Townships

In 1872, a law was passed authorizing counties to adopt the Township organization law by a ma jority vote. Accordingly a petition was presented to the County court on the 7th of May, 1872, asking that the ques tion be submitted to the voters. The court ordered an election to be held for that purpose on the 30th of May, when 1,173 votes were cast for and but 17 against the adoption of Township organization. Under the new order of things the Supervisors of the several Townships constituted the justices of the County Court. On the 9th of July, 1872, the court convened at the court-house. S.D. Davis representing Davis Township; Elmore Waters, Fairview; G.W. Murphy, Breckenridge; F.M. Thompson, Lincoln; B.F. Hicks, New York; Jeff. Van Note, Gomer; Robert Murray, Grant; Jac. Allee, Kingston; Ad. Evans, Hamiiton; J.F. Hines, Rockford; J.F. Dodge, Mirable; and P.S. Kinney, Kidder. The court was jocularly called the "Twelve Apostles."  The reforms and retrenchments begun under their administration caused the County indebtedness to decline until now the glad tidings have gone forth that Caldwell County is out of debt.

Crosby Johnson, An Illustrated Historical Atlas of Caldwell County, Missouri.   1876.  Edwards Brothers