Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1880-04-10
BESSIE S.
TO THE OLD SETTLERS.

April l, 1880. !
EDITOR Il noticed Il
call IN your paper for an old settlers
meeting, which has tendency to revive
old recollections. AS claim to be one
OF the pioneers OF Lafayette county, it
does me good to see that there is some
of the old stock lett who realize the
Importance OF such an organization, and
were l Still q resident, it would give me
much pleasure in joining them. l land
ed IN Lexington in the spring of 1886.
A small log warehouse on the bank OF
the river was the only appearance Of
| any improvement in that locality, The
road then leading to what is known as
old town was nothing more than a
crooked trail through the woods. After
arriving in the city l put up at Capt.
Green's hotel, which, | think, was the
only one in the city. And In those days
it was regarded as Il first-class hotel, but
now would rate a notch lower. Lexing-
ton, at that time, was little more than q
public square, with courthouse in the
center OF the block, while the business
was done around it. Two stores, land
office and SOME shops made up The list
OF any Importance.
| can remember when John Catron
plastered the courthouse. l had the
honor OF holding court there while ohm
appeared in the case as prosecuting at
torney on behalf Of the state.
In those days the courthouse was used
for about everything that came along,
| and think was the only place for pub
lie worship. Rev. Fiuis Ewing, one of
the founders OF the Cumberland Presby-
terian church, held his services there,
which were well attended, and no doubt
produced much good. Rev. MI. Van
Camp, l think, represented the Camp
beliites, and his example was as good
as his teaching. The people attended
church with the best OF motives, and
not TO make a show, as is the custom
these days; the ministers preached the
gospel without any support from the
| church, and made their own living.
That was the best evidence OF their sin
cerity, aud very gratifying to their CON
gregations. L cant remember OF there
being any saloons in the city.
The land between old town and the
river was offered for sale at s;l4 per
acre. Stone coal was not discovered,
and The value of the property was not
realized. The old settlers took the
| world just as it came along. AS they
were long ways from market, and had
Ont little to sell, corn was worth 20
cents per bushel; oats, - cents; pork,
81 80 per hundroi; butter, ) cents per
pound; honey, so cents per gallon. l
remember selling Stephen Catron seven
yoke Of cattle at $50 per yoke; good
milk cows from So to S. Aud yet we
aII enjoyed the times Us well, aud prob
ably better, than they have recently.
Missouri is Il good state, and previous
TO the war WAS regarded as one oil the
best western states. Take her climate
and soil, and there is none better Tor the
production OF the most important staples
ot the country, and l regard Lafayette
comfy rs one OF the best counties in the
st"te. e-..d Tho only difficulty she ir,:, 10
encounter is her age. Something new
Is what the people want, and the farther
from home the better it is. That which
we know the least about we think the
most OF, But when we 90 back forty
four years and compare the people,
their customs and habits with lhe pres
ent time, wc find quite change, The
merchants sold their goods Oh twelve
months credit, and then took note for
pay. Selling anything for cash was
scarcely ever known to happen Many
OF the Old residents have passed away,
anG are trying the realities OF world
which 10 US is still mystery.
i lett your state In 1854, and have
been living At the falls Of St. Anthony
eYor since. and am regarded as one oil
the old settlers. Minnesota is on
oaom-tLe immigration here this sea-
son IS much greater than heretofore, and
Minneapolis is growing rapidly. wei
expect great many from Missouri this
seasoa, enjoying fishing and sporting at
cur beautiful lakes, which l think were
made expressly for summer resorts for
the people south. With kind regards
to the old settlers, remain, yours re-
spccttuIiy, d. EDWARDS.
WELL SAID.
MIR. Ruskin has just said a good thing
about war. Ii is lhis-'You fancy Won
are sorry !or The pain OF others. New .IteII |
70" just this, that ii the usual course Of