McDonald County, Missouri - Chapter 6: Towns and Villages, 1897

Chapter 6: Towns and Villages

This thriving town is located on the Kansas City, Pittsburg & Gulf railroad six miles northwest of Pineville, and is one of the leading business points in the county. For many years Beaver Springs, just above the present town site, has been a noted resort of the county for meetings and picnics. The water of the spring flows out from beneath a high stone bluff in a clear, cold stream of the finest quality and in great abundance, A nice grove in the valley near the spring added to the attraction and made it one of the loveliest places for many miles around. Many years before the war the Beaver Springs Missionary Baptist Association built a log church at this place. During the war it was bu rnt down. Another log church was built apout 1867. This served as a place of worship until about the year 1 884 when the present frame structure was erect- ed. Robert Anderson located there in 1887 and started a little country store and the post office was established that year, named Anderson. S. T. Bennett ran a saw mill here about the same time. When the railroad was built and a station established the place at once sprang into importance. The town of Anderson was surveyed and platted by M. E. Meador, April 8, 1891. In the following August, S. T. Bennett had Bennett's Addition to the town of Anderson laid off . Several good business houses and neat residences have been built and a vast amount of trade has been attracted to the town by the enterprise of its people.

John and William Pogue dug a well on their fathers farm on Buffalo creek, the place now owned by Royal Harrington, and had a town surveyed and platted in August, 1881. There never was any foundation for the pretention of medical properties for this water and no one ever put any faith in the town or its founders. A little stock of goods was kept there a short time, but the land was again fenced into the farm after a couple of years and Buffalo City put back into cultivation.

This was formerly a small village on Buffalo creek some mile or two above the state line. Jim and Lee Skinner built a mill here some years before the war which was burnt during that unpleasant period. Hiram Young rebuilt it and for some time had an upright saw for the purpose of making lumber. In late years W. G. Smith kept a stock of general merchandise and George Hurley had a drug store. The old mill was replaced several years ago by one with good sets of corn and wheat burrs and did quite an extensive business until the roller process came into general use. The mill is still operated, but all other, business has long since been abandoned or moved away. Bill Roberts, who once kept a store there gave it the name, but I have not been able to find any one who knows from what it is derived.

Caverna is located near the Arkansas line on Little Sugar creek, and has a water mill and store. This has been a mill site for the last fifty years or more. The water power is fine and capable of running more than ten times the machinery it now operates. Should a rail road ever be built through that part of the county it is liable to become a flourishing little town. The post office was established here about 1867. There are numerous caves m this vicinity, some quite extensive, and the name was derived from them.

Coy is now a post office and small trading point on Patterson creek just below the widow Mc- Millin farm. Along about 1883 Sterling Mitchell, son of W. B. Mitchell went to Texas and there married a young lady of considerable fortune. Young Mitchell, with his new bride, came back to McDonald county when he conceived the idea of building a mill and laying out a town at the upper end of his father's farm. He soon had the enterprise under headway and the mill was soon running. Mitchell, however, soon sold out and went back to Texas. The mill changed hands a few times, when it was purchased by T. H. Wimpey and George McCoy, who operated it successfully for several years, doing a general merchant and custom business and running a saw mill in connection. T. H. Wimpey, Frank Beeman, Howard Langley and W. G. Smith were among those who kept stores there. In 1896 the mill was moved to Tiff City, but a saw mill was soon located on the old site. The store for the past year or two has been run by John and Dallas Seabourn and Wm. Cunningham. McCoy sold

About the time of the excitement over Medical Water, an effort was made to build up a health resort at Crystal spring about two miles north of Pineville. J. P. LaMance was one of the leading men in the enterprise. A company was formed and an assessment was made in August 1881 for the purpose of building a hotel. Nothing was done beyond the erection of one or two small buildings, and the project was soon abandoned.

Cyclone is the name given to a small trading point on Big Sugar creek about eight miles above Pineville. It has a water mill and a general store. J. A. Poster keeps the store and has charge of the post office which was established in 1883.

When the rail road was built through this county in 1890, a small station has established in the northwest part of Erie township. This went under the name of Erie Station, and New

Erie, but was finally named Wade, in honor of W. H. Wade, then member of Congress from this district. It was not a very desirable location and, beyond a few small dwellings and two or three little business houses, never made much growth. When the railroad passed into the Kansas City, Pittsburg & Gulf Company, the town of Donohue was laid out and a good depot built there. It is quite a point for shipping timber for the lead and coal mines.

In ante bellum days Elk Mills promised to be the leading town of the county. Situated on the Elk River near the Nation line, surrounded by the broad river bottom farms and in close proximity to the fertile valleys of Patterson and Buffalo creeks with the rich prairies within a couple of miles, its inhabitants might well look forward to a bright future. Besides, the water facilities here are most excellent and easily utilized. As long ago as the early 50 's there was a good big grist mill here, and in 1856 there was a hotel, kept by L. Richtus. Aron Scritchfield was black smith. W. H. Sorrels kept a drug store. E. S. Lindsey, W. N. Manter and Jameson and Manter each kept stocks of general merchandise. Several other families, among whom was Dr. Trader, lived there, The mill was burnt during

This town was located on the farm now occupied by the widow Keenan on Patterson creek. It sprung up when the Indians were first removed to the Indian Territory and up to the war was a trading point of considerable importance. Jim Bly kept a store and the post office. William Bly, who married a Cherokee in Georgia had a steam distillery. John Patterson built the mill there which afterwards belonged to Caulk. A part Cherokee named David Harlin, at one time owned the distillery. He sat out twenty-five acres in peach trees for the purpose of raising fruit to make peach brandy. Samuel Lane, of Roan county Tennessee, was the blacksmith until 1846, when he died. There were thirty or forty houses in the village, and about two hundred inhabitants.

The first post office was established at Erie in 1851, at the residence of JohnM. Harmon. It remained there until Mr. Harmon's death in 1861!. The office was discontinued until 1868 when it was re-established. This same year the town of Erie was laid off at the instance of Dan Harmon, he being" the owner of the land Since that time it has been a small trading point, there being usually one or two stores. The best business house ever built there was a one story brick put up by Dan Harmon about 1890 or 1891. It was burnt with the entire contents, a stock of general merchandise owned by Charlie Harmon, on the night of March 12, 1895. This proved a severe loss to the worthy young man, who was at the time dangerously ill with pneumonia, and the place has never regained its former business prosperity. This village is situated in a fertile part of the county, which is inhabited by an intelligent, thrifty and agreable set of people.

This was a post office at the forks of Buffalo creek and Sugar Fork, established a few years after the first settlement in that vicinity. It was on the route from Neosho to Maysville. Richard Price was post master for several years before the war. Along in the eighties, while W. T. Child held the position, he resigned, and the office was discontinued for a while. Dr. Maynard located there, put up a small store and the office was revived under the name of May. Gates was so called from General Gates, and May from the first syllable of the doctor's name, or that of his

Prior to 1840, the northwest part of Buffalo township was very sparsely settled. The road from Seneca to Southwest City left the state line near the Newton county line and swung out into the Nation for some three or four miles. The Plat Woods between Buffalo creek and the state line was almost an unbroken forest. In 1883 Phillip Rinehart interested the neighbors in cutting a road straight through thus enabling travelers to cut off the bend into the Nation. The post offices for the community were Seneca or Tiff City, each about seven miles distant. The writer presented a petition to the county court to establish the public road as made by Mr. Rinehart and the same year made application to establish a post office on the route. This application was endorsed by W. T. Child, P. M. at Gates, and in a short time an order was recieved to select as short and convenient a name as possible. Mr. or Mrs Child suggested Hart, the last syllable of Mr. Rinehart 's name, and in in a few weeks we were getting our mail daily almost at our doors. Mr. Rinehart served for some time, then the office was moved from his house to Chandler's mill. Tom Cummings built the house now occupied by William Spraggins and for a while the office was kept at his house. About 1885, C. Tucker bought out Cummings, and put up a neat store building and a nice stock of goods. He soon built up a good trade and for a few years did well. Since that time Hart has been a considerable trading point as well as post office.

Among the traditions of the Indians who formerly inhabited this section of country, was one of the healing qualities of the springs near Indian creek. The first white men to visit the country were told of them, but the Indians could never be induced to reveal their location. The older settlers who claim to be posted in the lore of the community, say that a man named Friend, one of the first settlers on Indian creek, made a search for the springs and found the famous Four Great Medical Springs. One of his family being severely afflicted with rheumatism the water was used and a cure speedily effected. Mrs. Carroll used the water about 1840, and a most remarkable cure was the result. There being but few people in the country, and the means of spreading news meager, the medicinal properties seem to have been forgotten and the use of the water discontinued until 1880. About this time J. J. McNatt and a few others took an interest in the springs and arrangements were made to more thoroughly test the medical properties of the water. The result proving satisfactory, a village was laid out July 7, 1881. R. W. Williams, Robert Anderson and John Barlow were the trustees, and T. J. Golden, treasurer. In seven days two hundred lots were sold and twenty buildings erected. The town enjoyed a lively boom, people flocking in from all directions. The growth was so rapid that in August of the same year, McNatt laid out an addition to the town, Williams & Tennison another; Williams & McNatt a third, and in March, 1882, Boyden a fourth. When at its best the population was estimated at near 2000. The four springs were nicely improved with walls fencing, pipes, etc., bath houses built, substantial business houses erected, and the little city had every appearance of permanence. A handsome City Park was reserved, a rostrum and band stand erected, and here for several years were held picnics, public meetings celebrations, etc., where large crowds always assembled to enjoy the hospitality of the people of the famous Indian Medical Springs.

One part of the city was named College Hill and on this was built a handsome two-story school house 36x56 feet being for many years the best school building in the county. A handsome hotel called the Planter's was built there, and for some time did a good business. It is the largest and best arranged hotel building ever erected in McDonald county.

But the fates were against Indian Springs and the boom soon bursted. The town gradually fell into decay. Many buildings were moved away; some were destroyed by fire, while others were left vacant until destroyed by the ravages of time.

In 1887 Dr. J. C. PeTit, of Joplin rented the hotel and undertook to establish a printing office and infirmary. He advertised quite extensively, and for a while there was hopes of reviving the fortunes of the town. But this enterprise failed, and, now but little is left of the once famous town. P. M. Pink has a neat stock of general merchandise and also runs the hotel. Robert Duffield has a small general stock.

The following taken from the history of Mc- Donald county published in 1888, is a beautiful description of the lake and its surroundings. The steam boat has since been sold and the grand excursions numbered with the pleasures that went with the passing of the city :

G6 History Of Mcdonald County

"At the foot of the hill some 100 yards from the town is lake Mc Natt, a beautiful body of water, formed by the dam across Indian creek, and is about three miles in length by half a mile wide, its waters as clear as crystal and varying in depth from five to fifteen feet, its banks diversified with beautiful valleys, wooded hills and rocky cliffs, whose tops, in places, project for many feet over the water and are reflected in its clear depths. On this lake has been built a beautiful little side-wTheel steam boat capable of seating about seventy-five persons, and nothing is more enjoyable than a ride around the lake on this boat, giving one a fine view of the wooded hills and rocky cliffs on one side, and the fertile valleys and cultivated fields on the other, and at the foot of the lake the mill, with its whirr and bustle and busy scenes of active life, reminding us that we are not wholly seggregated from the great work-day world about us. NowThere in all the great Southwest can there be found within the same radius a more beautiful or picturesque region than that immediately surrounding this place."

In 1886 Dr. Fausett in the employment of a Pennsylvania Oil company bored down to a depth of b44 feet where he struck a strong vein of white sulphur water which flows with great force. It is located on a high bank of Indian creek and is surounded by various other springs. The oil project, was abandoned, but M. R. DeGroff, I. D. Galbraith T. C. Lanagan and others purchased the land and, when the railroad was built, conceived the idea of building a town. It was called Sulphur Well City. But little was done with it until the railroad, or Ozark Orchard Company secured the most of the land when a depot was built and the place named Lanagan. The well has been sealed up, all but a small stream and the water conducted to a tank and fountain near the depot. This fountain is quite a novel sight and is admired by the many hundreds of people who stop at this station on their way up and down the road. This artesian well flows with sufficient force and volume to supply a good big town, while its medical qualities are nowhere surpassed in the Great Southwest. A beautiful park with numerous sprays and fountains and lakes could easily be made here supplied by this 1 'natural water works ' ' and Lanagan be made one of the most attractive of health resorts. At present it is a prosperous little village with three stores, two hotels a new church and school house, and is doing a large timber business. C. Lewis & Son for several years have kept a large stock of goods here, run a saw mill and done per-

For many years T. A. Marshall kept a store on his farm in Elk River township, but when the railroad was built the town of Noel was platted and he moved his business to that place. There has never been any effort to boom this town, but it has had a steady and permanent growth. One of the best business houses in the county is at Noel. It is a substantial one story stone containing four large rooms, Two are occupied by Marshall, Tatum & Co., one by Dr. Beeson'sdrug store, the other by Charles Gratz, hardware. There are several other small stores in town. C. E. Davis has just completed a handsome hotel building. The O'Jo Club House, which stands on the promontory between Butler creek and the river is a handsome place. The grain elevator, draws much important business and, in connection with the stock yards, makes Noel the most important shipping point in the county for grain and live stock.

This town is noted for the beauty of its location, the style and neatness of its dwellings and its water facilities for fishing, bathing and boating.

On the 11th day of June, 1847, the present site of Pineville was surveyed for Samuel Burke, who then owned the land. Nine blocks were laid out, the center one being reserved for a public square. On this the first court house was built a few years later. The new town was named Maryville, in honor of Mrs. Mary Mosier, wife of J\ K. Mosier.

At this time Newton county embraced all of the territory now included in McDonald county and the records of the location of Maryville are on file in that county. Incident to the contest over the county seat that came up soon afterward; also partly owing to the fact that the pine forests reached almost to the borders of the town, and considerable pine lumber was sawed there, the name was changed to Pineville, a few years after its first survey. Another reason given for the change of name is that there was another Maryville in this state.

When the act of March 3, 1849, passed the legislature providing for the organization of McDonald county, the commissioners were appointed and ordered to meet at Pineville. But the little town of Rutledge became a contestant for the county seat, and a county seat war was at once precipitated. After a three days election Rutledge won by a small majority, and that place became the seat of justice until it was finally relocated at Pinevilleinl857. J. K. Mosier and John B. King were among the leading spirits in favor of Pineville, and Joseph Pearson and Burton McGhee, in favor of Rutledge.

The contest spread from the rival towns until it became a struggle between the two ends of the county. During this time considerable ill feelings were engendered, and several fist and skull fights occured between members of the two factions. Propositions were bandied back and forth to meet at the ford of the river and "fight the battle of Beuna Vista'" over again, and let the result settle the matter. But this was done rather in a spirit of humor or bravado.

In the History of this county published in 1888 is the following account: "The row over the county seat in 1849 resulted in the murder of Colpin Goss by Simon Cockerill, David Finch, by Hamp Walters, and in old man Finch stabbing Walters at the same time, from the effects of which he died some time later. '

Dr W. C Duval, then a practicing physician at Rutledge and an eye witness of the killing of Copeland, not Coplin, Goss says it was done in a drunken row. and that both parties were west end men. Several parties were drunk and were urging Goss onto Cockerill. The Dr. got between them and for some time kept them apart, but his efforts to make peace between the two parties was thwarted by some one catching him from behind and pulling him out of the way. At the same instant Goss was pushed onto Cockerill, who at once fired his pistol, the ball passing through Goss' heart. The Dr. also states that the Finch and Walters murders arose from a similiar spree.

The west end of the county contained the largest population, consequently were able to out vote the east end, but in 1857, an act of the legislature was procured providing for the location of the county seat within a certain distance of the center of the county.

This left Rutledge out of .consideration, and Pineville, being the only point available, was selected as the permanent county seat. At this time the name Mary vill was changed to Pineville. The town was located in the northwest quarter of section 34, township 22, range 32, J. K. Mosier donated seventeen and one -half acres, Henry Miller twenty acres, John B. King fifteen acres, and A. A. Hensleyten acres. The commissioners who relocated the county seat where, Lyman Beeman, Moses Shelton and William. McClure. They performedthis important piece of business, Hie first Monday in January, 1858.

The records of their transaction, and all subsequent conveyances, were destroyed during the Civil War, and a suit to establish the title to those lands was afterwards instituted in the circuit court, and a decree rendered to that effect.

That the people of the new county seat had confidence in its future is evidenced by the price of the lots which were sold March 22, 1857. William Southward purchased Lot 1, Block 42, for $100.25. Thomas H. Howeth purchased Lot 1, Block 49 for $101. Willis R. Cox purchased Lot 3, Block 40 for $100,10. John Carroll purchased Lot 3, Block 32 for $100. D. T. Lauderdale and 1. 1. Hackney purchased Lot 4 Block 42 for $100. Richard Kelley purchased Lot 4, Block 32 for $100. Thomas P. Bradley purchased Lot 2, Block 23 for $50. Various other lots were purchased at the same sale, the lowest price being two lots for $45. One-fourth of the money was paid in cash.

About the month of August, 1858, Thomas H. Howeth assigned his interest in Lot 1, Block 49 to W. C. Duval, and in January 1859 J. P. La- Mance bought the interest of William Southward to Lot 1, Block 42. Smith Elkins was the first County Seat Commissioner for the sale of lots. He was succeeded by G. C. Culp. It appears that all the lots were sold except the court house square and half the jail lot.

The first buildings erected at this place were of logs, John Starns having built the first house in what is now the southwest part of town. A log house was soon after put up just back of where Walter's store now is. It was used for a saloon. The old Pineville hotel, which was torn down in 1894, was built a few years before the war. Among the few Ante-Bellum houses that are still standing are: The brick hotel now occupied by John Ware. It was then known as the Russell House and was operated by Colonel Russell; the dwelling now owned by Joseph W. Kelley, which was then occupied by Dr. A. W. Ohenoweth; the residence now owned by J. H. Moffett, and the house now owned by Mrs. Bradley. In 1858 Claudius B. Walker built a twostory frame hotel near where the south end of Farmer & Son's store now is. This was burnt by bushwhackers during the war.

Among the business men in Pineville prior to 1861 were J. C. Baber, who located here in 1858. From that time to 1891 he was one of the leading men of the town and county, J. P. LaMance was then a merchant doing business at the northwest corner of the square where Noel & Chen- -oweth's hardware now is. Samuel Carroll had -a grocery store on the lots now occupied by J. K. Maxfield's building. Samuel K. Cotter was doin°r business where Farmer's store now is.

The first court house was a one- story frame, built on the lots now occupied by Bradley's livery stable. This was used until the brick court house was completed on the site of the present one, about the beginning of the war. The old court house was on the same plan as the present one, but was three stories, the upper one having been built by the Free Masons. It is said, however, that it was never occupied by them. In August or September, 1863 a raid was made on the town b}^ a band of bushwhackers and the court house, with all the records there, was set fire to and burnt.

A few of the papers and records had been carried away by A. A. Hensley, the clerk, but the larger portion had been stored away in the attic. M. N. LaMance, who witnessed the burning, states that he saw the records fall from the attic into the fire below.

During the war the town suffered to some extent from the ravages incident to the conflict, but since that time it has built up slowly, but gradually and at the present time has a number of good residences and substantial brick business houses.

ers petitioned the county court to incorporate the town, which was accordingly done, and R. L. Hargrove, J. C, Baber, Z. Smith, J. P. La- Mance and Isam Williams were appointed a board of trustees. The organization proved ineffective and too expensive for so small a place and was soon abandoned. It was again incorporated in 1895, A. C. Walters, J. H. Moffett, A. K. Maxfield, Dr. J. C. Farmer, M. N. LaMance, being appointed trustees; A. V. Manning City Attorney. The organization is still in force.

Pineville has not suffered much loss by fire, except during the war. However, March 19, 1879, a fire broke out in Farmer & Chenoweth's drug store that destroyed all the business houses on the west side of the square north of where LaMance's brick now stands. Besides Farmer & Chenoweth's store, Malin's drug store, Brown's dry goods store, J. W. Warmack's grocery store and the News printing office were burnt. The origin of the fire is not definitely known, but it was supposed to have been the work of an incendiary, instigated by a spirit of revenge against Dr. Chenoweth on account of his persistent fight against the liquor traffic.

There was no church building at Pineville in the earlier days, but the Methodist held services in a store building on Main street somewhere in the vicinity of the site of the Pineville, or Wilson, hotel. This old building has long since been torn down or otherwise destroyed. In 1868, the old Methodist church was erected which served until 1896, when the present handsome structure was erected, and the old one torn down and the lumber used in building a neat Parsonage.

The first public school at this place was established a few years before the war. A frame school house was built in the northeast part of town near where Julian Lamb or Mrs. Morrison now lives. School was held for a while in the old frame court house, but whether before or after the war I have not been able to ascertain. The old brick school house was built sometime in the seventies. The present two-story brick was erected in 1894, at a cost of $2,500.

Powell has been a central point for that part of the county since the first settlement. A small grist mill and a distillery were the first enterprises started, which were operated until about 1861. Since the war there has been a store most of the time. The post office was established a few years after the war. G. W. Howard now keeps the store, and there are one or two blacksmith shops.

Rocky Comfort is a nice little town in the northeast corner of the county, and has a population of between 200 and 300 people. It can boast of as fine a set of citizens as can be found in the great Southwest. They have a handsome school house, good churches, and almost all branches of business are represented. It is located in the heart of a rich agricultural country which is settled by a thrifty class of people.

The first part of the name was given from the ground being originally covered with rocks on the hill sides, while the beautiful valley with the spring of cold water suggested the name of Comfort. The euphony of the name can not be fully realized until one has seen the place and been an eye witness to its appropriateness. There were a few families at this place as early as 1850, and a few houses are still standing that were built before the war. The post office was established in 1865 or 1866. Before that time the people got their mail at Hazle Bottom in Barry county, where a post office was established about 1845.

of Indian creek. It bears the distinction of having beaten Pineville for the county seat in three seperate election. The town dates back to 1849. Dr. Duval located at this place when he first came to the county. Pearson kept a hotel. Wear & Farmer were merchants in the early day, afterwards selling to J. P. LaMance. Richard Kelley kept a saloon. There were, perhaps, many good people in the vicinity, but, "The evil that men do live after them,' so it seems to be with this little town. It was here that a drunken mob pushed Copeland Goss onto Simon Cocke rill, causing him to be shot through the heart. Here Hamp Walters killed Daniel Pinch by stabbing him from the rear with a long, murderous bowie knife. It is related that one night A A. Hensley, Adam Mosier and others, while on a spree, threw down the old log court house. The removal of the county seat left nothing of the town but the name. Since the building of the railroad a switch has been placed there and one or two small stores have been in operation most of the time. The place is now called Madge.

of the finest springs of water in this famous country of springs. It flows boldly from the side of the bluff some thirty or forty feet above the bottom of the hill in a stream some three or four inches in diameter. At the top of the hill, some two hundred yards away, on a nice, level tract of land, part timber and part prairie, was laid out the town of Saratoga Springs. The original town was surveyed in October, 1880, for Bullock, Wisdom & Cox. Bullock & Wisdom's first addition, Bullock & Whitney's second addition, and Colvin & Baker's addition were all laid out in November, 1881.

This was one of the Medical Springs towns and for a year or two promised to be a place of some importance. It had the prettiest location and most abundant water supply of all the medical towns. Several good business houses and many neat dwellings were erected. A good school was maintained, and a newspaper flourished in its xoalmiest days. But the pride of her glory has long since departed; the bloom of her beauty faded slowly away, and there is now only a few families, a post office and a couple of small stores remaining of the once promising little city.

away through the waters of a spring on section 6, township 22, range 29, and, in anticipation of the vast treasures of the white metal they expected to gather from the adventure, in August 1881, had the town of Silver Springs surveyed. But the seasons came and went. William 's beard grew grizzled, and the cheeks of the fair Arzela lost the pink tint of youth, but adversity napped her wings over the enterprise, and their bright dreams of stocking legs filled with the shining metal vanished for aye - and the water still trickles through the gravel as of yore.

shelves and the rattle of mice in the empty sugar barrels awoke them from their bright dreams, and a melancholy search was made in the recesses of their jeans for about #2000 to settle the liabilities.

McDonald county is not wholly devoid of financial enterprises and the town of Splitlog was the product of a scheme that at the time produced great excitement in our usually quiet community.

About 1880 Dr. Benna, an old California prospector, entered forty acres of land and began prospecting for gold and silver. He was without means, consequently his work progressed slowly. The Dr. in some respects, was a peculiar individual and there is little doubt that he honestly believed there were bodies of the precious metals, could he only find them. He continued his work as best he could for upwards of five years. In the summer of 1886 he succeeded in getting M. W. Clay of Newton county and Smith Nichols of Seneca, interested in the project and they took leases and at once began prospecting. They were apparently more successful than the doctor had been, for they soon took out dirt that on being sent to Chicago made a very encouraging assay. Nichols soon disposed of his interest and Mathias Splitlog a very wealthy Indian was induced to take hold of the enterprise. He put down a number of shafts, built a fine hotel and two or three business houses. The assavs continued to be favorable and the excitement spread, The Neosho Silver Mining Company, The Philadelphia Company, and the St Louis Company took leases or purchased lands. It is claimed that the Philadelphia company paid $15,000 for the south half section 9, township 23, range 33, a particularly barren and worthless tract of land.

Confident of ultimate success, and that the city which bore his name would soon be the center of a rich mining district, Splitlog conceived the idea of building a railroad to his mines. A company was formed, a charter procured and the road built and equipped from Joplin to Splitlog, the old Indian furnishing most of the money. In the mean time he had sold a tract of land near Wyandott, Kansas, for $170,000, and most of this he had invested in his ugreat project."

By this time it had been fully demonstrated that the mines were worthless; the rich quartz was just common McDonald county rock, and a poor quality at that. Splitlog 's bank account was about non est and the great balloon instead of busting all at once had received a puncture and was dying with a gradual "squizzle.'

But there was too much money invested in the rail road to let it be abandoned. Eastern men were induced to take hold of it, and work was begun to extend it both north and south. For a while it was under the management of H W.

Bush, afterwards of John B. Stevenson. The route was changed and Splitlog left a couple of miles off the road. Finally the K. C. P. & G. Co. bought it, and for some years it has been in operation from Kansas City to Siloam Springs, Arkansas. Last year it was pushed on through a portion of the Indian Territory, and is now completed to Pout Arthur, on the Gulf of Mexico. The little road begun by Mathias Splitlog has grown to be one of the most important north and south roads in the United States. He died at his home in the Indian Territory, about two miles below Tiff City, in January, 1897. A post office and small store, with a few families is all there is left of this once promising town.

This is the largest and most important town in McDonald county, and contains many substantial business houses, neat and handsome dwellings, and has a population of some 1,200 people. It is located near the southwest corner of the state, the name being derived from the location. After talking with a number of the old citizens of that place and looking over the situation I have concluded that the following account taken from the history of this county published in

"The town now known as Southwest City is admirably located on the border of the Indian Territory, and within 6600 feet of the corner stone of Arkansas, Missouri and the Indian country. Within the town, and about it on the north, west and east, crystal springs pour from the hill- sides, while Honey Creek, which runs through the center, is itself a spring stream. North is the celebrated Cow Skin Prairie and the great fields of the Cherokees. Westward is the Indian paradise, and south and southwest is the great pine and hard wood region of the Grand Neosho. Within the last few years social conditions have entirely changed so that now the cattlemen enter town in peace and leave in peace. Even the Indians have realized the change, and conform to it with ease and dignity, giving to the new city some of the old sweetness of the former settlement of Honey Creek.

"J. P. LaMance and Burton McGhee were the first settlers of Southwest City in 1842. In the spring of 1843, Mr. Lamance and his wife moved one-half mile out to Case's Spring, and took posession of one of Case's log huts; thence in March, 1843, to the site of what is now Saratoga Springs, where he resided until 1845, when he was appointed government school teacher in the Nation. Burton McGhee opened a tavern there

1842. Adani Cole settled three-fourths of a nr rs south of McGhee's three or four years latdyf Case was a horse- trader, who came here to traa-- with the Indians and found the cabins abovt named. In one of these cabins Jennie LaMance, who died in her sixteenth year, was born. In 1846 Burton McGhee established his trading house or general store here, and for ten years after that date carried on a large business. In 1856 he sold his stock of goods to J. P. LaMance and returned to his farm on CowT Skin Prairie, where he died.

A part of the McGhee property was sold by the administrator of the estate to J. C. Lamson after the close of the wrar. In 1870 Mr. Lamson had a town site surveyed here under the name of South wrest City. The LaMance store was con - tinued here until the close of 1861. In 1866 a house was built by Alex Struthers north of what is now the Corum House, and in this building LaMance and Struthers continued business until 1869, when J. Struthers purchased their respective interests. The Barton store was established in 1871. In 1870, when Col. Shields built his hotel, now the Corum House, John and Alex Struthers' store stood where the Struther's dwelling stood before the lire of 1877. South was Pollard's blacksmith shop, the same which Barton fitted for a store-room. About this time ie tobacco warehouse of Col. Bondurst on Wet 'rairie was confiscated, and much of the lumber wrought to the new city and partly used in building the houses just south of the Smith & Seabourn brick block. Hugh Blair lived in a cabin 100 yards west of the same block. A blacksmith shop, stood fifty yards north of Honey creek, on the west side of the road. ' '

The first school taught here was by Lee Smith, about 1869 or 1870. It was in a small frame building, lined with brick, which stood a few yards southeast of where Mrs. Fannie Preston's residence now is. The old two-story frame school house was built about 1885. The present, a handsome two-story brick with six rooms was built in 1896, at a cost of $5,000.

During its nearly thirty years existence this little city has had many exciting scenes, the two most noted of which are the fire which occured Sunday, January 10, 1892, and the bank robbery, which took place May 10, 1894. They are graphically described in the Enterprise of January 16, 1892, and May 11, 1894 respectively as follows:

' 'On Sunday morning last at about 4:30 o'clock a loud explosion, which shook the very earth and made the windows and shutters rattle in every home in Southwest City and which awakened cur citizens, was but the prelude to the cryrs fire, fire, which resounded through our streebf accompanied by the furious ringing of bells anthe cries of people as they frantically rushet from their homes to the scene.

When first discovered smoke was seen issuing from the Masonic Temple over Smith & Seabourn's hardware store, and the light from the flames could be plainly seen playing against the curtained windows.

Mr. Turner, a photographer, who sleeps in his tent-gallery opposite the hardware store on the other side of the street, was awakened by the violent concussion of the shock and a shower of plate glass and other broken matter, against his tent. In less than a half minute he was in the hardware building with a bucket of water he had snatched up. The whole front was blown out which accounted for the previous shower of glass, which awakened him. A place was burning in the back part of the building, apparently half-way across the room between two joists, and the lamp which was suspended had fallen to the floor and broken and the oil was burning, which he promptly put out. But fire was droping from the ceiling all around and he hurried back to replenish his bucket with water. By the time he got back with the water quite a number had congregated, and the fire by this time as bursting from the windows up stairs and he fire in the interior of the hardware was dropping down steadily, but hesitated when the other explosion occurred - one, two, three times. ' 'In the mean time Mr. Mastin, who works in the back part of the room in the harnes-making department, arrived at the back door which was open. He was engaged in trying to get down some harness to carry out when another explosion occurred and he quit precipitately. The fire was then nearly all in front of the hardware and was spreading through the archway which connects the general merchandise room and is at the back of the entrance of Smith Bros, drug store which was located between the two stores. In ten minutes the whole building was in flames up and down stairs and it was with difficulty that parties having offices in the second story of the adjoining building north reached them and saved a few effects, for the smoke was stifling. In about half an hour three adjoining bricks were in flames and the flames were still spreading. Froni this block of bricks the fire, which was intensely hot, spread to Dumont's grocery and Dr. Frank Smith's office. The fire on the north jumped the side street across to the Gorton building, a frame, which contained Murph Harmon, s saloon, and all heroic measures failed to keep it from going; awnings were torn away from before the saloon and Sanders <fe Morrison's store on the north and a line of bucket men stood on the roof of Sanders & Morrison's fire wall, which is a hollow one, and together wTith a free use of salt the building was saved, although badly damaged.

' 'Dr. Frank Smith's office was the last building on the southern limits of the burned district to go with the rest. It was a small one-story frame and was partly torn down by the force of men on this side. A line of men with buckets and wet blankets, re-inforced by plenty of water, kept watch and fought valirntly from the firewall of Mrs. Dustin's drug store, which is also a blind wall, and the fire was finally got under full control. But forces of workers were busy on the front of the Corum House, oppsite the scene of the fire and wet blankets and water did their work well. The front of John Struthers' store on the same side of the street as the Corum House, was subjected to like treatment.

"In the mean time the large frame implement ware-house of Smith & Seabourn's at the back of the block could not be saved, and out-buildings galore were wiped up in the immediate vicinity, among which was Mrs. Dustin's barn and contents, D. E. Havens' ware house, and only by the best of work was Mrs. Dustin's residence saved.

Among The Losers

C. U. DuMont's grocery lost about $200, principally contents of his ware room. However he retreated in very good shape considering. No insurance on stock.

In the G. A. R. Hall over D E. Haven's store, the belongings of that order, also of the S. of V. and W. R. C. were almost a complete loss. The first lost goods valued at $125; S. of V., at $10; W. R. C, $25.

house on back, which contained oil and bulk goods. He places his loss at about $200, a great share of which he attributes to persons of pilfering habits.

Drs. Quarles & Christian's offices and contents were almost a complete loss. Dr. Quarles, however, saved a couple armloads of books from his fine library. The loss to him and his office associate is nearly $1,200. Books, instruments and all went, except what they had at their homes on the night in question.

Smith Bros., druggists, lost their entire stock, but they were insured to the amount of si, 000 on stock. Books, papers and cash taken from safe after the fire were uninjured. W. F. Smith, the junior member, lost the Gorton building valued at $400, in which Murph Harmon conducted his saloon. Mr. Harmon is out about $250, principally in bar fixtures, a great part of his liquor stock being saved. What was saved of his bar fixtures were so badly damaged as to render them almost worthless.

Smith & Seabourn are the heaviest losers by the fire, their loss being estimated at $20,000. Their brick block comprised four large, handsome business rooms; overhead were the Enterprise office, Drs. Quarles & Christian's office, Opera house and Masonic hall. Their hardware stock was a total loss, except implements and wagons, etc., which were stored in their warehouse, a part of which were saved. About $3- 000 worth of general merchandise and $1,000 worth of implements were got beyond the reach of the flames. Papers and safe contents taken out. No insurance.

"About 3,30 o'clock yesterday afternoon seven well armed men rode into town from the south and dismounted in the street, just back of the post office, and tied their horses. Three of them made their way immediately to the bank while the other four took positions, two in the pool hall just north and across the street from the post office, while the other two stood in Dr. Nichol's yard. The first words heard from them was an order for every body to hunt holes, accompanied by an oath. To give their language more force, they began firing their Winchesters, and kept up a f uscilade. The men proceeded to the bank and covered Mr. Ault, the owner of the bank, and Mr. Snyder, an assistant with revolvers. Two of the men immediately crawled through the cashier's window, while the third held revolvers on Mr. Ault and Mr. Snyder.

slant firing at every one who dared to show his head. While the three men were in the bank, the four men on the outside were doing deadly execution with their Winchesters,

Ex-State Senator Seabourn and brother Oscar were in front of Mrs. Dustin's hardware store when the shooting began, and as they started for the store door two shots fired simultaneously struck them, and singularly, in very nearly the same place, just above the right hip joint in close proximity to the lower abdomen. The ball that hit J. C. passed through, while the ball that hit Oscar had lodged, and at this wilting has not been located. M. V. Hembree, who was in W. L. Barker's saloon, received a ball in the ankle almost severing his leg, and will probably have to be amputated. By this time men had secured guns aud returned the fire, and the robbers made retreat as fast as possible. As they passed the street to Broadway and turned south, they encountered Simpson Melton, Deputy U. S. Marshal and fired three shots at him, one taking effect in the right leg, making a flesh wound. Melton returned the fire, hitting one of their horses which had to be abonded in the south part of town.

They rode good horses and the men were under middle age, and it is reported that one of the men was recognized as one of the parties who was arrested on suspicion as being connected with the Bentonville robbery a few months ago. Mr. Ault, of the bank, informs us that the robbers secured in the neighborhood of $3,700. Fortunately for Mr. Ault, his insurance covers nearly, if not all the loss. After securing the money Mr. Ault and Mr. Snyder were marched with the robbers to their horses, and then ordered to find holes and be quick about it.

The robbers met a warm reception as they turned south on Broadway, as several parties, including City Marshal, Carlyle, D. E. Havens, G. W. Smith, E. W, Eslinger and S. Melton were there with their guns, and were not afraid to use them. It is supposed that one of their horses was shot at that time by S. Melton, and another one was shot by J. D. Powell, who put in some good work as they passed his house. Charles Pranks and Dick Prater also gave them a dose as they passed the Baptist church.

It is pretty well known that two of the robbers were wounded as they stopped several teams going into town and secured horses, and their wounds were plainly seen. One is shot near the eye and the other in the back or hip, as in changing horses he was not able to handle him- self. They took a horse from Shade Johnson, and one from a man by the name of Vaughn and another from Dave Smith, but afterward turned it loose as it could not travel fast enough.

The robbers went in a southwesterly direction and track of them was finally lost some distance below Grand river. That night they stopped for supper some twelve or fourteen miles below Southwest, where they dressed their wounds. The lady who got their supper stated that six of the seven were wounded. Various parties were suspected and three arrests were made. Dr. Wynn and a man named Sparks were the first two. After investigating the matter, Sparks was discharged, but Wynn was placed in jail until the next term of court. The grand jury failed to find a bill and he was released. James Condry was indicted, but the case was nollied, there being no evidence against him.

In the course of time it was demonstrated to the satisfaction of most of the people of the town that the raid had been made by Bill Doolin and his gang. One of them died of a wound received in this robbery, five were afterwards killed, and the other one is now serving a term three or four business houses all of which enjoy a fair trade. It is rather a pretty place and is surrounded by the most picturesque scenery to be found in the countv.

This is the name of a country store and post office in Elk Horn township that was established some time after the war. For the past several years W. W. Chase and Woolard Brothers have kept stores here.