It’s that time of the morning again, here in “Little Dixie’. I feel like John Quinones, What would you do? As threatened, I have began digging into the Brooking Cemetery. Discoveries of interest were immediate as expected. True to the times of 1850’s, the discoveries were filled with grief created by the political differences so many miles from those who suffered the brunt of consequences. It is hard to fathom the atrocities that were committed, 150 years prior, on the soil I have such fond memories of growing up as a kid. From a southern roots perspective, I can see why the civil war was deemed the war of Northern Aggression in this part of the woods. I can see why those that opposed secession yet, had southern sympathies, did not want to join the confederate army but, wanted to defend their home, property, chosen lifestyle and especially their women and children. A piece of paper can only be folded so many times (9) and a man can only be torn in so many directions. Somewhere I read, that over 40 percent of all battles in the first year of the civil war were fought in Missouri. 25,000 civilians, roughly 4.2 percent of the total killed, were killed in Missouri during the years before and after the war. Like the battles in the first year, more than any other state in the union. A majority were family members of those who were suspected of supporting the confederacy, more specifically supporting the bushwackers. What happened to combatants of the battlefield is one thing, what happened to their families, at home, trying to survive, is another. Why were some quick to be deemed outlaws while others accused of equal, if not worse atrocities, were not cast as war criminals?
As suspected, it didn’t take long to connect my family to the Brooking family for which the cemetery and township were named. Alvan Brooking. Alvan was a judge and two term senator from Missouri. For 200 years before him, men of his mettle and pioneering spirit were considered heroes advancing ‘civilization’ westward. His son, Henry Clay Brooking, was named in honor of one of Alvan’s esteemed colleagues from Kentucky who lead the passage of the Missouri Compromise. In 1854, Henry returned home from the gold fields out west shortly before the war officially broke out. Settled in the Little Blue River bottoms, very near the Harris’ farm, located along the Little Blue, were the in-laws of Henry Brooking. Alfred Laws, a man past his military age, a non-combatant, dealing with the hardships of war. I have not found the exact date of death other than 1863. If I were to speculate, I would guess this occurred sometime between the raid on Lawrence and Order #11.https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/10676252/alfred-laws
Copied from the memorial from Findagrave:
Alfred Laws
A Jackson County farmer that lived near the Blue River, Laws was killed by Federal troops over a belief that he was once a bushwhacker for a year and half and that he and his wife, Permelia gave aid and support to bushwhackers. History points to the possibility that Laws also had ties to Quantrill lieutenant, George Todd. Two stories tell of his death. One, is he was killed by troops that arrived at his house pretending to be Quantrill men and were looking to find George Todd. The second story is that three soldiers of the Kansas 9th went to Laws house and ordered food to be made for fifteen. Alfred and Permelia gave in after trying to find excuses. When Permelia went outside to gather turkey eggs for the dinner, the soldiers took Alfred outside and shot him dead with two bullets to the head and three to the body. So far, no proof has been found of Laws actually being a bushwhacker.
bio from Richard Stewart/Elmwood Cemetery
Statistically, the majority of soldiers in the civil war were under 21 years of age. It appears this family was targeted by Federal Troops. If this was a military action why no report? If there is/was a report, would it read like the report of others killed during Order #11. Like those trying to comply with said order in Lone Jack rounded up and murdered Sep 6, 1863, a few days prior to Order#11 by Federal Troops. They were family members of those that served in both the Confederate army and as bushwhackers. That report read bushwhackers were encountered and killed, when in reality, 6 members of the Hunter/Cave families ranging from 17-75 years of age were rounded up and executed. Six Man Cemetery in Missouri - Find a Grave Cemetery
I can’t say this is much of a surprise as it was commonplace for the time and place. If you wanted to survive, you fed men of either side when requested, or watched your property burn. Indiscriminate killing was also common. This connection was unexpected as I was looking for other connections which, I have several leads. There is another Daniel Boone connection. Brookings were related to the Pendleton family as well as the Herndon family. The same Pendleton family that is related to the Taylor-Smith families. In honor of Captain Henry Clay Brooking, Captain Minor Tebbs Smith named a son Clay Brooking Smith. This little tiddy I already knew.
Another interesting, accidental discovery made, was one that involved a 3rd and 6th cousin. I’ll include them when I get to my Kansas connections I consider ‘war criminal’ cousins as to not offend my ‘outlaw’ bushwacker cousins whose actions are far more understandable from a “What Would You Do” perspective.
