History of Butler County Missouri; History of Southeast Missouri

Early days in Butler County, MO, are recalled in this booklet, reprinted from excerpts from three rare books: Goodspeed's 1888: History of Southeast Missouri, The State of Missouri (1904), and Missouri, a Guide to the "Show Me" State, a 1930s WPA project. The 40-page spiral bound 8 1/2 x 11" booklet has a vinyl sheet protects the front cover. The 1888 history covers the early development of this area and includes bios of prominent citizens. The 1904 book, written in connection with the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, gives an overview of the county at that date. The WPA excerpts take a look at the area from a 1939 vantage point, including interesting historical notes, especially as they relate to sightseeing possibilities. Topics covered include: Location, Waterways; Solomon Kittrel and other early settlers; Formation of the county; Names of early officials; Circuit Court and grand jury; Crimes and trials; Poplar Bluff -- businesses, newspapers, lodges, schools, and other bits of history and trivia. Besides the names mentioned in the first part of the booklet, there are biographies of many county residents of yesteryear. Most are fairly lengthy, and often include ancestors, previous residences, children, in-laws, affiliations, war records, and business activities. In the course of this they often shed light on the early businesses, professions and institutions in the county. The biographies include: Dr. J. E. Adams, William B. Adams, Oscar R. Albro, Judge Andrew S. Armstrong, James R. Arrendale, Arthur P. Asher, Dr. George T. Bartlett, George Begley, George H. Benton, Harry H. Blackstone (pix), W.W. Boyt, Robert A. Burket, John L. Clevelen, George H. Crumb, James L. Dalton, Dr. Hugh C. Davidson, Isaac M. Davidson, Dr. Alex W. Davidson, Joseph T. Davidson, Byrd Duncan, Dr. DeWitt F. Eskew, H.M. Estes, Thomas D. Ferguson (pix), William Ferguson, Martin Ferguson, James L. Garetson, Charles Giese, Dr. Edmund V. Glass, George W. Glass, William C. Graddy, A. Hewitt Greason, Josiah Harper, Charles F. Hinrichs, G.W. Hill, Levi Hillis, Emlen W. Hoag, James R. Hogg, Judge Andrew Holt, Dr. J.L. Horn, Milton C. Horton, M.A. Johnson, H.E. Johnson, Dr. Benjamin c. Jones, Judge Eli C. Lacks, Robert P. Liles, Dr. James C. McCown, John Mangold, Henry H. Miles, Leonard O. Mills, Lemuel Mills, Thomas H. Moore, Joseph W. Morris, William F. Neal, William W. Norman, George C. Orchard, William L. Oury, F.G. Oxley, Judge John C. Patty, Joseph P. Porch, John W. Reed, George W. Register, Dr. S.N. Rubottom, Harvey I. Ruth, Dr. Marshall E. Shelton, Andrew Jackson Simms, John Souders, Milton S. Spradling, G.A. Standard, Michael D. Treece, B.F. Turner, and Milton J. Wyatt.…