Carrollton Township

Carrollton Township

Carrollton, the county seat Carroll county, is located on the line of the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific railroad, 209 miles north-west of St. Louis, .and 66 miles east of Kansas City. It is located on a high bluff* overlooking the Mirrouri river bottoms, and contains a population of nearly 4,000 souls. Statistics can'be produced showing that her annual trade is far ahead of any towns on the line of the railroad or river, and is constantly increasing. She can boast of more fine, large business houses than any town outside of the metropolis of the state, and probably St. Joseph and Kansas City. She has more large hearted, public spirited citizens, more energy, more git-up and go ahead than half a dozen ordinary county, towns.

The first improvements made in the present limits of the city, was by John Standley, the report of which is found in the history of Carrollton township. The next was by Morgan P. Ellis, on lot 5, block 9, corner of Main and Benton streets, and now occupied by the commodious storehouse of Baum & David. About this time John Trotter put up a log house near where the African M. E. church is located.

The improvement of the county seat, its present advantages, its early history, etc., should be a matter of interest to every inhabitant of the county, so that a history of the fullest details will be a history of facts as '^car as can be procured.

At a special term of the county court held December 2d, 1833, John Morse, Felix Redding and John D. Llewellyn, commissioners for selecting permanent site for county seat, were allowed by the court $50.00 for services^ John Standley having donated the site, was made commissioner to sell lots, and entered into bond in $3,000 for faithful discharge of duty. At this term a petition was presented to the court and laid on the table, asking the removal of the county seat. On December 10th it was ordered that petition be rejected on the ground that only 79 signers out of 161 tax payers asked for removal.

A plat of the town was furnished and filed with records as the law directs, and the town ordered to be laid off conformably thereto, and that block 13 be reserved for county buildings.

At the April term Dr. Folger .was ordered to survey and lay off in lots, blocks, streets, and alleys, the county seat, receiving $40 therefor. John Trotter and Eben Casner were chain-carriers.

At the term of court held in August, John Trotter donated to the county ten acres, on the south end of that given by John Standley, the court accepting and taking deed for same.

Wm. M. Farr had authority to cultivate lot six, block eight, but at the following term of court, in February, 1836, the order was rescinded.

August, 1837, Lewis Rees filed petition of citizens of Carrollton, praying for incorporation, and asking that the east half of the southeast quarter of section 32, township 53, range 23, be included in said incorporation. Court granted petition, and ordered that the inhabitants thereof be a body politic, and corporate under the name and style of the "Town of Carrollton," and that Lindsay Harmon, Ed. V. Warren, Hiram Wilcoxson, John Espey, and L. N. Rees be and are hereby appointed trustees.

Up to this year, and in fact up to 1847, the town improved slowly, little if anything of particular interest transpiring. On the 8th of December, 1847, Rees Paynter presented a petition to the court, asking incorporation and police protection for the town of Carrollton. The court granted prayer, and appointed F. B. Atw'ood, W. J. Herndon, W. M. Corby, Joseph Freet, and William Walker trustees, until a legal election could be held.

From this fact it appears that the first incorporation was inoperative, and the court was called on to revise their former order, which they did.

History Of Carroll Countv

the town made some progress, and quite a little city was the result. The war coming on about this time, not only impeded the progress of the place, but through the bitterness engendered by the sentiments for and against the established government, many of the citizens left, and the town in a measure became deserted. Excitement ran higher as the war came on and the town gradually lost its vigor. Demoralization and delapidation followed. Legal authority was defied, and a spirit of lawlessness took the place of obedience.

Carrollton although passing through the war apparently unscathed, was several times the scene of more than ordinary excitement and interest, the first of any note being the raid of Capt. Mirick in July 1862. They destro3'ed the yournal office, throwing into the street every case of type except one, and breaking the press. Barricades and breastworks were thrown up in places through the town and the citizens that were able being enrolled as militia for its protection.

On the morning of Oct. 17th 1864, Maj. Diegel commanding the post, learned that a large force of rebels were approaching, and knowing the force under his command wa.s insufficient to hold the place if attacked, having only about 130 men and but little ammunition, by order he sent to Chillicothe for reinforcements and ammunition. This order was sent to St. Joseph, and reinforcements and ammunition were sent, but did not reach him when the demand was made by Col. Williams for surrender, with the threat that if not surrendered, he would bombard and burn the town. Maj. Diegel called a council of the officers and principal citizens of the town to consider the situation. Being nearly out of ammunition,, and having only a force of about 130 men it seemed like madness toundertake to hold the place. Major Diegel explained these facts to the council, and the result was, that surrender was agreed on, and the rebels took possession of the place, Maj. Diegel naming as conditions of surrender, that his men be allowed to go home, and the business men and citizens be protected. These conditions were to a certain extent violated by the command of Col. Williams and some unwarranted excesses took place. The force remained in possession of the town one night only, taking up their line of march by orders received from Genl. Price.

Some question arising as to the policy of the surrender, Maj. Diegel called for and obtained a court of inquiry on his act of surrender, Gen'l. h'isk being in command of the district. All the facts being placed before the court, the surrender was justified as a necessity and Maj. Diegel exonerated from all blame. When it is considered that the effective force in the town was only about 130 men, poorly armed and equipped and out of ^nununition it should not seem strange that they should surrender to a disciplined force much superior to their own; well armed and equipped, and

In the spring of 1864, O. J. Kerby presented to the county court a petition, praying the incorporation of the town under an act of the General Assembly of the State, which prayer was granted by the court, and the fact ordered of record. The court appointed O. J. Kerby, W. M. Cosby, W. B. Minnis, Jas. O'Gorman and Sam. Turner, Trustees of the town for the term of one year.

The board met for the purpose of organization and the transaction of business, and the first thing in order being the choice of a head to the board, Sami. Turner was nominated and elected president and acting Mayor and the city government went into effect. Whether this government carried out their functions is a question of doubt as the unsettled state of everything rendered it a matter of impossibility almost to execute its ordinances.' Roving bands of lawless men, sometimes federal, sometimes confederate, would visit the town weekly^ sometimes oftener, and ride through the streets firing revolvers and threatening the lives of the citizens, causing every business man to lock up his premises for hours. This state of affairs lasted so long that the charter of the town was forfeited, and there was scarcely the shadow of a town government known or respected.

In March, 1866, Dan R. Brand and James Malone, secured the names of a sufficient number of citizens, by promising them secrecy, to pray the Legislature to revise the charter. No record being in existence of the doings of the Town government of that day, it is not knowm what disposition was made of the petition. It is presumable, however, that' from the fact that an election took place the month following the circulation of the petition, that some kind of authority was given the citizens; and they held their election in accordance therewith, resulting in the choice of H. H. Brand, Mayor, a marshal and full set of councilmen. From that time up to the present, the lawlessness of that day has been a matter of the past, the citizens lending their aid and influence to the officers in quelling mob spirit.

The first post office established in Carrollton, was in the log house now occupied by A. R. Barrier, and located on the premises just east of the residence of Mrs. Wyatt Arnold, with Joseph Dickson, as postmaster, in 1834.

The first school opened was by Mrs. Nancy Folger in a log house located near the northeast corner of Block 17. She had about thirty pupils, one of whom, Mr. William is still a resident here. The first school house was located in the northwest part of town, near the old residence of Jas. L. Briscoe, and was built of logs, and first occupied bj' Henry Roy, Esq.

In 1871, and the year following, certain amendments were proposed to the charter of the city, and submitted to the State Legislature for adoption. They were favorably considered and approved by the Legislature, and became part of the charter of the town. About the same time the corporate limits were extended half a mile, taking in a population equal to if not greater in number than the original town contained, so that at present the town and vicinity claim a population of about 4000, while the limits of the corporation extend a half mile each direction of the compass, from the public Square, just double the area it contained prior to the extension.

As an evidence of the extent of trade, and the amount invested in stock, we need only refer to a partial business directory of the town. The heavy stock carried bj' the various firms, is the only criterion by which an inland town can be judged as to the extent of its trade, and while we have everj' assurance from published statistics, that Carrollton stands at the very head, neverless, the following is additional evidence of the fact:

In addition to the above, we have all the smaller business of an interior town, besides 15 lawyers, 9 physicians, 3 dentists, 2 photograph galeries 3 hotels, 4 boarding houses, 2 banks, 3 flour exchanges, 2 livery stables, 2 abstract offices, 4 dress makers, 4 butchers, 8 blacksmith shops, 2 machine shops and founderies, 2 cooper shops, 5 boot and shoe shops, 1 gun smith, 2 nurseries, 2 flouring mills, 1 woolen mill, 3 newspapers, etc.

St. Mary^s Catholic Church - was organized in 1868; the names of the original members being Gen. James Shields and family, £d. Shine and family, Daniel Kelly, Dr. W. A. Tull and family, Mrs. Jane Tull and family, Judge Geo. Pattison's family, Jas. McDonald and family, Manassas Kelly and family, Capt. O. B. Queen and famil}', Morris Allgeier and family, and F. Pearl. Their first house of worship was a frame, built in 1868. Four years after, in 1872, a large brick house was erected on the same site, the frame having been removed to the southwest part of the church grounds, to serve as a school house in connection with the church. The cost of the new house was $10,000, and was formally dedicated by Bishop Ryan of St. Louis, in 1872, in the presence of a very large crowd of people. The following Fathers have officiated at the altar: Hamil, Nagle, Hays, Daugherty and the present, Ascheri. From the little flock who met in organization in 1868, has sprung a congregation who, at the present, number over 300. Mrs. Mary Tally, a widow* lady from New York, and a relative of Gen. Shields, built the present church building at her own cost, and superintended its erection, placing a bell in the cupola that cost $600. The same generous old lady bought the home and grounds adjoining, for a residence for the "Sisters," and made needed improvements, spending about $15,000 of her own money. She died in Ottumwai Iowa, in the summer of 1880. .

Redman, P. E., with the following original members: Mrs. Maria Arnold, Benj. S. Rankin and wife, Thos. Davis and wife, and Mrs. Bowles. Their first and present church building was brick, located on block 33, and cost $8,000. It was erected in 1868, and dedicated the following year by Bishop E. M. Marvin. The following is a list of the pastors who have had charge: Revs. W. Ruble, Philip Jones, John T. Porter, J. A. Tutt, D. Penny, B. H. Spencer, Robt. Dunlap, W. Bell, J. Riggs,

Calloway, R. Hatton, J. Maddox, W. Penn, W. Sears, O. B. Cooper, B. F. Johnson, W. Perkins, Geo. Penn, and Jos. Devlin. After the administration of Jos. Devlin, Carrollton was made a station, with Rev. Robt. A. Austin in charge, followed by Revs. T.J. Gooch, J. Mumpower, R.N. T. Holliday, G. W. Horn, J. B. Jewell, C. Grimes, and W. H. Lewis, present efficient pastor. The church . records show an enrolled membership of 200.

First Baftist Church. - The first Baptist church, Carrollton, was organized August 26, 1839, with William Freeman, John Trotter, Wni. Goodson, Benj. Ely, W. R. Creel, Joel Curtis, Theodosia Hutchinson, Martha Ely, Mary Freeman, and Elizabeth Curtis, as original members. Their first house of worship was a two-story brick, erected on block 14, where the business house of Jacobs & Hubbell now stands, and directly facing the court house on the west. Their second house is of brick, and the finest and most costly church building in the county. It was erected in 1875 at a cost of $17,000, and is located on the north one-half of block 46. The house was dedicated to the worship of deity on the 1 0th of September, 1879, the officiating ministers being Revs. A. J. Miller, Jas. M. Goodson, Dr. S. H. Ford, and Dr. J. R. Graves, a very large audience being present to witness the ceremonies of dedication. The names of the pastors from the organization to the present, are Revs. A. F. Martin, W. C. Ligon, A. P. Williams, James M. Goodson, Geo. L. Black, A. J. Miller, ^nd J. D. Murphy. The membership at one time was nearly 700; the organization of other churches north and west of the city has taken large numbers. The church has been blessed with great prosperity in the past, adding to its numbers as many as 200 at one series of meetings. For liberality in benevolent gifts it stands in the front rank, and from November, 1879, to November, 1880, its charitable contributions have reached nearly

M. E. Church. - Was organized in the fall of 1865, with Henry Sloan, T. W. Vleit, Daniel Sloan, Henry Glick, Daniel Rairdon, E. Darrah, E. Quillen, John Gibson and a few others not now remembered, as original members. The church edifice was erected by the Cumberland Presbyterians before the war, and was bought by the present denomination in 1865, since which time it has been remodeled, the whole cost being about $1,500, and was dedicated in 1867 by Rev. J. W. Flowers. The following clergymen have officiated at the altar: J. R. Moslin, H. L. Beardsley, W. J. Martindale, Jas. English, A. M. Brown, A. H. Powell, Jno. Weyman, J. H. Cox, M. B. Hyde, C. Allen and the present minister, C. H. John. Present membership, 70.

St. PaxiVs Episcofal Church. - Was organized in 1871, with Mr. and Mrs. Hayter, Mr. and Mrs. Holloway, Mrs. F. W. McGuire, Mrs. Newlee, Mrs. Turpin, Mrs. Roberts, Mrs. Locke, Mr. Abbott, Dr. Curran and Mr. and Mrs. Stickel. Their church house is a frame located on the corner of Virginia and North streets. It is gothic in architecture, and cost about $2,000. In 1877 the house was formally dedicated by Bishop Robertson. The first Episcopal service held in Carrollton was in December, 1869; in the M. E. Church, and the first communion in the Presbyterian chuch in October, 1870. The rectors who have officiated are Rev. T. O'Connell, F. W. Adams. M. S. Woodruff' and Rev. T. Henry. Present membership, 24. Sunday school was orjranized in May, 1870, since which time the church has had about 60 communicants. The church is out of debt, and for the future the prospect is encouraging.

Carroll Rocord. - The first number of the Carroll Record was issued under the name of the Wakanda Record^ on the 12th day of lanuary, 1868, with Jos. H. Turner as editor, and W. W. Clark as publisher. On the 24th of April of the same year, it was completely destroyed by fire, and no insurance on the material. On the 25th day of May following, it was again issued, continuing under the control of Capt. Turner until the 1st of December,0869, when by purchase it passed into the control of Dan. R. Brand, who edited and published it until April, 1870, disposing of his interest to Captain M. T. C. Williams. Mr. Williams had charge of it several months, and sold his interest to John Brand and I. N. Hawkins. In January, 1872, the deed of trust not having been satisfied, it reverted again to captain Turner, who associated with him John Brand, they conducting the paper until January, 1878, when it was again destroyed by fire. On the 17th day of August, 1878, Captain Turner purchased the good will and interest of the whole concern and revived its publication under the present name, continuing its publication as editor and proprietor to the present. The Record is republican in politics and has universally treated its opponents honorably' and fairly. Capt. Turner has displayed much energy and vigor in his general conduct of the Record^ and its columns display ability of no mean order. To the Record^ probably, more than any other newspaper of the county, belongs the credit for the general improvement and public spirit of the present. Its circulation is large and increasing, its advertising patronage is extensive and paying and in every sense the paper is a live, wide-awake, firstclass county journal.

Carroll yourtml. - Originally, the 'Jmirnal was issued under the name of the Cottage Visitor. It was the first paper published in the county, in the old court house, north side of square. In a few months Hendley got the whole interest in his control, publishing the , Visitoi' for about a year, when he sold to Alphonso Musser, who removed the office to old building north of the Carroll house. It 1857 the office was almost

-wholly destroyed by fire, the citizens advancing Musser $300, provided he run a democratic paper. The ofier being accepted, Musser changed the name of the paper to the Carrollton Democrat. About 1858 Musser sold to Ethan Allen, now of Lexington. About 1860, Allen sold tojames O'Gorman was a rebel, and the result was an understanding that their sentiments in editorial, on political questions, be given the public over their signatures, which was done. In the spring of 1861 Clark went into the rebel service, and the paper was suspended until the spring of 1862, when O. J. Kerby bought the interest of Clark, and the paper was revived under the firm name of O'Gorman & Kerby. In July, 1862, the office, as stated elsewhere, was destroyed by the rebels. On the 1st of January, 1863, 0. J. Kerby bought the interest of O'Gorman, and became sole proprietor, and continued its publication till 1874, when it passed into other hands. It has changed hands one or twice in the last few years, being at this time in possession of J. P. Farley, proprietor and editor.

Oriental JVb. /, A. K. M. C. - Oriental lodge No. 1 was organized and instituted January 20, 1877, under dispensation and charter dated May 16, and issued May 27, 1878, from Damascus, and under seal of Grand Oriental Antiquity., 1001, First Ramases 1034. The charter nominated John R. Kirby S. O. & S., giving him authority to institute, and naming in its provisions the following officers: Dan. R. Brand, G. S.; Lewis Blakely, G. I.; W. H. Kelly, S. O.; W. W. Wilhite, L. A.; L. A. Holliday, A. I.; A. G. Rogers, M. E.; J. G. Houston, E. C.; W. D. Foster, R. G. or R. of N. E., and Joe Page, C. Hohmeir and Arth.ur Hale, G. T. The officers hold during life or good behavior. Object, elevation of man by by man. Present membership, 173.

organized in March, 1877, and instituted under dispensation dated the 18th of May, 1877, by Grand Chancellor J. F. Spaulding. The charter members were C. F. Bracken, Rev. J. A. Becker, Quido Betzler, E. Betzler, J. T. Buchanan, Dan. R. Brand, J. W. Cole, G. Darcy, H. David, J. F. Farnham, Rev. O. M. Granfield, W. F. Gibson, M. R. Gittings, R. W. Gunter, F. V. Gaines, L. Heitz, E. J. Haskell, C. Hohmeir, E. Heins, Charles Haskell, J. S. Hubbard, Rev. M. R. Hyde, W. H. Kelly, S. M. Kelly, Gus. Leftwich, J. W. Leftwich, B. Magill, I. Moore, J. O. Morehead, S. E. O'Neill, R. J. Parker, F. Royse, Rev. J. B. Jewell, A. G. Rogers, J. Peterson, C. Peterson, E. L, Reid, J. W. Strayer, J. E. Strayer, Jas. H. Turner, J. N. Tuley, C. N. Trotter, J. A. Turner, W. H. Winfrey, Jehu Williams, and L. B. Whilten. The first officers were J. H. Turner, P. C.; Dan. RBrand, C. C. and W. H. Kelly, V. C. Present officers, S. M. Kell}'', ?-

C. ;C. Peterson, C. C.; Gus. Weiman, V. C. and H. A. Saeger, P. Their lodge room is fitted up in Diegel's block an Benton street and is the most convenient lodge room in the city. Their present membership is about eighty-five.

WakandaLodgeNo. 52,A.F.(S: A. M. - Wakanda lodge was instituted by Grand Lecturer Alexander Douglas, under dispensation dated in 1841. The original charter members were Thomas Arnold, George Munro, Wm. Barbee, George W. Folger, Chas. G. Merrill, Benj. EI3', B. S. Rankin, Robberson Ruddle and Sarshel Woods. The first officers of the lodge were Thos. Arnold, W. M.; Geo. Munro, S. W., and Wm. Barbee, J. W. Present officers Jas. E. Drake, W. M.; H. M. Pettit, S. W.; W. French,}. W.; R. E. E. Brakey, S. D., and George Swiggert, J.

D. Their lodge room is in the third story of a brick building on the public square, and cost $3,000. During the most exciting period of the war they suspended work, and continued inactive till peace was restored, when they again revived labor and have now a membership of about one hundred and sixty.

George Washington Chapter^ R. A. M. - George Washington Royal Arch Chapter No. 24, was organized on application by petition, and under date of dispensation 26th of May, 1855, nominating Stephen Stafford, M. E. H. P.; A. C. Blackwell, E. K.; T. W. Morris, E. S.; Geo. Munro, C. H., and J. F. Houston, P. H., with F. B. Hawks and Thos. G. Dobbins as part of the charter members. The charter bears date 23d of May, A. D. 1856, A. L. 5856, and Y. D. 2386. -Labor was suspended during the war by order of Jno. F. Houston. In 1867 the chapter resumed work, and has been working ever since. The present membership is about fifty, with Jas. E. Drake, H. P.; A. C. Blackwell, E. K.; J. M. Starnes, E. S.; W. A. McCuistion, C. H.; Dan R. Brand, P. S., and

Vesta Cha-pter No. y, A. F. dc A. M. - Organized and institituted April 2, 1873, with the following as original members: Mrs. C. M.Heame, Mrs. S. C. Snead, and Misses Deatherage, Hill, Smith, Drake, Winfrey, Buchanan, Starnes, and Dozier. Its first officers were Mrs. C. M. Hearne, W. M.; Mrs. S. C. Snead, A. M.; Miss N. Drake, C., the star comprising Misses Deatherage, Winfrey, Deatherage, Smith, and Buchanan. The