of Worth County met and organized in the town of Oxford on the 4th day of March, 1861.
The original entries in reference thereto are as follows:
SMITHTON, March 4, 1861. The County Court of Worth County met according to an act organizing the County of Worth. Present--Adam BLACK, William MILLIGAN and Andrew McELVAIN, Judges, and Jacob A ULMER, Coroner and Acting Sheriff, pro tem. After which it is ordered that court adjourn till first Monday in April, 1861. ADAM BLACK, P.J.
Court met again April 1, 1861, when the following proceedings were had:
"Ordered by the court that Adam BLACK be appointed presiding justice of the county court of Worth County.
John PATTON presented his bond as collector of the revenue for Worth County
The clerk was ordered to issue four blank merchant license.
M. M. ROCKWELL applies for a license as a dramshop keeper, in the town of Oxford, which was allowed.
Henry HARMON asked to have a change made in the road leading from Fairview to Eagleville. B. C. HOPEWELL, Laban G. JONES and John S. SIMPSON were appointed commissioners to made said change.
Cumberland Wall wanted the road in district number twelve, in Greene Township changed, and John B. GRIFFIN and G. FARMINGTON were appointed commissioners to make the change.
Laban G. JONES and Lawrence DRY were appointed justices of the peace for Allen Township.
John PATTON presented his account for the sum of $19, for services as sheriff; W. W. THORNTON presented his account for the sum of $4, for services as circuit court clerk.
C. E. SWARTHOUT made application to have a road changed which led from the north end of Uriah WELLS' lane, by way of Smithton, to the Iowa line in the direction of Mount Ayr, and Caleb S. CANADAY, Elias G. WEIGART and A. P. CADLE were appointed commissioners to view said road and make the necessary change.
James BRITTAIN asked to be released from serving as road overseer of District No. 17, which was accordingly done, and William COLE was appointed in his place.
John G. STEWART was released from serving as road overseer in District No. 1, Fletchall Township, and Benjamin DRUMMINS was appointed in his place.
Jasper COFFEY was appointed school commission; Daniel COX county treasurer, P. R. CADLE, county court clerk and W. S. HUDSON, county surveyor.
The above constituted the business of the court the first Monday in April, 1861. Court me again on the following day (Tuesday) and transacted the following business:
Daniel COX, P. R. CADLE and W. S. HUDSON presented their bonds, which were accepted and approved.
Caleb S. CANADAY was appointed count seat commissioner for Worth County.
Thomas S. FRAME was appointed a commissioner on the part of Worth County to settle with the county of Gentry.
Court adjourned to first Monday in May, 1861.
On the first day of July, 1861, the order appointing Thomas S. FRAME commissioner to settle with Gentry County was revoked, and Richard S. COFFEY was appointed in his place.
On the 5th day of August, 1861, the commissioner, Richard S. COFFEY, reported in reference to the settlement made with Gentry County, as follows:
For revenue received and collected off of the citizens of Worth County, for county purposes, by taxation, or on property situate in the County of Worth, and on license, $11,370.70.
Amount of expenditures paid by Gentry County for the use and benefit of Worth County while attached to Gentry County, $6,979.03.
Amount yet due and owning the County of Worth by the County of Gentry, after deducing all expenses incurred by said County of Gentry, $4,395.67.
John M. RUBY was allowed the sum of six hundred dollars fro transcribing the deeds and other instruments of writing from the records of Gentry County, for Worth County.
The final settlement between Gentry and worth Counties was made during the year 1867, in the month of January. That settlement is as follows:
"Comes herein, Thomas F. COLLINS, Commissioner, and submits the following report, to wit:
To the Hon. County Court of Worth County, Greeting: Your commissioner appointed to made a final settlement with Gentry County of the revenue collected from Worth County prior to the division of said counties, beg leave to submit the following statement of the said settlement, viz:
Amount found due Worth County by first settlement of your first commission, $4,395.67.
Amounts paid Worth County at sundry times between said first settlement and Third of September, 1866, $3,154.95.
Amount of Worth County warrants bought up between the said day of September A.D., 1866, and the Seventh day of January, A.D., 1867, $1,150.61.
Amount of Gentry County county warrants drawn in favor of Worth County, $90.11.
Total amount of receipts from Gentry County, $4,395.67.
Being a full and final settlement and pay off of the amount of revenue due on said first settlement, according to the books of the record of Gentry County, and excluding all interest on Worth County warrants accruing after taken up by the said county of Gentry. All of which is respectfully submitted to be entered of record of a full and final settlement of the revenue aforesaid, due Worth County, subject to the correction of any errors that may be discovered on the part of either of said counties.
Respectfully submitted, T. H. COLLINS, County Commission of Worth County.
The first term of the circuit court within and for the County of Worth, was held in the town of Smithton, beginning on the 28th day of March, 1861, Hon. James McFARRAN presiding as judge. John PATTON was the sheriff, Westley, W. WHORNTON, clerk, and W.G. LEWIS, prosecuting attorney.
George W. LEWIS, M. Gordon RUBY, C. W. MATTOX, Charles H. BENETT and J. M. RUBY were enrolled as practicing attorneys.
The names of the men composing the first grand jury were as follows: L. J. JONES, J. E. CADLE, Adam BLACK, Daniel COX, Elias G. WIEGART, Levi YATES, John FLETCHALL, Warner WALKER, A. P. CAVIS, Simeon WILLHITE, Thomas HOWELL, M. M. ROCKWELL, Leonard BOWERS, Samuel ADAMS, A. CUNNINGHAM, Eli G. SHANER and William RAY. L. G. JONES was appointed foreman.
The first indictment was against Robert McCOY. The record in the case is as follows: "Now at this time, comes the grand jury and returns here into court an indictment against Robert McCOY, for obtaining goods under false pretenses, endorsed a true bill, and signed by L. G. JONES, foreman. Robert McCOY being brought into court by the sheriff, and being unable to employ counsel, the court assigned George W. LEWIS and C. W. MATTOX as his attorneys."
The first case tried in the circuit court was The State against Robert McCOY, charged with obtaining goods under false pretenses. David SPENCER, William GRACE, C. M. HUNT, Benjamin BARNES, George W. REED, I. N. RAYBURN, H. L. HATCH, James BRITTAIN, A. C. STANLEY, Andrew WALKER, William HARRIS and William CLANCY, constituted the jury that tried the case.
The verdict of the jury was as follows:
"The state against Robert McCOY.
Now at this time, comes the jury and returns into court the following verdict: We, the jury find the defendant, Robert McCOY, guilty in manner and form as charged in the within indictment, and assess his punishment at ninety days imprisonment in the county jail, and a fine of fifty dollars. H. L. HATCH, Foreman."
The first case upon the civil docket was William HUTCHINS against Elihu H. HUNT and Jonathan H. HUNT.
The first instrument recorded after the organization of the county was the following:
This deed, made and entered into this the seventeenth day of October, in the year of Our Lord eighteen hundred and fifty nine, by and between Aquilla COMBS and Sarah S. COMBS, the wife of the said Aquilla COMBS, of the county of DeKalb, and State of Missouri, of the first Part, and Lawrence DOY, of the county of Gentry, and State of Missouri, of the second part, witness; that the said parties of the first part for and consideration of the sum of three hundred and fifty dollars, to them in hand paid by the said party of the second part, the receipt whereof is hereby confessed and acknowledged, have given, granted, bargained and sold, and by these presents do give, grant, bargain, sell, convey and confirm unto the said party of the second part, and to his heirs and assigns forever, a certain tract, piece or parcel of land, lying and being in the County of Gentry, and State of Missouri, to wit: Commencing at the northeast corner of John HAYS' land, thence east five rods; thence south sixteen rods; thence west five rods' thence north sixteen rods, to the place of beginning, it being on the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section thirty-three, in township sixty-six, of range thirty. To have and to hold the said tract, piece or parcel of land, with all the privileges and appurtenances thereto belonging or in any way appertaining unto him, the party of the second part, and to their heirs, executors and administrators, doth covenant and agree that they will warrant and forever defend the title to the said tract, piece or parcel of land, and every part thereof, unto him the said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns, against the lawful claim or claims of every person whomsoever.
In testimony whereof, the said party of the first part have herewith set their hands and seals the day and year first herein written.
AQUILLA COMBS, [SEAL.]
SARAH S. COMBS, [SEAL.]
STATE OF MISSOURI,
COUNTY OF DEKALB, ss.
Be it remembered that on the seventeenth day of October in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and fifty-nine before me the undersigned Notary Public within and for the county aforesaid, personally appeared Aquilla COMBS and Sarah S. COMBS, his wife, who are personally known to me to \be the persons whose names are subscribed to the foregoing and within deed as parties thereto, and severally acknowledged the same to be their act and deed for the uses and purposes therein mentioned; and the said Sarah S. COMBS being by me first made acquainted with the contents of said deed, and examined separate and apart from her said husband, acknowledged on such examination that she executed the same and relinquished her dower in the real estate therein mentioned freely and without compulsion or under influences of said husband.
In testimony whereof, I, D. M. McDONALD, notary public aforesaid, have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal at office in Stewartsville, on the day and year aforesaid.
D. M. McDONALD, Notary Public
Filed April 15, 1861.
The following are the earliest marriages which have been recorded in the county since its organization:
This is to certify that Nathan LAMB and Pernetta MASSBORGA were united
in matrimony by the undersigned, justice of the peace, on the 27th day
of January, 1861. CALVIN B. HARTWELL. Filed March 30, 1861.
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STATE OF MISSOURI,)
COUNTY OF WORTH.) ss.
I, D. C. WOODRUFF, a justice of the peace within and for the County
of Worth aforesaid (formerly a part of Gentry), hereby certify that I united
in the bonds of matrimony Mr. Farris BENNETT and Miss Lourena J. KELLY,
the former of Nebraska Territory, and the latter of this county. Given
under my hand this February 4, 1861. D. C. WOODRUFF, J. P. Filed April
16, 1861.
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STATE OF MISSOURI,)
COUNTY OF WORTH.) ss.
This is to certify that I, Alexander NICKERSON, did solemnize matrimony
between Peter H. BRAGG and Mehala Jane FLETCHALL, on the 5th day of March,
1861. ALEXANDER NICKERSON, Minister of the Gospel. Filed May 6, 1861
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STATE OF MISSOURI,)
COUNTY OF WORTH.) ss.
This is to certify that I did, on the 10th day of March, 1861, join
together Joseph H. LAFAVER and Laura PARKER by marriage, at the house of
Mr. SWARTOULE, in Worth County, Missouri. GEORGE FLETCHALL, J.P. Filed
May 6, 1861
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STATE OF MISSOURI,)
COUNTY OF WORTH.) ss.
This is to certify that I, H. P. KELLOGG, a licensed minister of the
United Baptist Church, did, on the first day of March, 1861, solemnize
the rites of matrimony between Edward HALLETT and Martha Ann ROBERTS. Given
under my hand and seal this March 1, 1861. H. P. KELLOGG. [SEAL.] Filed
May 25, 1861.
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STATE OF MISSOURI,)
COUNTY OF WORTH.) ss.
This is to certify that I united in the bonds of matrimony Jesse WEIGART
and Labetha J. BLACK, on the 28th day of April, 1861. Both of the county
and state aforesaid. ADAM BLACK, Justice of the County Court. Filed May
29, 1861.
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STATE OF MISSOURI,)
COUNTY OF WORTH.) ss.
I hereby certify that the undersigned, justice of the peace, within
and for the county and state aforesaid, did join Aaron ZINK and Matilda
DAVIDSON together in marriage on the 2d day of June, 1861. All of Worth
County, State of Missouri. C.S. CANADAY, J.P.
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STATE OF MISSOURI,)
COUNTY OF WORTH.) ss.
I hereby certify that I solemnized the rites of matrimony between Miron
BARTON and Eliza Jane LOVEWELL, on the 3rd day of July, 1861. Both of the
County of Ringgold and State of Iowa. WILLIAM O. CLARK, Elder of the Church
of God. Filed July 4, 1861.
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STATE OF MISSOURI,)
COUNTY OF WORTH.) ss.
I hereby certify that I solemnized the rites of matrimony between Jesse
B. GRIFFIN and Mary Rachel HARRIS, on the 16th of April, 1861. Both of
the county and state aforesaid. WILLIAM O. CLARK, Elder of the Church of
God. Filed July 4, 1861
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STATE OF MISSOURI,)
COUNTY OF WORTH.) ss.
I, the undersigned; hereby certify that I solemnized the rites of matrimony
between John HOUTZ and Melvina HARPER, both of the county and state aforesaid,
on the 19th of April, 1861. W. L. NEAL, J.P. Filed July 4, 1861.
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STATE OF MISSOURI,)
COUNTY OF WORTH.) ss.
I, William Lewis, a justice of the peace, within and for Worth County,
do hereby certify that I joined together in the bonds of matrimony James
MORRIS and Rebecca DANIELS, on the fourteenth day of July, 1861. WILLIAM
LEWIS, J.P. Filed September 2, 1861.
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This is to certify that the undersigned did on the 20th day of June,
1861, unite in the bonds of matrimony George Washington SPOONEMORE and
Nancy Jane RIDENOUR, both of the County of Worth and State of Missouri.
ALFRED CRANK, October 11, 1861
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