In the beginning.. 3 big names Pierre Laclede Auguste Chouteau Madame Chouteau
But in the way, way beginning Missouri home to Mississippians, Indian civilization of mound builders 20,000 people in fertile river valley Disappeared during Middle Ages (500 A.D. to 1400 A.D.) but structures were left STL has nickname Mound City Mounds in Cahokia St. Louis had smaller north of Landing Variety of purposes ancient burials as well as temple structures
After the mound builders Forced out of Canada because of French ended up in Missouri - corn, squash, beans, tobacco, nuts, berries, hunted deer, buffalo, bear Tribal name Missouria means "big canoe people" Most Native Americans forced to leave Missouri during Indian Removal of 1800's they were moved to reservations in Oklahoma
More pre, pre history 1673 Father Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet (French) are probably the first whites to see the mouth of the Missouri River as missionaries 1682 Frenchman Cavelier and La Salle, travel down Mississippi River, to Gulf of Mexico claiming it for France, names region "Louisiana" in honor of King Louis XIV he has mixed feelings because yes, increases empire, but whoa the cost and managing it! 1682-1700 The lure of furs, Indian converts, gold and silver attract other Frenchmen 1735 Ste. Genevieve founded by settlers first permanent settlement in MO 1764 Pierre Laclede and Rene August Chouteau found St. Louis * Keep in mind in here is the Declaration of Independence American Revolution. 1800 Napoleon Bonaparte (France) forces Spain to return the territory west of the Mississippi much of Missouri has been explored and communities are established by this time 1803 U.S. buys Louisiana Purchase from Napoleon who needs money to finance his wars in Europe 1804 Lewis and Clark begin their journey Missouri eventually carved from LA Territory
First. Pierre Laclede! Born 1729 in France, comes to New Orleans 1755 Works at Maxent, Laclede & Company (Fur) Gilbert Maxent given exclusive rights to trade with Indians gave assignment to Laclede to find a proper trading post
Second. Auguste Chouteau! Born in New Orleans to Madame & Rene Chouteau (either 1749 or 1750) Rene abandons family, goes back to France leaves mom and Auguste here! Catholic Church does not recognize divorce Auguste is 14, becomes lieutenant of Laclede because he can read and write! Now Auguste kinda was Laclede s stepson
The trip. Expedition with Laclede, Chouteau, others left New Orleans August 1763 on a barge! November reach Ste. Genevieve but to small to handle everyone so settled at Old Fort Chartres about 20 miles north Ste. Genevieve (60 miles south of STL)
The trip. December Laclede and Chouteau scout upriver for potential site of STL! Found plateau on rocky bluff for protection against flooding, easy access to river, lumber, stone for building, cave springs, drainage, no deep ravines marked their place on trees! Just south (18 miles) of Mississippi/Missouri river meeting Laclede returned to Fort Chartres I have found a situation where I am going to form a settlement which might become, hereafter, one of the finest cities in America -so many advantages are embraced in its site, by it s locality and central position for forming settlements.
I found it! Feb. 14, 1764 Chouteau returns to start clearing area Laclede spends time planning layout of village names settlement after King Louis XV whose patron saint was King Louis IX Early April, Laclede arrives to plan streets for village and housing arrangements
The layout Public market centered on riverfront with easy access for boats followed a gridiron pattern of New Orleans 3 N-S streets, now 1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd 3 E-W streets, now Walnut, Market, Chestnut Next to marketplace, a church, Laclede s home, fort on top of hill Show pic from book By April, several cabins built Laclede makes Auguste partner in venture, Auguste brings ½ brother Jean Pierre and mother to STL
Madame Chouteau, THE Born New Orleans 1733, married Rene Chouteau he was abusive He packed up and returned to France, their child was Auguste Chouteau Divorce not allowed so she s just stuck! Had an affair with Laclede in New Orleans Becomes Queen of STL and social life Continued to live with Laclede in STL even though still married they had four children, all baptized under Rene Chouteau s name
Continuing the founding of the city 1778 Pierre Laclede dies returning to STL from New Orleans, is buried in Arkansas? No one for sure unmarked grave Now that Laclede is gone we focus on the Chouteau brothers! Auguste had married, bought and lived in Laclede s mansion, took over fur trading company Elected to Board of Trustee s, Missouri Territory Council, helped to start Bank of STL and Missouri with another guy named Clark
Continuing the founding of the city The other brother Pierre! Married 2x, 2 nd wife was 15!!! Solidified trade with Osage Indians, made almost $200,000 annually Elected to STL Board of Trustees, appointed Indian Agent by President Madison Both brothers, and this Clark guy have a monopoly on fur trading
1770 had 15 stone, 100 wooden houses, population 200 most early settlers were involved with fur trade 1800 population 500 misleading because by 1800 St. Louis citizens had created several villages on outskirts of city One of those villages was about 21 miles NW San Carlos de Misuri (St. Charles) Another was St. Ferdinand (Florissant) Becoming a problem because more affluent people leaving city to establish other villages, farmers leaving St. Louis to work other fields more rich and cheaper!
1803 Jefferson buys LP from France for $15 million a STEAL!!! Doubled size of U.S. 800,000 square miles of land, $.3 an acre 1804 gained national attention with Lewis and Clark baby!
Ordered by Thomas Jefferson, start at MO River, find a route to the Pacific Ocean Meriwether Lewis (Jefferson s secretary) & William Clark (army) get help from Chouteau on Indian tribes, river details 8,000 miles, took 2 yrs Biggest effect of LP transfer to America and being more Americanized was the behavior hadn t been a murder in STL in prior 40 years however shouting, public street fights, good manners, proper etiquette/behavior decreased, friendly Indian tribes were raided regularly its standards had decayed since the dilution of its French stock by Americans who pursued drinking and fighting with as much zeal as they are practiced in the Virginian and Kentuckian States.
Some big early families Manuel Lisa 1796 came to MO? Founded Missouri Fur Company with Chouteau's and William Clark Left wife and children a lot to travel rivers, meet with Indian tribes, conduct business Dominated fur industry for 20 yrs., helped to start Bank of St. Louis 1820 lived here full time, ill health Buried at Bellefontaine Cemetery
William Clark Some big early families After trek across country he was granted 1600 acres of land, named Superintendent of Indian Affairs and general of militia for Louisiana Territory headquarters in STL Other partner in MO Fur Company, Governor of MO Territory 1813 Once MO became state 1820 ran for Governor but lost! Died 1838, funeral largest in STL till that time Now buried at Bellefontaine Cemetery Statue of Clark sits at confluence of rivers where they started their journey
JohnMullanphy Somebigearlyfamilies CameSTL1804,boughtlandin Florissant,Bridgeton,Hazelwood,St. Charles SoldcottontoEurope,firstmillionaire instl SistersofCharitystartedthefirst hospitalwestofmississippiinhis home calledst.louismullanphy Hospital Builtthemahouse,rentalproperties GaveLadiesofSacredHeartlandand 999yearlease theycontinueto educateorphanstoday
BrianMullanphy Somebigearlyfamilies Oneof15Mullanphy children Justasgenerous,however,father disagreedandcuthimoutoffortune! Whendaddied,sisterssplit inheritanceanyway BecameSTLmayor,federaljudge, founderst.vincentdepaulsociety, Traveler saidsociety Cow,poorfamiliesinhousestory TheMullanphy EmigrantHomeNorthSTLbuilt 1867withfundsfromtheBryan sestate giventocityofstltohelpwithnew immigrants gavethemashorttermplace tolivewhiletheyfoundworkandhousing
John O Fallon raised by William Clark, uncle Some big early families Gave land for Bellefontaine, Calvary cemeteries When died, all business stopped, never happened before/since in STL history Married William Clark s daughter, moves to STL following War 1812 Becomes president of Missouri Pacific, Baltimore and Ohio, and Walbash RR s Crazy wealthy and unbelievably generous donates Land to STL University Land to Washington University Built medical college for son-inlaw, now part of WU Medical Center Gave 60 acres to STL for Fairgrounds Park http://www.ksdk.com/news/article/342573/213/hey-heidi--who-is-john-ofallon-and-why-is-he-important-to-our-area
Thomas Hart Benton Some big early families Was in War 1812, moved to STL after, began a law practice and was editor of Missouri Enquirer 1817 duel with Charles Lucas. Both were lawyers and had differing opinions! 1820 beat Judge J.B.C. Lucas (father of Charles) in Senate race Served as Senator for 30 yrs., retired 1850, ran for MO Gov. but lost 1856 Buried in Bellefontaine cemetery
Judge J.B.C. Lucas Some big early families Named Federal judge in the Louisiana Territory by Jefferson, moves to STL 1817 his son Charles killed in a duel. 1820 lost to Benton in Senate race Donated land for Old Courthouse
Bloody Island. Your honor questioned? Sandbar in the middle of Mississippi River under no jurisdiction!
The rules. After all, this is a gentleman's sport! Challenged got to choose location, weapon, distance apart Each person got an assistant preparing weapons stand-in (who wants that job?!!) Allowed to have doctor present, can t fire before fire! If you do other person permitted to shoot
OK, who are my two volunteers? v. v. This guy was married to a Mullanphy child! Ann.
The end of the duels Sandbars making it harder to navigate river during steamboat era so Lt. Robert E. Lee was charged with making them go away 1835 Lee built dikes under river to change currents Bloody Island is now a part of Illinois Dueling was outlawed in 1865, MO re-wrote Constitution and the section states section states No person shall hereafter fight a duel, act as a second, accept or carry a challenge or agree to go out of the state to fight a duel could hold office in the state.