By Don Ginnings
Former Editor/Owner of The Index.
Information provided in part by Wilson’s
History of Hickory County and Ihrig
History of Hickory County.
Hickory County, Mo. Is located in the west
central part of the state and includes
Highway 54 and 65. It has an area of 411
according to the 2010 Census. In the heart
of the county lies the Pomme de Terre
Reservoir, constructed by the U.S. Army
de Terre River and Lindley Creek basins.
hundreds of thousands of tourists each year,
as well as many people who have part time
lake homes. For their security, the Hickory
enforcement needs, and is the only law
enforcement agency based in the
county.
Hickory County was formed from
portions of southern Benton County and
northern Polk County as a result of a
multi-family feud called the Slicker War,
and even deaths. The Sheriff of Benton
Missouri Governor in controlling the
violent outbursts from the feud between
the Hiram Turk family near Elkton and
the Andy Jones family near Quincy. The
Governor sent the State Militia to the area
to help maintain peace during trials resulting
from the feud. Because the area was so
and Bolivar, law enforcement in the area was
limited.
So in 1845, the Missouri State Legislature
formed a new county from portions of the
County after U.S. President Andrew
Jackson, nicknamed “Old Hickory.” Jackson's
retirement home was named “Hermitage,” so
the legislature ordered the newly appointed
county commissioners to pick a spot for a
county seat to be called Hermitage, and if
the town was to be located within a mile of
was platted in the center of the county. From
1845 until 1874, sheriffs also served as
county collectors.
in 1860. A second courthouse was
in 1881. The county was then without a
courthouse until residents of the Weaubleau
and Cross Timbers communities coordinated
an effort to raise enough money by
subscription to build the current courthouse
funds. The county has never voted and
bonded indebtedness nor raised the county
Road and Bridge departments. Additions
and improvements to county facilities have
and the one-room limestone structure was
stands on the county courthouse lawn. The
for the sheriff and deputies, plus the county
dispatch operations, including dispatching
ambulances and rescue personnel.
Let’s Build Your Dreams . . .
New House
Room Additions - Remodeling
Decks / Patios
Plumbing - Electrical
Paint & Supplies
‘If you have a project,
we have the supplies’
Larry Lightfoot / Manager • Hwy 254 • Hermitage, MO 65668
Telephone: (417) 745-6419 • 1-800-444-4641