Butler

Agriculture Stabilization and Conservation Service Aerial Photographs, 1938-1979 (P0335)
107.5 linear feet

 Digitized Materials

 Finding Aid

Missouri county aerial photographs produced by the Agriculture Stabilization and Conservation Service.

American Revolution Bicentennial, Missouri Committee for Agriculture Papers, 1974-1976 (C4276)
1.2 cubic feet (42 folders), 1 audio tape

 Finding Aid

The papers of the committee contain correspondence, newsletters, reports, updates, events awards programs, lists of elected members, historical information on “Centennial Farms” and “Liberty Trees,” meeting minutes, announcements, newspaper clippings, and audiovisual material for a slide presentation entitled “The Spirit of ’76.”

Joseph Ashcroft Papers, 1897-1947 (R0281)
0.1 cubic foot (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

The Joseph Ashcroft Papers contain photocopied records of a manufacturer of wooden spokes for wheels in Poplar Bluff, Butler County, Missouri. Included are a letter from the Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing Company concerning the spoke business, letters from R. M. Good of the School of the Ozarks, and an address delivered to a trade association meeting in Memphis, Tennessee.

Thomas Swain Barclay Papers, 1912-1935 (C3938)
3 cubic feet (69 folders)

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Papers of Thomas Swain Barclay, a member of the American Red Cross during World War I, and member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity at the University of Missouri. Personal and professional correspondence, wartime diary, overseas duty related papers, newsletters and programs, photographs, and miscellaneous material collected from his various associations. Also research material on Champ Clark.

Bootheel Project Records, 1993-1997 (C3928)
3.2 cubic feet (122 folders), 157 audio cassettes, 9 audio discs, 2 video cassettes

 Finding Aid

The records of the Bootheel Project document the art, culture, and heritage of the Missouri Bootheel. The records include photographs, color slides, audio cassettes, transcripts, and video cassettes of interviews with Bootheel residents. Sound recordings, planning documents, field workers’ notes, and miscellaneous items collected throughout the project are also included.

Dwight H. Brown Letters, 1937-1940 (C0080)
0.3 cubic feet

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Correspondence, official and personal, of a Missouri secretary of state, regarding politics at all governmental levels, routine affairs of his office, events around his hometown of Poplar Bluff, MO, and religious activities. Collection is arranged alphabetically by correspondent. See also collection C2529.

Dwight H. Brown Papers, 1928-1944 (C2529)
9.8 cubic feet

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The collection contains the papers of Dwight H. Brown, Missouri secretary of state, 1932-1944. The papers are arranged alphabetically by topics.

Dwight H. Brown Papers, 1938-1940 (C3117)
1.9 cubic feet

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Miscellaneous campaign materials, newspaper clippings and county returns pertaining to the Missouri Democratic primary election in August 1940, and the state election of November 1940, in which Brown carried every county in the state and over 99 per cent of the voting precincts to be reelected secretary of state.

Butler County, Missouri Collection, 1968 (R0318)
0.01 cubic foot (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

The Butler County, Missouri Collection contains photocopies of typescripts of historical interviews with residents of Butler County, Missouri, by Robert Manns of Poplar Bluff. Topics include life along the Black River and in the communities of Hamtown, Qulin, and Rombauer, logging and railroads in Butler County, and the tornado of 1927.

Butler County, Missouri, Photograph Collection, 1965 (P1099)

An artificial collection of photographs of Butler County, primarily of Poplar Bluff but also including photographs of Mingo Swamp, Black River Slough, and the Garrison & Dalton Bus Co.

Cane Creek Baptist Association Records, 1904-1992 (R0235)
0.01 cubic foot (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

The Cane Creek Baptist Association Records contain the booklets with the proceedings of the 42nd, 91st, and 130th annual meetings of the Cane Creek Baptist Association. Included in the booklets are the articles of faith and constitution, minutes, committee reports, and directories of churches and staff.

Clemons Family Papers, 1922-1967 (C0488)
0.2 cubic feet

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Papers of Clemons family of Harviell, Butler County, MO. Includes correspondence to Suzanna and Charles Clemons of Minneapolis, MN, from their relatives in Harviell. The letters describe farming and family life in the region. The papers also include a postcard, five photographs, and a menu and roster from Jefferson Barracks, MO, Army camp.

W. Robert Cope Papers, 1965-1968 (CG0018)
1.75 cubic feet

 Finding Aid

The papers of W. Robert Cope contain notes, outlines and final examinations produced as a student at the University of Missouri School of Law from 1965 to 1968.

D. B. Axtell and Company Records, 1878 (R0442)
0.5 cubic foot (1 oversize volume, 1 roll of microfilm)

 Finding Aid

The D.B. Axtell and Company Records contain an indexed account ledger for a grocery, general store, and tie-buying firm in southeastern Missouri. Owned by D.B. Axtell and J.P. Gabriel, the business was based in Poplar Bluff and did business in Butler and Stoddard Counties. The ledger includes accounts receivable, lists of payments for ties, and expense accounts.

Lloyd Arthur Dixon Collection, 1898 (P0462)
1 photograph

Copy photo of school in Harviell, 1898.

Mrs. B.K. Flanery Photograph Collection, 1875-1929 (P0457)
27 photographs

Copy photos of Poplar Bluff, Butler County, late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Freemasons, Star of the West Lodge No. 133 Ironton, Missouri Records, 1849-1962 (R0446)
34 folders, 13 volumes MICROFILMED

 Finding Aid

These are records of the Masonic Lodge at Ironton in Iron County, Missouri. The records include
minute books, membership records, personnel files, and miscellaneous lodge papers,
1849-1962. The collection also includes the record books of the Iron Mountain Lodge, 1864-1894,
which consolidated with the Star of the West Lodge in 1894.

Galilee Association of General Baptists Records, 1913-1980 (R0077)
(2 rolls of microfilm)

 Finding Aid

The Galilee Association of General Baptists Records contains a microfilm copy of the proceedings of the annual sessions of the organization of General Baptist congregations in southeastern Missouri. Also included are Old Liberty Association proceedings, Liberty Association proceedings, and a reprinted sermon of Benoni Stinson.

Sarah Guitar Collection, no date (C3391)
1.5 cubic feet (5 card files), 2 rolls of microfilm

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High School Meet for Southeast Missouri Collection, 1933 (R0999)
(1 folder)

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This is a program booklet for the 28th annual high school meet for Southeast Missouri, held at Cape Girardeau in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri, on April 28-29, 1933. The meet included competitions in academic subjects, music, and debate as well as athletics. The meet was under control of the Teachers College Athletic Committee.

Charles F. Hinrichs Papers, 1862-1902 (C0335)
2 rolls of microfilm

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Papers and records of a German American who lived in Cape Girardeau and Butler Counties in Missouri. Records concern Hinrich's Civil War service in Company L, 10th Missouri Volunteer Cavalry. Other papers document his agricultural interests, the Seventh Day Adventist Church, and his efforts to establish a German colony at Carola, Butler County, Missouri.

David A. James Papers, 1790-2008 (C4126)
5 cubic feet

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The research material of a hotel management instructor, whose work resulted in the publication Historic Hotels of Missouri: Hotels, Inns, and Taverns of 19th Century Missouri.

Kelley Family Collection, 1815-1996, bulk 1946-1996 (R1348)
2.25 cubic feet (70 folders)

 Finding Aid

The Kelley Family Collection contains photocopied personal papers of Isaac E. Kelley and James L. Kelley. The collection also includes the genealogical research collection of Patricia Lou Kelley. The research includes information on the Kelley family, but also the connected Barr, Randel, Dyer, Whitson, Bettis, Chilton, Criswell, Huddleston, Payne, Graves, Daniel, and Turley families.

Albert Aven Kinder Papers, 1919-1967, 2012 (CG0005)
0.2 cubic feet

 Finding Aid

The Albert Aven Kinder Papers contains photographs, yearbook pages, and correspondence between members of the Kinder family. There are 29 photographs of the Kinder family from 1919 to 1967, yearbook pages from The Girardot (Central High School), The Sagamore (Southeast Missouri State University), The Savitar (University of Missouri-Columbia), and correspondence to Sherrill Kinder Wright from Marcia Kinder Geer and Edna Kinder Anderson.

Jesse F. Lauck Architectural Records, 1919-1971 (K0730)
18.37 c.f.

 Finding Aid

Architectural drawings by Lauck and his firm of buildings in the Kansas City area and in the Midwest.

Mark Twain National Forest Local History Collection, 1930s-1980s (R0471)
(4 rolls of mircofilm)

 Finding Aid

This collection was selected from unofficial files on miscellaneous historical topics, including local histories, the CCC, the YCC, the "Irish Wilderness," and the Eleven Point River. There are transcriptions of interviews with older members of the community and Forest Service retirees.

Mark Twain National Forest Photograph Collection, circa 1900-1985 (R0485)
0.05 cubic foot (2 folders, 719 negatives)

 Finding Aid

These are photographs copied from holdings of the Mark Twain National Forest in Rolla, Missouri. Topics include National Forest facilities and projects; forest and wood industries; water mills; lakes, rivers, and springs; mines; dams; and the Civilian Conservation Corps and Youth Conservation Corps.

R. J. Martin Papers, 1946-1955 (SP0095)
4 cubic feet (103 folders, 1 oversize folder, 60 photographs)

 Finding Aid

The R. J. Martin Papers contain records, correspondence, contracts, and photographs from Ralph Joseph “Joe” Martin’s tenure as Missouri-Arkansas representative for the United States Department of the Interior Southwest Power Association office in Springfield, Missouri.

Missouri Baptist Associations Records, 1912-1980 (R0394)
17 folders microfilmed

 Finding Aid

This collection consists largely of printed minutes of annual meetings of United or Missionary
Baptist associations in southern Missouri. The minutes include the records of annual sessions,
committee reports, and statistical information on the associations and their constituent churches.
Also included are a few miscellaneous Baptist publications.

The Missouri Collection, 1771-2024 (C3982)
18.6 cubic feet (854 folders, 893 photographs), 37 oversize items, 9 audio cassettes, 7 audio discs, 9 CDs, 1 computer disc, 1 film, 6 film strips, 9 DVDs, 3 video cassettes, 583 MB of digital files

 Digitized Materials

 Finding Aid

The Missouri Collection is an artificial collection combining miscellaneous small acquisitions related to Missouri places, individuals, organizations, and events.

Missouri Extension Homemakers Association, Inc., Sacred Stones and Stained Glass Windows Project Records, 1977-1980 (C3723)
7.1 cubic feet (334 folders)

 Finding Aid

Statewide documentation of local churches by county. Includes cultural arts reports, church histories, floor plans, architectural details, clippings, slides, photographs, and miscellany.

Missouri Pacific Women's Club of Poplar Bluff, Missouri Records, circa 1946-1990 (R0433)
(4 folders)

 Finding Aid

These are scrapbooks of the Missouri Pacific Women's Club of Poplar Bluff in Butler County, Missouri. The club was composed of the relatives of Missouri Pacific Railroad employees. The scrapbooks contain newspaper clippings, photographs, minutes of meetings, and miscellaneous material concerning the club's activities.

Monday Art Club, Poplar Bluff, Missouri Collection, 1911 (R1045)
(1 folder)

 Finding Aid

This is the annual program booklet for the Monday Art Club, a woman's study club at Poplar Bluff in Butler County, Missouri. The booklet is undated, but 1911 has been written in what appears to be period ink and handwriting on the cover. The president of the club was Mrs. W.M. Barron and the secretary-treasurer was Mrs. E. Bacon.

Lynn Morrow Papers, 1804-2015 (R1000)
24 cubic feet (1051 folders, 5 oversize folders, 11,170 photographs, 852 negatives)

 Finding Aid

The Lynn Morrow papers contain correspondence and research papers, with an additional significant collection of late twentieth-century promotional and advertising items. The papers reflect major areas of Morrow’s research on the southwest Missouri region; Iron, Shannon, and Washington counties; Theodore Pease Russell and his writings; and the writings of Silas C. Turnbo. The collection also includes a large selection of promotional publications and ephemera associated with late 20th century tourism in Missouri and Arkansas.

Munger Securities Company Records, 1916 (R0308)
0.02 cubic foot (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

The Munger Securities Company Collection contains an illustrated pamphlet published by the Munger Securities Company, promoting real estate offerings in southern Missouri. The tracts were primarily in Carter County, but extended into portions of Butler, Reynolds, and Ripley counties. The local offices were in Hunter, Missouri.

Oliver and Oliver Law Firm Records, 1760-2004 (CG0010)
296 cubic feet

 Finding Aid

The Oliver and Oliver Law Firm Papers contain case files and correspondence of the firm from the 1880s to 1980s. This collection also includes the genealogy of the Oliver and Watkins families, family correspondence, and civic involvements with the Boy Scouts of America, Rotary Club, Sons of the American Revolution, and Presbyterian Church. In addition, this collection contains material related to the Little River Drainage District, Oliver Land and Development Company, and Mingo National Wildlife Refuge.

Jerry Wayne Ponder Papers, 1865-2004 (R1260)
13 cubic feet (580 folders, 1 box photographs)

 Finding Aid

These are correspondence, papers, and research materials of a genealogist and local historian from Ripley County, Missouri. The collection covers the descendants of Abner Ponder and allied families, the history of Ripley County, and the Civil War in southeastern Missouri. Much of the information was incorporated in publications by Ponder Books, 1987-1999.

Poplar Bluff Municipal Library Collection, 1791-1959 (CG0042)
2.0 c. f.

 Finding Aid

The Poplar Bluff Municipal Library Collection includes title records, court documents, and other papers primarily from Butler County, Missouri. This collection also contains register books from the Edgewood Home for Children in Poplar Bluff and personal items belonging to William B. Adams, such as farm workers’ time schedules and a divorce memorandum journal.

Ramsay Place Names File, 1928-1945 (C2366)
6 cubic feet (12 boxes), 4 rolls of microfilm

 Digitized Materials

 Finding Aid

Card file of origins of Missouri place names, compiled by students of Robert L. Ramsay, University of Missouri professor of English. Cards are in alphabetical order by place name.

Riverside School, Butler County, Missouri, 1910 (R1239)
(1 folder)

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This is a souvenir of the Winter Term, 1910, for the Riverside School in Butler County, Missouri. Farrar Foster was the teacher and J.D. Mercer, R.P. Neel, and W. A. Cravens were directors of the local school district.

Second Baptist Church, Poplar Bluff, Missouri Collection, 1914 (R0903)
(1 folder)

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This is a membership directory of the Second Baptist Church at Poplar Bluff in Butler County, Missouri. Published in 1914, it includes members' names and addresses, the church covenant, a list of officers, and photographic images of the church building and the pastor.

George W. Shinn Papers, 1861 (CG0015)
0.11 cubic feet

 Digitized Materials

 Finding Aid

This is a collection of six letters written by Private George W. Shinn, a Union soldier in the American Civil War, which also includes transcriptions and other information gathered by the donor about Shinn.

A seventh letter, written by Solomon Kittrell on May 19, 1861 in Butler County, Missouri, shares his current situation as a farmer, river levels, soldiers’ movements, and the transport of African Americans through the region.

Nancy K. Smith Postcard Collection, 1900-1970 (P0029)
268 postcards

Postcards, all views of hospitals and clinics and some sanitariums across Missouri.

Southeast Missouri Medical Association Records, 1877-1967 (CG0003)
0.5 cubic feet

 Finding Aid

The Southeast Missouri Medical Society Records include a minute book ledger from 1877-1896, issues of the Cape County Journal, an anniversary booklet for the Southeast Missouri Hospital, advertising materials, publication n the history of medicine in Southeast Missouri, and various papers from 1877-1967.

St. Louis-San Francisco Railroad Company Collection, 1852, 1916-1984 (R1506)
18 cubic feet (14 folders, 81 volumes, 33 oversize volumes)

 Finding Aid

The St. Louis-San Francisco Railroad Company Collection contains records of the St. Louis-San Francisco Railroad Company “Frisco.” These records include AFE completion reports, ICC valuations, equipment registers and inventories, and materials on corporate history.

St. Louis-San Francisco Railway Company Records, 1859-1980 (R0362)
(178 cubic feet)

 Finding Aid

These are corporate minutes and financial account books, and other records of the St. Louis-San Francisco ("Frisco") Railway Company (1916-1980) and predecessor, subsidiary, and constituent companies, most notably the St. Louis & San Francisco Railway (1876-1896) and the St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad (1896-1916). The "Frisco" operated in Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. It became part of the Burlington Northern Railroad in 1980. Also of note are four architectural drawing boxes that include the blueprints for structures along the St. Louis-San Francisco Line. A detailed inventory of the drawings is included in each of the four boxes.

Star Ranch and Land Company Records, 1919 (R0779)
(1 folder)

 Finding Aid

This is an illustrated letter offering land for sale near Neelyville in Butler County, Missouri. The Star Ranch and Land Company offered thousands of acres on a lease with option to buy program.

State Bank of Poplar Bluff (Mo.) History, 1951 (C0941)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

Pamphlet commemorating fiftieth anniversary of founding of bank. Includes biographical data on officers, history of bank, and photographs of officers, employees and facilities.

James A. Stevens Papers, 1878-1884 (R0192)
0.01 cubic foot (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

The James A. Stevens Papers contain photocopies of a journal of a missionary for the American Sunday School Union in southeast Missouri. Stevens promoted and organized Sunday school classes in Butler, Madison, St. Francois, and Wayne counties from a base in Fredericktown.

Tary L. Stift Photograph Collection, 1927 (P0248)
9 photographs

Three photos of Poplar Bluff tornado damage around 1927. Aerial photo of Piedmont around 1927. Four images of Black River with auto and train bridges. One photo of train in Mill Spring Depot.