A tale of blind justice

The Poplar Bluff Museum has tales of us, our family, and our history. I want to tell you some of those tales found within the museum walls.

Please read until the end.

Dwight Brown was born in 1887. When he was 16, he started working as a messenger boy for the Bank of Poplar Bluff. Dwight also started as a collector for the local newspaper “Poplar Bluff Evening Citizen.” His hard work paid off and Dwight became an editor at the age of 19. He was the youngest newspaper editor in America. Dwight later worked for the newspaper “Interstate American” and owned an interest in the “Weekly Citizen Democrat.”

After a career in journalism, Dwight went into politics. He was elected to the Missouri Senate in 1924 at the age of 37. Dwight became the Missouri Parole Commissioner in 1929 introducing him to law enforcement. In 1933 He was elected as the Missouri Secretary of State. On Dwight’s re-election in 1940, he received more votes than any other candidate. Dwight was the only Butler County resident to ever hold an Executive position in government. He also served as the President of the Missouri Chamber of Conference. In 1944 Dwight was a candidate for the Governor of Missouri. His run for the office cut short when he died at the age of 57.

Senator Brown had an amazing career in journalism, law enforcement and politics. He went from a being a messenger boy to a Senator and Secretary of State. What was most notable and rarely spoken of was that

Dwight Brown was blind.

He lost his sight at the age of eight. Educated in public schools, Dwight had special tutors to help him learn. He continued his special education at Cumberland University in Tennessee. Dwight’s handicap only made him work harder than anyone else becoming an asset instead of a liability. Upon his death, five different organizations held his funeral all wanting to honor him. A family member finally stated “Will he be worn out before he is buried?”

Senator Brown’s incredible story is told in the “Poplar Bluff People Room.” His law books and typewriter are some of the personal affects are on display to help further connect with him. The Museum is handicap accessible and open every Sunday free of charge from 1pm to 4pm at 1010 Main Street, Poplar Bluff (Formerly the Old Mark Twain School). Tell them Mike sent you!

Mike Shane is a veteran, Poplar Bluff resident and board member for the Poplar Bluff Museum.