The Civil War Museum
Carthage, MO
Civil War buffs will want to visit the Carthage Civil War Museum. The museum contains many artifacts and accurately recorded information about the Battle of Carthage as well as the Civil War in southwest Missouri. The museum houses a 7 by 15 foot mural of the battle action on the courthouse square. The African-Americans and Native Americans are honored because of their contributions to the war. There is also a miniature diorama of the "Battle of Carthage". Visitors will also see memorabilia of "Belle Starr".
Born Myra Maebelle Shirley, she grew up in Carthage during the turmoil of the Civil War. Belle became a well known outlaw and committed crimes with the Jesse James gang and the Younger brothers. Belle was imprisoned for many years and there was hope she had been reformed but it seems not. Just before her forty-first birthday she was shot in the back and killed. There were so many who may have wished her dead no one was ever convicted of her death.
