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The Missouri Governors Records from the Missouri State Archives and accessible through the Missouri Digital Heritage website is an interesting place to investigate the nooks and crannies of history.
These records from 1837-1901 mostly consist of handwritten letters asking the governor for favors such as pardons and appointments, or signed petitions for various causes, or resignations from local offices. In 1852, Barry County Clerk William Hubbert, of Cassville, wrote Missouri Governor Austin Augustus King notifying him of a vacancy in the State Senate caused by the death of Littleberry Mason and that an election would be held immediately.
In another letter dated Aug. 16, 1887, S.E. Jondahl of O’Day, Missouri wrote to Governor John S. Marmaduke to resign his position of notary public. Being a man of many talents, on his letterhead Samuel Eugene Johndal list his occupations as “Notary Public, Conveyancing Promptly done, Also Dealer in Groceries, Provisions, Tinware.” O’Day would be located along the railroad tracks at Washburn in Barry County. At the time the letter was written, O’Day and Washburn (formerly Keetsville) were still separate towns, although close in proximity.
In 1895, Missouri Governor William J. Stone was inundated with letters from Barry County over the appointment of a new Barry County Recorder of Deeds after the sudden death of the previous recorder William Talbert. Talbert, who was born in Shelby County, Ind., in 1844 and served with the 113th Indiana Infantry during the Civil War, was elected to office as a Republican, but Governor Stone was a Democrat.
The Republicans argued that the seat should go to another Republican since that’s that party the voters chose, with William Talbert’s son, Charles M. Talbert, who later became a civil engineer in St. Louis, being the preferred candidate by many.
However, the Democrats didn’t see it that way, arguing instead for a “free silver Democrat” to occupy the post. “Free Silver” was the populist movement pushed by politicians such at William Jennings Bryan that called for the unlimited coinage of silver by the government. Whether it’s silver coins or bitcoins, money always seems to find its way into politics.
The preferred candidates for the Democrats were the Cassville lawyers William A. Wear and T.D. Steele, as well as L.W. Badger and A.H. Harrison, of Monett. Purdy Physician R.B. Gladden wrote a letter in favor of A.H. Harrison, route agent for the Wells-Fargo Express Company. William Fly, of Purdy, also wrote a letter in support of Harrison. Additionally, a signed petition from Exeter was sent in support of Harrison.
Citizens from Cassville sent a signed petition to the Governor Stone in favor of Republican Charles Talbert. County Clerk C.D. Manley preferred W.A. Wear. Merchant and Banker J.M Bayless seemed to favor the Monett insurance and real estate agent L.W. Badger, stating he would beat Steele in a county election 4 to 1.
However, being a shrewd businessman, Bayless’ name also appeared on the Cassville petition for Charles Talbert. Winter Frost, of Seligman, expressed a preference for L.W. Badger. W.L. Marbut wrote a letter on Hotel Barry stationary in favor of T.D. Steele. The hotel building still stands on the Cassville Square, now a law office.
Several telegrams were also sent, including one from Purdy to the governor warning of fake telegrams in support of candidates, showing misinformation has always been a problem.
Ultimately, Governor Stone appointed Willam A. Wear to fill the vacancy in the Barry County Recorder’s Office. Wear was a brother to Greene County Prosecuting Attorney Ambrose H. Wear, and his wife was Maggie Maiden, daughter of Cassville professor N.L. Maiden. W.A. Wear’s masonic sword is part of the collection at the Barry County Museum, donated some years back by Mike and Helen Shore. Helen’s aunt, Muriel Hankins, was married to William Wear’s son, Maurice, a well-known minister.
Considering the majority of voters who wrote the governor seemed to favor a contender other than W.A. Wear for Recorder of Deeds, I guess you can conclude that writing a letter to a politician has about the same effect as writing a letter to Santa, and you probably shouldn’t rely on either one to fill your stocking.
Jeremiah Buntin is a historian at the Barry County Museum. He may be reached at jbuntin@barrycomuseum. org.
