TAYLOR'S GROVE, HARRISON COUNTY,  MISSOURI               

Modem improvements took an advance when Isaac Hammers established a "hoss" mill at Taylor's Grove in Harrison County.

The year before, the Harris mill, run by water, froze early in the fall and remained shut down until March.  The new mill ground the grist by horse power, the horses going around in a circle.

 Rev. John S. Allen, who preached for forty years in the Big Creek church and never charged a cent for his services, had vivid recollection of the "hoss" mill.

"Did you ever in cold weather, go twenty miles to a horse mill and swing around the circle until you ground out a two-horse load of corn?  If so you have some idea of the circular work.  To spin around that circle for four long, weary hours, of a cold, dark, dreary night, punching up the team is no laughing matter.

 One might despair in this cheerless work were it not for the hope of hearing the cheering words, 'Your grist is out,' which the miller calls out through a chink in the logs.  These words would bring renewed courage and send a thrill of joy to the weary twister.

The mill ground so slowly that one of the neighbor boys sent there with grist told the miller he could eat the meal as fast as it was ground.

"How long could you do that?" the miller asked banteringly

"Until I starved." replied the quick-witted youngster.

Practical improvements the Grand River settlers stood for encouragingly.  But when one of the settlers put some glass, windows in his cabin, (he first seen in that country, he was criticized for trying to put on airs. 

Centenial History of Missouri, "Pioneer Ways" 1921
Transcribed and Contributed by: Frances Cooley