As Banks Fail, Temptations Mount Leading to Crimes
During the times of yesteryear, more people and more businesses in Daviss County meant more banks — and more temptations for illegal gain, especially as hard times caused bank failures. Here are two examples, occurring nearly 25 years apart, where wrongdoing...
1927: Woodruff Ice Cream of Gallatin, MO
In 1927, Woodruff’s Ice Cream reported a volume of business so great that they couldn’t meet the demand for their ice cream. That year they exceeded their expectations by retailing 20,000 gallons of ice cream. To accommodate their increasing business, the...
1926: Carlow Tabbed as ‘Booze Capitol’ of Daviess County, MO
Daviess County Sheriff B.B. Houghton and Sheriff Deputy Novia Doak, accompanied by several others, captured two men in a Carlow booze raid in October, 1926. Five gallons of corn whiskey was seized for evidence for use in the prosecution of the men. Upon arriving at...
Gallatin’s Buzz Barton Goes to Hollywood for Silent Screen Stardom
William Andrew Lamoreaux, born in Gallatin, MO, on Sept. 3, 1913, became known as “The Boy Wonder of Westerns” after his family moved to California. At one time he was probably the most successful and well-known of the young, silent screen cowpokes...
1926: Unusual September Flood in Daviess County, MO
On Sept. 26, 1926, the Grand River once again was causing damage in our part of the country. There had never been a flood in September in Daviess County’s history. It was near harvest time and corn prospects were looking favorable. However, flood waters rampaged...
1874-1926: Farmers Exchange Bank of Gallatin, MO
In 1914, in a tribute to Tom Yates, Missouri Governor A.M. Dockery told how T.B. Yates brought Dockery to Gallatin in 1874. In that tribute, Gov. Dockery wrote the following record of how they got together to start the Farmers Exchange Bank in Gallatin, MO: “I...
Great Depression: Seeds of Desperation Sown in the 1920s
It is no exaggeration to say that the Great Depression impacted Daviess County, MO, more than any other single event or situation in our history. During the 1920s, progress was evident in our country. Cars were coming on the scene. Mud roads were being improved, and...
Gallatin Newspaper Founder and Publisher D.L. Kost (1835-1925)
David L. Kost published the first issue of the Gallatin North Missourian in September, 1864, assisted at that time by B.J. Waters. Mr. Waters remained with the paper only six months, selling his interest to Mr. Kost who edited the paper alone until 1868 when Jehiel T....
Willys Jeeps Offered For Sale by Case Musselman
Willys Jeeps were once sold in Gallatin, MO, by Case Musselman. NOTE: Willys Jeeps got their name from John North Willys who bought the Overland Automotive Division of Standard Wheel Company in 1908 and in 1912 named it the Willys-Overland Motor Company....
Great Depression: Too Many Banks, Many Failures
Our country was in a serious financial state in the 1920s. The small town banks had thrived in the early part of the 20th Century partly due to the slow method of transportation. Almost every small town had at least one bank if not two or more. What we will find is...
1924: Gallatin’s New Water Tower
In 1924, Gallatin’s water tower was badly in need of repair. A special city council meeting was called to consider the needed repairs. An examiner, Mr. Gill, who’d previously inspected the tower, was present to report on its condition. The report called...
1923: Newton Brothers Use Nighttime Blast to Rob Gallatin Bank
Bank robbery sprees once brought Texas outlaws Willis and Joe Newton to Gallatin, MO. In 1923, the Newtons left Chicago and was headed for Kansas City when they learned about a packing house payroll being aboard a small passenger train leaving St. Joseph. This became...
Inside the Daviess County Courthouse
The test of time has validated continued use of the Daviess County Courthouse in Gallatin, MO.
1922: ‘History of Daviess and Gentry Counties’ Book Published
One notable resource concerning the history of Daviess County is available online. The History of Daviess and Gentry Counties published online by the Internet Archive and available for viewing at the following website address:...
1921: Plat Map of Gallatin in Union Twp., Daviess County
This 1921 map of Gallatin, MO was prepared by Sanborn Map Company of New York.
1920: Memories Offer Insights on Gilman City, Bancroft
Ira O. Oliphant, the oldest person living in Gilman City, observed his 90th birthday (circa 1920) with a dinner at the home of his son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Buell Oliphant, reports the Trenton Republican-Times. Mr. Oliphant has been in business in Gilman...
1910-1920: ‘Snapshots’ of Noted Local History in This Decade
Woodrow Wilson has been elected president and the nation has entered the Age of Reform. Gallatin struggles to stay up-to-date. Tunsten street lights are installed around the square. “A cross arm of two lights is put on each post, and they give the Gallatin...
1920: Early Cars, Car Tags and Vehicle Licenses
During the 1920s more and more people were driving cars. The new transportation was causing dirt roads to become outdated. At election time the General Assembly voted to levy a tax for road improvement. Amendment 6 allowed the state to issue bonds up to $600,000,000...
Please Help Identify These ‘Old Timey’ Photographs
For every properly identified photo of yesteryear, there are countless others with scant or no identification. Yet, each scene has its own story and reveals another glimpse of yesteryear in Daviess County, MO. Here are a few examples: Unidentified farm scene, date...
Visit the 1889 Squirrel Cage Jail, located 2 blocks west of the Daviess County Courthouse in Gallatin, MO. This historic relic is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and serves as a visitors’ center — by appointment,
Trudi Burton, ph: 660.663.7342
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