I've recently found references to some events post-war which indicate that hostilities in Johnson County continued at least into the late 1860s. The Lowell, Mass. "Lowell Daily Citizen and News" of May 27, 1867, says "The vigilance committee of Johnson County, Missouri, hanged Tom Stevens and Morg Andrews, two notorious outlaws, in Warrensburg on Friday. They had been brought from Kansas on a requisition from the governor and taken from the custody of the sheriff by a force of two hundred men."
By the way, I would be interested to know if these two men were former "jayhawkers" or "red-legs", and just why they were considered such notorious outlaws...
I believe I have finally figured out why the Gilberts moved to St. Clair County. W.L. had served in Co. D, 16th MO. Inf., CSA, during the war. In visiting the new Confederate monument in the Osceola, Missouri, cemetery, I discovered that many men from that area served in "Co.B" of the same reg't. Figure "Wash" got acquainted with some of them during the war and decided that St. Clair County would be much friendlier toward an ex-Confederate than the people in Johnson County were.
I'm really glad I was able to find a copy of the book. Thanks again for all the information you've provided.
Merry Christmas, and Best Regards,
maggie