The border war with Kansas was in full swing and the Missouri Legislature appropriated $30,000, almost a million dollars in today’s money, to establish  a military post on the western border to keep the Jayhawks out.

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.