1940-1949 Theses (MU)
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Item The history of the Knapheide Wagon Co.(University of Missouri--Columbia, 1941) Condron, Harry David"The parallel between the Knapheide Wagon Co. and the wagon industry as a whole is worth noting. The Knapheide Co. started as an association between two skilled workmen, a wagon maker and a blacksmith; with little or no capital, as did practically all of the other firms in the wagon industry. It kept pace with the curve upward of the wagon industry as a whole until 1909 and then followed that curve downward to the depths of despair in 1931. It was one of seventy-five still doing business that year. In other words it rode the crest of a wave and when the bubble burst found itself facing a very dismal future. The wagon industry as a whole both influenced and was influenced by the expansion of population into the Middle West and Far West. Without wagons this expansion would have been virtually impossible because until the middle of the nineteenth century brought the railroad, no other means of transportation existed except the waterways. Even after the coming of the railroads, wagons were absolutely necessary to haul the products of farm and factory either to market direct or to a railroad station. On the other hand the wagon industry was made possible by the expansion of the population. As the latter grew in the Middle and Far West the demand for wagons grew and the industry as a whole expanded, including the company under discussion. The Knapheide Co. was clearly affected by both wars and depressions. The total volume of business was very seriously out down by the depressions of 1873, 1922, and 1929. On the other hand the price of wagons was very definitely raised by the two major wars in which the United States was engaged during the period under discussion: namely the Civil War and World War I. The history of the Knapheide Co. clearly demonstrates the ability of a small corporation to adjust itself to changing conditions. In making the changes which later proved successful, the managers of the firm showed resilience, initiative, and foresight. At each stage when new methods were needed the younger men in managerial positions were able and willing to adopt them. However, it should be clearly pointed out that it was only the strong financial backing of many thousands of dollars which carried the company through the last depression and placed it on the first rung of the ladder of success with a new product -- truck bodies and trailers. The labor policy was consistent throughout the almost one hundred years of the history of this venerable firm. Unions were consistently resisted, but the men were treated fairly and even kindly at times, paid wages as good or better than average, and considered by successive managers of the firm as their friends as well as employees. The parallel between the firm today and ninety-three years ago is interesting. Then it was a new venture with little or no capital, wagons were made only on order and were custom built. Today in 1941 the assets of the firm have been reduced to a minimum, it is practically a new venture, the truck bodies and trailer bodies are virtually all made on order and are practically all custom manufactured. The only exceptions are grain bodies and stock rack bodies. Is the Knapheide Mfg. Co. going to repeat the history of the Knapheide Wagon Co. and ride the crest of a new era in the field of transportation? Only time can tell the answer to that, but the author most sincerely wishes it good fortune."--Conclusion.Item State police jurisdiction in the United States(University of Missouri--Columbia, 1947) Evans, Chester Alva"At the outset of this study of the present jurisdiction of each of the state police organizations of the Unites States, it will be worthwhile to consider some of the factors which brought the state trooper into the state law enforcement picture. It is also necessary to review briefly the past and present duties of the sheriff. In doing this, it must be remembered that a complete analysis of the authority of the sheriff is beyond the scope of this study, for the intention is to suggest that the present day sheriff, because of the numerous duties imposed on him, could not hope to solve today's law enforcement problem. Since the state police often exercise authority similar to that of the sheriff, the duties of the sheriff as a peace officer require a brief survey." --Introduction.Item Place names of five southeast counties of Missouri(University of Missouri--Columbia, 1944) Zimmer, Gertrude Minnie...This sixteenth study, a continuation of the project, covers one of the most interesting sections of the state. The district of the Sainte Genevieve was one of the political divisions in what is now Missouri during the French and Spanish occupations and under the American territorial government until 1812. It is difficult to indicate the boundaries; however, this district may be said to have been bounded on the east by the Mississippi, on the north by the Meramec, and on the south by the Apple Creek. At first it extended west indefinitely, but later the Meramec seeems to have been set as the western limit. The five counties treated in this study are included entirely or in part in this division: all of Ste. Genevieve, St. Francois, and Washington, the greater part of Crawford, and a considerable part of Iron. This section of the state is rich in history, and to make a study of its place names is to learn much of the early days of settlement and accomplishment in the state...Pages ii-iii.Item The Civil War experiences of General M. Jeff Thompson in 1861(University of Missouri--Columbia, 1941) Westover, John Glendower"Only the first year of Jeff Thompson's account of his Civil War experiences is included in this study. His reminiscences, however, run from January 1, 1861, to June 6, 1865, covering his military career in considerable detail. The year 1861 was selected for detailed study because by checking the accuracy of one section against the official record, the validity of the whole document can likely be determined. Also by close study of a part, an estimate can be made of the value of the whole document as an instrument of historical research. While Thompson's reminiscences check very well with the official records, they still contribute material which cannot be located in the official records. The official records concentrate on operations, orders, and correspondence but usually omit organization, discipline of troops, elections of officers, and "off the record" material of various types. The entire manuscript is divided into five parts, each covering a single year of the war. 1861 is the one best suited for a detailed study because it is the most self-contained unit, includes more material on the organization and administration of irregular Confederate troops, and is the year when Thompson was most active from a military standpoint... "--Page [1].Item British outlook on America, 1800-1850(University of Missouri--Columbia, 1942) Steel, Ruth MarjorieThe British Outlook on America offers an interesting field for study and one in which there is a vast amount of material both in books and periodicals. This subject has been treated in such works as The English Traveller in America 1785-1835 (1922) by Jane Louise Mesiok and American Social History as Recorded by British Travellers (1934) by Allan Nevins. In this study, however, the material for most of the observations and conclusions is taken from the leading English periodicals, while the two books mentioned are based more upon the books of travel. The period of 1800 to 1850 was selected for several reasons. This first half of the nineteenth century brought out many antagonistic writings by the English and sharp retorts from the Americans. Also, the great party periodicals originated during the first decades of this century. These magazines probably influenced the reading public and molded the opinions of the British more than the books of travel. The study has been ended in 1850 largely because after that date the slavery issue overshadowed all others, and the British tended to lose interest in other aspects of American life.--Preface.