|
Reminiscences of Early Clinton
1887 - Clinton Eye, Clinton, Henry County, Missouri
On North Washington Street, the east side, first building from the corner of the square, stands one of the oldest houses in town. I first saw it when it was on the square, near the present site of Wilder's iron store. I remember going there to get my shoes repaired. In one room liquor was sold - the first saloon; in another, Coppage, the first tailor, plied his trade; and in still another, my shoes were attended to, while all about in the other places were stored old harness, barrels, potatoes, corn and trash. On the northeast corner of the square, where now Salmon's fine bank now stands, there was an old double log building put up by John Nave, and occupied by him as the first hotel ever in Clinton. I first knew it when it was used by E. M. Messenger and others for a blacksmith shop. In the south end of this same building, hotel and blacksmith shop, Messenger also opened the first meat market. The ground east of this corner then was an open prairie, where roamed at large the sheep and cattle that furnished Messenger with his fresh meat. Very early in the morning, this man, armed with a common ax, would come forth, knock down a steer, dress it and chop it up for his customers and have it on sale long before light. Messenger was a fast man. He walked fast and worked fast but he never got along fast in worldly matters. He built the frame home on the corner of Main and Green Streets, now occupied by J. W. Keil. He began it one Monday morning and the same week moved his family into it. Messenger died at Brownington a year or two since. I have a distinct recollection of lawyers found here in 1865, those who had passed thru the war and had come out pretty well scathed. If they did not wear the fine clothes which are common nowadays, they were, nevertheless, men of worth and ability. They were Robert Allen, Royal Birge, A. C. Avery, L. C. Martin and James Parks. Coming in next, bringing in a new element, were W. H. H. Wagoner, D. W. Alkire and, afterwards, as a man who has figured in our general government and gained some public notoriety, Robert Burdette. Among these, Mr. Alkire was remarkable for his superior culture and moral worth. At this time, of course, the radicals held sway but nevertheless, Mr. Alkire was induced to let his name go on the opposition ticket. The consequence was that he was so badly beaten, that in supreme disgust and mortification, he left the town, never to return. I always held his private character in great admiration and had known him well. - A.
Clinton Items - November 1885
- Clinton, it seems, has a good show for electric light. A franchise has been granted the Sperry Electric Light Company and N. C. Irwin, the agent, will have an exhibition in about two weeks.
- J. H. Gump, the North Main St. barber will on Thursdays, cut and clean ladies' and children's hair. Ladies, make a note of this.
- Irven Grubb, who killed a mute named Anderson from Leesville, while traveling through McDonald County in a wagon, was taken from the jail at Pineville a few days ago by a mob and hanged.
- W. A. Michael has leased the "Starve-Out Coal Bank", 2 1/2 miles southeast of town, and is prepared to furnish coal in any part of the city at reasonable rates for case. His coal is claimed to be the finest in the county for base burners and has no sulphur or slate in it.
Clinton Roller Mills - November 14 1885
After a stop of a few months to add the roller process and have a general renovation throughout, which makes it practically as good as new, the above mill started up again on last Tuesday and on Thursday evening we had the pleasure of inspecting the machinery, etc., through the kindness of Mr. Will Middlecoff, who answered our many questions in his affable manner. The first floor contains four set of the new roller process, claimed to be the finest ever introduced in any mill in the southwest, and one set of burs, with innumerable spouts to convey the cracked wheat upstairs through a scalping machine, purifier and other machinery, and an immense bolt. Another feature is the adoption of four new brands, viz: Gulf, College Avenue, Electric Light and Family. The "Gulf" brand represents that popular system and on the sack is the cut of a train, with the words K.C.C.&S., the design being very ingenious. The other brands are original and excellent grades of flour.
Clinton's Heaviest Men
Clinton, MO - November 14 1885
Five of Clinton's heaviest men down the scales as follows: W. C. Cashman 336 pounds; A. C. Avery 2275 pounds; Dr. Menees 265 pounds; S. Blatt 257 pounds; George Hopgood 200 pounds.
Clinton Items - December 1885
- John H. Beagles, who lives in Big Creek Township, one of the oldest settlers of the county, was in town Saturday and gave us a call. He is a gentleman it does one good to meet and a No. 1 farmer.
- The town of Creighton, out on the Gulf, has lately been incorporated and G. A. Talbert, chief of C. H. Griffen's lumber yard, installed a clerk. Talbert is a young man of good habits and has excellent business qualifications.
- Barnett & Co.'s delivery team became frightened at the fluttering of a turkey in the wagon on Tuesday and went flying down East Jefferson Street, colliding with Tom Patterson and Robert Piper's fences, knocking the pickets in every direction and distributing groceries at an extravagant rate. The driver, Ed Swindle, was considerably bunged up, while the wagon looked like a first-class cyclone had been interviewing it.
- Constable J. H. Callaway fell heir to a fine present on Christmas evening at the Christian Church. He took a seat with the rest of the boys, in the back part of the house, and was never more surprised in his life when his name was called, and thought it a canard. When the bundle was opened it proved to be a fine $20 overcoat, not from Santa, but from Mr. Pollock's right hand man, Leven Frasier, who made the substantial present. Mr. Callaway has a heart as big as a grindstone and will always remember the donor with feelings of profound gratitude. If ever an officer performed his duties faithfully, J. H. does. Always to the front, no matter how risky the case may be, or how unpleasant the weather.
Clinton Fire Department - February 1901
The Clinton fire department stands out as unique and practical and no dollar of the city's taxes is better spent. A constant watch is kept over this city of 5000 and every minute of the 24 hours, some member of the force is on the alert, in reach of the phone. In a recent test, their apparatus was put out on the open roadway in the space of one minute. Members of this department are men in the prime of life and while they cannot desire a conflagration, nothing gives them keener delight or can cause the ruby current to sparkle and snap through their veins like the mad clang of the Terrible Fire Alarm. The personnel include: Capt. Grant T. Davis, driver R. V. Pollock, and hosemen John Hart, Henry Westerman, Jess Cashman, Perce Bolinger, Harry Murphy, George Moore, John Wilkinson and William Bell.
Clinton Business Houses - March 1901
HOTEL RICHARDSON one half block east of the northwest corner of the square, on Franklin Street, now being remodeled to accommodate this hotel operated by Amos Richardson, who was the genial and accommodating landlord of the Shull House for years. Very popular with traveling men. C.A. MEFFORD on the west side of the square since 1896; deals in groceries, house furnishings, toys and notions and sells every brand of flour made in Clinton. JAMES T. McKEE stationer and news dealer, on west side of the square; also carries a complete line if wallpaper. VAUGHN & SIMES for 17 years dealer in harness, saddlery, boots and shoes, buggies, bicycles, whips and dusters. PHOTOGRAPH PARLOR of Clarence E. Brown, successor to Hubbell, located the north side of the square. HUNTER & COMPANY Real estate and loans, whose fine offices are located at the northwest corner of the square. HOTEL ATKINSON, J.W. Keckley, proprietor. WILLS & RAGLAND on North Main street, one block from the northeast corner of the square; up to date dealers in groceries and provisions. H.P. FARIS always ready to loan from $300 upward and his company is the only institution that ever made a loan of $100,000 in this section. W.L. WINSOR merchant, tailor, located one half block east of the northeast corner of square. CLINTON STEAM LAUNDRY first class work by the Fairleigh Bros. Telephone 80 and they will deliver free of charge. CASH RACKET STORE, Mr. Phillips carries shoes, hats furnishings, notions, queensware and shelf hardware and has the best work shoes in Clinton. AGNEW & CO. sole proprietors of the Red Front Department Store on the north side of the square, Carpet department on second floor. TROY LAUNDRY, C.F. Hale, sole proprietor; one half block east of the northeast corner of the square. HARNESS & SON at 121 East Jefferson street. Everything in canned and bottled goods, also sell the Harrisonville and Garden City celebrated A and B flour. HOTEL BURRELL operated by J.M. Burrell. W.R. EISMINGER new and second hand goods store at 119 East Jefferson. SADDLERY AND SPORTING GOODS operated by Hayslers, one of the largest firms of this kind in the state. Their large illustrated catalog and price list will be mailed to any address on request. JEAN REDFERN PRODUCE COMPANY one block west from the northwest corner of the square; also with headquarters in Springfield, Fort Scott, Nevada, Parsons and several other good towns in Missouri and Kansas. HUNT BROS. MEAT MARKET one half block from the northeast corner of the square on North Main Street. G.F. DUNNING notary public, loans and real estate. J.D. CARNEY abstracter and attorney, also notary public, with offices on the north side of the square. A.W. WIDMAN in the grocery and queensware business for ten years, located on North Main street. WALLACE & STEVENS real estate, loans and insurance, specializing in making large farm sales. THE FAMOUS with lines of dry goods, fancy goods, dress goods and notions run by S.F. Huey and a mecca for intelligent buyers. DIXON & SON modern shoe store on the northwest corner of the square. MARKS, THE POPULAR PHOTOGRAPHER has made himself well known to the citizens of Clinton in the 15 years he has been established here and is an artist in his line. West side of square. R.J. HURLEY LUMBER COMPANY one block east of the southeast corner of the square. BOSSERMAN & IVES cash grocery house at southeast corner of the square. MUSICAL EMPORIUM, It's Witt's, on North Main, with sheet music, pianos and organs. A.M. MARKLAND a grocery house which makes a specialty of fancy groceries and sole agent for the famous Big Climax and Prairie flours. CLINTON GRANITE AND MARBLE WORKS operated by A.G. Sherman for 25 years and the only marble yard in Clinton. 113 East Jefferson Street. His work is as faultless as human skill can accomplish. SHAVER & SON meat market, one block south from the southeast corner of the square. SPRINGFIELD POULTRY AND EGG HOUSE on South Main, one block from square. C.L. ORTH farm machinery and implement house. Office wareroom and yards are one block south of the square at Center and Grandriver. Mr. Orth also deals extensively in field seeds, potatoes, cabbages, onions, apples, hides, furs, and wools. COUSE & SON the Red Hot grocery for 25 years. Known as the general supply house. Buys anything the farmer has to sell and sells him about anything he needs. J.H. KRACKE GRAIN CO. now prepared to receive corn at the mill, located between the Katy and Gulf depots. FOOTE BROS., Proprietors of the elevator and mill two blocks south of the southwest corner of the square near the Katy depot. They sell more feed, grain and hay than any other mill in Henry county. They will have flax seed to loan for seeding purposes on the usual terms. THEODORE J. BOLTON, A first class druggist with a store on the east side of the square. EARLE BARBER SHOP on the east side of the square. Hot and cold shower baths that are the finest in Clinton. WEIDEMEYER & CO. for six years clothiers and gents furnishers on the east side of the square. ANDERSON & CO., their large lumber yard is on South Washington Street, one block from the square. CURTIS & WHITE, their meat market, beginning March 1, will occupy the old stand of Shaver & son in the Diamond block. Children may be sent to market and do as well as the grown people. FASHIONABLE MILLINERY conducted by Miss O.M. Henton on the west side of the square; she is currently in Chicago buying new stock. COALE & COKE CO. operated by the Jordans, wholesale and retailer dealers, at 236 South Washington Street; this well known firm has a shaft at Deepwater and one at North Station. C.J. KEIL, it is a pleasure to visit this jewelry house on the south side of the square. All the latest appliances in optical instruments and Mr. Keil will be pleased to examine your eyes free of charge. Eugene Brown, for several years was chief inspector for the C & A and Wabash, is permanently located with this firm, which has been established for 30 years. Mr. Keil is watch inspector of the Fort Scott and Gulf and makes engraving specialty. His musical merchandise is the largest in the county. JAS. F. ATKINSON real estate, insurance, loans on the southeast corner of the square. W.W. WHITE south side of the square with a large stock of furniture and wallpaper. Mr. John Pennington has for several years carried on the undertaking business for this well known firm and has made embalming his life study. SOUTH SIDE BARBER SHOP Neudigate is the south side knight of the shears and give him just one trail and you will be his loyal customer. He can be found under Odd Fellows Hall 365 days a year. HORSE AND MULE MARKET on South Washington, one half block from the square. This is the large horse and mule stable of G.N. West. CLINTON ABSTRACT OFFICE one of the most progressive real estate and abstract companies in southwest Missouri, under the management of J.H. Kyle and C.L. Thompson. SALMON AND SALMON, bankers, Clinton is to be congratulated on the possession of baking interests in keeping with her growing facilities and the career of this well known bank has been one of continued prosperity.
Clinton Free Rural Delivery
Clinton MO - April 1901
The rural free delivery will commence April 15, with two routes leaving Clinton at 7 each morning except Sundays. Route one runs north from Clinton to the Moore Brothers farm, east to the Warrensburg road, north thru Quarles and Shawnee Mound to the first road running east, north of Shawnee Mound, thence the road runs eat two and three-fourths miles, south by Hickory Grove on the range line road, south to the Katy west to Clinton. Route two runs west from Clinton by Delmar post office, to the southwest corner of section 12, in Walker township, north one mile to Marvin school house, east over to the Cook's mill bridge to Clinton.
----------
|
|
