Miami Township

Miami Township

The incorporated town of Miami is one of the oldest in the county, and one with a most interesting history. It was formerly called Greenville, and at one time aspired to be the county seat. From a printed sketch the following history has been adapted:

The site of the town of Miami was entered in the year 1833, by Henry Ferrill, one of the pioneers of Saline county. In 1886 he established a ferry, and in 1838 he laid out the town, which was known as Greenville until 1843, when it was changed to Miami. The broad-axe and whip-saw prepared all the building material used in the community until 1838, when a steam saw-mill enabled the good people to indulge in the luxury of plank houses. »

The first start toward business was a hewed log warehouse on the levee, and the first crop of hemp shipped was that of P. Y. Irvine, Esq., shipped by J. J. Ferrill in 1840. The first merchant was Singleton Vaughn.

Gradually the little village grew in population and in business to meet the requirements of the country. Hemp became the great staple of the county, and, in 1860, 'Saline was the great hemp-growing region of the west. Being the principal shipping point, Miami shared the notoriety and theprosperity, reaching a population of about 800.

After the close of the war a decided change took place in the agricultural products of the county. More attention was given to the raising o

For several years it was thought that Saline soil was not well adapted to the growth of wheat, but experience has corrected the error. The crop of last year (1873) was not only large, but the quaUty was the very best sent to the St. Louis market.

Though her productions and resources are many and varied, it is for corn and stock that Saline has become most famous ; and Miami gets a large share of the shipments. During the year 1873 there were over one thousand car-loads of stock crossed at Miami, and shipped on the St. Louis, Kansas City & Northern Railroad; besides a large number shipped by river.

Extensive deposits of coal and the best building stone in the state (the White Rock quarry), in the immediate neighborhood, and the matchless fertility of the soil of the Missouri vallej', make Miami one of the most convenient and desirable points in central Missouri for the establishment of manufactories of various kinds, on a large scale, such as farming implements, wagon, and all various articles required by the people, which can be manufactured to much better advantage when the producer and consumer live near together. Every branch of trade and industry is well represented, and no point in the country offers greater inducements to farmers, either for the purchase of their produce, or for the sale of such articles as they have to buy. The public school is one of the largest and best in this part of the state, and the citizens take great interest and pride in it.

The savings bank has a capital of $50,000, the unpaid portion of which is secured by real estate, thus giving to depositors a security rarely offered.

The Churches Of Miami

THE CHURCHES OF MIAMI. Although at one time there was a great deal of immorality in the town of Miami, now no place of its size in the country has more of quietude of manners and orderly behavior and conduct. There are many churches and church-going people, and the morals of the community are well looked after, and are of a high character.

The M. E. Church, South

The present organization of this church was established in 1854. The original members were Mother Ferril, James Isbell and two daughters, Wm. S. Brown and wife, Wm. Eustace, R. R. Cruzen and wife, N. Perry and wife, Mrs. Music, Mrs. Eustace, Mrs. Martin and others. ' The

Peterson, John Shackelford, Wm. Compton, Wm. Wharton, John Woodridge, W. J. Brown, Luke PuUiam, W. H. Woodward, M. Adkinson, Wm. B. McFarland, P. Phillips, J. A. Murphy, B. Margeson, and J. T. Perry. The number of members at present is 85. The first church building of this church, was destroyed during the war, in 1864. The second was built of brick, at a cost of $6,500, and was finished in 1872.

Christian Church

The Christian Church of Miami was organized in 1850 or 1851. The original members were N. S. Robertson, Emily Robertson, Jno. Robertson, Wm. Thomas and wife, F. Robertson, W. C. Monroe and wife, P. Maupin

Pemberton and wife, Eliza Moberly, Mary Stevenson, Susan Clement. The pastors have been Elder Flint, J. W. McGarvey, Thos. P. Holey, (or Halsey) Wm. H. Robinson, Dr. W. T. Jordan, T. N. Gaines, Samuel McDaniel, H. M. Dale, and Geo. Plattenburg. The number of present membership is 170. The present church building, which is a frame, was built in 1854, at a cost of about $3,000. In connection with the church is a flourishing Sabbath-school, of about 65 members, which was organized in 1866.

First Baptist Church

- "At the request of sundry members of the United Baptist Church, the following persons resolved themselves into a council on Tuesday, the 20th day of November, 1849, to determine in relation to the propriety of constituting a church in the town of Miami, Saline county, Missouri, - to-wit: Elders R. Y. Thompson, Wm. C. Ligon, and Deacons Wm. Graves and R. E. McDaniel. After an appropriate sermon by Elder Wm. C. Ligon, from Ephesians 2:20 and 22, the following brethren and sisters presented testimonials satisfactory to the council that they were members of the United Baptist Church, in good standing: Elder W. C. Batchelor, Winson Rice, C. W. Pendleton, W. H. Cunningham, Ann P. Rice, Lucy V. Haynie, Catherine Strother, Elizabeth Graham, Eliza Campbell, Nancy Batchelor, and Judith Haynie."

Elder Bachelor was the first pastor. He preached for the congregation some three months, when he was succeeded by the Rev. W. M. Bell, who served seven years. The other pastors have been A. P. Williams, John H. Luther, A. P. Williams, G. W. Rodgers, E. Home, J. C. Armstrong, G. W. Hatcher. The present membership is 193.

The first church building was a frame, erected in 1852, and erected by the congregation. Afterwards, in 1857, it was improved greatly, making the total cost of the building, about $2,700. During the war this house was occupied by the Federal militia, who enclosed it with a stockade. In the summer of 1864, two Confederate bushwhackers, taking advantage of the absence of the Federal troops, set it on fire and it was burned to the ground. The present church was built in 1866, and dedicated in December of that year, by Rev. W. M. Bell. It cost about $4,000.

The Episcopal Church

A number of members of the Episcopal church, namely, John G. Guthrie, Henry Boyer and John H. Boyer, with their wives and others, effected a church organization of their denomination, about the year 1870. This organization is called Grace Church Missionary Station. It has no church building. Services are and have been held in a hall, belonging to John G. Guthrie, who fitted it up with the necessary furniture for church use. The pastors have been Rev. Dr. Samuels and Rev. M. L. Woodruff. Services are held monthly. Present membership, 20. Mr. John G. Guthrie, the chief supporter of this church, it is claimed, has contributed more than any other man towards the erection of churches and the furtherance of church work in Saline county.

African M. E. Church

This church was temporarily organized by Sylvester Dines, a local preacher, about the year 1866. As none of the members could read or write, no records were then kept. In 1870, the A. M. E. conference sent Rev. Wm. G. Rhinehart, as pastor. The original members were Jacob and Hannah Brown, Mary McFadden, Adeline Hobson and Rosa Adams. The colored Baptists and Methodists worshipped in a house owned by both denominations, until 1878. In 1879, the members of this church erected a church building, a frame, at a cost of about $600, which will be dedicated the present season. Besides Rev. Rhinehart, the pastors of .this church have been G. W. Thatcher, John R. Loving, S. W. Bird and G. W. Guy. Jacob Brown, one of the first trustees, is still living at the age of 78. The present membership is 49.

This church was organized in the spring of 1868. James Thomas and York Brown were the first trustees . Names of the first members have not been ascertained. The pastors have been Ephraim Jenkins, Hardin Smith, Wm. P. Brooks, and J. W. Crustion. Thefirst church was erected in 1876. It is a frame, and cost $1,500. It was dedicated the present season. The present membership is 150. There is a Sabbath-school in connection, which is in a prosperous condition. Preaching, twice a month; prayer meeting, every week. The church is out of debt, and has a cemetery in the church-yard, two acres in extent, which was donated to the church by Rev. W. M. Bell. As previously stated, this congregation at first worshipped with the colored Methodists.

The Old School Presbyterians had a congregation organized in Miami, in 1847, by Rev. Geary Hickman. They built a §hurch the same year, the only one in the place for a number of years. In 1867 the church was reorganized by Rev. Nail. A new church was completed in 1876.

Civic Societies

. The first organization of this chapter was effected in October, 1871. The charter members were L. Fry, Vance Bell, J. H. Eakin, H. Mertens, D. F. Bell, Rev. J. B. Hamner, T. S. Akerman, Jno. Elder, C. P. Bondurant, and G. W. Rogers. The chapter holds its meetings in the Masonic hall, a brick building, costing from $1,500 to $1,800. The present officers are: D. F. Bell, H. P.; J. W. Robertson, king; Wm. H. Morris, scribe; A. A. Wheeler, C. of H.; L. Fry, P. S.; A. J. Casebolt, R. A. C; Geo. Burrus, M. of 3d V.; T. S. Akerman, M. of 2d V.; B. B. Berry, M. of 1st V. ; G. N. Hill, guard. The number of members is twenty-four, one of whom is a Knight Templar.

Miami Lodge, No. 467, Independent Order of Good Templars, was organized November 5, 1880. The original members were: C. W. Pendleton, Rev. J. T. Perry, David Vaughan, Rob't Ruxton, J. G. Ball, G. W. Carpenter, C. Portman, F. Snelling, Prof. J. B. Tate, Dr. A. A. Wheeler, and thirty-eight others. The lodge, for the present, occupies the Odd Fellows' hall. The present membership is eighty. Present officers are: P. W. C. T., G. W. Carpenter; W. C. T., David Vaughan; W. V. T., Miss A. M. Hawkins; chaplain, Rob't Ruxton; secretary, W. T. Burns ; assistant secretary. Miss Janie Robinson ; treasurer. Miss Mary Zea. Number of members at present, eighty.'

A. Marshall, W. Parish, Hy. Burruss, R. S. Ireland, J. L. Burruss, J. Greenebaum, Lee Hii^hes, G. R. McDaniel, A. R. Edmonds, D. B. Coltrane, Isham Roberts, J. B. Moberly. The Odd Fellows' hall is used in which to meet. The number of members at present is 42. The present officers are Hy. Burruss, P. M. W.; A. R. Edmonds, M. W.; Flournoy Snelling, G. F.; A. L. Wheeler, Overseer; D. F. Bell, Recorder; John Burns, Receiver; H. P. Eakle, Financier; John Higgins, Guide; G. R. McDaniel, I. W.

Mount Moriah Lodge, No. 10, A. F. & A. M., colored, was organized June 3, 1874, by Wm. R. Lawton, G. M. The original members were G. W. Thatcher, W. M.; F. Booker, S. W.;Thos. Green, J. W.; Monroe Booker, Treasurer; Thomas Booker, Secretary, and twenty-two others. A hall was purchased in the year 1877, at a cost of $300. The present officers are R. R. Pool, W. M.; Thomas Williams, S. W.; H. Tolliver, J. W.; James Beason, Treasurer; A. D. Johnson, Secretary. Number of members, eighteen, a falling off of nine from the original number.

Electa Court

No. 17, was organized February 27th, 1880, by G. W. Guy, Grand Lecturer. The officers are Mrs. V. E. Guy, M. A. M.; James Beason, W. J.; Mrs. Mary Pool, Treasurer; Mrs. C. B. Crushon, Secretary.

The Miami Savings Bank

was formerly a private institution, owned and operated by J. H. Eakin and L. J. Hamner, and was established in 1869. In 1874 it was purchased by a stock company and organized under its present name and charter, with a capital stock of $50,000. I. C. Withers, president; L. J. Hamner, cashier; B. F. McDaniels, secretary. The present president is J. G. Guthrie; L. J. Hamner, cashier, and W. H. Wheeler, secretary. The first five years the bank declared 120 per cent, dividends. The bank has never lost a cent, which, says the cashier, is not so much due to the management as to the solvency of its patrons.

The Miami Mills

The Miami mills were established in 1871,, by Guthrie, Holloway & Keller. They are now owned by J. G. Guthrie. The capacity is one hundred and fifty barrels of flour per day. They are situated on the bank of the Missouri river, and have all the latest and best class of machinery. The mill proper, is 34x45 feet, has four stories and a warehouse 45x100 feet, two stories high.

The A. C. Bird

The steam packet, A. C. Bird, was built in 1877, at Grafton, Illinois, for the Burruss Bros., of Miami, at a cost of $16,000. Her regular run was on the Missouri river, from DeWitt to Waverly, fifteen miles, which was made tri-weekly. The railroad pool forced her out in April, 1880. She then went to La Crosse, Wisconsin, for lumber for Kansas City market. After this trip she ran independent from Waverly to St. Louis for a while ; and then entered the " Star Line." On her second trip she sank at Liberty landing, below Kansas City. She has always been commanded by Capt. George Burruss, who was on her when she sank.

The Bruce Carriage Factory

THE BRUCE CARRIAGE FACTORY was founded in August, 1858, by C. G. Bruce, and is owned and operated by him now. All kinds and styles of carriages, buggies, etc., are here manufactured. Four hands are constantly employed, and about $6,000 worth of work done annually. It is the intention of the proprietor to increase its capacity to $10,000 during the present year.

THE SALINE COUNTY A(^RICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL ASSOCIATION was incorporated at Miami March 3, 1857, and located one quarter of a mile southeast of Miami, and occupies fifteen acres of land. The first president was ex- Gov. M. M. Marmaduke. The eighteenth fair was held in 1880. Its present officers are John Burruss, president ; A. R. Edmonds, secretary. This association has been of great benefit in developing the agricultural interests of Saline county.

The People'S Mill

THE PEOPLE'S MILL at Miami, was built for a distillery, in 1866, by Purcell & Co., and was used for that purpose about one year, when it was seized by the Government, and sold to Van Meter & Shaughnessy. They converted it into a flouring mill and operated it until 1875. In 1881 it was purchased by Smith & Lemon, and refitted with new and improved machinery. It has a capacity of one hundred barrels per day.

The Miami Telephone

THE MIAMI TELEPHONE was established June 1, 1880, and was built by the citizens of Miami. The office is in the drug store of A. R. Edmonds. The line runs from Miami to Miami Station, on the W., St. L. & P. R. R., a little over two miles across the river, and is now in connection with the Western Union Telegraph Co. A continuation of the line to Marshall was efTected the present year.

The Miami Livery And Sale Stables

owned and operated by Robertson Bros., average about twenty head of horses, with a large number of carriages, buggies, &c. They ship about twenty car loads of horses and mules per annum.

The Free State Settlement

There was once a settlement about seven miles east of Miami, in Saline county, called " The Free State:" In 1840 there was a dance in the " Free State." The " boj'^s" of Miami - and among them the county surveyor, A. M. Brown, - went to the dance. The Miami " boys" were too " solid" with the " Free State" girls to suit their country sweethearts. So to get even with them, the country fellows shaved all their horses' tails, and turned the saddles so that when they mounted, their faces would be to the horses' tails. Brown's horse was well tarred and turned loose. He strayed away and was taken the next day. In order to advertise the stray it was necessary to appraise him. Brown, as it happened, was one of the appraisers, and put the price at a nominal sum. Some weeks after, as he was passing, he saw the horse, now cleaned ofi - and had to prove his property.

Amid aU the gloom and horrors of the civil war in Missouri, many amusing incidents happened that do to laugh over now. During the war, when guerrilla bands had become prevalent. Justice Ferril, of Miami, was suddenly awakened one dark night by a loud knocking on his door. Of course he was satisfied at once that the " bushwhackers" had him, and trembling in every limb, he hurried down without waiting to dress. It proved to be only a couple who wished to be married immediately, and who were in so great a hurry, that they would not wait for him to dress - so he married them then and there, sans coat, sans vest, sans boots and trousers, and they went on their way rejoicing. He also went rejoicing back to bed.

Riot In Miami, In 1867

On Sunday, March 17, 1867, Wm. Elson, Lewis Elson, Thos. Elson and Jas. Burnsides, who had been members of the state militia, and lived about two miles from Miami, came into Miami, and galloped around town, firing their revolvers at every negro they saw wearing gray clothes, and swearing that the same were rebels. A good number of the negroes were wearing Confederate clothes, given them by returned soldiers^ In the afternoon, one of them fired at a negro entering the hotel of Mr. Snelling. Snelling came to the door, and demanded why they were shooting in his yard? One of them replied, "We will shoot you," and fired at him, hitting the door casing, and glancing, came very near to Mr. Snelling. This was a little too much! Snelling gathered up his gun and fired at William Elson, and missing him, knocked him down with the gun, and received a ball from Thomas Ellis, in his gunstock. By this time the citizens were all aroused, and turned out in force. They soon put the ex-militia to flight. In the pursuit, Thomas Elson was killed. The coroner's jury returned a verdict of " killed by a shot fired by J. A. Saufley." Saufley was tried before a justice, and immediately acquitted. Lewis and Wm. Elson were arrested for disturbing the peace, and held to bail in the sum of $500 each.

" THE BLACK FLAG." In April, 1865, not long after the assassination of President Lincoln, the town of Miami was,' for a few minutes, thrown into the greatest consternation and alarm. The news of the murder had reached the place, and there came also the report that the Federals were incensed beyond measure and restraint, and were taking fearful vengeance upon the Confederates and their sympathizers, whom they believed to be, directly or indirectly, the accomplices of John Wilkes Booth. A few parties in Miami had been heard to exult over the murder, or at least had not been heard to express any regrets, and the report was generally current that the militia were about to visit the town and put to the sword, summarily and without exception, every adult male not known to be a Federal or an active Federal sympathizer. Just at this moment a steamboat was seen coming up the river crowded with Federal soldiers and with a black jlag floating from the jack-stafF! God help the poor men of Miami now! To to the country was to run the risk of meeting the militia, and there seemed no way of escape. It is said that many men actually betook themselves to their prayers, and made preparations to pass through the the dark valley and shadow. The boat landed at the wharf. It was draped in black from stem to stern. A band of soldiers, grim and threatening, left the boat, marched silently and ominously up into town, and - while every citizen listened with bated breath for the work of carnage and slaughter to begin, - bought some crackers and cheese, paid for them, and returned to the boat ! It was explained that the boat had been draped by her officers, and was merely in mourning for the " Martyr President." The boat with her cargo, soon steamed away for Lexington, and the people came forth into the streets again - some from cellars, some from haymows, some from other hiding places often occupied before, and all the people breathed deep breaths of great relief.

FAIRVILLE. The town of FairviUe was laid oft by Col. John B. Brown, in 1856. On its site he established an academy and boarding-house. In 1869 a sale of lots was made by J. D. Edwards. During the war the people of the surrounding country were intensely southern in their sentiments and sympathies, and furnished a large number of troops for the Confederate army. A secessien flag was raised in the town in 1861. It was near this place that Capt. Ed. Brown was murdered by the Federal militia. Detach-

- The first Baptist Church of Fairville was organized in the spring of 1875, by Rev. W. M. Bell, of Miami. The number of original members was about fifty. A church building was erected the same year. The first pastor was Rev. J. B. Dodson. Present membership is about seventyfive.

Country Churches

There are several church organizations in the township outside of the towns, only a few of which, however, have furnished the details of their history in time for this volume. This is a circumstance greatly to be regretted, but cannot be helped.

Mt. Carmel Church, M.E., South

was organized in the year 1850. The original members were Wm. Brown and Lucy Brown, his wife, Josiah Gaulden and wife, P. Y. Irvine and wife, James Irvine and wife, Hugh Irvine and wife, D. T. Guthrie, J. G. Tucker, Maj. T. F. Harvey, and their wives, E. J. Brown, T. R. E. Harvey and Mrs. Martha J. Saufley. A fine brick church was built the same year at a cost of about $3,000. It was dedicated the same year by Rev. W. M. Protsman, now of Warrensburg, Missouri. Some of the pastors have been T. M. Finney and W. M. Protsman. The church building is a mile and a half south of Fairville.

Mt. Horeb Church

This church, of the Cumberland Presbyterian denomination, is situated on section eight, township 51, range 20. It was organized December 26, 1859, by Rev. Peter Goodman Rea, with the following members: William Wheeler, James Wilhite, James Fletchal, Henry Swisher, James Smith, C. A. Claycomb, Mrs.E. Smith, Mrs. Deborah Ford, Mrs. Minerva Wheeler, Miss M. C. Ford, Miss Artamesia Fletchal, Elizabeth Swisher, Mrs. C. Winning, Mrs. Mary A. Rea, Miss Anna W^ Rea.

The church building was erected in the fall preceding the organization, and was dedicated on the same day of the constitution, by Rev. Rea. It is a frame and cost $2,150. The pastors have been Revs. P. G. Ray, Warren Compton, James Martin, Oliver Guthrie, J. B. Lawrence, and after an absence of ten years. Rev. P. G. Ray again, the present pastor.

Harmony Church

This church was organized August 18, 1831, by Rev. Hugh R. Smith. The original members were James S. Berry and wife, John Johnson and his mother and sister, Coleman Kavanaugh and wife, Mrs. Cynthia Han- cock and her mother. The church building, a frame, was erected in 1875. The present membership is about one hundred. No official report has been received from this' church. The house of worship "is located upon section thirty-four, township fifty-two, range twenty-one.

From the best information obtainable, Bethel Baptist Church was organized in 1846, by Rev. T. Harris, with eleven members. A church was built in 1847, on section 8, township 52, range 20. The first pastor was Rev. Mr. Ligon.

Abbott Hancock organized a Cumberland Presbyterian church in 1829, and the congregation is still in existence. They have a church building, completed in 1877.

Shiloh Baptist Church is located in the eastern part of the township, and was organized in August, 1874, by Rev. E. W. Horn, assisted by Rev. J. L. Hampton. Present membership, about 75.

It is a matter of much regret that the history of the townships of -Saline county cannot be given in extenso. Especially is this so in the cases of the townships of Miami, Arrow Rock, Cambridge and Jefferson. But to give a full and complete history of any one of these townships, such as could and perhaps should be given, would require a volume almost the size of this.

Jefferson township was one of the very first settled in the county. It contained the first capital of the county - Old Jefferson. It contained the men who shaped its legislation and molded its destiny. It contained the germs of that civilization and that enterprise which have developed the county, made it what it is, and will make it what it shall be. Jefferson township contained the Edmonson bottom settlement, for the history of which the reader is referrtjd to the history of the early settlements.

Mr. Alfred Wheeler (may his tribe increase !), now of Miami township, who came to Saline county in 1819, states that the first settlements in Jefferson township were made by Richard Edmonson, from Tennessee, in 1816; Captain Richard Cummings, an Indian agent, who came from the same state in the same year; Thomas Rogers, Henry and Roger Brown, Thomas Hopper, John Young, Thomas and Daniel Tillman, John and Orvah Snow, all from Tennessee, to the upper end of the bottom, in 1816 or 1817. Wm. J . Wolfskill, Rice Downing, and Jane Hurd, from Kentucky, and Able Garrett, Wm. McDaniel and the Gwinn family (three brothers, Bartholomew, William and Almand), from Cocke county, Tennessee, "near Kit Bullard's old mill," settled on section 16, township 52, range 19. This settlement was for a time called Gvvinntown. The

Gwinns and their relatives were so numerous that for a long time they controlled the politics and the political affairs of the county, and especially of Jefferson township. A candidate was quite sure of an election if they all voted for him. In religion the Gwinns were Baptists.

Kentuckians could be distinguished from Tennesseeans by their dress; the apparel oft proclaimed the man. The Tennesseeans wore brown Jeans coats and striped cotton pantaloons, and who so spruce and gay as they! The men from "Old Kaintuck" were arrayed in all the glory of blue jeans suits. This was, of course, when they first came into Saline county. After they had been here for some time, they all wore what they could get. The women dressed in cotton or linsey dresses, with cotton or linen caps on their heads, and shoes made by the "men folks" of buckskin or home-tanned leather, and the fashions didn't change then for years. When babies came, as they did come - and as they always will come into every orderly and well-regulated settlement, heaven bless them - they were quite often rocked and lulled to sleep in cradles made after the fashion of a sugar-trough, fashioned by the hand of the fond father by being " dug out " of a log, like a miniature canoe, and with seasoned hickory bows attached to them for rockers. Within this little trough there were placed a few folds of flannel or linsey or some other sort of cloth - sometimes a pillow, brought hundreds of miles - sometimes soft " hatcheled " but unspun tow or flax, and into these nests there were snuggled the then innocent, cunning little darlings that are now the reverend and gray old settlers of Saline county, bowed and bent, and having become again " as little children," are waiting for the call of the Master.

The first religious services held in all the settlement were in the neighborhood of where Old Good Hope Church stands. J*Vm. Rogers taught the first school, and received from the scholars, of whom there were about fifteen, about seventy-five cents per month per head for his "services. Mr. Rogers went back to Tennessee, and thece died The first schoolhousg was built on section 35, township 53, range 20. It was constructed of logs, the same as the one in the Miami bottom, and was built by the contributed labor of the settlers.

Old Jefferson

Within this township, upon the banks of the Missouri, stood the town of Jefferson, or Old Jefferson, as it was called, which was the first county seat of the county - now no more. For eleven years it was the capital of Saline, with all that the name implied, which in that day was not much.

During the civil war Jefferson township was kept in a constant state of disquietude by the movements of the Confederates and the militia within her borders. There was a company of militia at Frankfort, and John

Hawkins' band of bushwhackers, Blunt's, Anderson's, and other guerrillas were here from time to time. Nine dwelling houses and one church were burned in New Frankfort, by the bushwhackers. Afterwards assessments were made upon the disloyal citizens of the surrounding country to pay for the property destroyed. This was done, and $1,500 was paid to the trustees of the Presbyterian church for its loss. Every house burned was paid for. Lieutenant Pinhart was killed a mile or two from Frankfort by Hawkins.

But the civil war, with all of its shedding of brothers' blood, and murder of innocent men, and vandalism, is over, never to be again. So let it pass into oblivion and forgetfulness. There is better work for people to do than to brood over horrors that have passed and cannot come again. Let the better memories of historic old Jefferson township be cherished, and let the bitter ones perish.

The Town Of Frankfort

The town of Frankfort or New Frankfort was laid off in January, 1858, by the Columbia City Building Association, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Its real founders were Messrs. Kaul, Alexander and Keye. The town was incorporated in 1859. The first mayor was John Kepler. The postoffice was established the same year, and Mr. Kepler was the first postmaster. John Kaul is the present postmaster. Peter Kaul built the first house; John Kepler owned the first store.

The first school house built was erected in 1866. It was a brick and cost $3,000. Rev. Charles Loudal taught the first school ; he had about thirty pupils, arid received a dollar per month from each. The first religious services were held in a privatehouse, and the first minister was Rev. Charles Loudal, a Cumberland Presbyterian.

During the civil war nine dwelling houses and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church were burned, and the town felt the effects of the war for some time. The great rnajority of the people were Union sympathizers, and a company of Union or Federal militia was raised in the place. Since the town of Slater has been built, many of the merchants have removed to the new city and there remain now but three merchants in Frankfort.

The Churches In Frankfort Cumberland Presbyterian Church

New Frankfort congregation of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church was organized September 16, 1860. The church was constituted with 37 members, whose names have not been furnished. A frame church building was erected in 1860, at a cost of $1,400, and dedicated the same year, by Rev. F. Locke. This building was burned during the war by the Confederates, and in 1869, a new brick church was built, costing $1,700. The pastors of this church have been Revs. Charles Loudal, John I. Geyser, H. Strauss, Fred Lippe, F. Swartz, Jacob Schmittler, Charles Ehrhardt and Schnake. In 1870, the membership was transferred to the general Presbyterian Church, and in 1879 was transferred to the Evangelical Association.

German Methodist

The church was organized in 1862, with ten members. A frame church building, costing $2,000, was built in 1862, and dedicated the same year by Rev. Snirley. The church has had seven pastors since its organization. Rev. Arnsparge is the present pastor. At one time this church had 36 members, but, owing to "deaths and dismissals, now but six.

Catholic Church

. This church was organized September 16, 1876, with about twenty families as members. A frame church, costing $2,200,' was built the same year, and dedicated on the same day of the organization, by Rev. Father Ryan, of St. Louis, now bishop. The pastors have been Fathers Meyers, Cechender, Busch, Wilinbring, Taurant, and Pauk. The present membership is composed of about seven families.

This church was the first religious organization established in Saline county, and one of the first Protestant organizations in the state of Missouri. It was organized in the month of August, 1818, at the residence of Capt. Bill}- Job, in the Big bottom, opposite Glasgow.

Among the first members were Wm. Job, Alex. Liggett, Almond or Almon Gwinn, and Lillard. Capt. Job was the first clerk, and Liggett and Gwinn the first deacons.

After having completed the organization the congregation dispersed,, the men to prepare to march on the following morning, under Capt. Billy Job, to chastise the Indians who were depredating upon the settlers, and the women to gather all the children and the scanty stores of the settlement into the log fort for safety during the absence of their protectors. Happily the men returned in a few days, having lost not one of their number, and leaving their neighbors, in Lafayette in securitv.

The congreeation assembled for worship in their own houses until the year 1825, when they erected a log "meeting house" about one mile » south of the present town of Frankfort, on the southwest corner of section 9, township 52, range 19. Mr. Alfred Wheeler, of Miami, sa}rs that when this church was built it was not built by contributions of money as churches are built now-a-days, but every man in the settlement, professors and non-professors, agreed to and did contribute so much in material and labor - this one so many hewed logs, that one so many rafters or boards, the other a day's labor, and so on. When all was ready, the men met, raised the house, covered it in, and Rev. Peyton Nowlin dedicated it to God. When completed it was, by general acclaim called Good Hope, the name it now bears.

Elder Peyton Nowlin became the first pastor in 1820, preaching in the houses of the members, "where two or three were gathered together," until the church was built. Since then there have served the church in a pastoral relation, Thos. Fristoe, Abner Gwinn, Ebenezer Rogers, Wm. M. Bell, J. D. Murphy, A. P. Williams, and Wm. M. Bell, the latter the present pastor in charge, who has preached to the congregation for about 25 years.

Other clerks besides Mr. Job, have been P. M. Hill, B. Huft, Geo. Rhoades, and W. H. Norvell. Deacons in addition to Liggett and Gwinn, were Geo. Rhoades, G. W. Lucas, Geo. Hawkins, P. M. Hill, Henry Gilliam, and P. H. Huff.

The second church building was a frame, built in 1846, on the southeast corner of section sixteen, township fifty-two, range nineteen, one mile south of where the old log church stood. It cost about $500, and afterward was enlarged.

In 1869, another church was built on the same site. It still stands, is a frame, 40x60 feet, and Rev. Bell says, cost $3,508; the clerk states, $3,200. It was dedicated by Rev. Bell, on the second Sabbath in September, fiftyone years after the first organization.

The present number of members of Good Hope is 188. There is a Sabbath-school in connection, with 131 scholars. There is regular preaching once a month.

Source changes here: from Past and Present of Saline County, Missouri, by Napton, William Barclay, published 1910; 2,130 words in this source stream.

Miami Township

This town was formerly called Greenville, and at one time aspired to be the county seat. The land upon which the town is located was entered by Henry Ferrill, in 1833. In 1836 he established a ferry over the river and laid out the town in 1838, which was called Greenville until 1843. when, by act of Legislature, it w^as changed to Miami.

In 1838 a steam sawmill was set in operation, which enabled people to build frame houses, but the first warehouse was built of logs and from this the first crop of hemp, owned by P. Y. Irvine, Esquire, was shipped by J. J. Ferrill in 1840. Hemp soon became the great staple of the county, and in i860 Saline county was the greatest hemp-growing region of the West, and Miami the main shipping point for that article. The population of ^Jianii had then reached about eight hundred. The Civil war brought on a great change in the agricultural products of the county. The main attention was given to the raising of corn, wheat and stock, these crops gradually taking the place of hemp.

In early years it was thought by many that the soil of Saline county was not well adapted to the growth of wheat, but experience of late years has shown this idea to be erroneous. The crops of wheat now are not only large, but the grain is of as good quality as any produced in the West.

One of the main difficulties and troubles encountered by the early settlers was the scant supply of timber for building and fencing purposes. The timber found in Saline county by the first occupants was mainly in the Missouri river bottoms and of narrow strips in the low creek bottoms of the smaller streams.

On the ridges and hills back from the river and the creeks there was a scope of country of various width described by the government surveyors in making the original surveys as "barrens," a rolling and hilly prairie country that was covered with a scattering growth of old large trees of white oak and black oak, hickoiT and black jack, etc. This land called barrens afterwards grew up in timber, that is, it began to become timbered when the settlements became strong and numerous enough, together with the well-traveled roads to keep back the prairie fires and protect the young growth from destruction in that way. These fires had hitherto prevented the spread of the young timber. This preservation and protection of the young timber occurred after the county had become pretty well settled up and the land entered and owned by the settlers.

But for many years before this second growth timber got large enough for house logs, they were a scarce article at a distance from the Missouri river and to get first-rate house logs some of the first settlersi were compelled to go across the river to Howard county after them. There are yet two dwelling houses standing in the central part of Salt Fork' township originally built of hewn logs that were cut and hewn in Howard county, rafted across the river and hauled out by ox teams to the place where the houses were erected. One of these is the old residence of General Smith on section 9, township 49. range 20, built in 1826. The other was the residence of ]^Irs. Rebecca L. Mitchell (aftenvards Mrs. R. L. Shelby), situated on section 21, township 49, range 20, built in 1830, and yet (in 1909) in a good state of preservation, having been weather boarded with walnut planks soon after it was built. It is a house of four rooms, being eighteen feet wide by sixtyfive in length, with two large stone chimneys, the fire-places being nearly large enough for a stick of cord-w^ood, and from appearances it will be a good house eighty years to come, it being eighty years since it Avas built.

In consequence of the scarcity of the timber, the labor and expense of fencing the lands was very great, and many farmers in the central part of the count}^ have been compelled to haul rails ten or twelve miles to enclose their land. But in the latter part of the last century this new growth of timber as above described had much of it become large enough for house logs and rails, and in fact, there was five times as much timber in the last quarter of the century as was found here by the early settlers when they first occupied the county.

There was a town called Jefi^erson on the bank of the Missouri river immediatelv aljove where Cambridge was afterwards built. For eleven years this town was the county seat. Imt the town declined at an early day on account of the landing being destroyed by the changes in the current of the river, and there remains no vestige of the former town at the present day.

'The town of Cambridg'e. on the Missouri just l^elow tbe former site of Jefferson, was a flourishing- shipping point for man}- years before the construction of the Chicago & Alton raib'oad. 1'be town was ])egun in 1845 and was regularly laid out in 1848. The first business man was F. A. Brightwell, who built the first house and was the first i)ostniaster. the postoffice being established about the time the town was begun. The town of Slater has sapped the life out of Cambridge.

The town of Slater has been a flourishing place since its foundation in 1878. The town is largely a railroad town, but is situated in a magnificent farming country, and. being one of the general division points of the Chicago & Alton railroad, it has quite an extensive round house, repair shops and turn-table. The round house accommodates twenty locomotives and there are ten miles of side-tracking at Slater. The land on which this town was built once belonged to Josiah Baker. Jr. He donated t() the railroad company half of his land u^xdu which the town is located for railroad purposes, and in this way secured the location of the town. Slater can now boast of many commodious and pleasant residences, built of brick with all the modern appliances of water, heat and light, granitoid walks, etc. It is a live town, and improving gradually.

The town of Saline City, in Clay township, situated on a high bluff bank of the Missouri river, is said to be the best and one of the most favorable places for the building of a bridge across the river between St. Louis and Kansas Citv. but vet no railroad com[)any has adopted it as a crossing, notwithstanding its most favorable situation. 1die site of this town was cleared off by Rufus Biglow. in 1858. and the town surveyed and i)latted by Col. George \\ . .Vllen. the land belonging to 1'homas Jackson and T>ewis Eversham. Hie landing at this point is good, and sfnne ship])ing is done l)y the ri\-er. The town was named Saline City, though the ])oint had been known bv the Indians and by them called Little Arrow Rock. W'iien tiie posloflice was established it \vas found that there was alread}- a postoflice in Missouri named Saline City, and then the postoffice de])artment at Washington registered the place as Little Rock. Missouri, the town site having long been called ''Little Arrow Rock."

Just below Saline City there is a creek emptying" into the Missouri named Pierre Fleshe. thus called l)y the 1^'rench in the seventeenth century. .\t the mouth of this there was a camp of trappers, and at that time a (juantity of furs were "cached" there. The stream itself, though a small one. abotmded in beaver, otter and other fin"-l)earing aniiuals. and was much resorted to by the hunters and tra]')])ers of the earlv times. John Thornton, an old ])ioneer.

told Jerrold Letcher that Pierre Fleshe, named by the Inchans. puts into the Missoini where the current formerly ran as swift as an arrow, and hence its name, meaning a swift arrow. Of course. Mr. Thornton was mistaken about this, but it matters little.

Orearville was first called Centerville. The site was first settled b)- one James Smith, of Tennessee, who entered on sections 26 and 2~. He afterwards sold to James Shelby, a son of Isaac Shelby, the first goxernor of Kentucky. He sold to Ennis Combs, and his grantee to B. V. and X. C. Orcar. The town was started in 1852, 1)}- X. C. Orear, who afterwards serxed as justice of the peace there, and the town has since been the headciuarters of a ^-erv extensi\-e family for wliom the place was named.

Edward Reavis and Duke Prigmore were among the early settlers in tlie southwestern part of the county. They landed at in 1818, when there was only one store in that place, kept Ij}' Air. W'yan, in a small log house. Prigmore stopped at Buffalo Prairie, about the mouth of Blackwater, afterwards moving t( . the neighborhood of McAllister Springs. A\'hen he arrived there he found two families. Reavis and Alayes. These four men, Air. Prigmore making- fi\-e. were tlie only white people in the neighborhood. Alayes moved awav in a short time and his place was occupied by John and Robert ()v.en>. Tliis was about the year 1824. T\\o or three years after this, (in account of Indian troubles, all of the settlers left, going to Howard county, except Prigmore, who went to Lafayette, then called Lillard. But before the summer was over, Air. Reavis came back. The others came back the next s])ring. Idle Osages, Kaws, Kickapoos, Sacs and Foxes, Delawares and a few Shawnees were the Indians who frequented that part of the country at the time. Thev were ])erfectly friendly and fairl}- honest. The white settlers traded, hunted, ran horse and foot races and wrestled with the Indians in peace and good fellowsliip. Hiis had been the hunting ground of tlie different triljes, and were much inclined to rexisit it. The white people were all farmers, except Air. Rea\-is. who farmed and also made salt. Idie nearest mill was a horse mill owned b\' one AIcFarland al)out fort}-five miles ot+ in Cooper county, southwest of Boonville. They would take a wagon kjad to mill once or IV ice a year, and that was so much trouble that Air. Prigmore bought a -mrdl ])air of mill stones and fixed them up so that the}' could be run by hand.

When these people, Reavis, PriguK^-e and Alayes, settled there, i'.i 1817 and 1818. there were ]^lenty of buiTalo, bear, elk. deer, panthers, wol\-es, wildcats and catamounts, turkeys and bees, that is, on the headwaters of I'lackwater. The l)ear, jjanthers and wolves were \-er}- destructi\-e to the stock, esjiecially to the hogs. Hear was hunted with dogs, when snow was on the o-round, deer and such game with rifles, and woh'es and cats, principahy witli steel traps. If any of the settlers got a new gun, the rest of them were envious until they could beat the new gun shooting at a target. At a houseraising all the neighbors for eight or ten miles would collect together, all bringino- their guns. If, after the house was raised, no deer was wanted, they shot at a mark before going home. Rifles were used altogether.

A camp meeting was held once a year where Dover now stands, and everybodv went. The camp meeting w^as held by Christians and Cumberland Presbyterians.

The first bank in Marshall was that of Dunnica, Cordell & Company, in 1868. and was the second bank in the county. Previous to that there was one bank in Arrow Rock. The company was composed of W. F. Dunnica, J. H. Cordell and James H. Eakin, this partnership being succeeded in the business bv Cordell & Montague, with J. H. Cordell and E. D. Montague, partners. This bnnking concern was succeeded by a stock company called the Saline County Bank, in 1874, of which W. AV. Field was president, and J. H. Cordell, cashier. In March, 1877, the Saline County Bank wound \\\\ its business and sold its real estate to the Farmers' Savings Bank. On the same day the firm of Cordell & Dunnica, composed of J. H. Cordell and William F. Dunnica, l^egan a new banking business.

The banking- house of Wood & Huston commenced the Ijanking business at ^Marshall in February, 1874, the banking business being owned and conducted by Will H. W^ood and Joseph Huston, who had long been business men of Arrow Rock and well and favorably known throughout the county. This bruiking house did a g'ood business from the start and remains up to this time one of the strongest banking houses of central Missouri.