Jayhawks and Tigers, Oh My!! The Civil War Connection-- Part 2: Those Missouri Tigers

In the 1860s, Missouri, like Kansas, was a border state with divided loyalties.  It started the war as a slave state, but as the war ended, the Union cause had taken over.

Pro-Confederacy forces launched guerrilla-style fighting against Union forces and small towns formed "Home Guards"  to protect themselves from these incursions.Columbia's "Home Guard" named themselves the Tigers and when the football team formed in 1890, they adopted the Civil War defenders name.

Later in 1984, the University of Missouri cheerleaders held a contest to name their mascot, and the Missouri tiger was officially named "Truman" after the famous Missourian, President Harry S. Truman.

Howdy Truman.  --Old SeceshTiger