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A GROWING TOWN
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BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES.
Here, as elsewhere, the people appreciate the advantages and benefits to be
derived from benevolent societies.� In addition to those already
established a movement is on foot to establish a lodge of the order of Odd
Fellows.� That our people appreciate such organizations will be seen by the
statement of those here now:
POPLAR BLUFF LODGE, NO. 209, A.F. and A.M.
This lodge is one among the foremost of the secret organizations of our
city.� It has a membership of forty-one, consisting of some of our best
business men and farmers. The lodge is in a healthy condition.� It meets in
its own hall and is nearly out of debt.� The members are live, energetic
men, and display in this that same business capacity and promptness of
action that make their private undertakings a success.� The lodge was
organized in 1860 with a membership of eleven as follows: J.W. Baldwin,
J.T. Adams, James M. Jennings, James D. Dennis, Charles L. Scott, T.M.
Ritch, C.P. Phelps, T.J. Bledsoe, S.W. Miller, B.J. Jennings and James S.
Ferguson.� The first meeting was held on the evening of May 7, 1860, and
the election and installation of officers took place, as follows:� J.W.
Baldwin, W.M.; J.T. Adams, S.W.; James M. Jennings, J.W.;T.J. Bledsoe,
Treas.; T.M. Ritch, Sec.; James S. Ferguson, S.D.; C.P. Phelps, J.D.; C.L.
Scott, Tyler.� Since that time there has been about one hundred and
twenty-five members belonging to the lodge at different times.� Eli C.
Lacks is the present presiding officer, and E.H. Bayard, Secretary.
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS.
Orion Lodge, No. 59, Knights of Pythias, was installed August 11, 1880,
with twenty charter members and the first officers of the lodge were as
follows:� J.T. Davison, C.C., H.H. Blackstone, V.C.: I.M. Davidson, P.;
R.P. Liles, M. of E.; T.M. Johnson, M. of F,; George Bebley, K. of R. and
S.; J.D. White M. at A.; W.E. Massey, I.G.; Henry Turner, O.G.� This lodge
is now in a most prosperous condition, its membership being increased
monthly.� Its meetings are held the second and fourth Thursdays in each
month at the Masonic Hall.� The society has for its members a large number
of young and old men who are enthusiastic in the cause, and by whose
attention to the interest of their order this society is destined to
prosper in our midst in the future as it has in the past.� No endowment
rank has yet been added to this lodge, but steps are now being taken to add
this branch, when it is expected the list of members will be greatly
increased.
KNIGHTS OF HONOR.
On the 25th day of February, 1879, Poplar Bluff Lodge No. 1419, Knights of
Honor, was organized in this city with a charter membership of thirty.� The
following were the first officers of the society:� Charles F. South, P.D.;
J.T. Davison, D.;� R.P. Liles, V.D.; J. D. Greason, A.D.; William B.
Crouch, R.; J.L. O'Brien, F.R.; W.A. Spence Treasurer; I.M. Davidson,
Chaplain; William Ferguson, Guide; J.E.� Adams, Medical Examiner; T.H.
Bradley, Guardian.� This society is now in a flourishing condition, having
a greatly increased membership.� Four deaths have occurred in their midst,
the representatives of whom in each case have received $2,000.� This lodge
is composed of men who take an interest in their order and there is no
danger of this branch of the order of Knights of� Honor being other than an
honor to the cause.
R.H. McCOOK POST, G.A.R.
This post was established in October, 1883, at Ferguson Hall in this city.
The first officers elected were as follows: Post Commander, J.K. Leech;
S.V.C., John W. Ingram; J.V.C., William Dilley; Q.M., Richard Mey;
Chaplain, C.W. Webber; O.D., J.T. Davison; O.G., Gustav Schoenau; Surgeon,
C.A. King; Post Adj., I.M. Davidson.� James K. Leech has been elected
delegate and I.M. Davidson alternate to the Sedalia convention.� This post
has twenty-two members mustered and a large number of applications for
membership on file.� The association is composed of some of the best
professional and business men of our city, all of whom are enthusiastic
members.� They meet the first and third Thursday evenings in each month, at
7:30 o'clock, at Ferguson Hall.
THE ATHENIAN LITERARY SOCIETY.
The people of our city give evidence on every hand of the great interest
felt by them in matters which tend to elevate and enlighten the mind.� The
Athenian Literary Society, organized the 1883, bears proof of this
interest.� This society has a large membership of ladies and gentlemen, and
meets every Friday night.� Well arranged programmes are carried out in a
manner to interest all whose minds may be inclined to literary pursuits,
and the institution is a perfect success.� The officers of the society are
as follows:� Rev. G.A. Ries, President; G.W. Register, Vice President; Miss
Ida V. Bedford, Secretary; Miss Alice Met, Treasurer; Mrs. E.C. Biggers,
Critic; Charles Campbell, Esq., Attorney; George Clevlin, Sergeant-at-Arms.
The meetings of the society are held with open doors, so that all who
desire may derive the benefits possible to be received from an organization
of this kind.� The membership is increasing monthly, and success is what
the club is certain to attain if conducted in the future as in the past.
NEWSPAPERS.
On the corner of Main street and Pine is located the office of the Poplar
Bluff Citizen.� In 1869 this paper was established under the name of the
Black River News, and edited by Drs. G.L. Poplin and G.T. Bartlett.
Shortly after its establishment Dr. Bartlett withdrew, and under the name
of "Poplin's Black River News" the paper braved the
tempest--journalistic--for several years until 1874, when W.T. Kitchens and
George H. Kelly took charge of the concern and changed the name to "The
Headlight."� Subsequently Kitchens' interest was purchase by Andrew
Giboney, and again the title of the journal was changed to the "Bluff
Citizen."� In 1877 George H. Crumb took charge of the paper, and altered
the name so as to read "Poplar Bluff Citizen."�
The "Black River Country New Era"� was established in 1875, but only
survived a few months, dying of too much name and other causes, and its
material was transferred to the Citizen office.
In 1879 the "Southeast Missourian" was established, and continued for about
eighteen months, when it was consolidated with the Citizen.� After the
retirement of Mr. Crumb from the editorial chair, George H. Kelly took his
place, and later Thomas M. Johnson held the same position for several years
until 1882, when George H. Thomas purchased the establishment, but only
retained it a few months, when John L. Batterton, of this city, and Oscar
P. Hedges, of St. Louis, became the purchasers, and are now publishing the
"Poplar Bluff Citizen," under the firm name of Hedges and Batterton, with
John L. Batterton as editor and business manager.
The Citizen office today is an establishment of which any town might be
proud.� It is a complete printing office, as the quality of work it turns
out bears evidence.� As a newspaper the Citizen has so superior in this
section and few equals.� Politically it a Democratic and true to its
principles, though not radical.� As a paper of the people it stands as an
honest advocate of right and justice, with an eye ever open to the interest
of our city and county, and having established its right to be classed as a
thorough organ of the people, this paper meets with just appreciation at
the hands of the community.
Mr. Hedges is a prominent real estate dealer of St. Louis, a thorough
gentleman and excellent business man.
John L. Batterton, who occupies the chair editorial, is a young man who has
lived in Poplar Bluff many years.� Mr. Batterton first entered journalism
at Alton, Illinois, when at the age of twelve years he peddled copies of
the "Alton Telegraph,"� a daily journal of that city.� He has worked
against odds through life, and the position he has attained has been won by
his own efforts and after years of hard labor.� He is a thorough newspaper
man, an able writer and a fearless editor, and under his management the
Citizen will do much to advance the interests of the town, and, keeping
pace with the progress of the city, will at no great future day rank as a
daily journal of importance
"THE SOUTHERN LAND OWNER."
This is a monthly journal, edited by Erastus R. Lentz, and devoted to the
real estate interests of Southern Missouri and Northern Arkansas.� The
editor is a practical real estate man, and understands his business
thoroughly.� The paper is filled with interesting and entertaining matter,
and is an excellent guide to all in search of lands.
FERGUSON HALL.
Nothing adds more to the convenience of a town than a public hall.� The
citizens of Poplar Bluff are extremely fortunate in this respect.� In 1881
Messrs. Thos. D. and Wm. Ferguson and O.R. Albro, at a cost of $4,000,
erected a hall on Vine and Main streets, replete with all the conveniences
necessary to make such an institution a success.� The size of the hall
proper is 44 feet wide by 80 feet long; the stage is 20 feet in width and
44 feet in breadth.� The walls and ceiling are beautifully decorated, and a
handsomely painted curtain occupies its proper place.� Two commodious
dressing room each have an entrance from the auditorium,� and everything is
so arranged as to make it a most convenient hall.
The fact that there can be no more appreciative audience than is assembled
in Poplar Bluff is sufficient guarantee that any troupe or lecturer will do
well to visit this place.� This hall is used for public meetings, balls,
theatrical and operatic entertainments, and has a seating capacity of five
hundred people.
FISH AND GAME IN DISTRICTS TRIBUTARY TO POPLAR BLUFF.
The beautiful and wholesome water of Black River springs cool from the
granite, porphyry and sandstone of the Ozark range. The rapids extend
almost to Poplar Bluff, which is at the head of navigation. It is a common
practice to take boats by railway or across country by wagon to the upper
river, and drift the rapids, casting the fly in pools, testing the eddies,
trying the rafts with great sport, taking in large and vigorous bass, jack
salmon, pickerel, and occasionally a powerful fighting grinnel. Usually
the distance is gauged to reach Poplar Bluff at night and go over the trip
next day. Others, guided somewhat by the season, take boats at Poplar
Bluff and drift upon the strong but smoothly-flowing stream, through
varying conditions of farm lands, forests, lumber and stave camps,
settlements of men and haunts of game by day, camping at night, and
continuing for more than a hundred miles, at no time over a dozen miles
from the railway, frequently within hearing of the whistle and the rumble
of the train, until the stream again comes to the railroad, when change is
made to return to the Bluff again for market, replenishing or rest. Camps
of St. Louis clubs are found on this route, and the time consumed in making
the trip is from two days to the desired extent, and at any point on either
the upper or lower tour for sport, the fish are plenty, vigorous and
excellent. Those who wish to vary the journey by water sometimes go by
train to the St. Francois River, twelve miles east, and go upon it north or
south with great success.. By wagons in any direction, by rail in four
directions, and by the conveniences of water, almost any nook, corner or
broad expanse may be reached from this central point. In some seasons of
the year the deer and turkeys prefer the hills; at others the bottoms. In
winter the water fowl, and especially ducks, are found in the lower lands
in great numbers. Should a first-class hunt be desired, this section of
the country is the place to find it.
A view of a growing town may be had, and the searcher for sport may emerge
from the din of business to the adjacent timber, when in any direction he
may find anything in the line of game which his taste may dictate.
HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS.
The position of Poplar Bluff as a railroad junction makes it an excellent
point for the hotel and restaurant business, and I this regard our city is
quite liberally supplied. There is also a constant stream of men coming
to this country looking for business and to see their lands. These men
naturally first visit this place, whence the can more easily diverge to any
particular location they desire to see, and add largely to the custom of
the hotels.
MORRIS HOUSE.
"Right this way to the Morris House, sir! Carry yer baggage right up!"
Such was the greeting which the stranger was certain to receive as he or
she alighted from the train at the depot in Poplar Bluff in years gone by.
Not that a similar greeting is not now awaiting the traveler, but during a
certain period between the years 1876 and 1880 is the particular time to
which we refer, when the dust-covered and weary traveler would consign his
mass of bundles and carpet-bag to the tender mercies of the hotel drummer,
and with little ceremony would be ushered into the "Morris House," which
entertained its guests in a little one and one-half-story frame house on
Fourth street in Poplar Bluff. Meals were there dished out in the old
"family and all in one dish" plan, and accommodations were not always the
best, though at all times tidiness was a strict rule of the host and his
much liked lady. But how time changes all things! Today the Morris
House is one of our boasts. The stranger is ushered up the hillside via a
good pair of steps and by obliging porters, not to a frame house, but is
halted directly in front of a magnificent four-story brick hotel, sailing
under the colors of the Morris House. In 1881, Daniel Morris, after years
of struggle against odds, succeeded in purchasing a lot on Main and Maple
streets, and began the erection of a hotel such as would accommodate the
trade of that business in Poplar Bluff. He has made additions to the
building, until now there can be no more handsome or elegant hotel found in
any town the size of ours.
The house has a frontage on the east of 64 feet and on the west of 74 feet.
Forty-seven elegantly furnished rooms are used exclusively for bedrooms,
while the parlors and sample rooms of the establishment are fitted up in a
most convenient manner. The house, both interior and exterior, is a model
one, and one of which any town would be proud to boast.
The table is always found furnished with good and substantial food, and
more attention is paid to securing the best of food than the best of
styles, yet the dining rooms will always be found in a condition to please
the most fastidious.
Mrs. D. Morris, the hostess, is a genial lady, known and liked by all, and
having a peculiar turn to make the stranger feel perfectly at home. The
host, Daniel Morris, is justly known from St. Louis to Little Rock as an
expert with the gun and rod, and as a consequence the table of this hotel
is constantly supplied with fish and game of all descriptions. His
thorough acquaintance with the hunting grounds of the adjoining country,
and his readiness at all times to join a guest in the chase for the fox,
the pursuit of the deer, or the watch for the turkey, makes him a most
desirable host.
BLACKSTONE"S EUROPEAN HOTEL.
In a stone's throw from the depot of the St. Louis, Iron Mountain and
Southern Railway is situated a magnificent three-story frame building with
mansard roof, which is nearing completion at the hands of Architect S.E.
Merrick. This establishment is owned by H.H. Blackstone, and when
completed will be used as a European Hotel. Twenty-eight rooms will be
elegantly fitted up for the use of transient custom, and parlors and sample
rooms, with all modern conveniences, will be found for the comfort of the
guests. Fifty feet in the rear of the hotel flows the Black River, where a
most enjoyable time may be had in boats obtained from the boat houses
belonging to the hotel. Harry Blackstone, the proprietor of the house will
be found to be a genial, hospitable host who will at all times be on the
alert for the comfort of his guests. Mr. Blackstone is a gentleman who
started in life with little or nothing but who by his admirable tact for
business has provided himself with a fair share of this world's goods. His
thorough acquaintance with the needs of a hungry and thirsty public assures
us that we will not be amiss in predicting the complete success of his
hotel, and that when completed it will occupy a position in the heart of
the weary and hungry pilgrim second to none in this state.
JUNCTION HOUSE.
"St. Charles Hotel, Mrs. Mary McCabe Proprietress," is the way the register
of a little two-story frame hotel in Poplar Bluff read several years ago.
This hotel was patronized mostly by railroad men and a good meal could
always be obtained where-ever "Mother MaCabe" kept an eye on the table.
But as the wand of fairy progress was felt in the land it was the duty of
all to follow it and from the now little building known as the St. Charles
there has sprung a handsome three-story frame known as the Junction House.
The building was erected in 1880 under the architecture of T.H. Bradley and
has thirty-eight rooms for the accommodation of guests, a frontage of 40
feet and a depth of 100 feet. The house is elegantly furnished from top to
bottom and the traveler is assured of good treatment. Mrs. Mary McCabe,
familiarly know as "Mother McCabe" is the owner of the hotel and her
motherly ways and kind treatment has won for her friends in all who know
her. Mr. James McCabe, the manager, is a gentleman in every respect, quiet
in manner, though at all times on the alert to accommodate the guests of
the house. The tables of the house are always found furnished with the
best the market affords and being conveniently situated the Junction House
is a most desirable stopping place. The sample rooms and parlors are
fitted up in an excellent manner and especial attention is paid to the
traveler.
MAY HOUSE.
In close view of the depot, is a neat frame house bearing the name
"Hotel-May." The building is 40 feet in front and 50 feet in depth, and
presents quite a neat appearance. The house is well furnished throughout
with elegant parlors and convenient sample room. R.W. May, the proprietor,
is a gentleman well known in this section, and a good meal and hospitable
treatment can be depended on at this house.
WESTERN HOME.
This is a hotel on the corner of Fourth and Maple Streets, where at all
times can be obtained a good old-fashioned meal and a tidy bed.
JOSEPH T. DAVISON.
This gentleman first established himself in Poplar Bluff in February, 1875,
in the restaurant business, near the depot. In the spring of 1883 he built
a neat business house on Main street, near Poplar, and opened up a
first-class confectionery with oyster house attached. The establishment is
fitted up in quite a neat manner and an excellent dish of oysters in the
winter, or ice cream in the summer may be here obtained.
RICHARD MEY.
On Fourth-street, near the depot, may be found a neat little restaurant
kept by Richard Mey, where at all times may be obtained a good cup of
coffee, an excellent lunch, or a fragrant cigar. Mr. Mey was established
in 1881, but was burned out, and recovering from his loss, built his
present establishment which is a convenient and comfortable resort.
BLACK RIVER HOUSE.
This hotel is situated on the bank of Black River, in the southern part of
the city, and is kept by Miss Bessie Feverston. It is pleasantly situated,
and the proprietress is prepared to accommodate a large number of guests in
a comfortable manner.
HENRY WOLFF.
On the northwest corner of Fourth and Cherry streets is situated the bakery
of Henry Wolff. Mr Wolff established himself at this place in the first
part of the year 1883, and has all the facilities to furnish all articles
in his line on short notice.
THE MEY BAKERY.
This bakery is located on Second and Vine streets, and is a complete one.
Mrs. R. Mey, the manager, has an excellent knowledge of the art of catering
to the fastidious palate, and the establishment is always filled with fresh
bread, cakes, pies, etc., etc., and prompt attention can be relied upon for
all calls.
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