Welcome to The St. Louis Newsletter!

In today’s edition:

• Longtime friends open Clayton private equity firm, raise $400M.

• Upcoming St. Louis Cardinals match

• A deep-dive into the life of Leon Strauss

• And more…

Quote of the Week

“Don’t waste your time chasing butterflies. Mend your garden, and the butterflies will come.”

–Mario Quintana

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!

Which St. Louis park is distinguished by its large greenhouse conservatory, known as the Jewel Box, showcasing a variety of plant species?

A) Lafayette Park

B) Forest Park

C) Tower Grove Park

D) Missouri Botanical Garden

Answer to Last Week's Trivia: The historic home in St. Louis known for being the former residence of the city's founder, Pierre Laclede Liguest, offering insights into the early days of St. Louis, is D) The Chatillon-DeMenil Mansion

News

💼 Business

Big St. Louis-based accounting firm acquires Southwestern business. (Link)

Private wealth attorney moves to Husch Blackwell. (Link)

🏒 Sports

Simon Becher gets first goal for City SC but it's not enough in 1-1 tie, then loss in PKs. (Link)

Erick Fedde falters in Cardinals debut: ‘Wanted it to be a special one. (Link)

🏦 Finance

Longtime friends open Clayton private equity firm, raise $400M. (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

⚾ Los Angeles Dodgers at St. Louis Cardinals
Busch Stadium, St. Louis
Friday, August 16 to Sunday, August 18, 2024 | (More info)

⚾ Milwaukee Brewers at St. Louis Cardinals
Busch Stadium, St. Louis
Tuesday, August 20 to Thursday, August 22, 2024 | (More info)

Music & Concerts

🎵 Dru Hill
River City Casino, St Louis
Friday, August 9, 2024 | (More info)

🎵 blink-182
Enterprise Center, St Louis
Saturday, August 10, 2024 | (More info)

Family

🌻 Baby Rave
3311 Washington Ave, St. Louis
Saturday, August 10, 2024 | (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 “St. Louis where traditional and digital art forms merge in public spaces” 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

Chouteau's Pond Drained (1849) - A major public works project that helped shape the city's geography.

In 1849, St. Louis underwent a transformative public works project that would significantly alter the city's geography and public health landscape: the draining of Chouteau's Pond. Nestled in the heart of the city, Chouteau's Pond was a sizeable millpond that had become an integral part of the early industrial and urban fabric of St. Louis. Originally valued for its water power potential and as a resource for local industries, over time, the pond had degenerated into a stagnant cesspool. It became a breeding ground for mosquitoes and a dumping ground for waste, exacerbating the spread of diseases like cholera, which had a devastating impact on the city's population.

The decision to drain Chouteau's Pond was driven by a combination of public health concerns and the burgeoning need for urban expansion. The cholera epidemic of 1849, which claimed thousands of lives, underscored the urgent need for drastic sanitary improvements within the city. Additionally, the pond's location increasingly interfered with rail and road development, critical for St. Louis's growth as a major inland port and gateway to the west. Thus, what began as a health imperative also became an opportunity for urban reinvention, paving the way for new neighborhoods and commercial developments that would shape the city's future growth.

The draining of Chouteau's Pond in 1849 was a monumental endeavor that required extensive engineering initiatives and considerable public investment. Once drained, the pond's land was reclaimed, filled, and gradually integrated into the city's expanding grid, allowing for the construction of new streets, buildings, and infrastructure. This project not only mitigated a significant public health menace but also catalyzed urban renewal and expansion in St. Louis. By turning a blighted area into valuable urban real estate, the city set a precedent for tackling public health crises through urban planning and development, a legacy that would inform future projects and contribute to shaping the modern fabric of St. Louis.

Famous People From St. Louis

Leon Strauss (1912–1995)

Martha Gellhorn, a trailblazing journalist and accomplished novelist, hails from St. Louis. Her life and work span the globe, capturing pivotal moments of the 20th century through her fearless reporting and powerful writing.

Early Life and Literary Beginnings (1908-1930)

Born in St. Louis, Martha Gellhorn was raised in a progressive household that valued education and social activism. Her early exposure to social issues ignited a lifelong commitment to journalism and writing. Pursuing her passion, she attended Bryn Mawr College but left without graduating to pursue a career in journalism. Her early works consisted of articles for The New Republic and other publications, where she began to hone her voice and craft.

The Great Depression and American Experience (1930s)

During the Great Depression, Gellhorn was employed by the Federal Emergency Relief Administration, where she gathered stories from across the United States. These experiences provided material for her first book, The Trouble I've Seen (1936), which depicted the harrowing lives of everyday Americans during the Depression. This work caught the attention of literary circles and established Gellhorn as a serious writer and journalist.

War Correspondent in Spain (1937-1939)

Gellhorn's commitment to reporting on the truth took her to Spain during the Spanish Civil War. Her coverage of the conflict for Collier’s Weekly not only marked her first foray into war journalism but also established her reputation as a formidable and brave war correspondent. It was during this time she met Ernest Hemingway, whom she would eventually marry.

World War II Reporting (1939-1945)

Gellhorn's reporting during World War II was groundbreaking. She covered the war from various fronts including the D-Day landings, which she observed by stowing away on a hospital ship, making her one of the first journalists, and the only woman, to report from Normandy. Her dispatches from the front lines brought the realities of war into the homes of many Americans and showcased her fearless dedication to her profession.

Post-War Career and Adventures (1946-1960)

After the war, Gellhorn continued to travel and write, covering conflicts including the Arab-Israeli War in 1948, and the Vietnam War. Her post-war articles and novels reflected her astute observations of geopolitical issues and human suffering, further solidifying her legacy as a leading war correspondent and writer.

Life Beyond War (1960s-1980s)

In the later years of her career, Gellhorn turned her attention to chronicling injustice and conflict worldwide, including the civil wars in Central America. Her reportage extended beyond war, exploring themes of human rights and environmental conservation. Her profound essays and novels from this period continued to influence and inspire journalists and readers alike.

St. Louis and Personal Reflections (Through the Decades)

Through her tumultuous and adventurous life, Gellhorn maintained a complicated relationship with her hometown of St. Louis. She often reflected on how her upbringing in this Midwestern city shaped her views on justice and injustice, influencing her writing and worldview. St. Louis served as a backdrop to her earliest understandings of social inequality, which she would fight against throughout her career.

Final Years and Legacy (1990-1998)

Martha Gellhorn spent her final years continuing to write and reflect on her experiences. She remained a formidable voice against oppression and war until her death in 1998. Her legacy as one of the 20th century’s most important journalists and writers is undisputed, with her works continuing to be studied for their contribution to journalism and literature.

Key Achievements of Martha Gellhorn:

• Pioneer female war correspondent, covering major conflicts including the Spanish Civil War and World War II.

• Authored several acclaimed novels and works of non-fiction, drawing on her experiences and observations from the front lines.

• Renowned for her fearless and compassionate reporting, breaking barriers for women in journalism.

• Instrumental in chronicling the impact of war on civilian populations, contributing to the discourse on human rights and justice.

Martha Gellhorn's life was a testament to the power of journalism and literature to illuminate the darkest aspects of humanity and advocate for change. Her fearless approach to war reporting and unwavering commitment to uncovering truth made her one of the most influential journalists of her time. Through her words, she continues to inspire future generations of writers and reporters to pursue truth and justice, no matter the cost.

Connect With Me

If you want to connect, reply to this email and let me know what you think.

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

-Matthew Larsen

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