NEWS OF 150 YEARS AGO
March and April 1861
From The Missouri Democrat, Monday, April 22, 1861.
Secession in Missouri.
BOONVILLE, April 20.—The largest meeting held in Boonville for ten years was held to day; seven or eight hundred people were present. Speeches were made by G. G. Vest and others. The flag of the Confederate States was hoisted, with fifteen stars. Resolutions were unanimously adopted against coercion, and for immediate secession. Cooper county is a unit for the South.
JEFFERSON CITY, April 19, 8:30 P. M.—Fifteen guns are being fired on the Capitol Hill in honor of the secession of Virginia, and one for Governor Jackson. Intense feeling prevails in the city.
INDEPENDENCE, April 20.—At an early hour this morning the arms and munitions of war held at the Arsenal in Liberty, Clay county, were, at the demand of some citizens of that county, given up. It is stated there were 1,500 stand of arms, ten or twelve pieces of cannon, and quite an amount of powder in that Arsenal, which will be distributed in Clay and adjoining counties. Ninety stand of arms and one cannon have been brought up, and are now in this place.
ST. JOSEPH, April 20.—To-day the secession flag was unfurled, and carried through the streets by a mounted company, after which it was raised on Market square, without disturbance or enthusiasm. Considerable excitement is manifested, and secession is the prevailing sentiment.
KANSAS CITY, April 20.—Missourians seized the United States Arsenal at Liberty at 10 o’clock this morning, and garrisoned it with one company of 100 men.
An immense secession meeting was held here to day. Thousands from the adjoining counties in Missouri and Kansas were present. A pole one hundred and twenty-five feet high was raised. Talley & bros.’ Mammoth stable, the Star newspaper building, and other prominent places are decorated with secession flags.
