This Month in Missouri History

Missouri abolishes slavery, but with strings

Missouri passed the "Drake Constitution" in January, 1865, that abolished slavery. But, the new constitution also included a provision that required citizens to take a "loyalty oath."

Another event from past Januarys included formation of bar association of black lawyers in St. Louis. That was for black attorneys who couldn't join white lawyers' associations.

Also, the main branch of the St. Louis Public Library was opened in January, 1912.

Then there was a stop in St. Louis by Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich of Russia during his grand tour of the United States.

(The Missouri History Museum staff has compiled items of unique historic interest that happened in past Januarys. If you'd like to learn more about the area's colorful history, visit www.mohistory.org.)

Missouri's "Drake" state constitution

Following the end of the Civil War, Missouri set out to write a new constitution which would abolish slavery. A key figure in the new constitutional congress was Charles Drake and the new constitution was often referred to as the "Drake Constitution.

The wording of the new constitution mirrored the views of radical anti-slavery proponents, many of whom did much of the constitution writing.

The new constitution not only abolished slavery but wanted elective citizenship limited to those who hadn't had any part in opposition to the United States. Anyone who didn't pledge loyalty to both the United States and the state of Missouri would face harsh punishment.

Other provisions of the constitution included references to the U.S. "colored infantries," African-American suffrage and segregated schools.

The new constitution was passed in January, 1865.

There are two internet sources for more information about the "Drake Constitution."

They are http://www.sos.mo.gov/archives/resources/civilwar/3.asp and http://www.windingriver.com/WJC/2007/shipley.htm.

The Mound City Bar Association

The St. Louis Negro Bar Assn. was formed by black lawyers on Jan. 13, 1922, in St. Louis. The group later changed its name to the Mound City Bar Assn.

This was one of the oldest associations for black lawyers west of the Mississippi.

For a history of the group, visit http://www.moundcitybar.com/history.html.

Opening of St. Louis Public Library

The main branch of the St. Louis Public Library on Olive in downtown St. Louis was opened on Jan. 6, 1912.

It was designed by famed architect Cass Gilbert, who is known as the "skyscraper" architect for his focus on tall buildings. The most famous was the Woolworth Building in New York City.

He also designed the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C.

Besides the St. Louis library building, he also designed the St. Louis Art Museum.

The St. Louis Public Library also is linked to the industrialist Andrew Carnegie. Carnegie donated $1 million for the main library and seven other branch libraries.

Carnegie eventually finished over 2,500 libraries in the U.S. and around the world. Besides over 1,600 libraries in the U.S., he also financed libraries in Great Britain, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other locations.

For more on the St. Louis Library, see http://www.explorestlouis.com/media/factSheets/fact_publib.asp.

For more on architect Gilbert, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cass_Gilbert.

For more on Carnegie, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnegie_library.

Russia's Duke Alexandrovich's grand tour

Grand Duke Alexie Alexandrovich of Russia

Grand Duke Alexie Alexandrovich of Russia was in St. Louis in January, 1872, as part of his grand tour of the United States. He was seeking to build good relations with the U.S. as a counter-balance in Europe with England and France.

The tour was just five years after the U.S. purchased Alaska from Russia.

Russia also had backed the North during the U.S. Civil War while France and England backed the Confederacy.

The Count's visit to St. Louis included watching a performance of "Bluebeard" in a local burlesque house. The count was attracted to the star of the show. Since he was just 22 and handsome, the count was often linked with beautiful women.

He had come to St. Louis from Chicago. What he saw there was mostly debris from the famous Chicago Fire, which virtually destroyed the city.

After St. Louis, he went west and took part in a buffalo hunt. He was accompanied by Gen. Philip Sheridan and Gen. George Custer. Also in the party was noted frontierman Wild Bill Cody.

For more on the duke and his exploits, you can visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Duke_Alexei_ Alexandrovich_of_Russia. or http://www.ephemerasociety.org/articles/grandduke.html.