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59-538: Henry Westmoreland is in from Beaver County, Oklahoma , which was formerly a part of the strip known as No-Man's-Land. He says grass is in abundance and cattle plenty, but no efforts are made at raising crops there, except roughness and alfalfa. The venerable gentleman owned a ranch in Taney County at the time of the Bald Knob uprising, and was the man who gave that organization its name. The Bald Knobbers, who for

118-431: A 20-cent property tax levy. Sixty-eight percent of the voters approved the tax. Before this tax, the library was only able to operate one branch for the whole county. To accommodate new housing and population growth in the county, CCL announced their intentions to construct and/or open new branches around the county. The tax approval also allowed for a renovation of the original Ozark Branch. CCL expects eighty-five percent of

177-404: A constitutional amendment to define marriage as the union between a man and a woman —it overwhelmingly passed Christian County with 80.46 percent of the vote. The initiative passed the state with 71 percent of support from voters as Missouri became the first state to ban same-sex marriage . In 2006, Missourians voted on a constitutional amendment to fund and legalize embryonic stem cell research in

236-450: A county of only 7,000 people, the original intent began to lose focus. Though initially praised for driving out the notorious outlaws, public sentiment soon turned against them. Although the men initially wore nothing more than a simple kerchief over their lower faces, if any disguise at all, many soon adopted a simple white muslin hood with corners tied off like ears, and cut out eye and mouth holes. This fearsome appearance only inflamed

295-583: A descendant of the Walker family, published "When the Thunder Comes." This historical fiction novel accounts for the incidents that led to the Carroll County hangings, while adding fictional characters and external supernatural elements to the story. Beaver County, Oklahoma Beaver County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma . As of the 2020 census , the population

354-501: A father and son, the trap was sprung. Onlookers watched the three men twist and writhe on ropes that were too long. The condemned men's feet dragged along the ground, and at one point young Billy's rope broke, leaving him writhing on the ground and calling out for help. He was re-hanged, and after thirty-four minutes, the last of them finally died. Public criticism of the botched executions ran rampant. Taney County's loose Bald Knobber threads were being tied together at long last as well, as

413-480: A female householder with no husband present, and 24.00% were non-families. 22.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 2.99. In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.80% under the age of 18, 6.50% from 18 to 24, 25.80% from 25 to 44, 24.10% from 45 to 64, and 16.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age

472-731: A gunfight broke out between the ex-Bald Knobber supporters, the Anti-Bald Knobber supporters, and the lawmen. Both Funk and Branson were killed, and Billy Miles and his brothers fled the area. Though the Kirbyville Shootout is seen as the general end to the story of the Bald Knobbers, there was at least one more quiet incident in 1890 involving an adulterer being lynched by a band of masked men, and here and there lie undocumented stories about unofficial retributions involving masked hoodlums in neighboring counties all

531-406: A household in the county was $ 50,200, and the median income for a family was $ 58,806. Males had a median income of $ 31,929 versus $ 21,852 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 23,873. About 7.10% of families and 9.10% of the population were below the poverty line , including 13.20% of those under age 18 and 7.80% of those age 65 or over. The Republican Party controls politics at

590-594: Is also in the works. There are few books and merchandise relating to Bald Knobber history, but documentary producer/director Damon Blalack has heavily researched and collected many items relating to the group in his creation of Fire on the Mountain , and plans to help establish a stronger museum representation of the history in conjunction with the White River Valley Historical Society. On May 3, 2017, Missouri author Bruce L. Maggard,

649-617: Is divided into three legislative districts in the Missouri House of Representatives , all of which are represented by Republicans. All of Christian County is a part of Missouri's 20th District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by Eric Burlison (R- Battlefield ). All of Christian County is included in Missouri's 7th Congressional District and is currently represented by Billy Long (R- Springfield ) in

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708-500: Is doubtful this occurred since Kinney had recently disbanded the original group himself. There were also several differences between the groups. The Christian County group held meetings at a large cave on the edge of the Walkers' land, and the members wore black hoods with cork or wooden horns protruding out of the top, decoratively designed with white or red stripes around the eyes, mouth, and horns, and sometimes with tassels dangling off

767-592: Is located in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Missouri . As of the 2020 census , its population was 88,842. Its county seat is Ozark . The county was organized in 1859 and is named after Christian County, Kentucky , which in turn is named for William Christian , a Kentucky soldier of the American Revolutionary War . Christian County is part of the Springfield , MO Metropolitan Statistical Area . Between 2000 and 2010, it

826-542: Is represented by Frank Lucas . In the Oklahoma Senate it is part of the 27th district and is represented by Republican Casey Murdock. In the Oklahoma House of Representatives it is part of the 61st district and is represented by Republican Kenton Patzkowsky. Beaver County's economy has largely been based on agriculture since the turn of the 20th century. At first, the major crop was broomcorn , but that

885-559: Is water. It is the fifth-largest county in Oklahoma by area. Just north of the town of Beaver is the Beaver Dunes Park . As of the 2010 census , there were a total of 5,636 people, 2,192 households, and 1,614 families in the county. The population density was 3 people per square mile (1.2 people/km ). There were 2,719 housing units at an average density of 2 units per square mile (0.77/km ). The racial makeup of

944-612: The U.S. House of Representatives . Like most counties situated in Southwest Missouri, Christian County is a Republican stronghold in presidential elections. George W. Bush carried Christian County in 2000 and 2004 by more than two-to-one margins, and like many other rural and exurban counties throughout Missouri, Christian County strongly favored John McCain over Barack Obama in 2008 . The only Democratic presidential candidate to win Christian County since

1003-637: The White River . The surface is undulating or hilly. As of the census of 2000, there were 54,285 people, 20,425 households, and 15,645 families residing in the county. The population density was 96 inhabitants per square mile (37/km ). There were 21,827 housing units at an average density of 39 units per square mile (15/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 97.31% White , 0.27% Black or African American , 0.56% Native American , 0.29% Asian , 0.03% Pacific Islander , 0.42% from other races , and 1.13% from two or more races. Approximately 1.32% of

1062-507: The minimum wage . In 2006, Missourians voted on a proposition (Proposition B) to increase the minimum wage in the state to $ 6.50 an hour—it passed Christian County with 73.01 percent of the vote. The proposition strongly passed every single county in Missouri with 78.99 percent voting in favor as the minimum wage was increased to $ 6.50 an hour in the state. During the same election, voters in five other states also strongly approved increases in

1121-511: The poverty line , including 15.80% of those under age 18 and 7.80% of those age 65 or over. Although at one time competitive, Beaver has become strongly Republican in presidential elections. The last Democratic candidate to win the county was Harry Truman in 1948. In every election since 2000, the Republican presidential candidate has received over 85% of the county's vote. It is part of Oklahoma's 3rd congressional district and as such

1180-674: The City of Cline , which is now a ghost town, was sold to Meridian Cemetery Association in 1908. It was land originally owned by Phillip Huret, Jr. and consists of two acres of land. In 1908, it was sold for $ 150 to the Meridian Cemetery Association. The following sites in Beaver County are listed on the National Register of Historic Places : Christian County, Missouri Christian County

1239-602: The Civil War has been Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1932 . In the 2016 presidential election, Donald Trump was the favored candidate receiving 30,941 votes. Like most areas throughout the Bible Belt in Southwest Missouri, voters in Christian County traditionally adhere to socially and culturally conservative principles which tend to strongly influence their Republican leanings. In 2004, Missourians voted on

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1298-523: The Hills , which features generic Bald Knobbers as the story's villains. Later, the Mabe family began a local country and western comedy revue called Baldknobbers (one word, and named solely for the humorous quality of the name rather than for any historical purpose); the Mabe family attraction started the music-show presence for which Branson has become famous. More recent Bald Knobber-related fare includes

1357-545: The anti-sentiment, peaking with the formation of the anti-Bald Knobbers. The Bald Knobbers were made up of both Democrats and Republicans. Nat Kinney was a Democrat and had run for office as such, though he had fought for the Union Army . Newer reports say that Kinney was a Republican, however this is false. The anti-Bald Knobbers were also from both sides of the political aisle. When the county courthouse burned down, both rival sides pointed fingers at each other, intensifying

1416-399: The area, and led many men to gamble, drink, and whore away their week's earnings. In a move towards moral straightening, the Christian County chapter was led by Dave Walker. However, his seventeen-year-old son Billy Walker was a wild force within their group. Though it is rumored the Walkers had invited Nat Kinney from neighboring Taney County to help institute the Christian County chapter, it

1475-408: The attack ultimately doomed him. After 80 men were indicted and tried in a series of worldwide-media covered trials over the course of the next 18 months, it was ultimately decided that four would hang for the crimes: Dave Walker, his young son Billy, Deacon John Mathews and his nephew Wiley Mathews. Wiley would later escape the county's new jail, leaving the three others to be punished for the reign of

1534-545: The band. As the meeting finished, many of the younger men headed home the long way, towards the Edens' cabin. Captain David Walker pleaded with them not to go, but his son Billy and several others, including Wiley Mathews, were headstrong. When the men discovered that Edens was not home, they continued up the road to the cabin of James and Elizabeth Edens, William's parents. William Edens and his sick wife, Emma, were staying

1593-403: The bitterness between the groups. This loosely knit anti-Bald Knobber faction was best represented by the 19-year-old orphan Andy Coggburn. Coggburn hated Kinney, a very persuasive individual with a mysterious past, who had moved into the area with his family two years before the Bald Knobbers came into being. Coggburn took great pleasure in deriding Kinney, pulling pranks and speaking out against

1652-512: The community. The Christian County Library (CCL) operates these branches. The library offers residents books, A/V materials, programming, printing, and WiFi access. There is a branch in Ozark, Nixa, and Clever. In August 2019, the library announced the continuation of their expansion to the public. Construction is set to begin on at least one new library branch by spring 2020. On Tuesday, August 8, 2017, voters in Christian County approved to instate

1711-418: The county was 92.71% White , 0.29% Black or African American , 1.25% Native American , 0.10% Asian , 0.03% Pacific Islander , 3.76% from other races , and 1.86% from two or more races. 10.76% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 2,245 households, out of which 33.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.30% were married couples living together, 6.10% had

1770-399: The head and Bald Knobbers William Walker and John Mathews shot. The wails of the women and children led neighbors to the scene of the massacre. First to arrive was Charles Green's father, George Green, who lived near enough to hear the shots. Though Dave Walker had attempted to prevent the men in his group from letting their actions escalate, his very presence in the nearby road at the time of

1829-529: The horn points. The members also routinely burned down saloons, and were generally more threatening than the Taney County group had been. William Edens was a young opponent of the group, and would publicly criticize them. After he received several warnings (including a late-night beating), tragedy struck. The night of March 11, 1887, the Christian County group met at the cave to discuss disbanding. However, that night new members were inducted, and several members were incensed by new remarks William Edens had made about

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1888-423: The idea of masked night riders, and disregarded the strict rules that had governed the original Taney county chapter. The Christian County group became the most notorious by far. At the time Chadwick was the most bustling town of Christian County due to the nearby railroad, and a prime market for timber made into railroad ties. However, Chadwick's design as a "railroad town" meant that saloons and brothels dominated

1947-774: The indoor roller-coaster ride, Fire in the Hole , at the Silver Dollar City theme park; it is a ride through a Bald Knobber theme, but not specifically grounded in any historical events. Starting in 2000, the White River Valley Historical Society in Forsyth began producing a "Law Day" festival, featuring a Bald Knobber pageant focusing on the Taney County Bald Knobber history. And finally, a documentary produced about

2006-598: The land that would eventually become the Oklahoma panhandle to the United States government. The area was known as " No Man's Land " because it belonged to no state or territorial government. From 1886 to 1890, it was a separate organized territory known as Cimarron Territory . After becoming part of the Oklahoma Territory in 1890, Beaver County (first called Seventh County) covered the entire Oklahoma Panhandle . At statehood in 1907, Cimarron County

2065-543: The law officially sought vengeance for Nat Kinney's untimely assassination. Sheriff Galba Branson enlisted the aide of an out-of-state bounty hunter named Ed Funk. Together they sought Billy Miles on the Fourth of July, 1889. After visiting several Independence Day celebrations, they finally found him at a spring with a group of men on the edge of the Kirbyville Picnic. They approached him with warning shots, and

2124-500: The law, claiming self-defense. The event made worldwide news, and Billy Miles was given full exoneration in very little time. Back in Christian County, the execution date came to bear on May 10, 1889. After a late night of prayer services and repentance, the next morning the three men were led out into an enclosed area and onto a scaffolding the sheriff built himself, despite not having any prior hanging experience in executing prisoners. After last-minute prayers and final goodbyes between

2183-438: The local level in Christian County. The Republicans hold all of the elected positions in the county. On May 20, 2015, Sheriff Joey Kyle plead guilty to embezzling county funds and participating in an illegal fraud scheme. As a part of a plea agreement, he immediately resigned as sheriff, was sentenced to one year plus one day in federal prison, and must repay more than $ 50,000 in restitution to Christian County. Christian County

2242-628: The marauding gangs, but the Bald Knobbers were to end up having their own excesses and criminal activities. In 1883, thirteen men led by Nat N. Kinney formed the group, in retaliation against the hordes of invading marauders that had plagued the area since the start of the Reconstruction Era . The original thirteen were Nat Kinney, James A. DeLong, Alonzo S. Prather, Yell Everett, James B. Rice, T.W. Phillips, James R VanZandt, Pat F. Fickle, Galba E. Branson, J. J. Brown, Charles H. Groom, James K. Polk McHaffie, and possibly Ben Price. During

2301-439: The minimum wage. Voters in Christian County from both political parties supported candidates who finished in second place in the state at large and nationally. Former Governor Mike Huckabee (R- Arkansas ) received more votes, a total of 5,852, than any candidate from either party in Christian County during the 2008 Missouri Presidential Preference Primary. Christian County currently has three public library branches that serve

2360-663: The most part had sided with the Union in the American Civil War , were opposed by the Anti-Bald Knobbers, who for the most part had sided with the Confederates . Hernando summarizes their political role: They began as a group dedicated to protecting life and property, aiding law enforcement officials in the apprehension of criminals, opposing corruption in local government, and punishing those who violated

2419-480: The night. So were James and Elizabeth's daughter Melvina who was sick with the measles, Melvina's husband, Charles Green and the Green children ages three years and three months. The Bald-Knobbers busted in the windows and splintered in the doors of the tiny cabin, spraying shotgun blasts as they intruded. In the gunshot exchange, William Edens and Charles Green were killed, James Edens seriously wounded from an axe blow to

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2478-408: The period of 1865–1882, over thirty murders were committed, none leading to a conviction. The group was called both the "Citizen's Committee" and "The Law and Order League" by its members. However, because their secret meetings were held atop a "bald" mountaintop (in order to keep a lookout for spies), the public began to refer to them as the Bald Knobbers. As their numbers grew into the hundreds, out of

2537-540: The population in Christian County to be within a five-mile radius of the library after all intended branches are opened. The Christian County chapter of the Bald Knobbers created the distinctive masks that the group has become known for, despite the original Taney County chapter never adopting such masks. This masked depiction is what would eventually be used in the book, The Shepherd of the Hills by Harold Bell Wright . The book would later be adapted to film and

2596-470: The population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 23.7% were of American , 21.1% German , 12.3% English and 11.3% Irish ancestry. There were 20,425 households, out of which 38.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.00% were married couples living together, 9.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.40% were non-families. 19.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.00% had someone living alone who

2655-511: The rail lines or old ones relocated along them. The 17,700 acres (7,200 ha) Beaver River WMA provides wildlife, hunting, fishing, boating, and swimming recreation. Meridian Cemetery is a cemetery that is located at 36°46′1.7″N 100°00′26.9″W  /  36.767139°N 100.007472°W  / 36.767139; -100.007472 in Beaver County. There are many unmarked graves and many lost graves. Originally known as Cline Cemetery, established sometime in 1893 or 1894, named after

2714-491: The situation. Upon arrival, although the representative was pleased to see the atmosphere of order that prevailed, he recommended to Kinney that an official dissolution of the Bald Knobbers would be in the best interest of the county. That next day a formal dissolution ceremony was held in the town square where the Bald Knobbers were publicly disbanded, having served their original purpose. Neighboring counties such as Christian , Douglas , Greene , and Stone had already adopted

2773-421: The social and religious mores of their community. In some places, the vigilantes gained much political influence, occupied key offices, and became effectively the ruling faction in local politics. They made many enemies, however, with whom they had several violent, sometimes fatal, confrontations. During the Civil War, Missouri as a border state was hard hit by neighbor against neighbor bushwhacker fighting. After

2832-449: The state —it failed in Christian County with 58.98 percent voting against the measure. The initiative narrowly passed the state with 51 percent of support from voters as Missouri became one of the first states in the nation to approve embryonic stem cell research . Despite Christian County's longstanding tradition of supporting socially conservative platforms, voters in the county have a penchant for advancing populist causes like increasing

2891-446: The vigilante gang. Kinney and his fellow Bald Knobbers held considerable pull in the county, and in no time Coggburn was shot and killed by Kinney in " self defense " outside the local church of Forsyth , where Kinney had gone to preach that night. In 1886, after gaining national notoriety from their exploits, and embarrassing state leaders, Missouri Governor John S. Marmaduke sent Adjutant General J.C. Jamison to Forsyth to investigate

2950-800: The vigilantes, featuring several reenactments, original locations, and descendants of either side, entitled Fire on the Mountain: Bald Knobbers as Heroes or Villains of the Ozarks Frontier? , premiered at several film festivals beginning in the spring of 2007 (winning the Gold Remi Award at Worldfest in Houston, TX), and had its television premiere on Jan. 13th, 2011, on the OPT Missouri PBS station as part of their Ozarks Reflections series. A feature film version

3009-475: The vigilantes. As the Christian County men awaited their fate in jail, old rivalries ran rampant. A group of Anti-Bald Knobbers, still unsatisfied with the outsider Kinney's intrusion into their community, met together and selected an assassin for their cause. In August 1888, farmer Billy Miles entered a store where Kinney was inventorying for the courts, and killed the ex-Bald Knobber leader with three shots from his pistol. He then stepped outside and surrendered to

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3068-521: The war the neighbor versus neighbor fighting continued throughout the state with perhaps the most famous being the actions of the James-Younger Gang . Authorities had a difficult time bringing the criminal fighting under control because both sides still held strong partisan supporters. Between 1865 and 1885, Taney County reported there were 40 murders and not a single suspect was ever convicted. The Bald Knobbers initially set out to put an end to

3127-501: The way up into the 1920s. Bald Knobber stories made headlines across the country at the time, and again as the original Bald Knobbers passed away. As early as 1887 the Bald Knobber story was already being translated into popular culture as a play titled The Bald Knob Tragedy of Taney and Christian Counties . The start of Branson-area and Taney County tourism began with the 1907 publication of Harold Bell Wright 's The Shepherd of

3186-417: Was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.90 males. The median income for a household in the county was $ 36,715, and the median income for a family was $ 41,542. Males had a median income of $ 31,013 versus $ 20,162 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 17,905. About 8.80% of families and 11.70% of the population were below

3245-620: Was 5,049. The county seat is Beaver . The name was given because of the presence of many beaver dams on the Beaver River , which runs through the area. It is located in the Oklahoma Panhandle . The land where Beaver County is located has been under several jurisdictions. At one time, it was part of Mexico and then Texas before Texas became a state of the United States. Then in the Compromise of 1850 , Texas ceded

3304-458: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.00. In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.80% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 31.70% from 25 to 44, 21.80% from 45 to 64, and 10.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.50 males. The median income for

3363-474: Was overtaken by wheat in the 1920s. Railroads connected the county to agricultural markets and stimulated an influx of new farmers. Beginning in 1912, the Wichita Falls and Northwestern Railway built a line from Woodward through Gate to Forgan. The Beaver, Meade and Englewood Railroad completed a spur in 1915 from Beaver to Forgan, which was extended westward in 1925–1927 to Hooker. New towns arose along

3422-432: Was taken from the western one-third, while Texas County was taken from the middle, leaving Beaver County only in the east. Its borders are now at 100°W (east), 37°N (north), 36.5°N (south), and approximately 100.8°W (west). According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 1,818 square miles (4,710 km ), of which 1,815 square miles (4,700 km ) is land and 2.8 square miles (7.3 km ) (0.2%)

3481-440: Was the fastest-growing county in the state and one of the fastest growing ones in the nation as the county became more suburban due to the booming growth in Springfield . According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 564 square miles (1,460 km ), of which 563 square miles (1,460 km ) is land and 1.2 square miles (3.1 km ) (0.2%) is water. The county is drained by James River and branches of

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