April 11th This Day in Missouri

On April 11, the following notable historical events related to Missouri occurred:

• 1806: St. Louis traders expanded spring fur trade expeditions, vital to Missouri’s early economy, though no specific event is documented.
• 1856: In “Bleeding Kansas,” Missouri’s pro-slavery “Border Ruffians” clashed with Kansas anti-slavery settlers, escalating territorial violence in mid-April.
• 1861: Union General Henry W. Halleck, stationed in St. Louis, maintained Missouri’s federal hold, while rural Confederate guerrillas planned spring raids, deepening tensions.
• 1864: In Arkansas, Confederate General Sterling Price’s Missouri units focused on spring campaign planning, with Missouri seeing little Confederate activity under Union control.
• 1888: The Missouri Pacific Railroad’s southeast Missouri lines, serving Cape Girardeau, supported regional commerce, with mid-April marking increased trade activity.
• 1929: The Great Depression hit Missouri’s Kansas City and St. Louis hard, with spring relief programs focusing on food aid and job creation.
• 1941: Post-Pearl Harbor, Missouri’s St. Louis and Kansas City increased World War II production, with mid-April enlistment drives expanding to meet wartime demands.