Bates County News

Thursday, September 3, 2026

Papinville Picnic set for September 26

 The Papinville history release  will take you through the years when Papinville became a town. Then it was burned down in 1863 due to Order #11.


The town was named Papinville and has had several different ways it has been spelled.  Some people put an "s" (Papinsville) while others put double "pp" (Pappinville). The correct spelling is Papinville.

The organization worked for a few years getting the original spelling right on the road signs and the Missouri map.


The town was named after Melicourt Papin who came to Papinville from St. Louis along with Michael Geraud. They bother were fur traders for the American Fur Co located in Papinville. Papin bought land south of Harmony Mission that george Pierce owned. He gave 70 acres to build the town of Papinville. The town streets were named and the names are still being used for the residents addresses that live in Papinville. Property was designated for school ground and cemetery. The streets were wider (from 85 to 60 feet) with alleyways 20 feet wide. It is hard to believe that at one time the Papinville population was 700.



When people started coming back to Papinville after the Civil War, Andrew Jackson gave six blocks to the southeast of town for a new addition.


Next, we'll move to the timeline starting with the founding of Papinville in 1847:
1847 - April 5 Plat of Papinville town recorded. Selected to be Bates County seat by vote of the people.
1848 - Feb. 17 Post Office changed from Batesville to Papinville. Hewn log courthouse built at Papinville.
1850 - Old Mission house bought by T. Scroggins and moved to Papinville.
1851 - Dr. Samuel Nottingham murders his wife. First trial and hanging in Papinville.
1852 County court ordered a bridge to be built over Marias Des Cygnes river. It is believed to have been built by Frank Diehl.
Nov. 16 - Bates County Court orders brick courthouse to be built at the cost of $2,500.
1853 - Brick courthouse was built. Benjamin Richardson is the owner of a portable grist mill. Was burnt by Jim Lane in 1861. A. Boughan succeeds Freeman Barrows as county clerk.
1854 Court appointed Barrows as Judge. Border warfare between anti-slavery Kansas and pro-slave Missouri begins.
1855 - Nevada becomes the county seat of Vernon County. Last term of court held in Papinville.
1858 - Marias Des Cygne massacre.
1861 - Jan. 29 Kansas admitted to the Union as a free state. Civil War begins. General Lane and troops burned the courthouse, bridge and other buildings in Papinville.
1863 - Aug. 25 Order #11 Papinville and Bates County was completely burned. Only house left standing was the Klinksick house which is still standing today.
1865 - April 9 Civil War ended. Confederates surrendered.


Next week the timeline will start with 1866-1952. Papinville is getting ready for the big day. Will let you know next week about the activities and timeline for events. The picture at the bottom of this article is showing you the patriotic quilt that will be given away and the shirts that we are selling at the picnic.
This year we are having three meats for our dinner. Brisket, chicken and fish plus all the trims. Come and eat the feast on Sept. 26th starting at 1:30-? Dinner will be served at 5:30.
Until next week.     Submitted by Phyllis Stewart




Log Cabin Festival Harrisonville