John Calvin McCoy: The Early Years 1811-1849

The narrative centers on John Calvin McCoy, a pivotal figure in the history of Kansas City, who transformed the wilderness into a bustling city. Growing up on the frontier, McCoy engaged in adventurous and dangerous encounters, including facing a formidable Osage chief. His experiences as a surveyor through harsh weather and untamed landscapes allowed him to witness the city's evolution from a wild terrain to a thriving community of 100,000 by 1889. McCoy's firsthand accounts provide a unique and authentic perspective on Kansas City's development.