May 31st This Day in Missouri

On May 31, 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 recorded.
• 1856: In “Bleeding Kansas,” Missouri’s “Border Ruffians” clashed with Kansas anti-slavery settlers, escalating territorial violence as May ended.
• 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: Confederate General Sterling Price’s Missouri units in Arkansas focused on spring logistics, with Missouri under Union control and little Confederate activity.
• 1888: The Missouri Pacific Railroad’s southeast Missouri lines, serving Cape Girardeau, supported commerce, with late May freight traffic robust.
• 1929: The Great Depression hit Missouri’s urban centers hard, with Kansas City and St. Louis facing job losses, while spring relief programs prioritized food aid.
• 1941: Missouri’s St. Louis and Kansas City boosted World War II efforts, with factories expanding military output and late May recruitment drives gaining traction.