Reverence to History

Following the Civil War, and the removal of civilians from Jackson, Cass, Bates and part of Vernon Counties, as a result of Order No. 11 in 1863, those who returned saw a desolate landscape with only chimneys left to mark once flourishing farms and homesteads. The Burnt District Monument commemorates the suffering which almost every family in western Missouri endured in the war years of 1861 to 1865 and the courage they displayed. Construction of the Burnt District Monument, on the grounds of the Cass County Justice Center in Harrisonville, Missouri, is nearing completion. In reverence to history, a program on the construction process will be held this Saturday, November 22nd at 7:00 p.m. in Pearson Hall. The program will follow a 6:00 p.m. potluck meal. Both meetings are free, open to the public, and sponsored by Cass County Historical Society. Jerry and Jerad Saling, stone masons, hand cut and built the chimney of the monument using only a hammer and chisel to simulate the look of original pioneer chimneys. During the program, the Saling’s will demonstrate their technique and discuss the process of laying the stone. A red cedar sign and plaque on the monument tell the story of the Kansas Jayhawkers and Redlegs who plundered civilian businesses and farms and the guerillas who rose up to protect their way of life. Looting and burning on both sides led Quantrill’s guerillas to burn Lawrence, KS on August 21, 1863 and execute over 150 men. In response, Union General Thomas Ewing issued Order #11. All civilians in Jackson, Cass, Bates, and...
Read the complete story in the November 20th edition.