Annals of Platte County, Missouri - Paxton
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7 STEAMBOATS. from what was called lost rock, or boulders. The wheel was the old-style utter wheel. A horse mill had previously been erected near Liberty by Tillery, but Smiths was the tirst, in Clay, run by water power. It was a matter of immense interest, and half of the people of (lay attended the raising. In 1827, Mr. Smith cut from lost rock" a pair of 3}-foot stones. and bolts were added to the mill. Thus the first tlour mill arose in Clay and was a great convenience. I patronized these mills for a number of years and used dark but wholesome bread. STEA )1 E NS. The Western Engineer, with a corps of topographical sur- veyors, reached Old Franklin May 19, 1.819, and went up as high as Chariton. returning the 22d of May. The people were intensely excited, and Old Franklin was ablaze witl1 gunpowder. In 1819, Clay County received its rst pioneers. and, the same year. a por- tion of the land was surveyed. MISSOIIRI -I))Il"TED. Jlurch 0, ]8.2UCongress passes the Compromise Bill, ad- mitting Missouri. The (jonstitutional Assembly met in St. Louis, and assented to the terms of admission. August 10, 1821, President Monroe recognized Missouri as a State. The rst gov ernor of the State was Alexander Mt-lair. He was elected in August. 1820. His successor, Frederick Bates, was elected in Au~ gust 182-1. John Miller succeeded. December 8, 1824. and was followed. in November. 1822, by Daniel Dunklin. In November, 1836. Lilburn XV. Boggs became governor. and was followed. in November, 1840. by Thomas Reynolds. This completes the list down to the rst general election in Platte County. OLA Y (OUNTY. In 1822, Clay was organi/.ed. It extended north to the Iowa line. The same year, Liberty was made the county seat. Feb- ruary 11. 1822. the rst county court was held at the house of John Owens. in Liberty. John Thornton. Elisha Cameron. and James Gilmore were Judges: William L. Smith. County Clerk; and John Harris. Sheriff. A1({)ll8t 5. ]822The first election was held in Clay County. in a booth at Liberty. December 9. ]8;2.28t. Louis is incorporated. 1824. Commissioners are appointed to locate and open a road to Santa Fe. 1825. April 29Lafayette is in St. Louis. Vestport is the starting- point for Santa Fe. Kansas City was then known as Westport Landing. Steamboats commence to make occasional trips up the Missouri. One or two reach Liberty Landing. each season.