(Each month, the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park
searches for items of history interest that occurred in Missouri's
past. Then, Young Saint Louis.com brings them to you,
along with internet links that let you get additional information.)
Drive for cross-country railway
In November, 1846, a large meeting convened in the St. Louis
Courthouse to discuss the question of whether to build a railroad
westward across the country to the Pacific Ocean.
Asa
Whitney |
One of the most impassioned speeches in support of the concept
of an intercontinental railroad was made by Asa Whitney. He
was a relative of inventor Eli Whitney, who built the first
cotton gin machine.
Whitney argued the nation needed the railroad to open up
the country for settlement.
Despite the knowledge that the construction would be opposed
violently by Native Americans, the group passed a resolution
to appeal to Congress for authorization of the railroad.
For a story about the speech, visit: www.nps.gov/nr/twhp/wwwlps/lessons/9stlouis/9facts1.htm
For a PBS documentary on Asa Whitney and the transcontinental
railroad, click on to: www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/tcrr/peopleevents/e_early.html
Tax support for St. Louis Zoo
In
November, 1916, voters in St. Louis approved a 1/5 mill tax
for support of the Zoological Park in the city.
The St. Louis Zoo became the first in the nation to be supported
by this sort of a taxing arrangement.
Next year, the Zoo will celebrate its 100th anniversary of
its founding.
The Zoo is currently collecting family photos concerning
the Zoo. If you would like to participate, you can visit www.stlzoo.org/home/featurednews/zoomemoryproject/
For more about the tax support for the Zoo, visit www.umsl.edu/~whmc/guides/whm0744.htm
The world's longest human beard
Missourian
Valentine Tapley made a bad bet before the election that selected
Abraham Lincoln for president of the U.S.
Tapley promised to never shave his beard again if Lincoln
were elected.
Of course, Lincoln did win the presidency and Tapley ended
up with a beard that measured 12 feet in length.
That gave Tapley, a Democrat, a world record.
For a photo of Valentine, visit http://bit.ly/3nFvJv
For a story about the situation from the New York Times,
visit http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9507E7D8103
EE033A25753C1A9679D946697D6CF
Actor Robert Gullaume born here
Robert
Guillaume |
Robert Guillaume was born in St. Louis on November 30, 1927.
He grew up to be a noted actor in television.
He starred in the long-running TV show, "Benson" and also
was known as the voice of Rafiki in the "Lion King."
For more about Guillaume, visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Guillaume
www.stlouiswalkoffame.org/inductees/robert-guillaume.html
Jurist Brandeis' St. Louis history
Louis
Brandeis |
Attorney Louis Brandeis, who would become one of the country's
noted jurists, lived in St. Louis for only one year. But,
in November, 1878, he was admitted to the St. Louis Bar and
began practicing law for the first time here.
Known as a fierce advocate for social justice, he was labeled
as the "people's attorney." He was also once called "A Robin
Hood of the Law."
For more information about this unusual lawyer, visit: www.historyhappenedhere.org/details.php?id=65
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Brandeis
In
keeping with its nickname of "Gateway to the West," St. Louis
figured in the debate during the mid-1800s about building
of a railroad across the country.