January 31, 1812
Birthday of William H. Russell of Lexington, MO. He was a co-founder of a huge freighting firm, the Overland Stage Co., and the Pony Express. Read more about him in Tales From Missouri and the Heartland.
January 28, 1817
Governor William Clark authorized a territorial lottery. It was to use profits to purchase fire equipment for the territory’s capital city, which was St. Louis.
January 26, 1945
An era ended on this date when "Boss" Tom Pendergast died. With his Kansas City Democrat machine he controlled Missouri politics for years.
January 25, 1875
Pinkerton agents raided the Clay County home of Frank and Jesse James. Frank and Jesse were not at home but the fire-bomb attack killed their brother and injured their mother.
January 22, 1827
Missouri was a state of newcomers. On this date Thomas Fletcher was born and he would go on to be our first Missouri-born Governor.
January 21, 1879
The Kansas Senate approved a plan to move their border eastward, thus stealing Kansas City from Missouri.
January 20, 1935
Pro basketball player and Mizzou coach Stormin’ Norman Stewart was born in Shelby County.