Miller County Milling - Miller County Museum & Historical Society

Miller County Milling - Miller County Museum & Historical Society
GLAZE CREEK MILLS

Following the Civil War, Hugh Snelling operated the grist mill erected in the 1850's by Scott Strong and William Salsman, on the Wet Glaze Creek, doing an extensive business.

On February 15, 1868, Hugh Snelling and William Pope agreed, each furnishing one-half of the expenses, to erect a saw by the grist mill; running the saw one-half of each day and one-half of each night, the grist mill running when the saw was idle.

Immediately installing the machinery, the saw, when completed in 12 hours running time, easily turned out 400 to 500 feet of lumber and plan, Snelling and Pope then agreed, in writing, repairs to the mill dam would be shared equally.

In September 1868, Hugh Snelling sold his one-half interest in the saw to Levi W. Albertson; also, one-half of his interest in the grist mill; the firm styled thereafter, Snelling, Albertson, & Pope.

The mill dam on the Auglaize Creek was situated where the waters rushed with great velocity, and fell with much force. "The stream is very rapid at the dam," Snelling said, "The fall is about five and one-half feet per mile. The dam is 16 or 17 years old, constructed of stone and timber."

In 1869," Snelling continued, "Pope came to me and named that he was about to sell to Albertson his interest in the saw for $1,400, and I replied, all right. The next day, on February 19, Albertson took complete possession of the saw, but as soon as put in possession Albertson would not do what Pope had done in keeping the dam repaired."

"When Albertson went into possession the dam was 5 1/2 feet high," Snelling said, "Then a rise in Glaize Creek reduced the height to less than 4 feet. I worked 42 1/2 days repairing the dam, spending over $300 boarding men and teams, furnishing powder, fuse, materials, and labor. The dam was in a critical condition when Albertson took possession; the reservoir filled with gravel to the spill-over."

"When I asked Albertson, "Snelling continued, "To pay his part for having the dam repaired, he would not do it, saying he had no contract. When I asked Pope to honor his written agreement, he would not do it, saying Albertson was the sole owner, that it was his obligation."

Snelling, Albertson and Pope, each suing the other over various rights and breaches of contract, continued litigation until the issues were finally resolved by the Supreme Court of Missouri.
GOLDEN'S MILL

L.W. Albertson operated a mill in Osage Township for three years, from 1866 to 1869, before moving to the Glaze Creek. Nearby, to the south and slightly east on the Big Tavern Creek, John C. Barr and Joseph Golden were partners, having commenced in the late 1850's, keeping a store and grinding grist.

On August 12, 1862, the partnership was dissolved by mutual consent; Golden remaining in the mercantile and milling business, John C. Barr becoming owner of the Steamboat Little Jack. Golden then installed carding machinery; doing a thriving business throughout the Civil War.

Alexander and William Wilson, Lafayette Crane and Allen P. Griffin worked at the place; the enterprise running day and night. Wood haulers for the furnace were paid with meal; bread stuff at that time of much greater importance than money.

In 1865, Everett W. Golden becoming proprietor of the store, mill and carding machinery, immediately added a distillery to the enterprise, making an abundance of good corn whiskey which was shipped in barrels to St. Louis by steamboat from Capps' Landing.

In 1868, to handle the many customers patronizing the place, Randolph Abbett opened a dram shop at the mill.