On Sunday June 30, 2024, a call was received by the Morgan County E-911 reporting an adult male found on his side against a tree, off the roadway, adjacent to Beechnut Road, south of Stover, in Morgan County, Missouri. Morgan County Deputy Sheriffs and EMS personnel responded to the scene and located Beauford Wilson, age 71 of Hallsville, Missouri, deceased.
An autopsy was conducted on July 2, 2024, by the Greene County Medical Examiner in Springfield, Missouri. The preliminary results of that autopsy revealed the presence of multiple gunshot wounds. The death of Beauford Wilson has been ruled an intentional homicide.
According to those who knew him, Mr. Wilson had worked as an Agronomist and took a great interest in the plants that grew on his land along Big Buffalo Creek. He had the Lakeview Heights Fire Department do a controlled burn on his land and could often be seen digging up and destroying invasive plants in his pastures. He spent much of his time tending to his Highland cattle on his acreage.
He had purchased the old historic Frisch house and acreage about fifteen years ago. The house had been neglected but neighbors stated he hoped to restore the house and had boarded up the windows to protect it from the elements.
The home had been constructed by the Gottlieb Frisch family prior to the Civil War and was legendary along the creek and known as the “Bushwhacker house.” Mr. Frisch was considered a wealthy man as he owned and operated the Boyler’s Mill that ground grain for people for miles around.
One evening during the Civil War it is alleged the notorious Smith Brothers, John and Nathan, forced their way in and held Mr. Frisch at gunpoint, demanding he hand over his money to them. He refused, they then shot into the wood of the staircase and he still stood fast. He finally relented and gave them a sum of money after they had set fire to the house. With a small money bag in hand, they departed and the family was able to distinguish the blaze.
To the south of the house is the Frisch Cemetery. It consists of approximately seven graves. The most interesting one being Gottlieb Frisch, who was born in 1788, and died in 1862. Next to him lies Louisa, his wife. His son ,Herman, born in 1820 and dying in 1873 and his wife Amelia, born in 1820 and dying in 1905.
The investigation of Beauford Wilson’s murder is ongoing and anyone with information should contact the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office at (573) 378-5481.
