The information below is from WILSON'S HISTORY AND DIRECTORY for Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois giving descriptions of Counties, Towns and Villages with valuable HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL INFORMATION Compiled and published by L.A.WILSON CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO. 1875-76 BUTLER COUNTY. p.35 State Representative -------- William Berry Marble Hill. Judge Circuit Court --------- John Robison Perryville. Judge Probate Court --------- Win. M. Welch Marble Hill. Judge County Court ---------- N. M. Zimmerman Glen Allen. County Clerk ---------------- B. F. Stevens Marble Hill. Circuit Clerk -----------John W. Revelle Sheriff and Collector -- John Hopkins Assessor --------------- Samuel J. Lesley Treasurer -------------- Win. F. Kinder Prosecuting Attorney ----- James H. Wilson Lutesville. Surveyor--- M. H. Williams- Sedgwicksville. School Commissioner G. W. Tallent Marble Hill. Coroner - Win. Gray Lutesville. NEWSPAPER. Missouri Herald, Thos. M. Johnson, Publisher, Marble Hill. BUTLER COUNTY. This county is bounded on the north by Wayne County, on the South by the Arkansas State Line, on the east by the St. Francis River, which separates it from Stoddard and Dunklin Counties, and on the West by Ripley and Carter Counties. The earliest settlement of this portion of the State was made in 1805 by a few white trappers and hunters. Previous to this, and for a long time subsequent, it was the favorite hunting ground nomadic Indian tribes. The intercourse of the white man with the aborigines was marked by peace and harmony, strangely in contrast with deeds of bloodshed and horrible retalia- tion that characterized the "irrepressible conflict" of the races elsewhere. The county was organized from a part of Wayne, February 7th, 1849. Up to a recent date, the taxes were principally paid in furs and peltries, little or no money being in circulation. During the civil war this county was over- run by marauding armed bands of both sides, who paid but little attention to the laws of war. They plundered. burned', and destroyed. The sacredness of human life was little regarded. Men were shot down in cold blood without remorse whenever the capture of their property excited the cupidity of the lawless ruffians, who assumed the appearance and discipline of soldiery, in order to disguise their character of robbers and assassins. POPULATION.-In 1850 the population of Butler County was 1,616. In 1860, 2,891. In 1870, 4,268, of whom only 21 were colored. The county is traversed by the Big Black River, which, contrary to the idea suggested by its peculiar name, is a beautiful and clear stream, running south through the entire county. The territory east of the river is heavily timbered, and when cleared will be rendered valuable for agricultural purposes. In 1853, by an act of the General Assembly of Missouri, about 250,000 acres of swamp land were given to Butler County, a certain portion of which is reserved for the benefit of the school fund. Besides the Big Black River, the county is well watered by the Little Black, and the Cane and Copeland Creeks, running also in a southerly direction. Oak and pine grow well in the northwestern portion of the county. Poplar, oak, walnut; maple, elm, gum, and many other varieties, flourish luxuriantly in the bottom lands. The United States Government still holds valuable mineral lands. The St. Louis and Iron Mountain Railroad has about 3,000 acres. The C.,A.T. R.R. about 100,000 acres, while Thomas Allen owns nearly a like quantity. The lands can be purchased on very easy terms, and at very low rates. The wealth of the county, by the census of 1870, was estimated 'at 01,100,000. About thirty-six miles of the Iron Mountain Railroad run through this county. The Cairo, Arkansas and Texas Railroad has about twelve miles of road, and forms a junction with the Arkansas branch of the St. Louis and Iron Mountain Railroad. The Cape Girardeau State Line Railroad (now merged in the Illinois. Missouri and Texas Road) is graded as far as Poplar Bluff. Butler County exports lumber, tobacco, cattle, wheat, corn, and pea nuts. Up to the present the cause of public education has been miserably neglected. The children of several school districts are absolutely without any means of instruction, public or private. In 1873, out of 2,000 children of school age, the returns showed an attendance of not more than 500. This fact goes far to explain the backward condition of Butler county-. We are glad, however, to state that at present there are favorable indications of the introduction of a better state of things. Poplar Bluff is the county seat, situated at the j auction of the St. L. & I. M. and C., A. & T. R.R.'s. Its distance from St. Louis is 165 miles. It commands a fine view, being built on an eminence on the west bank of the Black River. The population, at present, is about 1,000. The Black River News, edited by Andrew Giboney, is published here, and is a lively, spicy and well edited county newspaper. There are also two drug stores, four general retail stores, a grist mill, a public school house and private seminary, both well sustained. CITIES, TOWNS, AND VILLIAGES Name Population. Location. Fredie. P.O 12 miles southwest Poplar Bluff. Gillis Bluff 20 27 " southeast Hendrickson 100 13 " north Neelysville, P.O 50 50 south " 1. M. R.P. Oak Hill P.O 30 9 'n.e. Poplar Bluff, C., A. & T. R. Poplar Bluff 1,000 165 s. St. I.M.R.R.&C.,A&T.R.R. Renton. P.O Shiloh, P.O 18 northwest county seat. _______ PREFACE. Great care has been taken to avoid errors in preparing the historical information for this work. It has, however, been a difficult task, as much of the information which is before the public, in regard to the early settlement of Missouri and Illinois. is founded on Indian tradition. We are frequently led to accept that which seems to be truth, which in reality is without foundation. Numerous documents, histories and papers have been carefully compared and examined, and nothing has been inserted in this work but that which seemed to be from good authority. The information it contains will there-fore widely differ from that given by many other writers. In preparing the general history and description of the various counties of Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois, I have endeavored to insert facts, in as short and complete a style as possible, so that any information sought can be obtained in a moment's time. Having traveled almost con-stantly for the past six years in this section of country, it has enabled me to acquire much information of value, besides having one or more contribu-tors in each county, I feel quite sure that my work will be accepted as authority, and meet with the approbation of the public. After much unavoidable delay, in order to have the work complete, I go to press with my first edition, with the flattering list of 5,000 subscribers and advertisers, which leads me to hope that the work will be a success; and with such hopes I offer thanks to those who have so kindly encouraged the enterprise. This work is designed not only to rescue from oblivion the heroic deeds of the early settlers of this portion of the country, who by their tireless industry, toil, patience and fortitude, reclaimed the most fertile portion of Missouri and Illinois from a condition of savage wilderness, and intro- duced the arts, pursuits and blessings of civilized life, but also to dis- seminate Information of an interesting character and of great practical value. Our mineral and agricultural resources need only be known to be appreciated. The inducements offered to immigrants intending to settle in this portion of the country, are unequalled by those presented anywhere in the Union. The Mississippi Valley is confessedly the richest in the world. The mineral and agricultural wealth of Missouri is as inexhaustible as it is incalculable. The rich coal fields and fertile prairies of Illinois are unsurpassed. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Entered according to act of congress, in the year 1875 by L.A. WILSON In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington --------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: pages submitted to this site by Nancy Hill Mozarkhick@aol.com