Greene County, Missouri - Chapter 14: History of the County from April, 1865, to 1870, 1883

Chapter 14: History of the County from April, 1865, to 1870

1865. - "The Martyr President" - New Appointments - Adoption of the "Drake" C. institution - Vote on the Question in Greene County - The Famous 3d Section - The "Oath of Loyalty," etc. - Miscellaneous Matters in the Summer of 1865 - August - September - The Soldiers' Orphans' Home - Good-Bye to the Boys in Blue - The Last Armed Federal Soldier Leaves the County - October - November - Miscellaneous County Court Proceedings. 1866. - Supervisors of Registration - Radical Mass Meeting - A Shooting Scrape - The Reign of the Regulators - Details of the Murder of Capt. G. B. Phillips - Hangmg of Rush and Gorsuch - Parade of the Regulators - Murder of Rev. S. S. Headlee - The November Election - County Court Proceedings - Miscellany. 1867. - Items - Killing of James Simpson by Kindred Rose - Killing of Perry Lewis by Samuel Massej' - Murder of Judge H. C. Christian by Texas "Avengers " - Escape of the " Avengers " - Singular Suicide - Board of Immigration - Location of the National Cemetery. 1868. - Statistics - Storms and Floods - The Political Campaign of 1868. - Abstract of the Vote at the November Election - Miscellaneous Incidents. 1869 - Items - The Memphis, Springfield and Kansas City Railroad - Editors in Council - Statistics - Organization and History of the Confederate Burial Association - Tragedies of 1869 - Killing of Willis Wynn by Wm. Birt - Murder of John Marshall - Fatal Runaway.

The news of the assassination of President Lincoln was received in Greene county with profound regret. In Springfield many business houses were closed, and the town was generally draped in mourning. April 18th, funeral ceremonies in honor of the distinguished dead were held. There were speeches and addresses, a procession, etc, A few rantankerous Confederate sympathizers in the county expressed their delight and satisfaction because the President had been killed, and a few "torn-fool" Radicals wanted to show their great grief by killing every unarmed " rebel sympathizer," but the great majority of the people behaved with becoming propriety during the excitement.

New Appointments

In April, under the " ousting ordinance " of the State Constitution, Gov. Fletcher removed M. J. Hubble (Democrat), clerk of the circuit court, and appointed R. A. C. Mack (Radical) in his stead. Mr. Mack had previously been school commissioner. Col. J. W. Lisenby was appointed clerk of the county, probate and common pleas courts ; the last two named courts had been united by another ordinance. Col. L. entered on his duties May 1.

May 11, Hon. S. H. Boyd was appointed by Gov. Fletcher circuit judge for this court, vice Judge Waddill, removed. Maj. Robt. W. Fyan was appointed prosecuting attorney. All of the new appointees were Radical Republicans. When it came to holding offices in those days, no Democrat needed to apply. Judges Bay and Dryden, of the Supreme Court (Democrats), who had been elected in 1863, were removed by force, being phiced under arrest by the police of St. Louis for refusing to vacate when ordered, they holding the ousting ordinance to be unconstitutional. Those who were removed in Greene county submitted without an audible murmur !

Adoption Of The Drake Constitution

On the 18th of April, the State Convention, by a vote of 38 to 14, adopted an entirely new constitution of the State, which was to be presented to the voters for adoption on the 6th of June. For this constitution Mr. Mack, the delegate from Greene, voted. The canvass which succeeded was one of great bitterness. Although the war was practically over, all of the regular Confederate armies having surrendered, and the Confederate President, Jefferson Davis, a close prisoner, yet a few guerillas and bushwhackers continued in existence in this State, to the detriment of the peace and safety of the sections which they infested. The presence of these villains furnished an excuse for keeping bands of the military in the field, in many counties, to " preserve the peace," hold the guerillas in check, and punish them for disorders.

by the 3d section of the proposed new constitution, debarred from votini^ or holding office, as well as from teaching, preaching, practicing law, etc. And all such were prohibited from voting for or against the adoption of the constitution! A spirit of unrest and malevolence, hatred and ill-will, prevailed among our people, and the character of the issues discussed, to say nothing of the discussions themselves, was not calculated to restore an era of good feeling, or cause the two factious to make haste to clasp hands over the bloody chasm. Hundreds of our tax-payers, many of them old and honored citizens, non-combatants durino- the war and men of education and influence, were disfranchised by the 3d section, and denied the privilege of the ballot in the decision of the great issue before the State - that issue being the adoption or rejection of an organic law, which was to govern them and their children after them.

On the other hand, the Radicals and friends of the new constitution maintained that citizens who, by overt or covert acts, had attempted to destroy their government ; who had, by fighting against the Federal government, "committed treason," or in deeds, words and sympathy, given encouragement to those who had, were not and could not be proper recipients of the ballot. It was further alleged that, had the Confederate armies succeeded, and Missouri become in fact and indeed one of the Confederate States, then every Union man in the State might have considered himself truly fortunate if he had been allowed to live in Missouri ; that no Union soldier, or militiaman, or those who had sympathized with either, would have l)een allowed a vote ; and that, in all probability. Gen. Price's threat, made in the fall of 1861, would have been carried out - and the $250,000,000 worth of property belonging to the Union people of the State would have been confiscated for the benefit of those who had remained loyal to the Confederate cause, and suffered thereby, etc., etc.

In the whole State only 85,478 votes (including soldiers' votes), were cast at the election adopting the new constitution, as follows : For, 43,670; against, 41,808; majority for, 1,862 - a very small majority, indeed, to decide so important a question. The constitution went into effect on the 4th of July following. At this election, Greene county cast a much larger vote than many of her sister counties with equal or larger population. The following was the vote by townships, showing an overwhelming majority in favor of the constitution.

Vote On The Drake Constitution, June 6, 1865 The Third Section Of The Drake Constitution

" The 3d section," frequently mentioned in these pages, referred to section 3 of article 2 of the constitution known as Drake's constitution,^ or the constitution of 1865. This section was as follows : -

Article Ii. Right Of Suffrage

Sec. 3. At any election held by the people under this constitution, or in pursuance of any law of this State, or any ordinance or by-law of an}^ municipal corporation, no person shall be deemed a qualified voter who has ever been in armed hostility to the United States, or to the lawful authorities thereof, or to the government of this State ; or has ever given aid, comfort, countenance, or support to persons engaged in any such hostility ; or has ever, in any manner, adhered to the enemies, foreign or domestic, of the United States, either by contributing to them, or by unlawfully sending within their lines money, goods, letters, or information ; or has ever disloyal!}^ held commuiiication with such enemies, or has ever advised, or aided any person to enter the service of such enemies ; or has ever, by act or word, manifested his adherence to the cause of such enemies, or his desire for their triumph over the armies of the United States, or his sympathy with those engaged in exciting or carrying on rebellion against the United States; or has ever, except under overpowering compulsion, submitted to the authority, or been in the service of the so-called " Confederate States of America ;" or has ever left this State, and gone within the lines of the armies of the so-called " Confederate States ot America " with the purpose of adhering to said States or armies, or has ever been a member of, or connected with, any order, society, or organization inimical to the government of the United States, or to the government of this State ; or has ever been engaged in guerilla

' So-called because the leading spirit in its construction was Hon. Chas. D. Drake, of St. Louis, who, prior to the war, was a strong pro-slavery man.

warfare agjii list loy:il inhabitants of the United States, or in that description of niarandiiiix commonly known as " l)ushwhacking ;" or has ever knowingly or willingly harbored, aided, or countenanced any person so engaged ; or has ever come into, or has ever left this State for the purpose of avoiding enrollment for, or draft into the military service of the United States ; or has ever, with a view to avoid enrollment in the militia of this State, or to escape the performance of duty therein, or for any other purpose, enrolled himself, or authorized himself to be enrolled, by or before any officer as disloyal or as a southern sympathizer, or in any other terms indicated his disaffection to the government of the United States in its contest with the rebellion, or his sympathy with those engaged in such rebellion, or having ever voted at any election by the people of this State, or in any other of the United States, or in any of their territories, or held office in this State, or any other of the United States, or in any of their territories, or under the United States, shall thereafter have sought or received, under claim of alienage, the protection of any foreign government, through any consul, or other officer thereof, in order to secure exemption from military duty in the militia of this State, or in the army of the United States ; nor shall au}^ such person be capable of holding in this State any office of honor, trust, or profit under its authority ; or of beins: anv officer, councilman, director, trustee, or other manao:er of any corporation, public or private, now existing, or hereafter established by its authority ; or of acting as a professor or teacher in any educational institution, or in any common or other school ; or of holding any real estate or any property in trust for the use of church, religious society, or congregation.

But the foregoing provisions in relation to acts done against the United States, shall not apply to any person not a citizen thereof, who shall have committed such acts while in the service of some foreign country at war with the United States, and who has, since such acts, been naturalized, or may hereafter be naturalized under the laws of the United States ; and the oath of loyalty hereafter prescribed, when taken by any such person, shall be considered as taken in such sense.

I, A. B., do solemnly swear that I am well acquainted with the terms of the third section of the second article of the constitution of the State of Missouri, adopted in the year 1865, and have carefully considered the same ; that I have never, directly or indirectly, done any of the acts in said section specified ; that I have always been truly and loyally on the side of the United States, against all enemies thereof, foreign and domestic ; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the United States, and will support the constitution and laws thereof as the supreme law of the land, any law or ordinance of any

State to the contrary notwithstanding ; that I will, to the best of my ability, protect and defend the Union of the United States, and not allow the same to be broken up and dissolved, or the government thereof to be destroyed or overthrown, under any circumstances, if in my power to prevent it ; that I will support the constitution of the State of Missouri, and that I make this oath without any mental reservation or evasion, and hold it to be binding upon me.

Sec. 9. No person shall assume the duties of any State, county, city, town, or other office, to which he may be appointed, otherwise than by a vote of the people ; nor shall any person, after the expiration of sixty days after this constitution takes effect, be permitted to practice as an attorney or counselor at law ; nor, after that time, shall any person be competent as a bishop, priest, deacon, minister, elder, or other clergyman of any religious persuasion, sect, or denomination, to teach, or preach, or solemnize marriages ; unless such person shall have first taken, subscribed and filed said oath.

Sec. 11. Every court in which any person shall be summoned to serve as a grand or petit juror, shall require him, before he is sworn as a juror, to take said oath in open court ; and no person refusing to take the same shall serve as a juror.

No wonder the ex-Confederates and those who sympathized with them hated intensely the Drake constitution, and still retain vivid and bitter memories of the days when it was in force. Happily those days have passed! and with them nearly all of the bitterness and animosities then engendered.

By another section of Article II. every person holding any office of honor, trust, or profit in this State, whether under the authority of the State or any municipal corporation, was required to take the oath within 60 days after the adoption of the constitution. By August 15 no less than 87 office-holders in this county had complied with the law in this particular.

Miscellaneous Matters During 1865

Owing to the presence at Springfield of large quantities of government stores, the general hospital for the Army of the Frontier, and the fact that it was headquarters for the district of Springfield, commanded by Gen. John B. Sanborn, troops were stationed here until in the fall of the year, growing smaller by degrees and beautifully less each month, however. On the 18th of May Gen. Mullings accepted the appointment of colonel of the 12th regiment of " Missonri Militia," or M. M., an organization gotten up in 1865 to "preserve the peace." There were two regiments of the " M. M." organized in Greene county. Jacob Hursh was colonel of the other regiment - the 13th. Gen. Mullings was placed in command of all the militia in this district.

In June a church building belonging to the negroes of Springfield was burned by an inceiidiary fire. It had been used as a school building for some time.

About the first of the month there was quite a temperance revival in the place, a reformation badly needed at that time, as there were a great many hard characters in the town then, and consequently much drunkenness and disorderly conduct. Gamblers, thieves, bnllies and prostitutes infested the place, and came near running it, despite the provost guards and the orders of the military commandants. On the 20th the soldiers got drunk, quarreled and fought among themselves, and one of them, without provocation, shot a negro named Dick Hornbuckle.

June 9th, the citizens met and passed resolutions complimentary to Gen. John B. Sanborn, who had been ordered from the command of the district of Springfield to go against the Indians in Colorado. Gen. S.'s administration in Springfield gave very general satisfaction, and to this day he has many friends and admirers in Greene county. Gen. Sanborn was succeeded in the command of the district by Brig.- Gen. McKean, who came in June 20.

On the 25th of June about 75 ex-Confederates, from the old trans- Mississippi army, passed through the county on their way to their homes in various parts of the Southwest. They were kindly treated by the Federal soldiers at Springfield.

July 6th one battalion of the 14th Missouri cavalry, Col. Gravelly's regiment, which had been stationed in this county for some time, left for Fort Riley, Kansas, intending to accompany Gen. Sanborn against the Indians. - During the summer many bodies of Federal troops were ordered to Springfield to be paid off and mustered out of service. July 13, two regiments were so disposed of. - About the 1st of July the stage made its first regular trip between Springfield and Neosho since 1861. - During the months of June and July Col. John D. Allen, 16th Missouri cavalry; Col. Thos. Derry, 2d Wisconsin cavalry ; Col. Dudley Seward and Maj. Albert Barnitz, the two latter of the 2d Ohio cavalry, were successively in command of thejpos^ or sub-district of Springfield. The 2d Wisconsin left for Fort Leavenworth July 20th. - On the 27th the general hospital at Springfield was reduced to a post hospital, and placed in charge of Dr. Moxley. Dr. H. S. Chenoweth had been relieved as surgeon of the post some days before and returned to his practice in this county.

August. - The men in the employ of the government at Springfield were few, but they were turbulent and some of them very wicked. August 4, in a quarrel, Jerome Leeper, a bad character and in the government service, shot and killed another employee, a man 45 years of age, from Iowa. Leeper had been released from confinement in the stockade, only a few days before. He made good his escape. - August 10, the fourth anniversary of the battle of Wilson's Creek, the siege guns which had been planted in the forts at Springfield were started for Kolla, escorted by two companies of the 2d Ohio cavaliy. Other ordnance and the ordnance stores soon followed. In a few days four other companies of the 2d Ohio left for St. Louis to be mustered out. There were left behind four other companies of the same regiment to oruard the other government stores left behind, and it was announced that as soon as these stores should be disposed of the soldiers would leave. Military encampments and buildings now began to disappear quite rapidly. The soldier's occupation was gone, and he began to beat his sword into a plowshare and fashion his bayonet into a pruning hook. - August 10 a meeting was held at the courthouse in Springfield for the formation of a society whose purpose should be the erection of a monument on the Wilson's Creek battle ground to the memory of the Federals who had fallen there four years before to a day. Jacob Baughman presided over this meeting, and Judge S. H. Boyd was secretary. An organization was effected by the choice of R. J. McElhany as president of the association, John A. Mack vice president, and other prominent citizens as members. Nothino; ever came of the matter of a substantial character.

September. - About the 1st of this month, a school mistress, plying her profession in this county, was forced to give up her school because she could not take the " oath of loyalty " required by the Drake constitution, inasmuch as she had sympathized with the Confederate cause. At the same time it was believed that other teachers were at work with far less scruples about the binding force of the oath. On the 18th there was a great sale of government property at Spring- field by Quartermaster R. B. Owen. There were sold for cash 460 head of horses, 35 mules, 17 oxen, 322 sets of harness, 56 wagons, blacksmiths' and carpenters' tools, etc., etc. The horses, many of them good ones, brought an average of about $40 a piece. - During this month corn fell to 20 cents per bushel ; meal, 50 cents ; potatoes, 50 cents, and other articles of produce sold in proportion. Owing to the fondness of the soldiers for fresh pork, when they were here, there was a great scarcity of stock hogs in the county, and these animals were very dear. On the 12th the post hospital at Springfield was broken up, and the sick soldiers, only four in number, were sent to Rolla. Dr. Moxley, the surgeon in charge, started for his home in Ohio the same day to be mustered out of service. - About the 10th Brevet Brig. Gen. John E. Phelps and Capt. Orr, both late of the 2d Arkansas Cavalry, arrived at their Greene county homes.

For some time an association of ladies had been formed in this county whose object was the maintenance of an asylum or " home " wherein the orphans of Federal soldiers who had died in the civil war could be cared for until they reached an age when they could care for themselves. At the head of this association was Mrs. Mary Phelps, wife of Hon. John S. Phelps. For her services in caring for the body of Gen. Lyon, and the valuable assistance rendered the Union army generally. Congress had given Mrs. Phelps the sum of $20,000, and this she had mainly expended in fitting up the "home" and in caring for its inmates. The home was situated at first in the east ' part of town and then removed south of Springfield a mile or so, and the building still stands.

For the purpose of caring for her charges properly, Mrs. Phelps resolved to get up a fair in Springfield this fall, the proceeds to go towards defraying certain necessary expenses of the orphans. In explanation Mrs. Phelps published the following card in the Springfield newspapers, about the middle of September.

The fair for the orphans will be opened at the court-house on the 17th of Octol)er. Since notice was published that there would be a fair to raise funds for the relief of orphans, many inquiries have been made of me. I will here state, that there may be no misunderstanding, the fair is not gotten up by the ladies of the Orphans' Home Association, to raise funds to purchase a permanent home; but by myself, with the aid of every lady who feels interested in the comfort of the orphan and half orphan children under my care. The funds raised by the fair are to be put to immediate use. We wish to lay in wood and provisions for the winter ; the house must have some repairs, and it is very desirable a fence should be put around the house, and if every lady will contribute the '* widow's mite, " we shall have abundance to make these dear children comfortable through the winter. All the ladies who feel interested, and will give their assistance will meet Saturday evening, at Mrs. E. M. Bowren's at 7 o'clock, for consultation and arrangements.

That excellent lady, Mrs. J. 8. Phelps, of Springiield, Mo., is still engaged in deeds of charity. From the day the remains of Gen. Lyon were brought to her house from the battle-field, she has ceased not to give herself to serving soldiers, refugees, the sick and the wounded. The orphans of those who have fallen in this cruel war came in for a large share of her charity and beneficence. She proposes in a card in the Springfield papers to have a fair by the ladies of that city in order to provide for orphans before the coining of winter. How chilly this world would be if there were no good women in it.

Good-Bye To The Boys In Blue

During the month of September the last squad of Federal soldiers stationed in this county left for their homes and to engage in other avocations. These troops belonged to the 2d Ohio Cavalry. On the 7th of September the four companies that had remained at Springfield to care for the government property took up the line of march for Rolla, leaving about 20 men behind. Five days afterward Capt. Hillhouse, with 20 more men returned and took command of the post. These 40 soldiers were all that were left in Southwest Missouri at this time, where so many thousands had been but a year before, and they were only waiting " marching orders " to take their departure for their homes oflf in the Buckeye State.

And at last " marching orders " came. On the morning of the 23d the bugler of the little troop stood out and sounded his bugle a merry fanfare as he blew out the notes clear and strong of the " bootsand-saddles " call. How he blew, that bugler ! Blew as if he would burst his cheeks. Blew till he " set the wild echoes flying" down the now peaceful valley of Wilson's creek, and over and among the Ozarks far and wide, letting all the people know that at last the dread-

Later in the day the company, Hillhouse at its head, fnlly equipped for a march, save in the matter of ammunition, road merrily through Springfield, taking St. Louis street that led out upon the wire road which in turn led on to RoUa, and still on to Ohio. As they rode through the town, the men called out, part in jest and part in earnest, part in glee and part in sadness, "good-bye" to everj'^body they saw. " Good-bye, sweetheart," " Good-bye, judge," " Good-bye, Johnny," "Good-bye, my friend," "Good-bye, Mr. Blank," " Good-bye, auntie," " Good-bye, Springfield." At the top of the little eminence on the St. Louis road, just east of where the poorhouse now stands, the little column halted - the little column of 40 men that was the rear guard of the entire Federal army, gigantic in all its parts, that had been called the Army of the Frontier. " Three cheers for the people of Springfield," demanded Captain Hillhouse, and they were given with a will. Then the captain and the bugler rode out and faced the town. Winding his clear-voiced horn loud and melodious, the trumpeter, rising in his stirrups with the efl[brt, blew out the sad notes of the " retreat." When the echoes had died and the strains were floating faintly away, the two men took their places again at the head of the company, and so passed out of sight and away the last of the blue-coats.

The ex-Confederate soldier, at work in his field, striving to repair his wasted farm and mend his broken fortunes, heard the Inigle call, saw the little cavalcade in l)lue, knew what it all meant, and, resting upon his implement, mused a long time. The maiden waved a snowy scarf and gazed after the soldiers until they passed out of sight, although she had seen thousands of soldiers marching before. All the people called out to the men with a queer feeling at the heart they had never felt before, and gazed after them as they ambled away toward the point of compass from whence comes the rosy sunrise.

October. - On the 9th a little son of R. G. Strickland, living six miles from Springfield, fell into a kettle of boiling h'e, and was scalded to death. - On the 21st there was a Democratic meeting at Springfield, the first since the close of the war. Only a small number of the " unterrified " were present, the Democrats in this county at that day being few and full of discouragement. Col. John S. Phelps called the meeting to order, and John Woods presided. Resolutions were adopted indorsing President Johnson's policy toward the subjugated Southern States and approving the holding of a mass convention of the Democrats at St. Louis. Speeches were made by Phelps and Woods, who exhorted the brethren to hold out faithful and not to be cast down because of their present forlorn condition and gloomy prospects. - On the night of the 23d John Q. Appleby, living five miles northeast of Springfield, was robbed of $600 in cash and $700 in notes by three men, unknown. The robbers called at the house and asked to be allowed to stay all night. Mr. A. had retired and his two sons went out to the gate and were made prisoners. They were guarded by one of the brigands, while the other two went into the house and did the robbing. The guard said that they were professional robbers, and that the business was fairly profitable. - The proceeds of the soldiers' orphans' fair, held on the 26th, were $442.90, of which Mrs. E. M. Boren received over $200. The fair was adjourned until December 24.

November. - On the 16th Capt. R. J. McElhany obtained a charter for the 1st National Bank of Springfield. The capital stock Avas $150,000. - About the last of the month there was great interest felt throughout the county in the proposed extension of the " Southwest Branch" of the Pacific (now the "Frisco" road) to Springfield.

April 3. - S. F. Gibson was appointed county collector for two years, vice A. M. Julian. - County treasurer's salary was fixed at $250 per year, the same as it had been for three or four years past. - R. A. C. Mack, had been performing the duties of county school commissioner for 16 months. - County court justices commenced getting $5 per day.

April 5. - John A. Mack appointed and commissioned judge of the probate and common pleas court, under the '- ousting ordinance." In August Al. Demuth was appointed deputy clerk.

April 15. - J. W. D. L. F. Mack, was appointed county attorney until April 1, 1866, at a salary of $400 per year. - The order heretofore made for collector and treasurer to receive Union military bonds, rescinded, and a new order made, authorizing these oflicers to receive 50 per cent of the county revenue proper in these bonds.

October 3. - A vacancy existing in the office of county surveyor, the county court orders its clerk to recommend John L. McCraw to the Governor for appointment.

December 26. - The collector returns his land and personal delinquent list for this year, amounting to $1,973.34, of which $642.57, was county tax, $579.42 State, and $751.35 military tax. Also a personal income tax list amounting to $546.06.

December 31. - The total receipts into the county treasury this year were onl}'^ $784. 62 in the revenue fund, but the collector had on hand over $3,000 not paid over to the treasurer.

Deaths Of Prominent Citizens In 1865

March 23, Judge Alexander Younger, in Texas, to which State he had removed prior to 1850, aged 80. - June 22, Rev. Thomas Potter, aged 73. - May 3, Judge John Dade. - November 29, Joseph Farrier, of consumption, aged about 55. - October 5, wife of L. A. D. Crenshaw, aged 37. - About November 1, Col. Jacob Hursh. - November 14, James R. Danforth.

In February the Governor appointed John L. McCraw supervisor of the registration of voters for Greene county. Mr. McCraw appointed the following officers to assist him : For Taylor township, John W. Smith ; Clay, Asa Lyman ; Wilson, Wm. T. Ward ; Pond Creek, Hugh Boyd; Center, L. D. O. Nicholson; Campbell, L. A. Rountree ; Jackson, A. J. Potter ; Robberson, James K. Alsup ; Cass, Stephen H. Julian ; Boone, R. S. Waddill.

On the 1st of November the reofister announced the number of legally qualified voters in the several townships of the county to be as follows : -

B. B. Price Radical Mass Meeting

In the winter of 1866 upon the precipitancy of the quarrel between President Johnson and the Radical majority in Congress, the Radicals of Greene county earl}^ ranged themselves against the President. March 3d, a mass meeting was held in the court-house at Sprino-field to endorse the action of Congress in passing the Freedman's Bureau Bill over the President's veto.

A. B. Matthews was chairman and J. W. Lisenby secretary of this meeting. Speeches were made by R. W. Fyan, Col. Baker, John A. Mack, Lieut. Creii^hton and Mr. Kneelund, all indorsinjr Cono-ress and condemning the President. The following resolutions, among others, were unanimously adopted : -

Resolved, That the late acts of Andrew Johnson have been such as to utterl}^ destroy our faith in his integrity, and that we henceforth utterly abjure all party allegiance to him whatsoever.

A Shooting Scrape

March 24, a Mr. Wright, a newcomer, from Illinois, living on Mrs. Campbell's farm, south of Springfield, was shot and badly wounded ])y James Robertson, in a wanton, wicked manner. Robertson and two men named Settles were returning from Springfield, much under the influence of liquor. One of the Settles brothers was so drunk that he could not well sit his horse. Coming up with Wright, who was driving in a wagon, the party demanded that he siiould haul the drunken man home. He refused, saying he and his team were too tired, whereupon Robertson drew his pistol and fired, hittiufi' Wright in the neck. Robertson was released on $1,500 bail.

The Reign Of The Regulators

During the spring and summer of this year there was much excitement throughout the country occasioned by the doings of the " Regulators. "' For some time there had been a great deal of lawlessness in this county and in Southwest Missouri generally. Robberies and horse stealings were so common as to be every day occurrences, and even murders were not rare. It seemed tliat there was an organized band responsible for those depredations, since there was something of method and system about their perpetration, indicating delil)eration and much wise phmning. Few of the rogues were caught; fewer still were punished. Courts of justice seemed powerless to afford relief ; the legal officers were unable to give protection.

At this crisis there was organized in this county, with headquarters at and about Walnut Grove, a band of men called the " Regulators, " or " Honest Men's League, " whose avowed object was the repression and punishment of crime of all sorts, and by any means. This organization was composed of men of both political parties and of all of the reputable classes. It may have contained some bad men, but it had many good men in it. Ex-Federal and ex-Confederate soldiers were numbered among its members, and, indeed, among its victims. Some of the best citizens of Boone, Cass, Robberson and Walnut Grove townships were " Regulators, ". and it was publicly and openly announced that the object of their organization was to rid the country of thieves and robbers, through the forms of law if possible, but if necessary to execute justice on the guilty in its own way, on the grounds of necessity and in self-defense.

About the last of May the " Regidators " began to move in earnest, taking the law in their own hands. Their first victim was Capt. Green B. Phillips, of Cass township. Capt. Phillips had been a prominent citizen of Greene, and had been in the Federal service during the war in this count3\ He was a captain in the 74th E. M. M., and did valiant and valuable service at the defense of Springfield, as is noted on other pages of this volume. But he incurred the suspicion and fell under the ban of the " Regulators, " as a sympathizer with and an aider and abettor of crime and criminals, and was taken from his family and made to yield up his life as a penalty.

Cai)t. Phillips lived about two miles northeast of Cave Springs. Earl}^ one morning about the 23d of May, in this year (186G) he was at his corn-crib o-ettiuir corn to feed his stock. A ni^ht or two before, the " Regulators" had met in secret conclave, passed sentence of death upon him and detailed three men to carry it out. These three men had come to the captain's premises about daylight and secreted themselves near the stable, where they knew he would come early to attend to his " chores." ^

About sunrise Capt. Phillips appeared, and, entering his crib, began husking corn. He was unarmed, and the first intimation he received of danger was when, on looking up, he saw three formidable looking revolvers covering him through the cracks between the logs of the crib. Two of the "destroying angels" kept him covered, while the third went to the crib door and ordered him out. He obeyed and was placed between two of the men, each ot whom held him by an arm, while the other followed in the rear. They had proceeded only about twenty feet toward the gate leading to the timber, whither they were carrying him, when Capt. Phillips, who was a man of great strength, jerked loose from his captors and started to run. He ran about thirty feet and stumbled and fell over a hog that chanced to lie in his way. As he rose to his feet he was shot by two of the '* Regulators, " one of the bullets passing through his body, making three distinct bullet holes. As a stable stood between the crib and the house, none of the captain's family could see and identify the assassins.

There have always been those who asserted that Capt. Phillips was put to death without just cause or provocation ; that through friendship he had befriended certain men accused of crime, but that he had never committed himself or induced others to commit a crime of which he ever shared the profits. This may be true - it may be true.

But the were not yet satisfied. Other victims were demanded, and so a few days later, or on the 26th of May, they visited Walnut Grove, and made prisoners of two men named John Rush and Charlie Gorsuch, who, it was said, were among the thieves and robbers that had so long terrorized the country. The two accused were taken out and in less than an hour their dead bodies swung and swayed in the soft May breezes, and there were but few who cared to honor their memory or ex[)ress regret either at the fact or the manner of their taking off.

From members of the" Regulators " willino: to give information for th<3 purposes of history, it has been learned that Rush and Gorsuch were ex-members of the Federal militia. Gorsuch had married Rush's daughter. A day or two after the killing of Capt. Phillips, they went to Walnut Grove and in denouncing the murder made threats against two of the " Regulators," who, they asserted, were the assassins.

day at the Rice school house, northeast of Walnut Grove. Some parties bore word to the meeting of the presence of the two men in Walnut Grove, and their threats were repeated. The " Regulators " immediatly went into executive session, passed a sentence of death on Rush and Gorsuch, and straightway proceeded to Walnut Grove to carry it out. They entered the viUage from four difi'erent directions, found their victims in a store, made them prisoners, carried them about a mile southwest of town, and hung them to a red-bud tree.

Other work of the " Regulators " was the assisting of Deputy SheritF Isaac Jones in the arrest of some parties near Walnut Grove, wlio were charged with stealing. Seven of those arrested were confined in jail. The names of all arrested were Joseph MuUinax, Jackson Smith, Samuel Richards, Jasper Fly, James Davis, John Ferryman, Donnell Cochran, and Marion Fortune. These men were arrested about the 6th of June. Some of them were afterwards bailed out, whereupon the "Regulators" published the following card, being determined that the accused should be brought to trial, without any nonsense about change of venue, continuances, and other devices incident to the " law's delay." As published, the card read : -

We, the Reguhitors, organized to assist in the enforcement of the civil law, and to put down an extensive thieving organization, known to exist in our midst, having succeeded in arresting and committing to jail a number of persons charged with grand larceny, robbing and general lawlessness, whom we believe to be bad men ; and finding several of them have been bailed out, thereby extending to them an ojjportunity of again putting into execution their diabolical pnrposes of robbing, plundering and murdering their neighbors : Therefore, we hereby give notice, that all persons bailing such parties out of jail will be regarded as in sympathy il" not in full co-operation with such, and will be held strictly responsible for the conduct and personal appearance at court for trial, of all persons thus bailed out of jail. Emphatically by the Regulators.

After the hanging of Rush and Gorsuch the "Regulators" concluded to make a display of their force and an open defense of their action. Almut the 1st of June 280 of them rode into Springfield, formed in a hollow square, in front of the court-house, on the public yquarc, and organized a meeting. Speeches were made by Rev.

Mr. Brown, a Presbyterian minister; Major Downing, Col. James H. Baker, and Senator J. A. Mack, sympathizing with the purposes and justifying the action of the "Honest Men's League," or " Reguhitors," although deploring the necessity for such an organization. On the other hand Hon. John M. Richardson and Col. John S. Phelps spoke discountenancing the " League," and condemning its action. They asserted that the civil law was all-powerful for the prevention and punishment of whatever of lawlessness there was in the country, and that all that was needed was its vigorous enforcement. They added that if the laws were not enforced by those whose duty it was to enforce them, the remedy lay in electing men who would do their duty, and not in taking upon themselves the province of court, jury, and executioner.

The meeting adjourned, but the organization existed for some time, and it is claimed did far more good than harm, though in principle it may have been far wrong. Indeed, there are those who have since expressed a wish for the re-organization of the " Regulators."

Killing Of Rev. S. S. Headlee

July 26th of this year occurred the murder of Rev. S. S. Headlee, just across the line in Webster county, but near the northeast corner of Greene. Rev. Headlee was a minister of the M. E, Church South. At the breaking out of the war he espoused, in sympathy at least, the Confederate cause. It was charged that at one time, in 1861, he tore down a Union flag in his neighborhood and dared its friends to attempt its protection.

At the close of the war Mr. Headlee was appointed presiding elder of the M. E. Church South for this district, and began the work of reorganizing churches. He attempted to organize a church at Pleasant View, a church building claimed by both Northern and Southern Methodists. The neighborhood surrounding Pleasant View was at that time intensely Radical, and there was already a congregation of Northern Methodists, under the leadership of Rev. H. W. McNabb, in possession of the church. Rev. Headlee's announcement that he would preach at Pleasant View on a certain da}'' was met by a remonstrance signed by 28 men of the community, notifying him that he would not be allowed to occupy the building, and warning him to keep away. As the Southern Methodists had a deed for the church 8ite, and the building had been nearly completed by' them, Mr. Headlee concluded to disregard the warninsf, which had been given to the press for publication, aiitl make at least an attemi)t to possess the church building, which in truth had been completed and partially furnished in 1865 by the Northern Methodists.

At the day appointed there was quite a crowd at Pleasant View, and intense excitement. The Radicals and Northern Methodists largely outnumbered Mr. Headlee and his friends, and not only refused to give up the church, but declared that Mr. Headlee should not speak there, and there was a war of words between Revs. Headlee and Mc- Nabb for a time, the former reading from the discipline of the church and from certain ecclesiastical authorities to show his right to the church, and the latter maintaining that all rights of Mr. H. and his friends had been forfeited and invalidated Iw their " treason and rebellion," as he called it. At last ten of the Northern Methodists stepped aside and after a brief consultation approached Rev. Headlee and said: "Mr. Headlee, we have heard enough from you ; it is time for you to leave." Headlee, thoroughly frightened, appealed to Rev. McNabb for protection, and the latter replied that if he (Headlee) would leave and never come back he would not be hurt.

Headlee then asked if he might go upon his own land, half a mile south of Pleasant View, and preach to those who desired to hear him. McNabb replied, " Yes, j^ou may preach to your own rebel brethren, on 3'^our own land, as much as you please." Headlee then asked if he would be followed. McNabb and the leader of the ten replied, "No." The congregation then broke up, but Mr. Headlee had not proceeded more than a quarter of a mile when he was fired upon and mortally wounded. Two balls passed through his body, and he died within a few minutes. Rev. McNabb stated that he saw Headlee after he was shot and before he died, and that he declared that the man who shot him had a scar on his face.

This was the way that brethren and followers of the meek and lowly Jesus dwelt together in unity in those da3'^s of the reconstruction period.

There was the most intense excitement, not only in Greene and Webster counties, but throughout the State, over the murder of Mr. Headlee, for murder it was, cold-blooded, heartless, and unextenuated. The unfortunate gentleman had many relatives in this county, many of whom had l)een strong Union men and were then earnest Radicals, and he had hosts of friends and admirers everywhere. The grand jury of Webster county indicted McNabb, but, upon his trial at Hartville, he was acquitted. He was always censured for his connection with the aftair, and many believed that although he might not have fired the fatal shot he was the chief instigator in having it fired. Another man named Wm. Drake was also accnsed of having done the killing, and in August, 1871, was arrested. Upon his trial he was acquitted. For other particulars of this affair the reader is referred to a volume called " Martyrdom in Missouri."

The November Election, 1866

The political canvass of this year was of unusual interest. The rebels " and the " rebel sympathizers " were all disfranchised, and, like the bound boy at the husking, could do nothing but look on and work while the others danced. None but the "truly loyal" could vote, but not all of the "truly loyal" were Radicals. John M. Richardson, Marcus Boyd, and John S. Phelps, all unconditional Union men from first to last, and all of whom fought at the head of Federal regiments during the war, were now the leaders of the Democratic and conservative Republicans, indorsing President Johnson's policy of reconstruction and claiming that, now that the war was over, by-gones ought to be by-gones, the war issues, being dead, should be ignored, and the States lately in hostility to the general government restored to their original positions in the Union, under the constitution, Avith all their rights and privileges unimpaired.

The Radicals, as the Republicans were called, denounced Richardson and Andrew Johnson as renegades, and the Democrats as copperheads and sympathizers, and declared that "the rebels who brought on the war ought to be made to suffer for it ; " that none but those who had always been loyal to the government were fit to govern it, and especially that " no man tainted with the leprosy of treason ought to be permitted to have a share in governing a country which he had tried to destroy, and whose father was George Washington."

In July the Republicans nominated Col. Joseph J. Gravelly, of Cedar county, for Congress. Later the Democrats and Johnson men, without a ghost of a chance of success, brought out Judge John S. Waddill, of this county. For State senator S. S. Headlee, of this county, and J. L. Rush were candidates. The Republicans of Greene nominated a full county ticket, headed by Lucius A Rountree and Gen. Mullings for representatives. The other nominees were: For county justices, T. A. Reed, Benj. Kite, and Woodson Howard ; for circuit clerk, J. W. Lisenby ; county clerk, Albert Demuth ; probate clerk, J. M. Rountree ; sheriff, John A. Patterson ; treasurer, James Abbott; supervisor of registration, J. L. McCraw ; assessor, J. T. Walker; coroner, F. Scholten.

The Democratic ticket was called the "National Union Ticket," and was* made up of Democrats and conservative Republicans, as follows: For State superintendent of common schools, John F. Williams; for Congress, J. S. Waddill ; for State senator, Maj. J. L. Rush ; for circuit attorney, John R. Cox ; for representatives, first district, Z. M. Rouutree ; second district, Capt. N. D. Jenkins ; for circuit clerk, Maj. John Hursh ; for county clerk, F. H. Warren ; for clerk probate and common pleas court, Lieut. Wm. P. Doran ; for sherifl*, Capt. J. C. Hurd ; for county treasurer, Wlu. McAdams, Sr. ; for superintendent common schools, Dr. T. W. Coltrane ; for supervisor registration, Capt. Alfred M. Julian; for assessor, F. M. Thomson ; for county justices, J. R. Earnest, Samuel Piper, and W. B. Farmer; for coroner, Chas. W. Scholten.

During the canvass. Republican meetings were held in Springfield, one of which, July 19th, was addressed by Chas. D. Drake, the so-called father of the '* Drake constitution." The Democrats held but few meetings, and they were illy attended and spiritless affairs.

The election in November was of course an overwhelming triumph for the Republicans. Out of about 1,400 votes cast in this county they received an average of 1,075. For Congress the vote stood.

As showing the relative strength of the two political parties in certain counties of Southwest Missouri, at this time, the vote in this senatorial district, then the 19th, is herewith appended :

County Court Proceedings In 1866

March 19, J. M. Richardson was authorized to receive and receipt in the name of the county for $2,500, due from the United States for damage done to the court-house by government troops during the war.

April 3, John A.Patterson was appointed commissioner of public buildings, vice T. A. Reed resigned. - The county was divided into two representative districts. Thereafter Campbell township was to have only one voting precinct, because the State constitution required every man to vote in his own township.

May 14, H. S. Creighton was appointed county superintendent of common schools until one was elected, and was ordered to proceed at once to visit, organize and set in operation the several schools of the county ; salary $3 per day for time actually employed. .

April 5, Hon. H. T. Blow, Judge Bates and Capt. James B. Eads, of St. Louis, visited this county in the interests of the Southwest branch railroad. Mr. Blow made a speech at Springfield.

A public meeting of the indorsers of President Johnson's policy of reconstruction was held at the county seat. May 31. Col. John M. Richardson, the original Lincoln Republican, made a strong speech, indorsing the President, denouncing the Freedman's Bureau Bill, the Civil Rights Bill, Congress, and the Radical Republicans of the North and South, A Col. Foster responded.

A grand 4th of July celebration was held this year at Sprinfijfield, in Gott's grove. Addresses were delivered by Gov. Fletcher, Prof. Parker, the State School Superintendent, and others.

August 1, the ex-Federal soldiers held a meeting at the court-house to aid in securing the passage by Congress of the equalization of bounties" bill. Col.R. W. Fyan presided.

October 20th, Geo. Bryant, living on Wilson's creek, committed suicide by shooting himself with a revolver. He left a family consistins: of a wife and some small children.

In August Col. John M. Richardson, Col. Marcus Boyd, and Warren H. Graves attended President Johnson's "reconciliation" convention, at Philadelphia.

The spring of 1866 was very backward. By the 1st of June not half of the corn crop was planted, and May 29th a heavy frost fell greatly injuring early wheat and garden vegetables. In August, owiug to its great scarcity, bacon sold at 30 cents per pound.

Among the prominent citizens of the county who died this year were Mrs. Louisa Campbell, widow of John P. Campbell, who died May 29th, and Col. Marcus Boyd, who died November 30th, honored and respected by all that knew him. At the time of his death Col. Boyd was postmaster at Springfield.

The assessor's books for this year showed 2,893 names. The assessed value of real estate in the county exceeded $1,800,000. The taxable property of Springfield amounted to $554,000, and the number of polls was 260. The total value of real and personal property in the county was $3,211,786. A county tax of 40 cents on the $100 was levied.

February 28 the land office at Springfield was reopened for business, but in a day or two closed, because the register and receiver, appointed by Andrew Johnson, had not been confirmed by the U. S. Senate, with which body the President was then engaged in quarreling, and under the Civil Tenure-of-Office Bill, those officers could no longer act. In April Hon. John S. Waddill was confirmed as register, and June 10th the office was reopened. From the 10th to the 30th of June there were entered at this office under the homestead act 19,- 634 acres ; with militarv land warrants, 320 acres ; with Agricultural lu January A. Hollo way was reappointed keeper of the county poor farm, "Alphabet" Mack county attorney, and M. J. Hubble, county road commissioner, the latter at a salary of $1,000 a year. Other appointments were those of John Laney, Col. F. S. Jones, and Hugh Boyd in July as cattle inspectors under the Texas cattle fever law, and J. T. Hubbard in November, by the Governor, as public administrator.

A grand 4th of July celebration was held at Springfield this year. One of the noticeable features was the little flock of Federal soldiers' orphans in the care of Mrs. Phelps. They were all dressed in a uniform expressly prepared for the occasion by that lady.

The first fair of the Southwestern District Fair Association since 1861 was held this year at Springfield, October 16th, 17th, 18th, and 19th. It was fairly successful.

April 4th the first number of the Springfield Leader, a Democratic paper, was issued by O. S. Fahnestock & Co. The paper was an eight-column folio, and announced that politically it would uphold the principles of conservative Democracy. One of the proprietors, Mr. Fahnestock, had been in the Federal service during the war ; another, Mr. D. C. Kennedy, the present proprietor, had been a Confederate soldier.

Deaths. - May 29th Mrs. Ophelia Perkins, aged 33, wifeof Capt. J. B. Perkins, and daughter of J. M. Rountree. - January 19th, Judge John Murray. - October 15th, David Appleby, aged 79.

About the 28th of February a quarrel occurred in a blacksmith shop in Springfield between two old men, James Simpson and Kindred Rose. Both men were old citizens of the county. Rose came here in 1831. There are no fools like old fools, and the two men allowed their ill-temper to get beyond all proper bounds. Simpson had been drinking but was not much intoxicated. He began taunting Rose about having "gone South " in 1861. Rose replied in a contemptuous manner regarding the Federal government, when Simpson caught up a pair of tongs and exclaimed, -' You shan't talk that way to me." Rose seized a bar of iron and struck Simpson on the side of the head, knocking him down. Other parties interfered and the fight stopped.

Murphy, and pronounced not dangerous at all. Simpson, with two or three friends, went to the Lyon House (now the Southern) took a drink, and started home. Soon after starting he fell into a stupor and alarming symptoms set in. The wagon was stopped and Simpson taken into the house of Mrs. McFarland. He continued to grow worse from hour to hour and died the next morninof.

At first Mr. Rose was taken before the city recorder and fined $10 and costs for assault and battery. On Simpson's death, however, Rose was re-arrested waived examination and was ])ound over in the sum of $10,000. Upon his trial he was acquitted on the ground of self-defense. Hon. John S. Phelps was his counsel.

Killing Of Perry Lewis By Samuel Massey

On the night of March 27, in Springfield, a young man named Perry Lewis was shot through the heart by Samuel Massey and instantly killed. It was stated that Massey, Lewis, John Gott, and Joseph Danforth, being friends and associates, were "on a spree," and about 11 o'clock at night went to a brothel in the northwestern suburbs. There they met with a stage driver, named Green, and a quarrel soon sprang up between him on the one side and Massey and Lewis on the other. All three had drawn their coats to fight, when Massey drew a pistol and snapped it at Green. In making a second eff'ort to fire Lewis caught the weapon to prevent the shooting and in attempting to wrest it from Massey's hands it was exploded, with the fatal result to Lewis. This was the substance of the testimony before the coroner's

Murder Of Judge H. C. Christian

At about 9 p. M. of Friday evening. May 24, Judge H. C. Christian, of Springfield, was shot and instantly killed, at his place of business, by some parties then unknown.

The deceased, in company with one Buck, was keeping a markethouse on the corner of Mill and Boon vi lie streets. Two unknown persons entered his establishment, engaged in conversation with him, and, seizing a favorable opportunity, deliberately shot him through the head with a navy revolver killing him instantly. The ball entered the left temple, passed through the brain in an oblique direction, striking a bone opposite the right ear and ranged downward and lodged. It was extracted by Drs. Jenks and Chambers. The murderers then left the house and started on a run around the corner up Mill street a short distance, where they were met by Patrick Daly who ordered them to halt ; one immediately halted and fired a shot at Daly, but missed his mark. Daly, being unarmed, failed to arrest them. He, in company with one or two others, went to the markethouse and found Mr. Christian lying dead behind his counter, his pocket book lying on the floor beside him, and a one dollar greenback on his knee.

Within an hour after the murder parties started out in all directions in pursuit. A reward of $500 was offered for their arrest, one-half by the mayor of the city, one-half by the sheriff. A plausible theory was that he had been followed from Texas (his old home) by enemies who had sworn to take his life. He had received a letter two weeks previous warning him that his life would be taken. The murderers were pursued and one of them, Jacob Thompson, was captured next morning, west of town. The prisoner was brought to town in charge of Col. Geiger, and the other was seen near where Thompson was captured, but he escaped. On the way to town Thompson tried to bribe Col. Geiger to release him, but of course did not succeed. After being brought to town the prisoner was recognized by Patrick Daly and others.

The prisoner was examined before Justices Vangeuder and Matthews and was defended by Hon. John S. Phelps, and prosecuted by Circuit Attorney Creighton, assisted by Col. Geiger and J. W. D. L. F. Mack. He was committed to jail to await the action of the grand jury.

June 21, at 5 p. m., Thompson escaped from jail. He had broken his irons with a brick, and his cell door had been left open. Knowledge of Thompson's escape caused feelings of the strongest indignation among the citizens. The singular manner in which the escape was made caused suspicions of the gravest character to be freely expressed against the jailor, who was removed next morning by the sheriff.

After making his escape Thompson started east. About six miles from town he stole a horse from Geo. Croson. Croson and others started in pursuit the next morning about 9. They traced him through to Marshtield and from there to within five miles of Houston, Texas county, about one hundred miles from Springfield, when he was captured in a blacksmith shop, where he was getting the stolen horse shod. He mounted his horse and made a desperate effort to escape, but was fired at by his pursuers and shot in the shoulder and thigh. His captors were not aware, until informed by the prisoner, that he was the individual that had escaped from jail, but supposed he was only guilty of stealing; the horse in his possession. After capturing him they hired a two-horse wagon and brought him to Springfield, arriving at noon next day. He was conveyed to the jail and placed in confinement.

Oct. 24, Thompson escaped from jail with a colored man, and was never thereafter re-apprehended. It is reported that he was afterward hung for a murder in Texas,

Judge Christian had resided in Texas before the war and on account of his Union sentiments was forced to leave in 1862. He and his two sons entered the Federal service, and upon the close of the war he was appointed a provost marshal in Texas. It was for some acts of his while in the execution of his oflSce that he was followed and killed.

Suicides A Singular Method Of Self-Murder

September 24th, a man named Andrews, living near Fair Grove» separated two of the lower rails of a panel of fence sufficient to permit his head to pass through, and then fastened them in this position with an ax, the back of the blade resting on the lower rail while the whole weight of the fence rested oti the edge of the ax. The trap being in readiness, he placed his neck in position, and then, with his own hand, withdrew the ax and let the fence fall on his neck. He was soon choked to death.

About Christmas, a man named Robinson, living in Center township, seven miles west of Springfield, shot himself through the head with a revolver, and died instantly. The cause was not made known.

Board Of Immigration

In October (the 10th) the organization of the Greene County Board of Immigration was eifected under the direction of State Senator Goebel, who visited Springfield for the purpose, and delivered an interesting address. The board was composed at first of 22 members, and did much to induce immigration to this county. Hon. S. H. Boyd was a leading member.

Location Of The National Cemetery

About the 10th of July Mr. Wm. Goodyear, the agent of the government for collecting the remains of the Federal soldiers buried in Southwestern Missouri, came to Springfield to oversee the work of removing them to the cemetery grounds, which had been purchased

In the month of September, Adj. Gen. Lorenzo Thomas, then on a tour of inspection of the national cemeteries, had visited Springfield, coming up by stage from Fayetteville, and fully approved the arrangements here.

From the assessor's books for this year it is learned that the number of full sections of laud in the county was 469 ; number of fractional sections, IGl ; number of acres in the total superficial area, 438,424.43 ; number of acres not subject to taxation, 187,877.43 ; total valuation of real estate, $2,519,988; total valuation of personal property, $2,063,100. Total assessed value of property in Springfield, $980,876; number of polls, 362.

The Political Campaign Of 1868

This was the first Presidentifvl year since the war, and although the canvass was largely one-sided, it was intensely interesting in Greene county at times. The Radical Republicans, owing to the number of Democrats disfranchised, were in a large majority, and were early in the fight. February 20th they had a meeting at the courthouse in Springfield, presided over by James Abbott. Delegates were appointed to the State Convention, as follows : S. W. Headlee, H. G. Mullings, L. A. Rountree, Maj. R. J. McElhany, and Dr. T. J. Bailey. The following resolution was adopted : -

Resolved, That our delegates to the Republican National Convention, to be holden in Chicago on the 20th day of May next, be instructed to use all honorable means to have the vote of Missouri cast for that pure patriot-soldier, and statesman, Ulysses S. Grant, for our candidate for President of the United States, and that our delegates at the convention in Jefferson City, on the 22d inst., be instructed to use all honorable means to the same end.

A Republican club was formed at Springfield, Feb. 22, with James Abbott, as president, and J. R. Milner and Capt. Case, as secretaries. Upon the receipt of the news of the nomination of Grant and Colfax, a ratification meeting was held, and August 22, a " Grant and Colfax pole," 145 feet in length, was raised in the center of the public square.

July 27th, the Republican Congressional Convention for this district was held at Springfield. A resolution opposing the payment of the 5-20 bonds in greenbacks, a project then known as " the Pendleton plan," and a part of the national Democratic platform, was adopted, with but feeble dissent. The candidates before the convention were Col. J. J. Gravelly (for re-election) of Cedar county, Col. S. H. Boyd, of this county, and John R. Kelso. Gravelly had written a letter favoring the taxation of government bonds and in other ways had shown a dislike for the financial part of the RepulJiean platform - in truth, believed in the righteousness of the *- Pendleton plan." Boyd was for paying the bonds in hard money - gold, or its equivalent. Boyd was nominated by the following vote : Kelso, 5 ; Gravelly, 18 ; Boyd, 48.

Speeches were made by Judge Fyan and others in indorsement of all the Republican candidates before the people and inviting the voters to come up to their support. Judge Fyan called upon the members of the convention to pledge themselves as a body and to each other individually to stand by the registering officers and see the registration law enforced in its letter and spirit, and to meet half way any armed resistance thereto on the i)art of " rebels and their friends." (Applause.)

The Democrats, though with full knowledge that they were in a hopeless minority, not only in the county, but in the district and throughout the State, were plucky and made a fairly good campaign. July 11th, at night, they held a meeting in Springfield ratifv'ing the nomination of Seymour and Blair. A bonfire was lit, which the marshal of the town, a Radical, tried to have put out, but failed very signally. Nearly two weeks later they held a spirited meeting in the court-house, which was addressed by Hon. John S. Phelps and Hon. J. H. Show.

On the 20th of October, notwithstanding the early elections in that month had demonstrated the certainty of their defeat, they raised a '« Seymonr and Blair pole " side by side with the Republican pole at Springfield, amid great enthusiasm.

In the summer the Democratic Congressional Convention was held at Springfield, and Capt. C. B. McAfee, an ex-Federal soldier, hitherto mentioned, was nominated for Congress. Capt. McAfee made a thorough canvass of the district, speaking even in Melville, Dade county, where the Republicans had declared no Democrat should be allowed to speak.

During the campaign Democratic speeches were made in the county by Gen. C. W. Blair, of Ft. Scott, and the Republicans were addressed by Gov. McClurg, Carl Schurz, Emil Preetorius, and Rev. A. C. George, besides their own home orators. Though the bitterness of the war had not entirely died out, and there were criminations and recriminations by both sides, there was a fair condition of good feeling between the two parties during the campaign. The followiuf^ was the result of the November election in this county :

Sheriff

Republicans in italic. The total registration for this election was 2,318 ; that oast was 2,044. The total vote on other candidates was as follows: Circuit judge, R. W. Fyan, 1,276; J. S. Waddill, 707. Circuit attorney, J. M. Patterson, 1,261; Quiun, 755. Probate judge, W. F. Geiger, 927, no opposition. County judges, Benj. Kite, 1,246; R. P. Matthews, 1,249; J. R. Earnest, 652. Supt. common schools, J. R. Milner, 616; F H. Warren, 295. Surveyor, I. N. Jones, 1,216 ; Chesley Cannefax, 733.

Miscellaneous Incidents In 1868

Newspapers. - March 12th, Wm. J. Teed again became part proprietor of the Patriot. March 14th, A. F. Ingram issued the first number of a paper called the Weekly Gazette. July 3, Lindley Bros. issued an advertising sheet called the Real Estate Herald. In September O. S. Fahnestock retired from the Leader, having disposed of his interest to D. C. Kennedy. Nov. 28, the proprietors of the Patriot purchased Ingram's Gazette, and the two offices were consolidated.

Celebrations. - Decoration Day was observed at Springfield for the first time, this year. An imposing procession was formed, with Hon. W. F. Geiger as chief marshal. Speeches were delivered by Cols. S. H. Boyd and W. E. Gilmore. The colored population on August 4tb celebrated emancipation in the West Indies by a meeting in a grove north of town. They were addressed by Col. Gilmore^ Hon. James Baker, Capt. Budd, and Capt. Colby.

The Railroad. - July 4th ground was broken and work begun on the Atlantic and Pacific railroad, in this county, in presence of several distinguished persons, among whom was Gov. Thos. C. Fletcher, always a strong friend to the enterprise, and who for some time past had been personally interested in its construction.

Horticultural Society. - August 17th the Greene County Horticultural Society was organized, with C. F. Leavitt as president, and B. F. Lee, as secretary. A fair was held the ensuing fall.

The number of school children in the county in 1869 was 7,640; the amount of school money was $7,706.92 ; the increase in the number of children over 1868 was 431.

The first fair of the Greene County Horticultural Society Avas held Sept. 17th and 18th, of this year. The president was F. F. Fine, and the secretary C. F. S. Thomas.

In April there was a special election for circuit judge and circuit attorney. The candidates were W. F. Geiger and H.J. Lindenbower, for judge, and J. M. Patterson and J. M. Grammar, for attorney.

In this county the vote stood: Geiger, 598; Lindenbower, 501. For attorney, Patterson, 455 ; Grammar, 2.^8. In November J. H. Show (Democrat) ran between H. J. Curtice and J. A. Mack (Republicans) for judge of the probate aud common pleas court, and was elected, the vote standing : Show, 362 ; Curtice, 348 ; Mack, 161. For county justice G. M. McElhannon (Republican) received 420 votes and J. R. Earnest 350.

Deaths. - April 17th, Dr. T. J. Bailey, aged 67 (see biography elsewhere). April 8th, Nathaniel Massey. Dec. 11th, Judge John A. Mack, aged 62; born in Pittsylvania county, Va., Jan. 8, 1807; lived in Maury county, Tenn., from 1811 to 1852, when he came to this county ; was circuit attorney during the war ; a member of the constitutional convention of 1865 ; probate and common pleas judge of this county from 1863 till his death. Republican in politics.

The Memphis, Springfield And Kansas City R. R.

This year the most interesting topic of discussion before the people of Greene county was in regard to the building of the Kansas City and Memphis railroad, um Springfield. Having one railroad almost completed to the county, it was of vast importance that another should be secured. The old fogies, to be sure, were opposed to this as to every other project for the public weal, likely to cost themselves a nickle, but the men of enterprise and push made earnest efforts, not only to secure the successful inauguration of the proposed new railroad, but its speedy completion.

In their zeal the friends of another railroad went to extremes, but they erred on the wrong side and there was no harm done. In September the county court made an order that at the November election the people should vote on the question whether or not the county should take $400,000 stock in railroads, viz. : In the Fort Scott, Springfield & Memphis railroad, $180,000, and in the Kansas City, Springfield & Memphis railroad, $120,000. The sense of the people was against the subscription, the vote standing, for, 368 ; against, 486 ; but it is said that if all the disfranchised could have voted the proposition would have been carried, bad as the policy of subscribing bonds on the part of a county in aid of any public enterprise is - and was.

Editors In Council

the Lyon House. A heavy rain kept many invited guests away, and there were ])ut few ladies present. At 10 o'clock about 50 members of the convention and those holding invitations sat down to the table in the dining-room of the hotel. Hon. John S. Phelps presided and announced the regular toasts of the evening, which were responded to by Col. Wm. E. Gilmore and others. The banquet broke up about 2 a. m. A ball was contemplated and arranged for, but had to be given up, by reason of the storm. The convention itself was held in the Patriot office. Col. James Dumars, of the Bolivar Free Press, presided, and H. H. Judson, of the Granby Independent, was secretary.

Statistics Organization Of The Confederate Burial Association.'

On the 23d of November, 1869, a meeting was held at the office of Capt. Geo. ]\I. Jones, in Springfield, to take steps for the formation of an association whose purpose was to remove the remains of the dead Confederate soldiers in and about Springfield, to a permanent cemetery near the town. Mr. Benj. U. Massey was chairman and Mr. D. C. Kennedy secretary of the meeting. A committee, consisting of Capt. Jones and Messrs. Massey and Kennedy, was appointed to report names for a permanent organization of such an association at a subsequent meeting.

Tliis meeting convened at the court-house on the evening of November 27, and was called to order by Benj. U. Massey. Mr. W. J. Haydon made the following report on jiermanent organization : President, Capt. Geo. M. Jones; vice-presidents, J. T. Morton, Col. K. W. Crawford, and Elder Kirk Baxter ; treasurer, Dr. C. K. Dyer ; sec-

1 The idea of the formation of this association was first suggested by Mrs. Lula Kennedy, in a communication to the Platte City (Mo.) Landmark.

retaiy, W. J. Hayclon ; executive committee, J. T. Appier, Rev. Wra. Protsman, J. C. Cravens, Geo. M. Jones, and W. J. Haydon ; financial committee, T. J. Gates, A. G. Leedjs J. M. Doling, J. M. Smith, D. L. Fnlbright, J. Y. Fnlhright, B. U. Massey, D. C. Kennedy, F. Frazier, Dr. L. Hansford, Colonel John Price, Col. E. Y. Mitchell, and F. E,. Porter. On motion, the following ladies were added to the financial committee, and the president authorized to add other names at pleasure - such persons as were willing to assist: Mrs. J. L. French, Mrs. J. E. Phelps, Mrs. J. S. Phelps, Mrs. W. H. Wilson, Mrs. W. H. Graves, Mrs. A. E. Andrews, Mrs. F. R. Smith, Mrs. W. M. Protsman, Mrs. J. Chesnut, Mrs. W. C. Hornbeak, Mrs. C. K. Dyer, Mrs. M. C. Haydon, Mrs. M. W. Bowen, Mrs. Cecil, Mrs. Saml. Alexander, Mrs. Rush C. Owen, Mrs. Geo. M. Jones, Mrs. J. B. Dexter, Mrs. C. A. Leack, Mrs. A. A. Shutt, Mrs. W. J. McDaniel, Mrs. Chas. Sheppard, Mrs. Henr}^ Sheppard, Mrs. D. C. Kennedy, Mrs. J. R. AVaddill, Mrs. Joe Farrier, Mrs. John Wood, Mrs. J. C. Gardner, Mrs. J. T. Appier, Mrs. Joe Weaver, Miss Annie Leedy, Miss Weaver, Miss Vinton, Miss Boxley, Miss Wear, Miss Gates, Miss Matteson, Miss Waddill, Miss Sallie Smith, Miss Virgie Parish, Miss Evans, Miss Fristo, Miss Martin, and Miss Elliott. The following memorial was then read by Mr, Massey, as a suitable heading for subscription lists, and adopted : -

In and around the city of Springfield, and on the battlefield of Wilson's Creek, in exposed graves, are the remains of a large number of Confederate soldiers, who were killed in the various battles and skirmishes that occurred in this vicinity. In many places their fleshless bones can be seen above the earth - a reproach to the humanity and civilization of our people. In all countries, civilized or barbarous, the remains of those slain in battle are humanely interred ; whether Turk or Greek, friend or foe, all are honored with a decent burial. In order to procure a proper graveyard for the re-interment of these dead, this association has been formed, and appeals to the humanity, Christianity and generosity of all good people to assist in carrying out this object.

Brief speeches were then made by Messrs. Graves, Mitchell, and Kennedy, after which subscription lists were circulated among the audience, and $304.00 subscribed. A motion was made and adopted, that a festival be given for the benefit of this object, on Thursday, December 16th, 1869, and the following were appointed as a committee of arrangements : Messrs. Appier, White, and Gates, and Mesdames Protsman, Alexander, Bowren, Lack, and Shutt.

The committee appointed to devise ways and means for the gettiiioup of a grand entertainment, for the purpose of re-interring the Confederate dead, in and around the city of Springfield, reported the following working comniitiee : North Springfield - Mis. Hart Wilson, Mrs. Dr. Robherson, Mrs. Hornbeak, Mrs. J. Leedy, Miss Sallie Gates, Miss Sue Wear. Southeast Springfield - Mrs. Dexter, Mrs. Carson, Mrs. J, French, Mrs. Dr. Cecil. Southwest Springfield - Mrs. Sam. Alexander, Mrs. H. J. Lindenbower, Mrs. Haydon, Mrs. Dr. Cox. Mrs. Lack, Miss V. Parisli. Country north - Mrs. Danforth, Thos. Gates. Country southeast - Miss Goza, Miss Vandyke. Country southwest - Mrs. Bowren. Country east - Mrs. Rush C. Owen. Country ivest - Mrs. J. E. Phelps.

By the efforts of the workers about $2,200 were raised - some iu St. Louis and North Missouri - but the larger portion was raised in Springfield and vicinity. Three and a half acres of ground was at once purchased, three miles south of the city, - adjoining the Federal cemetery on the north, and Hazelwood cemetery on the south - which was fenced and decorated in accordance with the financial condition of the association, and into which were interred the remains of 238 Confederate soldiers from Wilson's Creek, and 263 from in and around Springfield, making a total in all of 501 interments. Of these only a few are known ; among them Col. R. H. Weightman, Col. Geo. W. Allen, Cols. Foster, Austin, and Ben Brown, all of whom fell at Wilson's Creek. These graves are marked ; the others with a few exceptions are unknown.

The funds - all of which were voluntary contributions - were used with a great deal of care and economy by those managing the association, and thus a good work accomplished. The association has a constitution and by-laws, and a board of trustees, composed of J. M. Doling, J. C. Cravens, and D. C. Kennedy.

This cemetery is the only distinctive Confederate cemetery in Missouri, and the ex-Confederates, at their reunion in Sedalia, in 1882, adopted it as their special charge and intend to adorn it in such a manner as to make it worthy of the dead heroes and loving citizens who figured in the lost cause. The natural situation is beautiful, and with the funds at the command of the association, it could be beautified so as to look equally as well as the Federal cemetery adjoining. It is to be hoped that this improvement will soon be made.

July 22, of this year, some young men were bathing in Sac river, in the vicinity of Gray's mill, about nine miles from Springlield. Two of them were named Willis Wjam and Wm. Birt. The former was a son of R. M. Wynn, a justice of the peace of Jackson township. Birt had come into the country from Arkansas a few months previously. Each of the two was about 18 years of age. While the bathers were sporting in the water Wynn " ducked" Birt. This made Birt angry and a quarrel followed after the parties came on the shore. Each drew his knife, but their companions interfered, and they then agreed to fight it out, " list and skull. " It seems that while W^ynn laid aside his knife, Birt kept his. Wynn knocked Birt down and jumped upon him. There was a struggle on the ground, which was ended by Birt's stabbing Wynn three times, once in the region of the heart. Wynn. died within a few minutes.

Birt was arrested the same evening and the next day brought to Springfield, where, upon examination before the mayor, he was held to bail in the sum of $5,000. At the August term of the circuit court he was tried and found guilty of murder in the first degree. But the youth of the defendant and some mitigating circumstances connected with the killing of A^oung Wynn, created a sympathy for Birt, and a pretty general belief that the verdict was too severe, and that a few years' confinement in the penitentiary would be sufficient for all the purposes, of justice, was shared by the judge and he gmnted a new trial in Noveml)er, when the jury, with substantially the same testimony, although with somewhat different instructions, found the defendant " not guilty " of any offense, whatever !

Murder Of John Marshall

About the 26th of November a man, named John Marshall, was brutally murdered in a saloon in the eastern part of the county, near the line of the railroad, by two men named James Haggerty and Thomas Carroll. All of the parties were railroaders, and the murder was the result of a drunken quarrel over a small sum of money. Haggarty was arrested at once and confined in jail and Carroll was apprehended a few days later. In June, 1870, Haggerty pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the second degree and was sentenced to four years in the penitentiary.

Fatal Accident To Arnold Helton

On the 10th of November a fatal accident occurred to Mr. Arnold Helton, a citizen of the western part of the county and who was on his way home from Springfield. Mr, Helton had started home on a load of lumber. He had been drinking freel}'^ and was considerably under the influence of liquor. Silas Ray, one of his neighbors, was riding with him. They were near Fulbright's spring when Mr. Helton fell from the wagon and was run over by the wheel passing over his breast, crushing him so that he died in about half an hour. Mr. Helton was a man of considerable property and not in the habit of drinkino;.