Butler County, Alabama - Chapter 9, 1885

The People Manage to Survive the Oppressive Times Which Followed the War, and Begin to Prosper - They Succeed in Electing Their County Officers from the Ranks of the Intelligent Democrats, and are no Longer Governed by Carpet- Baggers and Republicans - The Prosperity of the People Assured^ Etc.

in a bad condition. No one's credit was good for any amount ; the commerce of the whole countrywas greatly affected by the destruction of the war; the labor of these sections was of no service to the people for some time, and many other things retarded the progress of the county for several years. But this state of affairs could not last always. The clouds soon began to break away in the East, and a bright sun rose to shine in all its grandeur and splendor upon the desperate efforts of the Southern people to free themselves from the oppression of the times, and restore peace, happiness and prosperity in this their beautiful land.

In 1874, the affairs of the county were removed from the hands of the Republican party, where they had suffered greatly from the want of proper attention, and all the offices were filled with men elected by the Democrats - this party consisting of a majority of the most intelligent and influential voters of the county. The result of this election was received with great joy by the whites, for it meant that the provisional form of government was abolished, and justice and right should once more rule over the people.

The principal officers inaugurated under the new regime in the fall of 1874, were John L. Powell, Judge of Probate Court; Ransom Scale, Clerk of the Circuit Court, and William M. Flowers, County Sheriff.

pect - the farming and business interests begin to look up and prosperity is secured to the thrifty. All kinds of enterprises of the citizens receive great encouragement, and the natural resources of the county begin to be developed by the capitalist. The immense forests were brought in service for making houses, and shipping timber to different parts of the State ; farming land and all kinds of real estate increase in value, and everything once more assumes an air of prosperity. This progress has steadily continued from that day, until Butler County stands to-day abreast with any county in the State in nearly every respect, and is far ahead of the average in some particulars.