Photocopy of letter signed J.B. [J. Belden, Roanoke, Mo.] to Brother. There are many Secessionists in the state, tho’ I presume a majority who would prefer remaining in the Union, provided they can do so without being forced to take up arms against their southern brethren. Sooner than do that I think the state would secede or join the southern confederacy. Commenting on the garbled account of the outrage committed by Capt. [Nathaniel] Lyon at St. Louis on Camp Jackson. Our locality is such that we must, if we consult our interest, remain in the Union. Planting corn, getting the tobacco ground in readiness. The Mississippi River is now blockaded and no produce can be sent down – not even tobacco. (acc. no. 70-0017), 1861 May 23

Item — Box: 2

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

The collection contains family and business papers, estate papers, passports, and deeds of the families of Lemon Parker, William Russell, and James Russell (St. Louis, Washington County, and Franklin County, Mo.). Included are a travel journal of Lemon Parker, Sr.; land records from Howard County, Mo.; records relating to the firm of Ward & Parker and to the Galena Mining Company; and reminiscences of Anne Clendennin Russell (wife of Silas Bent Russell, son of Russella Russell Parker’s brother Charles Silas Russell) about St. Louis life from 1861-1947, written ca. 1947.