Jackson County (Mo.) Historical Society

Portals to the Past

by David W. Jackson

Log courthouse was county's first seat of justice

Much has been written over the years about Jackson County’s past. Stories are passed on, some growing to tall tales. For reliability, investigation into original, primary documents provides confirmation, but also gleans additional facts that might have been overlooked previously.

A vast collection of such documents is being prepared for public access that will offer a wealth of first-hand local stories for researchers to explore. The timetable for the grand opening depends on readers’ response to the Jackson County Historical Society’s call for support. Here’s one fascinating true story to wet your appetite:

Jackson County’s anniversary is celebrated each December 15. It was in 1826 when the “founding fathers” first convened to begin the process of setting up civil government…when Independence was a mere clearing in the woods. Visit that clearing in the woods the next time you’re planning an outing. It was there where the oldest, documented, surviving structure in Jackson County—the 1827 Log Courthouse—was originally set (today, the parking lot at the corner of Lexington and Lynn Streets in Independence; in the 1920s it was removed to its present location at 107 W. Kansas).

To the casual passerby, the structure preserved one block south of the Square might look like “just another old log house.” Fathom the untold events it has weathered as we honor its 180 years of existence this year.

The massive log walls of Jackson County’s first courthouse were hewn from trees that stood on the same site in which the cabin was then constructed. Sam Shepherd, an African-American slave is credited among the expert adzmen. This was the first seat of justice for Jackson County, Missouri. On Thursday, March 29, 1827, at the home of John Young, in Independence, the first Circuit Court of the County convened. David Todd (appointed judge by Governor Alexander McNair in December 1822 at St. Charles, Mo.), served as its first judge, and he sat in both civil and criminal cases. Joseph Reddeford Walker was appointed the first Sheriff of Jackson County, and Samuel C. Owens, first clerk.

After organization of the Court, the first grand jury was drawn. It consisted of 24 men and adjourned after one day’s session. In July, the court re-convened for three days and the grand jury returned its first indictment, one against William Reed, for horse stealing. He was acquitted for lack of prosecution. In November, the same year the third term of Court convened. It lasted two days after which the indictment was returned against the first woman ever tried before a Circuit Court in Jackson County, Missouri.

Hannah, an African-American slave, was convicted of assault with intent to kill. For a reason that has not yet been recovered, Hannah had tried to kill another slave in a “free-for-all” fight that took place in the slave quarters. The fact that both parties were slaves probably had much to do with the trial and the adjustment of the punishment. Were the crime committed at that time against a Caucasian, there was only one adjudication—hanging without the formality of law or an inquiry into details. True to the customs of those days was Hannah’s punishment. It was the decree of the Court that she be stripped and given 39 lashes on her bare back, “well laid on,” and committed to the custody of Sheriff Walker until the costs of her case were settled. She was allowed to work for the sheriff in payment of the costs, amounting to about $5. But who was her master? What became of Hannah? Did she live long enough to enjoy freedom after Emancipation? If so, what surname did she assume? Did she have children? Questions requiring additional research!

This is just one of thousands of stories waiting to be “unpacked” as the Jackson County Historical Society prepares to organize and index a wonderful collection in its custody-- Jackson County Circuit Court records--dating from the 1830s to the 1880s.

The success of the projected two-year project is dependent upon fundraising for temporary staff and supplies amounting to nearly $70,000, plus a large arsenal of volunteers who will take each of the estimated 11,000 unorganized, folded case files to a flattened, re-foldered, indexed format that may then be made accessible to the public. If you know anyone with deep pockets…or if you have weekday hours to spare…we want you!

David W. Jackson is archivist for the nonprofit Jackson County (Mo.) Historical Society’s Archives and Research Library at 112 W. Lexington Ave. Suite 103, Independence, MO, 64050. Explore deeper into local history topics like those presented in this column through the Jackson County Historical Society JOURNAL, a scholarly periodical delivered to Society members twice annually. For more information, or to donate historical materials, visit www.jchs.org, call (816) 252-7454, or e-mail info@jchs.org.

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