Lincoln County, Missouri - Chapter 3: Early Settlement, 1888

Chapter 3: Early Settlement

The history of Lincoln County properly dates from the beginning of the nineteenth century, when Maj. Christopher Clark erected his cabin, and became the first permanent settler within its limits. About five years previous, a few persons located on Spanish grants in the eastern part of the county, adjacent to the Mississippi and Cuivre Rivers. These were mostly French trappers and hunters, whose residences were only temporary. These settlements came to nought, and in a very few years every single grant was held by a non-resident owner. Hon. Tully R. Cornick, in an address before the first agricultural and mechanical fair ever held in the county, October 4, 1856, estimated that at the commencement of the present century less than forty acres of land had ever been put in cultivation in the county.

The First Settlers

Maj. Clark was born in Lincoln County, N. C, in the year 1766. His father, James Clark by name, was a native of Ireland, and his mother, Catharine Horine, of Scotland. They first settled in Winchester, Va. They had six sons: Alexander, William, James, Christopher, John and David. Alexander, James and John remained in North Carolina. William was killed by the Indians in Kentucky. David visited Missouri in 1811. Returning to his native State he married Margaret Douglass, by whom he had one son, William, who was afterward well known all over this county. The family of David came to this State in

1823, and settled on the Wright City road, three miles south of Troy. He died many years ago. He was greatly respected for his honest and upright character, and was for many years a justice of the peace. Christopher Clark settled in Lincoln County, Ky., in the year 1788. He married Elizabeth Adams, by whom he had six children: James, Sarah, Catharine, David, Hannah and Elizabeth. He served as lieutenant in a company of volunteers, guarding the frontiers of Kentucky, and also during a campaign up the Wabash River in 1790. He came to Missouri in 1799, bringing with him his horses and cattle. On this occasion he came on a prospecting tour as far north as the present site of Troy, where was then situated a small Indian village, the wigwams being placed in a kind of circle around the spring. The following year he brought his family in a pirogue, or large keel-boat, down the Kentucky and Ohio, and up the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, and landed at St. Charles. He settled at what is now known as Gilmore Springs, on the Wabash Railroad. A few days after his arrival his wife died. He immediately returned to Kentucky, and purchased a black girl to do the housework in his new home, where he resided about a year. In April, 1801, he moved into the limits of this county, being the first white man to cross Big Creek with a wagon, and built his cabin within a few feet of the present residence of Frederick Wing, Esq., three and a half miles southeast of Troy, on the St. Charles road. This was the first permanent settlement in the state north of the present limits of St. Charles County. At that time his nearest neighbor was Anthony Keller, who lived on the south bank of Big Creek, four miles off; after that the nearest settlement was made at Flint Hill.

Maj. Clark, in 1804, married his second wife, Hetty Calvert, of Virginia, Jby whom he had three children: Ralph H. F., Julia, and William Calvert. He died in 1841. He was a man of sterling honesty and of good solid judgment, and ever retained the confidence of his fellow citizens. During the last twenty years of his life, he was frequently solicited to run for office, but invariably refused. Of his children, James served one year as orderly sergeant under Capt. Nathan Boone, the youngest son of Daniel Boone, and was once severely wounded. David served one year under Capt. James Callaway, who was a grandson of Daniel Boone. He went to Texas with his brother James, in 1826, and was killed in battle in 1838. Sarah married Col. Alambe "Williams, and went with him to Texas in 1831, where they both died many years ago. Catharine married Capt. Joseph McCoy, and went to Texas in 1824, where her husband died a few years afterward. She was living when last heard from. Hannah died single in 1820. Elizabeth married Jesse Cox, and lived and died in this county. Ralph was born while his mother was on a visit to Green's Bottom, in St. Charles County, in 1804 He married Mary Murphy, of Kentucky, by whom he had two children. She died in 1839, and he afterward married Mary Atkinson, also of Kentucky, by whom he had eight children. He served many years as justice of the peace, while residing at the old homestead in this county. In 1858 he moved to Martinsburg in Audrain County. Julia married Valentine J. Peers, who was sheriff of this county from 1836 to 1838. Mr. Peers died in St. Louis. William died on his way to California in 1850. James died in Texas. McCoy and Williams each served a year under Capt. Daniel M. Boone, and a year under Capt. Callaway, during the War of 1812.

Soon after the settlement of Maj. Clark came Jeremiah Groshong, a native of Pennsylvania, who had lived a few years in St. Charles County, near the Missouri River. He settled half a mile northeast of Clark's, on the land known as the Castleman or Herndon place. He built a stone house on this farm, raised a family of nine children, was a prominent citizen, and took an active part in the organization of the county. In 1836, he and his family, excepting his son Jacob, moved to Wisconsin, where both he and his wife died - he at the age of eighty-six years. Jacob was born in October, 1800, a few months before his father settled in this county. About the year 1843, he settled on a farm four miles from Chain of Rocks on the Troy road, and lived there till his death at a very advanced age. At the time of his death he had been a resident of the county longer than any other poison, and was doubtless the only person within its limits who had been a subject of Spain and France, and a citizen of the District of Louisiana, the Territory of Louisiana, the Territory of Mis- souri and the State of Missouri, without a material change of his place of residence. Alexander McLane came from Kentucky in 1801, and settled on the Stuart place, on the bluff, four miles from Cap-au-Gris. He took his negroes, dammed the creek which was afterward named for him, and built a grist-mill on the spot where the stream cuts through the bluff. The buhrs were quarried in the vicinity, and dressed by himself and slaves. This was the first water-power mill built in the county. Next came the families of Zadock Woods and Joseph Cottle, from Woodstock, Vermont, who settled in Troy in 1802. With Mr. Woods came his mother and his two brothers, James and Martin, who settled at the same time near Old Monroe. Mrs. Woods died in this county at a very advanced age. The three brothers went to Texas in an early day, where Zadock and some of his sons were killed fighting for the independence of the Lone Star Republic. They were each possessed of considerable means. Zadock was a stone-mason, and built the first stone-chimney in Hurricane Township.

Ira Cottle, nicknamed "Muxey, " came from Vermont in 1799, and settled at Old Monroe, in this county, in 1802. His father, Warren Cottle, settled in St. Charles County, and was afterward a soldier in the War of 1812. Ira Cottle married his cousin, Suby Cottle, and after her death he married the widow of John Ewing. During the trouble with the Indians he, unlike the other settlers, would not retire into the fort, but remained at home. In 1820 he was the richest man in the county, and paid taxes on 1,000 acres of land. He built the house since occupied by Mrs. Henry Hemmersmeyer, as a store and dwelling, which is one of the finest brick blocks erected in the county, and, at the time it was built, the largest. He died in 1843.

Francis Riffle, born in Virginia, October 14, 1781, came to this county from Kentucky, wh^re he was reared, and settled on the ridge below McLane's Creek, in 1803. He died in this county, May 22, 1858.

William McHugh, whose three sons were murdered by the Indians, was of Scotch ancestry. In 1803 he settled on Sandy Creek, on the farm since owned by Burt J. Cocke. He died a few years after the War of 1812. He and his wife were the site of their cabin. The male line of his family is extinct, except probably a grandson, John McHugh, who was living some years ago on the Des Moines River, in Iowa. Col. David Bailey, the first sheriff of Lincoln County, and who afterward occupied many official positions, came here from Vermont in 1803. He was a captain of rangers in the War of 1812. His death occurred in 1864. John Lindsay, from Maine, settled on Sandy Creek in 1803. He possessed an excellent education, was deputy county clerk in 1820, county court justice from 1825 to 1828, and served several years as a justice of the peace. He died in the winter of 1833-34, having survived his two children. His widow went to Wisconsin. James Burnes, about the same time, settled on Sandy Creek, a quarter of a mile above the scene of the McHugh massacre. Roswell Durgee, also, about the same time, settled at the mouth of Durgee Hollow, on the David T. Killam place. The same year, 1803, Frederick Dixon settled in Monroe Township. He married Elizabeth, daughter of James Burnes, and lived here many years after the War of 1812, and died in Iowa.

John Riffle, son-in-law of Alexander McLane, settled in Lincoln County in 1804. His daughter, Mrs. Nancy Daniels, was with her parents in Fort Howard during the War of 1812, and, being nearly grown, became very familiar with the events of the time, and carried them distinctly in her memory to old age. Benjamin Allen, of Woodstock, Vt., came to St. Louis in 1804, and removed, a few years before the War of 1812, to the Tinbrook place, near Monroe. After the War he settled on Hurricane Creek, where he died about the year 1840. He was a prominent citizen, and served many years as a justice of the peace. Ezekiel Downing, an Irishman, and cousin to Gov. McNair, came about the same time. He established the first tanyard in Lincoln County. It was on the Capt. Wehde place. He was stepfather to Freeland Rose, Esq. About this time came John and William Ewing. They were not closely related, if at all. The former settled near the Mississippi River, not far from the line dividing Townships 49 and 50, north. He possessed considerable property. He died about 1819-20. Col. Ira Cottle administered on this estate, and married his widow. William Ewing settled farther down, probably between Sandy and Bob's Creeks. His wife died in 1811, and he then divided out his children and had no settled home thereafter. His youngest child, named after himself, was killed in the O'Neal massacre. Jacob Null came from Cocke County, Tenn., and settled in St. Charles County in 1808. The following year he moved to what is now Lincoln County, and settled on the Jackson farm three miles west of Troy. He afterward moved to a farm one mile south of Troy, where he died in 1819. He was a great bee hunter, and spent much of his time hunting bees on Honey Creek, and in the forks of Cuivre River, and was so successful that the name of the stream was changed to Null's Creek. His brother John, and the latter's son, Jacob Jr., came to the county the same year (1809). The Nulls, like most of their neighbors, left their farms, and abode in Woods' Fort, during the War of 1812-15. They took an active part in the defense of the settlement, and also in the organization of the county.

Several other families settled in the vicinity of Troy before the War of 1812, but the exact dates cannot now be ascertained, nor can all their names be recollected. The following were among them : John and Joseph Hunter, the former being the father of the late John M. Hunter, of New Hope. He settled near West Cuivre, five miles northwest of Troy. Robert McNair, a blacksmith, of Irish parentage, born in Pennsylvania, and brother to Gov. McNair, settled in Troy. After the war he moved to near Auburn and subsequently to Hurricane Township, where he died. Elijah Collard and his father, Joseph Collard, settled in the county in 1811, as did Alambe and Job Williams, Maj. Robert Jameson and his son, George W. The latter, subsequently, in 1817, settled on a farm two and a half miles east of Millwood, and was the first settler in the forks of Cuivre. David Porter came from Tennessee and settled on Big Creek in 1810.

As soon as the Indians ceased their hostilities, at the close of the War of 1812-15, the settlers retired from the forts to their respective homes. Some of them, who had only settled temporarily, now selected their permanent homes and moved thereon. Those who became permanent settlers in the vicinity of Auburn, in L815 or L816, were James 8. Lewis, David Meracle, Daniel Draper, Joseph Howdeshell, Samuel and James Gibson, .James Clark, Joseph McCoy, Lawrence B. Bitton, Robert MoNair, Thacker Virion and Ezekiel Downing. Borne ol these, as lias already been noted, Bettled in the county before the war. Levi Brown, from Tennessee, settled in IS 15 or 1816, and James Porter, from the same State, in 1817. Freeland Rose from Kentucky, Bettled in IN 17, and remained here until his death, April 27, 1^S5. William Miller, with his family, left North Carolina in November, 1817, aud arrived at Clark's Fort, now the Frederick Wing place, June 5, 1818. About this time, and perhaps earlier, James Wilson came from South Carolina and settled on the farm now owned by James Riley, three miles northeast of Auburn. Both of these old settlers are still living - the latter at Auburn, at the age of ninety-four years - the former on his farm near Moscow. Walton Perkins came to this county with his father in 1^8, and settled on the farm known as the old "Bickel place," about two miles south of Troy. In 1820 he visited the land office at St. Louis, to make a payment on his father's land. In the fall of 1817 Philip Sitton settled in the forks of Cuivre. He was born in North Carolina in 1772, and died in this county in 1861. John Hudson, born in Washington County, Ga., in 17U6, came to this county in the fall of 1818, and with him came Jarot Ingram and James Owens. The latter settled on what is known as the Daniel Kempler place, and Ingram on a place cornering thereto and lying just over the line in Pike County. At this time John R. Gililland was living near the present Sulphur Lick Church, and William Trail on the road where his widow, "Aunt Sadie Trail," now lives, on the road between Troy and Millwood. Capt. Thomas Hammond and his brother, Slade, had also settled in that vicinity. A man named Lowe lived on the Brice H. Wommack farm, and another, named Barnett, lived on the old Beard place near Louisville. The last named settlers, commencing with Philip Sitton, together with George W. Jameson, who has been noted as the first settler in the forks of Cuivre, and a man who lived near the mouth of Lead Creek, were probably all the people living in the northwest part of the county, not including the Auburn settlement, in 1818.

At this time, Mr. Hudson observed that Indian wigwams were very thick; and after selecting a place on which to locate, he returned to Georgia, married his sweetheart, and, in June, 1819, moved to this county, bringing with him his parents and three brothers. In the interim nearly all the .Indians had gone ; Col. Meredith Cox had settled at Louisville, and Mr. Moore, father of Fountain Moore, had settled on the Dr. McFarland place. These, with other parties mentioned above, helped Mr. Hudson build his cabin, where he located, in what is now Nineveh Township. There was then no settlement west of him until Grand Prairie was reached, forty miles distant. He settled a quarter of a mile north of Lead Creek and half a mile west of the head of Null Creek. On the ridge between these creeks was the trail road leading to Troy. Samuel Gladney, born July 9,

1789, in South Carolina, settled near the site of Auburn in 1820. He died August 9, 1875, having been a citizen of the county fifty-five years.

In 1826 Charles Hoss came from Kentucky and settled near Louisville. He died at Truxton, December 26, 1879. The same year Samuel Howell settled about four miles northeast of Troy. In an interview published in the Herald in 1876 Mr. Howell stated that when he settled his neighbors were Armstrong Kennedy, John Hunter, Thomas East, John Wilson, Lemon and William Barker, brothers, an old man named Jennings, who soon left the county, and one Hatfield, who also left. These, with Kennedy, lived near Cuivre River, and each had hunted up a spring of water near which to build. Beyond these settlements there were none on the north nearer than the Auburn settlement, on the northwest, those of George W. Jameson and others, and further to the west, the Hudson settlement. Mr. Howell could not remember of any settlements west of Hudson's in 1826. By this time, however, the eastern and southern parts of the county had become much more thickly settled.

1790, came to Lincoln County and settled near Millwood. He says that the grass where Millwood now stands was then tall enough to hide a man on horseback. Daniel Draper was then living in Auburn; and shortly afterward Andrew Cochran and his brother kepi a Btore at Fori Spring, just south of Auburn. The Bame year Henry Watts, from Tennessee, settled near the Bite of Elsberry. William LFpfcegrove, born in North Carolina,

October 11, L785, settled at Louisville November 8, 1829, on the place since owned by Ben. R. Williams, near the old bridge ford of North Cuivre. To Mr. Uptegrove this seemed to bo a perfect paradise. The soil was fertile to a wonderful degree, to him who had been used to the red hills and flint stones of North Carolina. Cochran's store at Fort Spring, near Auburn, was then the best one in that part of the county, and had the most custom. James Beck, of South Carolina, and his wife settled in Lincoln County at an early day. He died in 1839, and his widow died December 18, 1879, at the age of eighty-nine. John Britton, a prominent citizen of the county, was born in Virginia, March 12, 1796, came to this county in 1841, remained over forty years, and died at the house of his son, J. R. Britton, in Rock Hill, Mo., March 22, 1882. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and was engaged at the White House, below Alexandria, on the Potomac, and had the satisfaction of firing seven shots at the British.

Survivors Of The Revolution

Among the early settlers of Lincoln County were a number of the survivors of the Revolutionary War, and the following can be mentioned: Noah Rector, Isaac Hudson, John Chambers, John Barco and Alembe Williams. Noah Rector died near Millwood about the year 1849, at the age of one hundred and two years. Isaac Hudson was born in North Carolina, and after the war lived in Washington County, Ga., until 1799 ; he then went to South Carolina, and in 1804 moved to that part of Logan that is now included in Simpson County, Ky. ; in June, 1819, he came with his wife and four sons, John, Thomas, William and Charles, to this county, and settled in what is now Nineveh Township. He died many years ago at an advanced age. He was a blacksmith and farmer, and was much respected for his strict honesty. John Chambers was born in 1740. In 1778 he enlisted in Capt. Alexander Cummins' company of the Fourteenth Virginia Regiment, and was in the battle of Monmouth. He died in Clark Township in 1844 or 1845. John Barco was born in 1744; enlisted May 24, 1877, in Camden Couflty, N. C, as a drummer in Capt. Dempsey Gregory's company of the Tenth North Carolina Infantry, Col. Shepherd commanding; was at Valley Forge and West Point; in 1779 was sent to Charleston with his command and assigned to Gen. Lincoln; surrendered with the other forces to the British, May 12, 1780, and put on board a prison-ship where he remained five months. A short time after exchange he was mustered out of service at Richmond, Va. Alambe Williams was born in 1757; he enlisted from Guilford County, N. C, June 10, 1781, in Capt. Moore's company of the First North Carolina Infantry, commanded by Maj. Armstrong. He was afterward in Capt. Michael Randolph's company in Col. Henry Lee's legion. He was present in several battles, and at the storming of several forts. He received his discharge from Gen. Nathaniel Green.

Pioneer Taxpayers In 1821

The taxpayers in Lincoln County in 1821, as shown on the tax-list of that year, it being the earliest one preserved among the records, are as follows: [This probably is a complete list of the heads of the pioneer families at that time, as they should appear on the list. Their names are classified, as indicated by the lands described opposite them, in each of their four municipal Townships. ]

In Monroe Township, comprising the southeast quarter of the county, there were David Bailey, Samuel Bailey, Ira Cottle, Almond Cottle, Zachariah Callaway, Ezekiel Downing, Abijah M. Highsmith, David Lard, John Lindsey, Otis Peck, James E. Paddock, Thomas Riffle, Joseph Russell, Barnabas Thornhill, James Turnbull, James Woods, Martin Woods, Allen Woolfolk and A. C. Woolfolk.

In Bedford Township, comprising the southwest quarter of the county, there were John Armstrong, Thomas Armstrong, Seth Allen, Frederick Avery, Jeremiah Beck, John Bell, John Barker, William Brown, Sr., William Brown, Jr., John Black, Emanuel Block, Gabriel Brown, Levi Brown, Benjamin Blanton, Thompson Blanton, David Boyd, John Brunk, John Cannon, Lambert Collier, James Collard, Elijah Collard, Christopher

The following had no description attached to their lands, and consequently it cannot be determined in which township they resided: Sylvanus Allison, Elijah Barton, Charles Broadwater, William Beatty, Joseph Barnett, James Cannon, John Cox, James Downing, John H. Downing, Silas Davis, James Early, Walter Emory, John Griffith, Andrew Gilbert, Benjamin Highsmith, William Highsmith, Lovell Harrison, William Harley, George Harley, Martin Harley, James Harley, Henry Howdeshell, Alexander Hill, Jesse Low, Andrew Love, Andrew Miller, David McCoy, William McCoy, William McLean, Reuben Nowell, Bennet Palmer, Andrew Patterson, William O. Boss,. Moses Rainey, Return Strong, Samuel Sargent, Samuel Shaw,, Samuel Smith, Andrew Smith, George W. Smith, Charles Stewart, Thomas Spillman, John Turnbaugh, William Talbert, Peter Teague, Isaac Thurman, Joseph Thurman, Kesiah Woods, John Walker, Jacob Williamson, Thomas Wells, Severn Wallace, James Wilson, and John Wilson. Of all these it is believed that none are now living in the county. This list, together with the widows and the estates of deceased persons, made the number of 276 taxpayers.

Meeting Friendly Indians

About three years after Samuel Howell settled in the county, he went, with a small party, down the Mississippi for a week's hunt. They camped about a hundred yarxis from the river bank. In the afternoon of the first day, a fine buck was killed not far from the camp. The next morning, after his comrades had been gone some time, Mr. Howell took his rifle and walked down the river about half a mile. Approaching the bank and looking toward the opposite shore, he saw an Indian push his boat out a,nd step into it. For several minutes he remained motionless, as tht1 canoe shot swiftly and DOiselesslj up the river, closely hugging the shore, as if to screen itself in i\u> shadows of the overhanging hushes. At a point opposite the camp it turned and made directly for the western shore. Mr. Howell rapidly returned to camp, and a few minutes later the Indian landed and walked up the bank. He was entirely unarmed, but strode on without showing by his countenance whether he meant friendship or not. Stepping up, he grasped Mr. Howell's hand, and grunted "How do?' which was probably all the English he knew. The next thing he snatched the rifle with an exhibition of rough cordiality, but smiled complacently as he examined every part of it- Mr. Howell was not sure but that his smiles meant mischief, and to use his own expression, never felt so "spotted" before, nor since. The examination ended with apparent satisfaction, the Indian made signs, by taking aim, imitating the noise of the discharge of the piece, going through the antics of a wounded deer, then pointing to the deer skin and the spot where the deer had been killed, to show that he had been a witness on the occasion. He then handed back the rifle and examined, with many nods and smiles, the other paraphernalia of the camp. Mr. Howell invited the Indian to eat of the venison steak, but he declined, made several unintelligible signs, shook hands and departed the way he came.

Shortly after this, Mr. Howell was with another hunting party on the Mississippi, near the mouth of the Cuivre. Riding out one day, they came to an Indian tent, at the door of which sat a venerable looking old warrior. Inside was an old squaw engaged in cooking, and a young one, who sat some distance off on a mat of deer -skins. Squire Howell thought she was the handsomest woman he ever saw. He and the other hunters could not keep their eyes from her face. Their admiring glances annoyed her; an angry fire gleamed in her beautiful eyes. Her evident displeasure producing no effect, she covered her face and head with one of the skins and remained covered while the interview lasted* The old squaw gave each visitor a piece of jerked venison, at the same time pouring a little salt into the palm of each one's hand. Politeness compelled them to eat, but their politeness was nevec.

put to a severer test. The venison was hard dried in the sun and none of the sweetest. The old warrior related in broken English, aided by signs, how the Indians caught great numbers of deer by driving them into the overflowed bottoms.

The Pioneer'S Cabin

This oft-mentioned habitation was always made of logsr sometimes hewed on two sides, and sometimes not hewed at all. When hewed, the logs were put up with the flat surfaces on the inside and outside of the building. The cracks were filled with "chinking," and this was daubed over with mud. The form of the cabin was always an oblong square, with a huge fire-place in one end. The fire-place was set back in a crib composed of logs, with the face even with the inner wall. This crib was heavily lined with stone and mortar, built up on a hearth made of flat stones. On top of the stone and mortar lining was made a stick and mud chimney, the latter always being entirely on the outside of the building, and extending a little above the comb of the roof. The cabin was only one story in height, and was covered with clap-boards resting on poles running the long way of the building, and weighted down with other poles. One or two small openings were cut out for windows, in which greased paper, when it could be had, was often substituted for glass. The floor was made of puncheons, prepared wholly with an ax, and laid down on "sleepers." The door was made of light puncheons or heavy clap-boards fastened together with pins and hung on wooden hinges. This is a fair description of the completed "pioneer'scabin." All the tools required in building it were the ax, broadax-frow and auger. Many such a cabin was built without the use of a nail.

Those adventurous pioneers who settled miles in advance of any settlement had to construct their cabins alone, with the assistance of their families, unless men advanced from the settlement to help them, but those who settled where a few had gone before were more fortunate. The early settlers were so anxious to have others join them that they would go sometimes twenty miles to help a new comer build his cabin. All the pioneer had to do was to drive to the place selected for his home, unhitch his team, for further ones, notifying thorn of his arrival and when and where to meet to erect his cabin. All who possibly could would be on hand at the "house raising;" the trees would be felled, the Logs and poles prepared, the clap-boards riven, and the building erected, ready for occupancy iu a single day. The putting in of the puncheon tloor, the making and hanging of the door, the chinking and daubing of the cracks, was usually left for the new comer to do at his leisure; and not unfrequently this finishing of the house was postponed until a truck patch was cleared and planted, and sometimes not until cold weather made it a necessity, the pioneer, meanwhile, occupying all his time in extending his "clearing.'1 If a man wanted two rooms erected, he was considered aristocratic, and could not get that spontaneous assistance that one of more moderate desires might command. However, the additional room would be raised if extra inducements were offered, such as a "frolic' and an abundance of whisky. This latter article was always on hand at a "house raising," and was usually as free as water, the price of it being 25 cents per gallon. Mr. Howell relates that before raising his cabin, he went to Troy, and for 50 cents, all the money he had, he purchased two gallons of whisky of superior quality, then went to Armstrong Kennedy and bought a hog. promising to pay for it by breaking flax. With these and other provisions, he managed to supply the wants of those who so kindly helped to erect his cabin. The log house is yet a common thing in Lincoln County; but in many places east of this it has become extinct, and is remembered only as a thing of the past.

Pioneer Weddings

The first marriage record for Lincoln County begins with November 1825, a quarter of a century after the first settler erected his cabin. During this period, as a matter of course, a number of the children of the early settlers had intermarried, but no public records of their nuptials have been preserved. A pioneer wedding in this "western wild" could not compare in point of elegance and style with one of these days, for there were lacking the paraphernalia of display, the pomp and circumstances of the present day. No artistic cards of invitation were then sent out, but a general invitation was given orally to the few scattered pioneers, who would go many miles to attend such an occasion. In those days but few fine clothes were worn, especially by the young people who were reared, or partially reared, west of the Mississippi. After the "best suits" brought here by the pioneers were worn out, all had to content themselves with homespun clothing. A " Sunday suit " was nothing more than a new " every day suit."

The bridal trousseau did not consist of the most costly apparel - the finest silk dress, the most stylish and latest fashioned head gear, and the whole adorned with costly beads and jewelry, and the outfit of the bridegroom was not made of the finest broadcloth, nor did the silk hat form a part thereof. The bride was neatly attired in a plain homespun dress, all her apparel corresponding, and was admired for her beauty, not for that of her dress. The bridegroom was also attired in homespun goods, and the marriage was as fortunate and felicitous, and the wedding as joyous, as any at the present day. The wedding feast did not embrace so great a variety of eatables, champagne ana wine, and dessert of ice-cream, strawberries, oranges etc., but the food consisted of the wholesome necessaries, and all were merry with the gay festivities of a humble wedding on the frontier of civilization. In those days there were uo^ so many amusements as now exist, and a wedding was quite a rare thing. The guests being isolated and somewhat lonely would eagerly assemble and participate in the festivities of the day, which often consisted of athletic sports, and a dance on the puncheon floor, after the wedding-feast was over.

The wedding feast was always worthy of the name. The champagne and claret were good old Kentucky and Missouri whisky, clear and pure as mountain dew, unadulterated by mercenary ' rectifiers,' untouched and untaxed by gauger and government. There were venison steaks and roasts, turkey, grouse, nectar-like maple-syrup and other edibles, toothsome and elegant.

solemnised August 3, 1825, by Thompson Blanton, a justice of the peace. The next was Richard Woramack to Cinthy Smiley, daughter of Maj. Samuel Smiley, solemnized August 18, 1825, by William Hammock, justice of the peace. Then followed Ephraim Cannon and Dorothy Hunter, November 20, by Rev. David Hubbard. Because of their brevity and peculiar wording the following certificates are given in full.

Married on the 25th day of December, 1825, Mr. Hary Oakley to Mrs. Susanna Willson, both of lawful age and citizens of Union Township, County of Lincoln and State of Missouri. Daniel Draper, J. P.

I do certify that on the 13th day of October in the year 1825, I Cellebrated the Rite of Mattrimony between Abraham Evans and Linney Shrum, both of lawful age. Philip Sitton.

The marriages recorded for 1826 are: Samuel G. Sitton and Rebecky Porter, February 23, by Jesse Sitton; Edwin Allen and Jane Wade, May 6, by Benjamin Allen, justice of the peace; Eli Hubbard and Kesiah Cannon, July 23, by Rev. David Hubbard; Samuel Sapp and Millinde Sapp, July 27, by Benjamin Allen, justice of the peace; Thomas Edwards and Mrs. Youghn, July 12, by Samuel Smiley, justice of the peace; Thomas Hopkins and Lydia Beck, October 22, by Rev. David Hubbard; William Humes and Issabellah Howard, November 2, by John Lindsey, justice of the peace; William B. Sitton and Polly Ingram, December 21, by Jesse Sitton.

in wedlock, Rev. Hubbard always married them "to each other. " The spelling of the names and words in these certificates is given as they appear on record, though some of them are evidently incorrect. For want of space, the list of early marriages cannot be further continued.

Old Settlers' Re-Union At Elsberry

In compliance with previous arrangements, a re-union of old settlers of Lincoln County was held at Elsberry, in August, 1882. A stand was erected for the use of the speakers, and a platform or floor for the use of those who wished to " trip the light fantastic toe." It is presumed, however, that the old settlers did not indulge much in the latter exercise, but were,no doubt, amused to see their children and grandchildren engaged in it. The music was furnished by the Prairieville Band. The dinner was served after the old barbecue style ; two beeves, twenty-seven sheep and several hogs were dressed and roasted for the occasion, besides an abundant supply of bread, pyramids of cake, lemonade and other good things in proportion. The tables were spread in a leafy grove, and from them the multitude of people fed, from the gray -haired and venerable pioneer, down to the little child in its mother's arms. Speeches of a miscellaneous character, full of rehearsals and reminiscences of "ye olden time," were delivered by Col. N. B. Minor, and D. A. Ball, of Louisiana; Judge Thomas, J. C. Fagg and T. J. Forgey of St. Louis; Hon. H. S. Parker of Troy, and others. Many old settlers were present, and the meeting was claimed to be the largest ever held in the county up to that time.

Old Settlers' Organization In Troy

On Saturday, June - , 1883, a number of old settlers of Lincoln County assembled in Troy, and organized an Old Settlers' Association, with the following as officers: Capt. William Miller, president; W. T. Thurmond, secretary ; H. F. Childers, corresponding secretary; vice-presidents: Dr. M. H. McFarland,

The meeting then adjourned to June 23d, at which time a much larger number assembled. On motion, a committee on programme and general arrangements wras appointed, as follows: T. J. Nalley, John M. Ellis, Capt. Colbert, Dr. McFarland and A. V. McKee. A committee on invitations, consisting of one from each township and the editors of the local newspapers, was then appointed as follows: J. M. Wilson, of Clark; J. A. Elmore, of Prairie; Judge Shaw, of Nineveh; James Wilson, of Waverly ; Judge H. T. Mudd, of Millwrood ; Isaac Ellis, of Union ; Robert Elsberry, of Hurricane; Elijah Myers, of Snow Hill; Frank Withington, of Burr Oak; William Lindsay, of Monroe; and Jordan Witt, of Bedford; J. W. Powell, of the Elsberry Advance; H. P. Child, of the Free Press; and W. T. Thurmond, of The Herald.

The following were then appointed as a finance committee: Frederick Wing, W. T. Powell, H. M. Brown, Jeff. Wray, T. K. Nichols, Ben. Elliott, Rufus Hall, P. G. Shelton, John W. Wilson, Levi J. Garrett, W. A. Woodson, W. T. Thurmond and H. W. Perkins. The committee of arrangements met subsequently, and among their deliberations extended a special invitation to the following named non-residents, some of whom had formerly been residents of the county, to attend the re-union at Troy, on the 31st day of August following, viz. : Judges Gilchrist Porter, Thomas J. C. Fagg, N. P. Minor, Elijah Robinson, Hon. A. H. Buckner, Col. J. E. Hutton, Hon. Charles E. Peers, Hon. D. P. Dyer, Hon. James A. Rollins, Hon. James 0. Broadhead, J. S. Besser, of Texas, Seneca W. Hammock, and Hon. J. B. Henderson.

Accordingly, at the appointed time, August 31, 1883, the people assembled in Troy and made a memorable day in the history of Lincoln County. The day was splendid in its bright sunshine. H. W. Perkins, marshal of the day, at the request of President Miller, called the meeting to order at 11 o'clock, A. M. Prayer was offered by Rev. T. J. McDonald. The choir sang " Auld Lang Syne," and was followed by music by the Winfield Band. The address of welcome was then delivered by Dr. J. W. Welch, who reminded the people that many had settled in this county long before the first steamship crossed the ocean, and before railroads and telegraphs had been constructed. The next speaker was Judge N. P. Minor, of Bowling Green, who contrasted the educational advantages then enjoyed by the youth, with those of his boyhood days, when he had to walk six miles to school, following hog paths through gigantic grass, infested with ticks and snakes. The meeting then adjourned for dinner, and the immense mass of people separated into groups about the tables and on the lawn, and ate and related the trials, hardships and pleasures of pioneer life with general satisfaction. The first exercise after dinner was the " May Pole " dance by little girls and boys of Troy, A. S. Buchanan skillfully touching the violin and calling. Charles E. Peers was the next orator, and gave an interesting history of the courts and county officials, interspersed with amusing anecdotes. Col. D. P. Dyer then appeared upon the stand. His venerable mother, ninety-two years old, was seated near him. His was an acceptable speech for the occasion, full of paternal feeling, with allusions to his school experience, under John. M. Ellis as teacher, and many other amusing incidents of early times.

Hon. Jeptha Wells, in behalf of the young men of Troy, then presented a silver cup to the lady who had lived the longest in Lincoln County. Mrs. Nancy Daniels, who had lived in the county from her birth in 1801, was the happy recipient. A silver cup was then presented by O. F. Busswell, of the Laclede Hotel, to the gentleman who had lived longest in the county. This was received by John S. Null, aged nearly seventy-seven years, who settled here in 1808. L. R. Downing, of the Clarksville Sentinel, in behalf of Thomas P. Miller, proprietor of the St. James Hotel, St. Louis, presented a silver cup to the mother of the largest number of children. This present fell to Mrs. Frances Williams, aged fifty-six, and the mother of sixteen children. She h;i<l resided in the county forty-nine years.

The decorations of the town on this occasion are worthi <>f <ispeciaJ mention. On the courthouse majestically waved b mammoth flasr thirteen bv thirty feet, and in the windows were ninety -seven smaller ones. Over the door was this. "1819- Welcome - 1883.'1 The Farmers1 and Mechanics1 Bank presented a handsome appearance, with its magnificent new vault and time-lock safe which cost $1,300 - its " 1873 - Welcome - 1883," and the lifesize pictures of President Walton Perkins and his wife. The Laclede had shady green oaks in front, and posts festooned handsomely. The Planters House was similarly decorated, and above the door were the suggestive words, "Come Again." At the Laclede Hotel stables was a hanging card, decorated with green leaves, running thus: "We'll feed the old horse as well as the old man." Over the postoffice door were the letters " O. S. R." On an ornamental card, in front of J. J. Cheely's, were the words, " We'll smoke to the health of the old settlers." The word" Welcome" in evergreen, wras very handsomely arranged in the door of James A. Jackson. Joseph Hart had swinging, a decorated card with this inserted: "Hearty Welcome. Established in 1858. Oldest merchant in Troy." " Troy Herald" in evergreen, was suspended across the street in front of the office, and " Welcome" in evergreens over windows of the front wall, and several mottoes in the entrance. Cheneworth & Hutchinson's drug store had over the door a deer head with two stalks of corn crossed under the chin, just under an arch of green oak, and at the top of it the word " Welcome." Bragg Brothers had " Welcome " displayed in large letters on the front wall, and an oat stack in their front, with the sign "Grain Wanted," and on a card: "To the old settlers: May you live long and prosper, and be happy and jolly in your old age, which is a certain boon, if you buy your goods of Bragg Brothers.'1 R. A. Trail's saloon had green oaks in front and huge ears of green corn suspended around the awning, suggestive of corn juice. Sturgeon & Co. had, in front, " Welcome, Old Settlers." Alexandria & McNalley, milliners, had " Welcome ' handsomely displayed in their show window Free Press had " Welcome ' in large gilt letters suspended across the street. "Eureka" in large red letters was suspended from M. Sedlacek's saddlery establishment. H. Havercamp, A.

F. Winn & Co., T. W. With row, Bragg & Kabler, A. Kuhne, Henry Bros., I. W. Clark and others had green oaks in front and almost all the stores were profusely decorated with flags. A shooting contest was held at the fair ground, and was enjoyed by both old and young. The number of people at the re-union was estimated at from 6,000 to 8,000.

Second Re-Union At Troy

A preliminary meeting of the Old Settlers' Association was held at the courthouse in Troy, on the evening of July 7, 1886. Committees were appointed, and instructed to make arrangements for accommodating 10,000 people, on the occasion of the Old Settlers' Reunion, to be held at Troy, on the third day of August following. When the day came, the weather was pleasant, and an immense crowd of people assembled to participate in the festivities of the occasion. By some, the number of people assembled was considered greater than the number at the first reunion three years before. The meeting was called to order at 11 o'clock A. M., by President William Miller, and prayer was offered by Bev. I. A. M. Thompson. The address of welcome was then delivered by W. T. Thurmond. Prof. M. S. Goodman, of the Pike County Democrat, was then introduced to the audience, and after a short speech the meeting adjourned for dinner. After dinner, Dr. Cook, president of the LaGrange College, was introduced to the re-assembled audience. He addressed the people in an able and instructive manner, and was followed by Bev. Thompson, who gave an interesting talk of "ye olden time. ' The next speaker was Hon. Charles E. Peers, who spoke of the changes since his boyhood days. The music furnished for the occasion, by the Eolia Band, was excellent. The town was decorated similarly as it was on the occasion of the first re-union, and all seemed well pleased with the exercises of the day.

Letter From John H. Brown, Of Texas

After the last re-union a letter from John H. Brown, of Texas, referring to early settlers of this county, was published in one of the Troy papers. Omitting the introductory part, it reads as follows : a mile of tin- line, and about two ami a half miles aorth of Louisville, and knew in childhood an equal number of persons in »ach county. It is a singular fact that Pike County furnished but throe of the early Bettlers in Texas, viz.: Arthur Burnes, Josiah Wilbarger and my father, Capt. Henry S. Brown, while Lincoln furnished a large number. It occurs to me that a few tacts on this subject will be interesting to many old ' Lincolnians. ' My parents lived in the Missouri Point, in St. Charles County, from 1808 to 1819-20, when they removed to Pike. In 1824 my father entered Texas from New Orleans, as an Indian and Mexican trader. Returning home in the winter of 1820-27, his description of Texas, to his old friends in St. Charles and Lincoln, created a lively interest, and determined many to emigrate. He returned to Texas in the beginning of 1828. About the same time Wilbarger, after marrying Miss Barker, of Lincoln, came with the Barker family. In 1833 he was wounded, scalped and left for dead by Indians, but recovered, lived twelve years and died wealthy. One of his sons was killed by Indians about 1851. "Of citizens of Lincoln who came to Texas from 1827 to about 1833 may be named James, a son of Capt. Christopher Clark, an excellent man, who reared a large family and died, at an advanced age, since the Civil War; Alum B. Williams, whose wife was a daughter of Capt. Clark ; Job Williams, his brother, both with large families, Mrs. Turner, their sister, also having a large family ; Samuel Highsmith, then single, who became a gallant soldier and died in 1849; the Cottle family, of whom George W. became one of the 182 martyrs of the Alamo, March 6, 1836; Andrew Kent, from St. Charles, was another martyr, and we have a county named for each. The numerous family of McCoy, all good Indian fighters, came from Lincoln - Daniel, Joseph, ' Devil ; John and others. The wife of Joseph was another daughter of Capt. Clark. ' Devil ' John, who killed a fellowsoldier near Stout's Fort, in Lincoln, after the War of 1815, drifted into Arkansas, and entered Texas, several years before any of the others. He had quite a history, and was a clever man unless excited by liquor. The Collards, also quite numerous, were from Lincoln. David Clark, a son of Capt. Christopher, came later, and was killed by Indians in 1837. In that same year, in the wilderness, in the extreme northeast corner of the State, young McFarland and Turner, en route to Texas from Troy, were murdered by two robbers, father and son, both of whom were hung. Thacker Vivion, from about Auburn, came from Arkansas at a late day, but had a son killed by the Indians in 1848. From 1830 to 1834, Samuel Gibson and two of his sons, George and ' Big ' Jim, from near Auburn, made several trips to Texas, but only the latter finally remained. He, ' Big Jim, ' was a gallant soldier in my father's company, in the bloody battle of Velogeo, June 26, 1832. From St. Charles, in those days, came several families of the Zumwalt stock, representatives from the families of Baldridge, Burkett or Burgett, etc.

"Among late comers from Lincoln, were John S. Besser, Shapley P. Ross and others, besides additional kinsmen of the families first named. Taken altogether, enough is shown to form a kindly tie between Lincoln County and Texas, which has been strengthened by occasional recruits down to this time, covering a period of sixty years. I have omitted, strangely enough, for they were lifetime friends, the married daughters of Mrs. Riggs, near Troy, Mrs. James Shaw and Mrs. N. C. Ra) - mond, all now dead, and their brother, Sam Riggs. These hasty reflections, the work of a moment, might be extended, but might also be wearisome."

Hardships, Disadvantages, Etc

As is common in all newly settled countries, the early settlers of Lincoln County labored under many disadvantages, being deprived of highways and bridges, saw and grist-mills, postoffices, blacksmith, and other mechanical shops, and the conveniences and luxuries that their posterity now enjoy; yet, with all, they had some luxuries. They had choice venison, wild turkeys and wild honey, in great abundance, and with their "hoe cake' to sop in the meat gravy, or swim in the honey, they had food fit for a king. Wild game was then so plentiful, and so easily obtained, that the first settlers supplied their families with all the wild meat they could consume, and so many hollow trees in the forest were filled with wild honey, that that article was also easily ob- tained in great abundance. The price of grain and .'ill kinds of farm produce was then so low, and the markets bo distant, thai there was do Inducement for raising a surplus. Consequently many of the earl} Bettlers were content, after having cleared a few acres on which to raise corn to make meal for their i'aniiln and to feed their horses, to raise a home supply of regetabli and a patch of flax, which they manufactured into clothing. Spinning-wheels and the loom were then common articles of household furniture. A little cotton was also raised, and all cloth for wrearing apparel, such as cotton, linsey, jeans, flax-cloth, etc., was manufactured and made into clothing at home. Buttons were made out of wood or other hard substances, and covered with the same kind of cloth as that of which the garment was made.

Uncle Walton Perkins, before his death, published some reminiscences, in which he said : " The women thought they were dressed in the height of fashion when arrayed in fancy plaid linsey ; and we men were regular dudes in our own estimation when dressed in a new suit of flashing blue homespun jeans, trimmed in brass buttons." Then of the amusements incident to those days, he said: "We had our log-rollings, our puncheon-floor dances, our game hunts, and lastly, our corn shuckings. The latter was a popular pastime. We would gather at a neighbor's, and the first thing would be to choose captains. Then the captains would 'throw heads or tails,' to decide who should have first choice of men; the choosing would then continue until all were chosen, and - well, if corn-shucks ever flew, it was then." Add to these amusements, the "quiltings'' and the "apple cuttings," "corn shellings," etc., and the reader can have an idea of the life of the pioneer settlers.

Samuel Howell, an old settler of 1826, wrote that in 1828 corn was worth 15 cents per bushel, wheat 30 cents, bacon 1J cents per pound, best horses $30 to $40, best cows $5 to $7. all in trade. All money that then came into the county was horded up and taken to the land-office to pay for lands that had been entered. Stock required but little feeding the grass and mast being sufficient for their support. The mast was so plentiful that in many places it could be scooped up with shovels. It would so

One of the sources through which the early settlers obtained merchandise was the following: Wagons would come up from St. Louis at stated times, filled with such goods as the people needed. These goods would be exchanged for game and peltry. When it was known that a wagon had arrived in a neighborhood, the settlers would turn out with their rifles, and in a short time have it filled with deer, turkeys, etc.

A Bear Hunt

On one occasion, Eli Perkins, brother of Walton Perkins, while looking for deer in the neighborhood of the present poor house, saw a big buck cross the road. He fired at him, and in another instant he discovered a big black bear approaching him with savage intent. His gun being empty he reloaded and started on the retreat. The bear gave chase, and for some time it was a pretty tight race, but the bear finally stopped and returned to the woods. Walton Perkins went to Troy the next morning and mustered up a few boys, and together they set out for the bear. On entering the woods where Eli last saw Bruin, they soon discovered a bear's nest containing a dead cub, and three young bears about the size of a grown raccoon near by, and took after them. They retreated a short distance, and then took refuge in a tall oak tree. The boys then held a council to determine who should climb the tree, and shake the bears down. The task fell to Walton. It was not a pleasant job, as the cubs showed fight, and Walton was not certain whether he should get the bears or they him. He finally succeeded in shaking them down, and when they reached the ground, his associates pounced upon them, captured two and let the other one escape. Zadock Woods and Walton Perkins took possession of the bears. Walton's hung himself soon after, and the other lived to be grown. When the boys were enjoying the sport of capturing the cubs, the old bear was not around, otherwise this narrative might have been different.

Native Animals And Wild Fowls

hmu enclosed within the boundaries of Lincoln Count] was b vasi Bolitude, over which th<i native animals prowled, and the w 1 1 * 1 fowls sported, unmolested Bave by the Indian's arrow. The native species of animals were the buffalo, bear, elk, deer, wolf, lynx, catamount, panther, wildcat, raccoon, opossum, fox, woodchuck, skunk, rabbit, squirrel, etc., and of the wild fowls, there were geese, swans, turkeys, ducks, quails, and an almost innumerable variety of beautiful birds thai filled the " native wilds ' with the music of their songs. Ere the close of the last century, the buffaloes, scenting the approach of civilization, moved westward, and abandoned their pastures to the white man's plow. The other animals, seemingly, were not thus disposed to give up their native haunts, but remained until nearly all the larger kinds became extinct, in consequence of their destruction by the new possessors of the soil. The few that were not destroyed retired to the unsettled and undisturbed forests and prairies, that lay in advance of the onward march of civilization.

At the beginning of the settlement of the county the bears were not very numerous, and consequently not very troublesome to the settlers. They were fond of pigs, however, and not a few of these domestic animals were sacrificed to gratify Bruin's appetite. Being large animals, they could not well hide from the early settlers, whose combined efforts soon put a stop to their depredations, and caused them to become extinct in an early day. The elk were likewise scarce and soon disappeared. From the antlers found by early settlers, it is evident that very large animals of that species once existed here. Deer were very numerous - so numerous that herds containing as many as fifty each were frequently seen. Many of the first settlers supplied their families with all the venison they could consume, and for a long time only 25 cents could be realized for a "saddle of venison.'' A " saddle" consisted of the hind-quarters or hams, the balance of the carcass being usually thrown away. As the settlers increased in numbers, the deer decreased - venison became more of a rarity, and the animals were hunted, chased and killed until they finally became extinct. In the fall of 1862, u'illiam Watts, of the northeastern part of the county, killed fourteen deer, and never saw any afterward. It is believed that they became extinct during the war period.

The wolves were also very numerous, very destructive, and a greater source of annoyance to the early settlers than any other of the wild animals. They would destroy all the hogs, pigs especially, sheep and calves that they could get, and would sometimes devour grown cattle. Many a pioneer saved his first milch cow from destruction by these hungry and ferocious animals, by allowing her to feed around his cabin under the observance of his family during the day, and confining her at night in a tight log pen with a tight pole covering. They were the most destructive to sheep, and the only way that these domestic animals could be raised, while the wolves were numerous, was by confining them in tight pens at night. The wolves generally went in "packs" or "gangs," and at night kept up a continual howling around the pioneer's cabin. In 1829 the county court offered 50 cents each for wolf scalps, and in 1830 it offered 50 cents each for wolf scalps under six months old and §1 for those six months old or over. [Unless the officers knew just how to tell when a wolf was six months old by an examination of its scalp, it is most likely that Lincoln County paid $1 each for many scalps not quite six months old. J Bounties for wolf scalps have always continued to be paid. In the early days wolf scalps were legal tender for paying taxes. Being very destructive, and not good for food or anything at all, the wolves were hunted and killed with a view to their extermination ; and were so substantially exterminated that they ceased to be troublesome years ago, and now one is seldom ever heard of. The lynxes, catamounts, panthers and wildcats, all savage and destructive animals, have shared the fate of the wolves. Of these, probably the wildcats were the most numerous. All these latter animals belong to the feline race, and, like the wolves, are destructive and worthless.

The raccoons and opossums have also been numerous, and remain in considerable numbers yet. They have been extensively captured and used by the colored people as articles of food. The woodchucks still remain in limited numbers, and are also sometimes used for food. Foxes, as remarks an old settler, have been as plentiful as poultry is now. They are very destructive to poultry, and on this account have been chased and hunted for tln-ir extermination, but being bo sly and ounning, they still re main in sufficient numbers to l»t' quite annoj ing. Skunks | pole cats) have been numerous, and Bti.ll remain In Bufficieni quantitiea Fhough their odor is n<»t pleasant, they have one redeeming quality, their skins are valuable t'<>r la.iit-s1 muffs, etc. The

After the county was settled, and as long as game was plentiful, the people had their u Christmas frolics " during the holidays. That is, large numbers of men would assemble at certain points, well armed for the chase, and well supplied with horns for signals, and would extend a circular line around a certain tract of country, then commence blowing the horns and contracting the line, and thus drive the animals toward the center. In this way all kinds of animals would be corralled on a small spot of ground, and finding themselves surrounded, would attempt their escape through the closed up line of sportsmen. Then came the fun; many animals would be killed in attempting to pass through the line, and many would escape. Upon the settlement of the county, and for many years thereafter, the wild fowls, especially turkeys, were very numerous, but latterly all have become scarce. Most of the species of native birds still remain.