Welcome to The St. Louis Newsletter!

In today’s edition:

• Stifel's net income climbs, CEO offers advice on interest rates

• Upcoming St. Louis Cardinals match

• A deep-dive into the life of Ulysses S. Grant

• And more…

Quote of the Week

“The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any.”

-Alice Walker

Trivia

Here is your trivia question of the week. The answer will be shown in next week’s newsletter. Which do you think it is? No cheating!

What St. Louis landmark was the site of the 1904 Summer Olympics, making it the first Olympic Games held in the United States?

A) Washington University in St. Louis

B) Forest Park

C) The Gateway Arch Grounds

D) Francis Field

Answer to Last Week's Trivia:

The St. Louis Museum dedicated to the preservation and promotion of blues music, featuring artifacts, memorabilia, and interactive exhibits, is A) The National Blues Museum

News

💼 Business

After big write-offs, Clayton Bank finds the rest of the agricultural loans are sound. (Link)

State bills would put Missouri at the front of the reshoring renaissance. (Link)

Hoffmann Family arises as 1 of 2 bidders for a bankrupt dairy with a St. Louis presence. (Link)

🏒 Sports

Cardinals Complete The Comeback And Walk It Off Against The Diamondbacks. (Link)

The NHL is sleeping on this star who already has won the Stanley Cup. (Link)

Gorman snaps slump with walk-off homer to give Cardinals 5-3 win over Diamondbacks. (Link)

🏦 Finance

Uptown tower where Bank of America is headed lands $290M construction loan from Goldman Sachs. (Link)

Stifel's net income climbs, CEO offers advice on interest rates. (Link)

Canadian agency issues 'substantial' concerns over St. Louis firm's mega-merger. (Link)

Upcoming Events

Here are some events that are happening in our city this week. There is a good mix between sports, entertainment, conferences, concerts, and more.

Sports

⚾ Chicago White Sox at St. Louis Cardinals
Busch Stadium, St. Louis
Friday, May 3rd | (More info)

🏈 Houston Roughnecks at St. Louis BattleHawks
The Dome at America's Center, St. Louis
Saturday, May 4th | (More info)

⚾ Chicago White Sox at St. Louis Cardinals
Busch Stadium, St. Louis
Sunday, May 5th | (More info)

⚾ New York Mets at St. Louis Cardinals
Busch Stadium, St. Louis
Monday, May 6th | (More info)

Music & Concerts

🎸 Satch Vai US Tour: Joe Satriani & Steve Vai
The Factory, St. Louis
Tuesday, Apr. 30th | (More info)

🎸 Free Throw - Live And On...Tour
Blueberry Hill Duck Room, St Louis
Wednesday, May 1st | (More info)

🎤 Zach Bryan
Enterprise Center, St Louis
Thursday, May 2nd | (More info)

🎸 Chicano Batman
Delmar Hall, Saint Louis
Thursday, May 2nd | (More info)

🎤 Eric Hutchinson
Blueberry Hill Duck Room, St Louis
Thursday, May 2nd | (More info)

🎉 Wild Party - Phantom Pop 10th Anniversary Tour
Blueberry Hill Duck Room, St Louis
Friday, May 3rd | (More info)

Family

🖥️ Awakening through Trauma - The Workshop - St Louis
Virtual via Zoom, St. Louis
Saturday, May 11th | (More info)

🍼 Water Safety Baby Brunch
9967 Manchester Road, St. Louis
Monday, May 13th | (More info)

Image of the Week

Every week, I have a habit of making some AI art about our city.

This week, I typed in “Urban landscape of St. Louis with advanced public transport systems” and this is what I got.

Let me know what ideas you have for this. I really enjoy making these types of photos.

St. Louis Historical Events

St. Louis Race Riot (1917) - A violent labor and racial conflict in East St. Louis.

The St. Louis Race Riot of 1917 was a devastating and violent clash rooted in both racial and labor tensions, deeply scarring the city of East St. Louis, Illinois. In the years leading up to the riot, the city had become a crucible of industrial expansion, attracting thousands of Black workers from the South, drawn by the promise of employment in factories, railroads, and meatpacking plants. This influx intensified racial tensions, as white workers feared the competition for jobs and the economic insecurity it represented. The situation was further exacerbated by the actions of employers who exploited racial divisions to undermine labor organizing, setting the stage for one of the bloodiest race riots in the 20th century.

The immediate catalyst for the riot was a labor strike in May 1917, during which Black workers were hired as strikebreakers. Animosity between white and Black residents reached a tipping point on July 1, following a rumor of a Black man robbing a white man. Angry white mobs, inflamed by nationalist and segregationist rhetoric, rampaged through the streets of East St. Louis, targeting Black individuals and communities with appalling violence. Homes were set aflame, and Black residents were beaten, shot, and lynched indiscriminately. The official reports documented dozens of deaths, though contemporary estimates suggest the death toll was much higher, with hundreds injured and thousands displaced.

The aftermath of the riot was a bleak chapter in American history, drawing national condemnation and prompting a response from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), which organized a silent protest parade in New York City. The East St. Louis riots underscored the pervasive racial and economic inequalities of the era, highlighting the volatile intersection of race and labor in the United States. Despite the passage of time, the events of 1917 remain a somber reminder of the capacity for racial animosity to erupt into violence, shaping the course of St. Louis's history and the continuing struggle for racial justice in America.

Famous People From St. Louis

Ulysses S. Grant (1822–1885):

Early Life and Education (1822–1839)

Ulysses S. Grant was born on April 27, 1822, in Point Pleasant, Ohio. The son of a tanner, Grant spent much of his childhood working on his family's farm and developed a notable proficiency with horses. Despite his father's success, Grant's early life was marked by a humble upbringing. His education began in local schools, where he was an average student, but he showed a particular interest in mathematics and geology.

West Point and First Military Experiences (1839–1848)

In 1839, Grant was appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point. Despite his lack of enthusiasm for a military career, he performed respectably and graduated in 1843, ranking in the middle of his class. His early military career included service in the Mexican-American War under General Zachary Taylor, where he demonstrated bravery and a natural leadership ability, receiving his first commendation for gallantry and meritorious conduct.

Marriage and Life in St. Louis (1848–1854)

After the Mexican-American War, Grant married Julia Dent, whom he met while stationed near her family's estate, White Haven, in St. Louis, Missouri. He resigned from the army in 1854 to be with his family and tried various occupations, including farming on land owned by his father-in-law in St. Louis. However, these endeavors were largely unsuccessful, and this period was marked by financial instability for the Grant family.

Return to Military Life (1854–1861)

Struggling to provide for his family, Grant re-entered the U.S. Army at the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861. His experience and leadership skills were quickly recognized, leading to rapid promotions. He was known for his decisive actions and willingness to fight, in contrast to the more cautious approach of his peers, which gained him the attention and trust of President Abraham Lincoln.

Civil War Heroics (1861–1865)

During the Civil War, Grant became one of the Union's most important military leaders. His campaigns in the Western Theater, including the significant victories at Fort Donelson and the Battle of Shiloh, were crucial in gaining control of strategic areas. His relentless siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi, in 1863, cut the Confederacy in two and is considered one of his greatest military achievements. In 1864, Lincoln appointed Grant as the commander of all Union armies, where he eventually led the forces to victory against Robert E. Lee.

Post-War Success and Reconstruction (1865–1869)

After the Civil War, Grant was hailed as a hero. He worked closely with President Andrew Johnson during the initial phases of Reconstruction but later became disillusioned with Johnson's policies, favoring a more radical approach to civil rights and the integration of freed slaves into American society. This period solidified Grant's political ideas and his commitment to civil rights, setting the stage for his political career.

Presidency and Reconstruction Efforts (1869–1877)

Grant was elected as the 18th President of the United States in 1868, serving two terms. His presidency was focused on Reconstruction, and he worked to protect the rights of African Americans, using the military to combat the Ku Klux Klan and enforce civil rights laws in the South. However, his administration was marred by scandals, although he was personally never implicated in any corrupt activities.

Final Years and Memoirs (1877–1885)

After leaving the presidency, Grant's financial situation worsened due to poor investments. Diagnosed with throat cancer in 1884, he began writing his memoirs to provide for his family, finishing them shortly before his death on July 23, 1885. His memoirs, completed with the help of his friend Mark Twain, are considered one of the most detailed and insightful first-hand accounts of the Civil War.

Legacy and Memory (1885 and Beyond)

Grant's legacy is complex. He is remembered as one of the leading military minds of the American Civil War and a president committed to civil rights for freed slaves. However, his presidency is also remembered for administrative corruption and economic depression. Over time, historical perspectives have evolved to recognize his efforts in civil rights and his pivotal role in preserving the Union.

Key Achievements of Ulysses S. Grant:

• Played a critical role as a Union general in winning the American Civil War.

• Implemented Reconstruction policies aimed at restoring the South and integrating freed slaves into American society.

• Served two terms as the President of the United States, focusing on civil rights and the suppression of the Ku Klux Klan.

• Wrote one of the most acclaimed military memoirs in American history, providing a vivid account of his personal experiences and the Civil War.

Ulysses S. Grant's life was characterized by significant achievements both in military and political realms. His leadership during the Civil War preserved the Union and led to the abolition of slavery. As president, his efforts towards Reconstruction and civil rights laid important groundwork for the United States, despite the challenges of corruption within his administration. Grant's memoirs continue to serve as a cornerstone of Civil War literature, offering insights into one of the nation's most tumultuous periods.

Connect With Me

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I would love to hear from you. Don’t be shy.

-Matthew Larsen

Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/matthewblarsen

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