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Note: Sarah "Sallie's" sister, Olive Vanarsdall, was married to a McBride. Perhaps that is how James got his middle name. This could be James McBride Armstrong, as the family fled to Richmond, MO in 1863. Military: Name: ARMSTRONG, JAMES M, Rank: Private Conflict: Civil War Side: Union Type of Unit: Organization: Enrolled Missouri Militia Name of Unit: 51st Regiment E.M.M. Alternate Unit Name: Company: G Period of Service: July 24, 1864 in Richmond, MO to October 4, 1864 Commander: Note: 72 days of service Record Group: Office of Adjutant General Series Title: Record of Service Card, Civil War, 1861-1865 Box: 2 Reel: s793 Missouri Marriages, 1851-1900 Name: James Armstrong Spouse: Sallie Miller Marriage Date: 18 Dec 1866 County: Jackson State: MO 1870 United States Federal Census Fort Osage Township, Jackson County, Missouri enumerated August 12, 1870 Dwelling #170 Family #170 Post Office: Napoleon City Household Members: Name Age J M Armstrong 26, m/w, farmer/$200, born in KY Sarah Armstrong 21, f/w, keeps house, born in VA Hattie L Armstrong 1, f/w, born in MO (Note: I am not sure this is James M. Armstrong. It appears to be except for the daughter Hattie L. who I know nothing about. Hattie may have died before 1880. Daughter Sarah Ella was born after this census was taken. Jame's sister, Luemma Hedrick, named her daughter born in 1875 Harriet "Hattie" Lee Hedrick.) Armstrong, James M. Gender: Male Spouse: Elizabeth M. Roberson Marriage Date: Oct 19, 1875 County: Jackson More About: This record can be found at the County Court Records, Film # 1019759 - 1019763 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ID: I38834724 Name: James M. ARMSTRONG Given Name: James M. Surname: Armstrong Sex: M Birth: in MO MARL: Oct. 19, 1875 Marriage 1 Elizabeth RIDER b: 1843 in MO Note: Elizabeth Rider and Elizabeth Roberson are the same individual. Rider was her maiden name. 1880 Census, Belton, Cass County, Missouri enumerated June 8, 1880 Dwelling #111, Family #117 ARMSTRONG, J. M., head, m/w, 36, KY KY KY, city marshall ___________, E. E., wife, f/w, 36, keeping house - confinment, MO KY TN ___________, Ellie, daughter, f/w, 8, MO KY MO (this is Sarah Ella dau of James' 1st wife, Sallie Miller) ___________, George, son, m/w, 3, MO KY MO (this is his daughter, Georgia) ___________, J. W., son, m/w, 1, MO KY MO ___________, Magie, daughter, f/w, 12/365, MO KY MO KING, Martha, help, f/w, 17, KS MO OH Kansas City Times, Kansas City, Missouri, Sunday, August 8, 1886 A CHILDREN'S QUARREL'S RESULT. John Wilson Shot and Fatally Injured by James Armstrong at Independence. James Armstrong, a hack driver, and John Wilson, an engineer at the water works in Independence, engaged in an altercation in that suburb last night which resulted in the former shooting and probably fatally wounding the latter. Both men reside with their families near the corner of Main and Short streets nearly opposite the Lexington Street depot, and have heretofore been on friendly relations. The cause of the ??ffray originated with the children of the two men, who became engaged in a fight while at play. when Wilson and Armstrong came home at night some hot words ensured, and Armstrong, who was standing on the outside, Wilson being on the inside of the latter's yard, reached under the seat of hishack, pulled out a revolver and fired a shot at Wilson which took effect just above the heart. Wilson rushed out and clinched his assailant, who fired two additional shots, one of which took effect under the left shoulder blade. The report of the revolver attracted a large number of people, among whom was Mr. Chadburn, who immediately seized Armstrong and threw him to the ground. Armstrong then attempted to shoot Chadburn, but his revolver missed fire, whereupon Chadburn wrenched the weapon from his hands and retained it in his possession. Armstrong then started up town and was met by Deputy Marshal Phillips and placed under arrest. He was taken to the county jail and locked up and the jailer would allow no one to see him except his lawyer, who advised him not to talk. Dr. Bedford was called to attend the wounds of Wilson and after an examination concluded he would not extract the bullets. The weapon used was of the English Bulldog pattern, 44 calibre. The wounds are considered serious and are likely to prove fatal. Newspaper article published in the Kansas City Star, August 9, 1886 A Children's Quarrel Espoused by Their Parents and Ending in Murder John Wilson, by trade a plumber, and residing at Independence, died yesterday afternoon as the result of two shots fired at him the previous night by James M. Armstrong, mail carrier and hack driver, of the same place. During Saturday the children of the two men, and subsequently their wives, had quarreled over some trifling matter, and bitter feeling was the result. The men met about 7:30 Saturday evening, Armstrong as he was passing Wilson's house made some remark which caused the latter to step from his porch out into the road. Armstrong, therefore, at once drew his revolver and fired twice, one bullet piercing Wilson in the left breast and the other in the left shoulder. Armstrong then walked into town and surrendered himself to the officers, merely remarking as he did so that there had been a shooting scrape. He was formerly a member of Quantrill's rangers, and was regarded as a hard citizen. Wilson's reputation among his neighbors was good. An inquest was held today at Independence on the remains of Wilson. A verdict of death at the hands of James Armstrong was rendered and the jury recommended that the latter be held for examination. Newspaper rticle in the Kansas City Star, August 9, 1986 INDEPENDENCE The Coroner's inquest on the body of John Wilson, who was short Saturday evening by James Armstrong and died yesterday evening, was commenced this morning at 8 o'clock. Dr. T. W. Bedford made a post-mortem examination and found that the ball which struck Wilson in the left breast had entered just above the heart, struck the backbone, then glanced downward, barely grazing the lung. The second shot struck the deceased in the left shoulder, and was found wedged between the bones. The wife of the deceased, who is in a very critical condition, was yesterday moved to the home of a friend on Kansas street. James Armstrong is a son of Mr. John Armstrong, who is a peaceable, quiet and respected citizen. Wilson was buried this morning by the Waggoner post G.A.R. No. 31, from his late residence. Newspaper article in the Kansas City Star, August 11, 1886 ARMSTRONG ARRAIGNED At Independence for the Shooting of John Wilson. James R. Armstrong, the slayer of John Wilson, was brought before Justice Purcell this morning at 11 o'clock to have a preliminary examination of his case. Notwithstanding the court room was crowded and all eyes were turned toward him when he entered, he showed no signs of excitement or nervousness, but conducted himself in a manner that would lead one to believe that he felt confident that he was in the right and that he would be cleared of the heinous crime for which he is arrested. Mr. T. W. Chatburn was put upon the stand first and was taken through a very severe cross-examination by Mr. Wallace, as were also the other witnesses for the state. Mr. John Armstrong, the father of the defendant, was present also. He is quite an old man, and from his appearance shows too clearly the sad effect of the sorrow and trouble brought so suddenly and unexpectedly upon him. The trial no doubt will occupy the whole of the afternoon and will perhaps develop into a bailable case. Newspaper article in the Kansas City Times, August 11, 1886 ARMSTRONG'S INQUEST Acting Coroner Horace Sheeley called a jury at Independence yesterday to investigate the death of John Wilson, who was shot and killed by James Armstrong at that place Saturday last. Mr. James Peacock was the first witness sworn. He testified to arriving on the scene of the affray after the shots had been fired and saw that Armstrong was greatly excited, but did not see any pistol in his hand. Mr. T. W. Chatburn, Edward Haymond, Willie Haymond, George D. Shultz, Frank Chadburn and Dr. T. D. Bedford testified as to the shooting and the location of the wounds, their testimony being substantially in accordance with the facts as heretofore published in THE TIMES. The coroner's jury recommended that Armstrong be held for further proceedings upon the charge of firing the shots which caused Wilson's death. Newspaper article in the Kansas City Times, August 12, 1886 ARMSTRONG'S EXAMINATION The Slayer of John Wilson Held in the Sum of $5,000--No New Facts Elicited. The preliminary examination of James Armstrong, charged with the shooting of John Wilson last Saturday evening at 7:30, and from the effects of which Wilson died at 5:55 Sunday afternoon, took place in the criminal court room at Independence yesterday. The time set for the hearing was 10 a.m., but on account of the non-arrival of the prosecuting attorney and defendant's attorney the commencement of the hearing did not take place until 11 a.m. The examination was held before Justice Purcell, B. L. Woodson for the state and W. H. Wallace for the defendant were the attorneys engaged in the case. No new evidence was developed in the examination. The testimony was in substance the same as given before the coroner's jury. The prisoner, Jame's Armstrong, after the evidence was all in, was by Justice Purcell, at 4 p.m., bound over to appear before the grand jury, which meets on August 23, on the charge of murder in the second degree. This makes the case a bailable one, and the bond was fixed at $5,000. It is generally understood that the prisoner's father, John Armstrong, with friends, will go security and Armstrong will be released, perhaps today. Newspaper article in the Kansas City Times, March 1, 1887 OPENING OF THE CRIMINAL COURT The February term of the criminal court convened at Independence yesterday, but on account of the sickness of Prosecuting Attorney Woodson, and his not appearing, nothing but routine business was transacted. Judge White in his instructions to the grand jury gave briefly the work the court expected of them, and also defined the crimes they were in duty bound as jurymen to investigate. The first case docketed was that of the state vs. James Armstrong for the killing of John Wilson at Independence last summer. The defendant filed a motion for special vo?ire. Newspaper article in the Kansas City Star, March 2, 1887 CRIMINAL COURT CASES When the criminal court convened at Independence yesterday morning it was announced that Prosecuting Attorney Woodson was ill, and the Armstrong murder case was therefore continued until March 4. Newspaper article in the Kansas City Star, March 9, 1887 IN CRIMINAL COURT. The Armstrong murder trial is still in progress. Newspaper article in the Kansas City Star, March 10, 1887 CRIMINAL COURT. The jury in the Armstrong murder case at Independence is still out. Instructions were asked for and given to them by Judge White this morning. Newspaper article in the Kansas City Star, March 11, 1887 IMPRISONED a YEAR for KILLING a MAN At 11 o'clock last night the jury in the Armstrong murder case, which went out Wednesday, returned a verdict of fourth degree manslaughter and fixed the penalty at one year's imprisonment in the county jail. Armstrong killed his neighbor, John Wilson, on Aug. 7, 186, in a quarrel arising out of a dispute between their children. Newspaper article in the Kansas City Times, March 11, 1887 LIGHTLY PUNISHED ARMSTRONG CONVICTED OF FOURTH DEGREE MANSLAUGHTER. He Gets One Year in the County Jail In the case of James R. Armstrong, charged with the murder of John Wilson at Independence, as stated in yesterday's TIMES, the case was given to the jury at 12 o'clock Wednesday night, and after being out until 5:45 last evening, they were brought in a gave their verdict, which was as follows: "We, the jury in the above case, find the defendant guilty of manslaughter in the fourth degree, and assess his punishment at one year in the county jail." Newspaper Article Kansas City Times, March 3, 1988 INDEPENDENCE Items of Interest to the Residents of That Suburb John Armstrong, the hack driver, who was sentenced to the county jail for one year for killing James Wilson, a neighbor, on Short street in 1886, on account of a family row, was released yesterday, having served his term of imprisonment. (Note: the given name of Armstrong should be James and the given name of Wilson should be John) Newspaper Article Kansas City Times, February 28, 1889 NEWS, NOTES AND PERSONAL GOSSIP FROM ACROSS HE BLUE. The following are the real estate transfers filed yesterday: John W. Rider to Silas H. Gibson, undivided 1/8 of 52 acres, south end, w. hf., nw. (20), 1/8 se., nw., sec. 17, tp. 40, r. 30.....................................$350 Elizabeth E. Armstrong and husband to Miley Rider, undivided 1/8 of 52 acres, south end, w. hf., nw. (20), 1/8 se., nw., sec, 17, tp, 49, r. 30.............$350 Newspaper Article Kansas City Times, November 25, 1890 INDEPENDENCE Items of Interest to the Residents of That Suburb Mr. James F. Armstrong is dangerously ill at his residence, and the physicians say he can not recover. Newspaper Article Kansas City Times, December 4, 1890 INDEPENDENCE Items of Interest to the Residents of That Suburb The funeral services of Mr. James Armstrong took place at the Cumberland Presbyterian church yesterday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Note: These articles caught my attention due to these facts: 1. Our James M. Armstrong's date of death is undetermined but apparently died between February 18, 1889 and February 9, 1891 considering the listing below. 2. It is believed Thomas Armstrong rode with Quantrill's rangers at the time of the attack on Lawrence. If so, James being his older brother may have rode with Quantrill's rangers also. 3. John R. Armstrong was associated with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. January 24, 1889: He is listed as living in Jackson County, MO in the Estate settlement of his father. February 28, 1889: He is listed as husband of Elizabeth Armstrong in selling of property. February 9, 1891: His portion went to the widow of James Armstrong, dec'd in the final settlement of John R. Armstrong's estate. 1900 Census: His wife, Lizzie, listed as a widow, was living with her daughter Georgia & her husband, James Roberts in Lafayette County, Missouri. December 16, 2010 - Information below received from: MISSOURI STATE ARCHIVES Office of the Secretary of State 600 West Main, PO Box 1747 Jefferson City, MO 65102 ww.sos.mo.gov/archives Attn: ArchRef Record Group=Jackson County Probate Court, 1828-1899 Series=Probate Court Case Files File Name=Armstrong, James M. Date Filed=1891 County=Jackson Proceedings=Estate Case Summary=Will not included. Location=Folder 6, Microfilm Reel Number C38914, Box 33 Case Number=1597 Estate of James M. Armstrong, dec'd. Filed Jan'y 12, 1891 H. P. Hersperger, Clerk In The matter of the Estate of James M. Armstrong, dec'd. }In the Probate Court of }Jackson Coounty at Independence }Nov Term 1890 Now comes petitioner and states to the court that she is the widow and relict of James M. Armstrong deceased late of the County of Jackson. That her said husband departed this life on the 1st day of Dec. 1890 leaving as his sole heirs and representatives this petitioner and five children aged as follow. The oldest 19 years of age and four minors aged 14-11-10 & 9 respectively. That deceased owned at the time of his death household and kitchen furniture valued at about Fifty - dollars.-- Deceased also had coming to him from the estate of his father Jno R. Armstrong about the sum of Twenty Five dollars. Dec'd debts amount to about fifty-dollars being for expenses of last sickness and funeral expenses. Petitioner Therefore ______that as there is no more property left by deceased than is allowed the widow and minor children ___ also lists property that no letters of administration issue on said estate but that this petitioner be authorized to collect all amounts due deceased and receipt for same and pay all debts of deceased as far as the assets will extend and for which petition will ever pay for. Signed: Lizzie Armstrong Subsequent & seen to before me July 11, 91 J. E. Garrette Judge I have been unable to locate a place of burial for James McBride Armstrong.
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