November 23, 1803
Lewis and Clark were still making their way toward St. Louis when they arrived at Cape Girardeau. Lewis was the dinner guest of Louis Lorimier. Clark was not welcome. Read more about this in Tales From Missouri and the Heartland. Lewis noted that there was also a group of "duch" (German) settlers who had already erected mills and a group of about 400 Shawnee.
November 27, 1911
David Margulois was born in St. Louis. After changing his name to David Merrick, he produced Hello Dolly, 42nd Street, Gypsy, and more. In all, his nearly 100 shows earned him eight Tony awards.
November 22, 1980
Kenneth Swyers of Overland slid down the north leg of the Arch to his death. He had parachuted to the top of the Arch as a publicity stunt, but the wind caught his chute and sent him down the side.
November 21, 1972
Built at a cost of $250 million, Kansas City International Airport opens, featuring an innovative "Drive to Your Gate" design.
November 19, 1861
In the midst the Civil War, Henry W. Halleck assumed command of the Union forces in Missouri and the West. Known derogatorily as “Old Brains,” he was later replaced by General Ulysses S. Grant.
November 18, 1801
John Butterfield was born on this day. He went on to found the Butterfield Overland Mail stage line from St. Louis to San Francisco. He also founded American Express.
November 17, 1931
The Globe-Democrat reported that the St. Louis County Highway Department would use manpower wherever possible instead of labor-saving machinery on construction projects. Engineer Roy Jablonski hoped the move would help put more men to work.
November 16, 1826
Today is the birthday of statesman John Brooks Henderson from Lincoln County, MO. He was appointed a Senator and, after Lincoln's death, Henderson co-wrote the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution which prohibited slavery in the U.S.
