Pettis County, Missouri - Xvii, 1919

Cities, Towns And Villages

LAMONTE - GEORGETOWN - HUGHESVILLE - GREEN RIDGE - LONGWOOD - BEAMAN - HUSTONIA - DRESDEN - SMITHTON - THEIR SETTLEMENT, GROWTH, OFFI¬ CIALS, INSTITUTIONS AND INDUSTRIES - OTHER PLACES AND EXTINCT TOWNS.

LaMonte is one of the live towns of the county. It was laid out in 1866 by Col. Frank Hickox and J. R. McConnell. This place, in the early days, was called "Boomer,'' in honor of a railroad construction fore¬ man by that name who was quite popular among his workmen. The postoffice, however, has always borne the name of the present town. The first house built in the town was erected by a man by the name of James and the first store house was built by George H. Hardley. In the year 1862 the Missouri Pacific railway roadbed was graded and workmen began to lay the rails. Cars were run through the town in 1864.

In the minutes of the proceedings of the County Court, we find the act of incorporation of the village of LaMonte, under date of December 6, 1880. The first meeting of the board was held December 15, 1880, and A. J. Hall was elected president of the town board, and J. R. Wade, clerk; P. S. Zilhart was elected marshal. The statement of the first year's business from April 1, 1881, to April 1, 1882, is as follows: Re¬ ceipts - Taxes collected on personal property, $156.60 ; taxes collected on real estate, $52.45; fines, $17 ; saloon license, $100; other license, $3; total, $329.05. Expenditures - Amount paid out on warrants drawn on the city treasurer, $236.68 ; leaving a balance in the city treasury at the close of business at the end of the fiscal year, on March 31, 1881, of $92.37.

village it was on the Georgetown and Lexington stage road, and Mr. Thomas J. Mason was postmaster. After the railroad was completed the postoffice was moved into the village. The depot of the Missouri Pacific railroad is located near the center of the town.

The cemetery was laid out shortly after the founding of the town. It is just north and west of the town and is one of the beautiful burial grounds of the county. Of late years, much has been done to beautify these grounds. The streets are laid out at right angles to one another and are beautified by many large trees. In all, no town in Pettis County has made such progress as LaMonte. The homes are modem, up to date and beautiful, business thriving and the town generally prosperous. La- Monte is incorporated with the following officers administering its affairs. LaMonte has one of the best newspapers published in a town of its size in Missouri. Col. Harry E. Agee, the genial editor, is wide awake and the columns of his paper are found boosting his town. The paper is Democratic in politics.

The new City Hall is located on West Pine street and was built in 1914, in which year the city voted bonds in the sum of $5,000 for its con¬ struction. This building is of brick, stone trimmed, with concrete base¬ ment and metal roof. The hall has an elevated rostrum with dressing rooms on each side. This winter, the city authorized the use of the hall for the high school, while the new high school building is being com¬ pleted.

The following gentlemen and firms are engaged in business: A. W. Cheatham, F. E. Wolfe, Lee Whitehead, J. S. Sparks, E. Lewis, LaMonte Bank, Farmer's Bank, LaMonte Milling and Grain Company, LaMonte Lumber Company, LaMonte Telephone Company, Lake View Hotel, L. G. Parker, J. D. Fallen, LaMonte Garage, LaMonte Drug Company, V. E. Keller, LaMonte Record, W. H. Agee, D. A. Settles, A. J. Hughes, L. T. Shaw, Doctor Elder, M. Kirby, B. J. Parker, 0. P. Harris, R. E. Gutherie, Frank Spillers, W. F. Hainline, N. R. Swope, Morris Brothers, Lawson Clingan, Merritt Nelson, C. W. Shaffer, Joe Wimer and William Rogers.

LaMonte is to have a combined high and public school, cost¬ ing $25,000. $15,000 of this sum was voted in bonds and the remaining $10,000 was made up by private subscriptions. The building was com¬ menced on September 1, 1918. The population is about 800.

The Farmer's Bank of LaMonte was organized and opened its doors for business on June 2, 1913. J. M. Baldwin is president and T. J. Buckley is vice-president. T. E. Edmonston is cashier and Miss Rose Brochers is assistant cashier. John M. Baldwin, T. J. Buckley, James Crawford, D. I. Tevis, B. F. Parker, J. Stirlen and T. E. Edmonston constitute the board of directors. Financial statement of July 23, 1918: Resources - Loans and discounts, $117,024.70; overdrafts, $720.36; furniture and fix¬ tures, $2,100; bonds, $550; cash and cash items and due from banks, $52,985.93. Total $173,380.99. Liabilities - Capital stock, $10,000; sur¬ plus, $5,000; undivided profits, $1,508.21; individual deposits, $156,872.78. Total, $173,380.99.

The LaMonte Bank was organized in 1883 and opened for business on April 25th of that year. A. F. Wimer is president, J. A. Flemming is vice-president, C. E. Terry is cashier. The following gentlemen constitute its board of directors: J. R. Clark, J. A. Fleming, R. E. Guthrie, C. E. Terry, Thos. Terry, W. D. Wade and A. F. Wimer. Condensed statement at the close of business August 31, 1918. Resources: Loans and dis¬ counts, $284,859.40 ; bonds, $17,775 ; real estate and banking house, $4,300; furniture and fixtui'es, $1,000; cash and due from other banks, $82,661.75; Liberty Bonds, $8,300; War Savings and Thrift Stamps, $2,- 624.47 ; United States Certificates of Indebtedness, $12,000. Total, $413,- 520.62. Liabilities - Capital stock, $20,000 ; surplus, $30,000 ; undivided profits, net, $4,072.36 ; deposits, $359,448.26. Total, $413,520.62.

Georgetown. - This village, which was a flourishing trading place in ante bellum days, is in section 16, and was laid out in 1835, by David Thomson, father of Martin Thomson. The name wras given it by David Thomson, who came here in 1883 from Georgetown, Scott County, Ken¬ tucky. David Thomson and his two brothers-in-law, George R. Smith and Lewis R. Major, were camped on the Lamine River, on the night of November 12, 1833, and witnessed the meteoric showers, which pro¬ duced great consternation among the ignorant classes of those times. The land on which the town is built is high and rolling, and wras a beautiful place when the town was in its glory. The old brick court house stood on the public square. The following streets appear on the plat: Pin Oak, Flint, Boonville, Post Oak, Franklin, Walnut, Saline and Cedar. The additions were known as Ramey and Wasson's, David Thom¬ son's, George R. Smith and Hughes. The first lawyers of this village were William H. Field, Reese Hughes, John F. Philips, George G. Vest, Alda A. Glasscock, William Foi'd, Curtis Field and Charles A. Hardin.

The postoffice was established here co-existent with the town. For several years- the mails were weekly and monthly. In those days there was but little correspondence, and the great power of the press did not weigh upon the people then as now. The following is the list of the early postmasters: Albin Robinson, Amos Fristoe, Samuel A. Lowe, James P. Walker, William W. Cross, Thomas Hill, M. Hunt, James Austin, John E. Rector, Charles W. Barrick. For several years Georgetown was the center of trade for many miles around, but when the line of the Mis¬ souri Pacific railroad was laid out, the people all came to Sedalia to trade and to worship. E. J. Erskine and Frank Simmons are the business men of the village.

Hughesville is the only village in the township. It was a town before the organization of the township was laid out and platted by Reece Hughes, named in his honor, and is located twelve miles north and west of Sedalia, on the Lexington Branch of the Missouri Pacific railway. It is surrounded by the most fertile and productive agricul¬ tural district found anywhere in the county and for the past thirty years has been the best live-stock shipping point along the Lexington Branch, between Sedalia and Independence, the McClures, the McAninch Brothers, the Durleys, Hesses and McCurdy Brothers being known throughout the State as leading cattle men. This little village has a population of 250 and has kept pace with the development of the county.

Robert Bealert, Cuthbert D. Mockbee, Rollie E. Bealert, Looney- Bloess Lumber Company, W. S. Baltzelle, John McNees, Ray Bealert, P. Bruce, of the Bank of Hughesville, Doctors Bishop and Mitchell and Harry Stober are in business there.

Hughesville has one bank and the institution is a credit to the town and the community. The Bank of Hughesville was organized and opened for business on December 8, 1904. S. W. McClure is president and Dr. W. T. Bishop, now serving in the United States Army as a captain of Medical Corps, is vice-president; P. Bruce is cashier and has been since the opening of the institution. The following gentlemen constitute the board of directors. S. W. McClure, Dr. J. E. Mitchell, Dr. W. T. Bishop,

Green Ridge is a beautiful town. It is incorporated as a city of the fourth class, is the principal town in Green Ridge township and has made a steady growth since its foundation in 1870 and 1871, when the Missouri, Kansas & Texas railway came through the county. It is located in the northeastern part of the township, on the prairie, in a prosperous and fertile farming district. Its dwellings and streets are well kept and its business men are up to the minute. The town has a population of about 500.

The following are the business interests of the city: Ed Johnston, James S. Ream and Sons, W. T. Brim, R. H. Nelson, Thomas Closer, The Peoples' Bank, Ora Nicholson, N. G. Woods, G. R. Shelly, Andy Raines, Ed Rene, L. B. Ream & Sons, The Farmers' and Merchants' Bank, E. R. Grinstead, Joe Donaldson, Muir Drug Company, Hite & Dysart Drug Com¬ pany; G. L. Bennett & Son, John Osborne, W. L. Martin, Green Ridge Local News, James Hurley, A. N. Baker, C. D. Claybourn & Sons and Doctor Hite.

Municipal Officers are: William T. Brirn, chairman village board ; J. E. Bagby, C. D. Rayburn, J. H. Donaldson and H. A. Hite, members; John Bradfield, marshal ; E. E. Durand, treasurer ; T. J. Close, collector ; Fred E. Ream, clerk; George Shelley and Joseph Elliot, justices of the peace. Mrs. Alberta S. Brirn, postmistress.

Green Ridge has two banks, either of which would be a credit to a town much larger than this one. The Farmers' and Merchants' Bank was organized in March, 1890, and opened for business on April 1, of that year. J. E. Bagby is president; B. F. Stephens is vice-president; E. E.

Durand is cashier, and E. D. Bagby is assistant cashier. Its board of directors consists of the following gentlemen: J. E. Bagby, B. F. Steph¬ ens, E. E. Durand, C. D. Rayburn, S. A. Kendrick, J. D. Helman, R. H. Nelson, James McCampbell, D. R. Elliot, H. M. Brown and E. B. Hel¬ man. The total resources of this bank is over $300,000. Its capital stock is $11,000. Deposits are $250,000 with surplus and profits of $35,000.

The People's Bank of Green Ridge was organized April 5, 1904, and opened its doors for business on June 27th of that year. Its presi¬ dent is Andrew Habecker and its vice-president, Charles W. Denny. J.

E. Ream is cashier. The following gentlemen constitute the board of directors: Andrew Habecker, Charles W. Denny, James O. Truel, Rob¬ ert Ewers, V. H. Bary, Herbert S. Gregory, W. A. Habecker, E. W. Doherty, H. A. Hite, E. F. Ream, M. A. Ream, F. E. Ream, J. E. Ream.

Longwood. - Situated in the northwestern part of the township is the pleasant little village of Longwood, with 125 inhabitants. From this place the township takes its name. It has several stores, shops, church buildings and a good school. Mail is received daily from Sedalia. The town has no railroad, but had it one giving rapid communication with its neighboring towns, it would be one of the most pleasant little place in which to make a home, that it has been the writer's privilege to visit. It is just at the edge of a splendid stretch of timber, and on high, rolling ground, and everything in the way of pleasant scenery around it to make it attractive. Its business men are: W. E. Taylor, J. W. Currey, A. H. O'Rear, E. D. O'Rear, W. H. Nichols, William Hoff¬ man, W. M. Hoffman, Dr. J. D. Prowell, D. F. Settles, T. J. Armstrong,

Longwood has one bank and it is in flourishing condition. The Bank of Longwood was organized in 1910 and opened its doors for business in April of that year. R. N. Lower is president; Clement Jones, vicepresident, and E. D. Orear is cashier. Mrs. Louise Orear is assistant cashier. This institution has a capital stock of $10,000, deposits of $150,000 with surplus and profits of $14,918. Its board of directors consists of the following gentlemen: R. N. Lower, Frank Hieronymus, W. E. Taylor, T. J. Raines, Clement Jones, E. D. Orear and J. B. Greer.

Beaman is the only town in Bowling Green township. It is a small village, located on the main line of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas rail¬ way and is an excellent shipping point. It has railway and rock road connection with Sedalia. While a good agricultural country surrounds it, Sedalia is too close to it to permit of much growth. Its business men are few, still they are wide awake and are successful, and for the number of inhabitants, the volume of business done here compares favorably with any other village in the county. The following gentlemen repre¬ sent the business interests there: L. B. Stuart, L. L. Stuart, G. W. Cathey and B. Houchin.

Houstonia. - In the center of a broad expanse of beautiful table land, extending back as far as the eye can reach in any direction, is situated the town of Houstonia. It was named in honor of Col. Thomas F. Houston. It is not the purpose of the writer to attempt to give a detailed or exhaustive description of this locality, as it must be seen to be appreciated. Suffice it to say, that here is a section of country that is seldom equalled, and never surpassed, in point of beauty or produc¬ tiveness, by any county in the State. It is the most important shipping point of the county. The town suffered a severe calamity on the 23d of February, 1875, by the long-to-be-remembered cyclone of that date, an account of which is given in connection with this chapter. It built up rapidly, and now contains a number of beautiful and comfortable resi¬ dences, and several business houses of more than ordinary pretensions. Its business interests are represented by a number of live, energetic busi¬ ness men, who are fast becoming widely and favorably known through¬ out the surrounding country.

The present population of the town is about 430 and in consequence of its close proximity to the famous McAllister Springs, is destined in the near future to become a popular resort and an important distributing point. The following gentlemen represent the business interests of Hous-

The municipal officers are: H. C. Brown, chairman village board; L. L. Crews, James Cooper, H. C. Upton and Nathan Harris, members; Morgan Pummell, marshal; A. Bender, treasurer, collector and clerk; John Rissler and H. C. Brown, justices of the peace. J A. Williams, post¬ master.

Farmers' Bank of Houstonia was organized April 27, 1915, and opened for business June 28, 1915. C. H. Houchen is president, and M. P. Tuck, vice-president. Oscar Rothrock is cashier. The folowing comprise the board of directors: C. H. Houchen, E. S. Smith, M. P. Tuck, R. C. Finely, J. R. Higgins, Louis King, Oscar Rothrock. The bank has: Loans and discounts, $27,564.26; loans on real estate, $400; bonds, certificate of Ind., War Savings Stamps, $7,400; due from banks, subject to check, $37,508.54; time certificates of deposit $9,302 ; deposits $56,177.75 ; capital stock, $15,000.

The Houstonia Bank was organized and opened for business in the year 1855. The following gentlemen constitute the officers and directors of the bank: F. C. Hayman, president; G. H. Tevebaugh, vice-president; D. E. Longan, cashier; H. A. Longan, assistant cashier; J. T. Patterson, E- B. Gibson and C. D. McConnell, directors. Houstonia Bank, at Hous¬ tonia, State of Missouri, at the close of business on the 28th day of June, 1918: Resources - Loans and discounts, undoubtedly good on personal or collateral, $148,209.45; loans, real estate, $24,319.13; Overdrafts, $1,- 257.09; bonds and stocks, $900; real estate (banking house), $1,000; furniture and fixtures, $500; due from other banks and bankers, subject to check, $38,305.63; cash items, 83.60; currency, $844; specie, $637.20. Total, $216,056.10. Liabilities - Capital stock paid in, $25,000 ; undivided profits, net, $2,978.82; due to banks and bankers, subject to check, $1,- 922.39; surplus fund, $14,000; individual deposits subject to check, $102,- 395.09 ; time certificates of deposit, $64,155.70 ; bills payable and redis¬ counts, $5,000 ; other liabilities, $604.10. Total, $216,056.10.

Dresden was laid out in the spring of 1863, by Agee and Thomas J. Lester. It comprises an eighty-acre lot, and was evenly divided between the two gentlemen, each taking forty acres. It is situated on the north¬ east quarter of the southeast quarter of section 21, and the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section 22, township 46, range 22.

Mr. Agee came from Kentucky and Mr. Lester from Virginia. The town is situated on the main line of the Missouri Pacific railroad, and has considerable importance as a shipping and trading point. In the midst of a fertile agricultural and stock-raising region, it has but one draw¬ back, that of being so near Sedalia, whose overshadowing business in¬ fluence reaches into the country that should be tributary to this village, and draws the greater portion of the trade to itself. While Dresden was the terminus of the railroad it was a business point of considerable importance, but when the railroad was extended, its business push and enterprise went with it to a large extent. The Missouri Pacific railway was finished to the town in 1863, and it remained the terminus for nearly a year. In its young days it enjoyed the reputation of being one of the largest shipping points on the road.

The town was incorporated about 1866, and the first board of trus¬ tees were Dr. T. P. McCluney, D. D. Armes, of Sedalia, and William Barrett, also a resident of Sedalia at this time. The city government was run about two years, when some parties resisted the taxes. A law suit was the result, and the town government was, in consequence, aban¬ doned. Inhabitants is about 300. Men engaged in business are: J. W. Billingsby, A. P. Mock and Sam Hostler. A. B. Ferguson is postmaster.

Smithton. - This village of 500 persons derives its name from the same source which the township does, viz.: In honor of George R. Smith. It is located in the eastern part of the township, and lies south of the Missouri Pacific railroad. The first town in the township was Priceville, and was laid out by David Kernudle. In some way the pur¬ chasers of property were all swindled, and the village then fell into decay. The farmers in the township then laid out Farmers' City. The Missouri Pacific was then being built and the company proposed to get the road into Pettis County that year (1859), if the county would give them $30,000 more in addition to their already large donations. This was raised and the road came that fall to the point that is now Smithton, and the depot was built. Here it stopped for a while. Then the town of Smithton was laid out by William E. Combs, and half the lots were given to the railroad company. Buildings began to spring up, and Farmers City rapidly sunk into decay. The mill and merchants removed to Smithton. The church had an internal disagreement, and it was moved to the future town. Mr. Combs built the hotel. Major William Beck put up the first store. Mr. Lambors was the first postmaster, and Clony &

Crawford, commission merchants, erected the first grain warehouse. From the time the railroad reached it until it was extended on to Sedalia, the town continued to grow, and it is still a shipping point of considerable importance.

Smithton is a beautiful town today. Its residences and business houses are well kept. The State highway, rocked from Sedalia through the town and almost to Otterville, takes many autoists, in the summer evenings, to the town, where they take supper at the hotel, spend the evening and enjoy the ride home. The town is substantial in business and is keeping progress with the times. Men engaged in business here are: David White, A. F. Neumeyer, F. L. Wright, C. A. Selken, A. R. Bohon, J. D. Garst, Dr. W. H. Reynolds, H. G. Lugen, W. B. Myers, J. A. Myers, W. J. Holtzen, J. W. Hoehns, Adam Richter, E. H. Haire and W. L. Jackson.

Smithton has one bank, excellently managed. The Smithton Bank was organized September 30, 1891, and opened its doors for business December 18, of that year. David White is president and Henry Schlusing, vice-president. Frank L. Wright is cashier and C. A. Selken is assistant cashier. David White, Henry Schlusing, H. S. Demand, F. L. Wright, John Ringen, W. H. Bohon and C. A. Selken are the board of directors. Condensed official statement, June 28, 1918: Resources - Loans, $132,374.91; Overdrafts, $173.40; banking house, $1,400; cash and due from banks, $43,269.19 ; Liberty Bonds, $5,450 ; United States Cer¬ tificates and Stamps, $8,984.24. Total, $191,651.74. Liabilities - Capital stock, $12,000 ; surplus, $20,000 ; undivided profits, $4,137.27 ; deposits, $155,514.47. Total, $191,651.74. On September 18, its totals were $240,000.

The county has several small stations, too small to be called vil¬ lages, just country stores. They, however, have names and when enumeracted, are about as follows : Postal, in the northern part of Heath Creek township; Lookout, a little south of the center of Heath Creek town¬ ship; Newland and Thornleigh in the southern part of Longwood town¬ ship ; Dunksburg and Stokely, the former in the northwest and the latter in the southwest part of Blackwater township; Fince was located in the southwest part of Hughesville township; Pin Hook, where the first courts in the county were held, and St. Helena, the first county seat, eight miles north and one mile east of Sedalia, abdicated in favor of George¬ town; Ewerton, a little store near the center of Green Ridge township, and Old Ionia, in the southern part of Washington, are the towns and villages which have given way to more progressive towns and conditions. Manilla is one of the smaller villages.