Macon County Courthouse - Macon, Missouri
Posted by: 
gparkes
N 39° 44.510 W 092° 28.370
15S E 545167 N 4399236
This Courthouse located in Macon, Missouri represents the neighbor against neighbor animosity of the American Civil War.
Waymark Code: WM5D2X
Location: Missouri, United States
Date Posted: 12/20/2008
Views: 13
In 1837, Bloomington, Missouri was the county seat of Macon County. As the American Civil War broke out in 1861, Bloomington became decidedly Pro-Southern. General Lewis Merril ordered Major Thomas Moody to burn the entire town. Major Moody was from the area, and had friends amougst the population. The Major convinced General Merril that he would reduce the influence of the town, by running for state legislature. If elected, he promised to introduce a bill to move the county seat from Bloomington to Macon.
Macon was regarded as a strategic key to Northeastern Missouri during the Civil War. Macon brought together the junction of two railroads. With its importance in consideration, the Union garrisoned troops within the town.
In 1863, Moody was elected to the state legislature. Subsequently, he proposed legislation to move the Macon County Seat to the junctoion of the North Missouri and the Hanibal and St. Joseph Railroads at Macon. As an act of military necessity, the bill was adopted by the legislature within 48 hours after its introduction on March 18, 1863.
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