site of the present woolen mills in Carthage, and one Woodrow, and another, Skidmore, farther to the east. In 1838 John C. Cox came from Tennessee, locating near the site of the present East Joplin, and the following year Harris G. Joplin, also a Tennesseean, built a log cabin where now stands the city bearing his name. In 1839 Thomas Livingstone established a trading post where Oronogo now stands, and Andrew Kerr, Zacariah Weldon, Thomas Mills and Joseph Whaley were settlers in the vicinity. Among others who came to the county prior to 1840 were Ellwood B. James and son, M. M. James, Hannibal James, John K. Gibson, David Lemasters, William Tingle, George Hornback, James Hornback, and his sons John and Samuel, John M. Richardson, who was Secretary of State from 1852 to 1856; Benjamin F. Massey, who succeeded Richardson in that position, and was re-elected in 1860; John Prigmore, Judge Josiah Boyd and his son, Josiah P. Boyd, John P. Osborn, Claiborne Osborne, William Duncan, John Henry, William M. Wormington, John Halsell, Samuel M. Coolley and his son, William Coolley, Jeremiah Cravens, Samuel B. Bright, Clisby Roberson, William M. Chenault, John R. Chenault, Thomas A. Dale, Elijah Dale and his son, Robert J. Dale, Thomas Buck, Martin W. Halsell, William Spencer, Dr. David F. Moss, Robert R. Laxon, J. G. L. Carter, James N. Langley, Calvin Robinson and his son, Rev. John Robinson, Banister Hickey, Middleton Hickey, Judge Milton Stevenson, B. W. W. Richardson, Washington Robinson and Jonathan Rusk. The first land surveys were made in 1836, east of the west line of Range No. 30, and surveys to the west of that line were not made until 1843. Population came slowly, and little attempt was made to establish towns. Fidelity, seven miles south of Carthage, became a prosperous business place by 1856, and Avilla, ten miles east of Carthage, gave promise of large growth in 1858. In 1860 the inhabitants of the county numbered 6,883, of whom 350 were slaves. During the Civil War the county was constantly occupied by one or another of the contending armies, and at times was the scene of serious conflict. One of the earliest battles which attracted the attention of the world was fought at and near Carthage, July 5, 1861. (See "Carthage, Battle of.") Civil law was en

tirely suspended until the restoration of peace. All the buildings at Carthage, save three or four, and most of the churches and schoolhouses throughout the county, were destroyed. Incident to the disturbed conditions was a reign of violence, in which many lives were taken to satisfy grudges, or for plunder. The old population practically disappeared, and a resettlement began with the restoration of peace. As indicative of the class constituting the new population, it is to be noted that two of the new townships organized in 1873 bear the names of Lincoln and Sheridan-in the same county for which the claim is made that in 1861 the first Confederate flag in Missouri was displayed near Sarcoxie. The first incomers were, in most cases, men who had served in the Federal Army, and had passed through the territory during their war service, or immigrants from Illinois and other States, who were attracted by their description of the resources and possibilities of the region. In 1869 Sedalia and Rolla, each about 140 miles distant, were the nearest railway points, and much of the freighting was by boat from St. Louis to Linn Creek, on the Osage River, and thence by wagon. In 1872 the first railway, now the St. Louis & San Francisco, reached the county, bringing a new influx of home-seekers, who opened up farms and founded towns. The opening up of the mining fields attracted many fortune-seekers, among whom were a horde of lawless characters, whose conduct was in defiance of good order and retarded enterprise to such an extent that many reputable people moved away. The better element, however, asserted itself after a time, and for many years the county has been above reproach for all that constitutes an orderly, intelligent and progressive people, and even the most remote mining camps are noted for their comparative freedom from profligacy and crime.

Geographically, Jasper County was originally a part of Gasconade County, as organized in 1820, and was successively included in the territory of Crawford, Greene, Barry and Newton Counties. By act of the General Assembly, January 29, 1841, Jasper County was created, being named for Sergeant Jasper, who, during the bombardment of Fort Moultrie, South Carolina, in 1776, replaced the American flag shot away by a British cannon ball. It was taken from the northern

part of Newton County, and included the present counties of Jasper and Barton, excepting a strip of land two miles wide on the south side of the present Jasper County, which remained a part of Newton County. This strip, upon which are situate the town of Sarcoxie and a part of the city of Joplin, was detached from Newton County and became a part of Jasper County in 1845, through the effort of John M. Richardson, then a representative in the Legislature. In 1855 Barton County was created, reducing Jasper County to its present dimensions. In the organic act of 1841 John Plummer, George Barker and Abel Landers, all of Newton County, were appointed commissioners to select a county seat for Jasper County. The county court, consisting of Samuel M. Coolley, Jeremiah Cravens and Samuel B. Bright, appointed by the Legislature, sat with Ellwood B. James, clerk by appointment, February 25, 1841, at the house of George Hornback, at Spring Creek, two miles northwest of the present city of Carthage. At this initial session Judge Coolley was chosen presiding justice, with John P. Osborn as sheriff, John Haskins as assessor, George Hornback as treasurer, and Clisby Roberson as public administrator. James served as clerk, by successive re-elections, until 1859. March 28, 1842, the county court met at the house of John Pennington, south of the site of the present Carthage Woolen Mills, and, on receiving the report of the county seat commissioners designating the present site for public purposes, confirmed the same, and named it Carthage.

The first elected county officers, in 1841, were Henry M. Zachery, Moses Anglin and William S. McGinnis, judges; James H. Farris, clerk, who died before he could be installed, the first clerk, Ellwood B. James, being continued in office by a special election; John P. Osborn, sheriff; George Hornback, who resigned, and was succeeded by John J. Scott, treasurer. Owing to the Civil War there was no county court in existence from the spring of 1861 until early in 1865, when the following named were elected: William B. Hamilton, F. B. Nichols and Thomas Caldwell, judges; William G. Bulgin, clerk; Jesse H. Fullerton, treasurer, who, after three months' service, was succeeded by James F. Spencer, treas

urer.

Until 1871 the county clerk was also circuit clerk; in that year the latter office was created, and Josiah Lane was elected to the position. position. Until 1874 the circuit clerk was recorder; that year the office of recorder was created, and James A. Bolen was elected. In 1867 a court of common pleas was established, and Oliver H. Picher was elected judge; he served until 1873, when he resigned, being succeeded by E. O. Brown, who occupied the position until the court was abolished in 1878. From 1867 to 1870 the judge was also clerk; in the latter year the office of clerk was created, and Josiah Lane occupied it one year under appointment. The same year W. C. Betts was elected clerk and served until the court was abolished. The sheriff was collector until 1877, when the latter position was created, and Thomas Wakefield was elected.

The first term of circuit court was held February 25, 1841, at the house of George Hornback, by Judge Charles S. Yancey, acting under appointment of Governor Reynolds. James McBride was circuit attorney; Robert W. Crawford appeared as an attorney, and John C. Price was admitted to practice. The first indictment returned was against David Lemasters, for forgery, but a nolle prosequi was entered. Judge Yancey died in 1857, and was succeeded by Judge William C. Price; both were residents of Springfield. Price was succeeded by John R. Chenault, of Carthage, who served until 1861, when courts ceased to sit. Besides Chenault, the leading resident lawyers during these years were William M. Cravens, who was circuit attorney when the war began; Benjamin E. Johnson, George T. Vaughn and Archibald McCoy. The latter named was killed during the war, and the others left the county and failed to return. In 1865 court sessions were resumed, Judge John C. Price presiding, with the following officers: S. H. Caldwell, sheriff; William G. Bulgin, clerk, and Joseph Estes, prosecuting attorney. James Allison located in the county that year and was present at the opening session of court. W. J. Cameron came later the same year. Malcolm G. McGregor, who afterward served for twelve years on the circuit bench, came in March, 1866, and was followed the same year by L. P. Cunningham, O. S. Picher, Judge O. H. Picher, R. A. Cameron and G. W. Crow, father of the Ed

ward C. Crow elected Attorney General of Missouri in 1896. In 1867 came W. H. Phelps, afterward a representative in the Legislature; E. R. Wheeler, B. F. Garrison and George D. Orner. Waltour M. Robinson, now one of the Supreme Court judges, came later. In 1869 Judge Price was succeeded by B. L. Hendrick, of Mount Vernon, who died in 1874, and was succeeded by Joseph Cravens, of Neosho. Two terms of court were held in Carthage each year until 1877, when, by act of the General Assembly, provision was made for two terms at Carthage and two at Joplin, alternately. The first courthouse at Carthage was built in 1842 by Levi Jenkins, at a cost of $398.50. It was of frame, one story, with fireplace, and outside chimney, and stood north of the public square, about midway of the block. This was replaced by a brick building in the public square, begun in 1849, but not completed until 1859, on account of the inability of the contractor. The cost was $4,000. This building was destroyed by Anderson's company of Confederates in 1863. The public records had previously been taken to Neosho, where were the headquarters of General Sterling Price; when that officer was obliged to retreat, they were recovered by Norris C. Hood, sheriff of Jasper County, who conveyed them to Fort Scott, Kansas, where he had them safely kept until 1865, when they were brought back. In 1866 the old jail was rebuilt and used as a courthouse until 1867, when a two-story frame building was erected on the west side of the square. In 1872 the county bought the Baptist Church property, a frame building, at a cost of $5,000, which was used for court purposes. The present stone jail was erected the same year. courthouse burned in 1883, and from that time rented rooms were occupied until 1895, in which year the present magnificent public structure was erected. The cost was not quite $100,000, one-half of which was paid by the county and one-half by the city of Carthage, which occupies a portion of the building for municipal offices and purposes. (See "Carthage.") At the time this building was undertaken the people also voted $25,000 for building a courthouse at Joplin.

The

Two legal executions have taken place at the county seat. John Abel was hanged February 15, 1878, for the murder of one Lane. The crime was committed in McDonald

County, and the case was brought to Jasper County for trial, on change of venue. July 31, 1897, William E. Brewer was robbed on the highway and murdered, at Joplin. James McAfee was convicted of the crime, and was sentenced to be hanged July 15, 1898. Appeal was taken and a stay of execution granted. The Supreme Court affirmed judgment and set the execution for April 8, 1899. Governor Stephens meantime respited the condemned man to June 7th, to admit of his counsel producing evidence of his alleged insanity. June 6th the Governor issued a further respite to July 6th, for the same reasons. On the latter date the sentence was carried into execution, the Governor rejecting all solicitation to interfere further.

Samuel Melugin, elected in 1842, was the first Representative in the General Assembly. John B. Dale was elected in 1860, and served nominally until 1862. No Representative was elected in 1862. In 1864 James McFarland was elected, and took his seat in the first legislative assembly after the restoration of peace. The county now has two Representatives in the General Assembly, and, with Barton and Vernon Counties, constitutes the Twenty-eighth Senatorial District.

Nathan Buchanan, of the Christian denomination, is said to have been the first minister to preach in the county, in the Sarcoxie neighborhood, probably about 1834. Other early preachers of this denomination were Banister Hickey and D. F. Moss. In 1840 Harris G. Joplin organized the first Methodist congregation, to which he preached in his own cabin. Anthony Bewley was among the early Methodist preachers, and in 1844 was appointed to the Sarcoxie circuit by the Conference held in St. Louis. In 1850 he was made presiding elder of the Springfield district. In 1856 he was a delegate to the General Conference at Indianapolis. In 1860 he removed to Texas where he was regarded as offensive because of his being "a Northern Methodist." fear for his life, he undertook to return to Missouri, and was followed by a mob and hanged. The Freedom Baptist Church was the first house of worship in the county, erected in the spring of 1841. It was a log building, on Jones' Creek, about seven miles east of Carthage. Greenville Spencer organized the society, to which he preached for many years, besides traveling and instituting

In

other churches in that region. The Freedom Church grounds were the scene of many oldtime camp meetings, where people assembled by the thousand, remaining two or three weeks. A cemetery adjoining contains the graves of many of the old settlers. Another early Baptist preacher was John Robinson. John McFarland and W. R. Fulton, both of Greenfield, Missouri, were pioneer Presbyterian ministers, but the dates of their labors are not accessible. In nearly all cases, no church records prior to the Civil War are extant. Almost immediately after the restoration of peace the various denominations engaged in the work of restoration of old churches and the institution of new ones, and prosperous societies now exist in all towns in the county and in various country neighborhoods.

In early days there were few schools, and they were private, taught for a small monthly tuition fee. The first is reputed to have been on Center Creek, with Samuel Teas as teacher, prior to 1840. About the same time Charles C. Harris taught in what is now Joplin Township. About 1846 a log schoolhouse was built on ground near the present Baptist Church, in Carthage. In 1851 the people of that place began several educational efforts. Miss Mary E. Field taught a girls' school, and in 1853 William M. Cravens opened a private school, soon succeeded by a Mr. Ruark. By this time there was a small public school fund, which afforded a little assistance up to the beginning of the war, when all schools closed, and nearly all school buildings were destroyed. In 1866 effort was made toward re-establishment, particularly at Carthage, which soon had an excellent school; but the present excellent educational system was not really founded until 1875, under the provisions of the new Constitution. In 1899 there were 143 public schools, of which three were for colored pupils; 206 teachers, 15,558 pupils, and a permanent school fund of $204,879.60. The estimated. value of school property was $392,885, and the aggregate indebtedness of the school districts was $219,510, July 1, 1899. There were 7,823 volumes in the various school libraries. Nine school buildings were erected during the year.

Jasper County Military Companies.-The Carthage Light Guard, one

of the oldest and most favorably known military companies in Missouri, was organized January 3, 1876, with B. F. Garrison, captain; Albert Cahn, first lieutenant, and John A. Hardin, second lieutenant. A flag was presented to it by citizens, and later a number of ladies presented it with a silk banner. Its uniform was gray, and it was armed with the Springfield breech-loading rifle. Captain Thomas B. Tuttle, a Union civil war veteran, succeeded to the command in 1877. In 1885, the company disbanded, but was reorganized the following year, with W. K. Caffee as captain. In 1890, it was assigned to the Second Regiment, National Guard of Missouri, as Company A. Upon the outbreak of the Spanish-American War, it volunteered for active service, and recruited its numbers to a total of 106 rank and file, Captain John A. McMillan, commanding. March 3d, it went into camp of instruction at Jefferson Barracks, at the assembling of the regiment, which was commanded by Colonel W. K. Caffee, former captain of Company A. May 12th the regiment was mustered into the service of the United States, and May 20th went into camp at Chickamauga Park, Tennessee, as a portion of the Third Brigade, Third Division, First Army Corps. In September it was removed to Lexington, Kentucky, and in November to Albany, Georgia, where it was mustered out of the service of the United States, March 3, 1899, when Company A resumed its place in the National Guard of Missouri, and reduced its rank and file to fifty-eight men. While in service, it lost by death one man, Sergeant Charles P. Woods, and one man by desertion. The company has always borne a high reputation for the excellence of its discipline, and its proficiency in arms. In the old militia establishment, prior to 1885, it was noted for its performance of a "Silent Manual," comprising about one hundred movements which were executed without a word of command. While in the service of the United States, the regiment to which it was attached had a less percentage of men on the sick list than any other regiment, a condition due to the excellent morale of the command, and to the efficiency of its officers. At the same time, Company A habitually appeared with a larger percentage of men for duty or parade than any other company in the regiment. Company A has participated in many notable

events. In 1880 it took part in the great demonstration in Kansas City in honor of General Grant, and in 1881, in the Decoration Day observances at Fort Scott, Kansas. For four days in July, 1881, it was in camp near Carthage, in company with the Mayor's Guard and the Branch Guard of St. Louis, the Parsons Light Guard, and Company F, of Fort Scott. The event is commemorated in a massive gold medal subsequently presented to the company by Captain William Bull and Sergeant F. L. Garesche, of St. Louis. In 1889, the company attended the funeral of General Sherman, in St. Louis, and in 1892 it was present at the opening of the World's Columbian Fair, in Chicago. It has been present upon various other important occasions, and in all the various encampments of the National Guard of Missouri. The company formerly owned a fine armory, but was unable to complete payment for it, and now rents the property. The ball given by the Carthage Light Guard on Thanksgiving evening of each year, is the most brilliant society event of the city, and is attended by many from considerable distances. Upon this and other public occasions, the Guard is attended by the Carthage Light Guard Band, a most efficient musical body, whose organization is entirely independent. The Guard holds a gold medal presented by C. R. Gray, a former captain; competitive monthly drills are held, in which the medal is awarded to the best drilled man of the rank and file, and worn until the holder is dispossessed at a subsequent exhibition by one more perfect than himself. Company G, of the Second Regiment, National Guard of Missouri, was organized at Joplin in 1890, under the command of Captain F. C. Florance. It increased its membership roll to 106, rank and file, and under command of Captain Robert A. Spears, participated in all the service of its regiment, as narrated in connection with Company A. At the close of the war, it reduced its number to fifty men, and under command of Captain Edward E. Duckett, who served during the war as second lieutenant and first lieutenant, resumed its place in the National Guard of Missouri. It lost one man by death, Irwin E. Brubaker, and one man by desertion. Company G, Fifth Regiment, National Guard of Missouri, was recruited at Carthage for the SpanishSpanish American War, and was mustered into the

service of the United States at Jefferson Barracks, May 18, 1898. It was stationed at Chickamauga Park, Tennessee; Lexington, Kentucky, and Kansas City, Missouri, and was mustered out at the latter place November 9, 1898. It suffered no casualties, and disbanded on expiration of its term of service. The captain, George P. Whitsett, was commissioned into the Forty-fourth Regiment United States Volunteers, serving in the Philippine Islands.

"Jayhawkers."-A name applied to a set of marauders and robbers in Kansas, who made the border counties of Missouri, the field of predatory raids during the slavery troubles of 1855-60. They were adherents of the Free State cause in Kansas, and acted on the assumption that the people of Missouri were their enemies, whom they had a perfect belligerent right to plunder at discretion.

Jaynes, Anderson D., pioneer banker and railroad promoter, was born in Lawrence County, Ohio, November 26, 1829, son of Josiah and Mary (Dollihyde) Jaynes. He was educated for a business career and in his young manhood became interested in the iron manufacturing industry. In 1853, he took part with others in the construction of the Vinton furnace in Vinton County, Ohio, and was largely interested in its operation until 1859. July 20, 1858, he was married to Mary J. Brown, eldest daughter of John Brown, a banker and business man of Athens, Ohio. Abandoning the iron industry, he became associated in business with his father-in-law, under the firm name of Brown & Jaynes, which relation continued until 1865. Upon the outbreak of the Civil War he offered his services to the government and was commissioned lieutenant colonel of the Thirty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Militia, which was called out during the Lightburne and Morgan raids into Ohio. During this period he was commander of the post at Camp Putnam, near Marietta. At the battle of Buffington Island, he commanded the northern forces and helped to capture one hundred men in Morgan's command. In 1862 the Thirty-sixth Ohio offered to enter the regular volunteer service. The government accepted its tender and the five companies were consolidated with five others