|
Chapter 25: A Bridge Across the St. Francis River |
 |
 |
 |
|
The recent purchase of the Frisco bridge across the St. Francis River near Rombauer by Stoddard and Butler Counties is a reminder of a much earlier cooperation between these two counties for a bridge across this river at about the same location. At the time of its organization in 1849 Butler County did not have any bridges. Soon after the county seat site had been selected and county seat town had been laid out the County Court (Abraham Romine, William Vandover and John N. Yarber) gave some attention to roads and bridges.
On February 13, 1851, the Court appropriated three hundred dollars, "For the purpose of Building a Bridge across the River St. Francis at or near where the Public Road crosses said river leading from Bloomfield Stoddard County Missouri to the Town of Poplar Bluff in Butler County and state the place where said bridge is to be built is better known by the name of the Indian ford." This "Publick road" was the early day road frequently referred to in the County Court minutes as the "Road from Brannum's old Mill to the Indian Ford on the St. Francois." This Court appointed Richard Wall, an attorney of Stoddard County, as Commissioner to superintend the building of the bridge. Mr. Wall was to report to the Court at its next term and probable cost of said bridge. The County Court of Stoddard County was "respectfully requested" to concur in the plan for a bridge and to make a "similar appropriation." On May 15, 1851, the Court ordered that the bridge on the St. Francis be built at or near the mouth of Mud Creek and that the plan presented by the Commissioner be received by the Court.
The Indian Ford crossing of the St. Francis River was very important to the early settlers in Butler County and to areas farther west and south. It was the shortest way around the swamps of southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas. It was the route of trade and commerce to the Mississippi River port of Cape Girardeau. The settlers sold furs, hides and other products in Cape Girardeau and these purchased salt, sugar, gun powder, cloth and other much needed merchandise which had been brought there by boats playing up and down the Mississippi River. Solomon Kittrell, who operated a general store near Cane Creek northwest of Poplar Bluff, freighted goods by ox teams and wagons from Cape Girardeau. The round trip took about two weeks. A bridge across the St. Francis would greatly facilitate this commerce. Cape Girardeau would continue to be the chief trading post for Butler County until the coming of the railroad in 1872. Stoddard County would profit from the travel through its borders, also this road was followed by many immigrants from Kentucky, Tennessee, Southern Indiana and Southern Illinois as they moved to the west and south. This travel was valuable to both counties.
For reasons not disclosed in the County Court minutes progress in building the bridge was very slow. It was not until January 24, 1854 that the Court received a report that the bridge had been completed. Richard Wall was allowed $20.50 for his services. This bridge disappeared many years ago. Only a few people now living know that it once existed, but it served the purpose well. At later dates bridges were built across the St. Francis at Wappapello and at Fisk. These later bridges were more accessible and served more people so spelled the death of the old bridge, "at or near the Indian Ford."
|