Cooper County, Missouri - Chapter 8, 1876

From the organization of the government of the State, until the year 1847, there existed a militia law, requiring all able-bodied male citizens, between the ages of eighteen and forty-five years, to organize into companies and to muster on certain days. They had, during the year, at different times, a company, a battallion, and a general muster. A company muster was the drilling of the members of one company ; a battallion muster consisted in drilling the companies of one-half of a county ; and a general muster was a meeting of all the companies of a county.

Muster day was, for a long time after the commencement of the custom, a gala day for the citizens, and was looked forward to \yith considerable interest, especially by the different officers who appeared in full military dress, captains and lieutenants, with long red feathers stuck in the fore part of their hats, and epaulettes upon their shoulders. The field officers mounted on their fine steeds, with continental cocked hats, epaulettes upon their shoulders, and fine <:loth coats, ornamented with gold fringe, rode around among the men and gave orders, making themselves the "observed of all observers." Also the vendors of whisky, ginger cakes, apples and cider, took no small interest in the anticipated muster day, for on that day, every person being excited, bought more or less of these things. Always on muster days, after the muster was over, the rival bruisers of a neighborhood tried their strength upon one another, thus furnishing a great deal of amusement for those who attended. The little folks were also happy in the anticipation, if not in the enjoyment of being presented with a ginger cake and an apple upon that day.

But after a lapse of time these musters became tiresome to a portion of the citizens, as they were obliged to lose so much of their valuable time in order to attend them, or were compelled to pay a fine of one dollar for each failure to attend on muster day : besides they could see no real use in continuing the organization as there seemed no prospect soon of the State requiring any troops, as all was peaceful and quiet within its borders. Also, at the elections for officers, manv of them were chosen on account of their personal popularity, instead of their qualifications to fill the office for which they were elected. Musters, there fore, after their novelty had worn off, became very unpopular, the citizens believing them to be an unnecessary burden upon them.

Therefore, sometime before the Battallion muster, which was to take place at Boonville, during the year 1842, a company, the existence of which was known only to its members, was formed at that place, among the members of which w^ere some of the best citizens of the city. This company was styled the "Fantastic Company," on account of the qut er costumes, arms, &c., ofits members, they being drey iedin all manner of outlandish costumes, carrying every '^conceivable kind of a weapon, from a broom-stick to a gu' J, and mounted upon horses, mules and jacks. The coi /ipany was intended as a burlesque upon the militia, and to. Ihave some fun at their expense.

The regiment of State Militia, which was to be mustered ,'^tthe above mentioned time, was commanded by Col. Jesse J. Turley and Major J. Logan Forsythe, and was composed of alUof the companies in the north half of the coun- ty. On the morning of the muster da}', Col. Turley formed his regiment in front of the court house. After they were organized and ready for muster and drill, the Fantastic Company, which was commanded b}^ John Babbitt, each member dressed in his peculiar costume and carrying his strange weapon, marched up into full view of Col. Turley's command, and commenced preparations to drill. Col. Turle}^ feeling indignant that his proceedings should be interrupted by such a "mob," and believing that it was intended as an insult, ordered his com.mand to surround the Fantastic Company.

There was a high fence on the eastern side of the vacant lot on which they were mustering, and Col. Turley's company surrounded the "Fantastic Company" by approaching on High street, on the alley between Fifth and Sixth streets, and on Sixth street, thus hem.ming them in on the vacant lot. The latter being closely pressed, retreated back across the fence, and then commenced a fight by throwing brickbats. The fight immediately became general and promiscuous, and resulted in serious damage to the several members of the State militia. Col. J. J. Turley was struck on the side by a stone, and two or three of his ribs broken. Major J. Logan Forsythe was struck by a brickbat in the face, just below his right eye, and died the next day of his wounds. The members of the Fantastic Company then dispersed and scattered in every direction.

The deatii of Major Forsythe caused great excitement throughout the county, and great indignation to be felt acj'ainst the citizens of Boonville. So much so, that a petition was immediately circulated, asking, that the "county seat of Cooper county be removed from Boonville," to a more central point of the county. So great was the excitement, that some persons living within three miles of Boonville signed this petition. But the county seat, after

The death of Major Forsythe was greatly regretted by all parties, for he was an excellent citizen and a very popular officer. It produced an ill-feeling throughout the county which lasted for many years. After the fight was over, the militia went through with their usual exercises, under the command of the subordinate officers, as Col. Turley and Major Forsythe were unable, on account of their wounds, to drill them.