1882 The winter of 1881-2 was very mild. I have noticed that every other winter is mild and others severe. My observations date back for 14 years. and I am beginning to make my calculations accordingly. The spring was very backward and late frosts did much damage to gardens. The season was cool and wet, just the opposite to that of last year. Many parts of the country as Iowa and Illinois where the drouth of the year previous had been so severe were now flooded so that crops were again nearly a failure. The Mississippi bottom was overflowed doing much damage. The stream in some places was over 75 miles wide. Nothing like this rise was remembered by the oldest pioneers. In Northwest Missouri, crops were fair, and in some parts were the best for years. Wheat was very good though in many bottoms it was ruined by the heavy floods during harvest. My success at gardening was indifferent owing to such an excess of rain. However, I had much to be grateful for as our health was good and we had plenty to live on. The fall proved dry and warm and farmers had no trouble in storing away their crops. During the summer, I had a well bored and a cave dug and as I did all of the work that I could myself, I was kept very busy. In September, I commenced teaching again and so had but little time for recreation during the year. +++++++++++++++++

July 4, 182 Tuesday As there was no celebration at Stanberry this year, I spent the day at work. Helped fix a crossing in the morning. Sept. 18 1882 Monday Commenced my fifteenth term of school two miles east of our place in what is known as the Morris or Cogdill district. Had an attendance of 20. Nov 13 1882 Monday My schoolhouse came very near burning down owing to loose stove pipe. As the platform of the flue was nearly destroyed, I was compelled to dismiss school. Edward, being up on a visit, had taken me to school that morning on his way home which he had also done on the first day of the term when up to visit before. Had a vacation of one week. Nov 30 1882 Thursday Thanksgiving day. Dismissed school for the day and took my family to town to Minnie's parents. Dec 7 1882 Thursday My schoolhouse came very near burning down a second time owing to the pipe settling. The platform was nearly destroyed and a second vacation was necessary. Both times the flames were fast spreading when discovered. Dec 23 1882 Saturday Made a trip to Albany on business. Rode to McCurry on the cars and walked to Albany. Coming home rode to Darlington, walked to McCurry and from there took the train to Stanberry. +++++++++++++

Jan 2, 1882 Monday Went to Albany and attended county court. Found that my title to our land was faulty and must be corrected before I could borrow money from the school fund. Rode on the cars as far as Evona and took the hack from there to Albany. Coming back, I walked to McCurry and took the cars for Stanberry. Feb 18 1882 Saturday Last day of fourteenth term of school. Had no visitors living in the district. Isaac Scarlott was present. Felt worn out and was only too glad to close a term that was taught under many disadvantages. March 1, 1882 Wednesday Made another trip to Albany in company with Wils Stockton. The irregularities in my land title having been corrected, I borrowed $400 00/100 of the county school fund at 10 % interest from date. April 19, 1882 Wednesday Laura Dell, our second baby, was born at 4-30 A. M. Weight 8 1/2 lbs. Both of our children are robust. May 22, 1882 Monday A very heavy frost during the night forming ice in troughs 1/8 of an inch in thickness. Hickory trees in the bottoms were ripped badly, the leaves and tender shoots being frozen. My tomatoes were nearly all destroyed, having out over a thousand at the time. No serious damage was done to farmers as the season was backward. ++++++++++++++++ NOTE: Laura Dell was my great grandmother, named for her aunt Laura Ellen. Her middle name was Adel; her entire life she was known as "Dell".

1881 This year proved to be one of extremes. It ocmmenced during the coldest weather that I have ever experienced. On Monday morning January 10th the thermometer stood at 30 degrees Fr. below zero. This was about 1 oclock A. M. The oldest inhabitant was for once puzzled as the cold weather continued so long. A great amunt of snow fell which drifted over staked rail fences in places and closed roads for weeks. The drifts in our yard did not melt away until the last of March and ice formed two inches in thickness in a single night during the first week in April. There was no January thaw common to most winters. The freeze up commenced about the Middle of November, closing the canals much soner than expected, and for five months therwewas no mild weather. As a result the spring was very late and the remark was common that summer followed close on the heels of winter. The Missouri river overflowed its bottoms and rose higher than ever known before, doing much damage. The summer, like the winter, bothered the oldest inhabitant also. The weather was very hot and continued so with but few exceptions till late in the fall and gave us but little autumn. The drouth of -81 will never be forgotten by the present generation. The crop of small grain and hay was very fair but corn, potatoes and things needing rain in summer was very poor. In southern Ilinois, corn was so poor that in many places it did not yield as much in the fall as had been planted in the spring. Potatoes and cabbage were so scarce that they were imported from the old country, which was never before known in the history of the republic. The former sold in Stanberry for $2 40/100 per bushel during the winter. Cattle suffered very much for water and a ride through the country during Augsut was made unpleasant by their bellowings. Cyclones were common and did much damage. One on June 12th passed through the southern part of Gentry and the northern part of DeKalb killing several persons and much stock, besides rendering many homeless. There was great excitement during the summer over the shooting and consequent sufferings of President Garfield. The result was a heavy blow to the Republican party in particular and the whole country in general. But few had confidence in his successor. As may be supposed, my summer's work on new land did not amount to much. But I was best off in comparison to town people as we had plenty of provisions, though everything was so scarce and dear. During the winter I taught school at my old school house near home where Minnie and I first became acquainted. +++++++++++++ Note: it's interesting he doesn't give the "oldest inhabitant" a name. Also that he refers to "the old country". My mother heard Henry Walters state that Pres. Garfield was a distant cousin. Garfield's mother was Eliza Ballou, Henry's mother was also a Ballou.

Aug 17 1881 Wednesday This was the hottest day that I ever remember of up to date. The thermometer ranged from 100 degrees to 110 in the shade. The first numbers were recorded in the interior of a brick building where the temperature was somewhat modified by the building. The air felt like that coming from a furnace where it had been baked. But little work was done anywhere. Aug 23 1881 Tuesday We went down to visit my relatives in DeKalb. Owing to the dry hot weather, we started about two o'clock in the morning. and arrived at my mother's about 10 o'clock. As the weather was so disagreeable, we did not visit any among former acquaintances. On Sept. 1st we came home. Sept 5 1881 Monday Commenced my fourteenth term of school, having secured my old school near home for five months at $40 00/100 per month. As the school house was only 25 rods from our house, I boarded at home. Sept. 16 1881 Friday About noon snow began to fall and for two hours the air was filled with it, reminded one of a midwinter snowstorm. At first the snow was damp and fell straight but soon the flakes became finer and lazily took a zigzag course to the ground. By sundown it was nearly all melted but for a while the ground was covered over an inch with it. The storm did not extend over twenty miles east or south, but west and north. It took in parts of the neighboring states. I never saw snow in this latitude and in this region in September before. ++++++++++++

Looking for family of Rebecca Weese--should be in 1850 and 1860 Gentry County census. Any help appreciated!

July 22 1881 Friday (warning - might be upsetting to some) On the day before, several of my neighbors and myself went to Marysville to witness the execution of the Talbott brothers. We went up in wagons and camped about four miles east of town. The scaffold was erected on a hill in the northeastern part of the city limits and about a quarter of a mile southwest of the crossing of the two railroads. We were on the ground early and stood on the north or front side of the gallows when the hanging took place. A rope was stretched about 40 feet distance from the gallows in a circle to keep back the crowd. Inside this enclosure none were admitted, excepting parties directly concerned, reporters, doctors, and a few others. I had a good view of the proceedings before the trap fell, standing where I did just on the outside of the ropes. About half past one o'clock the bus containing the boys and which was surrounded by a strong guard, came in sight near the gallows. It was driven in the enclosure and stood some time until order was restored. Arm in arm with two Catholic priests, the boys ascended the scaffold and knelt in prayer. They were both very pale; their white faces contrasting strongly with their black apparel. They wore new suits, having dressed for the grave before leaving the jail. Both shed tears while in the bus which stood close to us, but when on the scaffold they regained their composure. Neither addressed the crowd ad spoke in low tones to those in attendance. About twenty minutes were spent in preparation on the scaffold when the boys were requested to stand up while they were pinioned. While this was going on the priests were busy giving consolation. The boys stepped on two light pine boxes placed on the trap door; shook hands; and the next moment the black caps were drawn over their faces. The ropes were hurriedly adjusted in fact too much so in the case of Albert, and the traps sprung. They fell about eight feet with a heavy jerk and dull thud that sounded as if something had given way. The youngest, Charles Edward, aged 17 years, had his neck broken and was dead in twelve minutes. The elder, Albert Perry, aged 22 years, died of strangulation at the end of twenty eight minutes owing to the rope having slipped around in front with the knot over his mouth so that he could breathe. Two minutes before death he gave his last struggle. After hanging 45 minutes the bodies were cut down and put in coffins. Two hearses that had stood in waiting took them up town to their friends. They were executed for the murder of their father the year before. Four weeks before they were to have been hanged but they were reprieved by Gov. Crittendon. We were up then to witness the hanging. A large crowd was present. Many scrambled eagerly for pieces of the ropes which were cut in small pieces and thrown among the crowd. We came back home that evening. I can not say that I have ever regretted going to see this sad sight or that I have ever experienced any bad feelings therefrom. +++++++++++++++++++++ Do these Talbotts appear in cemetery records? Wonder where they're buried? Lori

what year was helen born in? i might be able to help, but i need more info.

Does anybody have lookup ability for the 31st EMM and/or the 34th EMM? EMM is Enrolled Missouri Militia. Andrew Stevenson b abt 1828-1830 Indiana married KY March 1853 to Martha Jane Waters b 1832. April 16, 1864 - Andrew Stevenson "has been duly enrolled in the militiaman of this county and is hereby assigned to Company A (H?) 31 Regiment of E.M.M"...Nothing says how long was enrolled for. It does identify Gentry County. Therefore, you have hard evidence that he was living in Gentry county April 16,1864. 31st EMM was headquartered at St. Joseph; service on North Missouri Railroad. ======================== "Capt Rice - Headquarters Co A 34th Reg't M.M. (Missouri Militia) April 15, 1866" It is all marked Gentry County. It looks like No 73 (handwritten) 34th EMM Gasconade county; service on the main line of the Pacific railroad; mobilized for defense and participated in the defense of Jefferson City (Fall 1864) =============================================================== The web site links that I am referring you to came from a USGENWEB link for Missouri. http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Quad/6460/CW/s/EMM.html Speaking of that, does anybody know the best way to order copies of the EMM enrollments, discharges, etc. for Gentry Co, MO? 1850 census - he is counted twice. Once in Carroll co, KY - probably helping an uncle with crops and once again back home in Dearborn co, IN a few months later. No luck after that. Does anybody have Gentry county census indexed for 1860 or 1870? I have 1880. = Andrew Stevenson's widow is listed last. 1880 U.S. Census - Missouri 1880 U.S. Census • Missouri • Gentry • Other Townships • ED# 275 page 475-B =========================================================================== The census taker goofed. The correct spelling is STEVENSON. Anybody know about this bunch? One child's birth suggests that this family arrived in MO by 1862. 1880 Census Place: Athens, Gentry, Missouri Source: FHL Film 1254687 National Archives Film T9-0687 Page 487B Relation Sex Marr Race Age Birthplace John H. STEPHENSON Self M S W 24 IN Occ: Farmer Fa: IN Mo: KY Joseph STEPHENSON Brother M S W 18 MO Fa: IN Mo: KY Francis STEPHENSON Sister F S W 26 IN Fa: IN Mo: KY Ella STEPHENSON Sister F S W 18 MO Fa: IN Mo: KY Henarratta STEPHENSON Sister F S W 12 MO Fa: IN Mo: KY Martha Jane STEPHENSON Mother F W 48 KY Fa: VA Mo: VA If you know any of the above lines, please advise. If you can help determine what happened to Andrew Jackson Stevenson or Andrew Stevenson, your help would be greatly appreciated.

Feb 6, 1881 Sunday On this day, everything exposed to the weather was covered with the heaviest coat of ice formed by sleet that I ever saw. During the previous night, it rained and sleeted and froze on whatever it fell. By morning the trees were burdened by the heavy weight and commenced breaking down. It was dangerous to pass through the timber and all day the roar of falling branches could be heard. By evening many trees were stripped of branches and some were broken off close to the ground. The sight was a grand one when viewed at a safe distance. A great amount of young timber was destroyed as much of it was covered with dead leaves on which the ice would form. Feb 18 1881 Friday Last day of thirteenth term of school. There were no holidays during the term and not a day was lost by vacation or otherwise. March 1, 1881 Tuesday We moved to our new home from Mr. Cogdill's and found four rooms much more comfortable than one all being the same size. March 26, 1881 Saturday Sowed my cold frame or hot bed as it is often called, it being 15 X 3 3/4 feet in size. The season was very late. July 4, 1881 Monday We spent the Fourth at Stanberry on the same grounds as last year. The shooting of President Garfield cast a damper over the holiday. ++++++++++++++++

1880 After closing my winter term of school we made preparations to commence housekeeping. I did not wish to teach during the summer, as it is a very poor business for a married man to teach at that time. I rented Mr. Fred Cogdill's farm for one year paying $150 00/100 cash in advance. As he could not secure another place, we only occupied the east room and as I only cultivated 12 acres of ground, he took the remainder, 28 acres, giving me one half of the crop in the field, putting it in corn. I concluded to follow the business of market gardening, as Stanberry promised to be an excellent market. Of course my first attempts on common farm land were not expected to make much of a showing. My plan was to rent one year and during that time to buy a piece of land more suitable to my business. This I did in August, buying out Wils Stockton who had 30 acres of new land located in the S.W. of S.E. quarter of section 12, Town 62. Range 33. I had boarded with him while living on this place during the winter of ,77-8 and knew much about it. The terms of the sale were One third to be paid on taking possession March 1st 1881, one third March 1st 1882 and the remaining third on March 1st 1883. I was to pay no interest while he had possession after which time I was to pay 10% on all that remained unpaid. As my funds were out on interest, this arrangement gave me a chance to meet my obligations without pressing my brother for money. The price agreed on was $600 00/100 or $20 00/100 an acre. The land was fenced on three sides and enough timber was on it to furnish fuel for many years. About one acre was in cultivation, the rest of the cleared land being covered with brush piles and stumps. The improvements were estimated to be worth about half of the purchase money. The winter was mild, there being very little snow. This proved very fortunate for those living in Stanberry as many spent the winter in tents and sheds, while at work building. The season was not very favorable for gardening, as the rainfall was light. Wheat was almost a failure, there being but little sown; oats were pretty fair and corn about an average. as the summer was dry. The corn crop of this year over the whole country was very large as it proved much better elsewhere. I sold over 460 bushels at 20 cents delivered in town. My sales after what I paid out for delivery my corn amounted to over $200 00/100. Besides this, we had 25 bushels of applies for our share and our firewood furnished in the timber. In September we went down to visit my folks in DeKalb, Minnie never having yet seen them. I secured my old school, agreeing to teach for $37 50/100 per month as an affect(??) against $42 50/100 received per month during the hard times for two winters before. ++++++++++++++++++ Lori

Feb. 20 1880 Friday Last day of twelvth term of school. a good attendance of visitors as usual. Finished my reports, etc. and walked up to Mr. Fisher's. March 1, 1880 Monday I rented Mr. Fred. Cogdill's farm for one year and took possession on this day. Our first experience at housekeeping. May 23, 1880 Sunday George Clarence, our first baby, was born at 1-30 A. M. He weighed eight pounds. Being the only grandchild on either side of the family, his coming proved quite an event. July 3 1880 Saturday The Fourth coming on Sunday, the celebration at Stanberry came off on Saturday. It was held at the grove southeast of town just outside the city limits. A very large crowd was present, many of whom had never seen the town before. Sept. 3, 1880 Friday Minnie and I went down to my old home in DeKalb on a visit, going in my spring wagon. Of course, the baby went along. Came back on Sept. 11th. Oct. 4, 1880 Monday Commenced my thirteenth term of school having secured the Stockton school again at $37.50 per month for five months. +++++++++++++ Note: Child most likely named for Henry's older brother, George who died 1873. Lori

I'm attaching hereto a scan of an original three-page document dated January 4, 1906, which I recently acquired. This agreement was entered into between Francis M. Pigg (party of the first part) and Albert C. Sutton (party of the second part). This document pertains to their agreement to exchange land in Gentry County, Missouri (220 acres, more or less ) for land in Cheyenne County, KS (1,120 acres). Also included in this agreement is one Clydesdale stallion named Prince and various articles of farm equipment. I thought this agreement would make an interesting addition to someone's family history.

Hi am looking for any info on a John Franklin Bowman He married Cora Mae Hash she was Born in Gentry and so was their daughter Uva Rebecca Bowman. I dont know if John was born there or not any info most appreciated sincerly Karen

1879 (this is long - tells of beginning of Stanberry) The year 1879 was an important one and particularly so to me. The winter was cold with a heavy snow-fall giving us good roads for sleighing for several weeks. This prevented deep freezing and as a result the wheat crop was very good. While at Mr. Fisher's in the spring, he dug some potatoes which had remained where they grew, during the winter. But few of them were injured. The spring was dry, giving farmers a fine chance to cultivate their crops. In fact, the small grain and hay would have been much better had there been more rain. On the 7th of June while on a trip to Gentry, I saw that most of the meadows were quite bare, so much so that they would not hide a rabbit. In a few days it began to rain and rained hard every few days till fall. The meadows sprouted and produced a fair crop of hay while the small grain was good though the straw was shot. The corn crop was the best I have ever seen in the West. After we were married, we finished our schools and had not as yet formed any definite plans for the future. After closing my school, on July 1st I had nothing to do before Sept. 1st, when my winter term began. Wishing to recruit my health I canvassed for "Chase's Receipes" in Worth Co. and met with fair success. I did my canvassing on foot which required a great amount of walking. During my winter term of school, I boarded three days of the week at Mr. Fisher's and the other four days at Mr. Jno. Skinner's. With one or two exceptions, I made the trip of 8 miles ot my school on foot on Monday morning and back again on Friday evening. My expenses at both places were about the same. Financially, the year was one to be long remembered, as specie payments were resumed on Jan 1st. during the war it was thought necessary to suspend specie payments and many evils came therefrom. From that time until 1876 there was no specie in general circulation. About that time fractional paper currency gave way to silver coin of denominations less than one dollar. After business confidence was restored and resumption proved a success, gold and silver circulated freely and money that had been hoarded for years was invested. Business became brisk, commodities were no longer sold at a loss to the producer, and for a time it seemed as if speculation would produce bad results. At last, after some of the most venturesome had met with losses, affairs began to arrange themselves naturally. Railroad building, which had almost been on a standstill since the panic of 1873, was now resumed with more interest than ever before. The great army of tramps that had been such a nuisance for years were now able to find employment and none but those who were too lazy and vicious to make good citizens remained to infest quiet industrious communities. Before the panic, a railroad company had commenced building a road from Brunswick, MO to Omaha, Nebr but had finished their work no farther than Pattonsburg, Mo when the hard times interfered with further operations. The road was sold to the St. Louis, Kansas City and Northern and by that company was completed. After this the road was united to the Wabash system and is now known as the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific. A division town became a necessity after the road was completed to Omaha and a tract of land was purchased by the Western Improvement Company north of the depot three miles southwest of Mt. Pleasant. It was surveyed into town lots and a sale of them was made on the ____(blank) of September. This was the beginning of Stanberry and building at once commenced. The following winter proved to be open and work was pushed forward without any serious interruption. Within a year the town contained over 2000 inhabitants and has been improving ever since. About February, Mr. Fisher by way of trade secured a forty acre tract of land not costing over $100 00/100. Before the year closed, he sold it for $1500 00/100 and that tract is now known as "Moore's Addition to Stanberry." The solitary road that I had traveled two years before after night when going back and forth to attend our debates, is now Main Street in Stanberry. Mr. Fisher rented his farm and built a house and implement warehouse in town and has been selling implements there ever since. A good market was created which gave me an opportunity to make a better choice of means to gain a support for us. +++++++++++++++++++++

August 20, 1879 Wednesday Left Mr. Fisher's and walked up to Isadora to deliver my books which had been sent there. After getting through this work, I walked down to Mr. Fisher's again on Wednesday Aug 27th. Sept. 1, 1879 Monday Commenced my twelvth term of school with an attendance of 22. Boarded with Jno M. Skinner from Monday night till Friday noon of every week. The rest of the time I boarded at Mr. Fisher's though 8 miles apart. Taught at the Karr school house. November 8, 1879 Saturday Mr. Skinner and I went down to our old home in DeKalb in his wagon. Rained nearly all the way. He was to come for me the next day to take me back to my school, but failed to do so. I waited for him till nearly sundown and then left for my school on foot. I traveled about four miles before dark and the rest of the way by starlight, there being no moon. The roads were muddy and my road at one place crossed a strip of prairie without a fence or improvement for 5 miles. I made the whole trip of 22 miles before midnight. Lost my way once or twice. Mr. Skinner made the trip the next day in a drenching rain. On Monday, I had 35 pupils in attendance and felt well paid for my efforts to reach my school. I made another trip to DeKalb after New Years going on horseback, but as I did not continue keeping pocket diary after 1879 the date is lost. ++++++++++ Lori

I'm looking for an index or who & how to contact someone in charge of the Millen Cemetery, that is about 4 miles northeast of King City, Gentry Co. It is supposed to be near the old Millen homestead. I would like to get a list of who is buried there, if possible. Does anyone know if this cemetery has been indexed & if so is it on the internet. If it has been indexed & is not online, where could I obtain a copy. Any & all help or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanking you all in advance, Belinda

July 7, 1879 Monday Walked from Mr. Fisher's up to Isadora, passing through Alanthus. The next day Will Brown and I rode over to Grant City on horseback. Not feeling very well, I had concluded to canvass for "Chase Reciepes" during vacation and did so. traveling on foot. Got back to Mr. Fisher's on the 18th and started out again on the 21st. August 1, 1879 Friday Waked down to Greenwell Ford on the railroad grade for two charts at Mr. Seimands. Took dinner with him and walked back. I had got back to Mr. Fisher's on the Wednesday previous, having finished canvassing and only waiting for my books to come to deliver them. August 7, 1879 Thursday Left Mr. Fisher's and walked down home with the exception of riding five miles with a couple of strangers. Helped my brother Edward for a few days till I heard from my books. while there, his melon patch suffered from thieves which were caught by me stealing melons on the night of Saturday August 16th about 11 o'clock. Both of the ones I saw left in a great hurry, one having his legs filled with duck shot which laid him up for two weeks. I fired the second barrel of the shot gun at the other, but unfortunately overshot him. August 18, 1879 Monday My brother Albert took me with my trunk to King City. where I left the trunk and was treated to a free ride on the Narrow Gauge to the next station north. From there I walked to Mr. Fisher's. +++++++++++ Edward Walters b 1855 Wheeling, VA (now WV) Albert Walters, b 1857 Steubenville, Jefferson, OH

Hello Linda: I don't have any Osborns as direct ancestors, however, my great-great-grandfather was James Allen McDonald, b in 1842 in Andrew Co. I don't have my info with me, however, I believe that 2 of his sisters married Osborns. Maybe it was 1 sister & 1 brother, but I think it was 2 sisters. I think 1 of the Osborns was a George. James was the baby, the others were born between 1824 to 1840, I believe. I have info on the McDonalds back to 1695 when 5 brothers came first to Virginia from Ireland. (They were Scots & Presbyterian) then to N.C. then to Indiana then to Missouri. When they first came to Missouri I believe they were in Platte Co, then to Andrew Co. I will look for my info & if these are the same Osborns that married with the McDonalds & if you are interested in your McDonald family info let me know. Take care & good hunting, Belinda

Searching for info on the MILLEN family in Missouri. My grandfather, Ottis Earl Millen, b 22 Dec 1894 in King City, Gentry Co. His father John Millen, b 7 Sep 1863 in Gentry Co His father, Andrew Millen b circa 1820-1835 in Kentucky, (looking for date & place of birth, date & place of marriage & date of death). He was married to a Sarah White, children Anna 1858, Margaretta 1861, John 7 Sept 1863, Thomas 14 July 1866, Hattie 2 June 1872, Ella A, Ellis L, Emmet. Andrews father was John G. Millen, b 12 Feb 1803 in South Carolina. Looking for place of birth, his parents, he married in Morgan Co, Ill-when & to whom). He died 15 March 1886 in Maryville, Nodaway Co & in his obit he had outlived his wife & five of his ten children-looking for the names & info on the children. If any of this sounds familar or if you could provide any info, etc. it would be greatly appreciated. Thanking you all in advance, Belinda