3 States in 1 DayAug 26, 2011
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| Whew! What a day--really busy and gorgeous with the temperature in the low 90's with little, or no, humidity! We first drove to Nathan Boone's Homestead, part of the MO State Parks System. Nathan Boone, the youngest son of Daniel Boone, was a Missouri icon – hunter, soldier, surveyor, and businessman. This site includes his home and family cemetery and seems to transport you back to the 1830s. It is well worth a visit. We then drove to the Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, OK to meet Shriners Hospitals for Children Board of Governors Member G.W. Trenary and his wife, Judy, for lunch in the restaurant. After a delightful visit and lunch, thanks G.W. and Judy!, we drove to Baxter Springs, KS to visit the Baxter Springs Heritage Center & Museum. We learned that a Civil War battle, or massacre as called by the residents of Baxter Springs, on October 6, 1863, by Lt. Col. William C. Quantrill and his 400 "Raiders" (CS) characterized the vicious Kansas-Missouri border warfare. The following is the battle summary that resulted in 106 casualties (US 103; CS 3): After conducting many raids in Kansas, including the massacre at Lawrence, KS, Quantrill decided to winter in TX. Along with other partisans, he headed south on the Texas Road and captured and killed 2 Union teamsters who had come from a post called Baxter Springs. Quantrill decided to attack the post and divided his force into 2 columns; one under him and the other commanded by a subordinate, David Poole. Poole and his men proceeded down the Texas Road, where they encountered Union soldiers, most of whom were African Americans. They chased and attacked the Union troops, killing some of them before they reached the earth and log fort. After the Union survivors reached the fort, the Rebels attacked, but the garrison, with the help of a howitzer, fought them off. Quantrill’s column moved on the post from another direction and chanced on a Union detachment escorting Maj. Gen. James G. Blunt and wagons transporting his personal items from his former headquarters of the Department of the Frontier at Fort Scott to his new one at Fort Smith. Most of this detachment, including the band and Maj. Henry Z. Curtis (son of Maj. Gen. Samuel R. Curtis), was murdered, but Blunt and a few mounted men returned to Fort Scott. After following the self-guided auto tour of the area (battle and some of the town's beautiful and unique homes), we ate dinner at Cafe on the Route. This restaurant, in the Old Crowell Bank Building, was featured in 2007 on the Food Network segment, "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives". We enjoyed 2 of the featured dishes Guy Fieri, TV cooking show host, showcased - Fried Potato Salad (YUM!) and Cheesecake Buenella (fried cheesecake with caramel and fresh strawberry dipping sauces (YUM YUM!) As it was a great end to a special day, I napped during the 1 1/2 hour drive back to the Ozark-Branson RV Park! |
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