Newton County saw considerable military activity
during the Civil War. In 1862, a rump session of the Missouri
Legislature fled to Neosho and, led by Governor….., voted to secede
from the Union. This “rebel legislature” met in the Masonic Hall
which was on the northeast corner of the Square. It vote of succession
was not considered valid because there were not enough legislators in
attendance to constitute a quorum.
Numerous skirmishes and small-scale fights were
carried on throughout the county. In one of these fights much of the
Neosho Square, including the courthouse, was burned. Much fighting
occurred at Granby, as both sides wanted control of the lead mines in
that community.
Two major battles were fought in Newtonia.
Portions of those battlegrounds are now held by a non-profit group,
the Newtonia Battlefields Protection Association. This group also owns
the Matthew Ritchey Mansion, a home that stood during both battles in
Newtonia and served, at various times, as a headquarters and field
hospital.
Two markers which note the rebel legislative
session are located on the north lawn of the Newton County Courthouse
in Neosho. A miners museum in Granby tells about lead mining during
the Civil War. In Newtonia, visitors may visit portions of the two
battlefields as well as the Ritchey family farm and cemetery, a large
stone centennial commemorative highway marker, and the “Old Newtonia
Cemetery” which contains civil war-era graves.
