History of Daviess County, Missouri
D. L. Kost, 1876
D. [David?] L. Kost, "History of Daviess County," Daviess County Atlas (Philadelphia, PA: Edwards Brothers, 1876).
Daviess County formed a part of the "Louisiana Purchase." Her history began in 1682, when France discovered and took possession of her territory along the Mississippi.
René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur deLa Salle, having come from Canada by way of the great lakes and the Illinois rivers, descended on Mississippi with twenty armed French and Twenty-eight Indians. On the 5th day of April, 1682, he discovered the mouth of the river, and on the 9th, in the name of Louis XIV., King of France, he took formal possession of the country by a right of discovery. This was done with great pomp and ceremony on the middle outlet and about ten miles from the gulf, where upon high land above the reach of inundation, La Sale erected a column and a cross, sung the Te Deum and the national airs of France, fired a salute and called the country Louisiana "in the name of the most high, mighty, invincible, and victorious Prince, Louis the Great, by the hand of God, King of France and Navarre, fourteenth of the name."
By right of discovery and these ceremonies, France claimed domion to nearly the entire valley of the Mississippi, extending from Florida to Washington Territory. By the treaty of Paris in 1763, the French possessions along the river were ceded to England. On the 3rd of November, 1762, the land that lay west of the river was ceded to Spain, but re-conveyed to France again before long, and on the 20th of December, 1803, became part of the United States by purchase when Napoleon Bonaparte was First-Consul, and Thomas Jefferson the President. This county was then called the District of Louisiana and in 1805 it was called the Territory of Louisiana, in 1812 Territory of Missouri and in 1820, State of Missouri.
The formation of the territory of Missouri, St. Charles County embraced the entire portion of the County lying north of the Missouri river and also a large portion on the south. On the 23rd of January, 1816, the Territorial Legislature divided all that part of St. Charles county laying west of the mouth of the Missouri River, should constitute the new County of Howard; and on the 16th of December, 1820, the first State Legislature formed the County of Ray, which embraced that part of the state laying north of the Missouri and west of Grand river. Daviess County itself, was organized on the 29th day of December, 1836, and named in honor of Col. Joseph H. Daviess, who fell at the battle of Tippecanoe.
It extended from the Caldwell County line to the state of Iowa, but in February, 1845, Harrison County was formed and Daviess reduced to its present limits of sixteen congressional Townships, or twenty four miles square. The County, therefore, once belonged to Spain, twice to France, and has at times constituted a part of St. Charles, Howard and Ray Counties.
Early History.
As well as we can now ascertain, James Weldon and Humphrey Best, were the first settlers of the County. They came some time in the Spring of the year 1830, Mr. Weldon settling on what is yet known as the [Benedict?] Weldon place, with H. Best nearby. Other immigrants came dropping in one by one, till in the Spring of the year 1831, we find the following east of the river and very near what was afterwards called Millport - John Splawn, Mulberry [?], Thomas Edwards, Thomas Aubrey, Leven Brookshear, William [?]s, Wm. Morgan, John Tarwater, and some others whose names we have been unable to ascertain.
A little west of the River were James Weldon, Humphrey Best, Elijah Frost, [?] Brush and - [?] Brown on Lick Fork; John Stokes and Christ Stone on that known as the Stokes place; Philip Covington and Elisha B. Creekmore just southeast of Gallatin; and Daniel Duvall near by. Many more settlers came in the Fall of 1831, among whom were the Penistons who build near Millport. After this we were unable to keep track of the setters.
The old settlers built their cabins on the Grand river timber, or in the forested belts skirting its tributaries, and nearly always near some spring of water.
It was the settled conviction of all the pioneers that the prairies would never be brought into cultivation. Small fields of corn and generally good plots or "truck patches' were cultivated, and much of the time spent in hunting and fishing, but our space will not permit us to tell of their bear and honey hunts, nor how Robert P. Peniston caught a catfish in Grand river so large that he had to hitch a log chain to it and draw it home with a yoke of oxen. These early settlers were eminently sociable, and on the arrival of a settler, all the citizens for time miles around him would joyfully assist in building his cabin, and friendly visits of even twenty miles were made more frequently than persons now visit heir neighbors a mile distant.
In the year 1832 occurred the "Black Hawk War," having its chief field of action in Illinois, but extending its baleful influence through the entire northern part of our State. Black Hawk organized a strong band of Sacs, Fox and Winnebagos, and asserted his determination to drive the white settlers from the frontier. At first he was successful in battle, but a last was seriously defeated and captured. Our County shared the general excitement that the setters might repair in case of alarm; Theodore Peniston and a many more of the young men joined the volunteers who were scouring the region to prevent an invasion of Indians from Iowa.
Another Indian excitement, known as the "Heatherly War," arose in 1836 when Indians disturbed the peace of our pioneers for one season, although the Indians had nothing to do with it. In the northern part of Grundy County lived a family most wicked - neither civilized nor savage - the old woman being the worst devil of them all. This family murdered two personas against whom they held grudges during a friendly hunting excursion of the Iowa tribe then living near the present sit of St. Joseph. After their bloody deed they stared rumors at thicker settlements at once, raising the hue and cry that the Indians are killing the settlers, and that they were fleeing for their lives. All was [?]de Heatherly gang arrested and tried in Carroll County, where some were found guilty and sent to the penitentiary. County Court.
On the 7th day of April, 1837, the first term of the County Court was held at the house of Philip Covington, about one mile south-east of Gallatin. The individuals present were J. W. Freeman, V. T. Smith and Wm. Morgan, but the judge not producing his commission, appears not to have acted. The commissions appointing the other judges were signed on the 27th day of January, 1837, by L. W. Boggs, Governor, and Henry Shurles, Secretary of State. Smith had previously been sworn into office by the clerk of the Clinton County Court, who administered the oath to his colleague, and the County Court of Daviess County was duly inaugurated, James B. Turner being present as clerk, to the position he had been duly appointed.
The first act of this court was to divide the County into three Townships, known as Honey Creek, Grand River and Grindstone. An election in each, for Justice of the Peace and Constables, was ordered on the 29th day of April, as recorded, - in Honey Creek, at the house of Andrew McHaney, John Splawn, [Elijah?] Foley's and Andrew McHaney, Judges: in Grand River, at Robt. P. Peniston's; Josiah Morin, Adam Black and Jonathan Ligget, Judges: in Grindstone: Elijah Frost's, John Jobe, Wiley Cope and William Roper, Judges. [Jacob?] Riffe, of Ray County, was appointed commissioner to locate the County Seat, in place of William Mansyce, who was "sick and likely to die," and Marshall K. Howell, was appointed Assessor, in the place of John Splawn, who was unable to serve. Then after fixing grocer's license at ten dollars, and merchants' at fifteen, the court adjourned to meet in May "at the house of Ira Norris, near Compton & Morin's Store."
Ira Norris lived at the Eben Smith place and Compton & Morin's store was at Millport on the Stephen Smith farm, at which place the court met and gave further time to the Assessor, ordered a new election in Honey Creek and Grand River Townships, and appointed John A. Williams first Treasurer of the County. On the 22d of May there was a called term of the court for the single purpose of taking the acknowledgment of a deed.
By the records of this court we find that the first licensed ferry was kept at the mouth of Honey Creek, by James Hunter. The ferry was established at this point, so that travelers could be taken or landed either north or south of the creek, according to the direction from which they came or desired to go. The first grocery license was issued April 7th, 1837, to J. A. Williams of Millport. The next, May 8th, 1837, to John Wright of Gallatin and T. W. Jacobs of Millport; the next June 25th, to Worthington and McKinney, of Millport. The first tax was levied in the year 1837, and amounted to the sum of $164, of which all was returned delinquent except $49.16
The first election in old Clear Creek Township, was held in 1837, at John Etherton's; David Gardner, J. H. Wilson and John Pinkerton, Judges. The first election in old Sugar Creek, was in 1839, at Ruben Marcey's, Eleaszer McClure, Joseph Moss and Ruben McClure, Judges; the same year the first election in Big Creek Township was held at Alexander Liggett's, who with Jonathan Ligget and John Githens, acted as Judges. Circuit Court.
The first Circuit court was held in July, 1837, under an arbor made in front of the house of Elisha B. Creekmore, about one mile south-east of the Gallatin.
This was a double, one story log house, and has long since passed away, but its location is still marked by some remains of the chimney and the old graveyard near by. Judge Austin A. King was on the Bench, Thomas C. Burch was Circuit Attorney, James B. Turner, Clerk, and William Bowman, Sheriff. These officers were all appointed by the Governor. There were but three cases presented to this court all of which were dismissed by the plaintiffs, to wit: John Ragland vs. J. B. Oxford and William Oxford, Humphrey Best vs. Jesse Morin, and William Bowman vs. Andrew O'Horn.
The Grand Jury received their charge, retired to a small cleared place in the midst of a dense hazel thicket, deliberated for one hour, returned an indictment against James Handley for assault with intent to kill, and having no further business were discharged. This Jury was composed as follows: Jeremiah Bannon, James Brown, John Edwards, John Hoover, John Jobe, Jonathan Ligget, Moses Netherton, Caleb Odel, W. P. Peniston, Foreman, John Pinkerton, Larking Renfro, George Rhoads, Ruben Riggs, William Roper, Isaac Smith, John Splawn, Stephen Splawn, John W. Thornton.
Circuit Court continued to be held at Mr. Creekmore's until the August term in 1839, which was held at Gallatin. Mr. Creekmore boarded the officers of the Court, the juries, and most of the parties and witnesses. As a contrast with the staid and steady citizens of to-day, we will mention that at the March term, 1838, forty-three indictments were found for betting at cards, including the Clerk, foreman of the Grand Jury, sheriff, and other officers. Nearly all plead guilty, and were fined five dollars. This was then the Fifth Judicial Circuit, and is now the Twenty-eighth. The Mormons.
This sect of professed Christians, whose whole history has been but a burlesque upon the pure morality of the meek and lowly, but glorious Nazarene, came to this country in 1836. Their chief settlement was at Far-West, in Caldwell county, where their apostle, Joseph Smith, and all their chief church dignitaries, resided. Here, in1838, the corner-stone of a temple was laid, with great ceremony and not the little deception; for Smith had foretold that the rock, which was of great size, would move to its place at his command. This it apparently did do, but actually by means of ropes and pulleys worked through a concealed trench, by men at a distance.
This temple was to occupy a large square in the center of the town, and was approached by four main streets, each one hundred feet wide; and was to exceed in magnificence any edifice in the United States. The temple was never built, but Far-West attained a population of three thousand inhabitants and was for some years the County Seat of Caldwell County. Now, however, not one stone is left upon another, and the farmer's plow turns their once busy streets and desecrates their holy ground.
In our own County, their chief point was at a place yet known as "Diamon," but the Mormons called Adam-On-Di-Ahman, which, we believe, meant the grave of Adam. This place is the old Dr. Cravens' farm, now owned and occupied by Maj. McDonald, and lies about three and a half miles north-west of Gallatin. It is a romantic spot on the east bluff, overlooking the valley of Grand River; and to this day, owing, perhaps, to fissures in the underlying rock, the observer may behold the grassy cactus-lined walks of their "garden of Eden," laid off with almost mathematical precision. Adam's grave is at the edge of the garden, and is a small mound of broken limestone, gravel and soil intermixed.
Site referred to as Adam's Grave L-R: Mrs. James W. Davis, Mrs. Charles Brackenbury, and Mrs. Heman C. Smith
From Diamond to Far-West, the Mormons had a fair road, and all along it, and interspersed throughout the County, were many settlers of their faith.
A trace of wandering, a track of blood and temple building, are the principal features in the history of this deluded people, deluded by a film so thin, that even sense might see beyond. Taking their rise in the State of New York they soon migrated to Kirtland, Ohio; then to Jackson County, Missouri, then to Clay County, then to Daviess and Caldwell, then to Nauvoo, Illinois, and thence across the plains to Salt Lake, and even now there are rumors of another removal. In nearly all these places they begin or built a temple; and in all except the first, they left the marks of blood, either their own or she by them.
The Mormons always have claimed that they were peaceable and law-abiding; yes peaceable when not resisted in their outrages - law-abiding when obeying the laws of their prophet. They have always claimed that they only she blood when attacked; but this is stark falsehood, as witnessed the work of their Danties, Destroying Angels, Mountain Meadow massacre, etc., and even the attacks they complain of, were always induced by their nefarious conduct.
The first cardinal principle in the tenets of their religion as exemplified among our people, was, "The Lord hath given the earth and the fullness thereof, to His Saints;" the next was, "we are His Saints." This armed and equipped, and incited by their leaders, they roamed throughout the County, took whatever pleased their fancy, carried it to Diamond and placed it in "the Lord's storehouse." Nothing was safe, nothing was exempt from their rapacity, and our sturdy pioneers were justly indignant, and panting for revenge. With them the Mormon war meant business, and we find the County Court on the 6th of March, 1839, allowing an account of twenty-one dollars "for powder and led furnished the County during the Mormon war."
So great was the numerical superiority of the Mormons hat they citizens dared offer no resistance, but were simply at their mercy. On the 18th of October, 1838, the Mormon Legion formed their line in front of the few houses in Gallatin, and ordered the citizens to leave at once. From there the Legion proceeded to Millport, and issued the same orders. That night the citizens fled by the light of their burning homes, the principal part going to Livingston County. When they burnt Gallatin, the Mormons robbed the Treasury; true, they did not find much money, but they took what they could lay hands on. Shortly after this, the State Militia, under Gen. Parks, entered the County, and the people arose en masse to assist them. Diamond, containing perhaps five hundred souls, surrendered without resistance. About the same time, Smith himself, surrendered Far-West, and the war was over.
At the April term, 1839, of our Circuit Court, indictments for treason, arson, riot and burglary, larceny, and a host of other crimes, were found against Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, Lyman Wight, Caleb Baldwin, Alex McCray, W. S. Slade, H. H. Belt, Eli Bagly, William Aldridge, Alanson Ripley, Amos Lubbs, [Tubbs] Perry Durphey, John Lehmon [Lemmon], and many others. Most of them were released on bail which they forfeited, but Smith and the rest of the leaders being refused bail, took a change of venue to Boone County, to which place the Sheriff was ordered to convey them under military guard. On the way the prisoners effected their escape, it is claimed by bribing their guard.
During the time between the surrender of the Mormons and the finding of indictments against them, they had been in custody in Clay County; and a claim of four hundred and eighty dollars for guarding them in the Liberty Jail was presented to our County Court, but disallowed. The claimants obtained a temporary writ to mandamus, which was venued to Caldwell County and finally passed into oblivion. The General Assembly, on the 11th of December, 1838, appropriated two thousand dollars to relieve the suffering in Daviess and Caldwell Counties, caused by this Mormon war. This was for the relief of Mormons as well as others; and M. T. Green was appointed Relief Commissioner for this County.
County Officials State Senators
Josiah Morrin, James McFerran, Dr. Ellis, R. H. Vandivent
Representatives
1838 John A. Williams.
1840 Benedict Weldon
Circuit Judges
1837 Austin A. King.
1838 Thomas C. Burch
1838 James A. Clark
1841 Austin A. King
Circuit Attorneys
1837 Thomas C. Burch
1839 James A. Clark
1839 B. F. Stringfellow, George W. Dunn, Mordecai Oliver, Christ Garner
Circuit Clerks
1837 James B. Turner
1838 Robert Wilson
County Clerks
1837 James B. Turner
1838 Robert Wilson
Sheriffs
1837 William Bowman
1839 William Morgan
1839 John Pinkerton
1840 William P. Peniston
County Judges
1837 J. W. Freeman, Vincent T. Smith, William Morgan
1838 M. T. Green, Adam Black, J. H. Wilson
1842 John Cravens, Wiley Pool, William Livcy
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