Greene County, Missouri - Chapter 25: Clay Township, 1883

Description

Clay township includes all that portion of township 28, range 21, that is in Greene county - to-wit, the north thirty sections. It was organized in April, 1859, and named in honor of Henry Clay. Two of the county justices at the time, J. W. Gray and J. R. Earnest, were old Clay Whigs.

The Kickapoo prairie extends into Clay township, and there are some very superior farms here. It is fortunate, too, that so many intelligent and enterprising farmers have located in this township and have made thorough and practical development of its many natural advantages and resources. Some of the best and most progressive farmers of Southwest Missouri have their homes here, and their improved lands grow year by year more valuable.

The James fork of White river - usually called " the James," and sometimes " the Jeems," - flows through the township from northeast to southwest and adds no little to its beauty and general advantages. There are numerous fine springs and some beautiful caves, and, indeed, much beautiful scenery. For not all of the land is here level and valuable for agricultural purposes, but much is broken and rough and wild, though picturesque. The White river branch of the *' Frisco " railway, or Springfield and Southern, has recently been built through the township, and is of great value and advantage to the

Spkingdale Cave

About six miles from Springfield, on the Springfield and James river bridge road, and on the line of the Springfield and Southern R. R., about three-quarters of a mile above Gallaway station, is a cave of considerable note. From it issues one of the finest streams of water in Greene county and the Southwest, and on account of this spring it became the site of one of the earliest settlements, having been entered in 1840 by Jacob Painter. During the war it was owned by Benj. Brashears, a Confederate soldier and ranger, who is said to have contracted a cold which caused his death while hiding in the cave from his enemies, the Federals. Sometime after the war it came into the possession of T. B. Fisher and bore his name until recently.

From Mr. Fisher the present owner, P. F. Vaughan, bought it in November, 1881. It is Mr. Vaughan's intention to add much to the beauty and convenience of the place by setting out evergreens and vines, constructing ponds for fish and boat-riding, clearing and seating groves to be used by picnic parties, and adding many other attractions.

But the cave itself is and will be the chief attraction. The little valley through which the Springfield and Southern R. R. fijidsitsway to the James is bordered on the east side by an abrupt limestone bluff, into which the cave enters in a northeasterly direction. At the mouth it is about 35 feet wide and the roof is about eight feet above the water, and the water from one to two feet deep. At a short distance from the mouth is the chimney, which is a round hole extending upward some 30 or 40 feet and from the lower edge of which hangs a huge pear-shaped stalactite. About 12 rods from the mouth hangs a group of very large stalaclites, reaching nearly to the water. Groups of various sizes can be seen all along the roof. At about 25 rods from the mouth the cave widens to from 75 to 100 feet, and here is a row of stalactites 30 or 40 feet long, which are beautiful, indeed. At about 29 rods a spring enters from the east side, and here is a singular formation on the floor, reminding one of a huge evaporating pan with its various sections and divisions. A few rods farther the roof suddenly raises to about 15 or 18 feet. In the center of this high roof is a circular group of stalactites arranged as if by a scenic artist, while the edge of the lower roof is draped most beautifully.

At 40 rods from the mouth there is a natural dam, over which the water falls about 3 feet. Above the fall the cave forks, the right hand branch bearing nearly east, while the left bears nearly north, the water flowing through both branches and uniting just below the fall. Each branch is about one-half the width of the main cave, and the left one is al)out 7 feet high at the fall and gradually lowers until the " serpent's attitude " ends the exploration at about 90 rods from the mouth. The right or east branch is entered by a mere hole, but it soon becomes wider and higher and then lowers to about 4 feet, which height it holds nearly to the end. At about 10 rods above the fall the water disappears (or rather appears as the visitor ascends the stream) and the cave continues dry to within about six rods of the end, when the water reappears and is remarkably clear. At the extreme end the water comes from the rock and falls about six feet to the bottom of the cave. This fall is 92 rods from the mouth. A boat runs to the first fall, and by lifting it over can be run in the east branch about 10 rods.

Springdale cave will well repay a visit, and if Mr. Vaughan carries out his plans it will be one of the most attractive places in Southwest Missouri. Already it has attained considerable reputation, and the attractions of " Fisher's cave, "as it was formerly and is now frequently called, are known to many.

Early Settlements

Mention has already been made in the general history of this volume of the settlements that were made at an early date along the James within the limits of this township. The Thompson family was probably the first. Edward M. Thompson came to the county in 1830 and settled south of the James. Chas. A. Haden is one of the pioneers and is prominently identified with the history of the township. Samuel McCorkle, came in from Tennessee in 1839, and first settled in Campbell township, southeast of Springfield. Wm. H. Anderson located here in 1841. A Mrs. Page and family are reported to have located here in 1830 or 1831. This family was of French descent and came from St. Genevieve. Jacob Painter entered the land whereon Fisher's cave is in 1840.

Tragedies Of The Civil War

Not always did the people escape with the loss of their property. Some of the men of the township were inhumanly murdered. The case of Mr. James Thompson is the most prominent instance of this sort, and is fully recorded on another page. (See history for 1864.)

On the night of March 22, 1864, Elijah Hunt, a citizen of this township, was inhumanly murdered by a party of Union militia. Mr. Hunt was a " Southern man " as the Confederates were called. He was at his home on the evening in question when his murderers came up. One of them went in the house and Mr. Hunt accompanied him to the door, where the miscreant suddenly turned upon him and shot him down.

The same night Joel Dodsoa, another " Southern man," was murdered, presumably by the same party that killed Hunt. Mr. Dodson was at home, seated at his fireside, playing on a violin. The jDarty rode up, called out, and Mr. Dodson went to the door, with his violin in his hand, and was shot down in cold blood. It has not been learned of what either Hunt or Dodson was accused, except that each was not considered " loval."