THE RAPE OF

HOWELL AND HAMBURG, MISSOURI

(An American Tragedy)

by

Donald K. Muschany

COPYRIGHT © 1978 BY DONALD K. MUSCHANY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Organizing a Citizens Committee

     As the word spread that the Government was going to acquire vast acreage in the area, there was great concern for the welfare of the family unit; how the land was to be acquired; and, when the land would be paid for. Practically everything was based on hearsay.

“. . . . a committee was formed to represent the property owners in the area in which the TNT plant was to be built, the chairman of that committee, being in doubt as to who represented the Government and had authority to negotiate for option contracts, wired the Secretary of War making inquiry on that subject, and received in reply to his telegram a telegram from the Secretary of War, which is set forth in the record herein, and which read as follows:

‘Nov 9  110P

ER Sutton Citizens Committee

St. Charles Mo

Reurtel Oct Twenty Eight Weldon Springs Mo. Area Has Been Approved By War Dept for Munitions Plant Site Stop Property Will Be Purchased By Mister R. Newton McDowell And Agents Representing Office of The QM General Stop Mr. McDowells Organization Directly Represents The Government

Stimson, Secy of War.

Wash DC’”

     This was very positive in that the landowners were to deal with one R. Newton McDowell and his agents who represented the Government.

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