Jul 3, 2023
There was a time that the border between Missouri and Iowa was not quite defined. This led to a controversy and conflict between the governors of the states. Many shenanigans ensued. Just press play to hear the whole story. ———
Click on search links to see if there are episodes with related content: Andy Primm, Legal Matters, Politics and Government, ———
Podcast Transcript: I’m Andy Primm, Museum Educator at the Missouri Historical Society, and Here’s History on eighty-eight-one, K-D-H-X. ———
St. Louis loves honey. Whether we’re enjoying some local honey from the farmer’s market or raising bees in our own urban hives, the sweet treat is always popular. But here’s something you might not know about honey: in 1839, it almost led to war between Missouri and Iowa. This ridiculous series of events is known today as the Honey War. ———
The whole thing started because the northern border of Missouri wasn’t clearly defined. Missouri’s first Constitution, drafted in St. Louis in 1820, referred to a northern border that “passes through the rapids of the river Des Moines.” The problem? Such rapids did not exist. Over time, several possible borders were proposed, but no one knew which one was correct. ———
In 1839, Missouri Governor Lilburn W. Boggs took decisive action on the matter and strongly asserted Missouri’s claim to the most northern boundary possible. Iowa, still a territory at the time, argued for a more southerly line. The two proposed borders were almost ten miles apart. ———
Things escalated quickly from there. Governor Boggs ordered a Missouri Sherriff to collect taxes in the disputed area. Iowans responded by tossing the good Sherriff in jail. An unknown Missourian then took it upon himself to cut down and haul away three valuable honey-producing bee trees from the disputed area. Enraged Iowa authorities convicted the miscreant in absentia and fined him $1.50. In Governor Boggs’ estimation, these actions were assaults on Missouri’s citizens and property. ———
Boggs dispatched 800 militiamen to the border. Iowa Territorial Governor Robert Lucas responded in kind, sending 300 militiamen of his own. Bloodshed seemed imminent, but the militia commanders quickly agreed that a shooting war over honey trees was in nobody’s interest. The bellicose governors relented and allowed the issue to be submitted to the courts. The matter was finally resolved in 1849 when the US Supreme Court split the disputed area roughly evenly between Iowa and Missouri. ———
How sweet it is that cooler heads prevailed! ———
Here's History is a join production of K-D-H-X and the Missouri Historical Society. I’m Andy Primm, and this is eight-eight-one, K-D-H-X, St. Louis. ———