United States v. Joseph LaBarge

Item

United States V. Joseph LaBarge. 1829, St. Louis Circuit Court Historical Records Project, accessed October 8, 2026, https://digitalexhibits.library.washu.edu/s/ccr/item/60712

Full Text: See images and transcription side by side
Case Title: United States v. Joseph LaBarge
Series: Fur Trade
Plaintiff: United States of America
Defendant: LaBarge, Joseph
Date Filed: 1829-08-01
Filing Date: 1829-08-01
Defendant’s Attorney: Bates, Edward G.
Court Name: St. Louis County Court
Clerk: Gamble, Archibald
Justice of the Peace: Guy, John R.
Sheriff: McGirk, Isaac B.; Rogim, Bary J.; Walker, John K.
Sworn Declarant: Joseph, John; P., Joshua; Emmanuel, Mick; Perkins, Joseph; Richard, J.; Ramsey, James
Cause of Action: Theft
Case Notes: Goods included beaver and raccoon skins belonging to Missouri Fur Company; fur traders were Joseph Pilcher, Joseph Perkins, Andrew Woods, Moses Carson, John B. Tanone, Thomas Hempstead; also mentioned George (slave of Manuel Lisa, deceased.)
Related Court Case Number: 7106
Related Project ID: ccr1820.07106.032
Identifier: ccr1829.01127.034
Source: Missouri State Archives - St. Louis
Rights: Public Domain
PDF Download: Download PDF of all images
Transcription: **United States vs. Joseph LaBarge**

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**Page 1** (1127_001.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Complaint*

[illegible] of [illegible]
County of St Louis
to U S of
America To the constable of St Louis township
Whereas Thomas Hempstead[?] & Manuel Lisa of the town
of St. Louis hath this day given information upon oath to me John R
Guy " a Justice of the Peace [illegible] and for the county aforesaid. That
a quantity of Beaver Racoon skins H. have [illegible] thirty per day
[illegible] past by some person or persons unknown have been [illegible]
taken staten and carried away from the House of
Thomas Hempstead[?]
on the town of St. Louis and County of St Louis and that the said
This Hempstead[?] & Manuel Lisa have probable cause to suspect
and also suspect that the said goods or parts these of are
concealed in the Dwelling House of Joseph [illegible] in the town
of St Louis in said County these are therefore to authorize and
requires you on the [illegible] and proper [illegible] to enter on the my
time into the said House of the said Joseph [illegible] at St. Louis
aforesaid in the county aforesaid and these diligently search for
the said goods and of the same or any parts these of shall be found
upon such search that you bring the good so found and aces the
body of the said Joseph [illegible] before me or some other Justice
of the Peace nothin & for the said county, to be disposed of
and [illegible] [illegible] according to law.

*Given under my hand and [illegible] this 1st day of
August 1829 John R Guy*

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**Page 2** (1127_002.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Complaint Part 2*

at the [illegible] and request of the Plaintiff Authorise
Joseph Perkins to [illegible] where this writ

*John R Guy J,*
> *Legal Function: Search Warrant*

United States
vs
Joseph La Burge
Search Marmont[?]
made deligent search and
found on the Loft of the said
Joseph [illegible] 46 Bearer
Spring August 1st 1820
for [illegible] &
[illegible]
|   |   |
|---|---|
| Seach | 1.00 |
| Taking body in Custody | 50 |
| [illegible] | 10 |
| | 1.60 |
The Body of [illegible]
Custody

*[illegible]*

---

**Page 3** (1127_003.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Affidavit*

Territory of Missouri
County of St Louis
ss. U.S of
America
We the undersigned a [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] ourselves
and each of us seperatly and apart from each
other in our proper persons to Stand indebted to
the United States of America in the sum of hundred Dollars to be [illegible] generally of each of
our goods and Chattels, Lands and [illegible]
us [illegible] upon the [illegible] [illegible] [illegible]
The [illegible] conditions of this recognition is such
that if each of the undersigned do personally
appear at the next circut court to be Helden
within and for the county of Saint Louis
on the first Monday of the present month
then and there to given such evidence us he
[illegible] with our behalf of the United States against
a certain Joseph LaBarge on a certain charges
of have been received Stolen goods knowing them
to have been State whenwith the said Joseph
LaBarge is charged and that neither he on or either
of them do depart without the [illegible] of said court
them these [illegible] [illegible] to be said else to than [illegible]
in full force

*signed and acknowedged
before me a justice of the
peace this 4 day of Aug 1829 John [illegible] Joseph.P. Joshua [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] Mick [illegible] Emmanuel Joseph Perkins J. Richard J. Ramsay*

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**Page 4** (1127_004.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Notarization*

August 1st
[illegible]
returned
forthwith
United States
vs
Joseph LaBarge [illegible]
Warrant to search for Stolen Goods
found in the house of the defendant 46[?]
Beaver Skins, The body in [illegible] , Joseph Perkins
[illegible] [illegible] [illegible], Richards, Joseph [illegible]
James Ramsay & Sarah Chouteau & sworn and examined,- after which the [illegible] was required to give
bail in \$600-Andrew Landroville Bail
I certify that the above is account at transcript from
the providing had before you the [illegible] [illegible]

*St Louis Augt 4th John, R, Gery J. P. [illegible] \$5.20 [illegible] 1.60 \$6.80*
> *Legal Function: Caption*

United States
vs
Joseph La Borge

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**Page 5** (1127_005.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Obligation*

Know all men by these presents that
Mr Josph Laberge and Andrew Landramule
are held and formly bound unto to the Uni-
ted states of America in the sum six
hundred dollars. To which payment well
and truly to be made amd done we bind ourselves and each of us and each of our executors administrators
and assigns. [illegible]
The Condition of this obligation is
such that if the above bound Joseph Laberge
share appear at the next form of the
Circuit Court of the
County of St. Louis
to be holden at the Town of St Louis
on the first monday of August present
to answer to a charge for having received
[illegible] good the property of the Missouri
Fur Company and shall not
[illegible] from the said Court without
leave, then this obligation to be void
Given under our hands and seals
this first day of August 1820.

*Joseph his Laberge seal [illegible] Signed and [illegible]
[illegible] [illegible] further of this
[illegible] [illegible] you? for the
country of
StLouis [illegible]
whom [illegible] John [illegible] J P.*

---

**Page 6** (1127_006.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Caption*

Joseph LaBarger
Bond
\$600[?]

---

**Page 7** (1127_007.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Caption*

August 1820
United States
vs
Joseph Laberge
Indictment
for [illegible]
[illegible]
stolen goods
A true bill
Paul [illegible]
Foreman
Plead Nls.
> *Legal Function: Affidavit Part 2*

Witnesses

*Joshua Plehu,
[illegible] Hampstead,
Michel Pummell,
[illegible] Perkins,
H. Richards,
I. Ramsay ,
Ch. Dumont [illegible] Greely: 2nd Court
to prove he from sroyo
[illegible] [illegible] golo match*

---

**Page 8** (1127_008.jpg)

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**Page 9** (1127_009.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Jury Indictment*

August - 1820 In the Circuit Court
St Louis County to wit
The Jurors for the United States of America upon their oath present that Jospeh[?] Laberye, Late of the
said county of St Louis , Elocer, on the first day of July in
the year of our for lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty,
with force and arm, at the county of St. Louis aforesaid,
a large quantity of Beaver skins, to wit eighteen packs of
Beaver Skins, of Great value, to wit of the value, of three
hundred dollars for each Pack, of the goods and chattels of
certain Persons using the name and style of the" Missouri
Fur Company (but whose particular names are to the Jurors aforesaid, as yet unknown) then and there being found
become only did [illegible] take and carry away contrary
the form of the [illegible] in and case mado & priseded
and against the pease and dignity of the United States of
America
and the Jurors aforesaid, upon their oath aforsaid, do further present that the said Joseph Laberge on the first day
of July in the year of our Lord one thousand and eight hundred
and twenty, with force and arms, at St Louis in the county aforesaid, unlawfully and unjustly, did receive & have a
[illegible] quantity of Beaver Skins, to wit eighteen packs of
Beaver Skins of great value to wit of the value of three
hundred dollars for each pack, and a large quantity of
Racoon skins, to wit [illegible] two packs of Racoon skins
of great value, to wit of the value of one hundred dollars
for each Pack—of the goods and chattles, of certain persons
using the name and style of the " Missouri Fur Company " but
whose particular names are to the jurors aforesaid, as yet

---

**Page 10** (1127_010.jpg)
unknown, then lately before, [illegible], stolen, taken, and carried
away by one
George the slave of Manuel Lisa , he the said
Joseph [illegible] then and there wite knowing the same to be
Stolen and unlawfully came by, contray to the statutein
such case made and [illegible] and against the Lease
and dignity of the United States of America

*E Bates*

---

**Page 11** (1127_011.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons*

Territory of Missouri ,
County of St. Louis , Sct.
The United States of America , To the Sheriff of St Louis county-Greeting.
You are hereby commanded to summon Jousaint Rich Jose
Roda Joseph Navarzig
that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay they be and appear in proper person before the
Judge of our circuit court on the forteenth day of at the town of
St. Louis ,
then and there to testify and the truth to say in a certain matter of controversy now pending in our said
court, wherein The United States are plaintiffs,
and Joseph Labergd is detendant on the
part of the Defendant and have you then and there this writ.

*Witness, Archibald Gamble , Clerk of our said circuit court, at the
town of St. Louis , this ninth day of August in the
year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and twenty and of
the Independence of the United States the forty fifth A Gamble Clerk, St. L . C. C.*

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**Page 12** (1127_012.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*

the [illegible] [illegible]
es not found in
my county
9 augte 1820

*N. McGirk Dsff z.n.e. 1.50*
> *Legal Function: Caption*

[illegible]
vs
[illegible]
Joseph [illegible]
for Rivet
[illegible]
fore Roda
Lash. Manairez
[illegible] for
Deph

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**Page 13** (1127_013.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons*

Territory of Missouri ,
County of St. Louis , Sct.
The United States of America , To the Sheriff of St Louis County—Greeting.
You are hereby commanded to summon Jose Roda Josephaint[?]
[illegible] Joseph of Navaraz
that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay they be and appear in proper person before the
Judge of our circuit court on the fourteenth day of at the town of St. Louis ,
then and there to testify and the truth to say in a certain matter of controversy now pending in our said
court, wherein this United States are plaintiffs,
and Loseph Laberge is defendant on the
part of the Deft and have you then and there this writ.

*Witness, Archibald Gamble , Clerk of our said circuit court, at the
town of St. Louis , this 10th day of augt in the
year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and twenty and of
the Independence of the United States the forty fifth A Gamble Clerk, St. L . C. C*

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**Page 14** (1127_014.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Caption*

N. Y
vs
[illegible]
for
fore Roder
you paint Rever
Josh Ltavares
forthwith
for Depts
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Service*

Served this writ on
Iep Road Jourasit
Riveth & Loseph Aova
raz in St. Louis Town
ship by reading Augt
[illegible] 10th 1820
|   |   |
|---|---|
| services | 99 |
| trout | 6 |
| | \$1.05 |

*Bery J Rogim [illegible]*

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**Page 15** (1127_015.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons*

Territory Of Missouri ,
County of St. Louis , Sct.
The United States of America , To the Sheriff of St Louis county—Greeting.
You are hereby commanded to summon Pierre Chouteau Antoine
Lambord [illegible] [illegible]
that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay they be and appear in proper person before the
Judge of our circuit court on the forteenth day of Augt at the town of St. Louis ,
then and there to testify and the truth to say in a certain matter of controversy now pending in our said
court, wherein the United States are plaintiffs,
and
Joseph Laberge is defendant on the
part of the Defendant and have you then and there this writ.

*Witness, Archibald Gamble , Clerk of our said circuit court, at the
town of St. Louis , this tenth day of Augt in the
year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred Twenty day of
the Independence of the United States the forty fifth A Gamble Clerk, St. L . C. C.*

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**Page 16** (1127_016.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Caption*

[illegible]
[illegible] Labege
for Prime Chauteam
[illegible]
Antoino Lambord
[illegible] leorner
forthwith for
Dept
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*

Executed this writ
on Jeremiah [illegible]
on the 10th August
1820 in the town
of St. Louis
Beoj H Kogen
[illegible]
On Pierre Chou
=teau the 12th/11
by leaving a copy
at his plantiff
[illegible] on An=
toine Loubord
on the 11th Aug-
ust 1820

*John K. Walker [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] 99 [illegible]
\$1.05*

---

**Page 17** (1127_017.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons*

Territory of Missouri ,
County of St. Louis , sct.
The United States of America , To William Clark the Sheriff of
St. Louis , countyGreeting[?]
You are hereby commanded to summon William Clark
that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay the be and appear in proper person before the
Judge of our circuit court on the 11th day of August at the town of St. Louis ,
then and there to testify and the truth to say in a certain matter of controversy now pending in our said
court, wherein United States are plaintiffs,
and Joseph Labarge defendant on the
part of the plantiff and have you then and there this writ.

*Witness, Archibald Gamble , Clerk of our said circuit court, at the
town of St. Louis , this 10th day of august in the
year of our Lord,
one thousand eight hundred and Twenty and of
the Independence of the United States the forty fifth A Gamble Clerk, St. L . C. C.*

---

**Page 18** (1127_018.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Other*

ackknowledge received
> *Legal Function: Caption*

United States
vs
Joseph Labarge
for plantiff

*William Clark 11. August 1820 1820 1776 4*

---

**Page 19** (1127_019.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons*

Territory of Missouri ,
County of St. Louis , Sct.
The United States of America , To the Sheriff of St Louis county...Greeting.
You are hereby commanded to summon Ephraih Lown
that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay he be and appear person before the
Judge of our circuit court, on the forthwith day of at the town of
St. Louis ,
then and there to testify and the truth to say in a certain matter of cortroversy now pending in our said
court, wherein United States are Plaintiff
and Joseph Leberge is defendant on the
part of the Defendant and have you then and there this writ.

*Witness, Archibald Gamble , Clerk of our said circuit court, at
the town of St. Louis , this 14th day of august
in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and twenty
and of the Idependence of the United States the forty fifth Archibal Gamble Clerk, St .
L . C. C.*

---

**Page 20** (1127_020.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons Part 2*

[illegible]

---

**Page 21** (1127_021.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons*

Serritory of Missouri
County of St. Louis , Sct.
The United States of America To the Sheriff of John Ortiz, county Greeting.
You are hereby commanded to summon Francis Mobedeaw
that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay he be and appear in proper person before the
Judge of our circuit court on the forthwith day of at the town of
St. Louis
then and there to testify and the truth to say in a certain matter of controversy now pending in our said
court, wherein United States are plaintiff
and Joseph Iebarge are defendant on the
part of the Defendant and have you then there this writ.

*Witness, Archibald Gamble , Clerk of our said circuit court, at
the town of St. Louis , this 14th, day of August
in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and twenty
and of the Independence of the United States the forty fifth Archibald Gamble Clerk, St. L . C. C.*

---

**Page 22** (1127_022.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons Part 2*

[illegible] 36
> *Legal Function: Caption*

United states
vs
Joseph Lebarge
for Francois Robedeau Executed F, Robedoux this 14th day of August 1820
Joseph [illegible]
Sworn to Aust. 14th 1820

*A Gamble Clerk*

---

**Page 23** (1127_023.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons*

Serritory Missouri ,
County of St. Louis , Sct.
The United States of Ameica, To the Sheriff of St Louis county... Greeting.
You are hereby commanded to summon Resdon H Price
that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay he be and appear in proper person before the
Judge of our circuit on the 16th day of Augt at the town of St. Louis ,
then and there to testify and the truth to say in a certain matter of controversy now pending in our said court, wherein the U States are plaintiffs
and Joseph [illegible] is defendant on the
part of the Deft and have you then there this writ.

*Witness, Archibald Gamble , Clerk of our said circuit court, at
the town of St. Louis , this 15th day of Augt
in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and twenty
and of the Independence of the United States of the forty fifth A Gamble Clerk, St. L . C. C.*

---

**Page 24** (1127_024.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Caption*

[illegible] vs Laharge
for
Resobnla Priev
16th Augst for
Deft
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*

Executed this
Writ an Risdon
H . Price on
the 16th Augu-
st 1820 in
St Louis
|   |   |
|---|---|
| Leroid | 33 its |
| Lrod. | 3 |
| | 36 |

*John K Walker D shff*

---

**Page 25** (1127_025.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons*

Territory of Missouri ,
County of St. Louis , Sct.
The United States of America , To the Sheriff of St Louis county...Greeting.
You are hereby commanded to summon Victure Parrazun
& John Lambard
that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay they be and appear in proper person before the
Judge of our circuit court on the 17th day of Augt at the town of St. Louis ,
then and there to testify and the truth to say in a certain matter of controversy now pending in our said
court, wherein The U States are plaintiffs
and Joseph Labage is defendant on the
part of the plaintiffs and have you then there this writ.

*Witness, Archibald Gamble , Clerk of our said circuit court, at
the town of St. Louis , this 16th day of August
in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and twenty
and of the Independence of the United States the forty fifth A Gamble Clerk, St. L . C. C.*

---

**Page 26** (1127_026.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Caption*

U . States
vs
Labage
for
& Victure Parrazun
& John Lambard
18th Augt for
plantiff
Served this writ on
Victun Parrazun
& John Lamboard
in St Louis Township
by reading 17th
August 1820

*Isaac B McGirk [illegible] service 66 ets*

---

**Page 27** (1127_027.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons*

Missouri Territory,
St. Louis County.
Ss. The United States of America , to the sheriff of said countyGreeting.
We Command you to attach Ephriane Green
if he may be found within your bailiwick and bring him
forthwith before the judge of our circuit court now setting at the
town of St. Louis , within and for the county of St. Louis , then there
to answer unto the United States of
America , touching a certain
contempt by him committed in not attending as a witness in
the case of the U States
plaintiff and Joseph Labaye
defendant, on the part of the Defeandant[?] after being
legally summoned by the sheriff of said county, and have you then
there this writ.

*Witness A Gamble a clerk of our
said court, at the town of St. Louis , this 18th
day of Augt in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and Twenty and
of our independence the forty fifth A Gamble Clk*

---

**Page 28** (1127_028.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*

Non Est 50
Jos C Browning
> *Legal Function: Caption*

U. States
vs
Joseph Labange
for
E Town [illegible]
[illegible] [illegible]

---

**Page 29** (1127_029.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons*

Territory of Missouri ,
County of St. Louis , Sct.
The United States of America , To the Sheriff of St Louis county... Greeting.
You are hereby commanded to summon Amos of [illegible] Michael
Ely James Ramsey Joseph Robideau
that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay they be and appear in proper before the
Judge of our circuit court, on the fourthwith day of at the town of
St. Louis ,
then and there to testify and the truth to say in a certain matter of cortroversy now pending in our said
court, wherein the U States are plaintiffs
and Joseph Laboya is defendant on the
part of the plaintiff and have you then and there this writ.

*Witness, Archibald Gamble , Clerk of our said circuit court, at
the town of St. Louis , this 18th day of August
in the year of Lord, one thousand eight hundred and twenty
and of the Independence of the United States the forty fifth A Gamble Clerk, St. L . C. C.*

---

**Page 30** (1127_030.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*

Executed on Jos=
Bohidoux on
Amons Bruce
on the 18th Aug.
1820. on James
Bourey & Mach
ely same day
in St Louis
|   |   |
|---|---|
| leu | $ 1.32 |
| tramu | 6 |
| | $ 1.38 |

*John K. Walker [illegible]*
> *Legal Function: Caption*

U. States
vs
Josh Labange
for
Amos of Bruce
Michael Ely
James Ramsey
Joseph Robideau
forthwith for
Plaintiff

---

**Page 31** (1127_031.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons*

Territory of Missouri ,
County of St. Louis , sct.
The United States of America , To the Sheriff of St Louis county... Greeting.
You are hereby commanded to summon Francis Danel
that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay he be and appear in proper person before the
Judge of our circuit court, on the fourtheenth day of at the town of St. Louis ,
then and there to testify and the truth to say in a certain matter of cortroversy now pending in our said
court, wherein the United States are plaintiff
and Joseph Labajuij defendant on the
part of theplaintiff and have you then and there this writ.

*Witness, Archibald Gamble , Clerk of our said circuit court, at
the town of St. Louis , this 18th day of august
in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and twenty
and of the Independence of the United States the forty fifth A Gamble Clerk, St. L . C. C.*

---

**Page 32** (1127_032.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*

Francis Denul
not found 18th
August 1820

*John K Walker D Shff.
Nou Est*
> *Legal Function: Caption*

U. States
vs
Labange
for
Francois Daniel
forthwith for
Plaintiff

---

**Page 33** (1127_033.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Defendant's Answer*

upon their oath do say that
the said dependant is not guilty in
manner and form as charged upon him
in the first court of the said [illegible]
ment. and that the said defendant
in guilty of receving part of the second court of said to such of[?] receiving 3 packs of Beaver of the value of in manner of form as
charged in the second court of
said [illegible] at not & of the [illegible] and the [illegible]
aforesaid do further said that
the 3 pack of Beaver so [illegible]
is of the value of [illegible]750 [illegible] and
that the same is now in the profession of I R Levy.

---

**Page 34** (1127_034.jpg)

Item sets: All Circuit Court Records; Circuit Court Cases; St. Louis Fur Trade Cases, 1800 - 1834

United States V. Joseph LaBarge. 1829, St. Louis Circuit Court Historical Records Project, accessed October 8, 2026, https://digitalexhibits.library.washu.edu/s/ccr/item/60712