[No messages have come through the list for a couple of weeks -- but rather than just a test message, I’ll pass along a story from Newton county which might be of interest to some Lawrence County researchers. At least the names McKee, Ritchie and Wear are connected to Lawrence County.] >From Missouri Patriot, published Springfield, Missouri, Thursday, 24 Aug 1865 “Honor to Whom Honor Is Due “On the 28th day of October, 1864 -- a memorable day for the citizens of Newtonia, Newton county, Mo. -- occurred the last fight with Price’s rebel raiders in this State. That Post was garrisoned by company K of the 15th Mo. Cav. Vols., commanded by Lieut. R. H. Christian. For more than two years the Lieutenant and his command had distinguished themselves by capturing rebels and killing bushwhackers--not only in this county but in Jasper and McDonald counties, and often pursuing them into Arkansas. Many plans had been laid by the exasperated rebels to destroy this troublesome band of patriots, but all failed up to this fatal day. “Christian lived about one-fourth of a mile from the fort (which had no cannon) and his wife had been confined on the 26th. On the morning of the 28th the Lieutenant was notified by his superior officer of the approach of the rebels in full force, and ordered to withdraw his command eastwardly, as the enemy was approaching from the north. Accordingly, he withdrew his men early in the morning to the timber, about two miles from town, from where he could have observed the enemies movements; but becoming restless, having had to leave his wife as she was too ill to be removed, he and a few of his men returned to town, and there watched for the approach of the enemy. At about 8 o’clock a.m. the rebels appeared in sight about one mile distant, marching in three columns. The Lieutenant and his half dozen brave men stood as if fascinated, gazing on the swarming hosts, though often warned and entreated to go by Mrs. Wolcott, a Union lady, near whose house they were standing. But they depended on their horses, and apparently waited to get a shot. But the enemy had fleet horses also, and a gang of bushwhackers, who were well acquainted with the Lieutenant, and knew he would be likely to expose himself, came on like an avalanche, and swept all before them. Too late Christian attempted escape -- he was overtaken and killed. Not content with the death of their intrepid foe, these white savages (illegible word) him, and hacked off a portion of his head, skin and all, and returned to town, and with exultation and horrid oaths exhibited these bloody trophies to the Union ladies they met. “Christian fell about two miles from town, near the house of Mrs. Jane Sanderson, whose husband - - a bushwhacker -- had been killed. She saw his mutilated body, and came to town crying, and said, as she described it “I am called a rebel, but I cannot stand such sights as this.” She informed some Union ladies where the body lay, and they, moved by her story, and by the taunts of the rebels, proceeded to enact their part, which for coolness and true heroism has not perhaps been surpassed during the war, and their names should be recorded and remembered with honor. They were: Miss Mary McKee, school teacher, Miss Amanda Ritchey, sister of the Captain, Mrs. Wear, wife of Lieut. Wear of Christian’s company, Miss Nancy A. J. Pearson, Miss Priscilla Walker, and Miss Elizabeth Killion. These ladies, accompanied and assisted by rs. Sanderson, (illegible word) into their service a small boy, with a yoke of oxen and a wagon, and amid the roar of cannon and the crash of small arms -- annoyed and insulted by the rebels going and coming -- they proceeded to where the body of the unfortunate Lieutenant lay, and brought it (illegible) to his own house, just as Gen. Sanborn arrived to reinforce Gen. Blunt, who was being pressed hard by the rebels.” (The correspondent who contributed this article to the newspaper signed it “Welcome”.)

Judy, Thanks for that article from the Springfield paper. None of the names were ones I am researching but it was interesting history. Barbara Marsh