Tiny pieces of the history of Wellington, Missouri

Years ago a group of local ladies were selling a book about the history of our town, in a booth at the Wellington Fair.  I remember paying more than I should have, since times were lean at the Wood house then.  But it has some fascinating stories.  I hadn't picked it up in years except to move it around, but today I got it out, looked at a few pages, and thought it might make an interesting blog entry.  

Here's the dedication:  "We are extremely grateful to Mr. C.M. Bowring and his father Dr. Bowring who felt a great love for the people of Wellington.  To them we are thankful for setting down these scraps of history of the lives of people who touched them.  Their concern and interest in the events and residents of this picturesque river town have made it possible for us, nearly a century later, to enjoy a new insight into a period of history all but forgotten."

Dr. Bowring, an early day physician, came to the area in 1832.  His son compiled the scraps of information into the form of a diary in 1898.

And now, on to stories that interested me:

1829

During this year Rev. John Warder erected and put in operation a still house on the left bank of the Big Sni creek, downstream from the church he built.  

1831

Baker Matin also built a still house on the Tan Yard Branch very nearly south of where the German Church now stands.  (obviously people in the area were VERY thirsty!)

1832

Dr. Bowring first landed in Wellington, off the steamboat Globe, after a long and tedious journey, it having required 21 days to make the trip from the city of St. Louis to Jefferson City, though the remainder of the passage was completed in a little better time proportionately.  As you can see by the following picture, Wellington was right on the bank of the Missouri River at the time; then the river changed course.  So much for arriving in Wellington on a steamboat!  The river changed course in 1915; you can read about that HERE.

1837 The former name of Tyro being discarded, the town becomes Wellington.

1838

May 20, the first baby is born in Wellington, a girl.  Her father was a chair-maker.

On one June Sunday, Uncle Ike, an old slave belonging to Colonel James Lauderdale, preached the first sermon ever delivered in Wellington.

1840

Jacob Wolf, while mounting his horse to go hunting for rabbits, accidentally shot himself in the knee of his left leg, inflicting a woulnd from which he subsequently died.  (No antibiotics in those times)

1843

The first schoolhouse was erected.

1845... here's a longer story, which I will present as it's written in the book.

May 15:  James A. Moorman after coming to Wellilngton and contracting the sale of his farm to George W. Neal returned to his home, accompanied by Neal who had made partial payment of the purchase money and in doing so revealed that he still had funds on his person, enticed Neal into the woods on the pretext of looking over the land while hunting squirrels, shot him (Neal) in the back of the head with a rifle inflicting a wound that caused instant death, and buried his body in the branch just east of the Harris schoolhouse.  Moorman was indicted by the grand jury 11/5/46.  Moorman having during the time been arrested near the Iowa state line found an opportunity and, snatching a pistol from the coat pocket of James Merriman, shot and instantly killed himself in the town of Kingston, Missouri while being brought back for his trial.

1847

Charles E. Cundiff died in Waco, Texas.  He had enlisted in the armies of the United States then at war with Mexico.

September 25:  The daughter of Wm. Bowring died of fever, aged six years.

1852

The county court granted Benjamin Emison license to establish a ferry crossing on the Missouri River at Wellington.

July:  Cholera broke out in Wellington, being brought and spread by a man named Patterson.  Mrs. A.N. Duck died July 15 and about the same date a male slave belonging to Mr. Alex Sheer died.  Many others had attacks but recovered.  

1856

April 12:  Big circus in town during which Thomas somebody and some guy with the last name Stigall had a great fight in which Stigall received injuries from which he never fully recovered and he finally died.

1859

A Mr. White bought a property and commenced to remove the old log house, known for a long time as "Morality Hall", owing to the many stories in circulation in regard to the immoral conduct of many of the intemperate frequenters of the place.  (Obviously the town wasn't ready for two stills.)

1861

June 15:  Thomas M. Cobb, Dr. Fulkerson, Col. Elliot were enroute from Lexington to Little Blue to join the Confederate forces, and stopped to have breakfast at the old Wellington Hotel.

September 18-19:  Most of the miserable days were spent by the people of Wellington in silent awe listening to the sound of carnage and death in the city of Lexington where General Sterling Price's Army was assaulting the entrenched Federal forces under Col. Mulligan.  The townsfolk awaited with ill-concealed impatience the meager news brought by those coming and going who were taking active part in the fray, or others who came and went as spectators only.

1862

June 24:  Edwin Bowring dies of typhoid fever at Tupelo, Mississippi, while in General Price's army.  He had been very sick, but was recovering when only a day or two before his demise, hearing that Mr. Thomas Johnson was coming home, he walked a mile and a half and back to see and send a message to his mother by Mr. Johnson.  He took a relapse and died.

As you may have noticed, folks who lived here had people in both sides of the war.  

Not everything in the book is that interesting.  There are lots of mentions of property changing hands, and births and deaths and weddings and funerals.  But I really enjoy seeing the stories of things that happened, telling how things were back then.  

Peace.