South Fork Township (part 3 of 3)

The amount of money which some farmers annually invest in agricultural implements would have kept the pioneer farmer in farming utensils during a whole lifetime. The pioneer farmer invested little money in such things, because he had little money to spare, and then again because the expensive machinery now used would not have been at all adapted to the requirements of pioneer farming, " The bull plow" was probably better suited to the fields abounding in stumps and roots than would the modern sulkey plow have been, and the oldfashioned wheat cradle did better execution than would a modern harvester under like circumstances. The prairies were seldom settled till after the pioneer periodj and that portion of the country which was the hardest to put under cultivation, and the most difficult to cultivate after it was improved, first was cultivated ; it was well for the country that such was the case, for the present generation, familiarized as it is with farming machinery of such complicated pattern, would scarcely undertake the clearing off" of dense forests and cultivating the ground with the kind of implements their fathers used, and which they would have to use for some kinds of work.

Mills And Trading Points

Notwithstanding the fact that some of the early settlers were energetic millwrights, who employed all their energy and what means they possessed, in erecting mills at a few of the many favorite millsites which abound in the county, yet going to mill in those days, when there were no roads, no bridges, no ferry boats, and scarcely any conveniences for traveling, was no small task, where so many rivers and treacherous streams were to be crossed, and such a trip was often attended with great danger to the traveler when these streams were swollen beyond their banks. But even under these circumstances, some of the more adventurous and more ingenious ones, in case of emergency, found the ways and means by which to cross the swollen stream, and succeed in making the trip. At other times again, all attempts failed them, and they were compelled to remain at home until the waters subsided, and depend on the generosity of their fortunate neisrhbors.

Some stories are related with reoard to the danger, perils and hardships of forced travel to mills, and for provisions, which remind one of forced marches in military campaigns, and when we hear of the heroic and daring- conduct of the hardy pioneers in procuring bread for their loved ones, we think that here were heroes more valiant than any of the renowned soldiers of ancient or modern times.

During the first two years, and perhaps not until some time afterward, there was not a public highway established and worked on which they could travel ; and as the settlers were generallj'^ far apart, and mills and trading points were at great distances, going from place to place was not only very tedious, but attended sometimes with great dano-er. Not a railroad had yet entered the State, and there was scarcely a thought in the minds of the people here of such a thing ever reaching the wild West ; and, if thought of, people had no conception of what a revolution a railroad and telegraph line through the county would cause in its progress. Then there was no railroad in the United States, not a mile of track on the continent ; while now there are over 100,000 miles of railroad extending their trunks and branches in every direction over our land.

Supplies in those days were obtained at Hannibal. Mail was carried by horses and wagon transportation, and telegraph dispatches were transmitted by the memory and lips of emigrants coming in or strangers passing through.

The first mill was built in the county in 1827, and was known as Benj. Bradley's mill. At first the mill only ground corn, which had to be sifted after it was ground, as there were no bolts in the mill. There was onl}^ one run of buhrs, which, as well as the mill irons, were brought from St. Louis. They were shipped up the Missouri river. The mill cost about $50. The mill had no gearing, the buhrs being located over the wheel, and running with the same velocity as the wheel. It was a frame mill, one stor}^ high, and had a capacity of 25 bushels a day. People came from far and near, attracted by the reports of the completion of the mill, with their grists, so that, for days before it was ready for work, the creek bottom was dotted over with hungry and patient men, waiting until it was ready to do their work, so that they might return with their meal and flour to supply their families, and those of their neighbors, thus enduring the hardships of camp life in those early days in order that they might be able to secure the simple necessaries of life, devoid of all luxuries. Bradley's mill was located about two miles north-east of Florida.

Hunting And Trapping

The sports :iiid means of recreation Avere not so numerous and varied among the early settlers as at present, but they were more enjoyable and invigorating than now.

Hunters nowadays would only be too glad to be able to find and enjoy their favorable opportunity for hunting and fishing, and even travel many miles, counting it rare pleasure to spend a few weeks on the watercourses and wild prairies, in hunt and chase and fishing frolics. There were a good many excellent hunters here at an early day, who enjoyed the sport as well as any can at the present day.

Wild animals of almost every species known in the wilds of the West were found in great abundance. The prairies and woods and streams and various bodies of water were all thickly inhabited before the white man came, and for some time afterward. Although the Indians slew many of them, yet the natural law prevailed here as well as elsewhere - *' wild men and wild beast thrive together."

Serpents were to be found in such large numbers, and of such immense size, that some stories told by the early settlers would be incredible were it not for the large array of concurrent testimony, which is to be had from the most authentic sources. Deer, turkeys, ducks, geese, squirrels, and various other kinds of choice game were plentiful, and to be had at the expense of killing only. The fur animals were abundant; such as the otter, beaver, mink, muskrat, raccoon, panther, fox, wolf, wild-cat and bear.

An old resident of the county told us that, in 1809, while he was traveling a distance of six miles he saw as many as 73 deer, in herds of from six to ten. ^

Hunting Bee Trees

Another source of profitable recreation among the old settlers was that of hunting bees. The forests along the water-courses were especially prolific of bee trees. They were found in great numbers on the Salt rivers and their confluents, and, in fact, on all the important streams in the county. Many of the early settlers, during the late summer, would go into camp for days at a time, for the purpose of hunting and securing the honey of the wild bees, which was not only extremely rich and foun^ in great abundance, but always commanded a good price in the home market.

The Indians have ever regarded the honey bee as the forerunner of the white man, while it is a conceded fact that the quail always follows the footprints of civilization.

The following passage is found in the " Report of the Exploring Expedition to the Rocky Mountains, in the year 1842, by Captain John, C. Fremont," page 69: -

" Here on the summit, where the stillness was absolute, unbroken by any sound, and the solitude complete, we thought ourselves beyond the regions of animated life ; but while we were sitting on the rocks a solitary bee came winging its flight from the eastern valley and lit on the knee of one of the men. We pleased ourselves with the idea that he was the first of his species to cross the mountain barrier, a solitary pioneer to foretell the advance of civilization."

Gregg, in his " Commerce of the Prairies," page 178, Vol. 1, says ; *'The honeybee appears to have emigrated exclusively from the east, as its march has been observed westward. The bee, among Western pioneers, is the proverbial precursor of the Anglo-American population. In fact, the aborigines of the frontier have generally corroborated this statement, for they used to say that they knew the white man was not far behind when the bees appeared among them."

There were other recreations, such as shooting matclies and quilting parties, which prevailed in those days, and which were enjoyed to the fullest extent. The quilting parties were especially pleasant and agreeable to those who attended. The established rule in those days at these parties was to pay either one dollar in money or split one hundred rails during the course of the day. The men would generally split the rails, and the women would remain in the house and do the quilting. After the day's work was done the night would be passed in dancing.

One of the oldest pioneers tells us that for several years after he came to what is now known as Monroe county the wolves were very numerous, and that he paid his taxes for many years in wolf scalps. His cabin was at the edge of the timber that skirted Elk Fork creek, and at night the howls of these animals were so loud and incessant that to sleep at times was almost impossible. |

" At once there rose so wild a yell, Within that dark and narrow dell, As all the fiends from heaven that fell, Had pealed the banner cry of hell."

At such times the whole air seemed to be filled with the vibrations of their most infernal and diabolical music. The wolf was not only a midnight prowler here, but was seen in the day-time, singly or in packsr warily skulking upon the outskirts of a thicket, or sallying cautiously along the open path with a sneaking look of mingled cowardice and cruelty.

Chaptek Iii

Early Kecords and Public Buildings - First County Court - Its Proceedings - First Circuit Court - First, Second and Third Grand Juries - First Deed Eecorded - Early Marriages - Public Buildings - First Court House and Jail - Second Court House and Jail.

We plead guilty to possessing much of the antiquarian spirit, - " old wine, old books, old friends," are the best, you know. We love to sit at the feet of the venerable old pioneers of the country, and listen to the story of their early exploits, when the fire of youth beamed in their eyes, and the daring spirit of adventure quickened their pulses. How they fought with savage Indians and prowling beasts to wrest this goodly land from the primeval wilderness as a rich heritage for the children to come after them ; how they hewed down the forest, turned " the stubborn glebe," watched and toiled, lost and triumphed, struggled against poverty and privation to bring the country into subjection to civilization and enlightened progress, - all this has an absorbing interest to us. Much as modern literature delights us, we had rather talk an hour with one of these venerable gray-beards, who are found here and there, as the scattered representatives of a purer and more heroic age, than to revel in the most bewitching poem that ever flashed from the pen of a Byron or a Poe, or dream the time away in threading the mazes of the plot and imagery of the finest romance ever written. Moved by this kind of a spirit, we have been delving among the musty records of the county and circuit courts, where we found many an interesting relic of the past history of the county, some of which we here reproduce.

The first county court of Monroe county was held at the house oi Green V. Caldwell, on Saturday, February 26, 1831. Andrew Rogers, John Curry and William P. Stephenson had been commissioned justices of the court by Gov. John Miller, and all were present and took their seats. They were commissioned to serve four years, unless sooner removed according to law. (110)

The court, after organizing, appointed Ebenezer W. McBride^ clerk of the court, who immediately executed a bond in the sum of $3,000, with Edward M. Holder, David Gentry, Richard Cave and Christopher C. Acuff as sureties. The appointment of McBride was all the business transacted by the court at its first term. During vacation, and on March 25th following, the court having failed to appoint an assessor for the county, E. W. McBride, the clerk, appointed John S McGee assessor to that office.

The next regular term of the court was held on the 2d day of May, 1831, commencing on Monday. In the meantime, and during the vacation, John Curry and William P. Stephenson, two of the justices who were first commissioned, resigned, and Robert Simpson and Reese Davis were appointed to fill the vacancies. The two latter named, with Arthur Rogers, constituted the court. Robert Simpson was chosen president. The court then appointed William Runkle sherift', and Samuel H. Smith collector of the county. It then proceeded to divide the county into townships as follows : -

All that portion of the county lying east of a line running north and south across the county, including ten miles in width, composed the lower or eastern township, and was called Jefferson township ; the middle township embraced eleven miles in width, and was called Jackson, and all the territory lying west of Jackson township and attached to Monroe county was called Union township, making three original townships.

After laying out and naming the townships, the court designated the places of holding elections and appointing the judges thereof as follows : -

1 McBride was drowned in January, 1867, in the Mississippi river, sis miles below Memphis, Tenn. He was at the time of his death en route for Greenville, Miss., whither he was going to collect some debts due him at that place. He took the steamer Platte Valley, at St. Louis, and when reaching a point, as stated above, six miles below Memphis, the boat struck the wreck of the old gunboat Jeff. Thompson, and sank. Mr. McBride and one of the employes of the boat - a boy - floated off on an ice-chest. The chest finally sank; the boy swam to a snag near by and was rescued, but Mr. McBride, who was then an old man, was drowned. Mr. McBride had accumulated quite a fortune, and was one of the most highly respected citizens of the county. He traded in horses and mules, which he sold to Southern markets.

Asaph E. Hubbard and Robert Donaldson, for Jefferson township, and Jacob Whittenburg and George Saling and Eeese Davis and Joseph Stephens, for Union township, were recommended by the court to the Governor as suitable persons for justices of the peace.

Court met ao;ain June 4th, 1831, at the residence of Green V. Caldwell (Caldwell having recently died), the judges last mentioned being present. The clerk was ordered to issue ten licenses for merchandise. Stephen Glascock was paid $4 out of funds arising from the sale of lots in Paris for surveying the town site.

It was ordered that John S. McGee be allowed one dollar and seventy-five cents per day for twenty-five days' services, rendered in assessing the county. This would amount to only $35 for assessing the entire county in 1831. The assessor now (1884) receives about $1,- 200 for assessing the personal and real estate.

Ordered by the court. That James C. Fox, commissioner of the town of Paris, the seat of justice for Monroe county, proceed to give notice of the sale of lots in said town of Paris, by having it inserted in two public newspapers printed in this State, sixty days previous to the day of sale, and said commissioner shall proceed to sell said lots, in said town of Paris, on the 12th day of September next, on a credit of six, twelve and eighteen months, one-third payable at each term.

The first license for the sale of wines and spirituous liquors was issued at this term of the court ; also the first license for a tavern or public house of entertainment.

Robert Greening was appointed overseer of road district number 1, of the Palmyra road, which was upon the line of Marion and Monroe counties.

Matthew Mappin was made overseer of district number 3, between the township line dividing Jefferson and Jackson townships, and ransre line dividins; range 9 and 10.

Stephen Scobee was made overseer of road district number 1, of the old London road in Jefferson township, which laid between the Monroe county line east and John A. Ives.

Charles Eales was appointed overseer of district number 2, of the London road, which laid between John A. Ives, and township line dividing Jefferson and Jackson townships.

Roads were then ordered to be laid off from the town of Paris to Columbia, Boone county ; from Paris to the London road at the west «nd of John McLamey's lane ; from Paris to intersect the Fayette and Franklin road ; from Paris to the town of Florida.

Archibald Rice was the first guardian appointed by the court. His ward was Lourey Adams, child of William Adams, deceased. His bond was fixed at $600.

It is ordered by the court, that the sum of $5 be allowed to Ebenezer W. McBride, clerk of this court, for paper, ink powder and quills furnished by him for the use of his office, to be paid out of any money in the county treasury not otherwise appropriated.

Edward M. Holden was granted a license to keep a ferry across the Middle fork of Salt river, near the town of Paris, at the place where the road leading from Paris to Palmyra crosses that stream. The court fixed the charges for ferriage as follows : Single person, 10 cents; horse, mule or jack, 5 cents ; horse and gig, 50 cents ; horse and dearborn, 62i cents; two horses and Avagon, 62|- cents; four horses and wagon, 75 cents ; neat cattle, 5 cents each ; hogs and sheep, 2 cents each.

Circuit Court

The circuit court for Monroe county convened for the first time June 20, 1831, at the residence of Green V. Caldwell, the same place designated as the place for holding the county court. Hon. Priestly H. McBride^ was the judge, William Runkle, sheriff; Edward M. Holden, clerk, and Ezra Hunt, circuit attorney.

First Grand Jury

All of the above named grand jurors are dead, excepting Samuel Curtrio;ht and James L. McGee, both of whom are still residents of Monroe county ; the former is eighty-three years of age, and the latter is about eighty. The grand jury having nothing before it, was discharged.

The first business that engaged the attention of the court was a petition from Joseph Sprowl, asking leave to build a water, grist and saw mill, on the west half of the south-west quarter, of section 28, township 54, range 9.

This was followed by another petition from John Sali ng, asking the privilege of erecting a water, grist and saw mill, on the east half of the south-east quarter of section 5, township 54, range 10.

The first case upon the docket was an appeal case from the justice court, and was entitled, "Joseph Swinney against Simeon Burton." This cause was dismissed for want of an affidavit and the papers remanded to the justice. The attorneys present were Ezra Hunt , Adam B. Chambers, William K. VanArsdall, Benjamin O. Clark, and Austin A. King.

Second Grand Jury

At this term of the court, Ezra Hunt, circuit attorney, being absent, A. B. Chatnbers, Esq., was appointed in his place. The following attorneys were then enrolled : Albert G. Harrison, James A. Clark, Sinclair Kirtley, Philip Williams and Samuel Moore. The second civil action was entitled, "Richard J. Curl against Lewis Beaman and David Gentry, attachment and action of debt. "

Third Grand Jury

The first murder case was the State of Missouri ajjainst Buroess Oglesby, John J. Callison et al. This case was tried after one or two delays, in 1835, and the defendants acquitted. Sinclair Kirtlev was prosecuting attorney in the case, and Austin A. King defended. The defendant, Oglesby, was chnrged with killing Robert Donaldson by striking him with a stick of wood, and Callison and others were charged as being his accomplices.

First Deed Recorded

This indenture made this second day of May in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-one, between Anderson Ivie and Sarah Ivie, his witb, of the one part, and John T. Grigsby of the other part, witnesseth, that the said Anderson Ivie and Sarah Ivie, his wife, for and in consideration of the sum of five hundred dollars, to them in hand paid in good and lawful money of the United States, b}'^ the said John T. Grigsby, before the ensealing and delivery of these presents, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledo-ed, have this day bargained and sold, and by these presents do grant, bargain and sell unto the aforesaid John T, Grigsby, his heirs and assigns forever, the west half of the south-west quarter of section 15, in township 54, of range eight, west of the fifth principal meridian, in Monroe county, Missouri ; also five acres adjoining the aforementioned 80 acres : beginning at the south-east corner of the said 80 acres, and running south with an open line in section 22, 28 poles ; thence west so far as will include five acres to a stone, in or near a branch ; thence north to intersect with the section line between 15 and 22 ; thence east to the beginning ; the said land to remain to the only proper use and behoof of the said John T. Grigsby, with all the appurtenances thereon or belonging thereto, the said Anderson

Ivie and Sarah Ivie, his wife, for themselves and heirs, forever bind themselves to warrant and defend against all persons claiming of the said John T. Grigsby, his heirs or assigns, the aforementioned tract or parcel of land, together with all the appurtenances thereon or belonging thereto.

In testimony whereof, I, Anderson Ivie and Sarah Ivie, my wife, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this day and date first above mentioned. Anderson Ivie, [seal.]

I do hereby certify that James H. Smith and Rosey Ann Mc- Keamy presented themselves before me, a minister of the Gospel, and were fully, legally joined in the bonds of matrimony, on the 12th day of May, 1831. Alfred Wright.

This is to certify, by the authority vested in me as a preacher of the Gospel, that on the sixth day of May, 1831, I joined together in the bonds of matrimony, William Sparks and Mary Delaney, daughter of Mary Delaney, as man and wife, both of the county and State aforesaid - parents' consent obtained.

Be it remembered that on the 23d day of June, A. D. 1831, personally came William Jones and Sally Sadler before me, and were joined in the bonds of matrimony. Given under my hand this day and year. Jacob Whittenburg, J. P.

I do hereby certify that William Pennick and Patsey Kelly, daughter of Thomas Kelly, were married on the fourth of August, 1831, by me. Given under my hand, this ninth day of October, 1831. Joseph Stevens, J. P.

I do hereby certify that George Tooley and Elize Toard presented themselves before me, Edward M. Holden, a justice of the peace for the county of Monroe, and were legally joined in the bonds of matrimony on the 29th day of October, A. D. 1831.

County of Monroe. 5 Be it remembered, that on the seventh day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two, personally

I, a minister of the Gospel, belonging to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and properly authorized to celebrate the rites of matrimony, united Mr. Wesley Andrews and Miss Eliza Swinney in the bonds of wedlock. Given under my hand, this 5th day of February, 1832.

I, Joseph Stevens, a justice of the peace for Union township, and said county, and authorized by the laws of the State to solemnize the rites of matrimony, did on the 25th day of December, 1831, join together in the holy estate of matrimony, Samuel D. Hodge and Sarah Marney. Given under my hand, this 18th day of February, A. D. 1832.

Notwithstanding the fact that a large number, probably a majority, of people in every county have very little practical experience in courts, and although they have the legal capacity to sue and be sued, never improve their opportunities, and never appear in court, unless it be on compulsion as witnesses and jurors ; yet, as the one great conservator of peace, and as the final arbiter in case of individual or neighborhood disputes, the court is distinguished above and apart from all and every other institution in the land, and not only the proceedings of the court, but the place of holding court, is a matter of interest to the average reader.

Not only so, but in many counties the court-house was the first, and usually the only public building in the county. The first court-houses were not very elaborate buildings, to be sure, but they are enshrined in memories that the present can never know.

Their uBes were general rather than special, and so constantly were they in use, day and night, when the court was in session, and when it was not in session, for judicial, educational, religious and social purposes, that the doors of the old court-houses, like the gates of gospel grace, stood open night and day ; and the small amount invested in these old hewn logs and rough benches returned a much better rate of interest on the investment than do those stately piles of brick or granite which have taken their places. The memorable courthouse of early times was a house adapted to a Ajariety of purposes, and had a career of great usefulness. School was taught, the Gospel was preached, and justice dispensed within its substantial walls. Then it served frequently as a resting place for weary travelers. And, indeed, its doors always swung on easy hinges. If the old settlers are to be believed, all the old court-houses, when first erected in this Western country, often rang on the pioneer Sabbath with a more stirring eloquence than that which enlivens the pulpit of the present time. Many of the earliest ministers officiated in their walls, and if they could but speak, they would doubtless tell many a strange tale ©f pioneer religion that is now lost forever.

To those old court-houses, ministers came of different faiths, but all eager to expound the simple truths of the sublime and beautiful religion, and point out for comparisons the thorny path of duty, and the primrose way of dalliance. Often have those old walls given back the echoes of those who have sung the songs of Zion, and many a weary wanderer has had his heart moved to repentance thereby, more strongly than ever, by the strains of homely eloquence. With Monday morning, the old building changed in character, and men went thither, seeking not the justice of God, but the mercy of man. The scales were held with an even hand. Those who presided knew every man in the county, and they dealt out substantial justice, and the broad principles of natural equity prevailed. Children went there to school, and sat at the feet of teachers who knew little more than themselves ; but, however humble the teacher's acquirements, he was hailed as a wise man and a benefactor, and his lessons were heeded with attention.

The old people of the settlement went there to discuss their own affiiirs, and learn from visiting attorneys the news from the great, busy world, so far away to the southward and eastward. In addition to the orderly assemblies which formerly gathered there, other meetings no less notable occurred.

It was a sort of a forum, whither all classes of people went, for the purpose of loafing and gossiping and telling and hearing some new thing. As a general thing, the first court-house, after having served the purpose of its erection, and served that purpose well, is torn down and conveyed to the rear of some remote lot, and thereafter is made to serve the purpose of an obscure cow-stable on some dark alley.

There is little of the romantic or poetic in the make-up of Western society, and the old court-house, after the building of the new one, ceases to be regarded with reverence and awe. In a new country, where every energy of the people is necessarily employed in the prac- tical work of earning a living, and the always urgent and ever present question of bread and butter is up for solution, people can not be expected to devote much time to the poetic and ideal. It therefore follows that nothing was retained as a useless relic that could be turned to some utility ; but it is a shame that the people of modern times have such little reverence for the relics of former days. After these houses ceased to be available for business purposes they should have been preserved to have at least witnessed the semi-centennial of the county's history. It is said, in their hurry to grow rich, so few even have a care for the work of their own hands. How many of the first settlers have preserved their first habitations? The sight of that humble cabin would be a source of much consolation in old age, as it reminded the owner of the trials and triumphs of other times, and its presence would go far toward reconciling the coming generation with their lot, when comparing its lowly appearance with the modern residence whose extensive apartments are beginning to be too unpretentious for the enterprising and irrepressible " Young Americans."

First Court-House

The order authorizing the building of the first court-house was issued at the November term of the court, 1831. It was to be erected in the public square, and was to be constructed as follows : Fifty feet square and two stories high ; foundation to be laid with stone ; wall 26 inches thick ; brick walls 22 inches thick in the first story and 18 inches in the second storj'^ ; first story to be 15 feet high and the second, 12 ; the roof to be hipjjed with a wood cornice, and a cupola of 10 feet square in the base ; the base to be 4 feet high with an ofi*- set of 14 inches and 8 feet octagon, Avith Venetian blinds on each side ; the roof of the cupola to be covered with tin ; four windows in each of the three fronts of the lower story, to consist of 24 panes of glass, 10 by 12 each, with a large circular door in each side and one window in the first and second story of the back or other side ; the windows in the three before-mentioned fronts to be the same in the second story as in the lower, with an additional window over every door; the sills of each window to be of dressed stone; the frames to be boxed, and the sash to be hoist with waiters ; the lower floor to be laid with brick as far as the bar; the bar floor to be of wood, elevated 4 feet above the brick ; no floor to be in the second story ; but joist, framing, etc., to be furnished. The whole to be done in a workmanlike manner.

Second Court-House

The second court-house - which is the present building - was built in 1867 at an expense of $45,000. It ranks among the finest and most substantial buildings of the kind in the State. It is constructed of brick, two stories high, and contains nine rooms and two vaults; the circuit and county court-rooms, the jury and witness-rooms, and the county offices. The court-house is located on the public square - near the west side ; it is a large, imposing building, and is surmounted by a large and sightly dome, from which may be seen much of the surrounding country. There are but a few court-houses in the State that cost more money or that have been so well and conveniently arranged.

Before proceeding any further, we deem it proper, since we are about to enter upon the history of the townships, to give some explanations of the county and township systems and government surveys, as much depends in business and civil transactions upon county limits and county organizations.

With regard to the origin of dividing individual States into county and township organizations, which, in an important measure, should have the power and opportunity of transacting their own business and governing themselves, under the approval of, and subject to, the State and general government, of which they both form a part, we quote from Elijah M. Haines, who is considered good authority on the subject.

" The county system originated with Virginia, whose early settlers soon became large landed proprietors, aristocratic in feeling, living apart in almost baronial magnificence, on their own estates, and owning the laboring part of the population. Thus the materials for a town were not at hand, the voters being thinly distributed over a great area.

" The county organization, where a few influential men managed the wholesale business of a community, retaining their places almost at their pleasure, scarcely responsible at all, except in name, and permitted to conduct the county concerns as their ideas or wishes might direct, was moreover consonant with their recollections or traditions of the judicial and social dignities of the landed aristocracy of England, in descent from whom the Virginia gentlemen felt so much pride. In 1834 eight counties were organized in Virginia, and the system extending throughont the State, spread into all the Southern States and some of the Northern States ; unless we except the nearly similar division into ' districts ' in South Carolina, and that into * parishes ' in Louisiana, from the French laws.

" Illinois, which, with its vast additional territory, became a county of Virginia, on its conquest by Gen. George Rogers Clark, retained the count}' organization, which was formerly extended over the State by the constitution of 1818, and continued in exclusive use until the constitution of 1848. Under this system, as in other States adopting it, much local business was transacted by the commissioners in each county, who constituted a county court, Avith quarterly sessions.

" During the period ending with the constitution of 1847, a large portion of the State had become filled up with a popnlation of New England birth or character, daily growing more and more compact and dissatisfied with the comparatively arbitrary and inefficient county system. It was maintained by the people that the heavily populated districts would always control the election of the commissioners to the disadvantage of the more thinly populated sections - in short, that under that system ' equal and exact justice ' to all parts of the county could not be -secured.

" The first legal enactment concerning the system provided that, whereas, ' particular townshi[)S have many things which concern only themselves and the ordering of their own affairs, and disposing of l)usiness in their own town^^' therefore the ' freemen of every tow^nship, or a majority part of them, shall only have power to dispose of their own lands and woods, with all the appurtenances of said town, to grant lots, and to make such orders as may concern the well ordering of their own towns, not repugnant to the laws and orders established by the general court. '

" They might also, " says Mr. Haines, "impose fines of not more than twenty shillings, and ' choose their own particular officers, as constables, surveyors for the highway, and the like. '

" Evidently this enactment relieved the general court of a mass of municipal details without any danger to the power of that body in controlling general measures of public policy.

or Legislature, composed of a Governor and a small council, which court, consisted of the most influential inhabitants, and possessed and exercised both legislative and judicial powers, which were limited only by the wisdom of the holders.

'*They made laws, ordered their execution by officers, tried and decided civil and criminal causes, enacted all manner of municipal regulations, and, in fact, did all the public business of the colony. " ,

Similar provisions for the incorporation of towns were made in the first constitution in Connecticut, adopted in 1639, and the plan of township organization, as experience proved its remarkable economy, efficiency and adaptation to the requirements of a free and intelligent people, became universal throughout New England, and went westward with the immigrants from New England, into New York, Ohio and other Western States.

Thus we find that the valuable system of county, township and town organizations had been thorough l}'^ tried and proven long before there was need of adopting it in Missouri, or any of the broad region west of the Mississippi river. But as the new country began to be opened, and as Eastern people began to move westward across the mighty river, and formed thick settlements along its western bank, the Territory and State, and county and township organizations soon followed in quick succession, and those diflerent systems became more or less improved, according as deemed necessary by the experience and judgment and demands of the people, until they have arrived at the present stage of advancement and efficiency. In the settlement of the Territory of Missouri, the Legislature began organizing counties on the Mississippi river. As each new county was formed, it was made to include under legal jurisdiction all the country borderino- west of it, and required to grant to the actual settlers electoral privileges and an equal share of the county government with those who properly lived in the geographical limits of the county.

The counties first organized along the eastern borders of the State were o-iven for a short time iurisdiction over the lands and settlements adjoining each on the west, until these localities became sufficiently settled to support organizations of their own.

Governmemt Surveys

No person can intelligently understand the history of a country without at the same time knowing its geography, and in order that a clear and correct idea of the geography of Monroe county may be obtained from the language already used in defining diflerent localities and pieces of laud, we insert herewith the plan of government surveys as given in Mr. E. A. Hickman's property map of Jackson county, Missouri : -

"Previous to the formation of our present government, the eastern portion of North America consisted of a number of British colonies, the territory of which was granted in large tracts to British ^noblemen. By treaty of 1783, these grants were acknowleged as valid by the colonies. After the Revolutionary War, when these colonies were acknowledged independent States, all public domain within their boundaries was acknowledged to be the property of the colony within the bounds of which said domain was situated.

" Virginia claimed all the north-western territory, including what is now known as Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois. After a meeting of the representatives of the various States to form a Union, Virginia ceded the north-west territory to the United States government. This took place in 1784 ; then all this northwest territory became government land. It comprised all south of the lakes and east of the Mississippi river and north and west of the States having definite boundary lines. This territory had been known as New France, and had been ceded by France to England in 1768. In the year 1803, Napoleon Bonaparte sold to the United States all territory west of the Mississippi river and north of Mexico, extending to the Rocky mountains.

" While the public domain was the property of the colonies, it was disposed of as follows: Each individual caused the tract he desired to purchase to be surveyed and platted. A copy of the survey was then filed with the registrar of lands, when, by paying into the State or Colonial treasury an agreed price, the purchaser received a patent for the land. This method of disposing of public lands made law. suits numerous, owing to different surveys often including the same ground. To avoid the difliculties and effect a general measurement of the territories, the United States adopted the present mode or system of land surveys, a description of which we give as follows : -

" In an unsurveyed region, a point of marked and changeless topographical features is selected as an initial point. The exact latitude and longitude of this point is ascertained by astronomical observation, and a suitable monument of iron or stone, to perpetuate the position, is thus reared. Through this point a true north and south line is run, which is called a 'pi'incipal meridian. This principal meridian may be extended north and south any desired distance. Along this line are placed, at distances of one-half mile from each other, posts of wood or stone or mounds of earth. These posts are said to establish the line, and are called section and quarter section posts. Principal meridians are numbered in the order in which they are established. Through the same initial point from which the principal meridian was surveyed, another line is now run and established by mile and half mile posts, as before, in a true east and west direction. This line is called the base line, and like the principal meridian, may be extended indefinitely in either direction. These lines form the basis of the survey of the country into townships and ranges. Township lines extend east and west, parallel with the base line, at distances of six miles from the base line and from each other, dividing the country into strips six miles wide, which strips are called townships. Range lines run north and south, parallel to the principal meridian, dividing the country into strips six miles wide, which strips are called ranges. Township strips are numbered from the base line, and range strips are numbered from the principal meridian. Townships lying north of the base line are ' townships north ; ' those on the south are ' townships south.' The strip lying next the base line is township one, the next one to that, township tivo, and so on. The range strips are numbered in the same manner, counting from the principal meridian east or west, as the case may be.

" The township and range lines thus divide the country into sixmile squares. Each of these squares is called a congressional township. All north and south lines north of the equator approach each other as they extend north, finally meeting at the north pole ; therefore north and south lines are not literally parallel. The east and west boundary lines of any range being six miles apart in the latitude of Missouri and Kansas, would, in thirty miles, approach each other at 2.9 chains, or 190 feet. If, therefore, the width of the range when started from the base line is made exactly six miles, it would be 2.9 chains too narrow at the distance of thirty miles, or five townships north. To correct the width of ranges and keep them to the proper width, the range lines are not surveyed in a continuous straight line, like the principal meridian, entirely across the State, but only across a limited number of townships, usually five, where tbe \Vidth of the range is corrected by beginning a new line on the side of the range most distant from the principal meridian, at such a point as will make the range its correct width. All range lines are corrected in the same manner. The east and west township lines on which these corrections are made are called correction lines, or standard parallels. The surveys of the State of Missouri were made from the fifth principal meridian, which runs throughout the State, and its ranges are numbered from it. The State of Kansas is surveyed and numbered from the sixth. Congressional townships are divided into thirty-six square miles, called sections, and are known by numbers according to their position. The following diagram shows the order of numbers and the sections in congressional townships : -

" Sections are divided into quarters, eighths and sixteenths, and are described by their position in the section. The full section contains 640 acres, the quarter 160, the eighth 80, and the sixteenth 40. In the following diagram of a section, the position designated by a is known as the north-west quarter ; i is the north-east quarter of the north-east quarter ; d would be the south half of the south-east quarter, and would contain 80 acres.

" Congressional townships, as we have seen, are six-mile squares of land, made by the township and range lines, while civil or municipal townships are civil divisions, made for purposes of government, the one having no reference to the other, though simiUir in name. On the county map we see both kinds of townships - the congressional usually designated by numbers and in squares ; the municipal or civil township by name and in various forms.

" By the measurement thus made by the government, the courses and distances are defined between any two points. St. Louis is in township 44 north, range 8 east, and Independence is in township 49 north, range 32 west; how far, then, are Independence and St. Louis apart on a direct line? St. Louis is 40 townships east - 240 miles - and 5 townships south - 30 miles ; the base and perpendicular of a right-angled triangle, the hypothenuse being the required distance."

The " township," as the term is used in common phraseology, in many instances is widely distinguished from that of "town," though many persons persist in confounding the two. In the United States many of the States are divided into townships of five, six, seven, or perhaps ten miles square, and the inhabitants of such townships are vested with certain powers for regulating their own affairs, such as repairing roads and providing for the poor. The township is subordinate to the county." A "town" is simply a collection of houses,, either large or small, and opposed to " country."

The most important features connected with this system of township surveys should be thoroughly understood by every intelligent farmer and business man ; still there are some points connected with the understanding of it, which need close and careful attention. The law which established this system required that the north and south lines should correspond exactly with the meridian passing through that point; also, that each township should be six miles square. To do this would be an utter impossibility, since the figure of the earth causes the meridians to converge toward the pole, making the north line to each township shorter than the south line of the same township. To obviate the errors which are, on this account, constantly occurring, correction lines are established. They are parallels bounding a line of townships on the north, when lying north of the principal base from which the surveys, as they are continued, are laid out anew ; the range lines again starting at correct distances from the principal meridian. In Michigan these correction lines are repeated at the end of every tenth township, but in Oregon they have been repeated with every fifth township. The instructions to the surveyors have been that each range of townships should be made as much over six miles in width where it closes on to the next correction line north ; and it is further provided that in all cases where the exterior lines of the townships shall exceed, or shall not extend, six miles, the excess of deficiency shall be specially noted, or added to or deducted from the western or northern sections or half sections in such township, according as the error may be in running the lines from east to west, or from south to north. In order to throw the excess of deficiencies on the north and on the west sides of the township, it is necessary to survey the section lines from south to north, on a true meridian, leaving the result in the north line of the township to be governed by the convexity of the earth and the convergency of the meridians.

Navigable rivers, lakes and islands are " meandered " or surveyed by the compass and chain along the banks. " The instruments employed on these surveys, besides the solar compass, are a surveying chain 33 feet long, of 50 links, and another of smaller wire, as a standard to be used for correcting the former as often at least as every other day; also 11 tally pins, made of steel, telescope, targets, tape-measure and tools for marking the lines upon trees or stones. In surveying through woods, trees intercepted by the line are marked with two chips or notches, one on each side ; these are called sight or line trees. Sometimes other trees in the vicinity are blazed on two sides quartering toward the line ; but if some distance from the line, the two blazes should be near together on the side facing the line. These are found to be permanent marks, not wholly recognizable for many years, but carrying with them their old age by the rings of growth around the blaze, which may at any subsequent time be cut out and counted as years; and the same are recognized in courts of law as evidence of the date of survey. They can not be obliterated by cutting down the trees or otherwise without leaving evidence of the act. Corners are marked upon trees if found at the right spot, or else upon posts set in the ground, and sometimes a monument of stones is used for a township corner, and a single stone for n section corner ; mounds of earth are made when there are no stones nor timber. The corners of the four adjacent sections are designated by distinct marks cut into a tree, one in each section. These trees, facing the corner, are plainly marked with the letters B. T. (bearing tree) cut into the wood. Notches cut upon the corner posts or trees indicate the number of miles to the outlines of the township, or, if on the boundaries of the township, to the township corners."