Yeakley Chapel United Methodist Church in Bois D’Arc, Greene County, Missouri, has a rich history tied to the vigilante group known as the Greene County Regulators. The group, formed in 1866 after the Civil War, sought justice through violent means. Thomas Yeakley, a church donor, was confirmed as a member of the Regulators, who lynched four men accused of stealing livestock. The church continues to hold services after 130 years. Christopher Replogle,Chris Six reported
Bois D’Arc, a small town in Greene County, Missouri, is home to a historic church that has been active for over 130 years. Despite its long-standing presence in the community, many residents of Greene County may not be familiar with the intriguing story of the church’s donor. To shed light on this fascinating history, the Greene County Historical Society recently organized a presentation and discussion about the Yeakley Chapel United Methodist Church.
During the event, Connie Yen, the director of the Greene County Archives and Record Center, provided insights into the life of Thomas Yeakley, the generous benefactor behind the church. Yen shared that Thomas and his father John migrated from Greene County, Tennessee, to Missouri in 1839 and settled in Bois D’Arc the following year. However, what made Thomas Yeakley particularly noteworthy was his involvement with a vigilante group known as the Greene County Regulators, or the “Honest Men’s League.”
According to John Schmalzbauer, the president of the Green County Historical Society, the Yeakley family initially owned the land where the church now stands. Thomas Yeakley’s association with the Regulators was a key aspect of his life that tied him to the church’s history. The Regulators emerged in the spring of 1866 in response to a perceived lack of justice in rural areas following the Civil War. Lasting only six weeks, this vigilante group took matters into their own hands, delivering swift and fatal retribution to individuals accused of livestock theft.
Yen explained that the Civil War had left a legacy of violence, which influenced the actions of the Regulators. They had become accustomed to a culture of violence, which led them to resort to extreme measures to combat what they believed to be a crime wave plaguing Greene County and its surroundings. Lynching four men accused of stealing livestock served as their method of addressing the problem.
The four men identified as victims of the Regulators were Green B. Phillips, Charles Gorsuch, John Rush, and James Edwards, as detailed in Yen’s 2015 thesis on the Regulators. Astonishingly, none of the Regulators were charged after the first three murders, and even those who were arrested were eventually released on bail. In response to this, the Regulators issued a statement expressing their dissatisfaction with the release of the accused, warning that those who bailed them out would be held responsible for any future criminal acts committed by the accused individuals.
While Thomas Yeakley’s precise level of involvement with the Regulators remains unclear, it is confirmed that he was a member of the group. Despite this connection to a vigilante organization, Yeakley’s reputation as a landowner and his dedication to the church cannot be overlooked. He donated the land on which the Yeakley Chapel United Methodist Church now stands and actively participated in the church community. Yen highlighted that many of the Regulators were prominent local figures, which likely played a role in their ability to escape legal consequences for their actions.
Towards the end of the Regulators’ reign, approximately 280 members rode into Springfield’s town square to hold a public meeting in front of the courthouse. Their intention was to demonstrate their strength and openly defend their actions. Although they were unable to legally justify their deeds, the Regulators argued that they were acting in the public good and in alignment with the concept of popular sovereignty, a notion that granted them certain rights.
Remarkably, the members of the Regulators were never charged or arrested for their acts of murder. This historical account sheds light on the complex and often overlooked aspects of post-Civil War society in Greene County, Missouri. The Yeakley Chapel United Methodist Church stands as a testament to the rich and sometimes controversial history of the region, serving as a reminder of the community’s resilience and the individuals who shaped its past.
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