A dog makes Warrensburg Missouri famous
Old Drum’s statue is in front of the Warrensburg courthouse. That is impressive. Most courthouses are fronted by statues of men and women who represent honor and pride for the town. So the statue of the dog, Old Drum, reveals the heart of the town’s people. His story exemplifies the phrase “dog is a man’s best friend”. In 1869, Chares Burden’s best friend (Old Drum) wandered onto the farm of his neighbor, Leonidas Hornsby. Hornsby had been having trouble with dogs killing his sheep. So, Old Drum was shot and Charles took Hornsby to court. Little did anyone realize that in a few brief moments in that courtroom, history would be made by the attorney, George Graham Vest, who arose to give a speech, that still echoes through time, expressing everyone’s love for their dogs.
“Gentlemen of the jury, the best friend a man has in this world may turn against him and become his enemy. His son or daughter that he has reared with loving care may prove ungrateful. Those who are nearest and dearest to us — those whom we trust with our happiness and good name may become traitors in their faith. The money that a man has he may lose. It flies away from him, perhaps when he needs it most. A man’s reputation may be sacrificed in a moment of ill-considered action. The people who are prone to fall on their knees to do us honor when success is with us, may be the first to throw the stone of malice when failure settles its cloud upon our heads. The one absolutely, unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous — is his dog. Gentlemen of the jury, a man’s dog stands by him in prosperity and poverty, in health and sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, where the wintry winds blow, and the snow drives fiercely, if only he can be near his master’s side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer, he will lick the wounds and sores that come from encounter with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert, he remains. When riches take wings and reputation falls to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens. If fortune drives the master forth an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege than that of accompanying him to guard against danger, to fight against his enemies”. The case was won for Old Drum, even up to the State Supreme Court.
I hope you had time to read all of that. As I typed it, I was tenderly moved, thinking of my daughter and my 2 sisters, who each share a wordless harmony of understanding with their dogs. It is a relationship, on a different level – unlike any other.
I then walked across the street to the Old Drum Coffeehouse and Eatery, and enjoyed a pleasant chat with Stephanie, who made me a delicious Hugo Berry Rooibus tea. It is a comfortable place to spend an hour or so, while in Warrensburg.
The research room is inviting and well-prepared for those who bring laptops, notebooks, and charts of family trees. There is plenty of room to spread out on their long tables.
Peggy Nuckles showed me around their archives.
This card index is full of family records. Thousands of index cards. I was astounded. Their holdings are extremely well organized and massive in quantity.
After finding a family name in the card index, Peggy will take you to the file folders and pull whatever is applicable to the name you are researching. Look at all those file cabinets! Peggy told me that several townswomen started this historical society decades ago, and more people have joined in over the years to help. What an enormous undertaking.
Peggy then took me downstairs into the basement to find even more treasures.
Down here they have county deed records, ledgers, diaries…. These old books are a thing of beauty to me.
The West-Central Missouri Genealogical Society shares the basement with them. They have their own records. So this place is a double-win.
Peggy was working on the Historical Society Newsletter when we arrived, which reminded me to remind you to subscribe to historical and genealogical newsletters in the regions from which your ancestors hail.
Warrensburg is an eclectic town, blending old history with modern university vibes. Give her a visit. I think you will like this charming place.
