LETTER TO SHELBINA TORCHLIGHT

6 December 1901

Clarence, Mo.

Editors TORCHLIGHT

Judge John Byrum was a member of old Bacon Chapel neighborhood for a number of years, and would be yet, but for the fact that in late years Lentner neighborhood has been formed, which includes Judge Byrum’s farm, which is located a little east and ¼ of a mile west of Lentner. Judge Byrum comes of Kentucky parentage and was born in Marion Co. Mo., in 1833. He crossed the plains in early life and made enough money to buy 160 acres of land, which he now lives on. Judge Byrum was twice elected a member of the county court, and made a safe, conservative servant of the people. He has been J. of P. of Lentner township for a number of years. He is a Democrat, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and enjoys the esteem of his neighbors, and a large number of people in different portions of the county.

Mr. Lacy Byrum, eldest son of Judge Byrum, was born and grew to manhood on his father’s farm. He received his education in a small schoolhouse situated on one corner of the farm. Lacy entered the mercantile business in Lentner several years ago, which he has followed ever since. He is the leading business man of the village, and was post master for many years. He is a Democrat, an upright honorable man, worthy of the respect of his many friends.

W. B. Moore, “Bud,” as he is called comes of Maryland stock. His father Rufus Moore, came to Missouri some time in the thirties and improved a farm one and ¼ of a mile east and one mile north of Lentner. Bud was born and raised on this farm. In ’61 he joined the Union army. After the war he went to work on the railroad, and worked up to the position of section boss, which position he held for many years. He lived in Monroe City for several years while engaged in this business. He settled in Clarence several years ago and engaged in the dray business, which he followed until two years ago, when he sold his dray and retired from active life. Bud is a Republican and a member of Clarence Lodge A. F. & A. M. (Ancient Free & Accepted Masons).

Thomas Moore, a brother of Bud, enlisted in the Federal army when about 17 years of age. After the war he engaged in farming and now owns and lives on a fine farm adjoining Judge Byrum’s on the south. Tom is a Republican and Master Mason.

Taylor Moore, a younger brother, learned telegraphy and settled in Clarence when quite a young man and was operator and freight agent for a few years before his death. Taylor was a fine young man and, no doubt, would have made his mark in the world had he lived.

Solomon Moore, another brother, lived in Clarence for several years. He was a section hand on the railroad and at one time ran a restaurant. “Sol,” as we called him, moved to South Missouri some years ago, where he became section foreman. Sol is also a Republican.

Samuel Moore, the youngest of this family of boys, has lived in Brookfield for a number of years, where he is engaged in the mercantile business. Samuel is also a Republican.

These men were all born and raised on the above named farm.

A good citizen, Bennett Hayden, was raised in Pennsylvania and came to this neighborhood some time in the forties. Mr. Hayden improved the farm that Dr. Wood owns and lives on. He lived on this farm in ’62 when he joined the Confederate army. Mr. Hayden was one of those unfortunate men who believing in the cause of the South and casting his fortune with that of hers, was willing to endure the hardships and privations of a soldier’s life, believing that the enemy he was contending with was, at least, human and would have some regard for the rules of civil warfare, and being cut off from his command surrendered to the foe. But what must have been his feelings and surprise when he, with 17 companions was notified of their doom. Mr. Hayden and his 17 comrades, freeborn American citizens, without trial before judge or jury, stood in line facing their captors like true soldiers listening to the click of the instruments of death and the word of command ready-aim-fire and in less time than it takes to write it, 18 brave men lay dead at the feet of their captors. This was in the month of August ’62 in the city of Kirksville, Adair county Mo. Mr. Hayden’s body was brought home by kind friends and buried at Old Bacon Chapel.

John Hayden, son of Mr. Bennett Hayden, who was a small boy when his father was killed, grew to manhood in this neighborhood. He assisted in the support of his widowed mother until she married, then he went West where he engaged in railroad work for several years, when he returned and remained a short time with his mother and friends. He went West again and resumed railroading and is now a fine engineer, his run extending into New Mexico. John is a Master Mason, this I know for I assisted in the work that conferred this honor upon him. I am proud of his being part of the boys of Bacon Chapel neighborhood.

Anderson Tobin was raised on a farm one mile north and one and ½ miles west of the Chapel, known as the Tobin farm, but now owned by Mr. Jule Ritter. Mr. Tobin in ’62 joined the Confederate army and was killed in the battle of Newark, I think on the 10th day of August ’62. Mr. Tobin was a member of my father’s company (Captain Braxton Pollard) and was one of seven killed in his company in this fight. Mr. Tobin’s body was brought home and buried in the Church yard. Thus ended the life of a noble, brave young man.

In the morning of the resurrection four victims of the cruel and brutal civil war will come forth from the City of the dead at Old Bacon Chapel and answer to the roll call:

Mr. Carnahan, killed east of Walkersville, Anderson Tobin, killed in the battle of Newark, Knox county, Bennett Hayden, one of the 18 shot in Kirksville and Mr. Christine a victim of Bill Anderson at Centralia, Audrain county.

Thus the Blue and the Gray rest side by side in the bosom of mother earth, hid from mortal eye by nature’s carpet of green grass and fragrant flowers. 

J. H. Pollard