Johnson County, Missouri - Chapter 7: - Chilhowee Township, 1881

There is no place like the beautiful country home. Adorned, as it often is, with nature's rich foliage of trees, flowers and fruits. It is from the country home our great men arise. There they conversed most with nature. Amid rural scenes they first were taught to care for others, as well as themselves. They learned industry and economy from the ant and the bee and perseverance from the cunning spider. In the country the yeomanry are generally happier than the inmates of the crowded city because there is more health and freedom of proper exercise.

In this brief treatise on Chilhowee township, we will not be able to touch every event that the old pioneer remembers. Nevertheless, we will endeavor to set before the reader the more salient points in the details of the almost half century of rural doings in Chilhowee township. A few of the best informed citizens have materially assisted us in furnishing dates and events for which we feel thankful. In these pages we shall keep hearsay as far away as possible and rely on nothing but facts set before us from the most reliable sources. In many instances there are deeds in the history of every community, not altogether relevant to public taste, yet t.iey must be recorded. In history, like politics and religion, everybody cannot expect to be pleased. The historian can only supply the reader with his fund of knowledge. The reader cannot possibly expect to find every intrinsic and insipid thought set before the public eye to magnify and awaken affable regards for him and his kindred. Laconic or round about expressions will be used as the case may demand, regard¬ less of persons. In what we shall collect on the beautiful Indian name of Chilhowee, will be found historical facts, mingled with pathetic thoughts of a race pushed to the west by the powerful civilization of the white man. The physical features will be studied from observation and inqui¬ ries, and if any striking point is left out, it will be for the reason that the writer did not discover it. The coal beds, evervwhere abundant over this township, cannot be elaborately discussed under this head as they deserve.

Statistical notes, population and earfy reminiscenses, in connection with a germane and elaborate written article on the worthy pioneers, who, in all their strength and valor, are too reticent to boast of their manly and well-spent lives, will be properly delineated. These hardy old fathers and affectionate mothers should never be forgotten by their offspring. They were true in their lives. They were not perfidious nor false hearted. Their word was an oath. They made but few promises and none were to be broken. In what we shall next examine, the reader will find fur¬ ther on.

Name. - Chilhowee township gets its name from the Chilhowee moun¬ tains of Tennessee. It is an Indian appellation. Its orthography prop¬ erly ends with the double "ee,' and not with " ie," as some sophists write it. The fed men of America have left us their sweet language implanted and imbeded in our affections. . We might mention hundreds of pleasant sounding names, which belong to the tribes of aborigines of America. The beauty of these names consists in their significance. Many of their names have been modified and the orthography changed, but few are bettered by it. No more appropriate name could be applied to this rich, agricultural district than that of Chilhowee, in honor of the old Indian braves.

Those who have resided near the Chilhowee mountains can give a bet¬ ter description of them than the writer can, with his limited knowledge of those pleasant sunny scenes and Indian associations around that revered spot.

language, but in memory of some act or deep affection. The Indian went to nature for his vocabulary of words, and chose only such as con¬ veyed the character of the object named. The many peculiarties of the natives who lived here long before the white race crossed the "briny deep, " has been related by American writers, in the history of that peo¬ ple. One striking characteristic was generally observed, that they were firm and faithful to their friends, and caustic and bitter towards their ene¬ mies. Those who understood their natures, had but little difficulty in living amicably with them. The day of their glory has passed, and only a few mounds and burial places, except what is related by the old white settlers, tell that they lived here.

An American poet has expressed the idea, that although the Indians may pass away, they can never be forgotten. We can hardly forget the red men while so many of our states, rivers, bays, towns, mountains and lakes are indellibly stamped by names from their own vocabulary.

This township received its name and present boundaries on the 25th day of May, 1868. It contains about seventy-three square miles, and embraces some of the finest farming and timbered portions of the county. Besdes the Chilhowee mountains in Tennessee, there is a small town in Blount county, Tenn., of the same name.

Chilhowee township is bounded on the north by Madison, Centerview, and Warrensburg townships, on the east by Post Oak township, on the south Henry county, and on the west Rose Hill township. Muron Perry, a noted surveyor from Tennessee, is entitled to the honor of giving the township its name and fixing many of the accurate surveys. From the centre of the township, the distance is said to be about fifteen miles to Warrensburg, and some less to Holden. Many farmers do their trading in Holden, even when the distance is much farther, on account of the bet¬ ter condition of the roads. The township is not regular in its boundaries. One section in the northeast corner is only connected by the southern boundary of the township. The land known as " lots " lies also in this township as in Rose Hill, Post Oak and Jefferson townships. This town¬ ship was formerly parts of the original townships of Madison and Jeffer¬ son, the largest portion coming from the former. In the southern part of the township, a few of the farmers own land in both Henry and Johnson counties, and consequently visit Clinton, the county seat of Henry county, distance about twenty miles, one or more times a year, as well as Warrens¬ burg in reference to their land and other county interests. In the early days of the pioneers, the old farmers went to Rose Hill for all their trad¬ ing, milling and mail matter. Those living in the extreme eastern part of the township, were greatly relieved when post offices were opened at Chilhowee, Cornelia, and Shawnee Mound in Henry county* The advance of time, and the development of the country, have brought places of public enterprise and domestic economy closer to every man's door.

Physical Features. - The general appearance of Chilhowee township is a beautiful rolling, fertile prairie. This prairie lies principally in the centre and southern parts, and at an early day was covered with tall grasses. This prairie soil is a deep black limestone soil, the best perhaps in the county. In the southwestern part the land surpasses any of the older states, in beauty of location and quality of the soil. This area includes the excellent farms of Messrs. J. R. Carpenter, T. N. Carpenter, Wiley Carrington and Dr. R. Z. R. Wall. This land often produces from thirty to forty bushels of wheat per acre. Corn, oats, hemp and flax do well here. The grass crops are always immense. Timothy, clover and other grasses do well. Blue grass takes wherever the wild is killed out. Coal exists in inexhaustible beds, all over the township. Consider¬ able coal is taken for home consumption. If any means of transportation ever reaches this place, thousands of bushels of fine coal will be taken from the ground and shipped.

The principal water courses are Post Oak, Bear, Panther, East Post Oak, South Branch, Chalybeate Branch, Long Branch, King Branch, and Mark Branch. Most of these creeks are shallow and principally, wet weather streams. However, a few of these streams have "holes" that contain water sufficient for stock through the dry season, but do not run through the year. The northern part of the township has a few fine chaly¬ beate springs. One on the Reed farm, on the "old camp-meeting grounds," furnishes abundance of water the whole year. In this vicinity the soil is not very rich. The surface is rough and covered on the branches by shrubby bushes, mostly post oak brush. On the larger streams the timber is good. Walnut, hickory, hackberry, oaks, are the principal trees. The underbrush, in some localities is immense, consisting mostly of Post Oak, running oak, chinquipin, sumach, and hazel. In a few places crab apple, hawthorn, wild cherry, and prickly ash abound. Bone set, peniroyal, grows in the light soils.

The soil in the eastern part is a light sandy loam, and productive in wet seasons. Sorghum cane, beans, and flax does well on the soil. In the vicinity of Samuel Brown's there are plenty of coal veins, eight to twelve inches thick. A mineral well is in the northwest part of the township, on Mrs. Polly Hindman's place. J. W. Logan owns 190 acres of land, val¬ uable for an everlasting spring, which breaks out from the lime rocks. On most of this land the soil is light, ranging from red sandstone to black limestone soils. Invariably, the water is everywhere hard, except in the few cisterns. There are good springs in section 3, owned by John Hughes and Mr. Chambers. Mr. J. B. Rosencrans has an excellent spring that furnishes plenty of water. It is on the top of a ridge. Red mulatto land exists in many localities which has a clay subsoil. Blue grass is used principally as pasturage. It stands the drouth better than any other grass tried. Norris Fork has its source in this township, and flows south into Henry county. It was named in memory of William Norris, who settled on this stream, in what is now Henry county, in the year 1831. This stream is in the southwestern portion of the county, and although it has but little water, it is skirted by excellent forest timber. The banks v are low, and the bed is generally composed of stone or gravel. In the north¬ ern part of the township the streams have a deep channel, and have at times, after heavy rains, ugly fords. The old settlers say that most of these streams abounded with excellent fish, such as black and white perch, suckers, and cat fish. Since the advent of the white man, who depends upon his labor for sustenance, nature withholds her bounty, and he must look to his own energy and skill for a livelihood.

In a few localities the ancient " mound builders " have left their marks. In sec 28, tp 44, r 27, on a hillside, in bold relief, stands an ancient fortifi¬ cation. The land is now owned by T. N. Carpenter. On the west of this supposed fort is the hill whose summit almost overshadows the cavity below' where the "olden time warriors" were in safety behind their para¬ pet. It appears that the wall of stone, which is about 100 yards long, was taken from the hill near by. The ditch within is about six feet wide, and entirely protects a man from every direction. Near the wall a few flint arrow-heads have been found, besides a few stone axes. So old are these walls that on one side there are trees nerhaps a century old. Here may have ended some £reat war that settled forever the tribal or national existence of a renowned people. Here history talks from the rocks of a great and ancient battle. Who tell or were victorious none but the mouthpiece of God can tell. It may be that some ancient city is buried here, whose glory, like her people, faded as the ages rolled on. Under and beneath these walls are yet to be found monsters whom the neighbors dread. Snakes of an enormous size now use this f6rt, and hold the fortress as their own against every attack. And well is it written that the fortress and city of the pagans shall become the abode of wild beasts and poison¬ ous serpents. Several very large rattle-snakes have been killed near this fort, and others have been seen about it. Wild plum and other wild fruits were. abundant in this vicinity when the white men came. A Kentucky dogwood plant was set out by an old settler, and lived for thirty years.

The old settlers say that they can remember when this township was a vast ocean of grass, four to seven feet high. The variety of grass known as blue stem grew luxuriantly upon the prairies. So heavy was the coat of vegetation that the surface was dry only after fires had consumed the grasses. The pasturage was indeed fine. The greater portion of the year deer, elk, wolves and other wild animals could hide in the tall grass.

It is said that when once this wild grass has been killed out it never takes root again. It belonged to the red man, the buffalo, deer, antelope, and other wild animals.

It is always an interesting feature to have the population and such other statistics as are often required. Nevertheless long columns of statistics often render a treatise dry and burdensome. We will not attempt to go beyond what will interest and profit the reader in what we will give. Mr. J. D. Farr was United States census ennumerator of this township for the year 1880, and ennumerated the town as containing 86 inhabitants, and the township, including the village of Chilhowee, as 1715 population. The state census, according to the official report, for the year 1877 was as fol¬ lows: Voters, 320; population - whites, 1536; colored, 63; horses, 953;

The average assessment of real estate is about $8.50 per acre, which is hardly one-third of the average price of the better lands. Land in this township has, of late, been highly prized by stock-growers, and a few places have sold as high as $40 per acre. It must be remembered that only a few places at preset bear this price. South and southwest of the picturesque little village of Chilhowee lie the much prized, beautiful roll¬ ing prairies of agricultural lands, which extend into Henry county, along Norris fork. In the southeastern part the land is more elevated and dry. The soils are sandy and of a reddish hue. This land produces fine castor beans, sorghum, flax seed, and, generally, early crops of all kinds.

The Early Settlers. - The people of to-day do not appreciate the work of their ancestors with that reverence due those to whom we owe our happy homes, and the sweet recollections of the past are mingled in the memory of other charms. In the day when the first settler kindled his camp-fire on Norris Fork the red man watched with a jealous eye the intrusion, and determined before a dozen moons had come and gone to molest the soli¬ tary, pale-faced pioneer. This was the family of William Norris, who settled here before the government land was sectionized. He settled near the Walnut Grove cemetery, otherwise called the Carpenter graveyard, in the year 1829. His two brave and noble daughters assisted in opening up a farm in the brush, and that year planted twenty seedling apple trees in the brush thickets, and when they got time cleared away the brush. About this time, while the girls and father were at work, the Indians stole their mother, who was tied by them on a pony, and kept for several days.

A company of white men were gathered and put in pursuit. By this time Mrs. Norris was untied, and made to follow in their trail. They would often raise their tomahawks over her head and threaten to kill her if she attempted to escape. It is said that she would break twigs -and branches of bushes and drop them in the trail to let her pursuing friends know she was still alive. With great precaution she watched for a chance for escape, but none offered. Finally, when she believed the Indians were making preparations to meet their foe, she lagged a trifle behind, and just as soon as the white men were in sight she fled for her liberty, but in her flight the Indians hotly pursued and threw several tom¬ ahawks after her, one cutting a frightful gash in her shoulder. She was safely rescued and soon after joined her family.

William Norris erected the first grist-mill in the country, and men from thirty to forty miles came here for meal. It was a horse-mill. It is said that when the old pioneers came to mill that they would bring their guns and fish-hooks with them, so that they could be prepared to hunt and fish if they could not immediately get their grinding. They would say to Mr. Norris: "Well, when can I get my grinding?" The miller then would often reply: "I reckon to-morrow." To which the farmer would . reply: "Then I'll fish and hunt awhile." William Norris sold his mill to Marshall and Adam Clark, for $600, and in the year 1837 it fell into the hands of Wilson D. Carpenter, who was a hardy, energetic soldier of the war of 1812. >

Some of the first neighbors were John Murray, who lived where the little village of Chilhowee now is; Wm. Johnson, Mr. Harris, IsamCulley, John Culley, a dresser of skins.

In those days good horses are said to have sold for thirty dollars apiece. Since it took but little to keep stock and there was no demand for it, the prices were comparatively low. Cattle lived all winter on the little streams without any domestic food. Hogs ran wild on the creeks, and frequently the hunter took his pork from the mast.

A few of the old settlers remember Daniels, who was remotely related to Daniels, who was hung in Warrensburg for murder in 1878, the noted whisky-peddler, who would pass through here every year and supply the pioneers with " groceries," which is now only used as medicine, and sold in drug stores, on his way to associations. He sold his whisky at fifty cents per gallon.

Mr. T. N. Carpenter has one of the pioneer wolf-traps. It weighs thirty pounds, and has been in use upwards of sixty years. It is said that this trap has caught more than one thousand wolves. It was used by the trappers long before any settlements here. Mr. T. R. Carpenter says: "I have counted fifty deer in one gang, while standing in my door. I was twelve years old when I came here with my father in the winter. In the spring after I had finished planting potatoes, I went fishing to the u Payton hole," so named for a pioneer farmer who put up a log cabin near this "hole" in an early day. Hardy Stark now lives on the very spot. I had never seen this hole but once before. Shortlv after I had pulled out a fine bass with my hook, fourteen inches long, my dog got into a fight with two she wolves. When the trouble looked serious I climbed a tree. When my dog was driven off, I slid down and ran home, and told my story, and very soon several hunters were in there and captured about a dozen wolves. Although those were days of hardships and dangers, yet I wish for those good old days to return. The old loghouse with its clap-board door and familiar latch-string was cozier than the cold, formal building of this age. In those days men were born hon¬ est. We had no lock to the mill. One neighbor could trust another. What I enjoyed in those honest days will never be forgotten. I would not give five years of that time for twenty years of this age of envy and strife."

The above is but one of the many expressions that the writer has heard from the old settlers. The Shawnee Indian trail passed through this township. Shawnee mound, in Henry county, was one of the favorite Indian resting places. From this mound the trail passed by the old resi¬ dence of Wilson D. Carpenter, thence northwest to Centre Knob, near Kingsville. The old Clinton and Independence road followed this trace and for many years travelers shared the hospitality of Wilson D. Carpen¬ ter.

Most of what we gather from the old settlers comes from this*memory. As sweet as it may be to all of us it will not always do to rely on. The old settler may read his past history as but yesterday or push it from him a thousand years. Nevertheless, pleasant are all that remains of the past to the honest-hearted pioneer, and his memory to the historian is as authentic as some records. We are thankful that a few pioneers are yet living.

Wilson D. Carpenter, one of the worthy and respected pioneers of Nor¬ ris Fork, came here in the fall of 1837, from the state of Kentucky. He was born in Brunswick county, Virginia, December 16, 1793. He served in the war of 1812 and received an honorable discharge from the army November 30, 1814. In. the year 1817 he moved with his father to Ken¬ tucky and settled in Allen county were he remained two years. Subse¬ quently he went to Alabama, where he served as an overseer on a cotton plantation for three years. He returned to Kentucky and taught school a short time and then went to White county, Illinois, where he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth M. Ragan, on August 5, 1824. Twelve children were the fruit of this union. Eight sons and four daughters, all of whom are dead except four sons who reside near the old homestead in Chilhowee township. After his marriage he went to Kentucky where he spent his honeymoon and remained till he migrated to Missouri.

He purchased the Norris place and improved a handsome farm and accumulated considerable property. In the late war he linked his fortunes with the southern cause, and in the year 1861 he found it necessary to leave the state. He went with his family to the state of Illinois where he remained till the contest was over. In the spring of 1870 he returned to Johnson county and settled in the town of Holden where he resided till his wife's death, which occurred July 2, 1874. Since that time he has made his home among his four sons who reside in Chilhowee township. He is yet living a pensioner of the war of 1812, and in his 88th year.

Sam'l Brown was born in the state of Tennessee, September 21, 1799, of Dutch-English extraction. In 1824 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Boyd, who was born in Virginia of English ancestry December 13, 1807, he at the age of 25 years and she 17 years. The result of this union has been fourteen children, one of the number died in childhood, eleven boys and three girls. Seven boys and one girl are living. The girls made the following marriages: Mary married to Wm. R. Culley; Hannah Minerva married to David Gruver; Eliza Ann married to J. T. Clark. The sons were James, Hezekiah, Bartley J., Sam'l, Wm., G. W., Solomon W. Thos. E., John C., and P. H. Brown.

Bartley is in the Indian nation. Sam'l is in Texas. Wm. is dead. Solomon W. is an honest citizen of the township, living in bachelorhood. All the living married children have families. In 1829, Sam'l Brown moved to Missouri and settled in the northern part of Johnson county, which at that time was a part of Lafayette county. In March, 1834, he moved to his present home, in section 9, township 44, range 26, where he has lived ever since in the enjoyment of peace and plenty; he has made an independent living for himself and family. He was once a man of remark¬ able nerve and muscular power, and he could hold a rifle gun with such steadiness and accuracy that he could hit a buck running at speed, 200 yards away; or control a team of cattle of six or seven yoke, with a five foot whip. He was encouraged by his brave and noble companion "Aunt

Betsey," as she is called by many, who have known her during her pio¬ neer days. Indeed she has been a faithful pioneer wife and deserves a name in the bright history of the county, she has helped to make.

Mr. Brown is the only living juryman of the first court held in Warrensburg, and he and John Harris are the only two jurymen of the first court held in the county at Columbus. As already stated, he first set his tent stakes near Columbus, where he raised a crop of five acres of corn the first year. When he came here he was quite a poor man. He owned a horse and a little sled. Unfortunately, his horse died before his crop was tended, and then he had nothing but an old Cary plow left. His neighbors had a horse but no plow, and so they managed to cultivate both crops with that horse and plow.

Mr. Brown, in speaking of the noble and kind-hearted Nicholas Houx, said, with tears almost starting, "I thought as much of Nicholas Houx as I would of my brother. " The following is a description of Mr. Brown's first dwelling: A pen ten feet square. It contained but one bed. A rail pen addition for a kitchen was soon added. The following summer he put up a log house sixteen feet square. The cabin had one door and no window, a puncheon floor, loft of linn or bass bark; the door was hung on wooden hinges and a tow latch string hung outside. No nails were used. Weight poles held the boards on top. The chimney was built up to the mantel, and remained that way for two or three years, before it was finished out by sticks and mud. The cooking was done by Mrs. Brown, on the fire in this old chimney with a skillet and a bake oven. Mr. Brown has served several times on the jury in this county. He has been a life-long, faithful democrat.

Mr. Brown yet remembers a bear hunt in 1831, in which N. Houx, G. Houx, William Ben, Harry Owens and James Grant and himself were engaged. While they had a bear in a plum patch on a gopher hill, sur¬ rounded, each man was to watch, and shoot Bruin at the first sight, and it is said when the bear came to James Grant, he exclaimed "here it is," instead of shooting. This the old hunters termed a fine joke on Jim Grant. Mr. Brown did his own plow stocking for " bar share, " " bull tongue" and "shovel plows;" made brooms, kept a tannery, did his own shoemaking, besides the duties of the farm. Mrs. Brown, like most of the pioneer women, made clothing, spun, wove, carded cotton, flax and wool, besides cooking, milking the cows, and patching the clothes. In those days hemp and flax, was extensively raised here. Some wheat was raised here and hauled to Lexington, and sold for twenty-five cents per bushel. Mr. B., by his industry and common sense economy, has accu¬ mulated considerable wealth. He has come up from the sole owner of an old plow to the owner of upwards of a thousand acres of good lands in Johnson county.

He is now living in a substantial frame house that he erected about thirty years ago. The house is one-story, and has two rooms standing east and west, with an ell and kitchen on the south, also a porch. The material of this building is mostly native. The studding is six inches square, braced in white oak sills, full length, tenoned and braced with pin and draw-board to the sill and plate. The sleepers are hewed 6x8. The joists are 3x8. The flooring is of bur-oak and sawed by hand. Although the floor has been down about thirty years, it will hold water and is smooth, and will yet last a century. The building is ceiled with cotton¬ wood. The house has been re-roofed. There are stone chimneys at both ends.

William Johnson was born in Bedford county, Tennessee, where he lived until 1840. He was married in 1829, to Miss Mary E. Culley. From Tennessee he moved to the vicinity of Holly Springs, Mississippi, where he remained for five years, and in 1845 he immigrated to Missouri, and settled in Johnson county, where he resided for twenty-eight years, building up and improving the county. In the twenty-eight years that he lived in Johnson county he improved about fifteen farms; many of the family residences and barns are yet standing. In March, 1857, his wife died, and in August the following year, he married Mrs. Rosanna Paden, an educated, intelligent lady, with a family of four children.

The following is a list of some of the earliest settlers, headed with the first: James Hogard came in 1829; James Arnold came in 1830; Finis and John Foster came here from Kentucky, in the year 1832, and since moved to Texas; Geo. D. and John A. Wright came from Howard county, Missouri, in 1832, and are now dead; Anderson Demastes came here from Tennessee in 1832, and is also dead; Thos. Cull and sons James and Thos. J., came here from Kentucky in 1832 and are all dead; John Pelle came here in 1832 from Kentucky, and died in Bates county, Mo.; Jarftes Conaway came here from Tenn., in 1832, and died in Texas; George N. and Samuel H. Douglas come here from Howard county Mo. ; the former died in the state. of California, and the latter in this county.

George Wear came here from Alabama in 1836, and died in the state of Mississippi in 1860. James Douglas, in 1834, came here from How¬ ard county, Missouri, formerly from Tennessee, in 1816. He died in this township in the year 1859. Thompson Chamberlain came here in 1835, formerly from Tennessee, about the year 1829. He died in this county. For many of these interesting facts we are indebted to Mr. G. B. Thomp¬ son a worthy citizen of Chilhowee township.

The first marriage of the township was at the house of James Hogard, in the year 1831, when Mr. Fletcher and Miss Hogard were united in matrimony. Mr. Wm. D. King and Miss Elizabeth Gillum were the attendants, and Rev. Robert D. King solemnized the marriage. The first death was a child of Major Conway. Samuel B. Brown was the first child born in the township.

Dr. R. Z. R. Wall came from North Carolina, at an early day and set¬ tled in the southern part of the township. He is a man of liberal education and has one of the best collections of books of any man in the township. He has a literary diploma, dated 1829, from the State University of North Carolina, and also a medical diploma from the University of Penn¬ sylvania, datedT834. The doctor belongs to no secret society. He was a whig until that party became extinct, in 1852, after the defeat of Gen. Winfield Scott. At present he is a devoted and consistent member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and never fails to hold religious devo¬ tions in his family circle every evening. The doctor once had an exten¬ sive practice, extending for many miles around. He states that the pre¬ vailing diseases were chills and fever, typfioid fever, and pneumonia - all malarial diseases. As the county settled up, these malarial diseases, to some extent, disappeared. In those days the people expected to have chills and fever every year, and if these malarial diseases did not attack them they thought it quite strange. Dr. Wall is one of those remarkable good men who love honesty far in advance of opulence. He was born in Rockingham county, North Carolina, of English- Welsh stock, March 29, 1810. His father was a farmer and merchant, from Maryland to this state, where he died. The doctor was united in holy wedlock to Miss Mary Jane Coventry, October 2, 1S38; he at the age of twenty-eight and a half years, and she seventeen years. Mrs. Wall has always been one of the noblest and best of wives. She was born in the state of North Carolina, July 14, 1821, of English-Irish extraction. Thirteen children have been born to this happy pair, ten of whom are living, All are mar¬ ried except the youngest, a daughter, who is now attending Woodland college, Independence, Missouri. Dr. Wall is a retired physician.

The roads and highways of this township have always been kept in good condition. In the northern part the surface is somewhat rough, but the care and proper management of the roads have kept the highways in a pretty fair condition. Naturally, the roads are good in the southern part of the township. The main road from Warrensburg to Clinton passes through here, and is one of the best roads in this township. There are few bridges here and no ferries. The land is so rolling that it does not take long to dry out. In a few places the surface is inclined to wash, which is generally bridged. Nothing speaks better for any community than good roads. Good roads are the introduction of public enterprise. In countries where civilization is highest the means of travel are compar¬ atively cheap and easy. Money thus spent will come back to the yeo-

The old town of Chilhowee was laid out by Amos Muron Perry in 1857. The first improvements were made by James Simpson and Samuel McFarland. James Murphy was the original owner of the land. Up to the war Chilhowee was a thriving village.

The following persons have done business in Chilhowee at various times: J. R. Johnson, Mr. Deberry, J. W. Right, J. M. Wright, G. D. Wright, J. M. Fulton, W. Deathridge, T. B. Stockstill, B. T. Moore, J. F. Elbert, Fulton & Bradley, Fulton & Wright, Fulton & Plumer and J. A. Young & Co.

At present there are two stores and a few shops in the village. A handsome church building adds to the town its* moral worth. An old school is in the northern part of the village.

The following physicians have practiced here at different times: In 1840 Thomas Jones; he died in Texas; Dr. R. Z. R. Wall; in another place the reader will find his sketch. Dr. Joseph Cusick was the first physician and also the first teacher of the township; Dr. J. B. McGirk, G. B. Young, J. R. Howerton, J. G. Turk, L. M. Horn, W. J. Workman, T. J. Wright, R. Mann, Dr. Duncan, Dr. Morrison.

There is but one post office in Chilhowee township and that is in the village of Chilhowee. The office bears the same name with the village and township. We have not been able to gather anything in regard to the office prior to the war. A. W. Young became postmaster in 1876; is serving at present, 1881. G. B. Young served from 1868 to 1876. In 1868 the office paid twelve dollars per annum, while now, 1881, it pays $100 per year.

The Poor Farm , consisting of 255 acres, is in the northeast part of the township. The county judges made of late some improvements on the farm. It is under the excellent management of William P. Hisey. The land lies 180 acres in a square, ninety acres of which is under fence. The original price of the place, paid by the county court, was upward of $3,- 200. A good barn 47x50 is on the place, which cost $1,000. The place has a cistern which supplies good water for the inmates.

At present there are eight indigent and demented persons under charge. Charity Smith a blind white woman has been here for thirteen years. Lucy Wood, a blind negro woman, has been here about three years. She claims to be 110 years old but her statement cannot be relied on.

The following persons have had charge of this institution, but none have done so well as the present manager, Mr. W. Hisey: S. Y. Harris, Jas. A. Bridges, Daniel Marr, and Alfred McDonald. The present manager took charge March 18, 1878. He improves and keeps up the farm for what he can make from it, and the county allows him twenty cents per diem for each pauper and he is permitted to work them when able. The county furnishes bedding and medical attention. Dr. J. M. Ward is county physician and is allowed fifty dollars per month for his services* This is an institution that the people of this county ought to feel proud in sustaining. The county court have wisely managed the poor farm dur¬ ing she past few years.

Robert Thompson came to this county in 1834. He was first appointed justice of the peace in 1844 and acted in that capacity for thirteen years. He was a native of Tennessee.

The Religion of Christ was kept sacred wherever his followers went. No more pious and devoted Christians are to be found than those old pio¬ neers. They trusted the Lord for his kindness and gave him their hearts. The first religious meeting was held at the residence of Thomas Cull, by a methodist minister in 1836. The first church building was erected by the C. P. Church in 1858 and known as "Pisgah." Camp-meeting began to be held as early as 1841. A noted camp-meeting ground was held near the noted Chalybeate spring, where the church purchased about 180' acres of land.

In September, 1844, while one of these camp-meetings was in progress* snow fell to the depth of three inches. On those camp-meeting grounds dozens of sheds and cabins were erected, for the people came a great dis¬ tance. Those sheds would shelter thousands of people. At the Chaly¬ beate spring the big shed was covered with boards. Revs. J. B. and Robert D. Morrow and Claib Davis were prominent revivalists. The Chilhowee Union chapel is owned by four denominations. It was erected in 1876 at a cost of $1,600. It is a large, neat frame building. The fol¬ lowing denominations worship here: M. E. Church (south), Cumberland Presbyterians, M. E. Church and Protestant Methodists.

The M. E. Church (South) was organized here in 1844. The follow¬ ing are some of the old members: John I. Culley, John Wright, Thos. Cull, Douglass Wright, Geo. Hackler, Wilson D. Carpenter, John Wilson and their families. The following circuit riders have preached here: T. M. Cobb, W. L. King, T. P. Cobb, J. B. H. Woolridge, W. M. Pitts, Thos. Wallace, J. W. Bond, B. Margson, J. D. Wood, and W. S. Wood¬ ard, the present preacher, in charge. The membership is about forty. A union Sunday school is conducted here with a large attendance. David N. Simons is superintendent; Sell Shoemaker, secretary. Rev.

The Cumberland Presbyterians have a good organization here. Rev. Benton Farr, a distinguished minister, has charge of the congregation. The officers of the church have failed to give a sketeh of its history.

The M. E. Church was organized here in 1869, with two members : - man and wife - E. Barnum and Mrs. Hannah T. Barnum, by Rev. Henry Threlfall. Now the organization numbers thirty-six. The following ministers have been in charge: J. Jones, J. H. Gilespie, J. S. Porter, G. V. Houts, A. Anderson and B. F. January. The future prospects of the church are bright. *

The Protestant Methodists date back prior to the war, when they held camp-meetings. They have a small organization here, with the Rev. J. H. Young as preacher. Their leading members have furnished us no sketch of their church.

Second Liberty Baptist Church meets at the Borthick school-house in the northwest part of the township, seven and one-half miles southeast of Holden. It was organized by Wm. Owsley in 1849. The following ministers have served: Wm. Owsley, F. M. West, Israel Tompkins, A. M. Cockrell, L. M. Horn and Henry Barton. The original members are not known. The present membership is sixty-four. The average attendance of the Sunday school is seventy; C. C. Little, superintendent; and Edwin Little, secretary. This congregation formerly worshiped at Bear Creek Union Church, five miles southeast from here. They still hold an interest in that building, and worship on the first Sabbath in each month. W. W. Hall is clerk of the church.

Pisgah C. P. Church is in section 36, township 45, range 27. It is a commodious country frame building. We have failed to get a sketch of the church. Rev. S. Finis King is the preacher in charge. J. A. Bridges is superintendent of the Sunday school. Most of these churches were built in the last ten years. In August, 1881, Elder R. L. McHatten held a protracted meeting at Chilhowee, under the auspices of the Christian Missionary Society, of Johnson county, and organized a congregation of twenty-one members. Elders J. H. Hughes and J. A. Lord assisted in this work.

The cause of education' was introduced by Joseph Cusick, who taught a subscription school, in an old house, in 1840. Richard Anderson, Abram Stout, James Blackburn, Messrs. Graham, White and others, are among the old teachers.

building, was erected in 1878, at a cost of $400. The following teachers have taught here: Miss Sarah Webster, C. M. McGirk, two terms; Wm. H. Cook, Rowena Gray, two terms; Miss Nancy Shivers, fall of 1881. During the summer of 1880 Miss Gray celebrated the closing of her school by a picnic in the grove. A. J. Sparks was invited to prepare an address on education, which he delivered here with high appreciation. The exercises were interspersed with music, and the occasion was quite pleasant to all.

The following is a further list of the schools: Mason Hall, No. 54; Elliott District, No. 67; Chilhowee, No. 70; Borthick, No. 75; School No. 47; School, No. 122; School, No. 68; School, No. 56; School, No. 51.

A. F. and A. M., Lodge of Peace, No. 280, meets in the hall, in the village of Chilhowee. C. C. Morrow, now of Warrensburg, was the first W. M. The present officers are: C. R. Oglesby, W. M.; and J. M. Roberts, secretary. A grange hall is in section 31, where the farmers once had a good organization.

Walnut Grove , or Carpenter Cemetery, in section 27, is among the old¬ est burying places. It contains two acres, and is divided into two hundred lots. Isaac M. Carpenter was the first buried here. When the first grave wras dug, hazel brush covered the spot. Since then walnut trees have grown up among the graves, which were cut away during the summer of 1881, large enough for house sills, for which purpose they have contrib¬ uted. Such is the rapid growth of timber.

Chilhowee Cemetery lies one and one-half miles south of the village, in section 24, township 44, range 27. It consists of one acre, reserved or left by will of Hosea Young, for free burial purposes. Mrs. Sallie J. Young was buried here March 5, 1868, being the first to lie in the " city of the dead." She was born x\ugust 21, 1800, of Scotch-Irish extraction, in the state of Vermont. There are a few other graveyards in other parts of the township, whose history we have not gleaned.

The agricultural interests of Chilhowee township are by far the most prominent. Wheat and corn are the staples. Beautiful, substantial dwell¬ ings, with comfortable surroundings, are to be found in every part of this township. The wheat yield is here the best of the county. From several, we learn, the wheat has averaged from 30 to 40 bushels per acre. J. R. Carpenter owns an excellent small farm. The soil is of a deep black limestone, which produces wheat, 25 and 30 bushels per acre; corn, 50 to 70 bushels per acre. Fruits of all kinds generally raised in this locality, do well here.

" The wheat harvest continues to be good each year. A few men have paid for small farms by raising wheat. The fine wheat harvest is about over, and the yield is good.

In the southwest part of the township, Capt. Wm. Ramey, a desperate, wild scout of a militia gang, captured four southern strangers, on their way home, to northern Missouri. After running them all day in the snow he shot them down in cold blood, " in pay," as he said, for the murder of his brother, Daniel Ramey, by the bushwhackers, in 1862. These south¬ ern men's bones lie buried on Wilie P. Carrington's farm.

Stock Raising has, of late years, elicited several good farmers into the business. Blooded stock has been brought to the township, and the stock raiser is now realizing the benefits. W. P. Carrington, T. N. and J. R, Carpenter, and others keep fine stock. In the northern part of the town¬ ship sheep do well. Dr. J. B. McGirk keeps a handsome flock of sheep. Too many dogs have discouraged wool-growers in the past few years, so that the number of sheep in the township has not kept pace with other stock. The many fine blue grass pastures enable the farmer to keep good stock without any loss in the outlay.