PAINTERHOOD

[W. Gray]

From the Howard County Ledger (Elk Falls), April 11, 1872.

"THE PAINTERHOOD—This stream enters the Elk about two miles east of Longton; its source is 12 or 14 miles north and east of Longton. There are three branches of nearly equal size called respectively, east, middle, and west Painterhood. The rich valleys formed by these three streams form one of the finest sections of Howard County, thickly settled by an industrious, intelligent class of people, it is a desirable locality for those seeking homes in a new count to locate. Of course the valley land is all occupied, but we are informed by Cyrus Tuggle, Esq., (who by the way is making some substantial improvements) that there are some excellent uplands as yet unclaimed, also some good bottom claims for sale cheap. We advise those seeking locations to take a good look at the Painterhood country."

A number of gents in the early Howard County newspapers are addressed as Esq. or Esquire, a British title.

If you were the first white person to own the land you paid $1.25 an acre. If you were the second owner, you paid market price.

Painterhood Township was next to last in land appreciation for sales up through 1878. Painterhood averaged a seventy percent increase to 2.13 an acre, just above Wildcat Township. The best increase was in Longton Township, which saw a 155 percent increase to 3.19 an acre.

Painterhood received a post office on August 15, 1870.

Painterville, a town, received a charter from the state but I cannot find the document with that information.