by James Barnard
The town of Austin is located in the southern part of Cass County, in Austin Township. Austin was platted by a man named John Phillips in 1856: however, two years prior to that in 1854, Charles Keller built a general store. He did not operate the store himself, but hired two men as clerks to run it for him. Their names were William Austin and Charles Patton. Mr. Austin was so well liked by the people of the area that they named the new village after him.
Before the Civil War Cass County was Van Buren County. At that time Austin was under consideration to become the county seat. This plan was part of a plan proposed by key individuals from Pleasant Hill, Chappel Hill in Lafayette County, Austin, and points in between. Nothing ever developed from this effort because of a failed railroad venture, and the changing of county boundaries. Much heartache, and even death resulted, because of the failed railroad venture. The proposed railroad would have originated somewhere around Chappel Hill, continued through Pleasant Hill , Austin, and on into Bates County. All that ever developed was a partially constructed roadbed, part of which remains at the present time (" History of Cass and Bates County page 427 1881"). The railroad would have been known as the Lexington Lake and Gulf Railroad.
This area did not escape the ravages of the Civil War. The community was fairly evenly divided in their loyalty to the north and south. There were several skirmishes between renegade bands of sympathizers in and around Austin. The home guard had the responsibility of protecting the citizens who feared for their lives. An interesting fact is that George W. Stumbaugh, a member of the Missouri Militia, was ambushed by Kansas bushwackers at Austin on August 11, 1862. Because his death was in action of a patrol to protect local property, Stumbaugh was treated on army records as a blue coat, and George W. Stumbaugh Post of the G.A.R., at the conclusion of the war was named in his honor. The post was active until 1910 (approx.) with the Austin Bean Dinner being an annual affair in the community life. The Annual Bean Dinner is still on going in the Austin community. The above was copied from "The Civil War Journal and letters of Colonel John Van Deusen DuBois 4-14-1861 to 10-16-1862.
Austin was incorporated in 1874 and grew rapidly until 1890. In 1880 Austin had the following business places:
Two Hotels One Drug Store One Carpenter & Contractor
Three General Stores Two Millinery Stores One Post Office
One Grocery Store One Blacksmith shop Five Saloons
One Hardware Store Three Doctors Two Churches
One two Room School
The first school was built in 1856 and Dr. Phillip Slaughter was the first teacher. There was an average of 40 to 50 students in the grade school until the mid 30s.
In 1854 it was decided there were enough Baptists in the community to organize a church. A meeting was called and a group met in the log cabin home of James Barnard . The Walnut Grove Church was organized. This church was located on and one half miles west of Austin. Members met in the Barnard home until plans made to build a church in Austin. On 6-19-1857 the church trustees purchased four lots in Austin for $12.00 (" Trustees, Alexander Arnett, James Barnard, and William Thompson"). One faithful member withdrew from the church because they felt the town was no place for a church.
In 1871 the Methodist organized and built a church building, thus Austin then supported two good, strong churches.
In my study of local history, it has been surprising to discovery that several of Harrisonville's well known business and professional men of that time had been, were, or later located in Austin.
A Special Thanks to James F. Barnard, a local Austin Historian, a direct descendant of the above mentioned James Barnard.