The Sweet Border: The Absurd 1839 Honey War That Almost Split America

Before the Civil War tore the United States apart, another conflict nearly brought two states to open bloodshed over a completely ridiculous premise. In 1839, a surveyor's error created a highly contested, ambiguous strip of land between the state of Missouri and the territory of Iowa. When a Missouri tax collector attempted to exact taxes from the Iowans living there, he was chased out.

In retaliation, Missourians crossed the border and chopped down three hollow trees containing precious ho...