November 5, 1855

It was a day of prayer and fasting to honor the victims of the Gasconade River train disaster of four days ago. Thirty-four people died and many were injured when the bridge collapsed and took the dignitaries into the swollen river. Read more about this in Tales From Missouri and the Heartland.

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.

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