Daviess County, Missouri - Chapter 12: Religious Denominations, 1882 (part 2 of 2)

Seeing the Indians here in large numbers while on their journey at this time, the partners debarked, and after looking at its points and its advantages as a probable future trading-post, they proceeded on their way to Council Bluffs, Towa, the original place of their destination.

Being favorably impressed with the " Bluffs" as a trading-post, Mr. Robideux returned to St. Lonis and purchased a stock of goods, which he transported np the Missouri by a keel-boat, arriving at the " Bluffs" in the tall of 1809.

Here he remained for thirteen years, and while residing at the " Bluffs," in 1813, he married Angelique Vandory, another lady of St. Louis, who died in the city of St. Joseph on the 17th of Jaunary, 1857. By this union they had six sons and one daughter.

Readily adapting himself to the habits, manners and customs of the Indians, and speaxivg with considerable fluency the dialects of the tribes by whom le was surrounded, Mr. Robidoux became an expert Indian trader.

The American Pur Company were also in business at the " Bluffs," and had a monopoly of the entire Indian trade for some time previous to the | locating there of Mr. Robidoux, But a short time, however, passed after his arrival before he hegan to divide the trade, and finally became so popular with the Indians that he controlled a large portion of this trade, to the great detriment of the fur company.

The company, wishing no further opposition from Mr. Rebidows, finally purehased his stock of goods, giving him fifty per cent on the original cost, and in addition thereto the sum of one thousand dollars annually Jor a period of three years, conditioned that he would leave the * Blais."

He then returned to St. Louis, where he remained with his tamily, carrying on the business of a baker and contfeetioner, nntil the expiration of the three years, the time agreed upon between himself and the fur company. Llaving spent already many years of bis lite among the Indians as a fur trader, a business which, if not entirely congenial to his taste, had at least been a profitable one, he concluded to embark once more in the same parsuit. Not that he really wished -

Some boundless contiyuity of space," but that he might reap therefrom a golden harvest. Making known his intention to the fur company, it at once offered lim the post at the mouth of * Roy's Branch," just above the * Blacksnake Hills.' at a salary of eighteen hnudred dollars per year, provided le would in nowise interfere with the business at the * Bluffs."

This proposition he accepted, and having been furnished with a stuck of goods he landed at the mouth of * Roy's Branch," in the fill of 1s26, Shortly afterward he removed to the mouth of © Blacksnake Creek," where he continued to work for the fur company until 1880, at whieh time he purchased their entire interest in the gonds then in his possession, and became the sole proprietor of the post at * Blacksuake Hills."

Vor many years the solitary log eabin of Joseph Robidonx was the only evidence of the presence of civilized man within a radias of fifty miles. With every pulling steamer which ascended the turbid waters of the Missouri cune the emigrant and the adventurer, seeking homes in the western wilds. A few embryo settlements liad been made along the banks of the great river in Jackson, Clay and other eounties. The famous * Platte Purchase" became the new Eldorado, and the beauty of its rich, fertile valleys and prairies, tine timber, perennial springs and its numerous water courses, had been spread fur and wide.

A few families trom Franklin county, Missouri, consisting of Thomas and Henry Sollers, Elisha Gladden, Jane Purget, and a few others, settled near the spot in 1834, 735 and 736.

Robidoux'S Tome

the Occidental Hotel now stands - on the northwest corner of Jule and Sceond streets - and was a building of considerable magnitude. It stood east and west, was a story and a half and contained nine rooms - three above and six below. On the north side was a shed divided into three rooms. A covered porch was built on the south side extending the entire length of the bnilding The west room of the north shed was used by Mr. Robidoux as his sleeping-room. His store was the middle apartment of the main building, the entrance to which was through a door at the east end, first passing through an outer room to reach it.

So contident were some of the business men living in Clay and Clinton counties that some one of the last mentioned towns would be the future emporium of the * Platte Purchase." that they not only purchased land, Lut in one or two instances laid off towns and opened business lionses. John W. Samuels and Robert Elliott began business at White Cloud, or what was known as "Hackberry Ridge.' G. W. Samnels, now of St. Joseph, built a warehouse at Elizabethtown, where he bought and sold hemp. Amazonia was expected to be tie eounty-seat of Andrew county. Charles Caples, concluding that the quarter section east and adjoining Amazonia, would be a more eligible spot for the building of a great city, laid it off into Jots and gave it the name of Boston, These places, excepting Savannah, are numbered with the things of the past, and live only in the memories of the men whose pluck and energy gave them a name and brief existence.

In 18359, shortly after the arrival of Judge Toole in the county, he came to the * Blacksnake Hills" one afternoon, horseback, and while passing along, near the present site of the Pacitie House, he saw a large gray wolf, whieh he chased into the bottom, about where the first round-lonse now stands. In fact, the wolves were so numerons at that time in and about the * Blacksnake Tlills" and their howls were so loud and ineessant that to sleep at times was utterly impossible.

The first white male child born at "Blacksnake Hill" was Thomas B. Sollers, born in 1837. The first white female child was the daughter of Polly and Henry Sollers, born in 1838, in a small hut east of the present site of the Occidental Hotel. The first physician who came was Dr, Daniel G. Keedy, in 1888. Dr. Silas McDonald arrived about the same time in the county.

Ile owned an old colored servant, who not only possessed a French name (Poulite), but who could speak the French tongue, having been raised' among that nationality in St, Louis. This old man attended to the culinary affairs at the post.

Nistory Of St. Josepi

Mr. Robidonx operated a private ferry just below Francis street for crossing the Indians and those who were in his entploy. The erossing generally was done in canoes, and occasionally in Mackinaw boats. The road leading from the ferry on the other side of the river led to Highland, Nansas, or to the Indian Mission, whieh was established after the removal of the Indians. The read from the ferry on this side passed below the Patee Jlouse, and crossed at Agency Ford, where it divided, one branch of which Jed to Liberty, Clay county, and the other in the direetion of Grand liver.

The next house (log) erected at DBlacksnake TTills was built in Mareh, 1836, and oceupied by Thomas Sollers, east of Pinger's packing-louse, for Mr, Robidonx, who wished to take up another additional quarter section of laud, and about this period began to think that Blacksnake Tlills would develop into something greater than a mere trading-point for the conven. ience of the non-progressive and half-eivilized Indian. No other improvements of a special character were made until the {lowing year.

The treaty fur the " Platte Purchase " had been negotiated, the Indians removed, the country opened to settlement, and hundreds of emigrants were flocking hither, locating in the interior and at different points along the Missouri.

The small colony at Blacksnake ills was increased in number by the arrival of I'. W. Smith, Joseph: Gladden, Polly Dehard, Samnel Tull, John Freeman, Charles Zangenett, Father John Patehen, Captain James B. O'Toole, Judge Wm. C. Toole, William Fowler, Edwin Tovle, and others.

Rival Towns

RIVAL TOWNS. Between the years above named the country settled rapidly, and one of several localities in or near the Missouri River. it was thought, would take precedence of all the other settlements, and become the chief town in this portion of the State. The respective aspirants for future greatness were Blacksnake. Iills, White Cloud, Savannah, Amazonia, Boston and Elizabethtown, all north of St. Joseph, some eight or ten miles, and within a radius of five miles. IMPROVEMENTS. In 1841 Dr. Daniel G. Keedy erected a saw-mill in the bottom, north of

Beattie, located between Main and Second streets. In this tavern the Rev, T. S. Reeve preached the first sermon that was delivered at Blacksnake Tlills.

A Pour Thousand Dollar Burglary

Having regard to facts and dates as they occur chronologically, we have now reached a period (1842) in this history when there happened an ineident which not only attracted the attention of the settlers at Blacksnake Hills and surrounding country, bat furnished a theme for conversation around their firesides for months atterward, aud as the cireumstanees econnected therewith are of an interesting character, we shall narrate them: In the suminer of 1842 Mr. Robidoux received from the Sae and Fox Indians the sum of four thousand dollars in silver, in four different boxes, each box containing one thousand dollars. Mr. Robidoux lad sold goods to these tribes to this amount, and when they were paid their annuity by the government its agent turned over to Lim the sum above mentioned.

TIaving no sate, Mr. Robidoux placed the boxes containing the money on one of the lowest shelves of lis store, behind the counter, near a window. This window was seeured at night by wooden shutters and fastened on the inside by a bolt.

On the east side of One Hundred and Two River lived at that time three families, bearing respectively the names of Spence, Scott and Davis. They were supposed to be counterfeiters, yet no one knew positively that they had ever passed any spurious money. The Spence boys, whose given names were Jobn, George Monroe, Andy and James, were in the habit, in company with Seott and Davis, of visiting Blacksnake Iills almost daily, and while there would spend their time lounging about the solitary saloon, which stood upon the bottom, west of Blacksnake Creek, and at Mr. Robidoux's store.

For some days previous to the occurrence which followed, it was noticed that one of the Spence boys would often place himself in a recumbent position on the counter, with his face turned toward the shelf containing the boxes of money.

moved. As soon as it was ascertained by Mr. Robidoux that his store had been burglarized and his money taken, immediate search was instituted by his clerk, Mr. Poulin, and others who volunteered their assistance. Suspecting that the Spence boys kuew all about the burglary, as well as the whereabouts of the missing treasure, they went in the direction of their house.

While ez route, and on crossing Blacksnake Creek, the party discovered aaan's shoe which had evidently been worn but onee, as it was entirely new. The day before three of the Spence boys had purchased shoes of Mr, Poulin at Robidousx's sture. Lle remembered that the sles were of different numbers, the smallest pair being sixes, and of cutting an unusual long buekskin shoe-string. The shoe found was a number six, and the buckskin string was "confirmation strong as holy writ" that the Spence bows were of the party uf thieves, or were in some manner connected with the burglary. That they had worn the new shoes on the previous night, and that in their fight through the soft clay had lost one, was clear enough.

Being thus encouraged, the party pursued their way to the cabin where the Spences lived, surrounded it, and captured the Spence boys as well as Davis and Seott. Davis and Seott, however, were released. The others were brought before Justice Mills, and upon a preliminary examination were discharged, there nut being sufficient proof to hold them for trial.

Sixteen or eighteen citizens, some of whom are still living, confident that the Spence boys and Davis aud Scott had committed the erime, met the next day and proceeded in a body on horseback to Davis's and Seott's residence, determined, if they could, to bring the offenders to justice and restore the stolen money. In the meantime, Mr. Robidoux had offered a reward of five hundred dollars for the capture and conviction of the thief or thieves and the recovery of the finds. Scott and Davis were taken prisoners aud compelled to accompany the party of citizens, who, when about half way back to town, separated, the larger portion taking Davis on a hill and leaving Seott in the valley of the One Hundred and Two in eharge of Elisha Gladden. They took Davis out of sight of Seott and just fia enough away that Scott could hear the tiring of a pistol. 'They then halted and told Davis that he must tell them where Robidoux's money was, or, if lie refused, they would hang him, He strennously denied all knowledge of the affair and told them to "hang and be d - d." They put a rope around his neck and swang him up, ouly intending to frighten and make him contess to the whereabouts of the money. After he had remained suspended for some minutes they let him down, and asked him to confess the crime. Davis being as bold and defiant as ever, they hung him again, this time almost taking his life. They again asked him to teli where the money was, when he again refused in a fiendish, insolent manner, branding them with a profusion of the lowest epithets, Seeing that Davis wonld tell nothing, sume one of the party shot off a pistol (as previously arranged, if Davis did not confess), so that Scott could hear it, and at the same time two or three of them rushed down the hill where Seott was guarded, shouting that they had " killed Davis" and were now " going to kill Scott."

One of these men held up his hand which le had accidently bruised coming down the hill, and which had some spots of blood on it, telling Scott, when Davis was shot, some of his blood had spurted on his hand, Gladden, who was guarding Scott, said, when the eoncussion of the pistol was heard, "that Scott's face became as pallid as death," he supposing that his accomplice had been killed.

They gave him to understand that they had disposed of Davis, and that if he did not tell them all about the money and the parties implicated in taking it, they would also dispose of him in a very summary manner, but promised that if he would give them this information, they would not only spare his life, but would supply him with money enough to take him ont of the country.

Believing what he had heard aud seen to be true, and that the condition of things was such as had been represented, Scott asked some one present to give him a peneil and piece of paper. This being done, he wrote the names of all the parties concerned in the burglary (the Spence brothers, Davis and himself), and led the way to where one of the boxes had been Iniried, near the banks of the One Ilundred and Two. So ingenions had been their plan, and so careful had they been to conceal all the traces of their villainy, that while digging a hole, in which to deposit the money, they placed every particle of dirt in a box and emptied it into the stream, excepting enough to refill the bole after the money was put in. Having four thousand dollars, they dng four holes. They then divided a blanket into four pieces, took the money out of the boxes, wrapped each thousand dollars separately, buried it by itself, and then refilled the hole, covering it over with the same sod that they had taken up, and then burned the boxes. .

Scott could only show them where the first thousand dollars was. Tle did not see them when they buried the other three thousand. They, however, found the first thousand. How or where to obtain the balance of the money they did net know. Scott conld not tell, and Davis, they supposed, would not. They had tried threats and hanging with him, but without avail.

In the meantime Davis was still in eustody. They went to him, told him that Scott had confessed, and it would be better for him to contess, also. That Scott had not only given them the names of the persons who stole the money, but had shown them where the first thousand dollars was buried. Tle still refused to believe or say anything. To convince him of the truth of what they said, they took him to the spot from which they had taken the money, and showed him the piece of blanket in whieh it was wrapped. No longer doubting what he had seen and heard, he called for a drink of whisky, which was given him, and after drinking it toid them he would show them where the balance of the money was buried.

To further show that Davis and his pals were accomplished villains, and possessed a cunning ingenuity which would have been creditable to the pirates and freebooters of a past century, and which in some respects is not unlike the narrative of "Arthur Gordon Pym," by the gifted Poe, it is only necessir'y to mention how he proceeded to show when and how to find the balance of the money stolen.

He stood at the edge of the hole from which the first thousand dollars lad been taken, and stepping fitteen paces to the south, pointed to his feet and said: "Tere you will find a thousand dollars." IIe then Jed the way toa small log, with a single knot on it, and said, " Under that knot, in the ground, you will find another thousand dollars." Going to the bank of the One Ilundred and Two, in the sand, "neath a willow tree, under a broken braneli that bent downward, said, * You will find the Jast thousand dollars here."

Seott and Davis were held in custody, but during the night Davis eseaped, and Seott was tinally discharged on the ground. of hiis 'having mile contession, and giving the names of the persons who had committed the burglary. The Spence boys left the eountry.

In June, 1843, Mr. Robidoux laid out the original town, the site of which was covered with a luxuriant growth of hemp. Simeon Kemper acted as surveyor in this important undertaking, and Klisha Gladden as ehainbearer. Two maps of the town were made - one by F. W. Smith, and the other by Simeon Kemper, bearing respectively the names of " Robidoux " and " St. Joseph," in honor of its founder. The map drawn by Mr, Smith was selected by Mr. Robidoux, and the more civilized and felicitious appellative of St. Joseph was substituted for that of Blacksnake Tills,

This map was taken to St. Louis, where Mr. Robidoux acknowledged it in the office of the elerk of the Court of Common Pleas (Nathaniel Pase hall, who has since been one of the editors of the St. Louis /depublican, being the clerk at the time), and after having it lithographed, returned to St. Joseph.

"J, Joseph Robidoux, of the county of Buchanan, and the State of Missonri, do hereby declare that I am the proprietor and owner of a certain town named St. Joseph, located upon the southwest fractional quarter of see. tion eight, township fifty-seven north, range thirty-five west of the fifth : principal meridian, and that I have laid off the same into lots and blocks, bounded by streets and alleys, and a levee, or Janding on the front, which streets and alleys are of the width set forth upon this plat, and the lots and blocks are of the dimensions and numbers as are indicated upon said plat; and the course of said streets and the extent of said lots, blocks and town are correctly set forth upon this plat of the same, which was made by my anthority and under my direction, And 1 do hereby give, grant, allot and eonvey, for public uses, all the streets and alleys, by the names and of the extent that are set forth upon said plat. And I do hereby declare this dedication to be made by me, this, the 26th day of July, eighteen hundred and forty-three, to be binding upon me, my heirs and assigns forever. " Jo. Rogrpovx [sear]. "

* Be i? remembered, that on this 26th day of July, eighteen hundred and forty-three, betore me, the undersigned, clerk of the St. Louis Court of Comnion Pleas, within and for said county, came Joseph Robidoux, who is personally known to me to be the same person whose name is subscribed to the above plat, as having executed the said plat, and who acknowledged to me that he exeeuted said plat for the purposes therein named.

"Tn testimony whereof, I have set my hand and affixed the seal of said court at office in the city of St. Louis, and State aforesaid, 26th day of July, eighteen hundred and forty-three. ;

Blocks And Lots Donated

The west half of block thirty-one was reserved on the map as a market square; the west half of block fifty was donated for a publie church; the northwest quarter of block thirty-eight for a public school, and the south quarter of the same block for a Catholie cliurch.

These lots were immediately put upon the market, even before the title to. them was complete, This was perfected in 1844, at which time a United States Jand-ofiice was located at Plattsburg, Missouri.

The uniform price of corner lots was one hundred and fifty dollars, and inside lots one hundred dollars, As rapidly as sale could be made the money, was applied in payment of a mortgage, held by Pierre Chouteau, Jr., of St.

Instory Of Sv, Joseph

The town, us then laid off, ineluded all the territory lying between Rabidoux Street on the north and Messanie Street on the south, and between Sixth Street on the east and the Missouri River on the west, and contained sixty-four blocks, twelve of which are fractional. Each whole block is 240 by 300 feet, bisected by an alley and containing twelve lots.

The streets are governed by the cardinal points of the compuss; those running back from the river in the " Original Town," extending north and south, are Water, Levee, Main (or First), Second, Third, Fourth, Pitth and Sixth; and those rimming at right angles, commencing on the parallel of the north line, are Isadore, Robidoux, Faraon, Jules, Francis, Felix, idmond, Charles, Sylvanie, Angelique, Messanic. These names are derived trom members of Mr. Robidonx's family.

In 1844-5 the first church edifice in the town, a log building, 20x30 feet, was erected, under the direction of Rev. T. 8. Reeve, a Presbyterian clergvman, It was located on the lot where the business house of Jolin S. Brittain & Co. now stands.

In the fall of 1545, on a sabbath-day evening, while religious services were being held, a lend, rough knock was heard upon the door. Without waiting fur a response, the dour was thrust wide open, when in stalked a large, burly-looking individual from Grand Niver,

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

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

The log chureh was first permanently occupied in the winter of 1844-5. In the full of the year Is44 the first Union sabbath-sehool was organized, and a committee of ladies sent out tor the purpose of making collections for the sehcol. Joseph Robidoux, the founder of the eity, made the first dona - tion of ten dollurs in money for the school. This was the first time a sub. seription paper liad ever been earried around, and it elicited some practical jokes from its novelty amony those who subseribed, and who are now among the oldest citizens.

The log church was also oceupied once a month by the Methodist denomination fur some time, and twice a month, until their own church was built, in 1846. In August, of that year, trustees were appointed by the First Presbyterian Chureh, under the care of the Lexington Presbytery, in con. nection with the "Constitutional General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church." During the same year a building committee was appointed to make the necessary arrangements for the erection of a new house of wor. ship. Money was raised by subseription, and in 1847 was erected the brick building on the northeast corner of Fourth and Francis streets, in dimensions fifty feet front by sixty feet. The first services were held in the chureh in the winter of 1849-30.

This building was used without interruption till the closing of the chureh and dispersion of the congregation in 1861, at the breaking out of the civil war. It then passed through various hands, till it finally became, by purchase, the property of the German congregation now occupying it.

The citizens of St. Joseph are justly proud of their excellent system of publi¢ schools, which not only affurd a practical and liberal education for their children at home, but have given the city character and reputation abroad. They have been one of the most important factors in attracting immigration, 'and have done more than any other institution to add to the population, wealth and general prosperity of the city. They are the schools in which the great masses of the children are educated - the children of the wealthy, of the men of moderate means and of the poor alike - all classes, aud frequently many nationalities, being represented in the same school.

Until the year 1860, no attempt at any system of public schools had been made in St. Joseph. Occasionally a free school would be taught for a month or two, or for a sufficient length of time to absorb what was not wasted or lost of the city's share of the public school-fund, Dut there was: no publi¢ school-system, and St. Joseph had merely the organization of a country school-district. In that year a few of the most enterprising of her citizens determined to make an effort to establish a system of publie schools. They sought and obtained trom the legislature of the State a good and liberal charter.

This charter has been twice amended by the legislature, at the request of | the board of public schools; once in 1866 and once in 1872. Edward

Iustory Of St. Joseph

Everett said: "To read the English language well, to write a neat, legible hand, and to be master of the four rules of arithmetic, T call this a good education." Any pupil completing a course in the St. Joseph sehools should have an education far above that standard, and be well prepared to enter upon any of the ordinary business avoeations of lite Dut that the system of public instrnetion may be as complete and thorough in St. Josepli as in any Eastern city, a high school, with a Jiberal course et! stndy, was organized in 1866, which lias graduated 208 youny ladies and gentlemen who are filling nseful and honorable positions in society. Of the above number, forty-four are either teaching now or have been teachers in the pnblie schools of St. Joseph.

The Gazette

The first newspaper, the Gazette, a weekly, was established in St. Joseph in 1845, its first issue appearing on Friday, the 25th day of April, of that year. The proprietor was William Ridenbaugh. When commencing the publication of his paper he had extensively cirewlated throughout Pachanan and the adjoining counties, the following:

"Again, the spirit of internal improvement is abroad, our people are determined not only to improve the transporting facilities now had, bat to add others, whieh will place us on terms more nearly equal with other parts of the world. Then all the advantayes we lave in svil aud climate will beeome available; then a new impetus will have been given to the industrious farmer; then the call npon the merehant for the necessaries and comforts of life will lave been vastly increased; then health and prosperity will everywhere greet the eye of the beholder; then ours shall be a town and county in which the wealthy, industrious and edueated of the other and older States will love to settle, and the sitnation of our town and sur. rounding scenery, which are now surpassingly lovely, will be enlanced Ly ithe touch of art, and the citizen or visitor of cultivated or refined taste will love to contemplate their beauty."

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

The people of St. Joseph early awoke to a sense of the importance and necessity of railroad communication with the East. About the first reterence to this matter we find in the Guzetfe, of Friday, November 6, 1546: ditiiculty of navigation and the extremely high rates the boats now charge, Our farmers may calculate that they will get much less for produce and will be compelied to pay much more for their goods than heretofore, and this will, certainly always be the case when the Missouri River shall be as low as it now is. The chances are fearfully against having any considerable work be. stowed in improving the river. and until it is improved by artificial means the navigation of it to this point must always be dangerous and very uncertain,

"The prospects for this fall and winter are well calculated to make the people look about to see if there is no way to remedy this inconvenience, if there can be any plan suggested whereby our people can be placed more nearly upon terms of equality with the good citizens of other parts of our land.

" We suggest the propriety of a railroad from St. Joseph to some point on the Mississip pi, either St. Louis, Hannibal or Quincy. For ourselves we like the idea of a railroad to one of the latter places suggested, for this course would place us nearer the Eastern cities, and make our road thither a direct one; we like this road, too, because it would so much relieve the intermediate country whieh is now suffering and must always suffer so mneh for transporting facilities in the absence of such an enterprise.

"If this be the favorite route we must expect opposition from the southern portion of the State, as well as all the river counties below this. For the present we mean merely to throw ont the suggestion, with the view of awakening public opinion, and eliciting a discussion of the subject. In some future number we propose presenting more advantages of such a road, and will likewise propose and enforee by argument the ways and means of acvontplishing the object.

The charter for the Tannibal and St. Joseph Railroad was secured mainly by the exertions of Robert M. Stewart, afterward governor of the State, and, at the time of its issnance,a member of the State senate, and of General James Craig, and Judge J. 3. Gardenhire

About the spring of 1857 work was begun on the west end, and by March _ of that year the track extended out from St. Joseph a distance of seven miles. The first fire under the first engine that started out of St. Joseph on the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad was kindled by M. Jeff. Thompson, This was several years before the arrival of the first through train in February, 1859, (Sometime in the early part of 1857.)

The Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad was completed February 13, 1859. On Monday, February 14, 1859, the first through passenger train ran out of St. Joseph. Of this train E. Sleppy, now (1881) master mechanic of the St. Joseph and Western Machine Shops, in Elwood, was engineer, and Benjamin IT. Colt, conductor.

Tistory Of St. Joseph, 111

The first master mechanie of the Hannibal and Ss. Joseph Railroad shops in St. Joseph was C. PF. Shivel. These shops were established in 1857. In the following year Mr. Shivel put up the first ear ever built iu the city.

On the 22d of Febrnary, 1859, veenrred in St. Joseph the celebration of the completion of the Maitithal and St. Joseph road. This was, bevond donbt, the grandest display ever witnessed in the city, mp to that period.

Mr. Jeff. Thompson, at that time mayor of the eity, presided over the eeremonies und festivities of this brilliant oecasion. The eitv was wild with enthusiasm, and the most profuse and unbeunded hospitality prevailed.

A grand banqnet was held in the spacious apartments of the Odd Fellows' Hall. which then stood on the corner of Fitth and Felix streets. Not less than six bundred invited guests were feasted here; and it was estimated that several thousand ate during the day at this hospitable board,

Broaddus Thompson, Esq., a brother of General M. Jefl. Thompson. made the grand speech of the oeeasion, and performed the ceremony of mingling the waters of the two mighty streams thus Jinked by a double band of iron.

The completion of the road constitutes an era in the history of St, Joseph, and from that period dawned the light of a new prosperity. In the five succeeding years the population of the city was quadrupled, and her name heralded to the remotest East as the rising emporium of the West.

In the summer of 1872 this road commenced the building of a branch southward from St. Joseph, twenty-one miles, to the city of Atchison. This was completed in October of the sume year,

The St. Joseph and Western is one of the most valuable roads that leads into St. Joseph, and has been the souree of a large trade from the neiyhboring State of Kansas.

The Kansas City, St. Joseph and Conneil Blais road is net so important, having parallel roads in opposition, and until if came under the control of the C., B. & Q. it Iscked comprehensive business views and enlightened management, It is, however, a goorl, local road, all the way from Sioux City to Kansas City, but as a northern and southern road, with competing lines, will not be of very great valne as an investment.

The Missouri Pacitic is another road that has run to the eity, Imt found it far from profitable, and are now building from Atchison north, into Nebraska. This road, like the K. C, & ©. B, is of great local convenience to the people and St. Joseph.

The Wabash, Si. Louis and Pacific, as its southeastern ronte to St. Lonis, the St. Joseph and Western, and the Hannibal and St. Joseph, will always be the leading roads. The first mentioned running a branch to St. Joseph, giving them a route to St. Lonis over what was called the Kansas City, St. Louis. and Northern, now all known as the Wabash system.

The St. Joseph and Des Moines is another new road of local importance, although giving another Chicago route to the city of " pools and corners,"

Wholesale Trade

The rapid inerease of the wholesale trade of St. Joseph is simply re. markable. The merchants, in January, looked forward to a greatly increased trade, but they did not think for a moment that it wonld go so far beyond the expectations of the most sanguine. Such, however, has been the case, and there is no telling what proportions the trade will assume in 1881. To aceonunodate this inerease of business, many of our merchants are compelled to erect more commodions buildings. The many magnificent wholesale structures that have gone up in the past few months bear ample evidence to the truth of this assertion.

Gas Works

Tn the year 1856 J. B. Ranney and associates proposed to the city authorities that privileges should be granted to a company to be organized of whieh the city should take one-half the capital stock and himself and associates the remaining half. The proposal was agreed to and the city became a stockholder. The works were erected and met with a steady loss even at the rate of five and six dollars charged per thonsand feet of gas to consumers, The city sold out for twenty cents on the dollar. They continued changing hands and losing money until the parchase of the works in 1871, by James Clemens and his associates, of Detroit, Michigan, under the name of the Citizens' Gas Light Company, for the sum of $50,000, - This company greatly enlarged and otherwise improved the works, and secured a contract tor lighting the street lamps, which had remained unlighted several years. The trouble was that the people had not progressed far enongh to fully appreciate gas in their business honses or private residences, and the cost of introducing was an item of serious contemplation while their residences to a Jarge extent were not built with gas arrangements. The company, however, began to prosper for the first time in the history of gas in St. Joseph when a new company was granted equal facilities with them and proposed to ent down the price of gas and teach the citizens of St. Joseph the beanties of its use.

In 1878 this new company came to the front under the name of the Mutual Gas Light Company, the present owners of the works, and made pro- 2 posals to the authorities, through their president, C. H. Nash, to supply - present consumers with gas at $2.50 per thousand feet, and the street lumps at 825 per annum. The old company had charged $4 per thonsaud feet and $30 for lighting the street latops per year. They were granted the franchise and awarded the city contract, and this resulted in the sale of the entire works and franchise of the old company to the Mutual (sas Light Association.

The latter company has erected elegant new works on the corner of Lafayette and Sixth streets, capable of supplying a ¢ity of 75,0U0 inhabitants.

The company have now placed in position over twenty miles of iain pipe, supplying over eight hundred consumers and nearly five Landred street lamps.

Water-Works

One of the chief needs of St. Joseph for more than ten years past has been acomplete and perfect system of water-works, to be employed both as a safeguard against fire and as a means of averting the possibilities of a deficient supply in seasons of drought.

But it was not until the 10th day of December, 1879, that anything was actually accomplished in that direction, at which date the mayor approved an ordinanee passed by the city council authorizing the construction of water-works upon the © gravity system," the supply to be obtained from the Missouri River above the city limits.

On December 238, 1879, the contract was let to the St. Joseph Water Company, nuder bond to complete the works and furnish a full supply of pure, wholesome water within twelve months from that date. This company commenced work on the 4th day of Jannarv, L880, and upon the 12th day of January, 1881, the works were accepted by the city authorities as perfectly satistactory.

The great basins sre supplied with water by tle engines below, the water first being forced into a well west of the elevation, and after that it raus through pipes into the reservoirs, of which there are three, The settling basin is 380 feet long by 85 feet wide, and its capacity is three million gallons. Its depth is twenty feet, aud its water level is two fect higher than the reser voir on the south.

The north basin, whieh is intended for the filtered water, is 150 [cet wide and 300 feet long, and has a capacity of six million of gallons.

Ifat any time it should be required to empty these basins there is certain machinery on hand that can be placed at work immediately and the old water can be replaced by that which is fresh and pure.

Reservoir Hill is 330 feet above high water mark, and it is 122 feet higher than any point in St. Joseph. In the business portion of the city the pressure has been, since the works were in operation, 120 pounds to the square inch, that in the business portion of the citya stream can be thrown through hose, - with a proper nozzle attached, to the height of about 110 feet, while at the corner of Nineteenth and Francis streets, one of the highest points within the eastern corporate limits, a distance of sixty-five feet has been shown to be the extreme limit of the elevation.

At the present writing something over twenty miles of main pipe have been laid in place and one hundred and eighty-two hydrants placed at proper loeations and in working order.

The works were to cost at first $300,000, but the company kept adding to the original estimate until the works complete have cost $700,000 instead of the amount first estimated,

Toe Union Depot

To Jolin B. Carson, general manager of the TIannibal and St. Joseph Tiailroad, belongs the credit of originating a plan for the constrnetion of a union depot at St. Joseph.

Atter various conferences of the union depot projectors, the erection of the building was finally determined upon in April, 1550, when the St. Joseph Union Depot Company was organized, with the following companies as incorporators and stockholders; Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad Company, Missouri Pacific Railway Company, St. Joseph and Western Railroad Company, Which is a part of the Union Pacitic; Kansas City, St. Joseph and Council Bintts Railroad Company, which is a part of the Chicago, Burling. - ton and Quiney Railroad; Wabash, St. Louis and Pacitie Railroad Com. pany; St. Joseph and Des Moines Railroad Company,

The ground which was selected and legally condemned for this enterprise is situated on the east side of Sixth Street, near the corner of Mitchell Ave-. nue, that having been found to be the most suitable location for a common point of meeting for the different railroads operating their lines throngh this city. It embraces a traet of six acres, all of whieh will be required for its buildings, sheds, plattorms, tracks, ete.

The style of the building is Eastlake domestie gothie, and contemplates a building 400 feet in length and fifty feet in width, set back from Sixth Street thirty- six feet, su us to give room for carriage-way between present street line and front of bitilding.

Live &Tock

There were about 4.000 horses and mules sold in this market in TS80, of a total value of $350,000, A great portion of this nmmber were shipped out to Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Kunsas. Dakuta, Wromiog, Colorado, New Mexieo, Lonisiana aud South Carolina.

Packing-Houses

There are at present (1881) three packing-honses in the city, The oldest of these was established by the present proprietor, David Pinger, in 1853. It is near the Mrancis Street depot. About five hands are generally employed. Slanghtering here is principally done for the butchers.

Max & Brother were established in 1868, Their packing-louse and office are on the corner of Fourth and Mary streets. They employ in the winter season between sixty and eighty Lands, aud also pack to a limited extent in summer.

The packing-house of IL. Krug & Co. was established in the winter of 1877-8, I]. Krug, president; James MeCord, vice-president and treasurer; George C. lax, secretary. The capital stock of the company is

Connett Brothers, who packed in 1880 about 6,000 hogs, on their farm in the county, are now (1881) erceting a spacions brick structure south of the city limits, which will eost, when completed, about $25,000 0 or $30,000. Its packing capacity will be from 1,000 to 1,5U0 per dav.

The past winter has afforded the best ice harvest ever before known in this city. The following statement shows the number of tons taken from the Missouri River and Lake Contrary and stored for nse:

The average cost of storing ice last season was less thin $1.00) per ton, while the average cust of imported ice the year previous was $4.50 per ton,

Opera House

No other city in the entire West can: boast of so fine a temple devoted to the dramatie art, nor comparing in size and elegance of appointment, with the Opera louse in this city.

Interesting Items

In accordance with # resolution of the Board of Trade recently adopted, a committee appointed for that purpose has prepared articles of association for the incorporation of a stock company, to be called the Chamber of Com. meree, the object of which is to perfect a plan for the erection of a Board of Trade or Chamber of Commerce building in this city. The organizstion las been completed, and it is thonght that the necessary stock can be placed at once. The location has not yet been determined upon, but it is designed to secure a corner lot, if possible, near to the business center of the city.

The St. Joseph glucose company was formed in June, 1880. The name of the company is The St. Joseph Retining Company. It has all of the latest improved machinery, and a capacity fur making up 3,000 bushels of corn daily. The building is situated in South St. Joseph, and covers over an acre of ground,

Situated on South Fourth Street, in the premises formerly ocenpied by the Evans, Day & Co. Canning Pactory, are the Star Preserving Works, owned and operated by Albert Fischer & Co. They have receutly enlarged the premises with additional buildings until they cover nearly an entire - square, 7

The capacity of the works are 40,000 eans, or 1.800 bushels of tomatoes" per day, or from 1,100 to 1,200 bushels of peas. During the preserving season these works have about 250 employes upon their pay-roll.

Produce Packing

The packing of butter, eggs, apples, potatoes, and other produce is as suming immense proportions, and as St. Joseph is situated in the heart of the finest agricultural district in the world, this industry must increase with - each sueceeding year. :

No. of bushels potatoes shipped from the city...... we, 100,000 : No. of bushels apples packed and shipped from the city... 216,250 No. dozen egys packed and shipped from the city....... 400,000 Nu, pounds butter packed and shipped from the city.... S8u,0)0 Total value of the siipmeuts above noted.... 2.2.00... $450,000

Tistory Of St. Joseph The First Telegrapid Line

The military force of the city consists of two battalions, composed of five companies of infantry, all superbly equipped and exceedingly well drilled. THE FIRST TELEGRAPID LINE built to St. Joseph was completed to that point on the day of the inanenration of President Fraukiin Pieree. The first dispatch to come over the line tu St. Joseph was his inaugural address. The name of the televraph operatur who received the message was Peter Lovell. His office was on the

Lost-Offick And Finances

St. Joseph is the third city in size in the State, and its population, by the census of L880, is 32,484. It is gaining moderately, but the spirit of enterprise has never been very highly developed by her people. Her whulesale merchants are opposed to farther opposition in their line and, as arnie, they do little to advertise their business; some of the heaviest never putting a line of advertisements in the papers year in aud year out, while many do it grudgingly, as a sort of tax which they are compelled to pay. It is like St. Louis, slow to move, and like the latter city, it has some live, energetic men, but not enough to leaven the mass.

In scope of country tributary to her growth and prosperity St. Joseph has little to complain of, and if an energetic spirit possessed her people she would have a surprising growth the next ten years. As it is, she is likely to retain her preseut position as the third city in the State. She has a refined and eultivated people, hospitable and generous, but her business interests are carried on tu the extreme upon the basis of self. With an increase of population and more extended and broader views St. Joseph's future is one of promise,

The homestead exemption law of the State of Missouri has been one of the most enlightened laws passed for the benefit of the people. In the last session of the general assewbly of the State, the spring of 1850-31, there was a material change in the law, and it is given here in full. Thus every head of a family can be secure in a home of moderate value, if he will not waive lis right to it. There are printed notes now drawn up in which there is a clause printed waiving the right of holding sueh property under that law, Wen a man signs such a note, his home stands in the sume light as lis other property. "These notes should never be signed nnless by or with the consent of the wife as well as the husband. - The law reads, as amended, as follows and is in full foree at this time:

Seerioy 1. Section twenty-six hundred and cighty-nine (2689) of the Revised Statutes of Missouri, is hereby ameuded by striking out, "or ineorporated towns and villages having a less population," and inserting in lien thereof, "having a population of ten thousand or less," in twelfth line, ani by inserting immediately atter "dollars," fifteenth line, the words "and in cities and incorporated towns and villages having a population less than ten thousand, such homesteads shall not inelude more than five acres of ground or exceed the total value of $1,500," so that said section as amended shall read as follows:

See. 2689. The homestead of every housekeeper or head of a family, consisting of a dwelling-house and appurtenances, and the land in connection therewith, not exceeding the amount and value herein limited, which is or shall he used by such housekeeper, or head of a family as such homestead, shall, together with the rents, issues and produets thereol, be exempt from attachment and exeeution, except as herein provided; such homestead in the country shall not inelude more than one hundred and sixty acres of land, or exceed the total value of fifteen hundred dollars; and in cities having a population of forty thousand or more, such homestead shall not include more than eighteen square rods of ground, or exceed the total value of three - thousand dollars; and in cities having a population of ten thousand and less than forty thousand, such homestead shall not include more than thirty square reds of ground, or exceed the total value of fitteen lhundred dollars; and in cities and incorporated towns and villages having a population less than ten thonsand, such homestead shall not inelude wore than five acres of ground, or exceed the total value of fifteen hundred dollars; and any married woman may file her elaim to the tract or lot of land occupied by her and her husband, or by her, if abandoned by her husband, as a homestead; said claim shall set forth the tract or lot claimed, that she is the wife of the person in whose name the said tract or lot appears of record, and said elaim shall be acknowledged by her Letore some officer authorized to take proof or acknowledgments of instruments of writing, affecting real estate, and be filed in the reeorder's office, and it shall be the duty of the recurder to reecive and record the same. After the filing of such claims, duly acknowledged, the husband shail be debarred from, and ineapable of selling, mortgaging or alieuating the homestead in any manner whatever, and every such sale, mortgage or alienation is hereby declared uull and void; and the filing ofany such claims, as afuresaid, with the reeorder, shall impart notice toall persons of the contents thereof, and all subsequent purchasers and mortgagers shall be deemed, in law and equity, to purchase with notice: Provided, however, that nothing herein coutained shall be so construed as to prevent the husband and wife from jointly conveying, morteaging, alienating or in any other manner disposing of such homestead or any part thereof.

Husband Not Liable

Secrion lL. The property owned by a man before his marriage, and that which he may acquire atter his marriage by purchase, descent, gitt, grant, devise, or in any other manner whatsoever, and the profits thereof, except such as may be acquired from the wile, shall be exempt from all debts and liabilities contracted or incurred by his wilt befure their marriage.

Rights Of Married Women

The law passed by the general assembly on the rights and privileges of married women is full and complete, is composed of fourteen sections and too long to be embodied in this work. The law can be found in the * Revised Statutes of Missouri, volume 1, 1879." It is chapter 51, and found on pages 557 to 561,

Hedges Trimmed

It may not be known to all that a law was passed by the last general assembly (1880-1881), that "every person owning a hedge fence, over five years old, upon the line of any public road or highway in this State, is hereby required to cut down the same, to the height of not more than five feet nor less than four feet, every two years; 27 povided, that hedge fences inelosing orchards, house-vards and stock-yards, shall be exempt from the provisions of this aet."

The overseer of roads is to serve the notice and the owner has thirty days to commence, and if he fail to do it the overseer shall have it done and the owner must pay all expenses of the same. It can be collected of him by law, same as revenue for road pnrposes,

Changing Scitool-House Sites

Seorron 1. 'The voters of any school-district in this State may change the location of a school-house site when the same, for any cause, may be deemed necessary and notice of such comtemplated change shall have been given by the directors at least twenty days prior thereto by posting at least three written notices in three of the most publie places in the district where such sehool-house site shall be located: Provided, that in every case a majority of the voters of said district slall only be necessary to remove a site nearer the center of a school district, but in all eases to remove a site further from the center of a school-district it shall require two-thirds of the legal voters of such school-district,

Marriage License

Tre legislature of 1880-S1, passed a marriage license act which makes it necessary for persous before marriage to secure a license. No person anthorized to perform the marriage ceremony, can legally do so without first seeing the license, and a marriage performed without a license is not legal and a penalty is attached: The intent ot the law is to have an official reeord which will stand in the courts and settle any dispute either of marritge or property which may hereafter arise. The law reads:

Srerioy 2. The recorder of the county issues the license and the parties must be, the male 21 years and the female 18 years of age, If younger the parents or gnardian must give consent.

Purchasing Books By Subscription

The business of publishing books by subscription, having so often been brought into disrepute by agents making representations and declarations not authorized by the publisher, in order to prevent that as much as possible, and that there may be more general knowledge of the relation such agents bear to their principal, and the law governing such cases, the following statement is made:

A subseripltion is in the nature of « contract of mutual promises, hy which the subscriber agrees to pay @ certain sum for the work deseribed; the consideration is that the publisher shall publish the book named, and deliver the same, for which the subseriber is to pay the price named. The nature and character of the wark ave described by the prospectus and sample shown. These should be carefully examined before suberibing, as they are the basis and consideration of the promise to pay, and not the too often evaggerated statements of the agent, who is merely employed to solicit subscriptions, for which he is usually paéd @ comamission for each subseriber, and has no authority to change or alter the eonditions upon which the subscriptions are authorized to be made by the publisher. Should the agent assume to agree to make the subseription conditional, or wed ity or change the agreement af the publisher, as set out by the prospectus and sample, in order to brad the prineipal, the sudbseriber should see that such condition or changes are stated over or in connection with his siquature, so that the publisher muy have notice of the same.

All persons making contracts in refcrence to matters of this kind, or any other business, should remember (Aad the law as veritten is, that they can not be altered, varied, or rescinded verbally, but if done at all, must be done in writing, It is therefore ¢mportant that all persons contemplating subscribing should distinctly und: rstand. that all talk before or apter the subscription is made is not admissible as evulence, and is no part of the contract.

Persons employed to solicit subscriptions are known to the trade as canvassers, They are agents appointed to doa particular business in a prescribed iode and have no authority to do it any other way to the prejudice of their principal, nor ean they bind their principal-in any other manner. They can not collect money, or agree that payment may be made in anything else but money. They can not extend the time of payment beyond the time of delivery nor bind their principal tor the payment of eepenses inenrred in their business.

Tt would save a great deal of trouble, and often serious loss, if persons, before signing their names to any subscription book, or any written instrument, would examine carefully what tt is; and if they cannot read themselves cal] on some one disinterested who ean.

General Form Of Will For Real And Personal Property

[, James Johnson, of the town of Muncie, county of Delaware, and State of Tndiana, being aware of the uncertainty of life, and in failing health, but of sound mind and memory, do make and declare this to be my last will and testament, in manner as follows; to-wit.,

First - I give, devise and bequeath to my son James Torace Jolinson, $1,009 in bank stock, of the First National Bank of Boston, and the farm owned by myself, in the township of Washington, Shelby county, Missouri, and consisting of eighty acres of land with all the houses, tenements and improvements thereunto belonging, to have and to hold unto my said son, lis heirs and assigns forever.

Second - I give, devise and bequeath to each of my two danghters, Tda Louisa Johnson and Annie May Juhnson, each $1,000 in cash, and each one a qnarter section of land owned by myself in the township of Jasper, Ifenry county, Tilinois, and recorded in my name in the record of said county, where said land is located; the north 160 acres to go to Ida Lonisa, my eldest dangliter.

Third - I give, devise and bequeath to my son Thomas Alfred Johnson, ten shares of railroad stock in the Mississippi & Ohio Railroad, and my lot, with the residence thereon, in Dayton, Olio, with ali the improvements and appurtenances thereunto belonging, which said real estate is recorded in my name in the county where situated.

Fowth - 1 give to my wite Samuella Richardson Johnson, all my honsehold furniture, goods, chattels and personal property about my home not hitherto disposed of, including $5,000 of bank stock, in the Merchants' National Bank of Toledo, Ohio, fifteen shares in the Mississippi & Obio Railroad, and the free and unrestricted use, possession and benefit of the home farm so long as she may Jive, in lieu of dower to which she is entitled by Jaw, said firm being my present place of residence,

Lifth - It is also my will and desire that at the death of my wile, Samuella Richardson Jolmson, or at any time when she may arrange to relinquish her lite interest in the above mentioned homestead, the same may revert to my above named children, or to the lawful heirs of each.

And lastly - I nominate and appoint as executors of this, my last will and testament, my wite, Samuella Richardson Johnson, and my eldest son, James Horace Jolinson.

I further direct that my debts and necessary funeral expenses shall be paid from moneys now on deposit in the Savings Bank of Dayton, Ohio, the residue of such money to revert to my wife, Samuella Richardson Juhnson, for her use forever,

Laws Of Missouri

LAWS OF MISSOURI. 123 * In witness whereof, I, James Johnson, to this. my last will and testament. have hereunto set my hand and seal, this fourth day of December, 1876, Jameus Jomnxson.

Signed and declared by James Johnson as and for his last will and testa. ment, in the presence of us, who, at his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other, have subscribed our names hereunto as witnesses thereof.

Codicil

Wurreas, I, James Johnson, did, on the tourth day of December, 1876, make my last will and testament, [ do now, by this writing, add this codicil to my said will, to be taken as a part thereof,

Waereas, A son has been born to mic, Which son is now ebristencd Jolin Wesley Jolnson, I give and bequeath unto him my gold wate, and all right, interest and title in lands, bank stock and chattels bequeathed tu my deceased daughter, Ida Louisa, in the body of this will.

Signed, sealed, published and declared to us ly the testator, James Jolinson, as and for a codicil to be annexed to his last will and testament, and we, at his request and in his presence, and in the presenee of each other, have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto, at the date hereot.

Form Of Lease

THIs ARTICLE OF AGREEMENC, made and entered into on this - of - - - - - A. D, 188-, by and between - - , of the county of and State of Missouri, of the first part, and » of the county of - - - - , and State of Missouri, of the second part, witnesseth that the said party of the first part has this day leased unto the party of the second part the tollowing described premises; to-wit.,

And it is further agreed that if any rent shall be due or unpaid, or if defanlt be made in any of the covenants Lerein contained, it shall then be law._ ful for the said party of the first part to re-enter the said premises, or to distrain for such rent; or he may recover possession thereof, by action of forcible entry and detainer, or he muy use all or any of the remedies to effet such possession.

And the party of the second part agrees to pay to the party of the first part the rent as above stated, except when said premises are untenantable hy reason of fire, or from any other cause than the carelessness of the party of the second part, or persens family, or in - - - employ, or by superior force or inevitable necessity. And the said party of the second part covenants and agrees that will use the said premises as a - - - , and for no other purpose whatsoever; and that especially will not use said premises, or permit the same to be used, for any unlawfal business or purposes whatsoever; that - - - will not sell, assign, underlet or relinquish said premises without the written consent of the lessor, under a penalty of a forteiture of all rights under this lease, at the election of the party of the first part; and that use all due eare and diligence in guarding said property, with the buildings, gates, fences, trees, vines, shrubbery, ete., from damages by fire and the depredation by animals; that will keep bnildings, gates, fences, ete., in as good repair as they now are, or may at any time be placed by the lessor, damages by superior force, inevitable necessity, or fire from any other cause than from the carelessness of the lessor, or persons of - - - fiunily, or in employ, excepted; and that upon the expiration of this lease, or upon a breach by said lessee of any of the said covenauts herein contained will, without further notice of any kind, quit and surrender the occupancy and possession of said premises in as gooil condition as reasonable use, natural wear and deeay thereof will permit, damages by fire as aforesaid, superior force, or inevitable necessity, alone excepted,

Real Estate Mortgage

KN ow ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That - - - , of - - - county, and State of , in Consideration of t - - dollars, in hand paid by Fi of county, and State of - - - , do hereby sell and convey unto the said - - , the following described premises, situated in the county of , and State of ; tu-wit., said premises, that they are free from ineumbranee, that - - hare er | right and lawful anthority to sell und convey the same; and - - - do here by covenant to warrant and defend the same against the lawthl elainis of all persons whoimseever, To be void upon the condition that the said

One note for $ - , due - - , 18 - , with interest annually at - - - per cent, One note for S - , due - - - , 1S - , with interest annually st - per cent. One note for S - , due - - , 18 - , with interest annually at per cent,

And the said mortgagor agrees to pay all taxes that may be levied pen the above deseribed premises. It is alsu agreed by the wortyagor that if it becomes necessary to foreclose this mortaage, a reasonable amount shall be allowed as an attorney's fee for foreclosing. And the t - - hereby relinquishes all her right of dower and homestead in and tu the above deseribed preniises.

Chattel Mortgage

county. anid dollars, in land paid by - - - , county, and State of - - , do hereby sell and convey unto the said , the following described personal property, now in the possession of , State of - - ; to-wit, and du hereby warrant the title of said property, and that it is free from any incambranee or lien. The only riglit or interest retained by grantor in the said property being the right of redemption herein provided. This eouveyance to be void upon condition that the said grantor shall pay to said grantee, or his assigus, the full amount of principal and interest at the Gime therein speeitied, of certain promissory notes of even date herewith, for the sn of - dollars,

The grantor to pay all taxes on said property, and if at auy time any part or portion of said notes shonld be due and unpaid, said grantor may proceed by sale or foreclosure to colleet and pay himself the anpaid balance of said notes, whether due or not. the grantor to pay all necessary expenses of such foreclosure, inelnding 8 atturney's fees, and whatever remains after paying off said notes and expeuses, to be paid over to said grantor, day of - - , 18 - .

Quitclaim Deed

KxNow ai MEN BY TORSE PREsENTs: That » of county, State of - - , in consideration of - dollars, to in hand paid by , of county, and State of , the receipt whereof do hereby acknowledge, have bargained, sold and quitelaimed, and by these presents do bargain, sell and quitelaim unto the said - - - , and to - - heirs aud assigns forever, all right, title and interest, estate, claim and demand, both in law and in equity, and as well in possession as in expectaney, ot, in and to the following deseribed premises; to-wit.,

Signed In Presence Of

[Here insert description.) With all and singular the hereditaments and appurtenances thereto belonging. Signed this day of SIGNED IN PRESENCE OF

Warranty Deed

Know ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: 'That - - - , of county, and State of , in consideration of the sum of - - - dollars, in hand paid by - - - , of county, and State of , do hereby sell and convey unto the said - - - , and to heirs and assi ul is, the following described premises, situated in the county of , State of Missouri; to-wit.,

And do hereby covenant with the said - that a - lawfully seized in fee simple of said premises, that they are free from incum- Wrance; that ha - good right and lawful authority to sell the same, and do hereby covenant to warrant and defend said premises, and appurtenances thereto belonging, against the lawful claims of all persons whomsoever; and the said - - - hereby relinquishes all her right of dower and of homestead in and to the above described premises.

Br If REMEMBERED, that on this day of - - , A. D. 18 - , lefore me the undersigned, a - - in and for said connty, personally appeared , to me personally known to be the identical person who executed the above (deed, mortgage, ete.,) as and acknowledged - - signature thereto to be voluntary act and deed.

A note to be payable in anything else but money, needs only the article substituted in the above form, * With interest," means at the legal rate, and any other rate must be mentioned, or if no interest is to be paid until after the maturity of the note it should be so stated.

J. Turner Receipts

If it is to be paid in trade it should be so expressed after the word dollars. RECEIPTS. Receipts should state when received and for what; thus: $100. Sr. Louis, Mo., January 1, 1873.

Bill Of Purchase Valuable Rules

Tow to find the gross and net weight of a hog, is by the rule that a hog's net weight is one fifth less than his gross weight. Tor instance, a hog weighing 400 pounds gross, would when dressed weigh 320.

A good role to tind the capacity of a granary or a wagon-bed is multiply by (short method) the number of cubie feet by 6308, and point off one decimal pliuce - the result will be the correct answer in bushels and tenths of bushels.

To find the contents of a carn-crib multiply the number of cubic Pics 54 (short method) or hy 43 ordinary method, and point off one decimal - the result will be the answer in bushels. This rale applies when it is first eribbed and before the corn shrinks.

Por the contents of a cistern or tank, multiply the sqnare of the mean diameter by the depth (all in feet) and this produet by 5681 (short method) and point off one decimal place--the result will be the contents in barrels of 314 gallons eaeh.

To measure boards multiply the length (in feet) by the width (in inches), divide the product by 12 - the result will be the contents in square feet.

The same in substance is the rule for seantling. joists, plank, sills, ete. Multiply the width, thickness and length together (the width and thickness in inches and the length in feet) and divide the product by 12 - the result will be sqnare feet. To find the number of brick required in a building, multiply the number of cubie feet by 223. The number of eubie feet is found by multiplying the length, height and thickness (in fect) together. A congressional township is thirty-six sections, each a square mile. A section of land is 640 acres, ' A quarter section, 160 acres, is a half a mile square. :

Weights And Measures

The lawful weight of the following articles is the following number of pounds per bushel, and so understood when no special contract is made.

Missourl Game Law

There hus been so many violations of the game law that its publication is one of interest. Many persons violate this law through ignoranee, and others willfully. The penalty is here given for all such acts. Every good citizen aud lover of lunting is tabevontait 4 in preventing the law from bein. 'tramplerl npou, and those willfally breaking it should be forced to pay the penulty. A synopsis of the law is as follows: -

It is unlawful to have in possession or to sell any of the game birds named that do not show shot marks, it being prima facie evidence that they have - been trapped or netted contrary to law. ;

Tt is unlawful for any railroad, express company, or other carrier, to reecive for transportation any of the birds or game mentioned, when the killing of the same is prohibited.

Every persun who shall violate any of the above named laws shall be guilty of misdemeanor and punished by a fine not exceeding $20 for each bird or animal killed, netted, trapped or found in his possession.

Any violators of these laws can be prosecuted before any police justice, recorder, or justice of the peace, or other court having jurisdiction to try eases of misdemeanor,

One half' of any fines collected will be paid to the informer and the balance to the school fund of the county. It is the duty of all constables, marshals, market masters and police officers, to arrest all persons violating any of the game laws, and take them before the courts having jurisdiction to hear and try complaints.

Hawks, owls, eagles and crows can be killed at any time, and the destruetiun of these birds and their nests is recommended as they are very destructiv2 to other birds.

Statistics, 133

The inhabitants of Alaska and the Indian Territory (buth unorganized as yet) are not included in the above total. The census of Alaska in 1880 showed: White, 392; Creoles (issue of intermarriage hetween the whites and natives), 1,683; Aleuts, 1,960; Innuits, 17,485; Indians, 8,655; total, 20,178.

The Indians included in the census in each State and Territory are those reckoned as civilized, or outside of tribal organizations. Indians not taxed are by law excluded from the census. Estimates of their numbers vary widely - from 200,000 to 350,000 (the latter as estimated in the census of 1870).

In the Chinese column (for want of space elsewhere) have been reckoned a very few Japanese, East Indians and Sandwich Islanders, not exceeding 250 in all.