Missouri as it is in 1867: an illustrated historical Gazetteer of Missouri, embracing the geography, history, resources and prospects ... an original article on Geology, Mineralogy, Soils ... by G. C. Swallow ... Illustrated, etc

Front matter

MISSOURI AS IT IS IN 1867. COMMENDATIONS. INDORSEMENT BY THE HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS. We take pleasure in recommending "Parker's Illustrated Historical Gazet teer" to all who desire information in regard to Missouri. From personal examination of the manuscript, and from the indorsement of those who are familiar with the different portions of the State therein repre sented, we feel assured that it is authentic and reliable, and believe that a work of this kind, prepared with the care and attention the author has given this, will supply the increasing demand for a Complete Gazetteer of Missouri, embracing, as it does, a history of the Territory and State from its first actual settlement (upwards of a century and a half ago) to the present time, and a full description of the State, at large, and by counties, showing its topography, geological formations, mineral wealth, agricultural resources, and commercial advantages, and the most important statistics of every portion of the State, together with many thrilling incidents of the pioneer history of Missouri.

By the publication of this Gazetteer the author will accomplish a work worthy of the approval and support of the people of Missouri. [The above was signed by the former Governor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, State Auditor, Clerk of Supreme Court, Superintendent of Common Schools, President Board of Public Works, Secretary of the Senate, and Attorney-General.] INDORSEMENT BY THE SENATE. By the Senate the following complimentary resolution, indorsing this work, was unanimously passed: "Resolved, That we highly approve of and appreciate the labors of Mr. N. H. Parker in the preparation of his Illustrated Historical State Gazetteer, and from the care he has taken to collect reliable information and authentic accounts of the many interesting incidents in our early history, and his faithful exposition of the social and moral, as well as the physical, commercial, and industrial resources of the State, we cordially commend this work to the patronage of all those desiring information respecting the past history and present condition of Missouri; and that, by the publication of his Gazetteer, the author will con tribute much to the development of the various resources of the State, and will merit the support of every one interested in Missouri."

COMMENDATIONS BY THE PRESS. COMMENDATIONS BY THE PRESS. We have had the pleasure of spending an hour at the studio of the author of this standard work, and have examined a portion of the manuscripts and illus trations. The one hundred and fifteen counties in the State are represented, and the history of each county is a book complete in itself, giving full descriptions of the early settlement, physical features, agricultural, commercial, and business statistics of each city and town in the county. Some of the principal points of interest and natural curiosities throughout the State have been drawn and en graved, expressly for this work. From our personal observation, we can un qualifiedly pronounce the forthcoming work a most complete book of Missouri. It already has the indorsement of the most prominent men in the State, who have also examined the MSS.

Preface

. The present times are the beginning of a fresh chapter in the history of Missouri. The tide of intelligent, in dustrious, and earnest men, the rapid inauguration of public improvements and private enterprises upon a scale heretofore unknown, the employment of skill and capi tal in mining and manufacturing, the transformation of thousands of acres of the virgin soil to cultivated farms, and the rapidly growing villages and creation of new business centers, give us every reason to date the opening of the new epoch in the development of the resources of Missouri from the close of the war. After long years of struggle, the State stands to-day redeemed from slavery and oppression, and, as will be seen by reference to the New Constitution herein, she has taken her position in the front ranks of the Tree States, and now "guarantees the property, protects the rights, and yields the largest liberty to all her citizens."

After having thoroughly acquainted himself with the character of this State, by extensive tours and corre spondence, during the past ten years, the writer has pre-

PREFACE.

. X pared the following pages, not to produce a pleasing and salable book, but to supply the demand for full and reliable information about this noble State. Portions of the information, especially the descriptive and historical notes, were collected before the war. After the smoke of our battles had cleared away, and the New Era fairly dawned upon the State by the adoption of the New Con stitution, it was decided to complete and publish this work without unnecessary delay. Missouri suffered more from the effects of the war than any other Northern State, and the consequent disarrangement of traveling facilities, the removal or destruction of county records, the disruption and disorganization of religious and edu cational societies, rendered the task of collecting reliable information neither pleasant nor satisfactory.

The most careful observer and candid writer cannot, in making tours through a State, give as full and reliable details respecting many important matters as the reader would desire in a standard work ; hence the author has not relied solely upon his personal observations, but sought, from the best available authority in every de partment, the testimony and experience of practical men. Special articles have been prepared for this work on Geology, Mineralogy, Grape Culture, Wine-making, Hemp Culture, Mineral and Agricultural Resources, Timber, Trees, etc., by persons who were believed to be most competent authority in those several departments.

PREFACE.

. XI It has been the aim of the writer to address himself to the general intelligence of the educated, observing, and thinking men — to state facts as to the location and character of our various soils and minerals — to describe the resources and advantages of the State, rather than to in dulge in theoretical speculations. Of course it is impossible for perfect accuracy to be obtained in a work of this description; for, while the au thor has left one portion of the State with correct statistics to that date, and is visiting other sections, new towns spring up, and older ones grow apace. For instance, Chillicothe is reported to have built 300 and Mexico 200 new dwellings and business houses within the past twelve months. The same is true of other portions of the State. Virgil City is so new as not to be located upon any map — only four months old, and now numbers twenty dwellings, a steam saw-mill, hotel, stores, brick machines, etc., with prospects so extensive that the projectors have lo cated the plat in two counties — partly in Cedar and Vernon Counties.

Western people who build towns in this manner, who construct railroads at a rate of from three to five miles per day, do not stand still to be photo graphed, nor care one iota how rapidly they outstrip the statistician's estimates of their business or population. However, from the pains taken, this work is believed to contain very few errors, and none of great importance. Travelers or citizens who may notice mistakes or omis-

PREFACE.

. sions will confer a favor by reporting the same to the author, at St. Louis, by mail, that future editions may be as nearly accurate as possible. To the press of the State, for universal courtesy and co-operation, and to those who have given encouraging notices in advance ; to the several railroad companies, for traveling facilities for visiting points along their lines, and to the many citizens who have done their State good service by contributing information for this work, the author would return his grateful acknowledgments. And here the writer feels called upon to express his gratitude to a generous public for the very liberal patronage bestowed upon his six previous publications on Western States and Territories. Imperfect as have been his labors, his motives have been appreciated, and the census statistics for the past decade indicate that published information has no unfavorable results upon the increase of the population or wealth of the West.

This work is submitted to the public as it is, with the promise of a better, if it is demanded. If the author has succeeded in representing "Missouri as it is in 1867" — if his task shall tend to throw a light over the immigrant's path, to direct intelligent labor and capital where there is unlimited and remunerative demands — if this work shall serve to eradicate or lessen whatever of misconcep tion or of prejudice may have existed in the minds of strangers — if, as the fruit of his labors, the author shall

PREFACE.

. XIII be able to place Missouri before the world in her true light, and to assign to her that lofty rank among the States which she must attain and forever hold — he will feel that he has not fallen short of the elevated goal of his ambition, and, in the consciousness of duty fulfilled, will reap a golden reward. N. H. P. CONTENTS. PAOI Historical Epochs of the Mississippi Valley 17 General View of Missouri 20 Topography of Eastern and Western Missouri compared 22 The Submerged Lands of Missouri 30 Outline History 39 Population of Missouri from 1821 to 1860 inclusive 51 Education 53 Table — Showing number and kind of School-houses, number of Children in Schools, and the Radical and Conservative Vote in each County, in March, 1866 54, 55 Railways in Missouri 57 Distances by Railroads in Missouri 59 Table of River Distances 60 Elevations in Missouri 61 Climate 62 Table — Showing the order of leafing of Trees, Shrubs, etc., in Missouri... 63 Grape Culture in Missouri 64-95 Making Wine 89 Vine Culture 94 The Lead R,egion of Southwest Missouri — Granby 95 The Granite and Kaolins of Southeast Missouri 101 The Grand River Country 103 Geology 109 The Mineral Resources of Missouri 140 CONTENTS.

PAGE Building Materials in Missouri 149 Springs in Missouri 154 Agricultural Resources of Missouri 155 Timber and Trees of Missouri 159 Catalogue of Trees and Shrubs observed in Missouri 161 Public Lands 169 The Homestead Law 175 Description of Counties 177—418 Introduction of Steam Navigation upon Western Rivers 419 The Emancipation Ordinance 424 Constitution of the State of Missouri ILLUSTRATED HISTORICAL GAZETTEER OF MISSOURI.