Annals of Platte County, Missouri - Paxton
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1837 2 SOCIETY. LU always, like the bean-vine, follows the sun in twisting. An im- provement on the bar-share was the Cary plow, and the next advance was the Diamond plow. A story was told on an old farmer. who had always used the bar-share. A friend prevailed on him to try the Diamond plow. After a days work, he re- turned the plow. saying: It wont last a week; for it has already turned as bright as a dollar. The top of a bushy tree was the ordinary harrow. and wheat was cut with the sickle or the cradle. Oxen were used for all kinds of farm-work. Wagons were made by the carpenter. and ironed by the blacksmith. SOCIETY. The settlers had come from all States and countries. Each brought the arts. skill, and acquirements of his old home. Society, as a whole. has never been better. Every trade and profession was represented. Each one contributed something to the general fund of knowledge. Society was not divided into classes and circles. Each was esteemed according to his merit. No one was arrogant from wealth. and none cast out from poverty. Family distinctions were unknown. People were genial and social. All were on a level. RELIGION. Hardshell Baptists were the leading denomination. Their log churches. built in the form of a cross. were found in every settlement. They were an excellent people. but their ministers were not educated. and were seldom paid. The Missionary Bap~ tists. Cumberland Presbyterians. Methodists. and Disciples divided the people. They preached in the log schoolhouses and in camp-grounds. No churches were built for ten years after the -minty was settled. MILITI A. In the fall of 1837 the State Militia was organized in the county. L. Leonard was appointed major-general. and Wm. B. .lmond hrigadier-general. The 77th Regiment was commanded by (ol. Fielding .rrnes: H. L. Wilkerson was major. and Lewis .urni-s adjutant: Jas. Bradley was drum major. and John A. \hit(-. D. D. Bnrnes. and others were captains. The 78th Regi- ment was -ommanded by (olonel H. D. Oden. with John Mulligan us lim.m-n:m1--alone]. and John Boulware. Jas. Lilliard. and ntllt-IS as (-aptains. Drilling. musters. and reviews were grand m~-asmns. SIIlLIES FOR FT. LEAVE.WORTH. lrior to 1545-17. and for ve or six years after the opening of llatt~. (lay (ounty fllll1lSl1P(l the supplies for the Fort. Thos. (hwrlnn was the largest contractor for (-0111. bacon. and beeves. When the .lr.ir-an Var comnient-ed. there was great demand for