Jasper County, Missouri - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 38 of those read), 1912

Carterville And Other Points

Much of Carterville 's mining and business industries has been mentioned in our county chapter and need not be reprinted here. The nineties in Carterville represented a great period of activity, and the period was rather noted for its home-making and business improvements.

We present here a few of the social and local business happenings, to the end that the reader may realize the importance of the cily and its people and, in doing so beg to say that the newspaper files of the Carterville papers were not obtainable for this period and the 'stories' here presented were secured by personal interviews, or from newspaper clippings saved by the people of the city and kindly loaned the editor for use in compiling the data for this work.

Carterville was very fortunate, during this decade, in having two well edited newspapers, the Mining News and the Carterville Journal, the latter having the financial support of W. B. Kane, of the First Nsr tional Bank.

E. W. Carlton, late of the JopUn Daily Herald, was the first editor of the paper and ably did he set out the richness and value of the Carterville district.

W. D. Sallie, the editor of the Mining News, was also a forceful writer and with his pen exerted no small influence in shaping the political destinies of Carterville. It was he who first mentioned S. H. Claycomb as a suitable representative to the state senate and it was this paper also which ably presented his claims on the party for the nomination of lieutenant-governor.

terville commercially. The mines of the Carterville district were the best producers of the nineties and made fortunes for many men. The predominence of the mining interests brought out many manufacturing industries, such as foundries and machine shops.

The vast amount of money changing hands in Carterville called fon the organization of a bank and in December, 1890, W. B. Kane, with Henry Weyman, W. A. Daugherty and others, organized the Carterville Bank, which at once became a strong financial institution. In 1895 the owners of this bank purchased the stock of the Webb City National Bank and moved it to Carterville, the name being changed to the First National Bank of Carterville, with W. A. Daugherty as president and W. B. Kane as cashier. The Bank of Carterville now surrendered its charter and its depositors were taken over by the First National Bank of Carterville.

Many new stores were established, and among the business houses whose influence was county wide was the Weeks hardware store, which during the latter nineties was the largest retail hardware and implement house in the county.

During the nineties Carterville maintained a good school system. In 1891 Professor Frank Magoon, who had made a splendid supervisor, removed to St. Louis, and Prof. A. A. Antles was chosen superintendent and held this post for nine years, which of itself attests to his worth as an organizer, and an instructor. During this decade two new school houses were built and various improvements made. The teaching force was strengthened and the high school course made equal to other schools of the county.

In 1904 Carterville school district erected a modern up-to-date high school building which was dedicated January 13, 1905. At the dedicatory exercises the following excellent paper was read, and we reproduce it here on acount of its historic value. It is entitled ** Reminiscences of Older Days in Carterville Schools; Orowth and Progress of Education."

**Now many generations ago where you now sit circled with all that exalts and embellishes civilized life," says the paper, ** *the rank thistle nodded in the wind and the wild fox dug his hole unscared. '

**The above expression is true in a literal sense of the city of Carterville only a few years ago; indeed, within the memory of some older citizens now living in this section.

''The progress and growth of Carterville 's education and the advance of civilized life through the medium of her schools is the indication the Avriter will endeavor to show in this article.

* * In 1875 and 1876, where Carterville now stands, was a field. Corn was grown on the western territory now covered by business houses, residence houses and mines. The field extended to the present line of Davy street. East of this was a wheat field which reached to Fountain street. During these years several families were attracted to this territory by the discovery of lead on the Webb farm and other discoveries which followed in close succession. The children of these families wentto school to what was then known as the Washington school, which was located on the hill near where the North Heights building now stands. The exact location is yet discernable, as some of the old foundation rocks are yet visible on the lots owned by C. H. Lillibridge which join the Aylor residence lots. Carterville having received its name it may now be said that the first Carterville boys and girls attended school in the old Washington building, their teacher being Mr. Bean. Dr. Jacks, known at that time as John Jacks, who later became postmaster of Carterville, was followed by Mr. Bean. The third term was taught by William Thompson, now an attorney of Carthage. After the end of this term the Carterville children came to town to school, but the children from the country still continued in the old building.

**Dr. W. H. Price erected a building on the lot opposite that now occupied by the E. S. Casner residence, at the comer of Allen and Lewis streets, and taught several terms of select school.

'*The first school house for Carterville was provided by the moving of an old brick store building from Medoc to the lot now occupied by Frank Briggs' residence, on West Main street. This building was only rented by the school district. The building was a two-story and was used for all kinds of public meetings. It was also used as a lodge room and the Blue Ribbon society held meetings there. The older pupils went down stairs to Mr. Thompson, who had in the meantime taken into himself a wife. Mrs. Thompson taught the smaller children in the upper room. They probably taught two terms in this building.

''The next year the Washington school was moved to a position in the prairie which is now between the Stalter meat market and the Thornton residence. The schoolhouse was considered away out of town at this location. The nearest house to the school was the residence of Gus Jordon, at the comer of Fountain and Main streets. An addition the same size of the old building was added to the old building and Frank Genlick and Mrs. Thompson were employed as teachers, (Mr. Thompson had gone to St. Louis to study law.)

**The next term was begun by Lee Kost in charge of the older pupils and Mrs. Kost having charge of the primary students. (Mr. Kost is now (1911) a Joplin druggist.)* Mr. Kost resigned, after teaching about two months, and his place was filled by Miss Edith Johnston. She was the daughter of a Carthage doctor and afterward became the wife of Hank Gray. The remaining terms taught in this building were taught by Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Spencer.

**When the Oronogo cyclone passed through this country, in 1883, this building with many others was blown away. Wqr^ was begun immediately toward the building of the old Central school, which has just been replaced by the new brick (1905). It was not completed until the middle of October, 1883. C. P. Cox, with three assistants, namely, Helen Jones, Allie Black well and Clara Byers. (During the term Miss Jones and Mr. Cox were married.)

** Henry Phelps and wife, who now live in Joplin, assisted by Allie Blackwell and Clara Byers, taught two more terms following. Mr. Davis and wife and Miss Bickman and Miss Nannie Woodward (now Mrs. Nannie Brown) taught the next year. J. C. Turk was principal during the next term. (Mr. Turk is now an attorney of Kansas City.) W. F. Bray was the next superintendent and it was under his administration that the school was graded. He taught two years. Miss Jennie Woods (now Mrs. Will Crenshaw) graduated under Mr. Bray and taught under him the second year of his stay. During the summer following Mr. Bray's teaching (1889) two rooms were added to the Central building. This addition was not completed until November. During this term the intermediate and graduating classes had half-day sessions only.

''Frank Magoon was the next superintendent and had five assistants - Lewis Daugherty, Jennie Woods, Allie Lillibridge, Kate Jackson (now Mrs. M. C. Terry) and May Underwood (now Mrs. Tom Burch, of Chandler, Oklahoma).

** During the summer following this term the North Heights, fourroom brick building was erected, and C. B. Davis was elected superintendent of both schools. Mr. Davis was assisted in the first term in the new building by S. B. Qarvey, Jennie Woods, Hester Gray (now Mrs. J. C. Lovell). In the spring of 1891 Arbor day was celebrated by the planting of shade trees at the Central, and also at the North Heights building appropriate exercises were held. John Oray was the superintendent of the Central building this year. Superintendent Davis taught two years in the High school and dismissed his classes at 3 o'clock each afternoon, devoting the other hour to visiting the other rooms. During the summer of 1893, the Johnstown building of four rooms was constructed.

**A. A. Antles was elected superintendent, after having been superintendent of the Prosperity school for a time. Professor Antles served as superintendent of the city schools from 1893-4 to 1902-3, being nine years of continuous service. During the first two years of Mr. Antles' service Professor L. G. Knight was principal of the Central school. He was succeeded by his brother, Charles Knight, who served only a short time and disappeared and for a time his whereabouts were unknown. Miss May Tyler was then promoted to his position and held the principalship of the Central building until 1903, when the building was sold and moved away.

"The Johnstown building was completed in the fall of 1893, and Professor J. W. Beddingfield was the first principal. Mr. Beddingfield has been for several years deputy county assessor.

** Superintendent Antles taught the High School for five years in the North Heights building after which it was moved to the Johnstown building, and Mrs. Ella Seeley placed in the High school and also of the building. She held this position for two years and was succeeded by Professor 0. N. Waltz, who also held the position for two years. J. R. Simonson (two years), Miss Ella Booher (one year) and Miss Esther Thorsell (one year) were the succeeding principals of the Johnstown building, during Superintendent Antles' administration. In 1896 Prosperity was included in the Carterville school district and remained a part of it for two years. During the first year J. M. McCullough was the principal and the second year, C. L. Morgan. During the four years the High school was held at the Johnstown building, the North Heights building was under the principalship of Ellis Hummel for two years. In 1903 Professor O. N. Waltz was elected superintendent and is still holding the position. The Johnstown building was under the principalship of Miss Mamie Dodson during the first year, and the next year was placed in charge of Miss Pearl Mericle, who is at present the principal. The election of Professor Waltz to the position of superintendent vacated the principalship of the High school and Professor William H. Bishop was elected to this position and Miss Ella Boohler became assistant.

''During the first part of the school year 1904, the children who had formerly attended school in the old Central frame building were accommodated the best way possible in the same building which now occupies two lots owned by Dr. Clark at the east end of Wilson street. There was no principal during this part of the year, each teacher managing her own part of the pupils.

* * In the early part of 1904 the work of constructing the present new Central building was begun and continued until now. School adjourning for two weeks on Friday before Christmas, it reconvened in the new building on Monday morning, January 9, 1905.

** Having now reviewed the teachers and principals up-to-date, it is desired that the public know what the new Central building at Carterville is. It is a modem two-story, sixteen-room building, constructed of good brick with pressed brick facing. It is heated with hot air furnace and furnished with a dry closet apparatus. There are only ten recitation rooms. There is not a finer auditorium anywhere in this section in a school building than is found in this building. It was the intention of the board in having such a room to hold public meetings and entertainments in it. Heretofore all graduating exercises have been held either at a church or a hall in some business block. Elmer Boyd, a Carterville contractor, has had charge of the entire construction of the building. It cost the people about $26,000. It is by far the most convenient and best equipped building in Jasper county.

**The first pupils to finish the graded course after it was established by Professor Bray were Sadie Gray (Fishbum), Allie Lillibridge, Carrie Jones (Fountain), and Hattie Byers (Hagaman). Owing to some class trouble they did not have Hiiy class entertainments.

teen years ago. The class included Quincy Sherman, Harley Nichols,- Maude Fountain (Hummel), Mittee Helm (Southern) and Lilly Underwood (Cody). This class graduated under Frank Magoon. (The two boys died the following summer.)

**Some other matters may be interestingly continued as part of Carterville school history which have not been touched upon. When Professor C. B. Davis, now a citizen and business man at Carthage, took charge of Carterville and organized the High school, the course at first included two years' work. When Professor Antles assumed charge another year was added and still another year was added when Professor Waltz assumed the superintendency. Thus Carterville graduates now have a four-years' course to complete. To the first superintendent, Charles B. Davis, should be given the credit for mapping out ten years' work for the Carterville schools. This work which was just begun by Professor Davis was carried out very effectively and in excellent manner by his successor. Professor Antles.

**Some graduates who have been associated with the Carterville schools in the capacity of teachers are deserving of especial mention. Prof. Will Bishop, now principal of the High School, is one of these. Sterling Worth is also recognized in the nine years' service as teacher by each of the following ladies who were also graduates : Miss May Tyler, Miss May Hedges and Miss Tresa Daugherty. Mrs. Ella Seeley, although not a graduate of the Carterville schools, has perhaps served longer time in the teacher's position than any other person. She has done service among Carterville boys and girls for twelve years.

**It is a matter of regret on the part of the writer that the names of Carterville 's first school directors could not be secured. It seems that no one knows anything about the old records. They do not seem to have been handed down from one clerk to another in succession, as the present clerk, C. L. Gray, has no knowledge about them. He has some of the records of later years, but none of the first records.

** Carterville does not take a back seat for any city of its size for a school record. The city is now finely equipped with ample room for growth for several years to come. The people now receiving the benefits will no doubt feel very grateful for years to come toward the present board which is composed of M. C. Terry, president ; C. L. Gray, secretary; John B. Boyd, treasurer; L. Pitman, J. R. Leathers and W. L. Hodson. J. B. Qilbreath has served as director on the Carterville school board for about twenty years.

During the nineties, five churches labored for the betterment of Carterville socially and the upbuilding of the kingdom of the Master. They were especially strong in their efforts along the line of civic righteousness and at the city election of 1893 elected a strong official board pledged to the enforcement of the law. The successful candidates at this election were called the Law and Order party. At this election C. B. Davis was elected mayor and W. Brown, marshal.

Progress Lodge No. 216, Knights of Pythias, was organized August 26, 1891, by R. M. Stultz of Webb City, then grand master-at-arms of the order. The following were the first oflScers : Chancellor commander, J. D. Rogers; vice commander, W. E. Poundstone; prelate, T. C. Hendricks; master of finance, M. Leon; K. of R. and S., F. P. Blair; masterat-arms, A. E. Blackwell; inside guard, Sidney Byers. At the conclusion of the installation ceremonies a banquet was served to the visiting Knights who assisted the instituting officers in initiating the class.

The three-linked fraternity had a great l)oom at Carterville during the early nineties and was a most influential order. On Alarch 25, 1890. the Carterville Odd Fellows held a great meeting initiating a large class and concluding with a supper which was served at Uncle Billy Poundstone's. We speak of him as "Uncle Billy" because he was so well-liked by the boys that they delighted to call him ** uncle*' as a mark of their love for him.

The Rebekah Lodge also came into great prominence, the degree team being one of the best in the state. At the meeting of the State Grand Lodge, at Sedalia, on May 22, 1892, the Carterville Rebekahs carried off all the honors and won the first prize offered by the state authorities for the best exemplification of the work. At this same meeting Mrs. Allie Poundstone was elected state vice president and in 1893 passed the chair, making a most popular and efficient presiding officer.

The Ancient Order of United Workmen continued during the nineties to be the popular fraternal insurance order and sociability was a great factor in Carterville all during the decade. On October 27, 1891, Carterville Lodge conducted a largely attended public meeting, commemorating the twenty-third anniversary of the founding of the order. Four hundred members of the order from all over Jasper county were present. Speeches were made by Phil Hannum, S.-A. Underwood, Joseph Blair and others, after which a much enjoyed lunch was served by the ladies' auxiliary.

The Carterville Masonic Lodge was instituted in April, 1893, with nineteen charter members. There were eighty-five members of the craft from neighboring towns present who assisted in the work. The first officers of the lodge were: W. W. Fewel, worshipful master; W. S. Dawson, senior warden; E. M. Thornton, junior warden; Wilson Blanton, treasurer ; Dr. W. Price, secretary ; J. W. Connor, senior deacon ; Joseph Fountain and George W. Story, stewards; W. McCollough, tyler. After the ceremonies the members with their ladies repaired to the Planters Hotel where a banquet was served, at which a number of eloquent afterdinner speeches were made.

In March, 1891, there was organized in Carterville a female band which, to use a modem business phrase, ''made good" and gave to the music-loving people of that city some most excellent band music. The members of this musical organization were: Hattie Byers, Allie Lillibridge, Lizzie Duncan, Bertie Hightower, Belle Cass, Maud Roop, Ollie Cass, Kate Jones, Edith Moore, Lillie Underwood and Maude Fountain.

Carterville also maintained a comet band and its reputation extended far and wide. Its maneuverings while on parade were very attractive and no parade was complete without this famous organization.

Carl Junction also made rapid strides during the nineties, almost doubling its population, and more than trebling its volume of business. Among the important factors in making a greater Carl Junction was the organization of a Commercial Club, which was effected December 5, 1890, with the following offices: President, J. W. Stroud; vice president, William Carter; secretary, S. A. Stuckey; treasurer, W. F. DeQarmo. This club brought the business men of the town closer together and they all worked in harmony for a greater business activity.

During this year nearly all of the great fraternities, among them the Masons, Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias, organized wide awake and active lodges. The Baptists and Presbyterian denominations both built church edifices, and quite a number of substantial brick buildings were put up, among them the Carl Junction Hotel and the Chitwood Opera House.

The silver anniversary of the organization of the Grand Army of the Republic was generally celebrated by the old soldiers all over the county and one of the most pleasing of these celebrations was at Carl Junction, April 6, 1891. Seventy-three veterans answered the roll-call by which the meeting was opened. The address of the evening was given by Commander Hopkins.

On August 9, 1891, the Farmers Alliance of Jasper County held in the grove south of Carl Junction a county picnic which was a monster affair. Mary Ellen Lease, the noted populist orator of the Sunflower state, was present and delivered the address of the day, and in it reiterated her much-used advice for the farmers to raise less com and more hell for the purpose of bringing to the attention of the lawmakers the condition of the farming and laboring classes.

The 1891 annual meeting of the Spring River Baptist Association was held in Carl Junction and was largely attended. The meeting was held in the new Baptist church. Delegates were present from twentyseven churches.

T. W. Cunningham and others, and the organization of this institution supplied a long-felt want in the town. Prom the very beginning the bank enjoyed a splendid patronage. This bank was burglarized November 16, 1899, the thieves dynamiting the safe and making way with $4,000. The bank was fully insured against burglary and hold-ups and recovered the amount lost. The Chitwoods bought the interest of Mr. Carter and others and became the sole proprietors of the bank.

Oronogo made a substantial gain in population and experienced a considerable size building boom. Better and more substantial houses were built and many new businesses established.

the town in a commercial way and not only supplied a long felt want, but established a sort of financial confidence in the town. The bank was burglarized in 1895, but was not seriously crippled. .

The Masonic lodge continued to be, as in the eighties, the principal lodge of the place, but a number of other orders were formed, among them the Woodmen, Independent Order of Good Templars and Knights of Pythias. The Grand Army of the Republic post was an important factor in the social life of the city and on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the founding of the order gave a patriotic entertainment to which the public were invited.

The school system was excellent and the moral tone was high, the rowdy element having left and the better citizenship of the town asserting itself. The personnel of the city officers was high and we regret that we could not record a list for publication.

The formation of the Sarcoxie Strawberry Growers Association brought the berry industry into great prominence, and all during this decade strawberries and Sarcoxie were, in berry time, synonymous terms.

The town of Asbury was laid out in 1896, was largely advertised by the Kansas City, Pittsburg and Gulf Railway and attracted during that year a large number of investors. So rapidly did the town grow that before the close of the year there were six stores, two livery stables, two hotels and an implement house. The houses built were of a substantial character and a good class of people came here to make it their homes. The population increased so fast that it was necessary to build a two-room school house. Asbury also had a well edited paper and a bank. The population in this part of the county, however, would not support so many businesses and toward the close of the decade some of the stores were moved away. Asbury, however, is an important place and a considerable business is transacted here. It is strictly a farming town.