The first recording of “Sweet Betsy from Pike,” the famous ballad which tells of Betsy and her uncle, Ike, westward pioneers from Pike County Missouri, happened on this day.

This post was contributed by Ross Malone. A historian and a retired school teacher, Ross has authored many books about Missouri’s history, weird facts, and folk tales. He has also written children’s historical fiction. Visit his website, and buy his books in the Missouri Life store.