CHAPTER XIX
The year 1886 came in with much excitement throughout the Nation. An American citizen named Cutting had been imprisoned in Mexico. The United States was becoming deeply interested and the interest in Henry County was great. Dr. Noble of Urich, a veteran of the Civil War, proposed to raise a company to get into the fray. Peace by arbitration prevailed and matters began again to assume normal conditions when a general strike of railroad men was declared. This proved more exciting, more disastrous and of more local interest than the recent war excitement. Trains were stopped, travel was uncertain and threats of violence were uttered. At the division points, the excitement ran high, and in some places riots and bloodshed resulted.
Henry County with the rest of the States suffered the inconveniences attending irregular train service and disappointing mails. But the spirit of progress was not quenched. It is true that almost concurrent with the strike there was a money panic. Banks did not suspend payments locally, but they did cease lending for a time. This worked a great hardship, as the preceding season had been a bountiful crop year, and stock feeders needed money. But they pulled through and when the labor and financial storm clouds vanished a brighter day commercially seemed upon us.
Farmers generally had caught the building fever and throughout the country new houses and barns were erected. Better machinery was introduced and the last of the ox teams was used to haul coal into Clinton from the mine on the Noble farm four miles south of town. Four yoke of cattle were hitched to one wagon and a load of many tons was thus freighted by the owner of the farm and mine to town. New school and church houses were built throughout the county.
Montrose had a sidewalk boom, Urich built a new school house, a bank was established at Blairstown, some new potteries were established at Calhoun, Windsor became the line horse center for western Missouri, as well as the capital of the Star Route Mail service of the United States, and Deepwater continued to develop her coal and clay.
J. C. Beedy and Mr. Morse had been employes of Elkins, Kerens and others in subletting mail contracts all over the United States. For years, the business was a paying one to those who mastered the details and several fortunes were amassed in the business, but most of them were lost by reckless bidding and overreaching on volume of business. A few years later, by virtue of a ruling from the post office department, the business was sent to the scrap heap. Clinton came in for its share of hustle.
The Daily Democrat was established in connection with the weekly by George R. and T. J. Lingle. It has never missed an issue, except on holidays, since the first one came off the press, and is now running under the management of C. H. Whitaker & Son, the son being a veteran of the great World War, a musician of more than local repute, a clever cartoonist and C. H. III, in the conduct of the paper. Other dailies have come and gone in Clinton. May the Democrat long continue.
After a prolonged contest, which at times became acrimonious, a contract was let to Colonel Perkins, of Springfield, Missouri, to build a water works system. Up to that time, municipal ownership had not been much discussed and many meetings of the city council and many pow wows of the citizens were held before the document authorizing the work was signed. At first, water was to be brought from Grand River two miles west of town. At the beginning, it was somewhat satisfactory, but when the river reached a low stage much sediment was carried through the mains. A year later, when a flowing well was brought in, the water problem was solved and drills were soon at work seeking the fountain, and as a result the city was finally supplied with clear sparkling water from 800 feet below the surface. Barring a slight mineral content principally of salt and sulphur, no city in the United States has a better quality of water than has Clinton; although the service is not all it ought to be, it is as good as is usually found under private ownership of such utilities.
An electric light plant was also built, and when the contract was let for macadamizing the streets the capital of Henry County began to be truly metropolitan. It is a striking coincidence at least to note that these big improvements almost immediately succeeded the advent of the Daily Democrat.
A story connected with the building of the macadam might well be related. Under the law governing such matters, abutting property has to bear its pro rata share of the cost of the improvement. It was supposed that the Court House square was an abutting property on its four sides and Mr. Thornton, the contractor, did his work in good faith under the joint direction of his own engineer and that of the county.
When the work was completed and the tax bills made ready for sale the over careful prospective buyers, in order to be sure that there would be no chance of a loss, demanded a resurvey of the Court House square and it was found that the macadam had been built all around it, but missing it on all sides by about six inches. The contractor went into court to establish his right to collect from the county. The above was presented as the true statement of fact. The validity of the debt was denied. There was no sale for the tax bills. The company that had done the work was forced into bankruptcy, and it was reported that the mind of the owner and manager became unbalanced, and he soon after died in a sanatorium.
The old frame building on West Green street that had been so long the Methodist Episcopal Church South was considered no longer fit for a place of worship. Rev. L. P. Worfleet, now of Sedalia, was the pastor and set about the erection of a new church at the corner of Third and Franklin. Though the congregation was small and not strong financially, he succeeded in building what was then the pride of the city. In May, 1886, the building was dedicated by Rev. D. R. McAnally. The following winter, a revival was conducted in the building in which all the congregations of the town joined. The converts were many and the results far reaching. Many of the leading business and professional men of Clinton announced their conversion, and attached themselves to the churches of their choice. At that time, a religious spirit seemed to pervade the entire country. Revivals were reported in progress almost everywhere. Major Cole was one of the successful evangelists, and passing through Clinton in February, 1887, on a few hours' notice the opera house was filled to overflowing by men only, who came from the meeting with new and higher resolves. The church built at the corner of Third and Franklin stood until 1913, when it was burned one Sunday just after the congregation had dispersed after the service. Another, a better and a more modern church was erected on the site. Rev. C. A. Powers was the pastor and it was largely due to his executive genius that its building was a successful enterprise. He was succeeded by Rev. C. E. Ruyle, and under the leadership of this brilliant young preacher the church is growing in numbers and spiritual strength. Rev. Ruyle has the distinction of being the first pastor of his church who remained pastor in one place more than four years in succession. He is serving his fifth year with such satisfaction that his people are hoping to be able to keep him indefinitely.
Eighteen hundred and eighty-six was another year of bountiful crops and was marked by much general improvement everywhere. Bridges were built, and the new towns kept up their growth whilst Windsor, Calhoun and Clinton were all on the alert that none of the new places might snatch any of the honors from them. In this there has always been a friendly rivalry. Each community is always ready to lend a helping hand to the other in any local enterprise.
During the year Clinton had invested $40,000 in Baird College, $35,000 in additions to Franklin public school, and $50,000 in churches, making a total of $125,000 for the season. Other places in the county had caught the spirit and were doing as well.
The year 1887 had hardly passed its stage of infancy until another sensation was on. One Shaeffer came to the country and in some way connected himself with many of the various enterprises. By this method he won the confidence of the people and was making much headway in all kinds of enterprises that required investment. Some misstep showed him an imposter and all his great plans collapsed and he was allowed to leave the country, though much litigation resulted from his speculations. In March the Court House statistician reported the total assessment of the county was $6,754,360, and the expenditures $36,998.61.
The Concho Cattle Company with headquarters at Clinton, and land leases and live stock near San Angelo, Texas, was one of the big enterprises launched in Clinton. Stockholders were numerous among the ablest financiers of the county. It was at first a great success, but mismanagement brought failure some years later.
Windsor was the scene of a disastrous fire during the month of February. Some good buildings were destroyed, but better ones were built on the burnt district. Montrose had a similar experience.
This was a time for settling up generally and the newspapers carried pages of real estate sales by the sheriff and trustees. Much land sold for taxes during those days, and there were chances to make fortunes in the most legitimate and safest kind of speculation, but men who had money to invest hesitated and those of small means either sold for short profits, or let the land go to sale again. A great deal of the land thus conveyed is now very valuable.
On February 3 arrangements were finally completed whereby Worley and Folckemer took over the old machine shop in the northeastern part of Clinton and started a pottery. For many years it was an important industry employing a strong force of skilled labor at good wages. But like most of such enterprises throughout the country, it was absorbed by the Pottery Trust, and most of the men went to Monmouth, Illinois, or Red Wing, Minnesota, where they had employment in the parent plants of the Trust.
The Urich Dramatic Company presented "Above the Clouds" at Clinton Opera House. The attendance was gratifying.
Mrs. Sallie Shelton was made postmistress at Windsor, succeeding her husband, who died in office.
Fink and Nasse, wholesale grocers of St. Louis, bought a lot in Clinton for the establishment of a branch house. As soon as weather conditions were favorable work on a substantial brick building was begun. The business was started with W. F. Crome as manager. His ability as such is attested by the magnificent business which grew to one of the best in southwest Missouri. He soon established a reputation for fair dealing which assured for his firm a volume of business that was entirely satisfactory to the founders of the enterprise. His work was such that the firm came to be known as William F. Crome and Company.
Mr. Crome continued at the head of the concern until January, 1910, when death claimed him. Like the wise man that he was, he had surrounded himself with employes whose loyalty, fidelity and business ability carried the business over this crisis, and his three sons, Carl, William F., and Conrad grew up in the business, and quite naturally for them, have continued it, and kept it going and growing, and today it stands second to none in the country for its progressive methods and financial stability.
The retail prices of some of the commodities at that time were as follows: Brooms, 15 cents; beans, 33 pounds for $1; hominy, 40 pounds, $1; hay, $6 per ton; dried apples, 3 1/2 cents per pound; dried peaches, 6l cents per pound; wheat, 77 cents per bushel; bacon, 10 cents; hams, 12 1/2 cents; lard, 7 cents; cattle, 314 cents per pound; eggs 7 1/2 cents, and chickens, $2 per dozen; 20 pounds of rice, 18 pounds of Turkish prunes for $1. Silk worms were advertised at $4 per ounce by a silk worm merchant in Illinois.
The old court house, after numerous condemnations by various grand juries, was finally on April 7, 1887, turned over to the wreckers, who on this date began to tear it down. The county offices were scattered over the business part of the town, none of the records having protection from fire.
The fever for building more railroads throughout the country broke out again. This time it was a due east and west road named the Missouri, Kansas and Western, which was to connect Clinton with Ottawa, Kansas, and the undeveloped counties of Missouri to the east. Much surveying was done. H. P. Faris became a director. Capitalists from the east were associated with the enterprise, but the road reached only the paper stage.
In May, a Young Men's Christian Association was organized in Clinton. It flourished a few years, but met its overthrow at the hands of those who should have been its most enthusiastic supporters.
In April, 1887, the Natural Gas and Development Company was organized in Clinton. Work was soon begun on what is now the artesian well. A depth of 800 feet was reached with a flow of fine sulphur-saline water, with a prominent content of magnesium. The water has great curative properties, but has never been pushed as such. The Artesian Hotel was erected, and later a race track was built and the county fair was held there for a number of years.
D. W. Wood of Unionville, Missouri, came to Clinton and was given a bonus for building what is now the Cozart Hotel. Mr. Woods successfully managed the hotel for a good many years.
In the Circuit Court which convened the week of March 10, there were four hundred and two cases on the docket. An apparently prosperous period for lawyers.
The Democrat carried a column write-up of the new buildings erected and in process in Clinton, among them being the Henry County Bank building. The bank was moved into its new quarters June 23. The building is now occupied by the Citizens Bank.
The Tebo Coal Company began work at Lewis. A daily mail between Clinton and Norris was established. Col. T. J. Lingle delivered an address on convict labor in Jefferson City, favoring the abolition of the contract system.
The first session of the Y. M. C. A. was held June 30, 1887, in the new quarters over the Henry County Bank.
Windsor boasted of a single shipment of 19,000 pounds of butter. In July of this year was chronicled the incorporation of the Brinkerhoff Faris Trust and Savings Company, the sale of the Windsor Mineral Springs Hotel, a farmers' picnic at Peelor Springs, and a chapter of minor accidents.
In August the Windsor Driving Association built a track, a big windstorm visited the county, the sawmill at Deepwater burned, the Clinton Fire Department returned from a tournament at Nevada, where they won the honors. Charles Weidemeyer closed an option with Mexico on 50,000 acres of mineral and grazing lands. The Henry County Fair, with James M. Spangler superintendent opened the thirty-first of August. Judge James B. Gantt announced as a candidate for judge of the State Supreme Court. He was nominated and elected, and served with honor and distinction twenty years.
Many of Henry County's best citizens were gathered to their fathers during the year. Among them was Peter Lennartz of Montrose, Aunt Mason Eckles of Clinton, whose age was claimed to be 106 years; Mrs. Manah L. Thornton and Archimald Cock, one of the pioneers of the county.
Among the Christian weddings were that of Ben C. Simes and Miss Jennie Brown, C. F. Blanke of St. Louis and Miss Eugenia Frowein of Clinton.
Eighteen hundred eighty-eight was signalized as the year of the organization of the Southwestern Immigration Association. A great meeting was held in Clinton. The "Globe Democrat" wired its correspondent to send two hundred words covering the meeting. He sent nearly three thousand, was given the front page with many double heads, and more copy was ordered covering the succeeding sessions.
The Governor and most of the state officers as well as leading business men from all the territory south of the Missouri River and east to Rolla were in attendance.
Maj. H. W. Salmon of Clinton was made the president of the association and J. K. Gwynn of Versailles the secretary. Mr. Gwynn resigned as principal of the Versailles public schools and moved his family to Clinton and for years conducted an active advertising campaign for this section of the state. He later moved to St. Louis, was made commissioner for Missouri at the Columbian Exposition. The Wheel, a farmer organization, was becoming strong among the class which so much needs an energetic and active body. Like its predecessor the Grange, a few men tried to use it to make themselves politically prominent and it fell into hopeless uselessness.
Among the calamities of the year was a boiler explosion at Mt. Zion in which George Hillegas lost his life.
The tournament of the Southwestern Firemen's Association was held in Clinton in June.
F. A. Eisner assumed the management of the Anheuser-Busch interests in Clinton.
The third annual meeting of the Old Settlers of Henry, Johnson, Pettis and Benton counties was held at Windsor. Judge James H. Lay of Warsaw was the principal orator.
This was a spring of much promise of crops, and many candidates for the county offices.
The city of Clinton was forging ahead and put in a sewer system. Calhoun mills began making buckwheat flour.
A. H. Crandall founded the machine shop, which is now the Industrial Iron Works.
Bountiful crops were followed by good business, and building through out the county continued. Broom corn had become a very important crop and was selling at forty dollars per ton.
About the middle of November an agitation was started to have the street cars of Clinton heated.
The Henry County Horticultural Society had held regular meetings for two or three years. One Clinton firm paid out over $10,000 for apples. The corn crop was big. W. H. Cock was said to have sold baled hay at four dollars and a half per ton, and Tom Cowden sold hogs at the top price of three dollars and ten cents per hundred.
Dr. J. T. Noble, representative-elect, and Miss Josie A. Moses of Sedalia were married. The bride accompanied her husband to Jefferson City and was the pride of officialdom of the State Capital during the legislative session.
As leap year had kept the modest youths of Clinton in subjection, on New Year's day they asserted themselves. Many of them appeared in Prince Alberts and silk tiles, and made numerous calls. It was the occasion of much merry-making and general good feeling.
Early in 1889 Wiley 0. Cox of Kansas City bought 1,600 acres of land about four miles southeast of Blairstown and undertook to boom Duplex.
The mills at Montrose were acquired by George D. Baker, a successful mill man. He made the enterprise an important industry.
Calhoun laid claim to being the Clay Queen of the World, and to have been quite a village before a house was built in Clinton. Clinton guttered the principal streets. John H. Lucas succeeded W. H. Brinkerhoff as president of the Brinkerhoff-Faris Trust and Savings Company, a position he has since continuously held.
Among the deaths of the year were R. L. Avery, Mrs. Frances Carter, Rebecca J. Dorman, Mrs. Judge Gantt and Mrs. G. F. Warth.
The following were a few of the weddings: I. G. Gerson of Houston, Texas, and Miss Theresa Goldsmith, Will Middlecoff and Miss Luttie Nichols of Fulton, W. M. Godwin and Miss Audree Blakemore, Prof. J. H. Watkins and Miss Myrtle Langley, and a double wedding in Deer Creek township at which W. J. Snow and Miss Hattie Thornton, W. P. Thornton and Miss Theo Miller were married.
Early in 1890 a farmers' co-operative store was established in Hartwell. It flourished for some years.
In June the Eclipse Band of Clinton attended a band tournament and contest in Carthage, Missouri, and brought home the trophy awarded to the best band.
Henry County was set wild with enthusiasm because of the news of the nomination of Judge Gantt for supreme judge at the convention at St. Joseph June 11.
The patent insides of the newspapers were filled with arguments favoring single tax.
The Farmers' and Labors' Union was superseding the Wheel. Hon. U. S. Hall was a leader in the movement.
The Gordon Granger Post of the Grand Army of the Republic at Clinton was an active body. On November 29, 1890, Meyer and Bulte of St. Louis secured a site in Clinton for the location of the White Swan Mills. It was built and for years ran at capacity of 1,200 barrels of flour per day. It was destroyed by fire about twenty years later. On August 31st Col. J. La Due assumed the political editorship of the Clinton Eye. The Colonel was a bold, forceful writer.
The annual conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, for southwest Missouri was held in Clinton in September.
Among the deaths of the year were: William Driggs, age 77 years; Mrs. Nancy Harness, age 72 years; George F. Royston at Huntingdale; Mr. McKinney, George Mitchell, age 86, and Mrs. M. R. Amick.
