Washington Township

Washington Township

When this township was organized from Blue and Kaw, February 9, 1836, it included much more territory than it does at the present time. The southern and western boundaries were then about the same as now, but the eastern boundary ran north and south near the present site of Lee's Summit, and the northern boundary ran east and was through the junction of Cedar Fork with Little Blue.

"Commencing at Cummins Mill on Big Blue so as to include said Mill, thence running due west to the boundary line, thence south with said boundary to corner of Van Buren county ( now Cass), thence east with said county line to a point opposite the head of Little Cedar Fork of Little Blue, thence down said Cedar Fork until it intersects the main fork of Little Blue, thence in a straight direction to the beginning. All which territory lying within the limits of the above described boundary, shall compose the township of Washington."

The present boundaries are: north by Westport and Brooking townships, east by Prairie township, south by Cass county, and west by Kansas State line.

The principal stream of water is the Big Blue, which rises in the State of Kansas, flows in a northeasterly direction till it intersects with the Missouri River, six miles below Kansas City. Big Blue is a historic stream and the largest in Jackson county. Hickman's Mills and New Santa Fe ajre the only post towns in Washington township.

The township includes land in four different congressional townships, all of the land in Tp. 47, R. 33, and a portion of the northwest corner of Tp. 47, R. 32, also a portion of Tp. 48, R. 32 and 33. The land is generally undulating, but not seriously broken.

Washington township was reduced in size June 44 i860, when Prairie township was organized, and again, August 13, 1872, when Brooking township was organized.

The first election in the Township of Washington was held at the house of Anson McCrackin, March 6, 1836. This election was for the purpose of electing two Justices of the Peace; and the Judges of the election were John Batleson, John Fitzhugh and Abraham Chrisman.

In Washington township there are several churches, representingthe different denominations. The Christian church at Hickman's Mills, the Bensonia Baptist church, the Christian church at New Santa Fe, and the New Baptist church, are among the places of worship. Meetings are also held at school houses.

"The Lost Townships," as some of the land in the southern portion of the county was termed, were not surveyed and sectionalized in the original survey. The surveyor reported to his superior officer that "it was mostly prairie, and he did not think it would pay to bring it into market; " and further, "that in attempting to run some lines through these townships, the presence of some powerful magnet so influenced the compass as to make the survey impossible."

The real reason for not reporting the survey was that the surveyor had lost his field notes. In those days a Hard Shell Baptist run a still up on the Sni, and when the surveyor, who liked the genial influence of the " spirits," happened along one evening, the Hard Shell Baptist treated him till he lost his hat and field notes, a hungry sow having found them, and being ashamed to return without the notes or a good excuse, he framed the one above given. In consequence of this delay, it was fifteen or twenty years before the land was placed in market.

The bed of the Big Blue is very deep and the banks steep. Limestone rock is found in vast quantities all along its course and also where small streams enter it from the high prairie. Stone walls are numerous; fences neat and substantially built of this material are seen along the roads for miles. In the eastern States the presence of stone walls would indicate undesirable lands, too stony to be cultivated ; but here in Washington township the soil, of a rich loam, covers the rock from a depth of a few feet to that of more than twenty. The stone for fencing is taken from quarries a little below the surface and laid wherever needed in a neat and workmanlike wall from four to six feet in height.

came from North Carolina, Tennessee and other eastern States. They were a hardy and thrifty class of people who were undaunted by hardships and dangers. They came to subdue the western wilds for their future homes. They brought with them their families and all their property. When they came, the vast prairies east of the Big Blue had no fence, and for miles not a tree could be seen. They were plain honest farmers, upon whose minds the suspicious frauds of modern business had not left its baneful effect.

Benjamin Robinson came from Jessamine county, Kentucky, in the year 185 1, and settled one mile west of Hickman's Mills, where he now lives.

Thomas Rule came from Kentucky and settled three miles south of Hickman's Mills. He removed to Colorado at the breaking out of the civil war.

Job and John Crabtree were among the first settlers of the neigborhood in thi northeastern portion of the township. Both came from Virginia in the year 1833 and became farmers.

Among the first marriages in the township was that of Robert Pierson, whicl occurred in 1838, and among the first births in that neighborhood was Thoraa Flannery, son of John and Rebecca Flannery, in 1837 - February nth. Jamei Savage, a missionary Baptist, was the first minister, and preached at the homes o the settlers. The first school was taught in a house built on John Flannery's farm It was taught by Isaac Crabtree, who died some time after on his way to Oregon The first school house was built by the neighbors in Washington township, ii 1840.

At that time each housewife did her own spinning and weaving. There wer no public roads, and no wagons in the whole neighborhood, and all supplies wer obtained from Independence ten or twelve miles away.

This is a land of exceeding loveliness stretching out to the view on all sides The different agricultural products are raised here in great abundance, am many of the farmers of the township are raising and growing stock.

The first post-office in the township was at High Blue, southwest of Hickman' Mills, and Isaac Bryant was postmaster. This office was discontinued before th

Hickman's mills. This is the most important village in the township. It is a trading point for a large scope of country. Hickman's Mills is sixteen miles from Independence, the same distance from Kansas City, and eight miles from Lee's Summit.

New Santa Fe

This little post village is situated on the west line of Missouri, about midway in Washington township. It now contains one store and post-office and a few dwelhng houses. Being on the State line between a free and a slave State, it has experienced some of the most remarkable events that have been known on a turbulent border: the Border Ruffian War of 1855-6, the awful commotions of the Civil War, and the bands of outlaws, murderers and robbers since the War of the Rebellion ceased have haunted this section to an unwonted degree. The country around about New Santa Fe is of unsurpassed loveliness and fertility.

''Situated on the southwest corner Sec. 7, Tp. 47, R. 33. Beginning one pole north of the southwest corner of said Sec, leaving one pole for an alley on the south side - variation of north and south lines io^° and east and west 7j^°. The lots are all five poles or 82 J^ feet wide by 165 feet deep. Main street is 66 feet wide, the others 50 feet wide, the alleys i6}4 feet wide. Given under my hand this October 6, A, D. 1851. Lott Coffman, Co. Surveyor.

Dabney Lipscomb and Elizabeth W. Lipscomb, his wife, both of whom are personally known to the undersigned Justice of the Peace, to be the same persons whose names are subscribed to the foregoing plat, this day personally appeared before me in said county, and acknowledged that they executed the said plat for the uses and purposes therein expressed, giving and granting to Jackson county for public uses and benefits for roads and highways, all the streets and alleys as shown and designated on the foregoing plat free from all obstruction or incumbrances. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this third day of April, A. D. 1852. H. S. Vivion, J. P.

Washington township had her share of experience in the civil war. Price's whole army encamped there for several days; and when after the battle of Westport and the Blues he moved south, he swept across Washington township taking everything which a destitute and harassed army needs.

On the farm of Benjamin Robinson, one-half a mile from Hickman's Mills, Gen. James Lane, of Kansas, encamped at one time for several days with three thousand men. The Sunday evening before they took up their line of march. Gen. Lane took his stand on the front porch of Mr. Robinson's house and made his army a speech in which he said that he would follow and capture the enemy or drive him into the Gulf of Mexico. Hickman's Mills was a Federal post and a company of U. S. soldiers a great portion of the time was stationed here.

Further Incidents In The War

"Fort Sumter had been fired into, and the 'waT dogs' had already been turned loose at other places. Men were leaving their homes, and women were in distress. The mails being stopped, the country was full of dreadful reports, and to those whose fortune or misfortune it was to be living on the border of Missouri, the name of Jayhawker or Federal brought terror to the heart. A man was liable to be shot down at any time, without a minute's warning.

" I had several reasons for not engaging at an early date in the conflict. I was somewhat conscientious about taking an oath that would place me under the command of wicked men, who would be likely to lead me contrary to what I believed to be right, for I had confessed the name of Jesus Christ befoire men, and accepted him as my leader. I had been reading the Bible, and was not sure that I would be doing right in going to war. . I was living with Mr. Wells, and my friend, Mr. Perry Rippetoe, was living with Mr. Chiles. Mr. Chiles was preparing to move to Texas. Mr. Wells said to me, ' Will you take my wagon and team, and help Perry to bring some freight wagons from the Up Hayes farm ?' I said that I would. We went northwest past Watt's mill, then along the Kansas line, then northeast into Missouri. If I ever hauled an awkward load, it was two Santa Fe wagons tied to a common two-horse wagon. Perry Rippetoe was an experienced freighter, and I followed him.

"We brought one load, and dinner not being ready, we ate a few late peaches, and started back after another. We had passed Mr. Poteet's house, on the State line, and half the length of his big corn field on the east, the open prairie of Kansas being on the west. Mr. Rippetoe, looking ahead, said, ' Look yonder.' Looking, I saw a company of armed men horse-back, coming over the prairie ridge in front. 'Yes, that is those Jayhawkers or Federals - seethe flag.' Mr. Rippetoe said, 'What had we best do - hide in the corn, or take a mule each and run?' 'Neither,' said I ; ' if we hide in the corn they will find-us, there are so many of them, just see them still coming over the ridge, and if we run, there are plenty fast horses among them, and they will catch us on any of these mules; and besides, if we attempt to run or hide, they will kill us sure, for they will think we have done something wrong. My word for it, we had better drive right ahead, put on the best face we can, meet them, and risk our chances.' He said, 'If you think best, we will do it.' All this time we had been moving onward. The advance came up ; we turned to the west, intending to give them the full benefit of the road, as there was plenty of room. ' Halt !' ' Halt !' We obeyed. ' Get down off" that mule, and have you any arms ?' Having our coats off, they did not search us. In the meantime, the Stars and Stripes went streaming past, with the bright colors glittering in the sunbeams. Glorious, indeed, was the old flag, in the hands of true men, but on that occasion it was calculated to inspire in our heart anything but respect. While we were thus held captive at the road side, a few words were exchanged by those who held us captive and the soldiers, as they rode by, such as 'I will attend to that business," and another 'I will see you again about something else," which showed that they were intimately acquainted with each other ; and now they turn their attention to us. ' Where are you going, and where are you from ?' ' We live back here a few miles, and are going after some Santa Fe wagons for Mr. Chiles. The freighting company has dissolved, and Mr. Chiles is having his part of the wagons brought home.' 'Get on your mules and drive up,' was the positive command, and we readily but not cheerfully obeyed. ' What is your politics ?' comes the horrid question, and I heard Mr. Rippetoe reply that he was a Union man, and always had been. ' Why are you not in the army, fighting for your country?' was the next question, in an angry mood. My turn came next : ' What is your politics ?' ' I am a

Southern man; I was born and raised in the South.' We were now traveling rapidly west, guarded closely by four men, who made it their business by turns to question us. Here comes a rather low, compact built man, with his rifle in a direct line of my body. He has his broad-brimmed hat set a little to one side. He seems to be proud of his situation - really, he has a mean look. He don't have very much to say, and I am glad of it. A small man now rides up, with his revolver in his hand, and sword at his side. He asks, ' Do you know any Sesesh?' I replied, ' Yes, sir.' ' Where do they live?' ' They have gone south, to the Southern army.' Now he gives place to a tall man, with a heavy doublebarreled shot-gun, who is my especial escort for a while. I had rather he would turn his gun in any other direction.

/ - '' We are going in the wrong direction for Kansas City." Tall Man - " We will turn and go into the city. If we went down the line we might run into a company of Sesesh." " Why are you not in the army fighting for your country?" he asks in a pompous manner and continues, " the southern men are trying to destroy the Union." " I don't look at it in that way, "was my reply.

/ - "This is- not altogether a one-sided business." " What do you mean, sir," said the tall man. "I mean that the southern men could not get their constitutional rights in the Union ; " when their negroes were stolen they could not get them back."

/ - "Why, a great many men from the north have made it their business for years to persuade and steal the negroes which belong to the southern men under the constitution, and you know it as well as I do."

/^"They did try but could not haye the law enforced." Tall Man - " I don't believe that the war is about the negroes. The southern men have violated the constitution and want to break up the Union."

/ - "The northern men have violated the constitution too. Old John Brown took Harper's Ferry and fought the soldiers and now they have violated the constitution from the president down."

/^" Why was it necessary for congress to pass bills legalizing the acts of the president if he had not violated the constitution? He did violate it." Tall Man - "How did you get this information?" /^"It was published in the papers."

/ - "I admit that many things are published in the papers that are not true, but I believe this and the war is carried on contrary to the constitution to-day. Here we are taken up on the pubhc highway and marched as prisoners, although we did no wrong."

Tall Man - "This rebellion must be put down." As the subject was an unpleasant one I tried to talk about something else. The small man with sword and revolver who was the leader is again at my side and we are now going southwest. I said, "Captain, where are you taking us." He replied, "to Mound City, sir." Now I had heard that Mound City was the headquarters of the jayhawkers. If he had said that he was going to deliver us into the hands of the whole United States Army and Navy combined, it would have been good news compared with going to Mound City, for I verily believed that if they took us into Mound City we would never get out alive. So I said, "Captain, it is getting late and we have had no dinner, don't you intend to give us supper ?" I was not hungry, but did not wish to let him know that there was any dread in my mind.

Captain - "I don't know, it is war times now, and you will have to do as I do ; sometimes I eat once a day and sometimes oftener, just as I can get it."

/ - " I am in the habit of eating three times a day and would hke to have supper if you can get it, if you don't I will do the best I can without it." I kept on secretly praying, yes, praying ; I could raise my heart to God in prayer for the Lord is nigh to all that call upon Him in truth, and he could hear me now, although I was very closely guarded. I thought of many instances where God had delivered his people in Bible times and of many cases recorded in history. I was trying to plan our escape, I felt as if I could act my part in a desperate manner if the Lord should give me the opportunity, provided it did not endanger the hfe of my friend Mr. Rippetoe, could I get hold of the revolver, rifle or double-barreled shot-gun, and a few seconds time to use it. You may well think that these were very wicked thoughts for a Christian to harbor, but remember that I am but human; and if the Lord had not been watching over me I might have beein turned into a desperado. They did not give us the least opportunity to escape. About dark they stopped at a house and the Captain gave us each a piece of pie. Here one man, whom I have not described, took leave to go to Olathe. We then turned due south, I was quite willing to let my mules slack their speed, but when I was commanded "to hurry up " those mules, I knew I had to do it. The moon arose about dark and shone brightly. I still talked to my escort as calmly as if nothing unusual was happening, and on we went until about one or two o'clock in the night. We had just crossed Coffee Creek in the Black Bob district of Kansas, when we were stopped in the midst of an old Indian camping ground, with brush around the edges. The moon was shining in splendor. As the night air was cool I shd down from the saddle and our guard stood consulting near Mr. Rippetoe, for they seemed to guard him closely, and they may well have afforded to do it. At this time I was near my team looking down, kicking my feet in the dust and thinking so deeply that when the Captain said "step here," I paid no attention to it. Mr. Rippetoe then said "the Captain wants you to step here." Immediately remembering what the Captain had said, I hastened to obey.

Everything looked very suspicious, so I determined not to become excited, if I could help it. As I stepped forward, I said as camly as I could : "Well, Captain, what is it now?" The Captain spoke slow, and as if excited : "You men have one of two things to do right here, and right now." I spoke again : ' ' Well, Captain, what is that ? "

/ - "Captain, I have no objection to taking part of that oath, I am willing to swear that I will not take up arms against the Government, as I told you before I do not want to fight, I could have been into it before now if I had chosen to do so, but to swear to support the constitution, I can't do that, I think you should let me. off without taking that part of the oath."

The Captain now turned to Mr. Rippetoe, inquired if he would take the oath, and hastily swore him, and turned toward me, at the same time raising his revolver, which I plainly heard click. Click went the rifle in the hands of the man with his hat set on the sjde of his head, at the same time cUck, click, went the double barreled shot-gun, as the tall man raised it to his face. Already my heart seemed feeling for the messenger of death. I could feel my body bracing itself to receive the shock. My last earthly hope was gone and I had but one request to make. I said : " Captain, give me a few minutes for prayer, please." Without waiting for an answer I knelt down, Mr. Rippetoe sank down, covering his face with both hands as he groand out: "Oh, Lordy ! " All this had taken place in very quick time, yet I could watch as well as pray; there stood the three ready to send me to eternity, the Captain with his revolver presented, the man with his hat set on the left side of his head taking deliberate aim along his rifle, seemed very anxious to show his skill, and the tall man with his big double-barreled shot-gun has squared himself, and I think his aim is true. In a few broken sentences I acknowledged my dependence upon the great God that had made and taken care of me, confessed my sins and short-comings, prayed the Lord to forgive all my sins, and be with me. Committed myself into his hand, offered up a short petition for those who were near and dear to me, and then said in my prayer : " Lord, have mercy on our Nation and country; may this war and bloodshed be stopped; and may the time soon come when war shall be no more ; but all shall know Thee, from the least to the greatest ; and these men, remember them, in thy great mercy; may they see the wickedness of their ways, and turn, before they go down to eternal ruin; Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." Here, I thought I had finished my course, but as they did not fire, I continued praying in a few broken sentences, when the man with the rifle, said : " Captain, stop this foolishness " The tall man then spoke : "Captain, I think you should let this man go, he don't beheve there is any Union." The Captain said : " I don't like to kill him." My friend who had by this time uncovered his face, spoke a few words in my favor. The Captain then stepped to where I was, still on my knees, he put out his hand, I arose and took his hand, and he spoke in a mild tone, as follows : "Do you, sir, pretend to say that you are a better man than Washington, and the men who made the constitution and gave their lives for it, and all the great and good men of our day who swear to support it, and are ready to die for it?" I said: "No, I don't say any such thing, Washington and the men who made the constitution have done a great and good work, and all I have to say about the great and good men of our time who are swearing to support the constitution is this, they think different from what I do, or they would act different from what they do."

Captain - " I can't spare it now ; the next time you go to Kansas City you come to Camp Union, on the hill, and I will either leave the saddle there or pay for it ; you can come and get it for him."

/ - " All right, good bye;" and we shook hands with the Captain and started. We had not gone twenty yards when the Captain called to us to come back ; we looked at each other, looked toward the brush, but was not long in turning back ; the Captain had a little blank book in his hand and said that he had forgotten to take down our names ; we gave our full names. He again told us that we could go, and we could hardly keep from running we felt so light and free. We crossed the branch and took the road for home. We had not gone far when Mr. Rippetoe squatted down and crept into the tall grass and wild sun-flpwers; I followed as quickly as I could. With our heads close to the ground, we could hear a tramping sound, but it did not sound like horsemen. I whispered, " Perry, what did you see ?" "I don't know," was his reply. I finally ventured to part the grass and peep out. I saw that it was a herd of cattle going toward the creek. I said, "Perry, it is nothing but cattle going for water." He said, " I can stand it if you can." We went ahead then on quick time until within about four miles of New Santa Fe, when a thunder storm came up ; we took refuge in a little vacant house near the roadside. As the rain came rattling down and the thunder jarred the windows, I lay down among the pea vines on the floor and was soon asleep. My friend, Mr. Rippetoe, was more cautious ; he had been west among the wild Indians and knew how to keep a sharp lookout. The shower soon passed over, my friend called to me ; remembering where I was, I sprang to my feet. We arrived at New Santa Fe at daybreak. Seeing a light burning, we knocked at the door of Mr. A. R. White. Mrs. White came to the door ; she was excited and talked very fast. She said, " the Federals have been here and taken Mr. John Davis' goods ; we have been up all night ; the men are all hid ; the soldiers have been all over the neighborhood ; we heard guns firing all around and no telling who is killed; but they are all gone now, won't you come in?" We said " no, thank you; they have had us and we must go home." I soon saw my friend Rippetoe buckle on his heavy revolver.

After the war was over I saw a stranger turn into the yard ; he looked as if he was tired ; he came toward the house I recognized him as my old friend, Perry Rippetoe. As I took his hand I noticed that his revolver was gone, and he had on a palmetto hat that had been made and presented to him by the ladies in the extreme south. He said, " I heard that you were living here, and determined to stop and see you before going home." Since that time we both have been permitted to live peaceable and quiet lives at home.