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Welcome to The St. Louis Newsletter!

In today’s edition:

• Troubled clothing manufacturer owes $755K to lender, judge rules.

• Upcoming St. Louis Cardinals match

• A deep-dive into the life of John Joseph O'Neill

• And more…

Quote of the Week

“Failure will never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough.”

– Og Mandino

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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 annual sports event in St. Louis brings together collegiate teams from across the nation, known for its intense competition and enthusiastic local support?

A) The Gateway Classic

B) The St. Louis Marathon

C) The Missouri Valley Conference Basketball Tournament

D) The Budweiser Soccer Cup

Answer to Last Week's Trivia:

The St. Louis park famous for its elaborate holiday lights display, attracting visitors from across the region for a festive experience, is C) Tilles Park

News

💼 Business

Former bank branch reopens as north St. Louis business center. (Link)

Mediterranean restaurant chain opens 1st St. Louis-area store, inks deal for next site. (Link)

🏒 Sports

Miles Mikolas, Cardinals aim for series win before break vs. Cubs: First Pitch. (Link)

Masyn Winn 'hard to be upset' after missing out on first-career All-Star nod: Cardinals Extra. (Link)

🏦 Finance

Troubled clothing manufacturer owes $755K to lender, judge rules. (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

⚾ Washington Nationals at St. Louis Cardinals
Busch Stadium, St. Louis
Friday, Jul. 26th to Sunday, Jul. 28th | (More info)

⚾ Texas Rangers at St. Louis Cardinals
Busch Stadium, St. Louis
Monday, Jul. 29th to Wednesday, Jul. 31st | (More info)

Music & Concerts

🎵 Bird and Byron
Blueberry Hill, St. Louis
Friday, Jul. 19th | (More info)

🎵 Gimme Gimme Disco
Delmar Hall, St. Louis
Saturday, Jul. 20th | (More info)

Family

👨‍👧‍👦 Kids & Krystals Summer Camp
Tower Grove, St. Louis
Friday, Jul. 19th | (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 at night, lit by neon and holograms” 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

Missouri Compromise (1820) - St. Louis's role in the political agreement aiming to balance slave and free states.

The Missouri Compromise of 1820 was a significant political agreement in the early 19th century United States, which had a substantial impact on the city of St. Louis and the state of Missouri. This pivotal arrangement aimed to maintain the balance of power in Congress between free states and slave states, an issue that deeply divided the nation. The compromise allowed Missouri to enter the Union as a slave state, while Maine was admitted as a free state, thus keeping the Senate's delicate balance. Additionally, it prohibited slavery in the Louisiana Territory north of the 36° 30′ latitude line, excluding Missouri. This legislation marked a crucial moment in U.S. history, reflecting the growing sectionalism and setting the stage for future conflicts over slavery.

St. Louis, as the most significant city in Missouri, played a central role in the events leading up to and following the Missouri Compromise. The city was a bustling hub of economic activity, sitting at the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, making it a critical point for transportation and trade, including the slave trade. St. Louis's location on the border of what would become free and slave territories added to its significance. As Missouri grappled with the question of statehood and slavery, St. Louis was often at the heart of these debates. The city's burgeoning population and economic importance made it a microcosm of the larger national conflict over slavery.

Moreover, the Missouri Compromise had lasting effects on St. Louis, shaping its social and political landscape for decades. The compromise, while temporarily diffusing sectional tensions, laid bare the deep divisions within the country, divisions that would be felt keenly in border cities like St. Louis. Throughout the antebellum period, St. Louis would continue to grow as a diverse community, with a complex relationship to slavery and freedom. This included a significant free Black population, enslaved African Americans, and strong abolitionist and pro-slavery factions, all coexisting in a state of uneasy tension that reflected the broader national struggle over slavery, symbolizing the fraught path America was on toward civil war.

Famous People From St. Louis

John Joseph O'Neill (1850–1898)

Sara Teasdale, a lyric poet from St. Louis, captivated readers and critics alike with her simple and clear poetic voice, becoming one of the early 20th century's most praised voices in American poetry. Her life, characterized by both triumph and tragedy, spins a narrative as compelling as her verses.

Early Years and Poetic Beginnings (1884-1907)

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Sara Teasdale was the youngest child of a well-to-do family. From a young age, she exhibited a sensitivity and love for poetry, which was nurtured in the private schools she attended. Her health was fragile, leading to periods of isolation that deepened her introspective nature and inexorable bond with the written word.

A Voice Emerges (1907-1911)

Teasdale's early work began to gain attention in local literary circles, culminating in the publication of her first volume, ""Sonnets to Duse, and Other Poems,"" in 1907. Her poetry, marked by its emotional intensity and lyrical beauty, resonated with a growing audience. During this period, she became a central figure in the St. Louis poetry community, where her talent was recognized and encouraged.

Recognition and Acclaim (1911-1918)

Teasdale's stature as a poet grew with each subsequent publication. Her third collection, Rivers to the Sea (1915), was a commercial and critical success, establishing her as a major voice in American poetry. Her work from this period reflects a maturation of her voice and a deepening of her thematic concerns, with love and beauty recurring as central motifs.

Love and Marriage (1914-1922)

In 1914, Teasdale married Ernst Filsinger, a businessman who had courted her for several years. While the marriage provided stability and support for her writing, it lacked emotional fulfillment, a theme that would increasingly manifest in her poetry. Despite her personal turmoil, Teasdale continued to produce work that was acclaimed for its emotional depth and artistry.

Creative Peak and Personal Challenges (1920-1926)

Teasdale's creativity reached new heights with the publication of Love Songs (1917), which earned her the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1918. Despite her professional success, Teasdale's marriage deteriorated, leading to her divorce in 1929. This period was marked by significant personal challenges, including health issues and profound loneliness, themes that found expression in her later poetry.

Return to St. Louis and Final Years (1927-1933)

Following her divorce, Teasdale returned to St. Louis, seeking comfort in her family and childhood surroundings. However, her health continued to decline, and she battled with bouts of depression. Her final collections, including Strange Victory (1933), were introspective, exploring themes of mortality and the transient nature of happiness.

Her Connection to St. Louis

St. Louis held a special place in Teasdale's life and work. It was not only her birthplace and final refuge but also the genesis of her poetic inspiration. The city's vibrant literary scene in the early 20th century provided a nurturing environment for her talent, and she remained connected to St. Louis throughout her life, drawing inspiration from its landscapes and seasons.

Death and Legacy (1933)

Teasdale's life came to a tragic end in 1933 when she died by suicide at the age of 48. Her death shocked the literary world and her many admirers. Despite the tragic end, Teasdale left behind a body of work that continues to be celebrated for its lyrical beauty, emotional depth, and clarity. Her influence on American poetry, particularly lyric poetry, endures to this day.

Key Achievements of Sara Teasdale:

• Published multiple acclaimed poetry collections, including Rivers to the Sea and Love Songs.

• Awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1918 for Love Songs.

• Became a pivotal figure in the St. Louis literary scene, contributing significantly to its development.

Sara Teasdale's life was a profound journey marked by breathtaking artistic achievements and deep personal struggles. Her poetry, characterized by its clarity, simplicity, and emotive strength, earned her a permanent place in American literature. Teasdale's contributions to the poetic form and the themes she explored through her work continue to resonate, making her legacy as one of the early 20th century's most beloved lyric poets secure and enduring.

Connect With Me

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

-Matthew Larsen

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