October 14, 1807
Birthday of William B. Waddell whose freight company (Russell, Majors, and Waddell) did much to open trade with the west. He was also a founder of the Pony Express. Read more about him in Tales From Missouri and the Heartland.
October 13, 1877
Lizzie Wise drew a crowd as she ascended in her balloon from the Grand Avenue Baseball Park in St. Louis. A stiff wind grabbed the balloon and she was whisked away. She was found the next day in Illinois, hanging from a treetop, unharmed.
October 12, 1885
The first cross-state long distance call was made. The mayor of Kansas City called to his home from St. Louis.
October 11, 1946
In honor of the brave leader of the "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo" Centerville (west of Rolla on Route 66) was re-named for the leader of the raid, St. Louis oil executive, Jimmy Doolittle. General Doolittle himself was there for the ceremony.
October 10, 1700
A French missionary, Father Gravier, noted in his journal, "Discovered the river Mirameguoua, where the rich lead mine is situated, 12 or 13 leagues from its mouth." Today we refer to that river as the Meramec. "Meramec" (Mirameguoua) is an Osage word meaning catfish.
October 9, 1858
The first Overland Mail from California reached St. Louis. It was carried to the route terminus at Tipton and put on a train for St. Louis. The trip took almost 25 days.
October 8, 1978
A glistening oval object was on the ground and a similar oval-shaped object hovered nearby in Barry County. When they flew away a scorched crop circle was left behind. A sheriff's investigation revealed three smaller circles nearby the first.
October 6, 1870
The first large theater in Kansas City, The Coates Opera House, opened on this day. The theater was destroyed in 1901 by a fire.
October 5, 1882
Frank James surrendered on the steps of the state capitol. He made a short speech and turned his gun over to the Governor. Read more about this in Tales From Missouri and the Heartland.