THE JACI( SON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

L l F J

VOLUME 4 6 • NUMI}ER. 2 • AUTUMN 2 0 0 5

ARTICLES

~ 71," Rise Alld Fall q/LelVis JOlles . Nebraska Hotel 011 Independence Square ...... 3

,wE§> f/nrl y lbllll(ll1~' Hal Tip AI "Tile Top Hat " Challged kf)'L!/e ...... 12

,wE]) Jackson C0 Il11~) I:V LillIe BIlle River Valley: Balancing Development A/ld Preservation OfAll Historic Rural Lallc/'eape ...... 19

~ 1\vo Recent Finds Sill/ace AbDul Jackson COlll1ly:\' 1859 Jail ...... 27 The Jackson County (Mo.) Historical Society's Archives are "steaming" forward full throttle into the 21st Century. Three big DEPARTMENTS projects that are "on the rails" include: 1) the retrospective conversion of the 45-year-old card catalog into a keyword, searchable, electronic Editor s Epistle ...... 2 database; 2) processing Jackson County Circuit Court records that

Ivfissioll Statement ...... 2 date to the 1830s; and, 3) reprinting books important to Jackson County's history ... the 1877 Illmtrated Atlas; the 1881 HistOlY oj Book Noles ...... 28 Jacksoll COllllty, Missoll1'i; and, Octave Chanute's 1870 Kamas City Bl'idge book about the construction of the Hannibal Bridge. 2 C I-I S OURNAL AUTUMN 2 0 0 5

AN EDITOR'S EPISTLE BY DAVID w. JACKSON

Welcome again to the Jackson County Historical Society JOURNAL. V\fe are fortunate to continue rcceiving submissions to our scholarly publication, and invite you to submit an article for possible inclusion in a fuhue issue. If you have researched or written something that has some relationship to Jackson County's history, we know readers will learn from and enjoy your contribution, now and into the future. Our publication, as you can sec, has a 45+ year history. We've been improving the look, feel, and quality of our content over the last five years that I have served as editor, JACKSON COUNTY including adding sourcing as endnotes and bibliographic material whenever possible. VVe've also rectifIed our volume numbering that had been Hoff" for a number of years. HISTORICAL SOCIETY And, with our Spring 2005 issue we initiated an ISSN number so that our serial OFFICERS publication is now officially registered with the Library of Congress. Benjamin F. !\Iann, President I'm happy to report that every issue is met with glowing reviews from our members Ridl:l.nl l\. King, President-Elecl Bfiall Snyder, Tr(';l sufc r and friends. This certainly encourages us as we embark on each new issue. Another Eileen \Veir, Sta tur}' thing that would pleased us is if you might pass your JOURNAL along to a friend or DIRECTORS farnily member so they, too, might gain an appreciation for local history. If you cherish your copy as we suspect you might, refer folks to liS to acquire their own. Often, we Ch~ rl es C. BidiOp Jr. Julie Ndso n i\lw'S \Vill i~ lIl It Bundsd lU Justin I~ Ou, V.P. Site.i have an over run and make extra copies available for sale while quantities last. Naturally, Ric hard A. F'nnklin ):unes P. Prydr V;n;:cnt P. Gau th ie r, AICP Clinton 'V. Shrout we'd appreciate their support of our mission having them as faithful Society members. C t'o rgc B. Lopn Ni cole Sln"C II s The diversity in scholarship represented in this issue is remarkable. Urban renewal Edward T.l\hthcll),.)r. Sharon \Villi:um is a theme that runs through both Christine Rinck's Rise alld Fall ofL e7uisjolles' Rllph A. ~ 'I o n lco, 11 Shirley Wurth Roo..rt I\ I00rc Nebraska J-Iotel on ]ndependel1rc Square and Joe1ouis l\tIattox's Hany Truman's Hat Tip at "lYle Top Hat" Challged My Life, although each has gems of unique local history for your ADMINISTRATION discovery. The latter also provides an intimate look at how the Civil Rights IVlovement 129 'o\'e.1 Lexington Avenu e, ]o.kllanini.' gained traction through "integration" in Independence. Independence, i\ IO 64050 Jumping back from Civil Rights to the Civil \lVar, Paul Kirkman stages jarksoll Slen : Noll, EXC(\Jli\'c Director (SI6) ']61 - 1897, Ex t. 305; snol1 @jchs.org COl/llty's Little Blue River Valley: Balancing D e·velopment and Preservation q/all Histori( Lindsey G :lston, D ewlopm cnl Director Rural Landscape as an example of how each of us has an immediate opporhlllity to (8IG) -16 1-1897, Ext. 303; I g:l s l o n@jc h ~ . OIg preserve remnants of our past for the benefit of future generations. Will the Little Blue ARCHIVES, RESEARCH Valley between 40 and 350 Highways be preserved in its near pristine condition, or will LIBRARY, BOOKSHOP & we allow deviation frorn Trllman's "Results r:fCOlillty Plml1lillg ?!) HARRYS.TRUMAN This quality publication comes at a cost to our non-profit organization. To offset COURTROOM & OFFICE production and mailing costs 11 2 ,.vest Ll' x in gh~n An nul", Stl' 103 Im\cpendenct', 1\ 10 64050 of this issue, we are honored to II .. recognize the Truman Hcartland D,wid \V.jackson, AIC hi \'(~s and Educa tio n Director;jOURNAL Editor Community Foundation for (816) 252-7·154; dj:[email protected] their flllancial contribution of 1859 JAIL MUSEU1V! 82,500. We're already planning our Spring 2006 issue and need \ \le wd co rn c subscriptio ns and t'.litoria.l cont ri butions 10 Iht: j O URNAL,l'ublishe(1 semi­ another sponsor to come forward Tru man ea r Ian annu:lIl), as :t he nelit 10 lIlc 1I1 bas o f the j ~ckso n (individual or corporate, we C OUllt}' (Mo.) Historiccll Soci<' I),. :1 nonprofit ofg:w ization co millilfed 10 prestfving:md welcome all). So please, step up promoting fl u: county's ri ch hcrit'lge. Indivi dual to the plate, or help us rally our M iSSll e$, when :1 I';\ ilable, ~ r c 55.00 each. i\\emucrs :md (riCilds of the Societ), may subscribe 10:1 free next JOURNAL sponsor(s). Call e-mailllCws!cIfU ll no leafll1l1 0fC nooutlhc Society's Lindsey Gaston at (816) 461 - products, sen 'iccs and programs at wwwjchs.org. 1897, Ext. 303, to discuss. AI! pllotOgl'Jphs ~ re from the Soci~ t }" s colkcti ons unless OI hcrwise noted. The Society :lSsumes no responsibil ity for st3temt: IlIS made by contributors. MISSION STATEMENT: Thejarksoll COllllty Historical Society is dedicated © 2005 jackson Counl)'(;\lo.) Hislori{':ll Society to tbe preservation and IInderstanding of its rO llnty's beritage and 'W ill promote tbe study, ISSN 0888-4978 appreciation and interp retation q{ loml and regionalbistmy. AUTUMN 2 00 5 J C H S J O URNAL 3 THE RISE AND FALL OF LEWIS JONES' NEBRASKA HOTEL ON INDEPENDENCE SQiJARE BY CHRlSTINE RINCK

The land comprising Independ ence, Ivlissouri, remained Indian Territory until 1825, when General William Clark, superintendent ofIndian Aftairs at St. Louis, negotiated a treaty with the tribes of Great and Little Osage and Kansas.' Shortly thereafter frontier se ttler, Jacob G regg, conduc ted a census of the terri tory. 2 The Ivlissouri State Legislature accepted a petition from residents and created Jackson County on December 15, i 826. 3 Two years later the appointed commiss ioners selected a county seat surrounding the populous, rather than nearest the center of the county as they had been directed' Thus, Independence began serving as the county seat with a 160-acrc tract three miles south of the Missouri R.iver.5 As pictured in the Missouri Slate Gazetteer and Business Directory, 1860. The next year Jackson County advertised a land sale in Independence.6 The terms of growth ofIndependence, stabilized its posi tion as a hub for sale included one-fourth down with in stallments at three commerce, and increased its legitimatization as a center for intervals from the date of sale: twelve, eighteen and twcnty­ trade as civilizations pushed west. fOllr months. The advertisement also announced that Joseph Roy, the brother of Louis and Jean Baptiste Roy, Independence was rich in resources: early fur trappers and traders who were linked with Francois "Rich land, suitable stone and timber for building, Chouteau, purchased Lot 13, Independence Old Town, with contiguous to excellent never fa iling spring water, and is a 840.50 bid.1O The land was lo cated on what is today the believed to be in the most healthy part of the state."7 northeast intersec tion of West M aple Avenue and North On the auspicious morning of July 9, Jackson County Liberty Streets. Roy came from St. Charles, Missouri, to government provided seven ga llons of free whiskey to buy land in Independence. As specified in the state's terms lure buyers to the saleH The auctioneer sold at public of sale, Roy put 310.12 down and signed that he would pay sale 140 lots in what is today known as the subdivision the remainder in three installments. This property cost more called Independence Old Town, with all but two lots money than all other lots combined, other than two that were being auctioned between 320 and 843.' Lots nearest the on the south side of the Square ... on the East Lex ington Independence Square brought more money; those further Avenue overland !"O ute.11 from the epicenter sold for less. Soon, many frontier Joseph understood business well and knew that selling businesses would be situated around the Square, including an whiskey on the frontier was a key to his success. He assortrnent of roadside inns and hotels. established a two-story, log building all the Square where he This article exa mines the history of the hotels built on operated a dram shop (akin to a modern-day liquor store). It one Independence Old Town lot on Independence Square, became quite successful during the trail days. He purchased and the two proprietors responsible for their construction, several alcohol li censes during the period of operating the Joseph Roy and Lewis Jones. These early Independence tavern .12 Roy served roustabouts, trail-riders, and others pioneers, outstanding citizens, represented rnany of the leaving Independence for the westward trails. Many stayed at men who ca me to Independ ence to establish business and his place overnight, often sleeping two to three to a bed. Roy's seek their fortunes. Their establishments might seem risq ue tavern has been tcrm ed a "den of iniquity.,,13 It was cven today given their connections to gambling and prostitution. alluded to as a "brothe1."14 Roy had brushes with the law I-Iowever, th ese businessmen and their hotels propelled the becau se of the gambling and betting that took place there.'s 4 C H S OURNAL AUTUMN 2 0 0 5

He also had a grocery store on the site, for which he paid a unneccssary cruclty,))23 license of 812.00 a year.!6 Roy also completed buying Lot 13 During the next twelve months,1ones built a Ilgrand)) on which the hotel stood, plus lots 140 and 14117 hotel, the Nebraska Hotel, allegedly spending over $40,000 Missouri Court Records indicated that Joseph Roy for the building and its furnishings?-l No onc knows who conductcd one task for the county. In the early 1830s, he was built the hotel, but E. A. Hickman was a workman on the asked to: "view and mark out a rod [road] from the Town of addition added in 1853.25 The dimensions of the hotel Independence to the Ford of Rock Creek, commencing at the were approximately 42 feet wide by 150 feet deep, with a West and of Rock Street in said Town and running in a South steep slope. Like man)' Missouri buildings of the period, the Western direction so as to intersect the old road leading from Nebraska Hotel was erected in the Fcderal Style with L­ said Town at the aforesaid ford on Rock Creek." shaped fronting Rock Street (today called Maple Avenue). On In 1836, Joseph Roy sold his property to Wilson Roberts. Maple Avenue, the hotel was two and a half stories, with six Roy went to live ncar Fishing River in Ray County, Missouri, bays wide, The north, Of rear, added a two-story wing, which with his wife and made it look like 13 daughters where a hvo story hotel26 he became involved The rectangular in fur trading. limestone blocks, The fine home which measured they built perished 2 Yl feet by one during the flood of foot by one foot, 184118 remained until Wilson Roberts the hotel was and his wife Carta demolished on ran the grocery Independence Square, ca. 1850·1852, looking west from Main Street. Pointer Identifies Jones' Nebraska August 4,1980. store and tavern Hotet on Rock Street (present·day Maple Avenue). PHL4862 (cropped) Brick for about a decade fragments helped before the hotel burned in 1846.!9 consolidate the mortar used to hold the blocks together. Lewis Jones purchased the western half of Lot 13 from Mrican-American slave laborers usually made bricks for Wilson Roberts on June 21, 1847, for 81,000. 20 Believing construction during this time period. The floor joists, made it to be a good long-term investment he built the Nebraska of pit-sawn white oak placed sixteen inches on center, ran Hotel.'! His timing could not have been better. Independence from east to west. A number of steps led IIp to the entrance in the late 1840s was a major outfitting town for people on Liberty, with steep steps inside to the second floor and heading across the plains. Prospective merchants traveling its balcony.'7 A large basement also served the hotel. 28 The on the Santa Fe Trail, homesteaders taking the Oregon Trail, windows probably had radiating brick vOlIssoirs, such as those or gold prospectors following the California Trail, all passed remaining on the hotel before it was torn down,29 The roof through Independence where they purchased their supplies had a den tiled cornice with parapet gables. Two chimneys and outfitted their rigs for the trek west. As described by could be seen from the parapet gable and another two from Franzwa, the town reverberated with "incessant hammering the north wall of the major wing, and banging from a dozen blacksmiths' sheds, where the After the hotel was built, Tones decided to construct heavy wagons were being repaired, and the horse and oxen a large sign advertising the cs;ablishment.3o He hired an shod. The streets were thronged with men, horses, and Mrican-American slave, Sarn Shepherd, who was owned by 3 mules ... A multitude of healthy children's faccs were peeping James Shepherd. ! Sam was known as an expert "adzman" out from under the covers of the wagons.))22 and his skill at hewing logs perfectly was widespread. A Mormon visitor who stayed at Jones' Nebraska Hotel Shepherd often contracted Sam out for various jobs. Sam had described the beauty and bustling business ofIndependence: cut the logs for the first Jackson County courthouse for James "The town is pleasantly situation, the scenery around, Lewis in 182632 and helped Edwin A. Hickman run the judging from our ride from the river, possessing beauty, with saw and gristmill, which was located ncar what later became few, if any features of boldness. It was originally selected Fairmount Park. 33 Jones asked Shepherd to find the tallest as the seat of Mormon power and a beautiful site for their and straightest white oak tree. I-Ie wanted a thirty-foot tall ternple is pointed Ollt, now occupied by a pretty cottage, tree with no blemishes. Supposedly, Ivlr. Jones's instructions with tastefi.l11y arranged grounds. It is a frontier town, were I'Now I want the log hewed to a sLx-sided post and I where emigrant parties fit out for the plains; huge covered don't want the marks of an ax left on it." Sarn's reward for his wagons are standing in different places, some new and work included a hat, pair of shoes and a few drinks from the others dismantled; immense ox teams pass by, and mules are bar while he cut the log." Jones had two paintings placed on common. Opposite aUf room they are branding the mules the sign with the name of the Nebraska Hotel: a large buffalo for our caravan, a business attended with rough usage and on one side and an Indian on the other. Until after the Civil AUTUMN 2 005 C H S OURNAL 5

''''ar, the Nebraska Hotel sign hung from the second flo or strength, and manage to escape by diving under the table on 35 announcing to all the name of the hote1. one side, to reappea r on the other. (1 ,10 The Nebraska H otel was not the only hotel in Pigs and chickens struggled to enter kitchen where the 41 Independence during this time. Smallwood Noland's "Noland "blackics >l worked, according to Fcrris. But, notwithstanding H otel" down the street could hold , , these udr ill exercises, there is such 400 guests, many sleeping two to a -----;;-- ;-,. unmistakable kindness, and so Eifig_ /~ 7/~ bed.'" Another nearby hotel, built ;< 11 •• s ." 1"/ liberal a supply of substantials by Dr. Leo Tyman frorn Kentucky, r±E3- and iu.,'{ uries, that we enj oy it vcry "Tyman H otcl/' located on the n~WM wel1. '" Q northeast corner ofNhin Street 'rhe hotel was cited as "one of and Maple Avenue, was where he the fi nest and largest hostelry west also practiced medicine. Most of of St. Louis. 43 The first wedding in 'h, ' fi", 1m,,,,," boom'", h""., M'~ J"""0 em,"" ,... 'd ,,, h ,~ and taverns were filled to capacity occurred at the Nebraska Hotel during this period. Still many 6Z between the daughter of Lewis travelers had to remain in their 6) Jones and H irum Silver:l

Shawnee Indians in Indian -.J> Jabez, to survcy the road from Territory at the Delaware- "".- ' f.. Rock Creek to the middle of the Shawnee Agency.54 Jones Big Blue River's main channel.67 was not the only smithy in Independcnce. Othcr blacksmith Lewis Jones also heard criminal cases. One such case shops helped supply wagon trains. 55 Jones is also said to have was that of Paul Pocket who was acclIsed on assault and expanded his business to include carpentry and construction battcry.68 The constable had the responsibility of collecting by the 1840s or earlier.56 a fine imposed on Mr. Pocket. Unfortunately, Pocket broke Pearl Wilcox related a story about Lewis Joncs' unavoidably from the constable and his "property and body" blacksmith shop.57 It was located near heavy timber and werc never found. Jones exonerated the constable from paying hazel brush, in an area frequented by wildlife, especially thc fine to the court. wolves and bears. One night a bear brought hcr cubs into Joncs rcceived 51.50 payment for the advertisement the shop and left one there. Two young townsfolk, Del of properties for sale in Independence69 He also charged McKinney and Green Jones, decided that the cub sholud be the county Sl.06 in the case of a tailor.7o In another sale, captured. Unfortunately Jones was ordered to sell for the boys, the cub had remaining Independence other ideas. After the . , lots by July 10, 1829, for struggle, the boys had little '...... -.... 58.00 each.7l Later, the clothing and the bear left 1 11 '1 "r Jackson County Court unharmed. Ii iI ~ I minutes described that Once the judicial i Jones collected S10.00 system in Jackson 11 _II I !I\' from Timothy Niggs for County, Missouri, was thc purchase of a lot.n set up, it was divided into He also collected S5.00 three townships: Kaw for issuing 48 Certificates (Independence on the for deeds to lots for the west), Biue (in the center), "undertakers of the public and Fort Osage (on the buildings in the Town east).ss One of the first ofIndependcnee."73 On actions by the judges of other occasions, the the ncw COllntv Court was The Watkins Hotel. Gary Plowman Studio III Collection of p, H. Grinter Negatives, Court paid Lewis Jones . L" T 'Jackson County (Mo.) Historical Society Archives, PHL 1994 to appoll1t ewlS. ones as S7.00, $8 .00, and S35.00 a Tusticc of the Peace to assist them.59 rIe was also named respectively based on his account logs?·t C'ommissioner for the County seat60 and a member of the In olle casc, Joncs supplicated to the court for a pauper "Company ofPatrols.,,61 He scrvcd as an Election Judge and his wifc, l

Two views of tho demolition of Jones' Hotel, August 1980. Urban Renewal of the late 19605 and early 19705 included th e installation of covered sidewalks and fountains (at the cost of valuable parking spaces) along Maple Avenue. PHS11495P & PHS11495J

John Bartleson, L. W. Boggs, Major Hickman, and others Independence f.1mi ly, that of Samuel Weston. Soon after fitted out an expedition (in 1849) to California (and later buying the hotel, he was elected to the City Council.95 returned to Independence)." S. (from Independence on May Unfortunately,lVlodie could not only pay his bills due to poor 14) noted: "There is also quite a large company from this rnancy management, but he had forged sorn e of the notes county, yet to start. (It) will go out under the guidance of that secured the loan and was cuught.96 Lewis Jones, E sq., an old hand upon the plains." On May 21 The hotel passed to the trust of Samuel Lucas, Clerk Jones' train was beyond the Wakarusa crossing, on June 5, at of the County Court, since Modie could not pay for his Wyeth's creek on the Little Blue, the McCoy party ... "passed debts. The Court sold the Nebraska on September IS, 1851, Jones' company."n to \,yilliam McCoy, a leader in Independence." The sale It did not appear, however, that Jones wanted to move brought only 81,010. Lewis Jones, in California, was informed west. He seemed to about the availability of always intend to stay in the hotel and he came Independence. H e kept baek specifically to his large home in North repurehase it. McCoy Independence!3 The delayed the filing of Census of 1850 showed the Assignee's Deed to 98 that Jones and his wife allow for this purchasc. "\ owned assets of about Jones bought a lot next­ 89,000, mostly invested door on the cast side of in real es tate. They al so the Nebraska Hotel." had eleven slaves. While He al so used the they only had about adjacent Fuchs Building four slaves by 1860, they for hotel operations.ioo owned 821,000 worth of After rc-purchasing real estate. One reason the hotel, Jones decided fo r the decrease in the to enlarge it. An '---______.... ______..J advertisement in The number of slaves may have been the high rate Lewis Jones' house, also known as the Scarrill House or the Garrison House, where the Occidental Messenger of slave runaways to author lives today at 104 West Elizabeth in Independence, Missouri. Photo courtesy of the from June 21, 1854, Kansas by 1860. author. stated: "the Nebraska Jones sold the HOllse has recently Nebraska House to John J\/jodie in Marel, 1848 for S16,800." been enlarged, and mllch improvecl by alterations lnadc in the

M odic put down S9,300 cash and was to pay the remainder buildingl and is now the rnost commodioll s tavern building in four notes, 8500 due May I, 1849; the second S2,OOO in west of St. Louis."lOi eighteen months; and the third for $2,000 24 months later. A large third floor was added to the hotel, which served The remainder 83 ,000 could be paid within thirty months as a ballroom and for meetings of lo cal groups. It has been of the third payment. IVIodie had married into a prominent said that it was the lodge room of the Masons and Odd AUTUMN 2 00 5 C H S JOURNAL 9

Fellows, and maybe "one of the first meeting places of the in the 1960s and 1970s it served a seedier population. The lVIasons in the city."102 The second floor included it Chinese last hotel to have its name on the moniker of this landmark laundry for use by hotel pat!'Ons. IOJ On the first floor, the building was the Earle Hotel. renovated Nebraska had a tavern in the southwest corner In 1978 the city wanted to use it for urban renewal. Mrs. IIIO room and a '\vell-known gambling den. " \<\Ihile not DeWitt, who owned the hotel and the Vaile Mansion, did not specifYing the Nebraska Hotel, the Missouri Republican in want to invest the 5300,000 that was required to repair the 1849 talked about the gambling dens in Independence. hotel to city standards. The city thought they could revitalize "This place a£lords every facility for gambling and the the Independence Square with a dime store. Several factions unsuspecting, before they are aware of it, afC drawn into the in the city tried to get the hotel on the Federal Register. meshes laid to entrap them, and afC soon relieved of their Although the state supported the nomination, the city did fund s,"105 not and in the end, the federal authorities refused to give it a A schooner barn, stable, and/or storeroom wefe built historic designation. In August of 1980, the hotel was finally behind the hotel on land Jones purchased after 1849.'06 The demolished - the last remnants of hotels on the frontier town post oiT,ce placed a station within the hotel itself. 107 ofIndependence."s During the Civil "Var, the hotel lost much of its business, The city was never able to find so meone to build a dime as did many other establishments in Independence. The store. Second Battle ofIndependence, which occurred on October Lot 13 Old Independence has remained a private parking 22, 1864. Although the Confederates won the initial lot since. excursion, Price became afraid and crossed the Big Blue to avoid further defeat'o", To treat the wounded Confederate ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO soldiers left behind, the city removed furniture from the hotel COMPLEMENT TH IS ARTICLE MAY BE and made the Nebraska Hotel rooms into a hospital.109 FOUND ONLINEAT }CHS.ORG. Although not verified, the Fremont County Public Library in Canon City, Colorado, had evidence that Jones Christine Rinck and her husband Bill live in lndependence, :Missouri, in and his family moved there during the Civil Wa ... "o They the Lewis Jones home (also known as the Scarri tt House, and later the Garrison House). were received in the church on September 1869. Jones was 1 Union Historical Company. /1isI01), tfjfltkson COUIlI)', Missollri~ appointed as an elder of the church by 1870. His presence Reprint of 1881 edition. (Cape Girardeau, iVlo.: Ramfre Press, 1966), was noted at meeting held f!'Om 1871 through 1874. I-Ie was 101- 102. released of his duties as elder in 1874 due to his "extreme 2 Union Historical Company, 101. Gregg was paid 510.00 for his old age." He left money in his will to the Mount Horeb work gathering information about house holds in Jackson County, Congregation of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Missouri.1t took ten days to complete the entire door- to-door census Canon City (5300.00). Jones may have moved to Colorado enumeT:1.tion. 3 All II/uslmld /1;slol';((1/ Atlas iVlnp ofJnckson COllnl)', iVlislo/ll'i. Reprint because of his acquaintance with William Gilpin, who had of 1877 edition. (Independence, rVlo.: Jackson Count)' Historical lived in Independence and later became Territorial Governor Society, 1976), 14. of Colorado. 4 McLaughlin,l'vhril),n Ruth Crosswhite. independentt',jncksoll COIIIII),. Before Jones died, he deeded the hotel to his four i\1issolfri, 1827-1844, Wilh Emphasis 011 indrpmdcl1cc ns SInging children (three by Elizabeth and one from another union)."' Area for H~'sl'Wnrd Commertin! i\10vt'lIIenl ..Thesis . .Ma sters of Art, His funeral was conducted from the Cumberland Presbyterian University of Washington, 19 71, 5 [Copy available at the Jackson County (fda.) Historical Society Archives]. The commissioners were Church, in conjunction with the funeral of another pioneer, Juliu s Emmons of Laf.1yette County and John Bartleson of Clay Russell Hicks, in what was touted then as "one of the greatest County. Other explanations exist for the choice ofIndependcncc. funerals ever seen in the town."112 The funeral procession Both men lived most of their lives in timbered land with adequate listed the order of the procession on the announcement: water and were lIllf.1miJiar with the prairie, with its lack of water. Knight's Templar first, then Uniform Patriarchs, Hearses This is where the ce nter of Jackson County should have lain. (Article by John McCoy at the Jackson COllnty (Mo) Historical Society's with remains of deceased; Relatives and friends of deceased in Archives.) carriages; Pioneer citizens on horseback; Citizens in carriages; 5 Wilcox, Pear1.jO(NSOJ1 COllllly P;onrers. (lndcpcndcnce,l'vlo.: Citizens on horseback; and finally, Citizens on foot. tl3 Jackson County Historical Society, 1991 ), 127. OfficiaUy, the land Shortly after Jones died, his Nebraska Hotel was sold. rail "southwest quarter of section 2, township 49, range 32 and The brisk trade of the Santa Fe, California, and Oregon trails included 160 acres."Today th e street boundaries would be Truman had ended. Gone were the prospectors, the traders, and the and Noland; southeast intersection of Pacific and Pleasa nt streets; northwest intersection of Pleasant and Truman. settlers, cspeciaUy after the building of the railroad. The hotel 6 Missouri /lIlel/igwca. 27 June 1827, cited in EugeneT. Wells, "The patrons now consisted mainly of lawyers and men who sought Growth oflndepelldence. !vIi ssouri, 1827-1850." NIissolll'i Hislorien/ to do business at the County Seat. Sotil'lY Hul/elill, 16 (1959).34. McLaughlin. 8-9. NIr. Newton The Nebraska Hotel became the Hotel Metropolitan conducted a survey of the land and after five days charged the city in the early 1900s and much of the original hotel was $3.75. He figures he lost money having to pay for stakes (S 1.00), four demolished.114 In the 1940s it was a boarding house and quires of paper (51.50). two sheets of pasteboard (25 cents) and S1.00 per clay ad\'ertising the sale. 1 0 C H S OU~NAL AUTUMN 2 0 0 5

7 Ibid,8. 39 Ibid,7. 8 Ibid,9. 40 Ibid, 7. 9 Ibid, 9. Two smaller lots sold for 510 to S12. Eakin,Joanne c., and 41 Ibid,7. O. B. Eakin, cd.Ja(kson COllllly lvIissollri COllrl lVIilllltt: Book I, 1827- 42 Ibid, 8. 1832. (Independence, !VIo.: Jackson County Genealogical Society, 43 Kamas City (1\10.) jOllmal Post, 25 September 1927; Jackson County 1989), 59. All lots did not sell, however until another sale in 1828 (Ivlo) Historical Society Archives, Pearl ''''ileax Papers. when the lots were auctioned for 58 each. 44 Wilcox, 286. If the marriage took place it was not recorded in 10 Union Historical Company, 645. Jackson County. From Jackson County marriage records, it appears 11 Fowler, Eric. Kamas City Star, 4 March 1974. the first marriage recorded was between Francis Pryne and Elizabeth. 12 Eakin and Eakin, 97, 177. This li cense cost 0[S10.00 a ycar. Daily February 15, 1827. 4S Kansas City (1\10.) jOllrnal Post. 25 September 1927. 13 Fowler, Eric. "Old Hotel Deserves to Stay," Independence E.\'amillerJ 4 March 1976. 46 Noland House Dining Room l'vl enu, April 2, 1853. Jackson County 14 Fowler, Pauline Zicgfricd "Polly." l'Vlanuscript Collection at the (lVlo) Historical Society Archives. Also see Kathleen Tuohey's article Jackson Count)' (IvIa) Historical Society Archives. in the Spring 1998 jackson COllnly (klo.) Historical So(ietyjOURNIIL, 15 Fowler, Slar, 4lVIarch 1974. 6-7. 16 Eakin and Eakin, 90. 47 ''''ilcox, 208, 286. Carson joined the expedition to Santa Fe as a l? Ibid, 75-76. "cavry boy" with trailriders, Andrew Broadus, James Collins, Elisah 18 Fowler, Examiner, 4 Nhrch 1976. Stanley and ''''illiam Wolfskill, in 1826, working as a cook, errand 19 Eakin and Eakin, 94, 104 boy, and harness repairer. His Indian wife died shortly after giving 20 Fowler, Eric. Na/iollal Regis/er ifHislOrir P/aCfS Nomilla/ion birth to a daughter in the late 1830s. He put his daughter in a Applim/ioll, 1. [A copy of the nomination application is available at Ivlissouri boarding school and may have been visiting her on some of the Jackson County erVIo.) Historical Society Archives.] his visits. 21 Fowler, E.wlln;'/e1; 4 Nhrch 1976. 48 Ibid, 208. http://www.desertusa.com/mag99/jan/paprlkitcarson. 22 Parkman, Francis, 1846, as cited in Gregory Franzwa, The Orfgol1 html (viewed October 30. 2003). In Ivlissouri, Carson met John C. 71'Oil Re·visih·d (St. Louis, 1,,10.: Patrice Press, Inc, 1972), 83. Fremont who had been commissioned to map the trail to California. 23 Ferris, B. G. The /vIormom a/ Home Witb Some il/cidents ifTmvel Fremont hired Carson as hi s guide and later made him f.'11l1011S /;'0111 Alissou,.i /0 California, 1852-3. (New York, Ny.: Dix & Edwards, through his writings about the expedition. 1856),8. 49 ''''ilcox, 286. http://w\Vw.w

and Aaron Overton. He was also an Election Judge in 1830 and the propert), along with 93.25 acrcs he had annexed for S18,OOO to 1831, !O3. Eugene Erwin. 63 Boone Township was carved Ollt of the original three political 9-1 Fowler, ExamilllJr, :March 4, 1976. John I'vlodie's f.1th er had owncd a designations of Jacks on County. The Ilallle was lost when Boone saddle shop in Independence with Simpson.l\llodiels business was Township was Inter subdi\·jded itsclfinlo smaller townships. "The a(h'e nised in the Western ExpositorJuly 18, 1846, Volume 3 (40). He boundaries of these townships have undergone many ;md material stated he had on hand 15 and 20 tons of assorted iron and wagon changes, till at the present time they contain only a Jl ortion of what boxes. His establishment stood on l\'lain Street, across the street they contained in 1827." At the time of it s designation in I'vIay 1830, from the Locust Grove H otel. Boone Township bcg;m on the "cast at the COUllt)' line between 9S Wilcox, 276. townships Humber forty seven and forty eight thence running due 96 Fowler, National Rlxister, 8. These were supposedly notcs signed by west until it intersects the line of Blue Township thence south to his business partner and represented 55,038.86. the main channel of Grand River thence down Grand River to the 97 \"'ileox, 16 5~166. He came from Chillicothe, Ohio and set lip COllnty line thence north to the beginningl" Eakin and Eakinl 90-91. business on Liberty Streetl the McCoy and Lee Store. He later Union Historical Company, 125-127. was first mayor of] ndependence. H e also founded one of the 64 J:lckson County (!vIa) Historical Society Archives, Pauline "Polty" first banking inslihltions in Independence, Independence Savings Fowler Papers. Instihltion, 467.

65 Ibid,91. 98 Fowler, National Rcgister l 8. 66 Ibid, 16 99 Ibid. 67 Ibid,66. tOO Fowler, Examiner, 4 l\/larch 1976.

68 Ibid,39 tOt The OccidentallvIl'ssengerJ Independence,1\Ifissouri, 21 June 1854.

69 Ibid, 57. t02 Kamas City (!vIo.) Till/es l 25 September 1974. 70 Ibid, 60. This money was to come from the sale of the properties. 103 Ibid. t04 71 Ibid,59 Examiner, 6 February 1919, 1. n Ibid, 67. Jones took 25 cents for his commission on this sale. 105 California Historiml Society Quarterly, 35, as cited in Fowler Natiollal 73 Ibid,67 Register, 9. 74 Ibid, 87, 101 :l.I1d 123. 106 Fowler, Natiollul Register, 7. This indicated by the difference in 75 Ibid,63. the Warranty Deeds for the purchase of the new lot on January 21, 76 Ibid, 1'.113. 1852, Book S, p:lge 145, when the lot had no building thereon and 77 Union Historical Company, 186. the Writ of Attachment dated September 25, 1876, Book 113, page

78 l'vkLoughliI1 1 37. 365 where the storehouse is described. 79 http://www.riley.army.miVOlirPostlHistory.asp (viewed October 30, 107 Wilcox, 286. 2003). Riley not only led the first milit:uy escort, but a Fort Riley t08 http://americancivilwar.com/statepidmo/mo025.html (viewed wa s established in 1853 to guard against Indian attacks on the trail. October 3D, 2003). l\1cLoughliI1, 46-47. A Congressional bill in rvlarch 1829 was signed 109 Wilcoxl 286. Independence residents took Federal soldier that were by President Andrew Jackson for four Ft. Leavenworth companies wounded to a Bank on the square. under Major Riley to accompany traders at least to the American­ tlO Leiter from Riley Simf;tll to Donald Ehrlich,1975,Jackson Count)' l'vIexican boundary. (l\'10) Historical Society Archives, Box 50F1!. 80 Union Historical Company, 646. 111 Fowler, Natiollal Register, 8. 81 Berry, 574. 112 Hickman, W. Z. 1-list01), ofjackson COllllt)', li1issouri. (Topeka, Ks.: 82 Ibid, 998. H istorical Publishing Co., 1920),237-239. Hicks was a prominent 83 http://www.conjure.com/GENEIjONES=IIUNT/djones. html citizen, being a lawyer and judge. He became penniless after the (viewed October 30, 2003). Civi l Wac, having lost his slaves and cattle. Hicks also was known in 8·1 http://www.beckwourth.org/Biography/everglades.html(viewed Kansas City for hi s participation in the sale of the Pcudhomme land October 3D, 2003). and hi s eccentricities. For example, he dyed his hair frolll time to 85 Wilcox, 279. His partners included Independence leaders Samuel time and often appeared in court in hair of varied color, from orange H. Woodsonl Sr., John Parker, George W. Buchanan, Samuel D . to red and black to white. Lucas, William B. I-lays, and John l\IIurray. For a full-length article 11 3 Funerals for Lewis Jones and Russell Hicks were conducted from on this topic, see "A Short Ride on the First Railroad \"'est of the the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in the Cit)' ofIndependence .Mississippi,1I jadwm COlillty HiJtoriml Society JOURNAL 45(3), on Sunday, April 23, 1876, at 2:00 p.m. Pearl Wilcox Obihlary Spring 2004, 6-8. . Collection, "Hicks, Judge Russell /' Jackson County (1\110) Historical

86 Campbell I :rvlatt. ""Vayne City Landing Tales: lts Place among Society Archives.

Historic Sites" Kamas City StarJ 10 August 1983, 6a. 114 One side of the hotel remained, as did the foundation and 87 Laws ofA1issollri. 1849 edition, cited in Wilcox, 279. basement. 88 Wilcox, 281. 115 "B·It 0 fl··lIstor)' gi ves way to wrec ke rs, "J(,(l1ISflS C·,'ty (1'110. ) TUlles,. 4 89 Campbell, 6a. August 1980, Ill.

90 Campbell I 6a. 91 Fowler, National Register, 8. 9l Berry, 836. 93 \"'i1coxl 286. Pauline Siegfried Fowler, "Independence Young I'vlatrons Buy Pre-Civil War Brick Residence," jackson COllllty Hislorienl Soci"y JOURNAL, XII (3), Fail 1970, 6, 8, 10. The house later became the home of Nathan Scarritt. The street by this house was named for his wife, Eljzabeth and that behind his house after hilll, Jones Street. He held this property until 1858 when he sold 2 jCHS JOURNAL AUTUMN 2005 HARRY TRUMAN'S HAT TIP AT "THE TOP HAT" CHANGED MY LIFE BY jOELOUlS MATTOX

Caruthersville, Jvl issollri, and Independence, JvlissQuri, I co uld make more money and liked working indoors, I did have an interesting connection to each other ... and to me: better as a bus boy and a short order cook at the "lop Hat U.S. President Harry S Truman. Cafe" on Main Street) the finest restaurant in Caruthersville. It could be said that Truman loved visiting Caruthersville On Octob,r 1, 1953, Harry Truman ca me to town and morc than any other everyone hailed him as , IIMr. President" and liThe Man placc. According from. Independence." ] was 16 years old and not sure where to the Kansas City Independence wa s located. That morning, President Truman, Star, the 33rd U.S. out of the White House for jllst nine months, had breakfast at President visited the the lop Hat Cafe. 1\s he was leaving the restaurant Truman

If Little White House" tipped his hat and shared kind words with the staff. Truman in Kcy \,yest, Florida, suggested I finish high school and attend Lincoln University 11 times.' Guest in Jefferson City, Missouri . what? According to another source, T~UMAN'S ''TIP'' BECOMES REALITY President Truman I did graduate vi sited Caruthersville from Washington 13 times? His last vi sit High School--the to Caruthersville was "colored school" in in 1953, and that was CaruthersviU e­ when ollr paths first but I had my own crossed. notion that my Between 1950 opportunity to and 1966, I lived in become sOlnebody Joelouls Mattox In 1966 when he worked Caruthersville and for the land Clearance for Redevelopment was in the U.S. Air Authority in Independence, Missouri. Photo then Independence. Force) or to get a courtesy the author. Caruthersville is a small good paying job Harry Truman's early life, like Ihat of the town on the Nlississippi up north in Chicago, author, were grounded 011 the farm. Truman River and county scat of Pemiscot Count)' in the famous Illinois, or Detroit, rIding a cultivator on the GrandvIew farm about M' I . TI Ai 1910, courtesy Harry S Truman Presidential Missouri Boothee!. At that time, nearly all public facilities IC ligan. le r Museum and LIbrary. PHL106 and accommodations had signs on them that read "White" or Force did not work out.

that might need to be programs that might addressed. be available to them, VI/e then worked and we assisted them to provide a descriptive in applying for such referral list of homes programs through our office had our relocation office. available. The list was One specific fairly detailed and in stance that described each home's afforded me with type of constru ction; another con nection number of stories to former President and rooms; type of Truman was when I heating; number wrote a letter to him of bedrooms and requesting income bathrooms; whether Residen ts of The Neck were ordinary verification for his the house had a garage working class families, many of whom Mrican-American scrvcd as maids, cooks and gardeners or basement; type of for well ·to·do families in adjacent white employee, who neighborhood; zoning neighborhoods. PHS8492 & PHS2729 . -~,-<,:p..l)' 1 sought eligibility for classification; size of a relocation payment. the lot; neighborhood conveniences (schools, stores and We sent our standard transportation); approxi mate an nllal ta.xes; and, of course, the form letter informing price of the hOll se and financing. the lady that she I purchased my first car, a 1954 Oldsmobile coupe, to may be eligible for a transport people in my cascload to prospective hOllses that relocation payrnent were for sale or rent, to social services agencies, to banks, to dependent upon her title companies and other places. Most of my clients asked income verifIcation. me to ride with them to look for new homes. VI/e looked in Though I never Independence, but also in other cities slich as Liberty and rnet her in person Kansas City, Missouri. she moved to more Always present in mass relocation was a lack of rental suitable hOllsing property for minority families who were not eligible for public elsewhere. I 1 housing. Then, too, were segregation and discrirnination I helped one issues aforementioned. For instance, African-American clients re sident from "The warned me not to visit Sugar Creek, a community adjacent to Neck" fulfill her Independence, after dark because of my race. dream to own and live in a house on A ''TRUE STORY OF FEELINGS" "Mr. Truman's Street." Georgia Nutter eventually relocated 1 found th at dining with residents of(4The Neck" was just a couple of blocks from "The Neck" to 809 North the best way to get to kn ow them so that I could best serve Dela,vare. th em. And, surprisingly, I was often invited to joi n in on And, after countless hours of negotiations at a relocation family time. People who would speak out negatively against solution, 1 was able to escort another resident of "The Neck," me-curse me- and denounce the LCRA in public meetings to the bank to cash a check and watch him smile holding one day, would turn right around and invite me to dinner th e three 81,000 bills ... something he had wanted to do all his next. And do you know what? Most of those same people life. Mr. Jessie S. Thomas relocated to 423 East Elm, and was told me in private that they were glad I was there to help one of several non-white individuals and £1m ilies who had them. I really enjoyed li stening to these folks tell stories about moved from the project area and now had white neighbors in themselves and their parents and grandparents growing up in Independence. " Independence. I enj oyed helping them. A lesson learn ed in this, m}' first career job, was that To educate the comnulIlity and clarity 'Tli sconceptions, mOlley is 1101 evelylbing. One Caucasian resident who was a we orga nized a presentation at Bryant School about the client of mine, Mrs. Ethel Martin if] recall correctly, was relocation plan and the rel ocation payment program for very sentimental about her homc on North Spring Strect residents in the urban renewal project area. Families were very close to 24 Highway. She and her husband had built entitled to financial assistance: S200 for moving expenses their home and he had planted a very special tree in their and up to S500 for relocation adjustments, if they qualified. back yard. Her life was centered on the memories of their We also educated families about private, veterans' and federal relationship and their home. She desired and made an appeal 6 C H 5 OURNAL AUTUMN 2 00 5

that she be the last resident removed from the renewal area. helping one elderly project resident gain admittance to the VVe were able to accommodate her request. The bulldozers Jackson County Home for the Aged because he was unable came up to and around her home, until, finally, it was time for to care for himself and had no one to ca re for himjH d) given her to relocate. two families and one elderly individual enough furniture to The renewal projcct affected everyone, ,------.-• ..., furnish several rooms in their new hornes; Jl~LETml WEST-From 8GO N Maht myseJf included, and it was not without its wer;t 10 U Woodlud and e) had disbursed more than 82,000 in 11 1 Ntttlclon Apartments I · d· e challenges. I )lo..... ers J eWf'lI 11 INH'lfl 8 rc ocation a Jl1stmcnt payments to lamilics 2 l ~nte I.('nl< M Mrs d Id I . d··d I k I e 3 Sh n p ~o" Mlnnlc an e cr y III IVI ua s to mOl c ire more " 0 S CIA .. "\Il1 b rl~h l SU~ aI'\ n r.lrlllfa-~200 A RELOCATI N PE LIST IS N Llb"I,1ol"''''' comfortable in their new locations. (tlot open het N U berty and n Spring) TRU STWO RTHY" "s,do, 101,,,,, 1. In the end, and after countless hours .t 14 Turn~ t Hobl J CJ, 2-0258 During the 1960s, urban renewal was 1 <1 1 ~ M 8rI; h ~ IlI'('r ~ y C CIA- 7r!20 consulting with f.1milics and driving thousands 418 M o rd ~1H 1 On) ).\1' 11 () INI-(;402 called, "Negro Removal," and people who :~~ ~; ~~f.~on !)\'In\1 jr I'j INI-091l of miles seeking poss ible hOllsing for area Irvin (J8tM- J 11./1 -439 6 wor k e d III· tl le program were suspec t 0 f b elll. g ~ SsooOl J~ coj, ! I\lh<'TI ~0 CIA-I248 r e Sl·de I ItS ,1tl e No r til w e s t P ar kway I'.,-cnewa I inse nsitive and unca ring. There were protests. ~~: ill: ~ :~i;!;rl~ ~~~~ , :ill~ CU-SH9 Area project concludcd sllccessfully. It was There were objections and opposition. ~g ~ ~; :~~~ ~ r;o r:. I ~ Mr... rJ CJ,'2-4f)SO eventually decided that the redevelopment · d· I d I !ItO TaylQr }>;. nu t Jr v Id . d I b d· d '- C on dem nation procce 1I1gs s owe t le process I't .)1" VIC·:! ••I area wou ,Ill eec, c eSlgnate as a parKway c 512 COl,l'ill.:t Cllr.. nt r- 11 0 ( d dB'" P '- ) I of relocation. Requcsts lor rezoning were ~ 14 O " ~ h ;" n H,lril! W I O CI:l-S434 to ay name ess I ruman arKway t lat SIf Va'tl ro' d b M C proposed, contestcd and denied. Throughout 5111 H ~ l nr,u Anv..lrl S to ay isects an I8-acre c oy Park south of 521 Vlounl IS the process, I prided myself by assuring ",~eo, I ~""C\' Highwa)'. KCSII , (no c rOSII"\:) 24 111)' clientele that ffA relocation specialist is N Oelaware i nte r s ~ i l Through this expericnce I enj·o)'ed some N UnIon InierM(is trustworthy." ~;tl~~~: ~~I~rO!:r~~~NH; 26 2 personal growth experi ences and milestones A number of citizens and organizations, U'h'd::lb1 !,r fnt~1:~ ~ft ~ IN I-5155 while working and living in Independence. both black and whitc, bccame concerned ~~2r~!~~('r lit' (11I I was the first African-Amcrican to U WillI s IlIlcrs('c\a a b out t Il e n.g Ilts an d we Ietare 0 f·dreSI ents 0 f 1200 N01..... Id ;c Ilc,..... ,ld 0 mf r 1:11:1 b ecorne a mem b er 0 f t Ile I n d epen d ence, 1102 Wil dt' noll'" IJ j r 0 CL2 -3414 Iv! J d d "The Neck.)! Among thcm were: Mrs. Hazel N Crysler Intt' r6(ct8 issouri, aycees, an serve on the Board 1312 (llu\'c. M!nnle 11 Mrs G Graham, long-timc official with the Jackson HI]-10 ~6 of Dircctors with Richard Gross, who later u }'uli or IrM rs« t ~ County (Mo.) I-listorical Society, who knew L~w=""'=~:n=d=l=ol="='="=I'=(=no=I =,p='=O)~=11J became the second CEO of the Missouri a number of Neck residents; l

my involvement in the Landmarks Commission of Kansas City, Missouri, Election Judge for the Kansas City Board of Commissioners, life member of the NAACP, and member of two branch executive committces o(the N.A.A.C.P: Muskegon, Michigan and Kansas City, Missouri. (The forerunner to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights was· the President's ConHllittee on Civil Rights. President Truman appointed the Committee on December 5, 1946).

PROMOTING AFRICAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE Over the years, my love of history and admiration for Harry S Truman's laudable work to gain equality for African-Americans has led me to contribute to the body of knowledge regarding African-Americans and their connection to local history, including their relation to {(The Man from Independence." After learning that Mrican-Am~ricans were mernbers of the early Mormon Church, I published an article titled "Blacks and Mormons."16 In late 1983 and early 1984, upon the advice of Lucile Bluford, late Publisher and Editor of the Kallsas City Call newspaper, I did research at the Harr), S Truman Presidentiall\lIuseulll and Library and discovered a wealth of information about two lVlissourians: Chester A. Franklin (Founder of the Kallsas City Cal/); the great agricultural scientist George 'I\'ashington Carver; black Republicans ofJackson Count),; and, the beginning of public housing in Kansas City, Missouri. Reading the personal papers ofMr. Truman, I Harry Truman, as junior U.S. Senator from Missouri voted to enact learned of his concern for all Americans getting ('A Fair Deal" legislation that created the federal public housing program. PHl2820 and being treated equality. The onion-skin and carbon copy The Northwest Parkway project and "The Neck," letters to individuals and organizations reveal the reasons why I have held top-management positions with the urban black and white historians call Truman "The Civil Rights renewal agency of Kansas City, Tvlissouri; the public hOllsing President." authorities of Kansas City, Missouri, and Muskegon Heights, Ms. Bluford was impressed with the stor), I wrote Michigan; served as director of the first Housing Allowance about Chester Franklin and Harry Truman. It made the front Program in the country that became HUD's Section 8 page and was published in the 65th Anniversary edition of Housing Program; earned the REALTOR, Certified Property the Kallsas City Call on June 28,1984. I was then inspired to Manager (CPM), Certified Housing Counselor (CHC) write: and Public Housing Manager (PHM) designations; held "Black Colleges Need Professors Like George the position of instructor of property management at the W as 1llngton· C arvel'; ,,17 University of Chicago and Rockhurst University in Kansas ('Harry Truman and the NAACP;"ls City, 1VIissourij and been retained as a consultant to the U.S. "The Law to Oppose the Sprcad of Communism Among Department ofI-Iousing and Urban Development (I-IUD) Negroes;"19 and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). ('Truman and Caruthersville;"2o Other rewarding experiences include my position as "Blacks and Tom Pendergast;1I21 president of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., National "Truman's Peace Speech Remembered;,,22 Housing Foundation, and member of a group of "housing ({The White HOllse on Baltimore Avenue;,,2J experts" that studied housing production and management ({George Washington Carver, National Hero;,,24 and, in Europe, and a delegate to a United Nations' international "Carver Day was set aside for blacks only.,,25 conference on housing. I am honored to have been a member of the Board of Directors of the Real Estate Board of Kansas Independence is proud of its hometown hero Harry City, member of the Board of Directors of Project Equality, S Truman. His visit to my hometown of Caruthersville and Inc., and rnember of the Missouri Advisory Committee to his advice to me as a youngster just happened to be a moment the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. Just as important are that set the direction of my life. Thank you, Mr. Truman. 8 C H S OURNAL AUTUMN 2 0 0 5 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO 7 Even in light of what is happening today in New Orleans after COMPLEMENT THIS ARTICLE MAY BE Hurricane Katrina, I hope that an African~American with a strong desire for community is hired to participate in the relocation and FOUND ONLINE AT }CHS.ORG. redevelopment of people who have been affected. If] were 40 years younger with the experience I gained in Independence, I would be Joclouis 1VIattox is a freelance writer. He is currently working on several down there helping. It's going to take a strong person to say this: ''I'm 'projects, one of which is to study the history of African-American going to cry with you. I'm going to stand up with you. I'm going to schools in Kansas City, IVIissouri. His prc\rjous article, "Taking help you. But, I must tell you there is no going back to what was. Vlfe Steps to Record Steptoe, Westport's Vanishing African-American are going forward to a new day to a promised land for people who Neighborhood," appeared in the Auhlllll1 2004 issue of the Jarl:,soll want to improve themselves," COllllty Historical SocietyjOURNAL.IVlr,l'vlattox lives in Kansas Cit)', 8 IVIattox, Joe L. "Small City Relocation Program." Thejounwlof l'vlissouri. HOllsing and Community D e·velopment. (Nlarch 1966), No.3, 157-158. 9 I know that Illy work was respected and others could tell that I knew 1 Kansas City (l'vlo.) Star, 23 January 2005. what I was doing and I was good at it. Three agencies wanted my 2 Democrat /bgm, 27 September 1984. expertise once I11y work in Independence concluded, and my career 3 Independence was not unlike other cities or small towns of the gained momentum after that point. time; racism and segregation were still pervasive as the Civil 10 This list is on deposit in my collection at the Jackson County (Mo.) Rights l\1ovcmcnt was gaining momentum and traction. It was Historical Society's Archives. kind of an "unsaid rule" that "blacks" were not welcome in "white 11 The Trumans had several employees. Althought this woman's name neighborhoods;" at least that's the way it had been up to that point. escapes me, she was not Truman's long-time housekeeper, Vietta This was the beginning of real-life integration. The author recalls Garr. at least three Independence neighborhoods that at that time where 12 I have donated papers relative to a selection of my LCRA cascload African-Americans were living: 1) "The Neck" described more to the Jackson County (Mo.) Historical Society Archives for fully throughout this article, 2) the area surrounding the African­ preservation and future access. Additional papers that may be of American IVIethodist and Baptist churches in Independence, 3) interest and pertinence have been donated to the 1\1issouri Valley the area around William Chrisman High School on North Noland Special Collections department of the Kansas City Public Library's (where I lived at that time with the Powells), and 4) an area along Central Branch. Hocker Street near Young School, an African-American school. 13 One of the things that slowed our progress in the renewal area 4 Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority oflndependence was the building of Housing Authority units th at were eventually board minutes details the specifics ofland acquisition, relocation, constructed on Truman Road and North Hocker (in a neighborhood and demolition. These arc preserved in the Jackson County (!vIo.) that had previously been settled by blacks). Unions at the time Historical Society's Archives. were insistent on steel construction and did not want plastic used S Taylor, Jon E. When A Presidential Neighborhood Enters HistolY: in federal housing projects. These negotiations held up the housing Community Change, Competing Histories, and CreatiVe TeJlSion in units that were needed to relocate some of the families from "The Independen(e, Missouri. Dissertation. (Columbia, 1'1'10.: University Neck." oftvlissouri, tvIay 2004), 125-138. The other renewal area in 14 NIr. IVIanford Spicer, Jr., according to files I've deposited with the Independence surrounded Independence's historic Courthouse Jackson Count}' (!vIo.) Historical Society Archives. Square, called the Jackson Square renewal area. lS McCoy Park WilS named \'Valiam NIcCoy who served as the first 6 In f:lCt, the LCRA Report for the Year Ending December 31, 1968, Mayor of Independence, 1\1issouri, in 1849. reported the total number of white and minority f.'tmilies relocated 16 Kansas City (1\110.) Globe, 24 June 1976. from the project area was 179. Although no one as yet has discovered 17 Kamas City (1\10.) Call, 3 January 1984. the root of how "The Neck" was named, Caucasian residents who, 18 Kamas Cily (Mo.) Call, 26 July 1984. for obvious reasons, wish to remain anonymous, have said they 19 Kamas City {1Vlo.} Globe, 12 September 1984. remembered as children the area being called, "The Nigger Neck." 20 Demo(rat Argus, 27 September 1984. Alversia Brown Pettigrew has written the book, Memoriu 0/A Nl'{k 21 KallSm City (Mo.) Globe, 17 October 1984. Child, describing her and her family's experiences of living and 22 The Pemisrol jounlal, 5 November 1984. growing up in "The Neck."The book begins with a lengthy, lively 23 Kamfls City (1\10.) Globe, 14 December 1984. I wrote this in the poem, and the remainder of the book dissects the poem with very Presidential Suite at the then Muehlebach Hotel where President interesting personal memories and anecdotes. ["Irs. Pettigrew is Truman was once a regular guest. the only former resident of "The Neck" who has yet documented 24 Kamas City (]\10.) Globe, 26 February 1986. a personal narrative. She relates that "this nallle was given ... by 2S Kamas City (lVlo.) Star, 14 January 1990. While in high school I had the white folks as a defmite 'put-down.' You know, 'neck of the the opportunity to visit the George Washington Carver National woods' and that type of thing . . .." Pettigrew says, "'The Neck'" was Monument near Diamond, Missouri, Years later I learned the bordered on the north by U.S. Highway 24; on the south by West legislation that created the monument in 1943 was sponsored by College; on the cast by North Spring; and, on the west by North Senator Harry Truman. On December 29,1945, eight months after rvIcCoy. Within these border streets were Wcst Nettleton, \Nest rvtill, taking over the Oval Office in the White House, President Truman and West St. Charles."1'vlill Creek (which presently runs through signed Public Law 290 that made January 5,1946, a national holiday 1\1cCo)' Park) was at that time, as described by Mrs. Pettigrew, "an that honored George Washington Can'er. old branch stream, with overlying large trees, which provided a shaded and cool spot." Other former residents, as well as officials involved, should be located and interviewed for posterity. To that end, 1'vlrs. Pettigrew organized the first annual Neck reunion this summer. Perhaps at the second annual rellnion in 2006, efforts may be made to gather recollections from attendees. AUTUMN 2005 JCHS J OURNA L 1 9 ACKSON COUNTY'S LITTLE BLUE RIVER VALLEY: BAlJ NCING DEVELOPMENT AND PRESERVATION OF AN HISTORIC RURAL LANDSCAPE BY PAUL KIRKMAN

"Much as the family bible and old photo albums rccord family histories, America's rural countryside provides a living record of our collective past."l Historic preservation is more than "saving old buildings."The protection of pristine rural landscapes and cultural heritage sites is as imperat ive to saving signi fica nt histori c strllctures. Development of resources is no le ss important. T he equilibrium of these two seeming disparate activities is the goal. Historic preservationists- those who desire to ensure future generations have access to physical evidence of our past- and civic leaders and city planners-who arc responsible for community dcvelopmcnt­ must find a workable path that balances seeming compcting Rural Jackson County as it was In the early 1930s. Will we save any views like this for future generations to enjoy? interests. This shared Dick Millard, Sr., Photographic Collection, Jackson County (Mo.) Historical Society Archives. PHX9407 responsibility includes assisting preservation and planning commissions in identifying the 80 men from the St.Charles militia were guided back across locations, historical significa nce, and community value of the Little Blue by Nathan Boone (taking roughly the path of U.S. 40 Highway, then cutting north? to begin work on a fort historic sites and landscapes. Without input from local historians in the development that would first be called Fort Clark, then Fort Osage. process, areas slated for development might contain any Under U.S. President T homas Jefferson, a treaty was nurn ber of histori c buildings, archaeological sites, or historic signed in November 1808, with the chi efs of the Big Osage landscapes in danger of being lost forever. and Little Osage tribes, ceding land to the U.S. govern ment This article highlights the unique history ofJackson in ~~c.hange ~or protection, an annuity, access to Fort Osage County's Little Blue River Valley; provides some background faCllttles, etc. In the years that foHowed, many trappers and hunters would pass through this area known as "the blue on past patterns in development and planning; and, presents country." Daniel Boone even visited Fort Osage in April a more precise example of the challenges and opportunities 5 facing Kansas City as it continues to uphold its mas ter plan 1816 . In addition to Fort Osage, small communities were for development of a critical area along the Little Blue River. beginning to dot the landscape along the old Indian traces and nea l' the rivers. On December 15, 1826,1ackson County 6 HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF THE BLUE COUNTRY was formed. "The Little Blue Vallcy is the drainage basin of the Little Churches were started almost as soon as a community had Blue River, and covers over one-third of Jackson County.,,2 a double-digit population. Earl), churches included: Salem The Little Blue River is a tributary of the Missouri River and Baptist (1826- 1miJe southeast of present day "New" Salem passes through communities large and smail from Grandview Baptist) ; Six Mile Baptist (1825); and, Little Blue Church to Sibley. Many Indian paths (or traces) cross the River, and (1847, also known as Lobb, and Shaker Rag) .7 As these date back hundreds, if not thousands of yea rs. The Lewis and congregations grcw and more settlers arrived, others followed. Clark Voyage of Discovery passed the delta of the Little Blue Lec's Summit, Woods Chapel, and Blue Springs churches 8 River in 1804. Within two years, General WiJliam Clark and were all outgrowths of Little Blue Church. M ormons following prophet Joseph Smith also crossed the Little Blue 2 0 J C H S JOURNAL AUTUMN 2 005 River to settle in Independence in the early 1830's.9 Little Blue River on the Old Atherton Road (old Blue Mills Pioneer graveyards and family burial grounds dot the Road passed right through the plantation where slaves lived landscape as well. One of the earliest, Lobb Cemetery, was in cabins bordering the Road).'· This plantation is purported named after Aquilla Lobb, one of the founding members of to have been the largest slave settlement in the state of the Little Blue church. \0 A neighbor's child who died in an Missouri. More than 200 slaves died there in the 1850s as a I7 .,-..~ accident was the result of a cholera epidemic. first burial. Blue Roderick D. Mize (father ofJudge R.D. Mize) owned a Springs Cemetery ferryboat in 1850 called the Little Blue and ran a store near was started in 1845 Blue Mills". William B. Howard owned a large farm near (also with the burial Lee's Summit and was instrumental in getting the railroad to of an infant), and a come through there. Smallwood Noland moved to the area Revolutionary War from Kentucky, with a number of slaves, settling land South veteran was buried and West of Raytown road". Colonel Henry Washington there in 1848I1 Younger owned a plantation of several thousand acres Sibley Cemetery including land near Lee's Summit and the Little Blue River. 20 has a number of WiUiam lvloore, a revolutionary war veteran, was onc of the graves that date first settlers along the Little Blue River". The log cabin he to the cholera and his son built in 1828 is still standing along Ess Road epidemic of 1835." and he is buried in a plot behind the ''''alnut Hill Mansion And, the Jackson at 14909 Little Blue road (built by K.C. lumberman Hans County (Mo.) Dierks, and later a retreat ofJames Pcndergast)n A number Historical Society of these early pioneer's names have become place-names that has identified a arc familiar to Independence, Blue Springs and Lee's Summit Blue Mills Milling Company PHL4011 number of smaller residents. plots ofland, often an acre or less, that were once private family burial grounds. UTTLE BLUE'S UNCIVIL BATTLES Therein lie the pioneers ofJackson County whose life stories Volumes have been written about the battles and arc still being uncovered by genealogists and local historians. hardships [,ced by those living in and around the Little Blue Grist mills along the Little Blue River were another River Valley during the years lcading up to, during, and even important endeavor. Blue Mill was built at what is now the after the Civil War. (CBorder warfare" characterized guerilla­ north end of Lentz Road (1837). Benjamin Majors' Mill raiding parties and skirmishes during the pre-war years were (1825) was built where Spring Branch Road crosses the Little supplanted by battles and worse atrocities during the war, Blue River. And, James Savage's Mill was built where R.D. finally followed by years of shaky peace, bitterness, rivalry, and Mize Road crosses the Little Blue River. 13 Though there were violence. a number of small mills, the Blue Mill Milling Company was Families along the Little Blue faced raiding parties from the largest and most extensive operation in the area. Fifteen Kansas, who liberated more than slaves. They stole livestock, to 20 !l"lCil worked year round at the mill for twelve cents an silverware, and anything else not nailed down. And, the torch hour. The mill sold three grades of flour, cornmeal, and oats, often finished what was left. During the Civil War, looting and also sold barrels, board lumber, furniture, canoes and and attacks only worsened, often with official sanction, or at carded wool. H least complacence. Harry S Truman nicknamed his mother More communities developed as trade along the Santa Fe /lold rebel" for her attitude about "Yankees," an attitude Trail increased. The first 160 miles of the Santa Fe Trail were developed when Jim Lane and a band of Kansas Red Legs surveyed by Fort Osage's factor, George Sibley15 At that time, took over her father's farm and forced her to cook for them the Santa Fe Trail ran between Blue Mill at the mouth of the while they burned the f.1mily barn, and stole and slaughtered Little Blue River just south of the Fort along the Indian trace their livestock." Experiences such as these fueled the that marked the border of Osage lands. Blue Mill, like Fort animosity and swelled the rebel ranks. (An Uncle of Truman's Osage, are on the Santa Fe Trail and have been arduously road with William Clarke Q.antrill.) researched for listing on the National Register of Historic Kansas /Ired legs" killed the Lee that Lee's Summit was Places. named.24 Cole Younger's father was also murdered by the Westward expansion and steady settlement continued into guerillas from Kansas.25 Younger was a wealthy farmcr who the 1840s and 1850s. Large fortunes amassed as large farms, owned a great deal of land in Jackson County (including the or plantations, were established along the Little Blue River. land that bccame Jackson County's Poor Farm ... the site A significant percentage ofJackson County settlers owned of today's Truman Medical Center-Lakewood).'6 Mter his and used African-American slave labor. Jabez Smith had a father's murder, Cole Younger sought revenge and joined plantation where he literally /lraised" slaves just west of the Q!1antrill, too. In retaliation for this, Younger's mother AUTUMN 200 5 C H S JOUR.NAL 2 1 was forced by Kansas red legs to torch the fami ly home in fonner Missouri governor and confederate General Sterling the dead of winter. Younger's cousin, Armenia Gi1vey, was Price began what would be the longest foray into enemy imprisoned and di ed in the collapse of the Kansas City prison country of the enti re war. Price's Raid was a desperate attempt where she and several rebel female relatives were being held. to split off Missouri from Union control. Failing short of This event is what tri ggered """------, taking St. Louis or Jefferson City, O!mntrill to burn the town of lVli ssouri, Price still managed Lawrence, Kansas. Armenia to recruit many Missourians to and two other young girls were his ca use and wo n a number buried at Little Blue in the Davis of skirmishes and battles as he Cemetery (commonly called the marched across the state re- Smith Cemetery)." Both the _.&ji'!""'ri:el setting his sights for Kansas Cit)', Davis and Smith fami li es owned ~kf~rl~:;~=- I Missouri . . . and perhaps Fort land in the vicinity, hence the Leavenworth, Kan sas. confusion in naming convention. Union forces were hastily The location of this cemetery is in brought together to try and slow present-day Raytown, NIissoliri. the advance of Price's thousands. The exact position in the parcel Civilians were in a panic. has not been pinpointed, but Guerrilla's like Qlantrill and official records document it Bloody Bill Anderson had joined we ll enough to support an '------' forces with Price,31 some Kansas archaeological investigation. The Large monument in Woodlawn Cemetery commemorating Ihose volu nteer forces refused to go into who died at the Baltle on Grinler's Farm at the northwest corner of owner of this tract might allow for present-day Lee's Summit Road and Gregory/Woods Chapel Road Missouri. A force of 2,000 under this due diligence before further (north of Truman Medical Center· Lakewood). PHS3188 Major General Blunt tried and development of the tract ensues. f:IUed to stop Price at Lex ington, G.imntrill's raid on Lawrence and the Union's response Missouri. On October 20, Blunt made ca mp on the Little through the infamous "Order No. 11" both had their roots in Blue River. He was ordered back to Independence, Missouri, this bitter partisan warhlre. leaving Colonel Thomas Moonlight in charge of a smaller Several battles and skirmishes took place along the Little force there. When he returned on October 21, Moonlight Blue throughout the Civil War years from Blue Mills to had engaged Price's forces, retreated, and burned the bridge the north down to White Oak Creek at the southern end across the Little Blue River. Blunt sent in his forces and in of the valley." One skirmish that took place was the Battle a battle that lasted five hours involving thousa nds of men, on Grintcr's Farm. Little information '------\~r:~J~l:T\~~7_;;~;:::~:=:;;:;::;;('\1 about this has yet been uncovered." P I N. Grinter owned the land just north of the then Jackso n County Poor Farm (at the northwest corner of present-day Lec's Summit Road and Little Blue Road; just north of Truman Medical Center), and troops marched and fou ght on his land as the battle raged through the Valley. Remnants of a Civil War-era stone bridge arc rumored to be near this intersection. An archaeological investigation is in order to identify this and other significant remnants ofJa ckso n County's 175-year heritage as it pertain s to thi s area . Many who had been at the Battle of Lone Jack wcre from th e area. Colonel Upton I-lays had been ill the area recruiting for the Confederacy, and after Lone Jack, added volunteers from Raytown, lVIissouri, Brooking Tmvnship, and variolls farm s along the Little Blue River Valley. 3o In the fall of 1864, while the War seemed to be grinding down in the east, Ess Road Log Cabin of William Moore, one of Jackson County's Revolutionary War patriots. PHS5894 2 2 J C H S OURNAL AUTUMN 2 0 0 5

Union troops were forced to retreat west to Independencc.32 construction of the Hannibal Bridge over the Missouri River. The battle continued the next day through thc heart of The older communities along the Little Blue River, however, Independence, down south to Byram's :herd and ultimately to developed at a somewhat slower pace. '''!estport.'3 Vast dairy and livestock farms developed there to feed The Battle of the Little Blue was really ,------, growing communitie s that would begin the beginning of the end for Price's army in to slowly shift from away from their Missouri. "That was/' as Tim Cox, President agrarian roots to become more industrial or of the Civil War Round Table of Western comrnercial in nature. W.B. Frey's Lakeside Missouri said, lithe last tactical maneuver by Farm Dairy (surrounding the town of Little the Confederacy to gain control of Missouri Blue, Missouri) was the world's biggest and portions of the Trans Mississippi Hereford farm. The Milton Thompson Territory." General Rosecran's strategy slowed £1rm near Lee's Sumrnit, Missouri, Price's progress. It was hoped that Major consisted of 7,600 acres. Cedar Croft Jersey General Pleasanton's cavalry division could Farm, Longview Four Gates, Barr Farm, catch up and engage, and preparations at Hook Dairy, and man)' others lifted the Byram's Ford could be instituted in order to area to world-renowned status in the first trap Price.'4 (The plan failed to some degree, part of the 20th Century.36 Stephenson's because Shelby's cavalry flanked and forced Apple orchards still produce today! Blunt's Union troops to retreat to Westport, In 1914, lumber baron Robert A . Long and Marmaduke held Pleasonton just West of '-_____--' __ ---''-'-:..::...:...... 1 completed construction of what quickly Independence, allowing partial escape.) became known as, "The '''!orld's Most The Battle of the Little Blue as part of Price's raid, Beautiful Farm" (also the most modern, or uup-to-date"). involved thousands from J\1issouri and Kansas, and yet the Longview Farm, today incorporated into Lee's Summit, number of casualties wasn't evell calculated for the annals of Ivlissouri, had its own telephone system, water system, and 3 history. There was no tirne to count, or even to find the fallen. power plant. ? Fallen soldiers, weapons, gear, and perhaps plunder from In 1920, Unity Farm (which has grown into the prcsent­ Price's wagons may yet lie where they fell along the entire day incorporated municipality Unity Village, Missouri) Valley. started operations as a "country club" on less than This area of the Little Blue River Valley r-,...~...".-~.... " 60 acres. 38 Steadily, the operations of the faith­ remains untouched, undeveloped, and should be based community, Unit)' School of Christianity, preserved in a large part for historic significance, expanded to include vast apple and peach orchards, not to mention its extreme, pristine splendor. farm and dairy operations. The accidental discovery As Vicki Nave, a member of the Independence of 15 gas and oil wells led to the construction Heritage Commission that promotes and educates of the farm's own refinery and storage tanks to people on the historical heritage ofIndependence, provide for residents' needs.39 Today, Unity Village said, uQnce it's gone, it's gone, you can't bring it protects more than 1,000 acres of rural landscape. back. It's hard to point to a piece of asphalt and In addition to serving as the world headquarters say, 'This is where 20,000 men tried to kill each of the Unity movement and as a spiritual retreat, m35 other. Henry Washington the majority of acreage is a reserve for nature and Younger, father of wildlife. A drive along Colbern Road between Coleman "Cole" Missouri 350 and Douglas Road toda), still evokes RURAL JACKSON COUNTY Younger, who was NATIONALLY ACCLAIMED murdered by Kansas for motorists a glimpse of Jackson County's scenic After the Civil War the floodgates to "red legs." PHS3043 rural beauty. It is hoped that views from Lee's westward expansion opened, as the steady flow of Summit Road and Noland Road may be preserved immigrants along the many trails through this area became a in a similar ["hion as the Little Blue Valley is developed. torrent. A multitude of farms estabJished and thrived on the In 1926, Elmer Adams Dairy Farm of purebred Holstein's fertile grasslands of the Little Blue Valley. near Blue Springs, Missouri, produced 1,000 quarts of milk a The railroad brought a means to connect east and west, day.4o and with it, communities like Blue Springs, Lee's Summit, Jersey cows on W. L. Yost's Cedar Croft Farm (8 miles and Buckner, Missouri, all thrived. The increasing presence of south ofIndependence along the west side of present-day railroads, banks, and other business ventures signified rapid Lee's Summit Road at Little Blue Road) produced 150 growth. gallons of milk per day. Yost's home fell into disrepair and the Independence, Missouri, established itself in the 1820s as property became greatly overgrown since farming operations an outfitting Missouri River town. Kansas City was destined ceased more than 60 years ago. Today the beautiful home is to become a major center of commerce and industry after the being restored, but the surrounding property is in jeopardy of AUTUMN 2 0 0 5 C H S JOURNAL 2 3 being compromised by unchec ked development. still be preserved? Many other Blue River Valley farms raised prize winning In 1973, a Lillie Bille Val/ey Billioll Dol/ar Blueprillt was beef cattle, chickens, eggs, honey, ete.'l These farms built prepared and presented as a huther commitment of the upon the natural beauty of the (( blue country/' developing County to the ideas of developm.ent and preservation in the power, food, prizewinning livestock, and rnani cured scenic Valley." As Bishop Ru ssell W. Pearson, chairman of the landscapes for visitors and cornmunity members to benefit. Little Blue Valley Coordinating Committee, relayed in a cover If future generations are to have any letter, "The practical application of notion of the "empire' that was Jackson 'Ekistics' challenges us in meeting the County's livestock and agribusiness needs of present and future residents through the Great Depression, the in the Little Blue Valley.~5 last remaining vestiges of the virtually undisturbed scenic landscape is what PRESERVATION must be preserved today by the people OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND who live on or own land in the Little Even though Jackson County Blue Valley. ha s made great strides in historic preservation, many cultural, PLANNING ... WITH archaeolog ical, and aesthetic RESULTS resources are in jeopardy of being The booms and busts of the 20th lost, having been overlooked or Century have left the Little Blue Valley neglected. with a mixed legacy. Under a 1926 Did you know the Battle of planning commission of the Jackson Westport fought in Jackson County, Count)' Court (Jackso n County Missouri, is recognized as the lakeside Dairy, owned by W. B. Frey around 1929, Legislature's predecessor), headed by comprised of 700 acres surrounding the town of little "Gettysburg of the West" because of Presiding Judge Harry S Truman, large Blue. It was tOllted as one of the picturesque dairy the ferocity of the conflict that took tracts of pristine Jackson County land industries of Jackson County when published In the place right here on our turf? The first was set aside for future parklands. The book, Jackson County: Its Opportunities and Resources. day of that three-day clash took place commission's report titled, Results cfCollnty Planning, is it along the Little Blue River--the Battle of the Little Blue­ work-of-art compiling useful information, and showcasing - described above. You'd never know it today, even thought Jackso n County scenery as it was in the late 1920s through two historical markers identify the site at the river crossing . the stunning photography of Dick lVlillard Sr." Results of ''''ith the Civil War, (2;lantrill, Order No. 11 , and Jesse James COllllty Planning served as a snapshot of Jackson County's and his fellow outlaws being such "hot topics" even today, endeavors at that time, and what comnHlllity development what potential for a tourist destination ... to preserve the planners envisioned for the future use of the public's natural battlefield of the "Gettysburg of the West!" resources. Many £1nns, scenic roads, and important historic If you drive along Blue Mills Road north of 24 Highway si tes throughout Jackson County were highlighted in Results and look south you will sec a breathtaking view of an q(Coulity Plallllillg, produced by the planning co mmission untouched valley. That expanse of wooded hillsides and under 'rruman. 43 One result of tranquil valley was the exact Results ofCoullty Plalillillg, was site of intense bloodshed in the what became the Little Blue 1860s. Little has YET bee n done Trace Park. Other developments to preserve or interpret the site as that had their genesis in R emits of a cultural or historical resource. In County Planning were Longview fact, the Little Blue Battlefield is Lake, Lake Jacomo (an acronym listed by The Missouri Alliance for "Jackson County Missouri ") , for Historic Preservatio n as and Blue Springs Lake. It could be one of "Missouri Preservations sa id that the historic sites of Fort Top Ten Most Endangered Osage and Missouri Town 1855 Cedar Croft, the 640 acre farm of Mr. and Mrs. W. l. Yost, was Ihe Properties."'· Today, the battle were also an outgrowth of the showplace of one of tho world's best known Hereford breeds. As site along the Little Blue River pictured in Opportunities and Resources. Results ofCoulity Plalluillg spirit. is endangered by residential, These cultural and recreational resources have evolved as city, commercial and highway development. The extension of county, state and federal governments comrnitted time and the Little Blue Parkway north of24 Highway, and the finan cial re sources to the planning and developlTlent of the encroachment of housi ng developments all have th e potential parks and lakes along the Little Blue River Valley. of overrunning this cultural "gold mine" before it has had a Perhaps the views from Results ojCOllllty Planning may chance to shine. 2 4 C H S JOURNAL AUTUMN 2 005

Tho community or hamlet of little Blue along Noland Road at Little Billo Road, as pictured in ReslJf/s of County Planning. Dick Millard, Sr. , Photographic Collection, Jackson County (Mo.) Historical Soc iety Archives. PHX9394

The mill that Blue Mills Road is named for are no more become a nationaUy recognized ruraJ natural landscape, is (though some remnants remain), and no effort has been made the area of the Valley generall), bounded b)' 40 Highway and to preserve, excavate or mark this site, even though Union Independence city limits on the north, Lec's Summit Road soldiers were buried at the base of the building there." on the east, 350 Highway and Unity Village city limits on the Fortunately, Jackson County government has preserved south, and Raytown city limits on the west. and is expanding Jackson County's earliest historic artif.1ct, Much of this area is virtually undisn.rbed and still ver), Fort Osage. much has the potential to maintain its rural feel and scenic One cannot discount when tallying the resources of vistas if proper steps arc taken to maintain the integrity of one the Little Blue Valley the number of historic homes, (.,,·ms, businesses, cemeterie s, churches, and battlegrounds. Those, coupled with stunning beautiful vistas afforded on drives through the area, make this a gem that just needs polishing. Opportunities to attract tourist dollars to the area abound should we manage to protect the Little Blue Valley from unchecked urban development. The preservation of local, cu ltural history and the maintenance of aesthetic beauty for its own sake are paramount when planning for future development in the Little Blue Valle),. I challenge preservationists, communjty development leaders, contractors, and developers to be creative, and have the mindfulness and foresight championed by Harry S Truman when he launched RemIts ofCollnty Plalliling 75 ),ears ago. Portions of lee's Summit, Uttle Blue and Noland Roads In the area under STICKING TO A MASTER PLAN study were once part of the Jofferson Highway, the "Palm to Pine Vacation Another segment of the Little Blue Valley that remains Route of America." Dick Millard, Sr., Photographic Collection, Jackson County (Mo .) Historical Society Archives. PHX9419 virtually untouched and may, if mindfi..l steps arc taken today, AUTUMN 2 0 0 5 C H S JOURNAL 2 5 Design Division of the City of Kansas Cit)', was adopted by PROPOSED LAND USE FIGURE 17 the Cit)' In August 1991. This plan dividcs the area described LlInd Use Clllogorlos IlIId Olfner,,' Crmdilions above fo r development with proposed land use maps, road building plans, etc.'9 PROPOSED LAUD USE Among si tes li sted by the Landmarks Commiss ion staff BL"~' L ~ I " .. 'd."" •• ( I ""~, ,,,, ,, ,,~,,, I) as "potentinlly significant" in this area: Knob Town, Town of Little Blue, Cedar Croft, The School House at U.S. Highway Bw"" ... ,oo,n"I, 40, Truman Medical Center-Lakewood, Fom Gates Farm ,'...... td...... o"I.I, "'.,' (which is a 40-acre estate designed by Mary Rockwell I-look, one of Kansas C ity's foremost ea rly female architects) , and various roads, trails, and farmsteads throughout the area. IdentifYing which "roads, trails, and f.·umstead s" are sig nificant is a process that members of local organi zations dedicated to histori c preservation should assist with; to date, this has not yet been initiated. Additional research and collaboration will definitely uncover more "potentially significant" elements. One such Spa",' 0 ... 10' .... '" AILIlj"llo Au. resource is the aforementioned stately home overlooking the

I!"'''~ MAP LfClt!1I0 hamlet of Little Blue that was once the co untry home to Bp,opo.. " ."1'" !h ••• r::>o l ••,.. ~ O W, Jackson County's f.1 med Pendergast f.1mily. It was originally B',oPO"" U., ~ . 'h.. , constructed for lumber baron H ans Dierks of the Dierks p. r'_"' ~ O"1 Lumber Company. Wouldn't it be a shame if the area this ~P'''' O ''d 'hili.. .." 0 1'><1 h' ...... ~ home overlooks were subdivided with unimag in ative, modern B ...., ... "CoIl .do, ,,, •• 1 " garage IlO mes.>" B .. '01 . . ..' "~ y01 Pond . density residential uses," have been changed to ((community commercial services areas." Areas that initially were re served of Jackson County's last remaining scenic vi stas . for "planned office district" have become Uneighborhood A drive down Noland Road south of 40 Highway commercial services." "Low-density residential and large-lot presents a winding road through wooded hillsides. This road residential" have given way to lllow-density residential." And, was the old Harrisonville Road that was also called the BIlle "low- density residential and agrieulturaVopen space" has been Tank Road, after the blue water tank on the rail line going degra de d to "p I anne d I'Ig I lt 1I1e. I ll stna . I .»50 through the hamlet of Little Blue, Missolll'i.'BNoland Road This seeming trend favors smaller, closely built dwellings conn ects with another scenic and historic wagon path, Little that afe compact rather than maintai ning open space or larger Blue Road. To the west, Little Blue Road winds through a lot development that has less impact on the land- a vision set natural setting into Raytown and connects to Woodson Road. forth in the original Master Plan. T hose desiring to preserve To the east, Little Blue Road progrcsses th rough the little the chnracter, history, and scenic beauty of the rural are a pioneer town of Little Blue, Ivlissouri, and pas t current-day in qu estion must communicate th eir desires to appropriate Truman Medical Center (formerly Jackson County's Poor officials so that the plan may serve to protect this cultural Farm, see the Spring 2004 j arksoll COllllly Hisloriml Sociely landscape. JOURNAL) and into Lakewood in Lee's Summit, Missouri. Community awareness and involvement at the g rassroots These scenic nnd historic roadways were once part of the level--especially from those who desire to preserve the celebrated Jefferson Highway, the turn of the Century "Palm vallcyas an historic culturallandscape--is essential, and to Pine Vacation Route of America." (See the Spring 2003 their input in the future amendrnents to this "master plan" JOURNAL.) should be sought ... and strongly considered. It is not the Much of this rural area may yet be prese rved for futme sole responsibility of developers to decide appropriate land generations to enjoy if acti ons are taken today. to protect use. H owever, if theirs afe the only voices heard by planning property from unchccked development. AlJ owmg for . commissions, what re sult should you expect? sig nificant large lot development and zon1l1g portions o~ thIS Early deteetion and diligent attention to threatened areas area for agriculture or open space would be a good step m is essential for cornmuni ty involvement to be meaningful, as th at direction. planning mal' be well along befo re the general public becomes Tbe LillIe BIlle Va!!ey: Area Plall 13, produced by the City aware of planned changes. Planning and Development Department, Planning and Urban 2 6 C H S OURNAL AUTUMN 2 0 0 5 A drive through the area slated for development along 20 Jackson, David VI/. ''jacksoll COl/lily's Poor Farm TransfOrmed [1110 n with a copy of this article can give one a better idea of what Ricb Hmllbmre Ct'IlIe1: 'lackson COllllly Hisloriml SOfil'ly JOURNAL, is being considered and proffered here. I hope you may gain a 45:1 (Spring 2004), 8. 21 Wilcox 63-64. real sense of what is at stake and take this opportunity to do 22 \.yilcox, 64. something to protect this irnportant Jackson County resource. 23 Wilcox, 311-313. 24 Bartels, Carolyn. Civil "'It,t Siories o/l\1i11ol(1'i. (Indcpendence,l\10.: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO Two Trails Publishing. 1993), 131-132. COMPLEMENT THIS ARTICLE MAY BE 25 Wilcox,347. 26 Jackson, 8. FOUND ONLINE AT jCHS.ORG. 27 Bartels, 133. 28 Wilson, D. Ray. MislOflri Historiml 1"0111' Guide. Third Edition. Paul IGrkman is a recent graduate of Columbia College (which has 11 (Carpentersvillc, II.: Crossroads COllllllunications, 1995), 25-28. satellite ca mpus in Independence), He lives in Independence with his 29 If yotl can help the Jackson County (1\'10.) Historical Society better wifc, Shawn, and daughter Shannon. Kirkmnn has a B.i\. in History document this cvcnt, please contact their archives facility. and has just completed an archival internship for the Jackson County 30 Bonncwitz, Roberta L. Roylo'lUn Remembers. (Cl.inton, fvIo.: The Historical Society. P;ml has achieved success as a profession:!.1 entertainer Printery, 1976), 40. over the P:lst 25 years, but is now seeking new opportunities to employ 31 Ibid. his education, life-long interest in history. as well as his unique work 32 Civil War Battles by campaign. http://www.Cr.hps.serv/hps/abpp/ experience. battleslbycampgn.htm (Viewed December 18,2005). 33 Bonnewitz, 40. Copps, David H. Vie'wI from the Rond' A Gommlll/ity Guide for 3 ~ Civil War Battles and Campaigns. IHtp:llwww.Ci\.ilwar.bluegrass. AHWillg Rllml Historic Lnl/dIwpu: A Prqject ofthe Trust for Public netlbattles-campaigns/1864/640828-1202. html (Viewed December Land alld tht: Natiollnl Trusl for Hisloric Pn'servalioll. (Washington, 18,2005). D.C.: Island Press, 1995),3. 3S http://www.civilwarnews.com/news.efm (Viewed 011 December 18. 2 Pcarson, Biship Russell W ., chair. The LillIe Blue Valley Billion 2005). Dollar Blueprillt. (Little Blue Valley Coordinating Committce, 36 Ballou,lvI. C.j(lcksol1 COllllly 111issollri: II's Opporlunities and 1973), as found in the Jackson County CIvIo.) Historical Society Resollrces.(Rural Jackso n County C hamber of Commerce, 1926). Archives. Little l3luc Trace is a Jackson County Parks and Recreation 37 Jones, Linda Newcom. The LO!lg'vie~u We Remember. (Storm R.idge Department park that runs the length of the Little Blue River. Press, 1990). Though it only encompasses land immediately along the Little Blue 38 Ballou, 115. River, the park consists of 1,856 acres. As the Metro Green project 39 Ibid. gains momentum in Jackson County, the viability of the Little Blue 40 lbid, 37. Also, sec the Summer 1994 isslle ofthejllcksoll COllllly River Valley as a natural resource will become more evident. (!vIo.) H;,lor;(fl/ SO(;rlyJOURNAI, . 3 Wilcox, Pearl. jackIon Coullly PionurJ. (Independence, Mo.: Jackson 41 Ibid, 37, 47. County Historical Societ)" 1991), 2l. 42 NIany of Dick 1\'lillard's views ofJackson County as prese nted 4 \,yilcox, 23. in Resulls oJCollllly Planning are preserved in the photographic 5 Wilcox, 23. collections of the Jackson County (1Vlo.) Historical Society. Because 6 Wilcox, 37. some of the scenes have minimal description, the Historical Society's 7 'I)'ler, Dahon L. The Lillie Blue Ghlmh, 1928, as found in the Jackson archi\'es continues to study this stunning report and add morc County (Mo.) Historical Society Archives. complete identification and background information for each of the 8 Tyler, HislolY ofLobb Cumber/alld Chllrth,1928, as found in the images compiled in RwdlI ofCollllly Plmming. Jackson County (Mo.) Historical Society Archives, Box 109.01F4, 4. 43 Truman, Harry S., and the Jackson Count)' Court. ResuIIIofCOlllll)' 9 Phillips, C harles. 111issollri: 1110lher of Ihe Amerirnn /Vest. (Northridge, PlflImillg. (Kansas City, Mo.: Holland Engraving Co., 1932). Ca.: Windsor Publications, 1988), 38. ·H Pearson,June 25,1973. 10 Wilcox, 68. 4S "Ekistics," as described by Pearson, was "a new fie ld in communi ty 11 Vvilcox, 71. studies [that] combines various disciplines sllch as: community 12 Eakin,Joanne Chiles. Pioneering injncholl COllllly Before! Ihe Ci'vil planning, health services, economics, sociology, and engineering." H01' Ymrs. (Independence, M.: Two Trails Publishing, 2004), 5. 46 http://www.civilwarncws.com/news.cfm (Viewed on December 18, 13 Wilcox, 155. 2005). 14 Eakin, 26-27. 47 Eakin, 27. 15 Santa Fe Trail research site; http://www.St.Johnks.netisantafetraiV 48 Berkemeier, George C. Noland Road Thai Was (Independence, Mo., mapslsft.missouri.html (viewed November 4, 2005). 1995),102. 16 Eakin, 29-30. 49 City Planning and Development Department, Planning and Urban 17 Judge Henry A . .I3undschu later owned a portion of this land once Design Division. Lillie Blue 1011eyArra Plall}3. (Kansas City, Mo.: comprisi ng Smith's plantation. For such a significa nt clement to City of Kansas City, 1 August 1991), available at the Jackson County African-American history, this area should be protected for future (Mo.) Historical Society AIchives. study, preservation and interpretation. Fuhlre visitors desiring to learn 50 LillIe Bille Vn/leyAren Plall13, resolutions amending the original about Jackson County's role in slavery would be little served if Jabez Little Blue Valle), Area Plan signed b), Kansas City Mayor Smith's plantation were one day the middle of a highway, parking lot Emmanuel Cleaver]l on 1 August 1991: 941671 signed 29 or shopping center. December 1994; 001540 signed 18 January 2001; 011491 dated 15 18 Wilcox, 324. November 2001; 020313 dated 19 July 2002; and, 020919 dated 22 19 Wilcox, 282. August 2002. AUTUMN 2 0 0 5 J C H S JOURNAL 2 7 TWO RECENT FINDS SURFACE ABOUT JACKSON COUNTY'S 1859 JAIL

The Jackson County Historical Society recently acquired now run s. [The exact location of the quarry has not been two items that add to the growing documentation of Jackson identified, but you can still see and drive along sections of the County's ea rliest surviving jail f.'lcility kn own today as the old Westport Road from Rock Creek towards Independence 1859 Jail, Marshal's I-lome and Museum, acquired and Square. The electric line was likely along what became known restored by the Society in 1959. as \iVinl1cr Road, co nnecting to Lexington Avenue (which at one time, there was a stretch ca lled Electric A ve nue) .] JAIL STONEMASON [DENTI Fl ED "Platt and M oore of Kansas City were the contractors. "Ve'dlike to thank long-time Society member (and ""Vhen completed the jail was considered a fi ne one. It current Historical Society Board of ,---'------'-, was the only one in the county as Kansas Director) Bill Bundschu, who, in the City did not amount to rnll ch in those course of condu cting research on his new days . book about the Bundschu fa mily store "The brick hOllse in front of the jail on the Court house Square, located th e was built at the same time and was the following article about th e construction of res idence of the sheriff and jailer. the limestone cell blocks of the 1859 Jail. "Mr. Cassell ca me to Jackson County In a July 20, 1906,jllrkson Examiner in 1858 and except for eight yea rs spent newspaper art icle, we find that John in the \"'est, has lived in the County Cassell) a stonenlason who came to Jackson ever since. I-Ie is still quitc active, hardly County in 1858, helped construct the shows a gray hair, and is able to do a Jackson County Jail the fo ll owing year: day's work at his trade." "The man who laid the stone walls for the Independence jail in 1859 was sitting with Jailer Martin and Marshal Hulse JAI L KEY ACQ1J1 RED FROM AUCTION in front of the jail Monday morning. H e is a small man with We'd also li ke to thank Jackson Coun ty Historical Society a black beard and black hair and very stooped shoulders. His member, Paul Sacli, for alerting our administra ti on this name is John C as sell and he lives in Kan sas City and is sttll slimmer of an item being auctioned on the Internet at http:// working at his trade) stone mason. www.cbay.coIll, purportedly used at the Jackson County Jail in "Mr. Cassell sa id he remembered well all about the jail. Independence. It was considered a strong and modern jail at the time. T here It is regretfi..1 that the seller did not contact the Historical were SL,\,: stone cells on the first flo or and SLX on the second Society prior to li sting it to discllss a possible donation. Their Hoor, 12 in all. Each cell was closed with an iron door and knowledge of the Society's connection was apparent, as they the locks on each door were about eight inches ,------, had usurped withollt permi ssion a photo from squarc and over an inch thick. The keys were big the Society's website (http://www.jchs.org) to brass arrangements and th e 12 keys made a heavy advertisc historical fa ctoids. package. Sti ll, the Society was able to successfully "The floor of the cell s wa s stone slabs and the bid and acquire the item for a reasonab le price ceiling of the same materi al. T he wall s afC of solid, so that it could be "returned home" and used in cut sto ne two feet thi ck. Then, the steel ccll was not dreamed interpretive displays at the site into the future. of. T he old jail was simply a rectangu lar pile of heavy stoll e Accordi ng to the seller, the iron key lVas used by a jail or with narrow, barred windows and divided into cell s, built to in the late 1800, at the Jackson County Jail in Independence, keep prisoners inside. Misso uri (today the 1859 Jail, Marshal's I-lome and Museum). wfhere was no effort at sanitation in ventilation or The seller had acquired the key at an estate sa le of a dra inage and no closets of any lcind , and these specifications granddaughter of this unnamed lawman. describe the jail at present. [The jail would be used for nearly If you ever come across a document, photograph or 30 more years before being '(decommiss ioned."] artifact that you belicve may have connections to Jac kson "The stone was quarried on the Noland farm on Rock County's heritage, won't you contact us and consid er donating Creek and hauled to the jail in wagons. [Tradition has it that it to the Society's coll ec tions for the public good? African-American slave labor was used in th e constru ction of the jail, although th is article does not confirm the story.] ADDITIONAL INFOR1VIATION TO 1\ teamster would bring in two loads a day from the quarr ies COMPLEIVIENT T HIS ARTICLE IVIAY BE FOUND over the old Vv'es tport Road along whcre the electric line ONLINE AT JCHS.ORG. AUTUMN 2 0 0 5 C H S J OU~NAL 2 8 BOOK NOTES

josephine Clay: PioJleer Horse'wolllan book to figure this one out.]), only set of Ibe Billegrass by Hemy Clay Simpson, the stage for what would become her Jr. (Louisville, Ky.: Harmony House foothold in the thoroughbred industry, Publishers, 2005) is a biography where she would become owner, documenting the story ofJosephine manager and writer! (Russell) Erwin-Clay's life. But who les fitting that a woman who was she, and why is her story important lived an illdepelldelli life beyond the to Jackson County? constraints of the Victorian era would This book details family have strong tics to Independence, connections of early Jackson Count)' Missouri. But we don't want to spoil pioneers ... specifically the Clay, the fun you will have reading this book. Russell, and Erwin families. Josephine's Well-researched and illustrated f.,ther was Colonel William I-I. Russell, with artifacts and original documents who, in ]\tray 1846 equipped himself pertinent to this remarkable woman's with a wagon and several oxen and Jife, this book is sure to capture the joined a large party of emigrant in imagination of any readcr. Independence. At that time it was Consider buying this book! Or, the largest wagon train to travel to vicwa non-circulating copy of the first California territory- 63 wagons, 119 and expanded second editions that have men, 59 women, 110 children, over 700 graciously been donated by the author cattle, and 150 horses. to the Jackson County (1\110.) Historical Josephine's struggles through the Society's Research Library. Civil War and her two marriages, first to Col. Eugene Erwin, The author has also agreed to visit Ollr area from afar and and after his untimely death, to John Morrison Clay (the make a presentation on Josephine Clay for our Roger fiT." youngest son and grandson of Henry Clay [you must read the Sermon, Jr. History Series on \>Vednesday, April 12,2006.

Non-Profit Org. U.S . Postage THE JACKSON COUNTY PAID HISTORICAL SOC IETY Independence, MO Permit No . 212

Bank of America Bldg., Mezzanine Level 129 West Lexington Independence, !VIO 64050