Judge Jenkins' History of Miller County
Volume II


Part 1 - Part 2

 

CONTENTS

 

DRAM SHOPS

In the decade following the Civil War, the inhabitants of Miller county were very fond of good liquor, for the dram shops flourished!

Proprietors of dram shops included W.G. Clark, James Sloan, W.W. Stepp and R.H. Franklin at Pleasant Mount; David Fancher, Conrad Vanatta, William C. Brumley and Patton G. McCarty, John P. McCubbin and Calloway Wyrick, at Tuscumbia; John W. Wilson, and Francis M. Elsey at Iberia; William Abbett at Centerville. On November 8, 1866, Hezekiah and Hiram Robinett were granted a license to keep a dram shop at Mill creek in Glaze township. On November 4, 1867, James E. Rowden was granted a license to keep a dram shop at Brays Mill. On November 9, 1867, Rudolph Abbett was granted a license to keep a dram shop at Golden’s Mill in Osage township.

Here, a beginning of the prohibition movement may be seen.

On March 19, 1866, a petition signed by more than twelve inhabitants from Saline township, and a petition from Richwoods township, requested the County Court to grant no more dram shop licenses. John W. Wilson’s dram shop at Iberia was closed by the County Court on the following day. There were more petitions, and more closures by the County Court, as the prohibition movement gained momentum in the next decade.

 

AGITATION FOR BETTER ROADS

With the ending of the Civil War the inhabitants commenced petitioning the County Court to improve the main inland routes most used by the traveling public, and by wagons freighting between the towns. “The roads established by the State, and the County Court, are merely trails, often impassable in the winter and spring thaws, or during rainy seasons, little improved from the pack roads along the buffalo paths and Indian trails followed by our fathers,” one petition stated. Another stated “we labor under great disadvantages owing to the condition of the roads, being almost useless, going over steep hills, unable to haul heavy loads, for the lack of expenditures upon them for over twenty years.” The petitioners stated that, if turnpikes were established by the County Court, by an expenditure of tax money, the growth of the county would be assured by bringing in buyers for land and feed. This could be done without additional taxes, by appropriations from the Road & Canal fund, and Internal Improvement fund, monies which cannot be used for any other purpose and doing no earthly good whatever in the control of the County Court. “We pray for a commissioner to be appointed,” the petitioners continued, to examine the roads, “and estimate the cost of improving causewaying, & etc.” More than 200 signatures were on the petitions.

On May 6, 1865, the County Court appointed Madison H. Belshe, the County Surveyor, as Road Commissioner with full power and authority to examine the public roads, and report the necessary changes or alterations to make them good, and keep them so.

“In compliance with a previous order,” Commissioner Belshe reported, “I, on the 12 day of June, 1865, proceeded to the examination of the roads to determine where they should be worked, and what manner.”

“First the road known as the Lisle Town and Versailles road via Mount Pleasant. I would recommend that it be improved by raising the road to the center in all places where it is subject to be injured by rains as well as all marshy parts. This kind of improvement may be made with a comparatively small amount of labor if plows and road scrapers are employed in raising the road bed. The necessary side drains are formed so that little more work will be necessary for a considerable time to come. The branch known as the Simpson branch will need to be bridged. I think $35 will be a sum sufficient for that purpose. I estimate the cost of work necessary from the county line between Miller and Cole to the middle Range fourteen at the sum of one hundred and thirteen dollars and fifty cents.”

“The 2nd district from the middle of Range fourteen to the town of Mount Pleasant needs improving by raising the road bed, wherever gullies are forming, also parts liable to become muddy. All drains crossing the road may be made good by laying the bottoms with stone such as may be found nearby. Estimated cost of one hundred dollars.”

“The road leading from Mount Pleasant towards California needs the same kind of improvement as above and in many parts needs straightening and widening. This lot is about five miles in length, crossing the Moreau and Blize creeks, and is a very useful road. Estimate cost one hundred and fifty dollars.”

“The Jefferson and Springfield road by way of Tuscumbia from the Miller and Cole county line needs such improvements as above. Embankments and wide drains excepting the hill south of the branch known as the Bond branch. These hills will need grading and would cost I think fifty dollars.”

“This portion of the road ending at the line between sections one and twelve would cost one hundred and twenty-five dollars.”

“The next district to the Saline creek opposite Wm. Junes. Change road on west side by trees three notches for W edge of road. This change is for about ten chains and will materially straighten the road. Other changes are necessary opposite Arron Bells. This position too needs widening. On the hill north of the Saline creek, I would recommend that th road be changed to the east side, intersecting the old road opposite William Matthew’s dwelling. This change will shorten the distance two hundred yards in a half-mile, and give the advantage of a regular and easy grade. I think this change and grading will be fifty dollars. At the north bank of the Saline creek, change road to east side for about 50 yards. This will be a more permanent road bed as the creek is encroaching on the present. Whole cost of this one hundred dollars.”

“Next from Sline creek to Township line between Township 40 and 41. At the top of the hill descending to the Lansdown house, change road to west side intersecting old road at the second drain north of the house. Will shorten the distance about 250 yards and give a straight regular and easy grade. 200 yards will have to be dug. Cost sixty dollars. Cost of entire seventy five dollars.”

“Next from Township line to Tuscumbia. No changes are needed on this, but all marshy parts should be embanked with sufficient side drains. The small bridge below town may be made to do a few years by placing new planks for broken ones. I think these changes would cost seventy five dollars.”

“I next examined the road from Tuscumbia to Mount Pleasant via Johnston’s mill. This road is very indirect and the hills very abrupt so much so that to secure a proper grade would be very expensive which determined me to seek for a new route, which I find by leaving Tuscumbia via the Versailles road which follow to a ridge leading to Hiram Wrights. This ridge affords a very good road bed and avoids the deeper between Tuscumbia and J.H. Meltons. No grading will be necessary excepting about 100 yards descending the hill to Wright’s. From Wright’s follow a ridge to the brushy fork of the Saline creek and Wm. Harrison, rising the hill from Wright’s house. A small amount of grading will be necessary. The expense from the town to Harrison’s besides opening will not exceed twenty five dollars.”

“From Harrison’s follow up on west side of small branch to main summit between the two Saline creeks. No grading is necessary on this part. Cross the summit by a slight turn to the right which meets a drain following to the main Saline creek. The road bed will have to be formed along the right bank of the drain for about 400 yards, after which there Is level ground sufficient for road bed to opposite a spring from which the road ascends a ridge obliquely with a very good grade to the summit, then descends the ridge in the same direction to the Saline bottom. The digging and grading on these three last named hills will be worth I think one hundred and fifteen dollars.”

“On the north of the Saline, the road will go up the end of ax ridge which leads directly to Mount Pleasant, but one drain intervenes from the Saline to the Town and that is very small. The hill from the creek will require to be dug and graded for about 200 yards. Cost about fifty dollars.”

“This route when completed under this plan will be much better and nearer. The cost of grading will be no greater than on the old route.”

“The road intersects the road from Tuscumbia to Mount Pleasant (via Wm. Cottons) at the South West corner of S.P. Dresser’s farm, all of which is respectfully submitted, and further:

“I would recommend that the road to Waynesville leave the Springfield road a few rods south of the culvert in the river bottom and cross the ridge via the present road to the widow Gibsons, intersecting the old road at Dog creek. This change would I think require one hundred dollars.”

“The road from Tuscumbia via Rock Town to the County line in the direction of Rolla in Phelps county. The portion of the road from the culvert south of the ferry landing via the widow Gibsons to the Waynesville road at the lower crossing of Dog creek is embraced in above. From which point follow the present road leading by Isaac M. Goodrich’s and Rial M. Smiths’ farm and to the main summit of the ridge north of the Barren Fork of the Tavern creek, at which point, change the road to the south side and intersect the road at the foot of the hill near the widow Castleman’s huse. This change will shorten the route one or two hundred yards and give a much easier grade, but a small proportion will need to be dug. I would recommend that at the two hundred yards south from the ford of the creek the road be changed to the south side and ascend the hill east of widow Burk’s house as marked passing on the west side of the hill from a point near the north end of the hill and going by a nearly direct line to the summit making the grade regular and comparatively easy. Then continue this change along the dividing ridge intersecting the old road at Felix H. Bond. All of this change excepting the hill named, is on excellent ground for a roadway. Then follow the old road via Rock Town to the north east corner of Charles Tallman’s farm, known as the Johnston farm, here change the road to the south side crossing the Tavern creek at the ford about four hundred yards below the John Dickerson’ farm as marked to the Archibald Rhea’s and the Miller county line in the SW Qtr of the SW Qtr of Section 13 Township 38 Range 12. This route will shorten the distance at least a mile and be on firmer ground than the old route. The creek bank near Archibald Rhea will require an appropriation of sixty dollars.”

“Respectfully submitted, August, 1865.”

 

ROAD OVERSEERS

In August, 1865, the County Court proceeded to the appointment of the overseers of the various road districts. The main roads in the county at this time included the Tuscumbia and Versailles road; Lilse Town and Versailles road; Jefferson City and Springfield road; Tuscumbia and California road; Pleasant Mount and Stringtown road; Pleasant Mount and Linn Creek road; Tuscumbia and Gravois road; High Point and Gravois road; Hickory Hill to Iberia road; and Jakes Prairie to Linn Creek road.

Overseers appointed by the County Court for the various road districts in Saline township, included: Berry Taylor, George Hicks, George W. Etter, John Byler, H.B. Roark, James Spalding, Elijah G. Miller, I.B. Taylor, Willis B. Jones, Joseph Crisp, Edward Hite, William Gilleland, T.P. Dresser, S.T. Harrison, and F.W. Spalding.

For Franklin township, road overseers included: F.W. Davidson, Daniel Duncan, Joseph B. Allen, Walter T. Conner, John M. Evans, Joel Cooper, Joseph Cotton. For Osage township: John Rowden, James Wilson, G.W. Ramsey, Carroll Roark, William Lurton, Michael G. Curry, Wm. G. Giffen, For Glaze township: Z.H. Golden, A.S. Ulman, Samuel Pennington, James Gum, John Salsman, and James Reed.

For Franklin township, road overseers included: F.W. Davidson, Daniel Duncan, Joseph B. Allen, Walter T. Conner, John M. Evans, Joel Cooper, Joseph Cotton. For Osage township: John Rowden, James Wilson, G.W. Ramsey, Carroll Roark, William Lurton, Michael G. Curry, Wm. G. Giffen, For Glaze township: Z.H. Golden, A.S. Ulman, Samuel Pennington, James Gum, John Salsman, and James Reed.

These road districts were merely a few miles of the main roads.

 

ROAD DISTRICTS - A SCHOOL DISTRICT

In 1868, eighteen road districts were established by the County Court, the boundaries of each coinciding with those of a school district. Thereafter, one man elected at the annual school meeting, supervised the maintenance of roads only within the boundaries of his particular district.

However, this made little improvement to inland routes of travel. Of the many overseers elected, few were acquainted with proper method of working roads, and even if possessed of such knowledge, term of office all too short.

Overseers chosen in a previous year at the annual school meeting would find themselves, if having, in any way, dissatisfied their constituents, out of office on the first Tuesday in April. Too, a $3 poll tax provided no money; the levy satisfied by labor.

In the decade of the 70’s road fever continued rising with the establishment of the Tuscumbia-Humes Mill road, Iberia-Harold’s Mill road, Tuscumbia-Crocker road, Tuscumbia-St. Thomas road, and others. The development of the county may be witnessed by reading the reports of surveyors. Some examples follow: May 6, 1868: Road surveyed from fork of Versailles road and road leading to widow Balance, by way of Mount Vernon Church to the junction of Jefferson City-Linn Creek road, and Tuscumbia-Versailles road. Four miles of route on a direct line.

In 1869, the Locust Mound-Goodman Mill road, running by Spring Garden church house, was established, designated the Locust Mound-Buckeye Mill road the following year.

In 1878, the Tuscumbia-Buckeye Mill road was surveyed, crossing the Lilsetown-Versailles road in the vicinity of present day Etterville.

May 4, 1870: Road surveyed beginning on state road near Stevens mill and running in a westerly direction up the brushy fork of the Tavern creek by way of a church house now being built in the Little Richwoods, crossing the Springfield road near Judge Doolittles then on to road leading from Posten D. Snelling’s mill.

May 31, 1870. Beginning at mouth of Little Gravois, crossing the river, running easterly by way of Elm Spring Church House thence to John Coxen’s, and terminating at Thompson’s Store on Mill Creek.

Aug. 4, 1871: Beginning at Madison H. Belshe’s store and Post office, thence to St. Elizabeth, thence to Theo. Avery, crossing the great thoroughfare Ste. Thomas and Tuscumbia road near the residence of Wm. E. Lurton, intersecting the Jefferson City-Waynesville road near the Maries county line, for the purpose of establishing a mail route.

Sept. 9, 1872: Road crossing the river at the Burnett or Dutcher Ford toward Camden county line is useless. Seldom if ever used, the Ford now impassable for a greater part of the year, and when it can be forded is dangerous; only one team crossed at the ford in the last five years.

May 9, 1873: Beginning on Tuscumbia-Springfield road at north bank of the Saline creek to the J.W. West place, so as to run to St. Elizabeth on Osage river.

In 1874, a road commencing at the southwest corner of Dr. S.D. Bliss’ field, running northerly, was surveyed to J.L Roberts’ wagon shop, thence between J.J. McClure’s and Louisa Jesse, thence between Giles Williams and William F. Davidson, to James Duncan’s to Seth McCasland, thence north to Liberty Church.

In 1874, road down Mineral branch by Walker mines, surveyed to Sulphur Spring. On Nov. 20th, a road commencing at Iberia was surveyed in the direction of Harold’s Mill. In the same year, a road up Little Gravois was surveyed from T.W. Greenup’s to Cook’s Mill, thence to Simmon’s store. In the same year the Tuscumbia-Humes Mill road was laid out.

In 1875 a new road was viewed from Gageville to Tuscumbia by Wright’s carding machine. Road to Pratt’s mill changed north of Spring Garden church near M.C. Bond’s blacksmith shop.

August 6, 1877, the Dug road opened in the 1850’s from under the hill at 2nd & Market in Tuscumbia, to Market & 4th on summit of hill, made a county road; teamsters wanting a gentler slope for loaded teams than the Courthouse’ hill.

On October 11, 1877 a road beginning at the Brockman Lane on the Tuscumbia-High Point road, was surveyed westerly on the township line until intersecting the Tuscumbia-Versailles road.

In 1878, Golden’s Mill-Ulman’s Ridge road was surveyed; and another route viewed commencing on the Tuscumbia-Crocker road at an old Buffalo lick about ½ mile south of Brushy Fork, intersecting the Tuscumbia-Lebanon road near the residence of William Coburn at or near the old house spot at the Cottonwood tree.

Let’s read one of Hazen S. Burlingame’s reports on road work, dated Nov. 9, 1878.

“To the Honorable County Court of Miller County. I, Hazen S. Burlingame, having been appointed a Special Commissioner by an order of said Court at the August Term, 1878, with authority to advertise, let, and superintend certain road improvements, beg leave respectively to report that, in compliance with said order I advertised the letting of said improvements by posting written hand bills in four public places, to wit, at Goodman’s Mill, W.F. Franklins, Jas. Etter and Bro’s Store, and the Smith shop on the premises of G. R. Weeks.”

“I offered the same for sale,” Burlingame continued,” at Mt. Pleasant by public outcry on the 24th day of August, 1878, and the following persons were awarded the several contracts as specified, and for the amounts given below:

“On Mt. Pleasant and Versailles road at the Wilkes’ farm to Samuel T. Harrison for the sum of $20, and the same being completed not exactly in compliance with the specifications, but in a manner equal thereto, said Samuel T. Harrison is entitled to $20 from the road and canal fund.”

“E. Smith was awarded the contract on the Mt. Pleasant and Versailles road between Smith and J.L. Savage for a sum of $15, said contract completed in a manner fully equal to specifications, said Smith is entitled to $30 from road and canal fund.”

“John F. Savage was awarded contract on Mt. Pleasant and Versailles road near old Vernon Church, and the work completed as per contract, he is entitled to $10.”

“John M. Evans was awarded contract to grade Tuscumbia and Mt. Pleasant road between William Swanson’s and Mt. Pleasant, and the work completed, Evans is entitled to $50.”

“On the same road between Mt. Pleasant and the fair grounds the contract to grade and lay 110 loads of gravel was awarded to Hugh J. Miller for a sum of $50 and the work approved by me. Miller is entitled to his money.”

“On the Mt. Pleasant and California road in Sect. 2, T. 42, R. 15, the contract was awarded to Samuel T. Harrison for $45, and said improvement being fully completed, he is entitled to $45 from the road and canal fund.”

“The improvement on the High Point and Tuscumbia road in the Brockman Lane, and on same road near Vincent Conner’s, were not bid on at time of offering at sale, but as Commissioner, I let same afterward at private sale to James Jemphrey for the sum of $10, each, and said improvements being completed, he is entitled to $20.”

“The remaining portions of work on Mt. Pleasant and Versailles road west of G. R. Weeks, near residence of said Weeks; and on Tuscumbia and High Point road near Rollin O. Joslyn were severally sold to Geo. R. Weeks for the several sums of $25, $15, and $7, but said improvements are not yet made and your Commissioner would recommend that said G.R. Weeks be granted further time to perform said work.”

“Respectfully submitted, Hazen S. Burlingame, Commissioner.”

Immediately, inhabitants south of the Osage river petitioned the County Court to alleviate road conditions, “for the work being done and the money spent is north of the river, while the inhabitants in the southern part of the county, not knowing of any road improvements for many years, are being neglected.”

 

FERRIES

In 1865, John P. McCubbin, was ferryman at Tuscumbia, “but having failed to keep suitable boats to cross the traveling public,” the County Court revoked his license. On August 20, 1865, William Hauenstein, quietly licensed by the Court to keep a ferry at the Tuscumbia’ crossing, personally requested a revocation of his privileges on the next day, which was done.

In 1866-67 William H. Waddle and A.J. Frazier were ferrymen at the County Seat; Jerry W. Tallman in 1868; Randolph Abbett and Alvin Rine in 1869.

In 1870, Daniel Cummings, William Hauenstein, and William A. King, licensed to keep the ferry at Tuscumbia a term of five years by the County Court, lost their privileges in 1872. Inhabitants, complaining of excessive charge for ferriage, caused the County Court to withdraw their license; appointing William H. Waddle and Robert Masters to finish the five year term, or three years, with “wagons and teams belonging to widow women, the Sheriff of Miller county or his deputies, and members of the County Court free ferriage,” non-residents paying twice the rate levied upon the inhabitants of Miller county.

On December 23, 1874, an entry in the County Court book, “Ordered that notice be given by publication in the Miller County Vedette for two consecutive weeks prior to the 1st Monday in February, 1875, that at the February Term (to wit on the 1st Monday in February) of this court 1875 the ferry across the Osage river at Tuscumbia will be let.” W.H. Waddle was awarded the license, with “footman, if a resident of Miller county, and all county officers given free ferriage.”

On May 8, 1879, Charles Clark was licensed to keep ferry at Tuscumbia; he operated it for eight years.

 

CAPPS LANDING

Jacob Capps was authorized to keep a ferry across the Osage river at the crossing of the state road from Iberia to Hickory Hill on September 8, 1863. This gave rise to the village of Ramsey.

Jacob Capps renewed the license on May 8, 1872 on June 27, 1873, and on November 22, 1875, “at the crossing of the public road near the mouth of Humphrey’s creek.”

 

ST. ELIZABETH

On August 7, 1872, David E. Jenkins was granted a license to keep a ferry across the Osage river at St. Elizabeth. On November 7, 1878, Henry Bodecker was licensed to keep a ferry at the crossing, with rates of ferriage as follow:

Wagon & Horse - mule & driver 30¢
Wagon & 2 horses or mules & driver 50¢
Wagon & 3 work animals of any kind 65¢
Wagon & 4 work animals of any kind 75¢
Loose horses & mules each
Loose cattle each
Loose sheep or hogs per head
Footman each
Freight of all kinds per 100 pounds 10¢

 

BRIDGES

In earlier days the streams were not bridged. This made traveling overland extremely difficult even in the fairest weather, but in stormier seasons, crossing a swollen stream, rising with water, was a dangerous undertaking.

Many of the first trails in the county followed the creek beds, but a reason may be found for this. The main beasts of burden being oxen, on a warm day they would travel along a creek bed, having some water in it, better than upon drier land.

Many weary pioneers, traveling overland, upon approaching a running stream of water, often suffered having their load of goods pulled into it by their oxen wanting to cool themselves, -sometimes into a hole of water of considerable depth.

Horse-drawn vehicles, and slightly improved roads changed this, the inhabitants desirous of hauling heavier loads without becoming mired in the stream beds, or blocked by rising or deeper water at the larger streams.

In 1877, many citizens presented to the County Court a petition setting forth “the great inconveniences to which the traveling public is put at the crossing of the Saline creek on the Tuscumbia and Jefferson City road for want of a bridge,” asking the Court to look into the erection of a bridge at or near the “present ford or crossing.”

On August 7, 1877, the County Court ordered the County Surveyor, Hazen S. Burlingame, with John L. Arnold and Joseph M. Ulman to proceed to the place and as Commissioners of the Court, “having the power to call to their aid, such other assistance or help from the inhabitants as they may deem necessary,” select “which would in their judgment be, the suitable point” for a bridge, “and also their estimate of the probable cost of the same.”

Commissioner Burlingame reported: “We, the undersigned commissioners appointed at the August Term in the matter of a bridge across the Saline creek, found a vacancy occurring in said Commission by J.M. Ulman failing to attend at the time and place of meeting, the vacancy filled by selecting T.A. Folsom.”

“On the 5th day of February, 1878,” Burlingame continued, “we proceeded to view said Saline creek, and found the most practicable location for a bridge site to be near the present crossing of the Jefferson City and Tuscumbia road, on the westerly side of said road; and further, that, in the judgment of your commissioners, said bridge cannot be built for less than Thirty Five Hundred dollars.”

A bridge, designed by Burlingame, was accepted by the Court, but a lack of funds for road and canal purposes prevented its construction. The proposed bridge’ site was slightly upstream from the crossing on the Big Saline Creek.

 

COURTYARD FENCE

Livestock running-at-large often caused problems, especially in the villages. This was so at the County Seat. In 1870, Judge John Bear of the County Court informed listeners he was “tired of the Tuscumbia hogs roosting under the courthouse porch.”

He proposed eradicating the problem for, he said, “Every time a woman calls to her hogs that there’s swill in the trough, twenty or more, from little pigs to old stags, tear out from under the courthouse porch in a cloud of dust, running under the hill in reckless abandon.”

The Circuit Clerk described the event by some doodling in his minute book.

 

NEWSPAPERS

Before 1870, Miller county had no newspapers. On September 26, 1870, in the Circuit Court Record a legal notice was ordered published in the Osage Valley Sentinel, a weekly newspaper commencing in the town of Tuscumbia. On October 7, 1870, the first issue of this newspaper appeared. J.G. Lemen, an attorney-at-law, and Lucius S. Hitchcock were the publishers.

The following year, on May 25, Hitchcock became sole proprietor and publisher; Lemen, moving to Laclede county, where he commenced, as proprietor and editor, publishing the Lebanon Anti-Monopolist.

The printing office for the Sentinel was situated opposite the southwestern corner of the courthouse square, slightly below the present law office of Judge Jackson C. Stanton.

The Osage Valley Sentinel was published at the County Seat for approximately three years.

In November, 1870, M.W. and S.P. Gustin commenced publication of The Republican, a newspaper, at Tuscumbia. They employed Miss Esther A. Mahan, a young lady of considerable talent, as overseer of the printing office. She commenced editing on December 4, 1870.

Skilled in the art of typesetting and printing generally, under Miss Mahan’s stewardship, The Republican flourished until her marriage to Rudolphus Goodrich in which she left the office.

On April 1, 1872, the Gustin’s consolidated the Republican with another news and job printing plant, then M.W. purchasing S.P.’s interest in the enterprise, changed the name of the publication to the Sun and Republican.

The printing office for the Sun and Republican was located at the corner of Jackson and Water streets, opposite Anse Smith’s blacksmith shop, in the town of Tuscumbia.

On September 5, 1872, I.M. Goodrich, for a sum of $1280, purchased the Sun and Republican; the Gustin’s leaving the county, M.W. moving to Richland, S.P. to West Plains.

Goodrich continued publication of the newspaper for some time, supporting Ulysses S. Grant for President, the candidate of the Republican party, in the campaign of 1872. The supporters of Horace Greeley, the presidential candidate of the Liberal Republican and Democratic parties, retaliated.

“I was doing carpenter work,” William Umstead said, “for I.M. Goodric, on a building, a part of it occupied for a printing office. The front door was hung, and also the sash of the front windows. When I left on Wednesday evening I closed the door, and upon returning the next morning, found the pane of the door broken out, and also the outer window. Too, the moulding holding the door panel was badly rocked, as was the outside of the building.”

Samuel Carson, James Jewell, Joseph Barr, and Alson Pettybone, living east of the Courthouse, individually reported of having hard, during the night, “loud noises, a hailing of rocks upon the side of a building somewhere, and several men yelling, Horse! Horse! William Hauenstein, upon thinking about it, determined this meant “Horace,” for Greely!

In 1872, the Vidette appeared, published by Rudophus and Esther Goodrich, who sold out in 1875 to Abraham Fulkerson. Mr. Fulkerson published this paper for three years, then started the Osage Valley Banner on January 9, 1879.

In 1876, the Helmet appeared, published by Lucus S. Hitchcock and David Marshall. This newspaper successively fell heir to Abe Fulkerson, I.M. Goodrich, and finally, F.A. Goodrich, who ran it in 1878 as the Miller County Republican.

In January, 1879, James Pinkney Wright and J.H.D. Thomson established Glad Tidings, a religious monthly, which they changed in 1880 to a weekly newspaper called the Vindicator.

The publication of these early newspapers aroused the interest of the citizens in the potential of the area, lifting gloom which, for a decade, hung like a fog, heavily upon the minds of the inhabitants of Miller County.

 

AGRICULTURE

In the decade of the 70’s, agricultural and mechanical societies spread across the State. In 1871, sixty-six freeholders of Miller county, for the purpose of promoting improvements in agriculture and manufacturers and the raising of stock, met at Pleasant Mount, forming a corporation under the name and style of The Miller County Agricultural and Mechanical Society.

The corporation, by law, could purchase, hold, and receive one hundred acres of land, property, and improvements valued up to $50,000. Each member was a subscriber to at least one share of capital stock, the shares being $25 each.

Members included Wm. J. Dooley, James P. Harrison, Wm. Schauck, O.B. Fruniss, E.L. Schauck, T.J. Hart, E.A. Henry, James Etter, L.D. Henry, Wm. G. Miller, Barton S. Bond, R.C. Franklin, W.T. Franklin, John W. Langley, Mortimus Baldwin, James P. Spalding, Samuel T. Harrison, John P. Harrison, Sameuel W. Etter, T.W. Norfleet, Mansfield Apperson, S. McWilliams, J.J. Haynes, Benjamin Hinds, F.M. Swanson, Martin Haynes, Samuel Etter, William Miller, J.W. Dawson, Charles Dawson, W.S. Brockman, Samuel J. Jones, David Caldwell, Spencer Palmer, James S. Taylor, George W. Thompson, David N. Curty, A.E. Whitney, John D. Weitz, N.C. Keyes, J.W. Tallman, H. Bradleyford, T.B. Robinson, James H. Todd, Henry Umstead, K.J. Martin, Daniel Cummings, R. Tom Tallman, S.P. Gustin, J.G. Lemen, T.F. Sullivan, G.W. Martin, R.W. Benton, William Vann, Jacob Mayfield, John W. Cooper, Alson Pettibone, James W. Adkins, W.H. Waddel, James Johnston, E.L. Cummings, William Tallman, and D.H. Austin.

In 1872, one hundred three freeholders, meeting at the County Seat, formed a corporation under the name of the Miller County Central Horticultural, Agricultural and Mechanical Society. Members were from Equality and Glaze townships.

At the same time, the North Miller County Agricultural and Mechanical Society was incorporated by farmers in Saline and Franklin townships, meeting at Pleasant Mount.

At Iberia, the South Agricultural and Mechanical Society was organized; but the whole work, county wide, soon fell apart.

In 1873, with G.R. Weeks and other farmers in Saline township pushing the enterprise, The Miller County Agricultural and Mechanical Society was re-incorporated at Pleasant Mount. This Society, very active, sponsored an annual fair at Pleasant Mount, attended by huge throngs of citizens from near and far.

Shares of the capital stock could be purchased for $5 each, with 440 shares subscribe in the first meeting; the 72 stockholders electing Richard Boyce, President, S. McWilliams, Secretary of the corporation.

 

 

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