themselves to one who has long resided among the scenes he desires to narrate; but the advantages possessed by the stranger are far greater than those possessed by the resident. The stranger has no friends to reward, and no enemies to punish. He enters upon his task free to select from the best and most reliable sources, those items of history which will interest the greatest number, without having his mind pre-occupied with a special subject or particular class of citizens.

Just as in an important trial at law, he who enters the jury box least prejudiced by former knowledge of the case, makes the best juror; so the intelligent stranger can most impartially decide what is acceptable history, and what is not. The corps of historians who furnished this record of such facts as they have been able to obtain by diligent work, did so with no other motive than performing their task well; and fulfilling their promise to their patrons. That persons will harshly criticise this work, and that too, when the greatest array of facts testify to the correctness of the book, is conceded; but the value of a record like this will only be appreciated in future years, when a greater portion of its pages would have been lost or forgotten, had not a laudable enterprise rescued them from oblivion. To attempt a criticism on another is thought, by some, to show wisdom and culture; to such the following lines of Pope appropriately apply:

"Some have at first for wits, then poets, passed;

Turn'd critics next, and proved plain fools at last."

NAME.

Clustering around the name of an object are associate thoughts as immortal as the name itself. If, as has been said, "there is nothing in a name," then history is vain; for often a single name contains much history. The name Washington signifies to the mind more than any three syllables uttered by American freemen. A name is not merely a single sound or combination of sounds. It has perpetual existence. The person or thing may die or vanish away and be forgotten, but the name will live forever. Even the ideal picture of Homer, the greatest of poets, will fade from earth, but his name will not leave the pages of history till time shall be no more. So much importance is attached to the name of an object, that it becomes the first thing claiming attention, Immediately after the creation God brought every living thing unto Adam to see what he would call them. Nothing exists apart from its name, but the name exists perpetually without the object. In this world there is very little unalloyed truth, but in the expression, "there is everything in a name," we have a statement much nearer universal truth, than in the expression "there is nothing in a name."

For ages the names of heroes have been given to places and things.

During the short history of America, its great men have been honored in the name of numberless counties, townships, cities, towns, municipalities and post-offices. The great name of Washington is met everywhere, from the capital of the Nation, down to the smallest hamlet of a rural district. Franklin, Jackson, Lincoln, Grant and many other names applied to places are found in every section, and in every State of our Union. It may be asked why, if there be so much in a name, we do not give the most important name to the most important object. The reason of this is that some names are so much above any terrestrial object that they are never used n that connection. The appellations of Diety are too sacred to be given to mercenary individuals and perishable objects of the world. God holds no man guiltless who takes his name in vain. So exalted is the name of Christ that it is written, "at the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth."

In our State of Missouri, we have counties bearing the immortal names of Benton, Boone, Clay, Douglas, Franklin, Green, Harrison, Henry, Jackson, Johnson, Lafayette, Lincoln, Madison, PETTIS, Washington, Webster, and many others. It has become a favorite custom to have a county and other smaller political divisions of territory known by the name of some individual, but a State or Nation is not thus named. Many names are given by accident. Some places take the name of a river, mountain or original tribe. Our language has become enriched by the new names which have crept into it, and by the modification of old ones.

HON. SPENCER PETTIS.-We herewith give a brief biographical sketch of the eminent man whose name this county bears. He was born in the State of Virginia in the year 1802, receiving an academical education, subsequently studied law, commencing the practice of his profession at Fayette, Howard county, Missouri. At an early age he displayed great ability, and soon rose to the very best estimation of the people of his adopted State. At the age of twenty-seven years he appeared in the zenith of his political glory before the people, as a candidate to Congress. Prior to this date (1828), Missouri had sent but two representatives to Congress, Hon. John Scott, elected in 1820, serving six years, and Hon. Edward Bates, elected in 1826, serving two years. In this campaign there were three candidates for Congress: Edward Bates, a Whig, and Wm. Carr Lane and Spencer Pettis, Democrats, the latter of whom so equally divided the strength of the party that the election of Hon. Edward Bates was inevitable if both continued in the race. Finally, the question as to which of the two should retire was submitted to Col. Benton. He, without hesitation, decided that Lane should withdraw and Pettis continue before the people. This fact was made known by sending and posting hand-bills throughout the State, for at that time there were no

lines of telegraph and but few newspapers. The result of this election was that Pettis was elected by a handsome majority. Hon. Spencer Pettis was a warm friend of Col. Thomas H. Benton and an outspoken Democrat, who had earnestly entered the contest against United States banks, in harmony with Gen. Jackson. He served in the Twenty-first Congress from December 7th, 1829, to March 3d, 1831.

During the administrations of Andrew Jackson (1820-1829), who was really the people's choice for president in 1824, when the house of representatives gave the office to John Q. Adams, the war against the United States National Bank by the military hero, whose great talents, inflexible honesty and iron will were unassailable, created considerable excitement throughout Missouri, and all over the Union. In 1830 politics was warmly discussed in Missouri. At that time Missouri contained but one congressional district, and the Hon. Spencer Pettis, a shrewd, talented young lawyer of St. Louis, was a candidate for re-election to congress. He was a supporter of Jackson's administration, and caustic and severe in his opposition to the national bank. No doubt the Hon. Spencer Pettis had become the most popular politicians in the State. At his last election he had a large majority over the Hon. David Barton, who had lately retired from the United State Senate, and had been brought forward by his friends for the lower house of congress. During the political canvass many personal controversies appeared in the public prints, some of which had a melancholy termination. It appears that Mr. Pettis had a personal quarrel with Maj. Thomas Biddle, then paymaster in the United States army, and a brother of Nicholas Riddle, then president of the United States bank. Another brother of his was Commodore Biddle, of the navy. Through the influence of the Hon. Thomas H. Benton, Mr. Pettis was prevented from going into a duel with Mr. Biddle until after the election, which was then the first Monday in August. After the election a challenge passed from Mr. Pettis to Mr. Biddle, which was accepted, and the parties met on the sand bar, opposite the city of St. Louis, August 27th, (Friday), 1831. It is said by old settlers that the river was lined by people on both sides to witness the tragedy. On account of Mr. Biddle's near-sightedness, the distance measured was five feet, so that when they presented their pistols they overlapped. The firing was simultaneous. Both were mortally wounded, and when notified of this fact by the surgeons, like Hamlet and Laertes, they mutually forgave one another. Mr. Pettis died the next morning, and was buried on the following Sunday, the day on which Mr. Biddle expired. Thus ended the career of one of the most prominent young men of Missouri. The following appears in the archives at Washington: "Spencer Pettis, St. Louis Co., Mo., elected August, 1828, for two years. Re-elected 1830. Killed in a duel with Biddle, August, 1831. Term of service, three years.

So dear was this young hero and champion of the people's rights in the memory of those who associated in forming this county out of Cooper and Saline counties, on January 26th, 1833, that the name of Pettis was bestowed upon it. Messrs. Joseph S. Anderson, of Cooper county, John Stapp, of Lafayette county, and John S. Rucher, of Howard county, were commissioners in 1834, to locate the county seat of Pettis. Accordingly they met at St. Helena, commonly known by the soubriquet of Pin Hook, or Wasson's Mill, in the following March, and in 1837, Gen. David Thompson, father of Mr. Mentor Thompson, now of Sedalia, assisted in "laying out Georgetown, naming it for Georgetown, Ky., his old

home.

Soon after the duel between Pettis and Biddle was fought, the name Bloody Island was applied to the ground upon which the fatal tragedy took place.

The name of Pettis is supposed to have formerly been spelled Pettus. Sir John Pettus, an English writer, was born in Suffolk, England. He became deputy governor of the royal mines, and published "The History, Laws, and Places of the Chief Mines in England and Wales," in the year 1670. He died about A. D. 1690.

CHAPTER II.-EARLY SETTLEMENT AND PIONEERS. Introduction--Habits and Characteristics of Pioneers-First Houses-Bedsteads-Manner of Cooking-Hominy Blocks-Early Mills-Farming-Hospitality and Traits of Early Settlers--Pin Hook Settlement--Flat Creek--Georgetown-Early Manner of Farming -Incidents-Names of Settlers.

The early settlers, where are they?

They are falling one by one:

A few more years may pass away,
And leave but few or none.

Since the period when the early settlements were made within the limits of what is now called Pettis county, Time, the great monarch of all things perishable, has made various changes. The ranks of families have been thinned and the surface of the earth materially changed. The slow and unobserved "old man with his sickle" has visited every dwelling, thrusting in his wiry blade regardless of nationality, home, or honor, so now numbers of the old pioneers sleep beneath the soil they once tilled. The writer is touched with the reverting thought of remembering many of the plain and hospitable men of the west, whose unsullied hearts and interminable energy of purpose, gave to this country its birthright, and its wholesome outlook in the dark days of hardships, who now rest from their labors. As long as the sands of time unceasingly roll, may the his

torian's pen incessantly recount the matchless worth of these pioneers, who cleared the way for the following generations.

After spending considerable time in gathering materials, from records and old settlers, we find it impossible in these pages to give a full detail of the early settlements and pioneers of Pettis county. Every nation does not possess an authentic account of its origin, and many communities of comparatively recent date, from whence their origin may be traced. The old Latins said, “Forsan et haec olim meminisse javabit," which means that perhaps it will be pleasant hereafter to remember these things. Nevertheless, to be interested in such things is characteristic of the human race, and it comes particularly within the province of the historian to deal with the first causes. If at times these facts be lost, as is often the case when drawing from traditions, and the chronicler invades the realm of the ideal world and paints the missing picture, it should be accepted as pertinent to the theme. The patriotic Roman was not content till he had famed the "First Settlers," although the story of their lineage was not so tasteful to the cultured patricians.

One of the advantages of a new country, and the one usually least appreciated, is to be able to go to the beginning. Through this avenue the historian can trace results to their causes, and grasp the facts which have contributed to bring about events and mould characters. When we observe that a county has attained a certain position in contrast with other counties, we cast about for the reasons of the present conditions, by going to its early settlements and surroundings. In this way the changes which have produced the great enterprises of to-day may be accurately recorded.

In the history of Pettis county we may trace, in some instances, the early settlers to their old homes in the older States, and in the countries of the Old World, from whence they came. We may follow the course of the Buckeye, Sucker, Hoosier, Knickerbocker, Green-Mountain, and Nutmeg boys in striking contrast with the Corncrackers, Tuckyhoes, Tarheels, Whelps, and Texas Rangers, as we arrange the annals of the pioneers for compilation. For more than a century the provincialisms of the different sections of the Union have been marked by a deep contrast. The sturdy sons of New England "guess it is rearing and education,” while the Dixie boys "reckon it is raising and family caste."

In this county and the west generally, the people have been, little by little, losing the tinge of their sectional bias, so that at this period it is difficult to tell the difference. East, west, north, and south have been blended into harmony of feeling and purpose. The prejudices that once prompted different localities to become antagonistic have passed away. The customs, dress, language, diet, and sundry things peculiarly western are now quite different from those of the pioneers of Pettis county.