Newspaper Account of These Civil War Events

BARRY COUNTY, MO

MILITARY HISTORY

AS Reported In the Newspaper
State Historical Society of MO, Microfilm
April 13, 1907, Saturday, Cassville Democrat, Barry Co., MO


Military History of Barry County


Noah O'Kelly was killed at a point west of Washburn by a Federal scout in 1863 or 1864. The murders of Shultz and Reed on Roller's Ridge, during the war were tragedies growing out of the local troubles of those days.

Coonrod Becker, said to be a notorious brush-whacker who infested Southwest Missouri, was killed in this county immediately after the war.

John I. Smith, a Union citizen, was killed at Clay Hill in Crane Creek township, in 1864. The federals shot him while he was seeking refuge in Forbes' house.

A. S. Harbin took his slaves to Texas, and died there in 1862.

Isaac Perry's slaves were released and his property burned by the federals.

Wm R. Sooter left during the war, and died in Benton Co., Ark.

Owen Todd, a Union man, was killed by federal troops, while defending his relatives, whom the troops were trying to arrest. This affair took place in June 1862.

John Whittington, who lived four miles west of McDowell on King's Prairie, was killed by the federals. It is supposed that a forging squad went to his house to rob him but he showing fight was shot down. His son, a minor, received wounds which necessitated the amputation of the arm. Benjamin, his son, was in the State Militia.

John K. Burton was killed at his own home in 1862. It was charged that Mr. Burton succored rebels.

John Ireland was called up at the hour of midnight, at his home 1 3/4 miles out on the Roaring River road and shot to death.

Wm. Moore was killed by the federals.

Billy McKinney, a brother of Mrs. N. L. Haley of this city, and John and Edward McKinney, Mrs. Celia Vance of Hailey, and Mrs. Suttles of Jenkins, was killed 15 miles east of Cassville.

John S. Lee was killed at his home 3 miles south of Cassville, by Lieut. Gibson.

Newton Lee was killed afterwards.

Robert and William Perkins and their slaves were killed near Cassville by federals.

Joel F. Mitchell, a Baptist minister of Roller's Ridge, was killed at or near Washburn, by soldiers. He had come into Washburn and surrendered.

Alfred Reed was killed by federals on Roaring River.

John Starkey's boys were confederates, and it is stated, that one of them was killed.

J. N. Pharis was killed by Capt. Christian's men on Sugar Creek.

A Negro who drove a team for some government settlers, was killed in a wagon, on the lot where the Cassville Hardware store is located.

Joshua Adcock was taken to Springfield, by the federals, placed in the stockade and died there.

John Hawk, another old citizen of Cassville, was treated as Mr. Adcock. He was the father of Jacob and Wm. Hawk of this city.

Jones Cox who lived two miles east of Cassville was taken to Springfield.

Jeremiah Parrish was arrested on a charge of being a rebel sympathizer, was taken to Springfield where he died.

William Box, Harvey Bolding and Wm. Morgan were treated as Mr. Parish.

Thomas Brixey was taken prisoner in Roaring River neighborhood and also Eli Hale. Both were shot and killed, and their bodies left on the road by the federals.

Asa Chillcut was killed by the federals about eight miles from Cassville. Thos. Dillworth, was reported to have met the same fate.

Asa Chillcut killed Johnson in 1861, at a time when the southern troops held possession of Cassville. Before the courts were established Chillcut himself was killed.

Laird and Gutherie two employees of Old Mr. Adcock of near Washburn, were murdered by bushwhackers in 1864.

John S. Brown of Shoal Creek, accused of harboring rebels, was hanged until almost dead for the purpose of extracting some information from him, relating to the rebels.

Joseph Moles of near Golden, joined the state Militia, and was killed at Galena, during a quarrel.

Wm. McMurty was taken to Springfield by the federals and died there in the stockade.

J. M. McCandless was made prisoner by the federals near Berryville, and shot by W. C. Johnson.

Wilcox, Norton, and Linsey, who were horse trading here in 1861-2 giving confederate money to farmers' wives for their purchases were captured by bushwhackers taken to the White River Mountains and done away with.

H. M. Paschall was a federal prisoner, attempted to get away, but seeing that it was impossible, threw up his hands and surrendered right on the east banks of Flat creek, in front of the camping territory, but a soldier shot him down. He was buried at the bottom of the hill, in Mr. Turner's field.

Solomon Roberts was a Southern sympathizer. He was charged in 1862, by the confederates with breaking the rules of war, and was arrested by Joseph G. Peevy. He was given one week to prepare his defense, and in this preparation consulted Lawyer W. S. McConnell now deceased. The later understanding some of the family troubles leading to his arrest, advised him to leave the country, but this advise was not taken and he was tried, convicted, and shot somewhere near the Washburn Prairie Church house so we have been told.

James Rhea was killed during the war, at his home about 3 miles northwest of Cassville by unknown parties.

J. Y. Thomas was taken prisoner by the federals while sick at his refuge in Arkansas. Maj. Moore's company left a boy there to watch him with instructions to silence the old man. The instructions were too faithfully carried out by the boy Davis told Mr. McComas? the facts of the case, stating that Thomas asked his execution to be sure and kill at the first shot.

A. L. Thompson was killed at his home near Washburn by a masked gang at night. At the time of his murder, Thomas was holding his child in his arms.

W. S. McConnell was arrested at Cassville and kept two years a prisoner.

J. B. Yandale who reside in the Pasley neighborhood, 4 miles south of Cassville, stated to town one day, and was murdered on the road. Yandle was a bitter abolitionist. [Spelled Yandale and Yandle in the same paragraph.]

May 4, 1907, Saturday, Cassville Democrat, Barry Co., MO

More Military History: Mr. Editor: I think the military history should have been extended a little. In speaking of Asa Chillcutt and Thos. Dillworth being killed, not only them but Elias Price and Dr. Harris, also at the same time. Ye scribe was one of the boys who buried them all in one grave at the Packwood Cemetery. Again it was John Bowen an old man of 75, who was hanged instead of Brown. The home guards hanged two little boys of Mrs. Mary Tabor the same time, the youngest one, Tom, died from injuries sustained. He was a lad of eight.


Research Note: In 1860 in Liberty Twp., John Brown was listed as age 63. He is probably the one that was mentioned in the paper. It's very likely that he also may be buried at Packwood. His wife was age 59. She could also be buried there. They are living next door to the Bowen family. The news item reads: "John S. Brown of Shoal Creek, accused of harboring rebels, was hanged until almost dead for the purpose of extracting some information from him, relating to the rebels."

The Mary J. Bowen's family are next door to John Brown and she very well may be the Mary Tabor that the newspaper mentioned. She has listed a son named Thomas who in 1860 was age 6. He is probably the lad of 8 who died from injuries. 1860 in Liberty Twp. He may be buried in Packwood, too. Also another little boy of Mary J. Bowen's was named J. W. and he was 9 in 1860, thus making him around 12 in 1863. He also may be buried at Packwood.

This was taken from page 76 of the reprinted version of Goodspeed's History of Barry County, 1888.

Asa Chillcut was killed by Federal troops about 8 miles from Cassville. Thomas Dilworth was reported to have met the same fate. Elias Ferguson was strung up by Capt. Ray's company to extract a confession but escaped death.

Asa Chillcut killed Johnson in 1861 at a time when the Southern troops held the town. Before the circuit courts were re-established, Chillcut himself was killed.


Submitted by Donna Cooper