Early History, Robberson Township, Greene County, Missouri >From "History of Greene County, Missouri," St. Louis: Western Historical Company, 1883. ********************************************************************** One Mr. Paynter settled Ebenezer in 1831. Paynter has long since gone, and Thomas Wilson lived on the farm. For a long time it has been owned and occupied by a worthy citizen, William H. Paine. In 1834, one of the largest and most worthy and respected families of Greene settled near Ebenezer, and their name was give to that large, rich and beauti- ful prairie, "Robberson." In that family were seven brothers and seven sisters. They were from Tennessee. Edwin was an eminent Methodist divine. Bennett, whom we all knew, and knew him to live and respect him, was a large farmer, a politician of a large and broad soul, who had and held the confidence of all parties. Rufus is the only one of that large, enterprising family now living. Some of their children are leading men and women, and are citizens of Greene county. The Rev. David Ross, Elisha and Daniel Headlee were early settlers. The Rev. David Ross was respected by all, for his many virtues and Christian ex- ample. He left a small family, who, true to the teachings of their father, are ornaments of virtue and worth in society. The first camp meetings were organized mainly by the influence of this truly Christian settlement. A grist mill was built by Joseph Evans, and he ventured to erect a frame dwelling house, and for years it was the admired of all admireres, every one being curious to know hom much such a building cost. Uncle Joe is still living and is happy. Many other names ought to have a place here, and are left out only for want of sufficient and correct data. It is now a densely populated part of the country, and in all respects commendable as a church going and industrious community of citizens. In congressional township 31, range 22, which forms the northern part of Robberson township, a family by the name of Alsop were settlers at an early date, and lived west of the State road. John Jones came about 1834, and lived in section 15. The log cabin which first occupied the spot where Jones settled was built by a man named House. William Tuck came from McMahon county, East Tenn., in the fall of 1837, and settled where House and Jones had formerly lived. Simeon Bird came from Tennessee in 1837, and settled on the Dry Sac in the neighborhood of Tuck. About the same time several families came to this part of Missouri from Tennessee, but settled in what is now Polk county, adjacent to this township. In the fall of 1838 or 1839 Thomas Swadley, from East Tenn., settled on the Dry Sac about a mile above the Tuck and Bird settlement. The Bolivar road, which runs north through Robberson township, is said to have been the first road regularly laid out in Greene county. It was laid out by the State, and ran from Boon- ville on the Missouri river to Fayetteville in Arkansas. A post office was formerly kept on the James Headlee place, which was called Richland but it is several years since it has been in existence. Knox Cave is one of the greatest natural curiosities anywhere in the country. It is located in the southern part of the township, just a little southwest of the Little Sac, on the northern part of section 33. It was discov- ered December 23, 1866, by J. G. Knox, explored by him, and named in his honor, though some patriotic individual has endeavored to have it called Lincoln cave. The mouth faces northward at the head of a deep and rocky ravine. The entrace is through a door of ordinary size and the passage is narrow for about 30 feet, where it opens out to a width of 65 feet. A solid row of stalactites and stalagmites almost block the way for quite a distance, and then the visitor is confronted by two columns, one 34 and other 36 feet in circumference and 12 feet high. Many curiosities in underground formation are found herein that must be seen to be fully appreciated. Visitors who have been through the two greatest Kentucky caves pronounce Knox cave superior in attractiveness and beauty of its formation, though less in extent. Among the columns, pools, chambers, etc., that have been named we have the following: Washington Monument, The Twins, Mount Heckla, Arched Gallery, Dark Cav- ern, Rachel Weeping for Her Children, The Happy Family, Grandmother, Grandchild, Solomon's Temple, Solomon's Parlor, The Jordan (stream), Pool of Siloam, Nest of Diamonds, and other things of interest too numerous for an accurate description of each. There is a gentleman in charge of the cave, at this writing, who, for a small fee, will take visitors through this interesting place, show them all the sights, and explain everything to the best of his ability. ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Joe Miller Penny Harrell ====================================================================