Johnson County, Missouri - Chapter 11: - Simpson Township, 1881

The Name - Physical Features - Location and Boundary - Statistics - Population - Early Settlers - Some of the Officers - Roads - Village of Grovel' - Churches - Schools - Cem¬ eteries - Agriculture - Stock-Raising - Growth and Further Development of the Town¬ ship.

From the beauties and grandeur of nature to the curiosities and won¬ ders of art, we see everywhere that the tooth of time has torn away some fragment of what some one has admired. Many a splint from a curious noted tree that stands no longer, is preserved in some cabinets. The wild grasses that once supplied the deer, buffalo, antelope and elk as they fed and wandered over nature's unmolested pasture, have changed, and per¬ haps nevermore to take the form of its wild nature. The animals that once grazed on these boundless prairies have given place to those of a domestic nature. Where once the tall grass grew and the fiery flames annually visited, now is the dense groves of beautiful slim saplings whose bark shines like silver. The sturdy pioneers who first set their tentstakes here, silently sleep where their sons and daughters breathe above them a different atmosphere. A change in politics, religion, and the gov¬ ernment of the home circle now pervades their homes. Perhaps there be but few who live half a century but that they note great changes ; and often the spirit of the age is in advance of the individual. To keep pace with progress requires considerable diligence.

In the following sketch of this township we shall endeavor, as best we can, to present facts rather than formulated theories. We shall devote an ample space to the name which the township bears, giving the worthy bachelor, whose name honors the township, credit for his liberal and phi¬ lanthropic spirit and his forward moves in the advancement of the peo¬ ple's interests. In the physical features of the township we shall endeavor to present a fair synopsis of what nature has done here.

In statistics and population we shall record such important changes as we think best and most suitable to the place and most important to the farmer. Under the head of old settlers we shall give all that is access¬ ible and pertinent, and justly due those who stood the trials and turmoils of a pioneer home. Those who have made history deserve a name in this volume, that generations hence may know who they were who first tilled the soil and opened up a way for the prosperity that they now enjoy.

Such historical events and data as are preserved will be given on roads, post-offices, the village of Milford or Grover, and an elaborate notice of the churches and schools, from the pioneer days down to the present. Agriculture, stock-raising, and future outlook of the township will not be carelessly noticed. In giving what we have diligently pro¬ cured, to the public, we are aware that there are yet historical facts untouched that were not within our reach. Enough, however, are given to preserve in the memory of those yet to live the noble founders of this township.

Name. - There are but few places that have no historical connection with their names. The name Simpson is common in Kentuck}^ and a southern county adjoining Tennessee bears the name, Franklin is the county seat; also, a south-central county of Mississippi, with Westville the county seat. The name among prominent individuals dates back more than a century. Thomas Simpson, an eminent mathematician, was born in 1710, at Market Bosworth, in Leicestershire, and was the son of a weaver, who brought him up to his own trade, and, perceiving his incli¬ nation for reading, took away his books. He in consequence left his father, and after many vicissitudes, one of which was his becoming a for¬ tune-teller, he acquired a perfect knowledge of mathematics, and rose to be a mathematical professor at the Royal Academy, Woolwich, and a member of the Royal Society. He wrote " Treatises on Fluxions, Annu¬ ities, and Algebra," " Elements of Geometry," and other scientific works, and died in the year 1761.

James Simpson, Esq., from whom this township derived its name, was a native of Virginia. He was one among the number of a family of five boys and seven girls.. He came h ere in 1832 with his mother, Mrs. Sarah Simpson, a widow, her own children, and a large family of negroes. James Simpson was for a long time the most prominent man of the vicin¬ ity. He entered and improved a handsome farm of 680 acres, which was sold after his death, to Mrs. Hannah Lynn, 600 acres, and John H. Davis, eighty acres. Mrs. Hannah Lynn now owns and resides on the old farm. Mrs. Lynn paid $6,000 for the 600 acres in 1866. James Simpson and his affectionate mother both departed this life in the year 1861. Mrs. Simp¬ son had long been a faithful member of the Southern M. E. Church, and the circuit-rider made her * home one of the preaching points before churches were built. James Simpson remained a bachelor till the day of his death. In habits he was strictly temperate. In politics he always affiliated with the Democrats and when the war of secession broke out in 1861 he was a warm southern sympathizer, and on account of his declin¬ ing years he never lived to see the Union restored. The only society to which he belonged was the Good Templars. He was a man of considerble means and fair education and always enjoyed his bachelorhood either in hunting or reading. Although peculiar, yet dignified and self-pos¬ sessed as old bachelors generally are, he was kind and liberal towards his fellow creatures, and truly felt with Pope:

He took considerable interest in the introduction of fine stock from Ken¬ tucky to his neighborhood, and was one of the leading men in the agri¬ cultural and county fair interests. At an early day before railroad facili¬ ties were available he went to Kentucky and brought back a large lot of the best blooded cattle and horses. One of his fondest enjoyments was the chase. Very different from the early hunters, in the respect that he would not keep any noisy dogs about him, and instead of the common yelping hounds he kept his pack of favorite gray hounds, which afforded him great pleasure. Although his hunting had not the picturesqueness of a Walter Scott Chase, yet the lovliness of the beautiful prairies, stretch¬ ing away unbounded over which in perfect freedom gamboled the wild deer, was to him a " happy hunting-ground." His fleet gray hounds took in a deer almost at his desire, and his table was always spread with veni¬ son and the delicacies of that day. Since we can not say he had a wife and family upon whom to bestow affection, it may be truly said of 'Squire Simpson that he loved his gun and dog. For some time he was justice of the peace and hence the title 'Squire. Several years ago there were but three families of the dense settlement but what were intimately related to the Simpsons. The following families belong to the Simpson extraction: Browns, Ramseys, Youngs, Shepherds, Collins, Fosters, Herndons, Rob¬ erts, Roaches, Hamleys, Cheathams, Offutts, Profitts, Mulkeys, and Colberns. Strange as it seems, there is not one living to perpetuate the name Simpson. Wm. Simpson, a brother, was a negro slave dealer and was murdered for his money by a man named Hoe in Kentucky. The last one that lived was James B. Simpson, a nephew and a captain in the rebel army during the war of 1861. He returned after the war, kept hotel a short time in Warrensburg and afterwards died near Columbus in this townships, and on the west by Hazel Hill township. It contains all of town 47,- range 25, and two tiers of sections of town 48, which on account of the survey line extends three-eights of a mile further west. This town¬ ship is the same size as Grover and contains forty-eight square miles. It is about three miles the nearest and twelve miles the farthest from the county seat; on the roads the distance may be doubled. Concordia and Warrensburg are the nearest trading points. Grover and Fayetteville are the postoffices. The former is in Hazel Hill township and the latter is in the eastern part of this township.

Physical Features. - A bird's eye view of the surface would present a variety of knolls and indentions. The surface is rolling throughout, and is favorable for a variety of farming. On account of the many knolls, ravines, and brush land, a very great extent of the township is not in cul¬ tivation. The township is well drained. Flagstaff has its source in Hazel Hill township and flows through the entire township, entering Grover and flowing into the Blackwater. Cottonwood flows through the central part and Blackwater flows through the southeastern part. These creeks divide the township into three water-sheds. The timber is scattered along these creeks, and on the sandy hills are found the chinquapin and black jack shrubs. In many parts the soil is very deep, ranging from twenty to fifty inches in depth. A deep black fertile limestone soil is found on the head of Haw Branch in sections twenty and twenty-nine. Here are the excellent farms of Mr. R. H. Wood and Mrs. Agnes J. Foster. Mr. Wood has some very fine springs on his f!irm, which with his fertile farming land make his home one of the most desirable stock farms in the township. Clear Fork flows in from the southwest corner of Grover, and is the only stream on which white walnut or butternut tim¬ ber grows. The land on this stream is low and somewhat swampy. Several small ponds during the rainy seasons are scattered along the banks of this creek. The soil is here of gray-red appearance, growing of deeper hue as the ridge is approached. In many places near Kirkpat¬ rick's old mill, only a few years ago, the creek bottoms contained small lakes the year round where now are beautiful corn fields. On Blackjack branch the rough land is very productive for sorghum and tobacco. Mulky Creek is in the northeast part of the township and drains an excel¬ lent farming section. In the northwest part of the township J. H. Parker and others have very productive black soils, and some good springs abound. The western strip of sections are composed of very rough land; however, there are a few good farms in this area. The soil varies from gray in the north to black loam in the centre, and mellow sandy soil in the southwest. The very best of coal is found in many parts of the township and it is generally believed that it exists in paying quantities over the township. None of the creeks except Blackwater afford plenty of water the year round. The streams are deep and very sluggish a few miles before they enter the Blackwater, and that locality has a miasmatic atmos¬ phere. In general the township is well drained naturally on the uplands, and farmers are adding year by year to the drainage of the bottoms.

Early Settlers. - It is to the pioneer we owe a debt of lasting honor for his successful struggles in opening the way to a fertile agricultural country* But the secret of his enduring power and love for adventure will never be rightly understood, even by his children, nevertheless his simple, domestic life will go down to history with a record untarnished by the many follies of this age.

Judge John Thornton settled the place where Captain S. H. Taggart now resides, in about 1834. He camped out on the open prairie until he could erect a log cabin. For a while he was one of the county justices. He was an uncle of Mrs. Eliza J. Hocker, of Grover township, and father of Mrs. A. Duval of this township. He entered the land and improved the same by the use of ox teams. He was a member of the Baptist church, and a man of broad and liberal views. He died, lamented by many friends, in the year 1845, and was interred on his farm in the family grave-yard. After his death, his beautiful farm passed into the hands of Noah Redford, John Boyles, Mr. Nelson, James M. Foster, and is now owned by S. H. Taggart. J. M. Wood came here in 1834, and entered land and improved the beautiful farm where his son, Richard H. Wood, now resides, in section 29, town 47, range 25. He married a daughter o^ Judge Thornton, and out of a family of eight children, two are living, R. H. Wood, who resides on the old homestead, and W. W. Wood, a lawyer of Warrensburg. He died in 1851, and was buried in the Thornton grave-yard. Stephen Blevens, one among the oldest pioneers, came to this neighborhood about 1830, and settled in the rough brush patches on Haw Branch, in the eastern part of section twenty-nine. He was an unpolished pioneer, full of vivacity, who cared little how the world moved. He followed his inclination, however sensual, and trusted to the Lord for

James S. Brown, now living in Hazel Hill township, in 1842, improved the farm where T. P. Anderson resides. The house has given away,, and T. P. Anderson has erected a new one in its stead, in 1881. Rev. Amos Horn, a Baptist minister, and the first county judge resided here; also Drs. Thomas and Howood. James M. Foster, Sr., born August IT, 1819, in Logan county, Kentucky; died August 24, 1878. He engaged in farming and stock raising. Was a mason. Had always been a demo¬ crat in politics, and in his latter days became a faithful member of the Church of Christ. Geo. P. Aingell is prominent among the early set¬ tlers. He came here in 1836, from Green river country, Logan county, Kentucky. He entered considerable land. He was born January 23, 1812, and is living with his son-in-law, on the old place. James Foster came here at an early day, and soon became the owner of 720 acres of land, which he sold at the close of the war for $7,200, to Matthew Mc- Ferren. Subsequently, McFerren became involved in debt and borrowed $600, and at his death had failed to pay it, and by a process of law, S. H. Taggart managed to get the entire tract of land into his hands, costing him a little upwards of the debt, and the widow was turned from her old home penniless, and in her dotage, too old to be of any service in the world. John Anderson, an excellent pioneer, resided in this township. He improved the farm, afterwards owned by G. P. Aingell. He was a half brother of the veteran, W. H. Anderson, now living in Warrensburg and selling groceries.

Many of these old pioneers soon became wealthy enough to be slave owners, and at one time there were more negroes in what is now the bounds of the township, than whites. The average number of slaves per family ranged from ten to twenty, and frequently the number reached fifty. Slaves were often hired out for $100 per year to responsible men. Dr. Hamilton C. Davis was among the first settlers. He did a good prac¬ tice and owned a grist mill on the creek below, where Kirkpatrick's mill now stands. He died in 1848. James H. Narron left Tennessee in the year 1843 and settled in this section in 1855. His father, W. H. Narron, set¬ tled here in 1855, and served two years as justice of the peace. Richard Hancock resided here and was one of the first county officers. Charles Proctor Collins came in 1835 from Kentucky and soon afterwards entered about 1,000 acres of land. He was born in Logan county, Ken¬ tucky, in the year 1809. He married a daughter of James Foster. He commenced to keep house with his wife in a log cabin, which is now used for a stable. " Uncle Charles " as he was usually called, was a man of indomitable energy, which carried him through all the hardships inci¬ dent to a frontierman's life. For several years he was found at the car- penter's bench, where he earned his first money. All of his children are dead except two, Robert and J. T. Collins. One child was killed by lightning, and several injured. The lightning has struck about this place several times, once, shivering considerable of the house. During the late war, C. P. Collins was penned in jail by militia, for his southern pro¬ clivities. Although not a member of any secret society or church there are but few whose generosity and hospitality will exceed his. He was always economical, plain and frugal, having plenty at all times and benev¬ olent to give some to the needy. No stranger or needy person was ever turned from his door and his unbounded hospitality is known for miles away. During the late war, although too old for military service, he enter¬ tained the spirit of doing good for the helpless at home, and how many a poor widow has thanked him for his liberal soul. He assisted in the burial of Dr. Wm. Dobson, a respectable physician who practiced from 1843 to 1861, when he was killed in cold blood by marauding militia.

Alexander Greer was among the thrifty farmers and stock dealers of the county. He died at his rural residence in this township April 10, 1881, aged 70 years, 8 months and 15 days. He was the elder of two sons, only children of Johnston and Mary Greer. He was born inBurkley county, Virginia, August 25, 1810. Having lost their father when they were respectively six and four years old, the two brothers were educated and supported by the energy of an industrious Christian mother. She remained a widow for upwards of forty years, and enjoyed the fruits of her labors and saw the bright promise of her sons. Alexander and Jerome were the names of these boys, who grew to be pioneer men of the west. Alexander, the subject of this sketch, in his boyhood, often worked out, earning from six to ten cents per day. He, by his strong powers of con¬ tinuity and invincible force of energy, pushed forward against opposition and in time purchased a half interest in a team of horses, which enabled him to freight from Baltimore to Nashville, until he owned two teams. In September, 1837, he was united in marriage to Miss Clay, of Alleghaney county, Maryland, and to them were born fifteen children, ten daughters and five sons, all of whom are living except the eldest child, a daughter. In 1838, he moved to this state, and in connection with his brother, Jerome, opened a country store on Blackwater, near Davis' mill, now called Kirpatrick's mill. This business he soon abandoned for the farm, where he engaged in agriculture and stock-raising. By careful steps and good judgment, he afterwards became the owner of large tracts of land. Having plenty of land he gave all his children excellent country homes, leaving his wife a bountiful supply. Besides attending to his farm interest he became an extensive and successful cattle feeder and shipper. This business he began before there was a railroad between here and the St. Louis markets. As a business man there was none better. He never lost an opportunity to make a good trade and weather did not stop him from business. He belonged to no church or secret society, but was in his last years a democrat in politics. His remains sleep at Oak Grove cemetery. The following is a synopsis of his will: " To each of his four¬ teen children a good farm; to his widow, after the payment of his debts, all his money and every description of personal property on hand at his death. Each child is to pay the mother $100 annually as a support, which amount may be increased at her option." He owned abou 3,000 acres of land. The executors of the will were G. W. Colbern, his son-in-law, R. L. Greer, his eldest son, and Louisa Greer his widow. It was his desire that they should not give bond. Not one of the family of boys or girls is afraid of work. They believe in the theory that work is no disgrace and hurts no one, which would be well for much of the so-called invalid world to heed.

The following is a partial list of the township officers: Frank McCluney served as justice of the peace from 1865 to 18T6, at which time W. J. Wriston was elected. James Simpson served here as a justice for several years prior to the war. A. Kirkpatrick, E. A. Strickland and M. E. Me- Donalson served at various times. Jas. H. Narron, W. S. Foster, J. W. Branch, Jas. M. Foster, and W. H. H. Collins have served as township officers. W. S. Foster took the U. S. census for this township in 1880. The township system was well managed in this township, and generally liked by the people, and almost invariably, the people are anxious for the re-establishment of the system. It takes time to develop any new coun¬ try, and this township has progressed with the growing age, and it may be well said of its officers and citizens that they are wide awake and ener¬ getic, and have some of the best improved farms of any within the bounds of the county.

This township has no railroads. The Warrensburg and Marshall rail¬ road was partially graded through this township and ran along Black wa¬ ter, but was never completed. The township contains some old wagon roads. One of the oldest roads was the Knob Noster and Independence road which crossed Blackwater at the old Davis Mill, since familliarly known as Kirkpatrick's mill. Here a bridge was built at an early day, weather boarded and covered, which still spans the black sluggish stream below. This road crossed the once muddy bottom of Blackwater in a southwestern direction over the sandy ridge of brush and entering section twenty-two it takes a direct westerly course, passing through the center of section twenty-one. This is the oldest road in the township. This road unites with another road from the north in section twenty, thence south one half mile, west three-quarters, where it unites with another road from the north, at the residence of R. H. Wood, and continues south to the line of the township. The township has several roads but none very good. On account of the roughness of the land, the many ravines and the softness of the soil, it takes considerable work to keep the roads good. But roads in the brush are not sufficiently wide for buggies and covered wagons to pass without being torn to pieces. The little stream of Flag¬ staff has two wooden bridges. With the exception of the small bridges this is the complement of bridges.

The fences of the township are generally Osage Orange hedge. The old rail fence is almost a thing of the past. The people of late years are giving more attention to fences than formerly. The fence rows show thrift and cleanliness. No account of ferries are given as ever kept on the creek, however the pioneer's canoe, dug from a round log was com¬ mon fifty years ago. The fords are generally bad on the streams. Often quite muddy, and the banks steep, and at times dangerous to drive into. Of late the barbed wire fence is being used to an alarming extent, and although it has injured considerable stock, yet it prevails to rise in public favor.

But one village was ever started here. Grover, formerly called Millford, in the northern part of section thirteen, on Blackwater, has been a noted spot for many years. Millford, a name derived from the old Davis mill and the ford hard by, making a compound word of mill and ford, which was commonly called for several years the mill ford until custom christened it Mill-ford, with accent on the first sylable. This place is fre¬ quently called Kirkpatrick's Mill, in honor of Wm. Kirkpatrick who came here about 1850. He was born June 7, 1802, and died at this place January 26, 1862. Fie was a native of Tennessee. A water power grist¬ mill was kept here by Dr. H. C. Davis and a little store by Jerome Greer. The former died here and the latter is in Oregon. In 1850 the mill fell into the hands of Wm. Kirkpatrick, and was made a steam mill, then it passed into the hands of A. Kirkpatrick, his son, the latter controlled it till he died. At one time the mill was owned by Kirkpatrick & McCor¬ mack. A little store has been kept here almost without intermission for several years by the following persons: J. Greer, Wm. Kirkpatrick, Ed. A. Strickland, C. Potlett, J. Soister, John Strickland, W. Tolbert, Wm. C. Cook, T. M. McDonald, and Ed. Blake. The voting precinct was kept here till 1873, when the township (Grover) was divided and the voting precinct for Simpson changed to Lynn school house, and that for Grover, Lowland school house.

Dr. Z. Case, a graduate of St. Louis medical college, located here in 1876, and has had a good practice. He states that the first year there were not enough well people to care for the sick, and that upwards of five hundred were down with malarial fevers. In years past the miasmatic atmosphere was so abundant that the people were used to it and expected to be sick. Pneumonia has prevailed to an alarming extent in this locality.

Postoffice. - The postoffice was first established as Milford about 1850, but after the war the name was changed to that of Grover, in honor of Col. B. W. Grover, a distinguished militia officer, who was mortally wounded in the battle of Lexington. The following have served in the capacity of postmaster: Wm. Kirkpatrick, Wm. Cook and Thomas F. McDonald. The office was discontinued during the war and resuscitated in the year 1870. Simpson postoffice was established January 16, 1880, and discontinued the summer of 1881. Mrs. Sarah D. Wood was post¬ mistress. Mail once a week. This office was kept at the residence of R. H. Wood, in the northeast part of section twenty-nine.

Churches were not very early established here. It has always been good to seek the society of the pious, both in our joys and our trials. The whole history of the church has been full of God's victories for it over its proud enemies. This life is the seed from which the future life springs. Nothing gives tone to society and honor to a community as that of the cause of religion. The religious nature calls for development. Most of the early settlers were pious, God-fearing people, but on account of the lack of church-buildings and regular preaching a large per cent, of peo¬ ple sought frivolous amusements instead. " The mind is ever on the move." If good is not sought, evil is by to take the place, and so was it often the case here. Only now and then as a circuit rider would pass by would the people hear the gospel, and the long interval that would intervene destroyed the religious work done. Among some of the pioneer preach¬ ers were Wm. P. C. Caldwell, who often preached for the Baptists, and Robert A. Foster, for the Methodist Episcopal church, south. William Duvall, a Baptist, Joseph White and Amos Horn were among other preachers who were devoted to their faith. Rev. Brooks, who died in 1835, was considered the ablest minister. John Warder and Robert D. Morrow often visited their brethren in this vicinity, and to the latter the C. P. church owes its origin.

Oak Grove Cumberland Presbyterian Church is in the northern part of the township, near the Lafayette county line, and was organized March 30, 1855, by Rev. J. B. Morrow, with the following original members: Geo. Hoffman, Mary Hoffman, Louisa Hoffman, Bedford Brown, Polly A. Brown, Rebecca Walker, Sarah Roberts, John Roberts, Jas. G. Suddith, Elizabeth Suddith, Elizabeth Roach, Virginia Hargrave, B. F. Suddith, Caroline Therington, Margaret Hanley, Nancy Whitsett, Elizabeth Hornbuckle, Jas. S. Brown, John W. Brown, and Sarah J. Brown.

In connection with the Southern Methodists a good Sunday school is kept up the greater part of the year. James McCluney is superintendent, and vice-president of the Sunday schools of the township, with postoffice at Fayetteville. The church building was accidentally destroyed by fire Nov. 19, 1875, and rebuilt in April, 1876. This is a union church building, and one of the handsomest in the county, owned by the Cumberland Presbyterians and the Southern Methodists. The first building cost about $900. The present one cost upwards o f $1200.

The M. E. Church , South , also worship at this house, and organized about the same time. The following are the original members: Mrs. E. Fitzpatrick, John McCluney, Charity Atherton, Sarah Simpson, Mrs. S. Brown, Jacob L. Neft, Catherine NefF, John Atherton, and Margaret Dobson. This circuit was called Columbus circuit in 1843, and this was one of the preaching points of the circuit, and the following are the circuit riders: Robert A. Blakey, W. M. Pitts, Josiah McCary, John Bond, L. P. Siceleoft, J. P. Gibson, W. S. Woodard, E. W. Woodward, L. Phil¬ lips, L. H. Vandiber, L. W. Pearce. Two acres of land belong to the church building, and the cemetery is on this spot.

Mt. Hermon Disciples Church. - Was organized in 1878, by C. A. Hed¬ rick, and the building was dedicated by him the fpllowing year, winter of 1879. The building is a frame structure, put together by William Love, of Warrensburg, and cost about $1,000. It has but little furniture, save the seats. The church has no regular pastor. C. A. Hedrick visited the church once a month the first year, then G. R. Hand, a pioneer worker, and one of the most devoted Christians that ever came to the west. He was from Ohio. At present, C. A. Hedrick preaches here once a month. The membership is about forty. The Sunday school has an attendance of about fifty. James Thomas is superintendent. This school was organ¬ ized in the spring of 1880. Prior to this a union Sunday school occasion¬ ally met at the school-house. The following are some of the first mem¬ bers: George Marshall and family, W. S. Foster and family, Isham F. Tanner and wife, A. J. Bozarth and family, and William Foster (colored).

A union Sunday-school was organized here in 1870, and has been kept up ever since. In 1877-8, A. J. Sparks was elected superintendent, and introduced a lecture system and blackboard diagrams,- which drew out a large attendance, and evolved a deep interest in the lessons. He walked three miles much of the time, and never missed a Sunday from the school. G. W. Shanton, Robert Miller, and Mr. Wriston have served as superin¬ tendents. At present, Martin Hustin is superintendent, and Dr. Z. T. Adams, secretary.

Lynn Sunday-school was organized by A. J. Sparks, in the spring of 1876, with but three church members, besides himself, in the neighbor¬ hood: Mrs. James M. Roberts and Rebecca Foster, of the C. P. Church, and Mrs. Miranda Foster, of the "Christian" denomination. The school prospered for two years, under his supervision, and dozens of grown persons attended Sunday-school, as well as children, for the first time in their lives. The result of this work was, that within three years upwards of fifty were added to the various churches.

Schools of the township, at an early day, were few, and far between. It is true, that the early settlers never lost sight of the noble impulse to educate. Log school-houses were built in every neighborhood, and schools were supported in part, or altogether, by subscription. An old log school-hous.e stood on "Simpson Ridge," near the Lynn school-house. The house was set on fire during the war. James Simpson, C. P. Collins, and Washington Collins lived near the school. Washington Collins came here in 1837. At this time it was common to see children wending their way, from three to five miles, to this old log cabin. The teachers' wages ranged from $18 to $20 per month. This was often called "Flagstaff Academy" by the rustic scholars. Among the old teachers are Dr. T. Bradford, Dave Horn, W. L. Hornbuckle, J. M. Shepherd, Geo. P. Aingell, Z. T. Davis, Alex. Mars, A. B. Harrison, and James Harrison. In an early day, an old log school-house, 16x16, stood on the open prairie, in section twenty-nine. It had one cupboard, door, shutter, wooden hinges and latch, and split logs for benches, no window, except a log sawed out on one side. In 1855, a frame school-house, with two windows and a door, was considerable improvement on the old house. This stood about a quarter of a mile south of the residence of Mrs. Agnes J. Foster. In those days education was not neglected, and parents bought books and encour aged mind culture, as far as circumstances would admit. But few text¬ books were used. No blackboard, and not often could a child think of using a slate till he had mastered his reader and speller. In those days, teachers gave merit cards, written with their own hands.

Mason School house was built in 1868, and cost $700. It is a neat frame building. In 1877, when A. J. Sparks, was conducting the school he beautified the school grounds by planting flowers and leveling the walks, so that it was very attractive. The following is a list of the teachers: S. Swan, Lot Coffman, S. H. McElvain, J, M. Crutchfield, Mollie Fulton, J. W. McGiven, Jas. Johnson, W. Riffey, two terms; A. J. Sparks, three terms; Sallie Young, G. M. Shanton, three terms; Miss Lizzie McClung, two terms, Peter Lynch. The directors are R. H. Wood, Wm. Parman, and Jeff Corder. Lynn school house was built in 1868, and cost $600. W. S. Foster was then director. The teachers are J. Smith, Henry Har¬ man, J. Pennington, N. McPherson, Jno. M. Christy, two terms; Irwin Granger, J. W. Branch, Dora Foster, A. J. Sparks, three terms; Mary Brown, Laura Lutz, M. D. Cole, R. Beavis, A. J. Trapp, T. P. Reid,

Milford school, No. 21, was built in 1875, and cost $600. It is well furnished. The following are the teachers: Ed. Blake, Julia Lutz, two terms; Mary Carroll, Isham F. Tanner, M. Fanny Narron, and Geo. W. Couch. Andrew Kirkpatrick, W. Cook, Wallace Withy, W. Lasenby, were the first officers.

Bowman school was built in 1860. It was destroyed by fire, and rebuilt since the war. Major Humphreys and Dr. William Dobson taught here before school houses were fashionable. School was taught in families. The following is a list of the teachers: Jacob Motsinger, Maggie LeMar, L. Rush, M. Jones, John W. Christy, Wm. Sharp, Jas. McCluney, Geo. Amick, and Jas. Thomas. The last building was put up in 1875, and cost $336. Samuel Leadford was director. John Collins, R. Pool, and R. Riley, are the present directors.

The colored school is doing well here. In 1870 a building was erected and destroyed by fire in 1874. No school was opened again until in 1878, when a new house was put up on Flagstaff creek, at a cost of about $300. At first white teachers were employed, but now teachers are selected of the same color as the pupils. The colored children are doing well here, and making rapid strides in education. Their parents, who were once slaves, are industrious, and have nearly all of them little homes with plenty around them, much more than their former masters. These colored people have just completed a handsome church building, (M. E. - Church, colored,) and have regular Sunday school and preaching, which bespeaks for them an industrious, pious spirit. This community of colored people are the most quiet, energetic and enterprising of any in the county.

The cemeteries of this township have considerable quaintness about them. Always about the sleeping places of the dead there are solemn associations. Here mirth turns to sadness, and the giddy minded person is transposed to a hypochondriac.

Foster cemetery is on the old James Foster place in the woods near the old residence in section 4. A stone wall surrounds a lot of about one acre.

Oak Grove cemetery was commenced about 1855. John Roberts is among the first interred here. The graves are in the back ground from the church. It has a handsome and neat appearance, and speaks well for the community. .A few graves are on the road in the woods, near the residence of Joe Herndon.

The business enterprise of the township consists chiefly in farming and stock-raising. The enterprising stock-dealers are G. G. Goodnight, Robt. Greer, and R. H. Wood. Alexander Greer, deceased, began the stock trade here forty years ago, and often would drive his beeves to St. Louis. No other enterprise surpasses farming and stock-raising here.

The agricultural interests of this township are worthy of note. The soil and climate is fully as good as in other states. Hugh Trusedale, who came here in 1866, from Ohio, says: " When I came I paid twelve dollars per acre; now my land has doubled, the soil is more productive, and health fully as good as in Ohio." In a large part of the township tobacco could be profitably grown. Considerable soil is adapted to the raising of sorghum. James H. Parker, one of the most enterprising stock-raisers lives in the northern part of the township. He has a handsome farm, raises, in addition to his corn and wheat crop, fine timothy and clover hay. About his place blue grass is indigenous to the soil. Farms usually rent for about one-third of the crop. The black lime soil on Haw branch is very productive, and the corn crop is said to frequently run to eighty bushels per acre. This year (1881) was an uncommonly hard season on corn. It turned dry in July and did not rain a drop until the 29th of August. Drouth, with the chinch-bugs, cut the corn crop down to about one-third the annual yield. Most of the farms are small here. A few contain four hundred to six hundred acres, but generally the average size is about eighty to one hundred and sixty acres. Some farms are even less. Blue grass does well in every part of the township. The subject of horticulture is almost entirely neglected here, and for the want of a good horticulturist hundreds of acres of fine fruit-growing land lies dormant.

There are no elegant, commodious residences in the township. The best farm residences are those of J. H. Parker, R. H. Wood, S. H. Taggart and Robt. Greer. The buildings, however small and inexpensive, are ample for all purposes. There are but few good barns. Farmers would do well to imitate James Simpson, the worthy old bachelor for whom the township is named, who advised the pioneers to build barns and save their grain, stock, and themselves. His was the first commodious barn of the town¬ ship.

Many old settlers state that the rain-fall is not- so great as formerly. In 1848 a violent storm passed through the township. The only damage done was a school house blown down.

In the first settlement of the county the deer were so plentiful that they had to be chased out of the cornfields. There were many ways of decoying them and getting their venison. R. H. Wood relates that men would lie down in the grass, and put a hat on one foot and stick it up in

An old log school-house stood on the Cameron farm. Major James Bailey, J. M. Shepherd and Wm. A. Smith taught here. Geo. R. Aingell taught in the winter of 1838-9 a private school in the family of James Foster.

In the pioneer days it is said that Major Edward Dunn, a large slave¬ owner, often paid visits to his friends and relatives in Kentucky on horse¬ back, and once walked there and back. He stated that these visits never cost him a cent; that the people on the way always lavished their hospi¬ tality on him.

Chas. P. Collins owned a dog that after he came to Missouri, became dissatisfied with the climate and went back to Kentucky to live with his old acquaintances.

James H. Narron states that the most remarkable thing he ever saw was the great number of squirrels in 1848-9. In the woods, fields and. all over the country they were moving by millions. They would come in the houses. Gus. Foster killed over a thousand that winter. They were slain by the scores. In the following spring the sun did not shine for forty days, and thousands were found dead, apparently in search of food.

The rat pest of 187T-5 was dreaded by the farmers. They went into the corn fields by hundreds and scaled the standing corn and that year destroyed many fields of fine grain.

The growth of this tow nship has been steady. The industrious citizens who have kept out of debt have found that their farms have yielded them a handsome fortune. The great mistake that some of the bankrupt farmers made was borrowing money and mortgaging their farms at a time when the panic of 1873, could hold them to the grindstone of debt. But few of these men redeemed their farms and now a large portion of the township has passed in other hands within the last decade. Much of the cause of this financial trouble was the extravagant living of those families who failed. It is said that pride and dress mingled with idleness, will always keep a family poor.

The township has entered upon an era of prosperity. Her schools are well supported, and most of people are out of debt, and general prosperity bears the sway writhin the limits of Simpson township.