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Notwithstanding
the fact that some of the early settlers were energetic
millwrights, who employed all their energy and what
means they possessed, in erecting mills at a few of the
many favorite mill sites which abound in the county, yet
going to mill in those days, when there were no roads,
no bridges, no ferry boats, and scarcely any
conveniences for traveling, was no small task, where so
many rivers and treacherous streams were to be crossed,
and such a trip was often attended with great danger to
the traveler when these streams were swollen beyond
their banks. But even
under these circumstances, some of the more
adventurous and more ingenious ones, in case of
emergency, found the ways and means by which to cross
the swollen stream, and succeed in making the trip. At
other times again, all attempts failed them, and they
were compelled to remain at home until the waters
subsided, and depend on the
enerosity of their fortunate neighbors. Some
stories are related with regard to the danger, perils
and hardships of forced travel to mills, and for
provisions, which remind one of forced marches in
military campaigns, and when we hear of the heroic and
daring conduct of the hardy pioneers in procuring bread
for their loved ones, we think that here were heroes
more valiant than any of the renowned soldiers of
ancient or modern times. During the first two years, and
perhaps not until some time afterward, there was not a
public highway established and worked on which they
could travel; and as the settlers were generally far
apart, and mills and trading points were at great
distances, going from place to place was not only very
tedious, but attended sometimes with great danger. Not a
railroad had yet entered the State, and there was
scarcely a thought in the minds of the people here of
such a thing ever reaching the wild West; and, if
thought of, people had no conception of what a
revolution a railroad and telegraph line through the
county would cause in its progress. Then there was no
railroad in the United States, not a mile of track on
the continent; while now there are over 100,000 miles of
railroad extending their trunks and branches in every
direction over our land. Supplies in those days were
obtained at Hannibal. Mail was carried by horses and
wagon transportation, and telegraph dispatches were
transmitted by the memory and lips of emigrants coming
in or stranger; passing through. The first mill was
built in the county in 1827, and was known as Benj.
Bradley’s mill. At first the mill only ground corn,
which had to be sifted after it was ground, as there
were no bolts in the mill. There was only one run of
buhrs, which, as well as the mill irons, were brought
from St. Louis. They were shipped up the Missouri river.
The mill cost about $50. The mill had no gearing, the
buhrs being located over the wheel, and running with the
same velocity as the wheel. It was a frame mill, one
story high, and had a capacity of 25 bushels a day.
People came from far and near, attracted by the reports
of the completion of the mill, with their grists, so
that, for days before it was ready for work, the creek
bottom was dotted over with hungry and patient men,
waiting until it was ready to do their work, so that
they might return with their meal and flour to supply
their families, and those of their neighbors, thus
enduring the hardships of camp life in those early days
in order that they might be able to secure the simple
necessaries of life, devoid of all luxuries. Bradley’s
mill was located about two miles north-east of Florida.
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