Daviess County, Missouri - Petition, Title, Property, Taxes, Burglary, and Boundaries, 1882

Petition, Title, Property, Taxes, Burglary, and Boundaries

Somewhat Demoralized - Title Perfected - Comparison - Taxable Wealth - 1869-1870 - Land and Stock Valuetion - Sequel to the Burglary - New Boundaries - Township Map - Recorders.

Somewhat Demoralized

Gallatin people were badly demoralized during the winter of 1867-68, by, as it proved afterward, an abortive attermpt to everlastingly destroy the growth of the " Rustie City." The seare came in the shape of a petition to the General Assembly, then in session, started by the people of the little town of TIamilton, on the Hamilton & St. Joseph Railroad, and it was believed under the instigation of that railroad company. Hamilton was ambitious. It was nearly equal in popniation to Gallatin. It was the largest town in Caldwell county, and nearly treble the size of the county seat, Kingston. The trouble with Hamilton was its unfortunate location, geographically speaking, and it proposed to remedy the evil without asking anybody's consent, outside of the legislature. Their first move was to get up a petition to the legislature, and then announce through the press the following explicit declaration : -

"Norice, is hereby given that the undersigned will present a petition to the General Assembly of the State of Missouri, on the 22d day of January,

"The substance of which petition is, that the territory of the counties ot Caldwell, Daviess, and Harrison, in the State aloresaid, may be equalized by setting off township number fifty-eight from said county of Daviess to said county of Caldwell, and by setting off a tract of land six miles in width extending the whole length of the south side of said county of Harrison from said county of Harrison to said eounty of Daviess.

That notice startled Daviess county in general, and (rallatin in partienlar. Harrison was a large county, Caldwell rather small, and there was some plausibility in the move. Six miles off of Daviess' south side would bring Hamilton close enough to the center of new Caldwell county to seeure the county seat, but this while building up Hamilton, was death to Gallatin and Bethany as they would both be within three or four miles of the south line of their respective counties. There was much hurrying to and fro, and Hamilton lost. But it was a nice little game, and if it had been secured, would lave been a big plum for eating, and a luscions one at that.

Anson B, Miller, who had been holding the office of superintendent of registration was removed by the newly elected Governor McClung, and in February, D. L. Kost, of Gallatin, received the appointment for this, the Fourth Senatorial District. Joseph TT. McGee, another eitizen of Gallatin had been placed upon the State ticket as register of lands and was elected.

Title Perfected

The title to the quarter section of Jand upon which Gallatin was situated had been in dispute for several years. The citizens had, however, bought it from the county and it was good for costs and damages, and they felt easy but the county did not, by a great deal. Philip Covington, as county commissioner, had exempted this property, but in getting the title had entered it in his own name instead of the county, and he claimed the county owed him for assessing the county some thirty years ago and would not deed the land unless he was paid. There was a compromise effected, and in June, 1869, Mr. Covington gave a deed for the property, the matter of title was forever solved, sn the county's warrantee good without loss.

Another sale of swamp land took place in July, 1869, some 7,000 and odd acres were left of the original number which exceeded 14,000 acres. The sule was on the basis of $2.50 per acre, and as much more as it would bring. The sale was quite well attended, but there was not that rush for speculative purposes as at the sale of October 1, 1837, which resulted in over 8,000 acres being sold and at a figure exceeding $50,000, How much was sold and amount realized is not on record. The sehool find does not show proceeds of first sale.

The gradual increase in wealth and also in population gave to Daviess county a steady advance ofa solid nature. There was no speculation, but the increase seemed to be more marked among the agricultural population. The increase of acreage under cultivation, and in all kinds of stuck seemed to be where the increase of wealth came from. The value of town lots also improved, but only a few thousand dollars vearly. The value of land in Daviess county, and in comparison with surrounding counties, may be seen from the valuation put upon it by the State board of equalization for the vear 1869. The following is the action of the board: Caldwell, $7.39; Daviess, $6.52; Grundy, $4.47; Livingston, $9.39; Gentry, $4.15; Harrison, $4.39; Mercer, $4.28. This gives Daviess county a pretty fair showing alongside of her neighbors.

The Assessors for Daviess county have generally proved equal to the task set for them. It was only on one oceasion in a long series of years that the assessor failed to make his report satisfactory, and the County Court took time to have it fully corrected. He served but one term. It was found that it required sense, sound judgment, and a knowledge of the value of Par erty to he a first-class assessor. Somehow, it has been instilled into man's nature, that an assessor in his official capacity, is a robber, and to get the best of him by under valuation, is a Christian duty that must not be neglected. This is why men will pay $10,000 for a piece of property and swear to its being worth, to the assessor, at least $2,000, or perhaps $2,500, while toa man in 'the private walks of lite, he would be willing to swear in its valuation at $12,500, and eonldn't possibly take less. Row, as we said before, these are facts, and it may be man's first or second nature, but it only shows the necessity of a ian of brains and sound judgment, and even of nerve, to make first-class assessor. A little cireamstance came under the writer's notice, some time since, when one of the latter class happened to hold the responsible office of assessor. He called on a private banking firm for valuation, and they placed their taxable wealth at $14,100. He suggested that a few thonsand additional would fit the situation far better, and he eould not aecept the above valuation. The firm gaye him to understand thiat that was about their yearly assessment, and they would return no more, and intimated that he was rather too smart for his own good. But they were slightly mistaken, He was smart enough to make an honest assessment, and had nerve enongh to see that it was fhithfully carried out. He went before the County Court, swore to the valuation which he gave in, and furthermore swore that the returns made to him were false. The valuation was placed at $45,000 instead of $14000, and that banking-louse paid the taxon that amount. The assessor coolly got them to swear to the $14,000 arrangement, and he told them that he was master of the sitnation. If rich and poor were only assessed alike in proportion to their real wealth, this country would be an elysium for the poor man.

Land And Stock Valuation

The assessed valuation of property for 1860 and 1570) shows a handsume increase over the assessment of 1567; the assessment of 1StS net being at hand, and in making this statement the value of the taxable wealth of the county is given separately, which will be a guide to show the gain and loss - of the latter over the former year in the different kinds of stock. The assessinent for 1862 is as follows: -

Property, Number, Value

The school fund for 1869 amounted to $8,091.32. The bulk of this was distributed in sixteen school districts and the Gallatin sehool, giving to the former an average of four hnndred seventy- tive dollars each, and to the latter school $291.18. Three other school districts received small sams.

While there is a slight falling off in some kinds of stock the total shows a gain of nearly $108,000, not a very heavy per cent on the capital, but the fact that while valuations always vary from year to year, the aggregate shows a steady increase.

There has been heretofore no separate valuation of real estate or personal property by municipal townships. It really has not been necessary for the repeated changes in the territories of these townships made valuation uncertain, if taken this year that there would not be a change next. The assessment below is for 1570, betore the ten townships, then constituting the municipal districts of the county, were for the tenth time changed to six teen, which was done svon after and at the March term, 1870.

This valuation in the aggregate is some $5,000 less than in 1869, but where the falling off is cannot be told very well, as the year before seven townships oceupied the territory of the ten named,

Since the above assessment Crittenden, as a town, las joined its brothers, Millport, Cravensville, Eclipse and Prairie City. These towns once existed, but are known no more forever. They are now cultivated farms.

The Sequel. To The Burglary

"Now, at this day, the court goes into an investigation of the matter of John Ballinger, ex collector of Daviess county, Missouri, in regard to the burglary committed by John Reno and others on the night of the 17th ot November, A. D., 1869, and the liabilities of said ex ecolleetor growing out of and by reason of said burglary, and it is considered and distal ia the court that the said John Ballinger, ex collector as aforesaid, shall pay into the county treasury of Daviess county, Missouri, to the use and benefit of the school and revenue funds as follows; to-wit. To the school fund of Daviess county, Missouri, $1,000, and to the revenue fund of Daviess county, Missouri, $1,275, and that he take duplicate receipts fur the same, one of which he shall file with the clerk of this court, who shall credit the same on the fund book of the county.

"And it is further ordered and adjudged by the court that said ex collector, upon complying with the aforesaid requirements, shall be and is hereby forever released from all demands and liabilities growing out of and by reason of said burglary committed by said John Reno and others.

And it is further ordered that the clerk of this court enter on said fund book of this county. a credit in full fur all demands and liabilities growing out of and by reason of said burglary, and that he furnish to the said Jolin Ballinger, ex collector as aforesaid, a certified copy of this order.

"And now here comes Jolin Ballinger, ex collector as aforesaid, and tiles with the elerk of this court duplicate receipts as required in the foregoing provisions of this order. It is, therefore, ordered by the court that Jolin Ballinger, ex collector as atoresaid, be and is hereby declared, both he and his securities, to be torever released trom all liabilities and demands growing out of and by reason of the burglary committed by Julin Renu and others as aforesaid."

New Boundaries

The county had remained at rest for several months, but the ever-restless desire for a change once more, and again, took possession of the people, and it was manifested publiely through the action of the County Court. Just how many times the boundary lines of the municipal townships have been changed, or wew townships formed, then again revoked, is very hard to tell. These pages, however, show the chameleon-like changes this county has assumed in the making and unmaking of municipal townships, and probably there is not another county in the State that has come anywhere near equaling Daviess county in this particular feature of her progress. The fever of change which had so long become chronic broke out atresh at the Marek term of the County Court, and in this last effort the whole county took a shaking-up. The county being twenty-four miles square, it came all at onee upon the ininds of the court and people that a municipal township and congressional could be united in one, and that six miles square being the size of the latter, the former should have the same metes and bounds. The result of this remarkable diseovery was the immediate forming of sixteen municipal townships, all six miles square, all described by township and range lines, with the following names: Benton, Marion, Jefferson. Colfax, Sheridan, Liberty, Freedom, Salem, Washington, Grand River, Lincoln, Union, Monroe, Marrison, Jackson and Grant.

Here was a beautifully-arranged county, twenty-four miles square, and every six miles square a township. It was something to be proud of to look at on paper, but it only took two months to banish " Freedom " entirely from the list of townships by giving one portion to Marion lying west of the river,and the other to Grand River township on the east.

* Ordered that the municipal townships of Daviess county, Missouri, be and the same are hereby reéstablished and new townships created as folluws: -

"Ordered that the boundary of Harrisox township be changed and reéstablished as follows: Commencing at the northeast corner of section one, township fifty-eight, range twenty-six; thence west six miles; thence south six miles; thence east six miles; thence north to the place of beginning; including towuship fifty-eight. range twenty-six.

" Ordered that a pew township be created, bounded as follows: Commencing at the northeast corner of section number thirty-six, township sixty-two, range twenty-seven; thenee west six miles; thence south six miles; thence east six miles; thenee north to the place of beginning; and shall be known by the name of Wasninerox township.

* Ordered that Lixcoty township be changed and reéstablished as tollows: Commencing at the northeast corner of section thirty-six, township sixty-two, range twenty-six; thenee west six miles; thenee south six miles; thence east six miles; thence north to the place of beyinning.

lows: Commencing at the northeast corner of section number thirty-six, township sixty-two, range twenty-nine; thence west six miles; thence south six miles; thence east six miles; thence north to the place of beginning.

"Ordered that Sates rownthip be changed and be hereafter bounded as follows: Commencing at the northeast corner of section thirty-six, township sixty-two, range twenty-eight; thence west six miles; thence south six miles; thence east six miles; thence north to the place of beginning.

* Ordered that a new township be created and bounded as follows: Commencing at the northeast corner of section number thirty-six, township sixty-one, range twenty-eight; thence west six miles; thence south six miles; thence east six miles; thence north to the place of beginning, and shall be known as Preepom township.

"Ordered that anew township be created and bounded as follows: Commencing at the northeast corner of section number thirty-six, township sixty-one, range twenty-nine; thence west six miles; thence south six miles; thence east six miles; thence north to the place of beginning, and shall be known by the name of Martox township.

"Ordered that Jurrerson township be changed so as to embrace congressional township fifty-nine, range twenty-nine, within its limits and no more.

"Ordered that Granr township be bounded as tollows: Commencing at the northeast corner of section thirty-six, township sixty-one, ranye twentysix; thenee west six miles; thence aoutl: six miles; thence east six miles; thence north to the place of leginning.

"Ordered that Granp River township be created and bounded as follows: Commencing at the northeast corner of section thirty-six, township sixty-one, range twenty-seven; thence west six miles; thence sonth six miles; thence east six miles; thence north to the place of beginning.

"Ordered that a new township be and is hereby created, composed of congressional township number fifty-eight, range twenty-nine, and shall be known by the name of Conrax township.

* Ordered that Union township be composed of congressional township number fifty-nine, range twenty-seven, embracing territory formerly Gat- Latin township.

"Ordered that congressional township number fifty-nine, range twentyeight, be formed into a new township, and shall be known by the name of - - township.

" Ordered that the boundary line of Gallatin township be changed and : new township created and bounded as follows: Commencing at the nor dh. east corner of section number one, township fifty-eight, range twenty-seven ; thence west six miles; thence south six miles; thenee east six miles; thenee

" Ordered that a new township be and is hereby created and bounded as follows: Commencing at the northeast corner of section one, township fifty-eight, range twenty-eight; thence west six miles; thence sonth six miles; thence east six miles; thence north to the place of beginning; and it is further ordered that the name of said township shall be Suerman township."

Alto Vista

The map speaks for itself, and probably would have remained in that shape for all time had not the West Fork of Grand River passed through the county from the northwest to the southeast. This cut "Freedom" into two triangles, and the people of one triangle were not going to swim the river to go to the other. The result of the quarrel was made manifest by the follieing orders of record, May 25, 1870: -

The county line question came up, and arrangements were made by the County Courts of Caldwell on the south and DeKalb on the west tu have their respective surveyors unite with the county surveyor of Daviess to establish the boundary lines of Daviess county. This interesting work was done without difficulty, the party starting out Jnly 20, 1869. The same year the tax for county purposes was put at seventy-five cents on the one hundred dollars, and twenty-five cents road tax. Tn 1870 the tax was fifty cents on the one hundred dollars for county purposes, to which was added railroad tax twenty-five cents, and public road tax twenty-five cents on the one hundred dollars. The tax of 1871 was a total of two dollars on the one hundred dollars.

"Tn the matter of the recorder's office of Daviess county, Missouri: Lt having come to the knowledge of the court that the population of Daviess county exceeds ten thousand persons, it is ordered by the court, by virtue of the twenty-third section of chapter twenty-six, general statutes of Missouri, in reterence to the separation of the offices of eircuit clerk and recorder, that the oftices of cireuit clerk and recorder of deeds be and the same are hereby separated, and the said offices of cirenit clerk and recorder are hereby made separate and distinct offices from and after this date, Mareh 28, 1870."

Chapter Nii Funds And Funding, Suits And Supervisors

Ancious for the Money - Funding - sehool Fund - New Judicial District - Track and E. renrsion - Praying for Relief - A Jury Verdict - New Township Organization Law - Boord of Supervisors - Registration - Law Suits, ete- - New County Court - Bond Sale - Poor Farm - The James Boys - Less Expenses - Assessinents - Itens.

Anxious For The Money

" Whereas, it appearing to the court, this March 7th, 1871, that William F. Flint, ex colleetor of Daviess county, Missouri, has wholly neglected and failed to pay into the county treasury and to the proper officers to receive the moneys collected by lim, as the law directs him to do. It is therefore ordered by the court that William C. Gillihan, county attorney, be, and he js hereby directed to institute proceedings at once in the Cirenit Court of Daviess county and proceed forthwith on the bond of said collector for the recovery of money in his possession, belonging to the several funds; to-wit, Public road fund, and also railroad interest fund, and also all school money belonging to the several townships of Daviess county, Missouri, as shown by his settlement, made and entered of record at the February term of the court for the year a. p. 1871, together with all interests, costs of these suits as well as all damages that his failure to pay the money ever to said proper officers may have caused said Daviess county. Missouri."

"Ata special term of the County Court of Daviess county, Missouri, called by the presiding justice of this conrt, and held at the conrt-house in the town of Gallatin, on Monday, the 8d of April, a. p. 1871, there were present, Meredith Morris,G. M. Keene, and Gabriel Feurt, judges.

"Tt is ordered by the court that the county of Daviess, in the State of Missouri, tor the purpose of funding her indebtedness issue twenty-six honds of the denomination of ($500) five hundred dollars each, payable as follows; to-wit, Class number one, consisting of bonds number one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, and eight, payable in three years from date, with ten per centum interest trom date, evidenced by conpons attached to each of said bonds and payable semi-annually at the office of the treasurer of Daviess county, Missouri, except the first payment of interest, which shall he due January Ist, a. p. 1872, and paid as above -stated. Class number two, consisting of bonds numbered nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, and seventeen, of the same denomination as class number one, With eoupons attached to each of said bonds, payable semi-annually, at the treasurer's office in Gallatin, said bond payable four years from date.

* Class number three, consisting of nine bonds, numbers eighteen, nineteen, twenty, twenty-one, twenty-two, twenty-three, twenty-four, twenty-five, and twenty-six, of $500 each made payable five vears from date, with interest at ten per centim per annum, evidenced by semi-annual conpons attached to each of said bonds, payable at the treasurer's office in Gallatin.

"And it is further ordered that the presiding justice and clerk of thicourt are herelsy directed to exeente said bonds and deliver them te William C, Gillthan. who ts hereby constituted and appointed the agent and attorney of Daviess county to receive said bends and place them upon the market. and pay over all he may realize, us may be by the court directed and take duplicate receipts for all moneys le may pay on any county indebtednesand file one with the Connty Court, who shall credit said atturney with all wnounts so paid,

"Tt having come to the knowledge of the court that the sale of the $13,000 fanding bonds, issued by this court. for the purpose of funding certain county idebteduess, has heen impeded and prevented on account of the interest coupons, attached to each of said londs, being made payable at the treasurer's office, in the city of Gallatin, Daviess eonnty. Missouri, It is therefore ordered lw the court, on this oth of June, ASTI, that, in order to facilitate the sale of said bonds speedily, that the place of payment of said coupons be changed to the Bank of Commerce, in the city of New York, in the State of New York, and it is further ordered that Messrs. Bartholow, Lewis & Co.. bankers of the eity of St. Louis, Missouri, be and they are hereby constituted the ageuts of this county for the purpose of having said change made, and printed mpon the coupons atoresairl,

The repairs on the court-honse in 1ST cost no less than $1,500, The louse with the exception of the wills lias been a constant expense tu the taxpayers. The cupola could hardly be kept from leaking. and other parts of the building were more or less under the hands of the repairer, about half the time. The walls and fonudation are good, having been bnilt on a three tuot rnbble foundation and the walls eighteen inches thiek the first stury and thirteen inches in the second,

The seliwol tund distributed in S71 was a good advance on the previous year, by the prompt collection of the interest on the school and swamp lands sold. While the interest on the swamp laud collected in 1870 amonnuted te only $2,855, tliat of 1871 was $5,068 nearly double the ] weeeding vear. The interest on these lands had never been promptly salle a and both had become a surt of speculation among the sharp ones. TLow to get the Jan cheap and how to beat the county out of the interest scems to have been at study, and in practice a success. It was not until 1871 that the last hair was laid which broke the camel's back, or rather wore out the patience of the people, aud the court and superintendent of schools were compelled to do their duty.

New Judiciat. District

The General Assembly of the State of Missouri in the session of 1871-72 passed an act forming the Twenty-third Judicial District, the Judicial Cireuit being composed of the counties of Daviess, Harrison, Worth and Gentry. The election came off in April, 1872, and Daviess county had the honor of presenting to the courts of the district the tirst judge, in the person of Samuel A. Richardson, an honored citizen of Gallatin.

The first rail was laid within Daviess connty on the fifth day of April, 1871, and great was the rejoicing thereat. It was on the St. Louis, Chillicothe & Omaha line. The track was then rapidly laid to Gallatin, A serions feeling against the road was cansed by their failing to come across the river, and the belief on the part of the railway company that they could build up a rival town at the erossing of the Chicago & Southwestern. They even went so far as to try and get the postoflice from Gallatin removed to that point. The destruction of $100,000 of Gallatin property, besides what the county had invested in publie grounds and buildings, did not cause them one minute's halt in their nefarions work. The scheme was a failure, and the only success the company made in this jol was securing the cordial hatred of the citizens of Gallatin. ;

The first excursion to celebrate the opening of the Chicago & Southwestern arrived September 26, 1871, and quite a number of Gallatians were invited and were added to the excursion party. The ladies of Gallatin made a beautiful wreath of flowers and evergreens into an arch, under which the train passed, and were highly complimented by the members of the excursion. Generals Grant and Beauregard were on the train and of the party. The ladies were presented with several bottles of wine as a remem-

Praying For Relief

William F. Flint, late sheriff of Daviess county, Missonri, Ii: aving filed his petition in the Circuit Court of said county praying said court to relieve him, under sections 131 to 137, both inclusive of the second volume of Wagner's statutes, on acconnt of the loss of sixteen thousand, seven linndred and eighty dollars, of State and county revenue; it is, therefore, ordered that James MeFerran and William C. Gillihan be and they are hereby appointed counsel to appear in said Cirenit Court in said proceedings, and represent the State and county and resist said petition, summons witnesses, and fully elicit the facts and circumstances attendant upon such alleged loss, and the thirty days notice required by law to be given the county clerk of the above application is hereby waived and the said attorneys on behall of the State and county are hereby authorized to proceed with said application, and the examination and enquiry there under at any time during the next term of said Daviess county Cireuit Court.

The State tax levied in 1872 in Daviess county was $20442, and the county tax $48,774. This was a pretty heavy increase over former years. Property, however, was rapidly inereasing in value and the county was improving in population. This last made the county prosperous, aud the people would have been supremely happy had the system of honesty and fair play been carried ont by the railroad companies.

An attempt to fund the indebtedness of Daviess county was talked over in November, 1872, but it was so evident that the object was for the purpose of getting legal pends tor those in dispute, by the holders, that the people declined to go into the arrangement. A compromise might have been effected.

A Jcry Verdict

A jury verdiet is one of those things that sumetimes astonish the people. Sometimes from its being entirely foreign to the facts of the ease, at others from a misconstruction of their duty, ¢ and others from the quaintness of their language. The following verdict of the coroner of Daviess county in L872, reported as coming from a jury impaneled in Benton township on the body of a colored man found dead on the river bank near the bridge at Groomer's Mills on Grand river: -

"This inquest was held over the body of John Rogers, a negro man who lived near Groomer's Mills, and we, the jury, believe that the deceased came to his death by falling into the river from the bridge and was drowned, and then crawled out on the bank and was froze to death."

A final settlement with William I. Flint, county treasurer in the spring of 1872, brought hin in debt three hundred dollars and the county attorney W. C. Gillihan, was ordered to commence snit against him and his sureties, for the money.

The new township organization law which passed both houses of the General Assembly, at the winter session of 1871-72, required each county to decide by vote whether they would accept or reject the law. An order ealling for an election in Daviess county was made, to take place May 31, 1872. This eleetion came off and the law was adopted by a decisive vote in its favor and the court, at its session in June, made the following order and put it on record; to-wit,

Now, at this day, it appearing to the satisfaction of the court that a majority of the votes cast at the special election, held on the 31st day of May, a. p. 1872, were in favor of township organizaton; it is, theretore, ordered that the following time and places be and they are hereby appointed in the several townships for holding the first township meeting in each township, July 2, 1872; to-wit,

*Lineoln township, at Baneroft; Washington township, at Smith's schoolhonse; Salem township, at Salem; Benton township, at Pattonsburg; Marion township. at Civil Bend: Grand River township, at Jameson; Grant township, at Jamesport; Jackson township, at Cold Spring; Union township. at ©. IL, Gallatin; Liberty township, at Liberty Center sehool-house; Jefferson township, at Five View sehool-house; Colfax township, at Winston; Sheridan township, at Swisher school-house; Monroe township, at Ogle's school-house; Harrison township, at Reed's school-house."

The city hall of Gallatin was pot au institution of grand proportions or of jnagnificent tinish on the inside. Its adornments were few and far between, and, like the vlden times, its cushioned seats were the soft side of the plank of which the benches had been made. The eouneil, in faet, had quictly tuken possession of the court-louse, and the wisdom of their proceedings emanated trom its listorie halls. Whether or not the impeenniosity of the city authorities had struck the county Solons is not of record, but it is recorded that the court-house and grounds were put in charge of the mayor and council of the city of Gallatin to look atter, and to repair all things needed, when necessary.

Sume more searching the old records of ex sheriffs brought to light that James L. Powell was short 868.75, and John Ballinger $151.30, and proper steps were taken by the county attorney to collect the same. The county attorney was further instructed to proceed to collect of William F. Flint, ex collector, $1,157.70, amount due trom him ou township fands.

Board Of Supervisors

The election of supervisors having taken place in the different townships it Was necessary to have some meeting of the same. The County Court was still an institution and remained so up to August, 1872, but it was necessary for the hoard of snpervisors, under the new township organization law, to meet and' organize themselves into a court for the transaction of county business. As it required two-thirds of the supervisors elect to call the board together, the required number was seeured, and a eall made for the organization of the court, August 5, 1872. The following is a copy of the official order of meeting.

"Ata special term of the County Court called by a two-third's majority of the supervisors of Daviess county, Missonri, for the purpose of organizing the County Court, electing a county chairman and transacting unfinished business, credentials of the following supervisors, be and are hereby received and declared members of the court: -

"Nathan Nichols, supervisor from Lincoln township; Nathan E. Need, supervisor from Washington township; Gabriel Feurt, supervisor from Salem township; William Earl, supervisor from Benton township; John Haver, supervisor from Marion township; Benjamin G. Kimball, supervisor from Grand River township; Robert C, Williams, supervisor from Grant township: William Smith, supervisor from Jackson township; Jobn D, Coulson, supervisor frum Union township; Willian Prewett, supervisor from Liberty township; Wesley Lee, supervisor from Jefferson township; 8. Reed Gurney, supervisor from Colfax township; George E. Barkdoll, supervisor from Sheridan township; John A. Tuggle, supervisor from Monroe township; Thomas W. Reed, supervisor from ILarrison township."

Registration

The registration of voters in 1872 was returned by townships and as it shows how the voting population of the county is divided, it is given in place of the aggregate alone.

Two petitions were offered in October, 1872, opposing the levying of a tax to pay interest either on the railroad bonds of the * Ten-mile Strip" or of the Chicago & Southwestern.

The year 1872 was prolific in law suits. The County Court ordered snit to be commenced against all who were in arrear to the eonnty. The Flints, O. H. MeGee, Richardson ef #7, all came in for a chance to pay up, or take the consequences. The railroad suits were also on land with no prospects of immediate trial, and the year ended with but little to show, outside of a bill of costs.

The Supervisors

The election in April, 1873, for township officers resulted in making several changes in this Board of Supervisors, which, like the year before, was composed of fifteen members, one trom each township. The new board was composed as follows: -

The board met April 9, 1873, and organized by appointing B. 11. Coffey chairman, The members of the eourt had but a short lease of power, as the late action of the General Assembly had again passed an act to reorganize the County Court with five members, one to be voted for at large, and the other four by districts. It was, also, arranged that while the member at large of the court was to hold four years and act as presiding justice, of the four members by districts one was to be elected every year, the four members to draw lots for the term tur which they were to held.

The closing out of the board of supervisors was followed by the election ordered and the meeting of the new members of the County Court at the court-house in Gallatin, May 22, 1878. The judges elected were: -

At large, Gabriel Feurt; district number one, Moses Brown, Sv.; district number two, B. B, Peery; district number three, S. R. Gurney; district nuinber tour, John A. Tugegte.

The district judges «drew for their terms, and it resulted in: Moses Brown, Sr., for tour years; Jolin A. Tnggle, for three vears: B. B. Peery, for two years; S. R. Gurney, tor one year.

Bund Sale

The floating debt of the connty had become somewhat burdensome. The people who held county warrants, or jury seript, naturally wanted their pay for them, or te be allowed to use them for taxes. This left the eonnty without available funds. Orders had been made and pnt upen reeord how these warrants were to be received. One was to the etteet that the warrants, When paid in for taxes, must be exactly the amount. To avoid trouble and relieve the treasury, 82040 in bonds were ordered prepared, and when ready the county treasurer was to exchange them at par for county warrants, or sell them and take up the warrants. The bonds were to run only one year, and draw six per cent interest. They were promptly sold or exchanged for warrants, and a few more asked for, The sale removed the pressure upon the county treasury until such time as the revenue could be

Yoor-Farm

The County Court, at its July meeting, closed the trade with Johar Cooper for one hundred acres of land for a poor-farm. The purchasing price was $2,000. The court had it ready for occupancy August 14, 1873, and notified persons who had the poor in charge to bring them to the farm.

The James Boys

In October, 1873, Governor Woodson issued a proclamation offering $1,000 each for the capture of Frank and Jesse James, and on December 20th the following letter was sent to the Kansas City 7imes, by Jesse, in reply to the reward : -

"Will you permit me a little space in your columns to say a few words in my own behalf, and in that of my brother Frank. I know that we are out- Jaws, and that there is big money on our heads, but even though we were to be hung to morrow, a newspaper that wanted to give a man a fair chance to put himself right before those who cared tor him, and whom he eared for, would not hesitate to let him print the truth.

"T see from the newspapers of Missouri that one of the Jameses was reeognized with the party who robbed the store in Cass county some weeks ago, and that later, at Monegaw Springs, when the prisoners were captured, a James said to a prisoner, * don't look at me, d - n you, for it you go away and report on me I will follow you up and kill you, if it takes mea year."

"Perhaps nothing Lmight say in the way of denial would change any man's opinion of ine, either one way or the other; but I do say, that neither Frank nor myself has been in Missouri since the third day of October, 1873, nor any nearer Missonri than Denver City. Neither one of us was. in Cass county at the time mentioned or at any time during the past year. Tam as guiltless of this Cass county store robbery as a child unborn, and knew nothing whatever of it until I saw it in the newspapers. This proposition, however, I do make, and will stick to it: I made it to MeClurg when he was Governor, and he said it was fair and manly, although he did not pay any attention to it, and T now make it to Governor Woodson, whohas offered a large reward for my head. If he will guarantee me a fair trial, and Prank also, and protect us from a mob, or from a requisition from the governor of Towa, which is the same thing, we will come to Jefferson City or any other place in Missouri, except GALLATIN, surrender ourselyes and take our trial for everything we have been charged with. I do not know that Governor Woodson ean do this thing, but if he can, and will, we are ready to surrender ourselves. All he will have to do is to give us his word that we shall not be dealt with by a mob, as we would most certainly be if the militia of Daviess county could get their hands upon two of Quantrell's and Anderson's best men, or if the Iowa authorities could get us for a crime that we never committed.

"Tf everything said about a man who had a positive character was true, all the jails and penitentiaries in the country wonld be full. We have many enemies in Missouri because of the war - many who want to see us killed if they can get other people to do the killing; but for all that, if the governor of our State will enarantee us a fair trial, we will surrender. If we do not then let public opinion brand us as highwaymen, and do it truthfully, for I will never again write a line to defend myself. But surely we should have a little credit in trying to put ourselves right, and in seeking to have protection while doing it. We have been charged with robbing the Gallatin Bank, and killing the cashier, with robbing the gate at the fair ground at Kkansas City, with robbing a bank at Ste. Genevieve, with robbing a train in Iowa and killing an engineer, with robbing two or three banks in Kentucky, and killing two or three men there; but for every charge, we are willing to be tried, if Governor Woodson will just promise us protection until we can prove before any fair jury in the State that we have been accused falsely and unjustly. If we do not prove this, then let the law do its worst. We are willing to abide the verdict. I do not see how we could offer anything fairer. We do not mean to be taken alive, and those who know us will believe this, even if we do say it ourselves; but we would delight in having a fair trial, and in having this long and sleepless vigilance on our part broken up. Any communication addressed to me at Deer Lodge, Montana Territory, will be attended to. Jesse W. JAMES."

This letter had no effect upon Governor Woodson, and Jesse's flattering opinion of the people of Daviess county only made them more anxious to get hold of the now famous, or infamous, outlaws, but they still live, or are supposed to live, and so receive all the credit of the Winston tragedy and the Blue Cut, Jackson county, train robbery. It is also believed that they were the head and front of the Iron Mountain train robbery, in Arkansas, scooping the latter as they were on their fight from the Blue Cut affair. While the ofticers were scouring the hills and ravines in Jackson, Clay, and Lafayette, (they had decoys carefully arranged to keep the officers in search in that quarter), they were making time, earefully disguised, toward their southern haunts.

Less Expense

The running expenses of Daviess county seem to have been entirely too high to suit the people, but just how to remedy the evil was hard to under- stand. The Grangers gave a full examination to the subject, even going so far as to examine the county records to find leaks, but it was of no avail. The only remedy seems to have been in the change of the law. The county officers began to feel the pressure and they suggested to the people of each township that they meet, as soon as possible, and appoint one or more of their best and most practical men, to meet the County Court, at the courthouse, on Thursday, the 18th day of December, 1873, tor the purpose of preparing a memorial to be presented to the General Assembly, and to make such suggestions as may be deemed best, to have our laws so changed as to make them more practicable, and to cut down the expenses of our county affairs.

The meeting was held, and many suggestions were offered, and the representative, Mr. West, received several points to act upon in his legislative career. No doubt expenses were heavy and taxation high, but Daviess county was troubled too much in the tirst thirty odd years of its existence with county officials who failed to do their duty, while many of them were defaulters. Perhaps fifty thousand dollars was lost to the people by a want of prompt action on the part ot many of its officers in not making their returns, bad contracts, worse collections, and a portion of which seemed to stick to the palms of some who handled the money. Add to this the safe robbery, and it does look as if it was not altogether high taxes or large salaries which caused the people of Daviess county to groan under a burden of debt of local origin.

Assessment

The assessment for 1873, in real estate and personal property, amounted to the sui of $4,314,242; of this amount $1,272,282 was personal. The assessment of this year was by municipal townships and below is given the figures for each township: -

The legislature of 1873 and 1874 changed the time for holding the Circuit Court in this, the Second Judicial District, so that it would be held on the first Mondays of February and June, and the fourth Mondays in March and September. This change was approved March 16, 1874.

The county received fifteen thousand dollars in military script. An account was presented for $25,000. Suit was brought by the bondholders in the United States Court at Jefferson City for the interest on the Chicago & Southwestera Daviess county bonds, October, 1874. December 18, 1874, suit was also commenced to compel the county to pay the interest on the Omaha & St. Louis and the Ten-mile Strip bonds.

The county gained the suit on the bonds issued on what was called the Ten-mile Strip. Sixty thousand dollars was thus saved to the county, and lost by the railroad company because of bad faith and broken contract.

The first talk of a compromise on the railroad bonds voted, was in August 1875, and the County Court concluded that it would compromise at 334 cents on the dollar, if it could.