Manuscript Location

The State Historical Society of Missouri, Columbia Research Center

Place of Origin

United States ➔ Missouri

Date of Composition

1856-1890

Description

This item is part of the library's Charles B. France papers, which document the activities of a St. Joseph, Missouri, family that participated in the settlement of the West and in the Civil War. As a young man Charles France (1835-1895) was an agent in the Denver office of the Overland Stage Lines. He and his brothers lived in mining camps in California, Montana, and Denver and Central City, Colorado, and were involved in schemes to make money. Charles France later became a millionaire banker in St. Joseph and a leading citizen of the city.

Martha McDonald (1842-1911) married Charles France in 1864. The couple had four children. Prior to her marriage Martha kept a diary covering the years 1856-1863. The diary describes her life as a southern sympathizer during the Civil War while living in Andrew County, Missouri, which had many Union supporters and was occupied by federal troops. Entries contain family news, as well as comments on Civil War battles, injuries and deaths, prisoners, and loyalty oaths. Also included are recipes, poems, and essays. A portion of the diary was written by a sister of Martha.