Evelyn Petty, Contributing Writer

1999 has been another good year for the Archives. I would like to thank all of the officers, board members, volunteers, members and friends for all their support and help in making it such.

We had a very successful book sale this year. Due to the hard work of Dail Hobbs and many, many volunteers, the Archives made a little over $1,400 from the sale. Thanks to all who donated books and volunteered, and a special thank-you to Dail and Sallie Hobbs!

Our annual membership meeting was held November 6 at the Old Country Buffet. Following a tasty brunch we had a short business meeting and a wonderful presentation by Joe Kelly of the 1859 Historic Jail in Independence. Mr. Kelly spoke to us on the Civil War in Eastern Kansas and Western Missouri. The meeting was enjoyed by all.

The officers elected for the Year 2000 are: President, Patty Rendon; 1^st Vice President, Kevin Fisher; 2d Vice President, Bill Hawkins; Treasurer, Stuart Elliott; Recording Secretary, Sallie Hobbs; Corresponding Secretary, Carol Olson.

I wish you all a happy holiday season and another great year for the Archives.

Monday through Wednesday - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

First Wednesday of Month - 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Individual & Family (one address) $15.00

(Memberships paid after October 1 will apply to

next calendar year.)

Unlimited On-Site Research

Subscription to The Clay County MOsaic,

our quarterly newsletter.

Non-members pay $5.00 per day for on-site research. Research requests by mail are accepted. Each request must be accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope and an initial research fee of $10.00 per surname for one hour of research. Additional hours are $10.00 per hour.

Original records (probate, abstracts etc)…..$1/page

Special donations by members and friends are used as necessary for operating expenses and for the purchase and maintenance of equipment.

Martha Yancey Alison

Harry Arnote Charitable Foundation

Dan E. Boone

Mason L. Dean Trust,

(Nations Bank, Trustee)

Commerce Bank

Stuart E. Elliott

Hallmark Cards

Louise & Bill Hawkins

Arlyne K. Boggess & Waller I. Huffman

Gerald L. Owens

Evelyn Petty

Frieda Waters

Jack Watson

Millicent Daugherty

Shirley Fansher

Jane Pickett Sharon

William A. & Martie Denney

Sally A. Meade

The Archives has had several hundred members since its organization in 1979, twenty-five of whom are also volunteers keeping the organization open to help people find their ancestors (or lose them, if they so wish). Numerous term papers have been written because the Archives had preserved Clay County history, both written and oral. Books have been written with some assistance from our holdings, and at least six are in the process of being written.

One of our finest helpers died this fall; and, as we have said about others—John Pasley, Medora Chrane, Bob Creek, Vera Eldridge—we cannot replace them. Each one had a unique outlook on and knowledge of Clay County history.

Janie was devoted to the Archives. Although her health could have forced her to give up volunteering, she rarely was absent. What a truly admirable character she had, working nearly every Tuesday without a complaint, even though she had to use a portable oxygen tank. Other ailments seemed trivial when they were compared to what she endured every day..

She and the other Tuesday volunteers were revising the Probate Files. She was always on the lookout for any item in the old wills and intestate packets that might help some researcher. She would note items which belonged to black history, pioneer life, and more modern items such as Winnwood or the Interurban.

While I was in Liberty High School three years with her and some at William Jewell, I did not know her then. However, becoming acquainted with her in the last twenty years enriched my years. Her love of life enhanced her interest in history.

In addition to her work at the Archives, she was chairman of the Cemetery Committee of the Clay County Historical Society and was seeing the last volume of cemetery records to completion. Earlier she had paid the printing bill for Volume I, certainly an action above and beyond the call of any chairmanship.

I remember so many events connected with the Archives. When the Probate Files were stored in the old IOOF Building, Janie took me out there to see a file I wanted. Climbing those perilous steps on the outside of the building made me resolve to let the Probates remain undisturbed, until I noticed that Janie was not perturbed at all.

She mentioned once about going to Ray County to check on her Grandmother Murray who was a Jacobs, and how she had been able to talk to a man in his 80s who told her, "I knew right away you were a Jacobs. You have their features!"

While we were not related, we did share a mutual cousin, Dr. Corbin Yancey, who was the son of Hattiebelle Corbin Yancey, my Grandfather Oscar Petty’s first cousin. I remember hearing, when Janie was first diagnosed with her health problem, that Dr. Yancey helped her.

One year Janie found a probate with a listing of a young man’s property which was also his supplies needed for his going to the Gold Rush in 1849-50; but unfortunately he had died before he got to go. I know a little more about him, since his father had been killed by Judge Elisha Camron’s namesake nephew, stabbed with a 7-to-8-inch-long knife. The killer managed to get a change-of-venue to Lafayette County and was acquitted on self-defense. I would love to read that actual trial—if Lafayette County has files as Clay does. There was a small file showing that this particular case had been taken to Lexington, but I would like to know what happened. The boy lost his mother (she was a Duncan) when she died in Kentucky. Janie called the attention of the newsletter’s editor to the list of all the supplies he had purchased so that he might go to California, but he died before he could go.

Janie always took an interest in my Clay County history, and one time told me it was the best history we had so far. Nearly every time I saw her, she would ask if I’d found anything interesting lately. One time I was telling her of a case I had found in the circuit court criminal cases (not knowing that the murderer was a collateral relative) and she asked for more details, later going to the Justice Center to have the entire file copied. The next time I saw her, she told me that she had sent the file to a relative who was a lawyer, and had asked him what he thought about the guilt or innocence of the other half of THE STATE OF MISSOURI VS. _____. She told me that her authority had said that the defendant was the luckiest murderer in that era. We talked about how the case had never appeared in a single issue of the TRIBUNE, nor either of the two book-length histories of Clay County, nor Judge Thorp’s or Cosby Shaver’s, and Janie told me, "I got a lump in my throat when I read that Rachel went in the house and put a little bonnet on the baby and went out to meet the man who killed her." The file from the Circuit Court had depositions, practically every bit of information you would want to form an opinion of the case. My Grandfather Petty had had an uncle who was on the jury that found the man innocent. Scribbled in the corner of one sheet of paper was $20,000. Janie called my attention to the killer’s father’s will (he died in the early 1890s, I believe) and said that his son had already received his share, $20,000.

I was the able later to call Janie’s attention to the account of the man’s death just before World War I. The headline was short but Janie said she couldn’t think of a more fitting headline: DIED IN OUTHOUSE.

Once Janie spoke of her in-law families, the Hardwicks and the Greggs, and told me with obvious satis-

faction that she had preserved the letters of Josiah Gregg, author of the great account of his association with the Santa Fe Trail, COMMERCE OF THE PLAINS.

When I would sign the volunteers’ book on Wednesday, for many years I would see Janie’s distinctive signature above. She will be missed.

June 13, 1851– Marriages: On the 20^th ult., by Rev. George S. Woodward, Mr. Rich. Jeans of Jackson Co., to Miss Lucinda, a daughter of Joseph D. Gash of Clay County.

June 20, 1851 – "Cholera" – (An article from the Independence Messenger) "A full report of the deaths since our last issue. (Date not given.) Saturday night: a little son of Mr. Jno. F. Norris. Sunday: son of Mr. J. C. Kelsey; Mrs. Shaffner, an elderly lady and mother of Mrs. Cogswell who died last week; and a child of Mr. Nunnelly. Monday: another son of Mr. J. C. Kelsey; an old negro woman belonging to Mr. Samuel McKinney. Thursday night: Mrs. Malindy E. West, daughter of Mr. Jno. H. Copeland. Friday evening: Mr. Jno. Beel.."

June 27, 1851 – Notice of final settlement of estate of Preston Moore, dec’d., Clay Co. Weston Moore, admr. – Deaths in Liberty of Cholera: On last Monday, Ms. Mildred B. White of this place was taken sick and died in a few hours. It was pronounced cholera. She was an aged lady and highly esteemed.

July 4, 1851 – Married: In this place on the 2^nd by his Honor, Judge Hendley, Henry Morton, Eq., to Miss Susan Parish, all of this place.

July 11, 1851 – Deaths: On Sunday morning, the 22^nd, of cholera, at the Sisters’ Hospital, Mrs. Clarissa Jordan, consort of R. H. Jordan of the Missouri Annual Conference. – Marriages: On the morning of the 17^th ult., by Rev. T. R. Cressy, at his residence, Maj. John H. Evans of Flemingsburg, Ky., to Mrs. Elizabeth Cockrell of Clay Co., Mo. – Notice of final settlement, est. of Cyrus Lynn, by John H. Lynn.

July 18, 1851 – Marriages: In this county on the 12^th by Rev. Z. N. Roberts, Mr. John F. Claywater to Miss Mary Jane Parish.

August 1, 1851 – On Thursday night a tavern in Oregon, Holt Co., Mo., was struck by lightning and burned down. Two men burned to death and five were mortally injured from the flames. Three of the survivors have since died and they say the other two cannot live. The following are the sufferers as far as we can learn: F. A. Pollock, landlord, and James Fortune, of Holt Co.; --- Bush of Andrew Co.; William Tharp, formerly of Clay Co.; and William Sypes, lately of this place. Also a Frenchman. – From the St. Joseph Gazette: "Decease of Mr. Pitts" copied from the Glasgow Banner" Geo. H. Pitts, Esq., died last Monday after much suffering. Had lived in our county only a short time. Was with the Glasgow Banner. Native of Scott Co., Ky., where he resided until spring of 1850 when he came to Missouri. 23 years old. Never married. Note says he had worked for the paper in Liberty for a time. – Deaths: In this city on Friday, 18^th July, Mrs. Margaret Snail, wife of Wiley G. Snail and daughter of the late Gen. John Findley of Danville, Ky., in her 30^th year, leaving husband and three small children. – In Oregon, Holt Co., on the 25^th inst., James M. Thorp, son of Mr. Thorp of this county, aged 22 years, 7 months, 3 days.

August 8, 1951 – Married on Thursday, 31^st ult., by Rev. Henry Hill, Mr. G. S. W. Jesse to Miss Lucinda J., dau. of Henry Pence, all of Clay Co. – Deaths: In Calif. on the 3^rd of April 1851, Henry Estes, son of Henry H. Estes of Clay Co., age 22 yrs. 2 mos. 1 day. In the spring of 1849 he emigrated to California. – In the vicinity of Liberty on August 4^th, Daniel Brannen, son of Edward M. Samuel, age 8 yrs. 3 mos. 21 days. Cholera. – On Wed. morning the 29^th July, Julia A., infant daughter of John and Ann Beauchamp, aged 11 months, 9 days. – Letters of Administration dated 8 May 1851, Clay Co., estate of John Hudelmayer, dec’d. Rosine Hudelmayer, admrx.

August 22, 1851 – Death: At his residence in this county August 4^th, of typhoid, Mr. Ozrow W. Rudd, a man of piety and honesty, respected by all his neighbors during his life, that now lament his death.

(Continued on next page)

August 29, 1851 – Married: On the 12^th inst. by Rev. Patton, Mr. G. W. Everett to Miss Caroline, dau. of William Wilson, all of this county

Continued from previous issues.

(See 2d Qtr. 1999 issue for Explanatory Notes)

Safford (see Lafond), B. & A. 1829(NR)

Sampson, Benjamin 1822,24,25,26,27,28,29,30

Scott, Lewis 1827(1Sl),30

Searcy, Leonard 1826,27(1Sl),28,29,30

Shaw, Hugh 1822,24,25,26,27

William 1822,24,25,26,27

Shelton, Lewis 1822,24,25,26,27,29(LTL)

W. H. 1822,25

Wm. H. 1828(LTL)

Wm., Sr. 1824,26

Shepherd, Enoch 1826,27

Short, Daniel 1824

Shouse, John 1827,30

Sidden, John 1825,26,27

Simms, Benjamin A. 1825,26,27(1Sl)

John H. 1826

Slaughter, Francis 1822

Francis T. 1827(4Sl)

Thomas 1824,27(5Sl)

Will B. 1827(5Sl)

Smith, Abe 1824,25,26,27

Abijah 1824,25,26,27

Abner 1822,24,25,26,27

Ahi 1822

Anderson 1826,27

Doctor 1828,29,30

Elijah 1822,24,25,26,27,28?,29,30

Hanes/Hans 1826,27(1Sl)

Humphrey 1824,25,26,27

James 1825,26

John 1824,25,26(2),27,29,30,31(NR)

Polly, Mrs. 1822,24,25,26,27

Terah 1822,24,25,26,27,28(LTL),29(LTL)

Thomas A. 1825(NR)

Thompson 1827

Vincent 1826,27

William 1826,27,28

William L. 1824,25,27(2Sl),28,29

Smither, John 1827

Smithy, John 1826

Smoot, Samuel 1827

Sneed/Snead, John 1826,27

Sebron/Sedron G. 1825,26,27,28,29

Sollers (Sollars?), ---- 1828(LTL)

Elisha 1822,25,26,27,28(LTL),29(LTL)

John B. 1822

Sabert/Sabiel 1822,24,25,26

Thomas 1822,24,25,26,27

Spergen, John 1825,26,27

Spicer, Wilson 1822

Stanley, Page 1822,24,25,26

William 1822

Stanton, Buford 1827

John 1826,27

Thomas 1826,27

Stark(s), Rowland 1827(1Sl),28

Stephens/Stevens, Clark 1824,25,26,27,29,30

George 1826,27,28?

Richard C. 1826,27(2Sl),28,29

Stephenson/Stevenson, Edward 1826

John 1827

William 1830

Stollings, Jacob 1827

Jesse 1825,26,27,30

Stone, Jonathan 1830

Storey, Smith 1827(4Sl),30

Stout, Daniel M. 1825,26,27,29,30

Strother, Thornton 1822,25,26,27(1Sl)

Sublett, Littleberry 1827(3Sl)

Suel(l)/Sewell, Adon 1827

Alexander 1825,26,27,28?,29,30

James 1925,26,27

Sullivan, Robert 1825,26,27

Sutton, James 18830(NR)

Jonas 1826,27

Sweet/Sweat, Samuel 1825,26

Utterbach, Hankerson 1827

Simeon 1826,27

Vance, Handle 1827(1Sl)

Solomon 1827

Vaughn, David 1826,27(1Sl)

Ennis 1822,24,25,26,27,30

Josiah, Jr. 1826,27,28?,29

Thomas 1824,25,26,27

Vesser/Vasar, Jenkinson 1825

John 1822,24,25,26,27

Peter 1824,25,26,27

Samuel 1822,24,25,26,27

Samuel J. 1826

Samuel, Jr. 1824,27

Vincroft (See Bancroft), Timothy 1827

(Continued to next issue.)

(All prices, postage paid)

Cemetery Census, Volume 1………….…$13.00

1877 Historical Atlas of Clay County $13.00

Every Name Index to 1877 Atlas 13.00

Clay County Births, 1883-84 7.00

Clay County Deaths, 1883-84 7.00

1830 Clay County Census 6.00

1840 Clay County Census 9.00

1850 Clay County Census 11.00

1860 Clay County Census 11.00

1880 Clay County Census………………..40.00

DAR Sesquicentennial Book 11.00

Every Name Index to DAR Book 7.00

Work is under way on our series of Clay County maps. The first step of sizing and paneling U.S.G.S. maps covering Clay County is complete. Fourteen maps were reduced to the scale of the most recent Gallup map of Clay County and paneled (or pieced) together. From this base map percentage factors for all our remaining maps were computed. In the coming year we may have as many as twenty maps of Clay County of various ages and types of information, all sized to have the same scale.

Using these in combination with early records, we will be able to determine the placement of early roads, schools, churches, landings, ferries, fords and other significant features.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

By Stuart Elliott

Janie Loughrey called me at home one day asking me to come over to her house and talk to her about two things. One, she wanted my help to index the latest volume of the Clay County cemeteries her committee has compiled and, two, to set her up with a complete computer system (with all the bells and whistles). The former was to put the finishing touch on their long work and the latter was to supplement her voluminous genealogy records. She wanted the computer so she could index her holdings, do more research with the help of the World Wide Web and use e-mail to communicate her findings with her family.

She had so much energy and passion toward her avocation. But I wondered to myself, as she was telling me her plans for the computer, if she realized how long it would take to get proficient in its use. How much time and effort it would be required for her to learn all the features she wanted to use? The computer was more complicated than the normal household appliances she was used to; did she expect to operate it with the ease she operates her toaster? She was not a spring chicken and no longer in the best of health; doesn’t she want to relax and enjoy her later years? How foolish I was. Who was I to tell her what she could or couldn’t do?

I said nothing about my reservations but listened to her desires. When she was finished, I told her about how much it would cost and said that I’d start "shopping" for the various pieces to her new electronic office. She would reimburse me when I delivered the system. I started ordering things and after a few weeks they started to arrive at my home. I called to inform her of the progress and that I was about ready to bring it over and set it up. Instead, her sister, Martha informed me that her health had deteriorated and she was hospitalized.

I asked Martha if Janie was still interested in the computer equipment. I was told that, yes, she had specifically told Martha that she still wanted it. Martha said it would be an incentive for Janie to get better. In the end, however, it wasn’t enough. The day after my father and I went to visit Janie in the hospital, she succumbed. It was sad that this effervescent lady was gone.

Janie wasn’t through, though. Instead of flowers for her funeral, the family requested contributions to the Clay County Archives. The money arrived in small and large amounts. The final sum was over $2,000. The Archives Board of Directors decided to use the money to upgrade our aging, hand-me-down computer network. I started "shopping" again but I realized that the two thousand dollars, though incredibly generous, really wouldn’t go very far. Then we received another gift, from Martha, of $8,000. I don’t know it was from the estate, from Martha, or some other benevolent person, but it was graciously accepted. This extra amount will allow us to truly make a difference in how we are able to serve our members and patrons.

We’re planning on getting a brand new ‘server’ computer, upgrading our network speed 10-fold, replacing some of our oldest ‘client’ computers, and subscribing to the new, faster ‘DSL’ Internet access method.

Thank you, Janie, Martha and the rest of the Loughrey family (and friends).

Additional support in this regard has been offered by Dr. Sam Chapman and his contribution will be made available early in the next year.

These improvements will make possible increased and improved indexing of records, thus enabling our volunteer researchers to even more fully reply to requests for genealogical information.

Clay County’s first volume of Probate and County Records, 1822 to 1831, is worth consulting to learn about specifics for county buildings, expenses, patrollers, road overseers, the incorporation of Liberty, establishment of roads, listing justices of the peace and other officers, emancipations, and settlements of estates. This compilation of probate and regular county court business is informative, and among other impressions one gets from reading these early records one notes the excellent quality of the ink used. The writing is as legible as when it was first written.

From the index one can preview the men who were justices of the peace up to 1831, when there were four townships. Gallatin Township and Fishing River, the two oldest townships, had been divided to two other townships, Liberty and Platte. The Gallatin Township justices of the peace were George Burnett, Charles English, Samuel Tillery and Zadoc Martin, Sr. Fishing River had George Huffaker (some of the old-time official spelled this Halfacre), Howard Averette (Everette), William H. Shelton (a note said he was a runaway!) and Andrew B. Baldwin. Liberty Township had Sebron Sneed, James Gilmore, Eppe Tillery, Laban Garret and Joel Turnham. Platte Township had James and William Duncan. Daniel Hughes was also in Gallatin Township, while Winfrey E. Price served in Fishing River.

Besides the notation about the runaway, we read that George Burnett resigned, Zadoc Martin, Sr. resigned, James Gilmore, term expired, George Huffaker term expired, and Howard Averett resigned.

As remarked before when I was exploring the circuit court order books, from a genealogical standpoint these books establish that a relative was in the county and whether he was prominent enough in county affairs to be chosen for a position in government.

As of 11 February 1822, John Thornton, Elisha Camron and James Gilmore were the first justices of the county court (we call them commissioners today, and they met at the home of John Owens. William L. Smith was appointed clerk of this court, and his handwriting is outstanding for legibility. Smith’s securities were Shubael Allen and John Shields. Shubael Allen was to be a prominent figure in the county until the early 1840s, and his children and widow were to be a part of the county for many more years. I do not remember noting anything else about John Shields.

William Hall was assessor, Jesse Gilliam was collector of the state and county tax for 1822. John Hutchings, Samuel Telford, Howard Averette, Richard Linville and Benjamin Sampson were commissioners to reserve and preserve from waste the school lands lying in this county.

Zadoc Martin was fined $1 for contempt of this court, but judges after collecting it released him and he got his fine remitted.

On 12 February 1822 Andrew Hixson (later to go to California in the Gold Rush) produced a letter in court giving power of attorney from him to James M. Davis of Tennessee, and acknowledged the same.

Judges were to be paid $1 a day, and the county court would play John Owens $2 for use of his house. It was to be approximately ten years until Clay had a courthouse.

Jesse Gilliam, collector, had as securities William Monroe and Humphrey Best, and was secured with an amount of $1,000. Pleasant Adams was appointed assessor of the state taxes for Fishing River Township.

At the May term of 1822, George Half-acre and James Williams were to be justices of the peace for Fishing River Township.

Also in Fishing River, James Munkers’s house was to be the place for the election, and Thomas Officer, Howard Averett and Bailey George were to be judges of the election.

The first entry about a road was the petition of twelve and more of the households, and on motion of Joshua Adams it was ordered that Joseph Hutchings, Jacob McKoy, Thomas Estes, Elisha Hall and Elijah Smith or any three of them to proceed to view a way for a road leading from county line where the road was leading from Bluffton by Col. Turnham’s taking the dividing ridge between Fishing River to the range line between Ranges 30 and 31, from thence to the county seat the nearest and most practicable site, and mark same, making reports thereon.

Clay County Archives & Historical Library, Inc.

210 E. Franklin Street --- P.O. Box 99

The court appointed David Manchester to be county surveyor.

On petition of twelve and more householders of this county and on motion of Enos Vaughn, it is ordered that John Owens, Eppe Tillery, Ezekiel Huffman and John Hall or any three, view and mark a way for a road leading from the north end of Main Street in Liberty the nearest and best way to the prairie in the direction of Magill’s and to make a report at next term of court.

William Hall motioned that John Bartleson, Mitchell Poage, South Malotte, Andrew Russell and Aaron Roberts or any three of them are to mark and view a way for a road leading from the courthouse in Liberty, the nearest and best way to Andrew Russell’s, from thence to the boundary line and report next term.

[To be continued in the next issue]

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