A BRIEF HISTORY OF FLAT
RIVER |
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A BRIEF HISTORY OF FLAT
RIVER |
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The scriptures tell us, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Flat River was a part of the creation referred to in this passage of scripture; however, the writer has no record nor information concerning the creation of this particular territory until about 1885, at which time what is now the City of Flat River and surrounding community was a peaceful agricultural community, inhabited by a few sturdy pioneer citizens who devoted their time and energy entirely to agricultural activities, having as their right to the home they occupied a grant from the Spanish government, instead of a warranty deed from some individual.
Among these families we find the names of Coffman, Williams, Walton, Shannon, Crawley, Taylor and Shaw. Many of the descendants of these families are now among our citizens. There were no doubt other families who played an important part in the opening and development, but the writer has been unable to get records of them.
There was a postoffice named Flat River somewhere in the vicinity of Pleasant Valley about one and one half miles from Elvins. Most of the citizens of the present town of Flat River received their mail at Elvins, which was at that time called Setz.
About 1885 or '86, lead was discovered in Doe Run, and progressive mining was pursued which was the beginning of a move that was to make Flat River and vicinity the greatest lead producing area in the world.
Along about 1890 the Doe Run Lead Company was organized and incorporated by Messrs. Parsons, Kemp, Setz, Jones and Graves, together with officials of the St. Joseph Lead Company. The company very soon optioned large acreages from Coffman and Walton in the vicinity of Flat River, and from Kenner and Hampton in the territory of Elvins.
No actual mining had been done, except some shallow prospecting on the Shaw tract, which later became the property of the Central Lead Company. On the advent of the organization of the Doe Run Lead Company and the optioning of land, the company immediately began prospecting with diamond drills with George K. Williams, now of Farmington, Mo., diamond drill foreman.
According to our best information, the actual discovery of the rich deposits in this immediate vicinity was due to an employee failing to follow his orders to the letter. Many holes had been put down of approximately the same depth [that]had been drilled in the Doe Run area, without having found any sign of lead. This employee, namely Mr. Williams, was persistent in his belief that they were not drilling deep enough, and through a friendly conspiracy with F. P. Graves, who was a stockholder and secretary of the company, Mr. Williams obtained extra footage of drill rods and experimented by drilling some 150 feet deeper than had been drilled. The first hole put down at this depth produced amazingly rich quantities of lead.
It is quite a speculation yet among some of the old timers as to whether Mr. Williams, in his state of excitement, actually walked from Flat River to Doe Run to carry the news to Mr. Graves, or whether he secured a horse and rode. We do know, however, that Mr. Williams conveyed the news of this great strike to his friend and superior officer in record time.
Shortly after the discovery of these rich deposits, the first No. 1 Doe Run Lead Company shaft was started back of the present home of Charles Mergentheimer, about one-fourth mile south and west of the Missouri-Illinois depot. At a depth of 89 feet, a heavy flow of water was encountered and the sinking of this shaft was abandoned on July 4, 1891.Libb
Immediately after this, the present Doe Run Lead Company No. 1 shaft, located about 100 yards south of the Flat River City Hall, was started, was bottomed and producing by May, 1892.
In was in this shaft that the first fatal mine accident occurred in the lead belt. Charles Libby, who was the superintendent, was instantly killed when he fell from the surface to the bottom of the shaft. John J. Bennett, an employee of the company, was delegated to go to Farmington, the county seat, to notify the coroner of the accident. On Mr. Bennett's trip, which he necessarily made by horse-back, he met the late Dr. F. L. Keith, who stated that he was lost and inquired direction to the John Dosing home. It later developed that the purpose of Dr. Keith's call to the Dosing home was to officiate at what is believed to be the birth of the first child to be born in Flat River.
In May of 1891 there were six small box houses on what is now Flat River's Main Street. Even at that late date, only two stores were operating in Flat River, one by the Williams Brothers, and the other by W. C. Norwine. The Norwine store was located on the present site of the home of Mrs. C. D. Richardson, the Norwine home adjacent where the O.K. Service Station now stands.
The Williams Brothers store was located on the site now occupied by the Norwine Mercantile Company. It was in this building that the first post office was established in Flat River proper. The Flat River post office, formerly referred to as being near Pleasant Valley, was abolished and the office established here with George K. Williams as postmaster.
The first church, a Free Will Baptist, was located where the H. H. Moore residence now stands, about two doors west of the present Presbyterian Church, and had as its first pastor, Rev. Fred Combers. It was in this building that the first school was taught by Miss Alice Highley. Before the establishment of the Free Will Baptist Church, the members held their meetings over the Williams Brothers store. It is said that these meetings were very spiritual, although many times a part of the congregation had to use beer kegs for seats.
The first school building was where the present Home Economics and Library building stands, and was taught by Jesse Garrett, who remained a resident of Flat River until only a few years ago.
In 1891 the M.R. & B.T. Railroad, then a narrow gauge, was extended from Bonne Terre to Doe Run, and operated the first passenger train through Flat River on December 24 of that year.
In summing up these events, we find that what was peaceful farming community has, within less than fifty years, developed into " The Lead Capitol of the World."
W. A. McGraw.
Note: Grateful acknowledgement is hereby extended to Mr. J. J. Bennett and daughter, Myrtine, for their assistance in preparing the above. W. A. M.
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