Chariton County, Missouri - The whole text, 1896 (part 2 of 6)

For convenience of reference a short table is a[)pende(l to the early settlements of Missouri as follows, with the date and estal)libhment of each in cases where it has been determined:

War With Great Britain In 1812

Notwithstandino; the few inhabitants of Missouri were at a long distance from the scenes of the famous war between Great Britain and the United States which was declared by this country June 18, 1812, under the administration of President James Madi^son, they participated in many engagements with the Indians and were obliged to exercise ceaseless vigilance against this insidious foe. For a number of years the British traders had incited the red men against the white settlers of the state, which was at that time only a territory, and had sui)plie(l them with arms and ammunition. In July, 18 H), W. I. Cole and two other men at Loutre Island w^ere killed while trying to recover property stolen by the Pottawattomies. In 1815 the Sac and Fox Indians who had _stolen horses from the same settlement were followed by a party of "rangers" led by Capt. James Callaway, for whom the grand old county of Callaway, was named, a grandson of the noted Daniel Boone in command. The captain and three of his comrades were killed.

In 1813, Fort Madison, Iowa, was abandoned and burned to prevent Indian occupation. During the same year the scattered settlements, where the counties of Montgomery, Lincoln, and Pike now are, were often plundered by the red men under the noted Black Hawk and other chiefs. In St. Charles cf)unty many bloody massacres occurred. But at length they were protected from further danger by the erection of a number of forts and strongholds against their enemies.

Black Hawk War, 1832

In ISol a treaty was made Ijetween the United States and the Sac and Fox nations of Indians, but however one old warrior of the Sacs, Black Hawk, who had fought with great bravery in the service of the British in the war of 1812, had always taken great exception to this treaty and pronounced it void. He established himself in 1831 with a chosen band of braves upon the disputed territory in Illinois and ordered the whites to leave the coimtry at once, but instead of obeying the chief of the red men, fifteen hundred volunteers from that state, aided by General Gaines with a company of regulars, surprised the Indians and forced them into another treaty by which they gave up their lands and agreed to remain west of the Mississippi river. It was not long however until a band of these same Indians attacked a party of friendly Menominies camped at Prairie du Chien, murdering twentylive and wounding many others, Brig. -Gen. Atkinson with a large company of regular troops from Jeti'erson Barracks, near St. Louis, was sent to chastise the blood thirsty murderers who had ruthlessly violated their treaty. After this Black Hawk, with his adherents recrossed the Mississippi and established himself at Rock River, Keokuk. The rightful chief of the Sacs remained true to the treaty with the United States but Black Hawk's followers were bent upon revenge and plunder. May 14, 1832, a bloody encounter occurred near Dixon's Ferry. On account of the proximity of these hostilities to the Missouri border and fearing an invasion from the Indians, Gov. Miller ordered Maj.-Gen. Richard Gentry, of Columbia, Missouri, to raise one thousand volunteers to start for the frontier at once if wanted. Orders were accordingly issued by General Gentry to Brig. -Gens. Benjamin Means commanding the Seventh; Jonathan Riggs, the Eighth, and Jesse T. Wood, the ninth brigarde. Third division, on May 29th, 1832, to raise the tirst named 400, and each of the last 300 men. Each man was "to keep in readiness a horse with the necessary equipments, and and a rifle in good order, with a full supply of ammunition." Boone county at once raised live companies, and others were raised in Calla- way, Mont2:omeiy, St. Charles, Lincoln, Pike, Marion, Ralls, Chi}' and Monroe. Two of them, Capt. John Jamison's of Callaway, and Capt. David M. Plicknian's of Boone were mustered in for thirty days' service in July, 1832, and placed under the command of Maj. Thomas Congers. This detachment, accompanied l)y Gen. Gentry in person, arrived at Palmyra July 10, and live days later at Fort Pike which is situated on the Des Moines river at the present site of St. Francisville, in Clark county, and on his arrival found that no hostile Indians had invaded that part of Missouri Gen. Gentry ordered the work on Fort Matson to be discontinued. On August 5th this detachment was relieved ))y two other companies under the command of Capt. Sinclair Kirtley of Boone, and Patrick Ewing of Callaway. Maj. Congers remained in command of the fort. In September, the Indian trou])les having apparently subsided, the troops were mustered out of service on the northern frontier of Missouri. Black Hawk died in Iowa in 1838, at the age of about seventy years.

Mormonism In Missouri

Without doubt one of the most striking features in the annals of Missouri was the progress of Mormonism from 1831 until the Mormons were driven out of the state by General Alexander W. Doniphan in 1838. Their Prophet, Priest and King, Joe Smith, seemed to act by appointment from on high, claiming that his mission was both of a trancient and spiritual nature. In 1831 he came to Missouri, where it was claimed the foundations of a kingdom were laid in Jackson county, at Independence, which he named "The New Jerusalem." Smith and his followers entered several thousand acres of land in Jackson county, where he intended to more securely estaljlish a church and to instruct his followers in its peculiar tenets and practices in a more elective manner. They published the Eoening Star (the first newspaper in Jackson county) and made themselves so generally obnoxious that the Gentiles, who were in the minority, became enraged to such an extent that they took the type and press from the office and threw them into the Missouri River; tarred and feathered the Bishop and two of his comrades, and otherwise gave the Mormons and their leaders to understand that they must conduct themselves in a more discreet manner if they wished to rest in peace. The distruction of their newspaper and threats of otherwise maltreating the Mormons did not seem to avail much as on October 31, 1833, a deadly combat took place near Westport, which resulted in the killing of two citizens and one Mormon. On November 2, the Mormons arrived at a point two miles west of Independence, bent on destroyins^ that place as a retaliation for the manner in which they had formerly l)een treated, but were repulsed by Gentiles who began pouring in from all quarters, and met them at that point and compelled them to lay down their arms and agree to leave the county with their families by January 1, 1834. When they left Jackson county, they crossed the Missouri river into Clay, Carroll, Caldwell and other counties where they selected a location in Caldwell county for their town, to be known as "Far West," at which place they entered more land for their future homes, where they remained unmolested until 1838, when twoof their leaders purchased some land at De Witt, Carroll county, and settled there. It was a good point from which to forward goods and immigrants to their town of Far West. As soon as the settlers around De Witt were aware of the fact that these parties were Mormon leaders, a public meeting was called which was addressed by some of the prominent citizens of the county. They did not do anything at this meeting, Init at a subsequent meeting a few days later when a committee was appointed to wait upon Col. Hinkle, one of the leaders of the Mormons, and informed him of what they intended to do. Upon being notified by this committee. Col. Hinkle became very indignant and threatened to exterminate all who should attempt to molest him or his saints, and at once recruits flocked to the town in countless numljers from their ditt'erent settlements to be in readiness in case of trouble with the Gentiles. The attack by the Gentiles was planned to take place on the 21st day of September, 1838, and one hundred and fifty men were stationed near the town on that day. An encounter ensued, but without serious effect when the Mormons fled to some log huts, where they could more securely resist the Gentiles who had returned to their camp to await recruits from Saline, Ray and other counties near by. After some days of discipline, the brigade prepared for an assault headed by Brig.-Gen. Congreve Jackson, Col. Ebenezer Price, Lieut. -Cul. Singleton Vaughan and Major Sarshel Woods, but before the attack was made, two influential citizens of Howard county. Judge James Earickson and Wm. F. Dunnica, with the permission of General Jackson, met the Mormon leaders for the purpose of bringing about a reconcilliation without bloodshed, and induce them to leave the country in peace, which was finally agreed upon, and the Mormons without delay loaded up their effects and left for their town of Far West, in Caldwell county. The Mormons had no doubt sufl'ered considerable, but the end was yet to come. Gover- nor Bo^o-s, in 1838, issued a proclamation ordering Maj. -Gen. David li. Atchison to call out the militia of his division and enforce the laws. He called out part of the first brigade of Missouri State Militia, imder command of General Doniphan and ordered him at once to the seat of war. Gen. Clark was placed in command of militia. The first engagement took place at Crooked River, but the principal fight took place at Haughn's Mills. Eighteen Mormons were killed and the balance captured, while only one militiaman was wounded. The town of Far AVest was surrendeied to General Doniphan in October, 1838. The leaders of the Mormons were taken in custody for trial while the remainder of their people were allowed to leave the state in a peaceable manner with their families. While en route to Boone county for trial Joe Smith made his escape but was afterwards, in 1814, killed in Carthage, III., wdth his brother, Hiram.

Mexican War, 1846 To 1848

The war between Mexico and the United States from April, 1840, to September, 1847, was caused by the revolt of Texas from Mexico prior to its admittance to the United States in 1845. Texas had not only revolted, but, claimed and carried into the United States a great deal more territory than had been conceded to her in the original Mexican arrangements. President Polk in November, 1845, dispatched Slidell, a Southern Congressman; to Mexico to confer with President Herrera, concerning some indemnity for Texas, also to negotiate for the territory, now California. The congressman was not received, owing to the fact that the soldier, Paredes, had succeeded the president of Mexico. General Zachary Taylor, then commanding the army, was at once ordered by President Polk to advance through the disputed territory and take a position on the banks of the Pio Grande river, which he did near Metamoras, where he was attacked by the Mexicans under Arista and a part of his forces was captured April 23, 1846. While Gen. Taylor was engaged in Mexico Gen. Kearney marched onto and conquered the whole country now embracing New Mexico and raised the emblematic Stars and Stripes, and sent Doniphan to join Wool at Chihauhau. Near the middle of May, 1846, General Edwards of Missouri made a call for volunteers to join the "Army of the West" who were sent to Santa Fe with Gen. Stephen W. Kearney in command. About June 18, complete companies had arrived at Fort Leavenworth, from Jackson, Lafayette, Clay, Saline, Franklin, Cole, Howard, and Callaway counties. Upon their arrival an election was held which made Alexander W. D(miphan, colonel; C. F. Kutl, lieu- tenant-colonel, and William Gilpin, major. These companies marched from Fort Leavenworth to Santa Fe, (of which march we have no record at hand) and the "Army of the West" from Missouri will ever be remembered in history for the fearlessness which they displayed in the Mexican war. In the early part of the summer of 1846, Hon. Sterling Price, then a Missouri Congressman, resigned his office and was placed in command of another regiment of volunteers from Missouri, by President Polk to give reinforcement to the "Army of West." The requisite number of men was soon raised, with companies from Boone, Benton, Carroll, Chariton, Linn, Livingston, Monroe, Randolph, Ste. Genevieve and St. Louis counties, and about the first of August were quartered at Fort Leavenworth. On their arrival an election was held and Sterling Price was made colonel. Governor Reynolds made another requisition for one thousand men to consist of infantry, in August, 1847, to be in readiness for a close march behind Colonel Price's army. Major John Dougherty was chosen for colonel, but the president countermanded the order under which the force was mustered before the receipt of marching orders. Capt. Wm. T. Laflann was mustered into the service of the United States at Independence, Missouri, in May, 1847, and served until the close of the war. He oi)erated as far into Mexico as Santa Cruz De Rosales, where a hard battle was fought with great loss and defeat to the Mexicans. In July 1848, these forces were ordered to Independence, Missouri, and were mustered out in October of the same year. ^

Events Preceding The Civil War

The presidential campaign of 1860 will ever be regarded as one of the most im]X)rtant in the history of the Republic of the United States, as the canvass of that year was one of the most exciting the country had ever experienced. There were four candidates in the Held. Abraham Lincoln was nominated by the republican party on a platform in opposition of the further extension of slavery, which was declared to be the actual issue. The democratic convention met at Charleston, l)ut was divided on the slavery question in the Territories, and, after a long and stormy session, the party was disrupted, and the delegates in favor of "Southern Rights" withdrew from the convention. They met twice, first at Richmond, and afterwards at Baltimore, where they succeeded in nominating JohnC. Breckinridge of Kentucky, for president, Stephen A. Douglas, the apostle of popular sovereignty, was nominated by the Squatter Sovereignty democrats, while the fourth, John

As a result of this contest Mr. Lincoln was elected president. The leaders of the South declared that his election would be considered a o;ood cause for a separation of the Union. It was now evident that under the new administration, all the departments of the government must pass into the power of the republican party. President Buchanan did not favor a disunion, and did not consider that he had the right, constitutionally, to coerce a sovereign state. The time, therefore, Avhich passed between the election in November and the inauguration the following March, was fully improved by the southern leaders.

Secession

It was on December 17, 1860, that a convention assembled at Charleston, S. C, and passed a resolution declaring that the relations hitherto existing between that state and others, under the name of the United States of America, was at an end. This measure had almost the unanimous support of all the cotton -growing states, and by February 1, 1861, six other states -Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas - had withdrawn fro ii the Union. Nearly all the congressmen from these states, resigned their seats in congress and joined the disunionists.

On the 4th day of Februry, 1861, six delegates from each of the seceded states met in Montgomery and proceeded to form a new government to be called the Confederate States of America. The government was organized by the election of Jefferson Davis, of Mississippi, on the 8th day of the same month, as provisional president, with Alexander H. Stevens as his Vice-President. When the representative slaveholders declared in Congress in 1850, that unless California should be admitted as a slave state, they would dissolve the Union, albeit, they would do it "calmly and peaceably," Daniel Webster arose in his majesty and in a few words uttering a remarkable and prophetic warning, said: "I hear with pain, anguish and distress the words secession; peaceable secession. Sir, your eyes and mine are never distined to see that miracle - the dismeml^erment of this vast country - without convulsion! The breaking up of the fountains of the deep without ruffling the surface! Who is so foolish as to ex{)ect to see such a thing? Sir, he who sees these states now revolving in harmony around the common center, and expects to see them (juit their places and fly off without convulsion, may look the next hour to see the heavenly bodies rush from their spheres and jostle against each other in realms of space, without producing the crash of the universe. There can be no such thing as peaceable secession! Peaceable secession is an utter impossibility. Is the great constitution under which we live here, covering the whole country, is it to be thawed and melted by secession, as the snows of the mountains melt under the influence of the vernal sun, disappear almost unobserved and die oflf ^ No sir! No sir! I see it as plainly as I see the sun in the heaven. / see disruption must produce such a war as I will not describe in its two-fold character.''''

Beginning Of Hostilities

This great American Nation seemed almost on the verge of ruin, and for the time being the government was paralyzed. President Buchanan was distracted with hesitancy and the contradictory councils of friends. With the exception of Forts Moultrie and Sumter, in Charleston Harbor, Fort Pickens, near Pensacola, and Fortress Monroe, in the Chesapeake, all the important posts in the seceded states had Ijeen seized and occupied by the Confederates, even before the organization of their government.

Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated in March, as President of the United States, with Wm. H. Seward, of New York, Secretary of State; Salmon P. Chase, of Ohio, Secretary of the Treasury; Simon Cameron, of Pennsylvania, Secretary of War, and G ideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy, as members of his Cabinet, but it was not until April 15, 1861, that he issued a proclamation declaring the South to be in a state of rebellion and calling for 75,000 militia to "repossess the forts, places and property seized from the Union." Both Houses of Congress were summoned to assemble in extraordinary session on July 4, 1861. Jefl'erson Davis also issued a proclamation two days later than the one of Lincoln, calling upon "The good people of the Confederacy," to rally and drive out "the invaders." On the same day Virginia seceded from the Union and was followed by Arkansas May 6, and North Carolina on the 20th of the same month. East Tennessee was strongly opposed to disunion and it was not until June 8th that a secession ordinance could ])e passed. Maryland's people were divided in their o|)inions, but the disunion sentiment prevailed largely. As will 1)6 seen presently, in Missouri the movement resulted in civil war, while in Kentucky a proclamation of neutrality was issued by the authorities.

The tirst bloodshed in the civil war was at Harper's Ferry, when on April 19, some Massachusetts regiments were passing through Baltimore on their way to Washington, were attacked by the citizens with stones and fire arms, at Avhich time three men were killed. The next battle was on the 20th of the month w^hen a company of Virsfinians attacked the great navy jard at Norfolk, The federal officers in command fired the buildings, sank the vessels, spiked the guns and withdrew their forces. Most of the vessels and cannons were afterwards recovered by the confederates. The property thus captured amounted to about 110,000,000. So stood the opposing powers in the Ijeginning of the summer of 1861.

The Attitude Of Missouri

jVIissouri had l)een deeply involved in the agitation caused l)y the territorial (juestions connected with the subject of slavery, and as the state was largel}^ populated ])y emigrants from Kentucky, Virginia and other southern states, or by their descendants, there was naturally a strong and widespread sympathy Avith the secessionists. But notwithstanding this sympathy, there was considerable conservatism among her people, and they were not, in the language of Governor Stewart's message, to be frightened from their property by the past unfriendly legislation of the North, or be compelled to submit to secession liy the restrictive legislation of the extreme South.

Clail)orne F. Jackson, author of the "Jackson Resolution,''' was inaugurated governor January -1, 1861, having been elected by the Douglas democrats. While Governor Stewart's farewell message concluded with an eloquont appeal for the maintenance of the Union, he depicted the ruin and bloodshed that must attend secession. While on the other hand Governor Jackson in his inaugural address insisted that "the interest of all slave-holding states were identical; that in case the Union were really divided, it would be the duty and privilege of JVIissouri to stand by the South; that the state was in favor of remaining in the Union so long as there was any hope of maintaining the guarantees of the constitution, but, that in any event, he was utterly opposed to coercion."

Believing that Missouri had the right to a voice in the settlement of this question then pending in the country, he recommended the calling of a state convention immediately, that the will of the people might be ascertained. The convention was called by Governor Jackson, in accordance with the act of the legislature, and met at JefJerson City February 28, 1861. Ninety-nine members were present and the convention elected the following officers and was permanently organized: Sterling Price of Chariton county, president, (he was regarded as a decided Union man); Robert Wilson of Andrew county, vice-pres- ident; Samuel A. Lowe of Pettis county, secretary; Robert A. Campbell of St. Louis, assistant secretary; C. P. Anderson of Moniteau county, doorkeeper, and W. B. Grover, sergeant-at-arms.

Upon President Lincoln's call for 75,000 men, Missouri's quoto was iixed at four reo;iments which Governor Jackson was to furnish, but in replying to Secretary of War Cameron, he said: "There can be, I apprehend, no doubt, but these men are intended to form a part of the president's army to make war upon the people of the seceded states. Your requisition, in my judo;ment, is illegal, unconstitutional and revolutionary in its objects; inhuman and diabolical and cannot be complied with. Not one man will the state of Missouri furnish to carry on such a crusade." Sisfned, C. F. Jackson, Governor of Missouri.

Pursuant to a proclamation of Governor Jackson the state leo;islature met in extra session May 2, 1861, and in his message to that body, the Governor reiterated the declaration that the interests of Missouri were identical with those of the slave-holding states and recommended that it would be policy to arm the people and place the state in an attitude of defence. The legislature responded and passed several important measures among which were the following: "To authorize counties to loan money not exceeding Jf>30,000 each, to the state; to authorize the l)anks of Missouri to issue one, two and three dollar notes to the amount of 11,500,000 instead of the same amount in larger notes. To authorize the Governor to purchase or lease l,)avid Ballentine's foundry at Boonville for the manufacture of arms and ammunition for the war; to authorize the Governor to appoint one major-general, who in time of insurrection, invasion or war, should command the entire military force in the Held, and to authorize the governor to borrow 11,000,000, to arm and equip the militia of the state in such a manner as to enable the protection of the lives and property of the people." And in the midst of this body of busy legislators dropped the new^s that Camp Jackson had been taken at St. Louis.

By order of Governor Jackson the United States arsenal at Liberty had been seized April 20, 1861. Upon the capture of Camp Jackson and the consequent disasterous collision between some of the United States troops and the peo})le, the wildest excitement prevailed throughout the state. The most essential reports flew abroad of the ])rutal murder of men, women and children by infuriated soldiery. People in various localities rose to avenge the reported terril)le slaughter and tbe whole state was in a frenzy of indignation.

A conference was held in St. Louis between Gen. Lyon, Col. Blair j jr., and Maj. Conant on one side, and Governor Jackson, Gen. Sterling Price and Col. Thos. L. Sneed, on the other. The interview lasted six hours but resulted in nothing except to make a terrible truth evident, that their diti'erences could not be adjusted peaceably. Gov. Jackson died at a farm house on the Arkansas river opposite Little Rock, Dec. 6, 1862. Hamilton R. Gamble was elected governor in July, 1861.

In January, 1862, President Lincoln issued one of the most important documents of the modern times - the emancipation proclamation. As the state of Missouri was loyal to the Union, and was at the time of the proclamation represented in congress by her chosen representatives, the provisions of that document had no effect upon slavery within her borders.

Thus after an existance of more than two hundred and fifty years, the intitution of African slavery was swept away. Although it was the purpose of the general government to do away, to discriminate carefully between Union and non-Union slave-holders, and to sufficiently indemnify against all losses occasioned by the freeing of their slaves, yet in many cases loyal men were ruined financially in this srreat overthrow of southern institutions and all classes suffered tos^ether.

Campaign Of 1861

Battle of Carthage, between forces of Gen. Sigel and Gov. Jackson, fought July 5, 1861; victory for Confederates with loss of 2,50 or 300 men, several horses, guns, etc.

Battle of Wilson Creek, between the forces under General Lyon and General McCulloch Aug. 10, 1861. This was one of the fiercest battles that took place in Missouri. Gen. Lyon was killed and was succeeded by General Sturgis.

Governor Gamble issued a proclamation August 24, 1861, calling for 32,000 men for six months to protect the property and lives of the citizens of the state.

On August 30, 1861, General Fremont declared martial law and declared that the slaves of all persons who should thereafter take an active part with the enemies of the Government should be free.

tack at Lexington on Col. Mulligan's forces, who worked night and day to strengthen their fortiiications, ])ut Price's forces were too strong for him and on the 20th Col. Mulligan with 2640 men surrendered to Price, the white flag was raised, and the seige of Lexington was at an end with l)ig gains for the Confederate forces.

On October 16, 1861, Maj. White, with his "prairie scouts" consisting of 185 cavelry, captured seventy-live Confederates and released all the Union prisoners at Lexington, confined by Price a short time before.

Campaign Of 1862

The first engagement of any note in 1862 was the Battle of Pea Ridge which commenced March 6, at early morning, and after two days hard fighting the Federals came out victorious. The Confederate Generals McCulloch and Mcintosh were both killed in this battle.

Centralia Massacre

The next and one of the most atrocious slaughters ever perpetrated in the history of the state was the noted Centralia Massacre. On Monday night, Sept. 20, 1864, Anderson's GuerrilUis, numbering from two to four hun(h-ed, encamped about three miles southeast of Centralia, which was situated on the North Missouri railroad (now known as the Wabash) in Boone county. On Tuesday morning at about ten o'clock seventy-five or one hundred of this ))and went into town and at once commenced plundering the stores and depot. At 11:30 a passenger train from St. Louis came in sight and immediately the Guerrillas commenced throwing obstructions on the track and firing at the engineer, James Clark, who was running the train at the time, and, who is at present running an engine on the Centralia Branch of the Wabash. After the train stopped the robl^ers entered the coaches where they relieved men, women and children of money and other valuables. There were twenty-three Federal soldiers aboard the train who were marched into town and shot down like dogs. The Guerrillas burned the depot and six box cars that were standing near. After robbing every one that crossed their path, they set fire to the train and started it on its way to Sturgeon. It only ran a short distance before it was stopped and entirely consumed. In the afternoon of the same day Maj. Johnson and Col. Kutzner's rigiments of Missouri volunteers arrived upon the scene with one hundred and fifty mounte<l infantry. An incounter took place in an open field southeast of town, Maj. Johnson's men being armed with long guns, were ordered to dismount. They only fired one volley before the Guerrillas dashed in among them splendidly mounted, each carrying three or four revolvers. Part of Joshson's men were still on horseback and started to run, but were followed and shot down. Maj. Johnson was killed. There were only four or five of the infantry left and they were wound, ed. The Guerrillas had but three killed and seven wounded. The remains of companies A. G. and PI. of Thirty-ninth regiment were buried at Centralia on the 27th of Sept, 1864. Since the close of the war their remains have been taken up and ])nried at Jefferson City in the National Cemetery.

Pere Marquette, La Salle and others of Catholic persuasion, were the first representatives of religious thought to penetrate the Missouri and Mississippi valleys, where they at once began performing missionary lal)ors among the Indians. The Protestants came about a century afterwards and in the course of time the Protestantial seeds were scattered along the courses of the two greatest rivers in the world, which form the eastern and western borders of Missouri and still a little later they had penetrated the inland country, until the present time, when church spires can be seen pointing heavenward from every city, town and hamlet in the state.

The Baptist Church

The tirst Baptist church organized in what is now known as the state of Missouri was founded in Cape Girardeau county, near the Mississippi river, in 1806, under the labors of Rev. D. Green. The growth of this denomination has been marked, and it has gone on increasing until, now it marshals a great host, and it is still rapidly enlarging in members, and advancing in intelligence and general thrift. This denomination has been a great lilessing to the state in the way of organizing educational institutions, among which are William Jewell college of Liberty, that has a world wide reputation as an institution of higher education; Stephens college of Columbia and the Baptist Female college of Lexington, which are also gaining much prominence.

The Christian Church

This is one of the largest denominations in Missouri, and was first organized in the state some time y)revious to 18:^9, and has established many literary institutions, among which are Christian college of Columbia; Woodland college of Independence, and many other prominent colleges that are all in a thrifty condition. This denomination now has many pul)lications throughout the state, and in many other ways is doing much to christianize the people of Missouri.

The Congregational Church

The first Trinitarian Congregational church was organized in St. Louis in 1852, with Rev. T. M. Post, D. D., as pastor. In 1864-65, fifteen churches were organized in towns along the Hannibal & St. Joe railroad. In 1875, the denomination had five district associations, seventy churches and forty-one ministers. Among their educational instituions are Drury college of Springfield and Thayer college of Kidedr, which have made rapid progress since they were first opened.

The Episcopal Church

The first services of the Protestant Episcopal church held in Missouri was on Oct. 24:, 1819, and Christ church was organized in St. Louis Nov. 1, of the same year. Rev. John Ward, previously of Lexington, Kentucky, was the first rector. This denomination controls

The Israelite Church

There is scarcely a county in the state where at least one dozen or more Jewish families are not settled. Jefferson City, Sedalia, Spiingtield, Rolla, Washington, Macon City, Louisiana, Hannibal and many other small cities throughout the state that have wealthy and influential citizens, l)ut too few in number to form independent religious connuunities. In St. Louis, Kansas City and St. Joseph they have established congregations, Sunday schools, and houses of worship. They also have several institutions of charity in these cities. The oldest Hebrew congregation in Missouri was organized at St. Louis in 1838. Their churches have grown rapidly since their organization in the state.

The Lutheran Church

The tirst Lutheran church organized in Missouri was founded in St. Louis in 1839. This church has made rapid strides towards the top round in the ladder, and now has a house of worship in nearly every town of any note within the Ijorders of the state. They now have hospitals and charitable institutions in St. Louis, Kansas City, St. Joseph and many of the smaller cities of the state. They also have many line institutions of learning of which they may Avell feel proud, among which are Concordia College and a high school, both located at St. Louis.

Methodist Episcopal Church

The Methodist P]piscopal church in Missouri dates from an early period in the history of the state. Lideed, several societies were formed before it became a state, and those were part of the old Illinois Conference. When the separation of 184:4:-45 took place and the Methodist Episcopal Church, South was formed, the societies in Missouri were broken up with few exceptions and the members either joined that organization or remained unable to effect a reorganization of their own until 1848, when the Missouri Conference resumed its sessions. During the Civil War the preachers and members were driven from neaily all the stations and districts. There were probably less than three thousand persons in actual fellowship in 1861-62. In May, 1862, the General Conference added Arkansas to the Missouri Conference and it bore the name of "The Missouri and Arkansas Conference" until 1868, when it was divided, the societies north of the Missouri river retaining the old name, Missouri Conference; and the societies south of the river, and those in Arkansas being formed into the St. Louis Conference. In 1872 the societies, in Missouri, south of the river became the St. Louis Conference. Those in Arkansas the Arkansas Conference. They have many educational institutions throughout the state.

Methodist Episcopal Church, South

John Clark was the name of the first Protestant minister who preached the Gospel in this state and was a Methodist local preacher. He resided where Alton now stands and occasionally crossed the river to a settlement of Americans near Florisant. The first regularly appointed Methodist preacher was Rev. John Travis, who received an appointment from Bishop Asbury in 1806. He formed two circuits and at the end of one year returned one hundred members. These circuits were called "Missouri" and "Meramec;" and at the Conference of 1807, Jesse Walker was sent to supply the former and Edmond Wilcox the latter. As time has gone on this denomination has flourished, and have built and have under their control many magnificent schools all over the State.

Cumberland Presbyterian

This church was first organized in Missouri in the spring of 1820, in Pike county. The Presbytery comprised all of Missouri and Arkansas and Western Illinois, with four ministers, two of whom resided in Missouri at on3 tiin3. Tlisre are now in the State fourteen Presbyteries and one Synod. They have under their control many first-class high schools that are in a prosperous condition.

First Presbyterian

The organization of this denomination dates back to 1816 at Bellvue settlement, eight miles from St. Louis, but its missionary efforts date back to 1814, two years before the church was organized. The church was divided throughout the United States in 1838, and was known as the Old and New Synods. The Old School Synod was divided on political questions springing out of the war in 1861. The Old and New School Presbyterians united in 1870, and since that time have steadily increased in membership.

Protestant Episcopal

This church was first organized in the city of St. Louis in 1819, at which time the missionary enterprises of this denomination began in Missouri. In 1836, organizations of this church were made in Fayette, Boonville, St. Charles, Hannibal and other points and has had a wonderful increase in the State, and have control of a number of charitable institutions.

United Presbyterian

This denomination was first organized in Missouri, in Johnson county, at Warrensburg, in 1867, and has had a rapid increase in membership since its organization.

Unitarian

The first con o-r eolation of the Unitarian church in Missouri was organized in St. Louis in 1834, by liev. W. G. Eliot. Up to the present time it has a small following.

Roman Catholic

The first written record we have of the organization of this church in the State, dates ])ack to 1760, and shows that Father Watrin, who performed ministerial services in Ste. Genevieve, where the organization took place. In 1766 a church was organized in St. Louis, and a small log church was erected in that city in 1770 by Father Menrin In 1818 there were four chapels, and for upper Louisiana seven priests. They opened up their first Seminary west of the Mississippi river, in Perry county, about this period, for the education of the young. In 1826 Father Rosatti was appointed Bishop of St. Louis, and through his efforts the Sisters of Charity, Sisters of St. Joseph, and of the Visitation, were founded, besides many other benevolent and charitable institutions. In 1831: he completed the present cathedral. After this, churches were built in all parts of the State. In 18-17 an Arch-diocese, Avith Bishop Kenrick, Archbishop (deceased in 1896). This church has prospered and increased in membership very rapidly since its organization over one hundred years ago.

Educational

In educational opportunities, Missouri occupies second position to no state in the Union. The first constitution of the State provided that, "one school or more shall be established in each township, as soon as practical and necessary, where the poor shall be taught gratis."

Thus it will be seen that the framers of the Constitution, in 1820, made provision wherel\y the poorest and humblest of the State could receive at least the benefits of a primary education. Prior to the establisliment of the free school system, education throughout the State was obtained wholly from private institutions.

It was not until 1830, during the administration of Governor Boggs, that the public school system, in its essential features, was perfected. At that time the clause limiting its benefits to the poor was eliminated, and provision made for a State Superintendent of

Prior to '39, the idea of a free school, for all classes, was not popular, and met Avith considerable opposition, especially amono; those who were in a condition to send their children to private institutions of learning, believing, at that time, that the puljlic school system could not be otherwise than defective. Since then, however, the school laws of Missouri have undergone many changes, and the system has steadily grown in usefulness and power. While the greatest growth of our public school system succeeded the civil war, it was not until 1875, when the new constitution was adopted, that the present admirable system of pnl)lic instruction went into effect, which not only made provision for the education of the white, but for chihlren of African descent. In addition to an annual income derived from a public school fund set apart by law, not less than twenty-live per cent of the state revenue, exclusive of the interest and sinking fund, is annually applied to the support of the public schools of the state. The officers in charge of Missouri's public school interests are a State Board of Education, State Superintendent, County Commissioners, County Clerk and Treasurer, Board of Directors, and Teacher. The State Board of Education consists of the State Superintendent, Governor, Secretary of State and Attorney-General, the Superintendent, who is chosen by the people every four years, being the executive officer. In addition to keeping a record of the county school funds and annually distribute the same to the counties, he is supervisor of the work of county school officers; grants certificates of higher qualifications; makes an annual report of the condition of the schools to the General Assembly, and has various other duties connected with the educational interests of the state. County Commissioners are also elected by the people, for a term of two years, it I)eing their duty to conduct institutes, examine teachers, distribute blanks and make reports.

Among the many institutions of learning in the state, the State University, at Columbia, ranks along with the first. This institution was provided for in the state constitution in the year 1820. When the State was admitted to the Union, Congress granted to it one entire township of land for the support of a "Seminary of Learning." This land was put into the market in 1832 and brought 17.5,000, which was invested in such a manner as to increase by accunudation to the sum of $100,000. In 1830, by an act of the General Assembly, five commis sioners were appointed to select a site for the location of the University, which was to contain fifty acres of land in a compact form, within two miles of the county seat of Cole, Cooper, Howard, Boone, Callaway or Saline counties. Bids were let among these counties, and Boone having subscribed ff 117, 92 1, which was about 118,000 more than any other county, the University was located there, and on the 4th of July, 1840, the corner stone was laid with appropriate ceremonies. Since the opening of this institution it has prospered and has been a monument of power in the educational interests of the state, and one that the people of Missouri should point too with the linger of pride.

Events Of Local History First Newspaper In Missouri

The first newspaper established west of the Mississippi was fairly inaugurated at St. Louis, July 12, 1808, by Mr. Joseph Charles, and was called the Missouri Gazette. This journal was the germ of the present St. Louis Republic, one of largest and most influential journals now published. The establishment of the Gazette., though a sheet not larger than a royal octavo page, marked the beginning of a new age in the growth of St. Louis. In 1811, St. Louis is reported to have had 12 stores, 2 schools, 1 printing office and ?,400 inhabitants. A large portion of the currency consisted of peltries, lead and whisky. The first paper established west of St. Louis, was the Missouri Intelligencer., published at Franklin, by Nathaniel Patton, in 1819; was moved to Fayette in 1823, and in 1835 to Columbia, where he began the publication of The Patriot., afterwards changed, in 1843 to the Missouri Statesman., and published ])y Col. Wm. F. Switzler, now editor of the Boonville Democrat.

New Madrid Earthquake

On the morning of the 16th of December, 1811, occurred an earthquake, with its center of disturbance in point of violence and position near New Madrid, Mo., and extending over half a hemisphere, that proved one of the most extensive and destructive in the history of the world. The first shock was felt about two o'clock and was repeated with decreasing violence, for several weeks. While perhaps there have been published many exaggerated reports relative to this catastrophe, its awfulness, and the indescribable horrors that filled every living creature, beggars description. The earth reeled and rocked under men's feet, and fissures were formed, five and six hundred feet in length and from twenty to thirty feet in breadth. The undulations of the earth upheaved the waters of the Mississippi and much of the country adjacent; Sabrina, one of the Azores Islands, was elevated 360 above the level of the sea; and Caracas, a Venezuelan city of 12,000 inhabitants was totally destroyed and sunk sixty feet under water. One of the marked features of this catastrophe were the great depressions and elevations of the surface, for in many instances lakes became dry land and elevations became lakes. Consideral)le land in the southeastern part of the state was ruined for agricultural purposes, and some of it for time to come.

The first steamboat to enter the Missouri river and ascend that stream was the Independence^ Captain John Nelson, from Louisville, Kentucky. According to contract with a number of St. Louis parties to go up the river as far as Chariton, a town near Glasgow, long extinct, and return, she left St. Louis, May 15, 1819, and arrived at Franklin, Howard county. May 2S, occasioning considerable excitement and joy among the people. At Franklin a big public reception and dinner was tendered the officers and passengers of the boat. The voyage was continued up to Chariton, per contract, and then returned to St. Louis on the 5th of June. The successful navigation of the Missouri thus far, evoked no little amount of joy and enthusiasm throughout the country and marked an era in the history and progress of Missouri civilization.

"Just above the mouth of the Lamine river, in Howard County, and five miles above Old Franklin, there was from about 1820 to 1835 a lovely and famous retreat known as 'Hardeman's Garden' - a vineclad and rose-covered bower, very similar to the renowned 'Tower Grove' of that public benefactor, Henry Shaw, deceased, of St. Louis.

The founder of this celebrated garden, John Hardeman, was a North Carolinian by birth; born in 1776, removed in 1817 to Carondelet, Missouri, from Williamson County, Tennessee, and two years afterward to Howard county. He was a gentleman of wealth and culture, and studied and practiced law in his native State. But, being passionately fond of agricultural and horticultural pursuits, he abondoned his profession and determined to establish in the wilds of Missouri and on the rich alluvial lands in 'Cooper's Bottom' the most splendidly-etjuipped farm and garden west of the Alleghanies. Am- hitioiis to excel in this attractive industry, he purchased several hundred acres of land, and on a chosen spot immediately on the Missouri river hiid otr ten acres in an exact scjuare for a botanic o;arden, sparins^ neither expense nor la))or in adorning it with fruits, llowers and shrubs, indiirenoiis and exotic. Serpentine walks, paved with shells, conducted the admirino; visitor throuo^h this charming court of Flora, where, amid ze})hyrs of the richest perfume, flowers of the most beautiful hue greeted the eye and fruits of the most delicious flavor tempted the hand.

No dou])t P>yron was endeavoring to convey some idea of such a spot when his rich fancy gushed forth in this beautiful rhapsody: 'Know ye the land ot the cedar and vine, Where the flowers ever blossom, the beams ever sliino; Where the h'ght wings of Zephyr, oppressed with perfume, Wax faint o'er the gardens of Gul in her bloom; Where the citron and oHve are the fairest of fruit. And the voice of the nightingale never is mute; Where the tints of the earth and the hues of the sky, In color though varied, in beauty may vie.' r>ut 'Hardeman's Garden' is gone! And he, to whose genius and cidtivation it was indebted for the adornment and brilliancy which made the forest bloom and blossom as the rose, is gone also - having, in 1821), on his way home from Old Mexico, died of yellow fever in New Orleans. And the gay and cheerful groups who once threaded its labyrinthian paths, enchanted by the songs of birds and made happy in the midst of cultivated magnificence, are to be seen no more. Not a tree, or shrub, or vine, or flower of the Garden remains. All are gone - even the very spot on which this Elysium was located! It, as well as the once flourishing town of Franklin, has fallen a victim to the treacherous currents of the river, whose banks they once adorned.""

Marquis Dh La Fayktte Visits St. I.Ouis

In 1825, Marcjuis de I^a Fayette, accompanied by his son, (Jeorge Washington La Fayette, while the guest of the United States, upon the invitation of the Fresident, visited St. Louis. This grand nu n after an absence of nearly lifty years, came to visit the country for whose independence he had not only risked his own life, ))ut expended of his own means 700,000 francs ('1140,000) during our Revolutionary struggle, by sending a regiment, armed and ecpiipped, to fight for American Independence, and freighting a vessel loaded with arms and numitlons of war. He visited each of the twenty-four states, and was everywhere received with true i)atriotic cordiality and gi-atitude.

ll[)()n invitation of its citizens, he visited St. Louis, April 2S, 1825, where he was tendered a most enthusiastic reception. Durinjr his stay in St. Louis, other tlian private hospitalities accorded him, he was tendered a splendid l)an([uet at the leadino; hotel. He also visited the Missouri No. 1, of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, an order of which he has lono; been a member, and with his son, were elected honorary members of that lodi^-e. While the truest of the nation, La Fayette visited the Ca})it()l, and was received in both houses of (yonf^ress, where he was welcomed with "-reat favor and o;ratitude, and when as a token of the nation"'s appreciation for past services and sacrifices, an appropriation of $2()(),()(>0 in money, and twenty-four thousand acres of land in Florida was made for his benefit. His death occurred May 20, 1834.

Durino- the entire history of the city of St. Louis, nothino; has ti'anspired that created so much consternation as the ratring Asialic C'holera which made its ai)pearance there durino; the summer months of 1882. The (irst attack of that dreaded disease was on a soldier at the Jerterson IJarracks, but it did not come without warnincr. Everythino; was done in St. Louis to prevent the spreading^ of the disease, but to no avail. It tirst visited the outskirts of the city and invaded most of the principal streets, carryino^ death ami desolation to the homes of every one it visited. The disease lasted five weeks and destroyed aliout four per cent of the cit3''s population. The disease returned attain in the years of 188(3 and 1841).

St. Louis Fikk

Amono; the most notable events of Missouri's history, which has transpired within the past fifty years is the (^reat St. Louis lire which occurred on the lUth day of May, 184!). In the eveniuij^ of that day fire broke out on the steamer "White Cloud" while lyin<r on the wharf between Vine and Cherry streets, and every effort to arrest its pro<>^ress was futile. The Hames very soon reached four other ))oats that were in close proximity. The fastenin<is of the White Cloud were soon l>urned loose and she floated out into the stream amonjy other steamers in port, and in a very short time twenty-three other boats were on fire. This immense conflao;ration was a mile in lencrfh and the levee beino; covered with barrels, })ales, })oxes and combustible articles the fire reached the city where whole blocks were wiped out of existence. Twenty-three steamers, three ])arges and one canal boat were destroyed whose total values, with their caro;oes, was esti- mated at *f^439,000. The value of the whole amount of property destroyed was estimated at ^3,000,000. This w^as the most disastrous spectacle that ever came under the observation of St. Louisians.

The First Railroad

In 1851 the contract was let for the building of the St. Louis and Pacilic Railroad, from St. Louis to Washington, a distance of fortyfive miles, and about one thousand laborers were employed to do the work. By November 1, 1855, the road had been extended to the length of 125 miles, from St. Louis to the state capital at Jefferson City, when a celel)ration of this great event was proposed by an excursion over the road and a grand dinner at the state house. The train left the depot at nine o'clock and in about three hours reached the bridge across the Gasconade, which was not fully completed but was thought to be in a condition to transport the train, which w^is about 600 feet long. When the engine reached the first pier the span gave way and the engine, baggage car and several passenger cars went down to a watery abyss below and several of the pleasure seekers were killed. This was no doubt the first railroad wreck that ever occurred in the state.

Death Of Jesse James

On July 15, 1881, the fact of the killing of the noted Missouri outlaw, Jesse James, by Robert Ford, brought a sigh of relief to many of the inhabitants of the state. Jesse and his noted band of highwaymen for a number of years after the war, terrorized the people of Missouri by their lawlessness in the v(Siy of robbing banks and trains in all parts of the state. It was not until the date above mentioned, that Governor Thos. T. Crittenden offered a heavy reward for him dead or alive that one of James' confederates was induced to shoot him from behind his back. Ford was arrested by the authorities of St. Joseph, where he conunitted the deed, but was soon given his liberty by Governor Crittenden, who paid him the reward. Ford became very reckless, and led a fearful life after he had killed a man who would have risked his life in his (Ford's) behalf, and was finally killed in Creed, Colorado, in a manner similar to that in which he killed Jesse James. His brother, Charles ford, who was also in on the deal, finally shot himself in a house, one mile east of Richmond, Missouri, within a short distance of where he was born and raised. A short time after Jesse was killed his brother, Frank, surrendered to Govenor Crittenden and has since lived an honest life. So ended the career of a noted gang of bandits.

Death Of Bill Anderson

Shortly after the bloody massacre at Centralia, kSepteniber 27, 1S()4, the leader of that nefarious gang of robbers, outlaws and murderers went to Ray county, where on the 26th of October, he got into a skirmish with a company of Missouri ]\Iilitia and was killed. Upon his body was found i^SOO in gold, $ioi) in treasury notes, six revolvers and several orders from General Price. There has been several dis- ]Hites as to the ])()int where he was killed, whether or not it was in Carroll or Kay county. At any rate his death occurred somewhere near the line of these counties.

The Great Cyclone At St. Louis

May 27, 'iXJ, will long be remembered as the date of one of the most destructive and disastrous cyclones in the history of the United States, devasting a large portion of St. Louis and a still greater portion of East St. Louis, Illinois, carrying death, destruction and dest)- lation in its wake, rendering thousands homeless and in many instances scattering the savings of a life-time to the four winds of heaven. Perhaps the full extent of the damage and sutiering caused by the tornado may never l)e known, yet it is known that nearly -tOO })eople were killed and more than a thousand injured, to say nothing of the individual sutiering, or the deprivation endured in silence by the thousands who were only too glad to esca})e with their lives. The ])ath of the storm through the city measured seven miles, and damaged property to the estimated value of nearly tifty million dollars.

The State Capitol Destroyed

On the 17th of November, 1837, the state house, situated upon the site n(jw occuj)ied by the Governor's mansion, at Jellcrson City, caught tire and was entirely consumed, with all the records of the office of the Secretary of State, the whole of the oliice furniture and a great portion of the State Lil)rary, involving a loss that could not be replaced. The ])iulding, a brick structure build at an original cost of 'f2,5,0O0 was erected for the occupancy of the Governor, when the capitol, then in cowrse of erection, was completed. The ])resent capitol was connnenced in 1838 and was occupied by the Legislature of 18i0-41, and cost ^5^350,000. At the ensuing November election (1896) the tax payers of Missouri will be called upon to vote on a proposition removing the state capitol to Sedalia, the citizens of that town having given satisfactory bond to erect suitable buildings and to defray all expenses incurred by the removal, free of cost to the state.

Salaries Of State Officers

SALARIES OF STATE OFFICERS. Governor, $5,000 and mansion; Lieutenant-Governor, llOOO and $7 per diem during session of the Legislature; Secretary of State, Treasurer, Auditor, Superintendent of Public Schools, Attorney -General, Railroad and Warehouse Commissioners, Superintendent of Insurance, State Geologist and Clerk of Supreme Court, each $3,000; Labor Commissioner and Adjutant-General, each $2,000; Mine Inspectors, $1,500; and Librarian, $900.

Part Ii

^Y> HARITON, the best county, in the best state of the Union, enibracino- an area of 740 square miles and containing 466,891 acres of hind valued according to the last assessment as 'f3, 846, 01)3, was organized November 16, 1820, being a part of the territory then embraced by the boundary of Howard county. Thus almost four score years have come and gone since this, one of the oldest and fairest daughters of the mother county came into existence; and the events and changes, discoveries and inventions that have taken place within this period have indeed been many. At the time of the organization of Chariton county, all that territory now eml)raced in the counties of Linn, Sullivan, Putnam, and a inirt of Adair and Schuyler were embraced by its boundaries. The county seat was established at the town of Chariton, situated in the southern part of the county near the mouth of the two rivers of the same name, which streams were called after some early French traders who had a fur agency at this point. These men are supposed to have been the tii'st white persons to press the soil of Chariton county. Just when they made this settlement is unknown, but it is certain they were here as early as 1804.

First Settlements

FIRST SETTLEMENTS. The earliest ])ermanent settler of the county of whom we have any account was one George Jackson, who located in the southern part of tfie county, near the Missouri river, in 1812, and who afterwards rei)resented the county in the General Assembly. The next settlement was made on Yellow Creek, north of Brunswick, l)y John Hutchinson, his sons and their families, about 1816, though the exact date of this settlement is controverted.

In 1818 the Missouri river })ottom, west of the Grand Chariton river, was settled Ijy James Earickson, afterwards Senator and State Treasurer, his son-in-law, Gallon Turner, Archibald Hix, Samuel Williams, Col. John M. Bell, John Morse, Henry Lewis, Richard "Woodson, John Doxey and others who settled the county as far north as Bowling Green prairie.

About the same time settlements were made in the Forks of the Chariton l)y Joseph Vance, Colonel Hiram Craio;, Abraham Lock, Nathaniel Butler, Thomas Watson, Peterson Parks, Kobert Hays, Sa.iiuel Burch, Samuel Dinsmore, James Heryford, James Ryan and Abner Finnell. Durino^ the same year Major Daniel Ashby, Abram Sportsman, Alexander Trent. John Harris, John Sportsman and Edward B. Cabell made a settlement on the Bluffs, and John Tooley, Samuel Forest, Joseph Madox and Thomas Anderson settled in Chariton Township.

Thomas Stanley, a noted hunter and trapper, who dwelt in a hugh sycamore log, and spent much of his time in the woods and along the streams, was the original pioneer settler on the banks of the Grand river. With wild food as his subsistence and a sycamore splinter dipped in raccoon oil for light, Stanley spent his long winter evenings perusing the current literature of the day as happy and contented, perhaps, as a prince.

While the list given above does not include all the pioneer settlers and the places they settled in the then Chariton county, yet, these were among the pioneers who penetrated the "Western Wilds" and settled amid the savage Indians and dangerous beasts, and suffered the hardships of frontier life while carving out comfortable homes for themselves, their wives and children. Many were the hardships they endured. Besides the encounters with the Indians, the dangers, fear and dread of that race, which they had constantly to endure, they were without roads, bridges, mills, blacksmith shops and many other thing so essentially necessary to the welfare and convenience of a community. Yet, withal, they lived happily, save the fear and dread of the Indians. Every settler owned one gun and one dog, at least. These were considered indisi)ensible, for without them the wild beasts would have invaded the yards and houses of these pioneers. Each raised a patch of Hax, a patch of cotton and a little corn, as these were deemed necessaries. They manufactured all their own clothes out of the skins of wild animals and out of Hax and cotton. The oldfashioned loom and the big and little spinning wheels were common furniture in most of the houses. These machines were manufactured by the men and the women knew how to use them. In winter the_ men wore fox-skin caps and straw hats in summer. Shoes were made of buckskin tops and rawhide soles and Avere called shoe packs or moccasins. The women wore home-made cotton goods and much rivalry existed in those days between the ladies in regard to getting up new and beautiful patterns of checked and striped cotton dress goods. Sugar, in those days, was made at home out of the sap of sugar or mat)le trees, while coffee, being a foreign article, was so costly that it was a luxury these pioneer settlers could not attord. Venison, bear meat, wild turkeys and wild honey abounded in great abundance and those who had cows to produce milk really lived in "a land flowing with milk and honey." Bee trees tilled with honey could be found everywhere, and the honey cost only the labor to get it. Wild game was so abundant that the early settlers kept their families well supplied with it. With these meats, wild honey, wild fruits and plenty of "hoe-cakes" the pioneer housewife could set a table "good enough for a king."

In 1820 the tide of immigration was directed toward Chariton county and inunigrants from the toljacco regions of Kentucky and Virginia came i)ouring in and other settlements rapidly followed. Farms were opened, mills and manufacturing estal)lishments erected and the settlement of the county commenced in reality. Finding the soil and climate both well ada^ited to the growth of tobacco, it soon became the staple product and in fact still holds an important position in agriculture. At that date transportation facilities were very crude and sim|)le, l^eing carried on by wagons, keel or liat boats. In navigating the Missouri river on their return trips these rudely constructed boats would have to be cordelled up stream. Due to the swiftness of the current and innumeraljle snags, it was then thought that the river could never be navigated. The fallacy of this argument was soon after proven by the successful trip of a steamboat to this point.

Chariton was laid out in the spring of 1817 by Duff Green, one of the most prominent and distinguished citizens of the State, who afterwards acipiired a national reputation as a politician, and as editor of the United Stales Telegraphy at Washington; Government printer, and later as editor of a journal published at New York, called the Republic. He was born in Georgia about 1794 and died at Dalton, of that state, June 9, 1875.

In January, of 1819, John M. Peck, D. D., visited Chariton, the guest of General Duff' Green, and in speaking of his visit in his memoirs, said the town at that time contained about thirty families, a number of whom were very respectable and intelligent, and several unqiio,stioiiJil>ly ])i()us. On January 3i'cl, he prciiched at 12 o'clock an<l ao-ain at ni<>lit. At the hitter service he suo-trested the formation of a Female Mite Society, to assist in spreading- the Gospel. The following week an organization was effected with 22 members, who siibscril)cd $'S6. The first Sunday School west of St. Louis was commenced at this place in the following spring.

Outkivaled St. Louis

In 1S2(), Chariton was a very promising city. A historian of the county in speaking of the town says: '"Everybody had high hopes of Chariton being a great city, it sj)rang up as all western towns, by magic; the })eople l)eing intelligent and enterprising, it soon was looked on as one of the to be 'future great' cities of the state. Persons owning lots in St. Louis exchanged them for lots in the city of the forest. Alas, however, for hunuin expectations, St. Louis is the 'future great' and the city of Chariton is one of the things of the past." At one time the town had a population of 1,200 people.

Early Business Men

Among the early business men of Chariton were the firms of John Ross & Co., (composed of John Ross, William Glasgow and John Cull); General Duff' Green and Stephen Donahoe. Captain White opened the first saloon. ,Josei)h Brewer was a manufacturer of hats and Frech'ick Beanbrick, at that time the only German settler of the county, was the tailor. Lewis Green a slave, who at this time was the property of John Moore, was the blacksmith. The first hotels were kept by Isaac Campbell and Robertson Moore. James Sample, afterwards a United States Senator from Illinois, and a brother-in-law of Duff Green, and Green himself were the pioneer lawyers. James Keytes, afterwards the founder of Keytcsville, administered to the spiritual wants of the people as a Methodist preacher. Doctors John Ilolman, John Bull, (afterwards a member of Congress from Missouri) and Willis Green, (a Ijrother of I)Liff' Green) were the pioneer physicians. In 1820 a "Loan Office Bank," with Colonel Henry F. Williams as manager and cashier, was estal)lished at Chariton, l)ut collapsed in 1822, occasioning some little excitement among those })ecuniary interested in it.

A Woman Preacher

At a very early day Chariton had two schools, one taught by a Baptist minister l)y the name of Ebenezer Rodgers, and the other ])y a gentleman l)y the naiue of John Brownjohn. In 1824 a woman came to Chariton and wanted to preach to the people, but the idea of a woman preachinof at that <Uiy and place was so far in advance of public favor, that the people thought her niind was unbalaiiced and advised licr to leave.

First Steam Mill

The first steam mill piit up in the county was erected near Old Chariton in 1820 by a man named Findly; but was destroyed by fire diirino; the winter of lS'23-24, entailino; a trreat misfortune to the people of that locality.

A Thing Of The Past

In 1S25, the fortunes of the little town so auspiciously l>eo;un in the wilderness, began to wane, due to the Chariton river overfiowing its banks and the unhealthy climatic conditions that foHowed. By 1840 the town was entirely abandoned, since when the once thriving and ambitions little city has existed only in the imagination.

Early Mail Facilities

Prior to "! 833 there were no mails north of the Missouri river, west of "Old Chariton." In that year, however, arrangements were made for carrying the mail from Chariton to Liberty, in Clay county, a distance of one hundred and thirty miles by the route traveled, it requiring six days to make the round trip. A son of James Wilson was the first person to carry the mail, l)ut was soon succeeded l)y Charles Mann, In Octobes of 1833, the late Judge John M. Davis, of Brunswick, who was then a youth of 15 years, took charge of the mail and ])erformed its duties for three months, his compensation l)eing ^9 per month and his board and ex})enses, he furnishing his own horse.

Tobacco Growing

Tobacco growing in Chariton county virtually dates from 1833, when Judge John M. Feazle, of Virginia, came to Chariton and posted written notices throughout the town promising to purchase all the tobacco the farmers could raise for three years at '^2.^i) jier hundred. Very little tol)acco had previously l)een grown in the county, but since that date Chariton has ))een one of the banner tol)acco ofrowinof counties of the State.

First Courts

The first circuit coiu't ever held in the county met in the town of Chariton, February 20, 1821, and was presided over by Circuit Judge David Todd. Edward B. Cal)ell received the appointment of clerk and John Moore that of sherifi'. The first trial by jury was a case entitled "John Gaither et al vs. Uriah F. Ileufi'man," a civil action appealed from a Justice of the Peace court. The jury failed to ao-ree and were discharged. The o;rand jury empanelled at this terra of court were composed of the follovvino; gentlemen: Henry Lewis, James Heryford, Samuel Dinsmore, Aide Lee, Alisalom McDaniel, Samuel Forest, William Crawford, Isham Douo;lass, James McKown, Lewis AVhite, John (laither, Joseph lirewer, Leonard Brasstield, Abram Lock, Samuel Watson, William Jones, Nathaniel Butler, Archibald Hix, Benjamin Cross, Al)ner Chapel, Banks Thornton, Robertson Daniel and Charles Harrin_o-ton. Court met again June 25, 1821. All of the gentlemen mentioned above have long since departed to the ofreat unknown, Nathaniel ]>utler being the last survivor, who died in 1868 at the age of l-i jcars. Major Daniel Ash])y, James Earickson and J. M. Bell composed the tirst county court organized. Major Ashby was a prominent personage in the settlement of the county and was honored with a number of positions of distinction and trust. He lived to a ripe old age and his memory is kindly cherished by many now living.

The second term of court met June 2.5, 1821, and a grand jury impanelled with Daniel Ashley as foreman. The first state case was "The State of Missouri against Seth Boths and John Moore." After the finding of two other indictments the grand jury was discharged.

The third term of court met in October, 1821, and continued for two days, where two or three criminal cases and a numl)er of civil cases were disposed of. At this term of court license to practice law were granted Henry T. \Mlliams, Peyton K. Hay den and Abiel Leonard.

After a space of about eleven years the county seat was moved to Keytesville, (see page 155) where the first court house in the county l^JigjeJiCcted.

Early Marriages

l^elow we give the names and dates of some of the earliest marriages that occurred in the county. Among those given no doubt some of our readers will recognize the names of their ancestors.

January 13, 1820, occurred the marriage of eJohn Montgomery and Elenor Moore, J. M Fowler, a Justice of the Peace, officiating. Mr. Fowler also officiated at the marriage of A])salom McDaniel and Polly Wolfscale, October 12, 1820.

Samuel Gibbs and Mary Barnes were made one on the 23rd day of July, 1821, by Will W. Monroe, also a Justice of the Peace in and for the county of Chariton.

On the 13th day of August, 1821, the rites of matrimony between William Felltwood and Patsc}^ Ashby were (hUy celebrated by James Earickson, J. P.

George Bnrckhartf performed the ceremony on the 3rd day of March, 1822, that joined in the holy bonds of wedlock John Cooley and Polly Kitchens.

Martin Leary and Matilda Kirby were married December U!, 1821, the ceremony being solemnized by Charles Harryman, a minister of the (xospel.

Reminiscences Of Hon Charles J Cabell, Deceased

At a reunion of the old settlers of Chariton county, held (hu-ing the progress of the Keytesville Fair in 1877, Hon. Charles J. Cabell, deceased, read an interesting and instructive paper upon the early settlement of the county, from which we glean the following information :

In Octol)er, 1818, Edward I>. Cabell, father of Hon. Charles ,1. Cabell, W. W. Monroe and Daniel Duvall, accompanied by their families, settled at the town of Chariton and united their destinies with the people of Chariton county. At that time the town of Chariton was the rival of St. Louis, and the home of good society and men of excellent literary attainments. James Semple, who afterwards represented a district of Illinois in Congress for six years, conducted a large tannery on a small creek near by, while a Mr. Clements operated a a pottery in the same locality. Half a mile or more above the pottery was a distillery owned by the Camerons, while another was oi)erated about a mile below the town. In 1819, Col. Joseph J. Monroe, grandfather of Hon Charles J. Cabell and a brother of the then President, located at Chariton. Among some of the most distinguished gentlemen who attended the early courts of Chariton county were Archibald and Hamilton R. Gamble, Judges McGirk, Wash, Tompkins, llyland, Leonard, Gen. John P), Clark, elohn Wilson and others.

In speaking of the people of that day, Mr. Cabell says, no one was ever turned from their doors hungry; their d );)rs wore always open and they kept no locks. There was no law-breaking, no violen(;e or rush for money-making beyond their wants judiciously indulged. They were a band of brothers having a common interest and home.

To relate here the various incidents in the lives of these pioneer settlers, the harclshi[)s and privations they endured and the ofrand achievements they accomplished under adverse circumstances, intransforinino; a howling^ wilderness, abounding;; with b.iffakis, bairs, deer, panthers, wolves and wild turkeys, into a civilized, intellectual comnmnity, would make a work far more voluminous than our purpose to issue, nor would it accomplish the desired end of the publishers in presentino- to the world the grand opportunities and possil>ilities afforded here to-day.

Location

Chariton county is centrally located on the north side of the Missouri river, 80 miles east of Kansas City and 160 miles west of St. Louis; is bounded on the north by Linn and Macon counties, on the east by Macon and Randolph, on the south l)y Howard county and the Missouri river, and on the west by Carroll and Livingston counties. According to the census of 18D0, has a population of 26,254, which has been materially increased during the past six yeais.

Water

WATER. Truly this is a well watered county, the streams of which flow generally st>uth and are well distributed through the county. With the Grand river on the western border, the Chariton flowing peacefully through the center and the East Fork on the eastern boundary, and the country between them intersected l)y the Middle and Muscle Forks, the country has not a lack for streams. In fact the farmers of Chariton county give themselves little concern for water, after having dug a well to a depth of 1 5 to 30 feet. Many large farms are su|)plied with Jjut a single well of this kind and never lack for water, always linding an al)undance ^yhich is both healthy and palatable. With streams above mentioned and their many tributaries, the wells and artiflcial ponds, together with innumerable springs that gush as cooling fountains, we say Chariton is truly a well watered county.

Surface

The general surface of the county is an undulating plane, though l)y no means flat, having a perfect system of natural drainage. The uplands of the county are mainly prairies, from three to ten miles wide, and from eight to twelve miles long, slightly rolling though not enough to wash, yet sufficient to afford good drainage. The soil is a dark, friable, alluvial, from one to four feet deep, very fertile and easily handled and especially adapted to the raising of corn, wheat, tobacco, oats and timothy. The bottom banks alono^ the rivers are composed of a bkick,rich imperishal)le alhivial soil, from one to eio;ht feet in depth, and capable of producing anything the farmer could wish. Less than thirty years ago these lands were a wet and swampy district, considered unlit for habitation or cultivation. But, a great change has since taken place and these marshy swamps have become dry, tilable land. As the hills have been cultivated, the low places of the bottoms have been tilled up by the alluvial dep >sits brought down to them from the roads and cultivated tields and the land rendered more compact, by the tramping of stock, and 1)eing covered with a thick sward of blue grass as fast as they become dry enough. In speaking of the soils of Chariton count}^ a recent historian says: "The entire superticial soils of the county are underlaid by strong, consistent, silicious clays and marls, so rich inli]ne, magnesia, alumna, organic matter and other valuable constituents, that centuries of deep cultivation will prove them like the kindred loess of the Rhine and Nile valleys, absolutely indestructible. Everywhere, about the railway cuts, ponds, cisterns, cellars and other excavations, where these clays and marls have had one or two years' exposure to the frost and air, they have slacked to the consistency of an ash heap, and bear such a rank growth of weeds, grass, grain, vegetables and }oung trees, that in the older and less fertile states, they might readily be taken for deposits of the richest compost."

The timber of the county is found along the streams and consists of a number of varieties, of excellent growth, principally among which will be found oaks of all kinds, ash, sycamore, cottonwood, willow, locust, hickory, walnut and maple.

Mineral Resources

Chariton county has many resources, and though not the greatest of all, yet of vast importance, are her coal mines. Still in its infancy, with development just l)eginning and even the work of exploration hardly more than well begun, her coal mining industry alone is a sufficient guarantee of the county's continued growth and develo})ment throughout the coming century. The entire country, with the exception of the alluvial districts, is underlaid with good veins of bituminous coal and the day is not far distant when the mining industry will constitute an important element of the county's wealth. While imperfectly prospected the conclusion of its vast abundance is just, due to numerous outcropping strata surface veins throughout the county. Investigations in various localities have been highly satisfactory, always findino^ sub-strata veins of sufficient thickness to be protitably worked. V^eins ranging; from three to live feet thick have been found at a depth of about 60 feet and are now l^eing successfully worked 2 miles east of Salisbury. Sandstone formations are found at a number of points in the county, which furnishes an admirable quality of stone for building purposes. In the southeastern part of the county, near Forrest Green, is an inexhaustible mine of iire-clay, which has never been fully developed, far superior to the ordinary fire-clays found elsewhere for the manufacture of pottery.

County Court House, Keytesville, Mo Government

GOVERNMENT. Chariton county is under township oro;anization, being divided into sixteen minor civil divisions, with a popuhition according- to the census of 1890, as follows: Bee Branch, 1290; P)Owling Green, 141?); Brunswick, 3989; Chariton, 1122; Clark, 1225; Cockrell, 1011; Cunningham, 1341; Keytesville, 3394; Mendon, 735; Missouri, 887; Mussel Fork, 1158; Salisbury, 4310; Salt Creek, 992; Triplett, 1256; Wayland, 1068; Yellow Creek, 1065. Each township has its own board of directors, who have jurisdiction over their own roads, and Ijridges costing less than one hundred dollars. P^ach township also has its own assessor and collector. The government of the county is under the supervision of county officials, who are recognized as gentlemen of ability, highminded, intelligent painstaking officials. While the county officials are all democrats, the citizens of Chariton differ in politics as in religion, and though the majority favor the principles of the democratic party, there are many able and intelligent thinkers who count themselves in the Republican, or Third Party ranks. The present officials of the county are as follows: Circuit Judge, W. W. Rucker; Presiding Judge County court, Loyd H. Herring; Judge Eastern district, Henry Hayes; Judge Western district, Charles E. Allen; Judge of Probate, Henry C. Minter; Clerk of Circuit court, Henry B. Richardson; Recorder of deeds, Benjamin H. Smith; Clerk of County court, Raymond D. P^dwards; Prosecuting attorney, James C. Wallace; Sheriff', James E. Dempsey; Treasurer and ex-officio collector, Alonzo L. Welch; Coroner, Geo. M. Dewey; Public Administrator, Benj. F. Moore; Surveyor, Sanmel J. Carter; School Commissioner, Orville L. Dines.

Agriculture

AGRICULTURE. Inasmuch as the material growth and prosperity of any locality depends upon the production of the soil, let us look at that of this county, for after all, the only true monarchs that walk the earth are the tillers of the soil, and the farmer is the hand and stay of human society the world over. And this is no less true in Chariton county. If they should fail, the race would soon }>ecome extinct. Had we no advantages to offer to these, the most important factors in building up a country, we would despair for the future of this county and seek our fortune in a more favored clime. As we have already stated, we have two classes of land. First, the prairie, with all the advantages that this kind of land offers. A prairie that in its topography nothing could be added which would make it more desiral)le. Lying in gentle undu- latino: swells, with exposures to suit every demand, and with the best of natural drainao;e, it needs only to be seen to he appreciated as a land of l)eauty and its products need only to be examined that the verdict of valua))le may be added that of beautiful. Our products on these prairie lands are as diversified as could lie wished for by the most exactino-. In mid-sununer, when nature seems to try to outdo all former eftorts, we look out on the broad expanse and view with ])leasure the scene spread out before us, of lields studded with their shocks t)f o-olden o-rain, bordered with that dark o-reen that shows forth the coming beautiful harvest of corn. And so, ever and anon, the scene changes, lirst one product and then another following until it seems as though the bountiful Giver would lay upon us more than we could l)ear away. We say golden grains, for is not any country more enriched by its golden grains than l)y its grains of gold. Grains of ofold will not sustain life, but golden grains will. When the indomital)le Walker commanded the city of Londonderry, during the seige, he was walking around "The Maiden Walls" one morning to see if a breach had been made during the preceding nighfs l)ombardment, hunger, like a famished wolf, gnawing at his empty stomach. He plunged his hand into his pocket, and, pulling out a handfid of golden guineas, he Hung them from him with the exclamation. " Whafs good of gold? A piece of leather has more sustenance in it!" But what do we produce in lieu of gold? We answer, wheat; a staple the world over. How much per acre is the yield on the fertile plains, you ask. The answer is that though some years lind us counting, in glad surprise, the bushels at an average of thirty, ordinarily we have an average of about twenty bushel per acre that will grade No. 2 in the St. Louis markets. Again, we raise corn. Our lands are adapted to the growing of corn, as is shown at each annual harvest, as the garners are tilled to overflowing with this important grain, and at each succeeding harvest the farmer's face brightens as he tells of the bountiful crop of from fifty to seventy-five ))ushels per acre. Of other grains we will say: Oats are a safe and profital)le crop, while rye, though not much grown, produces well. Barley is not grown here because other grains are more remunerative. Grasses of all kinds are sure, blue grass, as a pasture, being the favorite, there being no trouble in getting a stand. Where wild prairie land if pastured for a short time, this kind of grass fast takes the place of the wild grass. Tobacco is one of the chief crops, and has long since l)een proven to be a very valua])le one. Of fruits we may say that all kinds flourish here, and it is no uncom- mon sight in the fall and early spring to see car after car of fine apples shipped from this covinty to the various markets of the world. Yearly the limits of the orchards are being extended by the farmers, who are quick to see the profits accruing to those who have invested in this important branch of husbandry. Plums of the several different varieties are produced here in great abundance, and the profit accruing to those having plum orchards has been very encouraging. Cherries grow nearly everywhere, and have here a permanent place in the catalogue of fruits. Gooseberries, currants and strawberries are fruits of certain bearing and good profit. Blackberries are not cultivated much, but grow in abundance wild. Raspberries are grown for home consumption, but might profitably be grown for the Kansas City and St. Louis markets. The splendid growth of grapes has encouraged the farmers in some cases to set small vineyards, which will, no doubt, prove to be the starting point of large and successful vineyards.

Stock Raising

STOCK RAISING. Stock raising, an industry always to be commended, where there is suitable grass lands, is by no means neglected here, but, on the contrary, is profitably prosecuted by a large majority of our best farmers. Rich returns from this business are showing throughout this section, and effects ar^ constantly being made to improve the stock of various kinds, and, no dou])t, in a few years any of the stock-raising districts would be benefitted by having stock which is bred here. Already some of the ])est registered stock has been brought to this county, and our farmers all seem bound to handle only the ])est. With this s})irit of improvement and the natural advantages offered, it is no lioasting to say that the famous blue grass regions of Kentucky will, in time, here find a rival for the honors now so generally conceded her. Why we thus prophesy is obvious to all who have seen both countries. First, blue grass is here what might be termed a natural grass, and but two to three years are now required to get a good stand that can ))e profitably pastured. And, again, lands for this purpose have not yet l)ecome so high as to bar those who have not a pasture with which to start in this business. AA'^hen we speak of stock-raising we do not mean to confine it to any single })ranch of the business, as all the various branches are profitably followed here, and there is ample room for others, yes, many others, whose taste is for stock farming. Not, as on the ranches of the far West, hut after the more profita))le modes followed by the stock raisers who have given their attention to the better grades. Aside from the grass-producing prairies already spoken of, as an inducement to those desirinof to eno;ae:e in this important industry, there is the ))ottom land lying along- the various branches, as well as alono- the main Chariton river. These l)ottoms furnish an abundance of wild grasses that are a succulent food for stock at all seasons of the year, and with a little care and Avork could be made the most valuable of pasture lands.

Surplus Products Public Schools

Chariton county can justly ))oast of one of the most improved and best school systems to be found in the state. The public schools have been thoroughly organized and under able superintendency they have made a most wonderful and rapid progress. Just as certain as they who would build a great temple, must lay a firm foundation first, so must the county that aspires to become a famous seat of learning, first - secure a firm foundation in its system of elementary schools. Chariton county had this ambition; and while her citizens gave freely of their energies and lands and money to build up academies and colleges they have wisely given far more attention to make the pu))lic schools of this county the best in the state and keep them so. For evidence that they have succeeded they point not to the words of praise written by travelers; not to the men and women who have come hundreds of miles to make their homes where their children could enjoy the best of educational advantages; not to the rilJ^ons, medals and awards captured in open competition with other districts, but they point to the schools themselves and urge every stranger to go to any one of them he chooses at any time he will and judge for himself.

of proo;ress as in the public schools. The "fad" and the "'old foo;y notions" are equally dangerous to the pupils who can be children ])ut once, and therefore "go through the schools" but one time. That the directors of Chariton county's public schools have succeeded in steering between the two extremes and chosen the wisest median course is acknowledged by all who are familiar with the work. Neither energy nor time is wasted on useless and foolish experiments; nor is there any hesitation to adopt any improved idea or method simply because it is new. The same wise judgment has been exhibited in the selection of teachers. While no needless changes are made, the standard of excellence is advancing, and all are required, by hard work and constant study to keep fully abreast of the times. There is no difficulty in securing the best of talent. Hundreds of applications are received each year coming from all portions of the land. As to the courses of study in the public schools of the county, they closely resem])le those adopted by the better class of schools in the eastern states.

There is but one serious criticism that can be offered in regard to Chariton county's corps of teachers. They will persist in marrying. It is hard to blame the young men of Chariton county for wishing to tempt these young, intelligent, refined and often - too often - beautiful women to leave their chosen field of educational work and substitute cook books for geographies, and love as a law for "The Law of Love." And yet it is extremely annoying, not to say exasperating, for l)usy school directors to be called on at the busiest season of the year to select a sul)stitute for some popular teacher who has suddenly tendered her resimiation on the ground that she is ''otherwise engaged."

While we are considering the many commercial advantages possessed by Chariton county, its magnificent and almost unlimited agricultural opportunities, in the development of its vast grain fields and innumerable orchards; the untold aiillions of wealth to he taken from its rich coal fields and the great possi])ilities in store as a manufacturing center; while we are picturing all these immense resources from which to draw for the l)uilding up of a wealthy county, let us not forget there are other points of view from which this county nuist l>e considered, other standards by which it must be judged and in all respects we trust Chariton county can be weighed in the balance and found not wanting. Even in this material age, facilities for money getting are not to everyone everything, and while, of course, to most persons the opportunities to be found in any coimty for gaining wealth or a comfortable livelihood are first to be considered, yet to most, if not all, there are other tliintjs of almost equal importance, especially to those just startinof in life or who have families to ))rina' up. And so some of the tirst questions asked by people from other parts of the country are : What kind of a place is Chariton county to live ini^ What social and educational advantao;es have you? What kind of people do you come in contact with ? Are they educated, refined and cultured^ Chariton county presents orreat opportunities for business investments; what is it like as a home?

One of the essential requisites to a pleasant home in any country is a healthy climate. Certainly no one could complain with that of Chariton county. An early sprinof folloAved by a long- britrht summer when, to be sure we have hot weather, ])ut it lacks the sultriness which in many countries renders a temperature many deo^rees lower, oppressive; a pleasant autunm which often lasts until Christmas before winter sets in and then a remarkable mild winter considering the latitude. The homes of Chariton county are many and of crreat variety, from the beautiful residence furnished with every luxury that wealth and taste could conunand, to the humble two or three room cottage to which the honest laborer goes at the end of a day of toil. Rents are reasonable, and property is cheaper now than it ever will be again. Much more attention is now given than in earlier years to beautifying the home surroundings; houses are built with more thought of permanency, and while equipped with every convenience the external appearance is not neglected. In Chariton county the stranger will observe tasteful houses surrf)unded by velvetly lawns, made bright by flowers of every hue, and cannot but feel that these must be the homes of a people of taste and refinement.

The value placed upon educati(m by the people of Chariton comes up to a very high standard, for few counties, if any, can boast better eductional facilities. In addition to our magnificent system of public schools, of which we have already spoken, Chariton county has a numl)er of other institutions of learning, colleges, academies, conservatories of music, with a long list of teachers in nnisic, language, elocution and oratory, art and many other special branches.

^Vhether one has a personal interest in religion or not, no one denies the influence of the churches upon the moral tone of a community. The old Puritan settlers of New England built churches and school houses side by side, and their descendants who settled in Missouri exerted the same influence here. Churches of almost every denom- ination are represented in Chariton county, many of them by quite a number of organizations and under the charo;e of pastors far aliove the average in talents and abilities.

Chariton is pre-eminently a county of fraternal organizations. That is the one o;reat fad of her people and they have it worse than they ever had the whoopino^ couo:h or the Tril)>y mania. The Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, A.O.U.W. and a long list of other orders, more or less prominent, are all represented by iiourishing lodges, new ones in every order teing continually formed until it would seem as if every man must belong to at least two or three. There is however an excellent reason for this state of affairs. Anyone who has ever watched twigs and leaves and bits of ]>ark floating on the surface of a river will have noticed how the whirling fragments, drawn together by some unknown influence gather here and there in little groups or bunches. So here people of all nationalities, representing all quarters of the glol^e are thrown together, cut loose from old ties and associations, floating upon the stream of life, gather together in groups, drawn by some invisible bond of sympathy. Then there are the social and literary organizations, almost innumerable, and formed for every purpose imaginable, from the study of ethical culture to the newest steps in dancing. Whatever one's taste, whether literary, artistic, scientiflc or musical; whether one seek recreation in athletics, as a sportsman; at whist or dancing, there is some organization to make him welcome.