Richmond Township (part 1 of 2)

Richmond Township

The land on which the original town of Richmond is located was donated to the county of Ray, May 5, 1827, by John Woolard, Isaac Thornton, William B. Martin and William Thornton, the proprietors thereof.

The donation was made in consideration of the selection, by a commission legally appointed by the county court, of the site as a place on which to locate the permanent seat of justice of Ray county.

On the 20th day of July, A. D. 1827, the county court in session at BlufFton, ordered an election, that the proposition to remove the county seat to the place selected by the commissioners, and by its owners donated to the county of Ray, might be submitted to the people for their approval or rejection, as the law required.

On the 20th and 21st of August following, the election was duly held, and resulted in one hundred and eight votes being cast for the proposition and fifty-five against it; and in due course of time, as already fully stated, the county seat was removed, and public buildings erected, etc. Hence, Richmond owes its existence to the fact of the land on which the original town is located having been selected first by commisioners, and then by a majority of the qualified voters of the county as a site for the permanent seat of justice of the county of Ray.

Richmond was, when laid out, the county seat of territory since divided into eight counties, having the following seats of justice, to-wit: Carrollton, Chillicothe, Trenton, Princeton, Bethany, Gallatin, Kingston and Richmond.

Richmond was surveyed and laid out into blocks, lots, streets and alleys by Thomas N. Aubry, Esq., under the direction of William S. Miller, commissioner of the seat of justice, between the 24th of September and the 15th of October, A. D. 1827.

The town site was divided into one hundred lots, and these, with the exception of those reserved for the use of the county, were sold at public vendue, the sale commencing Thursday, October 25th, 1827, and continuing from day to day. The sale was made by beginning with lot No. 100, and selling each alternate lot till lot No. 1 was reached.

When the county court convened in special session, Monday, October 22, 1827, it changed the boundaries of lots 8, 9, 40, 41, 72, 73 and 100, by taking off' of each the space of twenty-five feet. The space thus taken off was reserved from sale.

The first jail in Richmond was located on lot No. 62, and the "prison bounds " thereof was as follows: Sixty rods square, with the jail in the centre; said space accurately laid off, and the distances marked by planting in the earth, to the depth of at least eighteen inches, at each of the four cardinal points of the compass, well charred, white-oak posts, nine inches square, rising four feet above the earth's surface. The jail itself, and also the first court house have been described.

Richmond was first incorporated November 19, 1835; and the following gentlemen constituted the first board of trustees: Berry Hughes, C. R. Morehead, H. G. Parks, William Hudgins and Thomas McKinney.

The first county road leading to and from the town of Richmond was established by the county court in November, 1827. It extended to Jack's Ferry, on the Missouri river.

One Anderson Martin was the first town constable of the town of Richmond. The town was again incorporated by act of the general assembly, approved November 9, 1857.

Richmond was laid out in the midst of a broad field of the "bright ever beautiful maize;" that is to say, where Richmond now stands, John Woolard, in 1827, cultivated a field of corn. John Woolard was an unlettered man, somewhat eccentric, but a kind neighbor, a warm-hearted friend, and an enterprising, public spirited gentleman. He has been dead many years, but has sons yet living in the county, who are upright and useful citizens.

Richmond, so named by the county court, Monday, September 24, 1827, is situated in sections thirty and thirty-one, township fifty-two, range twenty-seven, and on the northeast quarter of section thirty-six, township fifty-two, range twenty-eight, on the St. Joseph branch of the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific railway, forty-four miles east of Kansas City, two hundred and thirty seven miles northwest of St. Louis, and sixty-seven miles southeast of St. Joseph.

Richmond is simply a fine old town, whose people are remarkable for urbanity, kindness, and genuine, old-fashioned hospitality; and in which a stranger, no matter whence he comes, so he conducts himself as a gentleman, is soon made to feel himself at home, and in the midst of friends.

It is surrounded by a country exhaustless in natural resources; picturesque and beautiful in surface configuration; rich, productive, and pleasant to see. It is the attractive business and social centre of an intelligent, enterprising, Christian community, and - to borrow the language of Paul, the apostle - it is " a city of no mean importance."

The main or central portion of Richmond stands upon the crown of a graceful swell, and the suburban portions are located upon the slopes of a succession of beautiful wooded hills that nearly surround the central town. The slopes abound in the most attractive building sites that command fine city and open valley views in almost every direction. It has scores of fine cottages, villas, and dignified old mansion homes, represent- ing the hospitable southern style of architecture so common in the south. The spacious veranda, or porch, is an almost universal accompaniment to these pretty, inviting home places, and the ample, shaded lawns and broad walks are in more pleasant contrast with the closer and more severely artistic surroundings of the average northern home. There is everywhere in this little, half-rural city an air of amplitude, ease, freedom and home comfort that is thoroughly enjoyable to the visitor.' The business town expresses solidity and permanency, rather than any effort at architectural display, being built in the plain fashion of the old time. Among the public buildings are a handsome court-house, two very pretty churches, and a plain, but massive and stately, high-school building. Two more churches are projected. Of late, a good many very pretty homes in the modern styles have been added, and, altogether, Richmond may be named among the most attractive towns of its class in the west. The business town is in keeping with the wealth and thrift of the country that fosters it. If it ever had a speculative period, is has long since passed. The business men are characterized with steady, sensible, practical and well defined methods of commercial life, and evidently prefer solvency and high credit to the exciting, spasmodic, and speculative ways of too many western towns. They have the confidence of the community, and preserve it as if it were their best " stock in trade." They never seem hurried or fretful, but move straight on from year to year with the greatest deliberation and confidence. A list of the business houses, manufactories and industries of Richmond in April, 1881, will, it is believed, be found of interest in after years, if not at present; such a list is therefore subjoined, as follows:

The Olympic Hall, completed in December, 1880, is substantially built, convenient, and commodious. It is well ventilated, tastily and comfortably furnished, and has a seating capacity of four hundred and fifty. The seats are well arranged and command a full view of the stage from any part of the hall. Olympic Hall does credit alike to its proprietors, Doctor W. W. Mosby & Son, and to the city of Richmond.

The Richmond Opera House, owned by a joint stock company, under the corporate name of Richmond Hall and Library Association, was built in 1880, and cost seven thousand dollars. It is fifty feet in width by one hundred feet in length, and will seat about eight hundred persons. The hall is thoroughly ventilated, well furnished, and provided with attractive scenery. Perhaps no town in the west has a more capacious or better hall for public entertainment, than is the Richmond Opera House.

The old cemetery, due north of town and just within its corporate limits, was laid out in 1845. It is the burial place of many distinguished persons.

The remains of Bill Anderson, the notorious desperado, were deposited in the old cemetery. The people, of course, without exception, deprecated the man and his dastardly and revolting acts, perpetrated in the spirit of diabolical revenge, indiscriminately directed, and dishonoring alike himself, his followers, and the cause he claimed to defend; they knew, however, that in death, he was harmless, and that, as a fellow mortal, he was entitled to decent burial.

This fact is not mentioned on Anderson's account, but simply to show that in the hearts of the Christian people of Richmond, the spirit of resentment perishes, when the ability of the culprit to do further harm has ceased, and, sharing the common lot of mankind, he lies powerless in the embrace of death.

The new Richmond cemetery, near the west end of South Main street, on the north side thereof, was laid out in 1871. It contains three acres and is situated on a high hill commanding an extensive and beautiful prospect of the surrounding country.

The dead are everywhere, and the last kind offices in their behalf are to accord them burial in conformity to established custom, and to place above them some testimonial of the esteem in which they were held while among the living, or that may at least " implore the passing trib- ute of a sigh." In this respect the Richmond cemeteries are enduring monument, not alone to the dead, but likewise to the humane and tender promptings that govern the hearts of the living.

Several beautiful and costly shafts are reared in the new grave-yard, and, for a " silent city of the dead," it is perhaps as neat and inviting a place as one could desire to see.

At half past three o'clock, Thursday, May 23, 1867, a band of brigands, eleven in number, heavily armed with navy pistols, entered the city from the east, by three different streets. One detachment came in by the first street south of South Main street, running parallel thereto, and passing up that street to its intersection with College street, turned north to South Main; another party passed up the latter street, while the third came into the city by North Main street. The bandits concentrated in the vicinity of the M. E. Church South, and all but one dismounted, and repaired immediately to the banking house of Hughes & Wasson. Four of the party entered the bank, and with pistols presented, demanded the money therein. The other six remained outside, in front ot the bank building, and kept up a continual fire upon citizens who dared to show themselves on the streets. Immediately upon entering the bank, one of the bandits fired at the book-keeper, Willis Warriner, Esquire, as he retreated in the direction of the vault. At the report of the pistol, Mr. Warriner fell to the floor and continued prostrate so long as the robbers remained in the bank, though he was uninjured.

There happened to be only thirty-five hundred dollars in the bank, and when that amount was seized, the robbers turned upon Mr. George I. Wasson, the cashier, and covering him with their pistols, commanded him to get more. But upon Mr. Wasson's assuring them that they had taken all the money on hand, they dismissed him without further molestation.

The robber who remained on his horse, tcok a stand in the middle of the street, near the bank. He was mounted on a very fine and welltrained horse. Having wound the bridle-reins around the bow of his saddle in such a manner as to give greater tension to one rein than to the other, the horse continued to move round in a circle, thus enabling his rider to see about him in every direction. With a navy pistol in each hand the horseman fired up and down the street, while the robbery was going on in the bank.

The citizens began to rally to drive the bandits out of town. Frank Griffin, from his position behind a tree in the court-house yard, was discharging his gun at the man on the horse without effect; when the latter discovered Griffin's head from behind the tree he fired at it, with unerring aim. The ball penetrated the brain, and Griffin instantly expired.

Young Griffin's father, William Griffin, after the killing of his son, ran up to the bank, supposing the robbers had vacated it. Upon stepping within he was confronted by the robbers, and started to run out of the house, when he was fired upon; the ball, taking effect in the back, passed through his heart.

John B. Shaw, a highly respected gentleman, and at that time mayor of the city, was in the middle of the street, near the Shaw House (now Wasson House), of which he was proprietor, endeavoring to rally the citizens, when he was shot in the abdomen. He lived but a few hours. He also was killed by the man on horseback.

After the robbery, the bandits rode rapidly out of town. They were ' followed by a posse of citizens a distance of about nine miles, but none of them were captured.

The pursuing party fired upon the robbers near Holt Station, on the Hannibal & St. Joseph railroad, wounding one of their horses, which was left behind and died next day.

One of the robbers, whose name was supposed to be William McGuire, was captured in St. Louis the following winter, brought to Richmond, and lodged in jail; and a few months after his capture, the man who sat on his horse in front of the bank and killed John B. Shaw and young Griffin, was apprehended in Kentucky, by John W. Francis, then sheriff of Ray county. This bandit's name was supposed to be Devers. He was also confined in the Richmond jail.

McGuire had a preliminary trial before a justice of the peace, and was held to await the ensuing session of the circuit court. They were both taken from the jail, however, by a vigilance committee and hanged.

The following persons were in the bank when the robbers entered: Geo. I. Wasson, cashier ; Judge Willis Warriner, book-keeper, and Major Robert Sevier, Ephraim January, and Ben Chipeze. The three last named were in no way connected with the bank. None of the above named gentlemen were injured.

A Terrible Cyclone

On June 1, A. D. 1878, the city of Richmond was visited by one of the most violent and destructive cyclones that ever passed over this section of the country. Nearly every thing in its pathway was utterly demolished. Huge trees were torn up by the roots, buildings swept away, and human and animal life destroyed.

For several days previous the weather had been unusually warm and sultry; the air was heavy and oppressive, the mercury in the thermometer indicating a temperature ranging from eighty-five to ninety degrees, Fahrenheit.

The morning of June 1st was bright and tranquil, but later in the day clouds gathered, and early in the afternoon the wind, accompanied by a slight fall of hail, began gently blowing from the southwest. Immediately after the hail ceased falling, a wind from the northwest arose, and, continuing probably ten minutes, was succeeded by a suffocating calm of about three to five minutes' duration. Within twenty or thirty minutes after the falling of the hail, the clouds in the southwest seemed to be falling apart for a moment or two, presenting ragged edges; then, suddenly, streams began to shoot out from the margins of the clouds, and to mingle together by a twirling, intertwining motion.

The calm above alluded to was caused by the current from the northwest meeting a similar current moving in the opposite direction. After this momentary cessation of wind, a strong breeze from the southwest set in, followed by a violent rush of wind, the immediate precursor of the terribly devastating cyclone that was to follow almost instantaneously.

The wind began its destructive work about three miles southwest of town. Moving in a northeasterly direction, it struck the railroad at J. S. Hughes & Co.'s coal shaft; then turning northward, it struck six tenement houses, occupied by miners, and owned by J. S. Hughes. These houses were moved out of position and otherwise damaged, though not seriously. Leaving the tenement houses, the cyclone slightly injured six dwellings situated next to the railroad. The upper story, back wall, and porch of W. R. Jackson's house, in the extreme southeastern part of the city, were torn off. The next house in its northward course, was that of Dr. Noah Gaines, a one story frame, which was considerably wrecked but not torn down. Bounding across the street at this point, the storm unroofed the old homestead residence, a one story brick, of Jacob Whitmer. Mrs. Haynes was struck and damaged seriously.

In its onward passage north of Dr. Noah Gaines, it levelled to the ground a small frame building, occupied by a colored family; next a large one story frame building, property of the late Major Sevier, but occupied at the time, by one Mr. Deer and family. The house was utterly demolished. Striking, next, the fine brick residence of J. S. Hughes, Esq., it blew down the ell and unroofed the main building.

Next in the storm's pathway stood the Bid well property, occupied by a man named Berry, and his family. The building, a two story frame, was totally destroyed; and so, also, was the large two story frame residence of W. R. Holman. Veering to the west from the residence of J. A. Hughes, it struck and completely destroyed the residence of G. A. Hughes, as well as his very fine young apple orchard. The residence last named is on College street; west of it and on the same street, are the residences of Judge Charles J. Hughes and Messrs. B. J. Menefee and P. V. Bernard, all of which were injured. Of the three houses mentioned, Mr.

Bernard's is farthest; it is a one story brick, was unroofed, and a portion of its walls blown in. This building marked the western limit of the storm's fury, in the city.

The cyclone was somewhat narrowed in its destructive course through the city, after leaving South College street, which extends east and west; yet from this street in its northward passage, it extended over two entire blocks of buildings, as well as wrecking some, and wholly demolishing other of the buildings on the east side of the college grounds; and first of the latter was the one and a half story cottage residence of Mrs. Bassett, occupied by C. J. Hughes, Jr., which was totally destroyed. Dr. H. P. Jacobs owned and occupied a new and beautiful residence, which in its fury, the storm-god spared not; every vestige of the building was swept from its foundation. Neither did it respect the Presbyterian Church, a large, costly and substantial brick structure, but razed it to the ground. The next building to the northward, was the story and a half residence of Mr. E. Spear, which, though not blown down, was greatly damaged; then the one story brick of Philip J. Woodson, Esq., was unroofed. Next, to the northward stood the Baptist Church and residence of R. E. Brown, Esq., side by side, which were likewise swept away by the irresistible rotary current.

We have followed the storm in its desolating progress to Lexington street, and, going back again to south College street, and beginning with the block next east of the one last described, and separated therefrom by Thornton Avenue, we mention first the two story frame dwelling of Judge Joseph E. Black, which was entirely destroyed; then the residence of Captain G. N. McGee, a total loss; next the one story residence belonging to Mrs. Mary Brown, but occupied by a tenant, also completely demolished, and the residence of Ephraim Holman, which shared a similar fate.

Passing east, in our description, to the residence of Doctor Frank Gaines, on Lexington street, we have to mention that building as also a total loss. The residence of Mrs. Amelia Jacobs, in this neighborhood, was also totally wrecked.

Again returning to South College street, we begin with the block east of the one last mentioned; and first, the dwelling house of Paul Wertz was literally blown away; and so, also, were the residences of N. P. Warriner, and of Mrs. Morrison, and Mrs. Carson.

Proceeding with his melancholy task, the writer has again arrived at Lexington street, at a point where the cyclone again narrowed its destructive work, and thence northward, embraced only two blocks. First, on the west, starting northward, is the lumber yard of Brown & Limerick, which was completely wrecked; the calaboose, a stone building, was partially blown down, but the blacksmith-shop of Ball & Asbury was totally destroyed. In the same block, but east of the buildings mentioned, stood the residences of the late Judge Burgess, Colonel Dodd, and Houston Jacobs, all of which were swept away.

East of this block, the residences of George Jacobs and Wyatt Baker were destroyed. The Shaw House (now, 1881, Wasson House), the next building north of Ball & Asbury's (now Asbury's) shop, suffered great injury. Its east wing was blown down entirely, and every portion of the building received considerable damage. Prior to the storm it was a threestory building, but has since been repaired, without replacing the third story. East of the Shaw House was the residence of James Harmony, and east of that the elegant two-story residence of John P. Leeper, occupied by Doctor G. W. Buchanan, both of which were entirely destroyed. Immediately east of the buildings last mentioned stood the wagon factory of Burgess Bros., the buggy factory of O. T. Dickenson, and the residences of Isaac Burgess, Captain Ben. Wigginton, and R. F. Asbury, all of which were swept away.

Our description has brought us to South Main street. In the two blocks of buildings on this street, extending to the northern limits of the city, were about twenty-five houses, all of which were utterly demolished, among the number we may mention the residences of David Whitmer, Benjamin Jacobs, Fritz Lierman, William Marshall, Thomas Word, J. W. Garner, Samuel Nading, John G. Ballard, T. J. Casey, F. W. Joy, Thomas McGinnis, and George Warren.

The above were all one and two-story buildings, and were a total loss. In this were located the African M. E. Church, and the school-house of the colored people, both of which were torn to fragments.

On the street leading northward from the public square, and which is west of the buildings last mentioned, the residences of Mrs. Mary Brown, Thomas D. Woodson and W. A. Donaldson were greatly damaged; Mrs. Brown's residence being blown to the ground.

The following business houses on the east side of the public square sufferred material damage, viz: The three story brick dry goods store of S. R. Crispin & Co., at the southeast corner of the square. The Masonic hall was in the third story of this building, and was completely destroyed, as the third story was blown off, as well as part of the second story; the house occupied by C. Sayre; W. R. Jackson & Co.'s furniture store; Jackson & Asbury's saloon; boot and shoe house of William Marshall; drug store of Taylor & Smith (now Smith & Patton); and the store house of Monroe Bros. All of these, except the first mentioned, were two story brick buildings.

Just north, and across the street from the last mentioned, the lumber yard of Jackson & Patton, and the wagon manufactory of Powell & Son, were destroyed.

South of the public square the business .houses of J. P. Quesenberry, Dr. M. C. Jacobs, and Kiger & Wertz were partly unroofed; and the same is true of Mosby & Son's drug store and the Ray county savings bank.

The post office was literally blown away. The court house was unroofed and otherwise damaged. The livery stable of C. W. Schweich & Co. was considerably injured.

Thus have we given a minute description of the entire devastated portion of the city, which included fully one-third of its area. The total loss of property was estimated at over $200,000.

This devastating wind current was a genuine cyclone, its motion being rotary and irresistible. It was funnel-shaped in appearance, resembling a water spout.

It is said that during its passage through the town, not a drop of water fell. There were ascending and descending currents, and flying fragments darkened the earth. After the cyclone had passed, its desolated pathway presented the appearance of having been deluged with muddy water. This was owing to the fact that a heavy rain preceded the cyclone a moment or two.

On leaving the town, the cyclone veered slightly to the east; thence north, striking Crooked river; thence west, demolishing the residence of Thomas J. Bohannon, and carrying down the iron bridge at that point; thence its course was northeast, to Hiram Settle's, seven miles from Richmond; there it rose from the earth, and moved directly east, passing over Morton, a small village in the eastern portion of the county. It again descended to the earth at Highsinger's, a point twelve miles from where it arose, at Settle's; thence taking a northeasterly direction, it lay waste everything in its course.

The storm is estimated to have been three minutes in passing through the city. It swept over that portion of the city in which were located most of the mechanical shops and factories.

The destruction of property was great, indeed, but that was not irreparable. The energetic and enterprising citizens have so repaired and rebuilt the desolated district, that now (1881) scarcely a vestige of the great cyclone of 1878 remains. The buildings which were destroyed , have been replaced with new, more costly and more substantial ones. The loss of human life makes the saddest recollection of this terribly destructive cyclone. The following persons were either killed outright, or died from injuries received:

Captain William M. Jacobs was caught in front of C. D. Sayre's, by the falling debris from the store and the Masonic hall, and completely buried, and was not found till eleven o'clock the following day (Sunday).

John Campbell had started from M. C. Jacobs' drug store for his home in the eastern part of the town, and when having reached a point on Lexington street, just beyond Brown and Limerick's lumber yard, was killed by the passing missiles.

James Duncan, at Powell & Son's shop, was caught up by the wind, carried one hundred yards, and mortally wounded. A missile was driven into his head, entering near the nose. He lived but a few moments.

William A. Donaldson, Esq., was on his way from his law office to his residence, when he was struck by flying debris, and died in an hour or two.

An infant child of Charles Ottman's lived till Tuesday, when it died of injuries received in the storm. Mrs. Salina Bohannon died on Thursday morning.

Following is a list of those who were seriously wounded: F. W. Joy, leg broken; C.J. Hughes, Jr., leg broken; Willie Buchanan, Miss Emma Shackelford, Miss Pauline Shackelford, Mrs. Perry Jacobs, Robert Asbury, Charles and Lee Asbury, Dr. G. W. Buchanan, George Warren, George Crispin, James Donaldson, Blanche Harmony, Mrs. Thomas McGinnis and four children, Thomas Bohannon and wife, V. P. Bernard, Miss Mollie Streets, Colonel T. J. Dodd, Mrs. Paul Wertz, Robert Offutt, Mrs. Belle Warriner, H. C. Burgess, Thomas Burgess, Isaac Burgess, Mrs. William Marshall, William Burgess, Miss Mary Hughes, Mrs. Carson and two daughters, G. W. Schweich and infant child, Miss Laura Belle Hughes, Albert Flumen, Mary E. Sheets, Thomas Word, Mary E. Casey, David Whitmer, G. T. Limerick, Mrs. Julia Shweich.

A number of colored persons were also seriously injured. Many persons lost everything they had, and were left wounded and helpless. Those who escaped threw open their doors, taking in the wounded and homeless. Every one did all in his power to relieve the unfortunate sufferers. People from all parts of the country gathered in Richmond, eager to lend a helping hand.

Whereas, An unprecedented storm has visited our city, leaving much loss of life, destruction of property and personal suffering in its pathway; therefore, be it

Resolved, That a committee of arrangements and relief be appointed to co-operate with the mayor and city authorities, consisting of ten persons, whose duty it shall be to receive any contributions that may be made for the relief of the poor and destitute, and to provide for and take care of the many who have been injured; and generally to make such arrangements as the circumstances may require, in aid of the suffering of our fellow citizens, occasioned by the recent storm, and for the burial of those who were killed.

Resolved, That all citizens who may feel disposed to render any assistance for the object contemplated by the foregoing resolution, will please to make application to some member of this committee, or to the mayor or members of the city council, who will see that all contributions are honestly and strictly applied for the relief of those needing it. That the thanks of this meeting are hereby tendered to our neighbors from the -country, and citizens of other counties, for the interest and sympathy they have manifested and the aid so freely and cheerfully given, and to the medical fraternity for their prompt and skillful attention rendered to the suffering.

Resolved, That Berrien J. Menefee, be,'and he is hereby appointed treasurer of this committee to receive all contributions and donations made to the relief board in money or other things, and that he apply the same under the direction of Judge Chas. J. Hughes, chairman of this committee, or of George I. Wasson, mayor of the city, and that full reports be made from time to time to this committee of the amount and character of the contributions made and how distributed.

The following general committee was then appointed, viz: A. W. Doniphan, James Hughes, B. J. Menefee, C. T. Garner, Sr., Dr. W. W. Mosby, Captain J. L. Farris, Colonel J. W. Black, George N. McGee, Thomas D. Woodson and John C. Morris.

On motion, Judge Hughes was made chairman of the committee. On motion of J. T. Child, a committee composed of gentlemen from each township, to solicit aid, was appointed.

On motion of James W. Black, Major R. S. Williams was instructed to employ a sufficient number of hands to remove the debris from the streets. The daily wages for laborers was fixed at $1.25. The proposition of Major McKissack, to furnish ice and transportation free was accepted, and the magnaminous offer properly acknowledged.

The committee of relief met Tuesday morning. A number of telegrams were received, which the mayor was instructed to answer. Judge C. J. Hughes was directed to instruct the different towns, as to the condition of Richmond. C. T. Garner, W. P. Hubbell and W. I). Rice, were appointed to ascertain the real condition of the sufferers, to take their names and ascertain their actual wants.

At the suggestion of many citizens from the country, a public meeting was held in the court house yard on Monday. This meeting was attended and participated in by a large number of citizens from different parts of the county. This meeting resolved that the judge of the county court be requested to make an appropriation, if in his judgment such an appropriation was needed, to the sufferers of Richmond.

Committees were also appointed in all of the townships to solicit aid from the citizens, and to receive and forward all contributions to the relief committee at Richmond.

Besides the human beings enumerated, about ninety head of stock - horses, cattle, etc., were killed. One team of horses was lifted up and blown over the brick lumber yard of Jackson & Patton, and, being dashed to the ground, in the back yard, were killed. Chickens and geese were literally stripped of their feathers, and trees which were not blown down or torn up by their roots, were barked from bottom to top.

On the west side of the cyclone, the debris moved south, on the east side it moved north, showing the rotation to have been from right to left.

The postoffice building was a light, two story frame, on the east corner of the north side of the public square. It was totally demolished, and the contents scattered along the pathway of the cyclone for many miles.

A registered letter was found thirteen miles north of town, lying against a house. The letter was picked up by a farmer, who, finding it contained two fifty dollar bills, returned it to the post master at Richmond.

Thousands of persons visited Richmond for several days succeeding the storm. Nearly all came, and did all in their power to relieve the immediate wants of the sufferers.

The destruction was complete over two entire blocks of buildings, from the southern to the northern limits of the city. Outside of those blocks, on either side the buildings and property, generally, were injured to a greater or less extent along its entire path.

4. The head, source, or place where the power wras applied was after the cyclone was perfectly formed, a dark cloud, moving with the firmness of a mountain, and the rapidity of the swiftest horse.

5. The rotary motion gave it a lateral diameter of one hundred and fifty yards/ The rotation was often so rapid as throw air waves to either side, with very destructive effects, and sometimes reaching a distance of three hundred yards bevond the main path.

6. There was no particular development of heat, as to scorch green substances or to burn persons. The ground was soaked with rain twenty minutes in advance of the cyclone, and the soil was worked into a thin mortar, and smeared overything; hence the appearance of a flood.*

City council met, and was called to order by the mayor, George I. Wasson. The roll was called. Present, the mayor, and councilmen, J. W. Black, James W. Garner, George A. Hughes, and William Wilson.

Whereas, Our city having been visited on last Saturday afternoon, by a most terrible cyclone, carrying death and destruction in its pathway, and many families were rendered houseless, and the home circle bereft of of its loved ones, stricken down in its devastating course, and among that number our esteemed fellow citizens and members of the city council, Wm. A. Donaldson and Francis M. Ball; therefore be it resolved by the council, of the city of Richmond, have sustained an irreparable loss, society has been deprived of two of its most worthy and useful citizens, and the city council of two of its most active, energetic and faithful members.

Resolved, That we tender to their bereaved families and relatives, our heartfelt sympathy and condolence, in this, the hour of their great affliction.

Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be communicated to the families of the deceased, by the city recorder, and that they be spread upon the records of the city council.

It is not easy to imagine how greater destruction could be wrought in the same length of time than was caused by the Richmond cvclone of June 1, 1878. It was indeed a great calamity, and will long be remembered.

From personal experience, endured at another time, in another state, the writer is fully prepared to appreciate the suffering of those who were so unfortunate as to be in the pathway of the terribly devastating whirlwind.

With a list of the members of the bar and medical profession, and the city charter and revised ordinances of the city of Richmond, we close its history.

Lawyers who have distinguished themselves in various departments of life, have either lived or practiced law at Richmond. Among them we mention: Alexander W. Doniphan, Hamilton R. Gamble, Charles French, Robert W. Wells, Abiel Leonard, Amos Rees, Thomas C. Burch, Mordecai Oliver, Austin A. King, Peter H. Burnett, and Aaron H. Conrow.

General Doniphan's fame as a soldier is world-wide. His heroic military exploits are read in the school room, and live in the hearts of his countrymen, yet he is not unknown as a brilliant and successful lawyer. He is now retired from practice, and is a resident of Richmond.

The Richmond bar has, at present, twenty members; several of them have practiced in Richmond for many years, and are well and widely known, as well for their professional ability as for their sterling worth as members of society. The majority, however, are energetic and talented

Following is a list of members of the Richmond bar in April, 1881: Geo. W. Dunn, Christopher T. Garner, James W. Black, Joseph E. Black, Chas. J. Hughes, John W. Shotwell, David P. Whitmer, James L. Farris, Adam J. Barr, Elijah F. Esteb, James W. Garner, Frank G. Gibson, C. T. Garner, Jr., William S. Conrow, Thos. N. Lavelock, J. E. Ball, John R. Hamilton, John H. Dunn, George A. Stone and John F. Morton.

Dr. Nathaniel Davis was a physician of Richmond for many years, but is now retired from the practice, and is living quietly at his home, just without the eastern limits of the city.

Article

Section 1. All that district of country contained within the following boundaries, to-wit: Beginning at a point fifty-eight chains and fifty links north of public square, on the line between the land of G. W. Dunn and Mrs. Darneal; thence east to the section line between sections twentynine and thirty, fifty-two chains and fiftv-four links; thence south one hundred and three chains and eighty-two links; thence west one hundred and five chains and eight links; thence north one hundred and three chains and eighty-two links; thence east fifty-two chains and fifty-four links, to the place of beginning, shall be, and the same is hereby erected into a city, by the name of "The City of Richmond," and the inhabitants thereof shall be, and they are hereby constituted, a body corporate and politic, by the name and style of "the mayor, councilmen, and citizens of the city of Richmond," and by that name they and their successors forever shall have perpetual succession, shall sue and be sued, implead and be impleaded, defend and be defended in all courts of law and equity, and in all actions whatsoever; may contract and be contracted with, may purchase, receive, and hold property, real and personal, within said city, and may sell, lease, or dispose of the same for the benefit of the city, and may purchase, receive, and hold property, real or personal, beyond the limits of said city, to be used for the burial of the dead of the city, or for the establishment of a hospital lor the reception of persons afflicted with contagious or other diseases, or for the erection of a poor-house and farm, or work-house, or house of correction, and may sell, lease, or dispose of such property for the benefit of the city, and may do all other acts and things as natural persons. They may have and use a common seal, and may break, alter, change, and make a new seal at pleasure.

same number of free white male inhabitants in each ward, and the city council shall have the power to alter or change the boundaries of said wards from time to time, as they see fit, or to increase, or diminish the number of said wards, having regard to the number of free white male inhabitants, as aforesaid, so that each ward shall, as aforesaid, have, as nearly as may be, an equal number of inhabitants.

Article Ii

Section 1. The corporate powers of the inhabitants hereby incorporated under the name and style of the " mayor, councilmen, and citizens of the city of Richmond," shall be vested in and exercised by a city council, to consist of one member from each ward, to be elected by general ticket, by the qualified voters of said city, on the first Monday in April, annually, unless otherwise provided by ordinance.

Sec. 2. No person shall be a member of the city council, unless he be a free white male citizen of the state of Missouri, over the age of twentyone years, and shall have resided within the city limits three months, next preceding his election, and be a bona fide resident of the ward for which he is elected.

Sec 4. The council, in the absence of the mayor, shall elect one of their number to be a president pro tempore of the council, and the president -pro tempore thus elected, shall, during the absence from the city of the mayor, or of a vacancy in the office, or of inability of the mayor to serve, perform all the duties of mayor.

Sec. 5. The mayor and the city council shall and may annually choose such agents and servants as they shall deem necessary in the transaction of their business, and remove them at pleasure.

Sec. 6. The mayor and the city council shall be the judges of the election returns, and qualifications of such mayor and members of said city council, and shall determine contested elections.

Sec. 7. A majority of the council shall constitute a quorum to do business, but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and may compel the attendance of absent members in such a manner, and under such penalties, as the council may prescribe.

Sec. 8. The council may determine the rules of their proceedings, punish their members for disorderly conduct, and, with the concurrence of two thirds of all the members elected, expel a member, but not a second time for the same offense.

Sec. 9. The mayor and council shall keep a journal of their proceedings, and the ayes and nays of the members on any question shall, at the desire of any member present, be entered on the journal.

Sec 10. Neither the mayor or any member of the council shall, during the time for which he or they are elected, be appointed to any office under the provisions of this act, unless a petition to that effect be signed by two-thirds of the qualified voters of the city.

Sec 12. Every member of the council, before entering upon the duties of his office, shall, in addition to the oath of office hereinafter required, make affidavit that it is his bona fide intention to reside within the ward for which he was elected during the term for which he was elected.

Sec. 13. Whenever there shall be a tie in the election of members of the council, the judges of election shall certify the same to the mayor, or person exercising the duties of mayor, who shall immediately thereupon issue his proclamation, stating such facts, and ordering a new election, giving twenty days' previous notice thereof, and if such ties shall occur upon any election for mayor, such judges of election shall certify the same to the city council, and such council, after qualification, shall elect between such candidates having an equal number of votes; and in the further event that neither of such candidates for mayor shall receive a majority of the votes of said council, a new election for mayor shall be ordered by said council immediately, giving twenty days' previous notice of the time and place of such election. -

Sec. 14. There shall be stated meetings of the council once in every calendar month, at such time and place as the council, by ordinance, shall designate, and other and further proceedings of said council may be convened by the mayor or person discharging the duties of mayor, at any time in his discretion, provided always that said mayor and council may adjourn any meeting from day to day, or to any time within said calendar month.

Sec. 15. Upon the passage of all and every bill appropriating money, imposing taxes, or increasing, lessening or abolishing licenses, or borrowing money, the yeas and nays shall be entered upon the journal upon the motion of the mayor or any member of the council.

Sec. 16. A majority of all the members of the council shall be necessary to pass any tax bill, or bills appropriating any sum amounting to one hundred dollars, or any other bill or bills, involving a like amount in anywise increasing, affecting or diminishing the city revenue.

Section. 1. The council shall have power within the city ordinance: 1st, To levy and collect taxes not exceeding three-fifths of one per centum per annum upon the assessed value of all property made taxable by law, for state purposes, and also to provide for the collection of the same by the sale of real and personal estate within the city, in such manner as this act or the council by ordinance shall provide. 2d, To borrow money on the credit of the city, upon a vote of two-thirds of the members of the council. 3d, To appropriate money and provide for the payment of the debts, appropriations, contracts, liabilities and expenses of the city. 4th, To make regulations to guard against and prevent the introduction of contagious and infectious diseases into the city, and to make quarantine laws for that purpose, and enforce the same within two miles of the city. 5th, To establish hospitals, employ physicians' atter dance, and procure drugs and medicines, and to make regulations for the government and care thereof. 6th, To make regulations to secure the general health of the inhabitants, and to abate, prevent, and remove nuisances. 7th, To provide the city with water, by digging wells, making cisterns, and improving springs and creeks, and. erecting and providing pumps on the streets, avenues, and sidewalks within the boundaries of the city, for the convenience of the inhabitants thereof. 8th, To create, open alter, abolish, widen, extend, establish, grade, pave, or otherwise improve,, and to clean, macadamize and keep in repair streets, avenues, lanes and alleys within the city, with the express restriction that the council shall not establish, or open, any street, lane, avenue or alley through any property which has not been laid out into town lots, and a plat thereof filed according to law, unless by the written consent of the proprietors of such property; provided always, that the council may, by ordinance, require the owner of such property, when laid out into lots, or outlots, to have the streets, lanes, alleys, or avenues to correspond as near as may be with the streets, lanes, alleys or avenues in use in the city; and no lane, or avenue, or alley shall be altered unless such city council shall pay the owner of such real estate such damages as may be found due to such proprietor, to be ascertained by a jury of twelve men, or by any other provisions as the council may, by ordinance, prescribe, or by any other legal proceedings. 9th, To establish, erect and keep in repair, bridges, culverts and sewers, and regulate the use of the same. 10th, To establish, support and regulate the night watch and patrol, lith, To erect markethouses, establish markets and places, and provide for the government and regulation thereof. 12th, To.provide for the erection of all needful buildings, for the use of the city. 13th, To provide for enclosing and improving any real estate belonging to the city. 14th, To license, tax and regulate auctioneers, grocers, merchants, retailers, dram shop keepers, ordinaries, taverns and inns. 15th, To license, tax, regulate and restrain and suppress hawkers, peddlers, shows, theatrical and other performances and exhibitions. 16th, To license, tax and suppress, prohibit and restrain gaming and gambling houses, bawdy houses, and other disorderly houses. 17th, To provide for the extinguishment of fires, and prevention thereof; to organize and establish fire companies, and to provide necessary and suitable engines, hose, buckets, ladders, fireworks and apparatus ; also to regulate and prevent the carrying on of any business, pursuit or manufactory of a character to cause or produce fires, or prejudical, or injurious to the health of inhabitants, and to compel the owners of the houses and other buildings to have scuttles upon the roofs of any such houses or buildings, and stairs and ladders leading to the same. 18th, To regulate and order the cleaning of chimneys, and to fix the flues thereof, to regulate the storage of gunpowder, tar, pitch, resin, hemp, cotton, and all other combustible materials, and to regulate the use of lights and lighted lamps or candles in all stables, shops and other places: to remove or prevent the construction of any fire-place, hearth, chimney, stove, oven, boiler, kettle, or apparatus used in any house, building, manufactory, or business which may be dangerous in causing or promoting fire, to prohibit under suitable penalties the firing of fire-crackers, and the discharging of fire arms, to direct the safe construction of deposits for ashes and to enter into at reasonable hours, or to appoint one or more officers at reasonable times to enter into and examine all out-houses, lots, yards, enclosures, and out-buildings of every description, in order to discover whether any of them are in a dangerous state, and to»cause such as may be found by the verdict of a jury to be dangerous, to be put in safe and secure condition. 19th, To provide for the inspection and weighing of hay, the storing and measuring of charcoal, stone coal, fire wood, and other fuel to be used in the city. 20th, To regulate the inspection of but- ter, lard and other provisions, vending of meat, poultry, butter, eggs, and fruit, and to suppress the huckstering within market hours. 21st, To provide for taking an enumeration of the inhabitants of the city. 22d, To provide for the election of all elective city officers, and provide for the removing from office any person holding an office created by this act or by ordinance not otherwise provided for, to fix the compensation of the city officers and regulate the fees of all jurors, witnesses and others for services rendered under this act or any ordinance. 23d, To regulate the police of the city, to impose fines, forfeitures, and penalties for the breach of any city ordinance, and provide for the recovery, and appropriating such fines and forfeitures, and the enforcement of such penalties. 24th, To erect a workhouse and house of correction, and provide for the regulation and government thereof. 25th, To levy and collect a poll tax, not exceeding one dollar, upon every free white male person over twenty-one years of age, who shall have resided three months within the city. 26th, To remove all obstacles from the side-walks, and for the cleaning of the same, and of the gutters at the expense of the owners of the ground fronting thereon. 27th, To prevent and restrain any riot, noise, disturbance or disorderly assemblage in any street, house, or place in the city. 28th, To prevent and remove all obstructions in and upon all streets, lanes, avenues and alleys, established by law or ordinance. 29th, To have and exercise complete control over any commons belonging to the city, and all property belonging to the city, real and personal, whether lying in or beyond the limits of the corporation created by this act, and the same to lease, sell, transfer and dispose of either absolutelv or with limitation, to any person or persons whatsoever. 30th, To make such general rules, regulations, by-laws and ordinances, for the purpose of maintaining the peace, good morals, and good government and order of the city of Richmond, and the trade, commerce, business and manufacturers thereof, as the city council may deem expedient, not repugnant to the constitution or general laws of the state, and also to enforce the observance thereof, by inflicting penalties upon any inhabitants thereof, or other person or persons for violation of any ordinance, not exceeding ninety dollars for any one offense, to be recoverable with costs in any action of debt, by and in the name of the "ma}ror, councilmen and citizens of the city of Richmond," for the use of the city, before the recorder of any court having jurisdiction or cognizance of the same. 31st, To make all ordinances subject to restriction in the last preceding subdivision of this section, specified, which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into effect the powers specified in this section, and all other powers vested by this act in the corporation, the city government, or any department or officer thereof. 32d, That all taxation laws passed by this city council, other than those applying to hucksters, menageries, circuses, concerts, shows, theatrical exhibitions and similar amusements, shall be based upon the ad valorem principle. 33d, No money shall be drawn from the treasury, except in pursuance of an ordinance or resolution of the city council regularly passed, at a regular or special meeting of the council. 34th, Every ordinance or resolution passed by the city council, shall be signed by the mayor or president pro tern, of the city council, and attested by the clerk of the city council before it takes effect. 35th,. The style of the ordinances of this city shall be, " Be it ordained by the city council of the City of Richmond." 36th, All ordinances passed by the city council shall, within thirty days after they become laws, be published in pamphlet form or in some newspaper printed in the city of Richmond, in the discretion of the city council, or by copies thereof set up in three public places in different parts of the city; but the failure to publish any ordinance within the time specified in this section, shall not render void or effect the validity of any such ordinance, unless such delay may cause such ordinance to act retrospectively over the rights of individuals. 37th, All ordinances of the city may be proven by the seal of the corporation, and until a seal is provided, by the private seal of the clerk of the city council, and when such ordinances have been printed and published by the authority of the corporation, the same shall be received in evidence in all courts and places without further proof.

Sec. 2. No person shall, within the limits of this citv, directly or indirectly, sell intoxicating liquors, of any kind, without first taking out a special license therefor, obtained as may be prescribed by the city council by ordinance. Upon every license there shall be levied a tax not less than five nor more than one hundred dollars for city purposes, at the discretion of the city council for everv period of six months.

Sec 3. No person having a license, as in the last preceding section provided, shall directly or indirectly, sell, barter, exchange or give away any intoxicating liquor, or strong drink of any kind, to any slave without permission in writing from the master, owner or overseer of such slave.

Sec 4. No person having a license from the city council, as above provided, shall, directly or indirectly, sell, barter, exchange, or give away any intoxicating liquor, or strong drink of any kind, to any apprentice or minor, without first having permission in writing from the parent, guardian, or person with whom the minor may at the time be living or boarding, and in case of apprentices from the person to whom the individual is bound, or his parent.

Sec 5. Any person convicted of a violation of either of the preceding sections of this act, shall be fined in a sum not less than twenty, nor more than one hundred dollars for each offense, to be recovered as may be prescribed by ordinance.

Article Iv

Section 1. The chief executive of this city shall be the mayor, who shall be elected by the qualified voters of the city, and shall hold his office for the term of one year, and until his successor is duly elected and qualified, provided that an election to fill a vacancy shall be only for the remainder of the term for which his predecessor was elected.

Sec 3. If two or more persons shall have an equal number of votes for mayor, or if the election be contested, the city council shall decide the election by vote.

Sec 4. Whenever any vacancy shall happen in the office of mayor it shall be filled by election, in such manner as shall be provided by ordinance.

Sec. 6. The mayor shall act as president of the city council, and shall (have) power to nominate, and by and with the consent of the city council, to appoint all city officers not ordered by this act to be otherwise appointed. He shall take care that the ordinances of the city are duly performed, enforced, respected and observed in the city. He may remit fines, punishments, forfeitures and penalties accruing from or imposed for the violation of any law or ordinance of the city. He may fill all vacajicies which may occur in any elective office other than that of a member of the council, until the same be filled by election; and in any other office until the end of the next session of the council, which may happen after the vacancy shall have occurred. He shall, from time to time, give to the city council information relative to the state of the city, and shall recommend to their consideration such measures as he may deem expedient for the advantage of the city. The mayor, while presiding in the city council, shall have no vote on any measure or question, except there be a tie, in which case he shall* give the casting vote.

Sec. 8. Whenever a special session of the council shall have been called by the mayor, he shall state to them when assembled, the cause for which they have convened.

Sec. 9. There shall be a recorder within and for said city, who shall be ex-officio clerk of the city council, and perform such other duties as the city council may direct; a city treasurer, a city constable, a city assessor, and city attorney, who in addition to the duties prescribed in this act, shall perform such other duties prescribed by ordinance. All of said officers shall be elected by the qualifed voters of the city at the regular annual city election, on the first Monday in April of each year. There shall also be such other officers, servants and agents of the corporation as may be provided by ordinance, to be appointed by the mayor, by and with the consent and advice of the city council, and to perform such other duties as may be prescribed by ordinance, and such officers shall be removable at the pleasure of the city council, by a majority of two-thirds of the city council.

Sec. 11. It shall be the duty of the clerk of the city council to keep a journal of the proceedings of the council, to record in a separate book all ordinances or resolutions appropriating money,to keep a record of all the official acts of the mayor, and when necessary to attest them; he shall keep and preserve in his office the common seal of the city, and all records, public papers and documents, not properly belonging to any other officer.

Sec. 12. It shall be the duty of the city treasurer to receive and keep the money of the city, and to pay out the same on warrants drawn by the mayor or other officers authorized by ordinance to draw them.

Sec. 13. The city constable shall, within the city, possess the same powers, perform the same duties, and receive the same fees and compensation as the constable of Richmond township, for similar services. He shall execute and return all process to him directed, whenever issued by the mayor, recorder, or any member of the city council, or by a justice of the peace, when any justice of the peace is authorized to issue process under this act, or any ordinance of the city; he shall also be collector of the city taxes.

Sec. 14. The mayor and all other officers of the corporation shall reside within the limits of the corporation during their continuance in office, and if the mayor of the corporation shall cease to reside within the limits of the same, his office shall be thereby vacated.

Sec. 15. The recorder shall be a resident of the city, and shall possess the same qualifications as the mayor and city council, and shall hold his office one year, and until his successor is duly commissioned and qualified. Such recorder may be removed from office in the same manner as the mayor. He shall have the same jurisdiction as the justices of the peace within and for the limits of the city. He shall have exclusive jurisdiction over all cases arising under any ordinance of said city, subject, however, in all cases, to an appeal to the circuit court of Ray county, and every such appeal shall be granted as in this act is expressed. He shall have power under the seal of the city, to take and certify the acknowledgement of deeds, conveyances and all other instruments of writing requiring authentication, and such deeds, conveyances or other instruments may be recorded in any county of the state, or may be read in evidence in any court in this state, without further authentication ; he shall be authorized to administer oaths and affirmations, and take and certify depositions; he shall be entitled, in all cases, to the same fees which are now, or may be hereafter allowed by law to justices of the peace for similar services, which shall be taxed and collected as other costs, by fee bill or execution.

Sec. 16. In the event of the absence, sickness, removal, or inability of the recorder to act, any justice of the peace, residing within the limits of the city, shall have power to hear, try and determine all cases properly cognizable before the recorder ; and if no justice of the peace should be residing in said city, then any justice of the peace within and for Richmond township, shall have power to hear, try and determine all cases properly cognizable before the recorder.

Section 1. A general election for all the officers of corporation required to be elected by this act or by any ordinance of the city, shall be holden on the first Monday in April in each year, unless otherwise provided bv ordinance.

Sec. 2. At all elections for city officers, the voters shall vote viva voce, and the manner and place of holding such election shall be regulated by ordinance.

Sec. 3. Three judges of election, and two clerks shall be appointed by the city council, unless otherwise provided by ordinance; they shall take an oath to faithfully and impartially discharge their duties; they shall open the polls at nine o'clock in the morning, and keep open until six o'clock in the afternoon, when they shall proceed forthwith publicly to ascertain the result of the election, and when ascertained to make proclamation thereof. The poll books shall be, after certified as aforesaid, returned by the clerks of the election to the city council, there to remain for inspection and examination.

Sec. 4. All persons qualified as electors under the tenth section of the third article of the constitution of the state of Missouri, who shall have resided three months within the city next preceding the elections shall be deemed qualified voters at all elections for city officers.

Sec. 5. Elections for city officers shall continue for one day only; special elections to fill vacancies shall be held under such regulations as may be provided by city ordinance.

Article Vi

Section 1. It shall not be lawful for the city council to grade, pave or macadamize any streets, lanes or avenues not opened, and established according to law or ordinance; it shall be lawful, nevertheless, for the city council to order the owner or owners of ground fronting on any private alley to keep the same clean, and if necessary thereto, to direct him or them to pave the same.

Sec. 2. When it is necessary to take private property for opening, widening, altering or extending any public street, lane or avenue, the corporation shall make a just compensation therefor to the person whose property is taken, and if the amount of such compensation cannot be agreed upon, the recorder shall cause the same to be ascertained by a jury of twelve disinterested free-holders of the city.

Sec. 3. In opening, altering, widening or extending alleys through blocks or squares of the city, the same proceeding shall be had in case of opening, widening, altering or extending public streets, lanes or avenues, with the addition that the jury will ascertain the amount of benefit that will accrue to the person whose property is taken, and those who may have petitioned for the opening, widening, altering or extending of such alley.

Sec. 4. When the owners of the major part of all the property on the street, lane, avenue or alley proposed to be opened, widened, altered or extended shall petition therefor, the mayor and city council may open, widen, alter or extend such street, lane, avenue or alley, upon conditions prescribed by ordinance, but no compensation shall, in such case, be made to those whose property shall be taken for opening, widening, altering or extending such street, lane, avenue or alley, who have petitioned for the same; nor shall there be any assessment of benefit or damages that may accrue thereby to any of the petitioners.

Sec. 5. All jurors empanelled to inquire into amount of benefit or damages which shall happen to any owner of property proposed to be taken for opening, widening, altering Or extending any street, lane, avenue or alley, shall first be sworn to that effect, and shall return to the mayor their inquest, signed by each juror.

Sec. 6. The mayor shall have power, for good cause shown in ten days after inquest shall have been returned to him, as mentioned in preceding section, to set the same aside and cause a new inquest to be made.

Sec. 7. The mayor and councilmen shall have power by ordinance to enforce the payment of all sums, which a jury shall declare to be the amount of benefits accruing to the owners of property upon which any alley shall be opened, widened, altered or extended, if the owner be one of the petitioners for opening, widening, altering or extending such alley.

and collect a special tax on the holders of any lots or any street, lane, or avenue or alley, or any part of any street, lane, avenue or alley, according to the respective fronts owned by them, for the purpose of paving or grading such street, lane, avenue or alley, provided always said tax shall not exceed three-fifths of one per centum; nor shall the grading or paving be done at the expense of the owners of the lots fronting on the street, lane, avenue or alley, unless a petitfon for such grading and paving, signed by the owners of a major part of the ground fronting thereon, be presented for such purpose.

Sec. 9. The city council shall have power by ordinance to direct the manner in which any property, real or personal, advertised for sale or sold for taxes, general or special, or for the costs of any improvement done, or ordered to to be done by the authority of the corporation, may be redeemed.

Sec. 10. Lands within the limits of the city, which have not been laid off into blocks or lots, shall not be taxed or assessed, otherwise than by the acre as agricultural or waste land, and shall continue to be so taxed and assessed until laid off into blocks or lots by the owners, respectively; and the owners of such lands, in laying the same oft' into blocks or lots, shall so arrange the streets that they shall correspond with the present established streets of the city.

Section 1. The city council shall cause to be published at the end of each fiscal year, a full, complete and detailed statement of all moneys received and expended by the corporation during the preceding fiscal year, and on what account received and expended, classifying each receipt and expenditure under its appropriate head.

Sec. 2. All suits, actions and prosecutions instituted, commenced or brought by the corporation hereby created, shall be instituted, commenced and prosecuted in the name of the " mayor, councilmen and citizens of the city of Richmond."

Sec. 3. All actions, fines, taxes, penalties and forfeitures which have accrued to " the inhabitants of Richmond," or the trustees of said town under their former incorporation, and the by-laws and ordinances for the recovery of which no suits or actions at law shall have been commenced or instituted, shall be, and the same is hereby vested in, and be prosecuted for by the corporation hereby created.

Sec. 4. All property, real, personal, or mixed, money, effects and choses in actions now or heretofore belonging to "the inhabitants of the town of Richmond," or the trustees of said town in their corporate capacity shall be, and the same is hereby declared to be vested in the name of the corporation hereby created, for whomsoever the same may be in the possession, or under the control, any law, usage or arrangement to the contrary notwithstanding.

Sec. 5. This charter and incorporation shall not invalidate any act done by the " inhabitants of the town of Richmond," or the trustees or any officer thereof, nor divest them of any right which may have accrued to them prior to the passage of this act.

Sec. 6. This act is hereby declared to be a public act, and may be read in evidence in all courts of law and equity in this state without further proof.

are hereby exempted from working upon any road without and beyond the boundaries of said city, and from paying any tax, fine or penalty, to be applied to employ laborers, furnish means or tools, or provide materials to work, or to be used upon any road beyond the limits of said city.

Sec. 8. Any and all persons who shall fail, neglect, or refuse to pay any fine, forfeiture, penalty or costs imposed upon him or them, by any ordinance of said city, for any misdemeanor, after conviction thereof by the verdict of a jury, shall and may be committed to the common jail of Ray county, by the recorder of said city or other officer having jurisdiction, until such fine and costs are paid, provided that such imprisonment shall not exceed the term of ninety days, to be regulated by ordinance, and to be found by such jury, and any such commitment shall be recalled by any such committing officer whenever the person to be fined, convicted or imprisoned shall take an appeal to the Ray circuit court, according to the rules and regulations and provisions governing the taking of appeals from the justices of the peace to the circuit court, provided, nevertheless, that the corporation hereby created shall be liable for costs, fees and other expenses incurred under this section, whenever the person so convicted, sentenced and imprisoned is unable to pay the same.

Sec. 9. The fiscal year of said city shall terminate on the day preceding the second Monday of March, of each year, and such period, or termination of said fiscal year may be altered or changed by the city council by ordinance.

Sec. 10. There shall be a digest or revision of the ordinances of the city which are of a public or general nature, published in a newspaper, printed in said city, or in pamphlet form, or in both, in the discretion of the city council, within twelve months after the passage of this act, and a like digest within every period of three years thereafter.

Sec. 11. The council may provide by ordinance for the collecting,. from every delinquent officer of the city, any revenue, money, or property improperly detained, or not accounted for by such officer, and may provide the penalty or punishment for such delinquency or failure to account for such monev or property.

Sec. 12. The city council, or any officer or department thereof, shall not have the power to issue any bills, scrip, or paper, of any description soever, to circulate as currency, or representative thereof; but any warrant, draft, note, obligation, or bond of the city may be transferred and made transferable by endorsement thereon from each holder, under such restrictions and regulations as the city council may prescribe, not contrary to the true meaning and intent of this section.

Sec. 13. Whenever any real estate shall have been advertised for sale, or shall have been sold for the payment of any fine, judgment, penalty, forfeiture or taxes, or in consequence of a failure upon the part of the owner thereof to grade, pave or curb the front of any sidewalk fronting upon any public street or avenue by the authority of the corporation, such owner or owners, whether resident or non-resident of said city, may within two years after such sale redeem the same by paying to the purchaser or purchasers thereof the full amount of said purchase money, and all taxes subsequently paid thereon, together with all costs and full value of any useful or necessary improvements or needful repairs made thereon by such purchasers, to be assessed by a jury of twelve householders before the recorder of said city, together with one hundred per centum upon the original amount of purchase money paid therefor by such purchaser, provided, however, that married women, persons of unsound mind, and minors shall have the period of five years after such disabilities are removed to appear and redeem the land sold as above provided.

Sec. 14 Any purchaser of any real estate, sold for the non-payment of any fine, judgment, penalty, forfeiture, or taxes, or in consequence of a failure on the part of the owner thereof to grade, curb, or pave any front or sidewalk fronting upon any public street or avenue, upon the payment to the treasurer of the corporation hereby created, of the purchase money thereof, shall receive of and from such treasurer a certificate of the payment of said amount of purchase money, describing such real estate by lot and number, upon the recorded plat of said town of Richmond, or by the metes and bounds thereof, and briefly describing the judgment, penalty, forfeiture, tax, or improvement, for the non-payment of which the same was sold, together with the date of sale, which certificate shall be countersigned by the mayor of said city, under the seal of the corporation.

Sec 15. Any holder of such certificate, after the lapse of two years from the date thereof, (if a resident or non-resident owner of such real estate shall have failed, neglected, or refused to redeem the same in the manner provided by this act), upon the production of such certificate at any regular session of the city council, and upon said council, or a majority of them being satisfied by the affidavit of such purchaser, or otherwise, that said owner has failed to redeem the estate herein described within two years after the sale of such real estate, and the date of such certificate, such purchaser shall receive a deed of conveyance from the said corporation, conveying to such purchaser the real estate described in such certificate.

Sec 16. The deed of conveyance referred to in the foregoing section of this article shall be made and executed by the mayor of the city of Richmond in the name of said city, and shall recite the judgment, penalties, forfeitures, taxes or neglected improvement, together with a law or ordinance under which the (same) was sold, the advertisement of sale, time, place and term of sale, the fact of the sale, the consideration, the certificate granted by the treasurer, and the failure to redeem, and shall convey the premises as described in such certificate by the operative words " assign, transfer, convey and confirm " to such purchaser and his heirs and assigns forever, reserving the right of married women, persons of unsound mind and minors, as hereinbefore provided.. Such conveyance shall be signed by said mayor, and attested under the seal of the said corporation, and shall be acknowledged before any officer (other than the recorder of the citv) authorized to take acknowledgments of instruments of writing, conveying real estate under the laws of the state of Missouri.

Sec 17. Such deed of conveyance so executed and acknowledged shall vest in such purchaser all the right, title and interest, estate and property of the previous owner of such real estate, and shall be admitted as evidence in any court within this state in any suit or action at law, or in equity as prima facie evidence of title without further proof.

act, or his widow, heirs or executors, or administrators, may any time within two years after such sale, redeem the same by paying to the purchaser thereof, or to the treasurer of the corporation hereby created, the amount paid by said purchaser, and all taxes subsequently thereon, together with the value of any and all useful or necessary improvements and needful repairs made thereon by such purchaser, together with one hundred per centum upon the original amount of purchase money paid therefor, and upon such payment shall receive from the said council, attested by the mayor, under the seal of the corporation, a quietus to the title thereto conforming as nearly as may be the quietus granted by the state of Missouri under analogous circumstances, and such quietus shall fully vest all the title to such real estate in the original owner.

Sec. 19. All surplus money received by the corporation hereby created, arising from the sale of any real estate over and above the amount due for taxes, fines, forfeitures, penalties, judgments and costs, at the time of such sale, shall be paid over to the owner of such real estate ; or his legal representatives, in the event of his decease, may appy to the city council for sut;h surplus, who shall issue a warrant on the city treasurer in favor of the owner of such real estate at the time of such sale, or his representatives, for such amount so paid into the city treasurer for his use.

Sec 20. All prosecutions for misdemeanors shall be instituted before the recorder or other officer having jurisdiction thereof, as in this act is herein expressed and directed.

Sec. 21. The true intent and meaning of this act is, an appeal shall be allowed to the Ray circuit court from the final judgment of the recorder or other officer having jurisdiction of the subject matter, (other than for contempt of court) or from the finding of any jury in like manner and with like effect, as appeals are allowed from justices of the peace to said court, any law or usage, or any provision or construction of this act to the contrary notwithstanding.

Sec 22. Whenever an appeal shall be allowed to the Ray circuit court from the verdict and finding of any jury, or from the judgment of the recorder or other officer having jurisdiction under this act, such appeal, if involving a charge of misdemeanor, shall be tried by said circuit court before a jury of six men, and such misdemeanor shall be punished in the manner and according to the provisions of this act, and the ordinance of the city council governing such original trial, not inconsistent with, or repugnant to the same, any law or usage to the contrary notwithstanding, and if such appeal be taken from the judgment of the recorder or other officer, or finding of any jury, in any act to recov r any tax, fine or penalty, or forfeiture, other than a misdemeanor for the breach of any law or ordinance or by-law of said city, such action shall be tried before such circuit court as appeals from justices of the peace, and shall be governed and determined in all respects and particulars as nearly as may be according to such existing law, ordinance or by-law of the said city of Richmond, and provisions thereof, before such recorder or other officer having jurisdiction upon such original trial, any law or usage to the contrary notwithstanding.

Sec 23. The practice and proceedings before the recorder under this act, for the recovery of any fines, tax, penalty or forfeiture, for the breach of any city ordinance or by-laws, (unless when herein otherwise expressly provided,) shall conform in all respects and particulars as nearly as may be to the laws of the state of Missouri regulating justices' courts.

Sec. 24. In all cases, where a judgment shall be rendered by the recorder or other officer having jurisdiction, against any defendant for any fine, penalty, or forfeiture, or for the breach of any law or ordinance, or upon the verdict and finding of any jury, and such judgment, verdict, and finding of any jury or part thereof involves the imprisonment of the defendant, it shall be the duty of said recorder or other officer having jurisdiction, to forthwith order such defendant into the custody of the city constable, and to issue a mittimus or commitment committing such defendant to the common jail of said county, and such defendant shall, from the making of such order or the issual of such commitment, remain in safe custody, unless discharged by the taking and effecting an appeal as hereinbefore provided, or until discharged by due course of law.

Sec. 25. Upon the filing of any charge or misdemeanor by the city attorney against any person or persons as provided in this act, it shall be the duty of the recorder or other officer, having jurisdiction, to issue his warrant, reciting such charge directed to the city constable, and commanding him forthwith to apprehend such person or persons, and bring him or them before such officer having jurisdiction, to be further dealt with according to law, and such city constable shall execute such warrant in any part of Ray county.

Sec. 26. In all cases of misdemeanor committed, or charged to be committed, within the city limits, the accused shall be entitled to a summary trial by jury before the recorder or other officer having jurisdiction.

Sec. 27. The constable or any other officer shall have power to arrest any offenders against the laws or ordinances of the city of Richmond, and bring him or them before the proper officers without a warrant.

Sec. 28. All persons charged with misdemeanors shall be entitled to six peremptory challenges, and the city attorney or other officers shall be entitled to three, and the jury shall consist of six persons qualified under the laws of the state of Missouri to serve as jurors.

Sec. 29. Richmond College and the lands thereto belonging, the fair grounds and the land thereto belonging, all schools and academies and institutions of learning, male and female, churches and all other public property shall be exempt from the provisions of this act, in relation to taxes, streets, lanes and alleys, and avenues, so long as they remain and are used for such purposes.

Sec. 30. Nothing in this act shall be so construed as to interfere with the jurisdiction heretofore exercised by the grand jury and the circuit court within and for Ray county, over crimes and misdemeanors within the limits of the city, and the punishment thereof by indictment and trial thereon in said circuit court.

Sec. 31. The said city council shall not have power to borrow money on the credit of the city at any time at higher rate of interest than the then legal and lawful rate of interest per annum.

Sec. 32. That Humphrey J. Comer, Joseph S. Hughes, Jacob Darneal, Wilson R. Holman and Patrick Smith, be, and the same are hereby appointed and authorized, immediately after receiving this charter from the legislature, to lay off the city into seven wards, according to the pro- visions of this act, and immediately thereafter to order an election, giving ten days notice previous thereto, for all the officers provided herein to be elected, who shall serve in their office respectively until the annual election on the first Monday in April, A. D. 1858, and until their successors are duly elected and qualified.

Sec. 35. The secretary of the state of Missouri, shall, as soon as this act is approved by the governor, transmit to Humphrey J. Comer, a copy thereof, certified under the seal of Missouri.

I, B. F. Massey, secretary of state, hereby certify the foregoing copy of an act entitled: "An act to incorporate the city of Richmond," is a true -copy of the original roll now on file in this office.

Revised Ordinances Of The City Of Richmond, Missouri Levying Of Taxes

Section 1. That for the support of the city government, there shall be levied annually, a tax for general purposes, on all property, personal, real and mixed, within the limits of said city, subject to taxation for state and county purposes, not exceeding fifty cents on the one hundred dollars assessed value thereof.

Sec. "1. The recorder shall on or before the first day of August of each year, cause to be made out and delivered to the assessor, a well bound book, suitably ruled, to contain a list of all taxable real estate in the limits of the city, in which the assessor shall correctly describe every lot or parcel of ground subject to taxation, placing opposite to such description the name of the owner if known, and if unknown, he shall so state in an appropriate column.

Sec. 3. The city recorder shall also cause to be prepared in the assessor's book suitable columns for the assessment of personal property subject to taxation. The names of owners shall be entered in alphabetical order. Such personal assessment roll may be in the form of assessment roll for state and county taxes.

Sec. 4. And to said assessment list the following oath shall be made, or the same oath as is made to assessment list for state and county taxes: true and correct statement of all the property made taxable by the laws of the state of Missouri, including therein the number of horses, number of neat cattle, number of sheep, number of hogs, number of asses and jennets, number of mules, all other live stock, all farm machinery and implements, household property, musical instruments, clocks, watches, chains and appendages, sewing machines, gold and silver plate, jewelry, household and kitchen furniture, money on hand, money deposited, notes unsecured by mortgage or deed of trust, notes secured by mortgage or deed of trust, all bonds, whether state, county, town, city, township, or of incorporated or unincorporated companies, and all other property and its value, which I owned on the 1st day of August, 18 - , or which I had under my charge or management, or any money or property due me on said day from solvent persons or companies on notes, accounts, or otherwise, as fully and as specifically as I am required to make a return thereof, under the revenue law of this state; and I do further solemnly swear (or affirm) that I have not sent or taken, or caused to be sent or taken, any property, money or bills, bonds or notes, or other securities or evidences of debt, out of this

Sec. 5. If any person shall fail, neglect or refuse to return said list with the blanks therein properly filled, and the certificate thereto properly sworn to, within ten days, to the assessor, the assessor shall assess the whole property belonging to, or in the charge of such person, at such amount as he may deem just and proper.

Sec. 6. If anv person required to list his property shall do so falsely, the assessor shall list the same anew, and assess it at double its cash value. It shall also be the duty of the assessor to list and assess all personal property he may find in said city, when the owner thereof is unknown.

Sec. 7. If at any time it shall be ascertained by the assessor, that any property, either real, personal or mixed, has escaped assessment or taxation for one or two years past, he shall assess the same for such years, noting the amount due for each year.

Sec. 8. No tax shall be assessed or imposed upon the following property: Churches, chapels and other buildings used for religious worship, and land upon which they are situated, and used in connection therewith, real estate and personal property belonging to any incorporated agricultural society so long as the same shall be used for the purpose of such society and none other; cemeteries and grave-yards set apart and used for that purpose, all orphan asylums for the relief of sick and needy, with their furniture and equipments, and so much of the land upon which they are situated as may be exclusively used for that purpose; all libraries and their furniture and equipment belonging to any library association or society.

Sec. 9. The asssessor shall return this assessment list to the city council on or before the first regular meeting of such council in the month of November of each year, verified by his affidavit thereto, that he has made diligent effort to discover all the taxable property within the city limits on the 1st day of August, and that so far as he has been able to ascertain, it is correctly set forth in the foregoing lists, in the manner and of the value therein stated, according to law.

Sec. 10. As soon as may be after the return of the assessment rolls, the city council shall appoint a day for hearing objections thereto, and shall cause to be published in some newspaper, printed in said city, the following notice:

Public notice is hereby given, that the assessment roll of taxable real and personal estate in the city of Richmond, for the year IS - , has been completed and returned to the city council by the assessor. All persons feeling themselves aggrieved by the assessment of their property, are hereby notified to rile their objections in the office of the city recorder, on or

Sec. 11. All complaints concerning assessments shall be inquired into and determined in a summary Imanner, correcting any errors that may appear, and increasing or diminishing assessments, as the council, sitting as a court of appeals and board of equalization, may deem just and equitable.

Sec. 12. When said roll has been revised and corrected as provided for in the last preceding section, an order shall be entered of record by the council, declaring the same affirmed, and ordering the recorder to file the same in his office.

Sec. 13. The city council, immediately after such confirmation, shall proceed to lew such tax as may be deemed necessary for all purposes mentioned in the charter aud ordinances of the city, provided that the sum so levied shall in no case exceed the per centum specified in the constitution of the state of Missouri.

Sec. 14. The city recorder shall, within twenty days after the confirmation of said assessment roll, make or cause to be made, and deliver to the city collector a full and complete copy of such assessment roll, the different taxes extended thereon, with a warrant thereto attached, which may be in the following form:

Warrant

18,. . , of the real and personal estate herein before described, the several sums set opposite thereto in the appropriate columns respectively, [here

Now, therefore, you are commanded to make, levy, and collect the said several sums of money set opposite the real and personal estate hereinbefore described, as taxes thereon for the year aforesaid, of the goods and chattels of the respective owners of said real and personal estate, and hereof make due return in what manner you shall execute this warrant on or before the .... day of .... next after this date.

Sec 15. The recorder, at the time of delivering said assessment book, shall take the receipt of the collector thereof, and charge him with the amount thereof.

An Ordinance In Relation To City Attorney

Section 1. On Tuesda v, after the first Monday in April, in each year, there shall be elected a city attorney, who shall hold his office for the period of one year, and until his successor shall be elected and qualified, and shall take and subscribe an oath, before entering upon the discharge of the duties of his office, to support the constitution of the United States and the state of Missouri, to faithfully demean himself in his office.

Sec, 2. It shall be the duty of the city attorney to act as the legal counselor for the city, in all cases, and prosecute before the recorder, or a justice of the peace, all the actions on behalf of the city, and to defend all actions brought against the city.

Sec. 4. He shall be entitled to a fee of two dollars and fifty cents for each case of conviction before the recorder or other officer having jurisdiction for any violation of the city ordinance.

Sec. 6. In case of the death, or resignation, or removal from office, the mayor shall have power to appoint a city attorney for the residue of the term.

His Salaries

Section 1. t)n Tuesday, after the first Monday in April, in each year, there shall be elected a city constable, who shall hold his office for one 3^ear, and until his successor is duly elected and qualified.

Sec. 2. He shall give bond to the mayor, councilmen, and citizens of Richmond, in such sum as the city council may require, with good security, conditioned for the faithful performance of his official duties, and shall execute all process to him directed, and perform such other duties as may be required of him by the council, and the ordinances of the city of Richmond.