Misdemeanors

19th-Century Misdemeanors

If someone did one of the following, one could be arrested by the sheriff, be taken before a justice of the peace or a court in the Greene County Courthouse, and, if found guilty, be fined or sentenced to spend time in the county jail.

Riding horses too fast on the road, a fine of $5.00-20.00

Damaging a school building or school property, a fine up to $200.00 or a sentence to spend up to 6 months in the county jail, or both

Having a bear in public that is not caged, a fine up to $200.00 or a sentence to spend up to 6 months in the county jail, or both

Throwing a rock or stick at a railroad train or a streetcar, a fine up to $200.00 or a sentence to spend up to 6 months in the county jail, or both

Selling oleo or margarine as if it was butter, a fine up to $1000.00 or a sentence to spend up to 1 year in the county jail

Selling merchandise such as groceries on a Sunday, a fine up to $200.00 or a sentence to spend up to 6 months in the county jail, or both

Dueling or being involved with a duel or challenging, trying to start a duel, or a shootout with guns, a fine up to $200.00 or a sentence to spend up to 6 months in the county jail, or both

Driving a stagecoach while under the influence of alcohol, a fine of $20.00-100.00

Helping someone escape jail or the custody of a sheriff, a fine up to $200.00 or a sentence to spend up to 6 months in the county jail, or both

Stealing chickens, a fine up to $200.00 or a sentence to spend up to 2 months in the county jail

Changing a brand on an animal, a fine up to $200.00 or a sentence to spend up to 6 months in the county jail, or both

Working on a Sunday, a fine up to $200.00 or a sentence to spend up to 6 months in the county jail, or both

Destroying or breaking a milldam, a fine up to $200.00 or a sentence to spend up to 6 months in the county jail, or both

Boxing in public, a fine up to $200.00 or a sentence to spend up to 6 months in the county jail, or both

Beating a horse, a fine up to $50.00

Horse racing on a Sunday, a fine up to $200.00 or a sentence to spend up to 6 months in the county jail, or both

Being a railroad train engineer or conductor while under the influence of alcohol, a fine up to $1000.00 or a sentence to spend up to 1 year in the county jail

Racing horses on a public road, a fine of $5.00-20.00

Putting an animal in a well, a fine up to $200.00 or a sentence to spend up to 6 months in the county jail, or both

Cock fighting (getting two roosters to fight) on a Sunday, a fine up to $200.00 or a sentence to spend up to 6 months in the county jail, or both

Destroying a bridge, a fine up to $200.00 or a sentence to spend up to 6 months in the county jail, or both

Gambling or betting while playing a card game, a fine up to $200.00 or a sentence to spend up to 6 months in the county jail, or both

Setting fire to woods, a fine up to $500.00 or a sentence to spend up to 1 year in the county jail

Playing cards on a Sunday, a fine up to $200.00 or a sentence to spend up to 6 months in the county jail, or both

Running a cock fight, or baiting (getting animals to fight each other) two bulls, two bears, or two dogs, a fine up to $200.00 or a sentence to spend up to 6 months in the county jail, or both

Running a lottery, a fine up to $200.00 or a sentence to spend up to 6 months in the county jail, or both

Making a noise that disturbs a church service, a fine up to $100.00 or a sentence to spend up to 3 months in the county jail

Giving whiskey to an Indian, a fine up to $200.00 or a sentence to spend up to 6 months in the county jail, or both

Trying often to get people to disagree, get into disputes, go to court, and sue each other, a fine up to $300.00 or a sentence to spend up to 1 year in the county jail

Source: Revised Statutes of Missouri, 1835, 1845, 1855, 1879, 1889, 1909