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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.

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

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

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

ONLINE GENEALOGY RESOURCES Cooper County Specific Web Sites Cooper County Courthouse - This has Cooper County information but is basic. Genealogy Trails - Genealogy Trails History Group – Cooper County The Library - History of towns, villages, and hamlets in Cooper Co. Cooper County Origins - This is a state/county genweb site and has a lot of excellent information if one really searches, and reads on the site. It was maintained by James Thoma, and he did a wonderful job of listing Cooper County history. There are cemetery lists and burials, churches, schools, marriage, census, wills and probate records, maps, information on Cooper County communities, and much more. Several ways to access the information. ​ ​ General Genealogy FREE Websites Find a Grave ObitTree - N orth American obituaries Missouri State Archives - (Secretary of State) To request an appointment email archives@sos.mo.gov or call (573)751-3280 Library of Congress WikiTree - Free research Genealogy - Free research State of Historical Society of Missouri - Historic Missourians, Newspaper collections, general research Family Search - This is a free Mormon web site of information, and can be very helpful, but one needs to verify information taken from them as they are known to have a lot of errors and inaccuracies on family information Missouri Birth & Death Records ​ Fee-Based Genealogy Sites There are several fee-based sites. Some have a free trial or guest period. Ancestry.com - This is a huge data base of family tree information as well as other historical records. Indicate your interest and they often have ½ price specials for 6 months. My Heritage - Same as with Ancestry.com Genealogy Bank - This is a data base with old newspapers

HOW TO DO ORAL HISTORIES Preserving today’s memories for tomorrow Probably the most interesting and fun way to learn about the life of a relative is to conduct an Oral History session with them. This is a very informal way to learn about their life in a relaxed atmosphere. As people age their memories often fade, but reliving the important things that happened in their life brings things back into focus so that the special memories can be relived and enjoyed while they are being recorded. In the past, tape recorders were used to conduct these informal interviews, but today, recording on a cell phone is just as effective. Just by asking simple questions you will learn about family traditions and hear some very good stories. The session can bring your family tree to life. ​ Some general rules: Make an appointment – don’t just show up. Be clear about what you would like to accomplish and get their permission. Get permission to use your phone to record what they say, and for you to take notes. Make sure to record the time, date and location of the interview, and the name of the interviewee and interviewer. Start off with simple questions – when and where were they born? Who were your siblings? Where did you spend your early years, and school years? If you ask a “when” question they may not remember, but if you phrase it – “did this happen before or after you graduated from high school” or “about how old were you when…?” Don’t push for answers, as they may be uncomfortable discussing that question. Ask if they would rather talk about something else. Keep the session short – sometimes an hour is enough. Here are some sample topics: What do you remember about your childhood? What do you remember about your parents? Your siblings, your grandparents or childhood friends? Did your family have any special traditions on birthdays or holidays? When did you leave home? Were there wars, natural disasters or political changes that you recall? How did these events affect you? What did your parents do for a living when you were growing up? Did you help them? Did you learn any special skills from your parents? What was your first job? How old were you when you started working? What different jobs have you had during your lifetime? What do you remember about your grandparents? ​ Did religion play a part in your family? Other possible topics: education, military service, entertainment as they were growing up, family personalities, pets, raising their own family, family recipes, travel, hobbies. I found that cookies and a beverage are good to bring along with you to help the interviewee relax. When my sister and I interviewed our mother, we learned several things that we had not known. Mom grew up on the prairie of Montana during the early Depression. At age six she rode her horse 4 miles to school and back. She had a pet lamb that was rejected by his mother, that she bottle-fed, and he was her only pet. One day she could not find “Curly” and then discovered that he was the main course for the dinner for the reapers that day. We asked if she missed anything about Montana when she moved back to Wisconsin. She said “NO” except my horse and “Curley”. ​ By: Barbara Dahl ​ Family Search : this is a free Mormon web site of information, and can be very helpful, but one needs to verify information taken from them as they are known to have a lot of errors and inaccuracies on family information. ​ MO Birth & Death Records ​ Finding Vital Records ​ Finding Land Records ​

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

HOW GOOD WERE THE “GOOD OLD DAYS”? Did YOU miss out on them? ​ Ask an older relative or family member about what they knew about rural life prior to 1935, especially without electricity or a car. How hard was it for people to complete daily chores without the following items that we take for granted today?: ​ Electricity for light, electric stoves, refrigerators, Indoor plumbing Electricity to pump water from a well Central heat Hot showers or baths Washing machines, clothes dryers, irons, Telephones, cellphones, computers Freezers, blenders Air Conditioning, flash lights Hair dryers, curling irons, electric razors Crock pots, Instapots, air fryers, coffee pots Automatic transmissions on cars Dependable tires for cars and trucks Chainsaws, weed whackers, lawn mowers , Who took care of sick animals with no area vets? How would you contact a doctor in an emergency when you have no phone and only have an old wagon and a horse for transportation? ​ It’s 11 P.M. in 1937 and you have a flat tire out in the middle of nowhere, no spare tire and no way of contacting someone. What do you do? ​ Where did you buy your groceries, where did you buy your clothes, and needed household items? How do you get to town?