History of Clay County, Missouri

Preface

This history of Clay County has been compiled from three sources, printed and oral, which were deemed authentic and reliable, and from personal observation. No apocryphal event has been recorded, nor questionable story attempted to be preserved. Gleanings from unquestioned truthful printed history have been freely made. The public archives in Washington City have been in requisition, and from the writings of Mr. Jefferson more than excerpts have been taken therefrom.

The Editor has been a resident of Clay County for more than half a century which is more than half of the time since the County has had an existence, and has had not only the acquaintanceship, but in many instances the friendship of a number of the original settlers. Not a few of these men had vivid recollections of events occurring in the County from the very earliest days down to the time when they took delight in giving information to the writer, who was invariably a receptive listener. To him no entertainment was preferable than to have the privilege of listening to such men as John Wilson, "Marse" Fountain Waller, John Bronaugh, James, Alvin and Foster Means nan-ate true incidents, stories of the early days in Clay County. James Means lived continuously on the same farm from infancy to very old age, yet he lived during that time in three different counties — Howard, Ray and Clay.

Had not the Editor a predisposition to observe and retain historical facts, he certainly must have in the course of fifty years absorbed, at least, a modicum of historical events.

Liberty, Mo., December 21, 1920. The Editor.

This Volume, in Token of Friendship That Endures, is Dedicated to the Memory of Hon. D. C. Allen, Who, During a period of more than Sixty Years of Mature Life, did more for the Welfare of the People of Clay Co^cnty, than any other Man who ever Lived within its Borders, But whose Fidelity and Services were never Appreciated, and died, 'Unwept, Unhori/- ored and Unsung." — W. H. W.

Index

Aker, Lee R 589

Alpine Ice Company, The 682

Anderson, Henry D 620

Ashley, Dr. Madison A 663

Atliins, Roy G 766

Bainbridge, D. P 1 599

Baird, Dr. J. Ed 630

Baldwin, G. T 765

Balkey, William B 691

Barnes, W. P 724

Bates, R. L. 638

Benson, Alanzo W 587

Bergman, Axel F. 64S

Best, Zack M 684

Bethune, J. Byron 617

Bevins, David M. . 601

Bigham, Charles R 690

Black, E. B 390

Black, E. L 391

Blevins, John M 454

Bogart, Dr. Thomas N 614

Boggess, Owen J 553

Bollinger, P. J 649

Borgmier, Bernard S 598

Boyd, John K., Jr 577

Boyer, Moses E 729

Brigham, William D 735

Bronaugh. David Thomas 452

Brooks, Eugene A 571

Brooks, Van W 554

Buchta, M. E. 650

Camron, E. F. 701

Campbell, Arch A 732

Campbell, Laura A 374

Capps, Ernest L 771

Carlyle, Arthur and Lank 529

Carpenter, Walter 458

Carson, James P 528

Gates, James L. A 531

Citizens Bank of Liberty, The 349

Clardy, Oswald B. 467

Clark, Robert J 748

Clay County State Bank 696

Clutter, Ross H 513

Cockrell, J. J 711

Coen, John William 621

Cole, S. B 648

Collins, Andy W 604

Commercial Bank of Liberty, The 352

Compton, George Thomas 447

Conley, Daniel 518

Connell, Robert H 503

Cooley, Frederick Earl 478

Cooley, Herbert M 472

Cooper, G. G 750

Coppinger, Charles Henry 369

Coppinger, John Claude 358

Corbin, B. B 359

Coston, Aubrey H. 775

Craven, William A. 669

Creason, William D 774

Crowley, Prank T 741

Crowley, John 740

Dagg, Dr. Hiram McElroy 540

Daily and Dugan 404

Dale. P. M 428

Darby, Archibald Logan 776

Davidson, James Oscar 720

Davidson, L. A 362

Davis, P. M. 693

Deaton, Charles N 572

Denny. Earl 547

Doniphan, P. D 643

Donovan, Claude N 377

Donovan, Luke E 490

Dorsett, L. T 348

Dougherty, Capt, Lewis B 351

Dresslaer, Lewis E 707

Dudfield, Alvin 624

Duncan. Andrew 653

Duncan, William 702

Eby, John A. 668

Ecton, George T 557

Edwards, Richard W 413

Edwards, Prof. Ward 401

Elgin, Joseph M 773

Emmke, John 667

Evans, Dr. David Jones 338

Evans, J. McGee 721

E^vans, Joseph L. 608

Farmers Bank of Snaithville 517

First National Bank, The 343

Fish, C. W 631

Flanders, Ella Jean 700

Pox, Dan H 652

Prazier, John C 434

Frick. George W 422

Gabbert, Melvin M 432

Gaines, Dr. John J 662

Gentry, Oliver P 384

Glasscock, A. B 473

Gordon. Thomas C 444

Gordon, Baylis Thornton 688

Gragg, John 493

Greene, Dr. John Priest 671

Greenfield, Samuel C 610

Griffin, E. P 582

Gross, A. W 738

Hall, E. P 398

Hall, Rice Emmett 497

Hall, George T 480

Hallissy, William E 410

Hamel, Philip E., Jr 522

Harbaugh, Robert h 541

Hardwicke, Claude 388

Harlin, J. W 710

Hart, James Moore 768

Hart. John N 764

Hayes, B. P 364

Haynes, Henry 402

Heathman, E. P 600

Heifner, James P 491

Henderson, Thomas H 609

Hessel, Fred 602

Hessel, Louis 607

Hey, William 538

Hicks, Leonard N 420

Hodge, P. D 463

Holloway, E. W 742

Holt, Thomas J. 767

Hope, Herbert T 640

Hoy, William 692

Hudelmeyer, John 474

Hughes, James 451

Hulse, Jefferson N. 574

Hulse, Landie R 706

Hummel, John 368

Irminger, James Philip 394

Irminger, R. H 597

Irminger, William 394

Isenbour, William 527

Isley, Dr. Lafayette 672

Jackson, O. A 677

Jamison, Ed. ._ 512

Jones, John B 682

Jones, Rev. Allen Bailey 745

Karr, Judge John W.._l 757

Kenyon, Robert L 492

Killgore. Charles M 588

Kimbrell, Henry 442

Kindred, Charles W 558

King, John 680

King, Hubert Earl 549

Kirkland. E. E. 354

Kirschner. John J 470

Knighton, Claude P 460

Laffoon, Edgar 737

Laipple, John 370

Lancaster, Ambrose 499

Lancaster, John Samuel— 500

Lancaster, Leslie 754

Lancaster, Lewis R 754

Leavell, L. W 611

Lewis, John S 670

Ligon, Charles L 464

Ligon, W. P 382

Lightburne, Marcus Lee 713

Linden Bank, The 487

Long, G. W 529

Loughrey, Hugh R 719

Lownian, Alfred O 561

McConnell, Thomas William 733

McCrorey, Norman G. 763

McDavid Brothers 697

McKee, Charles 760

.McRorey. W. T 628

Mace. John H 477

Macken, Alonzo E 424

Macken, William E 470

Major, Dr. Herman S 341

Major, Dr. Ralph Herman 351

Major, .lohn Sleet 339

Major, Rev. John Sleet 342

Manley, Walter 371

Martin, James T 533

Massey, Richard M 644

Matthews, Dr. Francis Holmes 414

Mereness, George H 728

Mereness, James H 704

Meservey, B. M 623

Meservey, W. H 622

Minter, Rolbert Lee 715

Minter. James R 752

Mitchell, Samuel H 761

Miller, Dr. Enoch H 770

Missouri City Banking Company, The 488

Moberly, William Elisha l'>i>

Montgomery, John A 727

Moore, Captain Harris L 641

Moore, Charles M. 419

Moore, Edward D ■. 373

Morgan, L. M 573

Morton, John S 618

Mosby State Bank, The 751

Munkirs, Washington E 7r)l

Musgrave, Dr. John E. 660

National Bank of North Kansas City,

The 472

Nail, Edgar 498

Nave, Harry 723

Newlee, John M 340

Norton, William F 399

Nutter, Trigg L 372

Pack, R. W. 674

Paradise, Bank of. u83

Paradise, William F 412

Patterson, Joseph M., Jr 712

Peters, Garnett M 407

Pence, Charles 501

Pence, Gilbert 734

Petty, Beverly B 708

Petty, George W ' 67S

Petty, Oscar :\I 427

Pigg, B. L. 483

Plxlee, Benjamin F 381

Pixlee, Peter C 378

Plxlee, William Thomas 737

Porter, George Raymond 717

Portwood, Elijah 731

Preston, Hugh H 524

Prewitt, Prank 471

Pryor, John Walter 430

Reynolds, George W 532

Rhodus, John Dan 762

Rice, Dr. James T 661

Rice, William C 590

Ritchey, George S 539

Robb, John P 429

Rogers, Thomas Benton, Jr 443

Rollins, Frank P 560

Rollins, William Penn 562

Rothwell, Dr. John Hughes 344

Rowe, Marvin L 659

Rowell, Samuel J 637

Scott, Judge J. W 544

Scott, James R 494

Scott, Martin A 588

Shannon, William P 755

Shaw, C. G 521

Shelton, Doniphan S 633

Shelton, Judge Alonzo H 632

Shelton, Merriman 696

Silvers, Harry L 664

Simmons and Sons, Willis 725

Simrall, Ernest G 361

Simrall, James S 360

Sissom, Lonzo P 367

Sisk, W. C 647

Smith, Samuel H 612

Smjthville. Bank of 551

Snapp, James W 694

Snyder, Walter 684

Squires, E. A. 403

Stark, William J 519

Stepp, James M 716

Steenstry, Frank W 469

Stollings. David Y 484

Stollings, John S 411

Stephens, R. T 627

Stewart, J. T. 584

Street, Sidney 482

Suddurth, Dr. Charles H 594

Sullivan, Judge James W 736

Swan, George E 363

Taul. John T 654

Taul. Robert C 591

Tapp, C. C 654

Thomas, B - 627

Thomas. J. E 634

Thomas, Isaac BViJs 488

Thomas. W. M 523

Thomason, J. W 383

Thomason, Marcellus S 705

Thomason, Samuel N 651

Thompson, Allen M. 580

Tindall, H. Clay 639

Trimble, W. L 393

Vance, Willis L 568

Venrick, James M 658

Vest, Albert 448

Vest, Robert D 709

Wagner, George W 504

Waller, Judge Joe B 579

Waller, Sylvanus B 699

Wallis, Robert H 759

Wason, James D 421

Watkins, Adoniran Judson..- 769

Watkins, John H 742

Wherritt, Alan P 542

Williams, Daniel W 570

Williams, Francis Marion.. : 461

Williams, G. K 681

Williams, John 550

Williams, Sidney J 552

Williams, William 431

Willmott, William Canby 357

Wilson, Cyrus D 439

Winn. William Newton 440

Withers, Robert S. 507

Withers, Webster 438

Woods, John B 514

Woods. Henry A. 534

Wornall, Tom, Jr. 389

Wren, Oscar M 437

Wubbenhorst, Hiram L 689

Wubbenhorst. John H 726

Wymore, Colonel Doniphan 449

Yates, O. P 578

Young, James W 567

Chapter I. Louisiana Purchase

DISCOVERY BY LA SALLE— FRENCH TERRITORY— CEDED TO SPAIN IN 1762 — BACK TO FRANCE IN 1800— PRESIDENT JEFFERSON OPENS NEGOTIATIONS THROUGH LIVINGSTON AND MADISON— PURCHASED FROM NAPOLEON IN 1803 FOR $15,000,000— JEFFERSON'S FORESIGHT— "HEADS OF CONSIDERATION" —CONSEQUENCES OF CESSION AND GUARANTEE— FORMAL POSSESSION BT THE ITNITED STATES 65-72

Chapter II. Organization Of County

UNDER TERRITORIAL ACT— CLAY COUNTY FORMED IN 1822— COUNTY SEAT SELECTED— REDUCED TO ITS PRESENT LIMITS IN 1833— TWO ORIGINAL TOWNSHIPS— PERMANENT SETTLERS — IMMIGRATION — OLD FRANKLIN — TOPOGRAPHY— ACT CREATING CLAY COUNTY— CLASS OF CITIZENS— FROM BECK'S GAZETEBR— EARLY INDUSTRIES— FIRST ROAD— PIONEER SCHOOLS- TEACHERS' INSTITUTE ORGANIZED 73-84

Chapter III. Early Courts And Elections

FIRST COUNTY COURT— A COURT INCIDENT— ROADS ESTABLISHED— OFFICIALS APPOINTED— TAX LIST— FIRST ELECTION— SIMON COCKRELL— SECOND TERM — FIRST PATROL— FIRST CIRCUIT COURT— OFFICERS — JURORS — FIRST PER- SON HANGED IN CLAY COUNTY— "THE RING TAILED PAINTER"— COURT HOUSE — JAIL— OTHER ROADS ESTABLISHED— TOWNSHIPS CREATED— FER- RIES ESTABLISHED— SLAVE AND OTHER VALUES — STEAMBOATING— AN ATTEMPTED MURDER— A DOUBLE HANGING^A REVIEW OF THE EARLY DAYS 85-97

Chapter IV. Indian Troubles

J'KOXnilTY OF INDIANS— THE VASSER FAMILY— INDIANS AT McELWEE'S PLACE —MARTIN PALMER— A FIGHT WITH INDIANS— TWO INDIANS KILLED— BLACK HAWK WAR— TROOPS ORGANIZED— AHE "HETHERLY WAR" 98-103

Chapter V. Mexican War

DECLARATION OF WAR— PRESIDENT CALLS FOR 50.000 VOLUNTEERS— PLAN OF CAMPAIGN— MISSOURI REGIMENT— COMPANY C FROM CLAY COUNTY— ROSTER —FACTS ABOUT SOME OF THE OFFICERS AND MEN— COLONEL DONIPHAN IN COMMAND— OTHER OFFICERS— DONIPHAN'S EXPEDITION— MUSTERED OUT OF SERVICE— NECROLOGY'— HOME COMING RECEPTION— POLITICAL EFFECT.

104-112

Chapter VI. Events Prior To The Civil War

POLITICAL CAMPAIGN OF 1840— CLAY'S PREDICTION— CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION OP 1846— ELECTION OF 1845— GREAT FLOOD OF 1844— PRICES IN 1846— DIS- COVERY OF GOLD IN CALIFORNIA— SOME CLAY COUNTY 49ERS— CHOLERA- NECROLOGY— POLITICAL QUESTIONS OF 1850— MEETINGS HELD— QUESTION OF SLAVERY— KNOW NOTHING PARTY— ITS PLATFORM— TROUBLES IN KAN- SAS—PRO SLAVERY AND FREE STATE AGITATION— KANSAS ELECTION- PRO SLAVERY MEN ORGANIZED— MEN AND MEANS FURNISHED TO MAKE KANSAS A SLAVE STATE— RAILROAD BUILDING — POLITICAL CONDITIONS IN 1860 113-122

Chapter VII. Civil War Period

BEGINNING OF WAR— ARSENAL IN CLAY COUNTY SEIZED— ARMS AND AMMUNITION TAKEN— MASS MEETING AT LIBERTY— COMPANIES ORGANIZED— GOVERNOR ISSUES ORDERS — THE ROCK CREEK AFFAIR— TROOPS TO LEXINGTON- FIGHT AT BOONVILLE— CARTHAGE— BATTLE OF WILSON'S CREEK— SIEGE OF LEXINGTON— BLUE MILLS LANDING— FIGHT SOUTH OF LIBERTY— LEGIS- LATURE MEETS AT NEOSHO— FEDERAL TROOPS AT LIBERTY— STATE GOV- ERNMENT REORGANIZED— SOLDIERS AT LIBERTY— CONSERVATIVE UNION MEN— RAID ON MISSOURI CITY— BUSHWHACKERS— ORDER NO. 11— RAIDS BY BUSHWHACKERS.— END OF WAR 123-137

Chapter VIII. After The Civil War

DRAKE CONSTITUTION— CLu\.Y COUNTY SAVINGS ASSOCIATION ROBBED— DIS- FRANCHISEMENT— DEMOCHATS SUPPORT B. GRATZ BROWN FOR GOVERNOR —HOW THE NEGRO VOTE WAS SECURED— RESULT— THE WOODSON-McCARTY SENATORIAL, CAMPAIGN— RAILROADS— GRASSHOPPER YEAR — POLITICAL ISSUES AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS— INDUSTRIES— VALUATION— ELECllON OF 1920 — DEMOCRATS CARRY CLjVY COUNTY 138-147

Chapter IX. Liberty Township

PRESENT BOUNDARIES— TOPOOHAPHY— WATER SUPPLY"- FIRST SETTLERS- OTHER SETTLERS— LIBERTY LANDING — LITTLE SHOAL CREEK BAPTIST CHURCH — PROVIDENCE MISSIONARY' BAPTIST CHURCH 148-150

Chapter X. Liberty

TOWN SITE ON LAND OF JOHN OWENS — COUNTY SEAT SELECTED— FIRST SALE OF TOWN LOTS— FIRST HOTEL AND STORES— TOWN INCORPOR.\TED— LIB- ERTY IN 1846— REINCORPORATED IN 1861- EARLY INDUSTRIES— WATER AND LIGHT— LODGES— CHURCHES— SCHOOLS — URBAN LAKE— ODD FELLOWS HOME ADVANTAGES OF LIBERTY— PROGRESS 151-167

Chapter XI. Fishing River Township

LOCATION— SOIL— FIRST SETTbliMENT— EARLY SETTLERS— MISSOURI CITY— EX- CELSIOR SPRINGS— WILLIAMS' LANDING— FLOOD OF 1844— ST. BERNARD— TRAGEDIES— LODGES— CHURCHES 167-172

Chapter XII. Excelsior Springs

DISCOVERY OF SPRINGS— J. V. B. FLACK— FIRST HOUSE— RAPID GROWTH— VIL- LAGE INCORPORATED— FIRST OFFICERS— A FAMOUS RESORT— HOTELS- PARKS AND DRIVEWAY— MORE THAN TWENTY SPRINGS— MINERAL PROP- ERTIES OF WATER— REGENT SPRINGS— SILOAM SPRINGS — BATHING— GOLF CLUB AND COURSE— AN UP-TO-DATE TOWN— PUBLIC UTILITIES AND PRIVATE ENTERPRISES— AMUSEMENTS AND RECREATIONS— PUBLIC SCHOOLS__173-18S

Chapter XIII. Gallatin Township

LOCATION — DRAINAGE — ONE OF THE ORIGINAL TOWNSHIPS — SETTLED IN 1822— VILLAGES— BARRY, FIRST AN INDIAN TRADING POST— HARLEM— MOSCOW— RANDOLPH— NORAH KANSAS CITY— EARLY CHURCHES 189-192

Chapter XIV Platte Township

LOCATION AND BOUNDARIES— PHYSICAL FEATURES— GOOD FARMS— EARLY SET- TLERS— "yANKEE" SMITH— OTHER SETTLERS— TOWNSHIP CREATED FROM GALLATIN IN 1827— ORIGINAL BOUNDARIES— FIRST OFFICERS AND ELEC- TIONS — ELM GROVE. FIRST POST OFFICE— CIVIL WAR TRAGEDIES— PIONEER CHURCHES— SMITHVILLE—GOSNEYVILLE 193-200

Chapter XVIII Organized Medicine In Clay County

By John Joseph Gaines, M.D., Secretary.

FOUNDED IN 18B4— SECOND OLDEST IN THE STATE— EARLY MEETINGS— QUALIFI- CATION FOR MEMBERSHIP— OBJECTS— MEMBERSHIP FEE— FIRST OFFICERS —INVENTION AND DISCOVERY INVITED— CIVIL WAR— INTEREST— IN THE. WORLD WAR— "EVERY MAN A VOLUNTEER"— DISTINGUISHED SERVICE- SERVICE AT HOME — AUXILIARY DEFENSE COMMITTEE— NECROLOGY OF MEMBERS — DOCAOR ALLEN— PRESENT OFFICERS 223-230

Chapter XIX Road Building

NEED OF GOOD ROADS — MOVEMENT IN CLAY COUNTY IN 1916 — $1,250,000.00 BONDS VOTED— WORK DELAYED BY WORLD WAR— COL. E. M. STAYTON IN CHARGE —WORK ACCOMPLISHED AND IN PROGRESS— HOW THE FEDERAL GOVERN- MENT AND STATE COOPERATES IN GOOD ROADS BUILDING 231-236

Chapter XX Daughters Of The American Revolution

ALEXANDER DONIPHAN CHAPTER.

By Mrs. Robert S. Withers.

OBJECT— ORGANIZED IN 1909— COU ALEXANDER DONIPHAN— ACTIVITIES— MEM- BERS HONORED BY STATE ORGANIZATION— WORLD WAR WORK— ACTIVE RESIDENT MEMBERS^NON-RESIDENT MEMBERS— TRANSFERRED TO OTHER CHAPTERS— WITHDRAWN— DECEASED 237-242

Chapter XXI The Press

"THE PAR WEST" FOXWDED IN 1836— 'THE WESTERN JOURNAL"— "THH LIBERTY BANNER"— "THE WESTERN PIONEER"— "THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM"— "CLAY COUNTY FLAG"— "LIBERTY WEEKLY UNION"— "THE CLAY COUNTY DEMOCRAT"— "RICHFIELD MONITOR"— "THE SENTINEL"— "THE KEARNEY CLIPPER"— "THE LIBERTY TRIBUNE '—"THE LIBERTY ADVANCE"— "THE EX- CELSIOR DAILY CALL"— "EXCELSIOR SPRINGS STANDARD"— "CHRISTIAN UNION HERALD"— "CLAY COUNTY DEMOCRAT"— "CLAY COUNTY RUSTLER"— "CLAY COUNTY NEWS" 243-244

Chapter XXII. The Mormons

MORMON INFLUX TO JACKSON COUNTY IN 1832— TROUBLE IN JACKSON COUNTY- TOOK REFUGE IN CLAY AND OTHER COUNTIES- HOSTILITIES AGAINST MOR- MONS—MORMONS ARMED— FORCES CONCENTRATED AT FAR WEST— STATE MILITIA CALLED OUT— GENERAL DONIPHAN IN COMMAND^— MORMONS SUR- RENDER—JOE SMITH .-YND OTHER LEADERS INDICTED— IN JAIL AT LIBERTY —LEADERS SAVED BY' DONIPHAN— GOVERNOR BOGGS MURDERED— MOR- MONS REMAIN AWAY FROM STATE FOR FIFTY' YEARS— AT INDEPENDENCE.

245-248

Chapter XXIII. The James Boys

NATIVES OF THIS COUNTY— FATHER, REV. ROBERT JAMES, DIED IN CALIFORNIA —MOTHER'S SUBSEQUENT MARRIAGES— FRANK JOINS CONFEDERATE ARMY- CAPTURED AND PAROLED— AGAIN ARRESTED— ESCAPES AND BECOMES A GUERILLA— RAIDS— MOTHER ARRESTED BY FEDERALS- JESSE "WENT TO THE BUSH"— TWICE WOUNDED— CAREERS OF BRIGANDAGE— PURSUIT KEPT UP BY LOCAL OFFICERS— PINKERTON DETECTIVE AND DANIEL ASKEW KILLED— END OF CAREERS— LITTLE KNOWN IN CLAY COUNTY 249-254

Chapter XXIV. The World War

PKKSIDENT WILSON— AMERICAN PATRIOTISM— SUMMARY OF WAR— PERSONNEL OP LOCAL DRAFT BOARD— ROSTER OP SOLDIERS AND SAILORS FROM CLAT COUNTY-NECROLOGY— HONOR ROLL OF GOLD STARS— AMERICAN EFFORT IN THE WORLD WAR— ACHIEVEMENAS OP AMERICAN TROOPS 255-275

Chapter XXV. The Clay County Council Of Defense

(By Robert S. VVJthers.)

RAPIDITY OF RESPONSE— COUNSEL OF DEFENSE CREATED BY CONGRESS — WAR DECLARED— GOVERNOR GARDNER CALLS MEETING — CLAY COUNTY REPRE- SENTATIVES — PURPOSE AND DUTIES— MEMBERS 276-278

Chapter XXVI. Clay County Woman's Committee Council Of National

DEFENSE.

(By Mrs. Robert S. Withers.)

WOMAN'S PART IN THE WAR— WOMAN'S DIVISION OF MISSOURI ORGANIZED— REGISTRATION— FAMILY ENROLLMENT— LUNCHEON AT LIBERTY— PROGRAM —FOOD CONSERVATION — CHILD WELFARE WORK— WORK OF TRAINING CAMP ACTIVITIES COMMITTEEJ— WAR SAVINGS AND LIBERTY IX)AN CAM- PAIGNS—MISCELLANEOUS ACTIVITIES— TOWNSHIP CHAIRMEN— TOWN CHAIR- MEN—COUNTY DEPARTMENTAL CHAIRMEN— FOOD CONSERVATION— CHILD WELFARE — RED CROSS — LIBERTY' LOAN— TRAINING CAMP ACTIVITIES — PATRIOTIC EDUCATION AND AMERICANIZATION— REGISTRATION 279-291

Chapter XXVII. Clay County Chapter, American Red Cross

FIRST WAR FUND DRIVE— ORGANIZATION FORMED IN CLAY COUNTY— OFFICERS OF CLAY COUNTY— CHAIRMEN— WAR FUND AND MEMBERSHIP CAMPAIGNS- RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES — PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT — CANTEEN WORK — HOME SERVICE SECTION — DOCTORS FROM CLAY COUNTY WITH ARMY AND NAVY— DENTISTS— VETERINARIES— STUDENT DOCTORS— NURS- ING DEPARTMENT JUNIOR RED CROSS— NEGRO AUXILIARY 292-309

Chapter XXVIII Some Clay County And Missouri Events

SOME DATES OF DISCOVERY, SETTLEMENT AND PROGRESS OF MISSOURI AND ANNALS OF CLAY' COUNTY, MISSOURI 310-327

Chapter XXIX Officials From The Organization Of Clay County

CONVENTION DELEGATES — STATE SENATORS — REPRESENTATIVES — CIRCUIT COURT JUDGES— PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS— JUDGES OF PROBATE— COUNTY COURT JUDGES— COUNTY CLERKS— SHERIFFS— CIRCUIT COURT CLERKS- COLLECTORS OF COUNTY REVENUE— COUNTY ASSESSORS— COUNTY TREAS- URERS—COUNTY SURVEYORS— RECORDERS OF DEEDS— COUNTY COMMISSION- ERS OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS — CORONERS— RESIDENT ATTORNEYS— EARLY LAVl'YERS 328-337

Index To Illustrations

Blevins, John M 455

Bogart, Dr. Thomas N : 615

Bridge Across Smith's Fork 193

Brooks, Van. W 555

Cam,pbell, Laura A. 375

Collins, Residence of Andy W 605

Court House, Clay County 65

Daily and Dugan 405

Dudfield, Alvin 625

Early Day Transportation 136

Elms Hotel. Excelsior Springs 176

Evans, David Jones 338

Ford, M. S. and Grandson 565

Frazier, John C 435

Frazier, Mrs. John C 435

Garage, Day and Night, Excelsior

Springs 665

Gashland Lumber Company 525

Gentry, O. P 385

Gordon, Thomas C 445

Hayes, B. P 365

High School, Excelsior Springs 184

Hudelmyer, Mr. and Mrs. John and

Grandson 475

Hulse, J. N 575

Hulse, Mrs. J. N 575

Irminger, James Philip 395

Jail at Liberty, Old 65

Kearney Public School 168

Kirkland, E. E. 355

Ligon, Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. and

Son 465

Macken, Albert and Elizabeth J 425

Massey, R. M 645

Mexican War Veterans 104

Odd Fellows' Home 152

Pack, R. W 675

Pioneer Home 120

Pioneer Motor Power 120

Post Office, Excelsior Springs 176

Public Library, Excelsior Springs 184

Rothwell, Dr. John H 345

Scott, James R 495

Scott, Judge J. W. 545

Smithville Public School 193

Snyder, Walter 685

Steamboating, in 1860 80

Stewart, J. T 585

StoUings, David Y 485

Suddarth, Dr. C. H 595

Tapp, Mr. and Mrs. C. C 655

Thomas, J. E 635

Thomas, Mrs. J. E 635

View from Missouri City 168

Wagner, Mr. and Mrs. George W 505

William Jewell College, Campus 216

William Jewell College, Jewell Hall- 224 William Jewell College, Science Hall 216

Woods, John B 515

Woods, Mr. and Mrs. Henry A 535

OLD JAIL AT LIBKRTV, MO., WHLKIO JOSKPH S.MITH WAS INCARCKKATKI) I.\ 1S37

Chapter I. Louisiana Purchase

DISCOVERY BY LA SALLE— FRENCH TERRITORY— CEDED TO SPAIN IN 1762— BACK TO FRANCE IN 1800- PRESIDENT JEFFERSON OPENS NEGOTIATIONS THROUGH LIVINGSTON AND MADISON— PURCHASED FROM NAPOLEON IN 1803 FOR $15,000.000 — JEFFERSON'S FORESIGHT — "HEADS OF CONSIDERATION" — CONSEQUENCES OF CESSION AND GUARANTEE — FORMAL POSSESSION BY THE UNITED STATES.

The ownership of the territory, known as the Louisiana Purchase, was not asserted until LaSalle, in 1682, took possession of that country, in the name of his sovereign, Louis XIV, King of France, and in whose honor he named the province, Louisiana. That part of Louisiana lying west of the Mississippi river was, in 1762, ceded to Spain, and from that time until 1800, Spain held undisputed sovereignty over the whole of the Louisiana province. For years during the latter part of the seventeenth century, and for more than a decade in the early part of the eighteenth century, all Europe, and America, were caldrons of wars, rumors of wars, contention and diplomacy. The most powerful single personality of modem days, the greatest soldier since Caesar, the most astute and adroit diplomat of all time. Napoleon Bonaparte, was at the zenith of his glory, and wonderful career, and was panoplied with such power the greater part of this period as to cause the gi-eater part of Europe to quake with fear for its safety, and America, especially the United States — then in its infancy — to be not a little concerned for its safety and pei^petuity.

Jealous of the increasing activities of England and Spain in America, Napoleon compelled Spain into a treaty, known as the Treaty of Ildefonso, October 1, 1800, by which Spain ceded to France, all the territory known as Louisiana, west of the Mississippi. Although this result had been accomplished during the most tumultous and exceedingly dangerous times, yet this treaty had been kept a secret for three years, still not sufficiently so that Thomas Jefferson — then President — did not fail to get an inkling that such a treaty had been consummated, and he determined on prompt action to secure, if possible, the province of Louisiana, deeming such acquisition as not only absolutely necessary to protect the integrity and safety of his country, but to prevent impending war, and, also, by so doing succeeded in extending the confines of his own country. Robert Livingston was the American minister to France, and to him was promptly sent instructions to make known to that govenmient that the United States would insist upon the free navigation of the Mississippi, and that the occupation, by tlie French government, of New Orleans, would bring about a conflict between the two nations, which would culminate in armed rupture; that it was the part of \visdom, as well as diplomacy, for the two countries to remain on peaceable and friendly terms; that the United States government desired peace with all nations; that the occupancy of New Orleans might oblige the United States to make common cause with England, France's bitterest, and, apparently, implacable enemy; that to avoid such a step, the government of the United States would purchase the province of Louisiana.

James Madison was authorized by Mr. Jefferson, the President, to assist Mr. Livingston in this negotiation with France, which proved successful, and on the 29th day of December, 1803, the flag of this country floated over the City of New Orleans; the territory having been pur- •chased from France at a cost of only $15,000,000. Thus was added to our domain all the territory known as the Louisiana province.

From the time the Colonies won their independence from Great Britain, to 1803, the United States was bounded on the North by Canada — a province of Great Britain; on the East by the Atlantic ocean; on the South by Florida — a province of Spain, and the Gulf of Mexico; on the West by Louisiana — a province of France; contentious, belligerous nations, implacable enemies, virtually surrounding an infant govenrment, without a navy to protect her seaboard.

The dangers of such a condition as early as 1790, had been seen by Mr. Jefferson, for he then indicted certain secret obsei-vations, not elaborating them, but in epitome, which abound in much historic value, and of much interest. In the archives in Washington, D. C, are many of the books, and papers of Thomas Jefferson, bought by Congress at large expense, from v/hich has been secured excerpts from what Mr. Jefferson termed "Heads of Consideration," as follows:

Heads of Consideration on the Conduct we are to Observe in the War between Spain and Great Britain, and Particularly should the Latter attempt the Conquest of Louisiana and the Floridas.

The dangers to us, should Great Britain possess herself of those countries :

She will possess a temtory equal to half ours beyond the Mississippi.

She will i-educe that half of ours which is on this side of the Mississippi: By her language, laws, religion, manners, government, commerce, capital; by the possession of New Orleans, which draws to it the dependence of all the waters of the Mississippi; by the markets she can offer them in the Gulf of Mexico and elsewhere.

She will take from the remaining part of our States the markets they now have for their produce; by furnishing those markets cheaper with the same articles, tobacco, rice, indigo, bread, lumber, arms, naval stores, furs.

She will have then possessions double the size of ours, as good in soil and climate.

She will encircle us completely, by these possessions on our land-board, and her fleets on our sea-board. Instead of two neighbors balancing each other, we shall have one more than the strength of both.

Would the prevention of this be worth a war?

Consider our abilities to take part in a war. Our operations would be by land only. How many men should we employ? — their cost? Our resources of taxation and credit equal to this.

Weigh the evil of this new accumulation of debt against the loss of markets, and eternal expense and danger from so overgrown a neighbor.

But this supposition that France, as well as Spain, shall be engaged in the war; for with Spain alone, the war would be unsuccessful, and our situation rendered worse.

No need to take a part in the war as yet. We may choose our own time. Delay gives us many chances to avoid it altogether.

In such a choice of objects, Great Britain may not single out Louisiana and the Floridas. She may fail in her attempt on them. France and Spain may recover them.

If all these chances fail, we should have to re-take them. The difference between retaking and preventing, overbalanced by the benefits of delay. Delay enables us to be better prepared to obtain from the allies a price for our assistance.

Suppose these our ultimate views, what is to be done at this time?

1. As to Spain:

If she be as sensible as we are, that she cannot save Louisiana and the Floridas, might she not prefer their independence to their subjection to Great Britain. Does not the proposition of the Count d'Estaing furnish us an opening to communicate our ideas on this subject to the court of France, and through them to that of Madrid, and our readiness to join them in guaranteeing the independence of those countries? This might save us from a war, if Great Britain I'espected our weight in a war; and if she does not, the object would place the war on popular ground with us.

2. As to England:

That as to the treaty of commerce, we would prefer amicable to adversary arrangements, though the latter would be infallible, and in our power; that our ideas are, that such a ti-eaty should be found in perfect reciprocity, and would, therefore, be its own price; that as to an alliance, we can say nothing till its object be shown, and that it is not to be inconsistent with existing engagements; that in the e\'ent of a war between Great Britain and Spain, we are disposed to be strictly neutral; that, however, we should view with extreme uneasiness any attempts of either power to seize the possessions of the other on our frontier, as we consider our own safety interested in a due balance between our neighbors (It might be deemed advantageous to express this latter sentiment, because, if there be any difference of opinion in their councils, whether to bend their force against North or South America, or the islands — and certainly there is room for difference — and if these opinions be nearly balanced, that balance ought to be determined by the prospect of having an enemy the more or less, according to the object they should select).

Heads of Consideration on the Navigation of the Mississippi.

We have a right to the navigation of the Mississippi: 1st, by nature; 2nd, by treaty. It is necessary to us. More than half the territory of the United States is on the waters of that river. Two hundred thousand of our citizens are settled on them, of whom forty thousand bear arms. These have no outlet for their tobacco, rice, corn, hemp, lumber, house timber, ship timber.

We have hitherto respected the indecision of Spain, because we wish peace; because our western citizens have had vent at home for their productions.

A surplus of production begins now to demand foreign markets. Whenever they shall say: "We cannot, we will not, be longer shut up," the United States will be reduced to the following dilemma:

1st, To force them to acquiescence. 2nd, To separate from them, rather than take part in a war against Spain. 3rd, Or to presei-ve them in our Union, by joining them in the war.

The first is neither in our principles, nor in our power. 2nd. A multitude of reasons decided against the second. It may suffice to speak out one; were we to give up half our territory rather than engage in a just war to preserve it, we should not keep the other half long. 3rd. The third is the alternative we must adopt.

How are we to obtain that navigation?

(A) By Force.

1st. Acting separately. That we can effect this with certainty and promptitude, circumstances decide.

Objection. We cannot retain New Orleans, for instance, were we to take it.

Answer. A moderate force may be so secured, as to held out till succored. Our succors can be prompt and effectual. Suppose, after taking it, we withdrew our force. If Spain retakes it by an expedition, we can recover it by a counter-expedition, and so as often as the case shall happen. Their expedition will be slow, expensive, and lead to catastrophe. Ours sudden, economical, and a check can have no consequences. We should associate the country to our Union. The inhabitants wish this.

They are not disposed to be of the Spanish government. It is idle in Spain to suppose our Western inhabitants will unite with them. They could be quiet but a short time under a government so repugnant to their feelings. Were they to come under it for present purposes, it would be with a view to throw it off soon. Should they remain, they would communicate a spirit of independence to those with whom they should be mixed.