Old Jericho Trading Post, Conway,MO

Gypsy Heart

Gold Member
Nov 29, 2005
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Ozarks
This might be a great site to find and seek permission to detect


Jeremiah and Celia (Wade) Russell moved to Illinois around 1826. They traveled by ox-cart, taking with them their possessions and slaves. The Russells lived eleven years in Illinois, and then moved to Missouri, settling in Pulaski County (later called LaClede) around 1836-37. From a "History of LaClede County - The Early Settlers", page 20, "However, Jeremiah Russell lived only about three miles east of Conway and had a store there, the place being called Jericho, from Russell's first name, "Jeremiah". Jeremiah Russell filed a claim for several hundred acres of homestead land in the southern part of the county. He built a large log house, high on a hill in the Ozark Mountains, with the Gasconade River running through his property. As more settlers moved into the vicinity, Jeremiah established a trading post, grainery mill and in 1856 he was appointed Post Master of Jericho. Jeremiah and Celia were educated and could read and write, an unusual accomplishment in the early 1800's. The Russells were prominent, well respected citizens of Pulaski County.

Throughout the 1850's the Russells added more businesses, they traded in livestock, farmed, Celia rented out rooms to travelers. By 1860 Missourians were talking of secession from the States. War between the North and South. The Russells were in sympathy with the Southern cause. In September of 1861, after the Battle of Wilson Creek, the Russells home and barns were burned by Union Troops. Left with only a few clothes, the Russells moved into Northern Arkansas and did not return until after the Civil War. Their lives were not easy in Arkansas. Their youngest daughter, Mary Jane (Molly-Polly) married Captain Elijah McMahan, a Rebel agent and spy. The McMahan family was a house divided, three brothers fought for the North and two for the Southern cause. Both Mollie and Elijah McMahan were involved in many daring events, their home was burned twice and both had a bounty placed on their heads."

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The Jericho road was once a busy traveled route in the Ozarks. It was from old Linn Creek to Marshfield,crossed the Old Wire Road somewhere southwest fo Lebanon .On this road was the Old Jericho Trading Post owned by
Jeremiah and Celia (wade) Russel,who had filed claims to several hundred acres in the south side of the county.
Folks came for miles to exchange hides,chickens,eggs and butter for staples they could recieve at the Post.
There was a busy blacksmith shop,two large dug wells,and a threshing floor.
Celia and her daughter prepared beds and meals for weary travelers.
On Saturdays Jericho was a lively place,resembling an old fashion picnic. The men gathered to play horseshoes,wrestle,and drank the corn liquor that was produced at a still in the hollow a few yard from the store.
Several people were killed by bushwhackers on route to the post,including Dr. Marshall....a great loss to the small community.

Jeremiah and Celia lived a few years after the civil war...Celia died in 1876 ,with Jeremiah following four years later.
The building of the railroad brought new towns along the way ,eliminating the need for the old Trading Post. The farm where the trading post was located,along Panther Creek has seen many owners over the years, one being John Mongomery and later Wilson and Nestare Marshall. The Marshalls had only just bought the property when the influenza epedicmic hit in 1919 and they both lost their lives to it. In 1923 Lige and Ruth Calton bought the property.
Compiled from an essay written by Lois Roper Beard.
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Location of Conway, Missouri
Coordinates: 37°30′3″N 92°49′28″W / 37.50083°N 92.82444°W / 37.50083; -92.82444

Conway is a city in Laclede County, Missouri, United States. The population was 743 at the 2000 census. It is 15 miles (24 km) southwest of Lebanon
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rjw4law

Bronze Member
Apr 25, 2007
1,588
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Missouri
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AT Garrett Max/ Garrett ATX/ Deus XP
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Relic Hunting
Gypsy......You are probably the most informed and skilled researcher I have ever seen.. You always come up with the best.
 

Horn

Greenie
Feb 18, 2009
10
0
Buffalo Mo
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Tesoro Cortez, Tesoro Toltec II
Only about 15 min or so from me...but i honestly had it in my head that Conway was in Webster county. Dang it, now i will have to go look :) Thanks for passing along the info though. I was doing some reading on the old wire road the other day, so thats kind of a neat coincidence.
 

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