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COOPER COUNTY IS FORMED Howard County Has Been Named “The Mother of Counties” Two years after Howard County was organized, there was so much immigration into the southern part of the county that there was a great demand for the division of Howard County and for the formation of another county south of the Missouri River. Because of this demand, the territorial Legislature, on December 17, 1816 , formed the new county of Cooper, which included all of Howard County south of the Missouri River. In 1803, the United States had more than doubled its size with the Louisiana Purchase. The following year, what would one day become the State of Missouri was divided into four districts. On October 1, 1812 , the area was reorganized into five counties and named the Missouri Territory. Although a few changes took place in the Territory between 1813 and 1815 , the biggest change occurred on January 23, 1816 , with the organization of Howard County. Named after Benjamin Howard, the first Governor of the Missouri Territory, Howard County covered more than one-third of the state. It reached all the way to what would become Kansas and Iowa. Howard County would eventually form all or parts of 39 additional counties. Boonville, which was south of the Missouri River across from Franklin, was the county seat. As the population increased south of the river, people began requesting Howard be made into two counties, one on each side of the Missouri River. Finally, after less than three years, Howard was divided. On December 17, 1818 , everything north of the river remained Howard County, and everything south of the river became Cooper County, which was named after Sarshel Cooper and his brother Benjamin, early settlers of the area. The one drawback to the division was the county seat. Boonville was Howard County’s seat of government, but it was on the wrong side of the river. Laid out in 1823 , Fayette became Howard County’s county seat. This territory included what now forms 11 counties and parts of five others. Cooper County was gradually decreased in size by the formation of new counties. By 1845 , the boundaries of Cooper County were as they are today. HISTORICALLY YOURS, by Elizabeth Davis HOW COOPER COUNTY CAME TO BE By Dr. Maryellen H. McVicker The area that is now known as Missouri, was originally divided into 5 counties in 1812 by Territorial Governor William Clark, of the Lewis and Clark Expedition: St. Louis, St. Charles, New Madrid, St. Genevieve, and Cape Girardeau. These 5 counties had their origins in French settlements mostly along the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. On January 13, 1816 , Howard County was created out of portions of St. Louis and St. Charles counties, and eventually encompassed enough land that 39 counties, or approximately 1/3 of the entire state of Missouri, would be formed from the original Howard County territory. Cooper County was one of those counties. It was organized as a separate county on December 17, 1818 . By 1821, Missouri had 25 counties. Eventually there would be 114 counties, and the City of St. Louis. The central Missouri region experienced rapid growth during the first 2 decades of the 19th century. By 1820 , what is now Howard and Cooper Counties, had a population of over 20,000 people, which was about 1/3 of the entire population of the Territory of Missouri. The population of the entire United States was between 9 and 10 million. Now, two hundred years later, over 300 million call the United States their home and approximately 38,000 people live in the two-county region. Cooper County will soon be 200 years old. Cooper County predates statehood. The 1876 Levens and Drake History of Cooper County tells a story about an early county employee: “Sometime during the year 1817 , William Gibson, …was appointed by the Territorial Court constable. …Soon after his appointment, there being some trouble down on the Osage, he was sent there with a warrant for the arrest of a man who had caused the trouble. …As he was on his journey back, and also having an execution against a Man who lived on the road, he stopped at the man’s house and proceeded to levy a tax on the feather beds, as nothing in those days was exempt from levy (taxation—ed.) But, as soon as he made his purpose known, four women, who were the only persons at home, threatened to give him a thrashing, so he was forced to retire as fast as he could, and return with the execution unsatisfied. To add to this, the court only allowed him, for his journey of one hundred and forty miles, which occupied four days, the magnificent sum of twenty-five cents. Mr. Gibson thinking the office not quite lucrative enough to justify him devoting his whole time to its duties, and not wishing to risk his life at the hands of angry women, quietly sent in his resignation…” Some things never change! Notice the size of Howard County compared to Cooper County COUNTIES THAT WERE FORMED FROM COOPER COUNTY Not only were 14 counties formed from Cooper County, many of these counties, in turn, were the parent county to new counties. Cooper County as originally formed comprised the present day counties of Bates (Formed 1841 from Cass County), Benton (Formed 1835 from Pettis County), Camden (Formed 1841 from Benton County), Cass (Formed 1835 from Jackson County), Cole (Formed 1820 from Cooper County), Henry (Formed 1834 from LaFayette County), Jackson (Formed 1826 from LaFayette County), Johnson (Formed 1834 from LaFayette County), LaFayette (Formed 1820 from Cooper County), Miller (Formed 1837 from Cole County), Moniteau (Formed 1845 from Cole and Morgan Counties), Morgan (Formed 1833 from Cooper County), Pettis (Formed 1833 from Cooper and Saline Counties), St. Clair (Formed 1841 from Henry County), and Saline (Formed 1820 from Cooper and Howard Counties). References : Ann Betteridge

COOPER COUNTY ROADS Immigration into the County had been halted by the War of 1812, but by 1815, there was a steady flow of people coming to the County. Settlers brought with them wagons and horses. Mules were brought in from Santa Fe after the opening of the Santa Fe trail in 1821. Settlers began to mark out roads and to cut their way through the forests. Oxen were often used for wagon transportation and continued to be used for many more years. The prairie presented few obstacles to travel, but to go through a forest was an entirely different matter. A wise selection of a route was needed or there would be lots of labor in cutting trees and fording streams. No public roads were laid out (except on paper) until 1819. But no construction work was done upon the roads, nor were they thought necessary for a many more years. The first petition for a public road in Cooper County was presented by B.W. Levens. It asked for the location of a road leading from Boonville to the mouth of the Moniteau Creek. The second petition for the location of a public road was by Anderson Reavis, presented on the same day. The road that was petitioned for a road running from the mouth of the Grand Moniteau to the Boonville and Potosi Road. When Cooper County was officially organized as a county in 1819, the stream of immigration to the south side of the river was increasing and roads were needed. Early roads were often cattle trails, and later, covered with gravel or made from planks of wood laid down. Some towns had roads called “The Old Plank” road. (1921)The Centennial Road Law was signed into law to improve road conditions in the state. (Source: Courtesy of Missouri Bicentennial Timeline) “Improvements to road conditions became a popular topic of state politics with the rise of automobile purchases in 1917. Before 1907, highway improvements were left entirely to counties, many of which did not have trained engineers. The Centennial Road Law shifted highway building efforts in Missouri from the local level, to the state level, by granting the State Highway Commission the authority to supervise highways and bridges. In the 1920s and 30s, the commission undertook massive road building projects that improved the highway system to “Get Missouri out of the mud.” MAP OF COOPER COUNTY HIGHWAYS Source: MoDOT INTERSTATE INSPIRATION We have President Dwight D. Eisenhower to thank for the cross-country I-system that runs through the County. It’s a story that took many years of World Wars I and II experiences by then General Eisenhower, to bring into reality. President Dwight D. Eisenhower Source: HISTORYNET It was not until the Allies broke through the Western Wall and tapped into Germany’s sprawling autobahn network that General Eisenhower saw for himself what a modern army could do with an infrastructure capable of accommodating it. The enhanced mobility that the autobahn provided the Allies was something to behold, and years later was still cause for reminiscing. ‘The old convoy,’ Eisenhower wrote, referring to his experience with the FTMC, ‘had started me thinking about good, two-lane highways, but Germany had made me see the wisdom of broader ribbons across the land.’ Not surprisingly, therefore, when Eisenhower became the 34th U.S. president in 1953, he pushed for the building of an interstate highway system. Although Congress had first authorized a national highway system in 1944, it had always been woefully underfunded.Throwing the full weight of his presidency behind the project, Eisenhower declared to Congress on February 22, 1955: ‘Our unity as a nation is sustained by free communication of thought and by easy transportation of people and goods. The ceaseless flow of information throughout the Republic is matched by individual and commercial movement over a vast system of interconnected highways crisscrossing the country and joining at our national borders with friendly neighbors to the north and south. ‘Together, the uniting forces of our communication and transportation systems are dynamic elements in the very name we bear — United States. Without them, we would be a mere alliance of many separate parts.’ Source: HISTORYNET HIGHWAY I-70 BECOMES A REALITY Interstate 70 (I-70) is over 2,150 miles of highway from Cove Fort, Utah to Baltimore, Maryland. Two hundred miles of the highway and two hundred fifty miles of this super highway runs right through the center of Missouri. It appears that both Missouri and Kansas can each lay claim to I-70 beginnings. The first three contracts for the highway were signed in Missouri on August 2, 1956. The first section to be paved were in Kansas on September 26 the same year. But I-70 is just a small piece of the 48,000+ miles of highway system that crisscrosses the US. As farm folks look on, a worker smooths concrete on I-70 near Boonville, Mo. Source: National Archives Interstate 70 (I-70) is just over 2,150 miles of highway from Cove Fort, Utah, to Baltimore, Maryland. Two hundred fifty miles of this super highway runs through Missouri and 30 of those miles run through the middle of Cooper County between Boone and Saline Counties. But I-70 is just a piece of the highway system that was conceived by President Dwight D. Eisenhower during the 1950s. This brain child was the result of a two-month trip between DC and San Francisco in 1919 and Eisenhower’s final months of World War II in Europe. The first Transcontinental Motor Convoy across the US took place in 1919. Eisenhower had been assigned as an observer and he remembered well the difficulties encountered as the convoy traveled from the White House to Gettysburg, and then on to San Francisco. The trip took two months. During the final months of World War II, Eisenhower was in Germany and saw the autobahn Hitler had designed. It was a far cry from the historic Lincoln Highway used in America for traveling coast to coast. Eisenhower took office in 1953, and by 1954 had announced his idea of an interstate highway system similar to the German autobahn. It took a couple of years for Congress to work through the financing, but H.R. 10660 was introduced in the House of Representatives by Maryland Democrat George Fallon on April 19, 1956. This time the bill worked its way through Congress quickly and was signed into law by President Eisenhower on June 29. The Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956 provided $25B for 41,000 miles of highway to be completed in 10 years and was hailed as the Greatest Public Works Project in American History. Some of the first construction began in Missouri and Kansas before the end of the year. While federal and state governments worked together to iron out the details and actually build the new highway system, cities and towns across America were dealing with the impact these new highways would have on them. Boonville, just north of I-70, would need a business loop. On August 18, 1959, the citizens of Boonville voted on a $150,000 General Obligation Bond for acquiring rights-of-way for streets and avenues for Business Loop 70. The ballots were counted and, on August 20, it was announced that the bond had passed. Creating the business loop required the tearing down and/or relocating of at least 11 houses. Most of this was accomplished during the spring of 1960. Another issue came up during that summer. The Historical Society wanted to change the names of all streets that connected with I-70. On September 6, 1960, Councilman Coley reported their suggestions to the City Council. Elm St. to Main St. would be renamed Ashley Road; Rt. 87 business loop to Main St. would become Bingham Road; and Boonslick Blvd. would be the new name for Main St. connecting to Rt. B. Motion was made and seconded to make the changes and the motion passed unanimously. However, these changes did not meet with the approval of the community. At the October 3rd City Council meeting, Mayor Bell read a letter from the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce requesting that Main Street’s name not be changed. Councilman Callis moved that the original motion be sustained and the motion was seconded by Councilman Althauser. The motion carried unanimously. Mr. Brownsberger attended the October 28th Council meeting and, representing the Chamber of Commerce, presented a petition with 245 signatures requesting that Boonslick Blvd be changed back to Main St. The Council agreed and voted to restore Main Street’s name. Thanks to I-70, Boonville has Ashley and Bingham Roads, but thanks to the citizens, we still have Main Street. Source: " Historically Yours" by Elizabeth Davis Dedication of the I-70 bridge October 8, 1960 Dedication of the I-70 bridge October 8, 1960 from on top of cliff. From the Wayne Lammers collection Looking east from the Cooper County side of the I-70 Dedication. From the Wayne Lammers collection A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR’S CRYSTAL BALL Today it seems that some Cooper County towns are slowly starting to gain in population. Could it be that some city folks are getting just a bit disenchanted with the big cities? True, Cooper County doesn’t have much big-name entertainment or many exciting things to do or see, but there is a lot of local talent, several excellent community yearly events and a variety of groups to join. And reasonably priced homes and low taxes! Could it be that they see that Cooper County has: good roads, free, accessible parking, excellent schools, adequate shopping, but not too far from Columbia; low crime and theft, no gangs, good health care, excellent sheriff and fire departments, lovely parks and friendly people?

VETERINARIANS Dr. Benjamin Rush, the famous American medical doctor, was the first person to call for the establishment of a veterinary school, as he believed that many of the diseases animals suffered from were similar to those of humans. In 1848 George H. Dadd produced a series of Veterinary books and also edited the American Veterinary Journal. According to him, there were only 15 graduates of veterinary medicine practicing in the United States in 1847. By 1850, the practice of veterinary medicine was becoming widespread. Some of the practitioners were graduates of European programs, but most were those who just advertised their skills with animals. The first instruction in veterinary medicine was offered at the University of Missouri in 1872. Then, in 1884, Paul Paquin, trained in Quebec, brought a much-improved education over what was offered in the U.S. It wasn’t until the close of WWII that veterinary medicine entered the modern era. In early 1914, the idea of a Missouri School of veterinary medicine was discussed, but dropped, due to lack of funding. By the end of WWII there were only 10 schools of veterinary medicine in the United States. The Kansas City Veterinary College operated from 1881 to 1917 and graduated 1,789 students. The earliest graduates received a degree after 6 months of instruction, in comparison to the four years required today, and there were no admission standards. The school of Veterinary Medicine in Columbia Missouri opened its doors in 1946. The people who have practiced veterinary medicine in Cooper County history and lived here permanently are: Charles F. Moore – farmer, stock raiser, trader, and self-taught veterinary surgeon. 1826 – 1888. Dr. Ace Overton Donahew – He studied for three years at the Kansas City Veterinary College to become a veterinarian. He practiced in several counties and settled in Boonville. He was known to be an expert with horses and dogs. 1865 – 1928. Charles Doerric – was a veterinarian as well as the manufacturer of a very successful facial cream manufacturing company. He also was a farmer and coal miner who later studied veterinary surgery at the New York Veterinary College. As a veterinarian located in Cooper County, he also practiced in five nearby counties. He was also very active in Boonville community affairs. 1862 – ? Dr. Jonathan Paris Miller II – He became a veterinarian like his older brother Boyd, who practiced in California MO. He practiced for a while, then became the livestock inspector for the Western Wing Railroad. He attended St. Joseph Veterinary College, graduating in 1920 as President of his class. In 1930 he returned to his veterinary practice for 21 years. His was a family business. His wife answered the phone and his children helped with surgeries and helped on Saturdays. 1891 – 1958. Dr. Floyd E. Coley – Dr. Coley graduated in 1950 in the first class of the newly opened Missouri School of Veterinary medicine and practiced in Boonville. Doctor Coley spent his entire career in Boonville. In talking about his years treating animals, he commented that he was starting to treat more small companion animals and fewer large animals, and noted that more preventive medicine and better drugs were needed to treat those animals. 1916 – 2003 Dr. James K. Farrell – Dr. Farrell arrived in Boonville in 1950 and practiced there for many years. He has been very active in community and professional organizations. In 1969 he was honored by his peers as “Veterinarian of the Year.” In discussing changes seen in veterinary medicine, Dr. Farrell notes the rise of the pet practice and no dairies in the area. -1920 – 2001 Dr. Floyd Truman Swanstone – Dr. Floyd Truman Swanstone determined to become a veterinarian after going on calls with Dr. J.P. Miller. After WWII, he used the G.I. Bill to return to Missouri where he received his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, majoring in animal husbandry, then his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1954. He practiced with Doctors Coley and Ferrel for a year, then built a new clinic on Highway 87. He had a hard time getting a loan for his new building. In that time period veterinarians treated only farm animals, not family pets. But, within a year after the building was finished, 50% of his practice was pets. In 1975 he sold his business to Dr. William D. Hope. Dr. Swanstone also worked for a local sales barn, became a real-estate agent, graduated from auction school, and was president of a local land corporation. 1925 – 1999 Dr. William Doniphan Hope – Dr. William Doniphan Hope graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in Animal Husbandry in 1968, and after a tour of duty in South Vietnam he received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Missouri in 1975. His family moved to Boonville and he began to work for Dr. Floyd Swanstone. Shortly thereafter the Hope purchased the building on Route 87 from Dr. Sandstone. Dr. Hope has also noticed the change in his practice from large animals to pets. In 1985 he sold his practice and returned to college earning a Ph.D. Then he became an equine specialist at the Purdue University of Veterinary Medicine. Now retired, he lives in Colorado. 1945 – alive. Dr. Wiley Ray McVicker – Dr. McVicker and his family moved to Boonville in 1979 from Fayette, Missouri where he had been employed as a veterinarian for 1-1/2 years following his graduation from the University of Missouri School of Veterinary Medicine. He received his Associates of Arts Degree in 1970 from Fort Scott Community College, his Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture in 1972, his Master of Science Degree in Agriculture in 1975 and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1977 from the University of Missouri. 1950 – alive. Dr. Debra Lee Stottlemeyer Upham – Dr. Debra Lee Stottlemeyer Upham joined Dr. McVicker at Boonslick Animal Hospital in 1998 upon her graduation from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine. At the young age of 40 she died of cancer leaving behind a husband and two children. 1968 – 2008 Source: Dr. Maryellen McVicker Notes: In the past 100 years, Cooper County has gradually changed from a very rural county with many herds of large animals to one that is more urban. Dairy herds are gone, but some cattle are still raised. Some horses still dot the countryside, as do a few farms with chickens, hogs and sheep. But Dr. James Farrell was correct, each year there seem to be more companion animals needing care, and fewer vets caring for large animals. Veterinary Medicine in Cooper County There are currently two Animal Hospitals in Cooper County, Missouri, serving a population of 17,620 people in an area of 565 square miles. There is one animal hospital per 8,810 people, and one animal hospital per 282 square miles. In Missouri, Cooper County is ranked 6th of 115 counties in Animal Hospitals per capita, and 20th of 115 counties in Animal Hospitals per square mile. In the past 100 years, Cooper County has gradually changed from a very rural county to one that is more urban. Dairy herds are gone, but some cattle are still raised. Some horses still dot the countryside, as do a few farms with chickens, hogs and sheep. But Dr. James Farrell was correct, each year there seem to be more companion animals needing care, and fewer vets caring for large animals. Source: Countyoffice.org H istory of Cooper County Animal Hospital Greg Lenz DVM, son of Richard and Ann Lenz (Cooper County Dairy Producers) opened Cooper County Animal Hospital in spring/summer of 1987 immediately after graduating from University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine. He opened it with the goal of eventually doing Bovine Embryo Transfer full time, but knew that in the beginning, he would need general practice until the ET business grew. He had several different veterinarians working for him during his ownership. After 7 years, the ET business had grown enough that Dr. Lenz put the business up for sale so he could move to the Springfield Missouri area (a higher dairy cattle concentration) and focus on his ET business I (Scott Fray) grew up in northeast Missouri (Monroe City), graduated from MU Vet School in 1991 and got my first job in Auburn, Nebraska. In 1993 I was passing through Boonville on my way to Monroe City, where we stopped to have lunch with a college friend of my wife's, Susan Lenz and my wife worked as interior designers in Columbia, MO while I was in Veterinary School. Susan mentioned in passing that her brother-in-law Greg Lenz was trying to sell his practice and that I should give him a call. After several phone calls, a couple more of visits to Boonville (even during the great flood of 93), and some creative financing from a bank that was willing to take a chance on a "broke" young veterinarian, we purchased Cooper County Animal Hospital on January 3, 1994. It is ironic that I knew nothing about Boonville, but my Mother's parents and her siblings, therefore, all of my cousins all grew up in the Smithton/Otterville area, and after we had been in Boonville for several years, my mother moved back to her home place near Otterville, and therefore much closer to us. When we purchased Cooper County Animal Hospital, it was a small, rural-mixed practice that could support one doctor and 2-3 employees. It was approximately 50:50 large/farm animal: companion animal, with a fair amount of equine, swine, sheep and goats, etc. Over the 30 years that we have owned the business, it has evolved into a 2 1/2 doctor practice with around 13 employees. It has also changed from 50:50 to approximately 80% companion animal (almost exclusively dog and cat) and 20% large animal (almost exclusively beef cattle) with more sheep and goats, but virtually no swine and very minimal equine. I think the growth and change in our practice follows closely the change in veterinary medicine as a whole. Boonville and Cooper county have grown and have become more urban, with more influence from Columbia, MO than in the past. Society has also evolved into viewing their pets much differently than in the past. They not only view them as much more of an integral part of the family and therefore place much more emotional value on them, but they also are much more willing in general to pursue treatment and prevention in a way that more resembles our human medical counterparts. As an example, in 1994, we answered the phone 24/7 and would see many of the emergencies ourselves. Currently, we still have a doctor on call, but we very seldom see small animal emergencies ourselves. There are 2 emergency veterinary hospitals in Columbia and people as a whole are in agreement that emergencies/urgencies should be seen in a setting where they are fully equipped and staffed. It's much like modern human medicine, where you wouldn't call your primary care physician for an emergency, you would go to the ER or Urgent care. As for the future of veterinary medicine, we see some signs of what might come. I would imagine that we will continue to progress and follow closely the model of human medicine as far as advanced treatments. This, however, also increases the cost of treating our pets. I suspect that the pet insurance industry will become more of an important method of helping owners' care for their pets. There are continuing advances and development of new, better prevention and treatment options becoming available almost daily. I suspect this will continue. There is much interest in the concept of "One Health", which is an interest in integrating animal and human medicine more closely. Science is evolving to understand how integral animal, both domestic and no-domestic animals, and human health are intertwined. Collaboration between the animal, human, environmental, and ecological sciences are becoming more common. In the Food animal veterinary world, there is a shortage of veterinarians nationwide. There is as lot of discussion of how to attract young veterinarians to rural areas and how to encourage their interest in food-animal medicine. This is especially seen in the beef cattle industry, not as much in the swine and dairy fields. Student loan debt is one reason for this, and that is being looked at, with loan forgiveness programs present at the federal level and at several states' levels (Missouri was one of the first states to have such a program). By: Scott A Fray, DVM Notes: In the past 100 years, Cooper County has gradually changed from a very rural county with many herds of large animals to one that is more urban. Dairy herds are gone, but some cattle are still raised. Some horses still dot the countryside, as do a few farms with chickens, hogs and sheep. But Dr. James Farrell was correct, each year there seem to be more companion animals needing care, and fewer vets caring for large animals.

SUNK ON THE MISSOURI RIVER The Missouri River was a major highway from St. Louis to the Wild West across Missouri, but the Mighty Mo took a great many steamboats down as they struggled to settle Missouri and points west. The steamboat “Pirate” was one of the earliest steamboats to sink in the Missouri River. Carrying supplies for Joseph N. Nicollet and the Potawatomi Indians displaced from the east, it sank in April 1839 near what is now Bellevue, Nebraska. One of the worst disasters on the Missouri River was the steamboat “Saluda” near Lexington, Missouri. On April 9, 1852, Captain Francis T. Belt, frustrated by the lack of progress in making a difficult bend, ordered an increase in steam pressure. The boilers exploded. Over 100 people were killed, including Captain Belt. The steamboat “Arabia” was a side wheeler built in 1853 near the Monongahela River in Brownsville, Pennsylvania. It was eventually purchased by Captain John Shaw who operated it on the Missouri River. It is currently on display in Kansas City at the Arabia Museum, but plans are to relocate it to another area. Sold to Captain William Terrill and William Boyd, it made more than a dozen trips up and down the Missouri River. On September 5, 1856, it hit a submerged sycamore tree snag and ripped open the hull. It sank on September 5, 1856. The “Bertrand” steamboat was launched in Wheeling, West Virginia, in 1864. On April 1, 1865, the steamboat struck a submerged log in the Desoto Bend of the Missouri River near Omaha, Nebraska. It sank in less than ten minutes. The “USS Naiad” was built as the “Princess” in 1863 at Freedom, Pennsylvania. Purchased by the Navy at Cincinnati, Ohio, it was commissioned on April 3, 1864, as the USS Naiad. Surviving the war, the USS Naiad was decommissioned at Cairo, Illinois on June 30, 1865. Sold at auction on August 17, 1865, the boat was renamed Princess. It sank on June 1, 1868, when it hit a snag at Napoleon, Missouri. These are only a few of the hundreds of steamboats that sank on the Missouri River, most of them remain unrecovered. Source: "Historically Yours", by Elizabeth Davis Other artifacts from the Missouri Packet are on display at the River, Rails and Trails Museum in Boonville. One steam boat was recovered just upstream from Boonville. It was the “Missouri Packet”. The story of the recovery of the Packet, along with many pictures can be found below. RETRIEVING THE MISSOURI PACKET Early excavation and outline of the boat before the digging began Digging the boat out of the sand with heavy equipment (1820) THE SINKING OF THE MISSOURI PACKET AND EXCAVATION FOR IT By Wayne Lammers The PLUNDER of the Missouri Packet Steamboat An1820 Steamboat excavation near the mouth of the Lamine and Missouri Rivers By Wayne Lammers June 2020 ——————————————————————————— Information of the MISSOURI PACKET Steamboat that sank in the Missouri River in May of 1820. From the Missouri Intelligence and Boonslick Advertiser (this newspaper issued its first copy in Franklin MO., on April 23, 1819) Volume #1 Issue #51 May 13, 1820, P. 2 col. 3 “The Steam Boat Missouri Packet arrived at this place [May 5] in a short passage from St. Louis, bound for the Council Bluffs, laden principally with flour and provisions, for the troops at that place. We regret to state, that a few hours after leaving Franklin, she unfortunately sunk. Being, however, near the shore, in low water, it is expected a considerable portion of the cargo will be saved, and the boat raised and repaired so as to proceed on to her destination.” [No further mention of the Missouri Packet in other issues of the Missouri Intelligence and Boon’s Lick Advertiser] This information was given to Wayne Lammers from Robert “Bob” Dyer after we, along with Gene Smith, visited the the excavated site on December, 30. 1987 . For many years I dreamed of working on an archeological site, uncovering history that have been lost to mankind. That dream came to light on December 30, 1987 , when a friend by the name of Gene Smith asked me to video tape the excavation of a steamboat that he and his salvage corporation from Independence Missouri had found in the bottoms of the Missouri River, about eleven miles west of Boonville near the Lamine River. The boat they were searching for, ca1850’, according to the history, had a large amount of gold and silver onboard. My friend Gene Smith of Independence Missouri, found this sunken boat using a Proton Magnetometer that used the principle of earth’s field nuclear magnetic resonance (EFNMR) to register very small variations on the earth’s magnetic field, allowing metal objects, underground, to be detected to the depth of 30 to 50 feet below the surface. In doing this, the salvage corporation can make exploration decisions, with a grid map, to show the variation of the magnetic field below. After the suspected boat is located on this grid, the next process is to use a 4- or 5-inch auger to bore a sample drill into the suspected target. In doing this, some of the boat hull and artifacts will belch out on to the surface of the Missouri River Bottoms. This boat that was dug, was at the depth of about 30 to 35 feet in the middle of a soybean field. (Authors Note:) In 1820 , the sunken boat was located on the southern shore of the Missouri River in Cooper County, on a bend in the river. Over the years the Missouri River changed its course, I believe, because of the sinking of this steamboat and eliminating this bend in the river doing this, there is now part of Cooper County in the Howard County bottoms which exist today, of 385 acres owned by the Jake Huebert family and Central Missouri Properties LLC of Boonville. On the day I arrived at the excavation site, it was a beautiful sunny day, with the temperature in the upper 30’s. Gene Smith and I were in his black pickup truck following Gary Sisk, in his large RV, going to the two-inch snow field excavation site. We were flying down the Missouri River Bottom because of all the snow and didn’t want to stop because we knew we would get stuck in a heart-beat if we did. We arrived at mid-morning to a site that was unbelievable. The midsection of the 120-foot boat was totally missing. This is where the three boilers and firebox were located. I looked off to the side and saw one large cast iron boiler with other parts nearby that was set aside for later removal. On the port side of the bow of the boat, I saw men with shovels, clearing a large cast iron object. I later found out that this was the engine that powered the craft. I started recording with my Olympic video camera and captured the scene. Moments later I was told by Mr. Smith that we had the rest of the day to discover, record and retrieve what we could of the excavation, because the salvage company was going to rebury this historic steamboat forever. My first thought was “NO”, we need to document this ship and its contents in front of us. To a certain extent, this never happened. Gene Smith and I along with his 100-foot survey tape, began measuring the steamboat which measured approximately 120 feet long, 25 feet wide and 5 feet deep. By the time I settled in to the excavation, the salvage crew were removing the lone engine on the port side of the vessel. The lone large backhoe had a large two-inch strap that was raising the engine away from the boat. The engine had a pitman that was about 12 to 15 feet long with a 3/4-inch cast iron plate on both sides - top and bottom of this beam or pitman. This was connected to the paddle wheel cam which powered the boat. In raising the engine high above, I heard a large crunch. This was the breaking of the cam at the end of the pitman. Well, I thought, is this is how they retrieve artifacts from a historic sunken boat? I was shocked, literally shocked, by the irreverence to the methods and manner they pilfered these items on this old boat. My thoughts were, “This isn’t the way it is supposed to be done.” The next thing was to try to find the name of this boat and when it sank. We found no paint on the sides of what was left of the vessel. We knew that there were about 30 to 40 wooden barrels of salted pork along with some empty whiskey barrels onboard the steamboat. A bunghole on the top of the barrel was the only indication of liquid in the empty container. Over the many years, the whiskey leached out and was gone forever. We located the barrels midway on the steamboat covered with sand, in front of where the three boilers were located. With two small shovels and a lot of work we uncovered many barrels. During this process, I noticed that there were no metal rings around each barrel. They were made of wooden rings with no metal at all. Each wooden band was secured to the barrels with small square nails. I knew that the early barrels had wooden rings instead of metal, to hold the contents together. I then had the feeling that we had a much earlier boat than the later 1850 “Money Boat” that the salvage company thought this one was. This “Money Boat” was thought to contain $200,000 in silver and $50,000 in gold coins. In today’s money….we are talking Millions of Dollars. My question was, why would a very early steamboat be caring that much money? Back to the search for the name of the boat. We felt that there may be a stamp on the top of the barrels indicating the location of the shipment of pork. We pressed on and searched for this. We were right. We finally found a barrel top that was marked. Later, my next move, was to research for the origin of this salt cured pork at Chillicothe Ohio. I did some calling and found a person by the name of Brian Hackett, Director of the Ross County Historical Society in Chillicothe. He gave me the information about the Waddle & Davisson Company that was in operation from 1812 to 1824, shipping salt cured pork to early settlements out west including the forts at Council Bluffs Iowa some 950 river miles away from the docks at Chillicothe, Ohio. This is such a significant incite for a remarkable adventure early in the settling of the Great West. Brian Hackett advised that “This is a greater glimpse of what things were like, an unintentional time capsule. Finds like this allow people to have insight about daily lives of those who lived long ago. Covering it was a waste, a loss of significant historical artifacts.” Again, we pressed on with our search. Gary Sisk wanted to search the stern of the boat with his idea of using a two-inch water hose that was supplied by the water pumps that removed the water from the sunken boat area. In digging the boat which was incased with sand and water, this water had to be removed. A system of four to five pumps were needed for this process. The pumps ran 24/7 at a cost of $500 dollars per day in fuel to run the pumps. This water was pumped some 150 yards back to the Missouri River. In this task, of washing the stern of the boat, we uncovered a recessed paddle wheel or bootjack stern-wheeler. This was also an indication of an early boat. I knew from my studies that this is what the early steamers looked like. T he first thing that was found was a pelvic bone. At the time we didn’t know what kind of bone this was. Arthur’s note: Weeks later, I contacted Doctor Wiley McVicker, a veterinarian in Boonville, and he advised that this was a bovine pelvic bone. He couldn’t tell if it were male or female. So, we know that at least one cow was onboard when the ship sank. Again, this was important to me because cattle were not a plentiful item out west at this point in time. River, Rails & Trails Museum in Boonville houses the following: ½ scale model of a keel boat, handmade model of a Keel boat by Eric Owens, many artefacts from the Missouri Packet collected by Wayne Lammers. Oldest artifacts of oldest steam to be excavated on the Missouri River – May 5, 1820 excavated in December 1987. Wayne Lammers with some of his artifacts from the 200 year old shipwreck "The Missouri Packet" that are located at The River, Rails & Trails Museum in Boonville. Excavation of the steamboat, Missouri Packet, December 27, 1987. This is the stern of the boat with the Paddle Wheel at top right. The boat was destroyed by the company that excavated the boat, looking for gold and silver that wasn't onboard this early 1800's boat. Crew unearthing the paddle wheel of the steamboat. This was a very early steamboat made in the early 1800's. This boat will be the earliest steamboat ever excavated on the Missouri River. This boat was a "recessed sternwheeler" or "Boot-Jack" with the paddle wheel up inside the boat. Lobby in the Arabia Museum in Kansas City displaying the steam engine Paddle wheel and the stern of the boat - they dug through the boat. Boiler - one of the boilers - excavated and "carefully" searched for in the boat, with a 6-foot bucket Bob Dyer examining the steam engine Barrel staves from barrels of salt pork and whiskey. Pork was processed in Chillicothe Ohio by Waddel and Davidson Capstan Closeup of the capstan Picture of barrel top and a pork jaw bone Copper tubing (high steam pressure tubing) Artifacts on display at River, Rails and Trails Museum Digging out the steam engine Steam engine from another angle Article from the Missouri Intelligencer & Boonslick Advertiser at Franklin on May 13, 1820. This is the notification of the sinking of the Missouri Packet Steamboat on the Missouri River just west of the Lamine River. The story of the sunken steamboat as the news traveled to Chillicothe Ohio where the 200 year old salted pork came from. Photo by Wayne Lammers who was a small part of the excavation of the Missouri Packet.

BRIDGES IN COOPER COUNTY COVERED BRIDGES There once were five covered bridges in Cooper County: Crawford, Hurt, Connors, Shoemaker, and Big Lick. They all spanned the Petite Saline Creek. All the covered bridges were replaced many years ago by either metal or concrete structures. Sadly, there are no known photos of any of the covered bridges in Cooper County. Above is a sketch of the covered bridge on highway 5 between Boonville and Billingsville by Florence Friederichs. THE SWINGING BRIDGE Pretend you are a child in 1930 and your dad is going to drive you across the brand-new swinging bridge for the first time. You are tall enough to see the steep hill going up to the bridge. The truck starts across the wide boards that don't look a bit safe. You dad is driving very slo wly, but you can hear creaking and bumping of the metal against metal and the wooden planks. You press your nose against the passenger window and see the dirt-brown Lamine River looming 30 feet below. The trip across the 231-foot bridge seems to take too long. Then comes the stomach-churning descent on the other side. Your dad shuts off the engine and you hop out to watch vehicles behind you crossing. Some drivers turn around, not brave enough to venture across. When the bridge is empty, your dad reaches out his hand and says, “Let's walk across.” Your heart pounds at the thought. He grabs your hand, leading you up the steep hill. A gentle breeze causes the bridge to sway. You take one step and another until both feet are planted on one of the wooden boards. The world is moving beneath your feet, pitching and rolling, like a carnival ride. Your dad tells you that farmers wanted a bridge built northwest of Pleas ant Green, Missouri. They hired a man named Joe Dice, who had built other bridges like this one. A lot of local people helped build this bridge. Your dad showed you two thick groups of wires that helped reinforce the structure. More than 300 individual wires make up each bunch. Two 22-foot-deep holes on each end of the bridge were filled with hand-made concrete that served to anchor the bridge. Pretend now, it's 1994 and you are an old person. You see the bridge floor collapsed from heavy flooding, sinking into the river. It is no longer safe. The Cooper County Historical Society tries to save it, but the cost is too expensive. In 1996, you stand and watch as the bridge is removed from the Lamine River. You think back and can almost feel that bridge swaying beneath your feet. Swinging Bridge near Lamine Underside of Swinging Bridge over Lamine Old Bridge over Lamine River BOONVILLE HIGHWAY 40 BRIDGE Boonville Bridge shortly after building in 1924. Prior to 1924 , the only way that travelers could cross the Missouri River between Boonville and New Franklin was by ferry. The first Boonville Highway 40 Bridge was dedicated on July 4, 1924 . It was originally planned to be a toll span bridge, but the resourcefulness of Col. T.A. Johnson and Col. John Cosgrove was largely responsible for a quick change in plans. They were able to arrange for federal and state financial aid which made the bridge toll-free. The bridge was opened on July 4, 1924 with a grand celebration in which the Mayors of Boonville and New Franklin each walked to the center of the bridge and shook hands. The new bridge offered more freedom to motorists as the new bridge could now be used in all weather, whereas the ferries were halted in winter and during storms. Plus, commuters could travel across the river much more quickly than taking the ferries. Once the bridge was opened, there was no longer a need for the ferries and they ceased to operate. The original steel frame bridge had a tongue-and-groove cypress wood floor. Unfortunately, the wood floor did not fit together perfectly and the unevenness caused the bridge to sway a bit when used. In freezing weather the boards became slick with ice and caused many accidents. Then, the wood began to rot and it was time to upgrade the floor. In 1937 the wooden bridge floor was replaced with a corrugated steel floor, which also became slick in freezing wet weather. Salt was useless as it fell through the floor into the river. The unevenness of the corrugated steel grates also made staying in your own lane a challenge. The grates were especially hard on the older, narrow tires which often became stuck in the steel grates. People from both counties complained about the new floor, which was also very noisy. Eventually a walkway on the side of the bridge was added for pedestrians. Eventually, the two-lane bridge proved to be too narrow for larger, more modern cars and trucks and the complaints were too frequent. The flood of 1993 was devastating to Boonville and New Franklin, and all along the Missouri River, as the flood waters eventually crested at 37.10 feet. It was the most massive flood in the Boonslick history, and the water stayed above flood stage for 49 days. Boonville bridge 1924. From the Wayne Lammers collection Grand Opening of the Boonville Bridge with wooden floor July 4, 1924. From the Wayne Lammers collection This wooden floor was removed in 1936/37. Pictured is Wayne Lammers with the corrugated floor. Hwy 40 near Fredrick Hotel Old Boonville Hwy 40 Bridge Floor Old Hwy 40 Bridge Boonville bridge with Sombart Mill. From the Wayne Lammers collection. It was evident that a new bridge needed to be constructed with a much higher elevation, and also better adapted to modern transportation. Blasting of the old Hwy 40 Bridge Blasting of the old Hwy 40 Bridge Construction of the new Hwy 40 Bridge Construction Crew that built the new Boonslick Bridge seen in the background in 1997. Photo by Wayne Lammers Building of the new Boonslick Bridge in 1998 with the city of Boonville at top. Photo by Wayne Lammers The new Highway 40 bridge, a 21-million-dollar project, was dedicated on September 9, 1997 . The two driving lanes are each 12 feet wide with an 8-foot shoulder. There is also a six-foot Pedestrian walkway that is separated from the highway by a concrete barrier. References : Discover Cooper County by Looking Back by Ann Betteridge Susan Fortman – “Taming a River: The Boonville Bridge This is the first car to travel over the new Boonslick Bridge in 1998. The Driver is Kenneth Grotjan of New Franklin and Wayne Lammers is videotaping the event. Wayne Lammers worked out this event with the Engineer of the project. He is taking the photo and that's his truck behind the car. Mr. Grotjan owned a gas station on the north side of the bridge. He was so proud to be the first to drive over the bridge. I-70 MISSOURI RIVER BRIDGE Dedication of the new I-70 bridge over the Missouri River and MKT Railroad on October 8, 1960. From the Wayne Lammers collection Dedication of the I-70 bridge October 8, 1960 Dedication of the I-70 bridge October 8, 1960 from on top of cliff. From the Wayne Lammers collection Looking east from the Cooper County side of the I-70 Dedication. From the Wayne Lammers collection

EARLIEST INHABITANTS Pictures from Mike Dickey collection This section is adapted from “Discover Cooper County by looking Back” by Ann Betteridge, 1995 (Edited by Mike Dickey, 2020) Recent archaeological studies and DNA analysis suggests that humans have appeared in North America about 18,000 years ago. This is at least 6,000 years earlier than has been previously believed. New research raises the likelihood that hundreds of thousands of people lived on a land mass stretching between North America and Asia known as Beringia. As the massive ice sheets retreated from western North America this population began moving from Beringia down the west coast on foot and by boat. Beringia is now underwater and the coastlines are now far different than they appeared to the first humans to explore them. The native population of the western hemisphere prior to 1492 was once estimated to be around three to six million people. Many archaeologists and anthropologists now estimate that the pre-Columbian population of the Americas was between 54 to 112 million. The term “prehistoric” is often used to describe the culture of these early people. However, it does not mean they had no history. The term simply describes the period before written records documented these cultures and their traditions. THE EARLIEST INHABITANTS The earliest people in North America are known as Pre-Clovis. Their existence was doubted until around 1999. Pre-Clovis sites are rare and some are still considered questionable. Artifacts at suspected pre-Clovis sites are often sparse. Only one site in Cedar County Missouri has been identified as possibly a Pre-Clovis site. The Paleo-Indian period 12,000 – 9,000 BC is the time when humans were definitely known to be in the Cooper County area. This time period is associated with a specific hunting tool called a fluted projectile point named Clovis for Clovis, New Mexico where it was first discovered. The weapon for delivering these projectile points was the atlatl or spear thrower. In Missouri, Clovis points have been found with the bones of mastodons and giant sloths. The last ice sheet to cover the continent was melting and flooded the river valleys. The Paleo-Indians were nomadic hunters, following the game herds or escaping from the frequent floods and dust storms. The early Archaic period existed from 9,000 – 5,000 BC. The Dalton tradition (9,000-8,000 B.C.) within this period represents a transition in stone tool technology. Smaller animals and plant material became prominent in the diet as the megafauna had become extinct. Gathering plant materials allowed the people to stay longer in one area. Caves, rock ledges and other natural features were often used as shelters. In the Middle Archaic period (5,000 – 3,000 BC) Evidence indicates that prairies expanded and forests declined. Archaic sites show more evidence of birds, fish, shellfish and rabbits being consumed. Gathered plant materials remain an important part of the diet. The diversity of diet allowed people become less nomadic and establish small villages. The Late Archaic period (3,000 – 600 BC) saw a decline of prairies and the return of forested areas. Domesticated plants such as squash and gourds appear in this time. Villages become larger and more permanent and burial mounds appear. The internments and artifacts associated with them are evidence of a belief in an afterlife. Pottery begins to appear though it is utilitarian and rather plain. The Woodland period (600 BC – 900 AD) commonly called Hopewell Tradition saw the widespread introduction of pottery, much of it incised and decorated. Villages became more permanent and many are large. Corn (maize) becomes a widely cultivated plant. By the middle of this period, trade networks span the continent. Finely modeled human and animal figures are crafted from clay, wood and stone for ceremonial purposes. Complex burial and ceremonial mounds are also constructed. Towards the end of this period the bow and arrow appears as a new technology. At this same time there appears to be a breakdown in the trade network and the permanence of the villages. Burial mounds are not as well built and contain fewer artifacts than in the first half of this period. The introduction of the bow and arrow undoubtedly gave some groups a military advantage over others, possibly leading to the breakdown mentioned above. The Mississippian period (900 – 1500 AD) saw the explosive growth of large permanent villages and fortified towns, especially in the Mississippi valley. The cultivation of maize (corn) formed a major part of the diet. The largest towns contain massive temple and burial mounds, plazas and astronomical observatories. Intercontinental trade was revitalized. The traditions and symbolism used by many contemporary tribes such as the Osage, Quapaw, Caddo and Pawnee appear to have identifiable antecedents in Mississippian culture. Smaller Mississippian outposts and villages were found all along the Missouri River. The large fortified towns began declining in the late fourteenth century. The arrival of the Spanish and introduced European diseases in the 1500s hastened the final breakup of remaining Mississippian towns. The Oneota tradition (1300 – 1673 AD) with the decline of large Mississippian towns, the populations dispersed into smaller villages. The Oneota came from a late Woodland culture in the upper Great Lakes. They began moving south and west and appear to intermix with some dispersing Mississippians. Historic tribes that are Oneota descendants are the Hochunk (Winnebago), Otoe, Missouria and Ioway. Seasonal buffalo hunting provided the main source of food, although gardening and gathering was still practiced. The largest Oneota site in Missouri is preserved in Annie and Able Van Meter State Park in Saline County. Archaeological Sites in Cooper County The proximity of the Missouri River and the landscape and resources found in Cooper County resulted in extensive human activity and residency. Some of the major archaeological sites in Cooper County are: the Clear Fork of the Blackwater River, near Otterville; the Hopewell Subsistence Settlement System on the Lamine also known as the Mellor site; and the Wooldridge site. The Mellor site is second largest Woodland (Hopewell) village site known in Missouri. Examples of Indian mounds can be found in Boonville at Harley Park, in the Wooldridge area, and the Mellor site. Others are scattered throughout the county. Prior to the year 2000, Cooper County had more than 270 archaeological sites recorded with the National Historic Register of Historic Places. Many sites have been destroyed because of construction, farming, population growth and erosion over the past 200 years. However, it is highly likely that some archaeological sites remain undiscovered. Nearly every spot above the flood plain along the Missouri, Lamine, Blackwater and other rivers and large creeks in Cooper County will yield evidence of prehistoric human activity. Map of Indian Trails OSAGE AND MISSOURIA CULTURAL OVERVIEW The Missouria and the Osage nations were the primary native nations living in central Missouri when the first European explorers recorded their presence in 1673 . When Euro-Americans began settling in Cooper County (1800 -1820 ) the Missouria were gone, having suffered a major defeat by the Sac & Fox around 1790 . The Osage remained dominant in Missouri almost to 1825 . The Ioway periodically established villages along the Grand and Chariton River and are known to have hunted in the Lamine River drainage. The Sac & Fox began hunting north of the Missouri River in the early 1700s but had no permanent domiciles in Missouri until the War of 1812 era. The Osage called themselves Niu-Kon’ska meaning “Children of Middle Waters” referring to the great river systems of the Midwest. Osage is an anglicized corruption of Wahzhazhe, one band of the tribe. There were two divisions of Osage at European contact. The Big Osage “Pahatsi” (Above the Hills) built their villages on the hilltops in the Osage River valley. The Little Osage “Udseta” (Below the Hills) placed their villages below the hills. The French misinterpreted Osage sign language for “above” and “below” as meaning big and little. By 1719 but perhaps even earlier, the Little Osage established villages on the Missouri River terraces in Saline County. The Oneota ancestors of the Missouria came from the Great Lakes and settled in central Missouri around 1300 AD. Missouria villages were established on the Missouri River near the mouth of the Grand River. The Missouria called themselves Ni-uta-chi, “People of the River’s Mouth” because of this locale. By 1719 , they had moved upstream to be closer to their allies, the Little Osage. The word “Missouri” was derived from an Algonquian Peoria word meaning “People of Wood Canoe” referring to the large dugout canoes they used for traveling on the river. The Osage spoke a dialect known as Dhegihan Siouan. The Missouria dialect is known as Chiwere Siouan. Cultural elements of the eastern woodlands and the western plains met and mingled here in the prairies, savannahs and woodlands of Missouri. The culture of the Missouria and Osage is sometimes identified as “Southern Siouan” or the “Prairie-Plains.” This Siouan language and cultural group encompasses the Dhegihan speaking Osage, Omaha, Quapaw, Kaw (Kanza) and Ponca and the Chiwere speaking Missouria, Otoe and Ioway. In very broad terms, their dialects, cultures, lifestyles and appearance were similar although each would have unique and identifying characteristics to their respective nations. Europeans, and then later Americans, erroneously believed that Indians were simple peoples, savages who were incapable of philosophical thoughts. In reality the spiritual beliefs of the indigenous people were complex and highly sophisticated. They centered on a Supreme Being, an all-encompassing life force they called Wa-kon-tah or Wa-kon-dah. Animals and forces of nature were often seen as messengers from Wa-kon-tah. The Osage referred to themselves as “Little Ones” to show they were small and humble before Wa-kon-tah. The Osage held a dualistic view of the universe where everything was paired. For example day and night, summer and winter, war and peace, life and death etc., maintained balance and harmony in the universe. This balance was reflected in the division of clans into moieties; the Tzi-shu (Sky People) and Hunka (Earth People). Chiefs of the Tzi-shu led the tribe in civil matters whereas chiefs of the Hunka led in military matters. There were varying degrees of chiefs within the tribal structure. Chiefs led by example or exhortation but they could not enforce their decisions on individuals. Unpopular chiefs could be simply be ignored or the people would “vote with their feet” by walking off and forming a new village. A political schism after 1786 led the formation of third Osage band, the Arkansas Osage who settled near the junction of the Neosho, Verdigris and Arkansas rivers in northeast Oklahoma. Ceremonies conducted by clan priests known as Non-hon-zhing-ga (Little Old Men) guided major life events such as hunting, trading, planting, peacemaking, and war. They were the wisest men of the tribe who had obtained all 13 war honors called o’don. The Non-hon-zhing-ga were the true spiritual and political power of the tribe, advising and guiding the chiefs. Their existence to whites was unknown until the 1850s. Warfare was the main way male members gained stature in the tribe. Killing was not always an objective of warfare; bluffing an enemy to leave the field was a war honor as was stealing a horse or merely touching an enemy (counting coup). In an organized war movement, the ceremony of preparation lasted for ten days. A successful war party returning to the village while exuberant about their victory also mourned for any slain enemies. In this way, balance and harmony in the universe was maintained. Missouria culture is not as well-known as Osage culture. Little of their tribal structure and ceremonies was recorded before they lost their independence as a tribe following the disastrous defeat by the Sac & Fox around 1790 . Survivors dispersed and merged with either the Otoe in Nebraska or with the Little Osage. A few families joined the Kaw in eastern Kansas. However there are indications that the Missouria as well as all the other Southern Siouans also held a dualistic view of the universe similar to the Osage. THE OSAGE AND EUROPEANS MEET The date of the first meeting between Europeans and the Osage is unknown. However, there is a vague tribal memory of this meeting. The Missouria brought two French hunters to an Osage village. The Osage observed the Frenchmen were hairy like bears and they were sickened by their body odor trapped inside their heavy deerskin shirts. Members of the Panther clan debated on whether or not to kill the abominable strangers, but the Tzi-shu Chief prevailed in giving them sanctuary. The Missouria were more amenable to the French, while the Osage tended to remain somewhat more aloof. The first documented meeting of Europeans with the Osage occurred in May of 1693 . The French in Illinois facilitated a peace council between the Osage, Missouria and Iliniwek (Illinois) nations. Peace between the three tribal entities would foster growth of the fur trade in the region. For decades afterwards, the three tribes would annually gather to “smoke the pipe” confirming their alliance, and would dance, share feasts and exchange gifts. The Osage and Missouria adopted European trade goods into their cultures without adopting European culture. Missionaries found it very difficult to convert the Indians; they were quite happy and contented with their traditional beliefs that undoubtedly had roots going back centuries. References Websites The Tribes of the Missouria Part 1 - When the Osage and Missouria Reigned Osage Nation Otoe-Missouria Ioway Cultural Institute - Resources on the Ioway or Iowa Indian Tribe Books The Osage in Missouri (University of Missouri Press) by Kristie C. Wolferman A History of the Osage People (University of Alabama Press) by Louis F. Burns, Osage Mottled Eagle Clan The Osage: An Ethnohistorical Study of Hegemony on the Prairie-Plains (University of Missouri Press) by Willard Rollings ·The Osages: Children of the Middle Waters (University of Oklahoma Press) by John Joseph Mathews The Osage and the Invisible World: From the Works of Francis La Flesche (University of Oklahoma Press) by Garrick Bailey The Osage Ceremonial Dance I’n-Lon-Schka (University of Oklahoma Press) by Alice Callahan Traditions of the Osage: Stories Collected and Translated by Francis La Flesche (University of New Mexico Press) edited by Garrick Bailey The People of the River’s Mouth: In Search of the Missouria Indians (University of Missouri Press) by Michael E. Dickey The Otoe-Missouria People (Phoenix Press) by R. David Edmunds The Sac and Fox Indians (University of Oklahoma Press) by William T. Hagen The Ioway Indians (University of Oklahoma Press) by Martha Royce Blaine The Ioway in Missouri (University of Missouri Press) by Greg Olson EXAMPLES OF INDIAN LIFE From the time of European contact forward, there were no known permanent Indian villages within Cooper County. The villages of the Big Osage were in the Osage River valley while the Little Osage and Missouria were on the Missouri River in western Saline County. However, trails and hunting camps existed throughout the area. Hunting camps were a scaled down version of the larger, more permanent villages. While the men hunted, the daily activities of the women and children would have included butchering animals, drying the meat and preparing the hides for tanning. They also would have been gathering edible and medicinal plant material in the area. The village layout and lifeways of the Missouria is largely unknown. Undoubtedly, they were similar to their kinsmen and neighbors the Otoe, Ioway, Omaha, Kaw and Osage. Osage villages were divided on an east to west axis representing the path of the Sun, the giver of life. Members of the Tzi-shu division composed of Sky clans lived in the north half of the village.The south half was occupied by the Hunka division of Earth and Water clans. The lodges of the Tzi-shu chief and the Hunka chief would have been in the center of the village. Osage houses were rectangular or oval in shape, with center posts in the middle. The roof was made of bent poles that were attached to wall posts. The framework was covered with woven rush mats. Fireplaces for cooking and heating were in the middle. Doorways on the house facing east to greet the arrival of the Sun. Archaeological research indicates that Missouria homes had the same type of layout. The only furniture inside a lodge was a low bench where valuables such as animal skins were stored, and cradle-boards where the babies were strapped. Also, bison robes were spread for sitting or sleeping near the fireplace. Some of the moveable household items, other than mats, were pottery cooking vessels. Each person had a personal wooden bowl. Food was served with a spoon often shaped from buffalo horn. A knife and fingers were the main eating utensils. Gourds and dried buffalo bladders were used as water containers. Pottery quickly gave way to metal trade pots and kettles which were more durable. Caches were dug in the lodge interior and contained dried meat, corn, beans and other edible plant materials. If the contents spoiled, they were used as trash pits. Personal items and household furnishing were stored in rawhide boxes called a “parfleche” or hung along the walls or from ceilings. Clothing was made from skins but when trade with Europeans began, trade cloth and wool blankets replaced some skin clothing, although trade material was still used in traditional patterns. DAILY LIFE IN THE VILLAGES Life was geared to the seasons, which in turn, was marked by ceremonies of preparation or celebration. The first hunt in the early spring was for black bears. Women planted crops of corn, beans, squash and pumpkins in spring then the entire village would depart for a summer buffalo hunt. They returned in the fall to harvest the crops and then depart again for a fall buffalo hunt. Late fall was spent by the women and children in gathering persimmons, paw paws, nuts and water lily roots. In the winter months the Indians would disperse in small clan groups to hunt deer, elk and trap smaller animals for the fur trade. The women and girls did the food preparation, food preservation, and cooking. On the buffalo hunts they butchered the meat and packed it for the return to the village. Drying racks for meat and plant materials were set up near the lodges. Groups of women would gather to tan and prepare hides for clothing or prepare rush and cattail mats for lodge coverings, making it a social event. Girls learned these domestic chores at an early age. The women built and owned the lodges and all the furnishings and equipage they contained. The perception of the Europeans was that the women were chattel, doing all the hard work while the men were lazy did nothing but lounge around or go hunting. While the duties of the men and women were generally separate, both were equally vital to the survival of the tribe. Hunting was not done for sport, although there was a recreational element to it. It was a dangerous but necessary occupation to eat and acquire furs for clothing or for trade. Hunters were occasionally killed by stampeding bison or by wounded animals. The men also had to defend the hunting territory and especially the villages from enemy tribes. If a man were truly idle and lazy in providing for his family, his wife could divorce him simply by throwing his meager belongings out the lodge door. Before acquiring horses around 1680, dogs were used as pack animals. Dogs were never fed but scavenged through the village keeping it clean. They also served as alarms by barking at unknown persons approaching the village. Dog meat was considered a delicacy and often served to visiting dignitaries. The camp dogs could be a source of a quick and ready meal. Bones of butchered canines have been found in many archaeological sites. Arrow heads found in the Lamine area. Private collection Arrowhead Chart Each period of Indian culture is noted for its distinctive stone projectile point. (Source: Missouri Resource Review, Missouri Department of Natural Resources) OSAGE AND MISSOURIA RELATIONS WITH EUROPEANS The Osage and Missouria adopted French and the Spanish trade goods without adopting their culture. Metal tools were lighter, more versatile, and more durable than stone ones. Cloth and wool blankets were lighter and often more colorful than skin clothing or heavy robes. But firearms became the most important part of trade. Better armed tribes could wield military superiority over their enemies. In short, trade goods made life much easier for the Indians and for over a hundred years trade benefited Missouri tribes. But trade goods eventually became a trap as the Indians became dependent on things they could not manufacture or repair themselves. The Osage and Missouria got along reasonably well with the French. France was interested only in acquiring furs, not land, and French traders and officials made accommodations to native traditions, such as giving gifts and feasts for visiting guests. The Spanish did not share the French approach to dealing with Indians. Although the Spanish wanted furs, they found native traditions tedious and expensive to their treasury. Consequently the Indians viewed them as stingy and miserly. Officials also sought to force the Osage and Missouria to conform to Spanish policy by periodically halting trade with them. These actions hurt the merchants of St. Louis more than the Indians. As a result, tensions between the Spanish government and the Osage and Missouria ran high and occasionally erupted into physical conflict. Very few people died in these conflicts, but fear often kept the settlements on edge. The Osage and Missouria got along reasonably well with the French. France was interested only in acquiring furs, not land, and French traders and officials made accommodations to native traditions, such as giving gifts and feasts for visiting guests. The Spanish did not share the French approach to dealing with Indians. Although the Spanish wanted furs, they found native traditions tedious and expensive to their treasury. Consequently the Indians viewed them as stingy and miserly. Officials also sought to force the Osage and Missouria to conform to Spanish policy by periodically halting trade with them. These actions hurt the merchants of St. Louis more than the Indians. As a result, tensions between the Spanish government and the Osage and Missouria ran high and occasionally erupted into physical conflict. Very few people died in these conflicts, but fear often kept the settlements on edge. 1808 THE OSAGE NATION AND THE UNITED STATES SIGN ITS FIRST TREATY FOR LAND (Missouri Bicentennial Timeline) As the dominant tribe in Missouri, the Osages had grown increasingly restless as more white settlers were moving onto their lands. The government, too, was concerned about the growing unrest and agreed to establish forts closer to the native settlements for use of various tribes. The government saw this effort also as a way to entice Indigenous people to rely upon the U.S. for trade goods. The government relied on Meriwether Lewis, now governor of the Louisiana Territory and William Clark, superintendent of Indian Affairs along with Indian agent and trader Pierre Chouteau to work out a deal. Clark negotiated the treaty where the Osages gave up most of Missouri to the United States. In return, the government agreed to maintain a permanent trading post with a blacksmith shop and mill for the Osage people, protection to the Osages who lived near it, along with an annual grant of $1,500. Fort Osage, located on a high bluff overlooking the Missouri River in Jackson County, would continue as an important outpost for over a decade. INDIAN TREATIES On July 4, 1804 Pierre Chouteau was appointed by President Thomas Jefferson as U.S. Agent for Indian Affairs West of the Mississippi. Chouteau was a St. Louis fur trader and knew the languages and customs of several tribes, especially the Osage. On September 14, 1808 , William Clark, Superintendent of Indian Affairs in the West negotiated with the Osage at Fort Osage to receive $1,200 worth of gifts and an annuity of $1,500 and access to a blacksmith and flour mill. The government also promised “protection” from eastern Indians who hunted on Osage land where game was still plentiful while it was depleted in their shrinking homelands. Some Missouria who lived with the Osage also signed this treaty. In later years Clark expressed remorse saying, “it was the hardest treaty he had ever made on the Indians and if he was damned hereafter, it would be for making that treaty.” The price for the treaty “benefits” was 52 million acres of land in Missouri and Arkansas. A group of Arkansas Osage visiting St. Louis said the treaty was invalid because they had not been at the council. Governor Meriwether Lewis quickly amended the treaty to include another 20 million acres of land north of the Missouri River. On November 8 1808 , Chouteau met with the Osage to sign the amended treaty. He had to pay them another year’s annuity in advance to get them to sign. The treaty was ratified by Congress on April 28, 1810. The region of Cooper County was officially no longer “Indian Territory.” On June 2, 1825 , the Osage signed a treaty in St. Louis ceding any remaining claims in Missouri and Arkansas and large portion of Oklahoma and Kansas. They retained a reservation about 50 miles wide and 150 miles long in southern Kansas. In exchange, they received $6,000 worth of trade goods. Osages still periodically appeared in Missouri to visit government officials in St. Louis or visit the graves of ancestors. As late as 1837 , they still went on their spring bear hunts in Missouri, as bears were more numerous here than on the plains of Kansas. Settlers in Cooper County and across the state continually feared these small hunting parities were the forerunners of large “Indian invasions.” The so-called “Osage War of 1837 ” was a bloodless confrontation between some Osage bear hunters and white settlers in Green County. The Missouria, Otoe, Ioway and Sac & Fox signed treaties in 1824 ceding their claims to most of the land north of the Missouri River. In September1836 they signed a treaty known as “The Platte Purchase.” This ceded their claims to what became the northwest counties of the state. With this treaty all Indian ownership of land within the state of Missouri was terminated. Pictures from Mike Dickey collection AMERICAN INDIAN, INDIAN, NATIVE AMERICAN, OR NATIVE? The National Museum of the American Indian says: “What is the correct terminology: American Indian, Indian, Native American, or Native? All of these terms are acceptable. The consensus, however, is that whenever possible, Native people prefer to be called by their specific tribal name. In the United States, Native American has been widely used but is falling out of favor with some groups, and the terms American Indian or Indigenous American are preferred by many Native people.” American Indian vs. Native American. The term “Native American” according to the U.S. Census Bureau includes all indigenous people of the Western Hemisphere; American Indians and Alaskan natives such as the Aleut, Inuit, Yupik and Eyak. Most tribal governments and organizations still use “Indian” in their official seal and documents. Younger generations sometimes prefer the term “Native” “Indigenous” “First Nation” or “Amerindian.” Regardless, tribal affiliation is the first and best way to identify a person of native heritage. Mike Dickey, Historic Site Manager, Arrow Rock State Historic Site. Missouri Archaeological Society Site on Collecting and Identifying Artifacts, and also Archeology in Missouri “Tracey Barters for an Historic Powd er Horn.” This is the Powder Horn that my daughter, Tracey, bartered from a French Explorer that descended the Missouri River back in the late 1970's Back in the late 1970's a group of men, who were re-enacting the voyage of the early French Explorers from the late 1600’s and early 1700's, down the Missouri River. They were descending the Missouri River in their long canoes from Kansas City to Saint Louis. I remember listening to Ted B. on the Boonville Radio Station, KWRT, talking about this group of men. The men wanted people from the Boonslick Area to visit them while they camped at our Harley Park overnight. Ted also stated that you could only trade with the men, with items of the 1700 period, to actually trade or barter with the explorers. I wanted to do just that with the explorers, so I went to the basement to see what I could find. The only things that I had at the time was an old, small oil lamp about seven inches tall that my mother gave me, and a case of "Home Brew" that I had just made at the time. My daughter, Tracey Lammers, who was only about 6 or 7 years old at the time, said she would trade the small oil lamp. This lamp was given to me by my mother who collected things of this nature back in the 1950’s. I had the big cooler of “Home Brew” to deal with at the time. We got there at one of the Harley Park Shelter Houses, north of the Little League diamond around 6 pm. Right away, all the group of men notice the brew I had which was in a cooler and gathered around. The 20-some bottles were gone in a flash. They all knew a good deal in the Home Brew. I noticed that one of the re-enactors was talking to my young daughter, Tracey, about her little red lamp she was holding. He asked her if she wanted to trade for the lamp she was holding. She said “Yes, I guess so.” The man left and went to his small tent. He returned with a beautiful powder horn that he had made years ago. He said, “Would you trade your red lamp for my powder horn?” Tracey said, “Sure!” So the trade was made. I looked at her new, bartered item that she held and was astonished. This powder horn was an historic piece that could be placed in any fine museum, anywhere. I went to the man and asked if he was sure about the exchange. The man said “Son...I’ve been looking for a small lamp like this for years, so as to read and write in my tent.” He continued by saying “We made the agreement and I don’t want to alter the contract and by the way I can always make another horn.” This man had scrimshawed an image of an Osage Indian on this horn that was first painted by an early explorer by the name of George Catlin in 1844. My family and I were ready to leave when another member of the group came up to me and said. “You really don’t know what you have in that powder horn. I’ve been wanting to buy or trade for this horn for a long time. He just wouldn’t give in, in anyway. You sure have a bargain.” To this day, I have shown this powder horn to many and I proud to say that it will stay in the family for many years to come. By: Wayne Lammers Early explorers on the Missouri River. circa 1700

PROHIBITION Sheriff John Grothe and Deputy James Morton with captured moonshine sti ll in St. Charles, 1924. (S1083) State Historical Society of Missouri. (1920 - 1933) Prohibition era begins across the U.S. affecting many of the German immigrant-owned beer companies in Missouri “Beginning in 1882, Missouri counties and towns passed local option laws to turn communities dry. By World War I, over 90 of the state’s 114 counties were dry through these laws. On January 16, 1919, Missouri ratified what would become the 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which banned the manufacture and sale of alcohol. Under the 18th Amendment and the Volstead Act, Missouri's flourishing alcohol and wine industry took a significant step back, particularly German-immigrant owned breweries. After a decade of inefficient enforcement, and with the deepening of the Great Depression, the 21st Amendment, which repealed the 18th Amendment, was ratified in 1933.” Boonville had a very successful brewery, Griessmaier & Roeschel Brewery/Winery, which opened in 1874 and closed in 1878. After prohibition, another brewery known as the Haas Brewery, operated from 1933-1942. So Cooper County did not have any “legal” establishments put out of business during prohibition. There is no record about where, or if, county residents obtained “adult beverages” during prohibition. Courtesy of: Missouri Bicentennial Timeline 1867 Source: Boonvil le Tourism Warm Springs Ranch Warm Springs Ranch is located a few miles east of Boonville, Missouri. Hundreds of tourists turn up each year to visit the international stars who make their home at Warm Springs Ranch. In a round-about way, it started in 1933 when Congress passed the 21st Amendment which repealed the 18th Amendment, otherwise known as Prohibition. There was little doubt the Amendment would be ratified by the states and, after 13 years without legal alcohol, Congress and the people couldn’t, or wouldn’t, wait. The Cullen-Harrison Act of 1933, introduced by Representative Thomas H. Cullen and Senator Pat Harrison in March, was rushed through both houses of Congress and signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in eight days. The bill legalized 3.2% beer, effective on April 7, 1933, before the 21st Amendment was ratified. April 7 became, unofficially anyway, National Beer Day. To celebrate the first day of legalized alcohol in over a decade, August A. Busch, Jr. presented his father, the Sr. Busch, with a red, white, and gold beer wagon drawn by eight Clydesdales. After the wagon carried the first case of beer from the St. Louis brewery in a special journey through St. Louis, the Sr. Busch had the team sent by rail to New York City. Once there, they picked up two cases of beer at Newark Airport. The first case was presented to New York’s former governor Al Smith for his help in repealing Prohibition. Then the Clydesdales toured New England and the Mid-Atlantic States, stopping on the way to deliver a case of beer to President Franklin D. Roosevelt at the White House. Today, the Budweiser Clydesdales are international stars. They travel all over the US, appear in parades, and make commercials which are seen all over the world, especially on Super Bowl Sunday. The largest breeding facility for these magnificent horses is right here in the middle of Missouri at Warm Springs Ranch.

TOWNSHIPS FORMED Adapted from Discover Cooper County by Ann Betteridge: Cooper County Townships were not all formed at the same time. Townships changed names and territory throughout the early history of the County. The first election after Cooper County was organized was held August 2, 1819 and four townships were established...Arrow Rock, Miami, Tabeau and Lamine, which included the town of Boonville. In May, 1820 , the original townships remained the same and Moreau Township was added. Cooper County was bounded on the east and south by the Osage River, on the west by the Indian Territory, and on the north by the Missouri River. Lamine Township at that time included about all within the present limits of Cooper County, plus some territory not now included in its limits. In August, 1820 , Osage and Jefferson townships were added. When Saline County was formed, Arrow Rock, Miami and Tabeau went away. Moreau went to Moniteau County. On July 12, 1855 , the following townships had been established and still exist in the County: Boonville; Lamine; Saline; Clark's Fork; Moniteau; Kelly; Palestine; Clear Creek; Pilot Grove; Blackwater; and Lebanon. A total of 14 townships were established by 1877 . Moniteau was divided into north and south, and since 1897 the final township configuration has remained the same. At one time Cooper County was dotted with many small family farms. Many of these small farms have been in the same family for over 100 years and are known as “Century Farms”. But after the Depression, and the locusts and dust storms of the 1930s , and the drop in farm prices in the 1980 ’s, many small farms were lost to creditors and were often purchased at bargain prices, then were consolidated into larger farms. The trend towards large farming operations has resulted in a drop in county population. Living in an rural area that is not crowded has its advantages - people are more friendly, neighbors are close, but not too close, and people are usually very supportive of their schools and communities. People you don’t even know wave as they pass on the road. That will never happen in the city. References – Small Cooper County Towns History of Cooper County by W.F. Johnson: Townships pages 218-249 A Pictorial History of the Boonslick Area Bicentennial Boonslick History Map of Cooper Counties' townships BLACKWATER TOWNSHIP Physical Features : This township is a peninsula, being almost entirely surrounded by the Lamine and Blackwater rivers. The soil is rich and very productive. The minerals found in the township were partially responsible for the settlement of the township. Minerals found there are iron, lead, and salt. In 1888 , there were six salt springs and a great number of fresh water springs in this area. Salt was manufactured at salt water springs from as early as 1808 through 1836 . The manufacture of salt was carried on extensively by Heath, Baley, Christie, Allison, and others. Settlement : William Christie and John G. Heath temporarily settled in this township in 1808 . They remained only long enough to manufacture a small quantity of salt, then returned down the river. James Broch, the first permanent settler, arrived in 1816 , and planted an acre of cotton which produced a high yield. Some of the first settlers were: Enoch Hambrich, who came in 1817 ; David Shellcraw in 1818 ; Nathaniel T. Allison, Sr. In 1831 ; Fleming Marshall and Robert Clark in 1832 ; Nathaniel Bridgewater in 1835 ; and Edmund M. Cobb and Larkin T. Dix in 1834 . In 1937 Blackwater had two general merchandise stores, a grocery store, two hardware stores, two barber shops, a beauty shop, blacksmith, post office, lumber company, bank, a hotel, one elevator, two doctors and the Blackwater Stone Company. Today, all that remains is the post office, city hall, bank, hotel, and the train station aka “The Depot” which is used as a community center. There are a few antique and trendy shops along Main Street as well as a restaurant. “The Hollow,” a large event venue, once Fahrendorf Feed and Hardware Supply, is used primarily as a reception area for Wildcliff Weddings and Events. The Blackwater Preservation Society is active in maintaining this attractive and unique town. The only town remaining in Blackwater Township, is Blackwater. References for Blackwater Township at CCHS: History of Blackwater BOONVILLE TOWNSHIP Physical Features : The Missouri River is on the north; the Petite Saline Creek runs through the southern part of the township and the Lamine River borders a portion of the western part of the township. This township’s soil is very productive, and is especially good for growing fruit. Large quantities of coal have also been mined from this area Settlement : The first settlers of the township were Stephen and Hannah Cole, who settled there in 1810 . William McFarland, the first Sheriff of Cooper County, was born in Buncombe County, North Carolina. In October, 1816 he settled on the north side of the Petite Saline Creek. In 1818 he was a member of the Territorial Legislature from the southern district of Howard County. He was elected a member of the Legislature from Cooper County in 1822 , 1824 , and 1838 . Luke Williams, a Baptist preacher, was a farmer and lived about five miles west of Boonville. Justinian Williams was born in Bath County, Virginia, and while young, emigrated to Kentucky. Later, he moved to Howard County and from there settled at Boonville in 1818 , organizing the first Methodist Church in Cooper County the same year. He was a cabinet maker by trade. He was also the local preacher in Boonville for several years. In 1834 he built a steam boat and was its commander for several years. Marcus Williams was the first mayor of Boonville. He came to Boonville from Kentucky. He was a brick mason by trade, and manufactured the first bricks ever commercially made in Cooper County. In 1840 he made the first stoneware ever manufactured in western Missouri. Boonville Township was the first township in the county to be settled. Between 1830 and 1840 a number of men settled in Boonville and engaged extensively in the mercantile business. The years 1840-1850 were a time of great prosperity in Boonville. During the Civil War, there was a period of confusion, violence, anger and disruption in Boonville. The economy of the township stood still, and the effect of the war lingered for some time following the war. The troops on both sides had stolen or commandeered most of the horses and livestock and any food they could find. Buildings and homes had been destroyed and crops ruined. Just following the war was the growth of railroads in the county, which started a new period of prosperity. In Boonville, the first municipal water system was completed in 1883 and a telephone system was also started in in 1883 . Main street was paved with bricks in 1898 . Street lighting by electricity replaced the gas lights. In 1924 a new east-west highway bridge over the Missouri River brought more traffic to Boonville and more people, as the road went down Main street. Factories and new businesses also came to Boonville at this time. Today Boonville is the largest city in the County and still prosperous, although not as busy as in earlier years. The older buildings along the main street, and the early churches have been well preserved and are still in use. Especially interesting are Thespian Hall, the old jail, Roslyn Heights and the Hain House. Many of the beautiful older homes are listed on the National Register. Most of the Main Street buildings are still in use and are well maintained. Several of the older buildings in the city have been repurposed. The old KATY Railroad Bridge, spanning the Missouri River, is one of the focal points of the city, which is rich in history. Billingsville, once a busy community is now an unincorporated area in the township, a small settlement consisting of a lovely church, a mix of old and new homes and a large well-kept cemetery. At one time it was one of several busy stage coach stops in the county. References for Boonville Township at CCHS: History of Billingsville, Prairie Lick and Stoney Point; Boonville An Illustrated History Boonville An Historic River Town Also, see list of thing to see in Boonville near the end of the website. CLARK’S FORK TOWNSHIP Physical Features : The township is watered by Clark’s Fork and the Petite Saline Creek with their tributaries. There is probably more prairie in this township than in any other township in the County. Settlement : John Glover was the first settler of this township. He came in 1813 and built a log cabin on the south bank of the Petite Saline Creek. The next settlers were John C. Rochester and Zephaniah Bell. John C. Rochester was a grandson of the founder of the city of Rochester, New York. John lost a fortune by having to pay a large security debt. He wanted to come to a new country where society would accept him. He married Sallie Kelly, a daughter of James Kelly, who was a soldier of the American Revolution. Mr. Bell was a farmer. George Crawford was the first assessor of Cooper County. He was also a member of the legislature from Cooper County. Judge George Weight settled in Clark’s Fork Township in 1822 , and he taught school in Cooper County. He was a good violinist, and in his early days taught a dancing school. He was judge of the County court and county surveyor of Cooper County for many years. There were several brick kilns and a lime kiln in the area. Water-powered mills were built. Flour and meal were so important that four mills did a good business in the community. The mills were: Rankin’s Mill, Jewett’s Mill, Connor’s Mill, and Gooch Mill. In 1847 , Jacob Schilb and family came to the United States from Bavaria and settled near Gooch Mill. They began to make crockery: jars, crocks, and jugs. Old Overton, at the edge of the Missouri River, had a tomato processing factory and it had a ferry boat landing nearby. The Missouri Pacific Railroad built a depot there. There were four covered bridges in the area: Crawford, Hurt, Connors, and Big Lick. They all spanned the Petite Saline Creek. Not only did the bridges save fording the stream, they also provided shelter from rain and storms, and provided a cool place for tired, hot horses to rest. Unfortunately, all of the covered bridges are now gone. The Lone Elm public school closed in 1963 when county schools were consolidated. There is now a large church at Lone Elm named Zion Lutheran Church. The church has a very successful private Christian Day School that is providing an excellent education for area students. There are two remaining small, unincorporated settlements in Clark’s Fork Township – Lone Elm and Clark’s Fork. CLEAR CREEK TOWNSHIP Physical Features : Clear Creek Township is one of the oldest townships in Cooper County. It received its name from the creek which flows through it in a northwesterly direction. It flows over a pebbly bottom causing its waters to be unusually clear, which makes it truly a “clear creek.” The surface of the township is rough in the northern and western portions but there is rich farmland in the southern and eastern portions. The Lamine River and numerous smaller streams flow through the township. It is 44 square miles in area. Settlement: Isaac Ellis, Alex Brown, and a Mr. Scott settled in the northwestern part of the township in about 1816 . Another early settler of this township was James Taylor, who had three sons, William, John, and James. He witnessed the long series of earthquakes which occurred in New Madrid in 1811 . He moved to Cooper County in 1817 . He had a large plantation, and raised, and always had on hand, large quantities of corn, which he stored in cribs. He would not sell the corn unless he received the price he asked. He also would not sell the corn to those he thought were not thrifty. One time when corn was very scarce in the county, and very little could be had, two men came to Mr. Taylor’s house asking to buy some corn on credit. One was very poorly dressed, with his pants torn off below his knees, and what there was remaining of them patched all over. The other was almost elegantly dressed. Mr. Taylor sold the poorly dressed man, on credit, all the corn he wished. He told the other one that ‘he could get no corn there, unless he paid the money for it, and that if he had saved the money which he had squandered for his fine clothes he would have had enough to pay cash for the corn.” Mr. Taylor was a leader in the Baptist church and a kind neighbor. Mr. Taylor was known as “Corn Taylor”. Jordan O’Bryan, a son-in-law of James Taylor, was also one of the early settlers of this township. He was elected to the state legislature in 1822 , 1826 , 1834 , and 1840 . In 1844 , he was elected state senator for four years. James Taylor’s son, John, continued raising corn as his father did. He built a large plantation home which was completed in 1859 . The house, later named Crestmead, has been restored. It has been in the Betteridge family since 1903 . At the same time, he was building Crestmead, he served on the committee to build Mt. Nebo Baptist Church. In 1823 , Samuel Walker arrived and located in the southern part of the township. His father, Winston, had already built a fort in this area. In 1814 , Stephen Young and Lawrence Sommers, the first German immigrants, arrived in the township. Following in his tracks were numerous Germans, who settled most of the northern and western portions of the township. The Germans proved themselves to be a very industrious and thrifty people. Most German immigrants to this township came between 1830 and 1850 . Between 1840 and 1850 , the following men and their families came from Germany and other places in Missouri: Adam Aulbach, Jacob Beck, Theodore Bester, John Deil, Jacob Deil, Bertram Felten, Fran Grotzinger, Gergory Klenklen, Henry Jansen, Melchior Kraus, Andrew Neckerman, Anton Schibi, Michael Schoen, F. M. Larm, Franz Stolzenberger, Bernard H. Twenter, John B. Twenter, Anthony Youngkamp, John G. Walz, Anton Wessing, and George A. Zoeller. They mostly settled on the hills which the Americans thought too poor to cultivate, and become very prosperous. They succeeded in raising good crops and in making a good living. In hilly areas they cultivated grapes very successfully. The Missouri, Kansas, and Texas (MKT or KATY) railroad ran about five miles through this township, furnishing the inhabitants transportation for their surplus products. "Here are some of my reminiscences of my Great Grand Grandmother, Maria Martin Day, "Grandma Day". This is from a book written by Agnes Immele Meriwether called "Bernhard Martin and His Descendants" from 1962. Grandma Day, I feel, is one of Cooper Counties Heroes. She had a hard, good life and I'm proud to be connected with her and her stories". - Wayne Lammers PLEASANT GREEN In 1816 Alex Brown, Isaac Ellis and Mr. Scott and their families settled in the area which came to be known as Pleasant Green. In 1823 , Samuel Walker arrived who was the owner of a large federal grant of land. Judge Smith Walker and his father Winston built a small brick house on edge of the Walker land and named it “Pleasant Green”. The name was also given to the nearby Methodist Church founded in 1825 (still in use) and eventually the town. The town was located on the MKT Railroad line and was an important shipping station for 40 years. In its most prosperous days it had three general stores, a bank, a drug store, hardware store, barber, small hotel, two grain elevators, livery stables, blacksmith, post office and a telephone office. People started to leave in the late 1920 ’s and 30 ’s due to the depression and changes in transportation. Cooper County’s first bank robbery took place in Pleasant Green in 1926 . Today, Pleasant Green and Burrwood are the only evidences of the busy town that once existed there. Every year since 1953 the Township has had an annual sanctioned radio. Pleasant Green is the only town that has ever been in Clear Creek Township. References for Clear Creek Township at CCHS: History of Clear Creek Pleasant Green Underground KELLY TOWNSHIP Physical Features: The surface of the township consists mainly of prairie with some timbered portions. Moniteau Creek, with its tributaries, extends through two-thirds of the township from east to west, and the Petite Saline Creek waters a portion of the western part of the township. The township was named in honor of John Kelly, one of its early pioneers. Settlement: James Kelly was a Revolutionary War soldier. He, along with Charles Woods and James D. Campbell, served as soldiers in the War of 1812 . The Kelly’s came from Tennessee. William Jennings came from Georgia to Cooper County in 1819 , and owned a large tract of land. He was the first preacher in the township, and was the pastor of “Old Nebo” Church for many years. James D. Campbell was an early justice of the county court and acted as justice of the peace for many years. He was a prominent politician, always voting the Democratic ticket. Charles Woods, also known as General Charles Woods, was for many years the leading Democrat in his neighborhood. Joseph Reavis settled in the township in 1823 . He and his sons manufactured excellent wagons. Their trade extended for miles around. Their wagons were sometimes purchased by the Santa Fe traders. The first school was taught by Joseph S. Anderson in 1824 . He taught until 1828 when he was elected sheriff of Cooper County. In 1832 he was elected to the legislature from Cooper County. Rice Challis, an early settler in this township, was a carpenter. The soil of this township is very productive and the farmers are generally prosperous. The Union Pacific Railroad was a short distance south of the township. Until 1937 , the Osage Valley and Southern Kansas Railroad ran eight miles directly through its center, affording the inhabitants easy facilities for the shipping of their products. Corn, wheat, and soybeans were among the principal products, with many farmers raising live stock as well. At the height of its prosperity, hundreds of cars of cattle, sheep, hogs, poultry and mules were shipped to St. Louis each year. The town grew rapidly and by 1899 the town had two drug stores, 3 general stores, 2 millinery stores, 4 grocery stores, a hotel, 4 barbershops, 3 blacksmiths, 2 physicians, 2 lumber yards, one livery stable, a carpenter, a public school, a private school, a flour mill, 4 churches and a population of 1,000 people. Beginning in 1896 , Bunceton was noted for its annual Fair. The Fair was eventually replaced by the 4th of July Days that Bunceton celebrates each year. Although individuals do not bring projects to be judged like in most fairs, there are games to play: dunking booth, cake walk, pedal pull, bounce house, pony rides, to name a few, along with fiddle contests, an ice cream social and street dance. A parade is held every year. This special event is open to the public and fun to attend. Since its founding, Bunceton has suffered from many fires which have destroyed three mills and much of the main street business area. As the town began to lose population after the train was rerouted and bypassed the town, much of the business area deteriorated and has been removed. One building which has been used for several things is the Princess theater, built in 1917 , which has been later used as a funeral home, a bar (Lucky's Place), and currently it has been made into an apartment. At one time, when the railroad came through town, Bunceton grew to be the second largest town in Cooper County. Today, Bunceton is the only town in Kelly Township, with a current population of 354. References for Kelly Township at CCHS: Bunceton 1868-1888 Bunceton 1868-1993 LAMINE TOWNSHIP Physical Features: The surface of the township is rolling and was originally covered with a heavy growth of timber. Most of the soil is rich and, in some localities, very productive. Three sides of the township are surrounded by water. Settlement: The 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, but was later attacked by Indians in 1814 and burned to the ground. This township was at one time, one of the wealthiest townships in the County. Lead deposits were found and mined. A large quantity of high-quality lumber and cord-wood was cut every year from the plentiful woods and was shipped by men of the Blackwater and Lamine River areas. The streams have abundant fish. Tornadoes have not been kind to Lamine and eventually the town was moved closer to the river and the railroad, and is sometimes called “New Lamine. Lamine Township has only one very small settlement at this time – Lamine. References for Lamine Township at CCHS: Our Town, Lamine Missouri LEBANON TOWNSHIP Physical Features: Lebanon township is bounded on the north by Clear Creek and Palestine townships, on the east by Kelly township, on the south by Morgan county, and on the west by Otterville township. This township was organized about 1826 . In the western part of the township the surface is rough and partly timbered. There are fine stretches of prairie and rolling land in the southern and eastern part. Settlement: Thomas J. Starke, of Otterville, wrote an interesting history of Otterville and Lebanon. He read the history on the 4th day of July, 1876 , at a meeting of the citizens of Otterville. He spent almost 70 years in Cooper County where he grew to manhood, married and died. He was the father of Mrs. D. S. Koontz of Boonville. The first settlement of the township was New Lebanon, six miles north of Otterville. During the fall of 1819 and spring of 1820 the following people came to New Lebanon to settle: Rev. Finis Ewing, Rev. James L. Wear, John Wear, James H. Wear, Samuel Wear, Alexander Sloan, Robert Kirkpatrick, Colin C. Stoneman, William Stone, Frederick Casteel, Reuben A. Ewing, James Berry, Thomas Rubey, Elizabeth Steele, a Mr. Smiley, Rev. Laird Burns, John Burns, John Reed, Silas Thomas, James Taylor, Hugh Wear, who as a brother to James L. and John Wear, James McFarland and Rev. William Kavanaugh. Rev. Finnis Ewing was a minister of the gospel, and one of the original founders of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He was from Kentucky. He became a minister in 1803 and with Samuel McAdam and Samuel King, founded the Cumberland Church in 1810 . New Lebanon settlers pitched their tents and began building a church and seminary. It was built of hewn logs. Each person brought their share of the logs. These logs were double, that is, each log was 24 feet in length, being joined in the middle of the house by means of an upright post, into which the ends were mortised, making the entire length of the church 48 feet, and 30 feet in width. This building served as a place of worship until 1860 , when the new brick church of the present day was built on the site of the old one, which was torn down. The Rev. James L. Wear was for many years a Cumberland Presbyterian preacher. Rev. John Reid was another minister of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He first lived at Honey Creek and afterward moved to many different places. Reid was driving a team for a man who was moving to this country with Mr. Ewing, who had bells on his six-horse team. The young man liked the jingle of these bells so well that he begged Mr. Ewing to allow his teamster to divide with him, in order that he might share the music, but Mr. Ewing “could not see it” and refused to make the division as asked. Reid bought a number of cowbells and hung one on each horse of his team, which soon had the effect of bringing the preacher to terms. Mr. Ewing was so much bothered with the discord made by these coarse bells that he soon suggested a compromise by giving Reid his sleigh bells, provided he would stop the cowbell part of the concert. New Lebanon is the only settlement left in New Lebanon Township, but it has been beautifully preserved. The church and school are in excellent condition, as is Uncle Abe’s Store. There is also a large cemetery. A visit to New Lebanon allows you to take a rare step back in time and is worth a visit. References for Lebanon Township at CCHS: History of New Lebanon NORTH AND SOUTH MONITEAU TOWNSHIPS Physical Features: These two townships, originally one, are separated by the Moniteau Creek. They are bounded on the north by Clark’s Fork and Prairie Home townships, on the east and south by Moniteau County and on the west by Kelly Township. The surface near the Moniteau Creek tends to be rough, gradually giving way to prairie both in the north and south. Settlement: Pisgah is the second oldest town in Cooper County. The area was first settled in 1818 . Thomas B. Smiley, an early settler, was elected to the Legislature from Cooper County in 1820 , with Thomas Rogers and William Lillard. Thomas Smiley was a man of considerable information and a good historian. He raised a large family of children and died in 1836 . Mr. Shelton, a blacksmith, settled near the town of Pisgah in 1818 . He was well-known for his good work with metals and at that time was the only blacksmith in the county outside of Boonville. Some of the early settlers in this area were Seth Joseph, Waid and Stephen Howard, William Coal, Sames Stinson, Hawking Burress, David Burress, Charles Hickox, Samuel McFarland, Carroll George, James Snodgrass, Martin George, Alexander Woods, James Jones, David Jones, and Augustus K. Longan. David Jones settled at Pisgah before 1820, since his vote was recorded in that year. He and Archibald Kavanaugh were elected to the state legislature in 1830 , 1832 , and 1834 . In 1836 he was elected State Senator, and was re-elected in 1848 . Pisgah and Mount Pleasant churches were built by the Baptists in the early days and were led by John B. Longan and Kemp Scott. The first school in this township was probably taught by James Donelson. He only professed to teach arithmetic as far as the “double rule of three.” A Mr. Summers and Judge Smith kept a store at “Old Round Hill.” Richard Bonsfield built a store at Pisgah. Today, there are no towns or churches left in South Moniteau Township and there remain two, almost extinct towns, in North Moniteau Township – Pisgah and Cotton. Pisgah has a lovely church, Pisgah Baptist, which is still active. The Pisgah Baptist church was organized in 1819 and is the second oldest Baptist church in Cooper County. At one time there was a croquette factory, grist mill, chair factory, carding mill, three general stores, a blacksmith and a drug store located there. Pisgah was the first town in Cooper County to have its own community center. Cotton is also located in North Moniteau Township. It once was home to a large grist mill and a was busy little town. Dick’s Mill, the last standing in mill in Cooper County is still there, but not in operation and Dicks’ school is also still standing. OTTERVILLE TOWNSHIP Physical Features: Otterville Township originally included part of Lebanon Township, but later covered all of Lebanon township west of the Lamine River. Settlement: In 1826 , Thomas Parsons came to this area and found three families living west of the Lamine. These were the James G. Wilkerson, William Reed, and William Sloan families. Thomas Parsons established the first hatters’ shop south of Boonville. Elijah Hook, a hunter and trapper, came from Tennessee and James Brown who came in 1827 and was a Kentuckian, farmer, and hunter. He had hunted with Daniel Boone. James Davis also came from Tennessee. He was an industrious farmer and great rail splitter. James Birney, a prominent farmer, came from Kentucky in 1827 . Frederick Shurley, the mightiest hunter in all the land round about Otterville, settled southeast of Otterville in 1827 . He was with General Jackson in the Creek War, and was present at the Battle of Horse Shoe Bend, where the Indians had made their last stand. He used to tell with deep interest, the thrilling incidents of this war. Nathan Neal came from Kentucky in 1827 and settled two miles north of Otterville. George Cranmer came to Boonville in 1828 and to Clifton City in 1832 . He was a millwright and a mechanic. He and James H. Glasgow built what was known as Cranmer’s Mill, where the KATY railroad crossed the Lamine River. He named the area Clifton, which was previously known as Cold Neck. Clifton City There are many interesting stories about the town of Clifton City. Matthew Cox, a hunter and trapper of this area, was known for his tales. He told of being in a bear’s grip, when the bear pushed him off a high bluff which was nearly 500 feet high. They would strike and bound against the rocks every few feet, until they reached the bottom of the bluff. You would naturally think it was “Farewell Matthew,” but strange as it may seem, he escaped with a few slight scratches. The bear had, fortunately for Matthew, been on the underside every time they struck, till they reached the bottom, when the bear turned loose of the hunter and closed his eyes in death. Matthew Cox’s tales were generally much like this; almost always they ended favorable to him and fatal to his enemies. This tale made “Matthew’s Bluff” well known to everybody in this neighborhood. In 1907 , the original train depot at Clifton City burned. It was replaced by a new slate roofed depot and later moved in 1925 . The first train made its maiden run in 1873 . The last train made its final run passing through Clifton City, in 1986 . The mail came in by train and was carried to the post office to be delivered. Several train wrecks date back to 1879 and 1918 . Wrecks were blamed on a mix up in train orders. The train would whistle coming into town twice a day, but today, the whistle only lives on in memories of the days gone by. Just off JJ, North of Hwy 135, was the location of the Stage Stop. Rumor has it that an old shed, close to this Stage Stop, is where the Jessie James gang would hide from time to time. The James gang at one time was caught not far from there on their way out of town. Jesse had a lot of friends at Clifton City and visited there often, or whenever he was passing through. In the late 1800 ’s, Clifton City had a bank, a beautiful brick building standing on the South side of town. In 1886 , W.B. Over the years the building has been a home to several different business - a café, grocery store and many other things. Today it still stands as a place for storage, and is slowly losing its beauty. The bank closed in 1929 . One of the greatest improvements for the rural people in Clifton City was made when farm to market roads were established. The roads were built in 1934 and 1935 . There are now two paved roads going through Clifton City. The coming of cars and trucks hurt the railroad shipments. The new roads made it easy and less expensive for farmers to take their produce and cattle to market with their own trucks. So this was the beginning of a slow death to the small town of Clifton City. The town of Otterville was first called Eldon. Later it was named for the great number of otters found in a creek which flows past the town. In 1860 the Missouri Pacific Railroad was built and ended in Otterville, and the town grew and prospered. Eventually the rail line was extended to Sedalia. As a result, Sedalia prospered and Otterville lost population and businesses. Otterville The town of Otterville was first called Elktown and Ottertown before being named Otterville. It was laid out by Gideon R. Thompson in 1837 . A public square was laid out and some buildings were built near the square. The town square at this time was where the Otterville School stands today. Otterville was incorporated by an act of the Legislature of Missouri on February 16, 1854 . One hundred years after the town of Otterville was incorporated a city water system was added. There was no post office in Otterville until March 24, 1848 . When the post office started in Otterville, the mail was carried by horseback. Then the Missouri Pacific railway came through and that allowed the mail to be brought to town by train. The post office quit dispatching the mail to the trains in about 1965 . Since then the mail is sent and received from Sedalia by truck. Today Otterville Township has two small towns – Otterville and Clifton City. References for Otterville Township at CCHS: Recollections of Clifton City, Clifton City 1873-2019 and Otterville Sesquicentennial PALESTINE TOWNSHIP Physical Features: The surface of the township is mostly level, with the exception of a strip of rough land near the western side. There is evidence that this area was once an Indian settlement. Settlement: The first people to come to this township were Joseph Stephens, William Moore, and Samuel Peters. Joseph Stephens Sr., and family, settled in Palestine in 1817 , being led to their new home by Major Stephen Cole. In 1818 , Samuel Peters settled two miles farther north at a place called Petersburg. William Moore came from North Carolina with his family, including seven sons and three daughters. Margaret married Judge Lawrence C. Stephens in 1818 ; Sally married Col. John G. Hutchison, and Mary married Harvey Bunce, the founder of Bunceton. When Samuel Peters began to build his home, he invited his neighbors to come and help him, saying that he would kill a hog and have it for dinner. Since this was the first hog ever butchered in this part of the state, and as very few of the settlers had ever tasted pork, it was not too difficult to persuade them to come and help. Before this time the settlers had lived entirely upon wild game. Always, on such occasions, they had a little “fire-water” to give life to the occasion. Colonel Andrew and Judge John Briscoe settled in the same township in 1818 . They were both very prominent men, and leaders in their parties, Andrew being a Whig, and John a Democrat. Some of the other early settlers were Henry, Hiram, Heli, and Harden Corum; Mr. Tevis (the father of Captain Simeon Tevis); Thomas Colins; Jacob Summers; Michael, James, and William Son; John and Joseph Cathey; James David and John H. Hutchison; Nathaniel Leonard; John and Andrew Wallace; Henry Woolery; Holbert and Samuel Cole; James Bridges; James Simms; Russell Smallwood; Thomas Best; Greenberry Allison; William C. Lowery; and Anthony F. Read. Mr. Greenberry Allison dug the first cistern in the county, which proved to be a great success. Many of his neighbors imitated his example, as before this time, they had been forced to depend upon wells and springs for water. Old Palestine, or Palestine, was the first permanent settlement in the central part of the county. It was a thriving community from the 1840 's to the 1870 ’s. The building of the Osage Railroad from Tipton to Booneville caused the town to move from the original location on a hilltop to the valley below. The town in the valley was called “New Palestine” until the name was changed to “Speed” in the early 1900 ’s. New Palestine grew rapidly and hastened the decline of Old Palestine. The railroad built a stock yard, and there were several businesses opened in Speed, including a bank. In 1876 there were 100 inhabitants and in the 1890 census there were 141 residents. Once the railroad no longer ran through Speed, the once prosperous town lost population and now there are no businesses there and only about 20 residents. Palestine Township took the lead in education from the beginning. The first schools were taught by Lawrence C. S. Stephens, Dr. William H. Moore, and a young man from Virginia, also named William H. Moore, who was considered the best teacher in his day in this part of the country. The first dancing school was opened in 1832, at the home of B. W. Levens, about a quarter of a mile east of Bunceton, by a man named Gibson. He was a polished gentleman, an excellent teacher, and was the first to introduce “cotillions,” which were, until that time, unknown in this part of the country. Mr. Gibson at that time had two other schools; one in Boonville and the other at Arrow Rock. He taught two days at each place during the week. Bell Air was first settled by L.P. Bell in 1848. In 1860 the village contained a lovely Southern Methodist church, a doctor, a clothing store and tailor, a steam sawmill, a general merchandise store, a post office, two-story high school and elementary school, and a barber. It was also the location of the magnificent Ravenswood mansion. The school has been remodeled and now serves as a home for the Nelson Leonard family. Today only the remodeled school house, the church, and Ravenswood remain. There are only two very small settlements left in Palestine Township – Speed and Bellair. Both had been very prosperous when they were served by a railroad. Today there are only a few homes and three churches remaining in the entire township. PILOT GROVE TOWNSHIP Physical Features: This township is very irregular in shape. mostly easy to cultivate. In the early. At present this township has a large percentage of cultivated land. Settlement: The township was settled about 1820 . Among the early settlers were John McCutchen, John Houx, Jacob Houx, L. A. Summers, James McElroy, Samuel Roe, Sr., Samuel Wooldridge, Enoch Mass, Absalom Meredith, Azariah Bone (who was a Methodist minister), John Rice (a blacksmith), Mr. Magee (after whom “Magee Grove: was named), and Samuel Gilbert (who had success as a cancer doctor). This township was distinguished in the early times by the number and variety of camp meetings which were held there. The Presbyterians and Methodists were rivals for the honor of conducting the biggest and best camp meeting each year. People attended from great distances. Thomas P. Cropper was the first noted teacher in this township. He taught in 1828 and 1829 . Pilot Grove is located in the northeast quarter of the township and surrounded by large and beautiful farming country. Bill Anderson and his Civil War guerrillas rode into the Pilot Grove Post Office one bright afternoon in the spring of 1864 . The citizens were made to form a line while they were stripped of their personal valuables. Mr. William Mayo, one of the citizens, refused to give up his beautiful gold watch, and started to flee. Mr. Thomas Brownfield joined him. The guerrillas chased them, and overtaking Mr. Mayo, killed him with a pistol. Mr. Brownfield was wounded but was able to hide from the enemy and come away alive. The other citizens were not harmed. In the summer of 1864 , during a revival meeting in the Southern Methodist Episcopal church at Pilot Grove, Capt. Todd surrounded the building with a company of about sixty savage-looking bushwhackers, who rudely entered the church, stopped the service, and ejected the worshipers. After eating food prepared for the occasion and selecting the horses they desired from the many tied to the trees nearby, they left, taking with them two citizens, Peter Mitzell and Otho Zeller, as hostages. Their safety depended on the good conduct of the citizens in not pursuing or informing on them, because there were state militia stationed at different places nearby. These two unfortunate men were killed that night some miles east of Pilot Grove, near Lone Elm Prairie. Their bodies were found a day or two later. The same party of bushwhackers, returning a day or two later, passed through the German settlement three miles west of Pilot Grove and killed two citizens, John Diehl and Mr. Vollmer. These men thought they were Federal troops because a number of them were dressed in blue. Pilot Grove Newest Barn Quilt A new barn quilt, designed by Winky Friedrichs, a charter member of the Cooper County Historical Society, was dedicated on September 26th, 2021, becoming the 21st barn quilt erected in Cooper County. The quilt block, named “Pilot Grove Crossings,” is attached to the east wall of the Cooper County Historical Society Research Center in Pilot Grove. It’s not a traditional quilt block like “Grandmothers Flower Garden” or “Sun Bonnet Sue”. It is unique, in that it is deliberately very historic in its design, and is meant to tell the story of the early history of Cooper County, and the travel routes that ran through the area. The Indian tribes who lived and hunted in the Cooper County area were mostly Osage and Missouria. The area provided excellent hunting grounds, as there were buffalo and other game in abundance. Buffalo had, with hoof and horn, scraped a huge "wallow" of about 2 acres, in the impenetrable prairie grasses, which then held enough water to later allow trees to grow and flourish, becoming the "Pilot Grove," a landmark for early travelers on the wild prairie, especially to the Southwest. The Spanish and the French, who arrived before Missouri was a territory, and the first settlers, also used the trails made by the Indians. Cooper County is in the middle of the state of Missouri and Pilot Grove is near the center of the County. The subtle quilt bock background is the “Log Cabin” design, which depicts the homes of the first settles, as their homes, and the forts they later lived in during the War of 1812, were made from hand hewn logs. The quilt colors represent the colors used by the native Indians – especially black from charcoal, and the colors red and yellow ochre which are oxides, found in nature, along with indigo blue from plants, to depict the early travel routes used by many people from prehistoric to later times. The earliest settlers came along the trail on the upper right-hand side of the quilt block down to what would later become Boonville. Several of the trails left from what would eventually become nearby Pilot Grove. In early days this area was a crossroads from the Missouri River from the north, going east-west and south, symbolized by the X on the quilt. Several of the trails left from what would eventually become nearby Pilot Grove. The quilt block was painted by members of the Children of the American Revolution as a project of Maryellen McVicker for the Boonslick Tourism Council. We owe them many thanks for sponsoring this quilt and helping us to tell the early story of Pilot Grove. CHOUTEAU SPRINGS At one time there were 40 acres of land named Chouteau Springs, which included three sulfur springs and two clear water springs. This land was part of a grant in 1792 from the Osage Indians to Pierre Chouteau, which was later purchased by William Ashley. The property was operated as a popular summer resort in the 1840 ’s. During the Civil War, both General Joe Shelby and General Sterling Price camped there, but not at the same time. Bushwhackers and guerillas took much of the food stored in the cellars and took away most of the livestock and poultry. After the War, some people tried to profit from the mineral springs by going to close by towns and selling the water in 2-gallon pottery jugs from the back of a wagon. The springs discharged water at the rate of ten gallons per minute or 14,400 gallons per day. Following the War the railroad came to the area and people could travel to the resort by train, and a team and buggy would take them to the hotel, operated by the famous cook – Grandma Day. (A picture of her clock is featured on the Timeline). In 1900 the resort was expanded to include baths, bath houses, a swimming pool (with its rotten egg smell) and cottages for summer residents. There was a pavilion for concerts and dances, a large swimming pool and a bowling alley. The hotel was torn down in 1938 , along with the bowling alley and livery stable. The resort was closed in 1962 . Now all that is left of this area are the springs. The Chouteau Water is very high in sulfur and the federal government marked it as too high for human consumption. In the 1950 ’s the government shut down the wells to the public and closed the pool. Pilot Grove is now the second largest town in Cooper County and the only town in Pilot Grove Township. It is still a very active community but very few businesses remain. References for Pilot Grove Township at CCHS: Pilot Grove Centennial 1873-1973 Wooden Bowling Ball no finger holes Chouteau Spring Pavilion in the late 1890's. Photo by Max Schmidt Swimming Pool Water Jug Photos courtesy of Wayne Lammers PRAIRIE HOME TOWNSHIP Physical Features: This township is generally level, being mostly prairie. The soil is good and produces well. The northern portions of the township were settled by thrifty Germans. Settlement: The oldest settlers were James McClain, Lucy McClanahan, Adam McClanahan, Jacob Carpenter, Absalom McClanahan, Michael Hornbeck, Samuel Carpenter, William N. McClanahan, William G. McClanahan, and Jeremiah Smith. It appears that these men were located in this township previous to 1820 , as their votes were recorded in that year. Some of their homes may not be confined to the limits of the township, but they were not far distant from the line. In the 1830 's, a stage coach depot was located along the road between Boonville and Jefferson City. Known as "Midway." The stop was about 1 ½ miles east of the present site of Prairie Home at Tompkins' Inn. Some years later, around 1857 by some reports, or 1865 by others, James Boswell constructed the first building in what was to become Prairie Home. The most common explanation of how the town got its name is that it came from Boswell, who lived a short distance east of the store. He referred to it as his "prairie home." the name can also be credited to the town's location "on a beautiful prairie”. A third possibility for the town’s name is that it was named after the Prairie Home Institute, a private boarding school, which was founded in 1865 by the Rev. A. H. Misseldine. However, this leads to the question of how the Institute came to be named, which may be answered by either of the previous two alternatives. In 1872 parts of Clarks Fork, Moniteau, and Saline townships were carved out to make up the new Prairie Home Township, said to be laid out around the Prairie Home Institute. In 1876 , Prairie Home was described as having a post office, one store, a public school and the private boarding school. It was not until June 16, 1894 that the actual town of Prairie Home was laid out. The town of Prairie Home is the only town located in this township. References for Prairie Home Township at CCHS: A Brief History of Prairie Home The History of the Don Carlos Family: Early Social and Political Influencers Authored by Dr. Christine E. Boston, Assistant Professor (Lincoln University), and Michelle Brooks, MA Student (BLS, 2018, Lincoln University) The Don Carlos family was one of the original pioneer families to arrive in Cooper County, first arriving in the area in 1828 . Carter Morgan and Talitha Don Carlos, the founding patriarch and matriarch of the Missouri family, opted to settle outside of Prairie Home, Missouri, at the suggestion of a local politician, who spoke highly of the area. Over the next 180 years the Don Carlos family grew not only in size but in social and political influence in the area, setting the foundations for many local traditions that continue to this day. This article will chronicle the story of the Don Carlos family and their impact on Cooper County. According to family lore, the Don Carlos family was one of power and influence. Hailing from the Spanish royal family the original immigrant member of the Don Carlos family came to the United States because he lost his land and title, a result of the 1739 War of Polish Succession that was fought among France, Spain, and Sardonia. He came to the New World seeking out new adventures and possibilities, first arriving in New York and then moving to Virginia. This is where Carter Morgan’s story begins. Carter Morgan Don Carlos was born in 1803 . While born in Virginia he was reared in Tennessee, first by his father and then later by Uncles after his father went missing when he was 12 years old. At 21 he moved to Kentucky and met and married his first wife, Talitha. A year later they moved to Missouri, before settling in Cooper County three years later. Carter Morgan is known for his organizational accomplishments, which included founding and serving in various fraternal organizations in Moniteau County and his push to secure the railroad to pass through California, Missouri, which unfortunately was unsuccessful. He and his wife had four children; the first of the 22 children Carter Morgan fathered from his three wives. The Don Carlos children were not only numerous but played significant roles in the formation of Cooper and Moniteau Counties: Hillard Don Carlos served as Cooper County Assessor between 1877 and 1882 , as well as established the first drug store in Prairie Home. After a short tenure outside of Missouri he returned to Bunceton and established the Carlos Drug Store. Benjamin Franklin Don Carlos is considered the originator of the Prairie Home Fair, one of Missouri’s longest running fairs. He was also responsible for securing the first telephone line to Prairie Home. Christopher Columbus Don Carlos served as the Cooper County Assessor in 1872 and Sheriff/Collector from 1882 to 1886 . He served in leadership positions in various local organizations, including the Moniteau Lodge, Liberty Grange, and Moniteau Agricultural and Mechanical Society. William Don Carlos was the first President of the Prairie Home Fair Board in 1915 . The remaining children also played important economic roles in the region by farming, running small businesses, or working in the local communities throughout Cooper and Moniteau Counties. Their children (Carter Morgan’s grandchildren) also played noteworthy roles in the area, living and working throughout the region as engineers, laborers, teachers, and farmers. Archaeological excavations at the Don Carlos Homestead site began in April 2017 and continue to this day. Led by Dr. Christine E. Boston of Lincoln University (Jefferson City, MO), these investigations hope to shed additional light on the domestic and agricultural life of the Don Carlos family. Several students and volunteers have been involved in these investigations, which have led to the recovery of farming equipment, domestic wares (e.g. ceramics and glass bottles), building materials, and more. Additional information regarding the consumption patterns, socioeconomic status, and agricultural lifeways have been gleaned from the archaeological artifacts recovered, but further investigations are ongoing. References: Ford, James Everett. (1936) “A History of Moniteau County, Missouri.” The University of California. Goodspeed. (1889) “History of Cole, Moniteau, Morgan Benton, Miller, Maries and Osage Counties, Missouri.” The Goodspeed Publishing Company, Chicago. Johnson, William Foreman. (1919) “History of Cooper County, Missouri.” Historical Publishing Company. Melton, E.J. (1937) “Melton’s History of Cooper County, Missouri.” E.W. Stephens Publishing Company, Columbia. Stiffler, R. Ewing. (1963) “Jeremiah Smith, Missouri Pioneer: His Kin and Descendants.” Privately published. SALINE TOWNSHIP Physical Features: Saline township lies in the northeastern part of the county. It contains quite a large amount of hilly territory and much bottom land. The water contains quite a bit of salt. Settlement: Joseph Jolly, with his two children, John and William, settled in this township as early as 1812 . He set out the first apple orchard and built a mill which would grind a bushel of corn an hour. William Jolly was a gunsmith, wheelwright, blacksmith, cooper, miller, distiller, preacher, doctor, and farmer. John Jolly operated a ferry across the Lamine. Some of the other early settlers were William Lamm, James and John Turner, Joseph Pursley, Levi Cropper, Henry Levins, B. W. Levins, Josiah Dickson, Charles Force, John Farris, Jesse Wood, Davis Fine, Joshua and Lacy McClanahan, George Dickson, Frederick and James F. Connor, John Calvert, Adam and Absalom McClanahan, Elverton Caldwell, Noding Caldwell, Joseph Westbrook, Washington and Houstonville were two towns that were laid out in this township; however, they both disappeared due to flooding. The town of Wooldridge is located in this township and has suffered greatly from frequent flooding. Overton and Gooch’s Mill are also located in this township, but are now very small communities. References for Saline Township at CCHS: Some Mighty Good Years - Overton References : Information on some former and current settlements Place Names of Cooper County, Missouri Lists Name (and former names) of towns, short history, how to get there and when, if ever, they had a post office in that town. Ramsey Place Names Cooper County Place Names 1928-1945 Tells how towns got their names. Missouri Genealogy Website Immigration Naturalization Records 1824-1906 Information available at CCHS : Discover Cooper County by Looking Back by Ann Betteridge Town Centennial Books: History of Billingsville, Prairie Lick, and Stony 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 MO; History of New Lebanon; Otterville Sesquicentennial; Some Might Good Years – Overton Pilot Grove Centennial 1873 – 1973; A Brief History of Prairie Home 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, etc. HOWARD COUNTY NEWSPAPER DESCRIPTION OF BOONVILLE 1822 Missouri Intelligencer Franklin, Missouri 31 December 1822 UPPER MISSOURI For the Missouri Intelligencer No. 6 COOPER COUNTY Cooper was created a separate county in the winter of 1818 , and then comprehended all that tract of country which lies between the Missouri and Osage rivers, and extending west to the western line of the Osage purchase; since which time the counties of Lilliard and Saline have been taken from the western, and Cole from the eastern end of it. Cooper is at present bounded west by Saline, south by the Great Osage river, east by Cole, & north by the Missouri river, which divides it from Howard and Boone. This county runs along the Missouri about 26 miles and extends north to south nearly 75. It is thought, however, that at no distant period, one or more new counties will be formed in the southern extremity of this county. Here is a great variety of soil. The southern part, on the Osage river, is poor and broken, not however without being interspersed with some good bodies of land; but in that part which lies on the Missouri, and which will probably be the permanent county of Cooper, the land is extremely rich, and lies well for cultivation, being beautifully variegated with alternate gradual elevations and pleasant values. There are a number of excellent springs in every part of the county; and what besides renders it very convenient for agricultural pursuits, is the variety of its groves and prairies. The prairies are from one to five miles in width; they are very rich and supported by groves of excellent timber of about the same extent. Jolly’s Bottom, in the lower end of this county, named after Mr. J. Jolly, who first settled it, is a large body of first-rate land. In this bottom are a number of well cultivated farms, and enterprising agriculturalists. Mr. Charles Forse, residing at the head of this bottom, has in successful operation a sawmill constructed on the principle of the inclined plane. A town called Washington, was laid off in this bottom, the lots sold, and a few of them improved; but since the spirit of town making ceased, Washington has received no improvements. Above this bottom, and between it and Boonville, a distance of about six miles, there is a bluff of good land, which is well settled. Water courses—Cooper County abounds with a number of fine streams. The Lamine is the largest, which heads in the dividing ridge between the waters of the Missouri and Osage. It receives in its course the Blackwater, the Muddy, the Salt, and Heath’s forks, and empties into the Missouri about five miles above Boonville. The Petit-Saline, heads about 15 miles nearly southwest from Boonville, and, after watering a large settlement of nearly 20 miles in length, falls into the Missouri, in Cole County, having a run a general course nearly parallel with the Missouri its whole length. The head of the Morea, the Gravi, Tabo, and Grand river, forks of the Osage, head in this county. The settlements on the Little Moniteau, & south fork of the Lamine are, at present, the farthest south. Minerals, and Mineral Waters There are many salt springs in this county, two of which are worked, one by Mr. B. Lockhartt, the other by Mr. R. Heath. Lead ore makes its appearance in several places in this county, though no mines have yet been worked. Several persons in digging wells have come to banks of mineral ore of a beautiful appearance; its kind has not yet been ascertained, but it is supposed to be Sulfur. Stone-coal and iron ore, in large bodies, are found in many parts of this county, on the south fork of the Lamine. There is in the vicinity of the Iron Banks, good streams for erecting forges and furnaces, and from them to Boonville there can be an excellent road. These banks must, at no great length of time, be a source of wealth to the Upper Missouri. Excellent quarries of lime and free stone are found in the more broken parts of the county; and on the Moniteau there is a quarry of cream-colored marble and white sandstone. There is a Sulfur spring on the Grand River fork of Osage, which is said to possess medicinal qualities. Mr. John Corum, of this county, visited this spring last summer, and made use of the water for rheumatism, from which received great benefit. Religion The majority of the adults of this county are professors of religion. There are four Baptist churches in this county, the aggregate of the members of which is upwards of 200. Rev. J. B. Longan, Rev. Luke Williams, Rev. William Jennings, Rev. Jacob Chism, and Rev. Peter Woods, are among the Baptist clergy of this county. Presbyterians are very numerous, and are increasing under the superintendence of Rev. F. Ewing and Rev. Robert Morrow, who are citizens of this county. The Methodists are the least numerous, though not the least zealous of the religious sects in this county; they are, however, fast increasing in numbers under that able and excellent Methodist local preacher, Mr. Justinian Williams. Productions. Experience has proved that the highland prairies of this county are very little short of the best lands in the state of Tennessee for cotton, wheat, rye, corn, potatoes, hemp, tobacco, etc., as these articles are produced here in great abundance. Horses, cattle, hogs, sheep, etc. are raised with little trouble. Roads The principal roads in Copper lead south eastward towards the seat of government, and westward towards the upper counties on the Missouri. They are generally well-cleared. Boonville, the seat of justice for this county, is beautifully situated on a high bluff on the south side of the Missouri, immediately opposite Franklin. This town was laid off on a liberal plan by the late Capt. Asa Morgan and Charles Lucas, the former proprietors, in 1819. The commissioners appointed to locate the permanent seat of justice, received from the proprietors fifty acres of land within the said town. The lots were sold, and the proceeds appropriated to the erection of public buildings. There are four streets running parallel with the river, and eight crossing them at right angles. Those parallel with the river are, 1st, Water Street, 150 feet from the water. 2nd, high Street, which is on higher ground. 3rd, Morgan Street; and 4th, Spring Street. —The Public Square contains two acres and is situated in a very high part of the town between High street and Morgan street. There is in Boonville an elegant Brick Court House, 30 by 45 feet, two stories high, finished off in an elegant manner, which cost $8,000, and was paid for out of the fund arising from the sale of lots in the donation to the county, by the proprietors of the town. A jail, 24 feet square, and two stories high, the walls of which are three logs thick, is built on a reserved lot, some distance from the Public Square, which cost about $2,400, and forty-one neat Dwelling Houses, inhabited by about 116 souls, besides a number of smaller buildings of various kinds. History Among the first settlers in this county were Messrs. Stephen Cole, G. Rupe, David Burris, and William Savage, who left the settlements on the north side of the river, and settled in this county, with the late Sarshall Cooper, whose name the county bears. These, with some others selected farms, & began to make improvements; but the hostility of the savages compelled them soon to act on the defensive; and having met together at Mrs. Cole’s, they built a fort on a commanding eminence, near the Missouri. They were, however, in a short time compelled to evacuate it, and retreat over the river to Fort Kincaid, where they tarried until the rage of Indian warfare was over, and then returned to their homes. Population In the year 1817 there were not more than twenty families within the present bounds of Cooper. It now contains upwards of six thousand inhabitants; and is generally healthy, except near the Lamine, and in the Missouri bottoms. *The author of “Upper Missouri” acknowledges himself indebted to a respectable gentleman for the foregoing information (From pages 2 and 3 of the paper notated.) Hattie May Boles Plays the Governor’s Piano Photo by Wayne Lammers Here is a photo that I took of Hattie May Boles playing on the Grand Piano in the Governor’s Mansion at a Christmas Tour there, in 1978 . My family took Hattie to Jefferson City for this tour. As we saw all the beautiful decorations, she spotted the Grand Piano in the large ballroom on the first floor. It had one of those large golden ropes to keep people away. “I always wanted to play one of those!” she said to me. So, some of you may know me and the way I work. I sometimes take things a step further than normal. I went to the Missouri State Highway Patrolman that was standing guard on the main floor overseeing the security of the Governor’s Mansion. I got permission from him and others for Hattie to play a couple of songs on that piano. I felt that she could play some Christmas songs that would be appropriate for the occasion. I went to Hattie and said “You have permission to play a few songs.” Her mouth dropped open and she was so surprised and astonished to think that she was going to play this beautiful piano inside the Governor’s Mansion. The Patrolman and I removed the rope to the Grand Piano and she sat down and began to play and sing some hymns and Christmas songs. The crowd started to collect around and also began to sing the songs that Hattie was playing. It wasn’t long before Governor Joseph Teasdale came down from his living quarters above and wanted to know who was playing “his piano”. Hattie got to meet and greet the Governor of Missouri that night. She was so happy and talked about this for a long time, about the time she, the daughter of a slave, Hattie May Boles, got to play and sing with the Governor, on that Grand piano inside the Missouri Governor’s Mansion. ARROW ROCK This lovely little town was once part of Cooper County and was very instrumental in the early settling and development of Cooper County. A corner of the site still does overlap into Cooper County. Arrow Rock State Historic Site The first truly “permanent” American settlers led by the Cooper family established small settlements in the river bottoms of Howard County opposite of Arrow Rock in 1810 . Other settlements several miles south of Arrow Rock were established by the Jones, McMahan and Turley families. During the War of 1812 , these settlers built defensive forts as protection from the Sac & Fox and Ioway Indians allied to Great Britain. When Fort Osage closed in 1812 , the fort’s trader George Champlain Sibley moved his operation to the Arrow Rock bluff from 1813-1814 to maintain friendly relations with the Osage Indians. By 1815 , a ferry was established at the site of Arrow Rock. Westbound settlers poured into the area, crossing the Missouri River on the Arrow Rock ferry. Santa Fe trading caravans departing from nearby Franklin crossed on the ferry beginning in 1821 . From 1819 to 1833 , the ferry was owned by Judge David Todd, the uncle of Mary Todd Lincoln. Judge William B. Napton observed that 1827 was especially busy year for the ferry as the population of Saline County swelled that year. Henry Cooper of Howard County took over operation of the ferry from 1833 until at least until 1865, and the river landing was known as “Cooper’s Ferry Privilege.” At the end of the War of 1812 , Baptist missionary John Mason Peck wrote “Some families came in the spring of 1815 ; but in the winter, spring, summer and autumn of 1816 , they came like an avalanche. It seemed as though Kentucky and Tennessee were breaking up and moving to the Far West. Caravan after caravan passed over the prairies of Illinois all bound to the Boone’s Lick.” Cooper County was organized out of Howard County on December 17, 1818 and formalized by the Legislature on February 1, 1819 . Cooper County encompassed present day Saline County at that time. The Legislature created Saline County out of Cooper County on November 25, 1820 and in January 1822 , the Saline County Court created Arrow Rock Township. The town itself was commissioned on June 10, 1829 and originally called “Philadelphia.” Some documents refer to the town as “New Philadelphia.” In February of 1833 the state legislature changed the town name to coincide with the familiar landmark. Joseph Huston, one of the town commissioners built a two-story federal-style brick building in 1834 . Arrow Rock's location on the Missouri River and the Santa Fe Trail undoubtedly led weary travelers to ask Huston for overnight accommodations. He began building log or frame additions to the building and by 1840 was widely known as a hotel-keeper. The J. Huston Tavern also housed a store and a ballroom used for dances and as a meeting hall. As the building passed to other owners, it became known as the Neill House, Scripture House, City Hotel and Old Tavern. The J. Huston Tavern is the oldest continuously operating restaurant west of the Mississippi and is today operated by the Missouri Division of State Parks in partnership with the Friends of Arrow Rock, Inc. Settlers in the Boonslick Country were predominately migrants from Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee and transplanted slavery and southern culture here. Arrow Rock developed as a thriving river port, exporting tobacco and hemp from the neighboring plantations. Hemp was made into ropes and bags for baling cotton. Wheat, corn, beef, pork and mules were also shipped from Arrow Rock to supply the cotton districts of the Mississippi delta. The agricultural production of the Boonslick Country depended on slave labor just as cotton production did in the South. This symbiotic relationship led most residents of Arrow Rock and the Boonslick Country to support the South during the Civil War. Saline County and other Missouri counties with a high population of enslaved African Americans became known as “Little Dixie.” Arrow Rock’s population peaked at 1,000 by 1860 . The town population began declining after the American Civil War. The war disrupted agricultural production and river commerce which afterwards was displaced by railroads. Arrow Rock failed to secure a rail line and bridge across the Missouri River. The rapid post war growth of urban areas such as Kansas City, St. Louis and Chicago began drawing away residents with the promise of better jobs. The town’s economic decline was further exacerbated by disastrous fires in 1864 , 1872 and 1901 . By the turn of the century the population had dwindled to under 300 and the town was in a state of decay. Prior to the Civil War, Arrow Rock’s black residents worked as household or domestic slaves or as laborers at the docks and business warehouses. Following emancipation in 1865, Arrow Rock’s African-American population grew as former plantation slaves moved into town. Gradually they were able to purchase their own homes, mostly on the north side of town. By 1880 , 51% of the town’s population was African-American. Their presence undoubtedly kept the town from completely disappearing. However, owing to segregation, they had to develop their own churches, schools and social institutions. The last black resident of the community died in 2009. Arrow Rock’s connection with the Santa Fe Trail led to national recognition by the Old Trails Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) in 1912 . As DAR interest in the community grew, they persuaded the Missouri legislature to purchase and preserve the “Old Tavern” (J. Huston Tavern) in September of 1923 . Acreage around the Tavern was purchased as a state park. This was the beginning of the historic preservation movement in Missouri and the first acquisition of the new Missouri State Park system. In 1963 , the National Park Service recognized Arrow Rock’s connection to the Santa Fe Trail and the entire town and state park was designated a National historic Landmark. The park grew to 169 acres about a third of which lies within town boundaries. The site boundary also overlaps into Cooper County. In 1976 the facilities designation was changed from state park to state historic site to empathize its cultural mission. The recreation area of the historic site features a 48-unit modern campground, picnic facilities and playground, a four-acre fishing lake and a mile and half hiking trail. Forty acres of ground are being restored to native prairie grasses and forbs. An 18,000 square foot visitor center was constructed on the historic site in 1991 and provides museum exhibits pertinent to the history of Arrow Rock and the neighboring Boonslick Country, including Cooper County. The Friends of Arrow Rock, Inc. formed in 1959 as a non-profit organization to preserve historic structures outside the state historic site boundary. They also provide guided tours of the community and operate educational programs for elementary school children. The Arrow Rock Lyceum Theater was established in 1960 in the abandoned Baptist Church and is recognized as Missouri’s oldest repertory theater. Several antique, art and crafts shop exist in the town.