished guest in the person of Commodore Stockton, of the United States Navy. At a public meeting of the citizens of the town, a committee was appointed to arrange for his reception, who forwarded to him the following letter :

Sir: - The undersigned have been directed to. forward you the following resolutions, adopted unanimously at a public meeting held in this place on the 25th inst., the object of which was to formally receive and tender to you the hospitalities of the town, and also invite you to participate with the citizens in a public dinner. In the performance of this duty, it affords us pleasure to be made the medium through which to convey the warm manifestations of regard, as well as the high esteem entertained for you as an eminent and brave officer, whose life has been spent in aiding to elevate the naval force of our country to that "proud station it now occupies in the eyes of the civilized world, as also for the efforts of that genius that has so materially contributed to render it effective.

St. Joseph, Mo., October 27, 1847. To J. M. Bassett, John Corby, Lewis Tracy, Silas McDonald, Wm, Ridenbaugh, Joseph Robidoux and J. Lawrence Page.

Gentlemen: - I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your of yesterday, enclosing to me a copy of the resolutions passed at a public meeting, held at St. Joseph, and to express to you my thanks for the kind manner in which you have seen fit to communicate them. .

My stay at St. Joseph will probably be too short to permit me to accept the invitation to a public dinner, but I will do myself the honor to meet the citizen? of St. Joseph at any hour to-day which they may appoint. ';:,

Wm. H. Thompson, of the United States Navy, and J. C. Norris, the Gommodore's private Secretary, arrived at the landing, where a large crowd of people had assembled to greet them. From the river, he and his brave officers were accompanied by the committee and citizens, in procession, to the Mansion House, on the balcony of which a great number of ladies had assembled.

Dr. J. Lawrence Page, then, on behalf of the citizens, addressed Commodore Stockton in a brief and appropriate manner. The Commodore replied in a well digested and able address. He spoke of the injuries he had received in Mexico and characterized the war with that nation as just, and said that he would be glad to see the Star Spangled Banner float in triumph over every foot of Mexica'n soil.

After spending the afternoon in a pleasant manner, and taking by the hand the citizens of St, Joseph generally, the gallant old hero took his departure for St. Louis.

Temperance Discussion

The following question " Are temperance associations on the total abstinence principle beneficial to the community ?" will be discussed at the court house next Thursday evening, at early candle light, by the following disputants :

Our town is now entirely clear of the small pox, the person afflicted having recovered and gone. As there is no danger now, we hope that persons who have been trading in our town will continue to do so, and not listen to the idle trash of a few interested persons who would glory in the downfall of St. Joseph.

There were 1,861 votes cast for Governor in Buchanan County in 1848. At the November election of that year, General Cass received 357 rnajority in the county over General Taylor.

Thomas H. Benton

On the 9th day of August, 1849, Colonel Thomas H. Benton addressed the people of St. Joseph upon the history of the Platte Purchase, the Missouri Resolutions and the great Pacific Railroad. It was a memorable day in the history of Buchanan County. At an early hour, the streets of St. Joseph were thronged with her own citizens and the people from the county and other neighboring counties, who nad come to hear the great man speak. The place of meeting had been advertised to be the Presbyterian Church, but owing to the immense con- course of citizens, not more than one-fourth of whom the church could' accommodate, the meeting was held in a grove near the town. At the' hour of two o'clock, P. M., Colonel Benton took the stand, where the crowd had already gathered, eager to hear the great expounder of Democratic principles. For threfe hours he was listened to by the vast assemblage with the closest attention.

Every one present seemed to be on the tiptoe to hear and catch every word that fell from his lips. Although his auditors had to stand on their feet, jammed together, and the greater portion of them under the rays of a hot sun, shining directly upon their heads, yet there was no confusion, no changing of places, no talking and nothing to mar the feelings of the speakerj or to interrupt him in his masterly defense of the Constitution of the United States.

General David R. Atchison

On Monday, the 24th day of September following, General David R. Atchison addressed the people of St. Joseph on the subjects involved in Colonel Benton's speech of August 9th. He was treated with the utmost courtesy by the citizens, a large number of whom were present. General Atchison was an anti-Benton man, and severely criticized the Colonel's political career, and especially many of His votes upon important questions in the United States Senate, denouncing them as "Abolition votes."

On the following day. General J. B. Gardenhire replied to General Atchison, and in an able and eloquent manner defended Colonel Benton's course.

Prosperity

From September to December the same year, there were erected twenty more buildings, which certainly speaks well for the growth of St. Joseph during the year 1849.

Charles Robidoux

On the night of the 8th of September,. 1850,, occurred the death ©f Charles Robidoux, the youngest son of Joseph Robidoux, the founder^ of St. Joseph. The circumstances connectefd with his death are as follows :

On the night above mentioned, about eleven o'clock, young Robidoux, in company with other young men of the town, were on the street,, engaged in some harmless sport. They were rapping at the doors of the business houses, to awaken the clerks and others sleeping therein.. They rapped on the door of D. & T. D.. S. MacDonald, and,, after leaving it, they went to a post set in the ground, a-t the edge of the pavement opposite the building, and commenced pulling it up. Young Robidoux pulled the post up, and, placing it on hLs shoulden, he started towards the opposite side of the street, and wheii he had gone about one-third of the distance, a gun was fired from the window of the second; story of MacDonald's store. The load, which consisted of shot of large size, took effect in the back part of his head, tearing it almost to atoms. He expired in a few minutes.

Charles Robidoux was in the twentieth year of his age, was much respected, and his death was a source of great regret tO' his friends and numerous acquaintances.