Lafayette County, Missouri - Chapter 20: Davis Township, 1910

Chapter 20: Davis Township

Davis township was organized May 3, 1830, and then included all of present Freedom and portions of Middleton and Dover townships. Its original boundaries were defined by the county court as follows : "Beginning on the county line between Saline and Lafayette counties, at the section corner between 2 and 3, township 50, range 24, thence west to the middle of range 26, in township 50; thence south to the section corner of 12 and 13, township 48; thence east to the range line between 25 and 26; thence south to the southern boundary of Lafayette county, which is the middle of the main channel of the Osage river; thence down the middle of said stream to the range line between section 23 and 24; thence north with said line to the place of beginning."

These lines do not exactly correspond with any of the township lines in the county at this date, except the east line, which forms the boundary between Lafayette and Saline counties. It was estimated that there were forty-eight taxable families within the above-defined territory at that time. The first township election was ordered held at the house of Benjamin Johnson; and Martin Warren, Sr., Axel H. Page and John Smeltser were appointed judges.

A change was effected in the territory of Davis township on July 4, 1848, when the new township of Middleton was established, and the boundaries of Dover township fixed in their present places. These changes cut off" some of the territory of Davis township, when its new boundaries were fixed as follows : "Commencing at the township line, between townships 49 and 50, where said line crosses the boundary line between Lafayette and Saline counties, thence with said township line west to where the same crosses the main branch of the Tabo creek ; thence with the main channel of said creek in a southern direction, to where said creek crosses the section line between sections 9 and 10, in range 26, of township 49; thence with said section line south to where the same crosses the main branch of Davis creek; thence with the main channel of said Davis creek to the boundary line between the counties of Saline and Lafayette; thence with said line north to place of beginning." These lines have never been changed since that date in 1848.

Early Settlement

The honor of becoming one of the very early settlers in Davis township belonged to Joseph Collins, who located at a place since called "Bear's Grove," situated near section 13, township 49, range 26. The exact date is not now known, but it was certainly between the years 1825 and 1830, as he had to do with the organization of this sub-division of the county.

Alexander P. Hogan, William Anderson and Uriah Gladdish, natives of Kentucky, who settled on sections 35 and 36, of the same township and range, and Capt. William Beatty, Maj. S. G. Neal, William Collins, Madison Taylor, Thomas and James Smith, William and Menona Dyer, and William Hickman, who settled in that neighborhood previous to 1840.

Maj. George P. Gordon, who later resided on section 18, township 49, range 24, stated that Simon Bradley and Jesse Cox came to that neighborhood as early as 1820, settling on sections 17 and 18, respectively. He also remembered that Mesdames Bradley and Cox did the first weaving of cloth in that vicinty. From that time on settlement was made too rapidly to undertake, at this late day, to trace the locations and names.

First Events And Customs

The first ministers of the gospel reported here were Rev. George Crawford, of the New School Presbyterian faith, and Rev. Peter Williams, a Baptist.

The first religious services were conducted in the Beatty school house, near Bear's Grove, prior to 1840. In 1841 the Tabo Presbyterian church was organized at the same place.

The first school held in Davis township was at the Beatty school house, built in 1838. George Rhoades and Judge Lucian Cary were among the first persons to teach there. From fifteen to twenty-five pupils attended these schools and a salary of forty dollars per month was paid. The school house was built of logs and was conducted on the subscription plan. On section 36, about 1843, a log school house was erected by Elijah Gladdish. There twelve or fifteen pupils attended the first term taught ; the teacher was Elizabeth Martin, who received ten dollars a month and boarded around, as was the almost universal custom in all early schools.

The pioneers had to go from twelve to twenty miles to mill, and frequently would be cut off from their homes by high water and were obliged to camp by the roadside several days until the waters receded. The trading point was then Lexington, as was also the postoffice until about 1846, when Hempland postoffice was established, with Major Neal as postmaster.

The necessities of this pioneer band were indeed few, and were supplied chiefly by their own exertions. Occasionally, when they desired a little "store" sugar, tea, coffee, etc., they were obliged to go to Dover, in Dover township, several miles distant. The supplies came up the Missouri river in keel boats and were landed at that point.

One remarkable thing about the political complexion of this township in 1844 was the fact that out of the sixty-three votes polled that year (it being the William Henry Harrison "Tippecanoe" campaign), sixty were Whigs, from which party the Republican party later came into existence. A premium was offered for the largest Whig vote, and Davis township took the banner. It should be understood that at that early date Missouri was largely Democratic.

Davis township is well watered and drained by little streams. The largest of these pretty streams is Davis creek, which has many tributaries. The township is now highly cultivated and the finest fields of corn and grain, as well as bearing orchards and all that go toward making up a magnificent rural scene, abound on every hand.

At an early date wild game was very plentiful in this section of Lafayette county. In going a few rods from his house, pioneer Harvey Higgins frequently started up from three to five deer. Colonel Mulky once started four black bears up within less than two hundred yards from his cabin home. He succeeded in capturing two of them. Elk and buffalo were frequently seen roaming at will over the township and catamounts were often killed. Some panthers were known in the vicinity, but to no considerable numbers. There were no regular roads in those early days, but all traveled by courses and trails. The boys would frequently have a big deer hunt, kill as many as eight deer, and get home to dinner.

Note. - In an historical item penned in 1881 by Ira D. Anderson, he laid claim to the following facts concerning Davis township, which does not quite coincide with the "first events" already given, but it is here given, for possibly the statement is correct :

"William Collins, senior, a soldier of the Revolutionary war from Carolina, and his son and sons-in-law, in all amounting to eight persons, constituted the first settlers of what is now Davis township. These located in 1825. The first marriage was Martin D. Warren to Miss Dillingham. The first male child was James Anderson, son of William H. and D. Anderson. Nancy, daughter of Larkin and Sarah Graham, was the first female child born in the township. Rev. Thomas McBride, of the Christian church, was the first preacher in the township."

Concerning the population of Davis township, it may be stated that in June, 1880, there were reported in the United States census reports two thousand nine hundred and forty-four inhabitants within the township. Coming down to 1900, the same authority gives the township as having four thousand eight hundred and thirty-three, including Higginsville. The forthcoming census reports will no doubt show a goodly increase to these figures.

The schools and churches having been included in separate chapters in this volume, - those of the entire county forming chapters by themselves, - it will not be necessary to mention them in this connection.

Grain And Fruit Growing Thirty Years Ago

The present farmers have come to be of the prosperous type and one or two poor crops do not cripple and discourage them as such things did the farmers of thirty years ago. Yet for the most part the farmers even then had much success, as will be seen from the following account written in 1880. "Christopher Ellmaker has an orchard consisting of about two hundred trees, some of which have been planted forty years. He recently gathered from these thrifty apple trees one thousand bushels of choice fruit.

"His wheat crop during the same year yielded him an average of twenty-five bushels per acre, while in other parts of the township it ranged from thirty to forty bushels per acre."

"George G. Elsea has an orchard of one hundred and fifty apple trees, some of which are more than forty years old, and they produced him two hundred bushels of fine fruit this year."

"An orchard of Alfred P. Lewis that was set out in 1845, an<^ con" tained one hundred apple trees, raised four hundred bushels in 1880. Of the different varieties may be named the Ben Davis, the Genitan, Winesap and the Missouri and Newtown Pippin."

The above is only given to show the conditions that existed in this township as long ago as 1880. With such climate and soil it is no wonder that land sells from one hundred to one hundred and fifty dollars per acre, within easy access of market towns!

Of the extensive mining interests in this township, the reader is referred to the chapter on Geology in this volume. It may be said in this connection, however, that the coal mines in Davis township, underlying the fertile farming lands, makes the property more than double in value. The mines are found here and there over the township, but more especially in the vicinity of Higginsville. where the mining operations are very profitable.

Incidents Of The Civil War

Davis township, in common with all the townships in Lafayette county, came in for her share of the deeds of violence and bloodshed during the memorable years of the Civil war. Among these may be recalled, with no little interest, the following :

A Federal paymaster, having in his possession fifty-five thousand dollars, which he was transporting to Marshall, Saline county, Missouri, with a guard of twenty-five men, commanded by Captain Perry, had stopped at the residence of Alfred P. Lewis for the purpose of remaining over night. 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 the value of the money treasure in their possession, the bushwhackers took their 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 only twentysix hours. Mr. Lewis gave all the assistance he could, but was powerless to save his life, but made his last moments easier by his tender treatment. The bushwhackers rode off with the horses and the two other Federal guards, paroling them and allowing them to join their comrades the following day.

In the month of September, 1862, John Grisom was fo*nd murdered in the Davis Creek bottoms, on the premises of Christopher Echoff. Grisom was a resident of Saline county.

The City Of Higginsville

Higginsville, the only incorporation within Davis township, is beautifully situated on the Chicago & Alton and Missouri Pacific railroad lines, on sections 1 and 6, township 49, ranges 25 and 26. It was platted, as seen by the county plat books, by Henry and Carrie Higgins (from whom the place derived its name), August 14, 1869. In 1900 the federal census gave it a population of two thousand seven hundred and ninety-one.

A postoffice was established at this point in 1870, with A. B. E. Lehman as postmaster. He also had the honor of putting in the first store for the sale of general merchandise, the firm being known as Lehman & Son.

A frame school house was provided in 1879, at a cost of one thousand two hundred dollars. Thirty-five pupils attended this first school in Higginsville, which was taught by Miss Anna Reese, who received for her services fifty dollars per month.

It is generally conceded that the first marriage in the town was Lewis Henke and wife, whose maiden name is not known to the writer. They were made "man and wife" by Justice of the Peace George Osborne.

In 1880 the town supported a newspaper, a bank, two steam flouring mills, a steam elevator and grain warehouse, two freight and passenger stations, eight churches, a fine graded public school, a select school, several civic societies, a lumber yard and more than twenty other business houses. Its population was at that time about eight hundred.

Business Interests Of I9Io

Higginsville was incorporated in 1876 and Abram Wade was made its first mayor. It was incorporated as a city of the fourth class in 1886 and the following have been the mayors since that date : Jesse Hargrave, John W. Branch, Thomas A. Walker, H. C. Schwartz, A. B. E. Lehman, Daniel Hoefer, J. H. Rigg, E. W. Mollenkamp. Present city officials : Charles Gladish, mayor; John Sparks, city clerk, and G. W. Stegen, city attorney.

The city of Higginsville owns its waterworks and electric light plant, which is a modern and up-to-date plant in every particular, and the city also owns one of the most modern city halls to be found anywhere in a city of its size. Higginsville has an excellent volunteer fire department. A postoffice was established in 1870 and the following have served as postmasters: A. B. E. Lehman, John W. Endly, Sam Kleinschmidt, H. C. Schwartz, M. C. James and Frank Thrailkill. There are now four rural delivery routes running out from Higginsville to the surrounding territory. The longest route is twenty-eight miles, the others about the same length. Higginsville is a

In June, 1864, Civil war days, a character known as "Bill" Anderson, with more than twenty men, met a detachment of Captain Burrough's company of militia on the farm of William Whitsett, near Mt. Hebron church. The detachment consisted of about thirty-seven men and three wagons, of five mules each, being en route from Camp Lexington to this township with some provisions. A short, bloody encounter was had, in which nine of Burrough's men were killed outright and five mortally wounded. Only one of the Anderson men was injured. The bushwhackers shot the mules and burned the wagons.

In 1862 Captain Leffenwell's company of militia surrounded a Mr. Sutherlin and his son, Samuel McMahan and Zenith Redd, on Mr. Sutherlin's place, and a short skirmish ensued, in which McMahan, Redd and three or four militiamen were killed. Mr. Sutherlin and son made good their escape. The latter two had served in the Confederate army for six months, then engaged in bushwhacking for some time, and finally returned to the Confederate service.

In September, that year, "Bill" Anderson, with thirteen men, met four of Col. Henry Neill's men - Evan Phillips, William Iddings, William King and Mr. Meyers - on the Lexington road east of the Big Sni. The bushwhackers took them on into Washington township, in the vicinity of Mayview, and there shot them. Their remains were found about four weeks later. Such were some of the horrors of war.

For an account of schools and churches in Washington township, the reader is referred to chapters on Education and Churches, in this volume.