Daviess County, Missouri - Chapter 18: Schools and Societies, 1882

Chapter 18: Schools and Societies

Schools - First School - Inaugurating Schoals - Schools and School Fund - School Year of IS75 - Enumeration - Annual Distribution - Prineipal of the Vartous School Funds - State Items - 1876 - 1878 - 1579 - 1880 - 1881 - By Townships - Enumeration, 1881 - State School Fund - Patrons of Husbandry - Its Ohject - In Daviess County - Names - Preamble - Constitution - By-Laws - Remarks - Why it Flourished and Why it Failed - Declaration of Purposes - The Daviess County Immigration Soeciety - Township Committeemen - Daviess County Medical Society - FKirst Officers - Members - Grand River Medical Association - I'air Association - New Incorporation.

Education stands at the portals of civilization, and from the earliest history of our country it has stood as the bulwark of free institutions, the beacon-light which has guided our people in their onward march of progress, the keystone in the arch of human development, and the world progresses as the arts and sciences spread and irradiate the whole country. Ignorance and vice ruled the "dark ages," war desolated the country, but when edueation led in the march of civilization the sword gave way to peace, and vice was relegated to those places where the sunlight of reason had not yet broken through the thick cloud of ignorance which enveloped the masses of the people. The sword gave way to the intellectual sway of the pen, and men found higher aims and nobler accomplishments than that of the sueeesstul knight or gladiator.

The spread of edueation began to tell upou the mental resources of the people; in its development the triumph of mind over matter became assured, and its forward progress las been « triumphant march, ever onward and upward toward the plane of universal knowledge. And from the old world to the new came, also, the thirst for knowledge. It was those driven trom the old world because vice, which reigned, could not stand the light of an educated people, who made America their home. They came free to earry out their views of education and enlightened progress, and grounding their work upon their faith, it was one of success, America stands to-day, in practical education and general knowledge, in the van of enlightened nations - not the effete knowledge which was in the rut of theoretical teachings, but in the wide, open pathway which makes the mind expand and gives broader views to the masses of the people. It is this general knowledge which has made the United States rank as one of the first nations of the earth in power and influence; and yet she has but just passed one century of her existence. And this thirst for knowledge haz increased with her inereasiug years, and schools and colleges are the pride of the citizens in every section of our commen country. In this State there is found embodied in the constitntion one important item, It is that twenty-five per cent of the revenue of the State, exclusive of the interest and sinking fund, is set aside for school purposes. 'This law was passed under the administration of Sterling Price, and continued until 1861. During the war and until 1869 that fund had not been paid, but a change trom war rule to that of By Gratz Brown, and forward trom that date, the revenue again was paid into the school fund, and about $1,500,000 added tor those lost years. The new State constitution of 1875 has a clause that will forever make that twentyfive per cent payable to the school fund annually. The county funds are steadily growing, and as the State is rapidly increasing in wealth, it will not be long before the sehuol fund State, county and township - - -with the money arising from fines und penalties--will be sufficient for the full conduct of our schouls. The tax levy need ouly be enough to build and improve the school property uf each county as such may become necessary.

There are not many counties in the State that have better educational facilities than Daviess county at this Lime, and every year a step torward is taken in the department of her progress. In 1535 schools were taught, and from that day there has been no faltering by the way. In those pioaeer days, the scholars were few, but next to getting a cabin and the nee- essaries of life, the pioneer gave his attention to schools. Then it was that the neighbors would gather together, and from their gathering came the primitive log school-houses of long ago, and from these rudely-construeted eabins and the spirit which built them has come the thorough and comprehensive system of education of to-day. The early settler was in favor of schools, and the first of which any account is found, was taught by H. W. Enyart, in Benton township. The school was taught by him for three months in the summer of 1837, and also the same length of time the winter following. Tle received two dollars per scholar, in the curreney of the country. Corn was taken in payment, from which he made his own meal, using a wooden mortar burnt out of a log; corn and deer skins ané honey were received at par value; and once in a while he was paid in eash, but it was the exception and pot the rule. Schools were soon started in every settlement, and a strong desire was early shown for a thorough sehool system, and, although the county was not of rapid growth, that feeling grew and spread through every section of the county, and it has so grown that to-day few couuties in the State will show more enlightened progress in their school system than Daviess county, which, in this respect, ranks among the first.

The publie schools of Daviess county have steadily progressed. As early as 1853 the first superintendent of schools was appointed in the person of William Tsaacs. Mr. Tsaaes held his position for two years, and his prineipal business was paying out to the townships the money to which they were entitled in the several apportionments. The districts were few then and nut as thoroughly urganized as they should have been, but the trouble was not with the superintendent. Tt was because, up to that time, no system of county schools had been organized. Mr. Isaacs, in his two years term, did accomplish much hard work, and also inaugurated a system which was a great help to his successors. Some six school townships had been organized and six more preparing for work under the county's arrangement. Charles Place sueceeded Mr. Isaacs in 1855, and he held his office for five years. Mr. Place was not as conversant with the system of public schools as could have been wished, but he was diligent and with a strong desire to make the schools of Daviess county a success, he worked faithfully to that end and probably did as much to establish the school system of the county on a svlid and enduring foundation as any superintendent connected with its history.

Schools And Sciool Fund

The school fund of 1855 amounted to $1,512.29, of which three hundred and twenty dollars came from the State, and the remainder being the township fund. This amount was divided among twelve school districts.

The township fund that year was $11,907.41, which amount was the proceeds of the sale of the sixteenth section in the different townships, sold up to that date. There was but little change in 1856, but by the year 1857, sixteen, instead of twelve, was the number of school districts organized in the county. The State fund for the county was that year 8585. and the township fund increased so that the amount tor distribution was $1,897.51, giving a total of $1,982.51. This was an increase over the vear 1855, of $464.22.

The year 1857 the swamp Jands were sold, that is,a part of them, and the amount of that sale was to go to the school fund. That sale aronnted to over $50,000, and there were still some 600 acres left. This last was sold at not less than tivo dollars and fifty cents per acre, and a large quantity of it was suld at a much higher figure. Something like twenty to twenty-tive thousand dollars should have been received for that land, but the school fund does not show it. The swamp land fund is put down at $4044.56. and the land was sold for about $75,000, There seems to be no record of this discrepancy, or of any search for the missing finds. Certain parties defaulted, paid costs and interest, and gave the land back to the county, nt it seems as if more than a trifle over halt should have been saved tur the selimols. 1858 showed up a handsome increase, and the schools prospered correspondingly, the fund that year amounting to $2,045, The interest on the swamp land tnnd began to tell, The impetus given was a marked contrast to the decade between 1840 and 1850. Hope told a flattering tale soon te be changed. Very little interest or progress can be found in the pablie scliools of Daviess county, from 1861 to 1867. The whole State lay shattered and bleeding at every pore, and Missouri, in 1865, when peace was proclaimed, was without a school system Private seliools and colleges, which liad flourished in other years, had een abandoned, or were eking out a preearious existence. Even the State University searcely Lad life enongh to open its hall doors for the admission of students, During the strife, whieh had raged for four years with mereiless tury, and devastated all parts of the

State, the minds of the people had been diverted from all peaceful and ennubling pursuits; their affections alienated su that neighbor not unfrequently regarded neighbor with feelings of suspicion and distrust, and at times with intense hatred. Society was torn asunder, and amid the general convulsion, the education of the youth was almost entirely neglected. The ebildren were growing up illiterate, and wuless something could be done, and that speedily, a cloud of ignorance would soon overshadow the whole State At this crisis, laws were enacted, specifying how to organize country, village, town, and city schools; also the mode of levying taxes for buildings and school purposes, and how to collect the same. The duties and qualitications of school officers and teachers were clearly set turth. Business interests and industries of the west and south drew people here from all sections of the

Union. When they came they made their homes among generous and noblehearted people. The rankling passions whieh other and bitter years had produced, were soon extinguished or lushed in silence, Reason, parental jove, and philanthropy prevailed. Schools must be established and the children educated, was the decision of the majority.

This state of affairs culminated in the legislature taking advanced steps, and giving to the State laws that could help the reorganization of the entire school system. County superintendents had been paralyzed, and required energy aud perseverance to place the schools once more upon the highway of progress.

Daviess county was not slow toaet. The school moneys had not been forthcoming and. in fact, no tax for years had been levied, or if it lad been, it seemed to have failed in collection. In the year 1867 the County Court determined to straighten things out, and they came down on the people with a levy that realized something over $23,918.05. It waked the people up at onee, and they opened wide their eves and quite a large number opened their months in objection to this astounding levy. It did no good, and although it was considered pretty rough, they came forward and paid the tax, The amount for which each township was assessed will be found in the general history for the year 1867. This fund with the State, county, and township money for distribution, put sehool matters in pretty good shape, but there has been a pretty heavy tax for school purposes every year sinee. School-honses had to be built, extra sebool lots purchased, and the apparatus and furniture necessary for use and oeenpancy. Money for these things had to come. and only by taxation, but it may be said to the praise of the people that after the first shock of battle they lravely stood by the County Court, or local assessment, and have willingly paid their school tax, Under this state of feeling it was no wonder that schools grew and multiplied within the county. In 1864 the public fand amounted to $8,091.39, and two vears later, in 1871, it reached the bandsome sum of $9,990.87. This amount was the tetal of State, county, and township school fund, besides this there was the county levy, which generally far exceeded the combined tands above mentioned. The publie fund, however, raised slightly in different years, as either greater or less interest was received, and often prompt collections were not always to be relied on.

In 1871 there were eighty-tive teachers of primary schoois, and that year one school for colored children - the first mentioned. These schools were kept open on an average of three months. The schools were making steady progress, both in the facilities required and in the number of pupils in attendance, yet were still lacking many essentials for more perfect work. The colored school was located in Gallatin, and there were fifty-eight children in attendance. One hundred and forty dollars were set aside to pay for the support of this school for the year 1871.

In all there were ninety-seven teachers employed, and eighty-five sehoolhouses in the county. Seventy-four male teachers averaged thirty. seven dollars per month, salary, and the twenty-three female teachers ave raged twentynine dollars per month. There was a total of 5,668 children of school age, three-fourths of whom attended school for the term. The following are the achool moneys for the year: - ;

A teacher's institute was held at Salem in December, IST1L; at Gallatin in February, 1872; and in Mareh at Prairie Valley. The instructors and leeturers for the institute were the Revs. Stark and Buckland. The normal schools have since taken the place of these institutes.

The schools seemed to take new life. The interest due on school bonds was more promptly collected, Quite a loss was occasioned by the Flint robbery at Kansas City, Mr. Flint having $2,000 of the school money with him when he was robbed, and why he took it was never satisfactorily explained and was the darkest part of that most unfortunate affair: he was compelled to settle it, but gave depreciated county warrants for the sum carried off. However, the County Court and the people were in favor of schools and for the enlargement of the school fund and so the interest was promptly collected and fines and penalties turned over, and the schools again began to take on an encouraging look. The reports for 1872, 1873 and 1874 were satisfactory, showing steady progress.

School Year Of 1575

The annual receipts and expenditures for the year 1875 with the enumeration will be found below, the regular reports of the year being made out and handed to the proper authoHities 1 in April of the following year.

Maze, Female. Total

MAZE, FEMALE. TOTAL, Number of white persons in the county between five and twenty-one years Gf AVC. waco 3,100 2.863 5,963 Number of colored persons in the county is 'biveen tive and twenty-one years of age......--- TA as 132 Ota ccsiiteme ceienene ie awe wears wae DATE.....2,921, ..6,075 Number of teachers employed in the county during the year: - Male iiss rahe ease seni ames i sorsecmencuiwtins Ratennns dO speas NO ree bess STORER . 15 SEE Chicsccaneisvconsha Gasces aeenabeBeaanscd asi BS a a ec ea Sh gy ae Zisaceucecera oe

ERIE .. ceimcareverexe mera nada reir it eee ee ey a ee . 0. $35.20 Pantin: Kg ASN ' Lela STOO RERUERE I RE JSR emcees CaICCe Number of sehool- ee in i OS CORMCV nas vsrmegemeriasiere soreness 94 Nuinber of buildings rented for school pimpaven: piacemipian pseusses 2 Number of scholars that may be seated in the various school-houses, 3,937 Number of white schouls in operation.......0 2.65... eee ee oe 94 Value of school property in the county..........--2.--20545 . $23,334.41 Average rate per cent levied for school purposes in county - sixtysix cents On...... Se ee ee ae eee 100.00 Amount paid for teachers' wages in apne county during the year... 12,504.35 Amount paid for fuel for schools in the county during the year . 620.62

Annual Distribution

Total amount received from the four sonrees...... aaspatiaseuenas $24,397.98 Total amount expended, as shown by settlement with county treasvrerjn April, 1875....... Si Sie See Tee .. 20,724.53

Amount of township school funds........ 052+ ..00ceesees +. $20,897.31 Amount of swamp land school funds,......-. eee Te 36,443.27 Amount of fines and penisltios ss icssccwaccwsmicnmese vee tees ewes Ssh TOF

State Items

The State school fund in the year 1875 was very handsomely inereased by a transfer of $35,000 from the exeeutor's and administrator's fund, uncalled for, and a profit in selling United States six per cent bonds belonging to the school fund which the United States treasury was about to call in, and securing Missouri State bonds drawing the same rate of interest. The profit of this transaction was $245,280.91, which was added to the permanent fund, thus having a larger fund to be distributed to the eounties of nearly $18,000. .

The State fund was increasing, the county fund was constantly enlarging from fines and penalties, aud the township fund was added to now and then by failing to pay interest on schooi bonds, the property reverting to the county; there has been a regular increase thronghout the State on county school tunds amounting in three years to over $341,000. Thus the future of Missouri in her educational resources is one to be envied.

There has been a continned forward record in the progress of Daviess county school facilities and the gradual inerease of school population has shown also a far better attendance than in previous years. The total amount of school money received for distribution in 1875 was $28,150.04, and the

In the years 1877 and 1878 the advance was quiet but steady. The number of children of school age in the county had increased trom 6,130 in 1876 to 6,454 in 1878. Tt was necessary that more rovin should be provided for the greater number of pupils in attendance and su the tax levy for school purposes, in 1877, was larger than for a number of vears and only exceeded by the levy of 1867, just ten years previons. It was also the first year that the tax levy on railroad property in the county had been made a separate school tax. The amount raised for schoul parposes in Daviess coun ty for the year S77 was $43,992.59. The levy was $21,535.75, and the railroad tax $3,403.57, and the total expenditures were $28,538.75. Including the eash on hand, there was 341,259.52 for use in IS78, and the expenses exceeded those of 1877, being $31,282.62. The amount of fines and penalties added to the permanent fund for 1877 and 1878 was $2,048.17. This being loaned out at ten per cent was quite an addition to the permanent fund from that source and quite a little increase for annual distribution.

The increase of pupils attending the schools compelled still larger facilities, and the school-houses in the country numbered 103, The follawing statistics 'may be of interest: -

There were one hundred and three school-houses in the county, and three school-houses were rented, making one hundred and four white and two colored schools in operation for the winter of 1879-80. Sixty-two ehildren of the namber given above as attending school were colored, and there were 133 children in the county less than half attending school.

There were ninety-four male and fifty-seven female teachers employed, and their wages were $38 and $24 per month, respectively, making an average of $31 per month.

The expenditures for school purposes in 1879 amounted to $29,841.06 and those of 1880 to $34,839.79. The fines and penalties for the two years, and added to the permanent fund was $983.93.

The property of the county for school purposes was assessed and its value returned January 1, 1880, at the handsome sum of $68,413. This was for school-houses and lots, and the apparatus on hand necessary, also ineluding the furniture of the schools. It is a credible exhibit, showing, as it does, that besides this property the permanent school fund reaches about the same sum.

The school statistics for the year 1881 are not reported until the following spring, but it can be safely said that the schools are not falling behind. This fact, this year as well as for the last two, has been on account of the proficiency of the teachers employed, anda better class of township officers in charge of the schools. They are giving a more intelligent study of what is their duty. In regard to the schools, no man should be elected to attend to them who has so much other business that more of his time and thoughts are given to that than to the schools. To the intelligence of the teachers rand their pride in the work is to be attributed the flourishing condition of the school of Daviess county, and to them their progress will have to be credited.

The enumeration of children in the county of school age was taken April Ist, and that enumeration is the basis of distribution of the State and county funds. Having secured a full list of the children, by townships, and also the exact statement of the finds of each township, this will prove of value to show hereafter the increase of the funds for school purposes. The total fund of the State and county, as well as of the townships is given below. The number of schools, the rate of wages to teachers, number of school buildings, ete., given, make this school history invalnable for future reference. It is reliable in every respect, and furnishes what should be known to the people of Daviess county. A study of this chapter of the county's history and a watehful progress will do wonders towards improving the future of educational work.

State School Fund

The State of Missouri stands in the front rank, both in the thoroughness of her educational work and in the amount of funds for edueational purposes. There are very few who know what the State las done or is doing in that revard.

The torturing and misconstruing of a partisan press is not the souree to find the truth of any matter involving the progress of domestic or edueational matters. Parties are given over to the work of defeating their opponents, and anything is ammunition which can breed distrust against each other and false statements make up a wonderful part of campaign literature. The State school fund combined with the county, township and seminary funds show an " $7.542,225.72. that the people of Missouri have up to January 1, 1881, laid aside for the edueation of their children. - And this fund does not stop there. Twenty-five per cent of the State revenue is laid aside annually for school purposes, besides fines, penalties, strays and county levy, with an occasional township assessment. The fund, of which the aggregate is given above, will grow from year to year, until a county and township levy will not be needed, but the interest on the State, county and township fund will be sufticient for all purposes. 'The following is the several funds composing the amount as above.

Tere then isa fund and property exclusively for educational purposes, which sheds a bright luster upon the eseatcheon of sur State. When the fact is known that in 1842 the total school tind of the State was only $575,564, something ean be seen of the enlightened poliey of the rulers of the State, when that sum has grown to millions within a little over a generation, while other millions have been invested in sclool-houses, land, ete., and gives tangible evidence of the liberality and broad views of the people in edneational matters. > When there is to be taken into aceonnt, besides this, fourteen and a half millions of property, the annua! expenses paid out the past forty years, the sum ¢ontributed by the people of Missouri for edneating the children of the State, she will be found to lave few equals in this department of enlightened progress. The State distributed $3,202,273.58 in the vear 1879 alone, add to this distribution county, township levy, and the real sum as can be seen, is immense,

It has been this liberal and broad system which has given Missouri a high standing among her sister States, She ranks from first to fifth in all that goes to make a people healthy, wealthy and wise, and standing thus, in the great sisterloou of States, she is a bright example for other and older States to follow and younger ones to emulate. This spirit of educational progress is not evanescent, but is engrafted upon the constitution of the State, and will ever be the proudest monmuent of the wisdum of her people.

It is building upon a rock foundation, the storm of ignorance cannot shake it, and the folly of fanaties ean have no foothold in her border. Her people, swayed by the light of reason, educated to form their own opinions, firm in their resolve to do right, there is nothing to prevent the onward and upward prowress of the State.

Vatrons Of Husbandry

This order originated in 1873, culminated in 1874, and was allowed to die out in 1875. For two years it became the wonder of the country, because of its rapid growth, and was the first and last organization in this country that cansed the great railroad kings to tremble, and monopolies in generab to lower their banner of trand and robbery and craw] at the feet of those whom they had so ruthlessly robbed and defiantly challenged to provide a remedy,

Its Object

Untortunately tor the farmer and the working man, the skilled mechanie and the artisan, traitors wormed themselves into the order, brazen political harlots sueceeded in getting a foothold, and the order, which had promised so much, whieh had caused fraud of every kind to tremble, had but a few months of life, and then was gone forever. But it is not and will not be forgotten, and the day may come when the order will again arise, assert its power, and cause the organized bands of robbers, under the names of different monopolies, to hang their heads with fear, ITS OBJECT.

The order in all respects was one to be proud of. Its object and aim was the elevation of the great working classes of the country and to show them their rights, and how those alite could be secured by a unity of action and a concentration of purpose. Not only this, but the edneation and culture of all was one of its cardinal features. To enhance the comforts and attractions of their homes, to foster and encourage neigltborly feeling, to lessen expenses by codperation, to purchase cheaper by combining and purchasing in larger quantities, to avoid litigation, and to earnestly work to allay all sectional strife and make ours indeed one people and one country, were links. in the chain which bound together those who had united with the order,

There was enough in these desires to fonnd an organization as durableas the rocks, but frand enlisted the thousands that are ever ready to sell their souls to the devil for gain and what they conld not and dare not du openly to oppose this organization, was done by treachery and deceit.

While it flourished it did a large amount of faithful and earnest work. The granges will ever hold a green spot in the memory of all who were earnest and innocent members, and there are none who were but what will ever regret its downfall. Its principles, however, will live, and it may again blossom, and perhaps live until the full fruition of its noble work.

The order in Daviess county began to grow in the fall of 1873, but its greatest strength was reached Jate in the summer of 1874. It then numbered twenty-two granges, with a central organization known as the county council, composed of the members of the different county granges, and trom the central conncil the rules and regulations were made to govern the Patrons of Husbandry as a body. At the height of its power the organization numbered over twelve hundred members, and by combining they were able to secure cheaper goods and lower freights.

ing alone for the good of all, it might have been flourishing to-day, and thousauds of dollars saved to the peuple of Daviess county by carrying ont the aims and object of the order.

The names of the granges organized in the county are given below; also the names of the master and secretary in the order named, and the time of the ineeting of each grange.

In the fall of 1873 when there were only about half of the above granges in successful operation, a call was made for a mass meeting to form a county conneil with a constitution and by-laws. The meeting met October 15, 1873, and the granges already formed met and held a mecting and presented their credentials, having appointed their ehairman and secretary.

They elected the following otticers: William D. MeDonald, president; James L. Powell, secretary; Gabriel Feurt, treasurer; J. P. Drummond, Sainnel Kendig, and R. M. Jackson were appointed trustees; and B, G, Kimbull business agent. The constitution and by-laws were adopted as reported by the committee and are as tollows: -

Preamble

Wuereas: Other classes and professions of men have formed combinations tu protect their own interests, and Wuerras: Many ot these combinations are working indirectly against the best interests of the farmer, therefore, in order to form a more perfect union, secure our rights and protect our interests, against the encroachments of such combinations, we, the representatives of. subordinate granges of Patrons of Husbandry in Daviess county, acting under the State Grange of Missouri, do hereby form ourselves into a mutual, codperative association and adopt the fullowing articles of confederation.

The objects of this association shall be the promotion and attainment of the united and uniform action of the granges of which it is composed, in all matters atfecting their interests and welfare, in bringing the producer and consumer of agricultural implements and products closer together, by buying and selling through this association, or through such parties as may make arrangement with it to buy or sell such articles or implements as we may need, and to trausact any other business that may be necessary to secure these ends.

Sre. 1. This association shall be composed of subordinate granges in regular working order who have complied with the rules and regulations of this association.

Src. 2. All granges in regular working order may become members of this association by the payment of five dollars to the secretary, and may retain such metmbership by the payment of annual dues in a sum equal to five cents tor each of its members.

Src. 1. Each grange belonging to the association shall be entitled to representation as follows: The master of each grange, as one delegate for the grange at large and one delegate to every twenty-five members or majority thereof. And all members of such subordinate granges, belonging to this association in good regular standing in their respective granges, shall be members of this association and entitled to all its rights and privileges, except voting.

Src. 1. The officers of this association shall be a president, secretary treasurer and three trustees, whose powers and duties shall be fully dafiniad in the by-laws of this assuciation. :

Sree. 3. These officers shall be elected annually by ballot, at the first annual meeting of each year to be held on the first Tuesday in September, A majority of all the votes cast shall be necessury to a choiee.

Sec. 1. This association shall have power to make all laws necessary for its government; also to alter, repeal, or modify such laws as may be found objectionable or inoperative; and to alter and amend this constitution when. ever it shall be deemed necessary, by a two-thirds majority of its delegates; proposed amendments, alterations, or modifications to be preseuted in wate ing and lay over three months,

Src. 1. The regular meetings of this association shall be as follows: An annual meeting and three quarterly meetings, to be held at such places as may be designated by the association and its trustees - the annual meeting on the first Tuesday in September, at 10 o'clock a. w.; and the quarterly meetings to be held on the first Tuesday of December, Mareh, and June in each year, at 10 o'cloek, a, mu.

Sre. 2. Special meetings may be called by the president and secretary, whenever it is deemed necessary for the good of the association, and the secretary shall give each grange at least ten days notice of such special meeting.

Sto. 1. [t shall be the duty of the president to preside at all meetings of the association, sign all orders drawn on the treasurer, and perform other duties ordinarily required of such presiding officer.

See. 2. It shall be the duty of the vice-president to perform the duties of the president, during his absence, or whenever required to do so,

Ske. 8. It shall be the duty of the secretary to keep an accurate record of the proceedings of this association, conduct its correspondence, receive and pay over all moneys to the treasurer, taking his receipt for the same, draw and countersign all orders on the treasurer, make a full report of the condition of the association, and duings of the executive committee at the aunual and each quarterly meeting, and have his books ready for inspection by the trustees, at any time.

Sec. 4. It shall be the duty of the treasurer to receive from the secretary all noneys belonging to the association, giving his receipt for the same, to keep accurate account of all such moneys received; to pay all orders signed by the secretary, to make a report of all moneys received and paid out by lim, at the annual and each quarterly meeting, and to deliver to his suecessor all moneys received and paid out by him, at the annual and each quarterly meeting, and to deliver to his snecessor all moneys and other property belonging to this association.

Sec. 5. It shall be the duty of the trustees to examine all bills and accounts of officers and members of this association; also the books and papers of the secretary and treasurer, when required to do so by the association, and report on all matters they may have on hand at the annnal and each quarterly meeting, or whenever required to do so.

Sec. 6. It shall be the duty of the executive committee to see that all the laws and resolutions of the association in all its business transactions are carried out when it is not in session.

Src. 1. Vacancies in all of the offices of this association may be filled by the executive committee nntil the next regular meeting, when an election shall be had to fill the rest of said vacancies.

Sec. 1. The executive committee shall be allowed two dollars per day for time actually and necessarily spent in the services of the association, except at meetings of the association.

Suc. 2. All bills and accounts against the association shall be presented in writing, and shall specity the articles or services charged fur.

Article Iv

Sec. 1, The sceretary and treasurer shall each be required to give such bond for faithful performance of duty and safe keeping of funds as shall be required and approved by the trustees.

The foregoing is the coustitution and by-laws of the Daviess county Patrons of Husbandry, and tor the time mentioned it flourished. The order, in this year of our Lord, ISS1, is dead, but a time may eome when it, ora similar one, nay be organized - may be demanded of the people if they would not submit to be robbed by extortion and monopoly, and when that time comes, it will be of value to those who direct and lead in the move, to know something of the wonderful order that for two years made fraud and raseality take a back seat, and the money power and railroad magnates quail before what they believed fur a time to have been an avenging nemesis. It flashed like a meteor and was gone, but its works will live after it, for the grange has shown to the people what they can do to detend themselves against oppression by concert of action and harmony of feeling. Another such move inaugurated, with the light of the previous one betore it, may last longer and survive even the underhanded work of traitors, or the open opposition of a combined monopoly,

The grange organization was a wonderful effort of the people, and well worth the space given to it in this history. It will not die out in the memory of the people of Daviess county, but will ever bea beacon light of hope, for what man has done man ean do, when oppression again lays its hands heavy with extortion and crime upon the people. They will know that another combination, a unity of strength and action, will right the wrong and that oppression ean not last if the people have the will to act and the nerve to carry out the work of reform. This much the order of the Patrons of Husbandry has accomplished, and it should be remembered. The light of freedom dawns only when a people knowing their rights dare maintain them, and the heavy hand of oppression is ever ready to tighten its remorseless grip when the people fulter in their manhood or sink in listless apathy. It is the fact that the Patrons were so successful, which will give hope and comfort to the people for all time, knowing that wrong ean be righted

The declaration of purposes of the Patrons of Husbandry, that whieh caused the order to spread so rapidly over the country was of that epirit of brotherly love, and opposition to all mater of oppression, which haz gained the heart of a people reared in the cradle of liberty, and staunch detenders of a republican form of government, Could the order have prevented the politician from becoming a feature in its organization, avd the effurts of a few aspirants for power and pelf to make it a stepping-stone to their political ambition, it would have flourished to-day as it did a few years ago. As a political party, its successes were of a transitory nature and local effect, yet what reforms they did succeed in carrying out were of essential benefit to the great agricultural interests of the country, and it is to be regretted that the order to this day is not enlarged and united for the work of reform, as declared in its public profession of faith. Believing that these expressions should not die, and that they are the groundwork of a people's interests and prosperity, those principles and purposes for which, and under which, the noble order flourished are given # place in this history. Future generations may look back with pride to their ancestors who made these declarations the groundwork of their civil and political actions. It will show them that the true spirit of brotherly love aud noble manhood inspired their forefathers of this day and generation. The tollewing is the "declaration of purposes" as given forth by the order of the Patrons of TMusbandry in convention assembled : - DECLARATION OF PURPOSES OF THE PATRONS OF IVSBANDRY,

"3. We shall endeavor to advance our cause by laboring to accomplish, the following objects: To develop « better and higher manhovd and womanhood among ourselves; to enhance the comforts and attractions of our homes and strengthen our attachments te our pursuits; to foster mutual understanding and cooperation; to maintain inviolate our laws, and to emulate sach other in the labor to hasten the good time coming; to reduce our expenses, both individual and corporate; to buy less and produce more in order to make our farms self-sustaining; to diversity our crops, and crop no more than we can cultivate; to condense the weight of our exports, selling less in the bushel aud more on the hoof and in the fleece: to systematize our work and caleulate intelligently on the probabilities; to discountenance the eredit system, the mortgage system, the fashion system and every other system tending to prodigality and bankruptey. We propose meeting together, talking together, selling together, buying together, and, in general, acting together for our mutual protection and advancement as oceasion may require. We shall avoid litigation as much as possible by arbitration in the grange. We shall continually strive to secure entire harmony, good will, vital brotherlisod among ourselves, and to make our order perpetual. We shall earnestly endeavor to suppress personal, local, sectional and national prejudices; all nnhealthy rivalry; all selfish ambition. A faithful adher-, ence to these principles will insure onr mental, moral and social advancement.

"4. Por our business interests, we desire to bring prodneers aud con sumers, farmers and manufacturers into the tuost direct and friendly. relations, hence we must dispense with a surplns of middle mens not that we are unfriendly to them, but we do net need them; their surplus and their exactions diminish our profits, We wage uo aggressive warfare against any other interest whatever; on the contrary, all our wets, so far as business is concerned, are not only for the benefit af the producer and consumer, but also for all other interests, and tend to bring these two parties inte a speedy and economical contact. Henee, we hold that transportation computes of every kind are necessary tu our success: that their interests are intimately connected with our interests und that harmonious action is mutually advantayeons, keeping in view the first sentence of our declaration of principles of action, 'that individual happiness depends on general prosperity" We shall, thereture, advoeate for every State the increase in every practical way of all facilities for transporting cheaply to the sea-board, or between home producers and consumers, all productions of war country. We adopt it as our fixed purpose to open ont the channels of natire's great crreries that the life-blovd of commerce may flow freely, We are not eneniies of rmalreuds, navigable and irrigating canals, ner of any corporations that will advanee our industrial interests, nor of any of the Jaboring classes. [In our noble order there is ne communism, ne agrarinistns we are opposed tu such aspirit and management of any corporation or enterprise as tends to oppress the peuple and rob them of their just profits, We are uot enemies tu eapital, but we oppose the tyranny of monopolies; we long te see the antagonism between capital and labor removed by common consent and hy an enlightened statesmanship worthy of the nineteenth century, We are opposed to excessive salaries, high rates of interest and the exorbitant per vent of profit in trade. They greatly inerense our bardens and do not beara proper proportion to the profits of the producers. We desire only self-protection and the protection of every true interest of our land hy legitimate trans: actions. legitimate trade and legitimate profits, We stall advance the cause of edueation among ourselves and for our ebildren by all just means within our power. We especially advocate for our agricultural and industrial culleges that practical agriculture, domestic science, and all the arts which adorn the home be taught in their conrses of study.

"5, We emphatically and sincerely assert the oft repeated truth tanght in our organic law that the Grange, National, State or Subordinate, is not a political or party organization, No grange, if true to its ublivations, can disenss political or religions questivus, nor call political conventions, hor nominate candidates, nor even discuss their merits in their meetings. vet the principles we teach underlie all true polities, all true statesmanship, and, if properly carried out, will tend to purify the whole political atmosphere of vur country, for we seek the * greatest youd to the greatest nuniber, but always remember that no one by becoming a grange meimber gives up that inalienable right or duty which belongs to every American citizen, to take a proper interest in the polities of this country; on the contrary, it is right for every member to do all in his power, legitimately, to influence for good the action of any political party to which he belongs. It is his duty to do all he ean in his own party to put down bribery, corruption and trickery; to see that none but faithful, competent and honest men who will stand unflinchingly by our own industrial interests are nominated for all positions of trust, and to have carried out the principles which should always characterize every grange member, that the office should seek the man, and not the man the office. We acknowledge the broad principle that difference of opinion is no erime, and hold that progress toward truth is made by difference of opinion, while the fanlt lies in the bitterness of controversy. We desire a proper equality and fairness; protection of the weak; restraint upon the strong; in short, justly distributed burdens and justly distributed power. These are American ideas, the very essence of American independence, and to advocate contrary is unworthy of the sons and danghters of an Ameriean republic. We cherish the belief that sectionalisin is, and of right should be, dead and buried with the past. Our work is for the present and future of our agricultural brotherhood and its purposes. We shall recognize no North, no South, no East, no West. It is reserved by every patron, as the right of a free man, to affiliate with any party that will but carry out his principles.

"6. Ours being peculiarly a farmer's institution we cannot admit all to our ranks. Many are exeluded by the nature of our organization; not because they are professional men, or laborers, but beeause they have nota sufficient direct interest iu tilling, or pasturing the soil, or they may have some interest to conflict with our purposes; but we appeal to all good citizens tor their cordial coSperation and to assist in our efforts toward reform, so that we may eventually remove from our midst every vestige of tyranny and corruption. We hail the general desire for fraternal harmony, equitable compromise, and earnest codperation as an omen of our tature snecess.

" Last, bat not least, we proglaim it among onr purposes to ineuleate a proper appreciation of the abilities and sphere of woman as indicated by admitting her to membership and position in our order. Iinploring the continued assistance of our Divine Master to guide us in our work, we here pledge ourselves to faithtully and harmoniously labor for all future time to return by our united effurts to the wisdom, justice, fraternity and purity of our forefathers."

It was this grand and noble declaration of prineiples and purposes which gave such strength tu the order and caused it in a few short months to be- come a power for good in the land; to eause monopolists to tremble and extortionists to shake withan apprehension of eoming doom. That it should so soon loose its power is wuch to be regretted, but that its good work lives after it, isseen even to thisday. The farmers, the mechanics and the jabor. ing men have found that they were strong enough to rule when joined together in the cause of right, and the same urganization will again come to the front when imonopolists become tyrants and would oppress and rob those who are their real benefactors. That it checked the railroad cormorants in their insatiable greed is certain, and that the money power felt that the Patrons of Husbandry had rights that muney kings were bound te respect was more than once illustrated by the lack of that defiant tone so common to those who have seenred wealth and usurped power,

The need of more settlers in Daviess county had been apparent for some time. Two trank lines of railroad run through the county, but at a heavy cost, and the next thing an increase of population so that the burden of taxation might become lighter by having more shoulders to bear it. With cheap lands and productive soil Daviess eounty was blessed, and then adding first-class railruad facilities with a hundred thousand dollurs invested in échools and tnition in less than a decade, certainly the inducement that could be offered to immigrants could be exceeded by none, and equaled by few counties in the State. To make these yreat advantages known the Daviess County Immigration Society was formed. The articles of association having been drawn up and signed by those interested in forwarding the organization, a meeting was called on the 22d of July, 1875, to take such action as would make the organization a perminent one. The articles of association were drawn up and the organization was in pursuance of and in accordance with the provisious of article second of ¢ hapter sixty nine of Wagner's Statutes, and chapter sixty-nine of the General Statutes of the State of Missouri. The meeting called was pretty generally attended, and came to order with Maj. 8. P. Cox in the ehair, and Milt. Ewing appointed seeretary.

A full disenssion took place and the merits of such an association and the demand tor one were admitted. After debate, a full board of directors were chosen to manage the business of the association or suciety for one year. The board was composed of the following gentlemen, to hold their offices until July 1, 1867; viz., H.C. MeDougal, 8. P. Cox, J.T. Dann, T. B. Yates, James L. Davis, John Ballinger and Milt. Ewing.

The society then balloted for officers and the following names were selected: president, H. C. MeDougal; vice-president, 5. P. Cox; treasurer, T. B. Yates; secretary, Milt. Ewing.

presented, they were adopted. Thisended the proceedings of the original organization, with the exeeption of appointing township committeemen, which was done, and the following names, with their address, was decided upon: -

The society then appointed a committee to write up the soil, climate, timber and prairies, and the social, educational and chureh statisties of the county, in fact a condensed history, giving a full and acenrate description of the resources of the county, and the opportunities for the purchase of lands, ete. The work was well done and pamphlets of twelve pages written up, covering all the salient points, giving fair and concise information, so that immigrants could not err.

Five thousand of these pamphlets were printed for free distribution in 1876 and since that time. The advance Daviess county has made has beet largely due to the work of this society the iirst year of its existence. Tt should not tlag, but still give its energies to keeping Daviess county in the front rank of progress. A renewal of its organization and of its work would be of vast benefit to this connty. The fertile lands of Daviess county should be tilled, boundless wealth lies in the soil, and needs but the brain and the musele of an energetic people to bring it torth. Let the Immigration Society renew its organization and continue its good work.

This society was organize] December 19. 1877, and was intended as amedium for the interchange of views and expressions of opinion of interest and profit to the medical profession. That duly qualitied physicians alone should become members, those who had acknowledged fealty to the code of ethics adopted for the interest and good government of the profession. A constitution and by laws were adopted and suelother action taken as would best promote the object of the organization. Some sixteen of the medical protession living in the county were present, and took part in the work of organization. Atter the constitution was read and approved and the by-laws adopted, a general disenssion took place as to the scope and intention of the society. At the close, the following ofticers were elected to serve six months, there being semi-annual meetings of' the society fur the election of officers and for the transaction of the regular business semni-monthly meetings were to be held for general disenssion and exchange of views. :

First Officers Members Of Tite Society

The society did not keep up its organization for any great length of time, only about a year and a half, and atter a third annual meeting it came to an end and was merged into what is known as the : an association composing the medical fraternity of some five counties in the valley of Grand River. Physicians of confirmed ability, of scientific attainments, and faithtul workers in the profession. It was thought that a supplemental society was unnecessary, and all their efforts should be given to sustain the parent organization. The Grand River Medical Association holds semi-annual meetings. The annual meeting of each year is held on the first Tuesday of June, and its stated place of meeting is at Chillicothe, Livingston county. - Its semi-annual meetings are hell the first Tuesday of December of each year, and are held at alternate places. The next meeting of the association will be held December 6, 1851, and its place of meeting will be at Breckinridge, Caldwell county, Missouri. The association has been now seven years in existence, and has established a reputation as oue of the ablest bodies of the kind in the State. Dr. W. M. Givens, of Gallatin, was president for one term, and some of its 10st influential members are trom Daviess conuty. The present president is E. A. Waggener, M. D., and its Seeretary is A. L. MeCorkle, M.D. The association is flourishing and of the progressive order. FAIR ASSOUTATION,

It was some years ago, in the neighborhood of a quarter of a century or a little over, that the first tair was held in Daviess county, and some twenty-two years since the organization of the first agricultural society was furmed under the name of the * Daviess County Agricultural Institute."

The first fair was held in the fallof 1855. The president of the association was J. H. MeLeal. Another was held in 1856, and one alse in 1857.

The information promised by the county association has never heen received, and, therefore, its incompleteness must be charged tu those who failed

The Agricultural Institute above referred to was organized in the summer of 1859. John White was president, and W. D. McDonald, secretary. This new organization undoubtedly held several fairs, but the first found of record was in the fall of 1864. A fair was held on September 15th, 16th, and 17th of that year, and the premium list amounted to $765. After this there was again a blank for several years, when the following interesting communication appeared, dated September 7, 1881: -

"Thave resigned the oflice of director, and I am indebted to you who elected me, a debt of gratitude, and in explanation why I resigned. My reasons are that T could not act with the board. I thought it bad policy to run in debt in hard times to the amount of $800, and mortgage the land without any visible means to meet that debt, andas I stood alone in the matter, I have made room to have one appointed that may suit the place better than I ean. I do oppose the move that is on foot to pass the ground ont of the hands of the present stockholders to a fewer number of moneyed men or a monopoly or ring, that is or may be formed. 1 did not know when the $800 was contracted. 1 was notified that there would be a meeting of the' directors at Gallatin on this day, but when I came here I learned that the directors had a meeting on yesterday and mortgaged the land for the $800, and I thought I would get out of the way of some better man that would suit the place. "McoCiamy Wirson."

Mr. Wilson remained quiet after issuing the above, until September 28, 1871, when he had the following letter published in the Missourian. It reads: -

" Editors Missourian: - l lave resigned the office of Director in the Agricultural and Mechanical Association of Daviess county, and a debt of gratitude and an explanation is due those who elected me to this position.

"I thought it bad policy to borrow money on four months' time and mortgage the tair grounds, and being alone in opposition to the move I gave way to some other man.

"7 warn the stockholders to watch their interests, for I see a determination to pass the land that belongs to the company, into the hands of a moneyed monopoly.

* Treceived notice that a meeting would be held by the directors, but when T came to town I found the board lad met and mortgaged the land for $300, and I think the move has effectually killed the fair business in this county.

* MoCiatn Wirson." Mr. Wilson was a pretty true prophet so far as a county fair was concerned, and history will reeord that his prophesy was wonderfully fulfilled. The Fair Association was everlastingly killed.

A powerful attempt at resurrection was made in Febr ruary, 1872, and the array of first class men named would seem to have been sufficient to « give it claim to confidence and support, but it did not, and Mr, Wilson's character for shrewdness lost none of its furce by this attempt at renewing the lift of the Fair Association.

New Incorporation

The Circuit Court, on the 5th day of February, 1872, incorporated the following gentlemen under the name and style of the Agricultural and Meshoniosl Association of Daviess county, viz: -

And yet McClain Wilson drove the nail in the coftin of this organization befvre it was born. This may be a strange assertion, but history corroborates it as a lamentable fact.

There is a belief existing in the minds of some races of people that when they die they assume some different form anid name, but are otherwise ostensibly the same. This has an illustration in the death of the Agricultural and Mechanical Association of Daviess county. Lt las arisen. Not much different in form, but the uame is changed and its object is the same as that of the "dear defunct." It is known as the "Jamesport Fair," and the abore expression, " dear defunct," is the name given it by its successor in speaking of the departed whose death was their resurrection. They hold the memory of the former in great reverence.

This last is the statement of a prominent citizen of Jamesport who seemed to have a knowledge of fairs and their surroundings. The history of the Jamesport Fair Association will be found in Jamesport township's history, embodied in this work.