Saline County, Missouri - The whole text, 1881 (part 7 of 28)

Forty-five feet by forty from out to out; foundation to be dug out two and a half feet widie, two feet under ground and two feet above ground ; the wall above the ground to be cut-stone, to be bush hairimered, and all the stonework to be laid in lime and sand mortar; the first story of brick, to be twenty-two and half inches thick, fifteen feet high ; second story eighteen inches thick, and nine feet high, and thirteen inches to the finishing of the gable ends. * * * The roof to be a principal one, framed sufficiently strong to support a cupola, well sheeted and shingled. * * * Two staircases to start on the lower floor and land on the second. * * * Also, thirty-one Venetian blinds for the thirty-one windows. * * The house is to be painted in a neat and fashionable style. All the above work to be done in a neat and workmanlike manner,, with good material.

Early Records

The first deed or document, conveying, or giving title to, real estate, ever recorded in this county, is in words and figures as follows, to-wit:

Know all men by these -presents : That I, Charles Simmons, of Howard county, state of Missouri, of the one part, and Cornelius Davis, of Saline county, and state aforesaid, of the other part, witnesseth, (sic) that for and in consideration of the sum of $800 to the said Charles Simmons in hand, paid by the said Davis, before the ensealing and delivering of this instrument (a receipt for the same is, by the said Simmons, acknowledged and confessed), hath granted, bargained, and sold, and by this instrument doth grant, bargain, arid sell unto the said Cornelius Davis, of the second part of this instrument, and to his heirs and assigns, forever, one hundred and fifty arpents of land in Saline county, aforesaid, being a part of an undivided tract of three hundred arpents of land, generally called a New Madrid claim, originally claimed by and confirmed to David Wintzell under John Latham, located under the act of congress, of 17th of February, 1816, so as to include fractional section No. 25, and the southeast quarter of section No. 26, and as much off the north side, by an east and west line of the northwest fractional quarter of section No. 36, as will make up and include the quantity of three hundred arpents of land - all in township No. 52, north of the base line of range No. 19, west of the 5th principal meridian, south of the Missouri river; and the said Charles Simmons doth further covenant and agree to and with the said Cornelius Davis, that he will well and truly warrant, and forever defend the said mentioned one hundred and fifty arpents of land to the said Davis, his heirs and assigns, forever against the- claims or lawful claims of all and every person or persons, whatsoever.

Personally appeared before me, the subscriber, a justice of the peace within and for the county aforesaid, William S. Edwards, one of the sub scribing witnesses to the within deed, who, after being sworn as the law directs in such cases made and provided, states that he was present, and saw Charles Simmons sign, seal, and deliver this instrument of conveyance - to be his act, and deed, hand and seal, for the purposes therein contained ; and that he subscribed the same as a witness in the presence of the subscribing witness (and) Robert Wallace.

The land described in the foregoing^ instrument immediately adjoins the town of Cambridge, in the township of that name. The term, "a New Madrid claim," is thus explained: After the great earthquake at and in the vicinity of New Madrid, in December, 1811, congress passed an act for the relief of the settlers who had been injured by that great convulsion of nature,* giving each of them certain favors and privileges in regard to re-entering or locating land in other parts of the state. In some instances this relief amounted to an absolute grant of land. Although this instrument is not exact and particular as to language and composition, amounting to incoherency in some particulars, yet its general purport and intent were and will be understood by him whom it did and does concern.

The next deed recorded was made by Taylor and Fanny W. Berry to Thos. A. Smith, for ."a certain tract or parcel of land lying and being in the county of Saline, on the south bank of the Missouri river, containing six hundred and forty acres, more or less, it being the west half of fractional section No. 35, the east fractional half of section 34, and so much of the east end of the northwest fractional quarter of said Sith section as will make the quantity; - all in fractional township 53 north and range 20 west, of the 5th principal meridian line, it being the same tract of land which was on the third day of July, 1820, patented by the United States under the earthquake law to one Eustace Delisle. The date of this deed was March 13, 1821.

First Bond For A Deed

Know all men by these -presents, that I, Benjamin I. Carnahan, aiii held and firmly bound, with my heirs, executors, and administrators, unto Henry V, Bingham, his heirs or assigns, in the sum of one thousand dollars, lawful money, to him well and truly to be paid. In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal this 20th day of October, 1821. The condition of the above obligation is such, that if the above bound Benjamin I. Carnahan does make unto the said H. V. Bingham, his heirs or assigns a good title in fee simple for the last half of the southwest quarter of section 35, in township Ifo. 50, north of range No. 19 west, containing 80 acres, to be laid off in the following manner, viz.: Beginning at the northeast corner of said quarter section and runnmg west with the line of said quarter section until it crosses the ravine which empties into the spring; branch a few steps below the spring near Carnahan's house; thence along the said line three poles from said ravine and there make a corner X, and running from said corner a southwardly direction so as to include said spring and strike the south line of said quarter section so as to divide the quarter section equally; and the said Carnahan, if he does make as above stated, a good title in fee simple, so soon as the patent can be obtained from the general land office, then the above obligation to be void; else, to remain in full force and virtue.

*The act was passed Feb. 17, 1815, and was entitled, "Aq act for the relief of ti? inhabitants of the late (!) county of New Madrid, in Missouri Territory, who suffered by earthquakes."

First Chattel Mortgage

FIRST CHATTEL MORTGAGE. The following document, while not literally a chattel mortgage as it would now be written, is to all intents and purposes a document of that character :

Know all men by these -presents, that I, James McReynolds, of the state of Missouri, for the consideration of $200 to me in hand paid by Samuel McReynolds, acting as agent for Joseph McReynolds, of the state of Tennessee, hath and do by these presents grant, bargain, and deliver to the said Joseph McReynolds, or said agent, a certain negro boy, named Sancho, aged about 25 years old, w^hich negro is healthy and sound, both in body and mind; the title of which property I do forever warrant and defend to the said Joseph McReynolds, his heirs, etc. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 26th day of May, 1821.

James McReynolds. [l. s.] The condition of the above bill of sale is such that in the instance of I, the said James McReynolds, paying to the said Joseph McReynolds, or agent, the sum of $200 current money of the state of Tennessee on or against the first day of December, 1821, then in that case the above bill of sale to be void and of no effect, neither in lavsr nor equity; otherwise to remain in full force and virtue both in law and equity.

First Deed Of Emancipation

Know all men by these presents, that I, Isham Reavis, of Saline county, in the state of Missouri, do by these presents, for and in consideration of the hitherto faithful servitude of my servant woman, Patience, about the age of 36 years, and for the further consideration of the sum of sixty dollars to me in hand paid, the receipt whereofis hereby acknowledged, have this day liberated, emancipated, and set free and at liberty the said, negro woman Patience, and her young child, named Elizabeth Jane, about 18 months old, and also all her future increase; and the said woman and child are hereby set free and emancipated from myself and my heirs, and from all persons claiming title to them under me. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal, this 15th dav of December, 1827.

First Deed Of Gift

Saline County, State of Missouri, ) February 28,1825. j _ We, the undersigned, do certify that Anthony Thomas, Sr., did, this morning, about nine o'clock, being indisposed in health, though of sound mind and memory, call on us both to bear testimony to his declarations, which, after calling his youngest son, Anthony C, and his slave, George,, before his presence, then [spoke] as follows, to-wit: "In consequence of Anthony having been afflicted with a scrofulons white swelling, and his liability to further afflictions of the kind, I believe hiin to be constitutionally debilitated, and have, therefore, thought it expedient [to give him] this boy, George." He, then, taking the slave, George, by the hand, delivered him to the said Anthony, saying: "Before these witnesses, I give, bequeath, and deliver to you, Anthony, my son, for yourself, your heirs and assigns, forever, this slave, George ; but you are not to take full possession of him during your mother's or my lifetime." In witness of which we have hereto set our hands and seals the day and year above written.

The first term of the Saline county court was held at the town of Jefferson, April 16, 182-1. It was composed of but two judges at the time, Hons. Bartholomew Gwinn and George Tennille. Each produced his commission, signed at St. Louis, by Gov. Alex. McNair, attested by his private seal, " there being no seal of the state yet provided," and countersigned by Joshua Barton, secretary of state, under date of December 8, 1820. The act of the legislature organizing the county had been approved November 25, 1820.

The oath of office was administered to Judges Gwinn and Tennille by Rev. Peyton Nowlin, acting justice of the peace. "And thereupon," says the record,

" The Hon . Bartholomew Gwinn and George Tennille, Esq., caused proclamation to be made, and took their seats, and constituted a court for the said county of Saline, according to law.

"It is ordered. By this court that Benj. Chambers be appointed their clerk, and he accordmgly took the oath to support the constitution of the United States, and of the state of Missouri, and to demean himself faith- , fully in the discharge of his duties as clerk to this court, and further to produce to this court a bond, with sufficient securities, as required by the law of the state, at their next term.

" Ordered, That Jacob Ish, Payton Nowlin, Peter Huff, Wm. McMahan, and Charles English are appointed commissioners of the school lands within this county, and from this day to assume the powers given them by law - and were accordingly sworn in open court.

"Ordered, That Alexander Goodm be appointed constable for the township of Jefferson, by his complying with the terms required by the laws of this state, and having then produced sureties to the satisfaction of the court, and having taken the necessary oaths, was qualified, according to act, in his office.

Saline County Court, ) Monday, February 25, 1822. ) Ordered, That the county be divided into three townships, to-wit: The Arrow Rock - To commence on the bank of the Missouri river, on the line between 50- and 51, thence west with said line to the western boundary of the county, and shall include all south of said line.

The Township of fefferson - To be bounded by the said line as far west as townships 50 and 51, between ranges 20 and 21, thence north to the Missouri river ; and

The Tovmshif of Miami - To be bounded by the ranges 20 and 21 and townships 50 and 51, to the western boundary of the county, and with said western boundary to the Missouri river.

The First Inquest

The first inquest held in the county was on the body of Ann Odle, or Odell, who was drowned either in the Missouri river or in Blackwater, in the summer of 1822. The papers in the case cannot be found. The only record in existence which refers to it is the journal of the county court, which (p. 9) says :

Ordered, That James Warren be allowed three dollars and twentyiive cents for summoning an inquest and witnesses on the body of Ann Odle, deceased.

On the petition of a number of the citizens of Jefferson township, pray-* ing this honorable court to divide the same, the prayer of the petitioners, on mature deliberation, is granted, to be bounded as follow, (to-wit): Beginning at the mouth of Bear creek, thence with the meanders of said creek to the intersection of the north line of section thirty-one, in township fifty-two, and range nineteen, thence with said line of sections to where :t intersects the range line between twenty and twenty-one, thence south with said line to the Arrow Rock township line, all east of said line to be called Marion township, which is ordered to be certified to the secretary of state. , August Term, iSj'/:

This day was presented the petition of John McMahan and other citizens of Jefferson and Marion townships, praj'ing that the said townships may again be reunited, and compose but one township. But the court, dfter mature deliberation, do order and decree that the prayer of the said petition be, and the same is hereby rejected. '

First Contract With School Teacher Recorded

This day came William A. Gwinn, Peter Huff and Isaiah Huff, trustees of the third division of Jefferson school district, and made their report, showing the number of children entitled to the benefit of the school fund in said division ; which report is received, and is in the following words, to-wit: Wednesday, August 9th, 1837. We, the trustees of the third district of the JefTerson school district, pursuant to an agreement, met, and chose Peter HufF chairman, and proceeded to business, and in the exercise of our duty, chose John W. McMahan to teach a school for the term of six months, to commence the 11th day of this inst., in consideration of which we bind ourselves to pay, or cause to be paid, unto the said McMahan the sum of one hundred and ten dollars, lawful money, at the expiration of said term, in consideration of which said McMahan obligates himself to teach orthography, reading, writing, common arithmetic, English grammar and geography, to the best of his skill. The number of children IS as follows, viz: W. A. Gwinn 3, E. Gwinn 2, P. Hufi"5, Isaiah Huff 5, J. Copeland l,Jno. Copeland 6, E. Copeland 4, amounting in all to 26 scholars. August Term, i8jy :

On the petition of the inhabitants of Miami township praying the division of said township, it is ordered the same be divided in following manner, to-wit: Beginning on Missouri river at the township line between 52 and &1 and running east with said township line till it meets the range of 20, and thence north with said range line to the Missouri, and thence up said river to the place of beginning, and that the same be known by the name of Greenville township, and that the place of holding elections in said township be Greenville, and that the same be certified to the secretary of state.

Incidents Of Early History

It is much to be regretted that very many incidents of the early history of Saline county, which have been collected and prepared for publication, must be omitted from this history. These incidents are, however, not of superior importance, and if given would add but little to the real value of the work. They are mostly of a personal nature, and relate to the character of the pioneers of early days, and the times in which they lived.

Adventures of hunters; descriptions of general and battalion musters, with incidents connected therewith; sketches of some of the early inhabitants, etc., comprise these omitted incidents.

It has been thought best to deal with many things of to-day, to speak of the people of Saline county now living, as well as those who have lived ; to describe the countrj' as it now is as well as it once was, and this will make the volume as large as it ought to be.

History From 1840 To The Mexican War

The presidential campaign of 1840 was the principal event of that year in Saline county, in the state, and in fact even in the United States. The whig party, then for the first time formidable in the country, re-nominated Gen. Harrison as its candidate for president, with John Tyler of Virginia, for vice-president. The democrats renominated Van Buren and Johnson. The canvass excited more interest than any other that had ever taken place in the history of the Union. There had been a great stringency in the money market and other financial distresses occasioning hard times throughout the country. Many workingmen were either out of employment or at work for very low wages ; prices of produce had fallen to insignificant figures and there was general discontent with the situation. Many people attributed the condition of affairs to the administration of Mr. Van Buren and the democratic party. The whigs took advantage of the situation, and conducted ,their campaign with unexampled ardor and enthusiasm - and, as the result showed, with effect. Mass conventions of immense numbers of people were held, becoming political camp meetings in many instances, and remaining in session three or four days. The object of both parties seemed to be to carry the election by music,, banners, processions, and stump oratory.

Gen. Harrison, at the time of his candidacy, was clerk of the courts of Hamilton county, Ohio, and lived in a house having one apartment, built of logs. A democratic editor visiting the place observed that in addition to the humble style of the general's dwelling, there was nailed upon the outer walls of the log kitchen a raccoon skin, in process of curing. Returning home he commented very facetiously upon these things, sneering at a party whose candidate for the exalted office of president lived in a log cabin ornamented with 'coon skins and knew no better beverage than hard cider. Immediately the whigs took up the statement of the editor and reasserted them as facts of which they were greatly, and as they claimed, justly proud. The contest was thereafter known as the " Log Cabin, 'Coon Skin, and Hard Cider Campaign." Monster whig meetings were held all over the country, at which log cabins of all sizes,, live 'coons, and veritable hard cider were displayed; processions were formed m iles in length, containing every unique, feature that could be conceived; cannons were fired, bells rung, and there were all sorts and kinds of fuss and fustian indulged in by the partisans of " Tippecanoe and Tyler too."

To counteract the influence of these meetings, and the party paraphernalia employed to captivate the masses, the democrats held their meetings also, many of which equalled, if they did not surpass, the efforts of the whigs. Invoking the name and the prestige of Gen. Jackson

(" Old Hickory"), who ardently supported Mr. Van Buren, they adopted hickory boughs and the chicken-cock as theic party emblems, and defiantly waved the former, and caused the latter to exultingly crow in the faces of their opponents.

The whigs and democrats of Missouri caught the prevailing spirit, and conducted the canvass in this state accordingly. The state was wild with excitement, and many are the incidents yet remembered by the old settlers of the campaign of 1840. The largest meeting in the state was held by the whigs, at Rocheport, in June, lasting three days and nights. Many whigs from Saline and Lafayette attended this meeting. Among^ the speakers were Fletcher Webster, son of Daniel Webster, Gen. A. W. Doniphan, Abiel Leonard, James S. Rollins, and Geo. C. Bingham, of this county.

In Saline county, for the first time in its history, the canvass was very exciting. One of its best and most prominent citizens, Hon. M. M. Marmaduke, was the democratic candidate for lieutenant-governor. He and his friends made extraordinary exertions to carry the county. Democratic meetings were held in various parts of the county - at Arrow Rock, at Marshall, at Miami, at Old Jefferson, and at other points. Claiborne F. Jackson, Gov. Marmaduke, and other prominent democrats had charge of the canvass. The democratic candidate' for governor, Thomas Reynolds, made one speech in this county, at Marshall. The whigs were equally ^ active and determined as the democrats. They had the advantage of the majority of the voters of the county, and they permitted no proselytes to be made, if they could possibly help it. Their organization was very complete, and their managers very efTective. They carried the county by the following vote :

September 21, of this year, the first term of the county court in Marshall, the new county seat, was held. Gilmore Hays and W. A. Wilson were present as justices; Jno. A. Trigg was clerk; Robt. Field, sheriff.

On the morning of the 9th of February, 1844, Gov. Thomas Reynolds committed suicide in his room in the executive mansion, at Jefferson City, by shooting himself in the head with a rifle. Upon his death Lieut.-Gov. I Marmaduke became governor. His administration was short, comparativel}-, but it was a very acceptable one to all parties. Upon the assem- bling of the legislature, November 19th, he sent in his first and only annual message. In this paper, among other things, he congratulated the people that all the depreciated and worthless paper of the state had ceased to circulate, and in its place could then be seen a fair proportion of gold and silver, " the only true representatives of value." He announced himself heartily in favor of the annexation of the republic of Texas; recommended a memorial to congress asking for a donation to the state of a large tract of country in the southeastern part of the state known as " the big swamp," to be in turn donated to the counties on their agreeing to drain and reclaim it; urged the building of a state lunatic asylum, and assistance for the support of the state university at Columbus, Gov. M. was always a warm friend of the latter named institution.

In June of this year occurred the memorable rise in the Missouri, known as " the big flood of '44." The season was unusually wet and floody. All the streams in the west were high, and floods and overflows were general. The cause of the phenomenal rise in the Missouri was the extraordinary freshets in the Kaw or Kansas river, added to the usual *'June rise " (wwusual this year), and some heavy local rains. But it was the Kansas that did by far the greatest damage. Judge Ransom, of Kansas City, an old settler, says that the rise in the Kansas was caused by heavy rains along the Republican and Smoky Hill forks and other tributaries of the river in Kansas. The depth of fall of the Kansas at Kansas City, where it empties into the Missouri is mnch greater than that of the Missouri at that point. Discharging great volumes of water day and night the Kansas cut square across the Big Muddy and broke in huge breakers on the banks on the opposite side and at last over into the Clay county bottoms, doing great damage. The weather was very peculiar. It rained a veritable "forty days and forty nights." Every evening out of a clear sky just as the sun went down there arose a dark, ominous looking cloud in the northwest. Flashes of lightning and the heaviest thunder followed, and about ten o'clock the rain would begin to fall in torrents. The bridges were nearly all washed away. The next day the sun would rise clear and beautiful, and not a cloud would ileck the sky as a reminder of the disturbed elements of the night.

The bottoms in Saline county were all overflown, and the citizens were forced to leave them and retreat to the higher lands. This rise far exceeded that of 1826 - some of the old settlers say by ten feet. Crowds of people gathered on the shores to view the sights presented upon the broad bosom of the mighty river. Houses and wrecks of various other kinds of building floated along; dead animals were common; there were haystacks, or remnants of them, as well as corn-shocks ; while rails, boards, timbers, and even household furniture made up the debris. One instance is related, where there was borne upon the current the roof of a stable.

upon which were a number of chickens, alive and doing as well as could be expected. One old cock stood bravely up. and crew lustily, and even defiantly, as if he were master of the situation after all. A large, compact strawstack is said to have gone down, on which were a crew of goodsized hogs, some of which were rooting away, indifferent to their surroundings, others were gazing at the prospects, tranquilly and unalarmed, while others lay basking in the sun.

During the flood the house of M. Hutton, on the bottom, in the northwestern part of the county, was the only one in all the neighborhood not reached and injured by the water. His lot kept dry, and a man slept on the place to take care of the stock, every head of which was saved. The water attained a depth of tjvo feet over land half a mile from the river proper in many instances, as on the farm of Wm. S. Renick. At the point of the bluffs, in the northeast part of the county, where the Glasgow and Lexington road leaves the bottom, the water was twenty-two feet deep. The average depth on the bottom was from four to six feet, and at Cambridge, according to Mr. R. |C. Land, the river was from eight to ten miles wide.

In the presidential election of this year James K. Polk, of Tennessee, and George M. Dallas, of Pennsylvania, were the democratic candidates, and Henry Clay and Theodore Frelinghuysen, of New Jersey, the nominees of the whigs. The " Kentucky whigs," as a certain class of members of that party were denominated by the democrats, rallied to a man for their standard bearer, whom many of them followed with a devotion heroic in its character and faithful to the last. ' The result in this county was that the whigs were triumphant by the following vote:

The Mexican War

THE MEXICAN WAR. In 1846, the war between the United States and Mexico broke out. The annexation of Texas being the alleged cause of the declaration of war by Mexico against the United States in April, and the attack on American soldiers by Mexicans the ground of the declaration of war on the part of the United States shortly afterward.* As in all other wars through which Saline county had passed since her organization, she bore her full part in this.

Orleans, being apprised of. this fact, and believing any action of the authorities at Washington would be too late to afford relief, requested of the different states lying west of the Mississippi the aid of volunteers. Governor Edwards promptly responded. He called on Saline county for fifty men, rank and file. Gen. Geo. W. Lewis, commanding this division of the Missouri militia, appointed May 21 for the meeting of the inhabitants for the purpose of raising the number of men required, by voluntary enlistment if practicable, or by dralt if necessary. On the day so appointed more than the number required volunteered. A company was soon organized. John W. Reid was elected captain ; Calvin J. Miller, first lieutenant ; Thos. E. Staples, second lieutenant. At their own expense, the members of this company went down to St. Louis and reported to Col. Robt. Campbell for service, but were refused. The government had annulled the order of Gen. Gaines, and placed him under arrest for issuing it. Somewhat mortified, but not discouraged, at this unexpected turn of affairs, the Saline county men returned to their homes. They were joked at by their neighbors for a time, but all this soon pa'Ssed away.

Under the act of congress, of the 13th of May, President Polk called on Governor Edwards for a regiment of volunteers, to join the "Army of the West," then under command of Col. Stephen W. Kearney, of the 1st U. S. dragoons, in an expedition against Sante Fe and other Mexican possessions, in the territory belonging to Mexico, and known as New Mexico. Gov. Edwards in turn called on Saline county for a company of eighty men. The response was as prompt and hearty as could have been The war drums were beaten, the bugles blown, the flag of the stars and stripes flung out to the breeze, and the best men of Saline county prepared to rally under its folds.

The citizens assembled at Marshall and a company of one hundred good men was soon raised. On the 30th of May, 1846, this company elected John W. Reid, captain by acclamation. For the office of first lieutenant, there were two candidates, C. J. Miller and S. E. Staples, but before the votes were half cast. Staples withdrew his name, and Miller was elected. On motion of the captain, it Xvas decided that the succeeding officers should be elected by a pluralty vote. For second lieutenant, F. A. Boush, having received the highest number of votes, was declared elected. Four sergeants were then elected at one ballot - the one receiving the highest number of votes being first sergeant - the next, second sergeant; the next, third and the nexti fourth sergeant. The corporals were also elected in the same way.

Thursday, June 4th, was then appointed for rendezvousing in Marshall , which day was occupied in appraising the horses and equipage, which equipage was afterward found to be useless.

the ladies of Marshall, which the company promised to return unsullied or not at all, with many good-byes and stirring emotions, the company rode away, followed by the best wishes for success, and most fervent prayers for a safe return, by the concourse of people that had assembled to witness its departure. The company marched for Fort Leavenworth, to which point the regiment had been ordered to rendezvous.

Mr. M. B. Edwards, a member of this company, followed its fortunes and was with it until the expiration of its term of service. He kept a journal of each day's events as they transpired, and upon his return transcribed its contents, elaborating upon its details, into a large four-quire blank book. This book is certainly an interesting record, while being unique and remarkable. It should have been printed, during the author's lifetime. It has a title page in these words: " A Journal of an Expedition to New Mexico and the Southern Provinces, Conducted first by Gen. S. W. Kearney; and afterwards by Col. A. W. Doniphan, in 1846-7; by M. B. Edwards." The author also adds the following sentiment:

The author makes the following original dedication of his work: "To my Right Honorable Self. It would be wrong in me were I to inscribe this weak production to one less worthy of my great estfeem and personal regard. Though perhaps you have been unworthy the notice of others, rendered so by your acts of unintended wrong, yet with me you have been all in all; and therefore, my motto shall ever be, 'Self first, country next, life always.'" Mr. Edwards's book contains three valuable and well executed maps, and gives very full and accurate details of Doniphan's expedition to New Mexico. It is from this work that the details of the services of Capt. Reid's company have been taken. Mr. Edwards died at his home in this county not long since.

The company made its first camp upon the farm of John M. Lewis, in this county, where the members were treated to a bountiful supper and breakfast, their horses given excellent pasture, and a right royal welcome given them. The next day, June 6, the company arrived at Dover, Lafayette county, where it was welcomed by a public meeting of the citizens. Mr. O'Bannon made an eloquent speech on behalf of the people, which was responded to by Capt. Reid. The members were also treated to other speeches - and (tell it mildly and whisper it low), to mint juleps to such an extent that, according to the journal of the expedition, both officers and men were too highly elevated to continue the march for the present, and camped for the night near Dover. Sleeping in the open air, the Company recovered its steadiness, and resumed the march at 4 o'clock the next morning. Sunday evening, June" 7, Liberty, Clay county, was reached, where the company was right royally entertained, given suppers, beds and breakfasts at the hotels, excellent pasture and forage for their hordes, and shown every attention. " But," says Mr. Edwards, " although it may be wrong to impugn the good actions of the people of Liberty, I was rather disposed to attribute their conduct more to policy than to patriotism, for Hon. A. W. Doniphan, a prominent and popular citizen of the place, has declared himself a candidate for colonel of the regiment to which we are to be attached!"

On Monday, June 8th, 1846, the companj' reached Platte City, where it had its first fight. The Platte Cityans do not seem to have been greatly impressed by the warlike aspect of the company, and made great game of them. A little sailor named Sam'l Smith, belonging to the company, having occasion to make a purchase, an old fellow, who was said to be the terror of the town, interfered with him. The little sailor bounced him at once, gave him a thrashing that he probably never forgot, and announced his ability to treat likewise any other Platte City man who felt himself aggrieved. But all seemed convinced of the company's prowess, and it proceeded on its march to Fort Leavenworth, were it arrived on the 9th of June.

At Ft. Leavenworth, before they were mustered into the service, the men were told that if there were any among them who wished to withdraw, now was the time, as after they were mustered in desertion would be punished with death. Only one man, John Miller, backed out. M. A. and Oscar Haynie, and Wm. Bartlett, were refused.

The following is the roll of the company as mustered in at Ft. Leavenworth June 10th, 1846, all of whom were from Saline county, except seven, who joined it at the fort. The company was stjded Company D, First Regiment Missouri Mounted Volunteers:

Of these seven, J. H. Herkins, J. S. Lewis, J. P. Long, R. Wilpley, J. P. Wayne, Thos. Waugh and J. P. Walker, joined the company at Fort Leavenworth. Six, J. M. Durrett, Isaac Furguson, Bart Gwinn, H. W. Moore, S. F. Smith and Thomas Wheeler, died in the service. Six, Andrew Cowan, Warren Farris, J. C. Hays, Scott Lemon, Wm. Sullivan and Wm. Strother, were discharged because of disability - and one, John H. Herkins, was drummed out of the service. He was not from Saline county.

The regiment was fully organized at Fort Leavenworth. It was denominated the First Regiment of Missouri Mounted Volunteers, and was composed of eight nompanies. Company A was from Jackson county, Capt. Waldo commanding; company B, from Lafayette, Capt. Walton ; company C, Clay, Capt. Moss ; company D, Saline, Capt. Reid ; company E, Franklin, Capt. Stevenson; company F, Cole, Capt. Parsons ; company G, Howard, Capt. Jackson ; company H, Callaway, Capt. Rogers. The field officers were elected by the companies, and afterward duly commissioned. There were two candidates for the colonelcy of the regiment, A. W. Doniphan, of Clay county, and Col. Price, of Howard. Both candidates made speeches. Doniphan spoke first ; Price replied. The latter had been a lieutenant-colonel- in the Florida war, and in the opinion of a great many, had not won very great renown, to speak mildly. When he alluded in his speech to the fact of his former service, some one in the crowd cried out, " You had better not mention that ! " Doniphan was chosen colonel by a nearly unanimous vote. After an exciting contest between C. F. Ruff and Wm. T. Gilpin, for the office of lieutenant-colonel, the former was elected, and Gilpin was chosen major of the regiment.

To the First Missouri Mounted Volunteers were afterward joined Capt. Hudson's company, the Laclede Rangers, two companies of artillery, from St. Louis, in charge of Captains Weightman and Fisher, and under command of Major Clark, and two companies of infantry, under Captains Murphy and Augney. Besides these, were Kearney's dragoons, and these commands composed the members of the famed Doniphan's expedition.

After a prief period spent in drawing arms, drilling, and disciplining the men, the expedition prepared to set out for Santa Fe, and the other Mexican posts in New Mexico. On the 22d of June, company D, the Saline county company, and company A set out in advance of the main body of the expedition, under command of Capitain Waldo, of' company A.

They marched steadily on until the 4th of July, 1846, when Captain Reid, of company D, procured a keg of whisky, and each man, officer and private, drank to the republic's birth in good old Bourbon, before they broke camp that morning.

Early in September the regiment reached Santa Fe, their objective point, after suffering a good many hardships. After they had remained in Santa Fe a week or two, company D, with two other companies, under Lieut.-Col. Jackson, were sent out against the Navajo Indians, upon which expedition they set out on the 21st of September, 1846. On this expedition Bart Gwinn, of Saline county, died. After scouting around among the Navajos, and finally forming a treaty of peace with them. Col. Doniphan rendezvoused his forces for his famous march to Chihuahua, December 12, 1846.

Battle Of The Bracito

On the 25th day of December, 1846, Christmas day. Col. Doniphan's regiment met a Mexican army, drawn up at the Bracito, near El Paso. The following account of this battle is taken from the journal of Mr. Edwards:

Capt. Reid was away from camp when the scene commenced, watering his horse. He galloped up to camp, and heard the order was to fall in on foot; but he despises the infantry service, so he ordered those of his men who had their horses convenient, to mount them. No sooner said than done, and sixteen well-mounted men soon appeared by his side, behind our line of infantry. Accidentally, I found my mare close at hand, and mounted her.

The enemy's long, bold front soon hove in sight, and was formed a little over a half mile off, while they rid themselves of every burdensome article.

Now an officer appeared from their ranks, upon a foaming steed, bearing in his hand a black flag, with a skull and cross-bones on it, such as is used by pirates, and indicates death or victory, or "no quarters." He was met by our interpreter, Caldwell, about half way, who demanded of him his business. He replied that his commander demanded an interview with ours. Caldwell told him that our commander would meet his half way. "No," says the Spaniard, "he must come to our camp;" to which Caldwell replied in the negative. " Carajo ! " said the Mexican ; " we will then come and bring him." " Come on," replied Caldwell, " they are ready for you." Then the Mexican shook his black flag, and, pointing to it, said: " See! that is our motto; we ask no quai-ter, and will give none; there is no mercy for you, and you will receive none." Then waiving his little flag, he galloped off to join his command.

Seemingly it was enough to make our commander's blood run chill when he saw the long, bold and beautiful front of the enemy, forming a striking contrast to our single rank of footmen, when he heard their menace and listened to the martial tones of their music. But quite the contrary. Coolness and self-confidence pervaded all our ranks. Laughing, talking and jesting, each seeming to vie with his neighbor in telling the best yarns or using the most witty expressions. * ,

Balls soon flew thick and fast, and as they would whistle by a fellow's ear he would involuntarily dodge his head after the danger was past. Col. Mitchell once halted behind our squad of cavalry, at which time I thought. balls passed a little thicker than I had ever before heard them. The Colonel was mounted on a fine white horse, with gay trappings, so that he made a fine military appearance, and, I have no doubt, was the target for many shots.

Our line was numbered off "one - two," with orders that number two should reserve his fire until number one fired, and then fire while number one was reloading - and thus alternately until otherwise ordered. The Mexicans continued advancing and firing with their piece of ordnance and with small arms. Our orders were "reserve your fire," which were again and again repeated, but it was with great difficulty that the men were restrained from firing too soon, each declaring that he had killed buffalo further than that.

The Mexican cannon was supported on either side by a line of skirmishers, who were lying in the grass, and kept up a constant fire. We had now received three successive volleys from the main body of the Mexicans without returning a shot, and several of our men were already wounded. The footmen were ordered to kneel as a better protection for them and as a better position for firing.

The Vera Cruz dragoons, the old veterans of the nation, who had served in all the wars with the Texans, and with Armijo as his life guard, were now seen advancing rapidly on our left. Colonel Doniphan ordered an elbow to be formed for their better reception, and doing this, the left wing fell back a short distance, seeing which, and supposing our men to be retreating, the Mexican dragoons increased their speed, and shouted "Buena! Buena! " - (Good! good!) - so distinctly that we could hear them plainly. The bugles sounded the charge - and their appearance was beautiful as they came on abreast - their steeds, the best of the Spanish stock, prancing and tossing their heads to the sound of the bugles, the riders erect and firm in their seats, their red coats, brazen helmets tipped with bearskin, and each armed with a carbine, a lance, holstsrs and sabre, they looked admirable and formidable. They had been maneuvering to get into our rear - but when the elbow was formed they saw this was hopeless, and made a direct charge at the left wing. As soon as they got over the sand hillocks, and got in steady order and under good way, the order was given, "fire!" and immediately the whole of the left wing, and for some distance up the elbow concentrated their fire upon the charging dragoons - our men had forgotten the order to reserve half their fire.

Now, how changed the aspect of the Mexican chargers! How altered their appearance ! But a moment before, so beautiful and imposing - now could be seen riders falling from their seats, and war horses bounding high in the air and falling never to rise again. They faltered, turned to the right as if to make a descent upon our wagons, but meeting with the same warm reception from the wagoners, and from one little squadron of cavalry, which had now charged to within a few rods of them, they turned and made a precipitate retreat, but were followed fast by our party, who overhauled and killed several with the sabre. I saw Captain Reid rush, with his sword drawn, upon a Mexican, whose horse had been killed. As he drew near, I saw the Mexican raise his gun, as I supposed, to ward off the sabre blow, but, instead of this he fired directly at Reid's head, and was so close that the powder burned his whiskers, but the ball passed on without effect. Another jump of his horse and Reid brought him to his knees with his sabre - though his sabre was so light and trifling that it did the fellow but little damage, and he raised with his lance, but there were now so many around him, that he was quickly dispatched.

After following the dragoons several hundred yards, when we found G company bringing in their only piece of cannon, which was a little howitzer, drawn by one mule, and as near of |no account as anything could well be . From it they shot slugs made of many different metals, chiefly copper.

The Chihuahua grenadiers had attempted to charge upon the right wing that rested on the bank of the Bracito, or small arm of the river, but were driven back with considerable loss. It seems to have been their object to surround us.

The Mexicans had now retreated beyond their original position, where they were hid from our sight by some sand hillocks, and where we supposed them to be rallying to make another and more determined charge - so Col. Doniphan ordered Capt. Reid with the Saline horsemen, to proceed to the left and reconnoitre. When we came to the place we supposed they would be found, we saw them in full retreat, some distance beyond, towards a mountain gap about ten miles to the east.- Our party, which had now increased to sixty horsemen, followed them about eight miles. Their trail was marked with blood, from the wounded which they were carrying off. We returned with many miles packed with ammunition, provisions, etc. They have no wagons, but use mules instead. We found a quantity of wine, fine bread, cigaritos, etc., and after all ended, our Christmas much better than we had expected.

John Martin was mounted on a very skittish mare. She ran over a mule* and threw him sky high! He was with me at the time, and I thought his horse had been hit, and he himself killed.

So ended the battle of the Bracito. It was ended in thirty minutes after the first gun was fired. Our loss was seven wounded, none mortally. The Mexican loss was sixty killed, one hundred and seventy-two (including the commander) wounded, and three hundred and twenty-five missing - total, five hundred and twenty-five. This is their own report, and Mexican reports are always exaggerated in favor of themselves. Their commander. Col. Ponce De Leon, was wounded by two balls at the distance of half a mile. Our strength actually engaged was four hundred and fifty, and the Mexicans reported a strength of twelve hundred.

About a month after the battle of Bracito, Doniphan, with his whole command, now numbering a thousand men and six pieces of artillery, pushed on to Chihuahau. At Sacramento, in Chihuahua, he again encountered the Mexicans, and there was fought one of the most splendid little battles of the Mexican war.

The account of this battle of Sacramento, which was by far the grandest achievement of Doniphan's expedition, is also taken from Edwards' journal, almost word for word. Thesbattle was fought on Sunday, February 28, 1847.

After marching ten miles we came in sight of the enemy, whose lines were drawn up in advance of their fortifications, fronting us, and divided into sections and companies, with a view, do doubt, to deceive us as to their numbers, as they unsheathed their sabers and waved them in the sun, over their heads. We were yet two miles distant, and halted until the command and wagons came up, during which halt. Col. Mitchell again applied his eye to his glass, and informed us that they had five batteries in sight. The cavalry now advanced to almost within range of their batteries, while the wagons turned to the right to gain an eminence almost as high as theirs. This was done to confuse the Mexicans, and as soon as our army had advanced some distance, the whole also turned to the right for the eminence. As soon as ,they saw our whole force making for this point they dispatched their cavalry to cut us off. But we reached the point while the Mexicans were yet nine hundred yards distant. Here we formed our line and battery, and- awaited the actions of the enemy, whose intention we supposed was to charge us, but seeing they remained inactive, our artillery bugle sounded a few quick, welcome notes - the match was applied to the howitzer on the left - a thick flame and smoke arose from the muzzle - a glistening bomb whistled through the air, and leaving only a faint glimmer behind, exploded in the enemy's ranks. This was followed by another and another, until the whole six had fired. Our ranks cheered loudly, but death and consternation were in the Mexican ranks. They did not await the result of the whole round, before they scampered ofT pell-mell toward their camp. Our first shot, as I have since been told, killed and wounded seventeen men and seven horses. We had fired but a few rounds, when their infantry and artillery advanced a few hundred yards nearer, and the cannonading for a short time became general on both sides.

' The cheering in our ranks had ceased, and the men were intently gkzing and dodging at every ball that came. The Mexican powder was of an inferior quality ; therefore the balls would bound and rebound several times before reaching us, and by watching carefully the points at which they struck the ground, a pretty good guess where they would strike our line, and in time to avoid them. The balls would pass through an opening, made for the purpose, in our ranks, or bound high over our heads, with a roaring or howling noise. Our corral was formed just behind our lines, so that it received the same fire we did. Their firing, however, did but little damage - wounding one man and killing a horse and a mule. Through some mistake our bombs of the right kind were misplaced, and nearly all that were thrown burst half way. Some of them, and most of the round shot took effect.

The firing now ceased on both sides, and the Mexicans retired to their intrenchments, while we advanced upon the right of their position. Now came DeCoursey, our adjutant, with " prepare for a charge," directed to the two horse companies. Through some mistake Capt. Parsons did not understand the order, and only Capt. Reid's company with Capt. Wightman's two twelve-pound howitzers, made the charge. The rest of the regiment advanced along the line of a ridge to attack them in their stronghold.

Capt. Reid, with his company at a brisk trot, advanced to the right of their position. We had just reached a deep gully at the ascent of a steep hill, upon which was a battery, supported by a redoubt, besides the line of their intrenchments. This battery on the hill, and the small arms above, with the battery on the opposite side of the valley from Sacramento fort, had just opened upon us, when Doniphan perceived that Capt. Parsons was not with us, and sent the adjutant, ordering us to halt, leaving us exposed to three different fires. It was certainly imprudent of De Coursey, even supposing he had orders, to halt us here, he could see to what we were exposed, and that we might have taken cover under the hill, but probably there was no time for a second thought; and thanks to the miserable management of the Mexicans, none of us were killed here. Capt. Reid, who either had not heard the adjutant's order, being in advance of his company and half way up the hill, or not choosing to obey, continued on, calling to his men to follow, and not turning to see if they were behind him, when in fact he was only followed by Maj. Owens of the volunteer traders' hands, and Maj. Campbell, of Lafayette, who did not belong to the army; he approached the very ditch of the battery which seemed lit with flame ;ind smoke. It was here that the career of the unfortunate Owens was cut short, having received two shots and two lance wounds. Capt. Reid's horse got two shots, which disabled him. The company perceiving this, broke away for their captain, regardless of orders, and were soon at the top of the hill. Here they halted, about seventy-five yards from the breastworks, but being somewhat under the hill, the Mexican bullets whistled high overbead. Here the lieutenant tried to form the men again, which was useless, for a line is not kept longer than an attack is commenced. Here we were, no one knowing what to do. The main body of the army were just reaching the gully, and there being no place where cavalry would be of service, we remained inactive, only firing when we could get an opportunity. Here several of our men were wounded, among whom was Corporal McClean, in the left arm, (since adjutant-general of Gen. Price's army of M. S. G); One howitzer was rushed up with a great deal of expedition and fired by Lieut. Chouteau and the driver, and it succeeded in dispersing the Mexican cavalry, that seemed to be preparitig to charge us. The other was soon up, and begun to fire into the ditches and rallying cavalry.

The infantry now came rushing up the hill with a shout. The Mexicans feared to poke their heads above the parapets, so they would, level their guns above, and fire without aim. The attack became general and warm. Men rushed upon the ditches and fired into them, and on the Mexicans, as they were leaving them. Others discharged their pieces, and, not taking time to reload, used their guns as cudgels. The horsemen were now engaged in pursuit of a large body of cavalry through the valley of mesquite, or chapparal, where they got completely scattered. The Mexicans were utterly routed, with heavy loss.

Having possession of the hill, there now remained another position to force - the hill on the opposite side of the valley, called Fort Sacramento. The ascent was steep and rugged, and the position a very strong one, and very hard to carry by storm. Maj. Clark planted his battery of four guns on the point of the hill stormed by Capt. Reid, and began to fire with round shot and shell, while the first battalion advanced to the attack. Maj. Clark's first shot dismounted one of their pieces, and every shell, knowing its appointed place, the Mexicans did not await our arrival. When we reached the foot of the hill, the howitzers were run up with the greatest difficulty. The place was defended by a body of infantry who had not been previously engaged, but when we arrived at the top of the hill they were already making their way to the mountains. We followed several miles, killing and capturing many of them, until night ended our pursuit.

When we returned we found the regiment camped on the hill that the Mexican army had occupied the night before, and settled down in quiet and peace. None were killed on the field, save Major Owens, Sergeant Kirkpatrick, of company B, mortally wounded, and nine others, more or less severely. The loss of the Mexicans in this engagement is not positively certain, and has been variously estimated at from 700 to 1,000, in killed, wounded, and prisoners. Their loss, altogether, may be safely estimated at 3,000. We captured thirteen guns, eleven of which were mounted - two nine-pounders, the rest sixes, and all made of refined copper; also, nine rampart pieces, and a large amount of ammunition, baggage, provisions, &c. The Mexican army was 4,000 strong, commanded by Gen. Heredia, fully four to one with Doniphan's regiment. And thus ended the battle of Sacramento, one of the most signal successes ever achieved by American arms.

11. The commanding general would at the same time announce another signal success won by the gallantry of our troops, on the 28th of February, near the city of Chihuahua. A column of Missouri volun- teers, less than a thousand strong, with a light field battery, attacked a Mexican force, many times their superior in numbers, in an entrenched

Major General Tayuor. The vast superiority of the Anglo Saxon race, though only one to four, carried all before them, and the battle was decided, though not finished, in an hour after it began. The battle of Sacramento was fought on the 28th of February, 1847. After the battle, Doniphan took possession of the city of Chihuahua, and capital of the state, containing a population of 2S,000 souls.

On the 24th of April, 1847, after remaining in Chihuahua two months, the regiment was ordered home, which news was received joyfully, and the men began their march for Missouri on the 26th of April, 1847, moving down into Mexico, to Gen. Wool's headquarters, where they were discharged, their year of service having expired. Upon being mustered out and receiving their pay, they marched to the seaboard.

On the 5th of June, 1847, Doniphan's regiment left Mexico for the United States, arriving at New Orleans on the 15th. Before it left Mexico it received the following very complimentary mention from Brig. Gen. Wool, commanding division:

I. The general commanding takes great pleasure in expressing the gratification he has received this afternoon in meeting the Missouri volunteers. They are about to close their present term of military service, after having rendered, in the course of the arduous duties they have been called upon to perform, a series of highly important services, crowned by decisive and glorious victories. No troops can point to a more brilliant career than those commanded by Col. Doniphan, and none will ever hear of the battles of Bracito and Sacramento without a feeling of admiration for the men who gained them. The state of Missouri has just cause to be proud of the achievements of the men who represented her in the army against Mexico, and she will no doubt receive them on their return with all the joy and satisfaction to which a due appreciation of their merits and services so justly entitles them. In biddmg them adieu, the general wishes to Col. Doniphan, his officers and men, a happy return to their famihes and homes. By command of

The members of the Saline county company did not all return to their homes at the same time. Each man came in when and as he pleased. All of the survivors were at home, however, by the 4th of July, 1847.

reception by the people of the county. The place selected was in Walnut Grove, a beautiful grassy wood on the level ground east of the bridge on the road from Miami to the bottom lands below. The assemblage of people, including the soldiers and many from adjoining counties, was very large. The order of the day was as follows : A procession was formed beginning where the Stewart hotel now stands, in Miami. It was regularly marshaled and marched, with music and banners, to the grounds, forming quite an imposing pageant. A magnificent barbecue dinner was served. The meats were cooked in deep pits in the ground and served up in huge trenchers on a long table. Col. John Brown, then the representative of the county, presided. W. T. Hewitt, of Miami, was orator of the day, and his address of welcome to the Saline county heroes was replete with eloquence, cordiality and patriotism. After dinner many gratulatory and patriotic toasts were offered and cordially responded to. One of these toasts remembered was:

In the evening there was a grand ball in a large hemp warehouse at the foot of Main street, Miami, which was largely attended and participated in by the best people of the county.

From 1844 To 1850

Pursuant to a treaty made with the Sac and Fox Indians at their agency in southern Iowa in 1842, they were removed from that state in the fall of 1845 and in the spring of 1846 to Kansas. Those who left in the fall of 1845 were not in charge of a government agent, but came voluntarily down the Grand river to its mouth, and then crossed over to the Saline county side to spend the winter in the bottom nearly opposite Brunswick, waiting for the mild weather of spring to remove to their reservation in Kansas. They arrived in the Miami bottom in January, 1846. The party was in charge of the renowned chief, Keokuk ("the Watchful Fox"), Young Black Hawk, and other prominent braves. It numbered about five hundred men, women and children.

Soon after the arrival of the Indians the people of north Saline grew very indignant, chiefly because the Indians were fast destroying the game, .and efforts were being made to call out the militia and drive them out, when unexpectedly Maj. Harvey, a superintendent of Indian affairs, arrived at his home, a few miles south of Miami. On learning the state affairs, he came to Miami, and sent messengers to the Indian camp, requesting the chiefs and head men to come up and have a " talk." In a .small yard, inclosed in front of the house now" owned by Mrs. Mary

Walden, the council met. Keokuk and Young Black Hawk, with a few of their retainers and their interpreter, Joseph Smart, represented the Indians, and Major Harvey and a deputation of citizens represented the whites. There was considerable parleying on both sides. The Indians evinced great opposition to moving at that time on account of the inclemency of the weather and the suffering that must inevitably ensue among their women and children. The matter was at last settled by the philanthropic Major Harvey. He owned a large tract of timber land on the bottom above Miami, to which the Indians consented to remove their camp, and remain until next spring, and not trespass upon the lands owned by the bther whites in the meanwhile. This arrangement satisfied all parties, and the Indians soon were in their new quarters.

While the Indians were here encamped they were visited by hundreds of the citizens of the county, from far and near. They always received their visitors very friendly, and made them welcome as well as they could. Several trials of skill, m the use of the rifle, took place between them and the white marksmen of that day, and as, powder and lead with them were scarce, they invariably stipulated in these shooting matches that the whites should furnish the ammunition. On one occasion, Dr. Dunlap, of Miami, had been out quail shooting, and had been able to secure a few braces of these birds. Being close to the Indian camp on his way home, he visited it. The squaws and boys gathered about him, and seeing the game he carried, by a variety of ejaculations and gestures expressed their contempt for a man who would waste powder and lead on such small game as quail!

The Indians left in March for their Kansas reservation, and not long afterward, the great chief Keokuk died of delirium tremens, after a prolonged debauch. Young Blackhawk, it is said, had for a wife, or rather for one of his'wives, the daughter of a white woman, captured by the Sacs in early days. This is a mistake. The woman in question was a white woman, but she was from a small town in Iowa, and being forced to leave her home for improper and immoral conduct, joined the Indians at their camp, at the town of lowaville, in Van Buren county, Iowa, and became the wife or rather the paramour of Young Black Hawk, or " Pete," as the whites in Iowa called him. The Indians were well acquainted with Saline county and this part of Missouri, generally, having, some of them, lived here in the " long ago," and others of them having visited here during the war of 1812.

In the presidential canvass of 1848, General Zachary Taylor, of Louisiana, was the whig candidate for president, with Millard Fillmore, of New York, for vice-president. The democrats nominated Gen. Lewis Cass, of Michigan, for president,, and General Wm. O. Butler, of Kentucky, for vice-president. There was no very unusual excitement m this year, in

Not every whig voted for Gen. Taylor. Some of the returned soldiers did not like him, and voted against him. There was a third Presidential ticket in the field, that of the free-soilers, composed of Martin Van Buren, formerly an ardent democrat, and Charles Francis Adams, but it received no votes outside of the free states.

The whi^s made strenuous efforts to carry the state of Missouri for " Old Rough and Ready," as they called Gen. Ta}'lor, as they did throughout the Union. One verse of one of their campaign songs indicates the animus of their canvass:

O, Jimmy Polk we thought a joke in 1844, When he was made the nominee by the Locos at Baltimore; But now we'll lookout whit we're about before it gets too late. And we'll have no such cruel tricks played off in 48.

Although the whigs succeeded in electing their nominee,s they failed to carry Missouri. The vote was, for the democratic electors, 40,077; for the whig electors, 32,671 ; majority for the democrats, 7,406.

In January of this year began a series of discussions in the legislature concerning the question of slavery, or rather the power of congress over slavery in the territories. The " Wilmot Proviso," so-called from its author; Hon. David Wilmot, of Pennsylvania, had been introduced into a previous congress, providing as follows:

That as an express and fundamental condition to the acquisition of any territory from the republic of Mexico by the United States, by virtue of any treaty that may be negotiated between them, and to the use by the executive of the moneys herein appropriated, neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall ever exist in any part of said territory, except for crime, whereof the party shall first be duly convicted.

The Wilmot Proviso caused great discussion throughout the Union, and considerable excitement in the South. Col. Switzler says* that the people of the southern states were much alarmed for the security of their '- peculiar institution," and felt the keenest apprehensions that by the admission of new states, devoted forever to free soil, they would lose their dominance in the national legislature, and soon become an easy prey to the designs of the abolitionists. It was quite natural that a large portion of the people of Missouri, without regard to political party distinctions, should share these convictions with varying degrees of intensity. Some, it is true , "'History of Missouri p. 264.

were so wedded to the institution of slavery that rather than abandon it in Missouri, by any plan or process, they seemed willing to dissolve the Union. Others, while feeling strongly attached to and believing in slavery, were at the same time devoted to the Union. Either they or their ancestors or their kinsmen, had fought for it, and its flag to them was a holy thing. While desiring to perpetuate, and to extend, the " peculiar institution," they shrank aghast at the idea of dissolving the Union. They believed that the Union and slavery ought to and could be preserved together. The latter sentiments were shared by most of the whigs and many of the democrats of Saline county.

In the legislature, on the 15th of January, Hon. C. F. Jackson, who had long been a citizen of Saline, but who had removed to Howard county, and was then a senator from that district, introduced some resolutions on the subject of the nature of the Federal government, and its power over the question of slavery in the territories. The following is a copy of these resolutions :

Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of Missouri: That the Federal constitution was the result of a compromise between the conflicting interests of the states . which formed it, and in no part of that instrument is to be found any delegation of power to congress to legislate on the subject of slavery, excepting some special provisions, having in view the prospective abolition of the African slave trade, made for the securing the recovery of fugitive slaves; any attempt, therefore, on the part of congress, to legislate on the subject, so as to affect the institution of slavery in the states, in the District of Columbia, or in the territories, is, to say the least, a violation of the principles upon which that instrument -was founded.

2. That the territories, acquired by the blood and treasure of the whole nation, ought to be governed for the common benefit of the people of all the states, and any organization of the territorial governments, excluding the citizens of any part of the Union from removing to such territories, with their property, would be an exercise of power by congress inconsistent with the spirit upon which our federal compact was based, insulting to the sovereignty and dignity of the states thus affected, calculated to alienate one portion of the Union from another, and tending ultimately to disunion.

3. That this general assembly regard -the conduct of the northern states on the subject of slavery as releasing the slave-holding state from all further adherence to the basis of compromise fixed on by the act of congress of March 6, 1820; even if such act ever did impose any obligation upon the slave-holding states, and authorizes them to insist upon their rights under the constitution ; but, for the sake of harmony, and for the preservation of our Federal Union, they will still sanction the application of the principles of the Missouri Compromise to the recent territorial acquisitions, if by such concession future aggressions upon the equal rights of the states may be arrested and the spirit of anti-slavery fanaticism be extinguished.

to the people thereof, and can only be exercised by them in forming their constitution for a state government or in their sovereign capacity as an independent state.

5. That in the event of the passage of any act of congress conflicting with the principles herein expressed, Missouri will be found in hearty co-operation with the slave-holding states, in such measures as may be deemed necessary for our mutual protection against the encroachments of northern fanaticism.

These resolutions engrossed the attention of public men and the consideration of the public mind for a time almost as much as the Wilmot proviso. They were known as the "Jackson resolutions,'' from the name of their mover, but their real author was Hon. W. B. Napton, of Saline county, one of the most prominent men and one of the .ablest lawyers and jurists of the state.*

The champion of the resolutions in the legislature was Hon. C. F. Jackson (afterward governor), really a Saline county man, and the leader of the opposition to them was also from this county, Hon. Geo. C. Bingham, the painter-statesman-soldier, who was raised chiefly at Arrow Rock, and painted his first picture there on a walnut board prepared by himself while working as an apprentice in a cabinet shop.

The resolutions passed both houses of the legislature - the senate by a vote of 23 to 6; the house by 53 to 27. Col. Benton, one of the United States senators from this state, appealed from the instructions of the legislature to the people, canvassed the state against them, and divided the deniocratic party in this state into two factions, known as the Benton and the anti-Benton democrats, or the " hards " and the " softs." The result was that at the next session of the legislature the whigs succeeded in electing their candidate, Hon. H, S. Geyer, to the United States senate to succeed Col. Benton.

*Dbab Sib. - You are right in assuming that I am the author of the " Jackson resolutions." I wrote them at the request of G-overnor Jackson and other members of the legislature. On the morning after they were prepared, Gov. Jackson, Judge Scott, Carty Wells, Seorge W. Hough, and probably one or two other friends of mine whose presence has been forgotten, called on me at my room in the capitol, and I read the resolutions and they approved them. These gentlemen are all dead now, and the principles of government declared in the resolutions are also dead. The gentlemen named and myself happened to agree in political opinions and were intimate personal friends, and this was doubtless the reason why I was called on to draw up the resolutions.

Whether or, not the conversion of the Federal government into a national one, which the civil war eflfected, will result in ultimate benefit, time alone can show. I confess to a partiality to>the principles of stale sovereignty as defined by Jefferson and Madison, and all the early republican presidents, by the "Virginia resolutions of 1798-9, and Madison's report, and by the Kentucky resolutions. It was upon these original documents of our early statesmen that the resolutions you refer to, introduced into the Missouri legislature by Gov. Jackson, were based, and I am only entitled to the credit of putting them in a shape that was acceptable to my political friends and associates.

and this time was very fatal and destructive. Arrow Rock, Saline Citjr, Cambridge, Miami, and Marshall were all visited by the dreadful scourge, and there were many cases in the country. There was the greatest alarm throughout the county. Farmers and others living in the country feared to visit the towns, even to procure family supplies or medical attendance. When they came in, they would ride up in front of a store, call for what they wanted, receive it, and without dismounting, gallop hastily away. The negroes were very much affected by the general alarm, and worked faithfully for their masters, and for the time being at least were not eyeservants. Some of them died, and this among other circumstances, frightened them into doing their duty. A story illustrative of these times was related by the people of those days, but it is hardly fit for ears polite.

A Mr. Snoddy first brought the cholera to Marshall. He had been to Miami, where he contracted the disease. He rode into Marshall, but had to be helped from his horse. In a short time he was dead. Dr. Hicks, a prominent physician of Marshall, attended Mr. Snoddy. In but a short time the doctor himself was taken. He suffered but little, apparently, and declared that he underwent no pain, although he felt certain that he would die. In a brief period he had passed away. Some negroes in town were attacked, and died. The number of deaths in the town of Marshall was six; the whole number in the county about fifty.

From 1850 To 1860

From 1850 to 1860 the county steadily prospered. The seasons were propitious, the harvests universally abundant, and prosperity was general and substantial. Thousands of tons of hemp, of bushels of wheat, of pounds of tobacco, were annually raised and shipped, from which golden returns, in abundance, were always received. The large land-holders of the county owned many slaves that did the work and made the wealth of their owners.

Miami and Arrow Rock were the principal shipping points, and much business was transacted at these ports, in the line of forwarding produce and receiving nierchandise.

First Railroad Agitation

FIRST RAILROAD AGITATION. All of the goods and merchandise used and consumed in the county prior to about the year 1858, were shipped on steamboats. In 1852-3,, there was a very considerable effort made to secure the location of the Pacific railway through the county. Many public meetings were held and the county court, authorized by the people, agreed to make an order, issuing bonds to a considerable extent, in favor of the road, upon its completion through the county. It was contemplated by the people of Cooper,

Saline and Lafayette, to hgve the road leave Jefferson City or Georgetown, and pass through their counties via Booneville and Marshall. But those having the building of the line in charge located it upon what was called the southern route, to Sedalia via California, for upon this line they owned tracts of land, which became largely enhanced in value, in consequence of the building of the railroad.

At the session of the county court, September, 1852, an election was ordered to be held, October 2, " for the purpose," according to the recond, ""of taking the sense of the people, upon the proposition that the county court of Saline county subscribe for stock of the Pacific railroad, to the amount of $100,000 ; and if it should be necessary to secure the said road to run through the body of our county, to pass in a reasonable distance of the county seat; that the said court subscribe for the stock of said road to the amount of $200,000, or go as far as $300,000 worth of stock, rather than to fail in securing said road to pass through the body of the county."

Considerable of a canvass was made throughout the county, by friends of the project, attended with much discussion of the subject. The election came off and an examination of the poll books disclosed these facts : Four hundred and seventy-three votes were cast at the election. For subscribing $100,000, there were 274 votes; for subscribing $200,000, there were 244 votes ; for subscribing $300,000, there were 205 votes, and against subscribing for any stock there were 199 votes.

At the November session it was ordered that $200,000 worth of stock should be subscribed for, provided the road should be built by way of Arrow Rock and Marshall. John Locke Hardeman was appointed agent of the county to subscribe for the stock to the aforesaid amount, and to attend to any other business in relation to railroad matters required of him by the court.

No opportunity was ever given Mr. Hardeman to make the subscription, for, as before stated, the road was located upon the southern line, and not upon the " river route." A great calamity to Saline, Cpoper, and Lafeyette counties, then acting in concert to secure the location of the important thoroughfare known as the Pacific railroad, now called the Missouri Pacific. This was the first legislation upon the subject of railroads by the authorities of Saline county.

January 31, 1857, an election was held "to test the sense of the people in regard to the propriety of the county court's subscribing, on behalf of the county, for stock in a railroad which shall run from Lexington, and pass centrally through Saline county, connecting with the Pacific road at some point west of Jefferson City," which subscription was to be to the amount of $300,000 to $400,000. The people not taking kindly to the

Politics engrossed a very large share of the time and attention of the people. The constant agitation of the slavery question in congress and elsewhere attracted the attention of the people of this county. While there was probably not a single out-and-out abolitionist in the county, there were many who antagonized the extreme position of some pro-slavery men upon the question of the " peculiar institution," and deprecated the" constant turmoil upon the question then going on.

The two political parties in the county were the democratic and whig parties, the latter being slightly in the majority. In the presidential contest of 1852, Gen. Winfield Scott was the nominee of the whigs and Gen. Franklin Pierce the democratic candidate. The freesoilers had a ticket in the field headed by John P. Hale, of New Hampshire, but it cut only a very insignificant figure in the campaign. This campaign will ever be regarded as a memorable one, since it was the last in which the old whig party, as a party, presented a presidential candidate. Gen. Scott was quite well and favorabiy known throughout the country. He was a hero of three wars and commander-in-chief of the U. S. army during the war with Mexico. He had been a brave and gallant soldier, who had shed his blood for his country. British lead was in his body, which he carried with him to his grave. But however great Gen. Scott was as a soldier, he was an utter failure as a politician and as a candidate. His first speech in the campaign, to a deputation of foreigners in which he declared that he " loved the rich Irish brogue and the sweet German accent," made him the butt of his opponents, and a subject of general ridicule, while his position upon both sides of the Missouri compromise question, the tariff question and other measures regarded as of moment, effectually killed his case before the American people, and he was overwhelmingly defeated by his opponent, a comparatively obscure New England senator and a brigadier general of volunteers in the Mexican war. Twenty-eight years thereafter Gen. Scott's namesake, Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock was as deci-

In Saline county this year the whigs, under Letcher, Maupin, and others, were met by the democrats led by C. F. Jackson, Dr. Penn and others. The whigs fought hard, for they were fighting their last battle under their old party organization. They carried the county by the following vote:

Very soon after the presidential election of this year, the whig party fell to pieces. From its ruins sprang up the American party, of which most of the " old line " whigs became members, and for whose candidates most of them thereafter voted. But for many years thereafter, and even to this day, there were, and are voters in Saline county called by themselves " whigs," - who yet believe in Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, free banks, and internal improvements.

Presidential Election Op 1856

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OP 1856. In 1856, the American or Know-nothing party, composed of old whigs and a few democrats, with a platform embodying the principles of opposition to the holding of office by foreigners and Roman Catholics, carried Saline county by a considerable majority. The candidates were James Buchanan and John C. Breckenridge of the democrats, Millard Fillmore and Andrew Jackson Donelson of the Americans, and John C. Fremont and Wm. L. Dayton, of the republicans. Votes were cast in Saline for only Buchanan and Fillmore, as follows:

During The Troubles In Kansas

DURING THE TROUBLES IN KANSAS. From the first of the troubles in the territory of Kansas, until the last, as to whether or not there should be slavery in the state upon its admission into the Union, the people of Saline took a part therein upon the proslavery side. For some time many of those interested in the institution of slavery, believing their interests to be in danger, and that the end would justify the means, had been members of a secret political order looking to the preservation, perpetuation, and extension of the " peculiar institution." This organization had many members in this county, and three or four lodges or " camps." These were in communication with other " camps " in other states, and performed an important part of one division of the work for which the order was created.

This organization had its hailing signs, its grips, its passwords, and was near to kin and auxiliary to the famous Knights of the Golden Circle. It did what it could to make Kansas a slave state. Many of its members, as well as some other citizens of the county who were not members, went regularly to Kansas and voted every time a territorial legislature was to be chosen or a constitution adopted, and as regularly returned to their Missouri homes after the election ! But the free-soilers of the north were pursuing the same tactics, and there was that sort of excuse, if it be lawful to call it an excuse. Sharpe's rifles and brass cannon were bought with the proceeds of northern church collections, and sent in charge of men who would use them "to consecrate the soil of Kansas to freedom," as the northern abolition sentimentalists expressed it, and there was a great deal of fraud and other wrong perpetrated by both the pro-slavery and free-soil factions.

The Saline county men who participated in this affair did so very reluctantly, and only did what they were compelled to. It was this sort of warfare in the Kansas troubles that gave rise to jayhawkerism and guerrillaism in the civil war, and caused such men as Jim Lane and Jennison and Quantrell and Bill Anderson.

Many prominent men of this county were in the territory, from time to time, giving advice and consulting among themselves. On the 30th of March, 1855, an election was held for members of the legislature. At Lawrence, a consultation of the pro-slavery leaders was held, the evening before this election, at the tent of Hon. C. F. Jackson, then present in the territory.-^ The result of this conference was that the pro-slavery men carried the territorial election by a good, strong majority.

From time to time, provisions, such as bacon, flour, potatoes, etc., together with arms and ammunition, were sent into Kansas, from Saline, and from time to time, " visiting statesmen " journeyed thereto. Mr. T. W. B. Crews, Hon. W. H. Letcher, Hon. Frank Mitchell, Gov. Jackson and others attended to the county's interest in this regard.

The Tragedies Of 1859

In July, 1859, the county was greatly excited over a number of tragedies and crimes of difTerent degrees of enormity, that were perpetrated within its borders. On the 11th of the month, Jim, a negro slave, belonging to J. M. White, of near Marshall, attempted a rape upon the person of a respectable white lady, named Mrs. Habecot, who resided in that vicinity. He was arrested and confined in the county jail. On the 18th, a little girl, now an honored wife of a worthy citizen, of the county, was assaulted by a negro boy, the property of Dr. \Vm. Price, while with some young companions gathering blackberries, near Arrow Rock, The child, only twelve years of age at the time, was seized by the negro, who was nearly in a nude condition, and carried into the brush. Her cries alarmed her assailant, and brought a rescuing party to her assistance, before the scoundrel had effected his designs. The same afternoon the negro was captured, and, upon an examination, before a committee of citizens, he was hanged the same night; his owner, being satisfied of his guilt, delivered him up to the citizens for that purpose.

Some time prior to this, a negro, belonging to a Mrs. Howard, of Arrow Rock, had assaulted Mr. W. T. Durrett, cutting him badly and causing him to lose the use of his arm. He had been arrested and was in jail.

On the evening of May 13th, Mr. Benjamin Hinton, of Waverly, was foully murdered at his woodyard, on the Missouri, at a point between Lanesville and Miami. His body was found in his cabin, by his negro men, with his head crushed in, apparently, with an ax or bludgeon. His trunk was found broken open and his pockets were emptied, leaving but little room fpr doubt as to the object of the murder. Mr. Hinton was a son of Col. David Hinton, of Waverly, and a young man highly respected and well-known.

On Sunday, after the murder of Hinton, John, a negro man, belonging to Mr. Giles Kiser, of this county, was at the farm of Mr. Grayson, about twelve miles south of the place where the murder was committed, where ' his wife belonged. He seemed to be greatly excited. He said he had seen a murdered man the day previous, in a cabin, at the river, and that the body was laid out - the hands crossed, and the feet placed together. He expressed great alarm, and excused himself for not letting the fact be known before by alleging that Salt Fork was high, and he could not cross it. A $10 bill was found in his possession, with marks of blood on it.

The negro told conflicting stories as to how he had obtained the money. Blood was discovered on his clothing. Thirty-eight dollars, were found in his wife's cabin, hid away in a mitten known to be Mr. Hinton's. Fifty-two dollars in all were obtained, a part of which was in the hands of other negroes, to whom John was indebted; John accused another negro, named Dick, of the murder, but nobody believed him. He was arrested and confined in jail, at Marshall. Afterward he was taken to the Booneville jail for safe keeping, threats having been freely made to lynch him. The people, impatient at the "law's delay," could not wait for the regular term of the circuit court for the trial of John and the other negroes, and petitioned Judge Russell Hicks, then circuit judge of the Sixth district, to grant a special term for their trial. The judge granted the petition, and ordered the term to be held on the 19th of July. On that day John was tried, convicted, and was awaiting sentence, when he was taken from jail by an infuriated mob, and burned to death! Jim and Holman were also taken at the same time, and hung near where John was put to death, in the little ravine, about 200 yards north of the public square, in Marshall. The Marshall Democrat, 'of July 22, contained the following account of the affair :

The Proceedings On Tuesday

A special term of the Saline circuit court was held on Tuesday, for the trial of the three negroes, each for separate offenses. John, belonging to Giles Kiser, charged with the murder of Benjamin Hinton, on the 13th of May, last, was first indicted, tried, and convicted. Holman, belonging to Mrs. Howard, of Arrow Rock, charged with an assault upon Wm. T. Durrett, with intent to kill, was indicted, but had not yet been brought to trial; Jim, belonging to J. M. White, charged with an attempt to commit rape upon the person of a white woman, two weeks ago, had been indicted and brought into the court house for trial, but his case had not yet been disposed of when the court adjourned for dinner.

John was convicted of murder in the first degree, and was remanded to jail to await the sentence of the court. On the way to thejail a crowd began to gather, but had hardly gained sufficient force to take him out of the hands of the sheriff, which it was evidently their intention to do. Reaching the jail the sheriff had barely time to close the outside door of the cell in which he had placed the prisoner when a crowd of individuals rushed in and demanded the culprit at the hands of the sheriff, who refused to comply with their request. A sledge-hammer was brought into requisition, but before any damage was done the keys were forcibly taken frem the jailor, and in a few moments John and Holman were in the midst of the crowd and borne away from the jail. Jim was yet in the court house under guard until the court should resume its session after dinner. A detachment of the crowd proceeded to the court house and took Jim out of the hands of the guard, and they were all then taken to a grove adjoining town, where one of them, John, was chained to a tree and burned, and the other two were hanged. A coro.ier's jury was impanneled and sat on the spot. A verdict was rendered that the negroes had come to their death at the hands of a mob.

John was about 23 years of age, a valuable slave, worth probably $1,500 ; had an intelligent and open countenance, and conversed very freely with all those who. indicated a willingness to hear him while he was chained to the stake. He had confessed his guilt shortly aftei* his first examination, stating that he had gone to Hinton's cabin on the night of the 13th of May, having provided himself with a bludgeon, and called him up saying he had a note for him from Mr. Kiser. As soon as Hinton opened the door he struck him the fatal blow. On Tuesday when chained to the stake he said he had an accomplice. We have no means of knowing whether it was the fear of death or the hope of punishing an enemy that brought this last confession. A white man, John averred, was his accomplice and shared the gains. He was heard through, and then the match was applied to the combustibles piled round him. When the flames began to hiss about him, and the fire to penetrate his flesh, he first seemed to realize that he was to expiate his crime in that dreadful manner, for all along he had fed upon the fond belief that an honest confession would mitigate his punishment. We did not hear of his having made his peace with any judge more terrible than "Judge Lynch." In his agony he prayed more to those around him, than to the One above him. He screamed and groaned and implored those about him for mercy, calling on those he knew by name. He lived from six to eight minutes from the time the flames wrung the first cry of agony from his lips, the inhalation of the blazing fire suffocating him in a short time. His lips and arms were burnt, a portion of his head and face, and a part of his chest. His body remained, a charred and shapeless mass.