Butler county Missouri,  "A View of A Growing Town,  Page 8

Transcribed © BY: Susan (Sauerwein)  Opalka. 
Rules for copying on page "1"
AS IT WAS.

Tuesday morning, August 13th, 1850, Court met pursuant to adjournment,
present, the Hon. Jonathan Sandlin and the Hon. Solomon Kittrell, judges,
Jacob C. Blount, Esq., clerk, and Newton Wallace, sheriff, when the
following proceedings were had, to-wit:

It is ordered that hereafter the Courts of Butler County be held at the
place known and designated as Poplar Bluff, and that the sheriff give
notice by putting up three hand-bills.

Thus reads the record of the County Court of Butler County on August 13th,
1850.

Butler County was organized and created on February 27th, 1849.  The first
courts of the county were held in Cane Creek and Epps township alternately,
at the houses of Solomon Kittrell and Daniel Epps, Sr.  On this particular
occasion the County Court met on the farm of Mr. Epps, the place now owned
by Theo. Hooper in Epps Township, and the commissioner of "permanent county
seat" having selected "the place known and designated as Poplar Bluff," the
Court made the order above referred to.  Accordingly on the 11th day of
November, 1850, Sheriff Newton Wallace mounted a stump on the river bank,
near the old bridge, and with the customary "Oh yea! Oh yea!" ushered the
few spectators into the presence of the first County Court held in Poplar
Bluff, the bench of which was occupied by Abraham Romine, presiding
justice, John N. Yarber and William Vandover associate justices, upon whose
shoulders had fallen the judicial robes in the time intervening since the
Court held by Sanding and Kitten, whose terms of office had expired.  Jacob
C. Blunt was Clerk of the Court, and Judges Yammer Romine and Vancouver had
been elected to these offices in the month of August, 1850.  On this day
Court was held in a rail pen or shed on the bank of Black river, near the
foot of what is now known as Vine street. The records of the Court were
kept in a small account book but in a neat and legible hand, which to-day
reads as plain as though the lines had been traced there but yesterday.

The county had been organized but a short time, and at the date we write of
"the place known and designated as Poplar Bluff' was but "a lodge in some
vast wilderness,"  where the pioneer hand had laid low a tree here and
there and erected a cabin.  At that time Poplar Bluff was simply the name
of a certain section of wilderness so named by the virtue of the large
growth of poplar timber on the place which presented then as it does now,
the appearance of a bluff from a river view.  It is not the intention nor
the privilege of the author to give a minute history of the place but
simply to set out in brief a description of the past existence of this
town, which is growing in interest yearly to the outside world.  We regret
that lack of space and limited facilities prevent us from taking this
locality from its very birth, following its path from the time of
settlement on through the dark years of civil strife, and setting forth its
history in full and in a manner to interest those who are citizens of the
place to-day.  But under the circumstances we are confined to a brief
description.   

To-day there are but few of those who may properly be termed pioneers
living with us.  A few are residents of other countries, many are dead and
gone, and only a handful of men live to-day in our midst who can tell the
story of the bear hunts away back in the fifties.

To one who is interested in the place to-day, it is really a pleasing task
to sit for hours and listen to the story of our home and its citizens in
years gone by, and the feeling of pleasure always evinced by the venerable
narrators of how the 'possum was treed, the deer pursued, or the bear
tracked in times thirty years ago, is in itself really pleasant to an
appreciative mind.  The man who to-day lives as a citizen of the place,
surrounded by the advantages and conveniences which civilization and
progress afford, is not prepared for a proper appreciation of the struggles
of the first settlers of this county.

Butler county was originally a portion of Wayne county, but was separated
from that county in 1848.  The first judges of the County Court were
Jonathan Sandlin, Solomon Kittrell and John Stevenson, who were appointed
by Governor Austin A. King.  The first Presidential election held in Poplar
Bluff was in the year 1852, when Franklin Pierce and Winfield Scott were
the candidates for President.  A post office was established here February
27th, 1850, and Jesse A. Gilley was appointed postmaster, and continued as
such until September 10th, 1850, when Jacob C. Blunt was appointed to the
place.  The post office was then kept at the eastern end of the old county
bridge, and in a small one-roomed cabin.  The mail was brought to this
place by a horseman, but the system was so uncertain that December 13th,
1851, the post office was discontinued.  Some of the manners of doing
things in those day will to-day appear amusing to those who are not
compelled to resort to seeming oddities.  The only mercantile establishment
then in the place was a small cabin made of hickory poles, on what is now
known as the corner of Second and Vine streets.  This place was kept by
Charles S. Henderson, and dealt exclusively in whiskey, tobacco, and mink,
coon, bear and other skins.  The witnesses, jurors and others in attendance
at Court, as well as the tired, overland traveler, found refreshments of a
substantial nature at this stand, and the proprietor, who was a prominent
citizen, did a good business.  In connection with Mr. Henderson's
establishment it might be mentioned as an interesting and peculiar fact,
that in those days the collector of the county revenue was required to go
from house to house for the purpose of collecting the taxes.  In many
instances, and in fact in nearly every instance, no money was found, but
the citizen would always be permitted to fall back on the standard coin of
the day--a coon or mink hide, and after receiving an appraisement at the
hand of the tax official, the hide would be exchanged for a tax receipt.
Upon his return from a trip through his county, the collector would pay his
respects to "Uncle Charley Henderson," who would purchase the hides thus
obtained, which he would send by wagon to Cape  Girardeau for market.

The first Circuit Judge who presided over a Court in Poplar Bluff was the
Hon. Henderson Huff.  Judge Huff held Court in a house opposite the
Courthouse square, which stands to-day and is conspicuous for its large
rock chimney.  Friday and Saturday, two days in each six months of the
year, Judge Huff would take the bench, and with dispatch the docket, which
at that time was not large, would be pushed through.  There were only three
lawyers in those days who were continual visitors at our bar, and they were
Gen Watkins, Thos. B. English and a Mr. Hill, all of Cape Girardeau.  Jacob
C. Blount, the County Clerk and Postmaster, also presided at the Circuit
Clerk's desk.

After the establishment of Butler county things progressed smoothly enough
until one of the county officials, to-wit, Newton Wallace, sheriff, began
to act in a very modern way official way.  The County Court had received
word that $1,200.00 belonging to the road and canal fund was awaiting their
order at Jefferson City.  It became the duty of Sheriff Wallace who was
also collector, to go to the Capital to receive the money.  Well, to make a
long story short, and to quote the language of our informant, "Newton
Wallace he got the money and came back here, but he only stayed a short
time till he said he had a Tennessee niece he said he wanted to bring to
this country, and so he mounted his hoss and went to Tennessee, and, well,
we didn't Tennisee Newt. any more until about the latter part of '52, when
some kind-hearted man wrote a letter to us from Memphis that Newt. Wallace
had fell overboard and got drowned, and he though we'd like to know of it.
Well, of course, it was some consolation to hear of the fellow who stole
our money drowning, and we were right glad to hear of it.  But a few years
later we heered of the darned skunk loafing around in Texas, and his wife,
who was here, went to him in that State, where I guess he was then and may
be he is till, yet, having a boss time off of our county's money."

That which to-day seems as an amusing order of Court, was made at one of
the first terms of Court held here, which reads as follows:
v
"It is ordered by the Court that the sheriff borrow $20.00 from anybody who
will loan it to him for the purpose of buying two seals, one for the
Circuit Clerk and one for the County Clerk."

It does not appear from the records whether or not the sheriff found the
"anybody" who would be kind enough to lend him the money, but as the seals
described and adopted at that term of the Court are in use to-day, it is
evident that the sheriff was successful in his search.

The travel in those days was altogether on horseback, and no horses were
used to wagons at all.  When goods were to be hauled the services of a
good-sized yoke of oxen were brought into use, and the locomotion, though
slow, was sure.

The debut of the grand jury system in Poplar Bluff was made in the year
1850,  when twelve men "all loyal and true,"  assembled here, and being
sworn in by Judge Huff, were marshalled by Sheriff Wallace to a pen made of
joists from the house in which, on a spot of woods, which would now be
designated as the northeast corner of the public square.  Into this pen the
grand jurors climbed and when seated in the interior on boxes and
miscellaneous logs, presented a more intelligent than dignified appearance.

We cannot close this brief sketch of the past without mention of some of
those of Auld Lang Syne, a few of whom are living with us to day, lending
their presence to grace the life of our city, and many whose voices are
hushed by Death, but whose memory clings to the history of the place.

SAMUEL  H. AND ELIZABETH C. BIGGERS.
Mr. and Mrs. Biggers came to Poplar Bluff in 1869.  Mr. Biggers was born in
Erie county, Pa., in September, 1800, and died in Poplar Bluff January
12th, 1875, after a residence here of usefulness and pleasant relations
with all with whom he came in contact.

His wife, Mrs. E. C. Biggers, was born in Glasgow, Scotland, July 22nd,
1806, and is alive to-day enjoying most excellent health.  Mrs. Biggers is
a lady of choice literary attainments, a woman of benevolence, and the
possessor of a character which has endeared her to all who know her.  No
step has ever been, or is yet, taken in Poplar Bluff which tends to the
enlightenment and culture of the people without having for its enthusiastic
follower Mrs. Biggers.  No movement which has for its result the elevation
of the mind or the good of the public generally, but which receives hearty
endorsement from this lady whose position in our midst enables her voice
and her sentiment to have the greatest of weight in matters affecting the
interests of our people.  Love, respected and admired by the young and the
old, the declining years of this estimable lady cannot fail to wreath for
her memory a crown of recollections which will be transmitted to the
citizens of the place many years hence, when those who have the pleasure of
her personal acquaintance to-day are in the grave.

JOHN  N.  YARBER.

Not a man, woman or child in our midst but who knows the venerable Judge
Yarber.  Judge Yarber was born in the year 1815, in Orange county, N.D.,
moved to Mississippi county in 1838, and in 1844 to Poplar Bluff where he
lives to-day honored and esteemed by all.

In 1850 he was elected Judge of the County court, was re-elected in 1864,
and in 1865 retired.  He has also held the office of Public Administrator,
and Coroner, and served a number of times in the capacity of Deputy Sheriff
and Collector, all of which he filled with credit and has now retired to
private life without a blemish upon his character.  He is passing his
declining years on his farm in the suburbs, and while somewhat feeble is
able to move around equal to a much younger man.

JAMES S. FERGUSON.

The subject of this sketch, was born and raised in Cape Girardeau county,
Mo., and moved with his father to this county when quite a young man, and
at the age of twenty was married to Elizabeth Kittrell, daughter of Solomon
Kittrell, and shortly afterwards engaged in the mercantile business.  At
the time of his marriage he had a very limited education but always being a
close student he afterwards became learned in the branches of education, an
excellent penman, and at the beginning of the war was holding the offices
of Clerks of the Circuit and County Courts, and ex-Officio Recorder of
Deeds after the war filling the offices respectively of Probate Judge,
County Judge, Clerk of the Circuit Court, and ex-Officio Recorder, the
latter of which he was holding at the time of his death, in the year 1872,
being then in his 43rd year, leaving at the time of his demise a son and
four daughters, his wife having died the year previous.  His home was one
of comfort and pleasure, he being warm-hearted and full of sympathy, and
his doors were ever open to the poor and needy.  Being of Scotch and Irish
descent he was ever ready with his jokes and humor, and fully understood
the privations of pioneer life.

When he first settled here in the western part of this county with his
father's family, there were but few inhabitants, and the country was one
vast wilderness, affording the best opportunities for hunting.  On the
uplands there were plenty of deer, turkey and small game, while on the low
lands there were plenty of bear, panther, wolves, etc., which sport he was
quite fond of when a young man, and has been known to kill several bear,
panther, deer, etc. in a single season.  In those days the few inhabitants
relied almost entirely upon wild game, such as bear, deer, turkey, etc. for
their meat, but in the latter part of his life he seldom gave any attention
to hunting, his time being occupied in business.

In the year 1859-60 he erected the first frame dwelling in the south part
of the little village of Poplar Bluff, it being a two-story frame which he
occupied to his death, and the same has been remodeled and is now occupied
by his son as a residence.

Four children remain to honor his memory to-day.  Thomas D. Ferguson, our
efficient Circuit Clerk.  Mrs. Artemissa Derry, Mrs. Bellzora Dalton and
Miss Lizzie Ferguson, all of this county.

His character was one to be admired, and his memory is cherished to-day by
all who knew him.

SIMMEON R. HARVIELL.

Judge S. R. Harviell was born in Illinois, November 15th, 1826, and died at
Arcadia, Missouri, May 23, 1877.  He showed an early aptitude for business,
and devoted his life to merchandising.  He carried on successful business
operations at Poplar Bluff and Arcadia.  He was a member of the Baptist
Church, and of the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities.

In 1862 he was appointed County Judge of Butler County, re-appointed in
1865, and elected in 1855.  He was an able man, a successful merchant, and
the possessor of many friends.

DANIEL KITCHENS.

Among the oldest settlers of our city was Judge Daniel Kitchens, who
removed to this place in 1868, to build the bridge across Black river for
which he had a contract.  Afterwards he established the first hotel in the
town, known as the "Western Home"  which he enlarged by successive
additions to the "Central Hotel"  as it now stands.  Many a traveler will
remember the genial hospitality of "Uncle Dan," in the old days of weary
travel horse back, when he was ready to welcome them to an excellent
resting place and bountiful board.  After years of prosperity here, he was
induced to try his fortune in Cape Girardeau, whose prospects of soon
becoming a railroad terminus, attracted his attention; but after a year at
that town, he returned a sadder and wiser man.  He has filled the offices
of County Judge, mayor and justice of the peace, with credit to himself,
and about one year ago took his departure for New Mexico to make his future
home with his daughter, and followed by the well wishes of his many friends
in Butler county.

GEO. W. ADDY

Was born in Jefferson county, Va. in 1843, and moved to this place in 1861.
He died December 3rd, 1876, aged 33 years, leaving hosts of warm friends
to mourn his demise.

REV. JOHN  W. GIDDEON.

This gentleman was born in Champaign County, Ohio, Nov. 17th, 1824, and
came to Poplar Bluff in 1868, since which time he has lived here a life of
usefulness.  He is a minister of the gospel, of the Methodist denomination,
is an able gentleman and beloved by all.

ANDREW GIBONEY.

It is not without a feeling akin to pain that the author takes up the
subject of this sketch.  Possibly our personal acquaintance with Andrew
Giboney creates in us a prejudice in his favor but we never had the
pleasure of a personal acquaintance with a man whose natural greatness
impressed us more than did his.  After the year 1870, Mr. Giboney came to
Poplar Bluff to engage in the practice of law.  In 1873 he was appointed
Prosecuting Attorney, vice James D. Dennis, deceased, and in 1874 was
elected to the office by a most handsome vote.  No young man could ever
have had more favorable prospects than Andrew Giboney.  He was possessed of
an excellent education, his general stock of information was replete and as
an orator he never had an equal in this County.  A beautiful use of
language seemed born in him, and the sublime words which in his better day
fell from his lips seemed to flow as easy as the snowflake.  As a man he
was loved by all who knew him; his noble heart which was his ultimate
downfall, seemed to beat for all who he met in suffering.  His opportunity
in the County was excellent, but it was too promising; he had too many
friends, and the same old story of the Demon Alcohol is applicable to his
case.  He died in 1882 at the age of about 37 years, at the residence of
Hon. Louis Houck, of Cape Girardeau.  He had his shortcomings--who has not?
but the only bar to his greatness was that habit by which too many
brilliant minds are shattered and too many homes destroyed.

However great this fault may be to some, there never has, nor never will
be, a mind more deserving of respect or a character more worthy of love.

JOSIAH HARPER

Was born in Hamilton County, Indiana, in 1833, moved to Poplar Bluff Oct.
18th, 1851.  In 1876 he was appointed County Treasurer, and in 1878-80 was
re-elected to the same office.  He is one of our oldest citizens and as
such commands many friends.

JACOB C. BLOUNT.

The first clerk of Butler County was Jacob C. Blount, who left here at the
outbreak of the war.  He was a most efficient clerk and known as a great
joker.  He also had the reputation of being excellent at a social game of
"poker," and was a man esteemed by all.

Hon. James F. Tubb.

This gentleman was born in Dixon County, Tenn., May 28th, 1828, and moved
to Poplar Bluff in November, 1859.  In 1865 he was appointed Sheriff of the
County, and in 1867 was elected to the same office, and re-elected in 1872,
serving until 1874.  In 1882 he was elected representative to the 32nd
General Assembly, a position he filled with dignity and credit.  He is now
with his estimable wife spending his life on his farm about ten miles west
of this city.  As a farmer he is a success; as a man he is esteemed by all,
and as a legislator he is faithful and efficient.

JAMES D. DENNIS

Was elected Prosecuting Attorney in 1872, but only lived a short time to
discharge the duties of his office.  At an early day he came to Poplar
Bluff and engaged in the practice of his profession.  He was a lawyer of
ability and a gentleman with many admirers.

DR. GREEN L. POPLIN.

The subject of this sketch was born in Montgomery County, North Carolina,
on the 19th day of September, 1815, and was raised in Bedford County,
Tennessee.  He commenced the study of medicine at 18 years of age and
graduated at the Louisville Medical Institute on the 5th day of March,
1842.  He then returned to his home in Tennessee and continued to practice
his profession for 15 years from the same office in which he studied.  In
1853 he moved to Graves County, Ky. and practiced his profession there five
years.  He moved to Bloomfield, Stoddard County, Mo., in the winter of
1858, and continued to practice his profession until up to the time of the
war.  In the fall of 1867 the Doctor  moved to Poplar Bluff, Mo., and
started a drug store and practiced his profession until the year 1877, when
he left this place for Mayfield, Kentucky, where he now resides.  During
his stay at the "Bluff" he entered heart and soul into every public
enterprise, assisted with all his energy in the organization of the Poplar
Bluff Immigration Society, was elected its President and continued  to act
in that position as long as it lasted.  He also assisted in establishing
and building the Black River Seminary, and was elected President of it
Board of Trustees.  In connection with Dr. G. T. Bartlett the Doctor
founded a newspaper at this place called the Black River News.  They issued
the first number on the 9th day of July, 1869.  He acted as senior editor
for several months, bought out Dr. Bartlett's interest, and continued sole
editor and proprietor for five years.  He served one year as one of the
judges of the County Court, during which time the great railroad contract
was made, he acting as chairman of the court.   This contract was the means
of laying and cementing the chief corner stone of the present and ultimate
greatness of Poplar Bluff and Southeast Missouri generally.

HON. JAMES T. ADAMS.

From the "Legislative Pen Pictures," by J. T. Pratt, in 1872, we quote:

"Dr. Adams, the capable and wide-awake representative from Butler County,
was born in Humphrey County, Tennessee, January 17th, 1827, where the first
nineteen years of his life were spent on his father's farm.  Leaving the
parental roof in 1846 he removed to Stewart County in his native state,
where finding no other means of livelihood open to him he engaged in
wood-chopping, an occupation he continued to follow, until by the strictest
economy he has accumulated means sufficient to enable him to attend the
medical school at Nashville, from which institution he graduated with
honors in the spring of 1853.  The scene of his early labors has since
become historic ground, the identical field he assisted in clearing being
that upon which the battle of Fort Donaldson was fought in the late war.
After completing his studies he applied himself to the practice of his
profession in his native county, where he remained until the spring of
1859, when he removed to Missouri, locating in Butler County.  Here he
continued his practice up to the fall of 1866, when accepting the
Democratic nomination for the Legislature he was elected to that office,
though subsequently ousted to give place to his radical opponent.  Being
re-elected to the same position in the fall of 1868; he was in this
instance permitted to take his seat, and served with credit through the
Twenty-fifth, as he has also through the Twenty-sixth Assembly.   Seldom
absent either from the hall or the committee room he has proven a faithful
guardian of the interests of his county and his State.  His commanding
figure and pleasant countenance render him one of the most conspicuous
members on the Democratic side of the chamber.  He is an efficient member
of the Committed on Ways and Means.  Dr. Adams was a born politician and
one who was extremely successful."  In Butler County he had a strong
following of personal friends and admirers, and after a life of interesting
events he passed away December 14, 1877, at his farm, ten miles west of
Poplar Bluff.  His memory will be cherished by many for years to come, and
his name will be known to the Democratic party of Butler County as is
Jefferson's to that of the Nation.

FRANK M. LAWSON.

This gentleman was elected as a member of the 28th General Assembly of
Missouri, from Butler County, in 1874.  We quote from the sketches of
members of that Assembly published by T. Y. Reynolds in 1875 which is as
follows:

"The Democratic representative from Butler County was born in Rocking
County, North Carolina, in 1834, his parents emigrating to Kentucky when he
was only a few years old.  In 1840 we find Mr. Lawson employed as clerk in
a dry goods store in Carroll County, Tennessee.  From Carroll County he
went to Pocahontas, Ark., and in 1853 came to Butler County, Missouri,
engaging in the mercantile business and teaching school, alternately, as
circumstances presented, for about fifteen year, taking a deep interest at
all times in measures calculated to promote the educational advancement of
his locality and the substantial development of his section.  Not being an
office-seeker he has seldom been an office-holder, and only when urgently
requested to do so has he ever consented to run for office.  He was for
many years school director, Mayor of Poplar Bluff, and has held various
minor offices in his county."  Mr. Lawson is now living in Eureka Springs,
Arkansas.

JAMES M. SPENCE.

Mr. Spence came to Poplar Bluff in 1858.  In 1870 he was Cattle Inspector
and  Supervisor of Registration.  He did not seek public office but he was
a man who had at all times an eye single for the good of his town and
county, and as a political factor he was something of a power.  He made a
fortune in this section by careful business dealing, and was a man highly
esteemed by all with whom he came in contact.

JOSEPH W. BALDWIN

Was born August 15th, 1833, and came to Poplar Bluff in the month of
August, 1859 where he engaged in the milling business.  In 1866-68 and '70
he represented Butler County in the House of Representatives, which
position he occupied with dignity and honor.  Mr. Baldwin was an Odd Fellow
and a Royal Arch Mason.  He died December 5, 1872, leaving one daughter and
four sons to mourn his demise.

He was a good citizen and one who did much for this place in its early days.

DR. J. R. FRANKLIN.

This gentleman came to Poplar Bluff in 1859 and engaged in the practice of
his profession.  He was considered a good physician, an excellent citizen,
and was esteemed by all as a man of intelligence and integrity.  He died in
the year 1863.

JOHN SNODDY.

Every person who has heard the history of Poplar Bluff as far back as 1870
cannot fail to have heard of John Snoddy.  Mr. Snoddy came to Poplar Bluff
in the year 1868 and engaged in the practice of law.  On the 3rd day of
November, 1868, he was elected Public Administrator.  This office he held
until about 1875 when he left for parts unknown, and is now living in
Florida.  Snoddy was the possessor of a brilliant mind.  During his
residence here he developed a peculiar ability as a humorous writer as his
communications in the Black River News and Bluff Citizen, from "Sidway
Tigg, of Tiggsville,"  will be remembered by all who perused them, as
teeming with genuine American humor.  One of the most peculiar men in
existence, and the possessor of some abilities Snoddy was quite a prominent
man in this section.  He was often in the habit when walking the street
alone to keep up a continual conversation with himself, and when questioned
as tot he cause of this eccentricity, invariably replied that he was quite
fond of communion with sensible men and congenial spirits.  He made no
particular record of honesty and integrity while here, but he was a
character who would be welcomed to any group assembled for the purposes of
fun.  He was a humorist, something of a lawyer and the possessor of a
really brilliant mind.

JESSE A. GILLEY.

Was the first post master of Poplar Bluff having settled on this spot in
the year 1849.  Mr. Gilley was a jovial gentleman and a good citizen.  He
moved to Texas several years ago where he now lives.

JOHN L. VARNER.

Mr. Varner came to Poplar Bluff in the year 1849.  In 1860 he was elected
County Judge and in 1864 was re-elected, and in 1866 was again elected.
For a number of years Mr. Varner was engaged in the mercantile business in
Poplar Bluff.  He discharged the duties of the offices to which he was
elected with credit, and in all his dealings sustained the reputation of a
Christian gentleman and a noble man.  He was a fervent member of the M. E.
Church, of this place, and in his death which occurred in the month of
December, 1874 the family of John S. Varner lost a kind husband and loving
father, and Poplar Bluff lost an honest man and enthusiastic laborer for
its prosperity.

BEN. F. TURNER.

Probably no one in our entire County is better known than Ben. Turner, who
came here in the year 1857, and has since remained surrounded by hosts of
friends.  At one time Mr. Turner held the office of Public Administrator,
and in 1868 was elected Sheriff of Butler County, to which office he was
re-elected in 1870 and again elected in 1878-80.  He discharged the duties
of Sheriff fearlessly and with credit, and has retired to private life with
the well wishes of his many friends.

ISAAC B. TUBB.

This name is known to all.  In 1855 Isaac B. Tubb came to Poplar Bluff.  In
1864 he was elected Circuit and County Clerk, in 1867 was re-elected and
held the office until Jan. 1st, 1871, when he was succeeded by James S.
Ferguson as Circuit Clerk.  February 21, 1872, Mr. Tubb was appointed Judge
of the Probate Court, and in November, 1872, was elected as School
Commissioner.  He died of consumption in the year 1876 at his home in this
city.  There is no word  of praise or commendation which can do more honor
to the memory of Isaac B. Tubb, than the respect which is held for his
memory to-day by those who knew him.

He accepted office only when thrust upon him, and, after retiring from
office, took up the practice of  law.  He was a man of intelligence and a
lawyer of ability.  He was a Christian, lived a Christian life and died a
Christian death.  During his life not a taint of aught that was wrong could
be found on his official or private record.  As a lawyer he has often been
known to refuse cases simply because he did not consider the side offered
as the one endorsed by honesty and justice.  He was kind and gentle as a
woman and his sympathies were easily aroused.  In all the County of Butler
where Isaac B. Tubb lived and died cannot to-day be found a voice which
will utter a word against him, or which can say aught else of him than that
his character was one to be loved and his memory one to be cherished.

BENJAMIN HOWELL

Was the first secretary of the I.O.O.F.  of this city.  He came to Poplar
Bluff in 1868 and continued in the mercantile business here until December,
1872, when he passed away mourned by all who knew him.  He was a man highly
esteemed for his true worth, and in his death Poplar Bluff lost an
excellent citizen.

CHARLES S. HENDERSON

Was one of the first settlers in this place.  He held the office of County
Judge, Coroner, and County Seat Commissioner of Butler, and for many years
was engaged in the mercantile business here.  He was a good citizen and one
who had many friends.  He died n the year 1874.

ELI C. LACKS.

Mr. Lacks was born in Jackson County, Alabama, July 26th, 1838.  In Sept.,
1843, he came with his father, John Lacks, to Poplar Bluff.  For a number
of years he was engaged in the mercantile business in Poplar Bluff, at one
time with Simeon Harviell, and at another with John S. Varner.  In 1872 Mr.
Lacks was elected assessor of Butler County, and has since devoted himself
to cattle dealing and farming.

His father, John Lacks, was at one time Sheriff of Butler County, and will
be remembered by all our people as an officer of ability, and a man of the
strictest integrity.  John Lacks died some years since.  Eli C. Lack now
lives in Poplar Bluff.  He was raised in Butler County, and is enabled to
relate many interesting reminiscences of pioneer life.  He is a gentleman
who has a comfortable share of this world's goos, and his life here being
one without blemish, enables him to count his friends by the many.