In the 19th century, there was a scuffle over Iowa’s shared border with Missouri.The story of the “Honey War” became relevant with the proposal by state Sen. Mike Bousselot of Ankeny for Iowa to purchase the nine southernmost counties of Minnesota, Iowa’s northern border neighbor. “Iowa taxpayers would have a return on the investment that would just be unbelievable,” he said. That sounds similar to Missouri’s idea in 1839. The Missouri governor sent a militia into the southeast swath of Iowa to collect taxes, according to Leo Landis, museum curator for the State Historical Society of Iowa.Iowa Gov. Robert Lucas said no, and the dispute ended without major conflict.”The dispute actually did go to the U.S. Supreme Court,” Landis said. “What we think of as the Iowa border today is the true border between Missouri and the State of Iowa.”It got the name “Honey War” because of one incident involving the coveted sweetener. “When you talk about the Honey War, it really is more of excitement than any real battle,” Landis said. “One of the acts of violence, at least, that supposedly took place was three or four bee trees, honey trees, were cut down.”As for the idea of buying part of Minnesota, Landis says those counties were part of the Iowa Territory.”It’s kind of fun to think of in a historical context,” he said.» Subscribe to KCCI’s YouTube page» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play
In the 19th century, there was a scuffle over Iowa’s shared border with Missouri.
The story of the “Honey War” became relevant with the proposal by state Sen. Mike Bousselot of Ankeny for Iowa to purchase the nine southernmost counties of Minnesota, Iowa’s northern border neighbor.
“Iowa taxpayers would have a return on the investment that would just be unbelievable,” he said.
That sounds similar to Missouri’s idea in 1839. The Missouri governor sent a militia into the southeast swath of Iowa to collect taxes, according to Leo Landis, museum curator for the State Historical Society of Iowa.
Iowa Gov. Robert Lucas said no, and the dispute ended without major conflict.
“The dispute actually did go to the U.S. Supreme Court,” Landis said. “What we think of as the Iowa border today is the true border between Missouri and the State of Iowa.”
It got the name “Honey War” because of one incident involving the coveted sweetener.
“When you talk about the Honey War, it really is more of excitement than any real battle,” Landis said. “One of the acts of violence, at least, that supposedly took place was three or four bee trees, honey trees, were cut down.”
As for the idea of buying part of Minnesota, Landis says those counties were part of the Iowa Territory.
“It’s kind of fun to think of in a historical context,” he said.
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» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play