History of Henry County, Missouri (1919)

GenealogyBuff.com - History of Henry County, Missouri (1919) - Chapter XXIV - OTHER EVENTS AFTER 1905 - A FEDERAL BUILDING - DRAINAGE QUESTION - FOUNT PIPER'S AIRPLANE - THE CENSUS OF 1910 - BAIRD COLLEGE PURCHASED - THE ELECTION OF 1910 - BUILDING ACTIVITIES

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Date: Friday, 24 March 2023, at 7:08 p.m.

CHAPTER XXIV

In November, 1910, the council provided for another election to purchase the public utilities. The first proposition prepared was to issue $60,000 in bonds drawing not over five per cent interest, to acquire waterworks and gas plants from the Clinton Light and Water Company. The second proposition was to issue $10,000 in bonds to enlarge, extend and perfect its present electric light plant. The election under the order of the council was duly held on December 20th and both propositions were voted down by a vote as follows:

   

On the $60,000 Proposition     On the $10,000 Proposition    

            Yes  No                        Yes     No   

            ===  ==                        ===     ==    

First Ward  39   100           First Ward   49     93    

Second Ward 22    55           Second Ward  24     53    

Third Ward  28   106           Third Ward   33    101    

Fourth Ward 58   100           Fourth Ward  60     47    

====================           ======================   

Totals     147   381           Totals      166    294    

The result was not surprising as from the start public sentiment was against the deal. The council acted in good faith in securing the lowest option ever submitted for the purchase of the plants, but the people decided otherwise.

A landmark of prominence near Clinton and to every one who had occasion to pass through on the train, was the old North Clinton depot, which was destroyed by fire in early summer of this year. The fire started from a spark thrown by a passing locomotive and owing to the distance of the building from the town there was no hope of saving it, owing to the fact that it had attained great headway before the department could make the run. The building was the original depot of the Blair line and before the "Y" was built which enabled the trains to come down to the Second Street Depot, it was a place of considerable importance.

In fact, it was seriously projected to extend the late lamented street-car system to it. However, while its importance was diminished by the building of the depot on Second street, yet all trains, both on the Blair and Missouri, Kansas & Texas railroad, stopped at this depot until the burning of this house. For a time it was a very busy place, and when the Frisco first purchased the Blair line it was a most important link between Texas and Kansas City and for a year a Fred Harvey eating house was maintained in the building. When, however, the Frisco bought the Memphis and Texas, traffic was diverted over other lines, the eating house was taken away and the Katy trains no longer stopped. At the time of its destruction the building was unoccupied and used only as a store room.

The Public Building Committee of the National House of Representatives, early in July, 1906, reported a provision for the purchase of a post office site at Clinton. In January of that year Mr. George S. Holliday, president of the Commercial Club of Clinton, and acting under the authority of the club, had gone to Washington and began a quiet, but active campaign for public building and had worked so thoroughly that the report of the committee insured the final erection of the building.

A bill carrying the appropriation of $7,500 for the site was duly introduced and passed and after an inspection of a great many locations the Secretary of the Treasury, the following November, announced the selection of the southwest corner of Second and Franklin streets. The lot has a frontage of 150 feet on Franklin street and 208 feet on Second street.

It was owned by Dr. John H. Britts and was a high and idle lot with a number of large trees growing on it and while a block from the square, is near the center of the town population. Nearly every business man in Clinton had signed a petition favoring the selection of this lot and it was so well adapted for post office purposes that even men to whom other sites would have been more convenient, rose above that consideration and asked the selection of the Britts tract. Congress later appropriated $65,000 for the erection of this building and after advertising for bids, the contract for the erection of the building was awarded to the firm of M. Yeager and Sons of Danville, Illinois, for the sum of $68,359.

The sum was considerably in excess of the appropriation for the building, but arrangement was made to carry the work forward and to finish it under additional appropriations. Under the terms of the bid Bedford limestone, a beautiful light gray stone quarried at Bedford, Indiana, was used in the main part of the building. The south or rear wall was of light-colored brick. The Government moved slowly, but surely, and a considerable time had elapsed between the appropriation for the site and the letting of its contract, which was done in October, 1910. Excavation was started on the Government building and were continued until they reached the depth set forth in the specifications, when it was found that the contractors had not yet reached bed rock and work was suspended for more than two months until the Government could be consulted and arrangements made for alteration of plans. Work was resumed again in March, 1911, and on the 19th of April following, the cornerstone of the building was laid by the Masonic Grand Lodge of Missouri. An account written at the time, says: "The cornerstone was set properly by the workmen. It is severely plain, bearing only this inscription: 'Franklin McVeigh, Secretary of the Treasury; James N. Thomas, Supervising Architect, MCMX.' There was no cavity for the reception of coins, documents or relics. After the stone was placed the symbolic implements of Masonry was presented by Grand Architect S. Degen, to the proper officers, as follows: The square to the Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master, H. L. Hunter, who applied it and reported the stone to be square; the level to the Right Worshipful Grand Senior Warden, W. W. Kitchen, who applied it and reported the stone to be level; the plumb to the Right Worshipful Grand Junior Warden, Uel W. Lamkin, who applied it and reported the stone to be plumb. Grand Master Briggs then declared the stone properly tested and. that the craftsmen have successfully performed their duty."

At the conclusion of the laying of the stone, the Grand Master made an address to the assembled people and following him Dr. W. F. Kuhn, the Grand Orator, was introduced and delivered a scholarly and eloquent oration. During the course of the exercises Hon. A. L. Armstrong, in a proper address on behalf of the people of Clinton, presented George S. Holliday with a gold-headed umbrella in recognition of his services in connection with the securing of the building.

Work was continued without interruption on the building and it was finally completed and taken over by the Government from the contractors, March 1, 1912. This was the first Government building erected in Henry County, and is commodious and splendidly arranged for which it is designed.

The Republican nominees for county ticket in 1906 were as follows: For representative, Fred Darnell; for prosecuting attorney, N. B. Conrad; recorder, B. S. Girham; sheriff, J. W. Shy; county clerk, J. H. Kennedy; collector, Jasper N. Shivers; circuit clerk, C. H. Williams; treasurer, J. Walter Ford; probate judge, D. C. Blanchard; coroner. Dr. F. F. Netherton; presiding judge, Thomas Day; associate judge, north, William H. Tillman; south, Willard Charles.

As a result of the Democratic primary the following county ticket was nominated: Representative, Mack V. Thralls; prosecuting attorney, H. F. Poague; circuit clerk, R. L. Covington; county clerk, Walter L. Finks; sheriff, J. D. Hall; recorder, W. A. McConnel; collector, Robert H. Piper; treasurer, S. M. Thompson; probate judge, J. D. Carney; coroner, James R. Wallis; presiding judge, T. W. Ogg; judge north district, M. R. Amick; judge south district, John Harrison. As a result of the election the entire Democratic ticket was elected except H. F. Poage for prosecuting attorney. N. B. Conrad, his Republican opponent, being elected by 145 majority. J. D. Hall, Democrat, for sheriff, received only 49 majority, and R. L. Covington, Democrat, for circuit clerk, but 36. There was a great deal of "scratching" as evidenced by the three votes mentioned, the ticket in general having polled a majority of between 400 and 500.

In July, 1906, Charles H. Whitaker, senior editor of the Democrat, died at his home in Clinton. Long a sufferer from a chronic malady, he had remained at his post of duty through sheer force of will and only a few days before his death was he compelled to lay aside his work. Born in Pennsylvania in 1836, he was a newspaper man all his life, finally purchasing the daily and weekly Democrat in 1893 and remaining its head until called home. He was a man of distinguished ability and widely known and respected through the county and State as well.

The question of drainage of swamp lands was agitated more or less continuously for a number of years and various projects were proposed. The overflow lands along the Grand River and the various creeks of the county are naturally wonderfully fertile, but the uncertainty which always existed because of the frequency and destructiveness of the overflow water, caused them to be very carelessly farmed. Various projects were put into effect in the period between 1910 and 1018, resulting in the establishment of a number of drainage districts, some of which have resulted in benefit to the country.

In 1910, an aeroplane was a great curiosity and there were few who were brave enough to express the opinion that they would ever become practical instruments for any purpose. The idea that they might be used as reliable means for the waging of war or the purpose of peace was not seriously advanced. Therefore it is well to remember that it was worthy of remark when one was brought to Clinton. Fount Piper, a very popular and well-known Clinton boy who had gone on the stage and taken the name of Bobby Fontaine, was managing a traveling show and one of the attractions that he advertised for the summer season of his enterprise was an aeroplane that was exhibited at every performance. He had arranged it so that the machine could be set up very easily at any place that he was exhibiting and while the machine never flew, yet it proved a very great drawing card.

Windsor had a great deal of difficulty about this time in getting a new high school. There was no question but what the people were in favor of the high school, but it seemed impossible for the school board to have a special bond election without holding it in some way that the legality thereof was threatened. Their second attempt to secure the bond issue was made in March, 1910, when the proposition to vote $20,000 was carried, but the bond companies refused to purchase the bonds owing to the fact that two judges of the election were young ladies and it was the opinion of their attorneys that the whole issue was illegal because Misses Nellie Collins and Irene Moffitt acted as clerks at this election. A third election was called immediately thereafter and a month later Windsor voted the third time on the proposition. This time they overwhelmingly declared themselves in favor of educational progress. The bonds received 326 votes in their favor and 127 against. The bonds were duly sold and a splendid building erected.

H. A. Higgins, census supervisor for the Sixth district of Missouri, appointed census enumerators for Henry County in March and assigned them as follows: Bear Creek township, Fred R. Darnell; Bethlehem, Roy Mills; Big Creek, William G. Smith; Bogard, Frank M. Causland; Clinton, William N. Cornick; Clinton, First ward, Edna P. Scott; Second ward, Lester L. Cain; Third ward, Jerome McCoy; Fourth ward, May Lovan; Davis, G. M. Hull; Deepwater, A. H. Wiley; Deer Creek, Thomas Day; Fairview, Howard S. Weaver; Deepwater City, Guy C. Hartsock; Fields Creek and Honey Creek, Walter Griffith; Leesville, C. L. Peek; Osage, M. R. Knisely; Shawnee, Emily Coats; Springfield, Roland G. Atwell; Teboe, Theodore Evans; Walker, William L. Pinkston; Whiteoak, William N. Overby; Windsor, Daniel F. Renfro; Windsor City; Mrs. Mary V. Fields.

The city election in Clinton on April 5, 1910, resulted in the election of every candidate nominated by the Democrats. The results of the election, together with the majorities, follows: For mayor, S. Blatt, Democrat, 119; majority over C. H. Snyder, Republican; for marshal, J. P. McGinnis, Democrat, by 4 majority over A. Moore, Republican; for collector, Mason Anderson, Democrat, by 211 majority over Watson Hart, Republican; for assessor, W. B. Kyle, Democrat, by 185 over H. D. Staples, Republican; for treasurer, E. R. Lingle, Democrat, by 134 over E. T. Montgomery, Republican; for police judge, D. L. Byler, Democrat, by 171 over Jerome McCoy, Republican; E. H. Hess, James Wells, Charles Sherman and O. Kniseley, all Democrats, were elected aldermen.

Baird College, which was founded in Clinton in 1885, and which had gone through many changes of ownership in the years following the surrender of the building by the Bairds, seemed to have a chance for continuation when the proposition was made in June by the Seventh Day Adventists, who were desirous of acquiring a location to develop the German work of that denomination. A committee composed of a number of the officials of the college, came to Clinton and made a thorough inspection of the building and held a meeting with the people of Clinton, in which a proposition was made to buy the building and the surrounding ground. A. A. Olson of Washington, D. C, who was in charge of the educational work of the Seventh Day Adventists, stated that it was the purpose of the denomination, if the deal was made, to immediately put the building into good shape and to establish a school which would draw from the German citizenship, not only of this country, but from Canada. The proposition was briefly to accept Baird College building proper, the lots north of it and two tracts aggregating 106 acres, lying east of the College, for which they agreed to pay $30,000 in cash, in return they asked a bonus of $12,500 from Clinton and an option on six acres immediately south of the college. After some further negotiations the transfer of the property to the church was made about the 1st of August and the school was opened the succeeding fall and has been continued ever since, with continued success.

The Artesian Park at Clinton, which had passed, under a great many vicissitudes into the ownership of H. P. Faris, was offered by him to the city as a gift, in July, 1910. The idea was suggested by Rev. W. A. Pearman, rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, and in a letter to the Democrat, written and published shortly before that time, advocating the purchase of this park for a public playground. Mr. Faris was away at the time the article appeared, but on his return, he wrote an open letter announcing that he was ready to give the park to the city of Clinton under a lease for the term of ninety-nine years. The terms of the lease were to the effect that the tract transferred, comprised of a tract of seventy acres which was known as the Artesian Park tract. The lease was to be for ninety-nine years and to commence August 1, 1910. The lessee, H. P. Faris, and his heirs were to reserve nominal rights, the use of the artesia water for their own purposes and the right of ingress and egress across the property. The city as a rental, was to pay for the property one wreath of flowers to be placed on the grave of Adda C. Faris, deceased wife of H. P. Faris, in Englewood Cemetery, on the 22nd day of June annually. The city can not assign or under-let the lease without the consent of the lessee. It should pay all taxes and if any default is made in the terms, the property would revert to the lessee or their heirs. The city was called on to bind itself to place control in a board of directors, both men and women, to be named by the various denominations, all of whom should be church members and one should be a member of the H. P. Faris family or their descendants, so long as qualifications will permit. The following provisions are the only ones made relative to restrictions:

1st. That all money-making features of whatever kind or character shall be closed and not allowed to be opened or used on the first day of the week, commonly known as Sunday, and no ball games or similar sports or railroad excursions shall be allowed on the said premises on said first day of the week, commonly called Sunday, but this shall not be construed as preventing the furnishing of meals by any established hospital, restaurant or hotel that may be authorized by said board.

2nd. No intoxicating liquors of any kind shall be permitted or allowed to be taken upon or used, or sold, given away or otherwise disposed of upon said premises, but all such intoxicating liquor shall be forever barred. The list concludes by the condition that it shall be inoperative if not accepted on or before September 1, 1910. The proposal was not accepted.

The fall election in Henry County resulted in the election of the entire Democratic ticket. The party had renominated H. F. Poague for prosecuting attorney. Two years before Poague had been defeated by N. B. Conrad and a keen fight was made on him from every side. However, Mr. Poague was elected by 813, which was the lowest majority on the ticket, the highest majority being 1,116 for Peeler for county clerk. Eleven constitutional amendments were submitted for the consideration of the people and all of them were overwhelmingly defeated. Prohibition being defeated by 495 in the county, which was the smallest majority returned against any of the eleven on which a vote was taken. The last of November Judge B. L. Owen, one of the oldest residents of Henry county, passed away. By his death the county and city lost a venerable and beloved citizen who possessed characteristics of rugged integrity, sincerity and industry; a born Missourian who loved the state of his nativity and her people and was by them honored.

In January, 1911, the west wing of the Franklin High School building in Clinton was condemned as unsafe and was abandoned. The part of the school building which was endangered was erected in 1870 and contained six school rooms, five of which were in use, being occupied by 160 pupils. Supt. Arthur Lee had noticed cracks in the wall some weeks since and as the bricks used in construction of this wing were very soft, the cracks in the wall justified the gravest apprehension. The school board, at the suggestion of the superintendent, investigated the conditions at the school and at once vacated it, putting the children in different schools and in rented rooms at different places through the city.

Agitation was begun immediately for the issuing of bonds for the erection of a new high school and a new ward school to take the place of the one condemned. The Franklin school was abandoned and the election was called by the board for March 23rd, at which the people were asked to vote $45,000 for the new high school and $15,000 for the new ward school. The campaign for the new building was one of intense interest and the vote was overwhelmingly in favor of the schools, the people declaring themselves in favor of educational progress by 891 for to 95 against. The board immediately sold the issue of bonds to the Mississippi Valley Trust Company of St. Louis, the bonds selling at a premium of II/2 per cent, netting the city $60,900 for the issue. The school board engaged practical wreckers to tear down the old Franklin school building as its condition was such that it was unsafe to use it for any purpose. When the building was torn down a number of things were recalled in connection with the original school in Clinton. Harvey Tutt found an old deed from the Teboe Masonic Lodge to the Board of Education, conveying to it lot 43 in the original town of Clinton. This deed was dated June 1, 1868, and the school building was erected on the lot which served until 1872, when the old Franklin building was erected.

The location of the first school building was on West Jefferson street, where the Curtis livery stable stood. On the deed conveying this property to the school district was the signatures of the entire membership of Teboe Masonic Lodge No. 68. That lodge is now no more, but has been succeeded by Clinton Lodge No. 548. The deed is signed by the following officers and members: B. L. Quarrels, worshipful master; George F. Warth, senior warden; S. D. Garth, junior deacon; J. W. Stewart, Tyler; R. Allen, past master; G. Y. Salmon, past master; Matt Zener, junior warden; D. T. Terry, senior deacon; James Parks, secretary; Thomas D, Hancock, treasurer; S. E. Price, W. B. Cock, G. F. Royston, James R. Connor, John H. Britts, James Bradley, S. F. Williams, J. B. Riggins, Ausby Fike, F. M. Estes, J. W. Taylor, H. Dunnig, L. Bergheim, W. T. Thornton, Sr., Will S. Stone, B. L. Oeven, C. H. Smith, J. F. Norman, James Clifton, H. C. Adkins, J. H. Webster, N. 1. Dunn, V. O. Grant, M. S. Peeler, John A. Stewart, J. G. Middlecoff, A. M. Fulkerson, W. W. Jackson, F. M. Groff , William Paul, John W. Fike, Charles T. Collins, William A. Duncan, J. Bergheim, William Settles, W. T. Thornton, Jr., J. H. Nelson, A. B. Riggins, W. A. Norris, T. B. Sharp.

Plans for the new building were accepted by the school board and bids asked on the same, which were opened on August 10th. Nineteen different firms bidding for the contract. The Anderson Construction Company of Kansas City, Kansas, receiving both bids. Their bid for the high school building was $31,060, and the bid for the ward school, $14,854. In addition the buildings cost $12,167 for heating and plumbing, $3,000 for architect's fees and $650 for the lot, making a total expenditure of $61,731. The cornerstone for the new high school was laid by the Masons with their very impressive ceremony, on Friday, October 12, 1911. The cornerstone is at the southeast corner of the building and is simply inscribed "Clinton High School, 1911."

The completion of the building left the board confronted with the necessity of building walks and procuring suitable furniture for the new schools and a special election was necessary to procure the money needed for the above purpose. It required three attempts to secure the passage of this tax. The first election the proposition was not well understood and the people defeated it, thinking it was an annual tax. The second the friends of the measure were overconfident, but on the third time the proposition was submitted, in July, 1912, it was carried by a vote of 592 for to 149 against. The formal opening of the new high school building was had on Friday evening, October 25, 1912. Its erection was creditable to the city and insured the maintenance of a high standard of education in the community for all time to come.

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