Past Events of Scott County

Saturday May 19 at the "old Morley Cemetery" a ceremony was held to dedicate the placement of grave monuments honoring the Civil War service of three men interred on this site.

The ceremony honored service of James, Steven and Alexander Bourwell. Three brothers born in Gallatin County, IL and spent their adult life in Scott Co., MO.

The dedication was attended by about 50 people including the Mayor, City Councilman and members of the Cemetery Committee. The cemetery is well kept and a tribute to the work and dedication of the Committee and the City. Mrs. Virginia Peck, President of the Jefferson Davis Chapter of the Daughters of the Confederacy dedicated the grave markers, an honor guard from the sons of the confederate veterans performed the military honors. The program featured remarks by Wade Amelung President of the Morley Community Betterment Association, Steve Harris, the County Commissioner of the district, Kenny Tidwell, Mayor of Morley and others. This dedication was a lesson in history as well as a chance to honor the military service of the Boutwells. Hopefully it will be the first of other honoring veterans of all military service in our county.

Scott County Special Event

An interesting footnote to our Scott County history is taking place in Morley, Missouri at 11:00 am on May 19, 2007.

Steve Harris, descendant of the Boutwell family and other family members are placing new stones at the gravesites of James, Steven, and Alexander Boutwell in the Old Morley Cemetery on Saturday May 19, 2007.

Attendants of the Memorial Service will include, Kerry Tidwell, Mayor of Morley and the City Aldermen; Scott County commissioners; and Joel Evans, County Economic Development among others. Trumpet solos will be given by Darren Steelman during the ceremony. Also present will be members of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis Chapter 2595 and Sons of Confederate Veterans; Major James D. Utz Camp 1815 of Florissant, Mo who will be in period dress and will place wreaths on the graves of the veterans.

The Boutwell family was among the earliest settlers of Scott County. They lived in and around Morley at the time the War Between the States broke out. Being of Southern sympathy, the brothers James, Steven, and Alexander joined the Confederate forces (Company H, 8th Regiment, Missouri Calvary).

They were reportedly members of a Confederate raiding party on October 19, 1862 when it removed merchandise from an establishment in Commerce, Missouri owned by Mr. William Burgess.

In March of 1870, James Boutwell was appointed a trustee of the newly incorporated village of Morley along with Henry Wadsworth, George R. Wilson, B.V. Yardell and L. O'Brien.

These and other early settlers and Veterans of both Union and Confederate forces lie along side veterans of WWI, WWII, Korea, and Vietnam at rest in the Old Morley Cemetery and other cemeteries around Scott County. You are invited to visit these hallowed grounds and remember the sacrifices our forefathers made so that we can enjoy the peace we have today in our Land of the Free.

For Additional Information you may contact:

Wade Amelung, President of Citizens for a Better Community