While conducting research for Before Lawrence, some interesting photographs were encountered, bringing to life the characters in the story.
John and Letitia Weidemeyer
One of the most intriguing images encountered in my research was that of John and Letitia Weidemeyer. It is one of the few photos that have been discovered of anyone who lived in Osceola in 1861. Letitia’s account of events and her ordeals after the event provided a glimpse of a woman who was tough, determined and courageous.
Source: “Men of the Missouri Brigade”, Civil War Talk
Jacob Coonce
This photo needs at least a thousand words. Jacob Coonce was one of the more interesting characters that lived near Osceola. The photo pretty well captures the man. Enigmatic. Known to be gentle and quiet, he was not someone to trifle with. He was considered too old to fight in the Missouri Guard, so he stayed on his farm south of Osceola.
He was one of the original settlers of the area. He could survive in the wilderness and was an expert marksman. His rifle was named “Betsey”, and was customized in 1834 by a gunsmith in Clinton, Missouri, converted from a flint-lock to a cap-fired musket.
Dr. Lawrence Lewis
Dr. Lawrence Lewis was one of the leading citizens of Osceola. He was not in the town at the time of tragedy. It would be his wife who would handle the crisis, abritraging the care of the wounded in their home, while also caring for their two children.
This photo was discovered while researching the background of Mary Emaline Lewis. In the course of the investigation, I came across this portrait of Dr. Lewis. Unfortunately, a photo of Mary Lewis is yet to be found.
Source was the Geni genealogical web site.
George Caleb Bingham
One of the most noted American painters is George Caleb Bingham. It would be as a young adult that he would reside in Arrow Rock, Missouri. No doubt, much of what he produced later in life had the seeds of inspiration planted by the people and events of this small riverport along the Missouri River. His first wife would pass away in 1845 and he would move to live in St. Louis.
Order #11 is a statement of the complexity and trauma of the Civil War in Missouri. Bingham served as an officer in the Union army and he was serving as Missouri’s State Treasurer when Order #11 was executed. He passionately opposed the order and produced this painting shortly after the war.