Democratic Sentinel, Volume 12, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 November 1888 — BERENICE CHOUTEAU DEAD. [ARTICLE]

BERENICE CHOUTEAU DEAD.

The First White Woman of Kansas City Passes Away. Mrs. Berenice Chouteau died at the residence of her daughter-in-law in Kansas City, Mo. She was 87 years of age and thf'first white woman that ever lived in Kansas City. Her death was the result of the infirmities of old age. Mrs. Chouteau was, perhaps, the most noted historical character of Kansas City. She was the link connecting the past with the present. Mrs. Chouteau was the daughter of Co). Peter Menard, first Territoriil Governor of Illinois. Her father was unusually wealthy, and pave her every advantage that could be" had in their heme at Kaskaskia. In 1819, at the early age ot 18, she was married to Francis C. Chouteau. Their bridal trip consisted of a journey up the Missouri River to the Black Snake Hills, where St. Joseph was afterward founded. Twoyerrs later Mr. Chouteau again i scended the river >in company with his wife, this time to establish a tr> ding post of the American Fur Company. The post was established at Randolph, on the south bank of the river. In the flood of 1826 the log houses were washed away, and new stores were afterward built at the foot of Troost avenue and two miles above Argentine, on the bank of the Kaw. Mr. Chouteau made a Govemmeit entry of 1,20) acres of land in the East Bottoms, where be built the only steamboat landing at that point. This was washed away in 1841. As the years passed, Mr. Chouteau proved himself a successful man of business and amassed a fortune. He died about two ye»rs ago. Bix children have preceded her to the grave, and no survivor of her family remains. After the death of her husband Mrs. Chouteau, at the earnest so icitatiou of friendß, instituted numerous lawsuits to recover a dower light in valuable real estate in the West Bottoms of Kansas City. A few weeks since it was discovered by Judge Phillips that the widow had forfeited her righsc because of the statute of limitations.