Chariton's list of "Thou-shalt-nots," as of 1875

Chariton was 25 years old as 1875 dawned and, the City Council decided, in need of a comprehensive set of new ordinances to govern the collective life of its citizens. These were approved during April and went into effect upon on publication during early May in the city's two official newspapers, The Patriot and The Leader.

Ordinance No. 15, published in The Patriot of May 12, was a catch-all that contained 29 articles, most intended to regulate public morality. Several were unremarkable, governing such offenses as public intoxication and the false reporting of fires.

Others were more interesting, at least to 21st century eyes. I've selected a few of my favorites here --- including Section 9, intended to shield the public from the sight of public breeding of stallions, jackasses and bulls. 

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Section 1. Be it Ordained by the City Council of Chariton, If any person shall within the limits of this city, publicly curse, or use abusive language toward another person, or publicly use profane, blasphemous, obscene, abusive or offensive language, or shall disturb the peace of others or the good order and quietude of the city by violent, tumultuous, offensive or disorderly conduct, or by violently and maliciously assaulting, striking or fighting with another person, under any pretense whatever, he shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor; and on conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not less that one and more than twenty-five dollars and costs of prosecution.

Section 2. If any person shall follow the avocation of a common prostitute within the limits of this city, or if any person shall be found in a condition of vagrancy; and all habitual loiterers in or about any of the streets, alleys, saloons, or public places of this city, without visible means of support, shall be deemed vagrants within the meaning of this section, he shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not less than one and not more than twenty-five dollars and costs of prosecution.

Section 3. If any person shall, within the city limits, disturb the peace and quiet of any assemblage of persons met for religious worship, by making an unusual noise, or by rude or indecent behavior, or by profane discourse within the place of worship, or so near the same as to disturb the order or solemnity thereof, he shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not less than one and  not more than twenty -five dollars and costs of  prosecution.

Section 7. If any person shall, within the city limits, appear in any street, highway or public place, in a state of nudity, or in an indecent or obscene dress;  or shall make an indecent exposure of his or her  person; or be guilty of any indecent or lewd conduct, he shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not less than one and not more than twenty-five dollars and costs of prosecution.

Section 8. If any person shall within the city limits sell or offer to sell, or give away, any indecent, lewd or obscene book, picture, publication or thing, or perform any indecent, immoral or obscene play or representation of any kind, whatsoever, he shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not less that one and not more than fifty dollars and costs of prosecution.

Section 9. If a person shall in any street, alley, vacant lot or public place within the city limits, stand for service, or exhibit, or cause to be exhibited, any Stallion, Jackass or Bull, unless entirely secluded from public view, he shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not less than one and not more than twenty-five dollars and costs of prosecution.

Section 10. If any person shall within the city limits, publicly, or so as to be seen or heard by the public, play billiards, ten-pins, cards, quoits, or other game of amusement on the Sabbath day, he shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not less than one and not mre than twenty-five dollars and costs of prosecution.