Jackson County, Missouri

Abraham McClellan who was a pioneer entrepreneur and politician, was also a relative of the Walkers. He represented the pioneer type who came west largely for economic self-interest, being affluent back East.

McClellan had become the Franklin Missouri blacksmith, built a tavern and a distillery, and claimed that all three of his businesses complimented each other.

In 1826, the Missouri legislature created a new county - Jackson County, named after of course, Andrew Jackson.  It included the area now occupied by both Independence and Kansas City.  In 1827, Joe Walker became Jackson County's first sheriff and McClellan became its first president.

Next time...Walker as a lawman

The Cabin the Walkers Built

During the first six months the weathr was exceptionally bad - snowing and freezing continually until March lst.  It was one of the worst winter ever recorded in that part of Missouri, yet the first white cabin (besides George and Mary home) was finished.

The cabin was actually two cabins connected with a open passage between called a dog run. Anyone familiar with the early Florida settlers will recognize this type of home - the dog run provided air circulation in the steamy Florida summers before central air conditioning.

One cabin was used for sleeping and one for storage, or in the case of the Florida Cracker, one was used for cooking.  Walkers did their cooking in the open passage way between the cabins.

When the snows finally stopped, corn and apples seeds brought from Tennessee were planted, and the smithy's shop was built.  All was ready for the family settlement...and time for the two elder Walkers - Joel and Joseph to head out and get a look at the far West.

Next time - on to New Mexico...

Boonslick Country

Central Missouri in the early 1800s was known as Boonslick Country, named after none other than Daniel Boone and the area's most famous resident.  He discovered a large valuable salt lick in central Missouri and decided it was a great place to set up home.

Boone himself, however, felt unappreciated and didn't welcome newcomers who took property he felt was rightfully his as a pioneer.  He left the state and settled on the Missouri River in 1799 when Joe Walker was a mere infant.

Franklin, Missouri was the capital of Boonslick Country and where Joseph Walker took the steamboat ride to.  1000 people strong, it was the largest settlement west of St. Louis.  The town boasted 125 cabins, six warehouses, four taverns, two billiard parlors, a steamboat landing, and $300 courthouse, two story jail, a race track, a brothel, a barber, and banker and the only newspaper published in the Mississippi Valley at that time.

As early frontier towns go, Franklin was quite a place!

Next time - Walkers go off the beaten path...