Buchanan County, Missouri - Chapter 28: The Banks and Financial Institutions That Have Existed in St. Joseph in the Past, and Those That Live in the Present. - Various, 1900

The Names That Are Written On The Tombstones

THE BANKS AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS THAT HAVE EXISTED IN ST. JOSEPH IN THE PAST, AND THOSE THAT LIVE IN THE PRESENT. - VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS FOR THE PROMOTION OF COMMERCE AND MANUFACTURES - A GLANCE OVER THE NEWSPAPER CEMETERY OF ST. JOSEPH AND THE NAMES THAT ARE WRITTEN ON THE TOMBSTONES.

Armstrong Beattie was the first regular banker in St. Joseph. He began business in 1852 in the City Hotel at Jule and Main streets. He afterwards moved to Second street, north of Francis and finally to the west side of Third street, between Felix and Edmond, where he continued up to the period of his death, July 26, 1878.

The Farmers' and Mechanics' Savings Institution was chartered in 1853 and continued until 1865, when it was merged into the First National bank of St. Joseph. The latter bank continued until August, 1878, when, in consequence of a robbery of $19,700, the mystery of which has never been solved, the directors decided to go out of business. The bank was then located at Third and Francis street, south of the Pacific House, in the McLaughlin building. Immediately after the dissolution of the First National bank the Merchants' bank was organized and began business in the same quarters, where it continued until the completion of the Chamber of Commerce, March of 1885, when the present quarters were taken.

A prominent bank before the war - in 1858-60 - was that of Lee & Chaffee, located on the west side of Second, between Francis and Jule streets. The firm was composed of A. L. Lee and Jerome B. Chaffee. When the war broke out Mr. Lee went to the front in the Seventh Kansas Infantry regiment, and rose to the rank of brigadiergeneral. After the war he located in the South. Mr. Chafee went to Colorado, where he prospered, rose to political eminence and was elected to the United .States senate.

The State Savings bank was organized in 1859, as a branch of the State Bank of Missouri. It was a national bank from 1865 to 1871. From that time jt was known again as the State Savings bank until 1890, when it was again made a national bank. The bank is now out of business and its affairs are being settled up.

1864, in the old Methodist church at the northeast corner of Third and Felix streets. David Finger, who was the other member of the firm, erected a modern building upon the site of the old church in

1865. In 1871 the partnership expired and the business of the bank was transferred to a new institution, known as the Colhoun bank. The new bank occupied the Fairleigh building at the southeast corner of Third and Felix streets.

In the meantime the German Savings bank had been organized in the spring of 1869. This bank purchased the building which Mr. Finger had erected. It went into liquidation August 15, 1876.

3'he St. Joseph Savings bank was organized in June of 1873 an(l continued until December 1, 1875, when it consolidated with the Colhoun bank and the new institution was called the Colhoun Savings bank. On May 9, 1878, this bank ceased to exist, and its business was turned over to Schuster, Hax & Co., bankers. In 1889 the latter bank was reorganized as the Schuster-Hax National Bank.

The Bank of St. Joseph was organized in December, 1874. and was first located at Fifth and Felix streets. I11 August, 1876, this corporation purchased the three-story building of the German Savings bank, at the northeast corner of Third and Felix streets, which it still occupies. It has been known as the National Bank of St. Joseph since 1883.

The Saxton National bank, at Fourth and Francis streets, was organized in 1883. In 1894 it was consolidated with the Schuster- Hax National bank and reorganized as the National Bank of Buchanan County.

The German- American bank was organized early in 1887. It was located on Fifth street, opposite the Tootle theatre, until the completion of its building, at Seventh and Felix streets, in 1889.

The Commercial bank was also organized in 1887, and began business in the Commercial block at Fifth and Edmond streets. This bank is now in process of liquidation.

The bank of Tootle, Lemon & Co. was organized in July of 1889 and began business at 118 North Fourth street. In 1894 the bank was moved to its present location. 509-5 11 Felix street.

The Central Savings bank was organized in 1889; was first located in the Commercial block, then in the France block, on Fifth street, north of Edmond, and, when the Commercial bank went into liquidation, the quarters of that institution were taken. December 31, 1898, Milton Tootle, Jr., was appointed receiver for this bank.

Among the^ St. Joseph financial ventures of the past were two insurance companies. The Merchants Insurance Company was organized in 1866 by Thos. E. Tootle, R. L. McDonald, Arthur Kirkpatrick and others, with a capital of $200,000. A successful business was done for many years. The company is now out of existence.

The St. Joseph Fire and Marine Insurance Cc . was chartered December 27, 1867, by J. W. Bailey, G. W. Samuel, A. P. Goff and others. In 1879 the company wound up its business and paid back the money subscribed for stock, together with interest.

The Real Estate and Savings Association of St. Joseph was organized in 1870, and continued until 1875. The association was chartered by the state with authority to buy and sell real estate, loan money, etc., and its first officers were Arthur Kirkpatrick, president ; B. S. Carter, secretary, and James Hull, treasurer.

While there existed at various periods in the city's history, prior to 1871, organizations for the promotion of the commercial welfare and advancement of the community, there are so few traces of these efforts that no attempt will be made to specify them. The Improvement and Manufacturers' Aid xWsociation of St. Joseph was formed in 1871 and continued for some years. It was largely due to the existence of this association that the bridge was built. The subject of waterworks also received attention at the hands of the organization, though the works were not built during its life. The list of members of this association was as follows: T. J. Chew, Jr., Jas. Craig, Wm. M. Wyeth, F. M. Posegate, S. Adler, Davis Carpenter, Jr., W. G. Fairleigh, D. D. Streeter, I. G. Kappner, John Severance, George Buell, E. L. Marney, J. W. Bailey, Isaac Curd, R. L. Mc- Donald, I. Weil, Isaac T. Hosea, J. M. Hawley, J. Francis Smith, R. P. Richardson, Frederick W. Smith, Wm. Fitton, J. H. R. Cundiff.

In 1871 there was also formed a Board of Trade, which, after doing good service, was reorganized upon more substantial lines on October 19, 1878. For some years prior to 1885 the Board of Trade was located on the east side of Third street, between Felix and Francis, where daily markets were received and where a paid secre tary was maintained. In 1881 a committee was appointed to formulate a plan for the erection of a suitable building. As a result the Chamber of Commerce Company was organized, and the building at the southwest corner of Third and Edmond streets, erected in 1884-85.

For 1878-79 - Thos. F. Van Xatta, president; Samuel I. Smith, first vice-president; Andrew L. Kerr, second vice-president; Isaac Weil, third vice-president; George Olds, treasurer; W. A. P. Mc- Donald. secretary.

For 1879-80 - Samuel I. Smith, president; Andrew L. Kerr, firs; vice-president; Isaac Weil, second vice-president; John S. Welch, third vice-president; Geo. Olds, treasurer; W. A. P. McDonald, secretary.

For 1880-81 - Samuel I. Smith, president; Andrew L. Kerr, first vice-president; Isaac Weil, second vice-president; H. R. W. Hartwig, third vice-president ; Geo. Olds, treasurer ; W. A. P. Mc- Donald, secretary.

Por 1883-84 - John M. Frazer, president; H. R. W. Hartwig, first vice-president ; A. C. Dawes, second vice-president ; Winslow Judson, third vice-president; W. A. P. McDonald, treasurer; Franl Motter, secretary.

For 1884-85 - John M. Frazer, president; H. R. W. Hartwig. first vice-president; A. C. Dawes, second vice-president; Joseph A. Corby, third vice-president; W. A. P. McDonald, treasurer; Frank Motter, secretarv, succeeded by Harrv C. Adams.

For 1886-87 - Winslow Judson, president; H. R. W. Hartwig, first vice-president; E. U. Marney, second vice-president; Charles O. Shoup, third vice-president; W. A. P. McDonald, treasurer; John L. Motter, secretary.

For 1887-88 - H. R. W. Hartwig, president; E. U. Marney, first vice-president ; Charles A. Shoup, second vice-president ; Dudley Smith, third vice-president; W. A. P. McDonald, treasurer; John U. Motter, secretary, succeeded by Fred F. Schrader.

For 1888-89 - George J. Englehart, president; E. U. Marney, first vice-president; Charles A. Shoup, second vice-president; A. C. Dawes, third vice-president; W. A. P. McDonald, treasurer; Fred F. Schrader, secretary.

For 1889-90 - E. U. Marney, president; Samuel M. Nave, first vice-president ; A. C. Dawes, second vice-president ; Samuel Westheimer, third vice-president; W. A. P. McDonald, treasurer; Fred F. Shrader, secretary.

In June of 1892 the Board of Trade was merged into the Commercial Club, which had recently been organized. The following is a list of officers of the Commercial Club to date :

In 1888-90 there existed the Manufacturers' Bureau, of which Oliver C. Hutchinson was secretary. The purpose of this organization was to induce capitalists to invest in St. Joseph, and much good resulted from the efforts made to advertise the city. A real estate exchange and the St. Joseph Fruit and Produce Exchange also existed in 1889.

The history of St. Joseph is dotted with the graves of many newspaper ventures. The first newspaper, the Gazette, a weekly publication, was established in 1845, the ^rst issue appearing on Friday, April 25. William Ridenbaugh was the proprietor and printer, and the name of Lawrence Archer, then a prominent attorney, is given as editor. It is said that the type and press were part of the equipment of the Mormon paper, published at Independence, which had been surpressed. In 1854 Holly & Carter took charge of the Gazette, then it passed into the hands of Gen. Lucien Eastin and next to P. S. Pfouts and J. H. R. Cundiff. In 1857 these gentlemen began the publication of the Daily Gazette, the first daily newspaper issued in the city. This continued until the breaking out of the war. When it became unsafe to utter such political sentiments as the Gazette upheld, the proprietors suspended publication, laid away the pen and went to the front to do battle for the South with the sword. June 28, 1868, the Gazette again appeared, Colonel Cundiff, Mr. Ridenbaugh and Peter Nugent being the publishers. In December of 1873 ^e paper passed into the hands of Joseph A. Corby & Co. The next publishers were F. M. Tufts, Geo. W. Belt and J. B. Maynard. In November of 1875 Mr. Maynard was succeeded by S. A. Gilbert. In April of 1878 the Gazette-Chronicle appeared, the Chronicle having been published by M. B. Chapman. Shortly after the consolidation Chas. B. Wilkinson and M. B. Chapman were announced as pubishers. September 29, 1878, the "Chronicle" was dropped from the name and the paper again appeared under its ancient and original title. In November, 1878, Charles B. Wilkinson assumed sole editorial and business management. March 12, 1879, it was announced that the paper had passed into the hands of the Gazette Publishing Company, a corporation that was to be under the direction of Charles B. Wilkinson, Lewis Burnes and W. E. Smedley, the latter of New York. Colonel Wilkinson was editor until July 12, 1879, when he went to Denver, where he died in January of 1881. Lewis Burnes died November 17, 1879. Then the management of the paper was in the hands of James N. Burnes, Jr., until January 1, 1886, with the exception of a brief period, from June to September, 1883, when it was managed by George E. King. Major John N. Edwards was the editor of the paper from June, 1883, until April, 1886. Mr. Burnes was succeeded as manager by Charles F. Cochran, January 1, 1886, who, after the departure of Major Edwards, was the editor as well as the manager until he was elected to Congress in 1896. He was succeeded as manager by Frank Frey tag*, Jr., who is still in charge.

The second newspaper started in St. Joseph was the Adventure, a Whig sheet, which made its first appearance in 1848. It was published by E. Livermore, and was at that period regarded as a worthy rival of the Gazette, its sole competitor in the county. In March. 1853, James A. Millan purchased the paper and changed its name, calling it the Cycle. It was independent. About a year after this Mr. Millan took into partnership E. C. Davis, the first state superintendent of public schools elected in Missouri. A short time after this arrangement, in consequence of difference of political sentiment. Mr. Millan being a Democrat, the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Davis buying out his associate. The latter published the Cycle as a Whig paper about one year, when he, in turn, sold out to Matt France, who continued to publish it as a Whig paper for about another year. France then sold to A. K. Miller and Jacob T. Child, who changed the name of the paper, calling it the Journal. This was about 1856 or 1857. In 1858, 1859 and i860 the Journal was edited and published by John P. Bruce and Jacob T. Child. This paper strongly advocated the claims of Bell and Everett during the presidential canvass. It suspended publication about 1862.

It may not be improper to state here that in the spring of 1 85C the first job printing office was opened in St. Joseph. This enterprise was started by Millan & Posegate, on the south side of Francis, between Main and Second streets. Eighteen months after, Mr. Posegate, who had learned the printing business in the Cycle office under Mr. Millan, issued the first number of the West. It was r handsomely printed, eight-column weekly. His associates in the enterprise were Wellington Cunningham, W ashington Jones and Edward Y. Shields. The paper, with strong union proclivities, was independent in politics. In the spring of 1859 a daily was started in connection with the weekly West. February 6, i860, Mr. Posegate bought out his partners and became sole editor and proprietor of the paper, warmly and ably supporting Bell and Everett for the presidency. In August, i860, he sold the West to James Tracy & Co. The paper, under this management, advocated the claims of John C. Breckenridge to the presidency, and boldly avowed its secession sentiments. During the winter of 1860-61 the publication of the paper was suspended.

the paper to J. H. Buschmann. This was in 1858. Francis Rodman, afterwards secretary of state, was editor. Wednesday, March 28, 1866, the daily evening edition, a five-column paper, made its first appearance, published by Gustavus Heinrichs. In 1868 R. L. Morgenstern purchased the paper and Leopold Marder became editor. November 8, 1868, Conrad Eichler and H. W. Kastor assumed control. The firm was styled C. Eichler & Co. Mr. Kastor was editor. November, 8, 1875, Herman Brunsing purchased the interest of Mr. Eichler. Mr. Brunsing was succeeded in 1886 by Mr. George L. Hermann-Muehe. Colonel Kastor retired three years ago, since which time Mr. Muehe has had sole charge. The Volksblatt is the oldest continuous publication in the city.

The press and other appliances of the West Company became the property of Col. Charles B. Wilkinson, who started therewith a Republican paper, the St. Joseph Morning Herald. The first issue, a six-column daily, appeared Wednesday, February 12, 1862, Wilkinson & McKibbin editors and proprietors. In the issue of April 10, i 862, the proprietorship was announced under the style of Wilkinson & Co. Saturday, October 1, 1862, the Morning Herald appeared consolidated with the Daily Tribune. It continued to be published in this style till July 25, 1866, when "Daily Tribune" was dropped from its name and it again resumed its original simple title of Morning Herald. In 1867, F. M. Posegate took charge of the business management of the Herald. He remained with the paper three years, the first two as business manager for Wilkinson & Bittinger, and the third as a partner of the former, he having bought the interest of John L. Bittinger. In the summer of 1869, Wilkinson & Posegate sold out to Hallowed & Bittinger. In April, 1870, the firm became Hallowell, Bittinger & Co., C. B. Wilkinson constituting the company of the concern. When Mr. Hallowed withdrew the firm became Wilkinson, Bittinger & Ward. July 8, 1871, Henry Ward withdrew and the firm became Wilkinson & Bittinger, continuing such till the whisky-ring developments of 1875, which wrecked the fortunes of both members of the firm. In the spring of 1876 John Severance, Wm. D. O'Toole and Major John T. Clements purchased the Herald. July 11, 1876, it appeared reduced from its former size, a nine-column, to an eight-column sheet, and continued to be so published till near the close of September following, when Tracy & Co. became owners of the concern, and immediately restored the paper to its former size - a nine-column folio. The issue of September 26, 1876, was the first to appear with the announcement "Tracy & Co., Pro- prietors." The head of the firm was Frank M. Tracy, the company included Robert Tracy and D. W. Wilder. In 1885 the property came into the hands of Col. J. W. Strong, who represented a stock company of local capitalists. After his tragic death, in June of 1886, the paper was managed by Col. Wm. M. Shepherd, with the late George C. Smith as editor, who was succeeded by Charles Alf. Williams. In 1889 J- L. Bittinger assumed editorial charge, the paper having passed under the control of Maj. T. J. Chew and others. J. P. Knight was business manager for some years and was succeeded by W. B. Willim, the present incumbent. Major Bittinger was succeeded in 1897 by Edward F. Trefz.

Four different newspaper publications have borne the name of the News. The first daily evening paper issued in St. Joseph was established by Asa I\. Miller in 1862. It was called the News and lived about two months. In the summer of 1864 Jacob T. Child and Charles M. Thompson issued, from the Gazette press, a campaign paper called the Evening News. It was published in the interest of George B. McClellan and expired after the campaign. The Monday Morning News was started August 20, 1877, by Isaac Pfeiffer. Colonel Wilkinson took charge of the paper after several issues and made a hit with it. The last issue of the Monday Morning News appeared in June, 1878, when Colonel Wilkinson assumed editorial charge of the Gazette. In July, 1878, a week or two after its suspension, the material and franchises of the Monday Morning News were purchased by George E. King, and used by him in publishing a illustrated weekly. In October following he sold out to Judge Andrew Royal and W. M. Patton, who continued its publication under the original name of Monday Morning News. This, some time after, was changed to W estern News. May 3, 1879, the Daily Evening News was started in the office of the Western News by Judge A. Royal and George H. Cross. It was, at first, a small four-column sheet. September 3 following this was enlarged. April 19, 1881, the paper was purchased by W. F. Bassett and J. W. Spencer, who enlarged and otherwise improved it. Gilbert J. Spencer succeeded W. F. Bassett in the partnership. In 1888 the paper was sold by J. W. and G. J. Spencer to Byron Dunn and George W. Martin of Maryville. In July of 1889 the property was acquired by Charles M. Palmer and E. B. Haskell. C. M. Shultz was placed in charge of the paper, and continued to manage it until August of 1894. In September of 1894 Charles B. Edgar became associated with Messrs. Palmer and Haskell and he is now the editor and manager of the Daily News. Mr. Palmer is the business manager of the

Free Democrat, May 29, 1859, to April, 1861. Those connected with the paper at various times were Joseph Thompson, Earl Marble, E. H. Grant, Frank M. Tracy, D. W. Wilder, B. P. Chenoweth and Robert Tracy.

Daily Tribune, August, 1862, to October, 1864. A. K. Abeel, Philemon Bliss, Wm. M. Albin, Janies T. Beach and James Hunter were interested at various times.

Daily Union, December 1864, to January, 1871. James Hunter, James T. Beach, E. J. Montague, Philomen Bliss, Willis M. Sherwood, Wm. W. Albin, Wm. Fowler, A. N. Sehuster, J. W. Strong, J. W. Dinsmore, the Union Printing Company, R. D. Mitchell, Eugene Ayers, Wm. Everett, C. W. Marsh and J. B. Hinman were at various times interested in the publication. Jacob T. Child was the first local editor.

There have been many ephemeral publications in St. Joseph, principally weekly society ventures, whose graves are unmarked, that started briskly and with the assurance of a high-school essayist upon the road to fame and fortune, but inevitably went to pieces upon the same old financial rock.

Of the weekly publications now in existence the Catholic Tribune is the oldest. It was founded in April of 1879 at Kansas City, where it was published by Win. A. Maynard and W. W. Davis. In October of 1880 it was moved to St. Joseph, where it was published for some years by Davis & Royal. Rev. Francis Graham, pastor of St. Patrick's church, was also the publisher of the paper for a time after Davis & Royal. Peter Nugent and Michael Lawlor became the proprietors in July of 1889, and this partnership continued until 1892, when Mr. Nugent became the sole proprietor. In April of 1894 Mr. Lawlor took charge of the property and has edited and published the Tribune since that time.

The Journal of Commerce was founded in 1886 by Frank Witherspoon. It was subsequently published by George W. Wrenn. In 1890 J. W. Spencer, who was then the publisher, sold the paper to C. M. Shultz. Fd M. Taylor succeeded C. M. Shultz, and for a time Purd B. Wright was interested with Mr. Taylor and edited the paper. In 1897 the Combe Printing Company acquired the property and placed it under the management of Ed O. Wild, who is still in charge.

The Western Fruit-Grower was started in January of 1897 as a monthly publication devoted to horticulture. The venture met with deserved encouragement from the beginning and the increase of business has justified many improvements.- The Western Fruit- Grower is published by the Western Fruit-Grower Company. James M. Irvine is the editor.

The Saturday Record, published weekly, was established in the sprinng of 1898 by Jacob W. Spencer, who still continues to publish the paper.

Of the monthly publications the St. Joseph Medical Herald, issued by Charles W. Fassett, is the oldest in the city, having been in existence for nearly twenty years.

There are several other monthly publications at the present time. The Parish Messenger, Charles L. Holland, manager ; the Home and School Journal, edited by Miss Anna C. Townsend ; the Court of Honor Monthly, edited by Ben. F. Hildebrandt; the Tabernacle Monthly, edited by Rev. Albert Bushnell, and the Familien Freund, issued by the German Methodists.

Two papers are published in Buchanan County outside of the city: The Stock Yards Daily Journal, by E. Neff, and the DeKalb Tribune, by Ed S. Hays.