Johnson County, Missouri - Chapter 20, 1881

Chapter 20

1866 - 1876 - Failure of the Negro Suffrage Bill - The " Great Bridge " - Passage of the Fifteenth Amendment - Ratification by the Missouri Legislature - Election of B. Gratz Brown Governor - The Constitutional Convention ot 1875 - The Locust Plague - John S. Phelps Elected Governor.

No notable events occur during the session of the legislature in 1865-66. Laws were enacted to enforce the provisions of the new constitution and to prevent, if possible, the discord in the various civil administrations of the state. But the only result was a strengthening of the feeling against the "iron-clad oath."

The twenty-fourth general assembly convened in Jefferson City, January 2, 1867. Gov. Fletcher recommended in his message that an amendment be passed, and submitted to the people, striking out the ninth section of the second article, that provided that ministers of the gospel, teachers in schools, and attorneys at law, must swear the oath before being allowed to practice their profession.

The amendment proposed by Gov. Fletcher was not passed; on the other hand an amendment was proposed and passed in the senate, Feb¬ ruary 25, striking from the eighteenth section of the second article the word "white," and thereby inaugurating negro suffrage in Missouri. The vote stood - ayes 19, noes 7, absent 7. Coming up in the house on March 4, the constitutional amendment was sought to be enlarged by striking out also the word " male," and thus inaugurating female suffrage in the state. This amendment to the amendment was rejected, and the original passed March 7, by the following vote: Ayes 74, noes 46. On the 13th of March the legislature adjourned.

Historical Sketch Of Missouri

An adjourned session of the twenty-fourth general assembly was begun on January 7th, 1868. The only provision of note was the enactment of a new registration law more stringent than the old one by which the gover¬ nor appointed a "superintendent of registration " in each senatorial district at every election. The more rigid enforcement of the now "odious" third section followed, and dissatisfaction became so strong as to become the leading issue in the succeeding campaign.

The twenty-fifth general assembly convened early in January 1869, and was composed largely of radicals. The notable event pertaining to this session was the election of a United States senator. On the 19th of Janu¬ ary, Carl Schurz, republican, was elected over John S. Phelps, democrat, by a vote of 1 14 to 44.

A most notable event occurs in the year 1869. The laying of the foun¬ dation of the eastern pier of the " Great Bridge " at St. Louis. While it marks an era of progress, it also immortalizes, as few names are made immortal, the name of its projector and architect, James B. Eads. So remarkable is this structure, and so closely is it connected with the com¬ mercial prosperity of the state, that we here append a description : " The great St. Louis bridge which spans the Mississippi at this place, is one of the grandest works of art in the world. Commenced in 1868, and com¬ pleted in six years' time, being finished on the 4th day of July 1874, when over 150,000 people witnessed the opening. The cost is said to be $13,- 000,000, and it contains 103,000 cubic feet of masonry. The spans are of steel, and are three in number, resting on piers of stone. The height of the central span is 103 feet from the water, and the width of it 521 feet. The tunnel is also a grand work, costing $1,500,000. Trains pass over the great bridge, through the tunnel, under the city, coming out at the union depot, the great railway center . The average daily traffic over the bridge is 3,026 tons.

From Campbell's Gazetteer of Missouri, we obtain the following in addi¬ tion to the above : " The first stone of the magnificent steel tubular bridge across the Mississippi river at this point, was laid February 28, 1868, since which time the work has steadily progressed under the management of its originator and able chief-engineer, Capt. James B. Eads. The bridge consists of three arches, the middle one being 520 feet clear, and the eas¬ tern and western each 502 feet clear. The distance over the river from center to center of abutments, is 1,627 feet. The western approach meas¬ ures 1,150 feet, and the eastern 3,500 feet. Total length of the bridge and approaches, 6,277 feet, or one mile and about one-sixth. The tunnel, which passes west under Washington avenue, and thence south under Eighth street, is 5,000 feet in length. While the main purpose is for a

Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall ' not be denied or abridged by the United States, or by any state, on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

On January 7, 1870, a duly attested copy of the amendment was trans¬ mitted to the twenty-fifth general assembly of Missouri for ratification. When read in the senate, a joint resolution was immediately introduced and passed, ratifying it. This was at once sent to the house, which, with¬ out loss of time, and by a suspension of the rules, passed it. The vote in the senate was, ayes, 21; noes, 3; absent, 1; absent with leave, 9. In the house it stood: ayes, 86; noes, 34; absent, 9; absent with leave, 3; sick, 5.

This legislature is notable, as having started the reform from the tyranny of the " Drake constitution." It submitted to the people six amendments, for ratification or rejection, at the ensuing November elec¬ tion. We find the amendments stated in substance thus: 1. "Abolishing district courts. 2. Abolishing oath of loyalty for jurors. 3. Abolishing double liability of stock holders in private corporations. 4. Abolishing oath of loyalty for voters. 5. Abolishing certain disqualifications to hold office on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude, and on account of former acts of disloyalty. 6. Prohibiting the general assembly, counties, cities, towns, etc., making appropriations in aid of any creed, church, or sectarian school."

The paramount questions in the canvass of 1870, were "universal amnesty and enfranchisement." The legislature, by the passage of the constitutional amendments, had inaugurated a movement that finally divided the republican party into two elements known as radical and liberal. The position of the radical party on these ruling questions, we have seen. Reasons have also been given for the formation of the new or "liberal" party. The nominating convention of the republican party placed two tickets in the field, headed by B. Gratz Brown, on the liber¬ al side, for governor, and Joseph W. McClurg, on the radical. The demo¬ crats deemed it " inexpedient to call a democratic state convention, or to nominate candidates for state officers at the ensuing November election," and thus opposing or supporting the amendments, the three parties went to the polls. The result of the November election, is as follows: B. Gratz Brown, liberal, over Joseph W. McClurg, republican, 41,038 majority; all the proposed constitutional amendments ratified by a major¬ ity of over 100,000 in each case; the legislature, largely democratic, by

Gov. Brown, in his inaugural address, recommended a conservative pol¬ icy in all things, the consideration of the question of calling a constitu¬ tional convention, that the mighty instrument of state government might be remodeled, and also, immediate amendment of the registration laws to make them conform to the recently amended constitution of the state:

The Democratic legislature convened January 4, 1871. R. P. C. Wil¬ son, of Platte county, and a democrat, was elected speaker of the house, and Cyrus H. Frost, a liberal, speaker fro tem. The most important event of the session was the election of a United States senator, in place of Charles D. Drake, resigned. Frank P. Blair was elected by a vote of 102 from among such candidates as Silas Woodson, Samuel T. Glover* John S. Phelps and John B. Henderson.

We turn aside now from political history to record a terrible violation of the civil law. Passion is scarcely ever a companion of justice. Mob law is as criminal as the crime which it seeks to avenge. Civil action is sometimes slow, but should be none the less sure.

In Cass county prior to April, 1872, a county court had fraudulently issued bonds in the name of the county. The prime leaders had been indicted for the offense and were under heavy bond to appear for trial. J* C. Stephenson was judge of the court, James C. Cline was the county attorney, and Thomas E. Detro was one of Cline's bondsmen.

These men, together with General Jo. Shelby and about thirty passen¬ gers were aboard the train that approached Gunn City (a small town eleven miles west from Holden on the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Rail¬ road) from the west, on April 24, 1872. When the train reached the city, obstructions were discovered across the track, and before the engineer could reverse the engine, shots were fired at the locomotive. As soon as the train stopped, masked men took possession of the engineer, then call¬ ing loudly for Cline, riddled him with bullets when he appeared upon the platform of the car. Rushing into the cab they then shot down Judge Stephenson and Detro. Calling for Jo. Shelby, he responded: "Here I am; if you want me, come and get me." He was not molested.

The guilty parties concerned in the massacre and violation of law were never discovered. A company of state militia was ordered from Kansas. City to Cass county, but no further disturbance was created. The adju¬ tant-general was ordered thither to ascertain the facts, and a committee was appointed to visit the county and unite citizens in maintaining the law.

In 1872 a state ticket was nominated conjointly by the democrats and liberal republicans. Conventions were held at the same time, but separately, at the capitol in Jefferson City. The offices were divided between the two parties, each convention selecting candidates for its own offices. The whole ticket was then ratified by both conventions in joint session. The democrats filled the offices of governor, treasurer, auditor, attorney-gen¬ eral, four judges of the supreme court, one of the presidential electors-atlarge and six district electors. The liberal republicans filled the remainder. The candidates for governor before the democratic convention were numerous. Among them may be mentioned James S. Rallins, Norman J. Colman, William H. Hatch, R. P. C. Williams, and John S. Phelps. So evenly was the division of support that there seemed but little hope of an early choice. On the fourth ballot the name of Silas Woodson was sprung. It was received with enthusiasm, and he was nominated almost by acclamation. The vote cast for governor was as follows: Silas Woodson, democrat, 156,714; John B. Henderson, republican, 122,272; Woodson's majority over Henderson, 35,442.

The twenty-seventh general assembly, elected in 1872, consisted of 11 republicans, 20 democrats and 3 liberals in the senate, and 92 democrats and 38 republicans in the house. The first session commenced January 1, 1873. The most important event of the session was the election of a United States senator to succeed Blair. The following names were pre¬ sented in the democratic caucus: F. P. Blair, Louis V. Bogy, John S. Phelps, James S. Rollins, Thomas C. Reynolds, George G. Vest, James O. Broadhead, Silas Woodson and A. W. Slayback.

On the seventeenth ballot Mr. Bogy was declared the nominee. He was afterward elected in joint session, the vote being, Bogy, 111; John B. Henderson, 43.

The legislature adjourned on March 25, 1873, until January 7, 1874. At this adjourned session the most important business transacted was the pas¬ sage of a bill, authorizing a vote of the people to be taken at the ensuing fall election, for or against the calling of a constitutional convention.

In 1874 the opposition to the democratic party went under the name of the " People's party." The nominee for governor was William Gentry. Republicans formed the controlling element in the party.

Before the Democratic nominating convention there were two promi¬ nent candidates, Charles. H. Hardin, of Audrain, and Francis M. Cockrell, of Johnson. On the fourth ballot Charles H. Hardin, was declared the nominee, receiving one-sixth of a vote majority over Cockrell. There was a strange potency in this one-sixth vote. Taken with the gallant action of Cockrell in wrarmly indorsing the successful candidate, its power was great toward securing the nomination of Cockrell for United States senator, the following winter.

The election of 1874 was as follows: For governor, Charles H. Hardin, democrat, 149,566; William Gentry, People's, 112,104. Hardin's majority, 37,462. For holding a constitutional convention, 111,299. Against it, 111,016; majority in favor, 283.

As the work of this convention was important, and we are to-day living under the constitution thus framed, it will not be amiss here to give the names of its members.

Mr. Switzler, in his history, classifies the first sixty names as democrats - the next six republicans, and the last two, liberals. He also states that Mr. Kelley died before the meeting of the convention, and was replaced by Horace B. Johnson a republican.

A glance at the list of names is sufficient to show many grown old in political and legislative service in the state, who bear high testimony to the ability of the body.

Mr. Switzler, who was a member, gives the following brief sketch of the work accomplished: '-The bill of rights occupied much time, and was a fruitful theme of discussion. The subject of representation, a knotty problem in all similar bodies in all states, disclosed wide antagonisms of opinion, and elicited protracted debate. In the face of all opposition, county representation was maintained. It found a place in the first consti¬ tution of the state, and in all others since adopted by conventions of the people of Missouri. The argument, that, to a certain extent, it perpetu¬ ates the representation of sub-divisions of territory, and not population, did not avail to interdict it. New and vitally important provisions were adopted in regard to legislative proceedings. Carefully prepared and stringent limitations on powers of the general assembly were engrafted on the new instrument. Sessions of the legislature were made biennial, and the gubernational term changed from two to four years. The formation of new counties was made more difficult, perhaps, impossible. The tax- ing and debt contracting power of the legislature, and of counties, cities, towns, and all other municipalities, was hedged about with limitations and safe-guards. Extra mileage and perquisites to officials were laid under embargo. Our system of free public schools, embracing a liberal policy for the maintenance of the University of the state, received recognition in the article on education."

In 1875, the famous " Grasshopper plague," affecting the states of Min¬ nesota, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri and Arkansas, reached its cul¬ mination. Various invasions of the destroying insect properly known as the Rocky Mountain locust have come into Missouri since 1820. An account of the visitation for that year states that "they came in the autumn by millions, devouring every green thing, but too late to do much harm. They literally filled the earth with their eggs, and then died. The next spring they hatched out, destroying the cotton, flax, hemp, wheat and tobacco crops; but the corn escaped uninjured. About the middle of June they all disappeared, flying off in a southeast direction." The next inva¬ sion recorded occurred in 1866. When " they were often so thick that trains were seriously delayed on account of the immense numbers crushed on the track." During the years 1867, '68 and '69, the western and north¬ western counties of Missouri, were greatly troubled by the dense swarms of insects that overran them, and crops were often wholly destroyed. They seemed to be borne on winds coming from the northwest. There were no visitations of the insect during the years 1870, 1871, 1872 and 1873. The succeeding year, 1874, witnessed the most calamitous inva¬ sion ever yet recorded in the state. From a special report of the United States Entomological Commission, published in 1878, we take the follow¬ ing condensed history of the plague in 1874, 1875 and 1876: " 1874 - A map of the area overrun this year, as compared with 1866, is given in Mr. Riley's seventh report. He states that the general direction from which they came was from the northwest. They reached Holt county on the 8th of August, and all the counties on the same line, north and south, from Worth to McDonald, were reached during the latter part of the same month. They then continued to make short flights, and finally reached their extreme limit toward the last of September. The swarms appeared during early August, and in most of the counties invaded, the locusts stayed till frost, i. e ., from their first appearance till frost, swarms came and left, so that there were most always some of them about. The injury in Missouri was comparatively slight compared with that done in Kansas in 1874.

" 1875 - ' Serious and distressing,' says Mr. Riley, ' as were the rav¬ ages of this insect in 1874, when the winged swarms overswept several of the western states, and poured into our western counties in the fall, the injury and suffering that ensued were as naught in Missouri, compared to what resulted from the unfledged myriads that hatched out in the spring of 1875.' ' The greatest damage extended over a strip twenty-five miles each side of the Missouri river, from Omaha to Kansas City, and then extending south to the southwestern limit of Missouri - and Bates, Buchanan, Barton, Clay, Cass, Clinton, Henry, Jackson, Johnson, Lafay¬ ette, Platte, St. Clair, and Vernon, suffered most. Early in May, the reports from the locust districts of the state were very conflicting; the insects were confined to within short radii of their hatching-grounds. The season was propitious, and where the insects did not occur, every¬ thing promised well. As the month drew more and more to a close, the insects extended the area of destruction, and the alarm became general. By the end of the month, the non-timbered portions of the middle western counties, were as bare as in winter. Here and there patches of Amarantus blitem , and a few jagged stalks of milk-weed ( Asclepas) served to relieve the monotony. An occasional out-field, or low piece of prairie, would also remain green ; but with these exceptions one might travel for days by buggy and find everything eaten off, even to underbrush in the woods. The suffering was great and the people well nigh disheartened. Cattle and stock of all kinds, except hogs and poultry, were driven away to the more favored counties, and relief committees were organized. Many families left the state under the influence of the temporary panic and the unnecessary forebodings and exaggerated statements of the pessimists. Chronic loafers and idlers even made some trouble and threatened to seize the goods and property of the well-to-do. Relief work was, however, caried on energetically, and with few exceptions, no violence occurred. Early in June, the insects began to leave; the farmers began replanting with a will. As the month advanced, the prospects brightened, and by the fourth of July, the whole country presented a green and thrifty appear¬ ance again." * * *.

suffered- most were, first, Atchison and Holt, and the western half of Nodaway, and Andrew in the extreme northwest corner; second, McDonald, Barry, Jasper, Lawrence, Barton, Dade, Newton, Cedar, Vernon, more particularly in the southwest half; Polk in the northwest third; Hickory in the southwest third; St. Clair in scattering places, and Christian and Greene in the extreme border." as the insects came later in the fall, and the crops were more matured. Eggs were laid, as in the fall of 1874, but unlike their action in 1875, the locusts on hatching in 1877, soon afterward perished, and large crops were raised in every quarter of the state. Since 1877 there have been no new invasions of the pest. In his eighth annual report Mr. Riley (then state entomologist of Missouri) thus estimates the loss in the various counties of Missouri in 1875:

The vastness of the depredations of the insect are better appreciated when it is stated that the locust area comprised nearly two million square miles, and that Missouri suffered on an average with the other states within that section. It is estimated that the aggregate loss in the destruc¬ tion of crops alone would reach $100,000,000, and that the indirect stop¬ page in business, and the crushing of new enterprises made fully as much more, so that direct and indirect loss was not less than $200,000,000. Mr. F. V. Hayden, U. S. geologist, in this connection says: "In addition to all this, we must include as a part of the effect of locust injuries, the checking of immigration, and the depreciation in the value of lands. So depressing, in fact, was this result in some regions as to paralyze trade, put a stop to all new enterprises, and dishearten the communities where the suffering was greatest."

" Banquet of Grasshoffers . - In the oriental countries, the traditional region of locust devastion, the destroying, insects are largely used as food, thus compensating loss with actual benefit. The wild son of the desert can say, defiantly:

Could the more civilized appetite of our western fellow citizens appre¬ ciate the flavor of the grasshopper (Rocky Mountain locust) prepared in divers dishes, one way would be found to mitigate the calamity of their devouring presence in the land. The Warrensburg (Mo.) News says that an actual experiment of this insect food was recently made in that city, - a very thorough experiment certainly, - and it was claimed to be a sue- cess. 'Yesterday afternoon, Messrs. Riley and Straight determined to test the cooked locust question in regard to its adaptibility as food for the human stomach. Getting wind of the affair, and being always in haste to indulge in free-feeding, we made bold to intrude ourselves on our sci¬ entific friends. We found a bounteous table spread, surrounded by the gentlemen named, accompanied by Mrs. Straight and Miss Maltby. Without much waste of ceremony, there were five persons seated, and we were helped to soup, - and it was good; after seasoning was added we could distinguish a delicate mushroom flavor, - and it was better. Then came batter cakes, through wffiich locusts were well mixed. The soup had banished silly prejudice, and sharpened our appetites for this next les¬ son, and batter cakes quickly disappeared also. Baked locusts were then tried (plain hoppers without grease or condiment) and either with or with¬ out accompaniments, it was pronounced an excellent dish. The meal was closed with a desert a la John the Baptist, - baked locust and honey, - and ,if we know anything, we can testify that that distinguished scripture char¬ acter must have thrived on his rude diet in the wilderness of Judea.' "

The election of 1876 was the first under the new constitution, and from the important changes in terms of various offices assumed newr interest.

On July 19, the democratic state convention met at Jefferson City and nominated a full ticket, headed by John S. Phelps of Greene, and endorsed the Tilden and Hendricks platform of the national convention. Four candi¬ dates were prominently before the convention - John S. Phelps, George G. Vest, John A. Hockaday, and M. V. L. McClelland. On the ballot which nominated Phelps, Vest received 97-J- votes and Phelps 181-J.

On August 9, the republican state convention met in Jefferson City,, and by acclamation nominated G. A. Finkelnburg of St. Louis, for gov¬ ernor.

At the ensuing election the democratic ticket was victorious, electing all the state officers, and large majorities in each branch of the legislature.

The twenty-ninth general assembly convened January 3, 1877. Henry C. Brockmeyer, the newly elected lieutenant-governor, presided over the senate; John. F. Williams of Macon county was elected speaker of the house. The session continued ninety-nine days, and the assembly adjourned sine die, April 30.

In view of the never-to-be-forgotten contest which followed the presi¬ dential election of 1876, imperiling for a time, the very nation itself, and enacting a fraud upon the honesty and virtue and potency of the ballotbox, never before equaled in any land, it is worthy of mention here, that Tilden's majority over Hayes in Missouri was 58,289 of the popular, vote. The entire vote cast was 356,583, of which Samuel J. Tilden, democrat,, received 202,687 ; R. B. Hayes, republican, 144,398; Peter Cooper, green¬ back, 3,498.