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MILITARY WAR RECORDS MoGenWeb Rosters of Missourians who served in MISSOURI UNITS during the following wars: War of 1812, Black Hawk's War 1832, Heatherly War ca 1836/7, Osage War 1837, Mormon War 1838, Seminole Wars 1836-1837, Iowa War (Honey War) Late 1830s, Mexican War 1846 - 1848, Southwest Expedition 1846-1865, Spanish American War 1898 Cooper County Military Wars Military Records pertaining to Cooper County, Missouri for the following military eras: Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Indian Wars, Civil War, World War II, World war II and beyond can be found. CIVIL WAR ALONG KANSAS/MISSOURI BORDER Civil War on the Western Border: The Missouri-Kansas Conflict, 1854-1865 Documents related to the hostilities that shook the Missouri-Kansas border region before and during the American Civil War. The collection includes photographs, letters, diaries, maps, and military records from over 25 contributing institutions. ALL WARS UP TO AND INCLUDING WORLD WAR I MISSOURI VETERANS Civil War Soldiers and Veteran’s information (Missouri) Civil War in the Ozarks Missouri Sons of Confederate Veterans National archives Available to request copies of older military records CIVIL WAR, SPANISH AMERICAN WAR, WORLD WAR I AND WORLD WAR II –UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI The Military and Mizzou, 1861-1946 From the archives of the University of Missouri, the Civil War, Spanish-American War, World War I and World War II are covered as well as Lt. Enoch Crowder and the National Defense Act of 1916 and the ROTC. NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION While most of their holdings are not online, a variety of military records, from photos to documents to searchable databases are available. WWII Army and Army Air Force Casualties: World War II Casualties Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Personnel: World War II Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938 – 1946: WWII Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938 - 1946 (Reserve Corps Records): World War II Prisoners of the Japanese File, 2007 Update, ca. 1941 - ca. 1945: WWII Naval Group China Muster Roll and Report of Change Punch Cards, 1942 – 1945 WORLD WAR I/NATIONAL VETERANS World War I in Missouri: WWI Military Service Cards: A Brief History Soldiers' Records: War of 1812 - World War I WORLD WAR I/MISSOURIANS KILLED IN THE GREAT WAR Missourians Killed in The Great War Honor States.org HonorStates.org can be used to find killed veterans in WWII, Korea and Vietnam as well. WORLD WAR I/MISSOURI VETERANS Missouri Doughboys Prominently mentions Cpl. Rudolph Forderhase of Howard County The WWI and National Museum Memorial WORLD WAR II/MISSOURI VETERANS WORLD WAR II RESEARCH GUIDE The impact of World War II on Missourians can be seen in the State Historical Society of Missouri's collections of newspapers, letters, diaries, records, photographs, and memoirs written during or about wartime military service. The collections also offer materials pertaining to civilian life during wartime and information on veterans' organizations. These records help us to understand the effects the war had on Missourians fighting overseas as well as those providing strength on the home front. WORLD WAR II/MISSOURI CASUALTIES Missouri Casualties in WWII Honor States.org WWII Army Casualties: Missouri

BOOKS, MAPS AND RESOURCE MATERIALS Cooper and other Counties Town/Area History Books: History of Billingsville, Prairie Lick, and Ston e y Point History of Blackwater Bicentennial Boonslick History A Pictorial History of the Boonslick Area Boonville An Illustrated History Boonville An Historic River Town Bunceton 1868-1988 and 1868 – 1993 History of Clear Creek Recollections of Clifton City Clifton City 1873 – 2019 Our Town Lamine Missouri History of New Lebanon Otterville Sesquicentennial Some Might Good Years – Overton Pilot Grove Centennial 1873 – 1973 A Brief History of Prairie Home Area Books : Green Ridge MO Centennial 1870 – 1970 Jamestown 1837 – 1987 Lupus – Portrait of a River Town History of Martinsville Old Trails of Missouri Once Upon the Past – Mid Missouri Places and People Sedalia MO 100 Years in Pictures Books on History of Cooper County and Other Counties Cooper County : Discover Cooper County by Looking Back – Ann Betteridge History of Cooper County Missouri Volumes I and II – W. F. Johnson History of Cooper County Missouri – Levins and Drake History of Cooper County – Melton Memorabilia of Cooper County – The Sesquicentennial Steering Committee for 150th Birthday of Boonville Other County Histories : History of Cole, Moniteau, Morgan, Benton, Miller, Maries, and Osage Counties History of Harrison and Mercer Counties Howard County History and Families History of Moniteau County History of Morgan County History of Saline County OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE AT CCHS Free Cemetery maps and brochures on historical landmarks Books, P amphlets and CD’s for sale Cooper County Plat Maps – 1877, 1897, 1915 Books : Discover Cooper County by Looking Back by Ann Betteridge The “Best” Bustle in Fayette by Mary Louise & Sylvia Forbes This Cruel Unnatural War by James Thoma “Old Pleasant Green Underground” - The Old Cemetery, at the 1825 Pleasant Green Methodist Church Cooper County MO by Florence Friedrichs Old Cooper County Churches (Cooper County Church Sketches) by Florence Friedrichs Recollections of Clifton City Lamine School Book Historically Yours by Elizabeth Davis Pilot Grove Sesquicentennial Arts and Essays by local students CD’s: The Cooper County Missouri History Series Home Town Sketches – by Emile Paillou A History of Cooper County – Levens and Drake The First Hundred Years - Melton History of Cooper County Missouri by W.F. Johnson Volume #1 or Volume #2 Old Nick Abroad Cooper County Cemeteries - James Thoma This Cruel Unnatural War – James Thoma Cooper County, Missouri History Series (Contains all of the above series)

EVENTS & PROGRAMS Our events are always open to the public. Refreshments will be served. Bring a friend or two ORPHAN TRAIN March 9, 2025 Carolyn Aggeler will give a presentation of the Orphan Train at the St. Joseph Catholic Church at 2:00 PM. The church is located at 407 Harris St. in Pilot Grove, Missouri. Carolyn has written a wonderful 43 page book with everything she has found on the subject pertaining to Cooper County. She has included multiple articles of when the children were brought to the area. TBA July 13, 2025 TBA September 14, 2025 TBA November 9, 2025

FORTS ARE BUILT COLE'S FORT Nearly two years passed before the War of 1812 broke out. Before this time, the life of the settler was fairly quiet. Nature supplied them with nearly all that they wished to eat or drink. When a place of shelter for his family had been provided, the settler could spend his time hunting and fishing. These were pleasant pastimes for him and they also provided some of the necessities for life. This life of ease and rest was suddenly changed by the beginning of the war. Great Britain declared war in 1812 against the United States. The Indians wanted to keep their land, and joined the war on the side of Great Britain. The settlers immediately began to build a fort for their protection from potential Indian attacks. The two Cole forts were built under the direction of Stephen Cole. By the fall of 1814, the settlers on the south side of the river had become so concerned for their safety that they gathered at the home of Hannah Cole to fortify and enlarge the original Cole fort. The forts most likely incorporated existing structures. They were family forts, fortified log cabins with loop holes cut so they could fire muskets through them or simple blockhouses to run to when danger was sensed. Cooper’s Fort and Fort Hempstead on the North side of the River are the two that come closest to what most people think of as forts in size and design. Cooper’s Fort held upwards of 20 or so families and over 100 young (unmarried) men. They were purposely built as forts, relatively large to house multiple families. Hannah and Stephen Cole’s forts were relatively small, maybe sufficient for about ten to a dozen families each. Any drawings of the forts at this time are artists conceptions based on what little information we have about forts, and what we know about forts further east in Kentucky, Tennessee etc. We have no period made images of any these Boonslick forts. It is thought that Hannah Cole’s fort was built on a bluff close to the Missouri River. The enlarged Hannah Cole Fort was built between 1812-1814 , and was much larger than the first, and was well fortified. This is an artist’s conception of what the fort looked like. According to an old text, they built a cabin in 1810 then built the fort in 1814. That is a reasonable conclusion although we lack specific dates. The first death among the Boonslick settlers occurred April 26, 1814 when Jonathan Todd and Thomas Smith were killed. Judge Joseph Thorpe lived in Cooper's Fort as a boy and recalled the incident: "At a very early hour next morning the men in our settlement were called together, guns in hand, ready for self-defense... they immediately set to work to build forts for protection, each settlement having its own fortifications, and the result was there were five forts built." Further research and documents reveal that there were actually nine fortifications in the Boonslick Country. Thorpe probably remembered only those closest to Cooper's Fort. The August 13, 1814 edition of the Missouri Gazette reported: "A few days ago, a barge belonging to Messrs. M. Lisa & Co. which was ascending the Missouri to their trading establishment, were induced to stop at Mackay's Saline, (commonly called Boon's Lick) as the country was overrun by the Indians and all the inhabitants were in Forts. The crew which arrived here on Saturday night, last...reports that on the south side of the Missouri, the Indians had taken all the horses and were killing the cattle for food; that on their arrival at the Saline, the people of Coles' fort were interring a man just shot by th e Indians." THE COOPER FAMILY The Cooper family came to Missouri Territory from Culpepper County, Virginia, by way of Madison County, Kentucky. In the spring of 1808 , Colonel Benjamin Cooper came up the Missouri River from the Loutre Island settlement and tried to establish a settlement on the north side of the river which was opposite the present town of Arrow Rock. He built a cabin, cleared a small piece of ground and began the work for a permanent home. However, Indian claims to this land had not yet been settled and Governor Meriwether Lewis issued an order directing him to return to Loutre Island. In February, 1810 , Benjamin and his brother Sarshall Cooper, with several others, returned to what is now Howard County. He settled at the same place and in the same cabin which he had built two years before. He led the settlers in building a fort for protection against the Indians. At that time, about a total of 150 people from both sides of the river made up the Boonslick area settlements. As the settlements were a great distance from St., Louis, the Governor considered them beyond his jurisdiction of government, so they were basically on their own for their defense. Although the Cooper family did not cross the river to live in what is now Cooper County, the County was named after Sarshall Cooper, a frontiersman who was chosen by the 112 rangers under his command to be their Captain. Many of these men from Cooper’s Fort later became famous trappers, politicians and prominent business leaders. The old Cooper's Fort marker is long gone, but in the video you can see part of it Joyce and David Campbell, descendants of Sarshell Cooper, near Cooper's Fort Actual site of the Cooper Fort is unknown, but it is somewhere over Joyce's shoulder, near the Missouri River This is where they placed the Cooper's Fort plaque many years ago. See it in the video above THE HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY FORTS By Wayne Lammers In the expansion in the early 1800’s in America, The Far West received the greatest migration of humanity that our nation has ever known. Families from the east and beyond were drawn like magnets to the western unknown. This magnet pulled at the hearts of people who wanted to improve themselves and their livelihoods. They wanted to be free…free to control their own destiny. The early pioneers that made this journey were, as we say, the “Salt of the Earth.” They marched to their own drum beat, by existing on the vast lands out west, and to be free. They had to be of strong will, and determined to look adversity in the eye and spit. They were hearty and invincible. Many a day goes by when I get up in the morning, look in the mirror and see my face and wonder how the early pioneers would get up in the same morning over 200 years ago. What we have today, the old settlers could never dream of, with all the techno items and gadgets. The cold and the hot weather - all taken in stride, it was never questioned. They did what they had to do to survive the day. In Boonville, just south of the Missouri River, Hannah Cole’s Fort was the beginning of the early white history in our Central Missouri Settlements. The forts were built in the area where the river is straight and the banks are north and south. Johnson’s History of Cooper County – pages 0100 – 0149 Twenty families and a number of young men resided in the fort. McLean’s Fort, afterwards called Fort Hempstead, which was erected on a high hill. It was the most easterly fort of the settlement. These forts were on the north side of the river. All was not ease and comfort within the fort, and the white men were denied the freedom of … of about 400, made their appearance before the fort. At this time there were two hunting parties … Only Savage succeeded in attaining the fort. As soon as Savage … north side. Todd and Smith Are Killed -In the early spring of 1812 prior to the killing of Smith. Click for full version. References : Boonslick Incredible Cooper Family Bicentennial Boonslick History pages 14-15. Settlement in Lamine Township Lamine Township was settled first in 1812. The very first settlers were David Jones, a Revolutionary War soldier; Thomas and James McMahan; Stephen, Samuel and Jesse Turley; and Saunders Townsend. Others came soon afterwards. In 1812 a fort, called McMahan’s Fort, was built in this township. References : (Courtesy of Mike Dickey, Site Administrator, Arrow Rock Historic Site) Google Books – A History of Cooper County Missouri, 1876 Google Books – History of Howard and Cooper Counties, Missouri, 1883 Google Books – History of Cooper County Missouri, 1919 Library of Congress – Illustrated Historical Atlas of Cooper County, 1897 The Tribes of Missouri Part 2 (Things Fall Apart) Full text of "History of Howard and Cooper counties, Missouri" written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of its townships, towns, and villages: together with a condensed history of Missouri, a reliable and detailed history of Howard and Cooper counties--its pioneer record, resources, biographical sketches of prominent citizens. History of Howard and Cooper Counties - Volume II - Part D (full version at website) A RELIABLE AND DETAILED HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES – ITS PIONEER RECORD, RESOURCES, BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF PROMINENT CITIZENS; GENERAL ... CHAPTER XXI-ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY___ 11 CHAPTER XXII -OFFICIAL RECORD OF THE COUNTY Johnson's History of Cooper County - pages 0100 - 0149 (full version at website) Continued) by all the inhabitants of this fort. Twenty families and a number of young men resided in the fort. McLean's Fort, afterwards called Fort Hempstead, was erected on a high hill near Sulphur ... the Spanish Needle Prairie. It was the most easterly fort of the settlement. These forts were on the north side of the river. On ... time all was not ease and comfort within the fort, and the white men were denied the freedom of ... of about 400, made their appearance before the fort. At this time there were two hunting parties ... the ground. Only Savage succeeded in attaining the fort. As soon as Savage ... north side. Todd and Smith Are Killed -In the early spring of 1812 prior to the killing of Smith. History of Howard and Cooper Counties - Volume II - Part B (full version at website) River and numerous smaller streams. EARLY SETTLEMENT Among the early settlers of this township, were James Taylor, who ... law of James Taylor was also one of the early settlers of this township. He was born in North ... Kelly, one of its old and most respected pioneers. EARLY SETTLERS This township, from the best information which can be obtained, was settled early in the spring of 1818. The first settlers ... sides of the township are surrounded by water. EARLY SETTLERS The township was settled first in 1812 ... In the year 1812 or 1813 there was a fort, called “Fort McMahan,” built somewhere in this township, but the exact ... once a place of memorable notoriety. In those early days it was not unfrequently called the Devil. Johnson's History of Cooper County - pages 0050 - 0099 (full version at website) Peck, who in the early days traveled in this section, gives a very ... Eagle's Nest", about one mile southwest of where Fort Kincaid was afterward erected, in what is now Franklin ... this section, committed atrocious deeds, and gave the early pioneer settlers much trouble. But all the tribulations ... mogenweb.org/cooper The Indians with which our early settlers had to contend were idle, shiftless, vicious ... been written regarding the log house of the early pioneer. It furnished an inexpensive and convenient shelter ... side and architecture, the log house of the early pioneer was the greatest democratizing agent of the ... my little old log cabin on the hill." Early Farming Implements -The farming implements of the pioneers Resource: Levens and Drake: A History of Cooper County, Missouri Bottom of Page 50 Governor Howard resigned Oct. 25, 1810, to enter the War of 1812, and died in St. Louis in 1814. ... the mighty Missouri formation has taken place. Cooper County has risen to become one of the ... been eliminated and time conserved. The history of Cooper County, from the time of the red men and ... that be ever resided in the present county of Cooper, yet it is very probable that he ... which settled in the present limits of Cooper County, has been positive in his statement that ... assumed that Boone ever resided permanently in either Howard or Cooper County are in error. However, John W. Peck, who ... tract of land in what is now Howard County. This land was surveyed on Jan. 26. History of Cooper County Missouri by W. F. Johnson, pages 50-99 Johnson's History of Cooper County - pages 0450 - 0499 (full version at website) Howard and Cooper Counties. Joseph Yarnell was an Indian fighter, a ... people remained during the troublesome days of the War of 1812. A traditional story handed down for the past ... attend a party across the Missouri River in Howard County. Bottom of Page 452 there was only one ... Shelby's raiders made their famous trip through Cooper County, during the Civil War, some of Shelby's men welded a broken ... Crews) Pulley, who were pioneer settlers of Cooper County. The children born to this marriage are: ... the best known of the pioneers of Cooper County. Frederick W. Miller served his adopted country ... Bernardine, a teacher in the public schools of Cooper County; Mary, bookkeeper in the Commercial Bank of Boonville.

OTHER AREA HISTORICAL RESEARCH SITES River, Rails & Trails Museum and Visitor's Center 100 East Spring Street Boonville, Missouri, 65233 Phone: 660 882-3967 Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30am - 4pm year-round, and 10am - 2pm Saturday and Sundays April through October The Visitor’s Center and Museum is located in the former Hirsch Wholesale Grocery Company warehouse, which was built in 1902 alongside the MKT Railroad tracks. In 2016 the City of Boonville converted the building into the new Visitor’s Center and Museum. The museum houses a half-scale replica of a Lewis and Clark keelboat, a Mitchell wagon, and railroad memorabilia including a model train display. A model steamboat, items from the sunken “Missouri Packet” steamboat and general Boonville history items are on display, as are items from the former Kemper Military School. There is also a children’s fort play area and several interactive displays. It is an excellent stop for information about Boonville and the Boonslick Region. South Howard County Historical Society and Museum 110 E. Broadway New Franklin, Missouri 65274 Phone: n/a Facebook The South Howard County Historical Society was organized in 1989. It is a non-profit organization dedicated to the collection, preservation, and exhibition of documents, papers, and objects relative to the history of Howard County, MO, and to promote an interest and appreciation for local history. SHCHS meets four times a year on the first Tuesday of the following months: March, June, September, and December. Our 7:00 p.m. meetings consist of a short business meeting and a program devoted to our local history. The public is always invited! Boonslick Historical Soc iety P.O. Box 426, Boonville, MO 65233 Phone Number: n/a Facebook History Focus: All aspects of the Boonslick Region, especially Howard, Cooper and Saline counties from the late 18th through mid-20th century. Funding: Non-profit, memberships and donations. Boone’s Lick Road Association P.O. Box 8076 Columbia, MO 65205 The Boone’s Lick Road Association (BLRA), incorporated in Missouri in 2011, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Our mission is twofold: First, we want to preserve and tell the fascinating stories of the first major road into the heart of Missouri. Secondly, we hope to secure federal recognition of this road as a National Historic Trail. We aim to be the most comprehensive and authoritative source for information and research into this historic trail. Arrow Rock State Historic Site 39521 Visitor Center Drive Arrow Rock, MO 6532 Phone: 660-837-3330 Email: ArrowRockStateHistoricSite@dnr.mo.go Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily March through October. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday to Sunday, November through February. Free admission.

WHAT THEY DID FOR FUN In the early days of Cooper County, communities often shared the workload. Combining work and fun was a welcome and common activity. Barn raisings and barn dancing when the barn was finished were great social events. Another type of work/entertainment would be working together as a team to get major farm crops harvested. In the Fall, neighbors would gather for hog butchering at one farm and work together at what is a chore for one or two people, but not that difficult with many hands. The next week they would gather at another farm and repeat the work. They would do the same thing when it was time to bring in the grain crops at harvest time. Meanwhile, the women would be busy preparing food for the hungry workers. When the work was finished at one farm, the group would then move on to the next farm and repeat the activity until all the area crops were in. This was the “many hands make work light” idea. It was a very successful way of getting things done and enjoying the activity. Today we see farmers doing a similar activity when one of their neighbors is very ill, has been in a serious accident, or the widow needed help because she had no one to bring the crops in. The same process would also take place when it was hog butchering time. Not only was it enjoyable for the men to work together, it was a wonderful learning experience for young men. Women have had a similar type of “many hands make work light” activity. Preparing food together was a wonderful way to learn new techniques of cooking, new recipes, try new dishes and also make new friends "Quilting “Bees” were a similar activity for women. Whether it was creating a quilt for a new baby or for an upcoming wedding, women would work together on the project and have a great time during the discussions that went on. Like the young men, young girls would learn the art of quilt making which they could use in their future lives. Today, women still gather to do Civic projects and spend the day canning food. During WWI and WWII, women in the Cooper County area made quilts to raise money to send supplies to the soldiers. Today, Cooper County women make “Prayer Shawls for women with cancer. “Many hands make work light” is still true today. A Note About Quilt Making Making a quilt today is almost a lost art. Cooper County has been blessed with many current and former quilters. Even though there are many sources for fabric for today's quilters, this wonderful craft is almost unknown to most of today’s young women. If one has the opportunity to examine earlier quits, one is amazed at the variety of stitches used. These quits are truly a work of art! In colonial and later days, a family's only source of heat was the fireplace, and the fire was always "banked" at night for safety reasons. Quilts were invaluable to keep the family warm on cold/freezing nights. Early quilters usually did not have a source for their quilting materials other than their own household. Depending on the weight of the fabric, when a garment became stained, torn or had holes in it, it was not just thrown away, it was used for another purpose. It could be remade into a garment for a child or used for some other household use such as scrub clothes, towels or rag rugs. Small attractive pieces could be saved and used for quilts. Wool from men's trousers or jackets were often used for family winter quilts. For many families, it was the "wear it out, use it up, make do, or do without” policy. To receive a quilt as a wedding gift or a gift for a newborn, was almost a priceless gift. Source: Barbara Dahl Entertainment in Pilot Grove Gem Theater A small town just south of I-70 on M-135, Pilot Grove was once a thriving community. Schools, churches, doctors, and dozens of businesses once catered to the needs of hundreds of people in town as well as hundreds more on nearby farms. Heinrich's Country Store opened for business in October 1915. Later, the top floor of the store housed the town's main entertainment center—the Gem Theater. Admission was 15 cents for adults and 10 cents for children. Air-conditioning consisted of six paddle fans. Heating was done by a huge coal burning stove that was fired up early in the morning for evening shows. “Deep Purple,” a melodrama starring Clara Kimbell Young and John Gilbert, was the attraction on opening night. Unlike today when whole movies are on one DVD, these movies were shown on several reels of actual film. Between reels, slides were flashed on the screen advertising local merchants. And did I mention these were silent movies? The only sound was from a live pianist who was often accompanied by a violin or mandolin. Other great silent movie stars appeared at the Gem. For comedy, there were Abbot and Costello, Our Gang, and Charlie Chaplin. Westerns starring Buck Jones, Tom Mix, Gary Cooper, and Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., were always a big hit. The movie house closed with the advent of “talkies.” The Gem continued for a number of years in its new life providing a place for high school plays and commencements. One such play, “The Feast of the Red Corn,” took place on March 4, 1937. On July 1, 1969, Heinrich's Country Store closed its doors for the last time. The building still stands and old-timers often look up at the second floor … but those days are now just a distant memory. Resource: Tales From the Village, by Richard L. Salmon “Deep Purple,” a melodrama starring Clara Kimbell Young and John Gilbert, was the attraction on opening night. Unlike today when whole movies are on one DVD, these movies were shown on several reels of actual film. Between reels, slides were flashed on the screen advertising local merchants. And did I mention these were silent movies? The only sound was from a live pianist who was often accompanied by a violin or mandolin. Other great silent movie stars appeared at the Gem. For comedy, there were Abbot and Costello, Our Gang, and Charlie Chaplin. Westerns starring Buck Jones, Tom Mix, Gary Cooper, and Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., were always a big hit. The movie house closed with the advent of “talkies.” The Gem continued for a number of years in its new life providing a place for high school plays and commencements. One such play, “The Feast of the Red Corn,” took place on March 4, 1937. On July 1, 1969, Heinrich's Country Store closed its doors for the last time. The building still stands and old-timers often look up at the second floor...but those days are now just a distant memory. Source: Elizabeth Davis "Historically Yours" The back of the Gem Theater looking to the left across the back of the theater at the projection room which is at the top of the short stairs The back of the Gem Theater in Pilot Grove during the town's 150th anniversary in Aug. 2023. Notice the stage and doors on each side going behind the actors or the screen Lyceum There was a Lyceum in the early 1900's which hosted local and area educational talks on different subjects. At one time Pilot Grove had two movie theaters. One was in the hall above Pat Conway's store that was also used for roller skating. There was theater at the Mercantile store on the corner of Second and Roe, now the Meisenheimer Funeral Home. Mr. Conway was the first theater operator in Pilot Grove to run a weekly serial for children and parents. Two that were very popular were "Snow White" and "Perils of Pauline." Heinrich's Mercantile on the corner of First and Roe housed the second theater. His theater featured stationary folding chairs, an elevated floor which slanted towards the orchestra pit and a stage that was used for performances and movies. Admission to the theater was an expensive 15 cents for adults and 10 cents for children. Pearlie Dwyer was the first person to sell tickets and Miss Frieda Kistenmacher was the first pianist. Source: Elizabeth Davis "Historically Yours" The Princess Stock Company The Princess Stock Company presented plays featuring "Toby" and his players. In July of 1944, Toby and his players presented "The Long-Lost Perkins." "Chautauqua’s" were frequently held in Pilot Grove. They were a form of entertainment for adults by the giving of lectures, plays and concerts. They were held for several days, sometimes in tents. Outdoor movies were shown for a short time in the 1920's in a vacant lot where Twenter Lumber Company is now located. Movies were also shown in the Catholic Church Hall and there was a "CCC" or Civilian Conservation Camp located in Pilot Grove where outdoor movies were shown on Sunday evenings. Source: Elizabeth Davis "Historically Yours" The Pilot Grove Rodeo The Pilot Grove Rodeo, started in 1953, celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2023 featuring the Pilot Grove “Range Riders”. In 2023, over 2,000 people attended this event. Entertainment in Bunceton Princess Theater This was a theater, then a funeral home/furniture store in the 1930's, early 40's. Later a laundromat, then a bar, and is now apartments. Entertainment in Boonville Roller Skating Rinks Come to Boonville Boonville’s government and city council has changed over the years. In 1902 for instance, all elected officials were men. While the number of wards has changed occasionally, there have always been two councilmen per ward on the city council. Unlike today where the mayor leads the meetings, one councilman was elected President of the Council and led the meetings. When ordinances were passed by a majority, they were signed by the President, and then presented to the mayor for his approval. If ordinances were returned unsigned there would usually be more discussions and a vote to override the mayor’s objections. In 1902, the council had to decide if baseball could be played on public property on the Sabbath. Less than 40 years later the issue was roller skating rinks. In 1938, Ordinance #1281 was passed prohibiting the operation of skating rinks in Boonville. On November 9, 1938, Mr. Walter Viertel appeared before the Council and presented a petition requesting the city rescind the ordinance and asked for a license to operate a skating rink. Also present at the council meeting was Attorney John H. Windsor who was representing a group of businessmen who opposed rescinding the ordinance. The council voted to go into Executive Session to discuss the matter. After a lengthy discussion, no action was taken, and the regular session resumed. The following month, on December 5, 1938, a bill entitled “An Ordinance repealing Ordinance #1281 prohibiting the operation of roller-skating rinks in the City of Boonville, Mo.” was introduced by Councilman Cleary. The bill was read three times and passed unanimously by the council. The bill was signed by the President of the Council, and then presented to and approved by the mayor. Another bill was introduced to regulate and license the roller rinks. The first reading of the bill said license fees should be $50. A motion was made and seconded before the second reading to make the license fees $100. After a discussion, the bill was rewritten, read three times, and then passed unanimously. Signed by the President, it, too, was presented to and approved by the mayor. Sadly, roller rinks and bowling alleys aren't as popular in Boonville anymore. Missouri State Fair in Boonville The first attempt Within thirty years of statehood, citizens were calling for a state fair, a fair that would showcase the best of the best in the world of agriculture. On February 24, 1853, the Missouri Legislature authorized the incorporation of the Missouri State Agricultural Society. Paragraph 2 of their Charter begins: “In addition to the powers above enumerated, the Society shall, by its name and style aforesaid, have power to purchase and hold any quantity of land not exceeding twenty acres, and may sell and dispose of the same at pleasure. The said real estate shall be held by said Society for the sole purpose of erecting enclosures, buildings, and other improvements calculated and designed for the meeting of the Society, and for an exhibition of various breeds of horses, cattle, mules and other stock, and of agricultural, mechanical and domestic manufactures and productions, and for no other purposes…” Officers were named in Paragraph 5 and were from various counties around the state. M.M. Marmaduke was appointed president. James S. Rollins, Nathaniel Leonard, Dabney C. Garth, Roland Hughes, James C. Anderson, and Camm Seay, were named vice presidents. James L. Minor, Joseph L. Stephens, and William H. Trigg were appointed corresponding secretary, recording secretary, and treasurer, respectively. The Board of Directors held their first meeting in Boonville on June 22, 1853, and the first exhibition/fair was held in Boonville during the first week of October later that same year. As it was decided the Fair should also be educational, an annual address was included and the first speaker was Uriel Wright of St. Louis. The Missouri Legislature appropriated $1,351.50 for the event. The second fair was held the following year and the Missouri Legislature appropriated another $2,652.88. General James L. Minor, the Society’s corresponding secretary, was the speaker. While it has long been assumed that one learned farming and related agricultural skills by doing, Minor said, “The day is fast approaching when we must be educated for our great occupation.” It seems his vision of the future was on the mark. Few farmers today are without at least some college education. The third and last fair in Boonville took place in 1855, but it wasn’t for lack of interest. It was the last year the Missouri Legislature appropriated funds for the event. However, that did not permanently stop the fair. For years, people continued to come and compete just for the ribbons. It wasn’t until 1897 that the next serious attempt at a Missouri State Fair began. Source: Elizabeth Davis "Historically Yours" In this image we find 6 locals at the 1908 fair on Main Street. To the right you see a ferris wheel. The date is August 10, 1908. From the Wayne Lammers collection Before He ritage Days After the turn of the last century, Boonville’s business leaders came up with the idea to have festivals in order to bring people into downtown. The main event would be a parade of carriages and carts covered in flowers. The Missouri Drummers’ Association (traveling salesmen) held their first annual meeting in Boonville during the 1906 Street Fair and Flower Parade. During the three-day event on July 5-7, over 600 salesmen attended and participated in that year’s festival. Besides the Flower Parade, there were concerts by bands from as far away as Moberly, a shooting tournament, and other athletic events. The ladies were not excluded as they enjoyed rope skipping, potato races, and bowling. And there was a Grand Ball for everyone. No records are available to indicate when the festivals ceased, but by World War I, they were gone. Although Boonville was platted in 1817, the official “Act to Incorporate the City of Boonville” wasn’t approved until February 8, 1839. To celebrate Boonville’s 100th birthday in 1939, the city organized a Daniel Boone Days event to run from September 28 to October 1. The 4-day party must have been a success as it was repeated the following year from September 15-18. Records on display at the Old City Jail on Morgan Street indicate Daniel Boone Days became an annual celebration through most of the 1950s. There is a picture of ladies called the Sunbonnet Belles wearing long dresses that is dated “early 1950s.” These celebrations lasted until at least 1957 because “the 1957 festival also marked the centenary of Thespian Hall.” There were no records indicating additional festivals. Until 1989… As Boonville began to plan for its 150th anniversary, another festival was born—Boonville Heritage Days. Unlike Daniel Boone Days which were celebrated in early fall, Heritage Days take place is early summer. It might have started small but, with each passing year, it continues to grow. This year boasted a parade, high school reunions, a carnival, beer and wine gardens, and enough live entertainment to satisfy the whole family. Happy Birthday, Boonville. Boonville Events and Festivals - Past and Present Boonville is known for its many festivals and special events. It was the site of the first Missouri State Fair. Cooper County Fair Established in 1950’s Daniel Boone Days (1940s – 1950’s) Festival of Lights – (no longer held) Festival of Leaves – (no longer held) Heritage Days -est. 1989 Peddler’s Jamboree – est. 2000’s Big Muddy Folk Festival of the Arts – est. 1990’s Historic Homes Tour – off and on over the years Christmas in Historic Boonville

EARLY SCHOOLS Lamine School Dick's Mill School New Lebanon School Adapted from Discover Cooper County by Looking Back by Ann Betteridge The first children to live in Cooper County were native Americans and lived in villages near the rivers. People are still discovering arrowheads, tools, pottery, and other artifacts near the village sites. Their way of life was passed down by word of mouth from generation to generation. The education of a native American child included gardening, hunting, preparing food and gathering nuts. They learned from the older people in the village how to hunt and make and use the tools they needed. Prior to 1839 all schools in Cooper County were private. Before public schools were available, parents could send their children to a local private school or some type of boarding school. Often these early schools were for either girls or boys, but usually not for both. Often these schools had wonderful educational offerings, but some of the headmasters did not have good money management skills and some of the private schools were short lived. However, they did provide the need for “higher” education. SCHOOL LEGISLATION (1820) Missouri’s First Constitution Missouri’s first constitution provided that “one school or more shall be established in each township, as soon as practicable and necessary, where the poor shall be taught gratis”. Even at that early day the framers of the constitution made provisions for at least a primary education for all children. (1835) The Act of 1835 (Courtesy of Missouri Bicentennial Timeline) The Act of 1835 , approved by the Missouri General Assembly and signed by the governor, established a Board of Commissioners, the forerunner of the State Board of Education to provide at least six months of school in each term with the expenses paid from the county school fund. A county by a two-thirds majority could tax itself for school purposes. All schools prior to the year 1839 , when the public-school system was established were private. At this time there was a common school fund, and the county school fund. (1875 ) Following the Civil War, the courts have weighed in on the decision of admission of Black students to receive an equal education as white students. An early case began in 1887 when a Grundy County teacher refused to admit an African-American student to a white school that had previously welcomed all races. While the issue was debated in court, the Missouri legislature passed a law ordering separate schools for children “of African descent.” Missouri schools were officially segregated from 1875 to 1954 , when the US Supreme Court issued its landmark ruling in Brown v. the Board of Education. The Missouri Supreme Court’s ruling in 1889 stated that segregated schools were not in conflict with the U.S. Constitution. African-American students outside of schools with teacher, 1916 circa, A. T. Peterson, photographer, (C3888) State Historical Society of Missouri. (1889) Missouri's General Assembly passed legislation ordering separate schools for children "of African descent." (Courtesy of Missouri Bicentennial Timeline) Following the Civil War, the courts have weighed in on the decision of admission of Black students to receive an equal education as white students. An early case began in 1887 when a Grundy County teacher refused to admit an African-American student to a white school that had previously welcomed all races. While the issue was debated in court, the Missouri legislature passed a law ordering separate schools for children “of African descent.” The Missouri Supreme Court’s ruling in 1889 stated that segregated schools were not in conflict with the U.S. Constitution. Sumner School was built for the black students in the community. That changed in 1959 when desegregation became law and all students went to the same school. Public schools mostly remained segregated until the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Brown v. Board of Education in 1954 . (1955 ) In the beginning of the 1955 school year Missouri began to integrate their schools and admitted students on a non-discriminatory basis. When school boards were free to desegregate their schools, a number of districts immediately made plans for mixed schools, and numerous small and medium-sized towns in every section of the state desegregated part or all of their schools when the 1954-55 term began in September. Board of Education (1954 ), Missouri Attorney General announced that Missouri's school segregation laws were void. Court-ordered desegregation began in Missouri, attempting to alleviate the racial isolation of black students. The court determined that the State of Missouri was required to pay half of the cost of school desegregation plans; numerous legal issues arose. Black schools were closed. Some were used for other purposes and some were left vacant. PRIVATE COOPER COUNTY ACADEMIES, INSTITUTES, and SEMINARIES ACADEMIES: Boonville Academy - located at northeast corner of Sixth and Vine, 1880-1895; The Otterville Academy - 1891-1907; Pilot Grove Academy, 1907-? INSTITUTES: Adelphai College, aka Female Collegiate Institute - located at Fourth and Vine, 1841-1864. Was a hospital during the Civil War Kemper Male Collegiate Institute 1844 – 2002 (fix) Cooper County Institute by Rev. Buckner, Baptist Minister 1891-1893 Prairie Home Institute , 1865- 1869 Cully & Simpson’s Institute , 3 miles northeast of Bunceton, 1866-? Hooper Institute , 1876 - 1909, at Clarksburg Cooper Institute - located at Sixth and Locust, 1891-1896 Parrish Institute , Bunceton, first public school, D.R. Cully 1866-?- The Pilot Grove Collegiate College , 1878-1915. Also known later as Eichelberger Academy SEMINARIES: New Lebanon Seminary Boonville Female Seminary aka Pleasant Retreat 1840-1876, Rev. Bell, Presbyterian minister, founded the Seminary, Megquire Seminary for Girls , located at Sixth and Locust, 1892-1905 After the Civil War, public schools started to became available, allowing many more children to acquire a good education. EARLY BOONVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS Hannah Cole’s Fort , John Savage taught 15 boys in 1813 Boonville Free White School , 1867 Sumner School for Black children. Located in Boonville at Jackson and Rural Streets, 1868-1956 1878 a large public school, 1 black school, 2 male schools, 2 female schools Today, there are only three of the original one-room schools still in existence. The New Lebanon School in New Lebanon, Dick’s Mill School in Cotton and the Lamine School on the border between Pettis County and Cooper County. By Jeanette Heaton By Linda McCollum PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS St. Joseph Catholic, Pilot Grove 1900 to present Sts. Peter and Paul, Boonville 1910 to present St. Martin’s Catholic School, closed 1967 St. John’s School, Clear Creek, closed 1969 Zion Lutheran School, Lone Elm 1896 to present The first school in Cooper County was taught by John Savage in the year 1813 , about one mile east of Boonville on Lilly’s Branch. There were fifteen boys enrolled. The classes were mostly held outside, with the pupils sitting on logs. The school continued only one month. The fear of an Indian attack caused the settlers to keep their children under the protection of the fort. Some of the earliest schools in Cooper County were taught by: William Anderson , in 1817 , near Concord church; Andrew Reavis, in 1818 , about 1-3/4 miles east of Boonville; James Donaldson , in the southeastern part of the county; Judge L. C. Stephens at “Old Nebo” Church; Dr. William Moore in Palestine township; and Rollins , near Big Lick. Some early schools were held in churches. Early Schoolhouses These schools were held in log school houses. Some did not have any floor but the earth. Others had puncheon floors which were made with rough timber underneath and a flat cut side on top. The windows had no sashes and were made by cutting pieces out of the logs. These openings were closed with a plank at night to keep out the wild animals. Teachers were very strict. They used the principle that “to spare the rod was to spoil the child.” Just as neighbors worked together to build their homes, and churches, they worked together to build the schoolhouse. People would come on a certain day with their cutting axes. The trees were cut, the ends of each log were notched and put in place to form the four walls. Some of the roofs were made of clapboards, which were split logs dressed so one edge was thicker than the other edge. Light from the window came through oiled paper. The chimney was made of small pieces of wood held together with a mortar of sand, limestone, water and clay. This sometimes would dry out, become loose, and fall out of place, letting strong winds pass through, and causing smoke to come into the room. In most cultures, parents want their children to learn basic skills for living, plus hopefully to learn more than their parents to enable them to be successful in life. Many of the early settlers were well educated and felt it important for their children to learn to read and write and to do simple math problem. Those families living in Cole’s Fort certainly though so, and classes were held to teach the children reading, writing and arithmetic. Whether Hannah Cole was a teacher, we have no idea. But at least one person was in charge of educating young people. After the War of 1812 was over several well-educated men served as teachers From 1813 through 1820 , Judge Abiel Leonard, William H. Moore and Dr. Edward Lawton taught the boys and girls of early settlers who lived in Boonville. Missouri’s first constitution provided that “one school or more shall be established in each township, as soon as practiceable and necessary, where the poor shall be taught gratis.” Even at that early day the framers of the constitution made provisions for at least a primary education for all children. Subscription Schools Subscription schools were held until the organization of public schools. A teacher desiring a school to teach at would go to the families in the neighborhood and have the parents subscribe (which means enroll) so many pupils, for a certain term, at so much per month. Schools were then known as subscription schools. All schools prior to the year 1839 , when the public-school system was established, were private. At this time there was a common school fund, the County school fund, and the township school fund. A subscription school was held in the Greenwood district, near Pisgah, in a small house built by Mrs. Guyer for the Methodist Church. It was used both as a school and a church. About 1887 there was an effort made to divide the district. The Pisgah people said that they did not want to send their children to Greenwood, because the children there carried ticks, and the Greenwood neighborhood came back at them with the argument that the Pisgah children had fleas. The disagreement between the two schools became so heated that in the last part of the year the district was divided. Public Schools Most public schools did not begin until sometime after the townships were organized in 1847 . The organization of public schools took place in the county after the Civil War. In 1853 school laws were revised to provide for dividing the school townships into districts, thus bringing the governing of the schools to the people in the districts. In 1855 a course of study for schools was started by the State Superintendent. Other laws through the years helped to determine the progress of Cooper County Schools. It is interesting to look back on the one-room country schools. As the years passed, log school houses became dilapidated. Some were destroyed by fire. The log houses were replaced by frame buildings. The first one-room school buildings were very small. They were about 16 feet square, with only one window on each wall. Students wrote on slates and sat on wood benches. Books were expensive, so students shared them. The buildings eventually became larger and had three or four windows in opposite walls and one or two doors in one end. The windows had eight or twelve panes of glass. The blackboard was part of the wall, painted or made of slate and placed about thirty inches from the floor and about four feet wide along the wall opposite the door. White or colored chalk was used for writing on the blackboard. The students used their wooden slates and slate pencil to work arithmetic problems, to spell words, or to draw pictures, especially of the teacher. Use of slates saved money because paper tablets were scarce and expensive. Damp cloths were used to erase work on the slates. Inside the Schools Inside the schools, chimneys were made of brick and built inside, at the end of the room. A stove that burned either wood or coal heated the room. The desks used in the frame buildings were called double desks because of their width. Two or three students could be seated at one desk. They were usually placed in a row facing the front of the room. The front and back seats had straight backs and seats which were attached with hinges and could be raised for passing or lowered for sitting. The other seats had a shelf fastened to the back of them. Underneath the shelf was a metal box which formed an open compartment in which books, tablets, slates and pencils could be kept. The wooden shelf provided a place for holding books while studying or writing. In the middle or in the upper left-hand corner of the wooden shelf there was often a small round opening into which was placed a small glass container to hold ink, which was called an ink well. In the first schools the teacher’s desk was often a table. Later the desks were like those found in offices today. Kerosene lamps were used for lighting in early schools. The lamps were later replaced with gas lamps which could be hung from the ceiling. Teaching Aids Teaching aids were usually a globe of the world and maps of the countries. There were not very many libraries in the early schools. Books were eventually purchased as the need arose. Missouri began to encourage supplementary reading about 1930 by awarding Reading Circle Certificates to students who read the designated number of prescribed books during the year. The state encouraged a study of famous artists and their works by assigning a special study each month. Many of the districts purchased these as an aid for teaching art. Some schools had sand boxes used to create scenes of different places in the sand box. When music was added to the curriculum, pianos and Victrola’s became a part of the equipment. Some of the schools had rhythm band instruments. Other Important Items Students living a distance from school often rode a horse to school. Two or three children in one family might ride in a one-seat buggy. Sometimes small barns were built by the parents or the school board to shelter the horses. Districts sometimes had small buildings located near the schoolhouse in which wood, coal, or kindling were kept. Two important buildings were the “privies.” They were about four feet by six feet, located in the opposite far corners of the school yard. School Entertainment Before the coming of television or the automobile, the early rural schools had their own form of entertainment. The parents of the district came in buggies, wagons, on horseback and on foot to take part in the school’s activities. Books were pushed back inside desks while parents and students met with nearby districts for an exciting afternoon or evening to display their skills and compete with friends. Some of the special events were: box suppers, ciphering matches, spelling bees, and celebrating the holidays. Besides being a form of entertainment, the pie suppers were fund raisers. At the event, women and girls would bring boxed suppers to the school. They would display them on a table, and an auctioneer would sell them to the men and boys. Besides buying their supper, the buyers had the privilege of eating the meal with the lady who had cooked it. The money would go to the school. Some suppers sold for a good price because two or more bidders wanted to eat with the same cook. School programs were well attended by parents and friends. The Christmas season was a highlight of the rural school. Before the program, the older boys with the help of one of the fathers, found and cut a cedar tree and stood it in one corner of the schoolroom. The wonderful smell of cedar filled the air. It was decorated with strands of popcorn and homemade ornaments. At the close of the much-rehearsed program, Santa made his appearance handing out gifts to the children. The teacher usually gave each child a sack of candy as a treat. In later years of the rural schools, P.T.A. meetings were well attended with students presenting a form of entertainment each month. There was a lot of cooperation and friendliness throughout the district as many of the older citizens took part and all shared in the refreshments at the end of the meeting. The last-day-of-school program was an important event held by the pupils and their teacher. An outside picnic was usually held after the program. School Activities In the early schools of Cooper County, the subjects taught were reading, writing, arithmetic, geography and English grammar. They were listed in order of their importance. One time not mentioned was perhaps the favorite time for students--recess period. Most of the games played in the earlier years were those requiring no equipment. The students were resourceful by bringing some things from home such as a ball made of string, something that served as a bat, and bean bags. In the winter, skates and sleds were put to use. In later years, more playground equipment was provided such as swings, teeter-totters, basketballs and nets, volley balls, and bats and balls. Some of the playground games were: Hide-and-Seek, Anti-Over, Drop the Handkerchief, Kick the Wicket, Flying Dutchman, King of the Mountain, Calico, Keep Away, Circle Ball, Leapfrog, Follow the Leader, Dodge Ball, Run Sheep Run, Ten Steps, Wood Tag, Rope Jumping, Going to Jerusalem, Rotten Egg, Dare Base, Blackman, Crack the Whip, Three Deep, Stink Base, Red Rover, Sheep In My Pen and relay races. Some of the school room games were: Simon Says, Upset the Fruit Basket, Whisper Cross Questions, Clap In and Clap Out, I Say Stoop, Hide the Thimble, Beanbag Toss, Spin the Platter, Tic Tac Toe, Teakettle, Blind Man’s Bluff and Charades. Singing games were: Needle’s Eye, Looby Loo, Farmer in the Dell, Round and Round the Village, Mulberry Bush, Did You Ever See a Lassie? and Sally Saucer. Rural Schools Teaching in a one-room school was hard work. The teacher had to be in good health and physical shape. The teacher’s first job was to build a fire in the stove and sweep the schoolhouse and outhouses. If a student was sick or hurt, the teacher acted as the school nurse. In a country school, the youngest children could be five or six years old and the oldest might be eighteen years old. In order to help everyone, teachers divided their time between groups. Sometimes the busy teacher would ask older children to help the younger students. In some schools, the teacher would teach the “three R’s” to small groups of students with equal ability, but teach other things, like nature study, to all ages. During the late 1940’s and 50’s all of the rural schools were consolidated into larger districts. These rural schools are now past history. Memories still remain by those who were a part of them. School Districts The County now has six school districts. They are: Blackwater R-2 Reorganized School District Boonville R-1 Reorganized School District Bunceton R-4 Reorganized School District Otterville R-6 Reorganized School District Pilot Grove C-4 Consolidated School District Prairie Home R-5 Reorganized School District The three parochial schools in the county are: St. Joseph Catholic School in Pilot Grove Saint Peter and Paul Catholic School in Boonville Zion Lutheran School in Lone Elm BLACKWATER SCHOOLS The first school, according to the John Racy diary, was in an upstairs room about midway down the east side of Main Street. There were 15 pupils and the teacher was Miss Mollie Plummer. The children were fascinated by the trains that passed by on the new shiny tracks. The teacher would allow the pupils to go to the windows and watch the trains as they passed by. Later, a subscription school was started and taught by Mrs. Riley Holman. Parents provided room and board for the teacher with each family taking their turn. A building was moved from the Franklin District, south of town, and it was used as a public school building. As school attendance increased, another building was built and the old building was used for the black pupils until the spring of 1937 , when a new brick building was built for the black children. Blackwater maintained a high school for nearly 30 years. In 1946 the high school was closed and pupils were transported to the school of their choice, in Pilot Grove, Boonville or Nelson. BOONVILLE SCHOOLS In 1817 Hannah Cole’s Fort had a schoolhouse. Before the Civil War there were few public schools. Children received their education in private schools, institutes and academies. Approximately 20 of these began in Boonville. In 1867 , a two-story building located on Sixth Street at the present site of Central School, was purchased. The first public school opened here in September 1867 and Sumner School was opened for Black children. A new high school building was completed in September 1915 . It is now known as Laura Speed Elliott Middle School. When the new high school was completed, Central School became an elementary school, but the high school continued to play basketball in the gymnasium. On March 28, 1938 , the Board of Education decided on a three-point program for building: phase one was to build a 16-room elementary school building; phase two was the building of a combination auditorium-gymnasium just south of the high school building, and to complete some remodeling of the present high school. Phase three was to build a new Sumner School. The new Central School building was completed for the opening of school in the fall of 1939 . The new Sumner School was completed by December 20, 1939 . On December 21, 1954 , the Board of Education decided to end segregation in the high school effective September 1, 1955 . At a board meeting May 15, 1956 , the decision was made to end segregation in the first grade beginning with the 1958-59 school year. The Board made the decision April 3, 1958 , to fully integrate during the 1958-59 school year when David Barton School was completed. At a special election on May 16, 1964 , the Boonville School District and 16 other school districts (Wooldridge, Lone Elm, Clear Springs, Westwood, Hickory Grove, Billingsville, Mount Sinai, Stony Point, Concord, Bluffton, Hail Ridge, Crab Orchard, Fairview, Pleasant Valley, Woodland and Highland) voted to form a reorganized district to be known as Cooper County School District R-1. BUNCETON SCHOOLS The first school in Bunceton was known as Parrish Institute. It was named in honor of Thomas J. Parrish, who donated the land in 1871 . This was a private school taught by D. R. Culley, O. F. Arnold and Mr. Boyer. Boys and girls attending wore a neat and becoming uniform. From the private school came Bunceton Public School. The district was organized in 1885 and divided into two sections. All south of Main Street was known as Franklin and all north of Main Street was known as Dublin Spring. The Dublin school was one mile north of town. The two districts continued until 1903 , when Parrish Institute was purchased by Bunceton and changed to a public school. On May 12, 1903 , a bond was approved to build a brick building for white students and make necessary improvements on the old building for black children. By the fall of 1916 , four years of high school were offered. Students from the rural areas made their own arrangements for transportation to and from school. Some had to move to Bunceton and stay during the winter, or make arrangements to board with someone. In 1937 , the brick building was destroyed by fire. School was carried on in different buildings and homes in town. In 1937 , a new building was built east of town on Highway J and Fairview Street. The first class to graduate from this building was in 1939 . OTTERVILLE SCHOOLS Before 1926 , children attended school in several area one-room schools. These were elementary schools in grades one through eight, with one teacher per building. Children rode to school in a horse-and-buggy, a wagon or walked. As these were only elementary schools, parents who could afford the tuition sent their children to high school at the Otterville College, built in 1885 . Country students who attended the college were boarded with townspeople during the week due to the lack of transportation. Heads of family keeping boarders, were required to cooperate with the faculty in enforcing obedience to all requirements of the school and report behavior. Boys and girls were in separate classes within the two-story building. Each had their own classrooms, entrances and set of stairways. The college was closed in 1910 ; the building is now privately owned. The old building is located across the street from the Otterville Public School. The first public school building was built in 1869 at a cost of $6,000. This building now houses the Masonic Lodge. The property to the north of the Baptist Church and the present American Legion, housed the elementary classes. In 1926, a two-story brick building was built and all the grades were moved to this building. The district was consolidated with rural districts: County Line, Brick, Mt. Etna and Cline. Free tuition in the district was given for the first time in 1931 . PILOT GROVE SCHOOLS The Pilot Grove Collegiate College was first established as a private school by the Rev. George Eichelberger in 1878 . In August 1879 , Professor Charles Newton Johnson organized a company, and the school was bought by H. W. Harris. On July 18, 1881 , Harris deeded the school to the company, then incorporated, and the name was changed to the Pilot Grove Collegiate Institute. After the death of Newton Johnson, the management was taken over by his brother, William F. Johnson. During his management, on January 31, 1885 , the building caught fire due to a defective flue and was completely burned. In 1888 , Professor Charles Foster and D. L. Roe purchased the rebuilt brick school. These two men conducted it for several years. The school was finally sold back to Andrew Eichelberger, father of the founder, and rented to different men. In 1900 , the school closed at the beginning of the second term. In March, 1902 , Mr. C. L. Buckmaster bought the building with the help of the community. He named the school Pilot Grove Academy. The school closed sometime around 1915 . It is interesting to learn of the discipline of the academy. “Students must not, under any circumstances, enter saloons, billiard halls, nor engage in games of chance or practice the use of tobacco. Students are required to attend Sunday School and church every Sunday.” After Pilot Grove became a town in 1873 , the townspeople became interested in starting a school. There was no building, so Professor Tucker, of Boonville, opened a subscription school upstairs in a small room over a drug store. There was a need for a new school in Pilot Grove. The directors for the new school purchased the Methodist Episcopal Church South. After the school burned in 1903 , a brick two-story building was built on the site. Overcrowding was soon a problem. In 1919 , the first and second grades had to be housed in a blacksmith shop. The school kept growing, so grounds were purchased from A. H. Eichelberger. This plot later became the site of the present school buildings. In 1921 , a building was constructed on the present school site. The class of 1921 was the first to graduate from this building. PRAIRIE HOME SCHOOLS People in the Prairie Home area were concerned because there wasn’t a place in the community where the children could receive an education beyond the elementary school level. Because of this concern people in the community, headed by the Reverend A. H. Misseldine, combined their knowledge and hard work to form what was to become known as the Prairie Home Institute in 1865 , north of the present city limits. This Institute made it possible for its students to expand their minds and take subjects that otherwise would have been impossible. The students were taught algebra, science and literature. Later Latin, music and other subjects were added. The Institute was sold to the Public School District in 1869 . The school was sold once more, in May 1871 , to Professor A. Slaughter. Slaughter planned for it to be a boarding school for both boys and girls. The school grew and prospered for three years until it burned in 1874 . The people in the community worked together to build a new school which was completed in April 1875 . The new building had a housing capacity for 75 boarders. Unfortunately, for reasons unknown, the Institute was closed. Prairie Home High School was established in 1913 and was located in the Masonic Temple building. Two students graduated in 1914 . From the time the school was established in 1922 , students graduated from the two-year program, then had to attend the remaining two years of high school in either Boonville or California. In 1922 , the school was accredited as a four-year institution. ST. JOSEPH’S SCHOOL - PILOT GROVE Father Pius made arrangements with several Benedictine Sisters to establish a convent and school, with the approval of Bishop John J. Hogan. In 1900, funds were solicited in all three parishes, Clear Creek, Pilot Grove and Martinsville. The three-story brick building was completed in 1901 and blessed by Bishop J. J. Glennon. The total cost of the building was about $4,000. The transfer of the property and building was for parish school purposes. Thus, came into existence, the first parish school that same year. There were 60 pupils enrolled. In 1915 , Father Hildebrand Roessler, O. S. B., received an appointment to St. Joseph Parrish. At this time the school rooms were inadequate and the need to build a larger school became evident. Despite the high cost of war times, he succeeded in erecting a large four-room school building with modern equipment. Together with the willing help of the parishioners, in 1917 this task was accomplished at a cost of about $12,000, which included the cost of furnishings and equipment. The entire indebtedness was canceled in four years. The school was taught by the Benedictine Sisters of Fort Smith, Arkansas. At that time, it included grades one through eight plus two years of high school. Due to increasing demands for personnel and equipment, the high school closed in 1929 . SAINTS PETER and PAUL CATHOLIC - BOONVILLE The Saints Peter and Paul parish school was established in 1910 , being taught by the Sisters of St. Francis of Milwaukee. The Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia, Kansas assumed leadership of the school in 1925 . At this time a new school was built on the site of the old Gantner home, on Seventh Street and an extension of Vine Street. The high school opened in 1925 ; four years later six young people composed the first graduating class from Boonville Catholic High School. Students steadily increased in number and the school grew for 34 years until the high school closed in 1969 . ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL - LONE ELM The Christian Day School was considered an important factor in the religious training of the young people of the congregation. While the church was being built, the congregation bought land and started construction of the school. Work on the church was delayed and the school was completed first. Church was held in the school until the church was completed. Lumber for building the school was hauled by wagon two miles from an abandoned Christian Church that the congregation tore down. There were 97 students who attended the first session of school in 1896 . Charles Dusenberg, a teacher from Sweet Springs, was the first teacher and church organist. Dusenberg taught for five years. Classes were taught in English half the day and in German the rest of the day. Not until World War I when anti-German sentiment swept the nation was German teaching discontinued. Because of such a large enrollment with one teacher, older pupils were assigned to teach classes of younger children under the direction of the teacher. To make it easier for the teacher to keep law and order and to keep his charges a little fearful, one of the parents brought a short stick, with a piece of leather cut in three strips fastened to the end, to be used as a reminder to behave. As the story goes, his own son was the first to feel the strap, and to be persuaded that good conduct in class was important. The children came to school on horseback and in carts and wagons. There were usually from 12 to 20 horses stabled there during the day. The riders had to bring feed for their horses and feed them during the noon hour, as well as bring their own lunch. The school continues to provide a good education to the children in the Lone Elm Community. (1844-2002) KEMPER MILITARY SCHOOL Male Collegiate Institute By Pat Holmes The Kemper Military School, founded by Frederich T. Kemper, in June 1844 in Boonville flourished for many years. It was an important part of the local economy and was highly regarded for its rigorous training that it provided for young men. It was called the West Point of the West. Will Rogers was a student there. Many cadets went on to become leaders in diverse fields of endeavor as well as the military. Professor Frederick Thomas Kemper, born in 1816 , came to Missouri from Madison County, Virginia in 1836 . He graduated from Marian College at Palmyra, Missouri in 1841 , and continued there for three years as a tutor, prior to coming to Boonville and opening his own school, the Kemper Boarding School for boys and young men, opened in 1844 . The school occupied several temporary sites until 1845 when it moved into its new two-story brick building on Third Street. This site became the permanent location of the school throughout its history. As the student body grew, the original building was greatly enlarged until it became a 50,544 square foot structure housing all the functions of a boarding and academic school. The school served a real need in the area for providing a classic, disciplined education for young men, many of whom were the descendants of early settlers. Kemper mentored a young man, Thomas A. Johnston, who came to the school from a farm south of Boonville. Johnston later became the assistant principal of the Kemper School. After Kemper's death in 1881 , Johnston became its leader and was associated with Kemper School for 70 years. It was Johnston who restructured the school into the Kemper Military School. Johnston developed the campus, expanding the original building, adding the attractive “A” Barracks, the large Johnston Field House Gymnasium, the Swimming Pool Annex, the large “D” Barracks,” the Mathematics Building, among other ancillary buildings. His successors added Academic Hall, Science Hall, and the large, and last building, “K” Barracks. Johnston's daughter married A.M. Hitch who was the third president. His son, Harris Johnston, became the fourth president of Kemper Military Academy. The school flourished for many years. It was an important part of the local economy. It was highly regarded. It was called the West Point of the West. Will Rogers was a student there. Many cadets went on to become leaders in diverse fields of endeavor as well as the military. Toward the later years of the Twentieth Century, difficulties arose. The school closed in 2002 . Ownership was transferred to the City of Boonville. Buildings, including the original Kemper School and its additions, the “K” Barracks, and the Mule Barn have been demolished. The Johnston Field House and Gymnasium have become a YMCA. The State Fair Junior College occupies one academic building, and the Boonslick Regional Library, Boonville Branch, is preparing to occupy another. Today, youth of all ages participate in soccer games on the former Athletic Fields. Bicyclists camp there while participating in Katy Trail rides. A beautiful park honoring those who have died from cancer, now appears on the former Parade Grounds with marble benches and softly splashing fountains. Kemper alumni still meet annually and sign the school's Standard of Honor, keeping the spirit of the school alive. There is a Kemper Museum planned for a storefront on Main Street, and a display of Kemper memorabilia in the River, Rails and Trails Museum. Kemper Alumni Association SUCCESSFUL KEMPER GRADS Hugh Charles Krampe, AKA Hugh O’Brian Hugh Charles Krampe was born in Rochester, New York on April 19, 1925. His father was an executive with the Armstrong Cork Company and they moved around a lot. He was five when they moved to Lancaster, Pennsylvania and it was there that he attended elementary school. Their next move was to Chicago, then to Winnetka, Illinois, where he started high school. From there, Krampe attended Kemper Military School in Boonville, Missouri, where he lettered in football, basketball, wrestling, and track. He attempted to continue his education at the University of Cincinnati but dropped out after only for one semester because of World War II. He enlisted in the Marine Corps and became an expert with both rifles and pistols. His military medals included the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. After the war, Krampe found himself in California. He had been accepted at Yale University in the fall of 1947 with plans to become a lawyer. However, he was attending his date’s rehearsals for the Somerset Maugham’s play Home and Beauty when the lead actor failed to show up. The director, Ida Lupino, asked him to read the lines and he got the role. The play received rave reviews and an agent signed him up. It was at this time that Krampe changed his name. The playbill had misspelled his name as “Krape” so he took his mother’s family name and became Hugh “O’Brien.” Again, his name was misspelled. O’Brien was “O’Brian.” This time he just decided to keep it. In 1955, adult westerns hit TV screens and, along with Gunsmoke and Cheyenne, The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp starring Hugh O’Brian appeared in living rooms all over the US. O’Brian went the extra mile to develop his character. He bought a copy of Wyatt Earp: Frontier Marshal by Stuart N. Lake and developed a relationship with Lake who was a consultant on the show for the first couple of years. During the 1950s and 1960s, O’Brian made regular appearances on other shows such as Nat King Cole, Jackie Gleason, Ed Sullivan, and the Dinah Shore Chevy Show. He also was a guest attorney in a 1963 Perry Mason episode when Raymond Burr had emergency surgery. He appeared as a guest celebrity panelist for game shows Password and What’s My Line? O’Brian also appeared in many movies, including The Shootist (1976) with John Wayne. But O’Brian’s life wasn’t limited to TV and the Big Screen. He started the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY), a non-profit youth leadership development program for high school scholars, in 1958. HOBY sponsors 10,000 high school sophomores annually through its leadership programs in all 50 states and 20 countries. Hugh O’Brian died at his home in Beverly Hills on September 5, 2016. He was yet another celebrity who once attended Kemper Military School and learned the importance of passing on something to the next generation. Source: Elizabeth Davis "Historically Yours" George Lindsey 1928-2012 George Smith Lindsey was born on December 17, 1928, in Fairfield, Alabama. Raised by grandparents in Jasper, Alabama, he graduated from Walker County High School in 1946. Lindsey attended Kemper Military School before receiving a Bachelor of Science degree from what is now the University of North Alabama in 1952 where he majored in physical education and biology. He was also quarterback on the football team and acted in college plays. Following college, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed at Ramey AFB in Puerto Rico. As a civilian, he taught high school in Hazel Green, Alabama, while waiting to be accepted by the American Theater Wing in New York City in 1956. After graduating from the Wing, he performed in two Broadway plays, “Wonderful Town” and “All American” before moving to Los Angeles in 1962. Over the next two years Lindsey appeared in a number of well-known TV series of the 1960s: Gunsmoke, The Rifleman, The Real McCoy’s, The Twilight Zone, Daniel Boone, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, and three episodes of The Alfred Hitchcock Hour. Lindsey got his big break in 1964 when he was cast as Goober Beasley on The Andy Griffith Show. His character was renamed Goober Pyle to tie him to his cousin Gomer Pyle. During the series and afterwards Lindsey continued playing minor roles in other shows: The Walter Brennan series, The Tycoon, the 1964 film Ensign Pulver, Disney’s Snowball Express, M*A*S*H, and Hee Haw. Lindsey’s voice was also presented in three Disney animated features: The Aristocrats, Robin Hood, and The Rescuers. While he was known as the slow-witted but kindly Goober, he was anything but in real life. Lindsey raised over $1,000,000 for Alabama Special Olympics through 17 years of the George Lindsey Celebrity Weekend and Golf Tournament in Montgomery, Alabama. He raised another $50,000 for the Alabama Association of Retarded Citizens and participated as Head Coach-Winter Games in the Minneapolis, Minnesota Special Olympics National Competition. Lindsey established and perpetuated the George Lindsey Academic Scholarships at the University of North Alabama. He also established the George Lindsey/UNA Film Festival that takes place at the University of North Alabama annually in the spring. Not everyone who attended Kemper became career military, but Kemper can be proud of being a part of teaching the concept of “giving back”. George Smith Lindsey died in Nashville, Tennessee, on May 6, 2012. Source: "Historically Yours" by Elizabeth Davis From the Revolution to the West Point of the West Thomas Alexander Johnston was born on November 13, 1848, on a farm south of Boonville. He was educated in local schools and then at Kemper School. Johnston joined the Confederate Army in October 1864. After the War Between the States, Col. Johnston attended the State University at Columbia and graduated in 1872 with a Bachelor of Arts and then a Master of Arts. He returned to Boonville and joined the faculty at Kemper School as assistant principal. When Mr. Kemper died in 1881, Johnston was named the next superintendent. Col. Johnston began a series of improvements that increased enrollment and added more buildings. He became known as the “Builder of Kemper.” In 1885, he added the military training program. The school’s name was changed to Kemper Military School in 1899 and it was advertised as the “West Point of the West.” Other changes followed: 1915, the Standard of Honor; 1916, a formal ROTC program; and 1923, a junior college. Johnston retired in 1928, naming his son-in-law Colonel Arthur M. Hitch as his successor, but stayed on as President of Kemper until his death on February 5, 1934. Source: Elizabeth Davis "Historically Yours" William L. Nelson Kemper Cadets Mr. Kemper Kemper Barracks Early photo of Kemper Kemper at Memorial Statues at Boonville

CIVIL WAR Second Battle of Boonville Re-enactment Wayne Lammers Collection Adapted from “Discover Cooper County” by Ann Betteridge: Cooper County suffered a great deal during the Civil War. Her territory was occupied almost constantly by one side or the other, and her citizens were called upon to give to the support to first one side, and then the other. Families and neighbors were divided between sentiments for the North and South. Many of the residents had come from the South and sympathized with the South, but still wanted to stay in the Union. The state was truly divided. Events Leading to the Civil War When Missouri decided to become part of the Union, many members of Congress were not enthusiastic about admitting another slave state. In 1821, Congress passed the Missouri Compromise , which allowed Missouri to enter as a slave state and Maine to enter as a free state. This kept the number of free and slave states even. By the time the war was over, much of the County was damaged or in ruins. Most of the livestock had been “appropriated” by one side or the other to feed the troops, and many homes had been stripped of anything of value. In 1861 , the Southern states began withdrawing from the Union. Missourians held a state convention to decide what they should do. Many of the members including Governor Claiborne F. Jackson, were strongly in favor of the South. However, the state voted to remain in the Union. At that time, most of the people hoped to remain neutral if a war came. War did come and Governor Jackson refused to send troops to fight for the Union. In April, 1861 , Fort Sumter was fired upon. This caused much concern. The people of Cooper County were anxious. Missouri was predominantly a slave state; however, it also had strong northern ties. Since it was one of the so-called “border states,” the divisions of loyalty were greater here than in most places. Lincoln’s call to arms on April 15th stirred sympathy for the South in Boonville. On April 20th, a large crowd assembled at the Cooper County courthouse. Speeches were made and a secession flag was raised. Perhaps it seemed strange that Missourians passed secession resolutions. Missouri wasn’t a direct supporter of the Confederacy, but it was against Federal intervention in its affairs. The people of Missouri saw Lincoln’s call for troops to crush the “revolutionaries” of the South as a direct threat to their state’s sovereignty. Governor Jackson was a supporter of states’ rights. He favored secession from the Union. The Governor thought that his state had the right to take Federal supplies that were located in Missouri. Therefore, he established Camp Jackson within a few blocks of the Federal arsenal in St. Louis. Everyone, including General Lyon, commander of the U. S. Army in Missouri, knew what Jackson was doing. Lyon did not like it one bit, so he surrounded the camp, forced the men assembled there to surrender, and then marched them through the streets of St. Louis. A crowd gathered and shouted protests against Lyon’s actions. Rocks were thrown, shots were fired, and about 30 civilians were killed. More civilians were killed in other skirmishes in St. Louis. Jackson and Lyon met on June 11, 1861, to discuss what could be done to prevent further fighting in Missouri. Jackson was willing to compromise. However, Lyon insisted on the right to move and station troops of the United States throughout the State, whenever and wherever that might be necessary for the protection of the citizens of the Federal movement, or for the stopping of an invasion. This was totally unacceptable to Jackson, so Lyon stated, “This means war.” Jackson fled back to Jefferson City and called for 50,000 troops to help defend the state against the Federal invasion. He picked Boonville as his point of defense and moved there with General Sterling Price, head of the Missouri State Troops. THE FIRST BATTLE OF BOONVILLE Jackson set up Camp Bacon at Boonville. The untrained recruits were mostly farmers with their hunting rifles, out to defend their land against attack. Jackson’s officers were against making a stand at Boonville. They wanted to go further south until their troops could be drilled and trained. Jackson said it was necessary to go ahead as planned. In St. Louis, Nathaniel Lyon was busy preparing the Federal troops. He believed in trying to surprise the enemy. Lyon took three riverboats and steamed up the Missouri. Early in the morning of June 17, 1861, he landed approximately seven miles east of town near Merna. Meanwhile, at Boonville, Price was sick from diarrhea, so he left on a steamboat to his home in Chariton County. He left Colonel Marmaduke in command with about 1,500 men who had no experience in fighting. The majority of Lyon’s 500 troops had previous military experience. Lyon had artillery, but Marmaduke’s only available cannon was in Tipton. Marmaduke stationed his men along a ridge about four miles east of Boonville which blocked the Rocheport road. Lyon came up the river by steamboat from Jefferson City, landed his troops a little upriver from Rocheport, and then marched with his forces up the road to Boonville. The Federal troops advanced for almost three miles. Lyon had Captain Totten shelled the brow of the ridge on which the state troops were stationed and his infantry opened fire with their rifles. The fighting was thick for a while with several wounded on each side, but soon the training of the Federal troops began to show through, and Marmaduke’s men were forced to retreat across a fence into a field. When the Federals advanced up the hill, the state troops opened fire from the cover of a nearby shed and grove of trees. After fighting for about half an hour, the state troops were forced to retreat. Lyon’s troops took possession of Camp Bacon where they took the supplies. Five men were killed. Lyon advanced toward Boonville. East of the city limits, at the home of T. W. Nelson, the acting mayor, and several citizens surrendered the city to Lyon. Marmaduke left for Lexington on a steamboat, and Governor Jackson headed down the Georgetown road. General Parsons of the state militia arrived from Tipton with the state’s artillery after the battle was over. When he found out that the state had lost, he took his command south to Prairie Lick where most of the other state troops were. The next day General Lyon pardoned all of the people who would promise to support the U.S. government and to never again take arms against it. Many people accepted this. Lyon sent part of his troops to find Jackson, but was unable to locate him. They returned to Boonville. On June 20, three days after the state troops had been defeated, Lyon organized the first Boonville Home Guard, consisting of local citizens. Most of them were of German descent. Their orders were to guard Boonville against invasion by state forces. Similar “home guards” were being organized all over the state. Boonville’s consisted of 135 men with Joseph A. Eppstein elected as captain. Before Lyon left Boonville, he also ordered a small fortress to be built. It consisted mostly of breastworks and a small ammunition bunker which was located on the old state fairgrounds, where St. Joseph Hospital stood for many years. Eppstein heard rumors that they were going to be attacked by Confederate-sympathizing forces from nearby counties. He ordered several southern sympathizers from the community to be held hostage in the breastworks. The breastworks consisted of a series of poles that had been sharpened at one end and tied at the middle to form a barrier about seven to ten feet in height. By July 2, 1861 , General Lyons had received reinforcements from Iowa and marched out of Boonville to chase the Missouri State Guard under General Price. Price was thought to be collecting troops in southwestern Missouri. With 2,400 troops, the caravan moved along the Boonville-Georgetown Road (the old Spanish Trail to Mexico). They camped the first night at the Clear Creek Crossing. The young Iowans were in woolen uniforms and Private George Ware’s diary complains of the heat and dust. The next day, as they marched past Pleasant Green, young boys hiding behind the orchard wall (the remains of Winston Walker’s old Indian fort) pelted the soldiers with green apples. To their surprise, the soldiers caught most of the apples to save for ripening. At the Lamine River bridge crossing shots were fired at the soldiers from the bluffs, but there were no injuries. Lyon’s march ended at Wilson’s Creek, near Springfield, where he was killed in battle with the Missouri State Guard. His unburied body was discovered July 13th by members of Kelly’s Regiment (who had been with Marmaduke in the Battle of Boonville) and given proper burial in the garden of John Phelps. SECOND BATTLE OF BOONVILLE On December 13, 1861 , while eating breakfast, Boonville’s Home Guard was attacked by about 800 men from Saline County under the leadership of Colonel Brown. As rain and musket balls fell, the Confederates advanced twice, but each time they were forced back. Col. Brown was killed in the second attack as was his brother, Capt. Brown. Only two of the Home Guard were killed, but an unknown number of Brown’s men were killed. Major Poindexter took command of the entire force after the death of the Brown brothers. William Burr, a hostage in the breastworks, was given permission to visit the Confederates to see what arrangements could be made to stop the fighting. The two sides agreed on a six-day armistice. After a week’s armistice, Major Poindexter withdrew his troops to join General Price, who had successfully taken Lexington. CIVIL WAR ACTIVITES NEAR OTTERVILLE Railroad tracks were laid through Otterville in 1861 . In January, 1862, the Sixth Iowa Union Infantry, out of Des Moines, made a march to Otterville and dug the tranches. They camped there most of the winter. Regiments from Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and Indiana stood in the trenches. Some of the evidence of the Civil War can still be observed at Otterville. Trenches, which are about six-foot depressions, along with their accompanying breastworks can still be seen on the John Kuykendall farm one mile east of Otterville, south of the railroad tracks. The original purpose of the trenches was to protect the railroad line going through Otterville from Confederate forces. Union troops stood in the depressions firing over the breastworks at the Confederate soldiers who were attempting to cut the railroad line in half to stop its continued use by the Union to send munitions and supplies to their men in the west. The railroad ended in Sedalia, where goods were transferred to wagon trains to be taken to Kansas City, Springfield, and other stations. To stop the goods from going through, there was constant fighting and skirmishing up and down the Missouri Pacific Railroad line from Otterville to California. Otterville was more subject to attack because the rail line crossed a trestle over the Lamine River near Otterville. The trestle was burned three times during the war by Confederate soldiers with the help of local citizens. When James Wear, a current resident of Otterville, was a young boy, he used to play with bullets, belt buckles, and other artifacts from the Civil War found near his home. Other Civil War historians have also found artifacts in the area near the trenches. Reference: Commemorative Issue, Cooper County Historical Society Dedication of the Historical Marker for the Otterville Civil War Entrenchments October 9, 1999. CONFEDERATES UNDER SHELBY CAPTURE BOONVILLE General Joseph Shelby, of the Confederate Army, made a raid into Cooper County during October 1863. He passed through Otterville on the night of October 9th , and burned the Pacific railroad bridge nearby. On the night of the 10th he camped near Bell Air, in a pasture belonging to Mr. Nathaniel Leonard. The next day he marched toward Boonville. His movements had become known in Boonville and a meeting of the citizens was called by Mayor McDearmon. After some delay, the conclusion was reached that the only alternative was to surrender the city to General Shelby. Citizens were sent out to meet him. They returned without being able to learn anything about where he was, so they felt that he probably wouldn’t be coming to the city. His arrival at Boonville on October 11th was quite a surprise. Just as General Shelby marched into Boonville from the south, Major Leonard, with about 150 Federal troops, appeared on the north side of the Missouri River and commenced crossing with his men. When they learned there were many Confederates in town, they decided to retreat. They turned the boat around and headed for the Howard County shore. At this time some of Shelby’s men appeared and commenced firing upon the boat with muskets. As soon as Major Leonard landed his forces, the artillery was turned upon Shelby’s troops and they were forced to retire beyond the reach of the shells. At the same time, Colonel Crittenden, of the Union, was steaming up the river in a boat. On learning the situation of affairs at Boonville, he dropped down the river and landed a short distance below on the Howard County side of the river. General Shelby stayed in Boonville the rest of the day, then camped for the night west of the city on the Georgetown road. He had come to Boonville to obtain supplies, such as food and clothing. The local clothing companies lost $4,000 in clothing. The Confederate troops did not hurt anyone during their stay. Not a single citizen was killed or wounded, and they were very polite to everyone. While the Confederates were in Boonville, the Federals, under General Brown, were close behind them. On October 11th, the Federals were within eight miles of Boonville, on the Bell Air road. That day General Brown moved a portion of his troops west to the junction of the Sulphur Springs and the Boonville and Georgetown roads, which is about seven miles southwest of Boonville. During the night, he marched his command back again to the Bell Air road, and camped near Billingsville. The next morning after General Shelby had left, the Federals passed through Boonville in pursuit, they advanced just behind the Confederate rear guard. Two of General Shelby’s men stopped at Mr. Labbo’s house, about one and one-half miles west of Boonville to get their breakfast. They were killed by some Federal scouts as the two appeared at the front door to make their escape. A running fight was kept up at intervals, all along the route from Boonville to Marshall. The fight became pretty heated between the Sulphur Springs and Dug Ford. At Dug Ford, two Federals were killed and fell from their horses into the water. Theis raid produced great excitement. It is not known whether General Shelby was able to obtain all the supplies and reinforcements that he had hoped. Major Leonard and Colonel Crittenden crossed their commands over the river to Boonville about ten o’clock on the morning of the 12th. After stopping for dinner, they started in the direction of Marshall. Boonville was then clear of troops. The citizens had time to gather supplies to feed the next group of hungry soldiers who happened to land there, whether they were Federals or Confederates. Thus, ended the famous “Shelby’s Raid” as far as Cooper County was concerned. A battle took place at Marshall in which a number were killed and wounded on each side. General Shelby succeeded in escaping from his pursuers with the loss of only a small portion of the supplies he had obtained in Boonville. CIVIL WAR PENSIONS The first known homeless veteran (2020) Last Civil War Widow Dies Helen Jackson, of Marshfield Missouri, was only 17 years old when she married Union veteran James Bolin, 93. He needed care every day and Helen provided that care after she came home from school. Since Mr. Bolin had no money to pay her for her help, he asked her to marry him so that she could have his pension in payment for her care. They were legally married from 1936 to 1939, when Mr. Jackson died. Helen kept her marriage a secret for many years and never applied for Mr. Jackson’s pension. She was an active member of the Daughters of the Union Veterans of the Civil War. Last American to Collect a Civil War Pension Irene Triplett, was the (2020) last American to collect a Civil War pension . The fact that someone in the year 2020 was still earning a Civil War pension was the result of two factors: First, she suffered from cognitive impairment, qualifying her for the lifelong pension as a helpless adult child of a veteran. Second, her father, Mose Triplet, who’d served as a private in the Confederate Army before defecting to the Union, was on his second marriage when she was born in 1930, and he was 83 years old. Irene received $73.13 each month and seemed to be very secretive of where the money came from. Missouri State Archives - Civil War in Missouri Also see Veteran Research. Confederate Veteran Archive . The Confederate Veteran was a magazine published from 1893-1932 and this site has most of them on it. It also has a link to the Sons of Confederate Veterans organization Union Civil War Federal veterans, members of the Boonville Camp No. 3701 are lined up on the corner of Main and Spring Streets circa 1900. From the Wayne Lammers Collection ` CIVIL WAR TIDBITS Stories courtesy of Bert McClary: Thomas, Abe and the Lieutenant Late at night in June 1863 Thomas Brownfield, a Union Home Guard Captain, heard noises outside his three-room log cabin south of Pilot Grove, and went to the loft with his gun. A Confederate recruiting agent and several men from New Lebanon were up to no good, looking for firearms. They forced open the door and the leader, Lt. Brownlee, was shot in the doorway. Thomas’ brother Abe pulled him inside and locked the door. The others thought him dead and set fire to the cabin. Lt. Brownlee shouted to them to put out the fire. Thomas told them he would send for a doctor, would not turn Brownlee over to the authorities, and would release him after he was treated. They agreed and left, and Thomas kept his word, sending Abe for Dr. Pendleton. However, Thomas did tell a lie, as Brownlee was treated and turned over to the Union militia and placed in the Boonville jail. Thomas Brownfield is my second great-uncle.Abraham Brownfield is my great-grandfather. Cynthia and the Notes Cynthia McClary was home alone southeast of Pilot Grove on the day in 1862 that a group of bushwhackers or militia came to the house and demanded all the livestock. Cynthia had no choice but to comply, however she did manage to chase away one old mare that she knew would return later. She knew one of the men as a neighbor just two farms down the road, and her husband James McClary was shot by the neighbor when he went to inquire about the livestock. Cynthia was now a 43-year-old mother twice widowed, with three children age ten and under. She could not read or write and owned one old mare. She had been given “notes” in reparation for the livestock that was taken, presumably a type of government promissory notes. Cynthia was probably a southern sympathizer, with Native American and Scots/Virginian heritage. She believed the notes were worthless and she burned them. Cynthia McClary is my 2nd great-grandmother. The Key and the Crowbar Mary Carroll was a southern girl living in the Pilot Grove neighborhood of James McClary. Her brother Dennis was arrested and placed in the Boonville Jail along with a Confederate Lt. Brownlee and others. Also in the jail was John Hildebrandt, accused of murdering his neighbor James McClary. Hildebrandt attempted to kill Carroll with a knife, but Carroll broke his hand with a stick of firewood. Mary struck up a friendship with the jailer and surreptitiously made a wax copy of his jail cell key. She made a key of wood and leather and smuggled it, a crowbar, and a bottle of chloroform to Dennis. On the night of the escape Hildebrandt was chloroformed so he could not alert the jailer, and almost died. In the words of Mary, this act “unintentionally came very near being a great benefit to the world.” Hildebrandt was soon acquitted of murder and released, and Dennis was shot and killed. Such was life on the border in 1863 . James McClary is my 2nd great-grandfather. James McClary and the Bushwhackers During the Civil War in Missouri renegade bands or individuals from both sides committed atrocities, purporting to represent the Union or the Confederacy. Some individuals used their membership in a group, or the conflict itself, as an excuse or cover to settle personal disagreements. In September of 1862 a group of bushwhackers or militia took the livestock of James and Cynthia McClary, who lived southeast of Pilot Grove, while James was away. When James returned, Cynthia told him one of the raiders was John Hildebrandt, a neighbor. When James went to confront him, he was shot by Hildebrandt as he approached. Hildebrandt was held in the Boonville Jail for 18 months, charged with “murder in the first degree”. During that time, he attempted to kill a young southern sympathizer who was also a prisoner. At his trial the jury quickly found Hildebrandt not guilty, the killing of James, from the evidence, appearing to be an act of self-defense on his own premises. Such was life on the border in 1862 . Bloody Bill and Captain Brownfield In the fall of 1863 when Bloody Bill Anderson’s guerillas approached the country post office outside of Pilot Grove, Captain Thomas Brownfield of the Union Home Guard slipped into the postmaster’s house. The guerillas relieved about 20 local farmers, waiting for the mail, of their valuables. Mr. Mayo refused, was shot in the leg, and ran. Captain Brownfield also ran and they were pursued by guerillas on horseback. Mr. Mayo was shot and killed but Captain Brownfield reached a thicket after being shot in the hand. He hid in the center of the thicket and fired a warning shot to let them know he was armed. The band of guerillas considered his concealment, then rode away with their loot and their lives. After dark Captain Brownfield made his way to a neighbor’s home, a country physician and friend, although a southerner by birth and sentiment. His friend dressed his wound and fed him, and they slept in the barn as a precaution. James McClary is my 2nd great-grandfather. Thomas Brownfield is my 2nd great-uncle. Killed by Guerillas Wilma Bringarth/Bledso talked about her Great-Great Grandfather, Jacob Neef, who was walking back home from Boonville in his Home Guard uniform, during the Civil War, when he was killed by Guerilla's near the Old Lamine Church and was buried in the cemetery there. CIVIL WAR SITES IN COOPER COUNTY 1861-1865 Cooper County Jail – 1858 – In Boonville. Used as a prison for southern sympathizers. Frank James was arraigned here and released on bond. Concord Cemetery – 1817 – Near Bunceton. One of Quantrill’s men was wounded and secretly cared for by neighbors. Upon his death he was buried in an unmarked grave. Thespian Hall – 1857 – Originally Stephens Opera House. Building was used as a Union prison and hospital during Union occupation. Main Street, Boonville. Pleasant Green – 1820 -Located on General Lyon’s 1861 route to Wilson’s Creek Battle. Raided in 1864. Crestmead – 1859 – Built by John Taylor, a Southern sympathizer who was sent to Gratiot prison and lost his land holdings. Mt. Nebo Baptist Church – 1856 – Site of General Sanborn’s Union encampment October 1864. Ravenswood – 1880 – Built by Unionist Leonard and Nelson families after the war for Captain Nathaniel Leonard and his new bride. On route #5 near Bellair. Markers in Cooper County Tell the Civil War S tory MERNA – where the Missouri River once met the Boonville bluffs, a grey stone marker stands by the railroad tracks. Erected by the Grand Army of the Republic in 1929, it is the landing site of General Nathaniel Lyons and his Union army on June 7, 1861. They had steamed up river from St. Louis to surprise the Missouri Volunteers camped uphill. DNR MARKER – at encampment located by the Missouri Correctional Center – the story of the morning attack upon the new Missouri State Guard recruits, and the confused fighting that followed is told on a descriptive panel. This is considered to be the first land battle of the Civil War. PILOT GROVE MARKER at LIONS PARK – Union General Lyons refreshed his forces in Boonville with Iowa recruits and headed southwest from Boonville on the old Georgetown Road in July 1861 to attack the Southern forces gathering at Springfield. Their first night encampment was at the Clear Creek Crossing near Pleasant Green. Pilot Grove was also the site of a raid by “Bloody Bill” Anderson. The SECOND BATTLE OF BOONVILLE – This marker by Thespian Hall is where barricades were hastily built when southern sympathizers and the State Guard attempted to regain Boonville for the South. The Union wounded were caried inside the hall which was being used as a prison for the Confederate captives. SUNSET HILL CEMETERY – The Union occupation of Boonville was often stormy. Eight Union soldiers were killed in Howard County chasing “Bloody Bill” Anderson and brought back to the City cemetery for burial. A U.S. Government plaque at the mass grave tells the story. WILKIN’S BRIDGE – During the short occupation of the city by General Shelby and his Confederate forces, many skirmishes occurred out in the county, notably at Wilkins Bridge east of Billingsville on the Billingsville Road. The old covered bridge over the Petite Saline is long gone, but a large flat stone with a bronze plaque erected by the Cooper County Historical Society tells of the violent meeting here of General Sanborn’s Union Army and the Shelby Confederates in October 1864. Sanborn’s Union forces moved west from here and the old ante-bellum homes and churches provided campsites, horses food and fodder as the troops moved toward Marshall for the next confrontation with Shelby’s Confederates. OTTERVILLE – From December 1861 till May 1865, Union troops were stationed around the railroad bridge crossing the Lamine River east of Otterville. There defensive trenches extended nearly a mile. The Missouri Dept. of Natural Resources erected a descriptive marker at the Conservation Area boat launch at the site of the former “Camp Curtis” on Highway A. Regardless of the strong defense, the Confederates managed to burn the bridge three times during the occupation. At the top of the hill there is a flag pole and a small bronze plaque donated by the Cooper County Historical Society indicating a section of the 8’deep trenches on land owned by the David McKinney family. A Free Map and information for these sites is available at the CCHS Research Center . Confederate Veteran Archives . The Confederate Veteran was a magazine published from 1893-1932 and this site has most of them on it.

FUR TRADE Adapted from “Discover Cooper County by Looking Back” by Ann Betteridge The primary occupation of the French during their early years in Missouri was trading for fur with the Indians. Much money could be made. One who became a great trader was Pierre Chouteau of St. Louis. In 1808 , Chouteau and other fur merchants organized the Missouri Fur Company, which prospered greatly. In 1809 they sent a successful trading expedition of 350 men up the Missouri River. The company remained in operation for about 20 years. In their search for animals, they were also seeking routes through the mountains to the Pacific coast. The geography learned by these trappers laid a foundation on which future development could take place. Some of the early fur trappers’ routes became well known land and water routes. Trappers were rough, and had hardy features from exposure to the sun and elements. Their hair was long and coarse and often bushy, worn down to the shoulders and usually covered with a low-crowned woolen hat. Trappers often made their own clothing or it was made for them by Indian women. The main outer clothes were of buckskin, fringed at the edges and seamed with buckskin strings. Sometimes clothing was a mix of native materials and wool or linen fabrics. Footwear consisting of deer or buffalo skin moccasins or boots. Knives, hatchets and pistols were carried on a belt around the midriff. A bullet pouch made of animal skin was hung from the neck. A strap carrying the powder horn was worn across the body. A trapper would carry a rifle of anywhere from 50 to 60 caliber. Trappers took care of their own equipment, which might include a twin-lock gun, 100 flints, 35 pounds of powder, 100 pounds of lead, a powder horn, double shot bag, skinning knife, tomahawk and four to six traps. Trappers often worked in groups, sometimes composed of 50 men. The life was tough and trying, with no luxuries. Except for a few supplies of flour, tea, coffee and salt, the trappers lived off the land, with buffalo flesh as their favorite meat. There were many hardships endured by the trappers. While following their traplines, trappers would often hide away equipment and furs, borrowing the French word “cache” to describe these hidden stores. Much care was taken in making the stores secure, but even so, they were frequently raided by Indians, or the contents damaged by floods. The trapping seasons were chiefly during the spring and fall. It was not unusual for a trapper to tramp a distance of 50 miles while setting up to 150 traps. For small animals, steel traps would be used, but for large ones a favorite trap was made after a pattern of the English figure four, using logs. In the early days of the fur trade, deer skins, bear skins and bear lard were the primary commodities. All kinds of animals were trapped, but up to about 1845 , one of the most sought after was the beaver. Because beaver-skin hats were fashionable for men, the price of pelts was between four and six dollars a pound, so that a good trapper could make $1,600 to $2,000 a year, which was a good income in those days. The bottom fell out of the beaver-skin trade when silk was imported, and a new fashion for silk hats made beaver skins valueless. Steel traps were in universal use for trapping beaver. The trap would weigh about five pounds, and during the early nineteenth century cost between 12 and 16 dollars. The trap would be secured by a five-foot chain. At one time the steel jaws of the trap were covered with netting to enclose the animal unharmed, as a live animal would provide a better skin than a dead one. In setting his traps, the trapper waded into the water for some distance in order to cover up his tracks, and the traps would be placed a short distance from the bank in three to four inches of water. Each trap was secured by stretching the chain to its full length and then fastening it to a strong stake driven into the steam bed, also a little way from the bank. A small twig was set over the trap, projecting a few inches above the water surface, and the bait was fastened to the exposed end. The bait that was used was usually obtained from the same species of animal for which the traps were being set. Besides the beaver, other kinds of animals were trapped. Some of them were: muskrat, skunk, raccoon, otter, and sometimes a sable mink. There were also bear skins, but bear trapping was considered a hazardous occupation, often more a matter of necessity than desire. The fur trade in the United States has gone down considerably since the beginning of the 20th century, because of changes in fashion, the development of synthetic fur, and many recently developed lightweight and warm fabrics. Also, some animal rights groups object to the trapping of animals. THE BARTER SYSTEM The catch of a season was taken to fortified trading posts, where a system of barter was used. In 1825 , however, General William H. Ashley introduced the “rendezvous” system as a substitute for trading posts. This allowed for a change of site from year to year. A rendezvous resembled a medieval fair and this annual event frequently ended in a heavy drinking session. Goods of all kinds were exchanged for skins, but the rate of exchange was such that the tools were often priced as much as 2,000 per cent above their cost. An item in great demand in exchange for skins, especially beaver skins, was a gun. The exchange rate was established as the number of skins, when, piled up, would reach from the stock to muzzle, a practice which led to the production of especially long-barreled guns. The fur trade declined rapidly after 1840 . Fur bearing animals, particularly beaver had been trapped and hunted to extinction in many regions. Changes in fashion also led to reduced demand for furs. Bison robes and coats became more popular. Bison leather was heavy and became a source of belts for machinery in factories which were booming in the 1840s and 1850s. While fur trapping in the mountains declined precipitously, bison hunting on the plains increased exponentially. Since the development of synthetic fur, and many recently developed lightweight and warm fabrics in the 20th century, fur trapping continued to remain marginal although some years saw increases in prices. Animal rights groups object to the trapping of animals William H. Ashley was among the most noted fur traders of Missouri history. Ashley was elected as Missouri’s first Lieutenant Governor , serving, from 1820–1824, under Governor Alexander McNair . Ashley ran for governor of Missouri , in the August 1824 election , but was defeated. Ashley formed a partnership with Andrew Henry to form the Rocky Mountain Fur Company. Between 1822 and 1825 the company conducted several large-scale fur trapping expeditions in the mountains. On June 2, 1823 Ashley’s company was repulsed by the Arikara Indians on the Missouri River with a loss of 15 men. Ashley revolutionized the fur trade in the Rocky Mountains with the creation of the rendezvous system. Trappers and Indians would meet at an appointed location to sell their furs to buyers and resupply for the coming season rather than travel to fixed outposts. This helped to advance the fur trade into the remotest sections of the western country. By 1827 , Ashley became a wealthy a man and sold his share of the company to mountain man and scout Jedidiah Smith. From October 31, 1831 , to March 3, 1837 Ashley served in the U.S. House of Representatives from Missouri. In 1836 he ran again for governor but was defeated. He retired from politics and moved to Lamine Township, settling on property he purchased from Auguste Chouteau which had been part of his original Osage land grant. Ashley did not get to enjoy his Cooper County property for long. He died on March 26, 1838 . He was buried on an Indian mound which overlooked the junction of the Lamine and Missouri Rivers. A marker is on his grave site which was about a mile from his home. The burial site in on private property located off County Road CC and requires permission to enter. William Ashley's burial site, overlooking the Missouri River. Fort Osage National Historic Landmark Fort Osage , located in what is now Sibley, Missouri, was one of the first military outposts established in the Louisiana Territory. William Clark documented the area in 1804 as he passed through the area on his way to the Pacific Ocean. Clark returned to the area in 1808 as a Brigadier General in the Louisiana Territory militia and U.S. agent for Indian Affairs, confirmed that the area could be easily defended, and chose to build a fort and other buildings there. The fort was located 70 feet above the high-water mark along the Missouri River. It also became a trading post for the Indians, known as Sibley’s Trading Post. The purpose of the fort was to provide a US military presence in the territory to assure Spain, France and Great Britain that the United States meant to protect its territory by military strength and to establish healthy relations with the Native American population in the territory. The fort was abandoned in 1827 and has been reconstructed to represent the fort and buildings as they were in 1812. The following pictures give a good idea of what life in a fort was like during the War of 1812. Sibley is a small town in Jackson County, Missouri. It is part of the Kansas City metropolitan area, about 80 miles from Boonville.

CHURCH, CEMETERY, AND SCHOOL RECORDS Church Records History Books: Early Baptist Church Records; Antioch Baptist; Boonville Baptist; West Boonville Evangelical; Cumberland Presbyterian; Evangelical United Church of Christ; First Presbyterian; Mt. Nebo; Mt. Vernon Presbyterian; Nelson Memorial United Methodist; Pleasant Grove Community; St John the Baptist; St, John’s United Church of Christ; St. Joseph’s Catholic; St. Paul German Evangelical Lutheran; St. Peter and Paul Catholic; Lutheran of Clark’s Fork; Yeager Union Trinity; Centennial Books: Evangelical United Church of Christ – Boonville; First Baptist – Boonville; Lamine Baptist Association: Nelson Memorial United Methodist; SS Peter & Paul Catholic; St. John’s United Church of Christ; First Baptist Church - Prairie Home; First Christian Church (DOC) - Boonville, First Baptist Church Prairie Home, First Christian Church (DOC) Boonville Church Records in File Drawer Information on 104 different churches, some with a great deal of information Cemetery Records and file information for Cooper, Moniteau and Morgan Counties. Card File with Individual Burial Records Cemetery map brochure with 52 cemeteries– free Large cemetery wall map of 186 cemetery locations Notebooks listing burials by Cemetery Old School Records and file information In cabinet: Bellaire School; Billingsville School; Blackwater School; Bluffton School; Boonville School; Byberry School; Choteau School; Clear Springs School; Cotton Patch School; Crossroads School; Dunkles Beginner’s School; Fairview School; Hickory Grove School; Highland; Kemper School; Locust Grove School; Mount Vernon School; New Lebanon School; Oakwood School; Pilot Grove School; Pilot Grove – St. Joseph’s School; Pisgah School; Pleasant Green; Simmon’s School; Speed School; Splice Creek School; Sumner School; Stony Point School. Much more in file drawers. COOPER COUNTY SOLDIER INFORMATION Soldier Information in CCHS files - Civil War - Muster rolls, Hospital records, Cooper County men who served, Military Prisoners, Troop movement, Militia Records, Confederate Navy Records, Military Prisoners, list of dead at Springfield and Wilson’s Creek, Grand Army of the Republic records, Hospital Records, 1882-1940 Book: Civil War Day by Day – 1861-65 (Carolyn Bartels) Also see Military Records

Acerca de TABLE OF CONTENTS Genealogy Cooper County Historical Records Family History and Vital Records Church, Cemetery, and School Records Books, Maps, and Resource Materials How to do an Oral History Records at Recorder of Deeds Office Online Research Sites Friends of Historic Boonville Other Area Research Sites Military War Records Early Cooper County E arliest Inhabitants Minerals and Soils Louisiana Purchase Early Explor ers Fur Trade First Permanent Settlers Forts are Built Discovery of Fort McMahan New Madrid Earthquake Cooper County is Formed Cooper County is Formed Politics and Early Elections Early Cooper County Personalities Community/Township Settlement Townships Formed Struggle for Statehood Early Water Tra nspo rtation Missouri River and Transportation Cooper County Rivers and Streams Sunk on the Missouri River Wars 1812 in the Boonslick Area Indian Removal Act 1836 the Alamo 1839 Mormon War 1846 Mexican War Pre-Civil War Civil War Early 20th Century Wars World War I World War II Railroads Cooper County Railroads Towns That Once Had Trains & Depots Towns without Trains Train Depots Orphan Trains Early Buildings & Cemeteries Homes & Buildings Churches Cemeteries Schools Communication Pony Express Post Offices Newspapers Telegraph Radio Telephone The Great Depression The Depression in Cooper County Prohibition Early Land Transportation 1821 The Santa Fe Trail Stage Coaches Early Road s & Bridges Automobiles Roads in Cooper County Bridges in Cooper County Early Cooper County Businesses Early Businesses Cooper County Banks Banks & Train Robberies Banks During The Depression Early Veterinarians Early Medicine Funerals & Funeral Homes Authors, Artists, & Historians Agriculture Early Agriculture Mills Beekeeping Farm Machinery What Did People Do for Fun? What They Did for Fun Harley Park Cooper County Infrastructure City Hall & Elections Fire Departments Were the " Good Old Da ys" Really That Good? 1939 Boonville Movie Life Without Electricity Were the "Good Old Days" Good?

THE WAR OF 1812 IN THE BOONSLICK Cooper County men have volunteered for service in many wars; however, only two have taken place on Cooper County soil: The War of 1812 and the Civil War. Both left both sad and bitter memories with relatives of those wounded or killed in battle. Missourians were involved in three brief wars between 1837 and 1847 . These were: The Seminole War in Florida in 1837 , the Mormon War in 1838-39 , and the Mexican War in 1846-48 . Many Cooper Countians volunteered for service in these wars. The War of 1812 in the Boonslick By Michael Dickey Many people associate the War of 1812 with the burning of the white House in 1812 by the British. But a lesser-known related War of 1812 also involved the early settlers in Missouri and various tribes of Indians. On June 18, 1812, the United States declared war on Great Britain. The War of 1812 is one of the least remembered wars of the United States, and Missouri’s involvement is even less known. Though forgotten, the war had significant consequences for the nation’s history. On August 24, 1814 British troops occupied Washington DC burning the White House, the capitol building and several government buildings. Francis Scott Key wrote the National Anthem following the unsuccessful British bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor on Sept. 13-14, 1814. The British encouraged the Indians to fight on their side, promising the Indians that they would help them retain their land that was quickly being settled by Americans. The Battle of New Orleans on January 8, 1815 resulted in a crushing defeat for British forces. In 1959, it gave us the number one hit song on the Billboard Hot 100, “The Battle of New Orleans” by singer Johnny Horton. General Andrew Jackson defeated the Creek Indian Nation in August of 1814 and gained national notoriety for his victory at New Orleans. His war record propelled him to the presidency in 1828 and set the tone of the nation for decades to come. (1812) Forts are Built Hannah Cole, Stephen Cole and their families came to the area of Cooper County that is now Boonville in 1810, nearly two years passed before the War of 1812 broke out. Before this time, the life of the settler was fairly quiet. Nature supplied them with nearly all that they wished to eat or drink. When a place of shelter for his family had been provided, the settler could spend his time hunting and fishing. These were pleasant pastimes for him and they also provided some of the necessities for life. This life of ease and rest was suddenly changed by the beginning of the war. Great Britain declared war in 1812 against the United States. The Indians wanted to keep their land, and joined the war on the side of Great Britain. The settlers immediately began to build forts for their protection. A few months after the first Hannah Cole’s fort was built, a band of about four hundred Indians suddenly made their appearance in the neighborhood. When they came, there were two men by the name of Smith and Savage out hunting. As the hunters were returning, the Indians killed Smith and then scalped him. Savage was able to return to the fort. As the Indians were chasing Savage, they came in full view of the fort. Several of them could have been killed. Some of the people in the fort wanted to kill the Indians; however, Hannah Cole wisely told them not to shoot. The following day some of the settlers captured a French boat, which came up the river loaded with powder and balls to trade with the Indians. The settlers immediately took possession of the twenty-five kegs of powder and five hundred pounds of balls which the boat contained. After the settlers had crossed their families and prisoners to the north shore, in the captured boat, the settlers let the Frenchmen return down the river in their empty boat. The settlers did not want the French to arm the Indians and have the Indians use those weapons against them. As the dominant tribe in Missouri, the Osages had grown increasingly restless as more white settlers were moving West onto their lands. The once friendly American Indians had become belligerent and very dangerous as they did not want to lose their traditional hunting ground. The government was concerned about the safety of the settlers and warned them to move closer to St. Louis for protection. However, the settlers replied to Governor Howard that this area of Missouri was now their home and they were prepared to defend it. When the Declaration of War with England reached St. Louis in July, 1812 there were only 178 soldiers of the regular army in all of the area that would later be named Missouri. Soon after the war broke out, Territorial Governor Benjamin Howard wrote to the settlers in the Boonslick area, urging them to move to the eastern part of Howard County for protection. The settlers defiantly defended their choice to stay on the frontier, and replied to the Governor: “We have maid our hoames here & all we hav is here & it wud ruen us to Leave now.We be all good Americans, not a Tory or one of his Pups among us. & we hav 2 hundred Men and Boys that will Fight to the last and we have 100 Wimen and Girls that will tak there places wh. makes a good force. So we can Defend this Settlement wh. With God’s help we will do.So if wehad a fiew barls of Powder and 2 hundred Lead is all we ask.” It has been said that if it had not been for the lead mining in Cooper County, which provided ammunition for the war, we would have lost the War of 1812. Fort Cooper had been built as a potential center of defense for the Howard county area in case of an Indian uprising. Sarshall Cooper was chosen by 112, including many prominent citizens, as their Captain. He was a natural leader and skilled woodsman, and his knowledge and judgement were trusted by all his men. Cooper’s Fort became the center of the Howard County military community. The settlers who had crossed to the north side of the river returned to their homes in the spring of 1813 , but the Indian troubles continued for another two years. A Heroine of Cooper's Fort The most dangerous time of the war were last six months in 1815 . The settlers were crowded into the forts, had little food to eat, and it was too dangerous to go out of the fort to search for food. The Death of Sarshall Cooper . A sad event of the war was the death of Sarshall Cooper after whom Cooper County was named. One evening, he was sitting at his fireside with his family holding his youngest child on his lap. Other children were playing around the room and his wife was sitting by his side sewing. It is thought that a single Indian warrior crawled up to the fort and made a hole just large enough for the muzzle of his gun to go through the clay between the logs. The noise of his work was drowned by the howling storm. The Indian fired his gun and killed Sarshall instantly. He fell to the floor amidst his horror-stricken family. Sarshall Cooper - small picture of the framed fabric from the vest he was wearing when he was shot. Family heirloom of Joyce Cooper Campbell. A treaty of peace between England and the United States was signed on December 24, 1814. The Indians were advised of the peace treaty; however, they continued to carry on independent warfare, without the help of the British, to try to keep their land. It was not until 1833 that every Indian claim to land titles in the state of Missouri were eliminated. THE WAR OF 1812 IS OVER . Once the War of 1812 was over, and the threat of Indian hostilities gone, the population began to increase quickly. Like most settlers, those who came in the 1820’s to 1830’s, chose to settle close to the Missouri River, but soon started to venture into the heartland of Missouri. Many of the native Americans came from Kentucky, Tennessee and the Carolinas, seeking cheap land. The two countries that contributed greatly to the population increase were Germany and Ireland. In the year 1820, only about 12% of Missouri’s population was foreign born. Below are photos of a flintlock rifle located in the Arrow Rock Museum and two of many musket balls found at the site. Bottom left photo is at the Museum at Arrow Rock with Museum Administrator, Mike Dickey along with my friend Gene Smith. Mike Dickey and Jean Smith viewing long rifle used during War of 1812 Wayne Lammers Collection Flint Lock Rifle used during War of 1812 Wayne Lammers Collection War of 1812 Thoughts It is hard for most of us today to imagine what life was like living in a fort during the the War of 1812 to 1815 . We live in a time of ease when we can heat and cool our homes at a touch of a finger and order anything we desire on line and have it delivered. Try to step back in thought to the period of 1810 to 1815 , when the early Missouri settlers were living in forts for protection from large bands of Indians who wanted their ancient hunting grounds back, and were being encouraged to believe that the English would get it back for them IF the Indians helped to defeat (eliminate) the Americans. Early settlers traveled to central Missouri, at that time Howard County, on the North side of the Missouri River, most likely in covered (Conestoga) wagons. When they arrived, Fort Cooper already contained some single men, a few military and frontiersmen and a few families. Imagine that you are part of a family of two adults and five children. You have brought with you only the most basic cooking utensils, quilts and bedding, tools, guns and ammunition, food for the trip and anything else that you can stuff into the wagon. You probably have no money with you, as there is nothing to buy, but you will probably have some barter items. You settle into a small cabin in the fort, usually just one room. You heat the log cabin and cook your food with heat from the fireplace. It is hot in the summer and probably drafty in the winter. Some of the problems you will encounter: There are many different personalities in a small enclosure. Cooperation and harmony must prevail, especially in times of attack. Everyone must perform the duties assigned to them, even when fear and panic set in. When under attack, which could last for a few days or a week or more, all the animals must be kept inside the fort or they would be killed by the Indians. Feeding the animals for a long period of time, cleaning up after them, and removing their waste is not a pleasant or easy task. Human waste was a problem during times of attack. Other sanitation problems must be considered: how to get clean water for drinking for people and animals, clean water for cooking, cleaning people – especially children, and for cleaning wounds when someone is injured or shot. There would not be a doctor at the fort so someone would hopefully have some knowledge of herbal remedies, and have dried herbs set aside for emergencies, sickness and for tea. Bandages were often made from rags, old clothing and/or fluff from cattails or even milkweed. Forts were usually in the center of a cleared area so enemies could be easily seen. Unfortunately, the pioneers could also be easily seen by the Indians. Large forts, sometimes with 200 or more people, require a lot of food. Wild game normally furnished a majority of their food, but being unable to get out and hunt safely, sometimes meant that the animals inside had to be sacrificed to feed the people. Wild animals were not accustomed to the noise of constant gun fire and would leave the area if frightened, reducing food sources. Nuts, dried tree fruit and berries could be gathered, dried and stored during safe times for emergencies. Some grain crops such as corn, wheat and oats were grown, but during peaceful times the deer, birds and other animals would often feast on the almost ripe grain and the Indians could also set fire to it and it would be destroyed. Sometimes, harvesting the grain could be hazardous if an attack might occur. Corn bread and sourdough bread were probably made, but the choice of what to use for flour could be problematic, although certain types of acorns and nuts could be made edible and used for flour. Even sturdy clothing and shoes tend to wear out. Often men’s and some women’s clothing were made from deer skin, as that was the only material available. If native flax or nettles were available near the river bank, they could be soaked and pounded into workable fiber and eventually be made into a type of cloth. But, without a loom or spinning wheel, it would be hard to make the fibers into cloth. Elderly, or widowed women with small children, also had a hard time doing their share of work without a husband. In many cases there was no official at a fort who was licensed to marry people, but marriages were still performed. Life was a challenge, but those early settlers survived and thrived, and we all owe then a great debt of gratitude for their courage. These hardy pioneers truly were the “salt of the earth.” Barbara Dahl, Editor