September 3, 1897
Sally Benson was born on this date in St. Louis. She wrote a book that became the basis for Meet Me in St. Louis. She went on to write other screenplays including National Velvet, Bus Stop, and Anna and the King of Siam (The King and I).
September 2, 1821
St. Ferdinand's Catholic Church in Florissant was consecrated. St. Ferdinand is the oldest Catholic Church between the Mississippi and the Rockies.
August 28, 1820
Missouri's first statewide elections were held. Alexander McNair was elected Governor. Missouri was still one year away from officially becoming a state. Read our story about Missouri's first territorial governors here.
August 26, 1831
Leading St. Louis citizens, Thomas Biddle and Spencer Pettis fought a duel on Bloody Island. They fired at five feet and both were killed.
August 25, 1928
Franklin/Jefferson County serial killer, Bertha Gifford, was arrested in Eureka, MO. She is believed to have killed seventeen people of all ages. Known as a wonderful cook and a caring person, neighbors called her the Good Samaritan.