Annals of Platte County, Missouri - Paxton
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1874, Nov. 588 R. D. JOHNSTON The county clerk, Park, paid into the county treasury $558 over a.nd above the sum allowed him by law. Nov. 16 - Weather - A good rain, followed by snow and cold weather. Weston voted aid for the furniture factory. Col. J. A. Price and W. B. Watts have a spicy correspondence in the Advocate. CAPTAIN ROBERT DAVIS JOHNSTON. Nov. 21 Capt. Robert Davis Johnston died at Platte City. Born in Harrison County, Ky., November 30, 1802, removed to Indiana, and thence, in 1842, to Platte. I-n company with John Lewis, he opened a dry goods store; after a few years, he formed a. partnership with James H. Johns-ton in the same business. They prospered and he started the new house of R. D. Johnston & Son (R. Mat Johnston), which did alarge business until the war. But all the stores at that day did a credit business, and asked their cu-stomers to settle but once a year. The rm had borrowed money of the farmers, and expected to pay their debts by the proceeds of their sales: But, in 1862, they had to quit business. Seeing failure inevitable, funds were collected, and R. Mat John- ston was sent west to try his fortune in the Colorado mines, but he lost all and returned. They settled up as far as the remain- ing assets would go. When the Pawpaw militia was organized. R. D. Johnston was selected to command a company at Platte City; but, in J uly, 1861, his men deserted to the Coinfederate army, and left him without support. He became deputy recorder under Tufts. and died in this position. Capt. Johnston married. rst, in Indiana. Hrs. Johnston died in 1844, and December 13. 18-16, he married Nancy Hartman. born March 7. 1825. daughter of Esquire Henry Hartman. of Platte C-ity. After his second marriage, he purchased 160 acres of fertile land. two miles east of Platte City, on the road to Liberty, and built a large brick house upon it. In 1870 this farm was sold for 5liS.()U0. His wife. by a separate contract. sold her dower. and with the proceeds built the house i11 Platte C-ity now belonging to (i.arrardC.l1esnut. Capt. Johnston never received pay for his services as captain of (}o1npany A. 82d Regiment. Enrolled Missouri Militia. though in active service for ten months. A court-martial inquired into his (-ondmc-t, and discliarged him. He was elected. and served a term in the Missouri House of Representatives; went to Califor- nia in 184.), and again in 1.953. Mrs. Nancy Johnston still lives. sujnl1111i11g with her children. Capt. Johnstons children by his first wife were: I. R. MAT JOHNSTON, married Hannah A. Hartman, dr. of Esquire Henry Hartman