Page:History of Southeast Missouri 1912 Volume 1.djvu/360

 300 HISTORY OF SOUTHEAST MISSOURI Washington, Perry, Ste. Genevieve, Cape Girardeau, "Wayne, New Madrid, Jefferson and Madison counties. All the other territory of this section of the state was embraced in one or more of these counties. It is plainly evident that some of them were vastly larger in area than they are at present. This was true especially of "Wayne county ; out of it there were afterward created several large counties. Courts in Each County In each one of these counties, as in other counties of the state, there was a county court composed of justices of the peace, and having very limited jurisdiction. These county courts were not thoroughly organized, and the prin- cipal business of the court was conducted not by the county courts but by the circuit courts. The counties of Ste. Genevieve, Madison, "Wayne, New Madrid, Cape Girardeau and Perry were organized into the southern judi- cial circuit. One judge presided over the sittings of the court in each of these coimties. Terms of the court were held at specified times, and these terms were so arranged as not to conflict with one another, and thus make it possible for one judge to hold court in all the counties of the circuit. "Washington and Jefferson counties belonged to the north- ern circuit, which included besides these southeastern coimties St. Louis, St. Charles and Franklin coimties. The circuit courts, as organized in each one of these counties, was a body having wide jurisdiction and great power. In addition to the jurisdiction now exercised by circuit courts the early courts had a large part of the jurisdiction which now belongs to either the county court or the pro- bate court. We have seen that the first judge of the southern circuit was Hon. Richard S. Thomas, wiio during his term of office was a resident of Jackson. At the time of the organization of the state government each countj* was represented by one or more members in the legislative council. Upon the organization of the state govern- ment each coimty was then represented by one member of the house of representatives, and there were organized senatorial districts for the election of members of the upper house. There was at the time of admission only one member of the national house of representatives. The population of Missouri was not sufficient to entitle the state to more than one representative, and this condition lasted until about 1840. Southeast Missouri in the Mexican Wak From the close of the Indian troubles, which were connected with the war of 1812, until the breaking out of the Civil war, the people of Southeast Missouri had little opportunity to make military history. The only time in which they were called upon to become sol- diers was during the IIexican war and not many from this section of the state took part in that struggle. Onlj- a few companies were organized and not a very large number of the individuals joined commands in other parts of Missouri and in other states. In the sum- mer of 1846 Captain Thomas M. Horine or- ganized a company at Ste. Genevieve and marched with it to Fort Leavenwo'rth. At Fort Leavenworth the company became part of the Second Missouri Regiment which was commanded by Colonel, afterward General Sterling Price. It took part in the remark- able expedition known as Doniphan's expedi- tion. In company with the other regiment forming Doniphan's command these troops marched west from Fort Leavenworth and finally reached Santa Fe. It took part in the