During the Civil War William was offered and refused a Brigadier General's comission. In 1862 he went South with Gen. Price and in the same year returned to Greene County Missouri as Provost Marshal for the County, but was taken prisoner before the Confederate troops arrived. He was held prisoner for 3 years as he refused to "Swallow the Dog" (swear allegiance to the Union). He lost his extensive property and money as a consequence of the events of war, and yet continued to be a vocal and upstanding member of the community, rebuilding his life and finances as the country rebuilt and attempted to heal around him. William Babington Garoutte was the leader of the first mob ever seen in Springfield, at which time bonds levied to build a railway through four counties
were demanded from the local court house and burned in the public square. He was well-remembered to his descendants as outspoken and opinionated, as willing to offer his opinion as he was to offer help. He is still spoken of fondly by his family today.
During the Civil War William was offered and refused a Brigadier General's comission. In 1862 he went South with Gen. Price and in the same year returned to Greene County Missouri as Provost Marshal for the County, but was taken prisoner before the Confederate troops arrived. He was held prisoner for 3 years as he refused to "Swallow the Dog" (swear allegiance to the Union). He lost his extensive property and money as a consequence of the events of war, and yet continued to be a vocal and upstanding member of the community, rebuilding his life and finances as the country rebuilt and attempted to heal around him. William Babington Garoutte was the leader of the first mob ever seen in Springfield, at which time bonds levied to build a railway through four counties
were demanded from the local court house and burned in the public square. He was well-remembered to his descendants as outspoken and opinionated, as willing to offer his opinion as he was to offer help. He is still spoken of fondly by his family today.
Family Members
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Melissa Jane Garoutte Anderson
1848–1935
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Flora Amanda Garoutte Neece
1854–1925
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Louisa M Garoutte Putnam
1856–1928
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Evadna Eugena Captola "Eva" Garoutte Coover
1858–1943
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Thomas Waldo Garoutte
1861–1946
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Ida Isrelda Garoutte Haskett
1864–1955
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James Arthur Garoutte
1870–1934
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Myrtle Estella Garoutte Sifferman
1873–1936
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William Babington Garoutte II
1878–1962
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Dora Garoutte
1888–1888
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