Beginning at the northeast corner of section 1, township 31, range 40; thence west six miles to the northwest corner of section 6; thence south six miles to the southwest corner of section 31; thence east six miles to the southeast corner of section 36; thence north six miles to the place of beginning.

The surface of the land in the township is rolling, and in some localities there are rocky hills, which are covered with a small and in some places a dense undergrowth of black and post oak timber. The eastern part of the township is watered by Mound and Root Creeks. One of the main forks of Miami Creek runs through sections 30, 31 and 32 in the southwest, and Bone Creek passes through sections 6 and 7 in the northwestern part.

Any quantity of sand and limestone rock are to be found in the township, and any amount of timber sufficient for all purposes.

Among the early settlers in Mount Pleasant Township, there were George W. Patterson, from Iowa, and Alexander Patterson, from Kentucky. Alexander Patterson located in section 21, where his widow now resides. Charles Denny was also one of the early settlers and now lives in Butler. William Hurt came in 1858 from Warsaw, Benton County, Missouri.

George W. Pierce settled in section 19. He was from Tennessee. Alfred Miller came from Ohio and opened a farm in section 25, where he still resides. Jacob D. and Joel B. Wright were natives of Indiana. Huey Mills was from Iowa, located in the township, but now resides in Pleasant Hill, Missouri. Lewis Dixon was a Kentuckian, and came to the township before the war of 1861. There were several families of Robinsons, some of whom were from Cole County, Missouri, who were among the early settlers. Ham Case moved to the township from Cooper County, Missouri. He left during the war. Nathaniel Porter and D. Porter emigrated from Kentucky, and located respectively, west and southeast of Butler. Rev. Mr. Phoenix, a minister of the Christian Church, settled the place now occupied by W. W. Henry. Phoenix left during the war and went to Taney County, Missouri.

John Morris, came to the township prior to 1843, and settled section 31. He died in 1846 at his home, and left a wife and three children; the children's names were: Drury, Serena, and John, and were minors. Two of the children, John and Serena, are now living at the old place.

Giles B. Davis came prior to 1843, and located in section 32. He died in Cedar County, Missouri, before the civil war. He was a botanic doctor and a carpenter.

Thomas and William McCord, from Tennessee, came prior to 1843, and opened a farm in section 32. Thomas moved to Oregon before the war, and William died in the township. His family went away, after having been scattered by the war.

Wilds, a Mormon, settled on section 19, about the year 1838; he died before the war in the township.

There is no prettier town in Western Missouri than Butler, the county seat of Bates County. It is located near the geographical center of the county, on a sightly prairie, and occupies the west half of the northwest quarter of section 23, and the northeast quarter of section 22, and the north half of the southeast quarter of section 22, township 40, range 31. The country surrounding it is gently rolling, and may be seen for many miles in every direction.

Away in the distance, seven or eight miles southwest of town, can be discerned the dark outline of timber, which skirts the Marais des Cygnes, while to the southeast, but nearer the town, flows Mount Creek, a tributary of the former, and uniting with the same before it reaches the southern boundary of the county. Wherever the eye may turn, it is delighted with the beauties of a prairie landscape, dotted over with farm houses, cultivated fields and bearing orchards. The outlook for town and country (which have received their growth since the great civil war) is full of promise, and the time, we predict, will not be very remote when Butler will become one of the most substantial and prosperous towns in Western Missouri.

The old town of Butler, as already stated, was originally laid out in 1854, but was not made the county seat until 1856. The legislature passed an act approved March 1, 1851, which was as follows:

If three-fifths of the qualified voters of Bates County shall petition, the county court of said county for a removal of the county seat of said county from Papinville to any other point in said county, it shall be the duty of said court to make an order for such removal, according to such petition, etc.

In accordance with the provisions of the above act, after the organization of Vernon County, which occurred in 1855, the county seat of Bates County was changed to Butler. The commissioners appointed by the legislature to select the new seat of justice were W. S. Sutherland and Achilles Easley. Three citizens who were residing upon the townsite at the time, donated in the aggregate fifty-five acres of land to the county; their names were John S. Wilkins, John W. Montgomery and John E. Morgan. Morgan was representing the county at that time in the legislature.

John C. Kennett was the original settler of the town-site, coming in 18--. His log cabin was located in lots 1, 2, 3, block 1, Montgomery's First Addition, where Evan's livery stable now stands. He established a small business, his stock in trade consisting mostly of whisky and tobacco, which he sold for two or three years to the old settlers and to the California emigrants who were passing through from the fall of 1849 to 1851. Kennett finally went to California from Butler.

The next settler was Montgomery, whose home is mentioned above: He came about the year 1853 and purchased Kennett's possession, being the second business man upon the town site. Montgomery went to Arkansas from the southern part of Missouri, where he had gone during the war of 1861.

John E. Morgan came to the town in 1854 and erected a small house where the Christian house of worship now stand. Morgan (who was the representative of Bates County from 1854 to 1856) located in Mount Pleasant Township when first coming to the county. He was from Tennessee and was a farmer, trader and politician, and possessed a large share of good common sense. He left the county during the war, and now resides at Warsaw, Missouri.

After Butler was laid out Joseph C. Couch and William S. Smith, under the firm name of Couch & Smith, erected the first business house. They came from Platte County, Missouri, to Bates, but originally from Kentucky. They located in Butler in the spring of 1856. Their stock consisted of general merchandise, which they continued to sell until the war. Each of these men died with the consumption. Smith died in Butler in 1862, and was buried by an Iowa cavalry company with Masonic ceremonies. Couch went to Texas, where he died. Mrs. Smith, widow of William S. Smith, is now living near Butler.

John McComb and James Robison, under the name and style of McComb & Robison, put up the next business house (general stock) in the fall of 1856, locating it on the spot where Evans' livery stable now stands. McComb, previously to coming to Butler, lived in the county in Deepwater Township. Robison came from Platte County. McComb & Robison sold out before the war. McComb was killed at the battle of Lone Jack. Robison now lives at Pilot Grove, Grayson County, Texas.

The next business firm, Loring & Burnett (Samuel Loring and Jeremiah Burnett), commenced selling goods in 1858 on the spot now occupied by a saloon. They were citizens of the county before locating here, Burnett living in the former county seat and Loring in the southwestern part of the county. Loring was a farmer, cattle trader and merchant; he died in Papinville. Burnett lives in Texas. Wyatt Sanford succeeded Loring & Burnett about the year 1860. He emigrated to White County, Arkansas, where he died. Then came Thomas Rice, Thomas R. Simpson, Stearnburg & Co. and others, who were among the early tradesmen, merchants and business men of the town. The "village blacksmith" was John Fleaner, the ringing of whose anvil, it is said, was heard "from early morn' till dewy eve." His shop stood just east of James Jeffries' residence.

Joseph S. Hansbrough was the first disciple of Esculapius to practice his profession in the town. He was killed by bushwhackers from Kansas during the war.

Among the first attorneys was Thomas H. Stearns, from Platte County, who died in Butler after the war.

Mrs. Martha Morgan, wife of John E. Morgan, above mentioned, opened the first school that was taught in the town. This was during the year 1856. The school house occupied the ground on which the residence of Judge David McGaughey now stands, and was erected for a church and school house together. Here also the different religious denominations held their first meetings; here also were held all public and political meetings, as well as the first terms of the county and circuit courts, after their removal from Papinville.

John E. Morgan kept the first house of entertainment, which stood where the Christian Church edifice now stands. He was succeeded by Thomas Rice. This hotel was simply a very humble log house, with meagre accommodations for man and beast.

William Harmann opened the first saloon in the fall of 1856, where Evans' stable is now situated. After the removal of the county seat to Butler, Vandyke received the first merchant's license that was granted by the county court.

M. S. Powers erected the first steam saw and grist mill in the south part of the town in 1867. It is still running and is the property of Powers & Sons.

The Christian denomination erected the first house of worship used exclusively as such, in 1860. It was destroyed by fire in 1861, together with all the business houses around the square. This act of incendiarism was perpetrated by a squad of cavalry sent from Kansas for that purpose, by the order of Colonel James Montgomery. The court house was also burned at the same time. Nearly all the residences were abandoned during the war, and the majority of these, in fact, almost all, were burned at different times before and after the occupancy of the town by the military. The reason given for destroying the town was to prevent southern sympathizers from harboring rebels. It happened while the town was burning, and while the Union soldiers were still here, that Colonel Sidney Jackman, of the rebel army, came in at the head of a cavalry company. The Union soldiers hurriedly retreated towards the Kansas line, whither they were pursued by the rebels as far as Miami, Kansas, who after wounding and killing three or four of Montgomery's men, returned to Bates County.

The town was occupied in April 1862, by Colonel Fitz Henry Warren, who commanded the First Iowa Cavalry. He remained until the following August, when he returned to Clinton, Henry County, Missouri, having learned upon the day of his departure that Colonel Jackman and General J. S. Cockrell were coming in the direction of Butler. The rebel forces passed up in the eastern part of the county, and continued their course north until the battle of Lone Jack, where they were engaged, and which occurred on the 16th of August, 1862.

On or about the first of December, 1862, one Captain John B. Newbury, arrived in Butler, with one company of state militia, having been sent here by Col. A. C. Marvin. Soon after, or about the same time, came Major White, with another company of men. White had boasted that he would shoot all bushwhackers that he captured. While on a foraging expedition on Grand River, White with his company, stopped at a farmer's house, and there saw a man by the name of Slater, who was eating his supper. After taking him prisoner, they found upon his person a pistol. What had been Slater's crime, was never definitely known. It was however thought, that he had been in the rebel army, and that he was, when captured, on his way back home to Cass County, Missouri, on a furlough, to visit his family. He was brought to Butler, tried, condemned and executed. Major White issued his order, announcing the execution and inviting the surrounding country to witness it. The time fixed for that event was the day before Christmas, 1862, at three o'clock in the afternoon. The prisoner was brought from his cell under a strong guard; the soldiery paraded the streets in their best uniform; the prisoner was taken to the west side of the public square, and halted about where I. N. Davidson's store now stands, was blindfolded and made to kneel. Here the Rev.--- offered a prayer for the condemned man, after which, at a signal given by Major White, he was shot, and fell forward on his face, pierced through the heart with six bullets. A few of the citizens had gathered on the northwest corner of the public square, to witness the execution. It is said that Slater walked to the place of his doom in a fearless manner, and that he showed such little concern about his fate, that on the way to the ground -- the scene of his death -- he took a piece of tobacco and chewed it, apparently with his accustomed relish.

The town of Butler was incorporated June 19, 1872. Trustees -- Henry McReynolds, chairman; George W. Evans, William E. Walton, Albert Harper, Wilson S. Boggs; J. L. Church, clerk; James K. Brugler, attorney.

Trustees -- April 10, 1875: J. M. Cooper, chairman; A. B. McFarland, J. C. Parks, H. Philbrick, J. C. Clark; J. T. Smith, clerk; J. T. Smith, attorney.

Trustees -- February 25, 1876: William Page, chairman; J. C. Parks, T W. Childs, J. C. Clark, H. C. Steele; H. C. Steele, clerk; J. T. Smith, attorney; J. H. Saunders, marshal.

Trustees -- April 10, 1876: J. C. Clark, chairman; J. M. Patty, J. A. Devinney, J. T. Graves, Frank Smith; John W. Abernathy, clerk; John W. Abernathy, attorney; F. J. Tygard, treasurer; J. T. Graves, street supervisor; A. L. Stone marshal; Joseph Burcham, collector.

Trustees -- April 15, 1878: A. L. McBride, chairman; T. A. Shaw, A. T. Holcomb, J. T. Graves, Fred Evans; John W. Abernathy, clerk; John W. Abernathy, attorney; F. J. Tygard, treasurer; A. L. Stone, marshal; J. R. Burcham street commissioner.

Butler was incorporated as a city of the fourth class April 7, 1879 -- Mayor, William Page; aldermen of the First Ward, William E. Walton and James L. Pace; aldermen of the Second Ward, G. W. Patterson and John A. Devinney; marshal, John C. Bybee; treasurer, F. J. Tygard; collector, J. C. Clark; street commissioner, James Keep; attorney, John C. Hays; clerk, Thomas W. Silvers.

April 5, 1880 -- Mayor, William Page; aldermen of the First Ward: J. L. Pace, W. W. Eldridge; alderman of the Second Ward, G. W. Patterson, J. T, Graves; marshal, James N. Morgan; treasurer, Thomas Orr; collector, J. C. Clark; street commissioner, James Keep; attorney, Thomas W. Silvers; clerk, Thomas W. Silvers.

April 5, 1881: Mayor, Luther Shobe; aldermen of the First Ward, W. W. Eldridge, W. A. Stephens; aldermen of the Second Ward, J. T. Graves, A. N. Culver; marshal, James N. Morgan; treasurer, M. A. Maynard; collector, R. S. Catron; street commissioner, John Trimble attorney, Thomas J. Smith; clerk, Thomas J. Smith.

April 7, 1882: mayor, John A. Lefker; aldermen of the First Ward, W. A. Stephens, R. S. Catron; aldermen of the Second Ward, R. A. Atkison, Charles Endres; marshal, James N. Morgan; treasurer, M. A. Maynard; collector, A. N. Bell; street commissioner, John Trimble; attorney, Thomas J. Smith; clerk, Thomas J. Smith.

In December 1866, M. S. Powers erected a small corn mill in the southern part of the city. In a short time he added a burr for grinding flour, and finally a saw. This was the pioneer grist and saw mill in Butler after the war. In 1877 Mr. Powers sold his interest in the mill to his sons, E. R. and M. R. Powers, who now operate it. It has a capacity for grinding 120 bushels of wheat per day. John A. Lefker erected a saw and grist mill, in 1870, on the line between Missouri and Kansas. He continued to operate it until 1875, when he moved the grist mill to Butler, where he now runs it as the "Empire Mill." The mill has four burrs, and has a grinding capacity of about sixty barrels per day.

Among other important manufacturing establishments of Butler is the woolen mill and carding machine of McClintock & Son, (Wilson and J. M. McClintock). These gentlemen began this business in Butler as early as the spring of 1868. At first they operated only a carding machine, but in 1869, began the manufacture of woolen goods, and have since that time supplied the home trade through the business house of M. S. Cowles & Co., with yarns, blankets, jeans, flannels, cashmeres, etc. The cloth made by this mill is of a good, durable quality, and has given much satisfaction to those who have tried it. M. S. Cowles and J. C. Clark are now the owners of the mill.

The Diamond Mill was erected in 1869, in the north part of Butler by D. S. Fairchild, who was after a few years succeeded by F. B. Fay, who has continued to operate the mill ever since. The building, a stone structure, is three stories high, with basement, and is in every way a model mill. Mr. Fay has recently added machinery, at a cost of $11,000, making the total cost of the mill about $20,000. He contemplates adding other machinery and improvements, from time to time, such as will give him every advantage in grinding and manufacturing flour. He makes three grades of flour, and sells entirely to the home trade.

The Butler Elevator was erected in 1880, and cost, including the improvements which have since been added, between eight and ten thousand dollars. It is now owned and operated by H. C. Steele. It is located west of town, near the depot, and shells about 4,000 bushels per day.

The planing mill of Wyatt & Boyd is also located near the depot. These gentlemen (Hiram C. Wyatt and John T. Boyd) came to Butler in the spring of 1882 and erected their mill. Wyatt was from Ohio and Boyd from Illinois. Owing to an increase in business, they will add improvements to their mill in the spring of 1883.

The Butler Carriage Works were built in May 1882. The proprietors, Catterlin & Legg (J. M. Catterlin and T. W. Legg), manufacture carriages, wagons and all kinds of work in their line of business.

Robison & Son (J. A. and H. B.), manufacturers of carriages, wagons, etc., commenced business in 1873, and have continued ever since.

To Capt. F. J. Tygard belongs the credit of procuring the electric light for Butler. He had seen and appreciated its virtues, and did more in the beginning towards talking the matter up than any other man in the town.

A company was finally organized and incorporated in 1881, composed of the following persons: William A. Stephen, president; F. J. Tygard, secretary and treasurer; J. L. Pace, J. C. Clark, J. Everingham, J. P. Edwards, R. J. Hurley, E. M. Avery, the latter gentleman being a resident of Cleveland, Ohio. The capital stock was $10,000, paid up, divided into shares of $100 each.

Because of the electric light which has been used by the city, instead of lamps, Butler is now called the "Electric City," There is at this time but one other town or city outside of St. Louis in the state where the electric light is used, even by private business firms -- certainly none where it is supported and maintained at public expense, as in Butler.

There are four burners on the cupola of the court house, which afford ample light for not only the large public square and the streets adjacent, but these illuminate the town generally, or wherever their rays penetrate without obstructions or intervening houses. This light on the court house is a conspicuous object of attraction, and may be seen the darkest night at a distance of twenty miles. The city pays $900 a year for the four lamps. The M. E. and Baptist Church edifices are lighted by this light, as is also the Bates County National Bank. Beside the church buildings and the bank, twelve business houses are illuminated by it. The expense to the city is more than it would be for the ordinary street lamps (oil), but the difference in the light more than compensates for the greater cost.

The pioneer bankers of Butler, were C. B. Dunbaugh & Co., who established a private bank in 1868. This bank closed its doors in 1870.

The next banking institution was the Bates County Bank, which started in 1870. Lewis Cheney was president and F. J. Tygard, cashier. It was changed to the Bates County National Bank. The Bates County Savings Bank was organized in 1870, with E. P. Henry, president, and William Page, vice-president, and Joseph E. Wilson, cashier. This bank was purchased by the Bates County National Bank, which came into existence three years afterwards.

Bates County National Bank.

The city is supplied with excellent banking facilities. There are two National Banks with large capital and liberal management, which greatly facilitates the large and rapidly increasing trade of the city.

The Bates County National Bank was organized in 1871 and has a paid up a capital of $75,000 and a surplus fund of $20,000. Its elegant building, furnished with a large vault, and burglar-proof safe with time lock and other modern arrangements for security of the funds, is located on the southwest corner of Ohio and Delaware Streets, facing the public square. The bank does a general exchange business, discounts good paper and receives deposits subject to check on demand.

Directors -- Lewis Cheney, Dr. Elliot Pyle, E. P. Henry, Dr. J. Everingham, J. J. Ryan, Dr. D. D. Wood, George W. Miers, J. C. Clark, Hon. J. B. Newberry, I. N. Mains, J. P. Edwards, W. J. Bard, J. M. Patty, F. Coleman Smith, F. J. Tygard.

Officers -- Lewis Chaney, president; J. C. Clark, vice-president; F. J. Tygard, cashier. The shareholders are all representative business men, and substantial farmers of large means, making this one of the strongest and safest banking institutions in this portion of the state.

The Butler National Bank was organized in August 1881, with a cash capital of $50,000 and a directory of wealthy business men and farmers. The president, Mr. Booker Powell, a wealthy farmer, residing near Altona, this county, is one of the most successful men in the county, and Mr. Thomas W. Childs, vice-president, is an enterprising, prudent business man of excellent financial standing and abilities, and Mr. William E. Walton, the cashier, is justly regarded as an able financier and a gentleman of fine intelligence. He was formerly county clerk of Bates County, and in that capacity rendered excellent service. He is the possessor of a handsome competence and has recently built the finest and most expensive opera house and business block in Western Missouri.

Mr. C. C. Duke, assistant cashier, is an excellent accountant, and a gentleman of culture.

Directors -- Dr. T. C. Boulware, C. H. Dutcher, Judge Booker Powell, Judge John H. Sullens, John B. Ellis, A. L. McBride, A. H. Humphrey, Dr. N. L. Whipple, Thomas W. Childs, Wm. E. Walton, J. J. McGee, R. D. Williams, Green W. Walton.

Other Stockholders -- G. B. Hickman, John Deerwertha, C. C. Duke, S. Q. Dutcher, Frank Voris, Henry Donovan, M. A. Maynard, J. R. Estill, O. Spencer, N. Hines, R. Gentry West.

Correspondents -- Valley National Bank, St. Louis; Merchant's National Bank, Kansas City; Donnell, Lawson & Simpson, New York.

The bank is furnished with a large fire and burglar-proof safe, with time lock. Deposits received subject to check at sight, money loaned on approved security, exchange bought and sold and a general banking business engaged in.

This school was first organized in the year 1874. Judge David McGaughey was chosen president, Rev. E. V. Campbell secretary and M. S. Cowles treasurer. Vice-presidents were chosen from various portions of the county with the view of awakening a general interest and founding an institution of learning to meet the wants of a higher education than afforded by our common schools.

The plan of raising a fund of $20,000 by subscription, to be expended in grounds and buildings, was never consummated.

Rev. E. V. Campbell, the then pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Butler, taught the first term in the upper story of a store building on the southwest corner of the public square, beginning on the 14th day of September with an attendance of six pupils. He continued in charge of the school, which rapidly increased in numbers, till the close of the year 1875, when he resigned the charge of both pastorate and school.

The following January his successor. Rev. B. F. Powelson, took charge of the academy, and with the aid of friends taught till the close of the spring term. In the meantime he organized the first literary society.

In September 1876, Prof L. B. Allison was selected to aid him in his work, and the two taught in one room, the only furniture being rude benches and tables. A few benevolent citizens and warm friends of the school kindly aided in procuring patent seats and desks. In January 1877, the school was removed to the northwest corner of the square in rooms over the store occupied by Colonel Wheeler, a hardware merchant. The winter term of this year opened with an attendance of fifty pupils, and the academy now began to assume a permanency of character which gave assurance of success. The friends of the school again renewed their efforts in its behalf, and during the winter of 1877 circulated a subscription for the purpose of raising funds to secure a site and erect a building thereon. The sum of $3,000 was soon pledged in shares of stock fixed at $25 each.

Early in May following a meeting of the stockholders was held and a new organization effected. A board of trustees was elected, comprising the following named gentlemen: Messrs. M. S. Cowles, D. N. Thompson, Hiram C. Wyatt, Capt. E. P. Henry, and Judge David McGaughey. The question of a wood or brick structure was decided at this meeting, which was in favor of the latter; also the selection of the site. Articles of association were immediately adopted, and work began on the building in June, and on the 26th day of July the cornerstone was laid, with appropriate ceremonies by the Masonic order. The building was completed in the latter part of November, and the school took possession of the new building the same month. In the meantime the academy was placed under the fostering care of the Osage Presbytery, with the understanding that it should not be sectarian, but merely Christian in character. Professor Powelson continued as principal till March, 1879, when his resignation was tendered and accepted.

In September following Professor James M. Naylor, A.M., of Terra Haute, Indiana, was called to the principalship of the academy, which position he still occupies to the satisfaction of the board of trustees and the patrons.

Authority was granted by the state in April, 1881, for the conferring of academic degrees at the close of the spring term. The degrees of A.B. and poet laureate were granted to the first class of graduates of the Butler Academy, composed of the following students: Messrs. Warren L. Durand, Francis Brittain, and Misses Maggie B. Newton, Florence I. Page, Hattie Henry, Clara Henry and Lizzie B. Yathwell.

This institution has never received any endowment, but has been supported entirely by public patronage. Its continuous and healthy growth has been its only surety in the establishment of one of the most prosperous schools of the southwest. The present board of trustees are Dr. E. Pyle, president; Dr. Everingham, secretary; H. C. Wyatt, D. N. Thompson and Captain E. P. Henry. The present faculty are Professor Naylor, principal; L. B. Allison, associate principal, and Miss Murphy, assistant. The academy is now one of the permanent institutions of Butler, and is duly regarded with proper pride by her people.

Upon the occasion of the laying of the corner stone of the Butler Academy the Rev. W. M. Newton delivered the following address:

Ladies and Gentlemen: In accordance with an honored custom we have met today to engage in some appropriate services commemorative of the laying of the corner stone of Butler Academy. It is expected that my remarks will be somewhat of a historic character, but the history of this institution is so well known to the most of you that a mere glance at the past will be sufficient. About three years ago an association was formed for the purpose of founding an academy in Butler. An eligible lot and a number of subscriptions were secured upon the condition that the whole amount raised be not less than $25,000.

Finding it impossible to raise so large a sum the effort upon that basis was abandoned. But, meanwhile rooms had been procured and the work of teaching begun under the supervision of Rev. E. V. Campbell. The school was maintained with a steady growth under his charge until January 1876, when he having resigned, the Rev. B. F. Powelson was appointed principal. During this year the board was reorganized and an effort was made to raise the sum of $8,000 to erect an academy building. This effort also proved unsuccessful. Probably a few of you are aware how near Butler Academy came about this time to giving up the ghost. The board refused to assume any further responsibility for the school. Our citizens, absorbed in the presidential contest, could be induced to think of little else. Apparently all that was left of Butler Academy was the teachers, who, finding their old rooms closed against them, went about peering into empty houses and vacant lofts in search of a shelter for the pupils expected at the opening of the winter term.

"But the darkest hour is just before the dawn." At this time a few friends of the school, the most of whom had never sustained any official relations to it, met together, and after much Consultation and not without some hesitation, resolved that Butler Academy should not go down. They helped to procure suitable rooms, and advanced money to furnish them. They determined a building should be erected the coming summer; that if nothing better could be done, they would themselves put up a temporary wooden building. An additional teacher, Prof. L. B. Allison, had already been employed. The next term opened with about sixty pupils, the largest number yet enrolled. Many citizens rendered favors that helped the work along. And when a few months ago a call was again made for subscriptions towards erecting a building, the response was more general and more liberal than the best friends of the institution had looked for. The present board of trustees was then elected, and a plan for a building which, when finished, will be both commodious and attractive, was adopted, and work upon the building was begun. This brings us down to the event that has called us together today. Fellow-citizens, there are some transactions, in themselves unimportant, which are nevertheless of deep interest, because of the consequences they involve. One hundred and seventy-five years ago, ten New England ministers came together in the town of Branford, Connecticut, and each one laid down a few books, saying, "I give these books for founding a college in Connecticut." It seemed an unimportant procedure. For the first six months their college had but one student, and for seventeen was without a house, yet that pile of books, was the beginning of Yale College. William Tennet did a humble work, when over a hundred years ago, he put up a log house, about eighteen by twenty feet, on the banks of the Neshameny Creek, in Eastern Pennsylvania, and opened in it a classical school; yet that "Log College," as it was called in derision, was the germ of Princeton College. I do not say that Butler Academy is an incipient Yale or Princeton. I indulge in no such grandiloquent predictions. Doubtless its mission is far more humble; yet I do say that the laying of this cornerstone, an event unimportant in itself, may well awaken deep interest in us. In this academy hundreds of our youth will receive intellectual and moral impressions which will materially affect their welfare in this world and the world to come.

These substantial walls of stone and brick, which we hope shall stand for many long years, are, after all, but the scaffolding from which the hands of skillful workmen shall rear up in this community the walls and the framework of a cultured and intellectual society, which shall stand long after the scaffolding shall have fallen to the ground and the workmen gone to their final reward. The work you do today carries us forward in thought to the foundation of education, which through the agency of Butler Academy shall be laid in the minds of our youth.

And let me say to you today in behalf of this academy, that you lay this cornerstone upon the solid rock, true to the square and plummet, your work is a fitting symbol of the corner stones of education, which it is our purpose shall be laid in the minds of your sons and daughters -- laid upon the bed rock of truth, and true to the square and plummet of the word of God -- cornerstones upon which they may build up the superstructure of honorable and useful lives. In this work we bespeak your hearty cooperation. Without it we cannot succeed. With it we cannot fail. The atmosphere of sympathy and kindly feeling with which a community may surround an institution of this character, is quite as essential to its success as stately walls and capable professors. An enthusiasm for education, a friendly feeling for the young men and maidens who come among us to avail themselves of the advantages of our academy, a sympathy with their youthful aspirations, will prompt us to open to them our hearts and homes. These are the elements which will make Butler Academy in the fullest sense, the Alma Mater -- the cherishing mother of her pupils.

The public schools of Butler were organized about the year 1867. The early records of the same were destroyed by fire in 1879. The present record begins January 25, 1873, with the names of E. S. McClain, J. K. Brugler, H. C. Wyatt, John A. Diviny, Fred Evans and L. B. Allison.

The members of the present school board are W. W. Ross, T, D. Rafter, William Page, John A. Lefker, E. Pyle and L. M. Wright.

The following is the annual report:

Number of white pupils between six and twenty years of age -- 860
Number of colored pupils between six and twenty years of age -- 101
Total -- 961

Total enrollment of white pupils -- 721
Total enrollment of colored pupils -- 52
Total enrollment of white and colored pupils -- 773

Number of days school has been taught -- 180
Number of teachers employed during the year -- 10
Total number of days attended by all pupils -- 60,042
Average number of pupils attending each day -- 390

Number of school houses in the district -- 3
Average cost per day for tuition on enrollment -- 3 cents
Average cost per day for tuition on daily attendance -- 6 cents
Value of school property in the district -- $12,500
Average rate per $100 levied for school purposes in the district -- 50-100

The following are the total receipts for the years 1881 and 1882:
$6,477.43; expenditures, $6,475.12.

Teachers employed for the school year 1882-3: West School -- Miss A. F. Selecman, Miss E. F. Helm, Miss M. Bowden and Miss Mattie Parks; East School -- Mr. J. W. Reisner, Miss A. M. Walker, Miss Ida Crume and Miss E. A. Wade; colored teacher, G. W. Lowry; I. F. Starr, principal.

There are nine teachers employed in the public schools of Butler besides the principal, Professor Starr. In the East school building there are four rooms or departments, each presided over in its regular order or grade by competent teachers. Professor J. W. Reisner has charge of the higher grade; Miss A. Walker, the second; Miss Ida Crume, third; and Miss E. A. Wade, fourth.

In the West School the grades are the same, and the different departments are conducted by Miss A. F. Selecman, Miss E. F. Helm, Miss Margery Bowden and Miss Mattie Parks, respectively. In addition to these departments, there is a grade still above the rest, which is taught by Professor Starr, it taking up about half his time, the remainder being given to the general superintendency of the various schools.

Besides the schools briefly described above there is the colored school taught by G. W. Lowry, himself a colored man, over which Professor Starr exercises control. We are informed that the colored pupils made very little progress till Professor Lowry took charge, but the zeal which he has brought to the task, and the discipline he has enforced has had a wonderful effect upon the colored children, and the progress they are now making is more rapid and permanent. The colored people and the school board are very fortunate in being able to retain Professor Lowry.

The excellent discipline Professor Starr has enforced since he became principal of public schools has been the cause of great improvement in their progress. And he began at the right place with that discipline -- the heads of the departments. So minute and perfect are the rules by which he governs the schools that in his private office are to be found complete records, showing the deportment and progress of every pupil that has attended the public schools during his superintendency. Everything is properly classified and labelled where it can be found at a moment's notice.

Each department has a programme, a duplicate of which is in the professor's hands, giving the exact hour and minute when each recitation is held. By this plan should the professor or any visitor desire to hear a class in any particular study, reference to this programme gives the proper time and facilitates matters greatly. The system of keeping the record of attendance is also very complete and simple.

At the end of each month there is an examination in each of the various departments on one branch of study or subject only, until the whole number of studies taught in the department is completed. A record of their examinations are filed in the professor's room for reference and comparison.

The care and attention Professor Star is giving the art of penman- ship is surely commendable, and the progress that is being made in this direction is additional evidence of his efficiency. The pupil is required to give specimens of penmanship three times a year. Those specimen's are pasted together and placed on exhibition. By this method the progress of the scholar can be readily seen, and it would astonish one to observe the progress being made under it.

The total number of pupils enrolled in the school is 458; average number of pupils attending each day, 422; whole number of days attended by all pupils during the month, (December 1882) 8,440.

Below, we give an account of the celebration of the Fourth Day of July, as it occurred at Butler. For the particulars of that event, we are indebted to the Bates County Democrat, from which we take the following:

On Monday evening last, our heart sank within us when we saw the northeastern horizon draped in black, and heard the mutterings of heaven's artillery, that betokened the approach of the storm cloud, whose pathway was lighted up by the vivid flashes of electricity. The storm came and saddened many a heart that was full of bright anticipations for the morrow. The rain descended, the winds blew and the and the king of day went down behind the western horizon and left nothing but night and the dark drapery of the storm clouds between the third and glorious fourth. The evening wore away, but before the third had dropped into eternity's lap, those ever returning messengers of God's love to man, the stars, began to bedeck the firmament, and proclaimed the glad tidings that that bright meteor that tracks its fiery course from east to west would bless our great nation's birthday in all its glorious splendor. The morning of the fourth came, and heaven's vault was beautified and adorned by streamlets of lights sent forth by the rising sun.

At early dawn the thoroughfares leading to the city were a solid mass of humanity wending their way to the Queen City of the Southwest -- on foot, on horseback and in vehicles of all kinds, and by nine o'clock a.m. the streets, alleys and suburbs of our beautiful and prosperous city were packed with men, women and children from Bates and all the surrounding counties.

At half-past nine preparations were begun to form the grandest procession that was ever seen in the great State of Missouri, consisting of wagons, on which were fastened wooden frames varying in length and height, to the side bars of which were appended samples of the various trades and merchandises in the city. The forming of this procession occupied about one hour's time of the chief marshal and his assistants at the West School House, on Ohio Street, and proceeded from thence preceded by the Butler Brass Band and the Rev. Mr. Brown, pastor of the Baptist Church in this city, chaplain of the day, and the accomplished young lady, Miss Ida Crume, who had been selected to read that unrivaled piece of composition, the Declaration of American Independence, dissolving the connection of the American Colonies with the Mother Country.

Next came the wagon of J. A. Robinson & Sons, proprietors of the Old Star wagon, carriage and blacksmith shop. This representation is conceded by all to be the best in the whole cavalcade of industries. On the wagon were the three Robinsons, the old man and two sons, Harry and Cal, and Messrs. Keasling and Maddox. The old man and Harry were at the anvil pounding iron, while Cal was making an axletree for a wagon, and Mr. Keasling making a wheel and Mr. Maddox painting one. To see the old man blowing the bellows looked quite natural to the reporter, as he sees the old man daily at the bellows and anvil.

Next in line was the wagon of A. F. Wyard. In the frame on this wagon was displayed samples artistically arranged of each and every article sold by Mr. Wyard -- saddles, bridles, harness, saddle hardware, etc. The representation reflected great credit on Mr. Wyard.

Next in order was the vehicle of Louis Hoffman. In the bed of the wagon was fastened a tree some twenty feet in hight. The twigs and foliage had been cut from the limbs to which was appended samples of every four footed animal that ever went to the tanner. The representation was a good one and evinced the pluck and enterprise of Mr. Hoffman.

Following this one was that of McClintock & Burns, merchants and woolen manufacturers. The merchandise of this firm was well displayed. The manufacturing interest was handsomely represented by Mrs. Rooke and her sister. Miss Lizzie Ross, one weaving and the other knitting socks on a knitting machine. These ladies performed their work with skill and rapidity and to the delight of the vast concourse of spectators.

The next vehicle that hove in sight was that of the McFarland Bros. This outfit was handsomely decorated with samples of saddles, bridles, harness and every other article sold by these gentleman, all beautifully arranged so as to impart a fine appearance to the representation and also to the procession. These gentlemen are entitled to credit for the taste and enterprise they displayed.

And now the reader is invited to take a look at the wagon in the procession representing the mercantile house of Sam. Levy & Co. The frame of the wagon was ten feet high and fourteen feet long, covered with white cotton cloth on which was painted a true picture of the front of the company's business house on the east side. The display was quite creditable to the firm.

The next representation that engaged our attention was the handsome outfit put in procession by the Badgleys and Gipson. This representation consisted of samples of groceries and boots and shoes. The wagon was drawn by four horses nicely caparisoned with plumes, fastened to the headstalls of the bridles. The frame was large, covered with cloth and on top of it was a banta rooster that excited considerable laughter.

The furniture house of Jewett & Bremermann was well represented by a handsome bedstead, rocking chair and sofa, placed on a wagon which elicited the admiration of the lookers on.

Wyatt & Boyd lumber merchants, had in the procession a wagon loaded with a sample of fine lumber, sash, doors and a planing machine.

The representation of the Empire Mills was identified by the observers by the pyramid of flour and grain that was built on the wagon, some ten feet in hight. The pyramid was capped by a sheaf of new wheat which told the multitude what the wheat crop of this year is.

The lumber house of Dubach & Co. was also represented, having on exhibition a fine sample of lumber.

The hardware line was splendidly represented by the houses of R. R. Deacon and S. P. Hahn & Co. Hahn & Co.'s wagon was loaded down with hardware, such as stoves, axes, pitchforks and all kinds of tinware, and made a good appearance, as did also R. R. Deacon's.

One of the handsomest rigs in the procession was Cassidy& Pitkin's, representing everything kept in the dry goods and clothing line. The wooden frame on the wagon was finely decorated and made a good appearance.

Next came thundering along four steam engines, each pulling from one to three separators. Two of these engines were guided by horses and two were traction, or self-guiding. These were put in the procession by S. P. Hahn & Co. and C. S. Wheeler, and have been sold to Bates County farmers.

Dr. Crumly's drug store was also fitly represented in the procession.

Sinclair & Drummond, practical painters and kalsominers, had a nice rig in the line of march.

The wagon of Messrs. Wemott & Sherwood, the proprietors of the New York meat house, was neatly arranged so as to make a fitting representation of their vocation. The wagon was drawn by one horse, and on it was an oddly constructed box, or bed, on the sides of which the words "New York Meat House" were written. On the top of this bed was a fine large mutton, fat enough for the knife, decorated with blue ribbon. The animal really seemed to enjoy the celebration and to appreciate that it was a much looked at sheep. The representation was highly creditable to those gentlemen.

Another feature in the grand procession which excited the wonder and admiration of the crowd, was the driving of five pairs of horses pulling one Bain wagon, two spring wagons and seven buggies. In the Bain wagon was a horse that was being curried by a man. During the whole time that the procession was moving, this feat of driving was performed by that energetic and enterprising man, C. B. Lewis. Charlie made all the turns without a bobble, to the surprise of many of his friends.

Perhaps the attractive feature in the procession was the steam bicycle of G. A. Todd. This curious contrivance is composed of two whisky barrels yoked together by an axle, on top of which was a large piece of crooked wood and on that was seated a man dressed in an unique costume. The bicycle was pulled by a team of horses, and on it was written these words. "The bicycle that runs the government." Mr. Todd also had the Monarch saloon, of which he is the proprietor, aptly represented in the way of bottles, barrels, etc.

Having given a brief account of the industrial procession, it becomes us to describe to our readers the line of march. As has already been stated, the procession was formed and started from the west school house on Ohio Street, thence east on that street to Delaware, thence south to Dakota, thence east to Main, thence north to Pine, thence west to Havanah, thence south to Ohio Street, thence to the public square, where the line of march was broken, and thus the leading attraction of the Butler celebration, and one that reflects great credit on the intelligence, enterprise and progression of our people came to an end. It was now post meridian, and the almost innumerable multitude started for the picnic ground, about one mile east of the city, where the orators of the day spoke to at least fifteen thousand souls.

The oration upon that occasion was delivered by Col. John T. Crisp.

This building was erected in the year 1882 by W. E. Walton at a cost of $30,000. The interior of the building has recently been finished off in handsome style, and as it is a stately structure -- one that reflects great credit upon the liberality of the proprietor, and greatly redounds to the honor of Butler -- we will briefly describe it.

The building stands on the southwest corner of the square, fronting 100 feet on the north and 100 feet on the east. It has a cut-off, angle or corner entrance with recessed doors, plate glass, and pressed brick, iron cornice and window caps, topped with a mansard roof in which are worked up in artistic design the Gothic cap twin windows set in pairs the entire line of both fronts, except where the line is broken by the beauty of design to admit twin towers to overtop these. The corner entrance opens into the first business floor, 22x50 feet, which is now used by the Butler National Bank; next, west, is a twenty-two foot front and seventy-five feet deep, which can be used as a double store room by the addition of a twenty-two foot front that opens on the east, thus making a most desirable business house, fronting on two streets; next, west, is a twenty-four foot front, 100 feet deep, which may be used single or in connection with another twenty-two foot front, also opening on the east, the two connected by means of an open wall at the rear, which may be left open or closed as occasion may require, thus making two sets of double entrance business rooms, or four business rooms, or four single rooms, as occupants may desire; next, west, is the fourth and last front on the north, 24x100 feet, and sixteen foot ceiling. All these have six foot recess entrance doors that in themselves are models of beauty and strength, filled with plate glass, iron sills, plate glass recess and front sash, with single glass in each opening, cut stone corners with square iron columns at division walls and round in the intermediate spaces, making in the aggregate two lines of business fronts.

Walton's Opera House, Butler, Missouri.

Having in a brief manner outlined the ground floor, we proceed to the main entrance under the tower on the east side. As we enter we find ourselves standing in a recess or vestibule entrance with a solid cast iron floor or sill, four by seven feet, from which starts a spacious, easy stairway, seven feet in width, rising to the height of about four feet, we find ourselves on a platform or landing, enclosed by storm doors. Standing now at the head of the main entrance stairway, we find ourselves about the middle of the building in a spacious, high, T-shaped hall, one running back to the east and around the main entrance, the other running north and south the entire length of the building, and at the end of these halls, though large and spacious, they have windows as large as can be put in the space, thus giving as much light and ventilation as possible, while at the north end a stairway leads out on the north front; at the south is another stairway. On the east side are entrance doors to the east half of the second story, which is divided into five suits of office rooms, giving consultation rooms in connection with offices, while on the west side are entrance doors and stairway to the gallery and to the theater. The dome is thirty-two feet high, from the center of which hangs a magnificent chandelier, built expressly for the dome. The ceiling and walls are a solid mass of ornamentation. The auditorium is fifty by seventy feet, with twenty-six feet ceiling with arched corners, with gallery and dress circle enclosed by elaborate railings that are carved, gilded and tinted until their dazzling beauty holds you wrapt in admiration. The dress circle is seated with opera chairs, raised on an inclined or pitched floor, and the gallery floor is graded in the same manner. The proscenium walls are paneled in the richest of colors and elaborate designs, with a center panel on the one side for the reception of Shakespeare, and on the other for Beethoven, thus representing music and the drama by their acknowledged masters over the civilized world. The stage is thirty-three feet in depth, twenty-eight back of the curtain line and fifty feet in width.

The main drop curtain is a specimen of art equal to the best in the largest metropolis, and in design and execution reflects the greatest credit upon the artistic skill of Mr. T. B. Harrison. The scene here depicted is taken from actual life, and in an oval medallion appears a representation of the Golden Temple of Umritza, one of the most ornate as well as justly celebrated specimens of India architecture in the world, and recalls the fascinating romances of the Orient. It is located, like most of the Hindu temples, upon the borders of the sacred water, which reflects from its placid surface the details of the temple. The medallion in the center is placed upon a field of white satin and bordered below with heavy gold bullion fringe. The lower portion of the drop curtain represents a tessellated pavement in steps, while at the top it is surmounted by a valance drapery of crimson velvet, with folds of corn-colored drapery, disposed in graceful folds either side of the curtain. It is also ornamented with two straight tabs of tapestry, whose rich tints and intricate Persian patterns is in perfect keeping with the Oriental character of the picture.

The stage scenery is simply immense, and in amount and variety of pictures is hardly excelled by the largest theaters. This scenery was all executed by Mr. Harrison, and carefully selected in anticipation of any calls that may be made upon the resources of this house. They consist of a center-door fancy chamber and a two-door fancy chamber, either of which, or in combination, can be made to represent an elegant parlor, a two-door plain chamber, center door, gothic oak chamber, also adapted for parlor scenes, a kitchen, prison, wood landscape, cut wood scene, garden, rocky pass, street house with practical door, ancient street, village landscape, and the following set pieces to rig with other scenes for combination interiors: Set cottage, house, fancy bar, bank counter, rocks, water and horizon, making, as we have remarked, a complete and varied selection adapted to most any play on the American stage.

The seating capacity of the house in its extreme limit will be about 1,000, though at present chairs have been placed for only 800, of which some 300 are in the very pretty gallery. The walls of this story are several inches thicker than are usually built for such edifices, and it is without doubt one of the best constructed buildings in the West.

In the internal arrangements, Mr. T. B. Harrison and the stage carpenter, Mr. Davis, have introduced all the modern conveniences and improvements for working and adjusting the lights, curtains and other working parts. The chandelier is raised and lowered by a windlass behind the scenes, the footlights are balanced upon a working frame and so arranged by a leverage as to be lowered below the stage or raised to their proper position. The drop curtains are worked by a system of windlasses, located on a raised platform out of the way of occupants of the stage, and these curtains are so nicely adjusted and balanced as to hold their own weight at any point. In the southeast corner of the stage-room there is a large force-pump communicating with a never-failing well in the basement, and here is secured the supply of water for the sink or for extinguishing fires. A large amount of rubber hose is always kept upon a reel near this pump ready for any emergency.

The most imposing event that ever occurred in the history of Butler was the opening of the Opera House, which took place on the evening of December 11, 1882. A large number of persons were present from a distance. Among these were the Knights of Pythias, from Nevada, Vernon County, Missouri. Below will be found a history of what transpired upon that occasion, as taken from one of the local papers:

At half-past 8 o'clock the magnificent room was filled from top to bottom with an audience anxiously awaiting the commencement of the evening's programme.

At the appointed moment, while the audience sat in silent suspense for the introduction, Dr. L. M. Wright arose from his seat, and advancing to the front, addressed the house in a brief but eloquent speech, closing with the nomination of John T. Smith as chairman of the evening. On being conducted to the stage, Mr. Smith was met with loud applause.

Addressing himself to the audience for a few moments, the chairman alluded to the importance of the occasion, and stating that the citizens had chosen proper representatives to carry out the programme, and there being present a large number of visitors from the neighboring cities, he called on the Hon. John A. Lefker, mayor of Butler, to welcome them to the hospitalities of the city. The mayor came forward, and being introduced, addressed the house as follows:

Ladies and Gentlemen: Seventeen years ago the spot now occupied by the city of Butler was a wilderness; what had but a short time previous to that period been a thriving village, was by the ravages of a cruel war destroyed, its happy homes made desolate, its places of business plundered and given to the flames, and its people banished, shedding bitter tears over their ruined firesides.

How different the aspects of things today! Where but a few short years ago man was afraid to meet his fellow man unless heavily armed; where weeds had taken the place of flower gardens; where even many of the old landmarks had disappeared, we now see a city of 4,000 souls, its people prosperous and happy in the consciousness of safety to themselves and their loved ones.

Grim visaged war, with all its attendant horrors, has disappeared, the pioneer with his gun and axe has set his face towards the setting sun, and in their wake have come churches, school houses, the arts and sciences, poetry, printing, music and the drama -- in a word, civilization. And tonight the city of Butler has donned its gala dress; its people have assembled, with light hearts and happy faces, to attest their appreciation of these facts, and to show their approval of the enterprise and liberality of one of its most favorite sons in the erection and dedication of this magnificent temple to Thespis. But Butler does not stand alone in this testimonial; worthy representatives of our sister cities and towns are here tonight, bearing in their hands a fraternal greeting from those whom they represent, standing side by side with us, their hearts beating in unison with ours in this labor of love.

To you, ladies and gentlemen, it becomes my pleasant duty, as chief magistrate of the city of Butler, to extend a hearty and cordial welcome. Our people have for many weeks looked forward to this occasion with joyful anticipation, which has been largely increased by the expectations of meeting friends and acquaintances from other places. We are, therefore, gratified to have you with us, and gladly welcome you as the guests of the city of Butler; we feel proud of your visit here tonight; we appreciate the spirit of friendship with which it is made, and we hope that the occasion will be as pleasant and profitable to you as your presence is grateful to us, and on your return to your homes carry the assurance to your people that we accept this as the best evidence of their fraternal regard, and that all feelings of petty jealousy, if any ever existed between us, are forever banished. Tell them that they occupy a very warm spot in the hearts of the people of Butler; that we will rejoice when we hear of their prosperity, and that sadness like a funeral pall will cover our hearts when misfortune overtakes them.

To the Sir Knights of Pythias who are present here tonight we desire especially to extend the right hand of fellowship. We congratulate you on the proud position your order holds. We know somewhat of your trials and triumphs in the past decade, and we are gratified to learn of the success with which it has made its way among kindred institutions, and we feel assured that an organization holding the principles that yours does will go on increasing in number and influence until the whole land shall acknowledge its power. Founded as it is on naught but the purest and sincerest of motives, its aim is to alleviate the sufferings of a brother, succor to the unfortunate, zealously watch at the bedside of the sick, soothe the dying pillow, perform the last sad rites at the grave of a brother, offer consolation to the afflicted and care for the widow and orphan. Having these principles in view, you will endeavor to exemplify them by practical tests, and if, by the grace of God, you shall successfully carry out these objects, you will feel that your mission has not been in vain.

And finally, ladies and gentlemen, we desire to assure you that whenever business or pleasure leads you this way the people of Butler will be glad to grasp your hands in friendship, and we hope that through the exercise of these social qualities we may be able to soften somewhat the hard blows we frequently encounter on earth, and when the curtain finally falls on the last act in the drama of life we may feel that our condition here has been made brighter and better because of our intercourse with each other.

Upon the conclusion of the mayor's address, Mr. W. E. Walton was called and took a seat at the end of the stage, and the chairman called for Captain Tygard, who, he said, was a representative of the citizens of Bates County on the occasion. With his accustomed coolness and business-like deportment, Captain Tygard advanced to a position on the stage, and being introduced, delivered the following very brief and pointed address:

Ladies and Gentlemen: Through the kindness and courtesy of the manager, we find ourselves for a few moments in possession of this magnificent opera hall -- the idol of its owner, the pride of our people.

This is an event long to be remembered in the history of our little city, and one to which we have anxiously looked forward with great expectations and speculations as to the date of its occurrence.

It is well known that frequent attempts have been made within the past few years to secure the erection of a suitable building, which would give us the use of a creditable hall, but from various causes all efforts in this direction were attended with failure, giving the amusement loving public only disappointment, and the friends of public enterprise discouragement. When a final appeal was made to one of our leading citizens, a gentleman known to possess the necessary qualifications for such an important undertaking, and who, unaided and alone, determined to erect for us an edifice far surpassing in its grandeur anything we had previously contemplated, the magnificence of which is only excelled by the liberality and lavish expenditure of its proprietor and owner, W. E. Walton.

So well pleased are the public at the manner in which that determination has been carried to completion, that we find here the largest concourse of the people ever assembled on any similar occasion, except perhaps in larger cities, all testifying their approval, by their presence and participation, in the ceremonies attending the formal opening of the Walton Opera House. And not only in this manner, but they have placed in my hands, to be presented as a memorial on this occasion, one of the most perfect specimens of the artists designs, a banner, the beauty of which certainly entitles it to a final resting place in the midst of these luxurious surroundings. While contemplating this, let us remember, that as a "thing of beauty is a joy forever," we should indulge the hope, that the joy experienced by us on this occasion may be as lasting as the beauty of our own free will offering. I have the honor of presenting it, not alone in the name of the donors, not alone in the name of our city, but in the name of the people of Bates County. I present it to our honored citizen, William E. Walton, as a testimonial of our esteem, and in appreciation of his great labor, liberality and generosity.

When the speaker alluded to the banner and brought it from behind the curtain in view of the audience, he was unable to proceed further for some moments because of the cheers that went from every corner of the room. Mr. Walton, who during the remarks of Captain Tygard, was standing at one end of the stage, now advanced and taking the banner spoke as follows:

Ladies and Gentlemen: I accept this beautiful banner with feelings of gratitude. I appreciate it not for its intrinsic value but as a token of the good will and friendship of my neighbors and friends who gave it. Again let me thank you for the banner and also for your presence here tonight.

The banner is a very handsome one costing upward of $125 in the center of which is the emblems of the state of Missouri, inscribed on either side the following: "Walton's Opera House, Butler, Missouri, Presented by Citizens of Bates County."

At this juncture of the proceedings Mr. E. A. Phelps, of Nevada, was loudly called for, and taking his seat at the piano performed a beautiful march which the audience rewarded with applause.

The chairman then stated that the young men of Butler were not satisfied till they had contributed their mite of gratitude to Mr. Walton, and had selected as a memento of that feeling a souvenir which they desired William O. Jackson to present. Mr. Jackson here came forward and spoke as follows:

Ladies and Gentlemen: Doubtless there are not many of you who were expecting your humble servant to appear upon the stage tonight, for there is no mention made of me or of any character that I personate in the programme of the evening, which you hold in your hands.

But, ladies and gentlemen, I like others, appear for a purpose, a purpose which I most earnestly hope may meet with the approbation of each and every individual within this hall tonight. And if you will pardon this intrusion on your programme, I promise you that I will ask your indulgence but for one moment.

For many years in our city, business, that overgrown monster of the nineteenth century, has in a measure crushed out oratory, music and poetry, the very thing which it would seem it should foster; for these furnish the most natural and certainly the most suitable recreation for the intelligent business men. We never tire of oratory, music and poetry at their proper times, however wearisome other things may become.

Dr. Wayland in his essay entitled "Glory," when attempting to demonstrate the utter failure of man to accomplish that instinctive desire within to be remembered by future generations, said, " The noblest monuments of art that the world has ever seen are covered with the soil of twenty centuries. The works of the age of Pericles lie at the foot of the Acropolis in indiscriminate ruin. The plowshare turns up the marble which the hand of Phidias had chiseled into beauty, and the Mussulman has folded his frock beneath the falling columns of the temple of Minerva."

However perfectly the doctor's allusion to these ancient structures and to their architects and sculptors may demonstrate his point, "that all is soon doomed to fade into oblivion," the converse of his proposition maybe equally as well demonstrated by a similar allusion to oratory, music and poetry. The names of Homer and Virgil are as familiar to us as household words, because they are associated with these children of the human intellect and heart. And these still live and will live on so long as there is the least scintilla of the light of the love of the beautiful beaming in the soul of mortal man. They furnish food for the gratification of the noblest faculties with which the God of nature has endowed the human mind. But to be properly relished and enjoyed they must be rendered with that inimitable grace and spontaneity which always characterizes the able orator, the good performer or the true actor.

And hitherto, owing to the lack of suitable halls and proper facilities, the better grade of oratorical, musical and poetical entertainments have rarely given us a call, and many of our citizens whose minds have been stimulated to a wonderful pitch of intensity by a generous spirit of emulation to excel in their occupations, have lavished their labors and resources upon their business to the neglect of these accomplishments, and our amusement loving people have long felt the want of suitable facilities for these sort of amusements, and particularly has this want been felt by the young men of our city. They have looked and longed for a place where they could go and hear the master orators and musicians of the age. They have looked and longed for a place where they could see held up in their true light and color, those characters which are so beautifully depicted by such masters as Shakespeare, Addison. Ben Johnson and numerous others of a more recent date. They have looked and longed for a place where they could, at the same time that they were enjoying the necessary recreation from the toils of business, add something to their store of knowledge, something to their depth of culture, to fit them better for those functions which society demands they should perform, and of late this want has been so felt by them that it is scarcely overdrawing the picture to say, that they had almost begun to think that all that was necessary to make the facilities and opportunities of pleasure and happiness at Butler -- situated as it is in a healthful location, on a beautiful undulating prairie and surrounded by a country that presents a picture of perfect beauty, and affording all of the opportunity of business that the heart can wish -- I say that in the light of these facts, it is scarcely overdrawing the picture to say that they had almost begun to think that all that was necessary to render the facilities for pleasure and amusement at Butler equal to those enjoyed by our first parents in their primeval home, was a splendid opera hall. And as they heard the sound of the hammer and chisel, and saw stone after stone laid, brick piled upon brick, until this splendid structure, the opening of which we have the pleasure of celebrating tonight, neared completion, they were extremely pleased and much gratified, and thought it fitting that they should present something to that public spirited citizen, who had caused its erection, as a token of their appreciation of what he had done, something as a souvenir to constantly remind him of the fact that in their estimation, whoever else may be second as a public benefactor to whom they are indebted, and to whom they ought and do feel ever grateful for favors conferred, he has by his success in the enterprise of constructing this magnificent edifice, which stands tonight as a monument of the progressive spirit which actuated its builder and made himself the first.

And with that object in view they sent to New York and had made to order a souvenir bearing this inscription: "Presented to W. E. Walton, by the young men of Butler, Missouri, at the opening of the Opera Hall, December 11, 1882." They selected that which I hold in my right hand (holding up the cane) as suitable; suitable, ladies and gentlemen, not as a support to declining years; no, no! not that, for it is their firm belief, and certainly their most earnest wish, that he will long enjoy the blessing of vigorous, active manhood, and that his old age will be green and venerable, and not feeble and tottering. And further, that while the blessings of good health may be showered upon him, and the goddess of fortune brood o'er his pathway, he may hear in response to his inquiries as to what remains in store in the future for him, constantly coming back a sweet "All is well." No! no! I say it was not thought suitable as a support for declining years, nor was it thought suitable on account of any intrinsic value which it may contain, for whatever of this it may contain was only added to it to make it the more suitable to be kept as a token by W. E. Walton, to keep ever fresh and green in his memory the fact that the young men of Butler, Missouri, are truly grateful to him and appreciate what he has done for the people, and especially for the young people of Butler.

And so, ladies and gentlemen, with the consent and authority of all the young men of Butler, I now have the pleasure of presenting to that public spirited citizen the token selected. (Presenting cane.) Yours, sir, and more than thrice welcome.

The cane was a very handsome fourteen karat gold head, with the following inscription thereon: "Presented to William E. Walton, at the opening of his Opera House, by the young men of Butler."

This kind and grateful remembrance was a complete surprise to Mr. Walton, who was prevented from uttering a word in response, so tremendous was the applause. But his actions told louder than words his appreciation of the gift.

With this the formal proceedings of the opening of the Walton Opera House terminated, and the great, handsome curtain was raised upon the first act of the play entitled "Engaged," by the May Wheeler Combination. A ball was given by a committee of six young gentlemen after the entertainment. The merry dancers continued their fun and amusement till six o'clock the next morning, when all went home happy, but somewhat jaded in spirit and appearance. The supper was prepared by Charles Enders.

Bates Lodge, No. 180, I.O.O.F., was instituted January 6, 1868, by Special Deputy Grand Master W. S. Patrick. The names of the charter members are: H. S. Carnal, J. H. Mills, J. J. Curd, William Hurt, H. A. Woy, J. C. Trindle, L. C. Haggard and W. C. Long.

The following brothers have acted as noble grand: J. H. Mills, J. B. Dickerson, D. Jennison, A. H. Lamb, H. S. Carnal, A. M. Christian, A. S. Martin, J. H. Mills, C. F. Boxley, L. D. Condee, N. Davis, J. K. Ashby, A. H. Lamb, E. M. Pyle, F. Sackett, J. H. Mills, F. Sackett, H. M. Cannon, D. Walker, A. L. Betz, A. S. Martin, J. G. Walker, W. W. Ross, J. Van Camp, W. H. Warnock and W. B. Bridgeford.

The following brothers have acted as vice grand: H. A. Woy, H. S. Carnal, A. H. Lamb, A. M. Christian, C. F. Boxley, A. S. Martin, J. K. Ashby, F. Sackett, J. W. Turner, N. Davis, E. M. Pyle, T. C. Boulware, A. S. Martin, F. Sackett, F. E. Downing, D. G. Newsome, T. C, Boulware, A. L. Betz, A. F. Wyard, A. H. Culver, J. G. Walker, W. W. Ross, J. Van Camp, W. H. Warnock, W. B. Bridgeford and H. B. Robinson.

The following brothers have acted as secretary: H. S. Carnal, A. M. Christian, W. L. Willard, E. M. Pyle, A. L. Betz, E. M. Pyle, J. L. Stanley, E. M. Pyle, N. Davis, F. E. Downing, E. M. Pyle, J. G. Walker, H. C. Shivers, A. H. Culver, D. G. Newsome, W. W. Ross, T. W. Legg, W. H. Warnock, A. Bremerman, H. B. Robinson and D. Walker.

The following brothers have acted as permanent secretary: C. F. Boxley, A. S. Martin, J. G. Walker, M. Weiner, A. H. Culver, E. T. Kirkpatrick, J. N. Gibson and W. W. Ross.

The following brothers have acted as treasurer; J. J. Curd, A. Shane, J. B. Dickerson, R. Slater, T. C. Boulware, J. W. Turner, E. M. Pyle, M. S. Cowles, H. M. Cannon, E. M. Pyle, J. H. Mills, J. G. Walker, Max. Weiner, F. Sackett, H. Sigmund, M. H. Maynard, C. Cummings, T. W. Childs, C. Cummings.

Representatives sent to the grand lodge of Missouri from District No. 67: John H. Mills, Alexander H. Lamb, M. M. Tucker, T. P. Shadowens, --- Whitaker and John G. Walker.

List of district deputy grand masters in District No. 67: John H. Mills, Alexander H. Lamb, M. M. Tucker, T. P. Shadowens, --- Whitaker and John G. Walker.

Number of members at this date, seventy-nine.

Butler Encampment, No. 76, I.O.O.F., meets the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month. It was instituted under dispensation on the third day of June, 1874, by Special Deputy Grand Patriarch George I. Shepard, assisted by Patriarchs G. Ross, E. Bixby, A. S. Steifel, W. H. Ruble, A. L. Stone and David Walker. The charter was granted at the next session of the Grand Encampment, and dated May 2, 1874.

Charter members: W. H. Ruble, David Walker, A. H. Lamb, John H. Mills, A. S. Martin, A. L. Betz and F. E. Downing.

Elective officers for term commencing June 3, 1874. -- A. H. Lamb, C.P.; A. S. Martin, H.P.; John H. Mills, S.W.; A. L. Betz, J.W.; F. E. Downing, S.;W. H. Ruble, T.

October 1, 1874 -- A. S. Martin, C.P.; James M. Boreing, H.P.; John H. Mills, S.W.; David Walker, J.W.; F. E. Downing, S.; A. L, Betz, T.

October 1, 1875 -- John H. Mills, C.P.; E. M. Pyle, H.P.; A. L. Betz, S.W.; A. H. Lamb, J.W.; D. W. Snyder S.; A.S. Martin, T

October 1, 1876 -- Officers of last term held over.

October 1, 1877 -- A, L. Betz, C.P.; David Walker, H.P.; H. M. Cannon, S.W.; R. Slater, J.W.; D. W. Snyder, S.; John H. Mills T.; representative to Grand Encampment, J. H. Mills.

October 1, 1878 -- David Walker, C.P.; F. Sackett, H.P.; J. Schwenck, S.W.; R. Slater, J.W.; A. H. Lamb Secretary; H. M. Cannon, Treasurer; Representative to Grand Encampment, A. H. Lamb.

October 1, 1879 -- A. H. Lamb, C.P.; A. S. Martin, H.P.; F. Sackett, S.W.; A. L. Betz, J.W.; David Walker, Secretary; H. M. Cannon, Treasurer; Representative to Grand Encampment, A. H. Lamb.

October 1, 1880 -- A. H. Culver, C.P.; J. G. Walker, H.P.; H. Sigmond, S.W.; John Vancamp, J.W.; W. W. Ross, Secretary; P. S. Dickerson. Treasurer; Representative to Grand Encampment, David Walker.

April 1, 1881 -- John G. Walker, C.P.; W. W. Ross, H.P.; J. N. Gipson, S.W.; A. H. Lamb, J.W.; H. B. Robinson, Secretary; P. S. Dickerson, Treasurer.

October 1, 1881 -- J. N. Gibson, C.P.; H. B. Robinson, H.P.; John Vancamp, S.W.; H. Warnock, J.W.; A. H. Culver, Secretary; John A. Lefker, Treasurer; Representative to Grand Encampment, David Walker.

April 1, 1882 -- W. W. Ross, C.P.; John Vancamp, H.P.; G. W, Todd, S.W.; H. Warnock, J.W.; W. B. Bridgeford, Secretary; John A Lefker, Treasurer.

October 1, 1882 -- H. B. Robinson, C.P.; W. B. Bridgeford, H.P.; R. A. Hurt, S.W.; P. S. Dickerson, J.W.; J. N. Gipson, Secretary; J. G. Walker, Treasurer; Representative to Grand Encampment, J. G. Walker.

District Deputy Grand Patriarchs from 1874 to date, A. H. Lamb and David Walker.

Butler Lodge, No. 254, A.F. & A.M., was chartered October 15, 1868, with the following charter members: John H. Frizell, W.M.; John Steele, S.W.; John W. Hannah, J.W.; Van Buren Van Dyke, Secretary; J. C. Heath,Treasurer; C. M. Peck, S.D.; R. G. Hartwell, J.D.; Robert Hill and G. W. Patterson, Stewards; G. L. Wheaton, Tyler.

Present officers.— O. D. Austin, W.M.; J. A. J. Moore, S.W.; Thomas J. Smith, J.W.; H. M. Reynolds, Treasurer; Arch L. Sims, Secretary; C. L. Mills, S.D.; Henry Kaune, J.D.; B. F. Rosamond and G. M, McKissick, Stewards; H. V. Pentzer, Tyler.

Present membership, 150; cash on hand and loaned out, $700; hall in third story of court house.

Miami Royal Arch Chapter, No. 76, was instituted in July, 1872. W. W. Ross was first H.P.; W, W. Ross, second H.P., J. C. Clark, third H.P.; J. C. Clark, fourth H.P.; A. J. Satterlee, fifth H.P.; A. T. Holcomb, sixth H.P.; O. D. Austin, seventh H.P.; F. C. Smith, eighth H.P.; William Page, ninth H.P.; Tygard, tenth H.P. Membership, 57.

Gouley Commandery Knights Templar No. 30, was organized in 1879. J. W. Hannah, W. W. Ross, J. C. Clark, F. J. Tygard and others charter members. F. J. Tygard was appointed Eminent Commander; W. W. Ross, Generalissimo, and J. W. Hannah Captain General. F. J. Tygard was elected Eminent Commander for the year 1880, W. W. Ross for 1881, and E. C. Park for 1882. F. J. Tygard, now Eminent Grand Captain General of the Grand Commandery for the state of Missouri, was elected Eminent Commander for the year 1883, and on December 5th was duly installed by Right Eminent Grand Commander William J. Terrell. Dr. L. M. Wright is Generalissimo and J. R. Burcham Captain General, and were also installed into their respective offices at the same time. Gouley Commandery has a membership of about forty, composed of some of the most active and energetic members of the fraternity to be found in this county.

Gouley Commandery was named in honor of the late George Frank Gouley, who lost his life in the burning of the Southern Hotel, St. Louis, some years ago. Mr. Gouley be will remembered as being the Grand Secretary of all the grand bodies -- Masonic -- of Missouri for many years, and a man of national reputation.

The Presbyterian Church edifice was the first erected in the town after the war. It was built in 1868, is a frame building, and cost about $4,000. The church, however, was organized in 1867, by Rev. S. G. Clark, there being present, beside himself, three persons, who constituted the membership. These were Judge David McGaughey, Mrs. R. D. Williams, and Mrs. Shuman. Judge McGaughey was made ruling elder. Capt. E. P. Henry paid $1,000 toward the building of the house of worship. The present officers are: Deacons -- D. W. Thompson and John Baure. Elders -- A. D. Taylor, J. C. McKibben and E. P. Henry. The ministers officiating have been: Rev. S. G. Clark, J. G. McMillan, E. W. P. Wyatt, E. V. Campbell, and W. M. Newton. Number of members, 160.

The Methodist Episcopal Church had its first planting in the territory of Bates County, Missouri, at a comparatively early date. The unfortunate disruption of the church in 1844 broke in upon its harmony and growth. A large portion of the societies, willingly or unwillingly, adhered to the new organization -- the M. E. Church, South. While many took this course for peace, others refused to do so from principle. These few were the nucleus of weak and scattered societies that existed between 1844 and 1860 and were reformed under the jurisdiction of the M. E. Church.

Such societies existed east, south and southwest of what is now the city of Butler. They were for the most part embraced in the "Double Branch Circuit," Independence District, Missouri Conference. These societies were served during those years by N. Cordray, James Lee, O. H. Mitchell and others, with J. H. Hopkins, Robert and Benjamin Wilson as presiding elders.

The M. E. Church never relinquished her right or ceased to have her representatives in this section. In 1861 C. E. Carpenter was appointed to a work, in which Bates County was -- war, war --

Soon after the war closed immigration moved towards Butler. The first family on the ground (November 1865) was a Methodist one -- that of Judge Pyle. A Baptist one however, came the next day. In the spring of 1866 the Rev. Calloway, a local preacher was employed as "supply" on Butler Circuit, then in the Springfield District, Missouri and Arkansas Conference. He visited Butler and was the first to preach there after the war. Finding several Methodist families there he organized a "class" in April 1866, in the old frame building used for a court house, and now used, at this date, 1882, by Justice Schwenck, as a dwelling in the north part of the city. This first class was composed of the following members; viz.: J. H. McNiel, Samuel, Martha, Elbert M., Frank and Rhoda Pyle, Joel Shipley, Filer and Sarah A. Sackett, Charlotte Hurt, Lizzie Myers, S. M. Ledyard, Pauline Lamb, J. Friend, Emily R. Yoakum, Benjamin N. and Annie Thornton. During the summer others united with, the class, among them R. G. Hartwill, who succeeded B. H. Thornton, in September as class leader.

In the latter part of 1866 Rev. Bright succeeded Rev. Calloway in charge. In January 1867, Rev. J. L. Walker, P.E., paid his first official visit to Butler.

In May 1866, the first Sunday School was organized in Hannah's store house -- then unfinished -- as a Union Sabbath School. J. H. McNiel was elected superintendent with G. W. Patterson, as assistant. Afterwards the Sunday School met in the school house until the Presbyterian Church was completed. In 1869 or 1870, the first Methodist Sunday School was organized out of a part of the above Union Sunday School, and has continued as such.

In March 1867, Rev. T. S. Benefiel was appointed in charge. The year closed with twenty appointments on the circuit. In 1868, T. S. Benefiel was reappointed with H. G. Hopkins as assistant.

In 1868, a parsonage was built, costing $800 -- afterwards sold and the amount invested in the parsonage now owned and used. In 1869, Rev. W. S. Hubbard was in charge. In 1870, Rev. A. Warren was in charge. This year, the present brick church was projected, with the following board of trustees: J. M. Boring, A. H. Humphrey, E. M. Pyle, James Braggins and Miles Brown. The lot on the southwest corner of Ohio and Havana Streets was secured at a cost of $150, and a neat brick building erected at a cost of $3,500. At this time the congregation worshipped in the Presbyterian Church.

In March, 1871, Butler was made a "station," and Rev. W. A. Stephens appointed pastor. On May 21, 1871, the Church was dedicated by Rev. T. H. Hagerty, P.E. and Rev. B. F. Crary, D.D., editor of the Central Christian Advocate, St. Louis, Missouri.

In 1872 and 1873, W. A. Stephens, was returned as pastor until March 1874. In March 1874, Rev. William Stephens was appointed pastor and remained three years. In March 1874, Rev. J. F. Corrington was appointed pastor and remained two years. In March 1879, Rev. J. W. Johnson was appointed pastor, and remained two years. In March 1881, Rev. C. V. Criss was appointed pastor, and remained one year. In March 1882, Rev. S. Alexander was appointed pastor.

At this writing the society is in a flourishing condition, and being constantly strengthened by a gradual growth in membership, and in social and religious elevation. The congregation and Sunday School are large and are well able to support a minister.

The property is admirably located and free from debt. The church building sometimes is too small for the members who would attend, nevertheless is as comfortable as any in the city. It is lighted with an electric light; is furnished with a large tower and good bell.

The parsonage adjoins the church, is a comfortable house of seven rooms, and is likewise free from debt.

Before the war the Christian Church was in the ascendancy at this place, but its house of worship, with the entire town, was destroyed by fire. After the close of the war several unsuccessful attempts were made to effect a permanent organization. The first one to try to build up the church was Elder A. Cassidy, in 1868; but having to leave in the fall of that year, the effort was continued by a man by the name of Felix; after him by a man named Davenport; but their efforts were not crowned with success. Their failure maybe attributed to the inability of the members to build a house of worship, and were therefore compelled to meet in school houses, or in some rude hall. The court house at that time was not at their command.

Elder A. Cassidy, who is still a member of the congregation and has reached the good old age of eighty-two years, returned to the county in 1871, and gathered together quite a number of the scattered members, and met with and talked to them frequently on Lord's days. Through his intercession the county court passed an order, in 1873, to the effect that the court room could be used for the purpose of holding religious worship.

The members of this church began using it soon thereafter, and a permanent organization was effected on the 22d of June, 1873, under the labors of Elder J. H. Kellar, recently of Farmer City, Illinois, and who had been employed to preach for them for a period of six months, and to him more than any other one person is due the credit of sustaining the organization during the first years of its existence.

The following is a list of the names of those enrolled at the organization: Mrs. Elizabeth Pierce, Mrs. Mary M. Smith, Mrs. Sara J. Patterson, Mrs. Christina Wright, Mrs. Hester Despain, Mrs. Lydia Brashear, Mrs. Elizabeth Thomas, Mrs. A. Hill, Mrs. Elizabeth A. Scott, Mrs. Lydia Keasling, Mrs. Dora Maynard, Mrs. M. A. Spurlock, Mrs. J. C. Railsback, Mrs. M. E. Walton, Mrs. Laura Adams, Mrs. Nancy Baker, Miss Susie Pierce, Miss Addie Chastine, Mr. James Pierce, Mr. W. E. Railsback, Mr. J. F. Railsback, Mr. A. Cassidy, Mr. J. H. Kellar, Mr. N. R. Van Camp, Mr. N. B. Jeter, Mr. J. W. Jones and Mr. W. E. Tucker. This number was soon increased by others who had been members elsewhere.

In the spring of 1874 Elders James M. Tennison and O. Spencer held a very successful meeting, at which about twenty-five were added. During this meeting they occupied the Cumberland Presbyterian Church building, except on Sundays.

The Sunday School of this church was organized July 26, 1874. Dr. W. E. Tucker has been the superintendent from its organization until now.

Elder 0. Spencer, of Rich Hill, was employed in 1874 to preach for the church twice a month for one year. During the following three years no one was regularly employed as preacher, though they met for worship almost every Lord's day during that time. Father A. Cassidy talked and exhorted frequently, but Elder J. H. Kellar did most of the pastoral work and preaching.

J. B. Wright held an interesting meeting in the fall of 1875.

In 1876 the Cumberland Presbyterian Church building, situated on lots 17 and 18 in block 6 in the old town of Butler, was sold and passed into the hands of private individuals, the Cumberlands not being able to redeem it. The Christian Church was earnestly requested to purchase it, which they did for the sum of $1,400, and obtained possession in November 1876.

Elder J. W. Mouser held a good meeting during the early part of 1877. About a dozen additions at this meeting brought the list enrolled up to ninety-six, eleven of whom had either died or removed. Elder Joseph B. Wright was called to take charge of the church at the beginning of 1878.

He continued his labors with the church until the close of 1880 Joseph B. Wright is a son of Allen Wright, one of the ablest pioneer preachers of Missouri. In 1881 Elder O. Spencer preached for the church three months, and with that exception they had no regular preaching during that year.

Elder J. K. Reid, late of Newcastle, Kentucky, has had charge of the church the present year, and under his labors it has enjoyed unusual prosperity. Over one hundred members have been added to the church, and peace and harmony prevail among them. Late in 1882 an interesting meeting of three weeks' duration was held, in which they were ably assisted by M. M. Davis, of Nevada. There were eighteen additions.

Since the church was first organized 325 members have been enrolled, about 225 of whom are members at present. The following are trustees of the church: W. E. Walton, G. M. Hardin, Luther Sholes, T. W. Silvers, W. E. Tucker. The following are deacons: M. A. Maynard, W. E. Walton, Dan McConnell, T. W. Silvers, Dr. J. M. Christy, D. C. Mize. The present elders are S. B. Newbill and W. E. Tucker.

The first Baptist Church of Butler, Bates County, Missouri, was organized on the eighteenth of August, 1866, with the following constituent members: L. C. Conrey, Helen Conrey, Mary E. White, George W. Chandler, Hannah Chandler and Elizabeth White, and was recognized by a council of which James Harvey was moderator and J. P. Lawton, clerk.

In May, 1867, Elder John Smith was elected as the first pastor. In January, 1868, the first committee was appointed to solicit subscriptions for building purposes. On the twenty-first of April, 1869, a building committee was appointed. The building was erected in 1870 and 1871, and first occupied, although in an unfinished condition, in August 1871. The building was sold at sheriff's sale for debt on November 30, 1874, and was held by individuals for two years, with the promise to the church that it might be redeemed by the payment of the indebtedness. The church struggled along until June 2, 1877, when, seeing no prospect of redeeming the property or of again, prospering as a church under the existing management, it was resolved to disband, and at a regular meeting of the church the organization known as the First Baptist Church of Butler was by vote, disorganized and dissolved.

was organized on the fourth of September, 1877, at a meeting whereof Elder Elihu Gunn was moderator and Henry C. Steele clerk, with the following named persons as constituent members: J. Everingham, Mary R. Everingham, G. M. Risley, Paul Hendricks, Mary Hendricks, E. A. Henry, B. C. Henry, J. W. Swift, Rebecca Swift, Flora Swift, N. B. Langsford, Fannie Langsford, Jennie McConnell, W. T. Heath, A. A. Risley, H. C. Steele, Jessie Steele, W. W. Ross, N. N. Majors, Nannie Majors, Willie Majors, S. J. Ross, Rhoda Frey, Anna H. Frey.

The following named members were elected as trustees: E. A. Henry, J. Everingham and N. B. Langsford. At a meeting of the church held October 17, 1877, Elder J. W. Swift was chosen the first pastor. Within a few weeks after the organization the church had sufficient means pledged to buy the church building and one lot, and also to liquidate a claim of the American Baptist Home Mission Society against the first Baptist Church for $1,111, including interest, and as security for which the property was mortgaged. This indebtedness was all paid off within about two years and a half At a meeting held April 2, 1879, Rev. H. B. Turner was called as pastor, Elder Swift having previously resigned. At a meeting held February 2, 1881, Rev. Turner resigned as pastor, and on March 30, 1881, at a regular meeting of the church, the present pastor Rev. S. M. Brown, was called. Present membership, 259.

This church was organized before the war of 1861, but had no house of worship. A parsonage, however, was owned by this denomination and located in Butler. Since the war the church reorganized, about the year 1870, with the following members: J. J. Ryan, wife and daughter, Mr. A. B. McFarland, Mrs. Burcham, and Nathan Horn and wife. Rev. H. W. Webster was the last pastor before the war. R. J. Derrick, G. P. Smith, J. M. Kennett, W. L. King, J. B. H Wooldridge, R. A. Allen, L. P. Siceluff, J. B. Winton, R. A. Bathurst, J. D. Wood and L. P. Siceluff, who is the minister in charge, were the preachers since the war. The church has a frame house of worship and sixty members, also a good parsonage. The church is in a flourishing condition at the present time. The house in which they worship is new and paid for.

have also an organization, but no church edifice. They meet in the court house.

We have been unable to get the names of all the postmasters at Butler prior to the war of 1861, but we have the names of two, beginning with Wyatt Sandford. Those succeeding him were George W. Patterson, William C. Long, J. W. Cullar, James M. Pickett, Alexander H. Lamb, E. H. Holcomb, Mrs. Cora Harwi and O. D. Austin.

Bates County Missouri MOGenWeb