Plistoriosil Revie^w

The State Historical Society of

COLUMBIA, MISSOURI BOARD OF EDITORS

LAWRENCE 0. CHRISTENSEN SUSAN M. HARTMANN University of Missouri-Rolla Ohio State University, Columbus

WILLIAM E. FOLEY ALAN R. HAVIG Central Missouri State University, Stephens College, Warrensburg Columbia

JEAN TYREE HAMILTON DAVID D. MARCH Marshall Kirksville

ARVARH E. STRICKLAND University of Missouri-Columbia

COVER DESCRIPTION: This poster by Joseph Christian Leyendecker promoted the Third Liberty Loan drive in 1918. Leyendecker, a German-born illustrator, was famous for his Saturday Evening Post covers and as creator of the Arrow Collar Man advertisement. In the years immediately preceding America's entry into World War I, opinions about neutrality and military preparedness divided the citizens of Missouri and the nation. Lawrence O. Christensen examines Missourians' prewar attitudes and activities in "Prelude to World War I in Missouri," beginning on page 1. [The cover illustration is from the Frederick B. Mumford Papers, Western Historical Manuscript Collection, University of Missouri-Columbia.] MISSOURI HISTORICAL REVIEW

Published Quarterly by THE STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MISSOURI

COLUMBIA, MISSOURI

JAMES W. GOODRICH EDITOR

LYNN WOLF GENTZLER ASSOCIATE EDITOR

CHRISTINE MONTGOMERY RESEARCH ASSISTANT

ANN L. ROGERS RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Copyright 1994 by The State Historical Society of Missouri 1020 Lowry Street, Columbia, Missouri 65201

The Missouri Historical Review (ISSN 0026-6582) is owned by the State Historical Society of Missouri and is published quarterly at 10 South Hitt, Columbia, Missouri 65201. Send communications, business and editorial correspondence and change of address to the State Historical Society of Missouri, 1020 Lowry Street, Columbia, MO 65201. Second class postage is paid at Columbia, Missouri.

SOCIETY HOURS: The Society is open to the public from 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M., VOLUME LXXXIX Monday through Friday, and Saturday from 9:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M., except legal holidays. NUMBER 1 On the day of the annual meeting, October 15, 1994, the Society libraries will not be available for research. OCTOBER, 1994 Holiday Schedule: The Society will be closed November 24-27, December 24-26 and December 31-January 2. THE STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MISSOURI The State Historical Society of Missouri, heretofore organized under the laws of the State, shall be the trustee of this State-Laws of Missouri, 1899, R.S. of Mo., 1969, chapter 183, as revised 1978. OFFICERS 1992-1995 Avis G. TUCKER, Warrensburg, President JAMES C. OLSON, Kansas City, First Vice President SHERIDAN A. LOGAN, St. Joseph, Second Vice President VIRGINIA G. YOUNG, Columbia, Third Vice President NOBLE E. CUNNINGHAM, Columbia, Fourth Vice President R. KENNETH ELLIOTT, Liberty, Fifth Vice President ROBERT G. J. HOESTER, Kirkwood, Sixth Vice President ALBERT M. PRICE, Columbia, Treasurer JAMES W. GOODRICH, Columbia, Executive Director, Secretary and Librarian

TRUSTEES Permanent Trustees, Former Presidents of the Society WILLIAM AULL III, Lexington LEO J. ROZIER, Perryville FRANCIS M. BARNES III, Kirkwood ROBERT C. SMITH, Columbia RUSH H. LIMBAUGH, Cape Girardeau

Term Expires at Annual Meeting, 1994 ILUS W. DAVIS, Kansas City DALE REESMAN, Boonville JOHN K. HULSTON, Springfield ARVARH E. STRICKLAND, Columbia JAMES B. NUTTER, Kansas City BLANCHE M. TOUHILL, St. Louis BOB PRIDDY, Jefferson City HENRY J. WATERS III, Columbia

Term Expires at Annual Meeting, 1995 WALTER ALLEN, Brookfield W. ROGERS HEWITT, Shelbyville JAMES A. BARNES, Raytown EMORY MELTON, Cassville VERA H. BURK, Kirksville DOYLE PATTERSON, Kansas City RICHARD DECOSTER, Canton , JR., St. Louis

Term Expires at Annual Meeting, 1996 HENRIETTA AMBROSE, Webster Groves FREDERICK W. LEHMANN IV, H. RILEY BOCK, New Madrid Webster Groves LAWRENCE O. CHRISTENSEN, Rolla GEORGE MCCUE, St. Louis ROBERT S. DALE, Carthage WALLACE B. SMITH, Independence

BOARD OF TRUSTEES The Board of Trustees consists of one Trustee from each Congressional District of the State and fourteen Trustees elected at large. In addition to the elected Trustees, the President of the Society, the Vice Presidents of the Society, all former Presidents of the Society, and the ex officio members of the Society constitute the Board of Trustees.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Eight Trustees elected by the Board of Trustees together with the President of the Society consti­ tute the Executive Committee. The Executive Director of the Society serves as an ex officio member. WILLIAM AULL III, Lexington, Chairman ROBERT C. SMITH, Columbia FRANCIS M. BARNES III, Kirkwood BLANCHE M. TOUHILL, St. Louis H. RILEY BOCK, New Madrid Avis G. TUCKER, Warrensburg JAMES C. OLSON, Kansas City VIRGINIA G. YOUNG, Columbia EDITORIAL POLICY The editors of the Missouri Historical Review welcome submission of articles and documents relating to the history of Missouri. Any aspect of Missouri history will be considered for publication in the Review. Genealogical studies, however, are not accepted because of limited appeal to general readers. Manu­ scripts pertaining to all fields of American history will be consid­ ered if the subject matter has significant relevance to the history of Missouri or the West.

Authors should submit two double-spaced copies of their manuscripts. The footnotes, prepared according to The Chicago Manual of Style, also should be double-spaced and placed at the end of the text. Authors may submit manuscripts on PC/DOS, 360K disk. The disk must be IBM compatible, preferably the WordPerfect 5.1 program. Otherwise, it must be in ASCII format. Two hard copies still are required, and the print must be letter or near-letter quality. Dot matrix submissions will not be accepted. Originality of subject, general interest of the article, sources used, interpretation and style are criteria for acceptance and publica­ tion. Manuscripts should not exceed 7,500 words. Articles that are accepted for publication become the property of The State Historical Society of Missouri and may not be published else­ where without permission. The Society does not accept responsi­ bility for statements of fact or opinion made by the authors. Articles published in the Review are abstracted and indexed in Historical Abstracts, America: History and Life, Recently Published Articles, Writings on American History, The Western Historical Quarterly and The Journal of American History.

Manuscripts submitted for the Review should be addressed to Dr. James W. Goodrich, Editor Missouri Historical Review The State Historical Society of Missouri 1020 Lowry Street Columbia, Missouri 65201 im

holiday Gifts

Society members are encouraged to consider a gift membership in the State Historical Society, which includes a subscription to the Missouri Historical Review, when preparing their holiday list. Such a gift benefits everyone; it helps the Society to further pre­ serve and disseminate the history of Missouri, and it extends interest in Missouri's rich history to your friends or family. Additionally, memberships expand the influence of the Review and provide recip­ ients with an esteemed journal that they will enjoy throughout the year. For each membership designated as a gift, the Society will send a card to the recipient that will include your name as the donor of the gift. Please consider this outstanding and affordable gift idea, and send names and addresses for membership to the State Historical Society of Missouri, 1020 Lowry Street, Columbia, MO 65201. Memberships are available in the following categories:

Individual Annual Membership $10.00 Contributing Annual Membership $25.00 Supporting Annual Membership $50.00 Sustaining Annual Membership $100.00 to $499.00 Patron Annual Membership $500.00 or more Life Membership $250.00 A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The theft of a rare book owned by the State Historical Society this past year has required a review of the security measures in the Society's Reference Library. Patrons of that library now will be asked to place their coats and items such as purses, briefcases and other articles not required for the pursuit of research missions in coin-operated lockers. In addition, patrons asking to use rare books will have to provide a driver's license or other acceptable identifi­ cation for examination by a member of the reference staff. These procedures also will be required of patrons who visit the editorial, acquisitions and cataloging departments. The State Historical Society realizes that some of the thou­ sands of visitors to these departments will find these new security measures to be of some inconvenience. But to maintain control of the Society's extraordinary collections, the questionable acts of even a single person can affect those who have been valued friends and patrons of the Society over the years, as well as first-time visi­ tors. The inexcusable action by even one individual requires that these measures be instituted. The patrons who visit the reference, editorial, acquisitions and cataloging departments will be allowed to bring with them research materials, laptop computers and other items germane to their research activity. The State Historical Society reserves the right to have these items examined by a staff person, if such action seems warranted. Again, the State Historical Society regrets any inconvenience caused by these measures. But it believes that such procedures are necessary to retain proper oversight of its prized collections. CONTENTS

PRELUDE TO WORLD WAR I IN MISSOURI. By Lawrence O. Christensen 1

"SOLOMON BURCH'S FIGHTING EDITOR": AN EARLY POEM OF EUGENE FIELD. By Lewis O. Saum 17

"THIS WAR IS MANAGED MIGHTY STRANGE": THE ARMY OF SOUTHEASTERN MISSOURI, 1862-1863. By John F. Bradbury, Jr. 28

JOHN SMITH T AND THE WAY WEST: FILIBUSTERING AND EXPANSION ON THE MISSOURI FRONTIER. By Dick Steward 48

HISTORICAL NOTES AND COMMENTS

Society Holds Reception 75

Bryan Furniture Given to Society 76

Society Libraries: Reference Library 77

News in Brief 79

Local Historical Societies 81

Gifts 93

Missouri History in Newspapers 97

Missouri History in Magazines 102

In Memoriam 109

BOOK REVIEWS Ill

BOOK NOTES 116

HISTORIC MISSOURI COLLEGES: LIBERTY LADIES COLLEGE Inside Back Cover vi State Historical Society of Missouri

Prelude to World War I in Missouri

BY LAWRENCE O. CHRISTENSEN*

When war erupted in Europe in August of 1914, Missourians faced dif­ ficult times. Out of a population of more than three million, German-born people numbered at least eighty thousand, and an additional two hundred and eighty thousand Missourians had German-born parents. First- and sec­ ond-generation German immigrants constituted 11.7 percent of the popula­ tion. Missouri had six German-language daily newspapers and eighteen weeklies. Some one hundred thousand Irish-Americans further swelled the ranks of those who had little use for the cause of England and . In

*Lawrence O. Christensen is a Distinguished Teaching Professor of History at the University of Missouri-Rolla. He received the B.A. and M.A. degrees from Northeast Missouri State University, Kirksville, and the Ph.D. degree from the University of Missouri- Columbia. 1 2 Missouri Historical Review

1910, however, only 7 percent of the state's population claimed foreign birth, and more than 67 percent had been born in Missouri. The state's population remained primarily rural. More than 40 percent of these Missourians made their living from farming, while over 57 percent lived in places with a popu­ lation of 2,500 or less.1 Because of the diversity of the population, among other things, President 's proclamation of neutrality on August 4, 1914, initially met with widespread approval in the state. The Bethany Democrat, for example, reprinted Wilson's address pro­ claiming neutrality. The paper endorsed the policy, agreeing with Wilson that "every man who really loves America will act and speak in the true spirit of neutrality, which is the spirit of impartiality and fairness and of friendliness to all concerned." 2 The large German-American community sought to ensure absolute neu­ trality. German-Americans presented a history of organization for political influence through the German-American Alliance, an organization with strong support in St. Louis. Before 1914 opposition to the prohibition of alcohol had occupied the alliance. And even though eighty-one Missouri counties had adopted prohibition, the alliance had helped defeat statewide ratification. In 1917 Missouri still had 3,504 licensed saloons located in the urban counties of Jackson, Buchanan, St. Charles, Greene and St. Louis, with more than 2,100 of them in the city of St. Louis. Rural counties with large German populations, such as Osage, Warren, Jefferson, Perry, Gasconade and Franklin, remained wet by refusing to adopt prohibition through local option.3 Because alliance leaders had experienced success in their fight against prohibition, they believed they could shift quickly in 1914 to lobbying for neutrality. In reality this stance favored the Central Powers by requiring an embargo on all trade with the belligerents. Britain's superiority at sea meant that the Allies could control trade, a major advantage in a war of attrition. Alliance leaders based their confidence on the "very size and sta­ bility of the St. Louis German-American community prior to the war, as well as the social and political acceptance that German-American institu-

1 Henry J. Burt, The Population of Missouri: A General Survey of Its Sources, Changes, and Present Composition, Research Bulletin 188, College of Agriculture (Columbia: University of Missouri, 1933), 35-36, 52, 74; John C. Crighton, Missouri and the World War, 1914-1917: A Study in Public Opinion (Columbia: University of Missouri Studies, 1947), 13- 14; Ruth Warner Towne, Senator William J. Stone and the Politics of Compromise (Port Washington, N.Y: Kennikat Press, 1979), 153. 2 Bethany Democrat, 26 August 1914. 3 Boonville Weekly Advertiser, 30 March 1917; David W. Detjen, The Germans in Missouri, 1900-1918: Prohibition, Neutrality, and Assimilation (Columbia: University of Missouri Press, 1985), 1. Prelude to World War I 3 tions had found in the native American press and among political office­ holders." According to David Detjen, a historian of the alliance, the group's leaders believed they could shift from opposing prohibition to foreign policy lobbying without fear of reprisal because their participation in German cultural activities and the preservation of their German heritage had not pre­ viously precluded their acceptance as people loyal to their adopted country. This belief led the group to think that sympathizing with the German war cause would not bring them difficulties.4 The alliance organized a response to anti-German editorials that appeared in the fall of 1914 in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the St. Louis Republic and the Star. Several thousand Germans met and called for bal­ anced treatment of Germany, and soon after, representatives of German societies pledged to raise one hundred thousand dollars for the widows and orphans of German soldiers. The fund did not reach that figure until a year later. Meanwhile, in December of 1914, St. Louis Germans along with St. Louisans of Irish descent formed the Neutrality League, the chief anti- British organization in the state. The league argued for an embargo of all

Detjen, Germans in Missouri, 1-5.

Library of Congress

Proclaiming neutrality, President Woodrow Wilson guided U.S. foreign policy in the years leading up to World War I. 4 Missouri Historical Review

goods to belligerents as the only truly neutral policy for the . Neal Primm, a student of St. Louis history, described the highlight of the league's efforts as coming on January 10, 1915, when "a League-sponsored demonstration against arms shipments attracted 12,000 people. Speakers attacked Britain as the 'bully of the World;' the crowd roared in song as the band played Deutschland Uber Alles; and hawkers sold German, Irish, and American flags." Seven months later not more than 350 people attended a league function at the Delmar Garden Theatre. The St. Louis Globe- Democrat explained the low attendance as the result of "the growing feeling that our international relations are so delicate that it is the duty of American citizens to cease their boat rocking."5 While the Wilson administration proclaimed to advocate neutrality, its policies during 1914 and 1915 favored England and France as the United States sought to make it possible for belligerents to acquire American manu­ factured goods and agricultural products. Long soup lines in St. Louis and Kansas City and agricultural products piling up on shipping docks during the winter of 1914-1915 indicated how the disruption of trade affected the Missouri economy. In St. Louis, the Provident Association, a charity orga­ nization, single-handedly provided aid to about fifty thousand people in January and February, 1915.6 Congress moved to facilitate trade by providing ships to carry the goods in late 1914. Primarily because of Republican opposition, it took until August of 1916 for the government to establish the United Shipping Board. Joshua Alexander, a House of Representatives member from Missouri, introduced the initial legislation in the lower chamber, and the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Missourian William J. Stone, shepherded the legislation through that chamber. Only the two Republican members of the Missouri congressional delegation, Leonidas C. Dyer and Jacob E. Meeker, voted no. Meanwhile, it became obvious that England and France would need loans to purchase American goods. Despite organized opposition from the German-American Alliance and Senator Stone's warning that loans would give the lenders a vital interest in the outcome of the war, the government allowed private banks to extend credit to the belligerents. Nine St. Louis banks cooperated to provide England and France with $2,700,000 in credits on October 2, 1915. To offset criticism of their action by those opposed to favoritism to the Allies, the bankers announced that German bonds were available for purchase as well. Kansas City bankers refused to go along with any of the loans, citing trade violations against American neutrality by

5 James Neal Primm, Lion of the Valley: St. Louis, Missouri (Boulder, Colo.: Pruett Publishing Company, 1981), 460; Crighton, Missouri and the World War, 94-95, quote from 95n. 6 Crighton, Missouri and the World War, 42. Prelude to World War I 5 the British as their reason for denial. The result of the loan policy showed who received most favor: when the United States entered the war in 1917, the Allies owed American bankers $2,300,000,000 while Germany owed $27,000,000.7 As historian David March pointed out, all segments of the Missouri economy benefited from trade with belligerents: "The economic welfare of the state was tied closely to Allied war purchases. The question of loans was one which directly affected not only bankers and munition makers, but also farmers, miners, packers, and the manufacturers of numerous articles." Dependence on trade, however, did not keep many Missourians from protesting against England's violations of American neutrality during the first year of the war. Protestors included a wider spectrum than just the German-American Alliance and the Neutrality League.8 In the spring of 1915, German actions made English violations of neu­ trality appear less important to many former critics. German torpedoes sank the British ship Lusitania on May 7, which caused the death of 128 Americans. The Lawrence Chieftain, published in Mt. Vernon, expressed a view of the incident probably held by many Missourians. The editor thought positively of the State Department's policy of discouraging travel, but Americans continued to travel to "dear old Hingland [sic]" He con­ cluded: "While such warfare seems a step back into barbarism, when women and children were slaughtered with the men, it is pretty hard to arouse a great deal of sympathy over the fate of these rovers who can't be satisfied with the best country on earth—the United States. There will be no war with Germany over their fate."9 Other Missourians used the Lusitania disaster to question American defense policy. John C. Crighton, who wrote on newspaper reaction to World War I in Missouri, noted that the Lusitania sinking produced wide­ spread print media support for increased preparedness. St. Louis's Post- Dispatch and Republic, newspapers in Carthage, Chillicothe and Columbia; and farm papers such as the Missouri Farmer, the Journal of Agriculture and the Star Farmer asked for greater commitment to the military. A poll of Democratic editors conducted by the Republic in September 1915 revealed that forty out of fifty-nine replies favored increased defense of the country. Only five of the papers responding opposed better defense; five more expressed weak approval; six remained neutral on the question; and three supported the same level of defense.10

7 Ibid., 38-56; David D. March, The History of Missouri (New York: Lewis Publishing Company, 1967), 2: 1267-1270. See Towne, Senator William J. Stone, 156-166, for a thor­ ough treatment of the ship purchase bill. 8 March, History of Missouri, 2: 1269, 1270. 9 Mt. Vernon Lawrence Chieftain, 13 May 1915. 10 Crighton, Missouri and the World War, 117-118. Missouri Historical Review

"re , State Historical Society of Missouri

The sinking of the Lusitania by the Germans, which caused the death of over one hundred Americans, encouraged many people to support increased preparedness.

By the time the Republic released its poll, Missourians in St. Louis and Kansas City had established branches of the Navy League and the National Security League. St. Joseph citizens also organized a branch of the Security League. Prominent St. Louisan Albert Bond Lambert served as president of the Navy League in that city, and lumberman and civic leader Robert Alexander Long led the league in Kansas City. Through parades, banquets, speeches and other promotions, the Navy and Security leagues advertised the need for enhanced military defense.11 In early December 1915, President Wilson asked Congress to increase the army from 108,000 to 142,000 troops and to create a reserve force of 400,000. He also called for a larger navy to be built over the next five years, which would include ten battleships, sixteen cruisers, fifty destroyers and support ships needed for "a balanced and efficient sea force." 12 Wilson came to Kansas City to sell his program on February 2, 1916. More than eighteen thousand people packed the Convention Hall to hear his argument; a huge crowd stood outside the hall giving the president vocal support. The president's St. Louis appearance occurred at 10:30 A.M. the next day. A crowd too large for the Coliseum gave a strong endorse­ ment for his preparedness measures. Only a Socialist handbill condemning Wilson's proposals as an extension of "Old World militarism" revealed

March, History of Missouri, 2: 1273. Crighton, Missouri and the World War, 122. Prelude to World War I 1 opposition to the president's proposals during his appearances in Missouri.,3 Beneath the surface, however, a variety of interests opposed increased preparedness. The Neutrality League, of course, found the proposals anoth­ er example of the administration abandoning genuine neutrality. Organized labor blamed the war on autocratic governments, armament manufacturers and capitalists; they feared that increasing the military would result in U.S. involvement. Labor unrest marked 1916 in Missouri as industrial workers found their position in the economy eroding. Although their wages had increased by 16 percent, food prices had risen 33 percent. As noted above, Socialists opposed the war and any growth of the military. The Missouri State Grange, an organization of farmers, opposed increased armaments because they believed such action favored munitions makers and the eastern establishment.14 Wilson also received criticism from those who thought he did too little to prepare the nation for possible war. Republican presidential candidate attacked him vehemently for his lack of leadership. The Knox County Democrat captured the debate when the editor wrote that opinion ranged from "those who advocate the greatest army and navy in the world down to the man who is so craven and cowardly he would not fight a jackrabbit to save his birthright." Germany's use of submarines and

13 Ibid., 123-124; March, History of Missouri, 2: 1274-1275. 14 March, History of Missouri, 2: Ml A; Crighton, Missouri and the World War, 126; Gary M. Fink, Labor's Search for Political Order: The Political Behavior of the Missouri Labor Movement, 1890-1940 (Columbia: University of Missouri Press, 1973), 61-62.

State Historical Society of Missouri

President Wilson received a warm welcome from more than 18,000 Kansas Citians who heard his speech in the Convention Hall. 8 Missouri Historical Review

Wilson's requirements that Germany forego the practice in the year after the sinking of the Lusitania provided the context for the debate.15 Perhaps most Missourians agreed with the Knox County editor when he observed in early February of 1916: "The American people do not want war, but there may come a time when it will be impossible for us to prevent war. If such a time comes we should be prepared to meet it, and to meet it in a manner that will effectively expel the invader from our shores and insure us against all future invasions."16 After much debate during its 1916 session, Congress passed legislation that doubled the size of the regular army, increased the National Guard to 475,000 over a five-year period and provided "one of the greatest naval authorizations in American history."17 Both Missouri senators, William J. Stone and James A. Reed, and ten of Missouri's sixteen House members voted for preparedness. The other six House members abstained on the naval package; all fourteen Democratic members of the House from Missouri supported the expansion of the army. Wilson signed the legisla­ tion, despite the National Security League's recommendation that he veto the measure because it did too little.18 The debate over preparedness took place in the midst of the 1916 elec­ tion campaign. David March summarized Missouri's importance to the incumbent president in these words: "Wilson and his political advisers saw Missouri as a key state in their plan to rely on the West and the South for victory. It was a border state linking East and West as well as North and South, and only one state west of the Mississippi and five in the nation had more electoral votes."19 The Democratic National Committee recognized the significance of Missouri by selecting St. Louis as the site for its presidential nominating convention. Meeting in June, the party hammered out a peace plank, using the phrase "and kept us out of war." The same platform claimed that the nation needed a military force sufficiently strong to defend the country. It condemned those who would place the interests of a foreign power over those of the United States and warned against dividing the American people. Senator Stone presided over the platform committee.20

15 Edina Knox County Democrat, 18 February 1916; March, History of Missouri, 2: 1271- 1284. 16 Edina Knox County1 Democrat, 11 February 1916. 17 March, History of Missouri, 2: 1275; quote from Crighton, Missouri and the World War, 131. 18 Crighton, Missouri and the World War, 131-132; March, History of Missouri, 2: 1275. 19 March, History of Missouri, 2: 1277. 20 Ibid., 2: 1277-1279; Towne, Senator William J. Stone, 185-189. Prelude to World War I

In June 1916, St. Louis hosted the Democratic National Convention, which served as an opportunity for President Wilson to unite Missourians in supporting his plat­ form.

State Historical Society of Missouri

Initially, it appeared that Wilson would lose the German-American and the Irish-American vote in Missouri. As the campaign progressed, Theodore Roosevelt became increasingly jingoistic and attacked the incum­ bent for not being more aggressive in upholding American rights in such crises as the sinking of the Lusitania. Republican presidential candidate Charles Evans Hughes endorsed Roosevelt's comments, and Wilson appeared ever more moderate. To counter the formation of a German- American anti-Wilson bloc vote, Senators Stone and Reed worked assidu­ ously to persuade the hyphenate vote of the president's moderation. Stone met with New York, Chicago and St. Louis German-American leaders dur­ ing the fall of 1916, emphasizing that Wilson's policies maintained the peace whereas Hughes, because of the militantly anti-German men around him, would produce war.21 On October 11, in his reelection campaign against Walter S. Dickey, Reed spoke to a large St. Louis German-American audience. The colorful senator said that Wilson's policies toward Germany must be about right: some supported his opponent because Wilson had mistreated Germany; oth-

21 March, History of Missouri, 2: 1277-1280, 1281; Towne, Senator William J. Stone, 190-195. 10 Missouri Historical Review ers thought Hughes should be elected because the president had been too gentle with Germany. Further, Reed noted that both Britain and Germany had violated American neutrality, but the German acts had taken lives and British violations had only interfered with commerce. Wilson therefore had little choice but to remonstrate against Germany. Reed enumerated every ship Germany had torpedoed and pointed out that the German government, itself, had recognized that its acts violated neutrality. Finally, he warned that the election of Hughes would result in a declaration of war against Germany, with the American people getting what they deserved because the Republican candidate had clearly stated his position during the campaign.22 With this support and the bungling of his opponent, Wilson defeated Hughes, but with little margin to spare. In Missouri the president ran ahead of Congressmen Dorsey W. Shackleford, Walter L. Hensley and Perl D. Decker, all Democrats who had opposed some phase of his foreign policy. He outdistanced Shackleford by 205 votes, Hensley by 118 votes and Decker by 616 votes. He fared better in German wards in St. Louis than he had in 1912, and he ran only slightly behind his 1912 totals in rural counties with large German populations. The president carried Missouri by 27,849 votes, winning in sixty-eight counties and earning 50.6 percent of the total vote. In the cities even the Socialists and organized labor supported the Democratic ticket. While the theme that Wilson represented peace helped his cause, other issues also brought voters into the incumbent's camp. Farm prosperity aided the Wilson cause in rural Missouri. Other voters responded to the progressive legislation passed by the Democrat-controlled Congress during the 1916 session, including the eight-hour day for railroad employees, rural credits, a child labor law and workmen's compensation for federal employ­ ees. Peace, prosperity and progressive legislation all helped the president win the crucial state of Missouri.23 Wilson continued to pursue peace after his reelection. On December 18, 1916, he asked the belligerents to state their terms for peace. The presi­ dent outlined what he thought the terms of peace ought to be on January 22, 1917. He called for a peace without victory—a peace between equals—as the first step in creating a cooperative world. Wilson sought a world in which governments would exist by the consent of the governed and freedom of the seas would be the rule. He wanted a world without stockpiles of armaments, in which people could experience complete security, freedom of worship and economic and social development. He said the United States

22 March, History of Missouri, 2: 1281-1282. 23 Crighton, Missouri and the World War, 154-156; March, History of Missouri, 2: 1277, 1282. Prelude to World War I 11 would cooperate with other nations to make that vision a reality. Missouri's senior senator, William J. Stone, embraced Wilson's vision with enthusiasm.24 But before the nation had sufficient time to fully discuss these ideas, Germany declared that it would begin unrestricted submarine warfare, thus abrogating the Sussex pledge made in 1916 and making a break in diplomat­ ic relations between the United States and Germany inevitable. According to the Sussex pledge, Germany would refrain from sinking passenger or merchant vessels without warning and without providing rescue provisions. Germany's announcement came on January 31. Three days later Wilson broke diplomatic relations with Germany.25 This turn of events created a crisis in the political life of Senator Stone. During Wilson's tenure as president, Stone had been his chief spokesman on foreign policy in the Senate. The two had disagreed only on the question of American citizens traveling aboard armed vessels. Stone knew that break­ ing diplomatic relations meant war, and he sought to avoid that result, argu­ ing that Wilson should modify his actions in the Sussex crisis. But Wilson refused, and now the Missourian's foreboding that the president's stand would lead inevitably to war appeared on its way to becoming true.26 When the president and Stone met on February 2, the senator tried to persuade him not to break relations with Germany. He proposed that Wilson rally the neutral nations for peace and tell the belligerents he would arbitrate a peace based upon his statement of January 22. If the belligerents refused to come to the table, Stone urged Wilson to institute a total embargo on trade. If one side accepted the terms of peace, the senator told the presi­ dent to provide full economic aid to them and to continue to embargo the other. What Stone proposed was a combination of the policies of Presidents and during the years before the .27 The Boonville Weekly Advertiser took a similar position in an edito­ rial asserting that the president could "bring the crazy Europeans to their senses in less than six months by placing an embargo on all American food stuffs." Wilson thought the ideas had little value.28 According to Stone's biographer, Ruth Warner Towne, the senator and the president started from far different premises. Stone considered the out­ come of the war of little moment. If anything, he thought an Allied victory might injure the United States more than a German victory because of future economic competition. Wilson believed differently. He saw a

Towne, Senator William J. Stone, 202. March, History of Missouri, 2: 1282. Towne, Senator William J. Stone, 3, 152, 166, 174-181. Ibid., 202-207. Boonville Weekly Advertiser, 5 January 1917; Towne, Senator William J. Stone, 207. 12 Missouri Historical Review

German victory as perpetuating militarism, autocracy, disregard for inter­ national law and, thus, a serious threat to world order.29 Most Missourians and Americans thought the president's course to be the appropriate response to the German action. On February 9, the Boonville Weekly Advertiser editorialized: "The lines in America are obliter­ ated now. We are all Democrats, all Republicans, all Americans. Let us stand shoulder to shoulder in defense of our country. If there are any trai­ tors among us weed them out and send them where they belong." Days later the Bethany Republican observed: "President Wilson has the backing of about every American in this Germany mix-up. We will admit that the matter has not been handled just as it seems to us it should have been, but what has been done, has been done, and it is our duty as American citizens to stand back of the president until the turbulent atmosphere clears."30 Almost all of the metropolitan newspapers agreed with the president's deci­ sion to break relations with Germany. The Kansas City Journal stood alone as a major Missouri newspaper registering disagreement. Even the Westliche Post stated it would support the president, although it hated the turn of events. It, along with the

29 Towne, Senator William J. Stone, 207'. 30 Boonville Weekly Advertiser, 9 February 1917; Bethany Republican, 14 February 1917.

State Historical Society of Missouri

Because he knew the action would lead to war, Missouri Senator William J. Stone strongly disagreed with President Wilson's decision to break diplomatic relations with Germany. Prelude to World War I 13

Amerika, the Socialist Labor and Sedalia's Railway Federationist, feared that big business wanted war and advocated that any declaration of war should be submitted to the people, but few Missourians supported that idea.31 Walter L. Hensley, a House member from Farmington, appeared to be the only supporter of the referendum idea among Missouri officials. The Missouri General Assembly passed a resolution on February 5 giving the president full support, "regardless of cost or sacrifice."32 The threat of increased submarine warfare caused many merchant ships to stay at home and produced clogged rail lines and a greatly reduced mar­ ket for goods, particularly after Germany sank two American ships soon after its announcement. Many citizens called for the arming of merchant ships so they could defend themselves from U-boat attack. On the morning of February 26, Wilson informed Stone that he would ask Congress to authorize the arming of merchant ships that afternoon. Stone told the presi­ dent such a step would be a "serious blunder," would result in war, "and . . . was in 'direct conflict with the plain letter of the Constitution.'"33 The sen­ ator voted against the bill in committee and spoke for more than three hours on the Senate floor explaining his position. Democratic House members Dorsey Shackleford from Jefferson City and Perl Decker from Joplin voted against the bill in the House, the only two in Missouri's sixteen-member delegation to do so.34 C. J. Walden, editor of the Boonville Weekly Advertiser, lambasted Stone for his stand: "Stone must have felt very strange and uncomfortable, when he awoke the other morning and found he had been snoozing in the same trundle bed with [Robert] La Follette, [Albert] Cummings, [William] Kirby, and that long-haired guinea, Sister [James] Vardeman. This bunch of Allies must make the angels blush." Springfield clergymen called Stone, Shackleford and Decker "pussy foot statesmen."35 The Missouri House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution reprimanding Stone, Decker and Shackleford for their action. Some small town newspapers voiced support for Stone. The Warrensburg Star-Journal believed that Stone's position represented the view of three-fourths of the residents of Johnson County, perhaps because the newspaper shared the senator's view.

31 March, History of Missouri, 2: 1283. 32 Crighton, Missouri and the World War, 168; March, History of Missouri, 2: 1283. 33 Towne, Senator William J. Stone, 210-211; quotation from 211. 34 Crighton, Missouri and the World War, 173; March, History of Missouri, 2: 1282-1284; Towne, Senator William J. Stone, 218. Christopher C. Gibbs, The Great Silent Majority: Missouri's Resistance to World War I (Columbia: University of Missouri Press, 1988), 26, claims that Stone participated in "filibustering" the bill to death by speaking for "five hours." Towne is convincing in arguing that his effort had nothing to do with filibustering. 35 Boonville Weekly Advertiser, 9, 16 March 1917. 14 Missouri Historical Review

The congressional session ended before final action on the bill could occur. Wilson went on to arm merchant ships after Secretary of State Robert Lansing informed him that he could do so under statute law without specific approval from Congress.36 Release of the Zimmermann note on March 1, 1917, during the debate over the armed ship bill, charged discussions with strong emotion and led to those who, like Stone, opposed the president, being called traitors and cow­ ards.37 Intercepted by Britain and given to U.S. Ambassador William Hines Page, the German telegram offered an attractive proposition: if the United States went to war with Germany and Mexico joined the Central Powers, Mexico would receive plenty of financial support and, with victory, the return of , New Mexico and Arizona, territories formerly con­ trolled by Mexico. Senator Stone called the note a forgery and accused Page and Lansing of being duped by the British and Anglophiles bent on misleading Wilson into war. Almost before Stone got the words out of his mouth, German Foreign Secretary Alfred Zimmermann proudly acknowl­ edged authorship of the telegram.38 The sinking of more ships, three on March 18, made it clear that armed neutrality would not end the conflict. President Wilson advanced the calling of a special session of Congress, originally scheduled for April 16, to April 2. The two and one-half years of struggle with neutrality had ended. The president asked for a declaration of war against Germany. Stone could not bring himself to support his president. He and five other senators voted no. In the House of Representatives, Perl Decker, Dorsey Shackleford, Walter Hensley and William L. Igoe of St. Louis joined forty-six others in a "no" vote.39 Stone received special criticism because of his position as a leader in foreign policy. On April 13, the Boonville Weekly Advertiser stat­ ed: "Ninety-five percent of Missouri's citizenship was humiliated at the con­ duct of Senator Stone. Hardly a newspaper of note endorsed his action, and cries of shame came from every section of the state and country. If it were possible to recall him, he would not last a month longer."40 Both Stone and Shackleford represented the old silver wing of the Democratic party and distrusted eastern money and industry. Shackleford had advocated a munitions embargo of the belligerents in 1915 and 1916 and had opposed American citizens riding on armed ships. Although both

36 Crighton, Missouri and the World War, 175; Towne, Senator William J. Stone, 231. 37 Crighton, Missouri and the World War, 177; Gibbs, Great Silent Majority, 26-27. Gibbs takes a much different view of Missouri's attitude toward the war than this author. 38 Towne, Senator William J. Stone, 213-214; March, History of Missouri, 2: 1284-1285. 39 March, History of Missouri, 2: 1286; Towne, Senator William J. Stone, 231. 40 Boonville Weekly Advertiser, 13 April 1917. Prelude to World War I 15 Text of Germany's Proposal for an Alliance Against U. S. WASHINGTON, February 28.—Following is a copy of (he instruc­ tions sent by the German foreign minister, Alfred Zimmermann, to Von Eckhardt proposing an alliance with Japan and Mexico tor joint action against 'he Untied States: BERLIN, January 19, 1917. N the first of February we intend to b?gm sub 0' marine warefare, unrestricted. In spite of this, it is our intention to endeavor to keep neutral the United States of America. II this attempt is not successful, we propose an alliance on the fol­ lowing basis with Mexico: That we shall make war together and together make peace. We shall give general financial support, and it is understood that Mexico is to reconquer the lost territory m New Mexico, Texas and Arizona The details are left to you for settle­ ment. You are instructed to inform •wmvm the president of Mexico of the "~"w- above in the greatest confidence as soon as it is certain that there will be an outbreak of war with the United States and suggest that the president of Mexico, on his own initiative, should com­ municate with Japan suggesting adherence at once to this plan; at the same time offer to mediate between Germany and Japan. Please call attention of the president of Mexico that the employment of ruthless submarine warfare now promises to compel England to make peace in a lew months. (Signed) ZIMMERMANN. State Historical Society of Missouri men represented areas with significant German-American populations, they fundamentally ascribed to traditional isolationism rather than pro-German views. Stone distrusted England and its intentions, and according to Towne he "accepted the same economic determinism held by socialists and the [George] Norris-La Follette wing of American progressivism."41 Apparently, Decker, Hensley and Igoe held similar views. St. Louisan Igoe simply said, "I know the people of my district do not want to go to war."42

41 Crighton, Missouri and the World War, 95n, 103; Towne, Senator William J. Stone, 219, 220, 234, 237; quote from 219. 42 Quoted in Gibbs, Great Silent Majority, 35. 16 Missouri Historical Review

Once the United States entered the war, Senator Stone fully supported involvement and urged all Missourians to close ranks. He reasoned that only a quick victory could bring peace again. Stone supported conscrip­ tion—unlike his fellow senator James Reed—and all of the other major presidential recommendations. His service to the president and the country ended, however, long before peace came. Stone suffered a series of strokes and died in Washington, D.C, on April 14, 1918.43 Like Stone, other individuals and groups who had opposed the direction of American foreign policy, now supported the war. Gary Fink, who record­ ed the Missouri labor movement's changing responses to international affairs, wrote that after the country's entrance into the war the attitude of Missouri labor leaders "changed dramatically." Those leaders, "while retaining some skepticism, . . . rationalized their support of the war in the moralistic and idealistic terms that had been articulated by Woodrow Wilson." John Crighton concluded that "when war seemed unavoidable in April 1917, there was no serious division of opinion [in Missouri]."44

43 Boonville Weekly Advertiser, 20 April 1917; Towne, Senator William J. Stone, 250-252. 44 Fink, Labor's Search for Political Order, 68; Crighton, Missouri and the World War, 187. See Gibbs, Great Silent Majority, for a different interpretation of Missouri's reaction to the war. Also see Lawrence O. Christensen, "Popular Reaction to World War I in Missouri," Missouri Historical Review 86 (July 1992): 386-395, for a discussion of Gibbs's view.

In Case You Wondered

Charleston Courier, April 12, 1863. Why is the profession of a clergyman sooner learnt than that of a doctor?—Because it is much easier to preach than to practice.

On the Wagon

St. Louis Valley Farmer, March 1850. "Digby, will you take some of the butter?" "Thank you, marm, I can't take any thing strong; I belong to the Temperance Society."

Sure Evidence

Knob Noster Will Carr's Gem, January 4, 1889. Gen. Harrison insured his life on Saturday for $10,000. This is good evidence that he is about to make public the names of the members of his cabinet and that he wants to be pre­ pared for the worst.—Ex. State Historical Society of Missouri

"Solomon Burch's Fighting Editor": An Early Poem of Eugene Field

BY LEWIS O. SAUM*

When Missouri editors convened in annual meeting at Lexington in May 1874, few had better credentials for enlivening things in that river town than did Eugene Field, then of the St. Louis Journal. Some three months short of his twenty-fourth birthday, Field had already developed a reputation for humor, high jinks and good times. The young journalist even availed himself of a warm-up session on a branchline ride from Sedalia to Lexington. A fellow traveler on that trip told that Field and some other spir­ ited fellows kept a car full of conventioneers "merry" by means of "a num­ ber of humorous, serio comic and well sung choruses," a frequent activity for Field. The author of this account of the "jolly" trip felt obliged to dis­ abuse readers of any suspicion that "intoxicating drink"—"that which

*Lewis O. Saum is a professor in the Department of History at the University of Washington, Seattle. He received the Ph.D. degree in history from the University of Missouri- Columbia. 17 18 Missouri Historical Review maketh glad the heart of man"—had any part in the revelry. One might sup­ pose that the 5:00 A.M. departure from Sedalia should have stayed the suspi­ cion of the sourest viewers of the realm of "The Quill," but this writer left nothing to chance. So Eugene Field headed for a good time in Lexington in the spring of 1874, even preparing himself a bit along the way.1 For all the levity and hilarity that attended him, Field had business in Lexington, albeit funny business. Most importantly, this young man had a place on the program, some ingredients of which might be noted. At 10:00 A.M. the presiding officer, William F. Switzler of the Missouri Statesman in Columbia, called the meeting to order. The Reverend T. L. Smith offered a prayer; the Lexington Band sounded a cheery note; and local dignitary John Reid spoke a formal welcome. Editor Milo Blair of the Boonville Eagle then read an essay titled "How to Conduct a Country Newspaper," whereupon the young man from the St. Louis Journal had his inning. That effort came between the message of Blair and the message of Beecher—Henry Ward Beecher.2 It seems that President Switzler, knowing that the eminent divine had been visiting in Kansas City, extended an invitation to Beecher to come to Lexington and say a word or two to the newsmen. When Field finished his part of the program, Beecher's words of regret were read just before adjournment at midday. "Sickness in my family," Beecher explained, had required his hasty return to Brooklyn, else he "should have been glad to have been with you." It probably pleased at least some at the gathering to be told that Beecher was "a little more proud of being a newspaper man than of anything else."3 And it was not altogether incongruous that the words of Field should have given way to those of Beecher. The clergyman had a great sense of humor, and scholar Paul A. Carter has placed him in America's gravitation from the "Protestant work-ethic" to a "fun morality." More soberly, this "sickness" in the "family" came just weeks before Beecher's plummet into one of America's great scandals, the Tilton-Beecher affair.4 The soon-to-be disgraced clergyman could be excused for hastening back to Brooklyn, thus missing a chance to see Lexington and to hear a young man who would entertain the nation for another two decades.

1 Boonville Weekly Eagle, 29 May 1874. The generous coverage of the convention on the editorial page of the Eagle, along with front-page space for Field's poem, may have had something to do with the fact that editor Milo Blair figured prominently at the gathering. 2 Ibid. 3 Ibid. 4 Paul A. Carter, The Spiritual Crisis of the Gilded Age (DeKalb: Northern Illinois University Press, 1971), 130. The charge that Beecher had seduced one of his parishioners, Mrs. Theodore Tilton, issued in one of the great causes celebres of the era. Carter's chapter, "God and Man in Brooklyn: The Reputation of Henry Ward Beecher," treats the scandal in succinct fashion. i(Solomon Burch's Fighting Editor" 19

Eugene Field went to Lexington in a formal capacity, as poet of the Missouri Press Association. He would serve in a like way in Colorado a few years later, and editorial associations around the nation routinely but carefully chose such functionaries year by year, probably until common verse itself went into a precipitous decline in the twentieth century. The capstone of Field's year as poet of the association came in 1874, but it should be noted that he was chosen in 1873, at age twenty-two. Field later allowed the world to believe that he had been innocent of poetry until the end of the 1870s, with 1879 a commonly cited year for the onset. His jour­ nalistic fellows, however, knew better. A fair amount of material in the St. Louis Journal, the St. Joseph Gazette and especially the St. Louis Times- Journal, though not identified as to author, seems readily ascribable to him. A St. Joseph effort of 1876 attained a bit of notoriety, as it was not intended for mixed company. What appears to be, however, his earliest, fully authen­ ticated venture into verse occurred at Lexington in May 1874. So far as is known to this author, no subsequent attention has been given to this poem. That would provide sufficient reason for remembering Field's treatment of Solomon Burch, but a couple of other implications of that 1874 involve­ ment bear mention. Without them, one might misunderstand Eugene Field. First, he seems to have had no aversion to organizational obligations, a fact that can be neglected if one perceives him largely as a blithe spirit noncha-

State Historical Society of Missouri State Historical Society of Missouri

William F. Switzler (above) presided over the 1874 Missouri Press Association meeting in Lexington. Boonville Weekly Eagle editor Milo Blair (right) preceded Field on the program. 20 Missouri Historical Review lantly or poetically making his way through life in company with, to use the much-remarked designation of the time, bohemians. He knew, liked and enjoyed bohemian journalists such as Howard Hetrick in St. Joseph and the much-traveled William L. Visscher, whom he knew in St. Louis, St. Joseph and elsewhere. Perhaps as exotic and unrestrained as any of the lot was Stanley Huntley, a man Field seems genuinely to have admired after having come to know him in St. Louis. But Field worked exceedingly hard, and all whimsy and playfulness aside, he sought to succeed as a journalist and writer. The beginning of his own sizable family all but dictated that, and the burden increased considerably when his father-in-law died shortly after Field's marriage. Under a bohemian veneer there moved in Eugene Field— out of nature and necessity—something of the organization man. He would serve the Missouri Press Association not just as poet but as corresponding secretary and planner of conventions, tasks for which he had far greater appetite than some would suppose. Second, as the "moral" of the saga of Solomon Burch well evidences, Field kept a fully interested eye on the political doings of his time. Almost inevitably, his reputation has diminished in the twentieth century, leaving a nugget of recollection of the sentimental poet of childhood. For those who have read a bit more, that aura rests in uneasy combination with his fame for prankish and scapegrace ways. His Missouri activities had, however, a decidedly political cast. To focus on one illustration, Field returned to Lexington five months after having gone there to read a poem about Solomon Burch. In October he traveled about the state on special assign­ ment with the St. Louis Democrat, a staunchly Republican paper, covering the gubernatorial campaign of William Gentry, a Republican for whom he had high regard both personally and politically. Indeed, his involvement struck some as so spirited as to violate or transcend reportorial functions. Lexington provided some special excitement because outgoing United States Senator was traveling with Gentry for a part of the swing, and a "joint discussion" between Republican Schurz and Democrat Francis Cockrell, the man who would replace Schurz in the Senate, was arranged for Lexington. The Democrat's report of the "Missionary Work" in Lafayette County has ample hallmarks of Eugene Field, and there seems no reason to doubt that it was his. This "Special Dispatch" told that Cockrell had spoken first, arraigning the Republican party for a wide variety of iniquities starting with the "Poland gag law" and ending with "its pure cussedness generally." "Then, as if suddenly ravished by the muse, he soared away into the realms of poesy, and quoted Milton, and Chaucer, and Bret Harte, and B. Junior," all to the purpose of showing the greatness of "the grand old Democratic party." Then Republican Schurz spoke, and the senator, who knew Field a bit and was powerfully mystified by him, "Solomon Burch's Fighting Editor" 21 appeared in the special report as thoroughly dispatching Cockrell. Near the end of the article, this bit of color regarding Cockrell appeared:

I happened to hear the following conversation between Beurbons [sic]: "Why, d—n him, he's nuthink but a big lubber of a boy. He'd ha made a good preacher; but he's a d d poor politician." "Yes; but what d d fools them committeemen were to let him talk agin Schurz. By —, I feel sick. Let's go and take a little suthm.i '" 5

Recognition of Field's political interests—right down to capturing the dialect of Democrats—moves one to wonder all the more if the story of Solomon Burch might in some fantastic way derive from some particular editor who sought a "machine" to do his fighting for him. That seems unlikely, especially as editorial gatherings appear to have been kept stu­ diously clear of politically tendentious things. Even Peter Donan, the fiery former editor of the Lexington Weekly Caucasian, observed punctilio in such settings, however much he might have damned and defamed at other times.6 Field's brand of fun would not likely have extended to defiance of this healthy rule and the professional protocol it embodied. Had Solomon Burch veiled a real Missouri editor, some of the conventioneers would have recognized him, and some of them would have taken umbrage. Solomon Burch appears to have been an imaginary figure, but one whose fable and fate attested powerfully to the hazardous facts of editorial life. However great the hyperbole, the reality it conveyed would have been well known to those newsmen who delightedly listened to a young man's tale of an editor who created a "machine" to do his fighting for him.

Solomon Burch's Fighting Editor

Solomon Burch sat in his office, His nose running blood, his eyes swelled and black, His clothing all torn, his body all bruised, And great purple welts all over his back.

An editor man was Solomon Burch, An editor man of mighty renown; None wielded a crueler pen than he, And none was so feared in his native town.

5 St. Louis Democrat, 18 October 1874. 6 Though Donan had, at least temporarily, ended his association with the Caucasian, he was in Lexington and active at this convention. In later years, when Donan too became a Republican, Field often wrote whimsically flattering things about him. 22 Missouri Historical Review

He was small as to stature—this Solomon Burch, But pondrous in brain and ready in wit. In blackguarding he'd have made Thersites blush, Other newspaper men dared not spur him a bit.

He had a remarkably personal way, Of giving the public particular thunder. And he took a peculiarly cruel delight In knocking ambitious young intriguers under.

Folks got sort of down on Solomon Burch; His motives were good, but strange was his way Of serving the public; and so they resolved To rid themselves of him without delay.

They feared him and so they were careful withal, To hide their displeasure, yet ever intent On running him out, they chose a committee, To follow him 'round wherever he went.

Now such a shrewd fellow as Solomon Burch, Could not be deceived by such weak delusion; He saw through the "job" and he secretly vowed, He'd put his base enemies all to confusion.

Ye gods! what a leader it was that he wrote Exposing the plot his opponents had made;

State Historical Society of Missouri

) ^T*5^

During Field's second trip to Lex­ J^l ington in 1874, he had few kind words for Francis Cockrell.

liillk ^^JP^P'"''''' v s " ^^r^sS^HMBS v-^S!liill li^aHnt, "Solomon BurcWs Fighting Editor" 23

He wrote it with blood with the point of a sword, And the row it occasioned was fearful 'tis said.

Next morning a number of gentlemen called, To see him alone—they'd some business to settle, They had seen his flash leader, the words it contained, Had quickened their ire and stirred up their mettle. "Now Solomon Burch, since you've kicked up this muss, Since naught we can say will ever abash you, We've come well prepared to avenge the insults, In still plainer terms, we've come here to thrash you." They did it—in vain did poor Solomon yell, In vain did he curse them, say he'd have 'em all hung. They whipped him right soundly, and left him at last In the plight he was in when this story begun. Then, when the committee had slowly withdrawn, And left the poor editor writhing in pain, They laughed in their sleeves and said, "Two to one. "He never comes out in such style again." Solomon Burch stood up on his feet, And cursed his assailants for a cowardly set, And then with his hand reverentially raised; He wildly gave vent to this horrible threat: "I'll be even with 'em if it bursts the concern! "I am small or they'd never have tackled me so; "I'll build a machine that'll grind up their bones, "And to the four winds their ashes will strew; "So hear me, ye powers! that preside o'er the pen, "I swear I will yet be revenged on these men." Far into the night in his office he sat, The typos in vain called for copy, in vain Did they peer through the key-hole, the room was all dark. Sol meant mischief, Sol meant blood, Sol meant death—that was plain! And the typos all laughed in mighty high glee, And to wind up the row went off on a spree. When they came back the next day they found Sol at work, And with him some carpenters, say three or four, And a tinner, a saddler, a blacksmith, a mason, In all I presume there were fully a score; And all looked so wise and so solemn and glum, That one right away would guess the watchword was mum. Now, I know it sounds huge, but in less than a week In that office of Burch's a mammoth form stood, A giant machine on foundation of stone, With body and limbs made of iron and wood! As before fated troy [sic] the horse loomed of yore, 24 Missouri Historical Review

This grim, ghastly engine stood near Burch's door. Its face they had chiseld from white pine and ash, And streaked it with red to astound the beholder, While above on its head a helmet of brass, With horrid red plumes hung down like a boulder. Its eyes huge and hollow stared down all the while, And its terrible mouth smiled a ticklish smile. The body was mammoth—the ribs were of steel, All girt up with leather and covered with hide; While it's [sic] arms long and scrawny and scraggy and hard, Like pendulums swinging, hung down at each side While legs of tough maple upheld the concern, What was inside I never was able to learn. But this is not half! why, the best yet remains So arranged was the thing that at the sound of a word It would kick, bite and scratch and punch, push and pull And utter the awfullest sounds ever heard, That word was "Eureka"—that's Greek I suppose, It means I have found it, having found it here goes. The work once completed Burch gazed fondly on it. He'd planned it—it proved a decided success. The bill was a thousand greenbacks and he paid The bill I'll leave that for you all to guess! The carpenters, masons and rest disappeared Where they went to no one to this day ever heard. Some say Burch no sooner saw them finish the job Than "Eureka!" he cried and the mammoth machine Kicked each workman to death—at least this we know Not one of the men ever after was seen. All Burch had to do when he wanted a rest, Was to halloo "Hold up!"—the machine would desist.

That man took delight in seeing it work, He now wrote the crudest items on people, And when they called in to settle his hash, The machine would bounce each one as high as a steeple. He called it his fightin' man, laughed at his foes And when they implored, put his thumb to his nose.

Things went on this way for a wearisome while, One by one Burch's enemies vanished from sight, None knew where they went—the machine did its work, And nary a victim escaped its fierce might, And Burch became happy, and joyous and glad, Not a soul ever dreamed what a nice time he had! "Solomon Burch's Fighting Editor' 25

But the lion will, sometime, grow tired of his prey, And the tigercat sicken with feasting on gore, So Burch had destroyed all his enemies till— He gave up the job—he could think of no more; And the grim, ghastly engine of his cruel fun Now stood all unused—it's [sic] mission was done.

Tranquility reigned in the town of Pequot And the deeds of the Past were nearly forgot, When Burch sat alone in his office one night Planning how he should raise a political fight Now mark me—before this, he'd met with success, But now he was brewing a sweet pretty mess. The sequel will prove, as have sequels before, That politics kills five times out of four.

Burch wanted and longed to discover a way To share in the spoils, yet keep out of the fray, A policy men have pursued to this day. Long he pondered—till at last an idea came to him, "Eureka!" he cried with unfeigned delight, With a rusty old groan the machine by the door Bounced down on poor Burch with herculean might

And such was his fright that he rarely forgot The magical words that would better his lot, There arose a loud cry—a shriek and a moan, The machine was right rusty and needed an oiling, But it worked with a will and its horrid red eyes

State Historical Society of Missouri F*»«s»j?K ivJ 26 Missouri Historical Review

Rolled round as the scrawny arms briskly were toiling, And its legs kicked right merrily, and its throat too Mingled yells of delight in the hullaballoo.

The neighbors came in, the firemen turned out, The parson came straggling along in his gown, The mayor, the council, the marshal rushed 'round, An infectious agony seized the whole town, But the machine despite all their cries, Kept on with its work, with wild rolling eyes.

The result of it all was that naught was e'er left Of poor Burch's body to suffer cremation, And the jury that sat on his memory said That "Solomon Burch had died of inflation!" But the cruel machine that worked all this woe Kept kicking and is still for aught all I know. There's a moral to this, tho' perhaps you don't see it, If newspaper men would the world long enlighten, Take warning from poor brother Burch's sad fate, Leave alone all machines—and do your own fightin'.

Field recited his Solomon Burch poem before the Missouri Press Association mem­ bers assembled in the Lafayette County Courthouse. State Historical Society of Missouri "Solomon Burch's Fighting Editor" 27

Field's poem seems to have appeared first in the Lexington Weekly Caucasian on May 23, 1874. As noted in footnote 1, it also appeared in the Boonville Weekly Eagle on May 29. Other papers may have printed it at the time or later. The version presented here is essentially that of the Caucasian, other than matters of punctuation where extant microfilm copies, especially of the Caucasian, require a good deal of guesswork. Punctuation aside, the nearly thirty Eagle variations from the previously printed Caucasian version seem either inept or in error. For examples, the Caucasian's "glum" became the Eagle's erroneous "grum," and what the Caucasian presented as "the Past" regrettably emerged as "the Pyst" in the Eagle. Mechanical matters of spac­ ing and arrangement of lines and verses raise questions and confusions, per­ haps because newspapers sought to fit poems into standard columns and Field's tiny script challenged compositors unfamiliar with his work. Finally, it should be noted that the Boonville paper dropped a full line of the poem, though it has to be noted that the line has so little felicity as to tempt exci­ sion. If Field did not cherish remembrance of some of his early poetic efforts, it is not altogether surprising. Still, as some recollections in the Kansas City World noted at Field's death in 1895, he made "his first hit as a poet" at that Lexington gathering.7 That assessment aside, Field himself offered a guarded and brief com­ ment on his treatment of Solomon Burch very shortly after the fact. From Lexington he had gone on to St. Joseph, and there he wrote to the wife of Melvin Gray, the St. Louisan who had the unenviable task of guiding and guarding Eugene and Roswell after their father's death in 1869. Field's comments on his part in the program contain playfulness, as in his noting that Roswell had "encouraged" him by surmising that "I was going to make a fool of myself." Then the tone changed, and Field's fairly serious obser­ vation may serve as a final word on what was surely among the first of his poems to get public airing. "In all justice to myself I must say the 'poem' took well. I don't give myself much credit for the production but it was cer­ tainly received with a greater degree of favor then I had expected or even hoped for."8

7 "Recollections of Eugene Field," Kansas City World, 6 November 1895. Some two years after Field's reading of the poem at Lexington, it appeared in J. W. Barrett, comp., History and Transactions of the Editors' and Publishers' Association of Missouri, 1867-1876 (Canton, Mo.: Canton Press, 1876), 134-137. The compiler placed the poem out of sequence in that publication because, as he explained, it had not reached him until all else had been put in type. He opined that, though appearing last in that 1876 publication, Field's "Weird Idyl" might be "'remembered longest"' (p. iv). Whatever else the delay may have involved, it reflect­ ed the fact that Field made a good many changes in the poem, some of substantial nature. Simply, Field's Pegasus was surer afoot in 1876 than it had been in 1874, the year of the origi­ nal version as read to the editors at Lexington and as presented here 120 years after that reading. 8 Field to "My Dear Mrs. Gray," 7 June 1874, Special Collections, The Jones Library, Inc., Amherst, Mass. u^ - \...... cr-»—o.i..k.s «& ^,n p.vi I 1.1.1«; n M v fJf { s P... c7i^UH'ii«..».K IIMI i • UJUU I \HI.II..I.I^A/L>, s|,urv. mifinik ^ il «I»W Ki.ilini.>-AV'X fk.iOn In ./v /} /Ym}, p.-^J^jiflat. ^,.^U»Ui' Renault/^\ •

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State Historical Society of Missouri

"This War is Managed Mighty Strange": The Army of Southeastern Missouri, 1862-1863

BY JOHN F. BRADBURY, JR.*

The arduous 1862-1863 winter march of the Army of Southeastern Missouri remains one of the most obscure campaigns in Missouri's Civil War history. Overshadowed by more sanguinary affairs in other theaters, the efforts of nearly ten thousand men over a four-month period have gone almost entirely unnoticed. If the campaign established anything, it proved that the combination of rugged hills, a rudimentary transportation network and the lack of resources for subsisting an army eliminated southeast Missouri as a base for overland operations into northern Arkansas. The rugged topography of the Ozark Highland simply posed too many logistical difficulties to offer an avenue toward the capture of Little Rock. The army's long march also reflected disagreement among northern military leaders about the proper strategy in Missouri and Arkansas during the period of the

*John F. Bradbury, Jr., is a senior manuscript specialist at the Western Historical Manuscript Collection-Rolla. He received the B.A. in history from the University of Missouri-Rolla. 28 "This War is Managed Mighty Strange " 29 conflict when the capture of Vicksburg and the opening of the were the primary goals in the West. The Army of Southeastern Missouri was the creation of Major General Samuel R. Curtis, the victor at Pea Ridge and the commander of Union forces in Missouri. His appointment to command the reconstituted Department of the Missouri in September 1862 occurred as a part of the reorganization of the federal military when Major General Henry W. Halleck became general-in-chief of Union forces, with headquarters in Washington, D.C. Curtis's task was to ensure the strategic defense of Missouri while Halleck supervised the Union drive to open the Mississippi.1 Curtis faced a resurgent Confederate army in Arkansas led by Major General Thomas C. Hindman, who had assumed command at Little Rock in May 1862. The Confederate commander's assignment was to resurrect the defense of the state, which had deteriorated following the defeat of General Earl Van Dorn's army at Pea Ridge and its subsequent withdrawal from Arkansas. Able and aggressive, but politically tactless, Hindman raised an army of twenty thousand men before Major General Theophilus Holmes superseded him as department commander. Hindman then took command of forces in the field in northwest Arkansas. In the late summer and early autumn of 1862, he began concentrating his army, screening his intentions with cavalry operations by regular Confederate units and the remaining por­ tions of the . From Batesville in north-central Arkansas, the rebels harassed Union outposts at Bloomfield, Greenville and Patterson in southeast Missouri.2 Assuming command at St. Louis, Curtis received reports suggesting that a two-pronged offensive was shaping up against Missouri. Although aware that enemy strength in northern Arkansas had increased, he believed the reports to be exaggerated. To oppose the Confederates, Curtis had in the field the Army of the Frontier, organized in October from forces in Kansas and Missouri. This force of about twenty thousand men under the command

1 Barry Richard Sude, "Federal Military Policy and Strategy in Missouri and Arkansas, 1861-1863: A Study of Command Level Conflict" (Ph.D. diss., Temple University, 1986), 4- 5; Herman Hattaway and Archer Jones, How the North Won: A Military History of the Civil War (Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1983), 212-213; Stephen E. Ambrose, Halleck: Lincoln's Chief of Staff (Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1962), 43; William E. Parrish, A History of Missouri, Volume 111, 1860 to 1875 (Columbia: University of Missouri Press, 1973), 44-45, 56-57; Donald E. Reynolds, "Union Strategy in Arkansas During the Vicksburg Campaign," Arkansas Historical Quarterly 29 (Spring 1970): 20-21. 2 Jay Monaghan, Civil War on the Western Border, 1854-1865 (Boston: Little, Brown & Company, 1955), 255-257; Alvin M. Josephy, Jr., The Civil War in the American West (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1991), 359-360; Curtis to Halleck, 27 September 1862, U.S. War Department, The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, ser. 1, vol. 13 (Washington, D.C: Government Printing Office, 1880-1901), 673. Hereafter cited as O.R.; all references are to series 1. 30 Missouri Historical Review of Brigadier General John M. Schofield operated in the White River region between Springfield, Missouri, and Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Confederate incursions into southeast Missouri led Curtis to fear for the safety of his weakly garrisoned depot at Pilot Knob, the railhead of the St. Louis and Iron Mountain Railroad. He had reinforcements available only at Helena, Arkansas, in the divisions of his former command, the Army of Southwest Missouri. Curtis ordered General Frederick Steele's division to move upriver by steamboat to Sulphur Springs, south of St. Louis, and then to march to Pilot Knob. By mid-October Curtis had halved the garri­ son at Helena and collected almost eight thousand troops around the rail­ head. Sweeps by Union cavalry convinced Curtis that no major rebel threat existed in southeast Missouri. Rather than reinforcing either Helena or the Army of the Frontier, however, he considered marching the force at Pilot Knob to Batesville.3 On November 1, 1862, Curtis designated the troops located around Pilot Knob as the Army of Southeastern Missouri and entrusted command of the new army to Brigadier General John W. Davidson. This Virginia-born West Point graduate and regular army cavalryman had commanded the District of St. Louis for several months, doing a good job in a difficult post. He is bet­ ter remembered in Missouri for his connection with Fort Davidson at Pilot Knob, which was built and named for him during his command of the dis­ trict. Davidson organized his army of thirteen infantry regiments and three artillery batteries into two divisions under Indiana Brigadier General

3 Curtis to Halleck, 25 September, 2 October, 12 October 1862, Curtis to Steele, 26 September 1862, Curtis to Schofield, 1 October 1862, O.R., 13: 667, 670, 695, 702, 730.

Courtesy of the author

John W. Davidson was chosen to command the newly organized Army of Southeastern Missouri. "This War is Managed Mighty Strange " 31

William P. Benton and Missouri Colonel Chester P. Harding, Jr. Colonel George E. Waring, Jr., of the Fourth Missouri Cavalry, commanded a sepa­ rate cavalry brigade. The army numbered about nine thousand troops of all arms as of December 1862.4 No one seemed happy with the timing of the campaign. The soldiers had expected to winter around Pilot Knob, and some of the officers had sent for their wives to join them. Many of the troops questioned the wisdom of being rushed upriver only to march southward again. Wisconsin infantry­ man Samuel Kirkpatrick complained: 'The last move we made from Helana [sic] up here, what did it amount to? Now the talk is that we are going back down .... This war is managed mighty strange."5 Some of the criticism originated in the army's higher ranks. As early as October 1, John S. Phelps, military governor of Arkansas, had argued that southeast Missouri was not in danger and that the post at Helena was too important to be reduced. Frederick Steele, whose division had been trans­ ferred from Helena, wrote to General Halleck questioning the propriety of the campaign. The commander of the new army, General Davidson, pointed out the lack of resources between Pilot Knob and Batesville and that long wagon hauls through difficult country would be necessary to supply the troops. Both Steele and Davidson maintained that operations out of Pilot Knob were impractical. They urged that the army return to Helena, where it could be used on either side of the Mississippi River in conjunction with moves against Vicksburg or Little Rock.6 Halleck believed that the best defense for Missouri was a federal cam­ paign against the Arkansas capital. He so advised Curtis on October 2 but said that Helena was the proper base for operations against Little Rock. Although he did not approve of the reduction of the garrison on the Mississippi, he noted, "At so great a distance I can only advise." Not until the last part of October did he order Steele and all the troops "that can be

4 Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion (New York: Thomas Yoseloff, 1959), 1: 545-546; Homer K. Davidson, Black Jack Davidson (Glendale, Calif.: Arthur H. Clark Company, 1974), 107-108; St. Louis Daily Missouri Republican, 18 November 1862; abstract of return, Department of the Missouri, December 1862, O.R., 22, pt. 1: 888, 890. The designation in the O.R. is Army of Southeastern Missouri; however, most of the troops referred to it as the Army of Southeast Missouri. 5 "Otis" to editors, Madison Wisconsin State Journal, 14 November 1862; Samuel C. Kirkpatrick to parents, 11 November 1862, Samuel C. Kirkpatrick Papers, Western Historical Manuscript Collection, University of Missouri-Columbia (hereafter cited as WHMC- Columbia). 6 Phelps to Halleck, 1 October 1862, Steele to Halleck, 13 November 1862, Davidson to Halleck, 14 November 1862, O.R., 13: 698, 790. The Confederate department commander in Arkansas was mystified by Curtis's transfer of Steele's division from Helena to Pilot Knob. See Theophilus Holmes to Thomas C. Hindman, 23 October 1862, ibid., 891-892; Kenneth P. Williams, Lincoln Finds a General: A Military Study of the Civil War, Volume Four, luka to Vicksburg (New York: Macmillan Company, 1956), 152-153. 32 Missouri Historical Review spared" from Pilot Knob returned to Helena. By November 11 most of Steele's division was headed back downriver. In the midst of these develop­ ments, Halleck learned that Curtis, without consulting him, had put into motion an overland campaign toward Arkansas. Surprised and angry, he telegraphed Curtis on November 15: "It is reported that you have ordered an expedition from Pilot Knob to Batesville. If so, it will be immediately countermanded. You require troops at Pilot Knob only sufficient to hold the southeastern part of Missouri. Any expedition against Arkansas must be made from Helena. You will not operate on any new lines without first reporting to these headquarters. Unless this is done the plans of the Government are continually disarranged."7 On the same day Halleck also ordered another brigade of infantry to return to Helena. Curtis replied in two dispatches that he was not planning an expedition to Batesville, a statement that would have surprised the offi­ cers and men of the Army of Southeastern Missouri. Instead, he explained, Davidson was massing his forces south of Pilot Knob and arranging bridges to facilitate cooperation with movements from Helena. Davidson could also unite with the Army of the Frontier for a strike to the Black and White rivers "if occasion offers." In light of Curtis's deteriorating relationship with Schofield, it should be noted that no effort was made to combine the Army of Southeastern Missouri with the Army of the Frontier.8 Curtis further wrote that "rogues and rebels" were trying to discredit him at Halleck's headquarters. Halleck replied sharply on November 22

7 Halleck to Curtis, 2 October, 15 November 1862, O.R., 13: 702, 793-794. 8 Curtis to Halleck, 18 November 1862, ibid., 800; Curtis to Halleck, 24 November 1862, ibid., 22, pt. 1:789.

State Historical Society of Missouri

A former congressman from Iowa, Samuel Curtis assumed command of the De­ partment of the Missouri in September 1862. "This War is Managed Mighty Strange " 33 that he was not in the habit of consulting "rogues or rebels" and that Curtis had been instructed a year earlier that Helena was the key to operations in Arkansas. Responding apologetically, Curtis blamed an error in his message but complained that he had been subject to threats, innuendos, envy, hatred and malice since taking over the department.9 Clearly the general-in-chief and his departmental commander held dif­ fering opinions on the defense of Missouri and offensives in Arkansas. Halleck, however, did not order Curtis to disband the Army of Southeastern Missouri or to return the troops to Pilot Knob. His military philosophy that the general-in-chief should not burden himself or his commanders with instructions on tactical details left something to be desired when it con­ cerned strategic differences and an obstinate subordinate. Curtis retained the discretion to keep the army in a logistically difficult country occupied only by scattered bands of guerrillas. In the coming weeks while the Army of Southeastern Missouri arranged bridges, Halleck sought additional rein­ forcements for Helena while Ulysses S. Grant probed overland toward Vicksburg, William Sherman embarked for the assault at Chickasaw Bayou and Hindman's Confederates attacked and nearly defeated in detail the Army of the Frontier at Prairie Grove in northwestern Arkansas. As Halleck and Curtis consulted by telegraph, the army moved south to Patterson in Wayne County, Missouri. The soldiers began fortifying the vil­ lage with a blockhouse and investigated the nearby Virginia Settlement's reputation for fine sweet potatoes. Davidson arrived from St. Louis to review his army. This event gave the men their first opportunity to see their new commander, an impressive-looking man in his late thirties, with dark hair and eyes, a "prominent smelling tool" and an elaborate mustache with waxed and twisted ends.10 Davidson, a veteran cavalry officer, looked the part. Surgeon Henry P. Strong of the Eleventh Wisconsin Infantry later wrote that the general was a fine horseman. "You would recognize him as the commanding officer at once by his appearance. If knowledge of drill, horsemanship, and soldierly appearance should make a good officer, there would not be many in the department that could compare with him." But what appeared to Strong as military bearing others took to be mere vanity. An Iowa soldier described Davidson as "a Jules Caesarish fellow. Old General Halleck or the President would not assume the dignity or make the ostentatious display that

9 Curtis to Halleck, 18 November 1862, Halleck to Curtis, 22 November 1862, Curtis to Halleck, 27 November 1862, ibid., 13: 800, 812-813. 10 Entry, 16 November 1862, Joseph B. Williamson Diary, Illinois Historical Library, Springfield; "Otis" to editors, Madison Wisconsin State Journal, 14 November 1862; Earl J. Hess, ed., A German in the Yankee Fatherland: The Civil War Letters of Henry A. Kircher (Kent, Ohio: Kent State University Press, 1983), 29. 34 Missouri Historical Review this 'great man' does. He is a Brig. Gen. of Missouri] S[tate] M[ilitia], hence his potency." n Of particular interest to the troops were rumors about Davidson's strict­ ness, particularly with stragglers and those who appropriated private proper­ ty. They soon learned that the general believed in traveling light. One of his first orders imposed substantial reductions on the amount of baggage that would be transported in the army's wagons. Officers and men aban­ doned a considerable amount of personal property at Patterson; resentment toward the commanding officer replaced it.12 After inspecting his army at Patterson, Davidson ordered it west to Carter's Ford on the Black River, in Reynolds County ten miles above Reeves Station. The troops marched under the command of Benton while Davidson went to establish his headquarters at Pilot Knob. The army reached the Black River on November 25 and began the hard work of bridg­ ing the stream two days later. Those not called for fatigue details, an Indiana soldier wrote, "do nothing but stand guard and keep warm as well as we can. We have our stoves up and fire in it. . . . The Boys have stick chim­ neys at the end of the tents daubed with mud . . . they are like an old-fashion fireplace." 13 Davidson's cavalry scoured the countryside searching for the enemy. The patrols scouted the edge of the Mingo swamp to the southeast and the Current River hills to the west attempting to verify the presence of rebel M. Jeff Thompson. Although he was not in the state at the time, Union military intelligence reported him moving up the Black River with several bands of guerrillas. Federal cavalrymen wore out their horses while Thompson visit­ ed Richmond in an attempt to gain a regular Confederate commission.14

11 Henry P. Strong to wife, 2 February 1863, Henry P. Strong Letters, State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Madison; "Volunteer" to editor, Des Moines, Iowa State Register, 6 December 1862. Davidson did not hold a commission in the Missouri State Militia. In addi­ tion to his regular army rank, Davidson held a commission as brigadier general of United States Volunteers. See Davidson, Black Jack Davidson, 104; Ezra J. Warner, Generals in Blue (Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1964), 112. 12 S. C. Kirkpatrick to family, n.d. [ca. November 1862], Kirkpatrick Papers; "From the Eleventh Regiment," Madison Wisconsin State Journal, 1 December 1862; Gilbert H. Denny to parents, 22 November 1862, Gilbert H. Denny Letters, Indiana Historical Society, Indianapolis; William S. Burns, Recollections of the 4th Missouri Cavalry, ed. Frank Allen Dennis (Dayton, Ohio: Morningside House, Inc., 1988), 50-51. 13 Entry, 27 November 1862, Rudolph Haerle Diary, U.S. Army Military History Institute, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. The Black River crossing is now under the waters of Clearwater Lake. 14 Davidson to Curtis, 8 December 1862, O.R., 22, pt. 1: 819; "Memoir," 87-89, Meriwether Jeff Thompson Papers, WHMC-Columbia; Donal J. Stanton, Goodwin F. Berquist, Jr., and Paul C. Bowers, "General M. Jeff Thompson: Soldier-Rhetorician," Missouri Historical Review 71 (October 1976): 51-52. Thompson's only commission was in the Missouri State Guard. "This War is Managed Mighty Strange" 35

State Historical Society of Missouri Davidson's troops added mud and stick chimneys to their tents in an effort to keep warm.

The infantry completed a pontoon bridge across the Black River on December 10, 1862. It lasted only five days. Heavy rains during the early morning of December 15 brought an eight-foot rise on the river, which inun­ dated the army's encampments. The bridge held, but Benton ordered it bro­ ken up and the pontoons used as canoes to rescue soldiers trapped by the flood waters. Only one casualty occurred—a man killed by a falling tree— but by dawn the tents stood in a foot and a half of water and a large amount of camp equipage and personal possessions had been swept away. When some of the Thirty-third Illinois Infantry found a barrel of medicinal whiskey in the sodden debris of the hospital tent, drunkenness and "fites" ensued. The soldiers joked that the flood was in honor of Benton's marriage to a local widow, a Mrs. Pettit, and one officer remarked unkindly that mar­ riage after only five weeks of courtship was the bravest thing the general had ever done.15 At Pilot Knob, Davidson might have bemoaned the labor lost on the bridge had the flood not facilitated a new plan. He reported to Curtis on 15 Entry, 15 December 1862, Williamson Diary; entry, 15 December 1862, Haerle Diary; Samuel C. Kirkpatrick to family, 18 December 1862, Kirkpatrick Papers; entry, 15 December 1862, George W. Gordon Diary, U.S. Army Military History Institute; Isaac H. Elliott, History of the Thirty-Third Regiment Illinois Veteran Volunteer Infantry in the Civil War, 22nd August, 1861, to 7th December, 1865 (Gibson City, 111.: published by the regimental association, 1902), 32. Benton's marriage to Mrs. Pettit is not mentioned in biographies of the general. His courage had been tested previously during the Mexican War and at Pea Ridge. See Warner, Generals in Blue, 30-31; History of Wayne County, Indiana (Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co., 1884), 552-553. 36 Missouri Historical Review

December 19 that he was abandoning Patterson as his forward supply base and shifting his army southwest to Van Buren on the Current River in Carter County. The roads linking Van Buren with Pilot Knob, he noted, were shorter and in better condition than those from Patterson, and by hauling through Barnesville and Centerville, thus crossing the Black River above its forks, the army could avoid building two bridges and one ferryboat.16 The move toward Van Buren began on December 23. After abandoning the blockhouse at Patterson and dismantling the bridge over the Black River, the troops grumbled about their wasted labor. Benton, worried about obtaining the wherewithal to provide for crossing the Current River at Van Buren, advised Davidson that it would be impossible to build ferryboats of the desired size. Instead, he offered to build two boats, forty-five feet long by twelve feet wide, if Davidson would furnish axes, adzes, caulking and rope. Benton also reported an attack on a forage train and voiced concern about a supply train of 150 wagons then on the road from Pilot Knob. He pleaded for an additional one thousand cavalry to protect his line of commu­ nications and the army's flanks.17 The supply of food became a constant worry as the army moved deeper into a region that offered barely more than a subsistence economy. As for­ age trains went out daily to gather local produce, the inhabitants of the Current River hills made the usual contributions. Soldiers repeatedly violat­ ed Davidson's prohibitions regarding the seizure of private property, espe­ cially poultry. One Iowa soldier, who believed that the local citizens were but "weeds in the garden of humanity," confessed that "the poor devils are suffering terribly from the troops, who take the liberty of filling their haver­ sacks from the stores of these natives."18 The Confederates took advantage of the Union supply situation to strike a forage train three miles below Van Buren on December 23. Indiana infantryman Gilbert Denny, although not present, reported the affair: "Our train was out after forage and the rebels took 8 wagons and 30 men and 48 mules. They was in the field gathering corn [when they were surrounded]. Wounded 4 and took their clothes off them and made them take the oath. They was out of the 11th Wisconsin but our cavalry made them skedaddle. They say that they are 8,000 [rebels] at Pocahontas 60 miles from here but I don't think they will fight us. All they will do is take our trains and shute pickets." 19

16 Davidson to Curtis, 19 December 1862, O.R., 22, pt. 1: 852-853. 17 Benton to Davidson, 25 December 1862, ibid., 873, 874. 18 James Lee Murphy, "A History of the Southeastern Ozark Region of Missouri" (Ph.D. diss., Saint Louis University, 1982), 89-90; "The Twenty-Third On The March," Des Moines State Register, 6 January 1863. 19 Gilbert Denny to father, 4 January 1863, Denny Letters. "This War is Managed Mighty Strange" 37

General Benton would have been more concerned about the attack on his wagon train had he known that M. Jeff Thompson, back from Richmond, had been involved. Although still without a Confederate com­ mission, Thompson joined local rebel forces at Pocahontas, Arkansas, as a freelance raider. En route to Pocahontas, Thompson had boasted about the size and purpose of a force he supposedly led. Word of his loud talk filtered back to federal authorities, leaving them unsure of Thompson's activities. He was last reported in 1862 as raiding in Stoddard County, trying to get at the rear of the Army of Southeastern Missouri. Curtis advised Davidson to hold his army in readiness to fall back on Pilot Knob. The cautionary orders were a tribute to Thompson, who acted on his own initiative and without official sanction.20 Davidson rejoined his army at Van Buren on the last day of 1862, in time to see a pontoon bridge across the Current River completed. Having come so far, his troops expected to move into Arkansas. They had cheered Benton's Christmas speech when he declared that they soon would have bet­ ter work than building bridges and repairing roads. The men assumed that once Davidson rejoined the army they would begin the advance that would lead to the capture of Batesville and, ultimately, Little Rock. They lacked

20 Curtis to Davidson, 29 December 1862, O.R., 22, pt. 1: 882; "Memoir," 88-89, Thompson Papers. The Confederate forces were probably members of Timothy Reeves's Company, Independent Missouri Scouts, later incorporated into the Fifteenth Missouri Cavalry, CSA. State Historical Society of Missouri

The Army of Southeastern Missouri soon tired of building bridges on their march through the Ozarks. 38 Missouri Historical Review only supplies; however, a train of three hundred wagons was then en route through the mud from Pilot Knob.21 When the army began to move on January 12, 1863, the destination was not Batesville, but Alton in Oregon County, Missouri. General John S. Marmaduke and his Confederate cavalry effected the change in the Union army's itinerary by riding into Missouri in a desperate attempt to relieve Yankee pressure on northwest Arkansas. Marmaduke's raiders attacked the Union post at Springfield on January 8, but failed to capture the town after a fierce daylong fight. The Confederates withdrew the next day toward the headwaters of the Gasconade River, and a chance encounter with a Union relief force headed to Springfield from Houston developed into a short, vicious engagement at Hartville on January 11. Curtis ordered the Army of Southeastern Missouri, then at Van Buren, to attempt to intercept Marmaduke. To augment Davidson's force, a brigade posted at Houston would join the army at West Plains.22 As winter set in with rain, snow and bitter cold, it proved to be the worst possible time for the army to move. By the time the Army of Southeastern Missouri reached Alton on January 20, Marmaduke's cavalry­ men had escaped into Arkansas to establish winter quarters south of the White River at Batesville. Even with worsening supply problems, and evi­ dently unaware of Halleck's displeasure, Davidson asked for Curtis's per­ mission to march on Batesville. He argued that the impassability of the roads from Pilot Knob made that post useless as a supply point and pro­ posed supplying the army either by wagons from the railhead at Rolla or Union boats on the White River. Davidson believed that he could fight his way out of trouble: "I would rather fight quadruple my number (for I have good regiments) every day than this mud [for] one day's march."23 The army floundered into West Plains on January 29. The next day Davidson received a message from Curtis regarding a cavalry "dash" to Batesville, which appealed to the department commander as a convenient means of teaching the rebels "to fear our presence." A raid would not tie up the army or expose Pilot Knob to an attack, nor would it raise the ire of General-in- Chief Halleck. Mounted troops could visit Batesville and thoroughly scout the

21 "The Twenty-Third On The March," Des Moines State Register, 6 January 1863; Samuel Kirkpatrick to parents, 1 January 1863, Kirkpatrick Papers; Swain Marshall to par­ ents, 8 January 1863, Thomas Marshall Papers, Indiana Historical Society; "Otis" to editors, Madison Wisconsin State Journal, 19 January 1863. 22 Curtis to Davidson, 10 January 1863, O.R., 22, pt. 2: 30-31; John N. Edwards, Shelby and his Men; Or, The War in the West (Cincinnati: Miami Printing and Publishing Co., 1867), 132-138. 23 Davidson to Curtis, 26 January 1863, O.R., 22, pt. 2: 75-76. The army also contended with three to four inches of snow that fell during the march. Entry, 14 January 1863, Williamson Diary. "This War is Managed Mighty Strange " 39 area, then withdraw to West Plains. If the expedition to Batesville encountered a superior enemy force or supply problems became any more acute, Curtis stip­ ulated that the army should fall back to Pilot Knob.24 Colonel Waring and a thousand cavalrymen saddled up for Batesville on February 2. Hampered only by fresh snow and bitter cold, the men moved unopposed until they encountered Marmaduke's pickets on the edge of Batesville late on February 4. Most of the Confederate brigade was encamped south of the White River; only a provost guard of two companies protected the town and the ferry crossing. Waring's troopers charged and scattered the surprised Confederates, who broke for the river and the ferry­ boat. The Yankees netted forty prisoners, including a lieutenant colonel and two captains who were unable to gain the boat or swim the frigid river. The cavalrymen passed the night in Batesville while Waring interrogated prison­ ers and rebel deserters who had surrendered. Learning that General Jo Shelby's brigade intended to cross the river to entrap the Yankee force, Waring withdrew at dawn. The command then marched to Evening Shade, Arkansas, twenty-five miles north of Batesville, where Waring paroled and released most of his badly frostbitten prisoners.25 The federals missed a meeting with other travelers between Batesville and West Plains. A band of Confederate riders under a flag of truce had approached Union lines at West Plains on February 3. Described as intelli­ gent-looking men clad mostly in federal overcoats, the rebels sought per­ mission to recover the body of Colonel Emmett McDonald, killed at Hartville. The pickets blundered by bringing the enemy riders into the army's camp without blindfolds. Furious at the breach of security, Davidson, who considered the errand frivolous and the bearers spies, refused the request and ordered the Confederates out of his lines. He began to fear a rebel movement north of the White River and doubled his already- heavy camp guard. The unpopular order put over one-third of his men on disagreeable picket duty.26 The Batesville raid was the army's southernmost advance. Most of the troops did not even make it that far. For the infantry and artillery, the advance toward Arkansas ended with a mock battle staged at West Plains. Marching in battle formation, the divisions fired volleys at an imaginary

24 Curtis to Davidson, 30 January 1863, O.R., 22, pt. 2: 86. 25 Davidson to Curtis, 7 February 1863, ibid., pt. 1: 227; Edwards, Shelby and his Men, 147-148; George E. Waring, Jr., Whip and Spur (Boston: James R. Osgood and Company, 1875), 77-92; A. W. M. Petty, A History of the Third Missouri Cavalry (Little Rock: J. Wm. Demby, Publisher, 1865), 21-22; "A Gallant Dash On Batesville, Arkansas," St. Louis Tri­ weekly Missouri Republican, 9 February 1863. 26 Henry Strong to wife, 3 February 1863, Strong Letters; Elliott, History of the Thirty- Third Illinois, 32. 40 Missouri Historical Review

^^^^^ ^% *tk f 7 George E. Waring, an agriculturist and a sanitary engineer, commanded the Jjpffl "^-'i^Kl , cavalry raid on Batesville. I. wm&mBJt i. SIR BfcV"

State Historical Society of Missouri enemy. Disgusted at having hauled ammunition 150 miles through the mud only to fire it into the brush, the troops made a sorry spectacle of the maneu­ vers. Not even the arrival of the paymaster consoled them. A Wisconsin soldier who had gone unpaid for over four months claimed that the only military objective was to isolate the troops before paying them off, thereby discouraging desertions. Davidson seemed to confirm that opinion when he instructed his officers to watch for deserters after the paymaster's visit.27 Even before the cavalry expedition left for Batesville, Davidson had written Curtis that the army had to move from West Plains, if only to subsist itself. Some of the soldiers dined on a single hardtack a day while others ate boiled corn fried in grease. Although the army reached its peak strength of about ten thousand men after the arrival of the brigade from Houston, the extra men and animals only aggravated the logistical difficulty. Davidson assured Curtis that the army was in good spirits and eager to advance despite supply problems, but he confessed, "This problem of food, over such roads, has put some gray hairs in my head." Part of the army needed footwear, the result of the "paper soles" on shoes supplied by army contrac­ tors. The general requisitioned food and shoes from the depot at Rolla, but

27 Samuel Kirkpatrick to family, 11 January 1863, Kirkpatrick Papers; Elliott, History of the Thirty-Third Illinois, 33; "From The Twenty-Third," Des Moines State Register, 5 March 1863; T. S. Clarkson [aide-de-camp to Davidson] to John B. Gray, 11 February 1863, Pilot Knob (Mo.) Civil War Telegrams, Western Historical Manuscript Collection, University of Missouri-Rolla (hereafter cited as WHMC-Rolla). "This War is Managed Mighty Strange " 41 deliveries from that post ceased due to impassable roads, and their resump­ tion appeared uncertain at best.28 Davidson gave the order to withdraw northeast to Eminence on February 6. Equidistant from Rolla and Pilot Knob, the army at Eminence would draw supplies from both points: from Pilot Knob through Centerville and from Rolla via Salem. Informing Curtis of his decision, Davidson promised that his division supply trains would be kept intact at Eminence, ready for an advance into Arkansas at a moment's notice.29 The withdrawal began on February 8, 1863. Backtracking through Thomasville, men and animals suffered through a nightmare of freezing rain and snow. Wagons bearing rations, tents and camp equipage frequently mired to their hubs in mud. They lagged far behind the men, who spent cold, hungry nights either waiting for their trains or extricating them from the mud. Parallel routes for portions of the army and hundreds of men pulling at wagons with ropes helped but little. Progress dropped to a gruel­ ing five miles a day, and ambulances nightly picked up exhausted soldiers who had fallen out along the way and returned them to the camps. Soldiers without shoes marched with mule hides wrapped around their feet. There were plenty of hides as exhausted draft animals died by the score. The troops called the march the "Retreat from Moscow" and their camps "Valley Forge."30 Although Davidson claimed that his troops remained in good spirits, the evidence suggests otherwise. Many in the army, including Davidson him­ self, had doubted the credibility of an advance into Arkansas from Pilot Knob. The operations of the Army of Southeastern Missouri made little sense, especially in connection with the struggle for Vicksburg. Surgeon Henry Strong of the Eleventh Wisconsin wrote: "We have hardly ground enough to roam over now to perfectly demonstrate the science of strategy. . . . I can hardly express my admiration for this abstruse science. Only great men figure in it." He said that the soldiers had been eager to recoup their tedious efforts by striking at the enemy but were disappointed when the bulk of the army remained at West Plains, useless to anyone. "We consider our­ selves some in the scare crow business," Strong ruefully commented. "We

28 Davidson to H. Z. Curtis, 31 January 1863, O.R., 22, pt. 2: 87; Burns, 4th Missouri Cavalry, 54-55; entries, 30-31 January 1863, Williamson Diary. 29 Davidson to Curtis, 6 February 1863, O.R., 22, pt. 2: 99-100. 30 Elliott, History of the Thirty-Third Illinois, 31; entries, 8-11 February 1863, Haerle Diary; Walter Lee to father, 15 February 1863, John Walter Lee Papers, State Historical Society of Iowa, Iowa City; "Russell" to editor, Dubuque (Iowa) Daily Times, 18 February 1863. General Benton, a veteran of Pea Ridge, wrote Curtis that the roads of that winter cam­ paign were "turnpikes" compared with those encountered by the Army of Southeastern Missouri. Benton to Curtis, 31 January 1863, Samuel R. Curtis Papers, State Historical Society of Iowa, Des Moines. 42 Missouri Historical Review are set up as so many scare crows to keep the enemy at bay while some one [else] attacks him." The exhausted cavalrymen who returned from the raid on Batesville also found the army's "dilatory, vacillating movements" inex­ plicable. Colonel Waring believed that the cavalry's operations had done little more than weary the men, although he conceded that the large amount of local forage collected by the army was thus denied to the enemy. The mounted arm's mobility also removed them from the "fitful caprices" of Davidson, who camped with the infantry at West Plains.31 Isaac H. Elliott, then colonel of the Thirty-third Illinois Infantry, agreed that if the campaign had any purpose, no one knew it. Worst of all: "The troops were exasperated to the last degree by the whippersnapper little gen­ eral in command . . . who ordered frequent roll calls, drills, inspections, and reviews and kept half the force on picket duty when there was not any enemy more formidable than a bushwhacker within a hundred miles. . . . Some commanders can get the maximum work out of troops without fatigu­ ing them, while others will wear them out in a few days without accom­ plishing anything. General Davidson belongs to the latter class."32 If anyone in the army disputed Elliott, their testimony has not survived. The bitterness felt by the troops stemmed from their first acquaintance with Davidson at Patterson. His reduction of transportation for personal property left a resentment that festered as the pointless campaign continued. Davidson's discipline was strict and his manner brusque, honed by years of cavalry service on the western frontier. One infantryman of the Twenty- third Iowa Infantry, whose colonel marched along under arrest after a rela­ tively trivial incident with the general, complained that Davidson "cannot do anything without calling him a d d son of a bitch." Others recalled the general's orders prohibiting the mud and stick chimneys that warmed the soldiers' tents and judged him a petty tyrant. "If Davidson stays with us much longer," one soldier concluded, "some Boy will mistake him for a rebel and shoot him. He has no mercy for us."33 Fortunately for the troops at West Plains, Davidson left for St. Louis and a consultation with Curtis. Under General Benton's command, the sol­ diers marched toward Pilot Knob. The most pathetic incident of the cam­ paign occurred on February 15 when an alleged guerrilla captured by the Third Iowa Cavalry was shot while attempting to escape, often a euphemism for summary execution. The man lay along the roadside as the infantry

31 Frederick Behlendorff, The History of the Thirteenth Illinois Cavalry Regiment (Grand Rapids, Mich.: published by the author, 1888), 17-18; Henry Strong to wife, 31 January, 3 February 1863, Strong Letters; Burns, 4th Missouri Cavalry, 55; Waring, Whip and Spur, 62. 32 Elliott, History of the Thirty-Third Illinois, 31. 33 Letter of "V," Des Moines State Register, 13 February 1863; entry, 25 January 1863, Haerle Diary. "This War is Managed Mighty Strange " 43 marched past, an especially pitiful sight when his family arrived to retrieve the body.34 The army reached Eminence on February 16 and crossed the Current River on the beds of wagons driven into the stream. The soldiers found only a log courthouse and jail at Eminence and considered the town inap­ propriately named. Despite the unlikely prospect of an attack, Davidson sent orders to cut the timber in front of the camps to ensure a clear field of fire. After a day of laborious ax work, the army resumed the withdrawal toward Pilot Knob on February 17. The troops spent most of their time in omnipresent mud hacking new roads alongside existing ones, but the pas­ sage of only twenty wagons rendered the new trails as bad as the old ones.35 The army's vanguard reached the Arcadia Valley, eight miles south of Pilot Knob, on February 20. The rear guard, following the wagons, strag­ gled into camp five days later, delayed by two days of heavy snow. A trail of abandoned equipment and dying mules marked the route from Eminence. W. L. Emily of the Eleventh Wisconsin Infantry remembered a dead mule every forty rods between West Plains and Pilot Knob. The troops thronged the sutlers and merchants at Pilot Knob and Ironton and found a welcome supply of whiskey and beer at a local brewery. Officers and men drank away their frustration with the grueling campaign and celebrated its conclu­ sion by fighting among themselves.36 The soldiers credited Benton with their deliverance from the wilderness. According to a rumor, Benton used the lack of forage as an excuse to with­ draw the army to Pilot Knob before Davidson could countermand his orders. Davidson, however, had decided to abort the advance while the army was still at West Plains, writing to Curtis on February 6 that he intended to move closer to his supply point at Pilot Knob. He also requested leave to visit St. Louis, which he apparently received, leaving Benton to lead the retrograde march.37

34 Elliott, History of the Thirty-Third Illinois, 33-34; entry, 15 February 1863, Aquilla Standifird Diary, WHMC-Rolla; entry, 15 February 1863, Nicholas Hall Boyce Diary, State Historical Society of Iowa, Des Moines. 35 Samuel Kirkpatrick to James G. Kirkpatrick, 9 February 1863, Kirkpatrick Papers; George Crooke, comp., The Twenty-First Regiment of Iowa Volunteer Infantry (Milwaukee: King, Fowle and Co., 1891), 44; Elliott, History of the Thirty-Third Illinois', 33-34; Henry Strong to wife, 22 February 1863, Strong Letters; Gilbert Denny to father, 22 February 1863, Denny Letters; "Russell" to editor, Dubuque (Iowa) Daily Times, 25 February 1863. 36 Entry, 22 February 1863, Haerle Diary; Henry Strong to wife, 26 February 1863, Strong Letters; reminiscence of W. H. Emily, West Plains Howell County Gazette, 18 January 1928; entries, 23, 25 February 1863, Boyce Diary. Colonel John B. Gray, commander of the post, complained about the "disgraceful" conduct of some of the army's officers at Pilot Knob and asked to be relieved from his assignment, "which brings me into contact with so many barbarians and outlaws." John B. Gray to Davidson, 23 February 1863, Pilot Knob Telegrams. 37 Henry Strong to wife, 21 February 1863, Strong Letters; Davidson to Curtis, 6 February 1863, O.R., 22, pt. 2: 99-100; Davidson to Curtis, 7 February 1863, ibid., pt. 1: 227. 44 Missouri Historical Review

General William Benton led the Army of Southeastern Missouri dur­ ing its arduous trek back to Pilot Knob.

Mass. Commandery Military Order of the Loyal Legion and U.S. Army Military History Institute Whatever the motive and whoever the instigator, the termination of the campaign had the blessing of Halleck. He advised Curtis at the beginning of February that substantial numbers of Confederates from Arkansas had moved east of the Mississippi River to aid the beleaguered garrison at Vicksburg. Halleck said that as many as ten thousand men could be safely removed from Curtis's department and noted that President Lincoln was "exceedingly anxious" that more men be sent to Vicksburg.38 Curtis replied that his troops could be in the vicinity of Vicksburg in three weeks but protested that the rebels in Arkansas remained dangerous. He urged that Davidson's army be held on the Missouri border for contin­ gencies and to assist in capturing the White River valley. Halleck replied on February 17 with a lecture, arguing that the Mississippi River was the only suitable avenue for further operations into Arkansas. He declared his oppo­ sition to retaining so many troops in Missouri. "There is no enemy in Missouri nor near its borders, except guerrillas and small detached forces. Retaining forces sufficient to hold a few important points—say, Springfield, Rolla, and Ironton—against raids, all available forces should operate from the Mississippi. . . . The President . . . has repeatedly ordered that all avail­ able troops in your department be sent down the Mississippi. It is your duty, as well as mine, to carry out these instructions."39

38 Halleck to Curtis, 10 February 1863, O.R., 22, pt. 2: 104. 39 Curtis to Halleck, 11 February 1863, Halleck to Curtis, 17 February 1863, ibid., 107- 108, 113. "This War is Managed Mighty Strange " 45

Curtis no longer had any option. By March 15 most of Davidson's infantry were at Ste. Genevieve about to embark on the downriver trip toward Vicksburg. The campaign of the Army of Southeastern Missouri was quickly for­ gotten by all except those who had endured the tortuous winter march through the Ozarks. The army accomplished nothing but suffered a great loss in mules and morale. Because the soldiers might have been better employed on other fronts, they and their commanders received no praise. The Missouri press could report only that the Batesville "dash" was a "bril­ liant affair" that probably prevented Marmaduke's forces from "afflicting some annoyance" upon southeast Missouri.40 A Wisconsin cavalryman, try­ ing to cast the army's efforts in a more positive light, wrote:

A large section of the country which had been infested by guerrillas was cleared of them. Southeast Missouri was saved from a threatened invasion by a large rebel force. Rebel authorities in Arkansas were distracted in their calculations by our advance toward them. Marmaduke and several smaller commanders were somewhat crippled by our attacks. A wide extent of country was so completely deprived of the means of subsisting an army, that Southeast Missouri is perfectly safe from invasion for a consid­ erable period to come.41

Even this faint praise seems too generous. Marmaduke, it turned out, was not so "crippled" that he could not mount a raid into southeast Missouri in April 1863. The Army of Southeastern Missouri fought no battles, but military rep­ utations suffered. General Davidson never gained the respect of his troops, who blamed him for many of the hardships during the futile campaign. His failure to engage the enemy, one soldier claimed, marked him as "only the hunter of a profitable place far from danger." This unfair assertion indicates the depth of feeling among the rank and file. Some of Davidson's officers even claimed to believe him mad. Surgeon Henry Strong, who had become an adamant critic of Davidson, wrote of the general and the sham battle at West Plains: "The more I see of him, the more I believe he is really insane. I have more charity for him than I did for this reason. I cannot account for his strange acts and movements and somewhat singular appearance in any other way."42

40 St. Louis Daily Missouri Republican, 10 February 1863. 41 "From the First Wis. Cavalry," Madison Wisconsin State Journal, 11 March 1863. 42 Letter of "V," Des Moines State Register, 13 February 1863; Henry Strong to wife, 31 January 1863, Strong Letters. Photographs of the general do not reveal anything unusual about his appearance. 46 Missouri Historical Review

Strong concluded that the campaign "was an outrage upon decent men" and quoted a fellow physician who characterized Curtis and Davidson, respectively, as "a fool to direct and a lunatic to lead." Isaac Elliott employed nearly the same language fifty years later in his history of the Thirty-third Illinois Infantry. Elliott felt sure of the cordial endorsement of the regiment's veterans when he wrote that the Army of Southeastern Missouri "was conceived in stupidity and commanded by a military lunatic."43 Davidson's grandson, a career naval officer, came to the general's defense in a published biography. He described his grandfather as strict and exacting but never unjust. The biographer insisted that discipline was nec­ essary for efficiency and that "mollycoddling" and "pussyfooting" made cowards of good men. Many soldiers in the Army of Southeastern Missouri would have disputed his claims. In fairness to Davidson it should be noted that he performed well later in the war as a cavalry division leader, receiving credit for the tactical development of cavalry units deployed as mounted infantry in the Trans-Mississippi.44 The men in the ranks believed that most of the responsibility for their troubles belonged with the department commander. Once away from Missouri and safely out of Curtis's control, a Wisconsin soldier penned a bitter epitaph to the campaign: "If all our armies and military departments were commanded by such officers, nothing but the strong arm of Almighty Power could save our cause and our country from miserable defeat and dis­ grace."45 This jaundiced appraisal contrasts with modern evaluations. Historians have treated Samuel Curtis favorably, based largely on his skillful victory at the Battle of Pea Ridge in 1862. During the war, however, his reputation declined as a result of the continuing military and political turmoil in Missouri, leading Lincoln to replace him in May 1863. Although Curtis's worst problems in Missouri were political, the campaign of the Army of Southeastern Missouri did nothing to enhance his standing and may have contributed to his removal.46 The army's creation did not secure the state's

43 Henry Strong to wife, 31 January 1863, Strong Letters; Elliott, History of the Thirty- Third Illinois, 34. 44 Davidson, Black Jack Davidson, 250-251; Stephen Z. Starr, The Union Cavalry in the Civil War: Volume III, The War in the West, 1861-1865 (Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1985), 166-169. 45 "From the Eleventh Regiment," Beloit, Wis. Journal & Courier, 2 April 1863. 46 Two exceptions are Barry Sude, who noted Curtis's siege mentality and his unfortunate tendency to ignore orders with which he disagreed, and Donald Reynolds, who described the department commander's increasingly unenthusiastic support of the Vicksburg campaign after 1862. Sude, "Federal Military Policy," 87, 98, 103; Reynolds, "Union Strategy in Arkansas," 26, 37-38. "This War is Managed Mighty Strange " 47 border, nor did it discomfit the Confederate offensive that ended at Prairie Grove in northwest Arkansas or Marmaduke's raids on Springfield and Cape Girardeau in 1863. Little Rock via Batesville was clearly the original objective of the Army of Southeastern Missouri. Curtis had nearly captured the Arkansas capital in the spring of 1862 before the collapse of his tenuous supply lines caused him to move to Helena. He never lost sight of the prize, although Little Rock's strategic significance had diminished in comparison with the effort at Vicksburg. It remained a viable objective, but only, as Halleck continual­ ly pointed out, if the army staged through Helena. Even though he under­ stood Vicksburg's paramount importance, Curtis wrote fellow Iowa general Fitz-Henry Warren late in 1862 that continual demands for reinforcements from the Department of the Missouri had "embarrassed his plans." He also confessed to Sherman that it was difficult "to stand on the bank and present arms." It must have been especially galling to have to reinforce Grant, an officer formerly junior to him who had come to lead the Union's main offensive thrust.47 Curtis's reduction of the force at Helena rendered that post temporarily useless in conjunction with the Vicksburg campaign and necessitated later reinforcement, which did not endear him to Halleck. Halleck himself was partly responsible for allowing a sizable army of almost ten thousand men to remain in Missouri for no apparent purpose and for failing to reconcile his strategic differences with his department commander. It is debatable whether additional troops during the winter of 1862-1863 would have helped or hindered the Union effort at Vicksburg; however, Curtis does appear to have been parochial and obstinate in keeping so many troops away from more active fronts. Marching an army through one of the most remote parts of the Ozarks during the depths of winter was indeed a "mighty strange" strategy.

47 Curtis to Fitz-Henry Warren, 27 November 1862, Curtis to William T. Sherman, 19 December 1862, Curtis Papers.

Guarding Against Greenness

Liberty Weekly Tribune, July 20, 1849. A young lady in Pittsburg recently dismissed a verdant youth, on the grounds that she had been advised to avoid anything GREEN during the prevalence of cholera. Missouri Historical Society, St. Louis

John Smith T and the Way West: Filibustering and Expansion on the Missouri Frontier

BY DICK STEWARD*

Long before Manifest Destiny had been formalized into the lexicon of expansion, Americans had begun the relentless march toward a transconti­ nental empire.1 Western horizons had lured farmers, trappers, traders and adventurers since colonial days, but the process accelerated after gaining

*Dick Steward is a professor of history at Lincoln University, Jefferson City. He received his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Missouri-Columbia. The research for this article was partially funded by a State Historical Society Brownlee Fund Award, which Steward received in September 1991.

1 Charles C. Griffin, The United States and the Disruption of the Spanish Empire 1810- 1822 (New York: Columbia University Press, 1937), 16; Walter LaFeber, "Foreign Policies of A New Nation: Franklin, Madison, and the 'Dream of a New Land to Fulfill with People in Self-Control,' 1750-1804" in William A. Williams, ed., From Colony to Empire: Essays in the History of American Foreign Relations (New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1972), 10-37; Richard W. Van Alstyne, "The American Empire Makes Its Bow on the World Stage 1803- 1845," in ibid., 40-70. 48 John Smith T and the Way West 49 independence from Britain. Nationalism played an important role in the ideology of expansion, but it generally took a back seat to self-aggrandize­ ment. Sometimes, however, the two forces converged under the guise of fil­ ibustering. A filibusterer was an individual "who led, enlisted in, or helped outfit private military expeditions designed to invade foreign lands."2 No Missourian fit the description or epitomized the definition better than John Smith T. Born around 1770, Colonel Jack, as he was oftentimes called, was a fifth-generation Virginian whose family later migrated to Georgia. From there he traveled to eastern Tennessee, where he entered into a number of land speculation deals and began to build a violent reputation. It appears that he affixed the "T," which stood for Tennessee, to his name shortly after his arrival in Nashville in the 1790s. No doubt the cognomen "Smith" was insufferable enough, but when added to John, it produced a name unworthy of his reputation. The "T" not only provided him a degree of notoriety, it also proved to be a godsend for historians attempting to trace the myriad of his entrepreneurial activities. One matter, however, was clear. In the decade prior to the nineteenth century, John Smith T positioned himself in the vanguard of westward expansion.3 Many Americans in both the political and the scientific communities of the late eighteenth century believed that the terms of the 1783 treaty ending the Revolutionary War would meet the demographic needs of the new nation well into the next century. As for the trans-Mississippi west, most would have agreed with Henry M. Brackenridge's 1811 assessment that "the natives will probably remain in quiet and undisturbed possession, for at least a century." European and Native American powers proved less sanguine. Nevertheless, they too hoped that the trans-Appalachian west would occupy expansionist energies for years to come. This was not the case. The American migration continued unabated, and by 1800 many restless and "fearless" adventurers like Smith T had breached the Mississippi River and arrived in Spanish Missouri.4

2 Charles R. Wilson and William Ferris, eds., Encyclopedia of Southern Culture (Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1989), 1504. 3 General Court Case Files, 1811 Term, Territory of Louisiana, 1804-1812, Record Group 1, Box 3, Missouri State Archives, Jefferson City, Missouri. For a sampling of Smith T's violent reputation see Floyd C. Shoemaker, "John Smith T, Duelist," This Week in Missouri History, April 30-May 6, 1933, The State Historical Society of Missouri, Columbia; Howard L. Conard, ed., Encyclopedia of the History of Missouri (St. Louis: Southern History Co., 1901), 6: 9-10; Carl J. Ekberg, Colonial Ste. Genevieve (Gerald, Mo.: Patrice Press, 1985), 156; History of Franklin, Jefferson, Washington, Crawford and Gasconade Counties Missouri (Chicago: Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1888), 499-500; Valle Higginbotham, John Smith T: Missouri Pioneer (Potosi, Mo.: Independent-Journal, 1968), 1-3; "Notes on John Smith T," Harry R. Burke Papers, Missouri Historical Society, St. Louis. 4 Henry M. Brackenridge, Journal of a Voyage Up the River Missouri, 2nd ed. (Baltimore: Coale & Maxwell, 1816), 235; William V N. Bay, Reminiscences of the Bench and Bar of Missouri (St. Louis: F. H. Thomas and Co., 1878), 115. 50 Missouri Historical Review

John Smith T had always cast a covetous eye toward Spanish lands. During the waning years of the Spanish interregnum in Missouri, perhaps by 1797, this intrepid pioneer had ventured into the territory to seek his fortune. Smith T's first adventure into the twisted and convoluted world of filibuster­ ing began here in the gateway to the west. Three overriding factors lured this swashbuckler to the wilds of Missouri.5 In the first place, the land was the geopolitical axis of expansion due westward to the Rockies and beyond. As such, it appeared to be the logical departure point for commercial and demographic penetration into the Southwest, especially Texas. The vast natural resources available for future exploitation also factored into Smith T's decision to reside in these Spanish lands. These included farmlands, furs, salt springs, lumber and ore. This last resource led to the third and most important reason for the Missouri venture—the abundance of lead, which was vital to all military expeditions that might be directed against the Indians or any foreign power challenging American supremacy in the West. "Perhaps," wrote Captain Amos Stoddard, the officer who received pos­ session of Upper Louisiana for the United States, "no part of the world fur­ nished lead ore in greater quantities and purity."6 The man who first tempt­ ed Smith T with the prospects of a western fiefdom was none other than General , the highest ranking soldier in the U.S. Army. The relationship between the two men existed on many levels. Wilkinson and Smith T had encountered each other in Tennessee, and the general had been impressed by the younger man's tenacity and courage. In addition, two brothers of Smith T had served under Wilkinson's command on the Tennessee frontier. Finally, the families also were related; Smith T's mother was a Wilkinson.7 During his first years in Missouri as a guest of the Spanish government, Smith T behaved as anything but a filibusterer. No doubt he shared the sen­ timents of a fellow filibusterer, William D. Robinson, who believed that Spanish policy had long been "a steady, systematic course of injustice and outrage towards the unfortunate Americans."8 Nevertheless, Smith T and most of his American compatriots in the early years "projected no filibuster-

5 Robert Douglass called Smith T "one of the most dangerous men in the history of the state." See Robert S. Douglass, History of Southeast Missouri (Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1912), 1:60. 6 American State Papers: Public Lands, 1: 189. 7 Clarence E. Carter, "The Burr-Wilkinson Intrigue in St. Louis," Missouri Historical Society Bulletin 10 (July 1954): 451-452. For Smith T genealogy see F. B. Kennett to William Boyce, 14 October 1914, Western Historical Manuscript Collection, University of Missouri- Columbia. Hereafter cited as WHMC-Columbia. 8 William Davis Robinson, Memoirs of the Mexican Revolution (Philadelphia: Lydia R. Bailey, Printer, 1820), 1; Herbert S. Parmet and Marie B. Hecht, : Portrait of an Ambitious Man (New York: Macmillan Co., 1967), 234. John Smith T and the Way West 51

The powerful General James Wilkinson supported John Smith T's expansionist desires.

Painting by Charles Willson Peale, Courtesy Independence National Historical Park ing enterprise; no schemes of a revolution."9 A court of law, rather than the end of a gun barrel, resolved his only recorded altercations. The watchful eye of the Spanish and the harsh punishment meted out to would-be revolu­ tionaries no doubt contributed to this gentlemanly demeanor.10 Smith T had set no timetable for revolutionary activities in Missouri. Along with most westerners, he probably shared Thomas Jefferson's belief that Spanish control over these lands, and especially the Mississippi River, "perpetually exposed" the United States to commercial danger.11 A risk that loomed even larger, however, was the fear expressed by Jefferson that Spain would be "too feeble to hold" these lands "till our population can be suffi­ ciently advanced to gain it piece by piece." 12 Smith T hoped to speed that day of delivery. Not surprisingly, considerable consternation occurred in both Spanish Missouri and Washington when rumors began to circulate

9 "Father Clark," or the Pioneer Preacher: Sketches and Incidents of Rev. John Clark (New York: Sheldon, Lamport & Blakeman, 1855), 227. 10 American State Papers: Public Lands, 2: 373; Timothy Flint, Recollections of the Last Ten Years Passed in Occasional Residences . . . in a Series of Letters to the Rev. James Flint of Salem, Massachusetts (Boston: Cummings, Hilliard & Co., 1826), 203-214. 11 For a short description of these events see Noble E. Cunningham, Jr., In Pursuit of Reason: The Life of Thomas Jefferson (New York: Ballantine Books, 1987), 260-268. Third Annual Message to Congress, 17 October 1803, in Philip S. Foner, ed., Basic Writings of Thomas Jefferson (Garden City, N.Y.: Halcyon House, 1944), 349-354. 12 Thomas Jefferson to A. Stuart, 25 January 1786, in Julian Boyd, ed., The Papers of Thomas Jefferson (Princeton: Press, 1954), 9: 218. 52 Missouri Historical Review about the possible transfer of the Louisiana Territory to Napoleon. Historians are familiar with Jefferson's remark that on that date the United States must marry itself to the British fleet. The cession of Louisiana and the Floridas, he wrote to Robert Livingston on April 18, 1802, "works most sorely on the United States." It would, he further argued, "restrain her for­ ever within her low-water mark." 13 The president also believed that American demographics would ultimately defeat the French general. The victory would come, he wrote, when "we shall have planted such a popula­ tion on the Mississippi as will be able to do their own business." Jefferson elaborated that these hardy Americans would obviate "the necessity of marching men from the shores of the Atlantic." 14 These remarks clearly indicated Jefferson's support for expansionist activities, provided that they were consistent with American policy. He would soon object to unautho­ rized filibustering escapades led by self-serving adventurers or political adversaries. The name of Aaron Burr, of course, immediately comes to mind. Spain's transfer of the Louisiana Territory to France did occur, but with­ out the dreadful consequences feared by Jefferson. Almost before the terms of the treaty were made public, his diplomats had purchased the lands for the United States. With Upper Louisiana safely under the American flag, the future state no longer loomed as a prize to be won by filibusterers like John Smith T It did not mean, however, that he relinquished his dream of an empire. In fact, the Louisiana Purchase provided Smith T and his cohorts with a safe haven from where they could launch even deeper forays into . Spanish lands had become all the more attractive because of the common misconception that the plains and prairies due west of Missouri were infertile. The treeless nature of the terrain, which suggested that it could not sustain viable agricultural activities, was the evidence that usually supported this claim. Hence, would-be expansionists scanned the southwestern horizons for future settlements. During the first four years of American control over Missouri, Smith T focused his attention on wresting control of the lead mines from his princi­ pal rival, Moses Austin. The French in the Ste. Genevieve District greatly resented Austin, who had acquired a near monopoly over the mines before Smith T's challenge. Austin, however, had powerful allies among the anti- French population and within the faction opposed to Wilkinson and Smith T in St. Louis. Many of these Americans had come to the territory after it had been purchased by Jefferson and had more to gain than lose by land policies

13 Thomas Jefferson to Robert Livingston, 18 April 1802, in Foner, Basic Writings, 656- 657. 14 Bernard DeVoto, The Course of Empire (Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1952), 392. John Smith T and the Way West 53 that would revoke the Spanish land grants.15 With the stakes high and the laws unclear, both parties resorted to violent tactics to retain as well as to enlarge their holdings. A virtual war erupted throughout the mineral region. Initially, Austin relied on the Ste. Genevieve District commandant, Major Seth Hunt, for assistance, and Hunt complied by ordering Smith T off all mines with disputed claims. Austin, seemingly unaware of the close con­ nection between his antagonist and the governor, also appealed to Wilkinson for help. Much to Austin's chagrin, the general responded by arresting Hunt and nearly having him killed. Then he stripped Austin of his official titles

15 Firmin Rozier, Rozier's History of the Early Settlement of the Mississippi Valley (St. Louis: G. A. Pierrot & Son, 1890), 312-313. For a description of the early Ste. Genevieve region see Thomas Ashe, Travels in America Performed in 1806 (London: William Sawyer & Co., 1808), 288-290; David B. Gracy II, Moses Austin: His Life (San Antonio: Trinity University Press, 1987), chaps. 3-5; Richard M. Clokey, William H. Ashley: Enterprise and Politics in the Trans-Mississippi West (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1980), chaps. 1-2; Moses Austin to J. B. C. Lucas, 6 July 1806, Judge J. B. C. Lucas Collection; Rufus Easton to Moses Austin, 29 July 1805, Rufus Easton Papers, both located in Missouri Historical Society. For Smith T's championing of the miners see History of Southeast Missouri (Chicago: Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1888), 313. For the best descriptions of fac­ tional politics see William E. Foley's The Genesis of Missouri: From Wilderness Outpost to Statehood (Columbia: University of Missouri Press, 1989), 143-169, and A History of Missouri: Volume I, 1673 to 1820 (Columbia: University of Missouri Press, 1971), 98-145; David D. March, The History of Missouri (New York: Lewis Publishing Co., 1967), 1: 208- 215.

The Signing of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803

State Historical Society of Missouri 54 Missouri Historical Review and removed him from the bench of the Court of Common Pleas and Quarter Sessions. In his stead he appointed Smith T. Wilkinson also named the latter as justice of the peace, commissioner of rates and levies and lieu­ tenant colonel of the militia for the Ste. Genevieve District. These official capacities enhanced Colonel Jack's social standing in the community and undoubtedly helped him to acquire more land holdings.16 These holdings, he believed, would be crucial for the next filibustering venture. Dreams of a southwest empire were slowly turning into reality. The swashbuckler's plans rested largely in the unreliable hands of Aaron Burr and James Wilkinson. In 1805 at St. Louis, these two had put together what the former vice president believed to be the finishing touches of their plan. The plot may never be fully understood since Burr rarely con­ veyed the same idea to two different people. Nevertheless, it appears that he hoped to invade Mexico and liberate it from Spain and thus make himself emperor. In addition, Louisiana, with its Creole population largely dissatis­ fied with American rule, might also declare its independence and join the new republic in the West. It is still uncertain whether or not Smith T attend­ ed these meetings. In any event he eagerly awaited the arrival of Burr's expedition on the Mississippi. There were, however, unforeseen forces at work that would soon sabotage this far-fetched scheme. By early autumn 1806, as Burr made his way down the Ohio River from Blennerhasset Island, the Jefferson administration became determined to stop him. First arrested at Frankfort, Kentucky, by U.S. District Attorney Joseph Davies, Burr fortunatel ' had to defend him, and within two weeks he was again underway. He received boats and supplies from General Andrew Jackson at Smithland, Kentucky, a town at the mouth of the Cumberland River named for its founder, John Smith T Shortly after­ ward, the ex-vice president sent a message via a Sergeant Dunbaugh for the Missourians to join his party.17 Upon receiving the message, the colonel, Henry Dodge, Dr. Andrew Steele and Major Robert Wescott set out from Ste. Genevieve with a small fleet of canoes and boats loaded with lead,

16 Seth Hunt to John Smith T, 30 June 1805, in Clarence E. Carter, ed., The Territorial Papers of the United States, vol. 13 (Washington, D.C: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1936), 208-209. Also see Seth Hunt to James Wilkinson, 2 July 1805, ibid., 209. Moses Austin to James Wilkinson, 22 July 1805, Moses Austin Papers, vol. I, part I, 1765-1812, Barker Library, University of Texas, Austin; James Wilkinson to Henry Dearborn, 8 September 1805, Territorial Papers, 13: 205-207; Judge J. B. C. Lucas to the Secretary of the Treasury, Albert Gallatin, 19 November 1805, ibid., 287-289; Moses Austin to Rufus Easton, 14 August 1805, Rufus Easton Papers; Joseph Browne, Secretary of the Territory of Louisiana, to Thomas Jefferson, 14 July 1806, Territorial Papers, 13: 545-548; Gracy, Moses Austin, 103, 108-109; John Smith T to John Scott, Documents 1833-1835, Probate File No. 905; Lewis Linn Affidavit, 5 August 1837; Deed Record Book A, 28, 55, 354, all in Washington County Courthouse, Potosi, Missouri. 17 Burke Papers, 9-11. John Smith T and the Way West 55

Walker - Missouri Resources Division

The lead mines of the Ste. Genevieve District represented an integral and valuable resource to the area. munitions, men and supplies. They floated down the Mississippi to New Madrid, where they learned that the president had declared the entire affair illegal and issued warrants for the arrest of the conspirators. Smith T readi­ ly complied. He sold the boats and provisions and proceeded at once on horseback to Ste. Genevieve. A second chance at a Spanish filibuster had been thwarted.18 Smith T found a warrant for his arrest upon returning home. Over the objections of many of his colleagues, he was subsequently removed from all official duties by acting governor Frederick Bates. In a letter to President Jefferson, Bates referred to Smith T as an "unprincipled" man whose com­ plicity in the Burr conspiracy covered him and others with "mortification and dishonor." The colonel, he wrote, "of whom so much has been said, on various occasions," should no longer pose a threat to the republic. Bates's motives, however, were not all pure. In a letter to Moses Austin he acknowledged that large lead mines like those of Smith T could enrich their owners "beyond visions of fancy or the dreams of avarice." Within a few years of this letter, Bates moved against the colonel's mines.19

18 Walter B. Stevens, Missouri: The Center State 1821-1915 (St. Louis: S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1915), 2: 689; "Address of Firmin A. Rozier, Delivered before the Missouri Historical Society," 13 November 1879, Ste. Genevieve Papers, 1-3, Missouri Historical Society. John F. Darby, Personal Recollections of Many Prominent People Whom I Have Known (St. Louis: G. I. Jones and Co., 1880), 88-89; St. Louis Globe-Democrat, 25 September 1887. 19 Col. John Smith T, Vertical File, Missouri Historical Society; Stevens, Missouri, 2: 689-690; Kansas City Journal, 2 August 1896; Frederick Bates to William H. Ashley, 13 June 1807, in Thomas M. Marshall, ed., The Life and Papers of Frederick Bates (St. Louis: Missouri Historical Society, 1926), 1: 141; Higginbotham, John Smith T, 15; Foley, Genesis of Missouri, 190; Frederick Bates to Thomas Jefferson, 6 May 1807, Territorial Papers, 14: 121; Frederick Bates to Moses Austin, 12 September 1807, Moses Austin Papers, vol. I, part I, 1765-1812. 56 Missouri Historical Review

In large measure the colonel's fall from official grace resulted from his close connections with Wilkinson. However improbable the filibustering scheme may have been, it was the general who laid it to rest. In his mem­ oirs, sanitized and published posthumously by his son, Wilkinson revealed nothing of his complicity in the Burr affair. In all probability, this seasoned veteran of intrigue perceived Burr as a man too vainglorious to control. Wilkinson had patiently and carefully placed many of his people like Smith T in control of key posts in Missouri. But Burr impetuously threatened to undo Wilkinson's carefully planned designs. In any event, the general, by this time on the Sabine River (the border between Spain and the United States in the southern part of the Louisiana Territory), decided it was time for another betrayal. He had received Burr's "cipher letter," but since only he had the key to the code, he believed himself immune from prosecution. If Burr attacked Spanish land and provoked a war, Wilkinson also may have thought that he could snatch fortune from defeat by leading American troops into victory. Subsequently, the general sent a young trusted officer, Thomas A. Smith, to Washington to see President Jefferson on October 22, 1806. Wilkinson liberally rewarded the young lieutenant for his services, which were performed with the utmost caution. Smith journeyed to Washington under the guise of resigning his commission. His boot con­ tained a secret letter and other messages denouncing Burr as a traitor. Wilkinson's letter, however, referred to him as an "admirable young officer" and requested that Jefferson not accept the resignation. On November 25, 1806, Smith arrived at the White House with the dispatches and delivered them to the president. He spoke candidly with the chief executive about the conspiracy. Since Wilkinson had not sworn him to secrecy, Smith revealed his perception of the affairs in the West, which corroborated Wilkinson's account.20 Jefferson had heard of Burr's activities from a variety of sources, but Wilkinson's letter along with Smith's first-hand accounts galvanized the president into action. On November 27, 1806, Jefferson issued a proclama­ tion denouncing Burr as a traitor, ordering his arrest and demanding that all filibustering activities associated with the former vice president be halted immediately.21 The presidential order had a chilling effect extending from the capital to the frontier. The Senate quickly began proceedings against its own members suspected of being Burrites. One such member to be expelled from the Senate was John Smith of Ohio. In later days, he and

20 Parmet and Hecht, Aaron Burr, 263; Dumas Malone, Jefferson the President: Second Term, 1805-1809, vol. 5 of Jefferson and His Time (Boston: Little, Brown & Co., 1974), 247- 249; Cunningham, Life of Jefferson, 288-289. 21 Samuel H. Wandell and Meade Minnigerode, Aaron Burr: A Biography Written, in Large Part, From Original and Hitherto Unused Material (New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1927), 2: 137. John Smith T and the Way West 57

John Smith T would often be confused as each continued his filibustering activities. Besides the congressional hearings, court-martial proceedings were instituted against high-ranking military personnel, including Wilkinson. Would-be filibusterers as far west as Smith T in Missouri faced the wrath of the president. No doubt, Jefferson (correctly assessing the motives of his ex-vice pres­ ident) had every right to rein in the activities of Burr and the other conspira­ tors like Smith T. Few would quarrel with his judgment that foreign policy was the purview of the executive branch of government. But visions of empire and expansion were as old as the nation itself, and notables as diverse as Aaron Burr, , Henry Clay and Andrew Jackson espoused the benefits. Even Jefferson had remarked in 1805 that Spain "has met our advances with jealousy, secret malice and ill faith." Perhaps the timing and the leadership of the filibustering expedition made the president, according to Andrew Jackson, "run like a cotton tail rabbit" from the attack against Spain.22 The Spanish Southwest appeared to be the logical outlet for American expansion. Scouts and explorers who associated trees with soil fertility had already declared the American prairies uninhabitable. Burr's expedition therefore became a "direct successor" of other historic filibusters. What made this effort suspect was not Burr's means but his end, which envisioned a personal fiefdom unassimilated into the American course of empire. But the guilt by association that Jefferson invidiously heaped upon the middle echelons of the Burr expedition demonstrated little knowledge or under­ standing of the nature of filibustering. Frontier people had always pos­ sessed a restless and adventurous spirit and unquenchable drive to go west. Laws and proclamations contrary to that continental motion, even if logical and coherent, had little effect upon these people. Foreign powers and their Indian allies only delayed, but did not deter, this inevitable march. No offi­ cial sanction could contain this force of human nature. It should also be noted that in the early nineteenth century, American nationalism was in its infancy.23 "The Star Spangled Banner," Old Ironsides, slogans such as "We have met the enemy, and they are ours," the military hero­ ism of Oliver Perry and Jackson's victory at New Orleans were all still nearly a decade into the future. Few Americans, then or later, condemned hidalgos like Moses Austin who forsook one religion for another and swore allegiance to a foreign authority to gain land, lead and power. Smith T, like other western men of action, had little regard for bound­ aries or nationalities. Flags, edicts and governments would come and go,

22 Ibid., 3, 116. 23 Albert K. Weinberg, Manifest Destiny: A Study of Nationalist Expansionism in American History (Chicago: Quadrangle Books, 1963), chap. 1. 58 Missouri Historical Review political allegiances would be sworn, and religious loyalty oaths could be taken, but all would be rendered intelligible by the denouement of American expansion. As a knight harbinger of empire, the colonel believed that if he were ahead of his country's policies, they would eventually catch up with him. Besides, the French population of the Ste. Genevieve region loathed the Spanish and welcomed any attack against their authoritarian and anachronistic rule. The people of the lead district generally applauded Smith T's filibustering activities against Spain and thought of him as a folk hero.24 For westerners in general, a war with Spain appeared certain. A call to arms, whether by the government or by the men who would bear the brunt of battle, seemed of little concern. In retrospect, Smith T's filibustering scheme appeared doomed from the beginning. As previously suggested, one salient reason for the failure lay in the cast of characters who headed the expedition. Exactly what the main conspirators had in mind may never be fully known. Some believed that Wilkinson and Burr planned to separate the western states into an indepen­ dent confederation south of the Ohio River. This plan may have been float­ ed to the government of Spain since it would have deflected filibustering energies away from their lands. Other possible targets, perhaps secretly suggested to the British, included Texas and West Florida, both under Spanish control. Some believed that Burr in particular sought nothing less than all of the Spanish Southwest. Both Wilkinson and Burr could stir the emotions of the men of the western country, but the latter as an unofficial

24 Thomas Shackelford, "Early Recollections of Missouri," Missouri Historical Society Collections 2 (April 1903): 2.

Because of their disdain for Spanish rule, the French living in the Ste. Genevieve District appreciated Smith T's filibustering activities. Walker - Missouri Commerce John Smith T and the Way West 59 military emissary was, as suggested above, persona non grata to Jefferson.25 Furthermore, Wilkinson's duplicity in such matters knew no bounds. It is remarkable how many prominent westerners supported filibuster­ ing, believing it was not unpatriotic, and enlisted in one way or another in Burr's scheme. One such individual, General Andrew Jackson, had known Smith T since at least the turn of the nineteenth century and thought of him as a political ally.26 No doubt Colonel Jack would have agreed with the gen­ eral's 1806 assessment that Burr "would eventually prove to be the Saviour of this western country."27 Besides sharing the same thirst for action, Smith T and Jackson also engaged in land transactions as well as tobacco and salt sales. In 1805 Smith T purchased over $5,200 worth of supplies from the Tennessee partnership of Jackson and Hutchings. Although the editors of the Andrew Jackson Papers maintain that the goods ultimately reached a Smith T store in either Missouri or Illinois, the supplies may have been stockpiled on the Cumberland River in preparation for the anticipated expe­ dition.28 After the aborted campaign, Smith T's fortunes declined. Stripped of his official positions in the territory and also politically disgraced, the colonel could not or would not repay his debts to Jackson. It was not until 1808, after Jackson sued him in a Ste. Genevieve court, that Smith T made restitu­ tion. Although the legal battles ended the close personal relationship between the two men, such litigation, especially in the trans-Appalachian west, was not all that uncommon. The events did not preclude Jackson from taking an interest in the affairs of Smith T in the years to follow.29 The filibustering expedition also severely strained the relationship between the colonel and his younger brother, Thomas. Although the latter's role in these affairs of state should not be overdramatized, he did play a small but important part in this chapter of the history of filibustering. It is also ironic that this trusted lieutenant of Wilkinson was the younger brother

25 Cunningham, Life of Jefferson, 288; Francois-Xavier Martin, The History of Louisiana, From The Earliest Period (New Orleans: James A. Gresham, 1882), 248. This book was first published in 1815. 26 Petition, Tennessee State Senate, 7 October 1803, in Sam B. Smith and Harriet C. Owsley, eds., The Papers of Andrew Jackson, Volume I, 1770-1803 (Knoxville: University of Tennessee Press, 1980), 374. David Campbell to Andrew Jackson, 25 January 1802, ibid., 274. 27 Andrew Jackson to Cuthbert Banks, April 1806, in Harold D. Moser and Sharon MacPherson, eds., The Papers of Andrew Jackson, Volume II, 1804-1813 (Knoxville: University of Tennessee Press, 1984), 537. Hereafter cited as Jackson Papers, Vol. 11. 28 John Smith T to Andrew Jackson, 30 July 1804, ibid., 29; James Irvin to Andrew Jackson, 9 February 1805, ibid., 48-49; Memorandum of Payment, 24 February 1805, Calendar, 1804-1813, ibid., 529; Promissory Note, 24 February 1805, ibid.; and ibid., 198n. 29 Bill of complaint in Jackson and Hutchings v. John Smith T, June Term, 1806, Ste. Genevieve Territorial Court, ibid., 539; Memorandum of account of John Smith T with Jackson and Hutchings, 19 April 1808, ibid., 551. 60 Missouri Historical Review

Thomas Smith's obstructive actions in Burr's aborted expedition against Spain caused a major falling-out between him and his brother, John Smith T.

State Historical Society of Missouri of another confidant of the general, John Smith T. Indeed, history played a cruel hoax on the two frontier brothers, each involved in his own way with the machinations of Wilkinson. The episode undoubtedly contributed to the bitter, nearly twenty-year rift in their relationship. Even time did not dim the memories of what the colonel still perceived to be a treacherous act. An incident illustrating the slowness and fragility of the healing process occurred a few years before the colonel's death. By this time the tales of his adventures and mayhem had become legendary. His mere presence cut a wide swath in bars and dining rooms across the state of Missouri, and only the most intrepid dared to drink or to eat uninvited at his table. One such individual, a general by the name of Street, braved this unwritten but pru­ dent rule. In a display aimed at convincing his colleagues that he feared no man, even John Smith T, he strode uninvited to the table where the old colonel was dining alone. Hoping to ingratiate himself with Smith T, he introduced himself as a friend of General Thomas Smith. Unimpressed, Colonel Jack pulled a loaded pistol from his belt and placed it on the table. Then he informed his uninvited guest of the numerous differences that sepa­ rated him from his brother. John Smith T sent a clear message—an intru­ sion into his personal life under the pretense of professing friendship toward his brother jeopardized one's health and safety.30 This animosity partly arose because Thomas escaped unscathed from the affair, his patriotism never questioned. Furthermore, he would eventually rise to the rank of gen­ eral, retire to what would become Saline County, Missouri, and end his life

Darby, Personal Recollections, 93-94. John Smith T and the Way West 61 prosperous and respected. Smith T, on the other hand, would spend the bet­ ter part of the next decade endeavoring to erase the stigma of Burrism. He did not, however, allow this setback to deter him long from ventures aimed at the disruption of the Spanish empire. Smith T never really forgave Thomas for his part in sabotaging the expedition against Spain. Nevertheless, he wasted little time before devis­ ing a different kind of foray into Spanish lands. This scheme also involved a brother—Reuben—and it too ended in near disaster. Over three years had passed since Thomas's mission to Washington when the colonel, in late November 1809, put together a commercial under­ taking to New Spain. Although he may not have been the first businessman to envision the potential profits from southwest trade, his commercial activi­ ties predated many other traders who eventually made the Santa Fe Trail a historical landmark. Reuben, Colonel Jack's younger brother, headed the commercial venture. Other members included Joseph McLanahan, a former St. Louis sheriff under the Wilkinson regime; James Patterson, scion of a prominent Tennessee political family; and Manuel Blanco, a Spanish-speak­ ing guide from the lead mining region. Three slaves and a letter of intro­ duction from the Reverend James Maxwell accompanied the group. This Irish Catholic priest had been specifically brought to Louisiana by the Spanish government around 1796 to deal with the many Americans arriving in the Ste. Genevieve region. Smith T hoped that Maxwell's endorsement might improve the trade mission's success with the cautious Spanish.31 The expedition was, as the colonel surely knew, a calculated gamble that put his trusted younger brother, Reuben, in serious jeopardy. Spanish memories, for one thing, were not that short-lived. They could not have quickly forgotten that only three years earlier Smith T had been the focal point of the Missouri connection in the Burr conspiracy. For another, they had good reason to doubt the reliability of Smith T's ally and mentor, James Wilkinson. Spanish colonial archives indicate that Spanish agents before and throughout the period of Smith T's trade mission closely watched Wilkinson, their highest paid American spy, for any kind of double cross. Although in the pay of the Spanish government as Spy No. 13, the crafty general could also play the part of an agent provocateur. Only two years before Reuben's mission, Wilkinson had sent Zebulon Pike into the same territory, the Spanish believed, to "reconnoiter" it. The following year Pike observed that twenty thousand U.S. troops could produce a revolution in Mexico and wrest the area from Spain. Spanish officials were constantly warned to expect an invasion of thousands of western riflemen against

31 Burke Papers, 12; Francis J. Yealy, Sainte Genevieve: The Story of Missouri's Oldest Settlement (Ste. Genevieve: Bicentennial Historical Committee, 1935), 72, 95-97; Rozier, Rozier's History, 129. 62 Missouri Historical Review

Mexico. The 1809 intrusion, the first of its kind since Pike's mission, and by no less than a filibusterer, could easily be construed as part of an overall imperial design directed against the Spanish Southwest.32 The chaotic state of affairs in New Spain also prejudiced Smith T's commercial venture. In 1808 Napoleon launched an invasion of the Iberian peninsula. This set in motion the abdication of King Ferdinand VII of Spain. Shortly afterward, Napoleon replaced the Spanish monarch with his brother, Joseph. Revolutionary agents soon were at work throughout the former Bourbon empire, declaring their independence from the hated French. Although the French forces did not establish their legitimacy in New Spain, they hoped to use their influence to gain economic advantages vis-a-vis the United States and other hemispheric powers. Great Britain, on the other hand, ever anxious to undermine Napoleon, supported the Spanish loyalists, commonly referred to as peninsulares, who remained committed to Ferdinand. Since Britain and the United States were increasingly at log­ gerheads, this rapprochement increased loyalists' suspicions toward the Americans. American envoys in Europe also suspected that once the British gained a foothold in the colonies, they would attempt to squeeze out American commercial interests in the region.33 These times proved espe­ cially vexing for the loyalist government in Mexico whose leaders believed that New Mexico and Texas were the key to fortifying and retaining their empire in the northern hemisphere. Word of Reuben's mission quickly reached the highest echelons of Spanish power. Don Luis de Onis, the Spanish minister to the United States, warned the viceroy of Mexico City about the venture. Reportedly, he said that the so-called commercial enter­ prise had "the makings of revolution" if for no other reason than it described Spanish territory and publicized the potential wealth possible from similar

32 Colonial Archives of Texas, Spanish and Mexican Periods, 1717-1836, Bexar Archives, General Manuscript Series, Roll 35, 1 September 1806-30 April 1807, through Roll 41, 16 April 1809-30 June 1809, in Barker Library; the Marques de Casa Yrujo to Pedro Cevallos, 21 July 1807, Original No. 887, in Donald Jackson, ed., The Journal of Zebulon Montgomery Pike (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1966), 2: 253-254; Zebulon Pike, "Pike's Observations on New Spain," 12 April 1808, ibid., 95-96. For the names of some of the early adventurers who later fought in the revolution see Military Muster Rolls, Texas Revolution, Collection No. 1535, Barker Library. 33 President and Vice-President of Venezuela to James Monroe, 25 April 1810, U.S. Department of State, Correspondence Relating to the Filibustering Expedition Against the Spanish Government of Mexico, 1811-1816, Record Group 59, National Archives, Washington, D.C. Hereafter cited as Correspondence, RG 59. Dispatch, Robert Smith, Secretary of State, to General John Armstrong, Minister to France, 27 April 1809, in William R. Manning, ed., Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States Concerning the Independence of the Latin-American Nations (New York: Oxford University Press, 1925), 1: 3; Dispatch, , Charge d'Affaires, London, to James Monroe, Secretary of State, 3 February 1812, ibid., 3: 1432. John Smith T and the Way West 63 trade missions. This, Onis suggested, would only encourage more Americans to head for the Southwest.34 To many observers, both foreign and American, the mission had "overtones of a political nature." The Louisiana Gazette, edited by Joseph Charless, an ardent opponent of Smith T, could only say that "we presume" that the object of their mission was "mercantile." A leading historian on filibustering also believed the group ultimately wanted to prepare a military force to march on Mexico.35 The demise of the Bourbons not only gave rise to questions of indepen­ dence or continued allegiance to some form of European control, it also prompted ideas of popular sovereignty and individual rights in the colonies. Joseph McLanahan and Reuben Smith later referred to this "spirit of change" sweeping away "many of the glooms on the continent of America."36 Spanish authorities therefore sought to contain any and all sources of trouble. They most especially desired to isolate Mexico from the contagions of freedom and revolution spread by American filibusterers who posed as traders. Intrigue was the order of the day as French and British agents carried out their imperial designs while Spanish and Mexican fac­ tions challenged each other's legitimate rights to rule the unsettled country. The most serious of these official government intrigues involved the United States. The advent of the James Madison administration in March 1809 sig­ naled a surge of activity directed against Spain's New World colonies. The architect of many of these filibusters was none other than Secretary of State James Monroe. Unlike some revolutionary leaders who saw the American mission in ideological terms, Monroe's sights were clearly set on the ground. That ground just happened to be Spanish soil in North America. In 1805, after becoming minister to the court at Madrid, he had encountered Spanish despotism firsthand. When he failed to purchase West Florida and Texas, Monroe's negotiations were deemed a failure. Later, in discussions with Napoleon over Louisiana, Monroe gained further insights into the world of diplomatic intrigue. At the helm of the Department of State he quickly became a Machiavellian of the first degree. The secretary often operated clandestinely and used special agents, unofficial spies and filibus­ terers to carry out his expansionist plans. Although Monroe took pains to

34 Julia K. Garrett, Green Flag Over Texas: A Story of the Last Years of Spain in Texas (New York: Cordova Press, Inc., 1939), 25. 33 W. A. Goff, "Reuben Smith," in LeRoy R. Hafen, ed., The Mountain Men and the Fur Trade of the Far West (Glendale, Calif.: Arthur H. Clark Co., 1969), 7: 262; St. Louis Louisiana Gazette, 28 December 1809; Harris G. Warren, The Sword Was Their Passport: A History of American Filibustering in the Mexican Revolution (Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1942), 25. 36 Joseph McLanahan, et al. to Governor Benjamin Howard, 18 June 1812, Mary Louise Dalton Papers, Missouri Historical Society. 64 Missouri Historical Review

Relentless in his expansionist visions, Secretary of State James Monroe sometimes used ques­ tionable tactics to pursue his plans.

State Historical Society of Missouri

keep himself officially distant from the fray, the Spanish minister Onis knew better. He viewed any and all American trade and scientific or exploratory activities that touched Spanish soil with a jaundiced eye. Reuben's mission fell within the purview of these suspicions.37 Since the lure of filibustering in the western country had not faded with the failure of Burr, Spain, no doubt, had cause to fear for her empire. The inability of the United States and Spain to reach an agreement satisfactory to Washington on the exact location of the Louisiana boundary became another cause for alarm. At approximately the same time that Burr's expedition began its abortive mission, the United States and Spain negotiated a demili­ tarized neutral zone between the waters of the Sabine and the Arroyo Hondo rivers.38 This tenuous document would continue in effect until the 1819

37 Griffin, Disruption of Spanish Empire, 22-23; Harry Ammon, James Monroe: The Quest for National Identity (New York: McGraw-Hill Book Co., 1971), viii; Stuart G. Brown, ed., The Autobiography of James Monroe (Syracuse: Syracuse University Press, 1959), 210- 211; Anonymous to James Monroe, 10 November 1810; Jose Alvarez de Toledo to James Monroe, 14 January 1812, both in Correspondence, RG 59. See also William Shaler to James Monroe, 2 May 1812, U.S. Department of State, Correspondence from Special Agents, 1810- 1815, vol. 2, Record Group 59, National Archives. Hereafter cited as Special Agents, RG 59. 38 Manuel Cordero, Governor of Texas, 1805-1810, Pamphlet, 1820, in La Real Audiencia de Mexico, Gobernadora del Reyno de Nueva Espana, "Mexican Imprints Relating to Texas," Barker Library. Hereafter cited as La Real Audiencia. Felix D. Almaraz, Jr., Tragic Cavalier: Governor Manuel Salcedo of Texas, 1808-1813 (College Station: Texas A & M University Press, 1991), chaps. 2-3. John Smith T and the Way West 65

Transcontinental Treaty. Nevertheless, during the dozen or so years of its existence, many filibusterers, including John Smith T, would violate both the spirit and the letter of the agreement. For example, another Missourian, Dr. James H. Robinson, who had earlier accompanied the Pike expedition, busily engaged himself in revolutionary activities on the border. General Wilkinson, now posted in New Orleans, still "kept company with visions of empire."39 Lieutenant Augustus Magee, stationed on the border near Natchitoches, Louisiana, and under the command of Pike, would soon leave the army to coordinate anti-Spanish activities. Although Napoleon's brother was the nominal king of Spain, Ferdinand VII still held part of Spain and claimed the Spanish colonies. On April 14, 1810, the viceroy in Mexico City issued strict orders to impede French and American revolutionary agents in Texas whose designs were to stir up "disorder and create anarchy."40 This order merely confirmed suspicions that Reuben and the others in his party were spies. In light of these and many other intrigues, Spain became, not unexpect­ edly, increasingly cruel to uninvited American guests. In late February 1810, as Smith T's trade mission reached the headwaters of the Red River, troops led by Spanish commandant Don Nemesio Salcedo promptly arrested the party. The six extranjeros were referred to as "vermin" and marched down the Jornada del Muerto (Journey of Death) as prisoners to be taken to the mines of Chihuahua, a place of slow execution for many unfortunates trapped in its confines. Since no writ of habeas corpus existed in Spanish judicial tribunals, Americans like Reuben Smith could be "seized and harassed" with impunity.41 It was the kind of treatment that prompted the Louisiana Gazette, upon hearing of the arrest of Smith and the others, to warn, "Yet a little while and a day of terrible retribution will arrive."42 The arrests piqued the interests of many prominent figures. General Jackson, for example, made inquiries into the nature and whereabouts of the party. At roughly the same time, territorial governor Benjamin Howard

39 Burke Papers, 14. No evidence has been found that Wilkinson, at this point, had any direct contact, written or otherwise, with Smith T. 40 La Real Audiencia, Spain, Laws, 14 April 1810. 41 Louise Barry, ed., The Beginning of the West: Annals of the Kansas Gateway to the American West (Topeka: Kansas State Historical Society, 1972), 62; Thomas James, Three Years Among the Indians and Mexicans, ed. W. B. Douglas (St. Louis: Missouri Historical Society, 1916), 288n; Goff, "Reuben Smith," 263-266; Antonio Menchaca, Memoirs (San Antonio: Yanaguana Society, 1937), 35-50. The author took an active role in Mexican inde­ pendence and later worked with Sam Houston and Jim Bowie. Also see Bennett Lay, The Lives of Ellis P. Bean (Austin: University of Texas Press, 1960), 62-95. Both books docu­ ment the harsh treatment of American prisoners in Spanish prison mines in Chihuahua. Josiah Gregg, Commerce of the Prairies or the Journal of a Santa Fe Trader, 2nd ed. (New York: J. & H. G. Langley, 1845), 1: 133. 42 St. Louis Louisiana Gazette, 4 October 1810. 66 Missouri Historical Review

State Historical Society of Missouri related the seizure and detention of the men to Secretary of State James Monroe. The secretary, in turn, instructed Governor William Claiborne in New Orleans to request from Nemesio Salcedo, the governor and captain general of the interior provinces of Mexico, the release of the prisoners. Like Howard, Monroe believed the men to be innocent and noted that sever­ al congressmen "have interested themselves warmly on behalf of the suffer­ ers."43 By this point, Don Nemesio was well versed in dealing with American importunities. Ellis Bean, for example, had been arrested in the same area in 1801, and President Jefferson had pleaded his case for years until his eventual release. There was little cause, therefore, for optimism about an early release for Reuben Smith and his party.44 The following spring witnessed the continued incarceration and suffer­ ing of the trading party.45 As such, it provided an ample pretext for retalia­ tion. On March 14, 1811, the Louisiana Gazette reported that three hundred men (it did not say under whose command, but probably headed by Major John Scott and Joseph Walker) were expected to rendezvous at the mouth of the Canadian forks of the Arkansas River within a week and a half to effect

43 Secretary of State James Monroe to Governor Benjamin Howard, 11 December 1810, Territorial Papers, 14: 427; Robert Smith to Andrew Jackson, 10 November 1810, Jackson Papers, Vol. II, 561. Jackson's earlier letter to Smith is not published. 44 Ellis P. Bean, Memoir of Col. Ellis P. Bean: Written by Himself About the Year 1816 (Austin: Reprinted Book Club of Texas, 1930), 9-21. 45 John Aphelian to Thomas A. Smith, 15 February 1818, Thomas A. Smith Papers, fol. 14, WHMC-Columbia. John Smith T and the Way West 67 the release of the men and to bring off what gold they could conveniently seize. If the rescue party could not accomplish this course of action, then it was assumed, the paper reported, that they would "join the revolutionary party" and promote more destruction. The newspaper still cautioned against such expeditions, calling them "mischievous" and "illicit." The government agreed with the Gazette's assessment and informed the leaders of the organi­ zation that they faced arrest and prosecution if the plan continued. The group disbanded without much fanfare. By the time of the Gazette's admonition against filibustering raids into Spanish lands, John Smith T possibly had already left for the wilds of Mexico by himself to rescue his brother. The colonel, "discontented with the timid efforts of the government" to effect his brother's release, may have surmised that his former association with Burr prejudiced the Madison administration against the family. Although no direct information can be found to support this claim, Secretary of State Monroe did write to Governor Howard on September 3, 1812, to warn him that another Smith mission to Spanish territory went against official policy as it would proba­ bly be "of an unfriendly nature."46 Whether Smith T journeyed to Chihuahua and actually effected Reuben's release is subject to conjecture. In any event, it was material for myth and legend. A common theme of myth, which gives rise to legend, is a hero's journey across hostile and for­ bidden lands and against implacable enemies to achieve a noble and selfless deed. The author most responsible for magnifying this and many other sto­ ries about John Smith T was his friend and attorney, John Darby, later the mayor of St. Louis. His friend maintained that the colonel set out "solitary and alone," encountering many perils along the route before he accom­ plished his mission. Darby added: "[With a] courage, self-reliance, and determination possessed by few men, he encountered perils, dangers, and difficulties at almost every step, all of which he met without flinching, and with a bravery and daring unsurpassed, and encountering savages and wild animals nearly the whole way."47 Firmin Rozier, another friend and contemporary of Smith T, maintained that the colonel's "roving disposition" led him to Chihuahua "to aid to revo­ lutionize Mexico, traversing a wild, vast country, surrounded by dangers."48 While it is perhaps true that Smith T rode to the Southwest in search of his brother, it is far less certain that he played a direct role in his release. Those who believed he actually freed his brother point to circumstantial evi­ dence at best. They have argued that he supplied Father Miguel Hidalgo's forces with money to buy arms to support the revolution. One family mem-

Goff, "Reuben Smith," 268, 271. Darby, Personal Recollections, 94-95. Rozier, Rozier's History, 314. 68 Missouri Historical Review ber maintained that Smith T loaded his saddlebags with twenty-dollar gold pieces, which he dispensed to the revolutionaries. This tactic diverted Salcedo's attention long enough for Smith T to effect Reuben's rescue. Furthermore, it has been noted that after he married, Reuben named his two sons Thomas McClanahan Smith, after his trading partner, and Francis Hidalgo Smith, after the priest who abetted his release. These same sources also point to a January 29, 1829, letter written by Smith T to his brother Thomas to support the captivity and release story. In that letter, Smith T contemplated a trading venture down the Santa Fe Trail and needed $5,000 worth of goods on credit. While in that country, he believed the time propi­ tious to apply to the Mexican government for compensation for services and money he had advanced in support of the patriots. He presented no other details as to the merits of his case.49 Smith T never made the commercial trip that he hoped would improve his financial fortunes. The Mexican government's finances remained as disorganized as its politics, and in the interim, it had replaced Spain as the target for American adventurers. Thus, the Mexicans saw no utility in rewarding an earlier filibusterer or encouraging new ones. Smith T was never paid. In his mind, the Mexican government owed him money as well as gratitude. Since his letter to his brother did not elaborate on the nature of the debt, the true course of events remains unknown. What is certain, how­ ever, was the westerners' distaste, exemplified by men like John Smith T, of Spanish injustice and inefficiency. Westerners loved freedom but were intolerant of Spanish institutions and sympathetic for the millions held in her bondage. Spain realized the "class of neighbors" with which she had to contend and therefore tried to stem the flow of inhabitants to Spanish lands by fear and intimidation.50 From his early days in Spanish Missouri, to the Burr conspiracy, to his activities on the Santa Fe Trail, to the imprisonment of Reuben, and through his efforts to revolutionize Mexico, a constant object of Smith T's aversion was this Iberian relic of colonialism obstruct­ ing the march of American individualism. Colonel Jack apparently used every opportunity to enhance his reputation of fearlessness and to embellish the myths and legends that began to circulate around him. If he did not make the early journey as his chroniclers suggested, he made no effort to correct the impression that he did.

49 George Penn Smith, Jr., "John Smith T. Fact and Tradition," unpublished article, c. 1980, 10, private collection of Frank Magre, Herculaneum, Missouri. Burke Papers, 14-16; Goff, "Reuben Smith," 276; Higginbotham, John Smith T, 39; John Smith T to Thomas A. Smith, 29 January 1829, Thomas A. Smith Papers. 50 John Rydjord, Foreign Interest in the Independence of New Spain: An Introduction to the War for Independence (New York: Russell & Russell, 1972), 206-208. John Smith T and the Way West 69

Nevertheless, some facts persist that lend credence to the tale of the res­ cue journey to Texas. In the first place, as Hidalgo's struggle became increasingly desperate, he instructed his lieutenants to elicit overt American military support for the revolution by promising that once the independence movement succeeded, he would transfer Texas to the United States. Dangling this kind of expansionist bait before American eyes would most surely entice the likes of the colonel. It would also explain why in 1813 Smith T could pledge five hundred filibusterers under his authority for another incursion into Texas. If he had been in that country only a year or so before, then he would have been knowledgeable enough to commit such a sizable force. It would also explain why hundreds of adventurers might feel confident enough to serve under his command. In a revolutionary setting, such as what prevailed in the Southwest at this time, official and nonofficial information was sketchy. In a letter to Secretary of War William Eustis, Indian agent John Sibley reported from Natchitoches that a number of Americans were fighting alongside General Ignacio Rayon, a Hidalgo subordinate. He identified one Texas officer as Reuben Smith, a colonel of artillery, and a brother of Colonel Thomas H. Smith. He also believed that the colonel had been "lately killed in Battle."51 Sibley, of course, was mistaken on one point. The one brother referred to as Thomas was Thomas A., not Thomas H., Smith. More importantly, howev­ er, Reuben could not have been the brother of Colonel Thomas Smith reportedly fighting with General Rayon, as he was still a prisoner in Chihuahua, Mexico, in late 1811. In addition, no one before or since the days of the filibusterers ever referred to Reuben as a colonel. Smith T held that title. On the other hand, the timing of Sibley's letter—December 31, 1811 — makes it highly implausible that Smith T could have been in Texas very long. He had launched another brief filibustering expedition in June of that year against the Indians controlling the Dubuque and Galina lead mines on the Mississippi River in Iowa.52 This expedition, with well over a hundred adventurers under his command, met stern Indian resistance and sustained casualties of nearly fifty percent. It soon returned crestfallen to St. Louis. Formidable as he was, it would have been quite a feat for Smith T to have set out so soon on another even more perilous journey. There is, however, a more compelling reason to question Smith T's presence in Texas this early. It concerns one of his numerous invitations to

51 John Sibley to William Eustis, 31 December 1811, in "Dr. John Sibley and the Louisiana-Texas Frontier, 1803-1814," The Southwestern Historical Quarterly 49 (January 1946): 404-405. Hereafter cited as Sibley, "Letters." 52 Judge John B. C. Lucas to Albert Gallatin, 13 June 1811, Territorial Papers, 14: 454; Richard Wash to Thomas Jefferson, 20 June 1811, ibid., 455-456. 70 Missouri Historical Review

Acting territorial governor Frederick Bates was a perpetual foe of Smith T.

State Historical Society of Missouri prominent frontier political leaders to meet him on the field of honor. On December 22, 1811, he requested a personal interview with Frederick Bates, the acting governor of the territory. Two days later, after receiving an unsat­ isfactory reply, he issued another and even more forceful challenge.53 Bates again refused to duel the man reported to be the finest shot in the western country. From their correspondence, it would appear that Smith T could not have left for Texas until well into 1812. Sibley's letter and the identity of the Smith who fought with the Mexican revolutionaries still remain in doubt. Upon their return to Missouri nearly two and one-half years after their arrest, McLanahan, Reuben Smith and the others wrote to Governor Benjamin Howard on June 18, 1812, and gave their version of the mishap. Their ill-fated journey, they maintained, had been for "geographical and commercial information" but met with only "suffering and privation" at the hands of the authorities. Finally, "in poverty and rags" they were released. They made no mention of any rescue mission by Smith T or any other American party. This may have been a deliberate omission on their part if any of them with or without the support of Smith T envisioned another

53 Challenge, John Smith T to Frederick Bates, 22 December 1811, and reply, Frederick Bates to John Smith T, 22 December 1811; challenge, John Smith T to Frederick Bates, 24 December 1811, and reply, Frederick Bates to John Smith T, 30 December 1811, Frederick Bates Papers, Missouri Historical Society. See also Marshall, ed., The Life and Papers of Frederick Bates, 2: 210-211. John Smith T and the Way West 71 foray onto Spanish lands. The letter further stated that the people of Mexico seemed kindly disposed toward Americans, with only the government inclined toward hostility. Furthermore, their humiliation was, in greater measure, an insult to American sovereignty. Finally, the traders voiced their desire to make another journey on the future Santa Fe Trail, but not without the full support and protection of the government.54 The letter from the trading party appears consistent with U.S. Department of State Special Agent William Shaler's assessment. On May 2, 1812, he wrote to Secretary Monroe about the party's release after nearly three years of "cruelty peculiar to Spaniards." He attributed their liberation to the "precarious situation of Salcedo in his government" but did not elaborate. He further reported to Monroe that Reuben and others believed Mexico was ripe for revolution and that five hundred men could easily do the job. Knowing the character of these men, he stated, it was very likely that they would soon be back in the country "in arms."55 Although Reuben, his health broken from the prison ordeal, never returned to Spanish territory as a filibusterer, John Smith T most certainly did. The revolution for Texan independence had begun auspiciously in 1812. By the following year American filibusterers, ostensibly commanded by the Mexican patriot, Bernardo Gutierrez de Lara, had captured San Antonio and with it, the governor of Spanish Texas, Don Manuel Salcedo. Gutierrez's taste for revenge, however, seemed insatiable when he condoned the mutilation and killing of Salcedo and his subordinates. This act of butchery repulsed the Americans, and they began a search for a replacement for Gutierrez. Monroe's original choice was Jose Alvarez de Toledo. Supposedly one of the officers under Toledo's command was Ignacio Rayon, the Mexican general with whom one of the Smith brothers had served.56 While in Nashville in November 1813, Smith T discussed the feasibility of another filibustering expedition to Texas with Toledo, the self-proclaimed leader of the Republican Army of the North. That August, Toledo had been badly defeated by a Spanish army at the Medina River not far from San Antonio. Smith T now pledged Toledo additional support for a new inva­ sion. In a message to Shaler, Toledo reported that in mid-November 1813 he had conferred with the colonel, who offered five hundred men armed with rifles and bayonets "of a new invention." This regiment would be ready to march under Smith T's command when Toledo gave the order.

54 McLanahan, Smith, et al. to Benjamin Howard, 18 June 1812, Dalton Papers. 55 William Shaler to James Monroe, 2 May 1812, Special Agents, RG 59. 56 Alexandria, Louisiana Herald Extra, 31 August 1812; Gaceta De Texas, 25 May 1813; El Mexicano, 19 June 1813; John Sibley to John Armstrong, 14 July 1813, in Sibley, "Letters," 431. 72 Missouri Historical Review

State Historical Society of Missouri Reputed to be the finest shot in the West, John Smith T owned and used this dueling pistol.

Toledo told Shaler he had accepted the offer.57 The following year the colonel and his army arrived in Natchitoches on the Red River near the Louisiana border. Shortly afterward he crossed the Sabine in preparation for an attack on Spanish forces. Meanwhile, Toledo had come under increased suspicion of being in the pay of the French or the Spanish or possibly even both. As early as 1810 accusations had reached Monroe's desk that the general was a foreign agent. Reports surfaced that Aaron Burr might attempt a comeback into the world of foreign intrigue. Monroe therefore hesitated to support Smith T and Toledo and conveyed those ideas to William Shaler. By this point the secre­ tary had ordered Shaler to distance the United States from filibustering for fear of pushing Spain into the arms of Great Britain.58 Monroe still hoped for an American-sponsored Mexican revolution but believed his agents, Dr. John Robinson and Shaler, could better manipulate filibusterers like General Jean Humbert rather than Toledo. Robinson, like Smith T, had adopted

57 Almaraz, Manuel Salcedo, 176-177; Harris G. Warren, "Jose Alvarez de Toledo's Initiation as a Filibuster, 1811-1813," Hispanic American Historical Review 20 (1940): 81-82; report, William Shaler to James Monroe, 5 September 1813, Special Agents, RG 59; extract of a letter from General Toledo to William Shaler, 19 November 1813, in ibid. 58 Anonymous to James Monroe, 10 November 1810, Correspondence, RG 59; Warren, "Jose Alvarez," 66-67. In his journal dated February 1, 1809, Burr made reference to a note from a Colonel Smith but did not elaborate on its contents. This author, however, doubts that it had been penned by John Smith T See Aaron Burr, The Private Journal of Aaron Burr (Rochester, N.Y.: Genesee Press, 1903), 1: 74-75, 77; Arthur P. Whitaker, The United States and the Independence of Latin America, 1800-1830 (Baltimore: John Hopkins University Press, 1941), 98. John Smith T and the Way West 73

Missouri as his native state, but the two men were quite suspicious of one another. While the colonel was meeting with Toledo, the doctor had secret­ ly journeyed to Washington, in part to dissuade authorities from backing the rival group. Shaler, however, was still inclined to support Toledo and Smith T and used his good offices to sway Humbert to defer to Toledo's command. Unfortunately for their cause, Shaler left the frontier in 1814 on a mission to Ghent, Belgium. Without his mediation the rival filibustering parties were soon beset by bickering and squabbles. On May 11, 1814, Toledo issued a proclamation declaring himself head of the Mexican government, including Texas. This Republican army also declared its independence from Spain. Toledo furthermore accused Robinson of being in the pay of the French and collaborating with Aaron Burr. He also insinuated that Humbert had sold out to Jean Lafitte and the pirates of Baratania. Toledo then ordered Smith T, who had already camped on Spanish territory, to arrest Robinson. The colonel obeyed the order, and the two armies of filibusterers engaged in combat. Robinson was captured and nearly shot by Smith T. It appears that Colonel Jack may have begun to doubt both Toledo's loyalty and his will to fight. By capturing Robinson he probably hoped to take over complete control of the expedition and find another Latin puppet to front as a Mexican patriot. Whatever his scheme, it

Painting by Gilbert Stuart, Dictionary of American Portraits

The Controversial Aaron Burr 74 Missouri Historical Review failed to materialize because he could not unify the other filibustering groups. By the summer of 1814, with no one in firm command and the Spanish regrouping for a counterattack, the filibusterers pulled out of Mexico—their mission a complete failure.59 Ironically, one man, if only for a few short weeks, united the filibuster­ ers under a common goal. This individual was Andrew Jackson. As these soldiers of fortune made their way out of Mexico, word arrived of an impending battle against the British somewhere along the Louisiana coast­ line. Momentarily laying aside their mutual suspicions, the filibusterers made their way to New Orleans in time to join General Jackson in the most inspiring American military victory since Yorktown. This roster of oppor­ tunists included such prominent names as Ellis Bean, Bernardo Gutierrez, Alvarez Toledo, General Jean Humbert, Henry Perry and Jean Lafitte.60 Legend says that John Smith T also participated in the battle, which ushered in a new age of American nationalism.61 If true, then the disap­ pointed filibusterer most assuredly had cause to celebrate, for the victory and his gallantry in it would have finally expunged the taint of Burrism and demonstrated his patriotism. If apocryphal, then the story must be filed alongside the many other myths and legends that surround Missouri's first and most colorful filibusterer.

59 See Shaler's letters to Monroe on 14 July, 7 August and 5 September 1813, and his let­ ter to Toledo, 8 November 1813, in Special Agents, RG 59. Shaler's 20 July 1813 report to Monroe of a fact-finding mission to Mexico can be found in Correspondence, RG 59; Alvarez Toledo to William Shaler, 30 May 1814; proclamation, Republican Army of the North, 11 May 1814; John H. Robinson to John Smith T, 10, 11, 12 April 1814, and John Smith T to John H. Robinson, 11, 12 April 1814; John Nancarrow to Alvarez Toledo, 5 May 1814, all in ibid. 60 Warren, The Sword, 116; Lay, Lives of Ellis P Bean, 97-98. 61 Higginbotham, John Smith T, 52; Smith, "Fact and Tradition," 5-7.

All Moonshine

Charleston Courier, September 11, 1863. "Josh, does the sun ever rise in the west?" "Never." "Never. You don't say so! Well, you won't catch me to emigrate to the West if it's always night there. I've a cousin who is always boasting how pleasant it is to be in that region, but it must be all moonshine." 75 HISTORICAL NOTES AND COMMENTS

Nelson A. Rieger described his Western America art collection for guests at the opening reception in the Art Gallery on May 22.

Society Holds Reception

On Sunday, May 22, the State Historical Society hosted an afternoon reception prior to the public opening of the "Western America: Landscapes and Indians" exhibition in the Art Gallery. Invited officers and guests viewed the exhibit and heard Nelson A. Rieger, owner of the paintings, describe his collection and his searches for the scenes depicted in many of the landscapes. Rieger and his wife, Susan, residents of Colorado Springs, loaned twenty-seven pieces from their personal art collection for exhibit in the gallery from May 23 to August 15. The showing comprised works by seventeen regional artists from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Included among the paintings of western landscapes and portraits was Missouri artist George Caleb Bingham's Mountain Landscape, 1878. Purchased by Rieger in 1978 as a landscape by an unknown artist, the can­ vas was later authenticated as a Bingham work by Sidney Larson, Society 76 Missouri Historical Review art curator, professor of art at Columbia College and recognized Bingham authority. The Society served as the initial exhibitor of the authenticated painting in 1991.

James Goodrich, executive director of the Society, chats with Kathy and Charles W. Digges, Sr. (above left). Alma Duncan, Susan and Nelson Rieger and Brent Parker were among attendees at the reception.

Bryan Furniture Given to Society

A. Bryan MacMillan of St. Louis recently presented the Society with a sofa and a chair formerly owned by John Gano Bryan. Bryan, who moved to the Ste. Genevieve area with his family in 1793, became a noted physi­ cian in Washington County and St. Louis during the first half of the nine­ teenth century. After studying medicine at Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky, and in Philadelphia, he established a medical practice in Caledonia in 1815. He moved to Potosi in 1829. An advocate of public education, Bryan chaired the 1839 state commission that selected Boone County as the site for the University of Missouri. Bryan moved to St. Louis in 1854, where he died in 1860. MacMillan's gift has been placed in the Bay Room. 77 REFERENCE LIBRARY Collections

The State Historical Society's Reference Library, which is free and open to the public, offers a wide variety of research materials to both the historian and the genealogist. Students, teachers, businesses, organizations, govern­ mental agencies, authors and many others find answers to their research questions in the over 440,000 volumes of books, pamphlets, atlases, periodi­ cals, serials and official state publications for Missouri and other states. New visitors are surprised to find, in addition to Missouri materials, a wealth of out-of-state sources, including state and county histories, county records indexes, family genealogies, historical journals and genealogical and patriotic societies' publications. Researchers may think of the Reference Library as only Room 6 of the Society's quarters; however, it takes the equivalent of five huge rooms to store the books, microfilm, maps and vertical files in the library's collec­ tions. Items housed in four storage areas are retrieved for patrons by staff members upon request. The main reading room, which patrons may browse, contains only a small, but popular, portion of the library's holdings. The two main collections of the Reference Library are classified by two different call numbering systems. The Dewey Decimal Classification num­ bering system, used for the out-of-state materials, runs from 000 to 999 and comprises the categories of bibliographies, religion, social science, lan­ guage, science, technology, art, literature, geography and history. There are especially large holdings for several topics: , state his­ torical publications, general American history, Native Americans, genealo­ gy, travel and exploration, architecture, art, railroads, waterways, African- American history, women's history, immigration history and American biography. The out-of-state collections emphasize the states that supplied Missouri with the majority of her early settlers. Such states as Virginia, Kentucky, Illinois and Pennsylvania are better represented than states such as Alaska, Hawaii, Maine and New Mexico. Gifts to the Society from individuals and organizations form an extremely important part of the Society's out-of-state and family lineage materials. Although most genealogists focus on the genealogy sections of "how to do" (929), cumulative sources (929.1), fami­ ly lineages (929.2) and county records abstracts and indexes (929.3), the history section by individual states (974 through 979) contains excellent genealogical information as well as historical data. A major mission of the Society is to collect Missouri history. At the turn of the century, staff members created a unique classification system to organize the Missouri holdings. Books pertaining to Missouri are grouped into subject collections to allow detailed subject cataloging and quick 78 Missouri Historical Review access. The numbers F500 through F714 denote the core of the Missouriana collection. Books with the "F" call number include Missouri organizational publications, general history and broad subject areas. Among others, the subject arrangements include labor, law, business, agriculture, land, flora and fauna, archaeology, music, railroads, genealogy, military history, archi­ tecture, regional studies, waterways, religion and folklore. The numbers F601 through F714 represent the 114 Missouri counties; the collection con­ tains atlases, soil surveys, fair bulletins, county histories, local historical society publications, etc. Genealogists interested in Missouri materials research primarily in the F508 collections of biographies, family histories and county records indexes and abstracts. Missouri city and town materials are identified by the letter "H." The numbers run from H001 for Adrian to H392 for Zell. City directories, histo­ ries, telephone books, ordinances, church histories, periodicals, school pub­ lications and tourism guides are found under this letter. The Society's unique call numbers extend to several special subject col­ lections: Missouri Authors (I), Higday Civil War (IHG), Mark Twain (IC), Alice Irene Fitzgerald Juvenile Literature (IJ), Eugene Field (IF), William Fletcher McMurry Methodism (McM), William McClung Paxton Baptist (P) and the University of Missouri campuses (UM, UMC, UMR, UMSL and UMKC). The extensive collection of official Missouri state publications is marked with an "M." Since the Society is a state depository library, this collection grows constantly, with additions from all branches of the govern­ ment. Many researchers use the rosters, current information and histories within these official volumes. The J. Christian Bay Collection of over 4,000 books and documents does not have a specific designation. Researchers interested in the westward expansion movement from the Mississippi River to find the col­ lection, which contains many rare books, particularly helpful. The collection is one of the most valuable in the field of Middle Western Americana. The Map Collection includes over 2,600 cataloged maps showing trails, county divisions, railroads, towns, rivers and landmarks. It also contains uncataloged topographical maps and over 33,400 aerial photographs of the state. The staff of the Reference Library conducts limited research for patrons who write concerning Missouri sources. Patrons who want research done in out-of-state materials need to visit or hire a researcher to assist them. The library is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M., and Saturday, 9:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M., except for national holidays and special events. 79 NEWS IN BRIEF

The thirty-eighth annual Missouri Valley in the James J. Hill and Louis W. Hill History Conference will be held in Omaha papers. The deadline for applications is on March 9-11, 1995. Proposals for papers November 1, 1994, and the awards will be and sessions covering all areas of history are announced in early 1995. For more informa­ welcome. Proposals accompanied by a one- tion write to W. Thomas White, Curator, page abstract and vita should be sent by James J. Hill Reference Library, 80 West October 15, 1994, to Dale Gaeddert, Fourth Street, St. Paul, MN 55102. Missouri Valley History Conference Chair, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, The Daughters of Union Veterans of the NE 68182. Civil War, Missouri Department has char­ tered a new tent in Columbia, named after Albuquerque, New Mexico, will be the Ann Hawkins Gentry. Tents are named for site for the thirty-fourth annual Western Civil War era women whose patriotic deeds History Association conference to be held on during that time have been recorded. Anyone October 20-23, 1994. Forty sessions have interested in information about this organiza­ been organized around the theme "The West: tion may contact Joan Sorrels, 1502 North Diverse Visions." For more information Lake of the Woods Road, Columbia, MO write to the Western History Association, 65202. University of New Mexico, 1080 Mesa Vista Hall, Albuquerque, NM 87131-1181, or call The Friends of the Missouri State (505) 277-5234. Archives held their annual luncheon meeting on June 25 at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in The French Colonial Historical Society Jefferson City. The luncheon featured a talk has issued a call for papers to be delivered at on the use of arsenic as a nineteenth-century the twenty-first annual conference in Nova beauty aid by Missouri State Archivist Scotia in 1995. Papers may cover a broad Kenneth H. Winn and was followed by spectrum of topics; all aspects of the French Secretary of State Judith K. Moriarty's colonial experience are relevant and of inter­ address to the group. The Friends are seek­ est. Proposals, with a one-page abstract and ing donations of old campaign memorabilia a brief curriculum vita of the author, may be to become a part of the archives' display. sent to A. J. B. Johnston, P.O. Box 160, Donated items will be appraised, and each Louisbourg, Nova Scotia BOA 1 MO. contributor will receive a copy of the appraisal for tax purposes. Funds raised from the sale On October 22 the Historic Kansas City of duplicate items will be contributed to the Foundation will present its fourth annual fall archives. For further information contact the tour of private residences. Five houses Friends of the Missouri State Archives, P.O. reflecting architecturally distinctive styles Box 242, Jefferson City, MO 65102. favored by Kansas City's prominent families will be open for public tour. For reserva­ On June 17 James W. Goodrich, execu­ tions or further information contact Sarah F. tive director, and Marie Concannon, refer­ Schwenk, Executive Director, Historic ence specialist, attended the dedication cere­ Kansas City Foundation, 712 Broadway, mony for the Missouri Law Enforcement Suite 404, Kansas City, MO 64105, or call Memorial on the north side of the Capitol (816)471-3391. Building, Jefferson City. The memorial is dedicated to law enforcement officers who The James J. Hill Reference Library will died in the line of duty. Concannon sold award a number of grants to support research Society publications at the St. Louis 80 Missouri Historical Review

Genealogical Society annual fair on June 18 Missouri students won a large number of at the Frontenac Hilton in St. Louis County prizes at the National History Day held in and at the thirteenth annual conference of June in Washington, D.C. Paula Roychaud- the Missouri State Genealogical Association huri and Lissa Skelley placed first and sec­ at William Woods College, Fulton, on ond, respectively, in the junior individual August 5-6. Nationally known lecturer and performance category. Both students are certified genealogist, Gale Williams from Joplin Junior High School. Nigel Bamman, gave the keynote address to the Cooney, from Sarcoxie High School, took association. first place honors in junior individual media. Rolla ninth grader Julie Gragg placed second The town of Ste. Genevieve held its in the senior historical papers competition. twenty-eighth annual Jour de Fete (Day of Celebration) on August 13-14. This year's In addition to the students who won mon­ festival was dedicated to the town's victori­ etary awards, Cristi Corlew, Amy Marshall ous efforts to save its many historical homes and Melissa Blair from Richland R-I High from the flood of 1993. Participants were School in Essex were honored as "An invited to walk the two blocks to Washington Outstanding Entry from Missouri" and placed Street atop the sandbag wall that saved the seventh in senior media. Octavia Hearnes, of town. Scheduled activities included colonial Brentwood High, placed ninth in the final craft displays, historic home tours, a steam round of competition in the senior individual engine exhibit and a company of Spanish projects category. Dexter students Trey military soldiery costumed as they would Waldrup, April Smith, Garrett Cox, Lindsie have been during the time the area was under Pearman and Nicole Fish placed eleventh in Carlos III of Spain. the junior group performance finals.

The Exception

Knob Noster Gem, August 30, 1878. It is lucky to pick up a horse-shoe, unless, of course, it happens to be attached to a mule's hind leg.—Buffalo Express.

What Men Are

St. Louis Melting Pot, August 1913. The following composition on men is credited to a little girl: "Men are what women marry. They drink and smoke and swear, but don't go to church. Perhaps if they wore bonnets they would. They are more logical than women and also more zoological. Both men and women sprung from monkeys, but the women sprung further than the men."

Someone Wants To Know "How Big Is the West?"

Platte City Platte County Reveille, July 13, 1866. Illinois would make forty such States as Rhode Island, and Minnesota sixty. Missouri is larger than all New England. Ohio exceeds either Ireland or Scotland, or Portugal; and equals Belgium, Scotland and Switzerland together. Missouri is more than half as large as Italy, and larger than Denmark, Holland, Belgium and Switzerland. Missouri and Illinois are larger than England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. LOCAL HISTORICAL SOCIETIES

Adair County Historical Society tours for 850 schoolchildren and welcomed A permanent exhibit designed by the new 1,800 visitors to the Walters-Boone County director of the Society's museum, Adam J. Historical Museum and the new Montminy Marchand, opened on June 22. Some of the Gallery in Columbia. On June 26 Arvarh numerous items displayed include Native Strickland, a professor of history at the American artifacts from the Schillie collec­ University of Missouri-Columbia, presented tion, selections from the Marie Turner a program about Dr. Lorenzo Greene, an Harvey Porter School exhibit and an Adair influential figure at Lincoln University, County master historical map. Marchand Jefferson City. Thanks to a grant from the hopes to enhance the military collection in First National Bank, Columbia, the Society the exhibit with a recently acquired muster­ reprinted Colonel William F. Switzler's 1882 ing up list of Adair County men who joined illustrated History of Boone County, the Union Army in 1862. Missouri. The price of this indexed, hard­ bound, 1,144-page volume is $47.50, plus Affton Historical Society $4.50 for shipping, and it can be ordered The Affton Community Band, composed from the Boone County Historical Society, of fifty musicians and a wide range of instru­ P.O. Box 1544, Columbia, MO 65205. ments, performed at Oakland on July 28 for the Society's quarterly get-together. Boone-Duden Historical Society New officers elected in the spring include Barton County Historical Society Garry Cundiff, president; Alvin Engemann, Seventy members gathered on July 10 for vice president; and Cathie Schoppenhorst, the Society's quarterly meeting in the Law treasurer. Members met June 27 at the Chapel of the United Methodist Church, Holstein United Church of Christ and heard Lamar. Marvin VanGilder presented a pro­ a program by Dr. Erin McCawley Renn, the gram on early Indian tribes in the area. administrator of the Deutschheim State Historic Site in Hermann. Belton Historical Society The Society received a portrait of Brown County Historical Association Lieutenant Colonel Arthur W. Gebaur, Jr., On May 10 the Association toured an old from the Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base log cabin on Colonel Houston's property in during a surprise presentation at the Final Pettis. At the June 14 meeting Betty Richards, Salute banquet and ceremonies held on June a retired schoolteacher, spoke on area schools 12 at the base. Members met on July 24 at from the early days to the present. Old City Hall and heard Dorothy Lane dis­ Brush and Palette Club, Inc. cuss the history of the Society. The Club awarded scholarships to Susan Bonniebrook Historical Society Wilding and Christian Oncken, who recently A crowd gathered on April 20 to dedicate graduated from Gasconade County R-l High the recently rebuilt "Bonniebrook" to Rose School. Funds for the scholarships are gen­ O'Neill and the Kewpie doll. A Saturday erated by an annual arts and crafts festival evening banquet, where participants enjoyed held each October. speakers and music, followed the day of Butler County Historical Society activities. The Society sponsored an antique Guest speaker Dale Gaebler spoke on show and sale on July 16 and 17, with pro­ mules in Missouri as a part of the June 27 ceeds benefiting Bonniebrook. meeting at the Poplar Bluff Museum. In Boone County Historical Society addition to owning a pair of mules, Gaebler During May, the Society held guided maintains a collection of items pertaining to 82 Missouri Historical Review the animals, including pictures, books, belt An active genealogist, Wynona Smith, dis­ buckles, clocks and figurines. cussed local and family history writing and publishing as a part of the June 27 meeting Campbell Area Genealogical at the museum in Stockton. and Historical Society Members meet at the local library in Centralia Historical Society Campbell on the third Monday of each Society officers include Vickie Collins, month at 7:00 P.M. Newly elected officers of president; A. W. Burkhardt, vice president; the Society for 1994-1995 are Floyd and Mildred Knowles, secretary-treasurer. Polsgrove, president; Morgan Miller, vice Chariton County Historical Society president; and Hal Miller, secretary/treasurer. Ron Putz, president of the Mormon Carondelet Historical Society Frontier Foundation, analyzed the "Mormon Local author Jean Eberle spoke on the Movement Through Missouri" at the quar­ history of Oakville at the general member­ terly meeting on July 17 held in the museum, ship meeting held at the Carondelet Historic Salisbury. Following the meeting, members Center on June 26. Members hosted a lun­ were encouraged to view the museum's ren­ cheon on July 24 to honor noted historian ovated tool room and the new veterans/mili­ Father William B. Faherty on the occasion of tary display. the fiftieth anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. Christian County Museum and Historical Society Carroll County Historical Society A benefit auction was held on July 16 at From July 13 to July 17 the Society held the Museum in Ozark. The sale featured a quilt exhibit and raffle at the museum in new items, including handmade crafts and Carrollton. New officers include Martha Lee carvings, and old treasures such as antique Kruse Schmidt, president, and Francis V. furniture, tools and housewares. All pro­ Burton, secretary. ceeds from the auction and concession stand will help maintain and operate the Museum. Cass County Historical Society In keeping with the 1994 theme, "Exploring Civil War Round Table of Kansas City Our Nearby History," Society members heard The 293rd regular meeting of the Round Tom Keeney, Jr., speak on the history of Belton Table on May 24 featured Albert Castel, who on April 24 and Mrs. Knoful Jones talk about spoke on "The Generalship of the Atlanta the history of Drexel at the June 26 meeting. Campaign" at the Homestead Country Club Both meetings were held in Pearson Hall, in Prairie Village, Kansas. Castel also Harrisonville. received the Round Table's Harry S. Truman Award for distinguished leadership in Civil Cedar County Historical Society War history. He joins twenty-two other The Society met in the Jerico Springs renowned Civil War historians who have Community Building on April 25 and heard received this prestigious award since 1959. Aline Reynolds speak on Native American history in southwest Missouri. The bridge Civil War Round Table of St. Louis over the Sac River, which runs through Dr. William E. Parrish spoke on Con­ Caplinger Mills, was dedicated as a national federate governors at the May 25 meeting. historic site on May 7. Society members The June 22 meeting featured Dr. David E. participated in the ceremony. On May 23 Long, who presented a program on Abraham Wilbur Zink spoke to members about Lincoln and the Emancipation Proclamation Missouri outlaws and displayed correspond­ in the 1864 election. Both gatherings of the ing artifacts and memorabilia at the Round Table took place at Garavelli's Community Building in El Dorado Springs. Restaurant, Manchester. Historical Notes and Comments 83

Civil War Round Table Clinton County Historical Society of the Trans-Mississippi Members gathered for the May 14 meet­ At the May 10 meeting Trish Kleine, ing at the courthouse in Plattsburg to hear tourist assistant for the Confederate Mrs. Francis K. Orr present an interesting Memorial State Historic Site in Higginsville, program on women who fought in the Civil presented a program on the Confederate War. The Society also hosted a Civil War Home of Missouri. A walking tour of the reenactment in Perkins Park, Plattsburg, on site of the Rock Creek skirmish that July 30-31. occurred on June 13, 1861, was included in the program. Cole Camp Area Historical Society Members and guests took a field trip to Civil War Round Table Kansas City on June 12 to visit the Steamboat of Western Missouri Arabia Museum. On June 25, along with the The May 11 meeting at the Truman High Cole Camp Chamber of Commerce, the School library, Independence, involved a Society sponsored Ezekiel Williams Day, discussion about the battle of Albany, and on honoring the man credited with the founding May 21 the group toured the site of this bat­ of Cole Camp in 1839. Activities included a tle and other related Civil War sites in Clay family reunion with the descendants of County. Members again met at the library Williams, demonstrations of 1840s life, a on June 8 to hear Bob Voelker speak on marker dedication at Williams's grave and a "Custer and Little Big Horn." Saturday evening "country shindig." This event featured a skit about Williams, as well Clay County Archives as vocal and instrumental music. and Historical Library In an effort to carpet the research area, Concordia Area Heritage Society the Archives has been sponsoring a "yard The Society meets the third Sunday of sale." Interested persons can purchase a each month at 6 P.M. in the Concordia square yard of carpet for $15 to help com­ Library, 709 Main Street, Concordia. plete this project. Funds for approximately a Cooper County Historical Society quarter of the estimated yardage have been Jammey Brandes, circuit clerk and realized thus far. The Archives and Library recorder, presented the history of the court­ is open from 9 A.M. to 4 P.M., Monday house and led a tour of the building as a part through Friday. Due to occasional shortages of the May 15 meeting held in the court­ of volunteers, it is sometimes necessary to house in Boonville. The meeting also fea­ close Friday afternoons; call (816) 781-3611 tured J. E. Rogers, a former state extension to check the schedule. agent, and Paul Doll, a past county extension agent, speaking on the history of their Clay County Museum respective organizations. On June 13 and Historical Society Society members gathered in the Wooldridge On July 9 members and guests enjoyed Baptist Church to hear W. J. Wooldridge talk an old-time ice cream social on the porch of about the history of the town. Lynn Rugen Diane and Anthony Mead's house. The also spoke on Gooch's Mill at this meeting. Rushcreek Bluegrass Band provided the Judith Deel of the Missouri Department of entertainment for the event. Several Society Preservation discussed historical preserva­ members have been diligently pursuing an tion at the July 11 meeting. oral history program. About two dozen tapes have been completed, including an Crawford County Historical Society interview with the founder and former presi­ The Society has been busy settling into dent of the Society, Donald Pharis, who died their new location at 112 North Smith Street, in 1992. . They hosted an open house on July 84 Missouri Historical Review

21 and plan on being open in conjunction with Fayette Area Heritage Association holidays and other social events in Cuba. In conjunction with Fayette's annual craft fair on June 18, the Association hosted a Dade County Historical Society special display of antique doll clothing and The Society hosted an open house on furniture at the Wright Building. In addition August 14 at the old Poindexter and Trost to selling T-shirts and books, members also Hotel, in honor of Mrs. Ron Dinges and her opened the restored building for viewing. family's work to restore the building and On June 24 Association members enjoyed a turn it into a functioning bed and breakfast. wine and cheese celebration at the antebel­ Located in Everton just north of Main Street, lum country home of Morrison Hughes, the old brick building was built in 1880. located outside of Fayette.

Dallas County Historical Society Florissant Valley Historical Society A program on "Memories of the Past 75 A thirty-sixth birthday celebration for the Years" presented by Marie Marley highlight­ Society was held at its historic home, Taille ed the March 17 meeting held at the restored de Noyer, on July 21. Festivities began with Crescent School in the Buffalo Head Prairie a picnic supper, followed by a miniauction Historical Park, Buffalo. On April 21 mem­ and a raffle drawing. bers met at the museum, also located in the park, to see a slide presentation on bluebirds, Franklin or Bust narrated by Leni Howe. Eva Marie Glor dis­ The organization held its annual member­ played a variety of herbs and explained their ship meeting on June 13 at the New Franklin uses at the May 19 meeting at the Crescent High School. The following officers were School. Members also enjoyed listening to elected: H. Denny Davis, president; Stephen Hubert Cooper speak about old-time music. Rust, vice president; Doris Markland, secre­ He played several selections on the banjo tary; and Bill Rudloff, treasurer. and sang old square note music. Freeman Historical Society Monthly meetings are held on the third DeKalb County Historical Society Tuesday of each month at the Freeman City The Society has decided to expand their Hall. This summer Society members service of placing flowers on graves for cleaned and restored a number of stones at Memorial Day. They will now decorate the South Fork Cemetery, located on the graves for birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas property of the South Fork Baptist Church. or any other special occasion. Charges for Another summer project involved placing a this service are $5.00 or $10.00 for flowers, historical marker at the Freeman cemetery in plus a $5.00 delivery fee per location and honor of J. C. Morris, the founder of $1.00 for each additional delivery to the same Morristown. cemetery. Be sure to name the DeKalb County cemetery and the name or names on Friends of Arrow Rock the stones and send requests to the DeKalb For the past four years the Friends have County Historical Society, P.O. Box 477, worked on an ambitious project to restore Maysville, MO 64469. the old post office building on the boardwalk and relocate it to a more suitable location. Douglas County Historical Working with Stuart Hutchison Architects, and Genealogical Society the Friends have completed restoration plans Members meet on the third Monday of for the building, soon to be the organiza­ each month at the museum in Ava. The tion's new information center. The Friends museum is open each Saturday from 10 A.M. are now in need of $20,000 to complete this to 3 P.M., in addition to special events, tours project; anyone interested in helping should or appointments. contact Day Kerr, Barbara Quinn or Kathy Historical Notes and Comments 85

Borgman. In 1989 Bill and Cora Lee Miller (314) 487-4086 for dates, topics and more deeded their house, the surrounding property information. and the inventory of their antique shop to the Friends of Miami Friends. With Cora's death in May, the The Friends sponsored a town-wide rum­ Friends received ownership of the property mage sale on May 7. The event received a and the contents of Miller's Antiques. The great response, with over twenty-four Miami Friends board is now actively seeking an households participating. Members gathered experienced person to run the antique shop. at the Community Center, Miami, on July 17 Interested persons can contact Borgman at for their annual meeting. Activities included (816)837-3231. a carry-in dinner, a business meeting and a Friends of Historic Boonville talk and slide show by Roger Maserang of Local professional artists displayed their the Show-Me Regional Planning Commis­ work in the lobby of the United Missouri sion about upcoming survey projects in Bank, Boonville, from June 13 to June 25. Saline County. The Boon's Lick Area Community Art Friends of Missouri Town-1855 Show, another Friends-sponsored event The Friends held their May 21 general occurring at the same time, provided an out­ meeting in conjunction with Heritage Day so let for amateur artists to show their work. that members could also enjoy the festivities During the summer the Friends sponsored taking place in the village. the Brown Bag Lunch Concert Series at the Hain House Memorial Garden on June 3, 10, Friends of Rocheport 17 and 24. Concerts featured Bob Dyer, the The Rocheport Garden Show and Tour, cast of the Boonville Community Theatre's held June 18 and attended by 235 guests, high­ production of Guys and Dolls, the New Life lighted summer activities for the Friends. The in Christ Ministries Church youth choir and day offered a variety of events in addition to the Litwiller's German Band, respectively. the garden tours—speakers, a garden lun­ cheon, plant sales and jazz music. Members Friends of Historic Fort Osage met for the annual meeting of the Friends on The Friends voted at their March meeting June 26 at the Rocheport Community Hall to to provide matching funds for a grant to pro­ elect officers and board members. duce a film that will orient visitors to the site. The film, which will be shown in the Gasconade County Historical Society museum, will highlight the different facets of As part of Owensville's Maifest on May the fort's history. Visitors with special phys­ 14 and 15, Society members provided muse­ ical needs will be able to utilize the presenta­ um tours, information about the county's his­ tion to access areas that, because of the need tory and offered books and maps for sale. for historical accuracy, may not be easily An unusual topic was discussed at the July accessible for viewing. 10 quarterly meeting at the museum. Glenn Miller of Ypsilanti, Michigan, presented a Friends of Jefferson Barracks program on his lightning rod ornament col­ Reenactors from across the country con­ lection, which includes a few items from verged on Jefferson Barracks County Park Gasconade County rooftops. on April 30 and May 1 to take part in World War II Days. Allied and German reenactors Glendale Historical Society set up authentic camps and drills, staged bat­ The Society held a membership meeting tles and exhibited military vehicles. The on June 9 at City Hall, Glendale. event attracted over six hundred participants. The popular Civil War lecture series returns Grain Valley Historical Society to the park this fall. Contact the park at The Society meets every other month at 86 Missouri Historical Review the United Methodist Church, Grain Valley. Grundy County Historical Society An outdoor ice cream social, held at The Society meets at 3 P.M. on the second Armstrong Park, highlighted the July 28 Monday of each month at the Grundy meeting. Approximately one acre of land County Museum in Trenton. In celebration has been given to the Society by the Grain of the one hundredth anniversary of the Valley school district. Plans for the land museum building, the organization has pub­ include construction of a building to be used lished a 1995 calendar featuring drawings of as a meeting place, a historical library and a historical buildings in the county. display area for local artifacts. Henry County Historical Society Grand River Historical Society Torrential spring rains caused substantial Society members and their friends gath­ structural damage to the east wall of the sta­ ered at Simpson Park, Chillicothe, on July ble area in the Henry County Museum, 12 for the annual picnic. Larry Richardson Clinton. Run basically on donations, the spoke briefly on the Chillicothe bond issue, museum's board of directors is presently followed by a question and answer session. seeking contributions to aid in the preserva­ tion and restoration of the historic structure. Grandview Historical Society A Samuel Clemens impersonator, alias The public received its first look at the dog­ Bill Stevick, entertained members at the May trot cabin, a log structure moved to Clinton 2 annual meeting at the Depot Museum. At last year, during the Olde Glory Days cele­ the monthly meeting on June 6 members bration held in Clinton from July 1 to July 4. viewed a Missouri Department of Natural Hickory County Historical Society Resources video, Missouri Masterpiece: The Society meets the second Tuesday of State Parks and Historic Sites, which high­ each month at the museum in Hermitage. Dr. lights places to visit in the state park system. Frederick Fausz of the University of Missouri- The Society hosted an old-fashioned sum­ St. Louis spoke at the June 13 meeting. mertime picnic on the deck of the museum on July 11. In addition to enjoying fried chick­ Historic Kansas City Foundation en, sliced tomatoes, baked beans and other The Foundation held their annual meet­ classic picnic food, members heard music by ing on May 10 and elected the following a group from the Santa Fe Trail chapter of the officers: Ken Coit, president; Patricia S. Kansas Old-Time Fiddlers. Beets and Susan Jezak Ford, vice presidents; Patricia Baumgartner, secretary; and Steven Greene County Historical Society C. Scott, treasurer. For the Society's May 26 meeting, Julie March, curator and acting executive director Historic Madison County of the History Museum for Springfield- Cemeteries of Madison County, Volume I, Greene County, spoke on the progress of the features a listing of the people interred in museum's renovations. The entire third 160 small cemeteries in the county and is floor of the old city hall building is now available from the organization. Soon to be occupied by the museum, with the exception published, Cemeteries of Madison County, of the council chambers. A plan for the uti­ Volume II, will focus on the people buried in lization of the space has been developed, the county's thirty-five larger cemeteries. with each room to feature a specific aspect Contact Jerry L. Williams, HCR 78, Box of Greene County history. The Society 427, Fredericktown, MO 63645 for more joined with members of the Fair Grove information. Historical and Preservation Society in Fair Grove to enjoy a traditional picnic supper on Historical Association of Greater St. Louis June 23. Individuals from both societies also The Association conducted an all-day toured Fair Grove's Wommack Mill. tour of historic Alton, Illinois, on April 23. Historical Notes and Comments 87

Historical Society of Maries County its impact on small towns on June 1. The Dorothy Heckmann Shrader, author of Society's museum, the Wornall House, held Steamboat Legacy: The Life and Times of a its first biennial Tour of Gardens on June 22. Steamboat Family, provided the program at Gardens of five houses, including the herb the July 17 meeting held at the courthouse in garden at the museum, were featured. Vienna. The Society is now in the process of Members celebrated at a birthday bash on having the Latham house, the oldest house in July 23 in honor of the 135th anniversary of Vienna, moved to the historic district within the 1859 Jail Museum and the 35th year that the city limits. This historic district already the museum has been open to the public. includes the Old Jail Museum, the Felker Activities included a barbecue, country house and the building that houses the music and dancing. Society's displays. Jackson Heritage Association Historical Society of Oregon County The Association holds their monthly The May 19 meeting of the Society fea­ meetings at the Oliver House, 224 East tured Dorothy Ellis discussing "Greer Spring Adams Street, Jackson, on the first Thursday Mill" at the Koshkonong Public Library. evening of each month. Members have been busy compiling a new Johnson County Historical Society book, Rural Schools of Oregon County, The library, located in Warrensburg, is which will soon be available for purchase. open Monday through Saturday from 1 to 4 Historical Society of Polk County P.M. During these hours volunteers are also Alice and Wes Gott hosted the Society's available to guide tours through the old court­ meeting at their home in Bolivar on May 26. house and museum. Scheduled activities included the installation Kansas City Fire Brigade of officers, dinner, a tour of the Gott home On May 14 the Brigade hosted the Spring and a presentation by Adam Horton, a stu­ Muster, the organization's annual fund-rais­ dent at Marion C. Early High School, on the er. A number of events and exhibits were "History of Morrisville." The July 28 meet­ offered, among them a bucket brigade and an ing, held at the museum in Bolivar, featured antique fire apparatus display. Tom Bewley, president of the Society and a high school history teacher, who discussed Kansas City Westerners "Slavery in Missouri." Posse members met on May 12 at the Hereford House in Kansas City. Dr. James Iron County Historical Society Hoy spoke on "Wild West Shows and the An ice cream social replaced the Society's Lady from the 101 Ranch." For the June 14 summer meeting on July 17. Slated as a fund­ meeting members visited the American raiser for the organization, the social featured Royal's museum. Following the tour, the cookies and ice cream, along with musical Posse reconvened at the Hereford House for entertainment by the Ninichuck family. dinner and a look at the history of their orga­ nization presented by longtime member and Jackson County Historical Society former sheriff Don Ornduff. Dr. C. Robert Early this summer the Society sponsored Haywood spoke at the July 12 meeting, and two forums at the Arthur Mag Center, Rodney Staats presented "A Soldier on the Kansas City. On May 11 Peter Brink, a vice Santa Fe Trail 1864-65" at the August 9 president with the National Trust for Historic meeting, both at the Hereford House. Preservation, spoke on "New Directions in Historic Preservation," and John Tapia, a Kirkwood Historical Society professor of communications at Missouri Members hosted a yard and plant sale on Western State College, St. Joseph, discussed May 7 on the grounds of the Society's his­ the history of the chautauqua movement and toric property, Mudd's Grove. The Society Missouri Historical Review participated in the annual Kirkwood Jamboree Macon County Historical Society on May 14 by setting up a "treat" booth on the A presentation on "Crafts of Today, east side of the Amtrak station and selling History of Tomorrow," presented by Ward cookies, brownies, lemon squares and fudge to and Edith Harrington, was enjoyed by mem­ passersby. The World's Fair Extravaganza and bers of the Society on June 16 at the county Strawberry Festival provided great entertain­ courthouse. The Harringtons' primary inter­ ment for members and the general public on ests with crafts include reproductions of his­ June 18 at Mudd's Grove. Guests participated torical signs, wood turnings, tole paintings in a full day of activities, including a barbecue and puzzles. In addition to speaking on the with strawberries and ice cream available all subject, the Harringtons displayed a number day, a continuing bingo game and a 1904 of unique items from their collection, includ­ World's Fair exhibit. Proceeds from the event ing a wooden puzzle made by Edith's great­ will support the completion of the restoration grandfather in 1849. for the 1994 Designers' Showhouse project at Mudd's Grove. Meramec Valley Genealogical and Historical Society Knox County Historical Society During Pacific Pride Day on May 7, Baring Country Club was the setting for Society members maintained a pavilion in the the Society's annual summer picnic on June city park and sold used books, magazines, pic­ 16. Twenty members enjoyed the food and tures, postcards and other flea market items. activities. Mid-Missouri Civil War Round Table Landmarks Association of St. Louis, Inc. A talk on the battle of Prairie Grove by This summer's weekend trip headed west Sharon Siefkas highlighted the meeting on to the nineteenth-century rival cities of St. May 17 at the Columbia Daily Tribune Joseph and Kansas City. The tour, led by the building. Members met in Jefferson City on Association's executive director, Carolyn June 21 at the Ramada Inn to hear Chris Hewes Toft, departed from St. Louis on June Edwards speak on "Partisan Ranger Warfare 10 and returned June 12. A group of mem­ in Missouri." bers traveled to Springfield, Illinois, to visit Frank Lloyd Wright's Dana-Thomas house Miller County Historical Society and see the results of a three-year, $5 million Fifty members met on July 10 for the restoration project completed by the Illinois Society's quarterly meeting and potluck din­ Historic Preservation Agency. ner at the museum building in Tuscumbia. Gary Kremer, professor of history at William Lawrence County Historical Society Woods College, Fulton, spoke on the life and The Society met on May 15 at the Jones times of Father Ferdinand Helias, who was a Memorial Chapel, Mt. Vernon. After a short pioneer priest in mid-Missouri. business meeting, members took a historic tour of Mt. Vernon and the surrounding area, Mine Au Breton Historical Society which emphasized the Civil War's effect on Society members meet on the second the area and Harold Bell Wright's association Tuesday of each month at 7:30 P.M. in the with the town. Washington County Courthouse. Lewis County Historical Society Missouri Historical Society Meetings for the Society are held alter­ The staff of the Society's interpretation nate months throughout the year at the division would like to talk with people who library in Canton. The Society operates a own artifacts or remember stories concern­ genealogical library that is open Monday ing the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis. through Friday from 8 A.M. to 3 P.M. at 112 Anyone with pertinent information should North Fourth Street, Canton. call (314) 454-3185 and leave a message. Historical Notes and Comments 89

Moniteau County Historical Society anniversary, board members broke ground Twelve members participated in the for a new building on June 26. The new annual spring field trip on May 21 that took two-story building, plus a basement, will them down old Highway 12 to Clarksburg, allow the Society to expand its service to Round Hill, Tipton and back to California. members and school groups. It will have an The group viewed historic sites along the underground connection with an existing way. The Maclay house in Tipton hosted the house that will be used for administrative annual carry-in dinner on July 11. After a offices. brief business meeting, Kelly Warman- Stallings presented a program about mid- Normandy Area Historical Association Missouri ghost towns. A lifetime Bel-Ridge resident, Pat Wolfe, presented a program on the Weigelt Glass Montgomery County Historical Society and Mirror Company on June 12 at the Dorothy Heckmann Shrader was the Wilson P. Hunt house, Normandy. Wolfe's guest speaker on April 17 at the Society's great-uncle, Arthur Weigelt, created this St. annual dinner meeting held at St. Martin's Louis company in 1883, after immigrating to Church in Starkenburg. She discussed her the city from Germany two years earlier. book, Steamboat Legacy, which is a history of steamboats on the Missouri River. Old Trails Historical Society A Flag Day celebration on June 12 pro­ Morgan County Historical Society vided Society members with an opportunity Close to two hundred third-grade stu­ to show their patriotism and enjoy a day at dents from area schools toured the museum the Bacon Log Cabin in Manchester. The in Versailles in May. On June 25 tables and cabin was also open for the annual family chairs lined North Monroe Street for a and friends picnic held on July 17. Society-sponsored event. Ice cream and cake were served, and adults and children Osage County Historical Society danced in the streets and participated in an Members gathered for dinner at the Most auction for homemade cakes. Pure Heart of Mary Church hall, Chamois, John G. Neihardt Corral on May 23. Ray Brassieur, oral historian for of the Westerners the State Historical Society of Missouri, pre­ Corral members heard Raymond and Neva sented a program on "Living French Schroeder relive some of their exciting adven­ Traditions of the Midwest." The Society tures during a recent trip to China at the May continues to work on the local records pro­ ject at the courthouse in Linn; marriage 12 meeting held at the Days Inn, Columbia. records have been sorted and are being pre­ Dr. Jim and Eloise Denninghoff hosted a buf­ pared for microfilming. falo barbecue at their home on June 9.

Newton County Historical Society Pemiscot County Historical Society Due to vandalism in 1988 and 1989 and The April 22 meeting held at the American Legion building in Caruthersville the natural deterioration of gravestones, the featured the Pioneer Heritage awards pro­ Carver Birthplace Association has set up a gram, which honors early county settlers. fund for the restoration of the Carver Three women were recognized for their con­ Cemetery. Donations may be sent to George tributions: Opal Wall Parks, Gladys Bell Washington Carver Grave Restoration, c/o Sorrell and Naomi Baird Morgan. Members Gladys Gage, 502 North Lincoln, Neosho, elected new officers at the May 27 meeting: MO 64850. W. F. James, president; Delma Kerley, vice Nodaway County Historical Society president; Georgia Kasper, secretary; and In recognition of the Society's fiftieth Mary Belle Poteet, treasurer. 90 Missouri Historical Review

Perry County Historical Society St. Charles County Historical Society The library continues operation on the first The winner of the first annual Heritage and third Saturdays of each month from 9 A.M. Award, which was established this year to to noon; the museum operates from 1 to 4 P.M. recognize the many authors who submit arti­ each Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. Both cles for the Society's publication, The St. facilities are located in Perryville. Charles Heritage, is Lauren Weinhold. In addition to being well written, Weinhold's Pettis County Historical Society article, "North Main in the 1930's," evoked The Society held a dinner meeting on May an unusual number of letters and phone calls. 23 at the Heard Memorial Club House, A student at Northeast Missouri State Sedalia. President Bill Claycomb announced University, Weinhold received a $50 check that the microfilmed 1885-1935 Pettis County for her effort. circuit court records had been returned and are available to scholars by appointment. After St. Clair County Historical Society the business meeting Claycomb and Rhonda Longtime Osceola resident and featured Chalfant presented a program on speaker W. K. Scott reminisced about the Congressman and Mrs. John T. Heard and town and his business, the Osceola Cheese, their house. Turn-of-the-century piano music following World War II at the May 17 meet­ by Mary Rundlett accompanied the program. ing held at the library in Osceola. At the June 21 meeting, also at the library, county histori­ Platte County Historical and an Wilbur Zink discussed Missouri outlaws. Genealogical Society In addition to talking about the guns used in On May 21 the Society held a fish and the last bank holdup in the county, he also chicken dinner fund-raiser in the Washington shared pieces of memorabilia, such as a violin Chapel CME Church, Parkville. that once belonged to Jim Younger. In an Ray County Historical Society effort to be more inclusive, members voted at Members met on July 16 and traveled to the July 19 meeting to hold future meetings in ten Mormon sites in the Ray, Caldwell and various locations around the county. Daviess county areas. Guided by President Harold Barchers, the tour included homes, St. Francois County Historical Society battle sites, mills, courthouses and statues The Society met April 27 in the Ozarks important to Mormon history. The Society is Federal Savings and Loan building in selling a video on the great flood of 1993. It Farmington to view the video America The is a combination of footage shot by Ray Way We Were—the Home Front 1940-1941. Countians, KMBC-Channel 9 and CNN. Mark Stauter, associate director of the The majority of the ninety-minute film is Western Historical Manuscript Collection- about Ray County, showing the areas of Rolla, discussed the Plank Road, which ran Hardin, Orrick, Henrietta and Camden. It through Farmington. Built during the 1850s, can be ordered from the Ray County settlers used the road to haul iron ore from Historical Society, P.O. Box 2, Richmond, Iron Mountain to Ste. Genevieve. At the MO 64085-0002, for $22.50 postage paid. July 27 meeting Edwin Mount spoke on St. Francois County's flour mills. Raytown Historical Society Indian drummers, dances and song enter­ Sappington-Concord Historical Society tained members and guests at the quarterly Marc E. Kollbaum, curator of Jefferson meeting and picnic held on July 27 at Chalet Barracks Historical Park, discussed histori­ Kipfer. In addition to the interesting pro­ cal events that occurred at the old army post gram put on by the Heart of America Indian at the Society's quarterly meeting on July 27, Council, members met the recipients of the held in the board room of the Lindbergh scholarships awarded by the Society. School District, Sappington. Historical Notes and Comments 91

Schuyler County Historical Society recognition ceremony for one-room school Jason Haxton illustrated his talk on teachers. Teachers present told of memo­ Native Americans with a display of pottery rable incidents from their experiences in at the July 17 meeting held at the museum in early one-room rural schools. Following Lancaster. One of the founders of the these anecdotes, each teacher was given a Society, Nelle George, received the flower and an apple. All meetings are held Director's Award at the annual conference of in the fellowship room of St. Marks Catholic the Missouri State Genealogical Association Church in Houston. held in Fulton on August 5. Harry S Truman Independence Smoky Hill Railway and 76 Fire Company Museum Association What started in 1993 as a one-time event Longtime member Ray Schauffler pre­ for the 150-year anniversary of the Company sented a program on "Operation Lifesaver" is becoming an annual tradition. Fire Fest at the meeting on May 20 aboard the Santa '94, held on June 18, was a huge success and Fe Instruction Car 80. Operation Lifesaver offered something to everyone interested in promotes awareness of safety at railroad and fire, police or emergency medical services. highway crossings and is sponsored by rail­ Activities included a parade, exhibits and roads throughout the country. Fares to ride displays of emergency vehicles, including the system are adults, $5.00; children, $3.75; the Kansas City rescue helicopters. and senior citizens, $4.50. Vernon County Historical Society Sons and Daughters of the Blue and Gray Cliff Norris presented a video program Members viewed the video documentary on his search for Haletown at the May 22 The Gray Ghost at the May 15 meeting. The meeting held in the Presbyterian Church's June 19 meeting at the Mercantile Bank, fellowship hall in Nevada. At this meeting Maryville, featured Orville Kelim of members also viewed a video provided by Bethany speaking on Abraham Lincoln, par­ Herb and Gordon Davis, of Denver, on the ticularly his assassination and the following reenactment of Hiram C. Davis's funeral in chase and capture of the murderer, John September 1992. On July 24 members gath­ Wilkes Booth. Past president George ered in the city council chamber, Nevada, Hinshaw spoke on "Cahaba, Alabama and heard Bushwhacker Museum Curator During the Civil War" at the July 17 assem­ Patrick Brophy speak on "The 'Baron' from bly at the bank. Montevallo," which concerned native Vernon Countian James Addison Reavis, Stone County Historical Society perpetrator of the infamous "Peralta Grant" The Christian Association in Galena swindle in nineteenth-century Arizona. recently donated the old Christian Church building to the Society to be used as a meeting Warren County Historical Society place and a future museum. All monthly Janet and Jim Daniels of the Latter Day meetings are now held at the church; members Saints Church in Washington spoke on meet on the first Sunday of each month at sources available at the Family History Center as a part of the Society's spring meet­ 6:30 P.M. ing on May 26 at the museum in Warrenton. Texas County Missouri Genealogical and Historical Society Washington Historical Society On June 24 Chester Parker, a former New officers for the Society include principal at Waynesville, presented a pro­ Renee Nouss, president; Henry "Skip" Otto, gram to members and guests on early settlers vice president; Verna Miesner, secretary; and in Texas County from North Carolina and Don Hahne, treasurer. Members gathered at Tennessee. The July 22 meeting served as a the Rennick Riverfront Pavilion on June 14 92 Missouri Historical Review for a full evening of entertainment. After Winona Historical wine and cheese, the guests enjoyed a sit- and Genealogical Society down dinner and heard a talk by Dr. John The Society, in conjunction with the Wickersham, a historian and professor of Winona Public Library, has purchased a philosophy at Maryville College, St. Louis. microfilm reader that will join a microfiche reader already in the Society's holdings. The Webster Groves Historical Society organization continues to meet at 4 P.M. on Members participated in the parade and the second Thursday of each month at the staffed a booth during Community Days held library in Winona. in Webster Groves on July 2-4. Winston Historical Society Westphalia Historical Society The annual Days, sponsored On April 2 the Society hosted fifteen stu­ by the Society, was held at the city park on dents from Oelde, Westfalen, Germany, for July 15-17. A reenactment of the James a visit and luncheon at the museum in train robbery at Winston on July 15, 1881, Westphalia. The annual meeting on May 15 proved to be the day's featured attraction, was also held in the museum. Along with along with an exposition on the landmark electing Barbara Plummer as the new secre­ Supreme Court decision Marbury v. Madison tary and recounting the past year's successful presented by Jay Groves. Former governor projects, members heard Adolf Schroeder, served as the parade marshal. professor emeritus at the University of Missouri-Columbia, speak about his work on German-American issues in the state. Wright County Historical Society Having sold all copies of History and White River Valley Historical Society Families of Wright County, the Society has Ellen Gray Massey, who has traveled over decided to print additional copies of the 648- 31,000 miles in the state to present 123 pro­ page book, which is the first county history grams to local historical societies in the past since 1889. Orders can be mailed to the three years, spoke on "Voices of Country Society at P.O. Box 66, Hartville, MO Women" at the spring meeting on June 12 at 65667. The cost is $59.50, plus $5.00 for the College of the Ozarks, Point Lookout. shipping per book.

Summer Pleasure

Knob Noster Gem, September 13, 1878. There is more unadulterated joy over the capture of one solitary mosquito on the inside of the netting than in circumventing the million and ninety-nine on the outside.—St. Louis Journal.

Patience Compared

Edina Sentinel, January 13, 1876. Job never tried to light a fire in a cold room at 5 o'clock in the morning with wet hickory wood. He merely had boils, and, if we are not mistaken[,] plenty of cinders to scratch with. Yet that person is mentioned as the most patient of men. 93 GIFTS

Claudia Aldridge, Raymondville, and Mildred Melton, Houston, donors: A number of telephone directories from various locations around the state. (R) Asbury United Methodist Church, donor, through Jim Sanderson, Foley: 1993 directory for the Asbury United Methodist Church. (R) Benton High School, donor, through L. E. Hager, St. Joseph: Yearbook, WahWahlanawah: Destinations Unknown, 1994. (R) Trenton Boyd, Columbia, donor: Recent greater St. Louis telephone directories. (R) Herman Brewe, Marthasville, donor: Emmaus Homes, 1893-1993, 100 years, Marthasville, St. Charles, Missouri, by the Emmaus Anniversary Committee. (R) Vera Faurot Burk, Kirksville, donor: History of the Faurot Family, compiled and edited by Frank Fremont Reed. (R) Tom Cash, Kennett, donor, through Adolf and Rebecca Schroeder, Columbia: "Stuff and Things," by the donor, loaned for copying. (R) Muriel Cleverdon, Lexington, donor: William Limrick Papers and Aull Family Business Records. (M) Cooper County Historical Society, donor, through Jeanette Heaton, Bunceton: Three publications about the Agricultural Extension Service in Cooper County. (R) Carole Sue DeLaite, Columbia, donor: Women's Yellow Pages of Greater Kansas City and publications relating to Columbia businesses, churches, hospitals, organizations, schools and the University of Missouri. (R) Hugh Denney, Columbia, donor: "Welcome to Butler, Missouri" and miscellaneous publications about genealogy and Missouri. (R) Eula J. Dennis, Callao, donor: Lucie Ebeuhoh Papers. (M) Tim Dollens, Columbia, donor: Eight telephone directories for several central Missouri communities and two Missouri maps. (R) Nancy M. Ehrlich, Independence, donor: Photographs, (E); political memorabilia and letters, (M); and reference books about Missouri and the Civil War. (R) M. Glenn Elliott, Sedalia, donor: "The Elliott families," compiled by the donor. (R) Skip Gatermann, St. Louis, donor: Newsletters, programs, brochures, slides and photographs pertaining to the St. Louis area and Missouri. Color photographs from the estate of Elmer W. Niemann. (E) & (R) Robert C. Gates, Springfield, donor: The Ancestors of Edna Frances Cady, by the donor. (R) General Federation of Women's Clubs of Missouri, donor, through Fran Wessel, Jackson: Yearbook of the donor's organization, 1994-1996. (R)

*These letters indicate the location of the materials at the Society. (R) refers to Reference Library; (E), Editorial Office; (M), Manuscripts; (N), Newspaper Library; (RFC), Reference Fitzgerald Collection; (B), Bay Room; and (A), Art Room. 94 Missouri Historical Review

Albea Godbold, donor, through the United Methodist Church, Missouri East Annual Conference: Centenary Methodist Church of St. Louis: The First Hundred Years, 1839-1939, by Francis Emmett Williams, The Missouri Bishops, by Ivan Lee Holt, and miscellaneous bul­ letins and calendars from St. John's Methodist Church, St. Louis. (R) & (M) James W. Goodrich, Columbia, donor: Charles Craig, Pikes Peak Indian Painter: His Paintings and His Life, by Nelson A. Rieger. (R) Greene County Archives and Records Center, donor, through Richard T. Struckhoff, Springfield: "Abstract of Circuit Court Record Book, 13 June 1864 - 16 January 1865." (R) Peggy Smith Hake, St. Elizabeth, donor: "History of the Black Population of Miller County, Missouri," by the donor. (R) Larry Hopkins, Fredericksburg, Texas, donor: Booklet about Camp Crowder, an Armed Forces Training Center located in the Missouri Ozarks. (R) David A. Horner, Columbia, donor: Nine black and white copy negatives of members of the Horner family. (E) Margaret M. Howie, Columbia, donor: The History of Dentistry in Missouri, by the Missouri State Dental Association Historical Committee. (R) Kenneth Krakauer, Kansas City, donor: "One Hundred Years of Kansas City Golf!" by the donor. (R) Metropolitan Publishing Company, Springfield, donor: Lake of the Ozarks and Bolivar-Buffalo area telephone directories, 1994-1995. (R) Minnesota Historical Society, donor, through Bonnie Wilson, St. Paul, Minnesota: One stereograph view of the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair, one photo cabinet card of General Grant's log cabin and a photo postcard of a frame house probably in St. Joseph. (E) Missouri Highway and Transportation Department, donor, through Sue Muck, Jefferson City: Water Over Road, by the donor. (R) Missouri State Archives, donor, through Kenneth Winn, Jefferson City: Three black and white photographs of Bill Bangert participating in track and field com­ petitions in 1945 and 1946. (E) Loretta W. Moore, Topeka, Kansas, donor: History of an African-American Family: Catlett—Vaughn—Taylor—Martin—Jamison— Talbot—Johnson—Lewis—Moore, Families in Missouri, by the donor, (R); Loretta W. Moore Photograph Collection, negatives loaned for copying. (E) F. Terry Norris, St. Louis, donor, through John B. Marshall: A photocopy of a map of the Missouri River, 1797-1798, by Nicolas de Finiels. (R) Beverly Baker Northup, Columbia, donor: Part One of the History: Northern Cherokee Nation of the Old Louisiana Territory, by the donor. (R) Marian Morris Ohman, Columbia, donor: "Initial Study of Architect M. F. Bell, 1849-1929, His Contributions to the State of Missouri," donor's master's thesis at the University of Missouri-Columbia. (R) Mary Banks Parry, donor, through Genie Banks Rogers, Columbia: Sixteen books relating to Missouri, the Civil War, Christian College and genealogy. (R) Historical Notes and Comments 95

People's Savings Bank of Rhineland, donor, through Tom Walbenbach, Rhineland: "Historical Background: 108 West 5th Street, Hermann, MO 65041" and "Historical Background: Albert Schubert Residence, 118 West 5th Street, Hermann, MO 65041." (R) Authorene Phillips, Marshall, donor: "The Way We Were: A Collection of Personal Narratives from the Saline County High School Students of the 1960's," by donor's 1993-1994 English II class, Marshall High School. (R) Planned Parenthood of Central Missouri, donor, through Carole Sue DeLaite, Columbia: Pamphlets, brochures, annual reports and newsletters. (R) Peggy Platner, Columbia, donor: Seven color postcard views of the steamboat Arabia. (E) Wesley Platner, Columbia, donor, through Peggy Platner: Collection of books pertaining to Missouri and Columbia history, (R); postcard views of the St. Louis Zoological Gardens and the office of the Farm and Home Savings Association, Kansas City. (E) Celista Platz, Seattle, Washington, and Judith B. Young, Dodge City, Kansas, donors: The Brown Family History II: Tracing the Clark Brown Line, by Ella Brown Spooner and revised by the donors. (R) Mary June Schneider Powell, Anaheim, California, donor: "The Nicholas Schneider Family and Descendants," by the donor. (R) Earl L. Proctor, Columbia, donor: World War II Recounted, by the donor, and Whence the Tourist Camp? about the Proctor family's role in motel development in Missouri, by L. T. Proctor, (R); photograph of Proctors' Service Station, loaned for copying. (E) Ray County Historical Society, donor, through Harold Barchers, Richmond: Pamphlets relating to Richmond and Ray County history and several telephone books for the area. (R) Helen R. Renner, Montgomery City, donor: Genealogy of George Washington Peairs: His Forebears and Descendants, by Mrs. John H. Renner. (R) V. Darcey Slaughter, Columbia, donor: Four Generations of the James Turner Family of Rowan Co., North Carolina, Madison Co., Kentucky and Boone Co., Missouri, compiled by Jo Ann Cox and Darcey Slaughter. (R) Helen Stephens, Columbia, donor: Yearbooks of the Daughters of the American Colonists, 1988, 1989 and 1990. (R) Morris Monroe Stewart, Monroe, Louisiana, donor: "Big River Mills . . . Then and Now," by Mrs. Lon Pettus. (R) June A. Stubbs, Columbia, donor: Parker Funeral Home Records, Columbia, Missouri, 1892-1905 and 1915-1925, com­ piled by the donor. (R) William H. Taft, Columbia, donor: Multiple issues of the newsletter of the Columbia Kiwanis Club, 1989-1993. (R) Mary Lyon Thomson, donor, through Mary Jane Trowbridge, Los Altos, California: Three original color crayon sketches, matted and framed. (A) The Travelers Protective Association of America, St. Louis, donor: T.P.A.: The First 100 Years, 1890-1990. (R) Gladys La Von Treadway, Bettendorf, Iowa, donor: Descendants of James Anderson (1826-1881), by the donor. (R) 96 Missouri Historical Review

Kenneth W. Veatch, San Antonio, Texas, donor: Inaugural Ceremonies, State of Missouri, State Capitol, Wednesday, February the Twenty-sixth, Nineteen Forty-one. (R) John Wallace estate, donor, through Muriel Cleverdon, Lexington: Central College for Women, Lexington, Missouri, Records and George M. Butler Papers. (M) Kelly Warman-Stallings, Holts Summit, donor: The Ghost Towns of Central Missouri: Cole, Miller & Moniteau Counties, by the donor. (R) Alma J. Wheeler, Tolland, Connecticut, donor: Montgomery County, Missouri Newspaper Records, Deaths, 1880-1899 and Montgomery County, Missouri, Newspaper Records, Marriages, 1880-1899, both by the donor. (N) Sharon K. Wilson, Dewey, Oklahoma, donor: Information on the families of Cornelius D. Connor and Samuel Aronholt of Caldwell County. (R) Robert Gail and Margie McDaniel Woods, Palmyra, donors: Photo reproduction of Archbishop John Lawrence May, (E); miscellaneous programs, pictures and newsletters from St. Louis area churches. (R) & (M) Ann H. Yates, Ridgecrest, California, donor: Increase in Prices: Some Descendants of David and Agnes (Hoffman) Price of 17th Century Germany, by the donor and W. Conway Price. (R)

Beyond Credibility

Kansas City Times, September 21, 1897. We are willing to believe in wireless telegraphy, in harnessing sun heat to machinery and other strange phenomena, but that story of a Kentucky colonel being found near Lexington dead from snake bite with a quart bottle of bourbon in his saddle bags we denounce as a bald and silly fake.

Apt Student

Columbia Herald-Statesman, October 2, 1924. Bilkins: (In golf club dressing room) "Well, Andy—I could tell you were a married man, even if I didn't know you were recently hitched. No longer any holes in your socks." Andy: "Yep—that's right—one of the first things Grace taught me was to mend 'em."

Against Sparing the Rod

Maysville Weekly Western Register, April 17, 1869. A young minister, whose reputation for veracity was not very good, once ventured to dif­ fer with an old doctor of divinity as to the efficacy of the use of the rod. "Why," said he, "the only time my father ever whipped me it was for telling the truth." "Well,["] retorted the doctor, "it cured you of it, didn't it?" 97 MISSOURI HISTORY IN NEWSPAPERS

Ashland Boone County Journal May 5, 1994—"Nashville celebrates 160 years," by Robert Kelly-Goss. Bloomfield Vindicator June 29, 1994—"Down memory lane . . . ," by Harold M. Street, featured the Chasteen- Street families. Blue Springs Examiner June 19, 1994—"Refurbishing a landmark: Union Station is now just a pigeon loft," by Curt Anderson. Boonville Record June 28, July 5, 1994—"Historical Footnotes: Friends of Historic Boonville," a photo series, featured respectively: the first Katy Railroad Station and the slaughterhouse east of Boonville. Bourbon Beacon May 12, 1994—"The Alexander R. Pratt Family." June 23, 30—"Ste. Genevieve in the 18th century," a two-part series. These and the arti­ cle above by Floyd Thomas Pratt. Bowling Green Times April 27, 1994—"Pike County Memories," featured the county courthouse. Branson Tri-Lakes Daily News June 20, 1994—"Vintage Views," a series, featured Waldo Powell. Camdenton Lake Sun Leader June 29, 1994—"Scenes from Neongwah," by Fern Moreland. Canton Press-News Journal June 2, 16, 30, July 21, 1994—"Yesteryears Pictures," a photo series, featured respec­ tively: the staff of the Lewis County Journal before 1927, the steamboat Flying Eagle, horse- drawn postal delivery in Benjamin and a live matinee at the Canton Theater. Carrollton Daily Democrat May 3, 1994—"A study in Negro History and its contribution." May 10—Charles C. Martin, "The life of an outstanding negro farmer." This and the above article by Hosea N. Doxey. July 12—"Tornadoes, hailstorms and windstorms in Carroll County 1917-1973." Carthage Press May 7, 1994—"Marvin VanGilder shares memories of Harry Truman," by Marvin VanGilder. Centralia Fireside Guard June 29, 1994—"The decline of Railroad Street," by Jason Callicoat. Chillicothe Constitution-Tribune June 15, 1994—Boehner building, "Part of history crumbles to memory," by Bill Plummer. Columbia Daily Tribune May 1, 15, 29, June 12, 26, July 10, 24, August 7, 1994—"Boone Country," a series by Francis Pike, featured respectively: Lewis Dumas, Columbia contractor; the Moses Barth fam­ ily; David Barton, Missouri's first senator; the Farley mausoleum in the Columbia Cemetery; 98 Missouri Historical Review the Brooks log cabin; Houdin's statue of George Washington at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, formerly at the University of Missouri-Columbia; photographs by early twentieth- century Columbia photographer, Joseph Douglass; and the "Law Barn" at the University of Missouri-Columbia. June 18—Boone County Historical "Society dedicates new gallery," by Sara Ervanian. July 7—"Answering The Call: Kansas City's oldest weekly newspaper is celebrating its 75th anniversary," by Doug Glass; "Festivals bring prosperity to north Missouri town: Bethel retains its 19th-century charm while luring about 50,000 visitors a year," by Jim Salter. Columbia Missourian April 24, 1994—"Wabash Station," Columbia. May 15—"Missouri State Teachers Association," Columbia. May 29—"Columbia Theater." July 3—"The Strollway Center." July 10—Ezekiel C. "Hickam House," in Rock Bridge Memorial State Park. July 17—"Ravenswood Mansion," south of Boonville. July 24—"Confederate Hill," Columbia. Eldon Advertiser June 9, 1994—"Railroads result in Eldon's founding and its growth in first part of centu­ ry"; "Our First 100 Years in pictures," a two-part pictorial supplement. June 16, 30, July 7, 14—"Window to the Past," a series by Peggy Smith Hake, featured respectively: the James and Elizabeth Hickman family, William Ernest Miller, the Jeremiah and Elizabeth Vernon family, a list of World War II soldiers from Miller County missing, taken prisoner or killed in action and the John and Elizabeth Jane Dickerson family. Fulton Sun April 23, June 11, July 9, 23, 1994—"Callaway Journal," a series on early Callaway County towns, featured respectively: Reform, Williamsburg, Youngers and Stephens, and New Bloomfield. April 28—"Callaway Express Travel Guide: Callawegians remember riding the rail." This and the above articles by Lee N. Godley. Goodman News Dispatch June 15, 22, 1994—"Anderson First Baptist continues 146-years of growth and progress," a two-part series by James B. Tatum. Granby Newton County News May 5, 12, 1994—"A History of the county jail, 1987-1995: Part 1—lawsuits and a bloody escape lead to a tax election" and "Part 2—The Great County Jail Marathon: how a jail got stopped in one year," by Newton Renfro. Hannibal Courier-Post December 8, 1993—"Saverton mystery is finally solved," reveals the origin of the town name, by Dorothy Eichenberger. May 18, 1994—"Missouri's culinary heritage." Hermitage Index June 23, 1994—"Hickory County History," a photo series, featured the old Victory Baptist Church. Independence Examiner June 13, 1994—"Dedicated to the Future of the Past," a monthly special page by the Jackson County Historical Society, featured the society's photo collection in Kansas City. Historical Notes and Comments 99

Ironton Mountain Echo June 1, 1994—"Arcadia Valley Bank's Sixtieth." Jamesport Tri-County Weekly June 16, 1994—"Rural Coon Creek Church Evokes Memories, Past and Present," by Kay Babb. Jefferson City Capital News July 2, 1994—"Dulle farmstead makes national historic register," by Lisa Yorkgitis. Jefferson City Catholic Missourian June 5, 1994—"St. Aloysius, Baring, note centennial."

Joplin Globe June 19, 1994—"A Little Bit About Our History . . . ," featured the history of the Joplin Globe. July 10—Cole Camp, "Town to restore historic [Fordney] school."

Kennett Daily Dunklin Democrat April 21, 1994—"Last death sentence in Dunklin County was 1937," by Bud Hunt. July 12—"City's oldest business [Riggs Hardware] recognizes its founders," by Michelle Hasberry. Keytesville Chariton Courier June 16, 1994—"Old Chariton and Keytesville," by Sarah Weaver.

Liberty Tribune-News July 13, 1994—"Log house construction provides future flexibility," by Lyn Allison Yeager. Linn Unterrified Democrat May 18, 25, June 29, 1994—"History of Osage County," a series by Hallie Mantle, fea­ tured the county's participation in the Civil War, reprinted. Maryville Daily Forum May 4, 1994—Halley Ford, "Former Nodaway County resident to celebrate 100th birth­ day," by Carolyn Elswick. Moberly Monitor-Index & Evening Democrat April 24, 1994—"First Christians Observing 125th Anniversary."

Monett Times June 22, 1994—"Local Officers Honored In State Police Memorial." June 27—"Monett's Darkest Hour: The Lynching of June 28, 1894," by Murray Bischoff.

Neosho Daily News July 13, 1994—"Scenes from the Past," a series by Lois Bush, featured the city's first motorized fire engine. Nevada Daily Mail June 17, 1994—"Thornton Building sold to local real estate agents," by Chris J. Cluck. New Haven Leader April 27, May 25, June 1, 29, July 6, 1994—"Franklin County ... the early days," a series by LeRoy Danz, featured respectively: Julian Bagby, the Confederate roster, haying, the history of the Franklin County Historical Society and summer threshing jobs. 100 Missouri Historical Review

Noel McDonald County Press April 27, 1994—Gratz-Price house, "Noel landmark damaged by fire," by Pauline Carnell. Perryville Perry County Republic-Monitor June 14, 21, 1994—"Perry County Album," a photo series, featured respectively: Farrar family home in 1838 and the 1910 Cissell-Steinbecker wedding. Piedmont Wayne County Journal-Banner May 5, 19, July 21, 1994—"Historical Wayne County," a series published in cooperation with the Wayne County Historical Society, featured respectively: Wayne Academy, the Edward P. Moss house and a log wagon. June 2—"Historic Log Cabin Needs A Home." Platte City Platte County Citizen June 15, 1994—"Bonnie and Clyde shot it out in Platte County: Video traces career of gangsters including visit to Platte City," by Steve Smith. Portageville Missourian-Review July 7, 1994—"Early days in Conran remembered," by Deanna Pikey. Rich Hill Mining Review April 28, May 5, 1994—"A brush with the past. . . Brush College," a two-part series by Rhoda Goodenough. Rolla Daily News May 22, 1994—"Portrait of Gov. John S. Phelps to be part of Courthouse dedication." St. Joseph News-Press April 29, May 27, June 24, 1994—"Young at Heart," a special section, featured articles on history with accompanying photographs. St. Joseph Telegraph June 2, 1994—"Benton Club plans for future." St. Louis Post-Dispatch May 1, 1994—"The Puck Stops There: Blues Leave Behind 27 Years Of Memories On Oakland Avenue," by Dave Dorr. May 22—"Union Station Steams Into Its Second Century," by Sue Ann Wood. July 3—"The Games of 1904," a special supplement featuring the Olympic Games held in St. Louis in conjunction with the World's Fair. St. Louis Review May 13, 1994—"St. Rita In Vinita Park Began As Mission On Acre Of Farmland." Sedalia Democrat July 3, 1994—Suspension "Bridge may be at end of the road: Unique river span closed after flood," by John Reidy. Seymour Webster County Citizen May 25, 1994—Love Ridge Farm, "Home survives, but town of Waldo didn't," by Patty Fox. Southwest City Republic July 27, 1994—"The Civil War in Southwest Missouri and Northwest Arkansas," by Pauline Carnell. * Springfield Daily Events May 9, 11, 17, 24, 31, June 3, 9, 22, 1994—"Tales of History," a series by Tom Ladwig.

^Indicates newspapers not received by the State Historical Society. Historical Notes and Comments 101

Stockton Cedar County Republican May 4, 1994—"A historic symbol: On October 28, 1934, the native 'cotton rock' memo­ rial building was formally dedicated," by Jean Swaim. Stover Morgan County Press July 13, 1994—"Pictorial History of Morgan County," a special supplement. Tipton Times July 21, 1994—"A Pictorial History of Tipton & Her Neighbors," a two-part supplement. Troy Free Press May 4, 25, June 22, July 20, 1994—"Lincoln County Recollections," a series by Charles R. Williams, featured respectively: the Short Line Railroad, Linahan Lodge, the Trails Inn House and the forts of Lincoln County. Troy Lincoln County Journal May 17, 1994—Old Alexandria United Methodist Church, "Milestone: 150 years of worship." Tuscumbia Miller County Autogram-Sentinel May 5, 1994—"Window to the Past," a series by Peggy Smith Hake, featured the Solomon and Mary Ellen (Bourne) Keeth family. Union Franklin County Tribune May 25, June 29, July 13, 20, 1994—"Franklin County ... the early days," a series by LeRoy Danz, featured respectively: Franklin County Confederate soldiers, the original Franklin County Historical Society Newsletter of 1970, mortgage research at the historical society museum and recent acquisitions of the museum. Unionville Republican June 8, 1994—"The Putnam County Journal," a series by James Hart, featured Mendota. Washington Missourian June 1, 1994—"Washington Became Third Class City 100 Years Ago," by Ralph Gregory; "Shoe Factory Named to National Register: International Shoe Changed the Fate of St. Clair," by Suzanne Hill. June 15—"Rep. Volkmer's Remarks About Rose Hill Baptist Church Inserted in Congressional Record: Villa Ridge Church Is 100 Years Old." June 19—"150 Years of God's Goodness: New Port Presbyterian Church to celebrate sesquicentennial," by Suzanne Hill; "The Old Race Track And the Races on It," by Ralph Gregory. Waynesville Daily Guide July 10, 1994—"The Old Stagecoach Stop Lives On," by Charity Holland. Webb City Sentinel May 13, 20, 24, 1994—"Ancestors, Legends & Time," a series by Jeanne Newby, fea­ tured respectively: two articles on Bruner's Pharmacy and Bonham M. Chancellor. 102 MISSOURI HISTORY IN MAGAZINES

All Aboard, Frisco Railroad Museum January-February, 1994: "Frisco's Executive Fleet: Springfield." American Heritage July/August, 1994: "City Station," St. Louis Union Station celebrates one hundredth anniversary. Area Footprints, Genealogical Society of Butler County May, 1994: "The Jacob Kelley Family of Southeast Missouri" and "Religion Comes to Ripley County," by Jerry Ponder; "Timber, Civil War Played Vital Roles in Ripley Co.," by Michelle Friedrich. The Bluebird, Audubon Society of Missouri June, 1994: "Journal of an Exploration of Western Missouri in 1854, Under the Auspices of the Smithsonian Institution," by P. R. Hoy. Boone-Duden Historical Society Newsletter May/June, 1994: "Pauldingville," by Lucille Wiechens. Boonslick Heritage, Boonslick Historical Society June, 1994: "Hickman House"; "Hardeman's Garden"; "Forts Hempstead, Kincaid, and Head," by Robert L. Dyer; "Boon's Lick Sketches" and "Uncle Sam Cole," reprinted. The Border Star, Civil War Roundtable of Western Missouri May, 1994: "The Capture Of The Missouri Swamp Fox," General M. Jeff Thompson, by Ed Harris. June, 1994: Civil War "Trenches Marked at William Jewell," by Fred George. The Bushwhacker, Civil War Round Table of St. Louis May 25, 1994: "The War in Missouri (continued)"; "The Battle of Blue Springs—A Matter of Perspective (continued)." Bushwhacker Musings, Vernon County Historical Society July 1, 1994: "The Old Vernon County Fair," by Harold Gray; "The Paxton-Quigg Feud," by Jim Prine; "S. H. Kress In 1929-1932," by Kathryn Bass; "Vernon County's Burial Places: Hackleberry Cemetery," by Mr. and Mrs. Richard Dirks. Christian County Historian Spring/Summer, 1994: "Life in Rogersville and A Frightening Afternoon," by Norma Stewart Maples; "The Soldiers of the 24th Missouri Volunteer Infantry Buried in Christian County, Missouri," (Part III), by J. Randall Houp; "The Kentlings of Highlandville: How events in Europe and Mexico brought settlers to Christian County," by Gene Geer. The Clay County MOsaic, Clay County Archives & Historical Library April, May, June, 1994: "Travelers Up The Missouri River Before 1820," by Evelyn Petty. Collage Of Cape County, Cape Girardeau County Genealogical Society June, 1994: "Old Lorimier Cemetery"; "Blumenberg Family of Commerce, Mo.," by Dawn Detring. Conestoga Newsletter, Joplin Genealogy Society June, 1994: "Redings Mill," by Dwaine Brixey. DeKalb County Heritage April, 1994: "Stewartsville Bank Robbed Of $4,000—Daylight Holdup May Have Been Historical Notes and Comments 103

Work Of St. Joseph Youths—Citizens Gave Chase," reprinted. July, 1994: "Historical Sketches of Maysville Citizens," by Edward H. Johnson. Diggin' History, Andrew County Historical Society Spring, 1994: "Civil War In Andrew County: How The Civil War Affected Our Community," reprinted. The Egregious Steamboat Journal January /February, 1994: Theodore "Roosevelt Comes West," including his stops in St. Louis on October 2, 1907, and New Madrid on October 3, 1907. Essayons, Fort Leonard Wood May 26, 1994: Forces "Clash at Pea Ridge" for control of Missouri during the Civil War, by Mark Gahman. The Flyer, Smoky Hill Railway & Museum Association May, 1994: "Making Tracks," repairing sinking tracks in Belton. Friends of Arrow Rock Spring, 1994: "John Sappington: Southern Patriarch in the New West," by Lynn Morrow; "1872 Christian Church, Main Street, Arrow Rock," by Bill Lovin. Friends of J. B., Friends of Jefferson Barracks July-September, 1994: "History of The 9th & 10th Army Air Force Bands At Jefferson Barracks." Gasconade County Historical Society Newsletter Summer, 1994: "Melody in the Ozarks," (continued), by Dorothy Heckmann Shrader. Gateway Heritage, Missouri Historical Society Spring, 1994: "Scott Joplin and Sedalia: The King of Ragtime in the Queen City of Missouri," by Susan Curtis; "Giving Voters a Voice: The Struggle for Initiative and Referendum in Missouri," by Steven Piott; "Reconstructing Emancipation's Martyr: John C. Fremont and the Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War," by Bruce Tap; " 'Sunbeam Art': The Daguerreotypes of Thomas M. Easterly," by Dolores Kilgo. Glendale Historical Society Bulletin June, 1994: "A Nostalgic Pictorial Tour of Old Glendale: Part II," by R. T. Bamber; "Glendale's Al Reisenleiter," by Roseann Kemper and Donna Lykens. Grandview Historical Society News April, 1994: "Archaeological Research At A Prehistoric Site Near Martin City: A Preliminary Report," by Jim D. Feagins. Grundy Gleanings Summer, 1994: "The Harry Hendrickson Family of Grundy County," by Shyla Hamilton; "General Enoch Crowder And The Selective Service System." Guide To Springfield 1994: "Springfield's Governance Adjusts with the Times," "Springfield Has Been College Town Since Days of Classical Academies" and "Springfieldians Are Asking: When's The Next Tornado?" above articles by Robert C. Glazier; "Library System Grows as Springfield Grows!" by Jack A. Jillson; "Industrial Development Looks Back on Short History In Queen City of the Ozarks"; "The 1953 Cobra Season in the Queen City," by Robert H. Gibbons; "From Burge Deaconess Hospital To Lester E. Cox Health Systems," by Jack A. Jillson; "Little Theatre Returns Landers Theatre to Its Original Mission," by Gerald McCann, Jr.; "For a Young Town, Springfield's Historic Structures Are Scarce," by Robert C. Glazier. 104 Missouri Historical Review

The Happenings, Pony Express National Memorial May/June, 1994: "Mr. 'Bobidoux' - Who Are You? Where Were You?" The Herald, Grand River Historical Society and Museum July, 1994: "History of Sturges." Historic Preservation July/August, 1994: "Deliverance," Ste. Genevieve and the flood of 1993, by Andrea Oppenheimer Dean. Historical Society News, Stone County Historical Society July, 1994: "Christian Church" in Galena. Hoseline History, Harry S Truman Independence 76 Fire Company June, 1994: "The Story of Old Engine No. 1." July, 1994: "Wellington's First Truck With Pumper Returned"; "Historical Perspectives," by Jerry L. Hall. Jackson County Historical Society Journal Summer, 1994: "Adams Dairy: Family Recounts History," by Joel Francis; "Chautauqua Part of Independence History," by Jennifer Cessor. Journal of Douglas County, Missouri December, 1993: "Dedication: Annie Agnes Mick Barker, Centenarian," by Paul Omer Barker, Delta Joy Barker Bement and David William Barker; "Long Time Ago—Part Two: Ferrell Lineage," by Juanita Swearingen (Brown) Sheets; "Looking Back at Brushy Knob," reprinted; "Mabel Mitchell, Our Friend," by Sharon Sanders; "The Sales of Cal Neiman, Auctioneer," by Nina Spurrier Carter; "Anchor School," by Esther Kelley Dye; "Civilian Conservation Corps," by Eula Mitchell Dunnegan. May, 1994: "St. James School 1916," by Jeanne Pugh Nelson; "Frank J. Northrup: Merchant & Father," by Josephine Northrup Smith, Lawrence Paugh and Virginia Russell; "Thomas Colburn Family," by Harry Lambert Colburn; "History of the Dogwood Community," by Marvin E. Painter; "Dr. C. E. Harlan," by Rosemary (Harlan) Welchel and Jackie Harlan; "The Battles of Vera Cruz: Nov. 7, 1862-Nov. 3, 1864," by Jack C. Vineyard; "Death On The Dark River: The Story Of The Sultana—1865," reprinted; "Breathin Sprang (Meyers Cave)," by Janiece Moore; "C.C.C.'s Remembered," the Civilian Conservation Corps, by Hurse Smith. Journal of the West July, 1994: "Army General Orders Number 11: Final Valid Option or Wanton Act of Brutality? The Missouri Question in the American Civil War," by Paul B. Hatley and Noor Ampssler. Kansas City Genealogist Spring, 1994: "Explosion of the Steamship Saluda," by Annette Curtis; "Gone But Not Forgotten: Edward H. Allen, Mayor of Kansas City in 1867"; "John Harris Behan of Westport & Tombstone, Arizona Territory," by Fred L. Lee. Kirkwood Historical Review March, 1994: "History of the Kirkwood Masonic Lodge," by Warren F. Drescher, Jr. The Knox Countian, Knox County, Kentucky, Historical Museum Spring, 1994: "Silas Woodson, Governor of Missouri," by Charles Reed Mitchell. Landmarks Letter, Landmarks Association of St. Louis July/August, 1994: "Philanthropist Nathan Frank: The Forest Park Bandstand Symbolizes His Contributions To St. Louis." Historical Notes and Comments 105

Lawrence County Historical Society Bulletin July, 1994: "Organized As Pleasant Hill: The McKinley Christian Church," by Tom Lawing; "Berry Cemetery Brings History To Light," reprinted. Member Contact, Boone Electric Cooperative May, 1994: "Little Bonne Femme Baptist Church—A 'Little' Church With A 'Big' History," by Vicki Barton. Mid-Missouri Black Watch June, July, August, 1994: At 96, Julia Christina Digges Richards is "A Monument To History." Midwest Motorist May/June 1994: "All Aboard! Pull into St. Louis Union Station for 100th anniversary celebration," by Dennis R. Heinze. Missouri Archaeological Society Quarterly April-June 1994: "Analysis of Human Skeletal Remains from the King Hill Oneota Site (23BN1)," by Joseph A. Vradenburg and R. Eric Hollinger. Missouri State Old Time Fiddlers Association Quarterly Spring, 1994: "Henry Taylor: A Fiddle Champ from Yesteryear," by Charlie Walden. New Horizons, Missouri School of Religion Summer, 1994: "Voices From MSR's Past." Newsletter, Boone County Historical Society June-July, 1994: "Historical Highlights: The Great Flood of 1844," reprinted. Newsletter, Cass County Historical Society June, 1994: "History of Belton," by Tom Keeney, Jr. Newsletter, Osage County Historical Society April, 1994: "Buckendorf School—No. 31." May, 1994: "Post Oak School—No. 57." June, 1994: "Plattner School—An Update"; "Forest Grove School—No. 33." July, 1994: "Victor School—No. 55"; "A Wagon's Tale," by Elvin Clark. Newsletter, Washington County Historical Society June, 1994: "Social Life in the Early 1900s." Newton County Roots, Genealogy Friends of the Library June, 1994: "Wentworth, Mo." Newton County Saga Summer, 1994: "The Speakman House, continued"; "Neosho—1893, continued," by Percy R. Smith. Northwest Missouri Genealogical Society Journal April, 1994: "Facts About St. Joseph History: Churches." Old Mill Run, Ozark County Genealogical and Historical Society April, 1994: "Mt. Pleasant School (Hog Danger)"; "Alton and Ella (Routh) Martin Family," by Marilyn Tilley; "Nancy Jane (Lough) Morrison," by Gloria (Shipp) Frazier. July, 1994: "Thrasher Rock" used to separate grain before machines were available, by Dean Wallace; "Howard Family Has Long History," by Charles Howard. Our Clay Heritage Third Quarter, 1994: "The Future of the Past: The Pharis Farm." 106 Missouri Historical Review

Ozar'kin, Ozarks Genealogical Society Summer, 1994: "The James Cook Family: from Kentucky to Missouri in 1837," by Bill and Vera Wood; "Antebellum Disciples of Christ in Southwest Missouri," by George T. Harper. Ozarks Mountaineer June, 1994: "The Ozarks Then & Now," by Russell Hively; "Alley Mill's 100th Birthday Is This Summer" and "Alley Spring: A Century of Milling; A Millennium of Meetings," by Bill O'Donnell; "At College of the Ozarks . . . Elsa Freund's World-Renowned Creations On Display Through July," by Jeanelle Duzenberry; "Hotel's Historical Past Revived," by Bonnie J. Collier; "The Frisco Museum: Holding a Family Together," "Two Determined Freight Lines Ply Historic Rails of the Ozarks," "The Sad Saga Of The Original M&NA" and "The ES&NA Keeps The Steam Era Alive," four previous articles by Gerald W. Dupy; "The Branson Scenic Railway: Crawling For Now, But What A Future Ahead!" by Leon Fredreck and Gerald W. Dupy; "An Eventful Ride On The First Through Trains of the White River Line" and "What's In A Railroad Tunnel?" by Kathleen Van Buskirk; "A White River Railway Veteran Recalls The Line's Early Years," by W. M. "Mike" Adams; Barbara Carnes Pulliam, "The One and Only Flower Girl of the Missouri Pacific," by Claudia Mundell; "A Deadly Day In The Ozarks Ends A Railroad's Drive To The Pacific," by Steven C. Parsons. Perry County Heritage Vol. 11, Numbers 3 & 4, 1993: "The Boehme Store Building," by Dora Kieninger; "Wittenberg, A Vanishing River Town"; "Undertaking in Perryville"; "Young and Sons: 75 Years of Service, Part II"; "Zoellner-Young Und. Co. Buy Funeral Home." Vol. 12, Number 1, 1994: "Mary Ann Layton: Perry County's First Nun," by Barbara West; "Father Heimann: Early Priest of Apple Creek," by Carrol Geerling; "Wittenberg: 1916- 1918." Phelps County Genealogical Society Quarterly April, 1994: "Hugh Densmore Crumpler, 1894-1969: Rolla Merchant, Civic Leader, and Conservationist," by Hugh Allan Crumpler; "Newburg Cemetery—Long Ago" and "Newburg's Big Flood," by Zoe Tankersley McKessy. July, 1994: "Phelps County Financial Statement, 1901." Pitch Weekly May 19-25, 1994: In Kansas City "The Black Archives is Again Finding Itself, and Success," by Anita J. Dixon. Pop Flies, St. Louis Browns Fan Club July, 1994: "Browns Relive That Special Summer of '44," by Tom Wheatley. Preservation Issues, Missouri Department of Natural Resources May/June, 1994: "The School House B&B," a bed and breakfast in the former Rocheport school, by Karen Grace. Randolph County Historical Report April/May/June, 1994: "Pioneer Randolph County, Part II: 1812-1821." The Record, Friends of the Missouri State Archives Spring, 1994: St. Louis's Wainwright Building, "Architecture Scales New Heights," by Kevin Miller; "The Legacies of Conflict in Missouri Land Grants," by Jeff Patridge. Resume, Historical Society of Polk County May, 1994: "Civil War Days." July, 1994: "Flemington" and "James G. Human: Founder of Humansville, Missouri." Historical Notes and Comments 107

Rural Missouri June, 1994: John and Preston Williams, "They Keep the Old Wheels Rolling," by Jim McCarty.

St. Charles Heritage July, 1994: "Home-Town Hero: Jerome Buschmann and World War I," by Michael Porter; "In Memory of Those Who Served: Homecoming for the Veterans of the Great War," by Leah Ostler; "Eudora Marsh: WWI Battlefield Nurse," by Anne Roussel; "The St. Charles County Chapter of the American Red Cross: Then and Now," by Kim Oelschlaeger; "Amber Waves of Grain: St. Charles County Farmers During World War I," by Brian Brewer; '"Have You Bought 'Till It Hurts?' Support for World War I in St. Charles County," by Gary McKiddy; "World War I—Mending the Aftermath: Buddy Poppy Sales in St. Charles," by Holly Dina.

St. Louis Commerce May, 1994: "Dr. Robert R. Archibald: President, Missouri Historical Society."

School & Community, Missouri State Teachers Association Summer, 1994: "40 Years After" Brown v. the Board of Education and desegregation in St. Louis and Kansas City, by Anna Hannock.

The Semaphore, Winston Historical Society July, 1994: "As I Understand It," the James gang train robbery at Winston, by Virgil Julian; "John Reno, robber"; "Jesse protests too much."

Sentimental Journey, Kennett High School Class of 1945 Summer, 1994: "Class of 1943 Made in 1936"; "First Brick School Building In Kennett, Built In 1891," reprinted.

Springfield! Magazine June, 1994: "Pumpin' Cheap Gas In the Queen City of the Ozarks, Part XI," by Paul J. Williams; "Ronny Wade: Retiring Disney Principal Will Miss the Kids & Parents," by Donna Overstreet; "King's Way Church Turns 40!" by Pat Simmons; "They Married Young: Grace & Harry Sparks," by Charlene Purvis; "Robert H. Spence: 20 Years at Helm of Evangel College (Part III)," by Shirley Shedd; "Cavalcade of Homes: Part 60—The McCarty House," by Mabel Carver Taylor; "The Ozark Jubilee Saga," by Reta Spears-Stewart. July, 1994: "Cavalcade of Homes: Part 61—The Reed-Fair House," by Mabel Carver Taylor; "The Ozark Jubilee Saga, Part I," by Reta Spears-Stewart; "Queen City One," steam- powered water pumper, by Carolyn Krause; "70 Years Serving City: Mary Beth and Ed Forrest Williams," by Charlene Purvis; "Pumpin' Cheap Gas In the Queen City of the Ozarks, Part XII," by Paul J. Williams. August, 1994: "Cavalcade of Homes: Part 62—The Klingner House," by Mabel Carver Taylor; "The Ozark Jubilee Saga: Willis Brothers (Part II)," by Reta Spears-Stewart; "Pumpin' Cheap Gas In the Queen City of the Ozarks, Part XIII," by Paul J. Williams; "School Spirits," memories of Tefft School, by Mary Grandstaff.

Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis Historical and Technical Society Newsletter Issues 27-28, 1994: Entire issue devoted to articles on St. Louis Union Station history.

The Twainian June 30, 1994: "Out on a Limb with Deadwood Dick: A Possible Source for Huckleberry Finn," by Gary P. Henrickson. 108 Missouri Historical Review

The Waybill, Mid-Missouri Railfans May, 1994: "Early Days Of The Wabash In Boone County, Missouri: Notes From The Nineties—Part I: Hazards & Wrecks." June, 1994: "Early Days Of The Wabash in Boone County, Missouri: Notes From The Nineties—Part II: Brats, Big Bugs, Bulls, Burning Bacon & Burglars." This and the above article abstracted by Alden Redfield. July & August, 1994: "Railroading To Union Station In Kansas City," by Anna Jean See; "Early Days Of The Wabash In Boone County, Missouri, The 1900s: A Whole New Ball Game! Part I," abstracted by Alden Redfield.

Whistle Stop, Harry S. Truman Library Institute Volume 23, Number 2, 1994: "The Uphill Climb: Women in the Truman Administration," by Lenore Bradley.

White River Valley Historical Quarterly Spring, 1994: "Forsyth, July 1861"; "One week in Cassville during the Civil War," by Emory Melton; "The Springfield-Harrison Road," by Richard Prather.

Speechless

Columbia Herald-Statesman, November 6, 1924. Father: "You heard me when I called you this morning?" Son: "Yes'ir!" Father: "Then why didn't you answer?" Son: "Well, sir, I couldn't think of a thing to say."

One Girl's Wish

Columbia Herald-Statesman, November 13, 1924. "Dear Lord—I ask for nothing for myself—but please, Lord, please give my mother a son-in-law."

A Cat Tale

Hannibal Daily True American, May 23, 1856. Some men are like cats. You may stroke their fur for years, and hear nothing but purring; but accidentally tread on the tail, and all memory of former kindness is obliterated.

Variation on a Theme

Knob Noster Gem, August 30, 1878. Politeness forbids looking a gift apple in the wormhole. 109 IN MEMORIAM

LEONA S. MORRIS Workshop, a student thespian organization Leona S. Morris, a staff member of the that included his most famous student, State Historical Society of Missouri for over George C. Scott. In 1938 he received his twenty-four years, died in Columbia on June master's degree from Yale University; he 4, 1994. The daughter of Adrian and Mary was promoted to a full professorship at MU Graves Lunceford, she was born in Jackson in 1945. Rhynsburger helped design the uni­ County, Missouri, on October 2, 1946. versity's Fine Arts building, which was Morris was a graduate of Central Methodist erected in 1960, and later, in 1983, the build­ College, Fayette. She married Raymond ing's University Theater was renamed in his Morris, Sr., on July 7, 1972. honor. An information specialist at the Society, Rhynsburger is survived by his wife; a Morris worked with compiling and editing daughter, Donia Scholer, of Denver; a sister, the Missouri Historical Review and acted as Jayne Apperson, of Salt Lake City; six a liaison with the local historical societies grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. around the state. Active in many organiza­ tions in Columbia, she was president of the W. TOWNSEND GODSEY Evening Lion's Club and American Legion W. Townsend Godsey, photographer, Post 202 Auxiliary, chaplain in the Rebekah writer and teacher, died May 18, 1994, in Lodge, a past president and former woman Branson at the age of 89. Born in Maryville, of the year of the Show-Me State Chapter, Missouri, on March 21, 1905, Godsey is best American Business Women's Association, a known for his work as a photoanthologist of former trustee of the Daniel Boone Regional the Ozark region. With his wife, Helen Library Board and an active member of the Miller Godsey, he authored numerous photo­ Dripping Springs Christian Church. graphic essays and articles, plays and books, Morris is survived by her husband; her including Ozark Mountain Folks: These mother, Mary Fields, of Richmond; one sis­ Were the Last (1977), a photographic essay ter, Lucinda Dennis, of Lawson; a grand­ on the fast-disappearing culture of the twen­ father, Gerald Graves, of Lancaster; three tieth-century descendants of the Ozark hills stepsons and three stepdaughters. settlers. Godsey began his journalistic career as a DONOVAN RHYNSBURGER stringer for Kansas City and St. Joseph Donovan Rhynsburger, a former chair­ newspapers while studying at Northwest man of the department of speech and dra­ Missouri State College and later became matic arts at the University of Missouri- part-owner and editor of the King City Columbia and a life member of the Society, Chronicle. In 1929 Governor Henry died August 4, 1994, in Columbia. Born Caulfield appointed him information and April 15, 1903, in Telia, Iowa, to Harvey and education director to the newly established Iona Rhynsburger, he married his wife, Conservation Commission where Godsey Peggy, on August 12, 1931, in Kansas City. founded and edited the first issues of the Rhynsburger received his bachelor's Missouri Conservationist in 1938. During degree from the University of Iowa in 1925 his tenure with the Fish and Game De­ and began teaching speech and drama at the partment, he also founded the Missouri University of Missouri-Columbia. To over­ Nature Knights, a conservation education come a lack of facilities for summer produc­ program for children. tions at the university, he created the Godsey earned his bachelor's degree Starlight Theater on the roof of the education from Central Missouri State College and building. He also formed the Missouri received his master's degree from the H. H. 110 Missouri Historical Review

Herbert School of Journalism at the JONES, DR. JOHN PAUL, Athens, Tenne­ University of Oklahoma. In the 1940s he ssee: Died April 15, 1994. taught classes in photography at Stephens LYLE, EDWARD F., Kansas City: College in Columbia and at the Fred Archer March 29, 1904-February 8, 1993. School of Photography in Los Angeles. MCGRATH, MRS. EARL P., Fulton: Godsey also taught photography and created March 9, 1902-July 4, 1994. the mass media department at the School of METCALFE, DR. WILLIAM K., Cedar the Ozarks in Point Lookout, where he Falls, Iowa: October 21, 1917-June 11, 1994. served as vice president in charge of public ROLLINS, JAMES S., JR., Columbia: information from 1965 to 1981. June 12, 1924-March 12, 1994. Godsey is survived by his wife; one broth­ RUSSELL, BOBBIE B., Rocheport: er, Edward, of Jefferson City; a son, Bill, of May 23, 1908-April 6, 1994. Branson; two daughters, Maryia Helen SAUNDERS, WILLIAM, Dallas, Texas: (Pidge) Land, of Branson, and Docia Kathryn December 11, 1933-January 12, 1993. (Katye) Elsea, of Marshall; sixteen grandchil­ SCHWIER, DR. J. F, St. Louis: dren and twelve great-grandchildren. July 25, 1922-June23, 1994. SPIELMAN, H. RUSSELL, Morton Grove, BURGESS, EVELINE A., Independence: Illinois: September 20, 1919-August 16, March 13, 1918-June5, 1993. 1993. COVINGTON, JOE E., Columbia: SULLIVAN, JAMES H., Piano, Texas: Died September 27, 1993. December 9, 1925-October 9, 1993. CRANE, DARREL, Shawnee Mission, VAN PETTEN, E. J., Colorado Springs, Kansas: February 6, 1933-March 21, 1994. Colorado: April 18, 1908-October, 10, 1993. HARRIS, LAURA STEPHENS, Columbia: WALTHALL, DR. DAVID B., JR., Columbia: July 23, 1903-December 19, 1992. November 18, 1902-April 8, 1994. Ill BOOK REVIEWS

Exploring Missouri's Legacy: State Parks and Historic Sites. Edited by Susan Flader (Columbia: University of Missouri Press, 1992). xiv + 352 pp. Illustrations. Map. Bibliographic essay. Index. $29.95.

As an enthusiastic traveler of Missouri's back roads and an ofttimes vis­ itor to many of the state's parks, this reviewer found reading Exploring Missouri's Legacy a superb way to revisit sites previously toured and to plan upcoming weekend and day trips. In the volume the editor and essayists determined "to explore each of Missouri's parks and historic sites, and to capture its essence in words and in photographic images" (p. x). Beyond this, they examined the objectives of supporters of individual units at the time of establishment and how views and uses of the parks and historic sites have evolved since then. The focus of the book is on the "natural and cultural resources and related recreational values" of the parks "that have given the units statewide or even national significance and led to their inclusion in the system" (p. x). In examining these resources, the essayists and photographers have empha­ sized the diversity to be found among the parks and historic sites. Diversity in natural landscapes, the historic events or persons commemorated and recreational opportunities assures that the park system will appeal to a broad cross section of the populace. The authors believe that Missouri's park sys­ tem is more comprehensive than most and also broadly reflective of the state's natural and cultural heritage. Through this book they hope to con­ tribute to a better public understanding of the system and how individual units promote and complement that system. The authors briefly recount the history of the public parks movement within the state and nation. From the first donations and purchases in 1924, the Missouri park system has evolved and grown until, at the time of Exploring Missouri's Legacy's publication, it comprised seventy-five units totaling over 120,000 acres. Included in the abbreviated discussion of the system's history are sections detailing the impact of the Great Depression, World War II and the postwar concerns with recreation and conservation. The bulk of the volume is devoted to essays on individual parks and historic sites. Dividing the state into six natural divisions, the authors pref­ ace the narratives on the parks in each division with a short description of the region as a whole. This organizational structure works well, and a com­ prehensive index guides readers easily to information about any park or site. Each essay focuses on the natural and cultural resources found in a unit and briefly chronicles its history and growth, including changes in interpretation and ongoing efforts to reestablish the original habitat found in many areas. Exploring Missouri's Legacy is an exquisitely illustrated, well-written 112 Missouri Historical Review volume that adds considerably to the literature of park and state history. An extensive bibliographical essay points readers to further sources on such topics as park planning, archaeology and regional history, Missouri's natural history and individual parks and historic sites. The essayists, R. Roger Pryor, John A. Karel, Charles Callison and Susan Flader, have long been involved in conservation and environmental activities, and each possesses a wide-ranging understanding of the state's natural resources. They have not provided a guidebook to Missouri's park system that will become quickly dated; rather, they have produced a volume tracing the history and evolution of the state's public parks that will engage and inform readers for years to come. State Historical Society of Missouri Lynn Wolf Gentzler

The Letters of Jessie Benton Fremont. Edited by Pamela Herr and Mary Lee Spence (Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1993). xxxvi + 595 pp. Illustrations. Notes. Bibliography. Index. $39.95. This carefully edited volume reflects the career of an unusually talented and ambitious woman. Jessie Benton Fremont apparently was the favorite child of Thomas Hart Benton, the energetic senator from Missouri, and enjoyed the delights of growing up in the excitement of Washington during the years when, she recalled, "We had three homes": in the national capital, in St. Louis—but they seldom traveled to that distant city—and the favorite place where her grandfather lived in Virginia. From the first letter in the work, writ­ ten to her aunt in 1839, until the last item, a sad note in 1902 to an old friend in St. Louis, this tireless woman's career spanned politics, war, western expan­ sion, women's rights and many other vital and interesting topics. Jessie Benton Fremont lived in the midst of events that mattered to the nation and the place of leadership in America. Always brilliant intellectual­ ly and tireless in her ambitions, she dreamed of making John Charles Fremont, the dashing young engineer officer whom she married secretly in 1841, the president of the United States. The letters clearly, accurately and thoroughly presented in this volume reflect the role that this beautiful and bold woman played in her husband's military and political career. She drafted his reports and memoirs, assisted in his business life and wrote a number of books and articles to increase family income. The 271 items in this collection are annotated with discreet attention to detail for use by scholar and novice alike. They are highly useful to anyone interested in the details of the nineteenth-century frontier, sectional conflict and an indefatigable woman's efforts to find her role in public and private life. There are approximately equal numbers of documents from the frontier expansion years before the Civil War, the sectional conflict itself and the postwar decades when the family fortunes declined. Throughout the Book Reviews 113 decades Fremont remained busy both in public appearances and in print. In all of her writing, Fremont was concerned with family, friends and political and business associates, but most constantly with her husband's career and place in history. From the first letter to him in this volume, writ­ ten from Washington City in 1846 to introduce "A Mr. Magoffin" who was to "be at Bent's Fort a month from tomorrow" and thus lead the American troop movements beyond the Rio Grande, until her last note to him in 1890 conveying her sadness in not being with him, Jessie was relentless in her role as aide, comforter and advisor. Almost one-fourth of the documents were addressed to Elizabeth Blair Lee, daughter of political ally Francis Preston Blair and dearest personal friend until the sectional conflict divided their loyalties. In preparing this fine work, the editors located more than eight hundred letters from Fremont but also learned that many burned in an 1855 fire at her father's home and others were lost during family moves or destroyed by daughter Lily so they would not fall into the "wrong hands." These pages reflect such splendid work, careful scholarship and the editors' unyielding dedication to their task that the subject of this work might well have expressed to them the same compliment she forwarded in 1903 to John B. Cotton: "You are very kind to take so much trouble for me and I feel it." University of Missouri-Columbia Haskell Monroe

The Missouri Supreme Court: From Dred Scott to Nancy Cruzan. By Gerald T. Dunne (Columbia: University of Missouri Press, 1993). xi + 222 pp. Illustrations. Appendix. Bibliography. Index. $34.95. A history of the Missouri Supreme Court is finally available in these schol­ arly vignettes grouped by historical period. Sponsored by the Supreme Court of Missouri Historical Society, researched and written by legal scholar Gerald Dunne of the St. Louis University School of Law (most famous for his biography of Justice Hugo Black of the United States Supreme Court), this work will enter­ tain and instruct both the connoisseur of Missouriana and the professional histori­ an. Dunne embellishes the vignettes with detailed legal lore in danger of being lost for want of being printed in book form. Dunne combines the institutional history of the state supreme court with the history of significant instate and national legal developments. Thus, short chapters treat early difficulties with state monetary issues, confusions with land titles due to earlier legal regimes, admiralty law, women's rights (suffrage), workmen's compensation, insurance rate litigation, civil rights and the shift to comparative negligence. Each legal topic is both an artful and a representative choice for its era. Readers will find most coverage understandable; only occasionally does the author's elegant style stray from conveying key points to the non-lawyer. Dunne relates the court's history 114 Missouri Historical Review by focusing on particular formative events. Among them are the establish­ ment of the court (along with its first judges), shifts in the late 1840s toward limited judicial terms and then the adoption of election; the Civil War and post- Civil War crises that reconstituted its membership; the development of the regional courts of appeals and of divisions of the supreme court to handle the immense workload in the period 1875-1890; the development of the commis­ sioner system for the same reasons; a hotly contested primary election of 1938 for a seat on the court; and the adoption of the Missouri nonpartisan court plan in 1940. Particularly valuable are Dunne's discussions of the commissioner system, highlighting the true contribution to Missouri law of these often unher­ alded experts (whose work on some monster lawsuits and other significant ser­ vice to the state judicial system would otherwise be forgotten) and the events surrounding the adoption of the Missouri plan in 1940, including colorful details not available in the authoritative work most often cited. He provides a definitive listing of the judges of the supreme court (correcting errors in the State Manual version) and of its commissioners. In several later chapters Dunne gives an ambivalent evaluation of the state high bench's record on judicial activism versus restraint. He finds it not to have been a policy-making bench in general and shows how certain shifts in tort liability were quite late to blossom in Missouri, yet he finds that historical­ ly it has taken definitive steps in the areas of attorney organization and court administration. Dunne is unfavorable to judicial activism, terming it the "lep­ rosy of the bench"; however, the instances of judicial activism he finds in the Missouri Supreme Court's record are innocuous compared to the policy-mak­ ing decisions of other state supreme courts. This book is not the comprehensive or analytic study of overall judicial staffing, appointment politics, definitive decision-making eras and/or fit into the state's political culture that one finds in Thomas R. Morris's The Virginia Supreme Court or in Charles H. Sheldon's The Washington High Bench or in his A Century of Judging: A Political History of the Washington Supreme Court. Nor does it present the comparative perspective given in Alan Tarr and Mary C. A. Porter's State Supreme Courts in State and Nation. But its contri­ bution is to begin to understand our own state supreme court and to preserve some of the knowledge about it that would otherwise be lost to posterity. Others will be able to build on Dunne's foundation. University of Missouri-Columbia Greg Casey

George Caleb Bingham. By Michael Edward Shapiro (New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 1993). 159 pp. Illustrations. Selected bibliography. Index. $39.95. Michael Shapiro's engaging and handsome effort is far more than a cof­ fee-table picture book. Serendipitous circumstances brought the author to his curatorship at the St. Louis Art Museum with its wonderful Bingham Book Reviews 115 collection. In 1990 Shapiro researched and organized the retrospective exhibi­ tions shared with the National Gallery of Art. The show's catalogue was the genesis of this publication. George Caleb Bingham offers a significant contribution to an updated understanding of the artist. It was formulated upon the achievements of E. Maurice Bloch and a score of other Bingham scholars. Shapiro's primary sources include the artist's own lecture notes and the bountiful collection of let­ ters from George Caleb Bingham to James S. Rollins at the State Historical Society of Missouri. Shapiro, however, also brought together fresh advances in Bingham scholarship. One must appreciate the exceptionally generous use of quality reproductions. The author's insight and knowledge of the forces that shaped Bingham, the man and the artist, are compellingly effective and infor­ mative. For example, the author has included a tiny map of nineteenth-century Missouri that identifies ten salient locations and exemplifies the reality of Bingham's life as an itinerant artist. The five chapters are chronologically presented. Chapter 1, "Becoming a 'Western Meteor of the Art,' " describes Bingham's early attempts at his craft, his family, his politics and his livelihood as an itinerant portrait artist. Chapter 2, "The River Paintings, 1845-57," indicates that Bingham has begun to understand that his interpretations of frontier life and the "Western Country" are the key to commercial recognition. Shapiro's inclusion of the salutary influences of the American Art Union on nineteenth-century art will be interesting to many students of American art. The author includes Nancy Rash's scholarly revelations regarding the politics of the waterways and river life, so prominent in Bingham's paintings. Chapter 3, "Life and Politics in the West, 1849-57," includes important, insightful references to Bingham's painted metaphors regarding Western life and his personal experiences with politics. The author is particularly skillful in interpreting the painted narratives in Bingham's paintings. He has also woven illuminating quotes from contemporary newspaper reviews into the text. In Chapter 4, "The Missouri Artist in Europe and the Late Years," Shapiro suggests there should be a study regarding the reasons for the decline in quality of the artist's post-Civil War efforts. The author proposes several interesting reasons for Bingham's diminished performance. Finally, in Chapter 5, "The Critical Fortunes of George Caleb Bingham," we have a truly excellent summation of the three periods of Bingham's work: the young itinerant portraitist known as "the Missouri artist," his middle years of national recognition and his artistic decline. Shapiro has fashioned a highly interesting and attractive book providing fresh insights into the fascinating life and times of the "Missouri artist" who certainly deserves to have been elevated to the status of an "American Master."

Columbia College Sidney Larson 116 BOOK NOTES

People of the Great Flood of '93. (Marceline, Mo.: Heritage House Publishing, 1994). 128 pp. Illustrations. $44.95. The book can be ordered from the Suburban Journals, Attention: Janice A. Feltner, 1714 Deer Tracks Trail, St. Louis, MO 63131. The Flood of 1993: Stories from a Midwestern Disaster. Compiled and edited by Betty Burnett (Tucson, Ariz.: The Patrice Press, 1994). 180 pp. Illustrations. Maps. Appendix. $10.95. The book is available in bookstores. The Flood of '93: Photos from the 500-year flood. By the Marshall Democrat-News (Marshall, Mo.: Marshall Publishing Co., 1993). 88 pp. Illustrations. Map. $7.00, plus $2.00 for shipping. The vol­ ume can be ordered from The Democrat-News, P.O. Box 100, Marshall, MO 65340. The Great Flood of 1993. (Parkville, Mo.: Southern Platte County Press, 1993). 96 pp. Illustrations. $10.00. Parkville Flood of 1993. (Parkville, Mo.: Southern Platte County Press, 1993). 96 pp. Illustrations. $10.00. This and the preceding book are available from the Southern Platte County Press, 12 NW East Street, Parkville, MO 64152. A year after the disastrous flood of 1993 a number of publications are being produced to record the event for future generations. Although the above titles cover different aspects of the flood and areas of the state, many similarities do exist. In each volume graphic pictures of the water and dam­ aged properties are woven with inspiring stories of the grit and compassion of Missourians and others around the country. None of the works present the entire chronological happenings of the great flood—it is just too big a story. But each volume fills a niche in the overall tale of the disaster, one that has left its mark for many years to come. Pages of Our Past: Adair County, Missouri. (Marceline, Mo.: Heritage House Publishing, 1993). 128 pp. Illustrations. $42.54, plus $3.50 for shipping. Over two hundred black and white photographs and other historic illus­ trations highlight this pictorial history of Adair County through the years. The county towns of Kirksville, Novinger and Brashear are most heavily represented, along with major events such as natural disasters. Particular attention is devoted to the advent of the railroad, which propelled several small settlements into booming coal mining towns. The volume can be ordered from the Kirksville Daily Express, P.O. Box 809, Kirksville, MO 63501. Wilton, Boone County, Missouri: History and Stories of a River Town. By David P. Sapp (Columbia, Mo., 1993). 145 pp. Illustrations. Maps. Notes. Appendixes. Index. $15.00, plus $1.50 for shipping. This carefully documented, indexed volume explores the history of a Missouri River town whose future existence is threatened. Before white Book Notes 111 explorers and settlers, the Wilton area was home to both the Missouri and the Osage Indians. The author combines this early history with interesting anecdotes about subsequent events that led Wilton to become a small, but thriving, town in the late 1800s. The 1990s have brought two great hard­ ships to the thirty remaining Wilton residents: Missouri passed a law in 1992 banning commercial catfish fishing in the river, which was many townsmen's livelihood, and, of course, the disastrous flood of 1993. The book is available from the Genealogical Society of Central Missouri, P.O. Box 26, Columbia, MO 65205.

Jesse James and the Civil War in Missouri. By Robert L. Dyer (Columbia: University of Missouri Press, 1994). 86 pp. Illustrations. Map. Index. $5.95, paper. Against the backdrop of the Civil War, this book chronicles the evolu­ tion of the legend of Jesse James, from his actual participation in "Bloody Bill" Anderson's guerrilla raids at the age of seventeen to his romanticized depiction in folk songs and contemporary film. This volume, one of the first in the Missouri Heritage Reader Series, which targets adult new read­ ers, offers newly discovered facts (the Pinkertons intentionally bombed the home of Jesse's mother, causing her to lose an arm) and a clear outline of the Missouri conflicts. The book, which will appeal to a broad spectrum of readers, is available in bookstores.

Food in Missouri: A Cultural Stew. By Madeline Matson (Columbia: University of Missouri Press, 1994). 147 pp. Illustrations. Index. $7.95, paper. Tracking the history of food in Missouri, from the Hopewell tribes of 500-700 A.D. to our current fast-food culture, the author reveals the impact that diet has had on civilization and also the influence of our changing mul­ ticultural society on diet. As a part of the Missouri Heritage Reader Series, which focuses on making folklore, oral history and informal literature accessible to all Missourians, there is much to be gleaned from this small volume. The book is available in bookstores.

A History of the 15th Missouri Cavalry Regiment, C.S.A., 1862-1865. By Jerry Ponder (Doniphan, Mo.: Ponder Books, 1994). 196 pp. Illustrations. Maps. Bibliography. Index. $13.95, plus tax, and $2.00 for shipping. This volume attempts to provide a place in Civil War history for an often-forgotten regiment: the Fifteenth Missouri Cavalry. Although this regiment was mostly involved in minor skirmishes, the men played a vital role in protecting the Missouri-Arkansas line, and civilians, from Union invasion and aggression. Interesting maps, muster rolls and an index greatly augment Ponder's admirable effort. The book can be ordered from Ponder Books, P.O. Box 573, Doniphan, MO 63935. 118 Missouri Historical Review

SELECTED SOCIETY PUBLICATIONS

Directory of Local Historical, Museum and Genealogical Agencies in Missouri, revised edition, 1994. $6.00, post­ paid.

Ellis, Elmer. My Road to Emeritus, 1989. $19.95, postpaid. Historic Missouri: A Pictorial Narrative, 2nd edition, 1988. $9.95, plus $1.50 postage. Missouri Historical Review Index, Vols. 1-25, $15.00; Vols. 26-45, $15.00; Vols. 46-70, $27.00, postpaid. Missouri Historic Sites Catalogue, 1963. $15.00, postpaid.

Missouri Newspapers on Microfilm at the State Historical Society of Missouri, revised annually. $12.00, postpaid. Missouri Plat Books in the State Historical Society7 of Missouri. $5.00, postpaid. Missouri Union Burials—Missouri Units, 1989. $6.00, postpaid. Selected Union Burials—Missouri Units, Vol. 1, 1988, $5.00; Vol. 2, 1993, $5.00, postpaid.

Thomas Hart Benton: Artist, Writer and Intellectual, 1989. $22.95, postpaid. These volumes can be ordered from the Society by sending a check or money order to

The State Historical Society of Missouri 1020 Lowry Street Columbia, MO 65201 HISTORIC MISSOURI COLLEGES

State Historical Society of Missouri

LIBERTY LADIES COLLEGE

State Historical Society of Missouri The Daughters of Indolence found time in their crowded schedule to pose for the 1912 yearbook photographer.

On May 30, 1890, a three-quarter-mile-long parade, complete with two brass bands, wound its way from the south side of the square in Liberty to a hill on the western side of town. There, representatives of civic and fraternal organizations, townspeople and Clay County residents, some four thousand in all, gath­ ered to lay the cornerstone of Liberty Female College. Proposed to town leaders by the Reverend F. Menefee, a former president of Baptist Female College in Lexington, and primarily funded by local citizens, the college would stand on a ten-acre site donated by L. B. and O. F. Dougherty. When the school opened on the following September 10, Menefee presided over a four-year preparato­ ry department and a four-year college offering bachelor of arts, bachelor of science and bachelor of literature degrees. Schools of music and art complemented the academic programs. The 140-room, modern, three- story brick and stone building boasted electric lighting, steam heat and bathrooms with hot and cold water. A success from the beginning, Liberty residents viewed the school as a logical companion to the town's long-established men's college, William Jewell. In 1895 Menefee sold the college to C. M. Williams, formerly associated with Hardin College in Mexico. Williams renamed the school Liberty Ladies College in 1898 and incorporated the American- Mozart Conservatory of Music and Fine Arts to administer the music program. The college continued to thrive throughout the first decade of the twentieth century. H. H. Savage purchased the college and assumed the presidency in 1910. By the fall of 1912, Liberty Ladies College offered a subpreparatory department for girls up to the eighth grade, a four-year preparatory department and a two-year junior college program. The American-Mozart Conservatory, under the direction of M. F. Dunwody, included courses in music, the fine arts, elocution and oratory. In addition to the two lit­ erary societies and the Young Women's Christian Association touted in the school's catalog, students partici­ pated in plays, sororities, basketball, tennis and school clubs. Liberty Ladies College suffered an abrupt and disastrous end on the evening of February 23, 1913, when faulty wiring caused a fire in the attic. Within an hour, the entire building was gutted, leaving only the exterior brick walls standing. No casualties resulted, but few personal possessions and little college equip­ ment survived. The students and the town mourned the loss of one of Liberty's "greatest lights."