Carroll County, Missouri - The whole text, 1881 (part 13 of 19)

History being a statement of facts it is essential that they be perpetuated. Not to laud the prominent actors or perpetuate their acts as examples for" our following - not to transmit to those who may follow us, scenes and incidents that will not bear the scrutiny of civilized warfare - not to make heroes, and patriots of men, who in the mad excitement of revolution and bloodshed, forget not only the principles of inodern warfare, but even forgot the dictates of humanity itself, but to recall to the remembrance of those who were then and are now living, scenes and incidents that time may in a measure have clouded, and to coming generations impartial accounts unbiassed by political feeling either for or against one side or the other, and uninfluenced by any motive save that of truth.

Moss Creek township embraces thirty six full sections of six hundred and forty acres each. With the exception of the extreme north eastern corner of the township where the bluffs of the Wakanda overlook the stream of that name, the township is level bottom lands, well watered with streams, lakes and sloughs, and rich as the famed valley of the Nile. ' Moss Creek, a stream of clear water, fed wholly from springs, runs in a north easterly course through the township, emptying its waters into the sluggish Wakanda three miles above Carrollton. Moss Creek derives its name from the green moss that every spring covers the surface of its waters. It is of such nutritiousness that stock seek it as a sweeter morsel than the rich pastures that abound through the township, aad hundreds of head of cattle can be seen at times standing in its waters and enjoying the rich food it affords. The stream is the home of some of the gamest of the finny tribe, bass, croppy &c., and thousands of pounds of fish have been taken from its waters in a single season. The winters of 1879 and 1880 being more severe than usual, tons of fish died from the exclusion of air by the hard freeze, and yet the supply "has not been exhausted. The Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific railroad traverses the township from east to west, and with the single exception of Smith township. Moss Creek is the only one through which the railroad passes, that has no local town.

John A. Austin, Virginia; Dr. W. W. Austin, Virginia; Col. W. W. Austin, Saul Gilmartin in 1837; A. C. Blackwell located on section 30 in 1839, and was made postmaster, the office being named Round Grove. Mr. Blackwell was also the first justice of the peace of the township. R. B... Hudson came in 1849; John Alt came in 1849 also, but did not locate permanently until 1852, where he resided till August, 1881, when he was gathered to his fathers. Ed W. Turner, in 1842, came to the county with his family and located on whatyvas known as Round Grove farm. Being settled on the direct stage road to St. Joseph, and the west, he opened a house of entertainment for travelers. It became a place of note to all who traveled over the road, and was known as the best feeding place in the western country. Moss Creek was a splendid fishing stream and these considerations induced these commercial tourists to while away several days at a time, enjoying the sport of fishing, and eating the splendid meals provided by the host and hostess of Round Grove farm. The latter part of his life Mr. Turner spent in Carrollton where he died on the 17th of March, 1879, honored and respected for his integrity and unflinchr ing honesty.

Among the early marriages in Moss Creek were Howell L. Heston and Miss Esther Austin, November 14, 1843, at the residence of John A. Austin, the ceremony being performed by Rev. John Yantis, a Presbyterian preacher. About the 4th of June, 1844, at the same place by a Methodist minister, name unknown, W m. C. Price led to the altar Miss Sarah M. Austin, and about the same time, Holman Snead married Miss Susan C. Austin, the ritual being said by Rev. Yantis.

In the winter of 1842 was born to Dr. Ed and Susan Arnold, a daughter, Bettie, and in 1845 a son named John. These were probablythe first in the township.

The first death was that of W. W. Austin, who died in 1843, and was buried in what was known as the Austin graveyard. He was the first regular physician who located in Moss Creek, having located there in 1836, on his arrival from Bedford county, Virginia.

The first religious service was held in the southeast quarter of section 34, in a log cabin, by Rev. Ellington, a Methodist, in 1845. Here also was the first school taught, the teacher, an Irishman, named O'Risdon. He had about fifteen pupils for which he received a compensation of one dollar a month per head. The first school house was a small frame that cost about $100, built by the citizens on land owned by Clark Lindsey. To Mrs. .Sarah Austin, wife of Peter Austin, and mother to John A., belongs the honor of having done the first weaving of cloth, carpets, etc. At this time a sack of corn was thrown across a horse and a ride of sixteen miles to mill, and grinding your corn by horse power, was a necessity, or you had no grist, the road to mill being simply a deer trail.

Wii.D Moss Mills

These mills are located on Moss creek from which the mill derives its name, and was in 1865 enlarged and improved under that " boss " miller, Jas. F. Lawton, proprietor.

The main building is 40x50 feet and two and a half stories high, and has three run of four feet burs. The engine room is 26x26 feet, with an engine of eighty horse-power and a water wheel of forty five horse power capacity.

Connected with this fine property are three dwellings, barns, fences, houses, etc., requiring the investment ot a capital of $5,000. The machinery, all new and of the very best, costing about $12,000, and incidental necessities to the amount of about $3,000, or an aggregate of about $20,000 invested in the property. From eight to twelve hands are employed in and about the premises, and a business amounting to from seventy to one hundred thousand dollars for the past year has been the result. Its trade is almost exclusively local, and so popular is the " Wild Moss Flour" brand of flour that the demand is almost always in excess of the supply. - If the capacity of the Wild Moss Mills was five times greater, its popularity would increase correspondingly. Its trade being strictly local its popularity is circumscribed as a matter of course, to the country contiguous to the mills.

Notwithstanding all this the mills and proprietor are known not only in our own country but in most of the countries of Europe, and even in remoter Asia. They are known from the fact that at these mills, and under the proprietorship of James F. Lawton, an experiment was tried and tried successfully, in baking bread in a quicker space of time from wheat growing in the field, than was ever before accomplished by any other mill or miller in this or any other age, or in this or any other country.

In 1876 James F. Lawton conceived the idea of an experiment in producing bread in the quickest possible time from growing wheat, and, on trial, in eight and a quarter minutes from the time the reaper struck the grain, Mrs. Lawton had bread from the wheat. Not satisfied with this feat, Lawton two years afterwards determined to beat his own time, making preparations accordingly. Inviting about fifty of the best citizens to witness the operation, Lawton had every thing ready on the day of trial and the fun began. At 4 o'clock, 6 minutes and 10 seconds, the reapers, struck the grain, and in 1 minute and 15 seconds a peck of wheat was in a sack and on the horse, and the horse on its way to the mill 16 rods away, the wheat being cut, threshed, bagged, and on its way to mill in this space of time. In one minute and 17 seconds the flour, ground and bolted, was in the hands of Mrs. Lawton, and in 1 minute and 23 seconds more, or in just 3 minutes and 55 seconds from the starting of the reaper, the first griddle-cake was being devoured by a dozen men. In just four minutes and 37 seconds from the time the reaper entered the wheat, a pan of hot biscuit was delivered to the crowd of invited guests.

A certificate of the truth of the above was at once circulated and every guest present signed, among whom was Gen. Jas. Shields, Col. J. B. Hale, Col. M. C. Shewalter, H. David, J. J.Farly, John R. Kerby and fortyone others, among the best and most reliable men in the community.

Gilead Afissio/iary Baptisi Church. - This organization was effected on the 5th of April, 1867, with John Kelly, T. A. Welch, Mordecai Wilson, Carter Booker, Mary Kelly, C. C. Emmerson, E. Welch, E. Dunkle, Bettie Wilson, M. Winkler and S. Haines as original memjDers. Their church building is a fine frame, splendidly located, and cost about $1,450, and was dedicated on the fourth Sunday in Maj^ 1876, by Rev. G. W. Hatcher. At the altar have officiated Revs. W. H. Durfey, W. S. Huft', C. Bullock, Thos. Graves, G. W. Hatcher, T. Menefee and B. Beauchamp. The congregation for a numbet^of years and until the erection of their church house met in the old Moss Creek church, located on section 28. Present membership, eighty-five.

Moss Creek Churchy M. E. South. - Moss Creek church was organized in 1853, with the following original membership: Col. Zachariah Moorman, Captain John A. Price, George Moorman, Wm. and John Haines, Stephen Mosby and Abraham Haines. The first church house was a frame located in section 28, and cost about $800, and is supposed to have been dedicated by . Rev. Joseph Devlin. Their present church building is an improvement on the first in every respect, and is located on the southeast quarter of section 27, costing $1,500. It was built the present year, and has not yet been dedicated. The pastors who have administered to the flock are Revs. Jos. Devlin,

Combs township derives its name from Col. Howard T. Combs, son of the late Gen. Leslie Combs of Kentucky. Howard T. was county clerk of Carroll county at the first adoption of township organization, and when the court met to adopt names for the townships, on the suggestion of some friend to the court they adopted the name of Combs.

The township embraces thirty-six full sections of 640 acres each, and is bounded on the north by Ridge, on the east by DeWitt, on the south by Eugene, and on the west by Carrollton townships. The character of the land is rolling, partly timbered, but the greater portion prairie. Bijf Creek, the only stream, traverses the northern part of the township, and empties into Grand river close to the line between DeWitt and Rockford.

Stephen Parker was the first permanent settler in the township, having located in 1824. He held a warrant from the government for the southeast quarter of section 20, but sold it in 1820. Geo. Ward, the purchaser of the warrant, not taking possession of the purchase at once, Stephen Parker went on and improved it, but on demand being made by Ward, Parker gave it up. Parker's name was given to the grove in the vicinity, which it still retains.

Wm. Hill located on section 4 about 1835, Robert Gentry about 1833, A. T. Cooper, 1829, Reuben Staton, 1836, Peter Baugh, 1835, Wm. Sinnard, Hardin Simpson, James and Boley and James Walden located on section 4 about 1836, Wm. Staton, 1839, C. G. Merrill and Rudolph Thomas about 1836, Stephen Hancock of Tennessee, 1837, George Adkins, 1838. From Virginia in 1839 came David Russell, locating on section 19, due west from Parker's Grove. John Creel, the first sheriff of Carroll county, improved the farm now owned by Thomas O. Goodson, this in 1834.

Turpin Thomas erected the first mill in the township, about the year 1836, and in 1838 James Lucas left Hurricane township and located in CombSj buying the old mill and building a new one on the old site, being now known as Baum's Mill. In 1842 the father of Walter O. Squires located on section 36, being one among the early settlers. Powhattan Darr was also one of the early settlers of the township, and died about 1865. Mark Halsey, of New York, located in the spring of 1839, in what-is known as Guinea Grove. There being several persons by the name of Tom Phillips in this section, to distinguish one from the other they were nicknamed, one being called Guinea Tom Phillips, from this fact the name " Guinea Grove -' is derived.

From Uncle Stephen Hancock we gather the facts that the first marriage consummated was that of Alfred F. Cooper and Miss Mickie Gentry, by James M. Walden, justice of the peace.

The first birth was that of Minnie Gentry in 1838, to Sampson and Sallie Gentry. The first death, that of Robert Gentry, was during the year 1835, the body having been taken to Adkins graveyard in Wakanda Township for interment

The first school was taught in a log house at Parker's Grove by Henry Roy, he had about twenty pupils at 75 cents per head, and the first school house was built on the south-east quarter of the north-east quarter of section 29. It was constructed of logs and was thrown up by the neighbors in and about the Grove.

Baum's Mill is located on Big Creek on the north-east quarter of section 15, and at present is owned by Baum & Steinitsky, having been rebuilt and remodeled in 1869 by the present owners.

Some hopes were entertained at one time of building a town at the Mill, and a name, "Millford," had already been selected. But besides the Mill and one little store, no other improvements have been made.

Combs, like every other Township in the county, has its own war history. Although not so elaborate as some others, it makes up in the fiendishness of the crimes perpetrated.

Bill Anderson the Guerrilla murderer, raided the Township about the 27th of August 1864. He captured a German boy about 18 years old named Solomon Baum, who had been out buying mules for his brother .and hanged him on a tree on the south-west quarter of section 11. The boy had never taken any part in the war, and doubtless knew' but little of politics and cared less. This mattered little to the inhuman butcher Anderson and the band of outlaws who rode at his heels. Bloo(3 was the only thing that would satiate the appetite ot the monster, and little cared be whether it was the innocent or the guilty who suffered, so that blood flowed.

The same day on the north-east quarter of section 11, they shot Cyrus Lyon, - Matthews and John Henry, these latter belonging to the Militia. Lyons was at work in a well when Anderson came up, ordering him out of the well they took him close to his own door and shot him dead. Matthews was in the road in front of Lyons' house when he was shot, ®nd Henry a few rods north of Lyons' house when they killed him.

if anything, there is less extenuation to be offered for the following crirpes ^han for those already' mentioned, for the reason, that it has been and is aow contended that the institutions of the south were barbarous and fltmoralizing because of the ignorance of her people, while the north was living under the civilizing influences of a higher law than that of statutory enactment. If this position be a correct one, as many contended, what excuse can be oflered for the cold-blooded murders that were committed in the name of "loyalty to the government."

What apology is to be offered for the killing of poor old Benjamin Winfrey by the Militia, in February 1865. It appears that in that month two Militia men called at Winfrey's house in the night and represented that they had orders to take him to DeWitt. Winfrey was sick in bed at the time, but got up and clothed himself, believing that he had been sent for by Captain Morris Schnapp at DeWitt. When they got about three hundred yards east of the house, without a word of warning they shot him four times before he fell. After he fell they fired five more shots a his head as they supposed, but when the wounded man was found by his friends, it proved that the shots that were fired after he fell went through Winfrey's cap that had fallen and dropped close to his head, it being night they mistook the cap for his head. Winfrey lived four days after being wounded. He was an inoft'ensive old gentleman about fifty years of age and badly crippled with the rheumatism. Captain Schnapp hearing of the ' affair investigated the case and found it was not his men who had murdered Winfrey'. Had it been, Schnapp would have arrested them and had them tried by drum-head court martial.

Missionary Baftist.- - This organization was effected on the first Sunday in June, 1844, with John, Joseph, Willis, Emily, Polly, and Abram Rifte, John Cooley, Nancy Curl, Anna Elliott, and Mahala Cooley. Their first meeting-house was made of logs, and put up about 1841, costing but a nominal amount. Their present house is a brick, conveniently located, and of large enough dimensions to accommodate the neighborhood. The pastors who have officiated thus far are Rev. Jas. M. Goodson, Wm. C. Ligon, Geo. T..Kinnaird, W. A. Durfee, W. S. Huflj C. Bullock, G. W. Hatcher, and F. Menafee, present pastor. The Sabbath school conneqted with the church was organized in the month of April, 1868, with John F. Brandom as superintendent. There are about eight teachers and seventv-five children enrolled as members. Mr. Brandom has remained

Historv Of Carroll Countv

Fairfield township embraces thirty full and six fractional sections, and is one of the extreme western townships of the county. The soil is magnficent, being mostly rolling prairie, with sufficient timber along the Wakanda and Turkey creek, for all necessary purposes. Probably, the first settlement took place in 1839, by Henry Brewer, of Ray county, who put up a shanty on section 32, remaining but a short time. A. F. Rhoads^ now living on section 20, John Rhoads and Turner Elder came in the spring of 1840, being the first permanent settlers of the township. Irvin Brewer, in 1841, settled on section 32. Chas. Lowery came in 1841 also, settling in section 10.

From 1841 until about 1847, there were very few additions made to the population of the township, and comparatively few up to the close of the war, when the county commenced to fill up rapidly.

From the best information we have receiwed, the first marriage was that of Thos. Thurman and Miss Mary Thanning,- in 1842, at the home of the bride's father, Aklis Thanning, on section 20.

The first birth was J. K. Rhoads, a son, to A. F. and Mary Rhoads, October 8, 1840. A son was born to John A. and Elizabeth Powers, on November 3, 1843, named John T.

In 1842, on section 10, John Shirely, a Christian, or Campbellite, minister, held the first religiotis service. In the same year, on section 20, Thos. Moore, of New Orleans, opened the first school. He had about fifteen pupils, and received about $2.50 per quarter for each scholar.

The first school-house was built on section 20, by A. F. and John Rhoads, Wm. Thanning,' Turner Elder and others, the material being hickory logs. All thf* wives and daughters of those da3'S were skilled in 'he dome.stic affairs of the household, and all shared their portion of work not as a matter of necessity alone, but as a matter of duty. From 1839 to about 1850 nearly all their supplies were brought from Lexington, a distance of about 26 miles. There is but one store in Fairfield township, that kept at Cross Lanes in section 10, by Fleming Bros. The oldest inhabitant is John P. Young, living on section 27. He was born in Pennsylvania and is in his 86th year. He was a volunteer in the war of 1812.

At the burying ground on section 12, was buried a stranger who had come to visit Drury Elder. While there, 1849, he took the Asiatic cholera, and died in about 12 hours.

A town by the name of Bailville, as early as 1856, was proposed to be located here, and was actually laid out, embracing 6 blocks of 6 lots each. Baily Elder was the founder, and entertained high hopes of building a city of some magnitude. Speculation was rife, but a few weeks opened the eyes of those who had contemplated visions of fortunes in corner lots, and the bubble exploded. The city still remains on paper ^ the Recorder's office of the county, but the city in fact that was to be is numbered with the things that were.

Union United Brethren. - This denominational sect was organized in 1867, by Rev. John Estep, and their frame church building is located on section 12. The original members were Walker Main and wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Bush, Charles Grigsby and wife, E. C. Grigsby and wife, and others. The pastors were Revds. John Estep, F. Munn, - Trich, - Gardener, E.^W. Carpenter, P. Brundage, R. W. Guslin, and L. Fisher, present pastor. Present membership, 24.

Bethel Cumberland Presbyteriany-~Th\s denomination was organized in 1860, and re-organized January 1, 1873. The original members were T. S. Steele and wife, John P. Minnis, S. Johnson, Mrs. D. Davis, Mrs. Nichols and others. For the present the services are held in Burr Oak school-house, on section 29, the congregation not yet having built a house of worship. Thus far, Revds. A. T. Cooper, James Ragan, Amos Coen, J. L. Riley, with E. S. Ragan, the present minister, have labored at the altar. The organization has united with the Shady Grove congregation, of Leslie township, always having had the same pastors, and are now building a new church in section 23, the ground having been donated by Thomas Brown.

Low Ga^ Baptist Church. - Organized August 26, 18 - ; their building, a frame structure, splendidly located and of modern architecture, is located on section four. The original members were G. W. Craven and wife, Lafayette Burr and wife, R C. Strickland, P. Griffin, Rev. J. L.

McLeod and wife, P. Wilds and wife, E. S. Havens and wife, Fannie McCallahan, and. Eli Riggle and wife. The church house was erected in 1879; and cost $1,500. It has not yet been dedicated. The present pastor, J. L. McLeod, has been in charge since the building of the church. The church location was donated by Mr. G. B. Rothwell, of Caldwell county, and the original membership was composed partl)'^ from Mt. Hope church and partly from Union Baptist church. Present membership, fifty-eight.

Cherry Valley

Cherry Valley Township is situated in the extreme southwest part of the county, and embraces nineteen full and fractional sections. Its boundary line on thje south is the Missouri river, and on the west, Ray county. It is, with exception of the timber on the river, level bottom lands as rich as the 'famed valley of the Nile, and has some of the finest improved farms in the county. It was settled as early as 1819, and from the best information we have been able to obtain from reliable and authentic sources, its pioneer settler was David McWilliams of Tennessee, who located close to the river in section J 5, about 1819. Shortly after, John Standley settled near Carrollton. Shortly after came the McCollums and located near Me Wiliams. In 1823, near the Ray county line a man named Leonard Garmen settled close to the river, and in 1825, Jacob Snowden, a Ray county man, moved into this township. Several years after came P. W. Estes, exact year not known. 'Among the other early settlers were Nels McReynolds, John Boils, Paul Alder, Jas. Kilgore, Jim Fuller, Jno. Willis, A. Stephenson, and Nath. King. After these came John Kenton, and in 1842, G. C. Vanrensaeller, who located near where Miles Point now stands. In 1844, -Samuel Cole located on Section 10, and in 1847, near to the Ray line, John Freeman. From 1847 up, the increase in population of the township has been slow but permanent.

It is related and vouched for by reliable authority, that during the administration of Wm. Hudson, as Justice of the Peace of the township, a constable horsewhipped one of the residents and was arrested, on a writ issued by the Justice. The constable employed a lawyer, still practicing in Carrollton, to take charge of the case. When the case was called, the defense set up the plea that the person charged being an officer of the law was not subject to arrest, at the same time-showing the commission or warrant issued by the county court to the constable. The justice examined it, and being struck with the big letters at its head, and the flashing yellow wafer with the county court seal affixed, turned pale, rose to his feet, apologized to the constable for the mistake he had made, agreed to and paid all the costs that had accrued and discharged the prisoner. The counsel for the prosecution was so astonished and tickled at the result, that he laughed outright. Whether this laugh aroused the suspicion of the justice, is not known, but from his action, it is presumable it did, as he mounted his horse, and rode to the home of B. F. Lucas, telling him what had been done. Lucas told him that the defense had made a d - d fool of him, and an idiot would have known better. The justice returned to his home, a wiser but sadder man and immediately tendered his resignation to the court.

Miles Point

The founder of Miles Point was Jonathan Miles, who conceived the building of a town, more for local trade than any expectation of its assuming any importance beyond the ordinary dimensions of a country village. It was laid out in 1855 and comprises fifteen blocks of eight lots each, block «ight having been reserved as a public square.

For a number of years after it had been laid out it was called "shanghai" on account of a lot of shanghai chickens having been shipped to that point. Its correct name in time, however, asserted itself, and the name shanghai has been dropped.

At one time it was a point of large trade and shipping by the river, but the line of railroad having been completed through the county the largest part of its trade was cut off. Its trade now is exclusively local.

City Of Ohio

A city of rather large proportions was laid out (and the plat filed of record), by Benjamin Foster, in 1833, on the northeast fractional quarter of section twenty. It contained forty blocks of six lots each, the lots being 66x132 feet in dimensions. What the aspirations of its founder was we are at a loss to definitely say, but from the extent and regularity of the plat it is presumable that he had strpng hopes that a magnificent centre of trade was in prospect, and that the commerce of nations would float to its wharves.

A greater number of streets and alleys than is usual havingbeen marked and designated on the town plat is an evidence that an immense trade was expected for distribution through the vast country back of the city.

Whatever the expectations of its founder may have been, these expectations have never been» realized, and the city that was to be is to-day what it was when founded, resting still in embryo.

It is related that an irishman named Monahan came early into the township and hired out to do farm work. After working several months steadily, he was sent to Carrollton to do some trading. When he left for home he carried a small jug filled with the "crathur." When he arrived home he was mellow, and full of fun, and in order to gratify his love of it assaulted a young bull kept in a lot on the farm. He first tried to knock the bull down with his fist, but his blows failing to have the desired effect, he used his foot, kicking with such force that he threw himself on the broad of his back, the bull taking advantage of the situation, lifted Monahan over the fence, dropping him with more force than elegance. This riled Monahan, and he w'as about to re-enter the lot for a second tussle when the owner came out and remonstrated with him. This angered Monahan still more, and he pitched in and cleaned out the " boss." The boss had him arrested and at the trial, Monahan was asked the usual question: " Guilty, or not guilty?" when Irish like his reply was apt and to the point, " Sure, your honor, how the devil can I tell till I hear the evidence." The case was proven against Monahan and he was ordered to split 1800 rails for the boss to pay for the damage done, which he didi leaving the county immediately after completing the work.

Ridge Township embraces thirty six full sections of 640 acres each and is high rolling prairie, rich and fertile and every acre is susceptible to the highest state of cultivation. Big Creek runs through the south-west part of the township and Little Hurricane through the north east. They are streams of little importance however, and are the greater portion of the time dry.

Ridge was settled at a later period than many of the townships of the county, the first being made about the year 1835, by old Dan'l Hill, in the southern part of the township near Big Creek, the exact location not being known. Hill appears to have been the pioneer of the township and we have no information of any other settler until about 1839, when Jack l^hillips, who had located in Van Horn in 1834, came into the township and located at the ford of the Little Hurricane. Phillips having been J'cgarded as the greatest bee-hunter of the county, it is supposed that the

It is related of him that he became so expert in following the trail, that he frequently kept within sight of the bee, and arrived at its home as soon as the bee itself. This statement must however, be taken with a degree of allow'ance, but that he was the most celebrated of all the bee-hunters, cannot be gainsaid. Sometime during the year 1843 a settlement was made on Wolff Branch one of the tributaries of Big Creek, by Nodding Calvert and his brother, and 'made some improvements. Charles Mitchell, from Boone Co. Missouri, came to Carroll in the early spring of 1849, locating on section 19. His son Stephen is surveyor of the county. In the spring of 1848, Asa McClain of Cooper county, formerly from the state of Tennessee, located the farm where he still resides, in the north west of section 6. Jas. R. Boley, in 1840, located on the north half of the north west, of section five, on Wolff Branch. Mrs. Boley's maiden name is reported to have been Elizabeth Lynch, daughter of David Lynch who came to the county with Nathaniel Carey and party in 1818. She was a child of four years of age at the time, and says she was ten 3'ears old when she first saw a biscuit. Dr. Thos. Brown came to the township about 1853, and began the practice of his profession in which he is still engaged.

From 1853 up to the close of the war, there were but few accessions to the population of the township, comparatively speaking. But in 1866 the tide commenced to set in. Among the first this year was Robert Ord, who located on section 12, and put in a crop of seed wheat brought from Ohio. The people were averse to fencing up the land, desiring it for range for cattle, the excitement some times grew high and trouble was often feared from the matter. Better feeling gained the ascendency at length, and the people soon learned that every settler in their midst who became a land owner enhanced the value of their farms. The unsettled state of matters here from 1861 to the restoration of peace in 1865, was one of the great drawbacks to the settlement of the county, and Ridge, like most of townships, lost considerably by the result.

Since 1S67 a heavy influx of settlers has poured into the country and Ridge has received her portion. The fertile prairies are now dotted over with permanent improvements and fenced into splendid farms, all cultivated as good farmers know how to cultivate. Although later than others in settling up, it is not behind them in intelligence, wealth and thrift, and the character of the improvements are such as they can well be proud of

Snow Branch Dunkard - organized 1871 with jas. Morris, Dan '1 Love, Wtn. Kepper, Henry Kaylor, Samuel Kepper, Mrs. Love, Mrs. Powers and Mrs. Kepper as original members.

Big Creek Baptist Church was organized June 22, 1844, with Noding Calvert, William Hill, Norflet Newson, James Rippetoe, Nancy Hawk* ins, Jane Calvert and Mary Crouch as original members.

Their first house was built of logs in 1848, and was replaced in 1870 by a neat frame. The new house was dedicated the second Monday in January, 1870.

The pastors who have had charge are John Curl, Joseph Riffe, Keeny Scott, Geo. T. Kinnaird, R. Scott, E. Surgeon, Thos. Graves, W. S. HufT, M. Goodson, Geo. Crouch, C. Bullock and F. Menefee.

Miami township embraces seven full and nine fractional sections, the greater portion being bottom lands, rich and mellow, and capable of the highest state of cultivation. Its eastern and southern border is washed by the Missouri river, which sometimes makes heavy inroads, materially lessening the acreage of the township.

The Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific railroad traverses the township from northeast to southwest passing through sections four, eight, and emerging at the southwest corner of seven.

On the northeast quarter of the southwest quarter of section four is ocated the town of Miami Station, founded by W. Z. Darr, in June, 1869.

has been one of the best shipping points in that section, but of late years ^as lost. A heavy trade has been taken from Saline county, but on the completion of a line of railroad to eastern markets through Saline, and the obviating the crossing of the Missouri river at the town of Miami, trade fell oftj and diverged to a different route. The station has yet a good local trade, which will keep it up for the present, and so long as the line of railroad is not changed.

The point of great interest in Miami township is the celebrated "White Rock Quarries," located on the line of railroad, in the south half of the northwest quarter of section eight. The^^ were opened in 1840, and have been worked ever since. The quantity is almost inexhaustible, and the quality is very superior. Its color and adaptability for finishing purposes is becoming widely known, and it is being shipped to many of the cities in different states. It is used extensivel}^ for public buildings, bridges, etc., owing to its lough, close grained qualities, and i.'« easily dressed and polished. Heavy shipments are made to St. Louis, Chicago, Kansas City, and St. Joseph, and the new capitol building at Des Moines, Iowa, is drawing largely from it for the fine portion.^ of the work. From the singular formations often found embedded in the rock, forty and fifty feet from the surface, the geologist, by scientific investigation, would no doubt find food for deep research.

But little, if anything, is known of the earlier settlements of this township. Prior to 1831, Henry Philips and Thomas Booth appear to have been the only settlers. What part of the township they located in when they arrived, and what improvements, if any, were made, is not known. The simple fact that they were there previous to 1831, seems to be a limit to the knowledge of the oldest settler now there. In 1839 Benj Kendrick located eighty acres of land in section eight, embracing the quarries. Up to Mr. Kendrick's coming, no dates are given of the location of the earlier settlers. John Adkins opened a wood yard on the Missouri, Richard Thomas coming about the same time.

John Hailbert and Geo. Manning located somewhere above the station, and Wm. R. Hill settled at Yellow Rock, near the station. On section five John Simpson located, as did also Dudley Thomas.

The sluggish Wakanda winds through the Jownship ' Irom the southwest to the northeast aad approaches the Missouri river at several points very closely.

From Miami station due southeast to the Missouri river is two miles. The route is through a low bottom, often in wet weather being wholly impassible, the soil being a black, loam, rich and mellow as any in the county. This bottom is subject to overflow at every big rise in the river and is often covered to a depth of two or three feet. This fact interfering with the ready shipment of produce, stock, etc., has been the means of curtailing the trade from the south side of the river, and driving it to market by a further route.

Van Horn township embraces thirty-six full sections of 640 acres each, and is mostly rolling prairie. It lies directly north of Carrollton, and contains some of the finest farms in Carroll county. It takes its name from Col. R. T. Van Horn, of Kansas City, editor of the 'Journal.

John, familiarly called Jack Phillips was its first settler, locating on section 28, in the summer of 1834. In 1836, Jas. Phillips, a brother of old Jack, came in and improved the place known as Morris Miller's^ Geo. Nance, Sr., came in 1837, locating on section 16. Jas. Sandusky also came in 1837, and squatted in the western part of the township. B. J. Godsey came in 1840. Maj, Chas. Sterne located in 1839. Thos. Phillips also came in 1840, and settled im the northern part of the township. Burley Godsey arrived in 1854, having lived in Leslie township for ten years prior to coming to Van Horn. In 1842, Abbott Hancock located on section 34. In 1848 came Wm. Sterne, locating on section thirty. John Zimmerman was one of the early settlers, locating on section 24 or 25. Asa McLain of Cooper county, Ky., came in 1848 and improved in section one. Jas. R. Boley from Kentucky is also one of the old settlers. Foster Masters with others whose names we failed to get settled later.

lack Phillips was known as a celebrated bee hunter, and many stories are yet told of the unerring certainty' of his trail, and of the immense amounts of honey he discovered in out of the way places. Thomas Thurman was one of the old comers, and is said to have been the first to marry in this section. He married a Miss Phillips in 1850. William and Elizabeth Godsey, in 1846 had born to them a son named John H., and in the following year a daughter named Nancy C., was born to Abner and Sarah L. Godsey. ,

In Van Horn, as well as in several other townships. Dr. G. W. Folger was the practising physician. Dr. Taylor, however, was the first physician who permanently located. What became of him is not known.

Asa Me Lain, now living, taught the first school on section one, having 20 pupils and receiving $20 per month for his services, and the 6rst school house was built by Burley Godsey, Asa McLain, and the Phillips boys, on section one. The house was the work of the nei^^hbors, and of course its cost was but nominal.

The township has filled up rapidly since the wjir, with a vigorous pushing population, and is as far advanced in improvement as any. Much has been said and a good deal of fun made of the way justice was administered in the earlier settlement of the different townships in the cpunty, and no doubt great errors and laughable incidents can be remembered. But we doubt if the earliest trials in the county can afford a case where so much fun and ignorance characterized it, as is contained in the incident we are about to relate.

Happening in recent years, when a knowledge of common and statute law is almost part of the ordinary education of our children, it seems almost incredible that a jack-leg lawyer could carry the point before the court, as was the case in .this trial. . But to the incident. The case involved was where a constable was liable on his official bond for a debt, and the justice of the peace for the township was to try the case. The prosecution was represented by a lawyer from , Carrollton, and the defense called in a granger lawyer of the neighborhood. When the case was called, the first question that was raised was by the defence claiming that the justice had no jurisdiction in the case. The question was discussed , at length, both parties gettnig somewhat animated and excited. At length the Carrollton lawyer produced a decision from the supreme court of the state, as laid down in the 10th Missouri reports, covering every feature of the case then on trial, introducing no other evidence, the decision he referred to being all sufficient, as he supposed, and ending the reading of the deceision with a little eloquent speech. The opposing lawyer was equal to the occasion. Rising from his seat with a sense of the duty he had to perform, and in his sleeve laughing at the ruse he intended practicing on the court and opposing counsel, he argued his side of the case. He said that "fine haired lawyers were in the habit of coming among us grangers, your honor, bringing their books and reading from them stuff that the court nor the lawyer who read could not understand. That it was time the people of the country would ignore the advice and suggestions of those who were trying to, play on the credulity and good sense of your honor, and this community. The decision the gentleman read is not from the supreme court of the state your honor, but is law that is obsolete and was - in use when Caesar governed Rome. If the gentleman wanted to introduce law, we have the session acts and the statute laws of the state, and we tell your honor that it is wrong to be governed by the shallow device of the prosecution in this case."

This closed the case, and both sides awaited the decision of the justice patiently. They had not long to wait, the decision was that the tenth Mis-

To say that the " fine haired " disciple of Blackstone was discomfitted, would be a poor word to express his chagrin and disappointment he felt, and up to this time he relates it to his friends, emphasizing with more force than elegance, his disgust at the justice's decision.

San Francisco

This contemplated city was laid out in April, 1858, by J. C. Darcy, and contained nine blocks of nine lots each. It was laid out on section six in the extreme northwest corner of the township and just one mile south of Coloma. Its location adjacent to Coloma looks to the unbiased eye as though it was intended to stop the growth of the former place, Coloma being esteemed a rival. Two or three improvements were made within its boundaries, and its growth stopped, whether from natural causes, or from the more vigorous efforts of its rival to outstrip its growth, is not known. At all events, from some cause its building up was retarded, and within the last few years it has reverted back to its natural adaptation as a first-rate farm.

Big Creek M. E. Churchy South. - This church dates its organization from 1851, and is located on Section 2. The original members were Chas. L. and Elizabeth Sullivan, J. W., Margaret B., and Mary McLain, B. W., Catharine, J. W., Ely G., and Mary A. Stone, G. G. and Sarah Brown, and Mary E. Sullivan. Their first and present building is a neat and tasty frame, ^erected in 1876, at a cost of $1,500, and was dedicated by Rev. J. P. Nolan on the 4th Sunday of August, 1877. W. M. Sutton, M. G. Gregory, and H. H. Craig have been in charge of the flock. It has prospered under their labors and they have now a membership of fifty-nine.

Sugar-Tree Township is fractional, and embraces that part of 51 23 and 51 24 in Carroll county. Its southern and eastern boundary being the Missouri river. The character of the country is low bottom, very rich and productive, and with an abundance of timber skirting the river.

Nehemiah and Noah Woolsey were amonpf the first settlers, and although no date is known as to the exact time of their locating, it could not have been later than 1823, and possibly a few years earlier than this. Abraham and Alexander Hill, Jas. Lawson, John HaU and Sam'l H. Williams, located from 1820 to 1824; Bartley Pitts came in 1835, Wm. Haddart and a man by the name of Lothian located in 1834, and Mike McGuire settled in 1836. Jonathan Troberin 1837, Wyatt Arnold, D. J. Thompson and Martin Preble came in 1838.

Most of the settlements were made in the timber near the river, the impression being held by the earlier settlers that the prairie bottom lands were unproductive an d of little account except for grass. Late years have taught them differently however, and the prairie bottom lands have proven the richer of the two.

John Monroe located in 1836 or 1837, and remained till 1841, when he left for New Orleans to clerk in a commission house in that city. He became a prominent factor in the improvement of the city, and in 1860 was elected Mayor, making an efficient and able executive officer.

From 1841 to the opening of the war but few settlements were made, at least few as compared with certain other parts of the county. This seemed somewhat strange when it was known that it was one of the most fertile regions of the county, but the low and wet condition of the soil, and the tall, rank nature of the grass, made settlers fear that ague and malarial fevers were prevalent to an extent to make it wholly unhealthy. This fallacy has also been removed, and the fact stands proven that Sugar Tree is as healthy as the townships on the uplands.

The first death was that of Mahala Pitts in the month of March, 1835, the body being interred close to the Missouri river, the treacherous waters of which are constantly washing inward, and, no doubt, long since have encroached on the narrow house that contained the remains, and washed them into its ceasless current.

Drs. Folger and Walling for a number of years, were the regular practicing ph3'sicians of the township, neither of whom were residents here, however, and not until several years later did a permanent physician locate in the township.

These early settlers were by nature primative in many of their ways, and they were primative to a great extent because they could not be otherwise. They all lived in log cabins because they had nothing better to to live in, lumber being unknown among them, markets being distant,

The following named persons have served as magistrates, in Sugar Tree township, since the organization of the county: 1852, S. W. Mobley; 1854, Thomas J. Dunkle; 1866, Joseph Allen; 1872, Henry Neal, R. A. Black; 1873, Henry Neal, R. A. Black; 1875, James Pninty, Thomas J. Dunkle; 1876, Thomas J. Dunkle, Henry Neal, J. M. Calloway; 1881,0. L. Dunkle, John Moore.

Moscow

The project of building a city to be called after the famous city of Russia, burned during Napoleon's campaign, was conceived in somebody's brain, and the site was selected on the southeast quarter of section 7, and in that part of the township known as 51 , 23.

What its dimensions were to be is not recorded, but it is evident that it was not to be of any great extent, as no improvement was ever made on the site, and is therefore classed as still another of the "lost cities " of Carroll county.

The site. of the city of Elderton was the south half of the southeast of the northwest of section 16, and in that part of the towmship known as 51, 24. J. T. Kelly and Paul Alden were to have been its founders and builders, and its dimensions were to embrace eight blocks of eight lots each. No improvement was made on the site of the expectant city, and well it was so, as the city would have shared the fate of the ground on which it was to have been builded. Its fine buildings, lofty churches palatial residences and splended mansions would have been covered by the treacherous encroachments of the " big muddy." This also is numbered as one of the " lost cities " of the county.

Wakanda township derives its name from the Wakanda, formerly Wy-a-con-da Creek, a turbid, muddy stream that courses through the northern portion of the township. It embraces thirty-one full and five factional sections of as fine a body of rich level bottom lands as can be lound in the Missouri river' valley. vThe bluffs of the Wakanda are covered thickly with scrub, black and white oak, hickory, walnut, svcamore and various other kinds of timber.

It is bounded on the north by Carrollton township, and on the south by Sugar Tree township and the Missouri river, being just five miles from the north line of the township to the river.

A portion of the town of Carrollton, the county seat, is in Wakanda, not, however, any part of the original town, hut of that portion of the extended limits that has been added since the original site was located. A little distance west of the range line and in section thirteen, and on the banks of the stream bearing the township name, Nathaniel Carey located in 1818. In the same year in the same part of the township, John Mayberry located, and John Riffe settled on section one. John Curl settled near Nat. Carey, and his brother William located in the western part of the township.

In 1828 Hardin Cary located on section fourteen. About the spring of 1833 Noah Caton started a landing on the Missouri river near where Capt. Charles Baker resided. Capt. Wm. Hill obtained Caton's interest in the landing and it has been known as Hill's landing ever since.

Bartlett Pitts located in 1835 in sections thirty-two and thirty-three, the greater part of which land is now in the river. William Drake settled on the Wakanda near Nat. Carey's in 1836. Wm. Crockett, Tilfred Busby, John Thomas and Joseph Johnson all settled on the Wakanda. One Weldon located at an early day about one mile southwest of the county seat, near to where the old fair was held.

About 1866 the channel of the Missouri changed from the south side of the river, where it had washed the Saline county bluffs for years, and worked over to the north or Carroll county side. The land being mellow bottom, the encroachment of the river soon became a matter of serious consideration, thousands of acres of the finest bottom lands were washed and several valuable farms with all their improvements carried away by the treacherous waters of the river.. These encroachments still continue, and year by year the channel approaches the bluff and may eventually reach it.

Many people are of the opinion that the channel of the Missouri at one time washed the bluffs of the Wakanda. How long ago this may have been none appear to have any idea.

From the fact that at any point on these bottom lands, water can be -found within a few feet of the surface, and in almost any quantity, together with the universal opinion that these are made lands from overflows of the Missouri from time to time, it is argued and with force, that the same elements that made can unmake, and the process of unmaking is constantly and surely going on. This being taken as a matter of fact, the question of time as to when the bed of the river wjU be at the foot of the Wakanda bluffs, is easily computed by mathematical calculation.

The following named persons have served as justices of the peace since the organization of the county, in what is now known as Wakanda township: 1833, J." H. McMurtry; 1835, Thomas Booth; 1850, Wm. Rea; 1850, Stephen Hager; 1873, Asa Maxfield; 187.5, Wm. D. Cox; 1875,

Asa Maxfield; 1877, Asa Maxfield; 1877, W. D. Cox; 1881, W. B. Rogers. For several years Carrollton and Wakanda townships were embraced in one, under the name of Wakanda.

South Carrollton

In 1868 Hiram and Jackson Wilcoxson laid off the town of South Carrollton. The line of railroad about being completed suggested to these gentlemen that a place of considerable importance might be built up. The depot grounds being located one mile froni the public square in Carrollton, it was supposed that the distance would draw much of the trade from Carrollton, and possibly stampede the whole business of the old town to South Carrollton. . Accordingly the town was laid out on the north part e i n e section 8. The survey being made and plat filed, a sale of lots took place, and almost fabulouos prices were paid for corner lots. For a few months it looked, at least to those engaged in speculating in town lots, that by the close of the year the old town would be deserted. Not so, however, for when the first flash had faded, little headway had been made against the old town so far as business was concerned. Quite a number of buildings went up in the new town, and two or three business places opened up. In time three elevators were erected and the town became a heavy shipping point. Beyond this fact it did not realize the expectations of those who predicted its future. The trade outside of shipping fell off in a short time, and to-day, while it is a point of heavy shipping, its local trade is meagre, and lots sold at the first sale that could to-day be purchased at one-sixth the price paid for them in 1868.

At an early day a company consisting of James and David Reed, O. S. W. Callahan, B. S. Rankin, L. P. Marshall, Joseph M. Baker, H. Shugant, Thomas Wallace, R. S. Lockridge, Ben Williams,, T. Simpson and John T. Thompson, was formed for the purpose of building a town at Hill's Landing, some improvement was made, a store started, etc., but it ended in accomplishing literally nothing, and in a very few weeks the project was abandoned, and the improvements made fell into decay.

Hill as president, the object being to lay off and build a town to be called "Carroll City," located on section 26. It was laid off into 35 blocks

12 lots each, 6 blocks of 8 lots each, 12 blocks of 6 lots each, and 2 blocks of 4 lots each, with center block for a public square. It was laid out at right angles with wide streets, alleys, avenues, etc., and was designed to be a place of great importance. Several buildings were put up and other improvements made, a large number of lots sold, and at one time its success seemed assured. The exact cause of its final abandonment is not known, but we are informed that one of the main causes was a misunderstanding as to the relative interests of the different members of the company. Be the cause what it may, the project was abandoned, and Carroll City can be classed as another of the "lost cities" of Carroll county.

Rockford township embraces but a few full and fractional sections, and is one of the most extreme eastern townships in the county. Its whole eastern boundary is washed by Grand river. Contiguous to the river and embracing a strip, from a half to one mile in width, is bottom land, skirted by heavy timber, the balance being upland rolling prairie, rich and iertile as nature could lavish. Rockford township dates its settlement more of recent than of early, date^ yet some early settlers located along the river, and among whom were William Jenkins, John B. Winfrey, Nathaniel and Wm. Banks, Elisha Hudson and one or two others whose names cannot be learned. Elisha Hudson was a man of very limited education, of little or no information, but withal as ambitious as many men of the present day. Conceiving that his ability was of an order that ought to be appredated, in 1852 he offered himself as a candidate for the lower house of the general assembly of the state. He made the canvass of the county, visiting every settlement and giving them the benefit of his views in politics. He supposed his enlightened explanations to the dear people would boost him in, but alas, and when the canvass was over and the votes counted, Elisha Hudson had but 12 votes. The name of the township is derived from the ford across the river, being designated Rock ford.

As an evidence of the late settlement of the township, it is known that less than thirteen hundred acres was in cultivation prior to the war, and with the exception of the residences of Mr. John Warnock and Reuben Winfrey, every house in the township was built of logs*

.. Being one of the best hunting portions, in the county, it seems as though a mutual understanding was had to reserve it for that purpose, deer and turkeys being so abundant. Up to the spring of. 1866 not a public road was known in the township.

John Warnock, of Belmont county, Ohio, located on' section six in 1859, and was one of the oldest settlers. Reuben Winfrey was one of the older settlers, also, the exact date of his coming not being known. Mr. Witt

From 1866 to the present, the township has filled up rapidly and improvement has kept pace with the settlements. About this time came Nelson Gosnell and settled on the southwest of section 20. Gosnell was elected county judge under township organization of 1872, from Rockford township. During the first sitting of the court under this organization, some wag, in. order to have some fun at the expense of the court, slyly laid on the clerk's desk a petition setting forth a charge and specifications against Gosnell. Two or three of the judges had been apprised of the intended joke in order to stop proceedings if they should assume a serious outlook. When the court assembled after dinner, the clerk was ordered to read the petition, which on being done, it was found in regular order, and signed by the requisite number of persons, and specifying the exact crime or misdemeanor of which Judge Gosnell was guilty. The petition seemed lo throw the court off their guard, except those who had cognizance of the joke, and every face presented an elongated appearance, and feeling that a solemn duty devolved upon them, they at once assumed criminal jurisdiction. With the dignity that so well becomes a presiding justice, but without the kno.vledge that the affair was a joke, the presiding judge asked the gentleman from Rockford the usual interogatory asked criminals when charged with an offense, " guilty or not guilty." Hesitating a moment the representative from Rockford hung his head, finall3f refusing to plead one way or the other. The question of the proper mode to proceed to trial was discussed ^ro and con^ and the matter growing serious, and the perpetrator of the joke fearing that the court was about to send one of their number to state's prison or probably hang him, gave the signal to those who were posted, and on motion of one of their number, the petition was laid on. the table, as matter not coming within their jurisdiction. The cloud passed from the faces of the court, and a wise look of understanding usurped its place, saying plainl}',' " sold^' fudge Gosnell, while a member of the court, suggested some wholesome advice to the court that is still followed, and has been of great benefit to the people of the county.

Church of God. - Organized 1873, at school house on section 8, where the congregation still ineet for worship, never having been able to build a church house.

The original members were Sami. Huftinan and wife; Joseph Frock and wife; I. N. Frock and w'ife; G. G. Funk and wife; Jacob Frock and wife; Mrs. M. Funk, Mrs. M. Agen, M. Maddock and wife; B. Hudson, B. Rowers, A. Bowers and wife, Mrs. L. Hacker, M. Stingeon and Mrs. N. Beck.

Since the county was organized, the following persons have served as magistrates in Rockford: 1850, W. Winfrey; 1856, F. S. Cropp, J. B. Walker; 1862, W. Underwood, John Frock; 1868, P. A. Standley; 1872, Jacob Funk; 1873, G. W. Jenkins; 1876, N. Gossnell; 1876, Col. Jenkins.

Compton township is the most north eastern portion of the county, and embraces a few full and fractional sections. Grand River bounds it on the east and Livingston county on the north. Big Hurricane creek runs through the southern portion of the township and Lick Branch, a small tributary of Grand River flows through the north eastern portion It is principally rolling prairie adapted to high cultivation. The streams are skirted with timber, some of it being a very heavy growth, and of a quality that in the near future will be of value.

Our information leads us to the belief that William Barbee was the first settler in the township, having located near the boundary line between Carroll and Livingston counties, on Grand River about the spring of 1833. The following fall Elihu Compton settled. One of the oldest settlers Col. William Compton who established the ferry known as Compton's ferry, on Grand River, was a portly fine looking man, eccentric and somewhat whimsical, but a man of sound judgment and considerable ability. He represented the county two terms in the lower house of the legislature and made a fair reputation. Owing to the popularity attained by Col. Compton, the township was honored with his name.

But very few settlers located in this part of the county prior to 1842. During that year Ambrose Calloway located on section 19 two miles west of Grand river. The following year Dr. J. W. Lumpkin entered into the practice of medicine and remained several years. In 1841 Benjamin Midgett located on Grand river about 1841 or 42 John Rifle came about the same time. John Bennett and George Shell were early settlers, their exact location not being known.

After the arrival of B. and B. C. Woods in 1847, but few persons came into the Township. Occasionally a settler would locate, but not until about 1867 or a short time prior to that date, did the Township fill up rapidly. From this time up to the present time, Compton has kept pace with other portions of the county.

Col. Compton contemplated, or actually did lay out a town to be called "Little Compton" on section 16 on Grand River. For some cause no improvement was ever made, and the place can be said to be, so far as that location is concerned,. lost. Afterward, however, Leven Comer laid out what is now Little Compton in section twenty. This was in August 1869, the site embracing six blocks of six lots each. Its trade is limited to the immediate locality of the village, and there is little prospect of it extending.

The first male child bom was Reese, a slave, belonging to Col. Compton, and the first female child was born in 1837 to W. W. and R. C. Compton, named, Nancy Ann.'

The first religious service was by the Cumberland Presbyterians, at Col. Compton's residence, by Revd's John Curl, Abbott Hancock and Sarshell Woods.

The first school was taught by a man named Goode. He had thirteen pupils, and taught on section 16. W. P. Dulaney, now a resident of Compton, boarded the teacher and gave him a present of a pair of new buckskin breeches. The first school house was built on section 8 by citizens, and cost about $250.

Billy Dulaney also informs us that their supplies were drawn from the timber and prairies principally, and that the early residents had a hard "wrestle" with the chills and fever. He and his step-sister, on the same horse, Billy behind, went four miles for fire, carrying it home by igniting the end of a rope.

Bill Anderson, during his raid through the county, on section 31, killed' John Rukers. It appears that Anderson was surprised by eleven Militia men, Anderson having twenty-five men. After killing Rukers, they cut off his head, scalped him and then mashed his skull. Rukers had been in the three months service, the only cause for his death. This is on the authority of the wife of Rukers who has since re-married with Mr. McCain.

In August 1862, on section 18, John Bailey was killed by the Breckenridge Militia. He lived in Livingston county, and was taken from his bed at home, brought to this side of Grand River and shot, leaving the body in a cornfield. The same morning they entered the residence of William Barbee, took Mr. Barbee prisoner and while preparing to hang bim one of their number broke open his trunk and took out a masonic apron. On seeing the apron, the Lieutenant in charge of the command, gave orders for the men to leave the house, and on their going he inter-

In section 16 there is a vein of iron ore said by experts to be very fine. It runs in the bluff and is about six inches in thickness. No effort has ever been made to work the vein or trace it. Coal croppings are numerous and one vein on the farm of Ralph Fan, is being worked. A vein from two feet to thirty inches in thickness of bituminous coal of the "Peacock" variety finds ready sale with blacksmiths, persons coming as far as thirty miles to procure it.

Hurricane Baptist. - Oranized January, 1868, with the following original members: Thomas H. Ballew and v/ife, Sarah Munson, Mary C. Owen, Elsey Creel, Green Shumate and wife, and Grenup W. Hubbard and wife. Their first and present house of worship is a frame costing about ^700, but at this time is not dedicated. The pastors who have officiated at the altar are Revs, T. H. Graves, W. S. Huff, F. M. Wadley, W. W. Waldron and F. W. Wadley, present pastor. Present membership, one hundred and twenty-six. Thomas Robinson gave one-half acre for the church, and two acres were bought of Mr. Robinson for a cemetery. A Sabbath-school connected with the church has a membership of fifty.

Compton M. E . Church. - Was organized in 1861, with George Porter, Robert Breeze, L. Comer and wife, and Lemuel Jones as original members. The congregation are about finishing a neat frame church at a cost of $1,100, the land having been donated to the church by Leven Comer, Esq. The house has not yet been dedicated. The pastors who have had charge of the ftock are Revs. Hale, Hayes, Stone, Bovee, Miles, Devlin and the present pastor, Robbins. Present membership, twentyseven.

Hill township embraces thirty full and six fractional sections. It derives its name from the earliest settlers, of that name, and from the rough and hilly character of the country. It is the most broken and rugged in its physical features of any other part of the county, and was in the earlier days of the settlement of the county regarded as the poorest and most unproductive of any part of Carroll. Time, however, has verified the fact that the soil is as fertile and productive as the townships contiguous, and in proportion to the acreage sown, yields as great in quantity and quality as the- best.

Richard, George W. and Nathan Hill were among the first, if not the first, settlers in the township, about 1836, having just arrived from Tennessee. Abraham and Nathan W. Frizelle, in 1844, Bedford county, Tennessee, Isaac Wooden, Thos. Suggs and Dorsey Miles soon followed, and made locations in various portions of the township. John M.

Settlements were made slowly, but by a rugged and industrious class of farmers, who soon made improvements that were convenient and comfortable. John M. Braden, Kentucky, came in the fall of 1836, and located on section 36; Allen and Robert Caskey, Kentucky, in 1836, located on section 26, northwest of Braden; John A. Daugherty, Kentucky, about the same time, located with Braden and Caskey on section 36; Jeremiah and Aaron Braden, Kentucky, followed and made homes close to their friends on 36, and formed quite a settlement.

Few were added to the population from about 1869 to about 1866, when an influx came that soon dotted the township w'ith farm houses, and to-day Hill is not by any means the rear township of the county.

Rev. S. Woods, of the Cumberland Pesbyterian pursuasion, on section thirty-'six in 1839, married Walter Coats and Miss Malinda Northcott, at the house of Aaron Braden. This is reputed to have been the first marriage in the township. In the month of January, 1837, to John and Dorinda Daugherty, w'as born a daughter, named Sarah Ann, and on the oth of March following, a son, named George, was born to Jeremiah and Louisa Braden. These are said to have been the first births in the township.

Dr. George W. Folger, the pioneer physician of the county, was the first practicioner of his profession, in this as well as several other townships.

The first religious services were held at the residence of John A. Daugherty, On section thirty-six, by Revs. Hancock and Woods, Cumberland Presbyterian.

John Cole is represented to have taught the first school in the township. He had fifteen pupils, and received but a nominal salary. This school was held at the residence of A. Braden.

The postoffice is called Lima, and is located on section eighteen. As yet no town has been laid oft' in Hill. Supplies were brought from Carrollton, Lexington, and Brunswick, over the prairies, without road or compass, taking the sun as a guide.

As early as 1839, the Cumberland Presbyterians held a camp-meeting, on section thirty-six, the ministers being Sarshel Woods, D. Patton, H. R. Smith, and Wiley Clark.

Geo. W. Hill says, when he first came to the township all work was done by exchanging with each other. There was little work to do, but when it was done, hunting was in order.

When a new settler came some one would give him room, till the neighbors would build him a house. After getting into his house, one would give him a middling of meat, another a turn of meal, and so on, supplying all his wants until he could do for himself. Love and harmony existed, in fact, all were brothers. Mr. Hill says, also, that now he is called an old fogy, and defines the word to mean, "a man who attends to his own business, and does not meddle with others."

Prairie wolves were numerous, and timber wolves as -plenty as blackberries. Mr. Hill has lost as many as nine sheep before breakfast, by these cowardly pests.

Prairie township is one of the extreme western townships of the county and embraces thirty full and six fractional sections, the latter bordering Ray county. It is nearly exclusively rolling prairie and as rich and fertile as any portion of the county. Turkey creek meanders through the eastern portion of the township and a small tributary of the Wakanda runs through the southwest corner.

It is claimed for prairie that it is the finest corn ground in the county, and from evidence in our possession we are inclined to the opinion that the claim is well founded.

This portion of the county was not settled at a very early day, and from all the information that can be relied on, Jacob GofT was one of the

When Jacob Falke came in 1848 and located on section two, Johnson Nelson, Strange Johnson, Enoch Hilderbrand and Irvin Haynes were already here. They located sometime between the years 1845 and 1848, but the exact date is unknown.

The township has been almost exclusively settled since 1865, a large number of whom are thrifty Germans, who are excellent farmers, and if not rich have built up good substantial and comfortable homes.

One drawback in early times to the settlement of prairie was the want of timber for fencing, and the distance to market for lumber for building purposes. When this objection was removed by the railroad passing through the county. Prairie filled up rapidly and kept pace with other portions of the county.

Several very fine orchards are found in this township. Obadiah Stevens, in section thirty-four, has five acres, and advises the Ben Davis as the most prolific for this climate.

The oldest man in the township is Simon Schies, a German, being in his seventy-fifth year; and the oldest woman is Mary E. Kaiser, a native of Switzerland, being in her eighty-third year.

On the farm of J. Williams, in section twenty-two, is a mineral spring impregnated strongly with iron, sulphur and coal oil. If left undisturbed for a few hours, the whole surface of the water is covered with crude oil.

Prairie township has several large stock feeders, among whom is A. R. Beaty. On a farm of 445 acres he manages to feed on an average of 350 head of cattle, and about 500 head of hogs annually. He keeps a few pure bloods, and there is no discount op their being thoroughbreed short f'om Durhams, and are among the finest cattle in the county.

Mt. Olivet Churchy Souths - was organized in 1879, with the following original members: Eliza Simmerman, Eva J. Hill, W. H. Hill, Jere, Lavina, Maggie, Jennie and Alice Holdman, W. W., Sarah E., Maggie, Mary and Martha Jenkins,' Henry F. Williams and Peter P. Elsas.

Their building is a good frame, located on section six, and was dedicated the 18th of May, 1880, by Rev. R. A. Austin. The building is nicely located and cost about $1,250. Rev's R. A. Austin, H. T. Deeper, A. T. Lewis and G. Gregory have been pastors of the congregation. Present membership 90.

A burying ground of two acres, donated by George S. Colby, is connected with the church. The first deposit was the body of Stella Dorsey, daughter of L. E. and Henrietta Dorsey, on the 26th of December, 1878.

Smith township was named in honor of one of its own settlers, John Smith, who resided there at the adoption of the township organization by the people, but who has since been called to his fathers. It embraces but a few full and fractional sections, and is located at the confluence of the Missouri and Grand rivers. It is low bottom lands, mostly covered with large cottonwood timber, and but little of the land but is subject to overflow. Owing to a change by high water of the channel of Grand River a few years ago, a large body of made land has been added to the township. This is mostly sand land susceptible of growing nothing but cotton wood and stunted willows, and at any rise of the river may again become lost to the township.

Among the first who located in Smith, were: Benj. Hensley, Benj. Rogers and Moses Smith. The Wabash St. Louis and Pacific railroad enters Smith township oft section four, where it crosses Grand river, and runs southwesterly through sections 8 and 18, entering De Witt township at the extreme southwest corner of Smith.

The following named persons have served as magistrates for Smith township since the orgination of the county: 1872, Lyle Goodbar; 1874. Lyle Goodbar; 1875, Lyle Goodbar; 1876, A. D. Egleston; 1881, Lyk Goodbar.

General James Shields

General James Shields, who, from the close of the war until his death on Sunday night, June 1st, 1879, was a citizen of this county, was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, in the year 1810. His mother was left a widow with three boys on her-hands, and with sufficient means to educate and rear them in a respectable manner. The subject of this shetch being the eldest, gave early evidence of great energy and activity. By the time he was sixteen years of age, he had made himself a good English scholar, a good mathematician, and had acquired a fair knowledge of the classics and the French language. At that age, in 1826, he came to America, and in 1832 he emigrated to the State of Illinois, and began the study of the law in Randolph county, where he was soon admitted to pratice, meeting with the success he anticipated. In 1835 or '36, he was elected to the Legislature from his adopted county. Although successful in law it did not fill the ambition of his heart and he chose politics, the political field seeming to possess greater charms for him, and he soon became prominent in that role. In "Old Vandalia," then the capital of the State, he made the acquaintance of Abraham Lincoln, Stephen A. Douglas, J. Hardin, Edward Baker, and others who have since figured prominently in the history of the country. In 1840 he was elected State Auditor and discharged the duties of that important position with such efficiency and success that he was unanimously re-elected by both parties - Whigs and Democrats. A warm friendship sprung up between him and Douglas, who, about the same time was made secretary of State. In 1846, he was appointed Judge of the Supreme Court of the State, and, in 1845, under the administration of President Polk, he was appointed Commissioner of the general Land Office. The Mexican war breaking out soon after, he offered his services to the government, and was assigned to the command of the Illinois troops as Brigadier-general, his appointment dating from the 1st day. of July, 1846. He served under Gen. Taylor on the Rio Grande, under Gen. Wood in the campaign against Chihuahua, and next under Gen. Scott, when he entered on his campaign in the capture of the city of Mexico. At the seige of Vera Cruz he distinguished Tiimself for activity, ability and undaunted courage. After the fall of Vera Cruz, the army under Scott was obliged to encounter the whole Mexican force at Cerro Gordo, the strongest natural position on the continent. Shields was assigned to attack the reserve under the command of Santa Anna in person. This attack he carried out with such intrepidity and skill, that he fairly surprised the Mexican army, and swept them before him, carrying a battery of six pieces at the point of the bayonet. Unfortunately, before this battery, he received a wound, deemed at the time mortal; a grape shot punctured his right lung, tore through his body, and passed out near the spine. In the official dispatches to the war office, he was reported dead. To the surprise of everybody, and to the astimishment of the medical staff of the army, in ten weeks he was again in the saddle and at the head of his command. He entered the valley of Mexico with the army, his brigade consisting of the* New York volunteers, the Palmettos of South Carolina, and a battalion of U. S. Marines. The first battle fought in the valley was that of Contreras, where the enemy was strongly posted within their intrenchments. Geh. Persifer Smith was sent against them in the afternoon, and Shields was sent to join him at night, and being senior in rank, was entitled to take command, but finding that Smith had made his dispositions to make an attack upon the enemy at day-break, and approving of his arrangements, he declined to deprive Smith of the honor of the achievement. He served under him the next morning, and aided him materially in the attack, which was wholly successful. The following day was fought the battle of Cherubusco, one of the bloodiest engagements of the war. In this fight. Shields was assigned the command of a division, and appointed again to attack the Mexican reserve under his old antagonist Santa Anna. This he accomplished with rapidity and fearless audacity, and although the enemy were five to one, he carried their position, captured their artillery, and drove them broken and shattered into the city of Mexico; but this daring exploit cost him the lives of some of his bravest officers and about one third of his entire command. The gallant and noble Palmetto regiment lost half its number in killed and wounded on that bloody field. Next succeeded the storming of Chapultepec. In this engagement he was again seriously wounded. His arm was struck by a musket ball, which tearing through, passed out near the elbow. Regardless of the wound he pursued the enemy to the very gates of the Mexican capital, having his horse shot under him. The capture of the city followed, and peace being soon after concluded, he returned home to Illinois. In 1849, Illinois made him senator of the United States, he and-Douglas being colleagues. He served six years with Webster, Calhoun, Clay. Benton and Cass. After his term in the Senate expired he emigrated to Minnesota, then a territory, which on being admitted to the Union, Shields was chosen one of its senators. The climate of Minnesota proving too severe, pn his term of Senator expiring, he made a trip to California where he married. While on the Pacific coast the war of the rebellion broke out, and he again offered his services to his adopted country. He was again appointed Brigadier General and telegraphed for by the War Department, and was assigned to the command of the army of Western Virginia. His desperate struggles in the Shenandoah Valley are part of the history of the country and is unnecessary to recount here. He is the only officer that ever coped successfully with Stonewall Jackson, and shortly after his encounter with that celebrated general he was relieved from duty at his own request, and sent to California, where he remained until the close of the war.

In 1866 he returned to the east and selected Missouri as his home. He purchased a farm in Carroll county, near Carrollton and resided upon it in peaceful retirement until 1874, when he was chosen to represent the county in the state legislature. At the close of his term he again went into retirement on his farm until the summer of 1877, when he removed to the city. His remarkable lecturing tour of the fall of that year and the winter and spring of 1878 is scarcely to be mentioned, although it was more after the nature of a triumphal tour of a conquering hero than the filling of lecture engagements. On the 21st of January, 1879, he was chosen by the legislature of Missouri to fill the unexpired term of L. V. Bogy, in the United States senate, which term expired on the 4th of March, 1879. Thus is briefly given some of the important dates of the events in the history of this remarkableman - a hero in war, a patriot in peace ; a model of true manhood; in life he was loved for his virtues, and in death he is mourned by a nation, and by none more deeply than those who knew him best. The following lines written by George W. Dunn, of Richmond, on Gov. Preston's presentation speech to Gen. Shields, will here form a fitting contribution:

Rev. Abbot Hancock

It is important that the names of good men, though dead, should live in the memory of those who know of their virtues, and to give them to the rising generations, when they have gone to their reward. Such was Rev. Abbot Hancock, whose name heads this notice, who. gave many years of his life and fortune in planting the doctrines of morals and Christianity in the bounds of Carroll county. He was born in the state of Kentucky, and came to Missouri in 1807, with his parents, and in 1810 to Cooper's Bottom, in Howard county. He was a nephew of Cols. Benj. and Sarshel Cooper, a boy soldier in many a skirmish with the Indians, and a volunteer under Col. Henry Dodge, who, with his regiment, swam the Missouri river at Arrow Rock, and supprised a camp of Miami Indians, just below the town of Miami. About the year 1820 he married Miss Lucinthia Kavanagh, by whom he raised a large family. Mr. Hancock was of a restless nature, and moved apd removed until the year 1836, he came to Carroll county. He had been ordained a minister by the Rev. Ferris Ewing and Samuel King, in 1828. He was associated with Eli Guthrie, Hugh R. Smith, Daniel Patton, Robert and Henry Renick, Wiley Clark, and other ministers of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. Here he labored faithfully without fee or support from the church, until 1851, when he went to California to improve his financial condition. The overland trip was too severe for one of his age, his fine constitution^gave way, and he died soon after reaching the golden state. His widow survived him some 25 years. Three daughters survive their parents; two in Carroll county, and one in Montana. The memory of such a man is held dear to those who knew him. As the population of the county has greatly increased, the few remaining friends of a good man should embalm his name in the annals of the county, in which he spent the last days of his life. The date of his birth is not known by the writer of this notice, but his impression is, it was about the year of 1795 or '96.

Col. William Hill

was born in the county of Adams, Ohio, on the 4th of February, 1812. He was married in his twentieth year, to Miss Sarah B. Watson, of the same county, and emigrated to Missouri in 1837. He settled on the Missouri river in township 51, range 23; purchased a tract of timbered land from Noah Caton and established a wood yard. In 1838 Mr. Caton sold his remaining land to a Mr. Reed, who laid off the same into town lots, and had a sale of lots. Not a lot sold was ever recorded in the county, and the town of Reedsburg became extinct. The same year Colonel Hill had a few dry goods and groceries, and in 1839 built a dwelling house. His family lived in the lower room and kept his goods up stairs, using a bed for a counter. This was the beginning of a business that soon deveL oped into the most extensive in the county. In 1839 he built a store house across the road from his dwelling, and 'Mr. Lewis B. Ely became his clerk. A sandbar forming in front of the warehouse made it very inconvenient to do business. Col. Hill with several gentlemen bought the Pitt's land in 1843, and laid out a town called Moscow, in 1844. The river gave evidences of an overflow and Col. Hill moved his fan^ily and goods to Carrollton. In 1845 he built a fine dwelling and store house, a pork house and one for receiving, baling and shipping hemp. In the fair his family moved down to Moscow; here a heavy business in pork packing and baling and shipping hemp was done for several years, and Moscow had the appearance of rivaling Carrollon. In 1851 Wm. H. Trotter married the eldest daughter. Miss Mary Jane Hill, and became a partner in the store at this place. Col. Hill's brother, Jonathan, also became a partner. In the year of 1853 or '54, the river again becoming uncertain they were compelled to move their business about two miles below. Sold his dwelling and farm to Capt. Charles K. Baker, and the fate of Moscow is like that of Reedsburg, known only to a few. After his removal for the third time, things had the appearance of permanency, and the hemp baling, pork packing, shipping of live stock, receiving and forwarding goods, gave everything an impetus, and all again became sanguine of success and another town was laid out, and called Carroll City, but like its predecessors, is not known to have existed. Mr. Ely had charge of the house of Hill & Ely, and of the firm of Hill, Ely & Minnis, which houses grew to such importance that they bought nearly all the hemp, beef, cattle and hogs, and drove and shipped the same to St. Louis, Hill attending to the out door business. Hill was a man that kept his own secrets; but few knew his views in regard to the approaching troubles in 1861, when the tocsin of war was sounded, and Gen. W. Y. Slack of Livingston was making his way across the country to Lexington, Col. Hill, without noise, iind letting but few know of his determination to report to Gen. Slack, at

Teney's Point, in Ray county, returned home, and made confidential arrangements with his partner (Mr. L. B. Ely, in whom he had every reason to believe the understanding would be faithfully carried out in the event of his*death), and reported again to Gen.- Slack and Price. Gen. Price knew his man and appointed him quartermaster general, with the rank of colonel. He led and clothed the army at Cowskin, Wilson's Creek, Dry Wood and Lexington, showing ability. In trying times, as soon as the surrender at Lexington, and the smoke of battle had cleared way, he came down to see his family, remained a day or two and like a true, brave soldier returned to his post of duty. When the army fell back as far as Osceola, at that place he was too sick to travel and was left at that place. His son Franklin visited him and found that Osceola was threatened by Gen. Jim Lane and jayhawkers. He brought him home and after partially recovering he attended to the business of Hill & Trotter, Mr. Trotter having died during Col. Hill's absence. About the time he had recovered from his sickness, Gen. Benjamin Prentiss with 1,500 infantry and cavalry was rriaking his way down the Missouri river. Col. Hill, with a number of other citizens, thought it prudent to cross the river on the 16th of December, 1861, to meet troops crossing at Brunswick, and others gathering in Saline county. On the 19th they were captured near Kirkpatrick's mill, on Blackwater, in Johnson county, by Gen. Baker, commanding Iowa troops. Col. Hill's son Joseph was with him. They were all marched to Sedalia, and shipped to St. Louis in open stock cars and marched to McDowell College, then a federal prison. Confinement, inability, unventilated room, was too much for one, whose custom had been to have open and fresh air, and Col. Hill soon yielded and became a prey to typhoid fever. His old friend, James E. Yeatman, seeing his condition, procured his release and that of his son, Joseph. They were removed to the Olive street hotel, on the 20th day of January, 1862, and on the 24th Col. Hill died. His remains were sent home, and all that is now mortal of a good, brave man has become part and parcel of the soil of Carroll - the county' of his adoption, where his name for years to come will be revered by old and young. No man's history will be of more interest to Carroll county, and his descendents can point to his name, when it shall be seen on the pages of the history of the county, with pride and learn to imitate his virtues. He was a. warm and affectionate husband and father, and a kind and indulgent friend. His hand was ever open to relieve distress, contributing liberally to every public enterprise for the good and advancement of the county. Col. Hill, in early life, became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, also his wife, m 1845 or '46. He, with his wife, became members of the Christian church, under the ministry of Elder Thomas Gaines. His widow is still living m Carrollton. Five sons, Franklin, in Montana, James, William, Joseph and

Charles in Carroll county, and ' one daughter, Mrs. Ella Bills, now of Denver, Colorado, are his children. Col. Hill's height was 5 ft. 10 in., with a well-knit frame, a steady eye, a full face, a broad chin, quick, firm step, giving every indication ever to a stranger that he was no ordinary man.