Who Was Murder Victim Capt. John Sheets and Why Was He Shot?
John W. Sheets (1821-1869) is known mostly as an unfortunate victim of circumstance, allegedly shot by outlaw Jesse James who mistook him for former Union leader Samuel Cox during the 1869 robbery of the Daviess County Savings Association in Gallatin. But a look at...
1869: Trails Linking Northwest Missouri
This 1869 map of trails in Northwest Missouri is from Colton’s Sectional Map of the State of Missouri:
Press Agent for Outlaws: John Newman Edwards
The following, in part, is written by Martin McGrane for the February 1980 edition of Rural Missouri. Photos shown here were added after this article’s initial publication. Not many people become international celebrities without a little promotional help along...
Creating the James Legend: John Newman Edwards
Newspaperman John Newman Edwards played a significant role in molding public opinion in favor of Frank and Jesse James despite their crimes. The following is taken, in part, from a 2-part series written by Edward A. Higgins on the James boys published in May, 1973, by...
Civil War: Tragedy, Murders Linked to Capt. Brumfield’s Revolver
A Civil War pistol displayed at the Squirrel Cage Jail and Visitors’ Center in Gallatin is thought to belong to notorious Union Capt. William Brumfield, who was shot to death on the south side of the Gallatin business square in the bitter aftermath of the war....
1867: Reno Gang steals $23,000 from Daviess County, MO
In a 1965 book about Detective Allen Pinkerton written by Ornmont, there is an account of the arrest of gang chief John Reno at Seymour, IN, for the Gallatin, MO, burglary of Nov. 17, 1867. The Reno gang was considered the “country’s first great outlaw...
John Reno Sentenced to 25 Years in State Penitentiary for Robbery
This following account of the 1867 robbery of the treasury of Daviess County, MO, is recorded in the 1882 History of Daviess County (pp. 285-288). John Reno was later sentenced to serve 25 years in prison for this crime: THE SAFE ROBBERY “On the night of the 17th of...
1866: Knauer Store Opens for Business in Gallatin, MO
The Knauer Store started in Gallatin, MO, in 1866 when Andrew Knauer established a merchant-tailor business. The business thrived. Whenever a person saw the Knauer label on a piece of clothing, they knew it had a quality that would last. The Knauer name was familiar...
Schools: Gallatin’s Wilberforce School for African-Americans 1866
In November 1866, the Gallatin School District met to discuss the educational opportunities for the county’s black students. It was believed these students would do better educationally if they had their own school. They established the Wilberforce School for...
Church Buildings in the Community of Jameson, MO
The original Methodist Church in Jameson was organized in 1866 and was known as the White Oak Church with services held in a schoolhouse.
Pioneers: Renown Gunsmith Valentine Shuler
Walk any cemetery and be reminded that behind every marker lies a story. Among the older markers in Daviess County is one in Mt. Zion Cemetery near Jamesport, where rests a man once nationally known for his craftsmanship in making guns. Valentine Shuler (1808-1885)...
Civil War: The Hated ‘Black Devils’ of Guerrilla Warfare
During the Civil War, 1861-1865, Daviess County furnished over 900 men for the Union Army and something over 300 for the Confederate Army. The following account published on June 18, 1936, of the Gallatin Democrat reveals an incident of murder and courage at a home...
1865: Argument Over 50 Cents Leads to Murder at Gallatin, MO
Many who venture through Lyle Cemetery across from First Baptist Church in Gallatin, MO, are naturally unaware of much of the local history that lies there. A tombstone for Jonathan “Jona” Brosius offers an obscure example. His name is only a footnote to...
1865: Alta Vista Post Office Marks this Community
Alta Vista is an unincorporated community which lies at the border between Daviess and DeKalb counties with MO-6 passing through its location, with Weatherby, MO, being two miles to the west. The community sits on a ridge above and east of Grindstone Creek. Alto Vista...
Civil War: Bluford Goins Donates Cavalry Sword for Display
The following narrative focuses on Bluford Goins, written by Sammy Evans and as published by the Gallatin North Missourian in February, 2017. In addition to the personal memories revealing rural life in Daviess County, MO, this article also points to a gift from Mr....
Civil War: Major-General Pleasonton Relieves Col. James McFerran at Westport
Report of Major-Gen. Alfred Pleasonton, U. S. Army, commanding Provisional Cavalry Division. Headquarters Cavalry Division, Warrensburg Colonel: I desire to submit a preliminary report of the operations of this division from the time of its first contact with General...
Civil War: Col. McFerran’s Report on the Battle of Westport
This is the official report given by Col. James McFerran concerning the Battle of Westport on Oct. 6, 1864 (describing the conduct of Union soldiers from Daviess County, MO, involved in the battle). General: I have the honor to report that pursuant to your orders I...
Civil War: Who Really Shot ‘Bloody Bill’ Anderson in Ambush?
For many decades Major Samuel P. Cox was widely recognized as the Union man who killed notorious bushwacker William “Bloody Bill” Anderson during an ambush near Richmond, MO, on Oct. 26, 1864. But there is evidence to the contrary. Civil War veteran Adolph...
Civil War: Daviess County’s Col. James H.B. McFerran
The man who organized and led Union soldiers from Daviess County in the Battle of Westport was also the county’s prosecuting attorney and a circuit court judge. James H.B. McFerran helped initiate the Daviess County Savings Association, and served as its...
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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