Long ago on independence square (Kansas City, Columbia: broker, specialists, to buy)

[WCHS'59]

Very few people know his name but many people associated with Independence history do know what he was and what his main historical accomplishment was. More or less, that one main historical accomplishment can still be seen today if one knows where to look.

He came with others from Virginia around 1824 and settled in what was to become Jackson County. He was an extremely good shot and put much food on the table. For three years after arriving in Jackson County, he provided deer, turkeys, prairie chickens, wild geese, quail, and squirrel for family consumption because there was little domestic meat available during this time. When he was called upon to do so, he was also an Indian fighter.

He was outstanding with a broad axe and many years later he would acknowledge that there was only one other man in Jackson County who could out do him with an axe and that lone man was Judge Russell Hicks of the state district court in Jackson County.

A lesser known local accomplishment of his was the creation of an eighty foot tall oak sign post for the owner of the Nebraska Hotel on the northwest corner of Main and Rock Street, where the Clinton “Drug Store” is today. His pay for this accomplishment was a new hat and shoes from a general store plus several free drinks at a local saloon.

Unfortunately, this post lasted only until just after the Civil War and then only because this particular handiwork was viewed as no longer needed by new owners. The tall post was taken down and sawed into gate posts for the Ralston Farm, part of which is where Hill Park is today.

In Jackson County, he worked for thirty years for the same man and when that man died, he labored for a man who operated a grist and sawmill on property that would eventually become Fairmount Park.

His date of death and burial place is unknown.

What was this man’s full name and what was his historical accomplishment?

[Mad Anthonie]

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

I think I guessed Hayward and Kiger once before but it turned out to be Kiger and Walnut, I think.

Half-wrong twice!

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

Very few people know his name but many people associated with Independence history do know what he was and what his main historical accomplishment was. More or less, that one main historical accomplishment can still be seen today if one knows where to look.

He came with others from Virginia around 1824 and settled in what was to become Jackson County. He was an extremely good shot and put much food on the table. For three years after arriving in Jackson County, he provided deer, turkeys, prairie chickens, wild geese, quail, and squirrel for family consumption because there was little domestic meat available during this time. When he was called upon to do so, he was also an Indian fighter.

He was outstanding with a broad axe and many years later he would acknowledge that there was only one other man in Jackson County who could out do him with an axe and that lone man was Judge Russell Hicks of the state district court in Jackson County.

A lesser known local accomplishment of his was the creation of an eighty foot tall oak sign post for the owner of the Nebraska Hotel on the northwest corner of Main and Rock Street, where the Clinton “Drug Store” is today. His pay for this accomplishment was a new hat and shoes from a general store plus several free drinks at a local saloon.

Unfortunately, this post lasted only until just after the Civil War and then only because this particular handiwork was viewed as no longer needed by new owners. The tall post was taken down and sawed into gate posts for the Ralston Farm, part of which is where Hill Park is today.

In Jackson County, he worked for thirty years for the same man and when that man died, he labored for a man who operated a grist and sawmill on property that would eventually become Fairmount Park.

His date of death and burial place is unknown.

What was this man’s full name and what was his historical accomplishment?

According to W.Z. Hickman, author of The History of Jackson County (1920) the answer is:

Sam Shepherd—slave of James Shepherd. Sam the slave built the 1827 courthouse at 107 west Kansas hewing the four sided logs and also made the four sided Nebraska Hotel sign post from an eighty foot oak tree.




Some historical discrepancies:

According to the Union Historical Society’s History of Jackson County (1881) Daniel Lewis won the first courthouse contract with a low bid of $150. James Shepherd’s contract offer was $180. Bids ranged from $150 to $190.

W.Z. Hickman’s History of Jackson County says in one section that Daniel Lewis won the first courthouse contract and in another section says it was James Shepherd who won the contract and provides the information on Sam Shepherd. In yet another section he says Sam'l P. Lewis won the first courthouse contract.

A couple of web sites say that for forty years the 1827 courthouse was the only courthouse standing between Independence and the Pacific Ocean. The 1827 courthouse was replaced in 1831 and again in 1836. It may have been that for forty years Independence had the only courthouse between Independence and the Pacific Ocean, but even that seems like it would be a little farfetched.

[MRG Dallas]

Page 800 in case no one else noticed

Post 8,000 comin up

[Mad Anthonie]

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

According to W.Z. Hickman, author of The History of Jackson County (1920) the answer is:

Sam Shepherd—slave of James Shepherd. Sam the slave built the 1827 courthouse at 107 west Kansas hewing the four sided logs and also made the four sided Nebraska Hotel sign post from an eighty foot oak tree.




Some historical discrepancies:

According to the Union Historical Society’s History of Jackson County (1881) Daniel Lewis won the first courthouse contract with a low bid of $150. James Shepherd’s contract offer was $180. Bids ranged from $150 to $190.

W.Z. Hickman’s History of Jackson County says in one section that Daniel Lewis won the first courthouse contract and in another section says it was James Shepherd who won the contract and provides the information on Sam Shepherd. In yet another section he says Sam'l P. Lewis won the first courthouse contract.

A couple of web sites say that for forty years the 1827 courthouse was the only courthouse standing between Independence and the Pacific Ocean. The 1827 courthouse was replaced in 1831 and again in 1836. It may have been that for forty years Independence had the only courthouse between Independence and the Pacific Ocean, but even that seems like it would be a little farfetched.

I was going to say it was the courthouse builder, but didn't have time to look up his name.

[Mad Anthonie]

Same intersection, looking a different direction...

[WCHS'59]

The Jackson County Court (county commissioners under another name) were required (still are) to award an annual contract to a newspaper for printing purposes. The wining newspaper would become the official county newspaper. That official county newspaper would print advertisements for county bids and print other county legal notices, including marriage licenses issued, sheriff’s sales, etc., on an as needed basis at costs specified in the contract.



The Jackson County official newspaper would also provide printed products to the county as needed, such as letterheads, arrest warrants, court summons, notices of elections, etc.



If there was only one newspaper published in Jackson County, the contract would be let to that lone newspaper.



If there were two or more newspapers in Jackson County, the newspapers would compete to offer the lowest price for county printing needs over the one year period.



The Jackson County Court would award the contract to the best and lowest responsible bidder after giving due consideration to circulation numbers, that is, giving some weight to a newspaper that would give county notices the widest possible publicity.


If there were no newspaper published in Jackson County, the court would let the contract to a newspaper published in another county if that newspaper had a general circulation within Jackson County.

The first courthouse in Jackson County was built in 1827. To what newspaper did the Jackson County Court employ to advertise for bids to build the courthouse (and to obtain bids for the county jail, office furniture, etc., and print any other legal notices, etc.)?

[Major Tom 58]

Originally Posted by Mad Anthonie

Same intersection, looking a different direction...

Is this still a two way or has this been widened to four lanes today?

[Mad Anthonie]

Originally Posted by Major Tom 58

Is this still a two way or has this been widened to four lanes today?

At the time of the photos only the cross street had stop signs. Today it is a four-way stop, other than that it is unchanged.

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by Mad Anthonie

At the time of the photos only the cross street had stop signs. Today it is a four-way stop, other than that it is unchanged.

The fence is still in front of the house, also.