Annals of Platte County, Missouri - Paxton
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1864, JULY. 367 JULY 10, 1864. JULY. July 1 - Austrailian Circus at Weston. Bushwhackers are in camp four miles from Weston. July 4 - The mail robbed by bushwhackers between Weston and Camden Point. There are two companies of Home Guards at Weston, under Captains Gilbert and Shelsky, but the alarm is so great that Gen. Curtis sends three companies from the Fort, for their protection. July 7 - William Schaback's house, six miles from Weston, is burned, and he is wounded by a shot in the arm. Good rains, which were badly needed. Weather. JULY 10, 1864, AT PLATTE CITY. July 10 - Thornton at length makes an open demonstration. At 8 a. 111. it was announced that Coon Tl1o-r11ton and 400 busl1- whackers were two miles east of Platte City, and would soon en- ter. Tl1e stores were closed and all was still. The "Pawpaws" were gone, and Capt. Johnston 1o11nged on the street, witl1 no man to do him reverence. I shall stand a.t 111) post," he said. though two-thirds of my men have deserted. Tl1e) have gone over to tl1e enemy, a.11d the other third, through fear, have ed. I have notl1~ ing to do but to report. He ren1ai11ed in tow11 while Tl1ornton was here, and when he left. he went witl1 Maj. Clark to Weston. to report. Both were p11t in the guard-house. THORNTON ENTERS. At 10 o'clock Thornton and his mounted "Four Hundred" slowly entered Platte City. No opposition was made. Only one Confederate flag was waved. and scarcely anyone fled. The cit- izens, generally. remained at home. LAWSON HOLMES STORE LOOTED In the afternoon I we11t over 011 Main Street. About 2 oclock the men broke open Lawson Ho1n1es dry goods store in the Swaney building. situated where Wells ha11king house now stands. A crowd of men, and some women. entered, and bore off armfuls of goods. Many men appeared in completely new suits. My office was i11 the building. I saw load after load of goods carried off. Two stout strangers with axes attacked the money safe. One. with great muscular power, struck the (1l.l(l{ at one side of the door and the otlier struck in the same crack - and in two minutes the safe was bursted. They were disappointed. as only books were found.