With an eye like and eagle and as tall as a mountain was he."
Those words probably sound familiar to you, provided you're about my age. Taken from a song written about the legendary Daniel Boone for a television show starring Fess Parker. Growing up Daniel Boone and Davey Crockett were my heroes. Today's children don't really have such heroes. I even had a coonskin cap I loved to wear. Not knowing then, as I do know that Daniel Boone never wore a coonskin cap. Boy was my bubble burst.
**click on picture to enlarge and to read captions
Daniel Boone most generally associated with Kentucky, fighting Indians, founding Boonesborough, and blazing the Wilderness Road through The Cumberland Cap spent his elder years in Missouri. St. Charles County. He moved there prior to Missouri becoming a part of The United States ( in 1804) . The territory was still Spanish Louisiana at the time. He left Kentucky frustrated after losing his legal battles and his land claims. The Spanish Governor gave him land and title in Missouri.
He was a Militia Officer in The American Revolution, a surveyor, merchant, and land speculator. Much of what is known about the man comes for folklore, some of it true some of it fabricated. He was captured by and adopted by The Shawnee Indians in 1778, but escaped and continued his fight against them. Perhaps it was during his stay with The Shawnee that he perfected his hunting skills for which is was famous?
He died at his home there in Missouri, was buried there without a marker with his wife Rebecca. The graves remained unmarked from his death in 1820 until 1830. Kentucky ultimately claimed he belonged back in Kentucky and exhumed the body in 1845-reburial took place in Frankfort, Kentucky were a memorial still stands. However, Missourians knew there had been an error made when the marker was placed in 1830, knew Kentuckians hadn't gotten Daniel Boone; and said nothing. At least that's what's been documented by friends and of family of Daniel Boone. Both states claiming a right to have his body, both claiming he belonged there. Then in 1983 a forensic anthropologist examined the remains in Kentucky and claimed the skull matched that of a black women. It is believed this was one of the slaves who had been buried in the family cemetery in Missouri. The conclusion being Daniel and his wife Rebecca are still buried together in their home in Missouri.
You can tour the entire village there in Missouri, St. Charles County and I highly recommend you do. The drive is beautiful, soft rolling hills as you make your way from St. Louis for an easy day trip. A wonderful gift shop so you can purchase a souvenir of your day exists. Picnic under the shade of tree, and take the guided tour it's very well done and quite educational.
**Some lesser known facts about Daniel Boone
- He was a Quaker, but due to his father being ousted by the church never again attended a service
- He was given his first rifle at the age of 12
- He never wore a coonskin cap
- He was elected to The Virginia General Assembly
- Two of his sibblings married non-Quakers, which is why his father was ousted when he stood up for them. One was a brother of Daniel's, and one a sister who not only married a non-Quaker, but was in the family way at the time she married.
