Murder or self-defense?

The Poplar Bluff Museum tells many unknown tales of our community. I want to tell you some of those hidden tales found within the museum walls.

Lida Montague Henson was the Butler County Circuit Clerk in 1905. He was having a property dispute with his neighbor Sylvester Adams. On April 14, 1905, he and his brother Riley Abraham Henson were walking along Ten Mile Creek when they were ambushed by Adams and a friend of his. Riley was shot dead and Lida grabbed a rifle and returned fire. According to Lida, he killed both men with one shot. Three dead men and only one witness. He was arrested and charged with first degree murder.

Lida was jailed awaiting trial. While in jail, Sheriff James R. Hogg allowed him to go home at night as long as he returned the next day before daylight. Hogg was known as a kind-hearted and generous man. When he died in 1934, it was discovered that townspeople owed him thousands of dollars. He apparently loaned out money to the less fortunate with no expectation of being paid back.

One year later, on April 11, 1906, Henson finally went to trial. The jury deliberated for only 30 minutes before acquitting him of murder.

John Stanard tells the story of the Henson trial in his 1993 book “Butler County, A Pictorial History.” The book is on file in the museum reference library. A photograph of Hogg is also on display in the Police and Firefighter exhibit of the Poplar Bluff Museum.

The museum is handicap accessible and open free of charge Sunday 1-4 p.m. at 1010 Main St. Tell them Mike sent you.

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