Grundy County, Missouri - Chapter 13: City of Trenton, 1881

Chapter 13: City of Trenton

Commandinfi Situation - New Life - Business - Second Railroad - Manufacturing - Deed of the Town Site - The City Charter - Plat of Trenton - Incidents - Continued Progress - Milk Wagon - ''Iron Horse and Jotj Unspeakable" - Crossing the Line - Machine-shops - Close of 1811.

Trenton, the contity seat of Griiiidy county, Missouri, lias a beantifnl and coiiiiiianding situation upon risint;^ ground on the east bank and in the pleasant rolling valle}^ of the Grand River, just below the junction of the Weldon and Thompson forks - the former also known as the East fork of the Grand River, and the latter as the Middle fork - about three aiid threefourths miles southwest of the exact center of the county. Thus situated, Trenton is the metropolis of a rich and prosperous country 'round, which makes it the life and center of the commercial affairs of the county and the fountain-head of the various enterprises which have diffused the life-streams of energetic industry and business intelligence over the fruitful soil of the entire county of Grundy.

Bearing a name made famous by her aged namesake upon the classic banks of the fast flowing Delaware, in the memorable canapaigns of 1776, Trenton started out in 1841 with an historical prestige which she has ev^er endeavored to preserve and hand down to future generations brightened with the record of good deeds and remembered triumphs in the days of peace as well as in the days of strife. Founded in 1841, Trenton Avas built upon two ridges, whose inner edges almost touched, l)ut whose outer ends extended out at right angles, leaving the town nestling in the trianguhir spot between, and giving a quaint peculiarity to the streets and a pictui'esque appearance to the town. And thus she stood during the years that flew by on the fleeting wings of time, slowly plodding her way along, but always with her energies alive with the fires of a substantial ambition for a future greater than she was or had been, until in 1870, with a population of 920 souls, her dormant activity was aroused, and she sprang at once into the maelstrom of the bustling, busy, growing era at the prospect of her first railroad. The citizens went to work with a will, and it was a bright day for Trenton when their eflbrts were crowned with the laurels of success, and the steam horse, with fire dropping from his nostrils, sped over the iron rails into the city.

New Life

From the time the engine of the Chicago ct Southwestern Railroad pulled her first train into the depot, the city of Trenton began to feel the inspiration of a second growth. She snuft'ed the smoke of coming conquests.

from afar. With the raih'oad and her coal mines, and the immense possibilities of the future, Trenton began to spread herself, and it must be admitted that she has succeeded admirably. It is enous^h to cause a genuine glow of pride to beam from the honest countenance of every citizen when lie contemplates the material progi-ess of the last ten years, and notes the increase of population from 920 in 1870 to 3,340 in 1880. With the increasing population the corporate limits have kept apace, and with the rapid growth and steady demand for more room, additions have been made nntil they have numbered twenty-two, and Trenton still grows. These new additions have been laid off at right angles from the old town, the new streets running north and south, east and west, from Water Street, the main thoroughfare of the city, thus leaving old Trenton with her angles and triangles, her " five corners " and her " seven corners," while the new city starts out fair and straight with the world, lier streets lined on either side with neat, handsome residences, and tasty front yards with flowers and shade trees plentifully bestrewn, showing cultivation, refinement and a love of the beautiful in natnre. Adding to this the social characteristics of her people, Trenton makes a pleasant and attractive location for homes and home enjoyment.

Business

In point of business enterprise and solid improvement, Trenton is still the peer of any town in northern Missouri, in truth she has in the last few years distanced all competitors. With her modern outlets for traffic, Trenton has left behind the slow gro^vth of her early years, and has now fairly entered the arena of busy life, to battle with the world for a foothold anions: the flourishing cities of the country, and with every muscle strained and every nerve at a tension she goes steadily forward on her conquering way, the leading commercial city of the Grand River Valley, with no equal between Kansas City and Rock Island.

As before mentioned, twenty-two additions have been made to the city, most, if not all, since the advent of the railroad in 1871. The main portion of the city lies west of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, and south of the Quincy, Missouri (k Pacific. The two roads run nearly at right angles. The Quincy, Missouri & Pacific depot is situated just outside the city limits, about three-quarters of a mile from the business center. It could have been placed nearer but a difficulty appeared in crossing the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific tracks. However, the town will grow, and the cheap property out there will serve to draw in that direction. There was money in that location to the railroad, but it is not just what was due to Trenton. Business has grown with the demands of the people, until there is scarcely a branch of trade that is not represented here. The people have become able to indulge in the luxuries as well as the necessaries of 'life, and this, as a matter of course, has increased trade and caused a demand for a class of goods which a few years since woiikl have fomul no buyers, hut to-day conmiands a liberal sale. Churches and scliools ai"e nunierous, and will receive, as they deserve, notice under a separate bead elsewhere.

The completion (»f the Quincy, Missouri cVr Pacific Railroad marks another pei'iod of [)ro<^"ress for the magic city of the Grand River Valley. It gives Trenton a direct eastern outlet, placing her U])on a footing with her heretofore more favored sisters. The benefit of this road can be already seen by the increase of arrivals looking for business openings. The trade of Trenton, after an exhaustive review of the merchants and business men by the Trenton Republican, in January, 1876, showed the sales of that year, by a fair computation, to exceed $1,200,000.

Trenton is fortunately located on a site offering all the facilities of a large manufacturing towMi. Coal is mined at her door, timber is within easy reach and there is not an article manufactured of wood which could not be produced here as cheaply as at any point in the State, or in the West. Water power, also, is abundant. Furniture, wagon, farm implement, hub and spoke factories should find locations here where there is ample room for untold development. Cattle and sheep find homes upon the prairies of Grundy county and the increased attention given to this branch of farm industiy adds other valuable features, in woolen factories and tanneries, and these would make a market for the oak bark, while e,^^, beef and pork-packing houses would undoubtedly pay. All these industries could and should have a location within or near the limits of Trenton. The population would double. The completion of the new road M'ould make her freighting facilities equal to the best, leading to all competing markets and nunierous enough to prevent extortion. Taking these advantages altogether, it is plain to be seen that the future of Trenton lies in her proper appreciation and employment of these benefits, and in consequence, becoming a gieat manufacturing city, with the ceaseless buzz and whirr of machinery making music from early dawn 'til dewy eve. The stave factory, the woolen and flouring-mills, the macliine and repair shops, have already shown to the people of Trenton the value of manufacturing development, and urge them onward to iiicreased exertion and a detei-mination to reach the goal beyond. There is no reason why success, grand, buoyant success, cannot be achieved if the people put their shoulders to the wheel and move with a united effort toward the one object in view of making Trenton the one leading city in population and wealth in this section of Missouri. With the completion of the railroads, the opportunity to grasp the scepter of supremacy is at hand and the hour is here. Let not the spirit of supineness or illiberality prevail, but put fortli the friendly hand of encouragement to capitalists to make their homes witliin the borders of this fair city. Keep the good work going on and ever let the burnished armor of industry stand well to the front, and a future of flourishing prosperity is an assured fact - a practical and accomplished reality.

Deed Of The Town Site

As one of tlie interesting events in the history of Trenton, below is given a verhatim copy, except as to punctuation, of the original deed of eighty acres for, and in consideration of, one dollar, and the location of the county seat thereon. The deed will be found of record on page 181 of " Book A," in the circuit clerk's office, and reads as follows:

"This ijidenture made and entered into this Sixth day of August in the year of our Lord, one Thousand eight hundred and forty-one, by and between James S. Lomax, of the county of Grundy and State of Missouri, of the first part, and the County of Grundy of the second part, witnesseth: That for and in consideration of one dollar in Hand Paid and the Location of the County Seat of Grundy County on the Lands hereinafter named, adjoining other lands of the said party of the first part, he, the said party of the first part, his heirs and assigns, has granted, bargained and sold, and by these presents does grant, bargain and sell unto the said party of the second part all the right, title, claim and interest which he the party of the first part has in law and equity to the following described Land Lying and being in Grundy county; to-wit, beginning at the half mile corner stake, being the Northwest corner of the North East quarter of section No. Twenty, Township No. Sixty-one of Range Twenty-four, Running South One hundred and Twenty -five Poles to a steak; Thence East ninety Poles to a steak; ttience North Seventy-Eight Poles to a stake; Thence East seventeen Poles and four links to a stake; Thence North ninety-seven Poles to a stake; Thence West one hundred and five Poles to the beginning. Coutainino; Ei^htv acres. To liave and to hold the aforesaid Tract of Land with all and singular the Rights, privileges and appertenances thereunto belonging or in any wise appertaining to the said County of Grundy for ever, and the said party of the first part, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns will warrant and forever defend the aforesaid Land to the party of the second part for ever free from the claim or claims of any and every person or persons whatevei'. In testimony whereof the party of tlie first part has hereunto set liis liand and seal, the day and year aforesaid.

"Be it remembered tliat on this sixth day of Au<^ust Eighteen hundred and fortv-one, personally appeared before me the undersigned clerk of the Circuit Court for Grundy county, James S. Loniax and acknowledges the foregoing to be his voluntary act and Deed for the purpose therein contained and he, the said James S. Lomax, is personally known to me to be the same person who signed said deed as having executed the same. Taken and certified the day and year above said. In witness whereof, I, Thomas W. Jacobs, clerk of the Circuit Court of said County have hereunto Set my hand and private Seal affixed, there being no official Seal for said Court yet provided. At office the day and year above written. *

Such is the position, and such the prospect, of the city of Trenton. Her earliest record is already written in the pages of the general history of Grundy county, and there is little more to be added until the time comes when a charter was demanded by the wants of the people and the growth of the town. This question had been talked over, and a bill was brought before the legislature in the month of February, 1857, for a city charter. The bill was passed and became a law, and remained so, with amendatory acts, until March 9, 1872, when the charter and its amendment were consolidated into one act, of which the following is an official copy:

An Act to amend an act entitled "An act to incorporate the town of Trenton, Grundy county," approved February 27, 1857, and all acts amendatory thereof and supplemental thereto, and reduce the same into one act.

Article I Of Boundaries And Incorporations

Section 1. That an act entitled "An act to incorporate the town of Trenton, in Grundy county," approved February 27, 1857, and all the acts amendatory thereof and supplementary thereto are hereby revised, amended and reduced into one act, so as to read as follows:

Sec. 2. All that portion of country included in the following boundary; to-wit. Commencing at the point in the center of Grand River where the south line of the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section number twenty (20), township number sixty-one (61), of range number twenty-tour y2-i:), CYO!<:f^e^ saiil river; thence east to tlie soutlieast corner of said section number t\venty(^2(^V, tlience north to tlie northeast corner ot the southeast quarter of said section number twenty ['20^: thence east to the southeast corner of the southwest ([uarter of the northwest quarter of section number twenty-one {^"21^ of said t<>wn>lii|) and rauire: thence north to the northeast corner ot the south half of the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section number sixteen {16) of said townsliip and ranije; tlience west to the northwest coruer of tlio soutli half o\' the southeast quarter of the nortliwest quarter of section number seventeen (17) of said township and rauire; thence south to the southwest corner of the northeast quarter of the southwest quarter ot' said section number twenty ['20); thence east to Granri l\iver: thence down said stream, in the center of the main channel thereof, to the place of beginning, anti the inhabitants thereof shall be. and ai'c hereby constituted, a body politic and corporate, by the name and style of "The Town ot' Trenton." and by tliat name ^hall be known in law; have ]ier}>etual succession, sue and be sued, plead ami be impleaded, defend and be defended against, in all courts of law and equity having competent jurisdiction, and in all actions and matters whatsoever; nu\v grant. lease, purchase, hold and receive property, real and personal. M-ithin the limits of said corporation, and no i»ther (burial-grounds excepted), that shall be necessary for said town in the exercise of its corporate powers, and may lease, sell and in any manner dispose of the >ame for the benetit of said town, and may have and use a common seal, and alter or change the same at pleasure.

Sec. 3. If at any time an additi(_ai to said town shall be laid otl". as soon as a plat thereof shall be filed in the office of the recorder of (Trundy eonntv sucli addition, and tlie inhabitants thereof shall be, to all intents and jmrposes. included in and liecome a part of the eorporaton hereby established.

Section 1. The corj^orate powei*s ami duties of said corporation shall be vested in a mayor, four couneilinen. and a mai'shal and >ucli other (officers as are hereafter mentioned.

Sec. 2 The mayor, conncilmen and marshal shall be chosen by the qualified voters within the limits of said corporation, and shall hold their offices, respectively, for the term of two years, and nntil their suecesors are elected and qualified.

Sec. 3. The mayor shall be a citizen of the United States, and at the time of his election shall be at least tweutv-five vears of age, shall be a leo^al voter in Grundy county, and shall have resided in said town for the space of three months previous to his election ; and no person shall be mayor of said town who is in ari-ears in the payment of any tax or other liability due said town.

Se(j. i. Tlifc councilinen and raar»hal shal! Vje citizens of the United States, and at the time of tlieir election ishall \te at leaAt twenty-one vears of age. and reside witliin the limits of .said town, and l^e legal voters under this act; nor »hall any jjerson hold the otiioe ot councilman or marshal who is subject to any of the disqualifications which, according to this act, prevent any jjerson from holding the oflBce of mayor.

Sec. 5. The mayor and council men shall constitute a town council, of which the mayor shall be ex orffieio president, but he shall ha%-e no vote, except n case of a tie.

Sec, 6. The councilmen, at their first meeting after each general election, or as soon thereafter as practicable, shall choose one of their number as Tvresident ^/'c- temjjore, who shall hold his office until the next general election, and who shall, in the absence of the mayor, preside in the meetings of the council, and exercise all the powers and prerogatives conferred upon the mayor by this act.

Sec. 7. The town council shall be the judges of the election returns and qualifications of the mayor, members of the conncil, and marshal, and shall determine contested elections.

Sec. 8. A majority of the conncil shall constitute a quorum to do business, but a smaller number may adjonm from day to day, and may compel the attendance of absent members, and impose such penalties for snch absence as the council may prescribe.

Sec. 9. The conncil may determine the rules of their proceedings, punish their members for disorderly conduct, and, with the concurrence of three-fourths of all tlie members, may expel a member for disorderly conduct or breach of ordinance.

Sec. 10. All vacancies that shall occur in the offices hereinbefore created shall be tilled in such a manner as may be provided by ordinance.

Sec. 11. Whenever a tie shall occur for councilmen or marshal, the mayor shall, by proclamation, order a new election; and if a tie shall occur upon election for mayor, the same shall be determined by a vote of the councilmen.

Sec. 12. The stated meetings of the council shall be held as often, and at such times and places, as the conncil, by ordinance, shall designate; and other and further meetings may be convened by the mayor, or, in liis absence, by the president j>/*o tempore^ at any time, in his discretion ; and the conncil mav adiouru anv meeting from dav to dav, or to anv time within the period fixed for their stated meetings.

Sec. 13. The mayor or councilmen and marshal shall each, before entering upon the discharge of their duties, take an oath to support the Constitution of the United States and of the State of Missonri, and faithfully to demean themselves in office; and the marshal and treasurer shall

First - To levy and collect taxes for general or special purposes, on real -or personal property, and license: Provided^ however. That no tax shall be levied on wearing apparel, nor shall the same be seized or sold for taxes.

Second - To borrow money on the faith and credit of the town, in such form of bonds, notes, bills, tax certificates or warrants, and for such specified object and time, as they may think proper.

Fourth - To prevent the introduction and spreading of contagious diseases in the town, and enforce the same to the distance of one mile from the limits thereof; to secure the general health of the inhabitants; to establish and regulate hospitals; to prevent or abate all nuisances on public or private property; to regulate the slaughtering of animals.

Fifth - To establish, open, abolish, alter, widen, extend, graduate, pave, or otherwise improve all streets, avenues, alleys, sidewalks, public grounds and squares, and to provide for the lighting, cleaning and repairing of the same.

Seventh - To erect, purchase, or rent a town hall, work-house, houses of correction, and all other necessary buildings for the use of said town, inside the corporate limits thereof, and to control, manage, sell or otherwise dispose of the same; to establish, license and regulate markets, market places and meat shops.

Eighth - To license, to tax and regulate auctioneers, grocers, merchants, hotels, public halls, concerts, public lectures, porters, runners, drummers, patent-right dealers, brokers, banking or other institutions, hackney carriages, omnibuses, carts, drays and other vehicles, and to fix the rates of carriage of persons, and of wagonage, drayage and cartage of property,

Ninth - To license, tax, regulate or suppress ordinaries, peddlers, street exhibitions, dance-houses, fortune-tellers, pistol galleries, lottery ticket dealers, billiard tables, or any other table or instruments used for gaming, shows, theatrical or other amusements, tippling liquors in any manner, and to suppress and prevent gambling or gambling houses, bawdy houses or houses of ill-fame or assignation.

Tenth - To prevent and extinguish fires, regulate, restrain or prohibit the erection of wooden buildings within prescribed limits; may regulate the storaj^e of gunpowder, coal oil and other combustible materials; the buildino- of flues and chimneys, and the establishment of any manufactory or business that is calculated to cause fires or conflagrations.

Eleventh - To restniin and prevent any riot, rout, noise, disturbance, disorderly assemblage in any street, house or place in the town, and prohibit the running at large of cattle, hogs, or other animals in the limits of the town; to prevent and remove all obstructions and encroachments on sidewalks, streets, avenues, alleys, and all other public property; to prevent the firing of fire-arms; to prevent unnecessary and furious driving and rid'ng of any horse or other animal in said town; to establish night-watches and patrols.

Thirteenth - P'inally, to pass all such ordinances as may be expedient in maintaining the peace, good government, health and welfare of the town.

Sec. 2. Every ordinance or resolution passed by the council shall be signed by the mayor, or president jprotem. of the council, and attested by the clerk, before it shall take eftect: Provided^ however^ that if the mayor shall refuse to sign any ordinance or resolution passed by the council, he shall state his objection to the council; when, if such ordinance or resolution is again passed by a vote of three-fourths of the councilmen, the same shall be considered to be duly passed.

Sec. 4. All the meetings of the council shall be held publicly, and it shall be lawful, at any stated meeting of the council, for any qualified voter within the limits of the corporation, to present for the consideration and action of the council any ordinance, resolution, or business, and to appear by himself or counsel, at any meeting of the council, and discuss any business pending before the same.

Sec. 5. No ordinance, resolution or order shall be finally passed by the council until the same shall have three times been publicly read in the council, and an opportunity shall have been given to discuss the same.

Sec. 6, All ordinances of the town council may be proven by the seal of the corporation, and attested by the clerk; and when such ordinances shall have been printed and published by authority of the council, the same shall be received in evidence in all courts and places without further proof.

Section 1. The mayor shall nominate, and, by and with the advice and consent of the council, appoint all the town officers not ordered b}' this act to be otherwise chosen. He shall be a conservator of the peace within the limits of said corporation; and it shall be liis dut^' to see that all the ordinances of the town are rigidly enforced. In case of riot or threatened breach of peace, in presence of the mayor, it shall be his duty, immediately, to arrest the offender or cause it to be done, in which case no warrant shall be necessary, but he may summon the marshal, or such other persons as may be there present, whose duty it shall be to assist the mayor in preserving the peace, and in arresting and securing offenders, and all such as prevent the mayor or any of his assistants in the discharge of their duties. He may remit fines and grant reprieves in any case arising under the town ordinances. He shall have exclusive original jurisdiction over all cases arising under this act, and over all cases arising under any ordinance of the town, made in conformance to this act, subject, however, to an appeal or certiorari in all cases above the sum of five dollars, to the Circuit Court of Grundy county, and such appeal and certiorari shall be granted and taken in the same manner as appeals are granted and taken from justices of the peace in the Circuit Court. He shall have the same power to compel the attendance of witnesses as justices of the peace now have. He shall be eX: officio justice of the peace within and for Trenton township, in Grundy county, and have the same jurisdiction in all cases, and, when sitting as justice of the peace, be governed by the same laws; and transcripts from his docket shall, in all cases, have the same effect and be entitled to the same lien as transcripts from the docket of a justice of the ])eace. He may issue his warrant and cause to be apprehended and brought to summary trial all persons accused of violating any of the town ordinances; he shall grant the accused the right to be tried by six competent jurors, who, if they find him guilty, shall assess his fine according to the ordinances; and if any person fined, as aforesaid, shall refuse to pay such fine, the mayor may send him to jail or otherwise imprison him for a period not exceeding twenty days. Fines, penalties and forfeitures may be recovered in a summary manner, as aforesaid, or they may be recovered by action of debt in the mayor's court. He shall cause to be made out, at the end of each fiscal year, a complete and detailed statement of all moneys received and expended, which statement shall be published in such manner as the council shall direct.

Sec. 2. In case of a vacancy in the otfice of mayor, or of inability of the mayor on account of absence, sickness or otherwise, to discharge the duties and powers prescribed in section one of article four of this charter, the same shall devolve on any member of the town council until such vacancy be filled, or inability removed.

Sec. 4. There shall be a clerk of the town council, a town treasurer and assessor, a street commissioner, and a corporation attorney, who, in addition to the duties prescribed by this act, shall perform such other dui HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 351 ties as may be prescribed by ordinance. Tliere shall be such other officers, agents and servants of the corporation as may be provided by ordinance, who shall be appointed by the mayor, by and with the advice and consent (-f the councilmen, and who shall perform such duties and receive such compensation as may be provided by ordinance; and all the appointed officers, before entering upon the discharge of their duties, shall take the same oath as prescribed in this act for mayor, marshal and councilmen, and shall be reniovable by the council at pleasure.

Sec. 5. It shall be the duty of the clerk of the council to keep a journal of the proceedings of the council and to record in a separate book all the ordinances and resolutions appropriating money. He shall keep and preserve, in his office, the common seal of the corjjoration, and all records, papers and documents of the town not properly belonging to some other office, and shall perform such other duties and receive such compensation as may be fixed by ordinance.

Sec. 6. It shall be the duty of the treasurer to receive and receipt for all moneys belonging to said town, and pay out the same on warrants drawn by the mayor and attested by the clerk.

Sec. 7. The marshal, within the limits of the corporation, shall possess the same powers, perform the same duties and receive the same fees and compensation as the constable of Trenton township in Grundy county, for similar services. He shall execute and return all process to him directed, and may serve criminal process and subpoena anywhere in Grundy county for offenses committed within the limits of the corporation. He shall collect all fines, forfeitures and penalties accruing to said town, and shall collect all taxes levied in said town, and pay the same over to the town treasurer, and settle with the council as often as the council may prescribe; and for collecting taxes, and for services not above enumerated shall receive such compensation as may be prescribed by ordinance.

Sec. 9. It shall be the duty of the corporation attorney to prosecute or defend on behalf of the corporation in all suits instituted by or against said town ; and if he have personal knowledge of the breach of any ordinance or if he have satisfactory information by verbal statement or otherwise, that any of the ordinances of said town have been violated, it shall be his duty to prepare a complaint, under his hand, against the accused, substantially setting forth the offense complained of, and present the same to the mayor who shall issue his warrant and cause the offender to be apprehended and summarily tried, as hereinbefore specified; and in all such cases it shall be his duty to prosecute to final judgment all suits instituted by him. In all actions for breaches of ordinances, if the accused is found guilty, or if, in an action in the mayor's court, judgment be rendered against the defendant, in addition to other costs of the proceedings, there shall be taxed against the defendant a fee of two dollars and fifty cents as corporation attorney's fee; and for all such other services he shall receive such compensation as may be fixed by ordinance.

Sec. 10. It shall be the duty of the street commissioner to superintend in executing all ordinances of said town for removing nuisances, for erecting and repairing bridges, for opening and forming public squares, avenues, drains and sewers, and for keeping the same clean and in order, and for opening, cleaning, regulating, grading, paving or otherwise improving the streets and alleys within said town, and shall receive such compensation as shall be fixed by ordinance.

Article V Of Elections

Section 1. A general election for all officers of the cor^^oration, required to be elected by this act, shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in September, 1873, and every two years thereafter, at such place in said town as may be fixed by ordinance.

Sec 3. Three judges and two clerks shall be appointed by the town council previous to each general or special election, wlio shall each take an oath faithfully and impartially to discharge their duties. They shall open the polls at nine o'clock in the morniug, and keep them open until four o'clock in the afternoon, when they shall proceed forthwith to ascertain and certify the result of the election.

Sec. 4. If, on the day appointed for holding any town election, the judges or clerks, or any of them, fail to attend, the electors may appoint judges or clerks to hold such election.

Sec. 5. All persons who are qualified to vote at State elections in this State, and who shall have resided within the limits of said corporation three months, shall be deemed qualified voters at all elections for town ofiicers.

Sec. T. All officers elected or appointed under the provisions of this act shall hold their offices until their successors shall be duly elected or appointed and qualified according to law.

Section 1. The town council shall have power by ordinance to prescribe the form of assessment rolls, and prescribe the duties and define the powers of the town assessor: Provided^ That the town assessor shall have the same power as State assessors. The council may also make such rules and give such directions in relation to the revising, altering or adding to the rolls as they may deem proper and expedient.

Sec. 2. The council shall have power and authority to levy and collect upon all property, real and personal, taxable by law for State purposes, within the limits of said town, and not by general law exempt from municipal taxation, not exceeding one-half of one per centum ])er annum upon the assessed value thereof, to defray the contingent and other expenses of the town not herein otherwise provided for, which taxes shall constitute the general fund.

Sec. 3. The council shall, each fiscal year, levy and cause to be collected a tax on all the real and personal property taxable by law for State purposes, within the limits of said town, and not by general law exempt from municipal taxation, sufficient for the payment of all interest and bonds for the payment of which said town is liable during said fiscal year, which year shall commence on the first day of April, and end on the thirty -first day of March following; and said tax, when collected, shall be applied exclusively to such payment and to no other.

Sec. 4. The council shall have power to levy and collect a poll-tax not exceeding one dollar and fifty cents for every year, upon all male persons, residents of the town, over the age of twenty-one and under fifty years; and such additional tax upon all taxable property within said town as they may think proper, not exceeding one-half of one per cent, which poll and property tax shall be appropriated to the improvement of the streets within the limits of said town, and to no other purpose. All residents of the town shall be exempt from working on public roads or highways beyond the limits of the town, and from paying any tax on property within the town for keeping the same in repair. The council shall also have power to levy and collect a tax on dogs, not exceeding five dollars nor less than one dollar for each year, whether male or female.

Sec. 5. Whenever it sliall appear to the town council that a sidewalk is needed for public convenience along any avenue or street, or whenever the owners of a majority of the real estate fronting on any avenue, street or block thereof, shall petition the town council to construct sidewalks along the side or sides of such avenue, street or block thereof, the town council shall order an assessment to be made of all property fronting on the avenue, street or block along which the proposed walk is to be constructed, and shall levy and collect a special tax, according to the extent of the respective fronts sufficient to make the sidewalk ordered to be made or petitioned for, which shall be applied to that purpose and no other: Provided^ That the council may permit any owner of property fronting on the proposed sidewalk to construct the same, under direction of the street commissioner, in strict conformity in all respects with the remainder of the sidewalks on such avenue, street or block.

Sec. 6. The general and special taxes, levied by the town on property in conformity with the powers granted by this charter, shall constitute a lien on the property against which they are levied until paid, and the town council shall have power to cause real estate to be sold for delinquent taxes^ in such manner as they may provide by ordinance, and to cause to be executed by the marslial, deed or deeds for lots or lands when sold for non-payment of taxes due the town; and such deeds, when executed, shall be received in like manner and have the same force and effect as State taxdeeds by the general laws of the State; and the council may provide for the redemption of lots or lands sold for non-payment of town taxes, in such manner as shall not be inconsistent with the laws of this State, and may in the same manner give power to the marshal to levy upon and sell any personal property delinquent for taxes.

Section 1. When it shall be necessary to take private property for opening, widening or altering any public street, avenue or alley the corporation shall make a just compensation therefor to the person whose property is so taken, and if the amount of such compensation cannot be agreed upon,, the mayor shall cause the same to be assessed by a jury of six disinterested freeholders of the town.

Sec. 2. When the owners of all the property on the street, avenue or alley, proposed to be opened, widened or altered, shall petition therefor, the town council may open, widen or alter such street, avenue or alley, upon conditions to be presented by ordinance, but no compensation shall in such case be made to those whose property shall be taken for the opening, widening or altering such street, avenue or alley, nor shall there be any assessment for the benefit or damage that may accrue thereby to any of the petitioners.

Sec. 3. All jurors impaneled to inquire into the amount of benefit or damage which shall happen to the owner of property taken for opening,, widening or altering any street, avenue or alley, shall be first sworn to that effect, and shall return to the mayor their verdict, in writing, signed by each juror.

Sec. 4. The mayor shall have power, for good cause shown, within ten days after any verdict shall have been returned to him, as aforesaid, to set the same aside and cause a new assessment to be made, which new assessment shall be final.

Sec. 5. In assessing the amount of compensation for property taken for opening, widening or altering any street, avenue or alley, the juroz-s shall take into consideration the benefit as well as the injury happening to any person by such opening, widening or altering such street, avenue or alley.

Sec. 6. The council shall have the power, by ordinance, to direct and regulate the working and improving of all streets, avenues, alleys, sewers, and drains in said town, and provide for the lighting and cleaning of the streets, avenues and alleys.

Section 1. The ordinances of said town, as revised under this cliarter, which are of a general cliaracter, shall l)e published within six months after the passage of this act; and it shall be the duty of the town council to cause to be printed in pamphlet form, for distribution at the end of each municipal year, all the ordinances passed during said year and then in force.

Sec. 2. All ordinances passed by the council of said town shall provide for a single object only, which shall be clearly set forth in the title thereof.

Sec 3. In pleading any ordinance of said town, or a right derived therefrom, it shall be sufficient to refer to such ordinance by the title and the day of its passage.

Sec. 4. All ordinances, regulations and resolutions now in force, and not inconsistent with the provisions of this act, shall remain and be in full force until altered, modified or repealed by the town council.

Sec 5. This act is hereby declared to be a public act, and may be read in evidence in all courts of law or equity in this State, without proof.

The Plat Of Trenton

Below will be found a verhatim copy of the original survey of the town of Trenton, dated August 7, 1841. The document is yellow with age and almost a total wreck. For years it was thrown around the court-house, sometimes reposing on dusty shelves and at others stowed away in some forgotten pigeon-hole or drawer. In a general cleaning up made in 1875, the old relic was found, and filed for record just thirty-four years after it was drawm up. It is indorsed : " Plat of the county seat of Grundy county"; and further down appears: "Filed for record, August 20th, 1875. J. JB. Berry, recorder." The document reads:

" By order and under the directions of the commissioners appointed by the legislature to locate the permanent county seat of Grundy county, I precedes, after being duly qualified, to procession the land selected by said commissioners; to-wit. Beginning at the half-mile corner stake, being the northwest corner of the northeast quarter of section twenty, range twentyfour and township sixty-one. Thence south 125 poles to a stake bearing s. 46, w. 17 links from a white oak and N. 67, w. 23 links from a hickory. Thence east 90 poles to a stake bearing n. Q^, w. 21 links from a small white oak, also s. 23, e. 1 pole from a large white oak. Thence north 28 poles to a stake, thence east 17 poles and 4 links to a stake. Thence north 97 poles to a stake. Thence west 105 poles to the beginning. Containing eighty acres. The fields notes of which survey is hirin reported to the County Court of Grundy county. August 7, 1841.

"A plat of the county seat of Grundy county. Laid down on a scale of fifty poles to the inch, with a vernation of 9^ digrees to the left of the nedle, with the exception of the line B C which is laid ofi' with a vernation of 10 digrees to the 1-eft.

There are several incidents of the early days of Trenton, and some claimsto be spoken of which cannot be admitted. Rev. Elijah Merrill is supposed to have been the first preacher in Grundy county, and it is said he preached' in the log Baptist clinreli which served as a])hxce foi' holding court as well as preacliing. Tliere are at least two who antedate the Rev. Mr. Merrill, Miss Bernettie Moore was, and is sup])Osed to be the first white child born in Grnndy county, and yet she was born in 1840; we have mentioned one, if not two who were born previous to that date.

Back to the above date, or a little earlier, Geo. W. Moberly opened the lirst tailor shop in the town of Trenton, and also kept some fine spirits, which were supposed to be very good. Some put this back to 1838. The price was from eighteen to twenty-five cents ])er gallon.

The first school was at the house of Levi Moore and he employed James Carson at fifteen dollars per month as teacher. This was not earlier than 1837; and 1838 has been mentioned as the date. This information came from a son of Levi and Rachel Moore.

In 1842 Mr. Wm. Collier fixed up some seats in a building he had and gave it free for a temporary place of worship. This was the next place of worship to the old Baptist log church spoken of. Mr. Collier proved to be one of the most public spirited men of that day, and pressed the work of keeping up religious worship, and in 1848 a church was organized, and he became an elder and deacon. Mr. William Collier was the first P. M. we have any account of.

In 1850 an inn-keeper's license was granted to J. H. Cooper, and he opened the Union Hotel on Water Street, The town of Trenton was incorporated that year, 1850, and the above license was the first issued that any account can be found of. The petition for the incorporation of the town has not been found, nor the names of the petitioners, but the following refers to it, and is the order of the County Court granting the same. It reads:

" Daniel Wright and other citizens of Trenton presented a petition to the court praying for an incorporation, the metes and bounds of which are laid down on plat of said town, which petition was received and their prayer irranted.

" Ordered, That Dr. James Cooper, Jeremiah Snyder, Wm. Benson, Joseph Winters and D. T. Wright, be and are hereby appointed trustees for the incorporation of said town of Trenton."

Still, Trenton might be considered as slow of growth. What she gained, however, was solid. The county itself was improving slowly in regard to population. Quite a number of immigrants came in in 1850-51 and tlie town o-rew, but only as the demands of the people of the county warranted,

A map of Trenton was authorized by the County Court June 5, 1855, and J. H. Shanklin was the person named to get it up, the sum of fifteen dollars being allowed by the court for the purpose, but at this time very little is known of said map.

The completion of the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad to Chillicothe in February, 1858, was quite an era in the history of all this country. It was a great benefit to Grundy county so far as it gave the people an outlet by rail from that point. This was taken advantage of by the citizens, and Chillicothe was made the focus of Grundy county trade when home merchants failed to fill the bill. Undoubtedly Trenton would have grown and prospered materially, and far more rapidly, if the break had not come in the deadening eifects of the civil war. It was not only the time the war continued that was lost, but it so demoralized everything that the population of 1860 was little more than a natural healthy increase without immigration. Those years were dark and gloomy ones for Trenton, as it was a period of gloom and despondency for the whole country. Organized bands of thieves raided the whole country, and Trenton appointed a patrol to guard the city at night from these migratory bands. The men were allowed twenty-five cents an hour while in performance of their duty. The first organization of a patrol was in December, 1860, and was for the township. Jos. Kennedy was made captain and his men were Chas. G. Chandler, Wm. Collier, Jr., John W. Rice, Alfred Blew. They patrolled three hours each night. Jos. Kennedy declined to serve and so Reuben Shinn took his place as captain and was engaged for one year.

Her Progress

The progress of Trenton the next few years was marked by her struggle for railway communication, and on the success of that project depended almost the life of the town. She began to make solid improvement and was growing fast after it was ascertained that the Chicago & Southwestern Railway would really make Trenton a point. In 1869 buildings were put up to the value of $65,707, and for a town of something less than a thousand people showed wonderful progress. Her energies, however, were far from being exhausted, and the year 1870, though not quite as heavy building operation went on, still the amount reached $56,735. Other business had also rapidly improved and 1870 was one of general prosperity.

In 1871 Trenton was represented by the following business houses, which shows a pretty good assortment. There were five dry good stores, three drug stores, five family groceries, one hardware and agricultural implements, two agricultural agencies, one furniture store, one hotel, three meat markets, one lumber yard, four carpenter shops, three blacksmith shops, three wagon makers, one tin and stove store, one harness shop, five boarding-houses, one restaurant, one boot and shoe store, two milliners, three paint shops, two livery stables, two barber shops, one tannery, three ilouring-mills, one woolen factory, one marl)le yard, one printing oftice, one seminary, two schoolliouses, three churches, three land agents, one photogra])h gallery, one bank, one gunsmith, two jewelry stores, one tailor shop, six doctors, fifteen lawyers, and insurance agents too numerous to mention. Each taxpayer had personal property to the value of $300 exempt from taxation. The population had increased from 920 to 1,075, and the valuation of city property was $214,685.75. The school building was finished, of which will be found a description in the school history of Trenton.

The Milk Wagon

-About this time Trenton took a new departure, put on city airs, and by and with the consent of P. Y. Yakey came out with that article of a city's prime necessity, a milk wagon. Mr. Yakey inaugurated this necessary reform, but the first time around his modesty got the better of his judgment and he walked into the house of each customer and announced his presence and his milk. All this, however, wore oft', and in a few days Mr. Yakey could give his little l)ell one of those sharp taps which bids a lazy customer to hurry up, with the twang of an expert. This necessary luxury Mr. Yakey was prepared to keep up winter and summer. Mr. Yakey started on his first round of delivery November 30, 1870.

The Iron Horse And Joy Unspeakable

It was on June 24, 1871, that the citizens of Trenton were fully persuaded that the " year of jubilee" had come: their faith was the size of a mountain in that belief, and there never was a people so tired as they were that night and so supremely happy. They could talk and shout, that is the few that were not alread}^ hoarse from undue exertion in that line, but they could not sleep, and quite a number went down in the morning to see if the thing had really staid all night. But to the feature of all this happiness.

Crossing The Line

On the morning of June 14th, 1871, at precisely nine o'clock in the morning the tfack laying of the Chicago & Southwestern Kailroad crossed the line of Mercer into Grundy county. On the morning of June 24th, 1871, at eleven o'clock, the first rail was laid within the corporate limits of Trenton, and at three o'clock p. m. of the same day the last spike had been driven at the depot. A vast crowd was gathered and ere the ring of the hammer had ceased " three cheers and a tiger" rent the air, and Trenton was in railroad communication with the outside world. A free ride to Tindall and return was given those who wished to go on the construction train, the people returning that night in the lirm belief, that no matter what the futnre might bring forth, Trenton's fate would be a happy one and her progress i-apid. Of this belief, the past ten years have proven the truth and from a population of 920 she has one of quite 4,000.

Machine-Shops

While their joy was great and their hopes high, there was still one more event which they were very anxious should happen and if that were obtained for Trenton then their cup of joy would not only be full but running over. As the saying is, it never rains but it pours, or that one streak of luck brings another, proved true in Trenton's case, and it was not long before the grand prize was dropped into her arms. The machine works and repair shops were located here. When that was decided, it was necessary that some demonstration should be made to let oif a little of the joy which was too much to bear. A big meeting was called, the people cheered and 4th of July oratory, real spread eagle style, was indulged in. Col. Shanklin, and C. H. Manson, who was up from Chillicothe, succeeded in doing the wind work in a surprisingly graceful and popular manner. The people of Trenton retired to their homes throughly convinced that they had won the stakes and that there were no more worlds to conquer.

Close Of 1871

The first merchant tailor, that is, exclusively in the business, in Trenton, was S. V. Spnrling and he opened that year, 1871, and in March of the same year R. F. Derick opened the first exclusively boot and shoe house.