***Please proceed to the posted coordinates***
***No admission fee, guided tour or entry into the courthouse is required to complete this cache***
***See below for other caches in this series, as well as the bonus cache information***
A trial for the ages, gives birth to a legend…
The story of the Burden v. Hornsby trial, involving the unfortunate murder of a black and tan hound dog named Old Drum in October of 1869, encompasses people and events that have become more myth than fact. Yet, the Burden v. Hornsby trial, or the “Old Drum” trial as it came to be more popularly known, is a true story well-documented through court records progressing from a Justice of the Peace in November of 1869 to a final appeal before the Supreme Court of Missouri in July of 1872, when Charles Burden finally received the justice he sought for his faithful companion Old Drum.
Eternal beloved, legacy of a friendship…
I would hazard to say, that most of you have at some point in your lifetime, heard the expression “ a man’s best friend” in reference to a beloved canine companion. It was out of Senator George Graham Vest’s “eulogy to the dog” that he presented to the jury at this very courthouse in September of 1870, Old Drum was re-born a legend among animal and man alike. “Gentlemen of the jury, a man’s dog stands by him in prosperity and poverty, in health and sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, where the wintry winds blow, and the snow drives fiercely, if only he can be near his master’s side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer; he will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounter with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert, he remains. When riches take wings and reputation falls to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the Sun in its journey through the heavens." To this day, Old Drum has become a symbol for all dogs that have been loved and lost. Leonidas Hornsby was Burden’s brother-in-law and neighbor. There was no ill-will known of between the men either before or after the case of Old Drum; the years after healed any wounds following the trial. Burden and Hornsby are both buried a few yards apart in Hornsby Cemetery outside of Kingsville, Missouri. A monument to Old Drum was erected by Fred Ford in 1947 along the banks of Big Creek, approximately where Old Drum was found after he had been shot. In 2017, Old Drum became the official historical dog of Missouri.
In order to claim credit for this find, you will need to visit this location and answer a series of questions. NOTE: No entry into the courthouse is required to answer the questions.
DO NOT include these answers in your log. Answers are to be submitted by message or email only. Logs or photos containing answers to the questions will be deleted immediately.
- JOHNSON COUNTY'S OLD COURTHOUSE SIGN: (N 038° 45.959' W 093° 45.012') You will find the historic marker for the Old Courthouse. What style of architecture was the courthouse constructed in?
- OLD DRUM MEMORIAL: (N 038° 45.967' W 093° 45.021') Locate the stone monument. The friends of whom, placed this monument?
- SENATOR GEORGE GRAHAM VEST: (N 038° 45.955' W 093° 45.017') To the right of the doorway, you will find a bronze plaque. What is the name of the cemetery mentioned in the last line?
- A FAMILY MEMORIAL GIFT: Along the right side of the exterior door frame, you will find a brass plaque, recognizing the Lowe, Schwald, and Innes families. What three words follow the word “gift”?
- WINDOWS AND DOORS: Walk around the entire courthouse. Take note of how many windows and doors there are. Combine those two numbers together. What is your total?
Lastly, you MUST post a photo proving that you have actually visited the location. This may be a photo of yourself, your team, a personal item or a piece of paper with your Geocaching name at the site located in front of the courthouse or next to the Old Drum 1870 statue outside the doors. Armchair visits will not be permitted.
Bonus: Outside of the Old Courthouse (N 038° 45.947' W 093° 45.010'), you will find a power pole with a KCPL ID tag (yellow and black). What is the 7-digit number listed on this tag?
To find out more about this historic location or the amazing story of Old Drum, please click on the links provided throughout the cache page.
Museum tours (including the Old Courthouse) are available 1-4 PM Tuesday 1-8 PM Thursday 1-4 PM Saturday, guided tours and group tours by appointment.
To Contact us: email: curator@jocomohistory.org
Postal address: 302 N. Main, Warrensburg, MO, 64093
Phone: 660-747-6480
***Permission for placement of this cache has been granted by the Johnson County Historical Society***
This cache is part of a new series of Geocaches focusing on the court case of Burden v. Hornsby 1870, in which a prized black and tan hound named Old Drum became the legend that inspired dog lovers everywhere. These caches are presented in the recommended order of completion, to best position you for the bonus cache.
Virtual Rewards 4.0 - 2024-2025
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between January 17, 2024 and January 17, 2025. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 4.0 on the Geocaching Blog.