Across the Missouri River from Boonville, MO stands the faithfully restored 12,000 Sq. Ft. Rivercene Mansion built by Captain Joseph Kinney. Originally built in 1869 as a place to entertain and impress, this recent bed and breakfast, now private residence, became the original owners’ family home after his retirement in the 1880s. Within the downstairs and particularly the lady’s parlor, one can feel transported as there are still some original furnishings and trinkets from the original owners of the home.
At the height of his operations, he had 21 ships with many named after his daughters while employing more than 250 local workers. His first marriage to Mary Collins produced one daughter, Mary Jane Kinney. His second marriage, to Matilda Clarke, produced eleven additional children. Joseph B., Agnes, Adam, Ellen, Alice, Cora, Kate (1), Margaret, Andrew, Kate (2), and Noble W.
While the family had good luck with fortune and fame, they were rather unfortunate when it came to life itself. Of the twelve children, six died before the age of seven, with most commonly expiring due to diphtheria. Captain Joseph Kinney died of a stroke after horseback riding during midday on their property. While you may think that the grief-stricken mother, or the Captain who loved his former entertainment venue turned home would be the most likely to haunt the mansion, it is not reported to be either. Instead, it is reported that Noble W. Kinney is the culprit haunting this place. In 1895 at the age of 26, after becoming the family patriarch due to his father’s death, he fell to his death. While his mother sat in her chair knitting a scarf, he somehow fell over the second-floor handrail leading him to land on the hard walnut staircase below, snapping his neck on impact. Noble has been seen haunting his former family home on numerous occasions.
