Political Career
In 1834 Austin A. King was elected to the first of two terms in the Missouri House of Representatives. Re-elected in 1836, King was known as a strong advocate for improving education in the state. To that end, in November 1836 he introduced legislation for the creation of a college dedicated to educating the teachers who served in the "common" schools of the state. This was the seed of the Normal school concept in Missouri. Throughout his political career Austin King also supported the establishment of a college in Richmond, Missouri as well as Columbia College and the 1833 founding of "Columbia Female Academy", later known as Stephens College.
Austin King and his family moved to Ray County, Missouri in 1837 after he was appointed judge of the Missouri Fifth Circuit Court, a position he would hold until 1848. During his time on the bench he presided over the trial of Joseph Smith, Jr. founder of the Latter Day Saint movement during the 1838 Mormon War. Smith and sixty of his followers were brought before Judge King in a Richmond, Missouri courtroom following their surrender after the Battle of Far West in Caldwell County. Charged with long list of crimes including treason, murder, arson, burglary, robbery, larceny and perjury, all but about ten of the Mormons were released by King following an inquiry. However Smith, and the rest were ordered held in the Liberty Jail in Clay County, Missouri. Austin King remained active in Democratic politics during his time as a judge, being a strong supporter of Martin Van Buren in the 1840 Presidential campaign. King was a contender for his partys' nomination for Missouri Governor in 1844, but lost out narrowly to John Cummins Edwards.
Read more about this topic: Austin Augustus King
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