Defending St. Louis from Attack Saves STL
The Colonial Days His Bride
Valles Mines, Missouri, U S A
Founded in 1749 by Francois Valle in the French Upper Louisiana before Lewis and Clark. 275 years later the Valle Mining Company's 4000+ acre property every year absorbs 21,000 tons of carbon dioxide and generates
14,000 tons of oxygen, enough to meet the needs of 63,000 people. [USDA Forest Facts]
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The Paymaster's Office - 14116 Valles Mines School Road 63087

The Paymaster's Shack This is the building where a prospector came to stake his claim on mining rights. Usually a miner had his group picked out as mining was very physical so they then would head over to the Company store for tools,provisions, and blasting powder (dynamite was invented in 1867).
The Paymaster's Office was also where miners sold their ore if their mine was successful. Here the Paymaster graded, weighed, and purchased ore for the Valle Mining Company and set your credit policy for the Company Store. Actual records in the form of ledger books showing the amounts bought, sold and owed remain to this day on exhibit at the Lost History Museum.

NOTES:

For security, the Company drove hundreds of handcut nails into the face of the front door (see close-up when you visit). Didn't help much with Jesse James' gang (1882 poster below. Two Pistol Pete' Frazier, Superintendent of the Valle Mining Company in 1882, almost got him.

Jesse James - The Legend

Every so often, miners came here to sell their lead ore to the Paymaster and settle their outstanding debts with the Company Store for their housing, staples, and equipment such as pick axes and blasting powder [historical note: After dynamite became commonly available after 1867, Valles Mines was called "Boom Town"].

But back to Jesse James and his gang who were hiding out in a cave in the area, across from what is now Highway 67. That safe was mighty tempting to them so, one night, they just had to blow it open. No doubt that was one reason Superintendent "Two Pistol Pete" Frazier, a real person there, carried those guns - to keep law and order down in the valley and on Pay Days. Jesse lived until 1882, was never caught, but died when fellow outlaw Robert Ford shot him in his own St. Joseph, Missouri home. Story has it that as a teenager in the Civil War, he fought for the Confederacy, joining William Quantrill's Raiders and "Bloody Bill" Anderson. He fought on after the War ended, joining his older brother's gang, robbing banks and shooting people who interfered.

Possibly that same cave had hidden Sam Hildebrand, whose band of Confederates earlier held the last shoot-out with Federal troops at the Company Store across the street (below, 14117). Both buildings are still standing.

Today - The Drop Box

The Paymaster's Shack
The Drop Box is located in the front door of the 14116 building. You can't miss it because it's the former mail slot. Walk around and enjoy our little History Park. If so moved, feel free to drop your Museum donation into the Drop Box if we're not open.
P.S., Unlike so many snobby charities which only accept One-Hundred-Dollar bills, what-the-heck, we accept any currency or items on our Donation Wish List. Like that old $10,000 bill you have in your dresser. LOL, Be the first! After all, you can't take it with you.

P.P.S. You can buy any of our books in person at the Company Store but don't waste a trip! Call 636-551-8705 before you come.