Mattingly, Stephen

60

42 Names

Editor Herald: It is well known that some twenty-five years ago our state legislature, passed an act granting material state aid in the construction of four great trunk railroads through our state, viz. the Hannibal and St. Joe, passing entirely through the state from east to west, the North Missouri from St. Louis continuing in a Northwestern direction to the southern boundary of the state, both on the northern side of the Missouri river; the Pacific running from St. Louis to the western boundary of the state, and the Iron mountain, running from St. Louis to the southwestern boundary of the state, both on the western side of the Missouri river. It is also well known that these four great trunk roads or thorough fares either passed through or contiguous to the borders of about half the counties of our state, but it was of no material benefit to the other half of our counties, though they had an equal share of the burdens to bear, so far as to the state aid that had been granted in their construction, and our Lincoln County happens to be one of the latter, receiving but very partial benefit from the North Missouri. It is also well known that all these counties, whose misfortune it was to get none, or but little benefit from these trunk roads they had helped to build, were anxiously looking around to see what they could do for themselves. And thus it was that our county, as well as some forty or fifty more of our other counties, in the same condition and under the same circumstances undertook to put forth a gigantic effort to not only get a railroad but to get it through the very

It is also well known that at the time this stock was subscribed by our county court to this road, that the ten years of limitation to its charter had very nearly expired, and unless an organization in conformity with its provision were then effected would have very soon expired, and we could at no subsequent time have effected an organization under its provisions, which fact in part, no doubt, had its influence with our county court of that time to subscribe a large amount of stock to the road as no other opportunity seemed o offer in getting a road in any other way. And this county courts of Lincoln and Ralls counties seem to have taken the initiatory steps of subscription of it stock themselves in the expectation that Pike would follow, and St. Charles would in a measure also come to their rescue. It is also well know that at the time this stock was subscribed, money or greenbacks was plenty, and all kinds of farmer’s products were bringing good prices, and county courts are very much like individuals in the management of their business and finances. They are apt to look and. Act accordingly to the times and surrounding circumstances then existing, and they were not at that time expecting such a reversion in the times and shrinkage in our values that we have since witnessed.

Well now, have we not all occasionally known men who would worry and almost wear themselves out with vexation and cost to get rid of a debt rather than pay it, when they would really have saved time and money and character by its payment, or, for, compromise? And is it not the character and good name and fame of counties and states in a measure the same as that of individuals? Can a man any that he will pay no person of the hard earned money loaned us by these people, and perfectly honorable or honest in his individual affairs? Still we see men acting under that view or theory in this case, that we know to the good and true men so far as their own affairs are concerned; but is it right? If so, I fail to see it. It is very true that if we should have this whole debt to pay it would be a great burden upon us, which, with accumulated interest up the present time, is about $310,000, and is about 8 percent on the assessed value of the whole property of this county. Thus it will be seen by each of our taxpayers what his own share of the debt is when he finds out how.

We see from Mr. Cunningham’s letter that he thinks the present time not a favorable by the committee, had been adopted and our money then on hand been applied to liquidation of $58,000 of our Lincoln county bonds, It would have then brought our debt down to $140,000 at 6 percent; which would have been about 31/2 percent on the assessed value of our property, and the annual interest on the debt only $3,5000, which a ¼ to ½ per cent levy would have paid all the interest, and a small proportion of the principal, annually. Of the forty or fifty counties of our state, which contracted large railroad debts like ourselves, most of them have and are paying them off in full; others have compromised with their bondholders at various amounts but generally governed by their amount of indebtedness and

It is quite probable that there have been several speeches made on our bond question by persons who imagined that if they had been in Mr. Cunningham’s place in the trial of these I cases in court, they would have knocked the bowels out of the whole fraternity of these dishonest bondholders at the first pop, but like some other big guns or blunderbusses we have heard of before, the greatest danger is behind them, for it is certain they are missing the mark they think they are firing at, and only diverting our people for a proper, sensible and serious consideration of the grave question before us. We see from Mr. Cunningham’s letter that he thinks the present time not a favorable one to propose a compromise to the bondholders, but let us hope by the 15th of April he will have something better to propose, and that such a compromise may yet be had as we shall be able to accede to, and that quiet may once more reign in our county, and that we be spared from years of litigation, turmoil and wrangle; and if we can’t pay all, let us pay what we can. If we can’t pay 8 per cent on what we have, can’t we pay 31/2 or 5 percent on our property? But before we conclude to wipe out this debt by repudiation, after being declared valid and not a fraud by the courts, let us inquire if we have not many

taxpayers in our county who are the descendants of, and have the blood coursing through their veins of the honored names of such as Jas. Finley, Jas. Reid, David Stewart, Dan’l Kimler, Rob’t B. Allen, Meacon A Shelton, Francis Parker, Charles Wheeler, Henry Martin, Littleton Dryden, and many others of our honored dead, who have gone before us, who, if they could speak from the silent tombs in which their bodies have been laid, would admonish us to beware how we take the labor and sweat of others, though it may be in an unutilized road bed that we have promised to pay for, without just compensation or agreement and compromise of rights. I am not unmindful that the statements of facts and views here given may not, or will not suit the present temper and opinions of a good many of our people, for some people either cannot, or will not, see the side of a thing, when it takes dollars and cents out of their pockets to see it; in fact, it comes so natural to some people that they cannot help closing their eves against it. It is an involuntary act on their part that can’t be helped. But while I think it vastly better to offer our bondholders a fair compromise in payment of our bonds, I am not willing to pay them in full; nor do I believe justice demands it of us. The original holders of these bonds paid, I think, about an average of 87 ½ cents on the dollar for them, and the money they paid for them was worth at the time about 85 cents on the dollar. They can, and will make very material reduction the mark they think we be spared from years of litigation, turmoil and wrangle; and if we can’t pay all, let us pay what we can. If we can’t pay 8 per cent on what we they are firing at, and only diverting our people for a proper, sensible and serious consideration of the grave question before us. in both principal and interest on them. And when the fair thing is offered them and they refuse to take it, it is then time enough for us to buckle on our armor for the combat, and then I am with you, but not until then. The compromise proposed by Mr. Cunningham to be settled in renewal bonds at 65 cents on the dollar, bearing 6 per cent,

Henry T. Mudd

H.T.M.

Editors Free Press: My article published in the Herald, 20th March, in which I took somewhat in general review of the whole matter of our county bonded indebtness has brought a number of letters of approval, as well also as verbal; and indeed, I may say I have met with no one that disputes its correctness. And among which will be found the two, following letters, form two of our most respected former fellow citizens of this county, and as they are both gentlemen whose opinions I would prize very highly, and not here now mixing up in our present troubles. I will take the privilege to publish them. The first is from Mr. J.P. Blanton, of Mexico, Mo., late Professor and teacher to the high school at Troy. And the other from Doctor N.G.Leake, who practiced his profession at, and near Millwood for many years, as well as being a farmer and stock raiser to a considerable extent, and owning some 150 acres of farming land on the West Prairie, but went back to Kentucky some years ago, and, is now engaged in Merchandising and farming, both, as also the practice of his profession, of which he is considered far in advance of mediocrity, as well as a gentleman of the fine sense, purity of character, and doubtless has many old friends here in this part of our county that will be pleased to hear from him as one of their old and much esteemed friends

Suppose money was worth less now than when the bonds were sold, is there a man in Lincoln county who would, be willing to reverse that theory. I am on of those who believe that states, counties and corporations should have no more privileges than individuals when it comes to repudiating solemn obligations. I am very sorry the people of Lincoln, my ever to be remembered

N.G. LEAKE

A very destructive fire resulting in the loss of Mr. James Edwin Mudd’s dwelling house, together with his kitchen, meat house, hen house and buggy house, occurred on Tuesday last destroying every house on his place except his stable, which fortunately was a little too far away for the flame to reach.

The cause from which the fire originated cannot be fully determined. A fire had been kept in the lower fire place of one of the chimneys during the day and as the fire was first discovered between the ceiling of one of the upper rooms and the top of the roof it is supposed that from burning soot some fire or sparks passed through some defect or opening in the chimney and ignited to some light fragments of wood near by.

Mr. Edwin was at Millwood attending a sale when it occurred, and no persons at home but his wife in bed with a young baby 8 days old and Miss Annie Chandler, a young woman living with them, and when the fire was first discovered by them and seeing no means at hand to extinguish it, Mrs. Mudd sent Annie to Mr. Wm. Riley’s, their nearest neighbor to give the alarm, in the meantime putting her baby in a safe place and almost forgetting her delicate situation, went systematically to work with all her strength to save all such things as lay in her power. Annie being the first to return almost breathless to her relief put in her best efforts also.

Mr. Riley being also from home, Mrs. Riley sent her daughter to Mr. Hickerson’s, a mile or more away, where she knew there were a lot of hands collected, her husband among them at a log rolling; she making her best speed to Mr. Cons. Mudd’s. Cons being at his school and his brother Albert at Hickerson’s. Mrs. Riley, Mrs. C. Mudd and Miss Shelbie Moore ran with all possible haste to the burning building, rendering most valuable service in saving every thing in

their power. But the large new piano in their parlor with many other valuable things with all the efforts of these heroic ladies were considered doomed to the fiery elements. But lo and behold! Hickerson and his stalwart men are seen in the distance; they and Miss Riley had lost no time in covering space; axes are had and the door facings cut away leading to the hall, as also the outer door and a part of the staircase, and the piano as well as some other things are still saved. A few moments more and the dwelling and all its little surrounding buildings with a considerable of the paling and plank fence lie a burning mass on the ground. Edwin not hearing of his misfortune in time to reach home until it was too late to render any assistance Accidents like this are certainly to be dreaded. Indeed are more or less appalling to behold, but when it is considered that so much was saved and the young wife in so delicate a situation passed through such an ordeal for near half an hour alone in rescuing those things always dear to a good wife, in safety, it is still pleasant to know the misfortunes were not still greater.

Although many things of value were saved, the loss is a heavy one; they lost all their meat and other provisions on hand, one bed and bedding and other things upstairs that could not be reached, cook stove, side saddle, fine shot gun, valuable tools, two bureaus, many articles of clothing and other things which together with the buildings would make total loss upwards of a thousand dollars. Edwin and his good wife have the sympathy of many friends who are glad to learn that he is already taking active steps to rebuild.

MILLWOOD, Mo., Jan 30, 1880

At our special request, President Perkins permits us to publish the following letter from Judge Mudd:

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MILLWOOD MO. FEB. 20^th 1880

Mr. H.W. PERKINS: I have not been able to attend the late meetings or take any active part in the matter, but am pleased to see the prospects of the Lincoln County Agricultural and Mechanical Fair a little "sorter" booming at last; and am for a fact expecting to be on hand next fall with my whole family.

And, although I have partly forgotten some of their names, I am in hopes to meet the same old committee we had in the tent at our stock sales last fall, and in fact I could name a good many other old fellows as well as the ex and present county judges I met there before and would like to meet again.

And finally I would like to meet the bone and sinew of the county with sons and daughters there; and, with this hope and expectation in view, you will please add my name to the list for four shares of stock.

Yours Respy.