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November 18, 1818

This date in Missouri history. A group of citizens calling themselves the Smithton Company purchased from the government the land which is now Columbia, MO.


Sunlight image of the old silo Gary Rhoades owns on his property in rural Johnson County, Missouri

Missouri silo mysteries, sounds, and sights

An old roofless silo stands in the south field of my Missouri hay farm. While the exact circumstances are a mystery, neighbors say the silo lost its roof over forty years ago. Nothing is left of it now except for the bare ends of rebar exposed on top.


Rat eating corn. Adobe Stock photo

November 17, 1876

This date in Missouri history. The Audrain County Republican reported that Mr. David Crockett of Audrain County killed 341 rats in his corn cribs. Note: The writer wonder's, "Why did he wait so long? How could he have allowed 341 rats to be living in his harvested corn?"