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Bourbon County History and Information
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Bourbon County Facts


Click HERE to see full size D.O.T. County Map

Bourbon County was created on August 25, 1855 (Organized on September 12, 1855) from an Original County. The County Seat is Fort Scott. The County was named for Bourbon County, Kentucky, the birthplace of Col. Samuel A. Williams, a member of the Kansas House of Representatives from Fort Scott in 1855, who requested that the county be so named. The Kentucky county, created in 1785, was itself named for the Bourbon dynasty of France, in commemoration of French aid to the American cause during the Revolutionary War.

Counties adjacent to Bourbon County are Linn County (north), Vernon County, Missouri (east), Crawford County (south), Neosho County (southwest), Allen County (west), Anderson County (northwest). Cities and Towns Include Arcadia, Barnesville, Bronson, Devon, Fort Scott, Fulton, Garland, Harding, Hiattville, Mapleton, Pawnee Station, Redfield, Uniontown, Xenia. See also County History and County Courthouse for more details.

 

There are free downloadable and printable forms to help with your research. These include U.S. Census Extraction Forms, U.K. Census Extraction Forms, Research Calendar, Ancestral Chart, Research Extract, Correspondence Record , Family Group Sheet , Source Summary Form.

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Records at the Bourbon County Courthouse
Kansas Probate Records, Land Records, Marriage Records & Court Records

PLEASE READ FIRST!! Please call the clerk's department to confirm hours, mailing address, fees and other specifics before visiting or requesting information because of sometimes changing contact information.

All Departments below can be contacted by clicking the link, by contacting the Phone number below for each department or contacting the County Courthouse at 210 S. National, Fort Scott, KS 66701; Phone: (620)223-3800. NOTE: The record dates below are from the earliest date to present time.

   Bourbon County Clerks Office has Birth Records from 18?, Marriage Records from 1855 and Death Records from 18?.
   The Register of Deeds shall have custody of and safely keep and preserve all the books, records, deeds, maps, papers and microphotographs deposited or kept in the office of the Register of Deeds. The Register of Deeds shall also record or cause to be recorded all deeds, mortgages, maps, instruments and writings authorized by law to be recorded in the office of the Register of Deeds and shall perform all other duties as are required by law.

   Bourbon County Register of Deeds Office has Land Records from 1856.
   The Register of Deeds shall have custody of and safely keep and preserve all the books, records, deeds, maps, papers and microphotographs deposited or kept in the office of the Register of Deeds. The Register of Deeds shall also record or cause to be recorded all deeds, mortgages, maps, instruments and writings authorized by law to be recorded in the office of the Register of Deeds and shall perform all other duties as are required by law.

   Bourbon County Clerk of District Court has Probate Records from 1855 and Court Records from 1857.
   The Clerk of Court is part of the Judicial Branch of local government and as such is required to maintain a record of all documents filed with the courts, keep a record of all court proceedings, and collect various fines and forfeitures ordered by the court and specified by statute.

Search Online Click Here to Search Kansas Court, Land, Wills & Financial Records! - Researchers often overlook the importance of court records, probate records, and land records as a source of family history information.

Below is a list of online resources for Bourbon County Court Records. Email us with websites containing Bourbon County Court Records by clicking the link below:

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Bourbon County Tax Records

For the most part, tax records remain at the local level. Assessment and tax rolls are kept, permanently, by the County Treasurer's office.

Below is a list of online resources for Bourbon County Tax Records. Email us with websites containing Bourbon County Tax Records by clicking the link below:

  • Bourbon County Treasurers Office
    The County Treasurer's Office by Kansas State law is responsible for the tax billing, collection and distribution of tax money for the State, County, Cities and all other taxing entities that levy Ad Valorem and/or special assessment taxes.
  • Bourbon County, Kansas Tax Books at Amazon.com

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Bourbon County Vital Records
Kansas Vital Records

Search Online Click Here to Search Kansas Birth, Marriage & Death Records! - Birth, marriage, and death records are connected with central life events. They are prime sources for genealogical information. Look also for baptism, christening, and burial records in this collection.

Some documents are just too important to wait six weeks for. With VitalChek Express Certificate Service you won’t have to. Birth, Marriage, Divorce & Death Certificates Signed. Sealed. Delivered. Often in as few as three business days!

   Office of Vital Statistics, 1000 S W Jackson, Suite 110, Topeka, KS 66612; (785) 296-1400 Info; (785) 296-3253. 

All Fees below cover a five-year record search – one certified copy is issued if the record is found and if not found, the fee is retained. You will receive either the certified copy or a letter explaining the search conducted and that no record was located.
All Request Filled requests take 2-4 weeks when ordered by mail (Application for Birth, Marriage, Divorce or Death) or 2-5 Days when you order ONLINE.

They have the following records:

  • Birth Certificates: In Kansas, Birth certificates began being filed with the Office July 1, 1911. The Kansas Historical Society and/or the County Clerk holds birth records before July 1, 1911.
    • Cost: $12.00 fee for a certified birth certificate copy is $7 for each additional copy of same record ordered at same time.
    • Delayed Certificates of Birth: are on file with dates of birth dating back to the 1860's. In 1940, statutory authority was received by the Office which allowed individuals still alive in 1940 and later with no prior birth record filed to submit certain documentation to file a Delayed Certificate of Birth. A request for a Delayed Certificate of Birth is made in the same manner as one for a regular birth certificate – just specify the date of birth. If the date specified is between the late 1860's and July 1, 1911, a Delayed Certificate of Birth search will be conducted.
  • Death Certificates: In Kansas, Death certificates began being filed with the Office July 1, 1911. The Kansas Historical Society and/or the County Clerk holds death records before July 1, 1911.
    • Cost: $13.00 fee for a certified birth certificate copy is $8 for each additional copy of same record ordered at same time.
  • Marriage Certificates: In Kansas, Death certificates began being filed with the Office May 1, 1913. The Kansas Historical Society and/or the County Clerk holds marriage records before May 1, 1913.
    • Cost: $12.00 fee for a certified birth certificate copy is $7 for each additional copy of same record ordered at same time.
  • Divorces: Divorce Certificates began being filed with this office July 1, 1951. The divorce decree is not filed with this office. The decree is the court document detailing the settlement of the divorce. The divorce certificate is completed by the plaintiff's attorney and contains only basic information – names of husband and wife, date of marriage, date of divorce, etc. Certified copies of divorce decrees are obtained from the Clerk of the District Court in the county where the divorce was filed.
    • Cost: $12.00 is the cost for the search, which includes one copy of the divorce certificate, if found. Additional copies of the same record, requested at the same time as the first, are $7.00 each.

Order On-Line:  To obtain a certified copy of a vital record by on-line purchase with a credit card, please link to VitalChek.

Order In Person: Go to Curtis State Office Bldg., 1000 SW Jackson, Ste. 120, Topeka, KS 66612. Open 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. weekdays.Payment made by cash, check, money order, or credit card.

Below is a list of online resources for Bourbon County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Bourbon County Vital Records by clicking the link below:

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Bourbon County Census Records
About Census Records

Search Online Click Here to Search Kansas Voter Lists & Census Records! - Few, if any, records reveal as many details about individuals and families as do government census records. Substitute records can be used when the official census is unavailable.

  Countywide Records: Federal Population Schedules that exist for Bourbon County, Kansas are 1860, 1870, 1880, 1890 (fragment, see below), 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930. Other Federal Schedules to look at when researching your Family Tree in Bourbon County, Kansas are Industry and Agriculture Schedules availible for the years 1860, 1870 and 1880. The Mortality Schedules for the years 1860, 1870 and 1880. There are free downloadable and printable Census forms to help with your research. These include U.S. Census Extraction Forms and U.K. Census Extraction Forms.

See Also Statewide Records that exist for Kansas

Below is a list of online resources for Bourbon County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Bourbon County Census Records by clicking the link below:

  • Kansas Census, 1850-90: This database contains indexes to the Kansas (U.S.A.) portions of the 1850-18700 U.S. Federal Censuses as well as to the 1855-1859 state and territorial census, and the 1890 Veterans Schedules. Information contained in these indexes can include name, state, county, township, year of record, and name of record set.
  • Kansas State Census Collection, 1855-1915: This database contains state censuses for Kansas from 1855-1915. Information available in this database includes: name, age, gender, race, relationship to head of household, birthplace, marital status, and place of enumeration. Additional information about an individual may be listed on the original record.
  • Kansas Territorial Census, 1855: Index to persons whose names appear in the Kansas Territorial Census of 1855
  • Census Online - Kansas Census Records
  • The USGenWeb Archives Kansas CENSUS IMAGES PROJECT
  • Bourbon County, Kansas Census Books at Amazon.com

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Bourbon County Maps & Atlases

   Genealogy Atlases has images of old American atlases during the years 1795, 1814, 1822, 1823, 1836, 1838, 1845, 1856, 1866, 1879 and 1897 for other states.
   You can view rotating animated maps for Kansas showing all the county boundaries for each census year overlayed with past and present maps so you can see the changes in county boundaries. You can view a list of maps for other states at Census Maps
   You can view rotating animated maps for Kansas showing all the county boundary changes for each year overlayed with past and present maps so you can see the changes in county boundaries . You can view a list of maps for other states and State Department of Transportation Maps at County Maps. The Kansas Department of Transportation has county maps the show the locations of churches, cemeteries, roads, ect... free for viewing or download here

Below is a list of online resources for Bourbon County Maps. Email us with websites containing Bourbon County Maps by clicking the link below:

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Bourbon County Military Records
Kansas Military Records

Search Online Click Here to Search Kansas Military Records! - Military and civil service records provide unique facts and insights into the lives of men and women who have served their country at home and abroad.

   The uses and value of military records in genealogical research for ancestors who were veterans are obvious, but military records can also be important to re-searchers whose direct ancestors were not soldiers in any war. The fathers, grandfathers, brothers, and other close relatives of an ancestor may have served in a war, and their service or pension records could contain information that will assist in further identifying the family of primary interest. Due to the amount of genealogical information contained in some military pension files, they should never be overlooked during the research process. Those records not containing specific genealogical information are of historic value and should be included in any overall research design. A list of Wars fought on American.

The site U.S. Wars list conflicts dating from earliest to 1865. Wars covered that are availibele are: Pequot War(1637–1638), The Iroquois Wars(1642-1698), King William’s War(1689–1698), Pueblo Rebellion(1680), King Philip’s War(1675–1676), Queen Anne’s War (1702–1713), Tuscarora War(1711-1715), Dummer’s War (1723–1726), King George’s War (1744–1745), French and Indian War( 1754–1763), Pontiac's Rebellion (1763-1766), Lord Dunmore's War (1774), American Revolution(1775-1783), Tripolitan War (1801-1805), War of 1812(1812-1815), Creek Indian War (1813-1814), The First Seminole War (1818-1819), Texas Revolutionary War (1835-1836), Second Seminole War (1835-1842), Mexican American War (1846-1848) and The American Civil War (1861-1865)

Below is a list of online resources for Bourbon County Military Records. Email us with websites containing Bourbon County Military Records by clicking the link below:

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Bourbon County Genealogical Addresses
Kansas Genealogical Addresses

   The Repositories in this section are Archives, Libraries, Museums, Genealogical and Historical Societies. Many County Historical and Genealogical Societies publish magazines and/or news letters on a monthly, quarterly, bi-annual or annual basis. Contacting the local societies should not be over looked. State Archives and Societies are usually much larger and better organized with much larger archived materials than their smaller county cousins but they can be generalized and over look the smaller details that local societies tend to have. Libraries can also be a good place to look for local information. Some libraries have a genealogy section and may have some resources that are not located at archives or societies. Also, take a special look at any museums in the area. They sometimes have photos and items from years gone by as well as information of a genealogical interest. All these places are vitally important to the family genealogist and must not be passed over.

Below is a list of online resources for Bourbon County Genealogical Addresses. Email us with websites containing Bourbon County Genealogical Addresses by clicking the link below:

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Bourbon County Church & Cemeteries
Kansas Church & Cemetery Records

Search Online Click Here to Search Kansas Obituary Records! - This database is a compilation of obituaries published in U.S. newspapers, collected from various online sources. Obituaries can vary in the amount of information they contain, but many of them are genealogical goldmines, including information such as names, dates, places of birth and death, marriage information, and family relationships.

   There are many churches and cemeteries in Bourbon County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Bourbon County Tombstone Transcription Project.

The earliest churches were established among the native tribes settled in Kansas long before it was organized as a territory. The Methodist, Baptist, Society of Friends, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, and Congregational churches all had early missions which grew as the white settlers immigrated.

There is no central registry of cemetery locations in Kansas. The Woman's Kansas Day Club has identified and located many Kansas cemeteries. The project's results are at the Kansas State Historical Society which has additional collections of published cemetery inscriptions, though not comprehensive, listed in their card catalog.

The Register of Deeds in each county is often able to assist in locating cemeteries. Certain maps distributed by the Kansas Department of Transportation show the location of known cemeteries in relation to county roads.

Below is a list of online resources for Bourbon County Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Bourbon County Cemetery & Church Records by clicking the link below:

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Family Trees & Genealogy Tidbits

Search Online Click Here to Search Kansas Family Tree Records! - The use of published genealogies, electronic files containing genealogical lineage, and other compiled sources can be of tremendous value to a researcher.

   When view family trees online or not, be sure to only take the info at face value and always follow up with your own sources or verify the ones they provide. Below is a list of online resources for Bourbon County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information. Email us with websites containing Bourbon County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below:

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County History

Bourbon County, on the Missouri border and in the third tier north of Oklahoma, is one of the 33 counties created by the first territorial legislature, with the following boundaries, "Beginning at the southeast corner of Linn county; thence south 30 miles; thence west 24 miles; thence north 30 miles; thence east 24 miles to the place of beginning." In 1867 the boundaries were defined as follows: "Beginning at the southeast corner of Linn county; thence south on the east line of the State of Kansas to the southeast corner of section 24, township 27, range 25; thence west to the southwest corner of section 23, township 27, range 21; thence north to the southwest corner of Linn county; thence east to the place of beginning." By this second act, the extent of the county from north to south was reduced to 25 miles, and increased from east to west a little more than 25 miles, which gives it an area of 637 square miles.

It was named after Bourbon county, Ky. At the present time it is bounded on the north by Linn county, on the east by the State of Missouri, on the north by Crawford county and on the west by Neosho and Allen counties. It is divided into the following townships: Drywood, Franklin, Freedom, Marion, Marmaton, Mill Creek, Osage, Pawnee, Scott, Timber Hill and Walnut.

The general surface of the country is undulating, the highest hills being found in the northwest portion, where they rise to about 200 feet above the Marmaton river. The valleys of the streams average about a mile in width and these bottom lands comprise about one-third of the area. Timber belts varying in width are found along the streams and contain hackberry, hickory, oak, pecan and walnut. On the uplands and in some of the lower lands, hickory, maple, poplar and willow have been planted. The main water-courses are the Little Osage, which flows east a few miles south of the northern boundary, and the Marmaton, which flows from west to east through the central portion of the county. The Little Osage has several tributaries flowing into it from both north and south, the main stream being Limestone creek in the northwest part of the county. The main creeks flowing into the Marmaton from the north are Turkey and Mill creeks, and from the south Yellow Paint creek, which also has several small tributaries. Drywood creek flows across the southeast corner.

The soil is deep and fertile, being underlaid with sandstone and limestone at various depths. There are quarries at Redfield, Gilfillan and near Hiattville. A good quality of cement is manufactured from the stone found in the vicinity of Fort Scott. Mineral paint and clay for brick are also plentiful. Natural gas was found in Bourbon county in 1867 and has been utilized for lighting and heating. There are numerous manufacturing plants, principally at Fort Scott.

The territory now embraced within the limits of Bourbon county originally formed a part of the reservation of the New York Indians, which was ceded to the government just previous to the organization of the territory, when the lands were thrown open to settlement by the whites. One of the first white men to enter the present limits of the county was Lieut. Zebulon Pike, in his expedition of 1806.

For some time previous to the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska act, the settlers just across the line in Missouri had known of the fertility of the soil in what is now Bourbon county, and only waited for the organization of the territory to rush across the line and take claims. A majority of the early settlers were pro-slavery men, but there were also men from the Northern states who were free soilers in politics, though for some years they were in the minority. Some of the men who settled in the county in 1854 were Gideon Terrell, William and Philander Moore in what is now Pawnee township, and Nathan Arnett in Marmaton township. In 1855 Guy Hinton located in Walnut township; James Guthrie, Cowan Mitchell, John and Robert Wells in Marion township. Others who came during the next two years were: Samuel Stephenson, Charles Anderson, John Van Sycle, D. D. Roberts, Joseph Ray, H. R. Kelso, Gabriel Endicott, David Claypool and Edward Jones, who built the first sawmill in what is now Marmaton township, the second mill in the county, the government having one on Mill creek. David Endicott, one of the first to locate, assisted in the survey of the land.

Scarcely had the first settlers become located when trouble over politics began. It is estimated that on March 30, 1855, at least 300 armed Missourians came to the Fort Scott precinct and cast their votes, while there were probably not more than 30 legal voters in the precinct. Early in the spring of 1855 a party of men came to Bourbon county from Carolina, under the leadership of George W. Jones, to assist in making Kansas a slave state. They were sent out under the auspices of the Southern Emigrant Aid society. They were mild mannered at first and went through the county visiting the free-state settlers, asking them their opinion upon the political questions of the day, how they were supplied with arms and ammunition, and inquiring about the good land in the territory. In this way a complete list of the free-state men was made. Later in the year nearly all the men on the lists were made prisoners, and while thus held were advised to leave the territory. As soon as they left, pro-slavery men were put on their claims.

Early in August a party of Texas rangers arrived at Fort Scott. Accompanied by a considerable number of citizens of that town they started northward through the border counties, intending to have "fun" at the expense of the free-state settlers. Early in 1857 many of the free-state men who had been driven from their homes returnd[sic] to Bourbon county. A number of new settlers from the Northern states also came about this time, and as the free-state men grew in number they also grew in confidence. In order to gain possession of the claims from which they had been driven, they organized a "Wide Awake" society, in opposition to the "Dark Lantern" lodges of the pro-slavery men. Some of the most important leaders of this movement were J. C. Burnett, Capt. Samuel Stevenson and Capt. Bayne. The meetings were held at different settlers' cabins at intervals, to evade surprise by the men of the "Blue Lodges." When all the plans of the "Wide Awakes" were perfected, they notified the pro-slavery men who had seized claims that did not belong to them, that they must leave. Most of the pro-slavery men realized that resistance would lead to serious difficulties, if not to bloodshed, and left, but some had to be driven off the claims by arms. The border strife continued in Bourbon county after it had nearly disappeared in other parts of Kansas Territory.

As a matter of reprisal some of the free-state men were arrested on various charges. The district court was presided over by Joseph Williams, a pro-slavery man. The adjustment of claims was referred to his court for a time, and usually decided in favor of the pro-slavery claimant. This caused great dissatisfaction among the free-state men and led them to take severe measures to secure the release of free-state prisoners held at Fort Scott. Another result of Judge Williams decisions was the formation of a "Squatter Court," in which the free-state men heard the cases of contested claims. Dr. Gilpatrick of Anderson county was made judge, and Henry Kilbourn, sheriff. The proceedings of this body were regular and dignified, its decisions were usually just and its decrees were rigorously executed by the sheriff. The proceedings of the court were naturally distasteful to the pro-slavery men, and as a consequence an expedition was organized and started out under command of Deputy United States Marshal Little to capture the court. The attempt failed and four days later (Dec. 16, 1857,) Little organized a posse of about 50 men, for a second attempt. They approached the cabin of Capt. Bayne, where the court was sitting, and a short distance from it were met by messengers from the court, consisting of Maj. Abbott, D. B. Jackson and Gen. Blunt, who had been sent out under a flag of truce as Little was advancing. A parley was held, at the conclusion of which Little said that if the court did not surrender he would open fire. The messengers returned to the cabin with the report of the conference, the decision was against surrender, the cabin was put in a state of defense, some of the chinking between the logs was removed to form loop holes, Maj. Abbott told Little that they would not surrender, and if he advanced beyond a certain line the free-state men would fire. Little advanced, however, received a volley from the cabin, which was returned, and then retreated half a mile. Four men were wounded but Little called for a volunteer party and made a second attack with no better result, except that no men were hurt. Finding it impossible to take the "fort" without loss, the marshal started back to Fort Scott. The next day he gathered a larger number of men and again started for the fort, but upon arriving there found the cabin deserted, as the court had moved to the Baptist church at Danford's mill.

By Dec., 1857, Capts. Bayne and Montgomery had succeeded in driving out of the district many of the pro-slavery men who unlawfully held claims. The parties thus driven out congregated at West Point, Marvel, Balltown and Fort Scott, where their Blue Lodges flourished, and from these as centers raids were made to harass the free-state settlers on Mine creek, the Little Osage and Marmaton. Almost daily reports came of outrages committed by the Missourians, and the free-state men would ride upon errands of swift retaliation.

Late in December two companies of United States cavalry were stationed at Fort Scott at the solicitation of the residents and order was restored in the district, but early in Jan., 1858, they were withdrawn and trouble broke out again. On the night of Feb. 10, 1858, Montgomery and a party of forty men started for Fort Scott to punish some of the bitter pro-slavery men who had been persecuting a Mr. Johnson who lived in the town. (See Fort Scott.) On Feb. 26, 1858, two companies of United States cavalry were again stationed in the town, and as Montgomery always avoided conflicts with government forces, he began operating against the pro-slavery men in the country, with the object of driving them into the city. It is estimated that as many as 300 families in the district were forced to flee from their homes and take refuge in the towns. Capt. Anderson, in command, could not protect them in their isolated settlements, and the result Montgomery wished was attained. But this was no one-sided guerrilla warfare, and it took all the sleepless vigilance and every resource of Montgomery, Bayne and John Brown combined, to protect the free-state settlers against "the wolves of the border."

On June 7, 1858, some of Montgomery's men attempted to fire the Western Hotel in Fort Scott, but no one was hurt and the fire was extinguished. June 13, Gov. Denver arrived at Fort Scott; a meeting was held and feeling ran high on both sides, but by judicious treatment on the part of the governor peace was restored. The next day a second meeting was held at Raysville, at which the governor proposed a compromise, which in a measure restored peace for some time. Subsequently a free-state man named Rice was arrested for the murder of Travis, who had been shot on Feb. 28. This was regarded as a violation of the agreement made on June 15, and Montgomery determined to rescue Rice. Accordingly he organized a party of 100 men, among them John Brown, who wanted to destroy Fort Scott, but as Montgomery's main purpose was to rescue Rice, he left Brown outside the town and proceeded without him. Rice was released, Mr. Little was killed, Montgomery's men looted a store of a stock valued at about $7,000, and 12 citizens were made prisoners. The citizens then appealed to the governor for protection and, as there were no troops to send, he advised the formation of home militia for defense, a suggestion which was carried out. After the passage of the amnesty act, there was but little further trouble along the border and peace came to stay in Bourbon county. After the Civil war began a big Union demonstration was made at Fort Scott, which had been one of the bitterest pro-slavery towns. Party differences were laid aside for defense of the nation and by the middle of April two companies had been raised on Drywood; two companies were formed at Fort Scott in May. Other companies were raised at Lightning creek, Mill creek, and a company of home guards was organized. The most important engagement which occurred during the war in Bourbon county was the battle of Drywood (q. v.), which occurred late in Sept., 1861, between the Confederate forces under Gen. Rains and the Union forces under Gen. J. H. Lane. Price's army passed through the eastern part of the county in Oct., 1864. While crossing the valley of the Little Osage, members of the army committed many outrages and for a time people of Fort Scott feared for the safety of the city. Bourbon county ranked fifth in the number of men who entered the militia during the war.

The county was organized Sept. 12, 1855, when S. A. Williams, the probate judge, administered the oath of office to commissioners Col. H. T. Wilson and Charles B. Wingfield. B. F. Hill was appointed sheriff and William Margrave deputy sheriff. On Sept. 17 the following officers were appointed: James F. Farley, clerk; Thomas Watkins, justice; John F. Cottrell, constable. Gov. Reeder had appointed William Margrave justice of the peace in Dec., 1854, the first in the county. On Oct. 15 four additional justices and three constables were appointed. At the same time A. Hornbeck was appointed treasurer; W. W. Spratt, assessor; and H. R. Kelso, coroner. In November the county was divided into five townships. From the time of its organization until Jan., 1858, the affairs of the county were in the hands of the county court, consisting of a probate judge and two commissioners, but the form of government was then changed and placed in charge of a board of supervisors, one from each township. In 1860 it was again changed and three commissioners took the place of the board. In 1855, by the act creating the county, the seat of justice was located at Fort Scott. In 1858, on account of border troubles, it was changed to Marmaton by a special law of the legislature. An election to determine the permanent location of the county seat was held on May 11, 1863, when Fort Scott received the majority of votes cast and again became the county seat, where it has since remained.

In 1865 the citizens voted $150,000 in bonds for the purpose of subscribing a like sum to the capital stock of the Missouri River, Fort Scott & Gulf railway. The road was completed to Fort Scott in Dec., 1869, and on Jan. 7, 1870, the bonds were delivered to the road. In 1867 a proposition to vote $150,000 worth of bonds to purchase stock of the Tebo & Neosho railroad was carried, but the commissioners decided it was not advisable to purchase stock of this road and ordered that $150,000 be subscribed to the capital stock of any road that would start at Fort Scott, run north of the Marmaton in the general direction of Humboldt. This amount was subscribed to the stock of the Fort Scott & Allen County Railroad company, on condition that the road should be completed west of the county by July 1, 1872. The Fort Scott, Humboldt & Western succeeded this road, and asked for the deliverance of the bonds, but the conditions had not been complied with and the bonds were issued to the Fort Scott, Humboldt & Western under that name. At the present time there are about 125 miles of main track railroad in the county. The Missouri Pacific operates two lines—one traversing the center from east to west, the other crossing the county from north to southeast, both lines passing through Fort Scott. The St. Louis & San Francisco enters in the northeast, passes through Fort Scott and at Edward branches, both the lines entering Crawford county. The Missouri, Kansas & Texas enters in the east from Missouri, passes through Fort Scott, thence southwest into Crawford county.

The first schools in the county were private ones at Fort Scott, opened in 1857, but the district school system was not organized until 1859. One district, later known as No. 10, was organized on Dec. 10 of that year. In 1860 four more districts were organized and since that time progress in education has been steady, until at the present time Bourbon county has a public school system as fine as any county in the state.

According to the U. S. census for 1910, the population of the county was 24,007. The value of the farm products for the same year was $1,504,134, the principal crop being corn, with a value of $754,039, and hay second, with a value of $432,994.


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