Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1885-08-01
HON. O. T. RYLAND ON GILBAD
RUPE.
LEXINGTON, Mo-, July %. Il

LEXINGTON, Mo-, July p, 1885.
EDITOR INTELLIG GENCER: R:-Herewith
you will find letter of the Hon. g. T.
Ryland, of California, which I re-
ceived Today. 1t explains itself.
There is no one now living of whom
have any knowledge who is better in
formed upon the subject of which he
writes than Mr.. Ryland. He lived in
the county fourteen years contempor-
aneously with Rupe, was we'll and in
tmately acquainted with him and
other early settlers, and had excellent
opportunities to learn the history of
the early settlement of the county. TO
those who know Mr.. Ryland it is use
less to say anything in commendation
of either his intelligence or integrity,
as they are above criticism. His letter
shows that though far away he still en-
tertains an interest in those among
whom he once resided, and goes far to
establish the position that Gilead Rupe
was the first settler in the territory
now known as Lafayette county, Mo.
RoBT. HALE.
SAN JOSE, CAL, July 12, 1885.
Hon. ROBT. HALE, LEXINGTON, Mo-
DEAR SIR:-I read with interest and
pleasure your communication publish
ed in the Intelligencer of the 4th inst,
on the subject "Who was the first set
tier in Lafayette county"
Since reading your article l have
been reviewing my own life in Latay-
cite county in so far as l was connect
en- with that sturdy old pioneer, the
late Gilead Rupe, and can recall some
incidents which may throw some light
on the subject.
l do not recollect the exact date when
l first became acquainted with him,
but it must have been about 1888. l
was then but small boy. 1t is my
recollection that my father bought
cold Forest Hilp of him, although
never had occasion to examine the title.
Oar home was within q quarter of a
mile of his from the time first knew
him till his death, and toward the close
Of his life l was much in his company
and with him in his last illness large
part of the time. My acquaintance be-
gan with my making inroads on his
orchard and depredations on his fruit
trees, and although he often pretended
to chase me from his premises in great
wrath he always took pains never to
catch me. At that time l thought it
was because he was not feet enough.
but in after years found out that it
was not his inability then to out-run
me old as he was, but his kindness of
heart prevented him About 1874 he
told me that if he was young and
strong as in the olden time, that he
| would move away from the crowded
settlements to Oregon or the Rocky
Mountains, so that he could breathe
more freely; that he had moved from
Boonville or down the river up to La
fayette county SO as to have elbow
room. but that he had not been living
long where he then lived before some
white man came and settled right down
under his nose. The expression made
me ask him who it was and where the
intruder located. He gave the name
which l have now forgotten, but the
place was right under his nose here n
Douer. laughed when heard that
for Dover was about 10 miles away
and wondered how close he wishec
his neighbors to come.
He also told me that in his earlies
settlement in Lafayette the indians
/ OuCc lOuscu ulllsCh dhu UOySp IOu
which l now judge that his wife ant
daughters did not come to Lafayette
with him at first, but at some late
period, which may account for our olt
friend, VIM. Houx, being at his daugh
ter's wedding in Boonville in 1917.
| Talking with him one day about tn
rapid changes going on in our country
and especially in the improvements il
communication and transportation, h
said yes, that the battle of New Or
leans was fought Jan. 8, 1915, and tha
news of it did not reach him till tn
spring or summer of 1916, and go
the impression that he was then ivin.
on his old home near Lexington.
If these incidents and early recol
lections will be of any service to you O
will tend to throw any light on tn
matter of inquiry as to who was IT,
first settler in Lafayette county, yo1
, are at liberty to use them.
With best wishes tor your health an
,, prosperity, dear old friend, am yours
e., T., RYLAND.