TOWNSHIPS FORMED Adapted from Discover Cooper County by Ann Betteridge: Cooper County Townships were not all formed at the same time. Townships changed names and territory throughout the early history of the County. The first election after Cooper County was organized was held August 2, 1819 and four townships were established...Arrow Rock, Miami, Tabeau and Lamine, which included the town of Boonville. In May, 1820 , the original townships remained the same and Moreau Township was added. Cooper County was bounded on the east and south by the Osage River, on the west by the Indian Territory, and on the north by the Missouri River. Lamine Township at that time included about all within the present limits of Cooper County, plus some territory not now included in its limits. In August, 1820 , Osage and Jefferson townships were added. When Saline County was formed, Arrow Rock, Miami and Tabeau went away. Moreau went to Moniteau County. On July 12, 1855 , the following townships had been established and still exist in the County: Boonville; Lamine; Saline; Clark's Fork; Moniteau; Kelly; Palestine; Clear Creek; Pilot Grove; Blackwater; and Lebanon. A total of 14 townships were established by 1877 . Moniteau was divided into north and south, and since 1897 the final township configuration has remained the same. At one time Cooper County was dotted with many small family farms. Many of these small farms have been in the same family for over 100 years and are known as “Century Farms”. But after the Depression, and the locusts and dust storms of the 1930s , and the drop in farm prices in the 1980 ’s, many small farms were lost to creditors and were often purchased at bargain prices, then were consolidated into larger farms. The trend towards large farming operations has resulted in a drop in county population. Living in an rural area that is not crowded has its advantages - people are more friendly, neighbors are close, but not too close, and people are usually very supportive of their schools and communities. People you don’t even know wave as they pass on the road. That will never happen in the city. References – Small Cooper County Towns History of Cooper County by W.F. Johnson: Townships pages 218-249 A Pictorial History of the Boonslick Area Bicentennial Boonslick History Map of Cooper Counties' townships BLACKWATER TOWNSHIP Physical Features : This township is a peninsula, being almost entirely surrounded by the Lamine and Blackwater rivers. The soil is rich and very productive. The minerals found in the township were partially responsible for the settlement of the township. Minerals found there are iron, lead, and salt. In 1888 , there were six salt springs and a great number of fresh water springs in this area. Salt was manufactured at salt water springs from as early as 1808 through 1836 . The manufacture of salt was carried on extensively by Heath, Baley, Christie, Allison, and others. Settlement : William Christie and John G. Heath temporarily settled in this township in 1808 . They remained only long enough to manufacture a small quantity of salt, then returned down the river. James Broch, the first permanent settler, arrived in 1816 , and planted an acre of cotton which produced a high yield. Some of the first settlers were: Enoch Hambrich, who came in 1817 ; David Shellcraw in 1818 ; Nathaniel T. Allison, Sr. In 1831 ; Fleming Marshall and Robert Clark in 1832 ; Nathaniel Bridgewater in 1835 ; and Edmund M. Cobb and Larkin T. Dix in 1834 . In 1937 Blackwater had two general merchandise stores, a grocery store, two hardware stores, two barber shops, a beauty shop, blacksmith, post office, lumber company, bank, a hotel, one elevator, two doctors and the Blackwater Stone Company. Today, all that remains is the post office, city hall, bank, hotel, and the train station aka “The Depot” which is used as a community center. There are a few antique and trendy shops along Main Street as well as a restaurant. “The Hollow,” a large event venue, once Fahrendorf Feed and Hardware Supply, is used primarily as a reception area for Wildcliff Weddings and Events. The Blackwater Preservation Society is active in maintaining this attractive and unique town. The only town remaining in Blackwater Township, is Blackwater. References for Blackwater Township at CCHS: History of Blackwater BOONVILLE TOWNSHIP Physical Features : The Missouri River is on the north; the Petite Saline Creek runs through the southern part of the township and the Lamine River borders a portion of the western part of the township. This township’s soil is very productive, and is especially good for growing fruit. Large quantities of coal have also been mined from this area Settlement : The first settlers of the township were Stephen and Hannah Cole, who settled there in 1810 . William McFarland, the first Sheriff of Cooper County, was born in Buncombe County, North Carolina. In October, 1816 he settled on the north side of the Petite Saline Creek. In 1818 he was a member of the Territorial Legislature from the southern district of Howard County. He was elected a member of the Legislature from Cooper County in 1822 , 1824 , and 1838 . Luke Williams, a Baptist preacher, was a farmer and lived about five miles west of Boonville. Justinian Williams was born in Bath County, Virginia, and while young, emigrated to Kentucky. Later, he moved to Howard County and from there settled at Boonville in 1818 , organizing the first Methodist Church in Cooper County the same year. He was a cabinet maker by trade. He was also the local preacher in Boonville for several years. In 1834 he built a steam boat and was its commander for several years. Marcus Williams was the first mayor of Boonville. He came to Boonville from Kentucky. He was a brick mason by trade, and manufactured the first bricks ever commercially made in Cooper County. In 1840 he made the first stoneware ever manufactured in western Missouri. Boonville Township was the first township in the county to be settled. Between 1830 and 1840 a number of men settled in Boonville and engaged extensively in the mercantile business. The years 1840-1850 were a time of great prosperity in Boonville. During the Civil War, there was a period of confusion, violence, anger and disruption in Boonville. The economy of the township stood still, and the effect of the war lingered for some time following the war. The troops on both sides had stolen or commandeered most of the horses and livestock and any food they could find. Buildings and homes had been destroyed and crops ruined. Just following the war was the growth of railroads in the county, which started a new period of prosperity. In Boonville, the first municipal water system was completed in 1883 and a telephone system was also started in in 1883 . Main street was paved with bricks in 1898 . Street lighting by electricity replaced the gas lights. In 1924 a new east-west highway bridge over the Missouri River brought more traffic to Boonville and more people, as the road went down Main street. Factories and new businesses also came to Boonville at this time. Today Boonville is the largest city in the County and still prosperous, although not as busy as in earlier years. The older buildings along the main street, and the early churches have been well preserved and are still in use. Especially interesting are Thespian Hall, the old jail, Roslyn Heights and the Hain House. Many of the beautiful older homes are listed on the National Register. Most of the Main Street buildings are still in use and are well maintained. Several of the older buildings in the city have been repurposed. The old KATY Railroad Bridge, spanning the Missouri River, is one of the focal points of the city, which is rich in history. Billingsville, once a busy community is now an unincorporated area in the township, a small settlement consisting of a lovely church, a mix of old and new homes and a large well-kept cemetery. At one time it was one of several busy stage coach stops in the county. References for Boonville Township at CCHS: History of Billingsville, Prairie Lick and Stoney Point; Boonville An Illustrated History Boonville An Historic River Town Also, see list of thing to see in Boonville near the end of the website. CLARK’S FORK TOWNSHIP Physical Features : The township is watered by Clark’s Fork and the Petite Saline Creek with their tributaries. There is probably more prairie in this township than in any other township in the County. Settlement : John Glover was the first settler of this township. He came in 1813 and built a log cabin on the south bank of the Petite Saline Creek. The next settlers were John C. Rochester and Zephaniah Bell. John C. Rochester was a grandson of the founder of the city of Rochester, New York. John lost a fortune by having to pay a large security debt. He wanted to come to a new country where society would accept him. He married Sallie Kelly, a daughter of James Kelly, who was a soldier of the American Revolution. Mr. Bell was a farmer. George Crawford was the first assessor of Cooper County. He was also a member of the legislature from Cooper County. Judge George Weight settled in Clark’s Fork Township in 1822 , and he taught school in Cooper County. He was a good violinist, and in his early days taught a dancing school. He was judge of the County court and county surveyor of Cooper County for many years. There were several brick kilns and a lime kiln in the area. Water-powered mills were built. Flour and meal were so important that four mills did a good business in the community. The mills were: Rankin’s Mill, Jewett’s Mill, Connor’s Mill, and Gooch Mill. In 1847 , Jacob Schilb and family came to the United States from Bavaria and settled near Gooch Mill. They began to make crockery: jars, crocks, and jugs. Old Overton, at the edge of the Missouri River, had a tomato processing factory and it had a ferry boat landing nearby. The Missouri Pacific Railroad built a depot there. There were four covered bridges in the area: Crawford, Hurt, Connors, and Big Lick. They all spanned the Petite Saline Creek. Not only did the bridges save fording the stream, they also provided shelter from rain and storms, and provided a cool place for tired, hot horses to rest. Unfortunately, all of the covered bridges are now gone. The Lone Elm public school closed in 1963 when county schools were consolidated. There is now a large church at Lone Elm named Zion Lutheran Church. The church has a very successful private Christian Day School that is providing an excellent education for area students. There are two remaining small, unincorporated settlements in Clark’s Fork Township – Lone Elm and Clark’s Fork. CLEAR CREEK TOWNSHIP Physical Features : Clear Creek Township is one of the oldest townships in Cooper County. It received its name from the creek which flows through it in a northwesterly direction. It flows over a pebbly bottom causing its waters to be unusually clear, which makes it truly a “clear creek.” The surface of the township is rough in the northern and western portions but there is rich farmland in the southern and eastern portions. The Lamine River and numerous smaller streams flow through the township. It is 44 square miles in area. Settlement: Isaac Ellis, Alex Brown, and a Mr. Scott settled in the northwestern part of the township in about 1816 . Another early settler of this township was James Taylor, who had three sons, William, John, and James. He witnessed the long series of earthquakes which occurred in New Madrid in 1811 . He moved to Cooper County in 1817 . He had a large plantation, and raised, and always had on hand, large quantities of corn, which he stored in cribs. He would not sell the corn unless he received the price he asked. He also would not sell the corn to those he thought were not thrifty. One time when corn was very scarce in the county, and very little could be had, two men came to Mr. Taylor’s house asking to buy some corn on credit. One was very poorly dressed, with his pants torn off below his knees, and what there was remaining of them patched all over. The other was almost elegantly dressed. Mr. Taylor sold the poorly dressed man, on credit, all the corn he wished. He told the other one that ‘he could get no corn there, unless he paid the money for it, and that if he had saved the money which he had squandered for his fine clothes he would have had enough to pay cash for the corn.” Mr. Taylor was a leader in the Baptist church and a kind neighbor. Mr. Taylor was known as “Corn Taylor”. Jordan O’Bryan, a son-in-law of James Taylor, was also one of the early settlers of this township. He was elected to the state legislature in 1822 , 1826 , 1834 , and 1840 . In 1844 , he was elected state senator for four years. James Taylor’s son, John, continued raising corn as his father did. He built a large plantation home which was completed in 1859 . The house, later named Crestmead, has been restored. It has been in the Betteridge family since 1903 . At the same time, he was building Crestmead, he served on the committee to build Mt. Nebo Baptist Church. In 1823 , Samuel Walker arrived and located in the southern part of the township. His father, Winston, had already built a fort in this area. In 1814 , Stephen Young and Lawrence Sommers, the first German immigrants, arrived in the township. Following in his tracks were numerous Germans, who settled most of the northern and western portions of the township. The Germans proved themselves to be a very industrious and thrifty people. Most German immigrants to this township came between 1830 and 1850 . Between 1840 and 1850 , the following men and their families came from Germany and other places in Missouri: Adam Aulbach, Jacob Beck, Theodore Bester, John Deil, Jacob Deil, Bertram Felten, Fran Grotzinger, Gergory Klenklen, Henry Jansen, Melchior Kraus, Andrew Neckerman, Anton Schibi, Michael Schoen, F. M. Larm, Franz Stolzenberger, Bernard H. Twenter, John B. Twenter, Anthony Youngkamp, John G. Walz, Anton Wessing, and George A. Zoeller. They mostly settled on the hills which the Americans thought too poor to cultivate, and become very prosperous. They succeeded in raising good crops and in making a good living. In hilly areas they cultivated grapes very successfully. The Missouri, Kansas, and Texas (MKT or KATY) railroad ran about five miles through this township, furnishing the inhabitants transportation for their surplus products. "Here are some of my reminiscences of my Great Grand Grandmother, Maria Martin Day, "Grandma Day". This is from a book written by Agnes Immele Meriwether called "Bernhard Martin and His Descendants" from 1962. Grandma Day, I feel, is one of Cooper Counties Heroes. She had a hard, good life and I'm proud to be connected with her and her stories". - Wayne Lammers PLEASANT GREEN In 1816 Alex Brown, Isaac Ellis and Mr. Scott and their families settled in the area which came to be known as Pleasant Green. In 1823 , Samuel Walker arrived who was the owner of a large federal grant of land. Judge Smith Walker and his father Winston built a small brick house on edge of the Walker land and named it “Pleasant Green”. The name was also given to the nearby Methodist Church founded in 1825 (still in use) and eventually the town. The town was located on the MKT Railroad line and was an important shipping station for 40 years. In its most prosperous days it had three general stores, a bank, a drug store, hardware store, barber, small hotel, two grain elevators, livery stables, blacksmith, post office and a telephone office. People started to leave in the late 1920 ’s and 30 ’s due to the depression and changes in transportation. Cooper County’s first bank robbery took place in Pleasant Green in 1926 . Today, Pleasant Green and Burrwood are the only evidences of the busy town that once existed there. Every year since 1953 the Township has had an annual sanctioned radio. Pleasant Green is the only town that has ever been in Clear Creek Township. References for Clear Creek Township at CCHS: History of Clear Creek Pleasant Green Underground KELLY TOWNSHIP Physical Features: The surface of the township consists mainly of prairie with some timbered portions. Moniteau Creek, with its tributaries, extends through two-thirds of the township from east to west, and the Petite Saline Creek waters a portion of the western part of the township. The township was named in honor of John Kelly, one of its early pioneers. Settlement: James Kelly was a Revolutionary War soldier. He, along with Charles Woods and James D. Campbell, served as soldiers in the War of 1812 . The Kelly’s came from Tennessee. William Jennings came from Georgia to Cooper County in 1819 , and owned a large tract of land. He was the first preacher in the township, and was the pastor of “Old Nebo” Church for many years. James D. Campbell was an early justice of the county court and acted as justice of the peace for many years. He was a prominent politician, always voting the Democratic ticket. Charles Woods, also known as General Charles Woods, was for many years the leading Democrat in his neighborhood. Joseph Reavis settled in the township in 1823 . He and his sons manufactured excellent wagons. Their trade extended for miles around. Their wagons were sometimes purchased by the Santa Fe traders. The first school was taught by Joseph S. Anderson in 1824 . He taught until 1828 when he was elected sheriff of Cooper County. In 1832 he was elected to the legislature from Cooper County. Rice Challis, an early settler in this township, was a carpenter. The soil of this township is very productive and the farmers are generally prosperous. The Union Pacific Railroad was a short distance south of the township. Until 1937 , the Osage Valley and Southern Kansas Railroad ran eight miles directly through its center, affording the inhabitants easy facilities for the shipping of their products. Corn, wheat, and soybeans were among the principal products, with many farmers raising live stock as well. At the height of its prosperity, hundreds of cars of cattle, sheep, hogs, poultry and mules were shipped to St. Louis each year. The town grew rapidly and by 1899 the town had two drug stores, 3 general stores, 2 millinery stores, 4 grocery stores, a hotel, 4 barbershops, 3 blacksmiths, 2 physicians, 2 lumber yards, one livery stable, a carpenter, a public school, a private school, a flour mill, 4 churches and a population of 1,000 people. Beginning in 1896 , Bunceton was noted for its annual Fair. The Fair was eventually replaced by the 4th of July Days that Bunceton celebrates each year. Although individuals do not bring projects to be judged like in most fairs, there are games to play: dunking booth, cake walk, pedal pull, bounce house, pony rides, to name a few, along with fiddle contests, an ice cream social and street dance. A parade is held every year. This special event is open to the public and fun to attend. Since its founding, Bunceton has suffered from many fires which have destroyed three mills and much of the main street business area. As the town began to lose population after the train was rerouted and bypassed the town, much of the business area deteriorated and has been removed. One building which has been used for several things is the Princess theater, built in 1917 , which has been later used as a funeral home, a bar (Lucky's Place), and currently it has been made into an apartment. At one time, when the railroad came through town, Bunceton grew to be the second largest town in Cooper County. Today, Bunceton is the only town in Kelly Township, with a current population of 354. References for Kelly Township at CCHS: Bunceton 1868-1888 Bunceton 1868-1993 LAMINE TOWNSHIP Physical Features: The surface of the township is rolling and was originally covered with a heavy growth of timber. Most of the soil is rich and, in some localities, very productive. Three sides of the township are surrounded by water. Settlement: The township was settled first in 1812 . The very first settlers were David Jones, a Revolutionary War soldier; Thomas and James McMahan; Stephen, Samuel and Jesse Turley; and Saunders Townsend. Others came soon afterwards. In 1812 a fort, called McMahan’s Fort, was built in this township, but was later attacked by Indians in 1814 and burned to the ground. This township was at one time, one of the wealthiest townships in the County. Lead deposits were found and mined. A large quantity of high-quality lumber and cord-wood was cut every year from the plentiful woods and was shipped by men of the Blackwater and Lamine River areas. The streams have abundant fish. Tornadoes have not been kind to Lamine and eventually the town was moved closer to the river and the railroad, and is sometimes called “New Lamine. Lamine Township has only one very small settlement at this time – Lamine. References for Lamine Township at CCHS: Our Town, Lamine Missouri LEBANON TOWNSHIP Physical Features: Lebanon township is bounded on the north by Clear Creek and Palestine townships, on the east by Kelly township, on the south by Morgan county, and on the west by Otterville township. This township was organized about 1826 . In the western part of the township the surface is rough and partly timbered. There are fine stretches of prairie and rolling land in the southern and eastern part. Settlement: Thomas J. Starke, of Otterville, wrote an interesting history of Otterville and Lebanon. He read the history on the 4th day of July, 1876 , at a meeting of the citizens of Otterville. He spent almost 70 years in Cooper County where he grew to manhood, married and died. He was the father of Mrs. D. S. Koontz of Boonville. The first settlement of the township was New Lebanon, six miles north of Otterville. During the fall of 1819 and spring of 1820 the following people came to New Lebanon to settle: Rev. Finis Ewing, Rev. James L. Wear, John Wear, James H. Wear, Samuel Wear, Alexander Sloan, Robert Kirkpatrick, Colin C. Stoneman, William Stone, Frederick Casteel, Reuben A. Ewing, James Berry, Thomas Rubey, Elizabeth Steele, a Mr. Smiley, Rev. Laird Burns, John Burns, John Reed, Silas Thomas, James Taylor, Hugh Wear, who as a brother to James L. and John Wear, James McFarland and Rev. William Kavanaugh. Rev. Finnis Ewing was a minister of the gospel, and one of the original founders of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He was from Kentucky. He became a minister in 1803 and with Samuel McAdam and Samuel King, founded the Cumberland Church in 1810 . New Lebanon settlers pitched their tents and began building a church and seminary. It was built of hewn logs. Each person brought their share of the logs. These logs were double, that is, each log was 24 feet in length, being joined in the middle of the house by means of an upright post, into which the ends were mortised, making the entire length of the church 48 feet, and 30 feet in width. This building served as a place of worship until 1860 , when the new brick church of the present day was built on the site of the old one, which was torn down. The Rev. James L. Wear was for many years a Cumberland Presbyterian preacher. Rev. John Reid was another minister of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He first lived at Honey Creek and afterward moved to many different places. Reid was driving a team for a man who was moving to this country with Mr. Ewing, who had bells on his six-horse team. The young man liked the jingle of these bells so well that he begged Mr. Ewing to allow his teamster to divide with him, in order that he might share the music, but Mr. Ewing “could not see it” and refused to make the division as asked. Reid bought a number of cowbells and hung one on each horse of his team, which soon had the effect of bringing the preacher to terms. Mr. Ewing was so much bothered with the discord made by these coarse bells that he soon suggested a compromise by giving Reid his sleigh bells, provided he would stop the cowbell part of the concert. New Lebanon is the only settlement left in New Lebanon Township, but it has been beautifully preserved. The church and school are in excellent condition, as is Uncle Abe’s Store. There is also a large cemetery. A visit to New Lebanon allows you to take a rare step back in time and is worth a visit. References for Lebanon Township at CCHS: History of New Lebanon NORTH AND SOUTH MONITEAU TOWNSHIPS Physical Features: These two townships, originally one, are separated by the Moniteau Creek. They are bounded on the north by Clark’s Fork and Prairie Home townships, on the east and south by Moniteau County and on the west by Kelly Township. The surface near the Moniteau Creek tends to be rough, gradually giving way to prairie both in the north and south. Settlement: Pisgah is the second oldest town in Cooper County. The area was first settled in 1818 . Thomas B. Smiley, an early settler, was elected to the Legislature from Cooper County in 1820 , with Thomas Rogers and William Lillard. Thomas Smiley was a man of considerable information and a good historian. He raised a large family of children and died in 1836 . Mr. Shelton, a blacksmith, settled near the town of Pisgah in 1818 . He was well-known for his good work with metals and at that time was the only blacksmith in the county outside of Boonville. Some of the early settlers in this area were Seth Joseph, Waid and Stephen Howard, William Coal, Sames Stinson, Hawking Burress, David Burress, Charles Hickox, Samuel McFarland, Carroll George, James Snodgrass, Martin George, Alexander Woods, James Jones, David Jones, and Augustus K. Longan. David Jones settled at Pisgah before 1820, since his vote was recorded in that year. He and Archibald Kavanaugh were elected to the state legislature in 1830 , 1832 , and 1834 . In 1836 he was elected State Senator, and was re-elected in 1848 . Pisgah and Mount Pleasant churches were built by the Baptists in the early days and were led by John B. Longan and Kemp Scott. The first school in this township was probably taught by James Donelson. He only professed to teach arithmetic as far as the “double rule of three.” A Mr. Summers and Judge Smith kept a store at “Old Round Hill.” Richard Bonsfield built a store at Pisgah. Today, there are no towns or churches left in South Moniteau Township and there remain two, almost extinct towns, in North Moniteau Township – Pisgah and Cotton. Pisgah has a lovely church, Pisgah Baptist, which is still active. The Pisgah Baptist church was organized in 1819 and is the second oldest Baptist church in Cooper County. At one time there was a croquette factory, grist mill, chair factory, carding mill, three general stores, a blacksmith and a drug store located there. Pisgah was the first town in Cooper County to have its own community center. Cotton is also located in North Moniteau Township. It once was home to a large grist mill and a was busy little town. Dick’s Mill, the last standing in mill in Cooper County is still there, but not in operation and Dicks’ school is also still standing. OTTERVILLE TOWNSHIP Physical Features: Otterville Township originally included part of Lebanon Township, but later covered all of Lebanon township west of the Lamine River. Settlement: In 1826 , Thomas Parsons came to this area and found three families living west of the Lamine. These were the James G. Wilkerson, William Reed, and William Sloan families. Thomas Parsons established the first hatters’ shop south of Boonville. Elijah Hook, a hunter and trapper, came from Tennessee and James Brown who came in 1827 and was a Kentuckian, farmer, and hunter. He had hunted with Daniel Boone. James Davis also came from Tennessee. He was an industrious farmer and great rail splitter. James Birney, a prominent farmer, came from Kentucky in 1827 . Frederick Shurley, the mightiest hunter in all the land round about Otterville, settled southeast of Otterville in 1827 . He was with General Jackson in the Creek War, and was present at the Battle of Horse Shoe Bend, where the Indians had made their last stand. He used to tell with deep interest, the thrilling incidents of this war. Nathan Neal came from Kentucky in 1827 and settled two miles north of Otterville. George Cranmer came to Boonville in 1828 and to Clifton City in 1832 . He was a millwright and a mechanic. He and James H. Glasgow built what was known as Cranmer’s Mill, where the KATY railroad crossed the Lamine River. He named the area Clifton, which was previously known as Cold Neck. Clifton City There are many interesting stories about the town of Clifton City. Matthew Cox, a hunter and trapper of this area, was known for his tales. He told of being in a bear’s grip, when the bear pushed him off a high bluff which was nearly 500 feet high. They would strike and bound against the rocks every few feet, until they reached the bottom of the bluff. You would naturally think it was “Farewell Matthew,” but strange as it may seem, he escaped with a few slight scratches. The bear had, fortunately for Matthew, been on the underside every time they struck, till they reached the bottom, when the bear turned loose of the hunter and closed his eyes in death. Matthew Cox’s tales were generally much like this; almost always they ended favorable to him and fatal to his enemies. This tale made “Matthew’s Bluff” well known to everybody in this neighborhood. In 1907 , the original train depot at Clifton City burned. It was replaced by a new slate roofed depot and later moved in 1925 . The first train made its maiden run in 1873 . The last train made its final run passing through Clifton City, in 1986 . The mail came in by train and was carried to the post office to be delivered. Several train wrecks date back to 1879 and 1918 . Wrecks were blamed on a mix up in train orders. The train would whistle coming into town twice a day, but today, the whistle only lives on in memories of the days gone by. Just off JJ, North of Hwy 135, was the location of the Stage Stop. Rumor has it that an old shed, close to this Stage Stop, is where the Jessie James gang would hide from time to time. The James gang at one time was caught not far from there on their way out of town. Jesse had a lot of friends at Clifton City and visited there often, or whenever he was passing through. In the late 1800 ’s, Clifton City had a bank, a beautiful brick building standing on the South side of town. In 1886 , W.B. Over the years the building has been a home to several different business - a café, grocery store and many other things. Today it still stands as a place for storage, and is slowly losing its beauty. The bank closed in 1929 . One of the greatest improvements for the rural people in Clifton City was made when farm to market roads were established. The roads were built in 1934 and 1935 . There are now two paved roads going through Clifton City. The coming of cars and trucks hurt the railroad shipments. The new roads made it easy and less expensive for farmers to take their produce and cattle to market with their own trucks. So this was the beginning of a slow death to the small town of Clifton City. The town of Otterville was first called Eldon. Later it was named for the great number of otters found in a creek which flows past the town. In 1860 the Missouri Pacific Railroad was built and ended in Otterville, and the town grew and prospered. Eventually the rail line was extended to Sedalia. As a result, Sedalia prospered and Otterville lost population and businesses. Otterville The town of Otterville was first called Elktown and Ottertown before being named Otterville. It was laid out by Gideon R. Thompson in 1837 . A public square was laid out and some buildings were built near the square. The town square at this time was where the Otterville School stands today. Otterville was incorporated by an act of the Legislature of Missouri on February 16, 1854 . One hundred years after the town of Otterville was incorporated a city water system was added. There was no post office in Otterville until March 24, 1848 . When the post office started in Otterville, the mail was carried by horseback. Then the Missouri Pacific railway came through and that allowed the mail to be brought to town by train. The post office quit dispatching the mail to the trains in about 1965 . Since then the mail is sent and received from Sedalia by truck. Today Otterville Township has two small towns – Otterville and Clifton City. References for Otterville Township at CCHS: Recollections of Clifton City, Clifton City 1873-2019 and Otterville Sesquicentennial PALESTINE TOWNSHIP Physical Features: The surface of the township is mostly level, with the exception of a strip of rough land near the western side. There is evidence that this area was once an Indian settlement. Settlement: The first people to come to this township were Joseph Stephens, William Moore, and Samuel Peters. Joseph Stephens Sr., and family, settled in Palestine in 1817 , being led to their new home by Major Stephen Cole. In 1818 , Samuel Peters settled two miles farther north at a place called Petersburg. William Moore came from North Carolina with his family, including seven sons and three daughters. Margaret married Judge Lawrence C. Stephens in 1818 ; Sally married Col. John G. Hutchison, and Mary married Harvey Bunce, the founder of Bunceton. When Samuel Peters began to build his home, he invited his neighbors to come and help him, saying that he would kill a hog and have it for dinner. Since this was the first hog ever butchered in this part of the state, and as very few of the settlers had ever tasted pork, it was not too difficult to persuade them to come and help. Before this time the settlers had lived entirely upon wild game. Always, on such occasions, they had a little “fire-water” to give life to the occasion. Colonel Andrew and Judge John Briscoe settled in the same township in 1818 . They were both very prominent men, and leaders in their parties, Andrew being a Whig, and John a Democrat. Some of the other early settlers were Henry, Hiram, Heli, and Harden Corum; Mr. Tevis (the father of Captain Simeon Tevis); Thomas Colins; Jacob Summers; Michael, James, and William Son; John and Joseph Cathey; James David and John H. Hutchison; Nathaniel Leonard; John and Andrew Wallace; Henry Woolery; Holbert and Samuel Cole; James Bridges; James Simms; Russell Smallwood; Thomas Best; Greenberry Allison; William C. Lowery; and Anthony F. Read. Mr. Greenberry Allison dug the first cistern in the county, which proved to be a great success. Many of his neighbors imitated his example, as before this time, they had been forced to depend upon wells and springs for water. Old Palestine, or Palestine, was the first permanent settlement in the central part of the county. It was a thriving community from the 1840 's to the 1870 ’s. The building of the Osage Railroad from Tipton to Booneville caused the town to move from the original location on a hilltop to the valley below. The town in the valley was called “New Palestine” until the name was changed to “Speed” in the early 1900 ’s. New Palestine grew rapidly and hastened the decline of Old Palestine. The railroad built a stock yard, and there were several businesses opened in Speed, including a bank. In 1876 there were 100 inhabitants and in the 1890 census there were 141 residents. Once the railroad no longer ran through Speed, the once prosperous town lost population and now there are no businesses there and only about 20 residents. Palestine Township took the lead in education from the beginning. The first schools were taught by Lawrence C. S. Stephens, Dr. William H. Moore, and a young man from Virginia, also named William H. Moore, who was considered the best teacher in his day in this part of the country. The first dancing school was opened in 1832, at the home of B. W. Levens, about a quarter of a mile east of Bunceton, by a man named Gibson. He was a polished gentleman, an excellent teacher, and was the first to introduce “cotillions,” which were, until that time, unknown in this part of the country. Mr. Gibson at that time had two other schools; one in Boonville and the other at Arrow Rock. He taught two days at each place during the week. Bell Air was first settled by L.P. Bell in 1848. In 1860 the village contained a lovely Southern Methodist church, a doctor, a clothing store and tailor, a steam sawmill, a general merchandise store, a post office, two-story high school and elementary school, and a barber. It was also the location of the magnificent Ravenswood mansion. The school has been remodeled and now serves as a home for the Nelson Leonard family. Today only the remodeled school house, the church, and Ravenswood remain. There are only two very small settlements left in Palestine Township – Speed and Bellair. Both had been very prosperous when they were served by a railroad. Today there are only a few homes and three churches remaining in the entire township. PILOT GROVE TOWNSHIP Physical Features: This township is very irregular in shape. mostly easy to cultivate. In the early. At present this township has a large percentage of cultivated land. Settlement: The township was settled about 1820 . Among the early settlers were John McCutchen, John Houx, Jacob Houx, L. A. Summers, James McElroy, Samuel Roe, Sr., Samuel Wooldridge, Enoch Mass, Absalom Meredith, Azariah Bone (who was a Methodist minister), John Rice (a blacksmith), Mr. Magee (after whom “Magee Grove: was named), and Samuel Gilbert (who had success as a cancer doctor). This township was distinguished in the early times by the number and variety of camp meetings which were held there. The Presbyterians and Methodists were rivals for the honor of conducting the biggest and best camp meeting each year. People attended from great distances. Thomas P. Cropper was the first noted teacher in this township. He taught in 1828 and 1829 . Pilot Grove is located in the northeast quarter of the township and surrounded by large and beautiful farming country. Bill Anderson and his Civil War guerrillas rode into the Pilot Grove Post Office one bright afternoon in the spring of 1864 . The citizens were made to form a line while they were stripped of their personal valuables. Mr. William Mayo, one of the citizens, refused to give up his beautiful gold watch, and started to flee. Mr. Thomas Brownfield joined him. The guerrillas chased them, and overtaking Mr. Mayo, killed him with a pistol. Mr. Brownfield was wounded but was able to hide from the enemy and come away alive. The other citizens were not harmed. In the summer of 1864 , during a revival meeting in the Southern Methodist Episcopal church at Pilot Grove, Capt. Todd surrounded the building with a company of about sixty savage-looking bushwhackers, who rudely entered the church, stopped the service, and ejected the worshipers. After eating food prepared for the occasion and selecting the horses they desired from the many tied to the trees nearby, they left, taking with them two citizens, Peter Mitzell and Otho Zeller, as hostages. Their safety depended on the good conduct of the citizens in not pursuing or informing on them, because there were state militia stationed at different places nearby. These two unfortunate men were killed that night some miles east of Pilot Grove, near Lone Elm Prairie. Their bodies were found a day or two later. The same party of bushwhackers, returning a day or two later, passed through the German settlement three miles west of Pilot Grove and killed two citizens, John Diehl and Mr. Vollmer. These men thought they were Federal troops because a number of them were dressed in blue. Pilot Grove Newest Barn Quilt A new barn quilt, designed by Winky Friedrichs, a charter member of the Cooper County Historical Society, was dedicated on September 26th, 2021, becoming the 21st barn quilt erected in Cooper County. The quilt block, named “Pilot Grove Crossings,” is attached to the east wall of the Cooper County Historical Society Research Center in Pilot Grove. It’s not a traditional quilt block like “Grandmothers Flower Garden” or “Sun Bonnet Sue”. It is unique, in that it is deliberately very historic in its design, and is meant to tell the story of the early history of Cooper County, and the travel routes that ran through the area. The Indian tribes who lived and hunted in the Cooper County area were mostly Osage and Missouria. The area provided excellent hunting grounds, as there were buffalo and other game in abundance. Buffalo had, with hoof and horn, scraped a huge "wallow" of about 2 acres, in the impenetrable prairie grasses, which then held enough water to later allow trees to grow and flourish, becoming the "Pilot Grove," a landmark for early travelers on the wild prairie, especially to the Southwest. The Spanish and the French, who arrived before Missouri was a territory, and the first settlers, also used the trails made by the Indians. Cooper County is in the middle of the state of Missouri and Pilot Grove is near the center of the County. The subtle quilt bock background is the “Log Cabin” design, which depicts the homes of the first settles, as their homes, and the forts they later lived in during the War of 1812, were made from hand hewn logs. The quilt colors represent the colors used by the native Indians – especially black from charcoal, and the colors red and yellow ochre which are oxides, found in nature, along with indigo blue from plants, to depict the early travel routes used by many people from prehistoric to later times. The earliest settlers came along the trail on the upper right-hand side of the quilt block down to what would later become Boonville. Several of the trails left from what would eventually become nearby Pilot Grove. In early days this area was a crossroads from the Missouri River from the north, going east-west and south, symbolized by the X on the quilt. Several of the trails left from what would eventually become nearby Pilot Grove. The quilt block was painted by members of the Children of the American Revolution as a project of Maryellen McVicker for the Boonslick Tourism Council. We owe them many thanks for sponsoring this quilt and helping us to tell the early story of Pilot Grove. CHOUTEAU SPRINGS At one time there were 40 acres of land named Chouteau Springs, which included three sulfur springs and two clear water springs. This land was part of a grant in 1792 from the Osage Indians to Pierre Chouteau, which was later purchased by William Ashley. The property was operated as a popular summer resort in the 1840 ’s. During the Civil War, both General Joe Shelby and General Sterling Price camped there, but not at the same time. Bushwhackers and guerillas took much of the food stored in the cellars and took away most of the livestock and poultry. After the War, some people tried to profit from the mineral springs by going to close by towns and selling the water in 2-gallon pottery jugs from the back of a wagon. The springs discharged water at the rate of ten gallons per minute or 14,400 gallons per day. Following the War the railroad came to the area and people could travel to the resort by train, and a team and buggy would take them to the hotel, operated by the famous cook – Grandma Day. (A picture of her clock is featured on the Timeline). In 1900 the resort was expanded to include baths, bath houses, a swimming pool (with its rotten egg smell) and cottages for summer residents. There was a pavilion for concerts and dances, a large swimming pool and a bowling alley. The hotel was torn down in 1938 , along with the bowling alley and livery stable. The resort was closed in 1962 . Now all that is left of this area are the springs. The Chouteau Water is very high in sulfur and the federal government marked it as too high for human consumption. In the 1950 ’s the government shut down the wells to the public and closed the pool. Pilot Grove is now the second largest town in Cooper County and the only town in Pilot Grove Township. It is still a very active community but very few businesses remain. References for Pilot Grove Township at CCHS: Pilot Grove Centennial 1873-1973 Wooden Bowling Ball no finger holes Chouteau Spring Pavilion in the late 1890's. Photo by Max Schmidt Swimming Pool Water Jug Photos courtesy of Wayne Lammers PRAIRIE HOME TOWNSHIP Physical Features: This township is generally level, being mostly prairie. The soil is good and produces well. The northern portions of the township were settled by thrifty Germans. Settlement: The oldest settlers were James McClain, Lucy McClanahan, Adam McClanahan, Jacob Carpenter, Absalom McClanahan, Michael Hornbeck, Samuel Carpenter, William N. McClanahan, William G. McClanahan, and Jeremiah Smith. It appears that these men were located in this township previous to 1820 , as their votes were recorded in that year. Some of their homes may not be confined to the limits of the township, but they were not far distant from the line. In the 1830 's, a stage coach depot was located along the road between Boonville and Jefferson City. Known as "Midway." The stop was about 1 ½ miles east of the present site of Prairie Home at Tompkins' Inn. Some years later, around 1857 by some reports, or 1865 by others, James Boswell constructed the first building in what was to become Prairie Home. The most common explanation of how the town got its name is that it came from Boswell, who lived a short distance east of the store. He referred to it as his "prairie home." the name can also be credited to the town's location "on a beautiful prairie”. A third possibility for the town’s name is that it was named after the Prairie Home Institute, a private boarding school, which was founded in 1865 by the Rev. A. H. Misseldine. However, this leads to the question of how the Institute came to be named, which may be answered by either of the previous two alternatives. In 1872 parts of Clarks Fork, Moniteau, and Saline townships were carved out to make up the new Prairie Home Township, said to be laid out around the Prairie Home Institute. In 1876 , Prairie Home was described as having a post office, one store, a public school and the private boarding school. It was not until June 16, 1894 that the actual town of Prairie Home was laid out. The town of Prairie Home is the only town located in this township. References for Prairie Home Township at CCHS: A Brief History of Prairie Home The History of the Don Carlos Family: Early Social and Political Influencers Authored by Dr. Christine E. Boston, Assistant Professor (Lincoln University), and Michelle Brooks, MA Student (BLS, 2018, Lincoln University) The Don Carlos family was one of the original pioneer families to arrive in Cooper County, first arriving in the area in 1828 . Carter Morgan and Talitha Don Carlos, the founding patriarch and matriarch of the Missouri family, opted to settle outside of Prairie Home, Missouri, at the suggestion of a local politician, who spoke highly of the area. Over the next 180 years the Don Carlos family grew not only in size but in social and political influence in the area, setting the foundations for many local traditions that continue to this day. This article will chronicle the story of the Don Carlos family and their impact on Cooper County. According to family lore, the Don Carlos family was one of power and influence. Hailing from the Spanish royal family the original immigrant member of the Don Carlos family came to the United States because he lost his land and title, a result of the 1739 War of Polish Succession that was fought among France, Spain, and Sardonia. He came to the New World seeking out new adventures and possibilities, first arriving in New York and then moving to Virginia. This is where Carter Morgan’s story begins. Carter Morgan Don Carlos was born in 1803 . While born in Virginia he was reared in Tennessee, first by his father and then later by Uncles after his father went missing when he was 12 years old. At 21 he moved to Kentucky and met and married his first wife, Talitha. A year later they moved to Missouri, before settling in Cooper County three years later. Carter Morgan is known for his organizational accomplishments, which included founding and serving in various fraternal organizations in Moniteau County and his push to secure the railroad to pass through California, Missouri, which unfortunately was unsuccessful. He and his wife had four children; the first of the 22 children Carter Morgan fathered from his three wives. The Don Carlos children were not only numerous but played significant roles in the formation of Cooper and Moniteau Counties: Hillard Don Carlos served as Cooper County Assessor between 1877 and 1882 , as well as established the first drug store in Prairie Home. After a short tenure outside of Missouri he returned to Bunceton and established the Carlos Drug Store. Benjamin Franklin Don Carlos is considered the originator of the Prairie Home Fair, one of Missouri’s longest running fairs. He was also responsible for securing the first telephone line to Prairie Home. Christopher Columbus Don Carlos served as the Cooper County Assessor in 1872 and Sheriff/Collector from 1882 to 1886 . He served in leadership positions in various local organizations, including the Moniteau Lodge, Liberty Grange, and Moniteau Agricultural and Mechanical Society. William Don Carlos was the first President of the Prairie Home Fair Board in 1915 . The remaining children also played important economic roles in the region by farming, running small businesses, or working in the local communities throughout Cooper and Moniteau Counties. Their children (Carter Morgan’s grandchildren) also played noteworthy roles in the area, living and working throughout the region as engineers, laborers, teachers, and farmers. Archaeological excavations at the Don Carlos Homestead site began in April 2017 and continue to this day. Led by Dr. Christine E. Boston of Lincoln University (Jefferson City, MO), these investigations hope to shed additional light on the domestic and agricultural life of the Don Carlos family. Several students and volunteers have been involved in these investigations, which have led to the recovery of farming equipment, domestic wares (e.g. ceramics and glass bottles), building materials, and more. Additional information regarding the consumption patterns, socioeconomic status, and agricultural lifeways have been gleaned from the archaeological artifacts recovered, but further investigations are ongoing. References: Ford, James Everett. (1936) “A History of Moniteau County, Missouri.” The University of California. Goodspeed. (1889) “History of Cole, Moniteau, Morgan Benton, Miller, Maries and Osage Counties, Missouri.” The Goodspeed Publishing Company, Chicago. Johnson, William Foreman. (1919) “History of Cooper County, Missouri.” Historical Publishing Company. Melton, E.J. (1937) “Melton’s History of Cooper County, Missouri.” E.W. Stephens Publishing Company, Columbia. Stiffler, R. Ewing. (1963) “Jeremiah Smith, Missouri Pioneer: His Kin and Descendants.” Privately published. SALINE TOWNSHIP Physical Features: Saline township lies in the northeastern part of the county. It contains quite a large amount of hilly territory and much bottom land. The water contains quite a bit of salt. Settlement: Joseph Jolly, with his two children, John and William, settled in this township as early as 1812 . He set out the first apple orchard and built a mill which would grind a bushel of corn an hour. William Jolly was a gunsmith, wheelwright, blacksmith, cooper, miller, distiller, preacher, doctor, and farmer. John Jolly operated a ferry across the Lamine. Some of the other early settlers were William Lamm, James and John Turner, Joseph Pursley, Levi Cropper, Henry Levins, B. W. Levins, Josiah Dickson, Charles Force, John Farris, Jesse Wood, Davis Fine, Joshua and Lacy McClanahan, George Dickson, Frederick and James F. Connor, John Calvert, Adam and Absalom McClanahan, Elverton Caldwell, Noding Caldwell, Joseph Westbrook, Washington and Houstonville were two towns that were laid out in this township; however, they both disappeared due to flooding. The town of Wooldridge is located in this township and has suffered greatly from frequent flooding. Overton and Gooch’s Mill are also located in this township, but are now very small communities. References for Saline Township at CCHS: Some Mighty Good Years - Overton References : Information on some former and current settlements Place Names of Cooper County, Missouri Lists Name (and former names) of towns, short history, how to get there and when, if ever, they had a post office in that town. Ramsey Place Names Cooper County Place Names 1928-1945 Tells how towns got their names. Missouri Genealogy Website Immigration Naturalization Records 1824-1906 Information available at CCHS : Discover Cooper County by Looking Back by Ann Betteridge Town Centennial Books: History of Billingsville, Prairie Lick, and Stony Point; History of Blackwater; Bicentennial Boonslick History; A Pictorial History of the Boonslick Area; Boonville An Illustrated History; Boonville An Historic River Town; Bunceton 1868-1988 and 1868 – 1993; History of Clear Creek; Recollections of Clifton City; Clifton City 1873 – 2019; Our Town Lamine MO; History of New Lebanon; Otterville Sesquicentennial; Some Might Good Years – Overton Pilot Grove Centennial 1873 – 1973; A Brief History of Prairie Home Full text of "History of Howard and Cooper counties, Missouri : written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of its townships, towns, and villages : together with a condensed history of Missouri, a reliable and detailed history of Howard and Cooper counties-- its pioneer record, resources, biographical sketches of prominent citizens, etc. HOWARD COUNTY NEWSPAPER DESCRIPTION OF BOONVILLE 1822 Missouri Intelligencer Franklin, Missouri 31 December 1822 UPPER MISSOURI For the Missouri Intelligencer No. 6 COOPER COUNTY Cooper was created a separate county in the winter of 1818 , and then comprehended all that tract of country which lies between the Missouri and Osage rivers, and extending west to the western line of the Osage purchase; since which time the counties of Lilliard and Saline have been taken from the western, and Cole from the eastern end of it. Cooper is at present bounded west by Saline, south by the Great Osage river, east by Cole, & north by the Missouri river, which divides it from Howard and Boone. This county runs along the Missouri about 26 miles and extends north to south nearly 75. It is thought, however, that at no distant period, one or more new counties will be formed in the southern extremity of this county. Here is a great variety of soil. The southern part, on the Osage river, is poor and broken, not however without being interspersed with some good bodies of land; but in that part which lies on the Missouri, and which will probably be the permanent county of Cooper, the land is extremely rich, and lies well for cultivation, being beautifully variegated with alternate gradual elevations and pleasant values. There are a number of excellent springs in every part of the county; and what besides renders it very convenient for agricultural pursuits, is the variety of its groves and prairies. The prairies are from one to five miles in width; they are very rich and supported by groves of excellent timber of about the same extent. Jolly’s Bottom, in the lower end of this county, named after Mr. J. Jolly, who first settled it, is a large body of first-rate land. In this bottom are a number of well cultivated farms, and enterprising agriculturalists. Mr. Charles Forse, residing at the head of this bottom, has in successful operation a sawmill constructed on the principle of the inclined plane. A town called Washington, was laid off in this bottom, the lots sold, and a few of them improved; but since the spirit of town making ceased, Washington has received no improvements. Above this bottom, and between it and Boonville, a distance of about six miles, there is a bluff of good land, which is well settled. Water courses—Cooper County abounds with a number of fine streams. The Lamine is the largest, which heads in the dividing ridge between the waters of the Missouri and Osage. It receives in its course the Blackwater, the Muddy, the Salt, and Heath’s forks, and empties into the Missouri about five miles above Boonville. The Petit-Saline, heads about 15 miles nearly southwest from Boonville, and, after watering a large settlement of nearly 20 miles in length, falls into the Missouri, in Cole County, having a run a general course nearly parallel with the Missouri its whole length. The head of the Morea, the Gravi, Tabo, and Grand river, forks of the Osage, head in this county. The settlements on the Little Moniteau, & south fork of the Lamine are, at present, the farthest south. Minerals, and Mineral Waters There are many salt springs in this county, two of which are worked, one by Mr. B. Lockhartt, the other by Mr. R. Heath. Lead ore makes its appearance in several places in this county, though no mines have yet been worked. Several persons in digging wells have come to banks of mineral ore of a beautiful appearance; its kind has not yet been ascertained, but it is supposed to be Sulfur. Stone-coal and iron ore, in large bodies, are found in many parts of this county, on the south fork of the Lamine. There is in the vicinity of the Iron Banks, good streams for erecting forges and furnaces, and from them to Boonville there can be an excellent road. These banks must, at no great length of time, be a source of wealth to the Upper Missouri. Excellent quarries of lime and free stone are found in the more broken parts of the county; and on the Moniteau there is a quarry of cream-colored marble and white sandstone. There is a Sulfur spring on the Grand River fork of Osage, which is said to possess medicinal qualities. Mr. John Corum, of this county, visited this spring last summer, and made use of the water for rheumatism, from which received great benefit. Religion The majority of the adults of this county are professors of religion. There are four Baptist churches in this county, the aggregate of the members of which is upwards of 200. Rev. J. B. Longan, Rev. Luke Williams, Rev. William Jennings, Rev. Jacob Chism, and Rev. Peter Woods, are among the Baptist clergy of this county. Presbyterians are very numerous, and are increasing under the superintendence of Rev. F. Ewing and Rev. Robert Morrow, who are citizens of this county. The Methodists are the least numerous, though not the least zealous of the religious sects in this county; they are, however, fast increasing in numbers under that able and excellent Methodist local preacher, Mr. Justinian Williams. Productions. Experience has proved that the highland prairies of this county are very little short of the best lands in the state of Tennessee for cotton, wheat, rye, corn, potatoes, hemp, tobacco, etc., as these articles are produced here in great abundance. Horses, cattle, hogs, sheep, etc. are raised with little trouble. Roads The principal roads in Copper lead south eastward towards the seat of government, and westward towards the upper counties on the Missouri. They are generally well-cleared. Boonville, the seat of justice for this county, is beautifully situated on a high bluff on the south side of the Missouri, immediately opposite Franklin. This town was laid off on a liberal plan by the late Capt. Asa Morgan and Charles Lucas, the former proprietors, in 1819. The commissioners appointed to locate the permanent seat of justice, received from the proprietors fifty acres of land within the said town. The lots were sold, and the proceeds appropriated to the erection of public buildings. There are four streets running parallel with the river, and eight crossing them at right angles. Those parallel with the river are, 1st, Water Street, 150 feet from the water. 2nd, high Street, which is on higher ground. 3rd, Morgan Street; and 4th, Spring Street. —The Public Square contains two acres and is situated in a very high part of the town between High street and Morgan street. There is in Boonville an elegant Brick Court House, 30 by 45 feet, two stories high, finished off in an elegant manner, which cost $8,000, and was paid for out of the fund arising from the sale of lots in the donation to the county, by the proprietors of the town. A jail, 24 feet square, and two stories high, the walls of which are three logs thick, is built on a reserved lot, some distance from the Public Square, which cost about $2,400, and forty-one neat Dwelling Houses, inhabited by about 116 souls, besides a number of smaller buildings of various kinds. History Among the first settlers in this county were Messrs. Stephen Cole, G. Rupe, David Burris, and William Savage, who left the settlements on the north side of the river, and settled in this county, with the late Sarshall Cooper, whose name the county bears. These, with some others selected farms, & began to make improvements; but the hostility of the savages compelled them soon to act on the defensive; and having met together at Mrs. Cole’s, they built a fort on a commanding eminence, near the Missouri. They were, however, in a short time compelled to evacuate it, and retreat over the river to Fort Kincaid, where they tarried until the rage of Indian warfare was over, and then returned to their homes. Population In the year 1817 there were not more than twenty families within the present bounds of Cooper. It now contains upwards of six thousand inhabitants; and is generally healthy, except near the Lamine, and in the Missouri bottoms. *The author of “Upper Missouri” acknowledges himself indebted to a respectable gentleman for the foregoing information (From pages 2 and 3 of the paper notated.) Hattie May Boles Plays the Governor’s Piano Photo by Wayne Lammers Here is a photo that I took of Hattie May Boles playing on the Grand Piano in the Governor’s Mansion at a Christmas Tour there, in 1978 . My family took Hattie to Jefferson City for this tour. As we saw all the beautiful decorations, she spotted the Grand Piano in the large ballroom on the first floor. It had one of those large golden ropes to keep people away. “I always wanted to play one of those!” she said to me. So, some of you may know me and the way I work. I sometimes take things a step further than normal. I went to the Missouri State Highway Patrolman that was standing guard on the main floor overseeing the security of the Governor’s Mansion. I got permission from him and others for Hattie to play a couple of songs on that piano. I felt that she could play some Christmas songs that would be appropriate for the occasion. I went to Hattie and said “You have permission to play a few songs.” Her mouth dropped open and she was so surprised and astonished to think that she was going to play this beautiful piano inside the Governor’s Mansion. The Patrolman and I removed the rope to the Grand Piano and she sat down and began to play and sing some hymns and Christmas songs. The crowd started to collect around and also began to sing the songs that Hattie was playing. It wasn’t long before Governor Joseph Teasdale came down from his living quarters above and wanted to know who was playing “his piano”. Hattie got to meet and greet the Governor of Missouri that night. She was so happy and talked about this for a long time, about the time she, the daughter of a slave, Hattie May Boles, got to play and sing with the Governor, on that Grand piano inside the Missouri Governor’s Mansion. ARROW ROCK This lovely little town was once part of Cooper County and was very instrumental in the early settling and development of Cooper County. A corner of the site still does overlap into Cooper County. Arrow Rock State Historic Site The first truly “permanent” American settlers led by the Cooper family established small settlements in the river bottoms of Howard County opposite of Arrow Rock in 1810 . Other settlements several miles south of Arrow Rock were established by the Jones, McMahan and Turley families. During the War of 1812 , these settlers built defensive forts as protection from the Sac & Fox and Ioway Indians allied to Great Britain. When Fort Osage closed in 1812 , the fort’s trader George Champlain Sibley moved his operation to the Arrow Rock bluff from 1813-1814 to maintain friendly relations with the Osage Indians. By 1815 , a ferry was established at the site of Arrow Rock. Westbound settlers poured into the area, crossing the Missouri River on the Arrow Rock ferry. Santa Fe trading caravans departing from nearby Franklin crossed on the ferry beginning in 1821 . From 1819 to 1833 , the ferry was owned by Judge David Todd, the uncle of Mary Todd Lincoln. Judge William B. Napton observed that 1827 was especially busy year for the ferry as the population of Saline County swelled that year. Henry Cooper of Howard County took over operation of the ferry from 1833 until at least until 1865, and the river landing was known as “Cooper’s Ferry Privilege.” At the end of the War of 1812 , Baptist missionary John Mason Peck wrote “Some families came in the spring of 1815 ; but in the winter, spring, summer and autumn of 1816 , they came like an avalanche. It seemed as though Kentucky and Tennessee were breaking up and moving to the Far West. Caravan after caravan passed over the prairies of Illinois all bound to the Boone’s Lick.” Cooper County was organized out of Howard County on December 17, 1818 and formalized by the Legislature on February 1, 1819 . Cooper County encompassed present day Saline County at that time. The Legislature created Saline County out of Cooper County on November 25, 1820 and in January 1822 , the Saline County Court created Arrow Rock Township. The town itself was commissioned on June 10, 1829 and originally called “Philadelphia.” Some documents refer to the town as “New Philadelphia.” In February of 1833 the state legislature changed the town name to coincide with the familiar landmark. Joseph Huston, one of the town commissioners built a two-story federal-style brick building in 1834 . Arrow Rock's location on the Missouri River and the Santa Fe Trail undoubtedly led weary travelers to ask Huston for overnight accommodations. He began building log or frame additions to the building and by 1840 was widely known as a hotel-keeper. The J. Huston Tavern also housed a store and a ballroom used for dances and as a meeting hall. As the building passed to other owners, it became known as the Neill House, Scripture House, City Hotel and Old Tavern. The J. Huston Tavern is the oldest continuously operating restaurant west of the Mississippi and is today operated by the Missouri Division of State Parks in partnership with the Friends of Arrow Rock, Inc. Settlers in the Boonslick Country were predominately migrants from Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee and transplanted slavery and southern culture here. Arrow Rock developed as a thriving river port, exporting tobacco and hemp from the neighboring plantations. Hemp was made into ropes and bags for baling cotton. Wheat, corn, beef, pork and mules were also shipped from Arrow Rock to supply the cotton districts of the Mississippi delta. The agricultural production of the Boonslick Country depended on slave labor just as cotton production did in the South. This symbiotic relationship led most residents of Arrow Rock and the Boonslick Country to support the South during the Civil War. Saline County and other Missouri counties with a high population of enslaved African Americans became known as “Little Dixie.” Arrow Rock’s population peaked at 1,000 by 1860 . The town population began declining after the American Civil War. The war disrupted agricultural production and river commerce which afterwards was displaced by railroads. Arrow Rock failed to secure a rail line and bridge across the Missouri River. The rapid post war growth of urban areas such as Kansas City, St. Louis and Chicago began drawing away residents with the promise of better jobs. The town’s economic decline was further exacerbated by disastrous fires in 1864 , 1872 and 1901 . By the turn of the century the population had dwindled to under 300 and the town was in a state of decay. Prior to the Civil War, Arrow Rock’s black residents worked as household or domestic slaves or as laborers at the docks and business warehouses. Following emancipation in 1865, Arrow Rock’s African-American population grew as former plantation slaves moved into town. Gradually they were able to purchase their own homes, mostly on the north side of town. By 1880 , 51% of the town’s population was African-American. Their presence undoubtedly kept the town from completely disappearing. However, owing to segregation, they had to develop their own churches, schools and social institutions. The last black resident of the community died in 2009. Arrow Rock’s connection with the Santa Fe Trail led to national recognition by the Old Trails Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) in 1912 . As DAR interest in the community grew, they persuaded the Missouri legislature to purchase and preserve the “Old Tavern” (J. Huston Tavern) in September of 1923 . Acreage around the Tavern was purchased as a state park. This was the beginning of the historic preservation movement in Missouri and the first acquisition of the new Missouri State Park system. In 1963 , the National Park Service recognized Arrow Rock’s connection to the Santa Fe Trail and the entire town and state park was designated a National historic Landmark. The park grew to 169 acres about a third of which lies within town boundaries. The site boundary also overlaps into Cooper County. In 1976 the facilities designation was changed from state park to state historic site to empathize its cultural mission. The recreation area of the historic site features a 48-unit modern campground, picnic facilities and playground, a four-acre fishing lake and a mile and half hiking trail. Forty acres of ground are being restored to native prairie grasses and forbs. An 18,000 square foot visitor center was constructed on the historic site in 1991 and provides museum exhibits pertinent to the history of Arrow Rock and the neighboring Boonslick Country, including Cooper County. The Friends of Arrow Rock, Inc. formed in 1959 as a non-profit organization to preserve historic structures outside the state historic site boundary. They also provide guided tours of the community and operate educational programs for elementary school children. The Arrow Rock Lyceum Theater was established in 1960 in the abandoned Baptist Church and is recognized as Missouri’s oldest repertory theater. Several antique, art and crafts shop exist in the town.

WHAT TO VISIT IN COOPER COUNTY Videos A 10-minute video on a walking tour of homes and buildings in Boonville from the Edward Lang. Collection Note: 12 years ago when the video was made, the tourism building is now the River, Rails and Trails Museum. A 10-minute video trip of interesting homes and buildings in Cooper County from the Edward Lang Collection. A drone's eye view of Boonville as seen on HGTV's Hometown Takeover. Something unique in our area - barn quilts! Note: Tour booklets with directions are available, free of charge, at of charge at: Cooper County Historical Society, River Rails and Trails Museum, The Friends of Historic Boonville and the Chamber of Commerce. HISTORIC MARKERS AT COOPER COUNTY COURTHOUSE War Memorials on the Courthouse grounds Marker honors the Union soldiers killed during the Civil War Plaques in Cooper County Courthouse Honoring Cooper County residents who served in World War II 2 Granite Memorial Benches at Cooper County Courthouse Honoring Veterans of WWII and Viet Nam War North side of Courthouse lawn--Vietnam Veterans Memorial Granite Bench and Tree. Dedicated Nov 11, 2015 by Daughters of the American Revolution, Hannah Cole Chapter South side of Courthouse lawn - WW II Veterans Memorial granite Bench. Dedicated Nov 12, 2018 by Daughters of the American Revolution, Hannah Cole Chapter Courthouse Lawn Marker stating “They died that freedom might not perish from the earth”, Lists names of Cooper County men who died in World War I Marker erected by John A. Hayes, post number 240 GAR to commemorate the battles of June 17, and September 13, 1861 and the capture of Boonville on October 16, 1864 Statue honoring the Boy Scouts of America – 40th anniversary crusade to strengthen the of the American Revolution, marking the Santa Fe Trail, 1821-1921 Inside of Courthouse in the lobby - Plaque listing all Cooper County residents who served in World War II Veterans Memorial Park designed by Missouri sculptor and artist Sabra Tull Meyer, features a beautiful eagle and is located across from the Courthouse on the northwest corner of High and Main Street. The Veterans Memorial Park is located near the Boonville Bridge Route 40. INTERESTING SITES IN BOONVILLE Walking Tour of Boonville – See Rails, Trails and River Museum for map at River, Rail and Trails Museum - Excellent collection of early Boonville artifacts. Free admission - GoBoonville.com Mitchell Antique Car Museum – See River Rails and Trails Museum for tickets at: River, Rails & Trails Museum, Boonville - GoBoonville.com Hain House (contact Friends of Historic Boonville ) Thespian Hall (contact Friends of Historic Boonville ) Old Cooper County Jail and Hanging Barn (See Friends of Historic Boonville ) Boonville Cemeteries (See tour map here ) Boonville Churches (See tour map here ) Hannah Cole Statue in Morgan Street Park on the corner of Morgan and Main Street, Boonville KATY Bridge – walk on the old Railroad Bridge with the iconic lift span which was originally part of the MKT railroad KATY Depot – now the Chamber of Commerce building with an old KATY caboose and train signal lights Walking or driving Tour of Homes on Historic Register – (see Historic Register website information in historic homes section of website) Roslyn Heights State DAR Headquarters – (listed as Johnson, Wilbur T and Rhoda Stevens House on National Register) Currently not open for tours Hotel Frederick and Restaurant Morgan Street Park on corner of Morgan and Main Street, Boonville This park features a statue of Hannah Cole and also bronze busts on pedestals of prominent early Cooper County residents who were very influential in their fields: David Barton, George Caleb Bingham, Frederick T. Kemper, James Milton Turner and Walter Williams. (See more about these men in the Early Personalities section of the website.) Harley Park – Indian Mounds, great view of the Missouri River Bell Park on High Street – great view of the Missouri River Site of Hannah Cole Fort – First Battle of Boonville and First Missouri State Fair on Morgan Street on the east side, site of old hospital. Grand Army of the Republic marker – marks site of the Second battle of Boonville, on East side of old hospital grounds. Additional marker of the Second Battle of Boonville at the Boonville Correctional Center grounds. Veteran's Memorial Park near Boonville Bridge This barn quilt, which hangs in the River, Rails and Trails Museum, was made by the FanAttics Quilt Club of Boonville. It replicates the 20 hand painted Barn Quilts that are on Cooper County barns. FULL AND HALF-DAY TRIPS Outside of Boonville Barn Quilts – See Rails, Trails & River Museum, Cooper County Historical Society, Friends of Historic Boonville or the Chamber of Commerce for tour map Cooper County Cemeteries (See tour map here ) Cooper County Churches (See tour map here ) New Lebanon Presbyterian Church, school, cemetery, Uncle Abe’s Store Mid 1800’s structures in excellent condition Old Schools - New Lebanon, Lamine and Dick’s Mill (See more about schools here ) Cotton - Dick’s School – one of three remaining one room schools in Cooper County and the only remaining mill (Dick’s Mill ) in Cooper County Last Remaining Stage Coach Stop in the County – on Route 5 between Billingsville and the Petite Saline River Santa Fe Trail Head Park in New Franklin Boonslick State Park with the Salt Lick Pilot Grove - Mt. Nebo Baptist Church ; Old Jail and City Hall, City Park – history of Harriman’s Mill and original Millstone; Rural Pilot Grove - Pleasant Green Plantation , Methodist Church and Cemetery; Burwood and Crestmede Tour of Burwood - Hwy 135 by appointment 660-834-3406 KATY Trail bike trail. Brownfield Roadside Park on old Highway 50. Historical Marker overlooking the area of Jesse James train robbery. Warm Springs Ranch Home of Budweiser Clydesdales (off of Interstate 70) Visit Warm Springs Ranch to book your tour Blackwater - Mid-Missouri Museum of Independent Telephone Pioneers A museum showcases a unique collection of telephone equipment and memorabilia. It is housed in a beautiful building that was originally the Bank of Blackwater. Also visit the ”Depot” train station, now the community center, and the old hotel and restaurant. There are a few antique and trendy shops along the very attractive Main Street. A charming step back in time. Arrow Rock – This lovely little river town was once part of Cooper County and was very instrumental in the early settling and development of the County. A corner of the site still overlaps into Cooper County. It features an excellent historical museum , and the old Huston “tavern” still in operation, plus a variety of State Historic Site : Arrow Rock State Historic Site There are many short trips to take in the Boonville area, but also many things that could turn into a full day trip by visiting several unrelated places out in the County. Here is a suggestion for a full day trip: (But bring your own lunch) Take Highway 5 South out of Boonville. Cross I-70 and take Highway 5 towards Billingsville. About 2 ½ miles from I-70, you will see a sign for Billingsville . Turn left, then right and you will see St. John’s United Church of Christ (1866) and the well-kept cemetery . Return to Route 5 (South) and in less than 1/8 mile , on the right side of route 5, you will see a small stone building with a wooden door. This is the last remaining stage stop in Cooper County (1860). Shortly past the stage stop is a bridge over the Petite Saline River. As you drive over it, imagine that you are driving through the long covered wooden bridge that was once spanned the river there. Continue on Route 5, heading south, and in about 31/2 miles, on the right, you will see a sign for Bellair . Look right, through the trees, and you will see the yellow Pauley house , then on the right side you will see the Bellair Methodist Church (1860 ) with its beautiful stained-glass window. Across from the church is the Leonard home, (1913 ) which was once a school. Soon after the Leonard home , on the left of the highway, you will see the magnificent Ravenswood mansion, which is no longer open to visitors. Continue south until you see a sign on the right for the Hannah Cole Roadside Park and Briscoe cemetery . This is the burial place of Hannah Cole and some of her family. Return to route 5 and turn right onto Highway E. You will pass the Mt. Nebo Baptist Church (1856 ) . At the intersection of E and A, turn left onto Route A, which will take you past Crestmede (1865 ) and into New Lebanon. Here you will see the C umberland Presbyterian Church (1860 ) , Uncle Abe’s Country Store (1926 ) , the New Lebanon School (1889 ) and the New Lebanon cemetery . All are in perfect condition. Continue on A to Otterville where there is a Civil War site along the railroad tracks at the Conservation Center . At Otterville pick up Route BB towards Clifton City. BB turns into Route 135. On 135 you will see Burwood (1880 ) which offers tours, and Pleasant Green Plantation (1820 ) . Continue on 135 through Pilot Grove , which is now the second largest town in Cooper County. Pilot Grove is also the home of the CCHS. Stop in on Friday from 9-12 PM. Also see our Barn Quilt and visit our research center . Email us for an appointment: cchs2016@iland.net See the old Calaboose jail. Continue on 135 until you reach Hwy 70 and as you return, remember the great time you had exploring a part of Cooper County! HISTORICAL/MEMORIAL MARKERS IN COOPER COUNTY Hannah Cole gravesite at Briscoe Cemetery and Park maintained by Hannah Cole DAR (Route 5 and E) near Bellair CIVIL WAR SITES Civil War sites and markers (see list and description at the end of the Civil War website section ) Hannah Cole Fort Area and 1st Battle of Boonville Site, Rural Boonville, June 17, 1861 DNR Marker at Missouri Correctional Center the first land battle of the Civil War in Missouri DNR marker at Lyon’s Park in Pilot Grove - July 1861 , Also raid by ”Bloody Bill” Anderson Marker at Thespian Hall – Second Battle of Boonville Sunset Hill Cemetery Boonville – mass grave of 8 Union soldiers Wilkin’s Bridge near Billingsville General J.O. Shelby and General Sanborn violent battle October 1864 Otterville Trenches – December 1861 – May 1865

FIRST PERMANENT SETTLERS The name of the first white man who set foot on the territory that is now the State of Missouri is not known, nor is it known at what period the first settlements were made. It is thought that the first settlements were made in the autumn of 1735 by the French at Saint Genevieve. Daniel Boone was 65 years old when he walked to Missouri from Kentucky in 1799. He settled in the Femme Osage country near St. Charles and spent his last 21 years in Missouri. However, Boone never lived in the area that is known today as Cooper County. On one of his hunting expeditions, Boone came into Howard County and discovered a salt spring about eight miles northwest of New Franklin. Daniel Boone’s sons established a salt works at this location. The area soon came to be known as “Boone’s Lick” and from that the whole region took its name. Hannah Cole Monument at Laura Speed Elliott School Hannah Cole s tatue and the b usts of influential Boonville citizens in the background. Morgan Street Park - Located at the corner of Main and Morgan Streets. November 6, 2005 by Wayne Lammers Wayne Lammers holding one of Hannah Cole's sons flintlock rifle, standing beside the Hannah Cole statue at Main and Morgan Streets DANIEL BOONE It has been written that Daniel Boone visited his first cousin, Stephen Cole, and Hannah Cole, widow of Stephen’s brother, William T. Cole, at the Cole's’ fort. The fort was located where the present Boonville is today. Boone died in 1820 at his home in what is now Marthasville, at the age of 86. References: In 1805 Daniel Boone, who then lived near St. Charles, discovered the Boone’s Lick Salt Springs, in Howard County, thirteen miles from Boonville, where Nathan and David Boone, his sons, settled and made salt from 1806 to 1810. This seems to have been the earliest settlement in Central Missouri, and from it an indefinite region, from St. Charles westward, on both sides of the river, was called the ‘Boone’s Lick Country.’ Other settlers followed, and as early as 1810 a small community had built and occupied Kincaid’s Fort, a few hundred yards up the river from the present site of Old Franklin (directly opposite Boonville) www.mogenweb.org/cooper , while another was established in Cooper’s Fort. Boone died in 1820 at his home in what is now Marthasville, at the age of 86. A direct descendant of Boone gave her opinions on these books on Boone, along with her critiques of them. Most can probably be found in state libraries or on Amazon, but some may only the available from a "used" book seller. Biographical Memoir of Daniel Boone by Timothy Flint. (This was written during Boone's life time --1833 and was sold as non-fiction when in fact is almost all fiction, and Daniel was very unhappy with the way it was written. Daniel Boone (The life and legend of an American Pioneer) by John Mack Faragher. This is fairly accurate book but not an easy read. My Father Daniel Boone--This is from the Draper Interviews with Nathan Boone (Daniel's youngest son) and edited by Neal O. Hammon. The Draper Interviews are believed to be very accurate and this is after all from the memory of Daniel's youngest son. Because the Draper Interviews are difficult reading and written in an "old time" style, Mr. Hammon has tried to clarify some of the language. Boone A Biography by Robert Morgan. I really like this book. It is over 450 pages but I found it to be an easy read. “The writer has obviously done a lot of research and I felt I had a better understanding of Daniel after I read this book.” Norma Johnson. EARLY LAND OWNERS Joseph Marie settled upon land in Franklin township, Howard County in 1800 . The land was sold on April 13, 1816 , to Asa Morgan in the first deed recorded in Howard County. Morgan, an early resident of Howard County, and Charles Lucas, a St. Louis resident, laid out the town of Boonville on August 1, 1817. Ira P. Nash was granted land in Howard County in 1800 . He came to the site in February, 1804, remained a month and went home. In July of the same year, Nash and four others returned and surveyed, but did not stay. THE COLE FAMILY - FIRST PERMANENT SETTLERS IN COOPER COUNTY Stephen Cole and William Temple Cole were born in New River, Virginia. They married sisters with the last name of Allison, and moved to Cumberland, Kentucky. In 1807, they came to Upper Louisiana Territory, and settled on Loutre Island, across the river from the present-day town in Hermann, Missouri, about the same time that the Coopers settled on that island. In 1810, a band of Indians stole seven horses from the Loutre Island settlers. The Cole brothers were among the volunteers that pursued the Indians. Two days into the pursuit the volunteers, while sleeping, were ambushed by Indians. William Cole and others were killed. It is written that Stephen Cole killed four Indians, wounded a fifth, and sustained 26 wounds before he escaped and found his way back to Loutre Island. A month later, Hannah Cole, widowed and almost 50, and her nine children, plus Stephen Cole, his wife Phoebe, and their five children, accompanied a group of men, led by Benjamin Cooper, on an overland Journey into the wilderness. The group arrived at a point just upriver from the present town of Boonville on the north side of the Missouri River. The Coopers decided to settle there; however, the two Cole families decided to cross the Missouri River to the south side and build their cabins on the east edge of what would later become Boonville. The families of Hannah Cole and Stephen and Phoebe Cole settled in what is now Cooper County in 1810 . At that time there were no other white Americans living in Missouri west of Franklin and south of the Missouri River. The families that settled north of the Missouri, were the Cole's nearest white neighbors, but most of these were two or three miles distant. The seventeen members of the Hannah Cole and Stephen Cole families made the first settlement in what is now Cooper County. The Coles lived for nearly two years with their closest neighbors across the Missouri River. Some of their activities included raising corn crops and tending them with a cow hitched up to a plow. In the fall and winter of 1812 other families settled nearby on the south side of the river. The first shelter they built was a cabin built of round logs notched together at the corners, ribbed with poles, and covered with boards split from trees. The one room cabin had a fireplace, puncheon floors, a clapboard door, a window, sometimes covered with greased paper, and furniture made from trees. Artist's Conception of Hannah Cole's Fort This is not the Cole Fort, as that fort was constructed in 1812-1813. This a later building built on the solid rock bluff and was also easy to defend. Barn with windlass Bluff reduced for two sets of rails in late 1870's Here is believed to be a very early photo of the stone outcropping where Hannah Cole’s Fort was located in the early 1800's in east Boonville. This image was taken by early photographer James McCurdie in the 1870's. Years later, the Boonville rock quarry would be located in that area, when the Missouri Pacific RR constructed the rails on the River Route down to Jefferson City. This railroad company had to blast away and remove much of this outcropping for the rails to continue down river. Note: The windlass to the left of the barn on top of the outcropping reaching down to the water's edge, was to supply water for the people and animals up on top. The early settlers had a similar windlass to supply water for those inside the fort that allowed them to be able to withstand the attacks of the Indians during the War of 1812. When these pictures were taken, Hannah Cole no longer lived in the old fort, as she moved farther into central Cooper County in the early 1840s and died in 1843. It is unknown at this time, who lived in the old fort after the Coles left. There does not seem to be a lot of information available about Hannah Cole. The same facts seem to be repeated over and over on various documents. However, Hannah must have been an excellent and generous leader. She opened her fort to her neighbors who were seeking safety during the buildup to and during the War of 1812. She made provisions for the children in her fort to receive an education and arranged for religious services to be conducted at the fort as early as 1811. She was evidently interested in politics and her fort was the location of the first County Seat of Howard County. The first circuit, county, and probate sessions were held there in 1816 and it was a polling place in the election of 1819. Her fort also served, at one time, as a community center, post office, hospital and a place for hunters to cast bullets for their flintlocks. In 1817 her fort became the first school house, although it is known that children in the fort were also taught during the war. She also was a business woman who was granted a license for a ferry on the Missouri River, which was operated by her sons. Reference: 1998 Wm. D. Lay In 1843, Hannah moved 13 miles south of Boonville from her fort on the bluff overlooking the Missouri River to a cabin where she lived with Lucy, her beloved slave. She died in 1843 at the age of 79, and is buried in Briscoe Cemetery near Bunceton. Sadly, very little information is available about Hannah’s sister Phoebe, and brother-in-law Stephen Cole and their family. We know that the two families traveled together to Missouri and were the first white Americans to settle on the south side of the Missouri River. Stephen supervised the building of Hannah’s and his own fort. Stephen died near Santa Fe, New Mexico when attacked by Indians. He and Hannah Cole's son (his nephew), were journeying down the Santa Fe Trail in about 1822. We do not know if there is a marked grave. Phoebe died in 1825 in Cole County, but no more information is available on her passing or her grave. We do know that some of the Cole family went to Southern Missouri. These three early settlers and their children must also have been very courageous and strong of character to venture into the unknown and make their home here. We are grateful that they did! - Barbara Dahl, Editor References: Bicentennial Boonslick History p 12-13 Cole Family Records Discover Cooper County by Ann Betteridge Talk by Bob Priddy for Cole Reunion August 9, 2020 Cole Family Association Facebook Cole Family Mysteries Cole Family Reunion, August 9, 2020 Talk given by Bob Pritty Cooper County was named after Sarshell Cooper, a relative of Steven Cole, (Hannah’s husband) and a well-known and greatly admired frontiersman, Indian fighter and War of 1812 hero. He was a friend of the Cole family and is the one who originally showed the Coles the best place to cross the Missouri River. We may wonder why Cooper County was not named Cole County, honoring the first white family to set foot on the South side of the Missouri River. Possibly, a reason may have been that Hannah Cole, the leader of the group, was a woman, and in the 1800’s, women were not credited as leaders or founders of anything. But, honoring Sarshell Cooper was a wonderful way to recognize a true American hero who was well known in the area. There is a Cole County in Missouri, which was established November 16, 1820, and named after Stephen Cole, Hannah’s brother-in-law. He was a lawyer, originally from Virginia. He was also a Justice of the Peace in Missouri, and laid out the original Howard County seat in Franklin, and a member of the Legislature. He was highly regarded in Missouri. He was an early trader on the Santa Fe trail and he and his nephew, also named Stephen Cole, were killed by Navajo Indians near Albuquerque, New Mexico. Cole County is the site of the State Capitol of Missouri. Source: Bob Priddy Mike Dickey wrote the following after reading Mr. Priddy's talk: I would advocate that Bob’s Priddy's article be posted in total if possible on the section of the Cole family/Cole Fort. It is about the best detective work regarding the Cole dilemma that I have seen. Something Bob Priddy said is key to interpreting the whole Territorial – War of 1812 period: “oral history, while valuable, can be flawed.” It is extremely difficult to tie down many events and family histories during this period. Governor Lewis ordered the Coopers out of the Boonslick in 1808 because it was still un-ceded Indian territory. From the federal governments point of view, the Boonslick would now be open for settlement regardless of claims to the region by the Sac & Fox and Ioway. I have not checked the Missouri Gazette for an announcement of the ratification, but it is quite possible that it was several weeks before the news made it to St. Louis and then Loutre Island. Thus, a move by the Cole family from the Loutre settlement to the Boonslick in July or later of 1810 would make far more sense than February 1810 (not to mention the weather). The Osage signed the land cession treaty on November 10, 1808. Congress ratified the treaty April 28, 1810.

BRIDGES IN COOPER COUNTY COVERED BRIDGES There once were five covered bridges in Cooper County: Crawford, Hurt, Connors, Shoemaker, and Big Lick. They all spanned the Petite Saline Creek. All the covered bridges were replaced many years ago by either metal or concrete structures. Sadly, there are no known photos of any of the covered bridges in Cooper County. Above is a sketch of the covered bridge on highway 5 between Boonville and Billingsville by Florence Friederichs. THE SWINGING BRIDGE Pretend you are a child in 1930 and your dad is going to drive you across the brand-new swinging bridge for the first time. You are tall enough to see the steep hill going up to the bridge. The truck starts across the wide boards that don't look a bit safe. You dad is driving very slo wly, but you can hear creaking and bumping of the metal against metal and the wooden planks. You press your nose against the passenger window and see the dirt-brown Lamine River looming 30 feet below. The trip across the 231-foot bridge seems to take too long. Then comes the stomach-churning descent on the other side. Your dad shuts off the engine and you hop out to watch vehicles behind you crossing. Some drivers turn around, not brave enough to venture across. When the bridge is empty, your dad reaches out his hand and says, “Let's walk across.” Your heart pounds at the thought. He grabs your hand, leading you up the steep hill. A gentle breeze causes the bridge to sway. You take one step and another until both feet are planted on one of the wooden boards. The world is moving beneath your feet, pitching and rolling, like a carnival ride. Your dad tells you that farmers wanted a bridge built northwest of Pleas ant Green, Missouri. They hired a man named Joe Dice, who had built other bridges like this one. A lot of local people helped build this bridge. Your dad showed you two thick groups of wires that helped reinforce the structure. More than 300 individual wires make up each bunch. Two 22-foot-deep holes on each end of the bridge were filled with hand-made concrete that served to anchor the bridge. Pretend now, it's 1994 and you are an old person. You see the bridge floor collapsed from heavy flooding, sinking into the river. It is no longer safe. The Cooper County Historical Society tries to save it, but the cost is too expensive. In 1996, you stand and watch as the bridge is removed from the Lamine River. You think back and can almost feel that bridge swaying beneath your feet. Swinging Bridge near Lamine Underside of Swinging Bridge over Lamine Old Bridge over Lamine River BOONVILLE HIGHWAY 40 BRIDGE Boonville Bridge shortly after building in 1924. Prior to 1924 , the only way that travelers could cross the Missouri River between Boonville and New Franklin was by ferry. The first Boonville Highway 40 Bridge was dedicated on July 4, 1924 . It was originally planned to be a toll span bridge, but the resourcefulness of Col. T.A. Johnson and Col. John Cosgrove was largely responsible for a quick change in plans. They were able to arrange for federal and state financial aid which made the bridge toll-free. The bridge was opened on July 4, 1924 with a grand celebration in which the Mayors of Boonville and New Franklin each walked to the center of the bridge and shook hands. The new bridge offered more freedom to motorists as the new bridge could now be used in all weather, whereas the ferries were halted in winter and during storms. Plus, commuters could travel across the river much more quickly than taking the ferries. Once the bridge was opened, there was no longer a need for the ferries and they ceased to operate. The original steel frame bridge had a tongue-and-groove cypress wood floor. Unfortunately, the wood floor did not fit together perfectly and the unevenness caused the bridge to sway a bit when used. In freezing weather the boards became slick with ice and caused many accidents. Then, the wood began to rot and it was time to upgrade the floor. In 1937 the wooden bridge floor was replaced with a corrugated steel floor, which also became slick in freezing wet weather. Salt was useless as it fell through the floor into the river. The unevenness of the corrugated steel grates also made staying in your own lane a challenge. The grates were especially hard on the older, narrow tires which often became stuck in the steel grates. People from both counties complained about the new floor, which was also very noisy. Eventually a walkway on the side of the bridge was added for pedestrians. Eventually, the two-lane bridge proved to be too narrow for larger, more modern cars and trucks and the complaints were too frequent. The flood of 1993 was devastating to Boonville and New Franklin, and all along the Missouri River, as the flood waters eventually crested at 37.10 feet. It was the most massive flood in the Boonslick history, and the water stayed above flood stage for 49 days. Boonville bridge 1924. From the Wayne Lammers collection Grand Opening of the Boonville Bridge with wooden floor July 4, 1924. From the Wayne Lammers collection This wooden floor was removed in 1936/37. Pictured is Wayne Lammers with the corrugated floor. Hwy 40 near Fredrick Hotel Old Boonville Hwy 40 Bridge Floor Old Hwy 40 Bridge Boonville bridge with Sombart Mill. From the Wayne Lammers collection. It was evident that a new bridge needed to be constructed with a much higher elevation, and also better adapted to modern transportation. Blasting of the old Hwy 40 Bridge Blasting of the old Hwy 40 Bridge Construction of the new Hwy 40 Bridge Construction Crew that built the new Boonslick Bridge seen in the background in 1997. Photo by Wayne Lammers Building of the new Boonslick Bridge in 1998 with the city of Boonville at top. Photo by Wayne Lammers The new Highway 40 bridge, a 21-million-dollar project, was dedicated on September 9, 1997 . The two driving lanes are each 12 feet wide with an 8-foot shoulder. There is also a six-foot Pedestrian walkway that is separated from the highway by a concrete barrier. References : Discover Cooper County by Looking Back by Ann Betteridge Susan Fortman – “Taming a River: The Boonville Bridge This is the first car to travel over the new Boonslick Bridge in 1998. The Driver is Kenneth Grotjan of New Franklin and Wayne Lammers is videotaping the event. Wayne Lammers worked out this event with the Engineer of the project. He is taking the photo and that's his truck behind the car. Mr. Grotjan owned a gas station on the north side of the bridge. He was so proud to be the first to drive over the bridge. I-70 MISSOURI RIVER BRIDGE Dedication of the new I-70 bridge over the Missouri River and MKT Railroad on October 8, 1960. From the Wayne Lammers collection Dedication of the I-70 bridge October 8, 1960 Dedication of the I-70 bridge October 8, 1960 from on top of cliff. From the Wayne Lammers collection Looking east from the Cooper County side of the I-70 Dedication. From the Wayne Lammers collection

DEDICATION This website is dedicated to Ann Betteridge. Ann was one of the original Founders of the Cooper County Historical Society in 1990. Ann loved children, teaching, and history. She wrote a book of almost 300 pages named “Discover Cooper County by Looking Back.” For 25 years, Ann personally presented this book, free of charge, to every 4th grader in Cooper County, and her book is the inspiration and backbone of this website. Florence (Winky) Friedrichs, another Founding member of the CCHS, drew all of the lovely illustrations in the book, and some of those are used on this website. We owe both these ladies a debt of gratitude for preserving so much of Cooper County history.

STAGE COACHES When many of us think of stage coaches we think of them in relation to the “wild west”. But stages coaches were a very important means of travel in Cooper County for many years. A stage coach was a vehicle much like an enclosed wagon with a high roof, wooden sides and doors with windows on both sides. It had an elevated seat in the front where the driver, or “whip,” was seated. Inside were seats for the passengers. The passengers sat with their baggage on their lap and mail bags under their feet. If they wanted to sleep, they had to sleep sitting up. The stage coaches were designed for travel, not comfort! They were safer than traveling alone and were often the only way to travel any distance. Roads at this time were only dirt, often rocky, and muddy after rain or snow. There was no such thing as “road maintenance.” If something on the stage coach broke during the trip it would be up to the driver to fix it, hopefully he was carrying the needed spare parts such as axels, wheels or springs. Coaches were pulled by draft horses, many of them Clydesdales, because of their good temperament. Stages were pulled either by two horses or a team of four. The coaches were called “stage” coaches because the travel route was done in “stages.” Stations, or stage stops were usually 10 to 15 miles apart. The horses traveled about 5 miles per hour, and pulled the coach for two to three hours. At the end of the trip between one stop and the next, the horses were replaced by another team and the tired horses rested until the return trip. Some stages traveled 60 -70 miles a day. At some stops a meal or beverages might be available (at an extra cost), and some had provisions for sleeping. The cost of the journey was usually 10 to 15 cents per mile, which would be quite expensive based on today’s dollars. In the 1830s , a stage coach depot was located along the road between Boonville and Jefferson City. Known as "Midway" the stop was about 1 ½ miles east of the present site of Prairie Home, at Tompkins' Inn. In the mid-century, stagecoaches made regular trips to various towns in Missouri. The Tipton to Boonville Stage Coaches operated in the Cooper County area from 1850 to 1860 . Tipton-Boonville Stage Changed Horses at Biler Home Near Speed An interesting account of the "Tipton-Boonville Stage " written by Mrs. L.H. Childs appeared in The Boonville Advertiser - Rural Life Edition , in 1940. One and one-half miles east of Speed, in central Cooper County, stands a dilapidated but vivid reminder of the past. On the southwest corner of the crossroads at that point is an old-fashioned log house, and to the rear, only partly standing is an old barn. Up until 1868 this place buzzed with activity. It was the home of Mr. Abram Biler, his wife and two daughters, and the Boonville-Tipton stage coach made a regular stop there to change horses. The horses were cared for until the return trip, when they were changed again. The ladies served meals to the travelers. Mr. William Eller told that when he was a small boy, he would hear old Mike, the driver, come down the road blowing a bugle to let the people know the stage was coming. It is said Mike could crack his whip so loud the sound would travel almost a mile in the clear air as he drove his fine horses. Sometimes the road was hard and dry, and at other times the mud was ankle deep or the snow was drifted high, but the stage went through. The road, which now is of all-weather construction, was little more than a trail at that time. Jr. Irving Harness’ father sold the stage line a number of fine horses, as only the best animals were used to pull the coaches. It was quite a thrill for a number of small boys of the neighborhood when Mike would let them ride the stage to the bottom of the hill to the south. They never seemed to mind the tiresome walk back. In the 1830s, a stage coach depot was located along the road between Boonville and Jefferson City, known as "Midway." The stop was about 1½ miles east of the present site of Prairie Home, at Tompkins' Inn. In the mid-century, stagecoaches made regular trips to various towns in Missouri. The Tipton to Boonville Stage Coaches operated in the Cooper County area from 1850 to 1860. Stage coaches were also very instrumental in bringing immigrants, especially from Germany and Ireland, to the County. Stage coach days carried their humor and tragedy, as all generations do. When Mike would linger to talk to Miss Puss Biler, some of the passengers would grow quite impatient, but that would have no effect on Mike as he would have his little visit out before he would go. John King: first German-born immigrant of Lone Elm and Stagecoach driver. John King was born February 15, 1828, in Holstein, Germany. After fighting in the war between Germany and Denmark, he immigrated to the US for more freedoms. Entering the country at New Orleans, he went first to Iowa where he heard about free and cheap land available in the Kansas territory. He went to St. Louis, boarded a river steamer, and headed west for Atchison. At a stop in Boonville, King met some fellow countrymen and decided to stay in Cooper County. He got a job as a hostler in a stable on the stage route between Boonville and Jimtown. He made $12 a month, but made more when he became a stagecoach driver. His next job was on a farm near Pisgah making $15 a month. Four years later, Colonel Pope made him a partner. In three years, King had saved enough money to buy 180 acres of undeveloped prairie land in Lone Elm for $15 an acre. King kept buying land until he had 560 acres. John King was the first German-born immigrant of Lone Elm. In 1859 John married Miss Sophia Friedmeyer, who was also born in Germany. During the American Civil War, King served in the Missouri State Guard under Captain Tom George. Mr. King influenced many Germans to immigrate to America. For several years, John would meet newly arrived immigrants from Germany in New York, and help them on their journey to Cooper County, bringing them to Cooper County by Stagecoach. John King died on November 10, 1916. Sophia followed him in death seven years later on April 24, 1924. They are buried side by side in the Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Lone Elm. Sources: Carol Normal, Great granddaughter of John King, Elisabeth Davis of Historically yours. Another early settler from Germany was Stephen Young, who settled in Clear Creek in 1848. Stage Coaches and the Civil War During the last years of the Civil War period, an order was issued calling in all guns in an effort to stop guerrilla warfare. One evening, however, the report of a gun was heard and when neighbors investigated, they found M. Biler slain in his cucumber patch. Mr. Biler is buried with many other pioneers in the old Concord cemetery. When the branch railroad was completed between Boonville and Tipton, there was no further need for the stage line and it faded into history. Probably the last visible stage stop in Cooper County is located on the North side of Highway 5 between Boonville and Billingsville. The limestone block building was built by O.H.P. Shoemaker in 1860 and the stone was cut from a nearby quarry. He used smoother stone for the front of the building and rough-cut stone for the sides. The road in front of the house was the stage coach road/mail route to Warsaw. On the lintel above the door of the house is engraved “O.H.P. Shoemaker 1860 ”. The Shoemakers were Unionist, coming originally from Kentucky and Illinois. A son (or nephew) Horace, became a Captain during the Union occupation of Boonville and organized a voluntary cavalry unit to escort the mail, guard the telegraph wires and escort captured Confederates to Jefferson City. Capt. Shoemaker became a marked man when he took a local man named Spencer from imprisonment at the Boonville courthouse to Harley Park and hanged him without a trial. When General Price and the Confederates took control of Boonville in October 1864, Shoemaker surrendered and was confined with his family to his house in Boonville. In the dark of night, according to Van Ravensway, Spenser’s sons came for Shoemaker pretending to have orders from General Price. They took him away and Horace Shoemaker was never seen again. General Shelby was quoted later that the incident “will remain the most regrettable occurrence during the war”. East of the stone house three serious skirmishes took place that October. General Fagan stood off attacks by Union Generals Eppstein and Sanborn with heavy loss of life at Anderson’s Branch. Mrs. Shoemaker and her family, fearing further retribution fled to Oregon. The property was parceled and sold in 1866 $2,000 to Christian Osten and John Dumolt. In 1868 The Osage Valley and Southern Kansas Railroad was completed between Boonville and Tipton and the stone house was convenient to the depot at Billingsville. New immigrants arriving from Germany by steamboat took the train to Billingsville where they found welcome in their native language with the Dumolts who were originally from Alsace Lorraine. Once the railroad came through Cooper County, there was no longer a need for the stage coaches. Interestingly, once trucks and cars became popular, there was little use for trains for transportation and most of them eventually disappeared. The Dumolts and Fredericks lived in the stone house for many years, adding a kitchen and an extension to the living space at the back of the stone building. There were extensive log and frame stables on the property until the present owners, the Burnetts, cleared away the worn wooden structures, but saved the stone cottage and a large chiseled stone horse trough to preserve this part of Cooper County history. References: The Boonville Advertiser, 1940 CCHS Files Linda Burnett Dumolt Stage Stop on Route 5 near Billingsville Photo by Krista Jeppsen

MISSOURIANS AT THE ALAMO On March 6, 1836 , about 187 men (or more, according to some researchers) perished inside the adobe walls of a crumbling mission-turned-fort known as the Alamo at what is today San Antonio, Texas. Under siege for 13 days, the defenders – who were Anglo settlers, fellow American allies, and ethnic Mexican natives in revolt against the central Mexican government - were finally overwhelmed by a superior Mexican army force and killed to the last man in the early morning hours of March 6. Their bodies were then burned. Among those who died that day were six native Missourians: William Charles M. Baker, George D. Butler, Charles Henry Clark, George Washington Cottle, Jerry C. Day, and George W. Tumlinson. It is those men in particular that we talk about today. When we say they were Missourians we mean they were born in the territory that would become the State of Missouri, since we didn't get statehood until 1821 . Now that that is clarified, from this point on we will simply say Missouri instead of Missouri Territory. Like many of the Alamo defenders, not a whole lot is really known about most of the Missourians' backgrounds. William Charles M. Baker was born in Missouri, though we don't know his age, and he later moved to Mississippi. After the Texas Revolution erupted in October 1835 , Baker came to Texas as a volunteer to help in the revolt. He made his way to what was then San Antonio de Bexar and joined a rebel artillery battery that was involved in besieging the town, which at the time was held by national Mexican troops. After the Mexican force eventually surrendered, Baker became part of what I would characterize as a mounted infantry company that was sent elsewhere. However, he returned to San Antonio on January 19, 1836 as captain of a detachment of 30 men led by the famous adventurer Jim Bowie. Baker entered the Alamo fort and never left it again. George D. Butler was born in Missouri in 1813 , making him 23 years old when he died on that chilly March 6th morning. He was probably a member of the New Orleans Greys ("grey" spelled the English way), two companies of volunteers that were raised and equipped in New Orleans for the cause of Texas independence. If so, he would have been uniformed in a grey jacket and pants with a round forage cap and armed with either a military rifle or musket. Unlike most of the Alamo defenders, the New Orleans Greys looked like soldiers. Most of them arrived in time to take an active part in the siege of Bexar, mentioned above. The Greys were reorganized after the siege and most went on to serve the cause elsewhere, but 23 men stayed to help with the garrison's defense. All 23 perished at the Alamo on March 6. Charles Henry Clark, age unknown, was born in Missouri and was a member of the New Orleans Greys, one of the 23 men of his unit who remained behind at the Alamo. Like many men, he may have been on his way to Texas, by way of New Orleans, anyhow to apply for a land grant from Mexico when he enlisted in the Greys to take part in the uprising that would become a fight for Texas independence. Along the march to San Antonio de Bexar, Clark's company was treated to special dinners held in their honor, including one of roasted bear and champagne. Unfortunately for Clark, he would lose his life at the end of the road. George Washington Cottle was born in 1811 in Missouri, though there is a question if he was actually born in Tennessee and came to Missouri as a child. At any rate, since he is listed as a Missourian in some places, we have included him here. His family located to a colony near Gonzales Texas in 1829 . When the war broke out, he fought in the Battle of Gonzales early on. He was later one of the ill-fated 32 Gonzales men who rode to the aid of the Alamo defenders just five days before the slaughter on March 6. His wife gave birth to twin boys after his death. Jerry C. Day was 18 years old when he died at the Alamo. He was born in Missouri and came to Texas with his family. They settled at Gonzales. When the revolution started, the Days got involved, with Jerry's father, Jeremiah Day, becoming a wagoner for the Texan army and also a signer of the Goliad Declaration of Independence, a precursor to the official Texas Declaration by 73 days. Young Day fought in the siege of Bexar, was discharged from service, and then rejoined and became a member of the garrison at the Alamo where he died with the rest of his comrades. George W. Tumlinson was born in Missouri in 1814 . By the time of the Texas Revolution he was living in Gonzales. He enlisted in the revolutionary forces as an artilleryman and served in the siege of Bexar and then as part of the initial Alamo garrison. He was back in Gonzales, however, when the Alamo was surrounded. He probably felt a personal duty to help his comrades at his former post, and was part of the "Immortal 32" men of Gonzales who rode to the relief of the Alamo defenders, only to join them in their doom. So here's to our six fellow Missourians who died in the cause of Texas independence at a now famous place called the Alamo. Hats off, boys! Although we do not know if any of these men were from Cooper County, They deserve great credit for their bravery. Source: Texas State Historical Association

PREHISTORIC COOPER COUNTY Minerals and So ils This section is adapted from “Discover Cooper County by looking Back” by Ann Betteridge, 1995 (Edited by Mike Dickey, 2020) From the beginning of the Paleozoic era (542 million years ago ) through the end of Mesozoic era (65 million years ago ) Missouri was mostly covered by shallow inland seas or sometimes low swampy ground. For two thirds of the Cenozoic era (65 million – 2.6 million years ago ) Missouri was mostly dry and subtropical. During the Pleistocene epoch (2.6 million to 11,500 years ago ) four periods of glaciation covered much of North America. These glaciers extended almost to the Missouri River valley. Runoff from the melting glaciers formed the Missouri River about 400,000 years ago, reaching its current configuration about 11,500 years ago. The glaciers carried rocks and boulders which ground down the soil and deposited the resulting rich, black soil along the Missouri River. This soil was also deposited by the wind onto bluffs and hills. This is why land near the Missouri River consists of gentle rolling hills and is great farmland. The Missouri landscape in the Pleistocene epoch was roamed by megafauna like mastodons, mammoths, giant bison, giant beaver, stag-elk, giant sloths, glyptodonts (giant armadillos), peccaries, giant short-faced bears, dire wolves and sabre toothed cats. The megafauna went extinct by the end of this epoch. Animals that survived the extinction and still inhabit Missouri are the American bison, whitetail deer, wapiti (elk), beavers, black bears, and occasionally mountain lions. Crinoid Fossils FOSSILS Fossils of the Mississippian Period (359 – 324 million years ago ) were found at the old Sweeney Quarry near Clifton City. It is easy to observe the sedimentary layer of soil deposited by the inland sea at the quarry. Some of the common fossils found in the county are marine animals such as bryozoans, sponges, corals, brachiopods, gastropods, cephalopods, pelecypods and crinoids. The Crinoid is the Missouri State Fossil. Crinoids are a large group of invertebrate, marine animals somewhat flower-like in form and anchored by a stalk opposite of the mouth end. They are closely related to today’s sea-lilies, urchins and starfish. Crinoids are abundant in Cooper County. Some beds of limestone are almost completely composed of crinoid remains. The fossilized stems often appear as small circular disks with holes in the center. The largest fossil crinoid on record had a stem 40 m (130 ft) in length. In 2012 , three geologists reported they had isolated complex organic molecules from 340-million-year-old (Mississippian) fossils of multiple species of crinoids . Fossil crinoids apparently grew in large groups because their distribution in the rocks is irregular. Coral and shell fossils are also fairly abundant in some locales. Class: Crinoidea, Miller , 1821 Phylum: Echinodermata Kingdom: Animalia Subphylum: Crinozoa Vertebrate fossils are extremely rare in Cooper County. Dinosaur fossils in Missouri have been found only in Bollinger County. The remains of Pleistocene megafauna have been found in bone beds in the eastern Missouri Ozarks, along the Pomme de Terre and Osage rivers and in some Ozarks caves. Occasionally, mastodon teeth have been found in plowed fields in Cooper County. ROCKS AND MINERALS Missouri's State Rock Mozarkite is a colorful form of chert (flint) was adopted as the official state rock on July 21, 1967 , by the 74th General Assembly. An attractive rock, Mozarkite appears in a variety of colors, predominately white, gray, or brown in color, but in many locations with patches and swirls of pink, red, purple, orange, and yellow. The rock's beauty is enhanced by cutting and polishing into ornamental shapes for jewelry. Mozarkite is most commonly found in west-central Missouri south of the Missouri River. Benton County has been the major source for collecting Mozarkite. (RSMo 10.045) Missouri State Rock Mozarkite Photo by Wayne Lammers Missouri State Mineral Galena (Lead Ore) Missouri's State Rock Mozarkite was adopted as the official state rock on July 21, 1967 , by the 74th General Assembly. An attractive rock, Mozarkite appears in a variety of colors, most predominantly green, red or purple. The rock's beauty is enhanced by cutting and polishing into ornamental shapes for jewelry. Mozarkite is most commonly found in Benton County. (RSMo 10.045) How Mozarkite became the State rock by Bonnie Widel Rapp: In the 1950’s, Dad (Philip Widel ), who lived in Blackwater, became very interested in a certain type of rock that he found mostly in the Lincoln Missouri area. It was a type of chert, or flint, and was used as barter by the Indians, as it was valuable to them in making of arrows. Dad found it hard enough to be sawed by diamond saws, rated 7 on the Mohs scale and deemed to be of Gem quality. His fascination with it was, that though it was rough and ugly on the outside, when sliced, it exposed beautiful pinks, purples, blues and grays. Even more exciting were the scenes he could see, as one sees in clouds, lakes, mountains, waterfalls and even people. He carefully started cutting these scenes out and polished them to a high degree. His favorites, he framed with his silverware braids and glued them to a leather satchel, which he carried over his shoulder to the many rock shows he attended, despite its considerable weight. Quite an interest was stirred in this “new” rock and Dad traded it for semi-precious stone to other rock hounds who wanted a chance to explore its possibilities. This rock is found only in Missouri, about as far north as Marshall and south into Arkansas. The name of it is “Mozarkite” and it has always been told by those who knew him then, that Dad named it. The “mo” is taken from the abbreviation of Missouri, the “ozark” from the Ozark Mountains, and the “ite” classifies it as a rock. Articles I’ve collected from Missouri Life and other sources, make no mention of how the name was acquired. Dad became more and more intent on having Mozarkite named as the state rock, as we had a state bird, flower and tree. He made numerous trips to Jefferson City, where in the capitol he made talks and presented his collection for observation. On October 13, 1967, the 7th General Assembly passed Senate Bills #216 and #217, making Mozarkite the official state rock and Galena the state mineral. Dad received a letter telling him that the bill had been passed and was given the honorary title of “Mr. Mozarkite." Missouri State Mineral Galena (Lead Ore) Cubes of galena; photo by Rob Lavinsky on Wikipedia (use permitted with attribution / share alike: CC BY-SA 3.0 ). Missouri designated galena (lead sulfide) as the official state mineral in 1967 . Galena is the major source of lead ore, and Missouri is the top producer of lead in the United States. Galena is dark gray in color and breaks into small cubes. Lead is a very soft, blue-gray, metallic element that has been used since ancient times. It is a very heavy element, but it is rare for the element to appear alone in nature. Lead is normally combined with other elements, forming a variety of interesting and beautiful minerals - the most significant is galena, smelted worldwide for its lead content. The majority of lead is used to make batteries for cars, trucks and other vehicles, wheel weights, solder, bearings and other parts. Lead is also used in electronics and communications, ammunition, television glass, construction, and protective coatings. Some is used to make protective aprons for patients having x-rays to shield the body from excess radiation exposure, for crystal glass production, weights and ballast, and specialized chemicals. Missouri has long been a major producer of lead. In the War of 1812 era, nearly all the lead used by U.S. military forces came from Missouri Territory, mostly the “Lead District” of the southeast Missouri Ozarks. Galena has been found in both Lamine and Blackwater Townships. Etienne Sieur de Bourgmond was the first European whose journey up the Missouri River is documented. He paused at the mouth of the Lamine River in 1714 and wrote, “there are some prairies and a little low land above, where the Indians mine lead.” Mined galena has been found in archaeological sites associated with prehistoric Indian cultures, apparently used for decorative or ceremonial purposes. By the early 1700s the Osage learned simple smelting processes from the French and made molds for casting lead amulets, personal adornments and making bullets. Edwin James of Stephen Long’s 1819 Yellowstone Expedition reported on the surface mines along the Lamine River: “The diggings so often mentioned in this region as objects of curiosity. These are regular but very numerous excavations of little depth, but evidently the united labours of many persons, who were possessed of instruments of iron and steel…These excavations occur frequently in the extent of two or three miles”. Charles Lockhart believed this area may have held precious metals besides lead. In 1819 and 1820 he sometimes had as many as 30 hired laborers digging along the Lamine and Blackwater Rivers in a search for silver or gold. Instead he found only galena. Boiling salt at some of the briny springs in the Lamine valley became more profitable for him. Some market for Cooper County lead appears to have developed. The Gazetteer of Missouri (1837 ) says that “many thousand pounds of lead have been raised on the farm of Mr. William Scott.” This farm was located in Lamine Township. In 1869 , an Arrow Rock correspondent for the Saline County Progress newspaper reported, “Mr. Dills, 4 miles south of here [Arrow Rock] is succeeding with his new lead mines beyond all expectations.” However, lead mining did not remain a long-term industry in the area. Thomas Rainey of Arrow Rock reported in 1914 that the excavations along the Lamine River were still visible although overgrown by large trees. Although a vitally important commodity, lead is toxic and ingestion can cause damage to the digestive and nervous systems. Its use in some applications has been discontinued - as with lead-based paints, which have a sweet taste. Some children would eat paint chips, causing lead poisoning. Tailings, the waste from lead mining operates can contaminate water resources and has been the focus of environmental cleanup projects conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency or the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. CHERT (Flint) Rocks and minerals form important natural resources. Nodules and beds of silica carbonate which forms chert were deposited when Burlington limestone bluffs began to be formed about 325 million years ago. Chert is actually the proper name for flint. The highest grades of chert are like glass and will flake into razor sharp edges. This chert comes from volcanic regions of the Rocky Mountains and Pacific Northwest and was traded by American Indians across the continent. Missouri chert is of a lower quality but was still very useful. Nearby major sources for chert were the Arrow Rock bluff and the Manitou Bluffs near Rocheport. Other small outcroppings of chert occur throughout the region. Native Americans produced arrowheads, lance and dart points and tools such as hide scrapers and drills by chipping them from chert. CLAY, SAND and GRAVEL Clay was made into pots for cooking, storage of food and hauling water. As time advanced, vessels became more decorative. Adding ground pieces of mussel shell to the clay tempered it and made the vessels more durable. Pottery was made not only by Indians, but by European and American settlers as well. A significant pottery works existed at Pilot Grove in the 19th century. Clay was also fired in kilns to make bricks. Brickyards for manufacturing existed in Boonville and probably other communities as well. The extensive number of 19th century structures in Cooper County built with handmade bricks also attests to the quality of clay deposits in the region. Sand and gravel companies operate near Boonville producing sand, rock, and agricultural lime. The sand and gravel are fundamental materials for construction and road building. The lime is produced from crushed limestone and sold to farmers for application on their fields to improve the pH acidity of the soil, improving the uptake of nutrients in plants and allowing for better penetration of water into soil. IRON ORE in the form of red hematite , has been found in outcrops along the Lamine and Blackwater River. Red and black hematite was ground to powder by American Indians and mixed with animal grease to produce body paint for ceremonial purposes. There are some reports of iron ore being commercially mined in the 19th century, but it did not become a major industrial enterprise. COAL Large quantities of coal were surface mined in Boonville Township. Coal formed from vast amounts of decomposing vegetation in swamps during the Carboniferous Period about 358 to 258 million years ago. The coal mined in this area was cannel, a hot burning bituminous variety. The relatively small fireboxes in some surviving 19th structures in the region indicates that coal, rather than wood, was burned in them. Coal burned hotter and longer than wood. The remains of large strip mines can still be observed in some areas. Cannel coal from south of Arrow Rock was exhibited at the New York Industrial Exhibition in 1854 . The British House of Commons appointed a committee to attend the exhibition and they were impressed by the quality of the coal. The Missouri State Board of Agriculture reported in 1874 that “There are fine deposits of cannel coal near Arrow Rock, and lead and iron which are successfully mined.” But again, mining these minerals did not remain as a significant economic enterprise into the 20th century. LEAD LEAD has been found in both Lamine and Blackwater Townships. Missouri has long been a major producer of lead. In the War of 1812 era, nearly all the lead used by U.S. military forces came from the Missouri Territory. Without lead for bullets, the Americans could have lost the War in the Boonslick area and areas further East. Lead was so important to Missouri’s economy that galena, the principal ore of lead, is designated the State Mineral. Etienne Sieur de Bourgmond was the first European whose journey up the Missouri River is documented. He paused at the mouth of the Lamine River in 1714 and wrote, “there are some prairies and a little low land above, where the Indians mine lead. Mined galena has been found in archaeological sites associated with prehistoric Indian cultures, apparently used for decorative or ceremonial purposes. By the early 1700s the Osage learned simple smelting from the French and made molds for casting lead amulets and personal adornments. SALT and SALT LICKS Cooper County, and neighboring Saline and Howard counties, contain large amounts of salt deposited as prehistoric seas retreated from the area. Water percolating through the ground resulted in the formation of many saltwater springs and briny creeks in the region. The Boonville Western Emigrant newspaper reported in 1839 : “The extraordinary number of salt springs found in the Boon’s Lick country & the quantities of pure salt water they discharge, forms a marvel to the curious, and must at some future day, prove a source of great profit.” One of the largest of these saltwater springs was Mackay’s Lick about eight miles northwest of New Franklin in Howard County. James Mackay obtained a Spanish grant for the land around the salt springs in 1795 as a reward for mapping the Missouri River. A “lick” was a place frequented by animals to lick the natural salt deposits around the springs. In 1805 , Nathan and Daniel Morgan Boone, sons of frontiersman Daniel Boone, established a salt manufacturing business there in partnership with James and Jesse Morrison of St. Charles. The Boones used twelve, 20-gallon kettles to boil the brine water. The remaining salty sediment was dried and packed in barrels called hogsheads. Approximately one gallon produced two teaspoons of salt. In 1807 , they expanded their operation, and added forty more kettles and hired extra men to help. The salt was shipped by keelboat to St. Louis to sell. The keelboat would return in about two weeks’ time, laden with supplies for the salt operation. In those days before refrigerators and freezers, salt was one of the main ways to preserve food. Salt was also used for the tanning process for leather to make shoes, saddles, and harnesses. The abundance of salt in the region was one attraction for white settlers. Consequently, many bypassed the open land in eastern Missouri to come directly to the Boonslick Country. Courtesy of Sharon Dyer MINERAL WATER As early as 1855 , the medicinal qualities of the Chouteau Springs mineral water were touted in newspapers. A spa resort and a community grew up around the five springs: two with fresh water and three with sulpher water. The fresh water was sold in two-gallon crock jugs throughout the state for its “healthful” benefits. The resort entered its heyday in the 1870s and remained in operation until about 1960 . All that remains of the once thriving resort now are ruins. Tar Balls in Cooper Cou nty By Wayne Lammers While deer hunting half way between Boonville and Lamine, I discovered many very black balls of all sizes and forms in the corn field that I was in. I retrieved many of them and brought them home. In my inspection, I found they ranged from golf ball size balls all the way down to pea size. I had never seen one like this before. I could tell that the ball was made of tar by the smell. I did my research and found the millions of years ago this land was reinventing itself by making new earth and land. In doing this, pockets of oil or tar bubbled to the surface creating these small balls of tar. I further discovered that the Indians used these tar balls to seal the inside and outside of their early canoes while navigating the Missouri and Lamine Rivers. Tar Balls in Cooper County SOILS Alluvial soils are of recent origin and have been deposited in the flood plains of streams, particularly the Missouri River. The silt carried and deposited by the river also produced some of the richest farmland in the nation. There are at least 46 different types of soils listed in the Soil Survey of Cooper County, Missouri, published by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. A copy can be found online. The quality of much of the soil of Cooper County is highly conducive to row crops. The tillable land in this area is another reason many early settlers came to the county. For general information from the Missouri Archaeological Society Washington University in St. Louis has a nice site on Geology of Missouri

AUTHORS, ARTISTS, & HISTORIANS OF COOPER COUNTY AUTHORS Books are a very important part of our lives and national heritage. For the sake of argument, books are not limited to physical, printed editions. For those who have switched to e-books or “read” audio books, remember, each book, whether fiction or non-fiction, must first be written or “created.” Throughout the year, there are many unofficial, designated special occasions that bring recognition to a person, place, or thing. November is National Novel Writing Month, April is National Poetry Month, and the third week in January is National Book Week. In May, there is even a National Children’s Book Week. But who writes all these books, and when? Thousands of people have written books and have done so for centuries. Our forefathers (and mothers) have written about America’s colonial days, our war for independence, and each and every war we’ve had since then. There are biographies, historical fiction, science fiction, and poetry. Not all books were written long ago or by authors now gone. At least a dozen writers live in Cooper and Howard counties. To them I dedicate this column. Source: Elizabeth Davis Women Authors: Ann Betteridge Florence (Winky) Friedrich e s Anita Crews Elizabeth Davis Cindy Koch Eva Ridenour Linda Runnebaum Anna Skjei Mary Ann Snapp Judy Stock Barb Thoma Casey Wendleton There is no way any one person can know every author, so my apologies for all the names I’ve missed. Source: Elizabeth Davis WELL KNOWN ARTISTS George Caleb Bingham George Caleb Bingham is best remembered as a 19th century artist who left behind a visual record of American history. Bingham was born in Virginia on March 20, 1811. Although he grew up in a slave-holding family, he and his family’s roots were firmly tied to generations of New England ministers. In 1819, Bingham’s family moved to Franklin, Missouri. There, they opened an inn and purchased a tobacco farm in Arrow Rock. Four years later Bingham’s father died and his mother, one of the best educated women of the day, opened a girls’ school to support the family. Bingham hired out as a farmhand as soon as he was old enough to help, but it was soon discovered he was asthmatic. With few options before him, he became a cabinetmaker apprentice near Boonville, first to Jesse Green and later to Justinian Williams. He learned precise craftsmanship and by 1834, Bingham was using that craftsmanship as a portrait painter. A self-taught American primitive artist, Bingham wanted more. In 1836, he went back east to study at the Philadelphia Academy. While there, he was able to see originals of America’s greatest—Benjamin West, Washington Allston, etc. After only a few months, his work became more sophisticated. Always seeking to improve his art work, Bingham then went to Dusseldorf, Germany, in 1856 to continue his studies. At the time, Dusseldorf was the center of the western art world. Prior to the Civil War, when future Missouri Governor Claiborne Jackson was campaigning for slavery, George Bingham was campaigning against it. Bingham believed “slavery should not be expanded, slave families should never be separated, and all slaves should be gradually emancipated.” When the Civil War began, Bingham enlisted as a captain in Van Horn’s US Reserve Corps. After being defeated in September 1861, they were disbanded according to the terms of their surrender. A few months later, on January 4, 1862, Union Governor Hamilton Gamble appointed Bingham state treasurer for Missouri. After the war, Bingham was able to continue his art while he served as Missouri’s adjutant general and in other appointed posts. George Caleb Bingham died in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 7, 1879. Source: Historically Yours, by Elizabeth Davis Florence (Winky) Friedriches – Painter, graphic arts, metal work, dress design Wayne Lammers – Photography Edwards Family Two generations of photographers O. D. Edwards came to the United States and settled in Boonville in 1859. Edwards became a skilled photographer and made a fine living during the Civil War, photographing soldiers on both sides. His success lasted for the better part of 50 years. Louis Edwards, his son, followed in his father’s footsteps. He graduated from Boonville High School and attended the Singleton Academy before becoming as skilled in photography as his father. He was known for quality work at reasonable prices. William L. Tanner William L. Tanner, the oldest of twelve children, was born in Illinois on September 24, 1880, the son of Louis and Christina (Kraft) Tanner. Louis Tanner was a native of Switzerland and came to the United States with his parents at the age of 14. He served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. After the war, the family moved to St. Louis where they operated a manufacturing business. Later they relocated to Lost Prairie, Illinois. In 1886, the family returned to St. Louis. William Tanner left school at 13 and went to work in a gents’ furnishing store until the age of 19. At that time he took up the study of photography and worked with Gustav Schneidt who had learned the art in Germany. On June 5, 1905, Willian Tanner married Miss Emma Georgiana Schneidt, the daughter of his employer, and the union was blessed with one son, William Louis, Jr. In 1911 Tanner began working in the studio of O. C. Conkling. He became a traveling salesman for Hyatt’s Photo Supply Company in 1914 and stayed in their employ until he moved to Boonville in 1916. On March 23, 1916, Tanner opened his own studio in the McCurdy Building in Boonville where he had what we call today a Grand Opening. It was quite a new way of doing business in the early 1900s. And each lady attending received a photograph of herself—54 in all. Tanner’s studio lasted just under three years. On December 23, 1918, it burned down and he lost almost everything in the fire. However, a successful business doesn’t stay down long. Tanner reopened Tanner Studio and Art Shop at 305 Main St. on February 26, 1919. Occupying two floors and the basement, it was the “the last word in modernity. The nitrogen lighting system, with a battery of eight lights, of strength of 8000 watts, is used and renders reliance on daylight as an adjunct to photography unnecessary. Posing can be accomplished at any hour of the day or night…studio is equipped with the finest model of camera in existence fitted with an automatic adjustment, and which uses films instead of plates. Perfectly appointed dressing rooms have been provided for patrons.” A new department of the studio was handled by Frank Swap, a local artist. For those who were interested, portrait painting was also available. Source: Johnson, W. F. , History of Cooper County, vol. I, c/1919, page 498 Maximilian Schmidt (1865-1935) Maximilian Schmidt learned the trade of a jeweler and watchmaker. WELL KNOWN HISTORIANS Ann Betteridge - Author of the 400-page workbook “Discover Cooper County by Looking Back”, was given personally to each Cooper County third grader by the author, along with a fun history lesson. Ann presented this book, which she had researched and written, to the children for over a period of over 20 years, until her untimely death. Gladys Darby Elizabeth Davis Jim Denny Bob Dyer Florence ”Winky” Friedriches Jeanette Heaton James Higby Wayne Lammers Helen Mitzel (1901-2006) Mary Pat Holmes Sam Jewett Maryellen McVicker Patrick Overton Bonnie Rapp Judy Shields HISTORICAL WRITERS Wayne Lammers Maryellen McVicker Ann Betteridge Bob Dyer Jim Dyer Judy Shields Elizabeth Davis Jeanette Heaton

PROHIBITION Sheriff John Grothe and Deputy James Morton with captured moonshine sti ll in St. Charles, 1924. (S1083) State Historical Society of Missouri. (1920 - 1933) Prohibition era begins across the U.S. affecting many of the German immigrant-owned beer companies in Missouri “Beginning in 1882, Missouri counties and towns passed local option laws to turn communities dry. By World War I, over 90 of the state’s 114 counties were dry through these laws. On January 16, 1919, Missouri ratified what would become the 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which banned the manufacture and sale of alcohol. Under the 18th Amendment and the Volstead Act, Missouri's flourishing alcohol and wine industry took a significant step back, particularly German-immigrant owned breweries. After a decade of inefficient enforcement, and with the deepening of the Great Depression, the 21st Amendment, which repealed the 18th Amendment, was ratified in 1933.” Boonville had a very successful brewery, Griessmaier & Roeschel Brewery/Winery, which opened in 1874 and closed in 1878. After prohibition, another brewery known as the Haas Brewery, operated from 1933-1942. So Cooper County did not have any “legal” establishments put out of business during prohibition. There is no record about where, or if, county residents obtained “adult beverages” during prohibition. Courtesy of: Missouri Bicentennial Timeline 1867 Source: Boonvil le Tourism Warm Springs Ranch Warm Springs Ranch is located a few miles east of Boonville, Missouri. Hundreds of tourists turn up each year to visit the international stars who make their home at Warm Springs Ranch. In a round-about way, it started in 1933 when Congress passed the 21st Amendment which repealed the 18th Amendment, otherwise known as Prohibition. There was little doubt the Amendment would be ratified by the states and, after 13 years without legal alcohol, Congress and the people couldn’t, or wouldn’t, wait. The Cullen-Harrison Act of 1933, introduced by Representative Thomas H. Cullen and Senator Pat Harrison in March, was rushed through both houses of Congress and signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in eight days. The bill legalized 3.2% beer, effective on April 7, 1933, before the 21st Amendment was ratified. April 7 became, unofficially anyway, National Beer Day. To celebrate the first day of legalized alcohol in over a decade, August A. Busch, Jr. presented his father, the Sr. Busch, with a red, white, and gold beer wagon drawn by eight Clydesdales. After the wagon carried the first case of beer from the St. Louis brewery in a special journey through St. Louis, the Sr. Busch had the team sent by rail to New York City. Once there, they picked up two cases of beer at Newark Airport. The first case was presented to New York’s former governor Al Smith for his help in repealing Prohibition. Then the Clydesdales toured New England and the Mid-Atlantic States, stopping on the way to deliver a case of beer to President Franklin D. Roosevelt at the White House. Today, the Budweiser Clydesdales are international stars. They travel all over the US, appear in parades, and make commercials which are seen all over the world, especially on Super Bowl Sunday. The largest breeding facility for these magnificent horses is right here in the middle of Missouri at Warm Springs Ranch.

GENEALOGY Picture from Carolyn Aggeler collection COOPER COUNTY VITAL AND HISTORICAL RECORDS: AVAILABLE AT THE COOPER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY RESEARCH CENTER 111 Roe Street Pilot Grove, MO 65276 660-834-3582

COMMUNITY/TOWNSHIP SETTLEMENT Once the War of 1812-1814 was over, the Missouri Territory was considered safe for settlers. The pioneers steadily poured into the Boonslick area, looking for a new start in the frontier. They found rich soil for crops, prairies for livestock grazing, springs and streams, plus the Missouri River for water, trees for building, and fish and abundant large and small game for food. Soon, small communities were formed and in some, churches and schools were established. Farms, mills and small local businesses were important communication and trade centers in the early communities. Many of the communities were as small as a few homes or farms near each other, and many of these settlements were never officially platted on the County map. Over time, there were over 65 named communities in Cooper County. If we divide the County into 5 parts, (below) you can see the location of some of the towns/settlements on the map, plus you can locate where some of those settlements that are no longer in existence might have been. Railroads helped further settle the County and were very important to the economic growth of the area. The first railroad, the Missouri Pacific, was completed through Otterville, in 1860. The second, the Osage Valley and Southern Kansas, ran from Boonville to Versailles, stopping at Billingsville, Joe Town, New Palestine (Speed), Petersburg, Bunceton and Vermont. The third was the “KATY” which went through Prairie Lick, Pilot Grove, Harriston, Pleasant Green and Clifton City. With the coming of the railroads through several small, sleepy towns they became very busy centers of commerce, attracting merchants, banks, hotels, doctors and a variety of businesses, plus they gained a major growth in population. Since most roads at this time were rough, and often just wagon trails, trains offered passengers a comfortable way to travel, and cattle, grain and other products could be moved quickly and efficiently to larger markets, usually Saint Louis. Plus, mail was delivered to the towns by rail, instead of by horseback or carts. However, things began to change by 1915, when early automobiles and pickup trucks became more numerous, and plank and gravel roads (but not paved), became more common. The last train to make its final trip out of Cooper County was the which left Boonville on 1986. As local train service was eliminated, people and businesses started leaving, and some of the towns that had been well populated lost businesses and residents, as people sought jobs and/or higher wages in larger towns. While some towns became just a shadow of their former selves, others just disappeared. A loss of a post office seems to indicate that a town had grown too small to support one. You will notice that some post offices were closed during the Civil War. The decrease in population was also accelerated by the Great Depression and the drought during the 1930’s. Note: Post Office column displays the delivery dates; "Never" means the place never had a post office; and "Gone" means the town does not exist anymore. Looking at the map below you will see that early Cooper County was dotted with towns. Eventually, many of the towns were officially platted, but some settlements remained as just settlements. Of the over 65 settlements/towns that were in early Cooper County, by 2021, only a few remain as active cities, towns, villages, or as viable unincorporated areas. References: Memorabilia of Cooper County, Missouri, 2020 PDF Edition Discover Cooper County by Ann Betteridge CHANGES IN COOPER COUNTY POPULATION AND TOWNS FROM 1820 UP TO 1960 When we look at the history of Cooper County, we see that a few towns were originally settlements, then became towns, or cities, and have been active since the early 1820's. Yet, others had a good start, but after a few years, the population was greatly diminished and, in some cases, almost all traces of those early towns are totally gone. Cooper County’s population was greatly affected by its history and available means of travel Some Background: Cooper is one of 115 counties in Missouri. As of 7/1/2022, Cooper County had a population of 17,059, with a total of 7,282 households. Cooper ranks #62 in size of Missouri County populations. The growth rate for 2020 to 2022 was 0.11%. For 2022-2027 it is forecast to be 0.01%. Source: HomeTownLocator When we examine the history of Cooper County, we are lead to wonder why early residents chose to make the trip. Why did they choose to come, and why might they have decided to stay or leave? We find many reasons to come, and which events influenced population growth and decline. Adventurers – The challenge to come to a new area of the country, to live off the land, perhaps find gold, silver or other treasure, or to become famous for an unusual deed encouraged some to come. A Second Chance at the Good Life – They may have had a less than desirable background and the newly opened territory might have given them a chance to redeem themselves and start life over. Early Settlers – They came to stay. They proved that Missouri was a wonderful place to settle. Abundant wildlife, fertile ground, plenty of water and timber, and land was free or not expensive. Transportation – Missouri was blessed with several early means of travel by land and water - ferries, wagons, stage coach’s (but no roads) , Steam Boats, and later, railroads, cars and trucks. Wars – we need to factor in that during the Civil War, World War I, II, and later wars, many local men and women died and did not return home to start or maintain families. Some families left the area and relocated elsewhere after the death of a loved one. Depression – The depression of the 1930's had some serious effects on the population, yet some towns regained much of their earlier strength and population, while others did not. Cooper County population was greatly influenced by many events 1810 – The Cole families settled in what would become Cooper County 1812 – Lamine was settled 1812 – War of 1812-1814 in Cooper County 1816 – Hannah Cole’s sons operated the first ferry between Cooper and Howard Counties 1818 – Cooper became a County 1819 – First Steamboat on the Missouri River 1820 – Missouri Packet - First steam boat to sink in the Missouri River near Boonville 1821 – Missouri became the 24th state 1821 – Trade Route to Santa Fe opened (Santa Fe Trail) 1827 – Town of Franklin, located across from Boonville, washed away in a major flood of the Missouri River 1860’s – Stage Coaches carried passengers and the mail 1860 – First railroad established in the County (Missouri Pacific) 1861 - 1864 – Civil War – two battles and two occupations in Cooper County during years 1861 – Missouri was the first state to emancipate all enslaved persons 1901 – First automobile driven in Cooper County/road improvement began 1914 - 1918 – World War I in Europe 1918 - 1919 – Many died from the “Spanish” Flu. (NO Cooper County figures available) 1930 -1939 – Nation-wide Depression 1940 - 1945 – World War II 1943 – Highway 40 Bridge over the Missouri River connects Howard County to Cooper County 1960 – Route I-70 by-passes Boonville, but passes through Cooper County Population Growth in Cooper County Missouri became the 24th state on August 10, 1821. Cooper County was established when Howard County was divided into what was to become Cooper County along the Missouri River. Following the War of 1812, the population of Cooper and the surrounding area began to increase, especially along the Missouri River. The majority of early settlers were from Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and the Carolinas. Settlers from Germany and Ireland helped to increase the population. In the year 1820, only about 12% of the population of Missouri was foreign born. According to the 1820 US Census, Cooper County had a population of 6,959, but the population ten years later was only 6,904, a loss of 55. However, a good case can be made for an increase of more than 8,700 rather than the official drop. In November 1820, after the 1820 census had been taken, three counties were formed out of Cooper County: Cole, Lafayette, and Saline. Their 1830 census totals were 3,023; 2,912; and 2.873 respectively. Had those counties not been established, these figures would have been part of Cooper Counties totals. Sources: Discover Cooper County by Ann Betteridge and A History of Pilot Grove. The population numbers increased with each census until 1890, when Cooper County had a population of 22,707. From then on, the population started to decline to 14,643 in 1980. Cooper County has continued to slowly grow, and the US Census of 2010 showed a population of 17,601, but in 2020 it was 17,103. Although there are many small, unincorporated communities in Cooper County, there have been only six incorporated cities. Boonville was already platted when Missouri became a state in 1821, but it wasn't incorporated until 1839. Its first official census wasn't taken until 1850. There were 2,326 residents in Boonville that year, the smallest ever recorded for the city at that time, but Boonville, the County Seat of Cooper County, continued to grow. The numbers weren't always higher than the previous count, but they tended to go up. The highest count recorded in Cooper County population was 21,596 in 1880 and 22,707 in 1890. By 1990 the total population had dropped to 14,835. In the 2010 Census it climbed back to 17,601, but dropped back to 17,103 in 2020. In order of establishment, Otterville became the second city in Cooper County. Platted in 1837, Otterville didn't have an official census until 1880 and recorded 505 residents. Source: Wikipedia The population was pretty stable and peaked at 507 in 1990. In 2010, the official population was 454. The other four cities were established in the space of twenty years: Bunceton in 1868, Pilot Grove in 1873, Prairie Home in 1874, and Blackwater in 1887. Bunceton had 493 residents in 1890 and no census was reported in 1900. The population for the next two census reports of 1910, and 1920 was 788, and 860 respectively. Growth after 1920 never increased. The official population in 2010 was 354. Pilot Grove and Prairie Home were founded just a year apart, in 1873 and 1874. Pilot Grove started with 209 residents at their first census in 1880 and in 2010 reached 768. Prairie Home's census was similar. They started with a low of 43 in 1880 and by 2010 they had reached 280. Blackwater was the last of the current six incorporated cities in Cooper County. Founded in 1887, their first census wasn't taken until 1900 and it recorded a population of 285. The community grew until 1930, when the population peaked at 506. The number of residents and businesses continued to decline with only a minor spike in 1980 until the 2010 census showed Blackwater at just under 60 percent of its first headcount. While many towns and communities have existed in Cooper County over the past two hundred years, there are only six official towns there today: Blackwater, Boonville, Bunceton, Otterville, Pilot Grove, and Prairie Home. Using only the census records, the smallest town in Cooper County was Prairie Home in 1880 with a population of 43. It reached its peak of 2010 with 280. The smallest town by population today is Blackwater. It started with 285 in 1900, topped out in 1930 with 506, and has now dropped below 200: 199 in 2000 and 162 in 2010. Otterville started with 505 people in 1880 and peaked in 1990 with 507. Currently, Otterville’s 2010 population was 454. Pilot Grove and Bunceton appeared to have competed for fifty years for the title of “Second largest town in Cooper County.” While Pilot Grove started first, the population in 1880 was only 209. Bunceton’s population was officially 493 by 1890 but only had 493 people to Pilot Grove’s 560. By 1900, Bunceton had taken the lead from Pilot Grove: 856 to 631. For the next three decades, Bunceton was the second largest town in Cooper County, with Pilot Grove in third place. In 1940, the tables turned. Pilot Grove had exactly 100 more people than Bunceton. While Pilot Grove’s population has had its ups and downs, it has managed to maintain its number two spot in the county with its highest population of 768 being recorded in 2010. Using only the census records, the smallest town in Cooper County was Prairie Home in 1880, with a population of 43. It reached its peak in 2010 with 280. Sources: Adapted from Discover Copper County, by Ann Betteridge and Historically Yours by Elizabeth Davis