Lafayette County, Missouri - The whole text, 1881 (part 11 of 19)

The Coal Mines in the vicinity are closely allied with the business interests of the city, and should be mentioned in connection with it. There are seven shafts open within a radius of four miles, five of them being operated during the cold season, for the local demand, and the other two, near town, owned and operated by the Winsor Coal Company, which was incorporated in December, 1879, with Ed. Winsor, president, and H. W. Winsor, secretary and superintendent, in operation during the entire season. In these two latter mines coal is found forty-five feet below the surface and in a vein of from sixteen to eighteen inches in thickness. The daily product of these two mines, when in full operation, is 2000 bushels, all of which is sold to the Chicago and Alton and Kansas city dealers.

Churches Of Higginsville

The Higginsville Presbyterian Church (originally known as " Tabbo church") was organized June 19, 1842. The original members were Dandridge Morrow, Mrs. Elizabeth Morrow, Miss Mary A. Morrow, Wm. D. Lathim, Mrs. Elizabeth Lathim, Mrs. Mary Neal and Mrs. Elizabeth R. Crawford.

The church building is of brick, erected in 1874 at a cost of $3000. It was dedicated July 19, 1874, the Rev. F. R. Gray conducting the services.

The First German Baptist Church at Higginsville was organized May 24, 1868. The original trustees were Peter Brand, J. G. Huder and Aug. Erdman, the last named acting as clerk. The church building is a frame edifice, erected in 1874 at a cost of $15S5. When first organized the Rev. Anton Hausler was in charge as pastor, he being followed by Rev. C. Schumacher, who in turn was succeeded by Rev. F. W. Greife. Number of members at present, 78. Nothing further reported.

The German Lutheran Church at Higginsville, known as the "Evangelical SalemsChurch," was organized in 1870. The original members were Adolph Wehrman and wife, Herman Haefer and wife, W. Huenefeld and wife, C. Haefer and wife, H. Offel, Sen., and wife, H. Schmieder and wife, H. Farre and wife, Aug. Caulher and wife, A. Henker and wife, H. Offel, Jr., and wife.

'The building is a frame one, erected in 1871 at a cost of $1000. It was dedicated Oct. 29, 1871, the Rev. Henry Haefer, the present pastor, preaching the dedicatory sermon. Mr. Haefer has had charge of this church since its organization, with the exception of the time between 1873 and 1877, when the Rev. Frederick Drewel had it in charge. At present there are 75 members belonging. The pastor resides in a parsonage built by the congregation at a cost of $1800. The Sabbath school consists of 45 scholars and eight teachers. During the three months of March, April and May a private school is in progress in the church building, in charge of the pastor.

This church is a member of the German evangelical synod, of which there are five other members in the county. In 1879 the congregation purchased a bell, costing $387.

Wm. Liese, Elizabeth Liese, Frederick Liese, Louise Liese, Charles Liese, Gustav Liese, John Muller, Anna Muller, John Froeschle, Sr., Friederika Froeschle, Anna R. Froeschle, Jacob Froeschle, Mary Froeschle, Michael Waehr, Henry Meyerarend, Friedrick Senser, Heinrich Kripmeyer, Wm. Vieth, Wm. Heffen and others. The church is a frame building and was built in 1870, at a cost of $1,800; dedicated in December, same year, 1876, by Rev. Jacob Tanner. The names of the successive pastors were: Revs. Conrad Mardof, Peter Hehner, Julius Franz, John H. Asling and John Demand. It has now 37 members, and a flourishing Sunday school attached, of which the Rev. Simon Ritter is superintendent.

St. Mary's Churchy (Catholic) at Higginsville, was organized April 26, 1879. The original members were: Timothy Noonan, Martin Kelly, John O'Mally, Patrick Summers, Jeremiah Kelly, John P. Schurtz, Stephen Organ, Thomas Organ, Patrick Lillis, Patrick Machin, Daniel McDermott, Andrew Bomkoskei, Mark Brady, Prof. O. V. Thornton, James O. Gormon, Charles McGirl, and many others. The church edifice consists of a frame building, erected in July, 1881, at a cost of $1,600. It will be dedicated on the 9th of October, 1881, by the Right Rev. John I. Hogan, bishop of Kansas City and St. Joseph. Fathers Hoag, Brady, Cooney, John I. Lilly and F. Curran have been in charge since the organization of this church. The last named being the first and present resident pastor. Present number of members 180.

The Christian Church, of Higginsville, was organized January 18, 1880, with an original membership of 42. This church is properly a reorganization of the " Republican church," originally founded nearly forty years ago, and having a large membership. The church building was situated about two miles southeast of town. This old building was sold ancl a frame one erected in Higginsville, in 1879, at a cost of $1,500. It was dedicated on the third Sabbath in February, 1880, Elder Plattenburg, of Dover, conducting the dedicatory services. The following pastors have been in charge: C. A. Hedrick and Samuel McDaniels. The present membership is 70. The church is in a prosperous condition and has its new edifice nearly paid for.

The Baptist Church, of Higginsville, was Organized in January, 1880. The original members were: A. Edgar Asbury, Mrs. Ellen Asbury, John W. Edley and wife, A. H. Horn and wife, B. F. McElroy and wifef W. W. Preston, Miss Lelia Mason and others. The church edifice is a frame building, erected in 1881, at a cost of $2,000. The present membership is about 45, and the church is now in charge of the Rev. S. B. Whiting. No further particulars reported.

Civic Societies Of Higginsville

Mystic Lodge, No. 88., A. O. U. W. - Organized November 28, 1878, by W. R. Shern. The charter members were: J. H. Fuhr, G. Sharp, John Page, J. H. Stapp, Fred Shopenhoist, J. A. Field, M. A. Brady, W. H. Robnett, W. E. Ennis. D. S. Swacker.

Higginsville, Lodge No. J64, A. F. & A. M. - Organized in 1880t by W. W. Preston and A. E. Asbury. The charter members were: Grove Young, A. Wade, James Peddicord, G. W. Houx, B. Wilkinson, James Robason, S. T. RufFner, W. S. Ennis, A. Kensler, W. J. Fewell, Wm. Doblin, C. N. Engler, and H. G. Smith.

The present officers are the same as above, with the single exception of a change in the office of secretary; that position being now filled by H. G. Smith.

Prairie Grange. - The only particulars obtained in regard to this organization are, tha't it was organized by Lewis Neale, Jr., of Lafayette county, and that its present officers are: James M. Armentrout, W. M.; and Jackson Corder, secretary. Also that the hall in which it meets is a frame building, built in 1879, and located upon section 5, township 49, range 24.

Davis Creek Grange No. 133, was organized in the spring of 1873, with thirteen members. The present officers are: Isaac McVey, Master; F. M. Gladdish, Overseer; William Nois, Lecturer, and Frank Mills, Secretary. The number of members at the present time is between fifty and sixty. They meet in a two story frame building, built at a cost of from six to seven hundred dollars. No further particulars reported.

Cereals, Fruit, Bees, Etc

Christopher Ellmaker has an orchard consisting of about 200 apple trees, some of which 'have been planted over forty years. In 1880, he gathered 1000 bushels of apples from it.

His wheat crop during same year yielded an average of twenty-five bushels to the acre. In other parts of this township the average was from thirty to forty bushels.

Mr. George G. Elsea, has an orchard of about 150 apple trees, some of them over forty years of age, from which he gathered 200 bushels of fruit during the year 1880.

Alfred P. Lewis has an orchard of 100 apple trees, fifty of which were set out in 1845, and the remainder, at various times since. Of the different varieties raised, he says that the Ben Davis is the most salable and the Genitan, Winesap and the Missouri and Newtown Pippin, the best adapted to the climate. He raised about 400 bushels during the year 1880.

He also has twenty stands of bees of the Missouri Native variety. They get their honey from buds and blossoms during early spring and from white clover in its season. In 1879 he gathered 200 pounds of excellent honey from the product of these busy little insects.

Coal Mines

An excellent mine of bituminous coal is located upon the premises of Mr. Michael Summers, formerly owned by Elder Martin Corder, situated in section 6, township 49, range 24. Also on the farm of Patrick Mc- Bride, in section 11, same township and range, a vein of the same kind of coal has been found which, however, he has never mined.

On Mr. Gladdish's farm, four or five miles south of Higginsville, some fragments of petrified bones and wood have been found. Mrs. Gladdish has in her possession something that looks like a petrified wasp's nest, the cells being perfectly defined. [It is a species of fossil coral called Fareosites, which means " honeycomb stone." - Historian. *

Deeds Of Violence

A federal paymaster having in his possession $55,000, which he was transporting to Marshall, Saline county, with a guard of 25 men, commanded by Capt. Perry, had stopped at the residence of Alfred P. Lewis, " for the purpose of remaining overnight. While there they were attacked by a company of bushwhackers, led by Dave Blount, who captured the vehicle which contained the money, securely locked up in a strong box, and its guard of three pickets. Not knowing anything of the money in their possession, the bushwhackers took the horses and bidding the three men to follow, started to retreat. One of them refusing, he was deliberately shot down in his tracks, the ball entering his back and coming out of his right breast. He lived for 26 hours after, and then expired. Mr. Lewis gave him all the assistance in his power, which, however, was of no avail, except to render his last moments easier. The bushwhackers rode off with the horses and their two prisoners, paroling the latter and allowing them to rejoin their comrades the following day.

In September, 1862, John Grisom was found murdered in the Davis bottom, on the premises of Mr. Christopher Echoff. Grisom was a resident of Saline county.

Murder Of Judge Wm. Prigmore

This murder occurred October 10, 1864. He was shot in his yard by the bushwhackers, part of whom are said to have been Dave Poole's men, and part Todd's. The house was burned with its entire contents; Mrs. Prigmore and her sister-in-law, a cripple, escaping with nothing but the clothes they wore.

George Albin and Ben. Neville, guerrillas of Poole's command, were caught in 1863, by the federals, at Oakland church, three miles east of Higginsville. Albin was shot and instantly killed. In the following winter two men, one named Webster, were killed at same place.

Chas. O'Hara, a bushwhacker, was killed at the house of Rob't Van Meter, four miles east of Higginsville, in 1863. He was attempting to escape and was shot while climbing the fence.

Mr. Sharpe, an old resident of the county, was murdered for his money at about the close of the war. He lived two and a half miles west of Higginsville.

The first mention of Dover township occurs February 5, 1836, when it was ordered by the county court " that Tabo township be hereafter known and designated by the name and style of Dover township." This was only a small remnant of the original Tabo township, and comprised the most of the territory now embraced in Dover and Middleton townships. The boundaries of the newly named township are not given; but it is at this date laid off into eight road districts, with numbers and overseers as follows:

First road district, Wm. W. Shroyers, overseer; second road district, JLegrand Buford, overseer; thirty-fifth road district, John Smeltser, overseer; thirty-fourth road district, Robert Sensabaugh, overseer; thirtythird road district, Wm. Hickman, overseer; thirty-second road district,

The first mention of schools occurs May 4, 1840. A majority of the voters of Dover township had petitioned to be organized in accordance with an act of the legislature, entitled " an act to provide for the organization, support, and government of common schools," approved February 9, 1839. The county court appointed Joseph W. Hall, Nathaniel Davidson, and Hubbell Foster, school directors for the township; and the first school meeting was to be held at the town of Dover, July 23, following.

July 4, 1848, new boundaries for Dover township were established, as follows: " Commencing at the mouth of Tabo creek, in the middle of the main channel thereof, where the same empties into the Missouri river, thence up said creek with the middle of the main channel thereof, to where the same crosses the township line between townships No. 49 and 50 in range No. 26; thence east with said township line to where the same intersects the range line between ranges 24 and 25; thence with said range line north to the. Missouri river; thence with said river to the place of beginning." And so the boundaries remain to the present time, 1881.

The early French traders had called several places Terre Bonne (pronounced Tair Bone), or " good land;" such a name would first apply to the country generally, and then gradually be limited to a smaller portion and finally to the village or trading post. As American settlers came in, new names were given, and old ones localized and spelled by sound, rather than according to the original meaning in French, and often shortened in sound: Thus Terre Bonne was first shortened into Ta Beau. Some think this was the original name and meant " the gallant," or " elegant," or as we moderns say, " splendid," but this was merely a later shortening of the original; it was next Anglicized into Tabbo, and finally Tabo, and limited to a small creek instead of naming and describing a region of country. Such is the evolution of the name of Tabo creek, -which now forms the boundary between Lexington and Dover townships.

Early Settlements

The first settlement in this township Was made by John Lovelady and Solomon Cox, in the year 1817, one-half mile west of the present village of Dover. W. R. Cole and Tames Bounds settled one and a half miles west; they made some other improvements in the same year. Solomon Cox came from Virginia and settled on section 29. W. R. Cole came from Virginia and settled on section 30. James Bounds, Sr., James Bounds, Jr. and Obadiah Bounds, came from Tennessee and settled on section 31 in the year 1818. Christopher Jago, Wm. Carpenter and John Parkerson came from Tennessee in the year 1819. Z. Linville, a Sto- nite preacher, Martin Trapp, a reformed preacher, called by some at that time, a Stonite preacher,* John Welsh, Jesse Nelson, Enoch Fox,Wm.Fox, Dyer Cash and Joseph Cantrell came in 1818. Mr. Bovvers erected the first corn mill and distillery in the county, about one-half mile west of Dover. There was a log church erected in Dover by the different denominations. The ministers were Rev. Martin Trapp, Rev. Zachariah Linville, Finis Ewing, Robert King, Robert Mare; the three last named were Cumberland Presbyterian; Ransom Clark, an O. S. Baptist. These ministers invariably united and held their meetings, leaving the converts to join whichever denomination they pleased. The first marriage in the county was at Solomon Cox's in January, 181S; Mr. John Lovelady to Miss Mary Cox, daughter of Enoch Cox, of Grayson county, Virginia, by Rev. Martin Trapp. The first births were Rebecca and Elizabeth, twin daughters of Mr. John and Mary Lovelady. Rebecca is still living and the wife of John B. Dysart. The first death was Martin Trapp, in 1820; the second, Wm. R. Cole, September 15, 1821; both were buried in the cemetery near Dover, which Mr. Cole himself had laid out. The first physician was Dr. Buck, of Massachusetts; he died at the warm springs, Arkansas. The first school was taught in the log school house just south of Dover, in the year 1822, by George Marquis, who died soon after. The first school house was built of logs, gratuitously, by the citizens, and was located half a mile south of Dover. The first weaving of cloth is supposed to have been done by Mrs. John Lovelady and Mrs. Solomon Cox. In the first settling of the country, it was, like all other new countries, devoid of roads and means of travel, and the citizens wishing to go to a certain place took the direction, making a passable road as they went.

Page City

Page City, situated on the Lexington branch of the Missouri Pacific R. R., was laid out in 1871 by Joseph H. Page, on 20 acres of land belonging to himself and 11 acres belonging to his brother, G. R. Page.

Churches Of Dover Village

The Dover Baptist Church. - Organized in about the year 1844. The original members were: P. M. Gaw and wife, Wm. Fristoe and wife, Mrs. Ann C. Mallory, Willis Mathews and wife, Willis Gaulding and wife, David Powers and wife and M. T. Buford. The building originally occupied by this church was built in 1845, and dedicated by the Rev. Wm. C. Ligon. It cost about $1,500. In 1876 it was removed and a new one built in its stead - a fine commodious edifice - at a cost of $6,000. This was dedicated by the Rev. W. Pope Yeaman.

*This was then a new sect or denomination and was called by various nicknames, such as "New Light," " Stonites," " Campbellites," etc . They are now known as " Christians," -or " Disciples."

The successive pastors have been, the Revs. Wm. C. Ligon, E. Roth, Charles Whitney, E. S. Dulin, Mr. Kingdom, E. S. Tichenor, G. W. Smith, C. T. Daniel and T. W. Tate. Since the organization of this church five others have been established in the vicinity, which have drawn considerably from its membership, which at present is small, numbering about 50. At one time it had over 150 communicants.

The First M. E. Church, South, of Dover city. - Organized in 1880. The original members were: James Schooling, S. R. McCorkle and wife, Mrs. Swacker and daughter, M. Catron and daughter and others. The church holds its sessions in a frame edifice, built in 1881, at a cost of $1,500. It is not yet dedicated. At present the Rev. W. B. McFarland occupies the pulpit. Although but recently organized twenty members have already joined, and the indications of prosperity for the society in the future are favorable.

The present officers are, John C. Woods, W. M.; James Clayton, S. W. James Cather, J. W.; H. Wahl, Treas.; R. T. Koontz, Sec'y; L. Buford, S. D.; John Wheatley, J. D.; Lewis Ligon, Tyler; L. B. Gordon and F. G. Henry, Stewards. Number of members at present, 44 Hall built of brick, and rented of the Dover Store company.

War And Women In Dover

" And Dover, too - this pretty little village, so peaceful and so calm - had put on her gala dress to welcome the army and crown with garlands her returning braves marching in the advance of Shelby's division. Those same Dover girls cost some of Shelby's soldiers dearly, indeed. Lingering behind to gather a few more smiles and bind a few more soft lovewhisperings around hearts soon to be separated, were Capt's Charley Jones, Ben. Neal, Will Redd, Lieut. Seb Plattenburg, Sid. Martin, Den - nis McNamara, Sam. Downing and one or two others. Songs, music, patriotic toasts and wooings without number stole the night away, and continued until the cold October sun had risen red and ominous the next morning, when about eight o'clock one hundred or so Federals dashed into town and opened a furious pistol fusilade upon everything in sight. Seb. Plattenburg and Will. Redd were three hundred yards from their horses, and in a house at that, and busy with the girls. Jones mounted his men and fought a while to enable the two unfortunate cavaliers to regain their steeds, which they did and escaped from Dover in safety. The enemy then pressed Jones rapidly up the Lexington road, shot his horse, ran Sid. Martin out of his saddle, but were finally distanced in the race. Lieut. Plattenburg and Capt. Redd made a detour around Dover in order to gain this same Lexington road and came squarely upon the Federals who had halted in their pursuit of Jones' party. Mistaking them for friends, as almost all the Confederates wore blue overcoats at that time, they rode boldly into their ranks, remarking: 'It's all right boys. The damned melish are beaten at last. ' The mistake, however, soon came rudely home to them, and they were dismounted and disarmed."

Bushwhackers At Berlin

The Lexington Weekly Union of Sept. 19, 1863, says: "As the steamer Marcella, on her upward trip on Thursday evening last, approached Berlin Landing in Dover township, twelve miles below this city, she was ordered to land by about sixty bushwachers. There being no protection to the pilot house, and about fifty revolvers pointed at the pilot, he coulddo nothing but obey. The boat had no sooner landed than she was boarded by these monsters. They robbed the boat and passengers of $900, and sevral cases of boots and shoes, clothing, etc. They then searched the boat and found four soldiers, belonging to Col. Sigel's regiment, Fifth M. S. M., residents of this city, who were on furlough and on their way here. Their names were Martin Fisher, Chas. Waggoner, Edvv'd Knobbs, Chris. Seelly. They took them off the boat and a short distance into the woods, where they placed them in line and inhumanly fired on them. Fisher, Knobbs and Seely, were killed instantly; but Waggoner, not being hit, ran and hid and finally made his escape."

Corder

Corder is a station on the Chicago & Alton Railroad in Dover township, and was laid out in 1878 and incorporated in 1881. The first mayor was G. W. Neithercut. The post office was established in 1878 with W. J. Leise as post master. He also built the first house, and owned the first store in the town. The first physician, was Dr. Lewis Carthrae, who had practiced in the county before [coming to this place. The first religious service was held in the school house by the Baptists. The first minister was Edward Roth, of the Baptist church. The present officers are Geo. Neithercut, mayor; Henry Leise, marshal; Dr. Lewis Cathrae, L. Ambruster, H. F. Kleinmuck, J. W. Dean, council.

JVieaPs Cha-pcl, Corder, was organized in 1870. The names of the original members were Lewis Neal, and family, W. Barley and some ten or fifteen others. The first church building was erected in 1870, and is of frame, at a cost of $4,000. It was dedicated in 1S71 by Bishop Marvin. Their pastors have been J. C. Shackleford, M. Atkinson, W. F. Camp, B. Margason, R. H. Laffer, W. T*. Brown and W. B. McFarland. The number of the present membership about 100. The church since its organization has been situated about half mile from Corder, but is now being removed to Corder.

Corder Grange was instituted by Thomas Allen, in the year 1881. Nathan Corder, F. S. Burton, John Board, L. Frazier, S. B. Shrader, Chas. Burton, Wm. Corder, H. S. Huffman, Mack Avitt, F. M. Burton, Morton Hilliard, J. C. Board, Chas. Shrader, Mrs. F. S. Burton, Mrs. Geo. Corder, Miss Dora Frazier, Miss Zoah Avitt and Miss R. Corder were charter members, and the first officers, were Nathan Corder, W. M. : F. S. Burton, Overseer; John Board, Lecturer; S. B. Shrader, Chaplin; Wm. Corder, Treasurer; Chas. Shrader, Secretary; L. Frazier, Steward; Chas. Burton, Assistant Stewart; H. S. Huffman, Gate Keeper; Miss R. Corder, Pomona; Dora Frazier, Ceres; Mrs. Geo. Corder, Flora, Miss Zoah Avitt, Assistant Steward. The number of present membership is eighteen.

Long Grove Settlement

The earliest settlers in this neighborhood were Martin Warren and son. who arrived in 1S24, and located on section 23, township 50, range 26. The next to appear were Samuel Walker, Adam Sensibaugh, John Ennis, Thomas Bucklev, Richard Collins, and Mr. Welch, who were natives of Kentuckv and came there in 1826, locating on or near section 26. Alexander H. Page, also of Kentucky, located there in 1827, upon section 23. The first marriage ceremony performed was that of William Johnson and Peggv Ennis, 1S2S, at the residence of the bride's father. The knot was tied by Duke Young. The usual custom of " running for the bottle " at weddings, was indulged in, and the prize was won by Granville Page. This curious custom is described as follows: A bottle of whisky, with a red ribbon tied around its neck and called " Black Betty " was the prize. The contestants would start on Ihorseback from the house where the " infair" was to be held and run to meet the bride and groom. The one who first met them was declared the winner, and had the pleasure of presenting " Black Bettv " to the parson, who took the first drink, then to the bride, then to the groom, etc. All drank from the same bottle. Whole settlements came without invitation and all were made welcome and had a merrv time, usually terminating the proceedings with a dance.

Lafayette Collins, son of Richard and Katy Collins, born in 1827, is reported as being the first male child born in the settlement. He went to

Texas. The first death occurred in 1830, that of Sarah Page, wife of A. H. Page. She was buried in the Page family burying ground. The next was that of the wife of Martin Warren, occurring in 1830 or '31. Mrs. Dillingham died in 1832. The first regular phvsician who located there was Dr. Ward. He came from Lexington and died some years ago. The next was Dr. Buck, also now dead; and afterwards Drs. Flournoy, Percival, and others. Among the first ministers was Finis Ewing, who conducted the first religious services in a neighbor's house. Services were held in private houses until 1S25, when a church was erected, where Dover) nowl stands, by the Methodists and Reformers. It was constructed of logs and services were held in it bv all of the different denominations. The first school numbered about eighteen pupils and was taught on the premises of John Ennis, bv Mr. Gilliam, and others. Sessions were held during twenty-six days of the month aud the tuition was one dollar per pupil, per month. The first school house was built on section 26, (John Ennis" land >. Was constructed of logs and built bv the community, who contributed both labor and material. No money was expended. The settlers raised their own cotton, flax, wool, etc., and each family did its own weaving. Mr. Parkinson in Tabo Grove and Johnny Nelson, south of Lexington, each operated a cotton-gin. Supplies were procured at Lexington. Goods were hauled from Arrow Rock and Old Franklin to Lexington.

Indians were numerous in early days, of a peaceable character, however, though given to theft. The following good joke is told on a party of settlers who were in pursuit of an Indian who had stolen a horse from one of them: They had succeeded in apprehending him and were bringing him back to the settlement. The red man professed to be very penitent, and so won upon the sympathy of his captors that they allowed him considerable liberty. One night while encamped on the Blackwater, as he was assisting them to gather firewood, he gave them the slip, and secreted himselt, as they afterwards ascertained, in some drift-wood in the creek, just allowing his head to project above the water, where he remained until they had ceased hunting for him and the camp had become quiet. He then emerged from his hiding place, secured another and better horse from the camp, with which he succeeded in making his way to his tribe.

Game was plenty. Chris, Mulkev, in 1826, killed five deer before sunrise, where Mr. Page now lives. Bears, panthers, catamounts and elk were plenty, and " wolves by the acre," as " Uncle " Joe Page savs. A panther killed a hog weighing J 50 pounds and covered it with grass, near Uncle Joe's residence. Hunters watched for it, but it did not return.

The old-fashioned flint-lock rifle was the weapon used at that time. On the 4th of July it was customarv to organize a grand hunt, the proceeds of which went to furnish the barbecue which was invariably had after-

Flour and meal were procured at the mill of Solomon Cox, near Dover, also at Jonesboro, Saline county. In 1829 Dick Collins and John Ennis built a horse-mill on the farm of the latter. Sifters were made either of horse-hairs or deer-skins.

Company musters were held at Johnson's Grove, and general musters at Swift's place, five miles south of Lexington. Gen. Graham was in command. The captains were Mock, Graham, Dowden, and others. Three hundred and six Shawnee Indians under a brother of that noted Indian chief, Tecumseh, were encamped for a short time on Tabo creek, in 1828. They were going west.

This settlement is situated on the line between Davis and Dover townships, and derives its name from the original settlers - the two William Johnsons, cousins - who located there in the years of 1827 and 1828. Up to the year 1835 - according to information received from Mr. O. K. Burns - no other settlers appeared in the neighborhood. About that time Mr.

The first regular physician who came there was Dr. W. I. Seeber, who appeared in 1842 or '43. He died in April, 1872. The first church was built in 1844, under the united auspices of the different denominations represented in the settlement, and was named " Oakland Church." It was torn down in 1880.

The first religious services were held in this church, conducted by Dr. J. L. Yantis, old school Presbyterian. Occasionally a Methodist circuit rider would pass that way and hold services. Prior to the building of this church the people worshiped at Dover village, ten miles away.

The first school was taught in 1841, in the log cabin of Mr. O. K. Burns, in Davis township. It consisted of seventeen pupils, taught by Mr. Harris, now a lawyer of Brunswick, Chariton county, Mo., at a compensation of one dollar per pupil per month - it being a private enterprise. The first school house was built of logs, near Oakland church, in 1842 or '43, and was built out of funds subscribed by the community. It cost about $40, exclusive of the labor contributed. About this time Oak-^ land postoffice was established in this neighborhood, with M. C. Burns as postmaster. This has since been discontinued. Prior to its establishment the nearest office was Dover.

procured at Lexington and Dover. The nearest flouring mills were "Brown's" mill in Saline county, and "Webb's" horse-mill at Dover. The settlers frequently had enough corn and wheat ground at a time to last them six months. A few Indians, of a peaceable character, however, were encamped near by, in that early day. Game was scarce - a few deer, turkeys, etc. In 1832 or '33 a traveler was attacked by a panther, eight miles east of Johnson's Grove, on the Salt Pond and Lexington road. He escaped to the settlement, and in company with the Johnsons and others returned and killed two. These were the last seen in that vicinity.

In 1863, a bushwhacker was caught by some militiamen - his horse having stumbled over a negroe's grave, thus enabling his pursuers to come up with him - tied to a tree in front of Oaklend church and shot. A few moments prior to the execution he rather irreverently remarked that " a d - d nigger, whether dead or alive, was always in the way."

Two Federal soldiers, belonging to Deitzler's Regt., Kansas, were killed in 1862 at Tabo bridge in the southern part of Dover township, on the Georgetown road, by Charles Petite and Thomas Paine. One other was severely wounded. The Federals were gathering up horses and other plunder and taking them to Kansas.

Bethel Church was organized sometime in 1871. The original members were Dr. Bull, Jackson Corder and wife, W. R. Finch and wife and about 10 others. The first church building was erected in 1878, of frame, at a cost of $800. It was dedicated in 1878 by M. M. Pugh. Their pastors have been R. H. Shaffer, W. T. Brown, W. B. McFarland. The present membership is about 30. There is a nice lot of ground included with this church.

Lafayette Grange No. 305 was instituted by Thomas Allen in 1873, which was the date of dispensation. The names of the charter members are Dr. W. C. Webb, J. G. Webb, Isaac Neale, E. Roth, G. K. Campbell and wife, and Jacob Zantameyer. The first officers were Dr. W. C. Webb, Master; Richard Barley, Secretary; J. G. Webb, Treasurer. Names of the present officers are Isaac Neal, Master; G. K. Campbell, Overseer; W. G. Neale, Secretary; J. G. Webb, Treasurer; Hon. W. H. Carter, Lecturer; N.J. Davis, Chaplain; Mrs. E. Roth, Ceres; Mrs. M.J. Campbell, Pomona; Mrs. Jacob Zantameyer, Flora. Number of present membership is 60; have no hall but lease the brick school house on the the nw \ of Sec. 15, 50, 25. Lodge in good condition

This township was first named and described at a session of the countycourt, June 11, 1832; but who proposed it does not appear. After deffn ing the boundaries, etc., the court ordered that the elections for this township should be held at the house of James Wilkinson; and that Samuel Scott, Thomas Mulky and Elisha Blevins should be judges. But for some reason or other this intended first township election was never held; and we find that on May 27th, 1833, the court appointed Livingston Wilkinson to be constable of Freedom township until the next general election.

At the next term of court, which was held in August, the boundarylines of Freedom township were changed a little from those first given, and we now copy the record: " Beginning where Davis"1 fork crosses the eastern county line, thence up the same (stream) to the line between Ranges 25 and 26; thence south to the middle of township 45; thence due east to the line between Saline and Lafayette counties; thence north with said line to the place of beginning. Supposed to contain about thirtytaxable inhabitants."

We find nothing more from Freedom township until May 7th, 1834, when it is " Ordered, that Thomas Mulky, Amos Horn and John M. Walker be appointed judges of the elections in Freedom township for two years."

In this year, 1834, Johnson county was erected, thus fixing the present southern boundary line of Lafayette county, which is also the south line of Freedom township. And about the same time nine more sections were added on to the west end, thus completing the territorial area of the township as it now stands.

Settlement

It appears that the first settler in the territory which now constitutes Freedom township, was Patrick Henry, who located in the eastern part, about the year 1825. Shortly after Samuel and John Scott appeared and settled in the western part. James and Chris Mulkey also at an early day, located in Mulkey's Grove, two and a half miles south of the present site of Aullville. Among others who may be considered as early settlers, were: Dr. Davis, Nat. Davis, William Davis, David Mock, Jacob Phillip, George and David Welborn, Brooks Wellington, John Walker, James Atterberry, and Daniel Greenwood. These settled principally on and around the site of the old town of Freedom, a short sketch of which is given elsewhere.

Joseph Johnson, of Indiana, but a native of Kentucky, was one of the first settlers of the township where he came in 1829. Noah Rigg in the same year settled on the same section 13, township 48, range 24. Then Wm. Bright bought Noah Rigg's farm, and entered balance of the section 13, township 48, range 24. The first marriage was of Noah Rigg to Elizabeth Johnson, by Joseph Johnson. Joseph Rigg was the first male child - son of Noah Rigg, and Elizabeth, his wife. The first female child was Ellen Bright, daughter of William and Artimesia Bright. Ellen Bright's was also the first death in the township, buried at the old Johnson grave yard. Dr. Thornton was the first regular physician, who came to Missouri from Kentucky. The first school was in an old school house on Wm. Bright's farm, and James Campbell was the first teacher. He is now living in Brownsville, in Saline county. This old school house, on the Wm. Bright farm, was built of logs, by the neighbors, and did not cost much. In these early times there were no regular roads, and all obtained supplies from Lexington.

The city of Concordia is situated on the Lexington and St. Louis R. R., twenty-five miles southeast of Lexington, on section 4, township 48, range 24. In 1856, before the town was laid out, a grist mill was built upon its present site, by Henry Flandermeyer and Lewis Bergmann, costing $3,000. This was burned in 1859. The next building erected was a blacksmith shop, built and operated by Frederick Henricks, in 1858, which is still standing, (1881). During the same year, Henry and August Brockhoff put up the first dry goods and grocery store, consisting of a frame building 25x40 feet and one and a half stories in height.

Messrs. Hackman and Detert built the second general merchandise store, a large two story frame building, now occupied by the Widow Detert. Henry Meinecke put up and operated the first hotel, on what is now the corner of St. Louis and Bogg streets.

The town plat was surveyed and laid out in 1868, by a joint stock company, consisting of Major G. P. Gordon, Henry Detert, Col. Geo. S. Rathburn, Peter and Harmon Uphouse, and Henry Westerhouse.

The first school house was built of brick, in 1874, at a cost of $1,300. The school consisted of about fifty pupils, and was first taught by Mr. Wm. F. Walkenhorst, at a salary of $50 per month.

The first religious services were held by the Methodists, conducted by the Rev. C. Bruegger. The municipal officers for the present year (1881), are as follows: Henry Ficken, mayor; Chas. Bergman, Henry Meyer, A. E. Brunes and M. Brunes, councilmen; E. F. Ninas, marshal; and F. H. Bartman, treasurer and collector. The inhabitants are principally of German descent and numbered according to an official bulletin of the U. S. census of June 1, 1880, three hundred and ninety-one (391). Actual residents, however, give the population at the present time, Aug. 1, 1881, between six and seven hundred.

Dry goods, 5; groceries, 5; lumber dealers, 2; blacksmiths, 3; shoemakers, 2 ; harness -and saddlery, 1 ; bank, 1 ; boot and shoe, 2 ; furniture dealers, 2; flouring mills, 2; saloons, 4; butchers, 2; barber, 1; livery stable 1; drug, 2; hardware and agricultural implements, 3; hotels, 3; physicians, 4; millinery, 1.

The German Baptist Church at Concordia, was organized in the year 1851. The names of the original members were: C. Kresse and wife, Henriette Kresse, A. Schlaemann and wife, Maria Schlaemann, P. Brand and wife, Anna M. Brand, Henry Uphaus and wife, Mary Uphaus, Casper Holtcamp and wife, Mary Holtcamp. The first church building was erected in 1865, of frame, at a cost of $1,000. It was dedicated in 1865 by Rev. A. Hausler, A. Hoffman, and C. Werner. The pastors' names were: C. Kresse, C. Werner, A. Hausler, and C. Schoemaker. The present number of membership is 112. This church has two meeting houses, this one, and one in Concordia, the last erected in 1873. Preaching and sunday school at both places every Sunday. Of the original members, six persons are still living, one is 101 years old.

The Evangelical Lutheran, Cross Church, under the care of Rev. H. P. Wille, is located about four miles east of Concordia, in Freedom township, and was organized in the year 1864. The names of all the original members could not be obtained. The number, however, in all was twenty-eight, among whom were, Frederick Beermann and family, Dietrich Oetting and family, Henry Rotenburg and family, Henry Heermann, John Fuchsing, and Phil. Pinkfawk. The first house was built in 1865 of logs. The present building was erected in 1868, is a frame, and cost

$2,000. It was dedicated by the Rev. J. F. Biltz. The names of the successive pastors of the church were, J. F. Biltz, H. Bartens, and H. P. Wille. The number of members is about four hundred, with seventysix voting male members. The congregation owns and sustains a parochial school, with a permanent teacher, and owns the necessary buildings for school purposes, and dwelling house for teacher. It also owns and keeps up a parsonage and graveyard; owning in all forty acres of land.

The Evangelical Bethel Church, of Concordia was organized in 1872. The original members were H. H. Klingenberg, Wm. Sodemann, Henry Meyer, F. C. Cook, J. P. Lohoefeuer, P. Steimman, H. Droege, and P. Esselmann. The building now occupied by this congregation is a frame one built in 1872, and costing $1,000. It was dedicated in same year by the Rev. H. Hoefer. The following named pastors have officiated since the organization: H. Hoefer, F. Frankenfeld, H. Torbitzky, Rev.. Haenelt and C. Kantz, who is the present incumbent. Present membership is thirty.

The Concordia Library Society was organized in 1880, and is composed of eighteen members, of whom the following are the present officers: W. F. Walkenhorst, president; D. H. Smith, librarian; F. H. Bartman,, treasurer. The object of this society, a very laudable one, is to prepare a resort for the youth of the city, and to place before them suitable books for their perusal, which will tend to keep them from frequenting grog shops, saloons, and other disreputable places. They have already purchased, as a nucleus, fifty volumes of miscellaneous literature, consisting of books of travel, biographies, histories, first-class novels, etc. The intention is to increase their collection as fast as possible.

A flouring mill was built by Henry Baepler & Sons, in 1877; two and one-half stories high, with basement; costing $10,300. Amount of products last year was 4000 bbl flour, which was principally sold in markets of St. Louis at $5.00 per barrel. This milLwas shipped from California, Missouri, at a cost of $2,500.

A frame cased with brick, three stories high, with basement, and the capital invested in the mill and grounds, machinery, etc., is $10,000. Employs three hands. The products of the past year was 4000 barrels flour, the market value of which was $5.25 per barrel; partly sold at home and partly at St. Louis. Also manufactures corn meal and shipstufF.

Robbery Of The Concordia Bank

One of the most daring of the numerous robberies which have occurred in various localities during the last few years, was that of the bank at Concordia, of which the following is a brief statement: On the 29th of August, 1878, at one and a half o'clock, while the cashier, Mr. Henry Ficken, was seated at his desk engaged in writing, two men presented themselves at the counter and one of them asked for change for a bill which he threw down. Mr. F. turned to the money drawer to accommodate him, and while his back was turned, the robber, a powerful fellow, jumped over the counter, seized Mr. Ficken in such a manner as to render him powerless to move or cry out. Robber number two then presented a pistol at his head and demanded the money. They compelled him to open the safe, took out the contents, which amounted to about $4,000, placed them in a flour sack, and with a confederate who had been guarding the entrance, on the outside, succeeded in making their escape with their booty, upon horses which had been previously hitched a short distance from the bank.

In July, 1863, a party of about thirty-five bushwhackers came across Davis creek, to where Concordia now stands, and killed Lewis Fiene, Wm. Schornhorst, D. Karston, and Conrad Brunes. They were made to stand up in a row, and when the shooting at them commenced some started to run, but they were all killed.

On the 10th of October, 1864, the citizens of Concordia were thrown into consternation, bythe report that a party of bushwhackers were in the neighborhood. The alarm was given by the blowing of a horn. The citizens gathered at the Lutheran Church, and a company, numbering about 100 men, was rapidly organized, under the command of Capt. Pepper and Lieut. Stunkle. About fifty were mounted. They started in pursuit of the bushwhackers, the mounted men dividing into two parties, of about twenty-five each, the one going east, and the other northeast, in order to head them off before crossing Davis creek. The party which went east encountered the enemy, about 100 strong, and observing the inequality of numbers, immediately turned, and fled toward the settlement, closely pursued by the bushwhackers, who shot them down along the way. Only five or six escaped. The following is an incomplete list of the murdered: Capt. George Pepper, Lieut. Lewis Stunkle, F. Walkenhorst, Fritz Brunes, Henry Brunes,. Fritz Meyer, C. Wahrenbrock, H.

Wolters, H. Friday, Henry Reiter, William Bodenstab, H. Deus, Henry Grotmann, Fritz Detner, Fritz Brockman, William Brockman, Henry Meins, and D. Carsons. H. Dickenhorst, Judge Prigmore, and Henry Vrede, were killed at their homes, on the same day, and by the same bushwhackers.

The St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, situated one half mile north of Concordia, was organized in 1S44. The original members were J. H. Brunes, Conrad Stuenkel, Fritz Smenkel, J. H. Brackman, Fritz Frerking, Christ. Liever, F. Fiene, H. Hartman, Louis Evers, G. F. Rake and H. Frank.

The first building occupied by this congregation was built of logs, erected in 1844, and cost $200. The dedicatory services were conducted by Christ. Liever, a teacher.

In 1859, a brick edifice was erected, at a cost of $5,000. It was partially rebuilt in 1880, with an additional expenditure of $4,500. This building was dedicated in 1860, by the Revs. G. Johannes, M. Hahn, and

The present number of communicants is 500. Three parochial schools have been established in connection with this church, numbering respectively, 35, 44, and 100 pupils.

A short time since a pipe organ was purchased by the congregation, at an expense of $1,200, which sum is included in the cost of the church, as given above.

Parochial School. - This school, situated one-half mile north of Concordia, was established by, and is under the auspices of the Lutheran Church. The present building was erected in 1865, and has a capacity for seating and accomodating eighty pupils. Mr. Max Browning was the first teacher. The rapid increase of pupils has necessitated the erection of a larger building, preparations for which are rapidly going forward.

The Town Of Aullville

was founded by Hall Hungate and C. B. Russell in July, 1869, and was incorporated in 1876. The first mayor was James H. Barnes. The first postoffice was established in 1871, with M. T. Hartman as post-master. The first business house was built by Bell & Erskin. The first schoolhouse was built in ls>73, and cost $1,500.* The first school was taught by Miss Lilly Tolbert, for which she received twentv-five dollars per month. Her school numbered sixteen pupils. The first marriage was Wm. C. Price, of Lexington. The first male child born was John Ennis, son of daughter of John W. and Franky Endley. The first death occurring was Mrs. Miller, died July, 1872. The first physician was M. T. Hartman, who was a native of the county and is still a resident of the village. The first religious service was held on the second floor of Mr. Geo. Emn's store building, by the missionary Baptists. The first minister was Rev. E. Roth. The town officers are: for council, T. H. Fitzgerale, Chas. Man, J. J. Cookey, Ed. McVey, G. Roberts, Alfred Major. Abner More built the first dwelling house.

The Christain Church, at Aullville was organized in 1850, at the house of Robert Littlejohn. The original members were R. T. Littlejohn, Joseph Major, C. Young, Jerome Greer, Wm. Lemmons, Joseph Major, Senior, Wm. L. Bullard, Patrick Woods, S. S. Burton, and families.

This congregation held its first meeting at the house of Robert Littlejohn, and the second in a grove near his house, and for several years afterwards in a school house near by. They then built a small church at a little village named Bethany Church, near Aullville, in which their services were held until 1875, when a frame building was erected in Aullville, at a cost of $1,800, which was dedicated in the same year, the Revs. James McHatten and Thos. Hancock conducting the services.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Aullville was organized in the year 1871, by W. H. Powell. The first members were: Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Elliott, T. H. and M. E. Fitzgeral, Mr. Cleveland, Isaac McDey, Sallie McDey, Eliza McDey, Isaac Reed, E. A. Reed, Mary Wilson, Cynthia Calhoun, and Isaac McClure. A frame church was built in 1871, at a cost of $700, and was dedicated about the year 1875, by W. K. Marshall.

The following are the successive ministers that have been in charge: W. W. Powell, G. P. Sullivan, E. Kelley, James I. Porter, Samuel Jones, Olan B. Jones, Jno. W. Acres, and Stanford Ing. The present membership is thirty-six. Before the church was built meetings were held in a shoe shop.

Charter was issued Oct. 16 1873. The following were the first officers and charter members: Lewis Carthrae, W. M.; C. A. Graham, S. W; John W. Weeks J. W.; James F. Downing, treasurer; W. C. Orear, secretary; George Osborn, S. D.; Alex Osborn, J. D,; M. M. Gladdish, tyler; John Snyder, C. C. Mitchell, and Robert Littlejohn.

Jlouring Mills. - -In 1876 Dr. J. T. Watson established the mill now owned by Major & Ridgeway. It is frame, with brick basement, and cost about $2,500; the machinery cost about $4,000; three hands are employed. The product last year, 1880-81, was 3,200 barrels of flour, sold to surrounding towns and some shipped to St. Louis.

Squire Lillard has a spring on his farm, the water of which is supposed to be chemically of the same nature as that of the famous Sweet Springs and is equal to it in its health-giving qualities.

The Town Of Freedom

was laid out in 1860, by Franklin Mock, on section 9, township 48^ range 25. The plat was put on record. The first store, a frame building, two stories, 40x24, was erected by Wm. Kane, in which he carried on a general mercantile business. The first dwelling house erected, is the one in which Dr. Belt now lives. Messrs. Davis, Livengood & Son, put up and operated a grist mill, which has since been moved to Aullville. Wesley Cox put up the next store, and kept a stock of dry goods and groceries.

In 1857, three years prior to the platting of the town, a church building was erected by the Christian denomination, at a cost of $1,400. The Methodists purchased an interest in it, and occupied it a portion of the time. It has since been taken down and moved to Aullville, where it is entirely under the auspices of the Christians, the Methodists having a house of their own. Prior to the construction of the Lexington & St. Louis railroad, Freedom was a town of considerable importance; but rapidly declined after it was built and Aullville laid out. Since then every business enterprise, with the exception of a blacksmith shop, owned by L. C. Matthews, has been moved to Aullville. The postoffice was kept at Dr. Wilborn's, for a time, and afterwards in Mr. Kane's store.

Freedom Chapel, of the Methodist Episcopal denomination, was organized in about the year 1842, at which time the church building was erected. It is located on section 11, township 48, and range 25. The original members were, Dr. H. Davis, George Davis, David Mock, Sr., and David Mock, Jr., John W. Walker, William and Nathaniel Davis. The church is a frame building, built by the community, who contributed the labor and material.

Freedom Chapel Graveyard, also contains one acre, and is situated in the southeast quarter of section 11, township 48, range 25. Elizabeth Mock, wife of David Mock, Sr., Mrs. Hargrave, and Charlts H.Bradley were among the first buried there.

Zion Churchy was organized in 1850. The following were the original members: Henry D. Stunchel, C. Uphause, H. Uphause, P.Uphause, H. Giesselmann, G. Helms, Wm. Cuppingbrinch, and others. The church building is a frame one, and was erected in 1872, at a cost of $1,500. It was dedicated in 1872, by the Rev. H. Fiegenbaum. The following pastors have since been in charge: Revs. Charles Bruegger, John Hausam, and F. Amsperger. The present membership is one hundred and twenty- Union Sabbath School, was organized in 1871, at the Mock schoolhouse, on section 9, township 48, range 25, with Franklin Mock first superintendent. When first organized it had 40 members, which have since increased to 60. B. Whitworth is the present superintendent. Sessions are held every Sunday afternoon.

New Hope Church. A frame church was built on section 11, township 48, range 25, by the Baptist, Cumberland Presbyterian, and Old School Presbyterian members in 1881, costing $600, and free to all denominations for religious services. This building is not yet cempleted, as it is neither plastered nor seated.

The Chihuahua Grange, No. 14.38, in this township was instituted by Lewis Neal and the date of its charter is Jan. 24, 1874. The names of the charter members are Julius D. Clarkson, Wm. H. Pilkington, James A. Anderson, Theodore Wilson, John H. Wilson, Philip Atkinson, Wm. Means, Hugh M. Pool, Charles R. Anderson, Mrs. Nancy Mathews, Julia Clarkson, Mrs. Nancy Mathews, Jr., James Mathews. First Master, J. D. Clarkson ; O., Wm. H. Pickington ; Lecturer, J. A. Anderson ; Steward, The. C. Wilson, A. S., J. H. Wilson; Chaplain, P. E. x\tkinson; Treasurer, W.H. Means; Secretary, H. M. Pool; G. K., C. R. Anderson; C, Mrs. Nancy Mathews; P., Julia Clarkson; Flora, Lucy Wilson; Lady Assistant S., Miss Nannie Dalton.

The names of the present officers are, Wm. H. Pilkington Master; Henry Anderson, James A. Anderson, John H. Wilson, John T. Hanys, Rice Fox, Samuel Williams, H. M.' Pool, Harrison Anderson, Terry Fox, Lucinda Browning, Minnie Atkinson and Mary Atkinson.

Excelsior Lodge, I. O. G. T., No. 302, was instituted by Hutchison. Date of charter, Oct. 13th, 1879. The charter members were L. Ellege, James Belt, Maggie Whitworth, J. W. Robinson, Rev. L. M. Da-

May 4th, 1824, the following appears of record: " Ordered that the following bounds be considered and known by the name of Lexington township, within and for Lillard county, to-wit: Beginning at the mouth of the Big Sniabar; thence up the east fork of the said Big Sniabar to its source; thence due south to the middle of the Osage river; thence down said river iO where a line running due south from the head of the Big Tabo or main Tabo crosses; thence with and along said line due north to the head of said creek; thence down said creek to its mouth, or where it empties into theJVTissouri river; thence up the Missouri river to the [place of] beginning. "

This is the first mention of Lexington township. Its western boundary as described corresponds with the eastern bounary of Fort Osage township; thus wiping out Sniabar township for the time. The eastern and northern boundary of Lexington township remain the same to this day. East of Tabo Creek was then called Tabo township. It was at the same time ordered that Julius Emmons, John Wallace and Abel Owen should be judges of the first election in the new township, and the elections were to be held always at the town of Lexington. August 3d, James Fletcher was recommended by the court to the governor to be commissioned as a justice of the peace for Lexington township. The same day it was certified to the court that James D. Warren had been elected constable, and he was accordingly sworn into office.

February 7, 1826, Henry Rowland, as captain, John Robinson and Harvey Owen were appointed a company of patrols for Lexington township for one year. This was the first appointment of such police.

The Houx Settlement

According to the statements of Dr. Sanford Smith and others, the first settler who appeared in this neighborhood was Gilead Rupe, who located about two and a half miles southwest of where Lexington now stands, in about 1815. As near as can be ascertained it appears that Mr. Rupe was also the first settter in the territory now known as Lafayette county ; his nearest neighbor at that time being Jesse Cox, who settled about the same time in the bottom north of Arrow Rock, sixty-five miles distant.

In 1818 or '19, Dr. Smith says that the Indians were somewhat troublesome. A party of them surrounded the house of Mr. Rupe and beseiged him and his family for three or four days. Two of his sons, who were carefully watching for an opportunity, succeeded at last in slipping out unobserved and made their way to Booneville, where assistance was procured and the savages were driven oft".

In about 1817 David James, with three grown sons, two of whom were named Jesse and Henry, settled on section 16, township 50, range 27. Subsequently ascertaining that he was occupying a school section, he moved and made a location a little south of what is now known as the "Silver" farm and afterwards moved to the head waters of the Little SnL

In 1818 or '19, Nicholas Houx appeared in the vicinity and built a tannery, which in 1827, was purchased by Wm. Smith, (father of Dr. Smith) who operated it for over eight years.

The first regular physician who appeared in this settlement was Dr. Rankin, from Kentucky, whose father founded Shakertown, of that State. The doctor located near the camp ground, situated on section 17, township 50, range 27. He now resides with his son-in-law, Judge Findley Barnet, near Odessa. Is over ninety years of age.

The first school was taught in a log cabin, near where John R. Houx now lives, by Robert D. Morrow, in 1821 or '22; so Dr. Mitchell and Dr. Smith say. Mr. Morrow subsequently became a Cumberland Presbyterian minister. The first public school building was built of hewed logsr in 1829 or '30 - labor and material furnished by the neighborhood. The first teacher to occupy it was Harry Bellows, who now lives in Platte county, Missouri. Weaving was done by nearly every housekeeper, from the products of the farm.

The first steamboat landing at Lexington was at the mouth of " Rupe's branch " - so named for Gilead Rupe. Dr. Smith distinctly recollects seeing the first steamboat land there when he was quite a small boy.

Murder Of Mr. White

Mr. Charles White, originally from New York, who had married the widow Graves and settled as a farmer two and a half miles south of Lexington, was a Union man. When Capt. Fred Neet and Major Becker were paroled after the battle of Lexington, and had to leave town anyway they could, they started afoot to Hamilton on the old Hamilton & St. Joe railroad, which was then the nearest railroad station, and Mr. White went with them. When they had got about three miles beyond Richmond, near Duval's, they were overtaken by some cavalry claiming to have an order from Gen. Price to arrest Neet and Becker. Two of the cavalrymen rode up, one on each side of Mr. White and caught him by the ears, pulling him along in this way between them until they had gone out of sight from where Neet and Becker were stopped, three others following them. Two pistol shots were heard and then in a few minutes the five riders returned, and the whole party started: back to Lexington. At Richmond, Neet saw one of the men who had Mr. White's overcoat pull out the murdered man's pocket book and pay for liquor for the crowd with certain bank bills which Neet and Becker both had seen Mr. White have. The names of the men who took White oft' and shot him were furnished; they still reside in the county, but we omit them. After being brought back to Lexington and lodged in jail, Neet and Becker learned that they were charged with robbing a jewelry store; Gen. Price found nothing proved against them, and they were again released. They finally escaped by night travel and day hiding, down to Sedalia and thence to St. Louis.

City Of Lexington

The first time that the name " Lexington " occurs in the early court records of Lillard county is under date of August 6, 1822. The record says: " It is ordered that David Ward, Absalom Coleman, Robert W. Rankin, and Joseph. Hobson, or any three of them, being first sworn, be appointed to view the nearest and best route for a road to run from Lexington by way of the upper ford of the Big Sniabar to Stokely's Ferry, on -the Missouri river." Then again, August 19th, it is ordered that John Nelson, Markham Fristoe, Ira Bidwell and Jacob Catron, shall lay out a road from Lexington to intersect the road leading from the salt works to Jack's Ferry. This ferry had been established by Wm. Jack, in 1819, its landing place being a little below the mouth of Graham's Branch, or near the foot of Commerce street, which was graded down the bluff and well paved, as the grand thoroughfare from the city on the bluff down to her steamboat landing. But from the very spot where Jack's Ferry, and afterward steamboats used to land, it is now, 18S1, a half mile or more over solid land to the water's edge in the Missouri river; and the Lexington and Kansas City Railroad (narrow gauge), runs here for half a mile over ground where the river used to flow from ten to twenty-five feet deep.

Tne first plat in the book of town plats of the county is that of Lexington - the original village, or old town, which was about a mile and a half from the river at Jack's ferry. (The Missouri Pacific railroad depot is now, 1881, in Old Lexington. The following certificate accompanies the plat: State of Missouri,

We, James Bounds, Sr., John Duston and James Lillard, commissioners in trust for Lillard county, do certify this to be a correct map or plan of the town of Lexington, as surveyed, numbered and sold according to the numbers, and sold on the 8th day of April, 1822.

Mount Vernon, the first county seat, never was platted, and has now gone entirely out of mark or memory. It was a mere irregular group of cabins situated on the southeast quarter of section 23, township 51, range 26, on the bluff' half a mile east of Tabo creek and three-fourths of a mile from the Missouri river. It was a place where three or four tribes of Indians used to come to smoke the peace-pipe and barter with French traders. Terre Bonne, " good land," or "good place," or " no-fight place, ' was what the Fiench had taught the Indians to call it. But the Americans called the place Mount Vernon, as a token of their reverence for Gen. Washington.

The commissioners whose report is above quoted, had been appointed March 12th, hence they had selected and surveyed the site, made plat, sold lots and filed their report in less than a month. The county court held its last term at Mount Vernon in November, 1822. Its next sitting was at Lexington, February 3, 1823, in Dr. Buck's house, the first one built in the town.

November 23, 1825, the new court house, built by Henry Renick, was accepted and occupied. But it was so defective (for contractors were no honester then than now), that in a few years it had to be abandoned, and on Aug. 1, 1832, it was sold by auction just for what it would bring as old bricks and old lumber. In 1835 a new court house was completed, a three story brick building. This was used ten years, then the presen; court house was built and occupied.

Lexington, (commonly called Old Town), together with the buildings thereon, be sold to the highest bidder, on the first Monday of August next; and also the lot on which the old jail stood." Louis W. Smallwood was the commissioner to manage this sale.

In 1847, March 25th, an order had been issued for building a new court house on the public square in the city of Lexington. Silas Silver, John Catron, and Robert Aull were appointed as commissioners to oversee the work, with Henderson Young as their attorney for legal council on any contracts they might enter into. Win. Spratt was afterwards added to the board. In April a plan submitted by Wm. Daughertv for court house was accepted, and $12,000 was appropriated for the building. Daugherty was subsequently paid $40 for his drawing and specification.

The names which eventually appear as the builders of the new court house (the one now in use, 1881,) are Elijah Littlejohn, Alexander Mc- Faddin, John Alford, Wm. Hunter, Gabriel F. Brown, Samuel Ball, and Cyrus Osborn, the latter did the painting.

The city charter was obtained in 1845, and Eldridge Burden was the first mayor. Also in 1845 a branch of the state bank was established at Lexington. The presidents of the several state banks were elected by the legislature in joint ballot. The first president of this Lexington branch was Col. Lewis Green; second, Lieut. Col. James Young; third, Judge E. Burden, who served six years. There were one or two afterwards, and the state part of the bank was finally removed to Louisiana, in Pike county. For an interesting episode in the history of this bank, see account of the battle of Lexington, in another place.

Uncle George Houx

A Mayview correspondent of the Lexington Intelligencer, July 10, 1880, wrote concerning an interview with the above named Lafayette county pioneer: " In comparing early times with now in regard to honesty, Uncle George says, that money was sewed up in leather bags with whangs and carried on horseback, like meal sacks from Santa Fe, and when they arrived in Lexington, at the tavern, in Old Town, were thrown down like common luggage. These bags would get so hard and dry that they would feel like logs when thrown down. A man by the name of Green kept the inn, as it was then called, and Ed. Ryland, who was then receiver, would take the money and store it away in the rear of Stramcke's store, and when he got a wagon load it was hauled away in farm wagons to St. Louis, with no other guards than the two teamsters and a man or two. And once when he was in the circuit court, while John F. Ryland was on the bench, he heard the charge given to the grand jury and they went out of doors as they had no jury room, he does not know where, whether to a hazel patch or a fence corner, and returned in a few minutes and said that no one had been doing anything wrong and the judge replied that this was the fifth term and no one had been indicted, and complimented the county for its morality and honesty. He tells of another incident connected with the early history. He says that there was no blacksmith shop nearer this county than Old Franklin, and his brother Nick, as he calls him, fixed up the fore-wheels of his wagon, and the neighbors all brought in their old axes and broad axes, and he, with his load, went to Old Franklin to get a box of gold and silver belonging to Mr. Hicklin, father of Mr. James Hicklin. The neighbors in both counties knew of it. He says that they had no use for any officers but a clerk to keep the records, and a sheriff to collect and pay over the revenue. He says that doubtless Mr. Stramcke and Rob't Hale recollect these times. He tells how Judge Hicks got to be a lawyer. John Aull's father furnished the money to buy the books, and he was to help his son to keep store in return, and read law at the same time at leisure moments.

Uncle George moved to Lexington, Missouri, in 1830, and lived there until 1842, carrying on the saddlery business during that time. There are some saddles which were made in his shop still in this neighborhood, one a side saddle at Mr. Moore's; near Mr. Lankford's. He has one himself forty years old. These were made when workmen were honest, and before wooden nutmegs were thought of. He and Gen. Graham laid off the first addition to the town of Lexington, measuring the lots with a level made of a plank with a vial in one end. Where Lexington now stands was then heavily covered with timber, and they thought that as Wellington was immediately on the river, unless something was done it would be the town of the county, so a company was formed, and purchases made on and near the river, and the first addition was laid off as above stated. Then the second addition was purchased by the two Pomeroys, Gen. Graham and the subject of this sketch. He moved from Lexington, March 1, 1842, to where he died in 1881. Uncle George's father moved to Logan county, Kentucky, at an early day, when it was then a new country like Missouri, hence his opportunity for an education was bacj; the best he got was in the corn and wheat fields.

Churches In The Order Of Date Of Organization

Eden View Church. - The original congregation of the Cumberland Presbyterian denomination, from which the one that worships in the above named church sprang, is of rather remote origin, dating as far back as 1821 or '22.

This church was organized in 1821 or '22, with Chatham Ewing and wife, Wm. Jack and wife, George Houx and wife, Adam Young and wife, Nicholas Houx, Wm. Smith and wife, John Nelson, Mrs. Dr. Rankin, Judge John Whitsett, - Owen, Philip Houx and wife, James Morrow and wife, as original members. The first church building was built of logs, erected in about the same year, on land adjoining that of Dr. Mitchell, in or near section 17, township 50, range 27, called " Sni Grove church." It was subsequently burned. In about 1827, Nicholas Houx, Chatham Ewing, George Houx, Esq. Owens and Wm. Jack, as trustees for the church, entered the southeast quarter of section 17, township 50, range 27,* and erected thereon a fine brick church, 21x50 feet (the first brick building erected in the county), a large tabernacle, 85xby60 feet and also twenty-two cabins of hewed logs. This, on account of its superior facilities for camp meeting purposes, became one of the most noted points for religious gatherings, on the upper Missouri, where was known to have congregated more than ten thousand people at one time, which viewed in the light of the fact, that this section of the county was very sparsely settled at that early day, is an item of considerable historic importance.

Subsequently, a division in the congregation was made. The Lexington membership united with the Old School Presbyterians, and erected a frame building in Old Town, of which the Rev. Finis Ewing was pastor. This was afterward abandoned or sold to private parties, who used it for storing hemp and other merchandise, and has since been burned. A frame building was then erected on Main Cross street, Lexington, which, in 1879, was sold to the German School Association, who now occupy it, and also rent it for Sunday use to the German Trinity church. In 1880, the building which the Eden View congregation now occupies, was erected on the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section 9, township 50, range 27, on Judge Rathburn's land, at a cost of $1,800.

" Eden Viewr " was the name adopted by the congregation. It was dedicated on the third Sundav of December, 1880, by the Revs. Frank Russell and Albert Moore. The successive pastors during the period between 1821 and 1840, were the Revs. Robert D. Morrow, afterwards D. D.; Finis Ewing, Robert Sloan and Henry Renick.

The Christian or Church of Christ, Lexington, was organized on the 17th day of April, 1836, by Elder Levi Vancamp and Deacon George W. Marquis. The names of original members were Levi Vancamp, Phoebe Vancamp, Wm. S. Vancamp, America Vancamp, Mary Vancamp, Abigail Vancamp, Elizabeth Mosby, John S. Porter, Elvira Porter, Samuel R. Benton, Ann Benton, Rebecca Thorp, Lavina Marquis, George W. Marquis, Wiatt H. Stone, Eliza. J. Stone, Cinderella Bounds, James

Bounds, Robert Littlejohn and James A. Marquis. The first church building was erected on the corner of Poplar and North or Main streets, at a cost of about $4,000; it was sold to the colored Baptists in 1873 or 1874. The present church on South street was erected in 1870, of brick, at a cost of about $15,000. Their pastors have been Revs. Duke Young, Frank R. Palmer, John Callerman, Thomas N. Gaines, S. S. Church, Allen Wright, Samuel Swinford, Noah Miller, George W. Elley, Thomas P. Haley, Henry H . Haley, John R. Frame, Wm. C. Dawson, D. M. Grandfield, George G. Taylor, Frank W. Allen, E. B. Edgar, George Plattenberg, Jesse H. Hugftes and the present pastor, Chapman S. Lucas. The present membership is 301. Sunday school was organized in the summer of 1844, by Dr. Joseph G. Chinn. Present officers are George M. Catron, superintendent; James P. Hall, assistant; Ernest McCausland, secretary and treasurer. Average attendance, 50 to 60.

The First Presbyterian Church of Lexington, Missouri, was organized in 1839, by Revs. Wm. Dickson and Geo. M. Crawford, by order of the presbytery of Missouri, and under authority of the general assembly of the Presbyterian church in the United States of America. Messrs. Dickson and Crawford were assisted by Rev. Mr. Remley, of Louisville, Ky. The original members were:

Lewis Green and Arthur G. Young were the first ruling elders. In 1844 they built a brick edifice on the corner of Franklin and Pine streets at a cost of about $10,000.-

Rev. J. L. Yantis occupied the pulpit as stated supply from August, 1841, until July, 1847. There were then only occasional supplies till September 25, 1849. From this time Rev. A. V. C. Schenck served as stated supply until June, 1850; then he was installed as pastor, and served until June, 1853. At this time he took charge of the first female seminary established in Lexington. It was an independent school - not denominational - and ultimately merged into the Baptist female seminary, which has done so much to give Lexington a high reputation abroad as a center of education and refinement. In the spring of 1854 Rev. B. F. Hobson, D. D., was engaged as stated supply, and continued to serve until the orderly course of events was disrupted by circumstances incident to the civil war. After an interregnum, Rev. J. A. Quarles was engaged in January, 1866,

Among other events of the war times, independent presbyteries and a synod of Missouri were formed, separate from the original presbyteries and synod under authority of the original general assembly of the Presbyterian church in the United States of America. The new presbytery, which included Lexington within its territory, was commonly known as the " Declaration and Testimony Presbytery of Lafayette," and in 1867 met at Prairie church, while the other one, which still held its relation with the old original general assembly, met at Pleasant Hill. On September 29, 1807, the church session elected, by one majority, Elder John R. Ford as its commissioner to presbytery, with the understanding that he would attend the "declaration and testimony presbyterv" at Prairie church, and not the one which was to meet at Pleasant Hill. Two of the elders, Messrs. A. H. McFadden and Patrick Ballard, duly filed their protest against this church sending a commissioner to the new body. The protest recited in detail, under four specific counts, their grounds of objection to the move. The first clause of the second count says: " We protest against this act, because it is an attempt to change the ecclesiastical connection of this church to a body foreign to that to which it has always sustained its relation." There were property matters involved, as well as ecclesiastical, all of which were duly set forth, and the prolestants further said: "We therefore proclaim ourselves, and as many as may with us desire to preserve their former church relations, the only true and lawful church organization in the city of Lexington in connection with and under the care and authority of the general assembly of the Presbyterian church in the United States of America."

As a result of this state of affairs, the protesting elders held a session the next day, Sept. 30, and appointed A. H. McFadden commissioner to the presbytery of Pleasant Hill, which still held its connection with the original general assembly. Thus the same nominal society had two sets of commissioners representing it in two different presbyteries, and the membership of the church was divided on the subject. The " regular succession " party continued to hold separate meetings and transact all church business, claiming to be the only legal holders of the name and property of the First Presbyterian church of Lexington, Mo., and there is no doubt the federal courts would have sustained their claim; nevertheless, those who adhered to the new or independent presbytery held actual possion of the church property - and possession is said to be " nine points of the law."

Both parties were desirous to avoid the scandal to religion of an unseemly contest in the courts over the church property; and in pursuance of this view, January 10, 1870, an equitable division of the property was finally agreed upon. The " regular succession " body retained the original corporate name; and in consideration of $5,000, to be paid them in cash, they agreed to relinquish their claim to the church property. The church record book, under date of March 2, 1880, says:

On motion, the elders, A. H. McFadden, P. Ballard and Robert Taylor, and the trustees, G. W. McKean, Robert Taylor and P. Ballard, were duly authorized to sign a quitclaim deed to the old Presbyterian house of worship and all its appurtenances, and to the Elizabeth Aull seminary and appurtenances thereto belonging, from this congregation to the Declaration and Testimony congregation of this city, and of which the Rev. J. A. Quarles is pastor.

This ended amicably all difficulties between the two claimants, and during this same year (1870) the new "First Presbyterian church," a fine brick structure, was built on the corner of Elm and North streets, at a cost of $11,000. [Now known as "Wentworth academy."]

The formal division of the church occurred in 1867. In the fall of 1868 Rev. J. W. Clark was installed as pastor, by authority of the Lafayette presbytery, in connection with the general assembly of the Presbyterian church in the United States of America. He served three years, and was succeeded in the fall of 1871 by Rev. J. H. Byers, who served until 1874. Rev. J. M. Chaney then served as stated supply till the spring of 1875. By this time the society had become so weakened by removals and pecuniary losses among its members that it was unable to sustain a minister, and no stated preaching was had thereafter.

April 9, 1878, this church made formal request of their presbytery to dissolve the organization, for reasons which were set forth in five several specifications. May 24, 1880, the trustees were authorized to sell the church property. April 11, 1881, they reported that they had sold it to S. G. Wentworth, for $2,500, had used all the money to pay debts of the church, and that the church was now " entirely free from debt."

[Mr. Wentworth gave the building toward founding a school called the " Wentworth Male Academv," a sketch of which will be found in another place.]

The most prosperous year of this church, after the organic division was that which closed April 1, 1874. During that year eighteen had been added; three adults and three infants baptized; there were eighty-six communicants in the church, and one hundred members of the Sabbath school. There had been $1,070 contributed for congregational expenses, and $46 for other purposes. This church made a sturdy and heroic struggle for life, and went down at last without a smirch of dishonor tarnishing her folded skirts.

stated supply, but the same fall he was installed as pastor, by authority of the new synod of Missouri which had been formed, independent of the old original general assembly of Presbyterien Churches in the United States of America. His successors in the pastorate have been Rev. R. P. Kerr, and Rev. George L. Leyburn, the present pastor. Total present membership, 180.

The earliest record of the Sunday-school connected with this church is dated January 1, 1851, and shows, at that time, eight male and ten female teachers, ninety-three scholars, and six hundred library books. The same date shows the church bell just received, and that it cost $208. It was the same bell which is still on the old Presbyterian Church, corner of Pine j - a and Soffth streets. The Sunday-school now has an average attendance cft'about one hundred pupils, and eighteen to twenty teachers and officers. / The present officers are: Xeonphon Ryland, superintendent; W. G. Mc- Causland, assistant superintendent; W. B. Wilson, secretary; Bates Vaughan, treasurer; Mrs. Mary E. Wilson, librarian.

The Methodist Episcopal Church, South, of Lexington, was organized about the year 1837, and the names of the members at that time were: Thomas Calloway, Dr. Talbert, John Auston, Lucy Anderson, David Gillispie, Mary Gillispie, Cyrus Osburn, A. W. Henning, V. Zeigler, I. Bolin, John Brown and wife, Clark Peters, Harriet Eckle, John Eastwood, J. Wetzel, D. Lock, Dr. Blackwell, Mahala Brackwell, James Cloudsley and wife, James Norfolk and wife.

The first church was built, of brick, in the year 1840, and rebuilt, of brick, in 1860, at a cost of $1,500, and was dedicated, by Bishop H. H. Kavanaugh, in the same year. Their pastors have been Clinton, Buvley, Dodds, Westerman, Forsythe, Johnston, Ashley, Jones, Boyle, Hamilton, Morris, Scarritt, Finney, Cobb, Kavanaugh, White, McFarland, Shackelford, Hall, Godbey, Camp, Stacy, Boggs, Thos. Cobb, Pugh, Williams, and Walker.

The membership at the present is 191, and connected with the church is a Sabbath-school, organized in the year 1840, with Silas Silver as superintendent.

The First Baptist Church of yesus Christ, at Lexington, Missouri, was formerly known as the Little Sniabar Church, and, prior to 1838, enjoved the ministrations of Rev. John Warder. During this time, the church met for worship at a house two or three miles southwest of the city of Lexington ; but no book of records can be found of earlier date than January 27, 1838, on which day the church met for worship and business at Lexington. In July, of the same year, Rev. Joseph White was chosen pastor. At the church meeting in February, 1S40, the name was changed from Little Sniabar Church to First Baptist Church at Lexington, Missouri. In May, of this year (1840), Elder White resigned the pastorate; then Rev. Alvin P. Williams was chosen in his stead, and served the church until November, 1843. During his pastorate, the house of worship on Franklin street was built; and five neighboring churches of the same faith were established, to-wit: In Dover. Richmond, Mound Prairie, Greenton, and the First African Baptist Church of Lexington.

In November, 1843, Rev. Wm. C. Ligon was elected pastor, and served until Maj' 27, 1847; then Rev. Edward Roth was chosen, who served until August, 1848. In March, 1849, Rev. E. S. Dulin became the pastor, and continued until December of that year, when he removed to Libert}', to open and conduct the William Jewell College at that place.

Rev. Josiah Leak was pastor from May, 1850, till July, 1851; then Rev. D. L. Russell, until August, 1853. In January, 1854, Rev. Tyree C. Harris was elected pastor; commenced his labors in August folio wing5 bnt fell sick and died in a few weeks. In February, 1855, Rev. E. S. Dulin was again chosen to serve the church in the office of pastor; in July, of the same year he was called to the presidency of the Baptist Female College, and resigned his pastoral office, but continued to serve the church until the spring of 1856. In January, 1856, Rev. Joseph W. Warder was elected pastor, but did not enter upon his duties here until April 13; he then continued in the sacred office until April 6, 1865 - a period of nine years, when he resigned - and now Rev. E. S. Dulin was for the third time chosen to fill* the place. He served the church as pastor and the college as President, until August, 1868, when, the double duties being too arduous, he resigned the pastorate again.

During the year 1867-68, the church built its present house of worship, on the corner of Poplar and North streets, at a cost of $28,500. The house being all paid for, it was formally dedicated to the worship of Almighty God, on July 19, 1868 - the pastor, Rev. Mr. Dulin, preaching the sermon and offering the dedicatory prayer. The number of members at this time was 299.

Rev. Lansing Burrows served the church as pastor from November, 1868, until November, 1870. In February, 1871, Rev. D. H. Selph, D. D., was elected pastor of the church, and in August he was also elected president of the college. February 1, 1872, he resigned the pastorate. On the 28th of the same month, Rev. Henry Talbird, D. D., was elected to the vacant pastorate, and continues therein at the present time.

The total amount raised and expended by the church for the year endng April 1, 1881, was $1,640.35. This church has not been a dollar behind-hand at the close of its fiscal year, for ten years past; its finances have been managed for fifteen years by Mr. M. F. Royle, treasurer, with the same care, promptness, and tact, that men apply to their secular enterprises, and the above noble record is the result. Mr. J. D. New has been the church clerk ever since 1866, and has kept his records as systemat-

The Baptist Sunday School was organized in 1841. M. F. Price, was the first superintendent, and continued to serve for fifteen years. Then James H. Graham, John D. New, M. F. Price, and H. C. Wallace, successively, served short terms, until January, 1866, when M. F. Royle was elected to the office, and has served therein ever since. Its officers for 1881: superintendent, M. F. Royle; assistant superintendent, John W. Waddell; secretary, W. L. New; treasurer, W. K. Threlkeld; librarian, A. V. Robinson; assistant librarian, C. H. Royle. Average attendance about 135.

The Episcopal Church. From the parish record we quote: "It was on Whit-Sunday, in the year of our Lord, 1844, that the Rt. Rev. Jackson Kemper, D. D., first bishop in charge of Missouri, accompanied by a missionary, the Rev. St. Michael Fackler, for the first time performed divine service in Lexington. The bishop preached on that dav to a large congregation. * * On Easter Sunday, A. D., 1845, the parish was organized and named the parish of Christ church, Lexington, Missouri."

"The corner stone [of their present house of worship] was laid June 30, 1848, by the Rt. Rev. C. L. Hawks, D. D., bishop of the diocese, in the presence of a large congregation - theRev. A. D.Corbyn of Boonville, and the Rev. J. A. Harrison, [then rector of this parish] being present and assisting. The church was used first for divine worship, the first Sunday in Advent, 1848. It was publicly consecrated to the worship of Almighty God, on the first Sunday in Advent, 1850, by the Rt. Rev. C. S. Hawks, bishop of the diocese; the Rev. A. D. Corbyn, J. W. Dunn, and J. A. Harrison being present and assisting."

The successive rectors of this parish have been Rev. St. Michael Fackler, J. A. Harrison, D. G. Estes, G. K. Dunlap, Thompson L. Smith, John W. Dunn, and A. T. Sharpe, the present incumbent. The present membership is 100.

The church edifice is a neat and tasteful brick structure, on the corner of Main Cross, and Franklin streets, and cost about $6,000. The interior finish is entirely of oiled black walnut, with gothic truss roof-arch in view. The Sunday school has an average attendance of about fifty pupils

The M. E. Church, {German) was organized in 1850, by David Huene. In 1851, a brick church on Poplar street was bought, [cost not reported.] In 1878, this building burnt down, and a new brick building was erected in 1879, at a cost of $2,400, and was dedicated on the 17th of August, 1879, by J. G. Kost. Their pastors have been David Huene, Chas. F. Langer, Rudolph Havighorst, J. G. Kost, Siegmund Vogel, Phil. Hehner, Constantin Steinley, Philip J. Mai,. Gottlieb Wedmann, John P. Miller, J. M. Dewein, J. A. Mueller, F. W. Meyer, Jac. Young, C. Steinmeyer, J. J. Eichenberger, C. Mardoff, P. Hehner, Julius Franz, J. H. Asling and their present pastor, John C. Demand. Present membership 23. There is a Sunday school in connection with the church. U. G. Phetzing, superintendent. Library 200 volumes.

Catholic Church. - The Catholic church of the city of Lexington, Mo., was first organized in 1853, and the same year a church building was erected, of brick, at a cost of $3,000. It was dedicated by the most Rev'd. P. R. Kenrick, archbishop of St. Louis. A new fine large brick church was built in 1873, on Third, north of Broadway street, and was dedicated in 1876, by the Right Rev'd. P.J. Ryan, of St. Louis. This building was destroyed by a wind storm, April 14, 1880, making a loss to the parish of $20,000. The first pastor of this charge was Rev. Thomas Cussack, succeeded in turn by Rev's. James Murphy, Bernard Donnelly, Daniel Healy, Eugene O'Hea, Edward Hamill, O. S. J. Hoog, Thomas Cooney, and John J. Lilly, now in charge. The board of directors are: The pastor, ex officio president; John Mulligan, secretary; J. J. Lilly, treasurer -pro tern ; Patrick O'Malley, and Killian Long. The church was incorporated under the laws of Missouri, in May, 1880. The Sunday school was established in 1853; it now has about seventy members, and a library of 325 volumes.

The Evangelical Trinity church, (German), was organized August 15, 1877, with Henry Winkler, Henry Hainkel, Henry Wieman, Nicholas Sigwart and C. G. Ludwigs constituting a portion of the original membership.

The church building which they occupy, is built of brick, and rented from the Lexington German school society. The Revs. Drevel and Edward Klimpke have been pastors of this congregation, which at the present time (1881) has thirty-three communicants.

The Sunday school connected with this church was organized at the time the church was, and consists of about 70 pupils. It has a library of about 200 volumes. The pastor superintends.

Civic Orders

The present officers are: Zenophon Ryland, W. M.; James P. Hall, S. W.; Wm. A. Bethel, J. W.; Thomas J. Banden, treasurer; John E. Ryland, secretary; Phillip Keller, S. D.; Jos. Wolf, J. D.; Jacob A. Price, tyler. Present number of members, 39. Zenophon Ryland is past grand master, and John E. Ryland is past D. grand master.

Lexington R. A. Chapter No. 10. - Organized February, 1848, by John F. Ryland. Date of charter, October 13, 1848. The following first officers are all of the charter members reported: John F. Ryland, high priest; Howard Williams, king; Cyrus Osborn, scribe; Howard Williams, treasurer; John Williams, secretary, John J. Burtis, C. H.; Andrabella Dowden, R. A. C; L. S. Cornwell, P. S.; Thomas P. Ashly, M. 3d V.; John Wilson, M. 2d V.; Frank H. Goshen, M. 1st V.; John S. Porter, guard.

From April 21, 1862, up to November, 1865, no meetings were held. At the latter date the lodge was opened by Grand Master Houston, who gave notice that the}r were reinstated, delivered them their charter, and instructed them to hold an election of officers, which was held with the following result: E. Winsor, W. M.; Jessie Schofield, S. W.; R. Hale, J. W.; H. C. Boteler, treasurer; W. G. McCauseland, secretary.; B. R. Trelaun, S. D.; F. B. Hall, J. D.; A. Walk, tyler.

Guttenberg Lodge, No. jlj, I. Ot O. F - Organized, May 27, 1874, by G. W. McKean, D. D. G. M. The following were the charter members: Henry Sinauer, C. H. Schaefermeyer, J. F. E. Winkler, John Joehner, C. Georges, J. G. Mehl, John Fritz, W. Siegwart, S. Schneider, N.

Myrtle Lodge, No. ji; order of mutual protection. Organized Sept. 30, 1S80, by M. Randall, Deputy Supreme President. The following were the charter members: Chas. H. Kid well, H. B. Midlan, Albert Althoff, Charles W. Loomis, H. Sinauer, F. K. Threlkeld, S. Sellers, W. C. Hicks, J. P. Hansam, Wm. B. Wilson, B. A. Gordon, John Goehner, John Welsch, S. O'Conner, C. Watson, John Meng, T. E. Austin, J. B. Burris.

F. Winkler, G. A. Kriehn, J. Quandt, J. Goehner, G. Gunther, Moses Frankel, C. Grandorf, A. Ruble, Aug. Bettin, A. Mark, F. Lisohetki, Louis Gillin. The first officers were: Conrad Smith, President, and Chris. Schoefermeyer, Secretary. Present membership fifteen. Their hall is a fine, two story, brick building, located on Main street, built at a cost of $3,500.

The original officers were: C. H. Schaefermeyer, President; C. H. Kriehn, Vice President; H- Wilker, 1st Turn wart; J. Doehler, 2d T.; H. Schmidt, Secretary; Wm. Winkler, Fin. Secretary; H. Geiger, Treasurer. The present officers are: C. H. Schaefermeyer, President; H. Keifer, Vice President; H. Wilker, 1st Turnwart;J. Winkler, 2d T.; H. Schmidt, Secretary; Wm. Winkler, Fin. Secretary; E. Hoekker, Treasurer. Present member fifty-five. Hall is built of brick.

Knights of Honor. - Lexington Lodge No. 2018 K. of H., was organized February 2, 1880, by W. A. Halstead, Deputy Grand Dictator. The charter members were: Alexander Graves, J. O. Lesueur, Geo. F. Maitland, P. S. Fulkerson, Ethan Allen, J. W. Rinehart, F. C. T. Brightwell, fhe Lexington Liederkranz (singing society) was organized August 26, 1872, by the following named German citizens, who were also charter members: Nicholas Haerle, Chris. Georges, Jacob Fegert, John Daehler, Charles Weber, Rudolph Willibald, John Kriehn, August Bettin, Henry Blomberg, Moses Frankel, D. Stalling, Joseph Baehr, Albert, Dollinger, Andrew Marks, John G. Fischer, Charles Homer, Charles Furstenberg, C. G. Ludwigs, H. Pheifer and William Stuck.