Civil War period - Kansas and Missouri
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Map showing the area, modified from: Ramsey, Millett & Hudson, Map of Kansas and Southwest Missouri (Kansas City, Mo.: C. Rollin Camp, 1881). Full map at Wichita State University Libraries, Department of Special Collections. [Link] |
During the Civil War, many Jasper County, Missouri, families can be found in the census records of Bourbon County, Kansas (Fort Scott area). This was due to the sometimes alarming conditions in the border region of the two states:
William G. Cutler, ed., History of the State of Kansas, Containing a Full Account of its Growth From an Uninhabited Territory to a Wealthy and Important State ... (Chicago: A. T. Andreas, 1883). Transcribed by Jann Frank and John Stewart for Kansas Collection Books. See transcript.On the 5th [July 1861] a battle was fought at Carthage, Mo., which had the effect to greatly alarm and disturb the citizens in the southeastern part of the county. Many families left their homes, apprehensive of an attack from the rebel forces.
Malcolm G. McGregor, The Biographical Record of Jasper County, Missouri (Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1901), pages 110-111. [Link to full biography].WILLIAM C. COOLEY. ... In 1860, after his marriage, Mr. Cooley settled in Twin Grove township, but when the war troubles arose the next year the family removed to Fort Scott, Kansas. Seven times they went back to the old home, but political feeling was so high at that time that they did not remain there until the eighth return.
The History of Jasper County, Missouri, Including a Condensed History of the State, a Complete History of Carthage and Joplin, Other Towns and Townships (Des Moines, Iowa: Mills & Co, 1883), p. 1061. [Link to image of page]REUBEN RUSK. ... During the war his residence had been burned, leaving his family homeless. The burning was in the night time and the mother and children gathered around the dying embers to keep warm until morning. They were taken to Ft. Scott, where they remained until hostilities ceased.
