Retracing Our Roots #26: Stateline Stories of Vengeance and Justice
Join us today as Sammy Raycraft and Vincent Anderson talk about the fights and feuds that occurred on the Missouri-Arkansas state line. Before we begin, we want to thank all those who commented on last week’s episode, The Free Black Experience in the Ozarks.
While researching the lives of a few free Blacks who were raised in the Promise Land/Oakland area before the Civil War, I came across a young man named Moses Thompson Caulder. Born on January 1, 1842, Moses served in the 14th Regiment, Kansas Cavalry, Company I. He enlisted in the Kansas Colored Regiment in December 1863 and was mustered out on June 25, 1865. He passed away on January 4, 1900, at the age of 58 and is buried in Howell Valley Cemetery, just outside of West Plains, Missouri.
We can visit Moses Thompson Caulder’s gravesite virtually here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/135928115/moses_thompson-caulder
Next, we briefly discuss historical events that not only affected the Ozarks but also captured our nation’s attention. In April, we’re working on two major shows covering events that not only impacted the Ozarks but also captured nationwide attention:
The West Plains Dance Hall Explosion: On a Friday night (April 13, 1928), the Bond Dance Hall, located on the second floor above the Wiser Motor Co., exploded, killing at least 37 people and injuring at least 22.
The Covenant, the Sword, and the Arm of the Lord (CSA): A survivalist, anti-government militia in Oakland, Arkansas, which advocated White Christian Identity. On April 21, 1985, after years of complaints, federal agents, alongside various state and local agencies, surrounded Zarephath-Horeb in Oakland. Following a three-day standoff, law enforcement officers entered the compound, seizing weapons, ammunition, explosives, gold, and thirty gallons of potassium cyanide. Among other plans, the CSA intended to use the cyanide to poison the water supply of several major cities to hasten the arrival of the Second Coming of the Messiah.
In our second segment, we will delve into history focusing on an incident from 1908 on the Missouri-Arkansas state line bordering Ozark County:
The Roberts-Kasinger Feud:
John C. Roberts, leaving Mountain Home on court day, encounters Thomas and Obie Kasinger near Pigeon Creek Crossing at the base of Dover Hill. An old feud reignites, leading to a confrontation where Obie Kasinger is shot in the thigh and later dies due to blood loss. That night, on September 19, 1908, Obediah D. “Obie” Kasinger passes away, and he is buried in the Reed Grove Cemetery near Cannie Baker Road.
John Roberts flees across the state line to Prestonia, Missouri. The next morning, on September 20, 1908, a shootout ensues at the Roberts' cabin involving Ozark and Baxter County sheriffs' posses. Bullets riddle the little cabin in Prestonia, Missouri, Mrs. Roberts takes the brunt of the gunfire with 14 wounds. John is swiftly arrested, and within two days is sentenced to two years in Arkansas State Prison in Little Rock. On Christmas Day of 1908, Mrs. Roberts petitions the governor for his release to no avail. She ends up becoming destitute and living in the poor house in Little Rock.
The Crawford-Smith Feud:
In our third segment, we uncover yet another bloody feud between two families—the Walkers and the Crawfords—entrenched in conflict in the Clarkridge and Prestonia area. Dru Smith encountered father and son, Isaac and Nick Crawford, near the state line by Prestonia, Missouri. They were traveling with "Poker Tom" White. (Sometimes, you can’t make colorful names up like they did over 100 years ago!)
Once again, past grievances flared up. Dru Smith raised his shotgun and fired a blast toward Isaac Crawford’s head. Nick Crawford immediately scuffled with Dru, pulled out a knife, and stabbed Dru. Fortunately, the tip of the blade broke off inside Dru’s daybook, which was tucked in his pocket. Dru then turned his shotgun toward Poker Tom, but the old gambler reminded him that his feud was with the Crawford family, not the Whites.
Newspaper reports quickly spread the claim that Isaac Crawford had been instantly killed with his head blown off. Ironically, he survived—but with a broken jaw in need of repair. Dru and Issac were seen a few months later talking on the Mtn. Home Square.
We are incredibly thankful for 𝐑𝐚𝐩𝐩’𝐬 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐲 and their unwavering support of 𝙍𝙚𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙊𝙪𝙧 𝙍𝙤𝙤𝙩𝙨! This is local programming at its best when we have the opportunity to keeping our community connected, and we couldn’t do it without the generosity of businesses like 𝐑𝐚𝐩𝐩’𝐬. So, the next time you’re in Mountain Home, be sure to stop by 𝐑𝐚𝐩𝐩’𝐬 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐲 and thank Russell Tucker and the amazing crew for their support to Sip – Savor – Sojourn – 𝙍𝙚𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙊𝙪𝙧 𝙍𝙤𝙤𝙩𝙨. If you have any topics or ideas you'd like to hear about, drop us a message!
