Author Archives: foothillsmedia

“HELLSTORM” by Thomas Goodrich is available in paperback, audio book and a documentary DVD at Money Tree Publishing. World War II has often been described as “the good war” and those who lived and fought during this period in history are often called “the greatest generation.” While Americans who answered the call to save EuropeContinue reading “Bombshell: Review of Thomas Goodrich’s “Hellstorm””

The February 10, 1864 edition of the Philadelphia Inquirer carried the news of John Bolin’s capture on Holcomb Island, the many papers mistakenly reported Holcomb was “near” Cape Girardeau, Missouri , it is much farther South. The paper reported that Union forces killed seven and captured eight of Bolin’s command (including Bolin himself) and wereContinue reading “The Capture and Execution of John Bolin”

From the late 1800’s through the early 1900’s it was not uncommon for rival newspapers to take lighthearted jabs at each other from time to time but an article found in the October 29, 1897 Dunklin Democrat newspaper revealed a feud between two papers that was anything but lighthearted, in fact, it was down rightContinue reading “Harsh Words and Veiled Threats All Part of a Newspaper Feud”

In early 1861 states found themselves with a difficult decision to make, either secede or stay loyal to the Union. In few areas was this decision more difficult to make than in Missouri. Missouri was settled primarily by Southerners from Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky, or in Bollinger County’s case, North Carolinians but the late 1840’sContinue reading “Choosing Sides”

The October 6, 1948 The Daily Standard newspaper (Sikeston, Missouri) reported the curious case of a large cache of gold coins and certificates in a cave near Gads Hill, Missouri. Gads Hill, is the site of the James Gang train robbery in 1874. The paper reported: “Captain O.L. Wallis of the state patrol , saidContinue reading “James Gang Gold in Wayne County, Missouri”

The Friday December 3, 1909 Bloomfield (Missouri) Vindicator reported: “The St. Louis Post-Dispatch of November 30th, contained the following article. We are disposed to doubt the statement that Frank James lives in this country but give the article to our readers for what it may be worth.” “This country” as The Vindicator described it wasContinue reading “Frank James in Advance Missouri”

The December 5, 1878 edition of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch carried an article titled “Shaking in Their Boots”, detailing the appearance of five men appearing before the U.S. Court. Two of the five were from Bollinger County, Missouri and they did not appear to be shaking in their boots. Jesse Statler was described by theContinue reading “Only Nine”

Perhaps I could have picked a better title for this particular blog post. Technically when L.B. James killed Charles Whitworth it was murder but it was murder in self-defense. It seems that Mr. Whitworth had drifted into town a few days earlier, stayed drunk and was harassing citizens. In short I get the impression heContinue reading “Murder in Marble Hill 1879”

The May 31’st 1861 Charleston [Missouri] Courier carried a story originally published in the Bloomfield Herald. The article reported that: “The Military ardor of South-East Missouri is up to the highest point. We hear of companies being raised at St. Luke, St. Francoisville, Spring Hill and Lakeville [present day Advance] as well as in otherContinue reading “Stoddard County Embraced Secession”

“Blood in the Ozarks: Expanded Second Edition” is an account of atrocities during the War Between the States, focusing on the areas of Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas. Over 300 pages which includes personal stories of atrocities, newspaper accounts of the era and excerpts from “The Slave Narratives”. $15 paperback or $2.99 for Kindle. ClickContinue reading “October 25, 1862 Perryville Weekly Union Reports Bushwhacking”