Eugene Township

Eugene Township

Eugene township embraces thirty-two full and eleven fractional townships, having fractional 51 and all of 52, range 22, included in Eugene. Fractional 51 is almost wholly timbered lands, while 52 is almost wholly prairie bottom. The Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific railroad runs across the township from east to west, as does Wakanda Creek, and in all parts of the township can be. found, lakes and sloughs in abundance. The soil is capable of the highest cultivation, and is as rich and fertile as any on earth.

The account of a town named Bloomfield, near the forks of the Wakanda, having been laid out in 1818 is no doubt an error, as no data can be obtained for the statement.

Eugene was among the earliest of the townships settled. Sarshel Woods, Nathaniel Cary, Jerry and John Croley, Red Munkers, all of Tennessee, came in 1818. John RiflTe came in 1820. David Lynch came with Nathaniel Cary in 1818. Thomas Hardwick located on the Little Wakanda and built what is known as Hardwick's mill. Charles Palmer is said to have located on section seven, at an early day. William Harvy and John Farr took 'up claims near "Sambo Slough." The Prunt}'^ Brothers, John and William were among the earlier settlers. Joseph Dickson afterwards county clerk, settled in early times.

With the exception of a few others, these were the only settlers for some years, and not until about 1842, when Thomas Morris and Samuel Barker arrived did the township begin to settle up to any extent. From 1842 up to the opening of the war, Eugene township settled up rapidly, compared with other townships in the county, getting a greater proportion of those seeking homes in the west, than any other part of the county, except probably Carrollton.

The first mill some of the older settlers went to for grist was what was termed a " Stump Mill, " built on a stump in a manner to turn around the stump, and run by one horse, and it is said that one person could eat the meal as fast as it was ground.

Many of the older settlers having little money paid for their lands in bees-wax and deer hides,' and could the records of the county show that "for and in consideration of six hundred pounds of bees-wax, and thirtynine deer hides, the party of the first part grams bargains and sells " it would make curious reading for the present.

The first deaths in Eugene were Nancy and Rebecca L3mch, in 1821. Where their bodies were deposited is not known. The body of Thomas Phillips .who died some years after, was laid to rest in Dixon's graveyard on Wakanda Creek.

At the house of John Crockett, a man named Harper opened the first school, having about twenty pupils, for which he received a compensation of one dollar per month per head.^ The first school house was built in 1834, by Abram Rifle, at or near to John Curl's, and cost about $20. It was called Curl's school house in honor of John Curl, who was sheriff* ot the county.

Sophia Cary, wife of Nathaniel, was one of the first, if not the first, who wove cloth in the county, having turned out several webs of cloth as early as 1818.

Eugene township not coming to the front with a law suit of early days, It is but justice that something to her credit should be produced, and in the absence of anything better we give a copy of the deed hereto attached. It is ver batim except names, and is on record in the Recorder's office, in volume 33, page 548.

When brought to the office to be filed the recorder told the maker of the instrument that it would hardly hold water, but filed it must be, and state of Missouri, party of the second part, witnesseth, the said party of the first part, in consideration of the sum of one dollar to her paid by the said party' of the second part, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, does by these presents grant, bargan and sell, convey and confirm unto the said party of the second part, a male child by the name of George Washington Rogers, and will be one year old on the 14th day of March, 1877. . To have and to hold the said child with all and singular the rights and privileges thereunto belonging or in any other wise appurtaining unto that she will warrant and defend the title to sai<^ child unto the parties of the second part, against all claims and demands of all persons whomsoever. In witness whereof, the said party of the first part has hereunto set her hand and seal this 20th day of March, 1877.

Be it remembered that on the 20th day of March, A. D., 1877, before the undersigned, a justice of the peace within and for the county of Carroll and state of Missouri, personally came who is personally known to me to be the same person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument of writing as a party thereto, and acknowledged the same to be her act and deed for the purposes herein mentioned. And the said instrument, upon an examination separate and apart from her husband, acknowledged that she executed the same and relinquishes her interest in the said child therein mentioned, freely and without fear, compulsion or undue influence of her said husband. In testimony whereof I have set my hand at my office the day and year above mentioned. - ^

Carroll City

As early as September, 1857, a site locating the whole southwest of section 26 as a town, was seriously considered, and some expense incurred in laying it out, making improvements, etc. High hopes were entertained by those who had an interest in the prospective wonder that was to spring up, as if by magic, on the banks of the great river. A company was formed, with Wm. Hill as president, and the city platted into thirty-six full, and twenty fractional blocks, with streets and alley-ways, parks and squares, gardens and drives, and all the other necessities to constitute a great place. The area, one hundred and sixty acres, upon which the city was to be built, and the contemplated improvement projected, is some little evidence of the aspirations of its founders. Whether for the want of proper management, judicious advertising, or other causes, the city was never built, we, in this late day do not know; one thing, however, is true, it never reached even the shadow of a village, niuch less a city, and well it is that it did not, for the site on which it was to be built, has long since disappeared under the waters of the treacherous river that was to lave its base, and the city can be considered another of the "lost ones" of Carroll county.

Eugene City

Eugene city was laid out in June, 1869, by the N. M. R. R. and Daniel H. Cary, and is located on the east one-half, southwest quarter of section 16. It embraces twenty irregular blocks, and lies on the north side of the railroad. Daniel H. Cary, Esq., donated the land for the town site, on condition the railroad company would establish a station. The town, although small, does a good trade in shipping, lying as it does in the midst of the rich bottom lands between the Missouri river and the Wakanda, the former river traversing the whole line of the township, and the latter running through the township from east to west.

The town will not in any reasonable time attain the proportions of a city of any magnitude, yet its location in the rich agricultural bottoms will guarantee it a good, substantial and healthy trade.

Most of the trade is from the immediate vicinity of the village, and of course those engaged in business are limited in the amount of stock required.

During the war Bill Anderson made several raids through this township. On his first raid he killed two men, Griffith and Scaggs, about one mile east of the town of Eugene, and on the farm of Asa Brookover. One Benj. Manning and a man named Arterburn were also killed by Anderson's men, about three fourths of a mile south east of. the town. Dick Wilson Was killed about half a mile east of the place, on section 14 or 15.

In October 1864 he again passed through this part of the count}', killing Bill Etier somewhere on the location of what is now the town of Eugene. Ivory Burkhardt, son of Geo. Burkhardt w'as captured, and hung, but his mother ran out after they had left, cut down her son in time to save his life.

History being a statement of facts it is essential that they be perpetuated. Not to laud the prominent actors or perpetuate their acts as examples for" our following - not to transmit to those who may follow us, scenes and incidents that will not bear the scrutiny of civilized warfare - not to make heroes, and patriots of men, who in the mad excitement of revolution and bloodshed, forget not only the principles of inodern warfare, but even forgot the dictates of humanity itself, but to recall to the remembrance of those who were then and are now living, scenes and incidents that time may in a measure have clouded, and to coming generations impartial accounts unbiassed by political feeling either for or against one side or the other, and uninfluenced by any motive save that of truth.