Jasper County, Missouri - Chapter 13: County Societies, 1912

Chapter 13: County Societies

Objects op the Grange - Gbeat Harvest Home Celebration - ^Pomolooical and horticultural society - ^mcdonald township farm- ERS* Club - Jasper County Sheep - Jasper County Immigration Society - The Southwestern Medical Society - County Jail - Jasper County Old Settlers' Association - Colonel Young and THE County op '65.

During the early 'seventies there came into great popularity in Jasper county a fanners' organization, the Patrons of Husbandry, but popularly known as **the Grangers."

On October 1, 1873, the Grangers had a great demonstration at Carthage, which brought together the farmers from both Jasper and Newton counties. The speakers of the day were Norman J. Coleman, editor of the Rural World, and T. R. Allen, grand master of the Missouri State Grange. We clip the following from the Carthage Banner, as it will give a vivid idea of the magnitude of the gathering and the imj)ortance of the event in farm circles.

The Farmers' Feast

A Procession Two Miles Long - ^Hundreds of Gbangebs Turn Out with their Families - ^Two Hundred and Sixty-Three Wagons in Line - They March Through the City with Flags and Banners - Speeches by T. R. Allen, BlASTEB State Grange, and Ck>L. N. J. Colman.

Yesterday wan a K»ila djiy for the farmers of Jasi>er county. Although cloudy in the morning, hy eight o'clock the sljy was clear and by nine the crowds began to gather in the city from all quarters. Farmers with their wives and children came to enjoy the feast that had long been prejmring for them. Everybody turned out - mechanics, artizans, laborers, merchants, lawyers, printers, bankers and speculators, land sharks, bloated bond-holders, and i)er8ons bloated who are not bond-holders, office-holders, office seekers and aspiring politicians, fresh from the barber shops slicked up with hay seed liair dressing, all eager to swell the throng, and anxious to be counted a -*friend If not a lover."

On the arrival of the tmin, a committee consisting of Judge Conard, W. I. Hullis, and J. A. Bodenhammer met the speakers with carriages and the band and escorted them to the City Hotel where ample arrangements had been made for their accommodation. By ten o'clock the city was full of spectators, and the Grangers waiting on the principal roads a short distance out for the signal of march which was soon given. Dashing Cutler, the railroad's greatest enemy, mounted on his fiery steed, letl the van ; following was the band wagon cjirrylng the Carthage Silver Cornet band, dihcoursing excellent nnisic. (irange after Grange followed, some with the flag of our <ouiitry gallantly >!«treiiming, and others with lanners with the name and number of the Gninge and mottoes significant and Insignificant.

Judge Hornback's wagon carried a banner on one side of which was Inscribed in large letters: "Pay Back the Back Pay," and on the other, "We demand a full Overhauling of our County Records."

"Sarcoxie Grange, No. 252." "Excelsior." Another belonging to the same grange inscribed with "Let us Plough under the foul weeds of Corruption."

"Equity before the law. Richland Grange. Live and let live." On the other side were the words: "For our country's welfare; For the enjoyment of our rights; For the elevation of agriculture; We cooperate against rings and monopolies."

Mr. William Collins of Preston, acted as Grand Marshal, and Ellis Serjean, James Spence, John Hornback, F. L. Cutler and Joshua Shafer as Assistant Marshals, who conducted them through the principal streets of the city. It was a grand sight to look at, and fully as pleasant to the participants for the weather was pleasant and the streets free from dust. After the parade the throng pro-

His speech was confined principally to the objects and working of tbe order of Patrons of Husbandry. His work Is organization. He wanted "It distinctly understood that we have no antagonism with any legitimate calling. Our war is with corruption and monopoly. We must first organize and by carrying out the principles of the organization we have monopoly by the throat." He said, "there is a wrong somewhere" and it is the farmers' fault. **We must he educated." "Banking corporations and all other organizations are endeavoring to crush us out." "Farmers are the mere serfs of mankind." "This organization is co-extensive with the Nation." The farmers are equal to all others in number, and thus are powerful. There are too many people engaged in business. The number must be reduced. Our action will not only do this in many lines, but will strengthen those that remain." - "Our motto is live and let live." He said objections were made by some to admitting ladies but he thought it was the best feature of the order, and inquired if anybody knew anything to fail that the ladies took hold of. Others object to paylrg $5 Initiation and 10 cents monthly dues. He explained that grangers save $25 a piece on reapers and largely on plows and other implements in proportion. He claimed that the best features of , the organization are its social effects; and emphatically stated - on his honor as a truthful man and a christian of forty years In the church. - that "this grange organization has done more for the brotherhood of man that the christian religion has in 1,800 years." Mr. Allen concluded by explaining that the principal objects to be attained, are to educate the farmers that they may be better able to do their duty as citizens, and reform tbe abuses that now exist That they may be able to do their own thinking and not follow leaders. Said farmers have been led too much that they must raise their own speakers, so as not to be obliged to call on lawyers and politicians to do the speaking. He also ex])1ained how a new system of crop reports can be gotton up for tbe whole country on a cheap plan, and one that will be reliable and practicable for all.

In 1874 the Jasper County Grange put under way a proposition to build an implement factor^" in Jasper county and the farmers proposed to subscribe $100,000 in stock for the enterprise.

Mayor Began, of Carthage, offered to donate five acres of land for a building site, but the cost of farm implements after this move coming down, the plan was abandoned. The Grange continued to be popular during the 'seventies and did much good in the way of bringing the farmers together in a fraternal way. It was a great social factor among the husbandmen and useful in many other ways.

Pomological And Horticultural, Society

On August 24, 1872, the first fruit growers of the county organized the above named society, having for its object the promotion of the science of pomology and the better raising of spiall fruit.

During the organization meeting Peter Myers placed on the secretary's table a Crawford peach, measuring nine and three fourths inches in circumference and weighing seven and one half ounces. The peach was a product of his orchard and was one of many such.

At the annual meeting of the society in 1875 Lucius Amsden, a farmer and fruit grower residing six miles north of Carthage, exhibited a peach which he called the June Amsden, a variety which was grafted

One of the most popular and useful local organizations of the early 'seventies was the McDonald Township Farmers' Club, which was organized January 20, 1871, and held meetings for a number of years. This club was organized before the Grange had come into popularity and its meetings were held weekly. The first officers of the club were : William H. Rusk, president; A. H. Ingersoll, secretary.

The club was non-political and confined its work to the discussdon of topics which would be of help in bettering the farming interests. Interesting papers and discussions were had on stock and poultry raising, dairy products, the cultivation and care of fruits, the best and cheapest way to build a fence, etc.

At the Dade County fair in October, 1877, the Jasper county sheep belonging to William McGuier took the first prize, winning him a nice sum. The sheep were of the Cotswold breed.

On February 25, 1872, a number of patriotic citizens met at Carthage and formed the Jasper County Immigration Society, having for its objects the disbursement of literature and information concerning the county and its resources. More than a hundred men joined the society and paid an entrance fee of five dollars, together with an annual assessment with which to carry on the business of the association. Its first officers were: J. W. Young, president; W. L. Tower, vice presi* dent ; D. L. Thomas, treasurer ; B. P. Searl, recording secretary ; Capt. T. B. Tuttle, and H. C. Henney corresponding secretaries.

The Southwestern Medical Society, composed of doctors from Greene, Newton, Lawrence, Barton, Dade and Jasper counties, met at Carthage, April 15, 1875. Dr. J. A. Carter read an interesting paper giving the data collected by United States pension experts comparing the death rate of Southwestern Missouri with other localities, the conclusion being that this section of the state was then the healthiest portion of the United States, its death rate being far less than any other portion of our great domain.

The county jail was built in 1872. It was originally intended to accommodate twenty prisoners, having eight cells besides corridors, sheriff's oflSce, etc. At this writing the jail is much over crowded, having over one hundred prisoners and although all county offices, save the jailer's quarters, have been moved to the elegant court house and the old offices fitted up as cells, it is necessary for the prisoners to take turns at sleeping, two sets occupying the beds during the day.

On May 5, 1879, the first annual reunion of the Jasper County Old Settlers' Association was held in the City Park at Carthage. At an early hour that morning people from the country commenced pouring into town and by noon there was a very large crowd. At ten o'clock Monroe's comet band gathered the crowd to the park, where the day was to be spent. The roll-of -membership book was on the grounds and up to noon one hundred and fifty persons had registered their names as members of the organization. The people assembled in the park numbered about four hundred. The assemblage was called to order by Judge Homback, president of the association. Col. J. M. Young, of Oronogo, delivered the address of the occasion which occupied over an hour. After this dinner was announced. The multitude was not long in assembling around the long tables laden with all the luxuries of the season. After dinner an old settlers' experience meeting was held in which a large number of the pioneers made speeches relating interesting incidents of early life in Jasper county.

The following are the closing paragraphs of Colonel Young's most interesting address and it cannot help but be of interest to both old and new settlers, because of its vivid description of the early events of the reorganization period.

The organizers of this Association were forced to consider facts - results. From 1865 to 1870 they found society formed from chaos, from a wilderness a commonwealth, and on the wreck of civilization a sovereignty already assured the peer and rival of any in the state. Youth is silvered with age where time has been annihilated by accomplishments and generations encompassed with events; here age had lost her prestige and experiences mark the line of time. Settlers prior to 1870 may well be called old settlers who experienced those results. In 1865 traveling by team, camping out, we crossed the Osage river at Osceola. On our way down the divides southward, we followed the dim traces of former roads and when all trace was gone were guided by course alone. Deer were constantly in sight grazing like common kine. We shot them and wolves from our wagon seat In our camp at the ford on Nork Fork of Spring river we were startled from supper by a herd of deer rushing past in apparent sportive wantonness and from the bank they bounded on the solid Ice below, across which they slid in no very graceful shape till striking the opposite bank, up which they sprang and were soon lost in the bottoms beyond.

It was on a December morning that we reached the site of ancient Carthage. The rain of the night before had frozen and each pendant bough and blade of grass sparkled and flashed in the sunlight. Nature was draped in bridal array awaiting and wooing civilization and development. The scene was brilliant and Impressive. We found here Mr. Rader, not **like Marlus amid the ruins."

For in his cabin and own proi)er person he represented the total wealth, population and Improvements of Carthage as we saw it at that time - except perhaps an old roof still standing supported on bare poles and situated somewhere In the rear of where the St Charles Hotel now Is. Dr. Bolen was living in a farm house out south and where Mr. I^nib since lived for a time.

The county seat was at Cave Springs (a brick church or school house) on the eastern line of the county. Mall matter was delivered for that place from tbe post office at Sarcoxle some three miles distant.

Historic Sarcoxle, celeb rateil for her military Rains, and as the once commercial emporium of the Ozark slopes whence was distributed intelligence and "store goods," still maintained her prestige. Here communication was had with civilization and the outer world by a weekly hack via Springfield and thence with the railroads at Rolla or Sedalla. Here was also the only running mill we saw, and the relics of three or four hous^ in one of which was quite a stock of goods.

On our way from Carthage to the county seat we received our first Missouri welcome. Messrs. E. M. and Lyman J. Burch received us with open house and hands. Here we obtained the assuring intelligence tliat there were at tiiat time located in Jasper county as many as twenty-five or thirty men, and that should we desire to locate here they thought we could safely do so, provided, of course, we used necessary precautions. At C^ve Springs we were hospitably entertained by Mr. Bulgin, the then county clerk. We there saw all the valuable Records of Jasper county carefully preserved in a safe, the inside measure of which was twelve by eighteen Inches, which safe I aften;\-ards purchased and valued at ten dollars.

After dinner the ** experience meeting" was held. John Prigmore, R. J. Dale, C. W. King, D. K. Hood and W. P. Qoud made short speeches narrating their early experiences in the county. These little talks were full of interest and we only regret that we are unable to give them to our readers in full. The music by a special choir was excellent ; among the songs sung were **The Light of Home" and **0n the Mountain Life is Free." It was four o'clock before the exercises were over and the crowd dismissed to gather again at some date to be named hereafter this fall. On the whole the reunion was a grand success and we predict that the meeting next fall will be a still grander one.