I came across this site while researching my mother's side of the family. Her dad is Hiram Holder Sr. and was born in Makanda, Illinois
Andrew Jackson Holder is my great grandfather, and the Holder men who were hanged were my grandfather's uncles. Thank all of you
for the work you have done on the history of Butler County. I moved to that area in 1983 and had never heard of Cow Island, only Coon Island.
When I saw Cow Island I immediately thought that a mistake had been made and they actually meant Coon Island. My great grandmother
on my mom's side of the family was Cherokee and had walked the Trail of Tears through Missouri.
I find all of the information you have on here very interesting !

Thank you again,
Tina Hall