History of Cass County, Missouri by Allen Glenn--Historical Publishing Company--1917--Topeka--Cleveland --pgs 276 & 277

The Dayton, I have seen, was builted upon the foundation of the Dayton that was. On Jan. 2, 1862, Jennison's command of Kansas men on a forage raid swooped down upon Dayton and robbed and burned the town, only one small house escaping the fire. They went to Kimberlins and ordered breakfast, and when breakfast was eaten they told the Kimberlins to carry out their most valuable belongings, as their house would be immediately burned. The household effects, therefore, were carried out and piled on the snow as rapidly as possible...The torch was applied. Mrs. Kimberlin wrapped up her smallest children and sat down on what would have been saved from the doomed house. The Kansas men hitched up Kimberlin's teams and loaded on what part they wanted for themselves, and what they did not want or could not take along, they left for the Kimberlins.

Just then old Sammy Hackler came riding along. He was one of the real pioneers of Cass, a typical frontiersman, genial, kindly, open handed, free hearted, and as heedless of business success and the cares of the morrow as Daniel Boone or Rip Van Winkle. He was strictly neutral, too, that is to say, he was loyal among Yanks and secesh among Rebs. He kept his eye constantly on the wise lookout, and adhered strictly to the policy of watchful waiting. So that when he rode up in sight of the kindling blaze of the burning house he did not try to dodge and make a safe getaway, but came boldly forward with his brusque "Good day, gentleman a hell of a cold morning." Of course they quizzed him, who he was and what he was, and he was Union, all right, and rode on unmolested.

Messrs. Grosshart, Simpson and Harry Fulkerson were less fortunate. They were taken prisoners, marched a mile and a quarter north of Dayton to a point a little northwest of Major Ferrell’s residence, and there were shot and killed. Henry L. Ferrell, a boy then, saw the shots fired and saw the men lying murdered. Grosshart, was one of the pioneers, and eminently estimable man, whose farm was situated about three miles east of Dayton, and was the father of Charles T. Grosshart, of Creighton. Simpson was a man brought prisoner from Bates County. Harry Fulkerson was a relative of Phillip Fulkerson, before mentioned. This event was the beginning of the reign of terror, dread, revenge and retaliation.

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Gay