De Soto Weekly facts De Soto, Jefferson, Missouri THURSDAY, 29 JUNE 1899 Died: Col. John W. EMERSON, at his residence in Ironton, of paralysis, at the age of 69. Col. EMERSON was an officer in the Union army during the civil war. During CLEVELAND's first term as president he was appointed United States marshal for the eastern district of Missouri. Sent in by Charlotte M. Maness Desoto Joe/The Record Man