Howard Township, in area, is about nine by four miles, and much of it is unbroken prairie, not under fence. A large portion of the land, probably one-half of this township, was entered by Dr. E. Montgomery, A. Leonard, N. Leonard, B. G. Leonard and O. E. Adams.

This township is only fairly watered by running streams but good water is easily obtained by digging from eighteen to twenty-five feet. A small creek rises in the southwest part of the township and flows into Vernon County. Walnut and Gilliam's Creeks rise in the northwestern part of the township and flow north into the Marais des Cygnes. Burnett's Creek and its tributaries also rise in this township, flow north and empty into the Marais des Cygnes

A. B. Willoughby was one of the first settlers in Howard Township. He was a native of Jackson County, Missouri, and came to Bates about 1857, and settled in the southeast part of the township, where he now resides.

Guy Smith was also one of the pioneers to Howard, going there before the war of 1861, and opening a farm in the southeast portion. Smith died after the war.

Rev. William Rider settled in Howard before the war. He was a preacher in the M. E. Church South. He still resides on the old homestead. Mr. Rider's father-in-law, Mr. Patton, lived near Mr. Rider. John Patton was a brother-in-law of Mr. Rider and lived near him before the war.

James Hardin was an early settler, and located on the head of what is called Reed's Creek. He was a son-in-law of Guy Patton.

Among those who came immediately after the war were: A. B. Wilkins, Richard Miller, John Badgett, J. J. Franklin, John Rush, J. Frank, J. J. Bearden, R. N. Covert, U. McConnel, C. W. Hollenback, E: C. Maxwell, and a few others.

was laid out in the fall of 1880, on the south half of the northwest quarter of section 9, township 38, range 32, by A. Blaker, of Pleasanton, Kansas, and was surveyed by Edwin Butts.

The first house in the town was moved from New Home, by Charles Wilson, who was a farmer, residing in Howard Township. He purchased the building from Fisher & Thomas, of New Home, and after taking it to Sprague, he occupied it as a residence and store. The next business house was occupied by J. W. Meeker, who sold general merchandise.

The town has no public square, but two of its main streets are 100 feet wide. The business portion of the town is on Main Street, running north from the depot. The town was incorporated in August 1880. The first board was as follows: J. R. McDonald, chairman; B. H. Smith, clerk; J. W. Bobbitt, W. A. Williams, Alexander Willoughby, Dr. R. F. Hulett. Second board -- J. R. McDonald, chairman; B. H. Smith, clerk; J. R. McDonald, J. C. Williams, B. H. Smith, J. W. Bobbitt.

There is but one church. It is owned by the Christians. The Baptists, however, contributed largely toward erecting it. It is a frame and cost about $1,500.

This town was laid out August 1880, by Noah Little and surveyed by Edmond L. Butts. The town is located in the southeast of the southwest quarter of section 8, township 38, range 33. In April 1882, S. L. Standish laid out an addition on the north consisting of the south half of the northeast of the southwest quarter of section 8, township 38, range 33. The railroad runs between the original town and Standish's Addition. The town has a public square 200 by 250 yards. The business houses front the square.

D. H. Hill built the first business house and had the first stock of goods, having moved them from Walnut Post Office in Walnut Township. Messrs. Messenger, Fisher and Kell erected a grist mill in the fall of 1882. The structure is twenty-four by thirty-six feet, two- story frame, with three runs of stone, adjoining an engine house twenty-four by forty feet, at a cost of $5,000. The mill is considered first-class but has not all the modern improvements.

was organized July 1882. Original members -- J. R. Galloway and wife, William McClelland and wife, D. P. Merris and wife, Mrs. James Reed, Joseph Herndon, J. W. Karraker. First and only clergyman, John W. Neff; J. R. Gallaway, clerk; D. P. Merris, William Cooper, deacons; D. P. Merris, J. R. Gallaway, Joseph Herndon, trustees. The church is frame, size 50x28. Cost $1,200. Dedicated, second Sunday in December 1882. Present membership, 24.

Frame building. Built 1882. Size 28x50, with sixteen feet ceiling and cost $2,000, bell and belfry complete. Class was organized December 1881, by Rev. E. J. King. Original members, W. F. Porter and wife, John Porter and wife, N. Askren and wife, John Gregg and wife, David Falor and wife, James Reed, Jacob Kohler. Present membership, 25; second clergyman, Rev. F. M. Pickles; present clergyman, Rev. H. M. Hackney; trustees, N. Askren, John Porter, David Falor.

John A. Coulter, lumber.
Simons & Stevens, general merchants.
Noah Little, Henry C. Reese and Charles M. Reese, known as Little, Reese Bros., hardware, groceries and implements.
William E. Avery, hardware.
William T. Porter, general stock.
Mrs. W. A. Parks, millinery.
Orrin Mitchell, hotel.
John Williams, hotel.
Calvin and Daniel Bison, butchers.
John S. Lindsay, saloon and billiards.
Alfred and Benjamin Blaker, grain dealers.
W. A. Williams, physician.
George W. Brenizer, physician.
James M. Covert, carpenter.
Messinger, Fisher & Kell, Grist mill.
Mrs. John Porter, millinery.
Frank L. Martin & Shirley C. Adams, grocers.
John W. Carman, druggist.
William J. Lane, druggist.
D. H. Hill & W. N. Berry, general merchants.
Frank D. La Tourrett, harness.
John W. Porter, furniture.
George W. and J. Buchannan Norman, known as Norman Bros., general merchants.
George W. Whiteing, butcher.
James A. Toler, saloon and billiards.
Joseph Thorpe & Frank Covert, meat market
John Williams, railway agent.
E. N. Chastain, physician.
E. F. Herndon, physician.
Edward Covert, carpenter.
John W. Fogle, carpenter.
Newton J. Askren, mason and carpenter.

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