Annals of Platte County, Missouri - Paxton
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1840, FEB. 35 COURTS Kelly, Col. Lancaster, Dr. W. M. Macey, Jones H. and J. R. Owen, John S. Porter, Geo. Strouse, Sam'l Paul, W. C. Remington, Shad. B. Taylor, John D. Murray, Jacob Baker. Feb 3 - The first sale of lots in Platte City. Alternate lots were sold. and in June the remainder were offered. Smith Calvert was auctioneer. The lots were sold on the ground, the party going from lot to lot. The weather was favorable. Geo. McAfee was living where the cemetery now is, and had a preemption on the whole quater under the law of 1838. No respect was shown to his rights, and he was too poor to assert them. Lot 1, Block 29, where the post-office is now kept, was sold to G. P. Dorriss for $709. This is the highest price paid for a lot. Bidding was spirited, and the sales of February and June aggregated $20,000. The law appropriarted the proceeds of the lots to the erection of public buildings. Improvements were rapidly constructed and in a few months, there were six dry goods stores and about 400 inhabitants. All trades and professions were represented. Carpenters were in demand. The first brick house erected was J. H. Johnston's store, on Lot 9, Block 25. It still stands. COURTS Feb 23 - The February term of the circuit court was held in the double log cabin on Lots 11 and 12, Block 34. This was bought by the court from Zadock Martin for $100. Until the court house was complete, this house was used for county courts and for preaching. I kept my office there until I built one on Lot 10. Block 24 (the present public square). The next circuit court was held in booth constructed of poles and brush. back of G. P. Dorriss store. Several terms were afterwards held by Judge Atchison in Murray's store, on Lot 8, Block 25. Preaching was held at the latter place. SALE OF 16TH SECTIONS Application were made for the sale of the 16th sections which a Federal law gave to the State for school purposes. Township 54, R. 33, and T. 53, R. 35, were the first to file petitions; and the county court made the orders. These sales passed a good title. The squatter generally got his land. Nearly all the school lands were sold in 1840 and 1841. BANK NOTES The banks, with the exception of the Bank of Missouri, suspended specie payments in 1837, and gold, silver, and Missouri money were demanded for lots and for 16th sections. This State was flooded with Kentucky and Ohio money, which was exchanged for gold at a shave of 5 to 20 per cent. Yet it was currency of the State. Property had three values: 1st, specie; 2d, currency; and 3d, trade or exchange.