Butler county Missouri, "A View of A Growing Town" PAGE 6
Transcribed © BY: Susan (Sauerwein)  Opalka.    mopalka@alaska.net
contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives  
Rules for coping this work in on the first page of "A View of A Growing Town"

 
J. E. ADAMS, M. D.

In the first part of the year 1879 Dr. J.E. Adams moved to this place from
Enfield, Illinois.  He erected a handsome dwelling in the northern portion
of the city and in the summer of 1882 built a two-story business house on
Vine street in the upper story of which he has fitted up an office and
reception room.  Dr. Adams was born in Richland county, Ills. in 1841 and
graduated in medicine at Georgetown, D.C. in 1861.  With a view of
brightening up he then attended the Missouri Medical College in St. Louis,
from whence he graduated in the spring of 1877.  On his locating at this
place the St. L. I. M. & S R'y Co. appointed Dr. Adams to the position of
Railroad Surgeon which place he holds to-day.  During his residence here
Dr. Adams has built up and sustained a most excellent practice.  He is kept
busy morning day and night to meet the call of his patients, and is
fortunate in the possession of an even temper and patience that would put
Job to blush.  As a physician the Doctor stands high and is highly
respected by the leading men of his profession in the state.

DR. JOHN R. HIGDON

Dr. Higdon came to this city in the year 1879 and began the practice of
medicine.  Born in Marine County, Tennessee, May 4th, 1833, the Doctor is
now in the 51st year of his age.  He attended the St. Louis Medical College
in 1864 and 1865 and was a captain in the Third Missouri Regiment in the
Confederacy under Col. Lowe.  Dr. Higdon is a physician of ability, prompt
and attentive to his patients, and is  a jovial gentleman, liked by all.
His office is on Fourth street, between Maple and Cedar.

 G. A. STANDARD

Came to Poplar Bluff from Illinois, November 16th, 1880.  Mr Standard was
born in Illinois, in the year 1852 and read law in the office of Hon. N. A.
Spann, of Vienna.  Coming to Poplar Bluff he engaged in teaching the public
school of this place and to the personal knowledge of the writer he
habituated himself to rising at four o'clock, A. M., and reading several
hours before the breaking of fast.  In the month of March, 1882, he was
admitted to the bar; in the month of September was nominated by the
Democracy of Butler county for the office of Prosecuting Attorney, and on
the 7th of November, 1882, was elected to that office without opposition.
The success of this young man is due entirely to his own efforts.  He is a
hard student, a conscientious gentleman and is destined to shine in his
profession.

ERASTUS R. LENTZ

Located at Poplar Bluff October, 1879, and opened up a real estate office
in connection with the practice of law.  He started with only his peculiar
ability for his work as a capital, but by strict attention to business has
built up a business from which he realizes a handsome income.  His office
is replete with all plats and books necessary fro a complete land office,
and his abstracts are thoroughly reliable.  On his books appear more than
5000,000 areas of Missouri, Arkansas and Texas lands, for which he is
agent, and business is daily increasing.  In nearly every portion of the
United States is a correspondent kept in direct communication with his
office.  Having a thorough knowledge of the real estate business, and an
eye to the interests of the country, Mr. Lentz may at all times be relied
upon for correct information as regards the lands under his control.

STEPHEN M. CHAPMAN.

This gentleman has distinguished himself in the courts of Missouri.  Mr.
Chapman was born in Magog, Canada; was admitted to the bar at Jackson,
Michigan, in 1860, and located in Bloomfield, Mo., in 1865.  In 1871 he
moved to Poplar Bluff where he has since remained giving his undivided
attention to the practice of his profession.  His favorite and special
branch of practice is the criminal, and in this he has been very
successful.  He has appeared as counsel for the defense in some important
murder cases in Southern Missouri, and has in a number of cases, by his
ability and attention to his cause secured some wonderful acquittals.  He
is a hard-working student and fights his cases with great tenacity,
regardless of the financial standing of his client.  He is counted as one
of our wealthiest men, and has a large practice, both civil and criminal.
  


JOHN F. LANE.

Came to Poplar Bluff about twelve years ago.  He at first engaged in the
mercantile business, but having engaged in the study of law during his
leisure hours he was admitted to the bar several years ago.  He was elected
Probate Judge at one time and at another County Judge,  both offices which
he filled with ability and credit.

He was elected Prosecuting Attorney in 1880.  He is a forcible speaker and
very popular as a man.

SALOONS.

The "Senate" is located on Main street, near the Morris House.  It is a
two-story brick building, 30 feet front and 70 feet back and was erected in
the summer of 1882, at a cost of about $5,000.  The first floor is fitted
up as a saloon in elegant style with billiard and pool tables, and the
visitor to this place will always find good treatment, and politeness at
the hands of the managers, W. E. Perkins, and Jack Luce, who are at all
times awake to the comforts of their guests.  The second floor is divided
into bed chambers, each of which are handsomely furnished and under the
supervision of Captain S. B. Wardwell.  Oscar R. Albro is proprietor of the
building and saloon, and any matter in his charge is almost certain of
success.

McCABE  SALOON.

This establishment is owned  by Jas. McCabe and located in the Junction
House.  It is well arrange and keeps a good stock of liquors.  Mr. Patsey
McCabe is the chief bar tender and is a popular young man who will be found
attentive and courteous to all.

KLAUSMAN BREWERY.

This company has a branch house at this place which is furnished with all
articles in the line, and is under the supervision of Geoge Kolb.  Mr. Kolb
does a good business and the profits in this city for his company are quite
excellent.




MANUFACTORIES.


In presenting our arguments that Poplar Bluff is the garden sport for those
seeking to invest their capital in paying establishments of manufacture, we
do not expect that mere assertions will suffice where facts are expected.
Recognizing the convincing American argument, "let facts be submitted to a
candid public." It is known to the world, and is in fact a natural
consequence of increased population and old settlement that the remaining
timber of the East is fast falling a prey to the woodman's axe, and that
even to-day there is but a comparatively small portion of that section
which can supply factories of any size with the necessary timber for the
manufacture of their goods. 
In consequence of this the eye of the eastern
manufacturer turns to the west for supplies in this line and as "westward
the course of Empire takes its way," the call for a supply of material for
wooden goods is heard throughout the land of the west, and among those
sections which arise to beckon the capitalist to a view of its lands and
its timber stands Poplar Bluff, not panting at the feet of moneyed men in
admission of poverty and need; but Poplar Bluff, grand and glorious in the
possession of riches in the shape of every facility for the shipment of
goods by water or by rail, and a surrounding country of the choicest soil,
literally bedecked with a robe of magnificent timber. When supplies give
out the successful man must recognize the fact that his advantage is a
removal to a land where material can be obtained. An examination of the
facts show that Poplar Bluff has an outlet by river in one direction, and
by rail in four directions already, and a certainty of two more within the
next twelve months: That Poplar Bluff stands in the center of a country
where timber can be procured at a small cost for the next twenty years; a
land where the oak, the cypress, the walnut, the pine--and last but not
least the beautiful gum, grown in all their splendor; a land which sheds
its wooden garb only to remain as the opportunity for the poor man to enter
and establish for himself and family a home where he can pass his latter
years in peace and plenty and see his children grow to honored man and
womanhood, surrounded by all the benefits and advantages which good
government, good schools and a progressive community affords.
 The facilities here for the shipment of articles of manufacture and the
boundless forests of unexcelled timber on all sides, and in close proximity
to the place, demand for Polar Bluff the serious consideration of the
manufacturer who has a view to establish himself in a locality which will
prove to him a paying investment.
 Already we have here men who have erected factories and who have upon quite a small capital succeeded in
being counted among the prosperous people. If, upon a small capital, money
can be made, how much better can the man do who has a sufficient purse to
erect a manufactory of gigantic size, which can always find a supply of
timber of all kinds and quality. While we have manufactories here today
which do credit to the town there is always room for one more. No petty
jealousy will be found existing between such establishments, but the man
who concludes to come among us and put to use our timber in a proper manner
and to the benefit of himself and the town, will find no heartier welcome
than the one certain to be extended to him by the enterprising gentlemen
who are today reaping profits from the timber of our country. There is no
danger of the supply being exhausted at an early day and the star of
progression points the manufacturer in the direction of this growing town,
where he will not fail to receive a warm welcome and thorough appreciation
at the hands of its people.

THE R. P. LILES & CO. FACTORY.

Recognizing the profits in the manufacture of furniture, sash, blinds, and
other articles out of the timber in the surrounding country, Messrs. Robert
P. Liles, a well-known merchant, and James A. Kennedy, a contractor of
extended acquaintance, formed a partnership for that purpose,and in
January, 1883, erected a commodious building on Fifth street, between
Poplar and Cedar.  In a short time the firm under the name of The R. P.
Liles & Co. Factory began business, having their building filled with
machines of all descriptions and so fitted up as to be most conveniently
arranged for the manufacture of goods of their line.  The building is a
two-story frame, of good size, and the manufacturing is divided into three
departments.

ORNAMENTAL DEPARTMENT.

In this division the visitor finds Mr. James A. Kennedy, the junior member
of the firm , as foreman.  This department is replete with all machines
necessary for the manufacture of turned work of all descriptions, scroll
and moulding Newell posts, balustrades and railing, together with any and
all decorative and ornamental work which would properly come under this
hear.  None but experienced workmen are employed in this department, and as
a consequence, this coupled with the fact that the machinery is all that
could be desired, enables the Company to furnish but the best of goods in
their line.

PLANING DEPARTMENT.

The planing department of this establishment is located on the lower floor
and is under the supervision of Mr. L. B. Walker, a gentleman who is
perfectly conversant with his duties.  This division is furnished with all
machinery usually found in a planing mill and is constantly kept in
operation to supply their custom with sash doors and window frames, church
seats, fancy fencing work, and all other work which might properly come
under that head.