July 22nd This Day in Missouri

On July 22, the following notable historical events related to Missouri have been recorded:

• 1804: The Lewis and Clark Expedition, navigating the Missouri River, was near present-day Otoe County, Nebraska, across from Missouri’s Atchison County, on or around July 22. They documented the region’s geography and continued their council with Otoe and Missouri tribes, contributing to their exploration of the Louisiana Purchase.
• 1838: During the Mormon War in Missouri, conflicts intensified. On or around July 22, non-Mormon vigilantes in Carroll County increased attacks on Mormon settlers, escalating the violence that led to the state’s expulsion order against Mormons later in 1838.
• 1861: During the Civil War, Missouri saw ongoing military activity. On July 22, Union forces under General Nathaniel Lyon were maneuvering in southwest Missouri, with minor skirmishes near Springfield as they prepared for the Battle of Wilson’s Creek.
• 1870: The Missouri, Kansas, and Texas Railway (Katy Railroad) completed a key section through central Missouri around July 22, connecting Sedalia to other regions and boosting economic development in the state.
• 1904: The St. Louis World’s Fair, or Louisiana Purchase Exposition, was ongoing, with July 22 featuring international art exhibitions and early Olympic events, showcasing Missouri’s global cultural prominence.
• 1933: The Kansas City Star published a major exposé on or around July 22, detailing political corruption in the city’s Pendergast machine, highlighting Missouri’s complex political landscape during the Great Depression.