Goodspeed’s 1889 History of Jerico

In 1889, Goodspeed Publishing Co. of Chicago published its
History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton Counties, Missouri. It was the latest in a string of local history books it was churning out to feed hot demand. Tens of thousands of similar books were being sold on a subscription basis throughout the Midwest, with Goodspeed being a leading publisher of the genre.

The Cedar County section of History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton Counties, Missouri, includes a profile of Jerico, then six years old and nearing 500 people. It is the source document for much of what we know of early Jerico.

Goodspeed relied heavily on public records, supplemented by the work of local people, often including the town’s newspaper editor. The goal of its books, the publishers said, was “to gather and preserve, in attractive form, the enormous fund of perishing occurrence while fresh with the evidence of truth.”

Following is the Jerico section from History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton Counties, Missouri . The book, which includes a history of Missouri, is available free as an ebook.

JERICO SPRINGS.

Geographically Jerico is in the southwest corner of Benton Township, 22 miles northeast of Lamar, 16 miles east of Sheldon, 30 miles southeast of Nevada, and 16 miles southwest of Stockton, the county seat, being thus admirably located to derive the full benefit of trade from choice sections of Vernon, Dade, Barton and Cedar counties.

How the Springs Became Noted.— The history of these famous springs is by no means a small part of tradition. Long years ago the Indians visited Jerico, and in their untutored way, endeavored to utilize the water’s curative properties by burying themselves in the mud, which they would also make into poultices and apply to the affected parts. Joseph B. Carrico, who is the oldest settler in this section, relates many instances of the cures effected by this primitive method of treatment, the healing virtues of the springs having made such an impression upon the red men, that what is now Jerico became their Mecca. In time, accounts of the wonderful springs made their way east, and in 1857, Dr. Bass, of St. Louis, visited the spot, and began a series of experiments which, in i860, resulted in a determination on his part to establish a hospital there. The Civil War broke out, however, and the Doctor, having entered the service, became rich, and consequently abandoned a scheme which would have resulted in so much benefit to humanity.

Town Site— Additions — Incorporation.— Mr. D. G. Stratton immigrated to Cedar County from Illinois a few years ago. Shortly after arriving his attention was called to the springs, and their waters suggested as a remedy for a chronic affection from which he suffered. Skeptical at first, he finally tried them, and was delighted when a complete cure was effected. Having satisfied himself, by watching the experience of other invalids, that the springs unquestionably possessed great medicinal properties, Mr. Stratton bought the tract of ground containing them, and laid out a town site. On the 9th day of June, 1882, the first nail was driven in Jerico. Lots sold rapidly. In 1883 the town site was extended by the laying out of Stratton & Bradley’s east addition. In 1883 and 1884 Stratton’s west addition, Stratton’s south addition and Stratton’s fourth addition were laid out.

Jerico Springs was incorporated as a village March 5, 1883. Its boundaries were thus defined: ” Beginning at the southeast corner of the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 9, Township 33, Range 28; thence running north one-half mile to the northeast corner of the southwest quarter of southeast quarter of Section 4; thence running west one-half mile to the northwest corner of the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter of said Section 4; thence south one-half mile to the southwest corner of the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter of said Section 9; thence east one-half mile to the beginning.” J. B. Carrico, J. P. Brasher, M. W. Mitchell, George Wallace and A. C. Utterback were appointed the first board of trustees. The present town board consists of R. D. Shumate, R. F. Cross, M. B. Reynolds, J. M. Grisham and Josiah Six.

Early and Present Merchants.— The first general store here was opened by James A. Cogle, who was succeeded by James A. Cogle & Co., and that firm, in turn, by James A. Cogle & Sons. Another early store was opened by Hood Shumate; still others by James Rogers & Co., Legg & Heiter and Clayton & Co. Stratton & Lakey early opened a drug store. The following-named merchants were doing business in Jerico Springs in the early part of 1889: Robert Cooper, J. R. Duncan, Pickett & Herman, J. H. Shumate & Co., Stratton & Lakey, R. H. Swaim & Co., Shumate & Patterson, Wimer Bros. & Co., J. B. Carrico, J. H. Clayton, J. A. Cogle & Sons, Peer & Brown.

Items of History.— The name Jerico is the result of a combination of the name of ancient Jericho with the name of Joseph B. Carrico, a former owner of the tract of land on which the town is built. In the beginning, to induce settlement here, Mr. Stratton donated many lots to persons who would build on them. The first building on the site of the new town was the R. B. Clark residence, which was moved from its former location on the farm of C. E. Whitsitt, west of the town. The second was the Jerico House, since converted into the A. Starkey residence. These two buildings served as hotels until others were erected. Mr. Peer put up the United States Hotel in 1882. The Neumann House was built in 1883. The first bath buildings were constructed in 1883, by D. G. Stratton and M. J. Straight. The flouring mill of Hartsock & Son was built in 1882. It has since passed to other owners. Williams & Legg established a fruit evaporator in 1886.

“The Fountain of Youth” is the name given to the springs at Jerico by Mr. Stratton.

The Hartley Banking Company was organized by J. E. Hartley in March, 1884. It has a paid-up capital of $11,000. Its first officers were: A. M. Pyle, president; J. P. Brasher, vice president; John D. Porter, cashier; and the directors, A. M. Pyle, M. B. Loy, J. P. Brasher, J. F. Baston, James Potter. Its present officers are: A. M. Pyle, president; J. B. Carrico, vice-president; B. L. Brasher, cashier. The directors are: A. M. Pyle, J. B. Carrico, J. P. Brasher, William Hill, Thomas Brasher.

Fraternities.—Bear Lodge No.447,1. O. O. F., was organized February 6, 1884, by Samuel L. Kerr. Its charter members were: J. H. Shumate, R. D. Shumate, J. B. Brasher, E. G. Ashford, J. H. Adalmeyer, J. M. Thompson, Josiah Six, Vann Jameson. The officers were: J. H. Shumate, N. G.; J. M. Thompson, V. G.; E. G. Ashford, secretary; J. H. Adalmeyer, treasurer. The present noble grand is Josiah Six; the present secretary, J. H. Shumate. The lodge has its own brick hall.

Jerico Lodge No. 340, A. F. & A. M., was organized under dispensation on May 1, 1884, with the following charter members: G. W. Musgrave, W. B. Carrico, J. H. Shumate, W. R. Hall, W. L. Ragan, William Hull, C. W. Brownlee. W. T. Shaw, T. G. Walker, W. F. Mitchell, C. C. Cantrell, J. H. Arnold, M. W. Mitchell, John Baker, Joseph Sharp, J. E. Hardman, S. P. Collins, B. C. Bull. The organization was effected May 10, 1884, by James M. Travis, D. D. G. M. The successive worshipful masters have been: G. W. Musgrave, 1884; W. R. Hall, 1885; W. B. Carrico, 1886; J. P. Brasher, 1887; John Armstrong, 1888; J. P. Brasher, 1889. James A. Cogle is secretary. The lodge owns a fine brick hall.

Captain J. H. Painter Post No. 90, G. A. R., was mustered in June, 1883, by Captain Emery, and the following officers were elected: J. H. Adalmeyer, P. C.; John F. Brown, S. V. C; J. R. Deardorff, J. V. C.; John O. Welch, O. D.; O. R. Beard, O. G.; H. B. Willman, Q. M.; James A. Cogle, Adjt.; J. McLeod, S. M.; J. L. Schofield, Q. M. S. The charter members were: J. H. Adalmeyer, J. R. Haines, Joseph Potts, G. M. Clark, James A. Cogle, G. W. Powell, H. B. Willman, Alfred S. Carender, O. R. Beard, F. Ward, I. Bayles, J. R. Deardorff, J. F. Brown, Robert Reynolds, Fred Solomon, John O. Welch, J. McLeod, J. F. Thornton, J. L. Schofield. The officers for 1879 were: James A. Cogle, P. C.; John F. Brown, S. V. C.; E. Birksy, J. V. C.; J. C. Grant, P. S.; O. R. Beard, O. D.; Levi Ellis, O. G.; John W. Dodds, Q. M.; W. O. Wood, Q. M. S.; J. R. Haines, Adjt.

Gen. A. J. Smith Camp No. 54, Sons of Veterans, Division of Missouri, was mustered July 25, 1887, with the following members: A. M. Brown, Bennett Solomon, R. O. Crawford, W. A. Grant, Charles Watson, E. F. Thornton, J. M. Boyel, O. H. Bayles, J. A. Crawford, William E. Grant.