A Sobering Thought!

It Recently Occurred to Us That This Might Be the Longest Period of Time That Our Town Hasn't Had a "Watering Hole."

Minutes of April 21, 1869 Osage Mission Trustee's Meeting. Click to Enlarge.

The Osage Catholic Mission was founded just over 172 years ago in April of 1847.  By the late '60's the Osage were leaving Kansas, the original government mission was winding down and Father John Schoenmakers was starting a new endeavor; his "Mission Town" known as Osage Mission.

In March of 1868 Father John started the Mission Town Company comprised of himself and a group of trusted businessmen.  By April of 1869 the town was platted with a central business district and residential areas.  On April 10, 1869, the trustees of the Osage Mission Town conducted its first meeting and started the process of being incorporated under Kansas law.

Eleven days later, on April 21, 1868, a special meeting of the trustees was called to review and approve two petitions requesting licenses to operate dram houses, or Saloons, within the new city.  Both were approved.

It cannot be said that the mostly immigrant settlers of Osage Mission didn't have their priorities. [1]

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We Are Missing Something.
This spring, as we are watching the "Dugout" bar transition into the "Refuge Patio and Grill" it occurs to us that this might be the longest period of time that our fair city has been without a watering hole.  Thanks to Melinda and Perry O'Brien for keeping some brews flowing, with a friendly visiting spot, along with their delicious chicken and barbecue dinners.  But their store is .... well ... too well lit and a little small for a pool table — and maybe too darned neat .... and orderly ... and quiet.

St. Paul really needs to get a proper Dram Shop going again!

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Some Reference Information:
1. A review of the Annals of Osage Mission suggests there was an earlier saloon here.  On April 2, 1867, the first county license to operate a saloon was issued with John M. Roycroft as master of ceremonies.   Roycroft was a local farmer, businessman and real estate man.  

2.  For more information about the earliest days of the town of Osage Mission, follow THIS LINK.

3.  In looking though David O'Bryan's Annals of St. Paul, The Swan Song* there seems to be no shortage of pool halls and bars here during the 20th century.  "Boots", "Bradshaw Recreation Parlor", "Mac & Boots", "McAtee Recreation Parlor" and "Pastime" are mentioned.  And these do not include "Ben's Pool Hall" or the VFW that many of us remember.

*  David O'Bryan's "Annals of St. Paul: The Swan Song for the St. Paul Journal"  includes St. Paul Journal newspaper clips from July 2, 1936 through the newspaper's closing on November 16, 1961. There are a lot of St. Paul memories in the book.

​The 517 book is available in hardback.   Books may be purchased for $40, plus $5 for out-of-town purchases.  You can order a book, or get more information at: [email protected].